Chapter 62

• "How are you, hija?" my mom spoke as we ate our dinner, she's talking to her friend's daughter, Lhea.
• I don't know why I always need to be present every time she's here. I knew he wanted the girl for me, but I never agreed with his plan. Although, I didn't decline either. I felt a subtle tension in the room every time my mother and Lhea exchanged glances, like a quiet storm waiting to break. Perhaps it was instinct, but I couldn’t shake the feeling that something more was unfolding beyond my control. I could feel the weight of every word, every movement, as if a silent drama were playing out just under the surface. The air was thick with unspoken expectations, making me unusually alert to every sound.
• I just let my mom think that I am following her orders. Well, as of now, there's nothing wrong with her plan. I'm not in a relationship, I also don't have someone I like. There's no need to oppose. I picked at my food absentmindedly, the clinking of utensils the only sound that grounded me in that moment. My mind wandered, tracing paths of potential outcomes, analyzing how her plan might unfold, and whether I could keep my feelings contained. I reminded myself to stay composed, though the flutter of nerves refused to be silenced.