Cut and Paste

Just when I thought my dreams were in finally within hand's reach, I already started to feel them crumble between my fingers.

"Who's this kid?"

"It's an old photo. But he's almost nineteen now. His name is Kujtim Dukagjini. Apparently he's going to the same academy that you've just been accepted to."

"So? What's the relevance here? You want me to be friends with him or something?"

"We're considering him as your future husband."

Enkelete looked down at the old photo that laid in her hands. The boys eyes were a dull brown, and his hair was scattered across his forehead. His smile was just a facade. There was nothing interesting about him, and yet this was the boy that she was now engaged to?

"You've gotta be kidding me."

"We're not." Her father confirmed. Her mother took a puff of a cigarrette and tapped it on the edge of the ash tray.

The eighteen-year-old felt something swell in her chest. How could her parents do this to her? What had she done to make them do this? Ok, so she's been a wild child all her life, but did she really do anybody any harm?

"This can't happen. Dad. You've always rejected these kinds of things... Why now? How can you do this?"

"You're getting older, Leta. You need to find a husband. It's traditi--"

"This is America, Dad! We're not in Kosovo! I don't need a husband, and I definetly don't want one!"

The swelling grew bigger, and felt like it was going down a landslide. How could he do this to her? He had rejected every offer given to her before this. How could this one be so special?

"Don't talk to me like that, Leta! I'm your father, and I'm doing this for your own good. I wouldn't do this to make you miserable." Her father beckoned.

"We're trying to do this in your favor. If Kujtim is going to your school, then that means he must like the same things that you do, right? That japanese cartoon stuff, right?" Her mother tried to explain.

"That doesn't matter! I don't care if he's the perfect match for me, or if he's willing to do anything for me, I don't want a husband." Enkelete made clear. She turned on her heel, and headed back to her room, followed by a thud of the door.

Her yelling wasn't going to help though. She was born for this. She couldn't stop this horrible fate of being sold off to be a wife. They had got her exactly were they wanted her to be.

The swelling in her chest had then exploded with emotions, making her body let it all out. This swelling pounded in pain, and felt like it was going to jump out of her chest. Then she realized that it was just her heart.