1 Chapter 1: Not Love Please...

Gloria POV:

I walked down the aisle in my heavy but gorgeous white gown. It was the most splendid thing I had ever last, and I made sure I took the least step in order not to stain it.

I could feel the warm breeze of the sea and the fragrant scent of the flowers coming out through the bushes of the garden. The greenery was visible, but the blue sea was blocked in front of my eyes by a huge board.

I looked straight, and the only thing I wanted to see was right in front of me. I let out a pleasant and satisfying smile. My only hope in life and my only will to live! It was the thing I longed for ages and I felt like walking toward it to start a new journey.

A small tear slid from my eyes as I wiped it and looked at the board, where there was written in bold 'Congratulations on being a psychologist.' Psychologist; what a peace the word gave to my eyes.

My love and my passion seemed so clear and vivid, and it seemed I was walking across the aisle of my dreams. Finally, it will come true. Finally, my long dream of being a psychologist and leading an independent life will come true.

I extended my hand to touch the posters of my only dreams when suddenly I found myself facing some guy in white wedding clothes. My smile faded suddenly. He was on his knees holding something shiny in his hands.

"Do you want to be my wife?" He said as he extended a ring to me.

The posters which were just in one hand seemed to tear right in front of my eyes. The life of my dreams seemed to just abruptly be destroyed. My world had completely collapsed with great difficulty, and unwillingly I muttered, "I do....."

***

"Noooooooo" I cried as I jumped out of the bed shouting my throat out. I threw my arms over and sat up. My heart was pumping fast, and I clearly felt the cold sweets in my temples. It took me huge breaths to replenish myself.

'Huh! That was just a dream!' I murmured loudly and looked around. Thank God I was in my room and what I saw was nothing but a nightmare. A very bad nightmare!

Assuring myself that it was not true, I got out of bed. With my tired eyes and heavy-feeling body, I dragged myself towards the washroom.

After putting some water on my face, I felt that I could finally see and feel the reality of the world. I looked in a mirror in front of the basin. Just as I was about to touch my reflection, I heard someone bang on the door loudly.

"Where are you, Glo? Do you sleep in the bathroom now? Get up and get ready. You are running late. You shouldn't be late on your first day of the new semester." Screamed my mom and went away to prepare my tiffin.

I hurriedly took a shower and went for my new uniform. It was a blue-colored shirt and long black baggy jeggings. Though it was different from my middle school uniform, which was a top and a skirt, I likely preferred this uniform as my huge legs could hide under it very well.

After I got ready, I went to the kitchen where mom was hurriedly making my breakfast.

"Finally, you're done. Here, have this." Mom said, handing me a piece of bread. I took it in my mouth, kept my tiffin in my bag, and ran towards the door.

"Aren't you forgetting something?" my mom shouted from behind.

Before I went any further, I came back and hugged mom. But before I ran away, she again interrupted, "Aren't you forgetting something more?"

I looked at my mom pleadingly.

"No. Don't show me that look,", saying so she pulled me over towards a corner where a weighing machine stood.

I looked at her, "Mom not today, please. I am getting late." I pleaded, but mom gave me a fierce look and, without any more words, I stood over the weighing machine. I looked straight and closed my eyes expecting mom to say what she usually said.

"Get down." her voice got serious, and she folded her hands together.

I looked at her and saw her terrible face.

"Mom I..." I tried to say something when mom cut me through

"Gloria, you went to a party last week, right? What did you eat?"

Mom still had a serious tone in her voice. So I didn't dare to lie.

"A brot... A fish piece..."

"And??"

"And some cold drinks....chips...."

"AND?"

"a piece of cake, maybe." I finished the sentence with guilt.

"MAYBE A PIECE OF CAKE?? Gloria, do you even know what you weigh? It's 75! 75 for a girl? Just imagine. It was 72 just last week and today 75? What's the use of all your studies and beauty when you might, in the near future, fall sick because of your obesity? Do you even care about your health?"

Mom scolded as I looked down at my fat feet.

After a minute more lecturing, I grabbed my bag hastily and went out of the house. As soon as I was out, I let out a sigh.

I knew I was fat, but what was my fault if even water made me fatter? I hated it when mom scolded me for my weight. I know that she just worries about my health, but what should I do? I have tried everything to get rid of it: jogging, skipping, yoga, diet, gym. But nothing worked.

I myself was depressed about this topic, but after my 15th birthday last year, I decided that, no matter what, I wouldn't worry about my weight and would let nature take its course. But it felt bad when mom scolded me each time.

After taking this minute's pause to replenish myself, I looked up to find a girl near the gate.

The girl had strawberry blonde hair and milky skin. She had a perfect figure and a dimple added charm to her looks. She was the perfect example of a princess. She was also wearing a duplicate uniform like mine, yet she looked a 'bombshell'.

I walked towards her when she hurriedly showed me her watch. Oh God, I was running late! I ran towards her and then we both went at a fast pace towards the pavement.

"I am sorry," I said without filling out the details.

"What's the matter, girl? Is it your mom again?" She asked, looking at my dropped face.

I did not say anything but gave a nod.

"Come on, Glo. Don't feel so depressed about it. You don't weigh that much, anyway." She tried to cheer up

"No, Li. I CAN'T deny the fact that I AM fat. I AM ugly. I AM..." Tears had formed in my eyes, threatening to fall when Lyra came forward and hugged me.

"Idiot. Who said you are fat? You are perfect. Who said you were ugly? You are the most beautiful girl in the universe. You are perfect from in and out. Don't ever feel sad about this, or I will kill you." Then she cupped my cheeks in her palm.

"Now let me see my babe smiling, or I will really murder you. And just because of you, I would have to taste jail. Then I don't know what will happen to my happiness and my face. Maybe no one will recognize me anymore. Even the street dogs would bark at me. And everything because the newspapers would scream out loud, how a friend killed her friend because she did not laugh."

Her words were hilarious and made a smile pop on my face.

"Now that's my girl." She giggled as she put her hand over my shoulder.

After a little while of walking together, we parted around a small corner. Lyra was at the same university as mine but in the science stream, so she had to turn to a different building whose way led to a different route. I hated her for leaving me, but I had to accept this new change as I was walking towards my dream. I knew I could only meet her after our classes, so I made my way toward my college building.

Just as I was about to enter the crowded gate, I noticed an old lady at a further distance. She was lunging with great effort using her stick. Suddenly, her small stick broke and she fell over her face.

Without a thought, I ran up to her. I held her shoulder with one hand and with the other held her wrinkled-dried hand. I made her stand up and walked her toward the nearby bench. OMG, only 15 minutes for the gate to close! I was about to run off when the old lady caught my hand.

The sudden gesture made me look at her. I had not realized it before, but after looking at her carefully, she was alluringly beautiful. Though the wrinkles were prominent on her face, she glowed with her look. Anyone who would look at her would be filled with a sense of peace.

"Child, thank you for helping me. I am an old lady, so I don't have anything to give you in return. But I can read your hand. Let me read it for you." she had a soft and docile tone.

I still had 12 minutes, so I wouldn't be late. But prophesy, that wasn't my cup of tea.

"Mam, I am sorry, but I am in a bit of a hurry". I lied

"I will not take more than 5 minutes," she said in her weak voice, almost reading my mind, and even I couldn't deny this request.

I quietly sat beside her extending my palm. With joy on her face, she grabbed my hand and, with great interest, started examining it.

I looked at the school impatiently. "Mam, I.." I was about to speak when she cut me off.

I turned back at the old woman and marveled at the way she turned her face to get a better glimpse of my hand. Each time her face turned to surprise.

"shush! Child, your hand is filled with lucky stars." I turned my gaze towards my hand now. I tried to search but couldn't see any stars. Was this woman hallucinating?

"Love... Your love... I can see him."

I wanted to laugh and tell her that I had no love, but she interrupted. "He...I can see him clearly... his face, his behavior, his life, so perfect for you. I can see you, too, together, happy and content in each other's arms. What a romantic life!"

Her words sounded sober and cheerful. I did not want to know about that 'him', in addition to the fact that I did not trust her words. I never believed in superstitions. So after I thanked her, I stood up. I was about to leave when she caught my palm again.

"Wait. I see more..." she hissed from behind, and it gave me shivers around my veins...