1 She’s waiting

Silent Hill, Kingdom of Sinatra.

The almost full moon is glowing brightly in the dark sky. The squalling of a dog was heard in the distance, the humming of bugs spread evenly in the air.

Sitting on her bed, near the window, Nina watched the gushing river and endless forest ahead of it. Her eyes turned to the sky hearing the thunder; the grey mists veiled over the visible stars.

She breathed the scent of petrichor and a smile crept her lips to know that there will be rain tonight.

She laid back on the mattress, all her limbs were aching after the full day of work on the farm. It gave her satisfaction instead of tiredness. She loves to work hard; it takes away the thought that she's useless.

"Nina! Dinner is ready," her stepmother Agnes yelled her name when she was about to close her eyes to sleep.

Nina got up and walked to the dining table. The old chair squeaked when she sat on it.

"That chair is going to break anytime," Agnes complained. She's a lean, tall lady, except when she's around her daughter Lilly, she never puts up a smile on her sullen face.

"Maybe you should buy a new one. You have the money I gave you last week?" Nina asks.

Agnes's eyes shift side to side wondering what reason she has to say.

"Uh… I gave that money to Lilly," 

"Why?"

"Because she wanted to buy a new dress for her family party. We can buy a new chair next week once we get that money back," Agnes convinced her but Nina knows that money is gone forever.

Nina nods, she's so careful not to let her emotions on her face. But still, it's been ages since Nina got a new dress for herself, she's been working all week to earn that money but this pisses her off. Even though it is unfair and hurting, she can't express it openly. So she did the usual by sinking into the silence. Her father Albert join them on the table.

Nina looked down at her soup and bread, she knew it wouldn't taste good so she distracted herself by looking at the lamp placed in the middle of the table. Usually, Nina would cook but then she had no time today so Agnes prepared the meal.

"Nina, eat up darling," her father said with a smile.

Just for his face, for this smile, Nina nods and had dinner that night.

They were quiet until her dad asked, "What have you said to Gerald's proposal?"

Agnes turned anxious again.

"What proposal, father?" Nina furrowed her eyebrows.

"You know Patrick. He owns a farm, a mile away from here?"

"Yes," Nina nods as if she has no clue about him.

"He has a grandson; his name is Gerald. He inherited that farm and was looking for a nice young gentlewoman to marry him. I guess he has seen you somewhere outside and he likes you," 

Nina looked down, holding back her smile. She knows Gerald, almost all the young women in the surroundings know him well. He's a kind, hardworking young man, and famous for his sweet talk. Nina met him a couple of times when she went for a walk in the evenings. She's aware that he's attracted to her but she never thought he would decide to marry her this soon.

"So I asked your mother to ask your decision but it seems she has forgotten it again,"

Nina looked at Agnes and she smiled apologetically.

"Now tell me, dear, what do you say?" he asked Nina. Her eyes widened in excitement but...

"Honey, I don't think they are suitable for each other," Agnes interrupted before Nina could answer.

"We don't know his parents and he looks suspicious. You know what happened to Sicilia's daughter, her life got ruined after marrying that con-man," Agnes said. "Also we are not aware of what he did before moving into this village,"

Nina knew this was the end. Once Agnes starts to complain then it's ruined forever. Agnes is right in someway however Nina heard Gerald has worked in the military before moving here with his mother.

"She's already twenty. How long we can keep her here," her father said, "Even Lilly got married, she's just seventeen,"

"Because she's beautiful," Agnes retorted.

Nina gritted hearing that and clenched that spoon like it's Agnes's nose.

"What? What did you just say? You know how many proposals she got, but because of your meddling she didn't marry yet," Albert scowled.

"I didn't mean it that way, honey. Nina is beautiful too but I think the right guy hasn't shown up yet," Agnes replied, "Honey, do you think I am purposely rejecting all those proposals. I wanted her to marry the best guy in the town, we just need to wait for some time," Agnes had tears to make them believe her but they didn't. Just pretended as they are.

"Father, please don't argue with mother because of me. She's right, we don't know much about him," Nina expressed her concern.

"Fine, let's invite Gerald and his family to have lunch with us this Sunday and ask where he is from. I hope that will clear all our doubts," Albert made up his decision.

"I want you to get married as soon as possible. I don't like to see you working on the farm all day when you could be enjoying your life like the rest of the women of your age," he blurts out what's bothering him.

Nina held her father's hand, "You know I like to work on the farm, Father. You shouldn't be disheartened; I am working for our family, every woman does that," 

"I know dear. But for your father's happiness, you should get married soon. That's all I want from you," saying that he went to his room.

People around this town have already started whispering rumors about Nina being a witch. That might have gone to her father's ears and probably the cause of his agitation.

Nina sighed and went back to her room.

Agnes didn't meddle in that conversation, instead thought about how to ruin this lunch plan with Gerald's family. She knows if Nina leaves this home then they would be out of money. Her daughter Lilly can't manage with her money-demanding in-laws.

Closing the door behind, Nina walked to her bed with so many thoughts. Truthfully, she doesn't want to get married now, she knows her family will suffer if she leaves, Agnes is a greedy woman but she looked after her well for the past fifteen years and her father isn't in good physical shape to manage all this work.

Gerald is a perfect guy for a girl like her, she doesn't want to miss this chance to settle down but she doesn't want to marry him while being in this situation. For her, her responsibilities seem important than her marriage.

Resting on her bed, she looked at the moon. She's uncertain to choose anything. Nina believes, if someone is truly meant for you, no matter how everyone tries to spoil it, he will find his way to you.

Maybe I should wait until that moment, Nina muttered and turned off the lamp.

Hearing the drizzling rain outside, she slept putting all those thoughts behind.