IGNORANT SLUT

"We're done talking about this," her mother's voice came softly, filling the quiet room where the small family of three now sat together.

Laleen reclined into her seat, gripping her palms tightly.

Her mother's words buzzed in her ears; she had spent the past hour trying to convince her otherwise, but it seemed the decision had already been fixed and stamped.

Rising from her seat where her husband remained silent, she walked towards the kitchen, still speaking, "His parents will be coming tomorrow to discuss the wedding plans. I want you on your best behavior. Do you hear me?" she warned with a glare.

Sensing no response, her mother exhaled in relief, a satisfied smile on her face. Passing a look at her unusually quiet husband, she turned to leave, but Laleen's voice stopped her in her tracks.

"I have a question, Mother," Laleen whispered softly, still staring at her tightly folded hands. Her brows were firmly knotted when she raised her gaze to stare at her mother.

Her mother responded with an annoyed grunt, almost rolling her eyes. Why was her daughter so persistent about not getting married? She had to ensure it happened soon, given her own health concerns.

Who knows when her illness will worsen? Quickly snapping herself out of her thoughts, she cleared her throat as she questioned, "And what might that be?"

Laleen sucked in a breath and then finally began. "Where has this Oliver been all these months? Why haven't I seen him? Even after my accident..."

Laura could see a glint flash in her daughter's brown eyes as she spoke, and her eyes widened slightly.

In a bid to rebuke her, she quickly interjected, "He wasn't in the country at that time. Besides, we all know you did that on purpose."

She whispered her last words, looking away. Laleen looked in her father's direction for the first time since they returned home, but he had his head resting on the sofa as he closed his eyes.

She didn't know what to say to her mother's words. Was her accident on purpose? She had no idea.

She stood up quietly, having nothing else to say. Giving her mother one final look, she ran towards her room.

That night, she slept curled up into a ball. Strangely, she didn't feel anything. Not anymore. Was it because she had told herself every single time? There was no way she was ever getting married.

The morning came as normally as anything else. When Laleen woke up, she met the house empty with only a note left by her father.

They went to the market to purchase some needed things for their future in-laws expected visit.

Laleen yawned while stretching her arms, crumpling the letter in her hand in the process.

"They should take their time," Laleen whispered as she looked around the house, a mischievous smile creeping up her face. She needed to rehearse how she was going to ruin this wedding. Knowing herself, it couldn't be so hard. Though sharing eye contact with her suitor was out of the question.

After brushing her teeth, Laleen went back to lie on her bed. She had no intention of dressing up nicely for anyone.

She had only been in bed a few minutes when she heard a series of knocks on the door.

Sighing into her pillow at the disturbance, she lazily got off her bed. Were they back already? Wasn't that too early?

Swiftly pulling the door open, she was surprised at the sight. It was Mrs. Victoria--the nosy neighbor. But she wasn't alone. She had her "crew" with her.

Laleen forced out a polite yet distant smile as she stared at each of the women. "Good morning to you. To what do I owe such an unexpected visit?"

The women stared at one another and then back at Laleen with judgmental gazes.

"Look at what she's wearing. Such a slut," one of them whispered to her hearing. It was Mrs. Gauche, who had begged her countless times to consider taking her son who worked in a printing press as a husband.

Laleen looked down at her dress. She was still wearing her thin nightgown. Wasn't it obvious that she was just waking up?

Raising her head, her expression turned slightly stern. "I see you have nothing to say," she mumbled innocently as she inched the door forward to shut it when a hand held it back.

It was Mrs. Victoria who had been strangely quiet. As before, she was poking her head inside the house to possibly catch a glimpse of someone.

"Are your parents home?" She asked still not tearing her gaze away from behind Laleen.

"No, they aren't," Laleen responded. The disappointed look on the older woman's face was hard to miss.

"Tell me, have you seen the news, Stephanie dear?" This time it was Mrs. Emelda--one of the richest women in their neighborhood and, of course, one of the many women that have asked to make her their daughter-in-law.

She had a smug look on her face as she stared at the ignorant girl in front of her.

Laleen's features morphed into one of confusion, "No, I have not. Is there something interesting in the news this morning?".

Her innocent question evoked laughter from the small circle of women. She really didn't know.

"More interesting than you might think. Yes, you might even be so shocked, you wouldn't want to show your pretty face to anyone anymore," Mrs. Emelda continued with a giggle, her words carrying an underlying meaning that Laleen struggled to understand.

The women all burst into laughter at her words, each feeling extremely pleased with the situation at hand. Hadn't she always thought of herself as high and mighty? Just because she had a slightly prettier face than the rest.

Today, that pretty face she had been so proud of had been painted black. And for the whole world to see.

"Oh!" Mrs. Victoria suddenly gasped. The others turned quiet as they waited for her to speak. "Were your rich suitor's parents not supposed to visit today? Poor thing," she whispered sympathetically, ending her words with a tutting sound.

Laleen's brows had tightened into a firm knot. What did they mean?

"I don't understand. The meeting wasn't canceled in any way. In fact, they should be here soon," she muttered with certainty.

The older women stared at her in mock pity, whispering softly to themselves. She really had no clue. Mrs. Victoria's eyes shone as she cleared her throat.

"You're absolutely right. We're just pulling your leg. We do this all the time. Go on and prepare now," she gestured with her hands with a cheerful smile.

Laleen was filled with confusion as she watched the women leave as suddenly as they came. Shutting the door, she paused hesitantly for a moment but then moved towards the living room.

Something wasn't right. Grabbing the remote, she switched on the TV and opted for the news channel.

Her eyes bulged out of their sockets at the headlines.

It read, "Breaking News:Renowned Business Tycoon,Shane Degavon, Spotted In A Cafe With A Waitress Claimed To Be His Mistress!!"