My Sneaky Idea

The drive home was quiet as I pondered, "Why would they allow their daughter to endure such torment, merely to uphold family values or tradition?"

From the much I was able to grab while eavesdropping on my mom's discussion with Sarah, I heard them as they kept mentioning something about values and tradition. Having seen the look on Beth's face earlier, I only wished it should not be about Beth.

Beth's misery and unhappy energy, though she tried her best to hide it, couldn't escape my mind. It only made me restless the more.

We arrived home, and Mom parked in the driveway, shutting off the car engine as I carried my bicycle out of the car.

Shutting the car doors, "Let's go inside," my mom instructed.

I followed behind her into the living room, where she settled into a couch. "What I'm about to share must remain within these walls," she declared, signaling that I was about to be privy to intriguing news.

The moment I took my own sit beside my mom, she began to narrate. "Sarah, as you know, hails from India, a member of a distinguished and exceedingly affluent family. The decision to relocate here was part of their strategy to amass greater wealth and influence, though they discreetly remained under the radar, making their influence hardly noticeable.

"Amass wealth? And, why will they be discreet with their influence?" I was confused, or simply put, my curiosity was getting the better part of me.

"Allow me to finish narrating first," my mom suggested.

"Alright."

"So," she continued. "Her husband's family is equally, if not more, prosperous. Their marriage was originally arranged, yet over the years, their mutual attraction and desire intensified. As they grew into mature family holders, they nurtured their children with love and care until recently. The union between Sarah and her husband proved to be in their favor, as there was an instant attraction."

"Recently?" I asked, "Please, kill this curiosity once."

Mom continued. "Sarah's fallout with her husband began after their first child came of age, ready for a partner. Her husband chose to side with his mother over their child's happiness by marrying her off, even when she protested, all in the name of POWER and INFLUENCE. Not everyone is fortunate enough to enjoy the fruits of marriage as we did."

"Huh... that alone shouldn't be enough to cause such a fallout," I said. "Clearly, there's more to the story—"

"But that doesn't concern you," Mom responded, interrupting me. Well, I didn't see it as such a big deal so I continued to ask questions to clear my confusion.

"What about Sarah's family?" I asked.

"They are in on it too," Mom replied.

Leaving the Watsons to handle their family situation, I asked, "How many of Sarah's kids have gone through this?"

Mom responded, "One."

She paused for a while, and continued. "And as you should've noticed, Beth is about to go through the same thing."

'Of course, I noticed her saddened expression, but how the fuck could I have noticed what exactly was wrong?'

My mom's voice cut through me mind as she continued. "The second got pregnant with her boyfriend, thus the family discarded her. But knowing Sarah, she still calls to see how they're doing and supports them financially, though discreetly."

"This happened before Beth's travel to the States for school was scheduled, fearing the same might happen between you two since you were very close."

"Tch." I already knew they were very rich and influential, but to seek more at the expense of their children's comfort is truly saddening.

I was truly curious about why Sarah's family, being so wealthy and powerful, came to the United States. So, I asked Mom, and she said that the United States is a lucrative place for business tycoons. However, not all of Sarah's relatives came to the United States.

"Not all, indeed. Sarah's uncles are scattered all over the globe, in Europe and Africa, dominating in business."

"So, the logic is that they came here to become even richer and more powerful," I repeated, with Mom nodding in response.

"So, they might actually be more powerful than the Watsons?" I asked.

"Nope, the Watsons are," she said. "They control most of the banks in America, Europe, and Africa. Not just that, they're into energy as well. They've been powerful, and had uphold their legacy for generations."

'The world definitely ain't for the weak,' I thought to myself.

"Beth's family, the Watsons, were indigenous to the United States, and their influence superseded that of the Bakshi in the States. Meanwhile, the Bakshi's influence superseded that of the Watsons in India," Mom explained.

The Bakshi was Sarah's family, Beth's maternal side.

"Ok. That will be all. When the time is right, you will know more," my Mom said as she headed upstairs.

I headed to my room, still deep in thought, pondering our life at school before Beth's sudden transfer.

Beth was never bullied in school, although many people didn't like her. She was beautiful, a blend of two stunning gene. Just like her mother, beautiful. Excelled academically, was smart and cheerful, and came from a family that could buy the entire community without breaking a sweat. So yes, the animosity, the hatred was real, and those considered her friends concealed their claws, ready to strike at any moment of weakness.

Her life then, blended with both threat and safety. What more could be said about her life now?

I've never considered myself a true friend, but I was genuine with Beth and tried to be with most things and people around me, even though I got no much friends.

However, I quickly learned that people don't appreciate that. We remained friends because, unlike most people around her who wanted something from her, I was there simply because I enjoyed her company, and she enjoyed mine. I fondly called her the rich, spoiled brat, and she called me the broke, spoiled brat. That was a nickname we built for each other.

Our relationship was beautiful. We knew each other's birthdays, could read each other's moods, and encouraged one another. Even during her confinement, she managed to wish me a happy birthday and reached out when my dad passed away just weeks after my birthday. I guess he fought very hard to see his son step into adulthood. I miss him dearly.

Reflecting on everything, piecing it all together, it becomes clear why Beth couldn't open up to me. She knew I might confront her family with the truth, potentially worsening the situation. That could lead to, if not even, that they must have restricted her means of communication, monitoring her every move.

It's like watching a movie unfold in real life, where the super-rich marry the super-rich, and the younger ones are monitored day and night just to be married off later on.

I understand that it is part of the culture of the land, but I can't help but sympathize with those who remain in unhappy marriages.

I might be wrong in some cultures to say I am too young to get married, but having observed how my dad treated my mom, and vice versa, I always imagined my life filled with such happy scenes. It gave me an idea of how I wanted my family to be.

At this thought, an idea struck my memory. A sneaky one even. I was not ready to see my very good friend end up in such mess like others did.

I began cooking up a plan to conquer my high school best friend, Beth. I will do that with Sarah in the picture, she will help. It was going to be a bad idea if I made my approach directly to Beth, aware that she must be monitored.

At that instant, I brought out my phone and began to type, "Sarah, I—"