DID YOU EVER(arranged marriage)

CHAPTER 25

''That's all about to change.'' I mentally noted and promised myself I was going to take some time off to do what makes me happy. There was no reason to be scared anymore, I was safe. I was safe all by myself.

I stole a glimpse of the elated man beside me, his full focus on the street only breaking focus when he grumbled about another driver on his right trying to overtake his car. ''I'm safe with him'' I thought and looked away to avoid smiling sheepishly and drawing his attention.

I snuck another glance at Anthony after a few minutes of scrolling through social media in boredom to see him bobbing his head and tapping his fingers on the steering wheel before taking a hard right at the sight of the red light gone green.

''Did you see the look on his face? He looked so furious it was entertaining. I could have sworn steam poured out of ears.'' Anthony suddenly burst out at the end of 'Foolish' by Ashanti.

I couldn't help but chuckle at how excited he was, he somewhat reminded me of a kid. I suddenly felt like rubbing my hands through his hair and squishing his cheeks.

I laughed at his comment and added,'' You should've taken a quick photograph to relish the moment. It's not everyday a scoundrel gets a taste of their own medicine.''

Anthony's contagious laugh filled the car and I couldn't help but chuckle along.

Thankfully, to save the car from an incoming wave of discomfiture Dilemma by Kelly Rowland and Nelly began to play and I secretly did a happy dance. I was having that indescribable feeling when one of your favorite songs play on the radio or on shuffle mode.

''He's going to be sore about that for weeks to come'' He told me and grinned widely at me, his dimple unapologetically attractive on his cheek.

''I'm just glad at the end the tides turned in our favor.'' I chirped in excitement and tapped the dashboard. Nelly's rap began to play and I hushed at this part knowing damn well if I was in my room, in front of my mirror to be precise and this song played, I would have belted each note with all my heart.

Growing up and being shut in for the most part of my life, my only source of entertainment was an old boombox that had been safely kept by my mom along with cassettes with old music from her teen years.

I used to ask her about it many times before the accident occurred and she would occasionally play tunes in the kitchen whilst Ro and I danced around her.

Before going to bed each night, I would go through her cassettes and play some of her songs, imagining myself as a teen with a free life, hitting the clubs and attending concerts with my best friends.

But more importantly, I could feel her presence through the lyrics of most of the songs she had marked as her favorite and each single beautiful word descried who she was...wonderful, breathtaking, underappreciated....my heart ached every time.

I wished I had danced with them a little more, told how incredibly gorgeous she was, undeserving of my father's unfair treatment towards her. I regretted getting so pissed every single time that crackhead of a brother stole my favorite banana flavored yoghurt.

I would go crying chase him around the house with a ladle.

''I would give up a thousand of yoghurts if I was told to just to hold you once again.'' I thought, not caring how corny that sounded.

Sighing I smiled softly at all those memories, I made a firm decision to dedicate the collaboration in Ro's name. In a way I'd be able to honor his name, I just got to tell Anthony about it.

''Now I just have to think of dinn_"

''No matter what I do, awwwww!!'' Suddenly a screech similar to that of a dying animal interrupted my thoughts and my heart almost tore out of my chest. After a moment of realization, I realized that horrifying bloodcurdling screech was from the most stern man I knew.