The air was filled with tension in Makena’s home. Her parents and older brother wore looks of disappointment, anger and concern. Despite having their favourites on the breakfast table, everybody seemed to have lost their appetite. The doorbell rang, prompting everyone to move to the living room. Their guests had arrived.
Although Nick and his family were invited guests, one could sense the hostility. Nick’s parents’ anger was palpable. His sister shot nasty looks at Makena. Nick oscillated between anger and pleading face. He gazed at Makena, but she broke the eye contact.
“Thank you for coming,” said Makena’s father.
“Let’s get to business. I hope you have talked some sense into your daughter,” said Nick’s father.
“There’s no need to have that kind of talk,” Makena’s father replied.
“I am here out of courtesy for you. We have invested so much into this relationship for your daughter to have cold feet over some charity case,” said Nick’s father.
“His name is Steve, and he is not a charity case,” Makena shouted.
“Shut up!” Shouted Nick and Makena’s brother.
Nick’s father stood up to leave, and his wife followed him.
“Wait, don’t be in a rush,” Makena’s mother pleaded.
“I will not allow this disrespect from your daughter to continue. Come to us when you fixed everything. Son, let’s go,” Nick’s father commanded Nick.
Nick’s family left, and Makena’s family quarrelled. Makena’s mother blamed her father for allowing Makena to get away with whatever she wanted. Makena’s brother looked at Makena like she was crazy. Nick was his oldest friend. The families had been friends for years. The parents had conducted business together and belonged to the same clubs and groups. Both families were excited when Makena and Nick started dating. It made sense.
Makena and Nick’s relationship started on a high. They were both adventurous, so they travelled together. Makena was a journalist who also enjoyed creating lifestyle content, while Nick studied IT and had an eye for photography. Nick’s job allowed him to work remotely, so he joined Makena as she travelled and created content. They didn’t shy from parading their relationship on social media either.
However, things between them changed five months before the meeting between the two families. After three years of dating and getting engaged, Makena and Nick’s relationship started having major issues. According to Makena, Nick changed when he put the engagement ring on her finger. Suddenly, Makena’s wishes didn’t matter. Nick became dismissive of Makena.
Makena was disgruntled in the relationship for two months before she met Steve. They met at a café where Makena went to read a book or journal. The day she met Steve, she’d had a huge fight with Nick. They were arguing about the wedding plans. Nick wanted to do what his mother wanted, but Makena had other ideas. They had been having the same argument for weeks, only they argued over different points, but the blanket problem was that Nick didn’t listen to Makena, and most of his wishes for the wedding were from his family.
Makena started crying as she journaled her feelings. Steve was at the café to work and saw Makena crying. He went over and gave her a handkerchief to wipe her tears. The café had a beautiful garden, so they took a walk. Makena found it easy to unburden her heart to this kind stranger. It had been weeks since she had felt heard.
Their friendship bloomed. He became the person Makena called to talk about the minutest thing. She was back to being the bubbly person. It became easier to deal with Nick because she could dismiss him. Her family thought they had patched up things with Nick because she looked happier. It took them by surprise when she told them a month before the wedding that she wasn’t going to marry Nick.
Nick had already told her brother to talk to her and prevent the shame of cancelling the wedding. Makena’s brother tried talking to her, but Makena felt like she was talking to Nick’s mouthpiece, not her older brother. Her mother was next in line when she got the news.
“Makena, it’s normal to get cold feet as the wedding approaches, but that’s not a good enough reason to make such a drastic decision. I doubt there’s any bride who doesn’t have moments of doubt,” she told her daughter.
“Mum, it’s not cold feet. I don’t want to marry Nick. The relationship isn’t working,” Makena told the mother.
“Is there something you’re not telling me? Is he abusive? Is he cheating?” Makena’s mother asked.
“Not physically, and I haven’t caught him cheating, but he doesn’t listen to me. He doesn’t care about what I want,” said Makena.
“That’s it?” Makena’s mother asked her.
“Yes. I don’t want to be with a man who doesn’t listen to what I want or my opinions. Since we got engaged, it’s like I have been dealing with a dictator, and I have had to fight for him to listen to me,” Makena explained.
“That’s how strong men act. You should be so lucky; the opposite is worse,” she told the daughter.
“It’s not even his ideas. He echoes what his family says. I don’t know how that’s a sign of strength,” Makena replied.
“You have always known how his family is, and they mean well to both of you. Tell me the truth, Makena. Is there someone else you’re interested in?” Makena’s mother asked.
“I’ll be honest with you. I like someone else who listens to me and is supportive, but we agreed not to cross the line while I’m still engaged,” Makena responded.
“Who is this? Do I know him? Where is his family from? What does he do?” She asked Makena.
“No, mother, you don’t know him. He’s an accountant for the county, and his family lives upcountry,” Makena responded with a glow on his face.
“You want to leave Nick, whom you’ve known for years? We know his family, and he can take care of you financially. You want to leave all that for some charity case because he listens to you? Of course, he listens to you; he knows how to endear himself to you,” said Makena’s mother angrily.
They argued, but Makena’s mother couldn’t change her mind. After the meeting with Nick’s family, Makena’s father talked with her.
“Makena, you’re an adult now, and I hope you know your decisions can have lasting effects. Are you sure you want to call off the wedding?” He asked her.
“Yes, Dad. I am sure. I don’t want to marry Nick,” Makena said, crying.
“What is this I hear about another friend?” Asked Makena’s father.
“His name is Steve. He is respectful and hardworking, and he loves and listens to me. I think I will be happier with him,” said Makena.
“Your mother told me what he does for a living. Do you understand he can’t give you the kind of life you’re accustomed to?” Asked her father.
“Yes, Dad. I know, but between what I make and what he gets I know we can live a decent life,” Makena defended her choice.
“Okay. I will not force you to marry Nick, but the fallout will be great. I am not sure about your choice, but you’re my only daughter, and my doors will always be open for you,” said her father.
As anticipated, the fallout with Nick’s family was huge. Nick decided to trash Makena online for leaving him for a ‘poor’ guy. Nick’s brother was angry with Makena for her choice but didn’t agree with Nick’s actions after the breakup. Makena moved out of home and started dating Steve. It was an adjustment from the luxuries she had, but she wanted to prove a point. She was happy with Steve, and it turned out to be a good gamble. Although at first Makena’s family was cold towards Steve they eventually warmed up to him and loved him as well. They agreed that he was the best option for Makena as he was a good man who they knew would work hard to provide for Makena. Two years later they got married.
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