Chapter 3 – The Meeting

The next week came faster than Elena expected. Her parents were busy preparing for her marriage. She helped them quietly and never complained. When her mother asked, “Are you nervous?” she smiled and said, “No, Mom. I’m just thankful.” She tried to stay calm, but her heart was full of new feelings. She had never talked to a man before. Now she was going to start a whole life with one.

On the day she met Jason again, she wore a simple dress and stood with her parents. Jason came with a confident smile. He spoke sweetly to everyone. He said, “Elena, you look perfect today.” She answered softly, “Thank you.” Her father looked happy. He whispered to his wife, “See, they look good together.” Jason talked a lot about his business, his car, and his dreams. Elena listened silently. When he said, “You will love my world,” she said, “I only want peace and respect.” He nodded but didn’t really understand.

After the meeting, Jason’s family agreed on the marriage. Elena’s parents were full of joy. Her mother hugged her and said, “Your new life is beginning.” Elena smiled but her heart was quiet. That night she prayed, “God, please make him a good man.” She slept with faith and hope.

Soon, the wedding day arrived. It was full of people, gifts, and music, but Elena didn’t care about any of that. She looked at her father and said, “Dad, I will never forget what you taught me.” He held her hand and said, “Be strong and kind always.” Her mother kissed her forehead and whispered, “You will always be my little girl.”

When Jason placed the ring on her finger, she felt a strange mix of fear and trust. She said to herself, “I will try to be a good wife.” Jason smiled for the cameras and whispered, “You are lucky to have me.” She smiled politely and said nothing. She believed that time would teach them to understand each other.

After marriage, the first few weeks were full of smiles. Jason took her for dinner, brought her small gifts, and called her “my peace.” She laughed softly and said, “Then keep me safe.” He promised, “I will never hurt you.” Those words sounded real at that moment. She wanted to believe him. She sent a message to her mother saying, “Everything is fine. He is kind to me.” Her mother replied with love, “Stay happy, my child.”

But slowly, small things began to change. Jason started coming home late. He said, “Work is too much.” She believed him. One night she waited for him with food on the table. He came drunk and said loudly, “Don’t look at me like that.” She said calmly, “I was just waiting.” He threw his keys on the table and said, “You don’t need to wait. I can handle myself.” She stayed quiet.

The next morning, he said sorry and hugged her. “It will not happen again,” he said. She smiled and forgave him. She wanted peace, not fights. But peace didn’t last. Another week, the same thing happened. He came home drunk again. She tried to speak kindly. “Jason, please stop drinking. It hurts you and me.” He laughed and said, “You talk like a teacher.” She turned away and cried softly.

Still, she tried to fix everything. She cooked his favorite food, wrote him small notes, and prayed every night for his change. She believed that patience could heal anything. Sometimes, he became sweet again. He bought her flowers and said, “I’m sorry.” She smiled and said, “I just want us to be happy.”

But slowly, the distance between them grew. Jason began ignoring her feelings. He looked at his phone all the time, talking to people she didn’t know. When she asked, “Who are they?” he said, “Friends. Don’t act like a mother.” Those words hurt her deeply. That night she sat quietly in the dark and whispered, “God, I didn’t ask for money. I only asked for love. Why is this happening?”

The next day, she told herself to stay strong. She decided she would not cry anymore. She promised, “I will try one more time.” She went to Jason and said, “Let’s eat together tonight. I made your favorite food.” He said coldly, “I already have plans.” She looked at him and said softly, “I just wanted some time with you.” He didn’t even answer. She watched him walk out and felt like a part of her heart walked with him.

That night she called her mother. She didn’t tell the full truth but said, “He comes home late sometimes.” Her mother said, “Every marriage has small problems. Be patient.” Elena said, “Yes, Mom. I will try.” She hung up and cried silently.

A few days later, Jason didn’t come home for two nights. When he returned, she asked gently, “Where were you?” He said sharply, “Don’t question me.” She said in a low voice, “I was just worried.” He looked angry and said, “You think too much. Stop acting like a saint.” She turned away. She didn’t answer.

That night she wrote in her small notebook, I married for peace, but peace is leaving me. She looked at her wedding ring and whispered, “Please, God, show me a way.”

She didn’t know that this was just the beginning of a long storm in her life. But even in that moment of pain, she still believed one day he might change. She still prayed for him every night, because her heart was made of hope, not hate.