Chapter 6

Ririna felt the weight of expectation pressing down on her. To her, age was just a number, a marker of experiences and dreams yet to be fulfilled. But for her parents, and society at large, it signified something entirely different: the urgency of marriage.

Her parents, caught in the web of societal norms, were more concerned about securing her future in the eyes of others than about her personal happiness. It was as if reaching a certain age meant that she had to fit into a mold, regardless of her own desires. The relentless pressure to conform turned her life into a checklist: education, job, marriage.

Ririna couldn’t help but wonder: where was the space for her own choices? The narrative felt one-sided, as if society had taken on the role of a puppeteer, pulling strings to orchestrate lives according to its whims. Her feelings, her dreams, seemed to fade into the background noise of expectations.

As she grappled with this reality, Ririna found herself at a crossroads. Would she follow the path laid out for her, or would she dare to carve her own? The struggle between personal desire and societal pressure became her quiet rebellion, igniting a longing for authenticity in a world that seemed to value tradition over individuality.

Finally, she had to give in to societal expectations and agreed to get married. She had no idea what lay ahead; it all felt like a blur. Honestly, she was least bothered, just allowing time to take its course. Deep down, she wasn’t ready for marriage, but who could she talk to about it? To her, marriage wasn’t an inevitable milestone; rather, it was a significant decision that required careful consideration.

She believed there was a right time for everything, and for marriage, one had to be truly prepared. The thought of how it could alter her life weighed heavily on her. Yet, as the preparations for marriage were made, she felt a mix of uncertainty and resignation. Would this new chapter bring her happiness, or would it feel like a life unlived?

Her parents were hyperactive on matrimonial sites, with profiles on every platform they could find. Especially her mom, who was relentlessly searching for the "perfect" groom. She wanted nothing but the best for her daughter, sending requests, initiating conversations, and navigating the endless options. It seemed the pressure of marriage rested more heavily on her mom than on Ririna herself.

Amidst this chaos, Ririna felt a storm brewing inside her. She was exhausted, drained by the constant tension. Deep down, she didn’t want to get married—not now, not like this. She had been rejecting every proposal her mom brought to her, but the more she resisted, the more her mom pushed back. It felt like a relentless tide, and Ririna was drowning. Her mom was resolute, giving her an ultimatum: she had to get married.

“Ririna, I got a proposal for you!”

Her heart sank. Another arranged meeting? Just when she was enjoying her day, her mom had to bring this up. The thought of talking to someone completely out of the blue made her blood boil. Why couldn’t her family understand that she needed her space?

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***