Betrothed
December 7, 2022 at 1:04 pm 36 comments
For Friday Fictioneers 100-Word Challenge: 9 December 2022
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| Photo Credit: Rochelle Wisoff-Fields |
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It was still summer heading to fall but winter had already set in his heart.
Austin remembered that particular moment when he found Layla reading alone in the library. Sitting beside her, he couldn’t help but reveal his true feelings for her.
“I love you,” he said.
Layla was taken aback. “I just want us to be friends,” she frowned as she momentarily fixed her hijab.
Shortly after graduation from high school, they parted ways. He went to college and learned she was betrothed to her distant cousin.
“Fight for her,” his best friend advised. “Don’t give up that easily.”
Entry filed under: Blogroll, Daily Post, friday fictioneers. Tags: 100-word challenge, fiction.
Musings of a Random Mind 
1.
neilmacdon | December 7, 2022 at 2:13 pm
I’m not sure his friend is offering good advice
2.
plaridel | December 7, 2022 at 4:29 pm
neil:
he should listen and act accordingly.
3.
Na'ama Yehuda | December 7, 2022 at 6:13 pm
And yet, whose well being does the friend have in mind? I am not sure it is that of either party in the pair.
4.
plaridel | December 8, 2022 at 10:43 am
na’ama:
i’m afraid, it’s a question that no answer will please everyone.
5.
Na'ama Yehuda | December 8, 2022 at 11:12 am
Indeed!
6.
plaridel | December 10, 2022 at 11:53 am
na’ama:
sadly.
7.
oneta hayes | December 7, 2022 at 9:22 pm
Aww. Sad parting.
8.
plaridel | December 8, 2022 at 10:34 am
oneta:
such is life.
9.
James McEwan | December 8, 2022 at 12:00 am
those young love days can be the most confusing. Well told.
10.
plaridel | December 8, 2022 at 10:34 am
james:
i couldn’t agree more.
11.
rochellewisoff | December 8, 2022 at 5:13 am
Dear Plaridel,
The heart wants what the heart wants. Nicely done.
Shalom,
Rochelle
12.
plaridel | December 8, 2022 at 10:34 am
rochelle:
hopefully, love can find the way. 🙂
13.
Dawn M. Miller | December 8, 2022 at 4:33 pm
It seems we always want the ones who do not want us. 😦
14.
plaridel | December 10, 2022 at 11:53 am
dawn:
isn’t it an irony?
15.
Dawn M. Miller | December 10, 2022 at 12:55 pm
It is indeed.
16.
plaridel | December 13, 2022 at 6:42 pm
dawn:
🙂
17.
Sandra | December 9, 2022 at 5:04 am
I’m not sure this is a battle to be won.
18.
plaridel | December 10, 2022 at 11:53 am
sandra:
it’s looking more and more like a lost cause.
19.
Keith's Ramblings | December 9, 2022 at 9:16 am
Unwise as it seems, I’d like to know if he tried!
20.
plaridel | December 10, 2022 at 11:52 am
keith:
he’s having second thoughts now.
21.
msjadeli | December 9, 2022 at 6:29 pm
I’m glad you continued the story, Plaridel. I really like that first line. I’m not sure whether to be sad for him or happy he now knows it would have been a mistake to elevate the relationship beyond friendship. I think his friend is giving bad advice. There is someone out there for him and it isn’t her.
22.
plaridel | December 10, 2022 at 11:52 am
msjadeli:
i wish for a happy ending but i see dark clouds on the horizon.
23.
granonine | December 10, 2022 at 8:12 am
Not sure I agree with the friend’s advice. Unless she has given him some solid clues that she is still interested, he should move forward with great caution.
24.
plaridel | December 10, 2022 at 11:52 am
linda:
i hear you.
25.
GHLearner | December 10, 2022 at 1:13 pm
Great continuation but still a very tricky situation. Is he reading her right? Is she honest or just pretending to be content? Remaining friends is the best way to find that out, I think.
26.
plaridel | December 13, 2022 at 6:41 pm
gabi:
she can’t go beyond friendship. her father has already found a suitable husband for her.
27.
GHLearner | December 14, 2022 at 12:27 pm
Hm…
28.
plaridel | December 14, 2022 at 10:05 pm
gabi:
it seems weird but not in their culture. i know two co-workers who went through that kind of arrangement and it seems to have worked for them.
29.
GHLearner | December 15, 2022 at 4:19 am
I know. Didn’t want to kidnap your thread. There are so many situations where it only seems to work out and it’s always the women who suffer, that’s why the hmmm. If it works out for them, good for them.
30.
plaridel | December 15, 2022 at 1:50 pm
gabi:
your point is well-taken. still, marriage is a roll of the dice whether arranged or not.
31.
Tannille | December 11, 2022 at 9:19 pm
Can’t fight some cultures and win.
32.
plaridel | December 13, 2022 at 6:41 pm
tannille:
unfortunately, that’s the way it is.
33.
dorahak | December 12, 2022 at 8:30 am
Go for it, Austin!! But count the costs.
34.
plaridel | December 13, 2022 at 6:41 pm
dora:
he’s having second thoughts now. it’s like a no win situation.
35.
Bill | December 13, 2022 at 10:49 am
Agh, the old “let’s just be friends.” Without benefits, I presume. 🙂
36.
plaridel | December 13, 2022 at 6:40 pm
bill:
he lucked out on this one. 🙂