"I'm glad yesterday's meeting with the Zukors went well." My mother said as she sat at the dinning table.
"Of course you did." I muttered under my breath as I scrolled through my phone.
"What did you say?"
"Nothing mother."
I smilled as I scrolled through my phone. My eyes were glued to the phone as it continued to vibrate with new notifications. Mia and Lucy were going back at each other in the group chat, making me shake my head with a fond smile plastered on my face, Lucy and Mia are just that kind of people.
My fork continued to swirl food here and there on my plate, oblivious to the glare my mother was throwing at me from across the table.
"Ava put down your phone and eat your breakfast like a proper lady." My mother scolded making me raise my eyes from my phone slowly to meet hers. She was scowling at me while I just stared blankly in return. Eventually, I gave up on the staring contest and sat upright.
"Yes mother." I mentally rolled my eyes and placed down the phone beside my plate. I could feel her eyes on me as I pushed the lettuce around in the plate, I didn't really have appetite and would rather go through my day on an empty stomach, but my mother says otherwise.
"I hope you know we're doing this for the best. And this is a new beginning for you, for us. Our struggles are finally over, thanks to you." She ranted on. I only hummed in return, I had no interest whatsoever in this conversation. She seemed to realize and sighed before continuing her meal.
"Eat your food Ava."
"I'm not hungry mom. Even if I was, this food is downright tasteless." I complained and dropped the fork, the sound it made was loud and it echoed through the dining room. Her gaze turned into a glare and I knew I was in for it.
"Well you're married now Ava, you need to be mature and take up on your responsibilities which includes eating a proper meal to stay healthy."
Here she goes again.
"I don't see how this has to do with me being married mom. And just because I want to stay healthy doesn't mean I have to eat grass all the time." I argued.
"Well that grass is what will give you a better shape. And a better life apparently, you saw how Zurien's mother was impressed yesterday. Eating junks isn't healthy and you know that, I mean look at you. You probably weigh a ton looking like that." She exclaimed animatedly, gesturing to all of me. My eye twitched, I was angry. Of all the things I could take, I will not let my mother body shame me.
"Well not all men want skins and bones like you mother!" I snapped back and her eyes widened the size of saucers. I knew I hit a nerve there.
"That was very rude Aveline".
"Well you were being completely irrational, imagine a mother body shaming her own child." I scoffed
"Do not take my words wrong Ava, I'm just trying to tell you that you consume too much into that stomach of yours. At least put some effort in your diet. You're now a married woman and- "
"Will you stop bringing up my marriage in every sentence you say?!.' I snapped.
"Lower your voice when you're talking to me Ava, that is no way to talk to your mother."
I rolled my eyes but she continued speaking anyways.
"So, as I was saying, you're now a married woman, if you don't take care of yourself now, how will you do so in the future with your kids and husband?."
"Are you being serious right now mother?!" I shouted and stood up.
"Sit down Ava."
"No I will not. You forced me into this marriage, I don't know about him but you forced me into this because of your greediness-"
"Listen here you-"
"No you listen to me mother!, do you know how many dreams of mine you've crushed?. He's a complete stranger to me, he's years older than me as a matter of fact. I don't love him and I never will. So drop it, I know I'm married, you don't have to rub it in my face every fucking time!. You've already offended me as it is, and yet you still have the fucking audacity to call me fat!"
"Mind your language Aveline!, And stop talking like we ruined everything for you, this is for your own good!" She snapped and also got to her feet.
"My own good?, Speak for your self!. And when was the last time you saw dad?. All he does is work and work and work!. We can't even have a proper dinner together anymore because everyone is out chasing their dreams and here you are chasing mine!"
"I don't see the big deal about you being married here. I married your father when I was 20, you're older than that." She said with a nonchalant shrug.
"Well, good for you. And listen very well mother, I'll only have salad when I wish to have salad, not because of a stupid diet for weight loss, and I'm not fucking fat, get that into your head." I snapped and picked my bag from the seat next to me. I can't take this anymore, I have to leave now. Even though I was moving in with a stranger, at least I would be free of my mother's wilt.
"Are you leaving for Zurien's place?"
"The fuck does it look like I'm doing?, going fishing?". I snarked.
"Do not talk to me like that Ava! I am your mother."
" Of course you are." I muttered.
"Are you being sarcastic with me right now?" She asked dumbfoundedly.
"Does it look like I am?, You know for a woman who keeps lecturing her daughter to correct everything about her so as to be able to take care of her husband and children. You're doing a worst job at it."
I slung my bag over my back and began to walk to my room, I need to get everything packed before the people he said he'd send got here.
"Make sure you pack your best clothes. Leave those trash you wear to school behind." She called after me and I ignored her. I walked into my room and sighed, only my mother would call her daughter's clothes trash. I shook my head and began to pack my clothes, everything from this moment on felt like the beginning of the end.
I wanted to scream, is this how she's supposed to be treating me, why am I being forced into everything?. I can't even make my own decisions. Now I have to move in with my so called husband, it's no use arguing against them, I'm never going to win anyways. This brought tears to my eyes and I blinked rapidly to keep them away.
"Can I really do this?". I asked myself. I promised myself to try and be happy this semester, but it seems like I was already failing.