Cherreads

Chapter 3 - Chapter 3: This Time… I Said “NO”

That night…

changed me completely.

For the first time, I felt—

if I stayed silent again…

I would never be able to face myself for the rest of my life.

The next morning, as soon as I woke up…

only one thought was in my mind—

"Today… I will say NO."

But the moment I stepped out of my room…

I saw Dad talking on the phone—

"Yes… the girl has agreed. Don't worry."

My steps froze.

My heart shook again.

Mom was in the kitchen.

The tiredness and stress beneath her eyes were clearly visible.

For a moment, I wondered—

"Can I really go against everyone…?"

The whole day…

the house was filled with wedding talks.

Relatives were about to come.

Preparations were going on.

And I…

was fighting inside myself.

With my dreams…

with my fears…

and most of all… with my own family.

In the evening, Dad called me.

"Beta, they are coming again tomorrow… there will be some rituals too."

I looked into his eyes.

And this time…

I didn't stop my voice.

"Dad… I need to talk to you."

The room went silent.

Mom came closer.

"What is it?" he asked.

My hands were shaking…

but somehow, I found the courage.

"I don't want this marriage."

It felt like time stopped.

Dad's expression changed instantly.

"What did you just say?"

I repeated—

"I don't want this marriage."

Mom was shocked.

"But beta… you said yes…"

Tears filled my eyes.

"That was my helplessness, Mom… not my choice."

Dad's anger was now clear.

"Is this a joke? What will we tell people?"

I gathered strength and said—

"I care more about my life than people."

The atmosphere became heavier.

"Do you even understand what you're saying?"

"Yes, Dad… for the first time, I'm saying what I truly want."

Mom broke down.

"We never stopped you before… then why now?"

"Because this is about my entire life, Mom…"

"I can't leave my dreams incomplete."

Dad said angrily—

"So you will ruin your parents' respect?"

That broke me.

But this time…

I didn't choose silence.

"Is respect only for people…

or does my life matter too?"

A deep silence filled the room.

I said softly—

"I can't live someone else's life, Dad…

I want to live my own."

For a few seconds… no one spoke.

Then Dad said in a cold voice—

"If you break this alliance…

you will be dead to us."

My breath stopped.

Tears rolled down my eyes.

But this time…

I didn't let myself break.

"If standing for my dreams is wrong…

then yes, I am wrong."

Mom shouted—

"Enough! Why can't you both understand each other?"

I took a deep breath and said one last time—

"Tomorrow… in front of them… I will say NO.

No matter what happens."

And I walked away.

That night…

I was sitting on the terrace.

The wind was blowing…

but my heart felt heavy.

I was scared.

Very scared.

But for the first time…

I also felt a little proud of myself.

"Today… I learned to stand up for myself."

The next morning…

they were standing at the door.

Everyone looked serious.

As I stepped forward…

before I could say anything—

the boy spoke.

"Let's stop this marriage right here."

I froze.

Was his "NO" going to make my life easier…

or even more complicated?

What do you think?

Tell me in the comments…

If you liked the story, don't forget to vote.

The next chapter will change everything… don't miss it.

More Chapters