Forced Marriage: Escaping Her Monster

When Jeremy looked at Jerlina, she was closing her eyes holding something to her chest. As he saw, a drop of tear rolling from her eyes. Before she could react, his hand reached for her cheeks and wiped her tears.

"Jeryl?" he called her.

"Yes," sniffing, she opened her eyes and looked at him.

"Are you okay?" he asked.

He felt relieved after talking to his mother but his heart is not made for handling her tears.

"I am fine…" Jerlina wrapped her hand around his waist. "I think your mother accepted me, Joel," she said and her eyes clouded once more.

"That's a given," Jeremy smiled and wiped her tears once more and kissed her cheek.

Knowing that this is the reason for her tears, he was relieved.

Happy tears are good.

"What is that you are holding?" he asked standing up.

He held out his hand. Jerlina held his hand and stood up.

"It's your mother's blessing," she showed him the pine cone.

Jeremy didn't find that silly. She is believing that and if that makes her happy it is fine for him too.

"Keep it safe," he said and watched her as she safely stored it in her pockets.

"Shall we?" he walked out holding her hand.

Jerlina sensed that Jeremy already knows where her mother's grave is. She still has a lot to talk to him about. She decided to talk to him about it after visiting her mother.

Jeremy placed the bouquet he had in his hand on Jerlina's mother's grave.

"Thank you for everything…" he mumbled and Jerlina bowed her head.

"I am married, And I am happy, mom," she spoke in her heart.

This is probably the first time she is telling her mother that she is happy. Usually, she'd sit by her grave and complain about everything wrong in her life.

After staying by her mother's grave for some time, both of them left the graveyard. There was a beautiful hill a mile away from their town. And Jerlina's grandfather would take her there when he was alive.

"Shall we go there, Joel?" Jerlina asked. "I know a spot there. I have a lot to say to you," she looked at him.

After visiting both of their mothers, she wanted to go to the special place that belonged to her and her grandpa.

"Okay," Jeremy held her cheek.He had wanted to bring her there too… It is good that she brought it up herself.

"Maybe we can take the car?" she asked. She didn't want him to get worked out.

"We can ride in a bike," he said and Jerlina wondered if he could ride that far.

But it is just a mile, right?

"Where do we find bikes?" she asked.

She wondered how the roads would be for riding a bike.

"Come with me," Jeremy dragged her to the caretaker of the graveyard. There was an old bike there. Although it was old, it was well-maintained. Jeremy talked to him and got the bike.

"Sit behind me," Jeremy told Jerlina.

"No, you sit behind me," Jerlina looked at him, determined.

She can ride with him for a mile. And then they have to get up the hill. The only way up is by walking. Although she didn't know how safe the pathway would be during winter, she wanted to go there today.

"Suit yourself. I will warn you that I am heavy and you cannot carry me for that distance," he warned her.

"I'll take care of that. I am stronger than I look," Jerlina flexed her arms only to make him laugh.

"Even with that down jacket, you're scrawny," he laughed.

"I'll show you!" Jerlina got all fired up.

She was always that way. Whenever there is a tough situation, she would try hard to rise above it. When there is a competition, she would compete to win. She rarely gets to the competitive spirit but when she does, she will go all in.

Sitting behind Jerlina, Jeremy held her waist. In the past, there were many a day where he'd follow her when she would fly around on her bike. He bought a bike for the first time then just to follow her. And he would imagine of the day he would ride with her sitting behind him.

And today, he got to sit behind her.

"Tell me if you cannot ride anymore, Jeryl," he shouted.

She is riding like a pro. But the winter air is sharp and she would get tired soon. He is almost double her weight and she is not particularly athletic. The last thing he would wish on her is some infection in her lungs.

"You wish!" Jerlina shouted back.

She wanted to laugh out loud, and so she did. It's been years since she last rode a bike. Almost a decade. And having Jeremy behind her gave a profound joy. The cold air splashing on her face should be harsh on her, but the warmth of the embrace of the man of her heart made her feel warm all over her.

Jeremy too was happy. He was not scared or feeling guilty about letting his petite woman do the hard work. He knows he can rely on her. He knows he can close both of his eyes and relax when she is with him. And even when the whole world goes dark, if she is with him, he wouldn't have to worry.

And he will do the same for her. When she wants to rest, when she needs rest, he will let her take rest. And when she wants to go wild, she can go wild. He will watch over her.

She is his darling. She can do what her heart desires without caring for anything.

"I did it! I did it!" Jerlina did a happy dance as they reached.

"You're strong. I agree!" Jeremy patted her head. He got the beanie hat he had in his pocket and covered her head and ears. If they are going up, it will get colder.

"You?" Jerlina asked and he covered his ears too. He was not feeling cold. But for his wife's satisfaction, he wore a beanie hat too.

They parked the bike under a little shed they had and walked up the trail. This trail is used by the locals and was not scary.

Jerlina walked in the front as Jeremy followed her behind. Jeremy watched how careful she is as she placed each of her steps. He was impressed. She is not a careless person and that made him feel relieved.

The relief came as he knew that she will take care of herself and everything that belongs to her even if something happens to him. She'd be broken to pieces and would probably end up crying curling up on the floor, but she will pull herself together and take care of everything that needs her attention.

She is smart. She is carful. She is kind and she is dependable.

But I have no plans on leaving her behind. We will live well together for long.