Anna started school that same day. Aria took her to school, and showed her around. They made her to take many tests, one of them English proficiency, and she passed them all. She did not have to take English as a second language (ESL) courses. Because their schedules were different, soon Anna learned how to ride a bus and use public transportation so she did not have to depend on her brother. Her attempt to make friend with Rosy was complete failure. Her future sister-in-law stayed aloof towards her. Anna did not know what attracted her brother to this woman. Rosy was mean and bossy. She lacked femininity. Soon, Anna find out that her brother was afraid of Rosy.
Anna learned to cook simple things, for she could not stand their habits of eating out or fast food every day and night. To her, Rosy cared more about achieving her goal and becoming a medical doctor than her personal life with Aria. Anna did not know how to tell her brother that Rosy was using him and even her for their money; and she was not truly in love with him. It did not need a genius to figure that out. She wondered why Aria, her talented brother, could not see it. As a famous saying goes, when it come to the fair of hearts, they are not a dispute. He was blinded by his love for Rosy and could not see that she did not love him. She was only pretending since she knew how wealthy their fatter was. Anna learned more about Rosy's background. She learned that there was no chance for her to go to medical school without their money, their father's money.
When in the evenings three of them were home, Anna tried to close her eyes and ears so not to hear and see what that deceitful woman was doing to her brother. She tried to concentrate on her studying but that did not stop her of feeling miserable for herself and sorry for her brother.
As the wedding day was getting closer, Anna watched how Rosy used their money to buy extravagant wedding gown. Then in one insomnious night, she overheard Aria and Rosy's argument in their bedroom.
"Listen honey, she is the only family I have here. I want her to be one of the bridesmaid." Aria's voice was gentle and supplicating.
"I told you many times no. I've already picked my bridesmaids, no."
"Please, what has she done to you that you hate her so much? She is my sister."
"Listen, if you keep insisting, the wedding is off."
"Don't do this to me sweet heart. I love you; but she is the only family I have here, please!"
"No,no,no, and one more thing, she can't live with us when we marry. She needs to find another place to live. I can't stand this anymore."
"How can we do this? First, we need her money. Our income has doubled since she came; besides if we tell her to find her own place, my father will find out and I don't know what he will do."
"That is up to you. I don't know how you're going to do it, but you must. You can stop going to school and work and let me finish first, and then you can finish school."
Anna covered her ears with her hands so not to hear anymore. Now she was certain that Rosy did not care for Aria. She was an absolute user.
At school Anna put an add on the bulletin board: "Need a female roommate". Soon many responded to her ad. Among all the girls, Anna liked Marianna. She was a nursing student, too. Anna wanted to get a nursing degree and began working and perhaps after that she would get her PHD to become a nursing professor. Anyway, they found an apartment very close to university; and a week before the wedding, she broke the news to Aria and Rosy:
"I've found this apartment close to school. I'm moving out this weekend."
Aria's eyes dilated while Rosy's face wreathed in smile.
"How are you going to tell dad?" Aria asked.
"I don't know. I think of something." She answered while smiling back at Rosy.
Anna never told her brother that she had overheard them. She attended the wedding like other guest. It was summer of 1967. Anna felt emptier than ever.
To be continued
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