8. Synopsis
He’d never done it, even when I was a kid. He was neither hardhearted nor callous. Quite the opposite, as he never tended in nature or character towards violence or cruelty. It was the first time, however, in my entire twenty-nine years that dad slapped me—so hard as to knock me off balance. it was also the last time, and he got my two brothers to promise not to ever coerce me into it: “She’s the flower of this house, and my wish is that she remains so. Take good care of her when I’m gone. Love her always, cherish her and treasure her as much as I do. My soul will never rest in peace if she’s ever forced into a marriage against her will or desire, even if she prefers to remain unmarried for the rest of her life” This was what Auntie Dina unfolded to me two years after my father’s death, providing the clue to the unusual tolerance my household was displaying towards my obdurate refusal of countless marriage suitors. Given his failing heart, Dad somehow sensed his days were numbered. And