Roy and Serene's marriage

"Roy are you there...Can we speak?" the voice came from outside the door.

Before Roy could reply, Mrs. Smith opened the door and welcomed the guest with a fake smile.

"Oh!! Serene, you came at the right moment...we were talking about you...You both have a good talk, I won't be a third wheel. Bye," she took her belonging and fled away leaving only those two. Mrs. Smith was grateful for the arrival of Serene to save her from her awkward situation.

"Hey Roy, were you in the office all night?... You know you have to take care of yourself." Serene spoke first seeing his situation.

"You are early in the morning"

"Yeah, Mr. Smith called and asked to meet you...."

"Don't go round about. State your point." the distant voice of Roy.

Serene stopped her politeness and spoke, "I am trying to be polite ok. If you can't digest my politeness then I will return back to the original...I heard you wanted to cancel our marriage."

"Why, do you want to marry me so much?"raising the brow Roy asked.

"If I could, I never will. But my grandfather left me with no choice...we are in the same boat then why don't we co-operate Roy?"

"Co-operate in marrying you...marriage isn't a joke or a prank you did in those high school time, Serene.." he spoke sarcastically.

"Then what do you want me to do? Should I try to suicide, act very pitifully, or cry my heart out-> Hell no!! If you weren't my and Rohan's friend I would have never come here to meet you in the first place. My family won't accept my and Rohan's relationship, only you can help us out. And the same goes for you too that you need my help. After your sister's death you won't leave your niece alone in Lee's family, will you? A small kid won't be able to survive in between those pack of wolves."

"You want a marriage with me and run out with Rohan later? If it happened then not only Lee, but the Smiths also won't let you rest in peace. I thought you had some plans before the engagement but you disappoint me...." Roy smirked.

"Roy, are you asking for a beating....don't look at me with sympathy. You are never going to find a wife or a lover with this personality. Be happy at least you will get married to me even if were won't be a real couple."

"Really??...okay then tell me what have you planned, Serene?"

"Then listen to me, we won't have a grand marriage just will sign in marriage bureau...I will help you to get custody of your niece....later we will---" they discussed for two hours.

*****

Later in the evening, Roy returned to Smith's residence. He asked the housekeeper to gather every family member in the living room until he freshen up, He had an announcement to make.

Walking towards his room, first, he freshen up then after ten minutes he returned to the living room. Everyone was present there.

"Before I announce anything I have two doubts, I hope grandfather and elders will give me an answer."

"Go on." The second uncle answered.

"If I get the custody of Sister Ria's daughter, then none is going to interfere in my matters between her and me, isn't it?"

"First get custody and then talk." His father spoke

"No, decide it first." Roy insisted.

"No, interference but you need to get married to Serene to get her, you know the Lee family won't give up on Sia easily, so what have you decided?" Roy's grandfather spoke.

"As you all have forced me into a corner and have not left a way out. I have no choice but to marry her. But besides the custody, there is one more thing--"

"Say it out, Roy." his second aunt excitedly asked.

"Don't try to dictate in my relationship. She will have her own freedom and I will have my own. Don't try to make her close to me...She will only be my wife in name and no more--"

"What are you talking about Roy.." his mother cut his words.

"Mrs. Smith let me finish my word first. I will get married tomorrow and we won't have a marriage banquet for the time being. It's decided by both of us, so don't worry" He announced his decision. His heart didn't accept but to know some mysteries he had to get married to Serene.

"But--"

"I am fine if both of you have discussed your marriage. I will inform old Lee and talk out with him" his grandfather excitedly returned to his study room. The old was thinking of plotting Roy to never divorce Serene if married. Everyone scattered.

They had noticed Roy calling Mrs. smith to his mother but ignored it. All were happy that Roy had agreed to the marriage and later would be seen in the future. Some were sad because the wedding banquet was going to be canceled.

Roy walked to the garage took out his sports car and drove far from the mansion. He had a destination in mind and that was Yula mountain. At midnight he reached there, he didn't reach the top of the cliff but stood far away from where he could see the fallen top.

Remembering the night when he was here, he turned emotional. He started to talk himself and sometimes mumbled. If anyone were to listen no one would have understood what he was saying.

'Abha are you disappointed in me...or have you decided to go far from me? Will we be against each other when we meet later? I should have known that your brother was your bottom line... I know that hurt you a lot. I can't stop you but you not being in my view makes me crazy too. I tried, but to forget you is impossible for me. You will return to me one day, won't you?'

'Where are you... it's not I am ignoring you but I know you are braver and have a strong heart than me, so I didn't follow you. My niece Sia needs me more than you. She is an orphan when she was just born. I have to get her custody and find my sister's murderer as I had promised her. Sia is just a small kid.'

He was quiet for a minute and spoke decisively,' I have made a decision to marry Serene, we are just doing a transaction of help and nothing more. I am getting married tomorrow. My heart feels as if I am letting you down. But I am left with no choice.'

'It won't matter if my family or the world are against me for my choices...Phew... I have weighed a lot of pros and cons, you not being near me will be good for you. Can you forgive me someday? My heart wants to protect you and those dear to you but my conscience won't let me as they are the ones who have hurt the one dearest to me too. Sorry for not being able to make you my bride and to be with you and leaving you alone again. We aren't meant to be for each other even before we met. You being with me or not, both will hurt me. So I have decided to let you go. Hope you won't join hands with my enemies and let your love consume by hatred. Be happy wherever you are. Bye love, let's never meet again.'

Roy calmed himself and walked after an hour or two.

But little did he know that the future that awaits him was out of his control...

*****

The next day both Roy and Serene signed their marriage certificate on the bureau. Finally, the two great families of Osmin have bounded together once again.

Even if there was a reason or whatever Roy and Serene were legally married for outsiders and for the whole worldview. They would work out as they planned to find ways to unite with their loved ones and fulfill their promises but obstacles are always in the way.

When and how long patience needed, was unknown...