Marriage First, Love Later

“What? You are joking with us, right, Grandpa? I am your granddaughter, you can't possibly choose my fate and not give me the chance?” Juhee was furious, her face became all red due to anger after hearing what the old man said.

It was really unexpected and abnormal, something that she never expected in her whole life. In front of her was an old man lying on the hospital bed, asking her to marry a man she doesn't like. It made no sense to her.

“She is right. We don't like each other, there's no affection between us, how can you ask us to marry each other when there's no love?” Said Jacob. He's also in the same situation.

The words that came out of the old man's mouth were something they never expected. It was as if, he was telling them both to die.

This old man lying on the hospital bed is her grandfather. He looked pale and weak as if he would die anytime soon.

“Juhee, please be a little considerate towards your grandfather. His condition is really bad right now, he might not wake up to see tomorrow. You are his only granddaughter, if you also don't listen to him, who will?” Juhee's mom spoke in a gentle tone.

She's mad at Juhee for raising her voice at her grandfather, the person closest to her. But can't do more than that because she's her daughter. She can't look down on Juhee either.

“Evelyn is right. I understand you are upset that we took such a huge decision without asking you. But he's barely hanging on the thin thread, he can pass away any time soon. So won't you grant him this last wish?” Even her father doesn't want to understand her.

Everything was going well this morning but then suddenly, this afternoon, her mom called her and told her to return home as soon as possible. The same goes for Jacob, her archenemy. He was on the construction site when his mother called him and told him to come to Juhee's house.

Both hurried back and when they reached, they saw the old man lying on the bed, he was in pain, pale, and looked like he had no strength left in him.

“Juhee and Jacob! I know you both have not thought about marriage yet. But this old man here is losing his life, I want to see you both married, have children and live your life happily ever after. Do I not deserve it?” The old man spoke in his sickly tone, he was having a lot of difficulty speaking.

Juhee and Jacob sat down by his side. Both took his hand in there and looked at him with sadness in their eyes.

“Grandpa! I am worried about you. You shouldn't talk about our marriage right now and should pursue medical treatment. I am sure you will get better once you go to the hospital. If not, at least let me check on you. Let me see what's wrong with you.” Juhee asked to check on him since she works in the medical field.

She's hard to bend, and doesn't believe he's sick.

Everything seems like a plan to her set by both families to tie her and Jacob together. Even Jacob doesn't trust them in this matter. Although Juhee and Jacob treat each other like enemies, they are on the same side.

“Grandpa, Juhee is right. We should go to the hospital. No illness is impossible to cure. The medical field has advanced so much. Plus, your granddaughter is a doctor. So I am sure you will be fine once you let her check.” Said Jacob in a concerned tone.

It was evident how hard both families are trying to tie them in a knot, and it wasn't the first time they had tried such a lousy trick. They could see through their pretense every time but this time was different.

Both families were using the old man this time, and even the old man was willingly doing all this nonsense. But is this really an act? What if he's really sick?

“Mom, I am taking him to the hospital, only doctors can help him.” Said Juhee as she extended her hand to start the body checkup. But the old man stopped her.

“Stop there! I don't want to get any checkups, nor do I want to go to the hospital. Only you two have the cure for my illness. Either you both get married or see me die in front of your big eyes. Decide now, what you want to do.” He asked them to choose, his voice screamed authority.

He was furious and raised his voice on them, his dearest grand kids. He never in his whole life raised his voice to his grand kids. So this matter became a little serious.

Juhee looked at him with sad eyes. “Grandpa, why are you so stubborn? You know very well that I don't wish to marry. Can't you all just let me off the hook? Is marrying someone that important Can't I leave peacefully without getting married?” Juhee raised questions in front of them all.

Yes, she's 27 this year, still single. But independent and well-settled. Her ideals are different from others. She doesn't get any satisfaction from dating or seeing someone. Marriage is just outrageous for her.

But now, he is trying to marry her off. Why?

“You never forced her to do anything against her will, so why now? She's happy the way she's leading her life, and so I am. I never raised any doubts on you, but for the first time I want to. You know how deep our hatred is for each other. So why do you want to marry us to each other?” Jacob questioned.

The old man felt sad, the color from his face started fading off even more, and he was more than pale now.

“I understand! You both have grown up now, not entitled to listen to your parents or grandparents. Fine! Do whatever you want, let this old man on his own. Go back to your normal life, you don't have to worry about me. I have grown old anyway, it's okay if I die without seeing you marry and have children. Who's there for me anyway? You guys are all grown up, live your own life.” The old man said in such a depressing tone that even a happy person who has no guilt will start to feel guilty of something he hasn't done.

And the situation right now, without any doubt felt like a trick of blackmailing. The emotional blackmailing that every parent uses on their children once in a while and frequently when they don't listen to them.

Jacob and Juhee surely were feeling guilty now. And while they were still in a dilemma as to what to do next, the old man's health started degrading even more towards the worst.

The parents from both sides looked at both, with the pressuring stares.

“You two, decide now. This is the last wish of your grandfather, have some filial pity. If he dies without seeing you married, he won't rest in peace, and we won't forgive you either.”

“Fine! I will get married.” Both said at the same time.

Everyone looked at them, and the atmosphere in the room changed. Jacob and Juhee were shocked that they were having the same mindset in this matter.

Marriage wasn't that important right now, his health was. As long as they agreed, he will take medical treatment. They can think about the marriage matter once he's health gets better. So they took his words about marriage lightly. But that was maybe the best or the worst decision of their life.

Juhee agreed to marry him just so that she can take this old man to the hospital and operate on him immediately.

“I am ready for this marriage.” Said Juhee once again and called the hospital.

“Hello! Please come to the Sunshine mansion immediately.” After saying so, she hung up the call and looked at the old man.

“I agreed to marry him. Now it's your turn to fulfill your side of responsibility.” Juhee said in a strict tone.

“No! Not now. First, get married, only then I will cooperate with you.” Said the old man, he was persistent, not bending to her words.

“Grandpa! Enough with your drama. Your condition is not good right now. I don't know for how long you will be able to hold on. Stop with her persistence and come with me. Marriage is a long process, it will take days. Will you be able to hold on till then?” Juhee was now furious.

She was too mad at him right now. How can he not be worried about his health and think of giving importance to such silly and useless matters?

Jacob was silent the whole time, he was only watching Juhee. It was their family matter and his involvement would only worsen the current situation.

Her grandpa and family on the other hand had other plans.

Seeing how desperate the granddaughter was about his health, it was the right time for the old man to strike the deal.

The old man signaled her parents, they both nodded their heads and clapped their hands together. A moment later, a lawyer and a member of the marriage magistrate's office entered the room.

Jacob and Juhee were stunned to see two men entering the room.

Juhee's mom smiled brightly as the lawyer handed out some kind of papers to her, and then she extended the papers in front of both kids.

“What is this mom?” Juhee questioned taking the papers from her hand.

“Marriage document. You just have to sign here and you both will become husband and wife.” Jacob's mom said with a big grin on her face.

This was without a doubt a trap.

Juhee and Jacob knew it was a trap, still, they decided to bite the bullet and stepped inside the trap.

Juhee was still not ready for anything, yet she had no choice.

“Give me the pen.” Juhee asked for the pen to sign the paper.

She was at least hoping for Jacob to say no but looks like even he was in a tight spot denying anything. Her parents and his have known each other from the very beginning, they have been best friends from the start.

His family and her family have always been close, like a reason family. So their marriage was always expected and had been in the family's mind. But since they both were in denial and didn't want to, the parents just couldn't force them.

Juhee and Jacob tried to never get entangled with each other after that incident. They never wanted to be a part of each other's life again. But fate sure is unpredictable. They were single just a moment ago, but look at them now....forced into this marriage.

She signed the paper and looked at him.

“Jacob! She has signed the document, it's your turn now. Don't disappoint us.” Said his parents.

He took the paper from her hand and then signed as well.

The moment he was done with the signature, his mother snatched away the papers from his hand. Smiles appeared on everyone's faces presented there.

Everyone is happy for them. Jacob and Juhee finally submitted their fate to each other and are now husband and wife.

“Congratulations! You are now officially married to each other. Your marriage certificates will come soon. Enjoy your new life.”

“Finally! Both of my kids are married. I can now die in peace. Oh! no! I am still young, there's no way I should die this early.” Said Jacob's mother.

Now that the papers were signed, and she was married, it was time to take the old man to the hospital.

The siren started ringing in front of the house as the ambulance arrived. “Old man! Let's go to the hospital now.”

She said as some men from the hospital entered his room.

“It's okay! I am fine now.” Said the old man as he saw the men from the hospital.

“I will hear no excuse from you. You are sick and you should go to the hospital. It's an order.” Juhee became cold all of a sudden.