This Is A Real Marriage, Not A Joke

The Wedding Hall 

My wedding ceremony ended at eight o'clock in the evening. My parents and I were currently sitting in the bridal dressing room, and waiting for Aileen to take off her wedding dress.

We were ready to return to our respective homes. With the help of a makeup artist, Aileen changed her dress to the clothes she wore this afternoon. While waiting for Aileen to finish, my parents came back to me and asked almost the same questions, like when we hadn't said the wedding vows. 

"Glenn, I still can't believe that Aileen is the woman you love," Mama said with a sad expression.

It seemed true that a mother was the most sensitive human being when it came to her child. But, because I didn't want mom to know about our lie, I immediately put on my best smile and explained as simply as possible. I didn't want everything to be more messed up, with my Mother back distrusting me.

 "Mom, why don't you believe me? Ai and I really love each other. Even though we just met again, but now we're husband and wife. So Mom, don't worry, I guarantee that our household will be fine." 

I hoped that after this my mother wouldn't ask any more questions. Especially it would be a mess if Mom asked me about her when I didn't know anything about her. 

"But I have not meet Aileen's parents yet. Wouldn't they be angry if their daughter got married without any news?"

Hm.... Finally this question also appeared. At first I was quite happy, when Mother did not ask me this at the beginning because I asked in an absolute tone. But now... What should I say? 

How would Aileen's parents be angry, even their whereabouts I didn't know where. I only knew that Aileen was scared of being chased by a muscular man and then I just followed my crazy idea. 

"Ai's parents and siblings are out of town, Mom. You calm down and don't worry, when we have time to visit them, we will tell them the news," I explained in the calmest tone possible. 

I really hoped that my mother would not ask again but luckily dad also calmed Mom down, so Mom finally nodded with a smile on her lips. 

"I'm sorry, I just don't want you to be embarrassed by the failure of my marriage with Kania," I thought guiltily. 

Then Aileen walked towards us, with her ornaments and hair back as before. Her long straight hair was slightly wavy, and her natural face looked more beautiful, compared to a face that was decorated with make-up. 

"Ok, hold on..., since when did I notice Aileen's face without make-up. I think there is something wrong with what I just said." I think inwardly. 

"Are you ready, Ai?" I asked to erase my thoughts earlier. 

Ai sounded sweet, right? 

As much as possible I called her affectionately, so that my parents were certain that she and I were lovers who were reunited. 

Yes, I confess to my parents that Aileen and I were lovers who broke up in the past. Therefore Mom, although she did not agree, but in the end followed my wishes too. 

"Yes," Aileen replied curtly. 

She also smiled kindly at my parents, so that at that time Mama immediately hugged Aileen in her arms. 

"Aileen, if Glenn messes up again, you don't hesitate to tell me, ok? Let me take care of the rest," My mother said while stroking Aileen's hair. 

Aileen nodded happily, then looked at me with a strange look, making me suspect that after this she would do something strange to me. 

"Of course Aunt-

"What? Why do you call me Aunty? Call me Mom, dear. I have  become your Mom, right?" My mother interrupted with Aileen nodding obediently, but with a sudden sad face. 

"What's wrong with her? Why did she show a sad face," I thought, when I saw her face, which before had been planning something,  and now turned sad like that. 

"Can I really call you Mom?" Aileen asked in a different voice and this again made me curious, what's really going on with Aileen. 

"Of course, it is okay, dear. You are now the wife of my son and that means you are now my daughter too," My mother answered enthusiastically. 

It seemed that Mama didn't notice the change in Aileen's tone of voice. But, why could I feel it? 

"Ok Mom, thank you for allowing me to call you Mom. You can also call me Ai. It sounds more familiar," Aileen replied this time with a happy tone again. 

Her change of feelings made me want to know more about her. But, why should I know her? This marriage was illegitimate without the presence of her parents. Besides, our marriage was just my spontaneous plan. She and I didn't know each other at all, let alone love each other.

I did this only because of my mother who was currently hugging Aileen who smiled broadly to my father who patted her head with a friendly smile. 

"Wait! What is going on? Since when did my father make friends with strangers? Even with Kania he was not like that." I thought confused.

It seemed that I had chosen the wrong woman to marry me impromptu, because, it was obvious that she was able to make both my parents like her in a short time. My feeling said, that there would be unforeseen events that happened after this, and my feeling had never been wrong.

We walked together outside the wedding hall. Outside the building we parted. Mom and Dad went home with their driver, while Aileen and I took the car that I drove myself.  But before Mom kissed Aileen's cheek and Aileen responded no less happy than Mom. I felt that Aileen was very happy with Mom and vice versa. 

"Get some rest, dear and tomorrow, I will see you. Ok?" My mother said before getting into the car. 

"Ok, Mom!" Aileen shouted back. 

Then their car left the terrace of the building, leaving me and Aileen who still smiled broadly. I looked at her smile that looked sincere, made me subconsciously look at her with a look that was difficult to interpret. 

"Glenn! Let's go and take me to my rented house. I'm tired,"  Aileen said suddenly, making me wake up immediately from my daydream, but luckily she didn't realize that I was looking at her.

"Rented house?" I repeated, with Aileen nodding in agreement. 

"Yes, my rented house. My job here is done," Aileen replied with an innocent face, as if we were playing a play, with her as an artist. 

"What do you mean by job?" I asked in an unfriendly tone, making her look at me with a frown like confusion. 

"Isn't this just a playful marriage, huh?" Aileen asked.

Hearing her question made me immediately put on a facial expression as if to tell her 'are you kidding', so she with a glaring face in horror immediately continued her sentence. 

"Wait, don't tell me...." 

"Yes, this is a real marriage and not a joke. Do you think my wedding vows were a lie? No, it is the truth and the meaning is also clear that we are currently husband and wife. Is that understandable, Aileen?" I interrupted her words and it made her put on another horrified face, which made me secretly smile happily.

"What!!!!" 

"Pft-pft-pft..., I didn't know teasing someone could be this much fun," I thought happily when I saw her face looking at me in disbelief.

To be continued.