Chapter 1: Forced to marry each other

" What? Grandpa! You are joking with us, right? I am your granddaughter, how can you 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, the old man was lying on the hospital bed, asking her to marry a man who 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? ", Jacob on the other hand was in the same situation.

The words which came out of the old man's mouth were something that they had both never thought of. It was as if, he was telling the two youngsters to go and hang themselves to the tallest tree, it was impossible.

The man lying on the hospital bed was her grandfather. He looked pale, not in a great condition as if he was about to die.

" Juhee, speak after seeing the situation. Can't you see which condition he is in right now? You are his only granddaughter, if you don't listen to him, who will? ", Juhee's mom spoke in a gentle tone.

She was a little mad at her daughter for raising her voice in front of the elder, but that was her daughter and she couldn't let her down as well.

" Your mom is right! I know you are upset that we made such a big decision without your opinion and permission. But you can't look down on the fact that he is barely hanging on the thin threat, it will break anytime soon ", Even her father was on the side.

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. 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, 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, he was sick.

Juhee sat down by his side on the side of the bed and Jacob took the left side. Both sat on both sides of the bed as they took his hand in there and looked at him with sadness in their eyes.

" Grandpa! I am worried about you. For now, you shouldn't talk about all these depressing things and get treatment. I am a doctor, and I am sure you will get better once you go to the hospital. If not, at least let me check on you, see what's wrong with you ", Juhee was hard to bend, she still doesn't believe that he was sick.

It felt like a trap to her set by both families to tie her and Jacob together.

Jacob was on her side this time. " Grandpa! She is right, we should go to the hospital. No illness can't be treated. She on the other hand is a doctor, let her check ", He said in a concerned tone.

Juhee and Jacob could see how hard their both families are trying to tie them in a marriage, and it wasn't the first time they had tried such a lousy trick. Every time, the tricks were lousy and could be seen through, but this time was different.

They were using this old man this time, and even the old man was willingly doing all this nonsense.

Seeing that both his grandkids were trying to change the topic, he couldn't resist the temptation to hit them both on the head and tell them who was the elder and they should be obedient to him.

" Mom! I am taking him to the hospital, only doctors can help him ", Juhee said 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 ".

The old man said in a furious tone, he was trying his best to raise his voice on his both kids were so dear to him till now.

Juhee slapped herself on the forehead as she looked at him with sadness filled in her eyes. " Why are you so stubborn? You know it, I don't want to marry. Can't you all just let me off the hook? Is marrying someone that important? ", She raised her questions in front of them all.

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

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

" For the first time in my life, I agree with her. We both are happy with our lives, why is there such a need to get married to someone you don't love? ", Jacob questioned as well.

The old man felt sad, the color from his face started fading off from his face 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 for someone he hasn't done.

And the situation right now, without any doubt was a trick of blackmailing, the emotional blackmailing that every parent use on their children once in a while and frequently.

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, they were pressuring both of course.

" You two, decide now. This is the last wish of your grandfather, have some final pity. If he does without seeing you married, he didn't rest in peace ".

They were panicking while Jacob and Juhee were feeling bad for their extreme behavior. And finally, they come to the decision.

" 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.

The matter of marriage was nothing right now, the important thing was to look after the old man. His health was degrading and treatment was needed. But as long as they don't agree with the marriage, it was impassable.

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 ", Juhee said 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 with your wish, now let's take you to the hospital ", She 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 on 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 said in a furious tone.

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

Jacob was only hearing her now and not speaking anything. It was their family matter and his butting in would only worsen the current situation.

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

The old man signaled to 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 surprised as to what was happening in their lives and this 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 hands.

" Marriage papers. You just have to sign here and you will both 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 on the papers.

She was at least hoping for Jacob to say no but looks like even he was in a tight spot to say no. Both her parents and his are best friends from the start.

His family and her family have always been close, and this marriage from the very start was expected. But since they both were in denial and didn't want to, the parents were in a situation where they couldn't force them.

They were both trying to change their fate to not party with each other, but in the end, they were still forced to give up in front of their destiny.

She signed the paper and looked at him.

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

He took the papers from her hands 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 was happy that they finally submitted their fate to each other and became husband and wife in the end.

" Congratulations! You are now officially married to each other. Your marriage certificates will come soon. Enjoy till then ".

" Finally! my both 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.

There's no way he would like to go to the hospital.

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