MARRIAGE AGREEMENTS
FIRST NIGHT IN MALLORCA

Meanwhile, Harris's gaze glared at the ceiling of the room. The pain was clearly reflected in the look on his face.

The man then said, “Your matchmaking did happen because your father helped Papa pay off the debt in the bank. Besides, Papa can also see that you are a good man, Sam. So Papa's not worried about entrusting Papa's only son to you. But then the calamity experienced by Aileen made Papa's mind open. This is a sign that God does not approve of your marriage. And in this case Papah the one who is obedient is blamed..”.

Samuel immediately interrupted his father-in-law's sentence, “Already, Pa. No need to blame yourself. Sam has no regrets about marrying Aileen. Really...”

Harris looked at his daughter-in-law seriously. “What did you say just now, Sam?” ask the man later. “You're happily married to Papa's son?”

Samuel nodded steadily. His father-in-law's eyes still looked in disbelief. Finally Aileen's husband expressed his heart. “Aileen is a good wife, Pa. I feel lucky to marry her. Papa's debt thing, it's probably just God's way to bring me together with Aileen.”

“Do you love Papa's son, Sam?” harris asked seriously.

Samuel without hesitation nodded his head. His father-in-law became calm. He smiled happily. “Papa apologizes if during being your wife, Aileen did inappropriate things. Papa knew he had to agree to this match in order to save Papa from bankruptcy. Aileen is a good boy. Had Papa not been too ambitious to develop a workshop and owed so much to the bank.…”

“Papa,” interrupted Samuel again. “Our married life has been fine, really. There's nothing to worry about. This empty fetal calamity is an ordeal that we both have to face as a married couple. Even if there is no pregnancy failure, there must be other trials that color our togetherness. Isn't that also experienced by every married couple in living a married life?”

Harris looked at the man in amazement. No wonder this young man is so mature. May my son cherish this kind husband, the inner man is hopeful. At least I'm sure Sam is a lot more happy for Aileen than her ex-boyfriend James.

“Thank you for your humility, Son Sam,” said Aileen's father sincerely. “Papa's heart now feels calmer, having entrusted Papa's only child to you.”

Samuel smiled sincerely. He was happy to make his father-in-law feel no more anxious.

***

Aileen and Samuel slept in the same room. This was done to prevent the suspicion of Harris and Ernie.

“I slept on the floor only, Leen,” said Samuel knew himself. “Our room door locks from the inside. So Papa and Mama don't know.”

“Do not, Sam,” prevent Aileen in a hurry. “You can catch a cold if you sleep on the floor. In my room there is no mat or mat, you know.”

“You have a thick blanket again, don't you?” ask her husband calmly. “I can wear it as my bed.”

The wife firmly shook her head. “Mama who always keep all thick blankets backup in this house. Later if I want to borrow, I'm afraid Mama suspects why we sleep wearing two thick blankets.”

Samuel was silent at his wife's explanation. Then what should I do? thought the man was confused. Should I sleep in bed with Aileen?

“Just sleep here, Sam,” says his wife shyly. “This basket is big enough..”.

For both of us, the woman continued in her heart. Her chest was pounding imagining herself sleeping side by side with her husband. I've really fallen for Sam apparently, he thought haplessly. Can he feel it, right?

“Then we will put a roll in the middle,” suggested the man. “So I won't disturb your sleep, Leen.”

The wife agreed. Whatever, the woman thought she was not dizzy. The important thing is that we both sleep in the same bed, Sam. I want us to be real husbands. No more pretending. No more marriage agreements….

***

For three nights in a row Samuel and Aileen slept in bed with a bolster in their midst. The awkwardness between the two people makes no conversation occur at bedtime. In the morning, my husband always wakes up first. With a light hand she helped her mother-in-law clean the house.

“Does Sam always get up early every day to sweep and mop your house, Leen?” ask Ernie about her son.

Harris and Samuel are already at work. He and Aileen are at home. His son was eating a healthy food menu. The village chicken team along with two eggs boiled half-cooked.

Aileen answered her mother's question casually, “Well, no need to, Ma. It depends who wakes up first. But indeed since Aileen was pregnant, Sam more diligent wake up early to clean the house.”

Ernie looked at her son seriously. “Leen, there is actually an important thing you want to ask. And this is also Papa's question. But Mama says it's best that Mama speak from heart to heart with you. Because we are both women..”.

Aileen looked at her mother in astonishment. What's the matter again? he thought it was full of question marks. It's only been three days that I lost a fetus in my womb. Please give me some time to calm down, Lord!

I heard Ernie's long breath. Then the woman said, “Papa and Mama realized that you were actually married to Sam by force. After an accident in your pregnancy yesterday, suddenly we realized that maybe it is a sign that.

Suddenly Aileen's mother fell silent. He felt heavy to continue his words. Ernie swallowed his saliva bitterly. His face looked sad. Aileen looked at her mother curiously.

“What sign, Ma?” tanyanya gently.

Ernie was trying to strengthen her heart. “Home sign..that you and Sam should not be married, Son.”.

Aileen. No doubt those words will come out of his mother's mouth. It's too late, Ma, his mind is sore. Your son has experienced many things. And I finally realized I had fallen in love with Papa and Mama's chosen husband!

“Papa and Mama feel guilty for getting you married to someone you don't know well, Leen. Forgive us, yes.”

Tears fell pouring down the face of the middle-aged woman who still looked ayu. Aileen felt full. His mother took him into his arms. Comforted the woman he loved most in the world with heartfelt words.

“Mama don't be sad. Aileen is happy to be Sam's wife. Really am. He was a good and understanding husband. His attention to Aileen was immense. It is precisely Aileen who must thank you for being betrothed to Sam.”

“You are a good boy, Leen. Even to this condition you can still lie for the sake of making Mama happy.”

“I'm not lying, Ma. At first I was annoyed at being forced to marry someone I didn't love. But time proved that Sam was the best husband for me. I love her, Ma.”