Mike: Yeah. With Austin. Do you accept Austin and ally's marriage?
Penny... M-mike how can I ever find a better man other than Austin (mike smiled) thank you so much (she whispered) ...will Austin and Mimi agree to this?
Mike: y-yeah, why not, I'm going to talk to them myself. So, should we discuss about the date. And penny no talking of death, everything will be fine and so will you.
Austin (POV)
I was walking in my backyard (let's just say they have a huge backyard) when my dad came folding his newspaper
Austin: hey dad
Mike: hey
My dad sat on the bench gesturing me to sit next to him so I sat. Dad looked a bit nervous, like he wants to say something but couldn't.
Austin: dad, are trying to say something
Mike: Yeah. Son...son? If I ask you for something, would you give.
I smiled as he knew my answer
Mike: son. Marry ally?
My smile faded away, I didn't know why he would say this, and suddenly. I don't understand. Does he even have a reason to what he just said. He knew I'm engaged still to Brooke right.
Mike: I-I know son that a person has wishes and dreams in this life... I'm talking about taking that from you. I know very well that. I'm asking you for an impure sacrifice. my son I am very forced. (He was getting teary eyes) my sister. My sister is dying. My sister has never asked me for anything. She asked for the first and last time in her life. She's dying a-and if I don't do what she wishes... then I can never forgive myself.
Austin: …dad I don't understand, I'm still-
Mike: no son. I'm not telling you to make this choice now. I want you to think about it. tell me you discission tonight. But please understand me. I need your help.
I got up from the bench going to my room getting ready to go to the studio. I was still processing of what my dad said. I can't see him like this, so worried and scared and dad was never scared in his life. He was always such a brave man. I think I just never saw such scared look in his eyes. I knew I needed a distraction and recording my new song would help.
I changed my clothes to a white shirt, red leather jacket and black jeans.
I went to the kitchen
Austin: Anne, (getting mango juice from the fridge and pouring it in the glass) please don't make breakfast for me, I'm getting late.
Anne: okay sir. Should I make coffee
Austin: no
While I was drinking my juice ally came
Ally: hi
Austin: hi (using mobile)
Ally started cooking. And I couldn't stand her presence. (Looked at ally with a stern look on his face), she was cutting fruits as I looked back at my phone. Right after dad asked me to marry her. I just couldn't look at her. This was not supposed to happen. I left didn't finish my juice.
After the studio I went to the café where me and Brooke usually hang out. I was thinking and thinking that I forgot Brooke just came.
Brooke: hello?
Austin: oh hi. Sit
Brooke: what's wrong?
Austin: who?
Brooke: you. And for please for goodness's sake don't say ''nothing''. I know you since childhood and your every mood.
Austin: (scoffed) if you know me that well then tell me what's wrong with my mood.
Brooke: … you look upset about something. what's wrong Austin. Tell me. Please.
Austin: (sighs)...aunt penny is scared that when she goes, ally will be alone. So, she talked to my dad. Of what he said to me this morning... he wants me to marry ally.
Her eyes widened. Brooke: what?
Brooke: did you not say no to him?
Austin: dad requested like I can't say yes to him or say no... with dad's tears I-
'' to mike's tears are you- are you going to get married with ally? (She got up from her chair. ''why didn't you just say no to him Austin?! How can you marry ally?!how can you ever marry any other girl, Austin! 'She turned looking at the ground as tears formed in her eyes.
Austin: Brooke?
She looked back at Austin ''...you're very intelligent Austin but did you not even notice. That you're not just my best friend, you're my everything... you're not important to me because you're popular. you are important to me because I love you.'' she walked away as I followed her.
Austin: Brooke! Brooke please listened to me! Brooke?
She left
I went to her house. When I went inside, she was sitting on stairs so I sat next to her. I tried to cheer her up with some jokes, but she had that angry face I had never seen. Are my jokes that bad?
Austin: Brooke?... c'mon dad did shock me but I was more shocked from you...you're my best friend man. I never thought of you like that.
Brooke then looked at him ''if you've never thought of it before than think now, you also didn't think of ally'' said Brooke in a stern tone. now I was starting to get annoyed.'' I thought that. I was perfect for you but now I found out that you are going to choose that poor idiot''-
''For goodness's sake Brooke, I'm not choosing anyone or marrying anyone! I'm just talking to about what dad said to me today. Brooke you are my very good friend but more than that my heart I don't have these feelings for you, but if you did have feelings for me than you should've told me, you know you could've told me anything, Brooke I don't want to hurt you, but trust me.I. I don't feel that way"
Brooke: so are you going to say yes. so will you marry ally-
''Brooke I'm not going to! -... I'm not doing anything. I'm just telling you that I don't understand what to do. Marrying ally is a faraway talk-I don't even think of her as a friend!...but the dad requested, I can't forget that'' as Brooke stood up
'' so, if he asks you to marry, will you marry that ignorant farm girl!?did you even look at ally. You and her have two different worlds, anyone can see it clearly, she's not even your standard! I just don't understand why mike would force you for this stupid marriage. Maybe if you wanted to marry a girl you loved then I would've understood, but this is unfair for me. And you! ...I love you so much Austin. I'm not going to let you ruin your life. I'm never going to let you marry her '' she said that last Scentence gritted to her teeth. She left me completely leaving me shocked. Again.
It was 9pm and I was at home in the backyard still in the same clothes. Standing. and Brooke were engaged by our moms. They thought that we were friends since childhood. We would get married, that we would make a perfect couple. I didn't saw it that way but I was happy. I didn't have feelings for Brooke. I just thought we would make good life partners. Nothing else
'' are you upset of what your dad said'' I turned around to see mom standing as I nodded my head.
Austin: some of what dad said and Brooke
Mimi: what's wrong with Brooke?
Me and mom sat on the bench as I told everything to her about what dad said and Brooke.
Later I changed my clothes to pjs and went to dad's room. He was sitting on the chair reading his book until he noticed me.
Mike: ... so, what's your decision (closed his book)
Austin: ...dad I think you should think about it again. I have no objection to marrying ally... it's just that we don't know each other...get married and we both won't be happy.
Mike: in this situation what do you suggest?... What should we do?
'' dad the real problem is. About ally getting married. So, we can find a perfect guy for her and mom was telling she knows many people, and we can easily get ally married'' I said in a little low tone.
'' even if we do find a guy for how am I going to guarantee my sister that the guy she is going to marry will make her happy? How am I going to guarantee that?'' he got up from his chair put his two hands on both my shoulders. ''but I can guarantee this, my son's guarantee. This is not about marrying her, it's about her future, her coming tomorrow, her protection. And she can get that from you. I was starting to have tears in my eyes.
''dad. I'm sorry. If I can make ally happy or not, this guarantee even I can't give. Dad also started to have tears in his eyes and put his hands down. ''My-my sister... my sister's face was filled with happiness when I said you will marry ally...her last time. Her last happiness. But I think I have a right to ask my son for anything'' tears fell in his eyes all I could see was sadness and guilt.'' dad please it's not like this. You have every right'' ''then son please fulfill her last wish. Marry ally. Please,'' he started begging and didn't like it one bit. More tears fell as he was really crying.'' dad please'' I held both of his hand, tried to make those tears go away but his eyes can tell me anything.'' dad I'm not that much of bad son that you have to this, dad whatever you want to say. But don't cry. Please dad...whatever you say. will happen. I'm. Ready to marry ally''. Then mike looked at him '' my son'' started hugging him'' thank you. (sobbed) thank you my son''
Ally (POV)
I was reading my book. Uncle mike can and sat next to me. Mom was laying down on the bed resting.
Mike: Penny. I talked to Austin; he is ready to marry ally
What? What are they talking about? Is this what they were talking about yesterday? How could they do this?
Penny: what? Is it true?
Uncle mike nodded his head
Mike: yes, ally will become my daughter in law.
Why did this had to happen, I wasn't ready to marry anyone. but they already made that discission for me?
Mike: and why don't we do it on the coming Friday. At home.
Penny: yeah. Okay but Mimi. Is she happy about this?
Mike: Mimi? Yes, she is very happy about it.
They both looked happy. But I am not.
No one (Pov)
Mike came into the room where Mimi had a stern look on her face
And mike knew exactly why
Mimi: are you shocked? You were trying to hide it from me! But my son told me everything, he also told me how you emotionally blackmailed him!
Mike: I wanted to avoid this fight. I know how you are so processive about Austin. I knew you would be angry.
Mimi: yet you still did it. Did you forget about mine or Austin's importance before making this decision.
Mike: think about the situation, the doctors told the answers, look at her condition.
Mimi: because of a dying person, you are destroying an alive young person's life?! You are taking away all his dreams and wishes.
Mike: Mimi marrying ally won't destroy his life. Ally is a good girl, penny raised her well.
Mimi: Austin is popular, a singer. You are gonna bring some ordinary girl to marry him? Do you really think they would get along. For goodness' sake don't think as a brother, think as a father! This is so unfair.
Mike was getting annoyed
Mike: look Mimi, ally is young and I know very well that she can come to Austin's standard.
Mimi: your eyes are blinded by your sister's love. This cannot be a father's choice!
Mike: look I don't want to fight with you but at least think this that my sister is dying and this is her last wish.
Mimi: her last wish? She never asked for a financial help and now when she is going, she asked you the most precious thing! your son. Now look how she wo-
''THAT'S ENOUGH., not another word! Or else I will forget that you are my wife and Austin's mother! This is my house and I own this house and whoever I want to keep in this house I will, my sister will live in this house and so will my niece and my niece will live here as my daughter in law and if you don't agree with then you can get lost, you can leave this house right here and right now and yes this is my first and last warning, if you want to live here as my wife then you have to agree to my decisions. Tomorrow when you go to penny you will make her see that you agree to this with your heart and you are happy and if you don't and come between the marriage then. Then I will divorce you''.
He said that last word gritted through his teeth and left slamming the door left Mimi speechless
Ally (POV)
I was sitting Infront of where she was lying down.
Ally: mom? What was uncle mike saying
Penny: I talked to mike about your marriage
Ally: did you talk about me getting married with his son?
I had a stern look on my face.
Penny: no. I just asked about you getting married. He told me about Austin himself.
Her voice was also getting weak for the past couple of day
Ally: was this what you wanted to talk about yesterday night?
Penny: extraordinary decisions have to be made in extraordinary circumstances. Day by day my life is going towards death. Now I am not scared of dying. I'm only scared of leaving you alone. How can you live your life with loneliness? I am glad mike asked me about Austin or else even if I left you alone, I still won't be in peace even if I die
Ally: mom why do you always talk about dying!? You have to be fine, for me you have to, I can't live without you...
The next day
I was in the backyard when the gardener said that Brooke wanted to meet me
Ally: hi Brooke. Please come inside
''so, you will get married with Austin'' my smile disappeared ''stop seeing big dreams ally, you will fall''
''What are you trying to say?''
''stop being an idiot! Austin doesn't want you, it's because of mike he is forced. It's better for you to say ''no'' and find a man your own standard and marry. no one can see such an ordinary girl. you think he's gonna be friends with you, marry you!? Call you, his wife!? You and him have a big difference! You besides being mike's niece have no quality that Austin would like! So, think of this as a friendly advice and do it, say no. Understood.