A Forbidden Marriage

The cool morning air stirred my lazy soul as I remained cozily curled up in my bed, refusing to wake up. The cold breeze wrapped me in comfort, making me snuggle deeper under my thick blanket, ignoring the blaring alarm clock on the nightstand right beside my bed, which was covered with a pink doll-patterned bedsheet..

Kriiin Krrring...

The alarm grew louder by the second until it finally disrupted my peaceful sleep.

"Ugh... why does morning come so fast?! I'm still sleepy!" I grumbled, pulling the pillow over my ears. Turning to the other side, I slowly opened my eyes-and instantly, a beautiful sight greeted my pupils.

"Hmm... Oppa," I whispered, forming a saranghae finger heart at the poster of a popular Korean star.

"What a beautiful morning. I get to see you," I said softly, sitting up slowly after spending the entire night binge-watching my favorite K-drama. Posters of the cast now covered every inch of my room's wall.

Annoyed, I reached for the noisy alarm clock and slammed the off button.

Smack!

"So noisy!" I snapped, placing it back harshly on the nightstand. Then I rubbed my face, ran my fingers through my shoulder-length hair, and turned to the side.

"Wait? Where is he?" I whispered to myself.

Looking to the left side of the bed, I clearly remembered-I'm not imagining things-I got married a month ago.

"Did Hadi run away?"

"Hm?"

But honestly, it wasn't such a big deal for me. Because marriage? It wasn't as dreamy as I had imagined. I used to be so free and pampered, and now, at just 18 years old, I never really wanted to marry so early. But since I was an only child and my parents were getting older, Mom and Dad asked me to settle down sooner.

"Ah... whatever! I'm hungry!" I groaned, dragging myself to the sink to wash my face, then headed to the dining room.

"Mom..." I shouted as I came down the stairs.

"What is it, Tipa?! Can't you not yell so early in the morning?"

"Ugh, Mom! How can I not yell?! I woke up and didn't see Hadi! Where is he?"

My parents exchanged glances, making me frown in confusion.

"What's going on?"

"They said Hadi has a work contract... he won't be coming home for a month?"

"Huh? Seriously?" I asked, eyes widening. My parents nodded lightly, expecting me to be sad.

"Haha... yesss, I'm free again at home. No interruptions! I don't have to share the bed or the bathroom. What a dream come true!" I said gleefully, grabbing the breakfast Mom had prepared and skipping happily back to my room.

"Hey... Tipa, wait!" yelled the middle-aged woman, stopping me in my tracks. I stood still, looking at her with confusion.

"What is it, Mom?"

"What's wrong with you?! Your husband is supposed to be treated well! Instead, you're busy in your own world? You're married now! Earlier, Hadi told me-"

I cut her off with a frown.

"Told you what?!"

"Hadi said you wouldn't even-serve him?!" Hearing that made my eyes go wide, and I quickly covered her mouth.

"Mom, that's embarrassing! Don't say that in front of Dad! And why would Hadi even tell you that?" I whispered harshly.

"Why be embarrassed?! He told your Dad too! He said you were being distant! Do you think this is a joke?! You're not a kid anymore! Keep acting like this and he'll leave you!"

I stood frozen, eyes wide.

"But Mom... you're the one who asked me to marry him. Now you're blaming me-"

"Enough! Quiet! Didn't you two date for a while too? I just didn't want you caught up in the wrong crowds! That's why I pushed for marriage!"

"We didn't date! He was the only one who liked me. You know my real crush is Minho!" I muttered.

"Ugh! This child!" Mom groaned and poked my forehead.

"Do you want to be left for real?"

I paused for a moment and then answered hesitantly,

"Well... maybe it's fine, Mom? I still have Goo Jun Pyo?"

Hearing that, she angrily ruffled my hair.

"You brat! You think you're Geum Jan Di or something?!" she yelled.

"Ow... Mom, that hurts," I winced, trying to shield my hair from her wrath. Dad, meanwhile, slowly walked away from the scene, heading toward his beloved motorcycle in the garage.

Later that day, after tidying up my messy room, I slumped down on the cozy balcony couch and let out a deep sigh. Mom hadn't helped me clean my room in over a month. Instead, it had been Hadi who took over that role, organizing not just the bedroom but even the wardrobe.

Not much had changed in my room because I didn't want the decor-especially anything related to my idols-to be ruined. That's why the "wedding room" had been set up in a different bedroom.

"Darling... are you really this messy? If you've worn something, you should put it in the laundry, not hang it back in the closet. It'll attract mosquitoes,"

I could still hear Hadi's voice echoing in the room, picturing how he used to go back and forth cleaning while I lounged in front of the laptop watching my favorite dramas.

Remembering that, I suddenly missed him.

I sighed softly and fiddled with my phone, composing a message:

[Hadi... where are you? Is it true you're gone and won't come back?]

I stared at the screen for a while. It took five minutes before a reply finally came:

[To marry you, I went against my parents' wishes. But it seems you're not ready for married life. Maybe I'll go home and apologize to Mom,]

his message read, making my eyes widen and my body freeze. I had no words to respond.

A moment later, another message arrived:

[There's some savings in the drawer. You can use it for the Lee Min Ho fan meeting next month. I hope someday you'll get to go to Korea, just like you've always dreamed of,]

It felt like something had lodged in my throat, my breath became shallow. With trembling hands, I placed the phone on my lap, flooded with thoughts of how I met Hadi... our journey... and how it led to this marriage.