I was still standing on the stage, smiling like a robot.
"Congratulations!"
"Happy married life!"
"Such a nice couple!"
People kept coming one by one. My cheeks started hurting from smiling.
Beside me, my bride stood quietly. I still didn't fully process who she was. Everything happened too fast.
Marriage… in one day… without warning…
I leaned slightly toward her and whispered, "Do you… know what's happening?"
She glanced at me, then looked forward again. "You don't?"
I shook my head slowly. "No."
She almost smiled.
Before I could ask more, another relative came and shook my hand very hard.
"You're lucky!" he said loudly.
Yes… but I don't even know why, I thought.
After what felt like one hundred years, we finally stepped down from the stage. I immediately looked around for my father.
There he was… trying to quietly walk away.
"Dad," I called.
He froze.
He slowly turned around with an innocent smile. "Yes?"
I walked closer. "You forgot to tell me something."
"Did I?" he said.
"Yes. Like… MY OWN WEDDING."
He coughed. "Surprise?"
"This is not a birthday party!"
He patted my shoulder. "You look good in wedding clothes."
I sighed. "We will talk at home."
He nodded quickly. "Yes, yes… after food."
Even now… he was thinking about food.
I looked back at my bride again. She was talking with my mother. Calm. Normal. Like nothing strange happened.
How is she so calm…?
I took a deep breath.
Okay, Lee… you are married now.
My brain finally accepted it… a little.
After talking with my father, I stepped aside to breathe.
Married… I'm really married…
I looked around the hall. People were eating, laughing, and taking photos. Everything felt normal… except my life.
Then I noticed her walking toward me.
My wife.
She stopped in front of me. For a moment, neither of us spoke.
"Um…" I scratched my head. "Hi."
She blinked. "Hi."
Great. Very smooth, Lee.
I cleared my throat. "So… we are… married."
"Yes," she replied calmly.
I nodded. "That happened very fast."
She nodded too. "Very fast."
Silence again.
I looked at the floor. "Do you… want to eat?"
She almost laughed. "You're thinking about food?"
"I'm thinking clearly now," I said seriously.
She smiled a little. "Okay."
We walked toward the food area together, both slightly awkward. People stared at us as we passed.
One aunt whispered loudly, "They look shy."
Another replied, "Newly married."
Yes… newly confused, I thought.
I picked up a plate and handed one to her. "Here."
"Thanks," she said.
We stood side by side, quietly filling our plates.
I finally gathered courage. "By the way… I feel like I've seen you before."
She looked at me. "You have."
My brain paused.
Wait… where?
I looked at her, confused. "I have?"
She nodded. "Yes."
My brain started searching memories.
"School?" I guessed.
She shook her head. "Before that."
"Tuition?"
"No."
"Bus stop?"
"No."
I frowned. "Then where?"
She sighed softly. "Childhood… village."
I blinked.
"Wait…" I looked closer. "Village?"
She smiled. "You really forgot."
My brain suddenly remembered a small girl running around, stealing mangoes, and fighting with me over toys.
"…No way," I said slowly. "You…?"
She nodded. "Yes."
"You're my childhood friend?!" I almost shouted.
She laughed. "Finally."
I held my head. "I married my childhood friend… and I didn't even recognize her… I'm finished."
She smiled teasingly. "You used to say you would marry me."
My eyes widened. "I said that?!"
"Yes. Under the mango tree."
I panicked. "That was a childhood bug! Not a promise!"
She crossed her arms playfully. "Too late. I remembered."
I sighed dramatically. "I should have never talked near trees."
She laughed softly.
I looked at her again.
"So… my childhood friend… is now my wife…"
She nodded.
I scratched my head. "This is… confusing… but also… nice."
She smiled, a little shy.
My heart beat faster.
"Sumi…?" I said slowly.
She nodded. "Yes. It's me."
I looked at her. "You changed a lot."
She smiled. "You didn't. You're still slow."
"That's rude," I said.
We both became quiet.
Sumi looked down at her hands. She felt shy.
Why is it hard to talk… she thought.
Before, I talked to him so easily…
She tried to speak. "Um…"
I looked at her. "Yes?"
"Nothing," she said quickly.
Her face turned a little red.
She played with her fingers, feeling embarrassed to talk.
We stood there quietly, both a little awkward
After some time, the ceremony ended.
People started leaving one by one. The hall slowly became quiet. I was still trying to understand everything.
Soon, we got into the car.
No one talked much. It felt a little awkward. I sat quietly, and Sumi sat beside me, also silent.
After a while, we reached home.
We stepped out and walked inside.
I paused at the door for a moment.
So… this is my home… and now… her home too, I thought.
I glanced at Sumi. She looked nervous but calm.
Everything felt new… and a little strange… but not bad..
Inside the living room, my dad and mom were sitting calmly.
I stood in front of them. "I came for summer vacation… but you married me on the first day… without my permission."
My dad raised his hand. "Wait, listen. There is a reason."
"What reason?" I asked.
He said, "Long time ago, my friend and I made a promise. We said when my son and his daughter grow up, we will marry them."
I blinked. "So… you booked my wedding in advance?"
Dad nodded proudly. "Yes. Early booking."
I held my head. "I didn't even know I was reserved!"
Mom laughed.
I continued, "I came here to relax… and you upgraded me to husband."
Dad smiled. "Free upgrade."
"This is not hotel!" I replied.
He added, "No cancellation allowed."
I sighed. "You two trapped me with old promise…"
Dad patted my shoulder. "But you got a good wife."
I paused. "…That part is true."
Dad grinned. "See? Our planning is perfect."
I shook my head. "Next time, don't plan my life like train ticket."
He laughed. "Too late, train already left."
Suddenly, the door opened.
My sister came inside with a bag.
"Sorry, I'm late," she said. "I couldn't come to the ceremony. My exams are ahead. I had to study."
I looked at her. "You missed my wedding."
She blinked. "Yeah… I left you single and came back, you're married."
Dad laughed.
She looked at me. "Big change in one day."
I sighed. "I came for summer vacation…"
She nodded. "And got married."
I crossed my arms. "You knew?"
She smiled. "Yes."
I froze. "Everyone knew… except me?"
She nodded.
I looked up. "Nice."
They kept talking for almost one hour.
I sat quietly, listening, sometimes answering. The conversation went on and on.
After a while, I looked at the clock on the wall.
It was 10:09 PM.
"Wow… it's already late," I murmured.
Everyone felt tired. The whole day was busy, and we all did a lot of work.
Dad stretched. "Let's sleep. We're all tired."
Mom nodded.
My sister yawned.
One by one, everyone went to their rooms.
I stood near my room door.
The house was quiet. Everyone already went to sleep.
I looked at the door… then looked back… then again at the door.
Wait… how can I sleep? I thought.
Then I remembered.
Sumi…
I held my head.
We… have to sleep in the same room?
My brain started panicking.
"I usually sleep alone…" I whispered to myself.
I walked in circles.
Should I sleep on the floor? But what if she thinks I did something wrong?
Should I sleep on the bed? That's even more dangerous… I might fall off from nervousness.
I looked at the ceiling.
"Lee… calm down… sleeping is just sleeping…" I told myself.
Then I added, "But not when you suddenly have a wife!"
I took a deep breath and slowly reached for the door handle.
"This is harder than the exam…"
I slowly opened the door and walked inside, trying to act normal.
"Calm… normal… nothing happened…" I whispered to myself.
Sumi was sitting on the bed. She wasn't sleeping.
I froze for half a second, then pretended everything was fine.
"Uh… you're not sleeping?" I asked, trying to hide my nervousness.
She looked at me and said softly, "I was waiting for you."
My heart skipped.
Waiting… for me?
I nodded quickly. "Oh… good… I mean… not good… I mean… yes…"
Great. My words were already broken.
She tilted her head slightly. "Why are you standing near the door?"
"I like doors," I replied.
She blinked.
"I mean… I just came," I corrected.
She smiled a little.
I slowly walked inside, still awkward. "You didn't have to wait… you could sleep…"
She replied quietly, "It would be strange to sleep before my husband comes."
My brain crashed.
I looked at the floor. "Right… husband… that's me…"
I almost tripped on nothing while walking.
I scratched my head. "Today… everything is new."
She nodded. "For me too."
We both sat quietly, feeling shy…
I sat on the chair, trying to act calm.
We are married now… I thought.
Then another thought came into my mind.
Married couples… do physical things on the first day… right?
My face became hot immediately.
Wait… why am I thinking this?!
I glanced at Sumi, then quickly looked away.
Calm down, Lee… you can't even talk properly… and you're thinking about this?
My brain argued with itself.
But… it's normal… right?
No! Too fast!
But we are married…
Still too fast!
I held my head.
"This is too complicated…" I whispered.
Sumi looked at me. "Did you say something?"
I shook my head quickly. "No! Nothing! I'm just… thinking about… sleep."
She smiled slightly, while I tried to calm my racing thoughts.
Suddenly, my phone vibrated.
I quickly picked it up.
It was a message from Dad.
I opened it.
"Check your pant pocket."
I frowned.
Pant pocket?
I looked at my phone again. "What now…" I muttered.
Sumi watched me curiously.
I slowly put my hand into my pant pocket.
"Why would he tell me to check…" I whispered, still confused.
Scene
I pulled something out of my pocket.
It was a small box.
I stared at it. "What is this…?"
Sumi leaned slightly forward. "What is that?"
"I don't know," I said. "Dad put something in my pocket?"
I slowly opened the box.
I froze.
Inside… was a contraceptive.
My eyes widened. "Oh—"
I quickly closed the box.
My face turned red instantly.
Sumi also realized what it was. Her face became bright red.
Silence.
I coughed awkwardly. "Dad… why…"
Sumi looked down, embarrassed, playing with her fingers.
I held the box like it was a dangerous object.
"This… this is too much planning…" I whispered.
Neither of us knew where to look.
In the other room, Dad checked his phone.
"No reply…" he muttered.
He smiled proudly. "Mission successful."
Mom looked at him. "What did you do?"
"Nothing… just helping the new couple," he said.
Mom shook her head. "Don't interfere too much."
Dad whispered, "I only gave them… encouragement."
He laughed quietly to himself.
Back to Lee and Sumi
Sumi looked at me, still embarrassed. "What was that?"
I immediately shook my head. "Nothing."
She blinked. "Nothing?"
"Just… random thing. Not important. Let's sleep. I'm too tired," I said quickly.
I placed the box far away like it might explode.
I lay down on one side of the bed, facing the wall.
"My brain is full today…" I muttered.
Sumi lay down on the other side, still shy.
There was a small gap between us.
After a few seconds, I said softly, "Good night."
She replied quietly, "Good night."
Both of us stayed still, feeling awkward… but also comfortable.
Within minutes, I fell asleep.
Sumi smiled slightly in the dark… then slowly closed her eyes too.