Maya, how old are you? her father asked quietly. Honestly, it feels like youre still in primary school, not your first year at university. Love is one thing, but you still need somewhere to live, dont you? You still need to eat? So tell mewhy the rush? Are you really in such a hurry to get married tomorrow? Nobodys against your Oleg. Let him come over, lets meet him properly, talk things through, introduce him to his parents Am I right?
David, when will you be home? Grace called her husband at work.
Soon. Just wrapping things up, he replied.
Well, dont be late! We need to talk, she said suddenly.
Has something happened? David tensed.
Well not yet, but we need to discuss it, Grace sounded tense, though nothing disastrous had occurred.
Fifteen minutes later, the head of the household walked through the door.
Whats going on? he asked cautiously.
Get changed, wash your handsyou dont need to drop everything and save the universe just yet, she kissed him and nudged him toward the bathroom.
Soon, he had freshened up and stepped into the living room.
Come on, Grace led him to their daughters room. Maya sat on her bed, eyes red from crying.
Alright, whats happened? David kept his voice steady.
Ask your daughter, Grace huffed. Go on, Maya, tell your father what youve decided!
Maya folded her arms, turning toward the window, clearly unwilling to speak.
Right, David slapped the table decisively. Either you tell me calmlyno hystericswhat the problem is, or you sort it out yourselves, and Ill go relax after work.
Were getting married, Grace announced with biting sarcasm. Right away, no delays!
What? David blinked. Just like that? To whom, if I may ask?
Since Maya refused to answer, Grace stepped in again:
Oliver Nichols. Remember? Hes been over a lot lately.
Ah. So is that right, Maya?
Silence.
Alright then, sweetheart. Enough games. Do I need to perform a jig just to get an answer? His tone hardened.
Oliver and I love each other! Maya burst out. Hes perfect, and were getting married!
Well, at least weve got some clarity, David sighed. Is he at uni with you?
Yes, same course.
First year, David exhaled, half-amused, half-resigned. Kids
Were not kids! Maya shot back. Were eighteenadults!
Fine. If youre adults, well talk like adults. But you dont want to, do you? Because then itll be, Youre too young, wait, get settled, test your feelingsall that boring stuff. Youre wise, proper grown-ups, so you cant possibly understand something as simple as love! And now youll ruin everything!
Im not ruining anything, David said wearily. I just want to understand. So, you and Oliver love each other? Maya nodded defiantly. Good. And you want to marry? Both of you, or just you?
Dad, dont insult Oliver. He wants this too.
Lovely. So, youve got the desire. But where will you live? How will you afford it? Have you thought about that?
It doesnt matter! Love is all we need! Maya exclaimed.
Maya, how old are you? David asked quietly. Because right now, it feels like youre still in primary school. Love doesnt pay rent or put food on the table. Why the rush? Why tomorrow? Nobodys against Oliverlets meet him properly, talk to his parents Am I right? He turned to Grace.
Absolutely, she agreed. But theres one thing They do have a reason to hurry.
What, is Oliver being drafted?
No, not Oliver. Mayaarent you going to say anything, or should I?
Im not keeping quiet, Maya muttered. Oliver and I are having a baby.
Right David muttered, stunned. And what exactly is the plan?
Well get married! Have the baby! And dont you dare try to talk me out of it!
Calm down. Nobodys forcing you into anything. But have Olivers parents been told?
Hes We agreed wed both talk to them today.
And? Has he called yet?
N-no.
Right. When he does, let me know. For now, let me eat before your drama leaves me starving.
He and Grace went to the kitchen, where she quickly reheated dinner.
What do we do? she whispered.
I dont know yet. Lets wait to hear from his parentsmaybe well figure something out together.
Just as he finished eating, Oliver called with grim news: his parents were firmly against it, and their talk had ended in a shouting match. A bad sign
Fifteen minutes later, Maya walked into the living room, phone in hand.
Olivers mum. She wants to talk to one of you.
Grace crossed her arms. You handle it, love. I cant.
David gave her a reproachful look but took the phone, putting it on speaker.
Hello, this is David Carter, Mayas father.
Laura. Olivers mother. Our son just told us hes been seeing your daughter. And judging by her condition, things have gone further than they should. Am I to understand youre aware?
Yes, weve spoken to Maya.
Good. Then let me be clearwe are absolutely against this foolishness. Our son needs to focus on his studies, his career. Marriage in first year? A child? Unthinkable.
Well, we didnt exactly plan for this either. But Maya is pregnant with your sons child. What do you propose we do?
Thats your problem, Mr. Carter. First, Im not even convinced its Olivers. Second, even if it is, this old trickmarry me, Im pregnantwont work on us. I understand your daughters eagerness, especially since Oliver comes from a good familydecent home, prospects. But as his mother, I wont let this happen. My husband agrees. Weve spoken to Oliver, and hes accepted our reasoning. Tell your daughter to leave him alone. What she doeskeep the baby or notis none of our concern. Goodbye.
The line went dead. David looked at his wife and daughter grimly.
Heard that? Well, heres the plan: well support Maya through the pregnancythe babys innocent, no matter what its father is. She can take time off uni, then go back. Well help financially, babysit when needed. As for that lot well deal with them later. Cowards. He pulled Grace aside. You stay with Maya tonightkeep her calm. Ill sleep in her room.
An hour later, the doorbell rang.
Who on earth? David grumbled, heading to answer.
Soon, he returned with a young man in tow.
Oliver! Maya rushed to him. You came for me?
Yes. Mr. Carter, GraceIm here to take Maya with me.
Where to, exactly?
Not sure yet. Well rent a place. Were adults, so Id appreciate your cooperation. He turned to Maya. Will you come?
Of course! Anywhere!
Hold on, David raised a hand. Couple of questions. Your mother said your whole family is against thisincluding you.
Not exactly, sir. That was her decision. My father goes along with whatever she says. I pretended to agree, then grabbed my wallet, passport, and bank card. Here I am.
Interesting, David said, impressed. So youre taking Maya, renting a flatwith what money?
Ive saved up. I run a blog, a YouTube channel. Itll cover us for a few months while I earn more.
Not bad. Grace, what do you think? Shall we let her go? Seems the lads got more spine than we thought.
I dont know, Grace hesitated. Its late
Shes rightno running off at night. Lets settle this now. Youre set on marrying?
Yes! they chorused.
And keeping the baby?
Same answer.
Alright, well support youon a few conditions. First, you make peace with your parents, Maya backs you. Oliver stays here tonightno sneaking off. Youll sleep in the living room. For now, youre just our daughters friend. Text your parents, say youre at a mates. Then prepare them for the truthcalmly! No dropping out of uniespecially you, Oliver. Maya can take maternity leave, catch up later. Well help where we canmoney, babysittingbut we wont carry you. Keep the wedding low-key for now; save money. You can have the big celebration later. Agreed?
Yes, Oliver said without hesitation.
But I wanted a proper wedding, Maya pouted.
Not the time, Oliver said firmly. Well register quietly, celebrate later.
Fine
Right, plans are set. Early start tomorrowget some rest.
Later, Grace cornered David in the kitchen.
How did you change your mind so fast?
Fast? After that call with his mother, I was shaking. Then this lad turns upwho I thought was a mummys boyand turns out hes got guts. Didnt back down, didnt abandon her. Thats the kind of man Id trust with my daughter.
Youre always right, love, she kissed him and went to sort out sleeping arrangements.
*Life doesnt always go as planned, but courage and commitment can turn even the messiest situations into something meaningful.*
