Image is mine
The morning of Ryan and Susan's wedding dawned with cheerfulness as the couple eagerly dressed up and hurried to the church looking forward to seeing each other after two agonizing weeks of been apart due to the wedding preparations and for custom's sake.
When Susan arrived at church, she looked towards the altar where her 22 years old groom, Ryan, stood proudly in a smart silver suit. Her heart swelled with love as she still found it unbelievable that a young, strong, handsome man like Ryan would love her so wholeheartedly and be willing to become her husband.
On the other hand, a lot of thought ran through Ryan's mind and he tried so hard to hold back tears that threatened to spill down his cheeks. He wondered how it was possible that this kind-hearted, caring woman who'd seen and experienced so much in life chose to marry him - an inexperienced boy who was about the age of her fifth grandson. It was still beyond him that he felt gratitude and a surge of love watching her walk down the aisle to him in a beautiful white dress.
Susan was accompanied down the aisle by her son whose mouth was turned down in a disapproving frown, as he walked beside his 85 years old mother as though he was being compelled to.
Susan's 9 children had been strongly against her marriage to Ryan but she had insisted that it was her decision to make not theirs. Throughout the entire time that the wedding preparations was ongoing they had watched their mother like a hawk praying and expecting that she would wake up some day and cancel the whole wedding. To them it was madness because what would a woman her age hope to gain from marrying a CHILD as they referred to Ryan. Her 15 grandchildren were all in attendance as well, wearing matching frowns which attested to the disapproval of their grandma's choice.
Ryan's parents too were deeply disturbed and concerned by their son's decision, suspecting that he was being blackmailed but all he told them was that he had found the love of his life and was going ahead to marry her. Other guests in attendance were Ryan's friends and some people who knew the families of the couple. No matter how much they tried they couldn't hold back their laughter because they found the whole scenario hilarious but the couple did not care and totally ignored the background disturbance focusing solely on each other and the happiness they felt.
When Susan finally arrived at the altar, Ryan kissed the back of her wrinkled hand, tucked it into the crook of his elbow and then faced the priest with a hearty smile on his face while exchanging their vows and rings.
Few days later, Ryan moved into Susan's house. He wanted to man-up and rent a different house for them to live in as their matrimonial home but she told him that there was no need for that because her house was perfect for them and would be a shame to be left empty. Ryan saw wisdom in her words and decided to move in. With time, he was glad he did so because he observed that she was used to her home arrangements which allowed her move easily and do her wifely duties to him.
Months pasted and she began to notice that her husband was withdrawing from her. He doesn't touch her as much as he used to, he mostly sat in a corner by himself appearing lost in thoughts. She approached him and asked what the matter was but he was hesitant in telling her. She then asked if he had changed his mind about her but he rushed to assure her that it was nothing like that.
He stared into her eyes and kissed her seeing how hurt she looked. She immediately inquired like a 20 years old girl,
"What is it then? Are you seeing someone? Because I have noticed that whenever your friends come around they usually bring young beautiful girls that I know must have piqued your interest and I know that at your work place you have many beautiful colleagues."
Initially Ryan didn't want to tell her the truth of what was bothering him but on hearing all her assumptions he quickly opened up to her about the reason of his withdrawal.
"The reason why I have been withdrawn was because of how people looked at us in public and the ugly things they say." He said
Susan laughed heartily at his reply. The anxiety in her heart instantly dissipated, this was nothing compared to what she expected because she had lived a long life and was used to people talking. She told him to forget about them as they would eventually get tired and torment someone else. Her words cheered him up and in no time they were talking and laughing as they normally did. She even prepared a delicious meal for them and they took turns feeding each other, later they played cards which Susan is very good at and no matter how crafty Ryan tries to be she quickly figures it out and beat him to it, although she lets him win a round of cards which always make him happy and she loves it.
Few weeks later, Ryan went out to meet up with some of his friends from university and was having a swell time when they brought up his wife.
"If only we hadn't rented one of the rooms in Susan's house as students you two probably wouldn't be married today." One of them said looking at him with pity.
The first time Ryan and Susan ever set eyes on each other was the day he came to rent an apartment in her house alongside his friends. Susan lived alone in her own apartment because all her kids were married off and her husband died a long time ago. A knock came from outside and she stood up to get the door with her grey curly hair sleeping perfectly on her shoulders. She got to the door and there stood Ryan and his friends, thrilled by his appearance she let them in and offered them coffee. And that was it, she began to bake cookies giving them to Ryan in particular which he eventually shared with his roommates. She often invited them for dinner at her place but giving Ryan the best of everything which he found really romantic.
With time he started visiting her on his own with flowers and they usually sat at the balcony either reading a book or playing cards or discussing various topics or just enjoying the beautiful view of the city. He sometimes took her on cheap dates which meant a lot to Susan because she started to feel appreciated despite her looks. He took her on road trips and even threw her a surprise birthday party. Evening came and they were left alone laughing about everything that had happened that day which led to them kissing and eventually making love.
Ryan smiled and replied that meeting and marrying Susan was a blessing to him but they refused to believe him saying he was handsome and during their university days many girls liked him and wanted to date him to which he replied that many of those girls broke his heart and hadn't been for there for him the way his wife has been. She had fed him on days he had nothing to eat and she had always been concerned about his welfare and that of his friends.
She was a good person and that was it but it didn't matter what Ryan said to defend his wife, his friends were convinced that she had cast a spell on him and we're deeply sorry they hadn't seen the signs back in their university days when Susan started calling him HER HUSBAND.