Chapter 61: Ansel must get married
“If there’s nothing else, I would like to excuse myself to my room.” Ansel requested to be alone and tried to leave. However, his mother stopped him.
“There is an important matter we need to discuss with you right now,” Ansel’s mother announced. “Please sit for a little while longer.”
“What is it about?” Ansel sounded bored: “I’m not feeling well and would like to rest.”
“Just a few minutes,” his mother insisted. “There is something we need to talk to you about.”
“Okay,” Ansel agreed, “what is it?”
As he stood up from his chair, he had to sit back down again. Ansel looked at his mother, waiting for her to speak. Truthfully, Ansel had no interest in hearing what his mother had to say. He had no thoughts about the matter she was about to bring up.
“It’s about your marriage.” His mother quickly got to the point, not making Ansel wait any longer.
Ansel was shocked and didn’t know what to say. He looked at his mother, who seemed to be waiting for his response.
“What are you talking about?” Ansel asked, feeling anxious.
“I think it’s time for you to settle down,” Ansel’s mother replied. “And I believe it’s best if you marry someone reliable like Desi.”
Ansel’s heart jumped when he heard Desi’s name. He couldn’t believe his mother was proposing that he marry her. Although Desi is currently his girlfriend, Ansel has never considered her a potential marriage partner. Come to think of it, Ansel’s acceptance of dating Desi was partly due to his mother’s encouragement and push. Ansel wasn’t entirely willing.
“Mom, I don’t know what to say,” Ansel said, trying to find the right words. “Desi is a wonderful woman, but I don’t think I’m ready for married life yet.”
“I understand how you feel, Ansel,” his mother said, gently placing a hand on his shoulder. “But you have to start thinking about your future. And I believe Desi will be a great partner for you. You’re dating her, and you have feelings for her, don’t you?”
“I don’t know how to react to what I just heard. Part of me is happy that my mother thinks highly of Desi and me, but another part of me is hesitant about the idea of marrying her. Am I doubting whether I love Desi as I have always thought?” Ansel thought to himself.
“I don’t know, Mom,” Ansel said, shaking his head. “I need some time to think about this.”
“There’s nothing to think about. My arrangements are all reasonable. Just follow them,” Ansel’s mother asserted in a loud voice.
“Why are you pushing this so hard?” Ansel asked, frustrated. “I don’t think it’s time to worry about it yet.”
Ansel’s mother immediately responded, giving her own reasoning: “Have you forgotten about your condition? I am worried about your future, my dear. We want you to have an heir before any unfortunate circumstances happen. And Desi, a reliable person, can help you take care of and build a happy family in the future.”
Ansel felt surprised and saddened by his mother’s words. He realized that she was worried about his future and wanted the best for him. However, Ansel didn’t know how to feel about marrying Desi. He only thought of her as his girlfriend, nothing more. To be more accurate, Ansel had never thought about married life before, so this was a sudden and overwhelming idea for him. Additionally, he hadn’t resolved the knot in his heart yet; his feelings for Erica hadn’t disappeared.
“I don’t want to get married soon, Mom. I’m not ready for such a new life,” Ansel confessed honestly.
“I know you’re worried, but you have to face reality. Your illness may worsen, and I don’t want you to be alone when you face it,” Ansel’s mother said, placing her hand on his shoulder. “Let Desi share with you all the difficulties.”
Ansel felt his mother’s love, but he couldn’t ignore his fear. He couldn’t make a sudden decision based on his mother’s advice.
“I understand, Mom. But I need time to think. I don’t want to make a hasty decision,” Ansel said, trying to maintain his composure.
“Ansel, we don’t have much time to waste,” Ansel’s mother said disappointedly. “You have to do it as soon as possible.”
“But mom, I have cancer. How can you think that I can easily get married?” Ansel asked, trying to remain calm.
“You have to understand me; I just want you to have someone to love and be by your side to help you overcome difficulties,” Ansel’s mother said with an imploring tone.
“But I don’t want to get married yet. I don’t even know how I’ll be after treatment. I really need time to think,” Ansel insisted.
“I know, but you have to try to think positively. You can’t face the disease alone and suffer through those months of pain. And if you don’t listen to me, you will regret it for the rest of your life,” Ansel’s mother said tearfully, using her tears to pressure Ansel.
Ansel felt heartbroken to see his mother crying. But he couldn’t agree with her request either.
“I’m sorry, Mom. I can’t do as you wish; please understand me,” Ansel pleaded.
“Ansel, I’m also begging you. Please listen to your mother’s advice.” Ansel’s mother cried even more intensely, even sitting hunched on the floor, looking pitifully at Ansel to make him feel guilty.
“I don’t think that’s right, Mom.” Despite his mother’s actions, Ansel tried to maintain his stance. He patiently persuaded her: “Desi and I have only been dating for a short time, and I don’t feel confident enough to propose to her yet. If I only propose to her because of family pressure, it wouldn’t be fair to her.”
Ansel’s mother stared at him with disapproval, then emphasized, “I don’t need to know. You have to do it, Ansel. If not, we will lose a good girl like Desi. You understand, don’t you, Ansel? And believe me, Desi also wants to marry you.”
“Why is Mom so sure about that?” Ansel wondered, not believing that what his mother said was true.
“For Desi loves you,” Ansel’s mother shouted loudly, her voice firm. “And her family is very supportive of this marriage.”
“Is that true when I’m about to die?” Ansel was immediately questioned with suspicion.
“Don’t doubt it,” Ansel’s mother requested. “Desi and her family have always been supportive of our family. Desi has loved you for a long time. She will definitely not abandon you because of your serious illness.”
“This is a bit sudden,” Ansel tried again. “I think I still need time.”Original from NôvelDrama.Org.
However, he failed to resist his mother’s insistence and stubbornness.
“Not even a little bit,” Ansel’s mother affirmed. “With your illness, we don’t know how it will progress. It could get worse. So I want you to get married and have children soon.”
Again, because of his illness. Ansel felt tired and wanted to explain the situation to his parents. But then he had to endure it. Ansel reminded himself that he would punish the bad guys if he caught them.
Ansel’s mother continued: “Desi is a good girl. Her family background is also compatible with ours. Therefore, you should marry Desi.”
Ansel wasn’t sure if what his mother said about Desi and her family was true. But he didn’t have any reason to argue with his mother about each other’s personal opinions. Instead, Ansel decided to put it aside. He looked at his mother with affectionate eyes and said,
“I understand, Mom. But that’s not the way I want to express my feelings. I want to marry Desi when I’m really sure that I love her.”
“You don’t understand anything.” Ansel’s mother became angry. “Because if you understood, you wouldn’t argue with me.”
Ansel felt that his mother was very stubborn. He wanted to say something to defend himself, but his father intervened.
Ansel’s father, with a hoarse voice, stated, “You must listen to your parents. It’s for your own good.”
Ansel started to argue, but his father interrupted him.
“Ansel, it’s best if you listen to your mother,” his father said in a hoarse voice. Ansel looked at his father with an unsatisfied gaze.
“You know that Mom has high blood pressure. Don’t make her upset. It could have unforeseen consequences,” Ansel’s father continued.
Ansel felt disappointed about everything. He wanted to object, but he couldn’t because he was thinking about his mother’s health and well-being. Ansel could only complain to himself.
“Alright then. I’ll do as you wish.” Ansel surrendered in helplessness. He didn’t want his mother to make a big deal out of this or to scold him severely. Being a good son means obeying his parents; that’s filial piety.