(JERRY'S POV)
The room became unusually quiet after Rosie's stepbrother announced that there were certain responsibilities that needed to be settled before the marriage could proceed.
I looked at my uncle. He remained calm.
I knew this was the moment he had warned me about.
Rosie's stepbrother cleared his throat and continued.
(ROSIE'S STEPBROTHER POV)
"As the man representing the family, I need to be satisfied that Jerry understands what is expected of him."
(JERRY'S POV)
I nodded respectfully.
"Sir, I understand." He looked at me.
(ROSIE'S STEPBROTHER POV)
"Do you?"
(JERRY'S POV)
"Yes, sir."
He leaned back.
(ROSIE'S STEPBROTHER POV)
"Then there are certain things you must provide."
(JERRY'S POV)
I already had an idea of what was coming.
"Please, sir. Tell me."He mentioned several items.
Then he brought up the school fees he had previously spoken to me about.
"The money spent on Rosie's education must be recognized." I remained silent for a moment.
I could see Rosie becoming uncomfortable.
I knew the subject was sensitive. Then he added: "And the Italian shoe I mentioned to you."
A few people in the room looked at one another. I could see some relatives trying not to laugh.
But I didn't laugh. I simply nodded.
"I heard you, sir." He looked surprised by my response. "You don't have anything to say?" I smiled.
"Sir, I have heard what you said. I don't want to argue with you."
My uncle nodded approvingly.
(ROSIE'S POV)
I felt embarrassed.
I couldn't believe he was bringing up the Italian shoe in front of everyone.
I looked at my mother. She looked uncomfortable. I wanted to speak.
I wanted to tell him that he had no right to claim responsibility for my education.
But I remembered Jerry's words. "Leave it to me". I decided to remain quiet.
My stepbrother continued.
(ROSIE'S STEPBROTHER POV)
"Rosie is my sister, and now I am responsible for her."
(ROSIE'S POV)
I looked down. I knew that wasn't how things had been. He had hardly been involved in my life. But I didn't want to turn the introduction into a family quarrel.
(JERRY'S POV)
My uncle finally spoke.
(JERRY'S UNCLE POV)
"Sir, we respect your position."
(ROSIE'S STEPBROTHER POV)
As I looked at him smirky
(JERRY SPOKEMAN)
"But we also want this occasion to remain peacefully.
"Whatever needs to be discussed can be discussed respectfully."
(ROSIE'S STEPBROTHER POV)
I nodded.
(JERRY'S POV)
I could see that he was not entirely satisfied.
Then he looked at me.
(ROSIE'S STEPBROTHER POV)
"Jerry, marriage is not something you enter into casually."
"You must be prepared to take responsibility."
(JERRY'S POV )
"I am prepared."
(ROSIE'S STEPBROTHER POV)
"Then prove it."
(JERRY'S POV)
As I took a deep breath, one of my uncle, he's a Lawyer called me out immediately, and asked,
(JERRY'S UNCLE"THE LAWYER " POV)
Is there any challenges? Because I could see that you're fidgeting right now
(JERRY'S POV)
Yes please. I have exhausted all that I have, and her stepbrother is demanding for her school bills and an Italian shoe!
(JERRY'S UNCLE "THE LAWYER" POV)
It's okay.
Please take this cash, go and settled that. The money should be more than enough for what he's requesting for.
(JERRY'S POV)
Thanks you so much!
Thanks a lot ..
Thanks you once again.
Immediately. I ran back inside to continue from where I stopped.
Getting there, I spoke boldly with confidence,
"I will do my best to take care of Rosie and make her happy."
While I was speaking, Rosie looked at me.
I could see tears forming in her eyes.
(ROSIE'S POV)
Jerry's words touched me deeply.
He wasn't arguing. He wasn't insulting my stepbrother. He was simply showing respect. I knew he was doing it for me.
I reached for my mother's hand. She squeezed it gently.
"Everything will be fine," she whispered.
I nodded.
(JERRY'S POV)
My uncle turned to Rosie's family.
"We have come here with respect and good intentions. We want this marriage to bring both families together."
One of the elders nodded.
"That is what we want as well."
The atmosphere slowly began to change.
But Rosie's stepbrother wasn't finished.
"There is still something else."
I looked at him.
"Yes, sir?"
He mentioned another demand.
This time, it was larger than the previous ones.
I could hear murmuring among the family members.
For a moment, I felt anger rising inside me.
But I remembered my uncle's warning.
Don't allow anyone to provoke you.
I took a deep breath.
"Sir, I understand your concern."
"I hope you do."
"I do."
"But some of these demands are unreasonable," one of the elders suddenly said.
The room became silent again.
Rosie's stepbrother looked offended.
"What did you say?"
The elder repeated himself.
"We all want the marriage to happen, but we should not turn it into a business transaction."
(ROSIE'S POV)
I could feel the tension rising.
I looked at Jerry. He remained calm.
I silently prayed that nobody would lose their temper.My stepbrother stood up.
(ROSIE'S STEPBROTHER POV)
"If this is how you people want to treat me, then perhaps there should be no marriage!"
(ROSIE'S POV)
My heart stopped.
"Mum..." I whispered.
My mother held my hand tightly.
Jerry's uncle remained seated.
He didn't react angrily.
Instead, he calmly looked at my stepbrother.
(JERRY'S POV)
I stood up slowly.
"Sir."
Everyone looked at me.
"I don't want us to fight."
He stared at me.
"I respect you."
(ROSIE'S STEPBROTHER POV)
"You do?"
(JERRY'S POV)
"Yes, sir."
"I may not agree with everything you have said, but I respect your position."
The room became quiet.
I continued.
"I am here because I love Rosie."
I looked at her.
"And I want to marry her."
Rosie's eyes filled with tears.
"I don't want a disagreement between us to destroy this occasion."
I turned back to her stepbrother.
"Whatever needs to be discussed, we can discuss it peacefully."
My uncle smiled slightly.
One of the elders nodded.
Rosie's stepbrother remained silent.
(ROSIE'S POV)
For the first time that day, I felt completely relieved.
Jerry had once again chosen peace.
He could have shouted.
He could have walked away.
He could have challenged my stepbrother.
But he didn't.
He chose patience.
He chose respect.
And he chose me.
I looked at him and smiled through my tears.
At that moment, I knew I had made the right decision.
(JERRY'S POV)
After a few moments, Rosie's stepbrother finally sat down.
The tension slowly disappeared.
My uncle continued speaking with the elders, and the discussion became calmer.
I looked at Rosie.
She smiled at me.
I smiled back.
The introduction wasn't over yet.
There were still matters to settle.
But one thing was clear.
We were not going to allow anyone to destroy what we had built.
And I was determined to make sure that the day ended peacefully.