Isla just stood there as he watched the interaction between Leo and her mother, until suddenly, all the pair of eyes were on her.
The man ,Leo had his hand extended in front of him and Isla felt uneasy but she slowly placed her hand into his.
His hand was warm and soft , his fingers were slender just like him.
" Hi .Nice to meet you too." Isla said, her heart in her throat. Just yesterday she was provided with the information that she has to get married with this Leo guy. For some reason, Isla didn't fit in the image Leo had already planted in his mind. The girl looks innocent and fragile.
" It's good that you guys got to see eachother. We actually wanted to talk to you guys about something." George said, while looking at Jennifer who gave him a small smile which was supposed to be encouraging.
Isla still stood beside the wall, keeping her distance from the young male present in the room.
Leo looked at his father, finally and moved little away from the timid girl.
" What is it? " Leo asked as he looked from his father to Jennifer and again back to his father. They both seemed kind of nervous and that was making him nervous.
" Leo," Jennifer called and extended her hand for for Leo to take .He did and walked closer to her , anxiety growing in his stomach. He sat on the bed and looked at her. " I don't have much days left ,my child." She said with a side smile.
"Don't say that. We will contact best doctors for you. You will be fine." Leo tried to assure but Jennifer just Shaked her head.
" No, I am not gonna live much." She said ,her voice so weak that it was hard to hear her. " I have one request before I die." She said as she looked from Leo to Isla who was silently crying at her mother's word. Jennifer once again turned to look at Leo.
" Tell me what you want, aunty. I will make sure that your wish is fulfilled." Leo said in a haste as he gently rubbed the sick person's bony hand.
"I want my Illy to be married before I die."
As soon as the words left her lips the room was filled with silence. Leo had his eyes wide and was looking at her with shocked expression. He didn't knew that the marriage would be thrown at him so early .
"Mom ! What are you saying? " Isla shouted ,her eyes beaming with tears that threaten to fall anytime.
Jennifer ignored her as she kept her pleading eyes glued to Leo, who don't know what to say. He felt conflicted and suffocation was rising in his chest.
" I don't have much time left. Please." She sobbed and that was not something Leo wanted to see or witness, not by the person who is sick to death.
" Okay." The word left his mouth smoothly that surprised even him. A choked sobs was heard from Jennifer as if it was unbelievable, well , it was , undoubtedly, unbelievable.
He looked at his father who was looking at him with relief and appreciating manner.
"Thank you, Leo. Thank you so much." She cried in relief as Leo sat there , motionless.
"If you have no problem, it would be better to get married tomorrow. I will take care of the paper work." George said and Leo grew even more pale as the words left his father's lips.
Leo went to his apartment directly. He needs some time to cool off . It was hard to get married and on top of that this entire decision was just thrown at him when didn't even had any other option than to agree with all the terms.
That evening, he called his mom who was on the business trip in Japan. He wished that somehow his mother would atleast understand him.
Two days earlier, he was planning to go on a club on Sunday night and now he is getting married. The whole situation was mess to be honest and Leo found himself in the centre of this whole mess.
" Hello sweetheart." His mother's voice can be heard . Leo rolled his eyes as the extra sweetness.
" Mom..."
" Don't 'mom' me, Leo Pattinson! You haven't contacted me for entire two weeks and on top of that when I try to contact you ,you never pick your call! " His mother, Alice, shouted and Leo extended his hand far from his ear, as she continued shouting.
" Please don't lecture me now, mom. I am already mess." Leo said as he sat on the bed , running a hand through his hair.
" I know about your marriage." His mother's voice said. " And to be honest, I am happy about it." Well that wasn't something, Leo has imagined his mind mom to say.
" Mom you too?" Leo asked in disbelief. " I thought that atleast you would be on my side." Leo said and Alice knew that he must be pouting at the moment.
" Support you to be single throughout your life? No thanks." His mother said sarcastically. " I heard a lot about Isla from George and you know how good he is to identify a good person. Trust him." She explained. Leo was so damn frustrated with everyone, everything.
" I'll talk to you later." He said and without waiting for a reply, he cut the call.
....
Next morning, the phone started buzzing again. Leo opened his eyes and fetched the phone that was lying on the bed side table. He looked at the username and it showed his father's name. Anxiety washed over him , the fear that something happened to Jennifer surfaced in his mind.
Without wasting much time he picked the call, instantly.
" Leo?" His father's voice can be heard. He sounded distressed and in hurry. " Come to hospital quickly. Jennifer... Jennifer is not well." The call was cut and Leo was breathing heavily. He don't know why but Jennifer felt like a motherly figure and the fear of loosing someone you just met is growing in his chest.
Leo was quick to get to his car, not even bothering changing into something presentable. He was dressed in grey sweats and loose black t-shirt but he just didn't care.
He is not particularly a rough driver but right now he could care less ,as he zoomed his car with full speed , breaking traffic rules.
As he entered the hospital, he directly made his way towards the room . The atmosphere in the room was nerve wrecking. Isla was crying as his father hugged her close . Jennifer was now attached to a ventilator.
" Leo , we don't have time. You guys should get married today itself."