Bab 143: Maggie's Ordeal Over the Last Three Years

At eighteen, Alla, clinging to Ricky's arm, queried him, "Darling, when precisely will you wed me?" Ricky, engrossed in his book, responded with a jovial smile, lightly tapping her nose with his pen, "When I am capable of marrying you."

Alla pouted, discontent in her voice, "And when will you attain this capability?" Ricky, holding his book, earnestly replied, "As soon as I acquire the knowledge I am studying and develop into a man of ability, I will be capable of marrying you."

Alla, with hands supporting her chin and lips pursed in a pout, voiced her concern, "Promise me that once you become a man of ability, you won't forget me and refuse to marry." Little did they know, this would become a self-fulfilling prophecy. Ricky indeed became a man of ability, but forgot her in the process.