In response, Nitocris grabbed a pen on the table and flung it at the door. It accurately landed right on the keylock of the doorknob, and the force caused it to be pushed inwards, locking it.

Iris, outside, looked up upon hearing that click.

She gritted her teeth and started punching on the keyboard even harder.

Soon, music started wafting through the air from the speakers of the computer, effectively drowning out the sounds coming out from the other side of the door. She made a mental note to propose her boss to have his room sound-proofed.

Yuri and Zack walked in at that moment.

They saw the expression on Iris's face, the loud music blasting in the room and then the closed door of Nitocris's office.

They looked at each other, sighed and stepped out.

Zack looked at his watch, "One hour?"

Yuri rolled his eyes, "Two."

"Oh come on," Zack protested, "There's no bed in there so it shouldn't be more than an hour."

"You want to go in there right after they're done?" Yuri asked with a raised eyebrow.

Zack opened his mouth then closed it.

Yuri had a point.

"Two hours it is," Zack said with a sigh.

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Ali sat at his parent's living room, his face deathly pale.

"Abba, Ummi, you can't be serious," Ali said.

Ali's father, Johan, sighed, "I'm sorry, my son but I am."

"Ummi? Please?" Ali begged, his eyes pleading.

His mother shook her head, "It has to be done, Ali. It's time."

Ali stood up suddenly, earning a death glare from his father. Ali clenched his fists tightly, fighting the urge to run off there and then.

How could his parents do this to him?

"Sit down," Johan commanded, "This is a prime example of how these different cultures of Country Tz have affected you."

Ali took a deep breath and sat down, his head bowed low.

Filial piety was the most important and ingrained part of their lives - both culturally, and due to religion.

In the olden days, having kids talk back to you was unheard of. Questioning your parents was a sin.

Now, it's much more lenient in the sense that some parents are willing to actually listen and compromise. But, it didn't mean that they could act so wilfully.

Ali understood this, and what he did wrong. His father had a point but what they were proposing was something that he just could not accept.

"We have waited long enough, my son," Johan said with a sigh, "It has been over a year now."

"But I'm only 17, Abba. I am still so young!" Ali protested, "What is the rush?"

Johan frowned at Ali's raised voice, and Ali gulped, saying quickly, "I'm sorry, Abba. I didn't mean to shout."

Nodding in satisfaction, Johan said, "At the rate you're going, you can be 25 and still haven't moved on yet."

Johan looked straight at Ali and asked, "Are you telling me, if I give you more time, you can do it? You haven't even touched any of the files we have given you, saying 'later' all the time."

Ali hung his head lower, not answering.

"Don't talk about the file," Johan said, "Even going out on a casual date with a girl is rejected. You've not been willing to meet new people, so how are you ever going to heal?"

Ali clasped his hands together, finally saying, "How can I do that when my heart is still unsettled? I feel like I would be lying to those girls."

"Then this is the only way," Johan said, "You will marry the girl we have chosen for you on your 18th birthday."

Ali shook his head, wanting to reject but what reason could he give? His parents had done more than required. They had been patient. Willing to accept Sophia. Didn't reject nor object.

They stood by him. They gave him time.

He understood it all too well. How long were they supposed to wait?

They were right.

If it was up to him, he would most likely never take that first step. He would never get married.

"Who is she?" Ali finally asked, resigned to his fate.

"A good girl," his mother assured him, "You will love her, my son."

Johan pushed a file in front of Ali, who just stared at its cover.

'Love her?' Ali knew that he could never do that. His heart was too full of Sophia and time didn't make it any less. He could not envision ever loving another person.

He looked up, seeing the loving and warm gazes of his parents. Deep in them, was care and concern. He knew his actions had placed a heavy burden on his parents. He didn't seem to be moving on, and they only wanted the best for him.

Without even touching the file, Ali got up and put his right hand on his heart, saying, "I trust your judgment and choice, Abba, Ummi."

He turned and left, his heart breaking.

Although he could never love another after Sophia, he resolved to be a good husband. He will care for her, treat her well and never cheat on her. He may even love her, in the sense of caring for a good friend.

But he could never love her like how he loved Sophia.

Since he couldn't have her, no other girl would do, right? So he might as well rely on his parents' judgment and choice. It couldn't be worse than his and it relieved him of the headache of choosing one.

With that thought, Ali closed his bedroom door, like he was closing his heart.

Johan watched his son leave, and sighed. He picked up the file, opened it and closed it again.

"Do you think this is a mistake?" his wife asked him worriedly.

"No," Johan answered, "His actions and attitude shows exactly why it isn't. He will understand, in time."