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.