But like.. Ned wrote letters and sent them to the summerhouse. I just don't think Al ever read them. (Idk maybe bc he couldn't go back to the house?) I mean he says at the end that he was waiting to hear those words. I can only assume he couldn't go back since Maggie passed.
As for Ned's marriage, I'm pretty sure he mentioned that the promise to his mom was that he would spend 3 years doing what he wanted and then go back to get married to his fiancée. Basically, he was already set up for an arranged marriage before the first time he visited the summerhouse.
I actually love that Ned communicated with Al about it being his last summer there and about the marriage. At least it's better than Ned just not coming back, leaving Al with no explanation why. I'd think it would be much harder for both of them to get back together that way, but I guess the people want angst
I kimda hate how he agrees to be married and bluntly announced it to Al like bruh wth and then after getting divorced he never even tried to go to the summerhouse or even tried to reached out just waits for the miracle to happen which didnt because Al literally did that for Ned to find him