Chapter 1
Preparations are in high gear as the whole village prepare for the annual placement festival.Stalls were full with various kinds of dresses and wears as usual,mothers take their daughters who are eligible for selection to stalls to get pretty dresses so as to entice good partners.
I sat on the porch enjoying the beautiful sight closing my eyes and imagining how lovely it would be to be selected as Clark's partner.Clark is my childhood friend and the only male friend I have ever had.We are of the same age(we are both 21),he's the funniest and the most caring guy I've ever seen.He has this beautiful blue eyes that sparkles when you look into them,lustrous blonde hair that shines in the sun,set of teeth as white as pearl and a gorgeous smile that's always plastered on his face which sweeps me off my feet.I've been secretly crushing on him ever since we were both in our penultimate years in high school.I was absolutely engrossed in my beautiful thought...
Seraphine! A familiar voice called from behind.I looked back to see who was shouting my name at the top of her voice.
"Anna!"I said getting up from my chair stretching forth my hands to embrace her.As i wrapped my hands around her in an embrace I could feel that she wasn't settled."Is everything okay,you look worried" I said releasing her from my embrace and motioning her to sit.
"I'm nervous and scared Seraphine"she said.
"is it because of tomorrow 's selection?dont worry I'm sure it'll work out well"I said trying to put her at peace.
"I don't know,what if I get the wrong partner"she said.
Anna is a very close friend of mine,we became friends when she rescued me from a set of bullies at school.She is about 6 months older than I am,one would almost think we were sisters because we go to virtually everywhere together (people sometimes mistake me for her because we have similar feature except for the fact that I'm fairer and she looks more mature.We both have beautiful long red hair,perfectly chiseled face and a slim body )along with Clark we call ourselves the three musketeers.
Don't say that,I'm sure it will work out well I said patting her back,however she doesn't look reassured.
The selection is a tradition carried down for generations whereby any individual who is up to 21 years of age gets to be given a life partner.This selection is done by the elders and the mayor of the town of which every eligible individual must participate from various communities,anyone who defaults would be punished,After the selection they would be required to live with their given partners for 3 years after which they would be tested.anyone who fails would have to remain single for life!
The test would be based how well you've both grown to know each other during the period you lived together.The selection however lasts for a week and every eligible female is fixed to be paired every day of the week,mine is fixed three days after Anna's but I am not as nervous as she is because I'm 80% sure that I'd be paired with Clark because almost everyone agrees to the fact that we complement one another,even the thought of it makes me happy!
"I have something to tell you seraphine"Anna said interrupting my thoughts.
"Okay....I'm listening"I said."I've been seeing Ralph for a while now"she said.(Ralph is Anna's neighbour and they've been friends since high school)
"what!are you crazy?you know it is forbidden to be romantically involved with someone until you are given a life partner!"i said almost screaming,She tried to cover up my mouth to prevent someone from hearing our conversation.
"okay let's calm down so what do you want to do about this because if the mayor and elders finds out about this you know what the result would be,Do you want to end up like old Martha?"(Martha is the oldest maiden in the village,the poor lady was caught in a secret relationship and that was the end,she was declared ineligible for the selection.The heartbreaking part of the story was that her lover denied ever having a romantic relationship with her),After saying that I tried imagining Anna being in Martha's shoes.I quickly wand off the thought because I can't imagine the height of humiliation and pain she'd have to go through.
That's why I've come to meet you seraphine what should I do?,she said."What did Ralph say?"i asked
"He suggested a break up but you know it's not that easy"she said.(Not easy?when she knows what is at stake.Should i shake her back to her senses?)I tried to keep my cool so I said
"Okay I think Ralph is right,you both have to .....i havent finished my sentence I could see tears in her eyes forming, waiting for me to finish my sentence and stream down her cheeks.
"I'm sorry Anna,I love you and I wouldn't ever want to see you hurt but you have to end this"I said.
Alright,she replied amidst tears.I placed her head on my shoulder,gently caressing her soft red hair which scents like lavender,(omg she really smells so good).She raised her head from my shoulder and cleaned her face and told me she was going to break the news to Ralph at night at their regular meeting spot.I wanted to make her smile before saying goodbye and then I said "how come you smell so good,you must be the daughter of the mayor" she smiled and said "of course I am,but in my dreams "
We both laughed and then she bid me goodbye and left.
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