Grace went back to her room and sorted out some documents she had left in her bedroom.
Recently she developed the habit of reading documents before sleeping. She read until she felt sleepy so she usually left a few documents at her bedside table.
As she sorted out her stuff in the bedroom, Lily knocked on the door.
" Sister."
" Yeah come in."
Lily entered the room and walked to the bed. She sat down and dangled her legs like a kid.
Grace put down the stuff in her hand and turned around. She leaned on the desk with her hands behind on the table. Seeing Lily's actions, a smile swept her face as she asked.
" What's picked your curiosity, my little sister?"
Hearing Grace, Lily was a little surprised then she smiled helplessly and relaxed as she spoke to Grace.
" Well... Sis, there has been something on my mind for while. Since you came back, I've been worried about this."
Grace smiled and asked.
" What is it that made you worry about your grown-up elder sister?"
" Sis! I am serious okay? Listen to me. This is really important."
" Okay tell me. What is it?" Grace listened attentively.
" You see, I learned about your marriage but knew no details. Now I understand a little. It's an arranged marriage, right? Sis... I wanted to ask you. Why are you doing this? Why would you have an arranged marriage? No! Why did our parents propose such an idea in the first place?!"
Seeing her getting agitated, Grace stood up and walked to her. As she sat beside her, she held her hands gently and told her.
" Calm down first. This is nothing to worry about. I am an adult. I can handle this just fine. I will make the best decisions for myself."
" Is your best decision to marry just because of this? And you're telling me to believe it! Sis, just what are you doing with your life?!"
" Lily, I have taken this decision myself. Our parents barely introduced this chance to me. They wanted me to decide my future. Our family is good enough and does not require an arranged marriage at all so I am under no pressure. All I am doing is my own choice. I took this path. I choose to walk on it. And so far I've rarely regretted my decisions."
" But I don't understand! What is a marriage without love going to give you? Sis, why are your sacrificing your happiness so stupidly? I... I really can't understand you right now. Please don't make such bug decisions so casually Sis. You will really regret it later."
" Lily, I don't believe in love. I don't intend to love. Moreover, I believe that true love doesn't exist for everyone. Our parents are lucky to have it but I always knew I was just not born for it. I have never felt an ounce of love in me. I am not cut out for it. I am so cold that no one would be able to love me for long. And it does not sadden me either. I am very happy and pleased with my life right now. The person I am going to marry is not perfect but that reassures me more because when a broken person becomes whole again, I believe they are more stronger and loyal than any other ordinary man. Believe in your sister. I've lived 8 years more than you not in vain."
" But what if you fall in love after getting married? That would be so messed up! Love is the most powerful and mysterious force which is invisible and Sis believe me even you won't escape it. It weakens the strongest person and gives strength to the weakest. Love is the most illogical, untimely, and unruly thing in the world. No one, not even you Sis can control your heart when you fall in love. I just don't want you to destroy your happiness with your own hands. You've always seemed like the wisest person to me but this decision of yours is the worst decision that a wise person would never take."
" Lily, I promise you that I will be happy. Don't you know that people in an arranged marriage can also be happy? Even if I don't have love, I will still be happy. And if I ever fall in love, you will be the first one to know."
" Since you promised, I am going to sit silently. But if I see even an ounce of sadness on your face, then I will never forgive you and myself for letting you go ahead with this plan."
" I agree. I won't let my sister regret it. Now go and do your work. I gotta go and talk to Papa about work."
" Yeah."