The choice

"Why are you so stressed Elana ? We all knew this is how our future is sorted, and that we need to do our best to make everyone happy, is not just about us , is about the entire family." Mariane's words got Elana thinking, as she was right, it was about her family , not just her.   "I am not stressed, more like nervous about not being able to control more of my life, my choices ..." said Elana to her friend, with a sadness in her voice " i know my parents will to their best to find the right pair for me, but still , did you ever think about true ..."   She was interrupted by another girl, coming towards them. Elana comes from a rich and powerful family, all the community was full of wealthy, rich families, but her family, the Huffield's , was in the highest rang. She was the only child , as her mother's health couldn't take another pregnancy, and because they struggled so much having Elana , her husband didn't want to risk her life.  Elana's dad, Arron Huffield, was very different from all the others in the community, family meant a lot for him. He always thought to be very lucky having a wonderful women next to him, and never disrespect her or her word.  This was not always the case with other families, some womens where treated as a necessity to form an alliance, with ther where treated very bad, but luckily to say , this where isolated cases , or at least that's what parents told their children , to maintain an unnoticeable fear and control their future with easiness.  The Blue Forest was a lovely community, formed by the best family in the country. As you entered into the area, you could see the big trees that looked like soldiers, ready to protect the place. As you get further on the road, you could see the beautiful mansions, most of them keeping the same lines and structures, slightly differently by colours. It feels fresh, clean and very organised. Nothing was out of it's place , but it gives the feeling that you entered in a parallel world. The truth was that everywhere in the world, this heavenly places where homes for the richest families. And the commons , as they liked to call them, wheren't allowed , only if they worked in there.  ****  " Oh Mariane " said Elana , returning to their conversation ,"this weekend is the last to spend togheter! I can't believe you will marry before me!"  Mariane and Elana where best friends since their first year , and always dreamed about their perfect life after marriage, as that was the only thing they've been taught. Most of Elana's friends already have been married , so she knew soon will be her wedding.  Being the only child in the family meant that her parents have to find the perfect match for her, but also best alliance. Most of the families have 3 or 4 kids, mostly for the reason that their marriages will bring more alliances and build strong businesses.  "Come on Elana, we will be late at school" said Mariane leaving her behind, "it's our last day, we can discuss about this tomorrow, at the breakfast meeting"   And they've lost in the crowd of pupils, ready to go inside school. This type of conversations where always between the girls , as they wondered with who will end up , in what family or what part of the world.  ****  "Elana, dear" said Aurora, Elana's mum, " you have been very quiet during this dinner. Is there anything that we can help with?"  Her mother was always thoughtful of Elana's feelings, and she wanted always to be happy.  "Actually mother, i am a bit nervous. I will be the last one of my friends who haven't got a pair for marriage, although i am not rushing for." said Elana , trying to hide her true feelings.  "Oh you silly , we have talked about our reasons of why we need to be very careful with our decision. Why don't you take the rest of the week to spend it at Mariane's house? School just ended and she will marry this weekend, so might be your last days with her." Elana's mother finished the conversation, in hope that this will enlighten Elana's emotions and put a smile on her face.  Indeed, it was just Wednesday, she still had two more days to spend with her best friend , so decided to go at her friends house.  Their life wasn't a boring one, even though might appear so. The children in the community where all raised as very close friends, like siblings, and it was very rare the cases where two from the same community to get married. And if that happened, the boy had to be one to make the proposal, never a girl. It was forbidden for the girl to make a choice. But most often , the girls where sent in other communities, to get alliances from outside too.As far as better, as that meant other connection in between.  Usually weekends meant a party for youngsters, and meetings between adults. Social gathering and sport where other forms of fun for them. The best part was the visits in other parts of the world, and this was often , as parents had to check for new alliances.  Elana had been in this type of visits, before she was twelve years old, after that was thought the girls where to big to have meetings with others boys, even in this type of visits. And then as soon they where eighteen years old, arrangement for marriage was done. The lucky ones could have wait a few good years until everything finalised,all this time in the comfort of her house. Others in a few weeks where already married and moved to their new home.  Mariane's family found her husband through a good connection of the family, and everything was arranged in a few months. She was pleased with their choices,and hoped that one day they could fall in love , to form an even stronger connection.  It was thought that a married couple who do fall in love after marriage was the perfect couple, and was offered as an example in communities, to encourage this marriages.  ***  "Everything is packed mother, i have a few things enough for two days." Said Elana while dragging after her a small colourful travel bag.  " Have fun dear, we will keep in touch on the phone" quickly interferes her dad, which was always extra careful with her daughter.  Closing the huge entrance door after her, she looked back at the mansion, and realised that soon , it might be the last time she does that. This feelings where more common in the last few months , after she turned eighteen, as now she truly realised the time has come. A dozen of emotions and memories from her entire childhood started to fill her , while slowly she tried to embrace the thought that this is all for her familly and for her welfare. She was ready, or at least was trying to induce this to herself.  The way to Mariane's house was relatively short, but it meant passing through a small forest. Usually the big mansions where separate with small forests or some sort of ponds , to offer privacy.   Near the Huffield's mansion, was the Vonghan family. Very big family, Elana knew all of their children, seven at number. The two boys they had, already married, remained in the local community, but at separate places, and the 3 of their girls married in different places around the world, one being thousands of miles apart. The thought of being so far of her parents, always scared Elana. Of course, the last two of their daughters where at a very young age, so they still lived there. Elana often was taking them for a walk around the fields.  Everyone knew eachother in the community, and rarely happened to see an outsider.  ****  With eyes down on her phone to message Mariane, she started to notice some light coming from a side of the forest. At first she thought is coming from Vonghan's mansion, but it wasn't. The curiosity got inside her, instantly something sparked in her. She wanted dearly to find something interesting, to get her out of the monotony.  What appeared to be hours of walk for her, the five minutes walk got interrupted as soon as she faced a stranger. A stranger?! "I must have died , and the angel just came for me " thought the boy who stood like statue in front of Elana. "Must be an angel, with such blue and sparkling eyes, and this gold curly hair which make her face to lighten any darkness in the way..." he continue in his mind, while trying to descover each part of Elana.  Elana froze.  A few moments of quietness followed, while both studied eachother, like they wanted to memories every inch of their body. Elana was filled with emotions and feelings she never encountered before,she was nervous, she had questions...A smile appeared on her face uncontrollably, and shortly all the emotions got all in one thought, could this be the true ... No , can't be. She only read it about in books, fictional stories, and was sure that doesn't exist.  "Hi" that was only thing could come out of the boy's mouth , as he was still enchanted by Elana's beauty.  "Wow, i've never seen such deep black eyes,look at that messy hair, sits perfect on him, and those lips that move slowly while talking" thought Elana, while continued to stare at him. She had met before other boys, not from community,but never felt as nervous and excited about , like she feels now. Almost as if she wanted to give that biy a hug just for the simple reasons he brought that feelings in her.  "Hi, i'm Elana " finally finding her words. "I didn't see you before"  "My name is Korai , sorry I didn't meant to scare you" said the boy while gathering his thoughts back . "I just got out for a walk , and stopped at this nice spot here in the woods, never seen something like this" he finished.  Elana tried to hide her amazement , as she always thought the surroundings to be normal, and nothing unusual or unseen. But as took a second to look around, following his words, she was surprised of what was in front of her. Like that exactly spot she missed all her life. Colourful flowers created a wonderful bed just at the bottom of this magnificent green trees, as green that she didn't noticed before, with a tiny oasis right in the middle. It was like if she would do a stept closer, will enter in another world.  "Are you a wizard or something? " said Elana , while trying to understand what had just happened. It couldn't be possible, she know every inch of this forest, and she never saw this place before.  Blushing at her words, Korai started to laugh. "Not at all, although, I could use sometimes some supernatural powers" he continued smiling.  "A couple of years ago , when i came to see my uncles and auntie , i had with me some flower seeds, and just throw them all in here, so nu now i am surprised to see the outcome " explained Korai in a gentle and calming tone.  "Wait, what, how, when?!" Elana's thoughts was going all over places,this is something she missed. Even if it happened while she was away from community, she would have still heard about him from someone else. And who where his uncle and auntie she thought. "Oh, i am sorry , didn't meant to sound silly" Elana trying to excuse for her words, as she could sense it made Korai uncomfortable.   "So you are staying with your uncle now?" she continued. "Yes, the Vonghan's, probably you know them."he replied. "I have never seen you before, and don't remember they mentioned about you." Elana started to alert at his words.  "No, we live quite far from here, and they are not actually my uncle and auntie. Just very good friends of my parents. We are all visiting them now, as they need to find me a ..." he stopped. The sadness slowly covered his face. Elana was sure she knew what he was about to say, so quickly changed the subject " So you put the flowers, ha ?"  " Yes, i am amazed of how the nature evolves , and try to bring a spark of chnage everywhere i can and i am allowed. As not always nature will allow changes". Korai calmly explained. "Wait , what? He loves nature,he is sensible, and likes this kind of things? Is he some sort of perfection of a man, and i was the one to discover first? Like those historical findings, and whoever finds it first take the credits? Am allowed to take my finding home? " Elana was smiling while playing in her mind with different thoughts. It was first time when she so many thoughts ,and each more interesting than the other, almost as a few would have gone further in her mind ... no, she had to stop.  "Calm down Elana" she thought to herself, without loosing Korai from her sight.  "It's getting late, sorry Korai, i need to get back on my way" Elana quickly excused herself and started heading back to Mariane's house. " Say something silly , you might not have another chance to see her!"Korai thought, as he stood there and just waved a goodbye to her. He was too scare of saying anything else, that could retain Elana from going further.  "What just happened, i need to speak with Mariane, i just want to scream of happiness, and that's very strange." Elana thought while walking towards Mariane. She didn't understood what was with all this feelings she had in just a short time, and how can someone woken in her all the senses. Shortly she got at her friends house, and all the happiness and excitement she felt, was  replaced by sadness and emptiness.  ****  "Miss Elana is here , Miss Mariane " their butler announced."Please come in , i will take the bag upstairs, in Miss Mariane's room. She is in the tea room" , he continued.  Mariane's house is similar to Elana's, but a bit smaller, and not so red inside. Elana's mother, Aurora, had a passion for red, so she kind of decorated the whole house with too much red. Everyone got used to it, but sometimes was too much.   "Hello Mr and Mrs Callain. Hope I didn't disturb with my presence, as i know wedding arrangements are in process, i just wanted to spend a few more days with Mariane" Elana made her entrance and explained to Mariane parents.  "Oh my dear, you know you are always welcome here, and you will be too at her new home" Mrs Callain answered "Don't know if Mariane told you, but she will stay in The Golden Fields community, so not very far from here . Elana's face enlighten, while she showed a big smile, hearing those words. The Golden Fields was about one hour driving, that meant she could be very close and visit her dear friend often.  She moved her look to Mariane , to share that content feeling with her.  "Come on Elana , let me show you what parents arranged in the garden for the first ceremony!" said Mariane in excitement.  Because of the way marriages where arranged, and the fact that it was for life, with a few exceptions, the parents always made this extraordinary ceremonies, with fancy food , and everyone in the community being invited. It was a big event every time a girls was married.  When boys where married, they had to held the party at her house, followed by a small one after the wedding, at his house to introduce her.   "Wow Mariane!" exclaim Elana, " this is absolute gorgeous!"  The pink ,purple and gold theme was indeed amazing, and the flower where choosed wisely too. She had a big gazebo in the middle of the garden with a four comfortable sofas for people to retreat from the sun if needed, and in the left of the garden, near the pond , was the ceremony setting. The white flowers all over the place, made you think she was about to marry in heaven.   Elana tried so hard to concentrate at what was there and what Mariane was telling, but her thoughts where at that magical place in the woods, next to Korai. Soon her heart will follow too, as whenever she had a thought for him, her heart started beating faster and faster, making her breathless each time. Her face was an explosion of expressions, making Mariane staring at her for a few moments, to understand what happens.  "Did you drugged yourself Elana ? " exclaimed Mariane, seriously worries about Elana's moment.   "Huh, what ? " she replied surprised . " You are pulling faces, now smilling, now sad, now scared ... And you looked into that place for a while now, without noticing what i've been saying." Mariane continued worried.  "Come Mariane, let's speak in your room!"  Both girls gone rapidly into Mariane's room, watching not to be followed, like a big , deadly secret was about to reveal, and noone could heard.  Mariane was holding Elana's hand tight and scared, she never saw her friend like that. And it was just a few hours ago she saw her last time, both contemplated and happy. What could have happened in such a short time to disturb so badly her friend?  "What's wrong Elana" said Mariane, closing the door behind her. "We are safe here, parents are downstairs with my aunties, and my little brother is outside.  "I've met someone " added Elana. "You've met someone?! " replied Mariane surprised . "As in , you met someone totally new ? Not from here? When, how? Is it a boy or a girl? Judging by your face , was a boy! Wait? A new boy, here in The Blue Forest? " Mariane couldn't stop talking, she had to digest all this new information, but she so many questions. "Talk, you are too slow! " she added impatiently. "I-I-I ..." Elana started , looking for her words "I saw him near the Vonghan's mansion, in the little forest , while coming to you. He was ... " she made another stop while taking a deep breath, "he was ..." continued Elana, " he was heavenly Mariane. You should've seen that perfection of a body he had, and those deep black eyes that makes you want to you straight to his heart. "  "Who is he, and why is he in ohr community?" Mariane asked curiously."Do you think is looking for a wife ? " Her words got Elana like a knife straight into heart. Broke her in pieces , and back again, for a few times . She couldn't understand why she felt like that, but instantly all she wanted was to shout at Mariane and tell her off. And if indeed was true, she wished from all her heart that he stopped at her, and take her as his wife.  "Elana, i think you getting to emotional, you do need to realise we are not allowed this things, and this is the reasons why we don't see other boys after we turn twelve. " Mariane continued, trying to calm Elana.  "Try to understand Mariane, this short meet, woken in me something that I didn't know i could feel. I know how our lifes works, and i am aware that him being here, means that they are looking for a wife, but i just feel the urge to see him one more time. He made me feel alive just by starring at me, at the way he did." Elana explained herself. "I know we are not allowed to talk about , but did you ever wondered how the true love really feels like?"  The words "true love" made Mariane nervous. In their communities, the only love they had to know, was the love for their family, and to learn love their new one too. Nothing else. For them true love was only in the books,something that in reality, doesn't exist.  "You are being silly Elana, you are probably excited that you saw someone else that is not from our part and presented curiosity." Mariane tried to reason.  "You are right, but how to explain this fire inside me, this pushing to go and see him one more time?" Replied Elana, in hope that she will make her friend understand her emotions. "I am getting crazy Elana, but if you really feel this way, and you really want to see him, i can ask my parents to invite the Vonghan's for a cup of tea later, after dinner. They do this often, so won't be a strange thing." Mariane added with a strange tone in her voice. She still didn't knew what she was doing, but seeing her friend like that,she had to help in someway.  "You do need to be very careful Elana, you know the rules, if they come with him here, you are not allowed to see him, so you need to be aware of everyone!" She continued on a serious tone.  Elana couldn't find her words, just nodded in acceptance, and hugged her friend to show her gratitude and share the happiness with her.