Arranged

The Engagement ceremony.

I could still remember every detail. Every freckle across his nose and cheeks. The way brown and just a hint of green melted so beautifully in his eyes, as the sunlight poured over his features. I could see all these things if I closed my eyes. I pressed my eyes shut and pulled my mouth into something better than a frown. It was done. I'd just have to hold onto those memories of warm carriage rides and short meetings by the well. I'd keep them safe, buried deep in my heart and only pull them out late at night to help me face the next day. I had a duty to fulfill. To myself. To my family. To my...
To the man who'd be made my fiancée in just a few hours.

(Before)

"Julieta! Your father forgot his lunch again, take it to him before he tries to come back for it." I quickly set down my needle point and rushed to the mirror. I thanked my lucky stars that I hadn't been too lazy to do my hair properly this morning before dusting my nose and cheeks with just a bit of power. Carefully, I wrapped my shawl around my shoulders and hurried out to the kitchen. "He's out at the corral" "yes mother" my mother quickly tied the lunch pail up in a cloth and handed it to me "such a vain girl" mother held me back by the wrist before gently wiping my cheeks with her apron and adjusting my skirt. "Go." She shook her head as I smiled and ran off to the stable with the parcel.
"ARRE ARRE"  i tapped my heel against my horses' side prompting it to go faster, i knew my real reason for rushing liked to leave the corrals early to get a head start on his work and I didn't want to miss him.
I flew down the rocky path and all the way down the town till I reached the entrance of the arena. "Woah woah" I pulled my horse to a slow leisurely trot. Quickly I tucked any stray hairs behind my ears and held my head up as gracefully as possible.
My eyes scanned around, and my heart sunk until a black horse ran out from behind myself.
"Buenos días Senorita Navarro". My hands tightened nervously on the reigns of my own horse as I looked in the direction of the speaker. "Buenos días don Robles" I couldn't help but smile as I looked up to meet his glance. My stomach churned as he returned the smile.
"Are you looking for someone in particular?"
I nodded and held up the parcel in my lap "my father has forgotten his lunch again, have you seen him?"
"He's gone out to tend to some matters a way out the town"
I nodded shyly  "I see, well excuse me then I have whiles ride ahead of me"
"Please, I can deliver that for you. I was actually on my way there when I saw you head over here, I figured you  were looking for him" I looked up a bit surprised and held out the parcel "Thank you very much Don"
I shivered as his rough fingers brushed my own.
"Julieta," my stomached ached horribly as he came closer " how many times must I tell you that you must stop acting like such a stranger, we have known each other for many years now. There is no need for formalities." My face flushed and I turned my horse before looking away to the road. "Thank you, Alejandro," I snapped the reigns on my horse and rode off as fast as I could before I had to face him again.

(Now)

"Julieta" I looked up and smiled politely. "Yes father"
My father came in holding a small basket of flowers and sat beside me at the mirror. "I understand you're nervous and I understand that you may have feelings for someone else... but whomever the match makers choose for you will be a good man." I kissed my father on the cheek and took the basket before carefully arranging the flowers in my braided updo "I'm well. I trust the elders just as you and mother did. I'm not foolish enough to hope for anyone particular, the elders will pick a good match." Father sighed and rubbed my back quietly. After a moment he left, and I continued to arrange my hair. For centuries the tradition of arranged marriage had kept balance in our town. The elders had all the young men and women gather, dressed in their Sunday's best.
There they would be paired off and be set for marriage.
My hands trembled as I put the final flower in my hair. Though nobody could be completely sure of who would be matched with who it was known the elders were as kind as possible with their decisions. Couples who were well established and seen to be fruitful were never separated. Drunken men were never allowed a spouse either, or any other who would intentionally do harm to their spouse. I had no fear that my husband would be unkind or evil. Instead, my heart ached knowing that Alejandro's beautiful smile would belong to someone else. It was very well known that Alejandro was practically promised to the Fernandez family. The only daughter of the family, Yessenia, made it very clear how she desired Alejandro to be her husband. And with her being as beautiful and dainty as she was it was no surprise that along with every other young man in the town, Alejandro reciprocated the feelings she showed him. There had been rumors of the two sharing a formal engagement after spending month after month in each other's almost constant company. Though recently it was rare to see them together at all, my heart still ached. They made the perfect couple. Both beautiful . Both talented. It made perfect sense for the elders to pair them. Yessenia deserved a man so fine as Alejandro. I was lucky to even be getting a spouse. I myself knew how plain my features were, with no special qualities and barely enough for a decent dowery it would be foolish of me to complain about what I got. I couldn't. I wouldn't shame my family by rebelling against tradition.