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She lowered her head. “I didn’t mean…”
Aisha didn’t want to be harsh with her sister. Conchita meant well, but she couldn’t let her lie about something they both know was true. Deception was divisive and destructive, and it would only weaken the already fragile bond between them. “Yes, you did mean at my age. Everyone talks about it. I’m used to the comments. What you must understand, Conchita, is that I’m not like you.”
Conchita stared up at her, her eyes watering.
Aisha smiled. “It’s good. You found your true love. I haven’t. Maybe someday I will. Maybe I won’t. But I can’t marry someone I don’t love with all my heart. Now that you have found García, you understand what that feels like.” Aisha took her hand, and Conchita nodded. “Please don’t think about me. You’ll have a family of your own soon. I am happy.”
Conchita sniffed. “I hate to think that you are not happy.”
Conchita was blinded by the laws within which their culture thrived. Happiness was not a priority when it was derived from something so unspeakable as the love of another person of the same gender. Conform to the customs of generations or be condemned to live life outside of the community. Aisha would be banished for such a crime. She would disgrace her family, and she couldn’t do that. “I’m lucky. I love to dance. That makes me happy.”
“Then dance with me. Let us join the others and be happy together.”
Aisha drew her sister to her and kissed the top of her head. She was still a child, and yet she was soon to be married. She would be considered an adult who would fashion her own life with her husband and have children. Aisha could think of nothing worse.
“Have you set a date for the wedding?” Aisha asked as they ambled towards the others.
“September 27thto the 30th. I love the autumn colours.”
“It will be perfect.”
Conchita continued to talk about the plans for her first dress fitting and her ideas for the flower arrangements. Aisha would hear it all again and again until she was tired of hearing about it. Did anyone care about her happiness? She doubted it very much. She would excuse herself after this dance and go to her bedroom, and she would settle for a while, alone with her dreams. And, for a short time, she would find some pleasure.
