Stigma

It was the middle of January and the whole Elora was covered in thick white snow. Few middle aged people with their children could be seen roaming on the streets while enjoying the soft white snowfall.

Celeste who was standing by the window, sighed looking at the scene in front of her. She wanted to go out and enjoy the snowfall but her grandma didn't allow her since they were expecting some important guests to come to their house that day.

"I don't think they will be coming today grandma. It's already been so late. Don't you think so?" She asked, turning towards the old woman who was leisurely sitting on the sofa with a patient look on her face. She kept the book she was reading aside and took off her thin glasses off her eyes. She wiped it with the corner of the thick brown sweater she was wearing before putting it on again.

"Don't worry. They will come." Brielle, the older woman and also Celeste's grandma replied while getting up from the sofa. She sighed looking at her impatient granddaughter. She was always like that even though she had grown up and turned into a wonderful lady.

"But I still couldn't understand why they would choose me as their son's bride? Did they know me from before?" Celeste asked in a soft voice looking towards her grandmother's direction. She was still in shock knowing that soon she was going to get married to some unknown guy. It was truly shocking for her fragile heart.

11 days ago a man and a woman dressed in elegant suits and dress came to their house and talked to her grandma regarding some stuff unknown to her. They asked her a few questions like how old she was, where and what she studied, her future plans etc etc. It kinda creeped her out but she managed to stay calm and answer all of their questions. That year she was going to turn into 24 years. She recently graduated with a degree in economics and was looking for a job while taking care of her old grandma. Her parents died when she was just a child, leaving her in all care of her grandparents. They were her mother's parents. She didn't know about her father's family as he was an orphan. Her parents met each other in their highschool days, fell in love and got married. She didn't have any memories of her parents. She was just four years old back then. Her grandfather died of heart disease a few years back and since then it's been only her and her grandma.

"Because Andrew loves his mother a lot so he would definitely fulfil her last wish. Your father had saved Rosemary's life once from an accident so she wanted to repay him in this life by taking care of his daughter. That's why she wished her older grandson to marry you and take care of you for the rest of your life. I do not have many days left to take care of you. So once I leave, I want someone I trust to take care of my darling." Brielle told her granddaughter in an emotional voice making Celeste a bit upset but was true though.

"Oh grandma! Don't say something like that. You are so strong and healthy that you will live at least 30 years more." Celeste said while hugging her grandma tightly. Brielle chuckled at her antics. All of sudden they heard a car honk from outside. They immediately understood it was the Rodriguezes.

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