Butterflies

Dancing in her kitchen, Aurora felt the vibrant music of Latin Music flowing through her Spotify music. She twirled, shaked her hips, and ran her hands up and down her body. Latin music made her feel alive though she had no one to share it with. Before the song finished, Aurora’s best friend Lucia Mendoza appeared in the doorway.

“You need a partner to dance with.” Lucia said with a smile standing in the doorway.

“Yes, I do, though I should be learning to pick up more languages to impress my future partner.” Aurora replied letting Lucia come in.

Aurora let her Empanadas bake in the oven while she got her vegetables set up. She loved cooking all of the Latin foods she grew up with. Aurora set out two plates with glasses of white wine to keep it neutral between the two.

“When is the trip happening? Anyone going with you?” Lucia asked with an arch brow as she took a seat with her feet underneath her.

Aurora put her hands on her hips and gave Lucia a glare. “Who told you I was leaving? And now I am traveling by myself. I am taking this time for myself, see the world, maybe meet my soulmate that belongs to me. Maybe she will be my destiny.” Aurora replied with a daydream look.

“She? Didn’t your parents already tell you to get that out of your head. They aren’t afraid of arranging marriages as you know. Even though we are residents of the United States, it doesn’t mean they won’t settle you down with a man.” Lucia responded pointing out what Aurora feared the most.

“I’m in my twenties now, neither of them can tell me who I can’t be with. You know I am attracted to women. It has never faltered my feelings of being with a woman that can make me feel butterflies, passion, and desire for her touch. Finding my soulmate is the best reason to go on this adventure. My first stop is going to Australia. It is the farthest flight and I will meet my first match, Felecia. Then after a week in Australia it is off to the United Kingdom to meet my second match Nicole, and from there I will just keep exploring the world and meeting my matches across the globe. It is an excellent plan.” Aurora replied by getting the Empanadas out of the oven and setting on the counter to cool.

Lucia rolled her eyes knowing this wasn’t going to land well with Aurora’s parents that didn’t approve of the LGBTQIA+ lifestyle. It is also against the Latin life where you are purposely to marry a man and have kids.

“What if you never meet your soulmate? Aurora, you need to find a husband while traveling, not a wife.” Lucia responded with worry in her voice.

“You live your life as a wife that breeds babies for her doting husband. I want my choice whether anyone agrees or not.” Aurora replied sternly.

“I have no time for a husband and kids. My career is top notch. You know this as much as anyone. I could never settle for less than I deserve.” Lucia responded with an admission she shouldn’t be speaking to Aurora about love without having her own.

Aurora shrugged her shoulders then laid out the spread for the Empanadas. Soon both were enjoying the meal while Aurora knew that Lucia wasn’t going to let this go so easily on the subject of her traveling alone and across the world. She wanted freedom to see where she may end up and find that one. Aurora knew Lucia would never be her soulmate let alone attracted to her in any way. She is attracted to Lucia and felt butterflies when they would flirt or touch hands but crossing that line is a no go. Aurora knows that Lucia is straight and has dated quite a few men in their friendship. Lucia is one to follow religion and have an arranged marriage if her parents asked her too but they are more open minded then Aurora’s which is why her parents forbid them to be friends.

Aurora got up from the table with her plate and glass of wine. She put her plate in the sink then added more wine to her glass. She had to finish packing as she will be leaving early in the morning. Aurora turned around to face Lucia who has gorgeous tan skin, dark chocolate eyes, and dark chocolate wavy brown hair down to the middle of her back. Aurora always thought that they would be a match made in heaven but knowing she was straight turned her away.

“I bid you goodbye, fair maiden. I hope you return home. I will miss my friend and enjoying these special lunches you always make. I gotta go catch up with Nathaniel, we are scheduled for a date again.” Lucia said as she walked over to hug Aurora then left her alone.

Aurora knew her parents would be by soon after sending Lucia off. Aurora grabbed pen and paper with a small note to remind her that opening her heart to Lucia isn’t right. Then stuck it in her notebook that was by her tea pot. Aurora cleaned up from the lunch then decided to head to her parents instead of waiting on them. Getting her shoes on, grabbing her purse, then locked her home and headed a few doors down to see her Dad Joaquin caring for the garden with herbs, fruits, and vegetables. She gave him a side hug as she came towards him then headed inside the house to see her mother Elena cooking in the kitchen making a big meal.

“Ma, I am here.” Aurora said.

“Ah yes, my sweet child. Have you decided on marrying Agustin? His family is prepared to have you as a daughter in law.” Elena replied, smiling and kissing her daughter’s cheeks.

Aurora returned the kisses to the cheeks with a sad smile. She wasn’t a fan of Agustin. He was more of a self-centered jerk.

“About that, I am leaving out of here to travel the world.” Aurora responded feeling her mother is going to lecture her again.

“Aurora, I thought we agreed that you were to marry Agustin within a few days from now. We have your wedding dress to alter and everything.” Elena explained while sitting her daughter down at the table. “Don’t run from Agustin, he loves you dearly. You are meant to be with him.”

“Ma, I will not be attending my own wedding. Not with that self-centered jerk. I don’t love him. I will never love a man. I don’t want babies either.” Aurora replied, holding in her coming out once more.

Elena got up from the table then shook her head. Aurora knew upsetting her mother was a bad idea. You never upset a Latina woman if they have a bad temper. That is when she saw her mother throw her towel on the counter then went to her father out in the garden explaining in Spanish what was happening to her. That is when her older sister appeared in the doorway with her young son on her hip and husband on her side.

“Aurora, you are determined to be the outcast.” Maya said, putting her son on the ground.

“What does it matter to you? You have a husband, a son, and another one on the way. You and Regina have the life that mom and dad accept.” Aurora pointed out feeling the disdain once again between them.

“It matters to grow our family. You can’t expect me and Regina to carry on the family line?” Maya replied while sitting down at the table with Aurora.

“Flores has been around for decades besides you are married, you carried on his last name not ours.” Aurora responded with a heavy sigh.

That is when Regina walked in with her two kids and husband. Aurora felt thankful that both sisters weren’t carrying at the same time. Regina gave her body a break in between births while Maya doesn’t care one bit. Elena came back in to give love to her grandchildren, Joaquin was behind her giving all the love to each member except her. No one dared to hug her, it was always this way and the kids were kept from her.

“Aurora, do you need me to drive you to the airport in the morning?” Julio, Maya’s husband asked.

“You are encouraging this?” Maya and Elena both spoke at once.

“She doesn’t have to marry that buffoon if that is what you two want me to believe. Aurora deserves to find her own happiness.” Julio said, speaking out for Aurora with a nod.

“Agustin is a presentable young man with wealth that this family needs.” Elena said, giving Aurora a stern look.

“I want to marry for love not money. Agustin is a fool. He will find a wife to have children with but it isn’t me. I decline.” Aurora said proudly. “Julio, yes, you are taking me to the airport tomorrow morning.”

Aurora wanted so desperately to get up and leave without making another fuss of a man like Agustin. She wanted to make her family understand that she prefers a woman but that seems to be out of the question. Aurora knew one thing that she had to do when she got back to her place was to cancel flights, dates, and anything else involving going on a search because she doesn’t see herself with anyone but Lucia though it would be a far fetch to convince anyone else. Aurora walked over to Julio tugging him into a room.

“Don’t bother coming to get me tomorrow. I am canceling everything. It is a long shot but I am going to try and get with Lucia. I’m in love with my best friend.” Aurora said in a whisper.

“Wait, what about Agustin? You will still have to marry soon.” Julio pointed out.

“I’m not getting out of this marriage, am I?” Aurora asked with disappointment.

“Sadly, no. Not unless you and Lucia run away together to forbid this marriage then that is the only way.” Julio replied.

Aurora let out a lot of curse words to try and ease the idea of marrying him. The last thing she wanted was to be married. Aurora and Julio came back out to the dining area with greeted smiles to everyone.

“Does this mean, my sweet girl is going to marry?” Elena asked.

“Mom, were you listening in on my conversation?” Aurora asked in return.

“Only parts. Agustin is going to love having you as his house wife and bear his children. Oh, what joy this occasion is going to be. I need to let everyone know.” Elena said with excitement.

Aurora went to the table where her phone was and began canceling things, explaining to the ladies that she won’t be coming, and slowly felt the dread of her wedding day. It was one thing to be actually infatuated with someone then to be unloved and bothered by someone who doesn’t appreciate you. Aurora could do one thing and that is to postpone the wedding, not like Agustin has come and proposed to her. It would give her more time with Lucia to see where anything goes.