Chapter Seven : Mother and Daughter
Mikan found herself heading to her mother's room upstairs the next day. She thought about it last night but still, she wondered if things will be all right for her. She knocked twice then entered. Her mother was sitting on a chair, staring at herself on the mirror. "Mikan…" she said gently. Her voice quivered a bit making Mikan think of a frail woman. She shuddered at the thought.
"Mom, are you okay? You look kinda sick to me," she remarked.
Mikan's mother, Chizune Sakura, glanced at her daughter. "Well, I was having this terrible headache this morning and‒ah, Mikan, what is it? Why did you come here?"
Mikan gulped. "Mother, I have a question."
Chizune motioned for her to sit down. Finding no chair, she sat on her mother's laced bed. "Well, how should I say this," she began.
"Mikan," Chizune called. "Are you having problems with your fiancé?"
She flinched and eyed her mother with forlorn."Oh mom, can this kind of relationship really last?"
Chizune stood and petted her hair. "Mikan, the answer lies in the kind of love you give each other, may it be fondness, or the love itself."
Mikan looked at her mother's wise eyes. "But what's you and father's kind of love?"
Chizune sighed and paced towards her window. "I chose fondness. Our marriage was also arranged. You see, that time, I was lost. I've lost the man that I truly loved. But Nanjirou was there to support me in the middle of my depression wherein no one can enter. From then on, I've always look up to Nanjirou. He's a kind and a dependable man. And when I heard about the marriage, I felt overwhelmed. And so I agreed. Maybe that's how I can thank him. It turned out well, we never fought. And then there you came."
Mikan beamed. "That's a nice story, mom." Chizune looked at herself once more in the mirror. Unknown to Mikan, her gentle smile disappeared on her face. "Mikan, don't imitate me. Choose the man you truly love. I don't want you to make a huge mistake in your life."
Mikan bit her lip and shrugged. "Whatever, mom." she said and turned to leave. Before she got out, she eyed her mother, who is still looking at herself in the mirror. "Mom, is that even possible for me?"
Chizune didn't move. Her gentle gaze fell on her own pleasant face. "Child, open your eyes."
