Chapter 4: Opposites

Opposites

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"It's this simple law, which every writer knows, of taking two opposites and putting them in a room together." 

~ Trey Parker

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"Mmm! This is sooo good, grandma." Ate July said while stuffing her mouth with the chocolate chip cookies that nana baked for her just a while ago. 

"I have baked a lot for you, iha so, slow down or you'll choke." Nana laughed at Ate July's silly behavior.

"I apologize, grandma. It has been so long since I've tasted homemade sweets." Ate July said sadly. I was about to ask when she spoke.

"My mother died just 3 years ago because of an accident." Her voice was starting to crack.

"I am terribly sorry for your loss, iha."

"It's fine." She smiled softly. 

'You are quite lucky.' I thought sadly. Taking a deep breath, I was about to say it out loud but I chose to shut my mouth. 

"If that's the case, you don't have to worry about that anymore, iha. You could eat all the homemade sweets that you want because my granddaughter here, loves to bake." Nana said proudly, cheering her up.

"Really!?" Ate July turned to me. The sadness in her eyes had vanished and she returned to her usual self—being childish and all. 

"Yes. My mother loves to bake and I always help her but now that she's gone, my nana is the one who shows and teaches me how."

"Why? Where is she now?" She asked curiously. When I didn't answer, nana did.

"Her parents have left this world, iha, because of a car accident." Ate July looked at me guiltily with wide eyes.

"I am sorry if I have asked. It must have been hard for you, Kira." She apologetically said.

"No, not really. A part of me may have missed them but it's okay. I don't remember them that much since they died when I was still very young." I gave her a reassuring smile, showing her that it's not really a big deal and that I'm really fine. But deep inside I know that they were all just...

Lies. 

It wasn't really okay. It's hard growing up without your parents by your side. Ever since my parents died, I get jealous with the other kids being with their mom and dad. I just wish that they're still here, watching me grow into a fine lady like what they've always wanted me to be.

"But still. You've lost both your parents when I have just lost my mom. It made me realize that I'm quite grateful. Thank you." She pulled me into a very warm hug. Just like my mother's. 

To lighten up the mood, my nana started telling stories about me. It was embarrassing but ate July would just laugh and say that it was 'cute'.

I ignored them and shifted my gaze on the paper in my hand instead.

The government notice.

After Mrs. July V. Lovino introduced herself, nana told us to sit and have a little chitchat while she was baking cookies. Ate July told me a few things about herself.

She's already 27 and she said that she received her GN (in short for 'government notice') when she was already 21 years old. 'It was worth the wait' was what she said while placing her chin on her hands and screaming happily on her seat, behaving like she was once a little girl who's in love.

She also worked as a model under her little brother's modeling company. Like, WOW. She's famous but I never met her or even knew her. And I had to admit, his li'l bro is impressive. Having his own company at such a young age.

'I'm jealous. It's probably amazing to have one too.' I thought. Well, I'll just wait for my time.

Shrugging it off, I opened the paper on my hand and read it.

________________________________________________

Congratulations!

Name: Kira Castelle | Name: Neal Valastro

Age: 18                     | Age: 21

Birthday: Oct. 20   | Birthday: May 1

Zodiac: Scorpio    | Zodiac: Taurus

Good luck! 

Just remember that polars do attract!

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There are other papers where the man's background information can be found like, his likes or dislikes and the like but I didn't even take a single glance at it. I wasn't even concerned nor bothered in the least bit.

What's bothering me more are the zodiac signs. 

Taurus and Scorpio. Crap. They are the complete opposites! Nothing in common! Why would the government do this to me? And hell, polars attract? That's a big n.o.

I thought that they'll search for your perfect partner? The one that you're compatible with? Tsk. It would be a lot easier if we could at least get along but I guess that'll be impossible, considering that my partner has been chosen already.

Ever since I was born, my parents would always tell me about all the zodiac signs; what their strengths are, their weaknesses, characteristics, personalities, likes, dislikes, differences, similarities, and other stuff. They even got me a book with all the information in it that's why I know very well that Taurus and Scorpio would never get along! 

Taurus are very famous for their stubbornness which I hate very much. They do have a lot of positive traits that are in some ways similar to mine which are...nice but, I don't really know if my assigned partner possesses those so, I'm still not sure about it. 

Also, when I was still young, I would ask nana about how the government would choose your partner and what its basis is. Like, why is the system like this? And what would happen to the people who would break this law? 

When the government chooses someone's partner, they would base it on the compatibility calculation in order to increase the country's birth rate. Like, what are your similarities, differences, and especially your zodiac signs. 

It's how the system works. 

They would more likely focus on you and your partner's zodiac signs. This method went for uncountable years. I don't even know when this has started.

I have also heard somewhere that a lot of people detested this kind of method but in the end, they can't really do anything about it so they'll just obey it.

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