The sweet aroma of roasted coffee beans fills the space around him.
Du-ren awakens and stumbles towards the kitchen where Li-aiy is preparing breakfast for the two of them.
Du-ren's eyes are locked on Li-aiy, seeming as if he were looking upon and angel.
Li-aiy then turns around and smiles. "Sweet dreams?" Du-ren immediately snaps out of his daze and mumbles, "No, religion." "Religion? What do you mean? I don't think I'm understanding." "That's what I had a dream about.
Did you know I plan on becoming religious later on in life?" "I didn't know that. Really?" "Yeah. I plan on getting baptized and everything." "Well, I'm not, not really." "Well, then there's a problem." "Why is that a problem?
I wouldn't get baptized if I weren't Christian, which I'm not." "'Cause I'm not supposed to marry someone who doesn't believe in what I do." "That doesn't make any sense.
What religion doesn't accept others�just all of Christianity, no offense or anything.
It's very close-minded, don't you think?" "All religions are exclusive, most anyway." "Buddhism isn't�Hinduism," and as Li-aiy speaks,
she begins making another pot of coffee, almost immediately,
the aroma of mocha floats through the air in the kitchen. "Whatever, let's not get technical.
But we still have a problem here." "Why?" "I just told you why," Du-ren grunts impatiently. "Is it because you're not marrying someone that's Christian?" "Yes," retorts Du-ren as he, to him self,
contemplates why Li-aiy would question so immaturely and cold-heartedly. "You're not religious now.
Just don't get religious until after we marry?" "I already am religious." "No you're not." "I'm just not ready to commit and follow those beliefs." "Do you mean until you find what your own beliefs are?" "No, that I'm not ready to commit to Christianity's beliefs." "Do you believe in them," questions Li-aiy as she
pours the coffee into thick mugs. "Yes." "Then that means you can't have sex before you're married.
I don't understand how you can believe in them but not follow." "Okay, maybe not believe, but I understand and know them." "And how are you going to become religious if you don't really believe?
Do you truly understand the 'why' behind all of these
rules that a religion sets up?" "I don't know why," and Du-ren pauses to ponder the question.
"Wait, I do know why. It's because it's your virginity, and it's sacred,
and if you throw it away before marriage,
then you might give it up to someone whom you're not going to be with.
So, you want to lose your virginity to someone who you'll be with forever.
And being married makes it easier and more likely." "But why is virginity so sacred?" "Because it's a one time thing.
You don't think it's sacred? You don't care who you give it to?
You don't think it's something really important?" "I don't know.
But what is it that makes it so important, though? Society?
Isn't it society-slash-church that makes it such a sacred idea?
Did it matter who it was given to during the 70's?" "That was free love, and not everyone believed in that." "But are you following some genuine beliefs of your own,
or are you following what everyone else is doing?
Are you just following a set of rules given to you?" "First of all, they're not rules.
Next, all ideas come from society, and all we do is make choices.
No matter what you pick, you're always following someone.
So, I just happen to agree with a whole bunch of other people.
Society gave me the choice to believe it or not, and I chose to believe.
This made it my belief." "Du-ren, Honey, all I'm trying to make sure of is that this belief of yours is truly genuine.
But, I don't mind if you become religious, just as long as you don't mind that I won't be." "But there's the problem. My beliefs don't allow me to be with you.
Do you understand?" "Yes. Is that really what you believe in then?" "I don't know. I really don't know." And with Du-ren's response, Li-aiy's heart seemed to drop down towards her stomach, making her queasy.
"You said that you want to be with me. What's keeping you from it?
A genuine belief or a rule?" "The fact that I want to be more religious is what's keeping me from being with you.
It's not a rule. It's me wanting to." "But then you're saying that you don't want to
marry me because your beliefs won't let you?" "That's the problem. I want to marry you.
But I can't because my religion won't allow me to," Du-ren states proudly and hovers over the table,
trying to reduce the distance between their souls. "How is that a problem? You either believe it or you don't.
Why do you have to be binded by a religion?
It's telling you what to do. Isn't it?" After a long pause, Du-ren finally mumbles out, "I don't know.
I don't know what I'm thinking. It's all muddled.
Just forget about it. I'm shoving it all back for another day. I don't feel like dealing with this now." "Why?" Li-aiy cries out, as she sips the cold, bitter liquid in her cup.
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