My Clan
My name is Rica. I am from a small, traditional, yet prestigious village. My father is one of the respected leaders of the clan. Since I was young, I have been taught to dress and behave modestly. As a girl, I was taught proper etiquette and to abide by the roles set by the ancestors of the clan. These roles and etiquette are preserved and are still followed in the village. In the clan, girls are seen as delicate and precious. Men who disrespect them are subject to heavy and painful consequences. On the other hand, girls are bound by rules such as dressing in unrevealing clothes, staying at their house and learning how to cook and how to do household chores. Also, they should keep their purity/virginity and give it only to the person whom their parents chose for them to marry once they turn 20. Girls who are stubborn to do boys' roles are being punished, while those who lose their virginity to someone that their parents did not choose for them will be rejected by the clan and become outcasts. The worst is, if an unmarried and a teenage girl is found pregnant, she will be stoned and burned to death in front of the clan.
"Rica! Wake up! The sun is up!" I was awakened by the voice of my mother as she removed the blanket from my feet and tickled my exposed sole.
"Hahah. Mama, please stop. I am awake." I giggled and uttered as I woke up from my bed.
"Prepare yourself, then help me prepare food. Your Papa and siblings will arrive soon." Mother said.
"Yes Ma." I said as I stretched my body, took my bathrobe and went to the restroom.
"Rica, your soon-to-be husband and his family will visit tomorrow. I want you to present your best self tomorrow." My father said while we were eating. Though I am aware that I am at the right age to get married, that news still shocked me. I am still enjoying the life of being single that it's against my will to get married as of now. I took a cup of water first before responding.
"Dad. I am still a baby. I am still your baby, right? Ma is still teaching me a lot of things to become a great wife." I said with a soft, sweet, and begging voice, trying to convince my father to postpone or cancel the visit. I was irritated when my two younger brothers coughed and chuckled.
"Stop it brothers! I am still young. Father, they should marry first before I do." I bargained.
"Hakhak. Don't worry Rica, our father is still searching for the best sister-in-law for you. Am I right father?" Harry smiled widely as he looked at our father.
"Stop teasing your sister." Our father stopped them.
"Rica. I have already told you this story. I was 20 years old when I was married to your father. I was hesitant at first, but I learned to love him. Rica, love can be developed. Also, we will not choose him if he is not good for you." My mother said.
"Rica. You will still be our baby, but you are now 21 years old and we need someone to help us take good care of you." My father supported my mother.
"Ma!?Pa!? Why now?" I questioned.
"Calm down. Your manners. You are now talking back." My mother warned me, so I apologized, but I already lost my appetite to eat. However, I pushed myself to finish the food on my plate.
"Your mother will instruct you what to cook for tomorrow. For now, take your time to have your beauty routine. Make sure to show your best self tomorrow." His father advised. I can't do anything but to nod and agree. I just shut my mouth and waited for the dinner to end.
"Wake up earlier than usual tomorrow and good your best croissant. As they arrive, go to the kitchen and prepare a coffee for them...." My mother is instructing me, yet my brain is floating.
"Ma." I said sweetly as I held my mother's hands.
"What is it, sweetie?" Mother asked.
"Please help me convince father to cancel that visit." I begged my mother.
"Oh darling. Your father is already determined and set this up. Besides, this will happen tomorrow so we don't have enough time to cancel or postpone." My mother responded.
"But Ma..." I said as I begged her with teary eyes.
"I am not ready to face a married life." I continued.
"Rica. I and the other mothers in this village were also not ready when they got married, but we were able to learn as we experience the different spices of a married life." My Mother advised.
"Stop crying Rica. I bet you don't want to face other people with swollen eyes." My mother warned me. As I calmed down, mother continued instructing me on what to do. At that time, I tried to create schemes in my mind to sabotage the meeting.
