On The Wedding Dance

The Wedding Dance is a short story written by Republic Cultural Heritage Awardee Amador T. Daguio.

It asks: Which is important- the survival of a society or the happiness of the individual.

This story has made me feel bad. I am a pulp romance novel nut that is why I try to avoid stories that actually reflect life.

I was unable to escape this one though. I had a feeling it would hurt but sometimes, we do tend to have our sadomasochistic moments.

This story featured two couples, Awiyao and Lumnay, who loved each other so much. Unfortunately, Lumnay was unable to give Awiyao a child that would carry on his name in their tribed. Despite his love, he had to set aside his wife to find a woman who can give him a son.

The story starts with Awiyao looking for his wife who had hidden herself in their home. The tribe was supposed to be celebrating the wedding of Awiyao to this other woman and Awiyao wanted Lumnay to be at the dance to prove that everything was alright with her.

Lumnay could not go. I mean, how can a man ever ask a woman who loved him so much to watch his wedding feast with another woman?

Awiyao explains his side. Which was really silly and did not really make sense to me (hey, I am a modern woman and I think those kind of things suck). He told Lumnay how much he loved her and how he appreciated her. He said that it was not his fault and that Lumnay should not blame him (Hello? Who can force you to do things you don’t want to do?)

His reason: “It is only that a man must have a child. Seven harvests is just too long to wait. Yes, we have waited too long. We should have another chance before it is too late for both of us.”

Right!

Another stupid line: “I do this for the sake of the tribe.” Bah!

Lumnay accepted what he said. (I would never have been as kind and understanding. I would have demanded for a settlement. I mean, I wasted seven harvest, whatever is its equivalent, for the jerk. We are both in that ugly situation and he would just leave me like that?)

When Awiyao offered the house and the fields, she refused because she said she would not want to have anything to do with them anyway.

All she asked for were the beads Awiyao gave her when he asked for her hand in marriage.

So now, Lumnay had to go back to parents and Awiyao would build a life with his new wife.

He did say that if it was not a fruitful union, he would leave his wife and die with Lumnay. I hoped he never bore a child.

I guess Lumnay consoled herself with the expensive beads which, for her, was the sign of Awiyao’s love for her.

Pipz. Just read the story. It was pretty amazing. And yes, I felt frustrated for Lumnay and sad for Awiyao.

He accepted his tribes idea that to become a man, one must have offsrpings. Did he not know that to be called a man, you must be strong enough to stand and fight for your principles and your loved ones? Even if the one you really have to fight is yourself?

Adel, read it if you haven't yet.