The Sixth Girl

Iter Natus Memor

"You refused everything we provided for you and our granddaughter up until now, Steven. I think this time, you have absoulutely no reason to reject what is ours and rightfully your daughter's blood and heritage to her only offspring," malamig na saway ng lola ko sa aking ama.

Inakbayan ng kalmado kong lolo ang kanyang son-in-law na kabaligtaran ang approach kesa sa lola ko, "Please be reasonable, dear son. Hindi na ito tungkol sa pera o material na bagay. This is about our heritage we are talking about. Our very existence as a family and our honor. To not bequeath to our granddaughter our lineage is denying the very existence of Silveria herself."

Napakurap naman si daddy at the mention of my departed mother's name. Never sa hindi pagkakasundo at hindi pagkakaunawaan ng aking mga grandparents ginamit ang panagalan ni mommy to justify their argument.

Just this time...

"You know full well that I will never besmirch or deny the honor of the woman who gave me the reason to continue living. I concede, honorable mother and father. I give my approval," buntong-hininga ni daddy at napatingin sya sa akin.

The way he looks at me, I know I am not the one he is thinking of. It is my mother and her dearest friend.

"I am glad you finally see things our way, my son," victorious na salita ni lola habang kalong si Raizon, ang anak ni Mystina na ngayon ay katabi si Momtie na tahimik na nanginginain ng mga biskwit at nahigop ng tsaa habang pinapanood ang paguusap nila lolo, lola at daddy na akala mo ay nanunuod lang ng exciting na teledrama, "I for one wouldn't let my beloved granddaughter stand beside the royal family members of the Tripartite Alliance Nations as a regular civilian. No, she will carry the title and all the honors of the Norweigian Aristocrat with it."

"It will do us no good if His Majesty, the King of Norway sees a woman from his Kingdom's Aristocracy marries the Baron of the Aristocratic Dukedom of Riksent without recognizing her connection to her country. Not only this will bring economic and diplomatic boons to our nation, it will also be a source of a strong alliance with dukedom," sabi ni lolo kay daddy sabay haplos sa aking buhok sabay halik sa aking ulo.

"A diplomatic marriage. Of course," napapailing na sagot ng aking ama.

"Exactly," sangayon ni Lola sabay tingin kay Momtie approvingly, "Sa totoo lang I prefer dealing with your sister, son. Mas madali syang kausap kesa sa iyo."

Napatawa naman ang nanay ni Mystina, "Pag nakita ko kasi na talo na ako ng rason, hindi na ako nanlalaban. Kay kuya kasi, walang mali o tama, basta iyon ang paninindigan nya, hindi yan susuko hanggang huli."

Napakamot ng ulo si Daddy sa sinabi ng kanyang kapatid.

"How about you, Mystina? May anak ka na, kailan mo naman balak kumuha ng asawa? I expect that you will get a man worthy of your mother's high standards," tanong ni Lola sa kapatid ko na napatawa na lang nervously as she sips her tea.

"Mukhang naliligaw pa rin po sya somewhere in the Pacific Ocean. Hindi ho ata uso ang signal sa kanila kaya hindi ko mapalhan ng google map app, Lola. Hayaan ninyo, balitaan ko kayo pag message successful na po," salag na sagot ni Mystina sabay tingin sa akin na parang nagmamakaawa na iligtas ko sya dahil very interested talaga si Lola sa kanya since mga bata pa kami.

She treated my sister as if her own granddaughter at unlike my very boring way of living. Source of enjoyment nya ang misadventures ni Mystina tuwing magkikita kami yearly at hindi ito natigil hanggat hindi nagsasawang sumagot si Mystina.

"Lola, I thank you and Lolo for getting here at a very short notice. Bigla kasing naisipan ni Drei na isabay sa Christmas gathering ng pamilya nya ang pamamanhikan," kuha ko sa atensyon ng matanda na successful naman.