On the night of the wedding, Awiyao goes to his and Lumnay’s house to personally invite her to the traditional wedding dance. However, Lumnay, the best dancer in the entire tribe, refuses to go. Then, during their conversation, it is revealed that both of them still love each other, but because of their tribe’s custom, they have to separate.

Awiyao goes back to the wedding, to the wedding dance, after being fetched by some friends. Lumnay wants to follow, partly because of the dance, and partly because she wants to put a stop to their tribe’s tradition of having to marry another partner just to have a child.. This tradition of having a child on their own to show about the the culture they have can affect the life of every person. If I were Lumnay I would gladly talk and encourage my co-tribe to change the culture about marrying another women just to have child on their own because it badly affects the life of an individual who cannot able to carry their own children.

When he checked Alumnay and Awiyao's house, he saw Alumnay holding tons of belongings.

Lakay rushed to Alumnay and grabbed her hand, Alumnay's eyes widened in shock that someone had caught her. 

Lakay then asked " Where are you going? Why do you have tons of baggage with you? Don't tell me you're leaving our tribe?"

"I must leave, I cannot handle seeing my beloved every single day living with another woman" Alumnay said in a calm tone.

"Then let me go with you. Listen, you have captivated me since we're young and I am ready to be there for you in times you need someone."

Alumnay is left speechless but after Lakay's countless pledges he finally convinced Alumnay to bring him with her. Lakay then packed his stuff and there, without anyone noticing, the two fade into the night. 

The tribe looked for the two's whereabouts but to no avail. Awiyao, knowing this, his heart sunk, he also searched and searched but gave up and decided that maybe it is for the better. 

4 years have passed, Awiyao already have 2 children with Madulimay, he is happy with his life but of course, he hasn't forgotten Alumnay, until one day, as Awiyao is working, he saw the villagers gathered by the entrance, curious, he joined in and squeezed through the people and there, he saw her, the most beautiful woman in his life. How could he forget that face? that beautiful long flowing hair, the smile that shines so bright that even gods would be dazzled by it, those big round eyes that he would stare at all day, it was Alumnay, without hesitation he ran and wrapped his arms around her. Alumnay was surprised and noticed, it was Awiyao. She softly patted Awiyao's back

"Where have you been? Why must you leave the tribe? I had countless sleepless nights wondering where you were?" Awiyao sobbed.

"I do not think I have any place in the village anymore but I apologize for it. I decided to go back for all of you are still my family."

"Mother, who is this man?" a small voice of a child interrupts.

"Oh, Awiyao, something miraculous just happened."

"Why Alumnay? Whose child is this? Surely not from our village" Awiyao asked, very confused

"...My child Awiyao. Even I could not believe it, but after a year with Lakay, I have fallen for him and...Kabunyan gifted me. It's a miracle!" 

"With Lakay? A child? Oh if only, if only we tried, waited! I am so sorry for not being a great husband! Can we go back to how it was? My heart still belongs to you!" Awiyao pleading.

"Sadly I cannot, my heart belongs to Lakay now." After hearing that, Awiyao felt numb, as if his world had shattered into pieces, all the "what-ifs" started to occupy his mind. Lakay then came and greeted Awiyao. Lakay proceeded on what had happened and still hugged Awiyao like a brother. They also told the villagers about everything then went to Alumnay's parent's house. Awiyao is left alone, astounded.

Dawn came and Awiyao sat by the river on the mountains where he and Alumnay had always spent their time together. Reminiscing, in deep sorrow that Alumnay does not love him anymore. He then felt a hand on his shoulder, it was Alumnay's.

"Can I sit with you?" Alumnay asked, which Awiyao nodded.

"Nothing's changed, even this mountain I still remember every part of it." Alumnay said.

“Only we changed,” Awiyao uttered.

“However, I am thankful for what we had and I will forever cherish it.” Alumnay implied.

“Me too. You have been a great wife although, I will still love you and your happiness is enough for me.”

The two shared a moment of silence. Alumnay then sat up and reached out her hand to Alumnay, ”May I have this last dance?” Alumnay asked with a soft smile on her face.

“Gladly,” Awiyao replied.

The two danced through the forest till sunrise for their last dance.

#folktalesinthe21stcentury.

"If prayers are true, then  please let me live with my love and sacrifice not be a waste. I want to grow as my own and see my love be in peace as he lives his own life with his new wife." She cried and fell down onto her knees finishing her prayer. 

She was determined to heal and despite the pain, her love for him made her want her one true love, Awiyao to live in peace and happiness.

Years passed enduring everything, working under sun, meeting new people, praying, and creating her own community of women who wanted to empower each other to create a new purpose for the whole world to see and realize. She saw new heights and a brighter future with these people because she realized that there was so much more outside to what life she lived before, Though her love for Awiyao did not even fade a single color in her heart. 

She continued. For love. Thoughts are rumbling, but she knows what she's doing. 

She arrived. 

"Why do men need to prove themselves 'worthy' by having a child?" She loudly asked. In the middle of the feast. 

"Should a woman only be deserving of love if she could bear a child?" 

"Shall the man and the woman be considered 'lovers' if they bear at least a fruit?" 

"Why? Why should it be like that?" 

"Should it be like this for the rest of women's lives? They're only getting married for the sake of bearing a child, not for love. You're only using the women for your name to get passed on. Inheritance!" 

"Dance at your own wedding. With the woman or man, you don't really love! 

"I am a woman! We are women. We do not simply exist in order for men to prove their worth by using women's bodies for their names and inheritance. All the years we had, you'd leave me like this." She said out of pain, not anger. 

Lumnay looked at Awiyao without the stars in her eyes. It was gone. Left and taken. The atmosphere of the feast became the dark side of the moon as she left.

She goes back to the mountain, with the harvests and bean pods. 

"None of this is right." She whispered while her tears drop. 

She did not go back to Awiyao as "he" did not fight for the love they have. As if the seven harvests were destroyed, Lumnay decided to go home. Leaving everything. 

She did not beg for love. In a glimpse, she finally knew what she deserved. A love both persons can fight for. A wedding dance with the person who is willing to fight for their loved one. Either it is between a woman and a man, a man and a man, or a woman and a woman. 

5 years later, they met. They finally met. Awiyao with his 3 children: 2 boys and a girl. He looks at Lumnay's eyes longing for another hug and touch. Waiting for her to come closer. Standing still for a simple greeting. He's staring at her as if he lost a whole universe. But, he did. He did lose her. He was about to approach. He almost did. His shoes were glued to the ground. His mouth was zipped, he couldn't open it. His hands were tied with the hands of his children. Almost. 

Lumnay suddenly looked at him, leaving him in shock. Lumnay smiled as if the spark between them remained. She walked excitedly, with giggles. With her cheeks as bright as a tomato. She is so excited to go. Awiyao let go of his children's hands. Ready for a warm embrace. They smiled. She continued walking until she ran. 

Little did he know, Lumnay's new loved one was waiting for her. Her new loved one was standing near Awiyao. Wearing a flowy skirt and a flowery top, with her silky hair swinging. 

Lumnay finally got to hug her loved one without boundaries, limitations, and worries. 

"I knew it was you, Mariya." 

His body couldn't move, only his tears dropped. He did lose a whole universe. But, Lumnay and her loved one, Mariya, did create a new universe together. Different, but irreplaceable. 

Lumnay and Mariya continued walking—but Awiyao was left all alone with his unhappy children.

#folktalesin21stcentury

But her feet were chained to the ground and her lips were sewn tight.

Then she heard cheering and laughter.

It was deafening, horrendous, painful;

Until someone tapped her shoulder.

“Miss, you mustn't  touch the gangsas.” 

#folktalesinthe21stcentury / dribble

Ain't nobody hurt you like I hurt you
But ain't nobody love you like I do
Promise that I will not take it personal, baby
If you're movin' on with someone new

She awakens in the hospital under the watch of Dr.Smith and Dr.Olivia, she then realized all of her wrong doings and started renewing and took penance in order to pay for what she has done to her loved one.

Lumnay taught her tribe that women are a crucial part of society as much as men & perhaps change is beneficial, as long as it can benefit everyone as a whole.

#folktalesinthe21stcentury

“please”..

“plea..”

regretting and blaming herself for everything. She throws the bean flowers she’s holding and started to destroy the bean plants. In the midst of her anger, in the mountain that was freezing cold and dark, a bright light appeared. For 10 seconds, the bright light was shining on the top of the destroyed bean plants and a heartbroken Lumnay. Lumnay stopped crying and looked up on the bright light and then she closes her eyes. As she closed her eyes, tears started to pour again, but this time it’s not an angry or sad tears but an acceptance of everything she lost and the acceptance she can start again. The bright light disappeared on the cold mountain, and a bright star begin to shine. Lumnay stared on the bright shining star for about an hour. While staring at the star, she felt something. Something moved inside her stomach. Her face came to a shock as she holds her stomach. She stood up and look over at the town, then smiles and turn her back.

#folktalesinthe21stcentury

#folktalesinthe21stcentury

Their love was truly as strong as a river. 

A periodic river. 

For even though the streams venture roughly, they can only flow during intervals.