Law's Christmas Day lunch

[My Man, how are you? I don't miss you. Hope you don't miss me as well. Goodnight!]

It was 11 PM. Mark has just exited the bathroom ready to sleep when he heard his ringtone specially set for his woman. After he read her message, his lips curved up. His love always uses reverse psychology. He knows she is just trying to fight her emotions. She missed him as well. His heart was flattered. She said goodnight which means she is also about to sleep. Will he call her or just text her?

He missed her voice. He was also eager to know how her talk with her parents ended. He dialled his favorite set of numbers.

Fem picked up the call almost immediately. She was whispering under her blanket worrying she might wake her siblings up. "Call me tomorrow Mark, I might wake these people up. Everyone is asleep." She whispered.

"Sweetheart, I'm just eager to hear from you. Are you okay? I know you missed me too. I'm missing you so much here. Can't wait to hold you in my arms." His seductive voice was followed by a sigh.

"Mark, please be a good boy and sleep. I miss you. We'll talk tomorrow. Call me anytime. Goodnight my man." Fem said. She heard him sigh and say 'I love you sweetheart.' before they ended the call.

.....

It was Christmas day. Greg Law's family stayed at home to enjoy their family reunion. Although they were not complete, most of his children were at home. The eldest has gone overseas, the second is married to the far eastern province. Grace being the third is here. Michael and Ysabel are away and the younger ones are all present except for Blessy who is staying with their aunt in a farther district. Grace, Trell and Fem made sticky rice cakes, fruit salad, steamed banana cakes, fried sweet potatoes and blanched vegetables. Niel and Greg roasted several chicken at the backyard. Of course, Mary Law didn't forget to bring out her specialty, the sweetest rice wine of all. She already made this months ago after Mark and Dan emptied one of the jars. This time she made seven medium jars but only brought out three which should be enough for all of them . The other four is reserved for the New Year celebration.

Nobody thought of buying presents as everything was abrupt. Fem felt bad that she didn't find time to buy presents for her parents and siblings although she had earned enough money for the past months. She shrugged the idea and thought of just giving it to them in cash.

Greg sent two of his younger kids to invite some of his elderly neighbors for small Christmas dinner. It was right to say that he is hosting a Christmas dinner but Greg was actually celebrating the coming home of his favorite daughter who graduated magna cum laude as an architect. He just didn't tell this to his family but he sure will boast this to his fellow community elders.

Truth be told, he was respected in the village and around the neighboring villages for his big family and how he handles his family well. His family was his pride and he cannot help but show off when he had visitors. His children would automatically listen to every word he says and obey him meekly. In a short perspective, Greg would be perceived as a tough and harsh disciplinarian father. Everyone of his children agree to this. However, as Fem grew and thought things over, she realized that their father's way was beneficial to them as children. His tough and harsh ways molded their hearts and minds in preparation for life time although the fear she felt needs more working out. Whenever Greg Law's children are mentioned, people would expect them to be highly disciplined and as smart as their father.

They had a 'boodle fight' hearty lunch altogether as a family. They spread banana leaves all over the long table which can accommodate a dozen people. If everyone was present, space wouldn't be enough for all of them. Others might need to find a seat around the fire place. They laid all the food on the banana leaves and circled around the for a prayer of thanksgiving. Greg prayed for the meal. He sat at the far end while Mary at the opposite end. The children sat at the sides in their birth order.

While they were having a happy lunch, Fem's cellphone rang in the corner where it was being charged. Greg looked at his daughter and stopped chewing as if he was reminded of something. Fem felt her stomach churning again in nervousness. She put down the food she was about to shove into her mouth while pushing her chair to stand up.

"Excuse me Papa, I'll check who's calling." She said rising from her seat.

"If it is Mark, give the phone to me." Greg said. Fem blushed upon hearing her father's words.

Indeed it was Mark. She remembered she told him last night to call her anytime today.

"Mark, hi. We're having lunch now. Come and join us!" She stopped chewing her food, wiping off her mouth with her other hand.

"Thanks sweetheart, I've just ordered my food. I'm here at the table we sat before. Wish you were here." Mark deep and seductive voice stopped Fem's mind. How does he do that? He easily shifts the tone of his voice.

"Papa said he wants to talk to you now. Can I pass the phone to him? ... You have no choice anyway, haha!" Fem laughed nervously as she scratched her shoulder. She unplugged her phone that was still charging and approached her father.

"Pa, it's Mark." Then handed the phone to Greg who didn't even finish his food, took the phone, stood up and went outside to talk to the man. Fem went back to her seat.

Papa must have walked far since nobody can hear his voice. Why does he have to hide? Fem wondered.

After about fifteen minutes, Greg came back to the dining table, gave back the already silent phone to his daughter then proceeded to continue his food.

Fem took the phone in bewilderment She arched her brows over her food, gave a smug smile as she silently chewed her food. She waited for her father to say something.

"Aren't you going to ask me something, you little kid?" Fem suddenly heard her father ask. She looked at her father whose eyes were on her. She saw a little bit of laughter in his eyes.

"It doesn't make sense to me why you hide your conversation then ask me to ask you. Mama, don't you think Papa is selling me away?" Fem diverting her gaze to her mother out of respect. She didn't want that her mother was always silent. Her siblings were just busy with their food. They naturally have their own thoughts but it was not time to interrupt.

"If he sells you, then that will be good for me since he will give me all the money." Mary rode on the humor.

Fem was taken aback by her mother's wit. She didn't know she also had her share of a joke.

"For how much Papa?" Fem slowly said after munching on her mother's words.

"I didn't say that. I thought you're smart enough to have figured out the plan." Greg insinuated.

Does this mean they will carry out the wedding immediately regardless of whom she chooses? Fem looked at her parents who were sitted at opposite ends of the table to and fro. Being the seventh, and the first four not around, she was seated 3rd from her father's right hand side.

" I think Papa asked him to come over." Trell remarked.

"You'll be married in no time then." Niel smiled like a goat showing his even white teeth. Fem saw it as an annoying smile and elbowed her brother who was next to her.

"We'll, I think your wedding was planned long ago, it's just that the man is changed." Grace spilled out exactly what Fem was thinking.

"Does that mean, you cannot pay my rent for the next whole year again?" Niel's face wasn't sure if he was just teasing or feigning worried.

"Why will you get married elder Fem? We've not yet graduated from school!" Hannah, the youngest biological sibling commented.

The youngest sister is actually the eldest's daughter but was adopted by Greg as his own since she was born out of wedlock and her father was irresponsible. This was the reason Greg feel anxious everytime her daughters go away. He cannot help but worry about what kind of men his daughters will meet.

"You people, you're making me sick! Why does it seem to be always me? Where are the others? " Fem started to flare. Why do these people expect too much from her? Although it might be just a joke but assessing her siblings' capabilities, there's a big chance that they will suck her up if she always showed her soft heart to them.

"Enough, enough! That's enough!" Mary exclaimed, sensing that her 7th daughter was feeling pressured. The topic was going farther away from what her husband was trying to say.

Fem remembered their arrangement with Stanley. He will be coming over tomorrow with his parents. This will be a great talk between elders and them as the betrothed ones.

"Pa, Ma, Stanley and his parents will come tomorrow by the way. We agreed on this yesterday. We will talk about this later. I need to talk to Mark right now." Fem excused herself from the dining table and hurried outside leaving everyone around the table enjoying the food.