An Alternative Ending of "The Wedding Dance" by Amador Daguio

The Wedding Dance by Amador Daguio is probably one of the saddest short story I have ever read. It follows the story of two lovers, Awiyao and Lumnay, who were forced to separate because of an existing tradition in their tribe, that a man must have an heir to inherit their wealth. Even if they love each other and have already been married for a couple of years, Awiyao had to marry a different girl in order to conceive a child. Lumnay was then left alone by his husband, miserably witnessing his impending marriage to another.  The story was a cliffhanger and did not have a satisfying ending. But if I were to write an alternative ending, this is how it would turn out.

Lumnay went to the hills and cried, lamenting the marriage of her husband to another. She cried and cried until she fell asleep in the woods. She woke up late in the morning the following day, stayed lying on the ground, not having an energy left to attend the wedding of Awiyao. Back in the tribe, the villagers were getting ready for the wedding of the Awiyao, the village women were preparing the feast for the wedding. Awiayao, on the other hand, was still thinking of Lumnay. He still could not believe that tomorrow, he would be sleeping in the arms of another. He felt like he could not wake up in the morning and not see Lumnay next to him. And so, he looked for Lumnay. He asked the village people, if they had seen her, but no one had seen Lumnay since the dance last night. Awiayao became extremely worried for her. However, his father told him to settle down and to prepare for his wedding. He warned Awiayao of the consequences if he ran away from his bride and insist in having Lumnay as his wife. He emphasized that it will not only Awiyao and Lumnay who will suffer, but their whole clan. So, the helpless Awiayao got married and commited himself to another in hopes to bear an heir. Months have passed, no one have seen Lumnay in the village. Villagers did not seem to care about her disappearance for she is considered worthless. It was only Awiayao, who did not forget about her. A year had passed, Awiyao finally succeeded in having an heir – a son - and the whole village celebrated, but still no Lumnay appeared. She vanished into thin air until everyone forgot about her.

Years and years passed, in the 18^th birthday of his son, a big celebration was held in the village. Everyone was invited including clans from different tribe. Awiayao, saw a young lady of about 16 years of age, who came with the neighboring tribe. She was talking to his son, both of them enjoying their conversation. He thought that the young lady looked so familiar, that sparked in her eyes, the way her face radiates when she smiles, everything looked like the girl who got away. And few meters away from this girl, there she stood – his Lumnay.