VANGUARDIA

For the Greater Good (Finale Part 1)

Regina's POV

There's a knock, followed by my mother's voice, "Regina, anak?"

I opened the door and there she was, holding a box. She gave me a smile, it doesn't reach her eyes, though.

"Ano po iyan?" I asked as I let her in.

"Eto isuot mo, anak." She laid down the box on the table, opened it and put up the dress to show me.

It is a long flowy dress. It is plain white accented with embroideries of Vanguardia symbols: crescent moon, wind, fire and flowers. It is a traditional Vanguardia dress that we wear during the annual festival of the moon. The moon is the source of our being and power. The wind, fire, and flowers, in order, signifies the hierarchy of that power.

New moon may be the most relevant phase for us Vanguardia, but this festival is held every December when it is full. The reason is simple, because for thousands of years, we suffer at new moon so how can we celebrate? Today is supposed to be the first new moon without suffering but who knows.

"Wala naman pong pagdiriwang at isa pa.. hindi naman sakin yan." I said as I caressed the wind symbol. As a lifegiver, my dress should only have the moon and flowers in it. "Ang lahat ng simbolo, sinusuot ng pinuno ng mga Vanguardia hindi ba?"

My mom shrugged her shoulders, "Tama ka, ngunit iba ang pagkakataon ngayon, nasa katauhan mo ang kapangyarihan ng buwan, At isa pa, sinasabi nila na mas nakakapang-akit daw ng enerhiya ito."

I smirked. Katulad na mga tao, mayroon din kami mga pamahiin. "Damit lang ito e." I said, confident that my mother will not get offended as she is also not into those beliefs. I'd like to say that she is quite modern.

My mom laughed. "Isuot mo na at baka magalit ang guro nyo. Tigas pa rin ng ulo mo, Regina."

"Anak mo ako e." I said as she handed me the dress.

Nagpalit ako ng damit habang nandyan siya.

"Natatawa ako kay Narda." Kwento niya habang tinutulungan niya ako sa damit ko.

"Hmm?"

"Halos lumuhod na ata kahihingi ng paumanhin, e binibiro ko lang naman siya. Pero nangako siya ha, pagkatapos daw nito, papakasalan ka daw ulit nya para mahatid daw kita sa altar. Ano bang altar ang sinasabi nun? Wala naman tayo altar dito."

I did not answer her question. I just laughed and shook my head.

Humarap ako sa kanya at hinawakan nya ako sa braso. "Masaya akong natagpuan mo sya, anak."

Her eyes glistened in tears, so I hugged her.

"Kapag kasama mo siya, ang saya saya mo. Natutuwa ako at nasaksihan ko yun." She whispered in my ear.

She made me cry this time. This might be our supposed to be mother-daughter moment before the wedding but here we are.

"I'm sorry, I am not that present. I promise you that something will change after this. I promise. I love you, mom."

"Hay naku, okay lang yun anak. Ang mga Vanguardia, hindi naman talaga tayo ganyan. At tsaka baka itinakda ka naman talaga sa mundo ng mga tao. Pero kung madalas tayo magkikita sa mga susunod e matutuwa naman ako. O sya, ayan, pinaiyak na kita." She said habang pinupunasan nya luha ko.

I nodded and looked down on my dress.

"Nakapang-tradisyunal na damit din sila Ali?" I randomly asked to change the topic. Men have their version of white longsleeves shirt and pants embroidered with the same symbols.