Part XVII

"The Doomsday has finally arrived", it's a day of our family reunion, where we have meals with our extended families, and spend the whole day at our maternal grandma's house, kind of like Thanksgiving, this reunion marks the establishment of Elizabeth family's legacy which started back in the year 1959 with my grandma abandoning her old name Akito Takahashi and starting a new life as Sarah Elizabeth. Akito was born in an orthodox Japanese joint family, she used to live with her parents, elder and younger uncle, and their family. As a girl in an orthodox family, she went through many injustices that a woman faces throughout her life, her father hated her for being a girl, she had restrictions and her parents never understood her passion for football, they found it unladylike and tried every possible way to force her change her passion towards something which is for 'women'.

During that era, Japan didn't have an official women's football team, most of the time girls used to have football as physical education in school but my grandmother dreamed of becoming part of a professional football team, taking that dream in mind she went ahead cutting her hair short and wearing her cousin's clothes to take part in a professional men football team that was supervised by her friend, wearing baggy clothes her female figure was not much visible except for her short height. She kept her family in the dark regarding her football career, which was a bold move. She did get corporal punishment for cutting her hair without her parents' knowledge but that didn't stop her from getting what she wanted, she always felt trapped inside that jail in the name of family, she was getting suffocated like a bird inside a cage and wanted to set free.

The opportunity came when she met Grandpa in 1959, she was 16 at that time, and her parents were already thinking about arranging her marriage. It was an international football match against England, my maternal grandfather was the captain of England's team, he is an orphan and grew up without a surname, it was love at first sight for him, he knew right away that the striker of the opponent team was actually a girl, he fell for grandma harder than anything but 'how to convey his love for her?' She didn't understand English, and he didn't know Japanese, language and Nationality stood as a barrier in front of them, Akito thought Harry mocked her in his language while Harry felt helpless, and ended up kissing her in front of the public, only to be caught by her father and cousin brother. Grandpa got beaten up by them and Grandma was dragged back to her house, not only did they catch her kissing a foreigner but also found out her secret.

That day she got beaten and locked up in her room, without food and water, they wanted to marry her off but the words spread like wildfire, finally after keeping her isolated for two days, they kicked her out of the house, disowning her, she sat on the street crying helplessly, the mental and physical abuse gave her trauma, she didn't know where to go and how to survive, she didn't even have spare clothes or money to fulfill her basic necessities, but someone was waiting for her, it was grandpa, even after being beaten up, he waited outside her house for two nights to make sure she is alright, being a foreigner in a country with a completely different culture and practices, he couldn't do much except for waiting, his teammates choose to leave him behind and return to England after witnessing his stubbornness, he didn't mind dying if it meant Akito was safe, so he kept on waiting until he noticed that she got disowned by her family. From there on a new journey began for Akito and Harry, as they rented a small apartment using Harry's money that he earned by competing in various competitions.

Grandma abandoned her old identity and like phoenix got reborn from her ashes, Grandpa choose to settle in Japan just for her, they struggled a lot together trying to rebuild their career, from scratch, they started as couches in elementary school and raise to National team couches, they held a small wedding in February 1961 after they discovered Grandma was pregnant with my mom in her womb, my mother brought them the happiness that they were struggling to have, a happy family, but life got even harder with another mouth to feed, so they made proper plans before having their second child 10 years later. By the time Aunt Diana was born, they have already stabilized their finance and brought their own home. They were already famous and earning enough to raise their family with luxuries.

We reached the ancestral home (Grandma's house is our ancestral home because our family history starts from here) at 11:00 AM, Mother was already there since early morning helping Grandma prepare meals, Father stood outside the gate hesitating as he moved his left hand over his hair, and held a gift package in his right hand.

Douglas: How do I look? (he said looking at us, he always feels nervous whenever he visits our maternal grandparents, he wants to leave a good impression even after so many years of marriage)

Me: Like a monkey trying to act sophisticated. (I said with a blunt expression as he pulls my cheek hard due to embarrassment) Ouch….you can hurt the truth but you can't hide the reality.

My siblings tried suppressing their laughter trying their best not to hurt our poor father's emotions. My father always faced a hard time getting approved by my maternal grandma, firstly he is an American and you know the dark history between Japan and America, secondly, in her eyes, he is just a rich brat with bitch mother, but even after such odds, she approved of him for mother's happiness, and because he helped mother come out of her toxic relationship. Grandma gave Father one chance to stand on his own feet and get his career as a football coach, Dad grabbed the chance and now he has his own team playing at the district level, and if they are lucky enough they will be able to represent the National level. He also trains children at various schools though our mother earns much more than him. I even heard that when paternal grandma was giving a hard time to dad and forcing him to return home against his wishes, it was maternal grandma who stood up for him and gave that bitch some piece of her mind.

Sarah: (Maternal grandma stood in front of the house door frowning at father) Can't do one job right can you? I specifically asked you to be on time this year. (She said frustrated) Anna is working in the kitchen since morning and you are showing up now? Go and take care of your guests, anyways you are useless in the kitchen.

Douglas: M-Mother…it's not my fault….these kids were taking their own time to get ready. (He says trying to protest against the charges placed on him)

Sarah: Don't blame your incompetency on my poor grandchildren (she spoke in Japanese, and my grandmother has the habit of speaking in Japanese whenever she is angry or needs to scold someone, she says nothing is better than expressing your emotions in your native language)

Douglas: (he whines like a puppy as his face drops) B-BUT….

Sarah: No buts….go and take care of your American relatives, and don't even sneak inside the kitchen and disturb my poor daughter….she has grown slim taking care of your sorry ass. (She says while grabbing my hand and leading us inside the house)

Apparently, I am the favorite grandchild of my maternal grandparents, and somewhat enjoy the special treatment that I get during the family gathering at least from their side. I mean why not? After all the neglect I face from my own parents, this much is something I deserve. Unfortunately, not everyone agrees with me on this matter, well technically only two people like the attention I receive from them on this day, the first person is of course my Hitler father, and the second is my maternal aunt. Diana (Maternal Aunt) came running towards us as she hugged Angela affectionately while glaring at me, I rolled my eyes walking towards Grandpa to avoid getting into an argument with Diana.

Diana has a prejudice, rather hatred towards Elder siblings, being 10 years younger than our mother, by the time she was born, our mother was already going through football training under maternal grandmother. Unlike our mother, Diana didn't have inborn talents for football but she tried her best going through daily practices to perfect herself, but still not enough to impress my grandmother who was too focused on her favorite elder daughter. Diana turned bitter as she grew up, and turned against mother, she constantly threw tantrums and competition and failed to understand my mother's concerns towards her. My mother always blamed herself for Diana's sorrow, and tried her best to become a better mother than grandma by showing more love to her youngest child and always taught me to be a selfless elder sister…. Pathetic… you can never be a good parent by showing unconditional love towards one child just because of your childhood trauma...

Somehow my aunt's frustration kept on increasing over the years, and she started her 'elder sister hate club', except for hating elder siblings (mostly sisters) she is a physical education instructor in a nearby school and a desperate single at the age of 31, she is jealous of my mother's married life and success in career, and soon it turned towards me.

Diana: Oh my dear Angela!... Are you getting bullied by your sister again? (She says in a dramatic tone) You can share with your aunt all your problems, unlike your mother, I will listen to your problems (she said while hugging Angela tightly as she felt suffocated).

Angela: Auntie….you killing meeeee….(she said trying to break free from the chocking hug)

Grandpa was sitting on the couch in the living room and peacefully sipping his tea, I sat beside him wondering how can someone be so much unbothered with their surroundings and maintain their inner peace on a battlefield? 'Maybe the secret lies in the tea? Is it mixed with alcohol?' Grandpa has always been an odd one out in the family, his brown hair is white now because of age, but his brown eyes still shine brightly, his white skin is filled with wrinkles, and he passed his good looks to both of his daughters. He has a simple mantra to peace, he pretends that he doesn't understand Japanese, whenever grandma scolds him and stays away from drama pretending that he has hearing issues, once my mother jokingly told us, that when our father was about to get married to our mother, grandpa wished him luck, saying unlike him, father can't even pretend to not understand Japanese, cause my mother speaks English fluently. He is sweet and charming, he always tried to be a good father and husband, he raised his daughters to be independent and strong women, and was always beside grandma through the ups and downs of life.

I felt a bad omen as I looked at the other end of the room, each year from my father's side his cousin visits along with his family, his wife and son hate us for being from a middle-class family, and try their best to look down upon our family, after Linda (paternal grandmother) took over Smith real estate business, the branch family lost all their rights on the business, father's cousin works as a secretary for Mrs Smith which makes his wife think that he has a chance of becoming a heir now that father is out of the picture.

Charlie: (he walked towards me with a mischievous grin) Mom, poor people can't even afford a proper outfit? Look at this clown wearing her elder brothers' clothes. (laughs while looking at his mother)

Isabella: (with an air of superiority she crosses her legs frowning) Charlie, how many times have I taught you to be respectful towards poor people? What better can she learn from her vulgar mother?

Me: (I bite my lower lip trying to hold back my anger) This outfit is mine, not my brothers' old clothes…and please refrain from insulting my mother, we are much more stable financially than you people.

Isabella: Is this what your mother taught you? Disrespecting elders! (her screams startled everyone as my mother came out of the kitchen worried) Anna! Ask your daughter to apologize or else we won't visit from next year onward!!

Anna: What's going on? Please calm down, am sure Anne didn't mean any harm…(she looked at me helplessly)

I stood up from the coach frustrated, for mother's sake, I can't let this get out of hand, I need to lower my self-esteem just for today. I was about to apologize when Father grabbed my arm, his facial expressions looked confusing, he was furious, unlike other times, his eyes looked at me with kindness and disappointment at the same time.

Douglas: I don't remember teaching you to be so pathetic. (He says in a disappointed tone)

Me: I-I am apologising! What else do you want?! (I said frustrated)

Douglas: I never raised you to be pathetic enough to bow your head to assholes and let them walk all over you, if you keep on doing this over matters where the fault isn't even yours, you would die like a street dog at the side of the road. A woman should hold her head high with pride instead of lowering herself with shame just because of societal pressure, it's alright to apologize for your faults but that doesn't mean to show yourself as a weakling when you are being trampled on without any reason. (He looks at Isabella then at Uncle Henry) is this how you are raising your son?

Isabella: (she gulps her spit, she was always scared of my father, her obese body trembled in fear but her voice became louder due to her arrogance) WHO ARE YOU TO QUESTION OUR TEACHINGS!! WHEN YOU ARE A FAILURE YOURSELF!! YOU LEFT YOUR OLD MOM TO FULFILL YOUR LUST OVER A SLUT!

Both my father's and my face hardened at the same time hearing the word 'slut' My brothers were ready to beat her up but didn't step forward knowing father can handle the situation well, Grandma took mother upstairs so that she doesn't need to face such humiliating situation, Angela followed them. Diana frowned at the chaos as she clicked her tongue in a criticizing manner. The reunion was already ruined and it was our duty to make sure it doesn't get any worse, Grandpa sipped his tea peacefully trusting his son-in-law to teach those bullies a good lesson.

Douglas: Henry…come here. (He says staring at uncle coldly, as uncle stood in front of him, he punched Uncle's face hard, blood came out of his nose) Be grateful that I love you as my own brother, or else I wouldn't have hesitated to break your bones. Citizens aren't allowed to use guns in Japan (he says while looking at Aunt Isabella while making his fingers like a gun and pointing at her) Henry, as your elder brother, I will give you a valuable lesson today, it's really important to teach men when they are children to be respectful towards women if you don't, they may end up in jail someday if I didn't respect women, your wife would have been turned into meatball by now, hopefully, you would control your family better the next time we meet, also, no need to visit family reunion from now on, you are banned from entering my in-laws' house after you insulted my beloved wife and daughter, hope you understand. (He says with authority)

Henry: (he looks down embarrassed) Yes, brother….

Henry grabs the arms of his wife and son walked out of the house and apologized before leaving, this is the first time that my father stood up for me against injustice instead of putting me down, somewhere I felt happy like a small kid… I wanted to hug him tightly and thank him, but 'Do we even have that kind of relationship?',

Douglas: I apologize for creating such a nuisance on a happy occasion. (He said while feeling guilty)

Diana: (she clicked her tongue while giving a sarcastic look) Not a big deal, brother-in-law, this happens every year, and particularly for two people (she says while looking at me before walking off)

I knew that wasn't the end of it, and am glad at the same time disappointed that my thoughts became a reality at the dining table when Diana opened her mouth again and choose to pour oil into the fire. We were sitting at Dinning table and praying for the food, Diana looked at Mother and laughed softly.

Diana: Anna….how does it feel to be the center of drama each year? (She says while grabbing her chopsticks) To be honest, if I was in the shoes of Mom, I would have disowned you by now.

Sarah: Diana! Shut your mouth… (she says in a dangerous tone)

Anna: It's fine mother…Diana isn't wrong…and she is just a child please forgive her. (She says while trying to calm Grandma)

Seriously? Just a child? A woman in her 30s is being referred to as a child who always causes chaos and misunderstanding in the family.

Diana: (she makes a low grunting sound as she glares at mother) Again with that melodrama of being the perfect child, I am tired of your acting….hey Angela, beware of your elder sister, your mother might have taught her great acting skills. (She laughs while pouring herself Sake)

Me: Why are you bringing her into your mess? (my jaw hardens as I looked at her)

Diana: Shut up! Don't disrespect your elders! (She sips her alcohol) Did your mother teach you to disrespect?!

Me: Give respect take respect. (I said smirking)

Diana: YOU BRAT!! (She was about to throw the glass at my face but Angela guarded me)

Angela: stop bullying my mother and elder sister, I hate you! (She says while tearing up)

Anna: Kids…go back home, it's an adult matter, don't interfere. Leo, King take them home and don't discuss this matter again (she sighs rubbing her forehead)

Diana looked heartbroken after hearing Angela's words and stormed out of the dining hall with alcohol bottles, Leo and King kept on glaring at Angela for some reason but they didn't speak regarding it, I consoled Angela after we returned home and the matter ended for that day.

That night I heard Father speaking with Linda over the phone, I don't know the exact context but something like 'She will grow up to become what she wants, so stop interfering in our life, if I see you near my family again, I will destroy you even though you are my mother.'

To be continued....