"You know..." She started. "The problem with you is that you do not embrace your uniqueness. You have talked so much about how you want to achieve a lot of things and build a great empire for your future family. For someone with such lofty dreams, your mentality is not cool." She lectured. "You do not appreciate your uniqueness. Look at yourself." She ordered, and I did. "How many girls have you come across with this exact same hair color as yours?" I didn't want to enter a long debate with her because I had come across quite a number, so I just remained quiet. "Your silence says it all. You are beautiful my sweet little sister. Embrace it!"

"You know, you should refrain from having these kinds of arguments with your sister." We turned back to see my mom standing by the door, looking unimpressed.

"I wonder what her obsession with her hair color is. Moreover, there's more to life than the color of one's hair. It pains me when you waste your time trying to convince Bianca that her hair is beautiful. She'd probably stop bothering about her hair color when her papa sends me packing out of his house, under the allegations of infidelity." Mama had laughed, but her words had gotten to me more than she imagined. All she had said was the truth. I had to stop worrying over this. It never did nothing for me by the way. "Enough of this talk. Amara, you definitely do not want to be late. Everyone is ready and waiting for you." Mama grinned and I had an idea why. "Carlos is here as well." She added. I thought as much. I watched as Amara blushed a bright pink and looked down shyly. Her fiance had come all the way from Florence just to be with her today. That was really sweet.

"When did he get here?" She asked.

"Over an hour ago."

"And you didn't say anything?" She said disapprovingly, making mama sigh tiredly.

"Calm down. You were not yet dressed at the time." I reasoned. "Moreover, he isn't running away. He'd spend the entire day with you." I smiled.

I was happy that my sister could finally love the man she wanted so freely. My sister's love story was a very interesting one, but let's save it for another day. Right now, it was time to go to the convocation arena.

"Can we get going now?" She asked impatiently. In a way, I knew sixty percent of her reasons for suddenly being hasty was to see Carlos.

"Of course. We have nothing more to wait for." Mama concurred with a knowing smile. "Let's go!" She waved for us to follow her and we did in a straight file. "Bianca, I don't want to catch sight of a scarf or hat on your hair. Let that hair breathe!" I saw that coming. Feeling unauthorized to cover my hair like I would have loved, I begrudgingly followed behind. Halfway through, I realized I had forgotten my lip balm behind and quickly hurried back inside to get it. I always found it difficult to be out without it. I hated chapped lips. Like I literally couldn't stand it! I took my lip balm and rushed to meet up with my mom and sister. Getting to the living room, I saw everyone completely dressed and ready to leave. All except my cousin; Mila.

"Mila?" I called and she turned to look at me with a small smile gracing her features. "Why are you still in your casual clothes? It's already time."

"Sweetie, your cousin wouldn't be attending the convocation ceremony along with you guys."

"Along with 'we guys'? I assume you wouldn't be coming as well."

"Of course. Someone needs to stay back with zucherro." That was what mama called my cousin.

"But why is she even staying back? Mila looks strong enough to me." I pouted, not wanting to go without Mila.

"She insisted on making dishes for the celebration today." Mama muttered, looking slightly annoyed. "I do not know why she is so hellbent on doing such strenuous work in her condition."

"Aunt..." Mila gave a side smile. "It's Amara's big day and this is the best I can do for her." If I was being honest, everyone knew Mila was extremely gifted when it came to cooking. My mouth already watered as I imagined the kind of dishes she was gonna make today. But then, she was heavily pregnant and wasn't supposed to be stressing this much.

"But I wasn't complaining." Amara sighed.

"Neither am I. Think of it as a prenatal excercise." Mila grinned mischievously. "Enjoy your day guys." She said, automatically dismissing us, to the dismay of my parents, and walking away.

"She just always has her way." My papa grumbled.

"I heard you loud and clear, uncle." Mila yelled as she walked away.

"I said nothing!" Papa denied, looking at mom and chuckling in guilt. "Please take care of her my love." He looked down at mama and bent to give her a chaste kiss on the lip. Whenever I looked at my parents, I wished I could recreate what they shared, with a special someone out there.

"Of course, Tesoro." She nodded. "Alright, you all should get going already." Mama said, already tired of seeing us waste more time. At this rate, Amara was gonna be late for her thing. Carlos." She called. "Drive safely."

"Who said he was driving?" Papa queried with a boyish scowl.

"I said so." Mama replied with her hands akimbo, giving him no room for arguments.

He turned and walked to the door, grumbling words that sounded like 'she's now quick to pick him over me.' I looked at Carlos and Bianca to see them giggling between themselves. It was always that way when your papa was begrudgingly giving you in marriage because he no longer had the liberty of making decisions for you. Amara and Carlos had fought tooth and nail to be together. It's so amusing how we all are here together, happy, when Carlos had almost lost his life trying to propose to Amara only 3 months ago. That was one funny, but scary incident. I waved at my mama and joined the rest of my family out of the house. The ride to the convocation arena was a sadly short one. I always loved to stay in moving vehicles as long as possible. I didn't know why though, but it had been a habit ever since I could comprehend things. Feeling unsatisfied with our trip, I stepped out of the car together with my family, and proceeded into the large hall. The entire space was so full. Navy blue hats of the convocating students designed the entire hall.