The place went silent. Master Yamato, who always kept his cool, was visibly shaken!
"What!!, dad, uncle no! I was drunk! I told you!," Mickey tried to explain.
But Vini's demeanor was cold. He seemed to completely ignore what Mickey was saying.
Instead, he slowly turned to Sarah, who was standing with her two daughters, and said, "please, I am sorry for ruining your day. This holiday was meant to be fun, but it seems things are getting messy with time. I promise to correct every mess."
His face displayed remorse and regret. He then turned to Vanny in particular and bowed once. This was a very alarming gesture in their culture. A man, rather an older man to bow down to a lady, even a younger lady, was, to sight, a great loss of reputation, yet here Vini Liko was, the head of the Liko family, literally losing it all to a young lady, whom Mickey had offended.
"Uncle, no!," Mickey tried to stop him, but he cast him an angry intimidating side eye. Then, Vini said to Vanny, "my daughter, I cannot turn back the shame caused on you by my family, but please, accept my apologies and forgive my family. As the head of the Likos, I ask you to forgive me!"
Matt and master Yamato were dumbfounded by what the leader of the Liko family had just done in their presence and in the presence of so many people. The invited friends of the Liko family were moved by how Vini had handled the matter.
After saying that, Sarah and her two daughters kneeled down and as a way to respect elders and also accept apologies. Then Vanny said, "dad, it's okay! You didn't do anything wrong! We are moved by your gesture of humility and not only that, but also how your have laid down everything for the reputation of your family!"
Then Vini turned to Mickey, who had seen how serious the situation was, and demanded, in a cold tone, "are you going to apologize to the lady you offended with your nasty behavior or not?"
Mickey didn't say a word, but like a child before an angry fearsome father, he bowed his head twice; then in a trembling tone, and face looking down, he apologetically spoke out; "Miss Vanny, I regret my actions and I can soberly say that they were nasty and indecent. I can't take back my offense but I promise to never do anything foolish like that in the future! My apologies!"
He then turned to Vini and said, "dad, I have let you down! You cautioned me about alcoholism but I didn't pay much attention, and here has it brought me. I apologize for my evil manners and the reproach I have brought to the family. Please dad, I ask you to find a place in your heart to forgive me."
Thirdly, he turned to his cousin, Matt who was standing cross armed face down. He called him and said, "brother!" Then Matt's heart raced, not knowing what Mickey was going to say.
"You've always been there for me and you have always protected me. But today I offended you and you had to respond brutally. I don't blame you, I was foolish in my words. I will always look up to you as my big brother, as I have always done! But from you also, I ask if you will find mercy in your heart, for me; please forgive me for my evil words, I ashamed you!"
Lastly, he turned to the family friends that had come for the celebrations and vacation.
"Master Yamato, Mrs Liko (talking about Fatmah), madam Sarah, and everyone here, I regret every action and word of mine that has brought us to this grievous time of the day. It was a time to celebrate, but I ruined it. This is not how the Liko family behaves, and neither is it the way we were brought up. I was selfish in my words and actions, and I ashamed the Likos. In the future, I vow to be cautious with my actions. And as a Liko, please forgive me! Don't close a door for me in the future! I apologize."
There was a long silence that was broken by one of the family friends, who said, "that, right there was maturity and discipline! Young man, you're now grown up!"
Some women were overcome by emotions and were tearing, yet others were shaking their heads in approval.
"The Likos deserve their respect!," some man said, loud enough for many of the people to hear.
But they were all silenced by what Vini Liko said next; "in the future, as long as you are a Liko, women must be treated with the same respect as men. Disrespect to any family member will lead the offender to being disowned and rejected by the family. He shall also be prohibited from using any of the family's assets, and neither will he be able to enjoy any of the family benefits! Any friend who will help such a one, will have cut ties with the Liko family! Am I clear?"
He spoke with such seriousness as has never been traced in his life before! His voice was so commanding, which surprised almost everyone but most especially, Matt, Mickey and master Yamato, who always knew him as a simple man.
All the Likos including Sarah, Fatmah and Vanny, responded in unison, bowing their heads down, and said, "yes sir!"
The family friends bowed their head in agreement, and nobody dared to object the rule passed.
"Alright, let the celebrations commence! Hahahaha..!" Vini Liko shouted with joy, immediately dropping his angry face for his usual happy demeanor.
Everyone was confused for a moment, and some even thought all what he did before was a joke!
But master Yamato, knew very well the character of Vini Liko. He loved joy and didn't usually hold onto a grudge.
Matt came closer to his cousin and hugged him. "Bro, you would have hit some other spot, but not my nose!," Mickey said wincing with pain but not in annoyance.