The living room was filled with an air of anticipation. The soft light from the lamps created a cosy and warm atmosphere as Lavidia, with bright eyes and trembling hands, sat in front of the piano, surrounded by her family. Even Labra, her grandmother, who was in another territory, had set aside her duties as an architect to attend the wedding.

The pianist positioned the main body of the instrument between her legs to stabilise it and began to blow to create the atmosphere over which the melody would be executed. Then, she stretched her fingers, and they began to land gracefully on the rows of multicoloured keys. An expectant silence filled the room.

The first notes resounded gently, like raindrops falling on a calm lake. The music flowed from the young girl’s fingers like a river finding its course, carrying with it deep emotions and thoughts. Each key she touched had a longing to convey, an emotion to express.

Lavidia, slender and graceful, moved her agile fingers touching the keys, while her closed eyelids hid her large, honey-coloured eyes.

Focused and passionate, the girl unleashed a storm of sounds, filling the space with the richness of her performance. She closed her eyes, completely immersed in the melody she was playing. Each note, each arpeggio, was an expression of her soul, a language that only that instrument could understand and translate for her audience.

Her family was hypnotised by the magic emanating from her hands as she caressed the keys. They could feel love, desire, hope, and joy intertwined in each chord. The mother and grandmother looked at Lavidia with amazement and pride, marvelling at the skill and passion she displayed in every movement of her fingers.

As the musical piece reached its climax, the young girl’s heart beat to the rhythm of the music. Her fingers now flew over the keyboard, creating a symphony of emotions that filled the space and surrounded everyone present. The silence that followed the last chord was broken by an explosion of applause and cheers after the masterful performance, and the family stood up, applauding the young performer with admiration and gratitude. The grandmother approached to congratulate and hug her, while the rest of the family formed small groups.

“Hey, it’s pretty obvious you were eager to get married... You even cut your hair!” Labra observed. “What happened to your beautiful red mane?”

“Well, you know. Hair gets in the way and is a hassle when you have babies.”

“But girl, it’s gonna be many months before that happens, right?”

“Nine at least. But hey, gotta start getting things ready.”

The grandma hugged her granddaughter and smiled. The haste to have daughters... That thought made her feel younger, seeing herself reflected in the young woman. She was just like that at her age.

“You’ve come a long way since I’ve been away, Lavi. You’re a skilled pianist now! I’m really proud.”

“Thanks, Labra. Honestly, I don’t know how it turned out so well. It’s been months since I played this piece. I almost forgot which mouthpiece to use!”

“Yeah, I know you put a lot of effort into building the new room. Hey, it turned out great!”

“Well, you’re flattering me too much. Actually, Bashia was the mastermind. She’s a true expert. I’m sure she’ll become an architect like you when she can’t be a mother anymore.”

“Well, that’s a long way off. Now you girls gotta live life and have lots of daughters. The time for spending it on those things will come when there’s no other choice. Now tell me, has she had any with my grandson?”

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“Who had... what?”

“Oh, Lavidia! It’s so obvious that today is your wedding day and you’re itching to be a mom! Who else could it be? Weren’t we talking about Bashia? I was asking if she’s had any daughters yet. She got married recently, didn’t she?”

Actually, the question was justified. In a matriarchal society like that, women only considered the offspring of their daughters and granddaughters, not the descendants through the male line. Once a man got married, his blood family practically lost ties with him; he then belonged to another family.

Still, Labra had every right to consider Lavidia’s brother, who had married Bashia, as her grandson, because he actually was.

The young woman then made a gesture with one of her fingers, as if inviting the grandmother to come closer. Labra leaned in, and Lavidia whispered in her ear:

“Seems like my brother is quite the stud,” the grandma let out a knowing chuckle. “Don’t tell anyone yet, but I think my friend is already pregnant.”

“Seriously? Any sign? Has she missed her period…?”

Lavidia nodded and held up two fingers, meaning twice.

“Has she taken the test?”

“She doesn’t want to, silly girl.”

“Why not?”

“To avoid disappointment in case it’s just a hiccup. But I think she already looks pregnant.”

The two women glanced at the girl in question, chatting with other mothers, and the grandma said:

“Yeah, I think so too. And not just by her face. Seems like her hips are widening.”

“Really? How can you see that? I think she looks the same.”

“Us older folks have seen a lot of pregnancies, Lavi. Those things, if not seen, are sensed.”

“Yeah, yeah...,” the girl replied, with a hint of disdain.

“Well, that’s good news, isn’t it?”

Lavidia looked at Bashia with envy, and the grandma noticed it:

“Or is there something bothering you, huh, Lavi?”

“No, not at all! The only thing that bugs me is that Bashia is going to make you a great-grandma before me. You’ll be one before you’re even fifty!”

“As it should be. The weird thing would be the opposite, right?”

“Yeah, sure.”

At that moment, Batro, the newlywed man who had been playing with other guys in an adjoining room since the recital ended, arrived. Bashia’s brother hugged his new wife, and she affectionately kissed his head.

“I think,” Labra said, “that your husband is eager to imitate his new brother-in-law.”

Lavidia smiled, and the grandma concluded:

“I leave again tomorrow to continue my work in the new territories. But I’ll be back before the end of next year. When I return, I’m sure you’ll already have two daughters.”

Lavidia flashed a wide smile and said:

“I think if it’s up to this one,” she pointed to her husband,” there won’t be a problem. Right, Batro?

The young man smiled, not quite understanding what the two women had said. Although he sensed from his wife’s attitude, that many passionate nights lay ahead.