Before Jay was seen was a large basin filled with water and several colorful flowers. Next to it were towels, toiletries, and dry clothes.
Next to it was a knife and a bowl of potion Jay didn't recognize.
Finally, a knife, scissors, and razor were prepared.
"Let's begin the first ritual. Let's cleanse your body and soul, so that your mind and heart will be as clear as water, bringing benefits to those around you," the grandfather said, as the cousins surrounding Jay lifted the basin of water and flowers before Jay.
Starting with Jay's grandfather, followed by Jay's father and uncle, Jay was immediately drenched in the water from the basin mixed with flowers.
Bathed with cold water, Jay felt his body shivering in the middle of the night, especially before he was even bathed. His clothes and laces were removed, leaving him in only his underwear.
Exposed to the night wind and doused with cold water, Jay's body was shocked and took a while to adjust.
It wasn't until the water in the big basin was completely drained that he stopped shivering.
(Huuuu….what's with all this!!!!!) Jay groaned in his heart, what a strange ritual this is, bathing someone in the middle of the night the day before their wedding.
Not to mention being stared at by so many pairs of men's eyes, what a strange feeling, Jay thought in his heart, but he still persisted and went along with it all.
"Good... you really have a strong physique, I remember when your father did this ritual he almost fainted and whined like a child," the grandfather said with great praise seeing Jay's reaction, who still looked good, just shivering a little.
"Dad... can't you respect me as a father in front of your son?" complained Jay's father, Paul, addressing Jay's grandfather.
"Hahahah... I remember that too, Paul, you're the weakest of the three of us, hahahah..." Uncle Hendrick felt happy at the thought, and he joined in.
"Shut up!! What's wrong with me talking about your bad points? Isn't that normal? Let the young learn from their elders!!" The grandfather scolded Jay Paul's father.
"Okay, Dad, let's continue. Poor Paul needs some face time," Uncle Ricky replied, trying to calm him down but still laughing.
"Okay, the second ceremony is starting!" Then Jay's grandfather took a pair of scissors and began cutting some of Jay's hair, making it look neater.
Meanwhile, Jay's father and two uncles symbolically cut some of Jay's hair.
After that, the third ritual was immediately performed, and Jay felt uneasy for some reason, as if he had been waiting for a dangerous moment.
"Okay, take off his underwear," the grandfather ordered.
"Ahhh...Grandpa, what are you going to do!!" Jay struggled, protesting his grandfather's command.
"Okay, Jay, just stay still, you'll soon be a man, and I guarantee you'll be loved, okay, by your wife," his grandfather said in a meaningful tone.
"But Grandpa..." Just as Jay was about to continue resisting, he realized that all his equipment was meaningless, because his underwear had been removed by his cousin.
"Hey!!!!...young man, you have a strong foundation!!" The grandfather exclaimed in amazement.
"Ohhhhh…that's something to be proud of!!" Uncle Hendrik exclaimed.
"This proves he's a great hunter!!!" Uncle Ricky also commented.
"Damn…Jay…you're so proud!!!"
"Ohhh…Jay is amazing…I'm embarrassed!!!" Several cousins exclaimed in amazement and envy at Jay's appearance.
"Damn, you young man, why are you bigger than your father!!!" Paul's father complained.
"Okay, don't delay, Jay, take this medicine, and tomorrow when you wake up, everything will be great!!" His grandfather said quickly.
It was getting late and morning was approaching, so they had to hurry.
"Ahhh, okay, Grandpa," Jay didn't resist, just drank the potion his grandfather had given him.
And soon he felt a little dizzy, and passed out.
#######
The next morning, Jay woke up to a slight pain in his lower body.
Feeling strange, Jay then woke up, "Ahhh, why did I fall asleep on the bed? And ahhhh... something seems wrong." Jay tried to remember what happened yesterday.
Finally, after remembering, Jay then realized that something was wrong with him, so he immediately got out of bed.
Only then did he feel something strange with a vital part of his body, looked at his little brother, then realized (ahhhhhh....damn....they made a helmet for my little brother!!!!!) Jay screamed loudly in his heart, he didn't dare scream outside for fear of inviting other people into the room.
Yes.
Jay finally understood that this was what the coming-of-age ceremony was all about!
But strangely, Jay felt nothing but a little pain, and it was as if it had been performed by a professional.
Jay had to say that his little brother looked much brighter and prouder now.
"That's commendable!!" Jay commented with satisfaction.
Surprisingly, there were no marks left behind, and it was like a strange but real miracle.
"What are you doing!!!" Suddenly, Jay's father entered his room and found Jay staring at his lower body. As if understanding his father, he spoke again.
"Don't worry, you can use it right away. It's safe and won't chafe," his father whispered in a small voice.
"Dad…so you already know!!" Jay complained slightly.
"Hey…it's a good tradition. Don't you understand why our extended family has so many children? It's proof that our ancestors were geniuses!!!" His father spoke to Jay.
And he said again, "Hurry up and put on the special clothes I prepared in your closet, and the others are waiting outside," his father ordered Jay again.
"Okay..." Jay said, quickly putting aside his dissatisfaction.
Following his father's instructions, Jay quickly put on the clothes his father had prepared. Inside the closet was a black dress with unique embroidery on the middle and sleeves.
The embroidery on the dress was gold, and the combination of black and white gave it a luxurious and dignified look.
On the other hand, there were trousers with a cloth belt attached to the waist, which complemented the outfit.
Not to mention, there was a small knife with a unique shape that Jay needed to place on his back.
Finally, there was a hat-like decoration on his head that looked like a crown, but a simplified version.
Wearing all of this, Jay looked in the mirror and noticed that he looked different, and an aura of authority enveloped him.
"Where did all this good stuff come from? I never knew my family had clothes and accessories like this," Jay thought curiously.
Jay soon came out and was greeted by his cousins. Meanwhile, his father and uncle were waiting for him in front of the house with a beautifully decorated horse-drawn carriage.
"Wow... am I riding in this horse-drawn carriage?" Jay asked, amazed at all the decorations.
"Yes, this is your happy vehicle to your wedding, and it will take you back home with your wife," his father told Jay.
"Okay, let's go, it's time," Uncle Hendrik, who was at the front of the horse-drawn carriage, immediately reminded them.
"Okay, let's go," Jay's father replied to the others.