CHEERLEADER SERIES - JULIE

Chapter XXXIV

I stood there staring at the man looking exquisitely handsome in his tuxedo, waiting at the end of the path I am taking.

About an hour ago, I called on people after people who will ordain us, witness our union and even my attorney have to be involved.

I'm merely wearing a white dress that's just a few inches above my knee. My veil was bought not too long ago from a store that caters to bachelorette parties.

The bouquet I have in my hands are flowers picked from someone's garden.

We had to call on Benson's connection to find an actual priest we can pay to marry us just two hours from the time he has said yes.

Chloe and Zac are here but they have to leave Miles dahil na rin sa oras at layo ng biyahe. They stayed on the newly built house within the property that Chloe bought. Their so-called love nest, the place where their love story started.

I smiled as I recalled the challenges they went through. And now, they are here. With Michelle, Ben, and of course, Gunner.

They were all surprised by what we told them, the same way we felt about the drastic decision of getting hitched. And now, here I am. Naglalakad patungo sa dulo ng pretend carpet as loob ng mansyon namin, with Brad waiting for me at the end.

We pretended to be girlfriend and boyfriend before. Now, we'll pretend to be husbands and wives. A licensed act of pretending. It's binding, for it's the only way that I could do the things I want to do to protect him.

Tipid akong napangiti ng mapansin ko ang mahigpit na paghigit niya ng hininga. He looks gorgeous and I could just remember how I used to always tease him when he looks tense about something.

We've been through so much yet somehow, he still feels like a stranger.

Two more steps and I reached him. His eyes fixed on me as I faced him.

Sa mga oras na iyon, tangi siya lang and nakikita ko.

How he smirked the moment I was facing him, how his lips twitched with the words of wisdom coming from the priest we've hurriedly asked to marry us.

"Do you Julie, take Brad to be your lawfully wedded husband, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health, 'till death do you part?"

'Till death do us part?

"Yes," I whispered.

"Do you, Brad take Julie as your lawfully wedded wife, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health, 'till death do you part?"

Napahigit ako ng hininga the moment that he stopped for a while as he stared at me. The waiting part will always be the most dreadful.

"Yes." halos payak niyang sabi.

Slowly, he slid the ring to my fingers and I gasped at just the simple feel of his skin against my fingers.

I have never felt anything like this ever before, not even when we have parted. Kahit kailan ay kakaiba ang epekto ng bawat galaw niya, bawat haplos at kahit ang presensiya niya, leads me to multiple unexplained thoughts and feelings.

"You may now kiss your bride." the priest finally said.

And as soon as I heard those words, I felt his hands against my nape, cupping my face and leading me towards his lips.

Then we kissed.

Even in multiple universes, or a million lifetime, the beat of my heart every time we kiss will never change.

How I wish I could just tell him how he makes me feel. But I don't even know if this is reason enough for him to love me.

I don't even know if he feels the same towards me.

Ang tanging alam ko lang ay is a akong manloloko.

A woman who deceived the man she loves to marry her, manipulating him into thinking that he needs her.

In a blur, the wedding ended, we signed papers and we celebrated, along with our friends.

A quick slicing of the cake and toast, I didn't even know how they managed to order some cake. But perhaps it's one of the many things your friends can do for you.

"Well, you guys are full of surprises. Parang kailan lang nung minsan naming narinig mga ungol niyo sa kabilang silid on that resort. Remember that Brad?" kinakantiyaw ni Gunner si Brad, the night we saw each other again on Chloe's birthday.

"Shut up Dude."

"I didn't even know you guys are a thing way back. But surprisingly, you still are until now. And there's even a ring and a wedding involved so, I guess we don't really know both of you guys that well." Chloe was smiling from ear to ear.

It's a good night. Only if this isn't pretending, I would love for my wedding to be this intimate. This simple. A night filled with laughter and teasing.

Naramdaman ko ang paghawak ng kamay niya sa mga kamay ko sa ilalim ng mesa. I looked up and met deceitful eyes.

Ones that I'll never know how to comprehend.

I smiled as he started caressing his thumbs against the back of my palms. It felt reassuringly good. I'd like to think that somehow, despite all this chaos, I did the right thing.

Nang sumapit and ala una ng umaga ay isa-isa nang nagsialisan ang mga bisita.

Chloe and Zac had to go before Miles would even realize that they were gone.

Kahit nag-aalangan, Benson offered to take Michelle home.

I had to walk Gunner towards his car habang si Brad ay kausap sina Benson. I held Gunner's arms as we walked side by side.

"So, you are officially married now."

I smirked. "I know. Masyadong mabilis."

"Well, you took a long pause for a very long time. I guess things do have their way of getting out of hand and perhaps you both need this."

"Need this why?"

"You both are clearly inlove with each other, I just don't know kung sino ang mauunang aamin. And I know this could be bold, but I hope you will finally find the courage to tell him. I can see it in your eyes. The longing every time you lose sight of him, it's frantically romantic but sad."

"Bakit naman?"

"Because the man you're looking at honey has no clue that he is looking at you that way. And I think, if you'll try, there'd be no man like me."

"Like you?"

"Someone like me who will look at you the same way you look at him, only to realize, I will never see you look at me that way."

Napasinghap ako sa tinuran niya. I didn't realize that he feels that way.

He shook his head.

"I know. In all of these love stories, there will always be an unrequited love. In this one, it's me. But I am happy for you Juls. I have always been. I guess this wedding worked out for the best of all of us. Hindi na ako aasang makikita mo din ako, not just as a friend, but as a lover." he looked at the man I just exchanged my vows with. "Clearly, you belong to each other. And I won't be the one to stop both of my friend's ever after."

He bestowed me a kiss from the cheeks before he turned around and opened his car door.

"Though please know, if he ever hurt you, you can always turn to me. I won't be there to snatch you away from him, but I will be there to listen to your cries. If all of these won't go as you planned, you will need me. Good Night Love."

Tuloy-tuloy na niyang pinaandar ang sasakyan.

Confusion started to fill me. I didn't even realize that's how he felt. All along, a man was looking at me in an entirely different way but I was too oblivious to even know, or see.

"Everything okay?"

"Yeah." I faked a smile.

"You ready to go, wife?"

"Sure, husband."