Whisper of Her Lies (Nayon Series 2)

Kabanata 40

Kabanata 40
Ryleigh Aeolus Fidallego

"My daughter is now yours to love. Please take good care of Sanja."

Tumango ako sa papa ng babaeng pakakasalan ko. I know everyone is excited to see the bride. Sanja's mother is teary from the momentum. Her Tita remained calm with enthusiasm evident on her face. And her father nervous and sad that he is finally letting go of his daughter.

Everyone is drowned in mixed emotions. And here I am, feeling nothing but in love with my bride.

Nilingon ko ang kamay na tumapik sa balikat ko. "Finally tying the knot, huh."

Nailing ako sa asar ni Greyson sa akin. Hindi ko magawang maasar. All I can feel is the excitement that is slowly seeping in me. I don't think the idea of tying the knot is making me excited. Maybe it is the idea of surrendering to Sanja is what makes this day special. That maybe, dedicating her the rest of my life is what we need to celebrate even more.

I have surrendered to her a very long time ago. I already acknowledged my defeat that marrying her is to commemorate my love for her. This simple wedding is not yet our ending. I am sure of that.

Sanja's gonna get mad at me if I tell her that there was a time when I did not see her as someone that I will end up with. That's true, though. Siguro iyon ang dahilan kung bakit lagi niyang nakikita sa mga mata ko na hindi ako interesado sa kanya. She keeps on whining about the indifference in my eyes everytime I look at her. Pero noon 'yon.

I am not attracted to girls who lies too much. She draws men to her and uses them as their family's asset. I have known her because of Tito Caligo's description about this young Lazarte. I haven't seen her yet but I don't think she's gonna attract me. She's a femme fatale they say but I am confident that her flame is not that hot enough that it would burn my principles.

Or that is what I thought...

Funny how I immediately melted at her burning flame the first time I saw her. Nakipagtalo pa ako sa sarili ko na gusto kong hawakan ang apoy na 'yon. Gusto kong hawakan kahit alam kong nakakapaso. Nauudyok akong lapitan kahit alam kong masasaktan ako sa huli. Her flame is so bright that it got me wondering how it feels like to touch it.

I was just attracted. A strong attraction that it got me touching her flame even if it is slowly burning me.

"Does it hurt?" she asked that I ignored. "I mean... the slap?"

Right, her slap. Masakit pa rin ang naging lapat ng kamay niya sa pisngi ko pero hindi ko iyon isusumbat sa kanya. She is mean but easily feels sorry. Sanja Lazarte is hard to handle but...

She feels warm. I like her warmth. It calms me. It warms me. I am cold and I need her to keep me warm.

Siguro doon nagsimula ang lahat. Ang kagustuhan ko na lagi lang siyang nasa tabi ko. The urge to keep her beside me to always feel the kind of warmth that my body is slowly recognizing. Slowly burning me into ashes of pure bliss.

Suminghap ako at hinanda ang sarili. Everyone got their eyes fixated at the door of this chapel. May narinig akong mga umiiyak sa gilid at nang sinundan ko ito ng tingin, nadatnan ko si Miquesa at si Jana Lazarte na palihim na humihikbi.

"She's walking down the aisle..."

It snapped me. Binalikan ng tingin ko ang pintuan ng chapel at hindi na naiwasang mapangiti. I waved at the little girl smiling at me so sweetly while holding the hand of her mother.

"I love you..." Jarrie mouthed.

"I love you, too..."

Nangako akong hindi ako iiyak. And yet it turned out to be a lie when I teared up as I watch her walking down the aisle, so sure of meeting me at the end of this trail. Sanja in her simple lacy bridal gown is smiling at me while holding back her tears so bad. May butil na tumakas at diretsong pumatak sa kumpol ng baby's breath na hawak niya.