Never Have I Ever

Nineteenth Shot

Kari

"Speak now or forever hold your peace." Parang natatae na ata ako. I know it's not appropriate to think of wanting to take a dump at this juncture but all my insides were like twisting and turning when the priest mentioned those words. I don't know if it's my nerves but my senses were telling me to run away right now like an emergency siren was blaring at full blast in my eardrums. However, I chose to dismiss it for now.

Although I managed to finish that walk in the aisle which felt like an eternity, it doesn't mean I'm completely fine with seeing this through. I can't stop myself from shaking and my breath hasn't stabilized since earlier. Trying my hardest to distract myself while sitting down, I put my attention on Calix–hoping it will work like a charm–on the other side who seemed to be glancing at someone in the back rows from my side.

Following his gaze, I noticed a woman in a white dress who was slightly moving her hand up while trembling like a student who was forced to participate in a class recitation. Siya lang ata yung manggugulo ng kasal na mas kinakabahan pa sa lahat.

However, before the priest could notice her, a familiar ginger-haired man who was flushed red with a wine bottle, on one hand, raised his free hand and stood up, "Wait! Wait! Mr. Priest, I have something to say!" Aba't, anong kagaguhan 'to? And Mr. Priest? Is this guy high?

"Speak." That was the only thing the priest said then that redhead looked at me–problema nito?--while standing straight at the other side of the aisle, a few rows behind Calix. There I remember that he was that guy who asked my number before who I thought was sent to the hospital. Puta, ba't siya nandito? Does he want me to knock him out in front of everyone?

Since he was taking a long time to talk and I saw some guards about to stand up, the priest asked, "Do you have anything to say to the bride or groom?" I looked at the wedded couple and Ash didn't even turn back as if unfazed by all of this clamour. Meanwhile, Elliot looked confused and kept glancing at Calix who also shifted gazes in my direction like he was the one in distress more than I was.

"Oh, no, no. I was going to ask the maid of honour for a date." Gusto niya sapak? I can give him as many as he wants. Or does he want me to dump his head onto the ocean?

I ignored his lewd gaze like he was undressing me with his stare as the guards' slash groomsmen were pulling him away from his seat which caused a few gasps from the audience. Instead of giving him any attention, I looked for that blond woman in a white dress who seemed like she wanted to say something before that jerk interrupted but she was no longer in her seat. Asan na siya?

"Kari! Kari, I know you like me! Stop acting as if nothing happened between us." Is he out of his mind? How does he know my name and why is he causing a scene right now? And nothing happened between us except me throwing him on the damn floor.

"Who's Kari? What an attention seeker." Although it was faint, I heard that whisper loud and clear like it was some kind of superpower. I don't know who it was from but it ensued more remarks that made me feel like my lungs were being squeezed tight.

If there's one thing that I can't stomach, it's being in the centre of attention. The moment I feel that everyone is looking at me, my body starts to tremble and my breathing starts to intensify like someone took all the oxygen from my lungs. Even if I used to be someone who loves being on stage, it was never the same again since my injury and my failed wedding.

"Maybe she's a slut?"

"Playing hard to get?"

"What the fuck? A maid of honour trying to steal the show?"