Closer

IX

Matapos ng wedding rites ay sumali naman ang lahat sa mga picture taking. Di pa din mapaghiwalay sina Deanna at Jema. Lagi silang magkadikit at magkahawak pa din ang mga kamay.

Nahalata naman ito ng mga kaibigan nila pero lahat ay nginingitian lang sila pero di pa nagkachance na mapag usapan.

Pagkalabas ng newlyweds sa simbahan ay nagpaiwan pa din sina Jema at Deanna.

"Sunod na lang kami..." Jema said to Kyla.

Na di na nagsalita kundi nagpaalam na lang. She just throwed looks kay Jema as if saying na, 'I told you'.

Napapangiti na lang si Jema but deep inside her, she's happy to be with Deanna.

Naglakad sila papunta sa altar, tapos ay umupo sa first pew. They look towards the altar and said their own prayers silently.

When Jema opened her eyes, Deanna looked at her and then took her hand.

"Jema..." mahinang tawag niya sa katabi.

"Yes?" Jema replied.

Deanna took a deep breath then she said, "I'm really sorry for giving up on us...."

There was silence.

"I'm sorry for leaving that morning and didn't bother to confront you about it..." Deanna continued.

"I know I left you a letter, but we both know that it's the most cowardly thing that I have done. And forgive me for not reaching out after..." Deanna said.

Jema cupped Deanna's face as she saw her pain and how regretful she was.

"Matagal na kitang pinatawad... And sa totoo lang, naiintindihan naman talaga kita... Siguro umasa lang kasi talaga ako na okay na tayo after..." Jema said calmly.

"I broke my promise to you na hindi kita iiwan..." Deanna insisted.

"Hindi mo naman talaga ako iniwan eh. I know lagi ka pa ding andyan for me kahit di mo sabihin or magpakita man lang. Not because our friends saw it, pero I myself feels your presence. Diba tama ako?" Jema asked.

Tumango naman si Deanna, took Jema's hand and kissed it softly.

"But I still need to know the real reason kung ano yung nangyari... And I need you to tell me what you want to happen..." Jema declared.

Tumango uli si Deanna.

"Natatakot kasi ako eh..." Jema said.

Napatitig tuloy si Deanna sakanya.

"The last time ganito tayo uli kaclose or even closer, iniwan mo ko. Ayaw ko na sanang maiwan mo uli... I want you back Deanna." Jema said and a tear fell from her eye.

Deanna immediately wiped it away, "I'm sorry for that Jema... I wish I can promise you that I'll never leave you again physically, pero may mga bagay kasi na complicated ngayon..."

"Tell me all about it..." Jema insisted.

Napailing si Deanna.

"Mahal mo pa ba ako?" Jema asked na lalong naluluha.

"Mahal na mahal kita. I never stopped loving you..." Deanna answered sincerely.

"Then what makes it complicated? Hindi ko kasi talaga maintindihan...." Jema replied.

"I wish I can tell you everything right now but I am... I...." Deanna said panicky.

"Hindi ka pa ready to tell me the truth..." Jema finished her sentence.

Napabuntong hininga si Deanna.

"I respect you... If hindi ka pa ready to talk about it, that's fine. But please, at least don't leave me hanging... Kasi hindi ko alam kung sino or ano ba ako sayo...." Jema said.

Deanna caressed Jema's face.

"Mula noon, hangang ngayon, ikaw lang ang mahal ko. Aaminin ko na napagod ako na mahalin ka kasi dumating yung point na pati sarili ko hindi ko na nabigyan ng halaga. But more than that there are things that I'm trying to fix, hindi lang para sa akin kundi para sa ating future... but at this point I still can't fix..." Deanna explained.

"Well maybe because we need to do it as partners. Let me in Deanna... Let me be there for you... You know that I will support you naman... I am better now... I learned from my mistakes and gusto ko talaga na mapadama sayo how sorry I was before and gusto kong makabawi sayo... I hope you will allow me, at least give me a chance..." Jema said.

Ngumiti naman si Deanna.

"I love you... And right now, all I want you to do is trust me. Trust in our love and in time, things will get better." Deanna said.

"I love you too... Through it all..." Jema replied then they hugged each other tightly.

After a while, they decided to head out so they can go to the reception where their friends are already waiting for the newlyweds. Nagphophotoshoot pa kasi sina Aly at Kiefer bago umalis sina Deanna at Jema.

"Okay lang ba sila Jaycel na lang maghandle ng post wedding photos?" Jema asked Deanna while they were walking in the parking space.

"They know what to do, tiwala naman ako sa team ko... I just really need the distraction kaya I tried to cover pa ng wedding..." Deanna replied.

"But you get distracted huh?" Jema teased.

"Bigtime!" Deanna chuckled.

Nagtawanan naman sila and the mood really lighten up. Nakapagkwentuhan, catch up pa sila while on the way to the reception.

Pagkapark ni Deanna ay agad silang sinalubong ni MG, Ponggay, at Kyla. Mabilis nilang pinapababa si Jema sa kotse ni Deanna at hinila papalayo.

"Mamaya na kayo maglandian!" Ponggay laughed while they pull Jema out of the scene towards the reception venue's back door.

Bumaba na din si Deanna and was greeted by Bea and Maddie.

"What's up babba?" natatawang tanong ni Deanna.

"They're getting ready..." Bea replied.

"Just wait, antayin na lang natin sila sa loob..." napangiti naman si Maddie.

Wala namang nagawa si Deanna at sumama na lang sa dalawa papasok sa venue.

They took some wine glasses and went to their assigned seat. Based sa list eh magkakasama naman silang magkakaibigan sa big round table. Medyo ginala lang ni Deanna ang mata as she tries to look for Jema. Gusto sana niyang makatabi ito.

May mga kaibigan naman sila na dumating na din, pati yung mga di sumama sa church. Isa sa mga ito ay sinubukang umupo sa tabi niya but she politely reminded the person that Jema is sitting there.

"Jema?" tanong ni Mark.

Tumango naman si Deanna.

"Sino si Jema?" Mark asked.

"Girlfriend ko." Matigas na sagot ni Deanna. Halatang yamot na ito sa kausap.

Napansin naman ito ni Bea kaya mabilis itong tumayo at hinila papalayo ang common friend nila.

"Kalma ka lang Deanns..." paalala ni Maddie kay Deanna.

"Asan na ba kasi sila Jema..." medyo iritableng tanong ni Deanna.

"Masyado kang exicted!" Maddie replied.

Sasagot pa sana si Deanna ng biglang nagdim ang lahat ng lights sa paligid.