Infinite Love

The One that Got Away

"Pupunta ka ba?" Bungad ni Klint nang sagutin ko ang tawag niya.

It's his second time calling and asking about this. Kahit ilang beses ko na sabihin na pupunta ako, he's still worried.

"Oo nga, Klint. I'll see you there. I need to prepare pa." I said while rechecking the stuff that I will bring sa church at sa reception.

"He'll attend, Naorzhia." He sounded really worried this time.

"I know pero I'll go pa rin."

He sighed before dropping the call. Nag-asikaso na ako at habang naliligo wala akong ibang naiisip kundi ang muling pagkikita namin ni Franz mamaya. He's not the priest but he'll attend sa mass pati na rin sa reception. Kaya pakiramdam ko, worried si Joseff at Klint sa akin dahil mas malaki ang chance na mag-interact kami this time unlike sa wedding ni Aubrey at Paolo na we just saw each other.

Si Joseff ay tumawag pa habang nasa byahe ako. Kuya's also worried same as my Dad but I assure them, I already accepted everything. I may still have feelings for him, but the most important thing is... I already accepted that this is our fate.

"Why did you wait pa?" I laughed when I saw Joseff and Klint waiting for me to park.

"Nathalia's already inside waiting for you." Joseff said without even answering my question.

Sumunod si Klint sa amin. I know he's already here. Hindi naman kasi nal-late iyon. Pero, ayoko sanang mag-usap kami agad. Mas okay kung sa reception kami magkakaroon ng interaction since we're not here naman for ourselves. We're here for Axty's christening.

"Hello, Nath." I kissed Nathalia's cheeks.

Agad na kinuha ni Joseff si Nadz from her mother. Nadz is Nathalia and Joseff's daughter. She's turning three yata this year. I am not sure since nitong nakaraang araw, medyo nagiging makalimutin ako.

Nilibot ko ang tingin ko sa simbahan. I found him talking to his cousins. Si Klint ay nandoon na rin kasama si Joseff na dala ang anak. Ang mag-asawang Paolo st Aubrey naman ay wala pa. Sinubukan kong libutin muli ang tingin ko sa buong interior ng simbahan nang magtama ang tingin namin. I smiled and moved my eyebrows as my greeting. He smiled at me too. I think Nathalia saw that dahil nagsimula na siyang kausapin ako. She's trying to distract me from him and I really appreciate everyone for doing this. I know they're just worried.

After minutes of talking, Paolo and Aubrey arrived. Agad na dinumog ang napakagwapo nilang anak na si Axty. He's so chubby. Ang anim na buwang bata ay dala-dala ni Paolo habang nakikipagbatian naman si Aubrey.

I smiled. I used to dream about this. I hoped for this. Now, here I am... watching everyone. Kuntento na sa kung saan man ako ngayon. Hindi ko nga alam na pwede pala na mamuhay ka taliwas sa gusto mong mangyari.

May isang oras na orientation sa aming mga Ninang at Ninong bago nagsimulang lumabas ang pari at sinimulan ang misa. Tinitigan ko si Paolo na siyang nagsindi ng kandila mula sa malaking kandila. Grabe sobrang bilis ng panahon. Naabutan ko pa siyang binatilyo noon but now he already has his own family na.

After ng binyag, medyo natagalan pa sa pagkuha ng litrato dahil nagsimula na umiyak si Axty. Mabuti magaling ang photographer na nakuha nila dahil nagawa niya pa ring kumuha ng litrato sa mabilis na oras lamang dahil inaantok na ang bata. Pagdating sa reception, syempre kaming matatanda na ang nag-enjoy. Nawala saglit si Aubrey para magpa-breast feed at bumalik na lang noong binabantayan na ng mga Lolo at Lola si Axty sa hotel room.

The wives have their own table at syempre sumama ako sa kanila while their husbands have their own table too kung saan din naka-upo si Franz. I expected na maaari kaming magkaroon ng chance para makapag-usap pero dumaan ang magdamag, hindi iyon nangyari. I was kinda disappointed but I know it will pass.