The First Woman

Prologue

The organ started playing a familiar song as the people rise. Tumayo rin ako kasabay ng mga panauhin bilang paggalang at kasabay na nilingon ang panggagalingan ng bride. The double doors opened dramatically, and the church was filled with light.

I squinted at the sudden burst of brightness. Sinubukan kong harangan ang liwanag using the back of my hand. Then, I saw a clearer view of the woman everyone is waiting for.

The beautiful bride waltzed the aisle like she's floating. She was so breathtaking. Her eyes brimmed with tears as she laughed them away. I heard the people sigh in awe. She looked so happy and in love. Napangiti ako.

I've always loved weddings. I don't really recall most of the details, but I remember the intense feeling I have for weddings for a very long time.

I also remember being so in love with this man in my head. I remember wanting to marry him so badly pero hindi ako makapili ng tema ng kasal dahil marami akong plano at hindi kaya ng isang kasal lang iyon.

I held on to the waves of memories, wanting so bad to know more. But I was met with, yet again, another dead end. I sighed disappointedly.

I shouldn't push myself. I can't have a fainting episode in someone else's wedding. Hindi pa naman ako imbitado sa kasal na ito. Nagkataon lamang na nagdadasal ako at nalamang magkakaroon ng kasal kaya nagpasya na akong manood.

"We are gathered today for the union of Elianna Everette Tan and Adam Ansel Suarez. If anyone objects to the union of these two, speak now or forever hold your peace."

There was a long silence. For a moment, I had the strong urge to raise my hand. The people would be scandalized for sure. Lalo na at di nila ako kilala. But that was not a very nice thing to do.

I chuckled and decided to behave myself. Muli kong ibinalik ang akin gang aking atensyon sa seremonya sa harapan bago pa ako hindi makapagpigil ng sariling kabaliwan.

"Do you, Elianna Everette Tan, take Adam Ansel Suarez as your lawful wedded husband, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to hold until death do you apart?"

Elianna faced her husband. Her bright smile is evident despite the veil. She took a shaky breath before answering.

"I do," she whispered.

"Do you, Adam Ansel Suarez, take Elianna Everette Tan as your lawful wedded wife, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better or for worse ,for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to hold until death do you apart?"

There was a long pause. I felt everyone tense. I felt the air getting heavier by the moment. Maging ang ngiti ng bride ay unti-unting nawawala.

I even felt something. I just couldn't pinpoint what it is. Habang naghihintay ako ng isasagot ng groom, I realized I've been chanting the same phrase over and over again.

Don't say yes. Say you don't. Say you won't.

"I do," he croaked. Napabuntong hininga ang bride as her shoulders loosened up. Mukhang nawala ang kung ano mang mabigat na bagay na dinadala niya. I, on the other hand, felt a tug in my heart. I don't know what it's for.

Napalunok ako dahil tila may nagbabara sa aking lalamunan. Napahawak ako sa aking dibdib dahil sa lakas ng tibok noon. What the fuck is wrong with me?

The crowd let out a nervous laugh. Some chuckled. It's like there is a hidden joke or a big secret between their family and acquaintances. I wouldn't know because I'm an outsider, but I have a vague clue about what it's all about.

The bride made a long speech as she says her vows while sliding the ring on the groom's finger. It was so heartfelt na maski ako na hindi sila kilala ay napaiyak. I tried to look at the groom's face pero natatakpan ito ng cameraman na kanina pa kinukuhanan ang kanilang kasal.

"Take this ring as a token of my love. I offer you all that I have, all that I am, and all that I will be."

My heart skipped a beat at the sound of his voice. My heart ached. I crumpled the chest part of my Sunday dress dahil hindi ko maintindihan ang nararamdaman ko. Who is this man and why do I feel this way?

"As was the first man and woman that walked on Earth, your namesake Adam and Eve were destined and made for each other, as were you.So, by the power vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may now kiss the bride."

I stood up to look at the groom ngunit kasabay kong tumayo ang mga tao na pumapalakpak. They started cheering happily like a dream finally come true.

My head throbbed at the noise kaya napapikit ako sa sakit. Nanlalabo ang aking mga mata nang magmulat ako.

When I reached for my head, I realized that I was crying. Pinunasan ko ang mga luha ko ngunit tila may sariling isip ang aking mga mata dahil lalong bumuhos iyon. Is my head hurting that bad for me to cry like this?

Kumakaway ang bagong kasal sa mga tao habang naglalakad sila sa aisle. Nahagip ng groom ang aking paningin. My head hammered like crazy.

The groom took a double look on me at namutla. Nanigas siya sa kanyang kinatatayuan at nabitawan ang kamay ng kanyang bride. Napalingon ang kanyang bagong asawa sa akin nang sundan niya ang tingin nito. Nabitawan niya ang kanyang bulaklak at napaawang ang labi.

"Ari..." she gasped.

Napatingin sa akin ang ilang nakarinig at katulad ng reaksyon ng bagong kasal ay naestatwa rin ang mga ito at namutla. I heard someone gasp as the church quited. My heart hurt but I'm too preoccupied with the excruciating pain in my head.

"Maya, ayos ka lang ba? Halika na," iginiya niya ako palayo sa mga tao. Napapikit ako dahil sa sakit ng ulo at halos hindi na makalakad palayo kaya binuhat na ako ni Alec.

He held me tighter when I pressed my hands on my head in the hopes of lessening the pain. He kissed my hair and whispered how everything will be okay.

I took another glance at the groom and saw his tears falling down his face. He still looked too stunned to move or speak. I saw his lips move like he wanted to say something but couldn't. Lumunok siya habang patuloy akong pinagmamasdan na tila isa akong aparisyon.

Nang ipinasok ako ni Alec sa sasakyan ay saka siya gumalaw. He looked afraid.

"Adam...Adam no, no" pigil ng kaniyang asawa habang umiiling. "Adam please..."

Hinawi lamang siya noong Adam at mabilis na naglakad papunta sa akin. The car started to move, and he sprinted.

"Adam!"

Kita ko ang gulat, sakit, at matinding takot sa mga mata ng bride. He shouted something but I was too drowsy to comprehend. Parang pinipiga ang puso ko habang pinagmamasdan siyang lumalayo sa akin ngunit hindi ko naman siya kilala. The last thing I saw was that man, Adam, running towards me before my vision darkened.