HF 2: His Thantophobia

Chapter 43

Huminga ako nang malalim. It feels like the first time. Nakakakaba pero mas nangingibabaw yung excitement. Feeling ko maiiyak na ako sa pagtingin palang sa sarili ko sa salamin.

Another wedding gown, Glenn. Another wedding with the same man, but this time, it's for real. Like for real. At wala nang pwedeng pumigil.

"You're so gorgeous!" Aly said while staring at my reflection on the mirror.

"Thank you."

"You're such a nice woman, Glenn. I couldn't believe I'm actually invited in this wedding. I'm the reason why you weren't able to get married in the first place but here I am right now, wearing a gown as a bridesmaid for your wedding for the second time." Aly held my hands. "You're one in a million. Now, I see why it is so hard for Keith to let go of you. I clearly see now why he loves you so much."

Pinahid ko yung luhang tumulo sa pisngi ko. "Thank you, Alynise. Wala ka namang kasalanan eh. Napag-utusan ka lang. Saka, everybody deserves a second chance. Kahit si Grace if she would like to have one."

Aly purses her lips and hugged me. "Don't worry, Glenn. If there will be someone who'll stop this wedding again, I'd be the one to knock the person out."

Parehas kaming tumawa. Sakto namang pumasok si Mommy, si Daddy, si Kuya Gelo at ang tatlo ko pang bridesmaids. Gaya ng inaasahan ko, umiiyak na naman si Mommy.

"Heto na naman tayo. But this time, talagang maiiba na ang apelyido mo. Sorry. Hindi ko lang mapigilan," sabi ni Mommy habang pinapaypayan ang sarili niya.

I hugged her.

"Ang ganda-ganda mo, anak. Ewan ko ba sa mommy mo, naiiyak pa eh hindi na naman ito ang unang beses na nakita ka niyang nakasuot nang ganyan," sabi ni Daddy.

Kuya Gelo tapped my shoulder. "I don't know what to say. Ayokong maging ma-drama so... You're beautiful. For the second time in my life, I feel proud being your brother."

I jokingly punched his shoulder. Nagkwentuhan kami sandali. Nakikitawa ako pero lumilipad na ang utak ko. Hindi ko na alam ang nararamdaman ko. Kung kinakabahan ba ako o nae-excite. The only thing I'm sure of is that this is it. This. Is. It.

*

I heard the wedding march playing. I'm holding the bouquet and my parents are beside me. Huminga ako nang malalim bago bumukas ang malaking pinto ng simbahan. Sinalubong ako ng sunod-sunod na flash ng mga camera.

This is it, Glenn. You're getting married.

Lahat ng kabang nararamdaman ko, unti-unting nawala nang makita ko ang lalaking naghihintay sakin sa altar. Keith is so handsome with his tux. Yeah, that's the guy I'm marrying. Living the dream.

Ngumiti siya sakin. There is a band playing songs at the background of the wedding march. Request yun ni Keith. Gusto raw niyang may soundtrip sa kasal. Kalog lang.

Noon ko lang napansin na may camera na nakasabit kay Keith. He is also taking pictures of me. Hindi ko alam kung ngingiti ako o ano.

"What's with the camera?" I asked my parents.

"Hindi rin namin alam. Ang sabi nila, gusto raw ni Keith na may dala ring camera habang nasa harap ng altar," sagot ni Daddy.

Hanggang sa paglalakad ko papunta sa kanya, hawak pa rin niya yung camera. Nagmano siya kay Mommy at Daddy.

"Here you go. I know I already said this and I know you will because you already did. Take care of her, son," Daddy said.

Keith gave him a thumb up. The ceremony went on. I felt nostalgia. From time to time, I catch Keith staring at me and then he'll smile and bite his lower lip. He doesn't know how sexy it is when he does that.