Ikaw At Ako

Kabanata 6

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Kabanata 6

"I would like to thank my parents for all the help and support they have given me over the years, if it wasn't for them I wouldn't be here now." Joaquin smiled to both her parents. "I would also like to thank my wife's parents for making me feel like the son they ever wanted..." Joaquin smiled to my parents, too, na nakikinig lang din sa speech niya ngayon dito na sa wedding reception namin. My parents were also smiling at Joaquin. Ngumiti lang din ako sa tabi niya. "I would like to thank you for having such a beautiful, clever, kind, and caring daughter." Joaquin looked at me with a handsome smile on his face. Before he turned back his eyes to our parents and guests. "Thank you for everything you have done today and to make this day happen for me and my wife." Joaquin's arm then hugged the small of my back after his speech.

Pinalakpakan naman kami ng mga dumalo sa kasal namin. I smiled to everyone, too. I'm just really happy today.

Ngayon ang Mama naman ni Joaquin ang nagsalita sa harap. "The first time I saw you, hijo, it was love." Mama looked at his son lovingly. I smiled. "My little baby grew into a wobbly toddler, and then a smart child. The pre-teen and teen years and the next thing I knew, you've become a man.
I am so proud of you. You've made us proud of everything you've done. And on your wedding today, we wish you only the best. Hija," She smiled lovingly to me, too.

Ngumiti pa ako at niyakap na rin ang Mama ni Joaquin. I'm truly grateful that she accepted me to be Joaquin's wife and her daughter-in-law. I appreciate her kindness to me. "Thank you, Mama." I whispered to her.

Magaan lang naman siyang ngumiti sa akin pagkatapos.

Pagkatapos ay sinundan naman iyon ng Mama ko rin. "It's no news that we love our kids so much, and seeing them grow up is hard. Everything they do fills you with pride. But you also miss the little girl who cuddles into you. And cried to you when she scraped her knee. Now my daughter is older and I'm grateful and proud that she found love in the groom. May your lives be long, happy, and peaceful together."

Naluha naman ako ng kaonti sa sinabi ng Mama. I remember that no matter if they're busy since I was young, naalala kong may mga pagkakataon pa rin naman noon na nand'yan pa rin sila ng Papa para sa sa akin. Gaya ng sinabi ng mama noong bata pa ako kapag nasusugatan ako ay sa kaniya pa rin naman ako unang tumakbo noon. Lumapit at niyakap ko rin ang mama. My wedding day just made me emotional, too. And I think it's all right and normal for a bride like me especially after hearing speeches from the people important to me.

Pagkatapos ay si Senyor Stefano naman ang nagsalita. "My greatest blessing is having a son, one that mirrors me in many ways. But like his dream, he's grown into his own person. He has taught me as much as I've taught him and I'm proud. My son is someone who goes the extra mile for people and I know he'll make an amazing husband. I wish you every best, as we raise our glass to the groom and his amazing bride." Senyor raised his glass for a toast. We also raised our glasses with him.

And then my Papa followed. "Looking at both of you in your beautiful dress and dapper suit, my wedding day comes to mind. We were quite excited, filled with love, merriment, and of course nervousness. From me to you, I'll tell you for free that a successful marriage requires falling in love many times. And doing it with the same person always." My Papa smiled.

Ngumiti rin kami pareho ni Joaquin at nagkatinginan pagkatapos na may ngiti sa mga labi namin.

The next speech came from Joaquin's Best Man, his closest friend from the US while he's growing up there. Filipino rin ito pero nanatili na talaga sila ng family niya sa America. At umuwi nga lang ngayon para sa kasal ng matalik na kaibigan. Natawa pa kami ng guests sa kwela rin nitong speech. "There comes a time in everyone's life when they meet their one true love, their soul mate, the person that's going to know and love them for the rest of their life. That moment came for the groom." He smiled. He looked happy for his best friend, too. Napangiti rin ako. "Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen, especially the single ladies here," He even winked. Joaquin just shook his head for his friend. Natawa lang naman ako sa tabi niya. "for those of you that don't know me, my name is Dwayne." He smiled handsomely and adorably.

Gwapo rin ang kaibigan ni Joaquin. Naisip ko pa kung paano kaya sila noong nag-aaral pa? They're good looking men. I'm sure many girls wanted to be with them, too. And I'm just glad that Joaquin came home and chose to marry me instead... I smiled happily to myself. Ako ang nagwagi!

Dwayne continued his Best Man speech. "On behalf of the bride and groom, I'd like to thank you all for coming. And I want to give special thanks to the parents of the bride and groom... it's amazing how far some people are willing to travel, just for some free food and drink." Natawa na lang kami ng mga bisita. "And finally, I'd like to thank my best friend, the handsome groom, for giving me the first EVER opportunity.... to be able to speak for five minutes without him interrupting!"

The reception venue was filled with laughter. I'm just glad too that Joaquin has a good person for a best friend. Na mukhang kilalang kilala din siya. They know each other very well. I can see that. After all they are truly best friends. Kahit pa medyo seryosong tao si Joaquin at may pagkapalabiro naman ang kaibigan niyang si Dwayne.

And then my Maid Of Honor, my best friend, too, Anja. "Before I go any further, I just want to say, Bride, you look absolutely beautiful and Groom, you're really handsome, too." She smiled to us. Ngumiti rin kami ni Joaquin sa kaibigan ko.

"Thank you, Angel, for the honor of being your maid of honor." She smiled to me. I smiled to my best friend, too. "I've known the Bride for quite a long time now. We've laughed together, cried together, and laughed until we've cried."

And then Anja turned to look at Joaquin. "Angelica is perfectly beautiful, but she's not perfect. She still has flaws... But she's kind and sweet, caring and loving." My best friend looked at me softly. Before she looked at Joaquin beside me again. "Mr. Aguirrezabal, please take good care of my best friend. We love her so much. I love her, kami ng pamilya at mga kapatid, at mga kaibigan niya. And I hope you continue to love her for the rest of your life as husband and wife now." Isang huling ngiti at natapos na ni Anja ang speech niya.

I mouthed 'I love you' to my best friend and she smiled to me before she went back to her seat.

At first she just couldn't believe it when I told her that I was getting married. Ganoon din ang reaction ng iba pa naming mga kaibigan sa Manila na gulat din sa balita ko sa kanila. Nga naman I just turned 22 still young and it's unexpected for everyone. Pero nang pumunta din dito si Anja sa probinsya ilang araw bago ang kasal ko at nakilala si Joaquin at nakitang mabait naman ito ay lalo na lang din niyang inaprubahan ang pagpapakasal ko. I know that she's just a little worried for me as my best friend. But after seeing that I am happy with Joaquin, too, naging masaya na rin si Anja para sa akin.

My two older brothers also gave their speeches on my wedding reception as the closest people to me, too.

It was really fun! There was the cake cutting, toasts, and dancing. Joaquin and I danced. And I feel like that moment was like a happily ever after from a fairytale book...

Pero alam ko rin na iyon pa lang ang simula namin ni Joaquin... Dito pa lang magsisimula ang pagiging mag-asawa naming dalawa.