Heaven By Your Side

42

Only

"Is it here? Where is it? I want to see."

Reiana excitedly burst into my suite when she found out that my wedding gown had arrived.

"Your sister-in-law?" The makeup and hair stylist I hired asked.

I nodded and smiled at her. "Yes."

She smiled back at me. Pareho naming pinanuod si Rei na ineeksamin ang gown ko na nakalatag sa kama.

This is our fifth day in Hawaii. Dapat kahapon ang balak ni Red na second wedding namin, pero tumawag sa akin ang designer na ngayon pa nga lang makakarating ang inorder kong gown. It arrived two hours before the wedding.

Red and I are going to hold our second wedding at the Paradise Cove Crystal Chapel, and from our previous hotel, we transfer to a new hotel that's only three to five minutes away from the chapel. It's called the Four Seasons Resort Oahu at Ko Olina, and from Honolulu, they arranged a private jet travel to Kapolei for me and my companions.

"Can she wear it now?" Tanong ni Rei sa stylist.

Ngumiti ito at tumango sa kanya.

"Come on, Miel. I'll help you." Ani Rei.

She looks prepossessing with her Saint Laurent cobalt blue halterneck ruched gown. Napansin ko rin ang hawak niyang box na nilapag niya muna sa coffee table dahil nga gusto akong tulungan sa pagsusuot ko ng aking dress.

"Sabi ko na nga ba nung makita ko ito sa website nila ay alam ko na agad na ito talaga ang babagay sayo, eh." Rei stated after I put on my gown.

My gown is from Nicole Milano, and it's a mermaid wedding dress in tulle and Chantilly lace. The sweetheart neckline and short sleeves create a romantic style that makes me feel unique. It also came with an embroidered tulle veil that descends to become a romantic train in the back. 

My footwear are from Jimmy Choo and it's a faux pearl-embellished Pine sandals. Pareho kami ni Rei pero black lang iyong kanya, sa akin naman ay color white. My hair is styled in a braided low bun.

"Thanks for helping me pick this dress, Rei."

"Of course. Anything for my favorite sister-in-law."

We both giggled. Nagpaalam na ang stylist kaya kami nalang ni Rei ang naiwan sa suite.

"What's that, Rei?" Tinuro ko ang box sa coffee table.

"Oh," Sinulyapan niya rin iyong box. "That's my gift. Pero mamaya mo na iopen pagkatapos ng kasal mo at baka mahulas pa yang makeup mo."

Mas lalo tuloy akong nacurious.

Bumaba na kami ni Rei sa hotel lobby nang sabihin ng isa sa mga staff na naghihintay na sa amin ang limousine.

Pops and Lolli are the ones who rented the white limousine for us. Hindi na kasi sila makakaabot kaya ito nalang daw ang regalo nila. Balak din naman naming magcelebrate ulit ni Red pagbalik sa Philippines kasama sila at ang aking in-laws.

Nauna na nang ihatid ng limousine ang mga boys sa Chapel, kami nalang ni Rei ang on the way pa lang.

"Thanks." I said to Rei after she handed me a red and cream rose bouquet.

Tinulungan niya rin akong ayusin ang gown ko habang paakyat sa hagdan ng chapel.

The organizer opened the chapel door, and Rei was the first one to enter. Kaagad din iyong sinarado para naman sa pagpasok ko...And when the door opened again, the first thing I saw was my husband.