Ashford Series 1: Loveless Vows

Chapter 3

Sabrinna POV

Simula nang pumasok ako sa mansyon ay hindi ako kumikibo, bukod sa nakakaramdam pa din ako ng hiya sa sarili ko ay nalulula din ako sa sobrang laki ng mansyon.

Nilibot ko ang buong mansyon at hindi kinaya ng isang araw yun, masyadong malawak at malaki para libutin lang ng isang araw.

Napagod lang ako kaya naman napag desisyonan kong pumasok sa kwartong iniassign sa akin, sinamahan ako ng maid at hinatid dahil baka maligaw daw ako.

Kaagad akong umupo sa kama at pabagsak na humiga, ipinikit ko ang aking mga mata para mag pahinga at pagkagising ko ay umaga na.

The morning light comes through the curtains as I wake up. Today is my wedding day!

Napabalikwas ako ng bangon, aligaga akong nag ayos sa aking sarili hanggang sa may mga maid na pumasok at nag tataka sa kung ano ang ginagawa ko.

"Madam, alas sais pa lang po ng umaga alas dyes po ang simula ng kasal. Kami na po ang bahalang mag ayos sa inyo."

Tumango lang ako, napatingin ako sa robe na nasa bedside ko, ngayon ko lang ito napansin dahil bigla akong kinabahan. Akala ko ay late na ako nagising.

My hands are a bit unsteady as I reach for the robe by my bedside. The silk feels soft against my skin. I take a deep breath to calm myself.

The room is quiet, except for the soft sounds of the maids moving around me. One of them guides me to the bathroom, where a warm bath is ready. The scent of lavender fills the room as I settle into the water. I try to focus on the warmth of the water to keep myself calm.

When I get out of the bath, a maid is there with a towel, wrapping it around me. They help me into a fresh robe. I sit in front of the vanity, and a maid begins to style my hair. Her fingers move quickly, curling and pinning each strand. I watch as my reflection changes, my hair now styled neatly.

Another maid applies my makeup, carefully adding each detail. I keep my eyes closed, trusting her to do her job. When she finishes, I look in the mirror and see a simple, soft look.

Next is the dress. The maids bring it over, and it catches the light as they hold it up. They help me step into it, and the fabric slides over my skin. They lace up the back with care. I feel the weight of the dress and what it symbolizes.

One maid gives me my shoes. I put them on. The final touch is the veil, which they place on my head. I look in the mirror again and see myself, now ready.

The maids took a step back. I take one last breath and look at myself in front of a full body mirror. I'm ready to walk down the aisle.

Parang ang bilis ng pangyayari, kanina lang ay nag hahanda ako sa loob ng mansion, ngayon ay nakatayo na ako sa harap ng napakalaking simbahan.

This is the day everyone has been waiting for. Everyone who knows the Ashford family is waiting for the marriage that will happen between me and Prime.

Napatingin ako sa hawak kong bulaklak, puro rosas iyon. Eto ang nirequest ko sa ina ni Prime.

I really love roses.

Napabuntong hininga ako. I have accepted my fate but why do I feel this way?

"Ms. Martinez?"

Tumingin ako sa aking likuran.

"Its starting."

Napalunok ako at mahigpit na napahawak sa bouquet.

Sobrang bilis ng mga pangyayari, mistulang ang aking isip ay nakalutang dahil hindi ko namalayang nasa harap na pala ako ng altar.

Sa harap ni Prime.

As I stand in front of him, my heart starts to race. I feel nervous, and my hands are shaking a little. I take a deep breath, trying to calm down, but the moment feels intense.

When I finally look into his eyes, everything else fades away. His ash-grey eyes meet mine, and I start to feel calmer, even though I'm still nervous. There's something about the way he looks at me-steady and reassuring. The nervousness doesn't go away, but now it's mixed with a sense of awe. I'm drawn into his eyes, feeling both anxious and deeply connected to him.

"Calm down. Mag sisimula na ang kasal." Bulong niya.

"Now let us humbly invoke God's blessing upon this bride and groom, that in his kindness he may favor with his help those on whom he has bestowed the Sacrament of Matrimony."

Bumigat bigla ang aking dibdib nang mag simulang mag salita ang pari. Napahawak ako ng mahigpit sa mga kamay ni Prime.

Bigla ay naramdaman ko namang hinihimas niya ang aking kamay sa pamamagitan ng kaniyang hinlalaki.

I took a deep breath at pinapakalma ko ang aking sarili. My vision is blurred because of the tears forming in my eyes.

Pull yourself together, Sabrinna. You have to listen to his vows.

"I take you, Sabrinna Martinez, as my wife."

Dahan dahan ay isinuot niya ang singsing na para sa akin.

"To have and to hold, to love you to cheerish you til death do us part."

Dahan dahan akong napatingin sa kaniya.

"I give you my hand to be your kin and your love."

Bigla ay nag tama ang aming paningin.

"Loving what I know of you and trusting what I don't yet know, I give you my hand."

Sambit niya na hindi pinuputol ang tinginan namin.

"I give you my love. I give you myself, the good, the bad, and the yet to come."

Napatingin ako sa aking daliri ng matapos niyang sabihin ang kaniyang vows.

Napabuga ako ng hangin at ngumiti. Tumingin ako sa kaniyang mga mata at dahan dahan ding isinuot ang singsing habang sinasambit ang mga salitang -

"Today, surrounded by all of your loved ones, I choose you to be my husband. I am proud to be your wife and to join my life with yours. I vow to support you, inspire you, and love you always. For as long as we both shall live, I will be by your side-for better or worse, in sickness and health, for richer or poorer. You are my one and only today and every day."

Nakita ko ang pagtagis ng kaniyang panga, kaagad naman akong napaiwas ng tingin dahil sa tensyong aking nararamdaman.

"Do you Prime Cyril Ashford, take this woman, Sabrinna Martinez, to be your lawfully wedded wife, to live together in matrimony, to love her, comfort her, honor and keep her, in sickness and in health, in sorrow and in joy, to have and to hold, from this day forward, as long as you both shall live?"

"I do." he says with his deep britone voice.

"Do you Sabrinna Martinez, take this man, Prime Cyril Ashford, to be your lawfully wedded husband, to live together in matrimony, to love him, comfort him, honor and keep him, in sickness and in health, in sorrow and in joy, to have and to hold, from this day forward, as long as you both shall live?"

"I do." Napatikhim ako dahil biglang nanginig ang aking boses.

"Now let us humbly invoke God's blessing upon this bride and groom, that in his kindness he may favor with his help those on whom he has bestowed the Sacrament of Matrimony. In the sight of God and these witnesses, I now pronounce you husband and wife! You may now kiss the bride!"

Itinaas niya ang belong nakatakip sa 'king mukha at marahang hinawakan ang aking baba, dahan dahan niyang iniangat ang nakayuko kong mukha.

At habang iniangat niya ay dahan dahan naman akong napatingin sa kaniyang kulay abo na mga mata, hanggang sa napapikit ako ng mag lapat ang aming labi sa unang pagkakataon.

My tears flowed down my cheeks. I never thought I would make promises I wasn't sure I could keep. I can't believe we both said those vows.

A loveless vows.

To be continued