THE CROWDED MARRIAGE

Chapter 12

Filoah Anne Romero
-present-

Ivory Kyson Mortimeroz's wedding is finally happening...

But unfortunately, not to me... not to me, whom he promised to be with, but to the other woman.

Standing at the side of the church and secretly watching his perfect wedding made my heart ache more.

I tightly gripped the clipboard that I was holding. I've been busy since the morning as Elani and Isabel, and I made sure that everything that was planned would be executed well until the very end of it.

Huminga ako ng malalim, para ipalala sa sarili ko ang reyalidad.

I watched their wedding so close, but they felt so far... he felt so far now.

The massive double doors of the church opened, and a woman in her perfect gown came into the picture. All eyes were on her, including mine and Ivory's, who was waiting in the aisle.

Everything's perfect... especially the bride in her perfect wedding dress.

I remembered how I described her when I first met her at an event... which was also my first meeting with Ivory.

But today, Maeve looks more mature. But she still looks unreal. She looks like she is straight-up dolled today.

Maeve looks like a perfect AI robot in human form. No one dared remove their eyes as she slowly and precisely walked to the center.

Then instrumental music appeared in our ears. It was so familiar... because that song was from the Disney movie called Tangled.

I see the light was the title.

When the instrumental music started, we all saw how Maeve's eyes slowly widened. But she continued to walk... then her parents came to her and brought her to Ivory.

Everything looks so magical.

Napalingon ako sa aking tabi nang kinikilig na pinalakpak ni Miss Elani yung mga kamay niya.

"Grabe! Maeve's reaction was priceless. I know she loved the change in her wedding instrumental song..." sabi niya pa sa kanyang sarili habang nakatitig sa harap.

"Bakit po nagbago? Diba po naka-plano na 'yon una pa lang?"

Nilingon ako ni MIss Elani na may malawak na ngiti sa kanyang labi.

"Sir Ivory requested it yesterday. He told me that it was Maeve's favorite Disney movie when they were kids. Pero syempre hindi ako pumayag nang una dahil nga si Maeve na ang pumili ng wedding background music nila... kaya 'yon, nagdahilan si sir Ivory sa akin na naalala niya nang mga bata pa lang sila ay nasabi sa kanya ni Maeve na gusto niyang patugtugin ang tunog ng I see the light sa kasal niya, and sir Ivory told me that he wanted to fulfill it. Syempre, pinagbigyan ko kaagad... and worth it naman."

Napatango-tango na lang ako at binalik muli ang tingi sa harap.

So they were childhood friends, huh? Matagal na pala silang magkakilala. Nagtataka lang ako dahil hindi 'yon na open up sa akin ni Ivo... at sa limang taon naming pagsasama, alam kong hindi sila nagkita o nag-uusap man lang ni Maeve Valencia.

Thinking about their story... it would have been so perfect if it wasn't for me entering the picture.

They were childhood friends... then they went back to each other after so many years to be married. They have the same status. They were both successful in life. Their parents won't be against them. And lastly, they can fall in love with each other along the journey of their marriage.