Sinful Surrender

Chapter 8

Ito na ang araw na itinakda ang pag-iisang dibdib namin ni Leyton. I was just looking myself on the vanity mirror. It was mixed emotions. A mix of sadness, pain and at the same time, excitement.

I am sad because it is supposed to be the best day of my life since wedding is once in a lifetime pero wala na ang mga magulang ko para samahan akong maglakad patungo sa altar.

Ibang-iba sa wedding na pinapangarap ko.

I'm so beautiful... But the pain was evident in my eyes.

No matter how hard I try to make myself okay, I just couldn't. 

Nagsimula akong maglakad papunta sa altar. It was just an intimate wedding. Only my friends, closest family members and Leyton's friends in America. Umuwi lang ang mga ito. May mga witness rin na dumalo na business partners ni Daddy Jack. 

While walking in the aisle, I saw my friends' teary eyes. All eyes were on me. Nakakangatog rin pala ng tuhod. Pakiramdam ko ay parang matatalisud ako anumang oras. 

Then on the altar, I saw the man I was bound to marry... my stepbrother. 

He was looking great with his suit. Hindi ko alam kung namamalik-mata ba ako o ano, pero may nakita akong namumuong luha sa mata niya kahit malayo pa lang ako sa kanya. Hindi rin nakaligtas sa mga mata ko ang pagpunas niya sa may bandang mata niya. 

"Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today in the presence of God and these witnesses to join together this man and this woman in holy matrimony. If there is anyone among you who knows of any reason why they may not be lawfully joined together, speak now or forever hold your peace." the priests started. 

"Wala na pong tutol, Father. Please do continue." Leyton inserted all of a sudden kaya pinandilatan ko siya ng mata. 

Parang naiinip pa siya. Excited naman ng taong ito.

The priests continued and now it is time to exchange our vows. 

"Leyton Maximo Marasigan, I won't promise you anything. It is what it is. And I believe that promises are meant to be broken. Therefore, I hate promises." I stated.

Wala kasi akong maisip na sasabihin na vows pa sa kanya dahil marriage for convenience lang naman ito. Hindi naman ito totoo.

Now, it's his turn.

"Odessa Von Alfanta, our story did not start good but expect that I will be a good husband. Ikaw lang ang babaeng papakasalan ko sa kahit saang simabahan at paulit-ulit kong papakasalan. I am sorry for what I've done but I promise to make it right. Genuinely..." He looked at me with sincerity in his eyes. "I love you..."

Nanlaki ang mata ko sa sinabi niya. Nag-abang ako sa na nanunukso at nanloloko niyang mukha ngunit wala akong nakita na kahit anumang pagbibiro. I just saw sincerity. Pero siguro magaling lang siya umarte at nagbibiro lang siya. He didn't mean what he said.

"Mr. Marasigan, you may now kiss your bride."

Kinabahan ako sa pag-anunsiyo ng pare. Nagkatinginan kami ni Leyton sa mata. Seryoso pa rin ang mukha niya. I couldn't read his eyes. Then slowly, he lifted the veil. Hinawakan niya ang mukha ko na nagpabilis ng puso ko.

Dahan-dahan niya nang inilapit ang mukha niya kaya napapikit nalang ako.

I was waiting for his lips to touch mine, but seconds had passed, I didn't feel anything on my lips. Instead, his soft lips touched my forehead.

Sa noo niya ako hinalikan...

Hindi ko maintindihan ang sarili ko. May halong inis akong naramdaman. Hindi ko alam kung anong nakain ko na bigla ko nalang hinawakan ang mukha niya at tumingkayad para mahalikan siya. Sobrang bilis ng pangyayari.