The Summer I Met You (Under Revision)

XVI

"You looks so pretty!" Kelly said while looking at my reflection. "A true princess.'

"You look gorgeous, yourself." I hugged her. "I worked hard sketching that damn Bride's maid dress." Natawa siya.

I stared at myself in the mirror again.

I was wearing my Wedding dress, hanggang kalahati ng paa ko ang haba nito pero hindi sasayad sa sahig, My hair was tied halfway with pears on the tied strands, and my veil was embroidered with Pink roses.

"Picture po with the Bridesmaids!" Ani ng photographer.

They were all here, even Achi.

Alex' Mom was also with us. She even gave me the family's heirloom, it was a heart shaped brooch na may corona sa itaas.

We were all very chaotic until someone entered the door.

"S-santi." He was smiling. Wearing his blue tuxedo na naayos sa theme ng kasal namin.

"Congrats, Stel." He approached me. Sinensyasan ko sila na lumabas. "Masaya ako para sa'yo."

"Thank you, I'm really happy na nandito ka." I reached for his hand like a child. "Find someone, okay? Someone na mamahalin mo habang nabubuhay ka, yung hindi mo lalayasan."

"Yeah, I will." He went closer and gave me his hand. "Ang ganda mo ngayon."

"Thanks" I smiled.

"Ganito rin kaya ang itsura mo kung sakali na hindi ako umalis?" Natawa siya. "Biro lang."

Pumasok ang coordinator.

"Miss Yang? Tara napo?" She asked.

Tumayo na'ko at inalalayan ako ni Santi palabas ng dressing room papunta sa kapilya.

"Mga kapatid..." Ani ng manggagawa sa loob ng kapilya. "Ating salubungin, Kapatid na Estella Lorraine." Sabay bukas ng pinto.

I saw Santi near the door waiting for me. Siya kasi ang maghahatid sa'kin sa dambana.

I made my way to him and wraped my right hand on his arm. We started walking down the aisle.

We stopped at the end of the aisle were he passed my hand to Alex.

"Alagaan mo si stel." He adviced.

"Oo naman" with that he took my hand and we stood infront of the altar.

"Natitipon tayo ngayon upang masaksihan ang pag iisang dibdib nila Kapatid na Alexander Luis Vasquez at Kapatid na Estella Lorraine Yang." Panimula ng manggagawa.

Nagtekto muna ito ng tungkol sa mga mag asawa.

"At ngayon ay ating patutunguhan ang pagpapanata." Ani nito. "Itaas mo ang iyong kanang kamay Bro."

Itinaas naman ni Alex ang kamay niya at binasa ang nakalagay sa Papel na ihinarap sakaniya ng Manggagawa.

"Ako si, Alexander Luis Vasquez." Panimla nito. "Ay sumusumpa na ikaw Estella Lorraine Yang, ay kukunin ko bilang aking kaisang dibdib, kapanata, at kasama sa banal na paglilingkod. Aalagaan, sa hirap at sa ginhawa, sa buhay man o sa kamatayan."

It was now my turn.

"Ako si, Estella Lorraine Yang." Tumingin ako sa mga bisita na puno ng ngiti ang mga mukha. "Ay ipinapaubaya si Alexander Luis Vasquez kay Athesia Fior Veraña." Nagulat ang lahat t nagsimulang magbulongan.

"Mahal?" He was confused.

"Patawarin mo'ko..." hinaplos ko ang pisngi niya. "Tayo ang dapat ikakasal pero hindi ka akin. Kailan man ay hindi ka naging akin." I turned to the guests. And walked towards Athesia and gave her my boquet. "Go get what's yours."

She smiled at me and approached Alex.

I signalled the minister to continue the wedding as we all sat back down. I was not sitting with Tita Jane, Alex' mom.

"You're so selfless..." bulong nito sa'kin. "And that's why I liked you."

"He deserves to be happy. " ani ko habang nakatingin sa dalawa na ikinakasal.

"At ngayon, kayo ay itinatanghal ko bilang ganap na mag asawa na." Pagtatapos ng manggagawa.

I saw them closed their distance and kissed each other.

We all stood up and gave them a round of applause.

***
We were already at the Reception. I changed my dress into a royal blue silk dress na hanggang tuhod ang haba at ang manggas na 'di aabot sa siko. My hair was already free from the veil. I also gave the engagement ring to Athesia.

And now the speech from the Bridesmaids came.

"Hi, as you all know, I was the bride kanina lang hahaha." They all laughed with me. "Anyways, I would like to dedicate this speech to these two. And of course specialy to the groom. Alex, the reason I gave up your hand to Athesia is because from our 2 years of being in a relationship. I realised na kapag pala may tao kang pinapahalagahan gagawin mo lahat para dito. Even if it means to set them free. A toast to Athesia, Congrats sis! I hope that you both live a life of prosperity." I gave the mic back to the host and walked back to Ahia.

"Hindi parin ako makapaniwala sa ginawa mo." He whisphered. "But I bet na hindi ka rin maniniwala sa gagawin ko para sa'yo." With that he lead me to the shore where a trail of rose petals lead to someone who's back was turned against me.

"Santi?" I walked towards him.

He turned around and there he was, holding a boquet of flowers.

"Stella." He smiled. "Nung sinabi mo na maghanap ako ng hindi ko na lalayasan. Love, I found you."

This was really surprising kasi akala ko nakamove kn na siya.

"I want to take this moment to ask you officialy, not to be my girlfriend. But to be my partner for this lifetime." He knelt down on one knee. "Will you be Mrs. Baltazar?"

"My Santi." Sagot ko sakaniya. "Kahit pa sampung beses mo'kong iwan at alukin ng kasal, sampung beses rin akong sasagot sa'yo ng oo."

He stood up and went to kiss me.

"Mga bastos!" Singit ni Ahia.

"Ang bitter naman Bro." Ate Angellique said as she approached my brother. "Sana hindi kana bitter pag kinasal narin tayo."

With that she jumped into mg Brother's arms as they both embraced each other's presence.