Broken Promises (Epitome Series #2)

Kabanata 42

"I now pronounce you as husband and wife..."I smile as I shed tears when I heard the archbishop pronounce us as one. Hinawakan ni Chester ang kamay ko. He's also stifling a cry while smiling at me.

"Congratulations, Mr. and Mrs. Cojuangco. You may now kiss your bride"he said. Rinig ko na ang palakpakan ng mga tao sa gilid namin. Chester slowly held the veil. Inangat niya iyon and it revealed my face when he slowly unveiled me. His hand gently caresses my face before he lean over for a passionate kiss. Napapikit naman ako bago napahawak sa kanyang braso. His other hand held the small of my back as we continue with our kisses. Mas lalong humiyaw ang mga tao dahil doon. Their clap and cheers echoed around the church.

Dahan-dahang tumigil si Chester. Dumilat ako habang nanatili naman siyang nakatingin sa akin. He rested his forehead on me while his nose is still touching mine. We smiled at each other before turning to the cheering crowd. Muli silang nagpalakpakan. Binalingan ko si Tita Amanda na nagpupunas ng luha habang inaakbayan ni Tito. Si Daddy, tipid lang na nakangiti habang pumapalakpak. Ang mga kapatid ko naman ay masayang pumapalakpak habang sina Leilana naman ay naiiyak.

We celebrated after sa heritage house nila Tita Amanda where Lolo celebrated his birthday before. The jazz music is playing while we are both swinging our body slowly. Hawak ang aking beywang, nakahilig ako sa dibdib ni Chester. Our other hands are holding each other. Nakahawak din ang isa ko pang kamay sa kanyang likod bilang suporta. Nagkaroon lang kami ng simpleng program. Pagkatapos, kumain na ang lahat. Naglibot din kaming dalawa for a photo opportunity sa kada table. We also took some photo sa gitna na ginawan ng magandang backdrop. My family and close friends gave their messages and wedding speeches. Umiyak naman si Chester dahil sa sobrang tuwa habang ako naman ay nagpipigil lang. No one from his family is present. We gave them invitation letters but they didn't came. Alam kong malungkot siya pero ayaw niya lang ipakita sa akin. He doesn't want to spoil our night.

Noong una, we're just planning for a very intimate wedding. At gaganapin lang iyon doon sa bahay nila Tita sa south. With only close friends and family to invite. Beach wedding and during sunset pa but because he wanted to make our wedding grand, hinayaan ko nalang. This is the only way I can repay for all the things that I have done before. I kept him. I kept him from everyone kaya siguro panahon na rin para ipangalandakan siya sa lahat.

Wearing my simple Bottega white sequin evening dress, Leilana and the rest of the team bride pull me in front to dance with them. Hindi ko ini-expect na may pa-intermission ang team bride kaya kahit nahihiya, nakisabay nalang ako. I don't want to spoil the night.

"Go Venice!"Leilana cheered for me while they are doing a random dance move kaya I just gracefully moved my hands as I swing my hips gently. Masama naman akong tinitignan ni Leilana dahil sobrang hinhin ko raw sumayaw.

"Congratulations on your wedding, Venice. You know I hold you in such high regard yet somehow, you disappoint me a little bit"napataas ang kilay ko dahil sa sinabi ni Auntie Amelia. She's my mom's sister. She's wearing a vibrant gown kahit muted color naman ang nakalagay sa invitation. I don't know, maybe she hated me that much and she's making it too obvious.

"Pardon, Auntie?"pinagtaasan ko siya ng kilay. Trying really hard to comprehend her kahit alam ko naman kung ano talaga ang ibig niyang sabihin.

"I know you're bright, sophisticated, and talented child but for heaven sake, is this all that you got?"namilog ang mga mata niya na para bang hinahamon niya ako in a way of provoking me with her words.

"He is nothing compared to your suitors! What do you even like about him? He's just an engineer.."I scoff because of what she said.

Hindi ko alam pero hindi ko na napigilan ang ekspresyon kaya nagulat siya sa ginawa kong iyon. I'm offended!