Moth to a Flame

Diciannove| Damn Forest

THIRD PERSON

"You cheeky bastard! I should be the only one walking with her down the aisle!" Ingos ni Fabian bago hampasin ng baston ang paa ni Apollo. Pigil hininga itong napahiyaw upang hindi gumawa ng kahit na anong ingay.

"You should have given birth to a daughter so you'd have a chance to walk her down the aisle!" He replied through gritted teeth. Nagsukatan naman ng tingin ang mga ito na siyang ikinasapo na lang ng noo ni Distaunce.

Wala talagang pinipiling lugar at okasyon ang mga ito. Hindi sila nagpaawat sa pagtatalo kanina kung sino ang maglalakad kay Sachal sa altar, halos umabot pa sa punto na magrambulan ito sa tapat ng simbahan. Mabuti na lang ay napagdesisyunan ni Sachal na silang dalawa ang maghahatid sa kanya. Pero ultimong kahit sa paglalakad ay parang naghihilahan pa silang dalawa kanina.

"To think that my little girl already grew up, and I have to give her up to her new family. . ." Dumukot ng panyo sa bulsa si Fabian at pinunasan ang nagbabadyang luha sa mga mata. Hindi rin nagpaawat si Apollo at umiyak rin.

"Parang noon lang lumalangoy-langoy pa siya, Pops. Simula noong nanalo siya sa racing sa loob pa lang ng Follopian tube, proud na ako sa kanya!" Suminghot-singhot pa ito kaya sinamaan lang siya ng tingin ni Fabian.

Sino na naman ba nag-abot ng shabu rito? Irap ng matanda sa kawalan. Kapagkuwan ay naluha na naman ito nang maalalang minsan niya na lang makikita ang apo niya.

"Naalala ko pa noong bata siya, sinampal niya ako ng tae niya tapos—" Binusalan ni Fabian ng panyo ang bibig nito dahil sa kawalangyaang lumalabas sa bibig niya.

"Hmmpf—Hmm—"

"You were my flame in the darkest of nights, a reminder that, no matter how hard things got, there was always light at the end of the tunnel. But I know, even flames like you cast shadows, and I knew there were parts of you that you kept hidden, parts that you wish no one ever saw." Kage's words struck a pang in her chest. She felt heard and understood.

The man standing before her, with a ring held gently in his hand, gazed at her with eyes brimming with love and sincerity, speaking as though he had known her for years.

"We all have our shadows, our dark sides, and you are no exception. But it was not the shadows that defined you—it was the light, the fire that burned within you, the warmth you bring was the only thing that made me feel alive." Nanlamig ang kamay ni Sachal nang marinig ang huling katagang sinabi nito. Even with the veil, she couldn't hide the blush on her face.

"I, Arlecchino Kage Salvatore, take you, Aviatrice Sachal Coronia, to be my wife. I will be faithful and loyal like a dog, build a statue, and worship you; even death can't tear us apart." Naging punching bag na naman ni Kassidy at Arianne si Fejia dahil sa kilig. Samantalang napakagat na lang ng labi si Sachal habang pinapanood ang dahan-dahan nitong pagsuot ng singsing.

He prepared the rings, and she was pleased that they weren't made of gold or silver but rose gold—her favorite. It was a simple rose-gold diamond ring with something engraved underneath it. Hindi niya lang mabasa dahil naisuot na ito sa daliri niya.

"I, Aviatrice Sachal Coronia, take you, Arlecchino Kage Salvatore, to be my husband. I will stand by you, not as a partner but as someone always learning, growing, and reaching for your hand in the highs and lows. . ." She looked at him, and his eyes were only focused on her—watching every movement of her lips.

"I'll find peace in your laughter and strength in your embrace. I vow to be with you in the bright moments and in the quiet shadows. Together, we walk hand in hand and choose this imperfect journey, always, even after death." Tumaas ang sulok ng labi ni Kage sa narinig samantalang hindi naman maiwasang manginig ang kamay ng dalaga habang sinusuot ang singsing nito.