Randomantic (Opposites Attract Hambebe Spin-Off)

11

Sheena stepped out of the hospital, the bright sun momentarily blinding her as she squinted against the rays. The bustling street seemed a stark contrast to the whirlwind of emotions that had consumed her the past week. She closed her eyes, letting the warmth touch her skin, but no matter how hard she tried to embrace the calmness of the moment, her mind kept replaying the same memories — memories of that crash, that fateful night that changed everything.

Today, however, wasn't about that. Today wasn't for grief.

It was about love.

As she hailed a cab, her phone buzzed in her pocket. Without looking, she knew it was another message from her mom reminding her of the day's importance. They'd all be there today — the entire family, along with Guill's.

"Kuya, San Agustin Church po, please," she told the driver with a soft but tired smile.

The streets of Intramuros were still as lively as ever, with tourists, students, and passersby creating a backdrop of movement and chatter. Sheena's mind drifted, but her heart throbbed with anticipation. It was Nick and Maloi's day.

As the cab came to a halt just outside the grand doors of San Agustin Church, Sheena felt a strange mixture of peace and nervousness settle into her chest. The church, with its ancient stone walls and looming arches, stood like a guardian over the emotions that would soon unfold within. She exhaled, knowing she wasn't just attending another wedding; this was *their* moment.

She walked through the grand entrance, her heels clicking against the cobblestones, her heart heavy with emotion. The church was filled with familiar faces, each one carrying their own weight of memories and love for the couple. Sheena's eyes scanned the crowd, spotting Aiah and MJ seated close to the front, MJ's arm protectively around Aiah's shoulders. Everyone was here — family, friends, all gathered to witness this day.

And then her eyes landed on the altar.

Nick is there, in his dark army green suit impeccable, every detail precisely as it should be. The shade of green suited him perfectly, bringing out the deep warmth of his skin and the strength in his broad shoulders. He looked calm, serene, almost angelic in the soft light streaming through the stained-glass windows. Beside him stood Maloi, her red Bayonetta glasses perched delicately on her nose, the ribbon fluttering against her cheek every time she moved.

"Ang pogi ni Nick, ano?" whispered one of the guests behind Sheena.

"Grabe, bagay na bagay sa kanya yung kulay," the other one replied, her voice a mix of awe and bittersweet emotion.

Sheena sat down quietly in the middle pews, her fingers fidgeting with the edge of her dress. She had been through so many ceremonies, watched so many couples make their promises, but this — this felt different.

The atmosphere in the church was unlike any wedding she had attended before. There was a stillness in the air, a profound sense of respect for the journey Nick and Maloi had shared.

The double doors creaked open, and Maloi began her slow walk down the aisle. Her wedding dress, simple yet elegant, swayed with each step, brushing the stone floor in delicate, rhythmic motions. Nick waited at the altar, his eyes never leaving her. The moment was surreal, but there was an unspoken understanding in the air — that today wasn't just about their love, but about something deeper, something that went beyond mere words and promises.

As Maloi reached the altar, she took a deep breath and stood beside Nick. The priest handed her the microphone, and she hesitated for just a second, gathering her thoughts.

"Hello, everyone!" Maloi's voice rang through the silent church, her usual playful tone present, but laced with a hint of vulnerability. "Shux, ang tagal kong hinintay yung araw na 'to. Sino bang mag-aakala na after being in a relationship with Nick for six years, eh eto na... nakalakad na ako sa aisle?" She paused, wiping away the first of many tears that would fall today.

The guests chuckled softly, the tension in the air loosening just a little. Sheena couldn't help but smile, her heart swelling as she watched her dear friend stand in front of the man she loved.

"Ang tagal namin, 'no? Hindi ko din alam paano siya nakatiis sa daldal ko," Maloi added, her voice trembling slightly as laughter rippled through the church.

Sheena glanced over at Nick's parents, who sat in the front pew, their eyes fixed on Maloi with a mixture of pride and sorrow. They had witnessed every step of their journey, every argument, every laugh, every moment that had led to this day.

"Natatandaan ko nung una kaming nagkita ni Nick, engagement party ni Aiah at MJ," Maloi continued, her voice steadying as she delved into the past. "Natapunan ko siya ng champagne." The crowd chuckled at the memory, their smiles growing wider as Maloi's voice lightened the mood. "Buong gabi nagtatalo lang kami ni Nick. Grabe 'pag kainis sa akin ni Nick noon. 'Piskit!' sabi niya."

The crowd erupted in laughter, even as they wiped away their tears. Sheena could feel the weight lifting, if only for a moment.

"Pero nung pangatlong pagkikita namin, wala akong natapon sa kanya," Maloi said, her voice growing softer as her smile widened. "Siya yung tumulong sa akin nung nahulog lahat ng paper bags ko. Si Nick, tinulungan ako kahit ang sungit-sungit niya. Akala ko pa nga susungitan ulit ako, pero..."

She paused, looking at Nick as if waiting for him to interject. Of course, there was only silence, but it was a silence filled with love, with history, with every unspoken word between them.

"Nung kumain kami sa Jollibee," she said with a small laugh, "nalaman ko na inuulam pala niya yung spaghetti. Ayaw niya ng gravy, tapos iniulam niya yung spaghetti, guys!" Maloi's laugh echoed through the church, and for a moment, it was as if the weight of everything had lifted.

Sheena wiped a tear from her eye, her heart swelling with both happiness and heartache. Every word Maloi spoke was filled with the love they had shared — a love that wasn't perfect, but was theirs.

As Maloi continued to share their memories, the crowd grew quieter, their eyes fixed on her, hanging onto every word. And then, as if the moment couldn't get any more poignant, Maloi took a deep breath, her voice barely above a whisper as she recalled one of their most intimate moments.

"Alam niyo ba," Maloi began, her voice trembling, "nung nawala si Juyon, yung pusa ko... si Nick yung una kong tinawagan. Friends pa lang kami noon, pero dumating siya agad." Her voice broke, but she pressed on. "From BGC to Cavite, nandyan na siya. Doon niya unang nakilala ang pamilya ko, and simula noon, napapadalas na siya sa bahay namin."

There was a softness to Maloi's voice now, a quiet reverence for the man beside her. "Sabi niya sa akin noon, 'Mahal na mahal kita, uyab. Pero sa mga araw na tingin mo na hindi ka kamahal-mahal, mas mamahalin pa kita lalo.'"

The entire church seemed to hold its breath, the weight of those words settling over everyone like a blanket of quiet understanding.

Sheena wiped away another tear, her heart aching for her friend, for the love that had carried her through the years. She could see it in Maloi's eyes — the unwavering devotion, the gratitude for every moment they had shared.

And then, as if the memories were too much to hold inside, Maloi began to hum, her voice trembling, but filled with so much love, it was palpable.

"Been thinking 'bout you, baby... And I don't know what to do..."

Her voice filled the church, every note a testament to the love she and Nick had shared. Sheena closed her eyes, letting the song wash over her, the melody wrapping around her like a warm embrace.

"I know that what I've found is once in a lifetime..." Maloi's voice trailed off, her words hanging in the air like a promise.

She turned to Nick, her eyes brimming with tears, her heart full of love. "Mahal na mahal kita, uyab."

The silence that followed was deafening, but in that silence, there was peace.

Sheena watched as Maloi placed the microphone down, her hand gently resting on Nick's. She didn't need to say anything else. Her heart had spoken for her.

And as the church doors slowly closed behind them, Sheena knew that no matter what, their love would always be a part of her.

It was a love that transcended everything — time, distance, even death.

And in that moment, as the sun set over the ancient walls of San Agustin, Sheena whispered to herself, "Mahal na mahal kita, Guill... just like Maloi loves Nick."

And in that moment, everything made sense.