"Sobrang ganda mo, Leni.."
Risa stands at the edge of the aisle,
Her heart heavy, her gaze unblinking,
As she watches her Leni approach,
A vision in white, flowers clutched in her hand.
As the bride glides down the aisle,
Risa's heart clenches in her chest.
She can't help but watch her every move, taking in every detail of her beauty and elegance.
"Tapusin na natin 'to. Pagod na pagod na 'ko.."
"Leni, no– Don't leave me.."
"Hindi na kita mahal, Risa.."
"A-Ano bang sinasabi mo? Mahal na mahal kita, Lens."
"Ayoko na, itigil na natin 'to.."
Memories of their last conversation come flooding back to her.
Her former lover's cold words still ringing in her ears.
Leni's eyes devoid of any emotion,
Her voice flat and emotionless.
Risa's heart had ached,
As she pleaded for one more chance,
Begging her to stay,
To give their love another try.
She watches the groom take her former lover's hand,
Leading her down the aisle like a prized possession.
"..."
Risa's heart aches with longing,
As the couple walk hand-in-hand,
Towards the alter where they will exchange their vows.
She can't help but feel a pang of jealousy,
As she imagines it should have been her in the groom's position.
"Ako dapat ang nandiyan.."
The groom and bride's faces beaming with excitement,
The promise of a future together.
Risa can't help but feel a pang of sadness,
At the life they might've had,
The love they had once shared,
Now lost and vanished like the morning mist.
"Do you take this woman, Leonor Gerona to be your lawfully-wedded wife, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, until death do you part?"
"I do."
As the priest asks the bride if she takes her groom as her lawful wedded husband, Risa holds her breath, hoping against hope that she will change her mind, that she will say no and come back to her.
But the bride nods and says "I do", sealing her fate and dashing any hope Risa had left.
Her heart shatters like glass, and she feels tears welling up in her eyes, even as she forces a brave smile and watches the ceremony continue.
"Leni.."
The crowd oohs and ahhs in admiration,
For the bride is a picture of loveliness,
But Risa cannot help but think,
Of what could have been, and what might've been different.
The white calla lilies in her hands,
A symbol of purity and innocence,
A stark contrast to the tangled web of their failed romance.
"Tayo dapat ang nand'yan, pangga–"
Risa stands alone,
A silent witness to the union,
A reminder of what could've been,
Of what had slipped through her fingers,
Like the petals of a fading bloom.
"Kung hindi ka lang sumuko saating dalawa.."
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