Hiding His Daughter

CHAPTER 50

Eliana's POV

The day had finally arrived. The day I’d dreamt of, planned for, and yet, a day tinged with bittersweet sorrow. Jaiden and I were getting married. The excitement was there, bubbling beneath the surface, but it was overshadowed by a profound sense of loss.

Mama stood behind me, her hands gently adjusting my veil, her eyes brimming with unshed tears. She was dressed impeccably, a picture of elegance and grace, yet the lines of worry etched around her eyes betrayed her inner turmoil. The absence of Papa and Easton hung heavy in the air, a silent presence in the room.

"Look how beautiful our daughter is, Eduardo," she whispered, her voice thick with emotion. A single tear escaped her eye, tracing a path down her cheek.

Naalala ko si Mama, Papa at Easton.

I turned to face her, my own eyes welling up. "Mama," I whispered, my voice breaking. "I wish they were here."

She embraced me tightly, her own tears now flowing freely. "I know, anak," she sobbed, her embrace a source of comfort amidst the grief. "But they're here with us, in our hearts. And they would be so proud of you."

She stepped back, her gaze softening. "You're radiant, my beautiful Eliana. You're everything they hoped for you to be." She managed a weak smile, a valiant attempt to mask the pain behind her eyes.

I took a deep breath, trying to steady my own emotions. The bittersweet joy of the day was overwhelming, a perfect storm of happiness and sorrow. But as I looked in the mirror, catching a glimpse of my reflection – masaya, yes, but also bearing the weight of loss – I knew that I would carry their memory, their love, with me always, as I walked down the aisle and started this new chapter of my life.

The ceremony was beautiful, filled with vows of love, promises of devotion, and a shared commitment to building a life together. But the most poignant moment came when the priest asked us to honor those who were no longer with us.

Jaiden and I looked at each other, our eyes filled with tears. We had planned this moment, a way to acknowledge the love and loss that had shaped our lives. We released white doves into the sky, a symbol of peace and hope, and as they soared into the heavens, we whispered the names of Mama, Papa, and Easton, our hearts filled with love and longing.

Panay ang buntong hininga ko habang minimake upan ako.

Halo-halong emosyon ang nararamdaman ko. Kaba, saya, excitement, takot… lahat ay nagsasayawan sa loob ko. Ngayon ang araw ng kasal namin, at magiging Mrs. Ceresae na ako. Parang panaginip pa rin ang lahat.

"Halatang kinakabahan, Eliana." sambit ni Maella ng makapasok dito sa loob kung saan ako inaayosan.

Halata na ang baby bump niya, three months old na siya at ang ama ay si Jr, si motorguy.

Huminga ako nang malalim. "Paano kapag bigla na lang umalis si Jaiden ng simbahan at hindi ituloy ang kasal namin?" puno ng takot kong saad.

Humagikhik siya. "Gaga, baka nga umiyak pa 'yon kapag hindi mo sinipot o malate ka lang ng minuto kabahan na siya." sambit niya. "Isipin mo na lang, Eliana, lahat ng ito ay para sa inyo. Lahat ng paghahanda, lahat ng paghihintay… para sa inyong dalawa." dagdag niya pa.

Tumawa ako ng bahagya, ang kaba ay unti-unting nawawala. "Sana nga," bulong ko.  "Sana nga, Maella." Napatingin ako sa salamin, ang repleksyon ko, ang ganda ko... Sobrang ganda ko swerte naman sa akin ni Jaiden.

Ngumiti ako ng maliit habang inaalala ang pag-aaway namin at masasayang alaala namin.

Muling bumukas ang pinto at binungad non si Jaiena. "Mommy!" sigaw niya at patakbong yumakap sa akin habang naka sunod sa kaniya sina Mama Glaiza at sina Tita Andrea.