THE HILARIOUS HUSBAND (LEE BROTHERS #2)

Chapter 71

CHAPTER SEVENTY-ONE

THE WEDDING 2.0

★HOPE RYKER LEE★

As I stood in front of the mirror, adjusting my tie for what felt like the hundredth time, the door to the dressing room burst open. Hindi ko na kailangan pumihit para tingnan kung sino ang pumasok dahil nakita ko naman sa repleksyon ng salamin ang dalawang kakambal ko. They strolled in with matching grins plastered on their faces.

"Eyyy!" Si Faith. Pareho na silang nakabihis ni Love dahil hindi sila nawala sa listahan ng mga groomsmen. Kabilang din do'n si Thunder Villasis, Jayden Wy at Moy.

"Look at our prankster brother, all grown up and about to get hitched," panunukso ni Faith at tinapik pa 'ko sa balikat. "How's it feel, Hopia? Any last-minute jitters? Cold feet? Sudden urge to bolt?"

Bahagya akong natawa. Ngayon pa ba 'ko tatakbo kung kailan araw na ng ikalawang kasal namin? We'd finally get to say our vows with everything real between us. Ang tagal ko 'tong hinintay. Mga two months.

Two months ago no'ng nakunan si Elisse at halos isang linggo lang ang pinalipas ko bago nag-propose sa kaniya. Pareho naman na naming hindi kayang mabuhay nang wala ang ia't-isa kaya bakit ko pa patatagalin? Hindi siya mabubuhay nang walang Hope na iniirapan at tinatarayan. Ako naman, hindi ako mabubuhay nang walang Elisse na papainitin ang ulo sa araw-araw.

I shot him a look. "Not a chance. I'm marrying the dragon of my life, remember?"

Love Andrei chimed in, a mock-serious expression on his face. "Just making sure. You know, we've got the getaway car ready if you change your mind."

Natawa ako at determinadong umiling. "I'm not going anywhere. Sa totoo nga lang, gusto ko nang lumabas dito at simulan na ang seremonya para matapos na lahat at makapag-honeymoon na kami. T*ngina n'yo kasi, ang aga n'yo 'kong pinainom ng pampatigas!"

Pareho silang humalakhak nang maalala ang kalokohan nila. Pinainom nila 'yon sa 'kin first thing in the morning. Ang malala pa, tulog pa 'ko no'n at pilit lang itinayo. Vitamins daw. Dahil antok na antok pa 'ko at wala pa masyado sa sarili, tinanggap ko ang pill na sinubo nila sa 'kin nang walang pag-aalinlangan.

Faith leaned in closer, lowering his voice as if he was about to share a deep secret. "Nga pala, bukod sa pill, may ibibigay pa kami sa 'yo. A little pre-wedding gift, if you will."

Before I could ask what they were up to, Love Andrei pulled a small, neatly wrapped package from behind his back. I eyed it suspiciously. "Ano naman 'to? Kung pang-one month na supply 'to ng condom, hindi ko 'to kailangan. Dahil bubuntisin ko uli ang asawa ko. Malay n'yo magdilang anghel kayo... makalima pa 'ko."

"Open it and see," Love Andrei said, his grin widening.

Napabuga muna 'ko ng hangin bago siya sinunod kahit na ayoko sana. Gusto ko kasing magbuklat ng mga regalo kapag kasama ko si Elisse. I carefully unwrapped the package, revealing a pair of novelty socks with the words "Game Over" emblazoned on them.

I raised an eyebrow, holding them up for inspection. "Medyas? Parang gago lang, a?"

"Couple 'yan, bugok!" Love said, barely containing his laughter. "Consider it a reminder of what you're getting into. We got a matching pair for Elisse that says, 'I Won.'"

⫘⫘⫘

I stood at the altar, hands clasped, trying to steady myself as I waited for Elisse. My heart was pounding like I'd just run a marathon, and I kept glancing at the end of the aisle, searching for the first glimpse of her. The whole place was buzzing with warmth, soft music, and whispers from friends and family, but none of it mattered right now. My mind was fixed on her, on the moment she'd appear.