I was very nervous as I waited outside the church. And my anxiety was killing me. "Son, calm down.", Mama said and fixed my bow tie. Everything was ready, isa na lang ang kulang, my bride.
I looked at her, she was wearing an off white gown and she looked so pretty. "Ma, you look great."
"Naku!", she said, teary-eyed. "Ang panganay ko. I love you, anak.", she hugged me and I wanted to cry.
"I love you too, Ma.", I said as I hugged her back. "Mahal ko kayo ni Papa.", and as if on queue, Papa came into us.
"Be a good husband and father.", he said. "Alagaan at mahalin mo ang magiging pamilya mo."
"I would definitely do what you did for our family, Pa. You are my idol, di ba?", and I gave him a manly hug.
"Manong!", Dani called me. She looked so pretty in her blue-green two toned off shoulder gown. "Best wishes sa inyo. Mag-anak agad kayo ha? Gusto ko ng madaming pamangkin!", she cheerfully told me and I hugged her.
"Manong, mag Robust ka para makarami!", Thirdy joked nad we laughed. He was dashing in his black and white coat and tie, and he was with Billy.
My friends came to witness the most special event of my life. My Atenean teammates were there, Nico Elorde was with his wife Mich Del Carmen, Clint with Des, Hubert and Cesca, his long time girlfriend, of course, VonLau was there too.
My current PBA teammates went to my wedding too.
Mika's friends were on attendance too, alam ko hindi nila palalagpasin ang event na to. Ara was with Bang, Kim and Mela were there too. Ate Aby and Robert, Kianna and Marck and the rest of the gang.
Other Volleybelles were present as well, Rachel Ann, Jovelyn, Ate Tina Salak, ALyssa who was with her husband Alfred and their first born, and the rest of Amihan and Bagwis.
Of course, the original Payeye Boys were there, too. Peter Torres and JohnVic. And to set the record, hindi nila ginaya ang playing hair ni Mika. They were in their toxedo, Thank, God!
Mawawala ba ang lings? Well, may sabit pa ngang magjowa na eh, Jessey and Joshua, #JeeseyJ. Well,there love story was exceptional too, nagsimula sa heart-shaped cookies. Lol., I am going to tell you their love story some other time. And same as Pauly and Cy's love story, at sa wakas, umamin na din siya. Haahaha.
Ilang minutes before the wedding, wala pa akong nakikitang Mika na dumating, and the nervousness I felt tripled. But to my relief, I saw Miko and Mikole in their respective Barong and Gown, "Kuya, nasa labas ng ng compound ng chapel sina Ate, wag ka ng kabahan, hindi ka daw niya tatakbuhan.", Miko joked and I expelled a deep breath. Buti di nauntog at di ako tinakbuhan.
"Manong, pasok na tayo.", Thirdy approached me, "Two minutes na lang before ang appointed time."
Pumwesto na kami sa installed arched near the officiating minister. The Primary sponsors of the wedding entered the church first and my heart felt like it was going to explode. Kaba, excitement, happiness, halo-halo na yung emosyon na naramdaman ko.
The bridesmaids and groom's men went in at yung mga tuhod ko, parang naging jell-o, nanlalambot na ako. I looked at Thirdy to ask for some support, and he tapped my back before he walked to his assigned seat.
Raven, who was one of our ring bearers marched in, and followed by the flower girls. Siya na next.
The coordinators closed the door temporarily, just to hide my bride.
As soon as the first note of our wedding song, I Couldn't Ask for More by Edwin Mccain, started playing, the door opened and revealed Mika, who was standing in between her parents.
I suddenly got emotional, I couldnt conrtol my emotions, lage kong hindi nakocontrol ang emosyon ko pagdating kay Mika. My tears started to flow.
I have attended so many weddings before and I always wonder why the grooms always cry whenever they see their brides walking down the aisle.But when Mika started walking on the aisle, I understood why the grooms couldnt control their sobs on their wedding day.
Lying here with you
Listening to the rain
Smiling just to see the smile upon your face
I saw her smile under the beautiful veil covering her face, I cried some more. I just couldnt imagine that I was marrying the girl in my dreams.
These are the moments I thank God that I'm alive
These are the moments I'll remember all my life
I found all I've waited for
And I could not ask for more
Looking in your eyes
Seeing all I need
Everything you are is everything to me
These are the moments
I know heaven must exist
These are the moments I know all I need is this
I have all I've waited for
And I could not ask for more
The Band continued playing the song, both of us, Mika and I were crying, tears of joy. Tears of happiness.
I could not ask for more than this time together
I could not ask for more than this time with you
Every prayer has been answered
Every dream I have's come true
And right here in this moment is right where I'm meant to be
Here with you here with me
Half way down the aisle, nangangati na akong mahawakan si Mika, dalhin sa altar and start my forever with her.
These are the moments I thank God that I'm alive
These are the moments I'll remember all my life
I've got all I've waited for
And I could not ask for more
I started walking towards her and her parents and she stared at me when we met halfway. "Bakit mo ko sinundo?", she asked me between her sobs.
"Ang bagal mo kase eh.", I whispered. "And I am willing to break traditions just to be with you, Mika!", and her eyes welled up again.
I looked at her, she was gorgeous in her free flowing white chiffon gown, it was a simple one, sleeveless gown with some details. Her hair was braided like a fairy and was decorated with small white flowers around.
"Ingatan mo siya ha?", Tita Bhaby said, she was also crying, I know she was torn, happy and sad at the same time.
I nodded and hugged her. "Thanks po, Tita."
"Start calling me 'Mama', Kief."
"Welcome to our family, 'Nak.", Tito Manuelito.
"Thank You po, Tito."
"Should it be 'Papa'?", he asked and I smiled. Sobrang saya ko. Sobra.
"Opo, Papa.", I said and Mika cried. She was already sniffing.
They handed me Mika's hand and they walked to their designated seat, smiling.
I could not ask for more than this time together
I could not ask for more than this time with you
Every prayer has been answered
Every dream I have's come true
And right here in this moment is right where I'm meant to be
Here with you here with me
I grabbed her hand and started to walk towards the altar.
Seriously, akala ko nuon masaya na ako dahil okay na kami ni Mika. But the happiness I felt before, patikim pa lang pala yun, kase yung saya na naramdaman ko when we were at the altar, ready to promise in front of all the people and God, walang kasing saya yun. It was the true meaning of 'Priceless'.
I could not ask for more than the love you give me
'Coz it's all I've waited for
And I could not ask for more
I could not ask for more
I looked at her, she was smiling at me. My tears didnt stop, lalo silang nadagdadagan every time I looked at Mika. Narerealiaze ko kung gaano ako kamahal ng Dios for giving Mika to me. "I could not ask for more, Coz you are all I have waited for, Mika.", I whispered.
