Falling for Mr. Chinito

Ika-Labing Limang Kabanata: Happily Ever After

My hands gently caress the smooth satin of my wedding gown.

It is the most beautiful thing I have ever laid eyes on.

What a pity that I will never put it on.

My eyes tear up once more. I am having second thoughts right now. My mind tells me to get on with the wedding. To say I do and to spend my whole life as Kevin's wife.

But my heart which loves Kevin completely disagrees. It won't let me be selfish. It won't let me think of only my happiness. I am torn between my heart and my mind.

The only thing I know is the pain which is now my constant companion. Hindi na yata ako natutulog ng walang luha sa mga mata.

After almost a month of preparations, tomorrow is my wedding day. The day I dreamt of, now the day I dread, the day I will walk away from the only man who matters. For his own good. For his happiness. And I know it will cost me dearly in the end.

But what choice do I have? He loves another. I cannot condemn him to a lifetime of sorrow just because he wants to do what's right.

This afternoon, instead of preparing for our wedding, I will walk away from him. Instead of saying I do while the sun majestically sets on the beach tomorrow afternoon, I will run away. Away from my love, my dream, my happiness.

The past month was like a blur. So many things happened in just such a short time.

When we reached Manila that eventful night, we went straight to their house. He intoduced me to his parents and to his younger and only sister. I was surprised by their warm reception. I couldn't also understand why they seemed so excited to meet me.

His mom hugged me tight while kissing both of my cheeks.

"Jill, it's so nice to finally meet you. We've heard so much about you." she said, full of smiles.

She then let me go only to hand me to Kevin's dad, who in turn, embraced me warmly.

I noticed how she looks exactly like Kevin. Except for their eyes. He has the same eyes as his dad.

"Welcome to the family Hija. We're so glad, finally, after years, you're here with Kevin." his dad told me.

Kumunot ang noo ko sa pagtataka sa mga sinabi nila. Para bang tuwang-tuwa silang makita ako samantalang ngayon pa lang kami nagkakakilala.

I was shocked further when Kevin's little sister ran straight to me and squeezed me in a very affectionate hug.

"Ate! I'm so happy to see you! You really are so pretty. I'm so excited for the wedding prep! I'll be your personal wedding coordinator!" she excitedly squealed.

I stopped myself from gaping at her. So, sinabi na pala ni Kevin sa kanila yung plano nyang pagpapakasal namin. And from the way they treated me, it was clear that they were in favor of it. They even seemed so excited.

This only added to my confusion. Why? Why would they easily accept Kevin marrying me? Why would they agree on him marrying a girl he doesn't really love?

Unless Kevin didn't tell his family the real score between us. Unless he didn't inform them that he would only marry me because he claimed my innocence and was now afraid that he got me pregnant.

I wondered what story he weaved for his family's sake. More likely, from the way they reacted to me affectionately, I could guess that he told them I was his girlfriend and now his fiancee.

Because of this, I could not tell them the real reason why their son wanted to marry me. I could also not disappoint his sister in her excitement on planning the wedding.