Runways

Outtake: Ties

It was an old church, tucked high above the hills, surrounded by a multitude of small trees. The sun dipped low against the sky, painting the weathered bricks in its orange hue, bathing the entire place in warm light as Dani stood in front of the church's rich oak doors, head bowed in silent prayer.

Today, Daniella Tayao was going to marry the love of her life.

The church doors opened to the staccato of her wedding march, gaze lowered as she took a deep breath. Of all the things she's done in her life, this was quite possibly the bravest she'll ever be—giving her heart and her life to the man who promised her the world.

She looked up, her eyes meeting his despite the distance. Her feet started to move with the beat of the song, her gaze on him steadfast and unwavering. In the front of the church stood Captain James Esteban—ready, waiting and shaking to his very core.

She is breathtaking. That was the first thing that James thought as he watched her walk towards him, his gaze transfixed on this ethereal beauty that was to be his wife. She was clad in white lace and tulle, looking every bit of the princess that she was, her hair braided like a crown. He watched as her father met her halfway through the aisle, shedding tears as he led his only daughter to the altar before giving her away.

"Ready?" Kuya Isko asked as he stood beside his friend, nodding towards the altar. James exhaled, the weight of the world seemingly off his shoulders.

"Ready na, Kuya Isko."

She was a vision in white. James couldn't help the tears when her father finally approached the altar, his hand clasped around Dani's tightly. She smiled from behind her veil, unshed tears clinging on her lashes as her father held her hand, handing it over to James' outstretched hand.

"Alagaan mo," her father said as he wiped his tears, his daughter's hand now firmly placed in someone else's. James' nodded, though his eyes were trained on his love. "Dani, anak, mahal na mahal kita."

"I love you too, Dad," Dani replied, her tears finally coursing down her cheek, fingers hastily wiping it away. She smiled as James intertwined their hands together, leading her up the steps of the church's altar.

For the first time since she walked inside the church, Dani and James finally looked at each other's eyes, smiling at the new journey they were going to take.

"Ready?" James asked and Dani nodded, hands gripped tight around each other.

"Always."

/---/

"And now, our bride and groom will read their personal vows."

Dani exhaled as the sacristan handed her the microphone, shaking as she held it in her hand. James smiled, squeezing her free hand lightly. She sighed, clearing her throat lightly.

This was her promise.

"James–we met in the most unfortunate circumstance. It's not perfect and neither are we, but I honestly, truly believe that God makes ways for us to truly appreciate His plan for us. There are three things that I want you to know as I stand here before God and everyone that we love.

One–James, I've never known love as much as I loved you. I never thought I'd be able to find someone who can love me for what I am–broken, battered and bruised. Thank you, for everything. For finding me deep beneath the rubble that was my life before you. Thank you for saving me when I couldn't save myself.

James, I fall in love with you even more as every single day passes, and I never want to stop falling in love with you. You have taught me to become a better person, and I want to thank you for loving me, and teaching me how it is to be loved. Today, I stand here promising you that I will love you exactly as you are, what you were before, and what you will be in the future.

Two–you are my sky. You are the limitless wonder that I see every single day of my life, more vast and exhilarating than any flight I may ever be in. You are the blanket of stars that light up my life, no matter how dark the world may be. You are as endless as my love, and I promise that you will always be my sky–the space in which I will let my love grow as we journey in this life together.

Three–you are my life. You are my happiness, my rock, my best friend. You are everything to me. James, mahal na mahal kita. Pinapangako ko na magmula sa araw na ito at sa habangbuhay, lagi akong andito para mahalin ka, alagaan ka, pasayahin ka. I want to be the one who will make you smile for every single day of your life, I want to be the one who will fill the empty spaces in your heart, and I want to be the one who will fly with you to every corner of the earth, wherever you may want to go. I promise to love and cherish you, and I promise to dream and celebrate with you, all the days of our life."

The man she loved, was crying. Dani wiped away his tears as James took her hand, pressing a soft kiss against her open palm. 

"Thank you," he mouthed quietly as she handed him the microphone, fingers intertwined with his. If he had his way, he wouldn't let go of her hand–ever.

"I'm not very good with words," he said, his voice soft, exhaling heavily before he started. "Dani, I was lost before I met you. I've seen myself fall apart before you came into my life and in those moments, I've let the darkness consume me, refusing to see the light. I'm not a perfect man, Dani, but the moment I realized that I've fallen in love with you, I've never wanted to do anything in my life but be perfect for you. 

I've always been chasing my dreams. This is the reason why I became a pilot–to run away to the skies, chasing the clouds until I could find my heaven. Dani, if there's one thing that I realized ever since I met you, it's that you are my dream. I feel blessed and thankful that despite all of my misgivings and my mistakes, of all the troubles in my life, God still gave me the other half of my heart–you.

Dani, thank you for coming into my life. Thank you for teaching me how to love, for teaching me how to live. Thank you–for helping me find myself, for being my rock when I needed someone to hold on to, for being my best friend. Sa dami ng pinagdaanan natin, palagi kong dinadasal ang mga pangarap mo at pangarap ko, at ang paglipad natin sa bagong buhay na ito.

To my dearest Dani, these are my promises to you–I promise to hold your hand, filling the spaces in between with mine. I promise to laugh with you and cry with you, and I promise to make your happiness my number one priority. I promise to love you and cherish you, and I promise to be the best man I can ever be for you–and for our future children. Dani, mahal na mahal kita. I may run out of words, but do know, that I will always find a thousand other ways to love you."

Dani bowed her head, wiping her tears beneath her veil. James smiled at her, cheeks wet as he blinked away his tears.

Destiny. In this world, where 7 billion other souls lived their lives, there were two who found each other's broken pieces, fitting together like a perfect puzzle. Dani and James were both lost souls who grappled in the darkness, finding each other's light.

***

A/N: I just needed to get this out before I write my angst. Huhubells. Please enjoy Captain James and Dani's final voyage haha. ✈️