His Mortal Enemy

29

Hindi niya mapigilan ang maluha habang naglalakad palapit sa lalaking naging sentro nang buhay pag-ibig niya sa nakalipas na mga taon. Hindi niya akalaing magiging totoo ang mga pantasya niya noon. She used to day dream a lot. Siya at ang lalaking  naghihintay sa kanya na may malawak na ngiti habang nagpapahid nang luha ang laging bida sa panaginip niya noon. Lagi na nauuwi sa kasal at happy ending ang mgapantasya niya noon na ngayon ay isa nang katotohanan. 

She no longer needs to day dream or to wish on every star in the sky to make her Ernisto's bride. Ang kailangan niya nalang gawin ngayon ay laging magdasal and to do her best in fullfiling her duties to him as his wife and a mother to their kids. 

Ikaw lang ang aking mahal

Ang pag-ibig mo'y aking kailangan

Pag-ibig na walang hangganan

Ang aking tunay na nararamdaman

Tugmang-tugma ang bawat salita nang kanta sa kanyang nararamdaman ngayon. Ernisto will always be the only man she will ever love. Noon. Ngayon. At bukas.

Ang nais ko sana'y inyong malaman

Sa hilaga o sa timog o kanluran

At kahit sa'n pa man

Ang laging isisigaw

''You look so lovely, my love.'' madamdaming wika ni Ernisto sa babaeng nasa kanyang harapan ngayon.

He was a little impatient a while ago habang ito ay naglalakad papalapit sa kanya. He wanted to go to her. He wants to hold her hand and get this wedding be done quick. Hindi dahil sa kung ano pa mang rason. His only reason was, he was scared. Scared that she might change her mind at bigla nalang tumalikod at umalis. He cannot bear to even imagine that she will not be his bride. 

''Ang gwapo mo rin sa suot mo. Lalo akong naiin love sa'yo.'' wika nito kasabay nang hagikhik.

He's only wearing a white cotton long sleeves na tinopi hanggang gitna nang arms nya. A cotton white pantalon and tsenilas na gawa sa abaka na may intials din nilang dalawa. 

The past two weeks was such a stressful two weeks of his life. Kahit na may mga hinired siyang mga propesyonal na magaasikaso sa bawat detalye nang kasal nila ngayon, hands on pa rin siya sa pagtsetsek nang lahat nang mga detalye. He wants everything to be perfect for his bride. Ayaw niyang magkaberya ang pinaka'espesyal na araw sa buhay niya. He wants to give to her, her wedding dream. Isang beses lang silang ikakasal kaya dapat ay nasa ayos ang lahat. 

Looking at her know, he knows it was worth every stress. Kita niya ang pagmamahal na meron ito para sa kanya sa mga mata nito. She is oozing with happiness. He knows he has made her happy and he can now relax. The look on her face assured him na hindi ito aalis. That they're in it together. Na may i do at permahan nang marriage contract na magaganap.

''Thank you and i love you so much.'' naluluha niyang wika bago ito niyakap at mabilis na hinalikan ang labi. Which made their guests laugh and for the pastor to also laugh.

''Speak only words with love. Respect and treasure each other. Gawing sandalan ang isa't isa. Be there for each other kahit na ayaw ninyong makita ang mukha nang isat'isa. Always remember you are each others reflection. Be truthful always. Stay true to your commitment at higit sa lahat be the husband and wife that can laugh even during the times where frowning is all you want to do. Laging tandaan, if you want to be married for the rest of your life to each other, you have to work for it together, hand in hand.'' wika nang pastor na nagkakasal sa kanila. 

They smiled and look at each other. Solemly making a promise to themselves that no matter what life will give to them in the future, they will always be there for each other. Caring, loving and treasuring him and her. 

''My love, for the past years that you have learned to love a man, you have loved me.'' panimula ni Earnisto sa kanyang vow. ''Kahit na ilang beses kita itinaboy. Kahit na ilang beses kong sinabi sa iyong hinding-hindi kita mamahalin, nanatali kang nagmamahal sa akin. Even when it would be easier for you to find another, hindi mo ginawa. Nanatili kang matyagang nanliligaw sa akin.'' wika niya. He couldn't help but smile. Remembering those times kung saan nangungulit itong manligaw sa kanya. ''And i couldn't be more thankful to you for not giving up on me. For accepting me again and loving me the same even during those times where you have all the right in the world to hate me and to shut me outside your heart. Outside your life. Now it is my turn. My turn para bumawi sa lahat nang paghihirap mo sa akin. Salamat at ibinigay mo sa akin ang tsansang bumawi. And my love, i will. I will court you for as long as i live. I will love you for as long as this heart of mine beats. Sa araw na makakalimutin na tayo at puno na nang uban ang ating ulo, kulobot na ang balat at hirap nang lumakad, asahan mo mahal ko na ako ay siyang aalalay sa'yo. I will grow old and wrinkle loving you. In sickness and in health. For richer or poorer. Until my last breath do we part.'' 

He couldn't help his tears as he said those vows. Lalo at nakikita niyang buong pusong nakikinig ang asawa nya. He slip her wedding ring into his hand and give it a kiss afterwards.

''I never thought this day would come. Akala ko hanggang pangarap ka lang. Akala ko hanggang wish upon a star nalang na maging asawa mo ako. Salamat for making me the happiest pregnant woman today. Those years of pushing my self in you, was all worth it.'' wika niya bago natawa. Ang daming kalokohan ang ginawa niya mapansin lang nang lalaking ito. ''Mahal na mahal kita, Ernisto. Asahan mong in sickness or in health, for richer or poorer, hanggang sa huling hininga ko, ikaw lang ang mamahalin ko.'' wika niya bago isinuot dito ang singsing simbolo nang kanilang commitment sa bawat isa.

''By the power vested in me, i now pronounce you, husband and wife. You may now kiss the bride.'' nakangiting wika nang pastor.

''Eeeeiii! Asawa na talaga kita Ernisto!'' kinikilig na wika niya habang ito namang asawa nya pulled her gently closer to him. 

''I know right. Ang tindi nang gayuma mo misis! Kapit na kapit.'' natatawang wika nito that gained a mahinang sampal sa braso nito. 

Napasimangot si Amanda habang natatawa naman si Earnest. 

''Mahal na mahal kita.'' sabay na wika nang dalawa before they sealed their love and commitment with each other with a kiss.