All or Nothing [Fin]

Thirty-seven

"You may now kiss your bride."

Malakas na nagpalakpakan ang nga bisita nang iangat ni Riley ang belo ni Josie at hinagkan ang labi ng asawa.

Ailee is smiling the whole time as she is witnessing her friends tied the knot because of their love for each other. Her gaze went from the happy married couple to the groom's bestman who's quietly watching the scene. She can't help but sigh at the sight of him.

Magmula nang tanggihan at takbuhan niya ito dalawang linggo na ang nakakaraan, hindi na ito nangulit o nagpakita sakanya. He was not also present with wedding rehearsals and his excuse was that he has some business to attend to in Germany. But she knew better. It was because of her. Arrogant it may sound but she knows it's because of her. She hurt him. She left him again.

Alam niyang nasasaktan ito, pero nasasaktan din naman siya. Masakit din para sakanya ang ginawa rito but she has to do it, it was what she wants. He needs to understand and accept that. If not, then that's sad.

Offering her marriage at that time was a big confusion for her. Bakit? Bakit kailangan kaagad nito itanong sakanya ang bagay na iyon? Bakit nagsabay-sabay lahat? She just knew the truth, it's hard for her to accept that. It was three years we're talking about here.

"Picture taking!"

She was pulled from her position and readied for a group picture. Katabi niya si Josie who is smiling widely and she's really happy for her friend. Vaughn came to Riley's side. Umiwas siya ng tingin nang tumingin ito sa gawi niya.

"Congrats, Josie." rinig niyang sabi nito. Naamoy niya ang bango ng lalaki nang lapitan nito si Josie at halikan sa pisngi.

The pictorial was a challenge for her. She has to endure the non-stop smiling and Vaughn's presence that is really making it hard for her to keep herself together.

Nakahinga siya ng maluwag nang matapos na ang pictorial. The wedding was held at Tagaytay kaya sobrang lamig na at nasa outdoor pa sila. The host announced that they can enter the reception area. They had to come down from the stone paths to proceed to the hall that has a view of Taal Lake. She was hugging herself while going down because of the cold and her bare back is exposed because of her dress.

Napaigtad siya nang may maglagay bigla ng suit jacket sa kanya. She looked up and saw Vaughn quietly put his suit jacket on both of her shoulders and without saying a word he went down first with his hands in his pockets.

Wala na siyang tiyansa pang magpasalamat dito at hinayaan nalang ang sarili na pagmasdan itong pababa at papunta sa reception area.

"Bakit nakatayo ka lang diyan? Tara na sa loob at malamig."

Nilingon niya ang kaibigang si Buwi, kasama nito ang partner nitong si Gary. Ngumuso siya at inirapan ito. Galit siya rito.

Narinig naman niyang umungol si Buwi. "C'mon Ails, are you still mad at me?"

She huffed. "You lied to me." sabi niya at naglakad na pero tumigil din nang harangan siya ni Buwi at nameywang.

"I did not!" he sighed harshly. "Eh sa nabasa ko sa gossip site na engaged na siya eh. Malay ko ba na hindi totoo!"

"Still! You could have told me that you're not a hundred percent sure about it! It caused so many confusions in my part."

Bumuntong-hininga si Buwi at kinuha ang magkabilang kamay niya. "Okay, I admit it's my fault that I left out those details. I just wanted to see your reaction but I guess I went a little overboard. O'm sorry, Ailee. Patawarin mo na ako."

Maski siya ay napabuntong-hininga nalang din. "Fine. Apology accepted."

Ngumiti naman ng malaki ito at niyakap siya. "Thanks friend! Sabi na nga ba, konting lambing lang dapat gawin eh. Masabihan nga si Vaughn."