21 Minutes

Twenty-second

J: We got married in 2020, bale a year earlier than expected.

M: Yup, kasi my parents were set to visit one of my titas in the US the following year. Eh mga six months din sila doon, depending on my tita's condition pa. They'd rather na i-advance namin yung wedding kaysa i-delay.

J: Sa part namin, wala namang kaso since all we[Mika and I] were waiting for was the go signal from our parents. I was just so excited to marry her. (stares at Mika)

M: Heh. (blushes) Sabihin mo, ngayon, umay ka na. (laughs)

J: That's not true. To be honest, sobrang surreal pa rin for me eh. Each time I wake up and stare at her sleeping face, tapos ma-rerealize ko na I'm married to this beautiful woman... It still strikes me every time.

M: (covers Jeron's mouth)

J: (kisses Mika's hand and leans on her shoulder) Ok lang naman kiligin eh.

M: (elbows Jeron)

I am so torn between ending this interview (to save my life) and prolonging it (to witness more kilig). What would you do if you were in my shoes?

This time, can you share with us your favorite memory from your wedding day?

M: Ang hirap naman, hmmm... Pero I guess, just like every bride naman, favorite part ko yung walking down the aisle with my parents beside me... and seeing the man that I love waiting for me by the altar. I was trying my best not to cry, really. (teary-eyed) Eh eto namang si Jeron, inunahan ako. Buti siya walang mascara na masisira eh. (laughs and wipes her tears) Sorry, emotional talaga ako pag naaalala ko yun. The feels never get old.

J: (holds Mika's hand) Our wedding day... It was different eh. I mean, I never thought na pwede pala yung breakfast wedding. But that's how we did it. Cheesy as it may sound, I'm in awe of the fact that the sunrise witnessed our first kiss as husband and wife. That's got to be my favorite memory. Pero I have to say na yung buong araw na yun, if it was to be put in a photo album, and we did, actually... yun yung album na hindi ako magsasawang tingnan araw-araw.

M: And he looks at it every night, literally. Tipong favorite bedtime story, ganon. (laughs)

J: Well, it is my favorite. (grins)

--- Flashback ---

The first orange rays of the sun were just about to color the sky.

It could've been an ordinary chilly morning for some, but for the two people who were minutes away from tying the knot, something magical was about to take place.

The Hillcreek Gardens in Tagaytay was adorned with a lovely mix of beautiful flowers and rustic elements. As the pianist hit the keys to play a melodious love song, everyone held their breaths and all eyes were focused on one of the most gorgeous volleybelles that ever graced the taraflex.

Although today, she's in heels and not in rubber shoes. She's in a white dress and not in a jersey. Her hair wasn't tied in a ponytail, rather it flowed like still black waves on her shoulder.

Everyone's attention was on her, but Mika's eyes were fixed on one person - the handsome man waiting for her at the end of the aisle. Her childhood enemy who became her confidante, then turned into her first boyfriend, turned fiancee, and now her soon-to-be husband.

On normal days, Jeron wouldn't let others see him cry, but today was an exception. His eyes brimmed with tears the moment he laid them on his favorite girl. The girl she's been annoying all their lives, the girl who turned his life around. Mika was the one he's been looking for, and it only took him one question to find the answer.

Today was their moment, and their lives would never be the same.

--

"Ye..."

Jeron wiped away his tears using the back of his wrist as his friends from the crowd cheered him on. He was about to say the vow he wrote for his lovely bride.

"If there's any person who knows me better than I do, it's you. Alam mo yung mga kalokohan ko since we were young, even until we reached college. Thank you kasi never mo akong kinunsinti, and I love that about you."

Mika smiled at him, urging him to continue.

"I thank God for making me the first man in your life outside your family. Ako yung first mo na kaaway, first playmate, first dance during prom, first boyfriend, first kiss..."

"Sure ka diyan, Teng???", Ara shouted, making everyone erupt in laughter.

"Oo, hindi kami yung tipong nauunahan ng iba. Diba Thom?", Jeron responded and his bestfriend did a thumbs up. This time the crowd was filled with squeals and howls.

Jeron turned to Mika and stared straight at her.

"We've shared a lot of firsts in the past, and I know we're going to have a lot more. But today, I promise to not only be your first, but your last. For you are my last and true love.", he ended.

Mika's eyes were once again filled with tears. She blew out some air and prepared herself for her turn to speak.

"Dear Jeron, wala akong choice kasi paggising ko sa mundo, kapitbahay ka na namin.", she began, shifting the mood of the crowd again, from heartwarming to humorous.

"I believe we were really destined to meet then, with our families being friends. God must've known na indecisive akong tao. So ayun pinilit ka na lang niya sakin to help me decide, joke."

Jeron chuckled and pinched her cheeks.

"Though it was out of our hands to grow up together, today I'm making the choice to grow old with you.", Mika continued.

"Bawing-bawi si Yeye!", Kimmy shouted this time.

The bride smiled at the audience and turned her attention back to her groom.

"Ours is a love that I've known all my life, and revealed at the perfect time. I'm excited to dream more with you, learn with you and just live with you. Your mere presence makes my heart happy... And kapag nandyan ka, pakiramdam ko, kaya ko lahat... whatever life may bring. I promise to always be your number one fan. Know that win or lose, may uuwian kang masarap na pagkain. I'm learning to cook na, just so you know."

Jeron did a fistbump in the air much to everyone's delight.

"And may uuwian kang pamilyang laging sumusuporta sayo. I love you, Jeron, my first and only love.", Mika finished.

Like the prince and princess straight from the storybook, Jeron and Mika were then declared king and queen of the Teng household.

When the minister said the words everyone was waiting for, Jeron lifted Mika's veil and stared lovingly at his beautiful wife.

His wife... He was in awe of the realization that from this day on, his mornings would mean waking up beside Mika. Jeron smiled and leaned in to kiss her, and the latter responded by wrapping her arms around Jeron's neck, deepening the kiss.

Cameras flashed and though the photos were taken at different angles, two things were visible in all of them. One, the sun illuminating the background with a hope of new beginnings, and two, a promise of forever sealed with a loving kiss.

--- End of Flashback ---

Author's Note:

So happy for Mika. :) To new beginnings, love. Claiming that the team will do well in the SEAG and AWCC. Support natin siya all the way :) And opkors, Jeron, too! PH represent ang ating mga bida! 💚