The Unconditional Love (JuliElmo)

Chapter 10

“Enough!” I shouted as I glared at him.

He showed an ‘I give up’ sign and smiled again. Ugh, those dimples. Stop attracting me!

“Sorry. I just thought that you’re beautiful and it will be nice if I capture that priceless moment.”

“Puwede kitang kasuhan, alam mo ba yun? My ninang is a lawyer!”

“And my mom is a judge.”

Natahimik ako. “Oh.”

Natawa siya, “Hindi mo ba tatanungin kung saan siya judge?”

“Obviously, sa trial court?”

Natawa siya lalo, “Beauty pageant.” He corrected me.

Tumingin ako sakanya, and natawa na din ako.

“So, shall I put the caption ‘runaway bride’ on the photos that I just captured?”

“Do as you wish. Just make sure na maganda ako sa mga pictures na yan.”

Tumawa siya, “By the way, I’m Alden.”

I accept his hand and shook it, “Julie.”

“So wala ka bang balak na sumulpot sa kasal mo?”

“I don’t know. I have to, I want to. Pero 5 minutes won’t kill them. Just let me feel this relaxing scenery.”

“Yeah, I agree. This place is one of the best places that I’ve ever been.”

And we suddenly went silent as we feel the scenery of the park. Walang ingay, walang pollution, walang problema. Ang sarap sa pakiramdam, nakakagaan ng loob.

Pero lahat ng ‘to may hantungan din. So nagpaalam na ko kay Alden, like it will be our last meeting. Well I hope it will not be the last. Kahit wala pa kaming 10 minutes na nagkasama, I don’t know but I find his presence comforting.

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“Julie, do you take Elmo to be your husband; to live together in the covenant of marriage? Do you promise to love him, comfort him, honor and keep him, in sickness and in health; and, forsaking all others, be faithful to him as long as you both shall live?” Father asked me first.

Silence. Sa sobrang tahimik naririnig ko na yung sarili kong heartbeat. Sasagutin ko ba? Or tumakbo na lang kaya ako palabas ng simbahan? At the second thought I was hoping na sana dumating si Batman at siya na ang bahala sa kasal na to. Pero batman is not real, I have to face this.

“Ehem! Julie.. Do you take Elmo to be your husband; to live together in the covenant of marriage? Do you promise to love him, comfort him, honor and keep him, in sickness and in health; and, forsaking all others, be faithful to him as long as you both shall live?” Father repeated.

“I-I do” I answered, finally.

“Elmo, do you take this bride to be your wife; to live together in the covenant of marriage? Do you promise to love her, comfort her, honor and keep her, in sickness and in health; and, forsaking all others, be faithful to her as long as you both shall live?” asked the father.

“I do” He answered emotionlessly. Kitang kita ko ung kalungkutan sa mga mata niya. Ganito na ba ako kasama?

“By the power vested in me I now pronounce you husband and wife. Elmo, you may kiss your bride.”

Lumapit siya bigla. Akala ko susundin niya si father, so I close my eyes. Pero walang kiss na naganap. Dinikit lang niya ung left cheek niya sa right cheek ko. Beso? Really? Beso sa kasalan? Wow. Astig.

“It’s my great honor and privilege to be the first to present to you Mr. and Mrs. Elmo Magalona” said the Father, ending the ceremony.

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Reception? It’s more like a dinner. Well I like this better. Walang pressure. Walang spotlight. Hindi tulad ng sa mga bonggang receptions ng mga bagong kasal, every time na gagawa ka ng ‘ding’ sound from those glass and plates, kailangang magkiss ung couple. We can’t do that, we can’t beso all the time. Like hell, who makes beso sa kasal? Oh well, what do I expect? Once again, I’m nothing. Pasalamat nga ako at sumulpot pa siya sa kasal eh.

He’s beside me. Trying to smile sa mga compliments and greetings ng mga family and friends. Private lang kasi to sa close relatives and friends lang from both parties ang invited.

And when I say family or close relatives, it includes Ate. But I don’t see her anywhere. Kahit kanina sa simbahan. Mabuti na rin to. Mas masasaktan lang siya pag mawiwitness niya ung kasal. I hate the thought of my Ate being so frustrated and all. She doesn’t deserve it.

He’s so near yet so far. Feeling ko hindi ko siya katabi, feeling ko multo ang katabi ko. So quiet, so cold, so full of regrets. Tama nga ba tong ginawa ko? Or dapat pala dinitch ko na lang siya? Mas marami pa yata akong regrets sa buhay, feeling ko tuloy bawat galaw ko mali.

“Huy!” Upo ni Maqui sa tabi ko.

Tumingin ako sakanya and niyakap ko siya, “Hi Maquiiii!”

“Congrats Juls! Omg gusto ko ng twins! Puwede pa naman diba?” Pagbibiro ni Maqui.

Natawa ako sakanya, “Gaga ka talaga!” Pero bigla kong naalala. Shet. Katabi ko nga pala si Elmo, baka marinig niya. Lumingon agad ako sa kinauupuan ni Elmo, hindi ko alam kung matutuwa ba ko or what. Umalis na pala siya. Hindi ko man lang naramdaman ung pagtayo niya, pero atleast hindi niya narinig si Maqui.

Binalik ko ulit ang attention ko kay Maqui, and nakita ko na nagaalala siya, but she smiled anyway, to cheer me up.

“Don’t worry. Everything will be fine. It’s just a matter of time, matututunan ka rin niyang mahalin. Okay?”

Ngumiti ako and tumango, “Yes Ma’am!”

She raised her glass of wine, and I raise mine too, pero juice lang since buntis ako. And we cheers!

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Pinagsama na sa iisang place and reception at honeymoon. We’re here in one of our hotels and resorts sa Batangas. The whole hotel and resort is ours for this night. Since gabi na, hindi na umuwi ung mga dumalo sa reception, mag overnight na din sila dito. Pero aalis din sila tomorrow morning, leaving us two here. We’ll be here for 3 days and 2 nights. But luckily, tourists and customers are welcome again tomorrow.

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