Defying Gravity

I

How could this day get any better? And please note the bitter sarcasm in that.

I inwardly rolled my eyes and sighed as I sip the cola in my cup. Weird but drinking my cola would always be pleasurable by drinking it in a cup.

"Kiss! Kiss! Kiss!" Napalabi naman ako sa sigawan ng mga bisita. This is just super cheesy and corny. Okay, that was unacceptable. Of course this would be just the same cheesy and corny event, kasal ito e! And its my sister's wedding.

Funny how I was never fond of the word love and forever. And I was never good in expressing my emotions, blame the fucked up childhood.

"Why aren't you joining the party?" Napatingin naman ako sa biglaang pagsalita ng kung sino sa likod ko only to find out that it was my Auntie Lina. This was such a first time.

Ibinalik ko naman ang tingin ko sa nagsasayahang mga bisita kasama ang bagong kasal. "Okay na ako rito tita." I slightly moved my head to my side to see her reaction. Isang tango naman ang sinagot nito sa akin.

"Babalik ka rin ba sa Santander kaagad?" Tumango naman ako. Minimizing the conversation because for Pete's sake, I was never close with my relatives. Conversing with them is like having my first ever job interview feels.

"Why not stay here for the night? Magtatampo iyan si Matilda pag aalis ka kaagad," napailing naman ako.

"Di ko po alam e, di po kase ako nakapag file ng leave," sumimangot naman kaagad ito.

"Why haven't you filed your leave? Di ka nga madalas umuwi rito atsaka kasal ngayon ng kapatid mo!" Kinagat ko naman ang labi ko upang pigilan sumagot ng di maganda sa kanya. This is why I hate family gathering and talking to bunch of plastic and back stabber.

"I will tell your mother about this Riyala. Hindi maganda itong aalis ka kaagad, ipabukas mo na iyang pag-alis mo and stay for the night and have a catch-up with your cousins," and she gracefully walked out and went to the couple who is greatly having the best time of their life.

Napabuntong hininga naman ako. Thank goodness I did filed my leave but I would never tell them. Ang plano ko, aalis ako rito and have the best time of my life camping somewhere dangerous that could actually kill me.

I went back looking at the lively crowd only to find my sister walking towards my direction. Agad akong tumayo at ngumiti sa bagong kasal.

"Thank you for coming Ri! Akala ko talaga di mo ako sisipotin!" Sumimangot naman ako rito. Ngunit hindi man lang nito pinansin ang reaksyon ko at hinigit lamang ako yakapin. And I hugged her back, too.

"Why would I miss the wedding of the century? Yung iba nga magpapakamatay makakakuha ng invitation sa kasal mo, tapos ako mag-iinarte?" Inikotan naman ako ng mata nito at ngumiti.

Did I forgot to tell that Kuya Ramon, this is such weird calling him Kuya ay isang kilalang arkitekto sa buong asia and my sister right here is an International Singer? That is why this is called the wedding of the century.

"But really, thank you! Alam ko namang pinagtataguan mo kami," sinapak ko nga. Tumawa naman ito.

Riyah Magdaleo-Tim, that is the new name of my sister. And Ramon Tim is her husband. And she is also the closest sister to me. Siya lang ang sinasabihan ko kung saan ako napapadpad pagkatapos ko mag kolehiyo. Siya lang din ang tanging binigyan ko ng cellphone number ko kase sabi nga niya, pinagtataguan ko ang pamilya ko kaya di ko binibigay ang numero ko sa kadahilanan na tatadtarin lang ako ng bunganga ni Mama sa palagi kong pag-alis.

I was known as the tempest of the clan. The black sheep of the family. All in all, ako ang sakit sa ulo ng pamilyang Magdaleo.

"If you're tired, I have reserved you a room. Kunin mo nalang susi sa reception, just tell your name. And again, thank you for staying and coming to my wedding Ri!" Tumango ako rito at hinalikan ang pisngi nito.

"Hello Riyala! Long time no see!" Napabaling naman ako ng makita ko si Kuya Ramon na agad hinapit ang bewang ng kapatid ko. Agad na ngumiti naman ang kapatid ko sa ginawa ng asawa.

"Congrats sa inyo! Sa haba man ng dinaanan nyo, alam ko naman talaga na sa kasal din ang bagsak nyo! Me bonus pa na paparating na anak!" And I laughed as my sister blushed. It is a sight to behold. To remain as part of my great moments in life.

"As much I would like to leave the two of you catch up pero kukunin ko muna ang misis ko, Riyala," agad na tumango naman ako at tinulak tulak ko pa ito. Napailing naman si ate Riyah.

"Oh sya! Alis muna kami Ri. Kung pagod ka na kakalaklak mo dyan sa coke mo at yan lang ata yang tinutungga mo, go up and have a rest. I know how tiring the travel was," ngumiti naman ako rito.

"Layas na kayo. I would just finish this and I would go up to have that rest. Dahan dahan na kayo sa honey moon okay?" Napatawa naman ang dalawa.

Agad na umupo ako at muling ibinalik ang atensyon ko sa nagkakasiyahang tao sa kasal.

I guess it is just me and the coke again.

As I sipped the last drop of my coke, I heaved a deep sigh after getting up. I roamed my eyes for the last time and saw my mother who was laughing enthusiastically with her amigas.

Napailing na lamang ako. The moment I entered the church, she was crying so loud, na kinuha na nito ang atensyon ng lahat na dapat sa kinakasal. And now, I would bet my job she's boasting this wedding to her so called friends.

Well, this is such a long day.

Agad akong lumakad papalabas ng reception hall papunta sa reception desk para makuha ang susi ng silid na tutuluyan ko.