For Jade and Althea, everything else faded in the background. Behind them, the still waters mirrored the moon that spread its glorious light across the expanse of the garden.
Crickets chirped, frogs croaked, and three shadows lurked in the darkness, watching their every move.
"You know, there's a perfectly comfortable bench about two steps from here. Why exactly are we hiding behind this hedge?" the tall, short-haired brunette complained.
"Exactly. And--- ugh!" the shorter, long-haired woman exclaimed as she swatted the insect that flew close to her ear. "I really don't want to be on the mosquitoes' menu tonight."
Her legs were starting to feel numb as well.
"Mosquitoes?" the other one with the boy cut hair and wide-rimmed glasses asked. She didn't feel any. Probably because she was wearing a long-sleeved shirt.
"I'm pretty sure those things buzzing in my ears are not butterflies."
"Come on, pangga. Let's just sit over there," Wila started pulling Batchi up.
"But-- but the view is so nice," she whined pointing at the gazebo where Jade and Althea were standing.
"We'll get an even better view."
"How?"
"Did you bring your tablet?"
"I did. I put it in your bag."
"Good. Come on."
They walked to the nearby bench. Wila dug out Batchi's tablet from her shoulder bag.
"Finally!" Sally sighed as soon as she sat down.
Wila sat between Batchi and Sally. They watched curiously as she logged in to an app and voila! The screen showed a live feed of what was happening at the gazebo.
"Wow," Sally said, impressed. "Smart. I approve."
"Thanks," Wila replied.
Batchi was amazed. "Pangga, h-how?"
"I put hidden cameras on the pillars and also one on the vase on the table," she explained as she changed the views on the screen.
Althea had asked them for help with the preparations and she managed to sneak installing the cameras when Althea wasn't looking, which was difficult considering she was watching their every move, making sure everything was perfect. Honestly, Althea's combined perfectionism and anxiety today made Wila roll her eyes more than she usually does in a day. She could only imagine what it was going to be like when it was time for her to walk down the aisle. Wila was looking forward and dreading it at the same time. Were they ready for all the stress?
"Genius!" Batchi blurted as she hugged her and started kissing her cheeks.
"Seriously, you two can stop now," Sally shifted in her seat. She hated being the third wheel.
She turned her attention back to the device. Things seemed to be going pretty well on the other side. Sally couldn't help but smile as she watched Jade's expressions. Her smile was different, radiant. There was a glimmer in her eyes and it wasn't because of the lights.
Coming here to spy on her best friend wasn't such a bad idea after all. She's glad she was able to witness this.
She looked over to the couple beside her. Batchi was hugging Wila sideways and had her chin rested on her girlfriend's shoulder as they focused their attention on the screen. They're a bit of an odd couple but they're nice.
Sally wanted to laugh when she remembered how she found them earlier. They were hiding behind the hedge like two criminals, watching over the lakeside as Jade and Althea walked hand in hand towards the bridge. Batchi fell to the ground butt first when she called them out.
