Takipsilim

Chapter 53: Lightning

The sun has finally settled down, and the moon shone over the newlywed's blissful faces.

Yael squeezed Katherina's hands. Hindi mawala ang ngiti sa mukha ng binata. "I love you."

Katherina leaned against his arm. "I love you too."

He giggled and then kissed her hair. They started walking back to their hut and just a few meters away from it, they passed by a small river. Both were in awe with its beauty. The moonlight reflected on the water and the flowers and trees surrounding it, making them glow. The couple looked around to see another ten thousand flowers in the area, serving as a fragrant, airy wall around where they were standing.

It was a beautiful, quiet night, and a feeling of serenity washed over Yael and Katherina.

It was as if God had given them a gift for their wedding night.

Yael smiled a meaningful and hopeful smile. He turned to his wife, "Love, uwi muna tayo sa atin?"

"Muna?" Katherina asked innocently. "Sabagay, hindi pa tayo naghahapunan. Ipaghahanda ko ng pagkain ang a-asawa ko." She blushed as she said those words. Being Yael's wife sounded awkward to her, as she did not expect it to finally happen this soon. Nevertheless, she was loving it.

Tila naman pumalakpak ang mga tainga ni Yael sa narinig. He was too giddy with the fact that Katherina was now officially his, as he was hers.

Nagulat ang dalawa sapagkat sa kanilang pagbalik sa kanilang tinutuluyang bahay ay naroon ang mag-asawang sina Veronica at Simon, nakangiti habang inaabangan sila.

"Congratulations, Yael at Katherina!" Veronica's arms found Katherina and embraced her. Kinamayan naman ni Simon si Yael. Nagpasalamat ang mga ito sa matatandang nagpahiram sa kanila ng mga damit na kanilang isinuot. Tanging ang dalawang matanda lamang ang nakakaalam na nagsumpaan na ang dalawa sa harap ng Diyos.

Naghanda ng maliit na salu-salo ang matandang mag-asawa para sa bagong kasal. Tumaba ang puso nina Yael at Katherina dahil hindi maiikailang napakasaya ng mga ito para sa kanila. Ikinatuwa rin nila ang masasarap na pagkaing iniluto para sa kanila at nangakong susuklian nilang dalawa ang lahat ng tulong na kanilang nakuha.

"Walang anuman, Yael at Katherina." The old woman said with a big smile on her face. "Masayang masaya ako na nasasaksihan ko ang tunay niyong pagmamahalan."

The dinner ended and the elderly couple went home. Things finally slowed down, relaxed as the mellow evening surrounded the newlyweds. Matapos mag-ayos ng kanilang pinagkainan ay sinamahan ni Katherina si Yael na noo'y nasa labas ng kubo.

As soon as she went near him, he took her into his arms. "Ang ganda-ganda mo lalo ngayon, Katherina."

She answered with a shy smile. Since she was young, she was not used to receiving compliments, particularly about her physical appearance and personality. But ever since meeting Yael, his beautiful, honest lips spoke nothing but kind and beautiful words to her.

The two spent a few moments of comfortable, blissful silence until Yael spoke again. "Katherina, I was wondering.." He said slowly. "If...maybe...you'd like to take a night swim with me? Dun sa nadaanan nating ilog kanina.." The chosen Ahren took a deep breath, and his voice was more at ease when he spoke again. "Dahil medyo mainit ngayon, I think the cold water will be good. Nagtanong din ako kay Tatay Simon kanina. Safe din daw doon at walang nagpupunta halos, lalo na pag gabi."

"S-sounds n-nice." Katherina felt her cheeks burning. "Uhm, wait lang ha, may aayusin lang ako.."

"Huwag masyadong matagal, Mrs. Katherina Romualdez." Yael's lips brushed against Katherina's throat, just below her ear.