We Got Married

CHAPTER FORTY-SIX

CHAPTER FORTY-SIX

ANDREA

I couldn’t believe what I’m seeing right now.

The wedding we’ve talked about in the beach two days ago is right in front of me.

Napatakip ako sa bibig ko sa sobrang shock.

Is this for real?

Napatingin ako kay Tatay.

“Happy Birthday anak” then he kissed my forehead.

“Happy Birthday Andy Pandy!” tas inabot sakin ni Celine yung bouquet ko.

“And Happy Anniversary!” sabi naman ni Louise habang nilalagay nya yung belo ko.

Kinindatan nila kong dalawa at humarap na sa altar.

Then naglakad na sila papunta sa harap.

Tumingin ako sa direksyon  na nilakaran nila at nakita ko yung taong kahapon ko pa hinahanap hanap.

Si Xander.

My tears were falling. God! Nakakahiya toh sa pictures!

“Hi” he mouthed.

“Hey” I mouthed back.

Then tumugtog yung instrumental ng A Thousand Years via the live string quartet.

“Handa ka na ba?” tanong sakin ni Tatay.

“Wag nyo po ko hahayaang madapa” sabi ko sa kanya.

“Wag ka magalala. Ako pa” tas hinalikan nya ko sa noo.

Nagsimula na kaming maglakad.

Andun si Mr. Guevarra, si Anne, si Tito Ramon, si Yaya Vita at si Nanay Pearl.

Tapos nasa tabi ni Xander si Cameron at si Kabe.

Nakita kong nagpunas ng luha si Xander at tinapik siya sa likod nung dalawa.

Nung makarating kami sa tapat nila, binigay ni Tatay yung kamay ko kay Xander.

“Ingatan mo hah” sabi ni Tatay sa kanya.

“Opo, buong buhay ko po” sagot nya.

Niyakap ko si Tatay bago kami humarap ni Xander sa judge.

Sisimulan na sana yung rites nung judge pero pinigilan ko siya.

“Wait, I look horrible. Sandali lang” tas pinunasan ko yung mukha ko’t tiningnan ko yung sarili ko sa phone ko.

Narinigi ko namang tumawa sila.

“Okay, go on” sabi ko.

Nakangiti yung judge samin.

He proceeded with the ceremony.

I was silent the whole time, taking in everything.

“Rings please” sabi nung judge.

Lumapit si Cameron at inabot yung mga singsing. It was time to say our vows.

Nauna na si Xander.

“I, Alexander Joaquin Lopez, take you Andrea Claire Roxas as my lawfully wedded wife. Alam kong hindi ako perpekto at kahit anong gawin ko may mga times na masasaktan kita emotionally. All I can promise is that Iwill always protect you, love you, support you, frustrate you, argue with you and be beside you no matter what. I will be your husband through your ups and downs. I promise to be your everything at kahit kelan hinding hindi kita iiwan at bibitawan. I am marrying you now because you are an awesome, hormonal woman, and I’d be stupid if I let you go. I will never ever look at anyone else the same way I look at you. I will give you immaterial things that are irreplaceable and memories that are worth keeping and looking back. You once told me that I can’t get rid of you, well newsflash, you can’t get rid of me as well. I love you and each day I will love you more and it will never stop as long as we both shall live” tapos sinuot nya sakin yung singsing.

I looked at the ring he placed on mine. It’s a new one. A symbol of our new beginning.

Kinuha ko yung singsing nya.

“I, Andrea Claire Roxas, take you Alexander Joaquin Lopez as my lawfully wedded husband. I want you to know that I accept you as you are: frustrating, sex-crazed, perverted, shitface and all. And that does not make me love you any less. I know we started on the wrong foot but look at us now, inlove and happy. Kung hindi ka perpekto mas lalo ako, pero ngayon ipapangako ko sayo na hinding hindi na kita iiwan. I will not leave you and let you go. I swear to kiss you, hug you, make love to you, support you, chastise you, and stand by you through everything. Gusto kong malaman na simula ngayon team na tayong dalawa. Mawala man ang lahat andito ako para sayo at sapat nang anjan ka para sakin. I love you Xander, no matter how many heartaches you gave me, mahal pa rin kita. I love you and I will love you more as each day pass and it will never cease as long as we both shall live” then I placed his ring on his finger.

Then a few more rites and finally the judge spoke the words that we were craving to here.

"By the power vested in me, I now pronounce you, husband and wife. You may now kiss the bride"

Nakangiti akong tumingin kay Xander. He smiled that devilishly handsom smile of his.

Tinaas nya yung belo ko.

“Happy birthday wife” he said with a smile.

“Happy anniversary husband” sabi ko sa kanya.

Then he cupped my face and gently placed his lips on mine.