Anna
Papers were ready - both personal and professional - and plane tickets booked. I told my family I would be taking a two week break from work, and knowing how stressed I had been for a few months, no one questioned it.
"Where are you going?" asked my mom.
"US. I'm meeting a few people there." I lied.
Well, it was only partially a lie. I was meeting a few people, it's just that one of them was my soon-to-be-husband and the others were the judge and the witnesses to the union.
"Good. You deserve the break, my darling. Thank you for taking on this responsibility with the business," she said. "Just keep us posted on your whereabouts so we don't worry."
I hated lying to my mom, though, so when I left I gave her the tightest hug - my silent apology for this deception. When we parted, she seemed to be searching my face for something, so I turned away before she could figure it out.
*
As I was settling in my hotel room, my phone rang. It was Marco.
"Hey. I just got in. Were there any issues with your trip?" He asked.
I told him there was none. "I'm just exhausted kasi ang haba ng flight but no issues naman."
"Do you want to have dinner tonight?"
"I'll have to pass, I really just want to rest."
"Okay, just give me a call if you need anything. I might go around and check what's going on here," he said.
"Stag party mo na ba yan?" I joked.
"Parang ganun, I AM going to get married in a couple of days," he said. After a pause, he asked, "Anna, are you absolutely sure about this?"
"Yes..." I answered, though I wasn't really sure.
"Alright then. Call me if you need me."
Two days.
Two more days and I'll be married to Marco.
If there ever was a moment I needed a miracle solution to present itself, it was now.
But, whatever it was, it didn't present itself.
*
"I don't want to do the march! Let's just get there together and be done with it."
"Come on! It's such a short one anyway. It will add to the stories we tell our families when we get back," Marco convinced.
We met up at the lobby of the hotel the morning of our wedding. After a quick assessment of how I looked, "Hey, you look really nice", admiring my blush colored tea-length dress. He told me how today was expected to go and I protested upon hearing about the march.
I rolled my eyes but agreed. Then, remembering what he did for me with the ring, "By the way, thank you for getting the ring I wanted."
"Can I see it?" He held out his hand for me to place mine on. Hesitantly, I did. He took it and examined his purchase. "It suits you."
I looked at him, trying to figure him out. "Bakit ka ganyan?"
"Huh?"
"I'm used to you being jerk. I'm not used to this 'nice' side."
He dropped my hand. "Ang sama mo sa'kin!"
"Sorry. It's just - anyway, kwento next time. Aren't we supposed to leave already?"
"Excited to get married ha?! May honeymoon na ba tayo after?"
"Can you please -" my reprimand was cut short when I saw he was enjoying seeing me riled up. I pinched him. "Ikaw! Hay nako. Let's just go."
He kept teasing me all the way to the venue.
We decided to make our own vows, kept the part where we promise to respect and be faithful to one another but took out love and obey.
The judge did not say anything.
Finally, the judge goes, "You may now kiss your bride."
I loved that phrase, if only we were marrying under different circumstances. My wistful thoughts quickly turned to anxiety when I saw the smug look Marco was giving me.
He leaned halfway, leaving it up to me to kiss him. So, I settled on a quick peck.
The witnesses booed. "Give her a proper kiss!"
I blushed furiously, while Marco looked at me seeking permission. Wanting to get this over with, I nodded in agreement and stepped closer to him.
He pulled me in closer, cupped my face...
And then I was lost in a kiss that seemed to go on and on and on.
—-
Note: Sorry this is a short one, but I'm writing another update for tonight. 😊
