After All This Time

Always, In All Ways.

Patrice's POV

"Girl, don't tell me hindi ka natulog kagabi?"

Sinagot ko si tito Mario ng isang ngiti. He was right, hindi nga ako nakatulog ng maayos. I was excited and nervous at the same time. Magkahiwalay kami ni Ricci ng hotel room mula kagabi. We had a deal kasi na the night before the wedding, hindi na kami magtatabi. Ang dami naming arte di ba? Hahaha. Siya kasi nakaisip nun. Para daw special. Si Ryle naman, sa daddy niya tumabi. I stayed with my bridesmaids sa isang room tapos si Ricci naman, kasama ang groomsmen niya.

Hindi ko maexplain ang nararamdaman ko simula pa kagabi. Kinakabahan ako na excited na parang bumabaliktad yung sikmura ko. The past days seem to be so slow pero ito na.

It's our wedding day.

Tumagal ng halos 3 oras ang pag-aayos sakin. The only people inside this room was me, the make-up artist, the videographer, Ms. Rosenthal, na gumawa nung gown ko, and yung hair-stylist. Nobody will be able to see me not until I walk down the aisle. Ako daw ang huling aalis sa hotel na ito papunta sa simbahan.

"I'm done with make-up. You can wear your wedding gown."

Dumilat ako and saw my reflection and all I could do was smile.

"Wow. Iba ka talaga tito Mario."

Tinignan ko siya through the mirror and found him teary-eyed.

"Hay, parang kelan lang, inaayusan kita dahil ga-graduate ka ng preschool. Tapos nung graduation mo nung elementary, ako rin ang nag-ayos sayo. Hanggang sa nag-prom ka, tapo highschool graduation, at debut. Tapos ngayon, ikakasal ka na."

"Awww tito Mario."

Tumayo ako at niyakap siya.

"Naiiyak ako, 'nak. Ang layo na ng narating mo."

"Tito Mario naman eh! Alam mo naman na mababaw ang luha ko."

Tito Mario has been our make-up artist since I was a kid. He was my mom's friend since I could remember at sa lahat ng important occasion ng family, siya ang nagpapa-ganda samin. He's one of the few people who has seen me grow up. Kaya alam ko na if this day is special for me, sa kanya rin.

"Nako, tama na ang iyakan haha male-late ka na sa kasal mo. Halika na, magbihis ka na dun sa banyo. Tutulungan ka ni Melissa at ni Ms. Rosenthal."

Tumango ako at naglakad na papasok ng banyo. As I was wearing my wedding gown, I got goosebumps. Sobrang kakaiba yung feeling. The gown was a white fitted, low-back with distinct details and a trail. Kung tatanungin niyo ko kung mabigat ba siya, medyo. I was so happy when I first saw this dress. It was everything I wanted. Sakto ang fit niya sakin and it was breathtakingly beautiful.

"You can remove the trail later so that it will just be a long gown at the reception. It looks perfect on you."

"Thank you Ms. Rosenthal. This wouldn't be possible without you."

"My pleasure. Are you ready?"

Huminga ako ng malalim. This is it.

"Yes."

—

Ricci's POV

"Man, don't be so nervous. Dadating si Pat."

Andito na ako sa simbahan. Hinihintay ko na lang mag 4 pm.

"Lagot Cci, di na ata dadating si Pat. 3:50 na oh."

Tinignan ko ng masama si Brent. Nagtawanan tuloy sila Aljun.

"Tarantado talaga to si Brent eh! Hanggang kasal ginagago pa rin si Ricci HAHAHA! Kupal!"