A Starbucks Love Story [COMPLETED]

Wedding Chapter

Who would have thought na kahit wala pa kaming isang taon ni Luther, he would already pop that question?

Pero in all honesty, I've already know it a long time ago. Na he's the one I'd like to be with for the rest of my life. Although I really hadn't had a big selection of guys para makapili ako ng mabuti, Luther always had this something that can make me say yes.

After that day sa San Francisco Bridge, inamin nya sa akin na sinadya nyang hindi magpakita after that night na nakikipag-break na ako so that he could fix everything up para masundan ako.

And it resulted to both of us loosing so much weight. He said he's spending a week here at US to be with me and also, as he puts it, to 'fix' things up.

But we all know na hindi na ako pwedeng umatras sa pagiging Immigrant or else I'll be blacklisted. Ano na nga ba ang mangyayari sa aming dalawa?

According to Luther, his older brother Kuya Kitch, the one I met in Cebu na naglayas, went back home with his fiance. The day before I left, they were married. He was too lonely then, so hindi sya nakapagsaya with his family. That's when Kuya Kitch approached him daw and told him that he's going to work on their company as well. Leaving him with the chance to follow me.

'Namanhikan' ang Mommy at Daddy ni Luther via Skype. Tita Carmen was crying and she even said na matagal na nyang inuudyukan si Luther na pakasalan ako. But the part where I'm leaving, she didn't expect. I left so sudden that I didn't had the chance to say goodbye to her.

Though I can't read Luther's Dad's expression. I was almost shaking nung nag-request sya na kausapin ako na mag-isa. Our conversation went like this:

I was fumbling with my fingers, not looking at the screen. Hindi ko alam kung bakit but I'm sensing something. I looked across the room to Luther and he gave me a reassuring smile.

"Ellie, Luther is a very good son to me and I really have to let you know that I got favoritism on him. Sya ang inaasahan kong susunod sa mga yapak ko, matagal ko nang alam yun"

Kinakabahan na talaga ako. Saan kaya to papunta?

"Pero you're taking him away from me and I can't do anything about it. Tututol sana ako kaya lang, the moment I saw him crying because of you, I knew wala na talaga akong magagawa. So let me ask you of one thing..."

Tumingin na ako sa screen. "Ano po yun?"

"Luther once said that you already know Kitch, and he's willing to start learning about the company. That left me with the decision to let Luther live with you. But can you please be married here sa Pilipinas instead na dyan sa America? I am willing to pay any cost"

At sino ba naman ang makakatanggi sa tanging hiling ng Daddy nya? After all, gusto ko ding ikasal sa Pilipinas. Kulang pa nga yun na kapalit ng pagpaparaya nyang hayaan na si Luther dito sa America. I feel guilty at first, pero mahal namin ang isa't-isa.

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Narrator's POV

December 23, 20**

Teary eyed na naghihintay sila Bernice, Faye at Claire sa may dulo ng aisle. They were all wearing sunset orange dresses. Hindi sila makapaniwala na pagkatapos ng sobrang stressful na mga araw, eto na. Kasalan na.

Nauna nang dumating ang kabang-kaba na si Luther, wearing an all white-tuxedo matched with a royal blue bowtie. Katabi nya ang mga magulang na parehong naka-suot ng matching royal blue formal outfits. Luther was fidgeting, contrary to his mother's expression na mukhang excited.

"Bakit ang tagal niya, Mom?" nag-aalalang tanong ni Luther.

"Oh for God's sake Luther, will you stop talking?! Kanina ka pa ganyan! Dadating din yun!" his mom finally snapped. Nagsawa na ito kaka-comfort sa exagge na kinakabahang anak.

Moments later, the visitors gathered around to wait for the bride. 10 minutes nang late si Ellie at hindi na talaga mapakali si Luther.

"Gosh, don't tell me pati sa wedding day nya malelate sya?" sabi ni Bernice kila Faye.

"Relaaax, dadating din yun. Maybe natraffic lang or something" paninigurado naman ni Claire.

"If she's late for more than 30 minutes, naku baka di na abutan ang sunset!" sighed Faye.

Luther was about to look for Ellie when a white car, with orange and blue flowers on the hood, arrived.

"Finally!" sigaw ng mommy ni Luther. Dali-dali nang nag-papwesto ang mga organizers sa mga maglalakad sa aisle.

Wala naman kamalay-malay ang iba na ang nasa loob nung white car ay gusto nang umiyak sa sobrang kaba. Yun ang dahilan kung bakit sya nalate. Pre-wedding jitters ang nararamdaman ni Ellie. Buti na lang, kasama nya ang parents sa loob ng sasakyan.

"Ready ka na, 'nak?" tanong sa kanya ng papa nya.

"Oo, Pa. Ready na" pagpapalakas ng loob ni Ellie.

The wedding march started. All smiles na lumakad sila Luther kasama ang parents nya. Nawala na ang kaba ni Luther once he saw the car with Ellie inside.

Sumunod naman sila Bernice, Faye at Claire together with their corresponding partners.

Lumakad na din ang parents ni Ellie na huminto half-way the aisle. Sumunod naman ang little bridesmaid na si Clarize. All smiles ito habang naghahagis ng orange and blue petals sa dadaanan ni Ellie.

Then finally, it's Ellie's time to walk. Sa totoo lang, hindi sya nagpractice maglakad. Kahit pa bago ang shoes nyang isusuot. Natatakot kasi syang ma-jinx ang kasal or something.

She was wearing a very white gown that fitted her body perfectly. May hawak din syang orange and yellow tulips draped in a royal blue ribbon.

Ayaw niya ng ibang kanta sa march nya kaya naman violin version ng traditional wedding march ang tumutugtog sa ere.

Everyone was watching her intently and by their looks, halatang amazed sila sa ganda ng ayos ni Ellie.

The moment she reached her parents' side, hindi napigilang maluha ng mama nya. She just clutched her mother's hands and squeezed it.

Sa kabilang dulo naman ng aisle ay hindi na mawala ang tingin ni Luther kay Ellie. Flashbacks of how he had met Ellie runs through his mind. Pati na din kung paano nya ito ginusto ng sobra. Sino nga bang mag-aakala na ang masungit na babaeng yun ang papakasalan nya?

The moment they reached each other, their eyes were locked together. Wala nang ibang nakikita si Luther kundi si Ellie.

Ang sabi ni Ellie, hindi sya iiyak. Never syang iiyak sa special day nya na yun. But when Luther and her exchanged vows, hindi na nila napigilan ang maluha. Kasabay nito, ay ang unti-unting pag-lubog ng araw sa likuran nila.