Nic
At the church, people were buzzing about the wedding at the other chapel that did not push through. From what I gather, it was the father of the bride who made the announcement.
"Galit na galit nga daw yung dad nung girl. Kulang nalang murahin yung groom, kaya lang napigilan kasi nasa church pa sila," one said.
"Wait, so yung groom nga ang umatras? Ang sama naman nun, on the day of the wedding pa talaga nangiwan."
"Pero ang sabi masaya daw yung bride after the announcement, baka naman gusto din umatras?"
"Pwede naman nag-acting nalang siya na okay? Alangan mag hysterical pa sya?"
I quietly listened to all the stories she could gather from people who has some information. I asked a few questions but didn't pry too much because I felt guilty for harbouring the runaway groom.
The wedding coordinator finally asked everyone to take their places so the ceremony could start, almost all the comments ended with being happy that our friend wouldnot be suffering the same fate.
*
After the church ceremony, we had a few hours to rest before the evening festivities began, so I rushed to my room and found the groom sleeping on my bed.
He was under the sheets but still had the silk robe on.
"Gising! Hey! Wake up!"
"Hmmm?"
"Hey - ano ba kasi ang pangalan mo?"
"Rj," he replied, scratching his head. "You?"
"Nic. O, I have some time now. What's your story?" I asked, directly. Wala nang paligoy ligoy pa. Hindi ako mapakali sa church kasi iniisip ko kung nasimot na ba yung gamit ko at kung ano ba talaga ang kwento nito.
"We called it off," he said, barely awake. "We realized we didn't want this... a little too late but there it was. Siyempre nagalit ang magulang namin."
"So, you ran?! Wow," I rolled my eyes.
"Pinili kaming ituloy. I told my girl - ex... my ex that I couldn't and I needed to go... she was the one who told me to run when we got to the altar."
Weird! Parang sa movies lang nangyayari. "Hay nako. Whatever it is, ayoko ng madamay sa gulo mo. Umalis ka na."
"Patutuyuin ko lang yung clothes ko, then I will. Thank you for helping me out," Rj hesitates then asks. "Ummm Nic? Pwede bang makuha yung number mo?"
"Why?"
"Parang gusto ko pang ituloy yung kwentuhan natin, kung okay lang?"
"Iwan mo nalang number mo. I'll contact you if I'm interested." Chismosa lang talaga ako. Yun lang. Hindj ko napansin na cute siya. "IF I do contact you, promise me one thing."
"What?"
"Don't marry me."
He looked... puzzled. Then, laughed. "Ang assuming mo pala!"
"Hindi ha!" Okay, medyo assuming nga naman pakinggan. "Ah basta! Mahirap na. Baka mamaya umabot tayo dun tapos takbuhan mo din ako."
"Ah wow. Miss, ganyan ba talaga kabilis umandar utak mo?"
"Oo."
He laughed again. "Okay. Fine. Promise. I won't marry you."
"Good." He made a move to get up, pushing the comforter away. My eyes widened at what I saw from the unexpected movement. "Oh my god! Rj, cover up!"
"Oh, sorry. Ang liit kasi nung robe ayaw sumara... ito na, magbibihis na. Sorry. Sorry."
Huuuuuu ang init pala dito sa room! Huuuuuu ano ba yan.
Let me just clarify. Technically... Wala akong nakita. Pero... bakat.
