Thaw

Epilogue

   THE THINGS happened too fast for her liking. One moment she was being dragged by her friends for somewhat like, a makeover. And the next thing she knew, she was standing in front of the altar, with the man she spent the night with last night, facing each other. Promising their forever in front of God we all believe in.

   Pero ano nga ba ang ini-aangal niya? None. None at all. It's their wedding anyway, why prolong it if the result will be the same in the end? Sila rin naman ang magpapakasal. Sila rin naman sa dulo. So yeah, wala nang mahihiling pa si Glenn.

   "I, Jocen Skyler Simon, take thee, Gleanice Ysabelle Alivarez to be my wedded wife to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish. I vow to love you faithfully, to respect and trust you. I love you and I'll be with you and our twins for as long as we shall live."

   That's all that she heard. And it's him that's all she can see. Nothing else. No one else.

   "Jocen Skyler Simon, my Kyler, I vow to love you unconditionally. I vow to honor and respect you. I vow to cherish you. I vow to be faithful to you, to be with you for the rest of our lives," naiiyak niyang sambit. She's smiling, while her tears are running down her cheeks. "Mahal na mahal kita. Ikaw at ang kambal natin. Kayo ang buhay ko."

   "I now pronounce you man and wife. You may now kiss the bride," the priest announced. The crowd roared with applause and cheer.

   Jocen lift her veil and softly caresses her cheeks. He bent down and claimed her lips. It was slow kiss, passionate and full of love. For her.

   Nang maghiwalay ang mga labi nila ay niyakap siya ng mahigpit ni Jocen. It was intimate and familiar. It's home.

   Parang kagabi lang nagpapahiwatig ang mga kaibigan niya tungkol sa kasal nila. At ngayon, heto na nga. Kasal na sila ng lalaking nanaisin niyang makagisnan sa bawat paggiaing niya. She was tied with him. With his name.

Finally!

   "Okay, picture anyone?" Itinaas pa ni JC ang camera at iwinagayway sa ere. Kaagad namang humanay ang mga magulang ng magkabilang panig sa magkabilang gilid nila. Kinuhanan sila ni JC ng litrato.

   "Okay, next na po," muli ay sigaw ng kaibigan niya.

   "Darling, hindi ka na makakasama sa pictures," aniya rito.

   "That's the least of your worry," JC simply shrugged. "Hey, I have a plan. Why don't you, boys, carry our groom?"

   JC's grinning from ear to ear like a Cheshire cat.

   "Don't drop him of course. But if you want to, you can. Bahala na lang si Glenn sa inyo," pagbibiro ng kaibigan niya.

   Sinunod naman ng mga lalaki ang sinasabi nito. It's Lorenzo, Dean, Charles, Glenmoore and DJ. Natutuwa naman siya sa nakikita niya. At tawang-tawa naman si JC sa kanila. Na mukhang pinagti-tripan na lang ang mga ito.

   "Arellano, hindi na ako natutuwa. Bilisan mo na bago ko maihulog 'to," naiinis na sambit ni Glenmoore.

   "Subukan mo, Glenmoore Rey. Subukan mo lang," banta naman niya sa kakambal.

   "Bilis na kasi!"

   "Okay, done!" Natatawang saad ni JC nang makuhanan sila. "Next, I need you Mrs. Simon, to sit on the second step of the stairs up the altar. And Mr. Simon, lay down sideward with your head being supported by your hand. Got it?"

   Kaagad silang tumalima sa utos ng kaibigan nila. Inayos pa muna ni Jocen ang laylayan ng gown niya bago ito nahiga sa paanan niya.

   "I love the sound of what she said, 'Mrs. Simon'. What do you think?" Pasimpleng dinampian pa siya nito ng halik sa labi.