All Strings Attached (taglish)

Symmetric

The Wedding

*ZACHRY KILLIAN’s POV*

Parang sasabog sa kaba ang dibdib ko. I feel nauseous.

Umupo ako. Tumayo ako. Humarap sa salamin. I fidgeted with my bowtie. I straightened my vest.

“O pinsan. Ganyan talaga ang feeling. She’s not gonna run away. Don’t worry.”

Best Man ko si Jordan. Groomsmen ko naman ang kapatid at isang pinsan ni Zelene at si Louie. Nandito kami sa isang cottage para sa mga lalaki. Si Zelene may sariling room din. Hindi ko pa siya nakikita since Friday after nagkaron ng lunch para sa entourage. Hapon kami naghiwalay pero yun na yun last na kita namin. Hindi din niya ako kinakausap buong gabi hanggang ngayon. Friday pa kami dito at Sunday pa ang uwi ng lahat. Ang sabi ng Mom ko at ng Mom ni Zelene, hindi na kami pwde magkita sa gabi hanggang Sabado ng hapon ng kasal namin. Mga pamahiin. Malay ko ba kung tumakas na yun?

Uminom ako ng tubig. Uminom din ako ng wine. Nag CR ako. Tinignan ko ulit ang sarili ko sa salamin. Lumabas ako ng banyo at kinuha ang phone ko.

Speed Dial 1 Calling *Goddess Freyja TanChi* napalitan ko na syempre para sigurado.

“Bakit ang tagal mo sagutin?” singhal ko nang may sumagot.

“Zeke, si Julianne to. Nagmamakeup si Zelene. Bakit?”

“Ah eh.. ano kasi… wala lang. Kagabi pa ko tumatawag e.” badtrip hindi pa siya yun sumagot.

“SABIHIN MO WAG SIYANG MAKULIT. EXCITED SYA MASHADO.” Narinig kong sinigaw ni Zelene. Naka-speaker na pala ako.

“HOY FREYJA ZELENE ONGKIATCO. Wag kang magisip na tumakas. Hahanapin kita kahit sa dulo ng galaxy.”

Narinig kong nagtawanan ang mga tao at may naghihiyawan ng “yiiikeeeeee” “kiliggg!”

“Akin na nga yan phone!!” narinig kong inaagaw ang phone “HOY ZEKE KUNG KINAKABAHAN KA WAG KANG MANDAMAY! Kasi kinakabahan din ako. Magayos ka na dyan! I’ll see you in less than an hour. I love you, Killian. Muah!” binabaan ako.

Napangiti ako. She loves me. Mahal ako ng babaeng loka loka na maraming pader sa paligid niya. Wala na sigurong mas hihigit pa sa nararamdaman kong saya ngayon. Less than One hour nalang. Makikita ko na siya.

“Oi bayaw. Ang laki ng ngiti mo. Masayang-masaya tayo ah.” Si Lyndon.

“Hahaha oo dude. Ang kulit ng kapatid mo e. Kagabi pa ko ayaw kausapin. Buti nga kinausap na ko ngayon.”

“Nagpapamiss lang yun. Malamang tense na tense na yun.”

“Sabi nga niya wag na daw akong kabahan dahil kinakabahan din daw siya. Hehehe.”

“Oh tol. Kita ko naman kung gaano mo siya kamahal. Pero wag mo siyang kalimutan pahalagahan at patuloy na irespeto. May pagkabaliw lang talaga yun kapatid ko pero alam ko naman mahal na mahal ka nun. Kung sakali lang na palayasin ka nya pag naiinis sya, wag kang aalis. Hindi niya makakaya. Ngayon lang siya ganyan and I’m glad na pakakasalan niya yung taong may gawa nun sa kanya. Welcome to the family, pare.”

“Salamat. I won’t promise anything but I will definitely do everything and more.”

Pumasok ang isa sa mga staff ng coordinator. “Sir, ready na daw po kayo.”

Nagbuntong hininga ako. Sinuot ko ang aking coat. Lumabas na kaming lahat ng room at sumunod sa coordinator. Nanduon na ang mga sponsors at ang buong entourage. Ang parents namin at mga relatives. It was wedding of 300 people. Eto ang version namin ng intimate wedding. Si Zelene ang unang anak at apo na ikakasal sa kanila. Ako naman eh nag-iisang anak na lalaki. Both families invited a lot of friends and relatives. Conservative na ang dami ng bisita dahil Batangas resort itong pagkakasalan namin at nahiya na kaming maginconvenience ng madaming tao na magsstay dito until Sunday.  May handaan nalang para sa iba pagbalik namin ng Manila.

Ako lang ang may coat dahil ako ang groom. The rest of the men had vests and neck ties while I had a bowtie.

The ceremony was on the beach. Zelene wanted a long aisle to walk on. The aisle was a light colored carpet that matched the sand on the beach, it was filled with pink and white petals and orchids on it and on the sides, candles and seashells and starfish. It was flanked by rows of fabric that matched the color palette of the wedding – coral and sky blue. The gazebo was draped in white fabric and some flowers too, may mga lights pa.

We were all lined up as the music started. The officiating pastor started walking and then our godparents. My best man started walking, I was next. I reached the end of the aisle and stood near the gazebo. I watched as the bridesmaids and groomsmen and the secondary sponsors and flower girls and ringbearers were walking. Ang tagal.

I felt a lump in my throat as the music started to change. I chose this song. I knew she was already there.

----------------------

*FREYJA ZELENE’s POV*

I took one final look at myself in the mirror. My hair in a wavy curly braided up-do with a flower and crystal crown just where my veil attaches.

My gown is a  ¾ sleeved off the shoulder v neck Empire Cut Mermaid train full lace gown, the back lower than the front. the upper part just hugging the right places especially the lace transluscent sleeves that fit my arms, I love the lace, tulle, and organza detachable chapel length train with Swarovskis strewn all over it.

My Mom and my best friend put on my pink swarvoski and lace edged veil.

“Are you ready?” Sophie asked. My maid of honor is close to tears I can see it in her eyes. I had contacts on, didn’t wanna ruin my nice gown with my hipster eyeglasses.

“Yes. I think I am.”

“I’m so happy that this day finally came, Zelene. You know, I’ve always wished you would meet someone who will light up your world just like how you light up everyone else’s around you. Who’d have thought it would be Zeke.” Sophie’s voice was breaking as she said it to me. I hugged my best friend and thanked her.

“Anak, they’re ready. I’m so excited for you. This is it!” My mom for the first time at a loss for words, gave me a quick hug before she and Sophie went out with the coordinator. My Dad stood beside me in front of the mirror.

“Well Papa. Here goes nothing.” I tried to swallow the lump forming in my throat.

“You know… hindi ko akalain na this day would come so soon. I thought, when you became single again that I had my princess all to myself. When Zeke came to us, I initially wanted to punch him in the face and throw him out of the café when he said he was there to ask your hand in marriage. He wasn’t even your boyfriend. But  what he said was something that eased my refusal… he said… “Mr Ongkiatco, I’ve never had a serious relationship my entire life. Zelene and I aren’t even in a relationship but she makes me feel content. She is my home. I will forever regret if I don’t have her in my life. I love her more than I can imagine. Please grant me permission to marry your daughter. She is my princess, my goddess, my queen.” Zelene… as your father, hindi ako pwdeng maging selfish na hindi kita ibigay sa taong nararapat sayo. Who I know, will take care of you the way I have taken care of you all your life. I am glad that you are happy and that he is the reason. I will have to let my princess go, so she can be a queen.”

“Papa… you’re ruining my makeup!” tears were flowing down my cheeks. My Dad is a man of action and less of words. He only articulates the important things, and this is one of those moments. I hugged my Dad, “I will always be your princess. Thank you Pa.”

“Miss Zelene, Sir Xander, ready na po.” Silip ng coordinator. Pumasok ang makeup artist ulit at pinunasan ang luha ko. Nag last minute touch up siya. Binalik ni Dad ang veil ulit at kinuha ang kamay ko.

“Let’s go, anak. Your future awaits.”

I smiled.

----------------------