Our Universe

Twenty Two

"I now pronounced you husband and wife. You may now kiss the bride."

Everyone clapped their hands and some of our guest shouted "kiss" and we both just laughed about it. I still can't believe that today, I just got married to the man of my dreams.

"Love paano ba yan? Gusto na daw nila ng kiss."

Tinampal ko ang braso ni James at tumawa lang siya. Medyo nahihiya kasi ako at hindi ako sanay na maraming tao ang nandito ngayon. I was used to being lowkey with pir relationship but now, it's the other way around coz everybody knows our love story already.

James slowly held my veil revealing my face. He bit his lower lip while his looking intently to my lips. Napatawa ako at napayuko dahil sa hiya. He held my chin to make me look at him again and he looked at me sincerely.

"I love you Nadine. I will forever remember this day because this is definitely the highlight of my life. Kahit na anong mangyari I will always go back to this very moment. I will love you always. Ikaw lang, Nadine. Mahal na mahal kita."

I got teary eyed again and just before I could touch James' face, a loud gun shot was heard all over the place and the church was enveloped with noise and the next thing I knew James was already lying on the floor bathed with his own blood.

"James!"

Napatayo ako at napahawak sa aking dibdib. I roam around my eyes only to realized that I was just having a nightmare. Tinakpan ko yung mukha ko at umiyak. Bakit ganun?

"Nadine? What happened? Are you okay?"

Napatingin ako sa pinto ng kwarto at nakita si James na may bitbit na tray na may lamang pagkain. He looked so worried and I immediately wiped my tears and smiled at him.

"A-ah w-wala ano kasi napuwing lang ako." I said.

"Do you think I will buy your alibi? May amnesia lang ako Nadine pero hindi ako tanga. Tell me what happened."

Pinatong niya sa bed side table yung tray na dala niya at umupo sa may paanan ko. Bumuntong hininga ako at niyakap yung sarili ko.

"Napanaginipan ko yung kasal natin pero iba yung nangyari. You were shot and you d-died."

I tried no to cry but I failed. Pinunasan ko kaagad yung luha na lumandas sa pisngi ko at humingang malalim. Why does it have to feel so real? I hate this!

James unclasped my hands that was hugging my knees and he led me closer to him. He hugged me tightly and massaged my hair. Hindi ko tuloy maiwasang mas lalong maiyak dahil sa ginawa niya.

"Sshh stop crying already. That was just a nightmare okay? Nothing bad will happen Nadine. Stop overthinking."

I nod while he was still hugging me and I felt that he kissed my hair. Mas lalong humigpit ang yakap ko sa kanya at ganun din siya sa akin. This is again the first time that we became this close to each other and I missed the feeling. It's been awhile.

Kumalas siya sa pagkakayakap at pinunasan ang mga natuyong luha sa pisngi ko. I looked at him and our eyes met. He held my hands and subconsciously , his eyes went down to my lips before meeting my gaze again.

"Hindi ako mawawala. I already have my promise to you right? I'll start being a husband to you, with or without my memories."

He kissed the back of my hand which made me flinched a bit. James is really a sweet man but I didn't expect that he'd be like this given with his condition.

"Thank you James and I'm sorry if I can't-"

"Huwag mo muna isipin yun Nadine. I think what's important now is my relationship to you as your husband. I guess the memories will just come back naturally when I am with you. One step at a time Nadine."

Tumango lang ako sa kanya at ngumiti. What did I did in my past life to deserve this kind of love? This is just what everyone dream about but here I am so blessed to have it on my own.

After what happened, we ate our breakfast at my room and talked about what will happen for today. I told him my schedule for today and he escorted me to the office. Pinilit niya pa ako na tutulungan daw niya ako sa mga gagawin sa opisina pero hindi na ako pumayag para makapagpahinga siya.

"Just call me when you're done already. Susunduin kita."

Ngumiti ako at napasandal sa swivel chair ko. James called to check if I have already eaten my lunch and he said that he will pick me up after work.

"Oo na nga po tatawagan kita kaagad pagkatapos ko."

"Are you busy? Baka nakakadisturbo na ako." He said on the other line.

"Hindi naman. Kakatapos ko lang kasing kumain. Ikaw ba kumain na?" I asked.

"Tapos na rin. Tapos ko na rin pinakain yung mga aso mo."

"Aso natin. It's our babies James. Sa atin yun."

I bit my lower lip and laughed with what I just said. Masyado na yata akong nasisiyahan dito.

"Really? We already have kids Nadine? So that means I'm already a dad?"

Napairap ako at napatawa dahil sa sinabi niya. I don't know if he's serious or he's just playing around. Loko rin 'tong si James eh!

"Ewan ko sayo James! Sige na nga bye na muna. Tatapusin ko na 'to para maaga akong makauwi pati na rin yung mga staff natin."

"Sige na nga sabi mo eh." I heard his laugh which made me smile. "Bye Nadine. I-I love you."

Napakagat ako sa labi ko at medyo natagalan bago sumagot sa sinabi ni James. Ngayon ko lang ulit narinig mula sa kanya ang mga salitang 'yon.

"I-I love you too James. Ibababa ko na 'to. I'll just call you later."

Pagkatapos nung tawag ay hindi mawala sa labi ko ang mga ngiti at mas lalo pa akong ginanahan sa mga gawain ko ngayon.

It really feels nice to have someone as your motivation. Someone who will keep you going and someone who will remind you that you are strong than any problems that will come your way.

And for my case, James is my inspiration. He's everything to me and I will forever love him for the rest of my life.