Fleeting Skies

Chapter 23

CHAPTER 23

"Ma, this isn't prom yet." reklamo ko kay mama na sunod-sunod kaming kinuhanan ng litrato ni Alyana. "We're just going to attend a wedding."

"Last!" Narinig ko ang ilang shutter sounds bago pa itinago ni mama ang camera. "Send me the pictures on messenger, okay?"

"Opo. Bye, tita!" Parehas kaming humalik ni Alyana sa pisngi ni mama bago kami nito sinamahan palabas ng bahay.

Only the two of us could make it since my parents have prior commitments to attend to while KL's ankle sprain was still healing. Sinalubong agad kami ng SUV ni Zach paglabas namin ng gate.

"Mukhang tao, ah!" Bungad ni Zach na pinagbuksan kami ng pinto ng kotse.

We were all in our suits today and of course, Alyana looks stunning in her dress. Napagdesisyonan naming 'wag nang magkani-kaniya ng sasakyan para iwas hassle dahil kami-kami rin naman ang magkakasama sa hotel room. Si Zach ang driver at si Rover naman sa shotgun. Nasa likod kami ni Cryd na pinagitnaan si Alyana.

"Lezzgaw!"

Pinaharurot ni Zach ang sasakyan sa katamtamang bilis lamang. Medyo mahaba ang biyahe pero hindi naman naging boring dahil sa ingay nung tatlo. As usual, Rover and I just listened and butted in from time to time.

Sinandal ko ang ulo sa head rest at pinilit na matulog. Tatahimik lang sila kapag naubusan ng topic pero maya-maya, magdadaldalan na naman sila ulit. Nakakabilib lalo itong si Zach na nagagawa pang mag-multitasking na makipag-bardagulan habang nagmamaneho.

I looked at the road and the sceneries were changing. Sa hometown nung mapapangasawa ni ate Xyla magaganap ang wedding. Balita ko, dito na rin daw sila titira kaya dito na nila napagdesisyonang ganapin ang kasal.

Matapos ang tatlong oras, nakarating agad kami sa terminal. Nagtanong kami ng directions papunta sa simbahan at hindi naman kami nahirapan dahil ilang minuto lamang ang layo nito. When we finally got there, everyone grew alert and lively. Zach parked his vehicle and we got out one-by-one stretching our muscles.

The bridesmaids and all other people who were part of the wedding were already outside. Mostly, mga kamag-anak nina Xy, kaya naman yumuko kami habang papasok ng simbahan. Pero hindi namin napigilan ang mamangha nang tumambad sa'min ang interior design nito.

The relics, figurines, and statues were like a hundred years old but they remained vivid in color, and were preserved artistically.

"Shit, ang angas!"

"Bobo, nasa simbahan tayo! 'Wag kang mag-mura."

"Tanga, ikaw din naman!" Sinuway ni Alyana si Zach at Cryd sa ingay nila.

We made our way through the aisle and found seats in the middle. I sat near the aisle, katabi ko si Alyana, Cryd, Rover tapos si Zach sa dulo. We were busy taking pictures when someone grabbed my shoulder.

"There you are! Tara na, the wedding's about to start." Namukhaan ko ito nang ingunin ko. It was Xy's make-up artist.

Tinignan ako ng mga kaibigan ko na para bang nalilito. Nagkibit-balikat na lamang ako dahil wala na akong nagawa kundi ang magpatangay sa kaniya para hindi kami nakakukuha ng atensyon sa gitna. I too was confused about what's happening until I was led to a nearby room where I found Xy in her long lavender dress fixing her hair.

"Sorry, I forgot to text you!" aniya sabay hinila ako papalapit sa kaniya at at binalutan ako ng bowtie sa leeg. "You're my escort for today."

"Xy, I don't know the drill-"