The Heiress and the Manwhore

Cherish

Chapter Fifty-Six

"SACHI, do you take this woman to be your wedded wife, to live together in the estate of matrimony? To love, to honor and keep her, in sickness and in health, and forsaking all others, keep yourself only unto her, as long as you both shall live?"

May ngiti at kislap sa mga mata na tuwid na tinagpo ni Sachi ang tingin ni Julianna. "I do, Your Honor."

Napangiti ang may-edad na huwes. 

"Julianna, do you take this man to be your wedded husband, to live together in the estate of matrimony? To love, to honor and keep him, in sickness and in health, and forsaking all others, keep yourself only unto him, as long as you both shall live?"

Ang tingin ni Julianna ay hindi halos humihiwalay sa mga mata ni Sachi. Her eyes were misty nang marahang tumango.

"I do."

"Sachi, take Julianna by the hand and repeat after me," ani Judge Verona. "I, Sachi, take thee Julianna..."

"I Sachi, take thee Julianna, to be my wedded wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish until death do us part," taimtim na bigkas ni Sachi sa bawat kataga.

"Julianna, you may repeat after me, I, Julianna..."

"I, Julianna, take thee Sachi, to be my wedded husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, until death do us part."

In less than a month, tulad ng sinabi ng kanyang ama ay naayos ang lahat ng kakailanganin nila ni Sachi upang makasal sila sa huwes.

"With this ring I thee wed, and pledge my faith..."

Hindi napigilan ni Julianna sa pagpatak ang mga luha nang magpalitan na sila ni Sachi sa pagsusuot ng kanilang wedding ring tanda ng kanilang pagiging isa. Soon after, the judge pronounced them husband and wife.

Finally, she thought with happiness.

Mainit na sinakop ni Sachi ang kanyang mga labi na tumagal din yata ng ilang segundo hanggang sa marinig nila ang matinis na boses ng kanilang anak.

"Daddy, don't eat Mommy's lips!"

Na pinangalawahan pa ng Daddy ni Julianna.

"Hijo, awat na muna at may honeymoon pa naman kayo."

Nagkatawanan ang mga guests at saksi sa pagtitipong iyon. Saka lamang bumitaw si Sachi na may maligayang ngiti habang nakatitig sa kanyang blushing wife.

Magkahawak-kamay silang humarap sa kanilang mga magulang. Si Saschia ay kaagad na nagpababa sa tiyuhing si Aki at lumapit sa ama. Kaagad naman itong binuhat ni Sachi.

"Congratulations," palitang bati ng mga magulang nila.

"Welcome to the family, Julianna," ani Nathalia kay Julianna.

"Thank you po, Mama." 

Nang mahigpit na kamayan ni Diomedes si Sachi ay tila naging hudyat na rin iyon para sa nakatatandang lalaki na tinatanggap nito si Sachi bilang bagong miyembro ng pamilya.

"Please take good care of my daughter," gumagaralgal ang tinig na sabi nito.

"I will, Sir."

"Dad," pagtatama ni Diomedes sa pantukoy na ginamit ni Sachi.

"Dad."

All's well. At walang kalagyan ang tuwang nag-uumapaw sa puso ni Julianna. After six years of pain, longing, and suffering, hindi niya akalaing mangyayari pa ang sandaling iyon sa kanilang buhay. God is good.