Afraid Of Loving You

KABANATA 39

Laking pasasalamat ni Monica at Sim dahil hindi sila nahirapan na kausapin ang pamilya ng dalaga, lalo na ang nanay niya. Monica is so lucky to have a mother like Puring. Sobrang understanding, sobrang mapagmahal.

"Mahal na mahal ko po ang anak nyo at pangako ko po, aalagaan ko silang mabuti ng magiging anak namin" pangako ni Sim kay Puring nang magkaharap sila.

"Maraming salamat anak. Ngayon ay kampante na ako, dahil alam kong mahal na mahal mo ang anak ko" tugon ni Puring sa binata.

Napaluha rin si Puring. Though malungkot sya dahil sa posibilidad na  tuluyang magkakalayo na talaga sila ng anak nya, mas nangingibabaw parin ang saya na nadarama niya. Knowing that someone will take care of her only child for the rest of her life.

...

Sim returned to Manila with Verna. Sim will file a resignation in preparation of their upcoming wedding. Napamahal na sya sa kanyang trabaho but of course, mas mahal niya si Monica. Lalo pa ngayon na magiging ama na sya, of course hindi niya ipagpapalit iyon sa kahit na anuman. Though Gary is sad sa decision ng kanyang kababata, ay still he supported him and he's happy for him.

...

During Monica and Sim's wedding, everyone is present. Lahat ng mga mahahalagang tao sa buhay nila ay naroon to celebrate. Beach wedding iyon. They both love beaches kaya naman dito nila piniling ganapin ang kanilang pagiisang dibdib. Malaki na rin ang tiyan ni Monica. They don't care about what other people say, basta para sa kanila, they are very happy.

Monica looks so stunning wearing a simple gown. She is about to walk down the aisle. Her nanay Puring and tito Greg ang maghahatid sa kanya papuntang altar.

She started to cry when she saw Sim and his parents are waiting at the altar. Akala niya hindi na mangyayari ang moment na ito sa buhay nya. Buti na lang, sumugal sya. Bumuntong hininga sya.
"If you love someone, you will do everything" aniya sa isip. Finally, her long time mantra has given justice to her. Hindi sya nagkamali na gawin ang lahat para sa kanyang minamahal.

Nagsimula syang maglakad. Andami niyang naiisip while walking towards Sim. Hindi man sila dumaan sa official boyfriend-girlfriend relationship, nakakasiguro naman sya na magiging masaya ang buhay mag-asawa nila.

Samantala, naluluha rin si Sim while looking at Monica. Dahan dahan itong naglalakad papalapit sa kanya. "Napakaganda ng taong mapapangasawa ko, inside and out" aniya sa isip. Inakbayan sya ng kanyang amang si Jun. He can say that this is one of the most happiest moment of his life.

Their wedding day is the exact same date na ininterview si Monica sa call center, kung saan unang nag-kross ang landas nila ni Sim.

People witnessed their deep love with each other while they are at the altar. Their gestures, the way they look at each other, it's so genuine. Kaya naman, everyone is crying hearing their wedding vows.

"Noong una kitang makita, I don't know if  it's love at first sight. Hindi ko noon alam kung paano ihahandle ang feelings ko kasi wala akong planong mainlove. I was so childish, never naging seryoso sa mga bagay. Pero binago ako ng pagmamahal ko sayo. I became mature enough para malampasan lahat ng pagsubok sa atin. Mahal na mahal kita and I promise to take care of you and our family. Salamat sa pag-iintindi mo sa akin and for making me feel na I am loved. Araw araw akong nagpapasalamat sa Panginoon dahil binigyan niya ako ng isang kagaya mo. I love you" naluluhang wika ni Monica.

"I am a rude person to women when you met me and I admit that. Pero nung nakilala kita, binago mo ako at ang pananaw ko. At first, I was in denial of my feelings towards you kasi sabi ko hindi ako ready for a new commitment. Because of your genuine personality, you made me fall in love again. Tinulungan mo akong makabangon from my past and made me realized that there is always second chance. Natanggal lahat yung takot ko, at yung sakit na nararamdaman ko. That is why I promise na hindi magbabago ang pagmamahal ko sayo. You deserve to be loved because you are beautiful inside and out. I will treat you as my queen, I promise to hold you in my arms forever. I love you my love." Tugon naman ni Sim.

"Finally, I'm officially Mrs. Gonzales" bulong niya kay Sim when the priest announced them as husband and wife.

"All of me is yours" malambing naman na tugon ni Sim.

They kissed each other deeply during their first kiss as husband and wife.
Nagpalakpakan ang lahat ng mga tao. Everyone is tearful yet happy. Pero kung may mas sasaya pa, walang iba kundi sina Sim at Monica.

                  ---===THE END===---