It Started Without Love

Chapter 4

“Hey love, it’s your big day. Cheer up!” Ash hugged me from behind. We’re still both in our robes, waiting for the make-up artists to arrive.

“Tama ba talaga ‘tong ginagawa ko?” I was really in the verge of crying, I think I am a sinner. A relationship wrecker.
Last week, naipakita sa public and mga prenup photos namin ni Liam. It is also published sa isang sikat na magazine. Last week din ay may mga rumours agad na lumabas na I stole Liam from Tatiana.

“GOZON PRINCESS, A RELATIONSHIP WRECKER”.

That was the headline of the article na nagtrending mula sa isang gossip site.

Mas dumami pa ang mga negative comments sa akin ng may mga litratong lumabas sina Liam at Tatiana. Nasa isang sikat na resto sila, Liam was hugging Tatiana while she cried. May litrato pa na sabay silang lumabas, nakaakbay si Liam kay Tatiana. It is well-known that they are a thing, though they did not confirmed it to the public, di rin sila tumanggi kahit kalian.

“You’re not.” Ash said. Nagkasagutan pa kami ni dad kagabi dahil I tried to convince him na ‘wag na ituloy ang kasal ngayon.”

“Don’t try to push my buttons Therese Maregareth.” Iyan lang isinagot niya sa akin.

I never heard anything form Liam since last week. Nakita ko pa sa TV na may mga reporters na nag-interview sa kanya pero di man lang niya nilinis ang pangalan ko. He didn’t gave any statement kaya’t nagkaroon na naman ng issue na totoo ngang mahal niya si Tatiana.

“GOZON PRINCESS USED HER FAMILY’S CONNECTION TO GET MARRIED TO A SUAREZ”

Ibang headline na naman ang nagpagiba sa aking kalooban. Tito Anton and Tita Lisa got interviewed.

“Our family matters are not your concern anymore but to clear things up, Liam and Therese will marry not because of our family’s wealth.” Tito Anton said in one of the interviews. Tita is just silent beside him

Ate Lindsy and Laila got interviewed too.

“Don’t spread false accusations towards Therese Margareth Gozon, you all don’t know her.” That was Ate Lindsy’s statement when someone asked her about the rumours that are spreading.

“You guys can’t just shut your dirty mouths huh? Our family is not interested about your lives so you all should stay out of ours. Ate Therese is not that kind of girl, you’re all hypocrites in this judgmental society who are hungry of attention so just go away and starve to death.” Malditang pagkakasabi ni Laila na siyang nagpatahimik sa lahat ng mga reporters. Nobody dared to ask another question pero kinagabihan ay si Laila na naman ang ginawan nila ng issue but Laila just shrugged it off.

Pagdating ko sa simbahan ay marami nang reporters ang nakaabang sa amin. Our church wedding is grand. When the organizer knew that I was already outside, they started to let the entourage march. The door was closed, nasa labas lang ako. When the dor opened, I was froze for a bit. I don’t know if I should continue walking inside or just run away. I glanced at my back, there are so many camera flashing, as if watching and waiting for the next thing that will happen.

Nasa gitna ng aisle sina mommy at daddy, waiting for me. I saw Liam in the end of the aisle, waiting for me. He’s just so serious. Ilang linggo na kaming di nagkikita. The organizer gestured for me to start walking. Just do it, Reese. I said to myself. Wala na akong magagawa pa. Kung aalis ako dito at tatakbuhan ko si Liam, parang tinakbuhan ko na rin ang buong pamilya ko. Grabeng kahihiyan ang matatanggap hindi lang ng pamilya ko pero ng pamilya din ni Liam.

Mom hugged me and kissed me on my cheeks. Dad, with tears in his eyes, just bowed his head.

“I’m sorry baby. I’m sorry. You can still back out, I won’t be angry. I’m sorry.” Dad said while crying. I just smiled at him kahit mahirap. Siguro ay naawa siya sa akin dahil nakita niya kung gaano ako kalungkot nitong mga nakaraang araw. Nakita niya kung paano ako naapektohan ng mga issue na lumabas. Alam niyang hindi ako sanay dahil sa pamilya namin, ako ang hindi masyadong lumalabas in public. Unlike Ash na laman din ng mga news dahil sa pagiging social butterfly nito.

“It’s okay dad. Shame is the last thing I would like to bring into our family. I can do it.” I kissed their cheeks when they we were in front of Liam. Dad hugged me again.

“Baby, the car is just on standby outside. I will support your decision no matter what it will be.” He sounded pained so I hugged him tighter and smiled at him.

“I love you daddy. I will always be your Little Reese even if I will be married now.” He smiled but still tears are in his eyes.

The ceremony went smoothly, ni tinginan ay hindi namin magawa ni Liam. When it is already time for us to deliver our vows and to answer to father’s question that will change our lives forever, the crowd got silenced, not that they’re not silent before. Parang lahat ay kinakabahan, lalo na ang mga pamilya namin na alam kung ano ang totoong namamagitan sa amin ni Liam.

Liam is the first one to deliver his vow.

“I, Liam Ezekiel Torrefranca Suarez, take you Therese Margareth Alvaro Gozon to be my wife. I promise to be true to you in good times and in bad times, in sickness and in health. I will honor you all the days of my life.” There’s no love involve, that’s the sad part in this wedding.

“I, Therese Margareth Alvaro Gozon, take you Liam Ezekiel Torrefranca Suarez to be my husband. I promise to be true to you in good times and in bad times, in sickness and in health. I will cherish and honor you all the days of my life.” I said it and I mean it. No matter what the situation is, we can’t change the fact that we are already married. I am his wife. I accept it.

“Do you take Therese Margareth Alvaro Gozon as your lawful wife, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish until death do you part?”

Liam bowed down his head. I smiled sadly, maybe siya na ang gagawa ng paraan para di ‘to matuloy. He really may be in love with Tatiana. Their closeness is different, iba kaysa sa mga babaeng na link sa kanya. The priest patiently waited for his answer. Nabubulongan na ang ibang mga guest. I even heard Tito Anto cursed but was stopped by Ate Lindsy, Laila, and Tita Lisa.

“I do.” The people got silent again. Kumalma naman na agad ang pamilya ni Liam. I glanced at my parents who are just calm, walang violent reaction kahit na mapapahiya kaming lahat kapag tumanggi nga si Liam.

“Do you take Liam Ezekiel Torrefranca Suarez as your lawful husband, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish until death do you part?” I glanced at the people around. I saw dad crying, he nodded and smiled at me, telling me that I can still do what he said a while ago. I smiled at him.

“I do, father.” Our families sighed in relief. The guests are wiping away their tears, not knowing that this is just big show.

It is time for us to exchange rings.
I look at Liam who is just looking at me like nothing. Parang hindi niya ako kilala kung titigan niya ako. But still he held my hand and deliver his words.

“Take this ring as a sign of my fidelity in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.” How ironic is it right. I value marriage a lot. I even imagined already my wedding to be so full of good promises. Promises of love, care, faithfulness and tenderness. But here I am, getting married without love involved. When its my turn, I smiled at him first then to our parents.

“Take this ring as a sign of my unending respect to both of our families, to you, and to our marriage. Take this a sign of my faithfulness in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.” I slid the ring in his ring finger and squeezed his hands.

“Go now in peace and live in love, sharing the most precious gifts you have – the gifts of your lives united. And may your days be long on this earth. I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may now kiss the bride.” The crowd cheered on us. Liam look at me for a moment before lifting my veil. He kissed shortly but before he could get away, I hugged him and said my words of apology.

“I’m sorry. I’m sorry, Liam.” He sighed deeply and guided me to face our families and guests. We took photos for a while with the priest and our families and friends. And also with the guests.