" Lyra, we love each other for so long and today we are going into the next chapter of our lives. I know that we met in the most unexpected way and things weren't good at first. You met me in my most vulnerable point. Thank you for fixing this broken man. Tinulungan mo ko ulit na buoin ang sarili ko. From being a man who doesn't have a direction, you became my compass and my anchor. I am at peace when I am with you. I hope you know that I am very much thankful that I have you. You are the woman, I prayed for. So from this day forward, I promise to love you even more with all my heart until the end of time. I love you, baby. "
I heard my heart crashing into pieces upon hearing the vows of my best friend. Witnessing them marrying each other is too painful. That was supposed to be me if I would just had enough courage to confess my feelings.
Naramdaman ko ang maiinit na luha na lumalandas sa mukha ko. Isang patunay kung gaano kasakit ang nararamdamn ko ngayon. I wiped them and looked away. I have been with him for so many years, but I never saw him this happy while looking at me.
I remember three days before this day, Justine invited me for dinner. May sasabihin raw siya saakin. Hindi ko naman mapigilan kabahan sa sinabi nyang iyon. Tatlong araw nalang ikakasal na sya, ano pa bang kailangan nyang sabihin? It's been 2 months since we last saw each other.
since they are both hands-on with the wedding preparation. I rarely talk to him this past few months because I have been appointed to be the vice president of our company.
Dumating ako 30 minutes bago sa napag-usapan naming oras. I just told the waitress his name, hoping that he reserved a table for us. I wasn't wrong he really did. Ilang minuto rin ay dumating na sya mukha pa nga itong nagulat ng makita nya ako na nauna rito. Tumayo ako para batiin sya at pagkatapos ay sabay na kaming umupo. He ordered for the both of us. While we are waiting for the food, I can't helped but to ask the purpose of this dinner.
" How are you, Nova? " he asked. I sipped in the cup of water beside me. I smiled with his question I'm happy that he still cares for me.
" I'm good, Justine. Lot of workloads but I can handle it. You, how's the wedding preparation? " I asked. His eyes twinkled upon my question. He flashed a smile that reached his eyes. Mukha nga talagang napakasaya nya, maisip palang ang tungkol sa kasalan ay napakalaki na ng ngiti nya.
" Everything's well. Lyra is so excited with the wedding. " well who isn't? I smiled after realizing the answer to my question. Sino pa bang lolokohin ko? I am not excited with this wedding. A pain strucked my heart. Martyr lang siguro ang gugustuhing makasal sa iba ang minamahal nya.
" Good to know that. So what's the purpose of this dinner though? " I asked while our food is being served. He ordered a chicken platter for him while salad for me. Mabuti naman alam nya parin ang paborito ko sa tagal ba naman naming hindi nag-usap at nagkita. Ang akala ko nakalimutan na nya ako.
" I don't want to tell you this but Lyra keeps on convincing me to do this. " napakunot naman ang noo ko sa narinig. Muling umusbong ang kaba sa aking dibdib. Ano ang kailangan kong malaman?
" What do you mean? Tell me what? " naguguluhan kong saad. Kinuha ko ang table napkin at pinunas iyon sa aking bibig. I don't think that I can eat with this situation. It's bothering me.
" I loved you for 5 years, Nova. " Para akong nabingi sa sinabi nya.
" What did you just say? Y-You what? " I asked after a long silence. I blinked for so many times. If I am dreaming, wake me up. I cannot handle this. He chuckled with my reaction. Mas malala pa sa tambol ang kalabog ng puso ko ngayon.
" Yes, you heard it right. Before I met Lyra, I was inloved with you for years. But things changed, she helped me to move on from you. I was scared to let you know my feelings before. I am very thankful that you are my best friend so I cannot risk our friendship for my feelings. I know that this isn't really necessary but she said that you deserve to know everything before I settle down. " Pakiramdam ko nabingi ako sa sinabi nyang iyon. Natulala nalang ako at parang tumigil ang mundo. Para ring naputol ang dila ko dahil hindi ko alam kung anong sasabihin ko.
" Excuse me. Powder room lang. " that's the first thing I said after his sudden confession. I managed to walk properly towards the C.R. Mabuti nalang, akala ko pa kanina ay matutumba ako dahil nanlambot ang tuhod ko sa nalaman.
Nagpakawala ako ng isang malalim na hininga at tinignan ang sarili sa salamin. So he was inlove with me before? Naramdaman ko na lamang ang luha na lumandas sa aking mata sa naisip. It took me a while to gather myself and look decent. Hindi na ako mukhang umiyak, I need to be strong.
" With the power vested in me, I pronounce you husband and wife. " The priest smiled. Inangat na ni Justine ang belo ni Lyra at inilapit ang mukha nya rito. I looked away. It's too much to witness him kiss another woman. Napuno ng hiyawan ang simbahan. Makikita ang saya sa mukha ng mga bisita nila. I hope that someday, I can be happy like that.
