Steady Rhythms of Love (Ryker Series #2)

SROL [45]

Blade and I stepped into the reception hand in hand as the guests erupted in cheers and applause.

"Ladies and gentlemen, the moment we've all been waiting for! Let's give it up for the newlyweds, Mr. and Mrs. Ryker!"

The afternoon began with a sumptuous lunch as heartfelt toasts filled the air. Nagbihis lang ako saglit bago kami tuluyang nag-ikot ni Blade para kamustahin ang mga bisita.

"Time for the speeches. Should I get you a tissue?"

Inirapan ko kaagad si Blade. "Baka ikaw ang may kailangan. Kanina ka pa umiiyak sa simbahan, eh," ganti ko.

Tinuon na namin ang atensyon sa kung sinuman ang pupunta sa harapan. Everyone was given a chance to speak. Kung sino ang may gusto. Lorelei was the first one to stand up.

"Saan ba ako magsisimula? ZG, grabe, hindi ko ineexpect na ikaw ang unang ikakasal sa ating tatlo. I hope you know how much you deserve this. I've seen you grow from a determined, slightly stubborn girl into the graceful, strong woman standing here today. Ang dami mong pinagdaanan at nagpapasalamat ako na mas pinili mong harapin iyon. Blade, alam kong kahit hindi namin sabihin, mamahalin at mamahalin mo si ZG. The way you look at her like she's the only person in the room, makes me believe in soulmates."

Binitiwan niya ang hawak niyang glass wine bago kumuha ng tissue. Dinaan ko naman sa tawa ang nangingilid ng mga luha ko.

"ZG, you deserve all the happiness in the world, and I can't think of anyone better than Blade to share with you. So here's to love, laughter, and a lifetime of late-night talks and inside jokes. Happy wedding!"

Calista stood next. Nagtawanan ang mga tao nang inuna niyang kumuha ng tissue kesa dumeretso sa gitna.

"Wow, Lorelei, I didn't know you're capable of giving such good speech. Parang ginising mo yung nagtatagong competitiveness sa katawan ko."

Mas lalong nagtawanan ang lahat.

"But kidding aside, ZG, you've always been the glue that holds our little trio together. Thank you for always being in the middle whenever Lorelei and I are arguing. Ni minsan, you never made us feel na may kinakampihan ka sa amin. Thank you for fighting. Thank you for being the strongest woman I've ever known. God knows how much we prayed for this day to come. You know, we can't wish you a better life because Blade can give you the best."

Tumikhim siya bago marahang pinunasan ang mga luha niya. Natawa na naman ako dahil halatang nagpipigil siyang umiyak!

"Blade, thank you for being the man who sees ZG for all that she is. When you started asking random questions about her, I knew it all along. Thank you for giving her a safe place to land. ZG, you once told me you didn't believe in fairytales. But look at you now, living one. I've never seen you this happy, this full of life. It's a testament to the love you and Blade share, a love that's real and enduring. I love you so much."

Akira stood next. She glanced at me with a small smile, then cleared her throat.

"Okay, I'll be in my most serious version that I've never been just for the sake of your wedding," she began. "Zara, when we met in Berlin, we were both in very different places in our lives. You were chasing your dreams with so much passion. I was just... there, trying to find my own footing. But somehow, we found each other. Thanks to that TJ Monterde song that you were singing, nalaman ko tuloy na Pinay ka."

Natawa ako nang maalala kung paano kami unang nagkakilala. It was really unexpected.

"Zara, you taught me what it means to fight, not just for success but for yourself. You faced the darkest parts of your past with bravery I can't even put into words. You didn't just survive... you thrived. And somehow, in the midst of all that, you still had room in your heart to let me in, to trust me, and to let me be your ally when you needed one."