Marked by the Gent (Completed)

Chapter Twenty Five

My eyes were closed as I take deep breaths. Kasabay nang pag-bukas ng pintuang kahoy ay ang pag-tama ng tingin ko sa taong nag-hiihntay sa akin sa dulo ng altar. Kaunting oras na lamang at tuluyan na akong makakauwi sa aking tahanan. 

He was already crying and patiently waiting for me to walk down the aisle. No matter what, my baby still looks handsome when he is crying. Pero syempre, kahit kailan ay susubukan kong hindi gumawa ng ikasasakit ng damdamin niya. 

I took my last deep breath and started walking.

"Where do you want to get married?" He asked as we started planning for the wedding.

I just want a solemn wedding. I don't need much. I don't need it to be extravagant. I don't need our wedding to be covered by the media even if their money can bring it to a whole new level. I just want our families and close friends to be there.

Basta sa kanya ako makakauwi, kahit saan kami ikasal ayos lang. 

"Hmm, I discovered this chapel in Batangas," Pauna ko.

"Uh huh, and?"

"The Calaruega Chapel. It's very beautiful. Although it cannot accommodate a lot of people. I hope you don't mind if I only want a small wedding?" Alangan kong sabi sa kanya.

Ang nakaakbay niyang braso ay lalo akong hinigit papalapit sa kanya. Humalik siya sa noo ko. "Of course I don't mind. As long as you'll end up as my 'Mrs. Echeveria'."

Dumoble ang kabog ng dibdib ko nang magsimula ang kanta. Humigpit lalo ang hawak ko sa bulaklak habang naglalakad. My eyes started to water, too. Parang sasabog ang puso ko sa sobrang saya. Everything is finally in its place.

 My parents were still halfway down the aisle so I was getting strength from what I was holding.

The good thing was the aisle wasn't that long. My knees were turning to jellies but I need to get there⁠—I need to get to him. Natawa ako ng bahagya nang maalala bakit napagpaliban ang kasal namin ng isang beses.

It was our final fitting today. Tinutulungan akong magsuot ng designer namin pero hindi niya masarado ang likod. I was afraid my tummy was getting bigger that it's expected to be.

I don't think the fabric will still be enough for adjustments. Nakailang repair na ito. I called on Kesha for some help. "Kesha! Can you come here?"

Someone knocked on the door so the designer slightly bowed his head and excused himself. I was waiting for Kesha to come in but it was Pius who did!

"What are you doing here? I was asking for Kesha not you. You shouldn't see me wearing my wedding gown! Hindi mo ba alam ang kasabihan?" My voice was super worried. 

Hindi ba niya alam na hindi matutuloy ang kasal pag nakita ng groom ang bride suot ang traje de boda? Sa dami nang nalagpasan naming pagsubok na tinapon ng mundo, huwag niyong abihin na hindi pa kami magkakatuluyan? Baka hindi ko pa kayanin.

This is a bride problem and only my maid of honor can probably help me. He rolled his eyes but still advanced to my spot. "Pius naman, eh!"

"At some point you tell me not to believe to superstitions, but now you are doing it. Can't practice what you preach? Come on, what's the problem?"

Hinayaan ko na siyang lumapit. Nakita na rin naman niya ako. If we don't end up together, pipilitin ko pa rin. I know that he is for me. Wala na akong ibang gusto. 

Wala nang papatay sa pagmamahal namin sa isa't-isa. Hindi naman siguro kami makakarating dito kung mababaw lan ang naramdaman namin, hindi ba?

Niyakap niya ako mula sa likod at nakatitig kami pareho sa salamin. "I can't fit my gown. Ang bilis lumaki ng tyan ko."