Be The Bride

IKA-NAPULO

STORM..

I am here inside the company’s car, engine on, my hands on the steering wheel, but my mind is still battling. Should I go?

Ipagpaliban nalang kaya muna? I think I can’t do this.

But we can no longer delay any work kasi mabe-behind na kami sa schedule. Napatingin ako sa dashboard ng kotse. There, imprinted in bold letters is WWM’s motto,

WORK OVER EMOTIONS.

Napabuntong-hininga ako. I can do this!

And so, I drove my way to the pier. And as I get there, I went outside the car, and came face to face with Khyree Jared.

Napatingin ako sa likod niya, then sa kotse niya. I’m looking for Klara.

“Where is Klara?” tanong ko.

“Where is Ani?” tanong niya rin.

Nagkatinginan kami.

“Does this mean we’re going to Maragsa? Tayo lang?” I said in a disbelieving tone.

--

“Hello Ran?” I said as soon as he took my call.

Nakita kong agad na napatingin sa akin si Khy upon mentioning Ran’s name.

[Hey..]

“I’m going to Maragsa.”

[With them? Akala ko ba si Anicito? Will you be fine? Gusto mo samahan kita?]

I chuckled.

“Something happened lang kasi. Anyways, nagpapaalam ako sa’yo that’s why tumawag ako. Baka hanapin mo ako at mabaliw ka pag di mo ako nahanap.”

Pareho kaming napatawa. I really love the sound of his laugh.

[Okay, if anything happens, call me and I’ll be there.]

Napangiti ako.

“Of course. Babalik din naman ako agad mamayang hapon.”

[Okay. Then can I have you as my date tonight?]

“Looking forward to it,” I said.

[Thanks ma’am.]

Napatawa ako and then the call ended.

Khy is just silent the whole time. He never said a word.

Sumakay na kami sa nag-iisang fastcraft na byabyahe papuntang Maragsa. Dalawang byahe lang araw-araw. Isang papunta at isang pabalik. As in ang liit lang din kasi ng Maragsa.

Isang resort lang din ang meron doon. At isang inn. At ang inn na yun ay exclusive lamang sa mga gumagamit sa resort.

“May pinuntahan pa si Klara kaya susunod lang siya maya-maya.”

“Alam mong isang byahe lang ang papuntang Maragsa.”

“She’ll hire a boat,” he said kaya napatango ako. “Si Ani?”

“Na-aksidente ang kapatid niya,” sagot ko.

Naging tahimik na kami.

2 hours ang byahe papuntang Maragsa. Napatingin ako sa relo ko. 8:34 am. Mga alas dyes kami dadating sa Maragsa. Then at 3 pm ang byahe pabalik. That means we only have 5 hours to do everything.

Nostalgic feeling came to me nung nasisilayan ko na ang isla sa malayo pa lang. I can’t believe I’m back in this island and with Khyree. This is exactly what we dreamed before. Coming back here together to arrange our wedding. But not quite exact. We’re here for a wedding, but not ours. Theirs.