The Bride

This story is a work of fiction. The names, characters, places, and events came from the fruitful mind of the author's imagination. Any resemblance from a person's persona, either living or dead, and/or situations and events are purely coincidence.

Happy reading!

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"Oh.My.God! You're so beautiful!"

I smiled sweetly at my reflection from the full length mirror in front of me, together with my sister behind me whose hands are resting over my shoulders, slightly embracing me.

"I didn't know someone could possibly be as freakingly gorgeous as you are in a white dress."

I giggled softly at her overflowing praises to me. I don't know why she's much more excited than me. She's all hyped! Something I couldn't ever get myself to feel right now.

Umiling iling ako nang mamulaklak pa ang iilang walang humpay na mga papuri niya para sa akin.

"Chilly, please, stop. Geez." Tatawa tawa kong pigil sa kaniya. "You're beautiful as hell too. You're making this a big deal."

"Uh, excuse me?" She sounded so insulted, but in a playful way. "Wedding is a big deal, ate Balmy. And this.. is a wedding. So yeah, I'm making it a big deal 'cause this is a big deal. Got it?"

Honestly, puro "big deal" lang ang naintindihan ko. Pero syempre ang makulit kong kapatid hindi parin ako tinantanan kaya no choice ako kundi ang sumang-ayon na lang sa kaniya. I was about to nod when we heard a knock on the door, followed by a man entering the room.

"Ah... my babies.."

The man said so softly. He was tearing up as he looked at Chilly and I. He then spread his arms wide, inviting us for a hug. Nagkatinginan kami ni Chilly at napangiti. Sabay na lumapit kami sa kaniya at yumakap.

"Dad..." I whispered.

He held us tightly and sighed heavily on both my shoulder and Chilly's. Pagkaraan ay kinalas niya na ang yakap sa amin. He looked at us simultaneously with the most gentle smile anyone can give.

"My babies are all grown up. I still can't believe one of you will be leaving me and will soon start a family of her own." Dad looked at me and caressed my cheek. "You look so wonderful, love."

I smiled. "Thank you, Dad."

"I told you, ate Balmy."

Chilly interfered and clung her arm onto mine.

"Alright. That's enough, Mushy. The girls need to leave. We need to leave. You don't want to be late on your own daughter's wedding right?"

That's mommy Sturdy. Strong and well-spoken as always. She smiled widely at us before accompanying our emotional father, wiping away his almost shedding tears.

Chilly held my hand as we followed our parents outside then ride the wedding car along with them. And as I stood in front of the entrance of the church, I can't explain how I exactly feel at the moment. Chills run down my spine. A sweet song surround the whole place as the entourage begins.

Isa-isang nagmartsa ang mga kaloob ng ginaganap na procession. And when it was my turn to march, I couldn't stop myself to roam my eyes around the sea of people whose heads are turned to the direction of the end of the aisle. My eyes starts to water. I am clouded with different emotions all at once. Huminga ako ng malalim para pakalmahin ang sarili. At sa pagbaling ko sa unahan, nakita ko ang nag-iisang lalaking minamahal ko ng buong puso at kaluluwa, naghihintay sa harap ng altar. Awtomatikong sumibol ang ngiti sa aking labi nang makita ang malapad niyang pag-ngiti. And even from a distance, I can still see how his eyes are glistened with tears.