Someone You Loved (COMPLETED)

25 - Lifetime

>>>a significant time jump<<<

RJ's POV

This must be one of the finest days I'm sure I'd remember all my life. I'm nervous and happy at the same time. Euphoria.

I wanted to see her last night the moment I arrived. I had to see her before the big day that's why we sneaked out no matter how everyone prohibited. It's not that the wedding won't happen naman if we meet, right? I just needed to talk to her. Thank God she approved. We missed the view of the night sky last night but it's okay as long as I've seen her eye-smile as if stars sparked endlessly before me.

"We have to start na po," the young wedding coordinator signalled me. I deeply breathed.

Today marked a special day for both I and my favorite woman.

The church is filled with white tulips and an enchanting music. How can I describe this? Ah, dreamy. Surreal.

As the entourage started to march and all waited for the last person to enter, my heart is beating fast I thought I'm losing it. Calm down, heart. I had to compose myself.

Just a few seconds and I'm going to see her.

There, behind the wooden porta mayor, stood Sophia Elizabeth looking divine as ever. I felt the lump in my throat. I must fight the urge to cry. I've done so much crying last night. The both of us did and that's enough. Mabuti nalang that I don't look puffy. I hope she doesn't too. I should keep my cool today.

She gave me that playful wink when she reached the altar and faced me. I see her face clearly even behind the veil. I could only smile and slightly nod. With one nervous, sharp breath, the mass began.

"We celebrate. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit," I paused and listened to the most intimate AMEN I've witnessed so far. "The Lord be with you." Medyo kinakabahan din ako ngayon kasi this is the first wedding that I'm officiating at kasal pa ng mga importanteng tao sa buhay ko. Isang hingang malalim, I had to continue. "We are gathered here today as one family to celebrate the union of two people whom we dearly love-- Sophia Elizabeth and Emmanuel Garreth-- as they embark on this graceous day a new stage of their lives, no longer as separate individuals but as one."

I am too engrossed with the readings that I almost panicked when I noticed I didn't bring with me the homily I've written. I checked in the other pocket pero wala talaga akong makapang papel. Pinaghandaan ko pa naman yun sa eroplano. Bahala na.

"The greatest poem in the Bible about love is so familiar to us. We even heard it a while ago. Love is patient; love is kind; love is not envious or boastful or arrogant orde. It does not insist on its own way... It does not rejoice in wrongdoing, but rejoices in the truth. There we see the connection of love and truth. It's the truth within our love that gives every relationship the strength. I am saying this because I affirm the fact that the two of you, Zoe and Gael, for the longest years as boyfriend and girlfriend, have endured all things even the significant distance that came your way. You were truthful to each other and to the people around you. You were separated by continents. You knew something about long distance relationships. You grew together and weathered things some couples don't usually      go through, and you've faced them for years. That was tough.