Loving my Bestfriend

End;

(Daffodil's POV)

"One...two...three...smile!" I said as I clicked the camera.

Medyo nahihirapan pa ako dahil sa gown ko pero okay lang. Afterall, this is for my bestfriend---for his wedding.

Kakatapos lang ng kasal at picture taking na. And yes. I am the photographer of my bestfriend's wedding. The moment I thought I'll be the one spending with him.

"Next! Sino na?" I asked as I roamed my eyes around.

Busy na ang mga tao sa kani-kanilang ginagawa at kakatapos lang ng parents ng groom at bride for picture taking.

"Hey wala na--"

"Come here, nget!"

I looked around with that familiar voice and I saw Larkspur, my Larkspur, waving and smiling at me.

"Ha?" I asked.

"Halika dito!"

"Pano yung-"

I stopped when I saw them smile at each other and Rox let go from his embrace. Wearing her gown, she walked to my place in front of them.

"Picture daw kayo, ako na dito." nakangiti nyang sabi like she's teasing me to Lark. But of course she's not. Larkspur is not free anymore. He is now bounded by the law to his wife. At pati puso nya, nakatali na sa babaeng pinakasalan nya.

Masakit. Masakit parin.

Naglakad ako papunta dun sa pwesto ni Lark. He is genuinely smiling widely. He is really happy. And I can see that.

"Ang bagal naman!" saka nya ako hinawakan sa kamay at dinikit sa katawan nya.

I felt his body heat and I can't help but to bitterly smile. Nakakamiss yung ganito kami kalapit sa isa't isa.

"Okay! One...Two...Three...smile!" rinig kong sabi ni Rox habang nakasilip sa camera.

Larkspur wrapped his arm around my shoulder and I smiled. Gustuhin ko man ngumiti ng totoo, hindi ko magawa. Iisa lang ang gusto ko ngayon. Magmukmok sa kwarto ko at umiyak.

"Isa pa. One...two...three...say cheese!"

"Pangettt!/Baklaaaa!" sabay naming sigaw ni Lark.

Napangiti naman ako.

The last time this scene happened, it was nine years ago.

Masaya pa kami nun.
Hindi pa sya umalis papuntang Sorrel.
Wala pang Roxanne.
Wala pang engagement.
Wala pang kasalan.
At higit sa lahat,

Mahal nya pa ako nun.

Pero iba na ang sistema ngayon.

May Roxanne na.
Kasal na sila.
At hindi na ako ang mahal nya.

I bit my lower lip and walked towards Rox who is currently browsing at the photos.

"You really capture great photos, Daf! Ang galing mo!"

I smiled and I saw Lark walked towards her, encircling his arms on her waist.

"Groom, Bride, una na kami sa reception ha?" rinig kong sigaw ni Tito Net.

Eto lang yung alam kong kasal na nauna pa yung mga bisita sa reception.

They looked at each other and smiled. They're both really inlove. And I'm jealous. Ang sakit.

"Sabay ka na sa sasakyan namin, nget?" tanong ni Lark.

Pag tingin ko, wala nang ibang tao sa loob ng simbahan. Nasa labas na silang lahat at kaming tatlo nalang ang nandito sa loob.

"Mauna na siguro kayo. People are waiting for you at the reception. Susunod nalang ako. I need to fix up my things." sabay tanggal ko ng camera ko sa tripod.

"You sure? We can wait, diba love?" tanong ni Rox kay Lark.

"Yes of course. Ano, nget?"

"Wag na, mauna na kayo! Kulit ng mag-asawang to e."

They laugh and I smiled.

"Sige, ingat ka ha?" saad ni Lark.

Naglakad na sila paalis sa simbahan, leaving me behind them.

Yumuko ako at pilit na pinipigilan ang pagpatak ng luha galing sa mga mata ko. And my eyes dropped to my wrist.

The vine bracelet.

"Ito yung sign na forever bestfriend tayo! Kahit kasal na tayo, syempre."

I touched the bracelet and as I looked at them walk away, my tears fell. Their image getting blurry because of my tears. And as they disappear on my vision, my tears began to fall hard.

Wala akong pake kung makita man ako ng mga papasok na tao ngayon. Hindi ko na kaya. Sobrang sakit na.

I can't believe that the man I love is already married to someone else. Sobra-sobrang sakit pala. Wala na akong mapaglagyan pa ng sakit na nararamdaman ko.

Mahal kita, Lark. Pero hindi mo kailangang malaman pa. Mananatili na iyong isang sikreto, habangbuhay.

I wiped my tears and looked at the door where they left.

"It hurts seeing you fulfill the dreams you once promised me, to someone else. But thank you, Lark. Thank you for letting me feel happiness in your embrace. Thank you for being my happy catastrophe. You'll always be the one that makes me happy. Always keep in mind that I loved you, I love you and I'll continue loving you. You will forever be the love of my life. I love you so much, bestfriend. Be happy. I'm sorry, I loved you too late."

Yes, loving someone is hard, but loving my bestfriend is tenfolds harder.