The Royal Series 01: The Royal Agreement

Chapter 10

VICTORIA

“You’re planning to spend the night here, in my house?” Pag-uulit ko sa sinabi ng apat.

“Yeah. Why not? Dito ka rin naman matutulog sa inyo ah?” Puna ni Jessie. “Tipid pa sa hotel room.”

“Parang hindi iisang suite room yung b-in-ook natin kung makasabi ng tipid.” Natatawang sabi ni Hadley.

“1 day lang b-in-ook namin kasi balak na talaga naming dito matulog sa bahay n’yo. Makasabi ka ng ‘my house’ eh sa Palasyo ka na nakatira.” Dagdag ni Vannie na at home na at home sa paghiga sa kama ko.

May sasabihin pa sana ako kaso bumukas yung pinto sa kwarto ko. Pumasok sina Sandy at Anne na may dalang reusable bag na nilapag nila sa space sa may paanan ng kama.

According to one of the Great Kingdoms’ wedding superstitions, brides should spend the night before the marriage in her home. Which is why I’m here. But these girls are also with me.

Kanina pa nakaupo si Jenny sa sahig na hanggang ngayon hindi makapili ng movie na pwede panoorin. Pero tumabi naman si Jessie at Hadley sa kan’ya. Si Lauren umupo malapit sa mga bags at tiningnan yung binili ng dalawa habang si Vannie ay gumapang palapit sa paanan ng kama.

“Bumili kayo ng alak?” Gulat na tanong ni Lauren.

“Sabi ko bumili sila.” Sabi ni Jessie na kumukuha na ng chips.

“Ano?” Tanong ko habang nanlalaki mata dahil nakatingin si Lauren sa akin habang nakangiwi.

“Tori can’t hold her drink well.” Sagot ni Lauren kaya napalingon si Sandy at Anne sa akin.

“Hindi nga?” Gulat na tanong ni Anne. “Seryoso?”

“Unless gusto n’yong ikasal si Tori na may hangover.” Singit ni Jenny.

“Hey!” Saway ko kay Jenny.

“That’s going to be a sight to see pero baka pag ako naman ang ikakasal eh lasingin n’yo ako the night before.” Natatawang sabi ni Vannie na kumukuha sa binuksang chips ni Jenny.

“Mag-move on ka muna sa ex mo bago mo isipin bridal shower mo oy!” Hirit ni Hadley.

Dahil don sinabi ni Hadley ay tumayo si Vannie sa pagkakadapa sa kama ko na nagpatayo kay Hadley.

Tumakbo si Hadley para magtago sa likod ni Lauren na tahimik na kinakain yung wafer kanina. On the other hand, Jenny and Jessie finally decided a movie to put on. It’s a Leonardo DiCaprio movie which is why Both Hadley and Vannie and settled down.

For more than an hour, we’re huddled by the foot of my bed eating or drinking. I can tell that Jenny and Lauren are watching how much I’m drinking so I just let them be even though I know how much I’m drinking.

And as we got to the latter part of the second movie that we chose to watch, I realized something. Especially since the movie’s genre is romance.

I wanted to react at what I realized what’s in store for me after my wedding tomorrow but I decided not to. Dahil kahit sabihin ko sa kanila, wala namang mangyayari.

“Honest thought lang ah.” Pagbasag ni Jessie sa katahimikan nang mag-roll na yung credits. “You’re getting married tomorrow.”

“I know that very well.” Buntong hininga ko at kumuha ng gummy snack sa tupperware na nasa sahig pero napangiwi ako sa asim nang mapasok ko sa bibig ko.

“Sayang hindi ko na-video-han.” Sabi ni Jenny kaya binato ko s’ya ng empty beer can.

“Ano ba gusto mo talaga sabihin?” Tanong ko kay Jessie.

“Honestly, you’re stuck in that marriage for life unless you two find a good reason to get divorced.” Sagot ni Jessie at nagbukas ng bagong chips. “Have you ever thought of trying to make it work out?”

Napatigil ako sa pagsubo ng hawak kong tacos at pati yung iba natigil sa ginagawa nila.

“Oo nga ano?” Vannie said but immediately grimaced. “I mean, that’s kind of a good plan to try out. Kahit na masama ang loob ko sa try to work it out na ‘yan.” She added which made Hadley snort.

“Kung hindi sinabi sa amin ni Tori yung tungkol dito, actually akala ko secretly dating talaga sila ni Prince Clinton.” Sabi naman ni Anne.

“Same here. Tori actually looked shy whenever Prince Clinton was around her.” Dagdag ni Sandy.

“I think that was Tori being unusually awkward around guys.” Sabi naman ni Lauren.

“Speaking of guys, ngayon ko lang na-realize na bakit parang minsan naa-awkward-an ka kapag inaakbayan ka ni Henry o Gian?” Tanong naman ni Jenny. “Dati kahit i-wrestling ka ng dalawa, it’s fine with you.”

“Kaano-ano n’yo yung dalawa? Except Gian na boyfriend ni Jenny.” Singit ni Hadley.

“Childhood friends. Sa iisang school pumasok since Kinder until High School. Except when Tori went to Great Crystal.” Sagot ni Jenny. “So, bakit? Even Gian and Henry’s asking me if you have some issue with them that they don’t know yet.”

“That’s probably thanks to Tori’s controlling ex.” Lauren answered before I can even think of what to say. “She’s going to say that nothing’s wrong but it’s clearly a mark of her ex wanting no other men near her.”

“OMG so kaya ba biglang nagbago wardrobe choices mo during the Annual Noble Summer Camp?” Tanong naman ni Vannie.

I’m already cornered and Lauren probably still hasn’t expressed her dislike for my ex. So I spilled everything since Lauren’s the only one who knows along with our friends in her home country. I didn’t want to worry Jenny, Henry, Gian, and my family about me more than necessary so I chose to not say anything about him.

Hindi pa rin naman kasi ganun kaseryoso yung relasyon namin non para ikwento ko s’ya pamilya ko.

“You know what, try to work out your arranged marriage with Clinton. Galing din naman ‘yon sa toxic relationship.” Sabi ni Jenny matapos kong magkwento.

“Tatayo ako fan club n’yo para kapag inaway ka ni Monique may resbak.” Sabi pa ni Anne na umaktong hinahatak pataas yung non-existent sleeves n’ya.

We probably chatted about two to three hours before we decided to to prepare for bed. May ipinasok na mattress sa kwarto ko yung helpers habang nags-skin care routine kami after mag-halfbath at magpalit ng pyjamas.

Ang dami din naming kinuhang picture.

Nakuha pa naming maglaro ng isang game to decide who’s sleeping on my bed and on the mattress brought inside.

The next day, I was woken up by my mother who then told me to wake the girls up. Which I did after brushing my teeth and washing my face.

Bumaba kami for breakfast at nakita kong nagulat pa si Kuya at Daddy nang makita kung sino yung mga nakasunod sa akin. Which was to be expected since Kuya probably went home past midnight. While Dad most probably got home around 2 to 4 in the morning. Mom was the only one home when we all arrived here.

Sa gitna ng breakfast ay may dumating na mga…I’m guessing hair and makeup artist. Not just for me but for the girls as well. May mga boxes din na ipinasok as well as headless and armless mannequins.

Tumayo naman si Mommy sa kinauupuan n’ya para i-guide kung saang kwarto ipapasok yung mga dala nila. Habang pinaalalahanan naman kami ni Daddy na kumain nang marami. Which I really did.

Even if I’ll be done preparing on or before lunch time, I still ate a lot. Since I’m probably going to be unable to eat too much by lunch time. I wouldn’t want to starve. My wedding is not like any other weddings after all.

It’s going to be broadcasted live all over the world. But before going to the Amber Cathedral, a parade will take place. Which would take a lot of time.

Once I was done eating my heavy breakfast, I told everyone I’ll go ahead and take a bath.

On normal days, I take twenty to forty minutes but I think it didn’t even take thirty minutes for me to finish. I just wore a dress shirt and shorts.

Paglabas ko ng banyo sa kwarto ko ay nakita kong may naghihintay na sa may vanity mirror ko kaya umupo na ako ron.

And as the hair and makeup artist began doing their art, I just sat there. Trying to ease my nerves and remind myself of the things I need to say and do. Most especially, the wedding vow.

“I think I did something bad last night.”

Gumalaw yung mata ko para tingnan si Jessie na kalalabas lang sa banyo ng kwarto ko. Si Sandy na papasok na sana ay napatigil din.

“What?” I asked.

“I drank too many cold beverages and ate too many sweets. Kakanta pa naman ako mamaya.” Sabi n’ya na nagpatawa sa akin.

“Go down and ask my Mom for that ginger juice or whatever you drink.” Sabi ko.

“Akala ko kung ano na.” Parang nakahingang maluwag na sabi ni Sandy bago pumasok sa banyo.

I just sat for hours, waiting for the hair and makeup artist finish their work. Nauna pang matapos ayusan sina Jenny kaya habang hinihintay na matapos akong ayusan ay nakaupo lang sila sa kama ko habang may nagp-play na movie.

And when they were finished, I finally saw my wedding look. I heard Jenny and the others say that they’ll wait outside as the hair and makeup artist, together with Red and other Lady Maids get the wedding dress out of the dress mannequin.

My hair is in an elegant updo hairstyle with strands of curled hair framing my face. I looked at one side saw the braid that’s loose yet sticking to my scalp.

I heard Red calling me so I stood up to wear my gown.

This is how ready this wedding is. The design of the gowns I’m wearing for the wedding and reception has been set for months. I heard that they based the measurements on my last dress customization.

After I slipped my feet into the white leather stilettos, I walked towards my full body mirror.

I looked up and down and saw the long-sleeved illusion dress with laces before I sat back down. My veil was quickly attached to my hair and I heard the door to my room open.

Nanlaki yung mata ko nang makita si Mommy na nakasuot ng golden yellow dress. Agad naman akong tumayo at nayakap ako agad ni Mommy.

“Mommy, I’m warning you. ‘Wag kang iiyak.”

But too late. Naririnig ko na si Mommy na sumisinghot. At nang makita ko sina Anne na parang naiiyak sa nakikita nila ay naramdaman ko na lang na may dumadamping tissue sa gilid ng mata ko. Si Red na nakangiti lang nang matingnan ko.

Matapos umiyak ni Mommy ay pumasok si Daddy na nakasuot ng military dress uniform. Lahat ng medals n’ya kita and he has this thing on his shoulders that says his rank. Kasunod n’ya si Kuya naka-black suit at golden yellow yung tie. S’ya rin may hawak ng bouquet ko.

May isang Lady Maid naman na pumasok sa kwarto ko at sinabing malapit na yung magdadala sa akin sa Amber Cathedral. So we all decided to take the family photo by the stairs. Si Kuya at Daddy ay tumulong sa pagbuhat ng train ng gown ko.

We took quite a lot of pictures. Mayroong si Mommy at Daddy lang kasama ko. Pati kaming dalawa lang ni Kuya, who decided to pretend that he’s choking me. Kaya napagsabihan s’ya ni Mommy. Buti nga.

Sunod naman ay with the girls. I took photos with just one of them. Then with Jenny, Anne, and Sandy. As well as with Jessie, Hadley, Lauren, and Vannie. And with all seven of them.

“Teka, nasaan sina Gian at Henry?” Narinig kong tanong ni Anne habang solo pictures ko na lang ang kinukuhaan.

“Kasama ni Clinton. They all got drunk last night.” Rinig kong sagot ni Jenny. “Tinawagan nga ako ni Gian around 3AM. Asking me to be his girlfriend.” Dagdag n’ya kaya natawa sina Lauren.

“At least diba alam mong ikaw pa rin nasa isip n’ya even if he’s drunk.” Sabi ni Vannie.

“Uy, kinikilig.” Puna ni Jessie nang biglang nagpigil si Jenny na ngumiti.

“Hindi ba sila magkakalat? Lalo na si Henry?” Tanong ni Sandy kaya natawa na ako.

“Sorry.” Sabi ko dahil hindi ko na-maintain yung pose at ngiti na in-approve ng photographer.

“It looks good. No problem.” Sabi ng photographer.

Inayos naman na yung veil ko at nang marinig namin na nasa labas na yung susundo sa akin, napahugot ako nang malalim na hininga.

When the double doors of our house opened, flashes of camera greeted me. My Mom’s standing beside me as well as my Dad and brother. I can feel a slight tug as the Lady Maids fix the train of my gown.

The media people were allowed inside the village for the broadcast of the parade and my eyes settled on the carriage waiting outside our gate. And I took a deep breathe before I take another step towards it.

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