"You may now kiss the bride."
The words echoed in my mind, transporting me back to the most precious day of my life. Two years had passed since I married the man I prayed for, yet the memories remained as vivid as ever.
Walang mapaglagyan ang saya ko nang mga oras na iyon. Ngunit alam ko na ang Lolo ko ang pinakamasaya sa lahat. The happiness was evident in his eyes, a silent testament to the culmination of his dreams for me.
I hastily wiped away my tears as a knock disrupted my reverie. I found myself once again consumed by emotions.
"Yumi, let's eat. I'm hungry," marahang tawag ng lalaki mula sa labas.
Ano ba naman itong lalaking ito, minsan na lang ako mag-emote sa buhay, istorbo pa.
"Bakit ba?" walang ganang binuksan ko ang pinto ng aming kwarto, only to be rendered speechless by the sight of Mikel's handsome face.
"Kakain n-" Mikel's words trailed off as he looked in my swollen eyes. The light in his own dimmed with concern.
"Why are your eyes swollen? Sino ang umaway sa'yo?" Nag-aalalang tanong niya at marahang hinawakan ang aking pisnge upang maiharap sa kanya at matamang tiningnan ako sa aking mata. Alam kong namumula na naman ang magkabila kong pisngi.
Biglang bumilis ang tibok ng aking puso, alam kong namumula na naman ako.
Ikaw. As if naman na sasabihin kong siya ang dahilan.
"Wala. Bakit ba nangingialam ka?" I snapped at him, my tone sharp.
"Sungit. Tahan na. Ang pangit mong umiyak, e." His voice was serious, and he turned away. Hindi ba't dapat ako ang mas galit sa aming dalawa?
Pagkatapos naming kumain, hinugasan ko ang pinagkainan. Nakakahiya naman at ang asawa ko ang nagluto. Every weekend, Mikel took charge of the kitchen, despite my protests that I could cook just as well. He never relented.
When I entered our bedroom, I was surprised to find him waiting. The thought that he waited for me made my heart flutter.
Will he comfort me because I cried earlier?
Tumatalon ang puso ko sa sobrang kasiyahan. Palagi naman niya itong ginagawa ngunit kinikilig pa rin ako.
"Bakit may dumi ba sa mukha ko at ganyan ka kung makatingin?" I made my voice sound annoyed, pretending to be irritated. He simply stared at me. Hindi talaga maikakaila na gwapo talaga ang asawa ko.
"May problema ka ba?" His gentle question melted my heart. Why did his voice sound so sweet? Bigla tuloy akong napatulala.
"A-ako. May problema? W-wala 'no." Bakit ba ako nauutal? I needed to calm down. I was taken aback when he pulled me close and embraced me. The mere sight of him made me weak, but now, with his arms around me, I felt even more vulnerable. Hindi ko alam kung bakit napaka-emosyonal ko. Nagsisimula pa lang ang story namin, ngunit hindi ko mapigilang isipin ang mangyayari sa amin in the future. Happy ending ba?
"Kapag may problema ka, 'wag kang mahihiyang magsabi sa'kin." His voice was tender as he patted my back. Ang bango niya talaga. Hindi ko mapigilang ibulong sa isipan ko at damahin ang bango ng aking asawa. His scent was intoxicating. I was so absorbed in it that I didn't realize he was tapping me gently.
"Hmm... Yumi, what are you doing?" His tone was teasing, and then he chuckled heartily. I quickly pulled away, embarrassed. Bakit ba kasi masarap siyang yakapin? Ang bango-bango niya, kainis.
"My wife is blushing, huh? Cute." His words only made me feel more embarrassed. Kung iisipin, my actions were indeed quite embarrassing.
MIKEL'S POV
I was buried in my work when Mr. Romeo walked in, my secretary. His presence was a brief respite from the endless demands of my role. He handed me the agenda for the day, his efficient demeanor a small comfort in the chaos.
"Good morning, Mr. Mikel. Here's the agenda for today's meetings."
"Thank you, Mr. Romeo. Any urgent matters I should be aware of?" I asked, trying to keep my focus.
"Yes, there's a call scheduled with the board of directors at 10 a.m. They want an update on the quarterly financial report."
"Alright, make sure all the necessary documents are prepared. And what about the meeting with our investors this afternoon?"
"That's set for 2 p.m. They're eager to hear about our new product launch strategy."
"Great. Let's ensure the presentation is polished and ready to impress."
Mr. Romeo nodded, taking notes.
"And don't forget, your lunch with the potential business partner at noon."
"Right, thank you for reminding me. Please confirm the reservation at La Petite Cuisine."
"Already taken care of, sir."
I smiled, appreciating his efficiency. "You're indispensable, Mr. Romeo. I appreciate your help."
"Thank you, sir. I'll keep everything running smoothly as always."
With a brief nod, he exited, leaving me to dive back into the pile of work before me.
Hindi ko namamalayan ang oras dahil sa rami ng trabaho ko. I might not have stopped if it weren't for the arrival of my best friend, Jan.
"Hey! Zup, Buddy!"
"What the hell are you doing here, brute" I snapped, my eyebrows furrowed in irritation.
"Oh, chill, buddy!" he said, while grinning. "How's married life? Masarap ba, este masaya?"
My friend's nosy question was meant to tease me, but it grated on my nerves. We saw more often, but he'd always bring up my personal life as if it were his business.
"It's none of your business!" I snapped, losing my patience.
"Hindi siguro 'to, naka-score kagabi kaya mainit ang ulo." My friend's crude joke made my eyebrows furrow even more. Gago talaga.
"Just leave, brute. I still have a lot to do."
"Ang galing-galing sa paghawak ng negosyo, pero ang hina-hina sa babae ng Gago." Jan taunted, making sure I could hear him.
"Shut the fuck up, brute!"
"Yes, Boss. Sabi ko nga tatahimik na ako e!" Jan replied mockingly, sabay saludo bago lumabas ng aking opisina habang tumatawa.
I rubbed my temples. My head suddenly ached. Whether it was because my friend's words hit a nerve o dahil lang sa pagod, walang tigil at buong magdamag kong pagtatrabaho, I couldn't tell.
MAYUMI'S POV
Wala akong ibang ginawa kundi libangin ang sarili buong maghapon. Kumain, matulog, at maglinis lang ng bahay ang palagi kong ginagawa.
I cooked chicken curry for dinner; nag-enjoy naman ako dahil gusto ko talaga ang pagluluto noon pa man.
It was already seven in the evening when Mikel came home from work. Dali-dali ko naman siyang pinagbuksan ng pinto.
He looked visibly tired, ngunit hindi naman nakabawas sa gwapo niyang itsura. His hair was still neat, kahit na ang suit niya ay hindi man lang nagusot kahit na magdamag siya sa trabaho. I couldn't help but admire my husband. Sadyang gwapo pa rin kahit na ano man ang maging ayos niya. Mahal na mahal ko talaga ang asawa ko at hindi ko na talaga ito kayang pigilin pa.
In that moment, I realized there was no escape. Sa lalim ba naman ng pagkakahulog ko, alam kong hindi na ako makaka-ahon pa. Hahayaan ko na lang ang sariling malunod kahit na ikamatay ko pa.
BINABASA MO ANG
A Love Written In The Stars✓
Romance[COMPLETED] "In the quiet of the night, I trace the lines of our love in the stars, each twinkling light a reminder of our shared destiny." - Mayumi "Mayumi Chantrea, a simple woman and the sole heiress, has to marry Mikel, in order to fulfill her...
