The Badass Babysitter [The Final Kick]

Chapter 23: Wedding Vow to Map to Bedlam

CHAPTER TWENTY THREE

 
It wasn't the most extravagant wedding but it was the messiest one. Hindi ko alam kung papaano ko pa ipapaliwanag ang mga nangyayari, hindi pa nakakalahati ang seremonya ay nagkakagulo na sa gilid. Isaiah and Josiah are imitating me and Genesis, they hold hands together while facing Psalm — who imitates the priest too. Si Selendrina ay pilit namang sinusuot kay Gyro ang singsing at dahil sa pilit na pagtanggi ni Gyro ay nahulog ang singsing at nagpagulong-gulong iyon sa tarmac na siyang hinabol naman ni East at West. Ang mga King Society naman ay palinga-linga sa paligid, namamangha sa mga unipormadong sundalo na nakahanay sa gilid habang hawak sa dibdib ang mga rifle.

"Can we make this fast? Hindi pwedeng mapuyat ang buntis!" North complained at the background. Atarah followed.

"Pwedeng i-record niyo nalang 'to? Papanoorin ko nalang sa bahay. Maga-advance honeymoon pa kami ni Kier!"

I lowered my head in shame, sa ginawa ko nahulog ang veil ko pero hindi ko na pinulot. Letche! This is not just a low budget wedding but it's a stressful wedding! The people around me, the choices of songs, the priest who can't read at night, the snipers surrounding us — damn, this is worst! Gusto kong manakit!

"Relax baby, have a little patience, malapit nang matapos," bulong ni Genesis sa tainga ko.

The priest is having a hard time reading his bible in front of us. Kinailangan pang ilawan ng flashlight ng cellphone ng Vice President ang libro para mabasa niya.

"Each culture has symbols and rituals to celebrate marriage, from the Chinese tea ceremony to the Jewish tradition of breaking the glass, a rich tapestry of traditions from around the world combine to symbolize the meaning of marriage. Today we should try to remember that a wedding is a symbol, a heartfelt and meaningful symbol but a symbol nonetheless,

"This ceremony is not magic, it will not create a relationship that does not already exist and has not already been celebrated in all the commitments Genesis and South have made to each other, both large and small, in the days since they first met. What we are celebrating today is not the beginning of a marriage, but a marriage-already-in-progress. This ceremony is a symbol of how far they have come together and a symbol of the promises that they will continue to make to each other throughout their lives together,

"Look at one another and remember this moment in time," the priest said and Genesis and I looked at each other intently.

"Before this moment you have been many things to one another—stranger, babysitter, fiancé(e), But now you shall say a few words that take you across a threshold of life, and things will never quite be the same between you. For after these vows, you shall say to the world, this—is my husband, this—is my wife."

Husband and wife... those words made me in tears. Genesis eyes were bright, he blinked and there are tears escaped from his eyes but he chose to wiped my own as he mouthed, 'Don't cry. I love you.'

After more words, the priest rubbed his swollen eyes and looked at Genesis.

"Having considered all of these things, Genesis, do you promise to do your very best each day to create a loving, healthy, and happy marriage?" 

Hindi pa man naibubuka ni Genesis ang bibig para sumagot ay sabay-sabay na nagkasa na nang baril ang mga Army ni Daddy. Ang mukha ni Genesis ay punong-puno ng maliliit na kulay pulang ilaw galing sa magkakaibang direksyon. All guns pointed at him, ready to shoot when he said the wrong code.

"Daddy..." I hissed, glaring at my father who only shrugged his shoulders.

"No need for this because I do," sagot ni Genesis. The Army unloaded their guns, the laser lights gone from his face too.