Chapter 25
I had no choice but to be Julie's partner. I actually liked it. Thank God, her real partner's sick.
"Nginingiti mo dyan?" Julie asked as we walked down the aisle.
"Huh? Wala. Naiimagine ko lang kasi na ganito tayo soon. Pero you're gonna wear something white and I'm gonna wait for you down there." I said and even points at Maqui's brother.
"Pasalamat ka nasa simbahan tayo kaya di ka makakatikim ng kaltok saken." she told me.
"Thank you." I whispered in her ear. "And you look gorgeous, by the way."
"Shut up." she hissed.
We walked until we reached the end of the aisle and she has to go on her side while I had to go on mine. I stand next to Maqui's partner and he greeted me with a nod.
"Gino, dude." he introduced himself and offered his hand.
"Elmo." I said and shook his hand once.
"I haven't met you before. Are you related to Earl or something?" he asked.
"No. I'm here to replace their sick cousin. I'm Julie's friend."
"Ah. I'm Maqui's... Uhm... College friend." he said. I nodded and we both looked back at the aisle where the bride is already starting to march.
This isn't the first time I attended a wedding. We have cousins who got married already and I've seen this kind of scenario a dozen times. But today is different. Before, I was really bored whenever we attend such gatherings. But now? Maybe it's because I'm pursuing someone and I'm imagining the bride to be her while I'll be the groom. Maybe because I feel that Julie would be the last. She'll be my last.
"Hey. You can sit now." I heard Gino said.
"Right." I nodded and sat next to him.
"So... Julie's friend huh?" he asked.
"Manliligaw actually." I chuckled. He nodded as he chuckles too.
"I knew it. Caught you staring at her for more than 10 seconds, buddy." he laughed.
"And I caught you staring at Maqui more than a minute, man." I said back.
"Psh. I'm not bro." he said, shaking his head in the process. "I was just looking outside."
"Uh-huh." I nodded, sarcastically. "So? Maqui huh?"
"We're friends. Or... I'm friends with her brother."
"For real?"
"Let's talk about that later." he said and paid attention to the ceremony.
The mass ended and we're all gathered outside to wait for the newlyweds to come out. I was standing behind Julie as she and Maqui positioned themselves on either side of the crowd formed outside the church. They're instructing everyone to continuously blow bubbles and the kids to throw the petals when the newlyweds finally come out. Everyone was cheering and clapping and requesting for another round of kisses from the couple. I stand in the background just watching Julie as she enjoys this moment.
"Matunaw naman yan." I was startled by the sound of Gino's voice. Nakatayo pala siya sa tabi ko. I didn't even noticed. "You were so engrossed with Julie's beauty that you didn't even notice me putting mud on your back. Hahahahaha."
"What the f--" I touched the back of my coat and felt nothing. Gino guffawed, slapping my back in the process.
"Kidding dude! See? You're under her spell." he laughed.
