"Ma'am, closer po!" The photographer shouted. I looked at J who's smiling widely at me. Muntik na ko hindi umattend sa wedding na 'to. Natakot lang ako kasi napanaginipan ko si Josh last week. Ayoko multuhin sa bahay ko.
"Congrats J and Goodluck, Brix!" I smirked at tumawa naman si Brix. He even carefully look at him.
After magpicture ay bumalik na ko sa upuan ng mga bridesmaid. Kami lang ni Ponggay ang magkakilala dito. The rest friends na ni Jamie from US. Gail is also here. Feeling ko binabantayan niya ko. Inutusan siguro ni Jamie na bantayan ako.
May iba pa kong kilala pero wag nagpapanggap kaming lahat na ito lang ang unang araw naming magkita. I even see SJ's teary eyes while looking at me.
"Bei, sabay ka ba samin papuntang reception?" My mom asked me.
"Ah no. I'll drive. Kasama ko si Pongs and si Gail" I smiled fakely.
"Okay" My mom even made beso-beso to Pongs. Ang tagal kasing MIA nito eh. She's younger than me and J but kami talaga yung trio back in college.
"Sino ba dyan?" Pongs whispered noong dumaan yung groom's men.
"Shut up" bulong ko.
"Gail, sino?"
I rolled my eyes noong nagbulungan sila. I walked faster papunta sa car ko at hinintay yung dalawang naglalakad sa buwan. Buti nalang nasa loob na ko ng kotse noong tumakbo siya mag isa pabalik ng simbahan. Baka may naiwan.
But I was shocked noong tumigil siya sa harap ni Gail. I was watching them intently.
Gail shook his hand at si Pongs naman ay parang kilig na kilig. Baka naalala niya si Gail. Bahala na. Okay ka na diba, Bei?
Pagsakay nila sa kotse ay hinihintay ata nila ko magreact.
"What?" I said after starting the car.
"Naalala niya ko, Ma'am" ang lalim ng buntong hininga ni Gail after uttering those words.
"Nice for his memories"
"Let's open the radio nalang" Pongs tried to break the silence.
The drive is just short. Malapit lang naman. Ponggay retouched her face kaya hindi pa kami nababa. I looked at Gail na mukhang gulat pa din.
"Can I go home na ba? I don't want to party." I whispered but I'm hoping na narinig nila.
"Alam mo I will make yaya nga sana to go to twinlakes pero baka magtampo si J."
"Atyaka Ma'am mags speech ka po diba?"
I sighed. Pinilit nga pala ako ni Jamie.
"Fine i'll give the speech then we'll go na. Bahala na si J" I'm sure she'll understand. She knows na sobrang ni-risk ko lahat ng nararamdaman ko for this wedding.
When we reached our table, the program is already starting. Ang daming nangyayari pero hindi naman ako nakikinig. Nagpphone lang kami parehas ni Ponggay.
All the firemen are noisy and having fun.
"May single kaya dyan?" Ponggay suddenly asked.
"Myghad, Pongs! Wag na pls. Gusto mo doctor? lawyer? kahit ano wag lang fireman"
Gail and Pongs laughed. Hindi ko na kaya umattend ng wedding ulit kasama yang mga firemen na yan. I rolled my eyes.
Syempre tumakas ako noong nag bouquet catching. Mamaya saktuhin pa ni Brix at J ang lahat. Ayoko na ng panibagong sakit sa puso.
But Ponggay and one of the young fireman did that thing. Mukhang kilig na kilig ang friend ko. Sana lang hindi sila magkabutihan kasi nako talaga.
"Now, it's time for the speeches" the host announced. Sana ako na agad ang tawagin, gusto ko na matapos. Pero syempre nauna siya. Jamie even smirked at me.
I rolled my eyes at her.
"Hi, sobrang weird kasi sabi nila ako daw dahilan bakit sila nagkakilala. Amnesia sucks but I'm happy that at least for once may tama naman pala akong dulot" I don't know what's funny but the guests laughed.
"I'm glad that I witnessed all the habulan and everything. I'm glad that you finally found your other half. I wish nothing but happiness to your marriage. J, be patient. Brix, take care of Jamie and don't ever let her go, don't ever forget her kahit na magka amnesia ka pa."
I should be emotionless but here I am, my eyes are betraying me. I wiped my tears quickly.
"And now for the bride's best friend, Ms. Beatriz De Leon"
Everyone's looking at me, I don't know why but everything is on slow-motion.
"Uhm hi" I fake a laugh.
"I met Jamie because back in college and then I married her brother. Actually feeling ko I married Josh just because I want J and I to be sisters" I joked, thankfully some laughed.
"I just hope that your relationship will be so strong na kahit na anong catastrophic event, you will always find each other. That you will still save each other. "
My eyes are betraying me again.
"I will forever be your sister. I'm sure Josh is smiling now. He's so happy for you, lil sis." I saw J tearing up as well, pagharap ko sa guest almost everyone's crying. Maybe Josh has that effect talaga. Galing magpaiyak. Some guests are clueless, maybe they're part of Brix's guests.
I smiled and finished my speech. "I love you both. Welcome to the family, Brix!" I gave back the mic sa host and gave Pongs a signal na gusto ko na umalis. Pongs nodded and whispered something kay Gail.
I went straight to my car and cried. I cried and promised myself that this will be the last time that I'll torture myself.
My tears stopped when someone knocked on my window..
I put it down while my hands are shaking.
"I'm so sorry to bother you. I hope you are okay. But can I ask something?" He smiled widely.
That smile.
I missed that.
I nodded.
"Did we meet before?"
and before I could answer, I saw Anton and SJ sa may entrance ng reception.
I faked a smile.
"I'm sorry. I'm not so sure."
I saw how his face fell.
Please smile again.
I missed your smiles.
"But I'm Bea"
He offered his hand.
"Thirdy. I'm sorry for bothering you. You can carry on. Cry some more until it doesn't hurt anymore"
He smiled for the last time then walked away.
