THE WEDDING

THIRD PERSON’S POINT OF VIEW

“Bro, easy ka lang. Dadating din yung bride mo.”Aziel was the best man.

Aristaeus Ryker Valdero was standing in front of the altar, sweating and waiting for his bride.

“I know. She’s coming, I know it.” Pinatili niyang matatag ang sarili.

Sa kabilang banda naman, Chavelle was already in front of the Cathedral, waiting for the doors to be opened and accompanied by her Tita Mareth and Tito Remus.

“I am so happy for you Chavelle iha. Hindi ka man galing sa sinapupunan ko, tinuring pa rin kitang anak.

“Tita! Wag mo kong paiyakin! Masisira make up ko eh!” tumawa silang tatlo at agad na nagyakapan.

Nagsimula na ang tugtog na napili ni Chavelle.

Bumukas ang mga malalaking pintuan ng Cathedral at hindi mapigilang maluha ni Chavelle. Mabuti nalang at may tissue na binigay sa kanya ang organizer.

At the altar, the man so handsome she had ever seen is crying. Kahit pinipigilan ni Thaeus ay napapahikbi talaga siya. He covered his face with his hands.

“Bro, ang pangit tignan pag patuloy kang umiyak. “

“Gago.”

“Uy nasa simbahan tayo. Bad yan.”

Pinunasan niya ang mga luhang tumutulo galing sa kanyang mata. Forrest was looking so cute in his tux and Serenity followed. She was smiling while throwing flower petals on the carpet.

And slowly, the bride walked. Kahit hindi pa nakakalapit ay pareho ng umiiyak ang dalawa. Wala nang pake si Thaeus kahit madaming camera ang nakatutok sa kanya. He was just so mesmerized of his bride.

“Ang ganda.” Agad niyang binalingan ang kanyang best man na nagsalita. “Ng bride mo hehe.”

Sinapak niya ito ng mahina sa braso. Ang loko talaga.

He was stuck staring at his bride again. At para bang kay tagal ng oras. A lot of people were invited pero hindi na nakasya sa Cathedral kaya ang iba ay nasa reception nalang. Some of Chavelle’s relatives were invited pero konti lang ang pumunta.

His mom was already crying non stop. Ilang tissue box na ang naubos nito. And by the time he looked at his bride again, abot kamay na niya ito.

Nang tuluyan na itong nakalapit ay hinila niya ito sa kamay.”I’m sorry everyone but my wife, yes my wife, is just so beautiful!” biglang sigaw ni Thaeus bago inangat ang veil ni Chavelle at hinalikan ito sa labi. Napahiyaw ang lahat.

“Pasaway.” Chavelle said before turning to the laughing priest.

Nagsimula na ang seremonyas at hawak lamang ni Thaeus ang kamay niya hanggang dulo.

“Dearly Beloveds and Honored Guests: We are gathered here this day in the sight of God and the company assembled to witness the giving and receiving of the marriage vows.” The priest says. Pareho nang nakangiti ang dalawa. The guests were tearing up and the Lazardo’s were crying so hard. Decianna Valdero had already used three boxes of tissue.

“Marriage is an institution ordained of God and is not to be entered into lightly or in jest and only after much consideration.” The priest continued.

Humarap ito kay Thaeus.” Do you Aristaeus Ryker Valdero, take this woman, Chavelle Quintessa Araneza, to be your lawfully wedded wife, to have and to hold, in sickness and in heath, in good times and woe, for richer or poorer, keeping yourself solely unto her for as long as you both shall live?”

“I do.” Nakangiting sabi ni Thaeus at naluluhang humarap kay Chavelle.

“And do you Chavelle Quintessa Araneza take this man, Aristaeus Ryker Valdero, to be your lawfully wedded husband, to have and to hold, in sickness and health, to love, honor and obey, in good times and woe, for richer or poorer, keeping yourself solely unto him for as long as you both shall live?”

“I do, Father.” Hindi na mapigilan ni Chavelle ang maiyak habang nakatitig sa lalaking makakasama niya habang buhay.

“By the authority vested in me, I now pronounce you man and wife and what God hath joined together, let no man nor woman put asunder.” Tinignan niya pa ang dalawa. “You may now ki-“

Hindi pa natapos ng pari ang kanyang sasabihin ay agad nang hinalikan ni Thaeus si Chavelle. Napatawa ang lahat ng bisita.

It was picture taking time. “Kinikilig ako sa inyo!” sigaw ni Marielle na may hawak na bulaklak. Siya ang Maid of Honor.

“Ano ka ba!” nagtawanan ang dalawa at nagpatuloy sa pagposing sa camera.

“I love you sweetheart.” Bulong sa kanya ni Thaeus nang nagkatabi sila.

“I love you more husband.” She whispered back. Nang sila nang apat ang kukunan ng litrato, nagpakarga si Serenity sa ama habang si Forrest ay nasa gitna.

Nang nasa reception na sila, which is in the top floor of an expensive hotel, nagkasya na ang lahat. Media were everywhere and they were said to be featured in the news.

Nang natapos ang mga seremonyas biglang hinila ni Thaeus ang kamay ni Chavelle na nakabihis na ng isang tube dress.

Lumapit sila sa isang mic stand. “Everyone! Please do enjoy the rest of the ceremony! I’ll be stealing my wife! Goodbye!” humalakhak lahat ng bisita and even Chavelle was shocked about his husband’s reaction.

“Forrest and Serenity my babies, you stay with your lola’s muna okay?!” napuno ng halakhak ang reception pero agad na ding hinila ni Thaeus si Chavelle.

They entered the elevator at pinindot ni Thaeus ang ibabang floor.

Hindi na niya napigilan ang sarili at agad na inatake ng halik ang asawa. “You are so beautiful, my wife.” Inangat niya ito at agad namang pinulupot ni Chavelle ang kanyang binti sa beywang ni Thaeus.

Nang bumukas ang elevator ay patuloy pa rin silang naghalikan at parang sabik na sabik sa isa’t isa.

Pa ulit ulit pa silang nabangga hanggang sa narating na rin nila ang suite nila. Napatawa lang sila.

Agad silang pumasok at nilock ito. Isinandal siya ni Thaeus sa pinto.

“You looked so good today that I was so tempted, sweetheart.” Napatawa si Chavelle.

“I love you in this dress but I bet you look good without it.” Hindi pa man siya nakapagsalita ay pinunit na ni Thaeus ang tube niya.

“Thaeus!” but her shout turned to a moan when Thaeus kissed her again.

And at that moment, she knew that she will not be able to walk tomorrow.

_________________________________

Thanks for reading this far bebehs! I love you! Epilogue will be next.