Chapter 2

"Do you Deus take Cerise to be your lawful wife? To have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish as long as you shall live?" As Father Jose said, tears began falling from Cerise's cheeks. I smiled and proudly answered, "I do."

Father Jose nodded and looked at Cerise. "Do you Cerise take Deus to be your lawful husband? To have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish as long as you shall live?" I can feel my hand sweating and my heart pounding. "I do, Father." Lumuluhang sagot ni Cerise dahilan para mapangiti ako at mapaluha.

We're married.

"When you wear these rings, it tells the world you are united with each other in marriage. Since your rings have no beginning and no end, may they show that your love for each other also has no end. As you place the ring on each other's hands, please repeat this vow of love and devotion," I took the ring, my hand shaking and still covered with sweat.

"I, Deus, give you this ring, as a symbol of my eternal love, as a reminder of my vows to you, as a blessing for our future, and as a support for when your faith may be low..." I repeat while Father Jose dictates. "Cerise, mahal ko... I may not be the best man you ever had and been with, I may not have a lot of money, and I may not be as perfect as somebody—but I'm a man of my words. I chose you to not just only be with you, but also to let you feel how real love truly feels. You are my treasure no pirate can take. Kahit si Captain Hook na paborito mo ay hinding hindi ka makukuha sa akin. I promise to try my best to be the better and best husband for you and for our future family. You made my lonely and tough life easier to live in. I love you my forever, Madam." As I said my vow, people began tearing up. My parents, Cerise's parents, our friends, and some families. But my eyes were stuck on Cerise's eyes—where tears are clear and overflowing.

Cerise took the ring and slowly put it into my ring finger. "I, Cerise, give you this ring, as a symbol of my eternal love... as a reminder of my vows to you, as a blessing for our future, and as a support for when your faith may be low..."

"You endured everything for me. You gave up everything, even your dream just so you can make mine come true. I'm here in front of you—not because I chose you, but because I want to be with you. If life gets too rough, I know you will be there for me. You gave me the reason to keep on dreaming, you made me feel alive when life gets too dark. People might say you're the luckiest person, because you have me... but the truth is I am the lucky one. Without Deus, I'm not who I am right now. Today onwards, I promise to cherish you and be there when you reach your own dreams. Let me love you the way you are supposed to be loved. I love and will love you, Dues."

As the sun touches her face, the waves making splashes, birds flying, cats and dogs barking and meowing, people clapping... all I can feel is the light weight feeling of happiness and contentment.

WE lighted the candles, Father Jose said something but I was too preoccupied by my wife's beauty. "And now, I pronounce you, Deus and Cerise, husband and wife. You may kiss your bride." As the crowd began to cheer, I kissed my wife.

My heart sank—happiness pushing it deep down inside me, as I say the word wife.

Ang sarap sa pakiramdam na matatawag ko nang asawa yung taong noon pinapangarap ko lang makasama panghabang buhay.

"I love you my forever love." I whispered after we kissed. Napangiti na lamang ito at niyakap ako nang mahigpit. Binuhat ko ito at kasabay ang pag ikot ko sa amin.

A real life fairytale.

"I love you my forever prince charming." We kissed again as I'm still holding her up. The crowd began to cheer, shouting the word honeymoon.

Syempre ang mga kaibigan namin ang pasimuno dito.

Binaba ko na si Cerise at hinawakan ang kamay nito. Nag simula nang maglabasan ang mga tao papunta sa labas ng simbahan.

The photographer and videographer we hired runs at the same place where the other was. Nasa unahan na ang mga ito, handa na para kunan kami ng litrato at video.

"Should we run? Or buhatin kita pa-bridal style?" I asked Cerise. Umakto pa itong nag i-isip kaya napatawa na lamang ako. "Let's run together. Kung sa iba ay may run away bride—sa atin ay run away newly weds." Nakuha pa talaga nitong mag biro kaya napa tango na lamang ako.

Baka kasi mag tampo ito kung hindi. Kaka-kasal pa lang namin oh.

"Tara, mahal kong asawa?" Aya ko dito na ikinangiti nito. "Let's run away together, Mahal ko."

And that's what we did. We run away together, with God's love and guidance inside us.

AFTER the wedding at kainan, dumeretso na kami ni Cerise papuntang airport. Dahil before wedding pa man namin ay naka handa na ang mga maleta at bag namin ay mas mabilis kaming naka alis pupuntang airport.

"Up we go, Mahal?" I kissed the back of her hand. "Palawan here we go!" Sigaw nito na ikinatawa ko. She acts like a baby, my baby.

For years, I dreamt of being happy. The happiness I can call genuine — something that came from something I have wished to be with forever. A happiness from a genuine love and genuine person.

I now have a family I can call mine. The dream of a man who wants to have his own family — is now achieved by me.

Yet the echoes of pain still linger. The anxiety, insecurities, and fear of being left alone. The fear of someone stealing something from me.