Chapter 5

Ysabelle's POV

Wedding bells are ringing, yuck. 

Nasa labas na ako ng simbahan, waiting for my cue to enter while the staff is fixing my dress, checking if may gusot ba or any wardrobe malfunction. Sa totoo lang, nangangalay na ako kakatayo dito sa taas ba naman ng takong nitong sapatos ko? Sana nag-rubber shoes na lang ako para at least madaling tumakbo palabas.  

“Sige po, Miss Ysabelle prepare na po kayo.” I felt anxious when the organizer gave me a word. I can see that we have lots of guests witnessing the ceremony. Puro pa naman mga high public personalities. The journalists and cameramen are also here to televise the special coverage of our wedding. 

When I started walking down the aisle, parang bumibigat bawat hakbang ko like anytime mauuwi talaga ako sa talisod eh ngunit hindi ko pinahalata iyon but I just walked in with grace. I can hear the orchestra playing the Wedding March. Boring naman, hindi ba pwedeng EDM na lang patugtugin niyo?

Nang mapalapit na ako sa mga magulang ko na nagaantay sa gitna ng pasilyo, sinalubong ko muna sila by giving them a hug. Nakangiti lang naman si daddy samantala si mommy naman, grabe iyong iyak. As if naman totoong misis na ako nito pagkatapos.

I whispered to her, “mom, over naman sa iyak. Para sa kontrata lang naman ito, hindi ba?”

Mommy sniffled for a moment and said, “a-alam ko naman ngunit napagtanto ko lang, time flies so fast. Parang dati naalala kong tumatae ka lang kahit saan pero—”

“Shh, mom stop,” I whined dahil parang medyo malakas ang boses niya na maaaring marinig iyong mga taong nasa likod niya. 

My parents started covering me in a veil and guided me towards Aldrich na ngayon ay halatang kinakabahan rin ngunit mukhang determinadong gawin itong pagpapanggap namin. 

When we finally reached in front, I approached his parents and gave them a hug, ganoon din si Aldrich sa mga magulang ko ngunit napansin kong may binulong si mom kay Aldrich na ikinatawa nito at tumango sa kanya. 

Tinaasan ko siya nang kilay habang hinawakan ko braso niya. “Tinatawa-tawa mo diyan?”

He grinned, saying, “ganoon ka pala ah?”

I furrowed my eyebrows, getting more curious about what my mother said to him. “Hoy, anong sinabi ni mommy sa iyo?”

Tumawa siya nang mahina and I nudged him ngunit hindi ito nagpatinag. Tumino na kami pareho noong nakaharap na kami sa pari. 

The church became way too solemn as the priest started the ceremony ngunit akala niyo lang iyon. Sa kabila ng taimtim na kaganapan ng seremonyang ito ay hindi pa rin naiiwasan iyong bangayan naming dinadaan lamang sa simpleng bulungan, minsan aapakan ko paa niya kapag bingo na siya sa akin. For the guests, it’s a pleasing sight to see but for us, especially for me, it’s hell. 

Afterwards, the exchanging of vows began. Ngayon ay nakaharap kami sa isa’t-isa, hawak namin ang aming mga kamay. The priest started asking the usual question to Aldrich, “Aldrich, do you take Ysabelle to be your lawfully wedded wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, until you are parted by death?”

He smiled purposely but I believe that he is only playing the game and answered it way too good to be true, “I do, father.” 

This time, it’s my turn. “Ysabelle Andra, do you take Aldrich Evan as your lawfully wedded husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, until you are parted by death?”

I was about to answer when the door opened by…a woman. She looks fierce, nanlilisik ang kanyang mga mata and not only that, she’s wearing a white cocktail dress and a red lipstick. Teka, kaninong bisita ba ito?

“Stop the wedding!” Our attention went to her, the guests were surprised and curious about the sudden commotion. 

“S-saysa?” Napalingon ako kay Aldrich at mas lalong nakuryoso na ako kung kaano-ano ba niya ito at ang tinginan nila ngayon ay parang may unfinished business sila. 

“Everyone, listen to me,” she said with fury and pride which makes it more intriguing. I saw my parents were confused at this point, especially on Aldrich’s side. 

She turns her gaze back at Aldrich saying, “I’m pregnant.” She smirked and added, “and you are the father.” 

I heard the loud whispers and murmurs of the people inside the church, others were secretly taking videos and the cameras flashing this time on the lady. However, despite the tension, Aldrich still looks chill and just smirks while looking at her as if he looks so done with her behavior. 

“Hindi ba kakasabi ko lang sa iyo kagabi na huwag ka nang dumagdag pa? Ang kapal talaga ng mukha mong mageskandalo dito, sa simbahan pa talaga.” He looks at her with disbelief, ngunit maangas pa rin ito, and I froze for a moment, feeling curious and confused. So is this the girl who called him last night?

Nagsalita pa ulit si Aldrich, “and how dare you claim that I’m the father of your child? I know you’re just fooling us around here. Baka kayamanan lang ang pinunta mo rito.” 

She walked, approaching us while talking, “oh really?” At may itinapon siyang sobre sa harapan namin. Our parents stood up and it seems like they were about to approach her ngunit parang paalis na iyong babae habang humirit pa ito ng, “see it to yourself.” 

I didn’t hear anything, only to see Aldrich’s father was the one who opened the envelope and read the paper that got him mad and her mother suddenly fainted but someone caught her up immediately. I felt numb until I slightly went back to my senses when mommy guided me downstairs to have a seat. I’m in a bit of mixed emotions right now, felt betrayed but half of it I’m in…doubt. 

Oh well, Ysa. Sinusubukan ka ng panahon.