CHAPTER 4

CLAIRE’S POV

A month later, we were getting married. Everything was done quietly and with ease, thanks to the law firm that handled the process for us. They took care of the paperwork, like our CENOMARs, birth certificates, the filing at city hall, and even the required seminars and counseling since we were both between twenty-one and twenty-five. Normally, there would have been a public posting period where anyone could object to the marriage, but that part was no longer an issue. Ezekiel and the firm made sure it was handled discreetly. 

Before I knew it, everything was settled, and a judge was already scheduled to officiate our civil wedding.

“First of all, congratulations! Second, bakit ngayon mo lang sinabi na ikakasal ka na, Claire?” ani Danica, best friend ko. Gulat na gulat siya nang makatanggap ng invitation mula sa ’kin.

“Well, it’s actually an arranged marriage,” mahinang sabi ko.

Katatapos ko lang magsuot ng wedding dress dahil ilang oras na lang ay ikakasal na ako. Nandito naman si Danica para tulungan akong ayusan.

“Sa drama ko lang napapanood ’yan, pero sa totoong buhay rin pala!” at natawa pa. Sinimulan niya na rin ang pag-aayos sa ’king buhok. “I’m really looking forward pa naman sa engrandeng kasal mo, pero ito pala ang mangyayari. Sure ka na ba talaga?” seryoso nang sabi niya.

Napatango ako. “Saka wala na sila Mommy. Hindi ko na kailangan no’n. This is for the sake of the company.”

Niyakap niya naman ako mula sa likod. “I know. But what matters to me is how you feel, Claire. Despite everything that’s happened, I still want you to be happy. For sure, gano’n din ang gustong mangyari nila Tita.”

Pinigilan ko naman ang aking sarili na maluha. “Ezekiel… You still remember him, right?”

She nodded. “He’s your ex. That’s why I’m confused.”

“Don’t worry. He’s really a good guy. Alam ko na ’yong totoo, kaya okay na kami ngayon. Salamat, Danica,” I assured her. Ngumiti pa ako sa kanya para ipakitang magiging okay rin ang lahat.

“Gosh! I really hope so. Ang bilis kasi talaga. Ako ang kinakabahan para sa ’yo.”

“I know,” at napabuntong-hininga naman ako. “I just… I just need to do this, Danica. Besides, this will be my new life. Marami akong matututunan. Hindi tulad dati na para bang ang dali-dali lang ng buhay ko. Everything worked in my favor, but what happens now, ’di ba? Saka I’m doing this not because pinilit nila ako. Ginusto ko rin ’to,” paliwanag ko.

I’ve thought about everything. That’s why I’m ready to face this new life.

“Can you keep this a secret? I still have something I need to do, kaya ayoko muna sanang ipaalam sa marami,” dagdag ko.

“Of course,” pagbuntong-hininga niya. “Basta nandito lang ako, ha.”

Hanggang sa makarating kami sa judicial court, hindi naman nawala sa isip ko ang pinag-usapan namin ni Danica.

Tama ba talaga ’tong pinasok ko?

But all those thoughts vanished when I took Ezekiel’s hand as he waited for me.

“Are we going to be okay?” hindi ko naman napigilang magtanong.

“Yes,” aniya at marahang pinisil ang kamay ko.

Napatingin na ’ko sa kanya. “I trust you, Ezekiel.”

“Me too. I guess that’s our word now, instead of I love you,” he said, smiling sincerely as if this were the best wedding in the world.

Sa sandaling ’yon, tila naglaho sa puso ko ang takot.

Those words did something to my heart. He’s always like this, effortlessly making me feel at ease, as if he’s telling me that everything will be fine.

Right now, all I can think about is how Ezekiel feels like the perfect person to be my husband. He’s the one who helped me and my parents’ company, and I owe him so much. And as all of this unfolds, I’m starting to believe that along the way, I might grow to love him dearly. I just hope he feels the same, since we never really talked about our true feelings.

I’m kinda scared, but maybe this marriage will bring something into the light.

“Congrats to both of you,” muling bati ni Kyle, close friend ni Ezekiel. Isa rin siya sa mga naging witness sa kasal namin. Alam din niya kung bakit biglaan ito.

Napag-usapan na kasi namin ni Ezekiel kung sino lang ang mga makakaalam. Kasama rin namin si Lolo. Simple lang talaga ang celebration. Bukas naman ay babalik na siya sa U.S.

Matapos ang dinner party, umuwi na kami ni Ezekiel.

Nag-wine lang kami kanina, pero ngayong nasa bahay na kami ay naisipan naman naming uminom ng alak. Kaming dalawa lang ang nandito, kaya nawala na ang hiya ko.

“Ezekiel,” sambit ko. I smiled a little, nakatingin na siya sa ’kin. “I’m your wife now…”

“And I’m your husband,” seryoso namang sagot niya.

“I thought we weren’t really meant to be together, but now… here we are. Because of my parents and Lolo, we were brought back together, even if everything felt rushed.”

“Are you okay with that?” aniya habang nakatitig pa rin sa ’kin. Habang ako’y nag-iinit na ang pakiramdam.

“May choice ba ako?” And I laughed softly, unsteady on my feet, my fingers brushing the edge of the table as if it could support me.

Well, it didn’t. Nothing did. Except him.

“Meron, Claire. May kaya kang gawin—” I shushed him.

“You’ve had enough,” he also said gently as he stepped closer.

Pinigilan niya na ’kong uminom at inalalayan ako. “Ginusto ko ’to, Ezekiel. Dahil ikaw naman pala ang magiging asawa ko,” I answered him, then suddenly reached for his collar, pulling him closer than he expected. “This is our first night as a married couple,” I whispered, my breath warm against his jaw.

“Claire,” he warned, his voice low. “You know I like this, but next time I hope you’re sober.”

Nahihiya ako, okay? Tuwing may alak saka lang ako nagkakaroon ng lakas ng loob! I wanted to tell him my true feelings, but I couldn’t. Not yet.

“Okay, kiss me now,” I said, tilting my head slightly.

He finally pressed his lips to mine. His hands found my waist, steadying me, his grip firm yet careful, as if I might break if he held me too tightly. The kiss deepened, slow and consuming, until we were out of breath.

When we finally pulled apart, I rested my forehead against his chest, and he rested his chin on top of my head.

“Let’s finish this in bed, my wife.”