Kabanata 3

Ngayon alam ko na kung bakit nagagawa nang iba na ibenta ang kanilang sarili kahit na labag sa loob nila para sa pera dahil sa pangangailangan at kagipitan nang buhay. Galit ako kay Papa kasi, kahit noong nabubuhay pa s'ya ay palagi n'ya kaming pinahihirapan ni Mama, hanggang ngayon ba naman pinapahirapan n'ya parin kami?

Back then i was just praying to the lord that, when I marry my mother should be okay already. I want a guy who si the sweetest. Lalo na 'yong lalaking sobrang mahal ako 'yong lalaking willing ibigay ang lahat wag lang ako mawala sa piling n'ya. I also have this prayed that I will only marry aman who can make my heart beat as fast as the spinning wheel. I want a man who is responsible. Kaya akong buhayin gamit ang marangal na mga gawain hindi sa pag bibisyo at sa sugal! I want a man with pride and has he's  ambition for his own family.

Hindi ko kailan man pinangarap ang isang lalaki bilang asawa na mag papaiyak lamang sa 'kin. Kasi pinaiyak na nga kami ni papa noon pati ba naman ngayon hahanap pa 'ko nang ipupukpok sa ulo ko?

Sa nakikita ko ngayon, mukhang ang mga pinanalangin ko noon ay hindi na matutupad na mukhang sunod sunod na kamalasan na ang mangyayari sa 'kin dahil sa ginawa kong ito.

I just wished a good husband not as good as this one! Fate really is playing with me.

I don't even love this guy!

My palms are sweating holding a pure fresh white bunch of roses. Looking like a freaking fool in the middle of the aisle.

Pumaibabaw ang kantang 'Beautiful in White' nang biglang tumigil ang aking mga paa. It felt like my high heel got stuck up into the floor. napabuntong hininga ako iniisip ang mga rason kung bakit ko ito ginagawa.

I need money for my mother and this is an easy solution.

I got goosebumps out of full nervousness because of the guests' stares. Napalingon ang mga ito. nang mag angat ako nang tingin mging ang fiance nang kaibigan kong si Bleatish ay mataman na ring nakatigin sa 'kin.

Nanalangin ako at mariing pinikit ang mata maging pinag salikop nang mahigpit ang kamay habang hawak ang bungkos nang bulaklak  tsaka nag simulang mag lakad.

Kasal lang naman ito. Pagiging 'marriead' lang naman sa Cenomar kesa naman death certificate baka maging baliw ako kung ayon ang mangyari. I sighed once again and continue walking, without any inhibitions 

When Hyrous extended his arms my conscience strike me. Bakas ang pagmamahal sa mata nito. I closed my eyes as I accept his arms. ilang beses ko nanga bang tinanong si Bleatish  kung sigurado s'ya sa desisyon n'ya. para sa 'kin nakakapang hinayang. 

Then I meet those green orbs of Hyrous Mother I assume. Malamig ang pagtingin  into at mababakas ang pagka disgusto as mukha. It's as if she's not fun of this wedding.

We both face the tall priest then I sighed heavily once again.

He holds my sweaty palm then kisses the back of it in front of the priest. Bhagya akong napapitlag na ikina kunot nang noo nito.

Siguro palipad na ‘yong eroplanong sinasakyan ni Bleatish ngayon.

“What’s the matter? May problema ba?” Nakita ko ang pag kunot nito nang noo na ikina buntong hininga ko at tsaka umiling.

I smiled awkwardly without even thinking that he can't even see my face. Because, the veil is too thick.

"Wala naman." paos kong sabi. 

"Good kasi hindi na kita papakawalan pa."

Napasimangot ako nang marinig ang sinabi nito.

Anong sinasabi nitong hindi papakawalan? Si Bleatish ba? Ayon umalis na pa'nong ‘di pakawalan eh dati nang nakawala ang pakawala!

Naiiyak ako sa kunsumisyon. Ano ba naman kasi ang ayaw ni Bleatish sa lalaking ito eh almost perfect na nga, mahal na mahal pa s’ya. Kung ako s’ya hindi ko na toh papakawalan, baka masulot pa nang iba.

The priest then told everyone to stand up and we all obeyed.

Kung andito lang si Mama at totoo ko itong kasal at sa lalaking mahal ko talga? Maybe she will be glad. Pero kung aatend s'ya nang ganitong set up? Baka atakihin ulit 'yon sa puso.

“Dear friends and family of the Bride and Groom, we welcome and thank you for being part of this important occasion. We are gathered together on this day to witness and celebrate the marriage of  Bleatish and Hyrous. Every one of us has a deep desire to love and to be loved.”  I sighed, nanatiling tahimik ang mga bisita at tanging nakinig lamang sa pari. Malakas ang kabog nang aking dibdib na halos hindi ko na maintindihan ang mga sinasabi nang pari dahil tanging ang tibok nalamang nito ang aking naririnig.

“Before we start the main ceremony, is there any objection to this marriage?”

‘Ako po tutul father!’ sigaw nang isip ko.

Nako nako kung my microphone lang ata ang utak ko kanina pa ‘to na tigil na kasal na ‘to.

Ilang minutong katahimikan bago ulit nag salita ang pari.

“This ceremony celebrates the beginning of your marriage. It’s a journey of love, understanding, perseverance, and dedication to one another that lasts through time. As we stand here today to mark this occasion, we remember that what matters most is not the ceremony itself, but the love and companionship you will continue to share throughout your married life together.” As the words of the priest come to me, all I can hear is the loud beating of my heart, it’s overwhelming.

"To honor the strength of love and the role it plays in our lives, Bleatish and Hyrous have called upon two of their nearest and dearest to share readings that have moved them.

Readings follow." Tahimik ang lahat na mas nakakapagpakaba sa 'kin.

"There are no vows more meaningful and powerful than those which will be shared here today. Your wedding vows are a sacred declaration of your love for each other,  the foundation of your relationship as a married couple, and the life you want to build together."

"Please face each other as you declare these vows to one another. Bleatish, you may start.

Jusko sa oral recetation hindi naman ako masyadong kinakabahan pero dito doble ang kaba ko, gusto ko nalang lunukin nang lupa ngayon. I cleaqrd my throat. siguro naman di nila mapapansin ang pag kakaiba nang boses namin ni Bleatish. Mas elegante kasi ang boses ni Bleatish kesa sa 'kin na mukhang boses kalye. Jusme.

 "I-i, B-Bleatish Porter take you, H-Hyrous Valleur to be my wedded husband. I promise to stay by your side through good and bad times, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health. I vow to stay t-true to you and love you unconditionally for the rest of my days I-I loveyou l-love." Bahagya pa kong nautal nang makita ang matiim na pakikinig at mariing pagtitig nito sa 'kin.

"Hyrous, please now make your vows.

"I, Hyrous Valleur, take you, Bleatish Porter my love to be my wedded wife. I promise to stand by your side through good and bad times kahit ano pang kaharapin natin, I'll always hear your side. sa anomang away at sa mga hindi pagkakasundo. I'll make a ways to make it up to you, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health. I vow to stay true to you and love you unconditionally for the rest of my days."

“ Do you  Hyrous Valleur take Bleatish Porter to be your lawfully wedded wife through sickness and health till death do you part?”

“ I do, Father.” mabili na sagot ni Hyrous na ikina kaba ko.

 I'll be doomed for sure mukha pa namang nahahalata na nitong si Hyrous jusko.

“Do you Bleatish Porter take Hyrous Valleur to be your  lawfully wedded husband through sickness and health till death do you part?”

Ilang sandaling katahimikan bago ako lingonin ni Hyrous at ngitian.

“Love?”

“I-Ido, Father.”  Bahagya pa ‘kong nautal at nanginginig na linunok ang nakabarang laway sa aking lalamunan.  Bahagayang kumunot ang noo ni Hyrous kapagkuwan hinawakan nito ang nannginginig at nanlalamig kong kamay. Saka ko nman narinig ang kaluskos sa bandang kaliwang upuan, para lang makita ang mukhang nanay ni Hyrous na paalis na sa loob nang simbahan. Rinig ko ang buntong hininga ni Hyrous tsaka sa 'kin bumaling.

As We exchange I Do’s, All I think about is the sake of my sick mother. 

"Are you okay?" Nag aalalang anito na ikina iling ko lang.

The priest then continued the ceremony.

"Let us now proceed." sabi nang pari kapagkuwan.

"It is now time for you to exchange rings. Your rings symbolize the eternal commitment that you make to each other and the never-ending circle of your love. May these rings always remind you of the commitment you are making here today.

"Bleatish and Hyrous, please repeat after me. I, Bleatish, give you, Hyrous, this ring as a symbol of my love and commitment to you.

I, Hyrous, give you, Bleatish, this ring as a symbol of my love and commitment to you.

“By the power vested in me, I pronounce you husband and wife. You may now kiss the bride…” As I faced him, face to face, my heart can’t stop but to thrump loudly and painfully. Unti-unti n’yang binuksan ang belo, at ang malapad na ngiti n’ya ay napalitan nang gulat na tingin at kunot na noo.

“W-Who… Nimby?” He said lowly. Some guests Gasped, some clapped their hands and cheered to kiss the bride.

I straightly look into his eyes and plead for him to continue.

“Please…” Pakiusap ko.

Lito man ay unti-unti ako nitong hinalikan sa gilid nang aking labi, dagdag na rason nang malakas at mabilis na kabog nang dibdib ko ilang minuto nitong inilapat ang kanyang labi hanggang sa bahagya ito naidikit sa mismong labi ko na bahagya kong ikina atras.

“It is with great honor and delight that I present to you Mr. Hyrous Valleur and Mrs. Bleatish Valleur!” Biglang ani nang pari na ikina iwas nang tingin ko sa seryosong mukha ni Hyrous. and now all I think of is to how can I escape.

Makakatakas pa nga ba ako?