Matrimonial Rites Novels & Stories

Upon hearing the priest's sermon during their wedding ceremony, his eyes filled with love and admiration for his bride. "Till death do us part..." Kinikilig na saad ni Maria matapos ipasuot sa kanya ang singsing. Napatango siya at natawa. Papa'no ba niya sasabihin sa asawa na binago nito ang lahat sa kanya? Na nagsisisi siya sa lahat ng kamaliang nagawa niya rito at mahal na mahal na niya ito? Hindi magkamayaw sa pagpalakpak ang mga dumalong bisita nang gawaran niya ng halik sa labi ang asawa. Pumirma rin sila sa dokumento na kakailanganin ng simbahan sa pagpaparehistro ng kasal kaya it means—their marriage is legally recognized.

Kaagad na sinimulan ang seremonyas nang kasal. "Family and friends, thank you all for coming today to share in this wonderful occasion. Today we are here together to unite Azariah and Laurence in marriage." Anang pare. "Do you Laurence, take this woman to be your lawfully wedded wife, to live together in matrimony, to love her, comfort her honor and keep her, in sickness and in health, in sorrow and in joy, to have and to hold, from this day forward, as long as you both shall live?"

“Geez! Parang hindi naman siya sabik na sabik akong halikan! Tignan lang natin kung hanggang saan ka aabutin, Mr. Alcantara.” 3. The Groom is not obligated to act as a father to the child the Bride is carrying. “Fine. Hindi naman kasi niya anak dinadala ko! And it’s valid. I will not push him.” Article III: Groom’s Terms and Conditions Lysander, the Groom, imposes the following rules for the duration of the marriage: 1. No physical affection: The Bride shall not touch, hug, or attempt any form of closeness unless necessary for public appearances.

Kinuha ko ang kamay niya, nilagay iyon sa braso ko at sabay na tinungo ang altar. “Kier Chezter Arevalo, do you take this woman to be your wife, to live together in (holy) matrimony, to love him, to honor him, to comfort him, and to keep him in sickness and in health, forsaking all others, for as long as you both shall live?” Nanatiling nakatitig lamang kami sa mga mata ng isa’t-isa habang pinapakinggan ang seremonyas ng paring nagkakasal sa aming dalawa habang hawak ang kamay ng isa’t-isa. Ngumiti ako at buong pusong tumango.

Ilham held her hands, his palms warm against hers, his touch reassuring. The priest continued, "Marriage is a sacred institution, not to be entered into lightly but reverently, passionately, and with a deep sense of commitment." Sabay silang tumango at ngumiti ni Ilham kahit na puno ng mga luha ang kanilang mga mata.

**Narrator** Sa tradisyunal na kasalang Pilipino, ang paglalakad ng bride kasama ang kanyang ama o isang mahal sa buhay patungo sa altar ay isang mahalagang bahagi ng seremonya. Ito ay sumisimbolo sa pagbibigay ng pamilya ng bride sa kanyang mapapangasawa, isang tanda ng pagtanggap at pagpapala sa kanilang bagong buhay bilang mag-asawa. Ang prosesyon ay sinasamahan ng musika mula sa organo at koro, na nagbibigay ng solemne at mapayapang atmospera sa okasyon.

Mayroon lang na unan sa mga paanan nila bilang upuan nila mamaya. Titig na titig naman siya sa asawa niya ngayong tila naaliw rin titigan ang mukha niya habang nakikinig. "Marriage, a sacred bond that intertwines two families and lays the foundation for a new home, is a profound ceremony. Within this sacred union, there exist five ceremonies that bestow sanctity upon the union of two souls. These include the Eight Treasure Rice ceremony, the tea ceremony, the red string ceremony, the hair cutting ceremony, and the wedding ring ceremony."

Akala niya tapos na lahat noong pumirma siya kanina. Pero mukhang hindi pa pala. Dahan-dahan niya iyong binuksan. At isa-isang bumungad ang mga kondisyon. RULES OF THE CONTRACT MARRIAGE No emotional attachment. No interference in personal affairs. Maintain public image as husband and wife. No entering each other’s private spaces without permission. The marriage ends once Adrian returns and takes responsibility. Unti-unting nanlabo ang mata ni Arah habang binabasa iyon.

I sighed, nanatiling tahimik ang mga bisita at tanging nakinig lamang sa 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, as we exchange I do’s, all I think about is the sake of my sick mother. “By the power vested in me, I pronounce you husband and wife. You may now kiss the bride…

Nagulat si Queenilyn dahil hindi niya naisip na pakasalan ang kanyang tiyuhin at magkaroon ng kasal. Sa anumang kaganapan, ang pamilya Griffin ay maaaring isipin bilang isang bagay ng pagpapakasal, kaya't makatwiran lamang na huwag kumuha ng anumang mga pagkakataon. "Queenilyn, since you've joined The Griffin family as my wife, our wedding must be spectacular. This is also a way of emphasizing your importance. We need to talk about marriage when your parents came."