Chapter 34 – Gift of marriage.

"Look at you, you're so beautiful, Allison," masayang sabi ni Shanna habang pareho silang nakatingin sa repleksyon niya sa salamin.

Inayusan siya nito para sa kasal nila ni Ethan sa araw na 'yon. It's only been a few days since he proposed at ngayon nga, ikakasal na sila.

Ally was wearing a simple white dress. Iyong saktong magiging komportable lang siya at the same time, presentable naman para sa isang kasalan. Kasal pa rin iyon ng isang Ethan Montenegro na bagamat isang pribadong affair ang okasyon ay napaka-unfair naman dito kung bukod sa mukha na talaga siyang mamamatay ay hindi pa siya mag-aayos nang kaunti.

She was so thankful to God that He let her live up to that day. Sapat na sa kanyang nagising siya sa araw na iyon. Bagamat napakahina ng pakiramdam niya and she could feel her body aching almost everywhere, she didn’t tell anyone.

That day was supposed to be happy. And she was indeed very happy. Ayaw naman niyang pasamain ang mood ng lahat by telling them na hindi maganda ang pakiramdam niya. Today, she was marrying Ethan Montenegro. That should be enough for her to forget her physical pains and just be happy.

“Thanks.” She managed a smile.

“Ate, naghihintay na lahat sa taas,” sabi ni Kyla mula sa may pintuan.

“We’re coming. Tell them to get ready, Ky,” sagot ni Shanna na iniikot ang wheelchair niya.

Tumango ang kapatid niya na iniwanan muna siya nang matamis na ngiti at papuri bago tumalima sa utos ni Shanna.

“Let’s not forget your tiara," Shanna said bago ipinatong sa ulo niya ang mga puting artificial flowers. "And your bouquet." Gaya ng nasa ulo niya, papel din ang mga rosas na dala niya.

Tapos ay itinulak na ni Shanna ang wheelchair niya palabas ng silid niya.

Si Shanna ang kumbaga ay maid of honor niya. Ito na rin ang magtutulak sa kanya sa aisle. Bagamat nais niya sanang maglakad, her body just wouldn't cooperate. Wala na siyang magagawa kung naka-wheelchair siyang lalapit sa kanyang groom.

She couldn't even wheel it by herself. Kailangan niya talaga ng tulong. And Shanna would happily do the job.

Ethan said it was okay. Magpakasal na lang daw sila ulit kapag okay na siya.

Until that time, Ethan's faith was unwavering. Naniniwala pa rin itong gagaling siya. And Ally wanted to believe too. But she already accepted the fact that her lifetime was almost over.

Wala naman na siyang pinagsisisihan. In fact, in the last few days, magaan na ang loob niyang aalis. She accepted her fate and thanked God for the life He gave her.

Wala pala siyang dapat ikagalit sa Diyos. Hindi ba nga't sa kabila ng halos pagsumpa niya sa Lumikha, ay inalala pa rin siya at ibinalik sa buhay niya ang mga taong mahal niya?

Others didn't get to live as long as she did. Bagamat maiksi ang kulang bente-singkong taon ay pinagpala pa rin siya.

At ngayon nga, ang natitirang lakas niya ay gagamitin niya para pakasalan ang pinakamagandang regalo sa kanya ng Diyos, si Ethan Montenegro.

Allison smiled when their eyes met. It wasn't a traditional wedding where there were 'abays' and such. Napakasimple lang noon. Just like a civil wedding.

A very short exhortation prior to the very ceremony, the exchange of vows and the pronouncement.

Sadyang pinaiksi para hindi siya mapagod. Again, sabi ni Ethan, saka na ang maayos na kasal kapag magaling na siya.

Halfway down the aisle, sinalubong na siya ni Ethan na napakagwapo sa simple nitong puting tuxedo. He was smiling gorgeously like she'd never seen before.

"I'm sorry, but I cannot wait any longer," masuyo at nakangiting sabi nito bago siya pinangko.

Ethan carried her in his arms. Pakiramdam niya ng mga sandaling iyon, naglaho ang lahat ng mga 'andoon at naiwan sila ng lalaking mahal niya sa kanilang sariling infinite na mundo.

Then again, the painful truth was, infinity for them meant loving each other even after her lifetime.

"Ethan," anas niya, mustering her sweetest smile.

Maingat siya nitong ibinaba sa nakaantabay na upuan sa harap ng altar bago ito naupo rin sa tabi niya.

Sa kabila ng sakit na nararamdaman niya, she could still feel the flutterings in her stomach by the mere thought of becoming Mrs. Montenegro in a short while.

How the Lord blessed her with such a wonderful man was beyond her.

The program started immediately after. When it was time for Ethan to say his vows, he held her hands gently and looked straight into her eyes.

"Allison," he started. "Words will never be enough to describe the joy I feel in my heart right now. This mere fact that you're the one I'm sharing this wonderful moment with is a dream come true for me. To tell you the truth, the very first time I've looked into your eyes, I never thought I'd be looking into the same pair when I'd say my marriage vows…

"That mere nano second of eye contact with you changed my life. When I met you, my only regret was not knowing you sooner. Where have you been all my life?" He smiled affectionately at her.

Allison was almost close to tears. Ang mga mata ni Ethan na nakatitig sa kanya habang nagsasalita ito ay mas maraming bagay ang sinasabi sa kanya. His eyes speak volumes that his lips couldn't express.

Nahihirapan siyang huminga kasi parang sasabog ang puso niya sa labis na pagmamahal na alay ni Ethan sa kanya.

"I love you, Ally. I promise to make you the happiest everyday. Hindi ka iiyak sa piling ko. Sisiguraduhin ko na magiging abala ka sa pag-aalaga ng mga magiging anak natin. What do you think? Would five mini mes and mini yous suffice?"

Kung kanina close to tears lang siya, ng mga sandaling iyon ay umaagos na ang mga luha niya sa magkabila niyang pisngi.

Why? Why was Ethan saying those impossible things?

He was declaring his impossible hopes. And Ally's heart was breaking because she knew they do not have time for his hopes anymore. At nasasaktan siyang hindi niya kayang tuparin ang mga iyon.

"Thank you for coming into my life, Allison," his eyes shone with tears he wasn't allowing to fall. "I love you and I will always do, forever…"

Allison was still crying kaya hindi siya nakapagsalita agad when it was already her turn. Pakiramdam niya kasi ng mga sandaling iyon ay napaka-unworthy niya sa pagmamahal ni Ethan.

Hinagod nito nang masuyo ang likod niya as he waited patiently for her to calm down.

"D-do you know," she started with her voice still cracked. "I don't know what I did in my life to deserve you… Ethan Montenegro, I am so unworthy of your love from the very beginning. But still, after all the pain I've caused you, here you are, marrying me despite the truth that I'm dying—" she broke down once more.

Why? Why did she have to bid him goodbye so soon?

"Please… don't say that," mahinang pakiusap ni Ethan sa kanya.

"I," aniya. "I cannot promise you anything anymore… I'm so sorry, Ethan. I'm sorry if it seemed that I did not fight for us. I did. It's just that the time I have left will not be enough to let you know how much I love you.

"I wish I can still take care of you, I wish I can still bear your kids, I wish I can still have a lifetime with you," she paused again because she could already feel her whole body shaking.

"But God knows what He's doing. I trust Him fully, Ethan. And my prayer is that He'll make it less painful for you when I'm gone…"

"Ally," Ethan was not supposed to answer. Pero pakiramdam niya, durog na durog na ang puso niya. Allison's words were not how a marriage vow should. She was saying goodbye.

And he couldn't help but release the tears that's been threatening to fall from his eyes since the wedding started.

"I beg you, don't say that…"

Allison just smiled at him. Ngiting durog at bigo sa loob.

"I love you, Ethan Montenegro. Thank you for this gift of marriage," she said.

"I love you too, Ally…"

Nang matapos nila ang seremonya, malalaki na ang pawis ni Ethan dahil sa napapansing panghihina ng katabi niya. She was merely responding to the officiant.

Maiksi lang naman 'yon pero gustung-gusto na niyang pabilisan pa para matapos na. And when it was finally over and they were declared married, Allison smiled at him sweetly and lovingly.

He kissed her forehead and hugged her. "I'm sorry, are you already tired?" bulong niyang tanong habang yakap ito.

He felt her shaking her head. Hinayaan niya lang ito sa yakap niya.

Their friends, Ally's family gathered around them to express their best wishes and congratulations.

Natatawa na lang siya sa panunukso ng mga ito. He was happy…

Pero biglang naglaho ang ngiti niya nang mapansing bumagsak ang mga kamay ni Ally na orihinal na nakayakap sa kanya.

"Ally?" he called her. She didn't respond. "Allison?!"

Nilukob siya nang matinding takot, wala ng malay si Ally!

"Ethan, quick!" sigaw ni Yanah nang pangkuin niya si Allison para itakbo sa ospital.

Nagkagulo sila. Sa sulok ng mga mata niya ay nakita niyang inalalayan ang ina ni Allison. But his mind could no longer comprehend anything.

Ang buong kabadong atensyon niya ay nasa malamig na babaeng buhat-buhat niya. Nasa vicinity rin naman ng shelter ang ospital. Napakalapit lang.

Pero pakiramdam niya, ang bawat segundong lumipas ay napakatagal.

Nang mailipat sa stretcher si Allison, pinigilan na siya nina Zion at Leio na sumama pa sa emergency room. Yanah went in with Ally though.

"Ethan," tawag sa kanya ni Zion para ibalik siya sa huwisyo. "She will be okay!"

Hilam sa mga luhang napasipa pa siya sa upuan. He was so frustrated and hurt. Parang sasabog na ang dibdib niya.

Hindi siya Doktor o medical personnel, pero ang nakita niyang kalagayan ni Ally kanina at ang hindi pangkaraniwang bigat nito ay isa lang ang ibig sabihin.

But his unprepared heart couldn't accept it.

"Ethan!" Panabay na sigaw ng mga kaibigan niya nang bigla siyang tumakbo palayo. Palabas sa ospital.

Papunta sa hindi niya alam. Wala siyang direksyon. Gusto niya lang tumakbo. Gusto niyang sumigaw! Gusto niyang mamatay na rin!

"Allison!!!!"