Chapter 44: Vows

Haines Gian

Habang nagse-seremonya si Father ay wala ang atensyon ni Vanessa sa kaniya.

Nangingiti na lamang ako rito sa tabi niya, dahil sobra akong kinikilig at natutuwa sa kaniyang mga reaction.

Hindi ko kailanman malilimutan dahil ang araw at seremonya na ito ay tatatak nang lubos sa aking isip at puso. Kanina, habang naglalakad siya ay pinagtulakan siya ng mga kaibigan ko papalapit sa altar-style rito sa isang sagradong lugar dito sa Espanya na pagmamay-ari ng aking yumaong Lolo na ngayon ay nasa pangangalaga ng aking Uncle Jerry, hindi siya matigil sa pag-iyak.

At nang makalapit siya sa akin ay humagulgol na siya nang pagkalakas-lakas na may kasama pang pag-upo sa kaniyang mga paa.

I know, it is funny but the mere fact that she is crying out of joy made me cry as well. Parang tanga kami kaninang nag-iiyakan, lalo na nang pantayan ko siya at hawakan ang kaniyang mga kamay.

I know, the crowds are crying as well, especially our families and friends except the guys who never stop in bullying us even after we finished crying.

At nang makatayo kami ay para kaming mga tanga na tatawa-tawa sa aming mga sarili.

Despite that, Vanessa, wearing the wedding gown that she is dreaming of, made my heart jump. Sobrang ganda niya. Oo, maganda na siya pero ngayong araw, kung may sobra pa sa sobra, iyon ang nararapat kong ilarawan sa kagandahan niya.

I can just stare at her the whole day. I just want to hug and kiss her because I miss her so much but we are in front of many people.

“Father, I can’t say I do unless my groom here would tell me what have happened. I need to know it first.”

Napakamot ako ng ulo at saka narinig ang tawanan ng mga ulupong. Ang iingay nila. Nakakahiya sa mga kamag-anak namin dito. Ang alam pa naman nila ay matino ako tapos itong mga kaibigan ko, parang natanggalan nang sampung turnilyo, kaya baka isipin nila na ganoon na rin ako. Pahamak talaga.

“Hon, ayaw mo bang makasal sa akin? I will tell you later, I promise, he is not harmed nor in danger. In fact, he supports our wedding. Right, Tito, Tita?” saad ko sabay tingin sa mga magulang ni Alejandro na tumango-tango sa amin at saka nag-thumbs up. “See?”

Mukhang hindi kumbinsido si Vanessa at balak pang humirit nang tabunan ko ang bibig niya. “I love you. Let’s get married first please. Our flight to Philippines is scheduled later. Please…”

Maya-maya ay kailangan na rin naming umalis dahil ayaw kong magtagal dito. Not because I have some issues here but because I want our honeymoon to be at one of the famous beach in the Philippines.

It is Vanessa’s dream. She has told me before that she wanted our honeymoon to happen there. Lahat ng mga sinabi niay tungkol sa nais niyang kasal at honeymoon ay tinupad ko. From the gown, bouquet, song, theme, visitors, reception, honeymoon and even our house. I have bought the house that she wanted. Ipinabago ko lamang ang interior na gusto niya at ang mga furnitures. I want to surprise her. I hope she will.

Pinisil ko ang kamay niya at nang lumambot iyon ay alam kong kalmado na siya.

My vow has started, and all she does is to cry. Hindi ko alam kung bakit sobrang iyakin niya. Kanina pa siya hindi tumitigil. Nagaalala na ako na baka ma-dehydrate siya. Huminga ako nang malamin para ipagpatuloy ang aking sinasabi para sa a

kaniya.

“Vanessa De La Vega… You have taught me that two people joined together with respect, trust, and open communication can be far stronger and happier than each could ever be alone. You are the strength I didn't know I needed, and the joy that I didn't know I lacked. I promise that I would chose more than my online games. I can go poor just to give you everything you wanted..." Agad siyang nag-react sa pagbibiro at maging ang nga kaibigan namin. "Today, I choose to spend the rest of my life with you. You have made me the happiest man on the world today by agreeing to share your life with me."

Napalunok ako bago huminga nang malalim. "Give me your hand, and I will give you forever.”

I can’t help myself but to smile and laugh at the same time. Nanginginig kasi ang kamay niya habang sinusuot ko ang singsing sa kaniya. I know, it was shocking na ako ang naririto ngayon but wala na siyang magagawa kung hindi ang pakasalan ako.

Halos mapasigaw ako sa tuwa nang magkasya sa daliri niya at talagang bumagay.

Vanessa composed herself first before she took her vow.

“I know, I am not perfect... Please, tell me if I am getting too much or when I am becoming an irresponsible wife. If ever I would hurt you in any way, please, do not dare leave or else, you won’t get to feel the perfect heaven that I could give you…” And the crowd giggles and claps at that. But her tears kept on falling.

“You are the best gift that God has given me. I know my family and friends would get jealous but that’s the truth. And I am so thankful at that. I am so thankful to Him. The sleepovers form our units would never happen… because… we will now live together. Live together not as a couple but as a husband and wife.”

She tries to wipe her tears but failed. Pinabayaan na lamang niya at saka nagpatuloy. “I cannot imagine how the person I got crazy over with before would be here… with me… just done his wedding vow and in no time, will be my husband. I think… I am the luckiest girl on Earth. I feel so blessed that I have you…” I am not an emotional person but right now, my heart feels so heavy. Heavy of too much happiness. May mga luhang tumutulo sa mata ko at agad koi tong pinupunasan. Mas lalo kasi siyang naiiyak kapag nakikita akong umiiyak.

"Haines Gian Medallon, I will love you in word and deed. I will laugh with you, cry with you, scream with you, grow with you, moan with you and craft with you."

Nanginginig na ang boses niya nang sabayan na niya si Father at matagumpay na naisuot ang singsing sa akin.

The priest then announced that we are now husband and wife. "You may now kiss the bride."

Maging ako ay nangunginig na ang kamay nang hawakan siya nang marahan sa kaniya likod, bahagya siyang iniliyad at saka hinalikan sa labi.

It was soft, slow, taking our time as claps from our family and friends took over our ears.

Bahagya kong kinagat ang labi niya. I want more. Damn! I fvcking miss her.

Matapos ay ipinaalam ko si Vanessa sa mga magulang niya. Even them, don't have any idea about our marriage. Hindi pa rin ako nagkwe-kwento pero ang tanging nakakalam ng plano ay ang Ate ni Vanessa.

Mauuna pala kami ng mga kaibigan namin. Vanessa's family will stay here until next month when things are in shape.

"I love you," I whispered to my wife.

Fvck! Vanessa is now my wife. Ang sarap pakinggan.

Hinaplos ko ang kamay niya na ngayon ay busy sa pakikinig sa kwento nina Lisa. We are riding a private plane owned by Dalton's family.

Ang iba ay natutulog na pero heto at mulat na mulat pa rin ang asawa ko na nakasuot ng salamin para matabunan ang namamaga niyang mata.

"Love you..." she answered and kisses the back of my hand. Tumalikod siya sa akin at humarap sa mga babae.

Gusto kong magtampo pero hindi ko magawa. It's been a month and I miss her. I wanted all her attention but I can't be selfish of her from her friends.

Huminga ako nang malalim at saka sumandal sa aking upuan.

Okay lang. Mamaya, solong-solo ko na siya.

Naka-ready na raw ang room namin for our honeymoon. Hindi na ako mapakali sa sobrang excitement. Walang ideya si Vanessa na magha-honey moon kami kaya umuwi nang maaga.

Naalala ko ang gamit na inorder niya. Mukhang nakalimutan na niya dahil sa problema kay Alejandro pero ako ang nag-receive niyon. I would bring it secretly, and would surprise her after we reached our villa.

I smirked. Sige, matutulog na lang muna ako dahil kailangan ko nang maraming energy mamaya.

I am still holding her hand as I close my eyes.