The one in vain

20. Good things come

Six months later,

It was a typical Korean wedding. Jin Hye looked so beautiful wearing her jeogori dress. She was the epitome of a blushing bride. She was so beautiful and Calen couldn’t help but smile. He was looking at her with so much affection in his eyes. For him, until now, Jin Hye was still one of the most beautiful women he laid his eyes on. He will never regret that day he picked her.

“Kinakabahan ka ba, tol?” Caleb asked him. Nakatayo ito sa tabi niya habang pareho nilang tinitingnan si Jin Hye. He shook his head. Walang dahilan para kabahan siya sa araw na ito. Alam niyang masaya si Jin Hye at masaya rin siya. Masaya silang dalawa.

Jin Hye kept on walking, she was smiling pretty big. He sighed. He was feeling so much happiness that he couldn’t contain it anymore. His body was trembling with so much joy and excitement. Sa wakas, makalipas ang mahabang panahon, makikita na niyang masaya na si Jin Hye – ang kanyang Cinderella.

“She’s so pretty.” Bulong niya pa kay Caleb. Caleb put his arms around his shoulder.

“Swerte mo… Hindi siya ganyan kaganda noong kasal namin.” Biro pa nito sa kanya. Natawa na lang siya at tulad nito ay muli niyang binalingan si Jin Hye na nasa gitna na nang aisle. Nakapasok ang dalawang kamay nito sa loob ng jeogori dress nito habang ngiting-ngiting lumalakad.

Jin Hye stopped when she was in front of him. Nakangiti ito sa kanya. Nakita niyang may namuong mga luha sa mga mata nito. He smiled at her. Tulad ng naging practice nila noong nakaraang araw ay kinuha niya ang kamay nito at saka sila humarap patungo sa altar.

“Kinakabahan ka ba?” He whispered in her ear. Jin Hye smiled at him.

“Hindi, nandito ka. Thank you, Calen.” Sabi nito sa kanya. He just smiled and kept on walking. Nang marating nila ang dulo ay binitiwan niya si Jin Hye at saka humarap sa kanyang kaliwa. He smiled at the man standing beside him. Si Kim Won Min – Jin Hye’s fiancé and minutes later – ang magiging asawa nito.

“Thank you,” He said before taking Jin Hye’s hand. Nang magkasama na ang mga ito ay saka siya bumalik sa kinatatayuan. Doon, tahimik niyang pinanood ang pag-iisang dibdib ng babaeng minahal niya sa loob ng sampung taon. He sighed. Minsan kapag iniisip niya ay hindi niya rin maintindihan kung paano sila nauwi ni Jin Hye sa ganito. Pinili niya ito dahil mahal niya ito, pnigilan niya ang pag-alis nito pero sa huli, hindi talaga yata sila itinadhanang magkasama.

He could still remember that day she broke up with him

“Calen, may hindi ako sinabi sa’yo…”

Calen looked at Jin Hye, they were at the old park inside that old village. Inaya siya nito doon. He smiled at her. Three months ago, he was at the same spot – thinking – analyzing himself and in the end he realized that it was still her – na hindi niya talaga kayang mawala ito sa buhay niya.

“What’s the Cinderella?” He asked. Jin Hye looked at him and she shook his head.

“Huwag mo na muna akong tawaging Cinderella pwede?” Ikinakunot ng noo niya ang tinuran nito. It has always been his endearment for her. Bakit nito aayawan iyon?

“Jin…” Kinabahan siya.

“Nag-usap kami ni Ella the last time.  It’s just a very random conversation and suddenly she asked me if I was only holding on to you because of the ten year promise or it was because I was still in love with you.” Sabi nito sa kanya. Lalong lumalakas ang tibok ng puso niya. “And…”