Until Forever (Published!)

Chapter 25

"Ikaw, John Micheal Travilla, tinatanggap mo bang maging kabiyak ang babaeng ito, si Mia Catherine Fernan, at ipinapangakong magsasama sa hirap at ginhawa?"

Mia swallowed painfully. Kanina pa siya parang nakalutang lamang sa alapaap at nalulula sa mga pangyayari. The wedding had successfully transpired. She walked down the aisle as Micheal waited for her in the altar. When he held her hand to face the presiding priest, her heart palpitated, but she did her best to remain cool.

She was expecting for a judge or any public officials to officiate their wedding ceremony. She wasn't expecting that she would see a priest. How did Micheal arrange for the priest to wed them together? Money really talks, eh? O kakilala ba nito ang pari? That was how easy peasy for him to secure a marriage license from the church?

She doubted the legality of the wedding ceremony. Pero tiniyak ni Micheal na magiging legal ang lahat. He wanted legal control over her in the first place. That was the main purpose of this arranged marriage fiasco.

"Yes, I do, father," sagot nito sa tanong ng pari.

She couldn't help but look at him under her veil. He said his vow smoothly. Na para bang wala itong alinlangan pagdating sa bagay na iyon.

He smiled sweetly at her. A bewitching smile that made her insides churn. Napakurap tuloy siya nang ilang beses.

"At ikaw naman, Mia Catherine Fernan. Tinatanggap mo bang maging asawa ang lalaking ito, si John Micheal Travilla, at ipinapangakong magsasama sa hirap at ginhawa?"

Natulala siya. Her lips pressed tightly. Ano ang isasagot niya? Bigla yatang nanakit ang kanyang lalamunan sa biglaang pagsuklob ng emosyon sa kanyang dibdib. This was a vow. And it was sacred. She was about to make a vow in front of the priest, in front of the Lord.

"Inuulit ko, Mia," the priest repeated. He looked at her behind his thick spectacles. "Tinatanggap mo bang maging asawa si John Micheal Travilla, at ipinapangakong magsasama kayong dalawa sa hirap at ginhawa?"

Micheal reached for her hand. A smile was curved on his lips, but he pressed her hand firmly. Na tila ba binabalaan siya. She could see the warning, too, behind the spark in his eyes.

"Mia?"

"Yes, father," she answered in reflex.

"Malugod mong tinatanggap si John Micheal Travilla bilang iyong kabiyak?" pag-uulit pa nito.

"Yes, father." This time, kalmante siyang sumagot.

"At ipinapangakong magsasama kayo sa hirap at ginhawa?" tanong muli ng pari sa kanya.

Her insides churned again. Darn! Ang kulit naman ng paring ito! May iba pa ba siyang choice? Pero kaagad na pinagalitan niya ang sarili sa naisip. Nasa harapan siya ng isang pari at dapat na respetuhin niya ito. She reined her thoughts. "Yes, father," she answered softly. "I do."

Relief printed on Micheal's beaming face. Parang gusto na tuloy niyang bawiin ang sinabi. But it was now too late. She already acknowledged him to be her husband. She had already said her marriage vow.

"With the power bestowed upon me, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may now kiss the bride," pagpoproklama ng pari. Pagkatapos ay binigyan sila ng blessings nito, hudyat na tapos na ang kasal nila. She was now Mrs. Mia Catherine Fernan-Travilla.

Muling nagkandabuhol-buhol ang mga bituka niya. Hindi niya alam ang gagawin. Para siyang itinulos sa kinatatayuan habang hinihintay ang susunod na kilos ni Micheal. Would he really kiss her?

Hinawi nito ang veil na tumatabon sa kanyang mukha. This time, she could see him clearly, without any distraction. And she couldn't help but be mesmerized by his sheer male beauty.

Bago pa siya makahuma ay ginawaran siya nito nang simpleng halik sa mga labi. It was light, and no more than a smack. But it took her breath away. For a few seconds that his lips brushed over hers, she felt the sudden constriction of her muscles. At ang kanyang hininga ay napigil sa kanyang lalamunan.

Just when she thought that the simple kiss was over, his hand snaked around her nape, holding her in place. His lips came into hers again, kissing her deeply, and she was breathless once more.

Malakas na nagpalakpakan ang mga taong sa paligid. Her cheeks burned in embarrassment, but Micheal's prodding lips over hers derailed her sanity. She opened her mouth to tell him to stop, but he seized the moment to deepen the kiss. His tongue slid in her mouth, and made a sweet exploration.

He kissed her passionately in front of the priest, in front of a lot of people. And shame on her! For she had totally forgotten the fact that they were surrounded by a throng of audience. Damn! But she got carried away.

Mas lalong lumakas ang palakpakan at hiyawan ng mga tao. And when Micheal finally freed her lips, she gasped a lungful of air, her cheeks were burning in embarrassment.

Napakapit siya sa siko ng lalaki dahil biglang nanlambot yata ang mga tuhod niya. He held her firmly. Tuloy ay nagmukha silang sweet na bagong kasal. Hindi na siya pinakawalan nito.

Noon nagsimulang lumapit ang mga taong saksi sa kanilang kasal upang batiin silang dalawa ni Micheal. Naiilang siya habang pilit na ngumingiti sa mga hindi kilalang taong bumati sa kanila. But they were all warm towards her.

She knew no one except for Blezel and her mother, at sa mga kasambahay na ipinakilala sa kanya kanina ni Micheal. Karamihan sa mga taong dumalo sa kanilang kasal ay noon lamang niya nakasalamuha.

Maraming bumati sa kanila at tanging ngiti at tango lamang ang kanyang itinugon. Naiilang siya ngunit wala siyang ibang mapagpipilian kundi ang harapin ang mga ito. But she was thankful enough that Micheal was at her side all the time. At ito na mismo ang nag-eentertain at nakikipag-usap sa bawat taong lumalapit sa kanila upang bumati.

Nagpadala na lamang siya sa anod ng mga pangyayari.