Aeipathy

Epilogue

Eris

All my life, I grew up thinking that we have no rights to dream more than what we can achieve. To be contented with what we have. To be grateful with what was given.

I used to believe Tris is just a fairytale; A dream I could never have no matter how hard I try.

But as the slow music is playing on the background, as I am slowly taking my steps towards her at the aisle on where she's standing, I could feel my eyes slowly tearing up.

Suck up your tears, Serina. Nakakahiya!

Pero imbes na mapigilan ay tila lalo pa yatang nangilid yung luha ko nang mapagmasdan kung gaano kalapad yung ngiti ni Tris habang nakatingin sa direksyon ko.

She's smiling so wide as if the sight of my incoming figure is making her heart burst too. It's as if she's dying in anticipation to hold my hand and get this ceremony over and done with.

Tanaw ko pa yung pasimpleng pagpadaan nya ng daliri sa gilid ng mga mata nya at yung marahang pagtingala na para bang pinipigilan lang din nya na maiyak habang hinihintay ako na tuluyang makalapit.

"Such a crybaby." I heard my Mom snort on my left side while staring at Tris too. "Sigurado ka na ba talaga dyan Eris? Pwede ka pa magbago ng isip. Itatakas kita." dagdag bulong pa nito.

"Grant!" Mommy hissed on my right side that shut Mom in an instant. "This is supposedly a happy moment for your kid but you're ruining it!"

Akmang sasagot pa sana si Mom nang tingnan ito ng masama ni Mommy. So she just motioned to zip her mouth before she could hear any other word from Mommy again.

Nang tuluyan kaming makalapit kay Tris ay tila nabingi na ako ng tuluyan sa lakas ng kabog ng dibdib ko.

This is real right? Not just one of my wild imaginations?

Yes, Eris. This is really happening.

I am now finally ready to take her vows and make my vows of a lifetime with her.

Huminga ako ng malalim bago tuluyang inabot yung nakalahad na kamay ni Tris.

Tila ba pareho kami ng nararamdaman dahil muntikan pa yata itong mapaluhod ng mahawakan yung kamay ko.

Seriously? Nanginginig ba yung tuhod nya sa kaba? Buti na lang ay mahigpit yung kapit ko dito kundi ay baka dalawa kaming sumadsad sa sahig.

"S-sorry.." even her voice is croaky. "This is my first time."

I silently bit my lower lip to stop myself from chuckling. She's so damn cute.

But I guess Mom has no self-restraint on her sarcasm today as she says, "First and only time you'll get married, Tris. Pag may iba ka pang babae na pinakasalan bukod kay Eris, imbes na sa reception ang diretso ng bisita, sisiguraduhin ko na diretso lamay mo na."

Tris shyly cleared her throat. I gave her an apologetic smile which she returned with a warm grin. Totally ignoring my Mom's threat.

"Your Mom's scary." Komento ni Tris nang sabay kaming humarap sa wedding officiant namin.

"Yung Mama mo din naman nakakatakot." pabirong sagot ko.

Totoo naman kasi na nakakatakot din yung Mama ni Tris. Noon kasing pormal na pinag-usapan yung tungkol sa kasal namin at nagharap-harap yung mga pamilya namin, walang nakapigil kay Tita Terry na sugurin si Mom. Pinaghahampas nito iyon ng bag at pinagmumura dahil sa ginawa nitong pananakit kay Tris noon sa hospital room.

Tita Sammie just let her wife to rant. Si Mommy naman ay pinanood lang noon si Mom na halos hindi malaman ang gagawin sa kakaiwas sa mga hampas ng Mama ni Tris. Nagulat pa nga ako na hinayaan lang nito si Tita Terry at hindi ginantihan. Ayaw na din daw kasi nitong humaba yung usapan dahil alam nito na kami lang ni Tris ang maiipit sa huli pag hindi sila nagkasundo-sundo.