We're eating our meals in silence. Mahirap mang lunokin ang pagkain, nilunok ko pa rin.
At least ngayon nakasabay ko siyang kumain which is madalang na lang mangyari.
Then out of the blue he talked to me.
"Do you think we should get an annulment?"
N...
"You really look like a princess, anak. So beautiful, so captivating in that wedding gown. You're over the top. Your beauty screams, 'Stop! Look at me!' " Madamdaming sabi ni Daddy habang nakatayo sa puno ng hagdan. Sa mansion kami ni Mommy naka-stay. Supposed to be, sa hotel na lang kami pansamantalang mamalagi ni Dad pero hindi pumayag ang aking ina.
Puno ng emosyon ang mga mata ni Daddy habang nakatingin sa akin. Well, my wedding dress speaks timelessness, elegance and absolutely classy. A bridal long bishop sleeves sweetheart neckline heavily embellished bodice elegant lace sheath wedding dress.
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Tinernohan ito ng closed-toe off-white satin with a crystal heel.
Mas malaman siguro ako kay Marife lyn kasi masikip ang bandang dibdib at balakang ng gown sa akin.
"Thank you, Dad. Proxy bride lang po ako. Baka nakakalimutan niyo." Nakangiti kong sabi. Knowing Daddy, magiging emosyonal na 'yan in just a minute.
"You don't look like one, anak. Your eyes are sparkling like a real bride. Na para ba'ng ito ang araw na pinakahihintay mong mangyari sa buhay mo."
Really? Ganoon ba ang impact ng wedding gown sa akin? Or maybe I'm just a bit excited because this is a grand wedding and it will be publicized. Knowing me, I'm always craving to be the center of attraction. Sa tingin ko 'yon lang ang dahilan. After all, this wedding is not for me.
"Dad, can I ask you a favor?" Kinakabahang sabi ko habang nasa bridal car kami ni Daddy.
"Yes, princess. Anything."
"Daddy, I, I want to walk down the aisle by myself."
"But w-why? I'm your father. Bakit ayaw mo'ng ihatid kita? Ikinakahiya mo ba ako?" May himig pagtatampo sa boses ni Dad. I know and I can feel it.
"Dad, huwag kang ganyan. Alam mong Daddy's girl ako so I'm fond of you. It's just that, walking down the aisle alone makes me more comfortable. Don't feel sad nor insulted. Gusto ko Daddy, gagawin mo 'yon sa talagang wedding day ko. Hindi ngayon na proxy bride lang ako."
"Anak, the tradition is not just about "giving away" the bride to the groom but a symbol that the bride leaving her family to start her own. I understand you. Tama ka rin naman. Hindi mo pa ako iiwan." Nakangiti nang sabi ni Daddy.
"Thank you so much, Dad."
*************
A 1933 Rolls Royce took me and Daddy to St. Andrews Cathedral, one of the most famous churches in Hawaii.
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