Let Me Be

Chapter 17

The wedding is inspired in the spring season. She can see different flowers in yellow, white, red and pink. Mahilig si Lea sa mga bulaklak kaya hindi na siya nagtaka kung bakit may iba't ibang bulaklak na hindi pamilyar sa kanya. She owns a flower shop so she must be the one who chose the flower arrangements and for the supply of flowers. There are also candlelights in each row of the aisle. Gabie was fascinated with the place. Somehow, it makes her feel better.

Just when she's taking a photo around, someone approached her that made her startled. It was Cass.

"Gabrielle! I'm glad you came early! The other photographers had not arrived yet," the lady said.

Gabie become more astonished with Cass. She really looks beautiful. She's wearing a yellow v-neck sheath dress with her light makeup on. And her curly hair was untied, showing its shine. Insecurities! Not now!

"Can you take some photos already?" Cass asked.

She had no choice to say yes. Nakilala na rin naman niya ang ibang photographers kahapon. Pinag-usapan nila ang magiging role ng bawat isa. Gabrielle will be dealing on the wedding ceremony photos with her partner. While the others were assigned on each preparations of the bride and groom before the wedding and as videographers.

Nagpaalam si Cass na may aasikasuhin pa kaya naiwan ulit siyang mag-isa. Kinuhanan niya ng litrato ang lugar ganundin ang mga tao na isa-isang nagsisidatingan. She also took some candid photos kung saan masayang nag-uusap ang mga ito. Ilang saglit lang ay dumating na ang isa niyang kasama kaya may katulong na siya sa pagkuha ng litrato.

A couple in their mid-fifties and a little boy caught Gabie's attention. Magkahawak-kamay ang mag-asawa habang kinakausap ang iba. Mababakas pa rin ang kagandahan ng babae sa kabila ng edad nito. She had this Filipina beauty. Habang ang asawa nito ay hindi maipagkakailang gwapong lalaki. But it was evident that he's a Korean.

Korean? That made Gabie think.

"Yah! Noona!" Napatingin ang dalaga sa nagsalita at humarap sa batang lalaki na nakita niya rin kanina. Nakatingin ito sa kanya kaya napaturo sa kanyang sarili si Gabrielle.

"Ako?" tanong niya para makasiguro at tumango nga ang batang lalaki. Tinuro siya nito at may sinabi.

"It pu da (Pretty)," pagkasabi niyon ay biglang tumakbo palayo sa kanya ang bata. Gabie can't help but to smile. He's so cute that reminds her of someone.

And on cue, she saw him arrived with his car. Nakasuot ito ng barong na ngayon lang nakita ni Gabie sa kanya. His hair was also fixed in a neat style. Not like before, the guy seems to be excited and happy. Binati at kinakawayan nito ang mga nakakasalubong.

Nakita niyang nagpalinga-linga ang binata sa paligid at parang may hinahanap. At nang magtama ang kanilang paningin, hindi nakaiwas si Gabrielle. A smile was formed in Zion's lips.

She can feel her heart starts to beat fast.

Sa akin ba siya ngumiti?

Pasimpleng lumingon ang dalaga sa kanyang likuran para makumpirma ang tanong niya ngunit walang ibang tao. Walang Cass. Lalong nagwala ang puso niya sa sobrang bilis nito.

But she remembered her confusions. Ngayong nakita niya ulit ito ay parang gusto na niyang kumpirmahin ang nasa isip niya. She still doesn't know how pero gusto na talaga niya itong matapos na.

She decided to think of that later nang dumating na ang groom. Victor looks handsome and manly as always. Nakasuot ito ng barong na bagay talaga sa kanya. Angat na angat ito sa mga lalaki sa paligid niya ngayon. There is a huge smile on his face nang batiin siya ng mga kamag-anak. Gabrielle can say that he's nervous but they can't deny that he's also genuinely happy. Of course, everyone knows that Lea loves him so she would come. Nothing to worry about.

Pansamantalang nawala sa isip ng dalaga ang mga iniisip nang maging maingay ang paligid. Pakiramdam niya'y pati siya ay nae-excite. Ilang beses na siyang nakapunta sa mga kasal, lalo na sa mga kuya niya, pero ni minsan ay hindi siya nakaramdam ng pagkabagot. Nahahawa kasi siya sa excitement ng mga tao.

After a few more shots, Cass announced that the bride is coming. Agad na tumigil sa ginagawa ang mga tao at nagpunta sa kani-kanilang puwesto. Gabrielle didn't want to miss every moment kaya tutok na tutok siya sa pangyayari.

And at last, it was Lea's time to walk in the aisle. Lahat ng mga mata ay nakatingin sa kanya. Lea looks beautiful, holding a bunch of baby's breath flowers. She's wearing an a-line dress with lace tattoo at her back. Simple yet attractive like her.

Naalala ni Gabrielle nang sukatin ito noon ni Lea. Sandaling natigilan ang babae sa kanyang repleksyon. Bigla pa itong naluha at sinabing hindi na siya makapaghintay sa kasal. That time, they all know that both of them deserves each other. Hindi man nasaksihan ni Gabie ang storya nila, alam niyang sila talaga ang para sa isa't isa.

Gabrielle became a witness on their new chapter of their lives. While watching them share their smiles, tears and laughs, she can't help to also imagine herself. She keeps on asking if their any chance that she will meet the right guy. If she will be able to feel loved, too. Or how long does she have to wait?

After sharing their vows and a few more wedding rituals, the crowd cheered. They are eager to see the newlywed's kiss. Gabrielle became alert, she shouldn't missed this most important moment. And right on time, they kissed and she captured it. She felt happy after that.

But she met Zion's gaze again. Nakatingin sa kanya ang binata and her heart skipped a beat when he smiled. Again. At her.

What's with him? She mentally asked. Don't smile jerk! You make my heart goes erratic!

She tried to divert her attention and didn't stop to take some photos until the ceremony ended. Kuha ng litrato dito, kuha doon. Pero parang hindi siya nakakaramdam ng pagod. Natutuwa siya sa nasasaksihan.

Capturing moments is like storing wonderful memories to her mind.

The couple rode on the bridal car and will be heading to the reception venue. Nakahinga naman ng maluwag si Gabrielle nang mag-thumbs up sa kanya ang isa pang kasamang photographer. They did a great job.

But just when she's going to capture a last photo of the place, she saw a familiar figure in her camera's mirror. It was coming closer to her and it's too late to realize that it is Zion.

"Hey, Gabie!" No! Don't come closer!

Pero huli na dahil nakalapit na ito sa kanya at amoy na amoy niya ang kanyang pabango. His scent captivated her that she didn't notice the guy patted her head and smiled.

Confused because of Zion's sudden change of mood, Gabie secretly hoping that there will be another wedding so she can see his smile again.

But again, with his simple acts and words, it can make her whole system stopped.

"Thank you..."

And she can't help but blush.