"Ysabelle!" niyakap ako ni Grandma nang makita niya ako sa simbahan. "I was so worried!"
Marahan kong tinapik ang kanyang likod. "I'm fine, Grandma. I was not hurt"
Kumawala siya sa pagkakayakap sa akin at pinahiran ang luha sa kanyang pisngi. I understand what she's feeling. She already lost her daughter, my mom. Nahanap ng tingin ko sina Lola Caring at Nanay Josie sa isang gilid. They smiled at me. Hindi nila alam ang nangyare sa akin at mabuti na lang ay hindi rin pinaalam sa kanila. Ayokong pati sila ay mapag-alala ko pa.
"Is it true? He's your boyfriend?" tinignan ni Grandma si Alfred na kausap ngayon sina Grandpa, Uncle Klaus at Lucas.
Matalim ang tingin sa kanya ni Uncle habang kalmado lamang si Lucas. Alfred doesn't seem to be intimidated by my relatives or if he is, naitatago niya iyon ng mabuti.
"Y-Yes," tumango ako.
"Since when?" litong tanong ni Grandma.
"A.. year ago.."
She gasped, "How? How did you know each other? Was it through Harley? Did he went to London?"
Tumango na lang ako. Hindi pa ako nakakagawa ng magandang istorya kung paano naging kami o kung paano kami nagkabalikan.
"Well, that's surprising. You should've told us or me at least! Is that why he agreed to be your bodyguard? Or he volunteered?" sunod-sunod na tanong ni Grandma. Wala akong maisip na sagot kundi "yes".
Nilingon kong muli ang grupo nina Uncle. Mukhang pinagsasabihan niya si Alfred, it's like the same way when he's reprimanding Cole. Sinabi niya kaya ang nangyare sa aming dalawa? I guess not. Dahil kung ganoon nga, he would've been thrown out here by Grandpa himself. Kahit na matanda na siya, he still proves us he is strong.
"Let's go to our seats.. or do you want to go to your friends?"
"I'll talk to them later," sabi ko. The organizer said that we'll start in five minutes kaya kailangan na naming pumunta sa mga pwesto namin.
Katabi ko si Grandma at ang isa ko pang pinsan na mula sa London. She's gushing about the decorations. Harley wanted crystals and flowers for her wedding. There are a variety of flowers, crystal decorations and sparkling white drapes. Engrande nga ang kasal pero mukhang ekslusibo pa rin ito sa mga malalapit na kapamilya at mga kaibigan.
I waved at my friends, Jasmine and Roxy na nakaupo sa hilera nina Nanay Josie. They're wearing pink laced dresses. Sa gilid nila ay may hindi pamilyar na babae. She's also wearing a light pink dress, matangkad siya at maganda ang pagkakakulot sa kanyang itim na buhok.
Our eyes met. She smiled and I saw a little mischief in there. Siguro ay kaibigan siya ng mga Salvador o Prieto. Sa kabilang banda, Alfred and Hughes are sitting together. Nakita ko ang pagsiko ni Alfred sa kanyang pinsan at pang aasar. Ngumingiti lang si Hughes bago naisipang magsalita which made Alfred shut his mouth.
Dineretso ko naman ang tingin ko kay Lucas at Cole na nasa harapan. Cole, our cousin, is his best man. Tinatapik niya ang balikat ni Lucas at inaalok ng panyo. I smiled. I never thought that this day would come. Sa London ay para lang kaming mga bata, we laugh and tease each other whenever we're at the mansion. It's like I experienced being a child with them. Mamimiss ko iyon.
We heard gasps at the back kaya nilingon namin iyon. The doors are widely open now. We peered over to see Harley in her gorgeous serpentine gown made by Tita Vangie. Kasama niya ang kanyang mga magulang na naglalakad papunta sa altar. Kahit may belo, we can see her smiling. I looked at Lucas, nakangiti rin siya habang kagat ang labi at parang hindi mapakali ang mga kamay. Cole handed him the handkerchief at tinanggap naman niya iyon.
