Dating My Ex

Huling Kabanata

"Hindi daw nila alam, Mikel.." Bulong ko muli, nagsisimula nang magpanic.

"Just sing it. They'll love it for sure."

Tumikhim ako muli nang magstrum na si Mikel. "Heaven knows I've done no wrong, I only want to sing this song to you.. Why did it have to end this way, only a fool could say to you..." Napalunok ako sa kinakanta, kahit nakangiti ang mga tao, hindi ko mapigilang maluha, "If I ever had a line to heaven, I swear, I'd call you there. If I ever had a line to heaven, I swear, I'll be there, tonight."

Pinunasan ko ang luha ko. Nagpatuloy si Mikel sa pagkanta sa sintunadong tono. Mas dumami ang nanonood sa amin at napansin kong ang ilan ay mga Pilipino din na kinukuhaan kami ng video.

"Where would I be without you now? Yet I have to make it through this life somehow. Only time will tell me so, all the things I need to know somehow.."

Nagkatinginan kami ni Mikel, panay pa din ang pag-strum niya at hindi na din niya mabigkas ang kanta.

"If I ever had a line to heaven, I swear, I'd call you there. If I ever had a line to heaven, I swear, I'll be there, tonight."

Nagsimulang kumanta ang ilan sa nanonood na napansin kong mga Pilipino. They started hovering us. Ang ilan ay nag-aabot sa amin ng panyo at tubig, ang ilan ay nakikanta. The foreigners were teary eyed as well. Hindi ko alam kung may hula sila kung anong problema. They started swaying their head even if they don't know the lyrics. A man get the guitar from Mikel, he started playing the song when Mikel bent down on his knees. Napatakip ako ng bibig, ang ibang mga nakikinood ay naglabas na din ng kanilang mga camera, ang mga Pilipino na lumapit sa amin ay patuloy pa din ang pagkanta.

"Will you marry me, Gabrielle Bethany?"

"Mikel.. I am dying." Imbes na sumang-ayon ay yun ang nasabi ko.

I heard loud gasps from people. Nanginginig ang kamay ko. Mali, ang buong katawan ko. Tumango si Mikel na nakakaunawa, "I know. But I still want to marry you. I want you to carry my heart in heaven. Take it with you, Gabby. I'll take it back, someday. Someday, we'll see each other again.."

Some cried in hysterics, I was covering my mouth. Mas dumami ang taong nanonood. Bakit ngayon pa? I can literally feel that my time is up. Pinapakilos na lang ako ng pain killers.

"I can feel that my time is up. What am I going to do with you?" Nagpamewang ako at malalim na nag-isip, "Hindi ko paborito ang A Walk To Remember, but yes! My last strength will be my walk at the altar to meet you. I will marry you."

Tumayo si Mikel at hindi na naisuot ang singsing, binigyan niya ako ng isang mahaba at madamdaming halik. Everyone was crying and clapping their hands.

Please Lord, let me live until my wedding.

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I was anxious, pinatingkad lang ng makeup ang namumutla kong mukha. Kristel did my hair and make up. Lexy dressed me up. She was crying while wearing my shoes because I cannot do it myself. Iniiwasan nilang mapagod ako.

"Huwag mong masyadong habaan ang speech mo, Bes. Baka naman may baon ka pa diyang mga linya sa wedding vow ng paborito mong pelikula?" Pinunasan ko ang luha ni Lexy na pumapatak sa balikat ng aking wedding gown.

"Hindi ako nakapagresearch saka madali kong makalimutan." Nanghihina akong ngumiti, "Kapag nakalimutan ko kung sino ang groom ko, inguso niyo lang si Mikel. Gets ko na 'yon."

"Mamimiss namin ang mga banat mong ganyan, Gab." Kinagat ni Kristel ang kanyang labi para hindi maiyak.

"Sabihin niyo na kung ano pa ang gusto niyong sabihin, baka mag-intay pa kayo ng eulogy ko, hindi ko na 'yon maririnig. Saka baka may sabihin pa kayong hindi kanais-nais. Tapatin niyo na ako ngayon."

"Gabby naman." Hindi na napigilan ni Kristel ang tuluyang maiyak. I smiled. Inabot ni Lexy ang pain killer na ipinapangako kong huli na iinumin ko.

"Thank you, Doctora. You're the best."

"I know.." Malungkot na ngumiti ang matalik kong kaibigan.

Kasama ko sa bridal car si Lexy at si Kristel. Sa pribadong chapel ng mga Dela Vega ang gaganaping kasal, mostly attended by my friends and Mikel's family. Iniwan ako ng dalawa kong abay para magmartsa. Pinalitan sila ng wedding coordinator para alalayan ako sa paglalakad. When it was my turn to walk, the huge door opened for me, I let go of the coordinator's hand. I prayed for this, God will give me strength. I beamed my beast smile but it faded when I saw everyone is in tears. Lola G's shoulders were shaking.

The wedding march was the best song I ever heard. Violin was played, that accompanies every step I make for my groom, my very last strength. Puti ang lahat ng nasa paligid, kagaya ng gusto ko. Hirap na hirap akong humakbang dahil sa pagkahilo pero hindi ko pa din napigilan na mamangha na nagawa ni Mikel posible ang detalyeng sinabi ko.

Katabi ni Mikel ng kanyang ama. Nasa gitna na ako nang salubungin ako ni Mikel at kunin ang kamay ko.

"Give me your weight." Utos niya. Malungkot akong ngumiti sa kanya.

"All my life you carried my weight, Mikel. Thank you.."

Nagpunas ng hindi nahiyang luha si Mikel, "Mahal na mahal kita, alam mo yan."

I nodded. "Same here."

The wedding ceremony went on until we are tasked to give each other's vows while wearing our wedding rings.

"I will forsake all others to remain faithful to you. No sickness can take this love that I intentionally taken care of since the first day that I saw you. Fat or slim, there's only one Gabby that I will love. The one woman that I will love. I love you." Mikel kissed my forehead.

"Thank you for your kindness and your love. Talagang ipinilit mong pakasalan ako para maganda ang apelyido ko sa lapida ko." I sniffed. "I just hope you'll remember this day, that I tried my best not to stood up on you. And thank you for bringing our friends and family here because you will need them. You will need them Mikel." Because I know, my last breath is here.

Unti-unti ang nararamdaman kong panlalambot ng tuhod. The officiating priest asked us to seal our marriage with a kiss. Tila inilutang ako sa ere ng pakiramdam na iyon, napapikit ako. Unti-unti bumababa ang mga kamay ko at parang may pwersang bumubuhat sa akin.

Light. I saw the light. There's two hands on the light. Isang kamay lang ang kinuha ko.

Paalam, Mikel. Salamat sa lahat.

The End :)

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Short story nga kase.