No Strings Attached

-11-

"What, why? Bawal ba?"

"No. I thought you were mad at me. You even changed your number. Am I forgiven now?"

Napaisip naman si Eleanor. She smirked as if she remembered something. "50% pa lang kita napapatawad."

"Huh?" Napamulsa ako habang nakatingin sa kanya. May mga percentage ba sa pagpapatawag ng tao?

"Basta yun yon. I'll forgive you fully mamaya pag may ipinakita ako sayo. For now, tara na. Magsisimula na yung ceremony." She tugged at my arm and led me back to my car. Mag-isa na siyang sumakay sa loob kaya sumakay na din ako at nagdrive papunta ng simbahan.

"You're scary when you're mad." Eleanor stated while looking outside.

"I am?" I glanced at her before turning my eyes back to the road.

"You're stupid when you're sad." She chuckled before turning to me.

"I'm not."

"Everybody's like that so there's no point in arguing. Andito na pala tayo." I parked alongside the cars outside the church. Napagdesisyunan ng dalawa na ganapin sa simbahan yung kasal nila to make it formal and official. I glanced at my wrist watch, fifteen minutes before seven am. Napatingin ako kay Eleanor at ngumiti. Nauna akong bumaba ng sasakyan para pagbuksan siya ng pinto.

She got out and looked at me, "Ready?"

I nodded reluctantly, wondering about what she's thinking. "I'm ready." I made a hold on her hand as we made our way inside the church. Seven pa naman ang mismong simula ng kasal. Busy pa ang lahat sa mga last-minute preparations. Napansin ko na napatingin ang iba sakin pagdating ko sa loob.

"Chance!" I smiled at Fier who's making her way towards us. She seemed really glad that I am here now. Niyakap niya agad ako pagkalapit niya sakin. "Thank God you're here!" I made a face, "So you still don't trust me when I tell you I'll be here?"

Napangiwi na lang si Fier, "Sorry naman."

Napatingin ako kay Eleanor, "Oh right." I turned to Fier, "This is my date, I presume you know her."

I placed an arm around Eleanor's waist pulling her next to me. I stifled my laughter when I saw Fier gaping at the two of us.

"Hi, fier!" Eleanor greeted cheerfully. Nakatingin lang ako sa kanya habang nakangiti. I'm so grateful she's with me right now.

When Fier seemed to regain herself, she smiled. "Oh my God, binigla niyo akong dalawa, grabe lang. Kayo ang magkasama? You look so cute together. But I have to go now. I'll be back later. May kailangan daw si Monique." Ngumiti siya ng nakakaloko sa aming dalawa. She gave me one more meaningful look before turning on her heel at umalis. Inalis ko ang kamay ko sa bewang ni Eleanor at hinawakan na lang uli yung kamay niya.

She gave me hand a slight squeeze. "Thanks for coming here with me. I'm grateful." I whispered. Nakatingin ako sa sahig samantalang sa harapan naman siya nakatingin.

"No prob, Chance." She replied.

***

The wedding had just started a few minutes ago. Nakatayo ako dito sa tabi ni Lourd bilang isa sa mga Groom's Men pero si James ang napili niyang maging Best Man. Not that I want to be the Best Man. Alam kong hindi ako ang nararapat sa posisyon na yun. The rest of the Aldea were also here. Nakita ko pa ang kapatid ni James na si Gabriel habang nakatayo katabi ang nanay nito. Si Fier naman ay nagpapahid na ng luha habang cinocomfort ng asawa niya. I gave her a small smile then she mouthed, 'Nakakaiyak'.