Journey to Forever

43 to have and to hold (part 1)

After two weeks

APRIL POV

Nagising ako sa ingay ng mga tao sa kwarto ko. I even heard Ate Ice and Ate Fibs talk. Binuksan naman nila Ate yung mga bintana, pumasok naman yung sinag ng araw. It's as if it's the heavens telling me it's gonna be a good day. And that it is indeed a good day to fall in love and get married.

Yes. Today is my wedding day. Jayden and I's special day.

"Bangon na dyan bunso, we have so much to do pa. Andyan na rin yung makeup artists to prep us for your wedding." - Ate Fibs

Bumangon ako at umupo muna sa kama.

Tinitigan ko sina Ate Fibs at Ate Ice.

Nagtinginan sila at biglang tumabi sa akin. Si Ate Fibs sa right side ko, si Ate Ice naman sa left.

"Wedding jitters?" Si Ate Fibs.

Tumango ako.

"Kinakabahan ka lang babygirl. Normal naman yang feeling na yan. Promise pagkatapos ng kasal, puro happiness na yan. You just have to trust Jayden and relax." hinaplos ni Ate Ice balikat ko.

"Kaya let's go na. Kahit na 6AM pa lang, we all need to get going. We prepared the bath tub na. Soak yourself sa warm water para ma-relax ka. Pero do it fast. Aakyat dito yung makeup artist mamaya." - Ate Fibs

They left my room. Papasok na ako ng banyo para maligo nung marinig ko ang pagtunog ng phone ko. It's Jayden.

From Hubby Baby 😍
Can't wait to see you wifey. I love you so much.

To Hubby Baby 😍
Me too. I love you too.

Nagbabad ako saglit sa bath tub. Nung matapos ako, I immediately took my bathrobe and wore it.

I sat down in front of my vanity table and looked at myself. I smiled. I need to brush aside these doubts I have for myself. Eyes on the prize. It is Jayden waiting for me at the altar.

Nakarinig ako ng pagkatok.

"Come in."

Pumasok si Britney at Brix. Sila yung kambal na may ari ng PointAndShoot Videography and Photography. Sila yung mag do document ng buong preparations ko para sa kasal.

May kumatok ulit. This time it was Rupert. College batchmates sila ni Ate Fibs. He is now a renowned makeup artist for models and celebrities. He's really that good. I call him "Achi".

"Babygirl... I'm so happy for you. Thanks for inviting me tapos ako pa magme makeup sayo." he came with his assistants. In-assemble nila ang vanity table nila na kumpleto sa ilaw. Nilabas nila ang mga makeup at brushes.

"Achi promise ko 'to sayo diba?"

"I know. After Fibs and Ice, ikaw naman ngayon. And in all fairness, your groom is soooo gwapo. Kaya naman, I'll make you the prettiest bride today."

"Thanks." Ngumiti ako.

"Let's start?"

Tumango ako and sumunod sa mga requests ni Achi. Magaan ang kamay niya and mahilig siyang mag joke. Kaya nagkukulitan lang kami sa buong makeup session.

Britney and Brix are very hands on sa videography nila. Britney is telling her brother the best angles at yung magagandang lighting. Nakikipagkulitan din sila sa amin. They are so easy to work with. Bata pa pareho pero paramgga professionals na. Kasama naman ni Jayden ngayon yung mga katrabaho ng kambal. Sila naman ang bahala sa video ni Jayden.

"Ayan. Final touches na tayo. Have a look at your makeup baby girl."

Napanganga ako when I saw my face. Ako ba talaga 'to? My makeup is not that heavy. Light lang dahil ayaw naman din ni Jayden na masyado akong dolled up.

Achi used the best products. My eyes are so expressive daw and he wants to showcase those pairs. Yung eyelashes ko, na curl ng maayos. My lips are painted with a lip tint close to cherry lip balm. Mas natural daw kasi mas maganda.

Naiiyak ako. I've never felt this beautiful. Maybe it's the feeling of being wanted and loved that's making me glow. Iba pala yung pakiramdam pag may nagmamahal sayo, may nagtitiwala at may gustong makasama ka sa lahat ng mga araw ng buhay niya.

"Please wag ka munang iiyak. Save those joyful tears later. Papaakyatin ko na yung mag aayos ng hair mo."

Achi Rupert waved and left me sa room ko. Dumating yung hairstylist. His name is Paulie. Mabait rin siya. Partners sila ni Achi lagi sa mga events. Para silang package deal. You get Achi, you'll get Paulie.

"Hi beautiful." Tinanggal ni Paulie yung ipit ko sa buhok. My hair is wavy papuntang kulot na.

"I love your hair talaga. This is natural noh."

"Oo." I smiled.

Nag start na si Paul i-blow dry ang buhok ko. He said mas okay kung mas simpleng style ang gagawin niya para ma-highlight daw natural beauty ko and to compliment my makeup.

He gathered my hair and tied it in a neat half pony. He secured my hair using clips that are adorned with Swarovski crystals. Pinalugay niya lang yung sa baba ng hair ko. May mga baby bangs akong tumatakas pero he said bagay daw sa look ko yun.

I liked my hairstyle. Simple yet elegant.

"I have to go now baby girl. I'll see you later. Papaakyatin ko na yung mga taga JICO."

I smiled.

Dumating mga employees ni Ate Jianne. Hailey is one of her top designers. Na-meet ko na siya. She's good.

"Ma'am April. Hi po. Dala ko na po yung gown. Are you ready na po ba?"

Tumayo ako at nagpunta na sa walk in closet ko kasunod si Hailey at mga assistants niya. They helped me wear my wedding dress.

Ito yung dress na wedding gift ni Ate Jianne sa amin ni Jayden. I really wanted this design kasi I want it to be a little extra.

My gown is very detailed. It's an off-shoulder white gown na may laced long sleeves, fit sa may bandang tyan at overflowing na mula sa bewang hanggang tuhod. May mga Swarovski crystals sa bandang neckline at sa cuff ng sleeves. Yung veil naman ay kasing igsi lang rin ng gown. May mga Swarovski crystals rin ang hem line nito. Pinasadya pa ang mga paglalagay ng Swarovski crystals sa Dubai at ibinalik lamang rito last week para sa finishing touches na si Ate Jianne mismo ang nag-supervise.

Nung isuot ko 'to, tinulungan ako ng mga kasama ni Hailey. Saktong-sakto yung fit sa akin. Tumingin ako sa salamin at nagkatinginan kami ni Hailey. Naiiyak siya. Nag double thumbs up siya at kinuha na ang veil para isuot sa ulo ko.

Britney and Brix told me to pose for pictures. Matagal rin bago sila nagsawa. They said na ang ganda-ganda ko raw talaga. Brix even joked naunahan daw siya ni Jayden sa akin. Natawa na lang ako.

Inalalayan nila ako pababa ng hagdan. Everyone in the family are waiting for me.

Mom is about to cry. Sumandal siya sa balikat ni Dad. Ate Fibs and Ate Ice are both smiling. Kuya Ram and the kids are clapping their hands. Sinamahan naman ako ni Kuya Ashton papunta sa bridal car ko. Convoy na lang daw papuntang church.

I uttered a small prayer habang bumabiyahe:

Lord, thank you po for this beautiful day. Thank you po kasi buo kami at kumpleto. Masaya po ako na si Jayden po ang pinili niyo na makasama ko habangbuhay. I am so happy po. All I ask lang po is please guide us, Jayden and I sa bago pong chapter ng buhay namin. Salamat po, Lord.

Napabuntong hininga ako.

This. Is. It.

Magiging Mrs. Castro na talaga ako.

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