Reclaiming the Stars (Agustin Series #1)

Kabanata 35

It was my request to only put a light makeup, not that full glam since I don't like what my face looks like with too much hues. They fixed my hair in a low updo with soft curls cascading on the side. They even placed some small white butterflies around the bun to attach the veil.

Lorenzo spent too much for our wedding, mas mahal pa yata yung gown ko sa buong kasal. Ang sabi naman n'ya ay sadya n'ya raw pinag-ipunan kaya ayos lang. Aww.

"Ngayon ka lang mas maganda sa'kin. Ngayon lang talaga," si Ade na tuluyan ng naiyak. Pati na rin si Melissa. We took several photos before going to the church.

The theme of my wedding is rust and honey glaze, a bit retro and vintage with hints of contemporary trends. Melissa, as promised, is my bridesmaid. Naroon lahat ng tao, Yñigo, Isidro as the best man, the entire Agustins, ilang mga katrabaho nila at maging mga katrabaho ko.

Since my early age, I've always wanted to have a simple church wedding. Hindi man sobrang engrande pero nandoon lahat ng mahahalagang tao sa buhay ko. Sila ang kumukumpleto sa'kin.

We arrived at the church. I know I shouldn't be nervous but, hell, I am. Tiningnan ko ang kabuuan ng labas ng simbahan, kung saan ako nakita ni Lala dati. Maging ang labas ay may gayak at sobrang ganda sa mata.

"Apo, love na love ka ni Lala. Sabihin mo sa'kin kapag pinaiyak ka ni Lorenzo ha? Tatanggalin ko 'yan sa pamilya na'tin," si Lala ang maghahatid sa akin sa altar.

"Hindi po gagawin 'yon ni Lorenzo, La. Mahal ako 'non," confident kong sinabi. Ipinagkait ko ng ilang taon kay Lorenzo ang pamilya n'ya. And I'm thankful for having Lala.

The huge door opened, I kept my head down at pagkatunghay ko, mata agad ni Lorenzo ang nakita ko. All these faces, all these people and all these grandness but my eyes found him.

There was I again with the inaudible heartbeat, the faint trembling of my knees, feeling all at once now that I see him.

We were slowly walking. I was slowly walking to the melody of our favorite song. Like it was all yesterday, how my seventeen year old self would always look up to going in their mansion just to see him. Using the dollhouse as my excuse only to see him. How I met Isidro and Melissa. My two little chicks, Garfield and Scooby Doo. Our moments in the pool, the ocean and in the mansion. How devastated I was when my brother passed away in front of my eyes, the police and my father. How Lala came and revived me. How I met my new friends, Ade and Dim. It was all yesterday. Kahapon lang lahat tapos ikakasal na ako ngayon.

What a plot twist you were, Lorenzo.

My first boyfriend. He who never got tired of my silly judgements and funny trips. He who would put effort when things has something to do with me. He who waited for me. He who never gave up on me. He who loved me.

And me, who loved him even more.

His eyes are in a light shade of crimson. Pinahid n'ya ang luha n'ya bago kinuha ang kamay ko. He held it gently, softly.

"Ang ganda naman ng asawa ko," his compliments never gets old.

"Wala pa. Hindi pa official," he laughed at my remark.

We proceeded to the ceremony and both said our 'I do's'. The best two words to hear from him. Ang swerte ko. Sobrang swerte ko sa'yo Lorenzo.

"I love you, baby," he said as he opened my veil.

"I love you, too," he owned my lips and every part of me. He loved me in the way no one else ever did.

I could see life forever in his eyes. He was my biggest downfall, the only song I would never stop singing. I thought of my family, I wonder if they're looking down at me, seeing a future brighter than constellations. Sometimes locked in multiple prayers but most of the times dancing in the northern lights.

"Ilang Lorenzo Junior ang gusto mo?" he naughtily asked in the middle of our reception. Kanina pa nagyayaya umuwi at bagot na bagot na. Pinanlakihan ko s'ya ng mata.

"Lorenzo, behave," pagpuna ko sa kanya. Ngumuso naman s'ya, making me shook my head.

Si Ade ang nag emcee ng mga palaro. Sid, Dim and Yñigo performed a cute dance number. Feel na feel ni Sid at Yñigo ang pag-indak samantalang si Dim naman ay parang pinagsakluban ng langit at lupa. Sa huling part ay sumali ang magkapatid na Maximus at Magnus na hiyang hiya at pulang pula ang mukha. They're wearing suspenders and cute bows. Halatang mga napilitan.

Tawang tawa kaming dalawa ni Lorenzo. Even the crowd are cheering with us, laughing at their silly dance moves. Taga-video naman si Melissa sa lahat ng kaganapan.

"Ang groom naman ang magpeperform!" sigaw ni Ade kahit naka mic na. Sinegundahan naman iyon ng mga tao.

"Lorenzo! Lorenzo! Lorenzo!" todo iling naman si Lorenzo sa gilid ko.

"May pa Stand By Me ka pang nalalaman, wala ka naman pala. Boo!" sigaw ni Sid. Napilit s'ya ng mga tao kaya nasa harapan ko s'ya ngayon.

His eyes used to be my favorite part about him, now, it's his heart. For his eyes have seen my darkest days and it was his heart who chose to stay.

"Oh don't you know you can't escape me. Oh, darling, you'll always be my baby..." he sang that last line of my favorite song.

You'll always be my baby too, Lorenzo. I love you always, in all ways.

I threw my boquet at nagtumpukan naman ng mga babae. I glanced back to Ade almost catching it pero agad tumakbo si Isidro para saluhin.

"Ako naman ang sunod. Gusto na rin ikasal," he announced at inis na inis naman si Ade sa kanya.

"Wala na! Sira na ang future ko! Sirang sira na!" Ade stomped her foot playfully. Napatawa naman ako sa kanila.

There was so much happening in front of us but Lorenzo chose to watch me. Nginitian ko naman s'ya.

With him, I lost my stars. But maybe I did not. Maybe he was my star all along. And now I'm reclaiming them. I am reclaiming the stars. Reclaiming my stars.