My Future In Her Past (1st Book Of 'In Her Past' Series)

Chapter 57

Wedding bells can be heard from the distance. Sounds of laughter and happy exchanges of conversations resonates around her. Abalang-abala ang mga make-up artists at hair stylists sa pag-aayos sa kaniya.

"Ma'am, huwag po kayong umiyak. Nasisira po ang make-up niyo," untag sa kaniya ng baklang make-up artist na naglalagay ng final touches sa mukha niya.

Napalingon siya dito at nag-sorry.

She then looked at her reflection on the mirror. Staring back at her is a beautiful woman on her wedding day but her eyes are full of hidden sadness and longing.

She should be happy. She was getting married.

But how could I be happy if I'm not marrying the guy that I love the most?

Hinawi niya ang mga kamay na nag-aayos sa kaniya at biglang tumayo. Mukhang nagulat ang mga ito dahil narinig niya ang mga nagtatakang boses ng mga ito.

She walked towards the open window and peered outside. It was such a bright, sunny day. The sky was dotted with clouds and the breeze were gently swaying the trees. Parang sinasabi ng mundo na dapat siyang maging masaya sa araw na ito.

But I can't . . .

Everything that happened were still fresh in her mind. Ni isang detalye ay wala siyang nakalimutan.

Isang magandang panaginip na gawa-gawa lamang ng kaniyang utak. Iyan ang sabi sa kaniya ng lahat.

They forced her to undergo intensive therapy sessions to erase her memories of that dream. Ilang buwan rin siyang kinulong ng mga ito upang "pagalingin" daw siya. Hindi siya nakikipag-cooperate sa mga ito. Madalas siyang namamato, nananabunot o nangsisipa ng sinumang lumapit sa kaniya. She even tried hurting herself. 

For the past few months ay iyak lang siya ng iyak at sinisigawan ang mga tao sa kaniyang paligid. Eventually, she realized that those people won't listen to her no matter what happen.

Kaya nagpanggap siya. 

Nagpanggap na wala ng maalala. 

Nagpanggap na "magaling" na siya. 

Nagpanggap na "ok" na siya at hindi na dumurugo ang puso niya para sa isang lalakeng gawa-gawa lamang daw ng imahinasyon niya.

Oliver quickly arranged their wedding. He made sure na walang nakakaalam sa anumang nangyari sa kaniya pwera na lang sa Mama nito at kay Dr. Renato. Para daw makaiwas sa sasabihin ng ibang tao. Ayaw lang talaga siguro nitong makutya na baliw ang mapapangasawa nito.

Actually, their set-up benefited Oliver. Ando at tango na lamang ang kaya niyang gawin matapos ang lahat ng nangyari. Lahat ng plano nito ay puro 'oo' lamang ang sinasabi niya.

It was as if she was just an empty body without soul. Wala na siyang kabuhay-buhay. Nothing is important for her anymore . . . even her own life.

She looked down at her left wrist that was now covered with her long-sleeved wedding gown. Hinawi niya ang tela na tumatabing doon at bumungad sa kaniya ang mga sugat na siya mismo ang gumawa sa sarili.

Ilang ulit na ba niyang sinubukang patayin ang sarili?

Ni mismo siya ay hindi na ito mabilang. She tried killing herself in hopes that she'll be able to go back to the past.

To the arms of Isagani.

Pero walang nangyari. Lagi na lang may nakakapigil sa kaniya tuwing sinusubukang patayin ang sarili.

Eventually, she decided to stop. To let the river of life take her to where it wanted her to go.

And today is my wedding day . . .

"Ma'am, tayo na po sa labas. Baka po daw malate tayo," magalang na sabi ng hair stylist sa kaniya.

She turned towards her and nodded.

Tinulungan siya ng hair and make-up team na binayaran ni Oliver para sa espesyal na okasyon na ito. Lumabas sila sa mini villa ng isang kilalang private resort na nirentahan ng mapapangasawa.

A black limousine was waiting for her outside. Hindi naman malayo ang 'Flower Paradise' na pagdadausan ng garden wedding nila ngunit gusto ni Oliver na dadating siya ng parang prinsesa.

After a few minutes ay nakarating na sila sa venue at tinulungan siya ng driver na makalabas ng sasakyan. Nagkukumahog na lumapit ang maid of honor niya nang nakita nitong papalabas na siya ng sasakyan. Pinsan ito ni Oliver at ang lalake mismo ang pumili dito. She doesn't have any say to the preparation of the wedding. Wala nga siyang kapamilya na dadalo kahit na ang bestfriend niyang si Betty ay hindi imbitado.

Iginiya siya ng maid of honor niya sa may bukana ng garden kung saan makikita ang unahan ng trail of rose petals na patungo sa altar. Pinapwesto siya ng babae doon at sinabing hintayin niya lang ang instructions bago siya maglakad papuntang altar. Tumango na lang siya para malaman nitong naiintindihan niya ang sinabi nito.

Suddenly, Moira Dela Torre and Jason Marvin's song 'Ikaw at Ako' played.

The event organizer instructed everyone when they are allowed to walk until she was the only one left. Hawak-hawak ng mahigpit ang bungkos ng bulaklak, ay nagsimula na siyang maglakad papunta sa altar.

Tears then started falling from her eyes. Her mind was not in the wedding that was happening right now. Bumalik ang kaniyang isip sa alaala ng kasal nila ni Isagani. That magical day that turned her world upside-down.

God knew how much she wished that she was marrying Isagani right now. He knew that her every nights were filled with dreams of life with Isagani and her days was a constant reminder that all of those are just dreams. Na hanggang panaginip na lang talaga siya.

Oliver took her hand when she arrived at the foot of the altar. He looked handsome in his white tuxedo but his meticulous look will never be able to compete with Isagani's rugged figure. Kahit na itabi ang pawis na pawis at puno ng putik na mukha ni Isagani ay hindi pa rin matatalo ni Oliver ito.

The priest started the ceremony but all she can hear are meaningless chatters. She closed her eyes and a tear drop from her left eye.

"Oliver, do you take Horatia Cassidy as your lawful wedded wife, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and cherish until death do you part?" ani ng pari.

"I do," Oliver answered while looking directly at her.

The priest then turned towards her direction and proceeded to ask, "Horatia, do you take Oliver Cruz as your lawful wedded husband, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and cherish until death do you part?"

Her grip on her wedding gown tightened. Nanginginig ang kaniyang mga kamay. Malakas na kumakabog ang kaniyang dibdib at tila ba nais nitong tumalon mula sa kaniyang katawan at tumakbo papalayo doon.

She opened her mouth to say a quivering 'I do' when suddenly a man's voice echoed around the garden.

"Itigil ang kasal!"