Chasing Fire

Epilogue

Hello, this is the last chapter of Chasing Fire. Sa lahat ng nakasama ko sa pagsusulat sa kwento nina Fiero at Ayumi, maraming-maraming salamat! I am so thankful that no matter how stressful this roller coaster ride is, you're still with me 'till the end. Sana natawa, natuwa, umiyak, nagmura, nagmahal, at nagpatawad din kayo katulad ko. Maraming salamat sa pagsusuporta kina Kapitana at Pres!

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Noon, pinangarap kong ikasal sa malaking simbahan, sa harap ng maraming tao, suot ang isang magarbong damit, habang naglalakad sa red carpet. I always dream of walking the aisle with the perfectly applied hair and make-up.But today, I realized... all those things doesn't matter to me. Kahit hindi na sa malaking simbahan, kahit pamilya lang ang bisita, kahit na hindi red carpet ang lalakaran, o kahit na hindi magarbo ang ayos... basta ba siya ang maghihintay sa akin sa dulo ng lalakarin.

But ofcourse, he wouldn't let this slip. If there's anything he wanted to do, that is to announce to the world that we're finally tying the knot. Hands-on kami sa lahat ng preperation kaya lahat ng gusto namin, nasusunod. He didn't propose to me that day. We had fun playing tag under the rain. It took him few more months before finally having the guts to ask me for a marriage. And after a year of preparations, we're here today.

A soft rendition of Coldplay's "Yellow" is heard on the background. Holding my bouquet of sunflowers, I sat inside the bridal car, waiting for my cue.

"Wedding jitters?"

Nilingon ko si Mama, she looked gorgeous with her dress and updo. May ngiti sa mga labi niya kahit pa nakikita ko ang mumunting butil ng luha sa mga mata. Tumango ako.

"That's normal," she softly said as she tightened her grip on my hand. "I can't believe you really grown beautifully and now you're marrying the man you love"

Namumuo na din ang luha sa mga mata ko. I had to bite my lip to refrain myself from tearing up. Pero nang nilingon ko si Papa ay 'di ko na naiwasang maluha.

"Papa, don't cry just yet!" panunukso ko kahit pa may luha na ding pumatak galing sa mata ko.

Namumula na ang mata ni Papa sa kakapigil ng luha, pati na din ang ilong. He looked at me lovingly as he caresses my cheek softly.

"I know this day will eventually come. And I will never be ready for this. Hindi ako kailanman handang ipamigay ka kahit nino. But I know, this is where your happiness lies. 'Yan lang naman ang hiling ko, anak. Ang maging masaya ka." saad ni Papa, halata sa boses ang pagpigil ng iyak. "And always remember that you may be his Queen, but you're still my forever Princess."

Kung hindi pa kami kinatok ng wedding coordinator ay baka nag-iyakan na kami sa loob ng sasakyan. Unang lumabas si Papa para pagbuksan kaming dalawa ni Mama ng pinto. He held my Mother's hand as she got out of the car bago ako naman ang tinulungan. Inayos niya pa ang damit ko bago muling tumayo sa gilid ko.

The entourage started as the new set of soft song played on the background. My friends are part of the entourage, and of course, Maria Sierra is my Maid-of-Honor. Sure din naman akong siya na ang susunod na ikakasal. Chua hinted about his proposal many times and I wouldn't be surprise kung gagawin niya nga one of these days.