AKIRAH MAKATZA VERTEFEUILLE-DRIVAS
"You look pretty in those" My mother-in-law said while fixing my kimono. "Thank you mama" I said while smiling.
"You know what, my son was pretty lucky to have you by his side. When he was born, I didn't cared as much as I cared for his brother, and that's the biggest mistake I've had. I found his father cheating on my when he was still in my womb and I tend to blame him and I dont know why. Lumaki si Khashton na laging ikinukumpara sa brother nya. In fact ako ang sumira sa relasyon nilang dalawa ng kuya nya. But when you came along, he changed. You are his inspiration. He fought for you, the way he never fought for something before. Thank you Aki, for bringing the best in my son" I saw a tear falling but she immediately brushed it out
"I am also lucky to have Khashton with me. I didn't really have a good relationship with my parents and my brother and sister is always away, I don't have someone to talk to. But then he came, I felt so comfortable with him to point that he's the only person who knows so much about me. The only person that understands me" I hint of smile formed on my lips. After eight years of being in a relationship with my high-school love, I'm finally going to marry him. After five years of long distance relationship, I saw his smile again, one year ago, when I came back to his arms and a year past. Im already here, preparing to marry him.
"I wish you both Happiness" She kissed my cheeks and went out. Kaagad namang pumasok si Suji. "I'll escort you, can't believe my younger sister is already a bride"
"Suji? Kelan mo balak magpakasal?" Tumawa lang sya ng mahina "I have no plans. Besides I don't have a girlfriend. Stop talking about my lovelife, shall we go?" Tumango ako. Our wedding is a traditional with a hint of modern style.
We arrived at the venue and I saw Khashton on his traditional outfit with an umbrella. "You look beautiful, as always" I can't say anything cause I was mesmerized by him. He's features became a lot more visible "Am I that handsome?"
"Yeah" We both laughed and started walking towards the shrine where there are people close to my family. There's Iris and Zev with their first child, Reese. There's Heather and Zex, smiling at us so as Trix. Then Adi and Tristan with their 2 months old first born and lastly Luca. Brie's not here since she pusued millitary. She's been there for 2 years now.
The ceremony went smoothly, from ritual of purification then the vows. "Shinro, Khashton Drivas, anata wa kono jyosei to kekkonshi fuufu to naru to shite orimasu.
Anata wa, kenko na tokimo, soudenai tokimo, kono hito o aishi, kono hito o uyamai, kono hito o nagusame, kono hito o tasukete, sono inochi no kagiri kataku sessou o mamoru koto o chikaimasu ka?"
Groom, Khashton Drivas, you this woman marry and become her partner.
Will you in peaceful times, during sickness, this person love, this person respect, this person comfort, this person help, until death, do you promise to fulfil?
Sandali nya akong tinignan at ngumiti "Hai, chikaimasu" Yes, I promise
"Shinpu, Akirah Vertefeuille, anata wa kono dansei to kekkonshi fuufu to naru to shite orimasu.
Anata wa, kenko na tokimo, soudenai tokimo, kono hito o aishi, kono hito o uyamai, kono hito o nagusame, kono hito o tasukete, sono inochi no kagiri kataku sessou o mamoru koto o chikaimasu ka?"
Bride, Akirah Vertefeuille, you this man marry and become his partner.
Will you in peaceful times, during sickness, this person love, this person respect, this person comfort, this person help, until death, do you promise to fulfil?
"Hai, chikaimasu" Yes, I promise
"Watashi wa ima anata o otto to tsuma to hatsuon shimasu" I now pronounce you husband and wife
"I love you Mrs. Drivas" He said and kissed my forehead "I love you too" pabulong kong aniya, not minding the persons present in the wedding. Next was the exchange of nupitial cups then the closing ceremony and then the reception.
The reception was more modern than the actual wedding. Our parents congratulated us, so as our friends who are now giving their funny speech "Oi Aki, take care of Khashton for us and have mercy on him" Natatawang sabi ni Luca. And it's now my sister's turn. This will be embarrassing.
"Yo sis. First I wish you happiness..." she paused and smirked. Here it comes "Grant me a lot of nieces. And you Khashton, make sure you make one tonight" I saw Khashton blushed at mahina namang natawa ang iba. And here comes my dear brother "Sis, I want a boy" Muntik ko ng isaksak sa mata nya ang kutsilyo na ginamit kong panghiwa ng cake kanina. Nag puppy eyes lang naman ampota.
After their touching speech (note the sarcasm), the bouquet toss came in. All the single maidens lined up but someone already has a plan. I looked at Luca who is busy looking around. Nakatingin lang naman sakanya ang mga tao. The maidens formed a line "Im sorry but not today ladies" Napangiti ako ng marinig ang boses na dalawang taon na naming hindi nakikita.
"Hey baby" Namula si Luca at hindi makapaniwalang tinignan si Brie. We were planning this all along. At first ayaw ni Brie dahil ayaw nya rawng mang agaw ng spotlight but I insisted. "Sorry to steal your spotlight Aki but I'm here to pick up my man" Tinanguan ko lang sya at sabay kaming tumayo ni Khashton at ibinigay sakanila ang bouquet.
"Thank you" She whispered and I just smiled "Don't you miss me Luca? I didn't have a chance to change but..." The crowd gasped happily when they saw Brie with a velvet box. "Will you marry me baby?"
"Say yes Luca!" Sabay na sigaw nila Adi. Inabutan ng isang staff si Luca. Tumikhim muna sya bago muna nag salita "This is embarrassing..." Mahinang sabi nya kaya natawa ang mga tao na nag eenjoy ata sa pagiging awkward ni Luca "But it's a coincidence" He pulled out a black box on his pocket "I thought I will wait for another three years but you're here already. And get up, I should be the one proposing right?" Tumayo si Brie at si Luca naman ngayon ang nakaluhod. "Will you marry--" Hindi paman natatapos ni Luca ang sasabihin nya ay hinila sya ni Brie para halikan.
"These two really stole the spotlight" Nakangiting sabi ni Khashton. "I don't care, this day is still ours cause this is the day I can finally say that Im your wife"
He looked at me and pulled me closer "I promise I will love you till our hairs turns to gray" then sealed his promise with a kiss.
TRIXIE LEE VILLAREAL
"Three years later"
"Cheers!" Napasimangot si Brie kaya natawa nalang kami. We're currently drinking, alumni student council ngayon eh. Brie cant drink because she's pregnant with their second child. "I wish I could drink those. This pregnancy is killing me" inis na sabi nya.
"It will be worth it after you gave birth" I said to her. Kaagad silang napatingin sakin "Kelan mo ba planong magka-anak huh?" Tinawanan ko lang sila "We're still trying"
"Haay, I have to go now. I can't drink too much. I have to stop by at Zev's Cafe. Kukunin pa namin si Reese sa school eh" Sabi ni Iris at tumayo na "Bye" sabay naming sabi. Saming lahat, ako nalang ang walang anak. Maybe I've been so busy lately.
"Come to my concert guys huh" Adi handed us a ticket to her concert. She is now a successful musician and a business woman. Also a mother of two kids, Savi and Emily. "Sure" Narinig namin ang pag hinto ng sasakyan "It must be Tristan, got to go now"
Kumaway lang kami. Sunod na umalis si Aki saka si Brie kaya naiwan akong mag isa. Ako narin ang nag bayad since turn kong manlibre ngayon. My friends are happy now, I cans see it in their eyes. The way their eyes twinkle when they look at their husband's and kids. It's overwhelming for me. If my friends are happy, Im happy too.
"Hi hon" He kissed me on the cheeks. Standing right in front of me is my man. Been married for one year and we are trying to have kids. "Did I come late?"
"Cooper, am I busy this past few months?" I cupped his face "A little bit, but that's alright"
"Im sorry, let's go to a vacation, just the two of us" Nag liwanag ang mukha nya "Promise? Tayo lang?" His innocent face became darker "Pervert, you haven't change since college" tumawa lang sya at hinalikan ako sa noo. Kinuha ko ang susi ng SCO at ni-lock ito.
Parang kahapon lang Highschool kami. We used to wear those black uniforms back then. And now we are happily married.
The Blacks, signing off...
END