"What is it?"
Agad kong nilahad ang kamay kay Ember pagkabalik niya ng pwesto namin. In the midst of celebration, she received a call from her senior, I suppose. She excused herself from the table to answer the call and now she's back after ten minutes.
She gave her hand to me and took her seat beside me. Bahagya niya akong hinarap at ngumuso. Bahagya akong nagtaas ng kilay dahil may ideya na ako kung tungkol saan ang tawag.
"We'll have to cancel our plans. I need to go back tomorrow," she whispered.
I sighed and squeezed her hand. "Duty calls?"
"Yeah," she pouted a little. "I'm sorry."
"It's fine," tinaas ko ang malayang kamay at hinawi ang takas na buhok sa kaniyang mukha. "Balik na lang tayo sa susunod. After your residency perhaps? Ilang buwan na lang din naman."
"Yes. I'll arrange my schedule. Sorry love," she squeezed my hand this time.
"No need to apologize, Doc. I understand," I smirked and fought the urge to kiss her in front of other visitors.
Dumalo kami sa kasal ng isang kaibigan dito sa Cagayan. I was one of the groomsmen, and Ember was one of the bridesmaids. Fortunately, our schedule coincided with the wedding date, so we were able to attend. We were planning to stay longer and tour around Cagayan, for we could not do that for the past years, but now, I don't think we can do that either.
She's in her last year of residency in emergency medicine, and she's got more responsibilities now. She has to make sacrifices and put duty first. I understand that because I have been there. So whenever there are plans we made that need to be canceled due to duty calls, I always understand
"Anong oras gusto mong bumiyahe bukas?" Tanong ko.
"Kahit tanghali o hapon na. You might have a hangover," she raised a brow.
"Hindi naman ako iinom ng marami," ngumiti ako.
She rolled her eyes at me. "Sa tanghali na lang tayo bumiyahe. I need to report by early morning the next day."
Ngumisi ako kay Axev habang naglalakad palapit sa lamesa nilang mag-asawa. Umiling siya at ngumisi pabalik. Tumayo siya nang makalapit ako habang ngumiti naman 'yong asawa niya sa akin.
"Akala ko tumakas ka na," aniya. "Kanina ka pa hinahanap nina Brett. Inuulan ka ng ng kantyaw kanina."
"Umuwi kami saglit para makapag-palit ng damit. Nakatulog si Ember sa pagod kaya medyo natagalan," I replied. "Nasaan sila?"
Iginala niya ang paningin sa malawak na hardin at tinuro ang pinaka-dulong lamesa, kung nasaan ang mga ibang kaibigan namin. Umiling ako at tumawa nang makitang nakataas na ang kamay ni Brett para sa akin.
"Sige, maiwan ko muna kayo. Are you going to join the fun or...?" I left the question hanging and glanced shortly at his wife.
"I'll see. My wife's tired, and it's around midnight." He replied.
"Alright, married guy," I smirked. "The first night is always important."
Tumawa siya at umiling. "Parang may experience ah?"
"Malapit na," ngumisi ako at tinapik siya sa balikat.
Iniwan ko siya at agad nagtungo sa lamesa nina Brett. Agad nila ako inulan ng kantyaw at mura, sa pag-aakalang hindi na ako sisipot pagkatapos umalis. Ilan lang naman kami sa lamesa. Mga kaibigan at mga nakakasama palagi sa basketball no'ng nasa kolehiyo pa.
"Sunod sunod na nagpapakasal ngayon, ah? Kailan kaya tayo?" Tumawa si Brett, na sinundan ng mga parehong hindi pa kasal sa amin, kagaya ko.
"Sinagot ka na ba?" Pambabara ni Camden sa kaniya. "Pa-sagutin mo muna, bago mo isipin ang kasal."
"Kung 'di lang talaga ako ninong ng mga anak mo," tumawa si Brett at umiling.
"Si Camden, nakakadalawa na. Tayo, edad lang yata 'yong nadadagdagan," si Marcus.
"Ikaw, Malik?" Ngumisi sa akin si Brett.
"Iba yata talaga kapag mga doktor," si Dave. "Masyadong abala para sa ibang bagay."
"Tapos pareho pa silang doktor," tumawa si Brett. "Tingnan mo si Axev, akala ko aabutin ng kwarenta bago magpakasal. Doctor 'yong asawa, e."
"Bakit ka nagka-gusto sa Doctor, kung gano'n?" Pambabara ni Gavrie kay Brett.
Umulan na naman ng tukso sa lamesa namin. Nakisabay ako sa tawanan dahil halos murahin ni Brett si Gavrie. Hindi mo aakalaing nasa trenta na 'tong mga 'to dahil sa pananalita nila. They're outside of their professional lives right now. It's all fun and games.
"Ilang taon mo na bang nililigawan 'yan?" Ngumisi si Camden. "Baka abutin ka pa ng limang taon bago mo mapa-sagot? Tapos maghihintay ka ulit ng sampung taon bago mo maaya ng kasal. Baka naman sisenta ka na kapag nagpakasal ka?"
"Ayusin mo desisyon mo sa buhay, Brett." Si Marcus.
Hindi matigil ang kantyawan sa lamesa namin. Sa gitna ng kasiyahan ay hinanap ng aking mga mata si Ember. Nang bumalik kami rito ay nakihalubilo siya sa mga kakilala niya. Naghiwalay kami at ngayon ay hinahanap ko na naman ang presensya niya kahit wala pang isang oras kaming naghihiwalay.
Huminga ako ng malalim nang namataan siya sa malayong lamesa. Halo-halo sila ro'n at may kausap siyang isang babae. Pinagmasdan ko siya ng ilang segundo. 'Tsaka ko lamang binalik ang atensyon sa grupo nang marinig ang aking pangalan.
"Anong masasabi mo, Malik?" Si Dave.
"Saan?" I inquired and guzzled my shot of hard liquor.
"Mahirap daw magmahal ng mga doktor," aniya.
"Totoo naman," I chuckled and shook my head. "Doctors have big responsibilities. You have to be understanding and patient to be able to deal with it."
"Narinig mo 'yon, Brett?" Si Gavrie. "Kaya huwag kang magtampo kapag hindi nagre-reply sa mga texts mo."
Tumawa ako nang marinig muli ang mura ni Brett. Hindi ko alam ang buong istorya pero narinig ko ngang may nililigawan itong isang resident doctor. Balita ko'y mas bata ito ng ilang taon sa kaniya at dalawang taon na yata niya itong nililigawan, mula pa no'ng medical student 'yong babae.
"Magmahal kayo ng Doktor. Libreng check-up din 'yon," tumawa ako.
Habang tumatagal ang kwentuhan ay napaparami kami ng inom. Dumating kalaunan si Axev na agad ding inulan ng tukso. Tumatawa lang ito sa mga ibinabato sa kaniya.
Hindi ko namalayan ang oras dahil sa walang katapusang usapan. Kaunti na lang sina Ember sa kanilang lamesa nang muli akong lumingon. Ala una na at medyo may tama na rin ako ng alak. Nag-tipa ako ng mensahe para kay Ember, nagtatanong kung gusto na niyang umuwi.
She replied minutes after, telling me that she is also tired already. Doon na ako nagpaalam sa mga kasama namin sa lamesa, lalo na kay Axev. Hindi naman sila umangal lalo na nang sinabi kong kailangan pa naming bumiyahe bukas pabalik ng Quezon City.
"When is your wife due, Axev?" Ember asked him when we were preparing to leave.
"February next year," Axev replied.
"Saan siya manganganak?"
"Sa Sampaloc din," aniya.
"Oh, alright. I'm wishing her a healthy delivery. Kunin mo akong ninang, ha." Ngumiti si Ember sa kaniya.
Tumawa si Axev at tumango, bago kami bahagyang pinagtaasan ng kilay. Ngumisi ako dahil mukhang alam ko na ang itatanong niya.
"Kayo ba? Kailan?" Tanong niya.
Umigting ang aking panga at marahang hinaplos ang singsing sa daliri ni Ember. Sinulyapan ko siya at nahagip ang pag-nguso niya. Binagsak ko ang tingin sa kaniyang kamay na hawak ko.
"I'm just waiting," ako ang sumagot.
Ngumiti si Axev at tumango. "I've been there. It's definitely worth the wait."
"Definitely," I said and squeezed my fiancee's hand.
Ember drove us home. We're currently staying at their house. She didn't let me drive because I was a little tipsy. She takes over the driver's seat most of the time when she thinks it's not good for me to drive. At sino ba ako para mag-reklamo? Sa ganda ba naman ng tanawin ko palagi.
When she parked the car in their garage, we did not immediately go out of the car. She yawned and massaged her nape while I was just quietly watching her. When she saw me staring, I smiled and gently took her hand where I put the ring when I proposed to her a year ago.
The scintillating, well-cut diamond on her ring glowed in the dark. I licked my lips as I stared at it. The engagement ring looks good on her finger, but a wedding ring will look better.
"I can't..." huminga ako ng malalim at kinuyom ang panga, "wait to marry you. I feel like I'm waiting for years, not for months."
She chuckled softly and shook her head. "You are very impatient, Doctor."
"I can't believe I am," I smirked and took her hand to my lips. "I wanna get married to you so bad."
"How bad?" She grinned and raised a brow.
"So damn bad. Marriage is spending the rest of your life with someone, and I want the rest of my life to start as soon as possible. It's that bad," I drawled languidly and kissed the ring on her finger.
"Huwag kang mag-alala, sisiputin kita sa altar." She taunted.
My head fell back at the headrest, and I groaned. She giggled and shook her head. She moved closer and leaned on me to kiss my jaw.
"I can't wait to marry you too," she whispered.
After I proposed, we talked about our plans for the future. I told her that there was no need to be pressured. I can wait until she's ready for the next step. Even though she has no plans for fellowship, I assumed that she wanted to work first before getting married.
So I was stunned when she told me a few months ago that she wanted to get married right after her residency. I was so damn happy, but I wanted her to make considerations. I wanted her to think thoroughly because I wanted her to be sure about it. I want her to be sure that she is really ready for that kind of life with me.
She said she's been thinking about it for months and even talked to her mother about it. I know that her relationship with her mother hasn't been that good, yet she still wanted to consider her opinion. Tita Ruth said that if we can wait until after her residency, then there's no problem. That's why we decided to get married right after she finished her training.
Akala ko no'n, kayang kaya kong maghintay kahit gaano pa man katagal. Pero ngayong ilang buwan na lamang ay ikakasal na kami, pakiramdam ko ay hindi ko na kayang maghintay pa. Gusto ni Mama na simulan na ang preparasyon sa kasal pero nagpasya kaming pagkatapos na mismo ng training ni Ember dahil gusto niyang tumulong sa paghahanda.
As for me, I just finished my fellowship. I am now a cardiothoracic surgeon at Laforteza General Hospital. On the other hand, my fiancee is on her way to becoming a certified emergency medicine doctor. She's training in a different hospital, but she's planning to move to LGH after her residency.
We've been saving up for the life that we will be spending together for the past years. We moved to my condo when she started residency since it's bigger and more practical. And just last month, we decided to invest in a house, as preparation for married life.
We had Axev design it for us, who offered it for free as an advance gift for the upcoming wedding, but Ember and I both declined. At ang magaling na si Manzanar, hindi raw gagawin ang design kung hindi kami papayag na libre 'yon at parang regalo na sa amin. Muntikan pa silang mag-away ni Ember dahil doon at sa huli ay napapayag niya rin kaming dalawa.
Our family wanted to help financially with the house, but we declined since we've saved enough. Yes, we may not be earning that much, especially Ember, as she's only a resident, but we did our best to earn earnestly. I'm earning more now, and I could even buy a car for Ember, but she doesn't want me to. 'Tsaka na raw pagkatapos ng kasal at kapag permanente na rin siya sa trabaho para hati kami sa babayaran.
We had built many plans together for the past years, and we're only waiting to make it to reality one by one. We're still making mistakes, but together, we are learning. And I think that's what really matters.
"Magandang tanghali po, Doc."
Mula sa monitor ay nilingon ko ang guardian ng pasyenteng ni-refer sa akin. Batid sa mukha nito ang pagod at pag-aalala. Huminga ako ng malalim at tumango, pina-ubaya sa kasamang chief resident ang chart ng pasyente.
"Good afternoon. Ikaw ang anak ni Mr. Visaya?" I inquired.
"Opo, Doc." Tumango ito.
I nodded and started bouncing him the basics. His father is an in-patient at the hospital, currently admitted for a hepatic disorder. Just this morning, I received a call from the doctor-in-charge that they need me to look at the patient's case as endocarditis is suspected. I reviewed all the laboratory results and the patient's chart and found it was a severe case.
"As we expected, it does look like a case of endocarditis. Sa kaso ng Papa mo, nasa aortic valve ang inflammation." Paliwanag ko.
"Ano pong nangyari, Doc? Paano po nangyari 'yon? Malakas na po si Papa at sa katunayan ay nag-abiso ang doktor niya na pwede na siyang ma-discharge sa Sabado. Bakit po biglaang hindi na maka-hinga? Maayos pa naman po siya kagabi," he sounded so confused and exhausted.
Huminga ako ng malalim. "Your father is on immunosuppressive agents, which might have made him more susceptible to endocarditis. Pero sa ngayon, hindi pa natin masasabi na iyon talaga ang dahilan dahil maari ring magka-endocarditis ang taong hindi gumagamit ng immunosuppressive drugs."
Tumigil ako pansamantala para bigyan siya ng pagkakataong intindihin ang sinabi ko. Batid ang pag-aalala at pagod sa kaniyang mukha.
"Kailangan niya po ba ng operasyon, Doc?" He asked like that's what matters at the moment.
Kinuyom ko ang panga at bumuntong hininga. Tumango ako at tumayo ng tuwid.
"Yes, your father needs immediate surgery."
Naihilamos niya ang kamay sa mukha at parang mas naging problemado. He massaged his nape and took a deep breath. I cleared my throat and tried to fill him more with his father's case.
"The aortic valve has been deformed because of the inflammation, so the valve doesn't close tightly and leaks blood. Ang tawag sa kondisyon na ito ay aortic regurgitation. The blood that is pumped out of the heart keeps on leaking backward. Iyong dugo na lumalabas sa puso, bumabalik ito, kaya siya nahihirapang huminga."
I paused again for a while for him to absorb my words and give him the chance to ask questions, but he remained silent, so I continued. I'm trying to make my words and explanation understandable.
"The bacteria in the valve could also get into the bloodstream anytime. Delikado po 'yon, dahil kapag po napunta sila sa utak, pwedeng pwede po nilang harangan ang mga ugat doon. Kapag nangyari po 'yon, pwede pong mag-stroke ang pasyente, ang Papa niyo. Nag-administer na po kami ng antibiotics, pero kailangan niya po agad ng operasyon."
Tumango-tango siya. Nilinong ko ang residenteng tahimik sa aking likuran bago binalik ang tingin sa anak ni Mr. Visaya.
"I can move my appointments tomorrow so that we can conduct the surgery immediately. It's the best and safest choice at the moment, Mr. Visaya."
He swallowed hard and nodded. "Sige po, Doc. Maraming salamat, po."
"The doctor," I glanced at the chief resident behind me, "will go through the details. You can ask him if you have questions."
"Opo, maraming salamat po ulit, Doc." Aniya.
Tumango ako at hinarap ang chief resident. Kaagad naman itong umayos ng tayo, handa sa ano mang utos.
"Book an OR now, so we don't have conflict schedules for tomorrow. Keep updating me on the patient's condition. Report to me any slight changes," bilin ko bago sila iniwan.
I glanced at Ember for a moment after what she said. I just got out of the shower, and she's on the bed with her favorite book of the week. I was only on my sweatpants as I prefer not sleeping with a shirt, especially after showering.
"Do they plan to stay longer in Maldives or they're coming back?" Tanong ko habang pinupunasan ang medyo nabasang buhok.
"Uuwi na sila next week. Gusto nilang magpa-tingin sa Doctor. Kuya's being paranoid," umiling si Ember pero hindi mapigilan ang ngiti.
Aiden got married two months ago. Until now, they're still on their honeymoon and have been traveling in different countries. Ang rinig ko ay nasa Maldives sila ngayon, pero ayon kay Ember, buntis daw ang asawa nito.
"Magkakaroon na ako ng pamangkin!" She beamed and giggled.
I chuckled at how adorable she was. I went back to the bathroom to hang the towel and joined her on the bed afterward. She raised a brow at me when I slid my hand slowly inside her satin nightdress.
"How about you? Will you let my genes influence your genes?" I smirked and leaned on the headboard.
Naibaba niya sa kaniyang hita ang hawak na libro. She laughed at my question and rolled her eyes.
"Doctors are really weird," she said.
I smirked. "Tell me about it, Doc."
Ngumuso siya at saglit na nag-isip. Pinagmasdan ko ang kaniyang mukha. Marahan kong hinaplos ang kaniyang hita habang naghihintay ng kaniyang sagot. Iilang beses na naming napag-usapan ang plano namin para sa bubuuing pamilya, pero madalas ay hindi namin masyadong pinag-uusapan ang tungkol sa pagkakaroon ng anak.
We both want to have kids, but she's not sure when to have one. As for me, I am just waiting for her decision. It's her body, and I have the utmost respect for it. I want to have kids as much as I want to marry her, but I don't want to rush her.
"Hmmm, Kuya Aiden's news made me really think about it while I was at work," she muttered softly and glanced at me.
"Uh-huh," I kissed her bare shoulder, "then tell me what did you think about, love."
"After our marriage, can we enjoy first the married life, just the two of us? Maybe two or three years? And then we can have kids? I also want to save up for it."
I licked my lips and pursed my lips. That sounds so damn good to me.
"Sure," I let my lips linger on her shoulder for a while, "if that's what you want."
"No," she groaned and slightly moved away from me. "I don't want this to be only about what I want. I want to consider what you want to. We always have to come into terms, remember?"
I grinned and bit my lower lip. She glared at me when I remained like that for a moment. I stared at her face for a few moments before nodding.
"I want to have kids with you as much as I want to get married to you. That's the truth. Pero hindi kita minamadali. Palagi ko namang sinasabi sayo na gusto ko na palaging handa ka para sa mga malalaking desisyon natin sa buhay. I am always ready, love. Always." I muttered and took a deep breath. "Take your time. And when you're ready, just tell me and we'll do it together."
She pouted, obviously trying to hide her smile. She quickly stole a kiss from me before moving away. I groaned but couldn't help my smile.
"You always give me premature ventricular contractions," I said that made her laugh.
"Is that your version of, 'you make my heart skip a beat?'" She rolled her eyes.
"Uh-huh," I chuckled and reached deeper inside her nightdress.
"What are you doing?" Pinanlakihan niya ako ng mata.
"I had a rough day..." I whispered and smirked devilishly, "but I don't mind having a rough night."
Tinakpan niya ang kaniyang mukha gamit ang libro at narinig ko ang kaniyang tawa. Nagawa kong kunin ang libro sa kaniya kahit sinubukan niya itong ilayo sa akin. I tossed it gently on the floor earning a glare from her, but she still couldn't stop laughing.
"What's funny?" Nagtaas ako ng kilay.
"Hindi ko rin alam," she said but kept on laughing.
"Go on," I shrugged. "Keep on laughing. You'll be crying your moans later."
Mas lalo siyang tumawa. Tinakpan niya ang mukha gamit ang mga palad at lumayo sa akin. I was just smirking all throughout while watching her. Damn. Her laugh is seriously the best music in the world for me.
"Tumigil ka nga," she stopped and glared at me but still couldn't keep a straight face.
"You want me to make you remember how you begged me to stop when your orgasm made you cry-"
Kaagad niyang tinakpan ang bibig ko at kaagad ding namula ang mukha niya. Pinandilatan niya ako.
"Malcaeus! Isa!"
I tried removing her hands and went on. "You were trembling so damn hard while I was still deep inside-"
She wrestled with me with all her might just to shut me up. I smirked when she unconsciously straddled me, and now she's on my lap—just where I want her to be. I stopped resisting, and she slowed down, only to notice that she was now in the devil's den.
Her eyes widened and were about to get off of my lap when I immediately grabbed her waist and pressed her onto the evidence that I don't really mind having a rough night. Mas lalong nanlaki ang kaniyang mga mata at sinubukan pumiglas pero mas lalo ko siyang pinirmi habang hawak ang kaniyang baywang.
"Can you take that or nah?" I licked my lips as I made her feel me more.
She stopped resisting, her face getting redder by the moment. It just turned me on even more. She should stop blushing, or this will really be a rough night.
"Kanina pa ba 'yan?" Her voice shuddered.
"Uh-huh," I clenched my jaw and adjusted our position so she could feel me more. "You keep on blushing, so... it keeps getting harder."
She blushed even more and buried her face on my neck. I took a deep breath when I felt her warm breath on my skin. Her lips slightly touched the base of my neck, driving me mad. I let my fingers play with her curls before letting them slide to the side of her breast.
I let my free hand rub her thighs, making her squirm. When she rubbed herself slightly on a hard-on, I gripped her waist to make her stop. She breathed sharply and moved somewhat away from me. Her drunken innocent eyes met my dark intense ones.
"Take off the dress for me first," I clenched my jaw.
She bit her lower lip, and I stared at her darker and deeper this time.
"Don't make me bite that lip, Ember. Take off your dress."
I watched her as she slowly removed her nightdress. Her firm breast slowly came to my view. The deepest muscles in me clenched as I refrained myself to have a taste of them. She tossed her nightdress on the floor and stared right into my eyes.
"You want to take control now?" I traced my fingers on the valley between her breasts.
I knew the answer when she slowly lifted herself and slid her hand in my sweatpants. My jaw clenched so hard when she wrapped her warm fingers around me. I groaned heavily when she started stroking it. I kissed her jawline to stop myself from cursing.
"Did I do this?" She whispered tauntingly while stroking it nice and slow.
"Damn right you did," I muttered heavily and bit her shoulder.
She chuckled and played with my hair using her free hand. She slowly ground on me as she pulled out my steel-hard manhood. I knew right then that she was starting to take control. And she knew how much I get fucking turned on when she takes control.
"Dude, you're sweating too much." Tumawa si Zayd sabay turo sa mukha ko.
Kumunot ang aking noo at pinasadahan ng kamay ang aking noo. Umigting ang aking panga nang mapagtantong pinagpapawisan nga ako. Kinuha ko ang panyo sa aking bulsa at pinunasan ang aking noo.
"Relax, dude. Ember's not going to ditch you," he smirked and shook his head.
"Dapat pala si Vance na lang ang ginawa kong best man," I stared at him blankly.
"Binibiro ka lang," tumawa siya at tinapik ang balikat ko. "But seriously, relax. Sayang 'yong gwapo mo kung mukha ka namang hindi maka-hinga sa nerbyos."
It's my wedding day. I can't believe this day had finally arrived. I can't believe I'm finally going to marry the woman I had the biggest crush on almost eighteen years ago. It felt too surreal that it's making me so damn nervous this might just turn out as a dream.
We decided to get wed in Baguio City. The cathedral is full of visitors, from families to relatives, friends, co-workers and acquaintances. Everyone is settled and the only person that's missing is my soon-to-be wife.
"You won't believe what Saige got Ember as a wedding gift. Seriously, I don't want to tell you this in advance but I'm just so surprised. They're really best friends now, huh." Tumawa siya.
"What?" Kumunot ang aking noo, pilit nililigaw ang nerbyos.
"A car," he laughed and shook his head in disbelief.
"What?" Kumunot ang aking noo at akmang sasagot siya nang inanunsyong dumating na ang pinakahihintay namin.
"Man up," ngumisi si Zayd at tinapik ang balikat ko.
I gritted my teeth as I try to steady my breathing. The visitors slowly tone down their voices and settled down. Those who are part of the entourgae started taking their positions and I stood there, trying to be patient as I await the highlight of my wedding day.
Unti-unting nanikip ang dibdib ko nang masilayan ang aking pinakamamahal sa gitna ng malaking pintuan ng simbahan. Ilang beses kong pinangarap ito, ngayon ay abot kamay ko na.
Her brothers, Aidan and Aiden slowly approached her. They stood on both sides. Aiden on the left and Aidan on the right. They'll be walking her down the aisle. It was her wish and her brothers are more willing to do it.
I realized she was crying when Aiden whispered her something and wiped the side of her eyes. I swallowed hard when I felt the painful clenching of my heart. Did you ever feel too much happiness that it's too painful to handle? That's what I felt at the moment.
Ember nodded and even when she's a bit far from me, I saw her taking deep breaths. Her brothers keep whispering something to her, like trying to calm her down. I almost couldn't stand just watching her like that. When I started to walk towards them, Zayd immediately stopped me.
"Give her the time," he smiled. "Her brothers can handle it. She'll come to you, don't worry."
Labag man sa aking kalooban ay sinunod ko ang kaniyang sinabi. Nanatili ako sa kinatatayuan habang pinagmamasdan siya. Pumikit ako ng mariin nang maramdaman ang pag-iinit ng mga mata. Nang marinig ang pag-umpisa ng musikang pinili namin pareho ay nagmulat ako.
I slowly exhaled when I saw her started walking down the aisle, slowly and languidly. Her brothers were both holding each of her elbow, gently guiding her towards me. When she met my eyes, she smiled and I looked away to wipe the tear off my cheek.
Humakbang ako palapit nang malapit na sila sa amin. Tumigil sila nang nasa harapan ko na. Nagtagal ang titig ko kay Ember na may maliit na ngiti sa labi. Nang binitawan ng mga kapatid niya ang kaniyang braso ay binalingan ko ang mga ito.
Aidan looks serious but he smiled at me. Aiden on the other hand, looks emotional, but he's trying to keep it all in. I gave them a small smile and nodded. Aiden cleared his throat and took a deep breath.
"I'm giving you a piece of my life, Malik. Please treasure it," he said and tapped my back.
"I will," I said with utmost sincerity.
He looked at Ember and smiled. He gave her a kiss on her forehead before taking a step back. Ember put the back of her hand on her lips because she's on the verge of crying. I can't believe my heart is breaking into pieces.
"Don't make me take you to court," Aidan said and smirked.
I tilted my head and smirked. "Understood, Attorney."
He whispered something to Ember that made her nod. He kissed her cheek and just like Aiden, he took a step back. I then took a step closer to her and wiped the tears on her cheek.
"It's alright, love. It's alright." I whispered as I caressed her cheeks. "You're with me. Everything's going to be alright."
She nodded and tried to stop crying. I let her take a minute to fix herself. She took a deep breath and stared at me when she's done.
"Take my hand when you're ready," I said and offered my hand.
"I'm ready," she murmured and took my hand.
She held it tightly as I took her to the altar—to face the One who made this all possible. To the One who made my dreams possible.
As we stood in front of the altar, I closed my eyes for a moment, and uttered a short prayer—a grateful one. When I opened my eyes, I met Ember's soulful ones. Just one look into her eyes, and I know, all the way down to my soul, that she is the only person I want to spend my life with.
It has always been you, love. I have always loved you. My love for you is like tale as old as time. It will go on for thousand years.
Thank you for taking this final step with me. Thank you for being the one that God arranged. Thank you so much.
"If you come any closer, I will never let you go for the rest of my life." I muttered under my breath and stared deeply into her eyes.
She smiled at me and slowly, she took one step closer. My heart felt like it was being pounded into pieces. She gently took my hand and caressed it.
"Don't ever let go," she whispered.
Never, love. Never.