"Okay, girls. Relax and enjoy the day. Picture time..." sabi ni Mommy saka nakipag-selfie saamin nila Mia at Honey after niya ma make-upan. Patawa-tawa lang ako pero halo-halo na talaga ang emosyon ko.
"Oh...someone is nervous here..." pang-aasar ni Mia at pinisil pa ang pisnge ko. "Breath in and out, Sis. Kakabahan ka talaga pag-una pa lang." saka niya ako niyakap.
"Not fair! Sali ako." sabi naman ni Honey at sumali sa yakapan namin.
"Ohh..." napatingin kaagad kami kay Mommy na tinitignan pala kami at mukhang natutuwa siya sa kanyang nakikita. "You girls are the sweetest. I may not have a chance to give birth a daughter but look at you three, you made my dream come true." maiiyak na naman ako sa sinabi ni Mommy. Wala man akong ina, pinaramdam naman ni Mommy Liza kung paano alagaan ang isang ako. No wonder maraming gustong mapabilang sa pamilya nila, di dahil sa gwapo lang ang kanilang mga anak kung hindi nakikita nila kung paano pahalagahan nila ang relasyon nila sa bawat isa.
"Group hug!!" sigaw ni Mia at ni-welcome si Mommy para sumali sa yakapan namin. Literal na ramdam kung ang init ng pagmamahal nila dahil naiipit na ako sa yakap, but who cares? I love this family. I love my new family.
"Join us Jane." sabi ni Mommy at hinila ang kapatid ko para makasali sa group hug. Saktong napadaan ang photographer kaya kinunan niya kami ng litrato. "Honey? Where's Gianna?" narealized namin agad yung tanong ni Mommy kaya natigil kami kakayakap.
"Oh no... She's running again. Gia! Stop running you might slip." saway ni Honey nung makita niya yung anak niya na natatakbo sa hallway.
"Kuya is making fun of my bunny again!" angal naman ni Gia saka pwersahang kinuha yung bunny stuff niya kay Harper? Emman? Sino ba ito? Teka, nalilito ako.
"Teka, si Harper ba yan or si Emman?" bulong ko kay Mia.
"Harper yan, siya yung medyo pilyo. Yun naman si Emman, observant masyado." turo ni Mia sa nakaupong Emman na katabi yung bunso nila sa sofa habang pinapanoud si Harper at Gia.
"Give me my bunny!" isang hablotan lang ni Gia, nakuha na niya agad sa kamay ni Harper ang bunny niya saka pinalo yung kuya niya sa likod.
"Gia don't hit your kuya..." malambing na saway naman ni Mommy at nilapitan sila para awatin. Naku... Nag mana pala talaga si Gia sa nanay niya, amazona din.
"Russell! Don't eat the remote..." nabaling naman kami kay Fourth na sinasaway yung kapatid niya na sinusubo ang remote. "No no... Give me that..." nakipag-agawan na talaga siya sa kapatid niya. Natatawa nalang lumapit si Mia sa mga anak niya at kinuha ang remote.
"Emman, watch your brother." sabi naman ni Honey kay Emman na napatigil sa pag tatapik ng kapatid niya saka tinignan ang nanay niya.
"I'm doing it na oh..." parang may sama ng loob pa pagkakasabi niya nun.
"Gia, here's your formula. Go lay down beside Mama." turo ni Honey kay Mommy na nakaupo sa kama. Nasa hotel kami ngayon dahil dito na kami nag re-ready for my wedding. Nagugulo na yung kwarto pero masaya parin kasi madaming bata eh. Mga bagong henerasyon ng Marcos na mas lalong nag bibigay ng sigla sa aming pamilya.
"Come here, baby. Mama will stroke your hair." nag ningning agad ang mata ni Gia saka tumakbo papalapit kay Mommy para humiga saka dumede.
"Manang mana talaga sa Daddy, imbentor ng itatawag sa tao. Dati tawag niya kay Mommy, granny. Ngayon, Mama naman." sabi ni Honey nung makalapit samin saka umirap at natawa nalang sa anak niya.
"Yung anak mo nag mana sayo, na uunder kuya niya. Pati pinsan, tamo si Fourth natatakot sakanya minsan." reklamo ni Mia.
"Kinukulit kasi nila na Princess daw siya kasi siya lang babae, eh ayaw niya tawagin na princess." depensa ni Honey. Natatawa nalang ako sa mga kwento about sa mga anak nila habang nire-retouch nung make-up artist yung make-up ko. Bawat anak nila may kanya-kanyang traits na namana both sides kaya di na daw sila mag rereklamo kung bakit ganyang ka kulit mga anak nila as long as mabuting bata.
"Look at Emman, yung anak mo sis oh. Nauna pa nakatulog kesa sa tinatapik niya " turo ni Mia kay Emman na nag pipigil makatulog habang tinatapik parin si Isaiah na gising na gising parin at kumikibot-kibot.
"Poor Emman..." Honey said at nilapitan ito para kuning si Isaiah at makatulog ng maayos si Emman. "Baby, you can sleep beside Mama." kinarga niya si Isaiah saka pinalipat si Emman sa kama para makatulog. Mamaya pa naman ang ceremony kaya pag pahingahin muna yung mga bata. Intimate wedding yung mangyayari at walang ibang nakakaalam kundi buong pamilya lang namin. Biniro ko nga si Vincent na baka gugulatin niya fans niya pag nag announce na ikakasal na siya, same sa ginawa nila Sandro at Simon. Speaking of Vincent, may pinadala siyang mini box kanina na di ko pa nabubuksan.
"Tapos na po." sabi nung make-up artist.
"Thank you ha. Ang ganda ko." puri ko sa make-up skills niya. Ang ganda kasi niya mag make-up tapos ang light pa ng kamay niya, gamay na gamay niya na talaga siguro yung pag make-up. Ngumiti naman siya ng pagkalaki saka nag ligpit na ng mga gamit niya.
"Ang ganda mo, ate..." komento ni Jane at pareho kaming nakatingin sa salamin. "Ang saya-saya ko for you, ate. Si Kuya Vinny pa din pala ang magwawagi sa huli, si FRIEND." asar niya. Kasi diba nung nasa Davao kami sabi ko friends lang kami ni Vinny.
"Sus. Kala mo talaga di sila naging FRIEND ni Calvin. Kutungan kita dyan." natatawa kung balik sakanya kaya pareho kaming natawa.
"Ikakasal ka na... Parang dati lang nung mga bata pa tayo, pareho tayong pumupunta sa simbahan pag may kinakasal para manuod kung ano ang mga ganap, kung makakahanap ba tayo ng taong para satin. Now look at us, dumating na yung mga taong para satin." natatawa nalang ako na naaalala niya pa pala yung ginagawa namin dati na nanonoud kami tuwing may kinakasal. Di naman kasi namin akalain na makakahanap talaga kami ng taong para samin.
"Kaya nga eh. Napaka buti ni Lord, never niya tayo pinabayaan. Kaya trust in God's plan parati nating pinanghahawakan eh." sabi ko saka pinisil-pisil ang kamay ni Jane dahil masayang masaya ako sa nararamdaman ko ngayon at walang ibang mapagsidlan ang aking nararamdaman sa tuwa. "Tignan ko muna yung pinadali ni Vinny kanina."excuse ko.
"Sige, ate. Tulungan ko muna yung organizer." paalam niya naman at pumunta na agad sa organizer at photographer na busy kaka pictures sa wedding stuffs namin. Kinuha ko agad yung mini box saka binuksan at nakita ko dun yung isang brooch na may picture ni Mama kasama pa ako na batang-bata pa. Nangilid agad ang mga luha ko habang nakahawak sa brooch dahil finally may picture na ako sa mama ko kahit luma na. Saan niya ba ito nakuha? Bakit hindi ko na ito maalala? Nakita kung may naka-ipit na letter sa box kaya agad ko iyong binasa.
"Langga, In honor to your mom, take this as my wedding gift cause I know how much you love and miss your Mom. Put this on your wedding bouquet so you would feel her presence while we are tying our knots. I want you to be the happiest person on our wedding day. Actually di madali hanapin yung picture niyo na yan but for you I did pull some strings to find me a picture of you and your Mom. I hope you like my gift, langga. I can't wait to see you walking on the aisle."
Napaluha nalang ako sa bigay na wedding gift niya sakin. Nakaka-touch yung ginawa niya. Totoong hindin madali mahanap yung picture namin ni Mama dahil after masunog yung tinitirhan namin dati nahalos wala kaming nabitbit ni Jane, wala na akong picture kay Mama.
"Iha, why are you crying?" hindi ko napansin na nakatayo pala si Mommy sa likuran ko. Hindi ako nakapagsalita at pinakita ko nalang ang bigay ni Vinny sakin. "Ohh... my son..." Mommy looks so proud sa ginawa ni Vinny for me.
"You did raised them well, My. I'm the luckiest women to have Vinny, My." nasabi ko nalang habang pinapahid yung mga luha ko gamit at tissue para hindi mabura yung make-up na kaka-retouch lang. Niyakap naman ako ni Mommy saka tinatapik ang aking likod.
"Thank you, sweetie. Take care of my son. Our bunso..." naiiyak na din si Mommy habang nakayakap sakin. Alam ko kung gaano kamahal ni Mommy yung mga anak niya kaya naiiyak nalang siya na yung mga baby niya dati ay ngayon malalaki na.
"I will, Mommy. I promise..." niyakap ko din siya ng mahigpit at tinapik na din ang likoran dahil pati siya di na napigilang umiyak.
After namin maayosan lahat at maisuot ang gown, we take pictures as requested sa photographer bago pumuntang simbahan dahil ipapauna daw muna ang mga boys. Magkaibang room hotel sila para daw di masyadong crowded yung isang hotel room. Nakailang pictures and video takes muna bago nag text yung organizer na nasa simabahan na daw ang boys saka kami pinapunta. Naunang bumaba sila Honey, Mia at Mommy kasama ang mga bata dahil sa van sila sasakyan while me and Jane, sa bridal car naman sasakay.
Nauna na makaalis yung van na sinasakyan nila bago kami makaalis dahil di pwede na mauna daw ako ng dating. Papunta na kaming Paoay church at ang traffic pa ng daan dahil ganap sa isang kalye. 30 minutes bago kami nakarating sa church at panay sorry yung driver sakin kahit di naman niya kasalanan na late kami.
"The bride is here. Stand by everyone." rinig kung sabi ng organizer saka isinara ang pinto ng simbahan para hindi daw mun ako makita ni Vinny. Mauuna sila papaso papuntang altar kaya pinalinya na sila agad sa likod. Nasa loob pa ako ng sasakyan kasama si Jane at nag pakita si Papa.
"Nak, ang ganda niyo." sabi niya samin ni Jane. Medyo bitter pa din ang kapatid ko pero civil pa rin yung pagtrato niya sa Papa namin. Siya ang mag hahatid sakin sa altar na sana kasama si Mama pero tinupad iyon ni Vinny dahil sa regalo niyang brooch sakin.
"Bababa na ako, ate. Mauuna kaming mag-lalakad." paalam ni Jane saka bumaba ng sasakyan. Ilang minuto kang ay kinatok na kami nung organizer para makababa na sa sasakyan at pumwesto na sa may pintuan. This is it pancit!
VINCENT's POV
1 HOUR BEFORE THE WEDDING CEREMONY...
"Bro, Ezra already received your wedding gift." Calvin said then tapped my shoulder.
"Thanks bro. I hope she likes it." How I wish to see her reaction about my gift. I have been thinking of giving her a gift that would touch her heart like big time. You know... I like being extra.
"Vincent! What the hell is this???" Kuya Simon asked then show me this picture of him while sleeping last night.
"It's you." I simply answered.
"Of course I know it's me, you nitwit! I'm referring to this..." he said while pointing on the picture of him with lipstick and eyebrows on. "The hell is that? I know you did it. My wife is drunk so she can't draw something like this..."
"Are you really sure about that???" I asked teasingly. Honey and I came up with a plan na pag trippan si Simon cause lately he's kinda pikon. Also, he almost broke my phone last time for being clumsy so now we're even.
"What do you mean 'are your sure about that?' of course I'm sure about that. My wife is sleeping because she's too drunk and then I fell asleep and...and..." Then he realized what happened next. "Dang it..." he just gave up and walk away. "Don't you ever post this on the social media, Vincent or else there will be hell to pay." he shouted while walking away.
"What's wrong with Simon?" Dad came out from the bathroom and fixing his hair. He looks so manly on that tuxedo as always.
"Nothing... He's just having a senior citizen moment." I answered then shrugged. Dad chuckles then get closer to me.
"I know something you don't." he whispered. I narrowed my eyes at him while thinking what does he know that I don't know.
"What is it?"
"A big secret. Prepare yourself, son. We don't want to be late on your wedding day." he said then turned his back at me. "I'm also a girl... Let's parteh!" he said while mocking what I did yesterday. He walked away like it was nothing. Oh fucking kuyas! Now dad is mocking and teasing me.
"Sir, we have to take some pictures together with your brothers and Mr. President." the photographer said. "You can now wear your barong, Sir."
"Thank you..." we did take some shots. Candid photos and some videos just for the wedding stuffs. It was Mom's idea that we should have this kinda documentary thingy so when we get older, we can take a look at this video and remind ourselves how we are all excited for our wedding day. It makes sense though cause your future kids will see how their parents got married.
"You can now proceed to the church, Sir." the organizer said then send a signal to his partner we're heading out so the girls can now go out to the room. As much as I want to see Ezra, I can't. There's this belief that groom should not allowed to see his bride before the ceremony or else bad things will happen. I know that's not true but waiting is not that hard, right? I'll just wait till she walks down the aisle.
"Good luck brother." Kuya Sandro said and tap my back. I really admire him in handling things smoothly, having a hectic schedule because he's now a congressman and given that his busy, he always makes time for his family and also giving us a good advice. If I had to choose another brother? I would always choose him and Simon.
"Thanks Kuya." I replied while calming myself. I'm a little bit nervous at the same time excited. Calvin is my best man since Kuya Sandro and Simon is already married. Borgy can't come cause he went abroad for some personal matter. He must still be bitter? Kidding.
We can't be on the same car for security purposes just incase. They secured the president first while going to the Paoay church while me, Sandro and Simon will be riding Calvin's car.
It was so traffic that took us 20-25minutes before we reached the church. My wife is still not here but the orginizer said she's on her way so we have to wait a little bit given that it was so traffic. 10 minutes passed when the organizer announced that the bridal car has arrived so we have to standby so we can now start the ceremony. After walking down the aisle with Mom and dad on my side, I was waiting for my wife's turn to walk on the aisle. Kuya Simon and Sandro is busy taking pictures of their sons who's bringing the bible, ring and tokens. Harper, Emman and Fourth looks so manly on their barong. Such a cute nephews. It's Gia's turned to walk on the aisle who's really beautiful on her gown while throwing the rose petals from the basket. And this is it, it's my wife's turn to walk on the aisle. As the door open, there, I saw her standing together with her Papa. Everything went slowmo and very romantic as the music plays while she's walking on the aisle.
"Tissue." Calvin ruined the moment and gave me a tissue. I didn't know I was already crying while looking at her walking on the aisle. As she get closer and closer, I can't help but to cry seeing her look so beautiful and I can't wait to tell the world that I married this girl. My girl...
"Laway mo tumutulo na." she jokingly said saka nag mano kay Mommy and Daddy. I did the same to his Papa as a sign of respect before getting his daughter's hand.
"You look so beautiful, langga." I said and so mesmerized by her beauty. I know she's already beautiful but it hits different on our wedding day.
After a long ceremony, we have to say our vows before we say I do. I didn't expect that she will make her own vows and it's so embarassing that I wasn't able to make mine cause I didn't know she will make her own vows.
"Langga, sounds cheezy but it's way better than baby..." she said then rolled her eyes and laugh. "Honestly I wasn't expecting this would come. I didn't know this would happen. Imagine, you didn't even court me..." the audience laugh which is my family but who cares, my two eyes are too focus to give a damn who's laughing. "I remember Jane said that you're a walking red flag back then and kinda scary to take risk because playboy ka ng taon. Yes, you're a walking red flag that I always wanted and worth to take a risk even if I don't know what would be the consequences. You turn my world upside down, Ga. This will always be the best decision I've made and worth to take the risk that I will never regret until I die. I will be with you through thick and thin, in sickness and in health. Till death do as part. To honor and respect you for as long as we both shall live." she said with full of sincerity in eyes. I can't help but to let my tears fall because of the happiness I've been feeling right now.
"Do you, William Vincent Araneta-Marcos take Ezra Michaela Libradilia as your lawful wedded wife?" the priest asked.
"Yes, father. I do." I answered then put the ring on her finger.
"Do you, Ezra Michaela Libradilia take William Vincent Araneta-Marcos as your lawful wedded husband?"
"Yes, father. I do." she replied while her voice is shaking. She crying also so I had to wipe her tears.
"Iho, wag muna, hindi pa kiss the bride." the priest stopped me from wipping her tear. Some of them laugh after hearing what the father said.
"I was just trying to wipe her tears hehe..." we just laugh then the ceremony continued. She then put the ring in my finger.
"William Vincent Araneta-Marcos, Ezra Michaela Libradilia, I now pronounce you man and wife. You may now kiss the bride." The priest happily said. I slowly put up her belo then held her face and gave her a look for a seconds before kissing her soft lips for 10 seconds. The audience shouted and clapping at the same time. This is gonna one of the happiest days of my life. The women who use to drive me nuts is now my wife. My PSG, my girl, my Ezra...
"I love you, Ga." she said sweetly.
"I love you more, langga." I replied then kissed her forehead.