Chapter 46
5PM. The afternoon Tagaytay weather is cold but not chilly and the sun starts its descend on the west. The water of the taal lake reflects the light of the sun in hues of orange, yellow, pink, red and a little bit of blue. The scene is picturesque, close to perfection.
I stood on top of the porch, in front of the garden, looking at the scenery in front of me. The garden is well-manicured and covered by bermuda grass. There's a cobblestone pathway from the driveway leading to the fountain. Both sides are covered my million flowers of different colors and varieties. At the end of the pathway, in front of the fountain is Lexie. Looking so gorgeous on his tuxedo. His hair is ponytailed and bathe by the sunset and the taal lake is shining as his background. The scene is perfect.
There's even a romantic lovesong playing from a boss speaker and an ipod, set up by the judge's family near the fountain.
The guests which are composed of the Judge's family and the servants are standing and smiling while looking at me. I never thought that I would be this happy. I must admit that this is not the wedding that I've dreamed of. I know that my parents would probably kill me for marrying without informing them but I also know that I will never regret this day.
How could I regret this day when it surpassed my idea of a civil wedding? Sino ang mag aakala na mahigit dalawang oras lang ang ginawang preparation para sa kasal na to?
I have an engagement ring, I have a bouquet, I have a wedding dress with matching shoes. Sabi ni Lexie, my dress is one of his bridal collection last summer. Ito na lang daw ang natira kasi yung iba, nabili na. This one remain unsold because it's not for sale.
Naalala ko ang usapan namin kanina sa guestroom.
"There are creations that are meant to be worn only by the person it is made for. "
"You made this one for me?" Hindi ako makapaniwala. No wonder , the dress fits me perfectly.
"I've always admired your sexy back. I know the dress will look amazing on you." He grinned and I feel my face heated up.
"Ginagawan mo ako ng wedding dress kahit hindi ka sigurado kung magkakatuluyan tayo?" He's unbelievable!
"I am a very patient and determined person." Sabi lang niya na ikinataas ng kilay ko. Magrereklamo pa sana ako pero hindi ko na nagawa dahil lumuhod na siya at inilagay sa may paanan ko ang isang pares ng transparent peep-toe Louboutin pumps encrusted with swarovski cyrstals.
"I'll never allow you to wear these slippers on my wedding day, Missy." Sinimulan na niyang hubarin ang straps ng sandals ko. I don't know but I became teary eyed. Hindi niya tinipid ang sapatos ko!
"Saan mo namanyan nakuha?" I nearly choke on my words.
"It goes with the dress. Nakalimutan ko lang sabihin sa kanila na isama ito." Inalis na niya ang suot kong sandals at isinuot sa akin ang sapatos,w hich of course, kasyang kasya sa akin. Pagkatapos niyang isuot sa akin ang sapatos, tumayo na siya at hinalikan ako sa pisngi bago umalis. Ni hindi ko napansin ang suot niya.
My groom is in tuxedo!
Napangiti ulit ako at napatingin kay Lexie then the music changed into a wedding march. I started walking down the 3 steps porch towards the pathway. Ang lakas ng tibok ng puso ko habang papalapit kay Lexie. So, ito pala ang pakiramdam ng ikakasal. Hindi mo maiintindihan kung kakabahan ka o maeexcite.
My smile widened into a grin when I approached Lexie. Ngumiti siya sa akin at kinuha ang kamay ko tapos hinalikan bago ako iniharap kay Judge.
"Any second thoughts Missy?" Pagkaharap na pagkaharap sa akin yan agad ang itinanong ng Judge.
"Nothing Judge." Mabilis at nakangiti pang sabi ko. Ako pa ba ang magdadalawang isip? Baka si Lexie. I waited for the Judge to ask Lexie pero hindi niya ginawa. Nagtaka ako.
"Si Lexie, hindi mo tatanungin Judge?" Hindi ko mapigilang sabihin.
"No need. He wouldn't be here if he's having any doubts." Sabi ng Judge at tumingin sa paligid.
"Anyone who would like to object to this marriage?" Tumingin si Judge sa mga guests namin at pati ako napatingin and my eyes landed on the girl na nagmake up sa akin kanina. Nakakunot ang noo niya.
"Yes Johanna?" nakita din pala ni Judge.
"Daddy, di ba gay si Kuya Lexie?" Nagtatakang tanong naman ng bata.
"I thought so too." Nakangiting sabi ko.
"But believe me he's not gay. In fact, mas masarap siyang mag—mmmp." Hindi ko natapos ang dapat kong sabihin dahil tinakpan ni Lexie ang bibig ko.
"You can talk dirty as much as you want later." Bulong niya sa akin.
"Tito..." Bumaling na siya sa judge na nakangiti lang at halatang aliw na aliw.
"Okay, let's proceed." The judge started the very informal wedding ceremony pero naging formal nung magsimula na ang wedding vow. Imagine may wedding vow and I am not prepared. So I've decided to just blurt out anything.
"Missy.." Lexie started at saka tumikhim. He looked at me and I looked at him. I looked at how handsome he is right now. With his face bathe with the sunset, he looks so...so...yummy.
Kinilig ang isang bahagi ng isip ko. How lucky can I get? Mabuti na lang talaga yummy din ako at malakas ang charm ko kaya nagbago ang isip niya at nagpakalalaki na siya. Way to go Missy! I cheered at myself.
I smiled sheepishly at him and he smiled at me while he's holding my hand and playing with my engagement ring.
"The other day, I was so mad at you. I was so mad and I was so scared. I didn't know that it was possible. Being mad and being scared at the same time at the same person." Bumuntong huminga siya, habang unti unting nawawala ang ngiti sa mga labi ko.
"I was so mad because you again doubted my love. I am so insulted becauseobviously, you don't trust me enough to be faithful to you and to my words. I've told you that I won't give you empty promises, neither will I say I love you when I meant otherwise. You don't know how much I wanted to wring your lovely neck when you got drunk on the seashore. I was thinking, maybe, it was better if the waves would just swept you off to the ocean the way you'd swept me off my feet with nothing but your flirtatious stare. Yeah, I was mad last night but I love you. The thought of losing you scares the hell out of me.
I was scared because you're scary when you're mad. You're scary when you're jealous. You're scary when you're not talking to me. You're scary because you won't look at me.I was so scared that you won't look at me again and I thought, before ithappens I need to do something. I really don't like it when you're mad nor do I like it when you cry. You look awful." Siniko ko na. Bastos! Pinapahiya na niya ako. Pero hinawakan na niya ang dalawang kamay ko kaya wala na akong nagawa kundi ang tingnan siya ng masama.
"But then I love you, even if you look awful when you're drunk and when you cry. I realized, I don't want you to look awful, I hate to see you cry. So, despite your weirdness and eccentricities, I've decided to wait until you woke up and become sober. But there are times that waiting is not an option specially if it concerns you because you tend to be...dense, nonchalant, hardheaded, impatient and simply lovable." He smiled at agad na naalis ang panlalaki ng mga mata ko sa kanya. Ayos bumawi ah.
"So I will no longer wait. Right now, I am assuring you that you don't have to doubt my love, you don't have to question my loyalty . I am all yours, body and soul Missy Asuncion Rable." He smiled and I got teary eyed by his insults...and declaration of love and loyalty. Pinisil niya ang kamay ko pero kinurot ko ang kamay niya. Mamaya ako babawi. Makikita niya. Pasalamat siya wala akong maisip na insulto sa kanya ngayon maliban sa sobrang pogi at sobrang bango niya at gusto ko na siyang ibalot.
"Wow!" I started my wedding vow.
"Impromptu wedding vow. Nakakahiya naman pag wala akong wedding vow considering how heartwarming your vow is. Sarcasm intended. But to be brutally honest, mukhang naglabas ka lang naman ng sama ng loob at hindi naman yun wedding vow. However, I like the part when you said that you are all mine, body and soul. My mind is now racing with ideas on how I could molest that beautiful bod..." He gave me a warning look.
"Okay.Can I make my vow a little bit shorter? I won't even rant about your being stingy or your OCness. Here's the real wedding vow. You better listen, because it's important." I pause and look at him in the eye. I bit my lower lip and I smiled.
"I vow to give you a lot of children. Lots and lots of them and don't you dare try to stop me." I grinned and he facepalmed.
The guests and the judge clapped and laughed.
"Now, I pronounce you man and wife. Congratulations Mr. and Mrs. Alexander William Mondragon. Alexander, you may now kiss your sassy wife." The judge said smiling.
"This will be long and passionate." He whispered after he'd pulled me towards him and tilted my face.
"Stop talking and bring it on."
A/N: Epilogue on Monday.