Elisse's heart was pounding like crazy. Adrienne knew about her feelings. Nag-iinit ang mukhang napayuko siya na ikinatawa naman ng isa.
"It's obvious, Elisse. I can feel your heart racing fast like hell." Adrienne moved closer, touching Elisse's chest where her heart was located. "I can feel your breath changing. I can see the faint blush on your cheeks when you're with me." Elisse looked at her and Adrienne smiled. "I knew it and I'm so glad."
Isinandal ni Adrienne ang ulo ni Elisse sa balikat niya. She can't help but close her eyes with a content sigh, thinking how perfect the moment was. "Don't you think it's too soon for us to feel this way?"
Napabuntong-hininga si Adrienne at iniyakap ang braso nito sa kanya. "Time doesn't really matter when you're falling in...you know."
"Falling in love?"
"Y-yes." Tumikhim ito at mas hinigpitan ang pagkakayakap sa kanya. "Humans and vampires differ in almost everything. We are more precise on what we feel. Human stumbles in finding their mates because they love to fool around."
"Mates? Parang soulmate?"
"You can say that. You are my mate, Elisse ─ that's what I feel." Adrienne buried her face on the crook of Elisse's neck, allowing her to feel the vampire's breath. "And I can't wait to have a bond with you...and then we can be each other's."
Napalunok siya. She knew what the vampire meant. Bonding was an act of merging two hearts, body, and soul as one. A bond can be truly compared to marriage ─ just way too strong ─ because nothing can break the bond. And a bond will only take place during...
She gulped.
Elisse bit her lower lip that made the other one smirk. "I know what you're thinking. I won't force you though. Gagawin lang natin 'yon once you're ready."
Tumango siya. Silently thanking her.
"Onee-chan!"
Napalingon siya sa taong tumawag sa kanya at napangiti dahil nakita niya sina Rin at Len na magkasamang tumatakbo palapit. "Nandito lang pala kayo!"
Hindi sila pinansin ni Adrienne na sumubsob na sa balikat niya. "May problema ba?"
"Wala po," Ngumiti si Rin at inakbayan ang kambal nito. "Pero may kailangan akong ipaalam."
"Hm?"
"Mamayang gabi, kailangan nating mag-ayos para sa isang kasal." Si Len na ang nagpahayag na ikinalaki ng mata niya.
"Kasal? Sinong ikakasal? At saang simbahan?"
Sukat doon ay napahagikhik ang mga ito. Maging si Adrienne ay narinig niyang tumawa ng mahina.
"Walang simbahan, Onee-chan." Rin smiled. "Sa function hall iyon gaganapin. There's no need for a church as long as we have the priest."
"Priest?"
"Yep! Although I think magkaiba ang definition nating dalawa between human and vampire priest."
Tumango na lang siya. Naniniwala naman siya rito. Hindi na lang siya nagtanong kung bakit gabi ang kasal. May rason naman siguro iyon. "Wait. Pero sino nga kasing ikakasal?"
"Sina Asha at Diamond."
She paused.
"What?"
--
"Ayos lang itong suot ko?" tanong niya kay Adrinne. Nakasuot si Elisse ng isang simple at puting strapped dress na umabot ng tatlong pulgada lagpas sa tuhod.
Adrienne looked at her and nodded. "Beautiful."
Napangiti naman siya habang nag-iinit ang mukha. Mas maganda naman kasi ang dalaga sa suot nito. Nakasuot si Adrienne ng baby blue dress na hanggang tuhod nito mismo ang haba. Simple lang naman din ang suot ng kasama pero mukha talaga itong snob na dyosa.
"Halika na."
Hinawakan ni Adrienne ang kamay niya at sabay na silang naglakad papunta sa function hall. Hindi pa rin talaga siya makapaniwala na ikakasal na ang kaibigan niya ─ at talagang wala itong binanggit sa kanya.
But anyway, she already had thoughts about it like what Rin and the others had said ─ they've been bonded for so many years so it won't matter if they marry each other. Alam niya na namang mas malayo ang agwat ng mga edad nito sa kanila.
Pagkarating ay naabutan nila ang mga kaibigan na nakabantay sa gilid at mukhang inaabangan sila. Unang lumapit ang kambal sa kanya habang nginitian niya naman si Sam. Napatingin ito sa magkahawak na kamay nila ni Adrienne pero wala naman itong reaksyon.
"Magsisimula na. Come on."
Naupo sila sa mahabang upuan na may lamesa kasama ang ilan sa mga estudyante, guro, at maging ibang tao na hindi niya pa nakikita kahit na kailan.
The entire function hall was simple but elegant. Vintage looking chandeliers were installed above the pentagon patterned curved ceiling. The walls were designed with intricate and heavily designed symbols. Even the floor was highly complementary with the full structure of the hall. Seats and desk were all aligned in a way that everyone will be able to see what's at front. The room was scented with something aromatic Elisse couldn't pinpoint what, like she's outside but at the same time, it smelled like home.
For a short notice, they were able to set and prepare everything.
Pinanood niya si Sam na pumunta sa harap, kasama ang isang tao na hindi niya kilala. Iyon siguro ang priest. Nandoon din sina Diamond at Asha, napatingin pa ang huli sa kanya at ngumiti.
Si Sam na may hawak ng kalis ang abay na pandangal habang ang Dean nila ang tumatayong abay na lalaki. Hawak nito ang isang bote ng wine. So this was how a marriage ceremony between vampires works.
Marriage ─ a sharing of life.
"Friends," the priest started, "when we came into this world, we only have ourselves, and most of our journey in life is walked alone. Some of us are content in our solitude, while others spend their whole lives searching for someone else to share with them their passions, their sorrows, and their joys."
Tiningnan ng pari sina Asha at Diamond. The couple in turn looked at each other and smiled. That's when Elisse finally saw in theirs eyes the feelings they both shared strongly.
"A very lucky few of us can find that person ─ someone who helps us carry our burdens and achieve our dreams, just as we, in turn, help them. It is a rare and wondrous occasion when we realize that we have found someone to build a life with ─ and such an occasion should be celebrated, solemnly and joyfully, among friends."
Napangiti siya. Feeling niya natagpuan niya na 'yon kay Adrienne. At hindi lang sa babaeng napupusuan, kundi sa mga kaibigan niya. She never thought she'd have these awesome set of people to experience life with.
"We are gathered here tonight because there are two souls among us who cry out for union. They have walked together for a time now, and they have realized that they no longer wish to walk alone. Would Asha and Diamond please step forward?" He motioned.
Sabay na humakbang paabante sina Diamond at Asha. Bakas sa mata nila ang kasiyahan. Elisse looked at Adrienne and caught her smiling a little.
"Diamond and Asha...by swearing yourselves to one another this night, you help forge a bond that will be with you in every time and in every place throughout the long journey of years. Marriage is not merely a bond of the flesh ─ it is also a binding of souls." the priest declared, "When we touch one another, when we kiss and make love, we do not embrace only the body. We touch the spirit as well. The union of flesh is sacred and beautiful, but the union of souls is forever. Even when death separates you, that bond will remain. Nothing is more eternal than a vampire's love."
There was a short silence echoed around the hall but it was comfortable. Tumatak sa isipan ni Elisse ang huling sinabi ng priest sa dalawa. Nothing is more eternal than a vampire's love.
"Now that you understand this, are you still ready to swear yourselves to one another and enter into a binding union?"
"Yes, we are," both of the couples answered.
"Very well. Repeat after me," He then took Diamond's hand. "I, your name, promise Asha my unconditional love."
"I, Diamond Thales, promise Asha Faeldonea my unconditional love. To be her strength when she is weak. To be her comfort when she grieves. To provide for her in times of need. And to laugh with her in times of joy."
"Your vows have been witnessed." The priest released her hand and took Asha's hand. "Now, repeat after me..."
Inulit ni Asha ang sinabi ng pari.
Dean ─ the best man ─ brought forth the wine while Samantha presented the chalice. Both of them stood close to the couple.
"Diamond, take up the wine and pour some into the chalice. As you do so, repeat after me," Diamond did what she was told to do. "Asha, I pour out my life for you, I offer up my precious spirit..."
"Asha, I pour out my life for you, I offer up my precious spirit. Let this sacrifice bind us, spirit to spirit, flesh to flesh. So that no earthly power may destroy our union."
Diamond handed the bottle of wine back to the Dean, then she took the cup from the maid of honor and raised it to Asha's lips. Ininom nito iyon. The cup was then returned back to Samantha.
Pagkatapos no'n ay iyon din ang ginawa ni Asha. They said their vows to each other. Napatingin si Elise kay Adrienne nang hawakan nito ng mahigpit ang kamay niya. The vampire looked at her and kissed her, making her heart leaped with unexplained content.
The vows were short and simple, yet, it sounded so sweet and intimate and very promising. It was indeed true that sometimes, it took just a few to explain everything.
"Everyone here bears witness to this rite. Your hearts know that you two are wed. Kiss and show us all your passion."
Nagkatinginan ang dalawa sa isa't isa. Slowly, they went for a long, simple kiss. Nakakataba ng puso makita ang ganoong pangyayari. Nang matapos ay iniharap na sila ng pari sa kanilang lahat.
"Our thanks to everyone who has gathered here tonight to bear witness to these vows. May I present to you, Asha and Diamond Thales. Please offer them your blessings for a long and joyous union. Go forth in darkness and light."
"Forever." they all said in union.
And so it happened. Ang unang beses na nakasaksi siya ng kasal sa pagitan ng mga bampira.
Nagkaroon ng kaunting salu-salo matapos ang kaganapan. Ngayon niya lang nakita sina Sam na may hawak na camera at kasalukuyang kumukuha ng litrato. Marami-rami rin itong kuha kina Asha at Diamond na halos hindi mapaghiwalay. She had never seen her best friend that happy.
"Picture?"
Nginitian niya si Sam na nasa harapan niya na at tumango. She smiled at tinutok ang camera sa harap nila. Nang matapos ay sabay nilang tiningnan ang kuha at napangiti.
"Cute."
"Yeah." Sam answered. "You are."
Napatingin tuloy siya rito dahil do'n at namula. Lagi naman siya nitong sinasabihan ng mga magagandang bagay pero hindi pa rin talaga siya nasasanay.
Nanlaki ang mata niya ng bigla na lang siya nitong halikan sa pisngi. "Sam?"
"Elisse." A cold voice called her name. Nilingon siya si Adrienne na nakatingin lang sa kanya. Kusa na siyang lumapit at humawak sa kamay nito at humawak naman ang huli sa baywang niya. "Mauna na kami."
"Sure." Sam nodded. "Enjoy."
Naglakad na sila paalis at nagpaalam na sa bagong kasal. Yumakap naman sa kanya si Asha at nag-sorry dahil raw hindi siya ang maid of honor. Natawa pa nga siya sa kaibigan. Okay lang naman sa kanya iyon dahil hindi rin naman siya familiar sa kasal na nangyari.
Nagpaalam na rin sila sa kambal na nagpapakasarap sa cake na nandoon. Bata talaga.
"I want that, too," Adrienne said so suddenly while they're walking back to their dorm.
It was silent but peaceful. For some reason, it felt like there was hangover with what happened ─ it was as if the scent from the function hall followed them, the corridors felt prettier than usual, the slow walk seemed to be neverending but not exhausting. It was a little surreal, and it was making her feel nostalgic in a good way.
"Ano 'yon?" tanong niya. Hindi niya naintindihan ang pinatutungkulan nito.
"Kasal. I want to..." The vampire stopped, holding both of Elisse's shoulders as she leaned in for a kiss. "I want to marry you someday."
Adrienne grinned when she caught Elisse blushing. It's not the vampire's nature to be that vocal and her heart was pounding so hard because of that. Sa sinabi nitong 'yon ay naisip niya ang mga sarili nila na ikinakasal, inihahanda ang sarili nila sa magiging hinaharap. Napangiti tuloy siya.
"I want to marry you, too."
_____