"Scattered all over the place, not knowing how to start
Breathing at a pace, almost scarring me at heart.
Staring at the dusking sun, a little broken and marred
You came in and held me despite my darkest art
You, chipped, flawed, jaded, masterpiece
Broken and shattered but I'll never miss..."
Le Final
Ilang araw na ba ang lumipas? Ilang buwan? Ilang taon? Hanggang ngayon naaalala ko pa. Sa bawat pagsikat at paglubog ng araw ang naaalala ko lang ay siya. Minsan naiisip ko sana may repeat button ang mga tao para sa isang pindot lang, kaya na nating balikan ang lahat. Gusto kong paulit ulit na balikan kung paano kami nagsimula, muntik magtapos at heto nga, sinisimulang buuin ang pang habambuhay. Haaay. Ako si Ana Karylle, Padilla sa ngayon pero maiiba na yan mamaya. Wait, eto na, Viceral here I come!
"Ready brad?" The way Vhong patted his shoulder seemed to have calmed him. Ang daming tumatakbo sa isip niya but they were all from excitement. Gusto na niyang makita ang kaniyang soon to be.
Sa pagtango ni Vice ay sinimulan na ang pagtugtog ng orchestra, thus marking the start of the wedding.
Classical music was being played as guests started to walk down the aisle. Kitang kita ang mga ngiting kumikislap sa mga labi ng mga kapatid ni Karylle. Sinundan nila Nadine at James, Kathryn at Daniel at ang mga lumuluhang sina Ryan at Gabbi. Ang Team Karylle who became part of their relationship.
Sumunod na naglakad ay si Arianne, Karylle still insisted for her to be part of the ceremony. Kasama niya ay si Billy, isa sa matalik na kaibigan ni Karylle at ngayon ay ni Vice na rin. He will always be part of Vicerylle.
Vicerylle, ang love team name na nabuo ng Team Karylle bago ang kasal. #VicerylleWedding nga ang pauso ng mga ito sa social media. It shockingly trended. They never thought that people were actually following their love story from the beginning.
Behind Arianne walked Anne, Karylle's matron of honor, who is guiding a one year old Alfonso na natututo pa lang maglakad. The couple chose Alfonso to be their ring bearer. Tumakbo pa si Vhong, Vice's best man, upang samahan ang kaniyang mag-ina. A photo of a perfect family. A family that became the biggest instrument para magtagpo ang dalawa at magsama.
Matapos ang tawanan nang magsimulang habulin ng mag-asawa si Alfonso ay biglang tumahik ang buong simbahan. Lights went dark at the back of the church at nagsimula ng maglakad ang flower girl, it was Zia, Arianne and Dominic's daughter. Vhong went back to his place and patted Vice at tinuro ang ama nito.
Sir Carlos Viceral, still in a wheelchair grabbed the hand of his son at nang yumuko si Vice ay niyakap niya ang kaniyang anak.
"I am so proud of you at sigurado akong sobrang saya rin ng Kuya mo ngayon para sa'yo! I can tell that he's beaming in heaven in glee seeing you like this. I'm very glad that you found your true happiness."
Sa sinabing iyon ng kaniyang ama ay nagsimula ng tumulo ang luhang kanina niya pa tinatago. Pupunasan na sana niya ang kaniyang mata nang biglang lumapit sa kaniya si Baby Z at may inabot na panyo. Natawa si Vice sa note na nakasulat along with it.
For your tears. Bakit ka umiiyak? Bakla ka ba?— AKV
Malakas talaga ang sapak ng nobya—magiging misis niya.
Biglang nag-iba ang key ng pianista at sinimulan nang tugtugin ang main song that Karylle herself chose. Bless The Broken Road enveloped the whole church. Mas lalong napabilis ang mga luha sa mga mata ni Vice. It was a perfect song for them indeed.
Kasabay ng piano ay ang lakas ng tunog ng pagbukas ng pintuan kung saan papasok si Karylle. He was expecting her to come out there but he was still shocked how surprised he still is nang makita niya ang kaniyang nobya.
Clad in a vintage white custom made Vera Wang lace dress, her hair up in a bun with a simple make up on that seemed to have accentuated her features and a classic long veil that perfectly matched her wedding gown, Karylle gracefully owned the aisle as her husband to be eyed her with pride and joy. She was the most beautiful bride he has ever seen.
Nagulat si Vice nang sabay sabay na binuksan ng mga guests ang isang puting papel, hundreds of butterfly flew towards Karylle's direction. Animo'y nanunuod siya ng isang presentation nang magsidapuan ang mga paru-paro sa damit ni Karylle as she walked the aisle. Maybe this was the surprise she was talking about. As if he was watching something from a dream habang isa isang dumadapo ang mga paru-paro kay Karylle and then one butterfly found its way on the red flower hanging from his coat. It was really perfect.
As she was walking, ay sinalubong siya ng kaniyang ina in the middle.
"Congratulations baby! You deserve all the happiness in the world." Iyon lang ang nasabi ng kaniyang ina bago ito umiyak na rin.
She was actually surprised kung paano niya napipigilan ang mga luha niya sa pagtulo. For the first time, she was actually not crying kaya lang ay parang mapupunit na ang kaniyang labi sa sobrang lapad ng kaniyang ngiti.
Matapos niyang yakapin ang ina ay naglakad na sila patungo sa harap. Then there she saw Vice. She was shocked to see his hair that black, sleek and brushed on one side. She chuckled nang mapansin niyang nakamake-up ang kaniyang groom all complete with false eyelashes. His tux and on fleek make up, made him look like he just got out fresh from a magazine.
It was weird but she loves it. Every single thing about it, all of him. Dati rati tuwing umaattend siya ng kasal she always love looking at the grooms dahil kitang kita mo ang pagmamahal nila sa mga mapapangasawa through their eyes, ngayon, sa sariling kasal niya, it meant so much more. She was now looking at the groom who is also looking at her. Yung pagmamahal na nakikita niya sa mata ng groom ay hindi na nakalaan sa iba kundi para sa kaniya lang.
Seconds felt like minutes sa kaniyang paglalakad but now here she is, sinasalubong na ni Vice. Matapos yakapin ni Vice ang kaniyang ina ay sinalubong siya agad nito ng mahigpit na yakap. Napahiwalay lang sila when they heard their priest clear his throat.
"Masyadong excited, brad!" Bulong ni Vhong. Natawa naman ang mga tao.
It was the usual wedding ceremony. When it was time for their vows ay halos manginig si Vice.
"Whew." He said in the microphone.
"H-how do I start this?" Sinabi niyang muli atsaka suminghot at pinahid ang kaniyang luha.
"Anubayan nabubura yung make-up." He said off mic pero narinig ng mga tao kaya nagtawanan sila. Ganun rin ang lakas ng tawa ni Karylle.
"Tawang tawa ka ha?" He said.
"Pero sige tumawa ka lang kasi simula ngayong araw na to I only promise to make you laugh everyday. Hindi ko patatapusin ang araw na hindi ka tumatawa, na hindi ka ngingiti pag kasama mo ako." He then started.
"5 years ago, I was a successful stylist in hollywood, my name known by the whole world, I was popular, I was living the dream life... but I was also empty." Nanghina siya nang pinahid ni Karylle ang mga luha niya.
"But... it was also 5 years ago when I met the person who filled that emptiness in me. She came dashing with sadness and suicidal attempts, ang bait talaga ni Lord diba?" napahinto siya ng hampasin siya ni Karylle at nagtawanang muli ang mga tao.
"I never regret that night nung nilusob ko ang mamahalin kong sapatos para i-save ang muntik malunod na bruhang babaeng sumisisid sa dagat sa gitna ng gabi."
"Binayaran ko na kaya yon!" Sagot ni Karylle.
"Shhh! It's my turn to speak!" Sagot ni Vice at pinahid niyang muli ang kaniyang luha.
"But if I were to relive that moment, I would still do the same thing. I would still save you. I would still spend the whole night with you. I would still... kiss you that night." Gasps were heard from their guests.
"K, my queen, my Ney, this is it! The beginning of something constant. You and me, together. Thank you for keeping me grounded and for showing me what more happiness this world could give. I promise to hold your hand through this journey, at kung saan pa man tayo dadalhin nito, pangako, mamahalin lang kita hanggang dulo."
Ang mga luhang kanina pa tinatago ni Karylle ay tuluyan na ngang tumulo ngayon. Man, that was a perfect speech at hindi niya maisip kung paano niya pa matatapatan yun.
"Ginalingan mo eh! Pano ko susundan?" Reklamo niya, natawa rin ang mga guests.
Karylle reached from the mic that was in the stand and started talking.
"Hindi ko nanaman mapapantayan yung mga sinabi mo. Last minute pinapalit ko yung song kanina. Habang inaayusan ako pinatugtog yung kantang to sa room and as I was listening to it, all I could think about was you."
"I think about the years I spent just passing through
I'd like to have the time I lost and give it back to you
But you just smile and take my hand
You've been there you understand
It's all part of a grander plan that is coming true
Every long lost dream led me to where you are
And others who broke my heart they were like northern stars
Pointing me on my way into your loving arms
This much I know it's true
That God blessed the broken road
That led me straight to you"
She sang that part of the song habang ang isang kamay niya ay mahigpit na nakahawak sa kamay ni Vice.
"I don't think I ever said this enough but thank you. Thank you for saving me from this cruel world but most of all from myself. Thank you for making me realize that I am my own enemy and that I can do more than just hide para lang hindi ako masaktan. Thank you for being with me through my worst. Thank you for coming into my life." Sinimulan na ni Karylle.
"I always believe in fairytales. I love prince and princesses stories. But who would have thought that my own prince charming would come in one day with a bright pink hair? Na mas maganda pa ang fashion sense at mas makapal pa ang make-up kesa sa akin." Tawa ng tawa ang mga tao habang pinupunasan ang kanilang mga luha. Ganun din ang pagtawa ni Vice.
"Pero kahit ganun pa yun I will always be proud of what I have. This will always be my favorite once upon a time, my only dream come true." Her tears just kept on flowing as she say every line.
"Right now my love, my Barney." They were both laughing as if they were sharing a joke na sila lang ang nagkakaintindihan.
"I am so excited knowing that at the end of the day, uuwi ako ng kasama ka. Matutulog ako ng katabi ka at magigising ako na ikaw ang unang bubungad sa umaga ko. Na kahit paulit ulit man tayong mag-away, bago tayo matulog, gabi-gabi, ikaw pa rin ang happy ending ko."
"I love you." Binulong ni Vice at paulit ulit naman na tumango si Karylle.
"Ang dami mong pangako sa akin pero ako isa lang ang kaya kong i-promise." Sabi ni K.
"I promise to be the best wife that you deserve. I will love you from here..." sabay turo ni Karylle sa puso niya.
"Until eternity." She ended her speech with that.
The priest sealed their wedding with the usual "you may now kiss the bride" line. After they shared the best kiss they ever had ay napatingin sila sa mga guests at nagulat sa mapupulang mga mata ng mga ito. They made the people cry.
Vice then kissed her once again.
"Congratulations Mrs. Viceral." Bulong niya sa ngayon ay asawa na niya.
Ngayon ay nasa reception na sila. They made their reception simple at dito lang sa bahay nila ginawa. Their house was big enough for all their visitors. Tapos na ang mga programs at nagkakainan na lang ang mga tao. Bigla na lang nawala si Vice sa tabi niya but her eyes caught where he is. Andun sa Veranda sa may kwarto nila overlooking their pool area habang nakatingin siya sa mga bisita.
Pupuntahan na sana siya ni Karylle kaya lang ay napahinto siya sa paglalakad nang makasalubong niya si Nanay Rosario.
"T-tita. Are you enjoying the party?" Tanong ni Karylle.
"Tita? Tutoy calls me Nanay, you can call me that too." Sabi ng nanay ni Vice.
"T-thank you po, Nay." Then she smiled.
"No, thank you. Thank you for bringing me back my son. Thank you for bringing life back to him. I will always be here to guide the both of you okay? Welcome to our family anak!" Iyon lang at niyakap na siya ni Nanay Rosario. She already said her message kanina but this was sweeter. It was simple but straight to the heart.
Mabilis at buong ingat siyang nakaakyat sa kwarto nilang mag-asawa. It was the first night that she will be sleeping here as his wife. Napagusapan kasi nila na tsaka sila titira dito kapag kinasal na sila, kaya naman hanggang ngayon ay nasa mga maleta pa rin ang mga gamit nila.
She quietly and quickly got something from one of her bags atsaka kumatok sa veranda kung saan naroon si Vice na nakatingin lang sa mga bisita.
"Hey mister." Halos pabulong niyang binati ang asawa atsaka yumakap dito, her chin resting at the back of his shoulders.
"Thank you for this nice view." Sabi ni Karylle pertaining to the view outside. Isang malawak na area full of greens and colorful flowers at isang infinity pool ang natatanaw nila ngayon. This was their backyard. The backyard that Vice designed for them.
"Nagustuhan mo?" Masayang tanong ni Vice.
"Oo naman. I can only imagine the kids running there habang hinahabol mo sila." Sabi ni Karylle at natawa si Vice.
"Ako talaga ang hahabol ha?" Sabi ni Vice, then napahinto siyang tumawa. "We will not stop trying until we have our own little munchkins." Sabi ni Vice sabay harap sa asawa niya.
Karylle was now crying as she was smiling so wide. Napakunot ng noo si Vice at mas lalong lumala ang kaniyang confusion when Karylle handed her a tiny box.
"Congratulations, Happy Birthday, Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year." Sabi ni Karylle sa asawa.
"Ha? Kuripot ka talaga. All in one lagi regalo mo." Natatawang sinabi ni Vice bago niya buksan ang regalo.
When he opened the box ay halos manghina ang tuhod niya at muntik pa siyang mapaupo sa nakita. Hindi siya makapaniwala at kusa na lang tumulo ang mga luha niya. He was now laughing with tears in his eyes at ganun rin si Karylle.
"See Karylle? You really bring out the best in me!" Masaya niyang sinabi.
"Naka three points si bakla oh my gad!" Dagdag muli ni Vice until Karylle kissed him.
"I love you and I would do anything to make you happy as you always do for me." Karylle said.
"You alone make me happy, pano pa ngayon?"
With the glowing moonlight as their witness, they sealed their promises once again with a kiss.
"We love you, Daddy."
This was the best thing he heard today aside from her 'I do'. The best day of his life and with Karylle by her side, he knows that there are many more bests to come.
"I can't put you back together
No, that is not what you need.
But I promise to stay here
And love the imperfect you...
Piece by piece."
—Lady in Paris/k.c, 2016
*photo by @imjonacontreras on twitter, thank you!*