"Hoooo!"
"You're nervous Paul." Glen teases.
"You look pale. Relax lang Pare." Miko seconded.
"Hoy! Hoy! Tantanan niyong pang aasar sa groom natin. Hindi yan nakakatulong, Look oh, he looks like he will cry any minute now." - Ryan.
"Mga g*go! Kahit kailan kayo. Pag kayo kinasal ewan ko lang." sagot ni Paul.
"Basta ako matagal pa." sabi ni Steve.
"Ikaw malapit ka na din. Hindi ako magtataka isang araw may maghahabol sayo ng itak dahil nabuntis mo ang anak niya."
Nagtawanan silang lahat.
In a way, Paul calm a bit. Ayaw man niyang aminin pero talagang kinakabahan siya. Naisip niya na baka magkamali siya sa Vow niya mamaya.
He took a deep breathe.
Maya maya'y may lumapit sa kanila na isa sa mga wedding coordinator.
"Sir. The bride is on the way."
He smile.
Finally, the moment he's been waiting for. All his plan work out. And he know this time he's doing the right thing.
"Kathrina is coming Paul." ulit ni Glen.
Umakbay sa kanya si Miko. "Relax huh? She's coming."
Ryan fix his tie. "See kayo pa din magkakatuluyan hanggang sa huli."
Huminga siya ng malalim to lessen the tension. "Yeah. How do I look?"
Ngumisi lang ang mga kaibigan niya at sabay sabay na sumagot.
"You look ugly."
Sabay sabay silang nagtawanan.
Few minutes later a guy approach him from the back. Biglang nag dilim ang paningin niya.
He wants to punch the man but he stop himself from doing so. He don't want to ruin his wedding day.
The man ask for his time, even just for a minute.
In order not make a scene, he agree and follow the man so they can talk in private.
-wedding song playing-
He started to walk.
Camera flashes.
Smile on everyone's lips.
It was private ceremony, only their close friends are invited.
All his relatives are out of the country, and they only prepare for three weeks to plan for this wedding.
He's feeling this moment. Every step he take makes his heart pound harder.
Nang makarating siya sa altar, Glen pat his shoulder dahil ito ang pinakamalapit sa kanyang pwesto.
"You ok?" bulong nito.
He just nodded.
He thought so.
Then the moment of truth.
Sinara na ang pinto ng simbahan, hudyat na papasok na nag bride.
Lahat ng nasa simabahan ay nagsitayuan na. halata sa bawat isa ang galak at excitement na makita si Kathrina.
Lalong bumilis ang tibok ng puso niya nang unti unting bumukas ang pintuan.
And Kathrina is standing there, in a white beautiful dress. She looks like a goddess.
Napakaganda nito.
My bride.
Then nagsimula na itong lumakad papalapit sa kanya. Papalapit sa altar.
She's smiling.
You can see the glow in this eyes.
And like the usual, that smile makes his heart skip a bit.
Nang muling magtama ang kanilang mata ay napayuko siya at palihim ng pinunasan ang kanyang luha na hindi niya namalayan ng pumatak na pala mula sa kanyang mga mata.
This is the moment his been waiting for.... The Moment he dreamt before...
Supposedly this is the happiest moment of his life.
But....
Its not....
Because he's in pain.
His heart is aching badly.
Huminga siya malalim dahil nagsisikip ang kayang dibdib. Muli niyang tinignan si Kathrina na papalapit sa kanya.
All he can see now is how hurt he is at the moment.
"Paul, I just need a minute." sabi nito.
To avoid making a scene he freely agreed and follow him in a corner of the church.
"Make it quick, I have a wedding to attend to." iritable niyang asik dito.
"Hindi na ko magpapaligoy ligay pa. I wanna say sor--"
But cut Paul him. "You came here to say sorry. Well, Your apology is not accepted. You betray me James. And you expect me to be grateful just because you say sorry. Dream on dude."
He clench his fist to control his temper.
He don't want his hands to be dirty.
" I can understand why you feel that way. But that's why I'm here. I'm surprise that you will still continue this silly wedding if you knew from the very beginning that its already broken. Paul, I know I owe you a lot. What happen between was not just recently, Its been a year now."
Parang pinukpok ng martilyo ng ulo niya ng paulit ulit.
"I want you to realize if you really want to continue this. I'm not saying this to hurt you.. I'm saying this so you can open your eyes. It's more than you know. There are moments she said she wants to leave you- "
Hindi na niya hinayaan pang matapos ang anumang sasabihin pa nito. He grab his collar and push him to the wall.
"Paul, do you want a bride that belongs to someone else all along. Set her free, if you really love her. And set yourself free too. A wedding should be a unity of two people loving and trusting each other. Sad to say you don't have the last one."
Kitang kita sa mukha niya ang pagpipigil ng galit dito. Pero alam niyang may punto ito. Alam niyang tama ang mga sinasabi ng dati niyang kaibigan.
When he found out that she have an affair with his friend, he really couldn't believe it. He blame himself all the time. when he saw the picture of James and Kathrina, he thought its his fault, cause he's been busy with his works. That maybe he don't give her enough time and attention.
But could he really forget what happened between the two.
A tear fall again from his eyes. He wish its a tears of joy, but its not.
When Katrina is few steps away from him, their eyes met and both of them knew there's something wrong. Somethings off.
His eyes says it all.
"Sorry." he mouthed.
With that, he runs. Away from the church. Away from Kathrina. Away from his bride.
Dala ang bigat ng loob at kanyang puso tuluyan siyang umalis ng simbahan gamit ang kanyang kotse.
He just drive, not sure where he's heading to.
He just want to be away. Away from everyone. Away from everything.
Niluwagan niya ang kanyang neck tie at binuksan ang ilang bunotes noon. Nagsisikip ang dibidb niya.
What a turn of events. Kanina lang ay sobrang saya niya then minutes later sobrang nasasaktan na siya.
Betrayal.
Trust.
Lost.
He knew in his heart that he already forgive her for what she did. He didn't even confronted her. He believe in her. He believe in his love for her.
But he was wrong.
James was right, why would he continue something if all along it doesn't seem right.
He don't want to let her go. Pero hindi din niya kakayanin ang sakit kapag nangyrai ulit ang panloloko nito sa kanya and most of all ayaw niyang ikulong si Kathrina sa pagmamahal niya.
He's not selfish, he will do everything for her. Even if that means losing her.
Naisip niya na baka ayaw lang si Kathrina na manggaling dito ang pakikipaghiwalay sa kanya. so he decided for them. At least all the blame will be on him.
Now she's free, she can be with the one who makes her really happy.
Masakit man pero minsan kailangan magdesisyon tayo para hindi mas masaktan pa.
After few minutes of drive, after couple of turns and stop lights, there a place that pop up into his mind.
He arrive at his destination.
It's his favorite church.
Every time he's in trouble, this is his safe place. He remembers when he was still studying, nagpupunta siya dito para ipagdasal na sana madali lang ang exam.
Naalala din niyang dito din niya ipinagdasala na makapasa siya ng board exam at maging isang ganap na Architect.
At dito din niya hiniling ang babaeng makakasama niya habang buhay. Na dito sila magpapakasal.
Bumaba na siya ng kanyang sasakyan and he notice that there's a wedding happening now.
Dapat dito din sila magpapakasal ni Kathrina pero may nauna ng nagpaserve nito.
Ngumiti siya ng mapait. At least tuloy ang kasal dito. Naisip niya.
For some reason gusto niyang makita ang kasal nito kahit pa hindi niya naman kakilala kung sino ang mga iyon.
Maybe he wants to see a happy wedding, unlike his supposedly wedding.
He wants to see how happy a couple should be when they are getting married. When they are exchanging their vows in front of everyone.
Sa likod siya ng simbahan dumaan para hindi na din maka istorbo sa iba. Paniguradong makukuha ang antensyon ang suot niyang damit dahil naka tuxedo pa din siya.
Baka pag isipan pa siyang tututol sa kasal o di kaya's mapagkamalan siyang groom ng ibang guest.
Hindi niya namamalayan na nasa kasalan na ng ibang tao ng nasa isip niya. He forgot his issues for a moment.
Habang papalapit siya sa likod ng simbahan ay nagulat siya ng makita ang isang babaeng nakasuot ng isang wedding dress na nakaupo sa isang gilid habang inaalo ng isang naka gown din na babae.
Iyak ito ng iyak. For some reason he can't take his eyes off her.
And something hit his heart.
Nakatakip ang mga kamay nito sa mata habang pinupunasan ang mga luha.
She's beautiful. mahahalata mo iyon kahit pa natatakpan ang bahagi ng mukha nito.
Then suddenly, he felt a sting in his heart.
When he heard her voice, it send shiver to his spine.
"Bakit nangyari sakin 'to? Ginawa ko naman lahat. Binigay ko lahat ng pwede kong ibigay. Kulang pa ba Rowena?" Puno ng hinanakit na sabi niyo.
Hindi niya alam kung bakit parang nararamdaman niya ang pighati nito. Ayaw niyang makakita ng babaeng umiiyak. Somehow, he saw Kathrina in her.
And saw himself in her situation. He's also vulnerable at the moment that's why he felt the affection towards her.
"Ano pa ba kulang sakin? May mali ba sakin? Lahat nalang sila iniiwan ako." muling tangis ng babae.
He felt something strange to this woman.
Something that he can't explain.
Pity.
His head said.
Marahil ay nakaka-relate siya sa sitwasyon nito.
Dahil ito rin ay nag naghahanap ng sagot sa parehas nilang tanong.
BAKIT?
Then the next thing he knew, he's walking towards them.
And when their eyes met as if the two world collide at that moment.
He wants to save her. Para kahit papano isang kasal lang ang alam niyang hindi matutuloy.
He wants to be a knight in shining armor but not to his princess. That's the sad truth.
Huminto siya sa harap nito. And he offer his hand.
"This might sound strange but... Will you marry me instead?" Hindi din na niya alam kung anong ginagawa na niya.
Those are the words that changes his life. Their lives.
Mabilis ang mga naging pangyayari, ang kaibigan nito na Rowena ang pangalan ang tila ba tagapagsalita ng babae.
She stops crying. And that's a relief for him.
Pinag usapan nila na ituloy ang kasal nito to replace his groom.
At first it sounded off but he is so willing to marry her. And it gives him excitement to know what will happen next.
He arrange for everything. Even in the small details of the ceremony.
Naisip niya, he can break through any minutes.
Habang ang kausap niya si Rowena at pinag uusapan ang mga detalye ay nakatitig lamang siya ng mukha ng babae.
Lalo itong gumaganda habang tinititigan kahit pa namamaga na ang mga mata nito kakaiyak.
"Ako na ang bahala sa ibang detalye. Leave it to me, I will handle it."
He fish his phone in his pocket at tinawagan ang lawyer at ang assistant niya. He ended the call as soon as he give his instructions.
Lumapit siya sa babae at naupo sa tabi nito.
"I'm Paul. And I will be your groom for today." he tried to crack a joke.
At first she was hesitant, but she accept his hands.
"I'm.. Sabina."
And that moment changes his life.
They got married. He took her in his condo na kahit si Kathrina ay hindi pa niya dinadala doon.
Naintriga siya sa kung anong meron dito. She's a mystery to him. He wanted to know her more. His curiosity temporarily fill the empty space in his heart.
Their first night was a little awkward. They have separate rooms. And to his surprise, he heard her crying and longing for his groom.
Nakaramdam siya ng sakit sa hindi malamang kadahilanan at lungkot.
Naisip niya, is Kathrina doing the same thing now?
Ipinilig niiya ang ulo para maalis sa isip niya ito.
He respect her space kahit pa gustong gusto na niyang pumasok sa kwarto nito at aluhin ito sa pag iyak.
He calls Miko when he entered his room. "Pare, I want to know everything about a certain Victor Rivera. I will send you his other details."
He found out that her groom was working in 3P Tower in Singapore which his family owned.
Napataas ang kilay niya at hindi makapaniwalang tumingin sa mga kaibigan niya sa nalaman.
"What a small world huh?" ngisi ni Miko.
Nalaman din niya dito na nagtungo si Kathrina sa Singapore para magpalamig dahil sa nangyari. Ginawa lahat ni Miko para hindi malaman nito na kasal na siya.
"Pare, a piece of advise don't get caught with your play this time."
"Thanks Pare. Don't worry, I can get away anytime I wanted."
Miko tap his shoulder. "You could be cruel sometimes Paul."
"Oh, by the way, your wife is working in Elite..." nakangising sabi nito sabay baba taas ng mga kilay. "What an interesting situation you got yourself into, Paul."
As time passes by, each day he spend with Sabina, it was whole different experience. he really loves teasing her. He enjoying seeing her blush.
"Do me a favor my wife. No, promise me instead that you will only blush with me." and he is mesmerize by how she react again.
For some reason he wants to see her happy. Happy with him.
He even took her to his secret paradise. The sea of lights. The place was special to him. Dinadala siya ng Papa niya dito sa tuwing hindi niya nakukuha ang gusto niya nung bata pa siya. It his Father's way to tell him that there's other beautiful things in the world aside from the things that he wanted.
Pero sumasagi sa isip niya na niloloko niya lang ito. Alam niyang iba ang laman ng puso nito at alam din niya kung sinong laman ng puso niya.
Sa isang sulok ng puso niya alam niyang nagmamahal pa din iyon kay Kathrina.
Mali man pero somehow parang nakikita niya si Kathrina kay Sabina. He's taking care of her as if it was Kathrina. He sometimes even here her voice in Sabina.
Sometimes he's thinking if he's giving false hope to Sabina. Sa mga pinapakita niya dito. Sa mga salita, sa mga actions niya.
Pero naiisip lang niya na, asawa naman niya ito kaya ok lang marahil ang afection ng pinapakita niya dito.
He knows that sooner he will take over the control in Elite but he speed it up so he can join the company right away.
Kaya kinausap niya ng Tita Tristan niya na mag retire na and he's willingly take over his position.
Kahit gulat ang Tito niya sa kinikilos niya at pumayag na din para makapagpahinga na din from work.
Gustong gusto niyang sabihin kay Sabina na siya ang magiging bagong CEO ng pinagtatrabahihan nito sa tuwing nagkukwento ito ng mga pangyayari sa buong maghapon nito sa opisina, but he stop himself. He wants to surprise her. HE wants to see her reaction.
Each day spending with her is a whole different world to him.
Kaya naman sobra ng excitement niya ng unang araw na pumasok siya sa Elite.
He's so exited to see her reaction when he show up in front of her in her office.
At hindi nga siya nabigo. Her reaction was priceless when she saw him in the office. But to disappoint him, she didn't recognize his voice at first.
It didn't sadden him for long, as the days goes by, her being in his side kahit na magulo ang sitwasyon nilang dalawa, he is happy. And somehow contented.
He keeps track of Kathrina's whereabouts thru the help of Mico. He wants to know where she is and what she is doing. Is she doing fine or whatever about her.
Some part of his heart still longs for her and he cannot deny that. He have a lot of what ifs.
A lot of unanswered question.
May mga oras na natutula siya ay naiisip ito. He sometimes see Katrina in Sabina.
Alam niyang mali pero...
May bagay na hindi niya kayang masagot sa twing tumitingin siya kay Sabina.
And its making his heartbeats fast. Faster than it should be.
And one of the reason why he wants to know what Katrina is doing is because he's worried. He knows how Katrina thinks. At alam niyang isang araw kokomprontahin nito si Sabina. And he don't want that to happen. He drag Sabina into this mess and he don't her to get hurt.
Halos sirain niya ng telepono niya ng makarating ang balita na may babaeng nagwala sa lobby ng bulidng nila at sinugod si Sabina.
That time alam na niyang ang pinsan ni Katrina ang babaeng iyon at inakusahan si Sabina na mang aagaw.
His protective instinct got fired up.
Agad niyang pinahigpitan ang security ng buong building para hindi muli mangyar iyon kay Sabina.
Lagi na din niya itong isinasabay sa kanya mula pag pasok at pag uwi.
Conscience, maybe.
Siya ang dahilan kung bakit ito nasaktan. And worst he cannot even tell her the truth.
Why?
Its another question without an answer.
A surprise to his wife wont harm anything, he guessed. So we send her flowers to see her reaction. He wonder if it will make her blush again.
But his surprise falls back to him as he saw how his wife stepping on the flowers. She even said she don't want it that's why she's destroying it.
Napangiti nalang siya at hindi niya ine expect and reaction nito at all.
Ibang iba sa nai imagine niya.
and while she's stepping on those flowers, he felt a beating in his heart with every steps she makes. Ego perhaps, he thought.
Then, "the day" has finally come.
He felt a strange feeling when he saw Sabina standing next to Victor, her ex.
Confusion. And he wants to know for what? And why?
That day ay alam na niyang darating si Victor sa company nila. He got the email from Mico's men the other night as well as the memo from Tower P3 in Singapore.
He's ready for the duel and its excite him.
Tila ba isang competetion ang nangyayari sa pagitan nilang tatlo and the winner will get Sabina.
The game step up to the next level when he saw the two exes dancing in front of him on their annual party.
He's feels like a tame dog gone wild when someone intrude his territory. And all he can do is just barked.
Hindi mapakali ang kanyang kalooban.
His appearance seems relax and calm but his mind is kicking him hard.
Sinamahan pa ng pambubuyo ng kanyang barkada.
And the last string of his calmness snap right before his eyes.
He make his way to them.
Giving false hopes is not in his mind now.
The only thing in his mind is he don't want others to take Sabina away from him right now.
His selfishness consume him as he kiss his wife in front of the crowd.
As he continue protecting her, he didn't notice the growing affection between them.
Ayaw niyang nakikita itong malungkot.
He's enjoying their set up even if he knows its temporary.
Sumasagi sa isip niya to make it real. To make it less complicated. For him and for Sabina.
But that thought fades instantly when he heard from her that he still love Victor.
That very moment makes him unsure again. At natakot siyang muli. Same uneasiness he felt when he learn about Kathrina's affair.
Naisip niyang pipiliin nito si Victor anytime soon.
He will be left again.
And that scares him. A lot.
"Kathrina is back."
Iyon ang nagpabalik sa kanya sa kasalukuyan.
He saw Mico in his side.
"And guess what? I don't think if destiny is playing with you guys but she's seeing Sabina. And they seems close" Mico added.
"Really?" Wala sa loob niyang sagot.
"And what's your plan with Sabina?" Mainit na tanong sa kanya ni Steven. "She needs to know."
Sinubukan niyang ipatangay sa alak ang lahat ng kanyang agam agam at mga gumugulo sa kanyang isipan.
Hindi nalang niya pinansin ang mga ito at pinagpatuloy ang pag inom.
To his dismay alcohol couldn't hit him and make him forget about even just a little bit of his problem.
Mas lalong magiging magulo kapag bumalik na sa Kathrina.
"Ano ba kinakausap ka pare!" Bigla siyang kinuwelyuhan ni Steven. "Are you planning to continue this game? Ang tagal tagal na nito! Tapusin mo na! Hindi ka ba naaawa kay Sabina."
Tinitigan lamang niya ito. With his blank reaction.
"Just leave me and my wife be." He answered coldly.
"But she's not your f*ck**g wife, Paul. You need to come to your senses and stop this game." Seryosong sabi ni Ryan.
"Ikaw ang nagsimula nito, kaya ikaw din dapat ang tumapos."
"Una palang dapat hindi ka nagpakasal sa kanya. When her groom left her, you shouldn't have interfered, and to make the situation even more complicated, your marriage was not official and it was all pretend. Ano sa tingin mo mararamdaman ni Sabina? All this time she thought he was married to you. At hindi mo ba man lang naisip na she could've been happier now that his groom came back to her pero hindi nangyari dahil akala niya kasal kayong dalawa. Hindi mo ba man lang naisip na baka gusto niyang balikan si Victor" Patuloy na litanya ni Ryan.
And with that he came back to his senses. Tila ba binuhusan siya ng malamig na tubig.
He freed himself from Steven and with split second he pull Ryan's collar and pushed hin against the bar counter.
Gusto niyabg sabihin dito na mali ito. Na hindi mangyayari iyon. But his voice betrayed him. Not a single word came out of his mouth. He's just glaring at Ryan.
Strange. For the first time, he hates the reality now. He's been realistic all his life, his parent thought them to be like that. But now, he wants to keep whatever he have, even if its just a pretend.
But the same time, he wants his life back, with no complication, simple. a life with Katrina, which he dreamt and plan for a log time.
That days when he met Katrina again, he's speechless. He thought it will be fine by then but to his surprise he still feel pain seeing him.
Knowing that Sabina and Katrina know each other is a one real headache.
His past and his present.
And his mind resent him with the word present cause he knows Sabina is not.
He don't know what she is to him now.
Its more complicated than before.
Days passed and the space between him and Sabina is somehow unstable. They are dirfting apart.
The are moments as if nothing's change. Just like an ordinary day. He teases her. She blushed that make his heart warm.
Somehow, he's getting tired of there situation.
Then one day Katrina showed up.
Inakala niyang magiging normal nalang para sa kangya kapag nagkita silang muli. Pero nagkamali siya.
He felt uneasy.
Hindi pa din ito nagbabago.
She still have the sweetest and nicest aura that any man can fall into.
Siguro sa ibang pagkakataon, he would run to her and wrap her against his arms, and tell her he misses her so badly.
But Sabina's face flashes infront of him.
Kitang kita niya sa mukha nito ang pagkagulat nang malaman nitong si Katrina ay ex-bride niya.
At that very moment, his brain shut down and all he can do is to run. Away from the situation.
Away from reality.
But Sabina is such an angel. She chooses the right thing to do.
Or... she doesn't want to run away with him, part of his brain thought.
Kada araw na lumilipas ay tila lumalala ang sitwastion nila.
Naroong nagpupunta si Kathrina sa opisina nila para puntahan siya. Ginagamit ang connection ng Elite sa Business ng pamilya niyo para mapalapit sa kanyang muli.
Sadyang kalmadong tao at hindi mapagpatol si Sabina. Kung marahil ibang babae lamang ito ay malamang ay nagpang abot na ang dalawa.
And why would she put herself into trouble just because of you. Bulong ng isip niya.
And there are times that he felt guilty for using Sabina to annoy Kath.
Yes.
He is using her.
Sa napakadaming pagkakataon na nagpapakita siya ng affection dito para lang isipin ni Kathrina na wala na itong pag asa sa kanya o di kaya naman ay para pasakitan ito.
Laging nagtatalo ang isipan niya.
Every time Sabina touches him it warms his heart. Sending comfort to his core. Telling him everything will be alright.
Then, whenever he sees Katrina he remembers their time together especially the hurtful ones.
Sa mga oras na gulong gulo siya ay madalas niyang naisin na magpakalayo layo nalang. Maybe he can start a new life far away from this all complications in his life.
Maybe.... a new life with Sabina.
Kung gugustuhin nitong sumama sa kanya.
And it is the right thing to do.
He will run away again.
Tatakbo nanaman siya gaya ng dati.
Matatakasan ba niyang muli ang sakit at riyalidad sa pagkakataon ito.
Then he realized .. she's not his wife.
Why would she come with him.
Naubliga lang itong makita sa kanya dahil inakala niyong may bisa ang kasal nila.
For sure, once she finds out that they weren't officially married, she probably pack her things and leave him.
"I will stay by your side." She once said.
He finds hope with those words again.
But will she really stay with him as longs as he wanted to.
Then there's Kathrina, every time he saw her, he keeps wondering if there another for them.
Things god more complicated for him now.
His feeling keeps joggling every now and then? Which is very unusual for him.
Then one day.....
The day he's been anticipating for happens in front of him.
After a long day with meetings