Manuel and I decided to get married in January 17, next month. Papalipasin lamang namin ang pasko at bagong taon. Nandito ang mga kamag-anak niya at inaasar siya kasi akala nilang lahat na papakasalan na raw ni Manuel ay ang trabaho niya.
"Finally, Emman! Akala ko ay hindi kana maniniwala sa pagpapakasal na iyan." ani ng isa sa mga tita niya sa kanya.
"Workaholic kasi iyang pamangkin namin, hija! kung magkakaroon naman ng issue noon about sa babae ay agad din nawawala at napapalitan ng bago kaya akala talaga namin wala na balak magseryoso, mabuti nalang at dumating ka!" wika ulit nito at tumawa pa, napakamot naman ang ulo ni Manuel kaya hindi ko mapigilan matawa roon.
"I don't believe in marriage before not until I met Avella and everything turns upside down but It's all worth it, she's worth it." Manuel grins as he spoke those words.
"You are so kadiri, honey! I don't want to fall in love tuloy because it makes people disgusting!" sambit naman ni Magui sabay irap sa amin.
"You'll eat your words, mags. I'm sure of that." panunukso ni Manuel sa pinsan niya.
"Whatever! Bahala na nga kayo diyan at ang hapdi niyo sa eyes!" wika niya bago umirap muli sa amin at nagwalk out, tinawanan lamang siya ni Manuel kaya sinaway ko ito.
"Ikaw talaga! kapag nagtampo 'yun baka hindi pa pumunta sa kasal natin."
"Nagbibiruan lang naman kami ni Magui and I'm sure she's not going to take it seriously." ani niya at pinisil ang pisngi ko.
"Kahit na! mukha kaya siyang nagalit." sabi ko sa kanya at ngumuso. Hinalikan niya naman iyon ng mabilisan kaya pinalo ko ang braso niya.
"She's not mad, okay? it's just her usual face." tumawa ito kaya kinurot ko ng bahagya ang kanyang tagiliran. "Manuel!" pagalit na sabi ko sa kanya. "Relax, okay? Let's just talk about our wedding." sambit niya at sumulyap sa laptop.
Napangiti ako since he is really hands-on in every details of our wedding pero of course he always includes me in everything. Iyong suggestion ko ang lahat nang nasusunod at nandoon lamang siya upang dagdagan yung idea ko para mas lalong gumanda. he also hired a wedding organizer and a lot of wedding gown designers for me to decide which perfect gown I will wear.
"Elaine meet my fiance, Avella" nakangiting pakilala ni Manuel sakin habang nakahawak sa bewang ko.
Wait, Elaine? hindi ba iyon ang kausap ni Manuel noong nasa condo kami sa Italy?
"I contact her when we are in Italy because I'm asking how to propose to you and about the customized ring, baby." he pulled me closer and kissed my hair.
"She's a family friend and a wedding organizer," he smiled.
I nodded and extended my hand to Elaine.
"Finally, I met the woman he's talking about all the time," she said and shake hands with me. Ngumiti ako sa kanya at tinugon niya iyon ng ngiti rin.
"Maganda pala talaga ang mapapangasawa mo, Em. Paano mo ba nabola-bola ito?" tukso ni Elaine kay Manuel at nagtawanan sila kaya ngumiti lamang ako.
"Oh, shut up, El!" pikon na pagkakasabi ni Manuel kaya nagtawanan pa sila lalo.
Should I get jealous? Maybe, they are really close kasi may nickname na sila for each other. hindi naman dapat, diba? My gosh, Avella! Stop being negative thinker! Ngumiti na lamang ako sa kanila.
"So, can we talk about the plans for your wedding? do you have any ideas?" her eyes sparkle as she shows me her portfolio while sitting on the couch.
We talked about my ideal wedding, I like Elaine's suggestion on how can my ideal wedding improves. She's really bubbly and excited about our wedding. Eventually, we get along. Nawala rin yung doubts ko kasi Manuel and Elaine assured me na magkapatid ang turingan nila. Halos lahat ay nagustuhan ko kaya hirap akong mamili, kaya narito kami ngayon ni Gwyneth sa sala habang nagsusukat, gusto sanang manood ni Manuel habang nagsusukat ako kaso hindi pumayag si Gwyneth, sinabi niya pa 'Mas maganda kapag sa kasal ninyo na.'
Natawa nalang ako sa itsura ni Manuel dahil gusto niya talagang makita ang mga susuotin ko. Nakabusangot pa ito at panay buntong hininga. Tapos na kase siyang mamili at magfitting ng tuxedo niya kasama si Cocon, they're playing now in Cocon's room.
"This is the one..." I almost lost my breathe for a second when I saw myself in the wide mirror.
I saw Gwyneth and my mother's reaction, they are both speechless and mesmerized on the gown.
"Hija! you look stunning!" masayang sabi ni mama habang nakahawak sa bibig at lumalapit sakin.
"I want to get married too!" maarteng sabi ni Gwyneth at yumakap sakin ng mahigpit.
"I'm sure after wedding mo, may kapatid na si Cocon." dugtong niya at tinaasan ako ng kilay.
"Stop it!" madiin kong pagkakasabi sa kanya. Nandito pa naman si mama at nahihiya tuloy ako. Lalo pa nila akong tinukso at nang mamula ako ay inirapan ko silang lahat. Hindi sa ayaw ko masundan ang anak naming si Cocon, kung may dadating man na another blessing ay willing kami but It's just that, I want to spend more time with the three of us. Marami pa kami dapat i-catch up.
Gwyneth prepared a bachelorette party for me in the nearest bar here in Constancia and also Manuel is also having a bachelor party in the Mansion. Adriel suggested it at alam ko naman na para lang din iyon sa kanya, that brute is a fucking womanizer!
Hindi kami pwedeng magkita ni Manuel because tomorrow is my wedding day, they said it's a myth that bride and groom shouldn't meet before they marry each other. Forbidden daw iyon at baka hindi matuloy ang kasal o ano man na pamahiin. Nagalit pa nga si Manuel kasi sabi niya itutumba niya raw kahit sino basta haharang sa kasal namin. Tawang tawa ako sa itsura niyang seryosong sinasabi iyon.
Well, wala rin namang kasing masama kung susundin namin iyon atsaka wedding jitters din. I'm a bit afraid and for real? hindi ko rin alam bakit basta ganto daw kasi sabi nila kapag ikakasal, kinakabahan. Kaya tinuturing ko na lamang normal ito. Iniisip ko rin na baka naman hindi kaba yung nararamdaman ko excitement or unnamed feelings na positive. Ayoko mag-isip ng negative para bukas dahil napakahalagang araw sa akin n'on. Ayoko sirain 'yun sa pagiging nega ko, duh!
They blindfolded me and let me sit in a sofa chair. I heard everyone is giggling and sexy song roamed around the corner of the room. They start to scream and laugh. Damn! I can't believe this, gusto kong magpalamon sa lupa. Nakikita ko na ang sarili kong namumula ang mga pisngi. Nakakahiya!
Gwyneth removed my blindfold and they popped a bottle of champagne and confetti.
They hired men to dance! Tawa sila ng tawa dahil sa reaksyon ko. I mean? can they blame me? Hindi ako sanay makakita ng ibang katawan maliban kay Manuel.
Napangiti ako bigla. although, he's kind of possessive and acts manipulative before i also know for a fact he is no longer like that. he change and I can see it. hindi na iyon tumitingin ng masama sa kausap kong ibang lalaki maliban sa kanya. I know he loves me so much and I feel so overwhelmed when I'm one of the reason of his positive changes.
They dance in front of me and sit on my lap, I push them a bit since It's really awkward and I feel like I'm cheating on Manuel. I placed my hand on the upper part of my black satin dress because they will see my lingerie If I move a lot.
They are all wearing a white satin dress.
They all look like an angel but doing evil deeds.
When the music stopped, Gwyneth instructrd the dancers to get some wine and come back when they are called. Tumayo ako sa upuan at pumunta sa kanila.
"You looked so scared watching them." natatawang sabi ni Gwyneth. I rolled my eyes on her and pull the strand of her hair then chuckled.
I looked around and I saw Magui already drinking her first champagne, when she glanced at me, she walk towards me and gave me a hug. I didn't expect it cause I know her, she's not a clingy person. I tapped her back.
"I'm so happy for you and especially to honey!" sigaw niya dahil maingay na ulit sa room.
I smiled and hug her tightly.
"Thank you so much, Magui," I uttered.
"So, you should drink because tomorrow is your freaking day!" she screamed and grab a glass of wine for me, we toast it together.
"Cheers!"
Almost all of my close friends are here, Gwyneth, Leslie, my college friends. My mother together with Tita Alona and Manuel aunties are here to congratulate me and quickly goes to the spa in the upper floor because they preferred to be there since It's relaxing and will relieve their stress daw.
Maski ako ay gusto rin mag-spa ngunit syempre hindi naman ibig sabihin ay ayaw ko rito. Masaya ako sa lahat ng nangyayari ngayon at sa effort ng mga taong malalapit sa buhay ko.
I invited Elaine too because I already considered her as my friend. Kanina nahihiya pa siya pero ngayon ay close niya na ang lahat ng narito. She's really friendly and nice kaya hindi siya mahirap maging kaibigan.
Laurenza is here as well, sitting in the corner while using her phone. She looks mad while typing something. Napansin niya akong nakatingin sa kanya kaya ngumiti siya sa akin.
I still think it's really wrong to invite her since napakabait niya, parang hindi siya bagay sa mga gantong parties. I imagine her in the library with books and knowledge.
Gwyneth interrupted us by shouting and holding a cake. It's still covered with box kaya hindi ko makita ang itsura nito. Nilagay niya iyon sa lamesang nasa harap ko."Congratulation to my bestfriend!" sigaw niya at binuksan ang box. Nanlaki ang mata ko at alam kong pinamulanan ng kulay ang mukha ko.
It is a Penis cake! Damn this girl!
I rolled my eyes on her. I'm really embarassed lalo na at makita kong nasa dulo ng penis cake ang candle. Siraulo talaga ang babaeng ito. Lumapit sila sa akin nang nagtatawanan at nagsisigawan. Inirapan ko silang lahat.
"Blow job, Blow job!" sabi ni Gwyneth kaya tumayo ako para batukan siya. See? Kailangan ko na talaga ipamental ang kaibigan kong ito.
"Gwyneth!" naiiritang sigaw ko sa kanya.
"My bad, I'm sorry. Forgive my french, Avella." natatawang sabi niya.
"Blow the cake!"
"Blow the cake!"
"Blow the cake!"
Gwyneth holds the cake and I rolled my eyes at her. I know what they mean! I blew the cake and to my surprise, they dip their finger on the icing and lick it. Shocks!
Magui accidentally put the icing on her chest and she's searching for a tissue but we can't find one.
"I'll go in the bar counter, I'm sure meron sila doon." sabi niya at lumabas sa kwarto na nirentahan nila. Tumango kami at kumuha naman sila Gwyneth ng wine at nagtatawanan lamang kami.
Laurenza starts dancing with a man and
Leslie is holding a bottle of wine while dancing too. I hope they are still standing on my wedding day tomorrow. We drink 8 bottles of red wine and we're all surely drunk and tipsy.
I really hope we are all sober for tomorrow.
Leslie stop from dancing and started to cry heck, I don't know what is the reason for it or how to console her!
I told the boys around her to leave and I tap her back. Magui is nowhere to be found.
I thought she's going to the restroom but almost one hour na rin since nagpaalam siya.
Laurenza and Gwyneth are still drinking and I can't believe in this two. They have a high tolerance for alcohol. I'm really shocked since I know Laurenza is not into this line which is party and drinking but here she is, drinking liquor as if it's water. Indeed, Expect the unexpected.
My phone starts ringing, I saw the caller and
It's Manuel. I smiled before accepting the call.
I leave the room for a while and walk on the rooftop since our room is too loud and this place is the only place that is quiet here.
"Hey? Are you okay? How much wine did you drink, baby?" he asked, worriedly.
"We drank 8 bottles but I don't drink anymore. I don't want to throw up tomorrow on the aisle." I said, joking him. Tumawa siya sa sinabi ko kaya napangiti ako.
"How about you?" tanong ko habang ngumingisi. I heard him sigh kaya nag-alala ako.
"Zaugutus looks so goddam tired but still manage to drink. Adriel is nowhere to be found pero kanina he is with 3 girls. you know that bastard." he chuckled.
"Tinatanong ko ay ikaw," natatawa kong sabi.
"Oh, me? I'm totally fine, my wife. It's just that..." ani niya, stopping to say the last word and breathe deeply.
"It's just what? May nangyari ba diyan?" nag-aalala kong tanong.
"It's just that I miss you terribly, Avella. I love you, baby." he whispered and for fuck sake! his voice sounds like a lullaby tangina! ang init bigla.
I didn't respond for a second because I felt like a teenager giggling when his boyfriend saying 'I love you.
"Nahihiya ka bang tugunin ang I love you ko?" pagmamaktol niya.
I held the phone closer to my ear, hoping I could hear the sound of his breathing on the other side.
"I'm not shy, why would i? ano tingin mo sa sarili mo? super gold?" ani ko na kinatawa naming dalawa, namayani rin ang katahimikan sa amin at maririnig lamang ang paghinga niya sa kabilang linya.
"I'm a bit nervous. I thought you're considering your decision of marrying me." ani niya.
I looked up at the moon, knowing he's seeing the same one. Even though we are a miles away at least we are still looking at the same sky, at the same view.
"We are looking at the same sky, Manuel." ani ko sa kanya. Matagal bago siya sumagot kaya tinignan ko kung binaba niya na ba ngunit hindi naman.
"Manuel?" tawag ko sa kanya.
Tumikhim siya sa kabilang linya. "Yeah, we are."
"Mahal kita, Manuel." I whispered and I can imagine him smiling widely even before he spoke.
"Hold on! Let me catch my breath!" sambit niya at humihinga pa ng malalim. Napangiti ako. He's really crazy.
"You're an idiot." I joked to him.
"But this idiot you called is the one who loves you truly." he starts teasing me again. Napairap ako.
"I love you so much. so, come home. Cocon misses you, he starts crying when he doesn't find you in our room, that's why
Mama makes him sleep again and I promise him when he woke up, you will be in his side." mahabang pahayag niya sa akin.
"Alam mong bawal muna ako umuwi, diba? Bukas pa tayo pwede magkita." paalala ko sa kanya.
"I know and fuck that rules. Kung kailangan ko magdala ng baril at tutukan ang tututol sa kasal natin gagawin ko." seryoso niyang pagkakasabi kaya tumawa ako at ramdam ko naman na bumubusangot siya.
"Ikaw talaga! Uuwi ako pero promise me, You'll not see me and even catch a glimpse on me. Gusto ko lang sumunod sa pamahiin, okay?" sabi ko sa kanya at narinig ko ang buntong hininga niya.
"Bakit kasi kailangan iyan sundin? Hindi rin naman tayo maghihiwalay. Atsaka—"
"Manuel..." sa mga gantong bagay kapag tinatawag ko na siya alam niyang dapat sumunod nalang sa akin.
"Okay, fine. I'm not going to see or even catch a glimpse of you. I'll follow you." tila ang boses niya ay parang sumuko na sa pakikipag away sa akin kaya tumawa ako.
"I'm going home, baby." ani ko sa kanya at naramdaman ko ang buntong hininga niya muli.
"See you in my dreams. I love you."
"I love you, too." sagot ko.
Nasa tenga ko pa rin yung cellphone ko kaya nagulat ako nang magsalita siya.
"Patayin mo na yung tawag. I don't feel like ending it."
I agreed with what he said kasi kahit ako minsan ayoko rin i-end ang call namin pero kailangan kasi tatawagan niya pa si Fredo to take all of us in the house kasi we are all tipsy and drunk.
I'm very much excited about tomorrow, It will be one of the best days I've had. Everything seems to fall in the right places and I really hope it continuously flows, this time it will be right and happy.
Xoxo, Arabella