Exton's POV
"Bad news! She's not coming!" nakapamulsang salubong ni Shin sa akin.
Lumakas ang kabog ng dibdib ko at nanlalaking matang tumingin kay Shin na nakangisi.
"W-what?"
"Yeah, baka narealize niyang ayaw ka naman talaga niyang pakasalan." he laughed so hard. We caught the attention of the visitors.
"Tangina mo--"
"We're on the church. Sige ka, baka masunog ka, hindi talaga kayo maikakasal!" I rolled my eyes at him. He smirked at me and went to our friends.
I inhaled. Damn, kinabahan ako ron ah.
I walked back in forth, I'm nervous as hell! Oops, okay I'm on a church.
"Here comes the bride!" the coordinator shouted so I gulp. Kinakabahan na talaga ako.
Shin came back to my side. He's the best man. Tsk, I don't know why I even chose him.
"'Wag kang iiyak." Shin tapped me in the shoulders so I rolled my eyes.
"You know, you're a moment destroyer." I answered irritatedly. Tarantado talaga. "Gaganti ako sa kasal mo."
"I will not be marrying anyone." he shrugged and smirked.
"What a scam." I rolled my eyes literally not believing him.
Napako ang tingin ko sa pinto nang bumukas iyon.
Unang iniluwa non ang mga flower girl. I didn't pay attention to the entourage actually, all I want to see is my beautiful bride.
They closed the door again, after a minute it opens and then my Aphrodite stepped in.
Now playing: Back at One
'It's undeniable that we should be together
It's unbelievable, how I used to say that I'd fall never
The basis is need to know
If you just don't know how I feel'
We're both staring at each other. She's wearing her long white gown. Her face was covered with a veil.
Napakaganda niya. Para soyang anghel na iniluwa sa pintong iyon.
She walked slowly and I can't help but to shed in tears while looking at her. Shin chuckled at me and handed me an white handkerchief.
Napatingin naman ako sa taas kung saan kumakanta ang Kawazuki together with Daisy Miranda. The famous singer in our country.
Muling ibinaling ko ang tingin kay Vien. She's a goddess.
I shook my head and chuckled as I remembered what I did these past few weeks.
"Flowers for the most beautiful woman in the world." I handed her a bouquet of chrysanthemum, she frowned while accepting the flowers.
Pinuntahan ko siya dito sa bahay niya. Looks good, huh. Atleast I'm sure she will not stay at Canada anymore.
"What are you doing here?" she looked around.
Nandito rin kasi ang katrabaho niya. They're editing, I don't know. Sa movie ata nila.
"Uhmm, I just want to say that I'll not be around for I think, one week?" I smiled but she just gave me a bored look.
"Pakealam ko?"
"I just want to inform you, you know baka mamiss mo ako?" I teased. Ngumiwi siya sa akin at saka umirap.
"I'm sorry to disappoint you, mister, but I wouldn't miss you. " she looked straight to my eyes, no sign of joking.
Ouch. Aray ha! Grabe ka talaga Vienna Ross, hehe.
"Basta, bye!" mabilis ko siyang hinalikan sa labi at saka mabilis na naglakad paalis.
"Exton!" rinig ko pang sigaw niya pero nakangiti lang akong dumiretso ng lakad habang nakahawak sa labi.
Tangina, kinikilig ata ako. Fuck! Hindi na ako bata!
"Tangina, seryoso ka ba rito?" kunot noong tanong ni Ethan at tumitig sa lalaking nasa backseat na pinagigitnaan ni Shin at Justine.
"Yeah," I simply anwered and started to drive.
"Damn, are you crazy?" pagalit na tanong ni Justine at tinapik tapik pa ang pisngi non.
I sighed "Yeah, I guess I am."
"What do you want from me?" tss, gising na pala.
I stopped the car in the side road and faced the so-called-fiancee of my Aphrodite.
He looked around and winced when he noticed all of us are looking at him.
"Gusto kong umurong ka sa kasal niyo ni Vien." diretsong litanya ko.
"W-What?" his eyes grew bigger as he seated up straight.
"I said, don't continue the wedding." iritableng ani ko.
I need to comeback to Vien before this week ends.
"You kidnapped me just for t-this?" hindi makapaniwalang aniya kaya napairap ako.
Masyado bang mababaw? Well, it's for my Aphrodite, it's not mababaw na reason.
"Yeah, I wouldn't do anything to you naman, basta umatras ka lang sa kasal." ngumiti pa ako pero sumandal siya sa backrest at saka ngumisi sa akin.
"What if I don't? Will you kill me?" napatawa naman ako sa sinabi niya.
Hala siya! Damn, I'm not a killer. Ngumiwi naman sa akin ang tatlo so I just sighed.
"Nah, I wouldn't go that far. Aakitin ko nalang si Vien, good idea?" I smiled at him.
He shrugged and even brought out his phone. What the heck! Anong klaseng kidnapping to?
"Better, alam mo dagdag points don kung dadalhan mo siya ng mozzarella cheese! I promise she will--"
"Fiancé ka ba talaga?" putol ko sa pinagsasabi niya.
"Uh yes?" alanganin siyang tumango.
"Eh bakit sinasabi mo yan sa akin?" kunot noong tanong niya.
I knew it! He doesn't love Vien, tama bang ipagkalulo mo ang babaeng mahal mo?
Geez, I want to fucking punch him right now!
"Okay, Mr. Ex ni Vienna, let me tell you this. In five years that we became friends madami na siyang nakwento sa akin tungkol sa'yo. You know when everytime she's telling me a story about you she always have this smile. In her stories you are the greatest man she ever met..." pumirmi siya sa backrest at saka nagkibit balikat. "Binabawi mo na siya ngayon, I don't have issue with that, we're just best friends, I just happened to be her fiancé because kuya Vince ordered me to, and me being the responsible brother I gladly obligated. So if you won't mind, may I go home now. Our wedding is off. Congrats pare."
Muli nanamang mahabang litanya niya at bahagyang tinapik pa ako sa balikat bago bumaba.
They all stared at me. I heaved a heavy sigh. Okay success. Two more.
'Then let me show you that now I'm for real
If all the things in time, time will reveal
Yeah'
With her parent beside her and her twin at her back, I saw how she cried and I want to run towards her just to wipe that tears.
"Amputa, baklang bakla." bulong ni Shin kaya sinamaan ko siya ng tingin.
"Sungalngalin kita makita mo!" nginisian niya lang ako.
Nahagip ng mga mata ko si Vince na nakangisi lang sa akin. I smirked at him and once again looked at my Aphrodite.
"Vince," I called him. I'm waiting for him outside of his fucking company. It was so hot out here.
"What?" he raised his brows and teasingly looked at me.
"I will have Vien back." I stated. Unti unting sumeryoso ang mukha niya.
I thought he'll get married already? Don't tell me she still have feelings for Vien?
"Wow, kung makakuha akala mo laruan lang siya." mapanuyang sagot niya sa akin.
Umigting ang panga ko at seryosong tumingin sa kaniya.
"I'll do anything."
"Hah! What did I told you? You will never have her again." ramdam ko ang diin sa mga sinabi niya.
I closed my eyes intently before calming myself, "I didn't ask for your opinion, I'm just here to inform you that I will get her again." masungit na sagot ko.
"Dadaan ka muna sa amin!"
And that's true, I did pass them.
Damn! They fucking made me as their fucking punching bag!
All of them! Sumali pa ang mga kaibigan ko. That stupid assholes.
Sa gwapo kong to? Babangasan ako?
They said it's for hurting Vien. Hindi na din ako gumanti, I deserve this. Kulang pa ito sa binigay kong sakit sa kaniya.
Apat na araw din akong hindi nakalabas dahil sa natamo kong bugbog sa kanila. Good thing it's now healing. Damn, paano ako haharap sa kanila nang may bangas sa mukha?
Tss, nevermind, I need to ask their permission.
"Exton?" tawag sa akin ni Tita Madie, like what I did to Vince I also waited for them outside of their house. I didn't mind kahit na makulimlim pa ang langit.
"Tita... t-tito," kinakabahang tumingin ako sa kanila.
I can't see any emotion in tito Michael's face.
"Anong ginagawa mo rito?" malamig na tanong niya sa akin. Dahan dahan akong lumuhod sa harap nilang dalawa.
"E-Exton! Oh my gosh!" dinig kong tarantang saad ni tita pero hindi ako nag angat ng tingin.
"I'm sorry. I'm sorry!" walang tigil kong paghingi ng patawad. Sumabay na rin ang sunod sunod na pagtulo ng luha ko. Damn it! I can't believe I hurt my Vienna so bad.
"Juskong bata, tumayo ka riyan, anak!" agad akong inalalayan ni tita Madie patayo pero hindi ako nagpatinag.
I'm fucking guilty.
"Pasensya na po sa lahat ng nagawa ko sa anak niyo. I was wrong... I'm sorry!" My voice broke as I endlessly saying sorry.
"Napatawad ka na namin, anak" I was stunned for a minute with that.
I nervously looked up to them.
"I'm here po to tell you that I will not let Vienna go. I want to ask for your permission, I will marry her," Nauutal pa nga ako habang nagsasalita, I was speechless actually but I really want to marry their daughter, my Aphrodite.
"Marry her? Nasa airport na siya ngayon." inosenteng saad ni tita Madie kaya napalaki ang mata ko.
What the freaking hell?
She will leave me? Again?
"P-po?"
"What? You didn't know? Ngayon ang uwi niyang Canada." para akong nabuhusan ng malamig na tubig sa sinabi niyang iyon.
"You still have time, hijo. At kahit na gusto kitang pagbabarilin noon sa ginawa niyo ng kapatid mo sa anak ko, binibigyan na kita ng basbas. Just don't make her cry again, remember I have a pistol upstairs." napalunok ako sa sinabing iyon ni Tito but I secretly celebrated that he gave me permission. Tangina, I can't explain how happy I am right now.
"I-I promise tito... tita."
"Call us papa at mama, anak. Welcome to the family. Kung tatanggapin ka pa ni Vienna." niyakap nila ako kaya nadagdagan ang sayang nararamdaman ko.
Agad akong dumiretso sa airport. I roamed around but I didn't see her. Walang Vien.
I was about to turn my back and search for her in her house when I saw a familiar back.
Agad na nabuhayan ang dugo ko nang makitang palinga linga siya at parang may hinahanap. Is it me?
"Baby," I hugged her from behind. I felt that she stilled.
"E-Exton?" ipinatong ko ang baba ko sa balikat niya.
I don't care if I'm making a scene right now. Sino bang hindi nakakakilala sa kaniya, she's a famous director and I have the guts to hug her in public.
"Don't leave? Please?" ramdam kong napahinga siya ng malalim.
"You know I couldn't," hinarap niya ako.
"You can stay here. I will not hurt you anymore. I will love you until you're tired of me, I will love you even if you rebuke me for all the hurtful words I said, just... don't leave, baby? I still love you, damn, hinding hindi naman iyon mababago eh." muling pakiusap ko sakaniya.
She smiled bitterly and closed her eyes intently.
"I love you too, I still do." mahinang saad niya na nagpatigil sa akin. Ganoon pa rin ang epekto sa akin tuwing naririnig ko sa kaniya ang mga iyan.
"Then, you're not leaving?" nabuhayan ako.
"I still need to go." sadness filled me, is this a karma? "But, I will come back, I will be home. You're my home, right?" napangiti ako sa sinabi niya at agad na niyakap siya ng mahigpit.
This woman is my life, hinding hindi ko na papakawalan pa.
"Promise?" nanlaki ang mga mata ko at agad na binawi ang salitang iyon. "No, I mean, wag kang magpromise, I hate promises now."
"Tss, tukmol pa rin hanggang ngayon." she hissed.
"Comeback okay? You mean a universe to me, Vienna. I love you." muli ko siyang niyakap at hinalikan sa noo.
"I love you too."
'One, you're like a dream come true
Two, just wanna be with you
Three, girl it's plain to see
That you're the only one for me and
Four, repeat steps one through three
Five, make you fall in love with me
If ever I believe my work is done
Then I'll start back at one'
"Take care of my princess, Exton." pinaningkitan ako ng mata ni Tito Michael bago iabot ang braso ni Vien sa akin.
"I will, papa." nakangiting sagot ko.
Seryoso muna siyang tumingin sa akin bago bumaling sa anak.
"Bibisita ka pa rin sa bahay ha."
"Tss, ako pa, baka araw araw din ako don." Vien said.
Anong araw araw?
"Wag naman, dapat maging hands on ka na sa magiging asawa mo. Apo ko ha." I smiled with that. Ofcourse, by next year may apo na sila. Baka sharp shooter 'to?
"You're gorgeous, my goddess." I complimented her while we're walking down the aisle with her arms clinging at mine.
"Asa ka, hindi kita pupurihin." she rolled her eyes so I laughed.
Mag iisang buwan na simula nang umalis siya. We're not communicating, baka kasi kapag narinig ko ang boses niya sundan ko siya.
It's her premiere night kaya kailangan talaga nilang umuwi. Iyan lang ang narinig kong balita sa kaniya and I'm so proud of her, proud na proud ako sa tapang at galing niya. I texted her how much proud I am and how much I love her. I didn't pay attention with the rest. Ginugol ko lahat ng atensyon ko sa surprise wedding.
Hindi niya alam na ikakasal kami kapag dumating na siya. Hinding hindi ko na talaga siya papakawalan. Sana lang talaga pumayag siyang ikasal sa akin.
"She's here!" Britanica stated while looking at her phone. Kompleto ang lahat. My friends and her with of course her parents to welcome her.
I hid, it's a surprise.
Nang matanawan ko siya ay nakita kong naiiyak na din siya.
I planned it all.
"Exton, Exton... sumagot ka naman please?" humawak siya sa dibdib niya habang naiiyak na nilapit ang phone sa tainga niya.
They all agreed with my plan that I will say to Vien that I will be migrating abroad, that I didn't wait for her return but actually, I will just propose to her.
"Mama?! Mama! Si Exton?!" she held her mom's arms.Tita shook her head so she went to Shin. "Shin! Si Exton? Damn it, asan na siya?" lumuhod siya kaya sinamaan ako nilang lahat ng tingin.
Well, I think that's my cue?
"Baby," lumuhod na din ako.
That's the time we heard the music. I rented again her favorite band, Kawazuki. Hindi ko lang sure kung iyon pa rin ba ang paborito niyang banda.
"Exton? Exton!" agad niya akong niyakap. I chuckled, damn, namiss ko siya. "I-I thought you will--"
Pinatahimik ko siya gamit ang labi ko. "Shh, kainis, napaiyak nanaman kita." I whispered.
Ipinaglapat ko ang mga noo namin bago ko pinahid ang mga luha niya. I felt bad.
"Tangina mo talaga! Pakana mo iyon no? Bwiset ka!" pinaghahampas niya ako sa braso. I kissed her again and helped her to stand up.
"Shh, baby, last na to. Hindi ka na iiyak ulit. Sa susunod mong iyak sisiguraduhin ko ng tears of joy yon."
"Huh?" I smiled at her and bended my knees infront of her.
"Vienna Kate Sandoval..." I held her both hands and looked up at her.
"H-Hoy! Anong ibig--" napahawak siya sa bibig niya at nanlalaking matang tumingin sa akin.
"I once a playboy, everyone in our campus knows about that, a man making girls cry, pati nga ikaw, I also made you cry, I hurt you bigtime and fuck it! That was the thing I regret the most in my whole life. Naisip ko na rin nung nakita kita uli na I don't deserve you, walang kang ginawa noon kundi ang mahalin ako but what did I do? But look at me now, kneeling infront of you because I-I can't lose you. If I am not deserving, I'll make myself deserving then, I'll work hard for that, babawi ako sa 'yo araw-araw, mamahalin kita araw-araw... Everybody needs someone in life to hold on to, and I'm glad that I met you, I have you." she sobbed and stared at me. Our gaze were locked at each other like there's no one around us. Parang kami lang ang tao.
"So, miss Vienna Kate Sandoval, would you give me a chance to prove myself... would you mind watch the sunrise every morning with me as your other half?" I asked as I brought out the black box. She once shed tears as she nodded several times.
Isinuot ko ang singsing sa kaniya. I stared at it before standing and kissed her. My fiancé. My love.
"Noong una, ang gusto ko lang gawin sa 'yo ay ang ibaon ka sa lupa, until you gave me a reason not to. We've been through a lot of challenges. Sinubok tayo ng panahon, sinubok ang pagmamahal natin, ang tiwala natin sa isa't isa. We've been separated for almost ten years. I didn't expect that after ten years magkikita pa ulit tayo. Exton, you're my happiness, you're my world, my everything. Kung papipiliin ako kung sino ang mamahalin ko, ikaw, ikaw pa rin, ikaw lang palagi. Ikaw lang talaga eh. I love you, love." I smiled and wiped my tears.
I didn't know na ganito pala ang feeling. Sinabi ko na ang O-OA ng mga lalaking umiiyak sa kasal nila, tss, hindi ko alam na nakakaiyak naman talaga.
"I, Vienna Kate Sandoval, take you, Exton Ross, to be my lawfully wedded husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death do us part, according to God's holy law, in the presence of God I make this vow." isinuot niya ang singsing sa akin at naluluhang tumingin sa mga mata ko.
I hushed her and kissed her forehead.
"I, Exton Ross, take you, Vienna Kate Sandoval, to be my lawfully wedded wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death do us part, according to God's holy law, in the presence of God I make this vow. I love you." isinuot ko na ang singsing sa kaniya. Napatitig pa ako ron at parang hindi makapaniwalang asawa ko na siya matapos lang ang ilang minuto.
"I now pronounce you, man and wife. You may now kiss the bride." the priest announced.
Walang anu-ano'y itinaas ko ang belo niya at agad na sinunggaban ng halik.
I could hear them gasp, but I didn't mind. I could still hear their cheerings.
I felt so lucky to have her. She sacrificed her work just to be with me. She left her life in Canada just to stay with me. I gelt bad actually that she had to choose pero sinabi ko naman sa kaniya na okay lang na sa Canada na kami titira.
Ramdam ko rin ang pagngiti ng asawa ko. Asawa ko, ang gandang pakinggan.
While kissing her, I can for see my future with her. Having a children with her. Cooking for me after work. Loving me...
This is the life I want. She's the life I want.
I love her so much. I will do everything for her.
Life can give us lots of beautiful person in our lives, but only one person is enough to become our life.
This is Exton Ross.
From dating the boyish, to building a new home with her. My forever.
~The End~