Chapter 10: Wedding Preparations 

"If all you've taught is the wedding and not the marriage, then you might need to think again"

***

Eiffel's PoV

Nasa kalagitnaan kami ng klase at nagdidiscuss ng lesson ang English teacher ko. Kakaresume lang ng klase ngayong araw dahil tapos na ang holidays, ako naman ay nakatulala lang sa labas ng bintana dahil sa kakaibang katalinuhan ko ay alam ko na ang dinidiscuss ni ma'am.

At ang totoo ay iniisip ko parin ang kasal namin ni kuya Clyde na magaganap sa apat na araw mula ngayon. Ayaw ko man aminin dahil ang garang pakingan, masaya talaga ako. Kasi oras na kinasal kami, masasabi kong akin lang si Kuya Clyde. Ako lang ang babaeng makakasama niya habang buhay. I will be his and he will be mine....

"Forever..."

Wala sa sariling sambit ko.

"Eiffel, pack up your bag and you are excuse" sabi ni teacher at nagtatakang tumingin ako sa kanya.

Anong excuse?

At nagulat nalang ako sa nakikita ko. Nakangiti ang teacher ko katabi ang dalawang magkamukhang magkamuhang manika-este mga babae at nakangiting kumaway sa akin.

As usual, both of them were wearing pink frilly dresses that reaches their knees, white raffles socks and a pink closed shoes that matches up their gothic looks.

Bakit andito sila ate Kathrene and Kathlene?

Pati mga kaklase ko ay nagbubulungan, panigurado ay nagtataka sila kung sino ang mga ito.

Tumayo ako at ipinasok ang mga libro sa loob ng bag ko at naglakad papalapit s kanila.

Bahagyang nagbow ako kay teacher "Thank you po teacher. Mauuna na po ako." Paalam ko.

Nakangiting hinimas naman niya ang buhok ko "Ok take care Eiffel"

Minsan pa niyang sinulyapan sila ate Kathlene and Kathrene "magiingat kayo"

"Salamat po" nakangiting sambit nila.

Pagkalabas namin ay nagtinginan kami.

"Pinapasundo ka ni Tita Sophie and Tita Pau, magfifitt ka daw ng wedding gown" sabay nilang pahayag.

Oo nga pala ngayon nga pala nakascedule na mamimili ako ng damit.

"Salamat po. Pasensya na sa abala kayo." Namumulang sabi ko.

"Nonsense! We're just excited. This is the most exciting part in weddings don't you know?"

Paglabas namin ng building ay agad tumambad ang isang kumikintab na pink Porsche.

At napangiwi ako ng wala sa oras. I guess hindi nila alam na sa isang public school lang ako nagaaral.

"What are you doing Eiffel?" tanong ni ate Kathrene.

"We have to go!" dugtong ni ate Kathlene at hinablot ang kamay ko papasok ng kotse.

Habang nasa daan ay nagkuwekwentuhan kami.

"You can just call us Rene and Lene, that's our nickname,"

"Yeah and its cuter"

Di nagtagal ay tumigil na ang sasakyan "We're here!" pahayag ni ate Rene.

"Perfect!" dugtong ni ate Lene.

Pagbaba namin sa kotse ay hinatak na ako ng kambal sa loob ng isang shop.

Pagkaloob ko ay agad naagaw ang pansin ko ng mga kumikinang na mga kasuotan. Inilibot ko ang paningin ko at masasabi kong ang lawak ng lugar. Magarbo at very detailed ang pagkakagawa sa mga damit. Nakita ko si Mama na kausap ang isang babae.

"Mommy" tawag ko sa kanya.

"Eiffel, good thing you're here now" nakangiting sabi ni Mama. "This is Ms. Sara ang designer ng mga gown dito. We were discussing the details for your wedding"

Lumapit sa akin si Ms. Sara at bahagyang umuklo para magkapanatay na kami.

"So, here is our bride! You're so beautiful. I'm honored na ako ang gagawa ng gown mo Lady Eiffel" sabi niya.

Napangiti ako. "Thank you"

"These are the sample ng mga creations ko. You can look around while your mother and I talk ok?" she suggested.

Tumango ako at naglakad papunta sa mga gown na nakasuot sa mga mannequins.

Isa isa ko silang nilapitan at tiningnan. Magaganda ang lahat, detalyadong-detalyado ang mga disenyo at halatang mamahalin. Most are ball gowns designed with ruffles, there are also long gowns and dresses. First class talaga.

"Eiffel come here" tawag sa akin ni Mama at nagtungo ako sa kanya.

"Anak, would you try these clothes for us?" nakangiting request niya.

Nagtataka man ay sumunod nalang ako.

Pumasok ako sa fitting room kasama ang isang assistant ni Miss Sara at tinulungan akong isuot ito.

Paglabas ko ay tuwang tuwa ang kambal at si Mama.

"Its so pretty!" sabay na sambit ng kambal

"Yes" sangayon naman ni Mama.

I was wearing a very flamboyant ball gown designed with shimmering beads and golden laces at the end, complete with corset. Even the head piece, which is a white hat with veil was so extravagant. The petticoat is heavy though while the corset is too tight and I don't think I can easily walk with it.

"M-Mom..." nakangiwing tawag ko sa kanya. How can I say it?

"What is it dear? You don't like it?" Tanong ni Mama at dahan dahan akong tumango.

"I think it's too heavy..."

"Alright! Try the others!"

Di makapaniwalang napatingin ako sa dami ng mga nakahanger na damit na tinuro niya. Don't tell me lahat ng anditong mga gowns ay ipapasuot nila sa akin?!

Inalalayan ako ng assistant pabalik ng fitting room at isinuot ko ang sumunod na damit.

Ang dami kong mga tinry na ibat ibang gown at pagod na pagod na ko.

Paglabas ko ay napangiti ulit sila.

"Perfect!"

This time I was wearing a shimmering off shoulder long-back dress which shows my legs. The skirt is two meters long at the back. It was design with pink ruffles with a matching tiara on my head.

"M-Mom..."

"What is it princess? Do you prefer that haltered one?" nakangiting suggest ni Mama.

"Uhmm..." How could I tell her that I don't like these designs?

"Tita Pau, where is the venue?" excited na tanong ni ate Rene.

"Well, wala pa naman kaming napaguusapan tungkol diyan" sagot ni Mama.

"Then why not choose your biggest hotel? Dela Fuente's Chains of Hotels and Restaurants are known worldwide after all!" suggest naman ni ate Lene.

"Oh no, I bet it would be more perfect if we celebrate it in a private island!" singit ni ate Rene.

"Then we can invite hundreds of guests! Don't forget the live coverage! It must earn the tittle wedding of the year Tita! After all, it's the marriage of the Fuentabela heir and Sinclaire heiress!"

Oh no...

I just wanted a-

"That looks weird"

Napalingon kaming lahat sa pinanggalingan ng boses at agad akong naconscious ng makita ko si Kuya Clyde na naglalakad papalapit sa amin kasama ni Mommy Sophie.

He looked so bored with his hands in his pockets. Agad siyang binatukan ni Mommy Sophie and he winced clutching his head.

"Don't call your bride weird! Can't you see how adorable she is!" naiinis na sita ni Mommy Sophie.

"I was referring to her gown, if you can even call it a gown" he answered back while robbing his injured head.

"Of course, it's a gown Clyde!" sigaw ni ate Rene.

"A wedding gown to be exact" dugtong naman ni ate Lene.

"So stupid" sabay nilang insulto sa kanya at naiinis na tinignan naman sila ni Kuya.

"Perfect! Since you're here Clyde, why don't you help in choosing your bride's wedding gown?" my Mama asked with a smile and Kuya smiled back, nodding his head as an answer.

Inilibot niya ang mga mata niya, scanning the gowns inside the room

I can't help it but smile, he was helping me and that is enough to make me happy. Kahit anong uri man ng gown ang piliin niya ay masaya akong isuot yun. Even if I can hardly walk on it or even if I looked ridiculous on it.

Wait, did I just say that right?

"Here" Kuya Clyde said handing me the one he chose. Hindi ko na tiningnan pa ito at agad akong bumalik ng fitting room para isuot ito.

Paglabas ko ay agad kumunot ang noo nilang lahat maliban kay Kuya Clyde.

"What in the world are you wearing Eiffel?!" sigaw nila.

Maski ako ay nagtataka nga rin sa suot suot ko.

"CLYDE DALE FUENTABELLA?!" sigaw ni Mommy Sophie sa sariling anak.

"What?" inosenteng tanong naman ni Kuya.

I was wearing a very plain empire white dress that reaches my knee. No beads, laces, ruffles nor petticoat. Just very simple dress. There was a ribbon attached on my chest holding the cloth, giving off a wavy design at the end.

I twirled around checking it out.

"Ummhhh Clyde iho." Hindi alam ni Mama kung papaano niya kakausapin si Kuya.

"That's not even a wedding gown. It's a dress, for FLOWER GIRLS!!!" hysterically na sabi ni Mommy Sophie.

"That thing Eiffel is wearing is absurd!" sabay na comment ng kambal at naiwan akong nakangiwi.

Naglakad si Kuya Clyde malapit sa vase na nakapatong sa table at pumitas ng isang white rose.

"What you guys wanted her to wear is really the ridiculous one" he stated and walked towards me.

"Can't you see that the bride doesn't really like all those gowns she tried? It's a wedding, not a prom nor debut. How can she properly walk at the aisle with Tito Raven wearing those huge gowns? I even bet if she could hardly breathe on it" he specified.

Pagkalapit niya sa akin, he took the white rose and tucked it behind my ears, smiling at me.

A million-dollar smile! And I felt an arrow piercing my heart!

He took my hand and faced them all.

"And besides, Eiffel alone is already perfect. She doesn't need those exaggerated gowns to look beautiful" May bahid ng pagmamalaki sa boses niya.

"My bride is beautiful the way she is, right Tita Pau?" he asked my mom with a closed eye smile.

Help me Lord, baka di ko kayanin ang sombrang bilis ng tibok ng puso ko!

Mommy smiled understanding Kuya Clyde's point.

"She is. I'm sorry Eiffel. I guess we were too excited to dress you up. What do you think of the one you're wearing now?" Mama asked me.

"I-I also like this one!" nahihiyang sagot ko.

Madalas kasi ay sumusunod lang ako sa kung anong gusto nila but this time I'm very happy that I can say my opinion because I know Kuya Clyde will support me.

"It's lighter and I can easily walk with it" I answered.

"Hmp! There you go again Eiffel! Always following Clyde" irritated na sabi ni ate Lene.

"Eiffel, you can't always be so good to Clyde, or else he'll take advantage of you" ate Rene retorted pouting her lips.

"Just shut up ok!" Kuya Clyde answered back annoyingly.

"You won this time Clyde." Mommy Sophie commented.

"But we will still to do some alteration with the dress. Perhaps add some details. You're a Sinclaire after all Eiffel. You must wear something presentable" she continued.

"Yes, we also have to adjust it to her size" Miss Sara rejoined.

"How about her veil?" tanong ni Mama at nagsimula na silang pagusapan ang mga ibang detalye.

"U-Um... About the Wedding..." nahihiya akong sabihin sa kanila ang nasa isip ko.

Natigil sa pagaaway ang tatlong magpipinsan pati ang naguusap ng mga matatanda

"I only wish for a simple wedding ceremony. A garden wedding perhaps?" I revealed.

"E-Eiffel!" di makapaniwalng tawag sa akin ni Mommy Sophie and even the twins looked at me like I said something so ridiculous.

I looked at Kuya Clyde and he just nodded.

I smiled again seeing how he support everything I want.

"But Eiffel, this is your wedding! I want my daughter to at least have a grand wedding! A Sinclaire wearing a flower dress for her wedding is already unheard of!" freaked out na sabi ni Mama.

Napangiti na lang ako. "Mommy, don't freak out, I want to wear a dress where I can easily walk with Daddy. A solemn ceremony. I am having this wedding not to wear extravagant wedding gown and have grand celebration but to honor my Daddy's last wish."

"She's right. It's a Wedding between an eleven-year-old girl and a seventeen boy. We shouldn't take risks. For Eiffel's sake." Dadag ni Kuya Clyde.

Bagsak balikat na sumuko si Mama. Niyakap ko nalang siya bilang paglalambing.

"Thank you po Mommy"

"Que horror! Bakit ba ako nagkarooon ng ganitong anak?" pabirong tanong ni Mama na tinawanan ko naman.

Even the twins just sighed out defeatedly.

Disappointed na tiningnan nalang ako nila Mama at Mommy Sophie. "dinouble team tayo Pau." Sabi ni Mommy Sophie and my mother agreed as she nodded her head.

I smiled at Kuya Clyde and he just looked away diverting his attention to somewhere which just made me chuckle. He is indeed a tsundere just like what the twins said.