Chapter 12: The Wedding

"A marriage is not a noun; it's a verb. It isn't something you get. It's the way you love your partner every day." ***

Clyde's POV

I'm here inside the guest room of the Sinclaire mansion currently fighting with my stupid bowtie.

Haist! Bakit ba kasi kailangan kong magsuot ng ganito! Sakal na sakal ako pag nagsusuot ako ng mga ganitong bagay.

Today is the BIG DAY. Ang bilis ng mga araw at hindi ko inaakala na ngayong araw na ito ako mismo ikakasal.

"Busying busy ka sa pakikipagpatayan dito sa bowtie mo at di mo ako napansin" Hindi ko namalayan ay nasa harap ko na si Mom at inagaw ang nagkandabuhol-buhol na bowtie sa mga daliri ko

"Hay, bakit kasi kailangan kong magsuot ng ganito?" naiiritang tanong ko.

"CLYDE DALE FUENTABELLA! Wag kang gagawa ng kung ano anong makakasira ng kasal ng anak ko! I want everything to be perfect in this day!" bilin ni Mom sa akin, pagkatapos niyang ayusin ang bowtie ko ay chineck naman niya ang coat ko.

"I always dreamed of my son having the perfect wedding where he will be wearing an elegant white suit while waiting for his lovely bride. Though, I never expected na ganitong kaaga. For the love of God, he is only a seventeen-year-old boy." She animatedly rolled her eyes.

Nanatili ang tingin ko sa kanya habang inaaliw ang sarili sa pagkwekwento. My mom, inspite of being old, she's still so beautiful. Those laugh lines and enchanting eyes I always adored since I was a child...

"I wanted him to at least introduce his first girlfriend to us. We were worried about him being a homo, not that we won't accept him or what. Though he still kept giving us random headaches," and she chuckled.

"But you know? Napakaswerte ng anak ko, having a bride like her" nakangiting sabi niya.

She looked at me with those concern eyes and held my hand "Eiffel is a very responsible and matured girl but as her husband you must guide her and be loyal to her. It's really awkward to say but please Clyde... Love her and only her. A marriage between an eleven-year old girl and seventeen year old boy will not be easy so you must protect the sanctity of your marriage no matter what happens."

She smiled again with tears blurring her vision, raising her hands she held my face "I'm so happy giving birth to you my son. I love you so much"

These smooth and gentle hands that took care of me for seventeen years, that loved me for all of my life. Now I just realized...

My mother is the first woman I loved from the moment I opened my eyes.

I suddenly hugged her which shocked her, how long has it been since the last time I hugged her? Two- three years ago?

I really felt guilty, I've been so unfair with my parents, I never exerted effort in showing them how much I love them and hearing my mom talking like this makes me feel so bad.

"Thank you for Mom and I love you too" I stated with my eyes closed pero bigla niya akong pinalo.

"Aray! Ma?!" daing ko at hinimas ang nasaktang balikat.

"Nakakaasar ka naman e! I can't afford ruining my make up tapos paiiyakin mo pa ako!" she retorted habang pinupunasan ng panyo ang mga luha niya.

Hay nako kahit kelan talaga si Mama...

She inhaled and exhaled at naglakad na papunta sa pinto pero huminto siya at lumingon sa akin.

"I don't really mind having a grandchild right away once she turns in right age.."

"But sabi nga nila. Mas maganda kung pahihinugin muna" she informs and laughed saka lumabas na.

"Mama!!!" namumulang sigaw ko.

'''

I am now standing in front of the altar, as Eiffel wished, it was only a simple garden wedding. The place is full of white flowers and bubbles are floating around. There are so many hanging wisterias and lavenders. My families are the only guests and the family servants of the Sinclaires whom they already treated as their family.

"Nervous son?" tanong ni Papa na katabi ko.

"No." I arrogantly answered.

"Alam ko na kinausap ka na ng Mama mo kaya wala na akong masasabi pa" he paused and looked at me. "But take care of her Clyde and thank you for being my son" he said and gave me a warm smile.

I smiled back "Thanks Dad, even though I was never the perfect son and heir you wanted to have" I was really fortunate for being their son, kahit ilang ulit kong pinapasakit ang ulo nila, they never surrendered and kept on loving me.

Papa patted my shoulder "I never wanted you to be like those Clyde, I just wanted you to be happy especially now that you'll have your own wife. Remember son, a Fuentabella will only have one wife until his own death"

"I know Dad"

Ngayon ay ikakasal na ako, bigla tuloy ako nakaramdam ng kakaiba, hindi na ako ang dating Clyde na ginagawa ang gusto lamang niya, hindi na ako ang dating Clyde na puro pan sarili ang iniisip.

Ako na ang magiging asawa ng labing isang taong gulang na batang iyon at sa lahat ng mga desisyon na gagawin ko ay magiging kapuwang ko siya. Gagawin ko ang lahat para mapasaya siya dahil mahaba haba pa ang mga taong pagsasaluhan naming dalawa.

God! I'm getting sentimental and emotional with this marriage!

Nagsimula nang tumugtog ang kanta at lahat ng dumalo ay lumingon sa likod.

Pagdapo ng mga mata ko sa harap ko ay tila tumigil ang lahat.

Heart beats fast,

Colors and promises.

How to be brave.

A very beautiful angel was standing at the opposite side of the aisle.

Nananaginip ba ako? Totoo ba ito?

She was dressed up with a very simple white dress that reaches her ankle, her wavy raven black hair was adorned by a crown of white roses, she didn't have to wear make up for her beauty is effortless.

She is holding a bouquet of white rose and started walking with her father who looks so proud of her. She is such a brave little girl, sa dami ng binbin niyang responsibilidad ay kinakaya niya ang lahat para sa ama niya.

How can I love when I'm afraid to fall?

Natatakot ako, paano kung sa pagkakataon na to ay mas mapalapit na siya sa akin at bigla nanaman siyang mawalang parang bula?

But watching you stand alone.

Hindi ko mapigilang hindi mapatulala ako sa pinaka magandang batang babae na nakita ko. The angel looked at her father as tears started to fall from her breathtaking blue eyes yet she still managed to smile tenderly.

All of my doubt,

Suddenly goes away somehow

Gusto kong batukan ang sarili ko, parang nawala bigla lahat ng takot sa akin, sabagay hindi niyo ako masisisi... After all I'm marrying an elementary student while I'm still a College Student.

Kaya ko ba tong panindigan? Kaya ko ba siyang panindigan?

Maski sarili ko ay pinangangambahan ko. Ano ba ang nakikita ko sa kanya? Ano ba siya sa akin para gawin ko ang lahat ng ito para sa kanya?

Hindi na mahalaga kung ano man ang nararamdaman ko. It maybe just a pity or care for a little sister but... It might be what everyone calls Love. Ang importante ay alam ko mula sa sarili ko na importante siya, at sa ngayon ay sapat na iyong kasagutan sa mga katanungan ko.

One step closer...

Dahan dahang siyang papalapit sa akin, nakakatawa, parang gusto ko na siyang hablutin at dalhin sa tabi ko. Bakit ba parang ang bagal ng oras? Bakit ang tagal niyang makalapit sa akin?

I have died every day waiting for you,

For three years na nawala siya sa akin, halos araw araw ay mamatay ako sa sakit ng pangungulila sa kanya. I always believed that she will return the next day after tomorrow. That she will once again smile at me as I held her close.

Darlin' don't be afraid

I have loved you for a thousand year...

Hindi ko alam kung kelan ako nagsimulang maramdaman na importante siya sa akin. Was it when we were kids? Noong kasama ko siyang naglalaro o noong unang beses niya akong tinawag ng Kuya? Or maybe the moment I laid my eyes on her..?

I'll love you for a thousand more...

I don't know what these feelings are... But for sure, matagal tagal ko pa tong mararamdaman, kahit isang libong taon pa ang lumipas.

The enchanting music that serenades the entire place made it more a dreamy scenery.

Sa bawat salita ay relate na relate ako. I feel that the song was made for us. For the two of us...

As she comes near me, I can't help but to look dumbfounded with her captivating beauty. The more I long to look at her the more I became mesmerized. Like a blind man who saw the sun for the very first time.

Once she reached the place where I'm standing on, exquisite blue eyes met pitch-black ones.

Her father, Tito Raven looked at me and lightheartedly smiled.

"Clyde, thank you for not letting me down. Please watch over my princess, there is no greater treasure than her" he aforementioned. Then he, again glanced back to the angel and smiled.

Tears started to run down from her tantalizing eyes and small sobs was heard. She hugged her father like a child.

"D-Daddy... Thank you so much, thank you for loving me" She stated as her lips quivered.

Her father hugged her back and caressed her long wavy hair. "Forgive your father for being a disappointment and selfish, but allow me to thank you for being our perfect daughter Eiffel"

He broke from the hug and wiped away the angel's tears "Sshhh... Don't cry on your perfect day princess, you should be happy and smile" he stated cheerfully.

He lovingly kissed his daughter's forehead "I love you so much Eiffel" Tito Raven stated.

"And I love you more Daddy" she responded.

He took her hand and gave it to me.

"Promise me that you will look after her. Love her and protect her in my place Clyde. Please " He pleaded desperately which brought confusion in me.

I held her hand tightly "I will and forever will love her and protect her Papa" I answered so full of determination.

My father and Tito Raven clasped each other's hand.

Now we are both left standing in front of the judge. We exchanged glances as we kept holding each other's hand. I can't believe that this perfect angel is with me, offering herself to be mine.

"We are all gathered here to witness this special occasion, where two hearts shall become one in front of everyone." Pasimula ng judge.

Nagpatuloy siya sa pagsasalita samantala ay para akong nasa sarili kong mundo. Iniisip ang mga maaring mangyari ngayon. I can't back down anymore. I'm sacrificing my freedom for this little girl but I don't really feel like I was sacrificing it, it's more like I'm offering my freedom and everything I have to her.

"Do you Clyde, take Eiffel as your lawfully wedded wife? In sickness or in health, in goodness or badness until death shall do you apart?"

Shit ako na pala, sana hindi ako mabulol!

I took deep breath and faced her.

"Many years will past and we both are not sure about what is ahead of us, but the only thing I can say is that I will always be with you, supporting you, guiding you and cherishing you. This very special day is the start of our forever. And I Clyde Dale Fuentabella here forth take Eiffel Earl Sinclaire as my wife, I promise to cherish you in goodness or badness, in sickness or health, I promise to treasure you and even death will never do as apart." I vowed and took the ring attached on a silver necklace.

I slightly hovered to her level and put the necklace onto her.

"It doesn't fit you yet so for now, I guess this will do" I explained.

She responded with a sunny smile.

The judge looked at her "Do you Eiffel, take Clyde as your lawfully wedded husband? In sickness or in health, in goodness or badness, until death do you apart?"

"I do"

She stared at me with her tainted red cheeks.

"I am nothing but a child, and in this turning- point moment of my life. I will marry my best friend, the one I laughed with. My enemy, the one whom I fought with. My brother, the one who protected me, my Prince Charming the one who I dream with... and my everything. The one whom I'll forever love." She announced and took the ring

"With this ring, I give you my heart, I promise from this day and forward, you shall not walk alone, may my heart be your shelter, and my arms be your home. I will love you until eternity itself fades." she vowed and put the ring in my ring finger.

"By the power given to me, I now pronounce you husband and wife, you may now kiss the bride"

Embarrassment was registered to both of our faces. Parehas kaming napaiwas ng tingin. Naghiyawan ang mga kasambahay habang napangiti naman ang mga magulang naming dalawa.

"Go couz!" kantiyaw ng dalawa kong pinsan.

Napahawak ako sa leeg ko at awkwardly na tumingin ulit sa kanya. Dahandahan akong lumapit sa kanya at pumikit siya. I held her cheeks and kissed her forehead. She opened her eyes not expecting it.

"Now I present to you, our new married couples" announce ng judge.

Everyone were clapping their hands, sabay kaming napalingon sa kanila. My mom is crying beside my father who looked so proud of me. Tito Rave is smiling tenderly while hugging Tita Pauline. The twins are squealing beside their parents. The maids of the both families look so happy.

I glanced at Eiffel again taking her hand to mine and smiled. This perfect angel is my bride and now my wife. I still can't believe it, on this day and forward, Eiffel is mine.

***