"CONGRATULATIONS JOF! You are so beautiful. Let's take a picture, sis." Those are the blissful greetings we overheard before Marc completely opened the door of the bride's exclusive room. It's an hour before the wedding and the bride's maids who gathered inside to take a photo turned their heads towards the door where Marc and I stood. Certainly, I saw how Ate Jof's smile faded when she saw Marc holding my hand and as we approached her, Marc's grip tightened, and I was forced to curve a sweeter smile. I looked up at his face that remained serious, the same face when he waited outside the mansion.
All the ladies who are wearing different designs of pale pink dresses paved the center aisle and started gossiping about our presence. Some of them exited the room, some pretended that they were fixing their flower crowns while the others darted their eyes at me and my dress. Surely, they're admiring my beautiful dress which is way better than what they're wearing.
“Congratulations!” I sparingly greeted Ate Jof while handing the blue paper bag I was carrying to the bride's maid who was sitting next to her. I narrowed my eyes at the bride's maid who seemed to be my age and who was stunned when we arrived because she was still holding her iPhone 5s as if she didn't hear me and can't take her eyes off. Who wouldn't be overwhelmed if a goddess and an angel come to greet the wedding, right?
"Thank you." Ate Jof stuttered and didn't take her eyes away from our intertwined hands. Guilt and pain were vivid in her eyes then I snapped my finger in front of the bride's maid's face and put the gift on her lap because a goddess like me doesn't deserve to be waiting for her to finally wake up to reality.
"I'm sorry again." Ate Jof almost whispered and looked down on her swelling uterus that is obvious on her white bridal gown.
"Don't be sorry because my heartbreak led me to the woman that I chose to love... in every breath I take." Marc looked at me with deep love and we exchanged a warm smile.
A sign that I've been waiting for today, is his smile of completely letting go of the past. I nodded and he looked away to continue,
"Although we haven't fulfilled our dreams together, our promises together, I forgave you. I loved you and you know that… and I want you to be happy.” Ate Jof craned her neck up and stared at Marc's face as if this is the last day, she was going to see him. She's trying to control herself from tearing up from her ex's heartfelt farewell and when he's finished, I speak up because it's my turn. We haven't planned what we're going to say today but he reminded me to act naturally.
"Thank you for letting him go Ate Jof. I just hope that you won't regret it because if ever our paths will cross again," I paused as she stared at my confident eyes making her realize what she lost starting from that day when she cheated then she gulped nervously after completing my sentence, “I will not make the same mistake of getting you back together. You broke him NOT just once but TWICE and you missed the chance of having a man who's one in a million."
Once again, I felt how Marc stared at me with affection, and when I found myself locked in the depth of his eyes, he quickly kissed me on the corner of my lips in front of the pregnant bride before I could prepare myself. I have no time to be astounded when he held my hand and left the bride dumbfounded.
When the two of us left the exclusive room with the bride, we went straight to the cathedral where many people were waiting and one of them was Marc's good cousin. He looked handsome in his baby blue tuxedo and white bow tie with a very wide smile. Surely, he's the happiest guy today but when Marc and I walked towards him holding hands, it was enough to strip his smile away from his face. Everyone barely blinked when they saw us. I wore my dangerous sweet smile again the same smile back at the bride's room that stunned everyone in the vicinity. When we faced the groom, Marc immediately shook his hand and hugged him in greeting.
"Congratulations Karl! Take good care of Jof.” The groom hesitated to answer Marc's greeting and I saw in his twinkling eyes the mixture of shame and pain that he was trying to hide.
"Absolutely. Thank you, Marc and I'm sorry…” Karl bent down and quickly took the handkerchief from the pocket of his slacks while quickly wiping the corner of his left eye.
"Bro, don't cry. You're getting married now. Jof might back off when he sees you like that," Marc said jokingly then hugged his cousin again.
"Bro, I'm really sorry for everything, and thank you for letting us be happy."
"Of course, I love you Bro. I love you both and if I love, I am ready to be hurt for the happiness of those I love." Marc's words were so deep and heavy that even I was moved to tears because of the emotional greetings of the cousins. The two of them were separated from the embrace when the people around applauded the arrival of the bridal car, signaling that the wedding that everyone was waiting is about to begin.
Today's mission is no revenge at all but reconciliation and forgiveness.
During the whole matrimony, I was admiring the beautiful altar where the priest blessed the couple. It is not my first time witnessing such a ceremony, but it feels like the first time because someone special is holding my hand. While the couple was sharing their vows, the audience was tearing up and felt how they love each other even though it started sinfully.
"They really love each other." I was surprised when Marc spoke next to me and I looked into his optimistic eyes, a look with no trace of regret, a look that was open to tolerance and forgiveness.
“Crystal clear. The way they looked at each other... I also want to have that someone to look at me that way and-”
"And vow to love you for better and for worst..." I pursed my lips when he cut me off and locked his eyes deeply against mine as he spoke the most highlighted part of the ceremony, the giving of the ring and saying I do.
"For sickness and in health, till death do us part." I gasped when he showed me a silver ring and put it on my ring finger perfectly losing our focus on the ceremony as we were having our world.
"You may now kiss the bride." The priest finally announced that drove the crowd in excitement and cheered in happiness. I decided to cut the moment we had and focused on the married couple but before I could shift on my seat, Marc pulled my waist and kissed my forehead that almost took my breath away. That kiss collided with all the molecules in my body to its peak. I closed my eyes and smiled in happiness.
***
After the wedding ceremony, I noticed how Marc is avoiding his other relatives through his silence. Maybe they have relatives who can't get along and avoid trouble just like us, who have a hard time so most of the time Daddy scolds me for my cursing. We also met Marc's family before leaving the church and the tight hugs of his younger siblings didn't let up. Because of them, I feel like I have a little brother and a cute sister. Marc also introduced me to his closest aunts and uncles and while everyone headed to the reception, we had a photo opportunity with the married couple and congratulated them again.
We are currently in the car waiting for him to turn it on and drive off but I think he needs some time to catch his breath. His hands were on the steering wheel as he let out a large amount of air as if a lump in his throat had finally been removed.
"You know what, let me drive. We're going somewhere." The thrill in my eyes still hasn't disappeared because of what he did earlier in the church and I'm sure I'll be thrilled for another week because it will keep on replaying over and over again in my brain. I might not be able to sleep all week.
"No, I'll drive just tell me where to go." He insisted and I immediately opened the door of the driver's seat pushing him out so that I could replace him, but his hands blocked mine and his face expressed a refusal. I grinned and made my way quickly on his lap which shocked him to the core. I sat comfortably on his lap and my brows playfully moved up and down.
"Alright, if you don't come out, I'm really going to do something you will never forget and I don't care if your relatives will see us." I gave him a long threatening look. I saw how he gulped nervously trying to control himself and after closing his eyes for a second, I received a quick kiss on my cheeks that surprised me before he opened the door and transferred to the shotgun seat.
In no time, I took over the seat, turned on the engine, checked the breaks then depressed the clutch and pushed the gear. You know I'm a careful driver, especially since my strict driving teacher is here. I smiled unconsciously while he was turning on his personalized playlist connecting to the Bluetooth when I remembered our driving lessons again in the past. I snapped out briefly when I felt him staring at me with an authoritative look.
"Jess, you are losing your focus again." I automatically blinked my eyes and relaxed my shoulder focusing again on the road. It was just a matter of seconds when he turned my butterflies into their hyperactive mode as he spoke, "You're so gorgeous that I'm out of words to say."
I bit my lips to suppress a smile and tried my best to maintain my focus. I felt his smile curving on his lips and opened the window letting the cool sea breeze embrace us in between.
"Floor the accelerator Jess. Go faster!” My heartbeat accelerated when his mood changed suddenly and his authoritative voice commanded me. His eagle eyes not losing sight of the black motorcycle reflected in the side mirror. A familiar motorcycle has been tailing us and they looked like dangerous trained gangsters in the city that I used to hear in the news.
I don't know if I'm still breathing because I feel like my heart is as big as my lungs. It's beating so fast. My heart beat even stronger with the tension on his face that if it wasn't enough I would vomit. He gripped the handle while his eyes were still on the side mirror.
"I'll call Tito." I frowned at what he said and didn't have time to ask so I just nodded and drove even faster. Marc grabbed the roof handle and raised his voice a little while talking to Daddy.
"Hello Tito! We need Manong Arthur's men right now! A black motorcycle is tailing Jess again.” He looked at me worriedly and my adrenaline rushed intensely as he continued, "I think that they are the ones who are blackmailing you recently."
"What blackmail are you talking about? Who's blackmailing you, Dad?! Put him on the speaker please!” My grip grew tighter on the steering wheel because of what I heard. Marc put his phone near me, and I heard Dad's nervous voice clearly on the phone.
"My dear, you need to listen to me. Stay with Marc at the Apple resort for 3 days, I will explain everything to you later this evening once you are safe.”
"Dad, tell me what is happening!" I cried but Dad called Marc leaving instructions to him that I completely don't understand. Instead of waiting for him to answer, I swerved to the right and drove to the resort that Dad told me. The guard recognized me immediately and opened the gate for us.
"Take care of my daughter Marc, I trust you." That's the last thing I heard from Dad before the call ended. I was going to talk to him about everything that was happening because I was confused but when the call ended I felt fear and anxiety again because I had discovered something again.
What else are they hiding from me? Is this related to my heartbreak? Mom? Or solely to me?
After I parked the car, I breathed a sigh of relief because we were no longer followed here at the resort. It was the first that I drove at a flying speed.
"We're safe for now," Marc muttered and I didn't bother flooding him with questions because I know he's also stressed especially since he's in-charged to take care of me as Dad's order.
I immediately removed the seatbelt so I could breathe better, then together we reached for the 1.5 L of water behind the driver's seat but Marc grabbed it first so I grabbed his cold hand which I quickly moved away while looking away. He opened the plastic bottle and then gave it to me. I immediately brought the mouth of the bottle to quench my thirst after the dangerous driving, even my soul had flown earlier and I could feel the water in my body depleting. It was nonstop that I closed my eyes and felt the water wetting my throat, replacing the loss of fluids that my cells needed.
I stopped drinking with my eyes wide open when I felt the touch of a soft cloth on my forehead down to my cheek. I widened my eyes at him when I looked at the plastic bottle already consumed half in one drink. He continued to wipe the sweat from my other cheek until it landed on my lips. I was drenched in sweat, I didn't even realize how scared I was earlier. My heart beat faster again when he snatched the plastic bottle from my hand and brought his face closer to mine. I couldn't pull back when I felt his rapid breathing while his eyes were staring at my lips.
I swallowed when he came down to wipe my neck while holding the pendant of the necklace he gave me, "Don't worry, as long as I'm here, you are safe. I promise to protect you with my life."