Chapter 7
1101 Words
Dad had asked me to bring some documents he left behind, so here I was, on my way to Tagaytay. Most of his staff were off, so I was the one assigned. Not that it mattered, I was glad we didn’t have school from Wednesday to Saturday.
When I arrived, I went straight to the information desk. They called someone to guide me to my father’s room, and I followed quietly, unsure of what to expect.
Dad wasn’t there when we arrived. Instead, several women were preparing various items. One held a large white box, another a shoebox, while others had jewel cases and makeup kits. One woman approached me, the only one empty-handed. The man who escorted me left.
My stomach twisted. Something was about to happen, and I didn’t like it.
“Ms. Ymor, we need to head to the bathroom. You must prepare for your wedding. Your father instructed—”
“What?!” I shouted, cutting her off. “What wedding are you talking about?!”
“Your father specifically requested that everything be completed before the ceremony,” she replied, ignoring my question entirely.
I turned for the door, intending to leave. But five men, Dad’s bodyguards stood in front of them. There was no way out. I closed the door and exhaled slowly, feeling trapped.
I dialed Dad’s number, trembling. I thought I would never be forced into marriage again. And who am I marrying now? That woman? My head was spinning, my muscles tense. I was losing my mind.
Thank God, he answered. “Dad… what is this?” My voice cracked.
A long sigh. “Zyhra, please, follow me this time. I know it’s hard, but I want you to grant my last wish before I die.”
“What do you mean?”
“I have cancer, Zyhra,” he said softly. “My time is limited. And my final wish… is for you to get married.” I froze.
All this time, I thought everything was fine. I thought life was normal. But now… why did I have to get married?
Tears blurred my vision—not because I had no choice, but because of Dad. Why didn’t he tell me sooner? Why now, as his last wish?
Before I could speak, the line went dead.
Everything felt unreal. Yet I found myself in the wedding dress Dad had prepared. It was more magnificent than I could have imagined. The gown shimmered in the light, diamonds and delicate crystals sewn along the bodice, catching every ray like tiny stars.
The fabric was soft yet structured, hugging my torso perfectly before cascading into a full, flowing skirt that swirled around my feet with every step. The sleeves were sheer, embroidered with intricate patterns that gave the dress a delicate elegance, and the back dipped into a gentle V, revealing just enough of my shoulders to feel graceful, not exposed.
I touched the silky layers, feeling the weight of it—not just the fabric, but the gravity of the day. It was elegant, luxurious, intimidating. I took a deep breath and looked at myself in the mirror. The reflection staring back wasn’t the scared, hesitant girl from yesterday. This was someone confident, someone radiant.
Wow. I actually look… breathtaking, I whispered to myself, and for the first time in hours, a small smile tugged at my lips.
After what felt like forever, we stepped outside into a gleaming vintage car. Its polished surface shone even from a distance.
Even as I marveled at the dress, a knot of frustration and sadness tightened in my chest—knowing that no matter how beautiful I looked, I was still being married off because Dad demanded it, not because I had chosen it myself.
Is this really happening?
Am I really getting married?
Who did Dad arrange this with? Another woman? Veronica?
If it’s her… God forgive me, but I’ll grant Dad his wish.
When we arrived at the venue, everything was already set. It was an outdoor ceremony, elegant and slightly chilly in the three o’clock afternoon breeze. Before I stepped out, I saw Abcde standing there, dressed in a suit. He smiled and waved, moving toward the front like the groom.
Don’t tell me…
This is really happening.
The car door opened, and someone helped me step out.
All eyes turned to me. My heart raced—nervous, excited.
If I'm marrying Abcde, it wouldn’t be so bad.
Truthfully, I had liked him for a long time—since senior high. He never left my side, even in college when we took different courses. I smiled quietly to myself. Dad had chosen well.
I felt a small, genuine smile tug at my lips as I stepped out of the car. My father took my arm, and together we began walking down the aisle.
“Beautiful Girl” by Jose Mari Chan
Beautiful girl, wherever you are…
Step by step, I moved closer. Happiness bubbled up in me. I was marrying my best friend. Yet, inexplicably, a pang of sadness lingered.
I knew when I saw you, you had opened the door…
Memories of Abcde filled me—the way he worried about me, defended me, teased me when I was clumsy, and smiled in ways that made my heart skip. He was my brother in spirit, my partner in crime, my safe place. I never confessed my feelings, afraid of ruining what we had.
Tears slid down my cheeks unnoticed.
I finally reached him. My heart raced when I saw his smile, tears glistening in his eyes as he wiped them away. It would have been perfect…
Until I passed him.
My steps stopped.
And then I saw her
—Veronica.
You’ve made me love again after a long, long while…
And then it hit me.
My breath caught. My heart skipped. For a moment, everything else—the music, the crowd, even Abcde beside me—faded into nothing.
She was there, composed and watching, as if nothing could shake her. A mix of emotions surged through me: fear, confusion, and an unfamiliar sting of jealousy. Seeing her standing there, calm and observing me, made the whole day feel unreal. My chest tightened.
I wondered what she thought of me now—in this dress, walking down the aisle with my father, toward a life I hadn’t chosen, toward someone I had longed for.
I blinked, trying to focus on Abcde, on the music, on anything—but the sight of Veronica left a lingering ache in my heart, unspoken and unshakable.
- Writer
