Chapter 7
1476 Words
I had searched through everything in my bag, but I still couldn't find it. Where could it be? I had asked Yaya earlier if she had seen it, but she said she hadn't noticed anything.
I tried to recall the last time I saw my school ID yesterday. I remember having it with me when I left the college building. Did it fall in the library? Or near the bench? Oh, I hope not...
What am I going to do now? Aish! Whatever happens, I'll just have to plead with the guard to let me in.
After having breakfast, I immediately asked Kuya Lando to drop me off at school.
While on the way, Merry sent a message in our group chat.
MerryC21:
@TaliaBebs where are you?
MerryC21:
@LoreGay hurry up, girl! You said you were on the way, but I’ve been here for an hour already, and your house is just so close to DSU! Are you still in the bathroom?
TaliaBebs:
I'm on my way.
LoreGay:
@MerryC21 Stop being impatient, girl! I keep going back to the bathroom because of you!
MerryC21:
Serves you right! You're always so slow!
I reacted to their messages and shook my head at their bickering.
When I arrived at school, I got off in the parking lot where Merry was waiting on the ground floor. The bigger problem now was how I’d get past the guard without my ID.
"Wait, Miss, where’s your ID?"
He looked at the left side of my uniform, where our IDs were typically clipped. Unlike other schools, we didn’t use lanyards.
"Sir, here's the thing ..." I began nervously. "Yesterday, I accidentally lost my ID here on campus. I only realized it was missing when I got home. I'll have a new one made soon, so could you please let me in for today?"
The guard shook his head disapprovingly.
"Tsk! Miss, it’s in the student handbook—no ID, no entry."
He took out a logbook and opened it.
"Name?"
The guard’s strictness was evident. I glanced at his name tag. Romeo Gallardo. Oh, that’s why—he’s a new employee at the school.
"Talia Brielle Entienza Da Silva," I said, hoping to sound composed.
His eyes widened, and his expression completely changed as he stared at me.
"B-Brielle D-Da Silva?"
"Yes, that's me," I confirmed, confused by his reaction.
"Oh, my goodness, Ma’am Brielle! I’m so sorry—I didn’t recognize you. Please, go right in!"
He bowed repeatedly, apologizing, which embarrassed me because other students passing by were now staring at us.
"It’s okay, sir. Thank you!"
He apologized once more as I hurried away. I couldn’t help but smile. Good thing I used Tito’s surname this time.
When I found Merry, she greeted me with a cheek kiss.
"Is Lorena not here yet?"
"I have no idea. You got here before her—"
"I'm here already!" Lorena suddenly interjected.
"Ugh! Next time, I swear I won't wait for you anymore!" Merry snapped.
Lorena draped an arm around Merry.
"Oh, please. After 13 years of doing this, now you're complaining?"
Merry rolled her eyes and turned to me.
"Wait a minute, bebs... why don’t you have your ID?"
"Well, I kind of—uh, left it at home... Luckily, the guard let me in."
They both looked at me suspiciously. They could never find out what really happened yesterday, or they’d never stop teasing me.
"I know you, bebs. You’re always prepared, so it’s strange for you to forget something as important as your ID."
"I really did forget, bebs. I didn’t put it in my bag, so that’s what happened..."
Eventually, they seemed convinced.
---
Days later...
"Señorita, we’ve arrived."
I checked my reflection one last time before stepping out of the car. Straightening the hem of my pink off-shoulder dress, I walked inside the church. Today was the wedding Mom had told me about days ago.
As I walked through the church, unfamiliar faces greeted me. I smiled politely even though I didn’t know most of them.
"My granddaughter... you look wonderful as always. I missed you!" Mamita exclaimed, pulling me into a warm hug and kiss.
I saw the sparkle in her eyes, like she hadn’t seen me in years.
"Hi, Mamita. You look younger every time we meet. I missed you too!"
I held her hands gently.
"I’m sorry I haven’t been able to visit. I’ve been swamped with schoolwork."
"I understand, dear. Natasha told me all about it. I’m just glad you’re here now."
We sat and waited for the bride to arrive. I observed the venue—it was an intimate wedding with fewer than a hundred guests, including both families. The wedding organizers were bustling around, making sure everything was perfect.
"What? She can’t make it? Call her again!"
I turned my attention to the commotion at the front. The wedding manager was pacing back and forth while a man tried making calls. When the calls went unanswered, the man shook his head.
"This is terrible! We need to find a substitute singer immediately," the manager said, clearly distressed.
The wedding singer couldn’t make it? I glanced at my watch. There were only 20 minutes left before the ceremony began.
"The bridal car is here! Hurry up!" another organizer shouted.
I excused myself from Mamita and her friends and approached the manager, who was rubbing his temples in frustration.
"Hi, I heard you need a substitute singer. I’d like to help," I offered.
The manager looked at me, surprised.
"Oh, you're such a lifesaver, Sweetie. But... no offense," he scrutinized me skeptically, "are you sure you’re a good singer?"
"Well, I’d say I have a talent for it. I’m Brielle, by the way."
He immediately shook my hand.
"Nice to meet you, Brielle. I admire your confidence!"
Since there was no time to rehearse, they simply told me what song to sing. I took my place in line with the bridesmaids, holding a microphone. Thankfully, I was used to multitasking.
"Hi! You're going to sing too?"
I turned to my side and immediately noticed his striking blue eyes. One of the groomsmen—his features hinted at foreign heritage.
"Ah, yeah. The wedding singer didn’t make it today, so I volunteered," I explained.
He smiled, flashing his pearly white teeth. Gosh, I feel embarrassed for toothpaste commercials when he smiles like that.
"Wow, you must be an amazing singer. I’m Nidal, by the way."
He extended his hand, and I shook it with a smile.
As the music began, I focused my gaze forward. Holding the pale yellow peonies bouquet in my right hand and the microphone in my left, I hummed along to the instrumental intro, waiting for my cue.
🎶Not sure if you know this
But when we first met
I got so nervous I couldn’t speak
In that very moment
I found the one and
My life had found its missing piece
So as long as I live, I love you
Will have and hold you
You look so beautiful in white
And from now till my very last breath
This day I’ll cherish
You look so beautiful in white
Today🎶
The wedding entourage began their walk down the aisle. When it was my turn with Nidal, I looped my right arm through his.
🎶What we have is timeless
My love is endless
And with this ring, I say to the world
You’re my every reason
You’re all that I believe in
With all my heart, I mean every word🎶
I smiled at Nidal, but my gaze quickly caught a pair of familiar eyes—ones as vibrant as the flowers I held.
I froze momentarily, recognizing him instantly. But I managed to keep singing.
He’s here! Oh my gosh! Is this a coincidence? Or is humiliation just stalking me now? Out of all the people in the world, why is he the groom’s best man?
His eyes roamed over me before a smirk curved on his lips. My face flushed with the memory of the embarrassment I caused a few days ago. Trying to regain composure, I shifted my gaze to Mamita, feeling my cheeks heat up.
(Camera clicks)
Oh, crap! I probably look like a ripe tomato in that photo.
🎶So as long as I live, I love you
Will have and hold you
You look so beautiful in white
And from now till my very last breath
This day I’ll cherish
You look so beautiful in white
Today🎶
This is unbelievable!
🎶You look so beautiful in white
Yeah, yeah
Nananana...
...so beautiful in white
Today🎶
Throughout the ceremony, I felt like my neck would stiffen from avoiding looking to the left. My heart pounded relentlessly in my chest.
I tried engaging with other guests, pretending everything was normal, but his gaze never seemed to leave me.
- Writer
