Sunday 1: Remembering Sunday (Complete)

I STARED AT myself in the mirror. I looked happy. I was smiling from ear to ear. My excitement was visible. My eyes, they were like sparkly diamonds in the dark night sky. This was the big day. Some would say this was our happy ending, but I think this was just the beginning. Maayos na maayos ang buhok ko—clean at neat. Maganda ang lapat ng ipinasadyang tuxedo sa aking katawan. Kumikinang ang bago kong leather shoes. Inayos ko ang bow tie sa leeg ko kahit na perpekto na ang pagkakalagay niyon. Humugot ako ng malalim na hininga at pinilit ang sariling huminahon. Pagkatapos ay mas nilaparan ko ang aking pagkakangiti. I even winked at myself in the mirror. I am ready. Matagal kong hinintay ang pagdating ng araw na ito. It was my wedding day. I sighed dreamily. Who would have thought this day would ever come? Kahit na ako ay hindi naisip noon na magpapakasal ako. Inakala kong hindi na muling titibok ang aking puso. Totoo nga marahil ang sinasabi ng iba. May nakalaan sa bawat isa. May isang tao na magpapakita at magpaparamdam sa iyo ng kahulugan ng tunay na pag-ibig. Isang tao na magpaparanas sa iyo ng magic. Masasabi kong naging masuwerte ako sa buhay. Ipinanganak ako sa isang pamilyang maituturing na masagana. Hindi mayaman na mayaman, ngunit mariwasa. You can safely say that I can live comfortably even without working my ass off. I’m an architect. I believe I’m good at what I’m doing. I’m an only child. Kaya naman bata pa lang ako ay naibibigay na ng mga magulang ko ang lahat ng pangangailangan at luho ko. My father was an engineer and a purse designer. My mother was into the cake business. Kung may hindi man madali sa buhay ko, iyon ay ang aking buhay pag-ibig. Komplikado pa sa komplikado. Marami muna akong naranasan bago ako nakarating sa araw na ito. Marami muna akong nilampasang pagsubok. Kinailangan ko munang paghilumin ang puso ko mula sa mga sugat ng nakaraan. Masyadong malalim ang mga sugat at inakala ko dati na hindi na maghihilom kailanman. I have endured the pain for so many years. I even got used to it. I lived with it for years. Hanggang ngayon ay hindi pa rin ako gaanong sanay na hindi na nararamdaman ang hapdi. It was not easy but someone watched out for me. Hindi niya ako pinabayaan hanggang sa makaahon ako uli. She had been with me, kicked my ass until I stopped being miserable. That someone is my bride. I’m marrying that someone today. It is so amazing, you know. I can’t really explain what I’m feeling right now. Parang gusto kong sumigaw ng “I’m the king of the world!” Parang gusto kong maiyak kasi I’m finally here at this point in my life. Uumpisahan ko na ang panibagong yugto ng aking buhay. I’m excited and scared at the same time. I feel like my chest would burst anytime now. My heart is filled with so much love, gratitude, and happiness. My eyes in tears, with overwhelming emotions inside me. Humugot ako ng malalim na hininga. Muling inayos ang bow sa aking leeg. So how did this all start? How did I find the love of my life? How did I meet my bride, the soon-to-be Mrs. Jamie Alexander Carillo? Let me tell you the story. Let me start from the very, very beginning. There was a girl named Matilda, we fondly call her Mattie...