Anthurium (DFFF) **COMPLETED**

Wedding Jitters

"To find someone who will love you for no reason and to shower that person with reasons, that is the ultimate happiness." (Robert Brault, author) 

 CRYSTAL'S POV

 There's no way I would be able to sleep. Pabaling-baling ako sa kama. Kahit ano'ng gawin ko, hindi ako dalawin ng antok. Then I heard the chime go off from my mobile device. It's him! The man I would be marrying! Ang lawak ng aking pagkakangiti habang binabasa ang kanyang text. 

 From: Babe

" Good night my beautiful bride. Have a good rest, alright." 

 Now I know. Siya ang salarin kung bakit hindi ko makuha-kuha ang aking tulog. He's thinking of me! Mabilis pa sa kisap mata ang aking pag-reply sa kanya. 

" Good night too, my handsome groom. I love you always. " Sent to: Babe 

 Hindi pa rin mapuknat ang aking ngiti. Ganito pala ang feeling ng ikakasal. Hindi ko maipaliwanag kung gaano katindi ang excitement, saya at kaba. God, sana perfect ang lahat. Sana hindi masiraan sa daan ang bridal car ko. Sana hindi ako matapilok habang nagma-martsa sa aisle. Sana hindi ako mabulol sa pagbigkas sa wedding vows na minemoryado ko. Sana hindi ako mapipi sa oras na sasabihin ko na ang 'I do.' My God! Mapupuyat at magkaka-eyebugs lang yata ako sa kakaisip sa napakaraming 'sana' na yan! I shook my head. Mabuti pa na alugin ko ng kunti ang utak ko para maitaboy ang kung ano-anu mang negatibong pumapasok sa aking isipan. I laid as I look at my best friend and bridesmaid Ma. Feliza who's sleeping soundly next to me. Mabuti pa ang isang ito, napakahimbing na ng tulog. I sighed as I reminisce how I met my my very soon-to-be-husband. 

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 I was in second year college when I met him. Tumatambay ako sa Cafeteria ng University that time. Abala ako sa pag-upload ng photos sa f*******: while waiting for my best friend Feliza nang may lalaking tumigil sa harap ako.

 "Excuse me Miss. Puwedeng maki-share ng table, occupied na kasi ang iba." Anang baritonong boses. I raised him an eyebrow na agad ko ding binawi harang patuloy na ini-inspeksyon ang kabuuan ng lalaking nasa harap ko. Matangos ang ilong, mestiso, mapupula ang mga labi daig pa yata ang akin and had a short buzz cut. Tantiya ko he stood 6 feet.

 My mind and my nauseating stomach stopped all at once and something overwhelmed me, LOVE. There are many unromantic people who don't believe in 'love at first sight' including me and that was until now my brown hazel eyes embraced his charcoal deep-set eyes. I gestured him to sit in front of me. While my eyes were still locked into his lean body. Since that incident, we became friends. He was also taking up BSBA and currently on his senior year. 

 Mas lalo kaming napalapit sa isa't isa noong mapili kaming dalawa na i-represent ang College of Business Administration and Accountancy sa Search for Mr. And Ms. Saint Catherine University during our School Foundation Anniversary. He was a reliable partner, very gentle smart and enthusiastic. Komportable akong kasama siya at lihim na kinikilig. Our college rejoiced when we both crowned as Mr. And Ms. SCU.

 Since then, lagi nila kaming mina-match sa isa't isa. Na labis kong ikinatuwa without him knowing it. Until his graduation day.... 

 "Crystal , I think we should end our friendship the soonest time." Nagitla ako sa sinabi niya .

 "Are you not going to let me extend my congratulations first? And why should we end our friendship? Nagseselos na ba ang girlfriend mo sa akin?" 

 Nakaramdam ako ng kirot sa isiping iyon. If only he knows how I feel for him. 

 "No. I don't have a girlfriend." 

 "Then why?"

 "Because I can no longer see you as a friend. I'm inlove with you now, Crystal." 

 I'm inlove with you now Crystal I'm inlove with you now Crystal I'm inlove with you now Crystal I was lost of words. Tila nsg-echo ng paulit-ulit sa tainga ko ang mga katagang sinabi niya. 

I eyed him for a couple of minutes. Feeling ko may nagliliparang alitaptap sa ulo ko. 

 "Just so you know I'm not rushing. I have plenty of time showing how sincere I am. All I am asking is for you to give me a chance. I want to court you." 

 I smiled at him. For a year of courtship, hindi ko na siya natiis pa. Sinagot ko siya on my 19th birthday. That day was so memorable for the two of us. No matter how busy sa work niya, he always find time to see me at school. We go out for a date and sometimes hinahatid sundo niya ako sa University. 

 I was on my 4th year in college noong magtake-over siya sa pamamalakad ng family business nila. Bibihira na rin kaming magkita but I never questioned him. Sa halip, nag-focus ako sa studies ko and gladly, I graduated with flying colors. 

 Nagsimula ko na ring tulungan si Mama sa pagma-manage ng restaurant namin. Sa sobrang kabusy-han nawalan na kami ng time ni Salvo para sa isa't isa.

 Naalarma ako noong hindi na siya nagparamdam ng two months. I tried to reach him out but he never answered my calls nor replied my text messages. Is this the end? 2 years and 6 months lang kaya ang itatagal ng relasyon namin? 

 February 14 I woke up lazily. I reached out my phone to see if Salvo remembered me. I sighed when I only got 2 messages : 

 From Mama:"  Anak, huwag ka na munang pumasok ngayon. Just take a rest. Sunduin mo na lang ako mamayang 7 pm so we could have dinner together. I love you princess. " Tipid akong ngumiti pagkabasa ko sa text ng aking ina. Tumaas ang isa kong kilay nang buksan ko ang isa pang text. 

 From Feliza: "Happy hearts day, bestfriend. Huwag magmukmok. Stay happy and inlove."

  Stay happy and inlove? Paano? Ni isang text galing kay Salvo wala akong natanggap! Kung bakit ba naman nauso pa ang Valentine's day na yan? 

 7 Pm Kunot na kunot ang noo ko pagkatapak sa aming restaurant. As far as I remember, ok ang sales namin nitong nakaraan so imposibleng nalulugi na ito. February 14 lang isinara na? Sayang! Dagsa pa naman ang mga customers na kumakain dito kapag ganitong okasyon. 

I switched on the lights.

 Napasinghap ako habang iginagala ang paningin ko sa loob. 

 Red and pink rose petals are scattered on the floor. And at the center is a dining table for two. 

 I was about to pick the stem of red rose nang maramdaman kong may tumakip sa mga mata ko. 

 My heart beats fast! Could it be him? Inalalayan niya akong umupo sa chair. 

 Palakas ng palakas ang kabog ng dibdib ko habang dahan-dahan niyang tinatanggal ang pagkakatakip ng mga mata ko. Pigil ko ang aking paghinga nang marahan niya akong iharap sa kanya. Natutop ko ang aking bibig. God, its him! My handsome Salvo.  

 Namalisbis ang mga luha ko pagkakita sa kanya. I was about to hug him when he bend down his right knee. Napasinghap ako sa kanyang ginawa. I was speechless! God! Oh God! Is he going to..... 

 "Crystal Mae Magbanua, I know nagtatampo ka sa akin kasi dalawang buwan akong hindi nagparamdam sa'yo. Babe, just so you know, sinadya ko yun para ma-mis mo ako lalo at para na rin hindi mo na ako matanggihan pa."

 Next thing I know, he is holding a lavender velvet box. 

 "Babe, will you marry me?"

 I'm about to say something nang magsilabasan ang mga staffs namin. Pinaligiran nila kami. And there I saw my mom, Yaya Helen and Feliza smiling dearly to us. I throw myself to Salvo. 

 "Wait babe, hindi mo pa ako sinagot sa......" 

 I pressed my lips against his. And kissed him softly, lovingly. 

 "Yes babe, I will marry you. I will marry you Salvo!"