CHAPTER 14
1520 Words
Chapter 14
WEDDING
"Ate Hanny, mapupunit yung bibig natin diyan kakangiti mo. Mukhang alam ko na ang dahilan, ah."
Lumingon ako kay Lily na kakagaling lang sa paghatid ng order sa customer. "Huh? Pinagsasabi mo dyan."
Pinagpatuloy ko ang paggawa pa ng iba pang mga order. Nilapitan niya ako, nasa labas lang siya ng counter at nakangisi.
"Si Sir Jake ang dahilan no? Ayeeh! Kayo na ba ate? Kumusta date niyo nung isang kagabi?" Walang preno ang kanyang bibig.
Tinignan ko siya. "Lily, walang kame. Okay?"
"Maniwala ako, kanina pa kita tinitignan, eh." She continued teasing me.
"Promise, Lily, wala talagang nangyayari sa amin ni Jake," sagot ko, trying to keep my tone steady.
"Naku, Ate Hanny, hindi mo ako maloloko. Ang saya-saya mo eh. Anong ginawa ni Sir Jake? Binigyan ka ba ng flowers? Nag-propose na ba siya?" tumatawang sabi ni Lily.
"Grabe ka naman, Lily! Hindi pa nga kami nagkikita ulit pagkatapos nung dinner na 'yon," I said, hoping to divert the conversation.
"Eh bakit ang saya mo? Hala, may iba pa bang nagpapakilig sayo?" She looked at me suspiciously.
I tried to keep my expression neutral, pero hindi ko napigilan ang ngiti ko. "Baka naman natutuwa lang ako kasi maganda yung araw ko."
Lily raised an eyebrow, not buying it. "Talaga lang ha? Eh bakit hindi ko makita yung kilig mo tuwing nagkukwento ka tungkol kay Sir Jake?"
"Okay, fine. Pero hindi si Jake ang dahilan," I finally admitted, my voice barely a whisper.
"Ha? Ano?" Lily leaned in closer, eyes wide with curiosity. "Hindi si Jake? Edi sino?"
I hesitated, but decided to give her a small hint. "Let's just say, there might be someone special."
"Hala! Sino? Spill the tea, Ate Hanny!" Lily was practically bouncing on her feet.
Napabuntong-hininga ako at tumingin sa paligid, making sure no one else was listening. "Secret muna. Basta, he's been really sweet and supportive."
"Wow, ate! I'm happy for you. Pero teka, eh bakit parang ang daming nangyayari sa love life mo?" Lily said, half-jokingly.
"Life is complicated, Lily," I said, trying to lighten the mood. "Pero basta, ang importante ngayon, masaya ako."
"Okay, okay. Basta pag may developments, ikwento mo agad sa akin ha!" Lily grinned and gave me a thumbs-up.
"Promise," I said, smiling back at her.
Lily returned to her tasks, and I felt a warm feeling spread through me. For the first time in a long time, I was genuinely happy and excited for what the future might bring, despite the complications and uncertainties.
Later that afternoon, while taking a break, Lily joined me at the corner table by the window.
"Ate Hanny, seryoso, sino yung nagpapakilig sayo? Kasi di ko na kayang maghintay. Spill the beans na!" she said, her eyes twinkling with curiosity.
I laughed, taking a sip of my coffee. "Lily, minsan kailangan din natin mag-enjoy ng konting mystery sa buhay. Pero sige, may konting kwento ako para sayo."
Her eyes widened with excitement. "Yes! Sige na, ate, kwento na!"
"Okay, pero short lang ha," I said, leaning in closer. "Remember yung art exhibition ko? May special guest ako dun, I thought he wouldn't come."
"Si Sir Jake?" Lily guessed, her eyebrows raised.
"Well, Jake was there," I admitted. "But there was someone else too."
Lily's eyes grew even wider. "Oh my gosh, talaga? Sino?"
I took a deep breath, feeling a mix of excitement and nervousness. "Yung sinabi ko sa'yo kanina. Someone very special to me."
Lily's jaw dropped. "WHAT? As in someone you really care about?"
"Yup," I said, nodding. "But you have to promise me na sa ating dalawa lang 'to, ha?"
"Promise!" she said, crossing her heart.
"I didn't even know he was there until I saw his post on IG," I said softly. "He was there, watching from the background. He didn't want to interfere because Jake was with me."
Lily's eyes sparkled with intrigue. "Wow, ate! That's intense. So, anong nangyari sa exhibition?"
"Well," I began, "Jake showed up, and he was really supportive. But later that night, I found out through the photos on IG that this special someone was also there, watching from afar.."
Before Lily could respond, my phone rang. I glanced at the screen and saw Ma'am Naomi's name. "Sandali lang, Lily, Ma'am Naomi is calling."
I answered the call. "Hello, Ma'am Naomi!"
"Harmony, dear, I have an exciting opportunity for you," Ma'am Naomi's warm voice came through the line. "How would you like to be the live event painter for a wedding?"
My heart skipped a beat. "Wow, Ma'am Naomi, that sounds amazing! Kailan po ito gaganapin?"
"Next weekend," she replied. "It's a high-profile event, and they specifically asked for a talented artist to capture the moments on canvas. I immediately thought of you."
"I'd love to, Ma'am Naomi," I said, my excitement growing. "Thank you for thinking of me."
"Wonderful!" she said. "I'll send you the details. It's going to be a beautiful event, and I'm sure your work will add a special touch to their big day."
We ended the call, and I turned back to Lily, who was practically bouncing in her seat with curiosity.
"Ate, ano daw yun? Bakit parang ang saya mo?"
I couldn't help but grin. "Ma'am Naomi just offered me a gig to be the live event painter for a wedding next weekend!"
Lily's eyes widened in awe. "Oh my gosh, ate! That's amazing! I'm so happy for you!"
"Thank you, Lily," I said, feeling a rush of excitement and nerves. "It's a big opportunity, and I'm really looking forward to it."
Lily leaned in closer. "Do you think your special someone will be there too?"
I laughed, shaking my head. "I don't know, Lily. But right now, I just want to focus on doing my best for this event."
She nodded, her expression turning serious. "Ate, you're really talented. You're going to be amazing at that wedding."
I smiled, touched by her words. "Salamat, Lily. Salamat dahil lagi kang nandyan at sinusuportahan ako."
As we continued our conversation, discussing the upcoming wedding and my plans for the live painting, I felt a renewed sense of purpose. The future was full of possibilities, both in my art and in my heart, and I was ready to embrace whatever came my way.
***
The days leading up to the wedding were filled with a whirlwind of preparations. As the chosen live event painter, I had a lot on my plate, but thankfully, Liam was by my side every step of the way. Ever since we became officially a couple, his support had been unwavering, and I couldn't have asked for a better partner.
"Liam, tingin mo itong mga kulay babagay sa wedding theme?" I asked, holding up a palette filled with soft pastels and vibrant hues.
He looked over my shoulder, his hand resting gently on my back. "They look perfect, Harmony. You have such an eye for these things."
I smiled, feeling a sense of reassurance wash over me. "Thanks. I just want it to be special for the couple."
"It will be," he said confidently. "You're amazing at what you do."
Over the next few days, Liam helped me gather all the supplies I needed, from canvases and paints to easels and brushes. He even set up a small studio space in his apartment so I could practice my sketches and compositions.
One evening, as we sat together going over the final details, Liam took my hand. "I believe in you, Harmony. You've got this."
I squeezed his hand, feeling a surge of gratitude. "I don't know what I'd do without you, Liam."
"You'll never have to find out," he said with a smile, leaning in to kiss me gently.
Finally, dumating na ang araw ng kasal. The venue was a breathtaking garden, adorned with elegant decorations and the sweet scent of blooming flowers. I set up my easel in a corner with a perfect view of the ceremony, my heart racing with excitement and a touch of nerves.
As the guests started to arrive, I began to sketch the scene, capturing the beauty and emotion of the day. The bride and groom exchanged vows under a floral arch, their faces radiant with love. I lost myself in the rhythm of my brush strokes, translating their joy onto the canvas.
Just as I was adding the final touches to the painting, I noticed a commotion near the entrance. The couple had invited a special performer for their wedding, and I was about to find out who it was.
A familiar voice filled the air, and my heart skipped a beat. It was Liam, ngunit sa araw na ito siya si Eclipse, the enigmatic singer whose music I adored. The crowd murmured in excitement as he took the stage, his presence commanding everyone's attention.
As he began to sing, I felt a wave of emotion wash over me. Napakaganda talaga ng boses niya, his voice is captivating, and I found myself completely entranced. As I glanced up, our eyes met, and all I could see was him, everything else fading into the background.
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