La Vie en Rose

"WEDDING JITTERS?" Pabulong na wika ni Jessie, ang kanyang matalik na kaibigan nang mahuli siya nito na nakatulala habang nakaupo sa may dalampasigan. Nasa isang beach resort sila sa Laiya, Batangas para sa gaganaping beach wedding nila ng nobyong si Aidan. Dalawang taon na silang mag nobyo bago sila nag-desisyong magpakasal. She was the girl who loves to hear the calming waves of the ocean and the tingling effect of the seashore over her feet. They both decided to have a beach wedding with their family and close friends with no outsider on the wheel. They want a solemn wedding together with the people who are close to their hearts. "No... I'm just having a random thoughts." Sagot niya. "About what? Because tomorrow is your big day. Are you having any doubts of marrying Aidan?" "Of course, not!" Mariing tanggi niya. "Emerson, we've been friends for so long. And I know when there's something bothering you." Giit ng kaibigan. "I just can't believe that in a few hours time, I will be legally married to someone I love. Who would have thought, I will be marrying Aidan?" "So?" "So... I am savoring my last moment as a single lady, because tomorrow..." She paused and stare at her friend intently. "Aidan seems to be at my disposal," she smirked. Making her friend laughed her butt out. "You're crazy! I was a bit worried about you earlier. But now it seems like I don't have to." "Haha! Calm your heart, Jessie. I'm not gonna live in a dungeon as soon as I got hitched," she replied. "Dapat lang, noh! Or else, I'll gonna crippled both of his legs and I will throw him out in a pit of fire!" "You are really my friend, you punk! Hahaha!" Natatawang komento niya sa matalik na kaibigan. Ilang oras pa silang nanatili sa dalampasigan habang nagpapalitan ng masayang usapan. Ang kanyang mga magulang ay tahimik na sa kanilang cottage at si Aidan naman ay kasama ang mga kaibigan na nagkakaroon ng kasiyahan. According to the tradition, both groom and bride could never be together before the day of their wedding. So they had separate cottages for bride's family and groom's family. Aidan's parents, Dan and Carmen are both sleeping already. Since they are old, sleeping late at night is not a good call. Parehas din pagod ang mga ito, dahil galing pa sa Taytay, Rizal ang dalawang matanda. "Bro, paano ba 'yan? Bukas, pag-aari ka na talaga ni Emerson. Pwede ka pang tumakas ngayon," nakangising biro ni Steve sa kaibigan. "Siraulo, ano ako, tanga? Hindi ko gagawin 'yan, she's mine. Hindi siya pwedeng mapunta sa iba." Nakangiting sagot ni Aidan. "Well, nagbabaka-sakali lang naman ako. Mahirap ang buhay may-asawa. Maraming does and don'ts ang dating buhay malaya, now, you need to compromise." "I am more than willing doing it. Saka panahon na rin para bumuo tayo ng pamilya. Hindi na rin tayo bumabata, saka mahal ko si Emerson. Wala na akong ibang hiling kundi ang maging asawa siya habang-buhay." "Graduate na ngang talaga itong kaibigan natin sa pagkabinata." Sabad ni Carlo. "Basta ninong kami, p're! Huwag mo kaming kalimutan, dahil kung hindi, salamat na lang sa lahat," sabad rin ni Kian. Dahil sa sinabing iyon ng mga kaibigan ay napuno ng halakhakan ang cottage na kinaroroonan ni Aidan. It's already past one, when they decided to rest. And both Aidan and Emerson, slept with their heart at ease. Malalakas na yugyog ang gumising sa kanyang mahimbing na pagkakatulog. When she opened her eyes, she saw her mother with all smile on her face. "Gising na anak. Alas sinco y media na, magpe-prepare pa tayo." Ani Monica. "Good morning, Ma!" Masiglang bati niya sa ina. "Bangon na anak, dumating na rin ang make-up artist mo. Sila Jessie ay nakabihis na rin." "Si Papa?" Tanong niya. "Nasa sala, he's having a shot of vodka." "At this early?" Nakakunot-noong wika niya. "Hayaan mo na lang, mas kinakabahan pa 'ata ang ama mo than you." "Okay, maliligo lang ako sandali, Ma." Wika niya bago bumangon sa pagkakahiga. Bahagya pa siyang napangiti ng masulyapan ang kanyang wedding gown. Her wedding dress is so perfect in her eyes. Simple lang ang tabas nito ngunit mapapansin ang kanyang magandang kurba. Glossy ang tela nito na may hawig sa kulay ng isang perlas, at sakto lang ang haba ng laylayan. Pagkatapos niyang maligo ay kaagad siyang inasikaso ng kanyang make-up artist. Habang sila Aidan ay abala na rin sa pag-aasikaso ng mga sarili. Ang kanyang ina ay inasikaso na rin ang mga taong responsable sa catering services. Si Jessie naman ay ang namahala sa pagdadausan ng kanilang wedding ceremony. Sa pinagsamang tulong at effort ng lahat ay nakakatiyak siyang magiging maayos ang kanilang kasal. The most dreadful hours of waiting has finally ended. Jessie had informed everyone that her wedding ceremony is about to start. She took a deep breath and stare at her reflection in the mirror. And then, she smiled. This is it! She manage to calm her excitement as soon as she walked down the aisle. Her father Ely, was holding her hands tightly as if he was giving her the strength she needed at that very moment. "I can't believe it," he whispered. "Ang alin po, Papa?" "That my little princess is now about to wed, I'm lucky enough to witness your wedding, anak." Ely uttered with his voice about to crack. He was overwhelmed with joy. "Thank you, Papa. Sa hindi pagpigil sa aming dalawa ni Aidan. For your guidance, kayong dalawa ni Mama. You're the best!" "Me and your Mom is not someone na pipigilan ang kasiyahan mo, anak. We are going to support you sa lahat, basta para sa ikakabuti mo. I know, Aidan is a good man. Kaya panatag rin kami ng Mama mo." "He is." Sambit niya habang nakatitig sa kanyang groom na nakangiti habang hinihintay sila sa harap ng altar. "Tara na, anak." Yakag ng ama. Sa kanilang paglalakad ay pumailanlang ang themesong nilang mag nobyo. Ito ay ang kantang "Can't help falling in love". Her heart was trembling with so much happiness as her father handed her hand to Aidan. The feeling is surreal that she thought she was dreaming. "Thank you po, Tito..." Wika ni Aidan sa ama. "Oh, c'mon, young man! It's Papa." Mariing pagtatama ng ama sabay kindat. Napangiti sila parehas sa inasal ng ama. Nagkatitigan pa sila parehas bago sabay na humarap sa pari na magkakasal sa kanila. It's time...