Chapter 1 - Always and Forever

Pagkatapos ng unang pagkikita namin ni Mikhail ay hindi na ito nasundan pang muli. Kinailangan niyang bumalik sa Italya dahil malaki ang posisyon niya sa kumpanya. It is ironic for me to be wedded with someone whom I just met once.

"You are majestic, Ms. Seah!" my make-up artist exclaimed. "Hindi kaduda-dudang nahulog para sa'yo ang Italyanong 'yon."

I gave her a fake smile. "It's such a wonderful gift for me to have him. He's perfect."

Bukod sa kailangan kong magpanggap dahil may videographer sa kuwarto ko, hindi rin puwedeng malaman ng ibang tao na business contract lang 'to. Faking something and having it released in public will make our profiles bad.

"Ang swerte niyo sa isa't-isa!" dagdag pa niya habang kinikilig.

Maya-maya lang ay bumukas ang pinto ng kuwarto ko at tumambad sa amin ang wedding organizer ko. Halatang haggard at hirap na siya sa mga nangyayari ngayon.

"The bride should be in the waiting area in 10 minutes. Magsisimula na tayo maya-maya," anito at lumabas na ulit.

I looked at myself in the mirror for the last time. I am a spitting image of my Mommy, but I was sold to keep our elegant lifestyle and rising business.

"Congratulations agad, Ms. Seah. I'm wishing you a great life with your soon-to-be husband," usap sa akin ng make-up artist ko.

I did not want to be rude, so I just smiled. I left my chair and walked out of my room. Inalalayan ako ng make-up artist at ng ibang kasama niya.

I can already hear the orchestra playing, kasabay nito ay paghampas ng malakas na alon sa dalampasigan. Kita ko na ang malaking harang na namamagitan sa akin at sa mismong venue. I did not waste any time and walked towards there.

Isa lang ang nararamdaman ko sa oras na to — 'yun ay ang sakit na nagmula sa pamilya ko. Wala sana ako rito kung hindi dahil sa kapabayaan nila. Pigil na pigil ang pagtulo ng mga luha ko dahil hindi ito oras para ipakita ang pangungulila ko sa mga bagay na dapat ay mayroon ako.

I pushed it all deep inside of me because I can't let myself be ruined today.

Finally, the wall in front of me had split up. I hardly held on the bouquet of peonies that I was holding. Everyone was looking at me with a smile on their faces, I could not look at anyone but on the sand that I am walking in.

Hindi na maiwasang tumulo ng luha ko bago pa man ako makarating sa dulo, pero agad ko 'yong pinunasan. When I reached my soon-to-be husband, he offered me his hand and I took it. Nakita ko ang malambing na ngiti ng ina niya sa akin, at sinuklian ko naman 'yon.

This is the second time I saw Mikhail who's now in his wedding suit. He is different from the day that I first met him. Kung titignan siya ngayon ay para bang siya na ang pinaka-approachable na tao sa mundo, kumbaga ay maaliwalas ang itsura.

"In a few minutes, you'll be Seah Alexandra De Luca."

Hindi ko siya sinagot marahil dahil hindi ko alam kung seryoso ba siya o nang-aasar lang. He guided me on our way to the altar, which made me feel more pressured. I'm just minutes away from being his wife.

Nagsimula nang magsalita ang pari. He had a humor that piqued our guests' attention, but not me. Kahit anong pagpapasaya o pagpapatawa niya ay hindi ako makangiti.

"Do you Mikhail De Luca, take Seah Alexandra Garcia, as your lawfully wedded wife?"

Walang pag-aalinlangang sumagot si Mikhael, "I do, father."

"Do you Seah Alexandra Garcia, take Mikhail De Luca, as your lawfully wedded husband?"

I stared at him while I took countless breathes.

Bahagya siyang ngumiti sa akin na para bang kaya niyang mapawi ang kaba't pag-aalinlangan sa buong katawan ko. I reminded myself of that thirty-million worth of money — I need that.

"I do," maikling sagot ko.

Mikhail glanced at the guests and playfully smiled. Napatawa niya naman ang mga ito nang walang kahirap-hirap while I remained silent.

"Mikhail and Seah have chosen rings to exchange with each other as a symbol of their unending love," pagpapatuloy ng pari. "Mikhail, place the ring on Seah's finger."

He softly held my hand for the first time and slowly placed the ring on my finger. "Seah, I give you this ring as a symbol of my love with the pledge: to love you today, tomorrow, always, and forever."

"Seah, place the ring on Mikhail's finger."

Kahit nanginginig ang kamay ko ay nagawa kong kuhanin ang singsing at hawakan ang kamay niya. Inilagay ko sa daliri niya ang singsing, kahit pa alam kong labag sa loob ko ang lahat ng ito.

I gathered up my strength and spoke, "Mikhail, I give you this ring as a symbol of my love with pledge: to love you today, tomorrow, always, and forever."

Agad kong binitawan ang kamay niya't pinigilang tumulo ang mga luhang namumuo sa mga mata ko.

"Before these witnesses, you have pledged to be joined in marriage. You have now sealed this pledge with your wedding rings. By the authority vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife!"

I heard the guests rejoicing. They're craving for the most awaited part of the wedding, the kiss.

I felt his hand all over my waist. Sinigurado niyang hindi ako makakawala sa pagkakahawak niya. He pulled me in for a kiss and I couldn't do anything anymore. I kissed him back, giving the guests the entertainment that they wanted.

"You liked it, didn't you?"

Hindi ko napigilang mapasinghap. "Ang kapal naman pala ng mukha mo." He laughed it off and just waved at the guests.

Inirapan ko siya at itinuon ang pansin sa pamilya ko. Daddy had a straight face on him while clapping, si Mommy naman ay bahagyang ngumiti katulad ni Riena.

They should be happy by now, knowing that anytime soon, the thirty-million will be in the company. Pero ito naman ang impyerno ko. Tatlong taong impyerno kasama si Mikhail.

Napatili ako nang buhatin ako ni i-bridal carry ako ni Mikhail. Mas lalong lumakas ang hiyawan ng mga guest dahil sa ginawa niya. Sumabay na lang ako at tumawa na para bang natutuwa sa nangyayari.

I wrapped my arms around his neck, making sure that I won't fall. I waved my arm like I'm the happiest woman today. All for the show, I thought.

Mikhail ran until we reached the end of the aisle. Muli kaming kumaway sa kanila bago tuluyang dumiretso sa hallway ng beach resort.

Ibinaba ako ni Mikhail nang makarating kami sa tapat ng room ko. "It's your wedding, baka naman gusto mong ngumiti."

"As if it's the easiest thing to do, Mikhail?" inis kong sagot.

"Can't you see that I'm trying to give my best for us to look deeply in love?" he frustratedly answered. "Eh, ikaw? You couldn't even look at me while making your way down the aisle."

Hindi ko alam kung bakit, pero nakaramdam ako ng pagsisisi. Totoo naman, he tried to look in love with me. I could've tried to look in love too.

"I'm sorry," I said.

"I'll see you in a while at the party," he answered before leaving me all alone outside my room. I sighed and made my way inside my room too.

Is it really my fault that I'm feeling something heavy in my heart right now?