Being together with the one you love is not a happily ever after. It was just a start of the real thing. Marami man kaming pinagdaanan ni Ivo, alam kong mas napatatag nito ang pagsasama namin.

Matapos siyang magpakita sa akin sa New York at umuwi na kaming Pilipinas kasama sina Daddy. Doon ko rin nalaman na matagal na siyang nagising. Inasikaso niya raw kasi ang pagbawi sa kumpanya at ilang mga bagay.

Bumalik na rin ako sa kumpanya as the new CEO. Bumalik na rin si Ivo sa kumpanya niya. Siguro saka na lang namin po-problemahin kung may magdududa man sa hitsura namin. Ang mahalaga ay naayos namin ang mga problema and of course, we have each other.

Si Leni naman, well, she's still my secretary. Wala na akong mapapagkatiwalaan na assistant kundi siya lang. I hate to admit it but I actually missed the lady.

Si Seth naman ay normal na namumuhay. Believe it or not, wala siyang maalala tungkol sa mga ginawa niya. He was like, the saint version of Seth. Kasama niya si Sandy at sila na ang nagma-manage ng business ng parents nila. Sandy is still my bestfriend, of course. Nagkikita pa naman kami lalo na't kinausap ko siya na inuurong ko na ang kahit na anong kaso laban sa kapatid niya.

Sabi ni Daddy ay aampunin na niya talaga si Cindy. Dahil ayaw kong isipin ni Daddy na ayaw ko kasi may kaagaw ako sa kanya, I suggested na ibahin ang identity ni Cindy. Lawyer ni Dad ang mag-aasikaso ng papers kaya maghihintay pa kami.

"Ma'am Cassey, nandito po si Sir Ivo sa labas. Papasukin ko po ba?" sabi sa akin ni Leni sa intercom.

"Yes," agad kong sagot.

The door slowly opened and I can feel my heart skipped a beat. Ang nag-iisang lalaki na may kakayanang gawing abnormal ang tibok ng puso ko.

"Hi!" bati niya nang makapasok siya sa office ko. Tumayo naman ako sa pagkakaupo sa swivel chair at sinalubong ko siya.

"Why are you here? I thought you have a meeting kaya hindi mo ako masusundo?" I said as I encircled my arms around his neck.

"Tinapos ko agad. Namiss kasi agad kita," he said that made me chuckled.

"Kasama mo naman ako kanina, ah," I said feining an innocent look.

Sa penthouse niya uli ako tumitira kagay no'n. Hindi pa naman kami kasal pero gusto kong bawiin 'yong mga araw na hindi ko siya kasama. Mabuti nga at okay lang kay Daddy. Sa dami ba namang nangyari sa buhay namin, ngayon pa ba kami mag-iinarte? Natuto na ako. Hindi na muli ako magsasayang ng oras para iparamdam sa kanya na mahal na mahal ko siya.

"Kung puwede ngang 24/7 every month of the year, and a decade, and a century na kasama kita, eh," sabi niya at hindi ko mapigilang hindi kiligin. Haay naku, Ivo.

"You mean to say, forever?"

"Yes, babe. Forever. And curse those who don't believe that forever exist,"

"Hindi kaya magkasawaan tayo?" I said but he just smirked.

"Hindi ako magsasawa sa'yo. At lalong hindi ka magsasawa sa akin," he said lowering his head to me.

"And why is that?" I asked. But his answer was to claim my lips.

It started out as a soft kiss that lingered. Then it was like something in me heated. I was kissing him deeply and hugging him close. My emotions were like fireworks. Maganda sa pakiramdam pero mainit kapag mas lalo kang lumalapit.

Our eyes were closed, savoring each moment. His arms wrapped around my waist. I can't help but moan when his left hand caress my back as I arched with pleasure on his hand.

Our kisses broke when his kisses went down my neck.

I can see Leni's silhouette outside the office kaya kahit nag-e-enjoy ako rito sa little make out session namin ay itinulak ko si Ivo nang marahan.

"This is not the right place," I said and I can see his jaw tightening. Na para bang nabitin siya o ano. I can't help but laugh with his expression. My poor Ivo.

"Stop laughing," nakasimangot niyang sabi.

"Kaya mo pa naman akong hintayin, 'di ba?" I said teasingly. He knows what I mean. Unfortunately for him, hanggang kissing lang kami. Kahit naman makasama kami sa iisang bubung ay hindi pa namin 'yon ginagawa. I just have this high value about sacred marriage. You know, walking down the isle, pure.

"I should really, really have to marry you soon," he said in a rasp voice.

"Of course you do."

***

It was Saturday at may usapan kami ni Theyn na magkikita kami sa isang restaurant. She said may kikitain daw kaming kaibigan niya. Ayaw ko sana kasi ito lang ang araw na maghapon kaming magkakasama ni Ivo pero nagkaroon naman siya nang emergency meeting.

Nandito na ako sa baba ng lobby. Was her text.

Napairap lang ako. Itong buntis na 'to napaka lakwatsera. Bakit kasi hindi na lang si Kent ang isama niya.

Nagbihis na lang ako ng tattered jeans at off white blouse. Sa totoo lang, wala ako sa mood umalis kaya ayaw ko ring magsuot ng dress. Good thing about being a vampire? You don't need a hella cake make up. Lipstick lang good to go ka na.

I used the elevator pababa sa lobby. As much as I enjoyed teleporting, mas nagiging maingat na ako. Ayokong magkaroon ng Seth 2.0 version sa buhay ko, 'no!

"Theyn!" I called her while she was texting.

She put her phone on her bag and eyed me from head to toe.

"You're wearing that? Are you sure?" she said frowning.

"Bakit? Saan ba tayo pupunta?" naiinip kong tanong.

"Basta. Tara at late na tayo," she then pulled me toward outside.

Si Theyn ang nagda-drive at ako naman ay busy sa pagtetext. Hindi ko alam kung tapos na ang meeting ni Ivo. Sana maaga siyang matapos para makapamasyal pa kami.

"Dapat nag dress ka man lang," sabi niya kaya napaangat ako ng tingin.

"Sosyal bang restaurant ang pupuntahan natin?" tanong ko habang nakatingin sa unahan.

"Wedding rehersal ng kaibigan ko sa isang beach. Abay ako kaya kailangan ko ng kasama. Baka kasi bigla akong mapaanak, eh," she said casually.

Napatingin naman ako sa tiyan niya. Sabi ni Kent kabuwanan na ni Theyn. Bakit kaya pinapayagan niya pa 'tong pumunta kung saan-saan.

"Oh , sige," nasabi ko na lang.

After two hours ay nakarating kami sa sinasabi ni Theyn. Sa likod pala ng restaurant ang beach at sa second floor ng resto ay ang reception.

Dumeretso kami sa likod ng resto at doon ko nakita na nakaset up na ang beach wedding. Puro white lang ang nakikita ko. May ilan-ilan na rin na nakaupo sa chairs. Siguro manunuod na lang ako sa malayo. Hindi ko naman kasi sila kilala.

Hinila ako ni Theyn sa may canopy kung saan may red carpet papunta sa altar. May mga red and white petals sa buhangin. Nakasuot din ng white summer dress ang mga bisitang babae at summer polo and trousers lang sa mga lalaki.

"Dito ka lang," biglang sabi ni Theyn.

"Ha? Eh, do'n na lang ako sa balcony ng—"

"Dito ka lang." pag-uulit niya. May inilagay sa kanyang crowns of white flowers sa ulo niya at nagsimula na siyang maglakad sa gitna ng aisle.

May mga nakaupo na sa unahan pero wala pa akong makitang groom. Sabagay, practice pa lang naman.

Then all of the sudden ay may lumapit sa akin babae. Hinihingal siya at may hawak ng mini veil.

"Ikaw ang bride?" she asked at agad naman akong napa-iling.

"No," sabi ko lang at saka gumilid. Tapos may lumapit na naman na isa pang babae. Sa akin siya nakatingin.

"Siya 'yon," sabi nito.

"Isuot mo na 'to, miss," sabi ng isa.

"You're mistaken. I'm not the bride," nakangiti ko pang sabi kahit sa totoo lang ay naaasar na ako.

"Ikaw 'yon," sabi nito at bigla na lang na inilagay sa ulo ko ang veil.

"Teka nga—"

Nagulat ako nang pinagtutulak nila ako paunahan. Hinaharap ko sila tapos tinutulak ulit nila ako.

Nang maapakan ko ang red carpet ay biglang may tumugtog. An acoustic version of canon. I was about to say something nang nagsitayuan ang mga bisita.

Holy shit! Hindi nga sabi ako ang bride, eh! Pagwawala ng isipan ko. Nakakahiya na talaga!

Naramdaman ko na lang na may tumabi sa akin at nang tingnan ko siya ay halos manlaki ang mga mata ko.

"D-Daddy!" I shrieked. I already have hunch on what's going on and now I confirmed it.

"My daughter, I want you to be happy. And I know Ivo is the only man who can love you more than any man could," kinuha ni Daddy ang kamay ko at hindi ko mapigilang hindi maiyak.

"Dad..."

"This was always my dream you know. To walk with my daughter on the aisle," he said emotionally.

"I'm wearing jeans, Dad," I said as a matter of factly.

"An epic wedding, right? Now come on, child. Your groom is waiting,"

Kinuha ni Dad ang kamay ko at inilagay sa braso niya. Napatingin ako sa unahan and I said familiar faces. Konti lang talaga ang bisita. As in 'yong mga malapit lang sa amin.

Nasa tabi ni Theyn si Cindy, Leni, and Sandy. Sa kabila naman ay si Kent at Lyrron. Sa unahan ni Kent ay ang stoller ni baby Thyron. Wow, at least my ring bearer ako. 'Yong ibang bisita ay mga kamag-anak namin.

My eyes landed on the man whom I know had planned this. So that's what he meant of 'I have to marry you soon' niya.

His face was all smiles. That man! He knows me well. Sure he knows I don't like being unprepared and under dressed—for a wedding! For petes sake I am wearing a blouse, a jeans, and a sandal for my wedding.

Pero importante pa ba 'yon? Importante pa ba ang wedding dress, grand wedding, with a tons of guest. Ivo, after all, is full of surprises.

Nakapunta kaming unahan at iniabot ni Daddy ang kamay ko kay Ivo.

"Please take care of her, son," sabi ni Daddy.

"I will, tito," sincere na sabi ni Ivo.

He guided me to the altar. I cannot contain my feelings right now. I really need to say something. Kaya bigla ko na lang siyang sinuntok sa tiyan at narinig ko ang pagsinghap ng mga bisita.

"What the hell, Ivo! Can't you tell it to me directly that I am going to attend my own wedding?" I said feining a furious look.

"Told you she wouldn't like it," rinig kong sabi ni Lyrron.

"I'm sorry, babe. Please don't be mad at me," he said. I can see sadness in his eyes. Bigla naman akong na-guilty.

I heave a heavy sigh then I stared at him. Feigning a furious look was long gone and I grinned at him playfully.

"At least I have a veil, right?" I said then his face brightened with glee.

"You mean—"

"I do," I said then he suddenly hugged me tight me.

"Oh, Cassey," napahiwalay lang kami nang may tumikhim. We both giggled when a man wearing a sutana was seriously staring at us.

"I believe we ought to have a proper ceremony or do you want me to skip and pronounce you husband and wife?" he said with sarcasm kaya pareho lang kaming napangiti ni Ivo.

An epic wedding indeed.

It was already sundown when the reception for the wedding started. Sa hindi kalayuan ay may naka set up na mga tables para sa mga bisita. The large tent that was made of white cloth at may mga naka hang na white lantern sa paligid. May mga torch din sa around the tent at na nakakadagdag sa ilaw.

Pinagpaalit na rin ako nila Theyn nang isang simple white dress para hindi ako ma-op.

I felt my new husband snaked his arms around my waist and rested his chin on my head.

"Should I call you wife?" he said.

Napaharap naman ako sa kanya.

"'Yon ang tawag ni Kent kay Theyn, eh. I guess I'll settle for babe," nakangiti kong sabi sa kanya.

"Mahal na mahal kita, Cassey. I'm sorry kung hindi kita nabigyan ng marangyang kasal. Pero puwede naman nating ulitin, eh. Gusto ko lang talaga na maitali ka sa akin," sabi niya kaya natawa ako.

"Sa palagay mo ba tatakbuhan pa rin kita?" sabi ko pero kumibit lang siya.

"Natuto na ako. You tend to be impulsive sometimes, you know."

"We both learn, Ivo."

Pareho lang kaming nangiti sa isa't-isa nang tinawag ni Kent si Ivo. May ginawa itong signal at tumango lang si Ivo.

"Wait here, babe. May surprise ako para sa'yo," pagkasabi niya no'n ay iniwan niya ako.

Nakita ko na lang siya sa gitna ng mini stage at may hawak na gitara. Agad naman akong napangiti kasi alam ko na ang gagawin niya.

"Ladies and gentleman. Thank you for attending my surprise wedding for my babe. But before this accasion ends. I would like to serenade my wife and I hope you won't throw anything at me for I don't have an angelic voice," sabi niya tapos tumingin sa akin. "Babe, you're my everything," pagkasabi niya noon ay nag strum siya.

https://youtu.be/-1WhcLDEEDQ

"You're a falling star, you're the get away car.

You're the line in the sand when I go too far. 

You're the swimming pool, on an August day. 

And you're the perfect thing to say."

His voice was tolerable. He plays good with his guitar. Sa tinagal-tagal ko siyang nakasama, ngayon ko lang nalaman na marunong siyang kumanta at mag play ng instrument. I guess totoo talaga ang mga kasabihan na mas makikilala mo lang ang mahal mo kapag naging asawa mo na 'to.

"And you play it coy but it's kinda cute.

Ah, when you smile at me you know exactly what you do.

Baby don't pretend that you don't know it's true.

'cause you can see it when I look at you."

Sa akin lang siya nakatingin and hindi siya bumibitaw. I felt extra especial. I've never been serenade before. And I was glad it was him who did it... best on our wedding day.

"And in this crazy life, and through these crazy times

It's you, it's you, you make me sing.

You're every line, you're every word, you're everything."

I mouthed 'I love you' kaya bigla siyang ngumiti ng maluwang. Is it really to possible to fall in love deeper with the man you love already love with all your heart? Kasi ito ang nararamdaman ko ngayon. Na para bang lahat ng mga nangyari at paghihirap ay sobrang worth it kasi ngayon ay makakasama ko na siya nang habambuhay.

"You're a carousel, you're a wishing well,

And you light me up, when you ring my bell.

You're a mystery, you're from outer space,

You're every minute of my everyday."

From my peripheral view, I saw my Dad contently staring at me. Ngumiti ako sa kanya. Sobra akong nagpapasalamat sa kanya kasi naging mabuti siya sa aking ama at Ina. Hindi ko man nakilala ang totoo kong mother ay hindi siya nagkulang sa akin. I was contented with his love.

"And I can't believe, uh that I'm your man,

And I get to kiss you baby just because I can.

Whatever comes our way, ah we'll see it through,

And you know that's what our love can do."

Bumalik ang tingin ko kay Ivo. Ah, this man! I was thankful he came into my life. If not, siguro hanggang ngayon ay isinusumpa ko pa rin si Theyn ngayon. But God has his own ways. Now I am bestfriends with her. Yeah, I hate to admit it but I really have to gave her a credit. She was always there for me. And for sure, siya rin ang tumulong kay Ivo para planuhin 'to.

"And in this crazy life, and through these crazy times

It's you, it's you, you make me sing.

You're every line, you're every word, you're everything.

You're every song, and I sing along.

'Cause you're my everything.

Yeah, yeah..."

Marrying him is all I ever wanted. And now we are. I am now his wife and I will do my best not to be a perfect, but a good wife.

"So, la, la, la, la, la, la, la

So, la, la, la, la, la, la, la,"

The song ended and everyone applaud. Ibinaba niya ang gitara at agad akong lumapit sa kanya. Without further ado, I kissed him on the lips while clinging my hands around his neck.

"I love you so much, Mr. Primotivo Hidalgo," I said rasped between our kisses.

"I love you more, Mrs. Cassey Aragon-Hidalgo." He whispered.

*****************************

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~~~

Fangs Series # 2

Cold Fangs

©Thyriza

All Rights Reserved 2016