GENE'S POV

Hindi ko alam kung ilang beses na ang humugot ng malalim na buntong-hininga mula pa kanina. Kinakabahan ako at hindi ako mapakali. I vomit twice already. Aligaga na nga ang lahat dahil doon.

Today is my wedding day. After 2 months of preparation, finally, wedding ceremony na. At first, Aizen want a church wedding pero ako na din ang umayaw. Kahit naman gusto ko mag church wedding,hindi ko kakayanin. Bukod sa sobrang bigat ng tyan ko, kabuwanan ko na din. Any time soon, manganganak na ako. Actually, these past day, panay na ang hilab ng tyan ko. Alerto na ang lahat ng kasama ko. Nasa kotse na din ang mga gamit na dadalhin namin sa oras na manganganak na ako. Nakahanda na din ang hospital at hospital room na gagamitin ko. Everything ready, inaantay nalang ang panganganak ko.

"Kalma ka lang, nak." Ani dad. Sya ang kasama ko ngayon dito sa kwarto at si mommy. Andito din si Chyrs at si Roma Fe.

Yeah, I invited her para naman may rason syang lumabas ng hospital. Buti nalang at pumayag sya.

"Kalmahan mo buntis, baka bigla kang manganak dyan, ako papakasal kay Aizen." Pabirong sabi ni Roma Fe sabay abot sa akin ng tubig.

"As if papakasalan ka ni Aizen." Kinuha ko ang baso at ininom ang laman nun.

"Why not?" Kinuha nya sa akin ang baso at tumawa ng malakas. I picked up the pillow beside me at binato sa kanya.

"Gaga!"

"But it makes you feel better."

Iningusan ko sya. Medyo nawala nga ang kaba ko.

"Ayos na ba sya?" Tanong ng asawa ni tita Fier. He also stay with us sa utos na din ng kanyang asawa.

"Opo. We can start the wedding na po." Sagot.

"Finally. Gutom na ako." Ani Roma Fe.

"PG ka?" Natatawang tanong ko.

"Medyo. Wala pa akong almusal, FYI."

"Okay."

They help me to stand from the bed para makalipat ako sa wheel chair. Sa bigat ng tyan ko, hirap na hirap na talaga ako maglakad. This also one of the reason kaya ayaw ko ng church wedding. I can't walk in the aisle properly. So, we ended up a garden wedding. We also choose the garden at the back of this house, kung saan din kinasal sila lolo Tael at lolo Myth.

We rode the elevator na maghahatid sa amin sa baba. Yes, may elevator na itong bahay. Pinalagyan ni lolo Myth para sa akin. Delikado daw ako maghagdan. Elevator is much safer.

The moment we arrive at the garden, Aizen start to sing. Chrys and Roma Fe, help me stand. Mom and dad stand by my side. They both grab my hand para maalalayan akong tumayo at maglakad.

SONG: Happily Ever After by CASE

Guess what I did today
Those were the words I said to you
It was last May, don't know the exact day
In my head there was a praise
And you told me that you loved me
More than anything in your life
And I asked you would you do me
The honor of being my wife (yes I will)
I will be your man, your protector, your best friend
'Til my humble life is ended
Then time begins again (couldn't we)

My tears start flowing out my eyes as I stare at my husband. My Zen. He is wearing a suite, same color to mine. He is smiling but his tears is flowing out of his eyes. He is staring at me with those eyes full of love.

Marahan lang ang naging paglakad ko. Sa iksi ng lakarin ko, nagawa ko pang mainip sa paglalakad. I want to run to his arm and hug him.

Couldn't we be the happily ever afterWe can be strong together for so long (our love goes strong soLong)

Couldn't we please be happliy ever after (couldn't we be, baby)Leaving you never stays forever strongWhen I was away (umm...hmm)Some friends became just facesSome people grew apartBut you stayed right in my heartIn so many times, could picture this day inside my mindAnd for so many years, oohI knew it would be you here with me, ooh (yes I will)Take you for my wife, the center of my lifeAnd I will never ever fade

From this choice I've made, ooh...oh

Gusto ko na sya takbuhin, kung kaya ko lang. Kaso mabigat yung tyan ko. If I run, magkakagulo na naman sila. Mapapagalitan pa ako ni Aizen panigurado.

"Kaya pa ba nak?" Masuyong tanong ni mommy.

"Kaya po, pero masakit ang tyan ko."

"Sakay ka nalang sa wheel chair mo."

Tumango ako. Sinenyasan ni mommy si Chrys na nakasunod lang sa akin na ilapit ang wheelchair. I was about to sit ng humilab biglanag tyan ko. I grab dad hand tightly.

"Why baby?" Nag-aalalang tanong nya.

"Wala po. Yung apo nyo nagpapasaway sa loob." Sagot ko.

Babies, kalma muna. Wag excited lumabas. Kasal namin ng daddy nyo. Stay put lang. I rub my big tummy. The pain gone. Kumalma naman ang apat.

When I was away (umm...hmm)Some friends became just facesSome people grew apartBut you stayed right in my heartIn so many times, could picture this day inside my mindAnd for so many years, oohI knew it would be you here with me, ooh (yes I will)Take you for my wife, the center of my lifeAnd I will never ever fadeFrom this choice I've made, ooh...oh

Couldn't we be the happily ever after (come on)I looked at Aizen. He is worried. Ngumiti lang ako sa kanya. Couldn't we be the happily ever after (come on)We could be strong together for so longCouldn't we please be happily ever afterLeaving you never stays forever strong (hey...ooh...hey yeah)You don't have to look no further than me (don't look noFurther, baby yeah)

You don't need much more than my lovin' to make you happy (I'mSo happy, babe)Beneath the side of God, I will make this vow to you (come onBaby)

I'll be right here, stay with me (stay with me, baby hey)Couldn't we be the happily ever afterWe could be strong together for so longCouldn't we please be happily ever afterLeaving you never stays forever strong (no, no I will neverLeave you, ooh)

"Are you okay kitten?" Nag-aalalang tanong ni Aizen pakarating ko sa pwesto nya.

"Medyo. Nagpapasayaw yung apat eh." Sagot ko.

"They are excited also." Marahan nyang hinimas ang tyan ko.

"Excited sa food."

We both laugh. Well, our babies always hungry and they punished me if hindi sila makakain agad. Mga demanding.

Bago kami humarap sa pastor na mag syang mag o-officiate ng kasal namin, we asked blessing from our parents first. Dami bilin ni mommy kay Aizen. Kulang nalang latagan nya ng listahan si Aizen ng mga bilin niya.

"Welcome family and friends. We are gathered here today to witness and celebrate the marriage of Aizen and Gene. This is not the beginning of a new relationship but an acknowledgment of the next chapter in their lives together. Aizen and Gene have spent years getting to know each other, and we now bear witness to what their relationship has become. Today, they will affirm this bond formally and publicly."

"Aizen and Gene will mark their transition as a couple not only by celebrating the love between themselves, but by also celebrating the love between all of us—including the love of their parents, siblings, extended family, and best friends. Without that love, today would be far less joyous."

Nararamdaman ko na naman ang paghilad ng tyan ko kaya marahan ko iyong hinimas. Malamang gutom na naman itong apat na ito. Handa na naman sila magwala anumang oras.

"Do you Aizen take Gene to be your lawfully wedded [husband/wife]? To have and to hold, in sickness and in health, in good times and not so good times, for richer or poorer, keeping yourself unto him for as long as you both shall live?"

"I do." Mabilis na sagot ni Aizen.

"Do you Gene take Aizen to be your lawfully wedded [husband/wife]? To have and to hold, in sickness and in health, in good times and not so good times, for richer or poorer, keeping yourself unto him for as long as you both shall live?"

"I do po. Pakibilisan please, sumsakit ang tyan ko." Sagot ko.

"Okay ka lang?" Tanong ni Aizen sa akin.

"Okay pa. Pero pakibilisan. Baka hindi tayo makatapos."

"A ring is an unbroken circle, with ends that have been joined together, and it represents your union. It is a symbol of infinity, and of your infinite love. When you look at these rings on your hands, be reminded of this moment, your commitment, and the love you now feel for each other.

Nakangiting lumapit sa amin si Ace, then he rub my belly. "Behave kayo. Kakain din kayo mamaya."

Natawa nalang ako sa sinabi nya. I pinched his cheek lightly.

"Aizen, place the ring on Gene's finger and repeat after me" Wika ng pastor.

"Gene, I give you this ring as a symbol of my love with the pledge: to love you today, tomorrow, always, and forever." Aizen slowly put the ring on my finger over my engagement ring.

"And now...Gene, place the ring on Aizen's finger and repeat after me."

"Aizen, I give you this ring as a symbol of my love with the pledge: to love you today, tomorrow, always, and forever."

I squeezed his hand. Humilab ng malakas ang tyan 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, I now pronounce you as married. You may now kiss your other half Aizen."

"Mamaya na yan halik mo na yan Aizen. Manganganak na ata ako." Naisigaw ko ang huli ng muling humilab ng matindi ang aking tyan.

"Prepare the car!" Sigaw ni Aizen sabay buhat sa akin.