This is the last chapter.

Chapter 50

Humikab ako at humilig sa braso ni Lairgren. "Excited na 'kong kumain ng bibingka."

His shoulders shook when he chuckled without emitting sounds. He pulled my hand in his lap and held it tighter to keep me warm.

"That's what you said since the first mass, baby Ri."

Tumingin ako sa altar bago sa paligid. Unti-unti nang napupuno ang mga upuan sa simbahan. Pangatlong araw na namin ng Misa De Gallo. Kanina pa kaming three-thirty nandito at alas kuwatro pa ang umpisa ng unang misa. May favorite spot kasi ako rito sa simbahan kaya pinipilit ko talaga siyang maaga kami lagi umalis para doon kami makaupo.

I unlocked my small sling bag that only carried some candies.

"Gusto mong candy?" Ngumiti ako sa kaniya.

When he opened his palm for me, I placed one over it before I had my own.

The mass lasted for nearly an hour. Sinamahan ako ni Lairgren magpa-bless sa pari dahil kapag ako lang ang pumunta sa harap, siguradong magigitgit lang ako. After we received our bless from the priest, my lips stretched wider and Lairgren immediately pulled me out from the crowd.

"Bili na tayong bibingka! Five! Tapos maraming cheese!" I told him gaily as we exited the church.

Iwinagayway ko pa ang isang kamay sa harap niya para ipakita kung ilan ang lima. Hawak niya ang isa kong kamay nang mahigpit, takot mabitiwan dahil takot ding biglang mawala.

"Baby Ri, that's too much..." he softly said while shaking his head. "Tatlo lang ulit. Isa sa ating dalawa, dalawa sa pamilya mo. They could only even finish one..."

"Hindi. Dalawa sa akin, tatlo kina Mama at kina Ate Nadia. If you want, add another one for you. Oh, bale six na pala bilhin natin!" sabi ko pa habang nagbibilang sa daliri.

He groaned his objection, then he looked down at me. Tinupi ko ang nakabuklat na mga daliri at dahan-dahang bumaba sa kaniyang braso. I tried to hide my face on his arm with the lips of a fish.

"Sige, lima," he finally gave up. "Huwag mo nang dadagdagan 'yan bukas, Skyricharm, o hindi na kita bibilhan sa susunod."

I grinned and bobbed my head so fast my face probably got blurred in his vision.

Christmas is my all-time favorite holiday every year. The blessings I receive annually are abundant, and giving gifts is my heartful desire during this season to share our blessings. Hindi lang sa akin, kundi pati sa buong pamilya ko.

Habol ko na ang paghinga nang humiwalay ang labi ni Lairgren sa akin. Kanina ay ang bibingka lang ang nilalantakan ko pero ngayon, labi na niya. Masarap ang bibingka, pero mas masarap talaga ang halik niya. Libre pa.

I was melting in his lap, with both my legs over his left leg, while he was sitting on my beanbag inside my lab. His hand was fisting my hair gently to lift my face, and the other was gently stroking the back of my knee. My arms were anchored like jelly around his neck.

"Gusto mo pa?" he teased while torturing my jaw with his lips. "O... matulog na lang muna ulit tayo?"

My eyes fluttered open but not fully, as though still tipsy with his kisses despite the sweetness in every touch and flick.

"More kisses, please, El..." Ngumiti ako habang nakatingin sa labi niyang namamasa at kakulay na ng dugo.

He only gave me another second to breathe before his lips touched down to mine again, plunging his tongue inside my mouth, and turning my vision into a vast darkness of pleasure. Kumalat ang kiliti sa aking tainga, batok, likod, at binti habang humaplos ang kaniyang kamay sa aking hita.

Umidlip pa kami ng isang oras pagkatapos mapagod sa paghahalikan. Nakahiga siya sa beanbag ko habang ako, nakahiga sa ibabaw niya at yakap-yakap niya nang magising dahil sa alarm. Sabay kaming lumabas ulit ng lab pagkatapos ayusin ang sarili at ligpitin ang pinagkainan kanina.

Hinaplos niya ang baywang ko nang nasa labas kami ng lab.

"Magpakita muna tayo ulit sa magulang mo tapos... akyat na tayo sa kuwarto mo at makapagbihis ka na," he said.

I looked up. "Mag-half bath ka ulit?"

Ngumisi siya at yumuko para halikan ang ulo ko. "Yup, baby Ri. After you, of course."

Ngumiti ako pabalik. We went to the kitchen where my family gathered for breakfast to inform them of our appearance. Kuya was busy with his phone, probably talking to his girlfriend, while he was eating the special bibingka we bought for them.

Inagaw ko ang tinidor na hawak niya para makikain. Wala naman siyang reklamo. Napabalik ang tingin sa akin ni Lairgren na nasa gilid ko habang nag-uusap sila ni Papa na umiinom naman ng kape.

"Shortcake, do you already have a design for our annual gingerbread house competition?" untag Mama habang pinagmamasdan ako. "I really hope you'll win this year."

"Ma, taon-taon kang umaasa," puna ni Kuya at nag-angat ng tingin sa akin para kunin ang tinidor. "At taon-taon din siyang natatalo."

I scrunched up my nose. "That's because you never let me win! Wait and you'll see I'm gonna win this year!"

"Competition nga, e. Bakit ka namin papanalunin?"

"Magpatulong ka na kay Lairgren," ani Mama. "Wala namang pakialam ang Ate mo kung magpatulong ka, basta hindi sa amin."

My brother shrugged.

Ngumuso ako. Kinuha ko na ang boyfriend ko mula kay Papa para makapunta na kami sa itaas. I already told him last week about the gingerbread house competition that my parents host every Christmas, and he knew that I was always in the last place.

At para fair, tatlo kina Ate Izzy, Kuya Aji, Kuya Axe, at Kuya Ral ang judges namin. Kuya Wai isn't included as he was deemed to have bad judgement according to my sister. Pagandahan at patibayan lang, hindi kasama ang taste. Marupok lagi ang akin pero maganda naman ang design. Mas matibay at mas maganda nga lang ang kina Kuya Rain at Ate Harley.

"May prize kasi 'yon. Dapat manalo ako..." sabi ko nang tinanong niya kung bakit gustong-gusto kong manalo. "Not that I want the money solely for me. Half of the prize would be given to our chosen charity or foundation. The remaining is ours. Sayang din 'yon, 'no, pambili ko ng mga gamit sa school saka sa business."

"Magkano ba ang prize?" tanong niya at hinila ako paupo sa kandungan niya habang abala ako sa phone.

He was sitting on the edge of my bed. I scrolled through my phone to find the pictures of the gingerbread house I made for the past years.

"Ten..."

"Million?" He chuckled and started kissing my cheek.

Tumango ako at tiningnan siya. Tumigil siya sa paghalik sa pisngi ko at nagtaas ng kilay.

"Saan mo naman ibibigay ang kalahati ng pera kung mananalo ka? You have a chosen charity in mind, baby Ri?"

Niyakap niya ako nang mahigpit, dahilan para tigilan ko na muna ang pagse-cell phone. I leaned my head back on his chest comfortably. Hindi puwedeng maghalikan dito. Sa lab ko lang ang making out area.

"Oo. Pareho lang doon sa animal shelter na tinutukoy ko sa 'yo before." 

"Hmm... if you are allowed to be assisted by me, you might have a chance to win. Kung ayaw mo naman at hindi puwede ang ganoon, then..." His chest vibrated against my back with his silent laugh. "Good luck, baby girl. I don't think Harley will let you win."

Lairgren and I's relationship was legal in both side. While he got access and permission to my room, I got full access to his house. Kaya noong wala pa akong trabaho, madalas ako sa bahay niya kasama sina Onyx, Cookie, at ang pamilya nina Tart at Rio. Doon ako gumagawa ng mga bag na ibebenta ko.

When I started working in a clinic last October, he would send me to work before he goes to his own. Mas maaga nga lang din ang out ko kaya sinusundo pa rin ako ni Kuya Oyo. Siya na lang mag-isa lagi dahil ang bodyguard ko noong pumapasok pa ako ay nag-resign na.

"Princess, anong oras ba natin susunduin ang pinsan mo sa Lunes? Malala ang traffic ngayon kaya dapat mas maaga tayong umalis dito," Papa said on Friday dinner.

"What's their scheduled time of arrival?" asked Mama.

"Quarter to five po ng hapon."

"Papasok ka sa Lunes?" Nagtaas ng kilay si Papa habang umiinom ng tubig.

"Mag-absent ka naman, Miss Smurf..."

Lumingon ako sa nanunulsol na si Kuya Aji habang ngumunguya nang nakangisi sa akin. Napagigitnaan nilang dalawa ni Kuya Wilder si Kuya Rain. These two no longer surprised us with their unexpected visit just to join our family meals. Pero nandito yata sila para i-remodel 'yong plaminko board na gagamitin sa Martes.

Parang gusto ko nga rin. Pero siguro pagawan niya muna ako ng sariling clinic para makapag-absent ako kung kailan ko gusto. At hindi ko 'yon sasabihin dahil noong huling beses na nabanggit ko lang na parang ang saya magkaroon ng sariling yate habang nakasakay kami sa ganoon, tatlong araw lang ay may yate nang nakapangalan sa akin.

"Papasok po ako," sabi ko.

"Patayuan mo nga ng clinic, Kuya, para maka-absent. Kulang na lang pati Sunday pumasok, e. Akala mo tagapagmana ng clinic!"

Humagalpak si Kuya Wilder pagkatapos magsalita. Dahil nakaharap siya kina Kuya Aji at katabi pa ang kapatid ko, may tumalsik na pagkain galing sa bibig niya papunta sa mukha at plato ni Kuya. Pagkatapos isubo ng kapatid ko ang laman ng kutsara niya ay agad niyang ipinukpok iyon sa noo ng pinsan namin.

"Aray! Tita Rappy, anak mo nananakit!"

"Kadiri ka. Alisin mo diyan sa plato ko 'yang tumalsik galing sa bibig mo!" iritadong singhal ni Kuya sa pinsan namin.

"Para ka namang hindi kadugo! Dagdagan ko pa 'yan, e..."

Humalakhak ako at hinampas ang matigas na braso ng boyfriend ko. He was only wearing a sleeveless shirt, revealing his stout biceps to satisfy my eyes. Busy siya sa paglagay ng hinimay na shrimp sa plato ko.

"Kumain ka pa," aniya, tila wala lang ang hampas ko sa kaniya.

Our gingerbread house competition will be held on Tuesday morning. The judging and awarding will be after our lunch. And in the evening, we'll be having our year-end party with close relatives and family friends.

Nakabili na kami ng mga pang-regalo ni Lairgren last weekend (though I planned to add more handmade gifts). So my plan after my duty on Saturday was to spend the rest of the day with my dogs and cats. Or more likely... spend the time cleaning my room.

Gumawa si Lairgren ng bahay para sa apat na kuting dahil ang mga magulang nila, kulang na lang ay agawan ako ng kama. Magagalit pa 'yan kapag dinala nila ang mga anak sa kama at hihiga ako. Mabuti at si Cookie ay kasama ang dalawang anak ni Mama sa labas, at si Onyx ay palakad-lakad sa loob ng kuwarto ko habang nag-aalis ako ng balahibo sa kama.

"Nakakapagod naman maging ina ng walong hayop," I told them after vacuuming the room. "But I love you all, so nevermind."

Curious why Tart was no longer on my bed, I checked on the baby cats and find them sucking on their mother's teats. I smiled while kneeling in front of their little house. Hinaplos ko sila nang marahan gamit ang isang daliri.

"Cute n'yo. Sarap n'yong kainin," wala sa sarili kong sinabi.

Napaangat ang ulo ni Tart habang nagpapadede. Rio Grande walked up to me and meowed, as though my words got translated into their own language.

"Joke lang, e..."

"Riri?" My brother knocked on the door.

"Po?" Tumayo ako at lumapit sa pinto para pagbuksan siya. "Do you need anything, Kuya Rain?"

He scanned me from head to toe. "Papa's asking if you want him to do your manicure. Nasa kuwarto sila ni Mama kaya pumunta ka na lang doon."

I instantly raised my hands to scrutinize my peach short nails. "He just painted my nails last, last week. Maayos pa naman..."

"Still. Go to their room and tell him that," he said before he swiveled his heels to depart.

"Okay, Kuya. Love you."

Natatawa siyang bumaling ulit sa akin. "What was that?"

Bumungisngis ako. Lumapit siya sa akin at hinawakan ang magkabilang gilid ng ulo ko bago yumuko. He pressed his lips with alot of pressure on my cheek.

"Love you too, baby," he murmured before his hands detached from my head. "But I'm not going easy with you on Tuesday."

"I'll win! You'll see!" I blinked rapidly. "Oh, maybe I should use the pronoun 'we' since Lairgren will help me."

He ruffled my hair. "Yeah. Knock us dead."

Pagsapit ng Linggo, nakagayak ang buong pamilya para sa Misa de Gallo. Kuya was sitting crossed legs in the single sofa like a King in his throne, only that his eyes were shut and his head was resting back. Kung paanong napilit itong si Kuya na gumising nang umaga para magsimba ay hindi ko alam.

Lairgren, as usual, was wearing one of the polo shirts I gave him and paired it with dark pants. I plopped my butt beside him on the couch as we all wait for my sister's arrival. Sinusubukang tawagan ni Papa si Ate Harley habang si Mama ay nasa tabi niya.

"Dapat kasi ay sa simbahan na lang natin hinintay si Ate. Bakit ba siya pupunta muna rito?" Kuya said without opening his eyes.

Lumingon sa kaniya si Mama. "She insisted on going to church with us. Hayaan mo na at minsan lang naman sumama ang Ate mo."

I sneezed with a jolt. I snuffled while rubbing my nostrils with the back of my index finger. Then, I sneezed again three times in a row.

"Bless you," Lairgren said after patting my head.

"Thank you," I muttered, and he chuckled.

He put his hand over my left knee to close the gap in between my thighs, sending my leg some heat. Hinayaan kong nakapatong ang kamay niya roon at naglalaro ang mga daliri sa gilid ng aking tuhod.

My brother rose from his seat, running a hand through his messy brown hair. It took so many years for me to realize the reason behind the changes of hues on his head. He went straight to the kitchen.

"Baka nagda-drive si Harley. Huwag mo nang tawagan..." rinig kong sinabi ni Mama kay Papa.

"I'm calling Roya, not Harley."

Lairgren leaned down to my ear while pulling my hand on his lap. "Sabay ba tayo pupunta mamaya sa animal shelter?"

I craned my neck to face him. "Hindi puwede, 'no. Dapat mauna ang groom sa kasal. Ibibigay ko mamaya sa 'yo ang damit ni Rio. Ayusin mo ang pagdamit sa kaniya, ah?"

He arched an eyebrow. "Sumama ka na sa bahay para makita mo kung ayos na ang damit niya."

"Mag-video call na lang tayo para makita ko. Saka pupunta rin naman sina Seah at Kachi, 'di ba? Ayun, sabay-sabay na lang kayo papuntang shelter. Tapos kami nina Tart, sasabay kina Papa."

Half-sister niya si Chelseah na nanay naman ni Kachi. Silang dalawa na lang ang ikinokonsidera niyang pamilya na buhay pa.

Nakikiusap na ngayon ang mata niya. His face came closer to mine, earning a chiding ahem from my father.

"Mamaya ka na nga kasi dumikit nang dumikit," saway ko sa mahinang boses.

He tugged the corner of his lips. Uminit ang pisngi ko at hinampas ang hita niya. I rolled off my gaze from his indicative eyes that would shame me if I get coaxed within the five-meter radius of my father's vision.

Rio Grande and Tart will be having a wedding ceremony at the animal shelter I'm sponsoring. Although copulation and pregnancy came first before the marriage that I was initially planning for them, I still wanted it to happen. Of course, it must be done at the shelter, where all the rescued stray animals stay, and they are going to be the bride and groom's special guests.

My boyfriend's hand left my legs to flirt his fingers with my hair and started talking about my hairclip like it was a trivial topic. Kuya Rain returned from the kitchen with my Minion mug in his hand. Pumalakpak ako at binuka ang palad sa harapan para salubungin iyon. Tumigil sa paglalaro ang daliri ni Lairgren sa buhok ko bago ipinadausdos iyon sa aking likuran.

"Thank you, Kuya!" I beamed at him upon receiving the hot chocolate.

"Welcome. Be careful, it's hot."

Ate Harley arrived right just after I downed my hot chocolate empty. Kinuha ko ang kamay ni Lairgren para tingnan ang oras sa kaniyang pambisig na relo at napalabi.

"'Di na siguro tayo makakaupo sa puwesto natin," malungkot kong pahayag.

"Bawi tayo bukas. Alas tres pa lang, nasa simbahan na tayo," he said and chuckled.

"Hmp!"

He slid down his hand around my waist as we climbed down the stairs outside. Dala niya ang kaniyang sasakyan kaya iyon ang gagamitin namin papuntang simbahan. Ate Harley also brought her car but they would use the Cadillac Escapade.

Ate Harley was smiling ear to ear when she saw me. Niyakap niya agad ako at hinalikan nang matunog sa pisngi.

"Oh, I'm sorry for being late, baby girl. Ganito talaga kapag gumaganda palagi, nali-late," ani Ate sabay hawi sa kaniyang buhok.

Lairgren snorted beside me. "Maganda naman ang kapatid at Mama mo pero hindi sila nali-late."

Siniko ko siya. My sister squared her shoulders and flipped her hair back with a rolling eye. She turned to my boyfriend and her perfectly shaved eyebrow skyrocketed.

"The opinion of my sister's second boyfriend is beyond acceptable," she pointed out, stressing the two words that triggered Lairgren to retort.

Pero bago pa niya mapatulan ang Ate ko at magpatuloy ang sagutan nila, hinila ko na ang braso niya palayo at sinuway.

"Ano 'yan, away muna bago mangumpisal mamaya?" singit ni Kuya na medyo malayo na sa amin. Nauna na sina Mama at Papa na sumakay sa sasakyan namin.

Hinawi na naman ni Ate ang buhok niya sa gilid ng mukha. "Oh, please. Away? That's only for kids, Rain. And I don't wanna waste my time talking to my sister's second boyfriend."

I shut my eyes tightly when Ate Harley repeated the word again to spite Lairgren. The latter's arm hardened under my palm.

"Will you fucking stop with the second boyfriend? There's no ex-boyfriend!" he lashed out

"Meron! Ayaw mo lang tanggapin!" Ate Harley stuck out her tongue.

And she just said she didn't want to waste time talking to him? At pambata lang ang away, e ganoon naman ang ginagawa niya?

"Stop it!" awat ko sa kanilang dalawa. "Let's go, Lairgren!"

Transforming into a Super Saiyan, I hauled Lairgren's heavy ass away from my sister who did nothing but to lock horns over silly things with my boyfriend every time she got a chance. Habang kaswal na ang pakikitungo ni Kuya Rain kay Lairgren, mukhang magbibilang pa ako ng bigas bago mangyari iyon sa pagitan ng huli at ni Ate.

Nasa biyahe na kami at madilim pa rin ang mukha niya habang nagda-drive. His veins at the back of his hand on the steering wheel getting more visible, and his sharp jaw trying to slice his opponent that only he could see told me that he was still pissed.

"Kakausapin ko si Ate mamaya. Huwag ka nang magalit..." panunuyo ko at inilagay ang kaliwang kamay sa kanang hita niya.

Umusli ang labi niya at napaayos ng upo. He glanced down at my hand on his lap. His jaw slacked a little.

"Ikaw lang ang sinagot ko. Kaya... ikaw lang ang boyfriend ko," I softly said with assurance.

Namahinga ang ulo niya sa likod ng upuan. "That doesn't change the fact that you were once branded as someone else's girlfriend," punto niya sa garalgal na boses.

"Someone was claiming you as her boyfriend in your work, too."

Tahi ang dalawang kilay niyang bumaling sa akin. "Pinagsabihan ko na ang tinutukoy mo, Riri. At magkaiba 'yon sa naging boyfriend mo noon—" He groaned at his own mention of word.

I chuckled. Kinuha niya ang kamay ko sa hita niya at dinala niya ang likod nito sa kaniyang labi. Paulit-ulit niyang hinalikan iyon bago dinala ang kamay namin sa kandungan ko ngayon. He was now maneuvering the wheel with his left hand.

"Sana hindi na lang sinabi ng Ate mo ang tungkol doon. Kung alam ko lang... Tss."

"I'd still tell you that before we'd be even together. You deserved to know that fractured past of mine, just as how you break your walls down for me to see the good and bad hiding in you."

His hooded eyes engaged with mine. I gave him a promising smile. Dinala niya ulit ang kamay ko sa labi niya bago ibinalik sa ibabaw ng aking hita.

Pagkatapos ng misa ay sa bahay na rin umuwi si Ate Harley para tumulong sa pag-asikaso ng kasal ng dalawang pusa.  Lairgren and Onyx were at the frontyard for the latter's training.  Kuya offered to bring the food to the shelter before lunch so we can all take a nap for now.

Humikab si Ate Harley. "I'm sleepy, baby. Samahan mo akong matulog sa kuwarto mo," aniya sa akin.

"Okay, Ate. Kakausapin ko lang si El."

She pouted her plump lips. "Pauwiin mo na nga 'yang boyfriend mo."

I threw her a stern look, and her lips pushed further.

"Ate Harley, please don't be too harsh on him. Ayaw ko po na lagi kayong magtatalo kapag kasama ko kayo. Is it still because of what happened years ago? Iyong sinabi niya noong nag-away sila ni Kuya Rain?"

Umiwas siya ng tingin nang bagsak ang balikat. "Hindi..."

"Hindi naman po pala. Bakit ka ganiyan sa kaniya, kung ganoon?" mahinahon ko pa ring salita.

Her eyes sharpened like knives at nowhere across her. Humalukipkip siya.

"Alam ko na binu-bully ka niya noon. Kaya ngayon, ako ang mambu-bully sa kaniya!"

"Bully?" pagtataka ko at napaisip. "But Ate, bullying isn't right. More so revenge."

She jumped off from her seat. "I'm no saint, baby girl. Kung mas maaga kong nalaman na kapatid kita at sinasaktan ka niya, mas higit pa ang gagawin ko sa kaniya. Suwerte pa nga siya at pang-aasar lang ang ginagawa ko. Because, baby, I hurt people more than you can imagine when it comes to my family."

Flipping her wavy hair over her shoulder, her hips began to sway sideways as she sashayed out of the kitchen.

"I'll wait for you in your room. I want to cuddle you in my sleep," pahabol niya.

May mga rason talaga na hindi ko maiintindihan. People don't think the same way we do, and we couldn't force them to change their mindset in a snap. They do something of their own accord.

Pawisan pa si Lairgren nang pumasok sila ni Onyx sa bahay. Tumigil ako sa harapan nila at yumuko para haplusin si Onyx.

"You done with your training, baby?" I asked my dog.

"Yeah," si Lairgren ang sumagot, medyo hinihingal pa.

"Good job, Onyx!"

Tumuwid ako ng tayo at nagkatinginan kami ni Lairgren. Binitiwan niya ang leash ni Onyx at dinala ang kanang kamay sa batok para hilahin ang kuwelyo ng suot niyang puting sleeveless shirt.

I swallowed the lump in my throat when he revealed his ripped abdomen like an eye candy. Blood rushed to my face. Sanay naman na ako noon na makita siyang walang damit pang-itaas... pero ngayong boyfriend ko na siya, hindi ko naman itinatanggi na may malisya kapag nakikita ko ang katawan niyang hubad.

A crooked smile surfaced on his face. "Tapos ka na sa ginagawa mo? Maliligo muna ako sa kuwarto mo. Mamaya na ako aalis. Puwede ba iyon?"

My lips curved down. "Nasa kuwarto si Ate. Gusto niya akong kasama matulog..."

Bumagsak din ang gilid ng labi niya. His hands swept through his hair before he blew out a sigh. Lumapit siya at ipinahinga ang dalawang kamay sa aking baywang. Bahagya siyang yumuko at malambot ang tingin ang ipinugay sa akin.

"Magpapalit na lang ako ng damit muna bago umalis. My clothes are in your room. Can you please get it for me, baby?" malambing niyang pakiusap.

I jailed my bottom lip with my teeth as I nodded at his simple request. Tumahol si Onyx pero walang pumansin sa kaniya. Lairgren licked his lips and smiled.

"I'll g-get you some refreshment first," I told him. "Tapos magpahinga ka na rin muna..."

"Samahan mo akong magpahinga kahit saglit, kung ganoon."

"Okay...." I nearly purred like a kitten under his touch.

Pumatak siya ng halik sa tuktok ng aking ulo bago ako pinakawalan.

I'm afraid to be much of a handle to other people that they would start thinking of me as heavy baggage they have to carry, but I don't want to be wanted less. This only applies to people I care about and love. Because I now know my worth, and my family never made me feel any less.

Wearing a daffodil off-shoulder tulle dress with embroidered dandelions that fell a few inches above my knees, a pair of nude peep toe heels, and Tart tucked in my arms lovingly in the white dress I sewed for her, I walked down slowly at the aisle with my father on my side. He was wearing a dress shirt and black trousers. Dala niya ang tatay ni Tart na si Malbec, isa sa mga pusa ni Kuya Wilder.

The animal shelter's founder suggested that we carry the bride and groom instead of letting them on their own throughout the wedding ceremony. Sa dulo ng aisle ay naroon na ang groom na si Rio Grande na nasa braso ni Lairgren. Suot ni Rio ang itinahi kong tuxedo habang asul na button-down at itim na dress pants ang kay Lairgren.

Sa likod ng ginawang altar ay si Mayor Caldaran na siyang magkakasal kina Rio at Tart. Si Papa ang kumausap sa kaniya at malugod namang pumayag si Mayor. Sa magkabilang gilid ay ang mga upuan kung saan nakapuwesto ang mga volunteer ng shelter habang hawak ang mga aso at pusa na siyang gumagawa ng ingay sa loob ng court kung nasaan kami ngayon. Sa harapan ay ang pamilya namin.

"Huwag ka ngang makulit," gigil na bulong ni Papa sa bitbit niyang pusa habang naglalakad kami.

I giggled at him and didn't say anything. My eyes were fixated on the man waiting at the end of the aisle. He stared back at me like a real groom waiting for his bride.

Lumawak ang ngiti ko nang tumigil na kami ni Papa sa paglalakad. Hindi ako pinakawalan ng bughaw na mga mata ni Lairgren, na para bang manghang-mangha pa sa mga kaganapan.

"Oh? Ano nang gagawin?" si Papa na humarang sa pagitan namin ni Lairgren. "'Yong mga pusa ang ikakasal, kaya sa pusa ka tumingin."

"Handshake!" sabi ko.

"Ha? Ano'ng shake hands?" Papa looked over his shoulders. "Ishi-shake hands ko 'tong boyfriend mo?"

"Hindi po. Si Malbec at Rio Grande ang magha-handshake kasi ang pusa po ang ikakasal, 'di ba?"

He clicked his tongue. Parang labag pa sa loob niyang ipagdikit ang kamay ng pasaway na si Malbec sa kamay ni Rio para sa "shakehands". Oh, how cute!

"Yehey!" I blurted out.

"Ano'ng yehey?!" I heard Tito Miko's voice from behind. "Hoy, Trivo, ano pang ginagawa mo diyan? Hindi ka na nila kailangan diyan."

"Alam mo, bagay ka talaga diyan kasama ang mga aso. Tahol nang tahol!" sigaw pabalik ni Papa at binitiwan na si Malbec bago pumunta sa puwesto niya.

When everybody settled at their place, the officiant began the ceremony with invocation. Magkatabi na kami ni Lairgren at nagngingitian nang palihim. Sinusubukan pa niyang hawakan ang kamay ko habang nakayuko sa akin, pero natigilan lang dahil sa kilalang-kilalang tikhim ni Papa.

"Ang ganda ganda mo..." he praised shamelessly while the Mayor was speaking.

Tumigil saglit ang Mayor at minata kaming dalawa. May microphone pa siya para marinig ng iba dahil maiingay ang ibang hayop.

"Ako'y nalilito na kung sino ang dapat kong ikasal. Itong mga pusa ba o ang may hawak sa kanila?" tanong niya sabay tingin sa side kung nasaan alam kong naroon ang pamilya ko.

"Puwede po bang sabay?" Lairgren asked with a sexy chuckle.

Kinagat ko ang labi habang ngumingiti.

"Ano'ng sabi mo?" Papa bellowed from where he was.

"Oh, oh, itali n'yo nga itong isang hayop rito! Nangangagat 'yan! Nako! May rabies pa naman 'yan kaya mag-iingat kayo!" ang boses naman ngayon ni Tito Vince ang nagsalita.

"Itigil ang kasal!" sigaw pa rin ni Papa.

"Ay, bakit? Papalitan mo 'yong groom?" si Tito Vince. "Miko, hawakan mo nga 'tong aso natin! Akala mo, ah? 'Di ba inasar-asar mo rin ako sa kasal ng anak ko n'on?"

"Will you fucking shut up?"

"Why not sabay kayong mag-shut up?" singhal ni Tita Lei sa dalawa.

Tumawa ang mga bisita at nag-ingay ang mga aso at pusa. Lumingon ako sa kanila habang inaayos ang paghawak kay Tart. Humalakhak ako nang makitang pinagtulungan na ni Tito Vince at Tito Miko ang tatay ko sa upuan nito para hindi makatayo.

"Mayor, ituloy po ang kasal. Isipin n'yo na lang po na isa sila sa mga hayop na kulang sa aruga," Ate Harley encouraged the officiant.

Nagpatuloy ang kasal ng dalawang pusa. While Rio Grande and Tart exchanged meows, Lairgren and I exchanged our silent 'I do'. After the necklace exchange for the cats (which Lairgren brought), the pronouncement was declared.

"I now pronounce you husband and wife. The groom cat may now kiss the bride cat!"

Nagharap kami ni Laigren at agad siyang lumapit pa sa akin. Hinagis ko nang kaunti si Tart para ayusin at paharapin sa asawa niyang si Rio. But instead of showing the guests the kissing of the newly wedded catple, Lairgren lowered his head  and tilted it a bit before planting a soft kiss on my lips.

My eyes forgot to blink. Nakapikit si Lairgren habang dinarama ng malambot niyang labi ang sa akin. Nabingi na ako sa ingay ng paligid at nabulag sa mga taong nanonood sa amin.

When his eyes flicked open, I was hailed by one of the most beautiful things in the world.

"Katangi-tangi kang talaga, Riri..." bulong niya.

At sa pagkakataong iyon ay tila tumigil ang oras. Subalit ang puso ko ay patuloy pa rin sa pagtakbo... at magmamahal sa kaniya.