"Only one dela Riva left!"

Namilog ang mata ko matapos lumuwa si Kuya Troy sa pintuan. He should not be here! Nasa pamahiin iyon na dapat ay hindi magkikita ang babae ay lalake isang araw bago sila ikasal.

Iniwan ko ang mga inaayos na gowns at tuxedo na susuotin namin mamaya. I arranged it according to their length. There were five maroon gowns for the brides maid and a gray one for the maid of honor which is for me.

Inayos ko na rin ang mga tux for the groom's men. It was all black, except for the ash gray tux for the best man.

Tinulak ko si kuya palabas dahil nagbibihis na rin ang ilang brides maid. Plus hindi sila pwedeng magkita ni Ate Lily!

"Ano ba kuya, sabi nang hindi muna kayo dapat magkikita eh. Can't you wait sa church?!" I said rolling my eyes.

"Kukunin ko lang 'yung mga sout ng groom's men ko." alibi niya kahit na alam kung gusto niya lang mang-usisa dito.

"Tch! Gusto mo lang makita si Ate eh, don't worry laglag brief mo mamaya the moment you saw her on the church doors. At isa pa pwede mo namang ipakuha ito sa mga groom's men mo ba't ikaw pa?" I insisted.

Lumabas na sa walk in closet iyong 2nd cousin kong si Hera. She look so elegant on her maroon gown. It was made of fine linen beaded with sequins around the and a flowy long skirt. Ganoon rin sa akin except na kulay abo lang iyon. I wonder of I look that good too pag isout ko iyong akin.

She's three years older than me kaya hapit na iyon sa katawan niya. On the other hand I have a slender body.

"Oh my Kuya Troy! Ba't ka andito? Bawal kayong magkita ni ate Lily!" nagtataka niya ring tanong.

"Ah kukuhanin ko lang 'to." he chuckled and took the hanged tux on his hand.

"May gwapo ba don sa mga abay Troy?" pang-uusisa ni Hera.

"Mayroon 'yung best man ko! Si Yulo pamangkin ko 'yun pakilala ko sa'yo?"

Kumunot ang noo ko sa narinig. Hmm iyon ang magiging partner ko mamaya.

"Talaga? Gwapa ba 'yon?" parang kinikiliti na tong si Hera, nakihalo na rin ang mga kaibigan ni Ate Lily na bride's maid din.

"Meron pa bang gwapo don Troy? Ireto mo naman kami para kami na ang isusunod kay Beshy Lily." umagikik iyong babaeng katrabaho ni ate.

"Mga bakla kasi yung iba eh. At taken na rin yung iba. Yung pamangkin ko na lang pwede, kilala niyo na iyon diba?"

I rolled my eyes at them. Ilang oras na lang tutulak na kami sa San Pedro Cathedral. Kung magchichismisan lang sila jan tiyak na malilate kami.

Niretouch ko na lang ang make up ko at isinout ang white diamond earring na regalo sa akin ni mommy. It looks so good! My make up highlighted my face too specially my chink eyes.

"Kay Vernice na lang yun partner niya iyon mamaya."

Binalingan ko si Kuya Troy at inis na tinapunan ng jewelry box.

"Uy Binny! Mukhang may bagong magkakalovelife na ah!" Lara teased. She's Ate Lily's workmate.

"What? Hindi ko pa kilala yun no!"

"Pakilala ko 'yun mamaya sa'yo sige balik na ako." mabilis niyang inayos iyong mga bitbit niyang tux at lumabas. Nagngising aso pa ito sa akin bago umalis. Umikot lang ang mata ko sa kanya.

Now my mind is wondering about that guy. Hmm wala siya sa researhal sa simbahan kaya hindi ko pa siya nakita. Hindi ko rin naman naisipan na istalk siya dahil hindi rin iyon nasagi sa isip ko.

"Hmm Ate Hera, may dala kang invatation?" I asked, mejo hindi nagpapahalata na interesante.

"Bakit? Uyyyy! Hindi mo pa ba nakita ang full name nung partner mo? Ikaw ha!"

Kaya ayaw ko talaga makialam eh kasi wala pa nga may malisya na agad.

"Totoo, gwapo yun Vernice, nagkita ko na siya once sa Abreeza. Shet parang na star struck ako kala ko artista! Ngayon friends na kami" Pia squeeled. She's another workmate too.

"Tss. Oa." I continued on the jewelry and took the box I threw.

Kung siniswerte nga naman, nakakita ako ng invitation sa ilalim ng boudoir. Dahan dahan akong pumunta sa may pintuan sa likod ng mga nakasabit na gown.

I immediately opened it and for the first time I got interested to the names imprinted.

And to assist us in our exchange of vows...

Maid of honor

Vernice Gayle Dela Riva

Best Man

Eulogio Louis Salcedo

So that was his name. Bat di ko to binasa noong pinadalhan kami nito sa bahay?

Of course! Kasi hindi naman ako interesado. I was only excited for the gowns, jewelries and food on this wedding.

Mabilis kong hinagis ang invitation sa baba ng may biglang kumatok sa pintuan. Ewan pero abot tahip ang kaba ko. Ayan kasi may pa sekreto pa akong pag stalk sa Best man na hindi naman natuloy.

Napalitan agad iyon ng inis nang mapagtantong baka si Kuya Troy na naman iyon.

"Kuya please lang magbibihis na kami mamaya-"

Nalaglag ang panga ko na imbes na si Kuya Troy ay isang di pamilyar na lalake ang nadatnan ko pagbukas ng pintuan. Nakangiti pa itong nakatunghay sa akin.

"Sorry, kukunin ko lang iyong susuotin ko hindi kasi nadala ni Troy." the guy said.

I was bashful. Eyes looking down at feet, I turned red and I suddenly want to disappear!

"Yulo!" Pia screamed from behind.

Umatras ako at lumapit sa mga nakasabit na damit. Nakakainis na may isa ngang naiwan si Kuya Troy doon. Iyong naiibang kulay gray na tuxedo. Sinadya niya ba ito?

"Uh hi! Kukunin ko lang yung tux ko."

From the way he's talking I could sense that he's grinning and from my peripheral vision he's looking at me too. Probably because I was holding the tux he was looking for.

"Eto..." I made a little to no eye contact.

"Thanks!"

Kinuha niya iyon at hindi sinadyang naramdaman ko ang kamay niya pag abot ko.

"Ehem." madramang umubo si Ate Hera kaya napatalon ako at napatingin sa kanya.

"Uh sige, m-magbibihis na kami." I stuttured and hold the door knob ready to close the door.

He only nod and winked at me. Biglang tumambol ang puso at padarag na nasira ang pintuan.

Tangina... Ang gwapo naman.

I faced the mirror only to see my face so red from blushing! Gosh nahalata niya kaya yun?!

"Oh my! Nauutal ang Binny namin hahahaha infairness ang gwapo ng best man ni Troy!"

"Shut up ate, we're late na."

pagbabalewala ko.

"Okey po!" she giggled.

I looked at myself and got satisfied na nagmukha rin naman akong tao kahit papano. The dress fitted me well and the make up just blend in. They put a white lilyflower barrette on my hair to complement the theme of the wedding.

"What the..."

Everyone in the room was jaw dropped when Ate Lily went out wearing her designer wedding dress. She looks so georgous as she elegantly wore her wedding dress.

"Ayos lang ba?" tanong niya matapos kaming matahimik at matameme sa ganda niya.

Apat kaming magpipinsang babae ang Dela Riva. And I could say na sa aminy apat ay si Ate Lily ang pinakamaganda. She's always on the spotlight wherever she go. She got this charm and charisma too that could make people befriend her.

"Verns tulungan mo ako please!" agad naman akong tumango, pinandigan ang pagiging maid of honor.

After having our retouch we hurried downstairs to have a photoshoot before heading to the church. It was quick dahil malapit nang mag alas dyes at magpapakumpisal pa sila Ate Lily at Kuya Troy pagdating mamaya sa simbahan.

I was behind ate Lily all the time to assist her on her very long dress. Madudumihan kasi iyon kung hahayaan lang.

We got on the van and left Waterfront afterwards. Lahat kami ay excited at kabado rin. Maging ako na hindi naman kinakabahan kanina ay pinagpapawisan na.

Para namang ako ang ikakasal nito haler!

Everyone was settled already when we arrived at San Pedro. All the principal sponsors are already in line. Naunang dumating ang van nila. Hindi ko na tuloy napansin kung sinu sino pa ang naroroon dahil naging busy ako sa pagaassist kay Ate Lily.

"Ayusin niyo na ang mga linya ninyo, mauuna ang mga ring bearers pagkatapos ha, yung mga flower girls linya kayo dito." the catechist instructed.

Agad akong lumapit sa paparating na sasakyan. Tapos na silang mangumpisal!

"Eto na Lilibeth." even with her trembling lips, Ate Lily managed to look graceful as we waited for the abays to walk on the aisle.

I can hear the sweet symphony of the entrance song inside. Nakakapanindig balahibo. Someday I wish to get marry in this cathedral too.

"Baka maiyak ako mamaya Vernice iabot mo yung panyo ko ha? Okey pa ba ang make up ko? Gosh." nagpapanic na si Ate dahil malapit nag matapos ang mga abay at susunod na ako.

"Shhh, wag kang maiyak ate baka masira ang make up mo!" I reminded her.

"Okey, I'll try my best. Gosh ikaw na!"

Mahina niya akong tinulak kaya nagulat tuloy ako at ako na nga ang susunod.

With eyes closed I took a deep breath and a good grip to my bundle of lily flowers.

Pagmulat ko nang mata ay bumungad sa akin ang napakagandang San Pedro Cathedral.

A row or white linen and a mixture of red roses and white lilies where decorated on both sides of the red carpet.

Tumindig din ang balahibo ko sa musikang pinapatugtug habang dahan dahan akong lumalakad sa aisle.

Medyo nakakaasiwa nga lang dahil lahat sila ay nakabaling sa akin. They were all smiles, I even saw my mom and dad mouthed a 'smile' kaya natawa ako. Sakto naman ang paclick ng camera.

I was walking gracefully on the aisle when I reached the middle and a man reached out his arm on me.

Oh my god nakalimutan ko! Didiretso na sana ako kung di ko lang napansin ang nakalahad niyang braso. Mabilis ko namang isinabit ang kamay ko sa kamay niya. I was even shaking bit from that sudden encounter.

He smiled at me and faced the altar and continued to walk.

"Hindi ko alam na para pala tayong ikakasal." he muttered and chuckled after.

How could this man be so handsome and dashing on his tux but wittingly pulls a joke in the middle of a solemn ceremony.

"Shhh." saway ko sa kanya. We stopped for a while to pose for the photographer. We're halfway to the couple's seat where we'll split later for our own special seats too.

"In 3, 2, 1... Alright!"

"Epal ni Troy sinet up ako sa kasal niya." mahina uli siyang tumawa.

Hindi ko tuloy maiwasan na tumingin sa kanya at pagtaasan siya ng kilay.

"Aabsent kasi ng researhal hmm." I did my best to not roll my eyes.

"Busy ako eh." he looked at me apologetically.

"Whatever doon ka na." turo ko sa nagiisang upuan sa right side ng altar.

"Okey." sumunod naman siya kaya dumiretso na rin ako sa isa pang upuan na katulad ng sa kanya na nasa left side naman ngayon.

Hindi muna kami naupo dahil hinintay namin na sunduin ni Kuya Troy si Ate Lily.

Ang sabi di iiyak! Ayan at nagpupunas na nang luha habang nagmamano si Troy kay Tito Albert at Tita Lara. Ganuun din ang ginawa ni Ate Lily sa parents ni Kuya Troy.

Medyo naiyak na rin tuloy ako. Hays!

Buti na lang naisipan kong magipit ng panyo sa luhuran na nasa harapan ko.

While wiping my tears, I caught my partner looking at me. I eyed him pero tinaasan niya lang ako ng kilay.

I mouthed 'what?' pero kinindatan ba na naman ako?

I was emotional the whole ceremony. Specially that I experienced it first hand. I was there holding their scripts while saying their vows. Hindi ko maiwasanng maiyak noong si Kuya Troy na ang nasalita. It was heartfelt.

The other guy tho who was holding the microphone for them was looking at me with amusement. The corner of his lips rose when I caught him. Agad naman akong nag iwas ng tingin.

Panira ng moment.

It ended perfectly. The kiss was so passionate nagkaroon ng mahabang serye ng picture taking with the newlyweds.

While waiting for us to go I suddenly daydream of my own wedding. Except that the man I imagine has a blurry face. Of course, I'm young. But I tried to picture out Caleb. My only long time crush.

Hmm not bad. I think we could be a great couple.

My relatives greeted me and had some pictures with me too. Nawala tuloy ang mga iniimagine ko dahil sa dami ng gustong makipagpicture.

After almost forever ay natapos din iyon at napagpasiyahan na naming dumiretso na sa Waterfront kung saan gaganapin ang reception.

"Vernice sakay ka na rito, doon na benz sila Troy at Ate Lily mo, nauna na rin ang mommy at daddy mo." sumimangot ako sa sinabi ng driver ng Hiace van.

Dito kami sumakay kanina ng mga bride's maid pero mukhang nauna na ang iba sa kanila at nakasakay na sa naunang van

Iniwan ako nila mommy!

I scan the passengers and mga relatives iyon lahat ni Kuya Troy. Wala akong masyadong kilala. Sumakay na lang din ako dahil masakit na ang paa ko.

"May pwesto pa?" ani ng isang pamilyar na boses.

"Sakto! doon ka sa tabi ni Ma'am Vernice."

I was about to storm off when I remember that I'm not with my relatives. Binalingan ko ang likod ng van kung saan prenteng nakaupo ang mga kamag anak ni Kuya Troy at kanina pa naghihintay na lumarga.

"Ayos lang ba?" nagaalinlanang tanong noong Best man.

"Uh. Okey."

-----------

"Praise Jesus Christ the Name above every Name!"

Everyone clapped their hands after the pastor slash school's director delivered his welcome address for the opening of classes.

I was in awe while looking at the world class buildings around Jose Maria College. It was like I was taken to a western country from the well built bricks around the main building and fancy facilities.

It was my dream school ever since. Every time we drove off the airport. I would always peek outside to see a glimpse of this school. I always wonder what it looks like inside. And now that I'm here I am beyond fascinated. My heart is so happy.

"Verns nahanap mo na ang room natin?"

Inayos ni Caleb ang strap ng bag niya habang umiikot ang paningin sa paligid.

All the Senior high schools were told to make a line here or as what they called 'plaza'. It's located at the middle of three huge entricate main buildings that I was gazing awhile ago.

"Oo, ang sabi doon daw tayo papasok lahat sa lobby ng College law building." I explained pointing at the corner of the first building.

"Shit, excited ako! Ang mahal mahal nang tuition dito ha dapat lang panindigan nila ang binayad ko." reklamo ni Caleb.

"Kung magrereklamo ka lang naman pala sa bayarin mo edi sana nagpaiwan ka sa Holy Cross." I rolled my eyes at him. Mayaman sana kaso kuripot.

"Ayaw ko nga, dito ka mag-aaral eh."

Binalingan ko siya at napasinghap sa rason niya.

"Eh, gusto ko nga dito, hindi naman kita pinilit sumunod." hininaan ko ang boses ko dahil nakataas na ang kilay niya ngayon. Nagsusuplado na naman.

"Gusto ko rin lang." inakbayan niya ako at padarag akong sinama papunta doon sa lobby na.

Minsan hind ko rin maintindihan tong lalakeng ito. We've been together since Elementary pero minsan ang hirap niya pa rin espellingin.

I remember when he confessed that he likes me way back in Grade 7. Hindi ko inasahan yun dahil hindi ko naman talaga nilalagyan ng malisya at masyado pang bata ang isip ko. Nung nagconfess siya at tinutukso na kami, parang matic na rin na nagcrush ako sa kanya.

Ewan ko, siguro nadala lang din ako dahil laging kami ang pinagtatambal. Umabot pa nga iyon sa mga magulang ko kaya maging sila ay pinapares ako minsan kay Caleb. His family is known in the city too kaya naging magaan din ang loob nila mommy sa kanya.

That was long ago, but until now we are still that unlabeled couple. Hindi niya rin naman ako kinukulit. Naalagaan ko iyong munting feelings ko sa kanya kaya masasabi kong crush ko rin naman siya. I just don't take everything seriously dahil gusto ko munang mag focus sa pag-aaral.

"Hindi tayo classmate." busangot ang mukha niyang humarap sa akin ngayon.

I let him scan the masterlist outside the room of STEM-1. I double check it on my own and found out that his name wasn't listed there.

"Baka sa STEM-2 ka." I said crossing my arms.

He smirked and looked really disappointed.

"Ano