Arranged Marriage With A Game Developer

Chapter 30

Nati's P.O.V.

'Can I call you baby? Can you be my friend?
Can you be my lover up until the very end?
Let me show you love, oh, no pretend
Stick by my side even when the world is caving in, yeah

Oh, oh, oh, don't, don't you worry
I'll be there whenever you want me'

I can't help but hymn at one of the most viral songs that I guess I can genuinely relate to. I admit I am a forgive and forget type of person. When I say forgive and forget, I'm not talking about giving people second chances. What I mean is forgiving myself for stupidly trusting them and forget that they exist. That's me at my worst.

I am aware that this kind of attitude is not really an ideal one, but I have valid reason for it. When I love someone, I trust them fully with my whole life, heart, and soul. This does not only applies to my lover, but also to my friends and family. It applies to all of those people who are dear to me. That's why if one of them betrays me, the pain it will bring is more than enough to shatter me. Betrayal from someone I trust so much can be my greatest downfall. This is why it's hard for me to forgive people. The wound it can inflict to me takes years to heal, and I don't want to continuously hate someone because they did me dirty. I'd rather forget them than go through with the long process of forgiving people and moving on. That's just not my style.

'I need somebody who can love me at my worst
No, I'm not perfect, but I hope you see my worth
'Cause it's only you, nobody new, I put you first
And for you, boy, I swear I'd do the worst'

Love is complicated as it is, insert betrayal, jealousy, and insecurity in the picture and you'll get a total havoc. When Dream broke my trust, my first reaction is to runaway and simply forget him and our connection. However, things didn't really go as planned. I find myself being pulled back to him. Destiny is kinda playful, and I guess it decided to play one of its prank on me.

I can't help but smile as I put the silver pin on my hair upon remembering the time when my father called me to convince to go back here in Haerai. When I said yes to that, I am aware that I am set to meet Dream again because our family are close to each other. What I didn't expect though is my parents decision of betrothing me to him. I can't help but wince upon remembering the day I learned about engagement. That was the most offensive joke I ever received from heaven.

"Hey, ready girl?" Napatingin ako sa pinto ng pumasok mula roon si Astrea bit bit ang isang pumpon ng puting rosas. Her eyes spark with admiration while looking at me wearing her creation. "That gown was made for you. You look like a goddess right now." She lets out a squeal of excitement as she close our distance, handing me the bouquet of flower. "Oh, I can't wait to see Clay's reaction for this."

Napailing na lang ako rito saka tinanggap ang bulaklak na iniabot niya. Then I turn to look at the mirror. The pounding in my chest makes me feel breathless. Excitement and fear envelopes my being as I look at my reflection.

The beautiful white flower is decorating my bun. It is a spaghetti strap, v neck, mermaid style wedding dress that hugs my figure perfectly. The upper part of it is decorated with lace and swarovski crystals. The lower part of the dress spreads out with scalloped hemline and long petal train. Astrea is right, it looks like as if it is really made for me.

"If Clay didn't find me beautiful in this, I'm gonna slap this bouquet to his face." Wika ko saka napangiwi. "Let's go?" Excited kong tanong rito.

"Yeah, but let's put on your veil first." She said, making me realize that I am not wearing my veil yet. This wedding jitters is making me all forgetful.

Astrea walk towards the single sofa where my veil is and helps me put it on. Wala na talagang atrasan pa to. I am really marrying Dream. My first love and my first heartbreak. It takes a lot for me to forgive him, but he proves himself worthy of it each day of our relationship. I am not a huge fan of second chances, especially if the mistake is committed intentionally. However, if there's supposed to be one thing I learned in this journey, it is that even though there are people who are not worthy of second chances, sometimes there are people under some circumstances worthy of it. Dream is one of those people. He acknowledged his mistake. He didn't defend himself and his actions, he admitted that it is a mistake on his part and promise not to do it again. Words in line with actions are worthy of forgiveness, I guess that's the most important.

–

As the sweet song starts to play, I can feel the side of my eyes heating up. A loving smile is painted on Dream's lips while looking at me. As the entourage starts to move forward, the feeling of happiness swelled right through my heart.

'If you stay forever, let me hold your hand
I can fill those places in your heart no one else can
Let me show you love, oh, no pretend, yeah
I'll be right here, baby, you know it's sink or swim

Oh, oh, oh, don't, don't you worry
I'll be there whenever you want me'

Every step I make towards him, feels so precious. It seems that it takes forever before I finally reach the front of the altar. I turn to look at my father. He pulls me into a protective hug, causing the unshed tears in the side of my eyes completely fall down to my cheeks.

"I know I don't say it, but I'm proud of you my darling." Mahinang wika nito na sapat lang upang marinig ko saka tinaniman ng halik ang noo ko. Aftet that he turn to look at Dream and handed my hand to him. "Take care of my Baby,"

Dream let out a genuine smile and nods at my father.

"I love your daughter, rest assured that I will give my all to ensure her happiness, Sir." He replied before accepting my hand, giving a soft kiss on it.

I can't help but smile despite the tears of joy falling from my eyes. Dream pulls me gently to his side. He reach out to his back pocket and pull out a white handkerchief from it. He tugs the veil that's covering my face to the side. A soft smile is painted on his lips.

"You're such a crybaby." He commented and gently wipe the rogue tears that keeps on falling in an ample amount from my eyes. I'm not really the emotional kind of person, but this wedding is making me a crybaby. I just hope my make-up won't look bad after this. I still wanna look good in my photo shoot later.

I need somebody who can love me at my worst
No, I'm not perfect, but I hope you see my worth
'Cause it's only you, nobody new, I put you first
And for you, girl, I swear I'd do the worst

Ooh, ooh-ooh
Ooh-ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh
Ooh-ooh-ooh, ooh, ooh-ooh
Ooh-ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh

Dream lean's down a bit and put a soft kiss on the side of my lips. "Hey, stop crying. I don't want for the visitors to think that you are being forced to this marriage." He joked, making me giggle at it.

"Aherm" That fake cough coming from the priest makes us both caught our attention. He is looking at us in a not so amused expression. "I don't remember saying you may kiss the bride already."

Dream let out a wide grin as he put my veil down. We can hear the sound of amuse laughter from our audience behind us. He pulls me towards the altar with a suppress smile painted on his lips.

"Sorry about that, Father." He said in an apologetic tone.

The priest nods at him to acknowledge his apology before turning his attention on the bible in front of him and starting the ceremony. As we state our vow to stay with each other in richer and poorer, through thick and thin, until death do us part, I know that what we have is a real thing. A love story that though I can say a cliché, still has its own charm in my own opinion.


"You may now kiss the bride..." The priest finally says.


Dream lets out a soft smile as he slowly lifts the veil I am wearing. He dips down his head, capturing my lips in a soft and sweet kiss. The sound of the crowd congratulating and clapping for us became distant. The outside world doesn't matter to me anymore; what's important is us and our hearts beating in sync with each other.

-End-