The Spotlight of Destiny (A Lover in Paris 1)

Chapter 29

"Are you really sure you wanted to see them on the altar?" Bella anxiously asked while braiding my hair. Nang makatapos siya ay saka lamang siya nagsimulang mag-drive ulit.

Nagkasalubong kasi kami sa parking lot kaya isinabay niya na lang din ako sa sasakyan niya. Napadaan lang din naman ako rito at wala akong kotse. Bihis na bihis din siya para sa kasal ngayon.

Matapang akong tumango sa kanya kahit na kinakabahan din ako sa gagawin ko. Hindi naman ako papasok sa mismong simbahan. I just wanted to see how Niel looks like in a suit during his wedding day.

"Promise, last na 'to. After this, magmo-move on na talaga ako." Nilambing ko pa si Bella dahil alam kong ayaw niya rin akong papuntahin doon. Not in a bad reason but because she don't want me to get hurt anymore.

"Alam mo ikaw? Pang ilang last mo na 'yan pero sige ka pa rin. Talagang sinasaktan mo rin ang sarili mo." Napapalatak ito at umirap pa. "What if his mom sees you?"

"Don't worry. I'll be more careful this time." I smiled widely at her. Bumuntong-hininga ito at umirap muli. Natatawa na lang ako sa reaksyon niya.

🩷

Hindi rin naman kami masyadong natagalan sa byahe kaya nakarating din kami agad. Sa tapat lang din ng simbahan pinark ni Bella ang sasakyan niya kaya naman dito pa lang ay tanaw ko na ang loob no'n. I can even see some waiting for them inside.

"Are you sure you'll be okay here?"

Tumango ako. Biglang nawala 'yong energy ko kanina habang papunta pa lang kami. Napalitan ng kaba lahat dahil sa mga pwede kong makita. Pangakong huling silay ko na talaga 'to kay Niel. Pagkatapos nito ay titigil na 'ko.

I can hear the wedding bells ring. Napatago rin ako saglit sa likod ng puno na nagbibigay lilim sa'min ni Bella nang dumating na ang sasakyan nina Jade. She really do look so beautiful in that wedding gown. Pinauna ko na rin si Bella ro'n. Magsasabi naman ako sa kanya kung gusto ko na umuwi. Kaya ko naman mag-isa.

There, I can now see Niel waiting for her, for Jade. I can even see her walk down the aisle. I wonder how it feels like to be in her shoe right now, how it feels to hold hands with him at the end of the finish line? How it feels to be his final walk?

She's finally in front of the altar with him now. Kahit na malayo ay naririnig ko pa rin ang pari. Everyone was so happy for them. Niel seems to look okay, too. Mukhang nakakayanan niya na ring wala ako. Good for him, though. I know he'll be okay with Jade. Deserve niya 'yon...

I went near the church door, still not making myself seen by everyone. I just want to take a closer look before I leave the place. Just for the last time I'll see Niel in front of that even if it's not with me.

I heard Jade's I dos. I covered my mouth to control my cries kahit alam ko namang walang makakarinig sa'kin dito sa labas. I wish I'm the one answering those. He promised me that future and promises are really meant to be broken.

"Do you, Niel, take Jade to be your lawfully wedded wife, to share your life openly, standing with her in sickness and in health, in joy and in sorrow, in hardship and in ease, to cherish and love forever more?"