Champorado

epilogue

kakaedit ko lang ng librong 'to at may dinagdag akong huling part sa last chapter (chapter 40; group chat ng casaddie barkada), kaya basahin n'yo muna 'yon. Tapos nagsulat na rin ako ng epilogue hehe 

inggo and maureen's chapters will be posted soon! abang abang lang. thank you!

*

"WE are gathered here today in the sight of God, and the presence of friends and loved ones, to celebrate one of life's greatest moments..."

"Ang init," reklamo ni Anton sa first row.

"Ang kati ng pwet ko," sabi ni Cas.

"We are here to give recognition to the worth and beauty of love, and to add our best wishes and blessings to the words that will unite Domingo and Maureen in holy matrimony," tuloy ni Isco, feel na feel, may suot pang white tablecloth na nakatali sa dibdib niya.

"Domingo, ampota," singit ni Migo sa tabi ni Inggo, snickering.

"Kuya, shh," sabi ni Maureen. Turning to her groom, tanong niya, "Domingo or Inggo?"

"Inggo na lang," sagot niya.

"Ate, you're making 'fuck me' eyes to Kuya, kadiri," obserba ni Megan sa tabi ni Jiya. Parehas silang piniling maid of honor ni Mau.

Jiya's eyes widen as she turns to Migo's youngest sister. "Megan!"

She shrugs, checking her nails.

E pa'no ba naman kasi, ang gwapo ng fiancé niya.

Migo winks at her like she knows what she's thinking, and she bites her lip to keep from smiling.

"Holy matrimony? E 'di naman nagdadasal 'yang si de Paz," sabi ni Van.

"Nagdadasal ako kay Rinn," gagong sagot ni Inggo.

"Oh my God," Jiya whispers, slapping her forehead when all of them whistle—except kay Mau na pulang-pula ang mukha, kay Meg na sumigaw ng, "Yuck, Kuya Inggo!" 'tsaka kay Migo na binatukan sa ulo ang kaibigan.

"Putangina, kadiri ka, gago," sabi ni Migo.

"Makasalita ka, kingina, nagdadasal ka rin kay Ji, e!"

"Into this holy estate," tuloy ni Isco, na para bang walang nangyayari at pari talaga siya, "these two persons present come now to be joined."

"Oh my God!" sigaw bigla ni Addie, jaw dropping. Nagulat ang lahat. Turning to Cas, she grabs his hand and puts it on her very swollen belly. "Castillo, our baby just kicked me!"

"Oh my God!" sigaw din ni Maureen, hands flying to her mouth.

Lumapit bigla si Anton 'tsaka si Van kay Addie para i-feel, pero sinapak sila ni Cas.

"Ako muna, mga gago, ako tatay!"

"'Pag kamukha mo anak ko, ibabalik ko siya sa tiyan ni Rinn," bulong ni Inggo kay Migo.

Migo's eyes widen slowly. "Putangina, buntis na si Mau?"

"You're pregnant?!" Meg asks her sister, pulling her arm.

"Inggo!" Maureen hisses. "Ano ba! 'Di ba sasabihin natin 'pag kasal na tayo?!"

"Ay, shit," sabi ni Inggo, flashing her a boyish smile. "I'm sorry. Love you."

Maureen flushes instantly. "'Kay," she whispers, mesmerized.

Buti na lang nagfu-fuss pa ang iba kay Addie 'tsaka kay Baby Fuentes, hindi nila narinig.

"Baka ibalik mo kasi kamukha mong punggok," sabi ni Migo thoughtfully.

"Baby!" Jiya reprimands him, clicking her tongue. "Mau, Inggo, I'm happy for you guys."

Her future sister-in-law beams at her, and her best friend gives her a salute.

Megan sighs and says, "Same, pero guys, let's get through the wedding muna, please? Parang 'di tayo matapos-tapos sa rehearsal e. I'm hungry na."

"Me also," sabi ni Jiya, gesturing for Isco to continue.

"Me also, ampota," Inggo says, chuckling. "Atenistang Atenista."

Wala namang ibang tao sa 'rehearsal' kundi sila-sila lang din. Pinilit lang 'to ni Maureen bago ang wedding nila bukas para ma-practice ang vows nila ni Inggo.

E mukhang si Isco lang ang nakakapag-practice maging tanginang officiant.

"And therefore, if anyone can show just cause why they may not be lawfully joined together, let them speak now or forever hold their peace."

"Ako!" sigaw ni Migo. "Ako, I object!"

"Tumahimik ka, kupal, three years kaming nagluluksa ni Rinn sa inyo ni Ji!" sigaw ni Inggo sa kanya, grabbing him in a chokehold.

"Oo nga!" Maureen shouts, grabbing Jiya. Parang nakakita siya ng opportunity para maglabas bigla ng galit, ginawang hostage si Jiya para i-support si Inggo. "Dazerv namin 'to!"

"Mau—!"

"Aray—!"

"Face to face na ba 'to?" sabi ni Cas sa first row. "Face to face, harapan tayo," kanta niya.

"Face to face, bangayan solusyunan," kanta rin ni Anton, nakisabay.

"Mga hinayupak!" Isco shouts suddenly, tearing off the tablecloth from his body. Napasigaw ang lahat at tumingin sa kabilang direksyon, takot na hubad siya. "Putangina, I now pronounce you husband and wife! Mga gago, ang gugulo, tangina..."

Sa mismong de Paz-Salas wedding, hindi naman na nag-object si Migo kahit nag-clear siya ng throat no'ng tinanong ng (totoong) pari at kinabahan si Inggo, giving him a murderous look. Wala na ring biglaang Face to Face na nangyari.

When they get home, Migo puts his hand inside the pocket of the hoodie Jiya's wearing, wrapping his arm around her waist and leaning down to nose at her neck. "Smells good," he mumbles, his hair brushing her cheek. Jiya can feel the warmth of his naked body from her back.

Jiya turns her head, smiling, to kiss his hair. "Hi."

"Hi. Happy Mother's Day sa 'yo."

Jiya raises her eyebrow, confused.

"Balik ka sa kama, anakan na kita. Naunahan na tayo ni Inggo at Mau, e."

She smacks him. Migo laughs loudly, and then he catches sight of what she's cooking and hugs her again. "Ugly eggs."

"E 'di 'wag ka kumain."

He grins in her shoulder. And then, with a quick inhale, he says, "Valle, mahal kita. I love you. So much. You're my...you're my life."

Migo means them every time he says it. Those words.

It's in each vowel and each consonant and syllable, it's in his breath and his eyes and his voice.

"Gawan mo akong champorado."

He laughs again, and it echoes around the whole house. Bounces across her heart. "Okay. I will."

*

Jiya takes one spoonful of champorado in her mouth and swallows.

It tastes right.