He Loves Me... She Loves Me Not

Chapter Eight

With the arrival of the bridal car, a wave of palpable excitement swept through the congregation, heralding the imminent union of the two souls. As the wedding guests began to make their way inside, the entourage commenced their procession down the aisle, a symbol of love and commitment unfolding before our eyes.
 
The sight of the groom and our parents leading the way exuded a sense of tradition and timeless significance, adding to the profound beauty of the moment.
 
As it came time for me to walk down the aisle as one of the bridesmaids, the groomsman who was supposed to accompany me during the ceremony was nowhere to be found. I was filled with a sense of unease until someone unexpectedly took my hand and take a grip on it. I breathed a sigh of relief, not realizing that it was Scott who had come to my aid.
 
"Hi, Danni. Sorry for being late. Can you believe the traffic? Let's go walk down the aisle shall we?" He said, catching me off guard.
 
"Scott, I already have a partner for this. You're not part of the entourage," I responded, trying to politely decline his offer.
 
"You're always looking for what's not there. But you know what? Maybe that's not entirely inaccurate because no matter how hard you try to avoid me, you're always looking for me when I'm not around," Scott retorted with a hint of mischief.
 
I was caught off guard by his boldness, and I couldn't help but feel a mixture of frustration and curiosity about what he was alluding to. "What are you talking about, Scott? I don't understand what you mean. You left, remember?"
 
Scott let out a chuckle before replying, "You'll figure it out eventually, Danni. But for now, let's just focus on getting you down the aisle without any more drama, okay?"
 
His cryptic words lingered in my mind as we made our way towards the altar. I couldn't shake off the feeling that there was more to his comment than met the eye. As we reached the altar, I couldn't help but steal a glance at Scott, who met my gaze with a knowing smile.
 
Scott was likely correct, and I'm not sure why he unexpectedly started using sarcasm with me. I couldn't help but notice the constant smiles on the faces of my parents and brothers directed at us. Looking back, I realize that Papsi had dropped subtle hints about what was to come, and I feel foolish for not grasping that they had all orchestrated this. It was perhaps the most cliché and rare event that caught me off guard, and now I don't think I'll go anywhere without Scott by my side again. I now understand that I don't want to lose him anymore. I am much more confident about that now.
 
Throughout the entire wedding ceremony, Scott and I couldn't tear our eyes away from each other. It was as if we were in our own world, a paradise of our own, reliving the very moment we first met. Our eyes communicated volumes, and deep down, we both knew just how special this moment was for us. The exhilarating feeling of romance and excitement, the "kilig," as it is called, was palpable, hovering just inches away from urging me to profess "I love you more" to him.
 
Yet, when the formal words from the priest marked the end of the ceremony and announced Roy and his now-wife as "Mr. and Mrs. Dela Cruz," sealing their relationship forever with a kiss,.
 
After the ceremony, as the guests mingled and congratulated the newlyweds, Scott found his way over to me. "So, have you figured it out yet?" he asked casually, as if we were continuing a conversation we had started earlier.
 
"Figured out what, Scott?" I replied, trying to play it cool despite my growing curiosity.
 
He leaned in closer and whispered, "That no matter how much you try to deny it, there's a part of you that's always searching for me, even when I'm not around."
 
I laughed, surprised by his audacity. "You're quite full of yourself, aren't you?"
 
Scott grinned mischievously. "Just speaking the truth, Danni. You can deny it all you want, but deep down, you know it's there."
 
As much as I wanted to brush off his words, I couldn't deny that they had struck a chord somewhere deep within me. Our playful banter continued throughout the evening, and despite my initial resistance, I found myself drawn to his magnetic personality.
 
The wedding celebration continued at a stunning beachside reception at a luxurious resort on the island. Scott and I found a quiet spot away from the other guests and my family, wanting some alone time to talk about what had transpired in Baguio. As we settled in, the gentle ocean breeze added a soothing backdrop to our conversation.
 
"Sorry if you thought I left you, Danni. I didn't really leave. I just needed some time to think," Scott began, his tone earnest.
 
I gazed at him, considering his words. "What about the 'something came up back home' reason?" I couldn't help but inject a touch of sarcasm into my question.
 
Scott sighed. "That? My reason for that is because I was caught off guard by what you said to me. I didn't want to respond in anger or push you away, so I made an excuse."
 
I nodded, understanding his point. "I admit, I was annoyed too. I guess we both made excuses. I'm sorry about that."
 
"It's mostly my fault, though. I can be pushy, especially when I know you still really love me," Scott acknowledged, a hint of regret in his voice.
 
I reached for his hand, offering reassurance. "Yes, I do... I still love you."

"Really?" Scott's gaze searched mine, seeking confirmation.