Losing Control

Dalawampu't Pito

Stephanie stood in front of the mirror in her white satin robe sa dressing room ng venue kung saan gaganapin ang kanyang kasal kay Ashton. Her make up was already done, done in soft colors of taupes, peaches, and pinks. Her short hair had now grown a little bit and she was able to pin it back away from her face. She was just waiting for her mother and Rachel to help her into her gown. She admitted, ninerbyos sya nung kwinento nya sa kanyang ina na magkakilala na sila ni Ashton before their engagement party; sinabi nya na lahat ng nangyari sa La Union at ang nabuo nilang pagmamahalan. Nakahinga sya ng maluwag ng naging maganda naman ang tanggap ng kanyang ina sa honesty nya.

"Steph, anak," tawag ng mommy Eva nya sa kanya.

"Po?"

"Sure ka na desisyon mo ha?"

"Opo, mommy."

"Best, tinakot mo ko ng sinabi ni Tita na tumawag ka daw and you changed your mind! Nakakaloka! Talagang two days before the wedding ka pa gumaganyan!" Rachel said as she helped Stephanie step into her dress.

"Ako rin, Steph. I thought my heart stopped beating nung sinabi mo yun sa akin."

"Ma, Best, syempre. Dati, nung hindi ko pa alam na si Ash pala ang magiging husband ko, gusto ko lang pigain ang Benitez heir na yun for all his money for this wedding, I wanted all the opulence, all the extravagance, just to spite him, to see kung hanggang saan ang kaya nyang ibigay."

"And now?"

"I just want to marry him. That's all. Just him, me, and the people who are closest to us."

"What does Ashton think of all this?" tanong ni Eva sa kanyang anak.

"He was with me when I called you, Ma. It was that very reason why I made this decision. Pero, Ma, okay lang ba sa mga bisita na sa reception na lang sila invited?"

"Yes. Akala nga nila cancelled na ang wedding nung pinagtatawagan sila ni Yen," tumawa si Eva. "Sabi pa ng mga amiga ko, paano na lang daw ang wedding of the century?"

"Tuloy pa rin naman, yun nga lang, private na lang ang ceremony," ngumiti si Stephanie.

Rachel buttoned the pearl buttons that lined the back of Stephanie's gown. She attached the 25 foot veil underneath Stephanie's coif, her face remaining uncovered by the veil. Rachel took her phone from the table next to her and took an artfully obscured picture of Stephanie to post on her photo sharing site.

"You are such a beautiful bride, Best!" Rachel squealed.

"Thank you."

"I'm sure matutulala ang iyong groom, Steph," her mom smiled at her. "Anak, I am so thankful na talagang nagkamabutihan kayo ni Ashton. Alam kong sumangayon ako sa gustong mangyari ng daddy mo, pero I would've lived with regret the rest of my life if I ever saw na malungkot ka sa piling ng iyong asawa just because ito ang naging desisyon namin ng daddy mo for you," her mother's eyes shone with unshed tears.

"Ma, don't cry!" pagsuway ni Stephanie sa kanyang ina. "Masisira ang make up mo...at maiiyak din ako," Stephanie giggled.

"I'm sorry, anak," tumawa na lang ulit din si Eva. "You have grown up to be a gorgeous and smart woman. I am very proud of you, anak. And I want to thank you for doing this for the family kahit ayaw mo noon. I'm thankful na willing ka to sacrifice, anak. I love you, Steph. I'm thankful na you have found the love of your life."

"We dodged a bullet with that one, Ma," she hugged her mother.

"O sige na, naghihintay na ang daddy mo sa labas. And I'm sure ang groom mo ay atat ka ng makita," her mom smoothed down her hair.