“Later, Jothea. You’ll know later, but for now, cooperate with me.” I just let Savannah do what she wanted until she was completely prepared me. I was confused when she led me out of the car to a place where there were beautiful decorations. There were flowers all around.
“Here.” I turned to my right when I saw Miss Levanier handing me something. A beautiful and large bouquet of daisies. “Congratulations on your wedding,” she added, which surprised me. I was about to ask her about that when she left.
My wedding? Today? How come?
I turned to the other side to ask Sav about that, but she was gone too. I just saw myself facing the big door while wearing a grand wedding dress ; I don’t know how it fit me with my already quite big belly.
The door slowly opened, and for a moment it seemed like my world stopped. I tearfully looked at everyone in the room. They were all looking at me.
I’m married now?
How did I not know?
My tears flowed when I saw the man I left behind. Even he couldn’t hold his gaze on me for long. Even though he was standing far away, I could see that he was happy to see me again, just like the joy I felt now that I could catch a glimpse of him.
“Ismael…”
I couldn’t stop my feet from running towards him. I didn’t care if it was appropriate to walk slowly down the aisle. I didn’t want to wait a few more minutes to touch him.
I opened my arms to ask for a hug, but what he gave me was a kiss. His hands are on my cheeks, cupping them, feeling as if I am real.
“Ismael, I’m sorry,” I said as we parted lips. “I’m sorry that I am so selfish. Sorry if I always make you suffer and leave you. I will never leave you again. I promise.”
He caressed my face and helped me wipe away the tears, but it seemed like he had more tears than me, so I wiped them away too. “I’m used to it.” He laughed. “I knew you’d come back to me.”
I held on to his clothes and quickly looked at the many people I had just returned to who were watching us. “What is this? Why are we getting married without me knowing?”
He laughed. “What don’t you know? Didn’t you think of this?”
“Huh?”
He laughed again. “You really are forgetful. Today is our first anniversary. Don’t tell me you forgot that too?”
My eyes widened when I remembered our conversation at that time. When we were at the beach. We got back together and planned to get married.
I didn’t know that I would be the victim of my own foolishness. “I’m sorry.”
“It’s okay. I’m glad that you’re here now. Did my brothers hurt you?”
I frowned and turned my eyes to the group of men who had taken me earlier. “I was scared of them. I wondered who they are. Why was that? Why did they have to kidnap me?”
“Because you’re not into good conversation. You always want violence,” he joked. “Anyway, you look so lovely today, my love. I can’t wait to finally have you as my wife.”
I held back my tears again because of what he said. I stared at him for a few more moments until I heard his brother screaming.
“What now? Are you getting married yet? We’ve been waiting for a while!”
“Right! You can continue the flirting later! I have somewhere else to go!”
I laughed when Miss Veonna scolded them. I also looked at Sir Mikael and Miss Elisse, who were both smiling at me. So were Miss Sapphire and my workmates, who I didn’t expect Ismael to invite either. But what made me cry more was when I saw my parents at the back. They seemed ready to walk me down the aisle, but because I was running, I didn’t notice them.
“Should we proceed, or should we start from the beginning?” asked the man who was going to marry Ismael and me. Even this time I didn’t know what my decision would be.
“We should start from the beginning so she can walk with her parents,” Ismael answered for me.
He walked me to the end, to my parents, before he returned to the altar. My hands were shaking as I placed them in my parents’ arms.
I never thought that they would be here. I didn’t know that being here would be what they would give me. I felt so happy. Even though they didn’t treat me like a child and didn’t love me right, this time I forgave them because they accompanied me. They made me feel complete on my special day.
“Listen to your husband every time,” my father said, which made me astounded.
“So you will never be like me,” Mom commented as if implying something.
“Yeah, because she inherited your stubbornness,” Dad replied.
“But that’s what makes you fall for me, don’t you?”
I was amazed by their conversation. It was the very first time I heard them do this.
“But I get tired.”
“Look, who’s been inviting me every night until now?” Mom sarcastically replied.
“But you always show up.”
“Because I listen to you.”
“Yes, when we get divorced, but not when we’re still together.”
I even wondered why they had to break up when they were like this.
“Jothea, a man will leave you if he wants to leave you. No man gets annoyed by a woman he loves. Just be yourself,” Mom shared as she rolled her eyes at my father. Now, I think I get why they divorced.
I just turned my gaze to Ismael, who until now had been patiently waiting for me. I smiled when I saw Danjer and Mr. Roize laughing at him. Well, I didn’t think he would cry at our wedding either. I thought he didn’t cry back then; he’s also a person whose heart softens when it comes to me.
I didn’t realize that he was right in front of me and that Dad was already giving my hand to him. Dad whispered something to him that I didn’t hear. Mom did the same as they hugged before finally leaving to sit back in their respective seats.
“What did they tell you?” I asked.
“Secret,” he replied.
“Wow, you have a secret right away?” I sarcastically teased him, only to be laughed at.
“I still have lots, Jothea, that I never wish you to know.”
I rolled my eyes. “What is that?”
“Do you want to know?” He whispered as we turned our backs on the crowd to face the man who would marry us. “I don’t want to; you might laugh at me.”
“What?” I pinched him in annoyance.
“Your picture… I used it… when you’re away.”
My eyes widened, and I burst into laughter, because I immediately understood what he was implying. What the hell?
But my loud laughter was replaced by tears as our wedding ceremony continued. It seemed as if the trials we had overcome, the hardships we had endured just to get to this point, were coming back to my memories. Love is not the only thing needed for a relationship to be successful. If one person is weak, the other should not give in and should remain strong and resilient. I thank God, because until now Ismael has fought for both of us.
“I pronounce you husband and wife. You may now kiss the bride.”
Ismael turned to face me, and even though I was already brimming with tears, his smile was contagious. He lifted my veil to look at my face.
“It hasn’t faded,” he whispered. “You’re still beautiful, my wife.”
I burst into tears when he kissed me. It was hot and sweet. I could feel all his love without hesitation being offered to me.
This is it. I am now Mrs. Mondalla, just like he promised me. I hugged him tightly. I heard loud applause, but that couldn’t beat the strong beating of our combined hearts with the man I love. I am so happy that this day has come. I don’t think I can finish thanking God.
Everyone left, and they left us at the place where Ismael and I got married. We decided to exchange our vows privately. Here we are, both of us sitting in the front, holding hands and looking at each other endlessly.
“Who will go first?” I asked. I don’t know why I feel so nervous when I’m just going to make a vow to him. Is this really how it is when the love you share is real?
“Should I go first?” I laughed at his question. I was just watching his swollen eyes; I was already excited. I was crying again. Why am I so lucky?
“I will. We were crying earlier. I want to laugh. I will make you laugh.”
“You always do that, Jothea. You always make me happy.”
“I am happier now, because I didn’t expect you to fulfill what we talked about. I was so shocked by your plans. You didn’t even postpone them. My belly is big, you know,” I complained.
“Then let’s get married again after our child is born. Is that a problem? Do you want us to get married every year?”
“Wow, so that the honeymoon will be every year?”
“How did you know?” The smile on his lips never left. “And besides, I just followed your advice. You said I should impregnate you and marry you so you wouldn’t leave me. You’ve left me too many times. I need to tie you to me.”
“You’re taking everything too seriously.”
“Because I am serious with you, my love. Thank you also for patiently waiting.” He kissed my hand.
“No, I am the one who needs to say thank you to you.” I caressed his face. “Ismael…” My voice broke. “First of all, I want to thank you for your tireless understanding and patience with me. In the times when I hurt you, you proved to me even more how much you love me. Even in the times when I was full of doubts, you proved to me that when it comes to you, I am sure,” I began.
He kept listening to me. “Ismael, I am very happy because you are the man I married. You bring out all the best in me. You met me at the worst time of my life, but you turned that moment into a lovable one. Because of you, I learned that to love someone else, you must first love yourself. You taught me that, and when I was in the process of loving myself dearly, I realized I was starting to love you too. You were the first man who told me not to focus my attention on you but on the things that could make me happy. But little did you know that it was you, my source of genuine happiness, all along. Thank you, Ismael, for preparing everything for me, even this wedding.”
I just stared at him, and he stared at me. This is the look of love we shared. It keeps my heart beating and burning with love… “I promise that I will do my best to be the wife you wanted, to be the most beautiful in your eyes, and to be the sexiest in bed. I will make you laugh every day. And when you’re sad, I will make you happy even in ways that I don’t like, but I like it anyway because you like it. I love you so much, Ismael… so much. I promise you that with every decision I make, I will never think about myself only but consider you and our future children. I am ready to give you all the years I have left to be with you, in hardship, in pleasure, in pain, and in joy. I love you so much, Ismael. I love you.”
He wiped away his tears that I didn’t expect to fall again because of my words. I don’t know if my words made anyone cry, but I’m glad that he can feel the sincerity of those.
He cleared his throat. “My tiny little thing, my love, my baby, my woman, my lady, my Jothea,” he called me. “I still have one last secret that I never had a chance to tell you.”
“One last secret? I thought there were more?” my groin
“But this one is my gift. The ultimate secret I have kept for you for twenty-one years now.”
I was intrigued by what he said and quickly frowned. “Twenty-one?”
He nods. “The very first time I saw you was not three years ago… but indeed twenty-one years ago,” he admitted.
“What do you mean?” I asked. I was stunned when I understood what he said.
“Yes, when you were born, Jothea. It was when I left Mrs. Estanislao at the hospital because I was heartbroken to learn that she was sick. I was lurking out on the premises when a beautiful baby cried in front of me. It was you.”
I pressed my lips in disbelief. What on earth does he mean? Was this the moment Mrs. Estanislao was referring to?
I bit my lip. Was it fate all along? I shed tears again because of what he had admitted. Even my heart rate increased. Is that why he likes me so much, because fate had already proven to him that we were truly meant for each other?
“That’s how I remember your name, Jothea Alvandra, and I never thought I would meet you again after eighteen years in the most unexpected time of my life. The day they told me I should marry someone to continue the tradition, you barged into me, pleading to save you, but it was you who saved our family. Because if it’s not you, I don’t have any plans either, but you came across as if you were the answer to my silent prayers, which I never talked about. You, who just smile brightly, lights up my world, who simply breathe, extend my life, and make it so easy for me to love when it was hard for me to care for myself.” He caressed my face gently.
I cried harder because of him. “You always surprise me, you know?”
He didn’t listen to my moans; instead, he embraced me. “I promise to be with you in this lifetime and even in the life after this. I love you so much, Jothea Alvandra-Mondalla.”
That promise…
Because he made the promise, I know that no matter what happens, it will come true.
I never knew that this man, who I thought would take me down, lifted me up all this time… from my downfall.
I never knew that he would happen to me.