To Love and Avenge

chapter 33

It took me quite a long time to collect myself.

I’m just here, doing nothing and thinking nothing. I just closed my eyes and stayed that way breathing heavily beneath the veil.

Another knock woke me up from my current state. I roll down again the window seeing that it was Daven.

“Anything wrong?” he asked in a worried tone with his phone in his ear.

I shake my head and smile at him. He then dodge his phone to me and said.

“It’s Dauis. He’s worried as hell.”

I rolled my eyes at his words.

“He was just excited,” I said simply.

“No, He worried because you've been here for quite some time and you still haven’t overcome your nervousness. It is safe to say that he is afraid that you change your mind.”

“That would be absolutely craziness.”

I accepted his cellular phone but never answer it, instead, I pressed the call ended button and inform Daven that I am now ready.

With that being said, my words immediately passed to the organizer.

It all then started.

Sheila assisted me as I step down from the car.

Now that I’m finally out. I look around and appreciate wholeheartedly the scene.

Everything in there was meticulously decorated. From the red carpet that was smoothly laid from where I stood up to inside.

The flowers around were all my favorite ones.

I appreciate how Dauis prepared all this all by himself. He didn't even ask for any suggestions from me since I refuse to participate in the preparations.

He is indeed excellent at what he does, but that doesn’t change the fact that he was the most hated person I have ever known.

Standing right just behind the entrance door, my heart started to stomp wildly.

The deafening buzzes started to deafen me due to nervousness and it even intensifies when I hear the song start to play:

Ever since that moment, my life has begun

I have been blessed

I only live for your happiness

And for your love

I would give my last breath

From this moment on…

I give my soul to you with all my heart

Can’t wait to live my life with you,

Now that I have you

Can’t wait to start

You and I will never ever be apart

My dreams have come true because of you…

My heartbeat came to a halt the moment it started.

Upon hearing it, I wished that it was all true. That we are founded with love, but no, everything was a play.

Standing at the arch when the door started to open and slowly swayed its way to the side to reveal me in it.

Everyone looks at me in gape with happiness and admiration written on their faces.

I wondered what would they feel if they knew the truth, would they still look happy?

I doubt it.

I smiled back, in the most convincing way possible that I’ve been practicing so well.

I don't want anybody to have a glimpse of what was behind my smile.

while walking slowly down the aisle, the more nervous I become. The closer I went the heavier my steps.

The song- its message was very beautiful to listen to only if it was true. If only…

Then I saw dad coming his way to me.

He took my hand and put it around in his arms.

I held on to it, drawing strength from there so I could continue to walk through.

“I’m so happy for you” He whispered.

“Thank you, Dad, I am too,”

I looked ahead to the altar and saw the man I have hated ever since my life, yet today, this man, in an hour will be called my husband and I will be doomed to him forever.

our status was very opposite to the song that he composed personally for this particular day.

Yes, he made it himself. I knew because he said.

If only we were in a situation different from ours now, I would have fallen for him long ago.

Seeing him smile genuinely at me. I smiled back.

As we reach the altar, he take dad’s hand to his forehead as a sign of respect before dad handed me to him.

He take me to him as he look at me in the eyes and said gently without batting his eyelids, “you look so beautiful.”

“I thank him and we together proceeded to our seats.

He looks so sincere that you wouldn't think that he is just putting it.

The priest proceeded to the ceremony.

I was so engrossed in my self concerns when Dauis started to spell his vows.

“I Dauis Suares, promise to love and cherish you my whole life through. That I will stay no matter what and take away all you struggle and pain…” listening to him I asked myself. Does he even mean a single word of what he had just said? Of course, it was an act. As if I didn’t know him enough. I thought sadly.

“Until my last breath.” I later heard, and then he inserted the ring into me.

Now my turn.

“I Ale Sapphire Alforque, promise to love and cherish…”

And so on, and then inserted the ring to him.

I don't know how I manage to pull all those words without mistakenly putting us at a disadvantage. I just said what I think would be needed.

Later on, everyone in the crowd applauded us. The priest announces.

“You may now kiss the bride.”

It made me blush to see them widely smiling as they applauded at us expectantly.

Dauis place his thumb and index finger on my chin and tilted it a little so I see him eye to eye.

Motioning me to follow through and participate.

“They were expecting us to seal our marriage”. He indicated while grinning at me.

I blushed even more as I glance back at the crowd.

He slowly lifted the veil to uncover my face and planted softly a kiss, staying at it for a few seconds.

Our lips parted but he pull me into his embrace as he show his right hand with a ring in it to everyone.

I did the same.

“You must be enjoying torturing me huh.” i smiled back and said to him in strain voice.

“I wasn’t my wife.”

Hearing him addresses me that way sends my hair stand up.

Well, what should I expect? It has just started. So I expect the worst next time around. I still have plenty of nightmares about the future with him.

“Yeah sure, It wasn’t.” I mock.

He laugh at me seductively making sure that I get what was that for.

They all congratulated us. One by one they give us their blessing.

It was just a private wedding where only a close family and a few very close friends were invited.

Dauis's mother comes to us and gives us both a hug.

“Congrats, I never thought you would both end up being a couple, sorry but judging at how you treated each other before,” she said lovingly.

“Oh I thought so too, mom, but your son is irresistible and very handsome,” I responded while I leaned my head on his shoulder.

“You both look perfect with each other.”

After exchanging a few words with her and her husband, we bid goodbye as we head out to the church.

We were a picture of a perfect and happy newly wedded couple in their eyes.

Why not? We are both good at putting up.

Outside the church, everyone gathered as they wait for us. Principal sponsors gathered around and throw showering our petals. Then a cage with two pigeons was handed to us motioning us to free them.

They again applauded.

Standing in the middle, Dauis step aside giving me access so I can throw my bouquet to my back. I positioned myself and throw it right above my head.

They all shouted in joy.

I turn around widely smiling to see that it was Sheila who at the moment holding the bouquet. While mean started to tease Allen who was at the moment smiling coyly.

“You better prepare yourself, bro.” I heard Dauis say and then he turned to me and peak a kiss on my lips before he lifted me up in his arms- bridal style.

He is indeed strong as he lifted me despite my weight so easily.

My eyes widen in astonishment. I didn't expect him to do that.

“Hey–” I protested.

“Shhh. just stay still, we might trip.”

I encircled my arms in his neck out of instinct. Afraid that he might drop me in the way.

We walk to the waiting limo and he gently puts me down inside. He again peaks a kiss on me and winked.

“Hmph…” I rolled my eyes at him which made him laugh.

He climb up beside me and we drove off.

We stayed silent all the way to the venue after which, I asked him.

“Did I play it well?”

“You did perfectly well there,” he responded still smiling at me.

I don't know what was that smile for. The act has already ended and we are along all by ourselves so there is no need for us to act.

“Are you happy?” he asks.

“Why should I be? Are you?”

“Yeah, and I should. This will only happen once in one’s life so we should feel greet.”

“I don't and can’t feel the same.”

I turn around as I watch outside showing him that I am not interested in talking anymore.

He sighs heavily.

I can see him face my direction, seeing my current action, I know he understands that I wouldn’t want to discuss it. He frowns and sighs again.

“Look, we can’t always be like this.” he started but watching at my reaction he come to realize that I wouldn’t talk to him, he continued to speak.

“Starting today our lives will be forever tied with each other, so we cant be like this forever. Soon we will have a family of our own,” he said gently.

“A family? And then what? Suffer the rest of our lives? And children? Really huh, Dauis?”

“And what do you want?” he asked started to get furious.

I'm trying to be neutral here. He shouldn’t overthink things.

“Soon, this marriage will have to end. In the meantime, we can play for it. We cannot just jump into expectations because we both know for the fact why we ended and agreed on this.”

“And do you suggest annulment in the future?” with a furrowed brows he asks. After realizing something his lips twisted and smirk at me.

“Oh yeah, right. How can I forget so fast? What we have now was the solution of your problem and mine is an investment. How dumb!”

“Did you just say I am dumb?” I scream at him angrily.

“You know what let's drop this. We both are just exhausted,” he said, dropping the discussion. We didn't talk until we reach the venue, and then we started to put act again.

Aunt sionny and Xander were there too. We exchange a few greetings and I head to other visitors there too.

Roldan and his wife congratulated me. I expected them to come over But Mang Kanor’s presence shocked me.

I invited him of course but I didn’t expect him to come all the way here. He just smiles before he turn around and leave and my phone beeped for a message.

CONGRATS TO YOUR NEW LIFE was what it reads.