The Other Half of Me (Khian Jace & Czerina Keira Story)

Chapter 26 To Have and To Hold

Chapter 26 TOHOM

KHIAN

I'VE WAITED so long for this day to come. The day that will surely overwhelm my whole being. I took a deep breath to fill my lungs with air. Niluwagan ko pa ang longsleeve kong suot na nakapapailalim sa aking kulay krema na tuxedo dahil sa pinagsamang kaba at nerbiyos. Ganito ata talaga ang pakiramdam kapag ikakasal ka sa babaeng mahal na mahal mo. Kung kabado ako noong inalok ko siya ng kasal mas matinding kaba ang nararamdaman ko ngayon.

I stood up in the middle, where my Nanay and Tatay standing beside me in front of the wedding audience, na nakatuon ang lahat ng tingin sa akin.

"Kumalma ka nga", natatawang bulong ni Tatay sa gilid ko.

Binigyan ko lang siya ng pilit na ngiti. Alam ko na alam niya ang nararamdaman ko. Parang hinahalukay ang aking tiyan. Hindi ko mapigilan ang malakas na pagkabog ng dibdib ko. Para akong natatae na sobrang pinagpapawisan ang buong mukha hanggang sa leeg ko.

Pinikit ko ulit ang mga mata ko at humugot ng isang malalim na hininga. Lumunok pa ako ng ilang beses kahit wala namang akong ininom o kinain, dahilan lamang para mas kumalma ako.

My goodness, I can't mess up on this. Pinaghandaang mabuti ni Keira ang araw na ito. She was so busy this passed few days in preparing everything. She never picked a wedding organizer to do it for us. From the decorations and style of the place and venue, she was the one who organized it in a properly manner with the help of her girl cousins and the resort staffs. Except for the food that will be serve. Its the resort kitchen staff who will cater. Kahit sobrang simpleng seremonya lang ang mangyayari dahil ang importante sa kanya maikasal kaming dalawa. Hindi ko lalo mapigilan ang sarili ko na mas humanga sa kanya sa mindset na mayroon siya. Kayang-kaya ko siyang bigyan ng grand wedding katulad ng pangarap ng mga ibang babae kapag ikinasal sila sa lalaking mahal nila, pero iba si Keira. Ibang-iba siya. She wants a private early dinner party wedding that held in backyard pool with civil rites, our both families, close friends and witnesses only as our guests. Keira being a simple woman I've known, she doesn't want an extravagant things around her, though she deserves all of it. Kaya wala akong nagawa noong sabihin niya sa akin ang katagang "the most important is the essence that we will be wed not on the extravagant expenditures to be done to maintain the status in "society"."

Mabuti na lang kinausap ako ng aking ina kanina bago lumabas dito, kahit papaano ay kumalma ang pakiramdam ko. Handang maghintay sa paglabas ng babaeng pakakasalan ko.

Noong unang makilala ko siya, hindi ko inaakalang uukupahin niya ang pinakamalaking espasyo ng puso ko. I've always set goals in getting what I wants. I hate driving far distances. I was good in ignoring other's opinion sometimes, I was impatient, and I was insensitive to feel for someone. But at some point, I knew my alteration will change.

That was me before I met Keira. That was me before she slowly changed me into another person. Into another man.

I have esteemed myself now to be always calm, to be understanding, and to be patience. She was the variation on my negative characteristics and the trigger to my heart to beat and to stop beating. Though her age hindranced me before from pursuing her , I never lost hope, that someday she will be mine. That I can pursue her to have her in my life for a lifetime.

At ngayong araw na ito dumating ang pinaka-hihintay ko. I never been excited in my whole life, knowing that from this day on, its her who will I see before I close my eyes to sleep, and its her who will I see first in the morning before I will get up from bed. And from this moment on, I will not running from driving back and forth anymore, because I've completely know that I'm home. With her.

"Nakalabas na sila", Nanay whispered on my ears as she tapped my shoulders.

Halos sabay-sabay kaming tatlo na tumayo ng maayos sa pwesto namin.

We had his nephew from one of her cousin as our ring bearer only. No bridesmaid and all.

The electronic keyboard began to play and it was played by his eldest brother, Clive, as I recognized as well the song he was playing; With You by Gary V and Keanna Valenciano.

I know I may have kept you waiting for so long

Eternally, I'm grateful you chose to hold on

I don't know why I hesitated when I never had a doubt

From the day I laid my eyes on you

You'll become what I'm about

Napangiti ako ng magsimulang kumanta si Clyde. Naalala ko kung paano ko siya unang nakita. Tahimik na ngumunguya ng pagkain sa sulok ng lamesa. Pusang-gala.! Kinikilig ako. Alam kong sobrang OA, but hell, wala akong pakialam. Its our special day today, and its our emotions that will take the place overall. Kahit nga sana pagkatapos ng proposal ko pinakasalan ko na siya agad kung ganito lang naman kasimple ang gusto niya ay ginawa ko na. Kaya lang hindi siya pumayag. It took us two months to prepare all the papers that we needed. Kasabay nang construction ng magiging bahay namin bilang mag-asawa. Salamat sa mga magulang ko. Advance gift nila sa amin ang titulo ng lupa na pinagpatayuan namin.

Tinapik akong muli ng aking ama ng magsimulang maglakad ang pamangkin niya. "Ayos ka lang? Para kang kiti-kiti".

"Never been okay and never been this nervous too, Tatay", I answered as I flew air from my lungs.

Mas lalo kong naramdaman ang pinaghalong kaba at pananabik ng palapit na ang pamangkin niya sa amin. Because I know Keira will be walking next after him.

Hindi ko alam kung paano ko paluluwagin ang dibdib ko nang makita ko si Papa Kristoff na nakatayo sa may entrada ng parang arkong napapalibutan ng mga bulaklak. Dahil alam kong kasabay niyang maglakad ang babaeng pakakasalan ko.

Parang nagbara ang hininga sa lalamunan ko ng makita ko siya. And there my queen stood up beautifully at the end of a makeshift walkway that serves as the aisle. Wearing her simple short wedding dress that above her knee, lace tulle sleeveless with a belt bridal gown. A mix of color white and pink peonies bouquet in her hand.

Parang isang hudyat na magsipagtayuan ang aming mga bisita na may paghanga sa kanilang mga mukha.

They started walking slowly when Mama Crista sing her part of the song and I couldn't pull my eyes away from her. Parang sa oras na ito siya na lang ang tanging nakikita ng mga mata ko.

No need to say you're sorry or leave space to regret

I hoped in you, it would be you

From the day we both met

And to for God, that with His favor

With a prayer in His time

To the world I'd finally say that I am yours and you are mine

She's so simple but she was looking so stunning on her off white wedding dress that perfectly matched on our floral theme wedding. Her hair was in a retro half-up, half down with retro curl. Light make up on her face with slight red lipsticks applied on her kissable lips that emphasized her luscious mouth. She's always beautiful in my eyes even without makeup but she's more beautiful than ever today.

With you (Only with you)

I'm saying more than I do

With you (Only with you)

This will forever be true

Even if there may be, times that may be far from what is better

From this day on (From this day on)

Because I'm with you

I'm saying more than I do

Mama Crista and Clyde sings together on the duet part of the song, and pause for a moment when Papa Kristoff and Keira stop on their spot. Signaling Mama Crista to hold the other hand of Keira. I suddenly felt more uneasy. Clyde continued the song as the three of them walking slowly towards us near on the reverend pastor.

Aware the world is full of treasures that one can never hold

But what I have's beyond what's priceless and meant for me to own

Since the day you came into my heart, it's then I realize

Never knew what love was all about 'til you walked into my life

I cannot take my eyes away from her as she made me fall in love all over again with her modesty and purity, her warmth and kind heart. Her simplicity that she always took my breath away. My beautiful bride and she's for my eyes only. Lord, ano ang nagawa ko sa buong buhay ko na maging karapat-dapat na siya ang magiging asawa ko? Binago niya ang mga di dapat na pag-uugaling mayroon ako. Pinakita at pinaramdam niya sa akin kung paano mahalin ang isang katulad ko. Alam kung marami rin akong pagkukulang sa kanya at sa relasyon naming dalawa, bago kami nandito sa ngayon. Pero kailanman hindi ko nakaringgan ng kahit anong salita na mag-papaalala sa mga kakulangan ko. Kahit galit na galit na siya sa akin kung nag-aaway kami at nagtatampo siya, hindi ko kailanman narinig sa kanya na minura niya ako. Siya din ang naging daan at rason na mas maging malapit ang relasyon at paniniwala ko sa Diyos. Araw ng linggo na ginawa niyang bb at bhie day naming dalawa. Kung tutuusin sa pagitan namin ako ang mas matanda pero mas matured ang pag-iisip niya sa lahat ng bagay. Siya ang dumating at bumago sa mga nakasanayan ko. Czerina Keira Avila, tunay siyang nag-iisa. Siya ang puso ko. Siya ang buhay at ang lahat-lahat ko.

No words can quite express all that I'd like to say and show

No need to rush, I'll have all of eternity to know

Our journey now unfolds

With you (Only with you)

I'm saying more than I do

With you (Only with you)

This will forever be true

And for richer or for poorer

When you're well and when you're not

From this day on (From this day on)

Because I'm with you, I'm saying yes to forever

From this day on, I'm saying more than

Napahigit ako ng hininga ng makatayo silang tatlo sa harapan ko. I swallowed hard when ours eyes met. As I looked at her in her eyes, I see love, happiness and a promising future with joy and contentment.

"Khian, I'm giving my daughter's happiness now into your hands. Isa lang ang tanging hihilingin ko. Iyon ay kung darating man ang araw na hindi mo na mahal ang anak ko, 24/7 laging bukas ang pintuan ng bahay ko, buong puso ko siyang tatanggapin kung isasauli mo." si Papa Kristoff na nangingilid ang luha sa mga mata kasabay ng pagsabi niya sa mga kagatang iyon.

"Please take good care of her and never hurt her. Make her always your queen." si Mama Crista na nagpupunas na ng luha niya.

Nakipag-kamay ako sa Papa niya at yumakap ako sa Mama niya. Sealing a promise to them.

"Welcome to the family, anak", sabay na bigkas ng mga magulang ko kay Kei. Bago nila niyakap ito ng mahigpit.

I cannot restrain myself from smiling, seeing Kei controlling her tears not to fall from her eyes. Kinuha ko ang kamay niya at ikinawit sa braso ko.

Nang nasa harap na kami ng mesang nagsisilbing altar hindi ko binitawan ang kamay niya. I entertwined our fingers as the pastor read the scriptures and started the ceremony. I was drowning by looking at her before the pastor ended his speech.

Nang oras na para sa aming wedding vows ay nagharap kami.

I said my vow first.

Tumikhim muna ako at humugot ng isang malalim na hininga para mag-ipon ng lakas ng loob. I hold the microphone and cleared my throat again. Hinugot ko ang papel sa bulsa ng slacks ko. I opened it using my fingers. Pinaghandaan ko talaga to, dahil baka sa sobrang kaba at nerbyos ko, matatameme na lang ako sa harap niya.

"You we're too young and innocent back then". Napangiti ako. "I was captivated by your simple beauty, by the way you moved and the way you acted. I told myself before, I was inlove at first glanced. I made a move by asking your information about you and your phone number to your cousin. He protested and stopped me from pursuing you because your too young that time. So I waited for my time. " Napatigil ako saglit at umiling. Naalala ko na naman kung gaano naging kontrabida ang pinsan niya sa pagkakaroon ko ng lovelife noong mga panahon na yon.

"But I pursued the kind of humility and I developed persistence and being patient in any matters that leads me to mutual love. It came. I had you and we're here right now. Our love story is the kind that I've always wanted to tell, to keep and treasure. The timing was inimitable

to make our's beyond compare from the rest." I smiled but a tear fell from my eye.

"I promise to be understanding and not to fight you back in any of our arguements but to always compromise with you. I promise that I will always find my way back to you and to go home with you. I promise not to run from troubles, instead I will take it full-face. "

"I promise to be faithful and I will try my very best to be the best husband for you and to be the best father to our future children."

"If you ever feel upset and angry, I will collect all the cigarette cartoons in Mama Crista's store to write my "I'm sorry" to make you smile and forgive me." I heard her laugh, including our guests.

"Thank you for blessing my life with the priceless gift of your love. I love you enough not to give up even the strongest storm and hardest hardle of life. I will love you even if you're annoyed and irritated. From now on and onwards I will love you until the end of me. I love you, bb. I loved you ever since. All the way..This vow is to our lifetime".

Umiiyak na lang ang ginawa niya habang nagsasalita ako. I smile at her as I slowly wipe her tears on her eyes down to her cheeks. Damn. I love her too much.

"Ikaw na Keira", rinig kung pukaw sa amin ng pastor.

"I don't know what to say anymore. So many words that I want to tell you, but you made me speechless with your vows", she lovingly stared at me and she was amazed. She's still sniffing and crying.

Ako na humawak sa mic at hinayan na lang siyang magsalita. Rinig ko ang mahinang pagsinghot niya. Namumula na rin ang mga mata.

"I did'nt know that someone who is air supply and mahambog was in love with me during my neneng days", she laughed. The sound of her laughter that I will never get tired of listening to it.

"Thank you for loving me with a single glanced in the corner of the table. For loving my simplicity. Thank you for patiently waiting for me, and always been on my side while reaching my dreams slowly.", her eyes began to water again. Such a cry baby.

"After all the small fights that we've been through, at the end of everything you still choose to understand and reconcile with me. I know I'm not easy to wooed, but I promise you to forgive you quickly in our misunderstandings", she smiled. I know she's the most hardest woman to woo. But I love her still.

"Somewhere along the twists and turns, I promise to hold your hand and we've learn together. From this day on, I promise that my hand will be clasped with you no matter what our future brings. I promise to be a good wife and best mother in any possible I can to our future children that God wanted me to be. I'll embrace you together with the loving arms of God. Forever is subjective, our love has a long way to go but I promise you, that my heart will keep beating for you until its last beat, until we reach heaven which is our true home ." I blinked twice and my eyes were in tears. She always making me cry with her godly words, that full of sermons and convictions.

"At kung mahirapan mang tayong dalawa sa puntong hindi natin kaya, we can always find refuge and rescue from the One Up Above which will be the center of our life together. I will bear all things and endure all things with you." When she promise, I knew every word of it lace that she will stand with it.

"Mas iintindihin kita. Mas magtitiwala ako sayo at higit sa lahat mas mamahalin pa kita hanggang sa kahuli-huliang hininga ko. Mahal na mahal kita, Khian" umiiyak niyang pangako sa akin. Napatingala ako at pilit ibinalik ang mga luha ko. Pero lalong kusang bumuhos ang mga ito.

Mas lalong hindi na rin siya matigil sa pag-iyak nang isuot namin ang singsing isa't-isa.

"Let nothing can seperate what the Lord bounded together. Therefore, with the blessing of God, it is my pleasure to now pronounce you husband and wife." The pastor recited that caught both our attention and turned to him. "You may now kiss the bride."

Kinuha ko ang isang kamay niya at itinaas ko sa tapat ng puso ko. Gusto kong malaman niya kung gaano kalakas ang pagkabog nito na siya lang ang tanging nakakagawa sa akin. Sa kanya lang ang bawat pagtibok nito.

"At last, Mrs Real", masayang bulalas ko.

"Excited", anito niya, bahagyang nakangisi.

Mas lumapit ako sa kanya at inangat ko ang baba niya. Kusang pumikit ang mga mata niya nang maramdaman niya ang labi ko sa kanya, sabay pa kaming napangiti. Nagpalakpakan na ang lahat pero hindi ko nilubayan ang labi niya. Bagkus, mas lalo ko siyang hinapit sa baywang at pinalasap ko sa kanya ang tamis ng unang halik namin bilang mag-asawa.

"I love you, I love you, I love you",paulit-ulit niyang bulong sa akin.

"I love you twich as much, Mrs. Real. Always.", bulong kong pabalik.

Napangiti siya at siya naman ang humalik sa akin. Impit siyang napatili ng yakapin ko siya ng mahigpit at masuyo ko siyang hinalikan pabalik.

"Ladies and gentlemen. Mr. Khian Jace Real and Mrs. Czerina Keira Avila-Real"

The crowd clapped their hands and cheered for us. Warmth, happiness and love wrapped my heart tightly. It tightened in a good way.

Who would have thought that a single glance would turned my life like never before? More than eight years, and my life was never be the same again. Truly, waiting will cost you nothing. I have no idea what future awaits us, but one thing I know, it will be always her until in the next lifetime.