Afteglow

Wedding bells were ringing. Their chimes should've sent a flurry of nervous clony of butterflies instead fillled you with a feeling of dread. Everything was perfect - the venue was exactly how she wanted it, the maid of honor's dresses were the exact shade of red, the flowers in your boquet were beautiful and alive, you on the other hand felt anything but. Here you stand in front of the floor length mirror as you observe yourself in you dream wedding dress, you look like the epitome of a glowing bride except your eyes tell a different story. It seems your stubborness has lead you to face the altar today without the man you hoped to spend the rest of your days with.

"You okay there mahal?" the voice of your groom, startling you awake from your pity party.

"Yes of course, wha, what are you doing here?" you stuttered as you took him in behind you. He was of course a vision in his tux, he looked like a perfect groom. " Isn't it bad luck for the bride to see the groom before the wedding?" you managed to say.

"I missed you, just wanted to see you before everything. You look, wow" his eyes started to tear up as he look at you. A feeling of uneasiness started to bloom in your chest - guilt, it must've been. He looked the happiest you have ever seen him which is the exact opposite of what you were feeling right that moment.

"My beautiful bride, thank you for letting me love you" he said as he crossed the room to stand in front of you staring deeply as if to memorise ever feature of your face, "Ah Chrissha I was yours from the moment I saw you. I love you so much, you know that right?" he whispered as he put your forheads together.

"Yes of course, I do." closing your eyes, you let his familiar comfort wash through you. He embraced you to him carefully to not destroy your make up or anything, ever the considerating one he was.

"But you aren't mine, you never were even in the beginning" he whispered, making your heart thunder. Your cover was blown? How? You made sure to keep every emotion inside and only showed him what you deemed necessary, what did he mean by that?

"What?" you opened your eyes and distanced yourself from the hug to see him smiling, hinting sadness in his eyes as tears fell from them.

"I said I can't wait to see you walk down the aisle" he tried smile wider, the usual brightness in his smile was missing, "I'll go and leave you be mahal, promise to meet me please?" he sounded like he was begging.

"Yeah, of course I will. Are you okay? What is going on?" you were bewildered, his arms tightened around you as if he refuses to let go, let you go.

"I'm fine, just emotional haha" he brushed his emotions off after he cleared his throat, "See you. I love you always" his eyes filled with an emotion you couldn't pin point as he gave you one last kiss in your forhead before he left the room, leaving you confused before you heard your best friend hollering outside your door.

"Issha, It's time!" these words made you forget the unusual actions of your fiancè as your conflicting emotions returned in a form of a storm. The doors open as your best friend came in with a knowing smile in her face as she went to you and escorted you outside of your room, making sure that the boquet is in your hands and everything was ready for you.

"How are you bestie?" she asked as she squeezed your hand when you gave her a half smile, already showing how you feel in that moment as you both descend down the stairs to the venue where vows will be exchanged, "You'll be fine, it's the happiest day of your life after all. I'll see you at the altar!" she left you with those words and a wink as you both get into the position of entering.

Ignoring the weirdness, you watch as she went beside her ex-boyfriend's side - looks like you weren't the only one in a mess of your own doing, you mused. Your mother walking beside you, smiling warmly "You got this anak, can't believe my baby girl is getting married" she whispered to you as tears start to fill her eyes.

"Tita, let's reserve the crying later, your beautiful make up will smudge hahaha" Nakamoto said as he pats her back, she hits his arm softly.

"I missed you iho, I need to be invited at your wedding too okay?" she said laughing

"That, that would take sometime-" he was cut off by the loud voice telling them to get ready, amused you looked at your best friend who kissed your mom at the cheek before staring directly in front of her, not even addressing the man beside her.

"Everybody get ready please! We're starting in 3, 2, 1- cue the music!" said the wedding coordinator in her mic as the music was filling in the air as the guests walk down the aisle while your nerves started to drive you insane.

"Breathe, anak" your mother told you as the bridal chorus started playing, it was time.

Every step you took was careful as you went down the aisle you looked at every body holding red rose petals, showering you down as you passed by them. It was magical but your eyes were too blurry to register anything, regret heaving in your chest as you arrived in front of your groom. Maybe it was the veil or your blurry eyes but he seemed taller somehow but none of that matter because you felt as you will the ground to swallow you any moment to escape, doubt inside you was stronger than the possible shame you will face for running out right now but a voice stopped you.

"Finally, my love we meet again"  this voice, you know this voice. You yearned for him, any and every piece of him. Maybe you were delusional? How can, what?

"Johnny?" you called out in disbelief, relief filling your being as you look at him in shock

"Yes beautiful wife to be?" he replied with a cheeky grin despite the tears falling down his face.

"Wait, wait. What's happening? What?" you roam your eyes around the room to witness your closest family and friends crying with you.

"You really think I'll let you go that easy?" he replied as he pulled you closer to him, silently wipping his tears discreetly.

"Do you our bride and groom need a moment?" Asked the minister that will wed you both.

The both of you shook your heads and held hands as johnny eagerly prompt the minister to start, making your guests laugh. He kissed your hands as you stared at him in wonder and lovingly.

"We are gathered here today to witness the union between Johnny Suh and Chrissha Quinto. Anyone who opposes this union, speak now or forever hold your peace" the minister said. The both of you waited with bathed breath for a specific someone to stand up but all he did was give you both a smile as he left the area in the side exit. Bittersweet as it was, the ceremony commenced swiftly with no interruption.

"Now, time for the vows" the mic was passed down to your husband to be as he gave a watery laugh.

"My Chrissha, I vow with my hands, I will lift your sorrows. With my arms I will embrace all of you with my all. Your cup will never be empty, for I will be your wine. Your plate will never be empty, for I will be your servant waiting at your every whim. With these candles around us I pledge to be the light in the darkness or the comforting warmth the dark brings you. With my heart, I vow for my life to only be yours" he said with a knowing grin as you gasped out loud "With this ring, I ask you to be mine for as long as we both shall live"

Ah, what a happy ending :)