ISANG magarbong beach wedding ang naganap sa buwan ng Setyembre—two hearts became one, and Demani's last name changed to Loudd. Maraming bisita ang dumalo, sagot lahat ni Van ang lahat na bumiyahe pa mula Maynila hanggang sa Batangas kung saan ginanap ang kasal.

Lahat ng mga kaibigan ni Demani mula sa pinagta-trabahuang ospital ay naroon, ang buong pamilya'y ganoon din. Whilst Van invited some people from his circle—business executives, clients, staff, and the likes. Doon na rin nakilala ni Demani ang taong nagpalaki sa asawa—at siyang inituturing nitong pamilya; si Attorney Arnel Salviejo.

The ceremony was emotional; Demani cried as Van read his vow and while she read hers. Kahit ang mommy at daddy nito'y hindi napigilan ang luha, habang si Lola Val naman ay kay lapad ng mga ngiti. She was Van's number fan; wala itong masabing hindi maganda sa lalaking pinili ng apo upang pakasalan.

The reception was fantastic—bumaha ang pagkain at alak na ikinatuwa ng mga kalalakihan. They hired a band for entertainment and booked the most popular disc jockey in the city. Everyone celebrated the union of two hearts, and Demani couldn't ask for more. Halos ayaw na nitong kumawala sa pagkakayakap sa asawa, at ganoon din si Van.

They were scheduled to fly to Thailand for their five-day honeymoon, pero sa umaga pa ang alis nila kaya mananatili muna sila roon sa resort sa buong gabi. Demani was excited and had been anticipating their first night—kasalanan iyon nina Mau at Cori na pilit siyang pinanood ng porn para may matutunan daw kahit kaunti.

Oh, those two she-devils...

"Kapag pinaiyak ka niya, o niloko, o sinaktan—you know your way back to our house, Demani..." madamdaming pahayag ng daddy niya habang inisasayaw siya nito sa makeshift stage na pinalilubutan ng mga lamesa. It was the father and daughter dance, and her dad was holding her tightly; tila ayaw siyang pakawalan.

"Dad... Naniniwala akong hindi gagawin ni Van iyon sa akin—not intentionally."

"I hope so—at may tiwala rin ako sa kaniya, anak." Muling ngumiti ang daddy niya; ang mga mata nito'y punung-puno ng emosyon. "Ahh, you look so beautiful today, Demani. I can no longer see my baby girl in you."

"I will always be your baby girl, dad. That will never change—kahit na may sangkaterba na kaming anak ni Van, I will remain your baby girl."

Lumapad ang ngiti nito. "Are you two planning to have a baby right away?"

"Hindi pa namin napag-uusapan pero gusto ko na, dad."

Tumango ito at niyakap siya. Humilig siya sa dibdib ng ama sabay pikit ng mga mata.

"I am wishing you both happiness, my sweet little Demani. Always remember to put God first in your relationship, before all other things. Because only He will guide you and your marriage to the right path."

"Understood, Daddy."

Inihilig niya ang ulo sa dibdib ng ama, at sa loob ng ilang minuto ay nagsayaw pa sila nito, hanggang sa may narinig silang tinig na nagpamulat sa kaniya.

"Can I have the next dance, Dad?" It was Van, standing beside them.

"Your wife is all yours, son."

Kumawala siya sa ama na yumuko at hinalikan siya sa noo, bago siya nito ini-abot sa kaniyang asawa. Bago umalis ay hinawakan ng daddy niya sa isang balikat si Van, at sa garalgal na tinig ay,

"Please make my baby girl the happiest in the world, Van."

Tumango si Van, at sa tinig na punung-puno ng pangako ay sumagot, "You can count on it, Dad."

Nang maiwan silang dalawa sa dance floor ay nakangisi siyang hinarap ng asawa bago siya nito hinapit at hinalikan sa pisngi. "This isn't a dream, is it?"

Tumingala siya at ngingitian ito. "No, it isn't. Pero kahit ako ay hindi makapaniwala."

"I know—this feels like a dream. Are you really my wife now?"

"I am, Van. And I can't wait to spend the rest of my life with you."

Yumuko ito at dinampian siya ng banayad na halik sa mga labi. It was soft and brief, and yet it brought heat all over her body. Laging ganoon ang pakiramdam niya sa tuwing hahalikan siya nito. Tila may init na gustong kumawala sa kaniyang kaloob-looban. Init na hindi niya maipaliwanag, init na kay Van lamang niya nararamdaman.

"Have I told you how stunning you look today?" he said after the kiss. Ang mga tingin nito'y tila yumayakap sa buo niyang pagkatao. His eyes were full of emotions—emotions that were always there since the day he said he loved her.

"No, hindi mo pa sinasabi," she said with a chuckle. "Pero kahit hindi mo sabihin ay malinaw kong nakikita sa mga mata mo. Crush na crush mo talaga ako, ano?"

He grinned sheepishly. "You can tell?"

"Siyempre—kasi I feel the same." Muli siyang napahagikhik. "Ang cheesy nating dalawa, 'no?"

Van just smiled and said nothing. Muli itong yumuko at hinalikan siya—and this time, his kiss was a little bit longer than the first one. Kusang tumaas ang mga kamay niya sa leeg ng asawa, habang ang mga kamay naman nitong nasa kaniyang bewang ay humigpit upang hapitin pa siyang lalo.

The heat came back, and it made her shiver. Ang kaniyang puso'y mabilis at malakas na tumibok, at naramdaman iyon ni Van kaya dahan-dahan nitong tinapos ang halik at bahagyang lumayo.

"Why does your heart beat so fast every time I kissed you?" nasa tinig nito ang panunukto, ang isang sulok ng labi ay nakaangat at ang mga mata'y tila sumasayaw sa pagka-aliw sa kaniya. She knew he was teasing her, and she couldn't help but blush.

"It's because of you," she admitted. "My heart is racing every time you're near me. I am so in love with you."

Ngumiti ito at inayos ang buhok niyang pinalid ng hangin. Matapos iyon ay muli siya nitong hinapit at mahigpit na niyakap.

"Are you excited about our trip to Thailand?"

"Of course—ito ang unang beses na lalabas ako ng bansa, tapos ay kasama pa kita."

"At ito ang unang beses na masosolo kita, I can't wait."

Nagtayuan ang mga balahibo niya sa batok nang halikan siya nito sa balikat. Ang init mula sa mga labi nito'y tila dumikit sa kaniyang balat at gumapang hanggang sa ibaba ng kaniyang puson. Inihilig niya ang ulo sa dibdib ng asawa saka ipinikit ang mga mata.

They danced in the tune of a romantic ballad song, and while the music played, she listened to her husband's heartbeat.

Husband...

She could not believe that she's now Mrs. Van Dominic Loudd. Parang kahapon lang nang magkakilala sila.

"Do you still remember the day we first met?" she asked while her eyes still closed.

"Of course," he answered while kissing the side of her neck.

"Were you already attracted to me when you first laid your eyes on me?"

Naramdaman niya ang pagngiti nito sa ibabaw ng kaniyang balat, kasunod ng pag-angat ng ulo nito at ang paghalik sa kaniyang noo.

"I thought you're an interesting lady; awayin mo ba naman ako habang inaagaw sa akin ang cake na binili ko?"

She giggled.

Van continued, "I thought you were interesting that when you left, I suddenly felt like something was missing. I knew I wanted to see you again, so I rushed and followed you. Kaya lang ay mabilis kang nakaalis at hindi na kita inabutan. But fate must have wanted us to be in each other's lives because when I took a U-turn, I saw you again-- waiting on the side of the road. And right there and then, I knew I wasn't going to let you go."

She opened her eyes and looked up, meeting her husband's gaze. She smiled and said,

"I love you, Van. And I promise that no matter what, I won't let go. Kahit anong pagsubok pa ang dumating sa atin, I will never let go."

But it was easier said than done. Because no one had ever prepared her for the challenges that she and Van would be facing soon...