Chapter 8

"Let me fix your bowtie, honey. It's a little crooked," Mom said as she pulled me closer to her to fix my bowtie. She made a little adjustment and patted it. And when she thought it's perfect, she left it alone. "That'll be fine, you should always look perfect." Mom smiled.

Always look perfect but never look normal.

But I shouldn't dwell on all my problems for today's event. Ayokong maging pasakit-ulo sa kanila—or it's what they think I do. Millarca made me promise not to do anything but to be at her wedding and I gladly obeyed her demand. I mean, this is her special day and I wouldn't want to ruin it just because of my internal conflicts—which people still don't really bother.

"Wait," I spoke and stopped. My parents turned to look at me. "I need to get my other device in case this runs out of battery," I said pointing the device to my ear.

Tumango naman si Mom sa akin. "Sure, we'll wait for you in the lobby."

They walked away and then headed downstairs. Bumalik naman ako sa loob ng kwarto ko at kinuha ang isa kong device sa pouch na nasa loob ng isa kong maleta. Nang makuha ko ang device ay nilagay ko iyon sa loob ng aking coat. And in case I would really need it, hindi na ako mahihirapan. I don't want to make this day horrible because of me, and putting my parents' attention at me is the last thing I want for today's event.

Before I walked out of the room, tiningnan ko muna ang sarili ko sa salamin. I wore a tailored one button black tuxedo, pants, and leather shoes from high-end sponsors of Millarca and Weston. I noticed that the bowtie came a little crooked again so I decided to take it off and put it in my pocket. I think no one will notice and that's fine. Their eyes should be on the bride and the groom, not on the impaired one.

I left the room and headed to the lobby where my parents and the other guests are waiting. Some smiled at me and I gave them a little smile, too. Of course, I don't want to ignore these people. Millarca gave a hardcore list of what I shouldn't do at her wedding.

For about six months, Millarca and Weston have been busy with all the preparations. Minsan naabutan kong tulog si Millarca sa living room because sometimes she's the only one who's handling all the preparations. Ewan ko ba kay Weston na palaging absent kapag may kakausapin silang organizers but I think my sister did a good job on it. She wanted to have a church wedding but because she fantasizes to have a beach wedding, our parents made it come true for her. And I thought, why not? If it's going to make her day more special, she should do it.

"Are all families and guests here?" The lead organizer joined us in the lobby. May hawak siyang clipboard sa kanyang kamay. I guess, all the things she needed were jotted down on it. "Please, follow me to the ceremony area."

We all followed the lead organizer out of the premises then we walked through the path stones and directed us to the front beach of Punta Bunga Beach where we found all the arranged seats and the altar in the center. White roses are all around the place, I guess it was Millarca's idea. She's fond of roses, especially the pure one.

Millarca and Weston found Shangri La Boracay as a good spot for their wedding and reception. I think they didn't make the wrong choice out of it because of how gorgeous and private this place is. The white sand and clear blue water are such a fine theme for this wedding. It already screams luxurious and dreamy for everyone. I guess I would do the same thing when it's my wedding but will that day ever come for me?

I guess I'm only experiencing weddings with my friends and families. And that's fine. I'm not even rushing to it. But I wanted to have someone and I guess that'll be hard for my situation.

As we all settled down on our seats, we're all just waiting for the groom and then the bride for the ceremony to start.

Quarter to three, before the wedding ceremony starts, Weston came in with an exceptional entrance.

Weston came in to the event place riding on a motor boat. Every one of us watched him. Napapailing na lang ako dahil sa sobrang pabibo ng lalaking 'to. Nagpalakpakan ang mga tao nang huminto ang motorboat sa buhanginan at bumaba si Weston mula roon. He fixed and brushed his hair up dahil gumulo iyon dahil sa lakas ng hampas ng hangin na sumasapul sa kanya. Bakit hindi pa siya nilipad ng tuluyan?

He's wearing a pearly-white tuxedo with a line of the black collar around and a pair of black pants. He has a black bow tie which I don't find very... good looking. He's average, I believe so. I just don't know what my sister found in this man but I guess, she found something that I don't, he must be that so special to her.

"He's crazy for putting up that show," I signed.

My Mom chuckled and hit me on my leg to stop her giggling. "Don't say that, Kai. He's gonna be your brother-in-law."

I smirked and shook my head.

Weston walked in our direction and he greeted and hugged his parents and then mine. Of course, he gave me a bro hug which I'll be getting a lot from now on.

"Good luck, Weston." I patted his shoulder.

He took a deep breath and nodded, "Yeah, thank you, Kai. I appreciate that. And I hope your sister won't bail on me."

I chuckled. "Sure she won't."

When Weston stood on his position and finally settled to wait for his bride, all were certain that this would be the wedding of the year. This is a very much private wedding and only close friends and families are invited. I really thought they would carry out thousands of guests but it became intimate which my parents loved, too. Maybe they can do it again when they aspire to do a church wedding back in Manila.

When the lead organizer made a quick announcement that the bride will come in a minute, everyone became quiet and we could only hear the waves—which is ironic, we can hear the same things but once I remove my device, I will be left out.

A moment later, when an instrumental band played the music, our heads immediately shifted at the back and I saw my sister walking down the aisle. All of us stood up from our seats and watched her walk on the stone path leading to her soon to be husband.

Bahagya akong napatingin kay Weston and he's starting to tear up. I don't know if it's just a show or something real out of it. Napakabilit balikat na lang din ako at binalik ko ang atensyon sa kapatid ko.

Millarca looked in our direction. I smiled and she knows how happy I am for her. She wears a white long-sleeve backless high slit gown. I mean, she looks perfect in it. It's her dream to wear something memorable for her special day and this is the day for her to remember for her whole life. But I don't know if she belongs to the right man... to the right husband and father of her children.

When she finally met him at the altar, the ceremony started. I put attention to it, nakikinig lang din ako sa mga nagyayari but my mind kept swaying to the birds flying above us and then the splashes of waves on the shore. Bumalik lang din ang atensyon ko sa kanila nang magsimula na silang magpalitan ng vows at napapakunot-noo na lang ako sa sinasabi ni Weston. In fact, I don't believe everything he said even though he's getting emotional. Kahit ibuhos niya pa ang ilang balde ng luha iyon, that wouldn't make me sway away to the fact that he's cheating on my sister.

My sister just won't hear me out. She thinks I'm crazy for speculating that idea.

The wedding ceremony quickly ended, I guess, for me.

After the ceremony, nagkaroon muna ng ilang photoshoots bago tumungo sa reception. The family and friends took a group picture with her and Weston. Their wedding is beautiful and romantic pero hindi pa rin talaga ako panatag kay Weston. Kahit dalawang taon ko na siyang kilala, ngayon pa lang lumalabas ang tunay niyang pakay kay Millarca and we will see how this will all go.

Matapos ang napakaraming photoshoots, they lead us straight into the luxurious outdoor reception. It is still near the beach and I couldn't be more excited to end this day on my hotel bed. Nauna kaming lahat sa reception and I think Millarca and Weston will have a grand entrance.

Unti-unti na ring lumulubog ang araw. I will appreciate the sunset on this kind of view. Good thing we still have a day before we return to Manila so we can still enjoy the place. I think the other guests will be leaving tomorrow morning so they have to enjoy the night.

When we're settled in our tables, the Foyers' and the Johnson's joined the same table while some of our relatives and guests are scattered around on their round tables. We were also told if we want to change our clothes so we'll be able to move around the place easily and comfortably. Some did change from their dresses for a quick moment and came back with light dresses, some men did, too, pero nanatili ako sa tuxedo.

I wanna stood out, ayokong napag-iiwanan.

The event in the reception started as Millarca and Weston arrived. Everyone was happy to celebrate the new chapter of their life. I'm happy that my sister's happy, I'll give that to her but if Weston hurts her, magkakaroon agad ito ng instant blackeye.

Sa sobrang saya ng reception, unti-unti akong binalot na hindi ko maramdaman na kung ano. When no one's watching me, tumayo ako sa kinauupuan ko at wala namang pumansin sa akin hangga't sa makalabas ako ng reception area at naglakad papalayo mula sa reception at papalapit sa dagat.

Nakapamulsa ang mga kamay ko habang tinititigan ko ang papalubong na gintong araw. Huminga ako nang malalim at napadesisyonan kong lumapit pa sa tubig at saka ko hinubad ang suot kong sapatos at medyas. Pinakiramdaman ko ang tubig na sumalubong sa akin at umupo ako sa buhanginan. I took my phone out and posted it on my Instagram story with just a five second video of the sunset and the waves.

A moment later, nakatanggap ako ng message at agad ko namang binuksan 'yon.

It's Mackenzie.

Zie: Hey, that sunset is so beautiful! Where is that?

Me: Hey, Zie. It's in Boracay. My sister's wedding.

Zie: Oh wow! That's so cool! Say congratulations to her for me!

Me: I will. How are you, Zie?

Zie: I'm great. What about you?

Me: Same old, same old.

Zie: Well, I think you're doing better now. I've seen your photos of going to college. I'm so proud of you!

Me: Thanks, Zie. I can't wait to see you soon though.

Zie: Yeah, same. Anyway, enjoy the wedding, I'm going to meet Charleston.

"Kai?!" My head turned around when someone called me and when I saw who it was, it was my sister. "What are you doing here?"

"What are you doing here?" balik na tanong ko sa kanya. "You should be at your party."

"And you should be there, too," she countered. "Anong ginagawa mo rito?"

I shrugged off. "Nothing... you?"

"I was about to change my clothes. Nabibigatan na ako sa gown and then I saw you here. Ano na namang ginagawa mo? Why are you here alone?"

"Nothing..." I spoke. "I just want to appreciate the view." I signed.

She sighed, "C'mon Kai, you don't have to stay here alone. Join us there." She pulled me up at tumayo na rin ako. "Magpapalit lang ako ng damit ko. Doon ka sa reception pumunta ha. Enjoy it for me, Kai."

I smiled and nodded. "Sure..."

"So go on, go back there," aniya at tinulak na niya ako papunta sa direksyon kung nasaan ang outdoor reception.

"Anyway, my friend told me to say congratulations."

"Oooh," she swooned. "Who's that friend? I wanna know who's that friend, Kai. We'll talk about it." She giggled.

Millarca is someone who shielded me from the worst of my worst situation. Nandiyan siya palagi para sa akin. Even from my parents, kapag lagi nila akong sinisita na ako na naman ang mali, Millarca would step in kahit hindi naman siya kasali sa usapan, ipagtatanggol niya ako because she cares for me. And now that I care for her situation, hindi siya nakikinig sa akin. Millarca knows what's best for her and I hope she knows what I'm also talking about.

At night, the reception lit up. There are bulbs placed above us to light up the area, kahit gabi na ay maliwanag pa rin dahil sobra-sobrang pinaghandaan ang okasyong ito. I think Millarca even decided to give every guest a luxurious remembrance of their wedding. I don't know how she got to afford it, but I guess she has sponsored for it too.

I stayed in the corner, listening, laughing, and talking to some people and I'm trying my best not to stutter. I'm trying to improve my speaking communication so I don't have to gesture sign languages in the future but this is gonna be a long way for me. But working hard is pretty much what it takes to reach success in the end. I might not reach it today but I'll get there in time.

The night ended with fireworks that lit up the sky. How it shines itself from the darkness. Sana gano'n din sa totoong buhay. We'll always find the light at the end of the long, narrow dark pathway.

***

Six months after their wedding, Millarca filed an annulment to Weston. She caught him cheating face to face. She couldn't believe it and everything that I told her a few months ago--she just realized it now. She immediately regretted it. She didn't listen to me because she knows how faithful and loving Weston was, but his true colors came out when everything settled wilfully for Weston. She may not have a happy ending, but she proved to me that I'm right and she should've heard me out a long time ago.

People keep on underestimating me, maybe this is the reason why I am alive.

***

Hi! Thank you for reading! I hope you enjoy it and please let me know your thoughts! I would appreciate it so much!

Please use the hashtags #LMSChapter8 #LetMeHear8 on your tweets and mention me >>> @imjacobxoxo

Don't forget to read areyaysii and PrincessThirteen00 Chapter 8s.