It became Celine's habit to stare at her wedding ring ever since she got engaged. She still cannot believe it. He finally proposed! Dalawang buwan na mula noon pero nangingiti pa rin siya tuwing naaalala ang nangyari.

The engagement ring was not grand. Simple lang ang cut ng dyamante at hindi iyon kalakihan. Many have asked Kelvin why, since everyone thought that she'll get a big ring, knowing how extravagant Kelvin can be towards her.

Kelvin has asked her one time if she wanted a bigger ring. She said no, of course, not because she doesn't want to appear greedy, but because she thinks that the ring suits her just fine. If I would be a ring, I'd be this ring, were her exact words.

He told her that he was really looking for something expensive, somewhere between 10 and 20 carat, which would probably give her a heart attack kung malalaman niya kung magkano. But when he was already choosing, this one ring caught his attention. He ignored it at first because it wasn't what he was looking for, but he found himself looking at it again and again until he was convinced that it's the one he should buy.

"It reminded me of you," he added.

--

They'll be getting married next year. December sana ang plano, to give them more time to prepare, but Kelvin wanted a June wedding. Gusto nga nitong mas maaga pa. If he could push the wedding to happen that same year, he would, pero alam niyang hindi kaya. There are still so many things to do. Choosing a wedding dress is one of them.

Mahirap na kasing makahanap ng wedding gown kapag 6 months or less pa siya maghahanap. Bukod sa hindi niya alam kung ano ang gusto niya, may alterations pa iyong kasama. They can't rush that.

Kelvin's uncle, Vico, offered to have Mitch sketch a gown for her, kagaya ng offer nit okay Janelle, pero hindi rin naman niya alam kung anong hitsura ng gown ang gusto niya. She's not like Janelle who knows what she wants since she was little.

Saka malay ba naman niya sa yari, tabas at material na maganda at babagay para sa kanya.

That's something that she and Kelvin agreed on. He told her that he wanted her to experience dress shopping. Isang beses lang daw kasi siyang ikakasal, and choosing the wedding dress should be part of the experience.

Having this in mind, Kelvin told her that he made an appointment with Kleinfeld. It's a store in New York that specializes in wedding gowns. So they'd have to go to New York for her to try on some dresses. She didn't argue with him kahit ayaw niyang gumastos dahil mas excited pa ito sa kanya. Sasama raw ito sa paniningin niya ng damit.

As an extra treat, they'd also bring her mother and sister along, Janelle, Kelvin's mother, Kelvin's aunt, Red, and Vico.

Second week ng October sila umalis.

That was not her first time in a bridal store. She already shopped for Janelle's bridesmaid's dresses when she got married. But shopping for a wedding gown is very different from shopping for a bridesmaid's dress.

Unang-una, halos puro puti ang kulay ng mga gowns sa loob ng store. The consultants wear black, para contrast sa mga nagsusukat. Her bridal consultant greeted them with a smile and not at all shocked that she has a large entourage. Sanay na raw ito dahil dati, palaging crowded sa Kleinfeld dahil sa show ng store sa TLC. When the series Say Yes To The Dress ended, the chaos brought by throngs of fans also ended.

Debbie, her consultant, asked who she brought with her. She introduced them, one by one. Nalaman niyang normal na rin pala sa mga brides na kasama ang mapapangasawa sa pamimili. She's just not sure if she wants Kelvin there when she decides which gown to buy. She still wants him to be surprised.

"What kind of dresses are you looking for? Do you have any specific style in mind?" tanong nito.

She shook her head.

Nakakita na siya ng ilang dress, kanina pagpasok nila, na mukhang maganda. Pero iba pa rin kapag nasa hanger pa lang o mannequin ang damit. Hindi niya alam kung babagay ang mga iyon sa kanya. Hindi rin naman niya alam kung alin ang ipapa-pull out.

Mabuti na lamang at marunong sa ganoong bagay ang mga kasama niya.

It was Red who suggested letting her try on dresses with A-line skirts and sweetheart necklines first. Vico suggested ball gowns while Kylie asked for lace.

Debbie led her to the fitting room where she took off her clothes and put on a bathrobe provided there. Maya-maya, bumalik ito na may dalang tatlong dress.

"So I pulled these dresses with different cuts but with the same neckline, except for the mermaid dress, which is a V-neck. This one has a natural waist and the third has a dropped waist. Which one do you want to try on first?"

She pointed at the middle dress. Ball gown iyon at sakto ang waistline sa bewang niya. Nang maisuot ang gown ay inaya siya nito sa labas para ipakita sa mga kasama ang damit.

It was nerve-wracking to see Kelvin there. Parang lalo siyang na-pressure na pumili ng magandang damit. His smile lessened her nervousness a little.

Debbie made her stand on an escalated circle platform, in front of a huge mirror, and explained the details of the dress.

"This bodice is made out of lace with bead works all the way down your waist. And the skirt is a ball gown made of tulle with a sweep train. It's by Danielle Caprese and the price is—"

"Wait," Kelvin interrupted. "Don't tell her."

She frowned at him.

"Just keep on trying dresses. Don't mind the price."

"Baka kasi mamaya sobrang mahal na pala."

"It's okay. I want you to get the dress that you want, regardless of the cost. Baka kasi kapag alam mo kung magkano, hindi mo na kunin kahit gusting-gusto mo."

"Oo nga," Janelle agreed. She then turned to Debbie and said, "Can we try something else now?"

"Teka lang naman. Hindi nyo pa sinasabi kung maganda 'yong gown."

"It's too... dainty," Red commented, wrinkling her nose.

"it's nice, but underwhelming. Parang kulang sa wow factor," Janelle seconded.

Debbie led her back to the fitting room after the critique try the on mermaid dress. It was quiet uncomfortable because it's form-fitting. She felt bare. Tapos open back pa. And the flower on the shoulder is kinda off-putting. Nevertheless, she needed their opinion so she got out again and showed them the dress.

Kelvin was the only one who liked it.

"The flower's too cheesy," Vico told them.

"Saka parang magkaibang dress yung front and back. The back is beautiful though," kumento naman ni Kylie.

"Oo nga, ate," singit ni Rosalie. "Saka parang ayaw ni nanay nung kitang-kita ang likod."

Tumango ang nanay niya sa sinabi ng kapatid.

"I like the shape though," Kelvin said. "It shows off your figure."

The next one she tried on is sexier than the second one. It's a Pnina Tornai corset dress with a dropped waist and lace bodice. Medyo sheer yung upper part kaya kitang-kita ang katawan niya. Kelvin called it a honeymoon dress. Bagay daw sa honeymoon nila, but not for the ceremony.

Pagkatapos niya iyong sukatin, nagpaalam na si Kelvin dahil gusto pa rin daw naman nitong masurpresa sa araw ng kasal nila. He doesn't want to be there when she chooses the dress.

"I'll see you later." Hinalikan siya nito saka ito nagpaalam sa mga kasama. Siya naman ay dinalang muli ni Debbie sa fitting room para magsukat.

May tatlo pang natitirang dress sa hanger. Debbie pulled the one with a handkerchief-like hem. When she showed them the dress, they didn't like it because it makes her look shorter. Nilalamon daw siya ng panyo.

The next one is another Pnina Tornai dress. A-line naman ang skirt noon at may cap sleeves. Medyo body-hugging din iyon pero hindi kasing sexy ng mga nauna. Tamang-tama lamang para sa kanya. Hati ang judgment ng mga kasama. Her mother, Moira and Rosalie liked the dress. Vico, Red, Janelle and Kylie wanted her to try another one.

Pang-walo na yata iyon sa mga sinukat niya pero wala pa ring siyang nagugustuhan. Nothing's speaking to her. Hinihintay niya iyong moment na mararamdaman niyang iyon na 'yong gown para sa kanya.

"I hope this is it," Debbie told her. The gown has a dropped waist and sweetheart neckline. It's body-hugging up to her mid-thighs then it flares down. Chapel train daw ang tawag sa train noon, though she doesn't really see the difference from the other gowns.

She was pretty sure that she heard someone gasp when she went outside. The gown was light and she felt okay wearing it, pero hindi pa niya alam kung gustong-gusto niya ito. But seeing herself in the huge mirror, she felt quite emotional. And she can't help but think that that dress was the one.

When she turned around, she saw her mom's eyes moist with tears. Janelle and Kylie both have their thumbs up. Red and Vico are nodding in approval.

"Let's see it with the veil," they told Debbie.

Debbie asked for a veil and a beaded belt. Kasinghaba ng gown 'yong veil na may maliit na crystals na kumikinang kapag tinatamaan ng ilaw.

Inayos rin ng mga ito ang buhok niya tapos ay binigyan siya ng bouquet.

"Do you like it?" Debbie asked when everything's all set.

She nodded, unable to speak. Kapag nagsalita siya, baka mapadiretso ng iyak. Wearing the dress made her realize that she is indeed finally getting married.

She couldn't wait to walk down the aisle, knowing that he would surely love her more when he sees her wearing that dress.