"SOME abuse the power to choose by making selfish choices in the expense of others. I used to be that person too, that's why I understand them. My selfisness almost made me lose a friend. But once others had a taste of going through the consequences of their selfish choices and having to make such a choice, I know, they'll understand me someday.

"I made it through unscatched, through dangers untold, and through secrets unveiled. I survived them all for love, for Renante, for me, for our families, and my happiness. And it is not just because surviving them is the only way. You see, I can always run away. I did once, but in the end, I chose to stay.

"I chose to stay because people we love have their good days and bad days. Because the people we love do not always perform their best in a relationship. That's why no matter how many challenges I have to go through, I will never be shaken. I will always stand on my ground. I will always have confidence in myself, that no matter what the results are . . . I'll make it through.

"I am sure that, like all of you, I don't always make the right choice. But ever since I've learned to stop selfish choices, I can already sleep well at night knowing that the choice I made is out of good intentions.

"There is power in running away. There is power in choosing to stay. But the true power lies in following-through the choices you've made and taking accountability on what comes out of it.

"So, choosing to marry Renante is not just the only choice I have. It is, instead, symbolic of my commitment to love him as long as we live, no matter what we go through, and to have faith in us . . . to have faith that whatever happens, we will make it through."

Stacey lifted her eyes to meet Renante's loving gaze. Memorizing the wedding vow she wrote for this very special day was hard, but so worth it. She wrote and rewrote it, making sure that she would not miss a single word to avoid misinterpretation. To let him know exactly how she feels and what she thinks in this blessed day of their holy matrimony. She wanted to memorize it so that she can keep reminding it to him at any occasion. And it was worth it, because she could see how her feelings was genuinely felt by him.

His eyes were filmed with tears, but none of them fell. It was as if they were held up in place by the upward curve of his soft smile. She had to hold her breath or she might faint at how he looked so dashing in his black suit with pinned lavender on the chest, brushed back jet-black hair, and heart-tugging handsomeness. She returned her eyes at his hand, carefully placed facing down to her palm. With a trembling hand, she carefully slipped the ring on his finger.

Then, it was his turn. Renante flipped her hand to place it gently over his palm. She felt his gentle reassuring squeeze on her hand before he lifted the wedding ring he was holding—a smaller one made of gold band and studded with one shiny diamond.

"I remember that day, when I asked you if do you want to walk the aisle with me."

Pinanlakihan niya ito ng mga mata. Tandang-tanda niya kasi iyon! At alam na alam niya kung ano ang kinahinatnan ng tanong na iyon ni Renante.

Tila nagpipigil naman ang lalaki matawa bago nagpatuloy. "You said yes, while I replied that, I cannot walk down the aisle. You looked sad but have been very calm and understanding about it. And then, I suddenly laughed and explained that I cannot walk down the aisle, because I am going to drive through it. Because you know, I am on a wheel chair."

Narinig nila ang mahinang tawanan mula sa mga dumalo sa kanilang kasal.

Pinigilan naman ni Stacey mapalo sa braso si Renante. Gusto niya kasing awatin ito sa mga corny nitong biro. Napigilan naman niya ang sarili na mapalo ito, pero hindi ang kanyang bibig. "Ang corny mo."

"Corny, pero tawa ka nang tawa noon."

Tawanan na naman. Namumula ang mukha na napalingon tuloy si Stacey sa mga dumalo.

She only saw familiar faces on the church seats—her friends and their partners. Not only her friends in Manila were present, but also those who lives in Rizal. Artemia was present too. Her father could not make it but will catch up in the next few days.. Renante's parents. The VVatch employees. But even if they are few, she's happy because she chose them to attend here. Now they are dressed in white barongs with purple slacks, and lavender dresses. And she chose them not because they are the only choices she has, but because they meant so much to her as much as she meant so much to them. The church where they chose to marry was so old it outlived the Spanish era of the Philippines, made of stacked gray stones and restorationed altar of gold pillars—the Sta. Ursula Church. Lavender flowers adorned the place, because these sweet flowers symbolize something that their love story is abundant of—memories.

Samantala, nanatili sa kanya ang mga mata ni Renante. He adored the way her face was slightly tinged with soft pink. He could see her clearly despite the white veil over her head that cascaded down to cover her up to her chest. Stacey looked like a beautiful rain of snow tinged with a rose because of her sweet red lips, her short white-blonde dyed hair clipped on both sides of her head with glittering white-diamond studded butterfly clips, her wedding gown in mermaid style and tube, sweetheart neckline that embraced her body as perfectly as the way Renante embraced her for who she truly is.

Unlike her, his vow was unrehearsed. No scripts were written and memorized. For once, Renante is just going to say whatever he wanted to say and not play safe about it. Why would he even need to play safe? He knows deep inside that the truth in his vow is beautiful—that truth is that his vow is spoke out of true love.

The very sight of her is really so breathtaking, Renante had to sigh to remember to breathe again. His wistful sigh made her turn to look at him again.

"You see, Stacey . . ."

She smiled, encouraging him to go on.

". . . no matter what happens, in the end, I'll be bringing you here in front of this altar and commit myself to you. Even if I can't walk, I'll ride down the aisle, and even crawl, just to bless our togetherness because you have waited so long. How long you have waited will never be matched by how long I waited for you reach the altar when you walked the aisle earlier.

I am glad we took the time. I am glad we respected each other's pacing. Years of knowing you showed me why I love you, and your growth showed me that there's a lot more to love about you.

I am glad that I am in love with you. I didn't even have to hesitate in declaring this. I even have the confidence that I'll never run out of ways and reasons to love you no matter what we go through. Because I did not choose you for being the only choice for me. I chose you because you're the one I want to live the rest of my life with!

And that will be the same with our married life.

No one will get left behind again.No one will run away again.

We will take our time. We will walk along each other's pace.

And I'll always be happy, because each day I'll keep on loving you."

Their eyes locked in a moment immeasurable. Their hearts and breathing seemed to stop. Understanding dawned in their eyes that their feelings are mutual—a balance of passion and pure love. Of understanding and excitement to get to know each other some more. Of desire and peace.

Bumalik lang si Stacey sa reyalidad, sa pagkatamis-tamis na reyalidad, nang bumaba ang tingin ni Renante para isuot sa kanya ang wedding ring.

After the priest declared them husband and wife, they tugged each other's hands to pull each other closer at the same time. They chuckled at the coincidence, before Renante immediately unveiled her and pressed his lips against hers. She leaned to him, pressing her lips on his' too.

She closed her eyes and listened to the deafening thundering of her heart that remixed with the applause of their loved ones.

***

AFTER the wedding and reception, Renante already removed his crutches. Pag-upo sa wheel chair, itinulak ito ni Ronaldo hanggang sa marating nila ang Presidential suite na nakatalaga para sa kanila na bagong kasal. Si Stacey naman ay nakasuot pa rin ng puti pero hindi na ito isang wedding gown. It was a white puffed sleeved mini dress with scrunched design on the chest part and printed lavender flowers that tightly hugged her figure.

Stacey turned to her father-in-law. "I'll take it from here po," she smiled.

Ronaldo, who was impeccably dressed in his white barong and lavender slacks, nodded and stepped away from the handles of the wheel chair. "Please, be gentle with my son."

Muntik nang masamid si Renante sa narinig. Pigil naman ni Stacey ang mapabunghalit ng tawa.

"I cannot promise that, Dad. My agenda tonight is to give him the best honeymoon. A honeymoon so good it will make him walk again."

Nagtawanan sila ni Ronaldo. Si Renante naman ay nangingiti na napayuko lang ng ulo. Napailing-iling pa siya dahil sa pinag-uusapan ng dalawa.

"Stacey!" habol sa kanila ni Artemia.

Disgusto suddenly crossed in Ronaldo's eyes. But he made a promise to him, so he had been true to that. He granted the two of them a polite smile.

"I'll get going. Congratulations to you two."

Inihilig ni Stacey ang ulo at matamis na ngumiti rito. "Thank you po, Dad."

Nang ilipat ni Ronaldo ang tingin sa kanya, magalang na tumango si Renante rito.

Ronaldo walked to the opposite of the aisle, to avoid crossing paths withArtemia. Nakaalis na ang tatay niya nang makalapit sa kanila si Artemia. Siyang litaw mula sa kabilang-dulo ng pasilyo na pinanggalingan nito si Luz. Katulad ni Artemia, suot pa rin nito ang lavender pencil skirt at button down, long sleeved blouse.

"I'm sorry to disturb, my lovely bride," beso ni Artemia sa kanya. Then, she bent down to kiss Renante's cheek too. "My dashing groom." She stood straight and resumed. "This will be quick."

Hinarap ni Stacey ang wheel chair niya sa nanay nito. Saktong katabi na ni Artemia si Luz.

"What are you doing?" naiirita man pero maaliwalas ang mukha ni Luz nang itanong iyon.

"Asking them,of course!"

"What ask them? Let's settle with my idea first! Hindi iyong papipiliin mo pa sila sa ating dalawa!"

Tumaas ang isang kilay ni Artemia. "They deserve to have choices!"

"You'll just give them a hard time! They don't have the heart to break our hearts," Luz' face softened.

Artemia waved a hand and shook her head dismissively. "Nonsense. Palibhasa mahilig ka makipag-argue."

"Makipag-argue? Ikaw nga itong nagpapasimula ng away?"

"Hold on, hold on," taas ni Stacey ng dalawang kamay para pakalmahin ang dalawa. Both of them smiled uncertainly at the two. Kinakabahan kasi sila sa pinagtatalunan ng dalawa. "What's going on?"

Artemia clasped her hands hopefully. Meanwhile, Luz just sighed, looked away, and shook her head gently.

"Ito kasi iyon." Sinulyapan pa ni Artemia si Luz bago ibinalik ang tingin sa kanila. "Napag-usapan namin ang magiging mga apo namin. Kapag lalaki, we agreed to suggest that you'll name the child Roderrick, because, you know, Ronald and Derrick? His grandfathers? Right?" Nilingon uli nito si Luz. Napipilitang tumango si Luz at hinarap na uli sila kahit tila nawawalan ito ng gana sa diskusyon na ito. "Now, if it's a girl. Ang pangit naman kung Artemia Luz ang ipapangalan. So obvious na galing sa name naming dalawa. I mean, the child should have a name that makes you instantly think of that child, not their grandparents. Na kahit nakuha ang namesa grandparents,hindi dapat obvious iyon, hindi ba? At hindi naman magandang i-combine ang name namin. Luzemia? Luarte? Never! Right?"

"Just get straight to the point, Artemia," malumanay na wika rito ni Luz. Mukhang medyo nababagot na rin ito kahit ang amo-amo ng mukha.

Artemia glared at her. "Heto na nga, 'di ba?" Ibinalik nito ang tingin sa kanila. "So, I suggest, let's name the baby girl Artemis."

"Mas maganda kung Lucy," singit ni Luz sa mahinang boses.

Nagkatinginan silang dalawa ni Stacey. Pareho silang naguguluhan sa dalawang babae. Samantala, nakaabang naman ang umaasang mga mata ng mga ito sa kanila.

"Lucy is so plain. So common. Put her in a classroom, and when someone calls her, three girls will be standing up from their chairs," lingon ni Artemia sa kasama.

Dismayadong napailing si Luz. "Artemia is too much work. One, two . . . Ang daming letters! Mahihirapan magsulat iyong bata."

"Kailan mo pa naging concern iyan? Pumayag ka nga sa Roderrick na ipapangalan kapag lalaki iyong apo natin!"

Napangiti na lang silang dalawa ni Stacey. Then, his wife gave her a look. She was encouraging him to speak to the two women. Sinunod naman niya ang pakiusap nito.

"Mom, and . . . Mom."

Napalingon ang nagtatalong mga babae sa kanya. Renante managed a calm, polite smile.

"Artemis and Lucy are both lovely names. Really. They're lovely it is so hard to choose between the two. It might take us more than a week to decide which one to pick. Lalo na ngayon na imbes nakagawa na kaming baby e, nasa hallway pa rin kami."

Nagkatinginan ang dalawang babae. Hindi malaman ng mga ito kung mangingiti o ano.

Renante continued. "Why don't we talk about that some other time? How about next month?"

Nagkatinginan ang dalawang babae. Unang naging defensive si Luz. "Of course, we are not rushing you! Nasa table kasi kami ni Artemia kanina, we are finally talking civilly to each other. Napunta ang topic sa magiging mga apo namin sa inyong dalawa, so . . ."

Sumingit bigla ang isa. "There's no rush! There's no rush!" nahihiyang ngiti sa kanila ni Artemia habang kinakaway ang dalawang kamay nito.

Renante stole a glance at Stacey and saw her smiling at him proudly. It was as if her eyes were telling him that he did great at handling their mothers' argument.

Biglang iniwas ni Stacey ang tingin sa kanya. Nagtaka tuloy siya.

"Dad?" usal nito.

Napunta tuloy ang tingin nilang lahat sa lalaking palapit sa kanila—si Derrick.

Artemia's eyes widened at the very sight of him—tall, bald, and fashionably clad in his signature navy blue mix and match clothing. His hands were stuffed in the pockets of his fitting pants. He was too covered because of his long-sleeved turtle neck shirt.

"I thought you won't be able to come today . . ."

"Luckily, I found a flight schedule that can bring me here on this exact date," seryoso nitong tugon. Hindi man nakangiti, maaliwalas naman ang mukha nito. He turned to Artemia. "Hi, Artemia."

The shock was evident on Artemia's face, nasiko pa tuloy ito ni Luz. "Hi raw."

"Oo, narinig ko," defensive nitong saway sa katabi.

***

RENANTE was already in his red silk robe when Stacey arrived in their hotel suite. Nadatnan niya na nasa table set ito katabi ng sliding door patungo sa balkonahe ng kuwarto. He was eating from the charcuterie board. Nakaupo na ito sa electric wheel chair nito at hindi gamit ang crutches na ginamit kanina para makatayo sa simbahan.

"Where's Ronnie?" tanong niya agad dito pagkasara ng pinto. Si Ronnie kasi ang nag-asikaso kay Renante habang nasa function hall ng hotel si Stacey para kumustahin saglit ang kadarating lang na ama.

Renante spun his wheel chair to face her direction before going to her. "He already left as soon as my food got served here."

Stacey sat on the side of the bed and smiled at him. "Tired?"

He got close to her and opened his palm to offer what's in it—a few pieces of cold grapes. She smiled as she took one and popped it in her mouth.

"Happy, but yes, tired. How about you?"

She cocked her head to the side and stared at him admiringly. He looked so hot in his shiny, red silk robe, especially when the silk slightly parted in the middle to give her a peek of his hard chest. He still had his brushed-back hairstyle on, but a few strands fell on the sides of his forehead. His smile was weary, but his eyes were lively like a dancing flame.

"Tired too. Happy too." Inabot niya ang paa para tanggalin ang puting high heels na suot. As soon as she dropped them on the carpeted floor, she was overcame with relief.

"Give me one of your feet," Renante offered.

Nangingiting itinaas niya ang isang paa. Renante used the joystick to roll back his wheel chair a little. Nang tumugma na ang distansiya nito sa abot ng kanyang paa, ini-lock nito sa kinapupuwestuhan ang upuan. Then, he held her right foot and gently placed it on his lap.

Halos naka-tiptoe naman ang isa pang paa ni Stacey sa sahig habang pinapanood ang marahang pagmasahe ng lalaki sa kanyang paa.

"Damn. I applaud you for being able to stand in those heels for hours," he murmured softly while his eyes were focused on her foot.

Mahina siyang tumawa.Narinig niya sa bahagyang paggaspang ng kanyang boses kung gaano siya kapagod. "Thank you, my husband."

That made him pause. It was as if, he still could not believe that their dream already came true two years after that airplane tragedy. Dahan-dahang nag-angat ng tingin si Renante sa kanya. Malamlam ang mga mata nito. His smile was soft.

"I love you, my wife," he said, then shyly looked down quickly. He resumed massaging her foot.

"I love you too . . ." Inikot nito ang paa niya na bahagyang ikinagulat niya. "Ahh!"

He stopped and looked at her with worry. "Masakit?"

She bit her lower lip. When she realized she just overreacted, a grin slowly tugged from the right corner of her lips. "Nagulat lang ako."

He smiled in relief. Mahina pa itong natawa bago nagpatuloy. Pagkatapos, ang kabilang paa naman niya ang pinaabot nito para masahehin.

"Let's try it again."

Natulala siya saglit kay Renante bago naapuhap ang sasabihin. "Try what?"

She held her heart still. Nababasa ni Stacey ang tumatakbo sa isip ng kanyang asawa pero may mabuti na magmula sa sarili nitong bibig ang kumpirmasyon.

"Having a baby."

Her heart raced.

Napayuko uli si Renante na hindi pa rin tumitigil sa pagmasahe sa kanyang paa. "Well, if you want to. Kung ayaw mo naman, okay lang sa akin."

Damang-dama niya ang pag-iinit ng sariling mga pisngi. "Akala ko ba, tired ka?"

"Kaya ko pa naman umisang round. Mas masarap ang tulog kapag pagod na pagod, 'di ba?" pilyong ngisi nito sa kanya.

Pabiro niyang inalis ang paa sa pagkakahawak ng lalaki para umaktong sisipain ito kahit hindi naman. Magaan naman itong natawa sa ginawa niya. Ibinaba niya sa sahig ang paa.

"If you don't want a baby. We can still fuck. Magko-condom ako," pakikipag-negotiate pa ng magaling na lalaki.

"Tomorrow na!" panlalaki niya ng mga mata rito. "For now, let's rest!"

If only Renante knew! How tiring it was from co-organizing a wedding up to the very last minute of entertaining guests at the wedding reception!

Pabiro itong ngumuso para magkunwari na disappointed.

"Come here," tango niya rito.

He moved his wheel chair close to her. Inalalayan niya si Renante para makaupo ito sa gilid ng kama. Pero nang mapaupo niya ito, tumalilis ang palda ng suot nitong roba. Her eyes widened in shock when his hardened cock was exposed.

She swallowed and glared at him. "You . . ."

He smirked and shrugged.

She sighed wistfully and smiled. "Thank you for massaging my feet. We may not fuck tonight but . . . I can massage you in return," she said sultry as their faces drew inch by inch closer to each other.

Nang magtama ang mga mata nila, nakahawak na ang kanyang kamay sa pagkalalaki nito. Their gazes stayed locked as she stroke him slowly up, up, up, then down, down, down. Slow at first and gaining momentum and speed as the seconds pass by. She witnessed the change her touch could give him: his member warmed against the heat of her palm and fingers that wrapped around its thickness, his eyes turned from sharp into dreamy and hazed by hot desire, his lips slightly parted in his poor attempt to restrain the moans that vibrated against his throat anyway.

He was already heaving heavily and groaning when Stacey closed in their distance and claimed his lips.

This time, their kiss tastes much sweeter.

THE END