Kapitel 24: The Last Chapter

Matt stepped out of the groom's room. Tapos na siyang ayusan and they are all just waiting for the ceremony to start. Kasunod niya si JV. Nasalubong nila si Wallen sa paglabas. May dala itong basket of corsages na ikakabit sa mga groomsmen. "Are you done?" tanong ni Wallen. "Hindi pa sila tapos," sagot ni Matt. "Labas muna kami, magulo pa sa loob eh," ani naman ni JV. "Teka," awat ni Wallen sa pag-alis nila. "Put this on first, para di ko na kayo hanapin mamaya." Wallen pinned the corsage in their suit. Bahagya pang inayos nito ang balikat nila. They headed to the garden. The church was atop the hill kaya't tanaw ang paligid sa kinaroroonan nila. It was the highlands kaya medyo maginaw. JV remained standing while Matt sat on the bench. They were at the edge of the cliff. "Are you ok?" tanong ni JV. Bahagyang nilingon ito ni Matt. Napangiti. "You mean if I'm moving on?" ani Matt. JV and Matt are the closest among the Warrior Five. Matt may be the youngest but he was JV's confidante. "It's been four months Matt. Tapos na ang grace period for moving on," ani JV. "Let me just remind you, brother, before Alli said yes, dumaan ka din sa phase na 'to," nakangiting sabi ni Matt. "We told you gagawan namin ng paraan but you said 'if she's happy let her be, I no longer care.'" Ginaya pa ni JV ang tono ni Matt as he said Matt's words. Ngumiwi lang si Matt and looked away. Itinukod ang siko sa mga tuhod and stared at the wide range of the overlooking mountain. "I'd be lying if I say that I have moved on. I did not. I'm still waiting. Kahit isipin kong she won't come back, I will still wait. But I am fine. Kaya ko pang umattend ng kasal niyo ni Alli next year." JV walked towards him, reached for his back, and tapped it. Assuring his presence anuman ang pagdaanan nito. "I know weddings are painful for you, kaya hahayaan na muna kita rito. We'll call you if we will start," ani JV na iniwan na siya. He stayed at the bench looking afar. He's thankful for his friends na naging supportive sa pagdadalamhati niya. He always preferred to be alone lately. But he always tries to move on. Medyo mahirap since nakikita niya ang mga kaibigan niyang masaya sa lovelife ng mga ito. He was thinking seriously for a moment nang may umupo sa tabi niya. The girl was dressed in white, all beautiful and smiling. But her smile seemed to be mocking in Matt's eyes. He looked away as if walang pakialam sa babaeng tumabi sa kaniya. It was Via. "That's not very welcoming," anito in a smiling voice and a teasing look. "You're friends said you will be happy to see me." "I'd be happy if you were true..." sagot ni Matt. Nangunot ang noo ni Via but she was grinning from ear to ear. "Sanay na ko. I'd been thinking a lot about you kaya siguro kahit aparisyon pinipilit ko na lang sa sarili ko. But it will be more painful when I wake up in this dream. Then you're not there," ani Matt. "I'm what?!" natatawang turan ni Via. Tila pinaghihinalaan siya ni Matt as an imagination. Hindi niya napigil na matawa. Matt stood up. "Laugh all you want. But it's my best friends wedding, wag ka muna manggulo sa isip ko," ani Matt as he walked away. Napatanga si Via. Hindi makapaniwala sa inakto ni Matt. Tila siya napikon or na-amuse sa inakto ni Matt. "Kakaiba yun ah! Siraulo ka, Aguimatt! You'll see," bulong niya sa sarili na naiiling-iling. She head back sa bride's room. "What happened?" excited na bungad ni Elai. "He thinks I'm not real," kwento niya. "Naiimagine niya lang ako." The girls laughed. "For real?" ani Alli na nanlalaki pa ang mata. "Yeah. He said something like it will be harder for him when he wakes up from a dream and I'm not there. I may be wearing white pero buhay na buhay pa naman ako," turan ni Via. The girls keep laughing. "Matt must've been hit harder than everyone else," ani Wallen. "He could've been the worst," dagdag naman ni Terrenz. "What should I do then?" tanong ni Via in an almost desperate tone. "Well, this is Elai's wedding, we don't want to overshadow her on her special day. So we'll deal with Matt later. For the meantime, wag ka na muna magpakita sa kaniya," ani Terrenz. Napangiwi-ngiwi si Via. "I'm good with that. I'm sorry Elai if I can't attend the ceremony. But I'll stay here," ani Via looking at Elai. "No worries, my new best friend. Masyado kang maganda para umattend ng kasal ko. Ayokong masapawan mo," ani Elai as she half hugged Via. They've decided what to do with Matt later. The wedding runs smoothly. Bukod sa maluha-luhang wedding vows ni Thor, it was a very beautiful wedding all in all. Nagtuloy ang reception sa malawak na venue ng palace garden. JV, Matt, and Red were inside the men's room freshening up when Buboy came in. "We have a problem," bungad nito. "The wedding singer bailed, nagka-sore throat." "Does Elai knows?" tanong ni Matt "Alli is keeping her busy. But we have to do something quickly," turan ni Buboy. "Any options?" ani Red. "I know someone who can help us, but we need someone to keep the show going," turan ni JV. And as if thinking in one mind, the three looked at Matt. "What?" Matt asked with one eyebrow raised. "Comm'on, dude! Entertain the crowd, play a song or whatever. We all know na ikaw ang talented sa'ting lima," Turan ni Red as he pulled Matt saka inakbayan palabas. Napailing na lang si Matt. Sumenyas pa si Red sa dalawa as if sinasabing siya na bahala kay Matt, they should know what to do. Mabilis namang tumalima ang dalawa papunta sa bride's room kung saan nagpapahinga si Via. Halos patakbo nilang tinungo ang kwarto and rushingly went inside. Via was watching a movie. Nagulat ito nang pumasok ang dalawa. "We need your help," mabilis na sabi ni Buboy. "The wedding singer bailed, I heard," ani Via. "Terrenz told me. It has been resolved," she said as if it was a no-brainer problem. "You know, I really like your wives. They're quick-witted. They make the world easier to bear." Nagkatinginan na lang si Buboy and JV. Saka umiling. "It's as if you're too close already. Hindi ka ba dumaan sa initiation rites?" biro ni JV. "I think I am exempted," sakay naman ni Via sa biro ng dalawa. "Huh! That's what you thought. But you have to be prepared. Walang exemption sa warrior five elite," ani Buboy. "Why are you here? Wala ba kayong role sa party?" ani naman ni Via. "Well, we were asked to do something sa wedding singer problem. Naunahan na pala kami," ani JV na tumayo naman na. "But we must get back to the party." "Ikaw, hindi pa ba lalabas?" tanong ni Buboy na lumingon din kay Via. Tila nagtatanong kung bakit nagtatago pa din ito. "Your friend still thinks I'm just a figment of his imagination. I don't want to make a scene," sagot ni Via. Naningkit ang mata ni JV as if an idea sparked in his head. "We are Warrior Five, making a scene is our middle name. I have an idea. Comm'on." Via looked at the two, somewhat hesitated but JV insisted by pulling her up from sitting. They headed out to the reception area. Masyadong maraming tao kaya't halos hindi na rin sila napapansin sa likod. Matt was at the piano, performing. May kinontak na silang wedding singer na magpeperform later. But Matt is doing ok in covering up for a while. He was really good at it. Via can't help but be mesmerized once again. Like the first time, he saw Matt playing the piano in the theatre hall. It's as if that's the first time she fell in love with Matt. She watched him handsomely playing the instrument. Nakatuon ang buong atensyon niya kay Matt. Not knowing people are actually looking at her. May mga nasurpresa to see Via at the party. She was a celebrity after all. Matt wasn't looking at the crowd but he felt something was off. Inangat niya ang ulo and slightly scanned the crowd. He saw Via staring at him, smiling. Panandaliang sinalubong niya ang tingin nito saka inirapan ito. He still thinks he's imagining it. "Oh My!!" biglang bulalas ng emcee. "Is that you, Ms. Via Alustre?" Natigilan bigla si Matt. He stopped playing. Napalingon siya sa emcee with a surprised look saka muling lumingon kay Via. Tila naman na alimpungatan si Via. Napalingon siya sa paligid as everyone stared at her. She shyly smile and waved hello to everyone. Tila nahiya siya sa pagbati sa kaniya. Matt stood up with the expression of disbelief. Hindi naalis ang titig sa kaniya. He hurriedly went towards her and as if waking up from a dream, he held Via's hand. Sinisigurong hindi siya aparisyon lang. Via was embarassed. Nahiya siya sa paghawak ni Matt sa kaniya. Matt held her face and to her surprise, he kissed her! Matt kissed her intensely na hindi siya nakahumang. Nagulat man hindi naman niya magawang itulak si Matt. He was kissing her with so much passion stating how much he have missed her. The people were surprised as well. There were silent jeers from their friends. While the other guests ay tila naman mixed emotions. May mga nagulat, kinilig and di makapaniwala. But everyone's attention was on them. The cameras are starting to get more scoop that's why JV intervened. "Ok! We all know that was sweet and... cringey," he said the last word with a little lower volume. "But, this is not about them. Comm'on everyone, Let's celebrate Elai and Thor's wedding!" Humarap ito sa dalawa. They stopped kissing. Via was apologetic to JV while Matt was still staring at Via. Hinampas ni JV ang balikat ng kaibigan. "Get a room, you nut head! Eeksena ka pa talaga!" pabulong na sabi nito saka sila tinaboy palabas. Via was laughing as Matt held her hand palabas ng reception venue. Halos pagtulukan sila ni JV palabas ng venue. Red and Buboy took care of the crowd. Mabilis siyang hinila ni Matt palayo sa reception hall and pumasok sa isang silid. No one was there. Matt locked the door. Lumapit din ito agad sa kaniya and before she could say anything else, Matt was kissing her again. Paulit-ulit. Palalim ng palalim. Halatado ang pananabik. He even hugged her from her waist and lifted her up. She couldn't help but to respond. Napakapit siya ng mahigpit sa batok nito as she wrapped her thighs around Matt. They were kising intensely. Naramdaman niya ang pagdikit ng likod niya sa pader. Matt had the chance to pin her tightly. Hindi siya pinakakawalan nito. Halos maubusan na sila nang hininga when Matt pulled his lips to hers. Nanatili sila sa ganung posisyon. Their foreheads sticking with each other, magkalapit ang mga mukha, slightly closed eyes. They seemed to be controlling the urge to go further. They are in somewhat public event. Baka may makakita sa kanila. "Please say something," ani Matt not opening his eyes. "I'm scared to open my eyes and wake up from a dream." Siya ang unang dumilat. Napangiti siya nang makita ang reaction ng mukha ni Matt. He was handsome and longing. Tila wala itong pride na itago ang pananabik sa kaniya. She gave him a sweet smacking kiss. "You're safe. You can open your eyes. Hindi ako mawawala," she said jokingly. Matt slowly opened his eyes and stared at her. "It's not actually funny for you to think of me as a figment of an imagination. It's as if I'm dead and hindi na ko babalik," she said. Matt smiled. "You're real?" Hinampas niya ito. "Ofcourse, I'm real! Kanina pa ko totoo sa garden, pero nilayasan mo ko." "I'm sorry," natatawang sabi ni Matt. "Ilang buwan na kong naghihintay sayo. I was really frustrated. Hindi ko na alam kung ano yung imahinasyon at totoo." "I said I am going to fix my life before I come back. Ba't nagmamadali ka?" ani Via. Ngumiwi si Matt. "I guess I don't have the assurance that you'll come back to me. I am somewhat insecure. I have never felt like this in any way before. Natakot ako masaktan. I tried to stay calm and move forward but I was deeply in love with you. Kung di mo ko ginayuma, baka sobrang effective yung padasal mo sa mga madre ng Sta. Clarita. Hulog na hulog ako sayo." She laughed. "I have so many plus points sa langit. Minaximized ko yun to make sure na hihintayin mo ko. I know for the fact, na nag-iisa lang ang Aguimatt Aragon. Ayokong maagawan." Matt was so happy with what she joked about. He kissed her one more time. "I love you so much, Alvianna Alustre. I can never let you go," Matt said wholeheartedly. Tila isinusumpa nitong ibibigin siya na walang kapantay. "I have fixed my life for you, Matt. So when I came back I have no baggage. I want to be yours pure and true. I love you so much." They sealed the vows with a sweet kiss. When Matt's kisses deepened again, si Via na ang pumiglas. "We have to stop. This is not the right place. And it's our friends wedding, masyadong ma-eksena." Matt pouted but oblige. He took a deep breath saka ibinaba si Via and left a soft kiss on her for the last time. "I messed up your lipstick. But you're just too indulging," ani Matt na bahagya nang lumayo sa kaniya. "You go back to the reception, and I'll fix myself first. I'll meet you there." "That's not going to happen. I'll come with you. The last time I heard that, I waited eternity. Hindi na ko maghihintay ng kahit isang segundo." Hinawakan siya nito sa kamay and pulled her out towards the hallway. Via was amused. "Ang OA ng eternity mo, 4 months lang yun!" aniya na natatawa. They were still conversing habang palabas. "I don't know if I can still wait for 2 years to marry you. JV's wedding is scheduled for next year. And we have this rule of sukob. So I have to wait for a year after JV's wedding," kwento ni Matt. "I heard that from Alli earlier. But I have an idea, we can do group weddings sa Vegas like some kind of a game. Our friends can do something like a renewal of vows. Even if it's like a joke, it's legal and binding. It may just be legal sa Vegas but it will be satisfying for now." Lumapad ang ngiti ni Matt. "That's brilliant! We'll go to Vegas tonight. I'll tell the guys." Via laughed hard. "Agad-agad? I'm popular there. People will talk." "Talk all they want. After JV's wedding we'll marry again 10x more. Kahit saang lupalop ng mundo ipaparehistro ko ang kasal natin!" turan ni Matt. "So that's what your assurance would look like?" ani Via still laughing. Sunod-sunod ang tango ni Matt tila seryoso ito sa tinuran. "Ok. But uulitin ko lang, hindi ako marunong magluto," ani Via. Matt smirk. "Then learn it. Mag-enroll ka sa cooking class ni Chef Ramsy." Via laughed harder. They went on together and headed toward their forever...