章節 40: C40: Amethyst
[ Saturday, February 3 ]
I slowly turned around to see all the details of my gown made of tulle, organza, and satin. It has an A-line neckline with lace appliques, and the tulle has details of flowered patterns and beads in its lace which gave it a forestry look. Summer entered the mirror room and noticed my braided-updo hairstyle with some loosened curls that fall from my temples to the chin. She smiled in approval, and I never saw her warm smile like how she's doing now, which makes me think if she shows that kind of smile full of warmth, sincerity, and joy that can also be seen in her eyes to Shawn. If that's the case, he must be lucky.
"You should add this up," Summer put a silver tiara that she's holding, adorned with Turkish diaspore gemstones and fern charms, and placed it on my head. Seeing Summer put a tiara on my head makes me feel like someone who won a pageant and the winner last year handed her crown to me. Oh well, silly thoughts.
I touched the tiara to get a feel of it. "It's beautiful. You bought this?"
"Consider it as my gift to you. It's not really much for a gift."
"'It's not much,' you say? But it looks expensive! How much?" The design truly sparked my curiosity, as it is sparkling itself.
"Am I not supposed to tell how much that is?" she rolled her eyes and showed a playful smile.
"Since it's your day and you're asking, I'll answer it. It costs five digits."
My mouth threw open in shock. "You're joking. Who buys a tiara that costs that much? You're literally throwing away money."
"Isn't it a gift for my gorgeous little sister? It has to be special. I'm able to buy one and it's worth every penny." She winked. Summer turned me to face the mirror and our reflections can be seen in the mirror. She held my shoulders and grinned as if she's a proud mother for her daughter who's getting married.
"I can't say anything else, Amethyst. You look perfect."
"You're changing the topic. Anyways, we both know that that 'five digits' could've fed the street children. We both know that. And now that you have a boyfriend whose advocacy is to help poor people, especially children. If he'll find out that you spent that much for a tiara gift that's likely to be only worn once," I moved my face a bit closer to her as I whispered to her ear. "He'll be disappointed."
"Oh no, he won't," she shrugged. "If he'll do that, I'll tell him that he himself threw a lot of money just to break my heart and propose after. He prepared some serious drama, only if you know. I'll tell you all the details soon, but today, it's about you so, we should get moving. Vaughn's surely waiting and been worried sick."
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The clock struck at 6:30 pm. My bridal car arrived exactly in the garden venue as scheduled, and when I stepped out of the car, the flower girls began walking along the red-carpeted aisle and they dropped the flowers one by one as they headed in front, followed by the ring bearer and the Bible bearer. I smiled as I see Vaughn standing in front, his eyes on the verge of tears. Those tears are because of happiness, knowing how much we've been through all these years, especially him.
Up to this day, I admire how much he fought for us, knowing that my family is an elite while he's a commoner, and the social status difference made it hard to make everything legal. However, there's him who showed the courage that he loves me and he won't give up from my family's harsh criticisms. He proved himself that he's worthy of my love and even won my parents' trust.
Aside from the family drama, I also made it hard for him when I ran away to escape from him with the thought that I'm no longer willing to marry him.
I was a coward for running away. Yet, he didn't give up and still looked for me. He's been sick and has cancer, but that didn't stop him. I can't ask for anything more, because my weakness is his strength and I want to be filled with courage as he does. That if you want something, you'll do whatever it takes to have it because the hard work pays off later on.
I stepped onto the red carpet and crossed the metal arc adorned with vines that have flowers on them. As I walk, the guests stood up, all their eyes on me, some are even taking photos with their smartphones and cameras. Everyone's got smiles on their faces and I couldn't help but smile back.
Vaughn reached my hand as I reached the front and we both sat down in front of the reverend who began telling his sermon. According to him, there are three kinds of relationships. The paper clip, staple, and glue. At first, it had me thinking about the relevance of those, but apparently, he explained it one by one.
"Paperclip" relationships are the ones that have no fixed closure. If there are two papers with paper clips that tied on them, once the paper clip is pulled away, the two papers will be separated easily, which is what live-in people are like.
"Staple," on the other hand, binds two people with the law. If two papers are stapled and the staple gets removed – which he used as an illustration for divorce – the separation caused a little damage that will remain to both papers.
"Glue," lastly, are like two papers that are pasted together as a whole, making them become one piece. If those two papers will be separated, both will be destroyed. Which is why two people who are 'glued' together cannot be separated, for it'll damage the two of them. Unlike the paper clip and the staples, it damages the entire thing. Therefore, couples who decided to get married should take it seriously whatever happens, because one damage can affect both of them, and that makes a strong married life.
Both of us stood up for the exchanging of vows. I took a deep sigh and smiled, preparing myself to what I should say. I wrote it myself, but my heart won't stop beating like drum deep inside and I don't know why. Perhaps these are the mixed feelings of excitement, joy, and the things that I can't even enumerate.
"Vaughn Alcantara, you were my classmate, my best friend, my co-worker, my lover, and today, you'll be my husband. I cherish every day, every hour, every minute and every second of my life with you by my side. I respect you and I admire how courageous you've been all these years. You are my inspiration, and I will always love you – in sickness and in health, through sorrow and joy, for all the days of my life." Tears started flowing from my eyes as I mentioned the 'sickness and in health,' for I can't help but remember his cancer. That even though his tumor will be removed, it'll reoccur over time. I can't help but be afraid to lose him too soon, because his chances of living for more than five years, according to the doctor, can only be a miracle. However, I have made up my mind to be with him as long as I live. I took the golden ring and inserted it into his ring finger.
"It feels like yesterday when I met you – when the golden sun sent warmth in my heart. The wind blew hard and I stood still, yet no words came out. Amethyst, you taught me how to be strong. To stay strong to reach my dreams, however hard it may be. You're not just my beloved, but you're one of the greatest blessings that I received from the One above, and I can't thank God enough for this blessing. Not only this life but also, for you. I promise to love you in good times and in bad times, all the days of my life, 'till death do us part." Vaughn took the golden ring and inserted it in my ring finger and held my hands tightly, as if not to let me go.
For so long, I thought he's the one who taught me how to be courageous, yet he gave the credit to me. Just like him, for me, he's also a blessing in my life.
Vaughn and I smiled at each other, his eyes full of joy. He lifted my veil, held my cheek with his warm hand and our lips met in a gentle kiss. The crowd began clapping, and we broke apart to face everyone as husband and wife.
Sometimes, it makes me think – after everything that happened, I still couldn't measure how God blessed me so much. I thought everything was a wreck, but all of those made our story even more beautiful. Even though there had been lots of dramas, it made us stronger. If I didn't choose to live, forgive and forget, perhaps up to this day, my life is a mess. However, forgiveness is really the first step in healing. If I didn't forgive Vaughn and Sasha, none of these would've happened. If I didn't hear their sides, things will be all unfair. If I decided to leave Vaughn, who will help him when he need supports in his medical condition? Like what I learned, life isn't full of rainbows and sunshines. But God has a way to make things beautiful. I may have fears in me, still – but I know that as long as
I have faith and I'll keep believing that God has a plan, nothing is impossible. After all, the world and our lives are in His hands.
每周推薦票狀態
-- 推薦票
榜單 
-- 推薦票