You might get sick with what you are wearing!" the statement was more of a command than a concern.

Tumalima lang si Willow. She's happy sa pinapakitang concern ni Miguel pero again kinain na naman siya ng lungkot nung maalalang ikakasal na si Miguel in a few hours.

"I'm getting married in a few hours kaya ipapahatid na lang kita sa driver ok. Join me for breakfast first before you go."

"It's ok Miguel. I'm going na. I'm not used to eating breakfast."

Kibit balikat lang ang isinagot ni Miguel at nag-intercom na ito sa driver. Pagkalapag nito ng telepono ay sinabihan na siya nito na nasa baba na ang maghahatid sa kanya.

"Miguel..."

"Yes?"

Tinakbo ni Willow ang espasyong nasa pagitan nila and she threw herself to Miguel and gave him the most passionate kiss she can.

Nashock man si Miguel pero di rin ito nagresist. Infact nadala pa ito pero nung maalala ay sitwasyon ay kusa itong bumitaw kay Willow.

"Thank you for the wonderful night Miguel. I sincerely love you but I guess things are not meant to happened. Thank you for the memory." At mabilis na nilisan ni Willow ang kwarto ni Miguel dahil nagbabadya na naman ang mga luhan sa kanyang mga mata.

That statement left Miguel stunned and speechless.

Chapter 27:

Ilang oras na lang she will be Mrs. Miguel Enriquez. Pero bakit parang mabigat pa rin sa loob niya ang alalahaning iyon.

Ayaw niyang gumising. Ayaw niyang tumayo sa kama. Parang mas gusto niyang humilata na lang at magtalukbong sa ilalim ng kumot.

"Sana everything is just a dream. Sana bangungut na lang itong lahat. If only I could turn back the time, I would have wanted to go back 10 years ago to make things right." Sigaw ng isip ni Mariel.

"Rise and shine Sunshine!" sigaw ni Mommy Cha sa kanya habang hinawi nito ang kurtina ng kwarto niya sa hotel kung saan siya nakatira.

Dinampot din nito ang laylayan ng comforter at hinawi ito para masinagan ng init si Mariel na dali-daling tinakpan ang mukha.

"Hoy Bruha gumising ka na! Nandyan na yung magmamake-up sa'yo sa labas."

Pero di pa rin tumalima si Mariel kaya umupo na si Mommy Cha gilid ng kama at hinablot nito ang unan na nakatakip sa mukha niya.

Namangha ito nung makitang magang-maga ang kanyang mga mata.

"Oh my goodness Mariel! What have you done? Sumingkit na yung mata mo sa kakaiyak! Ano bah!" paghihisterya ni Mommy Cha.

Mabagal na bumangon at umupo si Mariel and took her cellphone to check on the time. She also checked her text and was looking for familiar text messages.

Marami pa rin siyang text galing kay Simon na may temang pareho nung mga pinadala nito ilang araw ang nakalipas. Pero two days na at wala pa rin siyang text na natatangap kay Miguel. But she kept it to herself at ni isa ay wala siyang sinabihan.

"Hala sige maligo ka na at ng mamake-upan ka na. Bilis!"

Pero parang tinatamad pa ring kumilos si Mariel kaya hinatak na siya ni Mommy Cha para maligo.

What happened next is like whirlwind. Ang bilis. Mabilis siyang namake-upan na siyang paghihimutok ng kanyang make-up artist kasi sobrang maga ang kanyang mga mata. Di nito naiwasang mag comment sa hitsura niya.

"Ano ba naman yan Te. Sobra ka bang kinakabahan sa kasal mo at di ka nakatulog. Bakit kasi iyak ka ng iyak. Ayan tuloy major major maga ang eyes mo! Hay nako!"

"Echoserang frog naman ang isang to. Eh sa excited kaya di makatulog ang bride natin. Hala sige ayusan mo yan ng maayos." Ikot matang sambit ni Mommy Cha. Feeling niya talaga na siya ang nanay kaya todo asikaso siya nito.

Pagkatapos nitong na make-up ay sumunod na ang pictorial. Medyo nahirapan ang photographer on capturing her emotions pero they have been so patient with her.

"This is it!" Ang sigaw ng isip ni Mariel nung finally ay nakagown na siya. She's wearing a beautiful gown with a fully beaded long bodice in serpentine train in off-white. She looks like a princess and a goddess in her gown.

Her family was teary-eyed and in awe to see her dresses finally in her wedding gown. She was able to the act of pretentions when she was with her family.

Papasok na ang sinakyan niyang kotse sa simbahan nung sabihin ni Mariel sa sarili na "Good-bye Simon. I love you... I still do..." and she sniff para mapigilan ang luha.

Chapter 28:

"Bakit kaya ang tagal?" medyo nababahala na si Mariel dahil nakalipas na ang labing limang minuto ay di pa rin siya pinalabas sa kotse.

Naputol ang pag-iisip ni Mariel nung kumatok si Mommy Cha sa kanyang bintana.

"Mommy Cha, di pa ba mag-uumpisa?"

"Can I come in?"

Medyo kinakabahan si Mariel sa nangyayari.

"Naaksidente kaya si Miguel? Ano kaya ang nangyari?" pag-aalala ng utak ni Mariel.

"What's wrong Mommy Cha? Di pa ba tayo mag-uumpisa?"

Bumuntunghininga muna si Mommy Cha bago nagsalita.

"Mariel, huminahon ka lang ha. May problema lang. I think this letter will give you the answer. Basahin mo muna and dito lang ako sa labas." At lumabas na si Mommy Cha to give her privacy. Maging ang driver ng sasakyan ay lumabas din.

Nanginginig ang kamay na binuksan ang brown envelope at nakita niya duon na may tila plane ticket at isang white envelope na tantiya niya ay sulat. Nagmamadaling binuksan ni Mariel ang puting sobre at di nga siya nagkamali at isang sulat ang laman niyon. Sulat galing kay Miguel.

Dear Mariel,

When I asked you why you are marrying me and you answered because it was the right thing to do, that was the sign I was looking for.

I have been thinking a lot. My mind is telling me to go on with the wedding but my heart is telling me otherwise. I kept convincing myself to follow my mind but someone seems to be always whispering in my mind not to go on with it.

You're one of the best thing that happened in my life Mariel and I truly love you. I love you very much that why I'm finally letting you go. I cannot afford to see you trapped in marriage that it's the mind that deciding it to happen. Follow what your heart tells you Mariel.

By the way, I am having doubts if you're really coming to this wedding but I am sparing you from whatever burden this will cost us. I want to be the one to be blame of a no-show so that you'll be spared from all questions and doubts.

Enclose is a one way ticket to the US. Go follow your dreams. Fulfill what you have wished for 10 years ago. Don't worry about me, I'll be fine. All of us will be fine.

I will never forget you. You will always have a special place in my heart Mariel.

With Love,

Miguel

Hilam na sa luha si Mariel but at the same time she's smiling and finally she felt free. Dali-dali niyang tinawag ang driver at si Mommy Cha.

"Yes Mam?"

"Hatid mo ako sa bahay please." Nakangiting sambit niya.

"Ano yun Mariel?" tanong naman ni Mommy Cha.

"Mommy Cha, I'm free! Halika samahan mo ako sa bahay to get my stuff. I'm flying to the US tonight." Nakangiting sambit niya pero ganun pa man ay may mga luhang lumalandas sa kanyang mga mata.

"Ha? Paano ang wedding? Paano ang mga..."

"Bahala na sila dun. Call the coordinators and I'll talk to them. Oh my God Mommy Cha, napakabuting tao talaga ni Miguel. Siya pa ang hindi sumipot talaga para hindi ang lalabas na masama or may problema. He gave me a one-way ticket to the US to join Simon. I'm leaving tonight Mommy Cha. I'm finally gonna fulfill my dreams with Simon!"

"Ha? Ang gulo niyo talagang dalawa. Sinayang niyo lang ang mga ginastos!" ikot mata si Mommy Cha but deep inside her, she's truly happy for Mariel.

Mommy Cha was the one who talked to the coordinator and at inilahad niya sa mga ito ang nangyayari at binigyan ng instruction ang mga ito na padiretsuhin pa rin sa reception ang mga bisita at ipagpatuloy pa rin ang pagkain.

Mariel was able to talk to her parents at inamin na rin niya na muli silang nagkita ni Simon at aalis na siya para puntahan si Simon. Medyo nagprotesta ng konti ang parents niya pero hindi na ilanintala ni Mariel iyon at mabilis na nagliligpit ng gamit.

After 5 hours ay lulan na siya ng isang eroplano papuntang US to be with the man of her dreams.

Chapter 29:

Twelve hours of non-stop flight plus 1 hour of processing, finally nakalabas na ng San Francisco airport si Mariel.

Hindi na niya kailangan pang hanapin dahil tumambad na sa kanyang paningin ang lalaking kanyang sinisinta.

He's wearing faded jeans, vans shoes and a dark purple hoodie. But what caught her eyes was the placard he his holding.

Napansinghap si Mariel sa nasaksihan. She can't believed that he can really do such a thing.

"Will you marry me Bee?" ang nakapaskel sa placards na hawak ni Simon.

She couldn't care less kung sino ang mga taong nandun. She dropped all her bags and the cart she's pushing and run to Simon and gave him a big hug.

And Simon did what was expected. Lumuhod siya sa harap ni Mariel at binuksan ang bitbit na maliit na box and showed her the exact replica of the ring he gave her 10 years ago but the stone is way much bigger.

Muling napasinghap si Mariel sa nakita and she smiled and quickly said yes. Dali-daling tumayo si Simon and cupped her face and gave her a kiss that she gladly responded. Kung sa pelikula pa ay parang umiikot ng 360 ang eksena. Lahat ng angulo kitang kita.

Palakpakan, hiyawan at whistle ng mga taong nandun ang nagpabalik sa magsing-irog sa huwisyo.

They cannot contain their happiness. She cannot help it but she's so happy to be with Simon right now. She can't stop staring at her new engagement ring.

"Bee, this is so nice. I never thought you're going to do this. Na bibigyan mo ako ng bago."

"Consider this my renewal of my commitment to you Bee. The previous ring was way too small for you."

Muling niyakap ni Mariel ang kasintahan at mabilis na nilang nilisan ang lugar na iyon.

Dalawang linggo lang ang hinintay nilang dalawa para sa preparasyon ng kanilang kasal at ito na sila ngayon sa isang chapel sa Las Vegas.

They had a simple and very intimate wedding with only their families and closest friends are there to witness it.

Mariel is wearing a beautiful body fitting gown with a ball gown while Simon is wearing a tuxedo and a purple bowtie.

They rest of the members of the entourage are wearing different shades of purple. From the flowergirls to the maid-of-honor. All these creation are made by no other than Mariel's maid-of-honor and confidante, Mommy Cha na hindi mapigil ang pag-iyak. Tumutulo ang luha habang di naman mapawi ang mga ngiti sa kanyang mga labi.

"Hoy ano ka ba, bakit para kang baliw ah. Tumutulo ang luha mo pero nakangiti ka naman." Natatawang sambit ni Mariel nung makita ang reaction ng kaibigan.

"Walang pakialamanan! Buhay ko to! Hala sige, magmartsa ka na bilis!" sagot naman nito.

Pero hindi talaga mapigilan ni Mariel ang humagikhik sa sinapit ng kaibigan kaya hawak niya ang tiyan na sumasakit na sa kakatawa.

Napipikon na si Mommy Cha sa ginagawa ni Mariel kaya binantaan niya ito.

"Pag ikaw di titigil sa kakahagikhik mo diyan, ako ang magpapakasal kay Simon! Gusto mo ha? Gusto mo? Palit na tayo. Ikaw na ang maid-of-honor at ako na magbride! Akin na nga yang belo mo! Akin na!" At inilahad pa nito ang kamay na kunyari hihingin talaga ang belo niyal.

But Mariel pushed her para mauna na itong maglakad as maid-of-honor at binelatan ito at sinabihang "In your dreams Sister!" and she winked at her.

"Simon and Mariel, you may now say your vows."

Hawak kamay sila at magkaharap sa isa't isa when they said their individual vows. Nauna si Simon.

"Bee, 10 years! 10 long years that I am dreaming and wishing for this day to finally come. I was on verge of losing hope of fulfilling that dream until destiny brought us back together. It seems that you can't really teach your heart to beat on a different direction because it will always find it way home. And I am home. You are my home. You are my life then and now and for always. I love you very much Bee and I am looking forward of spending my life with from this day forward.

Like Mommy Cha, ganun na rin ang naging reaction ni Mariel nung marinig ang vows ni Simon. Umiiyak na nakangiti.

"Mariel, may we hear your vows please."

"Bee, I never thought that this day would come. I never thought that I will be standing here before you. I never thought that what I am praying for will be heard finally. But indeed it is true that if you just believe, everything will fall into places. I'm glad I did!

From this day forward, for better or for worse, I'll be by your side to help you build the family we have dreamt of 10 years ago. I love you very much Bee and I can never thank God enough for bringing you back into my life. No matter how complicated the obstacles were."

"By the power vested upon me, I pronounce you Simon and Mariel, husband and wife! Simon, you may now kiss your bride."

And they sealed their union with a kiss.

Chapter 30:

Tahimik ang gabi at tanging tunog lang ng mga alon ang naririnig. Tumayo si Miguel sa higaan at pumunta sa balcony. Nakasandal siya sa sliding door ng hahang nakatitig lang sa labas ng balkonahe.

Nakapajama lang si Miguel pero hubad baro sa pang-itaas. Bumuntunghininga siya at tila may malalim na iniisip.

Naputol ang kanyang pagmumunimuni nung tumunog ang cellphone. Kinuha niya ang cellphone at isa isang tiningnan ang messages na natanggap. Actually tatlo ang messages na iyon.

The first message came from Celine.

"Hi Kuya, I'm ok here. I like this place. I might consider staying here. Philip is still with me and he's taking care of me. Don't worry too much about me ok. Love you."

He sighed when he remembered what happened to her sister after the break-up. Honestly, he wanted to kill Simon that time but naisip din niya sa kalaunan ang sitwasyon ng kapatid. Magiging maligaya kaya ito sa piling ni Simon na iba naman ang itinitibok ng puso. He thinks now that he made the right decision of asking Philip to take his sister to a place na malayo sa kanila. To a place where she can relax and can simply forget about what happened to her.

Then he read the second message and it came from Mariel. Medyo nag-aalangan si Miguel kung babasahin ba niya o hindi. Pero nanaig pa rin ang kuryosidad niya na alamin kung ano ang nilalaman ng text nito.

"Hi Miguel. I don't really know how to start but before anything else, allow me to say thank you. Thank you for being nice, understanding and giving. Truly, you have a good heart and you're really a good person. Please find it in your heart to forgive me for all the troubles I've caused you. I don't really mean to hurt you but I think I was destined to be with Simon. We just got married yesterday and honestly Miguel, I'm really happy and you are part of that happiness dahil sa pagpaparaya mo. We can never thank you enough. I hope we can still be friends like we used to be. God bless you Miguel and I will pray that you'll find someone who deserves you."

Napangiti siya sa text na iyon ni Mariel. Muling siyang bumuntunghininga na para bang natanggal siya ng isang tinik sa kanyang puso. Without battling an eyelash, he sent his reply to her text.

"Hi Mariel, congrats to you and Simon. Don't worry, all is forgiven now. I sincerely wish you both happiness. And thank you for the wonderful memories. Don't worry, we are friends before we became lovers and I intent to keep it that way. Take care of each other."

Ang pinakahuli niyang binasa ay ang text galing kay Simon.

"Miguel, before anything else, my apologies for what happened. I hope someday, you can find it in your heart to forgive us. We didn't mean it to happened but then again it did. You're a good man for giving up your happiness and with that I am very grateful. Again, thank you so much."

"No problem Man. Just take care of her." Ganun lang kaiksi ang sinagot niya kay Simon.

Matapos niyang sagutin ang mga text ay bumalik na siya sa kama at muling humiga. He turned to his side at matamang tinititigan ang babaeng kaharap na payapang natutulog. Natutukso siyang bigyan ito ng halik. She looked pretty pag ganito ang kanyang ayos.

May mga mumunting hibla ng buhok ang tumabing sa mukha nito kaya inayos niya iyon para wala ng sagabal sa kanyang view. Kumilos ang katabi kaya para siyang napasong inilayo ang mga daliri dito but then again he still can't resist on the urge of touching her. Of giving her a kiss. And so he did.

Naalimpungtanan ang babae sa ginawa niya pero di pa rin nito binuka ang mga mata. She just moved closer to him na tila ba isang pusa na sumiksik sa pagtulog. Ang init at lambot ng katawan ng katabi ay nagpapabuhay ng kanyang katawang lupa kaya di na siya nag-aksaya ng panahon at isikatuparan ang pagpapawi ng init na nadarama.

Muling silang nakatulog na magkayap na lagi nilang ginagawa sa dalawang linggo ng nakalipas. Ganun na ang naging set-up nina Miguel at Willow na matapos di natuloy ang pagdaos ng kasal nina Miguel at Mariel ay siya namang pag-move in ni Willow sa bahay ni Miguel.

Nagsasama sila ng walang basbas ng matrimonya dahil sa puntong ito ay hindi na naniniwala sa kasal si Miguel and Willow is taking her chances on Miguel in any way she can.

Abangan ang kwento nina Miguel at Willow sa...

STATUS: IT'S COMPLICATED