He exhaled. It was totally obvious that he was tense. He got down on his knees, getting a velvet box from his pocket and opening it in front of me. And then he repeated the words, “Will you do the honor of making me the happiest nerd in the world?”
“Hmm...” I paused, looking at his bewildered expression. Letting out a suppressed grin, I added, “Of course, I'll do that.”
I saw him exhaled. I actually did. And it was funny. But at the same time, I found it sweet. Then he got up and I threw my arms around him. Carrying me and spinning me around, I repeated the word yes over and over again to him. As he was holding me tight, I had no idea how this night could be even better than this.
Putting me down, he smiled at me and planted a kiss on my forehead. “Thank you for saying yes.”
“What took you so long? A week of not hearing those words was torture,” I complained. It had been a week since we were officially together. I was not being overly demanding to be asking for a proposal within a week but I got this feeling that we had waited long enough for this moment to happen.
“Sorry for the long wait. It had been a crazy week for me,” he said, resting his forehead on mine.
“What's bothering you?” I worriedly asked.
“A lot of things. Do you mind getting married tomorrow?” he asked me.
I knew I should be utterly surprised that he was asking me to get married tomorrow but there was an edge in his voice that told me that he had a good reason why. “Did something happen? Why tomorrow?”
He looked straight into my eyes and told me, “My grandmother asked me to let her see our real wedding. I'm afraid time is already running out. I want her to see our wedding, even if...”
I grabbed his face and steadied it. He was shaking badly that I suddenly became scared of what he was about to say. Caressing his face I asked him, “John, can you tell me what happened to Dorothy?”
Tears started streaming down his cheeks. With trembling eyes, he tried to find his voice. Stuttering with the words, he told me, “Kaye... she's...”
“What happened?” I feared what he was about to say. I had this feeling that I knew what he was trying to keep from me. I felt it all and I hated every single thing that had told me I was right. For a moment, I wished that he wouldn't say a word about it. In fact, no words were needed. The scrutiny in his face told it all.
Closing my eyes and preventing the tears that were welling up from coming down, his voice confirmed what I had feared. “...gone.”
Chapter 27
You'll never know what you're searching for all your life, not until you find it.
I held back the tears as I stared at the lady behind the casket's glass. The lines on her face was more evident now that she was lying down as still as a rock. Beauty was still apparent on her face. And the years that she had gone through made it even better.
She was a remarkable woman. That one person that was hard to forget, especially in my case. After all, she was the one who made this day happen. If it wasn't for her insistence, we wouldn't end up like this today. And I was certain that if this day never happened, both of us would be losing more than half of our lives.
You'll never know what you’ve been missing all this while. The things you leave to regret. The moments that you have taken for granted. And the person you left behind but wished to meet again. Until that moment that he's finally back and he's finally here beside you once more.
We always thought that the perfect guy was the guy in our dreams—one perfect man who had no flaws, no weakness, and undeniably perfect. However, when you fell in love, you would realize that there were certain things that wouldn't matter anymore. There were certain rules you would eventually break. Standards would go as low as possible just so you could bend to who he was. You would soon forget everything that you wanted to have ever since you saw Cinderella in the television screen.
Love comes and it will do things that you can't imagine possible, things that you rather not do. And at times, it will bring you to places that you rather not be. Change you. One by one, the expectations fall off and you'll eventually learn how to accept. Little by little, the new definition of perfect suddenly becomes him.
Never in my twenty-eight years of existence had I ever imagined being wed in a funeral. But for the sake of Dorothy being physically present in our real wedding, I had agreed to this kind of arrangement. I realized that I didn't really need the perfect setting to marry the one I loved. All I needed was the perfect person to say that I do with. That by perfect, it meant that everyone who mattered to you was happy.
In a single, unexpected moment, you'll realize that maybe he's the one. And that he's right there beside you all along.
And he was here, right in this chapel and standing in front of the altar. I smiled feverishly as I saw the sight of him in his usual attire—the ever present tuxedo and tie. But today was somewhat special. He was extraordinarily handsome in my eyes. Taking one last peek through the white curtain that secluded the wedding from the funeral, I smiled as I realized the beauty of this moment.
I said farewell to Dorothy as I walked towards the red carpet, tracing the cold glass that held her inside once more. Although I wanted to hug her for the last time before the burial, Nate told us that she specifically ordered not to let anyone open her coffin at all cost. The reason for which, I hadn't got a clue. But she was insane enough through all the times we had spent together and adding another craziness to her last moments wasn't anything new.
My Dad stood beside me. After our explanation last night, no questions had been asked. My mom and dad were already aware that there was something wrong with the previous wedding. But it was Dorothy who told them that she had a plan. And the reason why they hadn't bothered me much after the wedding was because of that. Dorothy had a plan. She had that one brilliant plan in mind. In the end, her plan had succeeded. I felt sad that she wasn't here to see the end of it all.
Sometimes, you end up being so blind that you miss the one that is already in front of you. Taking one glance at the man and shaking your head before turning to the other.
I took a deep breath and let out a heavy sigh. Today would be the start of another phase of my life. Start the new me. I placed my trembling hands on my dad's arm and he gave me a light squeeze. I lifted my face to look at him. He smiled reassuringly. “Dad, thanks for everything.”
He leaned to me and whispered, “I really thought that you wouldn't be married at all. I'm more than happy about this day.”
“Right,” I replied, letting out a laugh. He was really bothered by the fact that none of my boyfriends stood true to their words.
He laughed with me and said, “Let's go now, princess. Your groom is waiting for you.”
I took another mouthful of air and nodded.
Smiling at me from up front, Sandy said, “I can't believe you're really marrying him.”
“I can't believe it either.”
“True. But from the start, I know that you guys have something.” She winked and added, “I'm happy for you, Kayla. And don't forget that you look beautiful today.”
“Thanks,” I muttered under my breath.
You become too preoccupied to realize that maybe he's the one that you've been frantically searching for all your life, the one that you have regarded as the least possible option.
The wedding march began and Sandy started walking down the aisle, holding the bundle of flowers in her hands. Dressed in a pastel gown with fitted bodice, she walked confidently as she announced with her presence the bride that would soon follow after.
Seeing that she was already near the altar, I lifted the skirt of my gown. Closing my eyes and savoring my last moment as Kayla Wilson, I exhaled once more. Dad motioned for us to get moving and I walked alongside him.
Dorothy's men-in-black opened the curtain and I was then revealed. I smiled at the sight of the congregation. The people who had attended could now be numbered with mine and John's fingers together. They were only a few compared
to our wedding before, but they were definitely more significant.
There were no businessmen, no paparazzi, and not even prominent people in this place. All of them were people we know. Those whom we had shared a fair amount of time with. The ones who broke our hearts. Who once mended it to break again. Who said that we would never be fitted with each other.
They were all here.
They were here to witness the said rules about dating and relationships were nothing but a bunch of lies. There were no rules to start with. In love, two people were equal from the start. None of them outshined the other.
You may never see the moment coming. But who knows what fate has in store for you? There will always be those few twists and several turns that will eventually lead you back to him.
Unexpectedly, Mr. Smith knew how to play the piano and he was the one putting the rhythm for the bride's march. On the other hand, the janitor whom I had offended before in the mall turned out to have a floral business. She was here and said her wishes to both of us. And she also added that she had already forgiven me even if she had scrubbed the dye on the sink all day long. Even the fortune teller was here. John brought all of them here. He brought everyone who had done a part in making us this way now.
It was surprise and I was really surprised. And even now, I was still surprised. The wedding invitations were passed out a week ago and the bride's name was the only one that had been missing. Well, last night, that part was already named.
Looking at the crowd, I said my thanks to them. The not-so-nice girls from high school all grew up to be somewhat better, almost. They gave me their fake smiles but I flashed a sincere one for them. After all, without their help, our story wouldn't be as beautiful as it was today. I learned a lot from them. That it wasn’t all about perfection and being as shining as those stars in those magazines. It was more of being yourself and finding people who would accept you as you were.
And being a little bit kinder if necessary and if it would make the world a better place.
It was as if destiny played its part by making you go through a few wrong corners before showing you the way back home. Teaching you lessons. Making you grow up. So when the time is right, you'll never have doubts anymore.
All my brothers were here and the youngest of them let out a wolf whistle when I passed. I looked at them intently and they all laughed. Yup, they were still my brothers and the fact that they all had been married and starting a family didn't mean that they would stop on teasing their one and only favorite sister.
My mom was crying beside them. I stopped from walking and held her in my arms. “Thanks, Mom, for everything.”
“I know you're in good hands now, dear,” she said back to me.
I couldn’t possibly disagree with that.
We continued walking and I then fixated my eyes on John. From this moment on, he would be my only one. He smiled as soon as our eyes met. But there was a hint of regret in his eyes and I was certain that I had that same look in mine. We both lost someone special. Grandma wasn't here to share this bliss with us.
In life, you won't appreciate a thing if you don't know its value. And sometimes, losing it will make you realize the worth that it has.
My dad gave out my hand to him. “Take care of her. She will be a pain to handle but she is worth it.”
“I will take care of her from this day on.”
As we turned to face the altar, I stared at his eyes and felt the world disappearing altogether. The tenderness in his gaze surely made my face as crimson as it could possibly be. He gently squeezed my hand and eyed me to say that we were still in the ceremony and the reverend was already waiting for us.
Flashing an apologetic smile, I shrugged off my shoulders.
He mouthed, ‘I know.’
We stood in front of the reverend as he opened the Bible in front of us. He read the words and the stillness of the gathering made his voice echoed across the room. Closing my eyes, I took it all in. Today, it was different. It was the overly romantics and also the bride and groom who were listening to every word.
When the reverend's words ended, John was handed the microphone. His voice then echoed across the hall as he began his vow, “I never loved you...”
The crowd gasp and I felt myself choke on my breath.
After seeing everyone's reaction, with a smirk, he continued, “Anymore than I love you now. And every day, I want to love you even more. The day that you appeared years ago, you changed everything, including my heart. I will never forget a second that we’ve spent together and every moment with you will be forever in my heart.”
“Even if I will be given the chance, I will never rewrite our story,” I said, holding tight the microphone in hand. “Every bits and pieces, every smile and tears that we had gone though brought us where we are now. It made our story perfect with flaws that added more life to every page. I never wanted any man other man. And with all my heart, I love you.”
“By the power vested in me,” the reverend continued, “I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may now kiss the bride.”
There was no duct tape in his hands or hesitations in his eyes. Everything was clear as daylight and this moment was sparkling bright on its own. He lifted the veil and held my face gently. And to make the moment even more heart stopping, he slowly leaned to me. I held on tightly to the bouquet of flower in my hands as his lips softly placed on mine, making me caught my breath every millisecond.
After almost a minute, a single and distinct clap was heard from the audience. Pulling away from each other, we both turned to where the sound came from. My eyes widened in shock at what I had seen. And slowly, everything started to blur. At my own wedding. My own real wedding. Losing my consciousness, I saw the darkness taking over as I fell down the ground with my groom catching me on time.
Well, not only losing it. What’s even better is having it again.
“Kayla,” I heard John's voice as he shook me lightly.
“Is she alright?” I tried to reckon where the voice came from. Maybe it was from the reverend.
“What happened to her?” asked my mother.
“Maybe she's pregnant,” my not-so-nice friends implicated in the most provoking voice.
“Skipped breakfast?” an innocent voice suggested.
“Look! She's opening her eyes,” another one said.
Opening my eyelids, I saw a bunch of people hovering around me from all sides. But as soon as I regained consciousness, the crowd split in half and proceeded to the reception area.
After some more talks and speculations. They weren’t that interested in me.
I looked around and met John's eyes. He carefully held my hand and that same look of bewilderment reflected in his stare. The sound of the clap continued as the room became empty and that figure dressed in two buttoned tailor jacket and pencil skirt appeared. Her eyes had the same spunk that she had before. And her every moment was solid yet faltering.
“A gh...ost,” I stuttered, staring at the figure.
“No, Kaye. She's...” he stopped with the words, still shaking his head in disbelief. “...alive.”
“Huh?” I exclaimed as I stolidly stared at him.
“It was all explained when you fainted,” said John.
“She's... alive?” I echoed back, just making sure that I heard him right.
He simply nodded and soon after Dorothy was beside us. Then I looked at her and questioned her myself as I said, “How?”
“Well,” Dorothy, supposedly, said as she motioned to Nate. Nate soon arrived at our side with a wheelchair in hand. Dorothy sat on it before she continued, “I never died. Well, not yet.”
“But...”
“I faked it, nothing new,” she winked.
“You faked—”
“It was all for show. And it's really hard staying still in that custom-made coffin, pretending not to hear a thing and all that,” she told me. “And Kayla, those words you said this morning were very touching.”
; “What?” I blinked. “I thought you were already...”
“Dead? Well, that can wait. I won't miss this kind of event, don't you think?” Disregarding the strangeness of it all, I got up and wrapped my arms around her. She patted me on the back and said, “A week is already a torture. Do you like my present?”
“True,” I said back to her, tears forming at the corner of my eyes. “That week of waiting was definitely a torture. Why did you ever have such a slow poke grandson?”
“But he's alright, ain't he?” she asked me, wiping away the tears in my eyes.
“More than alright,” I answered her.
Dorothy lifter her face and called John, “Hey son, you feeling left out?”
“I thought you were having some quality time. And Grandma, why did you lie to me?” he asked her. “Again?”
“You know, it’s just the same old schemes. You're really a slow poke. I don't know what will happen if I don't act for you,” she told him.
I laughed.
“It's only a week,” he defended.
“Too long,” said Dorothy.
And I agreed, pulling out a teasing smile. From this day on, there would be two who would torture him every day. And one for me. But I liked it this way. I’d rather have it this way.
Then she said, “I'll be resting now. Despite the aftermath, my surgery is not a fake. Meet me home when the two of you are finished with this wedding. And Kayla, I'm glad to have you in the family.”
“Me too,” I said to her, “Grandma.”
She smiled at me and despite the weird things she had done, I was thankful for the fact that she was alive. She bade us both goodbye. And as she was half-way across the hall, she turned back and said, “And also... I have something for the both of you.”
She then asked Nate and he grabbed an envelope from his briefcase. He then handed it to us and smiled. He actually smiled. And here I was thinking that men-in-blacks were forbidden to do such things. Then as John was opening the envelope, I looked at Dorothy who was still waving goodbye to us.
And pulling a piece of paper inside, John read the contents and I turned my gaze to what he was holding. Looking at the words together, both of us shook our heads in disbelief. With a sigh, we knew that we should have had expected this kind of thing to happen.
My Kind of Perfect Page 23