Serene stood in front of a closed door, holding onto her father’s arm. She felt weak on her knees and him lending his strength is all that she needed. Her heart was in her throat and her hand tightened around the bouquet she held.
“Ready, love?” Conrad asked his daughter. His loving eyes looked at her. She was just a tiny baby he held before and now he’s walking her down the aisle. Recalling everything she has gone through; he felt a sense of pride rush through him. She’d grown to a strong independent woman, the best mother to the twins. He could not be prouder.
They signaled for the door to be opened. Father and daughter walked down the aisle. All eyes are on them. Serene insisted on having an intimate wedding. She wanted their intimate moment shared only with people who mattered to them. Every single one of those in attendance were people they loved. Each has seen their love bloom.
She surveyed each loving eye in the audience. Her gaze stopped at Mary, her matron of honor whose dress could not hide her bulging stomach. She then looked at the twins and Kenny. They did their best to stay behaved and not run around the church. The boys looked adorable in their tuxedos. While Felicity bloomed like a flower in the dress Mary made for her.
Everyone from the audience had tears in their eyes as they watched Serene walk down the aisle. They have seen what this woman had been through. Seeing her walk down the aisle towards the man she loved was what every one of them prayed for.
Serene’s eyes locked on the man who waited for her. He wore a black three-piece suit that clung to his body like second skin. His smile reached his eyes, the entire universe reflected in them. They spoke of promise and of hope, of excitement and of eagerness. He’s the perfect groom.
All six feet two inches of him stood at the end of the aisle, waiting. He could not help but swallow at the sight of her. She never failed to take his breath away. Every step she took made him happy, nervous, anxious and giddy all at the same time. Tears formed at the corner of his eyes as he watched the space between them close.
Serene held onto Conrad’s arm as she glided through the aisle. Her eyes trained on the man waiting for her. Everything felt surreal. Everything felt like a dream. Oh please, don’t let this be a dream.
She looked up at him and smiled from beneath the thin veil that covered her face. He smiled back before he accepted her from Conrad.
“You’re beautiful,” he whispered to her ears. She heard him say this to her many times before, but today, she felt her cheeks warm up from the compliment.
“You too,” she whispered back.
They both looked at the priest in front of them and the ceremony finally began. His fingers intertwined with her cold and clammy ones throughout the ceremony. He needed to make sure that she would not run away from him. His fragile heart could not bear it if she were to vanish from his life. She’s his everything.
Serene’s mind could not help but wander. Who would have thought that her heartbreak would lead her to the man she’d want to spend her life with? All the difficulties they’ve gone through prepared them for this moment.
She looked at the man beside him. To everyone, he’s cold, arrogant and aloof, but she knew that it’s all a facade. He’s a loving person who values his family above all. He’s hardly perfect and so is she but they’re perfect for each other. She could not imagine spending her life with anyone but him.
The priest asked the groom to read the vows first. Holding the ring and sliding it into her ring finger he said, “Serene Ellis, I want nothing in life but to spend it with you. You’re the best gift I have received. One I know I hardly deserve, and I am going to work hard, every day until my dying breath to be deserving of you. I love you, and I promise to trust you with my life, listen to you, and never abandon you.” Ever again.
Serene’s eyes welled, listening to every word he said. He spoke little, but she knew he meant every word he said. They were his covenant.
It’s her turn to put the ring on his finger. She looked up into his wet eyes before saying her vows, “Justin Rain, you’re the best that happened to me. We’ve been through a lot and I would not change a day of it because every single one of them led me here today. I promise to stand by your side and cherish you. I love you and will continue to love you for as long as my heart beats.”
The ceremony concluded when the priest said: “Justin and Serene Rain, I now pronounce you, husband and wife. Justin, you may now kiss your bride.”
Justin lifted the veil that covered her face. His eyes scanned her every feature. This is the face he would not tire of looking at. Then he dipped his head to claim her parted mouth. Their kiss was brief, but it’s the most significant. From this day forward, they belonged to each other. They’re no longer two individuals, but a single soul bonded by a covenant.
The ceremony continued to a lively reception by the sea. They’re surrounded by all the people they loved, the people who rooted and prayed for them.
Serene leaned her head against the shoulder of the man she now called husband. Her arm wrapped around his waist and his around her shoulder. They watched the people celebrate their joyous moment in silence.
The setting sun wrapped everything in a soft orange glow. Her twins and Kenny played with the waves. Nick Rain, who has recovered from his illness, chased after his grandchildren. Dylan and Mary danced with the music. His hands wrapped around Mary’s stomach.
She lifted her head to look at the man beside him. A faint smile stretched his lips. He looked at her and kissed her forehead. “I love you, Serene,” he whispered.
Serene felt her eyes water. The people she loved surrounded her, and the man she’d spend the rest of her life with held her close. Life has blessed her with loyal friends and a loving family. She’s got nothing else to wish for.
-End-
He’s wearing a black three-piece suit that clung to his body like second skin. His smile reached his eyes, the entire universe reflected in them. Those eyes spoke of promise and of hope, excitement and eagerness. They made his handsome features more handsome by the sheer happiness that emanated from them. His smile, oh his smile! Like the first time she saw him, it’s sweet and captivating. It spoke of anticipation, bliss, and hope. He’s the perfect groom.All six feet of him stood at the end of the aisle, waiting. He’s happy, nervous, anxious and giddy all at the same time. His gaze fixed on the person walking towards him. He widened his smile. Tears formed at the corner of his eyes as the space between the t
The following day was a Monday. Despite not having her usual eight-hour sleep, Serene got up from bed and prepared herself for school. Opting for her usual jeans and white-collared shirt, paired with clean white sneakers, she went on her way to the University. With her hair pulled up in a neat ponytail, and her face kept bare save for her lip balm, she looked energetic and younger than her actual age.Today, Serene felt it was sunnier than usual. Everything seemed bright. She did not complain when she got stuck in traffic on her way to the University. The crowded bus did not make her feel inconvenienced. She squeezed herself onto the tightly packed bus, feeling like a sardine. There was no available seat for her anymore. Left with no choice, she stood along the isle and crushed between other passengers.As soon as she entered the university’s gate, her best friend Mary excitedly hugged her. Mary is a dazzling ball of energy.“So, how was the fa
“Oh, he’s the one who lent you a jacket?” Mary meaningfully elbowed Serene, who cannot help but blush from the implication that she and Mary had been talking about him.Serene rolled her eyes at Mary. She also secretly pinched her to quiet her. She loved Mary, but at that moment she wanted to strangle her.He was a complete gentleman and did not bite Mary’s cue to tease her. They ate their lunch smoothly, which was unexpected. Serene thought that she would embarrass herself by being ditzy, however the three of them had an enjoyable lunch sharing food and stories. She le
While she felt relieved after she said it, she also wished for the earth to open and swallow her whole. As an introvert, she was not used to expressing her emotions openly, so much more to somebody she was crushing on.Ever the gentleman, Bryan did not tease her any further and just smoothly opened a new topic. They talked over the phone until close to midnight. Bryan had reluctantly ended the call and said that she should go to sleep since she had class the following day.How can she immediately go to sleep when she is on cloud nine? Serene relished all the events of that day that involved hi
They were happy in love. For as long as they were together, nothing seemed to matter. Serene held Bryan in her heart from the very first day she saw him and each day of the years they’ve been together. They met as youngsters in love and matured together as a couple. She loved him in all the ways she knew how. She supported him in his endeavors. Encouraged him when he felt weak, hugged him when he fell down, held his hands when he felt alone. From time to time she would write him prose, poems or letters, especially when she would coax him after they quarrel.Bryan’s voice cut off her walk back in memory lane. He spoke his vows. His deep, melodious voice reverberated throughout the whole chapel.
The minister’s voice resounded in her like thunder. It vibrated to her core, shaking her. Her shoulders shook as her quiet sobs stopped being quiet. She was catching her breath with every sob she made. The people in front of her looked back and threw glances in her direction. Some of them curious, some of them contemptuous, others irritated.“This is a wedding, not a funeral, why is she crying so much?” she heard from one guest.She just steeled herself, took a deep breath and wiped the tears from her eyes with her hand. From out of the blue, somebody extended a white handkerchief
Bryan suddenly sat up and turned his head towards the door. His eyes wide with surprise as he looked at her. Slowly, he stood up and walked towards her. He stood in front of her. They looked at each other, not saying anything. Tears overflowed in one man's eyes, while the other had a pale face. He recovered first.“Serene…” He reached out to her shoulder and called her name. The sound of his voice was unfamiliar to her. Serene looked at him, then to the man in the room, who had his back against them and was putting on his jeans. Then she looked back to him. Words which used to come to her mind fluidly suddenly were elusive. She just looked back and forth to both men, disbelief written in her face. Silently, she praye
If there was any blessing she can consider in her life now, it was her new job. She poured all her energy in her job that she would go home completely exhausted and would immediately fall asleep as soon as her back touched the bed. Exhausted, she had no time to think about anything, much more to feel about anything. She switched phone numbers and did not let her friends know about what happened, not even Mary. The pain she has was too much. She did not want to interact with anybody. Disconnecting from everyone saved her from having to tell another soul what happened that day, something she did not have energy for. Her heart felt so much pain and recalling the events will just reopen her wounds.A new lease of life is what she wan