VENICE’S POV
I am currently facing the mirror while mesmerizing my reflection while wearing a gown. I am too overwhelmed because finally…
“ Oh? Are you done? Let us go already to Monica’s room,” I heard Grace say, which made me come back to my senses.
“ Oh, wait, I will just wear my necklace,” I said while wearing the necklace Bryan bought me.
“ Aish, this made of honor is too slow to move,” Grace harshly stated.
“ Hmp, I am done. Let us go,” I said and pulled her.
We are currently walking to where the soon-to-be wife of Axcel is staying. You are right. Finally, Monica and Axcel will be getting married. After their two years relationship, they decided to tie the knot. Well, they have known each other since childhood, so there is no reason to prolong their relationship and level it up as a married couple.
“ You look so gorgeous, Beshy,” I commented with amusement seeing her after we entered her room.
“ You too, Ven,” Monica replied. I saw how she smiled at me through the mirror.
I hold my tears from falling. I am so happy for her, but I do not want to make a scene here, especially since I just finished putting makeup on my face.
“ I know that look, Ven. Your makeup will be ruined,” Monica said, but I noticed that she had tears in her eyes already.
“ Aish, if you too will cry to each other, I should go out since Monica, and I did that last night,” Grace said and chuckled. Then, Grace, together with Monica’s makeup artist, went out. I went closer to Monica and hugged her from behind.
“ Congratulations, soon-to-be Mrs. Fuentibilla. I am so happy for you, Mon,” I congratulated her in between my sobs.
“ I felt butterflies on my stomach when you called me Mrs. Fuentibilla. Thank you, Ven. I love you,” Monica said before giving me some tissues.
“ That is a no, it will ruin my makeup,” I refused.
“ Wipe it away is better than your dirt went out,” Monica jokingly said, so I glared at her. I took the tissue and wiped the tears from my eyes and those that flew down my cheeks.
“ Sit down here, I will fix your makeup. Brother Bryan might be turn off by you if he sees you that way,” She teased me again, so I glared at her again.
“ That is enough for today, Monica,” I told her and sat down.
“ I am sorry. I am just too nervous,” She explained while starting to fix my makeup. She is the bride, but she is also the one fixing my makeup. It showed the exemption of our friendship. That even if, on any occasion, one of us needs help, the other will come to rescue her.
“ You might pass out later,” I jokingly said. It is payback time.
“ Then, you should be prepared to catch me, but I am sure it will not happen. Many times I pictured out this day in my mind,” She confidently said.
“ One hour left and you will be Mrs. Fuentibilla,” I said to ease her tension.
“ How about you? When will be the time I will call you Mrs. Venice Cruz?” She asked, which made me stop.
“ Why you asked that all of the sudden?” I nervously laughed at her.
“ It has been a year since brother Bryan courted you. You already confirmed that he is your God's will, but why are you not saying yes to him?” She asked.
“ I waited for five long years,” I jokingly replied to her and laughed.
“ Kidding aside, I am just waiting for the last sign I asked to the Lord before I say yes to him,” I added.
“ What is it?” Monica asked while putting down the makeup kit. She had already finished retouching my makeup.
“ It was a secret. Only me and the Lord knew about it,” I replied.
“ Unfair,” Monica protested while pouting, which made me laugh.
After some time, the wedding coordinator entered at told us to prepare ourselves. I supported Monica as she stood up. Her wedding dress is simple but elegant in design. The design suits her curve, but the details are too conservative. Thirty minutes had passed before we arrived successfully at the venue.
As we arrived, I immediately went down to the car to prepare everything, so we could start. After a while, the wedding ceremony began. As I walked down the aisle, I clearly saw the man I loved before in a far who was widely smiling at me as he watched me walk. He was the best man of Axcel. It was a relief that I remembered this was not my wedding event, so I walked faster. As I arrived in the front, the song composed personally by Axcel and Monica played. The door of the church opened, and Monica started walking slowly down the aisle. I could see how her tears began flowing in her eyes, the same with Axcel. They genuinely love each other. I am so happy for them. Finally, they will be one by their marriage.
“ I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may know kiss Mrs. Fuentibilla, Mr. Fuentibilla. “ our pastor announced.
After hearing those words, Axcel kissed Monica full of love. Their first kiss was too magical, so I could not help but cry because I could really see the love and grace of the Lord in their life. I felt Grace hug me tightly, who is also crying like me.
After a while, we went straight to the reception of the wedding of Monica and Axcel. We immediately sat down at the table assigned to us.
“ You look so beautiful today,” I heard Bryan compliment me after I sat down.
“ Is it only today?” I asked while laughing.
“ Nope, every day, especially if you will be my lady,” He replied, which made me hit his shoulder.
I also heard Grace giggle while Jeremy shook his head. We are together at this table. Actually, it is not that I did not want to say yes to Bryan. It is just that I am waiting for the last sign I asked God.
After a while, the after-wedding program started. Many giggled when Monica and Axcel shared their love story with everyone. Who could really think that a cat and dog relationship they had would mold them to be husband and wife now?
“ So, now, for the most exciting part for our single ladies, it is now the time for our bride to throw her bouquet. So, to all single ladies out there, will you go here in the center,” I heard the emcee announce.
“ Let us go, Ven,” Grace said and stood up.
“ You can do that, Grace,” I said as I refused to join.
“ Huh, why?” She asked.
“ I do not want to join because I am not feeling well especially I am on my period. I do not want my gown to have some stain because of my movement,” I explained.
Grace simply nodded and walked towards the center. Well, it is true that I am in pain because of my period. Still, more than that, the last two signs I asked God was to catch a bouquet as a sign that I am ready to enter a relationship and eventually get married. The other sign happened during my devotion earlier. It was found in the book of Isaiah, chapter 60, verse 22.
“ Okay, okay, do not push each other, ladies. Settle down,” the emcee instructed, which made everyone laugh.
I turned around to see the centre to see who would catch the bouquet Monica would throw. Monica turned around and threw her bouquet. Everything seemed in slow motion when the bouquet started falling towards my direction. Wait, my direction?!
“ Wow, congratulation to our maid of honor. She will be the one possibility to get married,” I heard the emcee announce, but my eyes were glued to the bouquet I was holding.
I started smiling when I realized I could not delay my relationship with Bryan. As you can see, I did not join them, yet the bouquet found its way to me.
“ It is unfair. You did not even join,” Grace protested, then laughed when she came back to her seat.
“ Stop complaining, love. We will get married too,” I heard Jeremy comfort her.
“ He is right. You even wearing an engagement ring right now,” I responded while laughing. I also pointed out her ring.
“ Excuse me, I just need to make a call,” I heard Bryan speak, so I looked at him. He is also looking at me.
“ Take your time,” I replied as I noticed he was waiting for me to answer. Oh, wait, why it seemed like it has a double meaning?
Bryan simply nodded before leaving the venue. The event continued, but Bryan did not go back. Until the event ended, he was still nowhere to be found, which made me worried and wonder at the same time. I tried to call him, but his phone was unattended. Is there a problem?
“ Is he not answering yet?” Grace asked.
I slowly shook my head. I could not ask Monica because I did not want her to be worried, especially since this day was meant to be a happy day for her. But I also know that she is wondering since Bryan was not there during the picture-taking. I let out a heavy sigh before I tried to call him again.
“ Hello, Bryan,” I called his name after he finally picked up my call.
“ Yes, my lady? You have a lot of calls,” Bryan commented in amusement.
“ Where are you? We searched for you since earlier,” I irritably asked him.
“ Why? Did you miss me?” He asked, which made me roll my eyes. This guy is getting on my nerves.
“ Suit yourself,” I angrily told him and ended the call. I was irritated because I was too worried about him, and he was talking nonsense. I angrily took my bag and went closer to Grace and Jeremy.
“ Let us go home,” I said.
“ Huh? Are we do not wait Bryan here?” Grace asked.
“ Do not bother. It seemed like he is fine,” I irritably replied.
“ Did you talk to him?” Jeremy asked.
“ Yeah, let us go,” I said and started walking towards the exit of the venue. As we went outside, I noticed Jeremy's car was already out there.
“ Join with us Ven, we will send you home,” Grace offered.
“ She is right, we will drive you home first,” Jeremy seconded.
“ No need, I already called a taxi. You guys can go first. It has been a long day,” I refused their offer.
“ But---”
Grace stopped when she saw me smile to assure her it was all right. It seemed like she understood that she could not do anything to make me agree, so she just hugged me and tapped my shoulder. On the other hand, Jeremy tapped my shoulder, too, before they entered the car and drove away. After a while, the taxi I called had already arrived, so I immediately hopped in.
While we were in the middle of the road, I could not explain what I was feeling. I felt like there were butterflies in my stomach. I came back to my senses when I heard my phone suddenly beep. I immediately find my phone in my bag. When I saw it, I wondered why Monica had texted me.
Sent by Monica: Ven, go here at **** Brother Bryan is…
I got nervous when I read Monica’s message. So I immediately asked the taxi driver to take a U-turn and went to the address Monica had sent me. Even if I am nervous, I choose to pray, and I do not know why but God gave me peace in my heart, and Isaiah 60:22 keeps popping up in my mind.
As I arrived at the address Monica sent me, I could not see anything because there was no light. Even if I was a little bit scared of walking in the dark, I still did it because I was thinking about Bryan. While walking, lights started opening, and I could clearly see the rose petals on the street. I cried because I felt so loved until I reached where a screen was set up and played a video. I could see my stolen pictures with different captions, which made me cry more.
When the video ended, all the lights were opened, and I saw my family, churchmates, even Grace, Jeremy, Axcel and Monica. They are all smiling at me. I looked around to search for the person who made this thing. I saw him beside my parents. He slowly approached me.
“ My lady,” He sweetly called me while smiling. I hit him on his shoulder.
“ You are so mean! You made me too worried, “ I lectured him, but he just laughed at me.
“ It is actually unplanned. I was shocked too when I saw the sign you ask to God unfold today. As a result, I rushed the preparation,” He explained and scratched the back of his head.
“ You even disturb those two who should be in their honeymoon. Then, those two who asked me if they can send me home was also here,” I said while wiping my tears.
“ I did not force Monica. She forced herself to be here because she wanted to witness this,” Bryan defended himself. I looked in Monica’s direction, who was currently crying too.
“ How did you know about the sign I asked for?” I asked because of my curiosity.
“ Of course, I prayed for it. I wondered what kept stopping you to say yes to me. Then, early in the morning today, Monica called me and said to me that she dreamt about you holding a bouquet. Lastly, when I read the word of God for today, God pounded me the Isaiah 60:22,” He explained.
“ Do you have any more questions? The speech I prepared is too long,” He added, which made everyone laugh.
I slightly shook my head in response to his question. I was shocked when the lights turned off again because I could not see anything. I looked behind me where the screen was located when it suddenly opened. I cried when I read what was written on the screen.
“ Marry me, my lady,” I read it loudly, then a spotlight opened, and it lighted the two of us. On the other hand, the people we love opened their phone flashlights. I looked in Bryan’s direction. I gasped for air when I saw him kneeling on the floor while raising a box.
“ Venice, my lady, six years ago when we first met. The first time I saw you, I vision myself spending the rest of my life with you. You did not know how hard for me to see how you cried because of Jeremy, but I am thankful that he hurt you because it became the way for us to be closer to each other. They even said that we have this silent connection. That even if we do not talk to each other, as long as we are together, my whole day becomes complete,
“ Five years ago, God talked to me and called me to share the gospel in a nation. I was scared that time to leave you behind because I could not see the future without you by my side. But you always remind me that always put God first, so even if it was hard for me to leave you, I still followed what God told me. You know, during those times, I realized that my love for you keeps growing even if we did not have any communication. It fired up my desire to pray for you and asked God to let me be the one He planned for you,” He narrated, and tears started falling from his eyes. I gently wiped those tears. He stopped me from doing so and held my hand firmly.
“ One year ago, God told me that it is time for me to return. You know, I was so happy that time because finally, I could see you once again. But I know, God wanted something more than that. That I would not stop when I saw you again, but He wanted me to plan my future with you. I asked you a year ago if you would say yes to being my girlfriend, but still you answered that you are not yet ready to enter a relationship, so I waited. Now, I think you are ready,” He gently said, making everyone chuckle. I weakly hit his cheeks because of what he said.
“ Venice Marquez, my lady. The woman of my prayer. The woman I wanna spent the rest of my life with. My first love. May we start now our road to forever? Will you marry me? “ He sweetly asked while smiling even if he was crying.
“ 6 years ago I met you and have been close to you. During that time I know that I am secretly into you. And now, I wanna start that lifetime with you. I am officially yours Mr. Bryan Cruz “ I replied while smiling.
Bryan stood up and hugged me tightly. The light went on, and I saw how those people we love wiped their tears. Bryan let go of his embrace for me and put the engagement ring on my finger. Afterwards, I heard sounds coming from fireworks. Woah, it is beautiful.
“ I love you, “ I heard him sweetly tell me while we stared at the fireworks in the night sky.
“ I love you too,” I sweetly responded.
I am forever grateful to God because I was able to wait. I also want to thank him because even how many times my heart broke into pieces, He was still faithful to send me the right one He designed for me.
END! TO GOD BE THE GLORY!