“Am I getting married?” I asked nervously, the words slipping out between breaths.
“Yes!” was her cheerful response.
I fell silent, and suddenly, it felt like a montage of memories began to play in my mind. What had led me to this moment? Who was I even getting married to?
Tears threatened to spill over, but a mix of happiness and anxiety held me in a tight grip. I couldn't shake the feeling that, despite my delight, I might not be ready for such a monumental step.
"There goes my heart beating  
'Cause you are the reason  
I'm losing my sleep  
Please come back now..."
Wow! There was even background music. Oh my gosh! Hajie, I’m coming!
"There goes my mind racing  
And you are the reason  
That I'm still breathing  
I'm hopeless now..."
Mommy and I continued our walk, moving closer to the staircase. Through the garden, I spotted a glimmering red carpet. So, it was a garden wedding? I wasn’t informed about this surprise, and I couldn’t help but chuckle at the unexpected twist.
Arriving at the door leading to the garden, a royal guard opened it, and we stepped outside.
To my shock, our friends were here, my family lined up on the right side and Hajie’s family on the left. Trying to hold back tears, I finally allowed myself to look towards the end of the aisle. My heart raced.
Wait, why was Dale standing there? Please tell me I’m not getting married to him! Was this the reason I had been confined? Why did it turn out this way?
"I'd climb every mountain  
And swim every ocean  
Just to be with you  
And fix what I've broken  
Oh, 'cause I need you to see  
That you are the reason..."
I abruptly stopped, feeling the heated emotions rush through me.
"Stop the wedding!" I shouted, and the crowd began murmuring.
"What are you saying, Rhanzie?" Mommy asked, looking confused.
"I DON'T WANT TO MARRY DALE! I thought it was Hajie I would marry?" I replied, my voice cracking with emotion. I turned and dashed away.
“BABY!” a voice called out, and I turned to see a familiar figure rushing toward me.
“Where are you going?” he asked, clearly puzzled, and wiping his hands with a towel.
“I’m not getting married!” I cried out, retreating further from him.
“What? Don't you want to marry me, baby?” His confusion deepened.
“Wait, why is Dale at the end of the aisle?! I was so happy to think that it was Hajie, and now there’s this twist that made me almost cry because I thought we were getting married—it turns out it's Dale instead!” I nagged at him, wiping away my tears furiously.
“Babe, I just stepped out for a moment, and you run away?! You’re such a runaway bride!” he laughed, and I hit him lightly on the arm in frustration.
“Why was Dale even there?” I pouted, lightly punching him in the chest as the tears trickled again, prompting him to pull me into a comforting embrace.
“Seriously? Runaway bride moment of the century!” Harmie teased, prompting laughter from her and Airish.
“THE WEDDING IS HAPPENING NOW!” Dale shouted, his excitement ringing through the garden.
As the music continued to play, Hajie had already stepped back into the venue, leaving me to walk down the aisle alone. How had I not realized that Dale was just the best man? My mind was clearly on vacation; it was probably already on Mars!
After the wedding ceremony concluded, the party moved on to the reception, which featured a buffet in the main garden. Harmie, Airish, and I went to a room where they helped me change into my gown while Hajie took care of the guests.
“Oh my gosh! Bessy, we can't believe you almost became a runaway bride!” Airish teased, giggling incessantly.
“Seriously, why would they lock me up? And then there’s Dale waiting for me at the altar. It’s just too much to process if it's really him I’m supposed to marry!” I sulked.
“Well, where was your brain? It was obviously Dale, come on!” Harmie exclaimed.
“Tsk!” I replied, rolling my eyes while changing into my stylish stilettos.
“Ready to go?” Airish asked excitedly, waiting just outside my room, grinning widely with Harmie by her side. They were bubbling with anticipation.
“What else can we do? You’re already waiting outside! It's so obvious you’re excited—promise it's not!” Harmie laughed as she teased Airish.
We went downstairs, but they rushed ahead to the reception, as Hajie and I were supposed to make a grand entrance together.
“Baby, are you excited?” he asked as he came from the kitchen.
“Yesss! Super excited!” I grinned back at him.
“I’m also excited about our honeymoon!” he whispered into my ear, playfully pinching my cheek and kissing my forehead.
“Honeymoon? You wish! You won’t be going anywhere alone!” I shot back at him, trying to feign annoyance.
“CALLING MR. AND MRS. TONACCI!” We both went silent at the cue to enter.
As we stepped forward, guests greeted us with cheers and applause.
“Congrats, princess!” my mom shouted while clapping her hands.
I smiled at her, then turned to others, sharing my joy through my beaming smile. Hajie helped me find my seat at the center of the venue.
“SHALL WE START?” the MC shouted.
“YES!” we exclaimed in unison.
“LET THE GAMES BEGIN!” the MC announced, and the festive music filled the air.
“OUR FIRST GAME IS CALLED *Drum Rolls* BITE ME BUT DON'T KISS ME!” The crowd burst out laughing, joined in chants.
“HERE’S THE MECHANICS, PARTNER! The first team to consume an apple without kissing their partner will win, but your hands must remain behind your back. So be careful; the apple might slip!” explained Ate Ghourl.
From the guests, three girls and three boys emerged: Harmie, Airish, and Lauren for the girls, and for the boys, Dale, Blue Ice, and Dwayne. Of course, Hajie and I were the stars of the night. Once we all took our positions, the MC signaled for us to start.
“START!” he called.
And just like that, the competition began—Hajie and I dove straight into nibbling the apple. But it kept wobbling, so we paused for a moment to strategize.
“Baby, lean to the side, and I’ll rest the apple against your cheek while I bite it,” I instructed.
He complied immediately.
“Dwayne and Lauren are out!” the MC shouted.
“Ah, did they kiss?” I wondered aloud, watching them.
They did!
 
“Mr. and Mrs. Tonacci out!” called the MC again.
“It's your fault!” Hajie grumbled as he helped me off the ground and to my seat.
“Seriously, you only wanted to kiss!” I retorted, chuckling as he grinned at me.
“OUR WINNERS ARE BLUE ICE AND AIRISH! LET'S GIVE THEM AROUND OF APPLAUSE!” The audience cheered, while we played together and waited for the next game.
“OUR LAST GAME BEFORE WE EAT IS CATCH MY GONE WITHOUT TOUCHING!” Everyone roared with laughter at such an outrageous game name.
Oh my gosh! What a whirlwind!