CHAPTER 26: The Wedding Day

KATE’s P.O.V.

I thought Darren will cancel our marriage then everything is going to be just fine. But I was wrong. Because today, it is our wedding day. I felt anxious, knowing that I should just accept the truth. I’m fated to be just like my mother, a martyr woman who let herself suffer into pain right after she gave a child to someone who doesn’t even paid any attention towards her.

However, today, Mom wasn’t bugging me out about anything. She remained in silence, as she helped the make up artist fixed my hair. Dad is already at the church, being there earlier than us as usual.

“You can leave here. I can take care of her,” Mom stated, and the artist eventually leave the room.

“Mom, if you’re going to–”

“What? Bug you? Or try to make you cancel the wedding? I’m not going to do that, Kate. Not today. All I wanted right now is for you to feel just like a normal bride... To have a perfect wedding that everyone’s been dreaming off.”

“Mom...” I held her hand. “I’m sorry for what I’ve said to you before... I’m sorry if I’m not a perfect daughter for you and Dad. I’m sorry for everything...”

She caressed my shoulder, before flashing a sweet smile at my reflection on the mirror.

“You don’t have to apologized, Kate. You’re more than what I could ever asked for. I love you, sweetie. More than anything in this world.”

“I love you too, Mom.”

She kissed my forehead, before clipping the remaining strands of my hair into an elegant bun. After our little family drama, the pain on my chest lessen just a little bit. Not until we arrived at the church. Everything went back to what it was before.

I felt anxious, nervous, and scared. Scared of what my future with Darren may look like. Scared to be my Dad’s greatest disappointment. Scared to see the face of the man I truly love inside of that church as he watched me tying myself to another man. I’m scared of loosing my mind because of everything.

My heart starts palpitating as soon as the church door swing opened. The crowd clapped their hands seeing me while I walk down the isle. I looked in front, seeing Darren, my soon to be husband. Beside him was Elijah, secretly wiping his tears away. I bit my lower lip, feeling guilty for making him feel this way and suffer in this kind of pain.

My tears started to fall down from my eyes but I tried to hide if from Mom and Dad. Thankfully, they didn’t see it. When we finally stopped walking in front of Darren, I caught my Mom giving Darren a meaningful glare before looking at Dad. I smiled at my groom, trying to looked very pleased.

Darren took my hand from my parents and I saw how Elijah secretly winced in pain. I wanted to go straight towards his direction to give him a hug and tell him that I’m very sorry for what’s happening right now. But I couldn’t. Dad is watching my every move, and I don’t want to disappoint him.

As we reached in front of the altar, people sat down, following the order of the priest. Before the wedding ceremony officially begin, the priest asked us if there’s anyone who’s not in favor to the marriage. No one answered. I’m hoping to see Elijah raising his hand and for him to fight for me but he didn’t. I was merely disappointed for that but who can blame him either way? I’m the weak one who didn’t chose to fight ever since the beginning so I don’t have any rights to complain.

Darren looked bothered, as if he wanted the same thing to happened. He wanted someone to stop this nonsense marriage but no one came to save us. Until we reached the final part of our wedding. As the priest asked us before our exchange of vows, I felt very nervous, thinking that Elijah will probably hear the way I say “I do” to another man.

“Do you, Kate Frias, accepting Darren Herrera as your wedded husband?” the priest asked.

“I do, Father,” I answered, halfheartedly.

“And do you, Darren Herrera, accept Kate Frias as your wedded wife?”

It was silence that reign in that moment. Darren didn’t answer as soon as possible, causing a clamouring crowd behind us. Mom is glaring at him ever since the beginning, while his Dad is looking pale and nervous like he knew that something like this might happen. My eyes searched for Elijah, and I found him docking his head on the seat in front of him.

“Darren... Answer the priest, please,” I almost pleaded for him to say no rather than yes.

“I-I... I... do–”

“What?” I widen my eyes, couldn’t believe the fact at how can he do this to my old friend. I motioned him to changed his answer but I’m not sure if he heard it right or if he could even understand me.

“I d-don’t... And I’m sorry.”

The crowd gasped in shock, my face turning bright red out of humiliation. Though it felt great, hearing those words coming from him. Elijah was now alert and fully awake, looking at his bestfriend in disbelief but I can also see the relief in his eyes, maybe. Mr. Herrera is still looking pale, and he didn’t even move a muscle.

“What the hell do you think you’re doing, Darren? You’re bringing a shameful act to us and to your family as well!” It was my Dad, scolding Darren in the dead silence.

“I’m sorry, Mr. Frias. But I couldn’t marry a woman I just met and I don’t love. I already have a special someone in my heart, and that will never change until I’m still breathing and alive.”

I burst out into tears, not because of the pain and humiliation but because of too much joy an relief. I wanted to secretly celebrate but Mom suddenly lost her consciousness causing guilt and worried to flood in my system. Thankfully, Dad has been able to catch her before she fall in the ground and hit her head.

“I’m sorry to disappoint all of you. But I’m afraid that there’s no wedding that’s going to happen today... And that’s final,” Darren firmly stated.

The commotion starts as people began to whisper with each other while some of them offers help to my family. I instantly ran towards my Mom, helping Dad and the others to bring her to the nearest hospital.

To my surprise, as we carry Mom outside of the church, someone had already called an ambulance. I can only hear the loud siren of the white truck and the thumping sound of my nervous heart. The paramedics only allowed one member of the family to be with Mom so Dad eventually go with them. I was left there all alone hugging myself as I cried out loud. I don’t know what to do anymore.

Until someone touched my shoulder. I looked up, seeing the blurry face of the man I love. My eyes were still filled with tears, my knees trembling out of being overwhelmed by the sudden turn of events.

“Elij...”

He remained stoic, before pulling me up to lead me towards his car. He opened the door for me without saying another word. I hopped in, and he did the same. He started the engine before we drove to follow the ambulance towards the hospital.

As soon as we arrived, I ran towards the emergency room hoping to find my Mom. There, outside of the room, I saw Dad looking anxious and worried.

“Dad... Where’s Mom?” I asked.

“She’s still inside. The doctors said she’s stable, but I couldn’t help not to get worried... What if...”

“Dad...” I gave him a hug.

“I wouldn’t forgive Darrel and his son for doing this to our family...” I heard him whispered.

I wanted to say something, but I remained calm. Starting another argument wouldn’t help us during this time.

“Mr. Frias? Your wife is awake. He wanted to see you,” the doctor stated, appearing out of nowhere.

“Can I come in too?”

“I’m sorry, Miss. But we only allowed one person to come in inside of the emergency room if the patient requested. Don’t worry, you can finally see her later on as soon as we transfered her to a private room.”

I nodded, letting Dad come in and leave me alone. When they are all gone, I remembered the person who brought me here. I quickly ran outside, hoping to see him there but he was already gone. I didn’t even got a chance to thank him... I bit my nails, as my tears started to fall down again.