(10th of a series)
The ambiance of the place was close to perfect – serene, with soft music playing in the air, cold wind from the nearby lake and the scent of wild flowers from the meadow. Atty. Amy looked intently to Palasig while Fiscal Ante was simply smiling trying to figure out what Amy would say. Like the old Filipino tradition, Amy started by asking questions that would test the sincerity of Palasig and his willingness to abide by what would be agreed upon. It was fun because Palasig and I had already been previously married with kids of our own while Amy was and still is very much single.
I had no inkling that Amy had some naughty idea to test how serious Romy was in his desire to marry me. First she said, “I want to see her in a beautiful bridal gown walking on the red carpet”, to which Palasig readily answered “Yes!”. Amy continued by asking for a large cake with dancing fountain, a wedding ring with diamonds, and a set of silver arrhae in dollars. Romy took his glass of water and gulped its content then called on Rona, “Nunitz, kaya ba natin?” to which Rona replied “Kaya po Tatay”. As the talk progressed, Amy added one last request “Gusto ko, ‘pagawa ka ng sariling simbahan.”
At this juncture, Rona stood up and said, “Tita Amy, parang ayaw mo namang ipakasal si Tita Mel kay Tatay.” As everybody was taken aback by the impossibility of the request, Fiscal Ante butted in and said “Relax Palasig, that was just a joke. Cheers!” There was a burst of laughter and soon thereafter, food was served and they all went home lighthearted.
From that day on, Romy and I would regularly discuss our planned wedding and started preparing for the grand occasion by personally talking to our prospective principal sponsors. My publisher, Ms. Dinah M. Carabio took the cudgel to make a list of everything that would be needed come wedding day – candles, pins, flowers, wedding invitations, lists of principal and secondary sponsors, flower girls, ring bearer, etchetera. Dinah and my daughter-in-law Rosemarie P. Calanasan were a big help to me.
One Sunday morning, I requested Romy to accompany me to the house of his brother Pedro A. Evangelista so we could personally ask him to be one of our principal wedding sponsors. He was adamant at first because they were not seeing eye to eye for quite a while but later on he agreed. Kuya Pedring couldn’t believe what he heard, that I would marry his brother. He even exclaimed, “Ineng, are you serious?” When I said yes without batting an eyelash, he said, “Oh, you can still change your mind. Just in case you don’t know, he is naughty and impish.” I just smiled and said, “I already know.” Romy gave a sharp look at his brother and bragged, “See? She accepted me as I am and not as she wanted me to be!”
Melinda Bagsic Evangelista
I was born to write and I believe that’s my calling. I love writing because it brings me to the realm exclusively of mine. It is also my opinion that “immortality” can be achieved not by searching for the Holy Grail and drinking from it but by living your life worth-writing or writing something worth-reading. Since I cannot promise you a life worth-writing, I keep myself busy writing something worth-reading. I am thankful to God for giving me the talent and skill to see life in different perspectives not seen by many and the courage to share it to my readers. This first ever Tutubi Digital News Magazine is a perfect avenue to bring you the many facets of life that you can ponder upon in this time of the pandemic. Enjoy reading all the articles.
