“UA flight 1699 to San Francisco is now boarding. UA flight 1699 to San Francisco is now boarding.”
“That’s us,” I announced to Brandy in excitement as I gathered our belongings. I stood up and made my way to the gate.
Everyone got up and went to walk toward the gate as well. We went over to the attendant and handed over our tickets to get them scanned.
My daze was interrupted when the intercom in the plane came on. “Good afternoon passengers. This is your captain speaking. Welcome onboard Flight 1699 with service from Boston to San Francisco. We are third in line for take-off and are expected to be in the air in approximately seven minutes,” the pilot announced over the intercom system.
“Bored, babe?”
“Very,” she smiled. “Entertain me.”
“How? It’s not like I can just tickle you here.” I smirked playfully at her.
I looked outside in my window seat and watched the ground get farther and farther away. The clouds soon came into view.
As soon as we were up in the sky, surrounded by clouds, the intercom went off again.
“Ladies and gentlemen, we are currently cruising at an altitude of 33,000 feet at an airspeed of 400 miles per hour…” A flight attendant walked down the aisle, passing out pillows and blankets and Brandy took one, tossing it over both of us. “… I’ll talk to you again before we reach our destination. Until then, sit back, relax, and enjoy the rest of the flight.”
We arrive at the island of Boracay at about 7:00 P.M. We took a plane bound for Kalibo, Aklan; then rode a tourist bus to Caticlan. From there an outrigger boat took us to the island paradise.
After a twenty-six-and-a-half-hour flight and three transfers, we reached our destination. Finally, the white sands of the beach. The reason I decided to take Brandy here. Boracay was heaven and pretty secluded.
We woke up the next day looking forward to get a glimpse of the beach at daytime as it was getting dark and raining when we reached the island yesterday. It seems that weather can be erratic and unpredictable in tropical islands, especially in the Philippines.
Our first morning in the island paradise was truly unforgettable. After a restful night, Brandy and I made an effort to rise from our bed a few minutes after 5:00 A.M. to freshen up and hit the waters as early as six in the morning.
Brandy and I set out on an exploration adventure that she would never forget.
“Oh cool! It’s beautiful. I’d love to jump down from that and dive into the water,” Brandy said looking up at the cliff.
“When we’re done touring the island, we’ll come back here and do cliff jumping.”
“No kidding? I didn’t think you would let me do that.” Her voice was filled with excitement.
“You’re not doing it alone. I will be with you and we will do it together.”
“Fine by me. I can’t wait!”
After going on to explore the rest of the island, we went back to the resort and enjoyed the beach. Brandy made a sand castle that I ruined when I threw a Frisbee at it, smashing the whole thing.
“Ivo! What have you done? You smashed it, you a-hole!”
I ran toward her and lifted her and went running to the ocean. She was shrieking the whole way.
“Put me down you wild boar! Stop it! No! No, you freak!” Brandy shrieked.
Ignoring her protest, I walked out into the tide and flung Brandy out into the sea. We spent the rest of the day having fun splashing each other with water.
The next day, I was glad to see the sun smiling again. The salty breeze was blowing in the warm afternoon. The white sand was breathtaking and the blue water was so beautiful. It was like looking into a big sapphire gem. Everyone around us was enjoying themselves.
We walked on the white-sand beach, taking in its beauty. Brandy took pictures of kids playing on the sand and building sand castles. Everything she saw made her laugh or giggle and she was enjoying herself. What a magical moment to see her happy.
“Just stay here; I’ll buy you some refreshment.”
“Hurry up, okay! Love you!” She smiled genuinely and blew me a kiss.
I passed by a boy handing out some flyers. He gave me one and said, “Kuya, para sa kasalang bayan.”
“What?”
“Um... wedding... entire town, lots of people. Come!”
“What do you mean? A mass wedding will be held here?”
“No, not here, there,” He answered and pointed his fingers in the air.
“Kasal ka na ba? Sali kayo!”
I just nodded my head. It sounded as if he was inviting me to join the ceremony.
I went back to Brandy after I bought our drinks. I stood next to her as she watched the waves. Her maxi white dress was flying in the breeze. The wind blew her hair up around her face. The whole world stopped, and I stared at her for a while. She’ll be the most beautiful bride.
“Hey, babe! Hey, Ivo! Are you okay?”
I snapped back to reality.
“You’re beautiful and the dress… it’s almost as beautiful as your wedding dress should be.” I said, half-jokingly.
She grimaced. “You’re silly. Let’s get out of here.”
The entire night, I thought about the idea of marrying Brandy. The church wedding could wait. It’s now or never.
We were on our bed and I was holding her hand. She was lying still and her breathing was steady. I looked at her and saw her eyes shut and lips gently parted.
She turned in her sleep; she faced me and tucked her head into my neck. She put her hand on my chest unconsciously. I pulled her into a hug and I breathed in the scent of her hair, tracing smooth shapes on her back. I tapped her shoulder, surprised when she immediately looked up.
“Brandy, marry me.”
Brandy jerked her head up and sat on the edge of the bed.
“I love you, Brandy. And it would make me so happy if you’d give me the honor of being your husband.”
She looked at me with wide eyes. “Ivo, are you crazy?” She stood and stepped away from the bed.
“Well, I’ll go crazy if you say no.” I walked closer and hugged her. “Do I have to say please?”
“You’re out of your mind, Ivo. You don’t marry someone who will—”
I sealed her lips with a kiss. A long passionate kiss.
“Now, I’ll ask you again, will you marry me?” I proposed one more time and smiled sweetly at her.
She nodded and uttered the sweetest “yes” I have ever heard. Her eyes were sparkling with tears.
I took her into my arms and proceeded with our pre-wedding honeymoon.
I got up early the next morning and went to the small town where I could register our marriage. I bought Brandy a bouquet of flowers and of course, a ring.
In the afternoon, hundreds of couples gathered to tie the knot in a mass wedding held in the nearby small town.
A minister officiated the ceremony. The place was crowded, and we were all under the heat of the sun.
“Ilabas na ang singsing!”
We all brought our rings out and collectively made our pledge. I couldn’t even hear myself.
“I now pronounce you all man and wife!”
The crowd cheered and all the couples kissed.
Brandy was all smiles throughout the entire ceremony.
“We are married now and nothing can separate us,” I whispered to her ear.
“I am yours, forever.”
-THE END-
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