To those who believe in me, this is for you. Thank you for your patience and support. Always remember that you deserve better than the mediocre. Do not settle for something that doesn't make you genuinely happy. Do not wish for something perfect, crave for something that is flawed but real. I wish you all the best!

This is the sexpilogue... charot. This is the epilogue. Thank you for giving Olzen and Era a chance. Maraming maraming salamat! Up next will be Bonfire Hearts. Enjoy reading!

Epilogue

"Hindi ka iiyak?"

My forehead creased as I glanced at my best man. Ngumisi siya sa akin at inilibot ang paningin sa malawak na simbahan. I took a deep breath and fixed my cuffs, kahit pa maayos naman 'yon.

"Why would I cry?" My brows drew together.

"You're marrying the girl you love since college! Ang lakas mo yata kay Lord. Sana all!" Tumawa si Brylle at sumaludo pa sa akin.

My jaw clenched as I try to smother my smirk. Bakit ako iiyak? Pinaghirapan ko 'yon, kaya bakit ako iiyak ngayon? I tilted my head and glanced at the visitors. It's not been long since we arrived here and we're only waiting now for my bride.

When Elais came back from Canada, she tried to find a job here. I offered a slot in our company but she declined. Aniya'y siya na ang bahala ro'n. Hindi na ako nagpumilit dahil gusto kong bigyan siya ng kalayaan sa mga gusto niya. She was accepted into an average private company and worked there for more than a year.

Pagkatapos ng kontrata niya ro'n ay hindi na muna siya naghanap ng trabaho para sa kasal namin. She wanted to be wed in Cagayan since it was the place where we met and where our love thrived. I couldn't disagree because she was so excited about it. She was hands-on with the wedding as much as I did.

"Your ex is in the crowd. Invited din siya." I shrugged at Brylle.

Nabura ang ngisi sa mukha niya pagkatapos ay muling inilibot ang paningin sa mga bisita. I can hear the wedding bells, making me tense a little. I haven't seen Elais for two days. Her parents were pretty traditional so they kept us apart for two days. Sa mansyon ako habang nasa bahay nila siya. Her mother helped with the wedding preparation along with my aunt who flew all the way from Chile, kasama ng ibang pamilya namin.

"Sino do'n?" Hilaw siyang ngumisi sa akin.

I shook my head and smirked at him. He's my best man and our maid of honor is Era's cousin, Meana.

"Iyong iniyakan mo." Simpleng sagot ko at sumulyap sa may malaking pintuan ng simbahan.

I heard him cough. His grin faltered as he shook his head at me. Humugot ako ng malalim na hininga at hindi tinanggal ang tingin sa may pintuan.

What's taking her so long? We talked on the phone last night and she was crying. Alam ko namang masaya siya pero ang bigat pa rin sa dibdib na marinig ang iyak niya. I badly wanted to see her last night and it took an ounce of me to calm myself. This morning I woke up so early. I feel anxious so I needed a morning run. Pinagalitan pa ako ni Tita dahil dapat daw ang nagre-relax ako.

"Wala akong maalala." Umiwas siya ng tingin. "Anyway, pakilala mo naman ako mamaya sa pinsan ni Era, the maid of honor, bro."

I glanced at him. He tilted his head to prove me a point. I saw Meana on the other end, talking to one of the bridesmaids. I smirked at him and tapped his shoulder.

"Her boyfriend is one of the groomsmen." My lips twitched. "Single pa naman yata iyong ex mo, ah?"

Seryoso niya akong tiningnan pagkatapos ay bahaw na ngumiti sa akin. He faked a laugh and made a face.

He was about to say something when we heard a commotion. My jaw clenched when I saw the lining up of those who are part of the entourage. I knew right then that she arrived. Naramdaman ko ang pagtapik ni Brylle sa balikat ko. Umayos siya ng tayo at ilang segundo pa bago ko nakuhang umayos din. The visitors started to settle down as the priest announced the start of the wedding.

Not too long when I caught a glimpse of my bride on the other end, her parents were both with her. She wasn't wearing a veil so I could clearly see her face even with our distance. My heart was pounding wildly in my chest and when they started marching, every nerve in my body felt edgy.

When she saw me, she smiled a little, driving my heart to shatter to bits. Hindi ko alam kung bakit gano'n ang naramdaman ko. I feel like I'm just dreaming, everything is just so good to be true. I clenched my jaw tightly, so tight that I feel like it would break.

Tumingala ako saglit nang maramdaman ang pag-iinit ng aking mga mata. I swallowed hard and took a deep breath before glancing back at my bride. She has a small smile on her lips and I swear to God, she's the most beautiful woman I have ever seen. Magiging asawa ko ba talaga 'to? Sobrang swerte ko naman yata!

Hindi ko tinanggal ang tingin sa kaniya. I feel like she's walking too slowly. Come on, baby, make it fast. My jaw clenched and my knuckles hardened while I try to calm myself.

I stepped forward when they're only a few steps away from me. I heard Brylle saying something but I couldn't process it because the only thing I have in mind is Elais and how I ached to finish this wedding quickly so I can have her on my own. Her parents smiled at me when they handed me their daughter.

"Take care of my daughter, Olzen." Papa said before leaving the two of us.

Nanatili akong nakatayo sa harap ni Elais. Pinapaniwala ang sarili na totoo lahat ng ito. I licked my lips when she smiled at me. Hindi ako makangiti pabalik dahil naninikip ang dibdib ko. I offered my hand and at that moment, I prayed desperately that she'd take it so I'll believe that this isn't a dream. And she did, she held my hand willingly.

"I miss you..." she whispered making my body numb.

I gritted my teeth and breathed sharply. "Let's get this done, then."

She laughed softly, making me pull her closer as we walk towards the altar. The wedding ceremony pushed through and when it's time to say our vows, I pulled out my personal handwritten vow. I saw the subtle surprise on Elais's face when she saw me unfolding the piece of paper. The priest nodded at me as a sign of approval. I heaved a deep breath and gazed at my stunning bride.

"Elais, listen to everything that I'm going to say."

Muli akong huminga ng malalim. Tumikhim ako at kinuyom ang panga. She smiled while watching me tense in front of everyone. I couldn't smile back because my heart is pounding hastily in my chest.

"Elais Aurora, thank you for choosing to share this life with me. Thank you for trusting me with everything that you have. I don't know what good I achieved in this life to deserve you. No'ng nasa kolehiyo tayo, malinaw na lahat ng plano ko para sa atin. Alam 'yon ni Daddy, ni Lolo, ni Kuya..." tumingin ako sa pamilya kong nakangiti sa amin, mas lalong nanikip ang dibdib ko dahil kulang sila. Sobrang kulang.

"Kaso, hindi umayon ang tadhana sa lahat ng plano ko. Sampung taon... halos sampung taon tayong nawalay sa isa't isa. I almost lose hope in those years. But now, I have years ahead of us to fill the time we were apart. I am with you today, in front of Him, because I want to be a part of your life, through the good and the bad. I am with you today because I want to choose you always through the lows and through the highs. I want to be your hope. I want to be your strength. I want to be your best. I want to be the one who doesn't walk away when things get tough."

Tumigil ako nang makitang lumuluha na siya. Gusto kong tumigil muna sa pagsasalita para punasan ang luha niya pero tumango lang siya sa akin, hinihikayat akong magpatuloy. Umigting ang panga ko at tinitigan siya sa mata.

"Thank you for helping me gets better. Thank you for teaching me that goodness exists even in the dark. Thank you for everything you did for me that I couldn't do for myself. Wala akong hinihinging malaking kapalit ng pagmamahal ko. Gusto ko lang manatili ka sa mga oras na hindi tayo magkasundo, sa mga oras na marahas ang alon ng ilog, sa mga oras na hindi maganda ang ihip ng hangin. Starting from this day onwards, you don't have to face everything by yourself anymore. We have faced countless battles alone for the past years. And I'm proud of us because even when the sailing wasn't smooth, we were able to reach the shore peacefully."

Yumuko siya at tuluyang humagulhol. Kinagat ko ang labi at tiningnan ang pari. Ngumiti ito sa akin at tumango. I averted back my gaze at Elais, my heart is hurting too much. My eyes are starting to warm. I pushed my tongue on the insides of my cheek and took a deep breath again.

"I will be your warmth. I will be your shelter. I will be your companion. I will be your rest. Gusto kong tumayo rito at ipangako sayo ang mundo, pero hindi naman sa akin ang mundo para ibigay. What I can promise you is my world, my life, my commitment, my support, my compassion, and my love. I love you more than anything. I love you the most, Elais Aurora."

Her soft hand was warm when I reached for it. She tried to wipe the tears away and smiled at me. I put on the ring on her finger and kissed her hand. I wanted to hug her tightly, to help her carry whatever she's feeling inside. Umatras ako nang siya na ang magsasalita.

Umawang ang labi ko nang makitang may kinuha siya sa sleeve ng kaniyang dress. My jaw clenched when I saw a handwritten vow too. I didn't know she made her personal vow. Kinagat ko ang labi nang makitang napangiti siya reaksyon ko.

"Oliver Blazen," she gasped and pursed her lips to stop the tears. "Thank you for being patient with me. Hindi ko kailangang isa isahin lahat ng bagay na pinagdaanan natin dahil nakaparami iyon, simula pa lang no'ng nasa kolehiyo tayo. You're not my ideal guy, alam mo naman 'yon..." she laughed softly.

Tumikhim ako at nagtaas ng kilay. Narinig ko ang tawa ni Kuya Tyrell pero hindi ko na nilingon. Si Brylle na nasa gilid ang nakita kong nakangisi sa akin. I tilted my head and clenched my jaw. Not my ideal guy, huh, pero pinakasalan? Gusto kong ngumisi pero pinigilan ko.

"You're not my ideal guy but you are better than what I expected of you. You saw my fears and you were brave enough to conquer them. I can still vividly remember all the things you did for me back in college. Palagi mo akong dinadalhan ng pagkain sa klasrum sa tuwing nalilimutan kong kumain dahil tutok ako sa pag-aaral. Palagi mo akong hinahatid ng maayos sa bahay. Palagi mong pinapaalala sa akin na alagaan ko ang sarili ko sa mga panahong nagpupuyat ako para mag-review. Palagi mo akong iniintindi. Palagi kang nagsa-sakripisyo para sa atin. Sobrang liit na bagay lang ang mga 'yon... pero sapat na para mahalin kita." Suminghap siya at sinubukang ngumiti sa akin.

Kinagat ko ang labi ko at kumurap saglit. I want to hear more but my heart is aching too much already. Umiling ako dahil kulang pa 'yon sa mga kaya kong gawin para sa kaniya. Kulang na kulang pa 'yon.

"You were my strength when I simply cannot cope up. You were there to wipe my tears when I lost someone I love. Ikaw 'yong pahinga ko sa tuwing napapagod na akong lumaban. You were there to make sure that I calm down and be alright. Your love made me vulnerable. You showed me that it's alright to have faith in the heart of another, and that is you. You were my soft and safe place..." her voice trembled as her tears started pouring again.

Humakbang ako palapit sa kaniya. Hindi ko kayang tumayo lang do'n at panoorin siyang umiyak. The priest didn't say anything but Era shook her head to dismiss me. My jaw clenched as I wipe her already wet cheek with the back of my hand.

"I'm fine, Olzen. I'm not done yet..." she whispered, moving the mic away from her lips.

"It hurts to see you crying." I sighed sharply.

"Tears of joy 'to, ano ka ba?" She smiled at me but I wasn't convinced.

I took a step backwards to let her continue. Nahagip ko ng tingin ang Mama ni Era na umiiyak. Ibinalik ko ang tingin sa kaniya at huminga ng malalim. Mariin ang pagkuyom ng aking panga.

"Nasaktan kita. And it took me almost ten years to ask for forgiveness. You forgave me without a doubt. You always understand me. Inuuna mo ako palagi, kahit alam kong nasasaktan na kita, inuuna mo pa rin ako. You never get tired of understanding me and making sure that I'm alright. So it should be me asking, what did I ever do to deserve someone like you?"

Umawang ang labi ko. I licked my lips and pinched the bridge of my nose. Ibinaling ko ang tingin sa altar para iwasan ang mga mata niya o ng kahit kanino. Tumingala ako para pigilan ang luha. I want to stop her but her words are satisfying my soul. And even when it's causing havoc in me, I want to hear more.

"Oliver Blazen, thank you for everything. I take you as you are now, tomorrow, and for eternity to come, to be my husband. Today, I want to make promises to you that I will always keep. I promise to love you unconditionally. I promise that every time you go home tired from work, I will be your rest. I promise to be always in your corner, cheering you up when life gets rough. I promise to be your sunset, a reminder that there's still beauty at the end of a horrible day. I promise to dream with you, to build a family with you, and to encourage you. I promise to share in your joys and sorrows."

She took a deep breath and smiled at me. I bit the insides of my cheek to keep myself completely sane because God knows how her words are driving me insane. Gusto ko na lang matapos 'to at mapag-isa kaming dalawa.

"And lastly, I promise to choose you every day, not because I have to, but because I want to. What we have is not perfect, but at least it is real. I cannot wait to grow with you in so many ways. I cannot wait to show you just how much I can love you when you need it the most. With all my heart, I love you. I am yours, I pledge my heart and my soul to you and you alone."

I held her hand gently after she put the ring on my finger. She smiled at me and glanced at our audience. Tumikhim ang pari at ngumiti.

"Forasmuch as bride and groom have consented together in holy matrimony, and have pledged their love and loyalty to each other, and have declared the same by the joining and the giving of rings, by the power vested in me, and as witnessed by friends and family, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may now kiss the bride."

I licked my lips as my heart pounded hard in my chest. Akalain mo 'yon? Iyong babaeng sinusungitan lang ako no'ng college, asawa ko na? Nilingon ko ang mga blockmates ko no'ng college. May iilang naghiyawan, nangunguna ro'n si Brylle at Francis. Some of our teachers back then were there too. My friends and co-workers from Manila. Her family and mine.

In front of everyone and especially in front of Him, I sealed the connection of our souls with a kiss. The purest and most tender kiss I could ever give her.

"Si Elais, Olzen?" Lumapit sa akin si Mama Elicia.

"Hinatid ko na sa kwarto, Mama. She said she's tired already. I need to entertain some of our visitors."

"Gano'n ba? Babalik na kami sa bahay para asikasuhin 'yong mga bisita ro'n. We'll be here early tomorrow so we could send you off properly." She said.

Tumango ako at hinatid siya kay Papa na naghihintay. Pagkatapos nilang umalis ay naglakad na ako papunta sa mga naiwang bisita. It's been a tiring day. We did nothing but to entertain the visitors and my wife had enough of it. Gusto na niyang magpahinga at kahit gusto ko mang samahan siya ay may naiwan pa ring mga bisita.

Sa malawak na bakuran ng mansyon ginanap ang pagtitipon. It's already past 12 in the morning kaya naman kaunti na lang ang bisita. Some of our visitors stayed in a hotel. We'll be traveling back to Manila tomorrow then the next day, we're off to Paris for our honeymoon.

I wanted so bad to go upstairs and join my wife. Hindi ko sana siya iiwan do'n pero pinilit niya ako dahil may mga bisita pa ngang naiwan. Baka nga tulog na siya pag-akyat ko mamaya.

Naro'n ang dating teammates ko sa basketball no'n. Ang coach namin, mga blockmates ko at iilang kaibigan. Nagtipon tipon sila sa pahabang lamesa kaya naman ay maingay sila lalo't ang ilan ay marami na ang na-inom. I had a few drinks but I'm not even close to tipsy. Ang iba'y nasa kabilang lamesa na inuna ko munang puntahan bago dumiretso kina Brylle.

"Cheers!" Inabutan ako ni Francis ng babasaging baso na may laman na alak.

Tumawa ako at kinuha 'yon. I fist bumped to some of them. Lumapit ang dating coach namin, si Sir Jeff sa akin at inakbayan ako. Maingay sila at nagbibiruan.

"Oh, Jeibson, paturo ka na rito kay Olzen, para naman hindi ka palaging basted." Tumawa si Francis.

Minura siya ni Jeibson at umiling. Umugong na naman ang tuksuhan. I shook my head and gulped my drink. Brylle poured me another one.

"Mahalin mo lang ng mahalin, huwag kang titigil." I smirked.

"Learn from the expert," Sir Jeff laughed.

"Dati inspirasyon mo lang sa basketball, ngayon asawa mo na. Hands down, ssob!"

Tumawa lang ako sa mga biro nila. They went on with their talks about women and how to woe them. Sumasabay na lang ako at napaparami na rin ng inom. It was past 2 in the morning when I went upstairs. May mga naiwan pa rin sa labas pero nagpaalam naman ako sa kanila bago umakyat.

And I was right, my wife is already sleeping. The sheets are tangled on her legs, showing her thin lingerie that was pulled upwards revealing her panty. I licked my lips and heaved a deep breath. It took an ounce of me not to wake her up and make love to her. She's tired and I don't want her to be sleepless for tomorrow's trip.

Lumapit ako sa gilid ng kama at marahang hinila ang lingerie niya bago hinila ang kumot hanggang sa kaniyang dibdib. Unang gabi namin pero tinulugan ako. I smiled to myself and shook my head before going to the bathroom for a cold shower. I put on my sweatpants and didn't bother putting on some shirt.

I was so careful not to wake her up when I joined her on the bed. I kissed her temple and cuddled her body, earning a soft moan from her. I chuckled and kissed her softly on her lips before forcing myself to sleep in order to stop myself from my wild fancies about my wife.

I woke up without Elais beside me. I massaged my nape before jumping out of bed. I can hear the drops of water from the bathroom. Naglakad ako palapit do'n at kinatok ang pinto. Naaninag ko ang mga nakaaayos na gamit namin sa may labas ng walk-in closet ng kwarto.

"Elais?" I called out hoarsely.

"I'm taking a bath!" She yelled from the inside.

"Alright. May titingnan lang ako sa baba." Paalam ko.

I put on some shirt and grabbed my phone. Mama Elicia was already downstairs, assisting the helpers in doing some works. I greeted her and some of my family who's already up.

"Anong oras kayo bibyahe, Olzen?" Tanong ni Daddy.

"As early as we can, Dad. Baka walang pahinga ang asawa ko kapag hapon kami bumiyahe."

Tumango siya at kinausap si Mama Elicia. I saw Chester on the veranda, talking to one of my cousins. Nilapitan ko sila. He greeted me and I nodded at him. Sa bahay sila nina Elais natulog.

"Si Meana?" I asked.

"Still asleep when I left." Aniya.

"Kailan ka babalik ng Canada?" Tanong ko.

"Hindi ko pa alam, e. I'm just waiting for her." He shrugged.

Saglit pa kaming nag-usap bago ako muling pumasok sa loob. Pagkatapos kong kausapin si Lolo ay muli akong umakyat. Nadatnan ko si Elais na inaayos ang laman ng handbag niya. Natigilan ako sa may pintuan nang makitang isang puting roba lang ang