PAMAMANHIKAN: Thwarted by Circumstance

My Baby was sick last, last weekend... and we weren't able to go to Lipa so he can formally inform my parents of his intention to bring his parents to meet my parents and talk, as a family, about our wedding.

We planned to re-schedule it last Friday, since it was an EDSA Holiday. But Thursday found him undergoing several tests at Medical City, because his back was hurting.

X-rays showed nothing wrong. Friday found him unable to even stand. But of course, being the really stubborn person that he is, and feeling slightly better the following day, he forced my hand Saturday afternoon... and we travelled to Lipa so he can inform my parents of his intention.

We returned to Manila that same night because he had to prepare several stuff with his parents. We passed by Medical City again for the final analysis of his x-rays. Basically, it was just muscle spasms... which caused his vertebrae to straighten up a little.

He was already in major pain by this time... but I couldn't exactly scold him for not listening to my warnings that travelling would further stress his back. He kept assuring me that whatever happens, the pamamanhikan would push through.

I couldn't exactly throw a tantrum about wanting him to be lucid and sober when they pay their visit the following day.

And much to our chagrin, he arrived home to find that his Dad was in pain. They thought it was appendicitis and he, back-breaking and all, had to drive his parents to the hospital.

When he saw different tubes and tests being administered to his Dad, he called my Dad to apologize and inform them that it's just not possible for the pamamanhikan to push through. His Dad, being where he got his stubborn streak, kept insisting that they go through with the pamamanhikan.

Anyway, my future in-law ended up getting confined. To this day. His blood sugar and blood pressure went up, that he had to be observed. He's stable now, thankfully, but they still haven't pinned down the reason for the discomfort.

We suspect, stress.

I can't help but worry over the possibility that Jojo would require therapy... and his overall health.

It also occurred to me that life is trying to tell us something....

Oh well...

*~*

Saturday morning, I went with my college friends to Divi. Found out that my college friend Allee, who is getting married exactly a week before I do, in the same Church as I am, also would have her pamamanhikan the same day I supposedly would have had mine.

And her Jay was also sick since Thursday...

Parrallels... :)

I guess, we're really alter-egos :)

My Baby fed me with so much ice cream and sweetness over the weekend... and am just really glad that he's no longer sick.

I can't take it when he's sick. I can't help but worry when he's sick.

*~*

Supposedly, we'd have his pamamanhikan this coming weekend.

*~*

Yesterday, we met the official florist at St. Pancratius Chapel. We got to chatting and he, of course, gave us his brochures and showed us pictures of flower designs he's already done for our Church.

We were pleasantly surprised to see pictures of orange topiaries. At least now, all we have to do is really save up (not an easy feat, actually) because we're now assured that someone can create for us the design we really want.

*~*

He also gave us tips about parking... especially in places where parking space is preciously limited and weddings are usually back-to-back.

He advised us to tell our guests that drivers shouldn't leave their cars in case vehicles for the next ceremony arrive early and their cars will be stuck and surrounded by all these newly-arrived cars. Of course, paging the other drivers will free your guests but that's still one hassle you can do without.

Good thing we're the last ceremony.

Calling the attention of ALEX though... you might want to inform your guests about this... so that they can allow my guests to park in the inner perimeter since you guys will be leaving soon anyway.

It may sound self-serving too on my end, but really, if your wedding isn't delayed... and the photo ops and recession not prolonged... chances are, we'd also avoid this hassle.

For we mean to start at exactly 6:30 PM :)

I'm scared of super-hungry guests.

Two sundays ago... Baby and I attended Mass. Gospel made references to SALT and LIGHT. And the priest said that it was only when he's grown up that he was able to appreciate a local ritual he grew up participating in...

Somewhere in Cordillera... the night before a newlywed moves in, the family will sprinkle salt all over the house. After this ritual, they will gather the salt up and light a candle in the middle... which should keep burning till the next day.

As it turned out, with salt being the thing that gives flavor to food, the ritual intends for the marriage to be full of essence… and the light, of course, to serve as guide for the couple to the right path… to make wise choices…

Baby…

You are the salt of my life. Other things spice my life up, but you’re the one person that has given it meaning and purpose that transcends my puerile wants and my immediate needs…

You’re the one that makes celebrations all the more meaningful…

You add euphoria to my triumphs, and take away the stigma of my failures.

You modify my dreams into something even better.

The salty taste of tears borne from our sadness and happiness will forever remain as a gentle reminder of how much you’ve changed my life.

And of course, you are my light. The one person that guides my decisions, my thoughts, my direction.

I love you and I know I always will. Happy valentines day.

*~*

i'm still very hurt with what happened yesterday... still filled with resentments, some of which are irrational, i know...

it hasn't changed how i feel for you... but...

*~*

Today marks the anniversary of WHEN we decided on a date for the wedding (actually, i've decided on the date of the wedding ever since I was in 1st year HS... regardless of what year, which groom, what kind of celebration it would be..)...

And the 4th year and 11 months we've been in a relationship with each other...

*~*

I do not want to say much about it, lest I spoil the gift and the happiness and unexpected kindness that came with it...

Still, I would like to thank someone and she knows who she is... THANK YOU. No other words to express our gratitude...