Two Princesses
The day of our wedding, we were blessed with clear blue skies and the dulcet singing of birds as we exchanged our vows.
Ai-oon stood proud in front of the altar waiting for me.
The sand colored suit fitted her so well matching the pearl bodice wedding dress I chose.
I walked down the aisle with my head a little higher, my cousin by my side looking equally proud.
When he handed me to Ai-oon, her eyes twinkled from the tears she’d been trying to control.
I wiped it with gloved hands and Ai kissed my palm.
We held hands in front of the officiant whose smile was a big as ours.
My dream finally came true -- to be with my first love and to share my life with her for eternity.
It was a long and tedious journey, sometimes filled with doubt and agony.
But now, standing in front of Ai-oon and her family, all of them looking happy to witness this day, was the ultimate reward for all those days of longing and hoping.
I glanced at my soon-to-be-wife and her smile was almost always plastered on that beautiful face of hers.
She cared for me not just by keeping me safe but in the little ways that let me know I was loved.
My job wasn’t easy and I don’t think it will be anytime soon.
Ai-oon was always there to give me a tight embrace when things get overwhelming.
She made sure that I was well-fed, cooking meals and feeding me when I was too tired to move.
The language of her love was quiet and soothing, like the gentle patter of rain on the roof, lulling me to sleep.
Her gestures were like a soft whisper, shutting off the noises in my head.
Perhaps her boldest declaration was how she would lay down her life to protect me at all cost.
We had a discussion about that but she refused to hand over my care to another person.
“I will always stand by my promise to protect you.”
The argument was put to rest for now.
For how could I deny her the thing that brought us together?
On my part, I tried to provide her with all the comforts she never knew she needed.
I asked her to move in with me after she proposed.
It took a little bit of convincing because she loved that tiny apartment.
When we’re in it, we had to walk sideways so we would fit in the kitchen.
I don’t mind the close proximity because I would steal kisses or grab her hand when she’s not paying attention but Ai-oon said it was the first time she had a place she called home.
Before I she took on the assignment to be my CPO, the rooms she rented were like just that -- a rental.
She would go in and out, not feeling any attachment to the space but treating it as a place to lay her tired body only to leave again when she gets a new assignment.
“Wouldn’t it be better to make a home with me?” I asked one night while we were cuddled in the double bed.
Our naked bodies were still warm, hearts still racing from the post-coital high.
“It would,” She kissed my palm, her breath tickling my skin.
“Move in with me then. Let’s build a life together.”
“Yes, my love.” She sealed her answer with a hungry kiss.
“Where do you want to get married?” Ai-oon asked one morning while we shared a breakfast of oatmeal, fruits and tea.
“Nam Jai,” I answered with certainty.
Ai’s mouth was open, the spoonful of oatmeal suspended in midair.
“What?” I chuckled, placing the cup of hot jasmine tea carefully on the table.
“Are you sure? What about your seasickness?”
“My cousin told me I could hire a seaplane to get there.”
“But May, that would be very expensive.”
“Ai, we have lots of money. Don’t you know that by now?”
“I do but it seems like a waste.”
“Not if you want me to be there on our wedding day.”
She glared then ate the oatmeal that had gone cold.
“You worry too much,” I stood up then kissed the top of her head as I carried the dishes to the sink.
Ai-oon eventually agreed and I got my wish.
When it was time to exchange our vows, I took out a piece of paper where I wrote what I wanted to say.
With clear eyes, I looked at Ai-oon and read the words I would uphold for as long as I live.
“Ai-oon, if you were a planet, you would be Pluto. I know it’s no longer one but to me, you will always be there, orbiting in my galaxy, letting me know that you exist. I will always be your satellite, Charon, moving in perfect harmony, promising that no matter what happens, you and I will always be connected. I will always love you through everything. I will hold your hand as tightly as you hold mine. I will keep you safe the way you’ve kept your promise to protect me. I will love you until the light fades from our eyes. Even then, I would still look for you in the skies until you and I are reunited,” I paused to take a breath, my tears filling up and making it harder to read.
“I promise to love you forever.”
I looked up and she was crying too.
I lifted my hand to wipe her tears away and she kissed my hand before she took out a paper from her pocket.
“May, if this was a dark night, fireflies would light up to remind you that on that day on the boat, my heart opened up and felt a love I’ve never felt before. That love was meant for you alone.”
“I promise to take care of you in big and little ways, to be there for you when things are outside of your control, to give you a shelter in the storm and to keep you warm when the nights get cold.”
“May, the love we have is more than I dreamed of. I will take care of it for as long as I live. If the time comes when I would no longer be beside you, just know that I will be waiting for you on the other side with all the fireflies leading you back to me. I love you forever. That’s a promise.”
I heard sniffling and it wasn’t just Ai-oon and I who were crying.
In an unexpected move, she stepped forward to embrace me.
Her cheeks were warm and tear-stained just like mine.
We walked hand in hand down the aisle to the cheers of people who love us.
I looked at my wife and my heart was full.
“Are you ready, Mrs. Insamug?” Ai-oon stopped in front of the motorcycle, her hand reaching out for mine.
“Always,” I beamed.
I sat side saddle beside her, one hand wrapped tightly around her waist.
She revved up the engine, the guests applauding as we drove away.
With the wind in our hair and the promise of a new tomorrow lived together as a married couple, I thanked the heavens for that day at the planetarium where I met my first love.
For that’s what Ai-oon will always be.
THE END