Till Death Do Us Part.
Author: iam_yourstruly
Annastacia Hope Del Gerro, one of her dream is to marry her beloved Richard Cervantes. The day of their wedding came until something unexpected happened. Richard was shot by armed men and this is why Annastacia was left alone.
Who really killed Richard and what will happen to Annastacia that she lost her beloved?
You will know the answers here in my story.
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Chapter One.
One of the dreams of a woman is to get married. Getting married to the person they love the most and they want to be with in old age especially in hardship and comfort.
Today is the day I will fulfill that dream. I'm getting married to my beloved husband to be, Richard. We've met when I'm Grade 10 student and he's my senior.
Back then, I don't believe in love at first sight because it's cringe, right? But when I met him, I felt my world is spinning and in a slow motion mode and that's the time when I believe that love at first sight exists.
We became friends and we're always together. Some of my classmates envy me because I'm with him. He's very popular in our school back then and a playboy so my friends warn me that in the end, I will be hurt because of him.
Of course I did not listen. When you love someone, you really gamble even if you get hurt in the end. Our story is not that romantic, there is also an ugly and bitter side especially for me that he used to think was a younger sister and my heart broke into pieces when I heard that Richard is in a relationship. He introduced me to his girlfriend and that was the most painful. Seeing the man you love with the woman he loves is like stabbing me.
But look, we're getting married now! Not because our parents forced us it's because we love each others. I love him and he loves me too. So now, I never hesitate to say 'I do' in front of family, friends and acquaintances at the aisle because I really do. I really want him to be my husband.
"You're so beautiful, Anna. You and Richard are really meant to be."
I smiled to her. She is the one I took to make up for me. She's good in this field so I'm sure the result of my make up will be good.
"Are you nervous?" she asked.
"Yup. It's like I'm dreaming, I still can't believe I'm going to marry him."
"Chill. Don't be nervous and this is not a dream, you will really marry him." he said cheerfully.
She held my hand to calm down and I also held her hand. Kelly, she's one of the reasons why I didn't give up on Richard. She's always there for me specially when I'm broke. She thought me that don't give up because if I give up right away, I will lose. She always finds a way for Richard and I to talk and she is also the one who set us up in the stock room and there I confess how I feel for Richard.
"Thank you, Kels."
"You're welcome!"
She has continued to fix me. It almost done when my mother entered the room where I am.
"Hi, Mom!" I greet her.
"Almost done?" she asked.
I nodded. I felt her hold my hand.
"Don't be nervous, okay? You're the prettiest bride I've ever seen."
"Thanks, Mom. How about you? If I'm the prettiest, what are you?"
"Most prettiest?" Mommy joked.
We laughed at her joke. Well, at least she didn't go down without explaining herself first.
A few minutes later I put on my wedding gown. One of the famous and great gown designers made my gown and it suits me well.
I was already in the car and it was going to the church where Richard and I had our wedding day.
Yes, I will admit that I am really nervous especially just a few minutes and my wedding will be held. I can't believe I'm marrying the guy I met when I'm a highschool student. I'm marrying the guy who stand for me when the time I'm feeling down, the guy who thought me what the love is. I really can't believe it's happen right now.
The door opened and I was waiting for our wedding organizer to leave. She helped me out on the car because I was struggling alone because of my gown.
I am standing in front of the big door that will soon spit me out and declare that I am married.
"Stand by, Ma'am. You are the next one." the organizer reminded me.
I took a deep breath and calmed myself.
"Fighting!" I whispered.
Later on, the door opened and I immediately met the eyes of those who attended my wedding. They all smiled when my eyes met them.
I started walking slowly. I saw Richard crying now, I couldn't help but cry. The joy of my heart now is unbreakable.
I stopped opposite Mommy and Daddy. They are also crying this time. I rarely see my dad crying and my heart melts now that I see him crying.
"I love you, Mom, Dad." I said.
"We love you too, Anna." Mommy replied.
I put my arm around Daddy's arm and one held Mommy's hand as we walked towards the man I was going to marry.
When we got to Richard's opposite I was separated from my parents. I approached Richard's parents to greet them as Richard did to my parents.
"Congratulations, Anna. You look so beautiful in your gown." Tita complimented me.
I smiled because of her compliment.
"Thank you, Tita..."
"Don't call me that. Call me Mommy from now on."
"Okay, Mommy..."
She smiled at me. I turned to Richard who was now waiting for me so that we could approach the priest together.
"Damn, you're the prettiest bride I've ever seen in my entire life." Richard whispered.
"I know. Mom thought me that earlier." I whispered.
"I'm the luckiest groom in the world." he whispered even more melting my heart.
Our wedding started right away. The priest read some verses about marriage and he thought us what the real love is.
And the long wait is over. My brother, the ring bearer, approached.
"I, Annastacia Hope Del Gerro, promise to be with you no matter what happens. I'll be there for you 24/7. I will not love others because I am satisfied with you. We will face trials and problems together coming into our lives. No one can break us apart. I will love you till my last breath, Richard. I love you. I love you so much!"
I put the ring on him. I tried not to cry but I failed, I'm crying right now. I really love this man infront of me.
"Shh, Dont cry..." Richard said and wiped away my tears.
I nodded and held back the tears that were about to flow.
"I, Richard Cervantes and I'm in love with the woman named, Annastacia Hope Del Gerro. She gave me hope in everything. When we first met, at the convenient store. Her card was empty and she insisted on the counter with even there really isn't."
People laughed as well as me.
"Then I approached them and I was the one to pay for what she bought and then she started teasing me. I don't know, maybe she was also fascinated by my handsome to. Well, it's just me."
Everyone laughed because of what he said.
"At first I was disgusted with her but I understood that maybe the young people are spoiled. What they want, they should get. Yes, I will admit that she's attractive and I like her but I thought we could not. We can't be together..."
I kept listening to what he was saying and I felt like I was going to cry.
"I tried to stay away from her without her noticing and I tried to hurt her. I rented a girl to pretend to be my girlfriend and I introduced her to her, I know she is hurting and she just hides the pain she feels and that's the stupid thing I did in my life..."
I couldn't help but cry all the time. I don't know that he just rented that woman. I really don't know and I have no idea. Damn him!
"I was scared. I was scared of what others say, my friends would say I would dating a spoiled child. I'm 2 years older than her but I can't blame the judgmental world for where I am. Then I remembered, we were locked in stock room, she confessed and I saw her cry again, she said 'it's okay if you don't like me, just let me like you even if I get hurt' that time, I really really hate myself. I hate myself for hurting her. I hate myself for making her cry because of me. I realized that why am I afraid to be judged if I am in a judgmental world? Why am I afraid to love a woman who has done nothing but love me? And also, I am disgusted with myself I know I love her but I am a coward but she gave me hope... She gave me hope, there are no people who will judge us because the important thing is she loves me and I love her very much. I love you, Anna. I really do."
He finally put the ring on my finger. I cried and cried because of what he said. I don't know how he felt then.
"I love you, too. I love you so much..." I said.
He hugged me tightly and then we faced the priest.
"Annastacia, do you accept Richard as your beloved husband?" the priest asked me.
"Yes, I do." I answered happily.
"Richard, do you accept Annastacia as your beloved wife?" the priest asked Richard.
"Yes father, I do." he replied.
"You may now kiss the bride." priest announcement.
Richard slowly took off my veil and immediately kissed me on the lips. I also gave him a kiss. I heard the screams of the guests others were crying especially my parents.
"I can now pronounce you husband and wife." the priest announced again.
"Mrs. Cervantes?" when Richard called teasingly.
"Yes, Mr. Cervantes?" I asked.
We laughed.
Finally! I'm married to the man I love the most!
"Nothing can separate us. Till death do us apart." he says.
"I love you, my husband."
"I love you too ---"
Before he could finish what he was about to say, a deafening gunfire prevailed in the church.
People shouted as well as me and I just fell down while bowing.
We heard another bang. I feel scared and nervous and I want to cry because I feel that way.
Moments later there were no gunshots.
"Honey, are you okay?" I asked Richard who was behind me.
He did not answer my question.
"RICHARD!!!" Richard's Mommy shouted.
I immediately got cold for no apparent reason. It is not possible... What I am thinking cannot happen...
They immediately approached behind me where Richard was.
I could hear sobbing. No this can't be happening...
"Ate Anna..." Richard's brother called.
Gradually I turned my back on him and that is what I regret most...
I saw Richard lying on the floor and full of blood around him.
"R-richard..." I called.
Trembling I approached him.
"R-richard... N-no... Please... Don't..." I begged.
"A-anna..." he called and struggled.
"Please... Don't leave me..." I begged.
"I-im sorry... I-im breaking... my... p-promise..."
"No! Please! Richard, we will take you to the hospital..."
"I-i love... you..." he said and slowly closed his eyes.
I cried as well as Richard's family.
I can't... I can't accept it...
I can't accept that on my wedding day...
On the day I will marry the person I love the most...
Is also the day he will die. He died on our wedding day...
To Be Continued...