MARA'S POV

My wedding was a blast! 

Everyone is so happy as if we are a normal couple who fell in love with each other and end in marriage. 

Though I can't stop thinking about Jana. Even if they all thought that I don’t care about other people’s feelings, it's the opposite. 

I rejected most of my guy friends who confessed to me not because I don’t care about their feelings for me but because I don’t want to lead them on knowing my destiny. It will hurt them more.   

That is why I chose to be misunderstood as someone who has a heart that is hard as stone. 

That is why now, I am bothered by the look on  Jana’s face. I may not experience romantic love but I earn lots of love from my friends and ex-friends. 

"Penny for your thought my wife?" My husband asks me. 

My husband. Until now I can't believe that I am Mrs. Ottave now. 

"Jana." I only answered. 

He heaved a sigh "Hon please,

MARA'S POV 

A month has passed, and now we are celebrating our very first monthsary as husband and wife. 

And it's far from my imagination. 

I thought that it will be hard for both of us to start a life as a married couple. But thanks to my husband, he made our first month as smooth and wonderful as possible. 

It felt like we want this to happen. 

From: Maru 
'See you later wife! Happy 1st monthsary! ❤️' 

I can't help but smile while reading my husband's text message. 

I didn't know that he is a sweet guy. Well if you will think about him, he had a girlfriend. 

Is he also this sweet with Jana? 

I suddenly felt sad when I think about that. 

'Will you stop being pessimistic Mara?!'' I scolded myself. 

But I can't help it. That's why I am so pissed with myself. 

I just felt like, all of these are supposed to be for Jana. I am stealing all the things that belong to her. 

I’m not

MARA'S POV 

Everything is new to me. Not only this wedding but all of the things that are happening now. 

First is my parents, they act as if they love and care for me. Then this heart of mine. They keep on beating crazily. I never felt like this before. I don't know if I'm excited, nervous, or both. 

“Are you okay?” Maru asks sweetly. 

I turn to him and force myself to smile at him, just to assure him that I am fine. 

Maru squeezed my hand. 

I furrowed and look at him. 

“Just relax. I'm here so no need to be nervous.” He said in a whisper. 

I heaved a heavy sigh. Maru's words calm me a bit. I turn him again and smile at him. This time, I gave a genuine one. Then I mouthed 'thank you’ to him. 

“We have come together at the invitation of Mara Denise Almonte and Andrew Maru Ottave to celebrate the uniting in Christian love, their hearts, and lives. This is possible because of the love God has created in them, through Jesus Christ.” The pastor started the wedding ceremony. 

“Jesus said, ‘I have come that they might have life and that they might have it more abundantly.’ This abundant life, for many people, is an impossible dream, yet God wants us all to have this abundant life and proved His love for us by giving His Son, that we might have this life.” 

“Another way that God provides for this ‘full’ life is by creating those who will love us. Maru has found such a one in Mara hearts and spirits were drawn together before today by the Lord of all creation. Two lives are not united by ceremony, but only in the power, love, and grace of God.” 

“Maru and Mara are here to publicly declare that because of Jesus Christ's love, they too can truly love one another. As God demonstrated His love in Jesus, our Lord, Mara and Maru will demonstrate this God-given love by giving themselves to one another and one for the other.” 

Can we really learn to love each other?

I shove that idea in my head. I am just feeling sorry because the thing that the Pastor has said is the opposite of what we have. 

Maru gently squeezes my hand. I look at our hands then I turn to him.

“Are you okay?” He asked the same question a while ago. 

I just nodded and smile at him. I force myself to just focus on the ceremony and stop thinking about other things.

My eyes widen when he placed my hand on his lips and kiss them. 

I furrowed but Maru just winked at me.

I shrugged. I should stop reacting to everything that he does. I should just let him do what he wants.

“Maru and Mara, no other human ties are more tender, no other vows are more sacred than these that you are about to assume. You are entering into that holy estate which is the deepest mystery of experience, and which is the very sacrament of divine love.” 

The pastor looks at Maru. 

“Maru, will you have Mara, to be your wedded wife, to live together after God's ordinance in the holy estate of matrimony; will you love her, comfort her, honor and keep her, in sickness and in health, and forsake all others, keep yourself only for her so long as you both shall live?” 

He looked at me, and he answered “I will.” 

The pastor turns to me after Maru answered him. 

“Mara, will you have Maru to be your wedded husband, to live together after God's ordinance in the holy estate of matrimony; will you love him, comfort him, honor and keep him, in sickness and in health, and forsake all others, keep yourself only for him so long as you both shall live?” 

I look at Maru and then at the Pastor and answer “I will.” 

I thought that this wedding would be a normal day for me. I didn't expect to feel so happy at my wedding.

I was looking at Maru when someone caught my attention.

I stare at that person intently and found out that it was Jana. She was standing at the corner of the church. 

I feel like I slap by reality when I saw the sadness in Jana's eyes.

I feel sorry for her. If it weren't for me she should have been in my place and these two will have their happily ever after.

I suddenly felt depleted. I'm losing the happiness I felt a while ago. 

I saw Maru getting the ring. Then he placed the said ring on my finger.

“Mara wear this ring as a sign of my love and faithfulness to you.” He said. 

I took the other ring and place it on Maru's ring finger. 

“Maru wear this ring as a sign of my love and faithfulness to you.” 

“Really?” He whispered. 

I just gave him a cold stare. 

“Just kidding hon.” 

I just shrugged. Maru is on his playful self again. 

Next, we have to give our marriage vow to each another. 

“I was writing my marriage vow, but I just can't think of anything.” I started my vow. 

“I was so young when I found out about our engagement. I felt nothing." I honestly said.

“We never became friends or lovers even though we know the fact that this day will soon come. And honestly, that was fine with me."

"Last three months, we had the opportunity to know more about each other. Spending those three months with you made me feel happy knowing that the person that my parents chose for me is you."

“Thank you, Maru for being a good friend to me. I'm sure that you will also be a good husband to me."

“I promise you that I will be faithful and will always be here to support you.” 

I felt relieved after saying my vow. I wasn't expecting that I will be able to deliver that well without stammering. 

Maru holds my hand. 

"Hon, I also didn't want to give you a written or rehearsed vow. I want to give you a genuine one." Then he winked at me.

I chuckled. 

“You are right, we were young when we found out that we are bound to be together forever. Forever is a strong word for people. It is impossible for some, but if those people don't believe in forever, then let's prove to them that forever does exist and that is Mara and Maru."

“I always wanted to be close to you but I want you to do what you want to do. Date whoever you like. But surprisingly you never had anyone in your life. And for that I am thankful.” 

“I promise you hon that I will be forever faithful to you. And I will be a good and loving husband to you.” 

'Loving husband?' Those words caught my attention.

I gave him a sweet smile. I honestly don’t know how to respond to that. Jana’s sad eyes are running through my mind. 

“I now pronounce you, husband and wife. You may now kiss the bride.” 

My heart started to beat crazily again. And this time I know why. This is my first kiss! 

“Don't worry hon I will be gentle” 

I pinched him. 

“Aw! Hon!” 

The crowd laughs at us. 

“Maru will you please behave!” I whispered. 

“Yes, my dear wife.” 

I can't help but smile when I heard him call me wife. 

He lifted my veil slowly. 

He held my face and kiss me. 

I close my eyes when I felt his lips on mine. It was soft and gentle. 

Everyone is cheering for us. 

Maru keeps on kissing me. I softly punch him to stop. 

I felt my face heat because of that LONG kiss. 

I give him a death glare. 

“What? The pastor said that I can kiss you.” 

“But not that long.” I hissed. 

“Okay, sorry wife. Let's just continue later.” 

“Shut up Maru!” 

He hugs and started to caress me. “Okay, sorry wife.” Then kiss me again. 

When the ceremony ended, we started to do picture taking with our family and entourage. 

We took again our last shot when Jana caught my attention again. 

She's now crying. I look at Maru and it seems like he knew nothing about Jana's being here at our wedding. 

“Maru, Jana’s here.” I finally told him. 

I can't keep it to myself anymore. My conscience is eating me.

Maru looked in the direction where Jana was. When Maru saw her I saw him furrowed. 

I kind of feel weird about his reaction. I expected him to look sad or feel sorry for the girl he truly loves.

“I'm sorry,” I told him. 

“Shush don't be hon.” He said. 

“If it weren't for me, you would have married her,” I whisper. 

“I don't have any plan on marrying her. Mara, you are the only girl I plan to marry.”

MARA'S POV

My wedding was a blast! 

Everyone is so happy as if we are a normal couple who fell in love with each other and end in marriage. 

Though I can't stop thinking about Jana. Even if they all thought that I don’t care about other people’s feelings, it's the opposite. 

I rejected most of my guy friends who confessed to me not because I don’t care about their feelings for me but because I don’t want to lead them on knowing my destiny. It will hurt them more.   

That is why I chose to be misunderstood as someone who has a heart that is hard as stone. 

That is why now, I am bothered by the look on  Jana’s face. I may not experience romantic love but I earn lots of love from my friends and ex-friends. 

"Penny for your thought my wife?" My husband asks me. 

My husband. Until now I can't believe that I am Mrs. Ottave now. 

"Jana." I only answered. 

He heaved a sigh "Hon please, stop thinking about her okay?" 

I bit my lower lip. "How can you do that?" 

He furrowed. "What do

Chapter 6