Him (Don)

Maya's POV

The whole congregation rose in unison as I entered the Church, walking arm in arm down the aisle with my father as the bridal procession song played in the background.

I wore an A-line no-hand ivory-white wedding gown, much flowery than a ball gown. It had fitted bodices through the waist and cascaded long out to the ground. My hair was tied in a bun, giving my long neck and back a perfect exposure. I wore no necklace apart from a chandelier earring and a radiant snow-white bracelet.

We got to the altar and my father kissed my cheek lovely before heading towards the crowd.

My attention diverted to my husband through the veil and I smiled broadly. He returned the smile revealing a set of perfect white teeth and attractive dimples.

My eyes automatically captured his looks. He wore a midnight blue expensive-looking slim fitted suit over a white shirt with a gray tie and a neatly folded gray handkerchief tucked in his breast pocket. On his wrist was a dazzling Rolex watch encapsulated with a black leather shiny shoe, making him more classic.

The 47 years looking priest called, shifting their attention back to life.

"Mrs. Maya Matinez? Do you take Mr. Damien Cruz as your beloved husband? And vowed that nothing can separate the bonds from you both until death" The priest asked. Damien smiled and stared at Maya who nervously glanced at the crowd searching for someone.

My mom beamed an assuring smile and veered my glance at the church, they held on to each other's hand while some eyes were filled with joyful tears. I turned my gaze back to Damien's and smiled.

"Yes I do. I will love and honor you all the days of my life. I Maya Martínez takes Damien Cruz to be my husband. I promise to be good to you in good and bad times, in sickness and in health. I will love you and honor you all the days of my life. According to God's holy name, this is my solemn vow." I said and ended with a bright smile.

"You have declared your consent before the church. May the Lord in his goodness strengthen your consent and help you." The priest said, smiling graciously.

"Damien Cruz? Do you take Maya Martinez as your wife? In all circumstances, to love, uphold and respect her? In good health and sick? In poverty or wealth?." The priest then again asked as the whole congregation was filled with absolute silence, awaiting Damien Cruz to take his vow.

"Yes I..." He didn't complete his statement as his vow was interrupted mid-sentence by a sudden loud high-pitched sound that reverberated over the entire building.

It took only a split-second for everyone to be up and running. The stampede was such that it could only fit the Hollywood movies. Except this time around it was real.

He looked into my eyes with a regretful smile as reality struck me... my would- be husband has been shot.

He slowly passed one hand to the area between his left rib and the stomach. His hands couldn't stop the blood from oozing, his eyes slowly turned from mine as he slowly took a step backwards, then collapsed to the ground.

I stood there transfixed as I looked at Damien's motionless body which had fallen to the ground. I clenched firmly to the bouquet as tears slowly fell from my eyes like a waterfall, wetting my gown.

"Maya, are you alright?" A voice called from behind, asking with a concerned tone.

Though my visions were blurry, I knew my mother was the person questioning me.

"Maya, you are shaking, come let's get you out of here..." My mom said as she held on my shoulders, shaking me back to life.

"No." I managed to speak calmly. I wanted my husband, only him and nothing else... I wasn't leaving without my husband, I said to myself as the words refused to pout out, I glimpsed at my mom, looking lost.

"Maya, are you listening to me? Let's get out of here. Your husband has been taken to the hospital. Don't you want to see him?" She asked.

I nodded, took two steps and I blacked out....

"Oh Maya, my love? I am here with you, I will never leave you. I am always here for you." Damien said, reassuring Maya.

"Damien, I thought you left, I thought I would never see you again? Do you promise not to ever let go?" I questioned, holding out my hand to take his.

"I promise not to ever leave you, Maya. I promise." He said as he took my hand, hugged and kissed me. For a moment, I didn't feel him anymore. I felt like I was hugging myself.

Cold gloom swept over me. I looked around so many times but couldn't see him.

"Damien... Damien... I called but didn't hear any reply. You promised never to let go, you broke your promise... Why are you doing this?"

Please Damien, Don't leave me..." I yelled so many times as my voice as my voice couldn't be heard anymore.

"Maya my princess, are you okay... It was just a dream, okay?" My mom said, glancing directly into my eyes. Her face was red since she had cried a lot.

"Yes Mom, I know it's just a dream, I know he can't just leave me like this?" I said, nodding and giving a smile I didn't even understand.

"Can I see him now? Where is he?" I asked, trying to sit up on the hospital bed.

"Calm down sweetheart? The doctor should check you first." My mom replied, accompanied by a fake smile.

"I am very calm and fine. I just want to see him, let's go." Immediately I wanted to get up, I felt my head spinning a little. I placed my hand on my forehead and shut my eyes.

"No! don't get out of bed. Please try to calm down, you will see him." Mom warned immediately I made a move of getting up.

"I want to see him now, please take me to him." I requested once more as I could feel my energy much better. Immediately I said this to my mom, Damien's parents entered with worry sketched on their faces. They smiled anyway.

"How are you?" Mother-in-law Lucy asked concerned.

"I am fine but I will be better when I see Damien.

Lucy, Fil Mr Adrian? My mom doesn't want to take me to see my husband, can you take me?

Don't worry about me, I will be fine."

I said looking at their face, from one person to the other, hoping someone would pity me.

"He is taking treatment in the house," Mr. Adrian replied calmly with a kind smile.

"Really? How many days have I been here?" I asked because I was a bit confused.

"Just a day. Let's wait for the doctor." My mother cut in.

"No!" I replied harshly as I wiped my eyes with my hands.

"Can I at least call him while we wait? Where is my phone?" I humbly requested in a low tone, feeling defeated.

"No need, don't disturb him. He needs to rest his body..."

"Yes, you are right. I will surprise him tonight." I replied, cutting in as we waited patiently in silence for the Doctor.

"Miss Maya? How do you feel now." The beautiful female doctor questioned while checking my body.

"I feel very well, I want to go home." I lied to come up with an excuse to be home.

"Yes, right away. I will sign a discharge note, the nurse will see you later." The doctor said, walking towards the door.

"Okay, doctor, thank you. Erm.. please wait, is my husband fine?" I asked.

She didn't reply immediately, she stared at everyone for a while before replying.

"Hmm Miss Martinez, I am not the doctor treating your husband but I am very sure he is fine. She said and smiled warmly.

"Thank you, doctor," I said with an appreciative tone, she nodded and then flounced.

"Maya? We have to take care of something, see you at home. See you later, Miss Lucy." Mother in law said and left together with Mr. Adrian.

"Sure, take care of yourself and Damien, I will be home later." My mom said as they nodded in unison at the door

Mom and dad left me for a while. I slept quietly on the bed just recalling everything that had happened. "I mean, how come? Securities were tight, it was strictly by invitation. Everything was carefully planned. Why did this happen and how did it even happen? We should have had a secret wedding."

Everything about our family is very mysterious and no one explains anything to me. The only thing they say is, 'our families must protect each other.' How do I make sense out of that, who wants to be hearing that every day while things turn into a series of unceasing misfortunes?

"Darling," my mother's call made me shudder a little as I was lost in deep thoughts.

"Mom, what is it?" I asked, with full engagement.