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The Wedding of Bugok^©

My neighbor, Bugok, told me this story that always reminds me of him.

His friend, a Protestant, fell in love with a catholic girl.  Their parents are against their relationship.

As it turned out, the girl got pregnant. In despair, since their parents continued rejecting their relationship, the boy resolved to go away. He sent Bugok to give his goodbye letter to the girl.

After reading the letter, the girl gave out a frantic cry and hugged Bugok. The girl’s father on the other hand knew the girl’s predicament and saw Bugok as a way of saving their honor. He hurriedly took a shotgun and accosted Bugok.

“So, you are the father of my girl’s baby?”

“Manong, you are wrong!”

“I don’t believe you!” The father retorted. “Marry my girl or else…” And he pressed the shotgun on Bugok’s ribs.

Bugok was silent for a while. He realized he had no way out; but his face brightened up, and he addressed the father.

“Well, this is a blessing in disguise. In fact, I love your daughter. But…”

“No ifs, no buts! Marry my child!”

“No problem with that. I’ll gladly marry your child, Manong. But I had no money for the wedding.” Bugok replied with a diffident smile and bowed head.

“Oh, if that’s your problem, don’t worry about it. I’ll pay for everything.” The father’s rejoined with visible relief; his face lightened up with the outcome of the situation.

“Thank you, Manong!” Bugok answered enthusiastically.

“Manong, I want the wedding soon,” Bugok added excitedly. “Can we have it in three month’s time? By that time my mother will be here.”

“No!” the father interjected. “I want it sooner. Let’s have it in three days time.” The father was a bit disturbed by Bugok’s request; he knew in three months time his daughter will obviously be on the family way.

“But Manong, I want my mother to be present in my wedding and she is in the province.”

“Well, fetch her.”

“Manong, I’m not prepared for this. I don’t even have enough money for transportation.”

“Here’s two hundred pesos. That would be enough. Fetch your mother tomorrow.”

“Thank you, Manong. I will leave early tomorrow. May I sleep here tonight? I want to be near your daughter as often as possible.”

“Sure. From now on, this is your home.”

That night Bugok slept contentedly and with a smile on his happy face. The next morning, he woke up early and cooked a hearty breakfast for his new family. The girl’s father was delighted with Bugok’s obvious responsible character.

Later that morning the whole family happily bade Bugok goodbye. And that was the last time they saw him.

~ o ~ o ~ o ~ o ~

Marjonnel