It was 11:15 am on a bright Thursday.
He was administering an exam to his History class and only a few of his students were left still taking the test. He was checking the papers as they were submitted to him, not so much as to make good use of his time, but more to find something to do other than check his watch every 30 seconds, willing it to move faster.
Finally, as he was writing the score on the last paper he was checking, he chanced a quick glance at his watch. It was 11:30 am. Any second now, the bell will ring and he'll be free to go.
Moments passed by in almost deliberate slow motion until finally in a blast that shot a fresh injection of adrenaline in his veins, the bell rang.
He quickly gathered his things and cleared his desk, fumbling with the test papers as he went.
He noticed his hand shaking and he sheepishly smiled to himself.
Damn, he was nervous.
He has never felt this giddy since the first time he went out on a date back in high school.
It was a strange but welcome feeling.
He half ran, half walked to the faculty room which was, fortunately, empty. He wasn't exactly in the mood for answering questions why he's heading off in such a hurry and why he has been fidgetty all morning. Most of his coleagues were probably already in the cafeteria enjoying their lunch and so he quickly, deposited the exam papers on his locker, slammed it shut and headed out.
In 10 minutes flat, he was at the City Hall where his lady love was waiting along with her mother, some family members and a few close friends.
"Did you get the papers?" he asked as he gave her a quick peck on the cheek, kissed her mother's hand and greeted the rest of the group with a bright smile.
"Yes it's already here. Let's go." she answered as she gave his arm a gentle squeeze.
He was about to ask everyone to wait when his "Tatay" arrived just in time. He made the customary introductions and amidst smiles and handshakes, he said, "I think we're all set to go."
They all boarded the jeep his lady love's brother lent them for the day and sped through the streets to the other side of town - the Justice Hall.
"How was the exam?" she attempted at small talk as she slipped her hand between his.
"It was okay. I finished checking the papers already." he replied smiling.
Both fell silent for the next few minutes and the only sound was the roar of the jeep's engine and the drone of conversation of the other passengers with them. They both just looked at their intertwined fingers holding on to each other like life depended on it.
As they both lifted their gaze to each others' face, their eyes met. Their meaningful smiles belied the silence of their lips and they settled on each others warm company for the rest of the trip.
After a few more minutes, they arrived at the Justice Hall.
Everyone alighted and tried their best to straighten their clothes and look their best.
"The judge's office is at the end of the hall. He should already be there waiting for us." he announced to everyone and they took to follow him.
He took her lady's hand and led her inside the hall and they walked hand in hand towards the judge's office while everyone else walked and talked behind them.
True to his words, the judge was already there waiting and he smiled at them amiably as they entered.
"Well, it's almost noon so I guess it'd have to be 'good afternoon'." he said good naturedly as he reached out to shake the elderly man's hand.
"Well, good afternoon to all of you as well." the judge replied with a big smile and added, "Are we all here? Shall we begin?"
Everyone nodded in approval.
He held her hand tightly and she responded by squeezing his hand back as the short and simple ceremony went underway.
And as the judge finished the rites saying, "Well young man, you may kiss your bride!" he looked straight at her eyes and said in the simplest yet most profound way, "I love you" to which she coyly answered, "I love you more".
And they kissed.
