The Princess Bride (Self-published)

9: Nana Adalia

Mikael realized that he was painfully and obviously ill-equipped when it came to being a husband. Unlike his older brother who underwent training that used to be a requirement for future grooms, he did not receive such luxury.

He knew that married couples are inseparable and the married men in their kingdom used to joke about who among them would survive the longest without their wives.

"Iyang kapatid mo, Mikael, natagalan n'yang malayo sa asawa n'ya sa loob nang sampung araw," Dovran, one of his older brother's closest friends, had said.

"Sampung araw lang po, Kuya Dovran? Ang igsi naman po n'un. Naranasan ko na nga pong mawalay sa piling ni Ina sa loob po nang dalawang linggo dahil kailangan ko pong magsanay, eh."

"Siyempre, iba 'yung mawawalay sa piling ina mo at ang mawalay ka sa piling ng asawa mo. Magkaibang-magkaiba 'yun," his brother had patiently explained.

"Paano pong magkaiba?"

"Malalaman mo rin, h'wag kang magmadali. Baka ilang daang taon pa ang bibilangin bago ka makapag-asawa," his brother had teased.

"Hindi po ako mag-aasawa," he had naively declared.

"Sigurado ka ba d'yan?"

"Opo," he had confidently replied.

Hindi raw mag-aasawa...Mikael thought looking at his wife who was nervously patting her hair in place.

Gabrielle was to receive her formal instructions about the Sehrli culture and traditions from the oldest teacher in their kingdom, Nana Adalia.

"Bakit ka kinakabahan?" he asked before putting his arms around her. "Hindi ka naman paparusahan kahit magkamali ka. Isa kang Shahzad ng kaharian ng Adrasteia."

Gabrielle laughed softly turning her head to kiss her husband's cheek. "Hindi naman ako Prinsesa o Shahzad. Isa akong saserdote."

"You are married to me, I am a Prince, a Zahsade, so that makes you a princess."

"I would rather be called your wife."

"You are my wife that's why you are my princess. H'wag ka nang makipag-argumento sa bagay na 'to kasi kapag narinig ni Ina na tinatanggihan mo ang pagiging Shahzad ay sasama ang loob n'un."

"Oo na po..." she replied draping her arms around his neck. "Mikael, may ipagtatapat ako..."

"Ano?"

"Alam mo bang hinanap kita dati?" she laughingly confided.

"Paanong hinanap?"

"Umalis ako ng templo para ipagtanong sa bayan kung sino ang nakakakilala sa'yo. 'Yung kaibigan ko kasing si Ate Laura, ang sabi n'ya wala naman daw Prinsipe ang bansa natin kaya malamang ay nagsisinungaling si Lolo."

Mikael laughed. "And what did you find out?"

"Walang nakakakilala sa'yo. All I received were weird looks. Akala yata nila nababaliw na ako."

"Aw, kawawa naman ang asawa ko," Mikael replied touching his wife's face. "Kung alam ko lang 'yung tungkol sa'yo ay baka nagpumilit akong h'wag nang umalis."

Gabrielle grinned. "Sigurado ka? Baka nga agad-agad inayawan mo ako n'un, eh."

"Bakit naman?"

"Napakamaligalig ko n'ung bata ako. Naku, minsan namamaos na 'yung Lolo ko sa kasasaway sa akin. Paano ang hilig kong maglaro at ang paborito kong laro n'un ay ang umakyat ng puno."

"May pagkasa-unggoy ka pala," Mikael joked.

Gabrielle laughed. "'Yun din ang sabi ni Lolo. Sabi n'ya ano raw ba ang meron ay gustung-gusto kong umaakyat sa puno at matataas na lugar."