Once Upon a Memory

once

During meetings, Greggy keeps things strictly business. He addresses Irene formally, never lingering too long in conversation. If anyone else notices the shift in their dynamic, they don't dare mention it—except their closest friends.

"Parang ang lamig ng hangin dito, ah," Paulo mutters to Seb after one particularly tense meeting. Seb raises a brow, watching as Greggy nods curtly at Irene before leaving the room without a second glance.

"Baka may bagyong paparating," Seb quips, but his usual teasing lacks its usual bite.

Because they can see it. Greggy is different.

Irene, for her part, pretends it doesn't bother her. She remains poised, unfazed. But Patty and Rachel know better. They see how her fingers tighten around her pen when Greggy speaks, how she presses her lips together like she's holding back words she'll regret.

Outside of work, Greggy and Alfy start texting more. The conversations aren't deep—not yet. Greggy asks about Alfy wanting to take Photography, sends restaurant recommendations, even cracks a joke or two. One night, without thinking, he calls Alfy 'anak' in passing.

There's a pause.

Greggy doesn't even realize what he's said until Alfy responds with a simple, "Good night, Dad." It's not the first time he's said it. But it still hits Greggy like a punch to the chest.

Seb, Paulo, Patty, and Rachel all try to help in their own ways. Seb, always the strategist, sets up a "coincidental" lunch, inviting both Greggy and Alfy without telling them the other would be there. It's awkward at first, but as the conversation flows, something eases between them. The walls begin to crack.

And then one afternoon, Greggy notices a photo in Alfy's wallet. It's an old picture—worn around the edges, as if it's been carried around for years. A little girl, no older than ten, smiling up at the camera.

"Sino 'to?" Greggy asks.

Alfy stills. His grip on his wallet tightens before he answers, "Si Audrey."

Greggy frowns. "Pinsan mo?"

Alfy swallows hard. "Hindi." His voice is quiet.

Something shifts in Greggy's chest, but the realization doesn't hit him yet. The name lingers in his mind, a puzzle piece waiting to be placed.

Meanwhile, Irene avoids talking about what happened that night at the beach. She keeps it strictly business, keeps Greggy at arm's length. But Greggy can't help but notice the small things—the way she fixes his tie before a press conference out of habit, the way her eyes soften when Alfy enters the room, the way she looks at him when she thinks he isn't watching.

Their history clings to them like a shadow. No matter how much they try to move forward, it won't let them go.

But the truth about Audrey has been lurking in the background, waiting for the right moment to strike. And then, one day, it does.

Rachel doesn't mean to. It just slips out.

They're at Patty's house, sharing drinks after another long day. It's the four of them—Patty, Rachel, Irene, and Alfy. The mood is light, laughter bouncing off the walls, until Rachel sighs, shaking her head at something Alfy said.

"Grabe ka, Alfy. Para kang si Audrey—lagi nalang may palusot."

Silence.

Irene stiffens. Patty's smile falters. Alfy freezes.

Rachel, unaware of what she's just done, keeps going. "Diyos ko, kung nandito lang si Audrey—"

"Sino si Audrey?"