This is a work of FICTION. All characters are used in FICTITIOUS manner.
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Irene's POV
Days went by so fast. Dalawang araw na lang matatapos na ang taon na ito.
I woke up early and decided to visit Leo's workshop. It's like a school and he teaches children who wants to learn in music and arts.
Leo was my highschool batchmate and also a friend of mine; he often send me an invitation when he's still begining to run his chosen path.
I just texted him if they are in his workshop dahil baka mamaya, wala akong madatnan. He said yes and the students are also there.
I went to the kitchen and prepare some foods that I can bring. Maya-maya din ay nagising na ang mga tao.
"What are you doing here this early?" Mom asked.
"Aalis ako Mommy. I'll visit Leo's school." I replied.
Tumango siya at sinabing kakain na. Actually nakihati lang ako ng place dito sa kusina, habang nagluluto sila ng breakfast, nagluluto din ako ng dadalhin ko.
I sealed the tupperwares and placed it in a bag. Then I went to my seat to eat. Hindi pa nagigising si Kuya Bongbong at Liza. Even Greggy is still asleep.
After I'm done, I went back to my room to take a bath. I chose to wear a terno mock neck plaid top and skirt. I put on my white sneakers, finalize my look and went down.
Up until now, Greggy is still asleep. I found Mommy and Manang in the garden. Pinapa-arawan nila si Borgy.
"Mommy aalis na ako" paalam ko
"Mag-ingat ka. Pagmamaneho mo Irene ha" bilin niya pa.
Tumango na lang ako at humalik sa pisngi niya, kay Manang at kay Borgy.
I then head out, with my bag and the food with me. Since maaga pa, hindi masiyadong traffic. I stopped my car for a while to buy pizza.
I was greeted by the guard the moment I entered the building. It's a three-storey building, by the way.
Dumiretso ako sa second floor kung saan matatagpuan ang room for the instructors. Kumatok ako sa bahagyang naka-awang na pintuan.
"Good morning."
"Ms. Irene!" tili ni Dana. She's like the second highest teacher here, next to Leo.
Yumakap siya sakin. "Where are they?" I asked when she's already calm.
"Nasa taas po. They're rehearsing for an upcoming show. Tara po doon. For sure matutuwa ang mga bata. Dalhin ko na po ito." she said and get the food from me.
Paakyat palang peroo dinig na dinig ko na ang mga tunog mula sa iba't-ibang instrumento. Nang makapasok kami, nandito nga silang lahat.
Leo is conducting them. They can't see us since naka-side view sila. The moment they are done, I clapped as hard as I can and even cheered.
"Nandito si Ms. Irene!" dinig kong sabi ng mga bata. Unang tumakbo palapit si Sofie. I must say, she's the sweetest among them and probably the closest one to me and she's also the youngest.
"Happy Holidays po" she greeted me.
I smiled ang gave her a hug. "Happy Holidays Sofie." Hindi rin nagpahuli ang iba na yumakap at bumati.
"Leo, you look beautiful" I told him when the kids went back to their seats.
Umismid siya,"Tatawagin mo akong maganda tapos Leo?"
"Eh ano? Leonardo?"
He gave me a disgusted look. "Please. Matagal ko nang ibinaon sa limot ang pangalan na iyan."
I laughed. "Oo na. Lea na kung Lea. By the way I brought some foods"
"Kaya ka pala nagtetext kanina. May plano ka palang bumisita. Sakto ang dating mo, wala akong ipapakain sa kanila" he chuckled. "Siya nga pala, we have a new teacher" he led me to where the teachers are. "Si Conrad"
He extended his arms. Ayoko sanang makipag-kamay but I don't want to be rude, tinanggap ko ito. "Nice to meet you" tipid akong ngumiti.
"The pleasure is mine." he said and even kissed my hand. Nagulat ako kaya nahila ko bigla ang kamay ko.
The teachers are also shocked, lalo na si Leo. It's a good thing hinila na niya ako palayo. "Bakla ka wag ka nang umeksena, ibigay mo na yon sakin"
"Iyong iyo na. Wala akong interest sa kanya" tawa ko.
To make the surroundings a little bit unawkward, kumain na lang kami.
---
Third Person's POV
Back in the mansion, Greggy finally woke up. Before going downstairs, pumunta muna siya sa kwarto ni Irene pero walang tao.
Bumaba na siya at nakita sila Imee sa sala. He went to the kitchen and only found Imelda and Bongbong and Liza who's eating their breakfast.
"Gising ka na pala. Sabayan mo na silang kumain." aya ni Imelda.
He nodded and sat on his chair. "Asan po si Irene, Tita?" he asked.
"Hala ka, iniwanan ka na" pangdadaot ni Bongbong kaya siniko siya ni Liza.
"She didn't let you know? Kanina pa siya umalis. She went to visit her friend's school" Imelda answered.
"May I ask for the address po?"
Nagkatinginan silang tatlo. In the end, they gave him the address.
After eating, he huriedly took a bath and change his clothes. Dahil magtatanghali na medyo mabagal na ang daloy ng traffic.
Nang makarating siya, tinanong siya ng guard.
"I'm here for Irene" he said.
"Kaano-ano ka po?"
Napatigil siya sa tanong ng guard. "A very close friend." He looked at the guard and it's like he's not taking it.
"Kahit ihatid mo pa ako kuya. I will not do something bad. I'm just here for Irene."
Hanggang sa nakumbinsi niya ang guard. Talagang hinatid niya ito sa third floor. Kumatok ang guard at sumilip sa loob.
Napabaling naman silang lahat doon.
"Excuse me po, may naghahanap po kay Ms. Irene."
Leo looked at Irene but Irene just gave him an 'i don't know look'.
"Papasukin mo na lang kuya" sagot ni Leo.
"Pwede ka na raw pumasok Sir." baling ng guard kay Greggy at umalis na.
When he stepped in to the room he saw his girl. Bukod kay Irene, may isa pang tao na naka-agaw sa atensiyon niya. The only man among them, well obviously he can see that the person beside Irene is gay.
He looked at the man who is staring at Irene as if mawawala ito pag pumikit siya. And that makes Greggy's blood boil.
---
Irene's POV
Pumasok ang isang matangkad na lalaki dito sa loob.
"Ang pogi" I heard Leo whispered.
Dumiretso siya sakin at humalik sa pisngi ko. "Uyyy" sabay sabay na sabi ng mga bata.
Humila siya ng upuan at itinabi sakin. "What are you doing here?" I asked.
"Bakit mo ko iniwan?" balik niyang tanong.
"Of course you were still sleeping."
"You should have woke me up or send me a text" reklamo niya.
"Konting oras lang naman akong mawawala. Para kang bata na takot mahiwalay sa ina. Magkikita naman tayo sa bahay, we're living under the same roof for pete's sake Greggy" malapit na akong mainis.
"Sorry." tumungo siya. "I just wanted to be with you in the remaining days of my leave." he whispered but I heard it. Umakto pa siyang parang nakakaawa talaga.
I sighed. "Fine. Nag-breakfast ka na ba? Go get some food there." turo ko sa lamesa.
He glared at someone before he stood up. Tiningnan ko at si Conrad yon. It looks like he also don't like that guy, we have the same feeling Mr. Araneta.
"Sino yan? Jowabels mo? Ipakilala mo naman kami bakla ka" bulong na naman ni Leo sakin.
As soon as he gets back, "Greggy, I want you to meet Leo, the owner of this school, my friend. This is Dana, Mitch, Faith, and Conrad, his co-teachers. Of course the students" baling ko sa mga bata.
Nakipag-kamay siya sa kanila pero tinanguan niya lang si Conrad.
"Ms. Irene boyfriend mo po?" Sofie suddenly asked.
"No--"
"Not yet. But I will be" putol niya sa sasabihin ko.
That made them tease us. Except for that Conrad who is now avoiding us and our gaze. Should be.
After eating, they continued to rehearse and we were just watching. Panay ang dikit sakin ni Greggy, ayaw akong lubayan, kahit konting galaw lang ay inaabangan niya.
We decided to go home before lunchtime, hinatid kami nina Leo sa baba.
"Thank you for the visit." Leo said.
"Babalik ka pa naman right?" pagsingit ni Conrad.
"O-oo naman."
"She'll come back for the kids not for you" Greggy uttered. Hinawakan ko ang braso niya para kumalma siya.
"Una na kami" I bid my goodbye.
"Ingat po kayo Ms. Irene, see you again soon"
Iginiya ako ni Greggy papuntang sasakyan niya. "Dinala ko ang sasakyan ko"
"I know. Ipapakuha nalang natin later."
"Ayoko."
"Pumasok ka na, mainit dito sa labas." pinagbuksan niya akok ng pinto.
"Ayoko sabing iwan ang sasakyan ko." I said and went to my car. Dinig ko pang tinatawag niya ako pero di koo pinapansin.
When I get in, I was about to drive away. Pero biglang pumasok si Greggy sa passenger's seat. "Yung sasakyan ko nalang ang ipapakuha mamaya."
Natraffic kame dahil uwian na din ng mga tao. "Ang ganda naman ng driver ko ngayon." sabi niya nang malapit na kami.
"Talaga?" I asked and increases the speed of my car. Wala namang sasakyan na dumadaan kaya okay lang, or atleast that's what I think.
"Dahan-dahan naman" sinulyapan ko siya at mahigpit ang kapit niya sa inu-upuan niya.
Dahil sa mabilis kong pagpapatakbo, natahimik siya hanggang sa makarating kami sa bahay.
Si Manang ang nagbukas ng pinto. Dumiretso si Greggy sa sofa. "What happened to him?" she asked.
"I don't know, you should ask him" tawa ko. "Asan sila Mommy?"
"May pinuntahan sila ni Bongbong." aniya at nilapitan si Greggy. "Napano ka?"
"Ang bilis niyang magpatakbo" sabi niya at tumingin sakin. "Mabilis din naman ako magpatakbo minsan pero hindi ganon kalala" pagsusumbong niya na parang bata.
As if papagalitan ako ng kapatid ko eh siya nga nagencourage sa'kin ng mabilis na pagpatakbo ng sasakyan.
Tinawanan ko lang siya at umakyat sa kwarto ko para magpalit ng pang-bahay.
I stayed in my room for a while. Nang bumaba ako, I found Greggy near the pool area. He's bathing my dogs and he seems to enjoy it.
I sat on the hammock and watched them, since hindi niya napansin ang presence ko.
When he's done, he blowdried their hair. Napansin niya lang ako nang kumahol si Athena sakin.
"I got bored so I thought I can bath them" he said as he get near me.
"Sabihin mo lang kung maid na ang ina-apply'an mo ha para alam namin. Pinaliguan mo na din sana yung mga sasakyan" I joked.
"I didn't know you're a joker" he laughed a bit.
We had our lunch as soon as mommy, kuya and Liza got home.
Nasa sala kami ngayon, except for Mommy and Liza, who's sleeping in their room.
Greggy is laying down and his head is on my lap. Ginawa kasi siyang upuan ni Borgy. He is on top of Greggy's stomach at kanina pa siya galaw ng galaw.
Then I remembered a lot of foods back in my condo. "Bumangon ka nga saglit magpapalit ako"
"Saan tayo pupunta?" bumaling siya sakin.
"Sa condo lang naman, tsaka anong 'saan tayo pupunta'."
"Sama ako ulit"
"Bakit ba buntot ka ng buntot sakin. Lahat ng pupuntahan ko kasama ka, pati mga ginagawa ko ginagawa mo rin" inis na sabi ko.
"Mahal kita eh"
I was stunned to speak. Jusko naman bakit ganito.
"Aalis kayo?" tanong ni Manang. I looked at my siblings and Bongbong fell asleep in the couch.
"Oo. Kukuha lang ako ng mga pagkain sa condo ko. I remembered shopping them before I left. Sayang pag may nasira na doon"
"Great! You can take Borgy. I want to have a peaceful sleep. Baka iyak na naman ng iyak yan, inaantok ako, tulog pa naman lahat." then she reached her phone. "May pinapabili din pala si Mommy sakin, gagamitin para sa lulutuin bukas. Kayo na lang ang bumili ha"
"Dijay kam lang condo" (Sa condo lang kami) sagot ko.
"Dumagas kay tu dijay grocery store'n sakbay agawiden ah" (Dumaan na kayo sa grocery store bago umuwi)
"Alagarud. Pagsukatem ta anak mo ngaruden" (Sige na nga. Pagpalitin mo na ng damit yang anak mo) ani ko bago pumunta sa kwarto ko.
Nang makababa ako, wala na doon si manang at nakabihis na rin ang dalawa ko pang kasama.
"Let's go." aya ko. Ibinigay niya sakin si Borgy at pinagbuksan kami ng pintuan.
As we get there, I immediately went to my room and told Greggy to wait for me in the kitchen.
I saw a paper bag in my bed. I remembered buying that for Trisha. I forgot to give it on christmas.
I dialed her number and she picked it up. "Hello, Ms. Irene, do you need anything po?"
"Wala naman. Are you busy? Can you come here in my condo? May sasabihin lang ako."
"Pauwi na po kami, galing po kase kami sa bahay ng kapatid ko, sige po dadaan po kami diyan, kasama ko po kase si mama"
"Alright I'll see you here. Bye" I said and ended the call.
I've been having a good communication with her mother. I remembered Trisha told me their story. Her mother is a fish vendor and her father is a carpenter. Despite their hardships, nakapagtapos silang magkakapatid.
Kinuha ko sa closet ko yung mga damit na hindi na kasiya sakin and added them in the paper bag. Bag ang laman non, binili ko noon para sa kanya.
When I'm done lumabas na ako at ni-lock ang kwarto ko. Nadatnan ko sila sa harap ng ref at kumakain ng chocolate. The chocolate is all over Borgy's face and his shirt. Ang kalat!
"What happened to you. Greggy bakit hindi mo binantayan, pupunta pa tayo sa supermarket!" sabi ko sabay kuha ng wet wipes sa bag ko at pinunasan si Borgy.
"We'll just buy him a new clothes" he uttered. "Kinuha ko nalang lahat ng stock. Mag-grocery na lang tayo pag magtatagal ka na ulit dito"
Kumuha ako ng eco bag at nilagay doon ang mga canned goods at iba pang pagkain. "I-silid mo na yan sa isang eco bag" tukoy ko sa mga hindi ko kinuha.
"Para saan yan? Kakasiya pa yang diyan"
"Ibibigay ko to kila Trisha. They will be here any moment"
He obliged and put them in a seperate bag. Suddenly the doorbell rang. They're here now.
As I open the door, "Happy Holidays Ms. Irene" bati niya sakin.
"Happy Holidays" ngiti ko. "Pasok kayo." I led them to the couch. "Greggy kindly bring the bag here please." Sabi ko sa nasa kusina.
Greggy went here in the sala with Borgy behind him, hawak ang laylayan ng damit niya.
"Sir Greggy nandito rin po pala kayo. Siya nga po pala, ang mama ko. Ma, si Sir Greggy, yung sinasabi kong soon to be boyfriend ni Ms. Irene" pagpapakilala ni Trisha sa mama niya, she whispered the last phrase but we heard it that made us chuckled.
"Nice to meet you po Sir" Trisha's mom bowed. "Naku, talaga namang ang ganda niyong tingnang dalawa, bagay na bagay. Nasisiguro kong maganda o pogi ang magiging anak ninyo."
"Ma nakakahiya" pagsiko ni Trisha sa ina niya.
"No it's okay. Hindi sinungaling ang mom mo ah" Greggy said. Talaga namang gustong-gusto niya pag ganon ang usapan.
He handed her the eco bag. "Para saan po ito?" she asked, cluelessly.
"Pamasko ni Santa Claus" he joked.
Ibinigay ko na rin yung regalo ko sa kanya. "This is also for you. Hindi ko naibigay noong christmas."
"Sobra-sobra na po ito Ms. Irene" tukoy niya sa mga pagkain.
"Magtatampo talaga ako kapag hindi mo ito tinanggap"
In the end kinuha niya rin. I also get the cash in my pocket and grabbed her mom's hand. Nilagay ko doon ang pera dahilan ng paglaki ng mata niya.
"Bawal tumanggi 'Nay, nabigay ko na" inunahan ko na sila.
"Maraming-maraming salamat Ms. Irene." she said and went for a hug.
I saw Greggy smiling at me. Nang kumalas na siya, may naramdaman akong yumakap din sa binti ko. There I saw Borgy.
"I want hug too, Tita" nabubulol niyang sabi.
I carried him, "Say hi to them"
"Hello" he said and waved his hands.
"Ang cute mo kahit ang dungis mo"
"Siya nga pala Ms. Irene, aagahan ko na ang pag-imbita. Birthday ko po nextmonth, punta po ulit kayo pati po kayo Sir."
"Siyempre naman Nay, kelan pa ako nawala sa birthday mo" I said. Since Trisha worked for me, they've been inviting me to their birthday, sometimes, even my whole family is invited.
"Expect me to be there po" Greggy told her.
Nagpasalamat na sila bago nagpaalam. "Mauna na po kami Ms. Irene, Sir Greggy, babye Borgy" pinisil niya ang pisngi ni Borgy na hanggang ngayon ay buhat ko parin, ayaw bumaba.
"Thank you po sa mga ibinigay niyo" they said and waved their goodbye.
Nang maka-alis na sila, "Tita I'm dirty" pinakita ni Borgy ang damit niya.
"Wala ka bang maliliit na damit diyan, kahit croptop lang, palitan mo muna yung damit niya. Mag-mall na lang tayo mamaya, doon na tayo bumili." Greggy said.
Sinubukan kong kalasin ang pagkakayakap sakin ni Borgy pero nagmatigas siya. "You need to let go of Tita baby. I will find you a shirt so you won't feel sticky"
"Ayaw" sabi niya at isiniksik ang ulo sa leeg ko.
Because of that, Greggy laughed. "Ako nalang maghahanap, samahan niyo ako sa kwarto mo"
Buhat-buhat ko siyang umupo sa kama habang pinapanuod si Greggy na maghanap. Natagalan dahil ibinigay ko pala kay Trisha yung ibang napag-liitan ko.
"Can I see that camouflage one, maliit na ata yan" I told him.
He showed it to me and I was right, medyo malaki kay Borgy but that's okay, magmumukha nga lang oversized sa kanya.
Tinanggal ko na ang damit niya at ipinasuot ito sa kanya. "Okay na, hindi na dirty?" I asked him.
"Yes tita" he said and kissed my cheek. Tsaka siya tumakbo palabas.
"Ako din, pakiss" ani Greggy.
"Ayusin mo yung closet ko" I told him before following Borgy.
While waiting for him to finish, I opened the tv for Borgy. I then called manang. She's not picking up but I still tried, a lot of times.
Until she picks up. "Iforward mo kanyak listaan dagitay magatang." (Iforward mo sakin listaan ng mga bibilhin" I said and ended the call, hindi ko na hinintay pang magsalita siya.
Sinulyapan ko si Borgy at tuwang-tuwa sa pinapanood niya, sinasabayan pa.
I went to my room to check on Greggy. He's almost done. I sat on my bed and checked the list manang sent.
Ang haba naman neto, parang walang stock sa bahay. "Done" dinig kong sabi ni Greggy. "Wala ba akong reward?"
"Wala, tara na" hinila ko ang kamay niya pero hindi siya umalis sa kinatatayuan niya.
"Buhatin mo na si Borgy, then we'll go" I said and went to check everything before heading out.
Naabutan ko silang nagpipilitan sa sofa. "Come on Borgy, Tita will just carry you later."
"I want Tita nga"
I sighed and went to carry him. Greggy carried my bag and the bag where the food was and locked my condo.
When we reached the mall, we went straight to the supermarket and bought everything on the list. The only thing we got that is not on the list is Borgy's candies and chocolates and such.
We're just roaming around, Borgy is in our cart. Greggy went to buy him clothes so we are waiting for him and then we can now pay.
My phone suddenly rang.
"Where are you?" Greggy asked.
I look around to see signs. "Isle where drinks are."
"Alright, I'm coming. Wait for me there." he said and ended the call.
When he came, we went to the counter to pay so we can go home now.
But that's just what I thought. After changing Borgy's shirt, he wants to go to the toy store. Greggy looked at me, as if he's asking for my permission.
"Fine but make it fast,I'll just wait you outside."
"Will you be okay?" he asked.
I just nodded and then they went inside the store.
After a few minutes, they're done. Greggy is holding a big plastic bag and Borgy is just hopping happily.
"That's a lot" referring to the toys. "Don't spoil him too much."
"These are not just toys, I also got him books earlier. Let's go home"
When we got home, we saw them in the kitchen.
"Jusko ana man ta iggem mon anakko?" (Jusko ano na naman yang hawak mo anak?)Manang went to her son. "Ay-ayam manen? Nagadu pay nakawara a ay-ayam mo dijay kwartom ken kwartok" (Laruan na naman? Ang dami mo pang laruan na nagkalat sa kwarto mo at sa kwarto ko)
"Agsangit nu han a maigatangan isu nga pinagbigyan min" (Iiyak pag hindi nabilhan kaya pinagbigyan namin) I told her.
"Han ka man lang sumursurot kadagita dwa a Maria paylang. Mais-spoiled ka permi" (Wag ka na nga munang sumama sa dalawang Maria na yan. Naii-spoiled ka lalo.)
Pumasok si Greggy dala-dala ang mga pinamili kaya tinulungan siya ni Tommy.
"Magpalit na kayo, kakain na tayo mamaya" Mom told us.
"Bakit nga pala iba damit nito, hindi ito yung pinasuot ko sa kanya kanina"
"Nadumihan kanina Manang kaya pinalitan namin" sagot ni Greggy.
Umakyat na ako para makapagpalit ng damit, after that, we had our dinner.
---
I'm here at my room, doing something in my laptop when Greggy came in.
"Mama La nakarating na ba sainyo yung balita?" he's having a video call.
"Anong balita?" tanong ng kausap niya.
"That I am courting someone" umupo siya sa tabi ko.
"Yes. Kailan mo siya ipapakilala sakin?"
"Ngayon na Mama La." Itinutok niya ang cellphone niya sakin kaya nagulat ako.
"H-hello po" I shyly waved my hand.
"Good evening hija. Kinukulit ka ba ng apo ko?" she chuckled.
"Oo nga po eh, hindi ako tinatantanan"
I heard her laugh. "Hindi ko siya masisisi, you're such a beautiful woman. I want to see you personally"
"Mama La I will find time to visit you soonest." Greggy interfered.
"Alright. I need to hang up now, it's time for my meds. I'll see you both soon. I love you Thirdie" she said and the screen went black.
Bumaling ako kay Greggy. "Thirdie? That's your nickname?" I chuckled.
"Please don't call me that."
"Thirdie. Thirdie. Thirdie."
Bigla siyang lumapit kaya napatigil ako. "Subukan mo, sa kwarto mo ikaw matutulog" banta ko.
He planted a peck on my lips before pulling away. "Matutulog na ako." humiga siya at tinalikuran ako.
"Hoy Gregorio anong silbi ng kwarto mo." I asked but I didn't get an answer.
I put my laptop away before laying down. I felt so tired. I closed my eyes and let myself be swallowed by sleep.