DISCLAIMER: This is a work of FICTION. All characters are used in FICTITIOUS manner.
First week of March...
Irene's POV
"Gwen, are you coming or not?" Greggy shouted.
"'Eto na." Gwen makes her way down.
"Napakakupad, para kang pagong. Tara na, Mama La is probably waiting for us." he said and carried our things.
He opened the door for me before going to the driver's seat.
"Kuya how 'bout me?"
"Kaya mo na yan, malaki ka na" he uttered.
"Bastos talaga, kanina ka pa ha" she said and went inside the car.
Mahaba-haba ang biyahe namin dahil sa Batangas kami pupunta. Maingay pero tumahimik noong nakatulog kami ni Gwen.
"Irene, we're here." nakaramdam ako ng tapik sa balikat ko. "Ako na magdadala ng mga yan Gwen bumaba ka na" I heard him say.
Nagmulat ako ng mata at tiningnan ang paligid. We are already in front of a not-so-modern house.
Inalalayan ako ni Greggy na bumaba sa sasakyan at pumasok na kami. The moment I stepped inside, I was so amazed by the look of it. Everything is almost antique. The piano, the portraits, the figurines, everything.
"There's my Thirdie." I heard an old woman approaching us. She's much more beautiful in person. Bumaling siya sakin, "The most precious last born of the Marcoses, hello hija, welcome to my home" humalik siya sa pisngi ko.
"Hello maam, these are for you" I handed her a circular box of pink roses.
"Ah! My favorite! And please call me Mama La" she said. "Kumusta ang biyahe? Are you guys hungry? Sakto ang dating niyo, we'll have our lunch now"
"Mama La did you cooked?" Gwen asked.
"Your sinigang? Of course I did. Dun na tayo sa kusina" she said.
"We also brought foods Mama La. We cooked it ourselves." pagmamalaki ni Gwen.
"You know how to cook?" Mama La was shocked.
"Ate Irene taught me. I also learned to do household chores"
"That's surprising, knowing that you don't like to spend time with your kuya's girl before. I should thank Irene. Napatino mo itong bunso nila, ni hindi nga mautusan yan noon" she told me.
Again, ganon ba kalala ang mga ipinakilala ni Greggy sa pamilya niya?
"Kumain na tayo, I'm hungry." singit ni Greggy.
Habang kumakain, panay ang paga-asikaso nila sa akin. They treated me so special. I felt so welcone. Oh how I missed my grandparents.
The three of us are sitting in the garden, drinking tea, when Mama La came. "May I just borrow my apo for just a minute." she said.
I smiled and nodded then she pulled Greggy away.
"He's the favorite" Gwen suddenly said.
"Greggy?"
Tumango siya. "It's because he's named after Papa Lo and they look almost the same."
"Hindi ka ba nagseselos?"
"Na siya ang paborito? Why would I? Ayokong ako ang maging paborito Ate. Yeah mom and dad spoiled me but with our grandparents? When they chose you, wala ka nang takas. They're so sweet to you but the pressure that they will give? Hindi ko yon kakayanin."
"I totally understand why kuya became their fave. Siya lang ang bukod tangi sa aming apat ang pumasok sa business world. He will continue the legacy that our grandparents started. Kaya nga atat na atat halos lahat na magpakasal na siya." she said that made my eyes grew bigger. "Be ready" she added.
I cleared my throat, "You're not interested to handle your company?" I shifted the topic immediately.
Umiling siya. "I want to walk on my own path, not the path that they want me to take. Kuya George is a doctor, Ate Gabriela is a lawyer, both of them, inilihis ang landas kase ayaw nilang sila ang magpatakbo ng kumpanya. Mas lalo naman ako" she chuckled.
"What do you want then?"
"I love travelling, so FA siguro?"
Nangunot ang noo ko, "Siguro? You're not sure?"
"Hindi ko kase mapicture ang future ko Ate, I don't know what I want."
I went near her and held her hand. "You know that my family are politicians right?" I asked and she nodded. "Only Aimee and I didn't follow their steps. Hearing a lot of things that people throw to our family is very tiring, ano pa kaya kung ikaw na mismo ang inaasinta nila." I sighed, remembering the things we went through.
"My love for music had pushed me to take a path that is very different from my siblings. What made me so happy to walk that path is, my family didn't stop me. They supported me all the way till the end. I know your family will also do the same to you. Follow what your heart wants, you may not see your future self now, but you will soon, just trust the process. Don't rush things, it will come in the right time." she hugged me.
"You're really the best."
When we parted, we laughed in an unknown reason.
"You girls done? Uuwi na tayo, baka gabihin tayo sa daan" Greggy who's leaning on the door.
We stand up and went to Mama La. "We'll get going now Mama La." he said.
"Siya sige. Thank you for your time."
"Bye Mama La." Gwen kissed her cheek.
"Wag nang magpa-pasaway ha" she patted her head like a kid. "Irene, dear, I have a lot of things to say and thank for." sinenyasan niya ang dalawa na mauna nang lumabas.
Hinawakan niya ang kamay ko, "I am now getting older and weaker." she sighed. "I just want to ask you one thing. Please never leave Greggy's side whatever happens."
Why do I feel that she wants to tell me something. Yung mga salita niya... may laman.
"I will try my best to do that Mama La."
She smiled and gave me a hug. "Thank you, Irene. You should go now, baka mainip sila" she chuckled.
Inihatid niya ako palabas. We bid our goodbyes and then went to the car.
"Anong pinag-usapan niyo?" pakiki-usyuso ni Greggy.
"Wala. Give me the keys, I'll drive."
"No. Ako na" he said and opened the passenger's seat. He glared at me when I didn't move.
Napatili na lang ako nang buhatin niya ako at inilapag sa upuan saka isinara ang pinto. He thinks he's done? Dali-dali akong lumipat sa driver's seat and made myself comfortable.
"Ang tigas ng ulo mo" he said when he opened the door and saw me.
"Saglit lang naman eh"
"Ako na lang kaya mag-drive?" Gwen said.
"Stay there!" sabay naming sabi ni Greggy.
"Fine." Greggy said, defeatedly. "Follow the GPS. Saglit lang ha" then he went to the passenger's seat.
I smirked victoriously. I even heard Gwen clapping so I looked at her. "Tiklop" she said so we laughed.
While on the road, I saw him yawning. See, the 'driver' is sleepy.
"Itulog mo muna." I told him
"Hindi ako inaa-" he was cutted by his own yawn.
"Sige na. I'll wake you up when it's your turn."
In the end, napilit ko ring matulog. Malalabanan mo ba ang antok mo?
I looked at Gwen through the rearview mirror and she's busy in her own world with an earphone plugged in her ears.
Boredom striked so I turned the music on.
Halfway through, I waked Greggy up, and we exchanged seat. It's my turn to sleep.
Padilim na nang makarating kami sa bahay niya. Nagpalit lang kami ng damit at kumain na.
---
"Aalis na kami Tuesday next week" he said, we are now in bed. He already informed me before about them leaving for their business.
"3-4 months you say? Ang tagal no'n" Today is Friday so they'll leave three days from now.
"I know. If only I can stay here, I would. Wag na lang kaya akong tumuloy?"
Kokonsensiyahin pa ako ng lalaking 'to. "Pumunta ka, kailangan ka doon diba?"
"I will miss you." he cuddled me.
"Hmm?"
"Wag mo akong ihatid sa airport ha baka hindi ako maka-alis."
I just looked at him and rolled my eyes jokingly. We cuddled until we fell asleep.
---
The next day is weekend so I went home to the mansion after lunch. Greggy wanted to come but I didn't let him.
Wala silang lahat nang makarating ako sa bahay kaya nag-stay muna ako sa kwarto ko. Naglinis ako dahil medyo magulo kahit hindi ko naman ginamit ng ilang araw. I saw some toys so I assume they used my room, may nawawala ring mga libro sa shelf ko.
After I took a bath, I heard noises downstairs. Bababa na sana ako nang may tumawag sa cellphone ko, it's Manang.
"Haan ka nga agawid?" (Hindi ka ba uuwi?) she asked.
"Apay kadi?" (Bakit ba?) dahan-dahan kong binuksan at sinara ang pinto ko at tahimik na bumaba.
"Ni Irene deta? Pagawidem man" (Si Irene yan? Pauwiin mo nga) I heard Mommy.
"Nangeg mo dejay? Paspasam" (Narinig mo 'yon? Bilisan mo) ani Manang
Saktong pagpasok ko ng kusina, si Kuya Bongbong lang ang nakaharap sa may pintuan. Nanlaki ang mata niya at nagpipigil tumawa.
"Adadta ta kasarsarita ken pagaw-awiden yo ne" (Nandyan yung kausap at pinapauwi niyo oh) he laughed.
Lumingon silang lahat at tinapos ko na ang tawag. Dali-daling bumaba si Borgy na nakakandong kay Manang. "Tita Irene!" bati niya at nagpabuhat. "I missed you" he said and kissed my cheek.
"I missed you too" sagot ko at naglakad papunta sa upuan ko.
"Itattay ka pay laeng ditoy?" (Kanina ka pa ba dito?) Liza asked.
"Wen, nadalusak met lang dijay kwarto kon, nakadigos nak payen. Naggapwan yo?" (Oo, nalinis ko na nga yung kwarto ko, nakaligo na rin ako. Saan kayo galing?)
"Dijay kam ruwar nangaldaw" (Sa labas kami nag-lunch)
"Nga awan nak?" (Nang wala ako?) pagrereklamo ko pero tumawa lang sila.
Pumunta kami sa sala para manoood. Nakahiga sa akin si Borgy at katabi ko ang mga kapatid ko.
"Digosem man ni Borgy, nasakit tuy likod ko" (Paliguan mo nga si Borgy, masakit ang likod ko) Manang told me.
"Ayan na kadi ni Kuya Tommy?" (Asan ba si Kuya Tommy?) tanong ko pero biglang sumama ang mukha niya.
"Awan" (Wala) inirapan niya ako. Aba, nagtatanong lang naman, bakit parang nang-aaway to.
Bumaling ako kay kuya at bumulong, "Ana't napasamak?" (Anong nangyari?)
Tiningnan niya muna si Manang tsaka bumulong din. "Nagapa da, I mean inapa na, idi kalman paylang. Haan ngamin nakagatang ni Tommy ti durian shake ti tenga ti rabii . Ada dijay balay da isuna" (Nag-away sila, I mean inaway niya, kahapon palang. Hindi kasi nakabili ng durian shake si Tommy kalagitnaan ng gabi. Nasa bahay nila siya ngayon.) he chuckled.
"Nasyaat kadi nga pagsaritaan dak a sisa-sango?" (Mabuti ba yang pinag-uusapan niyo akong harap-harapan?) pagtataray na naman niya kaya tumahimik na lang kami kahit pigil na yung tawa namin. Even Mommy and Liza are holding their laughter.
Where on earth will someone find a durian shake in the middle of the night? What kind of pregnancy craving is that.
"Makapa-balla dagitoy dwa a masikog, tila adda sapsapulen da a makan, iti rabii pay lang met ti panagsapul da." (Nakaka-baliw tong dalawang buntis, kung anu-ano ang hinahanap na pagkain, sa gabi pa naghahanap) bulong pa ni Kuya. Napatigil lang siya nang sipain siya ni Liza at sinamaan ng tingin.
"Digosem tu ah" (Paliguan mo ha) sabi na naman ni Manang, nakangiti na siya.
Um-oo na ako dahil baka ako naman ang pag-initan niya. This is the reason why I don't want to stay here for a very long time. I had to deal with their weird attitude, parang ewan, paiba-iba.
But I think I'll stay here since Greggy will be out of the country.
I did what Manang want me to do. Pumunta kami sa kwarto nila. I let Borgy choose what to wear and when he's done, I led him in the bathroom.
After his bath, I also let him wear his clothes alone, para matuto. Then we went back downstairs.
While waiting for the food to be cooked I went to see Hera, Athena and Apollo. Ipapasyal ko sana sila pero tinatamad ako.
I played with them, they love to be petted. When they felt tired, I left them to let them sleep then I went to my room and to my surprise I saw a man on my bed and his luggages on the floor.
"What the hell are you doing here. Iniwan mo si Gwen sa bahay mo?"
"Gwen is in the other room, we'll stay here until our flight, pumayag si Tita" he smiled widely. "Mawawala ako ng matagal so I need you to be with me before Tuesday"
"Irene kakain na, tawagin mo na sila." sigaw ni Liza sa may hagdan.
"Susunod kami" sagot ko at saka bumaling kay Greggy, "Bumaba ka na, tatawagin ko si Gwen." ani ko at lumabas na.
I knocked twice before opening the door. She's having a videocall with someone. Bigla niyang itinago nang makita niyang may pumasok. "I thought it's kuya" she felt relief.
"Kakain na tayo. Who's that?"
"Nothing Ate."
"Is that your boyfriend?" I asked and I saw how she prevent herself to smile.
"Don't tell kuya please Ate." she pleaded.
"I won't, say goodbye now then we'll go."
Nagpaalam siya sa lalaki. She even faced the screen to me, so I awkwardly wave my hand. Gwapong bata, may taste si Gwen.
After that, we went to the kitchen. Gwen sat beside Liza and I sat down beside Manang, nasa tabi ko si Borgy at si Greggy ang nagpapakain.
Napuno ng kwentuhan ang hapunan namin kaya medyo matagal bago kami natapos.
When bedtime, instead of going to my room where Greggy was, I went to Gwen. "Parang gusto kong matulog dito" I said.
"Sure Ate, tabi tayo." she uttered so I went beside her. She's watching an animated movie in her iPod so nakinood na lang din ako.
A few minutes later, the door opened. "Irene." tawag ni Greggy.
"Dito ako matutulog" I uttered.
"Paano ako?" sumimangot siya
"Edi matulog ka sa kwarto ko."
Aangal pa sana siya pero tinapunan ko siya ng masamang tingin. Wala siyang magawa kundi bumalik sa kwarto ko.
I want to stay here. Bigla ko kasing namiss si Aimee kaya panay ang lapit ko kay Gwen.
---
Greggy's POV
Kanina ko pa pinipilit ang sarili ko na matulog pero ayaw talaga. Iniwan ko na lang sana si Gwen sa bahay, aagawan pa 'ko ng oras kay Irene!
I went back to the room where Gwen is staying. She's still on her phone but Irene is now sleeping.
Nilapitan ko ang kama para buhatin siya. Ibabalik ko to sa kwarto niya.
"Malalagot ka pagka-gising niya" tawa ni Gwen.
"Hayaan mo. Matulog ka na." I said and carried this sleepyhead.
"Mamaya pa"
"Gabi na Gwen, kukunin ko ang nga gadgets mo, isa." banta ko.
"Tapusin ko lang to kuya, wag kang kj"
Inilapag ko saglit si Irene para mapagalitan ko ng maayos si Gwen. "Ano ba yan?" hablot ko sa iPod niya. Chatting with your boyfriend huh. "Matutulog o matutulog?"
Inirapan niya ako at umayos na ng higa. "My iPod please"
Ibinigay ko na. Hinintay ko talaga na i-off niya ito bago buhatin ulit si Irene at bumalik sa kwarto niya.
I tucked her in the bed before making myself comfortable beside her. Yumakap ako bago sumara ang mata ko. I'll miss this.
---
The next day is Sunday. Sumama kaming lahat na mag-simba. Wala si Tommy kahapon pero kasama na namin siya kaninang umaga, ang daming dalang durian. I don't know what happened but they are laughing at him.
We spent the whole day in the garden. Naglatag sila sa baba at nagset-up ng projector. They used Irene's laptop so instead of watching a movie, we watched and view every photos and videos in it. Karamihan ay laman ng camera niya.
Sa garden na rin kami nag-dinner at pumasok lang kami nang mahamog na.
---
One day before our flight, Irene, Gwen and I are left in the mansion, they all went to work.
"Where are you going?" I asked Irene when I saw her going out.
"I'm bored. I'll go wash the cars." she said and talked to the maids to prepare what she needs.
"Ate Irene sama ako" sabi ni Gwen at sumunod sa labas. Papahuli ba ako? Of course not.
We're gonna wash three cars, one van and their mini bus. Nagamit ang tatlong sasakyan so iyan lang.
Inuna niya ang sasakyan niya at iuutos sana sa akin ang mini bus. I can't clean that all alone, ang laki.
Tig-iisa kaming kotse para kaming tatlo ang maglilinis ng van at bus. Madali lang sana kaming natapos kung hindi kami nag-laro.
But it's a good thing we finished them all before the other cars arrived, halos magkaka-sunod silang dumating.
"Wow, ana nakan yo? Iraman yo pay dalusan dagituyen ah" (Wow, anong nakain niyo? Linisan niyo na rin ang mga ito ah) Bongbong said.
"Nangalam swertem?" (Saan ka nakakuha ng swerte?) ani Irene na nagpupunas na. Basang-basa na kaming tatlo kaya nagpakuha na kami ng tuwalya. "Maligo ka na sa taas Gwen." she commanded.
"Then we'll walk your dogs, right Ate?"
Tumango siya. "Now go, nababad ka na"
Bakit pag si Irene, sumusunod siya agad, pag sa akin kailangan pang takutin, parang hindi kapatid ha.
"Mauna ka nang maligo" I also told her.
"Alangan namang ikaw." sabi niya at tinalikuran ako.
Aba!
Naiwan kaming dalawa ni Bongbong sa garahe dahil nabwisit daw si Liza sa kanya at pinag-linis din ng sasakyan nila.
"Grabeng mga babae." sabi niya. Masama ang loob. Pano ba naman kase, okay naman silang dalawa kanina, nainggit si Liza na malinis ang kotse, pinalinis niya rin yung sa kanila at gusto niya si Bongbong ang gumawa kung hindi ay hindi raw nito papansinin.
"I'll help you. Habang hinihintay ko na matapos maligo si Irene" I offered.
Madali lang natapos, hindi naman kasi masiyadong madumi. Nagva-vacuum na lang siya sa loob. "Akyat na'ko ha, nilalamig na ako" paalam ko.
Nang makapasok ako sa kwarto ni Irene, nakaligo na siya. "Bilisan mo" saad niya.
I hurriedly took a bath. Sa kakamadali ko, wala akong nadalang damit. I had no choice but to go out with only a towel covering my body.
I can see how she stares at me from head to foot. "Can I put my clothes on now?" I smirked.
She rolled her eyes and shifted her attention to herself, naglalagay na naman ng kung anu-ano.
Nang makalabas ako, wala na siya doon kaya bumaba na ako, sabay pa kami ni Gwen.
"Ako na kay Athena." she said. Gwen took Hera so I took Apollo.
We walked them around the village and just went home when Tita called Irene on her phone, pinapa-uwi na kami.
---
I cracked my back and I felt relief.
"Do you want a massage?" I heard Irene said. She's on her couch while I'm on the bed.
"Yes please, ang sakit ng katawan ko" she yawned first before approaching me.
Pinatanggal niya ang damit ko bago pinadapa. I groaned when I felt her hands on my bare back. So hot and soft!
I am enjoying it when she stopped. "Ako naman" she said and pulled me up.
"Tanggal damit."
"Sira ba ulo mo?" she threw a glare before laying down. I am not good at this so I just did how it goes. Tinuturo niya pa kung saan dapat ang diininan.
Bigla siyang tumahimik kaya sinilip ko, she's now sleeping! Tinulugan ako!
Inayos ko ang pagkakahiga niya at tumabi na rin. We'll leave tomorrow night. I still need to fix some things so I slept already.
---
Nakaramdam ako ng pagyugyog sa balikat ko kaya nagmulat ako ng mata at bumungad sakin ang isang napakagandang mukha.
"Kanina pa may tumatawag sayo" she handed me my phone.
Missed calls from dad, mom, and Josh. Ibinalik ko ang cellphone sa side table at hinili ang bewang niya para mahiga siya. Sumiksik siya sa leeg ko at pinaglaruan na naman ang adam's apple ko.
I couldn't help but to groan. Pero mabilis ko siyang itinulak para makabangon na. That's a bad idea. Sasakit na naman ang puson ko dahil sa ginagawa niya.
Tumawa lang siya nang makitang iwas na iwas ako. "Tara na, gutom na ako."
Gagawin pang almusal ang leeg ko, buti sana kung hindi lang leeg.
---
Pumunta ako sa kumpanya para kunin ang ibang files na kailangan ko doon.
Kanina ko pa pinapagalitan si Gwen dahil ang bagal niyang kumilos. We should be at the airport at three pm dahil four ang flight namin.
"Ate Irene aalis na kami." yumakap si Gwen sa kanya. "I'll see you again sooner."
"Keep in touch ha. Be good." she said.
Pinauna ko na siya sa sasakyan at hintayin na lang ako doon.
I hugged Irene as tight as I can. "Greggy hindi ako makahinga" palo niya sa likod ko. Doon ako kumalas.
I crashed my lips on hers and she responded. She even held my nape and pulled me closer.
We stopped when we're running out of breath. "Go now, you might not catch your flight."
"I'll miss you. I love you" I said and went for another kiss before heading out.
Pumasok na ako sa backseat, magpapahatid kami. Irene stayed in the door watching us leave.
"Hindi talaga siya sasama sa paghatid?" Gwen asked.
"Pag ginawa niya yon, you'll be in the flight alone again." I chuckled.
"You're so whipped to her."
No I'm not. Or maybe I am?
---
Umaga na nang makalapag kami. Mags-stay muna ako kila mommy bago ako pumunta ng Europe.
We were picked up by our van. I informed Irene that we have landed tho I know she's still sleeping.
Natulog lang ako maghapon dahil hindi ako masiyadong nakatulog sa eroplano.
When I woke up, I grabbed my laptop and did some of my works. Sa makalawa ay lilipad na ako papuntang Europe.
I just spent some time with my family for a very short period of time.
---
My stay here in Russia is very tiring. Kaliwa't kanan ang meetings. With the constructors of the hotels, managers, and even possible investors, hindi na namin pinalagpas. Pinasunod ko si Josh dito dahil hindi ko talaga kaya nang mag-isa.
Palagi akong tumatawag kay Irene. I would tell her how my day went, what happened to me, and other things.
It's been more than a week and I felt on giving up now. Sumasakit ang ulo ko sa ibang kausap ko dahil napakakulit.
---
I am watching Irene do her night routine through a video call. Naubusan na ako ng ikwekwento, hindi pa rin siya tapos.
"Through the lows and the highs I will stay by your side
There's no need for goodbyes, now I'm seeing the light
When the sky turns to grey and there's nothing to say
At the end of the day, I choose you" pagkanta niya.
Ah, her voice makes my tiredness away. What a soothing voice.
"Nice song" I complimented.
"Huh?"
"The song you were singing, it's beautiful."
"Oh, I just heard it in the cartoon Borgy was watching earlier and I got addicted." she giggled.
We kept talking until she yawned and her eyes are now closing. Nakahiga na siya at nasa side niya ang laptop.
I didn't make any noise now. I stare at her as she sleeps, I even took a photo of her. The next thing I knew, I also fell asleep.
---
Finally my last week of stay here came. After this, I'm going home to Irene.
"Sir you have a meeting with Mr. and Mrs. Rodriguez at the cafe nearby. Ngayon na po sir."
I sighed before standing up. "Let's go."
When we get there I saw familiar faces. Sila ang kameeting ko?
The meeting finished but she keeps on looking at me. I just shrugged it off and went to my next meeting.
---
The next day, I went to visit the construction sites and the moment I am in the last site, I saw her there, again.
What the hell is she doing here? Should I tell this to Irene?
"Daddy sent me here to look at the progress of your projects before he sign the contracts" she said.
Tumango na lang ako at pumunta sa head engineer. Nagbilin lang ako sa kanila bago ako umuwi.
"Hindi mo pinaunlakan ang imbitasiyon ko noon Greggy" sabi na naman niya.
"I was busy that time."
"If I invite you again, right now, you'll come?"
"Look, Ms. Rodriguez, I have a lot of things to do."
"Come on, don't be too formal, you used to call me by my name during the festival in Ilocos. Just one dinner, I will even help you make the contract signing easier. My dad can be a big help to your company."
She's right tho, dahil sunod-sunod ang projects, kailangan namin ng maraming investors.
"Kung pagbibigyan ba kita, titigilan mo na ako?"
"We'll see."
Humugot ako ng malalim na hininga bago pumayag. Hindi ko na lang ipapaalam to kay Irene, maiintindihan naman niya... sana.
After that, I'll be on my way home.
**************************************************************************