Irene
A morning came. I'm still upset to Greggy. I mean Aki was my friend a long time ago before he came into my life.
Aki protects me all the time. He treats me like a queen.
So alam kong hindi ako masasaktan kung siya ang kasama ko. I knew Aki very well.
I just didn't expect na hindi niya ako papayagan dahil lang sa hindi siya kasama? That's an immature action..
I know he was just protective to me but.. nah I can't understand him.
I stood up and went to my bathroom to freshen up myself.
I should wake him up cause it's already 6:00. "Hey, wake up. Take a bath na." I told him.
I keep tapping his shoulder. I noticed his eyes, he's already awake.
Maybe he is just waiting for my kiss, huh? no way di mo nga ba ako pinayagan.
"Okay, I'll go downstairs na. I'm hungry na eh."
That's why he stood up and formed a smile in his lips.
"Take a bath na. I'll go downstairs lang, I'll check them."
"You'll not gonna wait for me?" He pouted.
"You can walk by yourself so you can go downstairs all by yourself" I said.
"I'll see you, there."
"Hmm, I love you"
I didn't gave him any answer but instead I continue walking.
I saw Ate Imee preparing breakfast. I went to her so I could also lend some helping hands.
"Good morning." she greeted. "Morning, what you will cook?" I asked.
"Just a pancake and hotdogs, you'll help?" I nodded.
While I'm mixing the mixture, she spoked. "Did Greggy doesn't allow you to come?" I know what she's referring to.
"Yeah." I simply replied.
"I just couldn't understand him, you knew Aki. He treats me so well." I added.
"Irene, Greggy doesn't know him. Maybe he's just worried about you."
"Then he can ask me. Who's Aki, how I met him, how did he treats me. He can ask, ate."
I'm irritated.
"Understand nalang siguro." Ate platted me a kiss on my cheek.
"I've tried. But I just can't."
"I want to come, ate" I cried so she hugged me so tight.
"Hush, as I want to bring you there, I just can't."
"Why you're my ate. And he...he is just my boyfriend"
"Irene.."
"Let's cook nalang, mamaya magigising na sila." I nodded.
Once we're done. " Call them na." Ate said, I nodded and went upstairs.
I went to Kuya's room first. I knocked twice and opened his door.
I saw him with Sandro, sleeping.
"Kuya."
"Hey, wake up na. Time for breakfast"
Ayaw pa rin na magising kaya hinayaan ko nalang muna at pumunta sa room ni Mommy.
"Mommyy.." I called.
"Yes, bunso?"
"Kakain na ng breakfast, 'my."
"Okay, I'll go downstairs na. Wake up them" I left Mommy's room and went to Greggy.
"Kain na." After that, I left without saying anything.
"Kuya wag mo nang hintayin na sila Ate pa ang umakyat para gisingin ka lang"
"Five minutes, ading." He pulled me to his bed.
"Arggh. Fine. Now can you let go of me?"
"Nah, just wait for five minutes here. Wait for Kuya."
"Who are you for me to wait you?"
"Your kuya lang naman." I glared at him, I have no choice.
I waited, five minutes. "Now get up. Sumosobra kana." I said, he stood up, lazy.
I didn't wake Sandro up cause may time talaga siya ng gising.
"Ayusin mo naman yung lakad, kuya! Baka mahulog ka pa dyan eh!" I hissed.
So he walked properly until we reached the dining.
"Kay Irene lang pala titino 'to eh." Ate said.
I saw Greggy looking at me then to the available chair beside him.
Oh sorry, Mr Araneta. You maked me irritated.
I sat down in the middle of Kuya and Ate.
"Mom, aalis ako ngayon ha." Paalam ko.
"Where are you going? Diba you're not gonna come?"
Paulit-ulit 'my?
"May lalakarin lang na important, mom."
"Okay. You'll drive?"
"Yes po." Greggy looked at me.
"Pwede kang sumabay sakin" he said. "Nah I'm okay. I'll drive"
Syempre tatakas tayo. Hindi talaga pwedeng mawala ako sa party ni Aki no, hello who is Greggy when it comes to Aki, char.
I smiled even I'm just staring at my food. I think ate noticed that.
"Don't make takas, Irene."
"Why? who is he ba para pagbawalan ako?"
"Irene naman...."
"I know.. I just want to come masama ba?"
"Kung single ka, pwede pa eh. Pero may boyfriend kana."
I just ignore her.
---
After eating, I take a bath. "Love, I'll go na po. Update me kung saan ka pupunta ha? I love you" He talked.
"Hmm, bye."
I heard the door closed. I went out to my bathroom and picked some clothes.
I'll bring a dress and stilleto para magpapalit nalang ako pag papunta na ako sa party.
While preparing, Dawn called.
"Hello, goodmorning, why?" I asked.
"Are you sure that hindi ka pupunta?"
"Well, I've got some idea. I'll come no!" I hissed
"Hindi ka pinayagan remember?" She chuckled.
"I can make takas since hindi siya dito uuwi."
"All for Aki talaga ano?"
"Hahaha, hindi naman. I just missed that guy so much."
"Sige na, I'll go na." I ended the call.
"Irene, are you really sure?" Bongbong asked. "Kuya?.."
"You can come, kuya. Since your not my boyfriend" I chuckled.
"Ate and I will come to check you." He said, grabe naman to.
I just nodded. I kissed his cheeks. "I'll go na, love you."
"Okay, take care. Pagmamaneho ha? love you too."
---
I went to the bank first to withdraw some cash. After, I went to photoshop.
Like what I've said before, ipapa-frame ko yung picture namin ni Greggy nung bata.
"What the suggestion size kapag nagpapa-frame?"
"Uhm, it depends po eh."
"How big the x20?" I asked and showed me a sample.
A/N: Bobo talaga ako hindi ko alam kung gaano kalaki yun. Sorry na.😭
"Sige, iyan nalang." I said so he smiled.
I just waited to finish it, when it finished. I find it so cute.
The watch is tend to deliver tonight. So may pansuyo na ako HAHAHA.
Greggy called me. "Yes?" I asked. "It's so hot outside, are you okay?" He asked.
How sweet he is. Kahit naiinis ako sa kanya.
"Yeah, I'm okay. I'll just go to the mall and buy something."
"Okay, My meeting is about to start na. I love you"
"Goodluck, bye."
After that, I drive to the mall to buy some gift.
Imee
I don't know if I'll agree to Irene's plan.
"Bong, what do you think?" I asked him. "I don't know. I'm sure magagalit yun if we let Greggy knows about it"
"But she's also wrong." I replied.
"Ano ba kasing nangyayari dyan sa kapatid mo?" I added.
"Try to contact, Aki."
"Ano namang sasabihin ko dun?"
"Kung pwedeng pigilan si Irene. Ate, bar yun. Baka may biglang--" He said.
"Don't try to say it, mas lalo mo lang ako pinag-ooverthink at pinapakaba."
"What's going on here?" We heard Mommy asked.
Bongbong looked at me. "Mommy can you talk to Irene?" I asked. "Bakit, what happened?" She asked.
"Mommy kasi that's why hindi pupunta si Irene sa party it's because Greggy doesn't allow her but.."
"Irene planned to make takas. Mommy, bar yung pupuntahan niya" Bongbong finished it.
"Eh bakit ngayon niyo lang sinabi?"
"Mommy, Irene would be mad. You know that" Sabay naming sabi.
Mommy get her phone and dialed Irene's number.
She answered it immediately, mommy put it on speaker so we ould also hear. "Yes mommy?"
"Where are you?" Mommy asked, seriously. "m-mommy? diba I've told you aalis lang ako"
"Your siblings already told me. Victoria, bar ang pupuntahan mo and then ikaw lang? You don't know the people around you there"
"I thought Aki's party?"
"D-doon kasi yung venue ma."
"Is it reserved or no?"
"No"
"Then go home. I'm not allowing you."
We heard Irene's groan. "Hindi ka na pala pinayagan ni Greggy yet tatakas ka pa"
"Mommy, I know but I'll talk to Greggy naman po. To tell him I'd go."
"Hmm? If your ate and kuya will come to check you, are you okay with it?"
"Of course, ma! Kuya told me that earlier, I agreed."
"Oh okay okay. What time?"
"It's 5pm, 'my. Tell them not to eat dinner na. I'll treat them."
"Himala.." I whispered, Bong chuckled.
"Okay, I'll tell them. Take care okay? I love you"
"Love you too, mama."
She ended the call. "Did you heard it? Don't eag na daw, she'll treat you both."
"What comes into her mind to treat us, bonget? Nilalagnat ba yun."
"Grabe ka naman kay Irene. Malay mo hindi badtrip today."
Hindi badtrip, eh kanina nga iniyakan pa ko kasi gustong pumunta, hayyst.
Mommy went closer to us, we frowned."Yeah, confirmed kayo yung naaamoy kong mabaho"
"Go take a bath na. Ang babantot na"
"Mommy nga! Anyway, ma CJ will come is it okay? But sandali lang siya."
"Of course! Is he your boyfriend already?"
"Victoria, knows it. Ask her" I chuckled.
"You'll just answer with yes or no, Josefa."
"Maka-Josefa ka naman, 'my. Yes na nga!" I smiled.
"Hindi nga? wag ka kayang mag-joke time, Ate."
"Mukha ba akong nagjojoke? Kung sapakin kita."
"Sabi ko nga.. May nagkamali na." Bonget uttered.
"Anong nagkamali?" Mommy asked.
"Mommy, they shouldn't date Ate cause it's really a big trouble." He chuckled.
"Oh talaga ba? big trouble? eh kung tuluyan kita dyan"
"Joke lang naman, Ime. I'll take a bath na, and tell CJ later, goodluck" He smiled.
I get some throw pillow to throw at his back.
"Bwisit ka!"
"Ikaw, wala kang balak maligo?" She asked me.
"Eto na nga po." I replied and left.
Greggy
I don't know what happened to Irene. She's acting different now.
Is it because I didn't allow her?
I've decided to call Irene again cause it's already 12:00.
It rangs twice until she answered it. "Yes? Did you ate lunch na?" She asked.
"I almost finish eating mine, how about you?"
"I'm finding somewhere to eat pa eh. Ang haba ng pila sa Jollibee and Mcdo" Her voice seems tired.
"Are you tired already? Come to my office so you could rest, well."
"Hmm? I'm might be disturb to you, no need."
"Love..."
"How many times I've told you, hindi ka istorbo sakin."
"I know, Mr. Araneta. But your secretary told me you have a meeting now. So why are you still talking to me, hmm?"
I chuckled. "Just regaining some strength."
"You can sleep naman. Oh yes, finally i can eat now"
"Nah, you're my strength. My inspiration to do well but if I sleep, the tiredness are still there, I'm still not recharged." I heard her chuckles.
"But when, I'm talking to you. It feels like heaven to feel, love. You are gaving me a strength to do well for our future."
"Sus, stop in your flowery words, Gregorio." She laughed.
"Love" She called me.
"Yes po?"
"Can I go to Aki's party? I'll go home by 7pm po."
"Hmm?"
"Oh okay, fine." She already knows my answer.
"Eat kana po. I love you."
"Thank you, bye." She ended the call, here it comes again.
I just prepare myself and went to my meeting.
---
It's almost 4:30 when we finished, I didn't have a time to message Irene if she's home already.
So I try to contact her but she's not answering.
"Please answer it, Irene. I'm already worried" when still it's ringing.
I also tried to contact Imee and Bongbong but they are also not answering.
What's happening to you, Rene.
Patricia called me. "Hello, kuya?"
"Yes, why? Are you okay?"
"Luh, of course I am! Kuya naman.." I chuckled.
"Sorry, what do you need ba?"
"I'm here at the bar, Kuya." I literally stand up from my seat.
"What?!" My voice raised a little.
"Patricia... Baka kung mapano ka dyan. Where are you, I'll fetch you now."
"Kuya naman, I'm old enough to handle myself e."
"Not a good reason, Patpat."
"Hehe, I know but you can't do anything about it. Byee, love youu."
"Hey, tell me where yo--" I was cut when she already ended the call.
She just let me knows about it, I knew it!
Sumabay pa naman 'tong kapatid ko. Inaalala ko na nga si Irene pati siya aalalahanin ko pa.
I called, Ate. She answered it immediately.
"Ano nanaman? Kanina si Patpat tapos ngayon ikaw." She hissed.
"Problema mo? Ang init ng ulo mo." I said.
"Sinong di iinit ang ulo, kakalapag lang naman po kasi ng phone ko tapos tumawag ka. I'm working, Gregorio!"
"Do you know where Patricia is?"
"Ay jusko naman. Eh bakit hindi siya ang tanungin mo? Si Elvira ako baka nahihilo ka na dyan."
"I know, tanga ka ba."
"Sabi niya hangout with friends ah. Sa bahay daw ng kaibigan niya."
"Hangout? sa bahay? She called me kaya, she told me that she's in the bar"
"Ano?!" Just like my reaction earlier.
"Eh tanga ka pala. Bakit hindi mo pinauwi?" She added.
"I'm asking her where she is. Binabaan ako." I told her..
"Lagot yun kina mommy. Hayaan mo nalang, you looked stress, brother!" She laughed.
"Tawa tawa kapa dyan, sige na bye."
"Hmm, bye." I ended the call.
I just continue dialing Irene's phone until she finally answered it. But it's already 6:45.
"Irene, where are you? Are you okay? Nasa bahay niyo na ba ikaw? Hey answer me.. I'm worried." I bombard her questions.
"Sabi ko sayo, wag mo nang sagutin e." I heard Irene said.
"She's okay. Don't worry, I'm taking care of her." Lalaki ang sumagot.
"Hey, Aki! Pakielemero ka talaga!" Irene yelled, the guy laughed.
"Shut up, ano naman pinakielaman ko sayo?"
"Baka pakielaman mo daw yung sumasayaw na ano dun, kay Irene na yon!" Another unfamiliar voice I heard.
"Ciara, hindi ganun ang gusto ko. I like the guy who's now worried about me." Irene said.
I smiled.
"I'm worried about you!" The guy replied. Oh, but I'm the more worried about her, man.
"Shut up, Aki! Ibaba mo na nga yung tawag. I love you, love!" She said and ended the call.
I released a big sigh. I cleaned my mess after I drove myself way to their mansion.
I was greeted by Tita Meldy, her mom. "Good evening, tita."
"Good evening, hijo. Irene's not here. Did she told you?"
We both sat down at their living room.
"Actually, tita. I just knew when she answered my call, it's already 6:45 po. I tried calling her from 4:30 I think?"
"So she didn't tell you?"
"She asked a permission po, but I still answer no." She nodded.
"Her sibling are with her. Don't worry." I smiled.
While we our talking, my phone rangs. It's Irene. I answer it immediately.
"Heyy, can you fetch me?" Her voice was drunk. "Yes, of course! Where are you?" I asked.
"Hmm, I'll text you the adress, love you."
"Okay okay. I love you more." I ended the call.
I waited for her text. "Tita, I'll fetch Irene lang po. Are you okay alone here? You can come too po." I said.
"No, hijo. Imee texted me, pauwi na daw sila. Ayaw daw kasi sumabay ni Irene." I chuckled and nodded.
I drove until I arrived at the bar. I went to the bar and tried to search for Irene. When I saw her, I immediately went closer to her.
She's really drunk.
"Hey" I said.
She looked at me and smiled.
"Hi, hmm Aki, Ciara. This is Greggy, my boyfriend. He was I'm referring earlier who's really worried about me." She chuckled.
They smiled at me. We shaked hands.
"Okay, we'll go na. I'll see you both again, bye!"
Inalalayan ko siya palabas at makapasok sa kotse.
Ipapakuha ko nalang bukas yung kotse niya cause she also insisted.
While driving, she continue talking. "Greg? Greggy?"
"Yes, hmm?"
"I'm sorry." Why.
"Why are you saying sorry?"
"I didn't obey you. I still went to Aki's party."
I didn't answer instead I continue driving ubtil we got home.
I was about to head out when she stopped me. I looked at her. "Hey, I'm sorry na."
I smiled. I caressed her hair and then held her cheeks. "No, Irene. It's okay. You enjoyed naman diba?"
She nodded. "Then, you don't have to apologize. I'm happy that you enjoyed his party."
I head out and opened the door for her. "Kaya mo?" She shooked her head.
"I'll carry you nalang." Kinarga ko siya na parang bata. Her arms are at my shoulder, hugging me.
"Oh, tulog na?" Imee asked when they saw us. "Nah, baka kasi madapa pa." I answered.
Irene
"Victoria, you want to eat?" Mommy asked. I shooked my head and pout.
"Iakyat ko lang po." Greggy said. I think they just nodded.
When we came in to my room, he laid me down. "I'll just get you a sleepwear.
After he got the sleepwear. "Will you take a bath?"
"Yes po." I answered.
---
"Love, bukas may gagawin ka?"
"Hmm, I'll just go to my work." He answered, I nodded.
I asked Ate Imee if the watch was already delivered and she said yes.
"Hmm, so sleep kana. Maaga ka pa tomorrow. Sa bahay mo ba ikaw uuwi?"
"Baka sa family house, di muna ako dito matutulog. Is it okay?"
"Of course! Ano ka ba naman, Greggy. Your mom misses you so much, uwi kana." I chuckled.
"Pinapauwi mo nanaman ako."
"Huh? No I'm not. Eh totoo namang miss ka na ng mommy mo diba?" He nodded.
"One night lang ako don a!"
"Para ka lang nag-hotel ay." I laughed. "Yun ang bahay niyo, baka nakakalimutan mo, bahay namin 'to." I added..
"One week? No, love. I can't sleep without you."
"Ha? hatdog. Pano ka nakatulog for 32 years?"
"Eh, iba naman yun."
"Just shut up, Gregorio. One week ka dun sa inyo ha. I love you, sleep na."
He hugged me so tight and started to explore his hands on mine.
I just let him instead I drowned myself to sleep.
---
I was sleeping quietly when someone pulled me out of this bed.
"Ano ba yun?!" I hissed and I heard their laughter. It's Imee and Bongbong, bwisit na mga kapatid ko na 'to.
"Kung gising na yung diwa niyo, manahimik kayo! Natutulog pa e."
"Sige, tulog ka pa dyan. Yung katabi mo pumasok na." Ate said so I opened my eyes.
"Oh tamo. Kung sabunutan kita dyan?"
"Hey, tama na. Let's go downstairs to eat already. I'm hungry na."
"Kailan ka ba hindi nagutom?" Sabay naming tanong ni Ate.
"Grabe na talaga kayo sakin. Kapatid niyo ba talaga ako?"
"Oh bat hindi mo tanungin si Imelda? Aba malay namin, baka napulot ka lang sa basurahan."
"Ang sama mo talaga." Kuya pouted, Ate and I laughed.
"Para kang tanga dyan, Bong. Pwede ka nang maging clown." I said.
He glared at us. Sungit.
"Imee, Bongbong, Irene! don't have a plan to eat? Nag-asaran pa kayo dyan." We heard Mommy yelled.
Before we went downstairs, talagang nagsisihan pa kami dito.
While eating, sinesermonan kami ni Mommy so doble doble yung breakfast namin today, isang pagkain, sermon.
I suddenly remembered the frame na pinagawa ko kahapon.
"Mommy yung car ko andito na ba?" I asekd.
"Yes, may gamit ka daw dun. Get it na, tapos ka na ba?" I nodded.
I left to get my car key and went to the garage.
After I get it, I put it on our living room first.
'"Hmm, ang cute niyo dyan." Ate complimented.
"Kayo ni Greggy yan?" I nodded.
"Ohh, I didn't know that Greggy's father gave you that, Irene" Mommy said.
"Mom, I didn't know that nagkita na pala kami before? Nung mga bata kami and then nung I think college siya?"
"I heard him said na nagkita na daw kami noon." I shared.
"Eh baka nga." Ate replied. "Imee akala ko ba pupunta si CJ?" Mommy asked her.
"Yeah, papunta na daw. May pinapadaan lang daw si Greggy."
"Kailan niyo kaya ako bibigyan ng apo?" Mommy asked, we both looked at her.
"Mommy, apo agad?" I asked.
"Well, ang Ate mo pa lang hihingan ko ngayon at baka multuhin ako ng Daddy mo if pati ikaw eh hingan ko." We laughed.
"Mommy, grabe kana talaga." We laughed.
Tuloy-tuloy lang kami sa pag-aasaran nang tumunog ang doorbell.
When Ate opened it, It's CJ holding a bouquet of flowers. Mommy and I smiled.
While looking at them, I reminisced when Greggy was still courting me. Speaking of Greggy, he is calling right now.
I excused myself and went to my room. "Helloo." I greeted him.
"Hello, where are you?" He asked.
"At my room, talking to my favorite person." I replied.
"Your favorite person? Who is it?"
"His name starts at letter G and ends with letter O." He chuckled.
"I love you, miss ganda."
"Sus, nambola pa. I love you too." I replied.
Nagkuwentuhan lang kami about how his morning went cause it's already 11:30.
"Don't you have a meeting now? If wala, kain ka na." I said.
"Hmm, mamaya pa pong 1:30 and 4:00."
"Oh okay, goodluck. I love you, bye."
"I love you too, eat ka na rin po." I ended the call.
"Kakain n--" Ate cut when I opened the door.
Kain nanaman, kaya tumataba eh.
---
My afternoon became lazy. Wala akong makausap, Ate is here nga but with CJ. Kuya is in his work, si Mommy naman pumunta sa amiga niya.
Si Greggy naman may meeting. So I don't have a choice but to laid down for the whole afternoon and watches some movies. My dogs are in the school for one month, again.
When I felt boring, all I know I fell asleep.
Imee
"Tahimik yata sa kwarto ni Irene?" CJ asked. "Baka nakatulog."
"You know, you didn't visited for almost one week." I pouted.
He held my both cheeks. "I'm sorry, I have so many things I need to do kaya hindi kita nabibisita. But I promise, babawi ako sayo" He kissed the tip of my nose.
But I kissed his lips, he respond and it went deeper. We parted to catch some breath.
He chuckled. "You're so beautiful, mahal."
"Ang hilig mo talaga mambola"
"Ako mambobola? That will never happen."
Yabang mo!" We both laughed.
"This will happen again naman po diba?" I asked.
"Alin?"
"This."
"Of course! We'll do this again and again." I smiled.
We just spend our time together, laughing, smiling and sharing how's our life lately. I enjoyed a lot, my best quality time with him. I just want to live in this moment forever.