As soon as their wedding ceremony ended at the end of the night, they had no choice but to go home to the condo their parents had purchased.
What really happened is that their parents sent their luggage full of stuff to the condominium so that they could live there at will.
"Sa couch na lang ako para makatulog ka nang maayos sa kama," Greggy broke the silence. Kanina pa tahimik si Irene mula nang makaalis sila sa reception.
Frustration is very visible on her face. Staying with Greggy in a room and the same bed is not part of what she and her parents agreed.
"No. It's fine. Alam kong hindi ka sanay, I can sleep naman sa couch." she replied with no emotions.
Inaayos niya ang kaniyang maleta upang makaligo na at makapagpahinga. It has been a long day for the both of them.
"It's okay. Sa baba na lang ako--" hindi na natuloy ni Greggy ang sasabihin niya nang maglakad papasok sa banyo si Irene, leaving him behind.
Napabuntong hininga na lamang siya. He scanned the whole room and it was quite big for them. King-size bed, big couch, vanity table for Irene, and an extra table, wide walk-in closet, huge window, and a balcony.
"Ang hirap pa naman kausap nitong kasama ko..." bulong niya sa sarili.
He pulled his luggage and fixed his clothes inside the closet. And as soon as he finished, Irene went out of the bathroom just in time.
Tahimik lang siya at bahid pa rin sa mukha ang pagkadismaya. Iniisip niya ngayon paano nila gagawan ng paraan ang lahat nang ito.
Greggy entered the bathroom and Irene sat on the bed first. She took her phone and texted Miguel.
To: Miguel
Guess what? We only have one room and one bed. Migs, anong gagawin ko rito? I'm so uncomfortable!
She sighed as she sent the message. She roamed her eyes inside the room and thinking what and how could they solve their problem.
Irene felt her phone vibrate. She saw Miguel's text message.
From: Miguel
Do you want me to pick you up? I can already see your dismayed face. Hahaha!
She rolled her eyes as her forehead creased. "Walang hiya. Asasarin pa ako," bulong niya.
To: Miguel
No need! I can handle this and please, stop teasing me. Hindi ako natutuwa sa'yo.
Inis niyang binaba ang kanyang cellphone sa side table at sakto naman na lumabas na si Greggy at katatapos lang maligo.
"Pwede naman akong humiga sa couch, Irene... Bili na lang tayo ng isa pang kama bukas," saad ni Greggy habang hinahaplos ang batok at hinihintay ang sagot ni Irene.
She stood up and took all the pillows from the couch and threw them on the bed. Whilst Greggy is just watching her. "The bed is bed enough for two... Hindi naman ako malikot matulog. Let's just put pillows in between," walang emosyon na sabi ni Irene.
Tipid na ngumiti si Greggy at hindi na sumagot dahil baka lalo pang uminit ang ulo ni Irene.
While they are fixing the pillows on the bed, Irene's phone rang then she quickly looked at it. It was Miguel who's calling.
She excused herself and went to the balcony. Nang matapos niyang ayusin ang mga unan ay agad siyang humiga at tiningnan ang kaniyang cellphone.
Mula pa kasi kaninang umaga ay hindi siya nakakatanggap ng kahit anong text message galing kay Isabelle. He knew in himself that he has to make up for his girlfriend.
Days passed quickly. Irene and Greggy successfully fixed the only room in their condo because they bought another bed for Greggy so they don't have to share.
They just landed in Cebu for their honeymoon. Their honeymoon week was a gift from their parents, they had no other choice but to go along. for the successes, they have achieved.
"Hindi na ako magtataka, Greggy... Isang kwarto at isang kama na naman ito kapag binuksan mo," Irene retorted. Tinawanan lang siya ni Greggy habang hawak ang mga maleta nilang dalawa.
As soon as Greggy opened the door, the honeymoon suite room emerged up to them, and this is what Irene exactly meant.
"Oo na, okay na... Alam ko na ang sasabihin mo," agad na sabi ni Greggy nang akmang magsasalita ulit si Irene.
She just shook her head while chuckling then peeked outside their room. "In fairness, ang ganda ng napili nila..." she amazingly uttered while roaming her eyes around the room and outside.
Greggy placed their luggage near the closet and then followed Irene to the room's balcony, where she was enjoying the wonderful view.
"Ang ganda talaga dito sa Cebu..." mangha na sabi ni Irene at nakangiti lang si Greggy.
In the past few days, they became good friends. Irene respects Greggy's relationship with his girlfriend because their marriage is only on paper.
Madalas lang nilang napag-uusapan ay tungkol sa negosyo. Hindi pa nila lubusang kilala ang isa't isa. They are able to tease or joke with each other but at the same time they know their limits.
"What activities should we try starting tomorrow?" Greggy asked as he close the door behind him and watched Irene walk towards the bathroom.
Irene breathed out harshly, "Pwede bang magpahinga muna ako? It's so tiring, you know?"
Natawa si Greggy sa sagot ni Irene atsaka umupos sa couch. "Ako rin naman pagod. Pero hindi na ako aangal dahil baka umusok na naman 'yung dragon,"
From the bathroom, the towel Irene was holding flew toward Greggy's face without him noticing it.
Irene immediately closed the door when the white towel landed on Greggy's face. Rinig ang hagikhik ni Irene mula sa loob at napabuntong hininga na lamang si Greggy.
They decided to start their first day with thrilling activity, so they headed to Oslob to swim with the majestic whale sharks. By participating in shark feeding and meeting the gentle giants up close plus exploring the surrounding coral reefs.
"Kuya, hindi ba sila kumakain ng tao?" tanong ni Irene habang nakatitig sa tubig at hinihintay ang kanilang tour guide na bumaba.
Si Greggy naman ay tinatawanan lang siya dahil bahid na sa mukha niya ang kaba. "They do... Ikaw na raw mauna," pagbibiro ni Greggy.
Irene immediately slapped his arm. "Ang funny mo, grabe," inirapan niya lang si Greggy atsaka pinagmasdan ang karagatan.
"Sungit." Greggy mumbled.
The first one to get off the boat was their tour guide and Greggy followed to support Irene in her descent.
"Wait, Greggy! Huwag mo naman akong hilain! Ayan lang sila, oh!" Irene firmly said. Their tour guide and Greggy laughed at her.
She wore on her snorkel before finally going down in the water and holding Greggy's arm tightly. Sa una ang natatakot pa siya ngunit sa mga senyas ni Greggy ay tila nawawala ang takot niya.
They just stayed a few minutes in the water and then moved up to explore some of the other activities there as well.
The next day, they set out on a journey to the mesmerizing Kawasan Falls. Hiking through the lush forest, Greggy couldn't help but marvel at the beauty of nature surrounding them.
Irene was about to jump into the water when Greggy, who was already in the water, suddenly spoke. "Be careful baka lumubog ka at may manghila sa'yo sa ilalim!"
Napaatras si Irene dahil sa sinabi ni Greggy. Irene has a strong will and she is very independent but she still doesn't lose the fact that she is easily intimidated and easily flattered.
Irene bravely jumped down into the water while tightly holding her life vest. Agad siyang nilapitan ni Greggy at hinala pataas. "Akala ko, hindi ka na aahon," pang-aasar niya.
"Oh, edi sana hindi mo na lang ako hinila!" she retorted and rolled her eyes.
On their third day, Irene and Greggy set off on a private island-hopping adventure. They hopped on a boat and sailed towards the nearby islands, immersing themselves in the beauty of secluded beaches and turquoise waters.
Agad na bumaba si Irene mula sa bangka at iniwan si Greggy. She captured the very beautiful island they went to. Just like Irene, Greggy was also amazed by the beauty of the scenery. He was simply photographing Irene who was busy taking pictures with her camera.
"Hey! Look here! Ngumiti ka naman, Greggy! Para kang binagsakan ng langit at lupa," Irene blurted. Sumimangot muna si Greggy bago siya kuhanan ng litrato.
"Ayan... Hindi ka na mukhang matanda. Ngumiti ka naman kasi!"
"Parang hindi ka seryoso palagi, ano?" Greggy fired back.
"I told you, I will make the most of this vacation because when we go back to Manila, back to work. At sunod-sunuran na naman sa mga magulang!" inis niyang sabi na ikinatawa ni Greggy.
Both of them decided to take a break from the water activities on the next day and explore the historical sites of Cebu. They visited the iconic Magellan's Cross and marveled at the rich heritage of the city.
At Fort San Pedro, they wandered hand in hand through the ancient stone walls, feeling like they had traveled back in time.
Irene traced her fingers over the weathered walls. "It's so incredible to think about all the stories these walls have witnessed over the centuries," she mused. Greggy nodded, agreeing, captivated by the history.
Another day, Hailed as the Taj Mahal of Cebu, the Temple of Leah has become one of the most famous landmarks in Cebu. However, unlike the Taj Mahal, the Temple of Leah is not a tomb.
"Greggy, tayo ka rito. I'll take a picture of you." she pulled Greggy to stand up beside the horse. "Irene! Bakit dito? Hindi naman ako bata, ano ka ba?" reklamo ni Greggy.
"Huwag ka nang maarte! Ayusin mo 'yung ngiti mo, alam kong napilitan ka lang!" walang nagawa si Greggy at sinunod na lamang si Irene kahit nahihiya siya sa mga tao.
Irene laughed, "Okay naman, oh! Ganda nga ng view..." she uttered while looking at the photos. "Gwapo kasi ako," Greggy jested.
Hindi siya pinansin ni Irene at naglakad papalayo, "Ang hangin talaga!"
On the next day, Irene and Greggy set off to visit the vibrant Sirao Flower Garden, known for its stunning array of blossoms. As they strolled in through the garden, surrounded by a riot of colors, Irene couldn't help but gasp at the sight.
"I wish I had Ate Imee and Aimee with me," she whispered while capturing the beautiful view of the garden.
"You can go back here with them. Also with your nephews," sagot ni Greggy. Irene looked at him, "Chismoso ka talaga, ano? Bulong na lang iyon, narinig mo pa!" she blurted.
"Uuwi na tayo. Wala man lang araw na naging mabait ka sa akin sa mga pinapasyalan natin dito sa Cebu!" reklamo ni Greggy.
"Excuse you! Never ako naging mabait sa mahangin na katulad mo!" she stuck her tongue out. Greggy scrunched his nose, "Sus, pogi naman ako, 'di ba?"
Irene was surprised by what Greggy said. "See? Ang hangin mo! 'di hamak na mas lamang naman si Miguel sa'yo, 'no?" she uttered and walked away leaving Greggy behind.
Night came, and the two of them decided to visit the famous 10,000 Roses of Cebu at dusk. As the sun dipped below the horizon, the garden came alive with thousands of LED roses, creating a mesmerizing sight. Irene and Greggy found a quiet spot to sit amidst the roses, watching the lights dance.
On their last day, Irene and Greggy decided to embrace the spiritual side of Cebu by visiting the Cebu Taoist Temple. As they climbed the steps to the temple, they marveled at the intricate architecture and serene atmosphere.
Inside, they lit incense and offered prayers. Irene closed her eyes, whispering her wishes softly, her voice filled with sincerity.
After Greggy lit an incense and after he prayed, he waited for Irene to finish before he stood up. Nakangiti si Irene pagkatapos niyang magdasal.
Their eyes met which made Greggy smile as well. Irene's eyes seemed to sparkle when she finished praying and when her eyes met with Greggy's.
"Hey, grumpy man. Tumayo ka na, ano pang hinihintay mo?" mariin na bulong ni Irene dahil natulala si Greggy.
Greggy returned to his trance when Irene patted him on the arm. He cleared his throat and stood up. "Kung hindi pa kita tatapikin, hindi ka pa gagalaw. Baka nga nakabalik na ako sa airport, nandyan ka pa rin," she laughed and left him again. Sinundan naman siya agad ni Greggy palabas.