"Welcome back, Miss Irene!"
"Glad you're back miss!"
"Warm welcome to you, miss I!"
At marami pang pagbati mula sa mga empleyado nila. Irene just got back to the office after almost a year of hiatus. Inihatid siya ni Greggy sa opisina niya, he's carrying his wife's handbag while clinging to her waist. Bakas sa mukha ng mag-asawa ang saya sa mainit na pagtanggap ng opisina sa pagbabalik ni Irene.
They also threw a small yet meaningful welcome party for her. May mga nakahanda na ring mga pagkain sa hallway.
"Whose budget is this? the company's or employees?" she whispered as she leaned on her husband. Dahil ayaw ni Irene na pinagkakagastusan siya ng mga empleyado nila. She'd rather spend money for them instead.
Greggy chuckled, "don't worry, it's on us" he answered. Tumango naman si Irene at ngumiti uli sa mga empleyado.
"Thank you so much for your warm welcome. I'd like you to know that I appreciate your efforts a lot. I've been receiving reports from the finance department and I am grateful you never disappointed me. You kept your work ethic upheld even during my absence. And now that I'm back, I am more than excited to work with you all again" she said in her short remarks. Pumalakpak naman ang lahat, Greggy stared at his wife as if she's his proudest possession.
"Sir! Grabe ang lagkit ng titig!" asar ng isa, hinanap naman ng mata ni Greggy kung sino iyon, isa pala sa mga scholar nila. Irene and Greggy made sure that while they provide work for their employees, they also make their dreams do come true. Lalo na sa mga kabataan nilang nagta-trabaho para sa kanila. At isa iyon sa mga pinagkasunduan nilang mag-asawa, to provide scholarships to those who are in need.
"Ikaw na naman, Charles!" pagtawa ni Greggy. Irene is just smiling the whole time.
After the short welcome party, inihatid na ni Greggy sa sariling opisina ang asawa. He closed the door as he followed his wife on her desk. Everything's neat as she wants her office to be. Kung paano niya 'to iniwan ay gano'n din niyang dinatnan.
"So, good luck on your first day..." he smiled, Irene sat down on her swivel chair and felt it. She looked at her husband who's sitting at her table. "Thank you for this, Greg. You don't know how much this means to me" she sincerely thanked him.
Greg stared at his wife for a second at tila ba natauhan ito, "Okay, so... I should go back now to my office. call or text me if you need anything or if something comes up"
"Okay, have a great day ahead at work" Irene smiled, tatayo pa sana siya to give her husband a kiss on the cheek pero tumayo agad si Greggy at pumunta sa pinto. "You too, Irene" he smiled and left the office.
Nang makabalik si Greggy sa opisina niya ay agad siyang nagtrabaho to distract himself. Heaven knows how hard his decision could be.
Just like any other ordinary day, mabilis natapos ang araw nila sa trabaho. Dinaanan na rin ni Greggy ang asawa sa opisina niya.
"Si Irene? may meeting ba?" Greggy asked his wife's secretary, Jane.
"Ah, wala naman po sir. Nagre-review lang po siya ng audits" Jane answered. Greggy nodded at pumasok na. Irene didn't even notice her husband's presence dahil talagang nakatuon ang atensyon nito sa tambak ng papeles na nasa mesa niya.
Greggy cleared his throat to get his wife's attention.
"Ang busy naman for a first day," he teased, nakatayo lang ito sa harap ni Irene while both of his hands are on his pockets. "Oh, sorry. I didn't notice you there." Irene replied and continued reading.
"Wait, how long have you been standing there?!" she added when she realized. Greggy chuckled and went beside his wife para makibasa ng mga binabasa niya.
"Around two minutes, I guess." he replied and leaned on his wife, "oh, those are huge" he commented nang makita ang mga numero sa papeles. Irene nodded and placed the paper on her desk, "what brings you here?" she asked at nilingon ang asawa.
"To fetch you? it's already 4:30 PM, wife. May dinner pa tayo with our parents" he answered. Nanlaki naman ang mga mata ni Irene, "oh my! yes! I totally forgot about that! sorry!" she reacted at agad na niligpit ang mga gamit sa mesa.
She took her handbag and stood up from her chair, "let's go?" she asked. Greggy nodded his head, but before he could open the door for her, she held her hand. Irene didn't react or anything, hinayaan lang niya ito as their hands clasped together in heading out of their office.
Tahimik naman si Greggy sa sasakyan pauwi sa bahay nila. Dahil mamayang alas seis pa naman ang nasabing dinner kasama ang mga pamilya nila.
"How's work?" Irene asked, just to break the silence. "Ayos naman, tambak din dahil nga one week din akong on leave. May mga meeting din ako for the coming days with some investors. Some of them asked me to bring you with me..." he paused and glanced at his wife.
"Would you mind?" he asked. Irene pursed her lips, "no, not at all. I'd love to join you" she answered.
When they arrived home, nagpahinga na muna sila. Irene is just resting on the couch, scrolling through her feed nang makaisip ng kalokohan si Greggy at humiga sa hita ng asawa. Irene didn't bother and continued what she's doing on her phone.
"What are you doing?" he asked; his wife glanced at him, "just checking the latest trends" she simply answered. "I see, what are the latest trends then?" he asked, halatang gusto ng atensyon. Ibinaba naman ni Irene ang telepono niya at tinginan muli ang asawa, "at bakit ka nakahiga diyan?" pagtataray niya.
Greggy pouted and hugged her waist, "gusto ko lang naman maglambing" he replied. Tumawa nalang si Irene and continued what she's doing. She's brushing her husband's hair without even noticing na nakatulog na pala ito. Hinayaan lang niya ang asawa.
It may be confusing, but she's still hoping.
Hindi ko alam kung anong meron sa amin ni Greggy theese past days. Hindi kami nag-aaway, pero ni minsan hindi namin napag-usapan kung anong meron kami. Kung ayos na ba talaga ang lahat, o pansamantala lang uli lahat ng 'to...
I just stared at him while he's sleeping on my lap. A soft smile is painted on my lips as I stare at his pointed nose, rosy cheeks and lips and long lashes. God knows how much I want those features na mamana ng magiging anak namin balang araw.
But that is if it's gonna happen.
Dahil sa totoo lang, hindi ko alam.
Iniurong ko ang legal separation case dahil gusto ko sanang mapag-usapan namin ang lahat nang maayos, pero hindi ko rin alam kung paano at saan ba dapat kami magsimula. Hindi ko rin alam kung makakapagsimula pa ba kami o nagsisimula na ba uli kami?
Gulong-gulo na ako, pero pinipilit kong intindihin, sinisubukan ko pa rin umasa.
Because maybe, there's still hope in what we have and we are right now.
Maybe, this time, we could save us.
After an hour, Irene woke up her husband, dahil kailangan na rin nila mag-ayos para sa dinner. The dinner will be held at Irene's side dahil sa kagustuhan din ng ama niya.
"Greg, bumangon ka na diyan at nangalay na rin hita ko! kanina ka pa diyan!" pagsaway niya sa asawa na ayaw bumangon.
Her husband just groaned at hinigpitan pa ang yakap sa bewang niya, "two minutes please" he mumbled. Bumuntong hininga naman si Irene, he just caressed his hair and rested her hand on Greggy's waist. At talagang inorasan niya ito;
"Time's up! bumangon ka na diyan at kapag tayo na-late, ikaw ang isusumbong ko kay papa and daddy" referring to their fathers. They both know how their parents hate late comers.
Minulat agad ni Greggy ang mga mata at bumangon, tsaka dumeretsyo sa banyo. "Ito na po" he said and locked himself in the bathroom. Irene just laughed at him at pumunta naman sa walk-in closet nila to pick their clothes.
She chose a white polo for her husband, a khaki pants, and brown oxford shoes. Inilabas na rin niya ang relo na gagamitin ng asawa at belt. For herself, she chose a simple red shirt dress, paired with black stiletto heels. She'll also be using the Philip Stein watch that her husband gave to her as an anniversary gift last year.
Greggy just came out from the bathroom, dumeretsyo agad ito sa closet para sana magpalit nang madatnan niya ang asawa na nakatitig sa jewelry dresser niya.
Sinilip niya ito dahil hindi naramadaman ng asawa ang presensya niya, he found his wife staring at their engagement ring and wedding band. Greggy cleared a lump and played cool as if he didn't know what his wife was looking at.
"I'm done," he said, Irene was taken back to reality at napalingon agad sa asawa, who's just wearing boxer shorts with a towel on his shoulder. Napalunok naman si Irene at iniwas agad ang tingin;
"Oh, okay. I prepared your clothes na" she said at isinara agad ang drawer at dumeretsyo sa banyo to freshen up herself.
Nang matapos si Irene ay nagmadali na itong mag-ayos dahil kanina pa rin naghihintay ang asawa. She decided to wear their engagement ring and wedding band this time.
When they arrived to Irene's parents, andoon na rin ang mga magulang ni Greggy maging ang kapatid niyang si David.
"Oh, wow, blooming! Nadiligan ka noh?" Imee teased her sister, inirapan naman ni Irene ang ate niya before she exchanged beso with her. "Shush" she whispered, tinawanan lang naman siya nito.
"Glad you're just here on time!" Ferdinand greeted the couple, their mothers are busy preparing the dishes dahil sa dining area sa loob ng bahay sila kakain ng hapunan. "You don't have to bother, dad. No need to throw a feast" Irene answered at niyakap ang ama.
"Why not? That's history, anak!" Albert butted in, nilingon naman siya ni Irene at sinalubong naman siya ng yakap ng father-in-law niya, "my favorite daughter-in-law" he added, sabay nilinon ang panganay na si David na abala nakikipag-usap at tawanan kay Bongbong.
Greggy laughed, "ikaw naman, dad. I heard they're working on it" he jested. Everyone knows na hiwalay sa asawa si David, but it's been three years, at nanatiling magkaibigan ang dalawa. Their family would still always invite his ex-wife in every family gathering. David has two daughters at kasama ang nanay nila sa US.
"We'll visit the girls next week, wanna come?" Albert offered the couple, referring to David's daughters. Tumingin naman si Irene sa asawa dahil depende ito sa magiging desisyon ni Greggy.
"I'll check my schedule, dad" he answered.
Pagkapasok nila mismo sa receiving area ay sinalubong agad ng mga bata si Greggy, parang hindi pa nakakita si Irene ng bata na takot sa asawa niya.
"Tito Gee! Let's play po!"
"I asked mommy lola if the food's done, she said they're still cooking! We can play while waiting for dinner!!"
"Please! Please!"
"Tito Gee! Daddy lolo bought us new toys! Come, let's try!"
Bungad ng magpipinsang Borgy, Matt, Andy at Samuel. Nilingon naman ni Greggy ang asawa, Irene nodded immediately. "Sure, they've missed you" she said, caressing his back at tsaka sumama sa ate Imee niya. Naiwan naman si Greggy kasama lahat ng mga bata.
Irene and Imee stayed in the gazebo to wait for dinner, ayaw nila makigulo sa nanay nila dahil alam nilang metikulosa ito pagdating sa kusina. And they don't want to ruin the mood there.
"So, kamusta kayo?" paninimula ni Irene nang makaupo sila, magkaharap sila ngayon. Irene crossed her legs and let out a heavy breath tsaka nilingon ang malaking glass window kung saan tanaw ang asawa niya kasama ang mga pamangkin sa loob ng bahay.
"We're... Fine? I guess. Hindi kami nag-aaway since he got the accident. Actually, hindi ko rin alam ate" she answered at tinignan siya, Imee frowned.
"What do you mean you don't know?" she asked, obviously confused.
"Like, I don't know... Hindi ko alam kung okay na ba talaga kami o pansamantala lang lahat ng meron kami ngayon. We never got the chance to talk about it"
"But I heard natutulog uli kayo sa iisang kuwarto?" tanong muli ni Imee, ngumisi ito kaya alam agad ni Irene na nang-aasar na naman ang kapatid.
"Yes" maikling sagot naman niya. Lumawak ang ngiti ni Imee at sinabing;
"Oh, edi gawa na kayo!"
"Huh? anong gawa pinagsasabi mo ate?!"
"Gawa?! pamangkin!"
Nanlaki naman ang mga mata ni Irene, "ate! may makarinig sa 'yo!" panunuway niya naman.
Imee scoffed and crossed her arms as she rested her back, "so what?! eh you're a married couple! three years na kayo, Irene aba!" sagot naman nito.
Sasagot pa sana si Irene nang dumating si Bongbong, "ang seryoso niyo naman. kakain na" he called his sisters. Tumayo naman agad ang dalawa at sumunod sa kapatid.
During dinner, as expected, puro tungkol sa negosyo at politika ang usapan.
Magkatabi ang mag-asawa pero hindi man lang nagtitinginan o nag-uusap, Greggy would still do simple gestures like puting food on his wife's plate, refilling her glass of water and the like.
Kanina pa sila ino-obserbahan ni Bongbong, at alam niyang may kakaiba sa mag-asawa.
"Yes! That's why I'd like Irene to come in the conference!" Ferdinand said nang mabanggit ng balae ang tungkol sa nalalapit na economic conference sa California sa susunod na linggo.
Tumingin naman si Greggy sa asawa, "do you know about it?" he asked. Irene leaned on him, "nope" she simply answered and sipped on her wine glass.
"Enough with the business and politics, how about we talk about our family? life updates?" panimula ni Bong, tumango naman si Imelda bilang pagsang-ayon sa sinabi ng anak.
"Oo nga naman, minsan na nga lang tayo magsama sa hapag eh tungkol pa rin sa trabaho ang usapan" she agreed.
Greggy's mother looked at the couple, "when will you give us grandchildren?" she asked. Nanahimik ang lahat at tinignan ang mag-asawa. Irene just kept herself composed, habang si Greggy naman ay seryoso sa pagkain niya.
"How's married life recently?" dagdag naman ni Liza as she poured wine on her glass.
"We're getting separated" Greggy answered. Na para bang kaswal lang sa kaniya na sinabi iyon. Lahat ay nagulat maging si Irene. Nilingon niya agad ang asawa sa tabi, na hindi na niya mabasa kung anong emosyon ang meron siya.
Bongbong laughed at his brother-in-law at nilingon si David na nakaupo sa tabi niya, maging si David ay alam kung anong nangyayari sa mag-asawa. At hindi tinatago iyon ni Greggy sa kuya niya.
"You're joking, right!?" Bongbong asked, and sliced his steak. Greggy shook his head, ang mga magulang nila ay nakatulala lang sa kanilang dalawa.
"This will surely upset you, but I'm not" he replied as he popped a piece of brocoli on his mouth and looked back at his brother-in-law, "Irene and I have been considering this for a while now, and I think it's for the best" he added at nilingon ang asawa, "right?" he asked, looking intently at his wife's eyes.
Bakas ang lungkot sa mga mata ni Greggy habang gulat naman kay Irene. She has no idea what Greggy has been planning to. Dahil buong akala niya ay maayos na sila nitong mga nakaraaang araw.
Ibinaba ni Ferdinand ang mga kubyertos niya, at tinignan ang anak, "Irene" he called with his authoritative voice. Irene placed down her utensils as well and hid her hands under the table as he played with her rings.
'I shouldn't worn these' she thought. She cleared a lump on her throat, maging siya ay nablangko sa nangyayari ngayon.
"Dad..."
"Gregory, what is this?!" her mother reacted, frowning. Maging ang mga bata ay nanahimik sa eksena ngayon. Irene's heart is beating fast, nanlalamig ang mga kamay niya at pakiramdam niya ay hindi siya makahinga sa nangyayari.
Greggy looked at his mother and answered;
"It's a mutual decision, pareho kaming nagkulang, pareho kaming nagkamali, at pareho naming gusto ng hiwalayan"