SAUDADE

labing-isa

Third Person

Irene sat on the edge of their bed, her back facing the door, waiting for any news to come as Greggy went out to check on Yana's room.

The door creaked and her head instantly turned to face him. She saw how his eyes were glistening with tears unshed. He walked towards her and stood beside her.

"Wala na siya?" Her voice broke as Greggy held her in his arms, caressing her shoulder as he knew any time soon Irene would be bawling out.

Greggy gulped down before answering his wife, "She left already..." He whispered.

She then released a sob and broke down on his arms. He pressed his lips together. "I'm sorry, Ai..." He frowned and pressed his forehead on the top of her head.

"I'm sorry I didn't hold her back..." He repeated in a small voice. "I'm sorry..."

Irene just cried with her hands clinging into his arms. "I'm sorry..." She looked at him. He looked at her in confusion, "Why are you sorry?" He frowned.

"I have something to tell you..." She hiccuped as she wiped her tears with her hands. "Huh?" He breathed out, "Ano?"

"The reason why I signed the papers was because..." She paused to look at him in the eyes, "Was because I saw you with her." She pertained to someone.

"Her? Si Diane?" He frowned and tilted his head as he sat beside her, holding her hands. She shook her head, "No..."

"With Vera." She looked away, "I know... I know that she was someone who will never leave your heart..." She swallowed a lump on her throat.

Greggy furrowed his eyebrows and sighed, "I think you got the wrong idea, Ai..." He frowned, "Why didn't you tell me about this?" He asked.

"Cause our marriage was on the rocks... And when I saw you with her... I didn't know what I was thinking..." She explained, still not looking at him.

"Look at me..." He lifted her chin with his fingers and find her eyes. "Ikaw lang naman ang mahal ko... I never loved anyone else but you, Rin..." He looked deep into her eyes.

"But... Vera..." She stuttered.

"Vera is someone from the past... And... Nagkataon lang naman yun na nagkabangga kami sa isa't isa... It didn't mean anything..." He stroked her cheek with his thumb.

"I'm sorry..." She looked down again. "And now... Because of what I did, look what's happened." She sighed. "Kasalanan ko lahat to... I was too selfish..." She bit her lower lip.

Greggy pulled her to him and embraced her, "There's no point in blaming who now, Ai... The damage has been done... Ang magagawa na lang natin ngayon ay... Mag-hintat..." He comforted.

"Mag-hintay kung kailan babalik ang anak natin..." He sighed. She frowned, "I hope she's doing good... Okay na akong hindi niya ako mapatawad, just that she's doing good now... Kung saan siya pupunta..." She rested her head on his chest.

"I'm sorry..." She whispered again, this time, he held a finger on her mouth to shush her off, "Tama na ang pagso-sorry... Hindi naman natin maibabalik ang kahapon sa mga sorry natin..." He held her close.

She nodded slowly, "I'll make it up to you... I hope you gave me the chance to make it up to you... And hopefully... To our Issa..."

"Issa?" He looked at her. "We'll push through on changing her name?" He asked.

She nodded, "Of course... We need to."

Ingrid Clarissa Marie. Issa.

Issa was sitting on the bench inside the mausoleum, again. Sitting their but still not knowing what to say. She looked at the blank stone beside her grandfather's grave and sighed.