SAUDADE

tatlong pu't isa

Third Person

Irene ran to Greggy as he emerged himself inside the masters bedroom. Her arms looped around his neck, "Thank God you're okay..." She sighed in relief.

Greggy looked at her confused, "Bakit?" He asked, "I thought ano na ang nangyari sa'yo... You weren't picking up your phone, ever since we released the statement I heard nothing from you and I just just instantly expected the worst... And...and baka anong nangyari sa'yo, sa k-"

He shushed his wife up, stroking the sides of her shoulders, "Hey...hey calm down... Calm down..." He smiled. "I'm fine, okay... I'm sorry hindi ako nakasagot sa mga tawag. The office became so busy, andaming nagpapa-confirm if galing ba talaga yun sa atin..." He explained.

Irene only nodded and felt herself calm down. Greggy smiled at the thought she was worried sick for him. He pulled her to an embrace again and buried his face on her neck.

"The person texted me again... They said we did the right thing as it already reached the person who was supposed to leak the information..." She pulled back her head to face him. Their bodies still close and their arms entangling to each other.

Greggy frowned, "Sino kaya talaga yan..." He sighed. "Don't stress yourself over that muna..." Irene looked at his chocolate brown eyes, "What's important now is that we're safe."

A knock then came on their door. They looked at each other before breaking apart and Irene headed towards the door to open it.

As she swung the door open, a teary eyed Issa was revealed. "Anak? Why? What's wrong?" Irene's eyebrows furrowed as she held on to her daughter's shoulders.

Greggy walked towards them, "Anong nangyari?" He asked her. A few seconds later, Xavier ascended from the stairs. Issa's father widened his eyes and felt a rush of anger boiling up inside of him.

"Anong ginawa mo sa anak ko?" He stepped forward but Irene stopped him with her hand raised mid-air. "Greggy, wait. Let them explain." She looked at him and he felt himself calm.

Irene then turned to Issa and Xavier, "Anong nangyari? When did you get here? What's happening?" She bombarded them with questions.

"Mommy... Alam na namin kung sino yung gustong maglabas ng info..." Issa frowned.

Irene and Greggy's eyebrows raised, "Ikaw...?" Irene asked in a small voice, looking at Xavier.

He shook his head slowly as Issa held on to her mother's hands tightly, "No, Mommy..." She pressed her lips together, wetting it as she felt it dry up.

"Eh sino?" Greggy asked, confused.

Xavier hang his head down, "Mga magulang ko po..."

Silence took over.

In the corner of their eyes, they saw Alfonso and Luis coming. Both with a stoic expression on their faces.

Irene felt her breath hitched, "Pero... Bakit?" She faced Xavier. "Bakit nila gagawin yun?"

Issa tugged on to her mother's arm, "Can we talk downstairs?" She requested.

"Wag na, pambihira naman... Kakarating lang namin, eh..." Alfonso scratched the back of his in irritation. Irene looked and glared at her oldest son, "Sabi ko nga sa baba na tayo. Halika na Xav, Luis, Pa..." He started to walk away with his brother.

They all went down and settled in to the living room. Xavier took a deep breath before he started to explain what happened.

"Nung... Nung pinakilala ko po si Issa sa Mom and Dad ko, they were actually getting along just fine. I just found out rin kanina na they did a background check on her without me knowing..." He started.