Celestial

Thirty Two

Greggy's POV:

I can tell by the way Irene is holding my hand that she's trying hard not to cry. I think it is for my benefit, but it's not going to help her. So I asked her to let it out, cry if she must.

She went back to sit beside me, placed her chin to my shoulder, her other hand still holding mine, while she placed her right arm to hug me from my waist. 

'He's gone Greggy. Umalis na yung best friend ko. Will we be able to talk again?'
"I don't know, love. Maybe sometime soon?"
'He is alone. He is with no one, Greggy'

Irene's concern is actually valid if I may be frank about it. Mark really is alone. Irene is all he has.
But they crossed the line. And I simply just can't accept that. Mark will always be in between us if I am not to impose what I asked off Irene. 

"I know, love.." Because I simply do not know what else to say.

Irene didn't say anything more all throughout our ride from Forbes to Grand Hyatt. But I know that she is crying. I can feel the side of my shirt getting wet.

"He will be okay, Irene "
'I know. I know.'
"I don't like it when you cry"
'Me too'
"Can I hug you?"
'Please'

We switched positions. I am now the one hugging her. I kissed her forehead as I hold her closer to me.

'Thank you, love. Sorry ha, nabasa ko damit mo'
"Anytime. No problem. I love you"
'I love you, Greggy.'
"I love you most, bunny ko"

Irene's POV:

I am thankful for Greggy's presence. He is calming me in a way he may not even be aware of. We are riding in comfortable silence. But I am not used to being quiet so much, so I break the ice for us.

"Love? Bakit nag iiba tawag mo sakin? This is something I noticed noon pa. Nacu curious ako."
'What do you mean? Love? Your hair, please? Cut naman na. Pag baba natin sa hotel iisipin na naman anak kita'

"Edi Hello Daddy. Anyways, most of the time I am love. Minsan Irene, minsan baby. But why is bunny the one you are using least of them all?"
'That's the most special ehh.'
"Why? Dapat love.. diba?"

'No... Bunny. Because it reminds me of how you have given me yourself wholeheartedly thirty nine years ago. That's something na just for you and me. I am calling you that kapag alam ko na tayo lang. It's so exclusive na tayo lang. Also, I am calling you that kapag cute ka.'

"Greggy naman ehh! Cute ako today? Ganun?"
'Ang hilig mo mang hampas. Cute ka everyday. Maganda ka. Araw araw. Pero mas maganda ka kung papa gupit ka na'

"Samahan mo ako? You want?"
'Haircut mo?'
"You also. Ang haba na ng hair mo, love"
'Deal. Just like before ha? Pati color ha?'
"Oo na! Kulit mo. Let's go love. Check the venue na.. Tell me what are those na gusto mo ipabago ha?"

This should be fine, though. Ilang beses na namin to pina approve sa kanya before. We'll go to Pepito after, tapos yung hair cut na paulit ulit nya ginagawa na issue.

Greggy's POV:

When Irene opened the door to the grand ballroom, it suddenly struck me... the magnitude of what we are celebrating two days from now.

Wow. Forty five years ago. The company's been through a lot. And I am absolutely certain that I wouldn't be able to make it without my amazing wife.

'Love? Okay na? May ipapa adjust ka? Anything na gusto mo ng changes?'

I am standing in the middle of the hall and all I can see is her. Just her. 

'Greggy? Are you okay? May ayaw ka?'
"Come here, please"
'Ano? May babaguhin ba?'