Mrs. Araneta

Chapter XIII: Paoay ⛪️

"Suspended in the air
I hear myself breathing
Hanging by a thread
My heart is barely beating
I haven't fallen yet
But I feel it comin'
Tell me would it be too much to ask
If you break it to me gently"

IRENE's POV:

Two weeks from now? That would be second week of April? It is almost Greggy's birthday then. Almost.. of what was supposed to be our civil wedding. Why? I closed my eyes as the news flash keeps echoing inside my head. Him and Kris? Since when? It has been a month, just a month.
I allow my tears to fall down nonstop. Unconsciously, I hold on to the pendant from the necklace he gave me. That's not Greggy. Something must have happened.
Hindi nya yun gagawin sa akin. Hindi nya yun gagawin saming dalawa ng walang dahilan. I excused myself from them, telling them na I will be going back to my room muna.

'Anak? Samahan kita?' that's Daddy. I know they are all worried and hurting.
"I'm okay, Dad. Papahinga lang po ako."
'Sunod ako sayo.'
"Ate. Okay lang ako. Aalis ka dapat, diba? Don't worry about me."

I didn't wait for her to answer me.

I need Greggy.

So I run inside my room in search for my pillow. Since we moved in here, we finally get to settle a bit in a more comfortable living environment than when we were in the bases of Air Force.

Since I packed for our things in Manila, my luggage consists of not just mine, but also Greggy's belongings. And since I have no way to reach him, I put one of his shirt on to my pillow.

That's my Greggy.
And is that all I ever get to have of him?

I am clinging on to it as if it is where my life depends. Ang sakit.

The door to my room opens. Si Ate. Her eyes were red and puffy. The strongest woman I know, cried herself to the same news that is now breaking my already broken heart.

"That I'm waking the next day
Without you beside me
And who I hold on to today
Tomorrow will just be a memory
That I would look back at all of this
And wonder why I stayed in here
Just to watch you disappear"

'Bunso..'
"Come here, Ate. Tabi tayo." As soon as she puts her arms around me, I started wailing. Did that ever happened to you? Yung nabubuhay ka habang unti unti kang namamatay? That is how I am feeling. Kinuha nila lahat. Lahat. Pati si Greggy.

'Ireneeee. Tama na? Ha? Hindi ka naman mag isa. Lima tayo dito. Hindi ka naman namin iiwan.'

I look at my sister as she continues to wipe my tears.

"Ate? Akala ko wala ng isa sakit. I was wrong. Ang sakit sakit, ate. Ang sakit sakit. Sana itinira nila kahit si Greggy. Si Greggy lang. Is that too much to ask?"
'Irene.. we don't know what happened. Pero knowing Greggy, he must have his reasons.'
"It's over, Ate! Kapag ikinasal na sila, it will all be over. Paano ako? Paano naman ako?"

It is very rare that my sister has nothing to say. And it is one of those days. She is lost for words just as I am.

"So I breathe and let you go
How do I breathe and let you go?"

GREGGY's POV:

Two weeks.
And fuck! Why do we have to do it in Ilocos Norte? They are out trying to hurt Irene's family.. 'our' family in all possible ways that they can.

I wonder if Irene has seen the news. That'll break her heart. But I have to do it, love.

I am trading my freedom so you can get back yours.