Mrs. Araneta

Chapter XXIX: Metamorphosis 🦋

metamorphosis-
• change of physical form, structure, or substance especially by supernatural means
• a striking alteration in appearance, character, or circumstances
• a typically marked and more or less abrupt developmental change in the form or structure

***
November 2009, Ten years after the birth of Luis

"Remember when I was young and so were you
And time stood still and love was all we knew
You were the first, so was I
We made love and then you cried
Remember when

Remember when we vowed the vows and walked the walk
Gave our hearts, made the start and it was hard
We lived and learned, life threw curves
There was joy, there was hurt
Remember when

Remember when old ones died and new were born
And life was changed, disassembled, rearranged
We came together, fell apart
And broke each other's hearts
Remember when

Remember when the sound of little feet
Was the music we danced to week to week
Brought back the love, we found trust
Vowed we'd never give it up
Remember when

Remember when thirty seemed so old
Now lookin' back, it's just a steppin' stone
To where we are, where we've been
Said we'd do it all again
Remember when

Remember when we said when we turned gray
When the children grow up and move away
We won't be sad, we'll be glad
For all the life we've had
And we'll remember when"

***

GREGGY's POV:

Forty four years. That's how long Irene has been a part of my life. We spent a good decade of that apart. But it doesn't mean that I love her any less. Because it was her. It has always been her.

And now? She's a year short to her fiftieth, and I am now sixty one. Quite frankly, it doesn't feel like it, but... seeing my Clea who's about to celebrate her debut next year, and with Luis now on his fourth grade, I cannot help but reflect deeply as I asked myself, where has the years gone by?

Cold water is slowly cascading down my body. I have to hurry because I do not want kids to be late for school. We made this tradition that once every week, I will be driving for my family. I'll take the kids to school, Luis will go first since he is the closest. Clea is second year college at the University of the Philippines for her prelaw course. She's taking up legal management. I have long accepted the fact that she's not really into business. Thank goodness that Luis seems to be interested enough to take over for me in a far away future. And my ever gorgeous wife? She's everywhere. Really, everywhere. I'll call her.. say mid in the afternoon, and she's at CCP. Two hours before that? She's in her music studio in Makati.
So it really depends on her schedule.

I'm about to close the shower when I felt two arms embracing me from behind. Fuck. She's naked?

"Love?"
'Hmmm?'
"What are you doing?"
'Taking a shower.'
"Love.. what's- ahhhh Irene. Baka ma late yung mga bata."

'We'll be quick. I promise.'
"Turn around."
'I wanted to see you ehh.'
"Turn around. I'll wash your hair."

I don't know how I was able to do it fairly well given that even she's not facing me, her hands are all over me.

'Kiss me, Greggy.'

I grabbed her body before I take us both under the shower.

"You're so naughty, asawa ko. Open up for me. I'm not going to be gentle."
'I don't want you to. Have it your way, honey.'