The Pawn

Chapter 7 Teaser

"Everything is better with you. Everything has been better since you"

***
Irene's POV:

Today's my first day back to school and I am having mixed feelings about it. While we were able to
find this condo near PGH, just in case I needed to stay late for my clinical duties, I don't think that not coming home to 52 is something I would be looking forward to.

Greggy's uncharacteristically quiet last night. I think he was thinking the same thing. I hate than when it's my time to get busier than usual, he may have been as well. His project in Bulacan is about to kickstart and he may need to spend a few days staying in Monte Araza.

I know that I should not be concerning myself yet, with the things that aren't happening right now but I can't help it. We've grown closer since our Baguio trip and quite frankly? I wanted us to stay this way.

While I am mentally checking if I am missing something that I needed for today, I am hearing noises from my back that I know is coming from the dining room.

I went there to check and damn! Greggy is holding this bouquet of white roses while the teasing from everyone just keeps getting louder.

"Baba?"
'Bubu.. good luck on your first day.'
"Ayaw ko pumasok, Baba."

I went to hug him again. I have been hugging him nonstop since we woke up this morning but I needed more.

'Skip ka na lang?'
"No. Ayaw ko rin mag absent."

I can hear him chuckling and that almost send me to crying. Shit Irene! Pull yourself together!

'Hatid naman kita, Bubu diba? I'll pick you up later rin. Date tayo?'
"Date? Talaga?"

'Ay anak ohh, ayaw maniwala ng asawa mo.'
"Kasi Mama, busy na rin siya ulit diba? Baba.. pwede pa?"

'Pag sa misis ko, pwedeng pwede.'

I ended up clinging more to Greggy than I would normally be. Can that be possible? Yung kasama mo pa, pero nami miss mo na?

'Bu? Nag charge ka phone mo? I'll call you from time to time ha?'

While I am the text message kind of person, Greggy is not. He hates it every time I would send him dozens of text messages. He would rather call me than text me back.

"Yes Baba. Pero hindi ko masasagot kapag may class ako ha? Food mo pala, Baba? Dala mo na?"

I made both of us snacks and lunch and I made sure to packed it even before Greggy sees them.
I don't know.. but I feel like I needed to be more domesticated in some ways than others. I just don't want Greggy to forget about me.

'Oh umalis na kayo at baka ma late si Irene. Greggy, si Papa mo, nauna na sa office. Mag uusap raw kayo pag dating mo. Anak, Irene.. mag iingat ka ha? Kumain ka ha.'
"Thank you, Ma. Byeeee everyone!!"

'Doc! Ingatan mo si GA.'
"Baliw ka Kuya Arthur! Mami miss nyo lang ako dito sa bahay ehh. Bye na! See you all later! Mama, bye!"

We're walking hand in hand and I love it! I keep looking at our hands and as biased as it may be? I think it's perfect. Just perfect.

'Bubu.. I love you. Mag behave ka ha? You'll be meeting yung mga bago mo na classmates diba?'
"Ahh? Ohh.. yes! Behave naman ako talaga ahh."
'Bawal ka magka crush sa iba.'
"Cute mo. Ikaw lang crush ko, ewan ko nga sayo."

'I am dead serious. Basta I'll pick you up later ha?'
"Out ako ng four ha? I'll wait for you. I love you."

The ride is quiet but it's a different quiet. Peaceful.
Greggy keeps kissing my hand and I am not letting him go just yet.

"Baba.. alam mo?"
'Hmmm?'
"Mahal na mahal kita."
'Nang uuto ka na ha. I love you. We're almost there. Bubu? Eat your food ha. And here, take this pala.'

He take off my arms around him to get something from his pocket.

"Ano yan?"
'Card? Credit card.'
"I know. Para saan?"
'Just in case you needed to buy something. Wala kang pagkain o whatever. Just buy.'

"Ayoko nyan. May pang allowance pa ako, Baba."
'Just take it. For my peace of mind, please?'

Is he out of his mind? Fifty pesos lang may ulam na ako sa school canteen! Even with the food court sa loob ng ospital! Anong gagawin ko sa black card nya na to!

"Baba.. too much. Hindi ko kailangan yan. Nakakatakot ehh, pano pag nawala ko yan?"
'Bubu naman.. asawa mo ako diba? What's mine is yours. Sige na, kuhanin mo na.'

"Ayoko nyan. I promise to ask you for anything na I needed to buy. Pero yan? Hindi ko kailangan nyan."
'What do you need then? Please, tell me. Itatawag ko sa bank later. What do you need?'

"Ikaw lang. Okay na ako, Baba. Basta ikaw lang. Just.. sunduin mo lang ako mamaya, okay na."
'Bubu.. cash na lang. I'll give you some cash. Sige na. Nag bayad ka sa school mo sabi nila Jackie, wala ng natira sayo.'

"Fine. 1k lang. Okay na."
'May food ka na dito?'
"Yeah, hanggang end of the week."

I still have some of my savings left. But to end this discussion, I have to ask him for a thousand even if I don't need it, in hope to pacify his worries.

'I love you. I need you to need me, Bubu.'
"Clingy mo rin no? I love you. See you later, I love you!"

Being the gentleman that he is, he helps me to get out of the car. I hug him briefly but before I could pass by the gate, he pulls me back for another embrace.

'I hate this. I hate that I will be missing you. Kung pwede lang, itatali na lang kita sakin.'
"I love you. I will miss you too."
'Pwede kita i kiss dito?'
"Smack lang ha? Baka may maka kita na mga prof ko."

He kissed me on lips just like how I told him to. But he's been kissing the top of my head with his arms around my waist.

'Bubu.. I have to stay in Bulacan tomorrow, ha?'
"What? Agad agad?"

Now it makes sense. Why he's been so quiet last night. Why he's this extra clingy today. Why he wanted to leave me with the card. Why he will be picking me up later. Why we are going on a date!

Because he is going away.

"Iiwan mo ako?"
'One week lang, Bubu. One week lang.'
"Iiwan mo pa rin ako."

I move away from him to give us some space. I have to, kung hindi iiyak ako.

'Bubu..'
"See you later. Mag iingat ka."

I left him standing just right outside the school gate. I cannot even look back at him without bursting into tears. Will it be unfair if I just want him to stay here and not go away?

I found my assigned room in no time. But I cannot shrug off this guilt inside me that I just left Greggy outside. I took my phone and press my number one speed dial.

'Bu-'
"I'm sorry, Baba. Sorry. I love you."
'It's fine. I should've told you earlier. Baka na overwhelm kita.'
"I love you. Nasan ka na?"
'Papunta na po sa office. Ikaw?'
"Room na. Baba? Sorry ulit ha."

'It's fine. Don't worry about me.'

We talked for a minute more before I have to end the call. I'm so in love with Greggy that it hurts.

It hurts to love him because there's so much love inside me, I feel like my heart will burst. And even if I try to tell and show him how much I feel towards him, it still is not enough.

I send him one last text message before I put my phone down and his reply came immediately.

'Mas mahal kita, misis ko.'