I's What Ifs

4: Nights of Revelry and Jelousy

Third Person

It had been years since Greggy had witnessed Irene in a state of inebriation. They had grown older, wiser, and more responsible, but this particular night turned out to be an exception. Irene, had gone out with her friends to celebrate a special occasion, and the revelry had been a bit too much.

Greggy, who had decided to stay in for the night, sat in their cozy living room, flipping through a book, occasionally glancing at the clock. He knew that Irene was out having fun, but as the hours passed, he grew increasingly concerned about her well-being.

Finally, the sound of stumbling and giggles outside their front door alerted Greggy to Irene's return. He opened the door to find her friends supporting her, giggles bubbling up from her drunken state.

Greggy couldn't help but chuckle as he watched Irene sway on her feet, her laughter infectious.

"Irene, you've really outdone yourself tonight," he teased, gently taking her arm to steady her.

Irene's eyes sparkled with mischief as she tried to focus on her husband's face.

"My dear, you're my knight in shining armor!" she slurred, her words filled with affection.

Greggy couldn't help but laugh at her endearing drunkenness.

"Halika na, let's get you to bed," he said, leading her inside.

As they made their way to the bedroom, Irene suddenly looked worried. "Greggy, I think I'm going to be sick," she confessed, clutching her stomach.

Greggy rushed her to the bathroom, holding her hair back as she vomited. Irene groaned in discomfort, her face flushed from both alcohol and embarrassment.

"It's okay, my love. Let it out. You'll feel better soon." Greggy said as he patted and massage his wife's back.

Irene nodded weakly, grateful for his comfort in her time of need.

After she had emptied her stomach and rinsed her mouth, Greggy helped her back to bed. Irene's eyes were heavy with drowsiness as she mumbled her thanks and apologies.

As Irene drifted off to sleep, Greggy stayed by her side, keeping a watchful eye over her. He knew the morning would bring a fierce hangover, and he wanted to be there to ease her discomfort.

Sure enough, when morning came, Irene was groaning and clutching her head. Greggy, with a knowing smile, went to the kitchen to prepare a special hangover remedy.

Irene shuffled into the kitchen, her head pounding, and her face pale. "Greggy, I'm so sorry for last night," she said, her voice filled with remorse.

Greggy turned to her, a loving expression on his face. "Don't worry, Irene. We all have our moments. Now, sit down, and mag luluto ako to help with that hangover."

He handed her a steaming bowl of homemade chicken noodle soup, but it wasn't his culinary masterpiece by any means. In fact, it looked a bit like a culinary disaster.

Irene eyed the soup warily but took a tentative sip. To her surprise, it wasn't as terrible as it looked. It wasn't gourmet, but it was made with love.

Irene, with a playful grin, leaned over to Greggy and whispered in his ear, "You know, Greggy, they say the way to a man's heart is through his stomach. Are you trying to steal my heart back after that night?"

Greggy laughed heartily, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "Well, I suppose I'm trying my best!"

As they sat at the kitchen table, Irene nursed her hangover with Greggy's homemade soup. Their laughter and love filled the room, a reminder that even in their less glamorous moments, their bond remained unbreakable.

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Days had passed since Irene's drunken night, and the incident had become a humorous anecdote in their life. But fate had another twist in store for Greggy.

One day at work, Greggy's friend, Michael, approached him, wearing a bemused expression. Greggy sensed that something was amiss.

"Hey, Greggy, you won't believe what happened to me last night. My wife got herself so drunk; I had to practically carry her home." Michael shared.

Greggy chuckled, feeling a sense of camaraderie. "Irene had a similar night not too long ago. It happens to the best of us."

But the laughter died down when Michael, perhaps not thinking clearly, continued, "You know, there was this guy at the bar who wouldn't leave Irene alone. Kept trying to flirt with her."

Greggy's mood shifted instantly, his eyebrows furrowing in anger. "Ano? Are you serious, Michael? What guy?"

Michael, realizing his mistake, backtracked, "Hey, Greggy, I didn't mean to—"

But it was too late. Greggy was already fuming, unable to control his jealousy and protectiveness over his wife.

That evening, when Greggy returned home, he found Irene in the garden, tending to her beloved plants. He couldn't hide the coldness in his demeanor as he gave her the silent treatment, an unusual behavior that left Irene utterly surprised.

"Greggy, is everything okay? You seem distant." Irene asked.

Greggy remained silent, deep in thought. Irene, growing concerned, approached him, gently placing a hand on his shoulder.

"Greg, please tell me what's bothering you." She asked again, with her puppy eyes and with a comforting tone.

Greggy sighed heavily, his resolve weakening in the face of Irene's unwavering love and concern. He finally spoke, his voice laced with tension.

"Michael mentioned something today, Irene...." He then looked at his wife.

"...He said there was a guy flirting with you at the bar that night. Totoo ba?"

Irene blinked in surprise before bursting into laughter, a hearty, genuine laugh that melted away Greggy's anger.

"Oh, Greggy, my very jealous husband! Yes, it's true there was a guy, but it was harmless. I  promise." She assured him.

"Really?" Greggy replied still a little furious.

"Uh-huh!" Irene replied with a sweet smile.

Greggy, still a bit skeptical, asked, "Tell me everything, Irene. How did you handle it?"

Irene grinned, proud of her husband's protective instincts. "Well, when he wouldn't take the hint, I simply showed him my wedding ring. That's all it took. He got the message and left me alone."

Greggy couldn't help but smile, feeling a mix of relief and pride. "That's my girl! I'm sorry for my behavior, i just couldn't — you know me when it comes to you!"

Irene just giggled in response.

"I love you and I'm so proud and blessed to have you as my wife." He said lovingly

Irene wrapped her arms around him, pulling him into a warm embrace. "And I'm proud to have you as my husband, Greggy. I love you my dear!"

"Well, what if that guy didn't back off and kept flirting with you?" He asked curiously.

Irene raised an eyebrow, playing along, "Oh, I don't know, maybe I'd have asked him for your phone number?"

Greggy burst into laughter, relieved that Irene was taking it in stride. He gave her a playful nudge. "Alright, next time something like that happens, just call me immediately. Deal?"

Irene smiled, happy to have eased her husband's worries. "Deal. You'll always be my hero."

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