Fading Echoes

Tres

Third Person

Irene woke early the next morning, only to learn from manang Yeda that Greggy hadn't returned since leaving the night before.

"Saan daw po nagpunta? Nagsabi po ba siya? Mga anong oras po siya umalis?" she asked anxiously, watching as manang Yeda, preparing breakfast, set a cup of coffee on the table and patted her shoulder gently.

"Hayaan mo muna siya, hija... uuwi rin 'yon sa'yo," came the older woman's soft, comforting reply.

Irene sighed deeply, her gaze falling on Greggy's empty chair. Her voice cracked as she whispered, "Am I that bad, manang?" Tears welled up again—she had been crying since last night, her eyes now swollen. Messages and missed calls from both their families went unanswered; she had no energy to deal with them.

Manang Yeda sat beside her and took her hand, "Alam kong nasasaktan kayo pareho, anak. Pero sana intindihin mo kung saan nanggagaling ang asawa mo..."

Irene sobbed quietly, "Kasalanan ko lahat. Kaya kami umabot sa ganito. Masakit makitang nasasaktan ko siya..."

Manang Yeda stroked her hair tenderly. "Mas mainam na huminga muna kayong dalawa. Kapag maayos na kayo, mag-usap kayo nang kalmado. Hmmm?" She hugged Irene, holding her close. Over the years, she had grown to love the couple like her own children, and seeing them struggle like this brought her deep sadness.

As they sat in silence, both grieving in their own way, a thought floated between them: maybe, just maybe, love would be sweeter the second time around.

A few hours later, Irene was sorting clothes when she heard her sister Imee's voice from the hallway.

"Ano ba nangyari kagabi? Sila mommy panay tanong, eh hindi ko alam ang isasagot!" Imee's impatience got the better of her, and she barged into the house.

Irene remained quiet, continuing to fold clothes, trying to avoid the conversation.

"Ano, Irene? Maglalayas ka ba?" Imee pressed on, exasperated.

"No, ate. Hindi," Irene replied, keeping her tone neutral. In frustration, Imee snatched the clothes from her hands and hung them back in the closet, then dragged Irene to the sofa.

"Ate, ano ba!" Irene protested, but Imee ignored her complaints.

"Sabihin mo nga sa akin! Ano na naman bang problema n'yo? Umalis ang asawa mo kagabi, hanggang ngayon hindi pa bumabalik? Hindi mo alam kung saan siya nagpunta?" Imee demanded, her frustration mounting.

"I've called him, messaged him countless times! Hindi siya sumasagot!" Irene shot back, her voice shaking. "Gusto mo ipagpilitan ko sarili ko sa taong ayaw na sa akin? Ako ang may kasalanan kung bakit kami ganito ngayon, at hindi ko siya masisisi! Hindi ko alam paano haharapin ang mga pamilya namin kapag nalaman nila... Pagod na ako, ate. Pagod na akong magpanggap. Ang sakit-sakit na..."

Finally, Irene broke down, covering her face as tears streamed down. She wept in front of her sister, overwhelmed by the shame and pain.

Imee's heart softened, and she pulled her sister into a tight embrace. "Everything will be alright, ading ko," she whispered, kissing the top of Irene's head. Irene cried harder, finding some comfort in her sister's arms, but still consumed by the uncertainty of what lay ahead.

It was now evening, and Greggy still hadn't returned. Irene had tried calling his office, his siblings, even the polo club where he sometimes spent time, but no one knew where he was. Desperate and exhausted, she went downstairs, unable to sleep without knowing where her husband was. Her heart raced when the main door creaked open.