Fading Echoes

Siete

Irene

When I arrived home, I found Greggy in the living room, reading. It was already 2:00 PM, and he noticed my presence right away, quickly closing the book he was holding.

"I filed for legal separation. I need you to sign the papers so we can process them right away."

He stood up abruptly, facing me. "What did you just say?" he asked, disbelief evident in his voice. I sighed, "Greg, you heard me," and turned to head upstairs. Just as I reached the stairs, he grasped my arm firmly. "No," he said resolutely.

I removed his hand from my arm and looked him directly in the eye. "I am not asking for your permission, Greg. I am informing you. This time, I will have the final say," I told him before walking upstairs.

I locked the door behind me and stared into space, unable to believe I was actually doing this.

That entire day, I didn't see Greg at home. Manang Yeda told me he left right after I arrived.

By 11:00 PM, I still hadn't felt him come home. I went downstairs to check, but the living room was dark. I turned on the lights and decided to relax in the receiving area, preparing some tea and bringing a book to read while I waited for him.

Thirty minutes passed with no sign of him. It was nearly midnight, and my worry was growing. Just as I was about to redial his number, my phone rang. It was him.

I answered immediately, but I was shocked by the sounds of an ambulance in the background.

"Mrs. Araneta?" an unfamiliar voice asked. My brow furrowed; I didn't like what I was hearing.

"Speaking..." I gasped, struggling to catch my breath as the fear I had been trying to suppress washed over me.

"This is Makati Medical Center. You are listed as the emergency contact for Mr. Gregory Araneta. Our team is currently aiding him. May we expect your presence at the hospital? We will provide updates as we are on our way."

I jumped up from my seat and rushed to my room to change clothes, grab my bag, and take my car keys.

When I arrived at the hospital, I hurried to the reception. "Gregory Araneta, I'm his wife, Irene," I said breathlessly. The receptionist checked the name.

"He's currently in the ER, ma'am."

I hurried to the ER, but the door was closed. My knees felt weak, and I sat down on a nearby bench. I had no idea whom to call.

Crying, I dialed Manang's number. It took several rings before she finally answered.

"What is it? It's late!" she exclaimed.

"Irene? Are you crying? Why is it noisy there? Where are you?" she bombarded me with questions.

"Ate, it's Greggy...."

"What happened, Irene!?"

"He... He got into an accident, and he's still in the ER. I don't know what to do, Ate," I sobbed, covering my face. I felt completely lost, as if my entire being had gone blank.

I couldn't bear the thought of losing him. The mere idea terrified me beyond measure!

"What?! Wait, where is he? We'll come to you!" she said immediately, and I heard her waking up Kuya Tommy.

"Makati Med, Ate," I replied. Just then, the attending doctor came out, and I tucked my phone into my pocket.

"Doc, how's my husband?" I blurted out. The doctor removed his mask.

"He's stable now, Mrs. Araneta, but we still need to monitor him closely. He sustained a severe head injury from the car crash and lost a significant amount of blood," he explained.