Fading Echoes

Ocho

Third Person

"Manang, paki-akyat nalang po mga gamit ni Greggy sa kuwarto namin" she instructed one of their maids as they returned from the hospital.

Greggy overheard and quickly interjected, "No, please put them in the guest room. I want to sleep in my own room," he insisted. Irene furrowed her brow at him. "What? Why? You should sleep with me so I can keep an eye on you. You're not fully recovered yet, Greg," she argued.

Instead of responding, Greggy simply smiled and began to head upstairs. Irene followed closely behind. "Greggy, don't be so stubborn. You just got out of the hospital! We should sleep together so I can take care of you," she protested. As Greggy was about to enter the guest room, he turned to face her.

"I'm okay, Irene. I can take care of myself," he assured her. She raised an eyebrow, unimpressed. "I said, sleep with me, Gregorio," she repeated firmly. Greggy smirked and leaned in to give her a quick kiss. "I told you, don't call me that," he teased before heading into their bedroom.

Irene's mouth dropped open in disbelief. "Greggy!!" she exclaimed, only to hear her husband chuckle from inside.

Given the circumstances, everyone understood why Irene was eager to return to work, even from home. However, she refused to do so, insisting she wanted to focus entirely on caring for her husband. "Greggy! That's why I decided not to start working yet—to take care of you. You're the one trying to work!" she admonished.

Three days had passed, and Greggy's doctor advised him to take a week off for rest. Yet, he found himself unable to resist the pile of reports waiting for his attention.

He promptly closed his laptop. "You know I can't live without working," he replied. Irene sighed and set down the snack she had prepared for him—avocado toast and lemon juice.

"Can you please just pause for a moment? Can you listen to me, just this once?" she implored. Greggy could hear the fatigue in her voice, realizing she had been attending to all his needs.

"If you really want to work, go ahead. I'll prepare your office attire," she added, her annoyance evident. Just as she was about to leave, he pulled her down onto his lap.

"Let me go, Gregorio! I have things to do downstairs!" she scolded. In response, he leaned in and kissed her. "You love these kisses from me, don't you?" he teased. Irene scoffed, raising an eyebrow. "Aren't you the one who loves touching my lips?" she retorted.

Greggy laughed at her playful banter. "Oh, wife, don't challenge me," he replied seductively. Irene clicked her tongue. "You think that's a challenge?" she smirked, wrapping her arms around his neck for support.

"I'm thrilled," Greggy whispered, capturing her lips once more. He playfully nibbled on her lower lip, causing a soft moan to escape her. Before they could lose themselves completely, Greggy's phone rang, catching them off guard.

They both gasped, breathless, as they pulled away. Irene quickly stood up to fix herself. "You... You better answer that call; it might be important," she said before exiting the room.

As night fell, Irene had been quiet all day, the tension from earlier still lingering. They prepared for bed, and she organized Greggy's medications when she felt his hands slide around her waist. She clicked her tongue.

"Greg, your medicine," she said, turning to face him and handing him a glass. "Take it now so I can clean your wounds," she added as she went into the bathroom to fetch some gauze and cotton.

"Irene, is something wrong?" Greg asked when she emerged. She shook her head, seemingly distracted by her preparations. "Is something bothering you?" he pressed, but Irene remained silent, avoiding his gaze.