Parallel

Fifth Parallel: Con Te Partirò II

"Forgiveness is a sign that the person who has wronged you means more to you than the wrong they have dealt." – Ben Greenhalgh

Greggy's POV:

It's been three months since Irene was discharged from the hospital. She's doing well, physically. There are several restrictions lang as to how much she can move until fully mag heal ang ibang fracture nya.

Alfonso graduated from high school and since Irene is still on her recovery period, Imee went along with me instead. The kids stayed here for a good full month before heading back to the States. Alfy's now on his freshman year for his college studies, and Luis for his senior year in high school. How time flies.

Irene is her usual self kapag may ibang tao. But if it's just me and her.. she wouldn't talk to me, heck she wouldn't even look at me. But I can't give up. I know the pain I caused her. I am the reason to her accident and so much more. It's just that, I really miss her. I miss talking to her, I miss hearing her stories, I miss seeing her laugh. I miss my wife.

"Love? Gusto mo mag bazaar? May open raw sa World Trade. Samahan kita?"
'No, thank you. I'm good.'
"Are you sure? May free time naman ako mamaya."
'Actually, Greggy.. can I go back to teaching?'

Fuck. I don't want to. But I don't think I am in such position to say no.

"Music? Saan?"
'Yeah. National Museum lang. Part time lang yung kailangan nila. I don't think I can do full time rin naman.'

Thank goodness. I was thinking baka sa Laguna.

"Sure. Kaya mo na ba?"
'Yeah. Thanks.'
"Hatid kita? Tapos tawag ka lang, what time will you be done para sunduin kita."
'I can drive Greggy, at hindi ako nanghihingi ng permission sayo.'

Irene's POV:

Techie messaged me yesterday, asking me if I wanted to do part time teaching sa National. That's great, in my opinion… para naman may iba akong ginagawa.

So I asked Greggy today about it, not because I needed to. Out of respect, because.. after all.. he's still my husband. But he now goes as far as bringing me there and taking me home. Ano ako, bata?

'Irene, no. Love naman.. galing ka sa car accident tapos mag d drive ka agad. No.'
"Binangga ako Greggy. It's not the other way around."
'You can never tell. Please, Irene. Kung ayaw mo na ako yung susundo sayo, then just use one of our drivers.'
"Stop telling me what to do. Let's be clear here, okay? The only reason why I am not filing for annulment or legal separation is because of my children. Let's stop pretending it's because of you or us. That shit ended six years ago. Or seven? I lost count."

If only stares could kill.. I would've been dead on the spot. I think I hit some nerves there.

"Ano? Nagagalit ka?"
'No.'

"Good. At least we are clear."

'Anong age bracket ng students mo?'
"I haven't asked Techie. I'll know by tomorrow."
'Will you please keep yourself safe? And don't tire yourself out. Ilang oras classes mo?'
"Open raw. Since part time lang."

Shit. That's one of the downsides of this whole part time thing. It could be as short as two, or as long as ten. And Greggy knows that. That's what I was doing when we first started dating.

'That's not so nice.'

I know how tempting it must be for him to be mad at me right now.. but he's holding it back.
For his own sanity and safety? Yeah.. he better.

"I'll call you if aabutin ng late yung lessons."
'Please do. And don't drive home. Susunduin na lang kita. May trip ako sa Cebu, five days. Gusto mo sumama?'