Fading Echoes

Treinta

Irene

Since I came back, I've been visiting manang Yeda, and of course the house itself in Forbes. Hindi na ako tumitira doon dahil wala na rin namang dahilan para manatili pa doon. Our dogs are reportedly to be in the care of Greggy in his penthouse. Papunta ako ngayon sa Forbes para kunin sana ibang gowns ko doon dahil may stockholders' night this week for the Marcos-Araneta Group of Companies. 

Agad naman akong binati ng mga guard on duty sa gate at pinapasok rin. But to my surprise, andito rin pala ang sasakyan ni Greggy, at maging si Mang Fred ay andito rin. 

What is he doing here? I thought as I parked my car in front of the house. "Irene, hija! Kamusta ka?" manong Fred greeted me nang makababa ako sa kotse. I pressed the car key and smiled at him, lumapit ako sa kaniya para mas lalo kaming magkaintindihan, "Hello po, manong. Ayos naman po. Kayo po, kamusta na?" I replied. Naglilinis siya ng kotse ni Greggy. "Naku, ayos lang naman. Wala ka na ba talagang balak bumalik dito? Eh kami nalang ni Yeda at mga iba niyo pang tauhan ang nakatira dito ha. Ang laking bahay at lote pa man din" he remarked. 

I let out a heavy breath and looked at the facade of the house, I stood frozen, staring at the familiar facade of the house. The memories were as vivid as ever, crashing over me like a wave I couldn't outrun. Mang Fred's words echoed in my mind, but I barely registered them. He had said Greggy was inside, and that fact alone weighed heavily on me. I didn't know if I was ready to face him, not here, not in this house where everything began—and where everything fell apart.

"I can't," I whispered to myself, feeling the familiar knot tighten in my chest. "I can't be here again, in the house where our love grew and shattered." The despair I had worked so hard to overcome threatened to drag me back under, pulling me into that dark place where I had lived for so long after we ended.

I forced a smile and shook my head lightly at Mang Fred. "Hindi na po, manong. I'm good. Besides, I want to spend more time with my family... But at least I get to visit here once in a while," I said, my voice steadier than I felt.

He nodded, his expression understanding. "Sabagay, sulitin ba? Mabuti at nagkaabutan kayo ni Greggy. Nasa loob siya at may kinukuha ata na ibang gamit niya para sa event daw ninyo sa kompanya," he added casually, as if seeing Greggy again was no big deal.But it was a big deal. I had wondered whether I'd run into him, and now, my question had been answered. I gave Mang Fred a polite smile, excused myself, and walked into the house.

The familiar scent of home hit me immediately—old wood, the faintest hint of the garden, and something distinctly warm that always made me think of comfort. Before I could process anything else, Manang Yeda appeared in front of me, her face lighting up as she rushed to embrace me.

"Irene, hija! Mabuti at naparito ka!" she exclaimed, pulling me into a tight hug. Her warmth, her sincerity, momentarily eased the tension in my chest. "Naku, dito ka nalang mananghalian ha? Nagluto ako ng pinakbet at bagnet, paborito mo!" she giggled, as if nothing had changed between us, as if the world inside these walls hadn't shifted and broken apart.

I hugged her back tightly, letting her warmth fill the gaps where my strength faltered. I smiled, and for the first time that day, it wasn't forced. "Thank you, Manang. I've missed that," I replied, and I meant it. I had missed the simplicity, the comfort of people who loved you without question.

"Ayusin ko lang po muna mga kukunin kong gamit sa taas," I said, politely excusing myself. I didn't want to linger too long in this space that felt both familiar and foreign now.

"Ah, andoon din si Gorio ha," Manang reminded me as I made my way upstairs.I nodded, my heart racing. I knew what she meant. Gorio—Greggy. This was what I had expected.