T.S. STORIES #4: Say Don't Go (Completed)

Chapter 20

We were already in the living area, sitting on the couch, and I was feeling nervous the whole time. The moment we heard the doorbell, it was time.

Mama let her in, and a warm embrace greeted Greg. Ate Gigi has just arrived from Cebu to fetch his brother. When she looked at his arm, she just heaved a sigh and turned to me. "Salamat sa pag-alaga sa kanya," she said and gave me a smile.

"Sorry po talag—"

"Ssh, we've already heard everything, Icarus. Hindi mo kasalanan, kaya wala ka dapat ika-sorry," she shushed. She then turned to Greg. "Ikaw, nag-enjoy ka naman sa pagtakas mo?"

"Of course. It was fun. Icarus made sure na mag-eenjoy ako rito kahit saglit lang," he grinned.

"Oh siya, alis na kami. Hindi na kami magtatagal kasi hinahanap na 'to ni Papa," Ate Gigi told us, and so, we gave them a hand on their baggages.

Just before leaving, Greg gave me a hug for the last time. "Thank you sa lahat," he thanked.

"You're welcome."

They went into the taxi and finally waved goodbye. When their cab started driving away, I just heaved a sigh. It'll not be so soon until I meet them again, after my vacation here.

I went back to my room, now getting filled by silence again.

It didn't last though, when my phone rang. The screen flashed Venice's name. At first, I wasn't in the mood to talk with someone at the moment, but still, I answered it anyway. "Hello?"

"Good morning, sir Ike!" she greeted. "Pinapatanong po ni sir Gelo if tutuloy ka pa po today? Ngayong araw na po kasi ang start ng program. Kahit ngayon lang daw po."

I have just realized that today's day seven, the start of the clean-up drive at the beach. For sure, they have already finished the mural since the day Greg got into an accident. Should I still come?

"I'll think about it," I replied.

"Sige, sir Ike! We are hoping to see you po!"

The call ended. I put down my phone and tried to take a nap, but my mind suddenly flashed back to what had happened last night.

She waved at me, and offered a hand. "Hi! I'm Francine. You're Icarus, right?"

She recognized me. I don't feel good about this. "Yes, Icarus. Nice meeting you," I simply replied, as I took her hand for a shake.

"I heard he had a hard time contacting you. Glad you joined his project," she said.

And, she really heard about me. Did she know everything that had happened between us? I do have a strange feeling that she did.

Annie led them to the vacant seats, and she instantly chit-chatted with the other guests. I guess that's the perk when you have a great face card.

But, it's really odd that among all the guests in the party, I'm the only one she recognized.

Right after the party ended, we thanked Annie for the great night. Greg and I were the last ones to leave, and so we were the only guests going downstairs and greeted with silence in the empty bar.

"CR muna ako," Greg said and headed to the comfort room.

I went to the van and waited for him, but my sight just caught two people arguing beside the bar. They were raising voices which took me aback.