Fading Echoes

Treinta y ocho

Greggy

Three months of silence, uncertainty, and longing. I could hardly believe it when I received a message from one of my friends saying he spotted Irene at SM Aura. My heart raced at the thought. I couldn't let this chance slip away.

Kaya agad naman akong umalis ng opisina kahit na may meeting pa ako na naka-schedule ngayong hapon. I told Camille to postpone all my schedules this afternoon at alam kong hindi na rin ako makakabalik pagka-alis ko.

The moment I stepped into the bustling mall, the familiar sights and sounds felt overwhelming. The laughter of children, the chatter of friends, and the faint scent of food wafting from the nearby eateries all faded into the background as my focus narrowed. I pushed through the crowd, scanning the sea of faces, praying to see hers.

And then, there she was. Standing in front of a clothing store, her hair caught the light, framing her face in a way that made my heart skip. She looked the same, yet different. There was a weight to her, a shadow that hadn't been there before. I felt a surge of emotions—relief, fear, longing—all crashing into one another.

I took a deep breath, fighting back the wave of anxiety that threatened to swallow me whole, and approached her. My feet moved almost on instinct, carrying me closer despite the turmoil inside.

"Irene," I called out, trying to keep my voice steady.

Her head snapped up, and for a moment, our eyes locked. That familiar spark I had missed so much flickered in her gaze, but it quickly dimmed, replaced by a mix of surprise and uncertainty. She looked so small standing there, and the sight tugged at my heart.

"Greggy," she said, her voice barely above a whisper as if she couldn't believe I was really here.

"I know it's been a while, but can we talk?" I pleaded, my heart pounding in my chest. I had rehearsed this moment in my head countless times, but now that I was standing in front of her, words felt inadequate.

She hesitated, her eyes darting around as if searching for an escape. I could see the walls she had built around herself, and it hurt to know I had played a part in her retreat.

"I... I don't know," she replied, biting her lip, her gaze shifting to the ground. May mga bitbit din siyang paperbags.

"Please, Irene. Just for a minute." I urged, desperate for her to understand. "I just want to know if you're okay." Gustong-gusto ko mang sabihin how much I've missed her, I know I shouldn't be rushing things...

She glanced back up at me, her expression conflicted. I could see the flicker of emotions in her eyes—fear, sadness, and perhaps a hint of longing too. It was a mix that left me feeling helpless, but I knew I couldn't give up. Not now.

"I've been worried about you," I continued, my voice softer now. "You just disappeared, and I... I didn't have any idea where were you"

Irene looked away again, and I could see the tension in her shoulders. "I just needed time, Greggy. Time to think," she finally said, her voice steadying a bit.

"Time for what?" I pressed gently, trying to keep my tone calm and understanding. "I want to support you, but I can't do that if you keep shutting me out. I care about you, Irene. I want to be there for you."

She took a deep breath as if gathering her thoughts. "It's complicated," she said, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. "I'm still trying to figure things out."

"Then let me help," I said, stepping closer, my heart racing. "Please, just give me a chance to be there for you. Just this once."

I watched her expression soften slightly, the walls she had built beginning to crack. I could see she was fighting an internal battle, and I felt a glimmer of hope.