Conveniently Inconvenient

quattro

Balik trabaho na ang mag-asawa pagkatapos ng isang linggong bakasyon nila sa Cebu. Greggy left early in the morning for a sudden meeting in his office, while Irene had to miss work due to fever and headache. Hindi alam ni Greggy na hindi pumasok si Irene sapagkat natutulog pa ito nang umalis siya.

Greggy went on with his day whilst Irene's father, Ferdinand, was worried about his daughter. Hindi ugali ni Irene ang hindi pumasok sa trabaho, she was always present and early. Ferdinand thought that Irene was running late kaya hindi na siya nag-abala na isipin kung anong nangyari sa anak.

Ferdinand started to be bothered by his daughter's absence when lunch came. Pinuntahan niya ang opisina ni Irene at nakitang wala pa rin ang anak. He texted Greggy but his son in law was not responding.

To: Greggy

Bakit hindi pumasok si Irene? She's not answering my calls and texts.

Hindi na napigilan ni Ferdinand at tinawagan na ang balae niya. He told Don Luis the exact details and told him to check if Irene was at their company or inform Greggy. 

In Araneta Consortium building, pinuntahan ni Don Luis ang opisina ng anak . He waited for his son to finish its meeting before barging inside the office.

"Nagpunta ba dito ang asawa ng boss mo?" tanong ni Don Luis sa baritonong boses.

"Hindi po, Don Luis. Maaga po si Sir Greggy kanina dahil may maagang meeting po siya, hindi ko naman po napansin na nagpunta dito si Ma'am Irene." sagot ng sekretarya ni Greggy.

Tumango si Don Luis at tumayo sa inuupuan nang makitang lumabas na ang ka-meeting ng anak. He barged inside Greggy's office, nakasandal si Greggy sa headrest ng swivel chair nito at mariin na nakapikit ang mata. His son looked tired and drained.

"Gregorio." Don Luis called.

Agad napatayo si Greggy para batiin ang ama, "Dad." He walked closer to his father and greeted him with kiss on the cheek. "What brought you here?"

Don Luis sat on the couch, Greggy remained standing. "Where's your wife?"

Greggy's forehead creased. "Si Irene?"

"May iba ka pa bang asawa?"

"No, I mean- Nasa opisina niya. I left the penthouse early because I have an early meeting."

"Hindi pumasok si Irene, tumawag si Ferdinand nagbabakasakali na nandito si Irene."

Napakunot ang noo ni Greggy. Don Luis checked his phone, Ferdinand texted him.

From: Ferdinand Marcos

Irene called me. Hindi pumasok dahil may lagnat at masama ang pakiramdam. Pakisabi na lang kay Greggy, salamat.

"Oh. Nag-text ang biyenan mo." Ipinakita ni Don Luis ang mensahe sa anak. "You didn't check up on your wife before leaving? Nasa iisang kwarto na nga kayo, iisang kama pa! Hindi mo man lang napansin na masama ang pakiramdam ng asawa mo?!" singhal ni Don Luis kay Greggy.

"I didn't know, okay?" sabi ni Greggy. "I am so busy today, Dad. Hindi na sumagi sa isip ko, sorry."

"Umuwi ka. Transfer all your clients for today to my secretary, ako na ang makikipagkita sa kanila. I want you to go home, to your wife. Alagaan mo ang asawa mo." bilin ni Don Luis.

"Bakit parang mas anak mo pa si Irene kesa sa akin?"

Don Luis smirked. "Irene is the kind of son that... I will never get in you. Go take care of your wife, pabayang asawa."

"Edi nagmana lang pala ako sayo," bulong ni Greggy sa hangin.

"May sinasabi ka?" sita ni Don Luis.

Tumuwid ng tayo si Greggy nang sinita ng ama. "Wala, Dad, I'll transfer the clients tapos uuwi na po ako." Don Luis left his son's office shortly.