Fading Echoes

Dieciocho

When we arrived home, no one dared to talk. Greggy tried reaching out to me but I kept my distance. Hindi ko hinayaan na mahawakan ni Greggy ang kamay ko kahit na paulit-ulit itong sinubukan ng asawa ko. 

At dahil hindi kami nakapag-hapunan sa opisina tulad ng napag-usapan, kumain na rin kami pagkadating sa bahay dahil hindi rin naman ako puwede malipasan ng gutom, kahit sa hapag ay hindi kami nag-usap. Alam kong napansin iyon ni manang Yeda dahil panay ang tingin niya sa akin, it's like asking me what's wrong by just looking at me.

After dinner, I excused myself immediately and went upstairs to freshen up and prepare to sleep. Minutes after, Greggy came in. Halatang tumulong ito sa pagliligpit sa baba dahil medyo natagalan siyang nakasunod dito. 

"Irene, lovey, let's talk please? Huwag naman tayo matulog na magkagalit..." Greggy mumbled as he joined me in the couch, reading a book. Hindi ko pa rin siya kinibo at nagpatuloy sa pagbabasa. 

Until I felt Greggy's hand on my waist, hinila niya ako papalapit sa kaniya. I felt his lips damp on my temple, placing a soft kiss. "She's drunk. Believe me, ilang beses ko siya sinubukan paalisin dahil sinabi ko na rin sa kaniya na darating ka..." he explained and tightened his hug on my waist. I looked at him and raised my eyebrow, "and you expect me to get convinced with that excuse?" I snapped at akmang tatanggalin na sana ang pagkakayakap niya sa akin when he grabbed me again and kissed me. 

"Because that's the truth" he replied, I was about to open my mouth to answer him back when his phone rang, nakita kong si Amelia ang tumawag kaya inirapan ko siya at padabog na inilapag ang libro sa mesa. 

"Puntahan mo na kaya?! Doon ka na rin matulog kung gusto mo! I won't be bothering you!" at tumayo sa pagkakaupo, I tucked myself to bed while my husband took the time to talk to that Amelia on the phone and went in the balcony. 

Hindi ko namalayan na nakatulog din ako agad. 

The next day, I woke up in my husband's arms. He's hugging me tight with his arms wrapped around me. A soft smile was painted on my lips as I laid my head on his chest. I glanced at the clock, it's already 8:00 AM. 

Until I felt him move, "good morning, lovey and baby" he whispered and kissed the top of my head. I looked up at him at halatang nagulat siya na gising na pala ako. 

"good morning!" he smiled and planted a kiss on my lips. I rolled my eyes at him at agad bumangon para mag-banyo. 

I was about to close the door when he stopped me, "ang aga mo magsungit, buntis!" he teased and went in. "What are you doing here?! naiihi ako, Gregory! lumabas ka!" pagsusungit ko at pilit siya itinulak palabas pero nagpumilit pa rin ito, "I really don't mind, lovey. I've seen that for who knows how many times already?" he smirked with his seductive voice. 

Hinampas ko ang dibdib niya as I opened the door wide, "I said, get out" I firmly said and pointed outside. 

Tumatawa namang lumabas si Greggy ng banyo. I did my morning routine first before going out of the bathroom. My first trimester seems good to me, hindi ako nahihirapan sa morning sickness dahil hindi ako maselan unlike my first pregnancy. 

When I came out, nakaupo pa rin ang asawa ko sa couch, and he seem serious reading something on his iPad. 

When he heard the door clicked, he immediately looked at me and smiled as he placed down the iPad on the couch. "I'll just freshen up in a minute" he said at pumasok sa banyo. 

I looked at the iPad and just found myself reading some emails, I saw emails about some of our projects in Leyte, at mukhang may problema sa manpower at materyales. Kaya siguro seryoso ang mukha ng asawa ko.