Lipstick Stains

6 - Letters (Part 3)

2

I was in the middle of a meeting when my phone beeped. Patago kong binuksan kasi bawal magphone dito. The message read: "Let's get coffee after this."

I looked up from my phone and saw Leni staring at me expectantly. Magkalayo kami ng upuan. She was at the head of the table, as she's supposed to be dahil presidente siya, and I was seated sa may bandang gilid. Nagtext siya ulit. "If you want lang naman."

Napangiti ako and I'm pretty sure that she saw my reaction kasi nagtext ulit siya. "Mamaya ka na kiligin, replayan mo muna ako."

"Ito na nga po. Tara, let's get coffee later :)"

Tinignan ko 'yung reaksyon niya and I saw her bite her lip and smile. She turned off her phone, looked at me, then winked.

Huminga ka, Risa. Stay calm and collected nasa meeting ka pa. Meeting now, kilig later.

As I've expected, hindi narinig ni Leni 'yung sinabi ko kagabi. Naalimpungatan lang siya no'ng malapit na kami sa bahay.

----------- flashback ------------

"Hala, sorry, nakatulog ako."

"Okay lang, you were tired kaya I understand naman."

Hindi niya pa rin inaalis 'yung ulo niya sa balikat ko pero tinanggal niya na 'yung pagkakahawak sa kamay ko. Gusto ko sanang sabihin na ibalik niya kasi ayoko pang bumitaw pero nabawi naman kasi bigla niyang niyakap 'yung bewang ko.

"I'm grateful for you, Ris."

My heart swelled sa narinig ko. I intuitively put my arm around her and started stroking her hair. "I'm grateful for you, too. More than you'll ever know."

"Weird ba kapag sinabi ko sa'yong my world's brighter with you around?" She said.

"No, not at all." I replied, laying my head on top of hers again.

Ayoko pang umalis pero we've arrived at my house already kaya niyakap ko na nang tuluyan si Leni. Minsan lang 'to kaya sinulit ko na. I hugged her more firmly and perhaps longer than I've ever had, savoring every bit of this moment. And no, hindi ako delusional when I tell you that she hugged me back a little tighter and a little longer too.

I was so so close to admitting my feelings outrightly this time na gising siya pero naisip ko na hindi pa oras. Not here, not yet, and most especially not like this.

We bid good bye with the promise to see each other again soon.

----------- end flashback ------------

"Do you agree, Senator Hontiveros?"

Gagi, hindi ko narinig.

Naalala ko kasi 'yung nangyari kagabi kaya hindi ko na naintindihan 'yung pinag-uusapan dito. I glanced sideways and saw Leni stifling a laugh. Nilakihan ko siya ng mata as if to say na 'wag mo akong tawanan, tulungan mo 'ko!' She cleared her throat and nodded her head.

"Yes, I agree." I stated firmly.

"Okay, moving on..."

Nakahinga ako nang maluwag and I looked at Leni again and mouthed a 'thank you'. Tinawanan lang niya ako ulit.

Once the meeting was done, my staff and I headed out. Nagtext si Leni na hintayin ko na lang siya sa labas kaya nandoon lang kami ng staff ko.

"May blind item ako, guys." sabi ng staff kong pasimuno ng kalokohan. The others, now interested, asked kung ano 'yun.