"Bryce, pwede ka bang mag-message to Sen. Risa's staff, sabihin mo pinapapunta ko si Sen. Risa dito after their Senate hearing kasi we have something to discuss."
"Okay po, Ma'am."
I would've messaged Risa in person, actually mas gusto ko ngang gano'n kasi it'll give me a chance to talk to her but I know she's busy kicking ass in that Senate hearing. Nakwento niya na sa'kin through text na she's anticipating it kasi naiinis na siya with the recent developments.
Ilang linggo na ang nakalipas since our meeting. Pinadalhan ko siya ng pink na tumbler na ibang variation as I promised. She texted me once she received it, "Happy! Thank you, Leni." If she's happy, so am I.
I busied myself with work while waiting for her in my office. Marami-rami pa ang kailangan gawin but I really needed to talk to her about a law I want the Senate to amend. Alam ko maraming senador ang pwede kong kausapin about this like Chel or Leila pero first thought ko talaga si Risa. No one but Risa.
May kumatok sa pinto and I checked the time. It's almost 8 PM. I opened the door, feeling giddy inside, like a child excited to see her new gift. "Hi, tara pasok."
She advised her staff to retire for the night since past work hours na rin kaya kaming dalawa lang naiwan. We sat down and I immediately asked her about her day.
"So what happened?"
"Ay nako, matatawa ka dito. He cried in front of everyone, Leni. As in umiyak siya with real tears and all that drama."
"Hala, seryoso? Nag-flashback sayo si rocky 'no?"
"Sinabi mo pa!"
We were still chatting about the hearing when I saw her eyes flicker from my eyes to my lips. Hmm, Risa, what is this behavior? I almost asked her about it pero naunahan niya ako.
"Mukhang palaban ka na naman ngayon ha." She teased.
Palaban? Mukha ba akong pala-away?
I asked her what she meant and she clarified that it was because of my lipstick shade. I felt slightly alarmed kasi what if hindi pala niya bet?
"Burahin ko ba?" I asked, explaining na the girls gave it to me and hesitant pa nga akong gamitin.
"No. It suits you kaya. Ang ganda mo."
Jusko, Lord. After a really challenging day, ito na ba ang reward ko? I felt my face redden at her comment. At lalo akong namula when I saw her smiling at me.
"Thank you, Risa. Ang ganda mo rin."
Very nice, Leni. I noticed her cheeks blush and I couldn't help but feel more confident. Ganyan dapat ang banat, kita mo kinilig. Our eyes met for a while and she looked away first. Buti na lang kasi feeling ko kung hindi pa siya umiwas ng tingin, maglulupasay na ako sa kilig dito.
"Kumain ka na ba?" I asked, changing the topic to ease the tension. Hindi pa daw siya kumakain kaya I invited her to dinner. Sinusulit ko na ang newfound confidence ko. It's not always I can be this direct to her, not that I often get the chance to be.
"Syempre okay lang, treat mo ba?"
I wanted to tell her na kapag treat ko, it's a date pero hindi ko na sinabi kasi that might scare her away. I laughed and replied, "Oo, libre ko. Tara, I'll call the driver na."
"Huy! Nakakahiya, I was just kidding 'no."
I insisted na treat ko na kasi ako naman 'yung nagyaya and it's not like hindi kami friends. Ouch friends. But not for long hehe, charot as if I'll have the guts to confess soon.
"Yes, Ma'am. 'Di na po papalag," She replied with a fake salute. Ang cute cute talaga nakakainis.
"Good girl." I replied, remembering the night I ushered her to her hotel room kasi lasing siya no'ng campaign days. But based on her reaction, I don't think she remembered what she said that night at imbis na magets 'yung reference ko, she thought about something else...something dirty.
Napatigil ako when I realized the implication of what I said. Leni, no. Bad 'yan. It's Risa – pure, sweet, innocent Risa. Don't think about things like that.
We arrived at the restaurant close to the palace and luckily, there were only a few people there. May mga nagpapicture sa amin and I couldn't help but feel jealous sa mga nagpapapicture sa kanya. Not because they were taking a picture with her pero dahil gusto ko picture rin kami.
Pumasok na kami and ordered food after talking to those who approached pagdating naming. While waiting, I raised my concern right away. Wala nang paligoy-ligoy pa. This is serious matter after all.
On that note, I really admire Risa's passion for legislation. Despite the fact that I initially wanted her to be my VP, hindi talaga ayun 'yung gusto niya and I think I know the reason why. She's a better legislator and alam niyang mas marami siyang matutulungan through creating laws for the people. Mas long term na help 'yun after all.
Our food came habang nag-uusap kami so we just kept on going over the details of my assignment to her, slipping a few jokes and stories here and there.
"Wait lang, Risa ha. I'll just go to the bathroom." I notified her and wiped my lips with a tissue.
I washed my hands and looked at myself in the mirror. Hindi ko maiwasang mapangiti. Kahit pa hindi 'to date for Risa, and it's not an official date for the both of us, I consider it as one. Let a woman dream. I re-applied my lipstick and went back to our table.
Nag-usap lang ako ulit and believe me when I tell you, I'm trying my hardest to not blush whenever I notice that she's looking at my lips more often than she did the last time we saw each other at kanina habang nasa office kami at nag-uusap dito. I can see that she's trying not to stare pero she failed kasi napapansin ko.
We ended our date (?) and went back to the van. Sinabihan ko 'yung driver na ihatid muna ako sa palace and her straight home.
"Sorry, I won't be able to accompany you pauwi. I have things to do pa eh." I apologized, climbing out of the car as we reach the palace gates.
"Ano ka ba, it's okay," she smiled and reassured me that she'll handle the matters we discussed earlier.
"Thanks, Ris! I know I can count on you always. Ingat ka and magpahinga pag-uwi."
"Ikaw rin, 'wag masyadong magpuyat para ma-maintain ang pagiging freshident."
Oh pak, fresh ka daw. Note to self: sabi ng future girlfriend, bawal magpuyat.
Bumeso ako sa kanya, laughing as I did so. Being in such close proximity to her made me dizzy. And it left me craving to be even closer to her. Telling her na mag-ingat was my way of saying I love you...for now. Since I can't say it to her yet, I guess I'll have to find other ways para masabi 'yun sa kanya subtly.
I went inside my quarters and laid down. I remembered the way she stared at me, the way she stared at my lips – like she was so distracted and enticed. Who knew this lipstick would have such an effect on her? Either way, it gave me hope. Maybe I stood a chance.
