'La Magie'

That look

30 mins before the Speech, we were already advised to go to our seats.

I was happily making my way to my way around the crowd when I saw her.

I saw the first Lady.

My eyes widened when I realized na magkatabi pala kami sa upuan.

All of a sudden, parang tinamaan na naman ako ng kaba.

Mas lalo pa nung makita ko ang reaction niya when she saw me.

She was smiling as I approached the seat but I felt like something was off.

Or baka dahil guilty lang ako? I honestly don't know.

Pero kahit ganun pa man, binati ko pa din siya.

"Hi Atty Liza! Kumusta po?"

Nakangiting bati ko sa kanya.

I was so nervous.

 but surprisingly, she looked at me with a smile and then responded.

"Hi Sara! It's been a while! I'm good!! Thank you for coming here to support my husband. Alam mo ba, halos di nga yun makatulog kagabi. He was so anxious. Buti nalang I have my ways to calm him down."

Liza told me while giggling.

When I heard her, I couldn't help but think.

What do you mean you have your ways to calm him down? Did you guys have?...

I asked myself as I began to overthink.

Possible kaya na active pa din sila ni Bong? If that's the case, did Bong just lie straight to my face?

Sunod sunod na tanong ko sa sarili ko.

And this time, I was already feeling down.

Ang bigat ng nararamdaman ko na parang gusto ko ng umiyak.

Hindi!!! Wala to!! Sabi ni Bong mahal niya ako, kaya naniniwala ako sa kanya! Just wait and see, mamaya pag labas nun, he will make me feel loved  by simply looking at me.

I assured myself as I was sitting beside Bong's wife.

Sa totoo lang, It felt awkward having to sit beside Liza but I didn't have a choice.

Alam kong mali, pero handa na akong ipaglaban si Bong kahit ano pang sabihin ng iba tungkol sa akin.

The day I gave myself to Bong, nakapag desisyon na akong ipaglalaban ko siya kahit anong mangyari.

Kahit pa magmukha akong masamang tao. That's the chance I'm willing to take.

Wala na akong magagawa. I just fell in love.

And I think this love is getting deeper and deeper each day.

Mahal na mahal ko na si Bong at hindi ko alam kung kakayanin ko pag nawala siya sa buhay ko.

Sa lalim ng iniisip ko, di ko na napansin na lumabas na pala si Bong.

As the crowd began to cheer, parang may naramdaman akong kakaiba. 

I suddenly became overwhelmed with so many emotions lalo ng makita ko si Liza sa tabi ko na pumapalakpak para kay Bong. 

She looked like a very happy and proud wife at ayaw ko mang isipin pero di ko maiwasang makaramdam ng lungkot.

Here I am, admiring and loving someone in secret. 

Kung ako lang ang masususunod, I would have clapped, cheered at ipagmamayabang ko si Bong sa lahat ng kakilala ko.

Pero ganito talaga siguro when you are in a secret relationship, dapat lahat nakatago.

Oo aaminin ko masakit pero mahal ko siya eh. 

When I thought of that, di ko na namalayang tumulo na pala ang luha ko.

Pero para di mahalata, I pretended to yawn.

I rubbed my eyes na kunwaring inaantok just to wipe my tears.

But my tears were quickly replaced by a sweet smile when I finally saw him.

I saw Bong making his way to the platform.

He looked so handsome in his barong. 

Di ko maipaliwanag pero ang saya ng puso kong nakikita siyang masaya. For all the hardships that he went through, I really think he deserves all the happiness this world could offer.

I was so proud and happy for him.

After everyone got settled in their seats, nagsimula na ding mag speech si Bong.

Habang nagsasalita siya, hindi ko maiwasang mas lalong mapahanga. He is indeed very smart and spontaneous.

I looked at him in awe na halos napapatulala na ako sa kakatingin.

Then he mentioned my name.

"Vice president Sara Z Duterte" 

Nung marinig ko yun, bigla akong nataranta. I didn't really hear what he was saying prior to that kasi nakatitig lang ako sa kanya, pero dahil na shout out na din naman ako, I just waved and smiled para kunwaring nakinig.

My heart started racing again when I saw Liza staring at me after that unexpected shout-out.

 Pero syempre, I just ignored her para hindi naman ako magmukhang guilty.

After that, nakinig na din ako kay Bong. baka kasi may sabihin na naman eh.

And I was right. 

May sinabi nga.

With the sweetest voice ever I heard him say.

"I would like to thank the first lady, my dear wife, Liza, and our children for your never-ending support"

He said with a smile on his face while directly staring at Liza who was beside me.

Bong had a look on his eyes na parang in love na in love.

His eyes were sparkling.

He didn't even look at me that way when he mentioned my name earlier.

When Bong said that, the crowd clapped and cheered habang tinutukso si Liza.

I was speechless nung nakita ko ang tinginan nilang dalawa.

I stood there confused, hurt, and embarrassed.

My heart was breaking as I forced myself to smile and clap in front of Liza.

What is happening here? May nagbago ba sa isang linggo? Bong ano to??