in between the lines

a token of appreciation

"Leni!" Risa bounced into their living room, carrying a small bundle in her arms. The woman didn't even knock.

Leni shot up from her chair and stared wide-eyed.

"Bakit may bata..."

"Ano ka ba! Hindi siya bata," Risa squealed softly and gently handed her the bundle.

Leni unwrapped the fluffy blanket to find a little puppy curled up inside. A little sleepy-eyed creature with a ridiculously soft fur. She couldn't help but smile at the precious thing when it yawned.

"It's a small–well, not so small appreciation gift. His name is Yabi and I hope you like him, um–"

"Thank you, Ris." Leni looked up at her with grateful eyes and her lingering smile. Dropping back into her chair, she let the kitten snuggle up in her lap and stroked her fur contently.

"Ang random lang though," Leni added, followed by a light chuckle. "May magagawa ba ako to give back? May gusto ka bang gawin?"

"Huh? Wala, 'noh. You're already making me so happy, Lens!" she smiled widely as she sat down next to her and started caressing her hair. "Pero how 'bout I cook dinner?"

Leni's eyes widened. "S'yempre bawa–" then remembered the sweet gesture her girlfriend has done, "s'yempre naman. Then we can watch a movie or matulog na lang kung antok ka na pagkatapos."

"Ayun, sounds like a plan!"

But nothing ever goes according to 'plan' in their household. While preparing the table, Yabi (the puppy) started scratching the thin rag a few feet away from them. It caused Leni to stress a bit, but Risa gave her an assuring look and said she could always buy a new one anyway.

Halfway through eating, Risa remembered something and immediately opens the refrigerator. She takes out a few bottles of beer, then plopped it open the moment she got back.

"'Yung totoo, may okasyon ba?" Leni asked curiously.

"And why? 'Di ba p'wedeng heavy drinker lang?" Risa replied in a sarcastic tone.

"Heavy drinker daw, misis, baka nakakalimutan mong san mig lang 'yan," Leni retorted.

Then Risa went on justifying how it wouldn't harm anyone if they drink a few bottles, which somehow convinced Leni to drink as well. And maybe a few more bottles than expected. The two ended up vibing together in the middle of the kitchen, playing Kitchie Nadal classics like there isn't a dog looking at them in second hand embarrassment. However, they couldn't dance in sync that night. Not with Risa's tipsy steps and Leni's dizzy movements you can't even tell if it's considered human dancing or roblox.

Then the expected thing happened and the two of them almost tripped on the now-torn rag the dog Yabi was scratching earlier.

The music was still going strong. Leni found herself dragging Risa on the sofa and placing her head into her lap, stroking her hair gently between her broken chuckles.

"Masakit ba?" Leni asked, giggling.

"Bakit kasi may nakaharang na basahan," she snorted.

Leni shifted a bit to scoop Yabi waiting to be picked up. She placed the dog next to her. "Nginatngat mo kasi."

Yabi suddenly leapt from Leni onto Risa's stomach and nuzzled himself against her hand when she reached to pet him.

"Aba, ayaw sa 'kin. So ano, nginatngat ko 'yung basahan?" Leni teased the little dog.

Risa laughed again. She started drowsily singing along with the song playing, the happy Yabi still snuggling her palm and Leni still distraught over his betrayal.

"Ris, darling, parang umiihi na sa damit mo 'yung dog."

—

drabble inspired by the medyo cute dog i saw outside the hosp kanina (medyo kasi nakakatakot lapitan)