Liwanag sa Dilim (LenRisa One-Shots AU)

maybe the night.

What does Leni know about love? She doesn't know either. The only love she had and she knew was her late husband's love and she always says that she would never love again after he died which she did. She never loved anybody else again after he died because it was hard for her to accept that he's gone. They've been together for 25 years and that is just something that she doesn't want to throw away.

Almost 10 years since her late husband died and the love that she is feeling is the love of her three children, Aika, Tricia and Jillian. She is more than enough with their love and she could not ask for more than that.

"Lalim naman niyan, VP." Leni almost jumped out when someone spoke beside her. She turned around to see who was with her and it was Senator Risa who was wearing her white floral sleeveless dress.

"Ikaw pala 'yan, Sen. Risa. Pasensya na. Kanina ka pa ba diyan?" tanong niya. Halos isang oras na rin siyang nakaupo sa buhanginan, nakikinig sa bawat hampas ng alon kaya hindi na niya namalayan. She was worried because what if the Senator is already talking to her, but she couldn't hear it because she was lost in her thoughts?

"No. I was just having a night walk. Muni-muni, ganun. Nakakastress na rin ang mga bagay lately, e. I saw you sitting there alone so I sat beside you. Actually, nagdadalawang isip pa nga ako kasi baka ayaw mo munang may kas–" her explaining was cut off when Leni spoke.

"I wanted to be alone, yeah." she whispered.

"Ah, right. I'm sorry. I w–" Risa was about to stand up and walk away from her, but Leni held her hand and pulled her back beside her to sit down. They were just inches apart from each other, eyeing each other. Risa's already nervous about what might happen, but she was just enjoying the moment and just enjoying the breeze blowing into their direction.

"Alone with you, is that alright?" Leni whispered, still not letting go of Risa's hand.

"Huh?"

Silence covered both of them. They are still holding each other's hand. Leni doesn't know why she doesn't want to let go of her hands, maybe because of the comfort she is feeling whenever the Senator is around her? Their eyes were just staring at the sea as the sea waves kept on pounding towards their direction while holding each other's hand. Walang nagsasalita, ngunit ramdam nila ang katahimikan at kapayapaan na matagal na nilang hinahanap hanap.

"The reason why I held a short vacation like this is because I wanted to see if I already moved on with him." Leni said after the moment of silence for the both of them. Risa looked at her intently, listening to what she's going to say again.

"I hate beaches. Knowing that they discovered his body in the water makes me sad, furious or whatever. Baliw na kung baliw pero parang ang laki ng tinanim kong galit sa dagat sa loob ng maraming taon." Leni admits. Risa just nods at her, carefully listening to every word that Leni is saying.

"Would you believe me if I tell you that this isn't the first time that I went to a beach?" Leni asked Risa, this time eyeing her again. Risa couldn't move at her place. They were inches apart and Leni keeps on eyeing her that makes her so nervous. A strong wind suddenly blew in their direction, making their hair go with the flow of the wind. Risa was about to fix her hair but Leni was fast enough to tuck her hair behind her ears, making eye contact with each other and still holding each other's hand.

"I already knew that I had moved on five months ago. That was the first time that I realized that I am okay, I am healed and I am ready to love again." Leni said. This time, Leni's grip on her hand tightened. Gustuhin man niyang bumitaw o tumakbo papalayo sa oras na ito ay hindi niya magawa.

'Talo na naman tayo.' Risa thought when Leni said that. As many people know, Risa and Leni are close friends, whether inside or outside the politics.

Risa has been vocal about how much she loves Leni– Well, as a friend. She has been vocal about how much she loves her as a friend and as a public servant. She have a personal and deep feeling for her ever since, but she just can't say it. She's not afraid of the risk, but Leni has been also vocal to everyone that she will not love anyone anymore. For years, Risa has been content with what they have. With a simple glance and caring touch, she can show her feelings for her.

"Sigurado na ako sa kaniya, Ris." Leni said again. They are still holding each other's hands, still staring at each other's eyes and still inches apart. Risa just smiled and broke eye contact before withdrawing her hands from her. 'Ay, bakit ko tinanggal?' she regrettably asked herself.

"Uy, salita ka naman. Natatakot na ako sa'yo. Kanina ka pa tahimik, eh." Leni joked as she chuckled before Risa slightly moved for them to have enough space for each other. 'Sayang, Risa. Ang lapit na, oh.' she thought. Obviously, her mind is her own enemy right now.

"I don't want to interrupt you while you're speaking. I love listening to you and your stories." she answered and genuinely smiled.

"Sus. Ikaw talaga."

"Facts lang." Risa said as they both chuckled. Their eyes met again that made them stop chuckling.

"If you really love that person, go for it. Jesse would understand, the kids would understand." seryosong saad ni Risa kahit pa masakit ito sa loob niya.

"Paano ka?" Risa's heart seemed to break into pieces when Leni asked her this question. She doesn't want to be selfish, so if it would make her Leonor happy, then she is willing to risk everything, willing to let go of everything even if this thing would hurt her.

"Anong paano ako? Lens, we are friends. I would totally understand if you love someone and ready to be with someone again. After all, you deserve it. Deserve mo ang maging masaya." Risa answered and cupped Leni's cheeks. 

Risa's tears began to flow down to her cheeks, but she was fast enough to wipe it without Leni noticing it.

"Sige na, it's getting late na. You should rest, VP. You have to rest." Risa initiated. Lumalalim na ang gabi kasabay nito ang paglalim ng nararamdaman niya sa kaharap niya ngayon. 'Diba dapat mas mabawasan na kasi alam ko na may mahal na siyang iba?' Risa thought to herself again. Napailing nalang siya at mapait na ngumiti. 'Unfair ng mundo. Ako naman yung palaging nandito, bakit hindi nalang ako?' she asked herself.

"Hindi mo ba muna itatanong kung sino siya?" Leni asked her. She knows Risa so well, of course. Hindi naman 'to basta basta lang aalis na hindi nalalaman.

"Keep him to yourself nalang muna. Let me guess for a while." Risa joked that made the both of them laugh, especially Leni.

"Him? How'd you know it's a man?" Leni asked in astonishment while still chuckling.

"Because it's too vague for you to fall in love with a woman." Risa seriously said. It made Leni stop chuckling and furrowed her brows.

"How'd you say that if I already did?" Leni reaches for Risa's hand again as she intertwines it together. She moved herself in front of Risa and held her chin to make her look at her in the eye.

"I already did fall for a woman, Ana Theresia." the words that she said before crashing her lips to the woman in front of her. The kiss was passionate, full of love and longing for each other. It was a good one for the both of them and it feels... home somehow. Sila ang pahinga ng bawat isa na nakakapagod na mundo.

"Maybe the night holds a little hope for us, dear." Risa sang that line, smiling as they both held each other's hand while they were walking back to the hotel.

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Ayan dahil mahal ko kayo, ito na ang pambawi ko from the last chapter. HAHAHAHAHA. Medyo lubog barko natin these past few days kaya magpapakilig muna ng slight. Let me know if you have recommendations! I hope you enjoyed it! Love lots <3