I stood inside the tent, surrounded by my girls and my staff. Maraming tao dito ngayon and they were all chattering pero wala akong naiintindihan. Sobrang lively rin sa labas. I could hear the loud music and the cheers of the crowd.
Combine that with the numerous conversations happening here inside, to say that I'm overwhelmed is an understatement. Ang daming nangyayari all at the same time and I felt my head spin.
"Leni," a hand touched my shoulder pulling me out of my daze. "Are you okay?"
"Risa, hey. I'm okay. Ikaw kumusta ka?" I replied.
"I'm fine pero you don't look okay."
The girls approached us halting our conversation. Lumapit sila kay Risa para mag-mano.
"Sobrang tagal na po natin huling nagkita, Tita." Aika greeted.
"Oo nga eh, we've all been so busy these past years 'no."
"Opo, namiss ka namin. Kaya we're glad na kasama ka namin now para makapag-bond ulit tayo!" Jillian said.
"Ang sweet niyo naman. I missed you girls too, we should go out sometime kasama sila Sinta."
"We'd love that po. Ang tagal na rin po namin silang hindi nakakasama."
I watched them interact with a smile on my face. My kids love Risa. Parehas kaming apat ng nakukuhang vibes sa kanya and she helped look after them during the 2016 campaign. She held Jillian's hand when she was nervous before singing in front of the crowd, she gave Aika adulting advice and she sat beside Tricia, quizzing her tuwing nagrereview siya for a test habang nasa kalagitnaan kami ng sortie.
For that, I was forever grateful for having Risa beside me that whole time.
"Girls, saglit lang ha kasi I need to talk to your mom. Let's talk later ulit after the program," she excused, hugging each of the girls, and leading me to the back of the tent where we can talk peacefully. It wasn't private kasi maraming taong nakapaligid, but it was quieter here.
"Talk to me, Leni. What's wrong?"
I saw her face that was masked with concern. I sighed and she put an arm around my shoulder. "Kinakabahan ako."
"I thought hindi ka natatakot? Sabi mo pa hindi ka kinakabahan," She joked, making the somber mood lighten up.
Hindi ko alam kung napapangiti ako dahil sa joke niya or dahil sa ganda ng tawa niya.
"Alam mo ikaw, nakakainis ka. Nagsesenti ako dito tapos patatawanin mo ako."
"I don't like seeing my future president like this. Gusto ko masaya ka. Today's a celebration, you know."
I laid my head on her shoulder and she stroked my hair. "Thank you, Risa."
"You got this, Leni. Look oh, suot ko 'yung bigay mo na pink leather band. Let this serve as a reminder na kasama mo ako sa laban na 'to."
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"Senator Risa Hontiveros!"
I announced her name to the crowd and she walked towards me. Hindi ko makita 'yung buong expression niya because of her face mask pero halatang abot mata 'yung ngiti niya.
My heart almost burst with pride as I hear the crowd cheer her name. Introducing Risa to other people was easier. Siguro kasi mas kilala ko siya than the other senatorial candidates on my slate, but also because she puts me at ease. Hindi ko kailangang mangamba na may masasabi akong mali kasi it's Risa I'm talking about. I can't ever say a bad thing about her.
"Si Senator Risa, very ladylike pero maisug ang loob."
She gave me a look as if to say 'hala siya oh' and we both laughed. I encouraged the crowd to vote for her and she met my eyes, thanking me in unspoken words.
May something sa mga mata ni Risa na made me want to look at her longer. Para bang gusto kong sabihin sa kanya na doon lang muna siya sa tabi ko sa stage para hindi na ako kabahan.
I shook my head. Ano nangyayari sa'yo, Leni?
Hindi ka kinakabahan at hindi ka natatakot. Si Risa na mismo nagpaalala sa'yo kanina. I beamed at the crowd and proceeded with the program.
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Chills ran down my spine and I felt goosebumps all over my body as I hear the crowd chanting my name. Hindi ko 'to inasahan.
We were already backstage at naghahanda na ang staff namin ng dinner pero ang taas pa rin ng energy sa labas. I felt someone touch my arm and hug me from the side.
"You did well tonight! I'm proud of you."
Hearing it from Risa, even after I heard it from my girls and from the others, made everything seem more real. Mas napanatag ang loob ko at mas pumirmi ang pagtindig ko.
"Salamat. I couldn't have done it without you. Tsaka proud rin ako sa'yo."
"Thank you. Ang saya ng crowd 'no? Ang daming tao nakakatuwa."
"Kaya nga eh. Hindi ko talaga inexpect."
"Hoy, teka lang. Sabi mo pa sa kanila kanina na very ladylike ako."
"Oh bakit? Hindi ba totoo na ladylike ka?"
"Medyo? Ewan! Ang dami-daming pwedeng sabihin about sa'kin tapos ayun pa."
"Ano bang dapat sabihin? Girly girl ka gano'n? Ang pangit naman pakinggan."
"Parang tanga, Leni."
We laughed, forgetting about the presence of other people surrounding us. At least ganoon 'yung feeling sa akin. Para bang dalawa lang kami, living in our own little bubble and minding our own business. The same way that we did in Hong Kong.
Tinignan ko si Risa. Ang saya lang talaga sa pakiramdam na kasama ko siya dito.
"Kidding aside, I meant what I said when I told them na matibay ang loob mo."
"Alam ko. Would we have survived politics kung mahina tayo?"
"True. Pero I don't think may napaiyak na ako dati."
"Deserve niya naman 'yun! Trust me, pinipigilan kong hindi matawa habang umiiyak siya."
"Habang pinapanood ko 'yun, halos ako ang maiyak sa katatawa. Tinitignan ko 'yung reaksyon mo parang alam ko na agad iniisip mo eh."
And we went on, sharing stories about the recent years that we forgot to tell each other about. Hanggang sa tinawag na kami para pumunta sa hotel to retire for the night.
"Good night, Leni. I look forward to the 89 days left that we'll have together. Ipapanalo natin 'to."
Ako rin, Risa. I look forward to it too.
