4
I spent the whole day working and the only thing I learned today was miss ko na si Risa.
Joke, syempre marami rin akong natutunan at napulot na aral sa trabaho ko, as I should since handling a whole country isn't easy. But as I'm working, wala eh. Hindi na talaga siya umaalis sa isip ko. At this point, hindi na lang constant sa buhay ko si Risa pero pati sa isip ko na rin.
She consumes all the spaces in my mind.
Nakakapagtrabaho naman ako throughout the day and finish everything needed to be done pero the thought of her never really goes away. I don't mean as a distraction, but it's more of a comforting thought.
It makes me more motivated, more determined, but at the same time it frustrates the hell out of me kasi I can't believe I think about her that much.
While working kanina, sumagi sa isip ko na what if she finds the anonymous gifts and letters creepy? Pa'no kung turn off pala 'yun? So I made up my mind then and there na babawi ako by spending the day with her. If I can lang naman. Syempre, I can na agad.
Natatawa na lang rin ako minsan sa thoughts ko eh. If not work or my kids or Jesse, then it's Risa.
I was cooking dinner tonight. Ayokong nagpapaluto ng ulam sa iba kahit sa Malacanang na kami nakatira ng mga bata kasi hindi ayun 'yung nakasanayan namin. Buti na lang at medyo maaga natapos sa work today kaya nakakapagluto ako.
Once I finished cooking, I thought about Risa again. Kumain na kaya siya? I dialed her office number knowing na staff naman niya ang sasagot.
"Good evening, office of Senator Risa Hontiveros, how may we help you?" A voice on the other line greeted.
"Magandang gabi, nandyan ba si Senator Risa?" I asked.
Nagulat 'yung kausap kong staff kasi narinig kong may nalaglag na gamit. "Good evening po, President Robredo. Yes po, nandito po si Sen. Risa."
"Tatanong ko lang sana if she's had dinner yet? 'Wag palang sabihin na tumawag ako."
"Noted po, Ma'am. Hindi pa po siya kumakain. Hindi po siya sumabay sa amin kanina kasi may inaasikaso pa po."
I looked up to check the time. Late na ha, working pa.
"Sige, magpadala na lang ako dyan ng pagkain. Kayo ba, gusto rin ng pagkain?"
"No na po, Ma'am. Nakakahiya po, kumain na po kami. Salamat po."
"Maraming salamat rin. Paalala ko lang na huwag sabihin kay Risa na tumawag ako ha."
"Will do po, Ma'am."
I thanked the staff again and started to look for a container I can put the food in. After I packed it neatly, I took a purple envelope from the drawer in my room and started to scribble down a letter for Risa. Perfect timing rin pala 'to kasi wala pa akong nabibigay sa kanya for today.
Dear Ana Theresia, I wrote. I cooked something for you tonight, I hope you find it delicious. Syempre masarap 'yan. Luto ko 'yan eh. Kaso what if she's hesitant to eat it kasi nga it came from someone she doesn't know? Hirap naman nito.
Don't worry walang gayuma 'yan haha! Ayan, dinaan ko na lang sa joke. 4 days before your birthday. Take care always :)
Again, I flipped the note and left a burgundy kiss mark there. Napansin na kaya niya 'yung sa unang note? A part of me wanted na oo para may clue na siya pero a part of me says 'wag muna para masulit ko pa 'yung mga natitirang araw.
