death by a thousand cuts (lenrisa)

the storm is coming, but i don't mind

#NowPlaying: keep breathing by ingrid michaelson

"Ready ka na?" Leon smiles at her.

"Ready na. Ipanalo na natin 'to."

Little did they know that their lives would transcend in different ways they've already envisioned, but never expected.

That's the trouble about being resilient, you know you're going to go through shit, you just don't know how much pile of shit you're going to have to go through.

______

Their expectations weren't high nor was it low. At least for Leon, but Reese was sure, oh she was ever so certain that the love and support that Leon has gotten from the people would equate to the number of support she'll get in the real life combat.

Holy fuck, they forgot to consider that cheating and life happens.

The momentum made Reese forgot how vile the opposition is. She was so busy being positive she forgot the negativity lies in the reality. The game may or may not be rigged. God bless the conscience of the puppets, she whispered as her youngest daughter tells her the early results of the game.

"You can do this, Ma." Words of encouragement from her youngest fleets as her thoughts go directly to Leon's results standing, "But I know you're not worried about you, you're worried about Tita Leon... and us.. and the country."

She couldn't help but tear up. This wasn't supposed to be how things would go. She was fine with not making it, she was more keen on paving way for Leon to make it. Leon is needed more than anyone else. Leon should make it.

"'Nak, I'll try to contact your Tita Leon. Just.. just take some rest and don't worry about me.. and her. We'll be fine," Inasmuch as Jacinta wanted to believe her mother, she knew all too well that they're in deep shit.

"Ok, Ma.. just tell Tita.. we have her back, ALWAYS." Jacinta made sure to be specific on the always, intending to give her love and support to her Mama's other half.

"Thank you, Anak. For being supportive and all. For being you. I love you," It melts Reese's heart to feel how awestruck Jacinta is for the love she and Leon share.

"You always say 'follow your bliss', and I say that to you and Tita as well. Sibs and I followed our bliss by supporting you and Tita all the way, now you guys do what you have to do. Your bliss is ours, too."

And that night was memorable, not in a particularly happy manner, because for the first time, that's when Reese gave her daughter one of the biggest but saddest of all smiles.

_____

"Naalala mo ba 'yung sign na hiningi nating dalawa, Ga?" Her voice shaking.

"That a was a joke, Sa. That wasn't a sign. We're not doing nor following that. Tumigil ka." Leon was obviously firm, no playing around intended on this one. The sign they've asked was such a serious thing.

"But.. but there are no coincidences, and if that's supposed to happen, it will happen, in our very own time. I think we should also accept our defeat in that area." Leon was never the one to cry. I think in this lifetime, she only truly cried twice. Once was when her late husband passed, and the second one was when she realised she was truly in love with Reese. When she realised that Reese was a God sent, that Reese was her greatest love of all time. So it's a surprise how her heart strings are being pulled to the core now and all she could respond with are her very own tears that are surprisingly now streaming down her face.

"I hope you know I could accept all the losses that life would throw me, but not one where the narrative is that I'm supposed to lose you." The grief and cries are now evident at this point, and all Leon could do is sob through the pain.

"I'm sorry... but," But Reese had no explanation except the Universe's call. She wasn't adamant on following it because after all, it was the Universe and she was her child.

"I think we should go to sleep. Sleep it off, Reesa. I am tired, and I know you are, too."

Before Reese could bid her goodbye, the call has been dropped and only the deafening silence accompanied her to sleep.

_____

Their very own fault was that they did a bet with the Universe and the Universe heed their call.

The bet was, if Leon won, then it was fate's way of telling them that they could rule the world with the love that they both have for each other, their loved ones and their country. It was such a simple bet, such a sure one time thing that they never have to recover from.

But if Leon lost, regardless if Reese won, then all hell breaks loose. It was time to move on. Maybe in another life, maybe another time.

It was such a swift decision made, who knew it'd be true to life? The only consolation was that if they proceeded on living their lives together in this lifetime, it'd be such a ruthless fight. To go against a dictator who would obviously target both of them? In this climate?

Their deaths would be announced earlier than their love would be. It was suicide.

Not one they could afford to take.

So days have passed, it was a series of ending each day with long, sullen calls—a cheap take on a getaway—after all, they're each other's home.

"Mamimiss kita," Reese finally admitted defeat, in what seems to be a hopeful charade of positivity, she finally gave in to the truth: they lost not because of Leon's standing in the top 5 results.

They lost because they already have the love of the lifetime and now it's being taken away from them once again.

A love once lost, has been found but is now ready to find another home again, wherever it may be.

Whoever their love may be led to.

______

Ma. Leon

We can go home now. Check the screenshot.

There it was, somehow, after 10 grueling days of watching Leon's vote become stagnant and the tyrant's increase, over night—with some divine intervention—Leon garnered 5 more million votes.

She won.
They won.
The Philippines won.

Facetime
Ma. Leon is calling...

"Pwede na 'kong umuwi d'yan? :) We'll have to talk about my plans for Divo-" The once was sullen of a conversation is now revived by some sort of good energy brought by the Universe.

"Yes, pero siguraduhin mong yes din ang sagot mo or else, outside the kulambo," Reese's boisterous but also gracious laugh could be heard across the hall of their second floor, her daughters coming out of their respective rooms to check if they were in a haze of illusion. But it was real. Their Tita Leon's face on their Mama's phone and their mama laughing at the cute faces Leon has been exuding.

They're in their element, finally.

From 'all shall be made well' to "all is finally well".