Talk First, Think Later

Yoga Class

Pia sprang up and down as she cleared the space in the hall in preparation for the yoga session she planned with Risa, Leni, and Loren today. Excitement filled her to the brim for this will be her first yoga session with all four of them together.

This also marks the first time she will meet Leni outside of work as well. Seeing a relatively new face in the Senate ranks is always welcome in her eyes.

As soon as she finished picking up the last pieces of clutter, her doorbell rang earlier than she expected. Pia sprinted to open the door to find Leni on the other side.

"Good morning, Sen. Pia.", Leni greeted before flashing a big smile.

Pia opened the door further to let her in, "Hello, Sen. Leni! 'Musta ka na?"

"Okay naman. Sorry, bihira lang ako mapadpad dito."

Leni's eyes widened upon seeing the main hall. "Wow, ang laki pala ng space mo. Sala niyo, buong condo na namin."

With quite a bit of time to kill before the others arrive, the two of them spent the time chatting about a variety of topics, like their shared experiences as economics majors in UP, biking tips, and home organization ideas. She certainly didn't expect the natural rapport they shared, considering their very different backgrounds.

They chatted so much, that it took a while for them to notice that Risa and Loren have also arrived at the same time.

"Hello! Buti na lang nagsidatingan na kayo, kundi baka i-organize na lang namin buong bahay."

Risa immediately made a beeline for Leni and wrapped her arms around her waist. "Hi, Pangga."

"Parang saglit lang naman ako nawala. Clingy, much?", Leni quipped. Risa responded back with an even tighter embrace.

More animated chatter filled the room upon their arrival as they laid down their respective yoga mats.

"Pia, hindi masyadong marunong si Leni mag-yoga. Take care of her, ha?", Risa said, before facing Leni. "Ga, Sen. Pia here is a trained yoga instructor so you'll be in good hands."

Loren snapped back before Pia got a chance to say something. "Pia, hindi naman marunong yan, eh. Bakit pa siya sumama?"

Leni gave Loren a glare that can kill. "Um, Senator Loren, can you please repeat what you just said? Di ko narinig, eh."

A tense silence filled the room for a few seconds, with Risa being the first to break the ice. "Loren, we all started somewhere. She's eager to learn, so why deny her the chance?"

Pia could sense the smoke coming out of Loren's ears, causing her to stifle a laugh. Much as she wants to let it out, she knew the risk of her sleeping on the figurative couch is just too great.

Resigned, Loren then raised her hands and surrendered. "Fine, you win."

The rest of the yoga session went on uneventfully. Pia (with a bit of help from Risa) stopped to guide Leni in some of the more difficult poses from time to time, but was otherwise smooth sailing.

After sharing some snacks, the four of them parted ways and headed for their respective homes. Leni and Risa ended up going together and shared the car ride home.

OPM songs played softly in the car speakers, but they've kept quiet until Leni decided to speak. "Sasa, bakit ganun? Tina-try ko intindihin why Sen. Loren feels that way about me, pero hanggang ngayon palaisipan pa rin?"

Risa sighed. "I don't know, Love, but I wish I had an answer. Loren is like a big sister to me, but this isn't right at all."

Leni's eyes remained glued to the road. "Maiintdihan ko ung galit niya kung trabaho lang, but this felt personal, eh."

"Maybe you have something she doesn't have? Or may pinagdadaanan?", Risa suggested. "But unless she opens up, we'll never know."

"Ang kinakatakot ko is what if she tries interfering with my work? Ung bawat galaw ko haharangin niya."

Risa's heart weight with each of Leni's words. A pang of guilt filled her because this early on, Leni learns the reality of the dog-eat-dog world of the Senate, and Risa felt she didn't prepare her enough at an emotional level for it.

To at least lighten the load off, Risa changed the subject. "Love, did you get to talk to Sen. Pia?"

Leni cracked a small smile. "Muntik na nga kami mag-label ng mga containers kanina bago kayo dumating, eh! Taga-UP Econ siya so may common ground na kami agad, tapos Zoom kami minsan para may accountability partner daw ako."

"Baka magulat na lang ako, maging triathlete ka na."

The two of them shared more laughs until they reached Risa's house, where they will stay for the weekend.