Talk First, Think Later

Pink Patadyong

Most days, Leni just grabs the closest, most suitable work outfit she could find. With so much work to do, curating the perfect outfit becomes the last thing on her mind.

Today, however, isn't one of those days.

She raided every nook and cranny of her tiny closet for the one specific item she needed today until she found a certain pink item at the bottom of her drawer. It's a beautifully crafted pink patadyong she received as a gift from a certain person three years ago during the 2022 campaign.

A lightbulb moment emerged. "Two can play this game."

Leni wore one of the many pink tops she received that she thought fit best with the ensemble she planned, before wrapping the pink patadyong a particular way.

Her hair's a bit too short to really emulate the hairstyle she's aiming for, but she tried her best to part her hair to the side and wear the biggest earrings she could find. Too bad she couldn't order hair extensions early enough, but this will do for now.

To top it all off? Those pink rubber shoes, locally made.

She eyed herself up and down her mirror and admired her creation. "Perfect."

Leni then headed for the small balcony where there lies a tray of seedlings of various herbs she's been growing. She counted every single 23 of them and attached a handwritten card with each senator's name on it.

Obviously, taking the high road doesn't work with her target, so might as well fight fire with fire.

After a few hours of conducting and attending committee hearings, she headed for the plenary with the plants in tow.

"Hi, Tita Ganda! ", Migz bellowed from in front of the Senate rostrum. Tita Ganda is their nickname for a senator whose name isn't Leni Robredo.

'Tita Ganda' greeted back. Might as well go along with this. "Hi, Migz! Plantito at plantita tayo today."

She placed a plant on top of each senator's table and admired her handiwork. Things are going smoothly so far.

That was, until the real 'Tita Ganda' arrived.

"Hi, Senator Leni", Loren greeted from behind. "Is that the patadyong I gave you before?"

Leni faced Loren, whose face is now plastered with a smile. "Yes, Senator Loren. Ito nga ung pinadala mo noong campaign. Ngayon ko lang nakita ulit."

"Tish rubber shoes?", Loren continued, pointing to the shoes on Leni's feet.

Leni nodded. "Yes, this is my second pair of shoes from her."

"Sige, picture tayo.", Loren responded with her phone on hand. "Tapos, kwento ko ung history ng patadyong na iyan.

Senators have taken turns snapping photos of the pair in their matching ensembles. All while Loren info-dumped about each plant Leni placed on the table.

Everything appears to be going to plan, in Leni's eyes. While everyone appears to be distracted with their own bubbles, Pia waved at Leni and signaled her to head outside the session hall.

As soon as Leni and Pia headed outside, Pia burst into fits of laughter and high-fived Leni. "Seatmate, ang gago mo talaga! I like how you think."

"Medyo kailangan nang kaunting plano, pero parang okay naman ung execution.", Leni reflected, leaning against the wall. "Pero baka magalit na naman girlfriend mo."

Pia leaned on the side of the wall. "First of all, Loren is not my girlfriend. Second, seeing her so seething mad is one of my favorite things in the world."

"Parang di naman ata siya galit." Leni questioned while holding back a chuckle. "Ang daldal pa nga, eh."

"Marami pa kasing tao at may media pa.", Pia explained. "Just wait until she's behind closed doors."

A brief moment of silence emerged before Pia continued. "Anyway, if you have other plans and need a bit of info, just message me anytime."

"Medyo marami, actually, so I'll take you up on that, Sen. Pia.", Leni said.

"Pia na lang. Wag naman sobrang pormal."

"Sige. Usap na lang tayo pagpasok sa plenary.

Leni and Pia eyed each other with a conniving glance before heading back to the session hall for the start of the plenary.