Ace of Clubs

When in Hong Kong

Flashback (1/3)

There's something about foreign countries that just makes you want to live a different life, be somebody else, even just for the time you'll spend there.

That's exactly how Leni felt.

As soon as she felt the Hong Kong air on her face, Leni felt relieved. Sure, she was here to meet supporters and to campaign. But this wasn't the Philippines. This was a different place, somewhere she can try to be someone else other than Congresswoman Leni Robredo, Vice Presidential candidate, maybe even just for one night.

"Lens," Risa called her attention.

"Ano 'yun?"

"Inaantok na ako. Sabihin mo punta na tayo sa hotel."

"Bakit hindi ikaw magsabi?"

"Nahihiya ako."

Laughter bubbled in Leni's throat and her earlier thoughts quickly subdued. She was glad, relieved even, that Risa came with them to campaign here. It made things much easier because she had someone to talk to, someone to share these sorts of thoughts with.

"Cong. Leni, do you need anything po?" One of the staff asked.

"Wala naman, pagod lang." She replied, eyeing Risa who was struggling to stay awake and not yawn every 2 minutes.

"Ay sige po. Let's go to the hotel na po para makapagpahinga na rin po kayong lahat."

After hearing the instructions of the campaign team, Risa flashed her signature smile to Leni, the one where her hooded eyes form a thin line because she's smiling too much. "You're the best, Lens!" She kissed Leni's cheek and linked their arms together as they made their way to their transpo on the way to the hotel.

They have always been close. Kumares, as one would put it. Jesse introduced them to each other and they clicked immediately afterwards. With similar experiences, almost parallel life stories, both activists and advocates, Leni and Risa found friendship with each other.

The following days of their trip flew by quite quickly. Their days were filled with meeting supporters, giving out speeches in the rallies, and walking around the streets of Hong Kong.

At the end of it all, Risa would crash on Leni's bed and they'd talk about anything they could. Or they'd stay in silence with eyes droopy with sleepiness and body tired from the day's activities. They didn't share a room but Risa stayed more often in Leni's room than her own.

But while the previous days were quick, everything sort of slowed down when pictures of their campaign events in HK reached the Philippines. Why did Mar have to look so depressed while he sat there? His picture while he was sitting down one of the benches caused an uproar in social media. 'Kawawa' was what the headlines described him as.

He was actually talking with an OFW supporter then. He was listening to the person's story intently but the news painted him to be disappointed with the turnout of his rallies.

Leni was stressed, though quite grateful that she wasn't in the spotlight as much as Mar was. "You saw the news already, right?" Risa whispered from beside her while they were in a team briefing.

"Oo. Ang lala ng fake news."

"I kind of wished we'd have a great time here. You know, like a vacation."

"We're in the middle of the campaign season."

"So? Can't we have fun for one night?"

Risa shared her sentiments. Alive but not exactly living, as she put it. They exchanged a knowing look and both sighed in frustration. 2 months in the campaign trail and they were already tired of living for the cameras, what more would the next 6 years hold for them? Of course, granted that they'd both win.

Tonight was their last night in HK and it was supposed to be a celebration but Leni and Risa found themselves a little out of place in the setting, especially when the men started to argue.

"I'll never understand men," Risa quietly joked and Leni had to drink down her laughter because they'd be in trouble if she didn't. Their campaign team was a mess during their last team debriefing before going back home the following day.

"Mas complicated pa sila sa'ting mga babae," Leni replied shortly.

"Kanina pa natin sinasabi 'yung mas magandang alternative pero ayaw nila makinig."

"Hayaan mo na. They'll come to their senses later. Pagod lang siguro lahat."

Kiko, who was clearly upset, walked over to where the two women sat and propped himself down an empty chair, "I think I need a drink."

"Had enough of the banter?" Risa asked.

"Yep. I don't want to talk about it."

"A drink it is. Sa'n punta natin after nito?"

"There's a bar not very far from the hotel. Nadaanan natin 'yun kanina. Doon na lang tayo para madali makauwi, baka mamaya malasing kayo nang sobra tapos maligaw tayo."

"Mukhang ikaw ang malalasing. Sobrang stressed mo na, hindi bagay sa'yo. You coming, Lens?"

"Hindi ko alam." Leni replied, still watching the others argue in front of her.

Kiko told Risa to convince Leni then got up and walked over to their other colleagues and staff to invite them to their night out. Destress, he said. It was their last night in Hong Kong and if things were already a mess here, it would be a lot worse back home.

"Diba you want to live a different life even just for a short while?" Risa brought up, scooting closer to Leni so no one would overhear them. They've talked about this. Of course, they have. Leni shared more things to Risa now than she's ever done in the years of their friendship.

"Yeah but a bar? Really? What if someone recognizes us? We're all under the spotlight ngayon if that escaped your notice."

"A bar in HK is different and no one would recognize us here. People would be too drunk to even care about us rin if ever they do. Tara na," she beckoned, giving Leni a slightly pleading look. "Iiwan mo ba ako with complicated men and their complicated problems?"

"There are girls on the staff who could keep you company, Ris."

"None of their company's as good as yours. Tara na, Lens. One night of freedom. How amazing does that sound?"

Bars weren't her thing, neither was drinking. But something about tonight's invitation was so tempting for Leni. Perhaps because Risa was right about that one night of freedom thing. And because Risa's a sloppy drunk, who she knew needed someone to take care of her afterwards. "Fine, let's go."

One night, Leni thought. One night to feel both alive and living.