Split Decision

Hanging Hopes

DISCLAIMER: Again, fiction lang ito at huwag pala-desisyon. ang magkalat nito sa FB/Tiktok ay pipingutin ko. To make sense of this book, read Talk First, Think Later first.

This book also serves as a counterpoint to my last finished book, Watching Sunrises. Both books are in the TFTL multiverse reading list found in this account.

It still doesn't feel real to Risa that she's standing on the podium at the front and center of the plenary hall. As the new Senate Majority Leader (and the second woman senator to take on the role), a big part of the Upper Chamber's future rests on her shoulders.

On one end, she gets to call the shots as to what bills to prioritize as the chair of the Committee on Rules, which means getting her pet bills going will be an easier endeavor. On the other hand, 22 other senators also have their own set of pet bills and priorities.

With Kiko getting the Senate Presidency from Migz and Pia filling in Loren's shoes as Senate President Pro Tempore, the opposition has successfully reclaimed the Senate. This proved to be a monumental feat in a climate where opportunities to fiscalize and provide checks and balances are getting smaller.

The new Majority Bloc has succeeded in the first step. Can they succeed in defending it for the next three years? That remains to be seen.

Migz, the former Senate President and new Minority Floor Leader, has been of tremendous help in guiding Risa on the work part of the equation. Despite being in different political alliances, there's enough common ground between them that allowed for a smooth working relationship.

The emotional part, on the other hand? It's another story altogether.

After session has adjourned for the day, Risa wrapped up her work and, on her way out, spotted Leni at the back of the plenary hall laughing and horsing around with JV, Migz, and the rest of the Seatmates bloc. For the first time in their entire relationship, a pang of envy hit her seeing Leni building her own set of alliances beyond their usual circles. "But why? I should be happy for her, but why do I feel this way?"

Clearly, the Senate is doing wonders for her, and for once, she had allies who had her back - a far cry from her days as former Vice President when she was left to fend for herself even with the attacks from all sides.

Risa tentatively approached Leni at the back and called out her name. "Leni?"

Leni looked up from the huddle. "Yes, Ris?"

"Let's have dinner together before going home?" Risa offered, hoping she would take the bait.

Instead, Leni brushed her off. "Sorry, mag-o-overtime ako ngayon. Next time na lang."

Risa sighed. "This is the third time this week."

"Okay, Lens. Pag libre ka na lang ulit." Risa said before waving goodbye.

Through small interactions like these, Risa remembered that Leni, the Senator and Leni, Risa's girlfriend, were two different people. She knew Leni was prone to putting various facets of her in tiny little compartments, so this wasn't surprising.

What surprised her even more was that their even relationship was kept under lock and key.

Risa went back up to the fifth floor and rushed to the office of a certain senator, who supported her through thick and thin during her days as a neophyte senator. Seeing those bare walls again brought her back to reality.

A reality in which, for the first time in her nine years in the chamber, she felt truly alone.

She brought out her phone and texted a certain phone number. "Ate Lo, please talk to me. I need your help right now."

Send.

After 5 minutes of radio silence, it sank in. "This isn't her number anymore."

Resigned to her fate, she walked back to her office and sorted her paperwork to maintain some semblance of busyness. At least with her new role, there's no time for Risa to think of much else.

While she was plotting the legislative calendar for next week, a text came in. This time, it's from a number with a +44 area code. "hi Risa, finally moved into the new flat. this is my new UK number, btw. DO NOT give this to anyone else yet. talk to you soon when timezones permit."

For the first time in a while, a smile came out of Risa's face. She then replied to that new number. "happy. 🙃 sorry, ate, been pretty busy the past few days, but let's catch up tomorrow. so much has happened after you left"

Send.

After what seemed like forever, she got a final reply from Loren. "Ok let's Facetime around 3pm UK time. talk to you tomorrow!"

Risa sent a heart react right back and went back to work. "Yun lang naman pwede kong magawa ngayon, diba?"

If only Loren knew how much her absence was felt in the entire institution and for Risa personally. It's not that Leni didn't support her emotionally, but the moment they stepped into the GSIS building, they were Senator Leni and Senator Risa, co-workers and not much else.

When they step into that session hall at 3 pm, they're lucky to attend the same hearing together before splitting off in different directions.

When Leni passes around that bag in the lounge or the session hall and senators put money inside, a small part of Risa dies. Nobody knew that a pang of jealousy occasionally hit her when Loren and Pia spent time together and made displays of affection without a care in the world.

That she constantly wished Leni would at least just squeeze her hand when she's about to defend her pet bill.

Yet there's still a bit of hanging hope that maybe, just maybe, Leni will come around and do just that. "One day."

Oh well, at least there's work to keep her company. At least there's at least one thing where she could feel some sense of accomplishment on.