Ace of Spades

Looking Out

Emerald Avenue was filled to the brim. Even a needle wouldn't be able to squeeze through that hundred thousand plus crowd, all gathering for the woman who sparked hope for a political change. Leni's heart felt like it was about to burst after seeing the pink-lit avenue chanting her name. It was then that she was reminded of why she chose to fight in the first place.

The rally ended and she was currently swarmed with the celebrity guests who showed support earlier. She was overwhelmed seeing all these familiar faces, most of which she had only seen on TV. As she climbed in her van with her staff to head to the hotel for the post-rally dinner, she had them accounting for her senatorial slate.

"So sina Kiko papunta na sa hotel with his kids diba?" Leni asked, putting her glasses on so she could read what was on her phone. Her staff nodded.

"Si Chel nasabihan na isama 'yung kids sa dinner? Pati 'yung mga partners ng ibang senatorials?" She asked again and nodded when her staff agreed.

"Okay, buti naman. Si Sen. Risa, kasama si Vice Gov. Lucas pati sila Sinta, accounted naman lahat sila 'no?"

"Accounted po pero si Vice Gov. Lucas po, umalis na. Hinahanap nga po siya ni Sen. Risa kanina, nauna na po ata umalis."

Leni's ears rang. Earlier today, her staff had told her he was picked up by Risa's driver and they went to Pasig together. He greeted Leni a little after her speech, while Ben&Ben played, and congratulated her for the success of the rally. He even took a picture with her after he introduced a few of his family members who were in the crowd. He didn't wait for Risa?

Again?

"Ah, okay," Leni said. "But si Sen. Risa and 'yung mga bata pupunta sa dinner?"

"Yes po. Nag-confirm na po staff niya."

Leni nodded and shut her phone off, closing her eyes to rest for a while. Though she reminded herself of her boundaries, she still looked out for Risa, as she had always done. Hence, why she was irritated that he didn't wait for her. And she felt rightfully so because this wasn't the first time it happened.

They arrived at the hotel and her eyes immediately scanned the room, looking for Risa. Silently, from afar, she watched her smile but not the usual one which reached her eyes. She made sure to check if Risa ate and sighed in relief when she did. She was preoccupied with interacting with others but every now and then, she would spare Risa a glance just to see if she was okay.

Sure, she has moved forward from the mess they were in before. The pain and sadness in her heart had already been replaced with resilience and quiet strength. Either the feelings were suppressed or left in the past, she didn't know, but it definitely made it easier for them to go back to what they should have been, rather what they should have remained as. Friends.

That said, nothing would ever stop Leni from looking out for Risa, and the other woman looking out for her. It was how they have always been and how they would always be, former lovers or not.

"Oh, Sen. Risa, done with dinner?" Leni asked as she entered the bathroom, seeing Risa washing her hands in the sink. She walked beside her and started to wash her hands.

"Ay yeah, ikaw, VP?"

"Oo, tapos na. Kumusta 'yung mga bata?"

"Okay lang, nako they had so much fun daw. They look forward to the next rallies."

A staff member exited one of the stalls, halting their conversation. When it was just the two of them left, Leni asked, "Si Lucas, nasaan? Diba he was here kanina? Bakit hindi siya sumama sa dinner?"

"He's with his family eh. He introduced them to you a while ago, right?"

"Oo, pero sabi sa akin ng staff ko hinahanap mo daw siya kanina. Hindi ka niya hinintay or nagpaalam man lang sa'yo?"

"No, nag-text siya pero nakaalis na siya no'n."

"At okay lang 'yun sa'yo?"

Risa faced Leni, demeanor turning into a cold one. "What are you implying?"

Leni dried her hands with her handkerchief and met her eyes. "Hindi ito 'yung unang beses na umalis siya ng rally without waiting for you."

"And?"

"Uulitin ko, that's okay with you?"

"Leni, I appreciate your concern. I really do. Pero it seems to me na pinaparating mong nagsesettle lang ako sa gano'n. Would you really see me as a person na papasok sa relationship sa isang taong hindi ako pinahahalagahan?"

"Hindi ayun ang ibig kong sabihin."

"Edi ano? You don't even know how our relationship works."

Irritation reeked from Risa's voice and Leni knew she was overstepping. She didn't even know what happened and why Risa's boyfriend left. She was sticking her nose into something she shouldn't be, and sure, it may be out of concern, but it's not something she should concern herself of.

"He should treat you better, ayun lang ang gusto kong iparating."

"Thank you. I appreciate that," Risa sighed, disregarding her annoyance because she knew Leni was just concerned. "But please, Leni. He's a good person, and maybe this doesn't look like an ideal situation to you, but I'm fine with it. Hindi siya big deal sa akin. Kung wala akong problema do'n, dapat ikaw din."

"Okay," Leni nodded, giving it up because she knew she would end up being the bad person here. "Pero hindi ko gusto 'yung ginagawa niya. He should know better."

"I know. Nag-usap na kami."

"Nagalit ka?"

"Konti lang."

"Konti lang?" Leni laughed at Risa's response. She was expecting a yes or no answer.

"Hindi nga kasi big deal sa'kin. Kasama ko naman sila Issa saka I know he's with his family."

"Pero okay ka lang ba?"

"Oo naman. Good as always."

"That's good."

The two women walked towards the exit of the restroom but before opening the door, Leni asked, "Galit ka ba sa'kin? Dahil sa sinabi ko kanina?"

"No," Risa smiled softly and Leni noted this was the first time after the rally that she smiled a smile reaching her eyes aside from when she was talking to her kids. "I'm not mad. Naiintindihan ko naman 'yung concern mo and I really do appreciate it."

"Sigurado ka?"

"Siguradong-sigurado."

Leni nodded, finally assured that Risa harbored no ill feelings towards her after their conversation. She opened the door and walked out, the senator trailing behind her. They went back to their seats and returned to the conversations they were having earlier.

Still, even after Risa's response to her question, the vice president wasn't convinced. For the rest of the night, she kept an eye on Risa, looking out for her and seeing if she needed any help. But of course, she kept her distance. Boundaries, she reminded herself yet again.

Look out for her, but remember your place. She doesn't need you.