Hello, Goodbye, and Everything In Between

Chapter 7 - Running After You

In their brief moment of happiness, what they both fail to anticipate is a wild storm brewing. Figuratively and literally.

-Location: Philippines-

The air is dry, and the sky is dark, rain is about to pour at any given time. The former vice president, Aika's mom, is seated in her office with a few guests from their hometown.

"Marhay na aga, Attorney. Dios mabalos sa pagpadagos sa amin." The former vice president is used to receiving guests, especially those close to them, but she had a bad feeling about this surprise visit.

"Daing ano man. Marhay na aga. Ano man ang maitulong ko sa indo?" She can already feel a headache coming. She unconsciously rubs her temples in an effort to soothe the pain.

"Iyo na naggad ini, ma'am. Dai na kami magpa-ligoy-ligoy pa. Andito kami para hilinging na ipadagos ninyo sana angmaray na gibo para sa laog kan Naga." Her demeanor doesn't even change a bit. 

Elections were coming again, and she knew allies and groups were bound to reach out to her. This wasn't the first conversation she had about the topic and, most likely, wouldn't be her last.

"Salamat man sa saindong pagtitiwala pero dai pa rin nagbabago ang decision ko. Masaya na ako dito sa Angat Buhay asin sa SALIGAN." 

"Dai ko maiwan ang mga kaso na hawak ko asin man ang nasimulan ko rito." Her answer from three years ago, when she was offered to run as a senator, remained unchanged.

She was happy with her life as a private citizen. While she still received the same amount of criticism, she's more at peace now. 

She enjoys her freedom to do the things she couldn't do before while still having the ability to help elevate the lives of those who need it the most.

"Naiintindihan po namin, ma'am. Kaya nga ang naisip namin ay kung inyong papayagan, ang panganay niyo pong si Aika ang balak naming kunin as vice mayor." Now that's a news worth thinking about. 

"Dai ka maghade, ma'am. Buong partido ang nakasuporta kung sakali mang pumayag kayo."

"Sa totoo lang, kahit pumayag ako, hindi ito desisyon na ako ang gagawa."

"Sadong panahon binibiro ni Jess si Aika na siya ang magpatuloy ng legasiya niya pero sa paghuna ko, dai man ngunyan ini ang gusto ni Aika." She would be lying if the idea didn't excite her. 

She once thought Aika was meant to follow her father's path, but as she said, it wasn't her decision to make.

"Kung sakali, ma'am, alam naming maraming matutulungan si Aika. Mapadagos man nya ang sinimulan ni mayor nuon. Pakikausap po sa kanya na kung pwede ay pagisipan niya." She nodded at that.

She will definitely bring this up with Aika, she just needed to find the right time when her daughter comes home.

"Sige po ma'am. Magpapaalam na kami. Salamat sa oras nyo po at sana ay mapag-isipan nyong pamilya ang tugon naming mga taga-Naga." They shook hands and she returned the gratitude of her guests, promising to see each other the following week for the city festival.

As the last person leaves her line of sight, she thinks to herself, "kaya ko bang hingin kay Aika to?"

-Location: USA-

Aika woke up in bed alone. She looks around the room and finds no sign of Cassie. Her side of the bed has long gone cold. Umalis siya? Iniwan nya ako mag-isa?