untouchable

15

Bicol is beautiful.

You're having the time of your life traveling the region, not only because it's easy to campaign for your candidates here, but because of how breathtaking the natural landscapes are. Bicol is also notoriously known to produce notable and model servant leaders like Raul Roco, Jesse Robredo, etc. There aren't much needed convincing with Bicolanos, but obviously not everyone are immune to the decades-long propaganda so there would still be victims of the other camp.

You learnt some basic Bikolano words courtesy of Jillian, got to try local delicacies Naga offers (you love pili, so anything pili were happily eaten by you), and now on the way to try kinalas for lunch. You've always wanted to try the said dish ever since seeing it on VP Leni's vlog. The team also visited Sir Jesse Robredo's memorial this morning to pay respects to the man. Witnessing the way Nagaueños love their late mayor is a heartwarming experience.

Especially how Jillian speaks so highly of her father. You're just smiling the whole time, content with listening to all the anecdotes.

VP Leni and Sen. Kiko are currently busy touring the province for several grand rallies held throughout the region for them. There will be a Miting de Avance in Naga tonight, very fitting for this is where your presidentiable was born and raised. Jill's team would be attending the Naga Miting de Avance, would have a small dinner gathering somewhere close at the Robredo household, and then conclude the day with a nightcap at the Robredos. Tomorrow would be the last day of the campaign season. You admire VP Leni's confidence and wishes to be blessed with some of it for your heart feels like bursting out of your chest every time you think about the Elections. It's like being on a roller coaster, except whenever you think the drop is happening, another upward slope is going to welcome you, and then another anticipation for a drop that isn't there, then again and again and again. You're going insane.

"Uy, Y/N." Jillian nudges you, taking you out of your trance you didn't know you were in.

Your spoonful of kinalas is halfway up in the air, on its way to your mouth, but you were zoning out. Jill and some of your teammates were looking at you expectantly, someone was talking to you but since your consciousness is lost somewhere, their words didn't register. "Ha?" You stupidly asked.

Jill smiled to stop herself from giggling at your obliviousness. "Tinatanong ka nina Ate Stell if G ka raw bang mag-jamming later tonight after ng rally."

"Ahh..." You trailed off as your brain is still trying to catch up. "Sige lang." You said and continued to stuff your cheeks with kinalas.

Jill continued staring at you, watching your body language. She nudges you again, "Oks ka lang?"

You nodded but your eyes are still lost, which the younger woman notices very well.

"Election anxiety?" Jill asked again in a low voice so only you could hear.

You sighed deeply and bit the inside of your cheeks. "Oo, siguro? Ewan." You replied. "Alam mo elibs talaga ako kay Madam, sa Mama mo. Siguro kaya siya hindi kinakabahan kasi ako 'yung kinakabahan para sa kaniya. Parang ako 'yung kandidato." You rambled.

Jill giggled but understands how you feel, for she too is anxious. "Whatever happens, at least you know we did everything we could. So walang dapat ikatakot," she says to appease you and to convince herself as well.

You searched Jill's eyes for the truth, if you should believe her. But you're aware she's only trying to relieve you and you appreciate her efforts. You grasped her free hand and squeezed it to ground you. She squeezed it back, also seeking the same comfort. You only nodded at her and gave her a small smile. Jill returned it with a smile of her own, enough to tell you that she gets you and that you get her too. Both of you are inside your own bubble once more as another nonverbal communication is exchanged.