Ace of Spades

In Hope, We Hope (Epilogue)

"Late ka na sa appointment mo sa'kin, Senator Risa."

"Good morning to you too, Attorney Leni."

Risa climbed out of the car and greeted Leni with a kiss on the cheek. Leni led them inside her new office, and the home of the soon-to-be Museo ng Pag-Asa. "Halika na, I'll show you around."

"Grabe siya, wala talagang hello muna?"

Leni laughed loudly, "Good morning, Risa."

"Ayan, much better. Ganda-ganda ng umaga eh."

They toured around the museum, taking pictures every now and then. Souvenirs, as Risa put it. She often brought up that she won't be seeing Leni as often so she wanted to take more and more pictures of them together. To make up for the years lost. Risa's eyes fell on the LenRisa artworks that were to be put in the museum. She remembered being given a copy of those and she smiled.

So much has happened during the campaign.

"Ilalagay mo rin 'tong artwork natin?"

"Ah, oo. Why not? Ang cute kaya."

"Oo nga, wala naman ako sinabing hindi cute."

They stopped in front of a family portrait of the Robredos and Risa could only think of how they could have felt when Leni lost. "You know he's proud of you up there, diba?" She said softly, standing beside Leni as they stared at the frame.

"Sana nga," Leni sighed wistfully.

Risa placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "He is. Sa'yo at sa mga bata. It was a well fought fight, Lens."

-------------

"Kailan nga ulit alis mo?" Risa asked. They have just finished discussing the fate of the opposition in Leni's office, together with the rest of Leni's staff. Now, they were left alone again in the lobby of the museum.

"Second week of October."

"Ah," Risa nodded.

"Bakit, mamimiss mo ako agad?"

"Hmm...konti lang."

"Konti?" Leni raised an eyebrow. "Bakit konti lang?"

"Halika dito," Risa stood at the center of the lobby and beckoned Leni to move closer to her. "Kailan kita huling niyaya sumayaw?"

"4 years ago. Sa bahay mo. Nagluluto tayo no'n."

"Kailan mo ako niyayang magpakasal?"

"Six years ago..." Leni's gaze drifted to her watch to check the date and a knowing smile appeared on her face. "Six years ago today."

"Yeah, today. " Risa laughed. "Happy wedding anniversary, ex-wifey."

Leni laughed, her dimples showing, eyes crinkling. Risa loved hearing her laugh. "Happy anniversary, ex-misis ko."

Risa offered her hand out to Leni, which was gracefully accepted but with a questioning look on the older woman's face. "Dance with me," Risa invited.

"Dito?"

"Bakit hindi? No one's here but us."

"Wala namang tugtog."

"So? Edi kakantahan kita."

"Sige na nga."

Risa placed her one arm around Leni's waist, her other arm moving to interlock their fingers together. Her eyes never left the older woman's. She started humming this familiar tune. "We were victims of the night. The chemical, physical, kryptonite..."