Ace of Hearts

Here At Last

Risa knew their date wasn't until tonight.

Pero ang tagal pa mag-gabi, she groaned loudly. She wanted to see Leni again already. And yes, she had already seen her so many times over the past week but forgive her for wanting to treasure every day that she was here with her.

Pambawi sa mga taong wala ako sa tabi mo, she thought. Risa's fingers grazed her own lips, remembering that Leni kissed her yesterday. She shut her eyes tightly, butterflies in her stomach.

The senator squealed excitedly and got up from bed, deciding to go out and get something nice for Leni. An hour later, and a few message exchanges between the two women, more specifically Risa assuring that Leni was at her own apartment and not anywhere else, a knock resounded on the older woman's apartment.

Risa truly knew their date wasn't until tonight. But oh, how she wanted to see Leni again already. That didn't mean, however, that she didn't feel embarrassed when she realized that she showed up unannounced and still early in the morning.

"Risa?" Leni opened the door, shocked at the sight of Risa by her doorstep.

"Hi," The younger woman replied, a shy smile on her face.

"Mamaya pa tayo magkikita diba?"

Shuffling her feet on the ground, Risa bit her lip and blushed, "Oo pero 'di kasi ako makapaghintay na makita ka."

"Gusto mo pumasok muna?"

"H-hindi na," Risa stammered, blushing even harder. "Iaabot ko lang talaga 'to and yayayain ka mag-coffee around 2? Sorry, ang tagal kasi ng gabi and gusto na talaga kita makita."

Leni peeked curiously at the paper bag on Risa's arm. She held her hand out and the other woman handed it wordlessly. "Ano...saan mo na naman nabili 'to?" Leni laughed heartily.

"On the way here may nadaanan ako. Binilhan na kita kasi naalala ko na plano mong bumili ng bago pang-add sa mga nandyan sa may window mo.

"Kaya mo ako binilhan ng halaman?" Leni smirked, seeing the redness of Risa's cheeks.

"I saw it and remembered you," Risa admitted, her gaze finally meeting the professor's. "So.... coffee later?"

"So thoughtful naman talaga, Senator Risa. Sure, let's get coffee later."

Risa smiled and leaned forward. Leni thought she was going to kiss her. To her disappointment, however, the senator planted her lips softly on her cheek. Then Risa whispered, lips lightly grazing the older woman's ear. "I can't wait to see you later, Leni."

As she watched Risa's figure disappear down the apartment's stairs, Leni stood there in bewilderment. Sure, she's had Risa close to her before. Hugged her on many occasions especially since recently, held hands with her most of the time, kissed her cheek and received kisses from her. Not to mention that they also had intimate moments in the past.

Chills ran down her spine and goosebumps raised all over her body as she recalled Risa's voice. There it went again. Electricity coursed through her veins and she shivered just by the fleeting feeling of the senator's lips on her ear.

Her lips barely even touched the skin and yet Leni stood there baffled and in a daze.

Get a grip, Leni, she scolded herself and cleared her throat, ridding herself of the thoughts that made their way in her head. Risa kasi eh.

She stared at the paper bag in her arms and couldn't stop the bright smile on her lips. Risa got her a plant. Placing it by the window, Leni bit her lip, studying the gift. For someone who didn't like taking care of plants, Risa actually knew which one to pick.