1 year later.
It is April 5th and Leni woke up with Jorge by her side. She looked at her daughter and smiled at the thought that her family is complete for two years now. She stroked her daughter's hair and kissed her on the forehead.
"Malapit na, anak. Magiging mama mo na talaga si Risa." She whispered
Jorge was awakened by her mom's voice and she greeted her
"Good Morning, ma. HAPPY LENRISA DAY!"
"Good Morning, anak. HAPPY LENRISA DAY." She responded
Jorge got up and told her mom that she's going to prepare. They will be leaving for Baguio in 2 hours. Leni rarely asks for a personal time off but she asked for it to spend this night with her family and a few close friends, especially the Tropang Angat.
They will be having a dinner at The Mansion to celebrate LenRisa Day. Corny, right? It was the second anniversary of Rizal rally where she read the placard that says "Kababaihan para sa Kababaihan #LenRisa." It might be corny or cringe for some but for her, this day is special. She had always hoped that someone from the crowd would make that placard so she can read it and profess her love for Risa without being judged and that supporter made it happen.
"Hay si mama, nagre-reminisce na naman." Jorge said entering her room
"Ang bilis mo naman yata mag-ayos, anak?" Leni asked her
"Kagabi pa po ako naka-impake, ma and matagal lang po kayong nakaupo riyan habang inaalala ang Rizal Rally, April 5, 2022 kung saan mo kami ni-legal." Jorge responded
"Ni-legal?" Leni asked her daughter confused
"Yep. Alam niyo naman po hindi ba, na isa akong LenRisa shipper? Noong binasa po ninyo ang LenRisa placard sa rally na iyon, we felt like you approved of our ship and ni-legal niyo po kami, ni-recognize. Ganun." Jorge explained
"I see." Was all Leni could say
"Ano kaya ang meron kung bakit po natin isi-celebrate ang Lenrisa Day after 2 years? Last year naman walang pa-dinner and all." Jorge asked Leni
"I have a little surprise for your mama Risa. We've been best of friends since 2016 and we've been together since 2022. We've been through a lot, anak. Isama mo pa yung pag-runaway bride niya sa kasal niya. You know how much I love Risa and I want her to be with me, forever." Leni said
Jorge was dumbfounded by her mom's words and could not of anything about her mom's plan for the night. What surprise is she even talking about?
They arrived at Baguio after 6 hours of traveling. Leni and her girls are on the 2nd van, while Risa and her children are on the 3rd van.
"Welcome to The Mansion." Leni welcomed Risa's children to The Mansion, the Official Summer Residence of the President of the Philippines
Leni can count with her fingers the times that she stayed here since she became President and now, entering her 3rd year.
"This is Manang Aida, she will show you your rooms." Leni said and introduced one of the house helps to them
Manang Aida showed Risa's children the guest rooms that they will be using for the night. Issa and Ianna will be in the same room, Sinta and Anje will be in the same room, and Kiko will be in a room with Hannah. Aika and Tricia will be staying together in a room and Jillian and Jorge will be together as well. As for Leni and Risa, they will be staying in the presidential suite.
The Tropang Angat also had their separate rooms as well as Leni and Risa's family.
"Mahal, why do I have to wear this dress ba? Para naming may party." Risa complained
"It is indeed a party, love. We're celebrating the passage of the SOGIE Equality Bill to 2nd reading." Leni responded
"We can celebrate it naman after you have signed it." Risa complained again
"Stop complaining, love. Tonight will be the best night of your life." Leni said and held Risa's hand while they were walking down the grand staircase of The Mansion
When Risa entered the ball room, she was surprised to see familiar faces as well as her family.
"Pia, Maan, Ana?" she asked surprisingly when she saw them approaching her
"We're here." The three Hontiveros girls responded
"VP Leni invited us, ate. Enjoy your night." Pia told Risa
Then Leni lead Risa to their table, a table with their family.
Jorge rose from her seat to greet Risa.
"You are so beautiful tonight, Mama Risa." She said and kissed her on the cheeks
"Thank you, anak." She responded and then Risa sat down beside Leni
The dinner started as well as the short program.
"Good Evening, everyone! Ako po si Jorgina Robredo, ang ika-apat na anak ni President Leni." Jorge introduced herself
"I welcome you all to this LenRisa Day dinner. My mom loves Mama Risa so much that she decided to celebrate this day, April 5th as LenRisa Day. Not a Legal or Special Holiday of course, but a personal holiday for her and Mama Risa. This day should have been for the two of them only but she chose to share it with all of you because all of you who are here are dear to her heart." Jorge added
"To sing a very heartfelt song for us, here is Ms. Moira dela Torre." Jorge introduced Moira to the guests
"Good Evening po sa inyong lahat. I was invited by President Leni to sing you this song tonight. May I invite Senator Risa Hontiveros to join me here because this song was requested for you." Moira said and Risa stood beside Moira and Moira started singing her famous song, Tagpuan
Di di ko inakalang darating din sa akin
nung ako'y nanalangin kay Bathala
naubusan ng bakit
Bakit umalis nang walang sabi
bakit 'di siya lumaban kahit konti
bakit 'di maitama ang tadhana
At nakita kita sa tagpuan ni Bathala
may kinang sa mata na di maintindihan
Tumingin kung saan sinubukan kong lumisan
at tumigil ang mundo
Nung ako'y ituro mo
siya ang panalangin ko
At hindi di mapaliwanag
ang nangyari sa akin
saksi ang lahat ng tala
sa iyong panalangin
Pano nasagot lahat ng bakit
di makapaniwala sa nangyari
pano mo naitama ang tadhana
Nung nakita kita sa tagpuan ni Bathala
may kinang sa mata na di maintindihan
Tumingin kung saan sinubukan kong lumisan
Moira stopped singing and it was Leni's cue to rise from her seat and went straight to Risa.
She held her hands and said
"Risa, from the moment I saw you at EDSA 38 years ago, I have loved you. When we started dating, I am looking for you from the moment I open my eyes in the morning and before I close it at night. You serve as my light during the times that I walk through the darkness. Ako man ang liwanag sa dilim para sa taong sumusuporta sa akin, ikaw naman ang nagsilbing liwanag sa buhay ko."
Then Leni left everyone in shock when she pulled out a box from her pocket and knelt in front of Risa
"Ana Theresia Hontiveros-Baraquel, will you spend the rest of your life with me as my wife?"
Silence filled the hall as Risa's tears started to fall and everyone waited for her answer.
"Yes! Leni, yes!" was all she could say
Then Moira continued singing the song while Leni was putting the ring on Risa's finger.
at tumigil ang mundo nung ako'y ituro mo
At hindi ka lumayo nung ako
yung sumusuko at nagbago ang mundo
Nung ako'y pinaglaban mo
at tumigil ang mundo nung ako'y pinili mo
siya ang panalangin ko
YOU ARE READING
I CHOOSE YOU (sequel of The Fourth Robredo Daughter)
Fanfiction"May it be here or in another lifetime, I will always choose you." Published: July 2, 2022 ~~~~~~~~ DISCLAIMER: This story was written out of the writer's wide imagination. Names of people dead or alive were used for this story but it does not refle...
