Their planned early lunch did not pass by without Barry teasing Kit . Even on their way outside the restaurant.
"Veep, di ba nasabi sayo ni Kit?"
"Ang ano....???"
Leni was confused staring at Kit as she answered.
"Wala...babatukan ko talagang loko to"
Kit was pissed off while Barry can't hide his laughter.
"Ano na namang pinagagawa nyo Cong Kit?"
Aica asked.
"Spill the tea naman dyan. Pansin ko ma'am kanina pa sila ganyan"
Rona added.
"Wala nga...Ako na mag dadrive papuntang airport"
"Hmmm, bakit ba parang may tinatagao tong dalawang to..??"
Although Leni is not convinced with Kit's answer, she has no time for a lengthy conversation.
"Wala nagpapansin lang yan si Barry..Iwan natin siya dito. Tara na"
Barry just laughed with Kit's reaction.
Leni checked the time and it is already 11:00 am. Her departure to Boston was at 1:00 pm.
"Oh pano ba yan..I'll be going na. Advance Merry Christmas and Happy New Year na lang sa inyo"
Leni said as she bid goodbye to Barry and her other staff except Aica, Rona and Kit since they will be joining her to the airport. And they off to the airport using Kit's car with him as their driver while Leni is seated on the passenger seat next to him.
"Cong Kit, wala ka bang work today? Driver ka na naman for today's video"
They all laughed with Rona's sudden joke.
"Alam mo Rona..pareho lang kayo ni Barry"
"Oy hindi ah"
Leni can't hide her happiness as she enjoys this short moment with her staff and Kit. Listening to their conversation, she felt thankful that these people stayed with her especially Kit despite of all the uncertainties.
"Len, bakit di ka na umiimik dyan. Ano iniisip mo?"
"Ano...masaya lang na andyan pa rin kayo..Ikaw"
Leni said it in her soft voice, that only the both of them could hear. Kit smiles as he stares at Leni's beaming eyes wishing he can capture this moment because it would take another month or more for him to see her again.
" Asahan mo hanggang dulo to..dito lang kami..Ako."
Kit knew that suppressing his feelings was not the best option. Not today, when Leni will be away again.
"Thank you..ng sobra for all that you do"
"Wala yon..Ikaw pa"
After an hour, they arrived at the airport. Kit quickly got Leni's luggage and handed it to her. Her staff approached and hugged her while Kit got something inside his car. Leni was about to call his attention when he emerged from his car carrying a pink gift bag.
"Teka muntik ko nang makalimutan..since wala ka dito sa Christmas..bigay ko na"
"Naku nag abala ka pa Kit"
"Maliit na bagay, pero wag mong buksan today sa Christmas Eve na."
Leni and her staff giggled.
"Okay, noted..Salamat dito..sunod na ang sa akin"
And they embraced tightly for the last time.
"Grabe ka Cong..kami wala?"
"Bigyan mo na..baka itigil na nya pang titrip nya sayo"
Leni said jokingly.
And they all laughed.
Leni waves her hand to them who are now settled inside the car keeping the window glass open before she enters inside the airport.
Boston
12:45 AM, December 25, 2022
Leni and her children just celebrated Christmas by having a simple dinner. She decided to go to her room first because she already felt sleepy. She opened her closet to get a jacket to warm herself but she was thrilled to see Kit's gift remained untouched.
"Oh my..oo nga pala. Muntik ko na makalimutan"
She got the gift and settled herself on the edge of her bed and opened it slowly. She smiled as she saw Kit's gift for her. It was a white scarf with stripes pattern with her name on it. Inside the gift bag was a Christmas card containing Kit's message for her which she failed to notice at first. Upon seeing it, she got up from her bed and read what was written on it.
To my favorite dormmate and colleague,
Kung binabasa mo to, ibig sabihin di mo nakalimutan buksan ang gift ko. I hope you like it, asan na yong sa akin? Hahaha. Pero, kidding aside, I bought it for you bearing in mind na baka malamigan ka diyan. I hope you took care of yourself well and you are having a good rest there. 6 years of vice presidency was a long journey, moreso the 6 months of campaign. I wish you will able to recharge and have quality time with your children. Knowing na you are happy and at peace is more than enough even though I kept on missing you here. Kaya take your time, dito lang naman ako palagi. Ang dami pa sana akong gustong sabihin pero ang haba na nito sa susunod na lang. I'll tell you when the time is right. Merry Christmas, Len.
From your poging dormmate,
Kit
YOU ARE READING
Kalayaan '82
Short Story100% Fiction Instantly became a fan of these two after seeing their video on TikTok. 😁 Since then I've been admiring their friendship secretly. It might be absurd but they made me want to write. After so many years of existence in this world, who...
