Black Out

Bonus Chapter: The Whole World Fades

"Ano gusto mong kainin?" Leni asked once they had driven away from the office.

"Whatever you want."

Leni stole a side glance and saw Risa staring straight ahead, still looking somber. Leni reached out to place her hand on Risa's briefly, hoping to somehow comfort her. "Ngiti ka na please," she said before Risa retracted her hand. "Dalawang araw lang naman ako dun. Uuwi rin ako. Tapos ikaw, saktong nasa Cebu ka naman."

Risa didn't say a word until they stepped out of the car. She linked her arm with Leni's as they walked towards the restaurant, ignoring the latter's surprised look. "'Wag ka magreklamo. We used to do this a lot as friends," she said in a low voice.

It was true so Leni let Risa cling on.

Lunch went a bit quieter than usual but Risa's mood improved towards the end of it and she could laugh again when Leni told her a funny story about Rocco.

She was relieved to see the improvement and didn't protest when Risa linked their arms once again on the way back.

Risa stole a peck from her cheek when they stopped at a red light and chuckled when she saw Leni's shocked face.

"Chill. Your windows are tinted naman and walang media sa labas."

"Ayun. May traffic camera kaya," Leni joked.

"Funny." Risa stole another quick kiss just before the light turned green. "I haven't kissed you all day kaya hayaan mo na ako."

Leni couldn't help but feel happy to see how expressive Risa was. She never expected her to be as invested as she was in this, and probably even more. Unlike herself who was just enjoying everything while she overthinks what will happen when their relationship gets public.

Risa continued her work and meetings, finding it easier to focus now that she had seen Leni and spent time with her. Leila called that evening, asking Risa whether she'd want to have dinner with her. But Risa politely refused, saying that she already had dinner plans and rescheduled it.

By the time Risa was done with everything, Leni was already waiting for her in her office. She texted Leni and told her to meet her at the lobby.

Leni took Risa to a restaurant owned by Kiko's family. She had asked him for a favor and booked the smaller private room that would usually fit six people.

"Didn't know na sila Sen Kiko pala may-ari nitong place," said Risa, looking around the place as she sat on one of the long comfortable sofas across from Leni.

"Recently lang na naging sakanila 'to, hindi lang nababalita masyado kasi iilan pa lang ang may alam," replied Leni.

The dinner was romantic and intimate. It reminded Risa of her birthday dinner last year but it felt so much better this time because she wasn't confused about the flutters or the warmth anymore. She knew exactly what they meant and who caused them. That thought made her smile as she listened to Leni's stories, head propped on one hand. Leni's cute caring gestures— she insisted on cutting her meat for her after shooing the waiter away so she could pour the wine for Risa— and her gentle loving eyes made Risa feel so special, like she was the only person sitting across from her. She hadn't felt that way in a long time.

This is silly and cheesy, Risa thought when Leni insisted on feeding her, holding a fork in front of her mouth.

Things could and would change, she knew. But she refused to think about it for now and chose to just live in the moment, right there with Leni, talking and laughing as if time didn't matter, as if there were only the two of them in the world. It was too early to know whether this would last, but Risa wished they would.