Thirty-Four Point Five

Special Chapter: Liquid Courage

They tried to stop whatever game they had started— or maybe that's what they thought.

The election is over and Risa is the only one who won from the slate. Some experts say it was the fruit of her old school's approach when it comes to campaigning, her picture plastered on the medical van (that other people hated her for it), and tarpaulins. Some say it was just a stroke of luck that she got in even if she was part of the opposition's team or maybe it was the result of name recall. But whatever the reasons why she won, it didn't help to ease her irritation or probably anger towards Leni when the latter decided not to protest the results.

For Risa, it felt like she was thrown into the sea of crocodiles to survive alone and the former vice president didn't even try to at least fight for it even if her supporters were asking what her next step was and a lot of them were saying that if Leni asked them to go to EDSA, they will gladly join her but Leni didn't.

It was during the Thanksgiving rally when they finally saw each other again after the team meeting they had the day after the elections. Risa was still mad at Leni and didn't want to see her but she didn't have any choice.

She was wearing her thin high-low top and jeans and told herself that it was a sort of revenge for Leni because the former vice president always tell her that it looks good on her and it was her second favorite after Risa's black dress.

Magtiis ka ngayon was the message Risa wanted to convey the moment she saw Leni throw a glance at her backstage after the rally while she was talking with Chel and Kiko. Leni was walking along with Kit when the former shook her hand, squeezed it as she leaned on Risa, and whispered, "Sen, pinaparusahan mo ba 'ko?" Before she could even reply, Kit tapped Leni's shoulder to tell her that she needed to go because her staff was looking for her and it was safe to say that Risa hated him that day for that.

***

She regrets dressing up tonight, in a beautiful dress that she had seen in one of the many trendy clothing shops she usually passes by on her way home. This dress wasn't bought with the thought of impressing men; Leni had only one person in mind to impress and the said person hadn't been looking at her the entire night, except for that one appreciative gaze she had run through Leni from head-to-toe at the start of the dinner when she had seen her. The party was organized by the team to celebrate Risa's win, everyone was present and having drinks.

They were gathered at a circular table together, Leni and Risa were sitting far from each other while Kiko and Kit were sitting beside Leni. The team talked and congratulated Risa for hours over drinks. Almost everyone from the team has left aside from the three. Risa is on her fourth beer and Leni's on her second since she really can't handle her alcohol well.

"Ma'am and Sen, una na 'ko. Medyo inaantok na rin ako and kailangan na magpahinga. O sasabay na rin ba kayo paakyat?" Kiko asked as he took the last sip of his beer.

Leni shook her head, "Susunod n-"

"Sabay na kami aakyat ni Leni maya-maya since same floor naman kami. Good night, Sen!" Risa cut her off and waved goodbye to Kiko.

"Sabay na tayo umakyat ha?"

Leni nodded in agreement, and they stared at each other for a while once they were alone, not quite sure what to do until Risa broke the stare-down to finish her drink in one go. Leni can't even be bothered to spare a glance at her lukewarm beer. She simply watched Risa in anticipation, her senses hyper-focused, breath held.

"What time call time mo tomorrow to leave? May flight ka the day after, right? Jill's graduation?"

"Oh. Oo. Ano.. 9am."