Black Out

Bonus Chapter: 23rd of April

It has been three months since Leni returned after her month-long stay in Bellagio. She finished writing her book and had a trip with her daughters to maximize the time that they had. Tricia joined them for two days, while Aika and Jill spent a week with their Mama. After this, her schedule was always packed with talks and events– none even had Risa on it. She had a lot of speaking engagements last Women's Month while the latter was busy with her Senate hearings, especially now that she had opened a can of worm.

Preparations for attending different on-the-ground festivities to help Chel maintain his exposure in public for the upcoming 2025 elections were on their way. Although Risa tried to make as much time for Leni as possible when she did manage to enter that condo unit, she would often fall asleep the minute she lay down on Leni's bed. One time, Aika even teased her Tita Sen, telling her just to leave her things so she would have spare clothes whenever she would visit and vice versa for her Mama since Leni also tends to visit Risa's place right after finishing her events for the day.

Sometimes, Risa would be awake enough for them to talk and catch up, but those times became rarer as her schedule also grew packed. Leni understood. She had expected nothing less, so she never complained. Did she wish that they could spend more time together? Of course. But seeing Risa living her Senate plans made up for it.

For the most part, she was satisfied with the progress made. Risa's 2024 strategy was off to a good start, and so was hers.

But that night, as she lay in bed, watching the sleeping figure beside her, Leni couldn't help but wonder whether they could spend her upcoming birthday together like last year.

It was one of the highlights of her life, and she remembered everything vividly. From the blue woven bracelet (that Risa got in one of the provinces where she campaigned before)–which colors were no longer as bright because she had never taken it off unless she had a formal event to attend– to the birthday video greeting that no one was able to watch except herself because Risa told her not to show it to anyone else as she was singing her heart out to their dinner.

And that tumbler... she chuckled when she thought of that gift.

She still used that unique tumbler every now and then, but since she treasured it so much, she preferred keeping it safely in her kitchen cabinet.

When she closed her eyes, she could still see Risa, looking breathtakingly beautiful, sitting across from her with a shy smile and pink cheeks, eating her dinner quietly.

Then she kissed me on the cheek. It was definitely the best birthday ever.

Leni opened her eyes again.

It's been a year. Wow. Ang bilis ng panahon. Dati, ang akala ko guni-guni ko lang 'yung nararamdaman ko kapag malapit ako sa'yo, kapag nakikita kita.

She began to smile, and her hand reached out, gently tracing Risa's sleeping face.

Tapos ilang araw na lang, halos 100 days na tayong dalawa.

"One hundred days," she mumbled to herself.

She had only a relationship with her late husband before and thought it would be the first and last.

Risa suddenly stirred, so Leni quickly withdrew her hand, afraid she would wake her favorite senator.

After tossing and turning a few times, Risa began to open her eyes, squinting at Leni, who was staring at her without saying a word.

Risa stretched and then snuggled close to Leni, "Why aren't you sleeping?" she mumbled against Leni's neck.

"Hindi ako inaantok," Leni ran her hand soothingly over Risa's back. "Matulog ka na ulit," she said as she placed a kiss on Risa's head.