Sa bawat lumipas na minuto, mga hangin na nailabas galing sa kanilang baga, at ang intensibong pakikiramdam sa bawat isa, pareho silang nangangamba, nangangapa sa kung ano na ang nararapat gawin. Bakit ba nila to ginawa?
Sa loob ng sasakyan—gamit nila ay kay Risa—, nakakabingi ang katahimikan. Even the driver was driving awkwardly in silence, confused as fuck as to why these two are together. He decided not to ask though, and kept on driving. Baka maging punching bag pa siya ng POGO owners kung magtanong siya.
As they entered the restaurant, they were welcomed by the warm atmosphere. There were no people too, except for a foreign couple who was there before them. Kailangan talaga na mag-book ng reservations sa mamahaling restaurant na ‘to, but luckily Risa knew who the owner was kaya hindi na kailangan pang tumawag.
They sat on a table for two (dzuh mabuti sana kung apat pwet nila). Alice looked at the older woman. Alam niya kung bakit siya dinala dito ng senadora. To investigate of course, what else could it be? Pero kahit na, sumasakay na lang siya sa agos ng kanilang ugnayan.
Baka sakali lang naman maging totoo ang kaniyang nararamdaman.
The owner recognized the senator and greeted her. They offered the both of them a special dessert, which the senator did not decline. The owner however, did not specify what kind of dish it was. The two did not press to ask. May thrill din kasi, mystery food ang atake, ganorn.
“Anong gusto mo?” Asked the senator.
Alice smiled and said “Ikaw po bahala, Madam Senator.”
“Ay nako, huwag mo na akong tawaging Madam Senator. Tayong dalawa lang naman ang magka-usap right now.” Risa reassured her.
“Ay ano po pala gusto niyo, ‘baby?’”
“Pwede din.” Risa giggled as well as the mayor. “Pero seriously, just call me Risa. Or Ms. Risa if hindi ka pa comfortable to be super casual with me.”
“Okay po Ms. Risa” Alice smiles, and the senator couldn't help but smile too.
“Ang cute ng mata mo noh, nawawala pag ngumingiti ka.” Risa stated as she browse the menu. and Alice smiled. “Oh, nawala na tayo sa topic— Anong order mo?”
“Kung ano na lang po o-orderin niyo. Iyon na lang din po sa akin.”
“Sure ka?” Tanong ni Risa at tumango ang dalaga. “Okay sige.” Senator Risa called the waiter and said their orders. They gave them water too.
As they wait for their food, Alice attempts to make the first move.
“Ang ganda po ng napili niyong restaurant. Very Filipino and authentic yung vibes.”
“Ah oo, that’s true. Ang nostalgic din tingnan. Favorite ko yung mga antique design, para talagang bumalik sa past. Naalala ko tuloy yung university days ko."
“Totoo po.” Alice said as she drank on the water.
“Ikaw ba Alice,—please ‘wag ka mao-offend ah— Pero bakit ‘di ka nag-aral sa college? Choice mo ba ‘yan or sa tatay mo?”
Alice’s mood suddenly quiets down. “Choice po ng tatay ko. Pero po if ako po papipiliin gusto ko po talaga mag-tapos.”
“Uy, pero in all honesty, despite of the fact na high school lang natapos mo, napaka-galing mo mag-lead ng bayan.” Risa said sincerely, “Mas magaling ka pa sa mga may degree na nakaka-abot sa senado. Yung isa nga naging presidente pa eh.”
Alice smiled at the comment “Tinutulungan din naman po ako sa pagli-lead.” “Hala nadulas.” she thought to herself.
“Sino ang tumutulong sa ’yo?”
Alice nervously laughed “Mga councilors ko po, saka Vice Mayor.”
“Ahh.” Risa nods, unconvinced with the answer. “Yung mga kapatid mo ba nagtapos din ng pag-aaral?”
“Uhm, hindi din po?” The mayor answered unsure. “Basta alam ko po after po namin mag 20 years old, naging stakeholder na din po kami ng business namin.”
Risa hums accordingly, then asks more “Ikaw, bakit gusto mong maging politician?”
“No choice po, sabi ni papa eh.” Alice thought. “Ano po, gusto ko na talaga siya since bata pa po ako. Tapos nung nag-pandemic po, nakita ko po talaga kung paano ka-devastating yung lagay ng mga kababayan ko. So maybe if tumakbo akong mayor makakatulong ako.”
Risa nods at the mayor’s answers. “Ang cute naman ng reason mo. Parehas lang tayo halos.”
Haha.
“Opo.” Alice smiled. “Saka naaalala ko po noon, nung first time kitang mapanood sa Gandang Gabi Vice.”
“Gandang Gabi Vice? Noong 2012 pa ‘yon ah.” Risa said, amused at the mayor’s recollection of her.
Alice let out a breathy laugh, “Opo, nung napanood ko po yung episode mo na ‘yon na-inspire po talaga ako na maging katulad mo. Ang ganda ganda mo po, mala-anghel ang atake.”
Risa laughed at the younger woman’s statement. “‘Di naman masyado. Pero thank you, ang ganda mo din.”
"Ay bukod po sa sobrang ganda niyo, nakaka-amaze din po yung paninindigan niyo. Makatarungan, hindi corrupt, matalino. Nagbibigay boses sa mga taong wala."
Risa smiled at the mayor's views about her. "Salamat, hija."—"Buti pa 'yan naalala mo." she said to herself.
The senator doesn't know whether to believe the mayor's comments however. But at least, with this revelation, it’s confirmed that Ms. Alice did in fact grow up in the Philippines.
Matapos ang ilang minutong chikahan ay naihatid na din ang kanilang pagkain. Bagamat ang manunulat ng akdang ito ay walang kaalaman sa pagkain ng aristokrato, kayong mambabasa na ang bahala. (Sa gantong gobyerno ba naman minsan na lang makakain ng masarap na pagkain, golden era saan? Eme)
They both ate while continuing their conversation. They shared jokes, ideas, and opinions with each other. There was something so comforting with having a casual conversation with your enemy.
Keep your friends close, but enemies closer literally.
𓆝 𓆟 𓆞 𓆝 𓆟
The waiter gave the two their special dessert. It was a Halo-Halo, it looks nothing out of ordinary but they both appreciated it.
“Kasama mo si Mayor Calugay kanina ah.” Risa said.
“Ah, opo. Matalik ko po siyang kaibigan.”
Risa hums then nods, “Hindi ‘more than friends’ ?” She jokingly asked.
“Hindi po talaga. In fact, hindi po kami talo.” Alice said and Risa gasped.
“So he’s gay?” Risa asked, somehow surprised and the other chuckled as she nodded. “Ang cute naman. Eh ikaw ba?”
“Well, ako po, I like girls… romantically”
“Paano kung may manligaw sa ‘yo na babae, sasagutin mo?”
“Kung mabait naman po siya eh, why not?”
“Paano kung mas matanda sa ‘yo? Mga 20 years?”
“Jojowain.” Alice said jokingly said and they laughed.
And all of a sudden, they both felt heat in their cheeks despite not drinking any alcohol.
Something was wrong.
“Bakit biglang uminit dito noh?” Risa asked.
𓆝 𓆟 𓆞 𓆝 𓆟
Back in the kitchen, the manager asked the waiter. “Kanino mo binigay yung Halo Halo?’
“Kila Senator Risa po.”
“HA?!?” The manager exclaimed too loud, hoping that none of the customers outside heard her, she then lowered her voice. “Bakit mo binigay sa kanila?! Para yun sa mag-jowa sa kabilang mesa!”
“Hala, b-bakit po ba?” The waiter nervously asks.
“May aphrodisiac yung Halo-Halo.” The manager stated as she crouches down in defeat.
YOU ARE READING
Your Honor
RomanceWhat happens if a Filipino senator falls in love with a Chinese agent? SATIRE!!! PLEASE DO NOT TAKE THIS SERIOUSLY
