His Surname

2: The Danger

"Bongbong, where are you? Your campaign rally will start in an hour." He grimaced at the high-pitched voice of his sister Imee from the other line of the call. "You can't be late." 

He adjusted his black facemask and looked around to make sure there was no one. "I will get there on time." He assured her. 

He heard a sigh from the phone. "Okay fine. Be safe." That was all she said before dropping the call. 

Smiling from his conversation with his sister, Bongbong went back to what he was doing - turning his head left and right to wait for someone. He pulled up a piece of paper he was holding. It said that she should be in this bus terminal. 

He had been here for almost an hour. People and buses had come and go. He was already losing hope when he saw a familiar face. Before leaving the comfort of the dark alley he was hiding from, he had to fix his cap to cover his face more. 

He then followed the woman who climbed the bus. When the woman was already settled on a seat, he chose to sit one row behind her on the other side so that he could observe her. It was the first time he saw her up close. 

This was the woman they believed that could bring him down. 

Leni Robredo

He really found her at a bus terminal. She was alone. She did not even have someone to hold her massive handbag. It was dangerous.

Why did the Liberal Party even think of pitting this simple lady against big political people such as himself?

No. Maybe it was just a propaganda. They had been advertising her as honest and compassionate. As if she was some kind of a saint. 

"Attorney, late ka ngayon ah." His attention went back to reality when he heard woman wearing a uniform greeted Leni. 

The congresswoman smiled. "Kaya nga eh. Medyo madami pa kasi ginawa." She explained. 

More and more people passed by them and talked to her casually. It was as if they encounter her every day. That was when Bongbong realized that it was not propaganda. She really was taking the bus all the time. 

When the next stop came, Leni stood and looked back to wave at the people. Bongbong had to drop his head to not be noticed. Would she even recognize him? They had no interactions at that moment. 

He immediately followed her. It was already dark outside. There were few people on the road, and no one was there to meet her after she climbed out of the bus. The congresswoman continued walking - not minding him who was still following her. 

He did not intend to be seen by her, but then a man appeared in front of Leni. She flinched at the sight of a young man who had a small knife on his hand. "Bigay mo sakin 'yang gamit mo." The place was too dark that the boy did not notice the senator's presence. 

"Nako, hijo. Mali 'yang ginagawa mo." Leni said calmly - still hugging her bag. "Kung kailangan mo ng tulong, hayaan mong tulungan kita. Huwag sa ganitong paraan." 

Bongbong did not know how to react. How could this woman lecture this kid who had a knife pointing at her? 

The kid was not convinced. "Ang dami mong sinasabi. Akin na 'yan." He grabbed her bag, but she won't let go. "Ang kulit mo ah." The kid stretched his hand to thrust the knife at her. 

Bongbong's body automatically moved. He placed himself between the congresswoman and the kid. He immediately stopped the kid's arm before the knife reach them. He then pushed the kid away. The kid did not back down. He prepared himself for another attack and rush forward to the politicians. Bongbong dropped on the floor when Leni pushed him away.  She shoved her hand on the side of the kid's torso who collapsed instantly after contact.

It was a stun gun. 

Leni looked at Bongbong who was still seated on the ground. She was about to approach him, but he stood and ran away from her without a word. 

***

The next morning, Bongbong woke up after he dreamed about what happened before he went to his rally. On his dream, Leni found out it was him and used the stun gun on him as well. He was shaking his head as he climbed down the stairs. 

He heard the voices of Imee and Imelda talking over the voices from the television. 

"She even hired someone to be convicted for her political propaganda." Imee concluded before she brought the cup to tea to her lips. 

Bongbong's eyes went to the screen where he found the face of the congresswoman speaking calmly with the media about her encounter with the kid who tried to rob her. She gave her suggestions on what to do with the street dwellers like him. She even offered help to the kid. 

Imelda commented while sitting on the couch across his sister. "She will do anything to earn the public's sympathy." 

He sighed. His eyes still on the screen. It was dangerous. He was there. He knew that it was not a stunt. She was really in danger, but she responded without a hint of anxiety.  She had no fear. It made the hairs on the back of his neck stood. She posed no threat as a Cory Aquino knockoff, but to think that she had such a personality that could sway everyone, he could not help but be afraid. 

His mind went back to reality when the congresswoman looked straight at the camera. "To the guy who saved me," Was she talking to him? She was. "Please show yourself. I need a witness." 

Turned out, the kid was claiming that he did no such thing - that it was Leni who attacked him with a stun gun and called for the police. 

"No one's going to show up." Imee said. "Or baka she already paid for someone to testify." 

Bongbong stared for a moment. 

Not my problem.