Risa Pov:
The fluorescent lights of the grocery store hummed overhead, casting a sterile glow on the rows of colorful products. I grabbed a cart, the wheels clicking against the polished floor as I began my usual routine of gathering supplies for Leni and me. But my mind wasn't on the shopping list. It was caught in a loop, replaying a fleeting encounter from earlier.
A woman with long, dark hair, her figure tall and elegant, had passed me by. I'd caught a whiff of her perfume, a scent I knew all too well. It was Alice. I couldn't see her face, hidden behind a black mask and a wide-brimmed hat, but the scent was unmistakable. She seems familiar," I murmured, a shiver running down my spine.
I rushed through my shopping, my mind racing. I paid at the counter, my eyes glued to her retreating figure. As she reached her car, I caught a glimpse of the license plate. It was her. My heart hammered in my chest. She drove off, heading towards her condo. I lingered, keeping a safe distance, watching her disappear into the building. I couldn't risk her knowing I was following her. The revelation, the unexpected encounter, left me reeling. "So bumalik na pala siya siguro naman aattend na siya sa hearing should i tell to the NBI na nadito Siya" i murmur in my car
A wave of pity washed over me. I couldn't bring myself to turn her in to the NBI just yet. She deserved a chance, a chance to face the music, to plead her case. I started the engine, the familiar roar a comforting sound in the silence of my thoughts.
As I pulled into the parking lot of our condo, Leni was waiting for me, her face a mixture of concern and playful annoyance. She enveloped me in a hug, her warmth a stark contrast to the chill that still lingered in my heart. Where were you? You must not love me because you didn't take me with you," she said, her voice laced with mock indignation.
"Hon, I was just at the grocery store," I replied, a smile tugging at my lips.
"Oh, I'm sorry," she said, her eyes widening as she noticed the bags in my hands. She immediately stepped forward, taking some of the bags from me. "Let me help you with those."
Her warmth, her unwavering support, it felt like a balm on my troubled soul. For a moment, I forgot about the encounter at the grocery store, the unsettling questions it had raised. For now, all that mattered was Leni, her love, her presence.
After we put away the groceries, we settled onto the couch. Leni reached for her phone, but I beat her to it, tossing it onto the other end of the sofa.
"Hon, let's spend some time together. I miss you, I'm always stuck at the office," I said, my voice laced with longing.
"Hmm, why did you throw my phone?" she asked, her brow furrowed in mock annoyance.
She started to get up to retrieve it, but I grabbed her hand, pulling her close. She landed on my lap, and I wrapped my arms around her, holding her tight."
" Hon, are you going to be on your phone, or am I going to leave?" I asked, a playful edge to my voice.
She frowned for a moment, then a smile spread across her face. "I miss you," she whispered, her voice soft and tender.
I leaned down and kissed her lips, and she responded with equal fervor. We kissed until we were both breathless, our foreheads resting against each other.
"Ris, Will you still love me if Alice comes back?" she asked, her voice barely a whisper.
I didn't answer her question. Instead, I leaned in and kissed her again, savoring the warmth of her lips against mine.
After our kiss, I whispered, "Ikaw lang ang mahal ko" my voice husky with emotion. The words felt truer than ever, echoing the depth of my feelings.
She gave my nose a playful pinch, You better make sure of that, hon," her eyes twinkling with mischief.
"Opo," I replied, my heart swelling with a warmth that spread through my entire being. Her playful teasing only solidified the truth of my words, a truth that resonated deep within me.
"Hon, what do you want for lunch?" she asked, her voice carrying the melody of a familiar tune, a tune that always brought a smile to my face.
"Ikaw na bahala," I said, content to let her culinary creativity guide our meal. It was a small gesture, but it spoke volumes about the trust and comfort we shared.
"Okay, wait for me, I'm just going to cook our lunch," she said, her voice fading as she disappeared into the kitchen.
I picked up her phone, the familiar feel of it grounding me in the present moment. I scrolled through her recent messages, finding only exchanges with me. My heart swelled with a quiet sense of contentment.
"She really does love me," I murmured, a smile gracing my lips. It was a simple truth, yet it held the weight of a thousand promises, a thousand whispered secrets, a thousand shared dreams.
~~~~~~~~~~~Time skip✂️
"Hon kain na Naka handa na ako and also nakaluto na" she called out from the kitchen, her voice a warm invitation.
I rose from the couch and made my way to the dining room. There she was, already seated, her hands deftly arranging a mound of rice and a generous portion of her creation on my plate.
"Sarap ba yan?" I asked, my eyes twinkling with playful curiosity.
"Syempre, ako nagluto," she replied, a hint of pride in her voice.
I sat down and took a bite, savoring the flavors she had carefully crafted. "Hmm, di masarap," I said, my voice laced with feigned disappointment.
Her brow furrowed in mock annoyance. "Di, huwag ka kumain," she said, her voice a playful reprimand.
"I'm just kidding, hon. Ikaw naman, di mabiro. Sarap kaya ng luto mo, I said, my voice softening as I reached for her hand, my touch a silent apology for my teasing.
A smile bloomed on her face, chasing away the fleeting annoyance. We ate in comfortable silence, the aroma of her cooking filling the air, the warmth of our shared meal a testament to the love and connection we shared.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Kinakaya niyo pa magbasa?
