Running Out of Songs (LenRisa One-Shot Stories)

Araw-Araw

Leni's POV:

March 22, 2022, Around 6:00 AM

"Umaga na sa ating duyan
'Wag nang mawawala
Umaga na sa ating duyan
Magmamahal o mahiwaga"

The soft rays of the sun gently woke me up, signaling the start of a new day, a new perspective, and a new adventure with my one and only. As I was about to get up, a sudden realization hit me—Sasa was still sleeping beside me, half-naked and peaceful.

"Pangga?" I whispered, gently waking her. We needed to leave by 6:30 AM for our campaign sortie in Nueva Ecija.

"Are we late for the sortie, ga?" she asked groggily, rubbing her eyes before giving me a quick peck on the lips.

"No, we're on time. Good morning, Sen. Risa," I replied, unable to resist caressing her face. I couldn't help but marvel at how beautiful my pangga was.

"Good morning, Madam President."

"Good morning, First Lady," I teased, watching as her cheeks flushed a lovely shade of pink. She looked stunning.

"Kaya pala I was really hopeful when you mentioned in an interview that there would be no First Gentleman if you were elected. They didn't know, it was because you already had a First Lady. A woman who captured your heart," she said, a playful glint in her eye.

"Abante, babae!"

"Single moms unite, ga!"

I adored every detail of Risa—her candidness, her strength, and her undeniable beauty.

"Ga? Mahal kita ha? Don't overthink it if there are times during the sortie when I can't give you my full attention," I reminded her. I had noticed how she would glance my way whenever I was talking to someone else, and I wanted her to feel secure in our relationship, no matter how busy we got.

"Ga, don't worry about it. I understand. Once we eradicate discrimination, we won't have to hide anymore," she reassured me. Her understanding nature never ceased to amaze me, especially given the toxicity of politics. It could either make or break us, but it was unfair that our relationship—or any relationship within the LGBTQIA+ community—was still scrutinized. It felt as if loving someone was a mistake, but love isn't something you can control. It finds you when the time is right. Sasa and I were simply enjoying our perfect time together.

"Kay tagal ko nang nag-iisa
Andiyan ka lang pala
Mahiwaga
Pipiliin ka sa araw-araw
Mahiwaga"

It was surprisingly fun doing each other's makeup after taking a bath together.

"Ga? You've been single for 17 years, right?" I asked, seeking reassurance.

"Bakit?"

"Wala lang, did you ever think about finding someone new to love during that time?"

We never really discussed relationships or what had happened in the past. It was funny how we avoided talking about our late husbands, even when we were just close friends and colleagues.

"I did, di ba nga gusto na kita since 2012?" she responded bluntly, as always.

"Kaya ka ba ally ng LGBTQIA+ because you're one of them?" I asked, curious. We had both championed the SOGIE bill while in Congress.

"Ga, remember what I told the people?" she asked, and suddenly, I recalled her statement.

"We can fight for things that do not directly affect us," we recited together, which made us giggle.

"What do you want to imply? That despite liking me, you're still straight?"

"Joke lang, ga. I was an ally because of Ianna, my daughter. Besides her being part of the community, I discovered something different about myself toward the end of 2015. Through time, lalo nung nagkasama tayo ng 2015, I knew 100% that I am bisexual. That was when I truly discovered my identity, and I sincerely thank you for that, ga. Kaya mas ginanahan akong suportahan ang ating kapatid sa community. Masaya rin ako that I can be their representative, especially for those who are still afraid to come out."

"Ako, personally idol kita since 2012 because you're so tough. You really fight for the things you think are worth fighting for. My admiration for you grew over time, lalo na during the 2016 elections. Ang sweet mo kasi, gaga ka."

"You know why I fought for you?" Risa asked, looking into my eyes as if we were having a staring contest.

"Why?"

"Go back to your statement. I was too tough and?"

"You really fight for the things you think are worth fighting for."

"You are one of them—you are definitely worth fighting for."

"Sa lalim ng tingin
Mahiwaga
Pipiliin ka sa araw-araw
Mahiwaga"

The day went by, and Sasa requested that the two of us sit together during the mini sortie in Nueva Ecija. I asked Sen. Kiko to make room for us, hoping our interaction wouldn't raise too many suspicions.

As I was reading the placards prepared by the crowd, one caught my attention—it was related to us.

"VP Leni, pa-picture 2016 ko pa kayo inaabangan ni Sen. Risa,"

I asked her to come over and proceeded to read some other placards. After a few minutes, I remembered her request for a photo, so I called out to my pangga.

"Teka lang, intermission lang, Sen. Risa, pagbigyan na muna natin ito, 2016 pa raw siya naghihintay sa atin."

Sasa came over, and the young girl stood between us, beaming.

After the interaction, I continued reading the placards and delivered my speech.

"Ang nadarama sa yo'y malinaw
Sa minsang pagbali ng hangin
Hinila patungo sa akin
Tanging ika'y iibiging wagas at buo"

After the mini sortie and the grand rally in Cabanatuan, Sasa and I decided to leave for our flight to Digos. Although we wanted to spend the night—and the morning—wrapped in each other's arms.

"Payapa sa yakap ng iyong hiwaga
Payapa sa yakap ng iyong
Mahiwaga
Pipiliin ka sa araw-araw
Mahiwaga
Ang nadarama sa yo'y malinaw
Mahiwaga
'Wag nang mawala araw-araw oh
Mahiwaga
Pipiliin ka araw-araw"

Just as I choose to serve the nation, I will choose to love Risa every day.