Walang Kapalit

truth or dare

The two sat on the floor of Risa's living room as they enjoyed a quiet evening away from the public eye.  A half-empty bottle of wine sat between them, and their glasses had been refilled more than once as the evening wore on.

The two women had been friends for years, their bond forged in the fires of politics and activism. Despite their busy schedules, they always made time to unwind together, sharing stories, laughter, and the occasional deep conversation about the state of the world. Tonight, however, was meant to be a break from all that—a night of relaxation and fun, with no agenda other than to enjoy each other's company.

Risa took a sip of her wine as a thought suddenly struck her. She set her glass down and turned to Leni, a playful grin spreading across her face. "I just thought of something."

Leni raised an eyebrow, intrigued by the sudden shift in Risa's mood. "Ano 'yan?"

"How about we play a game?" Risa suggested, her grin widening. "Something simple, like Truth or Dare."

Leni chuckled, a hint of skepticism in her eyes. "Truth or Dare? para ka namang high school?"

"Exactly!" Risa replied, laughing. "That's what makes it fun. It's silly and lighthearted, and we could both use a little of that right now, ayaw mo ba?"

Leni considered it for a moment before nodding, a smile tugging at the corners of her lips. "Alright, sige. But let's keep it tame, okay?"

Risa winked. "No promises!"

They both laughed, and Risa started the game off with a simple question. "Truth or dare?"

"Truth," Leni answered easily, leaning back against a pile of pillows.

"Okay... what's your favorite thing about being VP?" Risa asked, tilting her head as she waited for Leni's response.

Leni smiled thoughtfully. "My favorite thing... I think it's the people I get to meet. Traveling around the country, hearing their stories, understanding their struggles—it's what keeps me grounded. It reminds me why we do what we do."

Risa nodded. "That's a good answer. And it's one of the things I admire about you. Not only do you care but you're such a doer."

Leni blushed slightly at the compliment, but she quickly turned the tables. "Your turn. Truth or dare?"

"Truth," Risa replied, taking a sip of her wine.

"What's one thing you miss about your life before politics?"

Risa's expression grew wistful as she thought about the question. "Yung ano siguro, I miss having more time for my kids. Politics takes so much of my energy, and sometimes I feel like I'm not there for them as much as I should be. But I also know that what I'm doing is important for their future, so it's a trade-off I'm willing to make."

Leni nodded in understanding, the two women sharing a moment of silent solidarity. But the mood quickly lightened as Risa gave Leni a mischievous grin. "Alright, Truth or Dare?"

Leni hesitated, then decided to take a risk. "Dare."

"Oooh, getting bold!" Risa teased, tapping her chin as she thought of a dare. "Okay, I dare you to... send a funny selfie to Tricia. Something silly."

Leni laughed, already pulling out her phone. "Easy!" She quickly snapped a goofy selfie, her face scrunched up in an exaggerated expression, and sent it off to her daughter. "Done!"

They both giggled like schoolgirls, the wine and the lighthearted atmosphere making them feel carefree and giddy. The game continued, with the questions starting off simple and harmless, but as the wine flowed and their inhibitions lowered, the topics grew more personal.