Running Out of Songs (LenRisa One-Shot Stories)

Fallen

"What if I told you that I've fallen?"

Monday Morning...

"Ris, I'm sorry if this is a bit out of the blue. Baka this might creep you out." Leni hesitated, giving a disclaimer before saying what was on her mind.

"Para ka namang iba sa akin, Lens. Go ahead, ask away." Risa chuckled, brushing off the hesitation with a familiar warmth.

"You sure about that?" Leni pressed, still unsure.

"Yes, whatever it is." Risa smiled widely, her eyes twinkling, reassuring Leni that she could ask anything.

Leni took a deep breath. "Have you ever experienced falling in love with a friend?"

Risa, who was just about to take a sip of her coffee, paused mid-motion, her hand slightly trembling as the question hit her unexpectedly.

"Oh—okay ka lang?" Leni asked, noticing her friend's sudden reaction.

"Yeah, sorry. Ang clumsy ko." Risa quickly composed herself, trying to mask her surprise. "What was the question again?"

"Na-fall ka na ba sa isang kaibigan?" Leni repeated, her voice softer but insistent.

Risa sighed softly, her guard momentarily down. "I have, but I was rejected." Her gaze flickered away for a second before she looked back at Leni. "Bakit? Ikaw?"

"I haven't," Leni admitted. "And even if I did, I think I would keep it to myself."

"Akala ko ba risk-taker ang isang Leni Robredo? Bakit hindi mo susubukan?"

"You're friends for a reason. It's better that way. Walang kasiguraduhan if things will work out or move to the next level. With friendship, it can last a lifetime. To love them forever... sometimes you just keep them as a friend."

Risa shook her head with a small smile. "Ang malas naman ng taong mamahalin mo, Lens."

"Ganun talaga." Leni shrugged. "Sometimes you have to set aside the romantic side of life to maintain the relationship, even if it's non-romantic."

"Anyway, why did you ask?"

Leni cleared her throat, feeling a bit exposed. "I was reading this novel, and the characters did something similar to what I would do."

"Talaga?" Risa raised an eyebrow. "Not even one of them tried to confess?"

"Takot siguro," Leni mused.

"Walang mangyayari if palaging matatakot."

"Exactly."

Risa glanced at her watch and stood up suddenly. "Ay, Lens, I have to go. May emergency sa bahay. I'll see you next time?"

"Of course," Leni smiled. She watched Risa rush out, leaving her with her thoughts. "If only you knew how much I can relate to the character, Risa," Leni whispered to herself. "I only brought it up to see your take on it..."

Thursday Afternoon...

They were back at their favorite coffee shop.

"Hi, Lens!" Risa greeted breathlessly, plopping down on the chair beside Leni. "Sorry, traffic was crazy!"

"No need to apologize, you're just in time," Leni reassured her with a smile.

Risa set her bag down on the chair opposite them, relaxing into her seat. Leni didn't waste any time.

"Remember what I told you about that novel I was reading? Tapos na ako."

"Pahiram naman, naku-curious na ako!" Risa's eyes lit up with excitement.

"Sure, I'll bring it on Monday. But for now, kwentuhan mo naman ako ulit about that friend you fell for."

Risa leaned back, her expression softening. "Di naman ako officially nagsabi. Nagparamdam lang ako. But when I realized there was no chance, I just accepted it. Maybe we're just meant to be friends."

Leni frowned. "Di ka man lang nag-risk? Malay mo naman mutual pala."

Risa chuckled, shaking her head in disbelief. "Look who's talking! You literally just said on Monday that you wouldn't risk the friendship no matter how much you liked the person."

"Ang contradicting, 'no?" Leni sighed, her voice heavy. "A part of me wants to just say it out loud, para mawala man lang ang bigat. It's like I'm pretending around them, when all this time I've loved them more than a friend."

Risa leaned forward, her eyes wide with surprise. "OMG! Sino ba kasi yan?"

Leni hesitated for a moment, before quietly replying, "Ikaw."

"Anyway, I think I have to go. My kids are waiting for me." Leni added, leaving Risa clueless if the last statement she heard was true or not.

Sunday Morning...

No matter how packed Leni's schedule was, she always made time for thanksgiving every Sunday. Whether with her kids or not, attending mass was a constant in her life, a moment of peace amidst the chaos.

The homily went smoothly, and as the congregation began the "Our Father," Leni, out of habit, extended her hand to whoever was beside her. The moment she grasped the hand, she felt a familiar warmth—comforting, almost recognizable.

Curious, she glanced to her side and was surprised to lock eyes with the woman next to her. Even with the face mask covering most of her features, Leni instantly recognized her.

"Ris?" she whispered.

"All this time, akala ko alam mo na ako 'yong katabi mo," Risa replied, her eyes crinkling into a smile.

Leni chuckled softly, still a bit flustered. "Sorry, nagulat lang ako."

After the mass ended, Risa, the taller of the two, suggested they grab lunch together at UP Town Center, conveniently close to Ateneo.

"Lens, sorry ha? I've been losing sleep since Thursday night," Risa confessed as they walked toward the parking lot. "Remember the last thing we talked about?"

Leni tilted her head slightly, pretending not to remember. "Oh? Anong meron? I can't seem to recall. Can you remind me?"

Risa took a deep breath before responding, her voice quieter now. "I asked you kung sino 'yong gusto mo, and you answered 'ikaw.' I've been overthinking about it since then. Ilang gabi na akong di makatulog."

Leni paused for a moment, then answered casually, as if stating a simple fact. "I meant it, Ris."

Risa stopped walking, her expression shifting from surprise to something softer. "Since when?"

"Matagal na," Leni admitted, her tone still steady. "But it doesn't matter. I know you have a suitor now."

Risa smiled, a playful glint in her eyes. "Wala pa nga. Magkakaroon pa lang. Gusto mo ba ikaw na lang?"

Leni laughed, her heart racing, but she masked it with ease. "We'll see," she teased, leaving the question lingering between them as they headed to lunch.