Running Out of Songs (LenRisa One-Shot Stories)

Before It Sinks In

Tell me, would it be too much to ask if you break it to me gently?
That I'm waking the next day without you beside me
And who I hold on to today, tomorrow will just be a memory
And then I would look back at all of this
And wonder why I stayed in here just to watch you disappear.

"Tama na, Leni," Risa's voice trembled with both hurt and frustration.

"Nung ako yung nagmakaawa, ni hindi mo ko pinagbigyan." Her eyes glistened, but she held the tears back. "Ngayon, you're asking me for another chance? Ano ba ko sayo? Ano ba tayo?"

Leni took a step closer, her face softening. "Risa, let me explain—"

"Anuman ang dahilan mo," Risa interrupted, her voice sharp, "kahit balik-baliktarin natin ang mundo, you cheated on me. Akala mo ba na pagkatapos kitang habulin nang habulin, hindi ako maghahanap ng sarili kong halaga? Nakampante ka. You thought my love for you was enough to keep me blinded."

Leni swallowed hard, her voice breaking as she pleaded, "Ris, please... let me make it up to you. I'll do anything. Please."

Risa shook her head, her heart heavy but resolute. "Tumigil ka na, Leni. Hindi lahat ng nasisira, puwedeng ayusin."

With a deep breath, she turned away and shut the door, not just on Leni, but on the chapter of her life that had caused her so much pain.

Despite the pain, Leni carried on with her duties as Mayor of Naga City, projecting strength and composure as if nothing had changed. She immersed herself in her work, never letting their breakup show, at least publicly. Meanwhile, Risa, now the Vice President of the Philippines, found it much harder to move forward. No matter how busy her schedule was, the memories of Leni lingered, like shadows she couldn't shake.

"VP, may package po kayo from Mayor Robredo," one of her interns informed her, handing over the small, neatly wrapped parcel.

Risa blinked in surprise. "From Leni?" she muttered under her breath. "Thank you."

Her heart quickened as she unwrapped the package, the familiar feeling of anticipation rushing through her. Inside were thoughtfully selected gifts—a book she'd mentioned in passing years ago, and her favorite local delicacies. But what caught her eye most was the note, written in Leni's unmistakably neat handwriting.

"VP Risa,

Happiest birthday! I apologize if I cannot deliver this personally, as work has been overwhelming lately. Bakit ba kasi weekday ang birthday ng isang fine lady? Anyway, I'll see you soon.

With love,

Mayor Leni"

Risa couldn't help but smile. It was the first time in three years that Leni had sent her something for her birthday. Their last personal interaction had been just before everything fell apart. Now, as Risa celebrated her first birthday as Vice President, the gesture stirred something deep within her.

Leni had always been this thoughtful—always remembering the smallest details, always going out of her way. That was part of the reason Risa had fallen so hard for her. But now, as she reread the note, the familiar warmth in her chest was tempered with caution.

The gifts, the note, the memories—they were all reminders of why she had once loved Leni so deeply. But they were also reminders of why she had to guard her heart. Letting those feelings resurface would only pull her back into the whirlwind of emotions that led to heartbreak before.

With a deep breath, Risa carefully folded the note and placed it back in the box, her smile fading into something more bittersweet.

Before it's too late, I'll take a step away
I know one word would make me go rushing back to you
So I'll just shut my eyes, forget that you were mine
How do you go from making one your home and then just letting it all go?

"Most of my decisions were made—parang on faith and gut feel," Leni's voice echoed through the screen as Risa watched the clip. "Yung husband ko—narinig kong sinasabi ito sa panganay kong anak—'When you are much older, and you have the benefit of hindsight, and you look back, you will realize that all the dots connect.' Paminsan, iniisip natin na parang naligaw tayo, hindi naman ito yung path na kina-carve ko for myself. Pero, that's what happened to me. I was so shy before. Nandito ako sa politika—pag tinitingnan ko yung mga dinaanan ko, kaya pala ito nangyayari. Parati ko yang iniisip, na we are where we are meant to be."