Echoing of Power and Passion

40 (Heart vs. Brain)

They are about to go home today. Their 4-day vacation is sadly over. Gavin and Calvin want to stay with Risa, but she has a lot of things to do. Risa badly wants them by her side, but she doesn't have a choice—the election is near, and she has many places still pending to visit.

"I want to stay with Mommy. Please, I want to stay with Mommy," the twins were crying at the airport, not wanting to let go of Risa's hug.

"Baby, please don't make this hard for Mommy. Go na, uuwi din naman ako eh," she cried in silence, trying not to let the kids see that she was crying. Alicia stood in front of Risa.

"Baby, we have to go na. Mommy needs to go rin; she still has a campaign rally," Alicia tried to convince the twins, but they didn’t listen.

"Mommy, please," Gavin begged.

"Baby, listen to Mommy. Gusto niyo mag-bond tayo sa park?" Tumango ang dalawa. "Okay, you have to go home now, and after my work, Mommy will go to Santander, okay?"

"Promise?" the twins said.

"Of course, I promise. But for now, listen to Mommy Ali, okay?" Tumango ang dalawa at yumakap kay Risa. "Mamimiss ko kayo, huh. Take care and always listen to Mommy Ali."

"Opo," they replied. Once again, Risa hugged them.

"I love you, babies."

"Love you, Mommy," they said as she kissed them, and Risa put the twins in their stroller. Risa stood up and faced Alicia.

"Take care, Ali. Alagaan mo sila, huh. Susunduin ka ni Karen kasama si Cath, yung assistant mo." Alicia hugged her and cried on her shoulder.

"Maghihiwalay na naman tayo," Alicia cried.

"Ano ba 'yan, pati ba naman ikaw susuyuin ko pa?" Biro pa niya. "Ali? Look, babalik naman ako eh. It's just that we have to do our responsibility as the future voice of the people. Padayun, future Mayora."

"Padayun, future Senator," Risa said as she kissed Alicia before they entered the airport for boarding. Risa just watched her loved ones walking away from her. She cried and sat in the waiting chair.

---

Alicia arrived safely, pagod na pagod siya at gusto na niyang matulog. Bukas na niya aayusin ang mga gamit nila. Gavin and Calvin were already asleep—it was already midnight, but when she lay down, she couldn’t fall asleep. Suddenly, her phone rang.

"Hello, good evening. Who's this?" she asked.

"Is this Marco Cristobal's fiancée?" the girl on the other line asked.

"Yes, speaking," Alicia said as she stood up and sat.

"Marco Cristobal was involved in a plane crash. He's now at East Wood Medical Hospital." Alicia was shocked, barely holding her phone. She was trembling and worried about Marco's condition.

"What happened? Shit! Kamusta siya?" She quickly changed her clothes and woke Maris to look after the twins.

---

It was a 5-hour drive. Alicia had just gotten her driver’s license last month, and this was her first long drive. The plane had crashed in a remote area in Banawi, but fortunately, it landed in a field, and no civilians were injured, only crops.

When she entered the hospital room, she saw Marco's mother, Elena, waiting outside.

"Ma, anong nangyari?" His mother hugged her.

"He's still unconscious, Alicia. His condition is serious, but it's a good thing he managed to jump out before the plane exploded. The pilot died," Elena said, crying. Alicia was so worried about him. After all, once in her life, she loved Marco, and she still LIKES him.