Echoing of Power and Passion

67 (Fiesta)

They arrived at 11:30 AM sa mismong Barangay hall ng Bamban. Everyone was waiting for them, pati ang ibang staff ni Risa ay nandun rin, at yung iba ay nasa covered court. May Mass ng 12 noon kaya they needed to rush para makaabot sa misa.

"Happy Fiesta, Kap! Kamusta tayo dito?" Alicia asked while talking to Kap. Tonio, one of her relatives.

"Okay naman dito, Waping. Lika, kain tayo sa loob. Tas mamayang gabi, dun tayo sa bahay, huh?" he invited her, but Alicia refused kasi kumain na siya sa bahay.

"Pasensya na, Kap, but I'm good," Alicia said. Kap Tonio just smiled and respected her. Kap guided them into his office, and when they entered, Alicia saw a familiar figure of a woman sitting on the couch, talking to one of the Barangay Councilors.

"Oh, we also have a visitor—"

"VP Leni!" Risa smiled as she saw VP Leni. Leni stood up and rushed to walk closer to her.

"Oh my God, I miss you so much, Sen. Risa!" she immediately hugged Risa tightly without even thinking that Alicia was there. Risa felt a bit awkward when Leni hugged her.

Patay na naman ako nito, she said in her mind while pretending to smile and entertain Leni.

"Nasaan yung MGA ANAK NAMIN?" Alicia said, tila nagpaparinig ito kay Risa habang kasama si Leni sa couch, nagkukwentuhan. Ate Ching entered the office together with the twins. They all ran to Risa, calling her Mommy. Leni was confused when the twins called her that.

"Anak mo?" she asked, still looking confused.

"Oo, anak namin," Risa said calmly, but the tone of her voice revealed sarcasm. Risa noticed it and smiled a bit to hide her nervousness. The twins sat on Risa's lap.

"Oh, you must be Mayor Alicia Faye Go—"

"Hindi po, VP Leni. I'm Mayor Alicia Faye Go AGUERRO," Alicia smiled sarcastically and looked at Risa.

"Oh, so you must be Sen. Risa's girlfriend—"

"Her wife, di ba, Love?" She looked at Risa while raising her eyebrows. Risa panicked.

"Ahm, y-yeah, ahm—VP Leni, she is my wife," Risa stammered. The twins giggled and hugged their Mommy Risa. "And these are my sons, Gavin and Calvin."

"Hello po, VP Leni," they smiled and waved at her. Leni was amazed and pinched the twins' cheeks.

"Oh, kilala niyo ko? Nice to meet you, big boys!" she said while smiling at them. The twins just smiled back and hugged Risa once again.

"Ganyan lang, anak, bakuran niyo yang nanay niyong may umaaligid na linta" Alicia said in her mind while her face remained smiling, but she knew Risa understood her true feelings.

"I'm sorry to interrupt you, Senator and VP Leni, but the Mass will start in 10 minutes, so we have to go to the church na po," the SK Chairman said. They stood up and got ready to go to the church. As they exited the office and walked down the hallway, Alicia and Risa were walking together, with Leni behind them. The pain Alicia felt from last night seemed to fade away because of the jealousy she felt when she saw Risa and Leni hug each other.

Parati yung gumugulo sa isip ni Alicia, beast mode na talaga siya, but at this point, she grabbed Risa's hand and held it so tightly that her nails dug into Risa’s arm, causing her to wince.

"Love, sorry na, ahhh ang sakit," Risa said while continuing to walk.

"Wag kang gagawa ng kagagohan, Theresia. Lagot ka sakin pag-uwi, maliklintikan ka talaga!" Alicia whispered, making Risa feel nervous. They acted normal in front of everyone, smiling and talking as if nothing had happened between them.