Jump Then Fall

VIII. Kulay Rosas ang Medyas

NAGA CITY, PH

It's weekend. Bongbong insisted on coming home to Naga to watch Leni and to spend time with her. She just got recovered from her fever.

It was a quiet afternoon, Leni sat on the dining room, a stack of documents on her lap, reading glasses slipping slightly down her nose. Even after being sick for days, she had gone straight back to work as if nothing had happened.

"Mommy?" Bongbong, who came from the bedroom, called. He saw her at the dining table, working. "You're not supposed to be working like that," he said.

She didn't even look up. "Sabi ng doktor, okay na ako."

"Sabi rin ng doktor, magpahinga ka," he countered.

She flipped a page. "This is light work."

He walked over and without warning, gently took the papers from her hands.

"Hey—" she protested.

"Confiscated," he said firmly.

She looked up at him, annoyed but amused. "Excuse me, Mr. President, that's official city business."

"And you," he replied, "are officially stubborn."

She leaned back against the chair, arms crossed. "Anong gusto mo?"

"I have a trip to the US next week," he said casually.

She narrowed her eyes immediately. "And?"

"And you're coming with me." He smiled.

She blinked. "What?"

"You heard me." He said.

She shook her head. "Hindi pwede. I just got back to work. Ang daming backlog sa office."

"I already checked your schedule," he said smoothly.

Her eyes widened. "You what?"

"Three days. That's all I'm asking. Delegated na lahat. Your team can survive without you."

She stared at him. "You went through my schedule?"

He shrugged, unapologetic. "Mayor ka, pero I'm still the President."

She laughed despite herself. "Abuse of power."

"It's actually called...strategic intervention," he corrected.

She stood, walking toward him, pointing a finger. "You're unbelievable."

"And you need rest," he replied, catching her hand gently before she could pull it away.

She softened, just a little. "I'm fine,"

He shook his head. "You say that, but you still get tired easily. I can see it."

She looked away.

"Come with me," he said, voice softer now. "No pressure. No speeches. Stay at the hotel, sleep, watch movies... pretend you're not a mayor for three days."

She smiled faintly. "Parang ang dali pakinggan."

"It can be," he said. "Plus—" he added, tilting his head slightly, "you get to see Tricia."

That made her pause.

"Punta ka sa Boston?" she asked.

He nodded, smiling.

She tried to hide it, but he caught it, the small shift, the mother in her winning.

"You planned that," she accused.