Always And Forever

Hearing

The committee hearing was already underway when Senator Sherwin Gatchalian settled into his seat. Tables were packed with rows of microphones and printed reports thick enough to be classified as weapons.

The committee chair adjusted his microphone, "The hearing of the committee on public services is hereby called to order."

The room immediately quieted as the attendance was being checked. Present after present, the routine proceeded as expected, then to the opening statements. A representative from one agency began discussing budget utilization. A power point slide appeared on the screen filled with graphs and percentages.

Win listened while flipping through the briefing materials prepared by his staff. He was constantly taking notes with the numbers to verify later. Just the usual happenings, until...

"Ana Theresia"

Leonor's voice echoed through his head. He froze, his pen formed a dot where the tip rested a second too long.

"Ha?", He turned to his seat mate and answered almost instantly only realize that no one asked him a question.

Senator Bam Aquino who had been leaning on his swivel chair slowly turned his head, "I didn't say anything"

Win looked at him and cleared his throat, "Right".

Bam raised an eyebrow confused, "...Okay?"

"...which resulted in a projected increase of approximately twelve point four percent..." the resource person continued speaking which made both of the senators' attention snap back to the hearing.

"The chair now recognizes Senator Gatchalian" The chairman's voice echoed.

Win straightened, professional once more as if he wasn't hearing a voice in his head uttering the name of the doctor who got him interested lately.
He delivered a series of sharp questions, mostly derived from his short notes earlier. Policy, budget, implementation, every word was precise. Impressive as always.

The resource person visible hesitated before answering his questions. Even the committee chairman gave a slight nod.

Win's gaze just shifted from his notes and to the resource speaker, fidgeting his pen through his fingers.

"I forgot to ask if she got the sandwich", he uttered to himself after realizing and clicked his tongue. "Maybe na tanggap n'ya nga, I gave specific instructions" he muttered again shaking his head.

A gentle nudge landed on his elbow, "Senator Win", Bam said without looking at him, eyes still fixed on the witness stand. "Your mic is on".

In an instant, cold shivers traveled through his spine. His eyes darted to the microphone , the red light was in fact still on. Slowly, he lifted his gaze, the chairman was looking at him as well as the rest of the senators. Even the resource person stopped mid-sentence.

Bam on the other hand, pursed his lips trying so hard to remain the respectable senator he was expected to be. Pulling every once of self control to prevent himself from laughing. Across them, Senator Migz Zubiri already covered his face with his folder. Laughing so hard underneath.

"Come again, senator Gatchalian?" The chairman spoke.

"My apologies, Mr. Chair" Win tried to recover like the politician that he is. "I was merely thinking aloud"

A brief chuckle rippled across the room, then the chairman smiled faintly and continued the session.

The hearing carried on as if nothing happened. Well...at least.