Titas of Philippine Politics: In Snapshots [Multiple Pairs]

Open Secret [Risa/Leni]

President Digong's SONA had went on for the past two hours. It's a huge contrast to President Noy's previous SONAs. The sudden tirade of cuss words and finger pointing kept the crowd on their toes, not knowing who would get the receiving end of his word gun.

VP Leni, on the other hand, sat there crossed arms - look of total unimpression etched on her face. She became so focused on his every move and word that she didn't notice Risa taking the vacant seat beside her when she finally looked away from him. "Risa, ano ginagawa mo dito?"

Risa gave her a wry smile. "Napadaan lang naman ako. Galing CR, eh."

"...May CR naman sa side niyo, ah."

"Ayoko. May mumu dun."

Leni chuckled at Risa's very much fabricated excuse. "Aminin mo na lang na namimiss mo na ako at gusto mo lang ako makita."

"Di, ah. Nag-CR lang talaga ako."

Leni clutched her chest, feigning hurt on Risa's denial. "Aray naman. Di mo ako namimiss? Sakit sa puso."

This sent Risa to a barrel of laughter, practically kicking the table in front of her. She loved it when Risa laughed like that

They've had been dating for almost a year now. It all started when Risa asked her out on a date after the Akbayan thanksgiving party in which Leni was also invited to.

Somehow, Leni already knew several stolen glances and veiled love letters later that in some level Risa had a thing for her even before they were elected, but she almost turned her down, considering that first, she always thought of herself as straight, and second, she swore off dating after Jesse's death.

In hindsight, Leni's glad she didn't.

Certainly not when in the middle of the President's nth tirade and Leni's starting to get more agitated, Risa reached out her hand under the table and held Leni's so gently yet so firmly at the same time and let their fingers intertwine, which in turn made Leni blush as red as the beef caldereta she had for lunch.

By this time, the butterflies in her stomach just won't quit. She wanted to kiss Risa right then and there, but the circumstances meant this would have to do.

Remembering that Risa isn't in her proper seat, Leni reminded her, but still holding her hand. "Di ka ba babalik? Baka hinahanap ka na nina Leila, nina Grace."

"Bahala sila. Alam na ng mga bruhang 'un kung nasaan ako pag di na ko bumalik sa Senate area."

Lenisnickered and playfully tapped Risa's forearm on the mention of Risa's codenamefor her barkada in the Senate. "Gaga ka talaga!"