Titas of Philippine Politics: In Snapshots [Multiple Pairs]

Golden Gift Bag [Grace/Leni]

Leni didn't expect so much to happen in the first year of her vice presidency. Not only was she able to secure five satellite offices all over the country, with three more in the works, but she managed to secure some deals in the private sector in building a prototype of how documents would be disclosed under the supply-driven version of the FOI bill to be presented to the Senate. "So eto ung sinasabi ko na dapat supply driven. Kailangan talaga naka-upload diyan for the people's perusal."

Grace marveled at the working prototype Leni just got – puzzled that she herself as the principal sponsor for the Senate version didn't think of how much simpler things would be. "Di ko alam kung bakit pinipilipit namin sarili namin sa logistics ng demand-driven eh. Tama ka - bakit natatakot pag wala naman tinatago."

Happy that Grace is finally getting her proposal after many years. "Right. Okay, isend ko sa iyo ung link nito tapos ito gamitin niyo para ipresent sa floor. Tapos balitaan mo ako what happens after."

Grace nodded. After a slight pause, she then added, handing Leni a small golden gift bag. "Nga pala, I remembered na today is your birthday. Well, nag stop-over muna ako before coming here and got you this."

Leni beamed when Grace gave her the gift. "Ay thank you, Grace. Open ko na ba."

"Sige lang." Grace said.

Taking care not to ruin the gift bag, Leni opened it to find two packs of ChocNut and a box of premium green tea inside. Her face lit up when she took a look inside. "Oh my God, Grace. Salamat nang marami. Kanina pa naman ako nagccrave ngayon pa naubos ung stock ng Chocnut sa pantry."

Grace loved how Leni found so much joy in such little things. In the years they've known each other, they only really got to interact much the past year, and they've gotten closer since then. "Muntik ko na ngang hakutin ung stock nila dun eh."

Leni's brown eyes sparkled even more. "Thank you talaga."

"You're welcome, Leni." Grace responded. "May plans ka ba for tonight."

"Dinner lang naman kasama buong batalyon." Leni chuckled.

A naughty smirk appeared on Leni's face. "Pero before that kami munang dalawa."

Grace spaced out for a split second before she comprehended what Leni meant. "Aba, 'Mars. Risa was either right about you or ikaw ang nahahawa sa kanya."

Leni swatted Grace's shoulder. "Ano ka ba, Grace? Makulit naman talaga ako, eh."

"No, but...You know what I mean."

Still cracking up in fits of laughter, Leni opened one pack of Chocnut, which she and Grace devoured in one sitting while reading satire articles from Leni's computer.