Tipping Point

Codename "Bruha"

A/N: For those who have read Titas of Philpol, pretty much everything in this chapter is pretty familiar to you. That's because this story is an expansion of the two Pia/Loren oneshots in that book. The story is set in the same universe as Life with Sasa, which means Risa and Leni are together in this story.

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January 2016: It's done. The budget has passed and was signed by the President. 1 billion slashed off, just like the plan was. They got what they wanted, right? All good?

But now that it's all sank in, Loren could honestly say that all was not well. And things were certainly not well between her and Pia right after. She was pretty sure she was dead in Pia's eyes, and surprisingly, that's the part that stung the most.

The last thing she said after all that? "I don't think I could trust you any more."

Loren sighed. "Pia's right. She can't trust me. I can't even trust me anymore."

Had the tables been turned and Pia sabotaged her pet advocacies, she would've done the same thing. If only she could turn back time. If only she didn't coalesce with him on the very thing she was most passionate about for the past years.

But perhaps the biggest mistake was not being upfront about it with her, and now years and years of shared tears and shared experiences and shared hugs and numerous kisses all gone in one fell swoop. And it was all her fault.

If only she could get a chance to make amends with her again. She would do anything. Absolutely anything just to get her back.

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Fast forward to July 2017, and it's SONA day once more, which meant Senate and House of Representatives convene in one room. The stripped down tradition initiated by President Duterte continued this year, as it did for the past couple of years. Regardless, the red carpet provided a quick respite until the President takes the podium to report how the nation has fared the past year.

Most congressmen would use the opportunity to schmooze their cohorts in the upper chamber, hoping that one day it would be their turn. But one congresswoman, in particular, someone no stranger to the upper chamber, isn't looking forward to these joint sessions.

Pia dusted off her suit, hoping to have a relatively uneventful day when she heard the distinct staccato of one particular senator. The one senator Pia once trusted, even considered a close confidante and friend. At least, that was how their colleagues knew they were, not really aware of what happened between them behind the closed doors of their homes.

That was, until that one time she approved the slashing off 1 Billion pesos off the budget for the Reproductive Health Law implementation.

By then, she's pretty much dead to her. Gone. Inexistent.

Even her voice grates her to no end now. Paano kaya natatagalan, or even worse, nakakaibigan nina Risa 'to? Napakaplastik nang bruhang ito.

Now that's she's in the House, Pia's been out of the Senate circuit loop, except from the feedback she's getting from her brother and other friends. Even Risa, of all people she expected to be on her side, was all praises about the good senator. Nakakalimot ba siya sa nakaraan? Or nadala lang ng hinayupak na boses?

Just when she thought she's not gonna see her, of course the bitch walks in with her plastic face (and she's just not talking about surgery) and her plastic smile and her plastic-sounding voice. And her chiseled cheekbones and elegant hair, Dios mio...

"Congressman Pia! Long time, no see." Loren approached her, reaching out her hand.

Pia used her most enthusiastic fake smile and shook her hand, but the mocking, snarky tone on Pia's voice still gave her scorn away. "Glad to see you, Senator Loren."

Ang lambot ng hands niya...Just the way I remembered them.

Pia couldn't believe what her mind just said. Okay, Pilar, be cool. Past na siya, hindi present. You hate this woman, remember?

"Kamusta naman buhay sa House? Miss ka na namin sa Plenary Session, eh."

Her eyes shifted away from her, trying to sound curt and formal. "Okay naman. Medyo bawas ng stress. Nakakapagtraining pa."

Pwede bang umalis na siya? Wait, no...but...

"Good. See you around, Pia."

Loren waved goodbye and held eye contact a little longer than she usually did, making Pia's heart melt like warm butter.

Her voice trailed and Loren faded from view. Glad that was over with, considering it would be a while for her to be able to trust Loren again.

But then, thump, thump, thump, thump...There it goes again. That feeling Pia wanted to not feel but she still did.

Don't tell me I'm still not over her after all the while.

Pia gulps.

Thankful that no one else probably saw her, she didn't want to continue on with the rest of her thought anymore.