Tipping Point

Past History

Loren didn't really have much energy or drive to go around the plenary hall like she used to do the Monday after the encounter. 

Instead, she sat down and immersed herself in her paperwork while her fellow senators gave their all in a privilege speech and the succeeding interpellations trying to keep her mind off of that encounter with Pia a couple of days ago.

In fact, she didn't even notice the time fly by until she heard the three bangs of the gavel signalling that the session had already adjourned. Her hopes of quietly slipping out of the session hall were dashed Risa called her attention. "Uh, Ate Blossy, pwede ba tayong mag-usap saglit? In private?"

"Uhh, sige." Loren said, shoving her papers in her briefcase.

Risa then led her to an empty conference room and locked the door. Once Loren was settled down, she sat on the seat beside her. "Ate, ano ba nangyayari sa iyo?"

"Huh? Nothing's happening with me. Just the same Loren you usually see."

"Kanina ka pang committee hearing wala sa sarili. At ang tahimik mo ngayon."

Loren snapped at her, already tired of someone hovering above her like she thought Risa was doing. "I don't know what you're talking about. Now can I please leave? Ang dami ko pang gagawin."

She stood up to walk out of the room but gasped when Risa grabbed her wrist. She then tried to wrestle with her but Risa's grip only became tighter. "Risa, let me go! Kailangan ko nang umalis."

To show her that she meant business, Risa looked at her straight in the eye and called her by her actual name this time. "Loren, I know something is bothering you. Kilala kita."

Realising that Risa now has the upper hand, Loren sighed in resignation. "Okay, I'll tell you, but can you please let go of my wrist?"

Risa released her grip and let Loren sink back to the chair. "If you really must know, nagka-nightmare ako about sa impakta na un last night."

"Sorry medyo na-senior moment ako dun pero sino si impak-- oh..."

After it dawned upon her who she was talking about, Risa shook her head as she realized how long it has been since the two of them have talked. "Teka, ano bang nangyari sa inyong dalawa? Sabi mo best friend kayo pero parang ang lalim naman ng pinaghuhugutan mo pag siya na pinag-uusapan natin."

Loren shuddered at Risa's mention of the words "best friend". Perhaps it's time Risa knew the truth about the real nature of their relationship then. "Bubsy, I think it's time for you to know the truth: Pia was not my ex-best friend. Ex-girlfriend ko siya."

Risa's eyes widened like saucers at Loren's sudden revelation. Not so much her being involved with another woman, but more so being involved with someone close to her age group, and a fellow senator back then at that. "Teka, kailan pa?"

"Around 2009 to around 2012, on and off kami. Then nung na-finalize na ung annulment ni Pia, nag-tuluy-tuloy na kami for the three years. Unfortunately around Christmas naging constant na ung mga away namin. The RH law budget thing was the straw that broke the camel's back, ika nga."

Loren paused for a while before continuing. "But I've moved on. The past is the past."

Risa raised an eyebrow. "Ikaw? Nag-move on? Weh? Di nga."

"Totoo. I'm very much over her." Loren insisted, but a faint blush appeared on her cheeks, which gave her away. She bit her lip in an attempt to compose herself but hard as she try, Loren couldn't wipe the smile off her face.  

"Aminin mo na, Ate Blossy. May kilig factor pa rin diyan. Lumulutang ka pag siya na ang topic eh."  

She stared into space for a good while as she contemplated about the events that transpired over the weekend. "Bubsy, honestly, I want her back in my life in one way or another, but she won't even talk to me, and I'm scared to even try."

Risa patted her shoulder and gave her a slight smile. "Ate, I can't say I don't blame her, because obviously I'm on her side sa issue na yan, but ung sa personal issue niyong dalawa, well, I really don't know. What I do know though, is that kung may opportunity for you to cross paths with her again, then wag mo nang palampasin."

Not an answer Loren hoped for but she's thankful Risa said it. 

She smiled back at her before Risa gave her a warm hug. "Thank you, baby sis. Not the answer that I wanted, but it was probably one that I needed"

After that, both of them left the conference room and headed out to the parking lot and whisked off to different directions.