Sasa's Dollhouse

Babbling Brooks and Waterfalls

After a few more nights with barely any contact, Risa got another text message. This time, it came from Grace.

"Risa, punta ka dito. Sunduin mo si Leni at lasing na lasing na siya."

Risa rolled her eyes. Admittedly, she's still hurt about Leni but she grudgingly got in her car and made her way to Grace's house. "Hay, Leni, di talaga kita matiis."

Once she got inside, Grace excused herself for a smoke break, leaving just her and Leni in the living room. A gap separated the two of them as they sat on opposite ends of Grace's plush couch until Leni scooted closer towards her and planted little drunk kisses all over her face. 

Leni babbled unintelligible words at her, but Risa couldn't quite figure out what she was trying to say.

"Mmmh sorry..." Leni slurred.

"What?"

"I'm sorry, Risa. I love you..."

Risa tousled Leni's hair and gently laid her head on the pillow between them. "Sige, magpahinga ka na."

Leni continued babbling and gurgling until she drifted off to sleep.

"Mahal mo lang ako pag lasing ka." Risa sighed.

---

The following morning, Leni rubbed her eyes and woke up to a headache from hell and her back aching from her awkward sleeping position on Grace's couch. The sweet smell of oranges and freshly toasted bread filled the room until Risa came in with a tray of breakfast food.

"Morning, Leni. Kain tayo."

She didn't say anything else after but instead peeled the orange without saying a word.

"Risa? Mahal?"
"Hmm?
"I'm sorry..."

Risa nodded without looking up at her. "It's okay. Mahal mo lang talaga si Jesse. I understand."

The pit in Leni's stomach grew even deeper and she felt a twinge of pain in her chest. She didn't even realise how much it must have pained Risa too string her along like she did.

"Okay lang talaga, Pangga. Di kita pipilitin. I'll always love you naman, eh."

Finally, Risa looked at her in the eye and placed one hand on top of Leni's. "I know di mo masuklian nang buo. Pero kahit ganun, mahal pa rin kita. Three years ngs kitang hinintay, diba? Kung nakayanan kitang hintayin nang ganoong katagal, I can wait for more."

They looked into each other's eyes and found themselves slowly getting back to how things once were.

"Kain ka na, Pangga." Risa said in her usual sweet, delicate voice.

Leni choked the tears threatening to fall, but she can only hold back so much and the dam finally broke."I'm sorry, Sa. I'm so, so sorry." 

To her surprise, Risa wrapped her arms around her and shushed her. "Shh, tama na. I love you."

"I love you too. Promise, wala kang kahati. Ikaw lang talaga mahal ko."

Risa broke into a soft chuckle before kissing Leni on the lips.

"Ganda talaga ng tawa mo." Leni said dreamily. "Na-miss ko yan."

"Na-miss rin kita, Pangga. Teka, lumalamig na ung toast."

Leni took a piece of toast and grabbed a bite. "Okay lang, talu-talunan lang yan."

The two of them broke into barrels of laughter. All was well with the world again.