1971 {Rodrigo Duterte x Leni Robredo}

20 Last

It was a perfect night, he thought.

The skies were clear, stars twinkled as the moon gleamed its full radiance. The night had become deep and silent. Quiet. It smelled of freshly mowed grass and vanilla scented candles that filled the air with a certain kind expectancy.

He tapped his heel, stopped, looked at his watch and clicked his tongue.

12:05 am

Time drawled and dragged while he sat waiting for the woman of his dreams.

They had agreed to meet right after their schedules finished for that day. His meetings were done in a hurry just so he could proceed with their date and she hurried from her speaking engagement as well. Lorenzana had advised them to date in private until they've finally announced their relationship to the public, since they might be harassed by people who would see them. Pictures, edited and unedited, were already circulating on social media sites as people were trying to catch the two red handed.

Both of them agreed. However, they couldn't meet as much as they wanted to and so every moment they spent with each other had become more special.

When she reached Bahay Pagbabago, she half ran, half walked inside. She figured he must be near the pool waiting for her.

She saw him standing while looking up at the sky. He looked at peace. He was the home that could always come back to. A safe haven she could always rely on.

She slowly approached him from behind and covered his eyes with her hands.

He felt the warmth of her palms and the distunct scent if her perfume. He felt a warmth in his heart. She had always been worth the wait. A smile grew on his lips. She was here.

"Honeylet?" Digong blurted in jest, before she could even ask.

"Hoi!" She slapped his back and he chuckled loudly as he turned to look at her. Her brows furrowed and her nose flared. Her hands were on her waist. "Anong Honeylet? Nagmadali pa naman akong pumunta dito tapos may-"

He closed her mouth by pressing his lips against hers, catching her off guard. "Selosa man 'tong si mam."

Her anger vanished in an instant. "Ikaw kasi..." she pouted and his heart melted.

He laughed once more before opening up his arms wide. "Lika dito." She stepped closer and slipped her arms around him. She laid her head on his shoulder. He encased her with the welcoming warmth of his arms and softly kissed the top of her head. "Alam mo man ikaw lang ang mahal ko, diba? Pinapatawa lang kita Leni. 'Wag ka na magtampo, please?"

"Kainis ka talaga," she buried her face on the crook of his neck as she started laughing as well. It was silly how easily he could make her feel jealous, but the fact that she could forgive him just as easily was more ridiculous.

They stayed that way for awhile as they drank each other's presence.

"Alam mo ba kung anong pinaka-kinatatakutan ko mam?" He asked resting his cheek on her downy hair.

"Na mawala ako sayo?" She guessed.

"Isa na rin 'yun sa kinatatakutan ko. Pero yung pinakakinatatakutan ko mam, iba rin," he exhaled deeply. "Natakot man akong masaktan kita. Na dahil sa akin mapahamak ka. Na mahirapan ka. Nangyari na 'yun dati. Ayoko man mangyari uli 'yun," he confessed and held her tighter. "Gusto ko palagi marinig 'yung tawa mo. Makita 'yung ngiti mo. Gusto ko sana masaya ka palagi."

She felt the warmth of his words, her eyes welled up with tears.

"Ayoko man nakikita kang nahihirapan. Kung pwede lang ako magdala ng mga problema mo, gagawin ko," he continued. His words stirred her heart and yet she could tell that something was off with him.