Romantic Short Stories [DUBREDO]

V. Back to Basics

After their meal and conversations full of laughters, Leni stood up and headed towards the fence of the rooftop to grasp some fresh air. Digong fixed the plates a bit and noticed Leni rubbing her hands on her arms like she was cold.

He took off his jacket and felt the cold breeze of the evening. He walked towards her and placed his jacket on her to keep her temperature at bay. His gesture surprised her, "uy, mas kailangan mo 'to."

"No, you're cold. Ayos lang ako." He refused. She blushed but she worried for him too, "ano ka ba, mas kailangan mo 'to. Hindi naman ako giniginaw." She insisted.

"Ayos lang, gagi." He laughed, "I'm from Davao. Sanay ako sa weather dito." He retorted.

She knew he wouldn't take it back. "Sige," she submitted, "pero kapag yung buto buto mo sumakit ha?" They laughed.

She took a step towards him and suddenly wrapped her arms around him. He was overwhelmed by her sudden embrace that he couldn't move his body.

"Yayakapin nalang kita para hindi ka rin lamigin." She explained as she rested her head on his chest. He slowly exhaled, his legs felt like a vegetable. He was so soft for her.

He smiled silently — appreciated her sweet gesture to keep him warm. She could hear his heartbeats next to her ear, it was beating fast but she was certain it was in sync with hers.

It was such an intimate moment for the both of them. They never really had the chance to be that close to each other for quite a long time. The last time she was that close to him was when he tried to protect her from the rebels several years ago during their term.

His eyes widened, "Leni bakit ka nandito?" His voice raised in worry. He looked around to make sure it was safe.

He was on the ground zero of Marawi siege and she went there. "Putangina, 'di ba sinabihan ko kayo—" he scolded his men after ordering them to stop her from coming to him at such high risk places.

His eyes were glaring in anger but she knew he was just worried of her safety, "sir, sir. Ako yon. Ako yung nagpumilit. Please." She calmed him down.

"Put–" he wanted to be mad but he was more of worried. "Leni, delikado rito alam mo naman yan, mahirap bang sumunod? Someone can bomb us here and we'll be both dead." He grumbled.

"Yun na nga e. Ikaw? Bakit ka nandito?" She replied calmly. The soldiers overheard their conversation. They felt doomed with her answering back.

They were all aware of how it pisses Digong off when he's extremely furious and someone continues to argue with him and oppose him — it's hell.

They all screamed in fear; inside their heads.

"Presidente ako Leni." He retorted.
"Vice president ako, Digong." She refuted.

The soldiers screamed louder inside their heads upon witnessing their leaders argue and Leni calling Digong by his name.

Digong panted, "it's not your mandate to go here Leni. Alam mo naman yan, abogada ka 'di ba? You took oath."

"Hindi mo rin mandate na magsuicide dito, Digong. Alam mo rin yan 'di ba?" She answered.

Putangina. The men couldn't express how blown away they are. Digong isn't storming out like the usual when someone answers him back in such way. They wanted to take Leni away from the president but he seems to be scared of the woman he's arguing with.

"You go back to Manila now." He ordered with a stern voice. "Delfin, ikaw na bahala rito." He called the defense secretary.

Leni was lost for a moment, "ha? Bakit ako lang? Hindi. Kasama ka. Babalik tayo ng Manila." She demanded.

All of them were aware that Digong's presence on ground zero isn't necessary but he was just a hands on leader that is why he wanted to stay despite the high risk.

Digong ran out of words to say. Leni is a woman of choice. She's very demanding and caring and he couldn't do anything about it.

A loud explosion suddenly agitated all of them. As soon as the terrifying sound came in, Leni squealed in shock, Digong immediately grabbed her and protected her with his own body incase of harmful flying debris.

The soldiers assembled and alerted themselves upon recovering from the sudden blast which they figured out occurred in about one kilometer distance.

Digong couldn't explain how alarmed and scared he was upon hearing the loud sound. He was si scared that Leni would get harmed, she felt his worry with how tight he held her on his arms. She was so terrified, he felt her hands trembling, she was breathing so fast.

They looked at each other and saw how scared they were for each other's safety after the unexpected blast. Since then, Leni knew Digong would do anything to protect her.

It was the first time they were that close, she recalled. After so many years, she had the chance to be that close again to him and she was certain that it never felt more right to be in his arms.

She slowly withdrew herself from the embrace. She traced his arm and as her hand landed on his hands, she lead them to her hips. She smiled at him, her eyes twinkled as she looked at the man of his life.

She draped her arms around his shoulders. His face were all red, his eyes were slightly teary and he was smiling at her.

"Sasayaw ba tayo ma'am?" He asked. "Paanong sasayaw wala namang tugtog?" They laughed, she gently pulled him closer.

As their laughters faded, she pressed her forehead against his and nuzzled the tips of their noses languidly. She closed her eyes and grasped the moment she's having with him.

Comfort dwelled in him, he gave him a soft stare as their face remained close to each other. He couldn't believe he was with her under the starry skies, he couldn't believe she was pulling him close as he held her with care.

She made his heart flutter like what she did to him when he first met her. He couldn't move but his heart was racing, his heart was happy.

She slowly opened her eyes and met with his soft gaze. She smiled sweetly and guided him by pulling him gently towards her.

Gusto ba niya halikan ko siya? Sandali hinahatak niya ako palapit. Malapit na yung labi namin sandali, baka magalit. Hahalikan ko na? Leni— he panicked and in just a split second, their lips finally met.

He was breathless as their lips locked. She was pulling him closer, pressing her lips firmer against his. He slowly began to reciprocate the kiss, animating his lips and matching it with hers. He languidly sucked her lower lip.

She tilted her back a bit making him lean towards her, their kiss deepened, he held onto her hips tightly.

Butterflies swarmed his stomach as he felt her smiling in the midst of their kissing. She slowly withdrew and flashed a blushing face with a big smile on her lips.

She was almost breathless. She couldn't believe she almost forgot how good kisser he was.

No it wasn't the first time their lips met. Probably their third but it was just that moment that she truly appreciated him.

As their lips parted, he didn't know what to feel. Joy that they kissed? Anxiety that she might regret it? Fear that she might change her mind about it? He was a mess but her smile somehow relieved him.

She was blushing, she was trying to control her lips from smiling so wide. She was explicit but she was still that reserved lady he knew.

"Ligpitin na natin yung mga tupperware." She suggested before the silence swallow them both.

He was left speechless but definitely with a smile on his lips because of the woman he loves.