"Oo nga eh, Actually I'm thankful sa mga tao na may tiwala saakin, Thank you for trusting us at sa mga bumoto sa mga kasama ko thank you."
"Do you have any messages for VP Leni Robredo po?"
"Uhm, To my president, The battle has not yet ended. Patuloy tayo sa paglaban. I am thankful to you and Tropang angat. We will win. The Filipinos will win."
I had to make it short because I was at verge of crying. "Thank you Senator, We wish you luck on the Senate." Sabi nila and we bid farewell. I left the meeting and looked at my staff. They started sobbing. "Hali nga kayo dito." I said as I stood up and I opened my arms. They immediately rushed and we had ourselves a group hug.
"Labas niyo lang yan, We haven't lost." I said. Tears are now starting to slide down to my cheeks. " Natatakot po ako Sen." Rie cried. We hugged each other tighter trying to comfort the youngest staff.
"Titindig tayo, Don't let your fears control you." I said as we break from the hug but I went to her and hugged her tighter. We then stare at the TV. That was it 100% already, still the tropa hasn't been included in the list. "Uh Sen, I know its late na po but may emergency sa OVP, Kailangan na po natin pumunta doon."
Caloy informed. I wasn't able to ask what happened as we rushed to the parking lot. What is happening. Sana walang nangyaring masama kay Leni. My Pangga.
"Congrats Mars, Ingat."
"Congrats Ris!"
I have no time to reply to my colleagues as we were running our butts off. As we got to the elevator I asked Caloy. "Caloy what happened sa OVP ba't tayo pinapatawag?" I try to hide the my worries pero medyo halata sa boses ko. " I don't know rin po Sen, Bigla nalang nag message si Ate Rona na kailangan natin pumunta doon ASAP. "
Please, Please. wala lang mangyaring masama kay Leni. The doors opened and thankfully nasa harap na ng entrance ang van. "Manong pwede pakibilisan wala naman masyadong sasakyan." Sabi ko. "Any updates sa OVP?" I added.
"Not yet po Sen, Cannot be reach si Ate Kei." Gaile said. I took my phone out and contacted Leni. Please sumagot ka!
"Pick up Leni, Please pick up." I whispered.
"Sorry, the number you dialed is out of the coverage area, please try your call later."
Punyemas ang lakas ng signal sa OVP tapos hindi na matawagan? What if? No Risa don't think of that. They have the power but they wouldn't do that. Its too obvious.
"Malapit na po ba tayo Manong?" I asked. " 10 minutes nalang po Madam." He replied. I dialed Chel's number and thankfully he answered.
" Oh Risa, napatawag ka?" I can hear the sadness in his voice. "Dean, Do have any updates sa OVP? Hindi sumasagot si Leni pinapunta ako dun ASAP." I said.
"I've recieved a text as well I'm on my way na rin. Whatever you are thinking Risa, its not true. Don't let your mind play you." He said and I took that note. " Ok, See you Chel."
"By the way Risa. Congrats." He said before ending the call.
few minutes later we arrived at the OVP. Bakit naka open yung gate? Asan yung guard dito? Pumasok kami and patay naman ang ilaw ah? Prank ba to oh ano?
"Ay Senator, andito na kayo, kailangan niyo pong pumasok." Finally ayan si manong guard. "Manong anong nangyari?" I asked. "Pasok nalang po kayo." He said and left. Agad naman namin binuksan ang pinto at nakasalubong namin ang dilim.
Bigla nalang lumiwanag ang paningin ko. " Congratulations Senator!" Sigaw nila. My eyes calmed down from the brightness and there I saw. My Tropa. standing beside Leni who was holding a cake. I saw my Tropa's family. Sila Sharon and their kids, Aika, Tricia, Jillian, And the two dogs. Rocco and Diego.
Some artists and the staff. Also my kids. "Congrats Mama." They came up to me running ang trapped me with a group hug. " Akala ko may nangyaring masama dito, Bakit prepared kayo nahulaan niyo ba na panalo ako?" I said crying. Thank the Heavens she's safe.
"Dapat sana victory party kay Mama Leni, kaso ayun. So ikaw nalang po icecelebrate namin." Sinta said. I always love how my kids call her as their Mama. The kids and the Tropa knew about our relationship. "Congrats mahal." Leni said coming up to me as she gives me the cake. The kids
" Alam mo bwisit ka. Kinabahan talaga ako ng sobra." Sabi ko and hit her shoulder gently. "Hehe, sorry." She replied. Lumapit naman ang iba saakin to say congratulations. I was overwhelmed with emotions that I couldn't hold my tears.
"Oh, Trillanes ba't mo pinaiyak?" Sabi ni Teddy.
"Ha? Nag congrats lang naman ako eh, sorry Risa." He apologised kahit wala naman talaga siyang kasalanan. Buti pa siya nags.sorry ewan ko dun sa isa na may kasalanan sa bayan.
"Hindi yun, Umiyak ako kasi hindi ko kayo kasama, dapat tayong lahat kasama diba?" I sobbed. I felt a warm embrace, It was Leni. " It may not be destined to us for now Ris. Not at this time. But it is destined for you. Ikaw ang liwanag sa dilim Ris. Ikaw ang magbubuhat sa Senate."
"Eh dapat ikaw magbubuhat samin eh." I may be acting a baby right now but I can't handle it. "Tigil mo na yan umiyak Ris, Baka ma headline ka bukas, Senator Risa Hontiveros, Umiiyak nakulangan ng lambing sa Jowa." Biro ni Kiko kaya sinampal ni Sharon ang balikat nito.
Malakas ang sampal ha infairness. Dasurb. "Aray ko naman sweetheart." Bigla niyang niyakap si Sharon. "Tahan na Mahal, Let's celebrate muna ok, Wag na sad. Andito parin naman ako walang mawawala." Leni assured. "Andito lang kami sa likod mo ris, Along with the Filipino's who voted for us." Sabi naman ni Alex.
"Tara SHAT PUNO!" I yelled. Everyone in the room cheered. "That's my girl." Leni whispered. I recovered from my sadness. "We will always be here Mahal, not beside you but in the corner." She said and gave me a hug again as others went back to do their business. " I love you Pangga."
"I love you too mahal."
"Uy Dean Chel, halika nga dito." Sabi ko as I wiped my tears. Agad naman ito lumapit sakin. Agad ko naman sinampal ang balikat niya. "Boom Dasurb." Sabi ni Teddy.
"Aray ko naman, Leni oh jowa mo nananakit." Sabi ni Chel sabay masahe sa balikat niya.
"Pa acting-acting kapa andito ka lang naman." Tinarayan ko.
"Eh utos ni madam." Sabay turo kay Leni.
" Sa sofa ka matutulog mamaya." Sabi ko kay Leni at nag walk out, Di naman walk out lumayo lang para kumuha ng beer.
"Mahal nam-" I wasn't able to hear what she was about to say as her voice slowly fades.
Hays.
Victory party?
Start from the beginning
