Say You Won't Let Go

XVIII. Reply

A/N: Oh 'di ba? Sabi ko naman sa inyo eh. May maga-update rin soon (sana umabot 'to ngayong araw, lol), pero ayon na nga, maraming salamat at isa na namang sistema ang kinalaban natin at medyo nagtagumpay tayong makatapos mag-update ('di tayo sure sa part na ito kung today talaga, char!) Ayon, ito ay nakabatay na naman sa isang pangyayari sa tunay na buhay - ay char lang! Wala lang ito talaga. ;)

P.S. Short update lang ito ha dahil medyo tinipid tayo ng ating source. Czar! ;)

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"Test your audio and camera"

Digong scratched his head. "Del, pa'no man ito?" He moved the laptop to face his colleague.

Del stood up from his seat and helped his friend. "I-click mo lang ang Join Meeting, Mayor... Magkusa na 'yan."

He nodded. "Anak ng... Ganyan man pala' yan. Sabi ni Liling, mas madali ito kaysa do'n man sa..."

Del interrupted him. "Ayan na... Pinapasok ka na sa meeting."

He sat properly and started greeting the Mayors and Vice Mayors upon seeing them on the screen.

"Del, hindi man daw ako marinig. Dili man din ako makita sa screen."

"Mayor, i-on mo ang audio at camera."

He navigated the screen and turned his camera and audio on.

"Magandang araw man sa inyong lahat!" He waved and smiled shyly at them.

The participants greeted him in return. They talked about updates regarding LGUs' COVID-19 response as well as other issues concerning the nation. Being his usual self, Digong interjected a story (or a joke, perhaps) about something that happened to him a few days back.

"May update man kahapon si Leni... Nakipag-usap man sa inyo?" He asked the mayors.

Sec. Ano from DILG unmuted and answered his question. "Yes, Mr. President. May meeting po siya kasama ng mga Mayors at ibang local government officials no'ng mga nakaraang araw."

"Sinabi man sa aking no'ng nagka-... Dati man... Hindi pa nag-report man sa akin pagkatapos no'ng..."

He stopped to grab something on his desk.

"Nag-text man ako sa kaniya kagabi ba... Bago man ang meeting sa... Dili man nagsagot ang buang..." He laughed. He also saw the participants laughing. Even Del cannot stop himself from chuckling.

He continued. "Hanggang madaling-araw nag-message man... Nagtilaok na ang mga manok wala pang sagot 'yang si Leni..." Del laughed beside him.

He showed his keypad phone to the participants of the meeting. "Ito man ang... Maingay man ang keypad nito kapag nagtitipa ba... Tiniis ko man mag-ulit-ulit ng text dahil wala man ito no' ng... Dili man nase-save para magamit ulit sa susunod na message."

He returned his phone back to his desk and took a sip from his cup of tea." Kinumusta ko no'ng una... Hindi man nagsagot. Nag-sorry man ako... Hindi, totoo man... I apologized..." He raised his right hand, as if swearing that he really did that thing.

"I told her no'ng una... Ma'am Leni... Did I offend you? I am sorry if I did..." He looked serious then, shifted to his usual shy boy look. "Dili man nag-reply... Nagtampo man yata do'n sa nasabi ko sa media... Dili pa siya nag-update sa akin kung ano man ang nangyari sa..."

Del reminded him of the time. He bid his goodbye to the participants after telling them what he expects them to present next meeting.

For the nth time that day, he looked at his phone to check if she replied already. He just shook his head and chuckled.

"Nalintikan na ang buang..."

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