⚠️ Disclaimer: This is a fictional work. Any events, characters, or occurrences mentioned are a product of the author's imagination. Furthermore, the real-life scenarios recounted are completely coincidental.
Remind yourself that this is an alternate universe—don't take it too seriously and learn how to distinguish the difference in real life. What stays in Wattpad, stays in Wattpad. Happy? Happy.
✎...
The days are growing faster and the time is becoming shorter. Elections are fast approaching, and Vice President Leni Robredo and her running mate, Senator Kiko Pangilinan, as well as their senator slates and staff, are as frantic as ever.
It was a difficult task, attending to all sorties in different locations far apart while conducting her duties as Vice President. Nonetheless, she did not give up and continued to pursue her devotion to making a concerted effort for every Filipino.
When she takes a short break, she goes home to unwind. Yes, the home that meant her three daughters, who made her feel complete and are the reason she lives.
However, there is just one individual who floods her consciousness on a daily basis.
She can feel delicate eyes staring at her whenever she speaks to her supporters, presenting her speech to all attendees at the rally as if she's the only person there in the latter's world.
That gaze jerked her body around, causing it to shudder. Perhaps she was overwhelmed, but Leni's peripheral vision will come to a halt when her mouth forms a smile.
Thinks about the woman who stared at her for how long while she sat down and attempted to listen to the performers and the cheering audience screaming at the top of their throats.
"Bakit ginugulo mo pa rin ang aking isipan, Ana."
Seemingly out of her thoughts, she accidentally spoke it out loud, luckily the loud music was blasting out and no one heard it. Leonor umayos ka, straighten your posture and function properly. She constantly reminded herself to remain calm, but how? Not when she's at a place breathing the same air with the person she ghosted a long time ago—the person that had first caught her heart before her widowed husband.
"I was so scared to face my fears
Nobody told me that you'd be here
And I'd swear you moved overseas
That's what you said when you left me
You still look like a movie
You still sound like a song
My God, this reminds me, of when we were young"
✎...
1982.
Back in her high school days, Leonor was a "study first" girl and promised to herself that she won't get attached to romance until the age of 20. She excels in academics, therefore she has no doubts. Not only did she make her parents proud, but nearly everyone in her hometown idolized her.
She had crushes or would frequently fawn over a celebrity. In her personal relationships, she found no romantic interest. Perhaps she isn't interested in men.
Girls, in particular.
What had made it difficult for her to consider her sexuality? There were a few LGBT+ people during the time. Because the generation was not well-educated in terms of learning who they truly are, they stayed heterosexuals. But is she even straight to begin with?
✎...
Her family planned to take a vacation in Rizal to celebrate their daughter's academic success. This was not Leonor's first flight to a different state; she enjoys the excitement of temporarily leaving her hometown to explore new surroundings. It was challenging to book a ticket because most of them were prohibitively pricey, simply out of their budget range. Furthermore, they are now resting comfortably inside the plane during the flight.
They arrived at their hotel for a three-day stay, which took them about an hour because public transportation isn't retrofitted. Leonor wasn't tired or didn't get the jet lag so she asked permission from her parents if she can unwind outside and explore the nearby area beside the hotel.
While she was strolling around, she was drawn to a woman who she assumes is her age. The woman was sitting on a bench, scribbling something in a journal that she couldn't describe. Her elegant features were meticulously studied, beginning with the woman's wavy black hair tied up to a ponytail, striped t-shirt, maong jumpsuit, and multi-colored slippers.
She has no idea where she got her guts to approach the woman, she instantly feels comfortable without even knowing her. "Hi! Dito ka nakatira?" Her unusual enthusiasm flinched the woman inadvertently. Leonor looked at the woman's puzzled expression and the woman turned her head in both directions to see if she had mistaken the wrong person.
"Yes, ikaw 'yung tinutukoy ko," Leonor says, assuming the woman is shy, but the two are on the same page in terms of confidence. "I'm sorry, but it's unusual for a stranger to approach me out of nowhere. Uhm...I'm Ana Theresia, but call me Risa." Leonor was thankful when Theresia stopped making a baffling grimace; otherwise, she'd be at a loss for words. "Kala ko naman hindi ka umiimik eh. Maria Leonor pala, Leni for short." Leonor's cheeks warmed as the doubtful happiness was seen on her face.
Bakit umiinit yung pisngi ko?
"To answer your question, hindi ako taga rito," Theresia begins, "Vacay lang kami here eh, sa Manila ako nakatira." She flashed a smile at Leonor. "Nag-vacation din kami, sa Naga naman ako nakatira hehe." With the unexpected connection of the two women sharing a similar purpose on why they are here in Rizal.
"Sa Naga?! Ang layo niyo pala! "Leonor laughed off Theresia's bewilderment, but continued, "Buti nakahanap ng murang ticket, dito pala kami matutulog for 3 days." Theresia motioned Leonor to sit alongside her as they continued their conversation. "Happy! Dito rin kami nag-stay, sa second floor." They exchanged room numbers so they could see each other for the second time.
"Last day na namin bukas, sayang ngayon lang tayo nagkita." Theresia's expression shows her disappointment, but she asks herself, why would she long for a girl she barely met?
"Edi sulitin natin," she says. "Bonding tayo mamaya hanggang bukas, tapos tignan natin kung ano ang mangyayari sa susunod..." Leonor was caught off guard gazing at Theresia's eyes when she shouldn't have been. "You have that much trust in me? Sure ka na ba sa'kin?" There was no double meaning to what Theresia had said, but Leonor gave it another interpretation—once again, she shoudn't be thinking it that particular way.
"Hindi mo naman siguro ako hahanapin pa, sino ba naman ako?" Leonor giggled at her intended joke, still unsure whether they had begun a friendship or nadala lang sa emosyon. "Drama mo, you've become my new friend! Kahit malayo hahanap-hanapin pa rin kita Maria Leonor," Theresia muttered, and she wanted to curse. Leonor chastised herself for watching too many romantic films, but the difference is that they are both girls in their world.
"Tara? Kain tayo ice cream? Meron pa akong barya dito," Leonor added, implying that she wants to know more about her new 'friend.' Theresia consented without hesitation and clutched her right hand firmly to walk her to an ice cream shop.
A dramatic stop-motion revoked around the two in breathtaking scenery, coming out like a sentimental film. Smiles that gleamed like a lost star discovered their spark for the first time. It was a signal from above, according to Leonor. They were destined to meet in their universe, gradually discovering what lies ahead—something they both regretted.
"Oh, I'm scared to see the ending
Why are we pretending this is nothing?
I'd tell you I miss you, but I don't know how
I've never heard silence quite this loud
Now I'm standing alone in a crowded room
And we're not speaking
And I'm dying to know
Is it killing you like it's killing me?
Yeah, and I don't know what to say
Since the twist of fate, when it all broke down
And the story of us looks a lot like a tragedy now"
✎...