Leni's POV
Calaruega Church, Batangas City
I try to keep my calm as I wait for the ceremonies to begin. Sec. Moises offered to be my partner for the events today and surprisingly, everyone agreed. It will be best if I will not walk the aisle with The President, they say.
"Lalim ng iniisip mo mam,"
I almost jumped hearing the whisper behind me. It was The President. The smile on my face appeared automatically.
"Sir,"
"You look beautiful mam,"
"Thank you po," I say as I shyly look down my shoes.
"Partner daw kayo ni Moises mam?"
"Yes sir," I look at him. "He invited me."
"He did?"
"Yes,"
He smiled. "He is a good man."
"Yes po," I looked around trying to locate Sec. "You'll be with Gov. Angel right?"
"Oo mam, di ka na available e,"
I chuckled. "Di mo kasi ako tinatanong e."
"Mam naman," He faced me as I laught at him.
"Sir, I'm just waiting for you," I held his hand nearest mine.
"Ano ba naman mangyayari sa atin mam kung ganito tayo palagi ano," he tightened his grip in my hand as we look around the still-empty church.
"Aga mo ngayon sir ha,"
"Grabe si mam,"
I laugh softly. "Sanay kasi ako na ako nagaantay sa'yo e,"
He laughed. "Pakasal na tayo mam o, habang wala pang tao."
"Hala siya," I giggled.
"Dali, bago pa magbago isip natin," He insisted.
"Di nga tayo makadecide kung anong meron satin, papakasal pa." I muttered under my breath as we hide our hands and lower our voices as some people start to come in.
"Ok times up, ayan na date mo." He said as he released my hand. We saw Sec. Moises approach us.
"Mr. President, Ma'am VP," He greeted. He shook our hands.
"Kaw na bahala kay mam, Moises, hanapin ko lang date ko," The President said as he smiled to me.
"Nakita ko na sya sa labas sir, hinahanap ka rin siguro." Sec. Moises told the President as the latter waived his hands to us and left.
Sec Moises faced me and smiled, "It is my honor to walk here with you ma'am." He said as he held my hand. I smiled.
--
Jesse's POV
Calaruega Church, Batangas City
Today is supposed to be a happy day. I invited Leni to be my date in the wedding and she agreed. I wanted to talk to her about a lot of things. I missed her. However last night, a tip was given to us that the wedding is a "hot spot". We planned the whole night until the wee hours of the morning. The objective: catch the pawn.
Everything was planned. From me being urged to work with OVP to me inviting Leni to be my date today, it was The President and I's idea to closely keep tabs on the Vice President in the next few days.
It is Leni who is actually putting heart to all this brain. When Digong and I planned, I set aside my reservations on his relationship with my wife, whatever it is. We had an agreement. I will honor that. But whenever one of us gets to meet Leni, it seems something is right or wrong in what we do.
I arrived early in the venue and so did she, as I expected. I was supposed to surprise her when Digong came by her side and talked to her. I observed from afar. They were flirting as I can see in her eyes and smile. My heart ached. She looked genuinely happy.
I don't know if she's aware yet.
If she's aware she's making life easier and harder for both Digong and I.
How can a woman do that to a man?
To men?
--
Digong's POV
I tried to act naturally the whole program despite being bothered by Leni's security. Everything is going as planned and I know I should not worry much. I also avoided looking at her as my partner keeps on looking at me as I do.
"Ruding – "
"I know, I know."
"You know what?"
"I know I keep on looking at her –"
"Stop it,"
"Why? Nagseselos ka?"
"Hah." She scoffed and pinched the side of my hips. I chuckled.
"That is a yes,"
"Nope. Yung kasama ni Leni magseselos."
"Huh?" I looked at her. She pouted her lips to their direction.
I looked and Moises eyes and mine met for a second before he looked down. I looked at Angel.
"Told you," She smirked.
I blinked. Now I know who told Moises what. I also noticed that Moises knows who my partner is when nobody knew who was taking who. I smiled. I wondered when they got to talk and what Angel could've told him about myself and Leni.
"Huy," She pinched my arm.
"Hmm?"
"Ok ka lang?"
"What did you told Moises?"
She blinked. She let go of my arm. She sighed. "Wala naman."
"Muntik na nya ako patayin," I chuckled.
"Ha?"
I looked at her and smiled weakly. "Well, buhay pa naman ako. But the information you gave out almost killed me."
"He likes Leni? Who is he ba?"
I held her hand. "Ok na, ok lang. We're good." I say to her as I look at Moises and Leni's direction.
Paano bibitiw kung ang tulak ay may haplos?
It is both clear and unclear, the line between the personal and professional relationship of myself and the Vice President. Whenever I don't see her, I long for her, I yearn for her, I am so hungry for her presence that I think I already mastered the art of bottling my feelings whenever I see her. When I see her, I try to keep my cool, think of her safety, think of the political status quo – but deep inside, I want her. I need her in my life.
When I first knew about Jesse, I was worried. Worried about myself and the feelings that grew into me. Ever since that day, I controlled myself and my impulses. For some reason, I tried not to be myself, which is hard. I tried to look at everything that is happening to myself and Leni as something "out of necessity" and not feelings "of purest intentions".
But she continued to be her nice, sweet, lady-like self. She's reserved, shy and mysterious, but she's also certain, firm and stubborn. I sometimes can't help but give in to our provocations or to our "purest intentions".
"Paano ba," I muttered.
"Huh?"
"Ikaw parin," I muttered again as I look at Moises and Leni put the chord on the bride and groom.
"Are you ok?" I felt her hand on my forehead.
"Sir?" I heard a voice in my back and I knew it was my security.
The Vice President slowly turned around to go back to her seat and is assisted by Sec. Espinosa. I noticed one of the floral patterns on her dress unusually light up.
"Si Leni," I say to my security.
"Yes sir?"
Bag!
The Vice President fell on the floor.
--