More Than Words

After party

"Will you go later, mahal?" Leni asked me as we cuddle in her bed at 5am. 

"I don't know pa. I have a meeting later, e. I'll try my best na humabol. Okay?" I kissed her forehead and nuzzled on her neck. 

Sabay kaming naligo at nag-ayos para pumunta sa kani-kaniya naming lakad. I know her day would be so busy since she'll be preparing for the Angat Buhay launch later. 

"I'll use my car kasi isasabay ko rin 'yong ibang staff. Gusto mo ihatid na kita sa pupuntahan mo?" Leni asked. 

"Susunduin ako ni Issa. She's on her way na nga, e. Tsaka out of the way 'yong pupuntahan ko."

Lumapit siya sa akin at hinawakan ang mukha ko. 

"You're so pretty. As always," she said and then kissed my forehead. 

Her fingers traced my left arm until it reached my wrist. Smile appeared on her lips when she held the pink leather band that was on it. 

"Hindi mo talaga nakakalimutan suotin 'to, 'no?" 

"Of course. Bigay mo 'yan, e. Tsaka it's a reminder that I fought with you."

Kinuha niya ang dalawa kong kamay at hinalikan ito. 

"I'm just so lucky to have you by my side. I don't know how my life would be if I didn't meet you."

Sabay kaming bumaba sa lobby at nagpaalam na siya agad. 

"Take care, okay? Drive safely," I reminded her.

"Opo, madam."

We just kissed each other's cheeks and  waved goodbye to each other. 

Hindi rin naman nagtagal at tinext na ako ni Issa na nasa labas na siya. 

Past 5pm na nang matapos ang lahat ng engagements ko sa araw na ito. Hindi na ako nakaabot sa launching at sa after party na lang siguro ako pupunta. 

Leni texted me that they're already at the venue. Umuwi muna ako sa bahay at nagbihis saka nag-drive papunta doon. 

When I reached the venue, people flocked and greeted me, expressing their warm congratulatory remarks. 

"Hi, Sen! Congratulations!" Miss Mylene Dizon approached me with her jolly energy. 

"Salamat, Mylene." 

Maraming mga artista ang nandito. Those who are also present in the rallies during the campaign period. 

The entire crowd are just so positive and calming despite the number of people there are in here. 

Hindi naman nagtagal ay nahagip na ng mata ko si Leni. She was talking with her staff probably instructing something.

Nakita ako ni Rona at sinenyasan ko siya na 'wag muna sabihin kay Leni na nandito ako. I want to surprise her. 

Nang matapos nang makipag-usap si Leni sa mga staff niya, lalapitan ko na sana siya nang lumapit si Agot at binigyan siya ng sangria. 

They talked and Leni was laughing. 

Kainis. Tuwang-tuwa ka, ha? Tss. 

Nawala na ako sa mood. Saktong may dumaan na waiter kaya kinuha ko 'yong sangria na nasa tray niya. Nagulat pa siya. Nginitian ko siya at pinasalamatan bago siya umalis. Then, Mylene approached me again.

"Nag-iisa ka ata, Sen?" 

E kasi 'yong dapat na kasama ko may kasamang iba. 

"Nagpapahinga lang. Napagod ako sa dami ng  ginawa ko sa buong araw, e." 

"Ako na lang sasama sa'yo, Sen. May iba ring kasama 'yong dapat na kasama ko, e." 

We both chuckled. 

Magaan kasama si Mylene. She's so witty and full of energy. Hindi nauubusan ng kwento. 

"May one time pa no'ng nasa set kami, sobrang galit na galit 'yong direk--"

"Hi," she was cut off by someone. Wow, cold voice, "nakakaistorbo ba ako?" she continued. 

Oo. Nagkwekwentuhan kami ni Mylene. Doon ka na sa Agot mo. 

"Ay, Attorney, ikaw pala 'yan! Nako, hindi naman po. Nagkwekwentuhan lang po kami ni Risa."

Leni smirked. I know what she has in her mind. 

"Pwede ko ba munang mahiram si Risa? May pag-uusapan lang kami," she said emphasizing my name. 

Mylene smiled at her and nodded.

Hinawakan ako ni Leni sa pulsuhan at hinatak paalis doon. Sinusubukan kong tanggalin ang pagkakahawak niya pero mas lalo niya lang hinihigpitan. 

Hindi naman masakit. Kaya ko naman talagang tanggalin. Hindi ko lang nilalagyan ng pwersa. 

"Ma'am, nandito na po sina--" 

Aica approached us but was ignored by Leni. I mouthed "sorry". Nagets niya naman agad nang makita niyang nakahawak sa akin si Leni. 

When we reached the restroom, she immediately checked kung may tao ba. When she found none, she quickly locked the restroom's door. 

Saka niya pa lang ako binitawan after no'n. Namula ang pulsuhan ko at lumambot ang mata niya nang nakita 'yon. 

"Bakit ka ba nanghahatak bigla?" I raised my eyebrows and crossed my arms on my chest. 

"Hindi ka man lang nagsabi na nandito ka na pala. Tapos makikita ko lang na masaya kang nakikipag-usap sa iba?" 

I  scoffed. 

"Ikaw pa talaga ang may ganang magsabi niyan? Tss. Atleast ako hindi tumanggap ng drinks at wagas kung makatawa sa kwento ng iba. Nag-blush pa nga. pit-lapit niyo pa sa isa't isa kala mo naman talaga isang kilometro 'yong layo niyo.." I whispered the last part. 

She laughed and went  near me. 

"Anong nakakatawa? 'Kala mo ba natutuwa ako, Leni? Ha?" 

She went on my back and hugged me from there. Her face nuzzled on my neck. Nakiliti ako nang tumawa siya. 

She rested her chin on my shoulder and kissed my cheek. 

"The reason why I blushed was because she mentioned your name. Apparently,  she  knows about us. Inaasar niya ako kaya tumawa ako. We were talking about you. How kind," she kissed my neck, "generous," my cheeks, "gorgeous," my chin, "and lovely you are," she made me face her. 

She held my face and kissed my nose. 

"I love you, mahal. 'Wag ka na magselos. Ikaw lang naman dahilan kung bakit ako nagblu-blush, e. No one else. Gano'n ang epekto mo sa akin." 

I am trying my very best not to smile, but I failed. 

"Uy ngumiti na.." she teased me. 

"Huwag mo akong asarin, Leni. Papatulugin talaga kita sa sofa kahit condo mo 'yon," pinandilatan ko siya. 

Hinalikan niya ako at niyakap. 

"Hindi na nga po. I love you."

"I love you.." I hugged her back.

"Pero 'di ko pa rin nakakalimutan 'yong tawa mo habang kausap si Mylene kanina. 

Mukhang sa ibang bagay na lang ako babawi mamaya.