Chapter Text
They were watching the series intently in their respective side of the couch. Occasionally, Risa will tap Win's shoulder whenever there was a suspenseful part of the series. Yes, naghahampas si SenRi kapag nanunuod ng movie/series. Win will just say "Aray" and Risa will just apologize and they would just laugh it off. Even if they don't say it, both of them knew that they were having a moment right there and there. They binged the whole series because the speed was 2x and they did not start on the first episode (because both of them have the same pace watching the series).
"What else do you want to do?" Win said.
"I don't know, what do you have in mind?" Risa said, taking the chance to let Win decide on their next activity.
"How about we play board games?" Win suggested. He had a ton of board games in his office and he knows that she plays too. Risa's eyes lit up, her competitive face is on. Win smiled when he sees this. "I'll just get the boards in my office and then come back."
"I'll come with." Risa said which surprised Win.
"Is the gentlelady scared of the dark?" Win teased her.
"No, baka ikaw." she replied. And as if on cue there was thunder. Risa instinctively grabbed Win's arms. Win almost jumped because he too was scared by the loud noise. They looked at each other and both let out a laugh. 30 seconds passed and Risa was still holding onto Win. His face was bright red now. He was looking at her hand, she was looking at him, realized where he was looking at and she immediately let go.
"You can cling to me any time, Risa." Win said while fighting his katorpehan. This made Risa smile.
"Ang dami mong alam, Win. Tara na, let's get the board games. Tatalunin pa kita."
Risa was surprised by the sheer number of games that Win has in his office. They settled for Scrabble and Boggle since the other games required more than two players. They went back to Risa's office. They played scrabble first. Win let Risa play first and the she immediately got a seven letter word, plus 50 points agad. She grinned. Win smiled, but he did not look nervous. He rearranged the letters and strategically place them in the double word. Despite his efforts, Risa won the first round. They gave it another go, best of five. The second and third game went to Win. The fourth and fifth went to Risa which made her win the game.
"Did you lose on purpose?" Risa asked.
"No ah. You won fair and square. Ang galing galing mo. What prize do you want?"
"Prize? Wala naman tayong pinag usapang prize."
"Meron kaya." Win insisted. Wala talaga, gusto lang niyang may ibigay kay Risa.
"Give me options na lang." Risa said.
"Okay, I'll narrow it down to 4."
Option A: we can go see your favorite theater play.
Option B: we can visit the National Museum in Baler.
Option C: we can eat at Canto in Baguio.
Option D: we do everything.
"Win, all of those things are way too over the top." Risa said although she felt her heart drumming as if it's gonna fall of her rib cage. Hearing Win's suggestion almost felt like he was making a move, asking for a date. But unless otherwise stated, Risa stopped herself from assuming.
"But it's your prize for winning." Win tried to make an excuse. He's shooting his shot, using the scrabble win as an excuse. "And besides, I still have to make up for making you take care of me when I was drunk."
"Sus, you're just using that as an excuse e. You could just ask." Risa teased and Win's eyes widened. Was he hearing it correctly? Risa was telling her to just ask. Risa did not know what has gotten into her to say those words out loud. She was anticipating an answer.
He was about to but they were interrupted by their phones buzzing. It was an NDRRMC alert. The heavy rains will continue. for the next hour. Just great.
"Guess, we're gonna be stuck here longer."
"I suppose so...uhm, where were we...oh right...Risa?" Win felt his his voice shaking a bit. He was about to ask her long time crush on a date after all.
"Yes Win?"
"Would you like to go on a date with me?" Finally the words came out of his mouth. He was looking at her intently. Her assumptions are no longer just assumptions. Though she wanted to hear it from Win, it still shocked her quite a bit. She was just staring at him which made him worried.
"Risa, uy...say something. Kahit anong sagot, basta may sagot tatanggapin ko." Win was nervous as fuck. He was simulating possible scenarios and answers. Finally, Risa spoke.
"SHERWIN TING GATCHALIAN...if your offer is serious, then yes. Yes, I would like to go on a date with you." Risa said while tucking a hair behind her ear. Actually, she was debating with herself if she would say yes or no. She even made a mental note of the pros and cons of agreeing to the date. The pros far outweighs the cons. Besides, she promised herself that she wouldn't turn love away when it starts knocking the second time around.
"Really? Kurutin mo nga ako." Win couldn't hide his relief and excitement. Risa really did pinch him. "Aray."
"Sabi mo kurutin ka e."
"Thank you for saying yes." Win said it as if it was a yes to a marriage proposal or something.
"Curious ako, why did you ask me now?"
"Long answer or short one?"
"I want the long one." Risa was super curious. Win although hesitant decided that it was the right time to share. After all, they were stuck in the building.
"Sure ka na?"
"A hundred percent certain."
"Humahanga na ako sa'yo even before we were seatmates in the Senate. I admire your grit and your passion. I wanted to get close to you, but we were from two different worlds. Kaya hindi ko muna inentertain yung brewing crush ko non sa'yo. Then, we became seatmates. I got to know you more and the admiration grew. But I have to admit, it was difficult to get close to you kasi we're from different political spectrums. Tinanggap ko na nga na hanggang admiration from afar na lang. At saka we dated other people din during those times. But then, WinRi on the internet happened." Risa was listening intently to Win. Win was resting on her shoulders habang nagkwekwento. "I don't know who started WinRi, but I'm glad they did kasi through them nagkalakas ako ng loob na iacknowledge yung nararamdaman ko para sa'yo, Risa. Ang gagaling nilang maghanap ng ebidensya e.Tinawag pa nga nila akong torpe kasi biruin mo may mga nahuhuli pala sa camera sa senado na mga moment natin noon na hindi ko na rin maalala. Every break time, I browse on my phone and see all those posts and it dawned on me na hindi naman nawala talaga yung crush ko sa'yo e. It survived, persisted, and grew! Maybe, hindi ko lang ina-acknowledge noon pero it's there. Sorry it took me longer to act. That's the long version."
"And the short one?" These are the only words that Risa could muster because she was still processing the detailed explanation.
"I wanted to take the risk." he grabbed her hand and she let him. They two of them enjoyed the silence for a couple of minutes.
"Looks like the universe is on your side, Win." Risa finally break the silence.
"Looks like it is on our side." Win revised her statement. They both smiled.
Win and Risa decided to get some shut eye. They agreed that they would both sleep on the couch (it's a pull-out-couch, people). There were plenty of pillows so they decided to leave space for the holy spirit. Yes, there was a confession, but they will not rush other things HAHAHA. Risa was the first to fall asleep. Win followed suit and just before he close his eyes, he pinched himself again. If this was a dream, he hoped to never wake up from it.
[Abangan yung morning after HAHAHAHAHA].