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Sherwin is tired. Scratch that, tired is no longer a sufficient adjective for what he is feeling. Sherwin is exhausted.
Be it from close friends or strangers, one question has never failed to be asked aloud almost every damn day: Are you seeing someone? Sure, he gets it; he understands this question wasn't unwarranted. He’s been single for the longest time (at least, that’s what the general public knows), but the frequency of his bachelor life getting brought up as the topic of numerous conversations is getting ridiculous.
Every time he answered that stupid question with a “Regrettably, I still am not seeing anyone”, he swears he could practically hear the mocking thoughts that went “What’s the use of a respectable position and a fat wallet when you can’t even find a partner?”. The “eternal bachelor” title has been sewn into his reputation so tightly it seemed to stomp over all his other notable images, to the point that even other senators introduced him as such. Hello! Yes, yes, this is him. The man who can’t get a girlfriend even if he has it all. Please give this poor guy a warm welcome!
Before his thoughts can piss him off even more, Sherwin shakes his head and scoffs, trying to drown out his frustrations with another swig of his fourth— or was it seventh? tenth? — glass of scotch. He realizes that he’d rather take the workaholic and health-freak reputations over that silly bachelor image any time.
He wasn’t normally like this, all affected and sensitive about his being quote-unquote “unfortunately single”. Criticisms were a standard in his industry, and he was used to eating vicious comments up like they were protein shakes for workouts. At times, he even engaged with these comments in short, sarcastic quips. His bachelor image is not at all new, and he admits that he’s even helped in amping it up countless times before. It was easy to take up the role of a single man who spent more time perusing over documents and sweating it out in the gym than enjoying dates. However, he believes everything has gone too far this time.
Sherwin shakes his head again, lips pursed in annoyance. Yes, without a doubt, him sulking in his dark, empty apartment with only a bottle of distilled spirit in front of him was justified this time.
Earlier that day, tension was particularly high in the Senate chambers. The session had been put on hold as verbal accusations that had no place in national discussions were thrown left and right between the two blocs. Sherwin could still feel the anger that coursed through him when Marcoleta said his insulting remarks against Risa’s “lack of a legal background”. Risa, who was undeniably one of the most intelligent of them in that room. Risa, whose genius was something Marcoleta could only ever dream of having.
How dare he. That pug-faced prick.
Sherwin pinches the bridge of his nose. He’s getting angry again. He remembers how his fingers itched to punch the smug look on Marcoleta’s face, how he had to repeatedly tell himself to relax, because any “inappropriate” reaction from him would make all of the Senate shit show blow up in even larger proportions. In the end, he couldn’t fight the sadness that bloomed in his chest when all he could do was push his chair back roughly and go to Risa’s side in silent support.
So, yes. Sherwin usually doesn’t mind the comments said about him. Disses via tweets and posts could be dealt with easily. They stung only for a few seconds, minutes if the particular post was worded cleverly, and they left his mind the moment he turned off his phone and retired for the night.
But comments about his girlfriend? When she was shaking her head in dismay at the gibes and digs of a wig-wearing bastard, hands shaking in obvious disbelief over the pointless altercation, trying to even her breathing after being insulted right to her face? That, he could not take. Would not.
Risa had barely slept the night before when they received intel on the then majority bloc’s proposal of a remote participation. She poured hours into researching and reading up on Senate rules, highlighting mandates that they could use to block the impudent measure. She was prepared to fight for the country in legal ways, so when Marcoleta uttered his unprofessional garbage statement, he saw how her eyes widened in shock. Her gaze when she looked over to Sherwin said the words she couldn’t say in the room full of people. Stay still. He does not know about us.
The minority had walked out of the Senate hall not long after. When Migz gestured for them to leave the room, Sherwin was thankful for the discreet nod he gave him. He must have known the distressed boyfriend was longing to comfort his partner. Even Kiko and Bam gave him subtle pats on the arm before leaving. Although unbeknownst to the rest of the people around, it was scarily obvious to the rest of the minority bloc members— and a handful of their staff who knew about their relationship— that Sherwin was furious. Seething, even.
Right then and there, during that damn incident, Sherwin wished he could just shout it all out and reveal everything just so he could put Marcoleta in his place. Fortunately for that jerk, multiple cameras were aimed at them from all angles, and most of all, the Senate was hardly the proper place to disclose his relationship, and so his rage was forced to settle, his mouth compelled to keep shut.
Now, it was probably almost dawn. Hours had passed since the incident, but Sherwin could not bring himself to forget how he had failed to defend Risa.
“I should speak about it. Yeah, I damn should. I’ll tell Risa first.” he slurs to himself, pushing his empty whiskey glass across the table. He blindly grasps around for his phone and when he finally takes a hold of it, he taps the first number on his speed dial.
The phone rings once, twice, then a sleepy voice dances in his ears.
“Mahal?”
Sherwin leans further back into his couch, calmed by the familiar huskiness of Risa’s sleepy voice. “Hello, sunshine. I’m sorry for calling again.” He releases a hiccup and softly kicks away at the slippers sheathing his feet.
“It’s fine, my love. You’ve been drinking, haven’t you?”
How’d she know? Sherwin thinks, and a pout forms on his face, the endearment must have given it away. There’s a sudden shuffle on the other end of the line and, knowing Risa was probably getting ready to drive to his apartment and take care of his drunk ass, he immediately blurts out, “No, no! I’m not that drunk. Don’t get up from bed, this call won’t be long.”
The sleepy laugh Risa makes quickly turns his pout into a smile, and then there’s shuffling noises again as she settles back into bed. “Alright, I won’t. Are you okay? Why’d you call?”
“Sorry. I know we’ve already talked about it earlier but I—” a lump seems to have formed in Sherwin’s throat. He lets out a tired sigh, his free hand reaching up to rub his face. “I just… I feel so angry. And I’m sad— I’m sad that you were hurt again. By that useless son of a bitch, no less.”
“Mahal, we’ve already agreed about our use of cuss words. And please, don’t be.” Risa’s voice is soft as she comforts him. Sherwin wishes she was right next to him so he could bury his face in her neck and hug her tight. “Moments like earlier are… well, unfortunately inevitable, especially since we’re still preparing for the announcement. Plus, we have bigger problems to tackle. The country needs us. I’m absolutely fine, okay? Stop worrying and drinking. If you want, we can talk more tomorrow when you’re sober. It’s been a long day for us, for you.” Risa yawns, “Now go to bed, Sherwin Ting Gatchalian!”
“Yes, madam chair!” Sherwin salutes although she can’t see, and he grins wide when he hears her laugh again.
“Good! Come on, let’s sleep. It’s still so dark outside.”
“Okay. Please don’t hang up yet.”
Sherwin stands and sways as he makes his way towards his bedroom, ready to honor Risa’s request. He almost trips over one of the carpets on the floor, and he stops a curse before it falls out of his mouth as a sing-song reminder blares in his head. No cuss words, mahal! Once he reaches his destination, he flings open his door and crashes face-first on the bed. Purdelle and Paprika, awoken by the noise, start nipping at his toes, but he ignores them and burrows himself under his covers.
“Have you tucked the little ones to bed?” Risa speaks through another yawn.
“Yes,” Sherwin lies through his teeth. The puppies are whining for his attention, but he is too hammered to lean over the bed and not vomit all the liquor he drank. The pups will be fine on the floor for just one night.
“I know you’re lying, Sherwin. Do you want me to come over just to tuck them in for you?”
Sherwin is up in an instant. He grabs the custom steps they purchased for the dogs and sets it against the foot of the bed. Purdelle and Paprika, finally being able to jump onto the bed, let out satisfied barks.
Once the dogs are curled beneath the sheets, Sherwin crawls back onto the bed with a soft promise, “Theresia, I love you. We’ll make the announcement soon, okay?”
“There’s no need to rush, mahal. We can do it slowly, patiently.” Risa responds, still half-asleep but firm in her reply. “Good night! I love you.”
Sherwin makes kissing noises before he hangs up and for a short while, he’s content with the phone call. The darkness of the room blankets him and almost lulls him to sleep. But then, just as his eyes start dropping into a drunken rest, the alcohol decides to veer him into another path in the form of clouded judgement. He springs back up in an upright position not even five minutes after his talk with Risa, eyes now as wide as a man in drunken stupor could muster. The cogs in his head turn, and not in the right way.
“I can’t have her wait again.” he mumbles with words blurring into each other. The influence of alcohol is stark. “Yes, that’s just stupid. Don’t be stupid. You’re named Win for a reason. No more dilly-dallying. Let’s do this now.”
Fumbling, he unlocks his phone again and goes straight to the Instagram app, clicking on the options needed for a live just as his assistant taught him. Immediately, the screen lights up with various comments showing surprise at the sudden action. He’s got to hand it to Cayetano, this is indeed quite a reliable way to hand out information quickly.
Wow, is he drunk? HAHAHAHA
Anyare? Is he announcing another coup or something? He looks so determined lol
Ang gwapo pa rin ni Win kahit ang puffy ng face niya.
Ako nalang kaya? Marry me, Win Gatchalian!
“Hello, everyone!” Sherwin greets with a clumsy wave, “Sorry, I can’t marry you, user angie-triple p. And shh! Quiet muna kayo, please. You’ll wake the dogs again! It’s still so— It’s still so early.”
wtf drunk win is so adorable what sorcery is this
Okay po, Sen! Tatahimik na po kami gaya ni Mark
Why are you doing a live this early, Sen Win? May important updates po sa Senado?
Sherwin sniffles, eyes squinting at the bright light from his phone. He had told Risa they would reveal it soon, but she’d understand if he went ahead, right? Plus, this is the soonest they could reveal their relationship, and the thought of her smiling as people congratulate and wish them a bright future fuels him in his mission. Yes, enough is enough. He won’t let her down. He won’t let any bastard have the chance to insult her again.
“Alright, everyone. First off, I know I’m being painted as an eternal bachelor or whatever,” His eye roll sends comments popping up on the phone screen, praising him for the unexpected sassy charm, “But that couldn’t be farther from the truth! And that’s why I’m here, to— oops, sorry. Hehe.”
The phone drops out of his hands, and Sherwin scrambles to pick it up. Annoyed that he couldn't hold it properly, he sets the phone haphazardly against one of his pillows and hugs a sleepy Purdelle to his chest. He was ready to rant.
“I think it’s absolutely cruel that some judge me for being single all these years. Even some of my close friends think I’m hopeless and I’m just… I’m just so sick of all those saying I won’t ever marry or even find a girlfriend. I mean, aren’t you supposed to support me instead?” Sherwin juts his lower lip out, sending another wave of comments on his screen, “And you— some of you! Some of you even pity the woman who I’m going to end up with and call her names, and it makes me sad. I’m sad! Very, very sad."
A hiccup escapes Sherwin's mouth. He’s suddenly reminded of the conflict that led to his night of drinking, and he curves his lips into what he hopes is a nasty sneer, wanting so vehemently to intimidate both his and Risa’s haters. "And why do you say I'm too old to date? I am not! I’ll have you know that people compliment me all the time. They even say I don’t look my age.”
Huwag ka makinig sa kanila, Sen! You still have hope, we’re sure of it!
Prove it! Date me! Marry me!
Kanino ba tong panaginip beh ang random naman
Loud ringing cuts through the air, and it takes Sherwin a while before he realizes it’s coming from his phone. He tuts, eyes squinting into even narrower slits. “My assistant’s calling. Don’t disturb me, Jonah. I’m going to reject your call!” He taps the red button on his screen, almost missing it entirely with his double vision.
Please tell me someone’s recording this.
Lol Gatchalian’s definitely gonna be all over the news tomorrow
BWAHAHAHAHA MAS ENTERTAINING PA TO SA SENADO GANAPS KANINA!!!
His phone rings again, once, twice, thrice, and every time it does, he continues to reject the call. After a few more rings, Sherwin groans and grows frustrated at the amount of times he’s tapping on his screen. His irritation over the loud noise intensifies his desire to reveal his relationship, and together with the liquid courage he had gained from his drinking, Sherwin is ultimately pushed to just ignore the calls.
"Ah. Nakakairita naman to, I keep getting disturbed! Maybe I should just reveal it to everyone right now?” Sherwin brings his face close to the camera and in a sweet voice, reveals the very thing that would indeed send him all over the national news, “Everyone, please stop asking me to marry you and erase my bachelor image in your heads.”
He takes and lets out a deep breath. This is it. The ringing of his phone doesn’t stop, but Sherwin smiles widely in spite of it. There’s now a series of frantic knocks and loud ding dongs coming from his front door.
"Everyone!" Sherwin says, voice filled with drunken glee, "I am dating Risa Hontiveros! Yes, that’s right! She’s my sunshine, my mahal— all mine, mine, mine! My love, Risa, when you see this, know that I adore you. I love you so, so, so much! Gan’to!” He releases Purdelle who immediately scampers away as he makes jerky circular motions that resemble a huge, imaginary ball.
The comment section of his live is shooting off, decorating his screen with dozens of moving words he can barely read. He can hear that whoever is at the previously locked front door has miraculously been able to open it, and now there are panicked footsteps coming his way.
Sherwin frowns. If he wants to ensure the success of his announcement, he needs to end his live before anyone can stop him.
He lets out a rushed string of words, “Don’t call me a bachelor anymore, okay? No more marriage requests, too. I already have one I am going to cherish for the rest of my life.”
Sherwin feels a sudden urge to close his eyes and he giggles. He was becoming like Risa, drifting off to sleep in the most random moments after a night of drinking. Indeed, we are meant to be together, he muses, and the joy is palpable in his thoughts. “Okay, this was fun. Thanks for listening. Good night!”
He turns the live off. His bedroom door opens. Sherwin slumps, his head hitting his pillow just as Jonah enters the room with frantic cries.
Tomorrow is going to be frighteningly eventful.