Chapter Text
Jerry: Ma’am, sorry po bumaha ng konti sa front ng lobby kaya dinivert po ng security ang pick-up.
Jerry: Dito po ako sa south wing exit banda ma’am.
Sen Risa: Oh! Gano’n na ba kalakas ang ulan? Sige Jerry, tapusin ko lang to. Mga 15 minutes and I’ll head down.
Jerry: Sige ma’am, text mo lang ako pick up kita on foot sa exit. Dalhin ko big metrobank payong.
Sen Risa: Oh thanks pero just stay in the car na lang, Jer. I have the black payong here naman. I’ll walk there myself.
Jerry: Ok, ma’am.
Making sure to send her staff home first, and after checking whether everyone had a ride home or needed to carpool with her, Risa was the last to leave her office almost 45 minutes later. She sends her driver a text while she was heading towards the elevator.
Sen Risa: Sorry mej lumampas ng 15 minutes, but I’m heading down now.
Jerry: Ok lang, ma’am. Lakas ng ulan. Turn on ko po headlights nasa right side, letter F po ako.
Sen Risa: Ok. Salamat, Jerry.
She puts her phone inside her bag just as the sound pings and the door to the elevator opens. She looks up and sees Sen. Sherwin already looking at her.
“Good evening, Senator Risa.”
“Good evening, Sen Sherwin.”
She returned his smile as she entered the elevator.
“You were working late rin pala.”
“Yeah, I was going to stay longer pa nga to finish something kaso hindi uuwi yung ibang staff if I stayed eh. I worry parang the rain is getting heavier by the minute.”
“Good call! Baha na nga daw sa may lobby, so diverted ang pick up spots, according to my driver.”
“Ah talaga? I wasn’t notified ah! I drove myself here kasi today.”
The last word was drowned out by the ping of the elevator reaching the ground floor.
“In any case, take care in driving home, Sen Sherwin.”
“Thanks, Senator Risa”
He says this as she exits the elevator. He saw her walk towards the same direction he was also going to.
“Ah are you exiting from the south wing din?”
“Yeah, dito dinivert yung pick up.”
“I parked my car there too.”
“Ah-” she lets out a soft laugh, maybe from the awkwardness of saying goodbye but actually walking towards the same direction?
“-then we can walk there together,” she offered.
She sees Sherwin looking amused.
The first few steps were quiet. The slight awkwardness from earlier has quickly faded. It’s always been like this – at least for him.
When he sees her enter a room, he often doesn’t know what to do with himself. The first few seconds are always spent arranging his diary, or tucking a stray paper, or clicking and unclicking his pen. But the moment she faces him and starts talking, she makes it easy for him to swim back into the cadences and familiar conversations that they have built over the last ten years they’ve shared as colleagues.
“By the way, Senator Risa, sa sobrang busy I never got the chance to congratulate you for the summit in Barcelona.”
“Thank you, Sen Sherwin. You know, it was such a breath of fresh air to listen to these progressive leaders who were making such a huge difference in their corners of the world.”
“I’m sure.”
He gazes at her, sensing her animation from the topic - with her free hand already gesturing. She has always had this excitement he couldn’t stop himself but share whenever she talks about something that took her attention.
“Yeah! Tapos parang they seem less limited when the conversation is less about politics and more about policies.”
“You even delivered an incredible speech. Nakita ko sa instagram.”
“Awww, salamat! You know naman it has always been my dream especially for this collegiate to move beyond politicking and actually focus on real reforms.”
He knows exactly what she meant. And he knows that it was possible too. After all, even when they didn’t exactly share the same politics, they succeeded with POGO because of how open she was to share the space for as long as they were able to look in the same direction and were willing to work towards it.
Ten years ago, he first sat beside this strong-willed woman who always stood on principle. Most of the time, then, he didn’t understand why she always had to remain vocal even with the threat of criticisms that sometimes moved past politics and bordered on the personal. Over the years, while pushing for progressive legislation, she has been the subject of many tirades – often misogynistic, often reflective of the offender’s character more than hers, but she seems to never waver.
Working with her on POGO, he quickly understood why she remains relentless – it was always ‘country first’ for this woman. And she always fought to see her work through to the end. His respect for her work kept growing over the years. His admiration for her, on the other hand, was quickly earned the moment she made space for him beside her as they worked together to put an end to the innumerable and unspeakable social ills that POGO brought to the country.
He continues to listen to her talk about her experience in the summit. She also shared how some of our kababayans even volunteered to be her private security during the event.
“Nako alam mo, nahihiya pa nga ako at first because they were so attentive of my needs… kasi it was strictly voluntary ha.”
“Yun pala yun! I saw nga that you were surrounded by men in uniform while there.”
“Since they were residents of Barcelona, it was easier for me to-”
She stops midsentence and stops walking completely. At this point, they were just a few steps away from the opened glass door of the south wing. He stops too.
“Do you hear that?”
She says as she strains her neck to listen.
“Hear what?”
“Wait, parang…”
He could now hear the soft whimpers. The sound was so tiny beneath the sounds of the heavy rain that it would have been easy to miss, yet Risa heard it and followed the sound outside the door. He followed suit.
“Hala! So kawawa naman…” She said this as she rested her umbrella on the wall and stooped down to inspect the whimpering dog.
The dog was drenched all over even when they were under the protection of the roof of the south wing.
“Baka dito lang nakahanap ng cover yung dog after walking in the rain,” he surmised.
“Look, Sen,” she says as she pointed at the drooping belly of the dog.
“Could it be buntis?” he thought out loud.
“Then we have to find it shelter.”
“Shall I call security?”
“No na. I think their hands are full with the flooding sa lobby.”
She pauses to think.
“I think I’ll just take her home.”
“Are you sure? I mean I would’ve offered but Purdelle and Paprika might not easily get along with her.”
“Yeah, I’m sure. I can’t imagine leaving her here in this weather din eh.”
“Do you have dog food at home?”
“Oh, di ko yan agad na factor. Siguro I’ll ask Jerry to stop by on th-”
“Sen, it’s past 9, I think closed na mga shops.”
“Hmmm…”
She touches the bridge of her nose as she tries to think of a solution.
“Here’s what we’ll do,” he says. “I have food for the dogs at home. Why don’t I go and get some then I can bring them to you?”
“Eh di naabala ka pa?”
“I don’t mind. Besides, we don’t know rin if this dog has eaten.”
“Only if you’re sure?”
“Yeah, I’m sure.”
“Heto na naman ako, trying to play Mother Theresia tapos ikaw pa yung naabala.”
He laughed at that. “I couldn’t imagine leaving it here din, so baka plus points din ako in heaven if I help out ‘Mother Theresia’ with her good deeds.”
She moved to pick it up, but before she could, Sherwin gently scooped the dog from its rear. He was so quick to do it, she didn’t even notice he had already put his laptop bag down.
“Ako na,” he said as he lifted the dog with both arms and cradled it to his chest.
She picks his bag up; then her umbrella. She opens it and stretches her arm high enough for it to shield them both from the downpour.
They walked side-by-side in the rain, with the dog in his arms.
As they neared her car, Jerry saw the two senators and jumped out to help them.
“Good evening, ma’am/sir! Ano yan?”
“Jerry, we found this dog. Iuwi natin sa bahay.”
Jerry reached for the bag Ma’am Risa was holding and ran to the side of the SUV. He opened the car door for the two senators. Sen Sherwin gently put the dog on the floor of the car. The dog let out a low growl, unfamiliar with its surroundings. He patted its head to calm it down and softly rubbed its swollen belly. Risa was just observing this interaction. She was thankful for Sherwin and the warmth he’s showing to the stray.
“Fur dad ka talaga,” she teased.
“Aha- a good belly rub always calms my fur babies.”
“Teka, I think it’s best for her to sit on my lap for the duration of the drive.”
Hearing this, Jerry took the umbrella from Senator Risa and gestures for her to get in the car.
“Thanks, Jer. Let me just settle down.”
Once again, Sen Sherwin gently picks the dog up and lays it on Risa’s lap. The poor thing was shivering. Sherwin saw this and pushed the A/C vents away from Sen Risa.
“Will you be okay? It’s so basa.”
As he says this, Risa saw the wet patch on the chest of his polo shirt.
“Oh no,” she points her nose to his shirt.
“It’s okay.”
“I’m so sorry sa abala. But I really appreciate your help, Sen.”
“It’s really okay. Don’t worry. I’ll pick up the food, maybe you can text me your address?”
“Sige. Thanks talaga!”
“You’re welcome,” he smiled, “and see you later.”
“Take care in driving, Sen Sherwin.”
--
By the time their van entered the driveway to their house, the bottom half of her dress was completely damp. The dog seems to have settled though, but it’s still slightly shivering. Hang in there, momma. She thought as she softly patted its head, thankful that the dog has also completely warmed up to her, came without a fuss, and stayed still the whole ride home. Maybe it knew it was going to get taken care of.
On the way home, she was able to text Sinta to prepare some towels for her arrival. So as soon as she got off the car with the dog tucked in her arms, Sinta was already waiting with a huge grin. She was spreading the towel to the length of her arm, ready to take the poor dog from her mom.
“Omg mommy, give me!”
Sinta completely envelopes the dog in her towel and hugs her tightly to her chest.
“Darling, not too rough ha. She might be buntis. Here, you support her from the hind legs rin… yup, like that.”
“Omg mom, I think she likes me na agad.”
With a light laugh, she kisses her youngest on the forehead. They go inside.
Just as she put her bag down, her phone pings – a message from Sen Sherwin.
> Hello, Sen Risa! Heading to your house now.
< Hi, Sen Sherwin. Thanks and ingat sa byahe.
> C u soon 😃
< Wow! Nakakabagets ha hehe c u! ☺️
--
He entered the driveway less than an hour later. By this time, she had already changed from her work clothes to the usual linen shift dress she wears at home.
Headlights beaming at the lovely lady leaning on the column by the door, Sherwin felt a sudden, unexpected warmth creep up his neck and settle into his cheeks. He was so used to seeing her in work clothes or in bespoke Filipinianas that the sight of her looking entirely at ease in her house was a novelty. Before he could process his thoughts, Sen Risa walked towards his car. He turned the headlights off, then the wipers, then the engine. He took a deep breath to settle himself before he got out of the car.
“Hello”
“I hope the drive here was not too bad. I was praying na humina ang ulan.”
“Okay lang naman, I was still in the comfort of my car.”
He opened the door to the backseat. Risa was surprised to see him take out two Landers eco bags filled to the brim.
“Hala, why so dami? You look like you’re moving houses.”
The wave of warmth he felt in the car is once again pricking at his cheeks.
“Kasi after I grabbed the food and the treats, I thought baka you might need bowls…‘tas after eating it might need poop bags. I bought them in bulk din kasi. And then I saw I still had unopened chew toys… and then I thought it must need a nice place to rest its head tonight, so I also brought the extra sleeping pad I had laying around.”
Risa couldn’t help but smile at this side of Sherwin she only saw once and by chance. She suddenly remembered that afternoon in January, walking out of Karen’s condo, fresh from an interview, and bumping into Sherwin walking his two cute dogs. Only a doting father would proudly walk them around in a stroller.
She could see him turning red now. It wasn’t her intention to embarrass him.
“That’s very thoughtful of you, Sen,” she said, taking one of the bags.
“Hindi, ako na.” He insisted, but she was quick enough to grab the other bag.
He followed her inside.
“Welcome to our humble home.”
“Thanks, Sen Risa. It’s lovely.”
As they entered the living room, Sinta was already holding a hair dryer and pointing it at the wet tangle of fur. They were stationed on the floor at the far end of the room, close to where the outlet is. The dog must have liked being dried this way as it completely leaned in into her legs.
“Sinta, it’s Senator Sherwin.”
Sinta looked up at their direction and let out a huge grin, “Hello, Senator Sherwin. Welcome po!! Do you want to see my new dog?”
“Excuse me, ‘my’ new dog?” Risa raised an eyebrow.
“But mommy!! Why would you bring this fluffy cutesy fat baby home if she’s not for me?”
“Aba- we need to sit down and have a talk pa ‘no. I just didn’t want to leave her outside and alone in this weather.”
“But mommy, look o! We’re super tight na. She even trusts me with the hair dryer!”
Sherwin couldn’t help but smile at this interaction.
“It’s nice to see you again, Sinta,” he says this before Risa could say her next word.
“I would shake your hand again like last time, Senator Sherwin, but MY baby is super comfy na.”
“It’s okay. I’m here with her food.” He raises the bag he was holding. “And other things.”
“So nice of you!! Thank you very much, Senator Sherwin,” Sinta excitedly blurted in response.
“Why don’t you set it down here and tell me what’s inside?” Risa leads him to the L-shaped couch.
She puts her bag down first and Sherwin does the same. They both sat at the opposite ends, but they faced each other. He reaches for the contents of the first bag, but the couch was just the right size for his knees to touch hers when he moved.
She didn’t seem to take notice of this and was focused on watching him take out three Ziploc bags apparently filled with different kinds of dog food. She was impressed to see that he was able to write a label on each bag given how quickly he was able to make it to her house.
“Itong round and yellowish, I got a few scoops from the food Purdelle and Paprika both like… this is kibble. It’s super dry food so it’s best if she eats it beside plenty of water.”
“Super dry… plenty of water on the side,” she mumbles as she types a note on her phone.
“The small brown rectangles naman are freeze-dried dog food. Only one of my dogs eats it with gusto but I figured we can try it out with yours.”
“Nako, don’t let Sinta hear you call this dog ‘ours’ yet.”
“Oh, aren’t you considering it?”
“Well, on the drive home, I thought about it. But then with Sinta at school most of the day, plus Ianna only coming home on weekends, and me at work… alam mo na. Wala rin kaming helper. As much as I’d love to, I think it would be better if someone else could foster her… lalo na she’s buntis.”
Sinta was trying to listen to this amid the noise of the hair dryer and the distance from the couch to where she was sat, but she could only hear a few words.
“Do you have someone in mind to look after her?”
“For now, no. But I’m thinking I’ll let my staff know… baka may interesado. Tsaka for all we know baka may owner siya, I’ll let security know first thing tomorrow.”
“Well until then, maybe you could try this with her tonight.”
He reaches for the third Ziploc and continues his explanation.
“Ito namang reddish that looks like cereal, it’s grain-free. I think it would be best to give this to her first kasi it’s best for sensitive tummies.”
“You really thought this through. I can’t stop saying thank you.”
“Ano ka ba! Di ba contributing lang to your good deeds?”
“Yes, as Mother Theresia,” she paused.
“You know, my siblings used to call me that when we were younger. It used to irk me to no end kasi pinaglaruan ba naman name ko? But it has grown on me.”
“Okay na din yun. Mother Theresia, parang doing everything out of the goodness of your heart.” He had a slow smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth.
“Hay nako, Sen Sherwin! That’s exactly how they used to tease me,” she nudged him with her elbow, barely noticing how much closer they were sitting now.
Risa looks over at Sinta.
“Darling, do you think she’s dry enough to be fed?”
“Not yet, mom. Her bum bum is still a little wet.”
“In that case,” Sherwin says and takes out a quilted sleeping mat, “maybe we should decide where she will be sleeping.”
Sinta heard every word of that and quickly interjects.
“Do’n po sa room ko, Senator Sherwin.”
Sherwin looks at Risa.
“No objections?” raising both eyebrows.
She mouths “just for tonight” and lets out a smile.
Sherwin continued to explain to Risa the different chew toys and treats he had in the bags. Risa listened to him intently as if she were going to be quizzed about it. Sherwin was also surprised by his own knowledge of this stuff. He made a mental note to have a life outside of his dogs.
Finally, Sinta turned off the hair dryer and carried the dog towards the two adults in the couch. Sherwin made an open gesture of receiving the dog, but Sinta was bent on holding onto it.
“I think you’re perfect together, Sinta,” Sherwin’s eyes crinkled as he said this.
“Nako! Don’t encourage her!”
“See mommy!! Perfect together daw kami.”
Sherwin tries to avoid Risa’s eyes by taking the stainless bowl out of the bag.
“Let’s feed her na!” he suggests.
“I think we should feed her by the kitchen para naman she knows also that’s where we should always eat,” Sinta says, matter-of-factly.
Sherwin glances at Risa.
“Then take the lead, darling,” she nods towards her daughter.
Sherwin pours some of the reddish kibble into the bowl while Risa fills a microwavable plastic container with drinking water. They place it on a mat at the foot of the kitchen counter. Then, Sinta slowly puts the dog down in front of the bowls. At first, the dog hesitated.
Sherwin picked up two puffs of kibble and held it close to the dog’s nose. The nose twitched and without warning, it chomped on the kibble noiselessly then dove straight into the kibble in the bowl. All three of them sat in a huddle around the dog, completely fascinated by how it seemed to inhale the kibble and then the water in quick alternate successions.
“Oh my gosh mom, she’s so fat and greedy. I caaaaaaaan’t.”
“I’ll have you know, my Paprika was like this the first time we transitioned from soft food to kibble.”
“Oh, right! I saw your dogs on my mom’s IG. They’re also sooooo cute.”
“They’re both adopted, by the way! I didn’t want to separate them, so I got all three.”
“Three? I saw two lang.”
“Oh, there’s one more named Pearl, but a friend is looking after her now.”
“Mommy, why can’t we adopt her?”
Risa narrowed her eyes at Sen Sherwin. Sherwin averted his gaze to the floor, to the ceiling, to the fridge – elsewhere, totally guilty.
“And when she gives birth, we can also keep the puppies, so they’re not separated, and then she won’t be so lonely.”
“Sinta,” Risa shook her head, “let’s give ourselves time to think about it.”
“Mom, what’s there to think about, even Senator Sherwin adopted two dogs and he’s busy like you rin naman!”
“Let’s sleep on it, Sinta.”
Sinta didn’t want to push her mom to a point where she would make the sudden decision of saying no. She let it rest and changed the topic.
“Senator Sherwin, how long do dogs sleep?”
“Well, it depends. They sleep for a long time naman but at the start, Purdelle kept waking up at odd hours. I got them as puppies kasi.”
“Do you think she can sleep through the night?” she nods towards the dog who looks to be so contented after finishing the whole bowl.
“Well, since she’s pregnant, maybe she’ll be sleeping more. Definitely look after her, but she looks well and healthy naman so don’t stay up at the expense of your sleep din.”
“Gotchu, gotchu!”
Soon after, Sinta kissed her mom good night and bid Senator Sherwin goodbye. She thanked him again for the dog stuff. Then, she held the dog up on her chest, secured her with both arms, and clipped the sleeping mat between her fingers. Risa could only shake her head at the sight of her daughter.
Sherwin picked up the bowls and set them on the sink.
“No, Sen Sherwin, mahihiya na talaga ako if ikaw pa mag hugas n’yan.”
“It’s a quick rinse lang naman.”
With one hand grabbing both of Sherwin’s and the other gently shoving his shoulders back and away from the sink, Risa succeeded at stopping him from washing the bowls.
There was a moment when her hand was still rested on the back of his, and the other still on his shoulder. Feeling too self-conscious, Sherwin raised both of his hands, as if in surrender.
“I surrender. Hindi na po maghuhugas ng dog bowls.”
They both laugh at themselves, half-dancing at acknowledging the prolonged contact.
The clock on the mantel by the fridge caught her eye. She saw that it was already a quarter to 11.
“Oh no, Sen Sherwin, look at the time!”
“Ikaw naman. I don’t mind. Minsan lang naman. What are the chances of us finding a stray rin, diba? For Mother Theresia’s good deeds,” he smirked.
She poked him with her elbow.
“Hay nako, I regret giving you bala to make fun of me.”
“I’ll get going. But please let me know if you need anything… for the dog. I know a vet, I can give you their contact. Just let me know.”
“I will. Let me walk you to the door.”
“Also, thanks for welcoming me into your lovely home.”
“It’s my absolute pleasure, Sen Sherwin. Salamat sa lahat. I don’t know how I would have navigated this night without all that you’ve done.”
“And Sinta’s a really charming girl.”
“Hay nako, lord help me, parang she’ll charm her way through adopting this dog nga eh.”
“Well, if ever you decide to take her in, you can count on me to give you advice – from one fur parent to another.”
“Ha! Sige na, malakas pa rin pala ang ulan. Drive safely.”
“Good night, Sen Risa!”
“Ingat! Text me when you get home, so I know you made it back safely.”
“Naks naman. But I will.”
He smiled at her and turned to leave. Somehow, this evening had gone differently for him and all in a good way.
It was half past eleven but he has never been more awake at this time of the night. He drove home in the rain, music softly playing in the background.
< Hope you made it home safely.
> Just about to enter the parking lot.
< No texting while driving!
--
> Parked.
> Thanks for tonight, Sen. Risa.
< I should be the one thanking you. Glad you got home safe. Good night, Sen Sherwin.
> Good night, Sen Risa.
--
The next day, Sherwin woke up a little past seven. The sky was clear, with no traces of the heavy rain from last night. He changed into his workout clothes and headed to his condo’s gym. As he was making his way down, his phone rang. It was Sen Risa.
Good morning, Sen Risa. Is everything okay?
Sen Sherwin, I’m so sorry but I didn’t know who to call. Sinta found the dog shivering when she woke up this morning, so we’ve been trying to warm her up. It seemed to be working until she started vomiting.
Okay, I’ll call my vet. Hang in there, puntahan ka namin diyan.
Thank you, and I’m so sorry for the trouble.
Really, it’s nothing. Hang in there, okay?
Still in his gym shorts and dri-fit t-shirt, he hurried back to his unit to grab his keys. He called his vet who also happens to be one of his godchildren. He lives three blocks away from him.
Hello, Erickson! Sorry for calling so early.
What’s up, ninong?
I’m heading over to you, the dog has been shivering and vomiting since this morning.
Is it Purdelle or Paprika?
No, not them. I’ll drive you to the place. Are you home now?
Yes, ‘nong, but my things are at the clinic. Let’s meet there na lang. I’ll call for back-up din.
Salamat. I’ll be there soon.
--
Sherwin, the vet, and his assistant arrived at Risa’s less than an hour later. He rang the doorbell. Sinta opened the door and let the three men in. She led them to the guest washroom where she and her mom have been nursing the dog for the last hour and a half.
Risa was still in the same shift dress she was wearing last night, but she had tied her hair up. She still looked like someone in complete control. He wonders if this is all a front for her worried daughter. When she looked up at Sherwin and the others, he saw a sudden relief in her expression.
“Sen Risa, this is Erickson, the vet. He’s also my godson. And this is Noah, his assistant.”
“Nice to meet you, Senator Risa,” Erickson shakes her hand.
After the quick introduction, Erickson and Noah took over.
Sherwin, Risa, and Sinta waited just outside the washroom. Risa didn’t want Sinta to see what was happening inside. They could hear the cries of a dog in pain. When she peeked, she saw that they had already inserted an IV. She hugged Sinta and led her to the kitchen. She gestured for Sherwin to follow.
They sat on the stools of the kitchen counter – the one they were just huddled by last night. This morning, the scene has completely changed. She could see how startling the whole ordeal was for her daughter.
“Mommy, do you think I held her wrong last night?”
Before Risa could answer, Sherwin offered a response, “No, Sinta, I could see how much you tried to soothe her last night. Whatever happened, it wasn’t your fault.”
“Besides, darling, when Sen Sherwin and I found her, she was already shivering from the rain and the cold. So who’s to say it wasn’t because of that?”
“Mom, if she makes it, I really want to keep her.”
Risa kissed Sinta’s forehead in response.
“Sen Sherwin, do you take milk with your coffee?”
Surprised by the sudden question, he quickly says “no milk, but two sugars” before he realized how he might have imposed on her kindness.
They sat on the kitchen counter for a while, sometimes in conversation, and other times in terrible silence as they hear the shrills of the dog in the washroom. He finished his coffee, but he could see that Sen Risa’s has gone cold with 2/3 of the coffee still in the mug.
“How thoughtless of me talaga, Sen Sherwin. Baka may engagements ka today?”
“Don’t worry about it. I got Amy to clear my schedule at least until 10 AM. It’s Thursday, wala namang plenary today.”
“Still. Pasensya talaga.”
Noah came out of the washroom with two bundles of gauze tied securely in what looks like medical bandage.
Erickson came out next.
“’Nong, Senator Risa.”
Both quickly stood up. Risa pulled Sinta in.
“It looked like she was already in labor this whole time. Apat yung lumabas pero stillborn yung three. Only one of the puppies survived.”
There was a moment of silence.
“Is the mommy okay?” Sinta asked this with a tear escaping from her eyes.
“Yes, she’s stable na man. The puppy is latching. You can take a look.”
It didn’t take Sinta a lot of prodding to look inside the washroom. Risa peeked too. The dog was resting and looked so peaceful, as if she hasn’t just been through an extraordinary and life-threatening ordeal this morning. Mothers are amazing in that way.
“But, Senator Risa, I’d like to take them back with me to my clinic – just so I can monitor them.”
“Okay, Erickson. Do what’s best for them. Thank you.”
“I’ll drive them all to the clinic, Sen. Don’t worry,” Sherwin assures her.
“Di na, ‘nong. It’s almost 9, I’m sure papunta na din si Dino sa clinic. Pa pick up na lang kami dito ng Paw-a-medic.”
“Paw-a-medic?” Sherwin clarified.
“Yes po, yung ambulance ng pets hehehe… tsaka need din namin ikarga yung stillborn for proper disposal,” Erickson scratched his head.
“Sen Sherwin, I don’t want you to miss your morning engagements. I’ll get all the info from Erickson.”
Risa looks at him with concern.
“Kami na lang dito mag-antay sa Paw-a-medic,” Risa says with a lighter expression this time.
He shakes his head and smiles at her. “Basta if you need anything… anything at all…” Before he could finish his sentence, Risa guides him to the door by gently pushing his back with her palms open.
“I really can’t thank you enough, Sen Sherwin.”
“Kasasabi ko lang, anything at all.”
“I don’t know how I can make it up to you, but I will.”
“Di na kailangan. You take care of yourself too. I’m sure you’ve been holding your breath all morning.”
“Sinta and I both appreciate your help.”
“Anything at all, ha? Let me know.” He says as he finally accepts that he’s being delicately pushed out. He waves her goodbye and walks to his car.
Risa watches him go.
Her first seatmate, she thought. Him and his gentle ways. She has seen his work ethic firsthand. He has always been so reliable at work. It tugged at her that between last night and this morning, he became someone she had relied upon outside of it too.
He looks at her one more time before getting in the car. He waves her goodbye, she waves back. She realizes it’s the first time she’s ever seen him in shorts.