A/N: Yay! This story is one year in the making! started to write this last June of 2018 pa, I didn't expect that this will have 10 chapters. But I am thankful for all your support! Love love 💕

----

Batac, Ilocos Norte

Two months after Bongbong left, Leni has decided to "move on" and put herself together after her best friends made her realize that she needed to continue life and that she needed to be "herself" again. She continued her usual routine and hangs out frequently with her best friends to avoid thinking of him all the time. She focused on her work and taking care of herself, she doesn't want to be called "para kang 60 years old kahit 53 ka palang" again.

She decided to go home in Ilocos after Imee invited her to attend the annual festival in the province, she was reluctant at first but when the whole barkada committed to come too, she agreed. It will be a great escape for her, she needed to breathe.

"Lens, dito ka na lang mag-stay sa room nyo ni Bongets ha!" Imee told Leni.

"Ha?" Leni was shocked, "Um pwede naman sa guest room nalang ako ate." She suggested, she thought that it would be awkward if she stays in their room (his room) given the fact that they've been separated.

Imee holds her hands together, "Leni, that room will always be yours too. Kahit maghiwalay pa kayo ng paulit-ulit, welcome ka pa din dito. This is your home too."

Leni flashed a small smile appreciating Imee's sincerity, "Thank you ate, pero di ba uuwi si Bong? Parang ang awkward naman kasi—"

"Nope." Imee cut her off. "He said he's not coming home. Sa Christmas nalang daw."

And with that, Leni decided to accept Imee's offer. When she entered the room, she looked around and she cannot help but to sobbed. A lot of memories from the past suddenly flashed back. She saw their wedding pictures still hanging on the wall, she saw framed photos atop the cabinet— Tricia's photos. She cried harder as she saw her framed photo with him which was placed on the nightstand—it was their favorite photo. She was the one who put that photo into that frame.

She's not yet over him.

——

It's the big day in the province as they celebrate their annual festival. There are a lot of activities and events happening today and Leni was so excited, it will be the first time in 15 years that she'll attend to such events. She decided to woke up early and took a bath as Imee told them that they'll attend the mass.

She set the heater's temperature first before she removed her clothes. She was enjoying the water dropping in her skin when she suddenly heard the sound of the door opening. She turned quickly and was surprised.

"Oh my god!!!" She screamed. She was startled to see Bongbong standing in front her.

He couldn't move for a moment, he was equally surprised to see her inside the bathroom. He didn't know that she was there. He was planning to surprise everyone with his presence that's why he went home from London but he didn't know that Leni would be there too, much to his surprise he didn't know that she'll be staying in their room.

"Oh my god! What are you doing here?!" She exclaimed while covering her naked body with the towel.

He was suddenly taken back to reality, "Ha? Um. I'm— I'm sorry, Sorry sorry!" And he quickly went out the bathroom closing the door after him. He sighed as he leaned over the door. "What have I done?" He asked himself.

Leni sighed and buried her face in her hands, "Oh my god! That was not supposed to happen! Nakakahiya!"

Minutes later, Leni went out of the bathroom wearing nothing but her white robe, her hair was covered with towel. She saw him sitting at the tip of the bed, face buried on his hands. She cleared her throat.

He looked up to her, "Leni, I'm sorry. I didn't know that you were there. I—"

"It's okay, Bong." She cut him off and get her clothes.

He stood up and walked closer to her, "Leni—"

"Bong, it's fine." She cut him off again and went inside the bathroom to change. She leaned over the door and closed her eyes. "This is awkward." She thought.

He leaned over the other side of the door, "Leni, I'm sorry. I'm really sorry. Hindi ko talaga alam na nasa loob ka, hindi ko alam na umuwi ka din pala."

"Bong, it's okay. Let's just forget what happened." She replied, still leaning over the door. "I should've locked the door. I'm sorry."

"No, it's not your fault. It's my fault, I should've knocked. I'm sorry." He apologized for the nth time.

"Kalimutan nalang natin 'to okay?" She said.

——

Awkward. This word was definitely the best way to describe Leni and Bongbong's relationship right now. They were no choice but to be with each other the whole day as they attended several events regarding the festival. They tried to act 'normal' in front of many people setting aside their complicated relationship but there are moments when they caught each other staring at one another, it made their situation more awkward.

Later that evening, they were all gathered at the Marcos' mansion for a small gathering of family, friends and constituents. It has became a family tradition for the Marcoses to host a gathering at the night of the festival, it's their way of saying thank you for all the blessings that they received. They were all having fun as they savor the food and the talks but Leni's mood changed when someone came.

"Oh my god! Belle? Is that you? Grabe long time no see!" Bongbong kissed Belle's cheeks before giving her a tight hug.

"It's been years since we last saw each other. How are you?" Belle asked Bongbong enthusiastically.

"Well, okay naman. Actually, kakauwi ko lang dito 2 months ago because of Tricia's wedding." Bongbong replied, still holding Belle close.

"Really? Tricia is married already? Wow! Ang bilis ng panahon. Tumatanda na talaga tayo." Belle remarked. They laughed. "Pero pogi ka pa din naman, don't worry." She followed. He smiled.

Leni cleared her throat.

"Oh um sorry." Bongbong noticed, "By the way, I would like you to meet my best friends," Bongbong started to introduce the whole barkada to Belle. They all exchanged pleasantries.

"And this is um Leni, she's—" Bongbong stammered.

"I'm Bongbong's wife. Nice to meet you." Leni introduced herself. They all looked at her in surprised.

Belle smiled, she had a hint of Leni's jealousy, "I'm Belle, Bongbong's friend. Pleasure to meet you."

They settled themselves again after that 'intense' moment, Bongbong excused himself telling them that he would accompany Belle in greeting Imelda and Imee. The whole barkada agreed.

Grace cleared her throat, "That. Was. Intense."

"Trueee! Pang-teleserye, mare!" Risa agreed.

"Akala ko sasabunutan mo na eh!" Nancy joined. They were all aware of Leni's jealousy over Belle.

"Bakit? May mali ba sa sinabi ko?" Leni asked playing innocently.

"Well, wala naman mare. Pero yung tono mo kanina parang gusto mong sabihan si Belle ng , back off! Asawa ko yang nilalandi mo! Ganon!" Risa remarked. They laughed.

Leni looked at Belle from a far, "Well, she really need to back off!"

——

Hours later and the guests started to decreased, it was already late so they call it a day. Meanwhile, Bongbong noticed that the whole barkada were still enjoying themselves as they drank their liquor. He approached them.

"Still up huh? Mukhang ang saya natin dito ha?" He said as he took a seat beside Win.

"O bakit bawal?" Leni answered boozily. "Bakit ka ba nandito? Dun kana nga sa Belle mo!"

"Oh! Shots fired!" Grace reacted. They all laughed.

Bongbong frowned, "Alam nyo lasing na kayo eh. Matulog na nga kayo!"

"O Bongbong's right. Matulog na tayo." Neil agreed. "Uy, Win, Migz, alalayan nyo yang mga asawa nyo. Baka mahulog sa hagdan yang mga yan." He stood up and assisted Grace. Win and Migz stood up also and assisted their respective wives.

"Good night!" Grace uttered.

"Next time ulit!" Risa said.

"Uy teka lang, paano ako? Hintayin nyo naman ako!" Leni retorted.

"Mare, kanya-kanyang uwian ng asawa. Ayan si Bongets oh, dyan ka magpabuhat." Nancy replied.

Leni snorted, "Kaya kong umakyat mag-isa!" She tried to stood up but the liquor had strong effects on her that why she lost her balance. Luckily, Bongbong was fast to grab her preventing her to fall.

"Hindi mo na kaya. Halika kana, umakyat na rin tayo." He stipulated.

She withdrew from his grip, "Don't touch me! Kaya kong maglakad!" And she started to walk groggily.

"Ang tigas ng ulo!" He grunted as he followed her.

She suddenly dropped herself into the ground due to the dizziness she felt, he quickly helped her to stand up, "Ang kulit naman kasi eh! Sabing di mo na kaya!"

She just rolled her eyes. He decided to just carried her up to their room. He made her lie down their bed and started to change her clothes.

"Nasusuka ako." She uttered. He assisted her inside the bathroom, massaging her back as she puke. Then, he gave her a glass of water. "Toothbrush." She uttered, he readied her toothbrush and assisted her. He really knew how to handle a drunk Leni.

Minutes later, Leni felt a bit better as she was able to puke and brush her teeth. She suddenly realized that they were actually in the same room. "Dun nalang ako matutulog sa kabilang room." She uttered.

"Why? You can sleep here." He asked.

"Where are you going to sleep?" She asked.

"Here." He answered. "Alam mo Leni, you should rest para naman mawala yang kalasingan mo."

"So ano magkatabi tayo?" She asked.

"Yes. Bakit bawal?" He asked back, he didn't get what she's trying to say.

"Bong—"

"Leni, mag-asawa tayo." He cut her off. "Ikaw mismo nagsabi kanina kay Belle diba?"

Leni's mood suddenly changed again after remembering Belle, she raised an eyebrow, "O bakit, tama naman sinabi ko kay Belle ha, I'm your wife! Kahit di tayo okay, I am still your wife! She should know that."

He frowned, "I think she knows that."

"Talaga ba Bong? O baka naman ikaw ang nakakalimot na may asawa ka pa din?!" She squinted her eyes.

"What are you talking about?" He asked as he didn't understand her, "You know what, you should rest."

"What am I talking about?! Oh come on, Bong! Akala mo ba di ko nakikita ha?! Naglalandian kayo sa harap ko!" She almost exclaimed.

He frowned, "Are you jealous?"

"What?! No!" She denied. "Kapal mo!"

He smirked, he knew that she's jealous, "Sus! Magdedeny ka pa eh! Just admit it, you're jealous."

"Hindi nga! Bakit ako magseselos?" She rolled her eyes.

"O eh bakit ka affected kung naglalandian kami ni Belle kanina?" He asked back.

She was caught off guard. She knew that she was jealous of Belle but she cannot tell him, it will give him a bragging rights. "Ewan ko sa'yo!" She just walked out.

But before she was able to open the door, he was fast to corner her, "Where are you going? Di mo pa nga inaamin na nagseselos ka eh." His face was just inches away from her face.

She can feel the heat spreading across her face, their faces were too close, she gulped, "Hindi—"

He cut her off by kissing her lips. She was shocked by what he just did. "Ano, di ka pa rin aamin na nagseselos ka?" He asked breathlessly after the kiss.

She was breathless, she didn't know what to say. She just looked at him, she suddenly sobbed.

He was surprised with her reaction, he thought that she'll slap his face after kissing her without a permission but when he saw her sad eyes filled with tears, he knew that she's serious. "Hey, I'm sorry." He cupped her face and dried her tears using his thumbs.

She started to cry, she didn't know why she's crying but maybe because it's her way of telling him that she's not okay. "I miss you, Bong." She said between tears.

He smiled and kissed her forehead, "I miss you more."

She cried harder and hugged him tightly, she misses him so much. It hurts her to see him with another woman, she wanted to tell him how much she misses him and how she love him but her pride restrained her all the time. She was scared that she'll lose him again so she took that chance to tell him that she misses him.

"I'm sorry." She whispered.

"It's okay. I understand." He kissed her hair and carried her. She wrapped her legs to his waist and buried her face into his neck. He just let her cry for a while, he knew how stressed she was for the past months, the barkada told him. It's actually the main reason why he decided to go home, he wanted to talk to her and patch things up.

He walked slowly until he was able to sit down at the tip of the bed, still carrying her. "I'm sorry din kung nag selos ka kanina kay Belle. We're just friends." He said. He felt her nod, her face was still buried in his neck while her legs were still wrapped around his waist. He kissed her bare shoulder and hugged her tighter.

"I love you." She uttered.

He smiled, it sent shivers to his spine, "I love you too."

She finally lifted her head and cupped his face, "I love you so much, mahal."

He leaned closer until their foreheads touched, "I love you too so much, mahal."

They shared a sentimental kiss.

💛❤️