Pursuing My Nemesis

Thirty Three

Chapter 33

DAYS, WEEKS, AND months had passed like shooting stars gliding over the night sky. Time and work were both in a swift, like cars racing against each other; trying to figure out who would get into the finish line first.

The nights became longer and the air was colder when December came. The busy streets went busier with those private vehicles from tourists who would like to join the traffic jam during the night.

"I'm hungry," reklamo ko habang nakasandal sa shotgun seat. Aniel was on the driver's seat, clicking his tongue because of annoyance.

"Same here," gatong ni Freeda sa reklamo ko.

"I told you that this is a bad idea. Alam niyo naman na Friday tapos gusto niyong gumala around metro. Talagang mapapanis tayo sa gitna ng traffic!" naiinis na sabi ni Channing.

"Wow! Let me remind you, Chan, that you also agreed to look for other restos here kasi... ano nga ulit 'yong sinabi mo?" Freeda asked.

"Nagsasawa na raw siya sa salmon ng suki nating resto," ako na ang sumagot.

"Yes! That's what you've said. Hindi ka nag-object noong sinabi kong humanap tayo ng ibang makakainan." Freeda raised a brow at Channing.

"Kasi ang akala ko, may alam kang pwedeng puntahan na malapit lang sa ASDG," depensa naman ni Channing.

"I think I have some chips hidden in here. Chan, can you check the compartment between your seats?" Aniel said, as if chips would help ease everyone's growling stomachs.

Sumunod naman si Channing at binuksan ang maliit na compartment sa gitna ng upuan nila ni Freed. Napatili si Free nang may nakita si Channing na tatlong malalaking potato chips na nakatago roon.

"This would do for a while. Thanks, Aniel!" Freeda said happily while opening the pack of chips. Ipinasa naman ni Channing ang isang pack sa akin para may kainin kami ni Aniel.

We were still stuck in the heavy traffic. Sinilip ko ang oras sa phone ko at nang makitang alas nuebe na ng gabi ay napaungol ako. My dinner's always before eight. Pakiramdam ko ay nalipasan na talaga ako ng gutom.

"I think pwede naman tayong kumain sa mga fast foods na madaraanan natin," I suggested because I am so hungry already. Hindi ko na kaya kapag tatagal pa kami ng kalahating oras sa paghahanap ng pwedeng kainan.

"Pwede naman. Tawagan niyo si Triton. Tanungin niyo kung nasaan na siya. Mas mabilis siyang makahanap ng makakainan kumpara sa atin," Freeda said while munching her chips.

As if on cue, Aniel's phone rang and Triton's name flashed on the screen. Agad niyang sinagot iyon.

"Architect! Where are you?" Triton asked. His voice was muffled maybe because he's wearing a helmet.

"Still stuck in the traffic. Can you find somewhere we could dine in?" Aniel replied.

"I'm already parked near the Eleves' Bookshop. May alam akong pwedeng kainan dito."

Tumingin si Aniel sa akin. I nodded my head as an approval. Madalas ako sa Eleves' kapag may libre akong oras para sa pagbili ng mga libro. Pero sa ilang beses ko nang pagpunta roon, wala pa naman akong nakikitang kainan na malapit.

"Alright. Wait there." Aniel dropped the call.

"Malapit naman na ang daan papuntang Eleves' dito, 'di ba?" I asked Aniel. "Do you think you can make a turn to the left from here?"

Sumilip si Aniel sa labas ng sasakyan. Hindi naman siguro kami mava-violate. Libre naman ang pagliko rito.

"I think so," he said unsurely.