The Second Time Around (The Starving Squad #1)

Chapter 11: Six Is Company

When Fresia told Mona to take a leave from work because Felix finally agreed to come, her friend did not believe her. Kaya naman halos malaglag ang panga nito nang magkita-kita sila nang Biyernes ng hapon.

"He's actually here!" Mahigpit ang pagkakakapit ni Mona sa braso niya habang inilalagay nina Mickey at Felix ang gamit sa loob ng Toyota Fortuner ni Bullet.

"Sabi ko naman sa 'yo, di ba? Wala ka kasing tiwala sa 'kin, e." Inilapit niya ang bibig sa tenga ng kaibigan. "Do'n kayo sa pangalawang upuan. I already told Brandi and Aika where to sit."

Bullet was the designated driver for the trip. Siya naman ang pipwesto sa passenger's seat at alternate driver na rin kung kailangan. Brandi was already getting chummy with Mickey. Makakatabi ng dalawa si Aika mamaya sa hulihan, which will leave Mona with Felix, in the middle. And for the first time in a long time, her friend was speechless.

So, how did she do it? What did she do to make Felix come with them?

Nothing. She just apologized and he forgave her like it was no big deal. As it turns out, men don't hold grudges like women do. She simply apologized to him over a tall glass of beer and all's well that ends well na ang drama nila.

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Gaya ng plano ay sa hulihan hinila ni Brandi si Mickey para maupo. Aika was quietly sitting next to Mickey. Busy sa panunuod ng KDrama. She admires her friend's dedication to finishing all those series, but she also fears for her health. Dire-diretso kasi ito kung manuod. Isang bagsakan. Sixteen hours kung sixteen hours!

Swerte lang nitong hindi na nito kailangang magtrabaho. Aika Yamamura's parents are rich. Hapon ang ama nito at Pilipina naman ang ina. Her parent's separated when she was three. Her father went back to Japan while her mom remarried.

May dalawang panganay na kapatid si Aika sa daddy nito at dalawa pa ulit sa stepfather nito. They all get along well, unlike her family.

Kasal na ang panganay nitong kapatid at pabalik-balik na lang sa Japan para bisitahin ang daddy nito at ang bago nitong pamilya. Ang pangalawa naman nitong kuya ay nagpapayaman sa Davao 5 days a week at umaakyat ng bundok tuwing weekends.

Dahil si Aika ang bunso sa unang kasal ng parents nito, medyo spoiled ang kaibigan niya. Aika doesn't need to work. Pinadadalhan ito ng pera ng mga magulang linggo-linggo. Because of that, Aika was able to pursue her passion freely.

Bumukod ito ng tirahan dahil hindi ito maka-concentrate sa bahay ng stepdad nito. Bata pa kasi ang mga kapatid nito at maraming alagang aso. Doon naninirahan ngayon ang asong bigay ni Richard sa kanya dati. Si Elmo naman ang isinama ni Aika sa bahay nito dahil warfreak ang mahadero nitong pusa.

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Brandi and Mickey were already hitting it off. Pagkasakay pa lamang sa kotse ay panay na ang kwentuhan ng dalawa. Pero alam niyang wala ring patutunguhan iyon dahil takot makipagrelasyon si Brandi. Fling-fling lang siguro.

Maganda ang kaibigan niyang si Brandi. Sa kanilang apat, aminado silang ito ang pinakamaganda. But what's cool about Brandi is that she knows she's beautiful but she doesn't rub it in, unless nagbibiro ito.

Brandi's the second oldest in their group (next to Mona). Malapit na ring mawala sa kalendaryo ang edad nito pero ayaw pa rin nitong mag-settle down. Mukhang malabo na nga yata 'yong mangyari.

She probably has the most love to give, but she has been too scarred to give it.

The problem with Brandi is that she falls in love with the wrong guy all the time! Pinakamalala na yatang kwento nito ay noong nagkagusto ito sa isang sundalo.