The Second Time Around (The Starving Squad #1)

Chapter 12: Hungover, Distressed, and Stressed

Fresia woke up the next morning with a throbbing head and a sore throat. She couldn't remember most of what happened last night. Nabablangko talaga siya kapag lasing. That is why she only drinks with people she knows.

Naabutan niya ang mga kasamang nag-aalmusal sa kusina. She could tell by their faces that she did something weird last night. Kakaiba ang tingin na ipinukol ng mga ito sa kanya.

"Morning," bati niya sa mga ito.

Aika gave her a huge mug of coffee. Nginitian niya ito saka siya humanap ng pwesto. She spotted an empty chair next to Bullet. Lumapit siya rito at akmang uupo nang bigla itong tumayo. With a plate of food on one hand and a cup of coffee on another, he marched to the living room.

She looked to her friends for some explanation.

"Na-trauma yata sa 'yo kagabi," sabi sa kanya ni Mona.

"Why?" kunot-noo niyang tanong. "What did I do?"

"Wala kang maalala?" amused na tanong ni Felix.

She shook her head. After she gets drunk, things don't make sense anymore.

"You kissed him," Brandi told her.

Her eyes widened in horror. Napatingin siya kay Bullet na noon ay nangangasim ang mukha. "I-I did?"

Tumango silang lahat.

"And did I do something else?"

Aika shuddered. May halong takot at amusement ang tingin na ipinukol nito sa kanya.

"You did that thing..." Mona answered. "...the thing that you always do after you kiss someone while you're drunk."

Lalong nanlaki ang mga mata niya. "I did that?!"

"Let's not talk about it. Nawawalan ako ng ganang kumain kapag naaalala ko," sabi ni Brandi.

Brandi opened another topic while she rinsed her mouth and washed her face in the bathroom. Since her stomach couldn't handle the food on the table, cup noodles na lamang ang kinain niya.

Right after breakfast, naligo na siya at naghanda para puntahan ang resort kung saan gaganapin ang kasal. Dala-dala na rin niya ang wedding gown nito na ilang araw nang nasa bahay ng tiyahin niya. Izzy wanted to get the gown sooner, but she knew that her cousin would just try it on and find something to complain about so she said no. At least, kung mismong araw ng kasal nito iyon maisusuot, wala na itong magagawa kahit magreklamo pa ito. And if she cancels the wedding because of her petty tantrum, then bahala nang mag-away ang bride and groom.

--

Izzy wanted a destination wedding but her parents insisted on having the wedding at their hometown instead. Mamayang hapon ang kasal nito. They'll be wed at sunset, at a private resort. Inarkila ng mapapangasawa ni Izzy ang buong resort.

The reception will also be held there. The venue was the least expensive among all the wedding details. Everything else is too much for any humble heart.

Nang makarating siya sa lugar ay agad niyang naamoy ang libu-libong rosas na nakakalat sa paligid. Plano yata ni Izzy na magtayo ng sarili nitong garden dahil halos matabunan na ng mga bulaklak ang reception area.

Umaga pa lamang ay abala na ang mga tao sa pag-aayos ng venue. It's hard not to notice the sparkly chandeliers hanging above the ceiling. Kahit ang mga lamesa, may mga makikinang din na dekorasyon. The centerpieces were branches filled with orchids, roses, and crystals.

"Fresia!" Kinawayan siya ng mommy ni Izzy mula sa malayo. Hindi pa man nagsisimula ang kasal ay bihis na bihis na ito. She's wearing a dress, high heels, and a bunch of huge accessories.