The Second Time Around (The Starving Squad #1)

Chapter 14: Twice In A Row

When Fresia and Bullet came home, their friends are already packed. Kumakain ng minani sa isang tabi si Mona. Si Aika ay babad pa rin sa panunuod sa phone nito. Brandi was playing cards with the two guys.

"Oh, hey! How's the wedding?" tanong ni Mona pagkakita sa kanila.

"Well, aside from her condescending parents and ex, it was quite nice," sagot ni Bullet.

"Did they give you a hard time?" tanong naman ni Felix sa kaibigan.

Bullet smiled. "It's nothing I can't handle."

"They grilled him because he didn't lie about his job," paliwanag niya sa mga kasama. She slumped on the space next to Mona.

"Okay ka lang?"

"Yeah." She removed her heels. Nag-Indian sit siya sa tabi ng kaibigan at saka nakihati sa kinakain nito. "I was just pissed that they served shrimp as appetizer. Hindi tuloy ako nakakain."

"They must have anticipated na darating ka kaya gano'n. Mas tipid nga naman kung hindi ka kakain," biro nito.

"Did you see Richard there?" tanong ni Brandi sa kanya.

Tumango siya. "Yeah. Ka-table namin. Kasama pa ang parents ko. Saya, di ba?"

It opened up a can of worms. Ipinakwento ng mga kaibigan niya ang nangyari. Since she doesn't want to oblige, the three women turned to Bullet for details. Game na game naman itong magkwento. Detalyadong-detalyado pa.

Their friends were so engrossed with Bullet's story-telling that she was able to slip to her room to get changed without being noticed. Pagkatapos niyang magbihis ay bumalik na siya sa sala dala ang backpack na dadalhin niya pamumundok.

Pagbalik niya ay agad siyang niyakap ni Mona.

"I know I shouldn't say this, but I really don't like your parents," sabi nito sa kanya. "And that Richard is no good for you. I'm so glad that you two didn't work out."

Bahagya siyang natawa. Hindi naman lingid sa kaalaman niyang ayaw ng mga kaibigan niya kay Richard. Nang mag-break silang dalawa ay inaya kaagad siya ng mga kaibigan para mag-celebrate. They were also more bummed when they got back together.

"Personally, I like Bullet for you better," bulong nito bago siya pakawalan.

Her pretend boyfriend wasn't there. Nagbibihis yata ito. Paalis na kasi sila agad. They'll be hiking at night tapos sa camp site ng forest reserve sila matutulog, the one right above the falls. Dalawang malaking tents ang dala nila, isa para doon sa tatlong lalaki at isa para sa kanilang apat.

May dala rin silang isang cooler para sa mga beer at softdrinks, marshmallows at chocolate syrup para sa smores, at gitara para sa jamming nila mamaya.

The forest reserve has other campsites, but only one is near the falls. Kailangan pang magpa-reserve doon kapag mag-o-overnight dahil isang area lang ang pwedeng lagyan ng tent. What people usually do is they go there by morning, camp somewhere else, then hike to the falls to swim.

Nang matapos magbihis si Bullet ay agad nilang ini-lock ang bahay at nagtawag ng tricycle sa labas.

--

The forest reserve is just ten minutes from the house by trike. It was well-managed and well-maintained. May entrance fee na 100 per head. You have the option to rent tents and other stuff for camping kung ayaw ninyong ma-hassle pagdadala ng mga gamit. They also have canned goods, snacks, drinks, and rice for those who'd rather buy food than bring them. Pampagaan nga naman ng dala. But they're a bit pricey so Fresia insisted to just bring their own food.