Write Me A Heartache (The Starving Squad #2)

Chapter 6: The Missing ID

Mickel Wesley Calderon.

Tiningnan muli ni Aika ang ID na nalaglag mula sa bulsa ng short niya. Mahina siyang napamura. Bakit nasa kanya pa iyon? Didn't she return it to that guy? She handed him back his wallet, didn't she?

Hindi ba niya iyon ibinalik sa wallet nito? She looked at his picture. Why can't she get rid of this guy? Last na dapat 'yong kanina, e! Bakit naman may pahabol pa?

"Ngeow!"

Elmo growled at her.

"Gusto mo?" She dropped the ID on the floor. "Sirain mo na nga 'yan para wala na 'kong problema."

Her cat stared at the ID.

"Eat it!"

Elmo made cat noises. Then he started licking his body, totally ignoring the ID in front of him. Bumuga siya ng hangin at pinulot muli ang ID. Mickey's picture stared back at her. Without his facial hair... he's actually kind of cute.

Focus, Aika!

She shook her head. Pwede naman sigurong kumuha ng bagong driver's license si Mickey, di ba? Problema na nito iyon. Hindi kasi nito pinaalala sa kanya na hindi pa niya naibibigay ang ID nito. But you took it for leverage, she reminded herself. But I needed that leverage.

Kasalanan din naman nito kung bakit hindi niya ito mapagkatiwalaan. Ilang beses na rin kasi nito siyang naloko. For sure, nakonsensya ito kaya siya nito inilibre sa buffet.

Nakonsensya na sya. Ikaw kaya?

Umiling siyang muli. Bakit ba kasi niya kinakalaban ang sarili?

She looked at his ID again. Well, if he wants it back, then he can get it. Inilagay niya iyon sa wallet niya para hindi mawala.

--

Mickey retraced his steps the next day. He went back to the Delish Desserts and asked if someone left a driver's license there. Ipinakita pa niya ang picture ni Aika sa mga staff para mas madali ng mga itong maalala kung bumalik doon ang dalaga.

Naka-zoom in pa ang picture para makita ng mga ito. Iyon lang kasi ang litrato ni Aika na meron sila. Group picture nila ito noong nasa talon sila.

Nang walang maibigay na driver's license sa kanya ang mga tao sa restaurant ay pumunta naman siya sa café kung saan niya ito unang nakita. Ipinakita niya ang picture nito sa mga taong nasa counter.

Most of them knew Aika. Madalas daw itong tumambay doon. But they don't know her enough to give him the address or contact number. They simply advised him to wait or come back. Usually raw ay sa hapon ito pumupunta. Hanggang alas singko raw ito ng hapon doon.

He followed their advice and waited. Pero pucha naman. Nakadalawang kape na siya ay wala pa ring Aika na dumarating!

He left the café irritated.

--

Muntik na si Aika! She was about to enter the café when she saw Mickey sitting on the table they sat in the last time they were there. Salubong ang mga kilay nito habang kinukutingting ang phone. He looked like he's impatiently waiting for someone.

You, sabi ng nakakainis niyang konsensya.

She ran back to her house after seeing him. She doesn't want to see him there. Maybe she'll just leave his ID at the café. Para hindi na siya nito makita. Matatahimik pa rin naman ang konsensya niya basta maisauli niya ang ID nito rito.

So, the next day, Aika went to the café a little earlier than usual. She was not expecting to him there that early. Natunugan ba nito ang plano niya? He was already there! May dala ulit itong birds of paradise. He ordered the same thing he ordered yesterday.