The Second Time Around (The Starving Squad #1)

Chapter 29: The Missing Bullet

Fresia really wants to hate Mona right now. What she said yesterday bothered her. It bothered her so much that she had to stay away from Bullet for a while to think it through. Hindi niya matanggap ang sinabi ng kaibigan niya. There's no way. It's too soon. Ilang buwan pa lamang silang magkakilala ni Bullet, love na kaagad?

"Ano ba ang tingin mo sa love? Parang matigas na karne na palalambutin mo muna bago mo kainin? You can instantly feel it. Minsan hindi mo na kailangang maghintay. Mararamdaman mo na sya kaagad. Recognizing and acknowledging it are what take time," naalala niyang paliwanag nito sa kanya.

Mona has been in love before. Siya, hindi pa. Pagkakatiwalaan ba niya ang judgment ng kaibigan?

"Hey..." untag sa kanya ni Bullet. "May problema ba? Sobrang tahimik mo."

Nasa pinakanghulihan sila ng kotse nito nakaupo. He didn't want to drive home, so Felix took the wheel. At dahil nasa unahan din si Felix, sa passenger's seat na rin naupo si Mona, which left her alone with Bullet at the back.

"Inaantok lang ako," dahilan niya.

After dinner sila nagbyahe pabalik dahil sa mga pagkaing niluto ng dalawang matanda. Mona and Bullet helped cook as well. Dahil ayaw nina Bullet na ibigay ang recipe, nauwi na lamang si Mona sa pag-o-observe. Mukhang masaya naman ang kaibigan niya dahil alam na nito kung paano lutuin ang ilan.

Bullet believed what she said. He made her lean on his chest. "Matulog ka muna."

"You're already in love with him," naalala niyang sabi ni Mona.

No! her mind protested. It's too soon for that!

There has to be some logical explanation as to why her cheeks keep heating up when he says something sweet or how her heart beats a little faster when they're this close. Baka nasu-sobrahan lamang siya sa kape dahil nahahawa siya kay Bullet.

"Are you okay?" she heard him ask. He tilted her chin up. "Your face is red."

"I-I... uhm—"

"Magkadikit na naman kayo!" bulalas ni Mona mula sa unahan.

"Shut up! She's sleepy," dahilan ni Bullet.

Agad siyang humiwalay dito at sumandal sa may bintana. "I-I'll just lean this way," mahina niyang sabi.

"Hindi ka kumportable dyan." Hinila siya nitong muli. "Huwag mo na lang pansinin si Mona."

But Mona's not the problem. Mona was actually the relief she needed. She feels like her heart would burst. The feeling she has for Bullet intensifies evert day and she doesn't know how long she could contain it, if she can contain it.

Gusto niyang lumayo rito para makapag-isip siya nang maayos. His presence ruins her better judgment. At the same time, gusto rin niyang palaging nakadikit dito. Because he makes her happy.

Yumakap siya rito at pumikit. Iisipin na lamang siguro niya ang tungkol sa sinabi ng kaibigan kinabukasan. Right now, she just likes the way he holds her.

--

Fresia was already falling asleep when she heard her phone rang. Hindi na sana niya sasagutin pero nakita niyang mommy niya ang tumatawag. Her parents don't call her unless it's something really important. Kahit nga noong birthday niya, text message lang ang natanggap niya mula sa mga ito.

She straighten up and answered the call. Pinauuwi siya ng mga ito kinabukasan.

Nabanggit ng mga ito sa kanya dati ang planong mag-abroad. That was a few years ago. Ngayon, mukhang nagkakatotoo na. They wanted to sell the house. Pinauuwi siya para kunin ang mga gamit niya. They also wanted to throw Fiona's things away. I-donate ang mga kailangang i-donate at ipagbenta ang ilan.