The Second Time Around (The Starving Squad #1)

Chapter 35: Love That Didn't Last

Thanks, Kimmy, sa pag-translate! Guys, ilabas nyo na ulit ang mga kaibigan nyong Kapampangan. Marami-rami 'to. Hahaha

Mugtong-mugto ang mga mata ni Fresia nang magising siya kinabukasan. Masakit na ang ulo niya kaiiyak, pero hindi noon nabawasan ang lungkot na nararamdaman niya. Basang-basa na ng mga luha niya ang teddy bear na bigay ni Bullet. Pakiramdam din niya'y tuyong-tuyo na ang mga mata niya dahil sa magdamag na pag-iyak.

Kinusot niya ang mga mata saka matamlay na bumangon. Agad niyang hinanap ang phone para tingnan kung kinontak siya ni Bullet. But there were no missed calls. No text messages.

Ramdam niya ang paninikip ng dibdib. Talaga bang hanggang doon na lamang sila? Maybe she shouldn't have driven him away, but he left her no choice. She couldn't ignore the problem anymore.

But maybe she should have been more patient. Maybe he needs more time. But how much time does he need exactly? Kapag nasaktan na ito? He could have died! He was strangling himself, for Christ's sake. What if she didn't wake up on time? Baka hindi na niya ito naabutang buhay.

Niyakap niyang muli ang teddy bear. "I miss you," bulong niya.

It's only been a day and yet it already hurts so much. All her life, she's been ignored and rejected. Noong nakilala niya ang mga kaibigan, doon lamang niya naramdaman na mahalaga siya. When she met Bullet, it was the first time that she experienced what it's like to love a man. And be loved back, the way she's supposed to be loved.

If what they have wasn't meant to last, then she was happy that she got to experience it, at least. Hindi lang niya matanggap na natapos sila nang ganoon na lang. He didn't even say goodbye.

--

Hanggang tanghaling nakahiga si Fresia sa kama. Wala siyang ganang kumain. She's a horrible cook so why try? Ayaw rin niyang kainin ang mga pagkaing natira na luto ni Bullet. That will just make everything worse.

Mona was right after all. Dahil ayaw niyang magkwento kagabi, ngayon siya lalapit dito, kung kailan garalgal na ang boses niya sa kaiiyak. She called her three friends and asked for their company.

Wala pang 30 minutes mula nang tumawag siya nang dumating sina Brandi at Aika. May dala ang dalawang ilang box ng pizza at ilang pint ng ice cream.

"Susunod daw si Mona. May tinatapos lang sa bakeshop," sabi ni Aika sa kanya.

Tumango siya at sinimulang lantakan ang ice cream.

"Kumain ka na ba?" tanong ni Brandi. Nang umiling siya ay kinuha nito ang ice cream mula sa kamay niya at pinalitan iyon ng isang slice ng pizza.

"Fresia, you don't have a normal stomach. You can't survive on pizza alone."

Bigla siyang napahagulhol.

"Friend, malala ka na," kumento ni Brandi. Hinagod nito ang likod niya. "Lalaki lang 'yan."

But he's not just any guy! reklamo ng utak niya. He's Bullet and I love him.

Mas lalong lumakas ang pag-iyak niya. "Fuck! It wasn't this painful last time!"

"You didn't love the other guy, Fresia," said Aika. "Of course it's not this painful."

"Hayaan mo. Let the pain linger," sabi naman ni Brandi. "Mawawala din 'yan. You'll get over the heartache. Trust me."

"Ano ba kasi ang nangyari? Baka naman pwede pang ayusin," Aika countered. "Don't give up just yet."

Tahimik lang ang dalawang nakikinig habang nagkikwento siya ng nangyari simula noong gabing umuwi ang mga ito. Aika was a little offended when she mentioned that Bullet asked if he could smoke. Aika hates guys who smoke or drink. Si Brandi naman ay apektado nang sabihin niyang may hindi sinasabi si Bullet sa kanya kaya sila nagkatampuhan. Brandi hates secrets. Para sa kaibigan niya, mas importante ang tiwala kesa pagmamahal.