The Second Time Around (The Starving Squad #1)

Chapter 39: The Missing Key

Bigla-biglang kinilabutan si Fresia pagkapasok ng apartment. Hinagod niya ang batok. Weird. May multo ba sa apartment niya? Or was it because Richard's here with her? It's been a while since he's been here.

"Where is it?" he asked.

"Nasa closet ko. Sa pinakang-ilalim."

Sinundan niya ito sa kwarto. Richard opened her closet and retrieved the diary she was talking about. Iniikot niya ang paningin sa paligid. It's funny how in just a few months, she got to share most of herself with Bullet. Samantalang kay Richard, parang nadaan lang sa sapilitan.

Pero naaawa pa rin siya sa lalaki. After all this time, he's still in love with her. If only she can reciprocate that love...

"Don't look at me like that," seryoso nitong sabi. "Baka kapag inaya mo 'kong maging rebound, pumayag ako agad."

Bahagya itong natawa nang ngumuso siya.

"Let's go. Baka hinahanap na tayo ng parents mo."

"I'm sure they don't mind us staying out. Alam mo namang mas mahal ka pa ng mga 'yon sa 'kin." Hindi niya maiwasang mahaluan ng tampo ang sinabi. But it was not her intention to blame Richard. Dati siguro pero... parang may nag-iba ngayon.

"Gusto mo ng burger?" tanong niya.

"We just had dinner—" Umiling ito at ngumiti. "All right."

--

Sa isang maliit na burger joint sila nagpunta. He ordered two huge burgers with fries on the side saka dalawang shake. Hinati ni Richard ang burger nito. Ibinigay nito sa kanya ang kalahati.

"I know you didn't eat well earlier," he told her.

Tipid siyang ngumiti. "Thanks."

Hindi na niya sinabing hindi niya mauubos iyon dahil wala siyang masyadong gana. But it has bacon, cheese and mushrooms... so baka naman bumalik na rin ang gana niya.

"How long will you be staying with your parents?"

Nagkibit-balikat siya. "I don't know. Why do you ask?"

"Minsan kasi do'n ako natutulog. Pinapagamit nila 'yong guest room sa 'kin. But if you're going to be there for a while, then I guess I'll have to take the couch."

"Madalas kang mag-dinner sa bahay?"

Richard nodded. "Once or twice a week."

"Wow. Buti ka pa, niyayaya nila," hindi niya napigilang sabihin.

Ngumiti ito. "They wanted to invite you, but they figured that you would just decline."

So they don't even try? she thought bitterly. Sana sinubukan man lamang ng mga itong magyaya.

He must have read her thoughts because he said, "Alam mo ba, hindi ka nawawala sa usapan namin ng parents mo."

"Why? Kasama ka na rin sa pagdi-decide ng future ko?"

Richard let out a chuckle. "Galit na galit ka talaga sa parents mo, 'no?"

He doesn't understand because he's treated differently. Buong buhay niya, lahat ng desisyon niya, dikta ng mga magulang. If she's not rebellious, siguro ay gabi-gabi siyang umiiyak sa ospital, pinagsisisihang sinunod niya ang mga magulang.

But because she didn't let them run her life, they just hate her now. At least she's doing what she really loves to do.

"You know... your mom cried to me once," he told her.