New York
October 2016
The De Leons are living in the Upper East Side in New York while Hezel lives in East Harlem.
East Harlem is really close to Central Park, where Bea has a lot of memories.
When Zel's car was in front of the mansion, Bea called the driver to ask him to park her bestfriend's car.
Napailing na lang ang bestfriend niya. This seemed like an emergency talaga.
"Bitch, where, when, how did u meet him?" bungad ni Zel.
"Shhh. Wait until we get to my room."
Manang saw the two and greeted Zel.
"Hezelllll! Jusko daii! Miss kita," Manang said.
"Ay Manang. Gusto ko ng ginataang crabs na luto mo at sago gulaman."
"Naku. Hindi ako ang naghanda ng pagkain ni Bea pero sure ako masarap ang ulam ngayon."
"Huh? Who did?" Hezel curiously asked Manang and Bea.
"Oh. You're done now with the Tagalog words? So the question is for me?" Bea asked.
"Who did the crabs?" Zel looked at Bea.
"Chef Thirdy. He's from the Philippines. Loel's mentor," Manang said.
"Ohhhh, a chef." Tumingin naman nang nakakaloko si Zel kay Bea pero she just rolled her eyes.
"Manang, balikan kita. Papalit lang ako damit galing akong inuman." Tawang tawa naman si Zel nang sinabi ito kay Manang.
Tumango lang si Manang na parang sanay na marinig iyon.
"How come you never taught me how to speak Tagalog?" Bea said habang papaakyat sila sa room nito.
"Because you never asked me to?" Zel said.
"Okay, fine." Pagsarang pagsara ni Bea ng pinto, umupo si Zel sa kama at hinubad ang dress nito. Sinuot ang sleeping clothes na hinanda ni Bea sa tabi ng kama niya. Normal lang sa kanila magbihis sa harap ng isa't isa kasi nga roommates sila.
"Spill it now," Zel ordered.
"So he's the chef who trains Kuya. Zel, you know I'm such a sucker for crabs and he cooked the best crabs a person can eat. Plus, he's funny and really respectful."
"Is he handsome?"
"Yeah."
"So when is your flight?" Zel knew that Bea would run away because she has feelings. She's always like that naman talaga.
"You know the next mission will be in Feb. Can you help me look for a mission earlier than that? Actually, he's leaving too by the end of this month."
Hezel checked the calendar. "That's it. Stay here. He'll be the one to leave. Problem solved, bitch!"
"So I'll just allow him to be around me for the last week?" Bea asked.
"Yep. Then after he leaves, act like you don't know him. You're good at this. Why are you even asking me what to do?" Zel is curious now. "You like him that much?" Hezel added.
"Well, everyone around me adores him."
"Do you have food leftovers that he cooked?"
"Actually, we kinda have a deal. He'll cook for me 3 times a day. In return, I'll buy him cookies."
"What's with the Filipinos and NY cookies?" Zel asked at sabay silang bumaba.
"You go eat dinner with me." Yaya niya pa.
