The Second Time Around (The Starving Squad #1)

Chapter 16: Women (Roll Eyes Dramatically)

Bullet thought he knew women, but Fresia is proving to be difficult to read. Hindi na nga siya nakitulog dito noong gabing bumalik sila ng Maynila dahil galit ito, tapos ay ganoon pa ang madadatnan niya nang mag-Lunes.

The house was fine, all right. Mukhang hindi ito nagwala dahil walang kahit isang piraso ng bubog siyang nadatnan nang pumunta siya roon ng gabi. Nag-grocery pa siya bago pumunta roon para maipagluto ito ng masarap na pagkain. He was hoping that she will forgive him after dinner. Sasarapan niya ang luto para gumanda ang mood nito.

Pero lumamig na't lahat ang pagkain ay wala pa rin ito. Halos maya't maya siyang lumalabas ng apartment para tingnan kung parating na ba ito. He's like a hen impatiently waiting for its eggs to hatch, which was very annoying.

Nang sa wakas ay narinig na niyang may tao sa labas ay lumapit siya sa pintuan para buksan ito. But just as he was about to, he heard a man's voice.

"I had a great time," he heard the guy say.

"Me too," narinig naman niyang sabi ni Fresia. She didn't sound like she meant it.

"Are you free tomorrow? If you want, we can—"

"Sorry. I think I'll be busy tomorrow."

He heard her keys jingle. She was about to open the door when the guy spoke again.

"That's all right. How about the next day?"

That's his cue to open the door. "She said she's busy, Pal. Beat it."

He pulled her inside, leaving the man outside gawking and confused. Salubong na salubong naman ang mga kilay ni Fresia nang magkatinginan sila. Ramdam na ramdam pa rin niya ang inis nito.

"Kumain ka na ba? I cooked dinner," sabi niya rito.

"I already ate," malamig nitong sagot. Nilampasan siya nito. He followed her to her bedroom, where she slammed the door on his face.

Okay... maybe she'll feel better after a good night's sleep. Matutulog na rin siya dahil hindi na rin naman siya makakain. Nalipasan na siya ng gutom sa kahihintay rito.

--

The next day, he woke up early and prepared Fresia's favorite breakfast. He timed it perfectly para pagkagising ni Fresia ay sabay silang makakapag-a-almusal. After preparing the coffee, fried rice and tapa, he poured himself a cup of coffee and waited by the counter.

As expected, Fresia already looks decent when she went out of the room. Suklay na ang buhok nito. Maayos din ang suot nitong puting shirt at maiksing shorts. Although she still looks sexy, he prefers her a little bit more... free.

"Morning," bati niya.

Fresia just gave him a nod. Dumiretso ito ng banyo. Siguro ay para maghilamos. He poured her a cup of coffee. Iniabot niya iyon dito nang lumabas ito.

Walang imik nitong tinanggap ang kape. Saka dumako ang tingin nito sa lamesa. He heard her sigh.

"Ayaw mo?" tanong niya.

Umiling ito, kumuha ng pinggan at saka sumandok ng fried rice. Hindi niya napigilan ang mapangiti. Mabuti na lang talaga at gutom ito. Hindi man siya nito kausapin, at least, kakain ito ng luto niya. It's a start.

Kumuha rin siya ng pinggan at naupo sa tapat nito. Pasandok pa lamang siya ng kanin nang bigla itong tumayo. Dala ang kape at pagkain, lumipat ito sa sala para doon mag-almusal.

Napabuntong-hininga na lamang siya. Ang hirap namang amuin ng mga babae!

--

That night, Bullet upped his game. He thought that if dinner won't work, then maybe a trip to the cinema will. Mahilig pa namang manuod ng movie si Fresia. And there's a really cheesy film that he doesn't like but she might want to see.