The Way To His Heart (The Starving Squad #3)

Chapter 9: Something's Changed

Mona couldn't wait for their trip to Pampanga. Unang-una, gusto niyang ikwento sa mga kaibigan ang nangyari sa date nila ni Felix. Pangalawa, gusto niyang kutusan si Bullet. At pasalamatan na rin. After all, without him, hindi sana sila nakapag-date ni Felix. Pangatlo, syempre nandoon si Felix. At pang-apat, masarap daw magluto ang lola Bullet. Maybe she'll ask for some recipes.

Sa bahay nina Fresia sila nagkita-kita. The best part of the trip? Wala si Brandi. She loves her friend but sometimes, she just wants to get away from her. Para hindi siya napupuruhan ng bluntness nito. Para rin partner-partner sila. Felix would surely stick to her throughout the entire trip.

Fresia and Bullet took the front seat. Designated drivers ang dalawa. Aika and Mickey got comfortable on the back of the car, sharing a pair of earphones. She was surprised with the two. Alam kasi niya kung gaano kairitado si Aika kay Mickey. So what changed?

"Hoy Mickey, nilamon ka na rin ba ng sistema?" tanong ni Fresia rito.

Nilingon niya ang dalawa. "Nanunuod ka ng KDrama? Hala!"

Naiintindihan niya si Aika. Malakas ang kapit ng kaibigan niya sa mga oppa nito. She thinks it's her friend's secret wish to be reincarnated as a Korean drama heroine. Pero si Mickey? With his long hair and rockstar ruggedness, it's hard to imagine him watching that stuff.

"Di ba, sabi mo mga mukhang bakla ang bida sa ganyan?" natatawang tanong ni Felix kay Mickey.

Aika looked at them with disdain. Si Mickey naman, sinipa ang likod ng inuupuan nila. Felix just laughed it off. Magsasalita sana siya nang marinig niya 'yong malanding 'Eyes on me' ni Bullet kay Fresia.

The two were looking googly-eyed towards each other.

"Pwedeng huwag munang magpa-tweetums habang nagda-drive? Maaksidente tayo nyan, e," mataray niyang sabi.

"Bitter spotted," Fresia retorted.

Bullet laughed but he reverted his attention back to driving.

"I'm not bitter. Safety lang bago landi."

Pero deep inside, she was envious of her friend. Sweet na sweet kasi ang dalawa. At sa harap pa talaga niya. The other two at the back have their own little world. Sila ni Felix lang ang walang ganap.

"Kung may kalandian ka rin, hindi ka magrireklamo." Fresia turned to Felix. "That's your cue, Felix."

Felix just laughed. Hindi niya alam kung hindi ba nito na-gets 'yong ipinahihiwatig ni Fresia o kung sadyang binalewala lang nito iyon.

"Magkakasundo kayo ni Lola Dolores. She's a mean cook," he told her.

"Talaga? Madalas kayo sa kanila?"

Tumango ito. "Tuwang-tuwa nga sa 'kin 'yon, e. Ang lakas ko raw kasing kumain. I'm sure she'll like Fresia as well."

Lumingon si Fresia. "I heard that!"

Felix laughed. "Compliment 'yon oy! Welcome na welcome ka sa pamilya nila kapag matakaw ka!"

Napahagikhik siya nang sumimangot si Fresia. Grabe talaga 'tong katabi niya. Walang filter ang bibig!

"Sino kaya ang mas matakaw sa inyong dalawa, 'no?" tanong naman niya. It would be fun to watch those two have a food-eating contest. Sa likaw ng bituka ni Fresia, sigurado siyang kaya nitong tapatan ang katakawan ni Felix. She and Bullet can cook for them.

It would really be fun. And maybe then, tataba na rin si Fresia. Maybe she just needs to stretch the linings of her stomach!

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