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

Chapter 18: Swings and Ice Creams

Dumiretso sina Mona sa bahay ng parents ni Fresia. Her friend let her take the car home, kahit pa ipinilit niyang magku-commute na lamang siya pag-uwi. She didn't argue with Fresia because she knew her friend was upset. Baka lalong sumama ang loob nito kapag nakipagtalo pa siya. Kanina nga ay hindi niya ito napangaralan. Fresia didn't want to listen, so she let it go. Alam naman niyang lalapit ito sa kanya kung kailangan na nito ang tulong niya.

So she drove home. It was a long drive. Mag-isa pa siya. At ewan ba niya kung bakit biglang sumagi sa isip niya ang magbakasyon. She needs to take a break, anyway. Araw-araw siyang nagtatrabaho. Nakakalabas lamang siya kapag may date o kapag nag-aya sina Fresia.

Right now, Fresia's definitely not in the mood to hang out. Baka ganoon din si Aika. Medyo malihim ang kaibigan niyang iyon kaya bihira siyang makabalita. But they know now that Aika likes Mickey. The two were probably hanging out.

Si Brandi, hindi niya alam. Ito ang pinakang-tamad mangumusta sa kanilang apat. Pasulpot-sulpot lang kapag hindi busy.

So, that option's out. Buti sana kung may iba pa siyang kaibigan.

Sa date naman, it's either Baste or Felix. Si Baste, medyo nakakailang imbitahin. Hindi kasi niya matantya ang ugali nito. And Felix has Angela and Andrea so... it's probably not a good idea to call him.

She dialled his number anyway.

Huli na nang ma-realize niya ang ginawan pagtawag. He was already saying hello. She couldn't help but feel longing towards him when she heard his voice. Did they see each other yesterday? Was it the other day? It felt like a long time ago. Ever since he introduced her to Angela, parang biglang nagkaroon ng distansya sa kanilang dalawa.

Hindi niya sigurado kung siya ba ang naglagay noon o bigla na lang talagang nagkaharang.

"Hello, Mona? Are you there?"

"A-Ah... yes. Hi."

"Napatawag ka?"

"Ah, oo. Ano kas... uhm... kumusta si Bullet?"

There was silence on the other line. She held her breath.

"He's been better. How's Fresia?"

"Same."

"Kumusta ka?"

Tumikhim siya. "Heto... medyo stressed. Nakakapagod mag-alaga ng heartbroken na kaibigan!" she answered, faking a laugh.

"I know the feeling," he replied. "Why don't we give ourselves a break?"

"Ha?"

"Hindi ka naman busy, di ba? Pumunta ako sa shop nyo kanina. Wala naman daw kayong masyadong ginagawa."

If not for her hold on the sterring wheel, she would have facepalmed. Maaasahan talaga ang mga empleyado niya sa mga ganitong bagay.

"Nasa byahe kasi ako. I'm not sure kung anong oras ako makakauwi," dahilan niya.

"O? Sa'n ka nanggaling?"

"Sinamahan ko si Fresia. Alam mo na, problemado kasi sya. Gustong mag-unwind."

"Oh... right. Matatagalan ka pa?"

"Oo, e. Next time na lang tayo lumabas."

"Oh. Okay. Ingat sa pag-drive."

She hates that she hears disappointment in his voice every time she tells him no. Why would he be disappointed when he can easily find someone else to hang out with? A guy like him can always score a date.