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

Chapter 36: Under Pressure

Mona was momentarily horrified. Although may understanding na sila ni Baste, pati ang Ninang Sally at ang mga magulang niya, they don't talk about marriage openly. Siguro dahil sa utak nila pareho, they're each other's fail safe. May ilang taon pa naman bago sila mag-kwarenta.

"So, sino ang maid-of-honor mo, Beh?" tanong niya kay Fresia, para maiba ang usapan.

"Well, you know I love you all," nakangiti nitong sabi sa kanilang magkakaibigan, "But I was hoping that you'd do me the honor of being my maid-of-honor."

Of course she'd say yes. She was already hoping to be Fresia's maid-of-honor. Tapos, si Brandi ang sa kanya. She's still not sure who Aika would pick. At syempre, walang maid-of-honor si Brandi dahil hindi naman ito ikakasal.

She reached out and squeezed Fresia's hand. "It would be my honor."

Pasalamat na lamang siya sa hormones ng buntis dahil nang umiyak ito, panandaliang nawala ang atensyon ng mga kasama kay Baste. For the rest of the night, they talked about the details of the wedding. Fresia already had most of the details figured out. Syempre pa, siya ang gagawa ng cake. Fresia already designed her bridal gown at nagawa na iyon ayon sa dating sukat ng katawan nito. But she might make some adjustments because she's gotten a lot bigger because of her pregnancy.

Kasama sa bridesmaids sina Aika at Brandi at groomsmen sina Richard at Mickey. At the mention of Richard's name, Bullet's scowl became evident. Pero alam niyang wala nang magawa ito dahil gusto ni Fresia na isama sa entourage si Richard.

"Sino'ng best man mo?" tanong niya kay Bullet.

The couple suddenly looked uneasy. "Hindi pa finalized 'yong best man," sagot ni Bullet.

That only means one thing: may posibilidad na pupunta ng kasal si Felix.

--

When everyone already left and Mona's parents already said goodnight and headed upstairs, sila na lamang ni Baste ang naiwan. Ipinilit ng mga magulang niya na doon na matulog si Baste. So, she made the couch comfortable for him.

Bago sila matulog, nagtimpla muna silang dalawa ng gatas at saka pinag-usapan ang naganap kanina. They sat down opposite each other on the kitchen island.

"Sorry kanina, ha," sabi niya rito.

"What are you sorry for?"

She took a sip of her milk. "Sa pagpi-pressure nila. Naiinggit kasi 'yong mga 'yon kasi ikakasal na si Fresia," paliwanag niya.

Baste nodded.

"Pero 'wag kang ma-pressure. We have our own timeline naman."

"Do you want to?"

She frowned at the question. "Huh?"

"Do you want to get married?"

Napahigpit ang kapit niya sa baso. "Oo naman. Of course, I want to get married."

"I mean soon. To me."

She almost dropped the mug at the question. Bakit bigla-bigla naman yata itong nagtanong? Tinamaan ng pressure?

"Why are you asking? Do you want to get married soon?" pabalik niyang tanong.

Nagkibit-balikat ito. "Okay lang."

"Beh, para ka lang nag-aayang mamasyal nyan. Kasal 'yon. Wala nang atrasan 'yon once mag-start na ng process. You know my parents. They value family and marriage. Kapag ikinasal na tayo, 'yon na 'yon."

"Alam ko."

"Alam mo naman pala, so why do you ask me about marriage so casually?"

He put his milk down and gave her an inquiring look. "Bakit? Paano ba dapat?"