The Second Time Around (The Starving Squad #1)

Chapter 29: The Missing Bullet

"It's been five years, Fresia. We all need to move on," her mother told her when she voiced out her objection.

"But can't we do it next weekend? I have work tomorrow."

"Day-off ng daddy mo bukas," malamig nitong sabi. "And I'm already on leave."

So siya na naman ang kailangang mag-adjust. Napabuntong-hininga siya. "All right."

"Good. Come here early. We have something to discuss with you."

She rolled her eyes. What's it going to be this time? "Fine."

Her mother ended the call immediately.

"It's my mother," she told Bullet. "She wants me to go home tomorrow."

Ikinwento niya rito ang planong pag-a-abroad ng mga magulang.

"Kasama ka?"

Umiling siya. "Sila lang."

She didn't know if she'd be happy or upset. Ayaw naman niyang sumama sa dalawa dahil alam niyang mai-itsapwera lamang siya roon. Besides, why would she want to go if he's here? Pero masakit pa ring hindi man lamang siya tinanong ng mga magulang kung gusto ba niyang sumama. It's like they didn't even think about her.

"Are you okay?" may pag-aalala nitong tanong.

"Yeah." Pilit siyang ngumiti. "Nakakainis lang kasi hindi pa nila ginawang weekend."

He rubbed her shoulder. "Gusto mo samahan kita?"

And let her mother mock him again? There's just no way. "Huwag na. Baka may kung ano na namang sabihin sa 'yo ang parents ko."

Bullet smiled. "I can handle it."

"No," she insisted. "Ayokong ma-badtrip ka rin. I'll go alone, so when I come home to you, mari-recharge ako."

Lalong lumapad ang ngiti nito. "Okay. I'll just cook a scrumptious dinner for you."

--

That Monday morning was one of those rare days where she's the first one to wake up. Alas cinco pa lamang ng umaga ay gising na siya. She made coffee and took a quick bath. Since marunong na siya ng tamang pagtitimpla ng pancakes, gumawa na rin siya ng mix.

When Bullet woke up, she was already making them.

He hugged her from behind and kissed her neck. "Good morning."

"Morning," she murmured.

He took the spatula from her hand and flipped the pancake. "What time will you be going home later?"

"I don't know. Pero hindi naman ako magtatagal do'n. Kukunin ko lang 'yong mga gamit ko tapos aalis na 'ko."

"Are you sure you don't want me to come? Baka marami kang dadalhin. Pwede akong tagabuhat."

With his big arms, he can lift anything. Tiningnan niya ang braso nitong nakayakap sa kanya. She loves to be wrapped around those arms all day, every day. They make her feel secure, na parang protektadong-protektado siya.

"Konti na lang naman ang gamit ko do'n." Halos lahat ay nasa apartment na niya. Hindi rin naman kasi siya madalas umuwi. Wala rin naman siyang uuwian kung nagkataon dahil parehong palaging wala sa bahay ang parents niya. "And besides, you have work."

"I can always reschedule my client meetings," sabi nito sabay halik sa ulo niya.

She poured the mix to the pan and covered it. Saka siya humarap dito. "Huwag ka ngang pasaway."

"I just want to be with you all day. Kahit pa kasama ang parents mo."

Why is this guy so sweet? Paano siya makakalma kung ganito ito palagi? She bit her lip to supress her smile, but he read the action differently. She received another sweet kiss from him. The kiss lingered for god knows how long. Kung hindi pa nila maaamoy na parang may nasusunog ay hindi sila maghihiwalay.