Songs for this chapter: 

• Waking Up Down by Yaeji

• Euro Trash Girl by Chicks on Speed

• Remember by Smerz

• Tokyo Nights by Digital Farm Animals

( I suggest that you listen to these songs when reading this chapter)

Winter's POV

Fortunately the job interview went really well yesterday and I got hired as a gallery assistant. My work schedule will fall on my free days and that will be a total of twenty hours per week. It is not that bad considering that I'm currently studying and my goal is for me to start saving.

Friday 9:00pm

I got here at Chaewon's appartment an hour and a half ago. After I finished my submittals and work requirements I immediately went here for an appointment.

Andito na ako, naka pwesto na sa walk in closet niya for the hair coloring na sariling desisyon ko din naman. Dito niya normally ginagawa sa walk in closet yung hair appointment dahil bukod sa malaki yung space, andito yung vanity mirror niya.

Nagtatalo kami ngayon kasi hindi ako makapag decide kung itutuloy ko pa. "It's late Winter, ano ba." nakatayo sa likod ko si Chaewon, kanina niya pa ako pasimpleng binubulungan at pinagagalitan. Kulang nalang kurutin o paluin na niya ako. Kitang kita ko din na namumula na yung ilong niya kakapigil ng inis sakin. Well I understand naman why she is getting fired up. I am at fault because when they were about to bleach my hair, nag back out ako at ayaw ko ng magpakulay ng buhok.

"Make up your mind Winter, I'm telling you hindi natin pwede sayangin yung oras niya, this is a special client appointment. Kahit hindi mo ituloy he is getting paid." pasimpleng bulong sakin ni Chaewon na akala mo isang ventriloquist. Hindi masyado bumubuka yung bibig niya pero may lumalabas na salita kaya natatawa ako sakanya. Pigil na pigil siya at hindi niya ako masabon ng todo dahil may ibang tao dito sa loob, nahihiya siya.

"Winter stop acting like a kid, all of them are waiting for you. You are wasting their time."

"Wait lang, five minutes I need to contemplate and put my mind into the right place." kanina pa ako naka pwesto sa harap ng mirror, na-ready na nila yung hair ko at mag sstart na dapat sila mag bleach pero nag bago yung isip ko.

Nilingon ko saglit yung mga nakaupo sa couch tapat ng closet. They are wearing their stoic faces. "Okay sige game na mukang naiirita na talaga sila. Nakakatakot kasi siya, ang laki niya tapos parang ang sungit." banggit ko kay Chaewon. Ito yung ginagamit kong dahilan si Christophe, yung personal hair stylist niya. "Nakakatakot siya I swear." dagdag ko pa. Pag ikot ko ng upuan sa kanan, nakita ko na ang sama na talaga ng tingin nitong katabi ko. Muka siyang tuta na may bangs at ready ng umattack. Hindi na talaga siya natutuwa sa mga pinagsasabi ko. "What? ito na nga eh." hindi niya pa din inalis yung tingin niya sakin at alam ko na nagbabanta na siya.

"Ang kulit mo. You have to decide now, are you gonna do it or not?"nagbubulungan pa din kami dito sa tapat ng mirror. Hindi namin pwede lakasan yung boses namin kasi may apat na nakikinig at kasama dun si Xiaoting.

"The hair color goes first right?" I asked worriedly. "Hair color comes first before the cut. Are you nervous?" nagtanong pa talaga si Chaewon, being nervous is an understatement right now.

"Final decision Winter it's getting annoying. Are you okay with your chosen color?" pinakita niya ulit sakin yung sample na nakapatong sa table. "Hindi ba talaga okay pag platinum blonde? parang mas gusto ko yun eh." I asked her once again. "Platinum blonde is so yesterday, it's literally out of style. Did you see the one where he changed your hair color in the photo? you look good in there."

"Yeah but I'm not that confident about it."

"You're gonna own and body that hair color Winter I promise you. All the Parsons kids will turn their heads and swoon over you." I scowled at her, alam ko na inuuto niya nalang ako para matapos na kami. "Are you sure about buttery blonde, tingin mo bagay sakin?" hinampas niya yung likod ko bago siya nagsalita ulit. "Ang sakit naman! Tinatanong ko na nga eh. Ano nga okay ba yung ganun color sakin? I might end up looking like a white girl."

"This is like the tenth time you asked me this. With that face Winter you can seriously rock any hair style and color. Your facial structure is so small."

"Na Xray mo yung bungo ko?" nakita ko na manghahampas nanaman siya kaya umilag na kagad ako. Lumapit siya sakin, I leaned towards her when she signaled me to come closer. "What I meant to say is, your face is small. It's so small that even if you go bald you would still look hot."

"Bald? ang epal mo, ngayon mo pa talaga sinabi yan. Can't you see how nervous I am? You're not helping!" narinig ko na nagtatawanan yung mga nakaupo malapit sa closet at tinawag ako ni Xiaoting. "Winter you can pull it off, you have to trust Anna and Christophe will take good care of you. You can never go wrong with buttery blonde."

"Xiaoting didn't you hear what she just said? she mentioned me getting bald before I get my hair bleached! It actually made me feel worse."

"Hahahaha that's not what I mean but you get the point? What's your final decision? We are running out of time, we will finish around 4am if they don't start now."

"Okay sige na! Oh my god I'm so scared. Like look, my hands are sweating."

"My gosh Winter can you stop? You act as if the world is ending."

"But I am not even kidding this is making me so anxious."

"Stop it. Ikaw tumigil ka na nga kakapunta kung saan saan ha. Don't you notice, kakasama mo kay Chaehyun napaka arte mo na. Isa nalang talaga tatawagan ko na si ate Taeyeon." I frowned at her nung may mga binubulong nanaman siya sa likod ko. "If I go bald Chaewon kasalanan mo, sisisihin kita habang buhay."

"Hahahahaha I got you. We can get wigs. Gusto mo ba ng wig, what color, platinum blonde?" pinalo ko siya pero mabilis siyang nakailag at nakalayo."I ing hate you hahaha. Sige na nga malapit na mag ten baka 6am na tayo matapos dito."

"You want me to play some music so you can relax a little bit?"

"Yes Chaewon I would appreciate that, why don't you play something nice? You know, just to combat the jitters.Thank you." I just thought that it's a good idea to listen to music while we do this, that way I won't get too nervous.

"Okay Posh Spice. Christophe, you may proceed, please do your thing." nakita ko na tumayo na yung hair stylist at lumapit sakin kasama yung mga assistant niya. "Chaewon! where are you going?! stay here!" tinawag ko siya kagad nung nakita ko na lalabas siya papunta sa bedroom niya. Bigla siyang umalis nung nag start na yung hair stylist."I just had to check the speakers, I'll play music nga dba? You are such a baby Winter." tumatawa si Xiaoting, mukang kanina pa siya enjoy na enjoy sa nasasaksihan niya ngayon.

*Euro Trash Girl by Chicks On Speed starts playing*

Nung narinig ko yung music na pnplay niya parang mas kinabahan pa ata ako. "Chae mag play ka naman ng iba. What is this?"

"What's wrong? Look, even Christophe likes it." tinignan ko yung hair stylist na mukang sugo ni Kim Kardashian. Muka nga siyang ginanahan lalo nung tumugtog na yung kanta.

"Chae dito ka lang, don't go out!" I yelled at her again, "Winter you know what I am not going anywhere, kasama mo na nga si Xiaoting, she's not leaving the room. Para ka talagang toddler minsan."

"Eh sige na please, stay with me, I might get bald!"

"What the hell, I apologize Christophe, that's just how she is." nag smile sakin yung hair stylist before he continued with what they are doing. 

"Don't leave Chae mamaya ka na lumabas."

"Fine, god you are so clingy."

After Six Hours...

Saturday 4:30am (Day of Housewarming Party)

Nakatulog na ako pati na din si Chaewon and Xiaoting. I kinda jumped from my seat when I felt someone tapping my shoulder, si Christophe lang pala he was waking me up "Are we done, can I see it now?" I asked him. "No. You can't look in the mirror yet." Naramdaman ko kanina na ginagalaw niya yung ulo ko but I didn't know if he was coloring or cutting my hair because I fell asleep. He woke me up just now, mukang tapos na siya.

"I cannot wait for Anna to see you. You're done here Winter, girl you look so pretty. I'll get her from the other room, stay still and don't face the mirror."

"Oh no. How do I look?" I whispered to myself while I was trying to feel my hair. It definitely got shorter. I can tell that from mid length it became above shoulder length. It also feels lighter.

"Anna come in here, she's done!" Christophe was calling Chaewon from her bedroom, I checked the time it's already four in the morning. No wonder natutulog na yung dalawang kasama ko. "Let me see that little head turner!" narinig ko na yung boses niya. "Oh my ing god!" sigaw ni Chaewon. Nakita ko kung pano sila napatigil ni Xiaoting ng sabay. "What?!" I asked them, hindi sila nagsalita at muka silang nakakita ng multo.

"What? why are you reacting that way? Hey stop you are freaking me out!" nakatakip yung kamay niya sa bibig at naka stuck pa din silang dalawa sa pinto. Nakatayo lang sila, mukang gulat at hindi gumagalaw. "Ano ba Chae?! do I look bad?!" nakita ko na natatawa si Christophe sakanila. Alas kwatro na ng umaga at inaantok na kaming lahat pero nakuha pa talaga ni Chaewon mag inarte ng ganito. "Oh my god Winter." she continued, her reaction is starting to get on my nerves. "I swear this deserves a freaking Princess Diary moment. Xioa please turn the lights off. Winter sit straight and wait til I tell you to look in the mirror." sinunod ko nalang yung sinabi niya dahil sobrang inaantok na ko. Buti nalang sa Wednesday pa yung first day of work ko at wala akong class mamaya.

"Fine let's just get this over with."Umayos na ako ng upo habang nakatalikod sa mirror. Nakatayo sa tabi ko si Chaewon and Christophe, nakita ko na nag swipe si Xioating sa phone ni Chaewon at namatay na lahat ng ilaw. "Xioa, turn on the lights on three. I'll count." inikot niya yung upuan ko at naramdaman ko na pinatong niya yung mga kamay niya sa balikat ko kaya pinalo ko bigla. "Ang dami mong alam Chaewon." ginantihan niya ako at hinampas niya din yung likod ko. "Aray ang lakas nun ha!"

"Ssssh quiet wag ka makulit Winter,"

"Okay... one"

"Two"

"Three, turn it on!"

"Woaah"

I was looking at the mirror for god knows how long. I was checking my hair from all angles and good lord it's true. They are right and they didn't lie when they said that I can totally pull it off, like oh my god, I look so ing amazing.

"See? Woah is your first reaction. Winter you are so ing hot I'm serious." she was touching and checking out my hair. "Do you like it? Christophe, care to explain to her please? Winter are you okay? You are appreciating it too much that you can't even express yourself. Baka mag seizure ka, relax."

"Hahahaha stop it I am not, I am just checking myself out." tuloy lang ako sa pag check ng hair ko sa mirror. I'm starting to wonder kung bakit ngayon ko lang nisipan gawin to.

"Hahahaha checking yourself out? hahaha I understand, you are too gorgeous. Your friends will be in awe and I swear Karina would burn Gotham down kapag may umagaw sayo dito. Christophe go on explain to her what you did."

"Anna said that you are a student and you will start working soon. What I gave you is a very easy look that you can literally style about five to ten minutes everyday. It is a shoulder length, slightly layered with semi beach waves in buttery blonde color. You may use powder shampoo for volume. Oh and may I add to that, Anna's specific request, no bangs!"

"I like it. Christophe thank god for you, you are heaven sent." narinig ko na natawa si Chaewon kaya bigla akong napalingon sakanya. "Hahaha what?" she asked me, sinamaan ko lang siya ng tingin kasi mukang aasarin nanaman niya ko. "You're annoying." irita kong sabi. "Why do you keep gIaring at me? Winter you just don't know how much I am enjoying this. I can't wait for your best friends and your sister to see you. I'm seriously loving this version of you. You are so cute, isn't she Xiao?"

"Yes and she is so attractive. I told you, you can totally pull it off. Blonde hair looks good on you."

"Thank you. Thanks again Christophe. This is better than what I expected." I uttered while I was checking my hair and my face in the mirror.

"You are welcome Winter. Apparently it's a success, she's totally loving it Anna."

"You did amazing Christophe as always, thank you very much. Oh no it's almost five in the morning and you haven't slept. It's time to call it a day."

5:45 am

"Winter what are you doing there?" tanong sakin ni Chaewon, hindi na ako umuwi because it's not safe kaya nag sleep over nalang ako dito sa apartment niya. "Wait I'm almost done here."

"Grabe kanina ka pa nandyan sa bathroom, ang tagal mo!"

"I'm doing something!"

"Don't tell me hindi ka na matulog because you're too excited about your new hair? What is that, you can't sleep kasi sobrang nagagandahan ka with yourself?! Go to sleep, you can continue staring at your face tomorrow!"

"Hahahaha stop I'm just applying something on my face." she also let me use some of her skincare kaya medyo nag tagal ako sa bathroom. Lumabas na ako para humiga sa pwesto ko. "Chae can you please move? dyan ako sa leftside of the bed I don't sleep on the right."

"Why?"

"Sige na, I only sleep on the the right side kapag nasa left si Karina, eh since wala siya, I'll be the to one to fill the left side."

"Pati sa sleeping position inaapply mo pa si Karina?"

"Yeah" inaantok na siya kaya hindi na siya nag reklamo. Humiga na ako sa left side ng kama at niyakap ko yung isa pang unan. Inilawan ko yung muka niya gamit yung phone ko. I saw how she furrowed her eyebrows "Hey stop!" natutulog na pala siya. "Chae" bulong ko habang nakikiramdam ako dahil wala akong makita dito sa kwarto. "Chaewon,"

"What is it Winter? I'm sleeping."

"No you're not, you're still talking."

"What is it?"

"Si Xioating bakit andun siya sa other room, pwede naman tayong tatlo dito, ang laki kaya ng kama mo. Dito siya sa gitna kasya pa isa." hindi siya sumasagot natutulog na ata tong katabi ko. "Chae you told me na hindi ka sanay matulog ng may kasama dba? Should I transfer to the other room?" naramdaman ko nalang na may unan na humampas sa katawan ko. "Ikaw ba yun?! may humampas sakin!"

"Winter I'm gonna hit you again if you don't stop hitting on Xiaoting."

"I am not hitting on her you crazy! Concerned lang ako kasi mag isa siya dun sa kabilang room, baka takot siya sa multo."

"Ikaw yung takot sa multo, you can't fool me."

"Hahahaha okay hindi na, good night kahit morning na."

I got my phone and I looked at Karina's photo. This is what I usually do before I go to sleep. Walang ibang nakakaalam nitong ginagawa ko kung hindi ako lang."Good night my giant baby, I miss you." I whispered softly while I stare at her photo. "I love you."

"What the hell are you doing?" akala ko tulog na yung katabi ko pero hindi pa pala. narinig niya ata ako na kinakausap ko yung picture ni Rina."Did you just kiss Karina's photo on your phone?" hindi ako sumagot at nag tulugtulugan nalang ako. "You kissed her picture Winter I saw you. Umilaw yung phone mo when you kissed the screen hahahahaha"

"Ang epal mo."

"Oh my gosh where the is Karina, dapat balikan ka na niya, you're going insane."

"Nakakainis ka, I sleep better nga kasi pag ganun and I miss her."

"Yung mga pictures niya sa bedside table mo, ang dami nun don't tell me knkiss mo pa isa isa before you sleep?"

"Shut up, hindi naman kasi lahat eh."

"Hahahaha so tatlo lang dun?"

"I said stop it! hahaha hindi naman kasi."

"Hahaha whatever. Go to sleep. Baka magulat ako fnfrench kiss mo na yung phone mo dyan ha."

"Hahahahaha ano ba don't make fun of me! tama na nga, good night!"

Day of Housewarming Party

9:00pm 

When I left this afternoon, there were people prepping at the apartment, even Xiaoting was there as she is the one in charge. My plan for the housewarming party is completely different from Yunjin and Chaewon's idea. At first I was planning to have a simple dinner and a small gathering after but when I saw the set up, all the food and alcohol it is obvious that what's happening is the total opposite.

I am currently walking towards my apartment. Chaewon called me up to say the she's already arrived. Based on the loud noises in the background, I'm pretty sure that there are more than seven guests who came. I also noticed that there's a lot of cars parked in front of the building.

**loud music playing**

Tinatawagan ko si Chaewon pero hindi siya sumasagot, gusto ko sana na makausap muna siya bago ako pumasok sa loob ng apartment ko dahil baka mamaya hindi ko kilala yung mga nagpunta.

Kahit dito palang sa hallway rinig na rinig ko na yung malakas na sounds coming from the speakers. Nakapag paalam ako from the building admin about the party tonight at nainform na din sa lahat ng neighbors especially the two units in the same floor. Good thing na pumayag kagad sila although we were given a time limit.

I'm starting to wonder kung sino sino yung mga nandito ngayon. Tatlo palang yung nakilala ko from Chaewon's circle so wala akong idea kung sino yung iba pang dadating.

After I keyed in the code binuksan ko na yung pinto at pumasok na ako. Ang daming tao, medyo madilim pero natanaw ko kagad si Chaewon dahil yung spot lang niya yung meron ilaw tsaka naka-elevate yung dj booth kaya kitang kita siya.

*Waking Up and Down by YAEJI currently playing*

I'm right, this is exactly what I am expecting. It's like they turned my apartment into a speakeasy bar. The set up, it's kinda dark but the lighting at the dj booth looks really cool, may banquet table kung saan nakalagay yung mga food and appetizers tapos meron din bar at the corner complete with two bar tenders. There's about fifteen people who came and napansin ko na meron ng tao sa lahat ng areas.

"Oh why hello there hottie!" I was caught by surprise when someone behind me was slowly wrapping her arms around my neck. "Oh I didn't know it's you! hi! it's nice to see you again Yunjin." I greeted her after we hugged. Nakita ko yung hawak niya na baso, I think I also want to start drinking. "Winter can I just say, you are lulling me into a state of deep attraction and this is not good for me!" ang lakas ng sounds at hindi ko siya masyado marinig kaya kailangan ko pang ilapit ko yung tenga ko sakanya. "I think I am starting to get attracted to you even though I am straight!! You are very pleasing to the eyes, you look good with this hair!"

"Hahahaha you are kidding!"

"On some parts yeah, but oh my god I am not kidding when I said that you look good with this hair. You can pull it off so well, you look stunning!"

"Thank you! how long have you been here?!" tinignan niya yung phone niya, sabay tingin sa wrist niya kahit wala naman orasan. "About an hour ago."

It's almost fifteen past nine, it's still early pero ang dami ng tao na dumating. "Have you talked to Chaewon? hold on" kausap ko pa din si Yunjin. Umikot siya and she handled me a drink. "What is this?" inamoy ko yung binigay niya sakin, I can smell the strong scent of coffee. "It's an espresso martini, theres' a lot of choices there, just ask the bar tender. By the way, let me introduce you to my friends, come."

There's a lot of people and the vibe is so awesome sobrang saya nitong night na to, but when I was looking around, hindi ko maiwasan maisip yung mga kaibigan ko, naalala ko si Ning, si Ry, Heejin sila Yuna silang lahat at lalo na si Karina. Nammiss ko na sila.

*Chelsea Dagger by The Fratellis playing*

"Winter, you feeling okay?" I didn't notice that I was zoning out again. Andito na pala kami sa balcony at may mga kaharap kami na, what the , . Bakit ang gaganda ng mga tao dito sa housewarming party. Requirement kaya ni Chaewon to na dapat maganda pag aattend. They're so stunning and they look familiar, parang nakita ko na sila somewhere.

"Ladies this is Winter, she owns the place. Anna is throwing this party for her." natutulog na ata yung utak ko, nauna pa yung pag shake hands ko sa tatlong kaharap namin kesa mag hi or hello ako, hindi ako nakapag salita. After I offered them a handshake, "Hi I'm Winter, I'm glad that you are able to come, I hope you enjoy the night. You may get drinks and," sinilip ko saglit kung ano ba yung mga nakapatong dun sa table, hindi ko makita dahil napakalayo ng dining dito sa balcony tsaka si Xiaoting namili ng menu kaya hindi ko alam kung ano yung mga naka handa."Cheese, you may get cheese."

"Thank you we'll get some later." sagot nung nasa gitna na blonde hair.

"Nice place you got here."

"Thank you."

"It's nice to meet you Winter," bati nung medyo matangkad. Napansin ko lang, ang ganda ng muka niya pati yung smile lalo yung height. "This is such a lovely party." she added.

"It's Chaewon's idea actually but thank you. Uhm sorry, you are?" hindi ko pa alam yung mga pangalan nila kaya ako na yung nauna magtanong. "I'm Tzuyu."

"Sorry sorry I forgot to introduce them,"sumulpot si Yunjin sa likod ko, hindi ko napansin na iniwan pala niya ako mag isa dito. "I'm sorry, I had to talk to, ah it, whatever. Winter I brought some friends from school I hope you don't mind. This is Tzuyu, Lisa and Rosé. They're taking up the same course as mine and they are also working as models." I was smiling back at them. They are models, I think that's the reason why they all look familiar.

"Winter is the ex-girlfriend of Karina Yu." I was stunned with what Yunjin said.

"Yunjin you mean that Karina?"tanong nung nasa gitna. "Yes from the magazine."

"You were dating Karina?" tanong sakin nung matangkad na ginger yung buhok. Ano isasagot ko dito parang ang awkward tuloy. Ex-girlfriend ko ba si Karina hindi naman eh, kasi naka break lang kami and it's not even a break up. Mukang kakilala nila siya tangina baka umabot sakanya na cnconfirm ko na ex ko siya, baka isipin niya na... tangina bahala na nga.

"Uhm Karina is my wife. We are just taking a break for now."

"I didn't know that she got married, is that why she's missing? We stopped hearing from her and she just disappeared from the scene."

"Yeah it's because we were together, she went back to Manila, for me." tangina ang kapal lang ng muka ko, pero totoo naman yun yung sinabi sakin ni Karina, binalikan niya ako kaya siya umuwi.

"Where is she?" tanong nung matangkad na nakatayo sa kaliwa. "She's in Manila right now, she has decided to stay there."

"Kindly tell her that we miss her, we haven't seen her for a very long time. Winter you are gorgeous by the way. You and Karina would look good together."

 "Thank you." kailangan ko na ata umexit dito baka mamaya pati yung plano namin sa buhay masabi ko na.

They all look skinny, stylish and gorgeous tangina, ang gaganda nila sobra, tumindi tuloy yung pagkamiss ko kay Ryujin, malamang kung andito siya magkukumpulan tsaka bulungan nanaman kaming dalawa buong gabi.

*Baby by Four Tet currently playing*

I stayed with them for a while and we were talking about arts and music. They are also studying in an art school so we have a common denominator. Nakwento din nila that they also transferred to New York to study tsaka kung pano nila nakilala si Karina. Kaya pala sila familiar, other than them being models, sila yung mga nakikita ko dati sa photos na nakaka hang out niya when she moved here four years a