I was startled from my sleep when I felt a grip on my hand.

 

I looked beside me and saw Winter sleeping, her eyebrows knitted. Nagulat siguro sya sa mabilis na pagliko ng sasakyan.

 

Napatingin ako sa labas ng bintana at napansin na kakalampas lang namin sa malaking lion statue. We’re almost there.

 

G had to do some errands earlier so I ended up driving from Manila to Tarlac so she could rest. I practically slept the whole day naman kaya okay lang na ako na ang magmaneho. Winter urged Ning to sleep muna since she seems sullen ever since we got together. I wonder what’s going on. I made a mental note to check up on her once we arrive sa hotel to make sure she’s okay.

 

Winter kept me company while the other two were sleeping sa backseat.
 

Tahimik lang kami the whole time pero tuwing nililingon ko sya, hindi naman sya natutulog. She asked me several times if I’m okay, saying that we can make a stopover if I feel like resting or taking a nap. I politely refused and said an okay lang ako since I had plenty of rest maghapon.

 

Aside from checking up on me from time to time, I can hear Winter hum with the music. Thank God she can relate to my playlist.

 

But that’s about it. I wasn't expecting her to initiate small talks anyway. I guess tahimik lang talaga sya as a person. And the silence was kind of comforting too so it didn't bother me.

 

More than 4 hours later, we stopped by sa Starbucks Luisita so Giselle and I could switch. She said that recharged na raw sya and kaya na nyang mag-drive hanggang hotel. Ning also got coffee for the two of them while Winter and I decided to just sleep through the remaining travel time. Pagkalipat pa lang namin sa backseat, mabilis agad akong nakatulog.

 

Nakita kong napakunot na naman ang noo nya nang dumaan ulit kami sa sharp curve.

 

“G, can you make smooth turns? Winter is sleeping.” I whispered.

 

Tiningnan lang ako ng best friend ko mula sa rear view mirror at tinaasan ng kilay. 

 

I checked Winter again and it looks like mahimbing na ulit ang tulog nya. I tried to remove my hand from hers nang humigpit lalo ang kapit nya rito.

 

Oh, okay. I guess us holding hands won’t hurt anyone.

 

Ipinikit ko na lang ulit ang mga mata ko. I still have a few minutes to nap.

 

-

 

“Rina, wake up.” I opened my eyes a little.

 

“Girl!” G snapped her fingers. “Gisingin mo si Winter, look!” She pointed at the view outside.

 

Wow.

 

Naabutan namin ang sunrise.

 

I was in awe for a few seconds when they got out of the car. I guess I have no choice but to disturb Winter’s deep slumber.

 

“Winter…” I gently squeezed her hand. Hanggang ngayon kasi, magkahawak pa rin kami ng kamay.

 

Binawi ko na ang kamay ko at tinapik sya nang marahan sa braso.

 

“Hey, sleepyhead.”

 

Dahan-dahan syang nagmulat nang mga mata at tumingin sa’kin.

 

“Hala…” A small smile forming on her lips. “Ang ganda mo naman.” Tuluyan nang lumawak ang ngiti nya.

 

Oh.

 

Hindi agad ako nakasagot.

 

Hindi ko man nakikita ang sarili ko ngayon pero ramdam ko ang init ng pisngi ko.

 

Gosh, tomatoes might be ashamed by how red I look right now.

 

I did not expect her to say that first thing in the morning! Magpapasalamat ba ako? Sasabihin ko bang ang ganda rin nya? Kasi… oo!

 

Napansin nya ata na mukha akong constipated kaya nawala ang ngiti nya at napalitan ng expression na hindi ko ma-describe.

 

Tapos mabilis syang umupo nang diretso at biglang itinuro ang nasa likod ko.

 

“Ay ano, I mean… ano, ganda mo naman, Baguio.” Mabilis nyang sabi. “Karina, tingnan mo oh! Ang ganda ng sunrise.”

 

Ah.

 

Yun pala.

 

Akala ko naman.

 

-

 

G opened the door to our hotel room and I’m imp