Karina's

We got to her house in no time. The rest of the ride went calm and I felt more at ease though that didn't stop me from calling Dad. Hindi pa rin naman n'ya sinasagot. I don't know if his phone has been turned off or he's just really busy. This rarely happens kasi like usually he'll answer kaagad. Tapos hindi s'ya ma-contact ngayon na I really need him.

Naunang pumasok si Minjeong sa bahay nila. Siguro magsasabi muna s'ya kung p'wede akong tumuloy.

"Giraffe? Tara na. Nakausap ko na si Mama, dito ka na raw kumain ng dinner. Kaso ano..." She bit her lower lip.

"Ano?" Napakamot na lang s'ya sa ulo. Nakita ko namang may mga nakasilip sa likod ng pinto nila. Baka Mama and Ate n'ya.

"'Yung guest room namin ano... ginawang office ni Ate kaya baka matulog ka sa kwarto ko kapag hindi mo pa rin ma-contact si Dad mo." She fiddled with her hands after, shyly looking at me. God, she's adorable.

"Okay lang. Parang hindi tayo magkatabi matulog kahapon." Napatingin ako sa likod ni Minjeong at napalingon s'ya when we heard a laugh. The voice was deep but melodic.

Minjeong raised a fist as if saying she'd punch whoever laughed before turning around to sheepishly smile at me.

Pinapasok na n'ya ako and was immediately greeted by her Mom na nakaupo sa couch, and her sister who opened the door for us. They all look so young kahit na sabi ni Minjeong nasa 50s na ang Mama n'ya while Ate Taeyeon is in her mid 20s.

"Tita na lang tawag mo sa'kin, hija. Doon din naman mapupunta 'yan."

...what?

"Mama naman, tigil-tigilan n'yo ni Ate ha."

"Ang aga mo naman mag-uwi ng girlfriend, Minjeong. Hi!" Did I hear her right? "Ate Taeyeon na lang itawag mo sa'kin, or Ate Tae, Ate Yeon p'wede rin, or kung ano mang nickname maisip mo." I felt my ears heat up from what I heard. I only understood the first sentence Ate Taeyone said.

"Ate, manahimik ka nga." She's out sa fam n'ya?

"Bakit? Girlfriend in Tagalog kaibigang babae. Masyado ka namang defensive, Minjeong." She ignored her sister and took my luggage, slowly lifting it upstairs, one step at a time. I can clearly see na she's struggling tsaka nakakahiya. I'm a guest here and I didn't pay to sleep here. She shouldn't be doing this, I should.

"Minjeong-" I was going to help her when her sister grabbed me by the arm.

"Kaya na n'ya 'yan. Halika, usap muna tayo kasama ni Mama." She led me to their living room where their Mom was sitting while watching something on her phone. Pumunta saglit si Ate Taeyeon in their kitchen and came back with a glass of water for me.

"Anong pangalan mo? Kaklase ka ba ni Minjeong?" I looked at the person struggling on the stairs; she stopped to catch her breath before continuing as if this was an everyday job she did.

"Yu Jimin po pero mas kilala po ako sa Karina. Hindi po kami magkaklase ni Minjeong, nakilala ko lang po s'ya sa audition dati for a musical play." Ate Taeyeon's eyes grew wide, relaxed then she grinned.

"So, ikaw pala—"

"ATE MAWAWALAN KA NG PAMILYA NGAYON, SIGE!" Minjeong yelled from upstairs. Naiakyat na n'ya ang luggage ko. It's heavy, especially for her body, but I guess she's stronger than she looks. We had to ask the driver to help us get my luggage and bags dahil ang dami at ang bigat.

"Ano?! Wala naman akong sasabihin eh." They had a glaring contest habang pababa ng hagdan si Minjeong. It has not been an hour since I got here pero I can already see how close they are and how Ate Tae's person