Winter. Winter.

Winter Hyacinth Suarez-Kim.

That young lady who took my heart and I never want her to give it back.

Hindi ko inakalang sa isang Senior High student pala ako maiinlababo nang ganito. Grabe lang ‘yung epekto, para akong babagong nagkakagusto sa kaniya tuwing makikita ko siya, or makakasama. Everything feels new, nakaka-excite gumising tuloy tuwing umaga. Nakaka-excite makita siya or makausap kahit sa messages man lang.

Feeling ko nagmumukha akong ewan kapag basta-basta na lang ako ngumingiti habang nagluluto ng almusal pero I can’t stop myself from doing so. Auto-ngiti na yata ako basta maisip ko si Winter.

Parang ano lang, infected ako ng virus na kapag naiisip ko siya, hindi ko na mapigilan ang sarili ko na mag-smile na lang buong oras.

Lalo na kapag ang maiisip ko ‘yung nakangiti niyang mukha?

Hay…

Para akong kinukuryenteng isda sabi ni ate. Hindi na raw ako tumigil kakaikot sa living room kapag kausap ko si Winter. Hindi naman daw masyadong obvious na baklang bakla ako para sa jowa ko.

Syempre naman! Winter na ‘yun oh!

‘Yung masungit na VP ng HSSC, hindi nagpapatalo, pero at the same time, she’s masunurin. She loves her family so much, especially her baby sister. She values her friends as she thinks they are worth a lifetime of treasure. And most importantly, she’s real.

She doesn’t do things to impress other people, instead she does it for herself. I love how her mind works talaga.

But I love her more.

If I was her shot of reality, she’s a dream that has come to life. She’s not perfect but I love her.

Hindi ako mag-aask for more, not at all. Bakit pa? I have a good family, a good life, and her. They are my blessings.

“Para ka na namang tanga dyan…” Napalingon ako kay ate Irene na busy sa laptop niya.

“Jowain mo na nga kasi si Miss Law!” Inirapan niya lang ako at bumalik sa ginagawa niya.

“Pakasalan mo muna si Winter.”

Ang bilis naman.

Joke.

We’re still young, and marami pa kaming need i-discover na bagay-bagay. We’re enjoying this path to adulthood without disregarding our future and ourselves. Sabi nga ni ate Luci, everything is scary, you just need to find a worthy reason to keep on going.

Ironic na sa kaniya nanggaling, pero siguro ‘yun ‘yung lesson na nakuha niya from her own experience. She’s a good ‘ate’. 

She told me things about letting go of the feelings I didn’t need, and won’t need. It’s better to feel the necessary emotions and be aware of everything daw kesa i-push ko lang lahat sa dulo ng utak ko.

And I think she’s right.