“So, Winter my friend! The whole world is watching right now, waiting for you to answer the million-dollar question: Bakit ka Single?” Tanong ni Ryujin na nakaupo sa harap ko habang unti-unting iniinom ang kape niya, Aba! At kumindat pa sa akin ang bruha!

Pero grabe, I can feel the tension in the room.

Possible pala talagang mabingi ka sa katahimikan ng nasa paligid mo ‘no?

It’s like everyone is expecting something magical na lalabas sa bibig ko.

I smiled, reassuring them—no! More like, reassuring myself that I’ll be okay.

I will be.

I have to be.

I know na once I start, there’s no turning back na.

Pinakawalan ko muna ang hangin na kanina pa pala naiipon sa sistema ko, hindi ko napansing I was holding my breathe that long, until my first word.

“Kasi… “

“wala na e, kasi ‘di na pwede” and I said it.

There goes my first step. 

Ryujin, gave me a small smile, a proud one as she signaled me na sige pa, ituloy ko pa.

And so, I did.

“Eh wala naman akong ibang gusto… “ pagkikibit-balikat ko habang patuloy na nagkukwento

“…kundi siya lang din. Alam mo yung feeling na sigurado ka na sa nararamdaman mo? ‘yong handa ka nang sumugal pero ‘di na pwede.