"Do you have everything you need jagi? Pen? Notebook? Extra pen? Registration Card? Power bank? Your phone?" aligagang tanong ni Winter kay Karina.

Mas kinakabahan pa siya kesa sa actual na estudyanteng sasabak sa kanyang first day of classes.

Sinakyan na lang ni Karina sa pagsagot ng check sa bawat tanong ni Winter sa kanya kahit ilang beses na nilang ginawa ito kagabi.

"Ikaw ba ang papasok o ako?" sarcastic na tanong ni Karina.

"I'm sorry. I just wanted to make sure you have everything you need"

Lumapit si Karina. "And I do jagi. Cause I already have you"

Napatikom ng bibig si Winter na paraan niya para pigilan ang kilig niya. Karina doesn't normally drop lines like that but when she does, it always catches her off guard.

After making sure nga na kumpleto na ang gamit ni Karina, yumakap si Winter sa kanya.

"I'm so proud of you jagiya. I know this is your first day back. But I know you will pass everything with flying colors. I love you so much"

"And it's all because of you jagi. You helped me find my way back. I love you"

Soon after, lumabas na sila ng condo at bumaba na sa parking.

Karina was still not confident in being in the driver's seat after her accident and Winter knows that even if she didn't say it out loud. Kaya naman they talked about it and agreed na ihahatid sundo siya nito sa university.

Winter will have a more flexible schedule since she's just starting to work. As per her Ate Wendy, light load pa lang naman daw ang ibibigay sa kanya to get a hang of things.

They reached the university and Winter even wanted to walk Karina to her first class pero pinigilan siya nito.

"Let me know when you reach the company ha? The first day would probably just introductions and such so don't worry about me"

"I will always worry about you jagi but yeah have fun on your first day"

They kissed one more time before Karina stepped out of the car and Winter watched her until she reached her designated building before she left and made her way to her cousin in law's company.

 

 

 

 

 

She was greeted by the receptionist and was given her ID before she went up the elevator. When she reached the top floor, she logged in with another receptionist and was pointed to the direction of Producer Son's office.

She knocked before she entered and she saw Ate Wendy typing on her laptop.

"It's only your first day and you're already late Miss Kim" bati ni Ate Wendy, seryoso ang mukha at hindi nakatingin sa kanya.

Kinabahan si Winter. She used to seeing Ate Wendy na palaging nakangiti at approachable palagi pero nanibago siya sa nakita niya. Iba naman kasi siguro pag work at hindi.

Dahan dahan na lang siyang umupo at humingi ng pasensya.

"I'm sorry Producer Son. I drove Karina to school today. It's her first day"

"And so is yours, right? Is that the impression you'd like everyone to see?"

Pinagpapawisan na si Winter. Hindi na siya sumagot at yumuko na lang. In her head, nagiisip isip na siya ng paraan kung paano niya maitatawid ang araw niya.

"Mahal, pagsabihan mo itong pinsan mo ah. First day pa lang niya late na agad siya" narinig ni Winter na sinabi ng Ate Wendy niya sa most probably na kausap niyang si Ate Irene.

"Iharap mo nga sa akin yan" rinig ulit nito. "Hoy Minjeong!"

Unti unting tumingin si Winter sa cellphone na hawak ni Wendy. Kita niyang nakataas ang kilay ng pinsan niya sa kanya na may hawak na kutsilyo at napalunok na naman siya.

"Mukha ka talagang tuta! Diyan mo ba dinadaan si Tita Taeyeon at si Karina kapag may ginagawa kang mali? You should have seen your face Winter. Did you capture all of that Mahal?"

 

"Yep, this call is being recorded as we speak" sagot naman ni Wendy.

 

Hindi makapaniwala si Winter sa ginawa nung mag-asawa pero nakahinga na naman siya ng maluwag sa prank na ginawa sa kanya.

 

"Sorry about that Winter. Your cousin made me do that" sabi ni Ate Wendy pagka-end ng call.

 

"It's okay Producer Son. My fault din naman talaga ako. Hindi ko lang napansin yung oras" pag-eexplain ni Winter.

 

After that, they went on a tour around the company. Wendy showed her the recording booths, the producer's lounge (it's really where all of the producers work which has enough room for each of them to work on), a gaming room (to relieve some stress), the theater (where artists showcase their new songs), the cafeteria and the conference rooms (where they hold their meetings).

 

She then was shown to her own space inside the lounge. It only had a table, a pc and a chair. Wendy told her that she can design her own station however she likes kaya naman nag iisip na agad ng mga ideas si Winter.

 

As promised, light load lang muna ang ipapagawa kaya naman pinagshadow lang muna siya ni Wendy on her current artist na she's working with.

"So this group would always have a rock influence on their songs so that's what I'm adding to the demo" pag-eexplain ni Wendy.

She showed her how she works and Winter took note of everything the main producer was saying.

 

May experience naman si Winter sa pageedit ng mga kanta since she has done it several times pero basic editing lang din naman ang ginagawa niya.

 

Mas complex ang process since they have to consider how it would sound like sa boses ng artist/s nila.

 

 

 

 

 

"Hey girl. Wanna join us for lunch?" tanong nung isang classmate ni Karina. Medyo nagulat pa siya nung nilapitan siya nito.

"Uhm. Okay?" sagot ni Karina. Medyo nag aalangan pa siya kasi hindi niya maalala ang pangalan.

 

"Somi" the girl said while also extending her hand which Karina shook. "These are Chaehyun, Dayeon and Heejin" pagpapakilala niya sa iba pang kasama.

 

"Hi?"

 

"Are you not sure of any of your answers?" pabirong tanong ni Somi. Hindi naman na-offend si Karina. Hindi lang kasi siya sanay na makipagkaibigan ulit.

 

"Sorry about that. I'm Karina" pagbawi niya.

 

"So let's go?"

 

Tumango si Karina at sumunod na sa kanila.

 

She sent a message to Winter that she'll be having lunch with some of her new classmates.

 

jagiyaaaaa: going to lunch with my classmates.

jagi.jagi.jagi: okay po. magiingat po kayo and eat well.

 

jagiyaaaaa: will you be having your lunch with ate wendy?

 

jagi.jagi.jagi: most probably. baka kasama din namin sila kuya.

 

jagiyaaaaa: okay jagi. i love you

 

jagi.jagi.jagi: i love you more

 

 

Somi led them to her car and napa-step back ng konti si Karina. Bigla kasing may nag-flashback sa kanya when she saw the car. Sumakay na si Somi and her friends kaya no choice at sumunod na lang din siya.

 

On the way sa napiling restaurant ay hindi siya mapakali and they noticed it.

 

"Okay ka lang ba Karina?" tanong ng katabi niyang si Chaehyun when she saw Karina fidgeting.

 

"I'm...not" mahinang sagot niya.

 

Nakarating na din naman sila sa restaurant kaya bumaba agad siya at naglakad papalayo. Para na kasi siyang naghahyperventilate.

 

It's not really about the car ride but the model of the car itself. She doesn't have any issues naman when Winter drives her around since ibang sasakyan ang gamit nila.

 

Nung kumalma na siya, she started walking back sa mga kasama niya. They all had a worried look on their faces.

 

"Sorry about that" panimula niya. "I... just have a bad memory with that car model"

 

Curious na din naman lahat sila kaya kinwento na niya ang nangyari pagpasok nila ng restaurant.

 

"Oh my gosh! I can't imagine what it must've been like for you Karina" sabi ni Somi.

 

"Oo nga. Grabe naman kasi yung nangyari" sabi naman ni Dayeon.

 

"Mag-grab na lang kami ni Karina pabalik ng campus" offer naman ni Heejin.

 

"No it's fine guys. I'll be okay. It's my first time having a flashback of what happened din kaya hindi ako mapakali kanina" sabi ni Karina.

 

Dumating na ang food nila so they started eating. Tamang kwento about each other's lives hanggang makabalik na sila ng campus. Thankful naman si Karina na they kept her distracted sa mga kwento nila kaya hindi na niya ulit naramdaman yung naramdaman niya kanina.

 

 

 

 

 

"Kamusta naman kayo ni Karina?" tanong ni Wendy kay Winter habang kumakain sila ng lunch.

 

"We're good naman ate. We still go to the hospital for some check ups on her leg but all is well naman"

 

"I really do admire you and your fiance's fighting spirit ha. Hindi madali ang pinagdaanan niyo. I remember when your Ate Irene and I were in a similar situation. I also had an accident before and she couldn't help as well but blame herself for what happened" and Wendy went on sharing about the incident. "Kaya naman there was a moment nung mga first few days ni Karina sa ospital na nag-break down si Irene. Nagflashback kasi sa kanya yung aksidente ko"

 

"I didn't know that" aminadong sabi ni Winter. During those times kasi, wala siya sa sarili din.

 

"It's not something your cousin would show din. Alam mo naman si Irene, she keeps it in as much as possible and besides, you were focused on Karina"

 

Agree naman talaga si Winter. If her memory serves her right, once pa lang niya itong nakitang umiyak and this was when she married Wendy. Tears of joy pa nga. She's close enough naman sa mga pinsan niya so kahit hindi directly ikinuwento sa kanyang ang problema, nababalitaan niya ang mga bagay bagay. And sa iba nilang pinsan na nakakausap niya ng madalas at siya ang inaaya para mag-open up, not once si Ate Irene ito.

"So maiba ako, have you guys started talking about the wedding?"

"Hindi pa ate. Hindi naman kami nagmamadali talaga. The original plan was after she graduates so that's like 6 months from now"

 

"Are you planning to take up your masters degree?"

 

"I want to pero pwede naman hindi agad agad. Gusto ko din maexperience maging legit na producer like you"

 

"You"ll get there Winter. Ikaw pa ba"

 

After they ate, bumalik na sila sa office and continued working on the song na iniwan nila kanina.

 

 

 

 

 

Patapos na sa last class si Karina and although puro introductions lang sa subject ang ginawa nila, na-overwhelm din siya since ngayon na nga lang ulit siya nag aaral.

"Karina, gusto mo ba sumabay pauwi? Taga BGC ka din di ba?" tanong ni Somi.

 

"Yes taga BGC din ako pero no na. May susundo sa akin"

 

Naintriga naman ang new found friends niya.

 

"Ooh, may boyfriend ka pala" sabi naman ni Chaehyun.

 

"Malay mo girlfriend pala" sabi naman ni Dayeon.

 

Hindi na nakasagot muna si Karina dahil nagsalita na ulit ang professor nila. Once they were dismissed, saktong nag-vibrate naman ang phone niya kaya sinagot na niya ang tawag.

 

"Almost there po. Last stop light na. I love you"

 

"The professor just dismissed us as well. I love you" sagot naman ni Karina.

 

When the call ended, nakatingin lang yung apat sa kanya.

 

"Ang sweet naman. Sana all sinasabihan ng i love you" asar ni Heejin.

 

"Tayong dalawa lang single dito Heejin" sabi naman ni Somi sabay sukbit ng kamay sa sinabihan. Hindi na kailangan pang i-confirm dahil magkahawak na din ng kamay sina Chaehyun at Dayeon habang palabas sila ng room.

They all went down na after exchanging phone numbers and adding each other on their social media platforms. At sakto ngang pagtapak ni Karina sa last step ay tanaw na niya ang kotse ni Winter.

Karina saw din na inaantay nila kung sino ang susundo sa kanya dahil hindi pa naglalakad papunta sa sasakyan sina Somi at Heejin at sa motor sila Chaehyun at Dayeon.

Winter placed the car on park at pinindot ang hazard sign bago bumaba ng sasakyan. Something caught her eye but then napangiti din agad siya ng makita si Karina.

"Ay girlfriend din" bulong ni Heejin.

Paglapit ni Winter ay automatic yumakap ito kay Karina bago hawakan ang kamay.

"Jagiya, these are my new friends. Somi, Heejin, Chaehyun and Dayeon" pagpapakilala ni Karina sa mga kaibigan.

"Hi. Winter Kim po" sabi naman ni Winter.

Nakanganga lang ang apat nang makita na nila kung sino ang sumundo sa bagong kaibigan.

"Shocks! Di ba alumni po kayo dito?" tanong ni Dayeon.

"Ah yes po"

"We wanted to watch your recital nga po kaso naubusan na kami ng tickets" dagdag ni Chaehyun.

Nagkatinginan sina Winter at Karina. Parehong naisip ang nangyari nung araw na iyon. Unlike earlier, Karina didn't have the panic attack for she knows that she's in her safe place now, with Winter.

"I'm sorry you weren't able to go but I believe the whole thing was posted online"

"Oh yes. Inabangan din talaga namin yun. Everyone in school was talking about it. Kayo lang daw po kasi yung pinayagan na pagsabayin yung minamajor for recital. Sikat pala ang girlfriend ni frenny" sabi ni Somi.

Natawa na lang si Winter. "Fiancé, actually"

At nanlaki na naman ang mata ng mga kaibigan ni Karina.

Some flashback…

She was contacted by their dean a few days after her recital to inform her that she has fully completed all her requirements for graduation. She wasn't in the right mind space nung kinausap siya kaya naman the dean had to contact her mother separately. Mrs. Kim also explained the situation kaya naman she was excused to attend the practices and yung para sa grad photo naman ay ginamit na lang ang ginawa niyang photoshoot before the recital. Muntik na nga ding hindi siya makaattend ng sarili niyang graduation kung hindi pa siya pinilit. That was about the only day na more than two hours siyang wala sa tabi ni Karina.

After the introduction and a little chit chat, the girls went to their cars and left the campus.

While driving home, Winter did notice that Karina was quieter than usual. She knows din naman na she would open up when she's ready. And it wasn't until they got to their condo when she talked about what happened during lunch.

"I saw it and immediately thought about you jagi. I mean, we both had good memories with Ruby but the bad one weighed more. Are you okay now?" concerned na sabi ni Winter.

"I am now jagi" pag-assure naman ni Karina.

After freshening up, nagsimula ng magluto ng dinner si Winter while Karina started doing their laundry. And once everything is set, they started eating na din.

Kinwento ni Karina ang first day niya as a student while Winter told her about her first day sa work.

Pagkatapos nilang kumaen, they watched a few episodes of the series they were watching before calling it a night.

Winter tucked Karina in and cuddled her and both slept soundly.

 

 

 

 

 

A couple of months went by and as Karina gained a lot of school work, so did Winter with work stuff.

Walang palya naman ang paghatid at sundo ni Winter kay Karina and they would make sure na regardless kung maraming kailangan tapusin with school or work ay meron pa din silang date nights whether it be outside or just a simple dinner at home.

 

And just like tonight, they were yet at another restaurant na ni-recommend ni Ryujin. The RyeJi ship is sailing din naman talaga and ang bonding nila ay ang pagkahanap ng bagong restaurants.

 

"In fairness kay Ryujin ah, she really has a good eye sa paghahanap ng bagong kakainan" sabi ni Karina after nilang magsabi ng order sa waiter.

 

Natawa naman si Winter. "Matakaw din kasi talaga yun. Hindi lang halata kasi grabe din kung mag workout"

 

"Gym buddies na nga din sila ni Yeji di ba?"

 

"Oh yeah, I saw their recent post. Couple goals daw ang pagkakaroon ng abs"

 

"Ay oo nga pala jagi, Somi is inviting us sa party sa house nila next week"

 

"Is it her birthday?"

 

"No. She said gusto niya lang mag-unwind before mag-hell week"

 

"I see. Prelims na nga pala. Okay, let's go there"

 

"Yey!" masayang sabi ni Karina and Winter couldn't help but chuckle at her cuteness.

 

Dumating na ang kanilang order and they started eating. While enjoying their food, Winter got distracted for a moment when she saw the new customers na umupo two tables away sa kanila.

"...so ayun nga, one of the professors barged in and told us that we would be having a pop quiz tapos she got mad na puro low scores kami eh wala naman sa mga tinuro niya yung mga tinanong niya. Jagi? Are you listening to me?" tanong ni Karina nung mapansin niyang parang hindi nakikinig si Winter.

"Huh? Sorry, you were saying?"

 

"You spaced out a little"

 

Tumingin ulit si Winter sa direksyon nung dalawang babae sa isang table. "For a moment kasi I thought I saw...familiar faces" hindi kasi sigurado si Winter kung tama ang nakita niya o namamalikmata lang siya.

 

"What? Saan?"

 

Subtle na tinuro ni Winter ang tinutukoy niya at nanlaki ang mata ni Karina when she saw her cousin Ate Lisa and her wife Ate Rosé. What got her even more curious ay yung dalawang bata na kasama nila.

 

"I didn't know na umuwi pala sila. And I wonder who those kids are. Teka, imemessage ko nga" sabi ni Karina sabay kuha ng phone sa bag niya. She sent a message and they waited kung mapapansin nung pinsan niya ang phone niyo.

 

Timing din naman na hinawakan nung person yung phone niya pero binaba din kaagad after tignan.

"Did she just...she ignored my message jagi!"

"Lapitan na lang natin later?"

 

Tumango si Karina and they continued eating. Paminsan minsan din silang tumitingin sa kabilang table at pinagmamasdan ang apat na nakaupo dito.

 

"She still hasn't responded jagi"

 

"Mukha naman kasing busy sila with the kids"

 

"Did they adopt na lang kaya? I remember Ate Lisa mentioning na mag-tatry na sila ni Ate Rosé eh"

 

Nagkibit balikat na lang si Winter.

 

Nag-bill out na din sila after finishing their dessert kaya naman inaya ni Karina si Winter na lapitan yung kanina pa nila pinapanuod.

 

After paying, they walked towards the familiar faces and the two women just gave them a questioning look.

 

"Yes?" tanong nung babaeng kamukha nung pinsan ni Karina.

 

"Oh Karina, Winter, andito din pala kayo" sabi nung babaeng kamukha nung asawa ng pinsan niya.

 

"Ate Lisa. I sent you a message kanina ah. Hindi ka naman nagsabi na uuwi pala kayo ni Ate Rosé" sabi ni Karina.

 

Nagkatinginan ang dalawang nakaupo.

 

"Mum...ma...hu dey?" sabi nung batang babae.

 

"Luna, these are our teammates Karina and Winter" dagdag nito with a strong Australian accent.

 

Sabay namang nag-wave ang dalawang bata. Napa-wave nadin si Winter kahit kinekwestyon na niya sa utak niya kung bakit iba ang pakilala nila sa kanila and why it seemed na they look like Karina's cousin and her wife pero may iba.

 

"Wait? Teammates?" tanong ni Karina.

 

"Huh? Bakit?" curious na tanong nung kamukha ng pinsan niya.

 

"Ate Lisa pinsan mo ko" medyo iritableng sagot ni Karina. Humawak naman sa likod ni Karina si Winter para pakalmahin ito.

 

"Tol, ano ba kinaen niyo? Parang iba ata epekto kay Karina" sabi naman kay Winter.

 

"I'm not sure what's happening as well. But I guess we'll just go" sabi na lang ni Winter.

 

Nagpaalam na sila at naglakad na palabas ng restaurant. Sakto din naman tumunog ang phone ni Karina with a message from her cousin.

 

What are you talking about? We're still in Australia, Karina. *photo attachment*

 

Lalo namang naguluhan ang dalawa sa nangyari.

 

"Do you think a parallel universe really exists?" tanong ni Winter pagsakay nila ng kotse.

 

Napaisip si Karina. Is it possible though?

 

"I don't know anymore jagi" sagot na lang ni Karina.

 

 

 

 

 

Winter was given an artist to work with a couple months later pero siyempre with some supervision from Producer Son pa din. Local artist muna and said artist ay nagsisimula pa lang talaga. They held a meeting a week ago for her demo and she has a promising voice as well. After signing a contract, they started talking about what genres she's comfortable doing and her range para fitting din sa mga gagawing kanta.

 

"I'm more komportable po with r&b or pop na kanta. I think my boses is bagay with those songs. Pero I am kampante naman po with what you can gawa to make tulong sa akin" sabi nung artist kay Winter. Napalunok na lang siya sa mga narinig niya.

 

She's used to someone talking like that being friends with Giselle and Lia and lagi nilang inaasar ni Ryujin yung dalawa kaya she tried her best not to snicker and be professional.

 

"Alright then, we'll work on the song you used for your demo then from there, we'd try practicing other songs as well"

 

Pinarinig na ni Winter ang changes na ginawa niya sa demo song and had Minju sing it after practicing. Mabilis lang din niyang napick up ang mga binago ni Winter and she was happy about it.

 

May ibang artists kasi na ipipilit ang gusto nila kahit hindi na minsan bagay or hindi sobrang linis pakinggan.

 

Winter had Producer Son listen to the recordings and she was satisfied naman sa outcome.

 

Half day lang ang schedule niya with Minju today since she'll be shadowing again sa artist na hawak naman ni Wendy. Kaya pagkaalis ni Minju ay pumunta na siya sa studio room kung nasaan ang head producer.

 

Dahan dahan niyang binuksan ang pinto dahil naka-on ang red light sa labas meaning na Wendy is on a meeting with an artist or co-producer.

 

Tahimik siyang umupo sa tabi nito at hinintay lang matapos ang pinag uusapan.

 

"I made some minor changes on the rap part and towards the bridge. I will send it to you later once I've polished everything"

 

"Okay Producer Son. I'll wait for your email. Thank you again for helping me out on this one"

 

Wendy took notice of Winter's presence and signaled her to come closer.

 

"By the way, this is Winter Kim. She's one of our newest producers here and would be helping out in the future"

 

Nagpakita naman sa camera si Winter. "Hi. Pleasure to meet you Producer Oh"

 

They bid goodbye na din to one of the partner producers of Wendy in Seoul and ended the call.

 

"Kain muna tayo. Nagutom ako sa meeting na iyon" sabi ni Wendy.

 

They both went out of the studio and headed to the cafeteria. After getting their food, they sat down on one of the empty tables.

 

"How was Minju pala? Akala ko kasi makakabalik ako but I had to work on Mirage's comeback song"

 

"Minju is doing great. I mean, mabilis niyang na-pick up yung changes and deliver it nicely as you heard kanina. I also tweaked a few more notes and compared it to the original demo aside from the ones we added"

 

"That's good to hear, Winter. That's why I entrusted her to you cause I know you'll both do well. Soon enough you'll be working with international artists na din"

 

"The pressure is on ate, I mean Producer Son"

 

After they had their lunch, bumalik na din sila sa studio.

 

 

 

 

 

The following week, on the way na sila sa bahay ni Somi. They bought some wine na din so they wouldn't come empty handed.

 

"Will there be a lot of people coming?" tanong ni Winter.

 

Chineck naman ni Karina ang group chat nila. "10 lang yung nagconfirm pero some of them kasi bigla bigla na lang daw sumasama"

 

Tumango lang si Winter and continued driving. After 15 minutes, nakarating na sila sa address ng apartment complex na sinend ni Somi and they can already hear the some music playing.

 

Tumalon na naman pababa ng sasakyan si Winter para pagbuksan si Karina na nagulat din nang makitang nasa side na niya ito.

 

"Excited much?" natatawang tanong ni Karina.

 

"Sakto lang po. Ngayon na lang din kasi tayo nakapunta sa party talaga"

 

Totoo naman since busy na rin ang friends nila with work.

 

After locking the car, naglakad na sila papasok at nasalubong pa nga nila sina Dayeon at Chaehyun na galing sa likod ng bushes sa gilid.

 

Kita pa nila kung paano nagayos ng damit ang dalawa bago sila binati.

 

"Uy Karina, Winter. Kararating nyo lang?" tanong ni Chaehyun.

 

Pigil tawa naman ang dalawa and obvious din na kakarating lang nila.

 

"Ah oo. San kayo galing?" mapang asar na tanong ni Karina.

 

Medyo nagpanic pa yung dalawa bago nakasagot. "Ah eh... iniikot lang namin yung bahay" sagot naman ni Dayeon.

 

Hindi na ulit sila nagtanong at pumasok na silang apat sa apartment.

 

They were welcomed by the loud music and a few people dancing sa gitna. Mabilis lang din nilang nakita si Somi na naglalakad papunta sa kanila kasama si Heejin.

 

"You guys made it!" sabi ni Somi at yumakap na sa kanilang dalawa. Halata din na nakainom na siya at namumula na. "Yo! We have a campus celebrity here!" dagdag nito sa mga guests habang nakaturo kay Winter. Naghiyawan naman sila since kilala naman nila ito.

After the unnecessary introduction, hinila naman sila papunta sa kitchen kung nasaan ang mga food.

"Have you guys eaten na? Just get whatever you like then come join us sa sala" sabi ulit ni Somi bago siya naglakad pabalik kung nasaan ang ibang guests.

 

Inabutan naman ng paper plates ni Heejin ang mga bagong dating.

 

"Just in case you're wondering, kanina pa umiinom si Somi kaya ganyan yun" sabi nito.

 

"Mukha nga eh. Anong oras ba nagstart yung party?" tanong ni Winter.

 

"Officially, the invite was for 8 PM. But she was out with her org mates earlier and they were drinking as well kaya ganyan siya ngayon"

 

Tumango naman silang dalawa and started getting a few slices of pizza.

 

"Hoy kayong dalawa. Saan na naman kayo nagpunta?" tanong ni Heejin kina Chaehyun at Dayeon.

 

"Inikot nga namin yung bahay"

 

"Wag ako Dayeon. Hindi niyo first time pumunta dito para ikutin ang bahay. Tsaka, maglalagay ka na lang ng hickey kay Chaehyun dun pa sa madaling makita. Bobo ampucha!" natatawang namang sabi asar ni Heejin.

 

Hiyang hiya naman ang itsura ni Chaehyun at low key na inaayos ulit ang damit.

 

After eating, they got themselves a bottle each and joined the rest in the living room. Somi has great taste in music kaya naman talagang mapapaindak ka or at least bob your head with the beats.

 

They found an empty space sa isang long couch kaya tabi tabi na silang umupo. Well apat lang talaga yung kasya kaya naman sa edge lang umupo si Heejin while sporting her own drink.

 

Pinanood lang nila ang mga nagsasayaw at paminsan minsang mahihila sila Karina at Dayeon para makisayaw.  Hindi rin pwedeng uminom ng marami si Winter at siya ang designated driver kaya naman dahan dahan niyan iniinom ang beer niya.

 

Kahit hindi naman talaga kailangan pero nagpaalam pa din si Karina sa kanya kung okay lang na uminom siya ng marami.

 

"Go lang jagi. This is your free time away from studies"

 

Kaya naman sa tuwing may sisigaw na shots sa mga guests ay may iikot para painumin straight from the bottle ang mga nasa gitna.

 

Ilang beses ding nilapitan si Winter but she politely declined.

 

Kasama naman niyang nakaupo at nanunuod lang si Heejin. Hindi siya sure kung magda drive din ba ito kaya hindi masyadong umiinom kaya naman inaya niya ito sa labas.

 

Pagdating nila sa backyard ay naramdaman kaagad nila sariwang hangin. Nilabas ni Winter ang shared pack of cigarettes nila ni Karina and offered it to Heejin.

 

"So what's the deal between you and Somi?" derechahan niyang tanong. Nanlaki pa ang mata ng kausap sa biglaang tanong.

 

"Ugh. Wala naman. We're friends"

 

Winter knew that wasn't the case. Kanina pa kasi din niya napapansin na iba ang tingin nito kay Somi. Yung tingin na siya lang yung nakikita niya amidst the number of people surrounding her. And she's very much familiar with that.

 

"Sure. If you say so" sabi na lang niya pero she knows na nakuha ni Heejin ang tonong ginamit niya.

 

"Luh. Issue ka" tamang deny nito.

 

Humithit muna si Winter bago nagsalita ulit. "You've known her for what? 4 years? And you never told her nor did anything to show her how you feel?"

 

Natahimik si Heejin. Sa isip niya ay biglang nag-fast play ng puro flashback sa mga moments na kasama niya ang kaibigan and mostly pag silang dalawa lang.

 

"I tried. Pero pinangunahan ako ng takot?"

 

Another thing that Winter is familiar with. Not with her and Karina but with their friends Lia and Ryujin.

 

"I totally get it. Two of my best friends were in that same situation not long ago. I mean, it's not easy but if you're willing to take the risk, and you talk it out with her, then you'll never know what will happen"

Natahimik na naman si Heejin. At bago pa siya nakasagot, bumukas ang pintuan at tinawag na sila ulit sa loob ni Karina.

"Pagisipan mo yung sinabi ko ha. O siya, baka hinahanap ka na ni Somi" dagdag pa niya.

At pagpasok nga nila ay agad siyang hinila sa 'dance floor' ng kaibigan while Winter went back sa pwesto niya sa couch.

 

 

 

 

 

Unti unti na din nabawasan ang mga tao at yung 10 confirmed guests na lang ang naiwan. Hininaan na din ang music pero may mga sumasayaw pa din.

 

Winter watched as Karina swayed along with the music. And kahit halata naman na medyo marami na siyang nainom, hindi pa din siya umuupo. Magkayakap naman sa isang gilid sina Chaehyun at Dayeon pero nagsasayaw padin. Si Heejin naman ay inaalalayan lang si Somi na mataas pa din ang energy kahit nakarami na ng shots.

 

Hindi naman pwedeng si Karina lang ang walang partner sa dance floor kaya naman lumapit na si Winter at binack-hug ito.

 

"Jagiyaaaaaa" sabi ni Karina at humarap na kay Winter.

 

"Are you tired na ba?"

 

Umiling lang si Karina kaya naman sinabayan lang siya sa pagsway ni Winter.

 

Madaling araw na ng kumalma ang lahat sa pag inom at lahat nga ay nakaupo na lang sa mga couch. May dalawang nawala na naman and the rest ay nakakatulog na sa kinauupuan nila.

 

Winter excused herself and went to the bathroom and on the way, may narinig na naman siyang naguusap dun sa loob ng isang kwarto.

 

"Will you be staying?"

 

"Only if you want me to"

 

"Yes I do"

 

"Then I will"

 

"Thank you. You're so good to me"

 

"Who else is gonna take care of you right?"

 

She heard a small chuckle pa as a response. Hindi naman niya talagang sinasadyang sumilip pero saktong pagsilip niya ay magkalapit ang mukha nung naguusap.

 

"Kiss me"

 

Yun ang huli niyang narinig bago siya nagtuloy na sa kung saan dapat siyang pupunta at napangiti na lang siya.

 

Pagbalik niya sa sala ay nakatulog na si Karina sa sofa. Nagdalawang isip pa siya kung magpapaalam pa sila sa may ari ng bahay pero naisip niyang busy na din yun. Nagpasabi na lang siya kina Dayeon na mauuna na sila bago niyang inakay si Karina papunta sa sasakyan.

 

Inayos niya ang upo nito at ni-lean back ang seat before she revved the engine. Tamang pampalamig lang muna bago sila bumiyahe.

 

After a few minutes, she started driving home. Pagdating sa condo ay hiniga na niya si Karina sa kama then kumuha ng bimpo para punasan ito at pinalitan ng damit. Nagwash up na din siya at tumabi na sa kanyang fiancé.

 

 

 

 

 

Monday came at hinatid na ni Winter sa campus si Karina. Halos magkakasunod lang din na dumating ang mga friends niya.

 

"Good morning guys" bati niya sa kanila.

 

Halatang wala pang mga maayos na tulog ang apat at tinanguhan lang siya.

 

Maaga pa naman kaya naman she asked if they want to have breakfast muna. Wala ng umalma pa at sumakay na lang din sa sasakyan ni Winter. Tabi tabi na lang silang apat sa likod.

 

Winter drove them sa isang nearby cafe and placed their orders na din. Pagdating kasi sa table ay sabay sabay silang mag-head down.

 

When she got their food and coffee, they thanked her and started eating na.

 

Inoobserve niya lang ang mga ito and she saw some changes sa actions ng dalawa sa kanila. Chaehyun and Dayeon being their usual clingy selves of course, then there's Somi and Heejin na extra sweet than usual. Wala din atang nakapansin dahil mukhang gutom na din sila. Intrigahin na lang niya ito next time.

 

Effective naman ang hangover breakfast dahil pagbalik nila ng campus ay maingay na ulit sila. Nagpaalam na din si Winter afterwards and went to work. Nagtake out din ng kape si Winter para sa boss niya na masaya namang tinanggap then they continued working on their artists.

 

 

 

 

 

A/N: Just a short update for now. Will make it up on the one/s.