It was the wedding of the decade.

The hottest and most sought-after actress finally tied the knot. Walang iba kung hindi sa kababata niyang si Winter Kim.

Si Winter Kim na hindi nilubayan ng media, ng paparazzi at ng kritiko ng kanyang ama magmula ng nailuwal siya sa sinapupunan ng kanyang butihing ina (bless her). Binansagang Rebel Heiress ng Kim Conglomerate, natural na na makita ang kanyang mukha sa page six ng mga tabloids dahil sa kanyang mga late night rendezvous, pero kung papalarin naman, ay gumagawa ng charitable works na makikita mo naman sa Tatler o PhilStar Life.

Bilang parte ng Manila’s Elite Club, Karina and Winter are 'Truly a match made in heaven!' quoted by Lifestyle Asia. Ang isa, mula sa old rich Yoo family na may-ari ng Tutuban Center, 168, 999, at kung anu-ano pang malalaking mall na puro numbers ang title sa Divisoria. Samantalang ang isa, tagapagmana ng sangkaterbang pressure mula sa kanilang bangko, langisan, paaralan, bahayan at kung anu-ano pang industriyang matamaan ng kamandag ng kanyang ama.

Si Winter Kim na tanging way out ng kanyang pamilya to get out of the mess they were in. Siguro’y dahil ganito ang buhay niya mula pagpatak ng unang sinag ng araw, hanggang sa huling ningning ng bituin sa langit na siya si Winter Kim, ay ganun-ganon na lamang kung gawin siyang pain ng kanyang pamilya.

Just because her ing brat of an uncle decided to get in a deal with an Italian Mob sa New York para sa kanilang overseas venture, doesn't mean it's okay with Winter to be the answer to their PR crisis.

"Kai Kim, found in talks with the Maranzano Mafia in the US. Alleged partnership for petroleum chain"

At makalipas ang tatlong buwan ay naglabas ng press release ang kanilang PR team.

Not to address Kai's stupidity, no.

But to announce her and Karina's impending marriage.

"Engagement details to follow soon!"

"Catch their exclusive and only interview only here on E! News Asia"

She's shackled to be Winter Kim for the rest of her life.

Always walking in neck-deep water habang nakasunod sa likod ng kanyang ama while being perpetually introduced to everyone, “have you met my daughter? This is Winter, you’ll expect more of her in the coming years, of course Kumpadre!” Sabay ngiti sa kanya nito, but why does that smile always scream business for her father?

Siya. Siya na si Winter Kim, na kababata na Karina, na ngayon ay asawa na niya.

Si Karina. Her now-wife. Then-just best friend. Why she agreed to be in this preposition she won’t ever understand for the life of her.

It would benefit both of our families. Her father and Karina's family agreed. Una sa lahat, isang career na malapit na sa rurok ng perpeksyon ang mayroon ang dalaga. She never needed another push. She could totally manage on her own. She's that kind of person who does not take from anybody. But why did she agree on doing this with Winter? Sapat na ba na being best friends with Karina would merit a fake yes from her? It's her freaking life they’re talking about here.

At paano ang romantic relationship ni Karina with whoever she chooses to be? Hindi naman pwedeng maging chaperone siya ni Karina on dates like she used to when they were still surviving college... well, mostly siya. Karina always excelled at everything she did back in university.

So going back on dating, how the hell would they go about this?

Bakit?

Bakit pumayag si Karina?

At hindi ba maiilang si Karina sa nangyayari? First of all, they've known each other since diapers, at aso't pusa na silang magkababata simula pa lang, but that's part of being too close to each other. Every fiber of their being, the other knows it like the back of their hand. And now that they're legally bound to each other, Winter is frightened. Too damn frightened about what comes next.

I don’t mind doing this, Win. Sabi pa ng asawa niya sa kanya. Asawa. Ang weird pakinggan. Walang substance. Parang bulalong walang bone marrow. Parang ramen broth na hindi pinakuluan ng 24 hours. Karina thought it would do their lives good. Para na rin siguro hindi na 'ko ma-involve sa kung sino-sino. Why not sa'yo na lang 'diba? Although rumors now and then won't hurt *winks

*sighs.

Oo, Karina. Sa 'kin ka na lang ma-involve.

Pero sana naman, yung walang bahid ng pagpapanggap.

Dahil tangina naman, sampung taon na kitang minamahal.

No joke, simula noong tumuntong sila ng high school, kumaripas bigla ang romantic cells sa buong pagkatao niya. Lahat nag-uunahan magpunta sa cerebrum para lang magsabi ng gusto nilang lahat si Karina!

Gusto ko siya!

 Tumahimik ka, ako ang may gusto sa kanya!

 Ako! Ako ang may gusto!

That one fateful day nang biglang may nahimatay noong Intrams dahil sa tirik ng araw sa soccer field, nagmala-wonderwoman ang kababata at nag-perform ng first aid for fainting. Nakita niya itong nagtali ng buhok at sumabak na sa aksyon, pero bakit iba nag epekto sa kanya ng ginawa ni Karina?

She couldn’t do anything but to stand by at ayaw naman na niyang makisawsaw, but the fact that the girl waited for responders and teachers na lumapit, feel na feel din niyang sagipin siya ni Karina noon. Seryoso ulit, nag-daydream siya ng sarili niyang scenario.

 Kung ano ang gagawin ni Karina if it was Winter instead. It's a known fact to everyone close to them na may hika si Winter, that was why for most PE activities she used to sit them out.

One time, she tried joining a relay race and went against their teacher’s advice. Ang ending, nag-half day siya at sinundo ni Manong Edgar na kanyang designated driver matapos makarinig ng sermon from Karina. 

Seriously, Winter. You’re giving me a heart attack. You can join some light physical activities. Just not like the one earlier.

Para na siguro siyang tanga sa kotse kakangiti.

Dahil  imbis na malumbay, the thought of Karina worrying about her gave her so much joy.

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Pagkababang-pagkababa niya ng sasakyan on her way to Karina’s movie set, bumungad na agad ang lugar na tila nagmistulang Dangwa sa dami ng bulaklak. May mga naka-standing arrangement, may mga bouquet sa gilid na lamesa tapos yung iba nakasuksok sa paper bag ng Blue Magic na may kasamang teddy bear. Lahat galing sa mga fans at Endorsements ni Karina.

Sa kabilang lamesa, may mga cake na parang pang-debut sa dami ng layers.

All the best, Karina! From your Karinators.

Congratulations on your next blockbuster, From Karinatics,

Only Velo touches Karina’s skin, who touches yours? – Congrats from your Velo fam!

at kung anu-ano pang pakulo na maisipan ng mga ito.

Parang hinahalukay ang mga lamang-loob niya sa kaba.

Pwede bang umurong na lang?

One step forward, two steps backward. Hamak na cute na bouquet ng baby’s breath lang naman ang dala-dala niya ngayon. Should she go back at pumunta saglit sa flower shop para bumili ng isa, no, sampung standing flower arrangements? She could probably do that. Bakit naman kasi ang extra ng mga fans and sponsors niya. Balak pa atang palitan ang posisyon niya bilang asawa ni Karina.

Correction, pretend wife, Winter, pretend wife.

“Manong, change of plans. Let’s go to the mall fir-“

“Ms. Winter? Winter Kim?”

Saktong pagbukas niya ng pinto ng kotse para bumili ay may lumapit na isang staff, looking haggard as a production staff could ever be. Kung anong kinaganda sa mata ng mga Romcoms ni Karina, ay siya namang kina-stress ng sangkatauhan na pumapalibot sa dalaga. But make no mistake, ibahin mo si Karina Yoo. Na kahit pa siguro isang linggong walang paligo ay liyamado pa rin mula Batanes hanggang Jolo. Isang beses lang ata Nakita ni Winter na umiyak ng may uhog si Karina, at ‘yon ay noong namatay ang kanyang pinakamamahal na aspin na si Biko.

That girl has a soft spot for stray animals.

Back then, when everything was simple and sweet as cotton candy, weekends were reserved for afternoon strolls away from pretentious business banquets. Hilig nila ang pumuslit away from it, at nang bago pa sila makalayo from the hotel, they found an old stray limping near a gutter, and by the looks of it, malnourished gawa ng furless and scaly skin. Winter had never cry Karina so much until that day, not even when lolo Oste - the man they called ‘Binondo Man’ because of his contributions to the early Binondo, and what would later on flourish as the “Chinatown” – died.

Cut to: inuwi nila ang aso matapos ang pagmamaktol nito at paggawa ng eksena sa event. She’s stubborn like that.

Once she reached Karina’s trailer, bumungad sa kanya ang natutulog na dalaga sa may mini couch na nakapwesto sa gilid ng sasakyan. Sa loob nito ay may maliit na shower room, at dresser na halos puno ng abubot.

Hindi niya alam kung gigisingin niya si Karina. Ang himbing lang ng tulog nito. Bakas pa sa mukha ang eyebags that came from a month-worth taping.

Not Winter approved.

“You’re late.”

Fake news pala na tulog.

“I know, I’m sorry, babe. Got held up in a meeting about yaddah yaddah blah blah”

Bumangon si Karina at nag-ayos ng buhok, “It’s not as important as me, though.” Sabay pagmamaldita nito kay Winter.

First, oo naman, di hamak na mas mahalaga si Karina kaysa sa paluging rural banks nila sa Matnog at Kidapawan.

Second, bakit may pag-babe ang mga mapagpanggap?

Easy. Everything’s for the camera.

Just the same, Winter means it with all her heart. Bakit di na nga lang ba totohanin, ika ni Carol Banawa. Pakunswelo na lang siguro yung natatawag niya na baby si Karina in public dahil aminado siyang feel na feel niya.

“you’re lucky those flowers are cute,” Kinuha niya ito at pinalitan ang old ones sa may vase, “Josie can you get back here once my scenes are ready, please?”

The staff looked at Winter with worry bago ito lumabas. Sige, Ms. Winter, kayanin mo ang hamon sa loob ng trailer na ito.

“You’re making it look like we’re having a fight, Rina, what the hell?” Pabirong bulong ni Winter na tuluyang umupo sa isang love seat nang tuluyan nang nakalabas si Josie.

“What? It’s true though, I’m the most important person in your life,” May hint ng panunukso sa mukha ng aktres, “being your wife and all”

She sat on Winter’s lap. Trying to get as comfy as possible.

“Ang bigat mo!”

“Shut it, inistorbo mo tulog ko kanina so wag kang magulo”

“Alam mo, kahit sa pagtulog, pang-FAMAS ‘yang arte mo e”

“My awards speak for themselves, then”

Wala nang sense makipagtalo sa isang Karina.

But she’d gladly lose to her, anyway.

She heaved a deep sigh. Who was she to deny something from her. She was a soldier fighting an already lost battle.

All futile attempts of trying not to fall for this ridiculous woman on her lap, are all just… that. Futile.

Inaamin niya, na natutukso din siya.

Sa mga galawan nitong aminado siyang nagkakasala siya.

God, help her.

Karina’s all tucked up  sa pagkakahiga sa kanya. At nagsusuot lang naman ng low neckline top.

She wanted to indulge in the sight, heck, mag-asawa kaya sila? By the power vested upon Karina’s brother who officiated the wedding at kinuha ang license online.

Hindi naman siguro masama, ‘di ba?

She just hoped and prayed na hindi naririnig ni Karina ang tibok ng puso niya ngayon. Dahil hindi niya masasabing nagkape siya bilang may GERD siya.

Humigpit ang hawak niya sa bewang ni Karina when she felt her move. Nag-REM na siguro dahil sa sudden twitch nito.

Gago ka, Minjeong. Si Karina ‘yan.

The love of your life.

Not like this.

Napalunok siya at biglang umiwas ng tingin. Ano bang pwedeng isipin? Yung meeting kanina?

Shet. That would work.

Effective na pampakulo ng dugo.

Just by thinking about her kid of an uncle, na hindi niya alam bakit probation lang ang inabot sa States. At heto siya ngayon, on top of every emails and conferences. Saving faces and asses na supposedly ang tatay niya ang gumagawa. Their rural banks lost too much from their investments – ones that Kai promised to triple nang inihain niya ito sa lahat.

At ano pa nga ba, manghang-mangha naman ang mga ulupong na nasa board of directors sa proposal nito. Not knowing that they’d be dealing with an international syndicate sa kagaguhan ni Kai.

“I believe we’re all here for the reparations of what happened five months ago. It’s the same discussion, ladies and gentlemen. And you and I both know what happened to my personal life. So I think I have the most honest say in this, don’t yo