Two Months Later... (September)

7:00 am 

Winter's POV

Two months na nung huling beses na makita at makausap ko si Karina. I guess that's how it is, kahit natutuwa ako with this new environment, hindi ko pa din maiwasan na maisip siya. Madalas ko pa din siya nammiss. There are times na nagigising ako sa madaling araw at bigla ko nalang siyang hinahanap, I can't do anything about it that's why I just let it all out, umiiyak nalang ako. I really miss her, but I still can't reach out to her, it's not yet time.

I can say that I have already adjusted to this new lifestyle and I'm literally loving it, well minus the "perks" that I get because of Chaewon and my parents. I am starting to like my new routines and the random experiences I've had these past few weeks. Too bad that I still can't go to the areas that I have been avoiding but I am trying to defeat it little by little with the help of Chaewon and the new friends I've met in school.

"Hey there school girl good morning, it's time to get up!" nagising nalang ako na may dumadagan at nangyayakap sakin dito sa kama. "Winter you didn't lock the door again, I've told you a hundred of times to always double check."

"Well it's locked, it just happened na alam mo yung code."

"I got in because you didn't use the double lock! Wake up now it's Saturday. We're also gonna meet up with my friend at lunch and someone will," tinakpan ko yung muka niya ng unan kasi ang aga aga napaka dami nanaman niyang sinasabi. "did you just smother me with a pillow?!" tinakpan ko ulit yung muka niya ng isa pa. "You are too loud and you talk so much." hinagis niya sakin yung mga unan na pinangtakip ko sa muka niya.  "Get up someone will come here today. By the way did ate Dahyun reply to you na or she totally forgot about you?"

"She just read my message about the pills and she didn't reply to me ilan beses ko pa inulit. Give me a minute, may gagawin lang ako dito. Go on what are you saying?" I went to the closet para kumuha ng mat at pumwesto na kagad ko sa floor for my daily ten minute yoga. Ito yung bago kong napick-up from Chaewon, she has a routine na mas effective than the usual stretching na ginagawa ko dati. I kinda feel like mas umaayos yung breathing ko when I do this every morning.

"Oh I'm glad that you're practicing it now. Anyway, we're gonna meet up with my girl friend and I think it's best if you see her now and thank her personally." tuloy lang ako sa routine ko habang nag kkwento siya. Pero napatigil ako saglit nung narealize ko yung sinabi niya "wait can you clear that up we are meeting your girlfriend or your friend that is a girl?"

"The latter, I don't date anyone currently and you know that I like someone" tuloy lang ako sa pag stretch hanggang sa tumunog na yung timer. Tapos na ako with my first routine, usually ang sunod kong ginagawa ay nag pprepare ng breakfast pero ngayon hindi na kailangan since we're gonna be dining out again. "you done?" I got the mat at tinago ko na sa closet ko. "Yeah should I shower now then alis na tayo?"

"You can even do that later, no need to rush she'll be there at 12."

"I'll pretend that you didn't just talk about my ex, all of us are aware how much you like Somi, why don't you give it a try?"

"It's not that easy, I need to consider a lot." this is quite new, bihira ko siya makausap about her dating dilemmas because she always prefer to not talk about it "and that is?" i asked her "A lot, mauubos yung oras if we talk about it now."

"Fine."

"Before I forget. I'm gonna give a heads up. Starting this month someone will come here to fix and organize your closet." I stopped on my tracks when I realized what she said. "hold on, sino naman yun and why would she do that? I don't need someone to clean and organize my stuff for me Chae I'm good. Isa pa ayaw ko mag bayad, it's  not practical."

"Well I know that you're a frugal person suprisingly, but don't worry because it's free. She will organize your clothes and all the outfits that you'll wear for one month."

"But why? Outfits for one month isn't that what stylists do?"

"Bingo you got it. I'm glad that you're not slow now my little , I see that you are getting the hang of it."

"Why the hell would I need a closet organizer and a stylist? Paalala ko lang ha, I am here to study hindi ako nagpunta dito para maging kung sino, gets mo ba?"

"I saw how you get stressed out because of academics Winter, I thought that if you have someone to fix this stuff for you mas madadalian ka. Now gets mo ba?"

"I can just wear anything kahit pa sobrang dami kong ginagawa it's not a problem. Nakakapili ako ng damit ko I don't need that kind of help."

"Who said I am taking no for an answer? Just go with it Winter, mas madadalian ka I promise you. You'll have more time in your hands."

"What the heck, alam mo yung mga nangyayari these past few weeks hindi talaga ako makapaniwala. You are making it too easy for me, kayo nila mommy and ate. I feel grateful pero, I didn't expect that it would be handed to me on a silver platter."

"It's because you are lucky and you deserve all of it. Plus, I think you are doing great in school ang bilis mo nag adapt and I am so proud of you."

"Thank you, I can't thank you enough pati si mom and ate. I cannot wait na makabawi."

"So are you okay with that, the stylist will come here toda--"

*doorbell buzzing*

*doorbell buzzing*

Natigilan ako nung narinig ko yung sunod sunod na tunog ng doorbell, I am not expecting someone today so for sure ito nga yung sinasabi niya. "Who's that?" tanong ko kay Chaewon na kasalukuyang may tinatawagan sa phone. "She's here, all of your stuff are organized naman so madadalian siya. Let's go get the door, I'll introduce you to her."

"Teka nga, ito ka nanaman sa mga panggulat mo eh andito na kagad siya, teka ano ba to how do I address her, is she a stylist or a closet organizer?"

"She's a stylist, she also works for me."

"What the, ano ba so ikaw nanaman talaga may pakana nito?"

"Part of the promise Winter, come on now, you're gonna thank me for this." hinatak niya ako patayo sa upuan at ngayon tinutulak niya ako palabas ng kwarto. "Ano name niya?" tanong ko habang naglalakad na kami para sunduin yung nasa pinto. "Parang tanga naman Chaewon hindi pa ako ready hindi pa nga ako bihis, ano name? dalian mo."

"Ask her yourself," sabay bukas sa pinto. Ito yung isa sa mga ganap for the past few weeks na naiirita ako. Madalas mangyari na kung sino sino yung mga nakakasalubong at nammeet namin na mga kakilala niya and I always get stunned because most of the time it's either hindi pa ako nakakaligo or ngarag ako kasi kakagaling ko lang sa school. Tangina lahat nalang ata ng friends and acquaintances niya dito puro fashion people or socialites. Wala pa akong nakita na kakilala ni Chaewon dito sa New York na hindi papasa as an It-girl.

"Winter!" nagulat ako nung may tumapik ng mahina sa muka ko. "Yeah, what's up?" tumingin ako sa nakatayo sa pinto, she's just smiling at us and hindi ko pa pala siya pinapasok dahil nag zzone out nanaman ako. "Good morning, come in." bati ko sakanya. "Winter I would like you to meet Joy Park. A good friend of mine and sometimes she is the one who styles me," I offered my hand before I greeted her. "Nice to meet you Joy, I'm Winter, Chaewon's friend." she was just staring at me na parang tinitignan niya mabuti yung muka ko at kinikilala niya ako "You look really familiar Winter, have we met before?" I said no and I shook my head. "I think this is the first time"

"I might have mistaken you for someone else, I'm sorry."

 "it's fine" I lead her to the living room and I asked her to sit on the couch "Do you want something to drink, like coffee or perhaps water?"

"Coffee is fine, let's get to work. Where's her closet Chae?" tumayo na si Chaewon at tinuro niya yung bedroom ko. Hindi ko alam kung ano yung gagawin nila, hinayaan ko na sila at nagpunta na ako sa kitchen para kumuha ng brewed coffee. Buti nalang nagawa ko na to kanina pagka gising ko, at least kahit pano may maiooffer ako na drink.

"I don't have all day so I have to finish this, can I start now Winter? What's your go-to style or your fashion trend?" nagpalipat lipat ako ng tingin sakanilang dalawa dahil para akong ni-rraid ngayon ng mga fashion police. "Uh anything that's comfortable I'm good with it."

"And your expectations?"

"Huh? expectations with?" sumingit na si Chaewon dahil hindi ko masundan yung mga tinatanong sakin ni Joy. "She's asking what style do you want to go for, like for school or when you go to parties and lunch."

"What the ?! oh sorry uhm, I just prefer something comfortable when I go to school. Easy to wear that's it." hinawakan ako ni Chaewon sa kamay at may binulong siya sakin "relax Winter, I got you" inakbayan niya pa ako bago siya humarap kay Joy na nakatayo na malapit sa pinto at mukang ready ng pumasok sa kwarto ko. "Joy let's do the basics. A college girl, cultured, into arts and music, she likes to go out for brunch and she definitely knows how to get wasted on the weekends."

"Right, I knew it. Now can I come in?" hinihintay niya akong sumagot, hindi ko alam kung ano mismo yung mga gagalawin niya pero sigurado ako na aayusin niya lang yung mga damit ko at pag sasamahin niya base sa kung anong style na maisipan niya.

"Sure, but please do not throw anything from my closet. My things, I need them all so please do not get rid of anything. Especially the clothes."

"Okay got it, Chae do you wanna join me?" tumayo kagad si Chaewon at dalawa na silang pumasok sa loob ng kwarto ko. Naisip ko din kung aayusin niya yung damit ko tapos good for one month na, sobrang laki ng ma-ssave sa oras ko nun dahil hindi ko na kailangan mag isip pa ng isusuot ko sa mga sususnod na araw. Grabe what have I done in the past para makakuha ng mga ganito tapos libre. Honestly it's unbelievable and too good to be true pero basta makakatulong sakin sa pag maximize ng oras, I think I'll have to grab the chance kesa naman masayang. I didn't know na ang dami pala talagang perks ng pagiging friend ni Chaewon.

10:00 am

Nakaupo kami ni Chaewon dito sa sala, lumabas na din kami sa kwarto dahil hindi na daw kailangan ng extra hand. Nung sinilip ko patapos na siya at yung watches and other accessories nalang yung mga inaayos niya ngayon.

"Chae, I need to be the one to pay her kasi nakakahiya naman." nagbabasa ng book yung katabi ko kaya sobrang tahimik niya at hindi manlang tumitingin sa direksyon ko. "Chae I need to pay her grabe nakakahiya ang dami niyang inayos" sinara niya yung libro at inilapag niya sa gitna namin. "you don't have to do that, it's covered. We are doing this to save you time and para mabawasan yung stress mo with school."

"Yeah pero kasi hindi ko naman kailangan, nakakahiya na din sayo."

"Don't be shy Winter, dba I always tell you. You are like my sister that's why I'm looking after you."

"Eh kasi parang sobra na eh, tapos wala manlang ako nagagawa in return, you can't blame me if I'm starting to feel embarrassed."

"You don't have to do anything, this is what I promised dba? it's not a big deal and I like helping you."

"How do I even repay you? tsaka snearch ko kasi eh ang mahal ng bayad per hour sakanya. Saan ba nag wwork si Joy? I mean does she have a company or what?"

"She has, pero wag mo na isipin yun. It took her two hours lang naman so it's fine."

"Snearch ko yung name niya, yung mga client niya grabe. Pati pala sa mga fashion magazines naffeature and kinukuha siya, tapos ako unang beses nagpalibre? tangina nakakahiya!"

"Ssshh keep it down baka marinig ka. I told you this is covered kaya wag ka nga mahiya. Umayos ka Winter, you are her freakin client so act like one." pinanlakihan niya ako ng mata kaya medyo natakot ako sakanya. Napaayos tuloy ako ng upo. "Eh kasi naman eh, wala ka ba kilala dito na normal lang? Wala pa ata akong nammeet na taong normal sa circle mo."

"What do you think of us ba Winter? I told you masanay ka na because you're part of it now. Be thankful, soon enough you're gonna start working part-time for sure mas magiging busy ka, this is going to save you a lot. I swear."

"Yeah I have two interviews this coming week. I was actually referred by my classmate."

"Where is that again?"

"Uhm yung una sa Wednesday it's a cafe here in Brooklyn tapos yung isa sa Friday for a Gallery Assistant job."

"They offer part-time? then that's good."

"Chae may sasabihin pa pala ako and this one, I'm gonna be starting next week na." ito yung tinatago ko sakanya kasi nung unang beses na sinabi ko yung plano ko, grabe yung reaction niya at ayaw niya akong payagan. "I will start walking dogs next week" nag smile ako sakanya dahil alam ko na ang dami nanaman niyang masasabi. "what?"

"I'll be walking dogs next week."

"Winter oh my god what did I tell you?"

"Why? Wala naman masama dun, alam mo ba kung magkano kikitain ko per week?"

"Baka kasi hindi okay sa mommy mo yan, you walking someone else's dogs? oh my god."

"She's gonna be fine with it, trust me. Tsaka sayang eh four hundred per week din yun and,"

"And what?"

"Four hundred per dog yun kasi magkaiba yung owner."

"Are you serious? So may kausap ka na?"

"Yeah I will start on Monday."

"Winter are you sure about this sabi ko naman sayo there are a lot of jobs that me and my friends can hook you up with. Why don't you let me help you?"

"Eh kasi lahat nalang puro kayo yung gumagawa para sakin. Kahit dito nalang sa mga part time jobs pabayaan mo na ako na."

"Okay fine pero mag ingat ka and who are those clients? give me the names."

"Bakit? Wag mo na alamin baka naman kausapin mo pa isaisa, hindi na okay na yun. They are my neighbors ituturo ko sayo yung bahay nila mamaya."

"What breed? I'm talking about the dogs not the owner."

"Hahahahaha you are so ing mean. Chihuahua, Afghan Hound and a small Maltese."

"A maltese? oh my gosh mag ingat ka Winter baka mapagpalit ka, akala nila ikaw yung nilalakad. Tapos ang mabigyan ng salary yung small maltese."

"Ang epal mo, hahaha"

"Mag ingat ka okay? especially with that afghan hound, usually ganyan yung pet ng mga Karens. Be careful because you can get sued pag may nangyari sa pets nila. Some of the dogs here are even insured."

"Pet of Karens what? hahahaha yeah mag iingat ako isasama ko lang naman sa jogging eh."

"You'll be doing that everyday? and sabay sabay?"

"No, four times a week lang. Not all three of them, hiwalay yung schedule with the maltese."

"Aww that's cute, twinning. Send me a photo on your first day I'll send it to your mom and ate," ito yung weird na ginagawa niya. Lahat ng first na gagawin ko kailangan may picture, lalo nung first day of school ko sobrang nakakahiya yung pinag gagawa ni Chaewon. Kulang nalang mag back out na ako at ayaw ko ng mag aral. Kinuhaan niya ako ng picture bago kami lumabas dito sa apartment. Tapos akala ko dun na nagtatapos yung kahihiyan, hinatid niya pa talaga ako hanggang sa Parsons. Sumama pa samin si Xiaoting at inutusan niya siya na picturan ako pati kaming dalawa habang nakatayo dun sa labas ng building. Daig niya pa si mommy at sobrang nakakahiya. Siya tsaka isang tao lang naman ang kayang gumawa ng ganun, yung isa wa