Winter's POV

"I heard that you did make out with someone last night. Is that true?"

She was talking too close to my ear, that deep talking voice, it is the same as it always has been. Very familiar and comforting. I'm sure I can't be wrong and I know who this is. "Is it true?" she asked. The sound of her voice in my ear and her breath on my neck were sending shivers to my spine. Oh god is this really happening now or I am just hallucinating.

"Winter it's getting cold, what are you doing out this late? You're not even wearing a beanie." she asked again while still getting in my space. , it's really her. Karina is here and she is standing right behind me. I don't know how to react. 

"I miss you." ang lapit ng muka niya sakin. I even felt her nose slightly touching my ear lobe. "Pup," she carefully s her arms around my neck.

"Turn around." she put her arms around my waist. I think I'm gonna pass out."I want to see you." nung yumakap siya sa bewang ko mas lumakas pa yung kabog ng dibdib ko kumpara kanina. "Please look at me."

"Baby?" hinawakan ko yung mga kamay na nakayakap sakin at humarap ako sakanya. Pagkakita ko sa muka niya hindi ko na napigilan yung sarili ko, I just found my self crying when I saw her. "Karina" I couldn't hold it in anymore so I let it out. 

"Hi my snail puppy," bati niya sakin. "You're still a cry baby." mas hinila ko pa siya palapit at yumakap ako sakanya ng sobrang higpit. Hindi ako nagsalita dahil sobrang hindi ako makapaniwala na andito na si Karina. It felt like I out for a second and I didn't know what to tell her. It felt unreal and I wasn't expecting it. Hindi ko alam kung pano ako magrreact kaya yumakap ako sakanya at siniksik ko yung muka ko sa leeg niya. 

"Why are you crying?" hindi ako sumagot and I was trying to hide my face."Hey it's okay."

Hindi ako makapaniwala na andito na siya sa harap ko at yakap yakap ko siya ngayon. Akala ko talaga mahihirapan akong hanapin siya at matagal pa bago ko makakasama si Karina.

*crying*

"Babe"

"Hey" hinawakan niya yung muka ko, dahan dahan niya inangat at inilapit niya sakanya. "Don't cry Pup I'm here."pinupunasan niya yung luha ko gamit yung mga kamay niya."Baby is it really you?" [soft sobbing]

"Yes it's me."

*sobbing*

"How?"

"What do you mean how? I had to see you that's why I'm here."

*sobbing*

"Baby I've been waiting for you, sobrang gustong gusto na kita makita." [sobbing]

"Miss na miss na kita Karina."

"I miss you too, I always think about you Winter."

"I wanted to reach out to you pero hindi ko alam kung pano. I'm sorry babe."

"It's okay,"

"No it's not. I apologize for leaving you Karina. Umalis ako sa condo ng walang pasabi hindi manlang ako nakapag goodbye ng maayos. It's must've been hard for you."

"But that's our agreement and it's part of it. That's what I told you kung saan ka madadalian, you can choose to do it."

"I'm really sorry, hindi ko na gagawin yun."

"Ikaw ba talaga yan?" tanong ko sakanya habang hinahawakan ko yung magkabilang pisngi niya at tinitignan ko mabuti yung muka niya. "totoo ikaw to?"nakatingin siya sakin habang nakangiti. Hindi ko pa din inaalis yung kamay ko na nakahawak sakanya. Sobrang lapit na ng pagitan ng muka namin, pero hindi ko mapigilan yung emosyon ko kaya humihikbi pa din ako habang naguusap kami. "Bakit ang ganda mo lalo baby?"

"Hahaha. Come here, Oh my god I miss you so much Winter." I felt butterflies in my stomach when she went in for a kiss. "Sobrang namiss kita Karina." umatras ako at hinawakan ko ulit yung magkabilang pisngi niya dahil gusto ko talaga makita ng malapitan yung muka niya. "Baby ikaw ba talaga to, this is not a dream?"

"Yes it's me, your giant baby. I came here to see you."

"Can you please slap me just once?"

"Why would I slap you? I don't want to hurt you. Come." yumakap ulit ako sakanya. She kissed my face a few times and she was hugging me back tighter. "See you're staying here outside, ang lamig ng face mo Pup."

"It's because I wanted to stay here for a while. Pero may epal na nang trip sakin."

"Huh? Who?"

"Wala yun, that's not important. Grabe Karina I miss you, I've been wondering where you are. Hindi ko na alam kung saan kita hahanapin. Tinanong ko na lahat pati mga ate mo tsaka si Gigi, hindi daw nila alam kung nasaan ka. Tinataguan mo ba ako?"

"It's part of the agreement. Well don't think about it because I'm here now, you don't have to look for me. I am not going away."

"Babe it doesn't feel real, hindi ako makapaniwala na andito ka sa harap ko. Saan ka ba galing?"

"I am just here."

"Here? Like you traveled here, to find me?"

"Huh? No Pup."

"Eh ano?" medyo nahiya ako sa sinabi ko, parang ang feelingera ko tuloy, hindi naman pala siya nag travel dito para sakin.

"But somewhat yeah it's like that. I miss you so much that's why I went here to see you."

"Medyo hindi ko magets yung nangyayari babe tsaka ang dami ko gusto itanong sayo pero wag muna ngayon. I want to enjoy this moment na nakita na kita ulit." I held her face closer to mine and I pressed my lips on hers."Sorry masyado ako na-excite, I went in for a kiss and I didn't ask for your consent. Can I kiss you?"

"Consent? Kanina pa nga kita knkiss Winter."

"Kahit na baka mamaya hindi na pala pwede."

"Bakit naman hindi pwede? it's you of course you can kiss me."

"So can I kiss you?"

"Pup you really don't have to ask." I kissed her on the cheek and I kissed her mole. "I need to kiss you one more time Rina, just to make sure kung ikaw talaga yan." hinila ko pa siya palapit sakin at hinalikan ko siya sa labi ng medyo matagal. Tinignan ko ulit yung muka niya, sabay hinalikan ko ulit siya ng tatlong beses sa mole niya. "Oh my god I can't believe I'm doing this with you right now babe."

"Hahaha so do you believe me now?"

"I have to make sure it's you Rina, isa pa." I went in for a hot passionate kiss. The taste of her lips, sobrang namiss ko to."Do you believe me now or you want more?"  

"Yes I can tell that it's you. Oh my god baby sobrang nammiss na kita kung alam mo lang."

"I miss you too, everything about you."

"Bakit ang ganda mo lalo grabe what did you do when you were away?"

"Hahaha what the hell are you saying? I was just doing what we are supposed to do."

"Grabe parang hindi totoo na nangyayari to, you really can't slap me?"

"Hahaha it's real, see I'm even hugging you, this is better than a slap."

"I miss you, I miss your scent babe." I sank my face onto her neck again. , naalala ko na may tinatakbuhan nga pala ako kanina kaya ako umakyat dito sa stairs. "Babe we have to go because it's not safe out here and it's freezing." kailangan na namin umalis dahil baka biglang sundan kami dito. "What are you talking about? Are you okay Winter?"

"Uhm we have to go, ang lamig na masyado and may nangttrip sakin kanina sa baba, it's dangerous. I'm sorry to cut this moment short but we have to hurry, let's go somewhere else. Baka andyan pa yung lalaki na sumisigaw."

"Did you get scared?"

"Yes! nananahimik ako pero kanina pa may lecheng sigaw ng sigaw sakin dyan nakakairita, pinapaalis ata ako, kaya nag tatatakbo ako papunta dito sa taas. Grabe yung kaba ko."

"Pup that was me! hahaha. I was just messing with you I'm sorry." pinalo ko ng mahina yung braso niya."Grabe pinagtripan mo pa ko, sobra yung kaba ko, halos lumabas na yung lungs ko sa sobrang hingal. Nagulat ako nung may sumigaw tapos palapit ng palapit."

"Hahahaha it was funny when you ran up the stairs. You look so cute."

"Bakit kailangan mo pa akong takutin ng ganun? I couldn't run properly because it's too cold."

"Hahahaha I told you, you cannot run away from me."

"Niyakap mo ko bigla tapos hindi ka nagsasalita buti hindi kita na sprayan ng pepper spray! Nag iba ka pa ng boses ang epal mo, I thought someone's gonna rob me."

"Hahahaha I'm sorry. Kanina pa ako nandyan, I was just hiding behind the bushes, I was watching you. Why do you look so sad, what happened?"

"Eh kasi nga, it's Chaewon, madami ako kailangan ikwento sayo Rina. Sana wag ka magagalit. Si Chaewon kasi yung pinaka naging kasama ko dito, I will explain everything to you, don't worry."

"It's fine, I will listen."

"Chaewon already left and she needs to be with her mom so it is indefinite when she's gonna come back. She left too early and I kinda feel bad about it, sobrang biglaan. Nalulungkot ako because I'm used to seeing her and I will miss her so much. I hope that you won't get the wrong idea Karina,"

"I understand."

"We became really close she's the one who is looking after me. Pero alam mo naman how we are dba, there's nothing going on between us kahit nung nagpapagaling palang ako from the brain surgery. She treats me like her own sister."

"Yes I know that Pup. Too bad I didn't get to see her before she left. I'm pretty sure she's the one who helped you here. Tell me everything when you feel like it."

"I will" hanggang ngayon hindi pa din ako umaalis sa pagkakayakap kay Rina, kahit pa ang clingy ko ngayon I really don't care dahil sobrang namiss ko siya. Nakatayo pa din kami dito sa pinaka taas na hagdan at kanina pa kami nag uusap. "Babe wait, honestly this is too overwhelming. Ang dami ko gusto itanong sayo, unang una na dun, pano ka biglang napunta dito, how come you just suddenly appeared here at Sutton Parks, saan ka ba galing?"

"There's something you should know. I hope you won't get mad that there are some things that I failed to tell you before you left."

"I'm not gonna get mad at you I'm no different, I need to come clean about certain things that I am guilty of and we also need to talk, about us. Now that you are here sana mapag usapan na natin lahat lahat wala na dapat tayong itatago."

"Yes, we need to talk about our relationship. Everything has to be clear. Although I want to ask you something and I hope you can answer me now,"

"About what?"

"You're not in a relationship now are you? I mean I just wanna know if you're seeing someone, because it's possible Winter, you were gone for how many months. I also need to confirm something with you, meron kasi ako nalaman."

"Ano yung nalaman mo? Me in a relationship? pwede ba yun, alam mo naman na ikaw lang yung gusto ko Karina. It didn't change but I want to be honest kaya may mga sasabihin ako sayo na kailangan mo malaman. But not now because it's late and I want to enjoy this moment with you first kasi ang tagal ko hinintay to."

"We can also talk about it some other day, don't rush. We have a lot of time ahead of us. We still have what, one hundred ninety three years to be together?"

"Aww baby, I really cannot believe this. You have no idea how happy I am right now."

"I feel the same Pup. Four months is enough, I want to be with you."

"Yeah tama na yun. Hindi ko na kaya pag pinatagal pa natin. Pero hindi pa din talaga ako makapaniwala na magkasama tayo ngayon."

"Ako din."

"Babe it's late and I still want to be with you, uhm do you wanna go somewhere else?"nahihiyang tanong ko sakanya. Gusto ko pa siya makasama kaya inaaya ko siya na lumipat ng lugar.

"Sure, let's go."

"You want to go to a restaurant or perhaps you wanna come over to my place? We can get take outs and we can have dinner there."

"Yeah we can do that. I want to spend the entire night with you."

"You'll spend the entire night with me?!"

"Yes Pup, but only if you want to. I miss you so much." sa sobrang kilig ko sinipa ko bigla yung railing ng hagdan."Grabe tangina baby kinikilig ako." 

"Hahahahaha I guess that's a good thing?"

"Seryoso Karina parang ganito yung nararamdaman ko dati sa path walk pag nakikita kita nung college tayo. Sa sobrang kilig ko parang nag gegera ngayon sa tiyan ko yung mga butterflies, yung intestines pati yung mga kinain ko kaninang lunch. Like I might be puking dead butterflies later on."

"Hahahaha you are so gross. Oh my gosh I really miss you."

"I miss you too. Come here," I showered her entire face with kisses. "Pup wait, I just have to ask this now." I didn't stop with what I was doing. I was hugging her and I was giving light kisses on her face. "Go on, what is it?" I asked while I kiss her on the side of her lips.

"Something has changed and I just can't figure it out now." napatigil ako saglit pero hawak ko pa din siya."May nagbago saan?"

"With you, I don't exactly know what is it, yet. But I like it and god Winter you became hotter. What the hell were you doing when I was away? I swear you look stunning and you are so hot."

"What? Halika na nga kung ano ano sinasabi mo."

"It's true, you look so good in this hair Pup oh my god. I can't wait to, oh no nevermind you might say that I'm moving quite too fast."

"Babe you're making it weird now. Come, let's get out of here, ang lamig na ng muka mo baka mag crack ka."

"Hahahahaha you still see me as an egg?"

"Ikaw nagsabi niyan not me."

"Hahahahaha ang epal mo pa din. So where are you taking me?"

"Let's have dinner and I'm gonna take you to my apartment, iuuwi na kita Karina."

"You're taking me to your place, really?"

"Oo, ayaw mo ba? I know na parang masyadong mabilis because we just saw each other but, sobrang namiss talaga kita so gusto kita masolo. Kung gusto mo lang naman pero kung nabibilisan ka or you feel uncomfortabe I mean we can also go to a restaurant, like we can talk there and do some catching up."

"Nabibilisan and uncomfortable ako? with what?"

"Uhm baka nabibilisan ka pag isinama kagad kita sa apartment eh ngayon lang tayo nagkita ulit after almost five months. Baka kasi naiilang ka or this is so awkward baby. Basta gets mo na yun."

"Hahahaha why are you making it awkward and complicated?"

"Baka kasi sabihin mo masyado mabilis tapos atat na atat ako and we are not yet together. , am I making it worse?"

"Hahahaha you are, but you're cute so it's fine."

"I'm sorry."

"Don't make it awkward, it's fine. I can go to your place tonight and it's not a big deal, okay? I mean you are my wife Winter." 

"Oh my god." nung marinig ko yung sinabi niya napaupo ako bigla dito sa hagdan, buti nalang nakakapit ako sa railing at nakahawak ako kay Karina. "Pup umayos ka, para kang tanga we might fall!" 

"Baby kinikilig talaga ako sobra nanghihina nako, parang nanlalambot yung mga buto ko kaya nagkaka jelly legs ako."

"Hahahahahaha you're still so weird and funny. Come on let's go to your place."

"Seryoso ba, I mean hindi ba mabilis masyado? Baka isipin mo atat na atat ako, tsaka gusto lang talaga kita masolo."

"It doesn't matter kung mabilis or mabagal as long as it's you I don't really care. I just want to be with you Winter."

"Ugghhh" nung narinig ko yung sinabi niya napaupo nanaman ako sa hagdan at napakapit ako sa railing. "Pup ang arte mo mahuhulog ka pa sa ginagawa mo eh. Stop it na nga!" 

"Kinikilig ako baby I'm serious. Just let me."

"Wag ka gumanyan dyan, kanina ka pa sumasandal that railing is dirty. Nalinis mo na." sinilip ko yung coat ko na napang punas ko na sa railing, tangina mukang nalagyan pa ata ng kalawang.

"Okay lang sayo talaga Karina kahit kakakita palang natin tonight?"

"Yeah I want you to bring me to your place because I also wanna see it. Please stop asking and let's go."

"Haha okay, I'm just making sure na okay sayo. I mean you can spend the night there, pwede ka matulog dun since I have extra pjs pero ayaw ko naman isipin mo na pinipilit kita. Kung gusto mo lang naman matulog dun sa place ko, you are welcome there."

"Yeah I will stay the night, I would love to."

"Oh my god baby, masusuka na talaga ako sa kilig! Isusuka ko na talaga yung mga butterflies makikita mo."

"Hahahahaha halika na nga!"

"Pero wait lang pala, do you need to be somewhere tomorrow?"

"Yes. How about you?"

"Yun yung isa sa dapat mo malaman babe, I went here because I'm taking up my masters. May pasok ako bukas ng 9am hindi ako pwede mag absent kasi studies talaga yung inuuna ko eh."

"Hahahaha are you serious or you're messing with me nanaman?"

"It's true, I'm currently studying in Parsons."

"Oh that's nice. I'm so proud of you Pup, you're finally doing it."

"Yeah pero business course yung kinuha ko instead of MArch. Ayaw ko na talaga maging architect same pa din sa sinabi ko sayo dati."

"It's fine Winter, just focus on what you are doing now and I trust you because you always know what you want."

"Yeah ikkwento ko nalang sayo yung about sa school. So pano ka tomorrow where are you going? are you here because you are visiting or may work ka dito? Tsaka dba I know that your job is in Manila so pano yun did you as-"

"No Pup, I'm actually back here for good. The company is still based here in New York, we didn't leave."

"You didn't leave? Wait, I'm lost."

"I promise to explain it to you later. Let's have dinner first and bring me to your place I wanna see it, baka kung ano ano ginagawa mo dun."

"Okay babe."

When we were having dinner at the restaurant, naka receive na ako ng message from Chaewon, na-delay yung flight kaya nakausap pa namin siya kanina through video call. Sinabi din sakin ni Karina na more than one month na pala siya nag stay dito. She explained to me that they have decided to continue with the New York office, oo nga naman mas efficient if they will have the office here kasi andito naman yung clientele nila plus a lot of the fashion houses are based here. Hindi daw niya sinabi sakin kung nasaan siya kasi yun yung usapan namin, we have to part ways and heal on our own. Now I can tell that we're both doing okay.

Hindi na kami nag stay ng matagal sa restaurant, umalis na kami kagad at dumiretso na sa apartment ko.

Nung pauwi na kami dito mas dumami pa lalo yung mga bagay na gusto ko itanong sakanya. May mga napansin kasi ako kanina, pero since malapit na mag 12am tapos pareho pa kaming may pasok tomorrow sa following days nalang namin paguusapan. For now she's gonna be staying the night, dito siya matutulog kaya sobrang excited at kinikilig talaga ako. Hesitant at nahihiya pa akong iinvite ng sleepover si Karina pero nagulat ako kasi prepared siya at may dala na pala siyang damit.

We have decided to set a date kung kailan namin pag uusapan lahat, that would be on Tuesday, after my class susunduin daw niya ako tapos dun ako matutulog sa place niya para magkasama kami ng mas matagal.

"How do you find it babe?" pinapakita ko kay Rina yung apartment ko, she's liking the interior design. "It's really pretty and cozy Pup." sabi ko na, magugustuhan niya yung design and furnishings. "It kinda has the same vibe with our condo."dagdag niya pa.

"Yeah exactly. kaya nung unang dating ko dito naisip ko that you're gonna appreciate it. Pati yung mga gamit. Tsaka alam mo ang weird nitong apartment na to."

"Why? is there a ghost?"

"Huh? No! Ano kasi the original rent is almost 6k per month, Damian the broker they gave it to me ng mas mura. Hulaan mo kung magkano."

"Uhm 2.5k?"

"Yeah! hahaha ang galing mo manghula nasabi mo yung saktong digits. Two thousand five hundred tapos ganito itsura ng interior parang sa Architectural Digest. Dba ang weird as in sobrang too good to be true yung deal kaya nga hanggang ngayon hindi pa din ako naniniwala eh."

"Yeah that's a good deal. Your place is really nice and very neat. I'm proud of you."

"Pano ako hindi magiging neat, pag sa condo ang oc mo masyado. Nasanay na tuloy ako."

"Hahahaha something nice came out of it. Are you getting some good rest here? I'm sure you get stressed with schoo