Chapter 3 | The Day You Said Goodnight

All I can think about is Winter and how cute her smile was. There’s something about her that I cannot seem to place. I was contemplating if I should drink the sparkling water she gave. I took my phone and opened the camera app to check if I looked dehydrated. Lo and behold, my lips are actually chapped.

I quickly opened the bottle and took a few gulps. Maybe she gave me this because Ate Yeri asked her to. I shouldn’t be overthinking na may ibang dahilan. It should just be that. Hinabilin ako sa kanya ng pinsan ko, that’s why she’s being nice.

I tried distracting myself. Naglaro ako ng mobile games and didn’t realize it was time for my dinner with Ate Joy until she messaged me na nasa lobby na raw siya.

I quickly took my keys and went out. Pagbukas ng elevator doors, Winter was there. How many times would I have to resolve to seeing her today? Parang tumigil na naman ang oras. I just realized she has this dimple on her left cheek when she’s smiling.

“Weren’t you getting off?” She asked me and I just stared at her. In a nick of time, she pulled me out of the elevator before the doors closed.

“Karina!” I heard Ate Joy shout papunta kung saan kami nakatayo ni Winter. “Oh Winter, nandito ka pala. Have you met Karina yet?” She was eyeing Winter’s hand on my arm na tinanggal din naman niya agad.

“Yeah, we have kanina.” Tipid na sagot ni Winter.

“That’s good.” I watched as Ate Joy shifted glances between Winter and I. May laman yung tingin niya, to which I cannot put into. “Kumain ka na ba? Sabay ka na sa amin. We’re going to have dinner.”

Napatingin ako sa hawak ni Winter, mukhang supot from 7/11.

“I have to finish reading a lot of case files. We can go some other time.” Winter declined. Buti na lang talaga. I don’t think I can handle yung mapang-asar na tinginan ni Ate Joy. I know how tactless she can be.

“Oks, basta huwag mong kakalimutan uminom ng gamot ha?” Paalala ni Ate Joy kay Winter. Is she sick? Other than the heavy eye bags and being a bit underweight, I don’t see anything wrong with her.

“Paano ko makakalimutan? Lahat kaya kayo sabay-sabay magpa-alala.” Bugnot na sagot ni Winter. She looks cute with that reaction as well. Oh , am I smiling like an idiot again?

“We’re just trying to look out for you, kiddo. Sige na, mauna na kami.” Ginulo pa ni Ate Joy yung buhok ni Winter.

“Bye Karina!” Winter said bago siya sumakay ng elevator.

“Ako walang pa-bye?” Ungot ni Ate Joy.

“Bye rin Ate Joy na palaging nagtatampururot!” Pahabol ni Winter bago magsara yung elevator.

After the exchange, biglang bumulong sa tenga ko si Ate Joy. “Karina, you’re way too obvious.” She cooed at me.

“Huh?” I was caught off guard. If Ate Joy noticed, did Winter notice it too? Wala, naloko na.

“Hatdog ka! Okay sana ‘yang si Winter kaso may sabit. Gustong makipagbalikan sa ex niyang mukhang ulupong.” Ate Joy continued to say. I followed her closely. As far as I know, walking distance lang galing dito sa condo yung kakainan naming dalawa.

I stayed quiet. Ex na mukhang ulupong? It seems like red flag na from the start dahil mukhang hindi pa ata nakaka-move on si Winter. I don’t even know if she isn’t straight. I wanted to ask Ate Joy pero it just feels so wrong to ask about Winter this way.

“You weren’t going to ask anything about Winter?” Parang manghuhula si Ate Joy. May lahing psychic ba ‘to? Nak