December 2012 — 21:32

"Jaemin bobo, bilisan mo! Magpprepare pa tayo!" Sigaw ni Karina at hinila si Jaemin papasok sa bahay ng mga Kim. 

"Tangina naman kasi pre, bukas pa naman yung birthday! Masyado ka namang excited," Jaemin groaned. He is holding a box of decorations for WInter's surprise birthday party. 

"She'll attend the Military Academy next year, I can't underprepare," sagot ni Karina. Jaemin noticed how the girl's mood dampen. 

"Fine! Mamimiss ko rin naman si Boss Winter. Tara na," he started walking inside the house to Winter's room. Kasama naman nila Haechan si Winter at panigurado nag-iinom sila sa kung saan mang bar.

"Hey Jaem, can you please call Yangyang and tell him not to get my best friend drunk?" Jaemin looked at Karina with teasing smiles and gaze. 

"Your best friend?" He enunciated. Karina stopped what she is doing and looked back at Jaemin. She raised her eyebrow and put her arms on both the side of her waist.

"What?" Jaemin mocked and smirked. Lumapit sakanya si Karina at binatukan ang binata.

"Parang tanga kang gago ka. Ang malisosyo mo." Jaemin chuckled at niyakap sa leeg si Karina. Ginulo nya rin ang buhok ng kaibigan bago bitawan.

"Kars, just so you know, Winter is a catch. Maraming aagaw dyan kapag di mo binakuran," sabi ni Jaemin at itinaas ang ginaawang banner ni Karina. New Year's Eve pero ito ang inuuna ni Karina. 

"Then I will be happy for her and the future partner. Look, Jaem, hindi kami ganun ni Winter," Karina said and helped the boy. Jaemin scoffed but did not try to speak more. They always think na Winter and Karina is for each other. Typical best friends to lovers with a twist. 

"Kars, nagtext si Yangyang. Gusto na raw umuwi ni Winter," Karina rolled her eyes. 

"Napakamainipin talaga." 

Karina and Jaemin started fixing the table. Pagtapos ay pinatay na nila ang ilaw at tumago sa likod ng kama ni Winter. 

"Nasaan na raw sila?" Karina asked and played with the hem of her shirt. Jaemin looked at his phone and shrugged. 

"Malapit na raw. Chill, Kars." 

They sat there in silence. Karina sighed nervously. Sure, this is normal for them. Pero this might be the last time for a while na magcecelebrate sila ng birthday together. 

After a few minutes, they heard footsteps kaya naman nagready na silang dalawa ni Jaemin para tumalon. 

"SURPRISEEEE!" They screamed. Winter jerked in shock. 

Karina smiled and hugged the shorter girl. 

"Happy Birthday, Win." She greeted. 

"Hindi naman uminom yan!" Yangyang said and shook his head. Napataas ang kilay ni Karina.

"Are you bobo, Kuya Yang?" Liz asked and raised her brow. 

"Bro, binobo ka, payag ka non?" Natatawang tanong ni Haechan. Hindi naman napansin ng iba na malayo na sakanila si Karina at Winter.

"Hindi ka na sana nag-abala para isurprise ako." Sabi ni Winter at umupo sa kama nya. Sumunod naman si Karina at sumandal sa headboard. 

"Well, I can't get you anything pa kasi, so I this serves as my gift!" Bulong ni Karina. 

"I would be thankful kahit na wala kang ibigay sakin, Karina." The older girl hummed.

"I know. Pero I want this birthday to be memorable for all of us. You'll get into Military Academy after a few months." Winter looked at their friends and saw them eating cake. 

"Rina, take this." Napatingin si Karina kay Winter. Nakalahad ang palad nito na may nakapatong na singsing. A rosary ring.

"For?" She asked as she took the ring on the younger's palm. She wore it on her index finger and smiled. It fits her perfectly. 

"That's a promise ring." Umupo sa gitna nila si Yujin. 

"Y'all! The cake is delicious!" Sabi nito. Inakbayan nya ang dalawa at tinapik-tapik ang mga braso nila. 

"Mga Ate, alam ko naman na mamimiss nyo yung isa't isa, pero it's New Year! Let's have fun!" Sabi nito at tumalon pa sa kama. Yujin has a big resemblance to a dog. Not because of her physical appearance, more on dahil sa attitude nito. 

"Yujin! Baka mahulog ka! For Pete's sake, and tanda tanda mo na para tumalon sa kama!" Hyunjin scolded. Nagkatinginan sila Winter at Karina. 

"Pfft," they laughed. 

"Stop embarrassing me, Ate," Yujin whined and stopped. Tumayo si Winter sa kama at pumalakpak ng tatlong beses. 

"This might be the last time for a while. As you all know, I am going to Military Academy. Sobrang thankful ako na y'all chose to spend this day with me," tumigil si Winter at tumingin kay Karina. The latter nodded her head to encourage her.

"IIYAK NA YAN! IIYAK NA YAN!" Heejin chanted. Sumunod naman ang iba kaya napailing na lang si Winter. She will surely miss these motherers.

"INUMAN NA!" Sigaw ni Winter. She popped a bottle of champagne and splashed it around. 

"Hep hep," Yangyang said and pat Liz's hand. 

"Soda lang sainyo, bata." Nakangising sabi ni Jaemin at iniabot ang coke-in-can na hawak nya. Liz pouted.

Lumapit si Winter kay Karina at inihiga ang ulo nya sa balikat nito.

"What the promise ring for, Win?" Karina whispered.

"That will be a back-up plan for the future."