December 2022 — 9:00

"You have a boyfriend?" Winter asked me. , ang daldal kasi ni Yujin. I haven't told her about Yeonjun. I thought she would have heard by now, though. 

"Yeah," sagot ko at umiwas ng tingin. 

"Why would the reporters ask if we're dating, then?" I sighed. Hindi ko rin alam. Many entertainment reporters are s, es. Mahilig silang magpaikot ng story. 

"I dunno." 

"Patay ka Yujin! FQ yung magbest friends," sabi ni Yangyang. FQ?

"What the is FQ?"

"Friends Quarrel, Wintot. Friends Quarrel," Jaemin said and smirked. I'm not too fond of his smirks. I want to punch them in the face.

"We are not fighting, though." Nakatingin lang ako kay Winter. I subconsciously played with the ring she gave me. I always think about what this ring means. 

"Mga kupal bilisan nyo. Alis na tayo mamaya para naman mahaba-haba bakasyon natin," sabi ni Haechan at umirap pa. Speaking of vacation, I should probably let Yeonjun know. Hindi ba?

"Excuse me. Tawagan ko lang si Yeonjun." Sabi ko at tumayo. I looked behind and saw Winter deep in her thoughts. It is my fault, alam ko. Naging kami ni Yeonjun the day after she left. I was vulnerable and angry. The next thing I know, Yeonjun and I are the headlines of every newspaper and magazine. We were kissing inside his car. I do like Yeonjun, though. 

"Baby," he answered. Nasa gym siguro sya since wala naman syang schedule.

"Hi. Uhm, we're planning to take a vacation. Do you want to come with me?" Tanong ko. Nakatingin lang ako sa table namin. Tumatawa silang lahat, except kay Winter. She might have thought I betrayed her, and somehow I really did. 

"Is it okay with your friends? Diba, your best friend, the one in the Army, just got home. Don't you want to spend time with her? Baka makaistorbo ako sa bonding nyo," he said and chuckled. I grinned. This is what I like about him the most. Napaka-considerate nya. 

"They're all bringing someone, baby. You won't be a bother, I promise." I heard him hum from the other line. Some part of me is nervous. If he did come and take a vacation with us, would it mean that I don't get to spend much time with my Winter? 

"Fine! Malakas ka kaya sakin," sabi nito. I scoffed playfully.

"Mamaya raw yung alis. We'll stay there for a week, siguro. I'll text you the other details. Love you, babe." 

"I love you too, Karina." I ended the call and walked toward our table. Inilagay ko ang kamay ko sa likod ni Winter. She looked at me with a questioning look, so I grinned. 

"Yeonjun is coming!" I announced. Napatigil naman sila sa chikahan at tumingin sakin at kay Winter. 

"N-nice, Ate!" Liz awkwardly said and chuckled. Hindi ko na lang sila pinansin at tumingin kay Winter.

"You okay?" Tanong ko sakanya. Winter shrugged.

"Never been better, Karina. Never been better,"sagot nya at tuumayo. Napatingin lahat sakanya, kasama ako. 

"Oh? Oorder  ka na ba?" Hyunjin asked. She shook her head at kinuha ang keys at wallet nya sa table.

"No. I just, Uhm, hmm," she smiled nervously and waved her right hand.

"Saan ka pupunta?" Tanong ko. Napatigil sya sa  pagkaway at tumingin sakin.

"Puntahan ko lang si Chaewon." Sagot nya at umalis. Nakatingin lang ako sakanya habang naglalakad sya palabas ng Starbucks. Parang nagbago kasi ang mood nya. Sure, hindi ko nasabi na I am with someone, pero she's acting strange. 

"Anong nangyari don?" Yujin asked and rested her chin on the table.

Tumayo ako at sinundan si Winter. Parang may mga sariling isip kasi ang katawan ko at sumunod na lang bigla.

"Karina! Hoy! Bumalik ka rito babae!" Rinig ko pang sigaw ni Yangyang. Sobrang maskandalo talaga ang lalaking iyon. It's one of his charms, though. Nakita ko si WInter na nakatayo sa may gilid ng Starbucks. Maglalakad na sana sya paalis pero tinawag ko ang pangalan nya. 

"WIN! Wait! Let me come with you," sabi ko at hinila ang siko nya. She jerked at the contact and jumped away from me. 

"K-karina. You startled me," I huffed. 

"Please let me make it up to you," she shook. 

"Hey, I understand naman. Besides, hindi mo naman kailangang sabihin sakin lahat."

"Pero we promised. We promised to tell each other everything, Winter." Hinila nya ako papunta sa may sasakyan nya. We stood there, staring at each other. Seryoso lang ang mukha nya, no emotions or anything. After a full minute, she smiled.

"We're now grown-ups, Rina. So please bring him. I want to meet the man that made my best friend settle," sabi nya at hinalikan ang pisngi ko. She entered her car before driving out. I watched her drive away, like always. 

It's just a shame how stupid fate works. I liked Winter more than I ever thought I could, but she was away, fighting in a war. I did like my best friend, and I am afraid I might like her more than the man I am currently involved with.