December 2022 — 14:23

"Hey Win, why are you here?" Chaewon asked. Chaewon is Winter's twin sister. She is a doctor for the Marines. Magkasama sila sa pinakaunang tour of duty nila. 

"Just want to take a breather. When are you going back?" Tanong ni Winter at umupo sa tabi ni Chaewon. The latter likes helping people when she is off duty, very responsible and kind. 

"Sasama ako sainyo sa Ukraine next next week." Winter sighed and looked at the river beneath them. She does not like to go back. Ukraine is at war, and she could lose her life trying to save a country she is not living in. 

"Do you know about Karina and Yeonjun?" She does not want to beat around the bush, kaya dineretso na rin si Chaewon. From the beginning, their friends seemed to know, yet they hadn't mentioned it to her. 

"I have seen the news. Hindi ko na rin sinabi sa'yo kasi magkausap pa rin naman kayo ni Karina," the younger of the two nodded her head slowly. So they did know. Except her. 

"She never mentioned it. Siguro kung hindi pa nasabi ni Yujin na may boyfriend sya, hindi nya sasabihin sakin." Chaewon hummed. She put her arms on her sister's shoulder and gently made her lean on her.

"This is a big deal for you, Winter. Pero, we're not always safe. May chances na sa next tour, hindi na tayo makabalik. So, please don't let this one thing ruin the time you're given to spend with her," Winter chuckled bitterly. Being a Marine means no guarantee of safety. They can die anytime.

"Pero he is treating Karina right, diba? Hindi naman nya sinasaktan si Karina?" Chaewon snickered. 

"Wala naman akong naririnig na ganoong issue. It's 15:30, may pupuntahan ka pa, diba?" 

"Can you come with me? I need you there," tanong ni Winter. Tinignan muna sya ni Chaewon bago tumango.

"If you need me, then I will go. Tara na. Up up up," they chuckled before racing to Winter's car. 

"You drive," hinagis ni Winter ang susi kay Chaewon bago pumasok sa passenger seat. She sighed. She wished her feelings would settle down like a tree, firm, or the calm sea. 

"Have you heard from Daddy?" 

"Not yet. Baka busy." Maikling sagot ni Winter. Nakatingin lang sya sa labas. Sa mga puno na nadadaanan nila. Some of them are withered, some are green. Winter always liked withered trees more. 

"Do you want to play a game?" Her twin sister asked. Tumingin sakanya si Winter.

"A game? Anong laro naman?"

"I Spy?" Umirap si Winter at ibinalik ang tingin sa labas.

"We're not kids anymore, Chaewon. Magkwento ka na lang. How's life?" 

"Life is great."

"Akala ko, you're crushing on someone? Ano na nangyare sa crush mo?" Chaewon shakes her head with a grin. 

"Thats going great din. She has a single friend. Pakilala kita, gusto mo?" Hinampas ni Winer ang hita ni Chaewon. She even pinched her twin sister. 

"Ouch! Tangina, Winter! Ikaw na nga bibigyan ng babae, ayaw mo pa." Umirap si Winter.

"We're leaving in less than two weeks, Wonnie. I can't meet someone and make them wait for me." Chaewon shrugged at lumiko papunta sa street ng bahay nila. 

"You've already done that, Winnie. Ano ba tawag mo kay Karina?" The older asked with a -eating grin plastered on her face.

"Karina is different. She is my best friend."

"The same best friend you have liked for a decade now, am I right?" Winter kept shut. She used to have rebuttals ready. She can always deny everything without second thoughts. However, she can't deny this fact. Kasi kahit na ideny nya, it will show and bite her on her . She is unluckily in love with her best friend. Sobrang common naman ng love story nya.

"Nanahimik ka diba? Kaya please meet my kalandian's friend. You won't take advantage of her naman. She likes meeting new people. Oh, kapag hindi mo nagustuhan as jowa, sure akong pasok yan as friends." Winter sighed and nodded her head. Wala namang mawawala sakanya. 

"Isama mo sila. Ako na bahala kila Jaemin." Bulong ni Winter. Chaewon cheered. Nasa tapat na rin pala sila ng bahay. Winter left para magpack ng dadalhin nyang gamit. It's not bad having one more person crying in her grave when she dies. 

After an hour, nakapagpack at ready na si Winter. She changed her clothes na rin.Nakasuot sya ng white shirt inside her favorite flannel. Lumabas sya sa kwarto nya at bumababa sa living room nila. 

"WINNIE!" Napatalon si Winter sa gulat. Hinawakan nya ang dibdib nya at huminga ng malalim. Malapit na ata syang atakihin sa puso dahil sa ingay ng mga taong nakapaligid sakanya.

"You ing don't need to shout, you ing ." Sabi nya at itinaas ang middle finger nya kay Chaewon. The latter gasped dramatically, even putting her hand over .

"We have visitors, Winter." Sabi nito. Ibinaba agad ni Winter ang kamay nya at tiningnan ang mga bisita. There are two women sittiing on their couch. She's very familiar with the other woman. Kabatch nila noong high school. Cheerleader sya, basketball players sila ng kakambal nya. Minju Kim. 

"Long time no see, Winter." She said gracefully and stood up. Lumapit sya kay Winter at nakipagbeso. 

"Hey," bati ni Winter at ngumiti. The other woman stood up. She's towering over them. Matangkad. May mole, sa may bandang baba ng lips. Napatingin si Winter kay Chaewon at tinaasan ito ng kilay. Pipili na nga lang ng ipapakilala sakanya, parang si Karina pa. 

The tallest girl cleared . 

"Oh, pardon me. WInter, this is my friend, Yunjin. She's a theatrical actress. Mostly sa musicals." Another artist. 

"Pleasure to meet you, Yunjin. I'm Winter, a Marine." She introduced. 

"Pleasure is mine." They shook hands. 

Winter smiled. She is actually glad to meet this new person. She feels good about her. 

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