Minjeong Winter Klier pov.

I'm currently driving Yuri and Minju home. The car was so silent that I felt I was on my own. I look at them from time to time at my rear mirror, just checking, and their expressions doesn't change at all. Nakatingin lang si Minju sa kawalan, si Yuri naman nakatingin kay Minju with a concern look.

We're already in the main road at wala parin nag sasalita, panis na laway namin neto.

I look at them, I sigh and decided to talk. "Uhm..." tumingin si Yuri. "...di ko alam exact location niyo Yul, pa-turo nalang"

Tumango siya sa'akin and I smile to her. Napansin kong tumingin si Minju sa rear mirror para tignan ako. Unti unti na siguro bumabalik ulirat niya.

I didn't mind at nag focus lang ako sa pag ddrive. Yuri's instructing me kung saan liliko, and that's the only coversation we have. Ilang minuto na ang lumipas pero napansin kong nakatingin lang sakin sa Minju sa rear mirror. She's looking at eyes then down to my lips finding something.

Akala niya ba ako si Sammiel?! Sa gwapo kong to?!! Lasing ba to?

I didn't mind again... focus sa pagmamaneho lang tayo, di naman nakakasama ng loob kung pag kamalan niya akong si Sammiel ngayong araw, pero ngayon lang.

"Kanan ka jan ter, tapos dun nalang sa may flower shop" Yuri.

I nodded at her and turn my steering wheel. When we're approaching the shop, I read the sigh saying 'Milano's flos' oh... they owned a flower shop pala. But... the name sounds familiar tho. I know I read it somewhere, I just cant point where.

I stop the car. Yuri look at me "Thank you Winter! I owe you a lot"

I smile. "Don't bother, si D'nyel nalang sisingilin ko" she let out a soft laugh.

"Pwede ba pahatid nalang sa apartment ko?" Minju suddenly speak and our gaze turned to her.

I look at Yuri for confirmation. Okay lang naman sakin mag hatid di pa naman ako inaantok. But... Yuri shake her head at me.

"It's not safe Ryle..." Yuri said looking at Minju. "...dito ka nalang muna, baka puntahan kapa ni Lino"

Randam ko yung pag-aalala sa boses ni Yuri, and tama naman siya. Remembering what happened kanina, di namin alam kung ano pwede pang gawin nung Lino. We just met Minju but if Sammiel in... kahit na ayaw ko sa mga desisyon niya sa buhay, then we all gonna in.

"Kaya ko naman Yuri-"

"Yuri's right" pag singgit ko. "It's better to stay with her for the time being" I look at her and give her a reassuring smile.

Then again, she look at my eyes down to my lips still looking for something. I smiled.

"Wag ka masyado mag alala kay Sammiel..." tumaas yung kilay niya, confused. Akala niya nga talaga ako si Sammiel. "...kaya nun sarili niya, she'll not in if she can't handle it" 

"Ohmy... kaya pala kanina kapa nakatingin kay Winter?!" Yuri realizing the situation. "Lasing kaba girl? Sobrang delikado ka, dito kana matulog!"

Minju divert her gaze somewhere. Okay tatanggapin ko na medyo... sobrang medyo lang naman kami mag-kamukha ni Sammiel.

"But I can't blame her, you two do look a like ter" Yuri.

Kinunutan ko siya. "No, we're not!"

"Yes! You too are twins kaya anong we're not" Yuri.

"T-twins?" Minju looks at me then to Yuri.

"Yes bi! They're twins, kaya wag ka malilito. Si Chaewon mukhang bunot si Winter walis tambo" Yuri.

I instantly look at Yuri, like what the ? Kelan pa ako nag mukhang tambo? I know pinapakalma niya lang yung kaibigan niya pero bakit nanlalait?

"Okay girl, now you know! tignan mong mabuti si Winte-" 

"Ahhrrggg! Enough of me!" I look intently at her. Nararamdaman kong di nanaman maganda lalabas sa bibig niya kaya inunahan ko na.

"Okay mysterious girl!" Yuri. "Tara na Minju, nakakahiya na kay tambo"

"What the hellll?!" 

She giggle. "Thank you!" 

Minju turned to me and smile. I nod at her then lumabas na sila ng car. Minju was about to say something but she stop and close the door.

Aandar na sana ako when someone knock at my window. Binaba ko yung window and saw Minju leveling herself.

"Thank you... Winter right?" I nodded. "...salamat at pasensya na sa abala" 

"No worries! See you sa unniv" 

"Ingat ka" She said and I smile.

Tinaas ko na ulit yung window and step on the accelerator. I remember again yung nangyari kanina. I was so shocked when my twin in like... is she drunk? Pero kahit na lasing yon wala parin naman paki-alam yon. Did they know each other? Duda ako.

Recalling Minju's features... I agree she's pretty. And the way she talk, you'll recognize how nice she is. Love at first sight ba ang kambal ko? Labo naman ata.

I stop thinking about it. Kaya na niya sarili niya. I put my attention on the road. Ganito lang ako halos araw-araw. Drive drive lang kung saan saan tapos konting kausap sa sarili.

When I rented my own apartment, ulit ulit lang yung routine ko. Gigising mag drive through ng breakfast, minsan luto pag sinisipag ako. Puntahan si RJ at tumambay sa bahay nila. Pag hapon na derecho na ako sa bar, my friend owned. I work there as a performer, minsan dun na rin ako nag didinner. After work, shot lang konti tapos uwi na, then repeat.

Hindi naman ako naboboring sa araw-araw dahil gusto ko naman yung ginagawa ko. I choose this path and I want to be independent. I don't want to rely on my parents anymore. Though some of my things are came from them, but those thing that I buy from my own earned money feels more special to me.

Ever since I was a child, I always want to live on my own. Gusto kong humiwalay sa mga magulang ko. Madaming nag sasabi na I don't need to, why would do it kung nasa akin na ang lahat. Pinanganak kaming mayaman at lahat ng gusto namin pwede namin makuha pero hindi naman happy times lagi. My sister and I know it from the start. Somehow, you'll give back the favor kasi pinalaki ka nila.

You'll do what they ask you and mandate you to do things that you don't want. Well, my parents may not tell it to us directly but sometimes it slips on their mouth. My dad is my most hated person in the world. A lot of people may think that he's the best person in the world but not for us, not for me. It is just so easy for him to manipulate someone because he's powerful, and just by the thought of it make my stomach churn.

Hindi ko man alam kung gaano kadami ang biktima niya, pero alam ko na isa siyang perpetrator because he's my father.

I arrived at my apartment. Hindi masyadong malaki kagaya ng condo ni Sammiel pero comfy naman dito. Me and my guitar. Humiga ako sa kama ko at tumingin sa ceiling, hindi pa ako inaantok.

Dumapa ako at kinuha yung phone ko sa pocket ng jacket ko. Scroll down the tons of messages on my messenger. Some of them, nakilala ko sa bar and some of them recruiting me. I don't really care any of them. I'm not interested. The only band that I will be in is the band where there's RJ. Kahit kukupal kupal yon, she's one of the person I can rely on. 

I scroll more on my messenger, looking for someone to bother. Si RJ sana kaso lasing na yon e. I continue to scroll then I stop when I spot Aeri's online. Bingo!

I look at the time before I chat something. It's already 4 in the morning, baka nagliligpit na yon. I paused. Edi mas okay pala since wala ng tao. Aeri is the friend of mine na may ari ng bar kung saan ako nag wowork.

I met her obviously at the bar. I was drunk at that time and there are girls bothering me. She shoos them at hinatid niya ako sa condo namin ni Sammiel, dun pa ako nakatira nung time na yon. Kinabukasan, nasa bar ulit ako and she talk to me. I can't really remember her but she told me what happened. At first. I didn't believed her. I just think that she's one of those girls bothering me that night.

Then I become a regular at the bar at palagi ko siyang nakikita. Pinag kamalan ko pa siyang stalker kasi kada pupunta ako sa bar andun din siya yun pala... siya yung may-ari ng bar. Idiot. She clear things out at inalok niya kong mag perform sa bar niya since andun din naman na daw ako palagi why not try. 

I declined at first, but then, I think that it may help me get away from my fathers sight. When I started working at the bar, dun ko rin naisip na mag move out since may kalayuan at madalas akong nakainom. Delikado kung mag drive pa ako. I told Sammiel I want to pursue something I really want in life, at naintindihan naman niya agad. I'm always thankful for my sister tho. She's one of the few person who supports me.

In this kind of family. Maraming mag mamando sayo kung ano ka dapat, but my sister always cover for me so I can do my things. At sobra sobra akong thankful na meron akong isang bunot.

Aeri lassengga:

helllooooo!!!!!
sa bar kapa?
nagliligpit kana ba?
punta ako jan!!!

I waited for her reply, just looking at my phone screen. Busy kaya yon? O may nangyare nanaman sa bar? Should I sleep nalang ba? Or... drive somewhere? or... RJ's? or...

My phone beep and I instantly look at it.

Aeri lasengga:
yes, hellooo!!
bar pa ako naglilinis
tangina may nag batuhan nanaman ng bote eh
ingat ka.

As I read those messages, kinuha ko agad yung jacket at susi ng kotse ko. Hindi tayo mag ooverthink ngayon.

Few minutes drive at nag park na ako sa harap ng bar ni Aeri. Di na masyadong maingay yung street since mag uumaga na. May mga tao pa rin, mga lasing na gumegewang sa pag lalakad at sumusuka sa mga gilid. Traydor talaga ang alak. Habang umiinom ka masaya pero pag tapos na... ikaw nalang ulit mag isa.

Bumuntong hininga ako bago bumaba ng kotse. I lock my car and ready to enter Aeri's bar.

"MissSSss [hiccup] lika naaa sama ka na sa'amin ooohhh [hiccup] inom pa tayooo! s-sagot kana n-namin"

Huminto ako para tignan kung saan nanggaling yung boses. Lumingon ako sa kanan ko at sa gilid ng bar ni Aeri may babaeng naka upo. Her head was on her knees and she's wearing a sleeveless tight black dress na hanggang hips lang. How can she reckless do sit like that? Mga bar girls talaga, they don't know their limit.

I shake my head and just decided to enter the bar. Hindi tayo mangegealam today Winter. Uminom siya, nagpakalasing, hindi mo siya problema. Tama!

"H-hooy misss! T-tara naaaa wag kana m-magpakipot paaa!" The guy said grabbing her left hand na walang buhay.

Another guy came to her at tinabihan siya tapos inakbayan.  The two guy look at each other at alam ko na ang susunod na mangyayare. Napakunot ako. I don't want to intervene but...

...hinubad ko ang jacket ko at naglakad kung nasaan sila. Pumikit ako at huminga ng malalim, ano ba tong ginagawa ko. Papaalisin ko lang tong mga hayop na to tapos bahala na siya. Klier twins natagpuang pakielamera for todays video.

I put my jacket on her knees to cover her. I can't see her face since na nakadukduk lang siya sa tuhod niya.

"Sorry natagalan ako" sabi ko, kunyari nalang kasama ko siya o susunduin ganon.

The two guys look at me and they're not happy about it. Umupo ako to level myself with her at inalis ko yung kamay nung lalake na nakaakbay sa kanya.

"S-sino kaaa! di mo ba nakikitang n-nag sasaya kami dito!" the guy beside her.

Umakmang aakbay pa siya ulit but I caught his arm and throw it to the other side. I face him and glare. The guy beside me who's pulling her arms before suddenly tap my shoulder.

"Hoy! Sino ka sa tingin mo para guluhin kami dito ha!" he said.

I turn my head to look at him. He can barely open his eyes and he reeks of alcohol.

"Ahjussi, she's my friend. I came here to pick her up-"

"Eyyyy! Bull! Pano namin masisiguradong mag kaibigan nga kayo? Style mo bulok!"

"Alam na namin yang mga ganyang style bata! Kaya kung ako sayo..." the other guy stand up at inakbayan ako. "...kung gusto mong maka-iskor eh wag ka naman madamot" He whispered. "Kami naka-una dito eh pero... di naman kami madamot" He said pointing at him then to the other guy.

Yeah she's not my friend. Pero ibang bagay na yung isama nila ako sa kahayupan nila. Sa mga pinag sasabi palang nila kinikilubatan na ako at sukang suka ako sa mga walang hiyang to!

Inalis ko yung kamay nung isang lalake sa balikat ko at pinilipit ko ito. Sumigaw siya sa sakit pero hindi ko parin binitawan.

"Tanginamo anong ginagawa mo sa kaibigan ko!" the other guy said at umakmang susuntukin ako.

Bago pa man tumama yung kamao niya ikick his knees at napaluhod siya. Di naman malakas lasing lang sila. Hindi ko parin binibitawan yung kamay nung bumulong sakin ng kawalang hiyaan. Hinigpitan ko pa ang hawak at pinilipit pa ito.

Lumapit ako sa tenga nga habang umaaray siya. "Wag niyo kong itutulad sainyong mga hayop sa lipunan" sabi ko at tinulak siya dun sa kasama niyang nakaluhod.

Nagka-untugan sila at parehas sila napahiga sa kalsada. "Mga basura"

I look at the girl in black at nakadukduk parin siya. Gaano kaba kalasing miss at hindi mo nanonotice ang nangyayari sa paligid mo? Buhay mo na nakataya dito sleeping beauty kapa rin. I roll my eyes, konting pakikisama naman. Tinutulungan na kita di kapa rin gagalaw? O baka... gusto mo talaga tong nangyayari?

"Yah!" I called for her. "Hooooyyy!!!!" I shake her shoulder to make her up pero di parin siya gumalaw.

What the ?! Siguro nga dapat pinabayaan ko nalang to. Mga ganitong klaseng tao na iinom hanggang ubos na ubos na sila e di dapat tinutulungan. Nauubos na ang pasensya ko. She didn't move an inch. The two guys from before regain their selves and ready to beat me up. If I didn't go right now sure malilintikan na ako, but if go... hindi naman nila titigilan tong babae na hanggang ngayon ang sarap ng tulog dito sa gilid ng kalsada.

I massage my temple at nag desisyon na... no choice na ako putangina.

Bago pa makalapit ulit yung dalawang lalake lowered myself, put my left arm on her back, my right arm under her knees and carry her in a bridal thing or watever. She's not that heavy pero mabigat parin to para sakin. Tangina! Baka mabali naman likod netooo!!

I move as fast as I can. "HOOYYY! SAAN KA PUPUNTANG WALANG HIYA KA! BUMALIK KA DITOOOO!"

I struggle to get my car keys dun sa pocket ng jacket ko na nakakumot sa kanya. When I get it I instantly unlock my car and open the door.

I position her in the passenger seat, grab the seatbelt and do it for her. When I'm done I close the door and run to the drivers seat. I can still hear the guys shouting. Pero bago pa sila makaabot kung saan ako nakapark, biglang lumabas si Aeri at naharang silang dalawa.

Tumingin sa direction ko si Aeri at halatang naguguluhan siya. I pointed at the guys and mouthed help.

"Ha?! Anong meron? Anong gagawin ko?!" she said blocking the two guys. "Hoy Winteeeerrr sandalii!" she said as I mouthed her thanks and get inside my car.

She can handle it. Sa street na to, walang mangangahas na gumalaw sa isang Aeri Motofuji. I started my car. I look at the girl beside me and she's still sleeping as . Inayos ko yung ulo niya sa headrest at pinaandar na yung sasakyan ko. Nung natapat ako kay Aeri na pinapaalis na yung dalawang lalake. I lowered my window and signal her that I'll call her later. She just give a smug look.

Minutes had passed at paikot ikot lang ako dito sa area sa kadahilanang una, hindi ko kilala tong babae na to. Pangalawa, hindi ko alam kung saan siya nakatira. Pangatlo, iniisip ko kung iiwan ko nalang siyasa motel o hintayin kong magising? Hindi ko alam ano ba pwede kong gawin dito. Tinulungan ko na tapos ayaw parin gumising. Tangina naman, bakit ba ako nangialam? Ngayon hirap na hirap ako kung saan ko iiwan tong babaeng to.

Buntong hininga. Hindi ko mabilang kung nakakailan na ako, kada tinitignan ko siya napapabuntong hininga nalang ako. Pano siya nakakatulog ng mahimbing pag katapos nung nangyare... ay tangina... tulog na nga pala siya bago pa mangyare yon. How can you be so reckless? Are you suicidal?... siguro naman hindi diba? Sa pananamit niya mukhang... scratch that! Di ko naman masasabi anong pinag dadaanan niya sa buhay dahil lang sa pananamit niya. Pero sana mali ako... at mahal niya pa ang buhay niya. Pero sa sitwasyon niya kanina... sinong matinong tao matutulog sa gilid ng bar? At... wala siyang kaalam alam sa kung anong pwede mangyari sa kanya. Kung hindi ako dumating... ano na kayang nangyari sayo...

...aahhrrggg! Buti nalang dumating ako! I'm the hero of the day. Huminto ako sa pagmamaneho. Tangina nababaliw na ata akooo! Kanina ko pa kinakausap ang sarili ko at halos walang buhay tong katabi ko... oh... thinking of it, bigla nalang pumasok sa isip kong icheck kung may buhay pa nga siya.

I instantly approach her chest and put my ear near it. I stay there for a sec and... tangina she's sleeping peacefullyyyyy!!!! how to be you po! I get back to my original position at ubos na ubos na talaga ang pasensya kooooo! Tangina gigisingin na talaga kita-

"Ang ganda" I blurted out.

It's the first time I get to see her face. At kumikinang siya, para siyang gold. Natatakpan kasi kanina ng buhok niya yung mukha niya... did I fix it? When did I fix iiiiitttt???? Putangina ngayon kumikilos na ng kusa yung kamay kooo! Malala na to, I should get her out as soon as possible at masisiraan na talaga ako ng bait!!!!

I turn my gaze to her face again after calming myself. Now I can clearly clearly see it. Her brows that is perfectly drawn, her nose na pwede akong magpadulas, those lashes tho, and she has a mole under her lip on the left. She's illuminating.

Ohmy... baka member to ng budol gang tapos nagpapanggap lang to hanggang makarating kami sa bahay ko... malas mo! wala akong bahay. Kidding aside... she's a real beauty. Ang ganda ganda talaga. She's sleeping like a princess waiting for her prince, kahit sa pag taas baba lang ng dibdib niya sobrang ganda parin. Her lips tho... it's enticing... pero hindi ako basura.

I must think of something to do. Hindi ko parin alam anong gagawin ko sa kanya. Sinubsub ko nalang yung pagmumukha ko sa steering wheel. Ano ba pwede kong gawin. Dinadapuan na ako ng antok. I'll take a nap nalang muna.

Wait no... pano pag nagising siya tapos tulog ako tas bigla nalan