Time flies fast this sem. I can't believe na March na kaagad. Almost half na kami ng sem.

 

It's been weeks since pumunta dito si Winter sa condo para mag-review. We have gotten undeniably closer after that encounter. Unlike dati na bihira lang magsalita si Winter when we're together, naging talkative na siya. Lagi na rin kaming magkasama mag-review here sa condo or sa cafes, and since naging study buddy ko siya, gumanda performance ko sa acads. She's an effective tutor. Ang galing niya gumawa ng mnemonics.

 

After a few weeks of spending more time with her, I learned a lot of new things. Nalaman kong favorite color niya is ivory. Her favorite food is literally any junk food out there. Tuwing may review session kami, lagi siyang bumibili ng chips and chocolates. Sometimes, sinisita ko siya because nag-uulam siya ng chips.

 

 

 

 

"You want to become a doctor, but you'll be a patient instead if you keep this up," I jokingly scolded Winter noong nakita ko na nag-uulam siya ng chips.

 

"Minsan lang naman. Try mo kaya. Masarap."

 

"That's not healthy."

 

"I know," she laughed. "May time kasi dati na hindi ako kumakain ng kanin, at para lang mapilit ako kumain ng rice, pinayagan ako ng ate ko na mag-ulam ng chichirya."

 

"Buti you don't get sick?"

 

"Minsan lang naman 'yun, pero nitong college kapag stressed ako, namimiss ko. Gusto mo ba i-try?" She offered her food sa akin.

 

"Just one bite." I told her and kumuha ako ng Cracklings sa plate niya, and sinabay ko sa rice ko. She's right. It tastes good.

 

"Yeah. Masarap nga."

 

"Sabi sayo eh. Alam mo ano pinakamasarap ulamin?" I shook my head at her. "Baconette Strips."

 

 

 

 

I also learned na ang childhood dream niya raw maging soldier. An air force pilot to be specific. She has an uncle daw kasi na sundalo, and she found their uniform cool. But sabi niya narealize niyang hindi para sa kanya 'yung career path na 'yun because she's not athletic. She hates moving so much daw.

 

Winter is naturally kind too. Naging closer ako kanila Sieun and Isa because of her. Minsan kasi, when we both don't have anything to do after class, nag-ooffer na siya na i-drop off ako sa condo. I found out na mahilig pala siya maghatid because minsan kasabay din namin sila Sieun and Isa. Hinahatid sila ni Winter sa Katipunan station.

 

Minsan kasama rin namin si Ning, her best friend. Unlike Winter who's more reserved, Ning is very energetic. I clicked with her kaagad because she just has that aura na very friendly and easy to talk with. Plus, she jokes around a lot kaya I really have fun hanging out with them. Sinama kasi nila ako ni Winter one time mag-videoke sa Timezone. First time ko 'yun, and at first nahihiya ako. Hindi kasi soundproof 'yung videoke booth doon, but napilit ako ni Ning kumanta.

 

 

 

 

"Sige na, mare. Hindi ka naman kilala ng mga tao diyan sa labas. Hayaan mo lang sila," Ning tried to persuade me after kong tanggihan 'yung mic and songbook na inaabot niya sakin.

 

I don't feel comfortable about singing in public. Mas confident ako sa pagsayaw, since I used to perform noong high school for events. But I thought about what Ning said, and she's right. Wala namang nakakakilala sakin dito aside sa kanilang dalawa ni Winter.

 

"Wag mo na pilitin si Karina. Baka ayaw niya talaga kumanta," Winter scolded her best friend, but I took the songbook and microphone from Ning.

 

"Okay lang. I can sing one song naman," I said, and I picked Taylor Swift's All Too Well.

 

I couldn't help but laugh while singing because Ning is hyping me up too much. Sumasabay din siya, and ang ganda rin talaga ng boses niya. As soon as I finished the song, Ning clapped.

 

"Grabe kita mo na. Nahihiya ka pa pero golden voice ka naman pala," she complimented me. "Bakit All Too Well? May pinagdadaanan ka ba?"

 

"It's just my go to videoke song," I told her, and Ning just nodded at me.

 

"Wag kang mahiya kumanta, mare. Ang ganda ganda ng boses mo eh." Namula na 'yung tenga ko sa compliment niya. I always compliment other people, pero when I'm on the receiving end, I get really shy.

 

"Thank you. I'm not as good as you though."

 

I looked at Winter, and she just gave me a thumbs up while smiling.

 

 

 

 

Lately din, I've been listening to a lot of The Ridleys' songs. Every time kasi hinahatid ako ni Winter sa condo, may isang The Ridleys song na palaging magplaplay, so sometimes, I just find myself randomly humming to their songs.

 

 

 

 

"Bakit ka natatawa?" Winter asked me while she's focused on the road driving.

 

"Wala. I just realized na you really listen to The Ridleys a lot. Laging nagplaplay sa car mo," I shared my observation.

 

"Well. Favorite ko sila eh."

 

"I can see. LSS na nga ako sa songs nila because of you eh."

 

 

 

 

I think we've exchanged more words these past few weeks kaysa sa buong past semesters na naging classmates kami. It's fun every time I hang out with Winter. Somehow, mas gumaan ang sem na 'to.

 

Today, mukhang hindi ako makakapasok sa classes namin. I can't get out of bed. I think I have a fever. Nakakapagod kasi itong past few weeks. Sobrang daming due requirements, and I have org duties rin. It's almost ACLE season na, and busy kami sa Association of Biology Majors para sa paperworks ng ACLE namin. I think hindi na kaya ng body ko 'yung stress. Malapit pa naman na mag-midterms. Why ngayon pa ako nagkasakit?

 

Wrong timing 'yung sickness ko because it's Friday today. Wala na akong stock na pagkain because sa school ako maglulunch, and plan ko sana umuwi sa Mandaluyong tonight. I also noticed na wala na rin akong medicine.

 

I wanted to ask Gigi for a favor, but I know she's busy too. Plus, if she finds out that I'm sick, she will tell my parents for sure. I don't want to cause worry na. Sometimes kasi my parents are so overprotective.

 

I will go back to sleep muna, and hopefully, mas okay na feeling ko later. May Savemore naman sa baba ng condo, so madali lang ako makakabili ng stuff na kailangan ko.

 

 

 

 

 

I woke up at around 1 p.m., and when I checked my phone, there were multiple messages and missed calls from Yeji and Gigi.

 

my sweet little kitty [11:28 a.m.]: rina, why didn't you go to bio 101 today? are you okay?

 

gigi [11:56 a.m.]: rina, you're absent daw today? why? is everything okay?

gigi [12:14 p.m.]: why aren't you replying nor answering my calls? 

 

Can I just tell na I really appreciate my friends? They never fail to look out for me.

 

rina [1:14 p.m.]: i can't come to school today. i'm sick but don't worry it's not that bad

 

I sent them the same message na lang. Actually, instead of feeling better, lalo pa yata lumala fever ko after that sleep. It doesn't help na I am so hungry na. My phone vibrated again, and this time it was a message from Winter.

 

Winter [1:17 p.m.]: karina, wala tayong chem class ngayon pero may homework as review daw. send ko na lang sayo questions. okay ka lang ba? bakit ka absent?

Karina [1:19 p.m.]: i'm sick. i think it's from being overworke