Isa-isang dumating ang mga kaibigan nila Karina. The twins arrived last. 

"Katapat lang yung bahay niyo pero naunahan pa kayo ng nasa kabilang city," sabi ni Tiffany sa dalawa. Siya kasi ang nagbukas ng pinto nang magdoorbell ang dalawa. 

"Naligo pa kasi kami, Ate. Ikaw naman," biro ni Chaewon at bahagyang itinulak ang balikat ng nakakatanda. Tiffany rolled her eyes before opening the door widely. Ang ingay na naman ng bahay nila dahil sa mga kaibigan ng kanyang kapatid. Although it did make their house a lot brighter than the past few days. 

"Nasa dining room sila. By the way, agahan mo palagi Winter. Karina is throwing a fit," sabi ng pinakamatanda. Napakamot sa kilay niya si Winter. Ano na naman kayang nangyari kay Karina? Wala naman siyang ginawa kanina. To be honest nga, magkatext sila buong araw. 

"Y'all don't understand! I said I am so damn fine, and I am! Bakit ba ako magsisinungaling sainyo?" Nagulat si Winter sa naabutan niya. Karina is not the type of person who throws fits like this one. Nagwalkout si Karina. She did not even bother looking at the younger girl. 

"Anong nangyari?" Chaewon asked as she sat beside her girlfriend. 

"We were just worried about her." Sagot ni Minju. Yeji shook her head as she sighed.

"She's on edge these past few days," dagdag ni Yeji. 

"You guys eat. Kausapin ko muna si Karina," sabi ni Winter at sumunod kay Karina. She saw her in the garden, sitting on a bench. She looks conflicted and bothered. Siguro ay iniisip niya ang outburst nya kanina sa mga friends nila. Naglakad papalapit sakanya si Winter. 

"What was that about, Yu?" Winter asked and sat beside the older girl. Tumingin sakanya si Karina. Her eyes are confused and shaking. She looks scared. Winter hates this Karina. Because the older girl does not deserve this.

"That's nothing. They keep on insisting of staying here with me," Winter did not speak. Hinayaan niya na ituloy ni Karina ang gusto niyang sabihin. Sometimes, silence is enough for someone. And in this case, it is enough. Hindi naman palaging may kahulugan o importansya ang mga pwedeng sabihin. Sometimes, being there is what matters the most. 

"And it's vacation, Winter. Hindi dapat nila sinasayang ang bakasyon nila para lang samahan ako. I still have my Ates," she sighed. Karina feels exhausted all of a sudden. She trusts her mother, she knows she would not give her up without putting up a fight. Pero even if there is only a little possibility of her staying with her father, it is still a possibility. Halos gabi-gabi na rin siyang nag-overthink.

"Ang unfair naman kasi ni Daddy e. He cheated on my mother, he left us to be with his mistress, and now he came back to get me." Winter understands. 

"Alam mo ba kung bakit inaasar pa rin kita kahit na sobrang nanggigigil ka na?" Tanong ni Winter. Hinawakan niya ang balikat ni Karina at hinila ang dalaga para sumandal sakanya. She smiled. 

"No, ang random mo naman." 

"Because I know that you have a lot of patience. You are not the type to lose your cool. And I admire you for that," Winter planted a small kiss on Karina's temple. She admired everything about Karina. She does. Kahit na hindi sobrang ganda, they can work on that. They can be better people. Hindi naman porket may nakita siya na ayaw niya ay bigla na lang siyang mafafall out of love. Falling out of love is complicated, more complicated than falling in love. 

"You are strong, Karina. You know how to solve your problems without asking anyone for help. But sometimes, you need help." 

"I am not weak, Winter. Help is only for the weak, and I am not weak." Karina held the hem of her shirt tightly. She did not grow up just to ask for help. She grew up to be strong and independent. Hindi naman niya kailangan ng emotional support. Emotions are unnecessary. They always get in the way. 

"For someone I look up to, you're stupid." Sabi ni Winter. Karina snickered. Hindi na ata matatapos ang isang araw ng hindi sila nag-aaway. And it feels comfortable. At least, something in her life is still the same. 

"Ano na namang problema mo sakin, Kim?" Nakakunot na ang noo ni Karina. Winter fixed the strands of hair on the taller girl's face. She hummed.

"You need help. And we're here. Lalo na ako. I won't let you face your problems alone." 

"Why?" Nagtatakang tanong ni Karina. 

"Are you pretending to be dumb right now? Or are you really dumb?" Naiinis na tanong ni Winter. Kung gaano siguro kabilis si Karina sa academics, ganoon din siya kabagal sa ganito uri ng usapan. 

"I am not dumb! Stupid Kim!" Kinurot ni Karina ang right thigh ni Winter. The latter bit her lip in pain. 

"Kailangan mo ba akong ipinch? You er," kinurot din ni Winter ang thigh ni Karina para makaganti. Karina yelped in pain. 

"Just answer my question kasi! Ang dami mo pang sinasabi." 

Winter held Karina's cheeks and stared straight into her eyes. She chuckled. 

"It's because I love you, moron." 

[PATAPOS NA TO REAL NA REAL]