Chapter 1: Eyes

this!

Winter overslept. She knew she shouldn’t have binged watch the damn show last night. It was her friend’s fault, really. That damn Aeri Uchinaga, hindi niya maisip kung bakit ba siya pumayag sa pandedemonyo ng kaibigan niya. Huli na nang pumasok sa isip niya na ito pala’y wala pang pasok bukas.

Exactly on her way out of her dorm, her team captain rang her phone.

“Po?” magalang niyang bungad.

“Taglamig? Ikaw ba ‘to?” biro ng kausap niya. “Himala yata at napaka galang mo.”

“What do you want? Make it faster, I’m late already,” inis niyang sambit.

“There’s the Winter I know,” her team captain said with a chuckle. “Anyway, you don’t have to go to your class. All athletes are excused right now. Merong announcement ang mga coaches.”

What kind of an announcement?

“Are you going to tell me what it’s about, or do I have to find out when I get there?” she asked.

“Ako ba si coach? ‘Di ba sabi ko coaches ang may announcement?”

Her team captain is… something else. Irene Yoo. Their team captain. A graduating senior. The one who always has her back.

The first time they met was eventful. She was a nervous wreck back then. Her captain—who wasn’t the captain yet—accompanied her through the whole thing. Siya ang nakatukang senior sa kaniya noon. She’s one of the seniors she respects and one of the few people who doesn’t judge her.

“Ang taray mo, kaya ako nagmamana sa ‘yo, eh,” sagot ni Winter.

“Excuse me? Ah, basta pumunta ka sa east wing gym. Nandito na halos lahat,” sabi nito sabay patay ng tawag.

Another day as an athlete. Parang kahit bakasyon nag t-training parin siya, hanggang first day ba naman ng klase? Minsan nagsisisi siyang naging student athlete pa siya. Who is she kidding? Playing volleyball is her only escape.

 

Aeri Uchi-GAGA sent you a message…

Aeri Uchi-GAGA: gurl nakagising ka ba ng maaga?

Malamig to opo: may kasalanan ka

Malamig to opo: napaka mo talaga

Malamig to opo: PORKET WALA KA PANG PASOK

Aeri Uchi-GAGA: sorry na kasi huhuhu

Aeri Uchi-GAGA: akala ko naman alam mo

Malamig to opo: *roll eyes* libre mo ko, dalhan mo kong pagkain dito sa uni namin

Aeri Uchi-GAGA: iiiiiiih I don’t wanna

Aeri Uchi-GAGA: pero sige na nga, just bc inutusan mo ko

Malamig to opo: sure jan

Aeri Uchi-GAGA: yun lang yun

Aeri Uchi-GAGA: anyway, see youuu *kiss face*

 

Giselle Aeri Uchinaga is her best friend, ever since their diaper days. Giselle is studying at Xavier University, while she’s at Green Mount University. Sa totoo lang, dapat naman talaga magkasama silang dalawang magkaibigan sa Xavier U, pero there was something na nakapagpabago ng isip ni Winter.

“Hoy,” tawag sa kaniya ng team captain nila. “Tulala ka, ah,”

Hindi niya namalayan na nakarating na pala siya ng gym. Tumingin siya sa paligid at nakita niyang halos nandito na ang lahat.

“Hindi kaya,” tanggi niya.

“Bakit mag-isa ka na naman dito sa gilid? Nandoon mga teammates natin, oh,” sambit nito sabay turo sa nagkukumpulan nilang teammates.

“Eh, bakit ikaw rin nandito?” ganting tanong niya.

“FYI, nandito ako para papuntahin ka sa kanila,” mataray na sagot nito sa kaniya. Tumingin muna ito sa iba nilang teammates sabay balik ng tingin sa kaniya. “This would be your second year of playing. ‘Di ba dapat close ka na sa kanila?”

She let out a deep breath. Hindi rin niya alam kung bakit ba ganoon, she’s trying naman, but they already have this image of her imprinted in their mind. Ice queen. Even if I wanted to approach them, I couldn’t. I don’t know how.

“Nandiyan ka naman, eh,” sagot niya.

Her team captain let out a sigh.

“Baka nakakalimutan mong graduating na ako,” malungkot na sambit nito. “This is my last playing year, Minjeong,” she looked at her team captain, the reality kicking in.

Last playing year? No. Please, don’t leave me, sigaw ng isip ni Winter.

Nalungkot ang buong aura ni Winter at napansin ito ni Irene.

“Pero matagal pa naman ‘yon,” sabi nito. “Just promise me na you’ll at least try to mingle with them.”

“Promise,” binigyan niya ito ng tipid na ngiti. But they both knew na it was an empty promise. Irene knows her too well. But she just nodded her head and smiled at her.

“Tara na nga doon. Ang pangit ng puwesto mo dito, daming hatdog,” natawa siya sa sinabi ng kanilang kapitana.

“Settle down, kids!” pagtawag atensiyon ng coaches nila sa kanila.

Ngayon niya lang napansin ang mga nakahilerang estudyante sa likuran nito. Who are they? New students?

Napansin niya ang isa sa mga ito na nakatingin sa gawi nila—or sa kaniya. Ngumiti ito at kumaway. Ginantihan niya ito ng pagtaas ng kilay. Feeling close ka ba?

“Teh, anong tinataas ng kilay mo diyan?” Irene asked her while looking at her with an amused smile like something amusing happened. Winter was confused, very confused. “Kapatid ko kasi ‘yon, teh,” natatawa niyang sabi.

Winter’s eyes widened at that. Did she just assume? This is bad; I’ve never felt such humiliation, she thought.

She looked at the girl once again. She was now looking at her with an amused gaze mirroring her sister’s. Something in those eyes makes her feel so bare with her gaze on her.

“Ganda, ‘no? Nasa lahi talaga namin ‘yan, eh,” her team captain stated, breaking her out of her thoughts.

“Ang kapal talaga ng mukha mo,” she rolled her eyes. She looks at the girl once again. She doesn’t know why her eyes keep on gravitating toward her.

Ganda, no? Ganda, ‘no? Her captain’s words kept echoing in her head.

Her face hardened at that. Hindi. Hindi puwede. And with that, she walked out of the gym with her captain’s eyes following her retreating figure. Irene shook her head. She looked at her retreating figure with a sad smile and just let her be.

 

 

WINTER is back in her dorm room. There’s an advantage to her image as the ice queen; she has no dormmate. She was a little sad at first, but as time passed by, she got used to it and was thankful in the end. She has a big room to herself.

Naisipan niyang tawagan ang kababata niya, tutal excused na rin naman siya sa kaniyang mga klase ngayong araw, susulitin na niya. Alam naman niyang sasabihin sa kaniya ng ate Irene niya ang mga mapapag-usapan sa meeting nila.

Unbeknownst to her, something will be tackled that’ll change the trajectory of her life. A good thing or a bad thing? She still doesn’t know.

“Where are you right now?” bungad niya pagkasagot ng kaibigan niya sa tawag.

“Hello rin, ha,” mataray nitong sagot. “I’m maybe ten minutes away from your school. Let’s just meet at the cafeteria. Or do I go to your gym?” tanong ng kaibigan niya.

“Let’s eat out. Parang I’m not in the mood to eat here, eh,” sagot niya. Sa totoo lang, ayaw niyang makita siya ng kahit na sinong schoolmate niya dahil patago lang siyang tumakas sa assembly. Baka isumbong siya ng mga ito. For sure her captain already told their coaches na masama ang pakiramdam niya.

“Suspicious. Ano na naman ang nangyari sa ‘yo, ha?” tanong nito.

“Kwento ko mamaya. Basta kita na lang tayo diyan sa labas,” sagot niya sabay patay ng tawag.

Nagmadali siyang lumabas sa dorm room niya at mabilis na naglakad patungo sa napag-usapan nilang meeting place—Sisigan sa Kanto.

Aeri Uchi-GAGA sent you a message…

Aeri Uchi-GAGA: gurl nag message sakin si ate Irene

Aeri Uchi-GAGA: gay panic yarn?

Malamig to opo: pinagsasabi mo jan?

Aeri Uchi-GAGA: come on don’t be shy badi

Aeri Uchi-GAGA: tell aeri everything goo goo gaga

Malamig to opo: wag ka na nga lang pumunta

Malamig to opo: imbyerna na ko

Aeri Uchi-GAGA: lapit na ko wag kang umalis jan!

Tinago na ni Winter ang phone niya nang Mabasa ang huling mensahe ng kaibigan. She decided to order for her and her friend. The place was prominent, and it looked classy despite its name. Sisigan sa Kanto. She was surprised when she first heard of the place and was even more surprised when she saw its entirety. You can never really judge a book by its cover. The place is pleasing to the eyes.

Eyes.

Those beautiful eyes.

There’s something in those eyes.

She was shaken out of her thoughts when her best friend loudly slammed her bag on the table.

“Tangina naman, Aeri, eh,” hindi na niya napigilang mapamura. Why did I think of her eyes?

“Language nga, Minjeong. Parang di ka estudyante ng GMU, ah,” she just rolled her eyes at that. “Besides, kanina pa kaya ako nandito. Kanina pa ako tawag nang tawag sa pangalan mo, akala ko nga nagpalit ka na ng pangalan, eh,” Was I that deep into my thoughts?

“Umorder na ako ng pagkain natin,” sambit niya.

Tumingin lang sa kaniya ang kaibigan niya. She has this look, a look that says, ‘I’ll be grilling you now.’ She rolled her eyes at her.

“Don’t roll your eyes at me. What happened? Bakit may pa-walkout ka sa gym?” she tried to think of excuses. “And please don’t even try to think of lying to me. I know you like the back of my hand. Baka masampal kita with the back of my hand kapag di ka nagsabi ng totoo.”

She sighed.

“There’s nothing to tell, okay?” simula niya.

“Then why are you so agitated ngayon? Ate Irene said nag-walkout ka after niyong mag-staring contest ng kapatid niya.”

“We did not have a staring contest,” she tried to deny, but Aeri knows her too well. “I just don’t like to be in her vicinity.”

“And why is that? Hindi ka naman niya aagawan ng hangin,” sagot ng kaibigan niya.

“Kasi ang ganda niya, and I can’t seem to function properly, okay?” Aeri’s gaze softened.

“So, you’re just going to forget about it again and bury it deep down?” tanong sa kaniya ng kaibigan. “You haven’t even properly met the girl tapos ganiyan ka na agad. Paano pala kung gusto niya pala kayong maging friends?” pagpatuloy niya.

“No one even wants to be my friends doon,” sagot niya.

“Eh, kasi naman. ‘Yang kilay mo laging magkasalubong, kakausapin ka pa lang nila parang gusto mo na agad umalis doon. Sino naman kaya ang maglalakas loob lumapit sa ‘yo? Idagdag mo pa na lagi kang nakabuntot kay Ate Irene, eh, isa pa ‘yong masungit,” litanya nito.

“Sumbong kaya kita kay Ate Irene, ma-facial ka ng jowa nun,” she threatened.

“Charot lang, eh,” she said, forcing laughter. “Anyway, maganda naman talaga si Katarina,” Katarina?

“You know her?” gulat na tanong niya.

“Who doesn’t know her?” her friend looked surprised at her. “You don’t know her?” Should I know her?

“This is the face na kilala siya,” sabi niya nang nakakunot ang noo. “Who is she anyway?”

“Ah, right. Hindi nga pala siya naglaro last year,” her friend stated. Why? “She has this friend na hindi tinanggap ‘yong scholarship ng school niya dati. And nag rebelde siya, I guess that’s why lumipat rin siya ngayon dito,”

Her ears perked up at that. Parang tainga ng aso kapag excited sa treats nito. Nag-rebelde siya? Wow. Sana all may time mag rebelde.

“Ang chismosa mo talaga. Kapag chismis ang bilis bilis mo,” puna ng kaibigan niya. “’Wag mo na lang siguro banggitin ‘to kay Ate Irene, baka pagalitan ako nun.”

“Sasabihin ko pa lalo,” she chuckled. She was curious, and when she’s curious, it means she’ll be thinking about it for days until she gets the answer to her questions. Ayaw naman niyang mag-tanong pa kay Aeri kasi kilala siya ng kaibigan niya. No one can know.

“Hurhur,” Aeri rolled her eyes. “Anyway, so ano? Crush mo na ba?” nag-taas baba ang mga kilay nito.

“No, hindi puwede,” she firmly stated. “Kaya lang naman talaga ako nag-walkout kanina kasi ang init init sa gym,” pag-palusot niya.

“Kahit naka-open yung AC?” she rolled her eyes. “And I thought it’s because maganda siya?” her friend added.

“Let’s just drop this for now,” pagtapos niya. “I’ll just see you around. Inaantok ako.”

Umalis na siya sa lugar at hinayaan lang naman siya ng kababata niya.

“Duwag!” her friend yelled when she was at the front door of the shop. She just gave her the middle finger. She could hear her friend’s laughter. Kagabi ka pa talaga, Aeri.

Pumunta siya sa lugar kung saan malayo siya sa lahat. ­Rooftop garden. Not really away from everyone, but at least she’s the only one who has the key to it.

 

 

 

WHAT the is she doing here?

“Oh, it’s you,” bati sa kaniya ng babae.

Tiningnan lang niya ito, confusion written on her face. She was sure na siya lang ang nagmamay-ari ng susi papuntang rooftop garden ng school nila—well, except sa caretaker nito.

“Do you water the plants here, too?” pagbasag ng katahimikan ng babae. “I asked Ate Lydia if I can water the plants here, and she allowed me naman.”

Nakatingin pa rin siya sa babae. Nakatingin rin ito sa kaniya.

Don’t. Stop staring at me, isip niya.

“I’m Katarina Yoo. I’m Ate Irene’s sister,” pagpapakilala nito.

Gosh, even her name suits her.

“I’m not asking,” sagot niya. Gago ka talaga Winter!

“Okay,” she smiled. “I’m almost done watering the plants, I’ll leave you be after this,” tumalikod na ito sa kaniya at ipinagpatuloy ang ginagawa nitong pagdidilig ng mga tanim.

Winter wanted to take it back. But she just stood there, unable to do anything as her pride got the best of her.

But another part of her says it’s better that way. She’ll hear stories from her teammates anyway. There’s no use in changing her habits. She’ll just be like them.

Nang matapos na sa wakas ang babae, naglakad na ito palabas ng garden. Napahilamos ng mukha si Winter nang maramdaman niya ang regret. Why am I built this way?

 

 

 

WHAT the hell is she doing here? Again?

“Oh, Taglamig, nandito ka na pala,” her captain said. “Si Karina nga pala, roommate mo.”

What? No, no, no, no, NO!

“Sorry, full na kasi ‘yong ibang dorm, eh,” pagsisimula ng kapitana. “Eh, ‘di ba wala ka namang roommate? Kaya, I suggested na dito na lang, since I trust you rin naman,” she’s looking at her like she’s guilty of doing something.

Winter knows that there’s nothing else left to do. When her captain plans something, no one can oppose it. Not that they can’t fight her, it’s just that she’s already thought of every loophole.

“It’s not like I have a choice,” sambit niya.

Katarina looks at her, she has a blank face, but Winter knows she is thinking of something.

“I can just sleep at your dorm, Ate,” sa wakas ay nagsalita na ito.

“Para kang tanga, Karina. Napag-usapan na ‘to ng lahat,” sagot naman ng kapatid nito.

“Well, clearly, Miss Sungit here didn’t get the memo,” Katarina replied.

Miss Sungit? Ako ba ‘yon?

“The decision is already final. Hindi ka na puwedeng lumipat ng dorm,” their captain said with finality in her voice.

“I don’t want to be in a room where I feel like I’m not wanted,” Katarina stated. “I can just rent an apartment outside,”

Tiningnan niya ang kapitana nila at nanlilisik ang mga mata nito na nakatingin sa kaniya. Napakamot siya sa batok niya at napa-ubo.

“You can stay here. I don’t mind,” she said.

“Okay. Was that so hard?” Katarina said. She had a smile on her face, but it wasn’t like the kind of smile she gave her in the rooftop garden. This smile is scary for Winter.

“I-I… uh…” sinubukan niyang sumagot pero hindi sumusunod ang bibig niya sa utak niya. Not when Katarina is looking at her like that.

“Ehem!” pag-agaw atensiyon ng kanilang kapitana. “Oh, siya, aalis na ako. Mag-behave kayo mga bata, ha. Katarina, make me proud,” niyakap nito ang kapatid niya.

“I’m just going to sleep here, and there’s nothing for you to be proud of,” natatawang sambit ng kapatid nito.

“We’ll see,” Irene smiled.

Lumapit ito sa kaniya at kinurot ang tagiliran niya.

“Subukan mo lang paiyakin ‘yang kapatid ko, papaduguin ko ‘yang braso mo sa practice natin,” bulong nito kay Winter.

“Hoy, bakit ka nananakot?” she asked with an uneasy smile. Sinagot lang siya nito ng mas nakakatakot na ngiti.

“Oh, siya, aalis na ako,” pagpaalam nito sa kanilang dalawa.

When Irene left their dorm, someone was waiting for her.

“Idol talaga kita,” saad nito.

“I just don’t want to leave her all alone when I graduated,” sagot nito.

“You did good, Irene,”

“Thanks, Seulgi,”

 

 

 

WINTER looks at her. At Katarina. She is just like her name, Katarina, greeting their teammates. It was the morning after their dorm mishaps. She greeted everyone, some with a hug, some with a high five, and some even had a brief talk with her. Like she had known them for a long time.

So, why? Why did she just smile at her and straight up walk past her? Why is she not giving her the Katarina-like greeting? What do her teammates have that she doesn’t?

“Ang aga aga nakasimangot ka na naman?” pansin ng isa niyang teammate. It was one of their seniors, Seulgi Hwang. Sa totoo lang, sa mga seniors niya lang siya close. Siguro dahil ito sa palagi niyang pagsama sa kapitana nila kaya mas naging close siya sa mga ito. “Inggit ka ba?”

“What?” tumingin siya dito na parang merong tumubong isa pang ulo dito.

“Si Karina, di ka binati. Inggit ka sa iba?” pagpatuloy nito.

“Pakealam ko? I’ll live,” she replied.

“Okay,” ngumiti ito. “Karina!” her eyes widened when she saw her roommate turn in their direction. Seulgi gestured for her to approach them.

“Bakit, Ate Seulgi?” Katarina asked when she reached their place.

“Ito nga pala si Winter Kim. She’s the team’s libero,” pakilala sa kanila ni Seulgi.

“We’ve already met. She’s also my roommate, didn’t Ate tell you that?” sagot ni Katarina.

“Well, did she also tell you na kayo ang partners ngayon sa practice?” Seulgi asked her smugly.

Winter’s eyes widened at that.

“What do you mean?” sabat ni Winter.

“You try and receive her spikes,” sagot ng kapitana nila.

Nagulat silang lahat ng bigla na lang itong nagsalita sa likod nila.

“Isn’t this supposed to be just an introduction to the team?” Katarina then cut them off. “Our official practice is not until next week.”

“Then try and work out your chemistry together,” Irene replied. “Ayaw ko ng hindi magkasundo sa loob ng court,” she firmly stated.

“And what made you think na hindi kami magkasundo?” sagot ni Katarina na parang hinahamon ang kapatid nito. “We just met kahapon, I just met everybody kahapon so why do i need to work just with her specifically?”

Ganoon niya ba ka-ayaw na kalaro ako? Isip ni Winter.

“Clearly you have a problem with her kung ganiyan ka maka-react, Katarina,” pansin ng kapitana nila.

“No. I just don’t get why I should work with her as early as now, and she’s not even the setter din,” Katarina replied. “And shouldn’t she be the one to work out her chemistry with the others?”

Napanganga ang lahat sa huling sinabi ni Katarina. Everyone was thinking the same, she was right.

Nanliit sa kinatatayuan niya si Winter. What Katarina said was right. She needs to work on her chemistry with her team. The seniors are graduating, so she needs to get along with the new group.

“Seulgi, Joy, at Wendy pumasok kayo sa court,” pagbasag ng katahimikian ni Irene. Tinuro niya ang tatlo sa kabilang side ng net. “Winter dito ka sa likod ko. Katarina dito ka sa side ko.”

“What is this for, Ate?” Katarina asked.

“I’ll set something for you, kapag naipasok mo, then I’ll admit I was being hasty. But if they blocked you and Winter saved it for you, then you’ll do as I say,” sambit ng kapatid nito. “Kayong tatlo, i-block niyo kahit magdugo pa ‘yang mga kamay niyo,” bulong niya sa tatlong nasa kabilang side ng net.

“Teh, bakit ba kasi ang taas ng pride niyo?” reklamo ni Joy—their middle blocker—sa kaniya.

“Game na!” sigaw ng kapitana. “3 ins, Katarina. If Winter saved it three times, I win,”

Winter was lost. Ang gusto lang naman talaga niya ay batiin rin siya ni Katarina katulad ng pagbati nito sa iba nilang teammates. Si Ate Seulgi, siya talaga ang nagsimula ng lahat ng ‘to! But her pride is at stake, she’s one of the best liberoes in the league. Kahit na hindi niya alam kung paano maglaro ang bago nilang teammate, she needs to save that ball.

Nag-simula na ang laro, 3 vs 3 game. Wendy was the other team’s temporary setter; she set it to Seulgi and spiked it past Katarina’s defenses. Fortunately, Winter was quick on her feet, she saved it, and it went to Irene’s hands. The captain set it to Katarina, but the defense on the other side was too strong.

Ang bola ay parang bumagal sa mata ni Winter. She’s used to this. Nasa likod lang siya ni Katarina just in case ma-block nga siya ng mga defender ng kabilang side. Pumunta sa likod nila ang bola pero mabilis na nag-dive si Winter para ma-save ito, and she did. Nagawi ang bola sa side ni Irene at nag akto itong mag-se-set kay Katarina nang bigla niyang i-dump ang bola sa kabilang side.

Nag-tuloy tuloy ang laro nila ngunit walang naipasok na mga palo si Katarina. Her shoulders slumped at that. Hinila siya ng team captain nila papuntang locker room.

“I’m the captain here, Katarina. You’re my sister but inside the court, I am your team captain. I know na parang wala lang at pabigla bigla yung mga pinapagawa ko sa ‘yo, but trust me. I see things that you don’t,” pagpaliwanag sa kaniya ng kapatid niya.

“I’m sorry,” Katarina apologized. “I thought you were just doing that kasi you favor Winter amongst other players,” she explained.

“Winter works hard just as much as them. She actually works more than them, but you don’t hear her complaining.” Irene sighed. “A lot of rumors are surrounding Winter una pa lang, I heard some, but I never let it cloud my judgment. You should, too,”

Katarina admits it. She heard a lot about Winter. Hindi naman talaga siya naniniwala sa mga sabi-sabi unless manggaling ito sa taong involved. But when she met her at the Rooftop Garden yesterday, something snapped inside her. She’s not one to be easily irritated, but when Winter brushed her off kahapon, it ticked her off. And to add to that, Winter made her feel like she didn’t want her. In the room!

“I’m sorry, I was just irritated,” Katarina apologized.

“Winter is something else. She’s awkward with new people, resulting in her coming off as rude sometimes, but she’s kind,” Irene stated.

Katarina nodded at her. She was feeling guilty.

“But, bakit mo kami pinag-partner una pa lang? You could’ve done it next week,” Katarina voiced what’s been bugging her.

“Halatang halata naman kasi na ayaw mo siya, and I can’t let that happen.”

“Why?” Katarina asked, confused.

“This is her second year playing already, and she’s only close with the starting six. And 4/6 of us are graduating already, and I want to leave this school with Winter coming out of her comfort zone,” Irene answered.

“Then, bakit ‘di mo ginawa una pa lang? Why are you passing me this?”

“Kasi, I trust you. I know you’ll take care of her,” the captain replied. “And something happened, kaya I wasn’t able to do just that,”

Hindi napigilang mapa-iling ni Katarina sa sinabi ng kapatid. How special can Winter be para magkaganito ang kapatid niya? What secret does she have for her sister to take good care of her?

Winter Kim. Who are you exactly?