"I-ikaw pala, Ka-karina," umupo si Winter sa katabing bed na kinatatayuan ni Karina. Distansya lang. 

"It's been a while, Winter. Huli yata kitang nakita noong graduation pa," naglakad papunta sakanya si Karina at umupo sa katapat nyang kama. 

"Ah, oo siguro," iniiwas ni Winter ang tingin nya kay Karina. Bakit parang lalo lang gumanda ang crush nya? 

It has been seven years. 

Napagulong si Winter sa kabilang dulo ng kama nang hahawakan sana siya ni Karina. She stood up and hummed. 

"Uhm, so, how are you? You a doctor?" Naglakad sya paikot sa infirmary at nagkunwari na nagtitingin. Muntik na syang hawakan ni Karina. Halos magsomersault na sya para lang iwasan ang kamay ng doktor. 

Half of the reason for her running away like that is her phobia, the other half? Nag-gagay panic sya. 

"Did I make you uncomfy? Ichecheck ko lang sana yung temperature mo," nakangiting sabi ni Karina. Tumayo na rin sya at lumipat sa may table niya. It is not really the first time that Winter tried to run away from her. Paulit-ulit na namang nangyari ito sakanila noong high school. 

"Uh, jet lag lang naman ata. Actually kasi, I just went home from London yesterday," Winter said. Kinamot nya ang kilay nya at tumayo sa isang tabi. Karina nodded her head, still smiling at the younger girl.

"London, yes! You're a pro tennis player, no? What are you doing here in the Academy?" Tanong ni Karina at sinimulang magtype sa desktop nya. Winter cleared . Hindi naman sila masyadong close ni Karina, medyo friends lang siguro. They're civil towards one another. 

"I, uh, I decided to take a break from the pro scene. Tapos the Headmaster offered me a Coaching job. How about you? Uh, did you pursue medicine?" Nahihiyang tanong ni Winter at tiningnan mula ulo hanggang paa si Karina. She looks amazing in her lab coat. She always knew that the older girl likes to pursue medicine. Siguro dahil doon din naka-allign ang trabaho ng buong angkan nila. 

"What do you think?" Karina asked and smirked. Winter blushed. There's something about Karina's smirks that do things to her heart. 

"Uhm you did?" Hindi nya siguradong sagot. Karina shook her head.

"I am still pursuing that, actually. I decided to work here muna while I study for the licensure exam. And then, we'll see," sagot ni Karina. Umupo ulit si Winter sa kama. Nangangalay na rin kasi sya sa pagtayo. 

"You'll pass the bar, Karina." Sabi ni Winter. She shrugged with a lopsided grin.

"How sure are you?" Karina looked at her amusedly. 

"It's just that you're the smartest person I know." Humiga ulit si Winter sa kama. She hoped that Karina will stay to where she is. Kahit naman sa gustong-gusto nyang makita ang mukha ng babae sa malapitan, natatakot pa rin sya na magkaroon ng contact ang mga balat nila. 

"Bolera. Kamusta na pala si Ningning?" Tanong ni Karina. Hindi na sila maubusan ng topic. Ningning is a mutual friend. She is the reason why Winter met Karina. Siya rin ang dahilan kung bakit naging seatmates sila noong high school.

"Ningning is fine, I think. Last week pa since noong nag-usap kami e," Winter said. 

"How about your love life? May girlfriend ka na ba ulit?" Halos masamid sa sariling laway nya si Winter sa tanong ni Karina. May ex kasi siya noong last year nila sa high school. In her defense, pinilit lang siya ni Somi. It is not serious, they just fooled around. 

She can even call it a pretend relationship.

"Bakit? Boyfriend ba gusto mo?" Tanong ni Karina nang mapansin na hindi sumagot ang tennis Coach sa tanong niya. 

"Uy, hindi ah!" She denied. Bakit ba niya gugustuhin ang boyfriend o girlfriend kung pwede namang si Karina na lang? Baka tumanda na lang siya ng dalaga kung hindi lang din naman ang crush nya ang makakatuluyan niya.

"Ang defensive ha! I was just asking kaya," nakangising sabi ni Karina. 

"I am single. Ikaw ba? Any significant others?" Winter hoped to hear what she wants. Unfortunately, Wonyoung entered the infirmary with a straight face.

"Hello po," bati niya sa Medical Student at pumunta sa gawi ni Winter. Iniabot niya ang clipboard sa Coach nila.

"Ayan na po yung apat na brackets. I figured we can also have a ninth man. She can be the manager, and a player when needed." Suggest ni Wonyoung.

Winter glanced at her old classmate and saw that she was busy with her work. So, she nodded her head at the student.

"Okay then. We'll start tomorrow." She ordered. 

"Ididismiss ko na po ba sila, Coach Kim?" 

"Call me Coach Winter. Parang ang tanda ko naman kapag surname ko pa ginamit ninyo. I'll dismiss them myself. Susunod ako sayo," Winter said and stood up. Nang makaalis na si Wonyoung ay lumapit siya sa table ni Karina.

Kinatok niya ang table ng tatlong beses para makuha ang atensyon nito. Karina looked up with a smile. 

"What is it?" She asked. Halos mapamura si Winter sa view nya. Ang ganda talaga ng crush nya. Nakakabading. Nakakakilig din ang mga ngiti.

"Uhm, papaalam lang ako. I need to go back to the court na e." Sabi ni Winter at hinawakan ang nape niya. 

Karina stood up to hug the girl. Bago niya pa mayapos si Winter ay nasa pinto na ang dalaga. 

"Mauna na ako, Karina! I'll see you around!" Sigaw niya at tumakbo paalis. 

Napakunot naman ang noo ni Karina. Itinaas nya ang mga braso niya para amuyin ang sarili. Mabaho ba sya?