"Hu-huh?" Winter asked. She looked at Karina with a confused look. 

Karina blushed and shook her head. She bit her lower lip before smiling awkwardly at Winter.

The shorter girl stood up.

"Uh, excuse me." Sabi niya at tumakbo papunta sa kwarto niya. Winter blushed. The love of her life felt the same way. 

They can be together, right? Pwede silang bumuo ng normal na pamilya. She can live her life with Karina and Darcy. Hindi na siya tatandang mag-isa. 

But how would she be in a relationship without any physical contact at all? Sinabi rin ni Karina na physical touch ang love language niya. What an irony. She fell in love with the girl who is afraid of touching. 

Umupo si Winter sa kama niya at tumingala sa ceiling. Ano kayang pakiramdam maging ceiling? 

"Win? Can we talk, please?" Sabi ni Karina habang kumakatok sa pintuan ni Winter. The latter calmed herself down. They need to talk, and she could do this, right? She cannot avoid her forever. 

"Pasok ka!" Kinakabahan na sabi ni Winter. Hindi siya sure kung nakapasok na si Karina sa kwarto niya. Hindi pa kasi niya nalilinis kaya sobrang kalat pa. Wala rin naman siyang balak linisin. Nakakatamad kaya, hindi rin naman siya madalas natutulog dito. 

"Woah," Karina exclaimed when she stepped on Winter's undergarments. Agad namang tumayo si Winter at kinuha ang mga nakakalat na damit at undergarments sa kwarto niya. She held her nape and chuckled awkwardly. 

"Uh, sorry about the mess." Nahihiyang sabi ni Winter. She sat on the edge of her bed. Sumunod naman si Karina sakanya. The taller girl pushed Winter's gaming chair near the bed and sat in front of the younger girl. 

They stared into each other awkwardly. Both of them are blushing and shy. Para silang teenagers na nasa first date nila. 

"So," sabi ni Karina at ngumiti ulit. Awkwardness embraces the whole room. Paano ba nila sisimulan ang pag-uusap? Saan ba dapat simulan?

"To-totoo ba? You like me?" Winter asked. She pointed at herself while frowning. Baka kasi nijojoketime lang siya ni Darcy. 

"No. I don't like you, Win." Natatawang sabi ni Karina. Is it really funny that she asked that question?

Winter's chest started to hurt. She cannot breathe. Akala ba niya gusto siya ni Karina? 

"Oh , was that harsh ba? Hindi naman ganoon ibig kong sabihin. I meant to say that I love you Winter Kim. With all my heart," sabi ni Karina nang mapansin na natahimik si Winter.

The shorter girl sighed. Gumaan bigla ang pakiramdam niya. Bumilis ang tibok ng puso niya. And this time, her heart hurts in a good way. 

"Oh, I guess you don't feel the same. I actually planned this romantic dinner by the seashore mamaya, but ayun nga, inunahan na ako ni Darcy. Tsaka don't get me wrong. I would court you everyday, kahit hanggang sa ikasal na tayo. Tapos okay lang kung takot ka sa physical contact, marami pa namang ways para maparamdam mo na you love me too. We can see a shrink together. Or we can't. Ikaw bahala kasi ikaw yung may phobia." Sabi ni Karina. 

"Kari—"

"Wait, ako muna, Winter. Baka maduwag ako at hindi masabi sayo lahat." Pagputol ni Karina kay Winter. The younger nodded her head meekly. Sasabihin niya lang naman sana na mahal niya rin si Karina, pero oh well, bahala siya. 

"I love you. Hindi ko alam kung manhid ka ba o may pumipigil lang talaga sayo. I have loved you for years. I have watched every single match and everyappearancences, and I have read every interview. I waited. And thank God you came back. Alam ko na we didn't really talk to each other after the grad dinner, pero I love you. Siguro dati I just like you, but now that we met again, I started to love you." Karina said, her chest moving upwards as she breathes. Winter sat there, listening to everything. 

"Kari—"

"I am not done, Win. I am your number one fan. And I love you. Gosh, I love you so damn much." Napapikit nang mariin si Winter. Naiinis na siya ha. Paano niya sasabihin kay Karina na mutual ang feelings nila kung ayaw siya pagsalitain? 

"Karin—" itinaas ni Karina ang kamay niya para patigilin si Winter. At least umabot na siya sa letter n ng pangalan ni Karina.

"Okay lang kung hindi mo ako gusto. But please, let me show how much you mean to me. Please give me a chance, Winter," Karina said and ducked her head low. Winter sighed. Paano niya nga kasi sasabihin kay Karina na hindi naman siya rejected kung palagi siyang pinuputol ni Karina?

"Karin—" Karina shook her head.

"Please, Win. Please just giv—" Winter is not patient. Not as patient as Karina, that is. Kung ayaw makinig sakanya ni Karina, well, there are a lot of things she could do to convey her feelings.

She held the handrest of her gaming chair tightly, effortlessly trapping Karina between her body and chair. She leaned in and kissed Karina. On the lips. 

[good morning!]