It’s been a week after our misunderstanding. Hindi na umuwi ulit sa bahay si Karina. Nalaman ko nalang na she’s staying sa condo ng kapatid niya dahil tinext ako ni Ate Krystal, telling me na wag mag worry dahil kasama naman niya si Karina. I feel so bad kasi bahay nya ‘to tapos siya pa yung nag-aadjust para lang hindi ako makita. I tried to contact her pero she never returned my calls and messages. Sobrang hirap lang kasi hindi niya muna ako pinakinggan.

Ganito ba yung naramdaman ni Jaemin?

Sinabi ko rin kay Ning at Giselle yung nangyari. As usual, medyo frustrated si Ning kay Karina pero sinabi ko naman na aayusin ko ‘to. Maayos ko naman ‘to dahil hindi naman ako papayag na masira yung binubuo namin dahil sa isang hindi pagkakaintindihan. 

Giselle advised me to give Karina some time first because her life is likely to be a mess at the moment. Her meteoric rise to fame as a director, both locally and internationally. Sabi rin niya na it could be because she's under too much pressure because the film she made was excellent. Just the thought of not being there by her side makes me sad. I want to be there for her but I can't do it because she doesn't want to see me but I still send her messages just for her to know na nandito pa rin ako.

[Monday 10:07 AM] You: I know how overwhelming this may feel, but I want you to know that I am proud of you and how well you are handling everything.

[Tuesday 11:43 PM] You: I miss you, Direk…

[Wednesday 8:11 PM] You: If you’re feeling exhausted, rest. Don’t be hard on yourself, Yuji. You’ve come a long way. Fighting!

[Thursday 12:05 PM] You: I’m with Kat today. She’s looking for her Tita Wina. She misses you, Direk. I miss you… please come home.

[Friday 3:07 AM] You: This house feels empty without you. I miss hearing you laugh. I miss you, Karina. Uwi ka na please? Usap naman na tayo. Hindi ko na kaya.

[Saturday 11:07 AM] You: Saw sa news na you’re going to Milan pala today. Ingat ka, Yuji. I’m proud of you. I miss you.

“Ano, sis? Hindi ka pa rin nirereplyan?” tanong sa akin ni Ning habang sabay-sabay kaming tatlo nila Giselle kumain ng hapunan. 

It’s Monday and opening na ng new business ni Gigi kaya naman I took a day off para makapunta sa grand opening. Sayang lang dahil wala si Karina but Giselle told me na sabi raw ni Karina ay papapuntahin niya sila Yeji and Lia. Ning even invited Jake and his brother saka si Ryujin. Mabuti na rin siguro ‘to dahil matagal ko nang hindi sila nakikita. Ang balita ko, si Ryujin na ang nag take over ng business ng parents niya kaya hindi na rin siya masyadong nagpaparamdam.

“Hindi pa rin eh…” Dismayado kong sagot. Parang ang pangit tuloy ng lasa ng mga niluluto ko these past few days. Hindi ko alam kung nagiinarte lang ba ako or wala talaga akong gana magkikikilos.

“Okay lang yan, Win. Karina likes you so much, for sure hindi ka naman matitiis nun,” Gigi said as she finished her food. Tumango naman si Ning and sighed.

“Hindi ko maaway si Direk kasi baka palayasin tayo.”

Natawa na kami ni Gigi dahil sa sinabi niya. Ewan ko ba dito kay Ning. Lahat nalang ng tao inaaway niya when it comes to me. Bigla ko tuloy naalala yung regalo ko sakanya next week sa birthday niya. Makakapunta kaya si Karina?

“Speaking of layas, nakapag book na pala ako ng entire cabin sa Batangas for Ning’s birthday celebration. Kami na ni Karina yung sumagot ng place so kayo nalang sa food?” sambit ni Gigi. Bigla namang nanlaki ang mata ni Ning sa narinig. Hindi ko rin alam na may plan pala sila na ganito para sa birthday ni Ning. 

“Ay, may pag book? Bakit hindi ko ‘to alam?” tanong ni Ning. Giselle shrugged at ngumiti.

“Si Karina talaga yung nag plan niya a few days before sila mag-away ni Winter,” napatingin naman sa akin si Gigi and smiled sadly. “Hindi ko lang sure if makakapunta pa siya.”

I sighed, ayaw ko na mag expect kasi next week na yung birthday ni Ning tapos nasa Milan pa si Karina. She’s not replying to me tapos hindi ko pa alam kung kailan siya babalik dito sa Manila. Hay buhay…

“Sana makapunta si Direk. Ikaw kasi Win eh…”

Sinamaan ko ng tingin si Ning. “Bakit ako?! Just because nilibre ka niya, sakanya ka na papanig?”

“Wow, very mature, Winter,” Giselle deadpanned. Inirapan ko nalang silang dalawa at tumayo na.

“You know what, maliligo na ako. Hindi na ata ako mahal ng mga tao dito sa pamamahay na ‘to.”

“Si Karina lang. Damay mo pa kami.”

Sinipa ko nalang ang upuan ni Ning at iniwanan silang naghahagikhikan. Kairita lang. Pag pinansin na talaga ako ni Karina, jojowain ko na siya. Hay, I really miss her so much.

As Somi and Giselle completed the ribbon-cutting ceremony at their first physical location, we all clapped and cheered. Lahat ng friends nina Gigi ay pumunta para sa event, and following the ribbon-cutting, the priest blessed the entire store. It was evident sa mukha ni Giselle na finally, after months nang pagaasikaso para sa business nila, it was all worth it. I'm comforted to see Giselle got what she truly wanted. She may not be an Operations Manager anymore, but she will always be OM G.

“Uy, Chef!” 

Napatingin ako sa tumawag ng pangalan ko— it was Yeji kasama sina Lia and Ryujin. Napangiti naman ako at lumapit na rin sakanila.

“Hey, how are you guys?” Bineso ko silang tatlo as we exchanged pleasantries. 

“Heto, mafia boss na, Chef,” sagot ni Ryujin. “Ikaw po? Kamusta restaurant?”

“Okay naman, ganun pa rin,” sagot ko. “Buti pala nakapunta kayo?” 

“Karina suggested that we fill her place since she couldn't come. Masyadong busy si Direk eh,” sagot naman ni Lia. I felt sad just thinking about her. Kamusta na kaya si Karina? 

“Halata nga,” I chuckled dryly at parang napansin ito ni Yeji dahil she raised her eyebrow. 

“Kamusta kayo ni Direk? We know you guys are dating na. She was so happy when she told us.”

Nabigla ako sa sinabi ni Yeji. Hindi ko naman kasi alam na sinabi na pala ni Karina sakanila yung about sa amin. Not that I’m complaining. Actually, kung okay kami ngayon, baka kinilig ako lalo dahil parang proud siya na we’re dating.

“Ah, really?” nahihiya kong tanong. “We’re uhm… okay naman kami,” tipid kong sagot. Hindi na para sabihin sakanila na hindi kami okay. Gusto ko kasi na samin nalang sana kung ano man yung nangyayari sa relasy— sa amin. 

“That’s great. Bagay kayo ni Direk, Chef. Kailan niyo gagawing official yan?” tanong naman ni Ryujin. Ano ba ‘to, bakit naman ako nahohot seat. 

“Soo—”

“Win!”

Thank God. Narinig ko ang pagkalakas-lakas na boses ni Ning kaya naman dali-dali akong lumingon kung saan nanggagaling ang boses just to see her with Jake at yung kapatid niya na si Jay na papalapit sa akin.

“Hi, Ning!” bati nila Yeji nang makalapit na ang best friend ko. Nagsimula na silang magkamustahan kaya naman I excused myself para hanapin si Giselle. Gusto ko siyang i-congratulate ng personal. After a few seconds of me roaming around, nakita ko siya sa labas ng store na para bang may ka-video call. Agad naman akong lumabas at nalaman kung sino ang kausap niya.

“How are things going? Sorry, I couldn’t make it but babawi ako,” Karina chuckled sa kabilang linya. My throat became dry nang mapalingon sa akin si Giselle. Buti nalang nakaharap sakanya yung camera. Hindi ako makikita sa call.

“Hey, Gi? You okay?” tanong ni Karina nang mapansin na hindi sumagot si Giselle and was just looking at me. 

Ibinaling ulit ni Giselle ang atensyon kay Karina. “Uh, yes. Okay lang yun, Rina. Makakauwi ka ba sa birthday ni Ning?”

Please say yes. 

“I'm not sure yet eh. After Milan, we're going to Barcelona for an interview with a well-known TV station so there’s that,” sagot naman ni Karina. My shoulders drooped a