Seryoso naming pinapanood ang interview ni Karina kasama ang bago niyang mga katrabaho para sa new teleserye na gagawin nila this year.  Dito sa office ko naisipan nina Ning, Giselle, and Somi na manood since they decided na dito na lang daw mag lunch since magkakaroon nga ng live broadcast regarding sa interview ni Karina kaya heto, tabi-tabi kaming apat sa sofa. Noong isang araw kasi nila inannounce sa public na they’re gonna have a new teleserye na kasama si Karina as the director and it was hyped up talaga agad. 

Shempre, maganda at magaling yung direktor eh.

“In fairness, ang popogi ng mga casts ha,” Ning commented habang nakatuon ang atensyon sa TV.

“True but sobrang pretty din ng bida. What’s her name again?” Tumingin si Giselle kay Somi. “Jisoo Kim? Am I right?”

Somi nodded, “Yeah. She’s an A-list celebrity din here sa Philippines. I think Jisoo and Krystal already made a teleserye in the past eh,” she replied.

“Kebs naman ‘yan lahat kay Win. Yung direktor lang naman ‘yung bet niya dyan sa new teleserye,” Ning uttered that made the other two chuckle. Inirapan ko nalang si Ning at pinagpatuloy na panoorin ang interview ng girlfriend ko. 

Hay, edi parang ang yabang ko na neto?

“So, we have Jisoo, Mina, Xiaojun, Hendery, and of course the director who bagged the Best Director at the Asian Academy Creative Awards, PMPC Star Awards, The Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts— the ever so lovely, Direk Karina Yu.”

“Bongga talaga si Direk. Mapupuno talaga ‘yung bahay ng mga trophies niya. Mabebenta ba ‘yo—”

“Ning, shut up!” Sabay-sabay naming tatlong saway sa best friend ko. Naramdaman ko namang ang pagkurot ni Ning sa tagiliran ko pero hinayaan ko nalang dahil tinutok ng camera sa mukha ng girlfriend ko.

Ang kilig ko lang. Bakit sobrang ganda!

They greeted the fans that were watching and they started to talk about the teleserye na ipapalabas by the last quarter of the month. Jisoo said na it’s an action comedy series na parang mala-22 Jump Street. It already piqued my curiosity dahil may action na naman sa gagawin ni Karina. Shempre, natutuwa ako dahil that’s my favorite genre. 

“Are you ready to work with Direk Yu?” tanong ng hosts sa apat na artista. Tumingin sila sandali kay Karina and smiled.

“Of course. I’ve been wanting to work with her after watching Hours. It became my favorite movie na nga agad eh,” Hendery, the one who was sitting beside Karina answered. My girlfriend softly laugh saka tumango sa sagot ni Hendery.

“I’ve heard from the people who worked with Direk Yu with her last movie na she’s strict daw talaga so parang kinakabahan ako since medyo makulit ako sa set,” sagot ni Xiaojun at tinignan ulit si Karina habang nakangiti. “Direk, binabalaan na kita ha?”

It earn laughter from the audience kaya kahit ako napapangiti. Hindi dahil sa sinabi nung Xiaojun kundi dahil sa pagtawa ni Karina. Ang ganda niya lang. Para talaga siyang hindi totoong tao, naiiyak ako.

“Nako, you have to behave yourself. I don’t tolerate makukulit,” Karina jokingly remarked and smiled at him.

“Bes, hindi daw nangtotolerate si Karina ng makukulit. Bakit ka niya pinagtitiisan?” tanong na naman ni Ning. I turned my head to face her saka sya binatukan, making her wince in pain.

“Gaga, ikaw ‘yon! Ikaw lang naman makulit sa ating dalawa!”

“Can you both stop fighting? May nanonood oh!” saway ni Somi kaya naman napatigil kami and just glared at each other once more saka pinanood ang kabuohan ng interview.

Grabe lang, ako yung natutuwa sa mga compliments na natatanggap ni Karina sa co-workers niya at sa mga taong sumusuporta sa kanya. She even have her own fan base! Normal bang magkaroon ng mga fanbase ang mga direktor dito sa Pinas? Pero mas mabuti na siguro ‘yon dahil may magmamahal at magtatanggol kay Karina sa mga bashers niya.

Naku, sinasabi ko lang talaga. Kapag nakakita ako ng rumors or fake news about sa girlfriend ko, magpapaturo ako sa tatay ko humawak ng baril! Charot. Pwede ko naman silang ipatumba nalang sa mga kapatid ko. 

“One last question for our Direk Yu…” tumingin ang host kay Karina and the latter just smiled, waiting for him to ask the question. “This is kind of juicy but nag trending ang Instagram post mo last week regarding isang photo.”

Napalunok agad ako at nagsi-tinginan kaming apat dito sa office. Alam ko na kung saan ‘to papunta. Sobrang nag trending si Karina sa Twitter. Maraming haka-haka agad yung mga lumabas. May mga nagsasabi na baka best friend ako ni Karina, baka daw birthday ko lang, and yung theory na baka raw girlfriend ako ni Karina.

Shempre, tinanong ko kung gusto niya bang burahin nalang ‘yung post since pinapepyestahan na siya sa social medias but she remained firm sa decision niya. She doesn’t want to delete the photo raw.

“Why would I delete the photo? I just want them to know that I'm no longer available and that I have someone I absolutely love.”

Hay, ang yabang ko na naman niyan.

Seriously, hindi ko talaga magets kung bakit pa nila kailangan pumasok sa private life ni Karina. Wala naman na sa akin if malalaman ng mga tao since legal na kami both sides pero ang ayoko lang is they keep on sticking their nose in other people’s business. When Harry and Taylor dated nga dati, support lang ako sakanila kahit first love ko si Harry eh.

“Bes, pag-uusapan kayo!” Ning suddenly squealed kaya nagulat kaming tatlo sakanya. Huminga nalang ako ng malalim at hinintay ang sagot ni Karina. 

“What about it po?” Karina asked ng nakangiti pa rin. Yes naman, Kal. Akala mo talaga walang alam eh.

“There’s a rumor speculating that you’re dating the woman that you were with sa photo na pinost mo because of your caption. What’s your comment about it? Do you want to debunk this rumor?”

Karina chuckled then faced the audience, smiling. “Well, let’s just say that my heart is so happy because of that person.”

The audience gasped then puro flashes na ng camera yung nakita sa livestream. Mabubulag ‘yung bebe ko sa ginagawa niyo! Maraming reporters na ang mga nagtataas ng kamay, wanting to ask her about us. Hindi ko na alam irereact ko but I was just sitting on my sofa, fidgeting my fingers dahil hindi pa rin nagsisink in sa akin na she indirectly admitted na she’s dating me.

“Bakla ka, nilegal ka na sa buong Pinas!” Somi squealed. Natawa na ako sa sinabi niya and shook my head. 

“Winter, yung buhok mo paki-alis dahil natatapakan ko!”

“Chef, ang sarap mo naman!”

Oh my god, she really said it in front of national television. Ramdam na ramdam ko na masaya and proud siya sa relationship niya with me— to the point na hindi man lang niya ako dineny knowing na baka magkaproblema siya sa management nila. 

Just when I thought I couldn't love Karina more than I do now, she does it again. She continues to make me fall for her, and I'm here for it.

After the interview, the three proceeded to the dining hall to have their lunch. Ewan ko ba sakanila. Malayo ‘tong restaurant ko sa store ni Giselle pero mas dito nila pinili chumismis. 

My phone chimed just as I was going to put on my chef's jacket to return to the kitchen, and when I saw what the notification was about, my pulse started racing.

[11:57 AM] Jeno Lee: Winter, what the ?

[11:57 AM] Wonyoungie: Win, can we talk? Where are you?

[11:57 AM] Jaemin Na: Congrats, pup! (as a friend) I just watched the interview. U guys deserve each other! Buy my album though! Regards to Ning! Tell her I miss both of you, roommates!

Bakit naman nagsabay-sabay pa sila?

“So… uhm…” I pursed my lips while fidgeting my fingers under the table. Hindi rin ako makatingin ng diretso sa mga mata ng kaibigan ko na nakaupo sa harap ko. Ilang minuto na rin kaming nakaupo dito sa isang tagong restaurant malapit sa office niya pero wala ni isa sa amin ang nagsasalita. The atmosphere was thick, you can cut it with a knife. 

“Bakit mo gustong makipagkita?” tanong ko kay Wonyoung kahit na parang may idea naman ako kung bakit. Her bag is on the top of the table at kapansin-pansin din ang pagpayat ng  katawan niya but nonetheless, she still exudes elegance pero wala yung confident Wonyoung na nakasanayan ko. It’s been months since the last time that we talked and honestly, namiss ko siya.

“I’ve seen the news,” panimula niya and cleared . “So you're official na pala.”

Sabi na eh. 

I nodded and took a deep breath, “We are and we’re happy, Won. I hope you can support us. You’re my friend kaya mahalaga sa akin ang suporta mo,” I replied. “Karina is an amazing woman, Won. She takes care of me…”

Wonyoung just nodded then sipped her juice. Hindi ko alam ang iniisip niya dahil wala man lang siyang reaction sa sinabi ko. I don’t even know kung may patutunguhan ba ‘tong pag-uusap namin pero ng iniisip ko nalang is si Karina. Gusto ko siyang ipagmalaki kagaya ng ginagawa niya sa akin.

After a long silence, bigla siyang nagsalita. “Then, I’m happy for you. Congratulations, Win.”

I was taken aback sa sinabi niya. Well, I wasn't expecting na sasabihin niya ‘yon. To be honest, akala ko magtatalo pa ulit kami but it turns out—

“I came here to talk to you and well…” she cleared at iniwas ulit ang tingin sa akin at tumingin sa labas ng cafe. “Congratulate you. I guess she loves you that much, to the point that she’s willing to tell the world that you make her heart happy.”

Hindi ko na napigilan ang sarili ko na mapangiti. I reached for her hands on top of table na medyo kinabigla niya. She stared at it for a moment then finally, she looked me straight in the eyes.

“I’m happy to hear that, Won. Thank you, sobra… You don’t know kung gaano mo ako ngayon napapasaya,” I chuckled and caressed the back of her hands with my fingers.

She sighed again, then rolled her eyes with a smile forming on her lips.

“Pasalamat ka hindi kita matiis—”

I gasped, cutting her off. “Hindi mo pa ako natiis sa lagay na ‘yon? It's been months! Hindi mo ako kinausap ng ilang months!” 

She giggled saka binawi ang kamay niya para hampasin ako sa braso. “I tried to move on kasi.”

My smile dropped and worriedly looked at her. “Won naman…” 

“I’m kidding!” she chuckled then sipped her juice again before speaking. “No, but seriously… been thinking about a lot of stuff. I know I was unfair with how I reacted that day— when Karina told me you guys were dating. I’m sorry, I was just shocked kasi sa ilang years that I've known you, I know you're not into girls then suddenly, malalaman ko nalang na you’re dating Karina. So ayun… Sorry, Win.”

“Oh my god, hindi bagay sa’yo, Won!” I teased para gumaan naman yung atmosphere. Hindi kasi talaga ako sanay sa ganitong confrontations and conversation. 

“See, you don’t even care!” she whined at hinampas na naman ang braso ko. Parehas na kami natawa and looked at each other fondly. I reached for her hands again at hinawakan ito.

“I care, sobra. You know me, alam mo namang hindi ako sanay sa ganito but one thing’s for sure. I’m happy because we're okay na. Let’s not fight anymore, okay?”

“Stop being sweet! Nagmomove on na nga ako eh!”

“... tapos ayun, hinatid ko na siya sa office nila after tapos bumalik na ulit ako sa resto,” saad ko nang matapos ko ikwento kina Ning yung nangyari sa conversation namin ni Wonyoung.

“Direk oh, may kinikita pa after mo siya i-girlfriend reveal!” pang-aasar ni Ning kaya naman natawa yung dalawa habang sinipa ko naman ang paa niya sa ilalim ng lamesa.

“Aray ko! Direk oh!”

“Sumbong ka ng sumbong! Iluwa mo ‘yang kinakain mo! Niluto ko ‘yan!”

“Stop fighting, you guys. Para kayong mga bata. We’re eating diba?,” saway ni Giselle at nagpatuloy sa pagkain. I glared at Ning again bago tignan si Karina na kanina pa hindi nagsasalita.

“You okay?” I asked worriedly. “Kanina ka pa tahimik.”

“Galit ‘yan sa’yo dahil nakikipagkita ka pa sa ibang babae!” sulsol ni Ning. Kanina pa ako nagtitimpi dito sa best friend ko. Kung hindi ko lang ‘yan mahal, baka pinangsahog ko na siya.

“Yes, I’m okay,” she answered then chuckled at Ning’s statement. “I'm a bit tired lang but I’m all good. It’s nice that you two actually talked na. I’ll talk to Jeno nalang, Kali. Don’t worry about him,” she added and held my hand under the table.

“Sure ka? I can talk to him naman…”

“Eh kung parehas niyo nalang kausapin? Magtatalo pa kayo eh.”

“Isa pa Ning, makakatikim ka na sa akin,” pagbabanta ko. She grimaced at biglang tinakpan ang katawan niya gamit ang dalawang kamay.

“Teh, excuse me, hindi kita type!”

They burst into fit of laughter saka hinampas ni Giselle ang katabi. “Makahampas naman ‘to! Masakit, Gigi! Hilig mo talaga ako saktan!” pagmamaktol ni Ning. I furrowed my eyebrows dahil sa narinig. Kailan ba siya sinaktan ni Giselle? Eh si Ning lang naman mapanakit dito sa bahay.

“Anyway…” Karina cleared kaya napatingin ulit ako sakanya. “If you want to talk to him na ikaw lang, go lang but I think it’s better kung kasama mo ako. I’m just worried, Kal…” she added as she caressed my arm.

I smiled and gently shook my head then I rested my hand over hers. “Okay lang, Kal. Jeno’s my friend naman. I’m pretty sure he’s confused at the moment. Don’t worry, okay?”

Karina sighed saka tumango. “Okay… if that’s what you want.”

We were still having our little moment when suddenly, we heard someone clear their throat at doon pa lang, alam kong magpupunch line na naman ang magaling kong best friend.

“Nabibilaukan na ‘yung mga tao dito oh.”

Karina giggled at napailing nalang. Huminga ako ng malalim, trying my best na huwag itapon ang plato sa kaibigan ko. Kahit kailan talaga may nasasabi si Ning. 

“Enough with that. I have an important announcement pala guys,” Gigi uttered, gaining our attention.

“What is it? Is it about yo