“What the hell was that all about back there, Ryujin?! Why would you say those things about Winter?” I yelled, my voice shaking with anger.

I couldn't believe she'd say such hateful things about Winter in front of our friends. I had been trying to keep it together at the party, but now that we were alone, I’m ready to confront her about it. Hindi ako makapagsalita sa naririnig ko earlier when I know I should have. It was not fair to speak ill about my relationship with Winter, especially because I valued Winter and our relationship.

“Karina, I just want to protect you. Sinaktan ka niya ng sobr—”

“Protect me? You don’t even know Winter like I do! That's not for you to decide,” I shot back, cutting her off. “You don't know anything about our relationship and you don’t have the right to judge Winter like that. You're just stepping overstepping the line at this point.”

Ryujin sighed and looked away. “Alam ko and I’m sorry, I just care about you so much. I don't want to see you get hurt again. Alam mo naman ‘yan diba? I’m just trying to look out for you.”

“I can take care of myself!” I snapped. “I don't need you to protect me or judge my relationships. That's not your place! Winter and I are no longer together, but that doesn't mean you can go around saying whatever you want kahit na sinaktan niya pa ako. You have no right to judge her. Stay out of my relationship with Winter,” I added, feeling my frustration grow. I couldn't let anyone talk about my past relationship with Winter without my permission, no matter how well-intentioned they were.

Ryujin looked down, seemingly ashamed. She sighed for the nth time and ran her hand over her face out of frustration.

“I'm just trying to help you,” Ryujin insisted.

“You're not helping,” I retorted. “You're just making things worse. You have no right to talk about Winter like that. We both know how much I love her!”

Ryujin seemed to be taken aback by what I said but I don’t really care now. Sobra ang galit na nararamdaman ko to even analyze the things that I’m saying.

“You're right, I shouldn't have said those things. I'm sorry, I’m under the influence and I didn’t mean to upset you.”

“That’s not an excuse. Did you see kung gaano nasaktan si Winter sa sinabi mo? Ryujin, we’re trying to be civil!”

“I’m sorr—”

“You shouldn’t apologize to me. We both know kung sino ang nasaktan mo with your words.”

Ryujin opened to reply, but I held up my hand to stop her. “I don't want to hear it. You've crossed a line, and I don't want to talk about this anymore. I’m going home.”

With that, I my heel and walked away, feeling hurt and frustrated. As I walked to my car, I couldn't help but feel a sense of disappointment. I thought Ryujin understood me better than anyone else, but now I wasn't so sure. I just need to figure out what I'm going to do about Winter and Ning. Ning seemed to be on the verge of beating Ryujin kanina right after mag walk-out ni Winter.

“See, ngayon ‘yung best friend ko pa ‘yung wala dito sa party ko!” Ning yelled and that's when I got pulled out of my senses. I blinked a few times then looked at Ning who was literally glaring at the three of us.

“Nin—”

“Ngayon magsasalita ka, Karina? Wag na, tumahimik ka nalang!”

I bit my lower lip from the embarrassment. I felt guilty because wala man lang akong nasabi habang nag-aaway sila kanina. 

“I'm sorry…” I muttered, my voice barely above a whisper. I clenched my fist at inalis ang pagkaka akbay ni Ryujin sa akin. 

“Ning calm down,” Gigi tried na awatin si Ning by holding her arms but tinaggal agad ni Ning ang pagkakahawak sakanya.

“Ryujin, pasalamat ka nandito pa si Winter kanina pero gusto mo ng realtalk? Wala ka namang bilang dito eh. Sa aming lahat, kayo lang naman ‘yung walang alam sa relationship nila Winter. Kami nga na nawitness yung simula until the end ng relationship nila, walang kinampihan tapos ikaw na naging kaibigan lang naman namin dahil hinire ka ni Karina as Kat’s babysitter pa yung maraming sinasabi? Alam mo, tangina mo.” She pointed at Ryujin, her voice was firm. “Tangina niyo. Ang babastos niyong lahat. This party is over.”

Ning then exited the room, leaving the five of us in our seats. The atmosphere was tense, and none of us wanted to speak after Ning lashed out.

God, why is everything getting worse?

The morning after the party, I saw Ning in the dining area, sipping her coffee habang may pinapanood or binabasa sa laptop niya. I immediately felt embarrassed because of what happened last night and I’m pretty sure Ning is still mad at Ryujin.

I took all my courage and walked towards her. I can’t explain it but I’m actually terrified of Ning because this is my first time seeing her this mad. Well, I know how much she cares about her best friend so I know na valid lang ‘yung nararamdaman niya ngayon.

“Hey, Ning.”

She looked up and gave me a timid smile. “Hey.”

“Can we talk?”

“Uhh, sure. May coffee don, if you want.”

I tried to gauge the atmosphere. Hindi ko kasi alam how she’s gonna react and I don’t know if she’s mad at me too. But one thing’s for sure, it is very awkward. I can’t believe na I will feel awkward around Ning. She’s like a baby sister to me na kaya.

“No, it’s okay. I–I just want to talk to you about what happened last night,” I replied as I took a seat across from her. 

“Direk, ako, personally, offended ako sa ginawa ng Ryujin. Kaibigan natin siya. She was Kat’s babysitter and siya ‘yung tumulong sa atin noong walang magbabantay kay Kat, diba?” she asked, I nodded. 

“Thankful naman ako doon pero sana naman kung may issue siya kay Winter, sana kinausap niya nalang in private. Jusko, sa mismong celebration ko pa talaga?” she added, frustrated. 

“I know and I should’ve said something to stop her but it was too overwhelming for me. Don’t worry, I talked to Ryujin naman the same night. I was also pissed.”

Ning scoffed and shook her head, “Karina, kasi sa sinabi ni Ryujin, parang kasalanan ko pa na hindi ka umuuwi sa bahay mo dahil best friend ako ni Winter. You know I’m also here for you, diba? Hindi naman dahil si Winter ang kaibigan ko, sakanya ako kakampi. Ni hindi nga ako sumunod kay Winter nung lumipat siya kay Giselle because ayokong iwan ka dito. Wala nga akong kinampihan sainyo eh. Nakakasama lang ng loob. Parang ang sama-sama namin sa sinabi ni Ryujin.”

“I know that,” I let out a breath. “I didn’t say na ayokong umuwi dahil you’re here. Ryujin was just making assumptions and I think the alcohol got the best of her. I’m really sorry, Ning. It was never my intention to make you feel that way…” I reached for her hands on the table and caressed them.

“You know we’re a family, diba? I just didn’t want to go home kasi every time na nandito ako, I’m waiting for her to come home. Every corner of this house…” I swallowed the lump in my throat. “Reminds me of us and it hurts. That’s the only reason. I actually feel bad kasi ikaw lang yung naiwan dito sa house. I’m sorry.”

Ning just stared at me kaya hindi ko alam kung ano ang nararamdaman niya at that moment and I grew nervous each passing second but then, Ning pursed her lips and her gaze soften. She let out a breath then she put her right hand over my hands.

“Hindi naman ikaw ‘yung may kasalanan eh but I was disappointed na hindi ka man lang nagsalita nung nandoon pa si Winter but other than that, hindi naman ikaw yung bumastos sa party ko. Sorry din kung nasigawan kita kagabi. Alam mo namang may tama na ako eh mas nagalit lang ako lalo. Sana maintindihan mo.”

I felt a wave of relief wash over me and flashed her a smile.

“Of course, I totally understand. I was actually surprised na hindi ka nanakit,” I joked, trying to lighten up the atmosphere. She pouted at tinaggal ang kamay niya na hawak ko.

“Galit nalang pala ako.”

“I was kidding!” I chuckled. “But on a serious note, thank you for understanding.”

“Eme ka, Direk. Baka mamaya kapag hindi kita pinatawad, palayasin mo na ako eh,” she remarked. Okay, bati na talaga kami. She’s joking na ulit.

“Sorry ulit, Engineer.”

She suddenly came to a stop, and I felt alarmed when I noticed her eyes were teary. I widened my eyes and rushed to sit next to Ning.

“Huy, what’s wrong?”

“You just called me Engineer. Kinikilig ako. Direk naman, ‘wag kang ganyan aagawin kita kay Winter,” she whined which made me laugh so hard. Akala ko naman kung ano.

"Come here," I pulled her in for a tight hug, which she reciprocated. We stayed in that position until my phone rang. When I looked at the caller, I realized it was one of the teleserye's producers. I suddenly remembered that I had to go to work dahil may meeting kami today, but finally, a weight was lifted from my chest.

Now, all I have to worry about is Winter. How can I reach out to her?

“Ning.”

“Hmm?”

“Alam mo ba kung nasaan si Winter right now?”

Ning furrowed her eyebrows. “Ngayon?”

I nodded.

“Well, opening na ulit ng restaurant niya today. She planned this a week ago pa. Pupunta ako later. Are you coming?”

WINTER

I stood nervously in front of my staff, feeling a mix of happiness, gratitude, and a hin