Summary: It’s Winter’s turn to pick a movie.

 

Karina

 

I came home from work with a heavy feeling.

 

I had a bad hunch about this.

 

Bagsak ang balikat kong pumasok sa loob ng bahay. Naabutan ko na si Winter sa living room namin, casually fixing the couch, organizing the throw pillows, and setting up the coffee table and TV.

 

Meron na rin siyang hinahandang mga snacks.

 

Of course, she wouldn't miss this.

 

She would make sure she’d close shop early and be fully present for this evening.

 

It’s our Monday movie date night.

 

As a way to relax after a hard Monday work day, we would always make ourselves available for this quality time together.

 

It’s Winter’s turn to pick the movie after all kaya naman her excitement skyrocketed.

 

Nilapitan ko siya habang nakaupo sa couch at busy sa mga inaayos sa ibabaw ng table. I held her chin up and gave her a kiss on her forehead, “Hon.”

 

“Oh babe, kumain ka na ba? Kain muna tayo?” Kinuha ni Winter yung bag ko at pinatong sa lamesa.

 

Narinig ko naman ang mga maliliit na paa ng mga fur babies namin na nag-uunahan sa stairs para salubungin ako. I crouched down to greet them.

 

I side-eyed Winter, nakatingin siya sa akin na parang inaaral ang expressions ko.

 

I just knew she already sensed something.

 

It’s true, I was feeling gloomy.

 

I needed to let this out.

 

I inhaled and said the line na matagal kong pinag-isipan earlier sa car, “Sest, medyo masakit ulo ko… pass tonight?”

 

I felt bad nung biglang naging disappointed yung itsura ni Winter.

 

Gusto ko bigla bawiin yung sinabi ko pero I decided against it.

 

I was firm on my decision.

 

I didn’t want to do this date tonight.

 

Lumapit sa akin si Winter, looking concerned, she felt up my neck and forehead.

 

Nung naramdaman niya na my temp was normal, she slightly frowned. “Baka napagod ka lang… meron akong efficascent oil, magbihis ka muna, hilutin natin yan maya.”

 

When I heard the word ‘hilutin’, I almost gave in right there and then to her.

 

From not knowing how to do it before, Winter improved and got really good at giving massages.

 

It easily became a favorite activity of mine… among other things.

 

Just the thought of her firm hands… scratch, mas nangingibabaw pa rin yung drive ko na hindi matuloy ang date tonight.

 

“Sest, dali na. Oh gusto mo ako pa maghubad sa’yo?” Winter urged me in a hurried tone.

 

I tried to lure her in. I bit my lip. With a suggestive tone I said, “Dun mo na lang kaya ako hilutin sa kama?”

 

Natigilan saglit si Winter habang nakatingin lang sa akin.

 

I could see the wheels turning on her head.

 

Please agree, please agree, please agree.

 

Tumingin si Winter longingly sa TV namin and said, “Dito na lang sa couch, babe. Wait kita.”

 

I internally groaned.

 

Mukhang I will have a hard time escaping our date tonight.

 

Pumasok na ko sa kwarto namin para magbihis.

 

I still couldn’t shake what Ningning said to me in the office kanina and what I found out.

 

“Rina, uwi ka ngayon ng maaga?” Tanong ni Ningning while busily typing away on her laptop.

 

I sipped coffee from my mug, thinking of my wife who’s probably already at home just waiting for me. “Yup. Date night. Alam mo naman yung isa.”

 

I chuckled.

 

Ningning playfully rolled her eyes. “Kaya pala chat ng chat, ano daw magandang movie na panuorin. Yung exciting daw.”

 

I stood firmer in place. Naibaba ko yung mug na iniinom ko.

 

Bigla akong kinabahan.

 

Winter asked for a movie recommendation from Ningning?

 

No, no, no, baby, not from Ningning.

 

“A-anong sabi mo?” I hesitantly asked.

 

Ningning laughed. “Ay, pwede ba sabihin? Hindi ba surprise yun?”

 

Usually, we don’t ask ni Winter what movie we will watch, we just put whatever we picked but I had to know the one for tonight.

 

“No, it’s fine. What did you recommend?” I asked again.

 

Ningning regarded me carefully. “Maria Leonora Teresa, bes. Yung manikang mamamatay tao. Ready ka na ba? Medyo funny rin naman yun, don’t worry.”

 

Nag-register lang sa utak ko ang keywords na “manika” at “mamamatay tao”.

 

You see, I never overcame my fear of horror movies.

 

Akala ko mawawala as time passed and I became an adult.

 

But, surprise.

 

I’m still a chicken.

 

Lalo na the one… starring dolls.

 

I enjoyed playing them as a kid but as I was sure I didn’t enjoy watching them turning violent and killing people.

 

I barely survived watching Child’s play.

 

I was scared as hell at first watching the movie, “The Boy” - about a doll again, but it went okay with the funny plot twist.

 

I hated Annabelle with my whole heart.

 

Now, another one….

 

Manika daw.

 

Mamamatay tao.

 

Who was it again?

 

Maria and Leonor something… and another name.

 

Oh my God, ang dami nila.

 

I had to do evasive action.

 

I decided then that I didn't want to do this date tonight.

 

Nung nakalabas na ako ng kwarto wearing only a shirt and a pajama bottom, Winter’s face lightened up and immediately patted the space beside her on the couch in front of our TV.

 

I slowly made my way to her, debating with myself on the inside.

 

“Masakit pa?” Winter asked.

 

I looked at her confused.

 

Then I remembered my alibi kanina.

 

 

She was inquiring about my headache.

 

I nodded, not looking at her directly.

 

Naupo ako sa tabi niya sa couch.

 

She then patted her lap and motioned for me to lay down.

 

So I did.

 

Nakatingin lang ako sa mukha ni Winter habang nakahiga sa lap niya ngayon, waiting for whatever she’s gonna do.

 

She poured some oil on her palm and rubbed both of her hands.

 

My heart warmed at the sight, almost forgetting about the whole horror movie thing.

 

Just looking at her face always calms me down.

 

“San banda masakit?” Tanong niya ulit.

 

I quickly pointed to my lips and gave her a wink.

 

Winter snickered.

 

She started softly massaging both my temples with her index finger.

 

Napapikit agad ako on how good it felt even if I really didn’t have a headache.

 

I could feel Winter’s breath near mine as she spoke. “Nagpapaka-stress ka na naman kasi… busy na naman ba sa office?”

 

I wanted to reply that I was stressed about the Maria and Leonor dolls but I just nodded at her question.

 

Napapikit ulit ako when I felt her thumbs doing circular motions on my forehead. “Sest naman… easy lang kasi. Baka mapromote ka agad na CEO niyan.”

 

I just hummed my response, enjoying the feel of her fingers.

 

After a while, I felt her soft lips on mine.

 

My eyes slightly opened and saw Winter was looking down at me with this cute dimpled smile.

 

My arms automatically looped around her neck and pulled her hard to my body as I dove in for a deeper kiss.

 

Our tongues met.

 

She indulged in kissing me for a few seconds pero kumalas din agad.

 

She her lips. “Babe,