Summary: “Oops, I did it again.” - Winter Spears

Karina

Winter did it again.

Hindi pa ako gaanong makapag-isip ng maayos.

I just focused on driving to the shop while my heart was racing.

Kanina nagtext sa akin si Winter ng 7pm, saying she would be working late again in the shop. It would take her at least 30 minutes to one hour to finish.

I understood kasi sometimes she liked staying in the shop to work, her reason being ayaw na daw niya ipagpabukas kung ano man yung tinatapos niya.

When that happens, I go about my own business at home - playing with our pets, watching from the living room TV, sometimes cooking dinner for Winter if di pa siya kumain, or washing up while waiting for her to come home.

Tonight, it was already 9:30pm at hindi pa rin siya umuuwi sa bahay.

I was already a little worried so I called her.

When there was no response, I sent her a quick message.

Karina: Hon, san ka na? Sunduin ba kita?

Nagreply naman siya agad.

Winter Aunor: No need. Pauwi na babe

I felt relieved with her answer and decided to just wash up myself and get ready to welcome her home later.

Bago pa man ako makapasok sa banyo, I received another message… and this time, it was not from Winter.

It was from Yujin, yung 2nd cousin ni Winter na trainee niya din sa shop.

Yujin: te rina

Yujin: te rina wag mo sasabihin ako nagsabi ha

Yujin: pabalik kami ni ate winter ngayon sa shop galing ER

Yujin: napaso siya dun sa machine

Yujin: te rina wag mo sasabihin ako ang nagsabi ha please huhu

Yujin: ok naman na sya wag ka magalala ha

Yujin: kaso ayaw lang pasabi sayo talaga e

When I read the messages from Yujin, dun lang ulit ako nakaramdam ng sobra.

Halo halong emosyon na hindi ko maintindihan.

I knew it was a shock at first and a deep worry, dread even, for my wife.

There was also anger.

I didn’t even think anymore and I just took my keys and quickly drove to the shop.

While driving, I talked myself out of worrying so much.

Pero hindi pa rin mawala yung sobrang kaba ko.

Sabi naman ni Yujin okay na si Winter diba?

Sabi niya wag na daw ako mag-alala?

She said pabalik na sila sa shop?

Right?

I stepped on the gas a little harder para mas mapabilis ang takbo ng sasakyan.

I needed to see her now.

From the outside of the glass windows ng Happy Couple House shop, I saw Winter na nakaupo dun main floor kasama yung mga staff niya.

Si Yong, si Ten, saka si Yujin.

She looked fine and appeared to be having a casual conversation with them.

I noticed the bandage from her left hand.

When they noticed me come in, lahat sila biglang natahimik mula sa pag-uusap.

I saw the shock from Winter’s face when her eyes landed on mine and she looked left and right to the people who’s with her na umiwas din naman ng tingin sa kanya.

“Babe…” Mahinang bati ni Winter sa akin, clearly not expecting me here.

My eyes darted to her bandage at napatingin din siya dun.

“Ah babe… tumama lang dun sa sander. Maliit lang, okay naman na.” She defensively explained even if I wasn’t asking.

I looked straight to her eyes pero nag-iwas agad siya ng tingin.

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