“Ma’am, diba kayo rin ‘yung pasahero ko dati? Dito ko rin kayo binaba.”

 

Napatingin si Karina sa angkas rider niya. Oo nga noh. “Buti naman hindi ka na parang natatae kung magpatakbo ng motor, kuya!” Nagpagpag siya ng pants saglit at binayaran na ‘yung driver.

 

Parang deja vu lang ito nung unang nagpunta siya dito.

 

Medyo kabado pa siya dahil the last time that she was here, sobrang intense ng eksena nila ni Winter sa may backyard.

 

Binuksan na ni Jackson ang maliit na gate bago pa makapag doorbell si Karina. “Kagulat naman ‘to..” Bulong niya. “How did you know I was here?” Wala ang usual ngiti ni Jackson sa kanya. Hala, baka nagtatampo ‘to sakin ah...

 

“I heard the familiar sound of the motorcycle. You’re the only one who goes here riding Angkas,” seryosong sagot nito. “Come in. Did you have an appointment? Why are you here?”

 

Naalala ni Karina ‘yung Korean term para don. Natawa siya at nginitian si Jackson, “Nuguseyo?” Kaso mukhang hindi nakikipagbiruan ang bodyguard ni Winter. “I thought I don’t need an appointment to go here?”

 

“Well, you already left us, so now you need to have an appointment.”

 

Okay, nagtatampo nga siya. “I’m going ask them about Chenle, okay? Here, I brought your favorite grilled chops that you like. Don’t be tampo na.” Inabot niya dito ‘yung bento box.

 

Ayaw pang tanggapin ni Jackson nung una, kaya medyo ibinukas ni Karina ‘yung takip kapa nangamoy ‘yung porkchop. Hindi na nakatiis pa ang bodyguard, “Fine. Thanks. I’ll be at the back. We just got home, so Miss Winter’s probably still in the living area.”

 

Naalala niyang nabanggit nga pala ni Minju na dadalaw sa sementeryo ‘yung magkapatid. Nakaramdam nanaman si Karina ng lungkot dahil dito.

 

She gently opened the door without making any sounds.

 

Nakita niya kaagad si Winter na nakaupo sa harap ng grand piano at tumutugtog. Nakatalikod ito from the main door. She’s wearing white, kaya inisip ni Karina na dito siya dumerecho pagkauwi at hindi muna nagbihis.

 

Baka ganon ang musicians, kapag full of emotions, dinadaan sa music ang feelings...

 

Ang galing ni Winter mag-piano, wari ni Karina. Akala niya instrumental lang ang tinutugtog nito until the idol started singing.

 

And I'd give up forever to touch you

'Cause I know that you feel me somehow

You're the closest to heaven that I'll ever be

And I don't want to go home right now

 

Quota na talaga si Karina sa pag-iyak. Winter just sounds so raw.. and so pure. At damang dama niya ‘yung pain sa boses nito. Sobrang fitting pa nung kanta.

 

And all I can taste is this moment

And all I can breathe is your life

And sooner or later, it's over

I just don't wanna miss you tonight

 

She found herself being stuck on her spot and captivated by the singer. Grabe lang ‘yung emotions niya sa pagkanta...

 

Iba pa rin talaga kapag naririnig ng live.

 

And I don't want the world to see me

'Cause I don't think that they'd understand

When everything's made to be broken

I just want you to know who I am

 

Masyadong natulala si Karina kaya hindi na niya namalayan na nahulog ‘yung dala niyang pagkain para dito sa bahay. Winter immediately turned her head around to look at nagkatinginan silang dalawa.

 

“Uhm— Sorry. Kakarating ko lang. Oo, kakarating ko lang,” Karina rambled. “Wala akong narinig, bingi ako.”

 

“Karina,” tumayo si Winter.

 

Gusto sanang paupuin ni Karina ulit ang singer para ituloy ‘yung kanta, kaso parang ang weird naman kung gagawin niya ‘yon eh ‘yung huli nilang pagkikita, halos supalpalin niya ‘yung singer sa mukha.

 

She acted cool, kunwari okay lang siya at hindi napagalitan ni Tiffany kahapon. “I was asked to come here para mag-ask about Chenle’s performance. I— Uhm, brought food, too. From KarNing.”

 

Tumango lang si Winter, parang siya pa nga ang nahihiya kay Karina. Jusko. “I’ll go get Giselle from upstairs, then. You can talk to her about it.”

 

“Pwedeng sumama ka rin. Since ikaw naman talaga ‘yung boss..”

 

Pansin niyang nag-alanganin si Winter. “Are you sure?” Tanong pa nito. “It’s okay kahit si Giselle na lang. She knows everything naman. I.. Uhh, don’t want to make you feel uncomfortable or anything.”

 

“Ayokong makita ka, at mas lalong ayokong makatrabaho ka.”

 

“You shouldn’t, uhm.. adjust for me. Promise, work-related talk na lang from now on. No more talking about the past.”

 

Ito na siguro ang pinaka-kalmadong usap nilang dalawa ni Minjeong. Walang mga pasaring na kung ano-ano. Big help din ‘yung nalaman niya about sa parents ni Winter...

 

Pati na rin ang input ng papa niya sa pag-uusap nila kahapon.

 

However, hindi naman siya magso-sorry sa mga nasabi niya last week sa k-pop idol. It helped her as well na ma-relieve ang kanyang stress at mga dinadala. She’s not going to say sorry for expressing her feelings.

 

It was just really... unprofessional.

 

“Okay, sige. Have a seat. Feel at home.” They gave each other a not-so-friendly smile, ‘yung saktong ngiti lang. Medyo naiilang pa rin sila sa isa’t isa.

 

Karina started humming the song that Winter was playing earlier. Isa kasi sa mga pabirito niyang kanta ‘yung Iris ng Goo Goo Dolls, and Winter sang it beautifully kaya nag-stay sa utak niya.

 

She saw them walking down the stairs. Natuwa pa siya dahil nakita na ulit niya si Giselle.

 

“Gemm—“

 

“Miss Karina, hello. To what do owe the pleasure?” Hala, pati ba naman ‘to parang nagtatampo sa akin! Ang obvious rin ng paniniko ni Winter sa manager niya, pero hindi ito pinapansin ni Giselle.

 

She politely smiled, “Miss Tiffany asked me to come here and ask you kung kamusta ang performance ni Chenle dito sa bahay. If his food and cooking is okay.”

 

“And you want our honest opinion?”

 

“Hindi, gusto ko eme eme lang,” pabiro niyang sagot. Natakot siya bigla sa pagtaas ng kilay ni Gemmalyn, “Ay! Ibig kong sabihin, oo, ‘yung honest sana. ‘Yung tipong mahihiya sayo si Honesto.“

 

Kita niya ang pagpipigil ng tawa ni Winter sa tabi ng manager.

 

“Okay then...” Giselle began, “His food ! Yours was much better. Kaso you left us here nang basta-basta! And quite frankly, I’m disappointed, Miss Karina. Sabi ko pa man din magkakasama tayo nang matagal. I guess I was wrong.”

 

Napapalunok na lang si Karina. Mauubusan na siya ng laway.

 

Winter interrupted, “Giselle ano ba..” Mahinang sabi nito sa manager na narinig pa rin naman ng Karina. “Karina, Chenle’s performance is okay. His food is tolerable. Don’t worry.”

 

“Oh, please, Winter! Hindi ka kumain kagabi because he forgot to season the meat! Lagi siyang kinakabahan sa presence mo that he forgets he can cook,” Giselle exclaimed honestly.

 

“He’s not that he’s bad, Jopay.” Natuwa si Karina sa nickname. “He’s just always nervous all the time especially when Winter makes eye contact with him! At least ‘yung food mo, kapag walang lasa, sinasadya mo!”

 

‘Pag nalaman ‘to ni Tiffany, lahat sila malilintikan. Grabe pala mamrangka itong manager ni Winter.

 

Kumalma na si Gemma kahit papano, “Miss Karina, it’s either babalik ka dito, or we’ll look for another resto to work with. Ayoko naman ‘yung nagbabayad kami, but the food being served to us is mediocre.”

 

“Giselle! Ang OA mo. Okay naman eh,” pagpupumilit ni Winter. “’Wag kang makinig diyan, nagmamasungit lang kasi may regla.” She can easily tell na nasasabi lang ito ni Winter dahil ayaw niyang mapilitan si Karina na bumalik dito.

 

“Tigilan mo ako, Win. Masyado ka kasing soft diyan kay Karina.” Ano kayang nakain ni Giselle today at parang ang init ng ulo? Tsaka anong..soft? “Settle whatever you two got going on. I need your food back, Jopay!”

 

Nagkakatinginan na lang sila ni Winter na parang dalawang bata na pinapagalitan ng mga magulang. “You can say no. I promise,” the idol assured.

 

“I know. But Giselle’s right. We need to do our job right sa inyo..”

 

Surprisingly, Winter’s presence doesn’t ick her anymore.

 

Siguro nga, talagang nabawasan ‘yung galit niya sa nalaman tungkol sa parents nito. Hindi niya alam ‘yung buong nangyari, pero naiisip na niya kaagad kung gaano kahirap kay Winter ang pagkawala ng parents niya.

 

It just made her feel sympathetic.

 

“..” Giselle suddenly expressed habang nakatingin sa phone.

 

“Win, someone saw you sa cemetery kanina. You were photographed. People are speculating kung sinong dinalaw mo. Some comments are freaking ridiculous! Dinalaw mo raw ang sugar daddy mo!”

 

Nag-react agad si Karina, “Should I leave? Baka personal matters. Babalik na lang ako tomorrow...”

 

“No, it’s okay. Stay.” Winter demanded.

 

Stay.

 

Ganito ba ang feeling maging.. aso?

 

Kalmado lang si Winter, much to Giselle’s surprise.

 

“I’ll make a statement about it. It’s probably time they know about my parents. I’ve seen people say stupid things like tinakwil daw ako, or inabanduna..” The idol shook her head. “Contact Zach Sang. Kahit video call interview lang.”

 

Palipat-lipat lang ang tingin ni Karina dun sa dalawa. Wala naman siyang alam sa mga ganitong bagay, but it seems like Winter wants to finally give a statement about this part of her personal life.

 

Siguro big deal sa k-pop scene ‘yung mga ganitong revelations...

 

Giselle could just simply look at Winter with hesitancy, “Are you sure about this? I’ll contact Mr. Lee first, okay? I’ll be right back.”

 

Sila na lang ulit ni Winter ang natira dito sa baba.

 

Ang awkward.

 

Hindi niya alam kung tatanungin ba niya si Winter regarding her parents, or mananahimik na lang siya. Kasi obviously, wala naman silang ibang pag-uusapan.

 

Alangan namang biglang sumbatan nanaman ni Karina si Winter sa mga pangyayari before?! May konting pride pa rin naman siya after ng mga nasabi niya last week. Ayaw niyang magmukha siyang ex-MU na hindi maka-move on.

 

At isa pa...

 

She stopped questioning herself a long time ago kung kasalanan ba niya na iniwan siya ni Winter. She knew better than to blame herself, and she took pride of the fact na hindi siya naging “kawawa”.

 

Talagang nagsunod-sunod lang ang mga alalang dala ng nakaraan last two weeks ago.

 

“Uhm—”

 

“Uhm—”

 

They both chuckled awkwardly.

 

“Ikaw muna,” paubaya ni Karina.

 

“Are you really coming back? If it’s because of Giselle’s nagging, please don’t listen to her. Nami-miss ka lang non. Nami-miss ‘yung pang-iinis mo sakin,” she said it so lightly that Karina couldn’t help but laugh a bit.

 

Umiling siya, “Oo babalik ako. Willingly, this time. Ayoko rin masira ‘yung name ng resto.” Sa sobrang tahimik, narinig na niyang kumulo ang tiyan ni Winter. “Kumain ka muna. I brought food,” inabutan niya ito ng dala niya.

 

Kunwari hindi lumaki ang ulo niya nang ma-excite si Winter dun sa food. Pwede na akong maging anak ni Chef Boy Logro sa galing kong magluto. Ping ping ping!

 

“Thanks. Na-miss ko ‘to.”

 

“Ha?”

 

“’Yung food.. Nakaka-miss. Giselle was right, Chenle just kept on messing up. Minsan secretly umo-order na lang ako ng McDo, which is very unhealthy,” Winter confessed. “’Wag kang maingay kay Giselle.”

 

Karina promised by nodding. She eyed the grand piano, napansin siguro ni Winter habang kumakain ito. “You can play something.”

 

Sino nga naman ba ang mag-aakala na last week, grabeng pagbunganga ang inabot ni Winter sa kanya. Tapos ngayon, casually na lang siyang pinapahiram nito ng grand piano.

 

The duality.

 

Syempre, bilang pasikat si Karina at hindi nagpapatalo, hindi siya tumanggi. She sat in front of the musical instrument at dinama muna ang piano keys na parang ang galing-galing niya. Pero ang totoo, isang piece lang ang alam niya.

 

She started playing ‘River Flows in You’ by Yiruma.

 

Parang hangang-hanga naman si Winter sa kanya habang tumutugtog siya. “River Flows in You yan, right? One of my favorites from Yiruma. You’re good..”

 

Umiling naman kaagad si Karina, nakakunot pa ang noo, “Hindi ito ‘yon. Alaala Nalang title nito by Hambog ng Sagpro Krew..” Patuloy ang pagtugtog niya, mukhang na-confuse si Winter kaya kinanta ni Karina...

 

Iniisip ko kung bakit ganito ang langit

Nilayo ako sayo

Hindi ko matanggap, mahirap magpanggap

Na ako’y hindi bigo

 

Hindi na kinaya ni Karina kaya natawa na lang siya at hindi na nakapagpatuloy pa sa pagtugtog.

 

Baka nga tama si Ning, baka clown talaga ako.

 

“I’m home!” Na-interrupt ni Kazuha ang pagtatawanan ni Karina at Winter. “Oh, hey Karina! We missed you girl!” She waved back at the actress.

 

Nakasunod lang ang tingin niya dito hanggang sa pagderecho niya kay Winter para.. humalik nanaman sa pisngi ng singer, “Missed me? What’s that? Subuan mo ‘ko. I haven’t eaten yet.”

 

“May extra diyan sa paperbag, you can get your own meal,” mabait na offer ni Karina. Aagawan pa ‘yung isa, gutom na gutom na nga.

 

“Oh, okay. Thank you.”

 

Bumaba na rin si Giselle from upstairs. Parang hapong-hapo pa ito, “Win, you got the go signal from Mr. Lee. Okay na PR daw yan since your tour is about to start. And don’t worry, I told him off. Sabi ko you’re doing this for yourself and not for any promotion whatsoever.”

 

“What about ‘yung kay Zach Sang?”

 

Proud na ngumiti si Giselle, “He’ll gladly do it daw. He said thanks for trusting him and doing it exclusively on his show.”

 

“Can’t trust the k-media sa ganito. They’ll probably do a written interview and twist my word in every possible way. Okay na ‘yung kay Zach. He’s a good man.”

 

Medyo out of place na si Karina dito kaya feeling niya ay kailangan niya nang umalis. She doesn’t want to intrude sa mga ganitong bagay at pag-uusap.

 

Isa pa, naaasiwa na siya kay Kazuha.

 

She saw Giselle making more phone calls at si Kazuha naman ay busy sa pagkain at pagharot kay Winter. Karina got up silently from her seat at nagpaalam na kay