Next chap's the last one.:) 

________________________________________________________

 

 

Ilang isaw pa ba ang kakainin o giliw ko
Ilang tanzan pa ba ang iipunin o giliw ko
Gagawin ko ang lahat pati ang thesis mo
Wag mo lang ipagkait ang hinahanap ko

I guess there really was no denying this time. Sa iilang araw na nakahalubilo namin si Winter, she proved us a few times how she was as a person. Kung ano siya outside her father's shadow, and not wearing the suffocating mask that she's forced to put on. I admit I judged her way too prematurely. Nag-rely ako sa surface knowledge ko tungkol sa kanya. But the more she opened up to me, it felt like I got to see her in a different light.

I feel like ang dami ko pang madidiscover tungkol sa kanya at hindi na ako makapaghintay to know everything about her. I'm not sure how I feel yet, but I know that I wanted to be her friend, to be there for her kung gusto niya ng kausap.

Laugh with her,

Get annoyed at her,

Or just simply exist... with her.

"Mga bes,"

At katulad ng nasa pabalik-balik kong panaginip, gusto ko sana na makita lagi ang maamo niyang ngiti, na tulad rin ngayon.

"The red lady in my dreams,"

At sana kung papalarin, sa susunod pang mga araw.

"It's Winter"

-

"Karina!"

Nagmamadali akong lumabas ng school gate dahil nasa labas na ang sundo ko. Agad kong nilingon kung sino man ang tumatawag sakin.

"Hey, Yeji"

"Hey" Reply niya, her arms on her knees, and obviously out of breath.

"Kanina pa kita tinatawag, ang bilis mong maglakad e"

"Sorry! May naghihintay kasi sakin sa labas"

"Ah okay, gusto ko lang sana ibigay 'to"

She handed me a chocolate and a cute Toothless stuffed toy.

"Thanks, Yeji" I smiled. But I was internally sighing.

"I know you've given me an answer already Karina, but I just wanted to shoot my final shot. I'm sorry if I'm annoying you already or boring you to death, pero gusto ko lang malaman kung hindi na ba magbabago ang isip mo?" She shyly asked while rubbing the back of her neck.

"Yeji, I'm sorry. But it's not going to change. I appreciate your effort but don't you think it's too late for this?" Nakarinig ako ng busina sa kabilang side ng P.Noval at nakita ko ang nakaparadang black Ford Everest sa harap ng Mcdo.

"I can wait"

"No, please don't. Wala na tayong chance, Yeji." I scrunched my forehead. Gusto kong ipakita sa kanya yung frustration ko out of all this.

"I'll get going. I hope you find someone worth it, Yej. But you know it's not going to be me...Sige alis na ko" I didn't give her a chance to reply at nagmadaling tumawid para sumakay sa sasakyan. Sa totoo lang, ang awkward ng situation naming dalawa. Buti na lang talaga I'll be graduating in a few months.

"Sino yun?" Bungad ng nasa driver's seat.

"That was Yeji" Sa shotgun ako nakasakay. Sa likod namin si Ning. We're on our way pauwi ngayong hapon at dadaanan si Gi sa bahay nila. It's Friday at walang pasok yung isa, kaya dadaanan namin para mag-movie marathon sa bahay.

"Jowang hilaw yan ni Karina nung senior high, Winter. Di sila natuloy nung pumunta si Yeji sa Dubai to transfer. E bumalik si teh"

"Ah"

Ah, . Hindi ko pala nakwento sa kanya 'to.

"It's nothing, I told her to stop already at wala namang mangyayari"

"It’s fine, Rina. Are those from her?" She asked politely.

"Uh yeah, tinanggap ko na lang kasi para matapos na"

"Bakit naman si Light Fury?"

"Siya kasi si Toothless tapos si Yeji naman si Light Fury yung sa dragon chenes na movie"

Mamaya ka lang, Ning!

"Really now? Well I can see the resemblance niyo sa mga dragons" She joked. Tumatawa siya habang nagsimula nang magmaneho, napansin ko rin yung isang convoy sa likod namin.

Kunwari pa 'to.

Suyuin ko na lang mamaya pag wala na yung isang asungot.

It's been three months since we've parted ways with Smiles Foundation. After ng project namin with Winter sa Porac, the three of us decided na itigil na ang pagvovolunteer sa foundation bilang next year, magsisimula na ang laban namin bilang newbies sa workforce. Actually, it’s Gi and Ning that’s joining the workforce, whereas for me, pinag-iisipan ko pa kung sa Ateneo talaga ipagpapatuloy ang med.

Dahil doon, wala na kaming time by then na pwedeng mailaan sa mga week-long outreach programs sa kung saan man. However, ipagpapatuloy pa rin namin ang pagdalaw kung may time sa weekend, and of course, ang pag-donate sa abot ng aming makakaya. Overall, mamimiss ko ang mga tao sa foundation, lalo na ang mga natulungan namin. Balita ko na after ng last project, nag-donate ang pangulo ng mga laptop para sa local teachers doon at sinimulang ipatayo ang Visual Learning Centers na wala sa usapan namin.

I just heard from tita Eugene na si Winter ang nag-push para lang mapagawa ang mga 'yon.

My heart skipped a beat when I heard that, at bago ko pa nalaman yun, we were already hanging out.

I guess you could say we are exclusively dating now.

Yep.

You heard it, right.

Ganda ko lang 'no!

 

FLASHBACK

After a week ng mag-part ways kami, Winter called me dahil may gusto daw sabihin sa akin ang presidente and I could have Ning ang Gi join me. Muntik ko pang hindi sagutin dahil unknown number. Quotang-quota na ako sa blocked numbers galing Zimbabwe o kung saan pang lupalop ng daigdig 'yan. Nagduda pa ako sa sinabi niya dahil if it's an official meeting, si tita Eugene ang tatawag.

Nevertheless, being the dutiful citizen that I am, ay pumunta ako ng Malacanang ng alas dose ng tanghali. Pass muna 'yung dalawa kong kaibigan dahil may kanya-kanyang lakad.

Huwag daw akong masyadong kumain ng marami for breakfast sabi ni Winter. Mukhang may pa-buffet so sino ba naman ako para tumanggi. Hindi na sila sumama at magpapa-take out na lang daw kay tita ng pagkain. Sa Vikings nga bawal mag-take out, sa Malacañang pa kaya?

"Hey there" She greeted me sa isang open veranda, napapalibutan ng mga malalaking Narra at Balete ang garden na ito. Sa kanan ng veranda ay may malaking fountain na dinadaluyan ng tubig, sa likod naman nito ay entrance papunta sa isang study room, I could see from a here a huge book shelf na puno ng laman. Beside Winter was a dog, an american bully to. be exact. Halatang trained and well-socialized ang aso dahil hindi siya tumatahol sa akin at nakahiga lang ito ngayon. But Winter was still gripping on the leash just to be sure.

"Ang cute! Is this your dog?" Lapit ko sa kanya.

"Yeah, siya 'yung first dog," She chuckled, "His name is Augustus, but you can call him Gooey, mas malambing siya pag yan ang tawag sa kanya, right Gooey?" The dog's ear perked at tumayo ito mula sa pagkakahiga niya para magpalambing kay Winter. She started to pet him when she looked at me.

"You can pet him, too. Don't worry, he's trained at naaamoy naman niya if you smell of danger or not. Unless may binabalak ka saking masama, Miss Yu." Biro ni Winter.

"E kung sabihin kong may binabalak talaga ako sa'yo" Hamon ko sa kanya. Lumapit ako sa aso ng dahan-dahan.

"Gusto ko 'yun"

"Ha?" I got distracted dahil sa aso kaya hindi ko siya masyadong na-gets.

"Nothing"

"Hi, Gooey! It's nice to meet you." I gauged first kung pwede ko siyang hawakan, at when I started to pet him, bigla siyang tumihaya at naghanap ng belly rub, "Ang cute cute naman mo naman. Buti ka pa Gooey you're so adorable, unlike yung amo mo"

"Ouch" Winter expressed exaggeratedly na may paghawak sa dibdib.

We exchanged a few more banters, habang tino-tour niya ako sa lugar. There were some that were open for viewing and there were prohibited areas lalo na ang malapit sa presidential areas and private quarters. The Rizal Ceremonial Hall is the largest room in the palace and where different banquets are usually held. Sa TV ko lang 'to nakikita dati but its grandeur cannot be given justice sa TV alone. You really have to physically be here to appreciate yung fullness ng kagandahan ng palace na 'to.

Lastly, dinala niya ako sa isang dining room where several butlers and chefs were preparing lunch. The head chef, named Marco, was introduced by Winter. At matagal na daw itong nagtatrabaho for their family simula ng senador pa lang ang presidente.

We were seated and just awaiting the President and the First Lady. To say na sasabog na ang puso ko sa kaba was an understatement. The first time I met the president, para akong maiihi sa nerbyos. And now na kasama pa ang First Lady, who I heard from Winter was a very gentle and softspoken woman, para akong malalagutan ng hininga. Mas maganda siguro na ilagay na lang ako sa walk-in freezer nila dahil parehas lang din ang nararamdamang lamig ko sa katawan!

"Hey," Paghawak ni Winter sa kamay ko. Nasa tabi ko siya, looking amused, "Don't be scared, they don't bite"

"Syempre! Presidente yun ng Pilipinas, Winter! Tapos isasama pa niya yung First Lady!" Marahas kong bulong sa kanya.

"Yes, but at the same time, they are my parents. Promise, it's just going to be a casual lunch. They're very excited to meet you"

"Hindi nakakatulong!"

She laughed. Humarap siya sa akin at kinuha ang kamay ko and gently massaged it.

"How about now?" She looked at me with those hopeful eyes. I swear I could melt right then and there.

"A-ano, yeah, o-okay na...slight" Bakit ang init bigla? Iba ang pabago-bagong panahon sa Malacanang. Pneumonia ang aabutin ko dito.

"Slight lang?" Bakit ganon yung boses ni Winter, parang...

Parang gusto akong alagaan.

Ahh! Hindi ko kinakaya yung mga galawan niya ngayon.

"Ladies!"

Narinig ko ang familiar na boses ni tita Eugene at dali-dali kong binawi ang aking kamay habang napailing na lang si Winter while laughing.

Tumayo kami at binati ang mga dumating. I was about to shake their hands ng bigla akong niyakap ng mga magulang niya.

"Hija, don't be too formal with us, I think we're way past that, don't you think?" Sabi ni President Kim na may maaliwalas na ngiti.

"Hello Karina, Welcome to the palace. I've heard so many great things about you." I was about to extend my arms to shake her hand, pero laking gulat ko ng niyakap ako ni madam First Lady!

"Pleasure's all mine po, madam. It's an honor to see you in the flesh. Ang ganda niyo po talaga" She really was beautiful. Her poise was very regal, she was wearing a white and green sleeved silk dress, white fitting ang taas nito na may silver sequins sa gilid and a flowing hem that extends just above her knees.

"Thank you, hija. I'm so glad to finally meet Winter's boss!" Biro pa niya

"Mom, please" Saway ni Winter sa kanya.

"O bakit? Siya lang naman ang nagpatino sa dalaga ko for a few days. Uge here has been updating me with your activities and I must say, Karina has done a wonderful job."

Uge? Wow Uge din pala ang tawag dito kay tita?! Akala ko ba pinakatago-tago niya yun?!

"Oh no, ma'am - "

"Please hija, call me tita Helen"

OMG! Sino ka dyan mi!

"Uhm... Tita, to be fair, Winter h-has done a great job po. Proactive po siya sa mga activities lalo na po sa m-mga bata"

"Honey," Baling ng nanay ni Winter sa kanya, "We are so proud of you"

"Trust me mom, it's mostly Karina and her friends that I relied on so the credit goes to them"

"Hindi kaya!" Bigla kong sabi. They all looked at me.

Shoot me now.

"I-I mean, you were really out there to help. Hindi na nga kita mostly sinabihan ng mga dapat gawin 'di ba"

"Really?"

I chuckled, "Yes. Fishing ka ha"

"Hindi kaya"

"Oo kaya"

"Hindi nga"

"Oo -"

"Ahem"

I brought back my attention sa mga nandito. May mga ngiti sa labi ng mga nakatatanda na may gustong ipahiwatig.

Please let the floor swallow me whole now.

Please let the floor swallow me whole now.

Please let the floor swallow me whole now.

"As I was about to say," The President started, "We hope you could visit us here more often. Your tita Helen and I would be so happy to receive you here."

Ang haba lang naman ng buhok ko habang kumakain. Pwede ko na sigurong palitan si Rapunzel sa mga children's books dahil sa pag-asikaso ni Winter sakin. She was very attentive kung ano yung gusto ko pang kainin at pinaghiwa pa ako ng steak.

"Let me," She insisted noong sinabi kong I can get food from table.

Okay po.

Ang harot ko!

The ordeal happened and went by quickly dahil marami pang naka-schedule na meetings ang mag-asawa.

Ordeal talaga dahil sobrang nakakahiya kami ni Winter!

Ang landi landi niya at gusto ko pa.

Ano ba Karina, ang sarap pitikin ng bibig mo ha.

I told her na magko-commute ako pauwi at walang magsusundo sa akin dahil hindi maiwanan nila tatay ang shop.

Hindi siya pumayag at hinatid ako kasama yung mga totem poles niya. The whole ride my heart just couldn't stay put. Neither of us was trying to start a conversation. Pero yung kamay niya.

Kinakausap yung kamay ko.

Ano baaa.

We maintained a safe distance between us sa sasakyan, I was minding my own business at kontentong nakatingin sa labas. Nang maramdaman ko na lang yung pinky finger niya, rubbing my hand. Sobra lang yung kaba ko but at the same time there's this overwhelming excitement and kilig.

Worlds fly by
Drove by your place, and stopped again tonight
I know I said that I'm too scared to try
But I still think about you, think about you

The car stereo suddenly played one of my favorite songs.

I can't lie
I like the feeling how you make me shy
I'll share my secrets, and I will not hide
I know that one could be two, one could be two

Two can play the game. Hindi ako magpapatalo.

We ended up holding and caressing each other's hands.

So I won.

But I guess she did, too.

"Karina," She broke the silence nang nasa tapat na kami ng bahay. She looked and nodded sa rearview mirror, signaling the driver and the guard in the front seat na lumabas saglit.

"When can I see you again?" She asked ng kaming dalawa na lang sa sasakyan.

"Kakakita lang natin, miss mo na ko agad?"

"Oo," There was something about her stare na para bang ayaw akong palabasin ng sasakyan.

"Wow, I didn't know you were this straightforward"

"I'm sorry," Bigla ata siyang nahiya. She removed her hand mine and tucked a loose strand ng bangs niya behind her ear, "This is the first time I've been smitten so hard by someone"

I took her hand again, "Hey,"

She looked at me.

"The feeling's mutual, I was just joking" We both laughed at that.

"I want to see you everyday but I know hindi pwede. You're busy and I also have affairs sa palace"

"How about on the weekend and whenever we're free? Pwede ka naman dumalaw sa bahay but I know it's risky."

"Talaga? Hindi magagalit sila tita? I-I mean, sila Mrs. Yu...."

Nako ang nanay ko. Siguradong kikiligin yun kapag nalaman niyang tita na ang tawag sa kanya ni Winter.

"Trust me, makakalimutan nilang anak nila ako 'pag bumisita ka sa bahay" She giggled.

"Okay, uhm... haha, how do we do this"

The confusion on her face was so evident with the way na nag-scrunch up yung eyebrows niya. It was so adorable I could melt then and there.

"Siguro, hindi natin kailangang madaliin? Let's just go with the flow"

"Go with the flow, yep, alright, I can do that"

"So -"

"Uhm-"

Sabay pa kaming nagsalita which made us both giggle like freaking teenagers.

"It's okay, you go first," Pagpapaubaya ni Winter.

"I guess, see you sa weekend?"

"Yeah, I'm counting down the hours now to be honest"

"Ang bolera mo!"

"It's true nga!"

Ayoko pang bumaba ng sasakyan but I saw our gate open and lumabas si Nanay para tignan kung kaninong sasakyan ang nasa labas.

"I can't stop thinking about you, Karina" I looked back at her sa sinabi niya.

"After nating mag-part ways from the project, You didn't leave my mind ever since. I guess what I'm trying to say is, I like you. I really really do like you, Karina. And I want it to be known by you, if I haven't made my self clear yet."

If nakakatunaw lang yung tingin niya, baka matagal na 'kong nag-evaporate at naging ulan.

Grabe yung kilig ko ngayon.

"Ako rin. Gusto kita."

Winter bit her lip to suppress a smile.

eeeeeeeeeee

"Eeeee"

"Ano'ng nangyayari sa'yo?"

"Ikaw kasi e"

"Ha? What did I do?" Nakakunot ang noo niya pero bakas pa rin ang tuwa sa kanyang mukha.

"Wala, ang cute mo kasi, tapos...basta! Kinikilig ako"

"Ako rin naman" Mahinhin niyang pagkakasabi at namumula pa ang pisngi.

Pwede bang taympers!?

"Do you want to go inside? Magpakita kay mama saglit?"

"Of course, let's go?"

Gimmie love
Gimmie love, gimmie love, gimmie love, gimmie love
Gimmie touch
'Cause I want what I want, do you think that I want too much?
Gimmie love, gimmie love, gimmie love, gimmie love
Fall into me and then

Gimmie love
Gimmie love, gimmie love, gimmie love, gimmie love
Gimmie please
'Cause I want what I want, but with you it's what I need
Gimmie love, gimmie love, gimmie love, gimmie love
Gimmie love, gimmie love, gimmie love, gimmie love

END OF FLASHBACK

 

 

We just got home. Naghahanda 'yung dalawa ng makakain sa baba para sa movie night namin. Wala sila nanay at tatay tonight dahil sa dinaluhan nilang kasal ng pinsan ko sa Bataan. Doon daw sa Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar ang wedding venue at reception so ang sosyal lang nila.

Tawang-tawa pa ako kay tatay one time, dahil nga collector si ate Yoona ng pabango, maganda daw kung bilhan din sila nun aside sa cash envelope na ibibigay nila. I agreed para thoughtful nga naman.

"Bili na lang tayo sa Mega, pangga. Diba meron dun, yung Joey Malone?" Tanong niya kay nanay.

"hahahahaha!" Hindi ko napigilan makisama sa usapan nila habang parehas silang nagtatanggal ng dahon ng malunggay sa lamesa. Pati si nanay ay nagpipigil lang ng halakhak niya.

"O bakit natawa ka riyan?!"

"Tay, Jo Malone kasi! Hindi Joey."

"Naku Ronnie buti at dito ka sa bahay nagkalat!" Tukso ni nanay sa kanya.

"Ah wala bang 'y' yun?"

"J-O. Jo. wala ring 'e' tay. Ayan ha, cultured kana sa pabango"

"Cultured? Anong cultured? Hoy Katarina hindi naman ako Yakult para maging cultured!"

"O, no bashing, this is for fun!" Pag-imitate na naman ni nanay sa idol niyang si Small Laude.

Dito ko patutulugin 'yung dalawa dahil utos na rin nila nanay para may kasama ako sa bahay. While Winter will go home after nito at susunduin mamaya nila kuya Simon.

Kilala ko na 'yung mga totem poles niya! Sa halos araw-araw na pagkikita namin ni Winter, hindi naman pwedeng lagi niyang kasama ang kanyang entourage. Kaya it was kuya Simon who got assigned na maging kasama niya sa tuwing magkikita kami. Gusto ko man siyang solohin, but her safety would always be the top priority and I couldn't agree more.

Speaking of the cute devil, andito kami ngayon sa kwarto ko sa itaas. I know what she learned earlier sa pinagsasasabi ni bruhang Ning got to her.

"Hey" Tawag ko sa kanya. Nakatalikod siya sa akin while standing in front of my study, looking at the photo wall sa harapan ng table ko. Puno ito ng mga pictures na may sentimental value sa akin. Like Christmas photos namin nila nanay, photos naming tres marias, at mga photocards ng aking beloved SNSD at Big Bang.

2nd gen FTW!

"Hm?" Hindi pa rin siya lumilingon. Confirmed. Nagtatampo ang baby.

"Are you mad?"

"Bakit naman ako magagalit?" She said. Sabi ko nga e.

I looped my arms around her waist and gave her a back hug, my chin resting on her right shoulder.

"Please don't be jealous. Yeji is an old story. I don't have feelings for her anymore and I swear na hindi na magbabago 'yun"

"Hm...I know. It's just that...I'm probably just overthinking"

"Yeah? What is it?"

I felt her deep sigh at mas napakapit pa sa akin ng mahigpit.

"Ano po ba 'yun? What's bothering this baby damulag?"

Pinalo niya ang mga kamay ko.

"Sinong damulag??"

I laughed, "I'm kidding. So.. what is it, Miss Kim? I'm all ears for you"

She loosened my grip on her at humarap sa akin.

"I'm not really jealous, you know. More like thinking about the big what if? What if we didn't cross paths, then maybe you'd meet someone who doesn't ask you to stay lowkey for the meantime. What if Yeji didn't go abroad and stayed here? You would have probably dated for real or what if - "

"Winter" I cut her bago pa man kung saan mapunta ang iniisip niya. I didn't want her to go into conclusions without me saying my piece first.

"Sinong kasama ko ngayon?"

She didn't reply. I held her chin so she could look at me straight in the eye.

"Tell me please?"

"Me" She whispered at parang nahihiya pa sa pagsabi.

"Sinong sinabihan ko ng gustooong gusto ko siya?"

"Me"

"Kanino ako patay na patay at nasa kwarto ko ngayon?"

"M-me?" I laughed.

"Of course it's you! You make me so happy to the point na parang kulang yung halos linggo-linggo kitang nakikita, gabi-gabi kang nakakausap, minu-minuto kang naiisip. I'm going crazy with just the mere thought of seeing you after school. You know I don't mind na hanggang ganito lang muna tayo, I know how it is, Winter. Alam ko kung gaano ka-sensitive ang position niyo sa bansa and I'm not the one to demand more dahil I totally understand. I really do. It's not as if nasa tower ka at kailangan kong umakyat gamit ang buhok mo, 'di ba?" She laughed inwardly.

I really love that sound.

"So, believe me when I say, I only like one Winter Kim na nakatira sa Malacañang Palace, Mendiola, Manila"

-

Tumunog ang chime sa pintuan. Signaling na may pumasok na customer.

I looked up from my desk with all the homeworks I needed to finish today, quarter to five pa lang naman at dumiretso ako galing school dito para palitan si nanay sa shift dahil may kailangan silang asikasuhin ni tatay sa City Hall.

"Welcome, ano po ang hanap nila?" Tumayo ako to attend to the customers. Halatang mga estudyante tulad ko dahil may dala-dalang listahan at naka-uniform pa. Base sa suot nilang ID laces, sa UERM sila nag-aaral.

"Excuse me po, meron po ba kayo nito?" Binigay niya sa akin ang papel.

Hmm, graduated cylinder, Erlenmeyer Flask, tube rack, tube holder, beaker, alcohol.

"Meron po kami lahat aside sa beaker, kakaubos lang po kasi may pumakyaw kanina. Kunin ko na po ba?" Tanong ko.

"Ah sige po, tsaka kung magkano po lahat"

"Okay, kunin ko lang po muna" Sabi ko naman.

Habang busy ako sa paghalukay sa mga shelves, ay tumutok sila ate at kuyang customer sa TV na nagsisilbing background noise ko.

"Ang cute talaga ni Winter" sabi ng girl sa lalaki.

Napalingon ako sa TV dahil sa comment ni ate.

"Sinong mas cute? Siya o ako?" Muntik na 'kong masamid!

Kuya, paki-exclude lang ang bebe ko sa narrative na 'yan. Di hamak na mas cute sa'yo yun at lamang ng sampung paligo. Pati pawis amoy baby cologne!

I'm just spitting facts.

"Syempre si Winter!"

I know, right. Kabahan na 'yung kasama mo.

Pero nauwi sa lowkey landian yung nangyari kaya umay na umay akong bumalik sa harapan nila sa may counter. Namimiss ko tuloy siya lalo. It's been 5 days na hindi ko siya nakikita dahil sa official commitments niya sa iba't ibang schools. Mas active ngayon si Winter when it comes to participating sa mga government affairs. Minsan, kasama siya ni tita (O, bakit, si tita na mismo ang nag-insist!) or ni mister President (non-negotiable pa rin para sa akin 'to) at nakikita ko sa TV. Sobrang proud ko lang kapag tinatawag ako ni nanay para makinuod sa balita sa tuwing naaabutan namin ang news about them.

Habang kino-compute ko ang total ng mga pinamili nila, ay naririnig ko ang nasa TV.

Interviewer: Sa katatapos lang na inauguration ng bagong bukas na Makati Integrated School, ay nakapanayam namin ang First Daughter na si Winter Kim. Bilang guest speaker para sa opening ng paaralan, sinabi niya ang kahalagahan ng edukasyon sa mga mag-aaral at ang importansya na mabalanse ito sal kanilang mga personal na interes.

Winter: It is essential that our students find that middle ground between studying and doing their passion. Because in finding that balance between the two, these kids will appreciate more what they are doing, and in return, they'll be more productive, happier, smarter. So we need to support them not only academically but also explore with them whatever helps them build high emotional quotient.

"O kaya mo 'yung sagot niya?" Hamon ni ate sa kasama niya.

Lihim akong napangiti. I can't stress enough how proud I am of her.

Interviewer: We also heard that you are planning to go back sa States to continue your studies.

Napatigil ako.

Ano raw?

Winter: Oh, that. Uhm, I haven't really thought about that and I'm still weighing my options to just study here since I am happy staying sa Philippines.

This is news to me. She hasn't mentioned this yet. I don't know kung nasa position ako to ask about this... but considering that we are dating, meron naman siguro.

Di ‘ba?

I decided to tune out at mag-focus sa mga customer. There's this foreign feeling na hindi ko ma-pinpoint at ayaw kong maapektuhan ang oras ko dito ngayon sa shop. Kakain na lang siguro muna ako ng bananacue na dala ni Gi pagdaan niya dito kanina. I wonder kung bakit wala siyang nababanggit about this. I remember her telling me na nagbabalak siya mag-continue ng school next year. To be honest, somewhere in the back of my mind, there's a lingering feeling na aalis siya at babalik sa States para mag-aral ulit. After all, it was really her original plan to go back after ng immersion namin.

I've become fully committed to whatever we have right now. And I just wanted to know if she feels the same. And as a person who values her education a lot, I would fully support her sa endeavor niya na 'to. I just feel sad na hindi niya sinasabi sa akin. Sa media ko pa nalaman na kadalasan puro mga secondhand information ang nilalabas.

May mali ba sa thought process ko ngayon?

Ah, basta.

Ubusin ko na nga lang 'tong bananacue. Then focus sa natitira kong homework para sa lab bukas.

Hay.