"I will loop your Managers in on the e-mail so should you have any questions about the event, feel free to reach out to them. Kindly check Yammer as well for other announcements. Thank you, Team."

I waved goodbye to the camera and exited the meeting. Napangiti ako. After three years of working here, ngayon lang ako nakaramdam ng excitement sa mga ganitong uri ng events. Normally automatic pass ako sa mga ganito but I supposed this year I can give it a try. Minsan lang naman eh.

"So, sabay ka na magpaparegister sa'kin beks?" I heard Ning asked me. Isa pa 'to, hindi naman halatang excited si teh.

"Oo, minsan lang naman eh." I shrugged.

I saw a smile pave its way unto Ning's face. "Buti naman, teh. Akala ko gusto mo pang pilitin kita eh."

"On second thought, parang gusto ko mag-dalawang isip bigla." I looked at her teasingly, "Unless willing kang suhulan ako?"

"Mukha mo." Ning sticked her tongue out, "Shawty ka ba, Winter?"

Nagtawanan na lang kami ni Ning after. Nahahawa na talaga ako sa kalokohan ni bakla.

"By the way, since company wide 'to.. I think makikita natin sina Ryujin du'n. Sakto pala, namimiss ko na rin sila nina Yeji eh." I heard Ning said as she registers for the event.

Oo nga pala, hindi ko naisip 'yun ah.

"Yeah. Sana lang magkakasabay ang events kahit magkaka-ibang departments tayo." 

"Sana. Tagal na rin natin hindi nakakapag-bonding eh," Ning looked up from her laptop. "Nagkakausap pa ba kayo ni Yeji?"

I suddenly felt flustered. Hindi ko pa nga pala nababanggit kay Ning 'yung usap namin ni Yeji. Does she know?

"Oo naman, medyo lowkey lang..." I hope that it didn't come off as defensive.

"I see, naalala ko lang kasi nagtatanong siya sa'kin nu'ng nakaraan."

"About?"

"Things, I guess. Like kumusta na tayo dito, nangangamusta lang." She shrugged, "Hindi raw siya makapunta dito kasi marami rin silang ginagawa."

I don't know why but I suddenly felt bad. I mean I know that them being busy might be true, but I can't disregard the fact that Yeji might be doing that because she honors our talk. Ngayon ko lang na-realize that other people might be affected with what happened.

I think it's about time for Yeji and I to talk. Ayoko namang isipin niya na gusto ko totally mag-iwasan kami. We can still be friends minus those things that we agreed to not do. I think she understands naman. I hope so.

-

"Hey Winter? Yes, I'm already outside. Nagpa-park lang." 

"Okay, Yeji. Makikita mo naman ako agad pagpasok mo."

I heard the call end. Minutes after, I already saw Yeji entered the restaurant. Kapansin-pansin ang atensyon ng mga tao pagpasok niya. I waved at her and I saw her smile upon seeing me. Good sign.

"Hi Winter, long time." She smiled at me again as she sits on the chair in front of me.

"Hello, Yeji. Oo nga eh..." I returned her smile, trying my best not to be awkward.

"So.. why are we here again?"

"Uhm nothing," I cleared my throat. "It's just that it's been a while since we saw each other and I figured na you know, if hindi naman tayo busy we can meet and- and eat like.. like you know what we do noon..."

Seconds passed but Yeji is still not speaking. I became more nervous, galit kaya siya..?

I was about to speak but Yeji caught me off to it. 

"Okay Winter, we can do that.." A gentle smile appeared on her face.

"But is that really the only reason..?" She looked at me, gauging my reaction.

If it was before, I would have said 'yes' immediately not wanting things to be awkward. But talking with Karina made me realize that in order for things to be good for both parties, honesty should be present. And I should be honest to Yeji.

"Not really. The reason why I invited you is because I wanted to talk."

I looked at her.

"I thinks I owe you an explanation du'n sa nasabi ko before... parang after kasi nu'n hindi na tayo katulad ng dati. I think we have to talk about that."

I thought Yeji would be caught off guard with what I said but it looks like she was just waiting for this conversation as well. 

"Okay, let's do that."

Napag-usapan namin ang mga nangyari; more detailed this time. Naikwento ko sa kanya nang slight 'yung pagiging closed off ko, at kung bakit hindi ako comfortable sa mga actions niya before.

"I guess the reason why I brought this up is because I don't want you to think that it's your fault why I suddenly became rigid. I was just like that lang talaga," I looked at her, "And even if you didn't explicitly mention it, I know you just had good intentions as to why you did those..."

"If anything it's my fault for being complacent," I continued. "I let you do those things without informing you first about my boundaries. This may seem as shallow but that's what I felt Yeji, I hope you understand."

Yeji looked at me, her eyes staring at me softly.

"I know Winter, and I understand. Siguro I don't know, it's just that maybe I saw you as someone na I'm comfortable with kaya naging ganu'n 'yung actions ko.." She sighed, "To the point that I forgot to ask if you're comfortable, too. I'm sorry about that, Winter."

"And no, that wasn't shallow.." She continued. "What you felt was valid. And kahit close friend mo ako, you still have to right to tell me when you're already uncomfortable. And I should be fine with it since I care about you."

"Thank you, Yeji. Thank you for understanding me.."

I smiled at her more comfortably.

"I'm sorry too. I just hope hindi pa huli ang lahat for us to recover our friendship?"

She looked at me and smiled. "Hindi naman nawala ang friendship natin, Winter. Tumigil, sure.. but it's definitely there."

I felt my feelings lighten upon hearing this. Karina's right, iba talaga ang effect 'pag napapag-usapan ang mga bagay. Naaayos ang mga hindi pagkakaintindihan.

"So now that we're okay, I think I have to be honest with you Winter.." I saw Yeji smiled at me shyly, scratching her n