"Hi, Winter," nakangiting bati ni Karina when Winter opened the door.

Bitbit niya ang isang malaking luggage, habang karga naman ni Karina ang kanyang anak na si Luna. 

Mga bagong roommates ni Winter.

When Karina asked their group of friends kung may alam ba silang apartment near the city, lahat ng vacant units ay masyadong expensive for a single mom. Most of the units were two bedroom apartments when she only needed one bedroom for her and Luna.

Patapos na rin ang maternity leave ni Karina so she needed someone to take care of Luna who's almost a year old.

Karina doesn't trust daycares at wala din siyang kakilala who could take care of her baby. Most of her family live in the province pa naman. 

Ang mahirap din ay ang schedule niya. Karina is a nurse who will be on a rotational shift. When she's on nights, kailangan talaga niya ng kasama for Luna. 

Kaya naman Winter didn't hesitate to offer her place and babysitting services. She has a two bedroom apartment plus she works from home. 

It also helps that Winter adores Luna. 

Winter already spoils Luna so it was a no brainer for her. 

Hindi na sana papayag si Karina kasi Luna can be a handful since almost toddler na siya.

But Winter insisted.

As her childhood friend and favourite Tita ni Luna (self-proclaimed by the way), mi casa e su casa. 

"Baby Luna, come to Tita Winter!" Winter took Luna from Karina's arms at pinapasok na ang mag-ina. "You're so big na, baby!" 

"Thanks for having us, Win. Sure ka na ba talaga sa desisyon mo?" Panigurado ulit ni Karina. Ayaw niya talagang maabala si Winter especially with how Winter lives.

She's single and ready to mingle. Winter is notorious for being malandi. And Karina is being kind pa niyan sa description na yan.

Alam ni Karina na mahilig pumarty si Winter. Having to take care of a baby would literally flip her world upside down. And Karina doesn't think Winter is aware how big of a responsibility this is. 

"Oo naman! Nandito na kayo tapos binilhan ko na si Luna ng crib." 

Nanlaki naman ang mga mata ni Karina. "Win, bakit ka bumili ng crib? Magkatabi lang naman kami ni Luna." 

Huminto muna si Winter sa paglalaro kay Luna at kumunot ang noo niya. "Karina, ikaw yung nurse pero hindi mo alam kung gaano ka dangerous ang mag co-sleep!" 

Sa totoo niyan, Winter has been reading parenting blogs. From co-sleeping to baby led weaning, potty training and teething, lahat-lahat! Kung may parenting quiz man, Winter might ace it. Nag ready talaga si Winter for Luna.

Karina could only sigh. "Malaki na si Luna, Win. She'll be one in a month. And hello, maraming benefits ang mag co-sleep! At gusto ko katabi si Luna kasi when I get back to work, minsan ko na lang siya makasama matulog." Napa-pout naman si Karina while she looked at Luna.

Mamimiss niya ang baby niya.

For 11 months, halos silang dalawa lang ni Luna ang magkasama everyday. It's going to be a big change for both of them.

In a way, thankful din si Karina that Winter volunteered since kilala na ni Luna si Winter. Ever since Karina got pregnant, Winter was one of the constant people who visited and took care of Karina. Kasama na dun sila Giselle at Ning. Pati na rin yung nag labour si Karina for almost 30 hours, silang tatlo yung kasama niya sa hospital.

So hindi na rin mahirap mag adjust si Luna if ever. 

Winter moved closer to Karina so the three of them seem like they're hugging. "Don't worry, ako na bahala kay Luna. Luna loves me, diba baby?" 

Nag babble lang naman si Luna as if agreeing kay Winter. 

"Alright," kinarga na ulit ni Karina si Luna and kissed her cheek. "I have two weeks pa naman before I go back to work. We'll hang out with Tita Win, right baby?" 

Luna said a mish mash of words at napatawa na lang sila Karina. 

At almost 11 months, Luna has been speaking gibberish. May mga words siyang masasabi here and there pero hindi pa rin talaga understandable. Medyo worried si Karina na mamimiss niya ang first word ni Luna while she's at work. 

She hopes it's Mama or Mommy.

Marami pa talagang mamimiss si Karina ng mga milestones ni Luna. But she has to work to support both of them. Wala naman kasing kwenta yung tatay ni Luna. 

"Tara na sa bedroom niyo," hila-hila ni Winter ang mag-ina at ang malaking luggage. "Nilinis ko to the whole day kahapon para ready to move in na kayo. May gamit pa ba kayo aside from the luggage?" Winter pointed at the bag. 

Tumango naman si Karina. "Oo, idedeliver mamaya yung ibang stuff ni Luna pati na rin yung mattress ko."

"Okay, okay. Anyway, iwan ko muna kayo, unless gusto mo sa akin muna si Luna habang nag-aayos ka?" Winter asked. Already, she was reaching for Luna. 

Napangiti na lang si Karina, natutuwa dahil gustong-gusto ni Winter makasama si Luna. "Wala ka bang work?" 

"The beauty of work from home ay hindi nila alam kung anong ginagawa ko," tumawa si Winter. "Tapos na rin ako sa mga tasks ko kaninang umaga. So okay lang." 

"Okay, thanks, Win. Mabilis lang ako."

"Take your time. Maglalaro lang kami ni baby." 

Before pa tuluyan lumabas sa kwarto si Winter, umikot ulit siya at tinanong si Karina. "By the way, you know may pusa ako. Okay lang ba if Luna gets close to her?" 

"Hindi ba nangangalmot si Ginger, Win?" Worried na tanong ni Karina. Wala naman allergies si Luna sa mga pets pero minsan kasi, pets can cause accidents, especially sa mga babies na hindi pa alam kung paano makipaglaro.

What if biglang sapakin ni Luna si Ginger at kakalmutin si baby as revenge?

y pa naman mga pusa. And from what Karina remembers, Ginger is a total diva. 

Napakamot naman ng ulo si Winter. “Mabait naman si Ginger. Medyo clingy,” she chuckled. “Pero if hindi ka comfy, sa room ko na lang si Ginger kapag nasa sala kayo.” 

Umiling si Karina, “no, it’s okay. As long as hindi niya aawayin si Luna.” 

Masaya naman tumango si Winter at lumabas ng kwarto kasama si Luna. From the bedroom, Karina could hear Luna’s adorable giggles and Winter’s babbles. Parang nakagawa na kaagad si Winter ng weird language with Luna kasi para silang nag-uusap sa labas. 

Bbuu baa bi bebe?

Bbuu!

Abbuu bebe?

Abbuu abbuu!

Karina laughed to herself. Kahit naman isang malaking malandi si Winter, may pagka childish din siya. Sa lahat ng mga kaibigan niya, siya ang pinakaclose kay Luna. Hindi nangingilala si Luna kay Winter. 

Baka ang ending, mas maging close si Luna at Winter since sila ang palaging magkakasama when Karina goes back to work. Karina only hopes that Winter doesn’t give up on Luna. She’s at a very adorable age where she knows what she wants and will do anything to get it. 

Mahirap maging mommy, especially if single mom ka. Minsan Karina gets amazed at herself. How has she done it all by herself so far? From her healing to basically bending over backwards to give Luna the best care possible, paano nagawa ni Karina lahat? 

Plus na lang na nurse siya and she has all the knowledge. Pero iba pa rin talaga when you’re put in the situation. It’s a whole different feeling. Nawawala lahat ng inaral mo because babies are unpredictable. Buti na lang Luna was a good newborn. Umiiyak lang kapag gutom. 

Kasi kapag hindi, Karina might have really struggled mentally. More than the physical exhaustion, ibang klase ang mental strain na napupunta sa mga mommies, especially if you spend 24/7 with the baby. 

Nakakaulol kapag walang kapalit. Kailangan mo talaga ng break. And it doesn’t mean na kapag gusto mo ng break, hate mo na ang baby mo. Needed siya so you can take care of your baby with a sound mind and keep her safe. 

Kaya nagwoworry si Karina kay Winter. Karina wasn’t even mentally prepared to have a child, what more si Winter na ang alam lang niya ay pumarty at lumandi? 

Winter will be spending so much time with Luna alone, she might get overwhelmed. 

Paglabas ni Karina sa kwarto, she found Winter on the floor with Luna habang si Ginger minamasahe ang likod ni Winter. 

Ang funny lang tingnan. 

“Hey, Win,” lumapit si Karina at umupo sa sahig with Winter. She took Ginger and carried her. “What do you want for dinner? Magluluto ako.” 

Napaupo si Winter at kinandong si Luna na biglang naglaway sa kamay ni Winter. Karina immediately took the cloth from her shoulder and wiped Luna’s mouth. Luna is teething kasi. Another worry ni Karina. Fussy si Luna lately at ayaw kumain because her gums are swollen. Paano ba to mahandle ni Winter mag-isa?

“Karina wag na. Order na lang tayo.” 

“Sure ka? Need ko rin kasi mag prepare ng food ni Luna so isasabay ko na lang.” 

Winter nodded. “Yup. Turuan mo na lang ako paano mag prepare ng food ni Luna.” 

For the next couple of days, Karina, Luna, and Winter fell into a routine. Sa kanilang tatlo, si Karina ang naninibago. She was so used to doing everything alone that it felt weird to have someone helping her out. 

But it wasn’t bad weird.

It was good weird.

Kahit naman Luna sleeps through the night (she’s a really good baby), Karina feels even more rested. Nagtaka nga si Winter bakit hindi daw niya naririnig si Luna umiiyak sa gabi. 

Karina even joked if preferred niya ba na umiyak si Luna sa gabi at madistorbo tulog niya. Sabi naman ni Winter na she was prepared for sleepless nights. Karina’s heart swelled when Winter said that. 

“Almost toddler na si Luna, Win, so natutulog na talaga siya sa gabi without waking up. Minsan lang siya umiiyak.”

“Okay, pero tulungan na rin kita if that happens. To prepare na rin when you work on night shifts para alam ko ang gagawin.”  

Honestly, Karina didn’t expect much from Winter so this was a good surprise to her. With Winter, Karina feels like she has a partner. 

Masarap din ang feeling when you wake up in the morning and breakfast is ready for you. At nakakatuwa tingnan si Winter learning how to be a mom. Since kumakain na ng solids si Luna, Karina lets her sit with them on the table para matutong kumain. Nagtalo pa nga si Winter at Karina dito once. Karina did not expect how traditional Winter is when it comes to this. 

Gusto ni Winter subuan si Luna but Karina leaves Luna alone with her food. Okay lang maging messy kasi it helps Luna recognize food texture. At pag ayaw ni Luna ang pagkain, hinahayaan ni Karina. But Winter becomes insistent kapag nangyayari yun. Pinagsasabihan niya si Luna at tinakot pa once! Kukunin daw si Luna ng mumu kapag hindi kumain.

A big NO!

So Karina had to tell Winter that bawal mag force ng pagkain otherwise magkaka food aversion si Luna. At ayaw ni Karina na mag instill si Winter ng fear kay Luna. Kung may ayaw si Luna or kung may maling nagawa, dapat i-explain kung bakit masama yun, hindi tinatakot. Babies are smart and they learn quicker if you educate them properly. 

“I didn’t expect you to be so traditional sa parenting,” pagtawa ni Karina.

“Eh kasi naman, ganyan naman kasi ako pinalaki sa amin eh.” 

“Well, unlearn that, Winter. Iba ako.”

“Okay po,” Winter pouted.

Mas natutuwa naman si Karina every time Winter allows Luna to sit on her lap habang nagwowork. Ang relaxed ni Winter sa trabaho niya. Parang wala siyang ginagawa. She’d only work for an hour or two and after that, tapos na siya and she does whatever. Hindi ba strict ang boss niya? 

The cutest sight though was when Karina found Winter, Luna, and Ginger napping together sa playpen. Luna has a strict napping schedule and nung kailangan ni Karina umalis para bumili ng formula, apprehensive pa si Karina iiwan si Luna kay Winter mag-isa.

“Karina, kapag hindi mo maiwan si Luna sa akin, hindi ako matuto. I promise, mag nap kami from 2pm to 3pm.” 

So Karina had no choice but to trust Winter. She has to trust Winter. Kaya naman hindi niya mapigilan picturan ang tatlo when she came home. Nakapatong sa may belly ni Winter si Ginger while Luna napped peacefully beside them. Sobrang cute!

Ginawa pa niyang lock screen sa phone niya. 

Tinuruan na rin ni Karina si Winter sa bedtime routine ni Luna. 

“Bakit ang strict mo sa mga routines, Karina?” Nagtatakang tanong ni Winter. 

“Gusto mo ba na gising kayong dalawa ni Luna at three in the morning?” Umiling si Winter. Pinanood lang niya si Karina pinupunasan si Luna. If hindi mag bathe si Luna sa gabi, pinupunasan lang siya ni Karina. “Kaya if you follow Luna’s daily routine, matutulog si Luna at exactly eight ng gabi at wala kang problema patulugin siya.” 

“Hinahayaan lang kasi ni Ate si Juju noon,” sabi naman ni Winter.

“Sabi ko naman sayo, unlearn that, Winter. Iba ako. This is what works for Luna and I. I get rest kasi luckily mabait na baby si Luna and routines work.” 

“Okay po,” Winter pouted and Karina couldn’t help but smile at that. 

Nakalimutan ni Karina how Winter could be so cute kapag pinagsasabihan. Ganito na rin talaga ang roommate niya ever since they were kids. Mahilig ngumuso. 

Giselle and Ning visited once Karina and Luna got settled sa apartment ni Winter. Bilang isang Sugar Tita si Giselle, nagdala ng napakaraming laruan — toys that Luna doesn’t need. 

“Gi, don’t spoil Luna too much. Winter already does it everyday,” pagsaway ni Karina sa mga kaibigan niya. Giselle only rolled her eyes at the mom at sinabing she will do what she wants. 

May magagawa pa ba si Karina? She’s lucky her friends are so fond of her daughter. 

Tiningnan ni Ning at Giselle ang apartment ni Winter. Ang laki ng difference. 

“Your place looks lived in na Win,” Giselle observed. “Napaka bare before pero now ang dami ng baby stuff.” 

“Make sure hindi mahalo ang toys ni Winter sa mga laruan ni Luna,” pabirong sabi ni Ning.

Pinanlakihan naman ng mata ni Winter si Ning at sinaway. “Hoy, bastos ka! Wala akong toys!” 

“Sure, Winter, sure.” 

Bigla naman natakot si Karina at napatingin kay Winter. “Wala talaga Karina! Gago ka, Ning!” 

“So, how’s mommy life?” 

“Great!” Sagot naman ni Winter which made Giselle and Ning’s eyebrows shoot up. 

“That was for Karina pero okay, mommy na rin pala si Winter,” Giselle laughed and eyed Winter knowingly. “Bakit naman great, Win?”

“Ang bait kaya ni Luna! Ang dali alagaan. Pero strict si Karina.” 

Karina only scoffed. “Masyado ka lang traditional, Win. Strict lang ako sa routine ni Luna.” 

“I think you need to be flexible.”

“Edi ikaw magpuyat at mapagod, sige ka.”

“Masaya naman kalaro si Luna.” 

“Mhmm, and when Luna gets cranky, good luck na lang sayo.” 

Napangisi si Giselle at Ning, watching their friends argue. Amused na nakatingin sila sa dalawa, especially kay Winter, who seemed to have taken the role of the other mommy quite well. Invested na yata masyado si Winter sa mag-ina and it’s only been a week of living together. 

Nevertheless, masaya naman sila that their friends are getting along well despite the huge responsibility, especially kay Winter. Although, one would wonder how they’ll be in the long run. 

Karina was getting used to the help while Winter was getting used to the company. They worked their way around the apartment seamlessly na parang ginagawa na nila to for a long time. 

What Karina wasn’t used to, however, was Winter’s lifestyle. 

Winter went on dates frequently which Karina doesn’t mind. Buhay naman niya yun.

HOWEVER!

PERO!

Napapa sign of the cross na lang talaga si Karina sa nakita niya. 

Karina would’ve preferred if Winter kept her dating life outside of the apartment. Kasi hindi siya prepared to see a half lady when she walked in the kitchen one morning.

She wondered how she didn’t hear them at all.

Grabe. Kinilabutan lang si Karina just thinking about it. Buti na lang talaga hindi pa gising si Luna. 

“Winter, a word?” Diin na pagkasabi ni Karina ng makita niya si Winter lumabas ng banyo. 

Humihikab lang si Winter na sumunod kay Karina sa corner ng living room. Tiningnan muna ni Karina ang kusina if the girl was still there pero wala na. Bumalik na sa kwarto ni Winter. 

“What’s up?” Winter asked sleepily. 

Napapikit na lang si Karina and chanted in her head, trying to calm herself. “Winter, alam ko naman na you live a very promiscuous life pero pwede wag mong i-uwi sa apartment?” 

Nagising dito si Winter. Kumunot ang noo niya. Was Karina not allowing her to date? 

“Bakit naman? I can date whoever.”

“Yes, you can. Do whatever you want,” napabuntong hininga si Karina. “But please wag naman yung makakita si Luna ng hubad na babae dito sa bahay. Ayaw ko rin makarinig,” Karina shivered again. Nakakakilabot talaga. “Kasi if that’s the case, we’ll look for someplace else to live. Sabi ko naman sayo before, ayaw kitang maabala and change the way you live, especially dahil single ka.”  

Winter’s eyes widened sa sinabi ni Karina. Bigla siyang nagpanic. Ayaw niyang umalis sila! She loves having them there. Mas lively ang bahay and not gonna lie, Winter loves having Karina’s company. Pati na rin si Ginger napamahal na kay Luna at Karina. 

“Wait, no!” Again, Winter pouted. “Wag kayo umalis please. Promise, hindi na. I’ll behave!” Tinaas niya ang kanang kamay at nag cross sa heart niya. “Please, dito lang kayo,” Winter begged. 

Karina looked at Winter and heaved a deep breath. Those puppy eyes are just so damn hard to resist. “Fine. Pero if this happens again, we’re going to look for another place.”

“Hindi na talaga! Promise yan!” Winter said. “Paalisin ko na nga siya now na!”

Agad naman tumakbo si Winter sa kwarto at kinick out yung babae sa bahay.

True to her word, hindi na nag-uwi si Winter ng babae sa bahay. Umuuwi na lang siya na may dalang formula para kay Luna. 

Naubusan na kasi si Karina ng formula at since may shortage, nahihirapan siya maghanap kahit sa online. Karina didn't want to disturb Winter's date pero emergency lang talaga. Ayaw niya ng maubusan ulit so the pharmacy will only hold the formula until closing.

Luna's mom: winter, sorry to disturb you

Luna's mom: tumawag kasi ako sa pharmacy tungkol sa formula and they said may bago silang stock

Luna's mom: can you pick it up for me before they close? 

Luna's mom: important lang talaga. i'll pay you when you get home 

Winter roomie: anong oras closing? 

Luna's mom: 8pm. Sorry i know kakaalis mo lang

Winter roomie: okay po 

Karina felt bad about it. Kakaalis lang kasi ni Winter for her date nun and it was already seven ng gabi. Baka malate pa sa date and her date would question her bakit may dala-dala siyang formula sa date nila. 

Pero it's for Luna naman kasi. 

If pwede lang umalis si Karina, siya na ang mag pick up. Pero Luna was about to go to sleep na rin. So she was really in a dilemma. If only her s worked properly then she wouldn't have to supplement her milk with formula para lang ma satisfy si Luna.

Ang hirap talaga maging nanay. Minsan naiinis sa sarili si Karina dahil hindi siya maka produce ng enough milk para sa baby niya. At one point, she felt like a failure. 

Just as Karina was putting Luna to sleep, narinig niyang bumukas ang pintuan. Nagtataka siyang lumabas kasi Winter shouldn't be home until midnight pa. Kakaalis lang niya. 

"Hey." Nagulat si Karina nang makita niya si Winter na hinuhubad ang sapatos. "I got the formula. Tulog na si Luna?" 

"Bakit nandito ka na? What about your date?" 

Winter just waved her hand. "Bahala na yun. I cancelled on her. Need ni Luna ang mik-mik niya." 

Karina felt guilty. Winter didn't have to do that. Luna didn't need her milk right away.

"Winter, meron pa naman si Luna hanggang morning. Sorry if I ruined your night." 

"Ano ka ba, okay lang. Mas importante naman si Luna." 

Karina could only frown. This is really why she was so apprehensive living with Winter at first. Ang dami ng pagbabago sa buhay ni Winter and Karina didn't want to this responsibility on her. 

"Really sorry, Win. I feel bad kasi ang dami ng pagbabago sa buhay mo. Hindi ka naman obligated to take care of Luna, okay? Single ka so you should continue living that way," Karina sighed and looked at Winter sadly. "We're disrupting your life too much na." 

Turn naman ni Winter para kumunot ang noo. Winter always reminded Karina na ginusto niya to and she wouldn’t have volunteered if she didn’t expect these things to happen. Again, prepared si Winter for all the changes sa buhay niya. 

“Hey, don’t say that!” Galit na sabi ni Winter. “Sabi ko naman sayo na okay lang sa akin. I wouldn’t have volunteered if I didn’t want to do this, Karina.”

“Still, hindi mo naman responsibility si Luna eh.” 

“No, responsibility ko kayo since you’re living with me. Kaya, don’t feel bad Karina. I want to do this.” 

Winter absolutely hates seeing Karina like this. Karina has always been strong, alam ni Winter yun pero nakakakirot sa puso seeing Karina so vulnerable. Sana alam niya that people are always willing to help her out, especially Winter. And never silang dalawa ni Luna maging interference sa buhay niya. 

“Plus, chararat naman yun si Ate girl so this was a good reason to cancel,” pabirong sabi ni Winter para naman matawa si Karina. And when Karina finally smiled, kinabig ni Winter si Karina for a hug. “Don’t ever think na pabigat kayo sa akin. It’s a small change. Malandi pa rin ako,” she laughed. “And I’m more than happy to help. We’re in this together.” 

Hindi nga naman huminto sa pakikipagdate si Winter. Malandi pa rin talaga siya. Kung hindi formula ang inuuwi ni Winter after ng dates niya, maaga siyang umuuwi at nagdadala ng pasalubong. According to her, late night snack daw nila at deserve ni Karina mag-unwind sa gabi kahit short lang. And the best way to do that is to eat desserts with Winter and make kwento. 

Tama rin naman si Winter.

Nakakahinga si Karina ng konti just by hanging out with Winter before going to bed. Good na rin for her mental health. Karina needs to ta