A/N: Pagpasensyahan niyo na agad wrong grammar at typos ko. (peace)

 

 

Karina’s POV

 

We finished eating, and then Mommy and Daddy left to go back to Italy. They promised naman to come back here next week and stay with us for the Christmas season.

 

I’m currently in the kitchen with Ate Irene. Since neither of us had any work at school today, she volunteered to do the dishes today.

 

”Mom told me kanina maganda ’yung binigay ni Winter na gift.” At said.

 

”What gift?” I asked, feeling confused.

 

”The gift that Winter gave her last night. Didn’t you see it?

 

Ah, that one.

 

“What is it?” I asked.

 

Ate Irene nodded, ”It’s a bracelet, an expensive one.” she explained.

 

“And Daddy got a watch. He immediately wore it earlier and replaced the gift you gave him last time,” she added.

 

“Oh, I see. That’s why the watch he was wearing earlier looked unfamiliar.”

 

Dad is so funny. He actually replaced the gift I gave hime.

 

Does she love Winter more than me?

 

Jeez.

 

“And please let Miss Safanzar know that I absolutely love the necklace she gave me.” my eyes widened.

 

“Meron din sa’yo?” I asked, and she nodded.

 

Seriously?

 

Okay, Winter didn’t buy it naman. It’s her twin, Minjeong, who’s helping her sister.

 

Kaya wala akong dapat na ika-inggit.

 

“How about you? What gift did you receive?” my sister asked me.

 

“I didn’t receive a gift from her.” I said.

 

”Oh, maybe that kis—”

 

”A what?” I exclaimed.

 

My sister paused from washing the dishes, and looked at me, “I saw you two kissing—”

 

“Ate!” I shouted.

 

“What? Hindi ba totoo ‘yung nakita ko? Hindi pa naman malabo ang mata ko.” she said, bursting into laughter.

 

Gosh.

 

“We kissed, It’s true. But can you please lower your voice, Ate? Someone might hear you, gosh.” I told her.

 

She tilted her head slightly, “Tayo lang naman ang nandito?” her question made me close my eyes briefly.

 

“Is she a good kisser—

 

“Ate, stop na.” I interrupted firmly.

 

She glanced at me again, grinning mischievously, ”Why? I’m just asking lang naman.”

 

“I don’t think it’s appropriate to discuss that.” I said firmly, urging her to stop.

 

”Then you shouldn’t be kissing everywhere. Mga bata kayo.” she said.

 

“Nainggit ka ba, Ate?” I asked, sarcastically.

 

“Why would I be?” she raised an eyebrow.

 

“Nothing,” I said, getting up.

 

“Where are you going?” she asked.

 

“I’m just going to my room, I’ll call Winter, I miss her already.” I said with a smile.

 

“Okay, let me pretend I didn’t hear what you said.” she chuckled, and I couldn’t help but laugh along.

 

 

…

 

 

Winter’s POV

 

“Ingat po kayo sa work, Mom, Dad,” sabi ko, habang papasok na si Mommy sa sasakyan.

 

“Kayo rin dito, okay? Pag-uwi ni Minjeong, kumain na rin kayo. Meron akong niluto doon.” bilin sa akin ni Mommy.

 

“Opo, My.” sabi ko at ngumiti. Hindi nagtagal, umalis na rin sila kaya naman, pumasok na rin ako sa loob ng bahay.

 

Maaga umalis si Minjeong dahil mag jo-jogging daw siya. Gusto ko nga sumama pero tinamad talaga ako. Medyo late na rin ako nakauwi kagabi. Buti nga rin at hindi ako napagalitan.

 

Masaya ko rin na inanunsyo kila Mommy ‘yung nangyari kagabi. I mean, ‘yung time na na-meet ko ang parents ni Karina. Sobrang bait pala talaga ng parents niya. 

 

Hanggang ngayon talaga curious pa rin ako sa biniling regalo ni Minjeong. Hindi ko na rin kasi na-check dahil nagmamadali na rin akong pumunta roon sa bahay nila Karina. Sana talaga nagustuhan ’yun nila Tita at Tito.

 

Nang makapasok na ako sa loob, agad naman akong nagtungo sa kusina para makapag timpla ng kape. Wala pa kasi si Minjeong kaya mag ka-kape muna ako habang hinihintay siya. Kanina pa rin ako kapeng-kape.

 

Habang nag ti-timpla ako, agad namang nag vibrate ang phone ko mula sa aking bulsa. Tinigil ko muna ang aking ginagawa at kinuha ang phone para masagot ko ang tawag.

 

“Good morning, baby!” bungad sa akin ng aking girlfriend sa kabilang linya. Napangiti naman ako ngayon.

 

“Good morning,” sagot ko, habang patuloy ko ng ginagawa ang pagtimpla sa kape ko. 

 

“Have you eaten already?” my girlfriend asked.

 

“Not yet,” I replied.

 

“Why?” she asked, sounding irritated.

 

“Minjeong isn’t here yet, baby. Hinihintay ko siya so we can eat together.” I explained.

 

”Are you at home?” she asked.

 

“Yes, why?” I asked back and quickly took a seat. Natapos na rin kasi akong magtimpla ng kape.

 

“Nothing, I just missed you.” she suddenly said, and my cheeks grew warm.

 

Ang aga-aga, nagpapakilig ba naman.

 

“Didn’t you miss me?”

 

“I did miss you, babe. A lot, actually.” I said with a smile. 

 

I started to took a sip of my coffee, baka kasi lumamig ito.

 

“Are you drinking coffee again?” 

 

”Umh..”

 

“Umh ka talaga d’yan.” she said, sounding a bit annoyed.

 

“Babe, minsan lang naman ‘to.” 

 

“What do you mean na, ‘minsan lang naman ‘to?’ Whenever we’re together, you always drink coffee. Anong ‘minsan lang naman ’to’ are you talking about, Winter Louis?” she asked, irritated.

 

“Hindi na,” I said and moved away my coffee.

 

“Kakain na ako, babe, parang nandito na rin si Minjeong.” I told her.

 

“Okay,” she replied softly.

 

”Baby?” I called.

 

“Are you mad?” I asked.

 

I adjusted my seat, ”Last na ‘yun, baby. Promise.”

 

“Okay,” she said, but it was clear she was still annoyed.

 

“Ate, umalis na sina Mommy?” Minjeong chimed in. I nodded and silently mouthed na umalis muna siya saglit. Ginawa niya naman ito. 

 

“Kumain na kayo d’yan, It’s almost 9 a.m. na,” my girlfriend lovingly reminded me.

 

“Aren’t you mad anymore?” 

 

”Yes, but, Winter Louis, would you mind trying to cut back on your coffee consumption?” my girlfriend asked sincerely.

 

“Opo, babe.” was all I said.

 

“I love you,” she expressed.

 

“I love you more,” I responded.

 

“Eat well, hmm?” 

 

“Opo, how about you, babe? Have you eaten already?” I asked.

 

“Yeah, I already did.” she confirmed.

 

”Make sure to eat there, okay? just call me when you’re done eating, okay?”

 

”Okay, babe. Bye,” I said.

 

“Bye,” she said and quickly ended the call.

 

“Minjeong, hali ka na rito.” sigaw ko, at agad namang pumunta si Minjeong.

 

“Si Mommy nagluto nito?” tanong nito habang hinihila ang upuan para makaupo.

 

Tumango ako, “Oo, kumain na tayo,” sabi ko.

 

Habang kumakain kami ngayon, sobrang tahimik talaga. Tahimik din itong si Minjeong kaya nakakagulat kasi bakit ang tahimik nito. Nakakapanibago lang.

 

Ilang sandali, bigla akong nagulat nang may biglang nag doorbell.

 

”May bisita ka?” tanong sa akin ni Minjeong.

 

Nagkibit-balikat lang ako, “My girlfriend didn’t tell me na pupunta siya rito.” I said.

 

Tumayo na ako para buksan kung sino man ang nag-doorbell. Nang mabuksan ko na ang pintuan, laking gulat ko nang bigla akong salubungin ng yakap ni Somi.

 

Hindi ako makagalaw sa kinatatayuan ko ngayon.

 

“Anong ginagawa niya rito?” tanong ko sa aking sarili, ”At paano niya nalaman ang bahay namin?”

 

“Na-miss kita,” sabi niya at nanatili lang itong nakayakap sa akin.

 

“Ate, sino—” bigla kaming napahiwalay nang may marinig kaming nahulog na pinggan.

 

“ATE, NAG CHEAT KANA AGAD KAY ATE KARINA?” sigaw ni Minjeong, na nagdulot ng pagkalaki ng aking mga mata.

 

Tinignan ko si Somi at halatang naguguluhan din siya sa kanyang nakita, “May kakambal ka?” gulat na tanong ni Somi.

 

“Isusumbong kita kay Ate Karina. Wala akong pake kung Ate kita. Hindi ako mag toterate ng cheater,” sabi ni Minjeong at agad niyang binunot ang kanyang cellphone.

 

Agad akong lumapit sa kanya at kinuha ang kanyang cellphone. ”Kaibigan ko lang siya, hindi ako nag-che-cheat,” paliwanag ko sa kanya.

 

“Bakit hindi mo sinabi sa akin na may kakambal ka pala, Winter?” naririnig kong tanong ni Somi habang papalapit na siya sa amin.

 

Ano ba kasi ang ginagawa ng babaeng ito rito.

 

“At sino ka naman para sabihin niya sayo?” naiinis na tanong ni Minjeong.

 

“Minjeong, kaibigan ko siya.” sabi ko.

 

Kaibigan na gusto kong sampalin. 

 

Eme.

 

“Talaga? May kaibigan bang ganun magyakapan? Sumbong ko kayo, ih!” naiinis na sabi ni Minjeong bago ito umalis at nagtungo sa dining area.

 

Kainis talaga itong si Somi.

 

“Bakit ka nga pala nandito, at para kanino ‘yang dala-dala mo?” tanong ko kay Somi.

 

“Isn’t it obvious? Para sa’yo ‘to, love,” sabi niya habang abala sa pag-abot sa akin ng isang paper bag na may kasamang bulaklak.

 

Kinuha ko ang mga ito at inilapag ko sa console table.

 

”Ano ba ang ginagawa mo dito?” tanong ko sa kanya, hindi pa rin mapalagay.

 

”Bawal ka na bang dalawin? Na-miss kita, Winter,” seryosong sabi niya habang nakatingin sa mata ko.

 

“You can call me naman,” natatawa kong saad.

 

Para girlfriend ko kusang kakausap sa’yo.

 

Somi sat down on the sofa, crossing her legs, “Gusto kitang ligawan.” she said, my eyes widened at what I heard.

 

“Wala na akong girlfriend, at hanggang ngayon, gusto pa rin kita. So, I’ve made a decision na ligawan ka.” paliwanag nito sa akin.

 

Nasisiraan na ba ito ng ulo?

 

“May girlfriend na ang Ate ko,” Minjeong interjected. Her expression was annoyed, parang hindi ito natuwa sa kanyang narinig.

 

“Girlfriend pa lang naman, hindi pa naman sila mag-asawa o should I say kasal, pwede pa ‘yan.” sagot naman ni Somi sa aking kapatid. 

 

”Dati ka bang tanga?” Minjeong asked irritably, “As if naman papatulan ka ni Ate.”

 

“What if, ikaw nalang liligawan ko?” nakangiting tanong ni Somi sa aking kapatid.

 

“Mandiri ka, hoy. Ni-hindi nga kita kilala.” sagot naman ni Minjeong.

 

“Tama na.” I interrupted.

 

“Ay, yes, love.” ani Somi, kaya napapikit na lang ako ng mata.

 

“Love amputek, manahimik ka nga. May jowa na Ate ko. Ang kulit mo talaga.” boses ulit ni Minjeong.

 

“Somi, may girlfriend na ako.” seryoso kong saad.

 

”Edi hintayin ko kayong dalawa na maghiwalay,” sagot naman ni Somi.

 

“Hindi sila/kami maghihiwalay,” sabay naming sabi ni Minjeong.

 

”Kambal nga talaga kayo,” sabi nito at natatawa.

 

”I’m just kidding around,” dugtong ni Somi, at mas humahagikhik ito ng tawa. ”Hindi ako manliligaw sa ’yo, Winter.”

 

Naguguluhan akong tumingin kay Somi ngayon. Si Minjeong naman ay parang hindi ito naniniwala sa sinasabi ni Somi.

 

“Umalis ka na kaya, para kang tanga,” sabi ni Minjeong.

 

“Winter, bakit ganito ang kakambal mo? Mag twin ba talaga kayo? Bakit ang sungit nito?” Somi asked a series questions.

 

“Kuhang-kuha mo kasi inis ko.” sagot naman ni Minjeong.

 

“Hindi ko liligawan ang Ate mo, okay? I’m just teasing you, guys, ang seryoso niyo naman sa buhay.” Somi said, laughing.

 

”So, ano talaga ang sinadya mo rito?” tanong ko na.

 

Lakas talaga ng trip nito.

 

“Gusto ko lang talaga dumalaw rito, tsaka ‘yang dala ko, hindi ‘yan para sa’yo.” she said in a serious tone.

 

“Para sa nililigawan ko ‘yan, pero hindi sa’yo, Winter.” she added.

 

”Daming alam,” bulong ni Minjeong pero narinig ko.

 

“So, mauna na ako, ha? Nice to meet you pala, Minjeong, kahit ang pangit-pangit ng ugali mo.” I couldn’t tell if Somi was serious or being sarcastic with her words.

 

“Mas pangit ka!” Minjeong retorted, but Somi just laughed it off.

 

Somi quickly took her belongings and bid us farewell. I promptly closed the door behind her as she left.

 

“Ako na bahala magligpit nitong nabasag ko, just be ready sa explanation mo kasi paparating na si Ate Karina dito.” I heard unexpectedly.

 

“Ngayon?” tanong ko.

 

“Bukas pa siguro, Ate.” she sarcastically replied.

 

Napabuntong hininga ako. 

 

“Ngayon na siya dadating, ni-message ko kasi siya. Akala ko nag cheat ka ih.” Minjeong said while tidying up.

 

“Sa tingin mo ba gagawin ko talaga ‘yun?” seryoso kong tanong.

 

“Maybe? I don’t know, hindi ako sure.” sabi nito.

 

“Hindi ko yu—” I paused as the doorbell rang.

 

“Alam ko, Ate,” maloko nito saad, “Si Ate Karina na siguro ‘yan, pag buksan mo na.” aniya.

 

So I quickly opened the door, and she was right. 

 

I was about to greet my girlfriend when she abruptly entered without even acknowledging me.

 

Seriously?

 

“Hi, Minjeong.” she greeted my sister.

 

Edi wow.

 

“Hi, Ate Karina!” my twin sister greeted her with a smile.

 

“What’s that?” narinig kong tanong ng aking girlfriend.

 

“It’s a plate, nalaglag ko kasi kanina dahil may something akong nakita.” my sister explained.

 

“You should be careful, you might get hurt,” Karina said with concern.

 

“Babe,” I called out to my girlfriend.

 

Hindi niya ako pinansin at patuloy lang siyang nakikipag-usap sa aking kapatid. I glanced at Minjeong, and it seemed like she was trying to hold back laughter.

 

Tss

 

“Itatapon ko muna ito, Ate Karina at mag-usap na rin kayo ni Ate Winter.” Minjeong said, without hesitation, and she promptly left.

 

Humarap na sa akin si Karina, ngunit agad niya lang akong inikutan ng mata.

 

“Ano ba talaga ang sinabi ni Minjeong?” tanong ko sa aking sarili.

 

Umupo si Karina sa sofa, kaya sumunod na rin ako at umupo. Ngunit habang lumalapit ako sa kanya, parang lumalayo naman ito sa akin.

 

Napapakunot-noo talaga ako sa kanya.

 

“Babe,” tawag ko sa kanya, at tiningnan niya ako ngunit masama lang itong nakatingin sa akin.

 

“May problema ba?” tanong ko, ngunit inirapan niya lang ako.

 

“Sorry na,” sabi ko, humihingi ng paumanhin.

 

“I’ll give you 1 minute to explain, Winter Louis,” seryosong sabi niya sa akin.

 

“You may start now,” dugtong niya.

 

Deja vu.

 

“Do you remember when someone called me? And then you got mad because you heard what she said? It was Somi, my friend. Pumunta siya dito at pinagtripan kami. She said na liligawan niya ako pero hindi pal—”

 

“Seems like you’re disappointed?” Karina interrupted.

 

“Babe, no,” I defended.

 

“You sound disappointed, Winter Louis. Don’t lie to me,” she said. 

 

”Do you like her? Go, magpaligaw ka sa kanya,” she said irritably.

 

“Baby, it’s not like that,” I said.

 

“Don’t call me baby,” she told me.

 

“You’re the only one I want, babe,” I said seriously.

 

“I’m sorry if you misunderstood my explanation, but I’m telling you the truth, babe. I am not disappointed.” I said to her, ready to hug her, but she quickly stood up.

 

“No hugs or kisses for today. I’m really annoyed with you, Winter Louis,” she said.

 

Halata naman.

 

Nakailang ’Winter Louis’ na ba ito ngayong araw?

 

“Sorry na,” I pouted.

 

“You look like a duck,” she said, causing me go stifle a laugh.

 

“Stand up and give me a hug,” she ordered, kaya tumayo agad ako.

 

Ang bilis naman magbago ng isipan niya.

 

“Bati na tayo?” I asked.

 

She shook her head, ”Just give me a hug,” she said, so I approached and embraced her.

 

“Ay naks, may kayakap kanina, tapos ngayon may kayakap na naman.” I heard Minjeong say, prompting my girlfriend to quickly separate from the embrace.

 

Buhay nga naman.

 

“Meron?” Karina asked.

 

“Bab—”

 

“I’m not asking you,” she said to me.

 

“Umh.. Oo, Ate, nakita kong magkayap sila nung kaibigan niya raw na parang may something sa utak.” Minjeong replied, laughing.

 

“Okay,” my girlfriend responded briefly.

 

“Maiwan ko muna kayo, ah. Papasok na muna ako sa kwarto.” Minjeong said and headed to her room.

 

“Babe, I really didn’t expect her to suddenly hug me,” I told her.

 

“And you didn’t even try to move away?” she asked, annoyed.

 

“I was surprised, babe,” I reasoned.

 

“Fine, if someone hugged me, I wouldn’t move away either because I’d be surprised,” she said.

 

I scratched my head, “I’m sorry,” I said, trying to appease her.

 

She opened her arms, a gesture inviting me to embrace her. I smiled and immediately wrapped my arms around her, but I received a gentle pinch in return.

 

”Ouch, babe, that hurts!” I exclaimed.

 

Araw-araw nalang talaga ako nakatanggap ng kurot mula sa girlfriend ko. Hindi naman masakit, sadyang over acting lang ako.

 

“You’ll get hurt if you don’t know how to avoid other girls,” she said.

 

“I am avoiding them, it’s just that they-- ouch!”

 

"Stop talking, parang gusto mo rin na nilalapitan ka.”

 

“No, babe. Maniwala ka sa akin,” I earnestly said.

 

We broke apart from our embrace, and I asked, ”You trust me, right?” she nodded in response.

 

“But those who come near you, I don’t trust,” she told me.

 

“Don’t mind them, okay? Ikaw lang ang gusto ko, Karina," I reassured her sincerely.

 

“I know that,” she said, leaning in and stealing a kiss from me.

 

“Babe, teka lang!” I shouted as she headed towards our kitchen.

 

Gusto ko 40 seconds eh.

 

 

…

 

 

3 days passed 

 

 

Winter’s POV

 

“Minjeong, dalian mo na, tayo nalang ang hinihintay nila.” sigaw ko sa kanya sabay tingin sa orasan ko na nagpapahiwatig ng aming scheduled flight papuntang Cebu.

 

Nang makalabas na si Minjeong ng kanyang kwarto, bigla akong nagulantang sa dami ng kanyang dinala. May isang malaking maleta at may kasama pa itong backpack. Hindi ko inaasahan na magdadala siya ng ganito karaming gamit.

 

“Lalayas ka na ba rito?” tanong ko.

 

“Hindi ah,”

 

“Ang dami mo namang dala. Sa Cebu lang naman tayo pupunta, marami kang damit doon diba?” sabi ko, nagbabakasakali na magbago ang isip niya. 

 

Sobrang dami talaga ng dala niya, kulang nalang dalhin niya mga appliances namin dito.

 

“Si Ate talaga. Hindi naman ikaw ang magdadala nito, tara na, baka maiwan pa nila tayo.” sabi niya sabay labas ng bahay.

 

Nang makalabas na rin ako, agad ko na ring sinira ang pintuan namin.

 

“Nag message kana ba kay Mommy?” I asked Minjeong as she placed her belongings at the back of the car.

 

”Oo, Ate. Sabi nila mag-ingat daw tayo,” ani Minjeong.

 

Pumasok na ako sa loob ng sasakyan at sumunod din si Minjeong. After a few minutes of driving, we finally reached the airport. Tatawagan ko na sina Karina para alamin kung saan sila pero agad naman itong nakita ni Minjeong so I didn’t continue and we headed straight to where they were.

 

”Ang dami mo namang dala?” Ningning commented, noticing Minjeong’s belongings.

 

“Pake mo ba.” Minjeong said, her tone filled with annoyance, while giving Ningning a disapproving glance.

 

“Ayan na naman, kahapon pa talaga kayo.” ani Yeji.

 

“Kainis kasi ang isang ’yan,” Minjeong expressed.

 

Ningning didn’t hold back and shot back, “Mas nakakainis mukha mo!”

 

“Enough of that. My Dad has arrived, and he said he’ll be driving for us,” Giselle announced, so we immediately followed her. 

 

Once we arrived, we quickly boarded Giselle’s private plane. Karina and I were holding hands now, as I wanted her to sit next to me. As we entered, I promptly took my seat, with my girlfriend by my side.

 

Si Ningning at Minjeong naman, parang nagtatalo pa yata. 

 

“Huwag ka ngang tumabi sa akin, maraming bakanti d’yan oh.” Ningning said to my sister.

 

“Ang arte mo talaga, parang katabi lang ih.” my sister responded.

 

“Dito ka na lang sa tabi ko, Minjeong.” Yeji offered.

 

“Ay, no thanks. Gusto ko kasi sa tabi ni Ningning.” Minjeong responded with a smile.

 

“Akala ko ba naiinis ka kay Ningning, Minjeong? Bakit gusto mo na siyang makatabi ngayon?” I playfully asked.

 

“Hindi ba pwede? There’s no rule naman saying na bawal ko siyang tabihan? Plus, I changed my mind, what I felt earlier is not how I feel now.” my sister answered.

 

”Manahimik kana nga, what I felt what I felt ka d’yan.” Ningning chimed in, causing everyone to burst into laughter.

 

Ningning and Minjeong were sitting next to each other with nothing to do. Hindi ko talaga maintindihan ang dalawang ito. Tapos kahapon when we met, para talaga silang aso’t-pusa. 

 

Itong kapatid ko rin naman, dikit din nang dikit kay Ningning. She just wouldn’t leave Ningning alone. I think, Minjeong tried to annoy Ningning on purpose. Siguro dahil hindi pa rin siya nakaganti kay Ningning kaya niya ito ginagawa. 

 

The airplane started to take off, but Ningning and Minjeong still couldn’t calm down. Meanwhile, the person sitting next to me was secretly kissing my cheek.

 

Si Karina.

 

Kanina pa ito kiss nang kiss sa pisngi ko.

 

After an hour and a half, we finally landed in Cebu. I woke up my friends who were sleeping one by one. I couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw Ningning leaning her head on Minjeong’s shoulder. Kaya kinuha ko ang aking phone to capture a picture of them.

 

Once I had taken their photo, I immediately woke them up. Ningning quickly moved away when she realized that she was leaning on Minjeong’s shoulder.

 

”Kaya pala masakit balikat ko,” Minjeong hinted. Ningning just rolled her eyes and they both stood up.

 

Pumunta na rin ako kay Karina para sabay na kaming makababa. After descending together, and just as we got there, a van pulled up. 

 

“Ay, wait! Parang ito na yata ang kaibigan ko.” ani Minjeong.

 

“May kaibigan ka pala rito?” Ningning sarcastically asked. Minjeong ignored her and went straight to the van. After a few moments, the van door opened, and a girl stepped out.

 

“Hoay, Ryujin! Sabi ko na ih.” narinig naming bati ni Minjeong sa babaeng lumabas sa van.

 

“Hindi mo ba nabasa message ko? Baliw ka.” ani naman nitong babae.

 

Minjeong whispered something to her friend , and they both burst into laughter. After a while, they started walking towards us.

 

“Kamukhang-kamukha mo nga!” Minjeong’s friend exclaimed in surprise.

 

Minjeong playfully elbowed her, “Kambal nga diba.” sabi nito.

 

“Hi, ako nga pala si Ryujin! Kaibigan ni Minjeong.” nakangiting pakilala nitong kaibigan ni Minjeong sa amin.

 

“Hi, Ryujin, nice to meet you.” Lia greeted with a beaming smile.

 

“Hi, ako nga pala si Ningning.” Ningning introduced herself.

 

“Ah, ikaw ‘yun—” Ryujin’s words were cut off as Minjeong quickly covered .

 

“Ano?” Ningning raised an eyebrow, questioning.

 

“Wala,” Minjeong said, still covering Ryujin’s mouth.

 

After everyone finished introducing themselves, we promptly headed towards the van, which would take us to resort namin.

 

“Ning, tabi ulit tayo, para ako naman matulog sa balikat mo.” Minjeong said, but Ningning just rolled her eyes.

 

“Ayiee, kayo ha.” mapanuksong sabi ni Lia.

 

“Naiinis sa akin pero sumandal sa balikat ko.” nakangiting saad ni Minjeong.

 

“Tanga, hindi ko naman ‘yun sinadya. Tabi ka nga,” Ningning retorted and quickly got into the van.

 

“There’s something going on between those two.” my girlfriend said, kaya natawa nalang ako.

 

“Duda na rin talaga ako sa dalawang iyan.” Yeji added and also got into the van immediately.

 

Ito na ba ‘yung the more you hate, the more love?

 

“Kami muna katabi ni Karina, Winter. Kanina pa kayo naglalandian.” Lia said, and I furrowed my brow in response.

 

“Ayoko nga,” pagtanggi ko.

 

Pala desisyon din itong si Lia.

 

“Oh, mag jowa kayo?” tanong ni Ryujin.

 

“Yes,” my girlfriend replied with a smile.

 

”Hali kana rito, Rina.” Lia shouted once she got inside.

 

“Baby, it’s just one hour okay?” Karina whispered to me. I couldn’t do anything but nod.

 

“Tayo na magkatabi, Winter.” ani Giselle sa akin. “Fix your face, you look like a child abandoned by her Mom,” Giselle whispered to me.

 

Pumasok na ako sa loob, katabi si Giselle. Sa unahan naman namin sina Karina at Lia, pero mas gusto ko talaga ’yung magkatabi kami eh.

 

Normalize blaming Lia Marie!

 

 

...

 

 

After an hour, we finally arrived at the resort where we would be staying. Kami nalang dalawa ni Karina ang nandito sa van dahil lumabas na ang mga kaibigan ko. Nakatulog kasi siya, kaya dahan-dahan ko ng ginising si Karina and she quickly woke up as well.

 

“We’re here already, babe,” I informed her.

 

She rubbed her eyes. ”Already?” I nodded.

 

“Let’s go out now, they’re already there.”

 

We stepped out and immediately entered our respective rooms. After settling our belongings, we headed to the dining area for lunch.

 

As we arrived at the dining area, everything was prepared. Food was already laid out on the table. I pulled out a chair near me for Karina to sit. 

 

Nasa kanang bahagi ko si Minjeong habang ang katabi nito ay si Yeji. Sa kabilang bahagi naman sina Lia, Giselle, Ningning, at Ryujin.

 

Everyone was seated, and we started eating.

 

“Baby, could you pass me the water, please?” Karina asked me, so I quickly filled her glass and handed it to her.

 

“Yeji, could you pass me the water, please?” Lia mimicked what Karina had said.

 

Karina immediately gave her a disapproving look. Nagtatawanan naman sila pero agad din naman silang nagpatuloy sa kanilang kinakain. 

 

“Gusto niyo bang gumala after this?” Ryujin asked.

 

“Pahingahin mo kaya muna kami?” Minjeong replied.

 

“Sinabi ko bang kasama ka?” sarkastikong sagot nito, kaya natawa naman ang lahat.

 

“Matagal na kayong magkaibigan?” tanong ni Giselle, habang nagsasalin ito ng maiinom.

 

Tumango naman si Ryujin, “Oo, bff ko ’yan,” ani Ryujin pero umiba naman ang itsura ni Minjeong.

 

“Bff amputek.” ani Minjeong, ”Bff mo lang ako kapag nisasamaham kitang mag cutting class eh.”

 

Agad naman akong napatingin sa aking katabi, ”Nag cu-cutting class ka?” gulat kong tanong.

 

She just smiled and even made a peace sign.

 

Kaya rin siguro ito laging napapatawag dahil palagi itong nag cu-cutting class? 

 

Jusko ka talaga, Minjeong.

 

“Nag cu-cutting class ‘yan, once a week pa nga.” natatawang saad naman ni Ryujin.

 

Once a week?

 

Seryoso ba itong kapatid ko?

 

Minjeong responded, “At least isang beses lang sa isang linggo, unlike you na thrice a week?”

 

At proud pa nga itong kapatid ko? 

 

Karina, sitting beside me, chimed in, “Even if it’s once, twice, or thrice, cutting classes is still not good.”