[A/N: A lots of flashbacks and narration]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I keep staring at my phone, admiring the certain pretty girl na nasa lock screen ko.

 

When did it start? 

 

At first I thought I just find her cute. Para naman kasi siyang cute na tuta nung una naming pagkikita. I remember being flustered pa nga nung sinabihan niya akong maganda. It wasn't everyday na may babaeng pumupuri sa visuals ko. I could say guys often does but, when it came from a woman, iba ang dating sa akin. It's more real and sincere kumbaga. 

 

First impression ko sa kanya that time, she's a sweet person. I know when someone has a crush on me or likes me. Winter does give that vibe na she's trying not to show it but mas lalo itong nagiging obvious. The first moment siguro ay nung binalik niya ang jersey ko. Alam na alam ko ang ngiti at admiration sa mga mata niya. Not to mention she brought a water for me pa which was thoughtful of her. 

 

Hindi naman sa I'm bragging or assuming but with all honesty, I've dealt with it many times kaya alam ko na.

 

Even with that, may something na iba sa kanya. She has a crush on me but hindi siya 'yung papansin. Alam niya kung saan siya lulugar. Maybe it's because it's just a simple girl crush. Hindi naman kasi ibig sabihin na may crush siya sa akin ay gusto na niya ako romantically. I don't want to assume that kind of thing dahil it'll be conceited of me diba.

 

But still, I know what it's like having a crush to someone. Also, palagi ko siyang nahuhuli na nakatingin sa akin kapag nadaan ako sa room nila. She's adorable pero siguro nga hindi ako masyadong nagbigay ng thoughts about her since I was busy with my own complicated life. I just saw her as this cute little high school girl who admires me. So when fate does it's job, I learned about her more and her existence became more evident. Nagsimula siguro noong nagtampo siya, that was during intrams. 

 

 

 

 

 

*Flash Back* 

 

 

 

I was on my way para puntahan si Gi dahil sabi niya nanonood sila ngayon sa AC ng cheerdance. Supposed to be ay kanina pa ako nandito, pero Ren asked me to meet him. That jerk was not even careful at lantaran na nakipaghalikan sa isang di ko kilalang babae. Imagine my rage na umalis ng campus just to witness him with a girl again. It wasn't the first, I gave him a chance and forgave him over and over again. I guess this is it. Siguro naubos na ang pagmamahal ko sa kanya na halos wala na akong maramdaman. Four years is a long time and it's enough. Yes I got mad but, hurt? Nope, I don't think so. The disappointment doesn't even surprise me anymore. 

 

Let's not talk about that pathetic excuse of a man. I want to enjoy my day. Sakto when I arrived, the high school department is performing. My eyes automatically gravitated towards the bob haired girl that looks so charming sa ngiti niya.

 

I don't know what kind of magic she has na napapangiti ako. Their performance was clean and impressive too, it's obvious how they put so much effort to it. Kaso, during the last part I noticed how she flinched from that catch sa top girl na nakapatong ang paa sa balikat niya. Muntik pa nga itong mahulog but thankfully they managed. I could see na she's in pain. I felt worried now. Pinagpatuloy nila ang pagperform hanggang sa huli. 

 

I immediately contacted ate Irene. Sinabihan ko siya na tawagan yung family doctor namin. The clinic won't suffice for that kind of injury. Sigurado akong kailangan niya idala sa ospital but that will take longer. For sure that injury is so painful. 

 

"Saan ka pupunta?" Tanong ng kaklase kong si Yeji. 

 

"Puntahan ko lang si ate." They're already exiting the stage.

 

"Babalik ka pa ba?"

 

"I don't think so. You can let our other classmates to take my seat." Nagmamadali akong bumaba sa bleachers at nagtungo sa waiting room nila. 

 

Gaya nga ng hula ko, nagkakagulo na sila dito. Ate Irene was already by her side. Inaalalayan na rin siya ng mga kasama niya. I saw Ning crying at may mga kasama pang natataranta. I keep staring at Winter's face na nahihirapan, namumutla pa nga. One thing was that kahit umiiyak na at puno ng pawis ay umangat parin ang tingin niya sa'kin. I squat down para magkalevel kami.

 

"Ate Karina." It felt so drained and weak. Para akong tinusok ng karayom ng marinig ko ang mahinang tawag niya. We're not close but the way she calls me was like a little girl asking to be helped. It makes me feel soft. 

 

"Winter." Hinawakan ko ang kamay niya and there pakiramdam ko gusto ko siyang protektahan. Ganito siguro magkaroon ng nakababatang kapatid.

 

Nawalan siya ng malay kaya we had to bring her to the clinic with her friends help. Dumating din ang doctor and gladly said na hindi naman malala yung bali. It'll eventually heal itself. May ginawa lang siya konting alignment. He did his job and by the time na he's done, ate Irene has to go back do her part as a Dean. Naunang magpaalam si Doc Kai dahil may appointment pa daw siya. 

 

"Thank you ulit doc." 

 

"It's nothing Irene and Karina. She needs to take it easy. Tell her to take the day off tomorrow and just rest. Call me after three weeks or two so that we can check if she's fine without the sling na." Ngumiti ako at nagpasalamat ulit. Hindi na siya nagpahatid sa parking kaya hindi na rin kami naginsist. Naiwan kami ni ate at Giselle dito sa labas ng clinic.

 

"I have to go Rina and Gi." Ate keeps staring at me "Wala ka bang gagawin? Her friends can stay with her." 

 

"I'll be here till she wakes up ate." Dahan-dahan siyang tumango at tinignan ako ng nagtataka.

 

"That's odd of you." 

 

"What's so odd? Giselle is also here." Kunot noo kong sagot. She shrugged bago ngumiti. 

 

"Well, here. Take care of her when she wakes up. Make sure to buy some food." 

 

Tinanggap ko ito at tuluyan na nga siyang umalis. Nagkatinginan pa nga kami ni Gi. 

 

"You should go. I'll wait here nalang. Tell Ethan na siya na ang magdrive. We need to buy foods right?"

 

I nodded "Balik ako agad. Tanungin ko lang sila kung anong gusto nila."

 

I went back inside, only to see na gising na pala siya. They all turned to me na para bang may ginawa akong masama. Ethan asked about what the doctor said and he called me by my nickname kaya his friends was more than surprised. Ayun, he had to tell them the truth na the one he is courting was Giselle and turns out na napagkukwentuhan din pala nila kami. I saw Ning and Winter whispering to themselves and Win has that annoyed but relieved look. Siguro inaasar ng kaibigan niya.

 

But about what?

 

"Hey Winty." Lumapit ako sa kanya at naupo sa bakanteng upuan.

 

"Yes?" Lumambot bigla ang tono ng pananalita niya. It's cute how she shifts mood between sa pakikitungo sa akin at sa friends niya.

 

"Hi, do you need anything? Nagugutom ka ba?" 

 

"Hind—" "Opo ate nagugutom siya. Gusto niya po ng spicy fried chicken tapos sundae." Binara siya ni Ning kaya matalim niya itong tinignan. I laughed at how they act to each other. Tumango ako sa pasyente para ipahiwatig na okay lang. Well, if Ning said so then I have to do what I was told.

 

"I'll go buy you guys some food. Ethan, Gi said if pwedeng ikaw ang magdrive?" 

 

"Andyan ba siya sa labas?" I saw the glint on his eyes when I mentioned my bestfriend. How cute of them.

 

"Yup, gusto mo kayo na lang ang bumili?" 

 

He hesitated, dahil baka hindi pumayag si Gi kapag wala ako. It's been a while na din simula nung nakilala ko si Ethan. He's a good man. I just know how he respects Giselle so much. In the end I came up with an excuse to stay and that includes having the other two to leave. I had to bribe them some cash na Jungwon even has to asar Winter. Halata nga na she felt betrayed. Poor girl, she was out of word for her friends.

 

Nilabas ko yung water bottle na binili ko kanina.

 

"Gusto mong tubig?" Binuksan ko muna ang takip bago tuluyang ibigay sa kanya.

 

"Thanks." 

 

"Tell me kung may kailangan ka." 

 

"Okay po." Tahimik na ulit kami.

 

I decided to check my phone at nakita ang sunod-sunod na text ni Gi saying why I didn't go with them. Nageenjoy naman akong asarin siya when Winter suddenly spoke.

 

"Ate pwede ka namang manood ng event sa AC, nakakahiya na kinukuha ko yung time mo." 

 

"It's fine Win. May bayad 'to." I laughed. It's a joke.

 

"Bayad?" 

 

"Ate asked me to take care of you habang nag jujudge siya sa event ngayon." That wasn't technically wrong but there's no reward naman. I'm doing this out of concern. But that would be weird right? we're not even close.

 

"Okay." I felt something was wrong dahil biglang nagiba 'yung air around her.

 

Did I said something wrong? Was she offended because sabi ko ginagawa ko lang to because of a suhol? But that wasn't true tho.

 

"Uhm but I want to take care of you din. Nandun ako kanina nung hinimatay ka. Kamusta pakiramdam mo?" Pilit kong pinapagaan yung atmosphere pero cold na siyang sumagot. 

 

I was the one who noticed you being in pain. Ako ang nagsabi kay ate Irene and that ako talaga ang nagpatawag ng doctor. That's what I want to say but, nothing came out from my mouth. 

 

"Okay lang po." 

 

"Are you sure?" 

 

"Yes po."

 

"Ba't parang nawala ka sa mood?" 

 

"Hindi ah." Yeah she's definitely not okay. She's puffing her cheeks and nakasad face pa. Is it weird if I find her masungit side cute parin. Damn, I'm having a weird thoughts now. 

 

"Ohh uhm okay." Hinayaan ko na lang muna siya.

 

What should I do with you Winter. 

 

 

*End of Flashback*

 

 

 

 

After that, things kinda changed. She didn't even responded when I greeted her, nor smiled nung nagkita kami sa laro nina Ethan. A simple nod and that was it. I don't really get why she seems different to me but I want to make up for it kung may nagawa man akong mali. So I did what I thought would make her happy. I ordered a lot of foods. Hindi ko naman alam kung anong favorite niya so I just ordered what came to mind. I remember being so happy when she finally smiled to me again.

 

 

 

 

*Flash Back*

 

 

"Here, for you." I gave her the different kinds of food na inorder ko. Mukhang hindi niya pa nga ineexpect ang ginawa ko.

 

"Hala ang dami naman."

 

Ngumiti ako, "It's for you. I thought I offended you last time." Winter seems shy dahil napayuko siya at umiwas ng tingin.

 

"Uhm wala ka namang kasalanan sa'kin ate." Yup, she's nahihiya nga. The game started once again kaya the gym became maingay ulit.

 

"We suddenly felt awkward kasi. You didn't smile pa kanina nung nag greet ako." I admitted.

 

"Ate okay lang talaga." 

 

"Really?" I don't know if I should really believe that.

 

"Yes po." There's that polite tone again.

 

"Can I have a request?"

 

Hindi ko alam kung anong pumasok sa utak ko at I was demanding something out from her. She doesn't have to do it but I kinda want to see it again. Pakiramdam ko kasi galit parin siya sa'kin kapag hindi niya ito ginawa.

 

"Ano ate?"

 

"Pwede kang ngumiti? I somehow missed exchanging smiles with you tuwing pumupunta ako sa campus niyo." 

 

It's true. I didn't expected her to really smile nung humarap siya sa akin. That adorable and charming smile na nakikita ko lang kapag kasama niya ang mga kaibigan niya. When will you stop being cute in my eyes Winter? It's like I'm fan girling over her. Not in any romantic way, just platonic adoration. Alam mo that kind of feeling when seeing a cute pup or cat, nakakagigil kasi siya.

 

"Yan, tama nga si ate Irene." 

 

"Ano na namang sinabi niya?" Kunot noo niyang tanong nung ma mention ko si ate.

 

"She said na she wished she has a little sister like you. I kinda get it naman." Ate really likes her as a younger sis. Sabi niya pa nga na Winter has that energy na mahihila ka without her doing anything. I understand kung bakit. Hindi siya madaldal pero she can make you comfortable.

 

"Hindi ka naman na offend?" 

 

"Nope, normal sa amin ni ate ang ganito. She usually annoys me pero di ko pinapatulan. Kaya natutuwa siya sa'yo. Now, I get why she said that. Gusto ko din tuloy ng kapatid like you." Her frown deepened. Ang cute niya pala maasar. She looks like she had enough of it. I guess ate made her feel that.

 

Hindi siya nakatingin sa akin pero bigla na lamang siyang sumeryoso at humarap.

 

"Pakisabi kay dean wag ako."

 

"Sure, I'll tell her." Ngiti ko.

 

"Thanks."

 

"So we're good?" 

 

"Hindi naman tayo naging bad ah." Binalik na niya ang atensyon sa pinapanood.

 

I felt happy hearing that. My day will be fine now without anything to worry for.

 

"Right."

 

 

*End of Flashback*

 

 

 

 

 

The next time we met was during my game sa finals ng intrams. Kalaban pala namin 'yung department nila. Yeji as my setter is a sure win for us. We had everything in control, not until Renjun came and ruin everything again. He has to come and ask for forgiveness with the intent of gaslighting me over and over again. I was distracted by how his words made me mad. Hindi ko alam kung bobo lang ba talaga siya o he's being an , maybe both.

 

I remember Yeji telling me to focus but our synergy was all over the place na, hindi na kami nakakapuntos at halos sablay ang tira. Halata naman na dahil ito sa akin. 

 

Last set, we lose the second because of my carelessness. I was ready to blame myself for this when I heard a loud call of my name na galing sa audience. I looked around para hanapin ito. It's so familiar kasi