Karina’s POV

“Are you okay now? Let’s go back to school. Magdrive thru na lang tayo sa mcdo.” I said, my voice still full of worry.

“Okay po, sorry po ulit.”

“Wanna share anything? about what happened?” I tried to make her talk about it.

“You don’t have to.” I quickly added.

“Sorry po.”

“No, I’m sorry. It’s my fault for bringing you with me.”

The way back to school was quiet. 

When we reached a stop light, I thought we could use some music para naman mabawasan ang katahimikan. Winter saw my hand reach for the play button and before I could press it, she gently grabbed my hand to stop me.

I was confused.

“Sorry po, pwede pong hindi tayo magpatugtog?”

“Okay, sure. Are you sure you’re okay na?”

“As long as wala pong music, I think I will be fine. Is it okay po if I try to nap?”

Nag green na ulit ang stop light.

“Okay go, I’ll wake you up kapag nasa school na tayo.” I said while looking at the road in front of me.

As I drove, I tried to figure out what led to what happened to Winter kanina. As long as walang music? Music ba ang nagtrigger ng panic attack nya? But I remember nagpplay na yung songs sa car kahit nung nasa parking palang kami ng school at nagpapainit ng engine. Okay naman sya that time. Was it a specific song? , I really messed up. I shouldn’t have brought her with me. 

We arrived at the school and ginising ko si Winter. Inabot ko sa kanya yung binili ko sa drive thru habang tulog sya kanina, “Kainin mo to ha”

“Yes po, thank you.”

Bago pa kami makalabas sa car, Winter spoke again, “Miss, pwede po bang isekreto na lang natin yung nangyari today. Sorry po talaga. Ang totoo po, I was diagnosed with severe anxiety. I’m usually fine kapag may meds po ako. Kaya lang naiwan ko po kanina.”

“Why didn’t you tell me earlier? Pababalikin naman kita o kaya baka di na lang kita sinama.” I asked but it probably came out na parang pinapagalitan ko sya.

“Sorry po, akala ko po kasi kaya ko na.”

“Stop saying sorry Winter, please.” 

She definitely thinks I’m mad.

It hurts me tbh. I was filled with guilt. I already felt bad for what happened to her kanina tapos akala nya galit ako. Who am I para magalit knowing na meron syang ganoong dinadala. I just hope some day, I will know everything about it.

Hindi ko alam kung paano ang naging performance ko sa class. I wonder if naturuan ko sila ng ayos. What happened with Winter was not easy to forget. I couldn’t help but steal a glance at her every now and then during the class para icheck kung okay sya.

Natapos ang klase namin ng walang nakakaalam sa disaster na naganap kanina sa labas. 

Pagkauwi ko sa bahay at pagkatapos kumain ng dinner with my dad, I decided to check the FB page of our department. 

Finally, nakita ko na ang account ni Winter. 010101? Bakit ito ang pangalan nya sa gc nila? Sinubukan ko syang ichat.

010101

Winter Kim?

Yes po Miss?

Just checking on you. I want to let you know

that I’m always here if you need someone to talk to.

Thank you po. I appreciate it.

After ng convo namin na yun, hindi na ulit ako nakareceive ng message from her.

It’s been a month. 

I thought the faculty meeting about SCS would give me more information about Winter but no. They only mentioned how the student has severe anxiety, which is something that the girl already told me. 

One would thin