(KARINA)

"Rina, I'm glad you made it home. Elle and I were supposed to pick you up kagabi na," Ning said as we prepared for today's game.

"Yes, thanks to Winter," I said as I laced up my rubber shoes.

Ningning gave me skeptical look ng sinabi ko yung name ni Winter.

"Hmmm. What is Winter doing in your location? I really have a bad feeling about that girl. I feel like she's not just a ert but also a stalker pretending to be quiet and nonchalant, a mysterious girl. Isn't she a transferee from another school? What if she followed you to Kwangya?" Ning speculated about Winter.

"Hindi ganun si Winter, okay? She just happened to pass by the location. She's innocent, and stop calling her ert dahil hindi siya ganun," ang defended kong sabi kay Winter.

"Feeling ko tama si Rina, Ning. You know nagtanong ako sa GC ng notes dahil lagi tayong excuse ay siya yung nagpm sa akin. She gave me notes and everything na sobrang organized na yung binigay ko rin sayo kay Winter galing yun," ang supported statement ni Elle.

"What if it's just part of her plan? Madaming mapangpanggap. May ibang feeling ako sa babaeng yun," Ning insisted.

"She doesn't have any other plan. Please, Ning. Winter is kind, and I know that," I explained to Ning.

"Paano mo nalaman? Hindi ko nga kayo masyadong nakikita magusap. Also, I've noticed that she always looks at you. I'm just concerned na baka may gawin pa yun na mas masama na alam niyo mangSA siya," Ning said, still unconvinced.

"We understand that you're concerned, and you have mixed feelings about Winter. But please, give her the benefit of the doubt. She hasn't done anything to harm you, right? She explained and apologized for what happened with Rina's incident. You're overthinking, and it might affect our game. Let's stop this before it causes further impact," Elle urged Ning to stop.

Ning didn't argue with Elle and me anymore because Elle also stopped her. The game was about to start. However, I noticed the annoyance in Ning. Alam ko concern lang siya lalo sa akin lalo na doon sa first encounter namin ni Winter. In the game, we suffered a defeat as our team, including me, Elle, and Ning, struggled to find our rhythm and faced noticeable discord, possibly stemming from an earlier argument, particularly involving Winter. Miscommunication plagued our plays, and the lack of coordination was evident on the court. Every set posed a challenging hurdle, and our team failed to execute strategic moves collectively, resulting in our first loss after a series of consecutive victories.

"A unexpected turn for the Kwangya Warriors as their formidable trio of Lopez, Franco, and Frias faced an unprecedented defeat. The typically flawless coordination among them appeared to falter, resulting in a lack of synchronization on the court. This defeat, particularly following a string of continuous victories, prompts inquiries about the team's internal dynamics." ang rinig ko sa commentator.

Pagkapasok namin sa locker ramdam mo yung barrier namin kay Ning.

"First loss natin," ang sabi ni Elle na pahinga namin na upo at punas sa sweat namin.

"Buti naman naging humble kayong tatlo. Kayo may kasalanan kung bakit talo ang team," ang read ko sa thoughts ni Jade na napapangiti sa gilid na natalo ang Kwangya Warriors.

Honestly, naiiritate na ako sa babaeng ito. Don't ubos my patience sayong babae ka. Baka hindi mo talaga magustuhan yung gagawin ko sayo. Magstop ka hanggang mabait pa ako.

*****

The awkwardness and barrier among the three of us persisted until we got home. Our group chat remained silent. I was also busy with school work, trying to catch up on everything that needed to be done. Then, Ning initiated a chat in the group conversation.

Ning Gorgeous🔥:
[i'm sorry ako yung maraming error earlier]

Then I was about to make a call, but Elle beat me to it by calling in the group chat. Both Ning and I answered the FaceTime. The three of us were busy with school work.

"Ning that's ok lang part yun matalo," ang bungad ni Elle.

"Thanks, Elle."

"But please stop thinking negatively about Winter. We don't know her, so we don't have the right to judge her. It's okay if you don't like her, and I understand your concerns. Let's just be vigilant, right? Besides, as Karina mentioned, Winter is innocent and kind. She's just quiet and nonchalant. Rina isn't wrong to judge her. I don't like us being like this, the three of us," Elle said while engaging in some school drawing activities, we also can't neglect our studies because we might lose our varsity positions.

"Yes, Ning. Errors are okay; there are times when luck isn't on our side in the game, but you believe in me naman about regarding my judgment of people," I added to Elle's statement.,"

If you just can read and know her mind works ay funny because mostly chicken wings, hopia, frozen chuckie, kung ano kakainin niya and her daydreaming sa what if scenarios niya about me and her. Ginawa na nga niya ako assassin, witch, anak ng president, cat and more.

*****

Then after namin magusap tatlo ay nagcall sa akin si Ning.

"Rina," she began, her tone hesitant.

"Yes?" I replied, sensing the underlying message.

"I know you know about my feelings for Elle, but please, don't spill it to her? Let me spill the beans, okay?"

"Okay, Ning," I said softly, understanding her request.

"I'm still not ready, and I don't want our friendship to be ruined, so please, just let me handle it," she added, her tone tinged with vulnerability.

"Of course, Ning," I responded reassuringly. "I understand. It's important to take your time and figure things out at your own pace. Just know that I'm here for you, whatever you decide."

Ning nodded, a hint of relief evident in his expression. "Thanks, Rina. I appreciate your support and understanding."

"Anytime, Ning. We've got each other's backs," I said, offering a warm smile. "And who knows, maybe telling Elle how you feel could bring you even closer together."

Ning chuckled nervously. "Let's hope so. Thanks again, Rina."

*****

After ilang days nakahabol din ako sa school activities.

[Winter Frost Lopez]

[sent a file]
[here winter]
[pasama na lang din]
[thanks]

[okay]
[❤️]
[👍]
[typo lang]

*****

"Karina, just one date. It'll be fun, I promise, and what you said before about being just a bet game, that's not true. My feelings for you are real," Jeno insisted.

"Hasn't your bet game with your teammates ended yet? Are there new rules?" I irritatedly remarked, feeling bothered in my seat.

I'm getting cold na nga may mambwibwisit pa. Because I forgot my sweatshirt in the condo. I can manage, but I'm feeling a bit chilly."

"Karina, whoever told you that, it's fake news."

", hindi ko talaga mapilit si Karina makipagdate but may 1 month pa ako para manalo sa bet namin ni Johnny," ang basa ko sa mind ni Jeno.

Before, when Jeno approached me, you could feel the classmates' excitement because Jeno is a famous varsity basketball player, while I am also a varsity volleyball player. But now that I've asked them to stop shipping us.

"Mawalang galang na sayo, Jeno. Diyan ako nakaupo. Baka gusto mong umalis at magiistart na yung class," ang dating ni Winter na nakatayo sa harap ng seat niya na pinapaalis niya si Jeno.

Napatingin lang kami ni Jeno sa kanya nakatayo.

"Bwisit na Jeno ito. Bakit mo nilalandi yung crushie cake ko ha? Gusto mo bang tirisin kita ng buhay? Parang higad ka, likis ng likis kay Karina. Kung higad ka, tapakan na kita para mawala ka na sa mundo. Distansya tol or gusto mo ng ambulansya. Hindi yan sayo. I mean hindi rin sakin pero huwag mo ikerengkeng," ang nabasa ko sa thoughts ni Winter na as always emotionless or poker face niyang tingin kay Jeno.

There her thoughts again na akala mapupunta ako sa kanya.

Tumayo naman na si Jeno dahil pumasok na yung prof namin because magiistart na yung class namin sa differential equation.Habang nagkakaclass as expected na ang chatty ni Winter sa isip niya.

"Nahihilo, Nahihilo, Nalilito saan ba ako? Aasa ba ako sa differential equations? Gusto ko lang naman yung totoo. Yung tipong ang sagot ay di rin isang tanong? Bobo ka pala? Hindi nga pala ako matalino. Hanggang dito na lang ako."

Ang kanta niya na may tono ng migraine ng moonstar88

"Nalss na ako doon parang ganun pakiramdam ko sa lesson namin ngayon. Lumilipad naman isip ko puro scribble yung nasa utak ko. Pagba bumili ako chicken wings magagamit ko ba yan? Maapply ko ba yan sa real life? Nahihirapan ako intindihin."

Paulit ulit siya sa pagrereklamo sa lessons namin at hindi siya gumawa ng fake scenarios between us today. Hindi ako makapagfocus kaya ng lumabas saglit yung prof namin kasi may need gawin ay kinalabit ko siya.

 

(WINTER)

Wala akong maintindihan, myghad cassie.

"Hey, Winter."

Ang tawag niya.

Pasok mareng Taylor.

Say my name and everything just stops.

Be risky or be risky.

Syempre duwag at super shy ako kaya hindi ako magririsk. Sapat na yung ganitong crushie momints.

"Yes"

"Mukhang hindi mo gets yung lesson so I can teach you," ang sabi ni Karina.

Hala! Paano niyang nalaman? Siguro napatingin siya sa akin na nakatanga sa white board. Tuturuan ako ni Crushie? Nakakahiya baka isipin niya bobo ako pero kasi hindi ko talaga gets. Tsaka crush momints ko na ito na tinuruan ako ni Karina.

"P-paano ba nakuha yun?" Ang kalmadong kong sabi pero ninernerbus ako na konting lapit sa kanya.

Napako yung mata ko sa kanya na inaayos niya yung buhok niya na nilagay niya sa likod ng tenga niya. Tapos nilagay niya yung ipad niya sa note pad.

Ang ganda niya talaga sobra. -̳͟͞͞♥ ૮ ○ﻌ ○ ა

Nakakabighani talaga siya.

"Focus ka ha," Ang eye to eye namin.

Oo naman sayo lang tingin ko naman lagi. Tapos bigla siya nasamit at napailing.

"Okay ka lang?" Ang tanong ko.

"I'm fine."

"Alright, Winter, let's make this fun. Imagine ordering chicken wings as a differential equation problem. You have to understand the variables and relationships."

Bakit napunta sa chicken wings?

"Let's say the rate at which you eat chicken wings (dw/dt) depends on the number of wings you currently have (W). So, dw/dt is the rate of consumption," ang paliwanag niya na sulat sa ipad niya.

Ayun nakinig lang ako kasi ang soothing ng voice niya. ASMR ba?  Tapos nadidistract ako sa side profile ni Karina kahit anong angle niya napakaganda niya.

"Now, let's introduce a factor k, which represents the deliciousness of the wings. The rate of consumption is proportional to the number of wings and their deliciousness. So, dw/dt = k * W,"

Mamaya nga magchichicken wings ako bigla akong nagcrave pero kinig muna ako kay Karina. Grabe napaliwanag niya at nagets ko. Ang galing niya. Wala na dagdag points ka naman sa puso ko. Saka may gamit pala talaga sa real life yung differential equation.

Tapos after niya magpaliwanag ay napalingon siya sa akin at naglock yung tingin namin sa isat-isa. Ang ganda niya sobra. Biglang nagkaroon ng paru-paro yung sikmura ko.

"Gets ko na. Thanks," ang baling ko na iba yung attention ko kasi mamatay ako sa kilig at ang init na ng pisngi ko.

After class ay sinukbit ko kaagad yung backpack ko tapos sumibat na kaagad kasi nagugutom na ako pero happy si Winter nakausap ko si Karina at tinuruan pa ako. Kilig talaga ako (⁄ ⁄>⁄ ▽ ⁄<⁄ ⁄). Ginamit ko yung isang daan porsyento ng brain cells ko kanina. Tapos habang palakad ako doon sa chicken wings place ko. May narinig ako sa gilid ko na habang naglalakad na maglalagay ako airpods ko sa tainga ko.

"Girl, she's cute talaga. Tapos ang amazing pa she saved cat. She's sikat na kaya sobra kaso pamysterious siya. Should we get her number. Nagfriend request na ako sa kanya but nakalocked and private mga social media niya. She's lowkey. There are rumors she has a girlfriend, but it seems like fake news. I always see her alone. Should we approach her?"

Tapos lumapit nagsalita kasama yung dalawa pa niya kasama na babae. Tagacivil sila kasi kita ko sa lanyard nila.

"Hi, Winter."

Pinalibutan nila ako. Ang awkward. Hindi ako sanay kaya kunwari hindi ko sila narinig. Tapos nakita ko si Chaewon at Yunjin. Agad ako lumapit.

"Chaewon, may mga lumalapit na babae sa akin. Ang awkward," ang dikit ko kaagad kay Chaewon na hawak sa braso niya.

Napatingin si Yunjin sa mga babae na sumunod sa akin. Tinarayan niya.

"Is there a problem?"

Grabe yung taray ni Yunjin doon sa mga babae kaya umiwas na lang.

"Salamat Yunjin. Hindi lang ako sanay."

"No worries. If they bother you, let me know. I got your back. Honestly I'm really glad nakilala ko kayong twins. Only child lang kasi ako so parang nagkaroon ako siblings," ang tayo namin sa gilid na tatlo.

Tapos si bobo biglang nagacting with matching hawak sa dibdib ng "ouch ang sakit naman sa puso na siblings lang tingin mo sa akin."

"Nope, si Winter sinasabihan ko. Cute niya maging sister," ang hampas sa braso ni Chaewon.

"Yung siblings mo kasi with s na plural so kasama ako doon."

Hala naglandian na sila sa harapan ko
໒( ̿･ ᴥ ̿･ )ʋ. Makaalis na nga gutom na rin ako tsaka may next class pa sila at 1 hour break lang kami then lab namin sa basic electronics. Buti past lunch na kaya konti na lang tao doon.

(KARINA)

Darn, I really should have passed by my condo. I'm getting cold; the air conditioning in this room is so strong kapag basic electronics laboratory yung subject.

"We're exploring the fundamentals of circuit design with a voltage divider circuit. Calculate resistor values for a specific voltage, then measure voltages at different points, observing the voltage drop across each resistor," ang sabi ng professor namin at drawing niya sa white board ng circuit design habang nakaupo kami na nakikinig sa kanya.

Kahit nilalamig na ako ay hinanda ko na yung mga need breadboard, tester, power supply and mga electronics components. Here sa Basic lab ay magkatabi pa rin kami ni Winter sa mga laboratory and workshop namin ay nakaalphabetical arranged kami. Ok naman siya paglab and workshop kasi seryoso siya gumagawa.

"So Use the voltage divider formula," ang basa ko sa thoughts niya na tahamik lang sa gilid kong nagcocompute niya sa resistors na need sa isang papel. Samantala ako nilalamig na talaga dahil malapit pa kami sa aircon.

Then suddenly, she puts down her pen on the table, takes off her black sweatshirt with a hoodie, and hands it to me.

"Mukhang nilalamig ka. Gamitin mo muna," ang abang niya na kung kukunin ko yung sweatshirt niya.

I didn't want to accept, but I don't know why I took her offer. Maybe I was just really feeling the cold, despite my usual reluctance to accept offers as far as i can, especially from someone who has a crush on me. Ayoko itake advantage at magisip sila na baka may pagasa. Because there's no chance, and I'll never develop feelings for them. Thanks for the admiration, but I haven't found anyone I'd be interested in.

"Buti tinanggap niya. Mahirap magkasakit siya at baka mawala pa siya sa condition sa paglalaro. Napakavaluable niya sa team lalo na malapit na rin semis kahit secured na nila yung 1st seed at may twice to beat advantage," ang basa ko sa thoughts niya iniwas niya yung tingin sa akin.

"Saka pasasalamat ko na rin sa pagturo niya sa akin kanina sa differential equations."

"Are you not going to feel cold?" I asked.

"Hindi naka longsleeve naman ako. Saka prepared ako pag mag lab and workshop kasi sobra lamig."

"Akala mo nasa alaska, sulit yung tution fee sa aircon."

I chuckled slightly, trying not to show it, at that thought of hers.

"Thanks, balik ko na lang after ko mapalaundry."

"Sige lang," ang poker face niyang sabi na balik sa ginagawa niya.

I put it on because I was already feeling very cold. Her sweatshirt was cozy and comfortable. It carried her scent, which was pleasant and fragrant.

"Buti na lang mabango maglaba sila manang at mabango yung sweatshirt ko. Saka suot niya sweatshirt ko. Bagay sa kanya katulad na bagay din siya sa may-ari ng sweatshirt."

Nagpatuloy ako sa activity, nakuha ko naman lahat ng need na resistors na needed. Honestly, medyo hirap ako in actual and workshop but natatapos ko rin naman siya agad. Hindi ko lang talaga nakukuha agada yung results na gusto.

I troubleshooted my circuit on the breadboard, but the results I obtained don't match the calculated values. There's a significant margin of error.

"Done na ako. Lahat ok na. Tapos ko na yung papel at papacheck na lang ako kay Ma'am. Then pwede ng umuwi. Urat na ako at uwing-uwi na ako. Ano kayang masarap kainin? Nagugutom naman ako. Pinagiisipan ko pupunta ako sa meeting ng Lumina or magdadahilan ako masama pakiramdam? Bakit kasi naisip ko pang sumali? Backout na kaya ako para rekta uwi na ako lagi? Wala kasi akong mapagtambayan pagvacant kasi. Ayoko naman sa maraming tao."

Lumabas yung prof namin at hindi pa rin ako tapos. Yung classmates ko sa ibang table ay kinakausap si Winter.

"Winter, balita namin may girlfriend ka na daw?"

"Huh?" ang reaction ni Winter.

"Wala akong girlfriend. Saka bakit naman ang pakilamero niyo sa buhay? Kayo nga hindi ko pinapakita," ang basa ko sa thoughts ni Winter.

"Wala akong girlfriend," ang una at huling sagot ni Winter at balik sa activity niya na nagpapanggap na may ginagawa kahit tapos na siya. Yumuko na pagkatapos niya na magpanggap na may ginagawa.

Nilapitan ako ni Giselle and Ningning.

"Done ka na?" Ang asked sa akin ni Elle.

"Nope pa nga. May mali nagpalit na ako resistors," ang sagot na busy pa rin sa pagtroubleshoot.

"Then Ning asked, 'And whose sweatshirt is that?'

"It's Winter's; she lent it to me. I was getting cold because I forgot my sweatshirt. It's really chilly in our spot," I replied.

"Yeah, it's really cold," Elle added, tucking her hands into her pockets.

"I was actually going to ask if I could borrow from you because you have a high cold tolerance, but you already lent it to Elle, and Winter volunteered. I guess she noticed I was shivering. That's why Ning and I had that eye communication, indicating that you already know," I explained about Winter being innocent.

"Okay," Ning replied.

Hindi ko pa rin makuha yung gusto kong result. Tutulungan sana ako nila Ning kaso dumating na yung prof namin. Magchecheck na ng mga activities. I can't afford not to make this activity work; it will automatically be a 3.00. Hindi naman ganun kaapekto sa grades but sayang.

"May problema ba?" ang salita ni Winter sa tabi ko.

"Yes."

"Patingin ng circuit mo," She took my breadboard, connected it to a power supply, and tested it. She meticulously tested each component using a tester, maintaining a serious demeanor. I watched her intently; Like ang attractive niya pala talaga. Kaya pala biglang sikat niya here sa Kwangya U kahit bago pa lang siya but parang she don't care.

"Nagvovoltage drop," ang tingin niya sa akin tapos why does she appear so attractive in my eyes? What's happening?

"Karina. Karina," ang tawag niya sa akin.

"Y-yes?" ang snap ko sa reality.

"Sabi ko nagvovoltage drop. Ok naman lahat ng components baka sa breadboard may problema. Minsan may pangit na breadboard. Ililipat ko lang. May excess breadboard pa ako dito,"

Bigla ako nawala sa sarili.

"Mamadaliin ko na ito kasi nagchecheck na si Ma'am,"

In a moment, she transferred all the components and created a new circuit for my activity. Siya na gumawa ng activity ko.

"Karina, ok na. Malapit na doon sa mga computed values at maliit na lang yung marginal values. Sulat mo na lahat ng sasabihin ko,"

"Okay."

Sinulat ko sa paper ko yung mga sinabing output ni Winter and because of her naka 1.25 ako sa activity.

"T-thank you," I suddenly felt shy but managed to say thank you to her.

End of class