(WINTER)

Wow! What a game yung laro ni Karina. Ang galing niya. Ang angas at mamaw talaga sa court.

"Baby ko yan!!!!!"

"Anakan mo ko, Karina!"

Ang sigawan dito sa tabi ko. Grabe dadami naman mga fanboys and fangirls ni Karina.

What if gawin ko yung ginawa ni Athena sa "She's Dating the Gangster" noong may basketball na laro si Kenji? Dapat pala nagdala ako placard tapos magsisigaw ako ng "go y! go y y love! Go captain baby" pala! De joke lang, hindi kaya ng pagiging introvert ko yun. Tsaka iniiwasan ko nga siya para hindi ako mafall at hanggang happy crush lang.

Whooooooooo!!!!! 3peat!!!! Tapos na ang laban at finals MVP si Karina. Tangina!!! Pamura lang. Setter yan pero mamaw din magscoring.

Galing niya. Kakaproud. Magaling na nga sa acads at MVP pa. Out of league talaga si Captain. Okay lang talaga ako sa crush crush lang. Grabe yung hype dito lalo na kaschoolmate namin. Panalo ang Kwangya Warriors!!

"Today, we honor Karina with the Finals MVP award, acknowledging her skill, leadership, and dedication. She is also recognized as the Best Setter, praised for her precision, strategic vision, and selfless teamwork that significantly contributed to the team's success. Congratulations to Karina for her outstanding contributions to the sport, inspiring the next generation with her passion and excellence both on and off the court," ang award kay Karina.

Whooooo!!!!! Galing! Galing! Talaga ni Captain. Bumagsak na confetti. Grabe yung hype talaga kay Karina. Grabe yung celebration.

"Grateful for the Finals MVP and Best Setter awards, I owe this victory to my amazing Kwangya Warriors team. The Best Setter title speaks volumes about trust, teamwork, and precision in volleyball. This achievement is a shared journey, and I extend my heartfelt thanks to everyone who believed in us. To fellow athletes, chase your passions, embrace teamwork, and remember: this triumph is for the entire Kwangya Warriors team! Onward and upward, warriors!" ang speech ni Karina na hawak yung award niya.

Kinuha ko yung sketchpad ko kasi ito yung first MVP ni Karina, biglang sophomore pa lang diba? Angas talaga ni Captain. So iconic at isa sa best highlights niya. Natapos ko yung rough sketch ko. Tapos pagbalik ko ng tingin sa kanya, nakatingin na pala siya sa akin, kumakaway at nakangiti.

Agad akong umalis kasi nahihiya ako. Simula nung reporting namin sa thermodynamics, iniwasan ko na siya kasi ang friendly niya sa akin at tinuturuan niya ako sa theory classes namin. Hiya ako, iniwasan ko siya tapos makikita niya ako dito, pero parang kabastusan yung ginawa kong pag-iwas. Bahala na.. Paalis na ako sa stadium ng may tumawag sa akin.

(KARINA)

"Karina's exceptional performance as the Finals MVP and Best Setter showcases her volleyball prowess and strategic insight. Her ability to anticipate and read opponents' moves like a sixth sense has been instrumental in leading the Kwangya Warriors to a well-deserved 3-peat victory. Congratulations to Karina for her outstanding season and invaluable contribution to the team's success."

I don't have a sixth sense, but I can read their minds, like a cheat code. It would be a waste not to use it in the game, so I know every move of the opponent. I read the thoughts of their coach, so I suggest strategies to our coach and lead my teammates on the court.

We're done, and luckily, even with a sudden surge of thoughts that entered my mind earlier, causing a sudden headache, I still managed to finish the game. Kinawayan ko si Winter pero umalis bigla kaya hinabol ko palabas ng stadium.

"Winter!" I called her.

Then it seemed like she dropped a mini sketchpad because she was in a hurry to leave, and I picked it up. I saw it was full of rough sketches about me with dates and notes.

"Karina," She turned around, her poker face replaced with a hint of embarrassment as I held her sketchpad.

"Kilig ako (♥ω♥*). Ang galing ni Karina magset talaga ng bola pati yung puso ko naset papunta sa kanya," ang basa ko sa note na nakalagay doon sa baba ng rough sketch ko.

"W.F.L," I exclaimed, reading the inscription in the lower right corner of the mini sketchpad.

Which of course ay initials niya.

Natawa ako doon sa nabasa ko at ano pa ba aasahan ko kay Winter? Kitang-kita ko yung hiya niya na pilit niyang tinatago.

"Wow! Is this me? You drew me?" I said with genuine delight, which was truly cute naman.

"Ah hindi sa akin 'yan. Napulot ko kanina doon sa loob, naiwan yata ng may-ari. Pinulot ko lang. Hindi ko alam na puro drawing na tungkol pala sa'yo," ang palusot niya.

"Tanga mo naman, Winter. Napulot pa ni Karina yung sketchpad mo na puno ng fangirl mo sa kanya. Hindi mo nilagay sa bag mo yung sketchpad kaagad. Nagsinungaling ka pa sa sobrang hiya mo. Kailangan ko mabawi yung sketch na 'yun. Baka may mabasa pa si Karina na paano ako magsimp sa kanya. Kainis naman."

Go ahead, deny it. I'll make sure to make you admit it soon. I won't chase you, but I'll find a ways to bring you closer to me. Like a said I don't chase, I attract.

"Ganun ba? Whoever owns this, I truly appreciate them. Honestly, I like these kinds of things. I'm really happy that someone draw me. I hope I get to know them, seems like they did it on the spot while watching, like just now sa huling page na may drawing ako. Well akin na ito. Tutal hindi mo naman kilala may-ari. Ako na maghahanap kung sino. I really like to keep mga ganito," ang mischievous smile ko kay Winter.

"Kilig naman ako na appreciate ni Karina pero kinuha niya. Ano ba yan? Paano mo hahanapin may ari niyan? Ako nga may-ari niya. Paano ko na mababawi yung sketch pad ko? Memories ko yun sa kanya ng almost a year ng pagfafangirl ko sa kanya."

"Sige. Ikaw na maghanap ng may-ari niyan. By the way, congratulations sa pagkapanalo niyo at sa pagiging finals MVP. Nanonood talaga ako support sa team at sa inyong tatlo kasi blockmates ko kayo. Fan din kasi ako ng volleyball," ang kamot na lang niya sa neck niya.

"Okay. Thanks. Also, thanks for watching our game,"

"Wait Karina," ang tanggal niya ng mga confetti sa ulo ko.

Sa paglapit niya suddenly nagskip a beat yung heart ko. and for the first time, it felt different, like something I hadn't experienced before. I had relationships before but nagfailed dahil bago pa magtagal ay naexpose ko na sila. They act good in front of me, but behind my back, they do their dirty business.

"Ang bango at amoy baby pa rin niya kahit puro pawis na. Sarap singhutin."

I'm also happy seeing her watching my game. I'm just invested in her, why is it like this? I just read her mind, and it's refreshing. Maybe her thoughts are just wholesome and funny, but why do I feel delighted when we have interactions. Hindi ko naman type yung katulad niya but ganito?

"May mga confetti kasi nakakadistract. Sige una ako ha. Congrats ulit."

Upon returning to the locker, they threw a party and celebrated our victory by dousing me in champagne as I entered. However, I made sure to protect Winter's sketchpad from getting wet. I immediately tucked it away, and later, I'll take a look at it when I get home.

"At last, our MVP captain has shown up."

And nagcontinue sa isang bar yung party. Sumama na ako although ayoko talaga sa crowded na tao.

*****

At the bar, I indulged in a few drinks, celebrating the team's victory. The vibrant lights and upbeat music added to the lively atmosphere. As I sipped my drink, the room seemed to sway gently, and laughter echoed around me. The ambiance was festive, and the joy of the victory intensified as the night progressed.

Feeling dizzy, slightly world spinning – guess I've had too much ng alcohol but tipsy lang ako. Sasabay na lang ako kina Elle kaso iba pala way nila at wasted na si Ning. Nakainom na si Elle and it might be risky for her to drive me home.

Papasundo na lang ako kasi hindi ko rin dala car ko dahil sumabay lang din ako kina Elle. Lumabas ako ng bar and tatawag ako kina mommy na padalahan ako na magpipickup sa akin. Happy rin kasi ako nanonood din sila Mommy and Mom ng laro kaso umuwi na sila and hinayaan nila ako magcelebrate with team.

Nagdial ako na akala ko si Mommy ang natawagan ko.

"Hello Mommy, can you padala a car na magpipickup sa akin here sa bar? Hindi ko po pala dala car ko and I think a drink too much na at hindi me makakasabay kina Elle and Ning," I mentioned as my mom picked up another call on the other line.

"Karina, lasing ka ba?"

I shook na ng iba yung sumagot. Si Winter pala yung natawagan ko.

"Winter? Sorry, wrong number."

"Nasaan ka? Ako na susundo sayo."

"No need. I dialed lang the wrong number. I'll just gonna call my mom to pick me up."

"Ako na."

"No, I'm fine."

"I insisted."

"Okay, Here's my location..."

Pagpasok ng bar ulit nakita ko si Elle na inaalalayan na niya si Ning palabas ng bar na sobrang wasted na.

"Rina, I'll take Ning home. Let's go. I'll drop you off at your condo too."

"No need. Someone will pick me up," I declined.

"It's also out of the way for you. You've had a few drinks too. Just take care on your way home."

"Okay, take care to sa paguwi," ang last goodbye ni Elle na palabas ng bar.

*****

Winter calling.....

"Hello."

"Nandito na ako, Karina. Nasa tapat ng bar. Saan ka?"

Lumabas na ako at nakita ko si Winter na naka-cap at naka-jacket na itim. As always, naka-black siya at hindi halata na favorite niya ang black.

"Halika na. Iuuwi na kita. Here may dala akong jacket sana kaso nakavarsity jacket ka na pala," ang lapit niya na may jacket na dala.

"Buti nakaalis kaagad ako at bukas na ako ulit magrereview. Mahalaga nakarating ako dito mamaya ano pa mangyari kay Karina. Alam ko naman galing siyang celebration."

Oh no, I disturbed her review. It's already our midterm exams next week. I also need to continue my review.

"Thanks pala. It's embarrassing that I bothered you. I guess I'm drunk na, that's why I made the wrong call," I slurred while stumbling in my walk.

"Karina," Winter caught me, even though she's smaller than me, she managed to support me, and I leaned on her. I felt something electric when she touched me, or maybe it's just because of spirit of alcohol.

"Bilhan ko kaya ng kape si Karina. Pantanggal amats lang sana kahit paano."

"Thanks, I think I had a bit too much sa pagdrink ko ng alcohol. I just need some coffee," I smiled at her, keeping my distance.

She walked me to her car, opening the car door for me. I tried to fasten my seatbelt, but I couldn't, so Winter reached over and secured it for me.

"Thank you," ang smiled ko sa kanya.

(WINTER)

"Winter! Why are you just standing there by the fridge? Papagalitan ka ng mama mo niyan na nagsasayang ka ng electricity kapag she see you," ang tawag ni Tita Tiffany sa akin pagkauwi pagkanood ng game.

"Ah wala po. Nagiisip lang kung ano po kukunin ko sa ref na maiinom," ang sarado ko sa ref.

Aalis na sana ng tinawag ako ni Tita.

"Stress ba sa school? May problema ba?" Ang sandal ni Tita Tiff sa counter.

"Ok naman po ako sa school at Wala naman po akong problema," ang sagot ko.

"It's good. Your mom and I always tell you to study, but not to stress too much. We want you to enjoy, and we'd be happy as long as you're okay. Don't pressure yourself. We don't want you to push yourself to the point of neglecting your well-being. If you encounter problems, let us know. A friend's sibling took their life due to academic pressure from their parents. We don't want that for you. We want to see you graduate and thrive at hindi ihatid sa huling hantunhan. It's okay to enjoy, and if you fail a subject, you can always try again. The important thing is you've learned something. In the workforce, grades don't matter; it's your skills. Youth passes by quickly, so enjoy it. If you find someone you like, don't restrain yourself. Explore, but always be responsible, and think before you act," ang advices ni Tita Tiff na ano daw? Shuta english parang pang Miss Universe. Atsaka patay kaagad? Sabagay nakakapatay talaga magengineering. De joke naiintindihan ko naman. Napakarich vibes lang ni tita Tiff.

"Sige po tita thanks po," ang alis ko na sana pero napapabalik ako.

"Tita, what if may crush ako pero sobra yung hiya ko sa harap niya. Tapos feeling ko lumalalim na po yung feelings ko na gusto ko siya lalo nakakasama ko siya. Parang gusto ko na siya pero takot po ako. Takot po ako sumugal dahil ayaw ko po mareject. Nareject na po kasi ako dati at sobra po yung trauma na naramdaman ko. Ano kaya pwede kong gawin?" Ang open up ko sa nararamdaman ko.

Biglang nagulat si Tita Tiffany na parang naiiyak.

"Did you talk to me longer, Winter?"

Oo nga pala simula ng makilala ko si Tita Tiff. Puro opo, sige po, gagawin ko. Salamat and Thank you po kadalasan ang response ko kay tita tiff. Siguro feel niya hindi ko pa rin siya tatanggap bilang step mom at para kay mama.<