(WINTER)

Okay na ako, sabi ng doktor, at uuwi na ako bukas. Mag-iistay muna ako dito sa emergency hanggang bukas. Inayos naman ni Minju yung hospital bill ko. Ngunit iba pa rin yung timpla ni Rina, pati na rin sila Elle at Ning. Gusto nila akong magsampa ng kaso sa driver ni Minju. Kaso, naawa naman ako sa driver; may pamilya pa siyang bubuhayin. Buhay pa naman ako at okay naman ako. May galos lang pero still breathing.

Pinaalis ko na sila Minju dahil alam ko kapag naabutan sila ni Mama at Tita Tiff ay gegerahin talaga sila. Pinakiusapan ko sila Rina ako magsasabi sa parents ko. Tinawagan ko na sila na nasa hospital ako. Pinapauwi ko na sila Rina pero sabi nila hintayin daw nila yung pamilya ko bago nila ako iwan. Tapos parang hinabol ni Karina si Minju. Jusme, hindi na nga magkasundo sa loob ng court hanggang sa labas dahil pa sa akin.

(KARINA)

I held Minju's arm with determination.

"What's that?" she said sharply, pulling her arm away from my hand.

"I'll make sure you're held accountable for what happened to Winter," I declared with a stern expression.

"Karina, I've already talked to Winter, and we've settled things. If I wasn't accountable, do you think I would've taken Winter to the hospital? Yes, my driver made a mistake, but I can't let him go to jail; he has a sick child. I've already talked to the driver and made sure Winter is okay. If there were more significant injuries, I would personally file a case against my driver. Let's not escalate this further."

I could see the sincerity in her face.

"Well then, just tell your driver to be more careful and don't be reckless. Buti Winter is fine," I replied, lowering my tone.

"Yes, I'm really sorry."

So, Minju is different off the court, not as arrogant.

*****

"Frosty ko, anong nangyari? Bakit may benda ka diyan sa braso mo? Jusme naman anak, pangalawang beses mo na ito. Hindi ba natamaan yang ulo mo," ang concerned na lapit ng isang babae na kamukha ni Winter, na halatang mommy niya, at niyakap si Winter.

"Nabangga po ako ng kotse pero hindi naman daw malala, mama. Uuwi na rin ako bukas. Kailangan ko lang po muna magpahinga," ang soft and calm na sabi ni Winter.

"Where's the person who hit you? Did you get the plate number? Was it a hit-and-run? I will call Attorney Carlos. This can't be allowed, Winter," said a woman who seemed to be Winter's stepmom.

"Frosty, nasaan yung doc na naka-assign sayo? Imakesure natin na okay ka. Mamaya may internal bleeding ka na. Hindi pwedeng maulit yung dati?" ang concerned din na sabi ni Chaewon.

Kitang-kita sa mga mukha nila yung takot sa nangyari kay Winter.

"Mama, Chaewon, at Tita, kumalma kayo. Okay lang po ako. Sabi ng doc bukas makakalabas na ako at okay na ang test at x-ray ko. Ito nakabenda ay minimal na galos lang. Kasalanan ko rin kung bakit ako nasagasaan. Binayaran naman nung nakabangga yung hospital bills ko. Walang kasuhan na mangyayari."

"Ano??? Hindi pwede yan," ang malakas na sabi ng mommy ni Winter.

After some more discussion and reassurance, Winter's family began to calm down, trusting her judgment and the doctor's assessment of her condition. Nilipat rin siya sa isang private room.

"Mama at Tita, sila yung mga kaibigan ko pala: si Elle, Ning, at Rina."

"Hello po." ang greet namin sa parents ni Winter.

"Salamat sa pagsama sa anak ko."

"By the way po Tita and Winter aalis kami. We just made sure that Winter is okay," Ang paalam ni Elle and Ning.

"Sige uwi na kayo. Salamat ulit. Magingat kayo."

"Oo uwi na kayo. Nakaabala pa ako. Salamat ha. Magingat kayo sa paguwi."

We went ahead, but I wanted to come back. So, I just dropped Elle off at their cars and then returned.

"Rina, bakit ka bumalik?" ang tanong ni Winter na binibigyan ng pagkain ni Tita Taeyeon.

"I don't have anything to do at my condo, so I'll just stay here to make sure you're okay."

I don't know why I said that, but I really don't have anything to do at the condo, and there's no class tomorrow anyway.

"Tita Taeyeon and Tita Tiffany pwede po ba akong magstay here?"

They looked at me as if wondering, then Chaewon whispered something to Aunt Taeyeon and Aunt Tiffany. Winter glanced shyly, as if she knew what they were talking about. Aunt Taeyeon and Aunt Tiffany smiled knowingly at me.

"Ahhh siya pala yung crush ng anak ko at pinorpormahan. Bigyan kong 10 Million layuan lang si Winter. Syempre biro lamg. Magaling pumili yung anak ko. Ang gandang bata at mukhang mabait pa. Bagay sila ng anak ko. Bet ko siya para kay Frosty ko at bagay siya maging manugang ko," my read on Tita Taeyeon's thoughts as she smiled at me was.

"Winter has chosen a good and well-behaved girl. She's approved in my book. Looks like I'll have beautiful and cute grandchildren in the future," Tita Tiffany also smiled at me.

I suddenly felt embarrassed about the thoughts I read regarding marriage and grandchildren from Tita Taeyeon and Tita Tiffany. How will our relationship progress if their daughter hasn't confessed yet?

"Hi po, isa lang po pwedeng bantay lalo na patapos na visiting time. Pwede naman palitan but isa lang po pinapayagan magbantay sa patient," ang lapit ng isang nurse sa amin.

"Ako na lang po magbabantay kay Winter. Wala naman po akong gagawin sa condo," ang offer ko na ako na magbabantay kay Winter.

"Rina," ang hiyang sabi ni Winter.

"Are you sure? We have an out-of-town meeting ng Tita Taeyeon mo early tomorrow kasi. We'll cancel it if needed to watch over Winter, or Chaewon is here para magbantay kay Winter," Tita Tiffany asked.

"Okay lang po."

Agad pumayag sila Tita Taeyeon and Tita Tiffany.

"Pababalikan na lang namin kay Chaewon si Winter. Thanks Rina," Tita Taeyeon's embrace for me.

"Welcome to family pala. Mama na lang tawag mo sa akin," Tita Taeyeon added.

"Jusqohhhh si mama talaga. Nakakahiya. Gago kasi si Chaewon. For sure binulong niya na si Karina ang crush ko at gusto kong pormahan. Kakahiya. Mama na daw itawag sa kanya pero nakakakilig potaena kasi tanggap nila si Karina. Sana tanggapin rin ako ni Captain kapag nagkalakas na ako ng loob manligaw at magconfess. Also ng parents ni Rina."

"Uwi na kami, sis. Ikaw na bahala sa kambal ko ha," ang paalam ni Chaewon to me.

*****

Winter and I were left behind, and may tulugan naman ang bantay na maliit na bed. Yun lang kasi yung available na room.

"Rina dapat umuwi ka na kasi hanggang bukas pa ako dito. Paano ka matutulog niyan? Iwan mo na ako si Chaewon na lang pagbabantayin ko. Okay naman na ako," ang kamot sa ulo ni Winter.

"I'm fine. You really worried me because someone else answered your phone. I really don't understand why you didn't file charges against Minju."

"Hayaan mo na. Kasalanan ko rin naman talaga. Kung hindi ka uuwi dito ka na lang sa kama at doon na lang ako sa maliit na bed," ang tap niya sa kama.

"No, you're the patient, right? I'm fine, Frosty. You might end up in a bad sleeping position later," I refused and said assertively.

Napakamot siya ng ulo at tatayo sa kama. Kaya nilapitan ko siya.

"You're so kulit. Balik doon sa bed," ang pigil ko sa kanya.

"Magbabanyo lang ako, Rina. Naglilinis lang ako katawan at nangangati na rin ako," she calmly and gently assured me that she would follow sa sinabi ko.

Tumango lang ako, at nagsalita siya, "By the way, may extra shirt at jogger pants ako diyan. Nagdala si Mama ng mga damit ko, at magpalit ka rin ng damit mo kasi alam kong nangangati ka na rin. May disposable underwear din diyan. After ko, ikaw naman," sabi niya na nakangiti, na kahit siya ang pasyente, inaalala pa rin niya ako.

Palakad na siya papuntang banyo nang tanungin ko kung kailangan niya ng tulong, at bigla siyang namula at nahiya.

"Do you need help with anything?" I asked, trying to make sure she was okay on her own.

She blushed deeply, a clear sign of embarrassment flashing across her face. "Hindi, kaya ko," she stammered, a little flustered by the offer.

"Okay, just making sure. Shout if you need anything, alright?" I added, wanting to reassure her that I was there if she needed any assistance.

She nodded, still a bit red in the face, and quickly made her way to the bathroom, leaving me standing there, a mix of concern and amusement swirling inside.

After she cleaned herself, she got me some of her extra clothes to lend. Her clothes were incredibly comfortable and smelled distinctly of her.

"Gusto mo hinaan yung aircon? Hindi ka ba nilalamig diyan? Sayo na itong kumot ko tapos sayo na itong unan ko. Naitataas ko naman yung bed," she said, concerned, noticing I was sitting on the small bed without a pillow or blanket.

Tumayo ako nilapitan ko siya.

"Frosty, stop worrying about me. I'm fine. I'm the one supposed to be taking care of you, but it seems like it's the other way around," I joked with her.

"Eh kasi bothered ako sa sleeping setup mo. Walang unan at kumot tapos maliit pa yung kama. Nakakahiya kasi ikaw pa ang nagbabantay sa akin. Hindi rin ako mapapantag dito, so stay ka na lang dito sa kama para share tayo sa kumot at unan," she tapped on the bed with a concerned expression on her face.

"Hoy! Ano bang pinagsasabi mo? Tabi kayo ni Karina, pero kawawa naman si Karina doon tapat pa ng aircon tapos wala siyang kumot at unan. Sana huwag tanggihan ni Karina yung offer ko kasi makokonsensya ako," Ang biglang nabasa ko sa thoughts niya.

It's already 9 PM, I usually sleep early and wake up early. My body clock is also adjusted for our volleyball practice sessions.

Pumayag na rin ako and I lay down beside Winter, our bodies perfectly aligned, our closeness palpable. The rhythmic beats of her heart echoed in my ears.

"Sana hindi marinig ni Rina yung bilis ng tibok ng puso ko at kasya naman kami. Ang bango niya sobra. Humahalimuyak sa ilong ko yung amoy niya."

"Alam mo Rina. First time ko may makatabi maliban sa kambal ko. Parang nagsleepover tayong dalawa sa hospital," She chuckled softly, and I chuckled too.

"For me, it's not a big deal since I've had sleepovers before with my high school friends, Ning, and Elle. If you want, the four of us can have a sleepover at my condo. We can have drinks there. Sleepovers are fun, especially when you're with someone you're really close to," I said while both of us were looking up at the ceiling.

"Talaga? Hindi ko pa kasi natry. Hindi naman kasi ako nagkaroon ng circle of friends. First time lang sa inyo. Masaya at thankful ako napunta ako sa real na mga tao,"

Winter always spoke calmly and gently. It was a bit awkward being beside each other, but her presence was comforting. I leaned on her shoulder, using it as a makeshift pillow.

"Because you're geniune person too, and it's not hard to like you as a person once you get to know and break out of your shell, and you become comfortable with people," ang soft kong tease.

I really enjoy our conversations as always.

"Alam mo rin ba hindi ito yung first time na naaksidente ako at dinala ako sa hospital? Noong 16 ako ay may nakabanggaan yung sinasakyan ko na UV na sasakyan ang bilis niya kasi magpatakbo. Nagising na lang ako nasa hospital na rin ako. May benda yung ulo ko. 1 month din ako nawalan ng malay at sabi sa akin ay brain dead na ako pero milagro na nagising ako. Tapos nagising ako na parang may kakaiba sa akin na ewan. Kaya tignan mo kanina napakaOA nila kasi nga diniklera na akong brain dead at binibigyan ng option si Mama na imercy killing na ako. Kasi wala na mga machinery na lang bubuhay sa akin."

"What? Brain Dead?" ang biglang tingin ko sa kanya at napatingin rin siya sa akin.

"Nakakabigla ba?" ang slightly smile niya sa akin.

"Kaya binabantayan ako lagi ni Chaewon kasi ng magising ako. Todo iyak siya na yakap sa akin. Akala niya mawawala na daw kambal niya."

At 16? I was also 16 when the car accident happened, and we're the same age. I asked her about the accident, and we had the same location and time of the accident. The UV was the one that hit our car, and maybe that's why Winter's presence affects me like that—because our accidents are connected.

That day, based on our research, something extraordinary happened: a rare alignment of planets. However, it's unclear if it had any meaningful impact, or perhaps something triggered in my mind due to the accident I experienced. The answers to my questions are still unclear, but what I knew was that it coincided with the accident, and Winter was also affected. But why only the two of us? But si mom, wala naman nangyari? Pero mukhang hindi aware si Winter? Pero sabi niya parang may kakaiba sa kanya. Maybe she also has a special ability, pero ano? Ano yung special ability niya na nakakaapekto sa mind-reading ability ko? Everything became even more confusing for me, but what matters is I no longer feel alone here. I have someone with me in this strange occurrence. Pero hindi ko muna sasabihin kay Winter hanggang maging clear lahat sa akin kasi hindi naman siya basta-basta maniniwala.

(WINTER)

Hindi ko alam kung anong oras na pero nagising ako na kayakap at nakasandal sa balikat ko si Captain. Kilig naman yung buong nervous at circular system ko.

Binantayan niya ako, at blessing in disguise din pala yung pagkabangga ko dahil may ganitong moment kami ni Captain. Sarap ng tulog niya sa balikat ko. Sobrang ganda niya kahit natutulog siya. Walang oras na hindi maganda si Karina. Napatingin ako sa labi niya na sa ilalim may nunal na nakakadagdag ng kagandahan niya. Tapos parang ang sarap halikan. Hooooooy! Bad yan!! Dapat may consent. Tigilan mo yan, Winter.

Pero hindi ko mapigilan maakit putik kaya ginawa ko na lang. Nilapat ko ng dahan-dahan yung hintuturo at middle finger ko na malinis kasi nag-alcohol ako bago mahiga sa labi niya. Tapos nilapat ko sa labi ko yung mga daliri ko.

(//ω//) (//ω//) Napapangiti ako ng parang tanga pero nakaramdam ako ng gutom. Kaya dahan-dahan ako tumayo para maghanap ng food. Gusto ko ng hot chocolate kaya bumaba ako sa canteen para bumili at maghanap ng food.

Kaso wala akong mabetan na food kaya ending bumili na lang ako sa vending machine ng hot chocolate. Tapos napagisipan ko na hmmmmm? Bilhan ko kaya si Rina? Kaso tulog pa siya at lalamig lang yun. Then ng paakyat na ako ay nakasalubong ko si Rina na puno ng pagalala sa mga mata niya.

"Frosty, where did you go? You're worrying me."

"Nagutom kasi ako. Gusto mo ba hot chocolate?" Ang abot ko sa hot chocolate na hawak ko.

Pinalo niya ako sa braso at malakas yun ha..

"Aww? Bakit mo ko pinalo?"

"If you were hungry, you should have woken me up. Let's just order some food for delivery. Hello? You got into an accident at hindi simple yung nangyari sayo. You need to rest but what are you doing? You scared me, Winter. You suddenly disappeared from my side. Gosh, if you were hungry, you should have woken me up," ang rant niya wala siyang pakialam kung may umaakyat sa hagdanan.

"Sorry," Yun na lang nasabi ko kasi nagaalala sa akin si Karina. Kita ko yung frustation niya sa ginawa ko. Bumalik kami sa room ko at nagorder siya ng food.

Napayuko lang ako habang pinagsasabihan ako ni Karina para siyang nakacaptain mode.

"Frosty naman, anong sasabihin nila Tita sa akin? I'm supposed to be the one taking care of you, but it feels like I'm the one being watched over. The doctor said you're okay but you still need to rest. Galaw ka nang galaw."

"Sorry talaga, Karina. Sana'y kasi ako na ako lang gumalaw magisa at hindi ako sanay umasa sa iba."

"Then masanay ka na nandito ako," ang straight forward na sabi ni Karina nabigla ako.

"Huh?" ang confused kong react.

"What I mean sometimes, it's okay to rely on others, especially when we need support the most," ang sabi ni Karina pero may paglunok na nangyari after niyang sabihin yun.

"Okay," ang tango ko na pinakabog ni Karina yung puso ko na ayaw ko ipahalata.

Dumating yung food at kukunin ni Karina sa baba.

"Stay here at ayoko kong gagalaw ka," ang captain mode na sabi ni Karina.

Nang bumalik siya at gusto ko sana siyang tulungan sa pag-aayos ng pagkain, pinandilatan niya ako ng mata at syempre tumiklop ako. Inayos ni Karina ang pagkain sa mesa. Bumili siya ng ramen kasi sabi ko 'yun ang trip ko, at alas-kuwatro ng madaling-araw, nag-ramen party kami.

*****

[Dream Team🏐]

Ning✨:
[Sure ka Mamshie na papasok ka na bukas?]

[Diba kasi ok naman ako. Baka may miss ako na lecture mahirap na]

Elle🔥:
[Didn't the doctor say you need some rest? Pwede naman magexcuse? I mean, you got hit by a car, hello!]