WINTER

Wala sa sariling napapangiti ako sa twing naalala ko ang nangyari noo'ng pasko hindi ko rin nga lubos maisip na gagawin ko 'yon i mean sigurado naman akong nasa tamang katinuan pa ako ng halikan ko sya.

Jusko! natapos ang pasko at bagong taon pero hindi pa rin ako maka get over don! pano ba naman kasi naulit pa 'yon don sa library nila mas matagal pa nga don kaso narinig namin 'yung boses ni Achi na hinahanap si Ian kaya nag panggap pa kaming nag babasa lang ng libro dahil sumilip sa loob si Achi.

What the hell is wrong with us?

Mariin naman akong napapikit at nag pagulong gulong sa kama habang nag papadyakpadyak. Feeling ko pulang pula na naman ang mukha ko kapag naaalala ko 'yon. Buti nga hindi na naulit pa at hanga'ng don nalang 'yon but why do i suddenly miss his kisses and also him?

"Winter, ano ba?! para kang gago!" Sigaw ko.

Kainis! bakit ba kasi ako nag kakaganito? lagi nalang akong ganto kapag naiisip ko sya o di kaya kapag feeling ko miss kona sya. Wala nama'ng kami pero kung maka miss ako sakanya daig ko pa asawa nya. But i think it's okay naman? i mean we almost kissed! we did it in unlimited times! gezz!

Agad akong napabangon sa pag kakahiga ko sa kama ng marinig kong nag r-ring ngayon ang cellphone ko. Kaagad ko itong hinanap at don ko lang nakita sa bedside table kaya kinuha ko at tinignan kung sino ang caller. it was him, without any hesitation i answered the call.

I cleared my throat. "H-hi,"

["Damn, i miss your voice right now, how's your doing?" He asked with a husky voice of him.

I miss you too! kidding but haha miss din kita.

"Doing good, Hahaha, ikaw? how's your doing too?" I asked.

["I miss you,"] He answered.

"That's not the answer, Ian." I said and rolled my eyes.

["I know but i miss you damn much. can we meet?"]

"Hmm? bakit mo naman gusto makipag kita, ha?"

["Because i miss you and i want to see you, is that not good enough reason to meet such a beautiful girl like you?"]

I smiled. "Bolero,"

["Dali na kasi i want to see you badly nga kasi."] Parang bata na sabi nya at nag mamaktol pa sa kabilang linya.

"Oo na, saan ba?" Natatawang tanong ko.

["Payag ka?"] He asked again.

"Oo nga," Sagot ko.

["Hmm, let's meet in Darius mom's café."]

"What if Darius is there and he's with Rai?"

["They're not there, didn't you see Darius ig post today? he's with his girlfriend, they're in sagada."]

"Woah, sagada." I surprisely said.

I heard him chuckled. ["Why? do you want to go there too?"]

"Hindi ayoko,"

["I know you want, maybe next time we could go there."]

"Dami mo alam, what time pala?" Tanong ko nalang.

["Hmm, ngayon na."] Sagot nya kaya nanlaki ang mata ko.

"As in ngayon na?"

["Yes, ganon kita ka miss."]

"Buang,"

["Hahaha, okay see you later."]

"Okay, bye."

["I love you, bye."] He said making me smile again. ["Hey? are you still there?"]

I blinked my eyes. "A-ah, bye see you."

Then i ended our call. i placed my phone back at the bedside table. Para akong tanga'ng nakangiti na napahiga ulit sa kama habang naka hawak sa dibdib ko. Parang gago naman abnormal na naman sya kung tumibok.

How can i get revenge on him by doing this to me? parang dati lang binully nya ako tapos naging partner kami sa study report and then it turns out to be my tutor then now he's in love with me. gezz paano'ng nakaabot kami sa ganitong part? don't tell me nag katotoo ang shipping nila Kaycee?

Oh no.

"Yah! nakakainisssss!"

He's making me fall for him too shit!

***

Nandito na ako ngayon sa loob ng café nila Darius. tama nga si Ian wala dito ang dalawa o kahit sino sa Eytri. Wala pa rin akong inoorder na kahit ano maliban lang sa isang glass ng tubig na kanina ko pa iniinom.

I'm was busy stalking Darius ig acc and there i saw his post it was all pictures of him with Rai. If i'm not mistaken the other pictures are taken last year ago iba kasi ang mukha nila dito medyo mahaba pa ang buhok ni Rai hindi tulad ngayon. Ito pa ata 'yung mga panahon na itinatago nila ang relasyon nila sa lahat, it was posted 2 weeks ago, mga pictures nila na ngayon lang nya na post dahil revealed na ang relasyon nila.

I stopped stalking Darius acc when i heard the chains when the glass door opens. He entered the café and all of the customers are now staring at him. he looks like he was a center of attraction. He was wearing a white t-shirt with a black leather jacket and a black pants. ang cool nya tuloy tignan. When his eyes landed on me i just smiled and wave my hand, he smiled back and walks towards our table.

He sit on the chair.

"Why are we wearing a same clothes?" He asked.

I chuckled when i realized that i was wearing a white t-shirt and a black leather jacket and black ripped jeans but i have a cap. Napailing ako. hindi naman namin inaasahan na ganito, wala rin kaming pinag usapan.

"Siguro hinulaan mo susuotin ko kaya ginaya mo rin." Bintang ko.

"Of course not, i would never do copy someones outfit. Well except you." He said and looked away.

"Since you already see me i think i should go na." Sabi ko at akmang tatayo.

"This is a date you stubborn." Sabi nya kaya tinaasan ko sya ng kilay.

"Sana sinabi mong date 'to so at least i didn't wear a wrong clothes."

"You're not wearing a wrong clothes, it's just a unique one so..."

"Ewan ko sayo pero sana dapat sinabi mo pa rin."

"So are you telling me that if i directly ask you for a date are you really willing to date me?" He asked while a glimpse of smirk flashed on his pinkish lips.

Napaiwas naman ako ng mapagtanto kong nakatingin ako sa labi nya. Gezz why on earth i was staring on his lips? bumuntong hininga nalang ako at muling iinom sa baso na may tubig pero wala naman akong mainom.

huh? ubos na?

I heard Ian's chuckles, i raised my eyebrows on him again so he stopped chuckling. inaasar pa ata ako nito.

"It seems like you still didn't order some foods, can we order now?" He asked.

"Sige, ikaw na bahala." Sagot ko nalang.

He just shook his head and call one of the barista that Ian used to be his another side of friend too. The guy is not that tall if i'm not wrong our height is just a same, his skin is kinda moreno and his eyebrows are so makapal, singkit at matangos ang ilong. He smiled genuinely when he saw Ian.

"Uy! long time no see." Bungad nya.

"Hey, kamusta?" Bati ni Ian.

Why is he still has an accent even though he was speaking tagalog na?

"Eto maayos naman, nakakahinga pa rin." The barista answered then he glanced at me. "First time mo atang nag dala ng ganito kaganda'ng babae, ah. Ano mo sya?"

Ian glance at me too and he smiled. "She's my girlfriend."

"Nice marunong talaga kayong pumili ni Boss D." Sabi ng barista.

"Boss D?" I suddenly asked.

"Boss Darius po, Boss D, for short." Sagot nito. Tumango lang ako. "Ano palang order nyo?"

"One americano for me, what about you, Love?" Baling sakin ni Ian. I didn't answer, he stared at me while his left eyebrows are narrowed. "Cappuccino...One americano, One cappuccino and two slice of raspberry cheesecake."

"Okay! coming right up, Sir!"

When the barista is now out of our sight, i heard Ian clicked his tongue so i glance at him and gave him a 'what's your problem-look.'

"Why did you suddenly quiet?" He asked.

I shook my head. "Nothing its just that, how did you know that cappuccino is my favorite coffee?"

"Darius, told me. He told me that you're always buying a cup of cappuccino in the morning when both of you are working to save our classroom by dissolving." He answered so i nodded my head. "Anyway have you ever heard about Sir Natha-"

"Let's not talk about him on our date, okay? i don't want to hear his name." I cutted him.

"If it's what you want then okay, i'm fine with that."

I smiled so he smiled too. Napaiwas nalang ako ng tingin at ibinaling ito sa labas ng glass wall, I secretly rolled my eyes when i remembered that scumbag. His name is remembering me how bullshit he are for making my friends a fool and stupid. He's nothing but a bullshit scumbag.

When our order arrived me and Ian started talking about some stuffs, such as our favorite dishes, dessert and drinks also the place that we always wanted to go to. We arr both careful to asking deep personaly questions who may can be both of us feel uncomfortable.

After namin matapos namin sa café ay nag aya naman syang mag libot libot saglit, isa rin pala syang walang dalang sasakyan. Gusto nya daw mag walk in kaming dalawa. Ilang stores ang nadaanan namin na dalawa habang nag k-kwentuhan pa rin.

"So totoo nga'ng mas nauna'ng na fall si Achi kay Kate?" I asked while we're still walking.

"As like what i've said, yes. Achi is such an in denial that's why." He answered. I nodded my head.

Saglit naman na may nahagip ang paningin ko kaya ihinarang ko nag braso ko sa harap ni Ian na sya rin nama'ng tumama sa tyan nya kaya napadaig sya. I bow my head saying apologizing.

"Sorry, may ice cream kasi akong nakita don." Turo ko sa isang ice cream store. I worriedly check on him kasi nakahawak sya sa tyan nya. "Are you okay? did i hit you that bad?"

He shook his head and held my hand. "Not that bad, Let's go and get your ice cream."

"Pero sure ka bang okay ka lang? sorry talaga hindi ko naman sinasadya." Nag aalalang sabi ko pero umiling lang sya.

"I'm okay don't worry, hmm?"

"Per-"

"I love you,"

Natutop naman ako at hindi nalang umimik, bahagya akong napangiti. Pag pasok namin sa loob ng Ice cream store ay binati kami ng isang staff na babae don. She was wearing a thin baby blue mini skirt and a white polo. I run to the ice cream stall, there's so many lots of flavors!

I looked back at Ian but his still standing there while looking at me, i glance at the staff who's secretly unbuttoning her polo. I clicked my tongue and walk towards them, when the staff is about to face Ian so i block him. I stand in front of her.She looks shock when she face me instead of Ian.

"M-ma'am?" She surprisedly asked.

I smiled. "It's little cold here, why are you unbuttoning your polo, Miss?"

"A-ah..."

"Never mind, Love?" I glanced at Ian. He tilt his head and there's a curve of smile on his lips.

"Yes, Love?" He asked.

I held his hand and starts to walk while pointing the ice cream. "Ang dami'ng flavors don, hirap ako pumili."

Tumigil kami sa harap ng stall ng mga ice cream, Tinuro ko 'yung cookies n' cream pero umiling din naman kaagad ako. Nakanguso akong nag angat ng tingin kay Ian na nakatingin sa stall pero nag baba rin ng tingin sakin at ngumiti.

"Didn't you pick any yet?" He asked. I shook my head. "So sad i already pick what mines."

"Sana lahat, ano pala sayo?" Tanong ko.

"The melon one," Sagot nya at tinuro ang melon flavor.

"Ah, ako din gusto ko 'nan." Sabi ko at tinuro don sa tindera ang ice cream na gusto namin. "Melon ice cream for two po, pa add po ng dried blueberries."

Tumango naman ang tindera at nginitian pa kami ni Ian bago sya kumuha ng cup at nag lagay ng scoop ng melon ice cream don. She add some dried blueberries as like what i've said. She gave me the two cups and Ian pay for it.

When we are now outside the store i glance at the staff who's now looking at me and Ian. I smiled on her again. Hinarap ko naman si Ian at inabot sakanya ang Ice cream nya na agad nya rin nama'ng tinanggap.

"Why did you do that?" He suddenly asked.

"Huh? ang alin?" Tanong ko pabalik.

"That, Why did you do that?" Balik na naman nya.

"Ang alin ba kasi?" Tanong kona naman. Then i realized what is he talking about. "Ah, didn't you noticed? she was trying to seduce you..."

"Why are you whispering?" Kunot noo'ng tanong nya.

"She's trying to seduce you, Love." I said and mentally rolled my eyes on him.

"I know thank you for saving me, Love."

I rolled my eyes on him again then he just smiled and put his hand on my shoulder and start eating his ice cream. Malayo layo na rin ang nalalakad namin na dalawa, mamaya makikita nalang namin sarili nami'ng nasa tapat ng Northshire high. We talked alot of things again to avoid the boredness between me and him.

Suddenly our topic today is about what he wants on his future, also what mine.

"So what do you want to take once we graduated?" I asked and put the cup on the trash bin that i saw.

"I want to take med," He said and also put his cup in the trash bin. "What about you?"

I sat on the bench. So he did to. "Still undecided,"

He just nodded his head and put his hand on my shoulder again.

"So bakit med? diba, Legal management si Tita Eirish?" I asked.

"Why would i take law if you can be one of them?" He asked back.

"Huh? what do you mean?" Kunot noo'ng noo ko dahil hindi ko alam ang ibig nyang iparating.

"Imagine, 10 years from now, I was arrested by malpractice being a surgeon and i don't want my mom to be my defender. So i can choose you as my Attorney than the others." He answered, I shook my head in disagreement.

"Read the first word, Imagine. I'm telling you now, Mr Gomez. I'm sure that i'm not going to be one of them. Sorry if i disappoint you but i can't be your future Attorney." Sabi ko at pumikit tapos pinag dikit ko ang palad ko at nag bow sakanya.

He just laugh at me. "Rai once said, Wag mag salita ng tapos."

"Totoo naman e! bakit hindi mo nalang kunin si Achi? or si Darius? pwede rin naman si Lexie. I heard to Kate na mag t-take ng law 'yung tatlo." Sabi ko.

"I don't want to be defend by my friends, I would like to be defended by the girl i love the most." He said and patted my head. "I'm not pressuring you to take law. I just want to give you a piece of advice because being a Lawyer will suit perfectly to the woman like you."

Napailing nalang ako. Hindi pa rin sumasang-ayon sa sinasabi nya. Matagal ko ng alam sa sarili kong hindi ako pwede mag abogada dahil wala naman 'yan sa bokubolaryo ko, hindi ko rin hilig ang makipag batuhan ng ebidensya sa kalaban, baka mabato ko lang sya ng heels ko at mga walang katapusang mura. Hindi rin naman bagay sakin dahil masyado akong pikon, isang bagay palang naiinis na agad ako.

Pag katapos ng pag uusap namin ni Ian ay inaya nya ako na uuwi na pero ayoko pa dahil masyado pang maganda ang sunset para umuwi saka gusto ko muna panoodin na lumubog 'yon so i told him to stay with the bench for a few minutes until the sunsets finally down.

Hawak ko ang cellphone ko at nasa camera ito ganon din naman sya he was capturing the clouds, trees etc. kung anong makita nya. I preferred my cam when i saw the orange mixed with yellow of the sky.

Then the sunset is came out.

"Beautiful," I murmured.

"What a beautiful scenery." Ian murmured too.

I glance at him and smile. "Punta ka don dali picture-an kita."

He shook his head. "I don't want,"

"Dali na please? isa lang promise." Pakiusap ko.

"Okay fine, isa lang, ha." He assuring.

I nodded. "Oo isa lang,"

He handed me his phone and stood up then he walks towards the tree that i pointed him. I preferred my cam again and lower the brightness so i can captured him nicely with the sunset. Pinatalikod ko sya na ginawa nya din naman tapos doon ko na sya kinuhanan ng litrato. Ang sabi ko isa lang pero nakita ko kasi syang humarap tapos nakangiti sya kita pa ang dimple kaya napangiti ako at kinuhanan ulit sya ng picture.

Tinignan ko ang mga shots ko, marami rami na rin sya. Bumalik naman si Ian sa tabi ko hindi sya nag abala na tignan ang picture nya kahit sinabi kong tignan nya. Ayaw na ayaw tignan ang mukha parang gago.

Muli kong ibinalik sa langit ang tingin ko at halos mag ningning ang mata ko dahil sa lalong gumaganda ang langit may ilang ibon pang pumapalibot dito.

Hala, ang ganda!

***

3RD PERSON'S POV

"Ang ganda! wait dito ka lang, kukuhanan ko lang ng picture 'yon." Paalam ni Winter kay Ian na nakatingin lang sakanya.

"Hmm okay, take your time." Sabi ni Ian kaya tuwang tuwa na nag lakad paalis si Winter.

Pinanood ni Ian kung paano pumunta si Winter sa may gitna na hindi naman kalayuan sakanya, Bahagya nitong iniangat ang cellphone nya at kinuhanan sa iba't ibang anggulo ang kalangitan.

Itinaas ni Ian ang cellphone nya at itinapat iyon kay Winter. Ilang beses nyang kinuhanan ng litrato si Winter na tuwang tuwa. Ibinaba nya ang cellphone nya at tinignan ang mga nakuha nya.

"Beautiful yet adorable," Ian murmured.

Ibinalik ni Ian ang cellphone nya sa bulsa nya ng makita nyang pabalik na si Winter na tatalon talon pa habang nag lalakad. Ian chuckled when his watching her doing that jumping-walk.

"Ang ganda talaga! parang gusto ko nalang hapon araw araw." Nakangiti'ng sabi ni Winter.

"Ganda mo," Sabi ni Ian kaya napaiwas ng tingin si Winter.

"Uuwi na ba tayo?" Tanong ni Winter.

Ian nodded and stood up. "Yes, mag lalakad pa tayo, remember that i didn't bring my car."

"Nice, nangangamo'y late night walks, gawin kaya natin?"

"Late night walks?"

"Oo! masaya kaya 'yon lalo na kapag kasama mo 'yung taong mahal mo."

Ian smiled and look Winter directly in her eyes. "So you love me?"

"H-ha?"

"Tss, you're so adorable." Ian said and patted her head again.

Like what they talked about Night walks they really did it. They are walking in the night while holding they're both hands. They also talk about something, Ian was listening to Winter's nonsense joke that she learned to Kaycee and Rai.

When they both reached, Winter's boarding house, Ian took his hand on Winter so Winter looked at her confusedly. It seems like that Winter doesn't want to let go their hands. Ian tapped his both shoulders and pulled her closer to him so he could give her a kiss on her forehead at least.

After kissing her in her forehead Ian hug's Winter tight and Winter did too. Ian doesn't like to overthink Winter like Achi did to Kate before. so he did to kiss and hugs Winter to giving her assurance.

"The sunset is beautiful but i would not likely to bring you there anymore..." He let a heavily sigh. "...because if i do again, it means i let you go and i won't gonna do that."