WINTER'S POINT OF VIEW

"Anak, wake up. We are getting late for our flight." Oh! I almost forgot that may flight pa pala kami papuntang London.

"Coming, Dad," I said to him before I get out of my bed. Medyo okay na ang pakiramdam ko when I woke up. Pumunta ako sa harap ng salamin para tignan kung namamaga ba ang mata ko and to my surprise my eyes are both swollen and I also have my eyebags below my eyes. Buong gabi ba naman kasi akong umiiyak.

When I am finished preparing myself ay sakto namang pagbukas ng pinto at pagpasok ni daddy with his backpack on his back. Wow daddy! Mas mukha ka pang magca-camping kaysa sa pupunta sa business trip. "Are you finish anak?" dad asked and I nodded. Dad offered his hand to mine. "Shall we, baby girl?" dad said and I frowned which made him laugh. "Okay, I won't call you baby girl for today. Just for today," he said while laughing. I rolled my eyes to dad. I don't care if I'm being disrespectfulㅡ Well yeah, that's me, DISRESPECTFUL or SPOILED BRAT. Dad just pissed the hell out of me.

I just ignored my dad and continue walking along our grand staircase. When I stop to see him, he's still laughing.

Dumiretso nalang ako sa sasakyan bago ko pa matarayan ulit si daddy. When the driver opened the door of the car, nagulat ako dahil madaming dalang bagahe si dad. "Dad, why do you have so much luggage? We are just staying there for a week." Lumapit ako sa kanya as I rolled my eyes "Tell me dad are you planning to live there in London?" I asked.

Napansin kong may kotse pa sa likod ng kotse ni dad. "They are not all mine," he said while walking papunta sa kotse na nasa likod ng kotse niya.

"Then if it is not all yours, kanino dad?" I asked.

"It is ours." Bigla na lamang bumukas ang pinto ng kotseng nilapitan ni dad at iniluwal niyon ang dalawang babaeng kilalang kilala ko. "Surprise! Hi Win. Tito Jerome invited us to go to London with the two of you," Lauren said while walking to my direction.

"Dad is it true that these two will go with us or is it just another prank of yours?" I asked dahil ayokong umasang sasama sila pero malalaman ko na lamang sa huli na isa lang pala ito sa mga pranks ni dad.

"Why baby girl, don't you want them to come with us?" Dad said and I rolled my eyes on him for calling me baby girl again. AGAINㅡ Well nice dad! You just broke your promise.

"Dad how many times do I have to tell you that DON'T CALL ME BABY GIRL," I said emphasizing the word don't call me baby girl. I looked at the two girls on our side and just like dad, they are also laughing na para bang wala ng bukas. Wait, are they really laughing because dad called me baby girl in front of them orㅡ Argh! Nevermind! "WALANG NAKAKATAWA," I shouted to them at pumasok na lang ako sa loob ng sasakyan.

Sumunod naman sila sa loob. Dad is in his car while Flinn and Lauren are in the same car as me. I was about to close my eyes but to my surprise, Flinn hugged me. "Sorry Win. We just can't help but laugh. Sorry if we let the beast out of you," Flinn said and I can sense the sincerity in her voice.

I just can't help but smile. Why are my friends so sweet to me? While I am talking to myself, ipinitik ni Lauren ang kamay niya sa harap ko. "Why are you smiling there Win? You're creepy." I laugh a little and turn my gaze to them.

"Tel me Flinn and Lauren, why are you so sweet to me?" I chuckled as I said those words.

Nagsukatan naman sila ng titig at hindi alam kung sino ang sasagot sa tanong ko. Why do I feel like ayaw nila sagutin yung tanong ko? It's just a simple question and I just need a simple answer. Sa huli ay napabuntong hininga na lamang si Flinn. "It's because we love you and please no more further questions." What's with these two?

Sa kakaisip kung anong nasa isip ng mga katabi ko ay hindi ko namalayang nasa tapat na pala kami ng airport. While we are sitting ay may nakita akong isang lalaki na hindi ko maalala kung saan ko nakita.

When I realized who it was, I turned my gaze to Flinn, and as I expected she is listening to music. Tinanggal ko ang isang AirPod niya na nakakabit sa tainga niya at inis na tinignan niya ako with her deadly glareㅡ Yeah her deadly glare because she doesn't want anyone pulling her AirPods from her ears, even us. "What the hell do you want Win?!"

"Is that Rye?" tanong ko sa kanya sabay turo sa lalaking nakaupo.

"Yeah, he will also go to London with his family," Flinn said.

"(All flights going to London, please proceed to your respective planes.)"

Tumayo na kami at pumasok sa loob ng eroplano. When we're sitting, I just can't help but sleep.

While I am sleeping, I felt like nasa nakaraan ako with our memories with mom.

***

"Winter, wake up. We're already at the London," wika ng katabi kong si Lauren.

Pagbaba namin ay nandoon na sila daddy and Flinn, waiting for us. "Anak, we're going to visit our club tomorrow, so for now we should get some rest first," dad said. Suddenly dad's phone rang. "Excuse me. I'll just answer this call," pagpapaalam niya.

"I'll just use the cr, guys," I said before I followed Dad. I don't really know where did he go, but here am I, watching another man, looking for something while he's on the phone. He's just a close to where am I, so I hid behind the post.

I irritatedly looked below me and I felt a bump below my sandals, and I found an AirPod there. I immediately took it and looked at the man again. I squinted my eyes when I noticed something. Uh-huh! This is his.

I am about to throw it because I'm sure that it's not Dad because Dad isn't using an AirPod whenever he's on the phone when I suddenly heard little noises coming from it. I put it on my ear. "Aristotle, natunugan ng mga pulis ang transaksyon," wika ng taong nasa kabilang linya ng telepono. I can't identify his voice because he's using a voice changer, I guess?

Wait! What! Why did the man on the other line call the man that I'm watching Aristotle?

"Ano?! Tatanga-tanga kasi kayo!" naiinis na wika naman ng lalaking pinapanuod ko.

Biglang humarap sa direksyon ko ang lalaking may kausap sa telepono that made me startled. I looked at his eyes and I can see the anger in it. But why did the person on the other line call him Aristotle? Is he the one that we're finding for a long time?

"Win, why are you there?" I moved a little when I heard a voice coming from Lauren.

"Gosh! You startled me!" Hindi ko namalayang nandito na pala siya. I shook my head for my response to her question.

"Tito Jerome is waiting for you thereㅡ actually, WE are waiting for you there. He said we should go to your house now."

Kinakabahang lumakad na lang ako papunta sa direksyon nila daddy after I threw away the AirPod. "Oh there you are, Winter. Where did you go again?" nagtatakang tanong ni daddy.

I looked at him, and to the other two girls right here. I'm thinking of saying that I maybe saw the Aristotle that we're finding, but I don't want the Lauren, and Flinn knows about it. "Nothing important, Dad," I said to him as I shook my head.

When we arrived at our house, Flinn and Lauren cling to me like leeches. "Winter, let's go shopping," they both said using their sweet tones. I shook my head and they both pout. "Your so KJ! Please, Winter! Please best friend! Please! Please!" they both said please until I nodded my head. Even if I don't want to go to the mall, I don't have choice because I'm sure hindi ako titigilan ng dalawang to hanggang mapapayag nila ako.

And now here we are at the crowded mall. When I entered, the guard greeted me and bowed his head. "Welcome Ms. Schneider!"

"Winter, bakit kilala ka ng guard?" Flinn whispered to me.

"Because we are the owner of this mall."

"Kaya pala dito mo kami dinala," sabat ni Lauren as she rolled her eyes.

Hinila agad kami ni Flinn papuntang salon at hindi na kami nakapalag pa. "Hey Winter, can you please change your creepy aura? Make it a cute aura," Lauren said and I faked a smile. "By the way, bakit ka nga pala tulala kanina pa simula nang dumating tayo here in London. Don't say that you don't want here!"

"Noㅡ I meanㅡ I like here in London. Don't mind me. Its nothing to worry." Ayaw ko na silang madamay pa.

"Win, Lau, tama na yang pag-uusap niyo. Come here, let's make our matching manicure and pedicure," Flinn said na nakapukaw sa pagiging seryoso namin. I turned my gaze to Lauren and I faked a smile and I nodded saying that I'm okay. Napabuntong-hininga na lamang ito bago sumunod sa amin. Among the three of us, Lauren is the one who can see if we are okay or not kaya hindi ko siya masisisi kung itatanong niya sa akin kung okay lang ako.

After we finished our manicure and pedicure with the flower design in the middle, napagkasunduan naming bumili ng make-up.

Pagdating namin doon ay pumunta agad sila sa lipstick section. "Winter, what do you think among these three will match my lips?" Flinn asked me while showing her three choices. The first is Rosy Red, the second is Scarlet and the last is Carmine.

"I prefer Rosy Red," I said.

"Thanks," Flinn said as she winked her eye.

"Win, how about mine?" Lauren also showed me three choices. The first is Rouge, the second is Magenta and the last is Fuschia.

"I prefer Fuschia for you," I said.

For my lips, I picked the Sepia Brown. After we picked our lipstick, we also picked our eyeshadows. Flinn picked the color Beige for her eyeshadow. Lauren picked the color Purple for her eyeshadow. I picked the color Gold for mine.

After we bought make-ups, we went to the nearest restaurant to eat. After we ate, nagyaya si Flinn papuntang amusement park. "Let's go to an amusement park. Its been a long time since I went to an amusement park," Flinn said.

"Manong, let's go to Tommy Pterodactyl's Jurassic Fun Park," I said to our driver

Pagdating namin ay tinignan ko si Flinn at nagniningning ang mga mata nito. "Lauren, Winter, let's ride the Water Splash," Flinn said habang tinitignan ang Water Splash na nasa harap niya.

"Pass," I said. Ayokong sumakay sa Water Splash dahil mababasa ang damit namin.

"Why?"

"Our clothes will be wet kapag yan ang sinakyan natin," I answered.

"Oh, c'mon Win. They will provide vests for those who want to ride," Lauren said.

"Butㅡ" Hindi ko na naituloy ang sasabihin ko dahil hinila na agad ako nila Flinn and Lauren papunta sa bilihan ng ticket.

When it's our turn they gave us vests just like what Lauren said to me. After we rode almost all of the rides, we went to the nearest park.

"Good luck for tommorow Win!" Flinn said na nakabasag sa katahimikan. Hindi ba siya nawawalan ng energy? Kanina pa siya energetic.

"Hey guys, there is an ice cream there," Lauren said habang tinuturo ang ice cream shop na malapit dito sa park. "Let's buy good luck ice cream for Winter."

"I appreciate it, but no thanks."

"C'mon Win, promise libre namin. Kanina mo pa kasi kami nililibre eh. Now it's our turn," Lauren said.

Hindi na ako nakapalag pa because they dragged me to tha ice cream shop na sinasabi nila. "Girls! No need to drag me. Sasama naman ako eh." They laughed when I said those words. "What?! Anong nakakatawa sa mga sinabi ko?"

They both shook their head at pumunta na sila sa cashier at iniwan nila ako dito sa table namin. Tsk!

I saw darkness nang may mga kamay na nilagay sa mata ko. Pagkatanggal ng kamay ay sumalubong sa akin ang ice cream cake na may nakalagay na "GOOD LUCK, WINTER".

"Surprise!" Magkapanabay na sabi ni Flinn and Lauren.

"Thank you. I appreciate this effort," I smiled.

"Ehem. That's my idea, Winter," Lauren said.

"Ehem. Baka nakakalimutan mo Lauren na ako ang nag-isip sa lettering," Flinn retorted.

They started fighting tungkol sa sino ang may pakana ng surpresang ito and I can't help, but smile. They are so cute. Kahit mabilis lang ay nakalimutan ko ang lahat ng mga problema ko. Nakalimutan ko ang tungkol sa letter na pinadala sa akin ni Aristotle. Nakalimutan ko ang lalaki kanina na tinawag na Aristotle ng kausap niya sa telepono. Thank you sa mga kaibigan kong laging nandiyan for me.

"Girls, stop that. You two are so childish." Napatingin naman sila sa akin na nanlilisik ang mga mata. "What?"

"Nothing. Let's just eat this bago pa matunaw."

After we ate the ice cream cake ay bumalik na kami sa bahay. Habang nasa daan kami ay nakita ko ang lalaking tinawag na Aristotle.

Oh no! I have a bad feeling about this!

(To be continued...)

VOTES and COMMENTS are highly appreciated