I finally arrived at my house, feeling super drained after our me and winter's quick trip.
I didn't get the chance to drop winter off even though I insisted, she told me that she needed to buy snacks and told me to go home since it's past midnight already.
Today was fun, I greeted manang happily and took a shower before finally dropping on my bed
"Since when did I feel so happy?" I asked myself, It's been awhile. I'm scared though, I really am.
I have this thinking where I'm scared to be happy, knowing that there's something in return.
It's always like, and always will.
I felt my eyes slowly closing, I can't stop them even though I want to. I looked at my clock "12:14."
But the thought of winter suddenly appeared in my mind causing my inner self to wake up.
"It's late, nakauwi na kaya sya?" I grabbed my phone quickly opening it. I scrolled through my contacts and finally found winter's contact number.
"It'll be awkward If I directly ask her if she got home already.. but.. i don't know how to start a conversation so let's just get straight to the point." I said placing my phone down on my chest.
I didn't know that texting someone was this nerve-wracking. It's my first time feeling this tingly feels for someone.
It's also my first time being friends with one.
"Fuck it."
Winter
Karina
Did you get home safely?
(Seen)
Oo nakauwi na ako
salamat ulit sa libre
Karina.
(Seen)
It's no biggie winter, I had fun
thank you.
(Seen)
Chill ako lang 'toh masaya
naman talaga ako kasama.
(Seen)
Ang kapal mo, napaka kapal.
(Seen)
Hala straight Tagalog
kabahan na ba ako?
(Seen)
You're now annoying winter.
(Seen)
Pati ba naman sa chat
maldita ka?
Goodnight na boss,
See you tomorrow!
(Seen)
Goodnight winter,
see you.
(Winter reacted to your message)
I stared at my screen for awhile, as I noticed that my jaw started to hurt, "Gosh, how long have I been smiling for?"
"I need water." I cleared my throat and stood up, I walked towards my empty hallway basically dragging my feet. I finally arrived and quickly opened the kitchen fridge, grabbing a water bottle for me to drink.
"Jimin bakit gising ka pa?" I looked at manang who asked me, she slowly walked towards me while I waited for her.
"I can't sleep manang. But can I ask you something?" She sat in front of me, we're now sitting in front of each other as the sound of the ac are the only thing that can be heard before I start.
"How do you start a conversation?" With knitted brows my curiosity grew. I really want to know how to start a conversation.
So that I can talk to her.
"Hmm, bakit mo natanong yan" Manang eyed me seriously before chuckling, "Hindi ko lang po talaga kaya mag start ng conversion."
"You're too intimidating jimin, intimidating ka na nga sa totoong buhay, intimidating ka pa makipag chat." She laughed, I rolled my eyes playfully before laughing along side with her.
"Ganito, tanungin mo kung kamusta araw nya. Tanungin mo na din kung kumain na sya kung hindi pa, yayain mo kumain." I found myself opening my notes, writing down her advice in case I needed them in the future.
"Mag goodmorning at goodnight ka din. Tanungin mo kung Kamusta tulog nya. Kausapin mo sya kung ano ang mga interest nya sa buhay, in that way mas makikilala mo sya."
"Pero isn't it too much po? yung goodmorning and goodnight texts? ganon kasi yung for couples." Umiling naman si manang, "Hindi naman, nasasainyo nalang yon kung bibigyan nyo ng malisya." I smiled.
I know that I came to the right person to ask for advice. I took a sip of my water one last time then she asked.
I took another sip of my water- "In love ka ba?" With shock, nabuga ko yung water.. She quickly went up beside me and Patting my back asking me if I'm ok.
"Ok lang po ako."
"Sorry anak ha mukha kasing in love ka. Si Sir Jeno ba yan?" Oh, him. I shake my head indicating that it's not him.
"Ang tagal ka na nyang nililigawan, kaya akala ko sya. Pasensya na ha." I waved my hand towards her saying that it's fine.
I rejected him many times but he doesn't listen. Love and obsession are two different things, I wish Jeno would realize that.
"So sino?" Si manang naman eh chismosa. "Hindi pa po ako in love." In my defense.
"Hindi pa. Halata sa mga mata mo nung pag pasok mo sa bahay. Ang saya saya mo. Who's that lucky person?" I recalled our moment kanina.
Nung nasa flower field kami. It was full of laughter and good vibes, i feel so light din.
I never knew that in the span of a day, i can get comfortable with someone i barely knew.
"Manang you're Maissue ha, tinatalo mo pa sila Giselle. I just want to be close sa secretary ko that's all." I looked away trying to avoid eye contact with manang. "Hmm, anong klaseng love story kaya itong nasasaksihan ko?" I laughed.
"Ni isa sa mga sekretarya mo wala kang ka-close, except for minju. Pero sa nakita ko kanina, ngiting ngiti ka, kaya boto ako sakanya."
"Boto kayo na sya secretary ko?" I asked, "Oo, pero boto din ako kung May something more pa." Manang gave me a teasing smile making me roll my eyes.
She's basically my second mom, nandito sya nung lowest ko, nasaksihan nya din yung pag grow ng company ko.
She's the best second mom for me.
"Matulog ka na, maaga ka pa bukas." I waved her goodbye and told her goodnight. I let out a loud sigh and a big smile before going back to bed.
"Let's hope that tomorrow's a good day." I said, and drifted off to sleep.
~>~>~>~>~>~>~>~>
I got out of my car, locking it before entering the building, being greeted by my employees as I pass by.
My eyes then landed on a familiar figure standing at the lobby.
It's him, Jeno.
"Karina!" He shouted before running towards me with a bouquet of flowers in hand.
"Flowers for you." Handing me the flowers with a wide smile. "Thank you." I simply said, not bothering to show any interest.
People then started to stare at us, gossiping about how CEO Yu's admirer Lee jeno is here once again. For the 4th time this week.
"Uhmm.. May I ask if you're free for lunch?" Giving me those hopeful eyes, hoping that I'll say yes.
In the corner of my eyes I saw winter looking at us, making me pull away.
I suddenly felt uneasy, and the fact that I'm talking to jeno but my eyes are glued on her.
"I didn't check my schedule for today, I can't answer that question of yours." He frowns. "Alright, I'll be seeing you whenever I can. Bye Princess."
He tried to lean in for a beso but I luckily dodged it, instead i gave him a hug with a comfortable distance between me and him.
He bid farewell as I waited for him to be out of my sight. I looked back where winter is earlier, but she's nowhere to be seen-
"Looking for someone?" A small cute pair of voice cut me off. I saw winter standing beside me with a faint smile, why am I even bothered about this.
"Did you see us??" I asked, She didn't bother to respond instead she leads me to my office.
"Are you alright?" I asked worriedly, she responded with a small hum loud enough for me to hear.
"Ok lang ako, and yes I did. Here coffee, para hindi ka grumpy."
"Excuse me?" I exclaimed. A small laugh went out of her lips as she handed me the hot coffee.
"Hindi ko alam na May jowa ka." She said, I noticed her voice shaking, making me more worried than I am before.
"He's not my jowa, manliligaw that I rejected multiple times." I corrected her and gave her a small assuring smile.
"Ah ganon, akala ko kasi boyfriend mo." Winter said before taking a sip of her coffee.
"I don't have plans on being his girlfriend, it's just he won't stop kasi." I complained, "Obsessed pala sayo yon."
"Exactly." I said, "Akala ko wala ng mas gagago pa yung gagong yon." she said but I didn't quite catch it. And before I even get the chance to ask her to continue she's already telling me my schedule.
"Anyways ito pala ang schedule mo for this week and yung upcoming trip, for the employees since malapit na christmas, It'll be held next week." She explained. I examined the paper that she gave me and I saw that I'm packed with meetings this week.
"Thank you winter."
"No worries, I should get goin-" "Are you coming?" I asked, still focused on the paper works I'm currently signing.
"Sa trip ba? hindi ko sure." She said, I stopped for awhile eyeing her curiously, "Why?"
"Pag iisipan ko-" "Sumama ka na, It'll be fun!" I gave her a reassuring smile, nakikita kong nag dadalawang isip pa din sya, but I do hope she reconsiders.
"Sure, sasama ako."