Make Me Understand

Chapter 2

“You interacted and you didn't even bother to tell me?!” pago-over react ni Ningning kay Karina.

Nasa unit nanaman sila ni Karina ngayon at kwinento ni Karina kung ano ang nangyari kagabi.

“That's literally what I'm doing right now. I'm telling you guys about it.” Karina answered as she glared at her friend.

“Eh pano ba kasi napunta sakan'ya yung phone mo?” Felix asked Ningning.

“Diba nga nag-cr tayo kagabi sa baba? Baka nakita n'ya na naiwan ko tapos binalik kay Karina, tutal alam naman n'yang friends kami.”

“That's not even the issue here,” Giselle interrupted as she turned to look at Karina again, “How was the first interaction with your neighbor? Like, how is she?” intrigued na tanong n'ya.

Karina weirdly looks at her, “Like a human?”

Lia rolled her eyes, “Is she rude or something? Is her clothes covered in blood? Amoy sigarilyo ba s'ya or something?” pag-elaborate n'ya sa tanong ni Giselle.

“Guys, seriously, you think so bad of her. I've been telling you a lot na let's not judge her based on her past 'di ba?”

“We're just asking, Karina. We want to know if the rumors are true.” Yeji said as she turn her phone to Karina because Kai is listening as well, nasa work kasi s'ya kaya hindi s'ya nakasama.

Karina sighed defeatedly as she looked at her hands, trying to reminisce about her interaction with Winter last night. “To be honest, she looked shy.”

Felix snorted. “S-sorry.” he apologized before adding, “But Winter? Shy? The most arrogant student in school before?”

“I'm telling the truth!” Karina immediately answered, “Ang baby face pa nga n'ya eh. Hindi ko makita yung suki ng detention na Winter na sinasabi n'yo.”

“Hindi mukhang amoy sigarilyo at umiinom sa kanto?” Ningning asked.

Karina shook her head before smiling fondly, “If only you were there to see just how calculating she was with her actions na para bang one wrong move eh may sisita sakan'ya.” nawala ang ngiti n'ya sa sariling sinabi.

Napaisip s'ya don. What if...?

“I want to meet her!” excited na sigaw ni Ningning kaya napatingin s'ya sakan'ya. “Gusto ko makita yung mukhang baby na sinasabi mo.”

“Oo nga, give her something in return of returning your phone back. Use it as an excuse to knock on her door na din.” dagdag ni Lia at nag-agree naman silang lahat.

And so, with a box of cupcakes in her hand and her friends sa likod n'ya habang si Karina nasa tabi n'ya sa harap ng pinto ni Winter, Ningning knocked.

It wasn't even 20 seconds when the door swung open, mabilis na binuksan 'yon ni Winter na parang may iniintay talagang dumating.

Ningning smiled brightly and lifted the box a bit, “H—” Winter closed the door.

• • •

“AHHHH!!!!” OA na sigaw ni Ningning sa loob ng unit ni Karina. Naglupasay pa s'ya sa couch at sumisigaw nang paulit-ulit sa cushion.

Natatawa naman ang mga kaibigan n'ya sa lagay n'ya. “Mukha ka daw mang-bubudol kaya ka sinarhan ng pinto.” pang-aasar ni Felix. “Mal-late na 'ko, una na 'ko ah?” paalam n'ya sakanila.

Binato s'ya ni Ningning ng cushion at mas natawa lang si Felix habang hinahatid s'ya ni Karina sa pinto.

“Eh mas mukha ka pala talagang tambay sa kanto kesa kay Winter eh, kahit ako pagsasarhan kita ng pinto.” tuloy ni Lia sa pang-aasar sakan'ya.