Chapter Text
Winter was only 18 when she started working in the COSMO company, and now she is 22 years old. It was after her graduation from senior high school that her dad, who was a part-time janitor in the said company at the time, helped her get the job as a staff member in the records department. Her dad retired after a few months then because he suffered from arthritis, but Winter remained as an employee, and since then she has been able to help provide for her family, especially her dad, who is now unable to work.
Even though it wasn’t what she really dreamed of doing, she had no choice but to accept it because her family needs financial support, and her mother had to stop working because she became ill. She has an older brother, but he has his own family to feed, and money is tight, so she has to be the one to step up. It wasn’t like her parents forced her to work, no. She volunteered herself because she knows that her family is struggling. She never complained about her job—she’s always been hardworking and focused on her tasks. She can’t say that she’s completely happy with her job, but she’s content knowing that whatever she’s earning is helping her family.
Winter also enrolled in a degree program, which she paid for using her own salary. She’s determined to finish her studies, graduate college, and eventually get a better job in the future. To say the least, her life revolved around work and studies. So, she didn’t really have time for socializing, unlike other people her age.
No, it didn’t mean she didn’t have any friends. She actually has two really good friends who are colleagues at work—Giselle and Ningning. She has known them since she started working in the company, and they’ve been close ever since. They are also at the same university as her, so they often study and work on school requirements together. She considers herself lucky to have Giselle and Ningning as her friends because they understand her situation and don’t pressure her to go out with them or meet new people. Although there were times that they would invite her to go out and have fun—like go to the club or just have a girls’ night out—because according to them, she needs to loosen up a bit and enjoy life. Winter would always decline their invitations, though, no matter how much they insisted.
“You really need to get a life, Win!” Ningning once told her during their lunch break.
Giselle, who was sitting beside Ningning, nodded in agreement. “Yeah, girl. You’re always so serious about work and studies. You should at least try to date someone or go out more often.”
Winter just laughed at her friends’ concern. “Guys, you know that my priority right now is to finish my studies and support my family. I don’t have time for all those things.”
“You have time for us though,” Giselle pointed out. “So, you could at least make time for dating too, y’know?”
She grimaced at the idea. “Oh, God, no. I’m good with just the two of you; thank you very much.”
Ningning and Giselle shook their heads in exasperation.
“Suit yourself, but don’t come crying to us when you’re old and alone,” Ningning joked.
Winter just rolled her eyes at her friends.
She actually didn’t mind being single. In fact, she was quite comfortable with it. She has her family and friends to keep her company, and that’s more than enough for her. Winter wasn’t new to being teased by Giselle and Ningning about her lack of romantic life, but she never really took it seriously. Her friends knew about her past relationships and how they ended badly because of their conflicting views and priorities. For Winter, relationships and dating were just too much of a hassle, and she’d rather not go through that again.
So much thought was going on in her mind as she waited for the bus; she couldn’t help but observe the people around her. These were the same people she sees every day, waiting for the bus to take them home after a long day’s work. There’s the old lady who always sits on the same spot, the group of young professionals who are always busy with their phones, the couple who always hold hands, and the guy who is always listening to music with his earphones on. She’s seen them all before, but she never really paid much attention to them until now. She was surprised to realize how much she knows about these strangers just by observing them almost every day. Well, she guessed that’s just how it is when you see the same faces every day—you start to notice the little details about them, even if you don’t really know them personally.
Releasing a sigh, Winter checked the time on her phone, wondering when the bus would arrive. She was already late for dinner because of the overtime she had to do at work. The air was starting to get cold, and she couldn’t wait to get home, have a warm meal, and just rest.
As she sat there, eyes focused on the stores across the street, she couldn’t help but think about her life and how it’s been the same routine for the past four years. Wake up, go to work, go to school, go home, repeat. Sometimes, she wonders if there’s more to life than this, but then she remembers her family and how she’s the only one who’s earning, so she can’t really complain.
Tonight, though, Winter felt a little restless. She looked around her, observing the people, wondering what their lives are like. She envies them sometimes—the ones who have the time to just hang out with friends, go on dates, or travel. Looking at the group of friends entering the clothing store while laughing and chatting, Winter can’t help but wish she could be like them. It must be nice to be carefree and not have to worry about anything else but having fun. She thought of Giselle and Ningning, who always try to get her to join them, but she always has to decline because of her responsibilities. Maybe, just maybe, she’ll find the time to go out with Giselle and Ningning next weekend. Even though she didn’t really like going out, a little change of pace wouldn’t hurt, right?
She was about to withdraw her eyes from the group of friends when she noticed a woman standing a few feet away from the entrance door of the store, talking with a man. They were just across the street from where Winter was sitting, and she can see them clearly, though she can’t hear what they’re saying. But she wasn’t really trying to eavesdrop anyway; her eyes just happened to land on them—on her, rather.
The woman is beautiful; that’s the first thing Winter noticed. She has long, wavy, dark hair, and she’s wearing a black dress that accentuates her curves perfectly. Her legs are long and slender, and the heels she’s wearing just add to her overall elegant appearance. Winter couldn’t help but stare at her, mesmerized by her beauty and grace. The woman suddenly laughed at something the man said, and Winter found herself smiling involuntarily at the sight. Then, the woman suddenly turned her head, and their eyes met. Caught off guard, she didn’t have time to look away. She felt her throat go dry and her heart skip a beat as the woman held her gaze for a few seconds and gave her a small, almost shy, smile before turning back to the man she was talking to.
Winter was left stunned, her fingers fidgeting nervously on her lap. She lowered her head, cheeks flushing, and tried to compose herself.
“Did she see me smiling like an idiot?” she thought to herself, feeling embarrassed.
She wanted to slap her face for being such a weirdo, but then she remembered she is in public, so she just settled for a deep, shaky breath instead. But then again, it was not like the woman knew her.
After a few minutes, the bus finally arrived, and Winter hurried to get on, wanting to get away from the scene as soon as possible. However, she’s confused as to why the driver is not starting the engine yet. She found her answer when the woman from across the street—the same woman she was just staring at—waved at the driver as if signaling for him to wait. The woman leaned to the guy next to her to kiss him goodbye and jogged across the street to get on the same bus. Winter’s eyes widened in surprise as the beautiful stranger entered the bus and made her way towards the side, taking the seat directly across from where she was sitting. She immediately looked away, pretending to be busy with her phone, silently praying that the woman wouldn’t notice her. But as the bus started moving, she couldn’t help but sneak a glance towards the woman, who was now looking openly at her, a small smile playing on her lips. Winter almost dropped her phone in surprise, quickly averting her gaze once again, cursing herself for being so awkward and obvious. Suddenly, the sleepiness and fatigue she felt earlier vanished, replaced by a mixture of nervousness, embarrassment, and something else she couldn’t quite pinpoint.
“I’m going crazy,” she mumbled under her breath, gripping her phone tightly.
To continue looking busy, she opened up her social media apps, typing a few things here and there, but her mind was elsewhere. Until she remembered her friends and decided to message them, hoping they could somehow distract her from the woman sitting across from her. They would probably be surprised to hear from her on a weeknight and at this hour too, knowing she doesn’t usually text them unless it’s important, but she didn’t care.
“Do you guys notice the night is getting colder?” she hit the send button, then immediately regretted it. Now her friends would think she’s dumbed for stating the obvious. Of course, the night is getting colder because it’s November!
She let out another sigh, resting her head against the bus window, resigned to the fact that this bus ride is going to be the longest and most awkward one ever. Before her mind could drift any further, her phone suddenly buzzed, alerting her of a new message.
Gigi: Yeah, the weather’s been pretty chilly lately.
Ning: I’m surprised you’re texting this late. Is everything okay?
Gigi: Now that you mentioned it, I wonder too.
Yeah, I’m alright. I’m just on the bus on my way home, and I noticed how cold it is.
Ning: Are you heading home from work? It’s pretty late.
Miss Bae asked me to stay back and help with some last-minute things.
Gigi: And here I thought you were finally going out with us.
Haha, I wish.
But maybe next weekend?
Ning: OMG, YES!
Gigi: You better keep your word, girl!
Ning: Can’t wait! Make sure to go home safe tonight, or @Gigi and I will dig a hole for you.
Gigi: Baby, you do know you’re writing your own thought-out demise, yes?
Ning: Jk, bro!
Gigi: Who’re you calling bro??
Ning: The one asking!
Haha, calm down guys. I’ll be careful.
If this person doesn’t kill me first.
Ning: Someone’s trying to kill you?!
Gigi: Wait, what?!
No, it’s nothing. Someone is just sitting across from me and staring.
Ning: OOH, is it a cutie?!
Gigi: Baby, I think it’s serious. We should call the cops.
NO
I mean, no, it’s not like that.
Winter was about to type more to clarify the situation when she noticed the woman across from her getting up from her seat. The bus was nearing one of the stops, so she assumed the woman was getting off there.
As she watched the woman make her way towards the exit, their eyes met once again. This time, the woman gave her a bigger smile, almost a grin, before stepping off the bus. Winter remained glued to her seat, staring at the now empty spot across from her, dumbfounded. Her reverie got cut off when her phone buzzed again.
Ning: IT’S THE FIRST SNOW!!!
Gigi: You’re right!
Upon reading the messages, Winter looked up from her phone and out the window, seeing the first snowflakes starting to fall. “Huh, how about that?” she whispered to herself, a small smile spreading across her face. She glanced at the waiting shed station, where she found the beautiful stranger standing and watching the snow, a mesmerized look on her face. And for the last time, their eyes met, and Winter couldn’t look away. This time, though, she returned the woman’s smile, feeling her heart swell with an emotion she couldn’t quite explain.
As the bus continued on its way, Winter finally managed to compose herself and respond to her friends.
Beautiful.
Gigi: The snow?
Ning: Or the person?!
Winter took a deep breath, a smile tugging at the corners of her lips. She decided not to respond to that and simply enjoy the rest of the bus ride, looking forward to seeing the mysterious woman again. Though deep down she knew it was highly unlikely, she couldn’t help but feel hopeful.
A girl can dream, right?
She opened up her phone once again and plugged her earphones. She found herself mindlessly searching her Spotify app, tapping on the last song that was playing—a soulful tune that felt like it was speaking directly to her heart.
You’re beautiful
You’re beautiful
You’re beautiful; it’s true
I saw your face in a crowded place
And I don’t know what to do
Because I’ll never be with you