NAPALUNOK siya. Uminit ang sulok ng mga mata niya at tuluyang tumulo ang luha sa pisngi as askal approaches him.

"What the hell-" His voice trembled.  "Ano'ng ginawa nila sa'yo, askal?" Rant lowered himself to hold the dog. Hindi niya napigilang yakapin ang kawawang aso as his eyes settled to its lost legs. Yung dalawang likurang paa nito ay napalitan ng gulong.

Napapikit siya sa galit. He felt the pain of it. Napilay lang ang isang paa niya but he felt as if he also lost his legs seeing how askal lost his. Tahimik na napahagulgol siya sa pagkakayakap dito. Gayle looks away at piniling pumasok ulit ng bahay para bigyan ng privacy ang lalaki.

She sobs too behind her door. Nang pumunta siya sa barangay para kunin ang aso, it's in a critical state. Nadagdagan ang kaba at panginginig ng katawan niya seeing the dog also bleeding while lying breathless on a mat. Tila naghihingalo na ito.

Just like how Rant was beaten that night, the dog was in the same pitiful state. Dinala niya ito sa isang veterenary hospital. Medyo malayo pero pinilit niyang kausapin ang aso na kumapit lang. Akala niya hindi na ito aabot. But he's such a strong dog. Nanatili itong gising hanggang sa makarating sa ospital.

But then, naabutan niyang sarado na ang ospital. She doesn't know who to call or ask help until she remembers that Klarens' mother is a veterenarian. Nago-opera din ito. Tinawagan niya agad si Klarens habang ibinabyahe sakay ng taxi ang nanghihinang aso. Pagkarating nila sa bahay nito ay sinalubong siya ng mommy ni Klarens at nakahanda na ang pagooperahan.

"The police officers found him inside a sack. Naabutan pa nilang.. hinahampas ito ng mga lalaki gamit ang pinanghampas din sa'yo." Gayle speaks as she put a pitcher of water on the outdoor table. Dahil dun ay napatingin sa kaniya si Rant.

"Papatayin ko sila-"

"Nakakulong na sila." Gayle cut his threat. "Ano?" Sa halip na sumagot ay umupo sa hammock si Gayle staring at the dog whose been getting comfortable with his new legs.

"It was a miracle he survived the beating. Though, his legs needed to be.. replaced. You are both desperate to see each other that you also both stayed alive." Ngayon ay sa lalaki na siya tumitig but for just seconds. Hanggang ngayon, ramdam niya pa din ang nerbyos sa nangyari. Gayle witnessed two beings almost die in the same night.

"Paano mo.. nasasabi yan? Nandun ka ba?" Rant asks. The way she speaks, it seems like she witnessed all that.

"I.. I'm going out. You can.. stay with him here if you want." Gayle awkwardly stood giving him permission to stay inside her yard nang hindi sinasagot ang tanong nito.

"Hindi na. Iuuwi ko na din siya." Pumantay ulit sa aso si Rant. Hinimas niya ang likod ng ulo nito. Hindi pa niya matanggap ang dinanas nito. Ilang araw pa lang mula nang mamatay si Aling Corazon yet askal suffered again from another misery. Right now, he just wanted to be with him. He wants to comfort askal.

"Hindi siya pwede sa bahay, Rant. May bagong nangungupahan na din sa dating bahay ni Aling Corazon. Saan mo siya iuuwi? Just leave him here." Narinig niyang pagsasalita ni Garry sa may gate. Tahimik na umisip ng ibang paraan si Rant. He can't just leave his dog to somebody else.

"This girl saved you and your dog, Rant. Kung hindi dahil sa kaniya parehong wala na sana kayo ngayon. Baka sa langit na kayo nagkita kasama ni Aling Corazon." Sa biglang isiniwalat ng pinsan ay napabalik ng tingin sa babae si Rant. Gayle avoided his stares.

"So nandun ka nga?" Gulat na napatayo ulit siya.

"I'm just.. passing by. J-Just like what I said, you can spend some time here for a while. I'll leave my house open since sandali lang naman ako. Nasa loob ang pagkain niya." Gayle picked up her pouch on the table at kinuha niya ang bike. Nilagpasan niya ang pinsan ni Rant sa may gate.

Napaupo naman sa damuhan si Rant sa harapan ni askal. Lutang siya sa nalaman. That arrogant and rude woman.. saved him? She did?

NANG makabalik si Gayle sa bahay ay wala na sa bakuran niya ang lalaki. Tanging ang aso lang ang naroon under her hammock.

"He left? Nakita mo na siya. You should get livelier, okay? You're such a strong boy, aren't you?" She rubs its under chin. Askal wags its tail too. Pagtayo niya, there's a letter left on the table. Nakaipit ito sa ilalim ng tray.

'Please, take care of askal for the mean time. Mag-usap tayo pag nakalabas na ako ng ospital.'

Gayle glanced back to the dog. Seeing what happened to it, at sa ilang araw niyang pagaalaga dito, she really get to like the dog even more. Dati wala naman siyang interes sa pagaalaga ng kahit anong hayop. Ever since she met this dog, her chest felt lighter. She had an unimaginably good sleep when the dog started sleeping beside her on her bed.

She knew she shouldn't have liken the dog. She shouldn't have kept it inside her private space in that short time. Ayaw niyang mapamahal sa kahit ano'ng mawawala lang ulit sa kaniya sa dulo. That feeling is just too tiring for her to overcome again.

UNTIL the last day Rant was going to get discharged from the hospital, Gemini was there helping him get better. Saklay niya ito sa pagsusubok maglakad. She feed him anything he asks or even those he didn't. Minsan pumapalit ito sa pagbantay kapag sumasaglit sa bahay ang tiyahin niya lalo na pag wala silang pasok.

It's already been a week that he's also been absent sa ojt niya. Sapat na ang isang linggong pahinga niya. Maraming call na siyang nasayang within that span of time at napapabayaan niya na din ang trabaho sa barbeque house.

"Have this, I'm so happy we could finally have days like this." Gemini opened a bottle of cold soda to cool the heat. Nasa park sila at dumiretso namang bahay ang mag-inang kasama ni Rant mula sa ospital.

"Oo nga. Akala ko mabubulok ako sa ospital na yun eh." They both chuckle looking at each other.

"I'm really glad your wound healed fast. You're such a strong man, you know." Napatitig si Rant sa babae when she patted his head like a little boy. He smiles at hinawi niya naman ang hibla ng buhok nito sa pisngi.

"Magaling lang ang nagaalaga sa'kin." Rant said an equally fluttering words to her. Maaga pa naman para sa pagpasok ni Gemini and she really just came to see him.

Paglipas ng ilan pang sandali kasabay ng pagdating ng oras ng pag-alis ng kadate ni Rant, he noticed Gayle arrived at the park. Nagkatinginan sila but Gayle keeps the distance. Nakita niya pang tumalikod ito when she saw him with a girl. Kasama nito ang aso niya sa paglakad palayo.

"Gemini, oras na ng pagpasok mo diba? Ingat ka ha. Uuwi na lang ako mag-isa." Kinuha ni Rant ang saklay niya sa tabi at itinayo na ang sarili.

"Ha? Kaya mo na ba? Pwede pa naman kitang ihatid." Sinubukan siyang alalayan ni Gemini but he refused.

"Hindi na. Kaya ko na ang sarili ko. Bye!" He flashed her another sweet smile at marahang naglakad na paalis.

"Rant, wait!" Gemini still followed him. Huminto naman si Rant para sa babae.

"At this rate, we should have been doing this already." Hindi pa nagets ni Rant ang sinabi nito until Gemini leaned to give him a peck on the lips.

"This. Call me if you're free to meet. Bye!" Masayang iniwan na siya ng babae sa parke. Rant was just starstrucked by the kiss.

Was it just that fast that he couldn't feel it? Maybe? Setting it aside on his mind, he followed askal with that woman. Naabutan niya ito sa bench malayo sa puwesto nila ni Gemini kanina.

"Nakita mo ako dun kanina, diba? Bakit pa kayo nagpakalayo-layo dito?" Napapagod na umupo si Rant sa inookupa ng dalawa na bench. Tumayo naman si Gayle pagkaupo niya.

"Papasok na din ako. Ikaw na'ng bahala sa kaniya since okay ka naman na, diba? I mean, you can date already." Rant is even more flustered to Gayle's sudden sarcasm again than Gemini's kiss.

"Teka, may problema ka ba sa pakikipagdate ko?" Rant fired back. Lalong nagsalubong ang kilay ng babae sa kaniya.

"Kailangan ko pa bang problemahin yun? Anyway, aalis na ako." Rant grabbed her hand before she could leave.

Gayle could have pulled it back right away because of her automatic defense to someone invading her personal space yet.. she couldn't now. She just felt repeated thumps on her chest. "Sa--"

"Male-late na ako." Gayle pulled her hand forcefully at dali-dali nang umalis. She can't even look at him. Her voice almost shrieked. She's- she's nervous.

Kinapa niya ang dibdib nang makasakay ng bus patungo sa publishing house. Hindi niya alam kung kailan mawawala ang kaba niya tuwing makikita ng lalaki. Magaling naman na ang lalaki kaya hindi niya na dapat nararamdaman ang kaba mula sa duguang imahe nito.

"GOOD MORNING!" Gayle almost jumps in surprise. Bigla kasing sumulpot sa likuran niya ang bumati sa kaniya.

"Oops, sorry. Nagulat ba kita?" The guy apologized for his surprise greeting.

"I- I'm fine. Just.. don't do that again. Please." Pero nagulat talaga siya. Nobody greeted her in the morning kaya kagulat-gulat talaga yun para kay Gayle.

"Okay. Sorry, ulit." Dalmatian smiles again. She's just irresistably cute being jumpy.

Lihim niyang tinitigan ang tahimik na babae habang papasok sila. Lagi niyang inaabangan si Gayle sa labasan para sabayan sa pagpasok. Gusto niyang lagi itong samahan so she won't enjoy being alone anymore.

"Ahm, Lee!" Gayle shyly turns back to see him. Napansin niya agad ang mga mata sa paligid na nasa kaniya pero nilalagpasan lang din naman sila.

"Can we.. meet after work? I need to tell you something. Please? Mabilis lang, promise." Nagaalangang pinagmasdan ni Tian ang nagiisip na expression ni Gayle. Nang tingin niya ay magdadahilan ito, Dalmatian sealed their conversation.

"I'll wait for you later, then!" Bago pa makatanggi si Gayle ay tinakbuhan na siya ng lalaki. She just thought of a perfect excuse to refuse him but he just decided on his own. Tss.

"Good morning." Daplis na sulyap lang ang itinapon niya sa kaklase nang maupo siya sa puwesto niya.

"Good morning." Wala sa loob niyang balik na bati. Gayle pretended to be busy para hindi na siya kausapin.

What was her name again? Gem? Gemma? Gemilyn? Gerimy? Err! Whatever, it's the girl that Rat is dating. She must be really happy to date the guy she's crushing on. That made Gayle got curious over one thing.

Every lunch, laging ipinagsisiksikan ng babae ang sarili para sumabay kay Gayle. Ilang beses siyang nagpahiwatig na ayaw niya ng kasabay but the girl just won't go away. Minsan nga harap-harapan niya itong iniiwasan. Pwede niya na itong mamarkahang epal, konti na lang pero papalampasin niya muna ngayon. Gayle sighs.

Pinagmasdan niya ang pagkain nito sa harapan niya. Nasa isang fastfood sila ngayon kumakain ng lunch. Tumikhim muna siya bago pinilit ang sariling magsalita.

"Ahm.. G-Gem--" Why the hell can't she remember her name? Tsk. Tumaas ang tingin nito sa kaniya at hinihintay siyang magsalita.

"Yes?" She's relieved na hindi nito pinatapos ang pangalan niya. Heck!

"A-Ano.. About you.. and Rat- este- ano ngang pangalan niya?" Gayle gave up remembering names. It's draining her energy fast lalo na't nakikipag close social interaction siya sa babae na tinawanan pa ang pagkakamali niya sa pangalan ng stupid guy na dinidate nito.

"It's Rant. What about us? Don't tell me you decided to date him?" Gayle dropped her fork on her spaghetti plate.

"N-No! I mean- I won't. I don't.. like him." Maybe it's because this girl is pissing her off kaya bumibilis na naman ang kabog sa dibdib niya and she keeps stuttering. Tsk. Talking to this girl isn't really good for her.

"Okay, then ano nga yung tungkol sa'min?" Gemini shrugged. Naiilang na tiningnan niya sa mata ang babae.

"K-Kayo na ba?" Mabigat na hinugot ni Gayle ang tanong sa dibdib. Yun lang naman ang kailangan niyang malaman. So if they are officially in a relationship, aasahan niya nang baka dito sa babaeng ito ihabilin nung Rat na yun ang aso niya.

This girl should really be good to be the pet owner of his dog!

"Hmm.. Nagde-date pa lang kami. Pero feeling ko naman, nagugustuhan niya na din ako. Hopefully. Unless someone else have already stole his heart." Kunwari ay napatango na lang siya. Hindi na lang siya kumibo at nag-iwas na ng tingin lalo na nang saglit nawala ang happy vibes nito at weirdong tumitig sa kaniya.

Kahit sa pag-uwi ay feeling close pa din si Gem-whatever sa kaniya but tonight, pinaalis ito ng lalaking naghihintay kay Gayle sa labasan.

"Whoa, I guess you're an improvement Mr. Florente. Nagpapahintay na ngayon si Gayle sa lalaki which is, I've never seen her before. Anyway, mukhang may date kayo so I'll leave you alone. Bye, Gayle!" Gemini waved at her but Gayle rolled her eyes. Siguro bagay nga sila nung Rat. They are both energy draining and annoying and all!

"Hop in?" Nagpakagentleman si Tian and open the door of his car for her.

"Ahm.. Diba, may sasabihin ka lang naman? We can just.. talk here." Gayle doesn't want to go. Ayaw niya lang maging rude dahil mabait naman sa kaniya ang lalaki. Though, pati ito ay hindi niya maalala ang pangalan. Damn. Gem-whatever called him Mr. Florente.

"Yeah, but.. Don't you want to talk about it over a dinner?" So persistent.

"Kasi.. May.. may naghihintay kasi sa'kin sa bahay. My mom is supposed to be visiting me tonight." Gayle tried to sound polite and unoffending. It's just an excuse.

"Oh, ganun ba. So uhm.. I think I'll just talk here." Pinagmasdan ni Gayle ang biglaang pagkailang ng lalaki. Chineck nito kung wala na bang ibang tao. Pagabi na din kasi.

"Actually, I.. I think I really need to tell you this." Humugot muna ng hininga si Dalmatian before looking at her eyes again.

He doesn't like curly haired woman before. Para sa kaniya, nakakanerdy ang dating nun sa babae which is he really hated.

But then Gayle gave him a new outlook about that hair style. She's.. irresistable in it. She's the classy curly haired one that he can't just passed by on a street. Tinamaan na nga yata talaga siya. Shit.

"What is it you're going to tell me?" Tian snapped out. Napapikit siya sa hiya. He's spacing out in the middle of confessing.

"Ahm. Yeah. There's.. something I need to tell you about Rant." About Rat? Biglang nagkainteres siya sa sasabihin nito.

"Remember that time he's messing with you in school? All that he did back then including approaching you, I-I asked him to do that. P-Pero hindi ko inutos na guluhin ka niya, na pilitin ka niyang sumama noong dumating ako. I just- asked him to- make you say yes to go out with me. Just that. Darn it, I said it!" In full embarrassment, napatalikod si Dalmatian. Napahilamos siya sa mukha dahil sa frustration.

If he's on his normal mind right now, hindi niya ipagtatapat ang mga yun. Sino'ng tanga ang sisiraan ang sarili sa babaeng gusto nila? He cursed himself. Part of him is trying to get rid of his feelings for her and part of him wants to be the good guy type.

"And why are you telling me that? I supposed you should be keeping that to yourself." Bumalik ang malamig na expression ni Gayle when Tian faced her again.

"I just want to apologize. I paid Rant for that and it's my bad. I'm sorry. I just want to start over. Gusto kong maging sincere sa.. sa'yo. Sa feelings ko sa'yo." Lumihis ang tingin ni Gayle mula sa lalaki.

If he confessed this over a dinner, she surely have thrown a fit and splash him a glass of wine or water.

This is annoying! Ngayon, naiintindihan niya na kung bakit bigla na lang sumulpot ang bwisit na lalaking yun. Because he was paid to approached her. True to his words, that Rat doesn't like her even a bit or pinch. And it's somewhat.. aching!

"A-Are you okay? I'm really sorry. I'm full of myself kaya nagawa ko yun. But I really like you. Believe me." This guy indeed sounded sincere and genuine to her. But she hates this! She hates that Rat!

"Don't like me. Stop liking me. I'll just pretend I didn't hear this." Gayle hurriedly left. Tumawag siya agad ng taxi at hindi na nagbus pauwi.

Akala niya magiging mabait siya sa lalaking yun. He's just another man of his kind. Self-centered, liar and a jerk. Hindi siya makapaniwalang kinausap niya yun. She's trying to be kind to him dahil akala niya tinulungan siya nito pero kasabwat pala nun yung bwisit na lalaki para paikutin siya. She felt manipulated!

This is insane! How infuriating! She's damn mad right now that she could kill those jerks!

Shelovesrain❤