GAYLE stays at the library. Bakante ang oras niya ngayon. Her last class for today will be before lunch. Wala siyang klase ng hapon. Magpapalipas lang siya ng oras dito finishing her research papers. Inabot niya ang library id sa librarian at inokupa ang table na nasa sulok. There aren't many people kaya maraming vacant tables but she's just really comfortable being in a corner.

She took out her things and her laptop from her bag. She started typing and her eyes are all focused to the screen. She'll be there in two hours kaya mahabang oras ang meron siya para matapos ang paperworks. Facing to the other table, she notice a guy sitting alone there holding a book over his face. Hindi niya sana ito papansinin but the guy is reading the book upside down. Odd.

The librarian is heading towards them carrying books when Ms. Helga stops behind the guy peeking to the book he's reading.

"Mr. Florente, are you acquiring new skills? Is reading upside down the trend nowadays?" The guy gets jumpy not expecting someone is behind him. Naibaba nito ang libro at narealize ang tinutukoy ng ginang. Tila tarantang napasulyap din ito sa kaniya meeting her stares. Napabawi lang siya ng tingin dito nang tumunog ang phone niya.

-I'm nearby. Let's have lunch together.- She read her mom's message. Its unusual that her mom roams somewhere nearby her school.

Agad naman siyang nagtipa ng sagot sa magulang. -Sige po- She sent it at nagligpit na ng gamit.

Dumaan na sa gilid niya ang librarian at iniwan na ang lalaking pinansin nito. Gayle walks out of the library. Dalmatian stood to try to talk to the her but she walks passed him.

"Damn." Napaupo na lang ulit siya disappointed to himself.  He ran his hands to his neatly styled hair. He made a fool out of himself infront of her. Sino ba namang tanga ang magbabasa ng baliktad. Bwisit na yan. He's acting stupid just because of a woman. Sa sobrang pagkairita ay padabog niyang hinablot ang bag para umalis na din but his eyes settled to someone that quickly stood for seeing him. Bakas ang pagkapanic at pagkaputla sa mukha nito when he spotted him.

"Pag inaabot ka nga naman talaga ng banas." He carried his bag by hand over his one shoulder and walks to the nerdy guy. He smirks how scaredy cat the guy is.  "Follow me, idiot." He gestures his head out of the library at nauna nang naglakad. Hindi naman magkandatuto sa pagligpit ng gamit ang lalaki. He just promised to the guy who saved him yesterday that he'll avoid the path to the rough-looking guy who beaten him.

"Nananadya ka ba talaga?" Dalmatian cornered the newbie when they get out of the library. Hindi na siya nakapagtimpi at hinarap na ito kahit nasa hallway sila. Mabilis naman na umiling ang lalaki afraid to get beaten again. "H-Hindi po. Nag-Nagaaral lang po ako sa library. Hindi ko alam na-"

"Cut! The point is, you're there. So nakita mo yun?" Dalmatian tried to keep his temper since there are people around them passing by. "A-Alin po? Y-Yung.. binati ka po ni Ms. Helga na.. baliktad yung binabasa mo?" Klarens covers his face when Dalmatian furiously lifted his fist.

"Idiot ka talaga! Sinabi ko bang ulit-ulitin mo? Bobo!" Binawi nito ang kamao sa ere at nagpipigil na masuntok ang binatilyo. Saglit namang natigilan si Klarens thinking a way para tigilan siya ng lalaki. If he let him bully him, it won't end by just one punch.

"M-May gusto po kayo kay.. Ate Lee. Tama ba? Kaya.. baliktad yung binabasa mo kasi.. nagtatago ka lang naman sa  libro." Dalmatian almost laugh on how the nerdy tried to act brave before him almost sound blackmailing him for that scene earlier.

"Ate Lee? Who the hell was that? Nasisiraan ka na ba ng ulo? Bakit naman ako magkakagusto sa kung sino'ng sinasabi mo? Isara-sara mo yang bunganga mo kung ayaw mong matuluyang mabasag ko yang mukha mo, idiot!" He threatened the nerdy at lumapit pa sa lalaki para mas madama nito ang banta niya.

"Kapag may pinagsabihan ka ng mga ilusyon mo, iipunin ko lahat ng tauhan ko para hunting-in ka sa buong campus. I'll make sure people will find you cold the next day. Itaga mo yan sa utak mo just incase you forget your place, idiot." Seeing him trembles in fear makes him feel satisfied so he now left the poor guy alone.

He couldn't release his anger to him. He's not in the mood though. He just felt neglected by the woman he's admiring. Sinundan niya ito sa library nang makasalubong niya at ng mga barkada niya. He skipped his class for seeing her only to get embarrassed. Darn it.

PAGKATAPOS ng huling klase niya ng umaga, nagmadali si Gayle na mapuntahan ang restaurant na tinext sa kaniya ng mommy niya to meet up. She got there by her bike. Sa labas pa lang ay natanaw niya na sa malaking glass wall ang ina sa loob. Nakita din siya nito. Her mother's eyes focused to what she wears as she walks closer to the table her mom occupies.

"I've never seen you wear pants before, Gayle. You don't like dresses now?" One eyebrow raised to that comment. She knew it'll be a problem when they meet. She spent some time in a restroom staring at the mirror contemplating if should she go with what she wears. She expected her mom to not like it.

"Is this your way of rebelling?" Her mom's expression portays a teasing smile but her tone has an obvious hint of being insulted. Gayle just stood speechless. She can't find words to explain her real thought about it. Maingay ang isip niya inventing excuses for changing her dresscode but her mouth kept shut.

"Neve mind, darling. Be seated and let's eat. I'm starving." Tinawag nito ang isang waiter at inabutan sila ng menu list. Ang ina niya na din ang umorder ng para sa kaniya assuming she likes the food.

"So, your dad bought you a house and you're not liking my rules anymore. What was that supposed to mean? Don't tell me you're taking sides now, Gayle. I'll be hurt if you do so." Her mom speaks between eating. Malambing ang boses nito and not intimidating. "H-Hindi po ganun. I'm just--"

"Your dad couldn't even buy me necklaces nor roses on our anniversary. I guess he's more fond of you now than me. Maybe because I'm calling for a divorce." Gayle listens to her. She watches the side of her lips raised in disappointment and hurt. Ngayon niya lang naalala that today is their anniversary. Her mother must be feeling lonely.  This day should be spent with a partner but her mom is seeing her instead.

"I'm.. sorry." Gayle feels her mom's loneliness. Her mom is such a strong woman that she always look up for. "You don't have to feel sorry. I'm not here to make you feel that way. Walang problema sa'kin na binilihan ka ng daddy mo ng house. It's just right he did that. I just wanted--" Natigilan sa pagsasalita ang mommy niya when Gayle embraced her.

"I love you, mom. I still.. hope you'll make up with dad but-- I want you happy." Gayle swallowed her tears. Everything she speaks was the opposite of her greed. "Thank you, Gayle. You know I love you more, right?" She just nodded. How could she not know? But their love towards her isn't enough to keep them from falling apart.

Would it end differently if she's their real child?

RANT stood flustered from seating on the edge of the rooftop longer than he planned. Halos mabilang niya na ang lahat ng gusaling natatanaw niya. The red card is on his hand. He's giving it himself to her but lunch time had passed already and no woman showed up.

"Hobby niya bang mangreject? Nagsabi sana siya kung hindi naman siya makakarating. Tsk!" Badtrip na isinilid niya ang card sa bag. Ni hindi pa siya nagtatanghalian sa kakahintay sa babae. That woman is making it difficult for him to finish one call. He can't be nice at this rate that he's working too long. It needs to be done, if not nicely, then he'll do it the blantant way.

SABAY na lumabas na ng restaurant ang mag-ina after dining. "Uuwi ka na po?" Gayle asks. "Mm. I'll take a taxi. You?" Gayle looks to her bicycle parked on the corner. "You still have it. You're such a keeper. Well, you can't ride that bike wearing dress. I'll approve that jeans then. You're free to do what you want now. I'm going. Be careful on your way." Sinundan niya na lang ng tingin ang ina nang sumakay na ito sa pinarang taxi.

She cycled to the park to unwind. It's still too early to go home. Sa palaging pwesto siya umupo. Sitting there, she took out the notebook kung saan niya inipit ang sticky note na una niyang dinikit sa bench na inuupuan. Someone definitely have read it and even wrote at the back of it.

Dear Someone;
         There will, I guess.

It was what it seems a reply to what she wrote. The note was even pasted to the bench with a bandaid. She raised her eyes to the burning sun. Everything was all in dark shade on what she sees.

"There won't." Sambit niya sa sarili tungkol sa naging sagot ng kung sinuman sa sulat niya. People only cares about what they have been asked or told. They listen to speakable matters but not about the things that wasn't brought out. They wouldn't care unless you talked about your problems.

Lately, she felt stuffy and nauseous on her chest. She had hard time sleeping. Her mind was loud that it stays her awake til midnight. But her mom couldn't noticed it. Because she hadn't talked about it to her.

Thinking about her mother, she took her phone and decide to call her dad. Nag-ring ito but it's unattended.

-I met mom. We had lunch together. It's your anniversary, you remember it right? Can you take her out to dinner, dad? I hope you still get to act it out even if you're divorcing. For the last time?- Napabuntong-hininga na lang siya nang maisend ang text. Maya-maya ay nakatanggap siya ng reply mula sa daddy niya.

-Okay. I'll try it out. Thank you, anak. For  being understanding to us.- Hindi na siya nagreply. She stays there for a while. Umiihip ng preskong hangin. Maingay ang mga ibon sa mga puno habang siya ay nakatitig lang sa kawalan, figuring out the life ahead that she'll be facing alone.

"WHAT are you doing?" A girl approached Rant from behind.

"Ahm.. Kilala mo si-" He tried recalling the name Dalmatian told her. "Ri.. Bakit ba hindi ko maalala ang pangalan nun?" Napakamot pa sa ulo si Rant. Nakatitig lang naman sa kaniya ang babae.

"Riad ba? You're looking for her?" Sa sinabi ng babae ay biglang naalala niya ang pangalang iyon.

"Tama! Siya nga. Oo eh. Magkikita kasi kami dapat, hindi siya nakarating." Rant talks about that woman to the other girl. She has a calm aura and really feminine. She looks nice and sweet. This kind of girl is what guys normally likes. Why of all the woman in this campus would Dalmatian even fall to a rude one? Their personality would just clashed and cause chaos over their future relationship. That isn't ideal, disaster even.

"Classmate niya ako. Wala kaming klase ngayong hapon so she probably went home after our morning classes. Hindi niya sinabi sa'yo?" Rant shook his head horrified. He wasted time stalling to every room where that woman might be and she already went home? What the hell!

"Well, that's not surprising. She doesn't socialize neither to us. She's just always distant to everyone. I guess you're not an exemption too. She rejected men without a thought. You're not.. an admirer, right?" Inabangan ng babae ang isasagot ni Rant. Inaabsorb pa ni Rant ang mga sinabi nito tungkol sa babaeng napupusuan ng kliyente niya. Really one odd woman she is.

"Actually, mag-coconfess sana ako sa kaniya pero kung wala na nga siya dito, babalik na lang ako bukas. Salamat na lang sa info." Simpleng nginitian at pinasalamatan niya na lang ang babae kahit sa loob-loob niya ay naiinis siya sa nalaman. "Wait!" Napahinto naman siya ulit at nilingon ang babae.

"Can I.. get your number? I.. uhm, just incase I need to call? You know, if I have unmanageable errands?" Rant stares to the woman for a second. Her being a shy type and the way the woman blushed looks cute to him.

Nilapitan niya ulit ito. "Here. Call me anytime, ms. pretty. I'll come running." Sinabayan niya pa ng pagkindat ang pagabot niya ng calling card dito.

"See you around?" He left a charming smile to her and walks away.

"I can't believe this. That woman is a scam!" Pagaalburoto niya sa naghihintay na pinsan sa labas ng literature building. "Inindian niya ako, insan. Tama ba naman yun?" Mabilis ang hakbang niya palabas ng campus. Afternoon classes had ended.

"Good for her, then. She won't fall to Dalmatian's trap." Natutuwang komento ng pinsan niya. "Hays, bakit kasi yun pa ang natipuhang pagpustahan nila eh. Hanggang ngayon tuloy hindi ko pa din natatanggap ang full payment." Pagrereklamo pa ni Rant.

"What fun would it be kung easy to get nga lang naman ang pagpupustahan nila. If she's that difficult, Dalmatian would feel more triumph to his success." Rant cussed under his breath. "Alam mo ang easy to get dito, Rant? Ikaw. Masyado kang nafall sa call nung mayabang na yun. Yan tuloy, na-under ka nila. You should live diligently from now on. Salain mo muna yung mga tatanggapin mong call bago mo oo-han." Garry is talking too frankly. Lalo lang siyang naba-bad trip.

"Oo na! Ikaw na'ng tama! Tss.. Pag nakita ko ang babaeng yun, kung kailangang kaladkarin ko siya papunta sa Dalmatian na yun para matapos na ang call na'to, gagawin ko talaga." Naiinis na sumpa ni Rant.

Tahimik na tinungo na lang nila ang daan pauwi sa bahay ng pinsan. Sumaglit lang doon si Rant para magpalit since maaga silang nakauwi. May dalawang oras pa siya bago ang shift sa barbeque house at may dalawang call siyang natanggap.

Napahinto siya sa tapat ng lote kung saan siya nangaakyat ng mangga. Wala na ang mga naglilipat ng gamit kanina at tahimik ang bakuran. He observes the renovated house. May hammock sa ilalim ng paborito niyang puno. May malambot na swing sa may porch. May mga throw pillows din para sa komportableng pagtambay doon. That alone gave him a hint that a woman will be living there.

Was it a couple? Newly wed? O baka senior citizen na naghihintay na lang ng oras para lisanin ang mundong ibabaw? Rant couldn't figure out until he saw them with his own eyes. Sana lang hindi madamot. He can't live without those mangoes. He left that house finger-crossing na sana anghel ang bagong titira doon.

Nakita niya agad ang ginang na may call para sa kaniya. Rant tiptoes behind the woman worriedly waiting outside her small sari-sari store. Nang makalapit siya ay kunwaring inamoy-amoy niya ito. Ikinagulat naman ng ginang ang ginawa niya.

"Pambihira kang bata ka! Nandiyan ka na pala! Ano bang ginagawa mo?" Pinalo pa siya nito sa braso. "Nangangamoy pera. Ano'ng gawain ang meron ka para sa'kin, Aling Corazon?" Pinagkiskis niya pa ang mga palad couldn't wait to recieve money.

"Si Gas Gas kasi, nakawala na naman. Pwede mo ba siyang hanapin para sa'kin? Alam mo namang hindi ko kayang mawala ang baby ko." Matandang dalaga ang ale at ang alagang si Gas Gas ang tanging kasa-kasama nito. It's not the first time he's going to look for that askal. Ilang beses na itong nakakawala at siya ang laging tawag-tawag nito para maghanap. Hindi maamo sa ibang tao ang aso pero kilala na siya ng aso kaya hindi na siya nito inaangilan.

"Don't worry, Aling Corazon! Baka nagi-stroll lang ang asong yun. Pagbalik ko po, tiyak kasama ko na siya." Patakbong lumilinga-linga sa tabi-tabi si Rant to search for the dog. "Gas Gas! Come out, come out wherever you are!" He calls for the dog. He needs to find the dog immidiately. May isang call pa siyang kailangan gawin at hindi siya pwedeng mahuli sa trabaho sa barbeque house.

Nagtanong-tanong na din siya sa mga kakilala niya sa lugar but there are lots of askal wandering the streets. Mukhang napasama ang loko-lokong aso sa mga tropa nitong palaboy kaya pati sa may mga tambakan ng mga basura ay chinecheck niya na din.

"Hoy askal! Sinasabi ko na nga ba andito ka eh!" Lahat naman ng ibang asong kalye ay napalingon sa kaniya. Palibhasa ay nadampot lang ito ni Aling Corazon sa kalye kaya bumabalik sa pinanggalingan. "Hoy, Gas Gas! Buhay prinsipe ka na kay Aling Corazon, balik ka pa nang balik dyan sa basura! Iuuwi na kita!" Rant steps to get closer to the dog but the other growls at him as if ayaw isuko ang kaibigan.

"May iba pa akong gagawin kaya wag kang pabebe, askal! Halika na! Kalimutan mo na yang mga palaboy mong kaibigan!" He tried another attempt but the troops lined to stop him. Natawa naman si Rant sa pagkakaisa ng mga ito.

"Hoy, kayo! Wag niyo ngang kunsintihin yang kaibigan niyo! Kung tunay kayong kaibigan dapat intindihin niyo ang mas makabubuti sa kaniya! Lakas niyong makadog mentality! Shoo! Tabi! Tabi!" Walang takot na hinawi niya gamit ng paa ang mga aso. Tumakbo naman palayo ang asong sinusundo niya at nagsitahulan naman sa kaniya ang iba. Nakalabas ang mga pangil ng mga ito at handa siyang kagatin kaya tumakbo na din siya paalis sa tambakan ng basura sa likod ng isang kainan.

Pagtakbo niya naman ay may paparating namang bisikleta sa likuran niya. He heard the bell from it but he couldn't avoid it. Natalisod pa siya nang mamali sa paghakbang. Gayle panics seeing the man who fell on the ground before she could hit the guy. Saktong naipreno niya ang bisikleta sa tapat nito, inches away from the guy. Nakaprotekta ang braso nito sa gilid ng mukha anticipating her to hit him.

"O-Okay ka lang po ba?" Pagtawag niya sa lalaki. Nagtataka pa ito na hindi siya tinamaan at napatingin sa unahang gulong ng bike niya na muntikang tumama sa lalaki. Then the guy stood to complain.

"Muntikan na ako dun-!" Rant even points finger to the woman riding the bicycle. Natigilan lang siya nang makilala ang babae. "Ikaw?" He's even more annoyed to recognize her. Wala itong reaksyon kahit alam niyang nakilala din siya nito kaya hinablot niya ang suot nitong shades sa mata to talk to her, eye to eye.

"What are you doing? Give it back!" Hinabol pa ng kamay nito ang pagkuha niya sa salamin nito sa mata. "Pinaghintay mo ako kanina tapos ngayon bubungguin mo naman ako niyang bike mo?" He yell to the expressionless woman.

"Did I even said I'll come? You just assumed it so problema mo na yun." Gayle pedals again attempting to leave but Rant holds it to stop her. Hinarangan niya ito para hindi makaalis. "What's your deal, really? Go away!" Gayle pushed the bike forward but he wouldn't even budge.

"Give me your number." Rant said straightforward. This woman isn't the kind to deal slowly and nicely. Rude. Rude. Rude.

"Why would I? Are you dumb or just playing dumb? Don't you get why I threw your card in the trash? I don't like you. So just get lost." Tumaas naman ang isang kilay at ang sulok ng labi  ni Rant sa tinuran ng babae.

"Ni hindi mo nga binasa yung laman o kung kanino galing yun, how could you say you don't like me just like that?" It's not even Rant who owns that letter. Kung may naga-assume dito, ang babae yun.

"Do I have to?"  Rant is really amused by how nasty the woman's attitude is. Mas ikinaganda pa nito ang hindi pagsasalita eh.

"Meron ka ba ngayon o normal mo nang ugali yan? Pwede mo namang sagutin ng pormal na oo o hindi yung nagbigay ng letter hindi yung ididiretso mo agad sa basurahan. Ilang lalaki na ba ang ginanyan mo? You don't even deserve the love they poured to each words of that letter." Hindi napigilan ni Rant ang mga sinabi sa sobrang pagkainis sa babae.

Gayle gritted her teeth. She doesn't like how he said she doesn't deserve their love. Siguro nga. Maybe she really doesn't deserve any love.

"Right, I don't deserve it so just get lost and leave me alone." Kinabig niya ang bisikleta paiwas at nilagpasan na ang lalaking nakaharang.

Rant just watches her leave. Her face shows she was hurt by what he said. Pero mas nasasaktan siya para sa kliyente niya pati na sa ibang binasura ng babae. They exerted effort on writing their feelings. They're not supposed to be treated like that.

"Yung babaeng yun ang dapat na makonsensya hindi ako." He's just standing for those men she dumped rudely. Kahit gaano mo kaayaw ang isang tao, you can't just hurt them like that. Like they're just some piece of trash. He always hated people abusing the other. Siya, handa siya sa ganoong sistema basta may makukuha siyang kapalit.

Badtrip na bumalik na lang siya sa tirahan ni Aling Corazon to tell her that askal ran away. Pero pagkarating niya doon, Aling Corazon is already petting that dog. "Hoy askal! Uuwi ka naman pala nang kusa pinahirapan mo pa ako! Aling Corazon, kung gusto mo po gawaan ko na ng kulungan yang aso niyo para hindi na makawala? Kaso, dagdag yun sa bayaran niyo sa'kin." Suhestiyon ni Rant habang nakikipagtitigan sa aso.

"Baka mas maging matapang lang siya kapag ikinulong ko. Oh heto na ang bayad ko, Rant. May binili din ako kaninang mangga sa palengke, ipinaghiwa na kita. May bagoong din yan para sawsawan." Inabot nito sa kaniya ang plastik ng indian mango kasabay ng dalawang buong isang daan. Kinalimutan niya agad ang pagod sa paghabol sa aso ng ale.

"Alam na alam niyo talaga ang paborito ko, Aling corazon. Tawagan niyo na lang ako ulit pag may kailangan kayong ipagawa. Wag ka nang palayas-layas, askal! Una na ho ako! Salamat!" Nakangiting tinanguan na lang siya ng matanda.

Ibinulsa niya ang kinita at ngumuya-nguya habang patungo naman sa huling call. Naghuhukay ng bagong compost sa likuran ng bahay ang matandang si Lolo Lucio. Pinapalaliman na lang sa kaniya ang hukay at sapat pa ang oras niya para matapos ito.

Shelovesrain❤