Someone cleared their throat. We all looked towards the direction of that sound.

Raine's eyes widened in surprise and delight. "Yella," she blurted out. I immediately let go of her wrist. Grent also did the same.

Raine went and hugged the woman named Yella. Yumakap naman ito pabalik. I remembered that she's the one who was hospitalized. 'Yong pinag-uusapan nina Raine, Lila at Z last week.

Hindi naman nagkakalayo ang pangangatawan nilang dalawa. They almost had the same facial features. The only difference could be seen on their eyes. Compared to Raine, hindi singkit si Yella.

She really looked familiar. Nagtama ang mga mata namin. She stared at me as if she recognized me. Pero agad naman siyang nagbaba ng tingin.

Kumalas na silang dalawa sa pagyayakapan. "Oh my god, you're back! Okay ka na ba?" tanong ni Raine at agad namang tumango ang kausap. "'Di mo man lang ako in-inform na nakalabas ka na. Kahit man lang sa text o sa chat," may himig-pagtatampong sabi ni Raine. She even puckered her lips.

"I wanted to surprise you," sagot naman ni Yella nang nakangiti. "I surprised you, didn't I?"

Bago pa makapag-react si Raine ay sumabat si Grent at sinabi kay Yella, "Baby, I told you to rest. Bakit pumasok ka pa rin?"

Oh, they knew one another. Siguro, kailangan ko ng umalis sa eksena. Extra lang yata ako. I felt out of place.

"Yuck, baby. Tapos 'kala mo naman boyfriend. Pero teka nga, alam mong na-discharge na siya?" Raine asked Grent.

"Yup. I wanna tell you about it. Ako nga mismo ang sumundo sa kanya sa ospital at naghatid sa apartment niyo," Grent proudly said.

Bumaling si Raine kay Yella. "What's the meaning of this? Itong kumag na 'to..." She pointed Grent and said disbelief, "...alam niya, ta's ako hindi."

"Actually, I didn't tell him. Nabigla nga rin ako sa pagsundo niya sa'kin," Yella explained.

Matalim na tiningnan ni Raine si Grent. The latter just gave her a smug look. Bumaling siya sa 'kin pagkatapos. It seemed like she just realized my presence.

Yeah, people. Nandito pa ako, in case you didn't know.

"Oh, by the way, Yella, this is--"

"I actually know him. We're classmates from elementary to Junior High," Yella interjected. "Nice to see you again, Ash," she said to me.

"Kaya pala familiar ka," sabi ko. "Good to see you, too, Yella." I gave her a smile.

"Okay. Enough for introductions. By the way, who wants to eat?" biglang tanong ni Raine. She glanced at her wristwatch. "Mag-te-three na. Merienda time. Kakagutom, eh."

"Your treat?" tanong ko.

"Fine, treat ko kayong dalawa," sabi ni Raine, tinuro pa kaming dalawa ni Yella. "Wala pa naman kayong klase 'no?"

"Mamaya pang 4," Grent interjected.

Bumaling si Raine kay Grent. She looked at him sharply. "Tinatanong ka ba?" She returned her gaze back to us. "So, tara na. Diyan tayo sa may kainan sa labas," yaya niya sa'min.

"Oo nga, tara na," sabi ni Grent. Hinigit niya si Yella na nagpatianod naman. Nauna na silang maglakad.

"Teka--" Raine put her arms on her chest when she failed to stop Grent from dragging Yella. She also knitted her brows looking at the two walking as if she was pissed off of the view.

What in the world is going on? Kanina lang, kung makaasta si Grent kay Yella, parang ngang boyfriend siya nito. But as far as I could remember few days ago, he gave Raine flowers and chocolates na tila nanliligaw.

Ako naman ngayon ang nagsalubong ang kilay habang nakatingin kay Grent. May balak ba siyang i-two-time sina Raine at Yella?

"Whatta playboy!" I heard Raine say. Then, she looked at me. "He's a playboy, right?" she asked.

With her tone, she's convincing me to agree with her. I just shrugged. Nalalabuan man ako sa mga ikinikilos niya, wala akong karapatang manghusga agad.

"He earned a reputation of being one so you have the idea," pamimilit niya.

"Yeah, you said it. Reputation. Base lang 'yan sa opinyon ng karamihan," I retorted, trying to give Grent the benefit of the doubt. I didn't know him personally so I won't judge him because of what others were saying about him.

"Ewan ko sa'yo." Binilisan niya ang paglalakad.

"Tsk." Napailing ako. Sometimes, I really didn't get her.

"Kaya ba inis na inis ka sa kanya dahil sa reputasyon niya bilang playboy?" tanong ko nang maabutan si Raine.

"Naman! At ngayon, target niya si Yella. Hindi ako makakapayag," she pointed out. "A month ago, naging malapit siya sa'min or kay Yella, to be exact. And he keeps on pestering us. I told him many times to stop. Pero, hindi pa rin nakinig ang kumag. Kaya ngayon, todo-bantay ako para malaman kung may binabalak siyang masama kay Yella," kwento ni Raine.

Naisip ko tuloy ang pangungulit ni Raine para makipagkaibigan sa 'kin. I was on the same situation as her. How many times did I tell her to stay away but she decided not to? We also have doubts on one's true intentions. Katulad ng pagdududa niya kay Grent, nagdududa rin ako sa motibo niya. But I have no idea if she's thinking the same about me.

Well, two can play this game. I would make her think that I didn't have any idea of her alter ego. She may have succeeded getting closer, but I would try to make her reveal her true colors in return. I smirked with that thought.

"Hoy, anong pinag-uusapan niyo diyan?" shouted Grent. Nakalabas na sila ng gate. "Bilisan niyo namang maglakad. Nagugutom na ako."

So, we did. We walked faster so we could keep up with their pace. When we got closer to them, Grent turned to look at Raine. "Are you badmouthing me, Sophie?"

"Yup," walang pag-aalinlangang sagot ni Raine.

Grent averted his gaze to me. "Hoy bro, 'wag mong intindihin kung anumang paninirang-puri ang sinabi nito sa'kin, ah." He jerked his thumb towards Raine.

"Sirang-sira na ang puri mo, Grent Jordan," Raine said. "You're such a playboy. Even Gray thinks so."

'Nak ng! Dinamay pa ako.

"What, bro? I thought we're cool," Grent told me. Napatigil pa kaming apat sa paglalakad.

"I never said that," sabi ko kay Grent. I cocked my head towards Raine. "Siya ang nagsabi no'n. She thinks that you might do something bad to Yella."

Raine sharply looked at me, telling me that I should be by her side.

Napatingin sa'min si Yella nang naguguluhan. "What are you talking about?"

"Don't be so dense, Yella. Ilang beses ko nang sinabi na Grent's hitting on you," si Raine, mukhang naiirita na.

Yella, with confused face, said, "He's not--"

"I like you, Yella," pag-amin ni Grent bago pa man matapos ni Yella ang sasabihin.

I could see how Yella was taken aback of what Grent said.

Raine heaved a sigh and said, "There, nagkaalaman na." She gave Yella a warning stare. "Alam ko ang galawan nitong playboy na 'to." She pointed Grent. "Kaya 'wag kang magpapaniwala sa mga sinasabi niya."

Nakapameywang na hinarap ni Raine si Grent. "At ikaw, ilang beses na kitang pinagsabihan na layuan si Yella. She deserves someone better. Someone who's not gonna break her heart. And that someone isn't you."

What a scene! Popcorn, please.

Natawa si Grent. "Whoa. Kung makaasta ka parang nanay, ah," komento nito.

"What?" Raine reacted in disbelief.

"Mas mahigpit ka pa compared to her mom." Suminghal siya. "'Di mo lang alam botong-boto sa 'kin si Tita," Grent said cockily, making Yella looked more confused. "Just so you know, I'm serious with her. Tsaka hindi ako playboy. One-woman rule 'to, hoy," he retorted.

Raine sarcastically laughed. "One-woman rule nga, hindi naman nagtatagal. Then, after a few months, what, huh? May bago na naman. 'Wag ako. She deserves more than just being your flavor of the month."

"May gusto ka sa'kin 'no?" biglang tanong ni Grent sa maangas na tono.

Raine rolled her eyes. "Asa ka!" Bumaling siya kay Yella. She grabbed her by the wrist. "Halika na nga." Hinigit niya ito palayo, leaving Grent and I behind.

"Grabe." Napailing na lang si Grent. "Tingin ko may gusto sa'kin 'yon. Kung maka-react siya parang selos na selos. I couldn't blame her. With my looks and all, she can't help but fall," Grent said proudly. Hindi ko alam kung sinadya niyang mag-rhyme 'yong huling linya. "Kaso sorry na lang siya, she's not even a prospect. Too feisty for my liking."

Grent's the vainest man I met. Well, may maipagmamayabang talaga. Okay, given na 'yong looks. At dahil palagi siyang laman ng university publication, alam kong first year pa lang ay miyembro na siya ng basketball varsity team. I guess, that's how he gained his popularity. Second year na siya ngayon, a year ahead sa 'min.

Regarding Raine as a feisty woman, I have to agree with him. However, what he said about Raine liking him is absolutely a falsity.

Umakbay siya sa 'kin na para bang close na close na kami.

We have the same height. Mas malaki nga lang ang pangangatawan niya. "Ano? Tara na, bro. Sundan natin sila."

Nang makarating sa kainan, sinalubong kami ng pagsusungit ni Raine.

"Kayong dalawa, anong ginagawa niyo dito?" mataray na tanong niya nang pumuwesto kami sa table nila.

Kayo? Akala ko silang dalawa lang ni Grent ang may problema. Damay na rin pala ako. What did I do? Porke hindi ako sumang-ayon sa opinyon niya.

"Ano ba ang ginagawa sa eatery?" pamimilosopong tanong ni Grent na may diin sa huling salita.

"What I mean is... bakit kayo nandito sa table namin?" Hindi pa rin nagpapatinag si Raine.

"We don't know that you own this table. Wala namang pangalan, e," ani Grent.

"Can you please stop this childish bickering?" malumanay na sabi ni Yella.

"Oo nga naman, Sophie. Makinig ka sa baby ko. Let us all eat in peace," nangingiting saad ni Grent.

"Yuck," Raine reacted.

"Tsk. Reaction mo po. Aminin mo nang may gusto ka sa sa'kin. You want me to call you baby?" Grent teased.

"Baby-hin mo, mukha mo," Raine said, childishly.

Akmang makikipag-argumento pa sana si Grent nang magsalita si Yella. "Guys, please?" she said in her soft-spoken voice but with emphasis.

Grent didn't bother to continue and he looked pleased. Maybe, he felt Yella's defending his ass.

Raine breathed an irritated sigh like she lost a game. Mukhang napagkaisahan namin siya. Or perhaps, she felt she was to be blamed. Siya naman talaga ang nagsimula. She got a dose of her own medicine.

While eating, silence ensued. Nangunguna diyan si Raine na ikinagulat ko. That's a first.

I looked at her and scoffed. Tampurorot.

"Anong tinitingin-tingin mo?" She glared at me.

Ano 'to, ako naman ang pagdidiskitahan? Hindi na lang ako sumagot. She's really in a bad mood. I didn't want to add up to that.

"Are you on a red day today?" Grent asked Raine.

Binilisan ni Raine ang pagkain. Nang matapos siya ay walang pasabing umalis.

"See, I'm right. Meron nga siya," Grent said.

"Bakit niyo naman kasi ininis pa lalo?" Yella uttered. Done eating, she stood up and said, "Alis na ko. I'll follow Sophie." She then walked away.

I was confused as to why Yella and Raine are friends. Based on their gestures, the former was really modest while the latter exuded a bubbly personality. They were complete opposites of each other. Perhaps, like magnets, opposite poles attract. They clicked instead of repelling.

At isa pa 'tong si Grent na parang na-magnet ni Alexa. Nakanguso pa habang nakatingin dito papalayo. Sana nga lang seryoso siya sa kanya, like what he claimed.

Every woman deserves a man who will treat her better, if not best.

"Hey, bro, what do you think of her?" untag sa'kin ni Grent.

"Who?" tanong ko.

"Yella," tipid niyang sagot.

"She's nice," I honestly said.

Nakita kong nangunot ang noo niya sa sinabi ko. "Do you like her?"

"What?" I incredulously reacted. What's with his question? "Well, yes," I answered, sounding unsure.

"Ano?" sabat niya agad. His brows knitted.

"Not like like her," I cleared. "Gusto ko 'yong personality niya. Parang magkakasundo nga kami. I could see myself being friends with her."

"Good to know," Grent said, now with a smile. He looked relieved because of my response. What's with him?

My eyes squinted at him. "Did you seriously think that I'm a threat to you? Para bumakod ka nang ganyan? We were former classmates, but we're not that close."

That's the only thing I could think as an explanation for his pissed attitude towards me at the moment.

"Yes, you are a threat. Even if you don't realize it," maangas na saad niya.

Nagkasukatan kami ng titig. There was tension in the air. Para bang may kuryenteng dumadaloy sa pagitan ng aming mga mata.

Naputol lang 'yon ng ilapag ng serbidora ang mga in-order naming mami sa mesa. Walang umimik sa 'ming dalawa nang magsimula na kaming kumain.

Kung tutuusin, hindi naman ako magiging sagabal sa kung anong meron sila. Kaya hindi ko lubos maisip kong bakit may problema sa'kin to si Grent. Nagseselos ba siya? Pero, wala namang rason unless gusto ako ni Yella.

Napailing ako. I shouldn't think about that far-fetched idea.

End of class for this day came. I heard someone shouted behind me while walking.

"Hey, Gray!"

I turned my head to see Raine with wide smiles. Parang hindi nagsungit kanina, ah.

She ran swiftly. Nang maabutan niya ako, sumabay siya sa paglalakad. "Sorry pala kanina kung nadamay ka sa pag-a-attitude ko."

"It's okay, you're forgiven. It's not much of a big deal," I assured her.

"Kumukulo lang talaga ang dugo ko sa kupal na Grent na 'yon," sabi niya nang may panggigigil.

"I can see that," sang-ayon ko. Hindi naman maipapagkakaila 'yon. There's no any single moment that they didn't trade barbs with each other.

"Uuwi ka na agad?" tanong niya kapagkuwan.

"Yup," I responded. "Why?"

"So gray," she commented.

I knitted my brows and looked at her. "What?"

"Sabi ko pinaninindigan mo na ang pangalan mo. Ang gray ng routine mo. So dull and boring. School at bahay lang. Try to loosen up a bit," paliwanag ni Raine.

What an odd choice of word! Did she only pertain to my name? Or did she really have an idea about my condition?

"I'm used to seeing gray, Raine," I responded with an intentional double meaning. "I'm used to the dullness."

"Hindi porket nakasanayan mo na, hindi mo na puwedeng baguhin," she said.

"Whatever you say."

Napairap si Raine. "'Here we go again. Tigilan mo 'ko sa linyang 'yan. Parang di ako nagseseryoso, ah. FYI, may sense din kaya akong kausap. I'm not named Sophia for nothing, if you know what I mean."

"I know, Miss Wisdom," I lazily uttered.

"Naks, alam!" sabi ni Raine.

"It's just a common knowledge."

"Ash Grayson!" I heard a familiar voice called, interrupting our chitchat. And I knew to whom it belongs. Hindi namin namalayan ni Raine nakalabas na pala kami. I spotted my mom waving at me.

"Sinusundo ka na 'ata ng mama mo, baby boy," pang-aasar ni Raine.

Napakamot ako sa batok. Mas nahiya pa ako dahil si Mom ang sumundo sa 'kin. Dapat talaga nagko-commute na lang ako.

"Don't be shy." Raine nudged me by the elbow. "Ang sweet kaya," dugtong niya. I noticed a tinge of sadness in her tone.

"Hi, Mom," I acknowledged her presence nang makalapit ako sa kanya.

She kissed me on my left cheek then said, "I see, you have a girlfriend."

I shot a sideward glance to Raine. "Uhmm... She's not--"

"Hello po!" sabat ni Raine. Sumulpot siya sa tabi ko at nagmano kay Mom. "Ako nga po pala si Sophia Lorraine," pagpapakilala niya sa sarili sabay ngiti. "Friend po ni Gray," dagdag niya.

"Hi, Sophia. You're such a polite and pretty lady," puri ni Mom sabay ngiti.

Raine tucked loose hair behind her ear. "Gano'n po ba. Thank you po," pagpapacute na sabi niya.

"I already like you for my son," sabi ni Mom na hindi pa rin mawala ang ngiti.

Wait, she liked Raine for me? As a friend, I guess. But it meant another thing... or was it just me?

"I also like him po," Raine responded.

"That's good to hear. By the way, uuwi ka na rin ba? If it's not out of our way home, we can drop you off," alok ni Mom.

"Ahm... Ma'am--"

"Tita Violet. You can call me that," Mom interjected to tell Raine how she wanted to be addressed.

"Tita Violet," pag-uulit ni Raine. "Wag na po. Few blocks away lanh po ang apartments na tinitirhan ko."

"I insist. I just want to you to get home safely," Mom said sweetly. "Tutal kaibigan ka naman ng anak ko," she added, then looked maliciously at me.

"Sige po," pagpayag ni Raine na nagpangiti kay Mom.

Sumakay na kami sa sasakyan. Umupo si Raine sa backseat, while I settled myself on the shotgun seat. After we settled, Mom turned on the engine and drove.

Habang nasa biyahe ay aliw na aliw si Mom sa kuwentuhan nila ni Raine. Dapat yata sila ang magkatabi dito sa umahan. Baka maaksidente pa kami sa kalilingon ni Mom kay Raine. But one thing I noticed from my mother throughout the conversation was how she looked as if Raine's her daughter. Sigurado akong na-mi-miss niya na si Ate Pinkle.

Nang makarating kami sa apartment na tinutuluyan ni Raine ay parang ayaw na itong pababain ni Mom.

"Nice to meet you again, Sophia. Sige, bumaba ka na at baka iuwi ka namin sa bahay," pagbibiro ni Mom na nagpatawa kay Raine.

"Nice to meet you din po, Tita. Ingat po kayo. Salamat po." Raine went out of the car. "Bye-e!" she bid her signature bye, smiling while wiggling her fingers. She turned and walked away.

Napangiti naman si Mom habang nakatingin kay Raine na naglalakad palayo. She immediately developed a particular liking for Raine.

"I love her guts. I really do," sabi ni Mom nang bumaling sa'kin. She gave me a knowing smile. "Binata ka na nga."

"Mom," I whined. "We're just friends."

"For now," maintrigang dugtong niya sa sinabi ko.

Hindi na 'ko umimik pa sa mga pang-aasar niya. Mom couldn't stop herself from smiling. She seemed really pleased.

With such eventful happenings this day, a realization clearly dawned on me. People, like colors, may clash with one another, but sometimes they clicked--they complement.

TO BE CONTINUED...