I ran after Grent and Rainbow, feeling so tired and sweaty under the scorching heat of the sun. I know I was the least athletic man in the world. Ni wala nga akong alam laruin na sports. My only exercise is jogging. At minsan lang 'yon.

I tried chasing them but I failed. They're nowhere to be found. I stopped for a while and clutched my chest, feeling how my heart beat so fast. I was catching my breath. Perhaps, this is the payment for living a sedentary lifestyle.

Where did they go? Ang bilis naman nilang nawala. Nakalayo agad sila.

It seemed like a golden opportunity slipped away from the grasp of my hand. I was getting there to the truth and finally uncover the identity of Rainbow. Then, mystery would be solved.

Rainbow... that's her name.

Did I hear it right? Or not? Siguro nga nagkamali lang ako ng dinig. I couldn't imagine that motormouthed woman having a crush on me.

But trying to think of it, I also couldn't deny the possibility na siya nga 'yong secret admirer ko. Her attitude towards me might be a cover-up. Nahihiya lang siguro siyang umamin nang harapan. Napangisi ako sa ideyang 'yon.

Napagdesisyunan kong maglakad na lang dahil nakakapagod tumakbo. Pero sa lawak ba nitong campus, mahanap ko pa kaya sila? O kahit si Rainbow man lang.

I looked to the left and to the right, all around. Ilang minuto rin akong nagpalibot-libot. Then lo and behold, luck's really on my side.

Nakita ko si Rainbow, nagtatago sa malapad na katawan ng puno. Pasilip-silip pa siya't tinitingnan kong nasundan ba siya ni Grent. She leaned her back against the tree. I saw her sigh in relief.

I scoffed. Hindi ka nga nahanap ni Grent pero nahanap kita. You're not safe yet.

Wait, that sounded wrong. As if may masama akong balak sa kanya when in fact I just need to confirm my assumption right from her mouth.  

She caught me looking at her. Kumunot ang noo niya nang makita akong papalapit. She turned around. Aalis na sana siya, but I immediately blocked her way.

"Oh, ano na naman ang problema, huh?" sabi niya sa tonong tila nanghahamon ng away.

"Ikaw," I answered.

"Me? Anong ako?" Tinuro niya ang sarili. Then she rolled her eyes and said jokingly, "Oh, please. It's not me. It's you."

I arched a brow. Wala akong time makipagbiruan sa kanya. "I'm serious. Aminin mo na lang kasi."

Yeah, that's right. Spill the beans, woman. Wala ka nang kawala. Everything is pointing to you. You're at the center of the web.

She rolled her eyes again and uttered annoyingly, "Ugh, kairita. If this is about earlier, sinasabi kong hindi ako ang tinutukoy mo."

Naman, oh. Nagmamatigas pa. Ba't ayaw pang sabihin ang totoo?

"Rainbow," I mumbled.

"Huh?" She looked at me in confusion.

"Rainbow," I uttered again so that she could hear it. "'Yon ang pangalan mo, 'di ba? I heard Grent called you by that." I gave her a victorious smile.

"Rainbow?" she repeated.

Paulit-ulit? I was getting impatient. Just tell the truth, please.

Bumuntong-hininga siya. "Fine. Ako nga si Rainbow," she admitted. "Ang secret admirer mo."

There was silence that ensued for a moment. Natulala ako sa biglang pag-amin niya. Whoa. Did it happen? Did she really confess?

"Ako nga 'yon," pag-uulit niya. She even bit her lip and lowered her head na parang nahihiya.

So, totoo nga? Before my mind could process her revelation, she bursted out laughing.

"Is that what you wanted to hear, right?" she asked in between her laughs.

What?

"You should've the seen the look on your face," she uttered then laugh maniacally.

Did she just prank me? What the heck?

"Don't fool me, woman. You admitted everything. Now you're taking it back?" iritado kong sabi.

Ngumisi siya. "Izza prank nga. I'm not the Rainbow you're looking for. But my real name sounds like that." She sighed while removing her ID from the lace, then handed it to me. "'Yan. If that would make you sleep at night, basahin mo na lang ang pangalan ko."

To make sense of what she was saying, I read the name on her ID.

Sophia Lorraine Bo

Damn. This is so stupid.

She looked at my disbelieving face. Kinuha niya ang ID. "See. So, am I acquitted?" she asked in a mocking tone.

So, it really means that she's not Rainbow. Magkatunog lang ang pangalan nila. I felt so embarrassed, realizing that.

Geez, ash-sume pa more.

"There you are."

We heard a man's voice. Napa-face palm ang katabi ko sa biglaang pagsulpot nito.

"Oh." Grent looked at me with a hint of recognition. Then, he gazed at Rainbow. Erase that, she's Sophia. Lorraine. Bo.

Nagpalipat-lipat sa'min ang tingin niya. "Nakaka-istorbo ba 'ko?" tanong ni Grent.

"No," I answered, but Lorraine responded, "Yes."

Grent arched an eyebrow by our differing answers.

I should be out of the scene to save myself from further embarrassment. Brought to me by Sophia Lorraine Bo. Courtesy of my wrong assumption. I also sensed that they have something important to talk about.

"Actually, paalis na rin ako," sabi ko na lang. Then, I turned my back and briskly walked away from them.

But I couldn't stay away from my thoughts. I found myself in the cafeteria, castigating how I acted dumb earlier.

Hindi pa rin mawala ang pagkadismaya ko. Akala ko talaga siya na. Nagpakapagod ako dahil sa isang maling akala. I shook my head and scolded myself.

Geez, stop being so dramatic, Ash Grayson. Para kang brokenhearted.

Why would I be disappointed? I should be thankful na hindi siya.

Yeah, that's it. Hindi siya kawalan. Walang ka-disa-disappoint do'n. End of story.

But thinking of what happened, I looked so stupid. Ibinaba ko ang kutsara. Napasabunot pa ako sa buhok.

Ano bang pumasok sa isipan ko at nag-conclude agad-agad? Gano'n na  ba ako ka-desperado kanina?

"Rainbow?" I scoffed.

"Sophia Lorraine Bo," I muttered. "Lorraine Bo. Raine Bo," I repeated as if reciting a chant.

"Yep, that's me," came from a voice that I didn't want to hear right now. She sat on the chair across mine and then looked at me happily.

Aish, bakit siya nandito? I looked around the cafeteria. Marami pa namang bakanteng pwesto. Why did she choose to sit with me?

"Pwede bang lumipat ka sa ibang table," I requested, "I don't want you here."

"Grabe siya, oh." She acted hurt. "Gusto ko dito, e," she said in kiddie tone. "And I feel like you summoned me here. Pa-chant-chant ka pa," she continued, with her mocking smile.

"I did not. So please, leave now. Umalis ka sa harapan ko. Shoo!" pagtataboy ko.

"Ayoko," pagmamatigas niya. "So, ano naniwala ka nang hindi ako ang secret admirer mo?"

"Shut up," I hissed. "I don't want to talk about it. Get lost."

"K," she said. Tumayo siya't lumipat sa katabing table.

Whoa. Buti naman sumunod siya.

Nakita ko siyang nagsimulang kumain ng burger. Tumingin siya sa'kin. She stopped eating at inalok ako. "Gusto mo? Luh, asa ka," agad na bawi niya. She rolled her eyes.

Napailing ako at ipinagpatuloy ang pagkain. Maya-maya'y nandito na naman sa harap ko si Rainbow.

Again, she's not Rainbow. Naririnig kong pag-alma ng isang part ng utak ko.

Geez, I should stop referring to her like that.

"Bakit 'andito ka na naman?" I questioned then sighed. "If you want me to apologize for wrongly accusing you, then fine. I'm sorry," I said flatly.

"Wow, so sincere," she said sarcastically. "Pero sige na nga, you're forgiven. Lahat naman tayo nagkakaroon ng maling akala."

Umarko ang kilay ko. "Okay. You said it. So, leave," I ordered.

"Ayoko. I would accompany you," she said.

"Why?"

"Kasi wala kang kasama," she stated the obvious. Ano bang trip nito?

"Just leave, okay. I don't need someone to keep me company. Bumalik ka na lang sa boyfriend mo," pagtataboy ko sa kanya. Heck, why was there a jealousy in my tone?

Napamulagat siya. "Boyfriend?" She scoffed. "Wow, may boyfriend pala ako, ba't 'di ko alam? "

"Grent," I uttered. "Isn't he your boyfriend? Or baka nanliligaw pa lang?"

"No and no," she responded. "Don't mention him. Nabubuwisit ako sa kanya."

"I could say the same to you. Umalis ka na rin kasi nabubuwisit ako sa'yo," I knew I sounded rude by saying that.

I noticed she kept on staring at me. "Stop looking at me like that. Iisipin ko talagang ikaw 'yong admirer ko," I teased.

"Move on, boy. I've proven my innocence. Siguro nga, disappointed ka na hindi ako 'yon," pang-aasar niya.

"I'm not. Sino ka naman para paghinayangan? You're not even drop dead gorgeous," I retorted. I was telling the truth. She's pretty, but not that model-ish beauty.

"So? At least cute ako," she proudly complimented herself.

I finished eating and drank water. Then I rose in my seat and turned to leave, dismissing her presence.

"Ash Grayson!"

Walking a few steps, I heard Rainbow called me. I didn't bother to turn my head. Ngunit bigla siyang humarang sa daraanan ko. Aba!

"Ano bang problema mo, minion?" inis na saad ko sabay pang-aasar. That nickname suited her. She's like those small-sized, noisy cartoon characters.

I was waiting for an annoyed expression. But she flashed a smile like she received a compliment.

I looked at her outfit. She's donning a shirt which I assumed to be light-colored. Ang manggas ay abot hanggang siko. On top of it, she even wore a jumper skirt.

What the? Don't tell me...

"Yeah, yeah. I know I look so cute in yellow shirt and jumper." Umikot-ikot pa siya para ipakita ang OOTD niya. "Like my favorite minions."

Ow, she's wearing yellow, a light color. I have no idea though. Like hello, how would I know?

Oh, that rhymed.

But I scoffed in disagreement with what she said. Minions aren't cute.

"Tsk, kaya pala. Ang liit-liit mo na nga, ang ingay-ingay mo pa," pang-aasar ko.

"Grabe ka." Umakto siyang nasasaktan. "Pero cute kaya sila. Parang ako."

"Nah," I said, bursting her bubble. "You're annoying. Please, I want you out of my way," pagdidiin ko.

I tried to swerve to the right, but she blocked me. I swerved to the left but she won't let me pass. Hindi talaga nagpapatinag.

"Damn it!" I cursed. "Hindi ka ba makaintindi?" I sighed and looked at her sharply. "Are you here to say how foolish I am para mag-assume na ikaw 'yong secret admirer ko. Fine, you've proven me wrong. Just fucking leave me alone," I emphasized.

Then, I walked past her. Narinig ko pa siyang sumigaw ng "Ash-hole!" I smiled victoriously, not because of that insult.

Salamat naman at hindi na siya sumunod pa. Finally, I've sucessfully gotten rid of her.

Or so I thought.

I was so damn wrong. Rainbow— as what I got used to calling her— kept on messing with my personal space for days. What part of "leave me alone" did she not understand?

Many times, she popped out of nowhere. I get used to it whenever she appeared out of thin air as if she's a ghost.

Kung nasaan ako, nando'n din siya. Kulang na lang sumunod siya sa'kin sa C.R. During those times, hindi ko siya pinapansin. Nakikipag-usap siya sa 'kin ngunit hindi ako sumasagot. She won't stop talking. Hindi ko alam kung bakit napaka-feeling close niya.

There's something bothering me though. It had been days mula no'ng makilala ko si Sophia Lorraine Bo. Since then, I haven't received any messages from Rainbow. The connection between those happenings, that meant something, right?

Even Kael thought so in the slightest.  He even knew her. Kaibigan kasi ni Rainbow ang babaeng gusto daw ni Kael. Mukhang may bagong puntirya ang loko.

"Holy shit! Si Sophie at Rainbow ay iisa?" Kael reacted. "Pero malabo talaga. Hindi ako naniniwala. Si Sophie magpapaka-mysterious o anonymous? Walang hiya, este walang kahiya-hiya sa katawan 'yon."

Well, I had to agree with him. Sophia Lorraine's oozing with great confidence in such a small package.

I also shrugged this idea off because she already denied it. Heck, he even deviated from how she addressed me online. Instead of calling me "Ash" like others, she insisted on using "Gray." Baka cover-up niya lang 'yon para hindi siya mahalata.

But there's something really fishy about her day-to-day pestering at ang mga biglaang pagsulpot niya.

"Good morning, Gray," she greeted me. A smile was plastered on her face.

I sighed instead of greeting her back. Here we went again. This time, kasabay ko siyang pumasok sa gate. Dire-diretso ako sa paglalakad. Pero alam kong nakasunod pa rin siya sa akin.

"Sungit," she mumbled.

Hindi ako masungit. Ayoko lang talaga ng maingay na katulad niya. She's pissing me off, big time.

"Hoy, pansinin mo naman ako." Narinig kong pagpapacute niya.

I paid her no mind and continued walking. Glad she didn't bother to follow me.

But still, the next day...

"Piso for your thoughts?"

I stared at the coin displayed in my line of sight for a few seconds. Agad kong kinuha at ibinulsa ito.

I returned a smirk to the now frowning face of the woman who get me out of thinking for answers to this fucking activity sheet.

"Yah!" pagdadabog ni motormouthed woman. "Piso ko 'yon!"

"It's mine now," sagot ko.

"I was just joking." Sinubukan niyang bawiin ang barya sa pamamagitan ng pagkapa sa bulsa ng aking pantalon. What the hell was she doing?

"Shit! Stop it!" Lumayo ako nang kaunti at pinatigil siya sa ginagawa. Baka kung ano pa kasing mahawakan niya.

"Whoa, Sophie, you're so aggressive . Save that groping somewhere else." We heard a smug voice say.

"Bastos talaga ng utak at bunganga mo, Grent. I'm just getting my one-peso coin. Mahalaga ang bawat piso, 'no," paliwanag ni Rainbow.

"Sabi mo, eh. Pero imbes na makuha mo ang baryang may ulo ni Rizal, ibang ulo ang mahawakan mo," pang-aasar pa ni Grent.

I saw Rainbow roll her eyes, not minding what he said. Humarap siya sa akin at inilahad ang palad. She wore an expression which seemed to say "Give it to me." I fished the coin out of my pocket and put it in her palm.

"Thankie," Rainbow grinned.

"Hey, dude. I haven't introduced myself to you formally last time. Grent nga pala." I turned to the smiling Grent, offering a handshake.

Nakipag-handshake ako sa kanya. "Nice to meet y—"

"Nice to finally meet you, Ash Grayson Samonte," he immediately cut me off. There was a sort of animosity in his voice.

After he let go of my hand, he explained, "Well, I heard a lot about you from Sophie." He glanced at her direction. "We're friends, kaya napag-uusapan namin."

"Really?" I blurted, then looked at Rainbow.

"'Wag kang maniwala diyan, Gray. We're not even friends. Nakiki-FC lang 'yan 'cause he wants me to play Cupid between him and my friend."

"Oh, c'mon, Sophie. Don't deny it, magkaibigan na tayo, 'di ba? That's why I need your help to get close with Yella. We're a perfect match."

"Oo, perfect kang sindihan ng posporo," Rainbow rebutted.

"No need to burn me, Sophie. I'm hot enough." Bumaling sa 'kin si Grent at tinapik ang balikat ko. "Dude, have more patience to keep up with a woman like her. Parang match kayong dalawa." Nagsimula na siyang maglakad papalayo sa 'min at sumigaw, "Sophie, just keep doing that. You're doing myself a great favor!"

Napatingin ako kay Rainbow, mentally asking what Grent meant.

She shrugged at me. "Don't mind him. Sumobra na sa kaka-basketball, naalog na ang utak. I don't even know what he's talking about."

I didn't respond to that. Inayos ko ang aking gamit saka inilagay sa bag. Tumayo na ako at akmang aalis nang hawakan ni Rainbow ang laylayan ng aking damit. "Hey! Saan ka na pupunta?"

I looked at her with knitted brows. Napasinghal ako. I needed to end this once and for all. Nakakairita na ang lagi niyang pagbuntot sa akin at ang walang katapusang pagdadaldal niya.

"Aren't you..." Napapikit ako, trying to calm myself, "... getting tired of tailing and talking to me? Can't you see that all this time I'm pretending you didn't even exist?"

"I know," she said matter-of-factly. Bumitiw siya sa paghawak sa aking damit.

"Alam mo naman pala. Bakit ipinagpapatuloy mo pa? Ang tiyaga mo rin 'no." I smirked.

"Yup, I'm that persistent to be your friend," determinadong saad niya.

Wait, what? Friends? Baka nagkakamali ako ng dinig. This annoying motormouthed woman wanted to be friends with me?

I sarcastically laughed. "Of all the jokes I've heard from you, 'yon ang pinaka-nakakatawa."

"I'm serious. I know we started on the wrong foot but right now, I want us to be friends," pag-uulit niya saka ngumisi.

"Well, too bad. I don't want to us to be friends," pagdidiin ko.

Hindi ko alam kung anong pumasok sa kukote ng babaeng ito at gustong makipagkaibigan sa'kin.

Friends, huh?

I didn't want to have anything to do with her. Couldn't she see how complete opposites we were?

With that in mind, I continued walking. But I halted when I realized something. I was really sure there's a reason behind it. An idea of what it might be flashed in my mind.

Baka nga siya talaga 'yon. Baka nga siya si Rainbow. Nagde-debate pa ang mga parte ng utak ko pero bahala na. Ngumiti ako nang makahulugan at naglakad ako papalapit sa kanya.

She's still following me. She looked confused seeing me taking steps closer.

I stopped in front of her. Napatigil rin siya sa paglalakad. "Okay," sabi ko.

"Okay with what?" Her brows furrowed.

"We're friends," sagot ko.

"Really?" Her chinky eyes twinkled.

"Yup."

I was caught off guard when she suddenly hugged me. I stood there, frozen.

Kailangan ba talagang yakapin ako?
Parang namang nanalo siya sa lotto or whatever. Masayang-masaya talaga siya sa ideya na magkaibigan na kami. Nevertheless, her reaction further supported my deductions.

Pero ang awkward tingnan ng eksena namin. Tumikhim ako para kunin ang atensyon ni motormouthed woman. Pinagtitinginan na kasi kami ng mga nagdaraang estudyante. Iniisip siguro nilang PDA 'to.

Public display lang, walang affection.

Well, I think there is, on her part.

Kumawala siya sa pagkakayakap. "S-Sorry," she shyly said. "Na-overwhelm lang." She flashed an awkward smile.

"Okay." I shrugged. "So, friends?"

For formality sake, inilahad ko ang kamay ko as if making a business deal. Ganito dapat, hindi 'yong yakap agad. Napaghahalataan siya, eh.

"Friends," saad niya.

We clasped our hands, a sign of agreement.

Ang mga pangungulit niya at ang pag-offer niya ng pagkakaibigan... there's something more to it. Everything that happened made sense. She wanted to be close with me. Maybe, they were not false clues after all.

Plus, the way she overreacted earlier at may pa-hug pa, that supported my theory. Overwhelmed, my ass. Ang mga pagsulpot niya nang biglaan na parang multo, nagpaparamdam siya... ng feelings.

Geez, mais.

I smirked. Hmm... this is getting interesting. I did accept her offer, not because I really wanted us to become friends. I was going to unmask her true intention.

Rainbow, you made me look like a fool guessing your identity when in fact you have already revealed and showed yourself to me.

They say, keep your friends close and your enemies closer.

I must add this: Keep your secret admirer disguised as friend closest.

That's one of the greatest decisions I've made in my entire life. I got more than what I bargained for taking the road of friendship I never tried to travel on before. And like the last line of her favorite poem by Robert Frost, "that has made all the difference."

TO BE CONTINUED...