When Everything Turns to Gray

Chapter 10: Complementary and Clashing Colors

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.