Life will surprise you just in time when everything seems at place. It will struck you with mixed emotions. It will hurl back to you the things in the past you wanted to forget forever. It seems like it's playing you. When you think everything's okay, suddenly, something happens and it will shake you to the core. It's your choice whether you'll let it shake you or not.
After so many years of living her life in silence, she's back in time. That time when she almost lose the sight of her dreams and hopes. Nakakatwang isipin na sa dinami-dami ng oras, Lugar at pagkakataon at ngayon pa nangyari any kinatatakutan niya. The moment when she'll be meeting him again. And it's true. He's changed. Lalung-lalo itong gumwapo. Lalung-lalo pang gumanda ang katawan nito. He became that man she always knew he would. And somehow, she's very proud of him. May naitulong din kahit papano ang pag-iwan niya. So, you'll never be a part of that man's life now, Raine.
Now she's inside her office trying to regain the composure that was lost after seeing him again, ani ng tinig sa kanya.
It's kinda stupid, but she's just a girl who just saw her first love for the first time since. Pero wala ka ng dapat ipag-inarte pa. That was a long time ago. You were just a part of that past.
She looked at the clock on the wall. It's past 8:00. Uwian na niya. She arranged her things and she got ready to go home. Naglalakad na siya ng biglang may runaway sa kanya.
"Raine!"
She smiled when she heard that voice. She turned around to meet Terrence. May lumuwang ang kanyang ngiti ng maktang kasama niya si RR.
"How have you been?" Tanong no RR sa kanya.
"I've been better. Kayo?"
"Hero! Basketball star na kami!" Pagmamayabang ni TV sa kanya.
"OO nga. Nakakahiya ng makipag-usap sa into." Natatawang Saad ni Raine sa mga ito.
"Ikaw kaya hotshot doctor!" Pambubuska ni RR sa kanya.
Nagkatawanan silang tatlo. "About that, thank you for saving our friend's life."
Umiling siya. "Thank him. Because he fought."
Nagkaroon ng konting katahimikan sa pagitan nilang Tatlo. Maya-maya pa ay nagsalita ulit si RR.
"So, since when did you start working here?"
"Just last week, actually." Tipid niyang sagot.
"Oh, so, kailan ka pa bumalik dito sa Pilipinas?"
"Two weeks ago. Ang bilis nga ng oras e. "
"So, kumusta ang buhay sa States? Where exactly in the states are you staying?"
"Seatle. It's great. But you know, iba pa rin dito sa Pilipinas."
"We can see that you're doing well. Mas lalo kang gumnda ngayon." Ani ni TR.
"Nambola ka na naman!" Nangingiting tugon ni Raine. Wala pa rin talaga itong pinagbago kahit kailan. "Siguro ang dami mo nang naloko sa mga pambobola mo, no?" Nakatawang tanong niya.
"Huh, di mo lang alam..." Asar din ni RR. Kasalukuyan silang nagtatawanan ng may anyong lumitaw sa kanilang kinatatayuan. Napako siya sa kanyang kinatatayuan. Just a while ago she was meters away from this man. Now, he is just a 5 feet away. And she can hear her heart beating so fast. Damn this stupid heart of mine.
Iba ang pakiramdam niya kaninang unang beses niya makita ito yon ay marahil maraming tao ang naroroon at may tungkulin siyang dapat magampanan. Subalit ngayon ay tanging mga kaibigan na lang nito ang naroroon at alam pa nila ang namagitan sa kanila noon.
She didn't look away. She's feeling so weak inside. Those butterflies inside her stomach aren't making things easier for her at the moment either. She just stood there, looking at him. Waiting for something to happen that could break that awkward moment.
"Bro!" Tawag dito ni RR na animoy narinig ang kanyang panalangin. "We just said hi. Kanina ka pa namin hinihintay dito."
He walked closer to where they are. Hanggang diyan ka na lang please, Russel. But he didn't stop. He continued to walk closer. Hanggang sa isang hakbang na lang ang layo nito sa kanila. Then he stopped. He looked at her with nothing in his eyes but a recognition. Tinanguan siya nito.
At ibinalik ang tingin sa kanyang mga kaibigan. "We were just waiting for him to dose off again" ani nito na ang tinutukoy ay ang kanilang kaibigan.
"Thank you ulit, Raine for saving our friend." Ani ni TR.
"It's my job." Sagot niya.
"And sorry about how we reacted a while ago." Paumanhin ni RR.
"No need for that. Naiintindihan ko naman."
She was waiting for Russel to say something. Anything. But he just stood there like she doesn't exist. Dummy! Anong pinagiinarte mo jan?
"Di pa ba tayo uuwi? I still have to pick up yngrid from work." Tanong ni Russel na medyo naiinip.
Nagkatinginan sila RR and TR. "Oh. Ganun ba?" Unang bumawi si TR.
Naring mo ba iyon Raine? Yeah, she heard it right. And she's not stupid not to get the message... Kaya lang ay para siyang sinampal sa narinig. Mabuti na lang at nagsalita si RR.
"Pauwi ka na ba Raine?" Tanong ni RR sa kanya. "Ihahatid ka na namin ni TR."
"Oh, dont bother. I'll be fine."
"Are you sure?" Paninigurado ni TR.
"Yeah, ofcourse. Ingat kayo!" Paalam niya sa mga ito.
"Ikaw din." Bumeso pa ang mga ito sa kanya maliban lang kay Russel.
"Bye." Iyon lang at nauna na itong naglakad patungo sa parking lot.
Sumunod na lang sila RR na kumaway pa sa kanya bago umalis. Napabuntong-hininga na lamang siya at naglakad na rin palayo.
