DETECTIVE FILES

Author's Note:

This story is inspired by Detective Conan (yeah, you'd probably observe through my username how
much I love Conan/Shinichi) and as well as Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's character, Sherlock Holmes. Isali
niyo na rin si Nancy Drew ni Carolyn Keene. Hindi ko kinopya, nainspire lang talaga akong magsulat.

Hindi madaling magsulat ng mystery story kaya nagstruggle ako dito HAHA.

Well, it's my honor to write so I wrote this and will continue writing this.

It's actually a sleuth story, detective deduction, and of course, a lovestory.

Hope you will like this. :)

-ShinichiLaaaabs♥

READ AT YOUR OWN RISK.

CHAPTER 1 : BRIDLE HIGH

Chapter 1: Bridle High

It was almost 5 in the afternoon when I decided to leave the library. Magsasara iyon ng alas singko at
kapag nagtagal pa ako ay hindi ko na mailalabas ang libro na hihiramin ko. I was really engrossed in the
book that I'm reading to the point that I didn't notice the time.

Kanina pa akong ala una ng hapon dito dahil napagpasyahan kong hindi pumasok sa lahat ng klase ko sa
hapon.

Itiniklop ko ang librong binabasa ko at dinala iyon sa nakabusangot ang mukha na librarian. It was Sir
Arthur Conan Doyle's Valley of Fear.
Padabog na nagstamp sa record ang librarian bago iyon inabot sa akin. She's not old but like some
typical librarians, she's strict. At inis rin siya sa akin dahil paminsan-minsan ay nakakalimutan ko ang oras
at lumalampas ng alas singko bago ko mapagpasyahang umalis sa library.

I am always the last student to get out of the library.

Why? Simply, because I love reading books.

Not textbooks but informational and mystery books. Nagbabasa din naman ako ng textbooks but I do it
in the dormitory and not in the library.

Yep, Bridle High is a boarding school. Students stay in the dormitory dahil iyon ang rules ng eskwelahan.

I am Amber Sison, a Grade 9 student at Bridle. A bookworm and somewhat a nerd minus the nerdy
clothes and thick old-fashioned glasses.

Sa unang tingin ay hindi ako mapagkakamalang nerd but Bridle people see me as one.

Why ?

Dahil kahit saan ako magpunta, I bring along a book with me. Hindi nakikipag-uusap kapag hindi
kinakausap ng una. I'm not snob but people would think that I am.

The reason why I don't usually talk with others is because I usually spend more time with books.

I have some friends though. They are my roommates, Therese and Andi na katulad ko ay Grade 9 din.

Nang makalabas na ako ng library ay nagtuloy na ako sa dorm ng mga babae.

It is in the east wing of the campus samantalang sa west wing naman ang dorm ng mga lalaki. The dorm
consists of 7 floors excluding the basement. Each floor consists of 20 rooms with 3 occupants each.

I went straight to our room. May elevator ang dormitory pero isa lang iyon. There is also the long stairs.
Nang makarating ako sa room ko which is at the third floor, agad kong binuksan ang pinto na may
markang 305.

Pagpasok ko ay naroon na si Therese at Andi. They were talking about something seriously. Hindi ko sila
pinansin at nagtuloy na sa kama ko. I slammed my body to my soft bed.

"Amber", tawag ni Therese. Hindi ko sila tiningnan dahil naka higa ako sa kama and I was facing the
ceiling.

"What?", tanong ko sa kanya.

"Have you heard about the commotion kanina sa klase ng Grade 10-C?", tanong ni Andi.

Hindi ko alam dahil nagcut ako ng klase kanina. And even if I didn't cut, I would never know dahil malayo
ang klase ng Grade 10-C sa 9-A. Ang arrangement kasi ng mga classroom sa Briddle High ay base sa
section and not by year. Ibig sabihin, ang magkakatabing room ay ang 7-A, 8-A, 9-A, at 10-A.
Magkakatabi din ang 7-B, 8-B, 9-B, 10-B at ang mga susunod na section. Andi is in the 9-C class
samantalang nasa 9-B naman si Therese at nasa 9-A naman ako.
"Do you know na nagkasagutan daw ang adviser ng 10-C na si Mrs. Sera at si Lowie Mondino?", tanong
ni Therese.

"No", tipid kong sagot sa kanila. I'm not really interested with the affairs of other people.

"Ang sabi daw ay may hinalo daw na mga chemical si Lowie mula sa science lab which are dangerous.
Pinaglaruan nila ito ng mga barkada niya and Mrs. Sera was very angry dahil balak daw pasabugin ni
Lowie ang laboratory. Lowie denied the accusations and they ended up threatening each other's life",
kwento naman ni Andi.

Oh, I know Lowie by name. Anak ito ng may-ari ng Mondino Pharmaceuticals Company. A known
company for the production and sale of pharmaceutical drugs and medicines.

Base na rin sa mga kwento-kwento nina Therese, Lowie is a brat. He is a school bully at kilala sa
katigasan ng ulo.

As of Mrs. Sera, she is the 10-C's adviser and is in-charge of the science laboratory. Hindi na ako
magtataka kung magkainitan man ng ulo si Lowie at si Mrs. Sera. It's not the first time na may nakaaway
na guro si Mondino.

Ipinagpatuloy ko lang ang pagpikit ng mata ko at hindi na pinansin sina Andi at Therese.

"As usual, hindi ka na naman interesado", Therese said. I mumbled something like 'yeah' and they both
groaned in frustration.

Hindi ko na sila pinansin at natulog na lang.

Hindi ko alam kung ilang oras akong tulog ng may umalog sa akin upang gisingin ako. It was Andi.

"Wake up Amber, it's almost eight. Hali ka na sa cafeteria, it's dinner time", Andi said.

Napabangon naman ako at ng sulyapan ko ang relo ko, mag-aalas otso na nga.

"I'll just fix myself for a minute, mauna ka na, susunod ako", I told her at pumasok sa CR at naghilamos. I
heard her say okay at narinig ko ang papalayong hakbang niya.

Matapos maghilamos at magbihis ay bumaba na ako upang magpunta sa cafeteria. Walking distance
lang mula sa dorm. Walang kitchen service ang dormitory. May kusina and it is intended for those who
want to cook. Sa mga ayaw namang magluto, bukas ang cafeteria mula alas singko ng umaga hanggang
alas dyes ng gabi since 11:00 pa ang curfew ng dorm.

I was walking towards the cafeteria nang may marinig akong mga studyanteng nag-uusap. They were on
their way to the cafeteria also.

"Nagulat talaga ako kanina, it was the first time na makita kong ganoon kagalit si Maam Sera", a girl
commented.

"Maging si Lowie, pulang-pula siya sa galit! Pagbantaan ba naman na hindi na sisikatan ng araw bukas si
Maam Sera!", komento naman ng isa.

"Nakakatakot din kaya ang banta ni Maam kay Lowie! She said Lowie will burn! He will be burnt here on
earth at kahit sa hell! That was very creepy!"
So they were talking about the incident na kinuwento din sa akin nina Therese at Andi.

Ganun talaga ang pagbabantaan nila? Therese missed to tell me that, o ako lang talaga ang nagpakita ng
kawalang interes sa kwento niya? Uh, maybe.

Nang dumating ako sa cafeteria ay agad kong sinamahan sina Therese at Andi. Habang kumakain ay may
napansin akong lalaki sa isang mesa. He was eating his dinner alone and his face seems new.

"Therese, Andi", tawag ko sa kanila. Sinenyasan ko sila na medyo lumapit dahil may ibubulong ako. Nang
makalapit sila ay agad akong nagtanong ng pabulong.

"Who's that guy on the table na malapit sa counter?"

Tiningnan naman nila ang sinabi ko. Nanlaki naman ang mga mata nila pareho.

"What? Hindi mo siya kilala?", tanong ni Andi. Uh, magtatanong ba ako kung kilala ko ito? Umiling
naman ako.

"Hindi ka na naman pumasok kaninang hapon sa klase mo ano?", tanong ni Therese. I gave them a sly
smile at tumango. Oh, yeah.

"Gray Silvan, a transfer student sa Grade 9-A. Ibig sabihin, classmates kayo at dahil nagcut ka na naman
ng klase kanina, hindi mo siya nakilala dahil ngayong hapon lang siya dumating", Therese said.

Uh, they're really a good source of issues and events at school. Mas una pa nilang nalaman na may
transfer student sa Bridle at nasa 9-A pa kahit nasa ibang section sila.

"He's handsome at akala ko libro lang ang makakakuha ng atensyon mo Amber, maging si Gray din pala",
bahagyang tumawa si Andi.

What?!

"I'm not interested in him, bago lang siya sa paningin ko. That's it!", I ignored their laughter at patuloy
lang na kumain. Muli kong sinulyapan si Gray, he was reading something while eating. If I'm not
mistaken he's reading Nancy Drew.

Nancy Drew Detective Files?!

Urgh, I guess I found myself a match. Malamang ay may kaagaw na ako sa mga mystery novels sa library.

Bumukas ang pinto ng cafeteria at pumasok si Lowie. He really has a dominating presence dahil kilala ito
sa pagiging bully. He ordered something in the counter and kicked some guy and claimed the spot that
he was sitting.

Tsk, typical bully!

Tumingin ako sa nag-abot ng order niya. It was a girl na medyo matagal na sa cafeteria, her eyes are sad
at tila may dinadamdam ito. When she went to get Lowie's order, may lumapit sa kanya at may
ibinulong. The girl's face becomes more worried and it seems like something is bothering her. The guy
who whispered to her is not a staff of the cafeteria. Matapos iyon ay may bagay na nakabalot sa papel
itong inabot sa babae at dumeretso naman ang babae sa loob ng kitchen. The guy went out the cafeteria
after that.
What was that?

Nang hindi pa lumabas ang babae ay ipinagpatuloy ko ang naudlot na pagkain.

Andi and Therese are talking about their crushes at hindi na ako nakinig pa sa kanila. Hindi naman
nagtagal ay dumating na ang order ni Lowie.

Inilapag naman iyon ng crew. It wasn't the girl who took out his order. Iba iyon and it was a guy.

Hindi pa ito kumain dahil may ginagawa pa ito sa cellphone.

The door opened again at iniluwa niyon ang ilang member ng kendo club. They were guys who do
Kendo, a Japanese sports of fencing usually with a bamboo sword. Kilala ang mga ito bilang mga
mayayabang na studyante ng Bridle High.

They were on their way towards the counter ng biglang may dumaan na lalaking estudyante sa harap
nila. He was holding a styro cup of water na malamang ay galing sa counter ng cafeteria since naroon
ang water dispenser. The guy stepped on one of the kendo member's foot. Galit na galit naman ang
lalaki na member ng kendo club.

"Napakacareless mo talaga!", the guy who's foot has been stepped on said. Hinawakan niya ang lalaki sa
may manggas ng damit nito at itinulak iyon kung saan.

The guy landed on Lowie's table at natapon ang ilan sa mga pagkain nito.

Napasigaw naman ang lahat ng naroon sa cafeteria. I saw that guy, Gray, na tumayo at nakiusyoso na rin
but no one dared to interfere dahil malamang madadamay lang.

Lowie was very angry at dahil doon ay sinigawan niya ang lalaki. "What the hell!"

Natakot naman ang lalaki, he was on the brink of crying ng lumapit ang nagtulak sa kanya at kinausap si
Lowie.

"He was on the way Mondino kaya tinulak ko siya", the guy said. His face was angry as well as Lowie's
samantalang takot na takot naman ang lalaki. He slowly walked away, palayo sa dalawa.

"It's you? So ikaw pala ang nagsayang ng pagkain ko?", nanghahamong tanong ni Lowie.

The guy slightly laughed.

"Nagsayang? Tsk, akala ko ba walang sayang sa mayamang katulad mo?", tanong nito. Napasigaw
naman ang lahat ng bigla itong hablutin ni Lowie.

He held his head and stuffed the food on his mouth!

"May concept din naman ako ng sayang pagdating sa pagkain!", he said as he continued to stuff the
guy's mouth with food.

Everyone was too shocked to move! Kahit ang mga taga kendo club ay hindi nakagalaw dahil sa bilis ng
mga pangyayari.
Mas lalong nabigla ang lahat ng hindi na pumalag ang lalaki. His mouth was stuffed with food pero hindi
ito nakapalag. His eyes were red as Lowie continued to stuff the food at hindi naglaon ay nawalan ito ng
malay habang bumubula ang bibig!

The food stuffed in his mouth was poisoned!!

--

AN:

Sabi ng classmate ko, effort daw masyado ang magsulat ng mystery story kaya heto, nag effort ako,
hihihi :D

-ShinichiLaaaabs.

CHAPTER 2: ALLIANCE

Chapter 2: Alliance

Napasigaw ang lahat ng estudyante. Lowie was very shocked too! Patuloy na bumubula ang bibig ng
lalaki kahit wala na itong malay. No one dared to move dahil sa pagkabigla sa pangyayari, but suddenly
Gray emerged from his seat at agad lumapit sa walang malay na estudyante.

"Call the police immediately!", sigaw niya sa ibang mga studyante as he tries to examine the guy on the
floor. Sunod naman niyang tiningnan ang natitirang pagkain sa plato ni Lowie. He smelled it for a while
and he shook his head as if he found something. "Call also an ambulance since sarado na ang infirmary
ngayon!"

Maya-maya ay may mga dumating na mga pulis at maging ang ambulansya. Agad na dinala sa ospital
ang lalaki.

The police did their investigation at ginawang off-limits ang canteen. Agad na pinauwi ang mga
studyante kaya wala kaming nagawa kundi ang bumalik sa kanya-kanyang dorm namin.

Habang papauwi kami ay may mga bagay na pumasok sa isip ko. I know the food poisoning part was not
an accident.

Sinadya iyon at malamang na si Lowie ang target because the food was meant for him.

Napaisip ako ng malalim. Back then, the staff whose face is worried took his order. Bago pa man ito
makapunta sa kitchen area ay may lalaking lumapit dito, may ibinulong and handed her something
suspicious. As far as I could remember, it was a green piece of paper and I also noticed that there was
something inside that paper.

Could it be the poison?

Tomorrow is Saturday at walang pasok. I want to do some investigations regarding this case pero hindi
ko magagawa iyon ngayon dahil malamang naroon pa ang mga pulis at madadatnan ako ng curfew
kapag hinintay ko pa silang umalis.

I decided to have my investigation early in the morning tomorrow.

**

Maaga akong gumising kinabukasan. Alas kwatro pa lang ay agad na akong naghilamos and changed into
my proper clothes. I wore a black sweatshirt at black shorts.

Both Andi and Therese are still sleeping so I slowly sneak my way out. Naglakad ako papunta sa
cafeteria. It's a little bit dark and cold yet I continued to walk my way towards there.

The cafeteria is still sealed. Marahil ay patuloy pa na mag-iimbestiga ang mga pulis. When I tried to open
the door, it wasn't locked.

How come it wasn't locked? Did the police left it open?

Dahan-dahan akong pumasok and when I sneak my way towards the counter, I noticed something.

No, someone.

Someone is inside the cafeteria too!

May napansin kasi akong pares ng sapatos. The owner of the shoes is hiding behind the counter, but too
bad, I noticed his shoes. Was it the culprit?

Kahit kinakabahan ay nagawa ko pa ring magsalita. "Lumabas ka na. I have seen your shoes so there's no
point of hiding."

Dahan-dahan naman na lumabas ang taong iyon. I was surprised to see who it was.

Gray Silvan.

What the?! Anong ginagawa niya dito?

"What the hell are you doing here?", he asked. Katulad ko ay nakasuot din siya ng itim but a hoody
jacket. "Are you the culprit?"

Tumaas naman ang isang kilay ko sa kanya. Me? The culprit? Tsk.
"There's no way I'll be the culprit, baka ikaw. You're just new here, right?", he sounded rude and I just
returned the treatment. His face is handsome and his hair is dishevelled like he just gone out of bed.

He crossed his brows. "Then what are you doing here at this hour?", he was holding something inside
the pocket of his jacket.

"Maybe I should ask the same question", I told him.

Kinakabahan ako. What if he's holding some weapon beneath his jacket? Oh no!

He shook his head impatiently. At siya pa ang may ganang maging impatient!? Tsk!

"Okay let's stop the stupidity. I'm here because I'm trying to investigate something. How about you?",
he asked.

Investigate? Did he notice the queer behaviour of the canteen staff too?

"Same as you. Napansin ko kasi na balisa ang babaeng kumuha ng order ni Lowie kagabi. I also noticed
when someone handed her something", sabi ko sa kanya and his eyes lightened.

"So you did notice that too? Pero hindi pa ako sigurado kung konektado iyon sa nangyaring food
poisoning. Not to mention na ang pagkain lang ni Mondino ang may lason, meaning he is really the
target", he said and sat down. May isinulat siya sa maliit na notebook niya. "What's your name and from
what class?"

"Amber. Amber Sison, 9-A", sagot ko sa kanya. He raised his brow to me.

"9A?", tanong niya ang I wiggled my brow. "We're classmates? Hindi kita nakita kahapon", komento
niya. Yeah, hindi niya talaga ako nakita kahapon dahil hindi naman ako pumasok.

"Yeah, I wasn't around. Nag cut ako. How about you? What's your name?", I asked him.

"Gray Ivan Silvan, a detective", I rolled my eyes at him.

Pumasok na ako sa may kusina at iniwan siya doon. Hindi ko namalayan na sumunod na pala siya.

Nagpunta ako sa may kalan, nothing is suspicious. I also examined the garbage bin at maging doon ay
wala akong nakitang kahinahinala.

"Let's get this through. I found this sa may likod. It's burned and this is the only part na may mababasa
tayo. Do you think this can help?", tanong ni Gray. Inilabas niya mula sa bulsa ang piraso ng papel na
kulay green. Its sides were burnt and the only writing left in it was 'pls come. -L.M.'

Inabot ko naman ang papel. This paper. This was the paper na inabot ng lalaki sa staff ng cafeteria!

"Hey, this paper", I said to Gray. Tumango naman siya.

"Yup, the one that the suspicious guy gave the cafeteria staff", he said.

Muli naman akong sumulyap sa papel. LM? Who's LM? Lowie Mondino?

"L.M.?", tanong ko kay Gray.

"It could be Lowie Mondino or any other", Gray said.

"But if it's Lowie, why don't give it himself?", nalilito kong tanong. "Bakit kailangan pa niyang mag-utos
ng iba when in fact siya naman ang nagbigay ng order sa babae diba?", tanong ko ulit.

Gray think hard bago sumagot. "Yes, maybe this paper has nothing to do with Mondino's case. Isa pa, I
was staring at him all the time when he placed his order and I didn't noticed anything in between him
and the cafeteria staff", Gray said.

Ano daw? He's staring at Lowie all the time? Hindi ba nagbabasa siya nun?

"Really? I thought you're reading Nancy Drew", I told him and he looked surprised.

"You're looking at me then", he said and give me a smirk. "You're interested in me?"

Tinaasan ko siya ng kilay. Sa lahat ng ayaw ko ay ang lalaking mahangin at masyadong bilib sa sarili.

"Masyado yatang mataas ang tingin mo sa sarili mo. I was just curious who's into books that I'm into
too", I said and he chuckled.

"Defensive", he said between his laughters. Hindi ko na siya pinansin at nagpatuloy lang sa paghahanap
ng clues.

I know that Lowie was really the target of the poison dahil kung random poisoning lang iyon, marahil ay
marami na ang nalason. But the fact that only his food was poisoned, it's very clear that it was really for
him.

Sino ba ang kaaway nito o may galit dito? Oh well, he's a bully kaya marami itong kaaway at marami rin
ang galit dito.

But there is also Mrs. Sera. Hindi ba't nagbantaan sila kahapon? But if it is her, hindi ba masyadong
obvious since the threatening between them was known by everyone?

Ewan, nalilito na ako sa mga iniisip ko. I searched under the table in the kitchen. May mga bote ng
softdrinks na nakatambak doon. Nothing useful.

Sunod kong tiningnan ang mga lalagyan ng spices at isa-isang binuksan at inamoy iyon. Nothing was
suspicious too.

Ang sunod kong tiningnan ay ang ilalim ng water dispenser. The caferia has 3 water dispensers. The 2
were placed outside, sa may dining area samantalang nasa loob naman ng kitchen area ang isa.

I opened the cabinet na pinatungan niyon. There were bottles there labelled agricultural fertilizer.
Malamang ay gamit iyon sa garden ng cafeteria since some of the vegetables ay galing doon.

I examined the bottles. This could be poisonous if mixed with food right?

Tinawag ko si Gray at agad naman siyang lumapit. I told him that it's possible that those were used.

"Yeah, it's possible", he said while thinking hard. "We'll just wait for the result of the examination of
what was in the food, I guess the police have it examined".

Tumango ako sa kanya. "I haven't done an investigation yet tungkol sa mga involve."

He raise his brows. "How long have you been in this school?"
"Three years, why?", tanong ko sa kanya.

"How come you don't know those people involved? Hindi naman masyadong marami ang estudyante
dito ah?", he said and I make a face.

"Oh, I'm sorry if I'm not interested with them in my three years here. Don't worry, I'll do a background
check", I said sarcastically.

"No need. I already did", he open his notebook and read it. "The target of the poison was Lowie
Mondino, a 10-C student, 17 years old, a known bully at maraming kaaway. The one who was poisoned,
Joey Alva, 10-B, 17 and a member of Kendo club, a bully too but not as much as Lowie. That pitiful guy
who was pushed was Angelo Costa, 14, 8-A, a member of science club, unlike the first two, he's known
to be a favorite object for bullying. The cafeteria girl was Sylvia Adan, 22, and serving the cafeteria for 2
years now. Mabait daw ito and she's good in her job but lately she's acting strange. Yung parang balisa
daw."

"Yes, I noticed her uneasiness too", I told Gray. "Do you think it has something to do with the
poisoning?"

"We couldn't eliminate that possibility", he said.

Sabay kaming napatago ni Gray sa ilalim ng mesa ng bumukas ang entrance ng cafeteria. It was some
police who will continue their investigation.

We can actually escape through the back door but the two police officers were standing near the table
where Gray and me are hiding.

"The substance in the food were identified. It was a chemical substance na mula sa isang agricultural
product", one of the police said. "It coincide with the same chemicals found here."

"Talaga? Iyon ba ang ipinunta mo dito?", tanong ng isang police.

"Oo, kukunin ko lang itong sample", he said and we heard a cabinet being opened. Marahil ay iyon yung
cabinet na may fertilizer.

"May lead na ba kayo?", the other officer ask.

"Wala pa pero ayon sa mga nakakita kagabi, iba raw ang kinikilos ng babaeng nagkuha ng order nung
Mondino. May nagsabi rin na may nakakita na may inabot ang isang lalaki doon sa babae. Sulat daw",
the other police explained.

"Talaga?", tanong ng isa. "Nako, mukhang hindi na ligtas dito. Balak ko pa namang dito pag-aralin ang
panganay ko. Halika na pre, salamat nga pala sa libreng sakay", said the other one.

Narinig namin ang mga papalayong hakbang nila. Dahan-dahan naman kaming lumabas and made our
way towards the backdoor. Saktong nakalabas na kami ng biglang tumunog ang cellphone ko!

Gosh! It was my alarm at full volume pa!

Hinila naman ako ni Gray papalayo sa pinto. Mga ilang hakbang ay niyakap niya ako!

What the hell?!

Sakto namang bumukas ang pinto. The police officers come out and aimed their guns toward us.

"Walang kikilos!"

"Just act normal", Gray whispered in my ear habang nakayakap sa akin. Nilingon namin ang mga pulis
but Gray was still hugging me. Ibinaba naman ng mga pulis ang baril nila.

"Anong ginagawa ninyong dalawa dito? This area is restricted dahil sa insidente kagabi", one officer asks
us.

I was shaking with fear dahil sa baril na itinutok nila sa amin kanina.

"We're having our morning walk Sir. Actually today is our anniversary at napatigil kami dito because I
hugged my girlfriend dahil binati niya ako with all sweetness. Sorry sir, we just got carried away at
nakalimutang bawal nga pala dito malapit sa premises ng cafeteria", Gray explain. Oh, he's good in
making story.

"Ganun ba? Happy anniversary sa inyo. Basta wag na kayong gumala malapit dito", one officer said.

"Aye aye sir", maganang bati ni Gray.

"So paano, pasensya sa abala, naudlot tuloy yung yakap moment ninyo", natatawang sabi naman ng isa
at agad silang umalis.

I sighed ng tuluyan na silang umalis and glared at Gray.

"What?", he ask.

"You're on the move", I told him. Gosh, that's my first hug from a guy other than my father.

"Tsk. I just saved your ass. It's your fault. You didn't keep your phone silent. And I'm not into hugging
you. You're so skinny, not my type", he said.

He also saved himself using me! And what? Ako, payat?! No way! Hindi ako payat! Hindi! Hindiiiiiiiiiiiiii !

"Hindi ako payat", I hissed at hindi niya iyon pinansin.

"Let's continue our investigation on Monday", he said as he walked away. "Bye girlfriend, happy
aniversarry."

"Shut up!", I shouted and made my way to the girl's dorm.

I can hear his laughter and it's making me pissed. Oh, maybe I'll get used to him since I'll be dealing with
him more at isa pa, classmates kami.

I rolled my eyes with that thought at nagtuloy na sa paglalakad.

CHAPTER 3: CHEMICAL POISONING

Chapter 3: Chemical Poisoning

Nang sumapit nga ang lunes ay nagkita na kami ni Gray sa klase. His seat was actually behind me at
panay ang bulong niya sa akin about the case.

"Hey, ipagpatuloy natin ang pag-iimbestiga", he said at tumango lang ako sa kanya.

"Do your investigations with the cafeteria staff", bulong niya ulit sa akin at muli lang din akong tumango.

The teacher arrived at hindi na niya ako kinausap pa.

Kinalabit naman ako ng katabi kong si Jeremy. "Amber, kilala mo si Gray?", he asked in a low voice since
nagsisimula na ang klase.

"Parang ganun", sagot ko sa kanya. I don't really feel like talking today kaya lang nahihiya ako kay
Jeremy. He's a nerd at konti lang ang kumakausap sa kanya at konti lang din ang kinakausap niya. Good
thing I'm one of those few.

Hindi na ito nagsalita pa at nakinig na lamang sa klase.

Nang sumapit ang break ay muli akong nilapitan ni Gray. He showed me his little notebook at pinakita sa
akin ang ilan sa mga pwede kong itanong sa staff.

I raised my brows to him. He probably thought I'm so stupid not to formulate questions of my own, duh.

"Alam ko ang ginagawa ko, you don't have to show me those questions, silly", wika ko sa kanya at
nilagpasan siya. Uh, I really hate his guts.

Nagtaka naman ang mga classmates namin kung bakit "close" na kami gayong wala ako noong unang
araw na pumasok ito. Both of us never said a word. We both wanted to investigate the case privately.

Agad akong nagpunta sa cafeteria. At nagtanong kung nasaan na si Sylvia.

"Alam mo, tinanong din ako ng pulis kung nasaan na si Sylvia eh, teka, siya ba ang suspect?", bulong ng
isa sa staff sa akin.

Umiling naman ako. "Nako, hindi po. May itatanong lang po sana ako", wika ko dito.

"Ah ganun ba? Nako, ewan ko bakit hindi pumasok ngayon", wika nito. What? Sylvia didn't show up?
Hindi kaya may kinalaman talaga siya sa nangyari and probably she's hiding now?

"Talaga po?", tanong ko. "Madalas po ba siyang mag-absent sa trabaho?"

Umiling ang babae. "Naku, hindi. Ang sipag nga nung batang iyon. Malinis at maayos magtrabaho. Pero
nitong mga huling araw parang wala sa sarili, may problema yata", komento ng babae.

"Ilang araw na po ba siyang ganun?", tanong ko ulit.

Bahagya namang nag-isip ang babae.

"Simula yatang nung martes. Tama, nung martes. Nung may pumunta ditong lalaki", wika nito. Napaisip
naman ako. Lowie's case happened on Friday ngunit iba na ang kinikilos ni Sylvia martes pa lang. Maybe
she's not really related with the case.

Dumami na ang mga nasa cafeteria kaya tinigil ko na ang pagtatanong dahil marami pa itong gagawin.
Nagpasalamat naman ako sa babae bago umalis.

Umupo na ako sa isa sa mga upuan doon ng biglang tumabi sa akin si Gray.

"I did some research about those guys Joey and Lowie", panimula ni Gray. Itinuon ko naman ang
atensyon sa kanya. "None are helpful though."

"Nagtanong-tanong na din ako tungkol kay Sylvia. Hindi siya pumasok ngayon at dati daw ay hindi
naman siya nag-aabsent sa trabaho. And another thing, she's been acting strange since Tuesday", I told
him.

Gray massaged his forehead while thinking. "Did you notice something nung inabot nung lalaki yung
sulat kay Sylvia?"

Tumango naman ako. "Yes, the letter comes off with something pero hindi masyadong nakita kung ano
iyon."

Mrs. Sera was also once a subject to our investigation but it seems like it's clear that she's not involved,
we eliminated the possibility na siya nga.

Muli naman siyang nag-isip. Things are really hard. Mahusay ang pagkakaisip ng salarin sa krimen nito.

"Hindi kaya iyon yung poison?", I asked and he raised his brows. "Ibig kong sabihin, the letter was about
putting poison on Lowie's food at kasama na doon ang poison."

Kumunot ang noo niya. "Didn't the police figure out that it was the chemical found in the kitchen,
right?"

Uh, yeah. Nakalimutan ko. But there's no way na aaminin ko sa mayabang na si Gray iyon. No as in no.

"Pero ano nga kaya yung bagay na yun?", I asked in a low voice.

May tatlong babae na umupo sa katabing mesa namin.

"Ayos lang kaya kumain dito kahit may nangyari daw na food poisoning?", tanong ng isang babae.

Nabahala naman ang mga kasama nito at natakot.

"Oo nga naikwento yan sa akin ng roommate ko. Nasa ospital pa daw si Joey ngayon, kawawa naman",
komento naman ng isa.

"Diba si Lowie daw yung gustong lasunin kaya lang may tumulak kay Angelo", wika naman ng isa pang
babae at nagkatinginan kami ni Gray. As if we're given a clue!

Angelo Costa!

Sabay kaming napatayo at napalabas sa cafeteria. We both headed towards the 8-A classroom.
Pagdating namin doon ay wala ito.

"Saan kaya natin makikita si Costa?", wala sa sarili na tanong ni Gray. Nag-isip naman ako. The school is
big enough and it would cost us a lot of time kung lilibutin namin iyon. At may 15 minutes na lang kami
bago matapos ang break.
Saan ba namin siya makikita? Wait, hindi ba't member siya ng Science Club? He could be there!

"Science Club Offfice!", I told Gray. He smiled at agad kaming pumunta sa SCO at nandoon nga siya. He
was currently reading something when we approached him.

"Hi, you're Angelo right?", tanong ni Gray. Nakangiting tumingin naman ito sa amin. He's small and
somewhat nerdy type.

"Oo, may kailangan ba kayo?", tanong nito. He was reading chemistry, uh, nerd. Kahit second year pa ito
ay nagbabasa na ito in advance. He's thin and cute. Mukha itong mabait at awang-awa ako dito noong
binully ito ni Joey.

Sasabihin ko na sana sa kanya na magtatanong ako tungkol sa kaso ni Lowie but Gray inserted before I
could speak.

"Magtatanong sana ako paano makapasok dito sa Science Club, by the way I am Gray Silvan, a
transferee", inilahad ni Gray ang palad niya kay Angelo at tinanggap naman iyon ng huli.

"Mabuti naman at dito mo sa Science Club naisipang sumali. You will not regret joining here", Angelo
said at kumuha ng ilang papel, registration paper iyon ng Science Club.

"Thanks", he said at naupo, kunyari ay nagsi-sign siya doon sa papel. Naupo na rin ako sa gilid at
nanahimik. Hindi ko alam kung ano ang iniisip ni Gray. Is he really interested in joining the club?

Naupo na rin si Angelo. "Konti lang kami dito sa Science Club kaya natutuwa ako kapag may sumasali
dito, by the way I'm the Vice President ng club", Angelo said, smiling.

"Ganoon ba?", tanong ko na rin at nang hindi ako magmukhang tanga doon na nananahimik lang.

Bumaling naman ng tingin si Angelo sa akin.

"Ikaw, gusto mo bang sumali? Amber diba?", tanong niya. Wait, kilala niya ako?

"You know me?", tanong ko na rin at tumango siya.

"Amber the nerd", Angelo said. "Iyon ang tawag sayo ng ilang taga club, though you don't really look like
a nerd." Ano? Pinag-uusapan ba ako ng mga taga Science Club?

"Pinag-uusapan ako ng mga taga Science Club?", tanong ko sa knya. Ngumiti naman ito.

"Oo, crush ka kasi nung isang member", wika niya at pinigilan ko ang sarili ko na taasan siya ng kilay.
Baka sabihin pa nito na ang sungit ko.

"Oh, I can't join. I'm already in the Theatre and Drama Club", wika ko sa kanya.

Nagsalita naman si Gray. "Kung hindi ako nagkakamali, diba ikaw yung tinulak nung may nangyaring
poisoning sa cafeteria? Unang gabi ko iyon dito at takot na takot ako kaya hindi ko iyon makakalimutan",
Gray said and acted as if he's really scared.

Oh, he should have joined the drama club. He's good in acting, duh.

Tumango si Angelo. "Oo, ako nga iyon. Takot na takot nga ako noon. Bully si Lowie at kahit si Joey kaya
wala akong ligtas doon sa dalawa", he said while smiling. May gana pa itong ngumiti?
"Buti na lang talaga sila yung nag-away at nakalimutan ni Lowie na ako yung may kasalanan kung bakit
natapon iyong pagkain niya", Angelo said.

"Kilala mo si Lowie?", tanong ko kay Angelo. Tumango ito.

"Yeah, dating sa Mondino Laboratories nagtatrabaho ang daddy ko", he said and I saw his eyes
darkened. "Kilala ko rin si Joey. Palagi akong binubully nun."

I felt pity for Angelo. Kawawa naman ito. He looks so vulnerable, yun bang kapag isang away mo dito ay
iiyak agad. But he's so smart too. Kaya pala sa Science Club ito sumali, maybe he wants to be like his
dad.

Napatingin si Angelo sa relo niya at nagligpit ng gamit. "Nako, mauna na ako sa inyo. Dito mo na lang
ilagay yang application mo, may klase pa kasi ako", wika niya at tumayo. Nagpaalam naman kami ni Gray
sa kanya.

Nang makaalis na si Angelo ay agad nilakumos ni Gray ang papel at tinapon. What's his problem?

"Oh, bakit mo iyon tinapon? Akala ko sasali ka talaga?", I asked him. Kumunot naman ang noo nito at
tiningnan ako ng masama.

"For someone who wants to be a detective, you're too slow", he said arrogantly at napataas ang isang
kilay ko sa kanya.

"Ano?", tanong ko. Mayabang talaga ito, walang modo, masyadong bilib sa sarili. Uh, name every
negative trait, that's Gray!

"You shouldn't tell anyone that you're investigating especially those who are directly involved in the
case. At isa pa, who knows, maybe he's the culprit kaya dapat you should know what to do", wika nito.

"There's no way that he will be the culprit. Siya nga yung biktima diba dahil sa kasamaan ni Joey", I told
him. I'm so pissed, he just called me slow!

"May posibilidad pa din na siya yung salarin", wika niya. "And I didn't know you're a nerd", he said at
tiningnan ako mula ulo hanggang paa. What the hell?! I am not a nerd! Sila lang naman ang nagsasabi na
nerd ako.

"Me, too", lumabas na din ako ng Science club office at naglakad pabalik sa room.

"Wala naman tayong nakuhang impormasyon na nakakatulong eh. Oh, maybe you. Nagblush ka kanina
nung sinabi niyang may nagka crush sayo. Tsk, kinilig ka naman", he said.

Ano? Ako, nagblush at kinilig?! No way!

"Hindi ah!", tanggi ko sa kanya but he ignored me. Isinalampak niya ang headset niya sa tenga at
nakapamulsang naglakad, completely ignoring me.

Arrrgh! Binilisan ko na lang ang lakad ko. Ayokong sumabay kay Gray. He's mean and rude and so
mayabang! I hate him.

Habang naglalakad ay iniisip ko ang nangyari ng gabing iyon. As far as I could remember, Angelo was
holding a cup that day. Maybe he got some water at dumating noon ang mga taga kendo club. Angelo
stepped on Joey's foot at tinulak naman siya ni Joey towards Lowie's direction. Dahil sa lakas ng
pagkakatulak kay Angelo, he landed on Lowie's table causing him to waste his water on his cup as well as
Lowie's food on the table. Hindi pa nagalaw ni Lowie ang kanyang pagkain ng matapon ang ilan sa mga
iyon.

Chemical poisoning. Uh, who is really the culprit?

CHAPTER 4: FALSE LEAD

Chapter 4 : False Lead

The police went through their investigation. Ayon sa mga sabi-sabi, they're on the search for Sylvia
whom they considered as the primary suspect.

It's been five days since that incident happened at normal lang ang bawat nagdaang mga araw. Even
Gray and I haven't gotten much with our investigation.

Kasalukuyan kaming nagkaklase at gaya ng mga ibang araw, I don't feel like talking to anyone.

Nakaupo lang ako sa upuan ko at nakapangalumbaba when someone called my name through the
window.

"Pssst, Amber."

Napalingon naman ako sa pinanggalingan ng boses and it was Andi. Sinenyasan niya akong lumapit kaya
tumayo ako at lumabas.

"What?", deretsong sagot ko dito. Andi smiled at hinila ako.

"I don't know if this is helpful but since you're a deduction freak, maybe it is", wika ni Andi at hinila ako
sa gilid. Kinuha niya ang cellphone niya at tiningnan ang gallery.

She showed me a photo of a guy. Kasing edad lang namin iyon. Gwapo ito at matangkad. He was inside
the airport when that photo was taken.

Ibinalik ko ang cellphone kay Andi. Why is she showing me that photo? I'm not interested in guys, tsk.

"He's handsome but he's not my type", wika ko sa kanya. Tsk, iniwan ko ang klase ko dahil lang sa lalaki?

"Not the guy, he's my textmate. Tingnan mo yung paligid niya", Andi said.

"Sa airport to, oh, eh ano naman?", I said, rolling my eyes.

Napakamot naman sa ulo niya si Andi. "Akin na nga", she got her phone and pinched the photo.
Nagzoom iyon at muli niyang ibinigay sa akin ang cellphone. Nakafocus iyon sa kanang bahagi ng lalaki
kung saan naroon ang isang babae at isang lalaki. Ibabalik ko na sana ulit sa kanya ang cellphone nang
mahagip ng tingin ko ang babae.

It was Sylvia!
"That's what I want you to see", wika ni Andi.

"Kailan kinuha ang litratong 'to?", tanong ko sa kanya. No doubt, the girl in the picture is really Sylvia.
She was sitting next to a guy at nasa gilid lamang sila ng textmate ni Andi habang nagpapapicture ito.

"Hmm, friday night. Yun yung araw na umalis yang si Christian, so there goes your missing guy, Sylvia.
Siya ba ang suspect?", tanong nito.

"Hindi ko pa alam. Teka, may klase pa ako. Send me this photo Andi dahil ipapakita ko kay Gray", wika
ko sa kanya.

Kinurot naman niya ako. "Ikaw ha, hindi mo sinasabi sa amin ni Therese na kayo na pala."

I rolled my eyes to her. Si Gray at ako? uh, World War Infinity. I don't like him, period.

"You're imagining things", wika ko sa kanya at nagpaalam na matapos niyang i-bluetooth sa akin ang
picture.

While I'm on my way back to the classroom, naisip ko kung bakit nasa airport si Sylvia. It was the same
night that she disappeared and the same night of the poisoning. Did she escape?

Agad akong pumasok sa klase at naupo sa pwesto ko and diverted my attention to the class.

Matapos ang klase ay nagsitayuan na ang mga kaklase ko at maging si Gray. Nang nakatayo na siya ay
tinawag ko ito.

"I have something to show you", wika ko sa kanya at napatigil naman siya. Inabot ko ang cellphone ko
and showed him the photo that Andi gave.

"Is this Sylvia?", he asked with excitement.

Tumango naman ako. "Yes, and it was taken the same night of the poisoning."

"Where did you get this photo?", tanong niya at binalik sa akin ang cellphone ko.

"From my roommate. The guy was her textmate and he happened to take the photo with Sylvia on his
side unknowingly", wika ko sa kanya.

Gray sat in confusion. He looks very uneasy while sitting, and I think something is in his mind.

"I guess all hints lead us to Sylvia as the suspect", he said. Napaupo na din ako at napaisip. Yes, after that
incident, Sylvia disappeared at hindi na ito nakita pa. No whereabouts.

And now, here's a photo taken on the same night, a proof of her escaping.

She is the primary suspect of the police, too. Ayon kasi sa imbestigasyon, si Sylvia ang kumuha ng order
at naghanda sa pagkain ngunit inutusan lang niya ang isang staff para dalhin iyon kay Lowie. The police
concluded that Sylvia was responsible for putting the chemical in his food with the intention if poisoning
Lowie.

"No. Siguro we need to have our last card. Iba kasi ang pakiramdam ko, I really don't think that Sylvia
has something to do with it. We have to find a witness kung ano nga ba yung bagay na iyon na kasama
nung sulat at ano ang iba pang nakasulat doon sa papel. And who the hell is L.M.", wika ko habang
napaupo na rin sa pag-iisip. Nang sulyapan ko si Gray, nakatungo siya habang nag-iisip.

Tumayo ako at bumalik sa cafeteria. Muli kong nilapitan ang isang staff roon upang magtanong tungkol
kay Sylvia.

Tinanong ko ang isang lalaki na kasing-edad lang ni Sylvia. Siya yung lalaki na inutusan daw ni Sylvia na
dalhin ang pagkain ni Lowie.

"Kuya", tawag ko sa kanya. Lumingon-lingon siya sa likod niya at tinanong ako kung siya ba ang
tinatawag ko.

Tumango ako sa kanya at lumapit naman siya.

"Miss, may kailangan ka?", tanong niya at nagpacute. Tsk. I'm not interested in boys kaya wala siyang
epekto, not to mention that he's not my type.

"Magtatanong sana ako", nginitian ko siya ng matamis.

"Anything for you, Miss Beautiful", he said and wink. Pinigilan ko na lang ang sarili ko na taasan siya ng
kilay. I should act friendly to exhaust all useful information from him.

"Matagal mo na bang kilala si Sylvia?", tanong ko sa kanya. Tumango naman siya at napakamot ng ulo.

"Nako, tinanong na din ako ng pulis, teka, detective ka ba?", wika niya at ngumiti ako.

"Parang ganun", wika ko sa kanya.

"Magdadalawang taon ko ng kilala si Sylvia, manliligaw nga sana ako sa kanya dati kaso may boyfriend
pala siya. At hindi ako naniniwala na siya ang naglagay ng lason doon. Napakabait na babae ni Sylvia",
wika niya at bahagyang nalungkot.

"Talaga? May napansin ka bang kakaiba sa kanya noong gabi ng paglalason?", tanong ko sa kanya.

Bahagya siyang nag-isip bago sumagot. "Ah, oo. Balisa siya pero medyo matagal na iyon nagsimula. At
saka alam ko ang rason ng pagkabalisa niya. Hindi ko ito sinabi sa mga pulis, sa iyo lang kasi mukhang
hindi naman ito makakatulong sa imbestigasyon."

Nanlaki ang mga mata ko. Could it be useful o hindi talaga?

"Ano?", tanong ko sa kanya.

Hininaan naman niya ang boses niya. "Secret lang to ha? Nangako ako kay Sylvia na secret lang."

Tumango lang ako sa kanya.

"Ayaw ng pamilya ng boyfriend niya sa kanya gusto ng boyfriend niya na magtanan na sila. Kaya lang,
pinapaaral pa niya yung kapatid niya kaya hindi agad siya nakapagdesisyon kung makikipagtanan siya o
hindi", wika niya sa mababa na boses.

Nakipagtanan? Posibleng iyon ang dahilan ng pagkawala ni Sylvia at hindi upang magtago.

"Kilala mo ba ang boyfriend niya?", tanong ko sa kanya at umiling siya.

"Hindi eh. Nililihim kasi ni Sylvia kung sino ang boyfriend niya, basta ang natatandaan ko, Lester ang
pangalan ng boyfriend niya at mayaman yata. Galing sa mga pamilya ng abogado", wika niya.

"Paano mo nalaman?", tanong ko. Hindi ba malihim si Sylvia kaya paano nito nalaman iyon?

"Naglabas kasi ng sama ng loob si Sylvia sa akin. Ang sabi niya ayaw ng mga magulang ni Lester sa kanya
dahil mahirap lang siya. Parang ganun", wika niya.

"Kilala mo ba yung lalaki na nag-abot ng sulat kay Sylvia?", tanong ko.

Umiling naman ito. "Hindi eh. Pero sabi ni Sylvia, confidante daw iyon ni Lester. Tsaka kasama dun sa
inabot sa kanya ng lalaki yung passport nilang dalawa ng kapatid niya", bulong nito.

Passport? That was the thing that came off with the letter?

"Passport? Passport iyon?", I asked at tumango siya.

Napamasahe naman ako sa ulo ko. This is getting tougher, I guess. Nagpaalam na ako sa lalaki at muling
bumalik kay Gray. He was nowhere to be found kaya naghintay nalang ako na dumating ang sunod na
period.

He was fifteen minutes late at ng dumating siya ay pawis na pawis siya. Agad siyang naupo sa likuran ko.
I told him about the information that I have gathered in a low voice dahil kasalukuyang nagdi-discuss
ang history teacher namin.

"Gray, the thing that came off with the letter is actually a passport", wika ko sa kanya. He was still
catching his breath, marahil ay nagtatakbo siya pabalik dito.

"Hmm, then it coincides with the information that I have gathered. He eloped with his boyfriend, Lester
Marquez", he said.

Lester Marquez, then he's L.M. and not Lowie Mondino. We decided to discuss the other informations
after the class kaya muli naming itinuon ang atensyon sa klase.

Pagkatapos naman ng klase ay nagpaiwan kami. We both sat on the teacher's table at nakaharap sa
impormasyon na nakalap namin, written in a bondpaper.

"Sylvia's queer behavior is not because she's been ordered to poison Mondino but because she planned
to elope with his boyfriend", panimula ni Gray.

"The letter was not an order for the crime but a letter from her boyfriend. Sa mga nakalap natin na
impormasyon, this would clear Sylvia from the crime. Then who is the real culprit?", I asked inconfusion.

"And moreover, how did the culprit manage to put the poison in Mondino's food?", wika ni Gray. He was
in deep thoughts and both of us are having a hard time.

Tumayo ako at iniwan si Gray. I went the cafeteria at bumili ng dalawang coke in can. Nang bumalik ako
sa room ay ibinigay ko kay Gray ang isang coke. Nagpasalamat naman ito at agad iyong ininom.

He's still thinking hard nang tumunog ang cellphone ko. I got up from the chair at tinungo ang upuan ko
kung saan naroon ang cellphone.
I opened the message at naglakad pabalik sa mesa kung saan naroon si Gray. Sa kabilang kamay ko ay
hawak ko ang coke in can. Hindi ko namalayan na nakaharang pala ang isang upuan and only noticed it
ng masyadong malapit na ako kaya iniwasan ko iyon upang hindi mapatid but still looking at my phone. I
lose my balance dahil natapilok ako and ended up smacking on the table where Gray sat. Natapon ang
laman ng coke ko sa mesa.

I screamed ng muntik na akong matumba at muntik na ding tumama ang mukha ko sa mesa. I was
expecting Gray would help me up but he didn't.

Ano pa nga bang aasahan ko?

He sat there with a wide eye habang nakatingin sa natapon na coke. Tumayo ako ng tuwid at
pasalampak na naupo. My foot hurt because I twisted it a little.

"I now understand!", Gray declared. He has a victorious look in his eyes.

Ha? Ano raw?

"Understand what?", tanong ko sa kanya. I massaged my ankle because it really hurts.

"The process of the crime and the culprit behind it, thanks to your clumsiness", binigyan niya ako ng
pokerface. Inirapan ko naman siya.

My ankle is too hurt to start a fight with him.

"Sino?", I asked in excitement. He gave me a sweet smile.

"The culprit is...."

--

CHAPTER 5: THE TRUTH BEHIND

Chapter 5: The truth behind

**

"The culprit is....", Gray was about to say who's behind the poisoning case when some students were
running towards the cafeteria.

Sabay kaming napalingon ni Gray sa mga tumatakbong estudyante.

"Bilisan mo bro, mainit na daw ang suntukan ni Lowie at Albert sa cafeteria", wika ng isang estudyante
habang tumatakbo. Nagkatinginan naman kami ni Gray, curious of what was happening, we both make
our way to the cafeteria.

Pagdating namin doon ay marami nga ang nanonood sa suntukan. It was between Lowie and Albert
Degero, a kendo club member na kasama ni Joey noong gabi na nalason ito.
"Mamamatay tao ka! Ikaw ang dahilan kung bakit nalason si Joey!", Albert shouted to Lowie. His lips
were swollen, marahil ay napuruhan na iyon ni Lowie.

"Hindi ko kasalanan iyon! And it's his fault!", sigaw naman ni Lowie. Galit na galit ito. He also got a
bruised cheek. Nakahawak din ito sa sikmura. Maybe Albert hit him there.

Muli silang nagsuntukan ng biglang dumating ang guard. May kasama pa itong dalawang pulis. Agad
naman na pinaglayo ang dalawa bagaman panay pa rin ang batohan nila ng mga masasakit na salita.

The police officer scolded both Albert and Lowie.

"Ano ba naman kayong mga bata kayo! Hindi pa nga nalulutas ang nangyaring insidente dito noong
nakaraan, tapos ngayon magpapatayan kayo?", wika ng isang pulis.

Nagulat ako ng bigla akong hatakin ni Gray papunta sa direksyon ng mga pulis. My foot still hurt kaya
napangiwi ako ng hilahin niya ako.

"Mr. Officer, the truth is that we've already figured out who is behind the poisoning", wika ni Gray ng
makalapit kami. Napuno naman ng ingay ang cafeteria dahil sa narinig.

They are curious of who is behind it.

Napakamot naman ng ulo ang pulis. "Alam niyo na? Hindi ba't yun yung nawawalang staff ng cafeteria?"

Gray shooked his head. "No, Sylvia Adan is completely innocent."

'Ohhhs and what' filled the cafeteria. Gulat na gulat ang lahat sa sinabi ni Gray. Even me, I still don't
know who is the culprit dahil hindi natuloy ang pagsabi ni Gray kanina dahil pumunta kami dito sa
cafeteria.

"Then who?", Albert, who is still furious asked.

Gray smiled. "It was the person na hindi natin iisipin na gagawin niya. Right, Angelo Costa?"

Napatingin naman ang lahat sa direksyon ni Angelo. He was standing there, wide-eyed. Maging ito ay
gulat na gulat sa rebelasyon ni Gray.

"That's rubbish! Hindi si Angelo ang nais lumason kay Lowie!", one guy shouted. He was standing next to
him.

Muli namang umugong ang ingay. Everybody wanted an explanation.

"Teka, sandali. Paano mo naman nasabi iyan?", tanong ng isa sa mga pulis. "Hindi ba lahat ng ebidensya
ay tumuturo lahat kay Sylvia at ang pagkawala niya ay isang patunay na iniwasan niyang pagbayaran ang
nagawang kasalanan?"

Umiling si Gray. "I and my partner, Amber, investigated this well. Ang lalaki na may inabot na sulat kay
Sylvia ay utusan ng boyfriend niya. Ang sulat na iyon ay para sa planong pagtatanan ni Sylvia at ng
kasintahan niya. As a proof, here is a burnt part of the letter kung saan nakalagay ang initials na L.M.
which stands for Lester Marquez, we can even prove that they eloped together", wika niya, nilabas niya
mula sa bulsa ang papel na nakita namin at siniko ako.
Naintindihan ko naman ang ibig niyang sabihin kaya kinuha ko ang cellphone ko at inabot sa pulis. "The
people beside this guy in the airport ay si Sylvia at Lester. That photo was taken the same night", wika ko
at muling napuno ng bulong-bulongan ang paligid.

"Oh, sabihin natin na hindi nga si Sylvia. Paano naman naging suspect yang batang yan?", tanong ng
isang pulis at tinuro si Angelo na gulat na gulat pa rin.

Maging ako ay hindi makapaniwala. How come that it was Angelo?

"May ebidensya ka ba diyan sa pinagsasabi mo?", tanong ni Angelo ng makabawi ito mula sa pagkabigla.

Umiling siya Gray.

Angelo laughed. "Anong klaseng deduction show ba ito? You came pointing people when you don't have
any evidence!"

Ngumiti lang si Gray. "The evidence was disposed immediately. Sayang nga at ngayon ko lang naisip na
importante pala iyon. But don't worry, I know you would turn yourself in kapag sinabi ko na kung paano
mo iyon ginawa."

Muling natakot ang mukha ni Angelo. He looks so angry.

"Paano?", tanong ni Lowie.

"Kung hindi niyo napansin, bagaman malapit ang mesa niya sa water dispenser na ito, kumuha siya ng
tubig sa dispenser na malapit sa counter", panimula ni Gray. He pointed the spot where Angelo and his
friends sat last friday.

"Dahil iyon walang laman ang malapit na dispenser!", Angelo hissed.

"No, the real reason is that you snuck inside at kumuha ng agricultural chemical na nakalagay sa ilalim
ng mesa kung saan naroon ang ikatlong water dispenser", Gray said.

Gulat na gulat ang lahat. Yep, I remembered Angelo walk past the counter's entrance and not from
beside kung saan naroon ang isa pang water dispenser.

"The truth is that wala sa pagkain na inihanda ni Sylvia kundi nasa baso mo ang chemical na ginamit mo
para lasunin sana si Mondino", pagpapatuloy ni Gray.

Saka ko lamang naintindihan ang ibig nitong sabihin.

"Right. Kaya pala sinadya mong humarang sa daan ni Joey, who used to bully you dahil alam mo na ang
mangyayari. And as expected, he pushed you towards the direction of Lowie since he was just beside
you. Kunyari ay napasubsob ka sa mesa niya and spilled some of your glass's contents with the
chemical", wika ko naman. Kaya pala nakatitig lang si Gray kanina sa natapon na laman ng coke noong
natapilok ako. It was the same process used by the culprit.

"Wala kayong ebidensya!", wika ni Angelo. Pulang-pula na ang dating napakaamo nitong mukha.

"It's because you disposed that styro cup. Seeing you as smart, hindi mo iyon tinapon dito sa basurahan
ng cafeteria, instead you carried it away with you and God knows where you disposed it. Akala ko dati
dahil lang iyon sa takot mo kaya hindi mo mabitaw-bitawan ang styro cup na iyon. Now I realized it's the
evidence of your crime", wika ni Gray. Maingay pa rin ang paligid at hindi pa rin makapaniwala ang lahat
sa rebelasyon namin ni Gray.

"Bakit ko naman gagawin iyon?! I don't have any motives in poisoning Lowie!", pagbabawi ni Angelo sa
sarili.

"Ah, the motive is to avenge your father. Sinabi mo sa amin kanina na dating sa Mondino Laboratories
nagtatrabaho ang daddy mo. At saka ko lang naiugnay iyon. A month ago, malaking balita ang tungkol sa
company turnover ng nasabing laboratory. At isa ang daddy mo sa naapektuhan ng turnover diba?
Maybe your dad love science as much as you like it kaya masakit sa kanya ang matanggal sa trabaho and
replaced with another, right?", Gray said. Cool itong nakapamulsa habang isinisiwalat lahat. He really
investigated that much. Kaya pala na-late ito kanina.

Napatungo naman si Angelo. "I guess I have no other choice but to confess. Tama ang sinabi nila", wika
niya at umugong ang malakas na ingay. Lahat nagulat sa pag-amin ni Angelo.

"I want to avenge my father through poisoning Lowie but there is more to that. Hindi ba't nagkasagutan
si Lowie at Mrs. Sera? It is because of Lowie playing with chemicals that can actually make the
laboratories explode! Nandoon ako! And I as someone who loves science so much cannot bear to see
people who want to destroy such wonderful place like the laboratory!", he said while crying. "He
deserves to be punished!"

Lumapit ang pulis at hinawakan si Angelo. Hindi naman ito pumalag.

"At tama nga sila. Dinala ko ang styro cup sa dorm at doon iyon sinunog, thinking the truth won't be
discovered", umiiyak niyang wika. "Kaya pala iba ang pakiramdam ko nang puntahan ninyo akong
dalawa sa science club office kanina."

"Hindi mo maitatago ang katotohanan Angelo. Kahit ilang beses mo pang pagplanuhan, darating din ang
araw na lalabas ang katotohanan", komento ko kay Angelo. He smiled bitterly.

Hinawakan siya ng pulis. "Dahil minor ka pa lang, dadalhin ka namin sa custody at sila na ang bahala sa
iyo", sabi nito. They leave the cafeteria with Angelo.

Tuwang-tuwa naman ang lahat. They even congratulated me and Gray for exposing Angelo's crime.

Napangiti naman ako at nagpaalam na kay Gray. Geez, I don't like attention that much. Salungat ko
naman si Gray na tila nag-eenjoy sa atensyon sa kanya. Humakbang na ako palabas ng cafeteria but my
foot still aches.

Damn, it hurt badly.

Paika-ika akong bumalik sa classroom namin at kinuha ang naiwan kong gamit. Naupo ako at tinanggal
ang sapatos ko upang tingnan ang paa ko.

It was also the time when Gray entered.

"It's swollen", komento nito at tiningnan ang paa ko. Namaga iyon and violet marks started to appear.

"Ang tanga mo kasing maglakad", Gray said. Tiningnan ko siya ng masama at pinigilan ang sarili kong
sipain siya. Baka lalo pang mamaga ang paa ko kapag nagkataon.
"Pasensya na ha", I said sarcastically. How dare him call me stupid! "If not because of me being stupid,
edi hindi pa sana natin nalaman na si Angelo ang salarin!"

Tiningnan ko pa rin siya ng masama while he just stood there. Tila wala itong narinig sa sinabi ko and still
thinks I'm stupid.

I gave him dagger stares while putting my shoe back. Binalewala lang niya ang mga irap ko. He picked his
backpack at sinuot. He also picked my backpack at sinuot din.

Nagulat na lang ako ng binuhat din niya ako! What the ----!

"Idiot. Masosolve pa rin natin iyon, you don't have to hurt yourself like this", nagsimula na siyang
maglakad na buhat-buhat ako. Hindi naman siguro ako mabigat dahil mukhang hindi naman ito
nahihirapan.

"What are you doing?", I asked surprisingly. Nagpumiglas naman ako. It's so awkward! Marami ang
nakatingin sa amin! Gosh, he's carrying me in a bridal style! Yun bang paraan ng pagbuhat ng mga groom
sa bride nila!

"This is called carrying, in case you don't know", he said at patuloy lang sa paglalakad.

"Ibaba mo ako Gray!", protesta ko but he refused.

"Stay still Amber kung hindi ay ihuhulog kita", he warned.

He insisted on carrying me kaya wala akong nagawa kundi mamula while he's carrying me towards the
direction of the dorm habang maraming mata ang nakatingin sa amin.

Great!

We'll be the talk of the school for solving a case.

As well as the talk, for him carrying me like this. Uh!

CHAPTER 6: PRANK CALLS

Chapter 6: Prank Calls

--

Nakadapa ako sa kama ko sa dorm habang nagbabasa. I was reading a short story for my literature class
nang tumunog ang cellphone ko. Nang tingnan ko naman iyon, it was an unregistered number.

"Hello?", bati ko ng matapos kong pindutin ang answer button.

Walang sumagot mula sa kabilang linya but I heard sounds of the wind. Muli kong binati kung sino man
ang tumawag.

"Hello?", ulit ko but to no avail, wala paring nagsalita.

Meh, what's with people and their prank calls?

"Hello, sino to?", I asked impatiently. I heard someone laughed. It was a scary laugh at nakakapanindig
balahibo.

"Kung wala kang magawa sa buhay, please stop making prank calls. It's not funny", inis na wika ko at
akmang papatayin ang tawag nang bigla nagsalita ang nasa kabilang linya.

"Ang sungit mo."

The voice was familiar. It was a husky voice at isa lang ang kilala kong ganoon ang boses.

Gray.

I mentally rolled my eyes. "Whatever Gray."

Muli naman siyang tumawa. At parang nais ko siyang suntukin.

"Why did you call?", tanong ko sa kanya. "At saan mo naman nakuha ang number ko?"

"Ah, I'm just trying to scare you pero mukhang mainit ang ulo mo. Meron ka ano?", he asked at muling
tumawa.

"And your number? Oh well, I'm a detective so I have my ways."

Tsk, he just called to scare me? Not effective, I'm annoyed.

"You're not scary. You're annoying", wika ko sa kanya. "I have to hang up, bye."

Hindi ko na hinintay ang sagot niya at muling nagbasa. He just annoyed me.

Hindi nagtagal ay muling tumunog ang cellphone ko.

"Gray stop this nonsense call, I'm busy", deretso kong sagot. He didn't answer but I heard a noise. It's
like he was scratching something.

"Wag ka nang tumawag at magbasa ka na lang ng literature activity natin", wika ko sa kanya.

"Amber", wika ng nasa kabilang linya. It was a different voice, hindi iyon kay Gray.

"Who's this?", tanong ko. Tumunog ang end dial tone tanda na pinatay iyon ng caller.

Who the hell was that? Uh, maybe it's still Gray at pinaglalaruan na naman ako. Pinatay ko nalang ang
cellphone.

I checked the numbers who called me. Magkaiba ang dalawa. Why would Gray bother to call me with
two different numbers for the sole purpose of pulling a prank?

Uh, whatever. He's annoying. Biglang bumukas ang pinto at iniluwa niyon si Andi. She was smiling all the
way at parang alam ko na kung saan ito galing.

"Nang stalk ka na naman sa crush mo?", tanong ko sa kanya. Nagulat naman ito ngunit agad ding
nakabawi.

"Hindi ah", she denied at umiwas ng tingin sa akin.

"Naah, you can't fool me. I'm a detective", I said smiling.

"Sige nga. Spill your deductions kung paano mo nasabing nangstalk nga ako kay Jeff", taning niya. She
sat beside me ay naghintay sa sagot ko.

"Wanna try me?"

Tumango naman ito.

"You came in here with that stupid smile at lumalabas lang yang ngiting yan kapag nakita mo si Jeff",
panimula ko. She pouted.

"Uh, that's not enough to say that I'm stalking", wika niya.

"Pumunta ka ng gym dahil nandoon si Jeff nagpapractice at dahil ayaw mong makita ka niya, you didn't
take the ordinary way towards the gym, sa halip sa likod ka dumaan kung saan walang makakakita
sayo", wika ko sa kanya.

"How would you know that I took the other way?", tanong niya.

Tinuro ko naman ang soot niyang itim na tshirt. "Your shirt. Kung titingnan mong mabuti, may mga
cotton-like stuffs na nakakapit sa damit mo, and those are flowers from a bush na makikita lamang sa
likurang bahagi ng gym, near the woods", wika ko sa kanya.

"Yeah that maybe possible but pumunta lang naman ako doon upang bumili nito", wika ni Andi at itinaas
ang kamay na may hawak na nilagang mais. Doon ito mabibili sa mga tindero sa may gilid ng gym diba?",
nakangiting wika. "That does not prove your theory about me, stalking."

"Kung gusto mo talagang bumili ng mais, you can buy that at the cafeteria since may nagtitinda din niyan
doon. At isa pa, you don't like corn. Hindi ka kumakain niyan. Kapag kasi kumakain tayo ng halo-halo,
hiniwalay mo iyon sa mga kinakain mo, not eating it at all. Ganun din nung nagdala ng maja blanca si
Therese, hindi mo kinain yung mga piraso ng mais. Kahit hindi mo sinabi sa amin na hindi ka kumakain
ng mais, I already figured it out", nakangiting wika ko.

"Hmm, kumakain ako ng mais. Kaya nga bumili ako nito", inangat niya ang hawak na mga mais.

"No. Binili mo yan kasi muntik ka na namang mahuli ni Jeff. You made it as an alibi na bumili ka ng mais
sa halip na nagmamasid kay Jeff. At kung bibili ka lang talaga ng mais, you wouldn't take the other way.
Masukal doon at tago. Mas madaling dumaan sa pathway pero bakit dumaan ka sa likod? It's because
you don't want anyone to see you. Right?"

Itinaas naman niya ang dalawang kamay. "Alright, you win. You're really observant."

Tumawa ako ng mahina. Obvious naman talaga. Kapag walang pasok, routine na nito na subaybayan ang
crush niya.

"Isa din sa basehan ko ay ang buhok mo. You changed your hairstyle a bit. You even wore a hoodie at
nagdala ka ng eyeglasses at newspaper. It's like your trying to hide your identity. And the newspaper,
you can use it to hide your face para kunyari nagbabasa ka", dagdag ko sa kanya.
Sumimangot naman ito. "Ang pangit pakinggan ng nag stalk, di ba pwedeng nagsubaybay lang?", tanong
niya.

"Yeah, stalking is creepy", wika ko naman. Tumayo siya at nagbihis na.

"Uh, you're even creepier. Pakiramdam ko made-deduce mo lahat ng gagawin ko", wika niya.

Natawa naman ako at hindi na lang sumagot. Pinagpatuloy ko na lang ang ginagawa kong pagbabasa.

Nang sumapit ang gabi ay sumabay ako kina Andi at Therese upang magdinner sa cafeteria. Habang
naglalakad ay biglang tumunog ang cellphone ko. It was an unregistered number. Thinking it was Gray,
agad ko namang sinagot iyon.

"What?", tanong ko.

Hindi naman ito nagsalita. Sa halip, ihip lang ng hangin ang naririnig ko. May mahinang tugtog rin na
nakakatakot.

"I told you to stop this nonsense calls Gray", sabi ko sa kanya at agad pinatay ang tawag.

Hindi pa masyadong magaling ang paa ko na namaga kaya mahina pa rin ang lakad ko at naiwan ako
nina Therese at Andi.

Nang dumating ako sa cafeteria, tinawag ako nila sa mesa na inokupa nila.

Namataan ko naman si Gray na kumakain kasama ang dalawang estudyante. Inis na nilapitan ko naman
siya.

"Hoy kulay na walang kabuhay-buhay, didn't I tell you to stop making scary prank calls?!", wika ko ng
makalapit sa mesa nila. Napatingin naman silang tatlo sa akin.

Tumayo si Gray. "Uh, I love the color gray and I don't think it's not lively at all." Napatingin naman sa
kanya ang dalawang lalaki. "Ah, Amber, these are my roommates, Jeff and Marwin. Bro, kaklase kong
panget, si Amber."

I frowned on the adjective ugly, uh. Tumayo naman ang mga ito at nakikamay.

"I'm Jeff Rejas", pakilala ni Jeff. The same Jeff na crush ni Therese. I wonder how she feels kung nakikita
niyang kinamayan ako ng crush niya.

"Ako naman si Marwin Valle, Hi nerd", nakangiting wika ng isa.

Uh, what's with the nerd? Do I really look like a nerd to them? I don't want to be rude ngunit hindi ko
napigilang taasan siya ng kilay.

"I'm not a nerd", pagsusungit ko dito. Mahina naman itong tumawa.

"And yeah, I don't think so. But, that's what they used to call you", wika naman niya at ngumiti.

I rolled my eyes at him. "Whatever." Bumaling naman ako kay Gray. "Naiinis na ako sa mga tawag mo.
One last prank call at dadapo ang kamao ko sa mukha mo."
He laughed hard. "I love to feel your knuckles on my face. But too bad, hindi yata ako ang tumatawag
sayo. I just called you once", wika niya.

"What?", gulat kong tanong. Once? Then who's pulling some prank on me?

Dahil hindi ako naniniwala kay Gray, I have to prove that it's him. Inilahad ko ang palad ko sa kanya.
"Give me your phone."

Kahit nagtataka ay ibinigay naman niya iyon. Kinuha ko naman ang cellphone ko at tinawagan amg
number na tumawag sa akin kanina. Nagring iyon ngunit hindi iyon ang cellphone ni Gray. Wala ring
cellphone na tumunog.

Uh, maybe he has another cellphone in his pocket. By looking at their plates, kanina pa sila dito at
malamang nandito na si Gray when he called me kanina.

The call was cancelled and I confirmed it wasn't Gray. Pinatay ang tawag.

Kung si Gray iyon, marahil ay kinakapa na nito sa bulsa ang isa pa nitong cellphone na maaaring ginamit
nito sa pagtawag.

But he didn't and he doesn't have an extra phone. Nung tinawagan ko naman ang isang number, it was
Gray. He was telling the truth na isang beses lang siya tumawag and that was the first number who
called me.

Ibinalik ko ang cellphone niya. "Then who's pulling some pranks on me?"

Tinago niya sa bulsa ang cellphone niya. "I don't know. Maybe your stalker, though I doubt may
magkakagusto sayo", wika niya at sinabayan pa iyon ng tawa.

I give him a deadly glare at pinigilan ang sariling masapak ito.

Nagpaalam na ako sa kanilang tatlo at bumalik sa mesa kung saan naroon sina Andi and Therese.

Andi was bugging me to introduce her to Jeff. Nainggit daw siya dahil nagkausap kami ni Jeff, oh, just as I
thought.

After we finished our dinner ay bumalik na kami sa dorm. Pagsapit ng alas dyes y media ay natulog na si
Andi at Therese kaya tanging ang bedlamp ko na lang ang bukas.

I already saved Gray's number but I'm still puzzled who owns the other number. Bakit trip nitong takutin
ako?

I texted the number.

'who are you?'

Hindi naman nagtagal ay nagreply ito.

'does it matter? I'm someone who is always watching you from afar.'

Nang mabasa ko iyon ay kinilabutan ako. Stalker? Uh, creepy!

Maybe it's just someone who has nothing to do at ako ang napagtripan. I just ignored the message at
natulog na lang.

CHAPTER 7: 911 EMERGENCY

Chapter 7: 911 Emergency

Every first wednesday of the month ay may community service kaming gagawin. Each community
service are done by every year level at third year ang naka assign ngayon. And today, we're heading to a
place called Sitio Pangas for our tree planting.

Maaga kaming gumising dahil aalis ang school bus ng alas singko ng umaga dahil medyo may kalayuan
ang Sitio Pangas. Alas kwatro y media pa lang ay handa na ang mga estudyante sa quadrangle ng Bridle
High. Isa-isa na kaming sumakay ng bus.

Nang sumapit ang alas singko ay umaandar na nga ang bus sa destinasyon namin. Kanya-kanyang tulog
naman ang iba while others are chatting.

Pangdalawahan ang upuan ng bus kaya magkatabi si Andi at Therese at wala naman akong katabi.
Tatlong bus ang inarkila ng Bridle para sa aming mga Grade 9.

Dahil dalawang oras pa bago kami makakarating sa patutunguhan namin, napagpasyahan kong pumikit
muna. I put on my headset at natulog saglit.

I don't know how long I have been sleeping, ngunit nang magising ako ay nakasandal pala ako sa balikat
ng... isang lalaki?! Holy crap! Why on earth am I leaning on a man's shoulder?

And worse, it was Gray!

Napatuwid naman ako ng upo. "Anong ginagawa mo dito?", tanong ko sa kanya. He smiled and greeted
me good morning.

I ignored his greet at tiningnan siya ng matalim. "I said what are you doing here?"

"Uh, magte-tree planting", he said with sarcasm. Tiningnan ko naman siya ng masama. Oh yeah, that's
exactly why we're here.

"I mean anong ginagawa mo sa tabi ko?", ulit tanong ko. May mga panahon talaga na gusto kong sakalin
si Gray.

"Walang bakanteng upuan kaya dito ako naupo", wika naman niya. Binigyan ko siya ng masamang tingin,
at hindi ko na mabilang kung ilang beses ko na siyang tiningnan ng masama.

"Hey, stop that kind of look. You do not own this spot and you just slept on my shoulders, you should be
thankful", he said. Uh, does he really have to remind me that I just slept on his shoulders?

"Uh, I didn't ask for it", wika ko sa kanya. I grabbed my headset na suot-suot pala niya and it was still
connected to my phone na nasa bulsa ko. "Who told you to use my headset?"
Sumandal siya sa upuan. "Aside from being a detective, I'm a businessman. That's your payment for
sleeping on my shoulder," he snapped at me. "You're into Bastille and Mayday Parade huh, interesting",
wika niya. He did listen to my music!

Hindi ko na siya sinagot dahil huminto na ang bus at pinababa na kami. Our teacher gave us instructions
and safety precautions since aakyat kami ng bundok. When we're all set ay sumabay na ako kina Andi at
Therese.

Nang dumating na kami sa destinasyon ay nagsimula na kami sa community service namin. Naging abala
na ang bawat isa sa kani-kanilang ginagawang pagtatanim. It is almost noon at matirik na ang sikat ng
araw.

Nang sumapit naman ang tanghali ay pinatigil na ang lahat para kumain. Pumunta naman kami sa
katabing sapa upang maghugas ng kamay bago kumain.

Sa kabilang bahagi ng sapa ay may pangpang. Out of curiosity at nilapitan ko iyon. Tinawag naman ako ni
Therese.

"Amber, let's eat", sigaw niya sa akin. I was thinking which way to go, to lunch or there?

"Susunod na lang ako Therese", sigaw ko naman sa kanya. When she turned to her heels upon hearing
my answer, tinahak ko naman ang daan palapit sa may pangpang.

I look down the cliff. Mataas iyon at mabato ang ibabang bahagi. Anyone who will fall there would surely
meet his death.

Babalik na sana ako ng mapansin ko ang isang pulang motorsiklo. Tinago iyon sa pamamagitan ng mga
dahon but I managed to see it. Wala iyong plate number.

Bakit kaya iyon tinago doon?

Nang tingnan kong mabuti ang motorsiklo, I observed some bloodstains. Did someone carry a bleeding
body in this motorcycle?

Napansin ko rin na nahawi ang mga damo sa gilid. Looks like someone passed that way. Sinundan ko
naman iyon. Maybe I will find something interesting there. Maybe lunch can wait, saglit lang naman ako.

Malayo-malayo rin ang nilakad ko upang sundan ang nahawing mga damo. Nang marating ko ang dulo,
there was a cave. It was covered with grass though, ngunit tila may dumaan doon.

Kahit natatakot ay pinasok ko ang kweba. Tanging ang flashlight ng cellphone ko ang gamit ko upang
lumiwanag ang daan.

Napansin ko rin ang mga dugo na nasa daan. Someone who is bleeding must have gone there.

Kahit madilim ay nilibot ko pa rin ang paningin sa paligid. Hindi ko alam kung gaano na kalayo ang
napasok ko, I just felt that something or someone must be inside.

Nang makarinig ako ng kaluskos ay agad kong sinundan ang pinanggalingan niyon.

"Sino yan?", tawag ko sa dilim. Then I heard someone said help.

Itinapat ko ang cellphone ko sa gawing iyon at laking gulat ko ng may makita akong babae doon!
Nakahandusay ito sa lupa at nakahawak sa sugatang braso.

Tumakbo ako papunta sa kanya. "Miss, okay ka lang ba?"

Nakahawak ito sa dumudugong braso. "Tulungan mo a-ako! May gustong pumatay sa akin!" She looks so
scared at nanginginig ito sa takot.

Inalalayan ko siyang tumayo. "Let's go out of this cave." I tried to dial Gray's number for help ngunit
walang signal.

"Walang signal, I guess we have to walk our way to the cave's entrance Miss", wika ko sa babae. She's a
bit older than me, hinala ko ay nasa edad na 21 o 22 ito. She's pretty too.

Tinulungan ko ang babae sa paglalakad. Maliban sa sugat nito sa braso at ilang gasgas sa katawan ay
wala na itong ibang pinsala. "Sino ang gustong pumatay sayo?", tanong ko sa kanya.

"Ang katrabaho ko! Nandito siya, siya ang nagdala sa akin dito, h-he tried to rape me!", sagot naman
nito.

Kung ganon ay sa katrabaho niya iyong motorsiklo sa labas at marahil dugo ng babae ang nandoon. She
sounded so hysterical at naawa ako.

Maging ako ay takot. Paano kung makita kami and the murderer end up killing the two of us? Oh no!

Natatakot ako but I want to help the girl. We need to go out of this cave as soon as possible bago pa
man kami mahuli ng nais pumatay dito.

Patuloy lang kami sa paglalakad towards the entrance. Maraming bakas ng dugo sa daan at takot na
takot ako but I set aside my fear. Kailangan naming makalabas dito sa kweba.

The girl stopped. Napaupo ito sa lupa while holding her breath. "I can't make it. Masyadong masakit ang
katawan ko. Please go and call for some help", wika niya. She gasps for air at nakahawak pa rin siya sa
sugatang braso.

"Okay lang ba sayo na iwan kita dito?", tanong ko sa kanya.

Tumango siya. "Yes, please ask for help. Armado ang nais pumatay sa akin. He's psychotic at tiyak
madadamay ka kapag nakita ka niya."

I was horrified too. Hindi ligtas na iwan ko siya doon dahil marahil nandoon pa ang salarin. And I can't
carry her too kaya wala akong nagawa kundi pumayag na humingi muna ng tulong.

"I'll be back soon Miss, please stay here, wag kang aalis dito", wika ko sa kanya bago umalis.

I ran my way to ask for help. Dahil madilim ay nakalimutan ko kung saan ang daan since the cave has
two other ways. Hindi ko maalala kung saan ako dumaan kanina kaya I tried to take the right way first.

Tinahak ko ang daan doon but it was dead end. Wala akong nagawa kundi bumalik sa pinanggalingan ko
kanina.

Nagulat ako ng may maapakan akong bagay. Itinapat ko ang cellphone doon ag pinulot iyon.
It was a male's watch. It wasn't functional though. Marahil ay pulse watch iyon kaya hindi pa umaandar.
There were traces of blood there too.

Sino kaya ang may-ari noon? Tinago ko iyon sa bulsa ko at nagpatuloy sa paglalakad.

My phone is almost empty. Nagnotify iyon ng battery low bago nagshutdown. Uh, great. Just great.
Naiwan ko pa naman sa bus ang power bank ko.

But I was thinking, who owns the watch? Hindi kaya sa salarin iyon? Maybe he's just nearby! I shivered
upon the thought.

Binilisan ko ang paglakad. The girl's life is in danger as well as mine at kailangan ko siyang tulungan.

Napatigil naman ako ng may narinig akong kaluskos. I keep my phone in my pocket and hide. Kahit
medyo may kadiliman ay may naaaninag naman ako. I saw someone crawling! Maybe that was the
person who wants to kill the girl!

Kahit nahihirapan ay dahan-dahan itong gumapang, and it was the guy! He opened his phone for a while
at nasulyapan ko ang mukha niya bago niya iyon pinatay ulit.

Naghintay naman ako na makalayo muna ito bago lumabas mula sa pinagtataguan ko upang makahingi
ng tulong.

Tumakbo ako ng abot-tanaw ko na ang labasan ng kweba. I need to find help. Nang makalabas ako ay
napatigil ako when I remembered something.

Back there in the cave, there were scattered drops of blood. Ang ipinagtataka ko ay bakit maraming
dugo sa daan when in fact the only wound that the girl have was a cut in her arm. Wala na itong ibang
dumudugong sugat sa ibang bahagi ng katawan.

And the guy, I swear I saw the guy's face covered in blood. His blood was dripping down his face as if he
was hit hard in the head. Why?

Bakit siya maraming pinsala samantalang ang babae, who claims to be the victim, ay konti lang? She
seems to be so weak at hindi na kayang maglakad pa and asked me to call for help instead of trying to
escape the cave since alam nitong nandoon pa ang nais pumatay dito.

Hindi kaya .....

Hindi kaya nagsinungaling siya sa akin at siya naman talaga ang gustong pumatay doon sa lalaki and not
the other way around? Of course that could be possible!

Kinuha ko ang relo sa bulsa ko. Tiningnan ko ang mga kamay niyon. It has 3 hands na malamang ay para
sa oras, minuto at segundo. I stared for a while at it and,
Shit!

Its hands are stopped at 9, 1 and 1! Which means....

EMERGENCY!!!!

--

AN: Sakit sa ulo ang magplot ng kwento, hue hue:3 Sorry for typo and other errors! Pati na rin yung
consistency, PATAWARIN :3

-ShinichiLaaaabs♥

CHAPTER 8: ALMOST KILLED

Chapter 8: Almost Killed

I made a wrong conclusion! The girl is the murderer and not the guy! Why didn't I realize it kanina pa?
Kahina-hinala na ang mga dugo na nasa kweba but I believed in that girl's lie! At malamang ngayon ay
nanganganib na ang buhay ng lalaking iyon!

Muli akong tumakbo papasok, I need to hurry dahil baka makita siya nung babae! Kahit madilim ay
tumakbo pa rin ako. I turned right ng may marinig akong sigaw.

The girl was about to stab the guy! Tumakbo ako at tumalon sa babae. And I winced in pain ng tumama
ang paa ko sa isang bato. Hindi pa masyadong magaling iyon noong natapilok ako at ngayon ay muli na
namang sumakit iyon.
Nabitawan naman ng babae ang hawak na hunter's knife. I kicked her in the stomach at namilipit naman
ito sa sakit.

I helped the guy to stand upang mapalayo doon ngunit nahawakan ako ng babae. She grabbed my hair
and I almost cried in pain. Ayaw na ayaw ko pa namang masabunutan.

"Run!", I shouted to the guy. Takang napatingin sa akin ang lalaki.

"Ngunit---"

"Just run! Call for help!", muli kong sigaw sa kanya. What did I just say?

Run? Oh, it was too late when I realized what I just said. Run? Am I planning myself to get killed? What a
lousy plan and strategy!

Wala namang nagawa ang lalaki at kahit hinang-hina na ito, he slowly make his way away from that
area.

"Ohh, acting like a heroine, eh?!", sinuntok ako ng babae sa sikmura. She stood up at hinabol ang lalaki.
Hinampas niya ito ng bato ng maabutan niya.

He's almost passing out kanina dahil marami ng dugo ang nawala dito and when he was hit, he was
knocked out!

Kinuha ng babae ang kutsilyo at bago pa man iyon bumaon sa katawan ng lalaki ay hinablot ko ito sa
sugatang braso, dahilan upang mabitawan nito ang kutsilyo. I kicked the knife away at galit na galit
naman ang babae.

"Pakialamera!", sigaw niya sa akin and tried to hit me with a stone ngunit naiwasan ko iyon. I kicked her
hard at natumba naman siya.

She landed near the knife. Kinuha niya iyon at sumugod sa akin. I managed to move away ngunit hindi
pa rin ako nakaligtas sa pagkasugat. I almost cried ng maramdaman kong nasugatan ang braso ko. Good
thing it wasn't deep.

"Para yan sa pagiging pakialamera mo!", wika ng babae at muling hinila ang buhok ko. She dragged me
closer to her at sinampal ako.

Nahilo naman ako sa sampal na iyon. I've never been slapped before and I didn't know how does it feel
until today!

She picked up a medium-size rock at inihampas iyon sa ulo ko. My sight starts to become blurry and I
can feel the blood running down my face. Napahiga ako sa lupa, she sat beside me and held my neck.

Hinang-hina na ako at wala ng lakas para lumaban.

"If you just stayed at home at hindi nakialam dito, you can live your life a little longer", she said.
Sinugatan niya ang kabilang braso ko and I wanted to shout ngunit hindi ko nagawa.

"W-why do you want to kill the guy?", nanghihina kong tanong. As much as possible, kailangan ko siyang
libangin at ng makaipon ako ng lakas at makaisip ng paraan para makaligtas.
"Bakit ko naman sasabihin sayo? Oh, well para hindi naman masayang ang tulong mo sa lalaking iyon
sasabihin ko na lang sayo tutal mamamatay ka rin naman", she said at hinigpitan ang hawak sa leeg ko
ngunit nakakahinga pa rin naman ako.

"Naging mabuti akong katrabaho. I did well on my job, lahat ginawa ko para tumaas ang posisyon ko. I
want to be the team leader sa call center na pinagtatrabahuhan ko! I'm always the top agent every
week. Naging usap-usapan na ang magiging bagong team leader ay ako, but then that guy came! At
lahat ng hirap ko ay nawalan ng halaga!", wika ng babae. She was crying as she told me the reason why
she wanted to kill the guy.

"Kahit bago lang siya ay siya ang naging team leader! You know what does it feel?! Nagpakahirap ako
tapos sa isang iglap ay mawawala sa akin lahat ng pinaghirapan ko! Kaya niyaya ko siya sa apartment ko!
At sumama naman ang tanga! May gusto pala siya sa akin! How disgusting! Hinding-hindi ko
magugustuhan ang lalaking umagaw ng lahat sa akin!"

Unti-unti ng lumilinaw ang paningin ko. I still have to distract her.

"Apartment? Bakit nandito kayo sa kweba?", taning ko naman. Please, just more minutes.

"I hit his head with a vase nung nasa apartment kami, dahilan upang mawalan ito ng malay dahil sa
sugat nito sa ulo", she started laughing like a psycho.

"I don't know what to do kaya dinala ko siya dito upang ihulog doon sa bangin but that bastard woke up
before I could throw him off the cliff! Hinampas ko siya ulit gamit ang helmet but he managed to run
towards here so I followed him. And I thought that this cave is the perfect place to do my plan. Kapag
nawala siya, sa akin na mapupunta ang posisyon niya. But that perfect plan was destroyed! Sinira ng
isang pakialamera!", sigaw niya at diniinan ang pagkakahawak sa leeg ko. Both my arms are aching dahil
sa mga sugat at maging ang ulo ko.

"There's no such thing as perfect plan! Mali pa rin ang ginawa mo!", wika ko sa kanya. Damn,
masyadong mahapdi ang mga sugat ko at maging ang paa ko.

"Hindi ko kailangan ang opinyon mo! Chat time is over, you will now face your death!", wika ng babae.
She raised her hand and she tried to stab me.

Too late, I'm still dizzy kaya wala akong maisip na paraan upang makaligtas. I was thinking that it will be
my end kaya napapikit nalang ako.

I've waited for a while ngunit wala akong naramdamang kutsilyo na bumaon sa katawan ko. Nang
napamulat ako, I saw the girl lying on the ground at walang malay.

"Amber!"

I heard someone called my name at dahil madilim at hindi pa masyadong maayos ang paningin ko dahil
sa paghampas ng babae ng bato sa ulo ko, I saw a blurry image. Not to mention that I want to pass out a
while ago dahil sa takot.
"Amber."

Lumapit siya sa akin at binuhat ako. It was Gray. Dahil nanghihina ay isinandal ko ang ulo ko sa dibdib
nito.

May kasama siyang dalawang lalaki and they help the wounded guy samantalang binuhat naman ng isa
ang babae.

"N-nice timing Gray, t-thanks", wika ko. My head hurts so much at nahihilo pa rin ako.

"It's not a nice timing! Look at you! Marami kang sugat! If I was just on time! Damn!", he said.

"A-anong ginawa niyo doon sa babae?", tanong ko. The place was getting brighter at naisip ko na
marahil ay malapit na kami sa entrance ng kweba. "Ayos lang ba siya?"

His brows meet. "Why are you concerned about her? She almost killed you", galit na wika niya.

"G-ray", I called his name.

"Don't worry, I just kicked her at nawalan lang siya ng malay," wika niya at napanatag naman ako.

Kahit na muntik na niya akong pinatay kanina, it's not right to kill her. I'm not the law to put her fate in
my hands. At kapag hinayaan ko lang siyang mamatay o patayin ng iba, I'm no different to her at all.

"Mabuti naman", wika ko at tuluyan ng lumiwanag ang paligid, palatandaan na nakalabas na kami ng
kweba.

"The cops are on their way. Tinawagan ko na sila bago pa kami pumasok ng kweba", wika niya. He's still
carrying me pabalik doon sa mga kasamahan namin.

I saw my blood on Gray's shirt and I hope he doesn't mind it. "Gray, your shirt is full of blood."

"Don't mind it Amber", wika niya. His strong arms are supporting my light body.

"But---"

"I said just don't mind it!", wika niya and he sounds angry. Natakot naman ako kay hindi ko na iyon
pinagpilitan pa.

"H-how did you know I was there?", tanong ko. The stream was almost nearby kaya malamang ay
malapit na rin kami doon sa ibang mga estudyante.

"I saw you walked near the cliff at nakita ko rin na you walked towards this direction. I just ignored it
dahil baka out of curiousity mo lang kaya ka pumunta dito. But when lunch was over at hindi ka pa rin
bumabalik, I made my way here at nakita ko ang duguang motorsiklo hidden behind the bushes and
leaves. I suspected it was used for a crime kaya tumawag ako ng police. I also decided to find you at
sumama sa akin sina Aaron at Marcus, we came to that cave and confirmed my suspicions when we
found traces of blood", wika niya. Hindi na ako nagkaroon ng pagkakataong magsalita pa dahil may mga
dumating na mga pulis.

Dinala naman ako ni Gray sa loob ng school bus at agad nilapag sa isa sa mga upuan. He ordered
someone to get the first aid kit.

Agad na nakiusyoso ang ibang mga estudyante ng makitang duguan ako.

Kinuha naman ng gurong kasama namin ang first aid kit at agad na nilapatan ako ng paunang lunas.

Therese and Andi were crying on my side.

"Sana pala hindi kita iniwan kanina nung sinabi mong susunod ka", umiiyak na wika ni Therese.
"Kasalanan ko to."

Inalo ko naman siya."It's not your fault Rese. Please stop blaming yourself", I told her.

Matapos naman akong gamutin at kausapin ng mga pulis upang hingan ng statement ay pinasakay na
lahat ng estudyante sa bus upang umuwi na at dahil na rin kailangan kong dalhin sa ospital.

Gray sat on my side ng umaandar na ang bus. His face is serious and his brows meet. Galit ba ito?

Naalala ko naman na hindi nga pala ako nakapagpasalamat dito. Maging kina Aaron at Marcus.

"Gray, thank you for saving me back there", wika ko sa kanya. Hindi siya sumagot at tiningnan lang ako
ng masama.

What's his problem?

"Gray?"

"Don't do it again Amber", seryosong wika niya.

What? Is he really angry? Seryosong-seryoso ang mukha nito.

"Gray, I'm really fine, I just wanted to help", wika ko.

"Fine? You're almost killed in the process at ngayon sasabihin mong you're just fine? What the hell
Amber!", sigaw niya sa akin. Great! He bursted out.

"G-gray."

"Don't act like a sick hero! Anong akala mo sa sarili mo? Bato? Hindi nasasaktan? Look at yourself!
You're not as strong as you think you are! Those wounds are evidence! Evidence that you're vulnerable!
So don't act like you're tough because you're not!", his face was red at malakas ang boses nito.

Natahimik naman ako. He's really angry. I was scared when I almost died kanina but Gray was even more
scary. Galit na galit nito at ayaw kong sagutin ito dahil nakakatakot ang makitang galit ito.

"Bro, tama na", Aaron said at tinapik sa balikat si Gray. Saka lang namin napansin na nakatingin na pala
lahat sa amin.

Napayuko naman ako, maging si Gray. Yes, he's right. Ngunit gusto ko lang naman tumulong.
"I'm sorry. I'm just worried", wika niya sa mahinang boses. Napalingon naman ako sa kanya. His face is
somewhat calm kumpara kanina.

"Sorry din", nakayuko kong wika. I almost lost my life but thanks to Gray for saving me.

"Just don't make me worry again", he said in a low voice but enough for me to hear. "Please don't."

--

AN: Waley!

-ShinichiLaaaabs♥

CHAPTER 9: ROMEO AND JULIET (The Audition)

Chapter 9: Romeo and Juliet

(The Audition)

**

Medyo magaling na ang sugat ko na sanhi ng exploration ko sa loob ng kweba. Nang makauwi kasi kami
ng araw na iyon ay agad akong dinala sa ospital but I wasn't confined since hindi naman masyadong
malalim ang pinsala. The doctor said I might be in trauma dahil sa pangyayari but I assured them that I'm
fine.

Mom and Dad also came when they heard about what happened to me. I just assured them that I'm
perfectly fine and do not need any psychiatric treatment at all.

It's been 3 days since that happened. My wounds are healing, ganoon din ang pasa ko sa katawan at
sugat sa ulo.

As of Gray, matapos ang naging eksena namin sa bus, he's back to his normal self. Yep, the one who is
arrogant, braggy and full of himself Gray.

He often solves simple cases at school tulad ng mga nawawalang equipments sa lab. He even identified
through his deductions kung sino ang mga nakabasag ng ilang equipments at kung anu-ano pang mga
bagay sa school which makes him very famous in Bridle.

He's been tagged with the title Bridle's Detective and gained fans and supporters, which he really
enjoyed! Geez! That show off guy!

I am currently at the Theatre Club Office. Busy ang Drama and Theatre Club ngayon dahil may gagawin
itong play to convince students join the club. Narito kami ngayon sa office ng club para sa meeting.

"Magandang hapon sa inyong lahat. Kaya tayo narito ay upang ipaalam sa inyong lahat na may gagawin
tayong play to induce students to join our club", wika ni Mia, ang president ng club.
Umugong naman ang ingay doon. Everyone is very excited except me. Sumali lang naman ako dito dati
para lang may salihan ako. I never had a major role, puro minor o kaya minsan ay behind the scenes
lang. I usually write scripts sa mga play na gawa mismo ng club.

"Tahimik muna", pagpapatuloy ni Mia. "This play is not for Bridle's students only but it is also open to
the public. This will be the first time na magpapapasok tayo ng mga outsider dito sa Bridle to watch our
play", wika niya at mas lalong umingay ang paligid.

Everyone wants to have a major role since it's not for Bridle students only. Oh, why are they so excited?

Someone from the crowd stood up. "Madame President, what will be our piece?", tanong ng isang
estudyante.

Tumahimik ang lahat at naghintay ng sagot.

"Oh, our piece will be the famous Romeo and Juliet", Mia said.

Muling umugong ang ingay sa paligid. Ohs and Yes filled the room. Everyone wants to have Juliet's role
and even Romeo's role, the boys are looking forward to it.

"We're going to have our impromptu audition for each role today", Mia announced at tuwang-tuwa
naman ang lahat.

Someone handed us papers with a little script on it na siyang magiging audition piece ng bawat isa.

I don't want to audition for the main role pero tinanggap ko pa rin ang audition piece na binigay.

. O Romeo, Romeo! wherefore art thou

Romeo?

Deny thy father and refuse thy name;

Or, if thou wilt not, be but sworn my love,

And I'll no longer be a Capulet.

'Tis but thy name that is my enemy;

Thou art thyself, though not a Montague.

What's Montague? it is nor hand, nor foot,

Nor arm, nor face, nor any other part

Belonging to a man. O, be some other name!

What's in a name? that which we call a rose

By any other name would smell as sweet;

So Romeo would, were he not Romeo call'd,

Retain that dear perfection which he owes

Without that title. Romeo, doff thy name,

And for that name which is no part of thee

Take all myself.

Uh, so cheesy and I cannot imagine myself saying all those words.

Not that I can't. I just don't want to. Kahit papaano ay magaling din naman ako when it comes to theatre
acts dahil I usually got the lead role way back in my elementary days.

But now I'm not fond of those, not anymore. Ayoko na sa mga ganoong role.

When I looked around, kanya-kanya namang ensayo ang mga esyudyante sa gilid.

Since hindi ako sasali, I folded the paper and kept it in my pocket.

"You don't want to join the audition?", Mia asked from my behind. Umiling ako sa kanya. I know Mia
since we're in the same school in elementary. Ahead siya ng isang taon sa akin but I never called her
'ate'.

"Not interested", wika ko sa kanya. Ngumiti naman siya sa akin.

"Oh, Amber, I want to see you act again gaya noon. I really adore you when you once played Snow
White", she said and I frowned at her reminiscing.

I was on the fifth grade that time while she was on the sixth grade. Sila ang nagdirect at nagsulat ng
script while I was the one who played Snow White.

Ayaw na ayaw kong maalala iyon dahil I was kissed back then! Sabi kasi nila, to make it more realistic,
the prince have to kiss my nose!

Geez! I gained positive praises with such play dahil ang galing ko daw magportray ng role ni Snow White
and I was superb nang magkunyaring walang malay and then the prince came and bring me back to life.

Uh, they didn't know that I literally stopped my breath that time! Sino bang grade 5 ang hindi kakabahan
kung may hahalik sayo?! Not to mention that the prince was my crush, Reo.

"Shut up Mia, I don't want to remember that play", wika ko sa kanya at nagpokerface.

Tumawa naman ito. "Then help me with the script and directing then".

"That's fine with me", wika ko at ngumiti siya.

Sinama niya ako sa judge's table para sa mga mag-au-audition. Since I will be helping her with those
stuffs, she said that it will be convenient for us if I also choose whom I want to work with.

The audition went on at tatlo kaming judge. It was very hard to choose since marami ang mga
magagaling at nababagay sa role.

The audition ended up five in the afternoon at nang pinauwi na ang lahat, the behind the scenes crew
decided who will have the roles.
Ang napili namin ay pawang fourth year students. A certain Rachel Salvacion got the role of Juliet
samantalang isang nagngangalang Xander Miller naman ang nakakuha ng role bilang si Romeo.

Bukas pa ipo-post ang audition results kaya umuwi na kami. Nang dumating ako sa dorm ay wala doon
sina Andi at Therese.

Nakatanggap naman ako ng text na hihintayin nila ako sa cafeteria kaya agad akong nagbihis bago
nagtuloy doon. On my way, my phone rang at agad kong sinagot iyon.

"Hello?"

Katahimikan lang ang narinig ko. Uh, the prank caller again?

"Hello?! Kung wala kang magawa sa buhay mo, please don't bother me! I don't have time for your stupid
prank calls!", galit na wika ko. Naiinis na talaga ako, I want to punch whoever was pulling me this prank.

May narinig akong ingay mula sa kabilang linya bago may nagsalita. "You're tired with the audition?"

Napakunot-naman ang noo ko. The voice was unfamiliar and it sounds like the mouthpiece was covered
with something to make someone's voice unfamiliar but I am sure that it is a man. And it's creeping me.

Wait, he knows what I'm doing? Hindi kaya nakakahalubilo ko lang ito?

"Sino ka?", I demanded and he immediately hang up. Shit, who the hell was that? He's been watching
my activities and that creeps me out.

I kept my phone in my pocket at nagtungo na sa cafeteria. Marami-rami na rin ang tao doon kahit
medyo maaga pa.

When I entered the door, agad akong nilapitan ni Gray.

"Hey, where have you been all afternoon?", tanong niya. Oh, why is he asking?

"Bakit mo natanong? At kung hinahanap mo talaga ako, you should have called me, idiot", wika ko sa
kanya.

"Stupid. Nilagay ko sa bag mo ang cellphone ko, how can I call you?", wika niya.

"Akala ko ba detective ka, you should have used your skills, douche bag!", wika ko and rolled my eyes to
him. At sino bang may sabi sa kanya na ilagay sa bag ko ang cellphone niya?

"Whatever moron, just give me my phone later", wika niya at bumalik na sa table nila.

Uh, we're calling names eh?

CHAPTER 10: ROMEO AND JULIET (Damsel in Distress)

Chapter 10: Romeo and Juliet

(Damsel in Distress)
"But to be frank, and give it thee again. And yet I wish but for the thing I have: My bounty is as
boundless as the sea, My love as deep; the more I, I , I forgot again", napakamot ng ulo si Rachel at hindi
naman maipinta ang mukha ni Mia.

"Rachel, bukas na ang play tapos hanggang ngayon hindi mo pa rin nasasaulo ang script mo?", Mia
sounded pissed pero nagpipigil ito. "At ayusin mo yang accent mo. Be more british than american. Again
from the top!"

Nalukot naman ang mukha ng lahat. No one can compel Mia's order lalo na at naiinis na ito.

"But to be frank, and give it thee again. And yet I wish but for the, the, magbreak na muna tayo please!",
Rachel complained. Naupo ito sa gilid at nagdadabog.

Nilapitan naman ito ni Mia, "Sabihin mo nga, can you do it tommorow or not?"

Tinaas ni Rachel ang isang kilay. "Of course I can! Pagod na talaga ako, we've been practicing for the
whole four hours!"

Mia is on the brink of bursting and no one even dared to interfere. "Kapag hindi mo maaayos ang
trabaho mo bukas, we're all doomed!"

"I can do it tommorow", confident na wika ni Rachel.

"We'll see. Fine, let's have a 30 minute break. Be sure to be back after 30 minutes dahil magsisimula
agad tayo!", wika ni Mia at agad lumabas ang ibang cast at crew sa Auditorium kung saan kami nag-
eensayo.

Inilapag ko muna ang hawak na script at akmang lalabas na rin when Mia called my name.

"Amber."

Napalingon naman ako kay Mia at agad lumapit dito ng sinenyasan ako na lumapit.

"What shall we do now?", hopeless nitong tanong. "I doubt kung masasaulo ni Rachel ang script bukas."

Kahit ako, I really doubt if she can memorize it. Aside from that, she's acting like a bitch at palaging
nagrereklamo. It's too late to replace her because it will be presented tommorow.

"We have no choice but to believe in her", wika ko kay Mia bago nagpaalam sa kanya. Bumalik ako sa
room at kinuha ang mga natitira kong gamit.

No classes today because it is intended to be the final practice for tomorrow's showcase. Hindi lang ang
drama club ang magpapakitang-gilas bukas but as well as the other clubs.

Nang makarating ako ng classroom ay tanging si Gray lang ang naroon. He was reading a book, uh,
Sherlock Holmes.

"Hoy, wala ka pa bang napupusuan na salihan na club?", tanong ko sa kanya. He didn't answer, bagkus
ay patuloy lang itong nagbasa.

Nang itiniklop ko ang librong binabasa niya ay saka lamang niya ako napansin. He frowned at
me."What?"
"Sabi ko wala ka pa bang nasasalihan na club? Why don't you join kendo club?", ulit ko sa tanong ko. He
stared intently at me bago sumagot.

"I'm not interested, besides, I know martial arts kaya hindi ko na kailangang sumali dyan", wika niya.Uh,
nagmamayabang na naman.

"Yabang", I whispered but enough for him to hear. I heard him chuckled bago ako umalis doon.

**

"We're doomed! We only got two hours bago magsimula! And Rachel is not yet around!", tarantang
wika ni Mia.

Paano ba naman kasi ay kanina pa namin hinihintay at tinatawagan si Rachel. Alas dos ng hapon
magsisimula ang showcase ngunit kaninang umaga pa lang ay hindi na dumating si Rachel sa dressed
rehearsal.

"Anong gagawin natin ngayon?", I asked desperately. We've been working hard for this at ayaw naming
mauwi ito sa wala.

Maluha-luha na si Mia. Even the others ay tila nawalan na ng pag-asa. Ang ibang cast na nakabihis na ay
napanghinaan na rin ng loob.

Suddenly, Mia rose from her seat. "I guess we only have one solution for this", wika niya at tiningnan
ako with shining eyes!

Oh no, wag lang niyang sabihin na gaya iyon ng iniisip ko na naisip niyang solusyon!

Mia pulled me at iniharap ako sa cast and crew."Amber will portray Juliet!", wika niya na nakangiti.

Everyone was shocked at maging ako ay hindi agad nakapagreact sa sinabi nito.

Ako?

Ako ang magiging Juliet?!

No way!

There's no way I will do it!

There's no way I will play the role of Juliet!

Nooooooooooooooooooo!
--

Nakatingin ako ngayon sa sarili ko sa salamin, my hair was curled a little.

Yeah, I will be performing Juliet's role, contrary on what I just said a while ago.

Kahit anong tanggi ko pa, I guess I have no choice. Dahil isa ako sa script writer at minsan ay nagdidirect
din, I'm likely to familiar the piece not to mention that I have already played such role before.

"Smile Amber", Mia said to me at mas lalo naman akong napasimangot. Oh yeah, I was actually given a
choice in which I had no choice, uh!

"Ang ganda-ganda mo Amber!", excited na wika ni Mia. I rolled my eyes at her. I was wearing a long
white dress and I'm not so comfortable with it.

"I hate you Mia", wika ko and she chuckled. Mas lalo tuloy akong nainis!

"Just stay in the dressing room at tatawagin ko si Xander so that you two can practice your line with
each other since magsisimula na tayo in 30 minutes", paalam ni Mia bago umalis.

Naiwan naman ako mag-isa doon. I can't believe it. After 3 years I'll be able to step on the stage again as
the actress.

The make up artist was good. Maganda ang resulta ng ginawa nito sa mukha ko. It was light but very
impressive. Mukhang natural lang ang mga kulay ng mukha ko but it's actually make up.

Muli kong tiningnan ang mga lines sa script. It's all familiar to me.

Napalingon ako sa pinto ng may kumatok. Dahil mataas ang damit na suot ko, I moved slowly bago
nabuksan ang pinto.

Wala nang tao doon but there was a chair at may nakapatong na styro cup doon and it was a smoothie.
May nakadikit din na sticky note doon na may nakasulat na 'drink this Juliet'.

Maybe it was from Mia. Kinuha ko naman iyon at inilapag sa mesa at muling pinagtuonan ng pansin ang
script.

Muli namang may kumatok sa pinto at ng bumukas iyon ay iniluwa nito si Xander.

"Hi Amber", wika niya. He was a little shy. Maybe it was because this is the first time we talk with each
other. Haller, I'm a nerd right?

"Hi din Xander. Sige na, let's start", wika ko. Duh, time is gold at ayaw kong maubos iyon sa simpleng
batian.

Tumango siya sa akin bago nagsimula. "Lady, by yonder blessed moon I swear that tips with silver all
these fruit-tree tops- "
Sumagot naman ako, "O, swear not by the moon, the inconstant moon, that monthly changes in her
circled orb, Lest that thy love prove likewise variable.

Xander: What shall I swear by?

Inalala ko ang linya ko, "Do not swear at all; Or, if thou wilt, swear by thy gracious self. Which is the god
of my idolatry, And I'll believe thee."

"If my hea-", napatigil si Xander dahil bigla itong napaubo. He coughed hard.

Nataranta naman ako at naghanap ng tubig ngunit walang tubig doon. Nasulyapan ko ang smoothie na
marahil ay bigay ni Mia at inabot iyon kay Xander.

"Here, drink this", wika ko sa kanya. Kinuha naman niya iyon at agad ininom. Nang medyo umayos na
ang pakiramdam nito ay napaupo ito.

"I'm sorry Amber", nakayuko niyang wika. "Sinipon at inubo kasi ako last week kaya medyo may
remnants pa sa ubo at sipon. Ininom ko pa tuloy ang smoothie mo".

"It's okay, walang problema", wika ko sa kanya. "So paano, ipagpatuloy na natin?"

Sabay kaming napalingon ng bumukas ang pinto.

"We're about to start, Amber pumwesto ka na sa backstage", Eda, one of the crew said. Tumango ako sa
kanya bago tumayo at pumunta backstage.

Ang unang eksenang gagawin namin ay ang Act II, scene II which is in the Capulet's Orchard.

Nasa backstage na ako and I'm a little bit nervous.

Oh, bakit ba kasi ako pa? Bakit kasi pumayag ako na maging Juliet! Uh! But I guess I had no other choice.

Napansin ko na nagkakagulo ang mga crew ng play sa gilid.

What's their problem? Tila kasi natataranta ang lahat. We cannot cancel this performance since it is an
open showcase kung saan maraming tao na hindi nagmumula sa Bridle High ang nanunuod.

Biglang lumapit sa akin ang natatarantang si Eda with a worried face. "Walang malay si Xander!"

What? Paano? Oh, then who will play as Romeo?

Unti-unti namang bumukas ang kurtina sa harapan ko. I was in an elevated platform to make it look like
I'm in a balcony.

Nang makita ko ang napakaraming tao sa loob ng auditorium ay sinalakay ako ng kaba.

Shit! This play would be impossible since wala na palang gaganap bilang Romeo.

I heard loud cheers and applause kaya mas lalo akong kinabahan. Nakakahiya naman kung aalis na agad
ako dito. At hindi naman muling sumara ang kurtina. Hindi ba sinabihan ni Mia ang operator na hindi
matutuloy ang play since walang malay si Xander?

What should I do? I feel so helpless. This is so embarrassing. Nakatayo lang ako dito at agad din namang
aalis dahil hindi matutuloy ang play na ito.
Napakaraming tao doon and they're all waiting for the play to start.

I took a deep breath and decided to have my exit ngunit natigil iyon ng biglang may magsalita.

He jests at scars that never felt a wound.

But, soft! what light through yonder window

breaks?

It is the east, and Juliet is the sun.

Arise, fair sun, and kill the envious moon,

Who is already sick and pale with grief,

That thou her maid art far more fair than she:

Be not her maid, since she is envious;

Her vestal livery is but sick and green

And none but fools do wear it; cast it off.

It is my lady, O, it is my love!

O, that she knew she were!

She speaks yet she says nothing: what of that?

Her eye discourses; I will answer it.

Heaven sent! Who was that?

--

CHAPTER 11: ROMEO AND JULIET (Gray-Meo?)

Chapter 11: Romeo and Juliet

(Gray-Meo?)

Nagulat ako nang may nagsalita, uttering Romeo's line. He stated the line impressively.

Wait, he looks so familiar.

Is that ----
GRAY?!

Oh! It's really Gray!

Pumwesto siya sa baba ng platform and lifted his head and continued his speech.

He's the substitute for Romeo? Bakit siya? Alam ba niya ang script?

Nang tingnan ko siyang mabuti ay wala siyang dalang kodigo which means alam niya talaga ang script!

Applauses filled the auditorium. Lahat ay naimpress at humanga kay Gray.

Kahit nakakapagtaka on how he managed to memorize the script ay nagpatuloy lang kami.

Juliet: Hist! Romeo, hist! O, for a falconer's voice,

To lure this tassel-gentle back again!

Bondage is hoarse, and may not speak aloud;

Else would I tear the cave where Echo lies,

And make her airy tongue more hoarse than

mine,

With repetition of my Romeo's name.

Romeo: It is my soul that calls upon my name:

How silver-sweet sound lovers' tongues by

night,

Like softest music to attending ears!

Juliet: Romeo!

Romeo: My dear?

Juliet: At what o'clock to-morrow

Shall I send to thee?

Romeo: At the hour of nine.

Juliet: I will not fail: 'tis twenty years till then.

I have forgot why I did call thee back.

Romeo: Let me stand here till thou remember it.

Juliet: I shall forget, to have thee still stand there,

Remembering how I love thy company.

Romeo: And I'll still stay, to have thee still forget,

Forgetting any other home but this.

Juliet: 'Tis almost morning; I would have thee

gone:

And yet no further than a wanton's bird;

Who lets it hop a little from her hand,

Like a poor prisoner in his twisted gyves,

And with a silk thread plucks it back again,

So loving-jealous of his liberty.

Romeo: I would I were thy bird.

Juliet: Sweet, so would I:

Yet I should kill thee with much cherishing.

Good night, good night! parting is such

sweet sorrow,

That I shall say good night till it be morrow.

I exit from above at nagpatuloy naman si Gray.

Romeo. Sleep dwell upon thine eyes, peace in thy

breast!

Would I were sleep and peace, so sweet to

rest!

Hence will I to my ghostly father's cell,

His help to crave, and my dear hap to tell.

The curtain closes at inihanda muna ang stage para sa susunod na eksena. I pulled Gray immediately ng
nasa backstage na siya.

"Bakit ikaw ang naging Romeo, what exactly happened to Xander?", tanong ko sa kanya.
Inayos naman niya ang suot na damit. Marahil maging ito ay hindi komportable sa suot.

"That guy was drugged with sleeping pills. I have to solve that crime but after we finish this play.
Namomroblema ang crew ng play kung sino ang gaganap na Romeo and that's when I volunteered
myself. Damn, I hate these clothes", wika niya.

"How did you memorize the script?", tanong ko. He's really good. "You have the script with you?"

He frowned at me. "Naah, don't underestimate me, I have photographic memory, which means I can
accurately and vividly recall visual images. That's similar with eidetic memory. So just by simply staring
at the script, I can recall what's exactly in the script", mayabang nitong sabi.

"Ang yabang mo talaga", wika ko at natawa ito.

"Fine, I played this role sa dati kong school but me having photographic memory, that's true", wika niya
at tinuro ang sarili.

"Whatever", tiningnan ko siya ng masama bago pumwesto sa susunod na eksena.

"You, you're not supposed to be Juliet, right?", tanong niya and I nod at him. He crossed his arms and
demanded an explanation.

"Yap, I've got no choice, I'm forced to do so kanina lang", sagot ko. His brows wrinkled.

"How come you've memorized the script kung kanina ka lang din pala napiling gawin ang role?", tanong
niya.

"I've got photographic memory too", wika ko at napakunot-noo lang ito.

"Don't give me such pun", wika niya.

"I've played this role before too, and I'm also one of the scriptwriters", I told him."But me having
photographic memory is true". I told him trying to imitate his voice.

"Whatever", he said irritatingly at pumwesto na. I chuckled on how he's irritated. Huh! I'm giving him
dose of his own medicine, bragging. I don't really have a photographic memory, just a sharp one.

Nalaman ko sa crew na hanggang ngayon ay walang malay si Xander at dahil iyon sa sleeping pills. But
how come he drank sleeping pills when he know that we have a play to be performed?

Inalala kong mabuti ang mga pangyayari, we were in the dressing room, practicing our line ng napaubo
siya and I handed him the smoothie that I have received.

Matapos iyon ay dumating si Eda and that's the time that Xander was unconcious because he fell asleep.

Ibig sabihin ay nasa smoothie ang sleeping pills! But that drink was for me. There was even a note saying
'Drink this Juliet'. This only means that I am the target of the pills ngunit hindi sinasadyang pinainom ko
iyon kay Xander.

Someone who sent that drink must have grudge against me. He or she might wanted to sabotage the
play by putting pills on my drink.
Inakala ko dati na kay Mia galing iyon but why would Mia put some pills on it when she is the one who
wanted this role to be portrayed by me?

Ibig sabihin hindi iyon galing kay Mia and whoever sent it, I will find out who he or she was after this
play.

The play went on at mas lalo akong naimpress sa performance ni Gray. He's really good at it, no --

He's excellent.

It was already the last scene and I was lying in a bed designed as a coffin. Pumasok naman si Gray
kasama ang gumanap na Paris.

Gray sat beside me. "For fear of that, I still will stay with thee;

And never from this palace of dim night

Depart again: here, here will I remain

With worms that are thy chamber-maids; O,

here

Will I set up my everlasting rest,

And shake the yoke of inauspicious stars

From this world-wearied flesh. Eyes, look

your last!

Arms, take your last embrace! and, lips, O

you

The doors of breath, seal with a righteous kiss

A dateless bargain to engrossing death!

Come, bitter conduct, come, unsavoury guide!

Thou desperate pilot, now at once run on

The dashing rocks thy sea-sick weary bark!

Here's to my love!

Drinks

O true apothecary!
Thy drugs are quick. Thus with a kiss I die.

Gray got the prepared fake poison which is cola put in a tiny decorated bottle. Mia instructed him to
drink it so that it will be realistic than just simply acting to drink it. He was about to drink it when
someone from the crowd shouted.

"DON'T DRINK THAT!"

CHAPTER 12: ROMEO AND JULIET (His Great Rival)

Chapter 12: Romeo and Juliet

(His Great Rival)

"DON'T DRINK THAT!", someone from the crowd shouted. Kahit nakahiga ay napataas ang kilay ko.
What's with that person who just shouted?

Kahit si Gray ay natigilan sandali but he still continued. Maybe that was just someone who got carried
away by the scene.

Gray opened the cap but that someone still shouted.

"Don't drink that Gray!"

Muling napatigil si Gray. Dahil hindi naman ako nakikita ng audience ay ibinuka ko ang mga mata ko.

"Just keep going Gray", I whispered. Tiningnan niya ako at muling itinapat sa labi ang maliit na lalagyan
but then that someone went up onstage at inagaw kay Gray ang maliit na bote.

Nagulat naman ang lahat ng nanonood at maging kami rin. The crowd made a curious noise.
Napabangon ako at napatingin sa lalaki. I'm sure he's not from Bridle. Mukhang nasa edad 16 o 17 ito.
He's handsome at malakas ang dating.

What's the problem of this guy?

Pumasok ang ilang crew at pinaalis ang lalaki but then he pushed them away.

"Gray this is an attempt of murder!", he said at muling nagkagulo ang mga audience.

He knows Gray?

"Close the curtains", wika niya with conviction. Kahit natataranta ay sumunod naman ang ilang crew at
isinara ang mga kurtina.

Nang tuluyan na iyong naisarado ay sinuntok niya sa sikmura si Gray. Napasigaw naman ang mga
nakakita sa ginawa niya.

"Hi Silvan, long time no see", he said after punching Gray.

Nairita naman ang mukha ni Gray, as if he doesn't want to see the guy. Ngunit hindi ito nagreklamo.
What? He's been punched by some random guy at parang wala lang iyon sa kanya?

"You know him Gray?", tanong ko sa kanya.

Bumaling naman sa akin ang lalaki. Kinuha niya ang kamay ko at hinalikan iyon. "Khael Alonzo, at your
service madame. Gray's great rival".

Binawi ko naman ang kamay ko at binigyan siya ng masamang tingin. He smiled devilishly.
"Fierce", wika niya.

"What are you doing here Alonzo?", wika ni Gray. Tila hindi talaga ito natutuwa na makita si Khael.

"Hindi mo ba ako namiss?", he said jokingly.

"I'm sure you didn't travel this far just to joke", wika ni Gray.

"I just came here to visit you. I've heard you're already famous here kahit bago ka pa lang", wika ni
Khael. He roamed his gaze around.

"Tsk", hindi na ito sinagot ni Gray, bagkus ay tumayo ito. "What's with the scene?"

Itinaas naman ni Khael ang maliit na bote. "Ah, eto?" He opened it and smelled it for a while. "I'm not
really sure but I guess this contains potassium cyanide."

Nagulat naman kami ni Gray at ang iba pang naroon.

"What's potassium cyanide?", tanong ng isang crew.

"It is a highly toxic compound from potassium. The moist solid emits small amounts of hydrogen cyanide
due to hydrolysis , which smells like bitter almonds. The taste of cyanide has been described as acidic
with a burning sensation on the tongue", wika ko sa nagtanong.

Napatango naman ito at maging ang ibang cast at crew. The audience doesn't know what happened at
kung bakit hindi na ipinagpatuloy ang natitirang eksena. The kendo club performed next to us kaya sila
ngayon ang lumilibang sa audience.

"You sure know a lot madame about this compound, you're not only fierce but smart as well", wika ni
Khael sa akin.
Tinaasan ko siya ng isang kilay. "How about you? Only few can directly tell that compound by just simply
smelling it, don't tell me --", he cut me off.

"Yeah, I've got genetic trait", wika niya. "But that's not the problem here, it's about someone trying to
kill you Gray."

Kinuha naman ni Gray ang compound kay Khael at inamoy ito. "This is really potassium cyanide. It smells
like almond."

"Sino ang naglagay ng content dyan?", tanong ko. Nagulat naman ang lahat at tinuro si Mia.

Wait, si Mia?

Tiningnan naman ni Gray si Mia. Nagulat naman ang huli.

"I didn't do it!", wika ni Mia. "Hindi potassium cyanide ang inilagay ko dyan! I don't even know what's
that!", tarantang wika niya.

"Ngunit ikaw lang ang humawak dyan diba?", tanong ng isang cast na gumanap na Tybalt.

"Totoong ako ang naglagay ng laman niyan but Gray knows that I put cola in it! Nang magsimula na ang
scene 5 ay iniwan ko yan sa gilid", depensa ni Mia sa sarili.

"Yes, it's not her. Alam kong cola ang nilagay niya", wika ni Gray.

"Yeah, I don't think it's that girl", wika din ni Khael.

Hinarap ko naman si Khael. "At paano mo naman nalaman na delikado ang laman ng boteng hawak-
hawak ni Gray kung nanonood ka lang ? Hindi kaya't ikaw ang naglagay ng cyanide doon?", wika ko sa
kanya. He raised both his arms as if he surrenders.
"Oh-oh. Your girl is really fierce Gray", wika ni Khael kay Gray.

"She's not my girl."

"I'm not his girl!"

Magkasabay naming tanggi ni Gray. Geez, what's with this Khael guy here? Tsk.

Lumawak naman ang ngiti ito. "Edi mabuti pala. And it wasn't me. I just saw someone switched that
bottle with another", wika ni Khael. Someone switched the bottle with another?

"If you saw someone switching it, ibig sabihin nasa backstage ka kanina, ano namang ginagawa mo dito
sa backstage. I'm sure you're not from Bridle", wika ni Mia. Lahat naman ay nagtaka at sumang-ayon.

"Ah, yes nandito ako kanina", pag-amin nito. "I was around the school looking for that bastard kaya lang
wala siya so I happened to come here and I saw him onstage", wika niya at tinuro si Gray. "That's also
the time that someone switched the bottle. He's wearing a cap and trying to hide his face kaya ibig
sabihin he's doing something bad. At tinapon niya sa basurahang iyon ang tunay na bote, you can check
it there."

What he's talking about was confirmed. Nang tingnan kasi ng iba ang laman ng basurahan, naroon nga
ang tunay na bote.

"Who wants to kill me?", nalilitong tanong ni Gray. He pulled Khael through the neck of his shirt. "Did
you see the guy's face?"

"Easy Silvan. I'm a great detective. I didn't only saw his face, I've caught him. Pinaamin ko rin siya kung
bakit niya iyon ginawa", Khael said. Nagulat naman ang lahat.

Tsk, hindi lang pala si Gray ang mayabang. Maging ang Khael na ito! Great Detective, my ass!

"I chased him outside, good thing I arrived here even before you could have drunk that", dagdag ni
Khael.

Tama nga ito, if he had been a minute late, malamang ay isa ng malamig na bangkay ngayon si Gray
since potassium cyanide immediately kills.

"Ah, he said he's been paid by someone. And I have a deduction who was that someone, the police
already have it investigated", wika ni Khael and he crossed his arms.

"Who's the culprit then based on your deductions?", tanong ng isa sa mga crew.

"I've heard from the police that two high school students revealed the true culprit of the food poisoning
here in Bridle and that's how I came to know that this guy Silvan transferred here. The suspect was
currently under the supervision of the state. So naisip ko na marahil that guy Angelo Costa was the
suspect or his brother, Ariel Costa. Their father is a chemist right? Kaya sila marahil ang mga may access
sa ganoong uri ng chemical. Their father has stroke at hindi nakakapagsalita ngayon kaya he's eliminated
as the suspect. Sila lang naman ang may galit sayo for exposing Angelo's crime."

Napaisip ako. He's right. They might be holding grudge against us. Wait, ibig bang sabihin ---- no!
"Gray! Hindi kaya potassium cyanide din ang --"

Gray cut me off. "No. The one that knocks Miller off was just sleeping pills. I assure you that."

Napahinga naman ako ng maluwag. Mabuti naman kung ganoon.

"Wait, paano nakainom ng sleeping pills si Xander?", tanong ni Eda.

"Habang nasa dressing room ako, someone knocked and when I opened the door may nakalagay na
smoothie with a note that I should drink it. Then Xander came. We practiced our lines kaya lang ay inubo
siya so I handed him the smoothie", I told them and one question remained. Who sent the smoothie
then?

"Ah, it might be someone who wants to sabotage the play", Khael commented.

Nagtataka pa rin ako. Konektado ba ang paglalagay ng sleeping pills sa smoothie that was meant for me
and the attempt of murder for Gray?

Napatingin ako kay Gray. He's been thinking hard. Bigla namang may tumunog na cellphone and it was
Khael's phone. Agad naman iyong sinagot ng huli.

"Yes Officer Sanchez?", he said at nakinig mula sa kabilang linya. "Salamat."

Matapos niyang ibaba ang tawag ay muli niya kaming hinarap.

"Confirmed. It's Angelo Costa. Siya na mismo ang umamin after they found the same chemical in their
house. I guess he needs psychiatric treatment", wika niya.

Si Angelo? Oh, he's really holding grudge against us. Marahil ay tama si Khael, he really needs a
psychiatrist.

Ganoon niya kadali nalaman lahat iyon? Who the hell exactly is he?

"Alonzo? How are you connected with the head of Police, Miguel Alonzo?", tanong ni Mia.

"Ah, he's my father", sagot naman nito. He's the son of the head of police?

Kaya pala madali lang itong nakapagtimbre sa mga pulis at inaksyunan naman agad.

"Who are you again? At saan ka galing?", tanong ko dito. I hate his confidence but I guess I have to know
him.

"Woah, you're the only woman who doesn't remember my name after I say it", he said at napakunot
naman ang noo ko.

Oh! One overconfident Gray is enough! Wag na sanang dagdagan ng isa pa.
"Again, I'm Khael Alonzo. I'm from Athena High School. Gray and I used to be classmates before", he said
and winked at me. Binigyan ko naman siya ng irap.

He's from Athena High? That school's a five hour drive from here. He came that far just to see Gray?

Inilahad niya ang isang palad sa akin. "At ikaw magandang binibini?"

"Her name is Amber. Ano ba talaga ang ipinunta mo dito Alonzo?", wika ni Gray at tinabig ang nakalahad
na palad ni Khael sa akin.

Khael let out a naughty smile. "Tsk, bumabakod, eh? That's bad news Silvan. Totoo yun, kinukumusta
lang kita dito. I miss having a deduction battle with you, best buddyi", he said.

"Umuwi ka na", Gray said. Hinarap naman ako ni Gray. "I still have a case to solve. It's about the sleeping
drug in your drink."

"I could be of help", suhestiyon ni Khael. Umiling lang si Gray at iwinasiwas ang kamay.

"We don't need you here", wika niya at hinarap ulit ako. "Do you have any idea who sent that
smoothie?"

Umiling naman ako. "Iniwan lang iyon doon sa labas with a note that it was for me."

Biglang napaisip si Gray. He stopped for a while at minasahe ang noo niya.

Tumikhim naman si Khael. Lumapit siya sa akin at bumulong. "Nice dress, masyadong low cut sa dibdib."

Nanlaki naman ang mata ko. What the hell! Agad kong inayos ang damit ko at sinuntok sa sikmura si
Khael.

"Pervert!", I hissed at him. Uh, I really hate this guy. Natawa naman ito habang hawak ang sikmura.

"Aw, you're surely a fighter, I like that", natatawang wika niya. Bumaling naman ito kay Gray. "It seems
like you don't miss me at all Kulay Abo kaya mauna na ako."

He smiled at everyone nang nagpasalamat ang mga ito when he saved Gray. Kumindat naman siya ng
bumaling siya sa akin at ginantihan ko naman siya ng masamang tingin. He chuckled as he made his exit.

Kung tutuusin ay mabuti ang ginawa nito. He really saved Gray. And not to mention that he's really
observant enough to notice the suspicious guy and smart enough to trace the mastermind behind.
Ngunit naiinis ako sa kayabangan nito. O kaya'y ganon lang talaga ang taga-Athena.

Bridle and Athena are both known high schools. Maliban sa design ng buildings that are surely costly,
most of the students are smart. Bago kasi makapasok sa Bridle at Athena, one must undergo three
examinations at kailangang mapasa mo ang tatlo.

The first exam is just the typical entrance exam but the second and third exams are hard. It is about
logical reasoning and case analysis.

Ibig sabihin hindi basta-basta ang mga estudyanteng pumapasok sa Athena at Bridle.

Sinulyapan ko ang papalayong si Khael.

Uh, so that is Khael Alonzo, his great rival huh?

**

May exam ako kaya busy ako! Byetotoot!

-ShinichiLaaaabs♥

CHAPTER 13: THE ILIAD (The Riddle)

Chapter 13: The Iliad

(The Riddle)

Khael found out the person behind the attempt of killing Gray.

On the other hand, Gray found out the person behind the supposed-to-be-sabotage for the play, Romeo
and Juliet.

It was a girl named Chary. She's a member of the theatre club who wants the role badly ngunit dahil si
Rachel ang napili, she was furious and planned to cancel the play by knocking Rachel with sleeping pills.

Pumunta daw ito sa bahay nina Rachel since they are friends but the latter didn't expect that she has a
plan. Marahil ay hinalo iyon ni Chary sa gatas ni Rachel since she was having breakfast when Chary
arrived.

She was succesful in making Rachel sleep for hours ngunit hindi nito inexpect na may substitute which is
me that's why she schemed the smoothie with the sleeping pills as well.

Inamin niya lahat ng iyon when Gray interrogated her after hearing Rachel's narrative. Nagsisi naman si
Chary. She said she wanted the role so much kaya niya nagawa iyon.

So far, Bridle has been peaceful. The attempt of poisoning Gray ay hindi na namin pinaalam sa iba to
keep Gray's life private at para na rin sa welfare ng eskwelahan. It's not good to know that there were
attempted murders in Bridle. Wala na ang maraming tao mula sa showcase kahapon at ngayon ay balik
na naman kami sa aming normal na klase.

Hinihintay namin ang aming literature teacher ngunit trenta minutos na ang lumipas ay wala pa ito. It's
our last subject for the morning session.

"Asan na ba si Miss Mendez?", one student ranted. Malimit kasi na mahuli ito sa klase. Tiningnan ko sa
tabi ko si Jeremy. He's reading his notes for chemistry at gaya ng nakaugalian nito, he ignores everyone
around him.

Nilingon ko ang iba ko pang mga kaklase. They look so bored while waiting for our teacher. May mga
nag-uusap, some wre reading manga, others are simply facing their phones.

Sinulyapan ko naman sa likod ko si Gray. Nakasubsob ang ulo nito sa mesa. Uh, is he sleeping?
"Andyan na si Maam", anunsiyo ng kaklase kong si Marcus. Pumasok naman ang guro naming si Miss
Mendez. Pawis na pawis ang mukha nito and she seems to be bothered. May hawak siyang mga papel.

Inalog-alog ko naman si Gray. "Gising Gray, andyan na si Maam", bulong ko. Umayos naman ito ng upo.
He fixed his dishevelled hair at maging ang suot na uniform.

"Sorry for being late class", panimula niya. "Something came up. Do you remember the book in the
library which is put in a glass case?"

The book in the glass case? Is she referring to the Iliad?

Nagbulung-bulungan naman ang mga kaklae ko at sumagot naman ang isa kong kaklase na si Yuri. "Yes
maam, I think it's the Iliad."

"Yes, that's it. That's Homer's first edition of The Iliad. It's very rare to find first editions of classical books
kaya Bridle consider it as a treasure", wika ni Miss Mendez.

Yeah, most first edition books are treasures, I should say. Lalo na sa tulad kong book lover. I even
remembered such first edition book featured in Jennifer Lopez's film The Boy Next Door wherein Ryan
Guzman gave her a first edition book. Ryan said he bought it from a garage sale with a cheap price.

"The bad news is that book is gone from its glass case in the library at kahit hinanap na namin sa ibang
shelf, wala parin doon", Miss Mendez said. Nagkagulo ang mga estudyante at mas lalong nagbulung-
bulungan.

Is it stolen or somebody is just pulling some pranks of hiding the book? Nang lingunin ko si Gray ay
matamang nakatitig lang ito kay Miss Mendez.

"But there was a message that the culprit left which states that the book is still within Bridle's premises
but we have to solve a riddle so that we can find the book, but the faculty cannot solve it so we're giving
the riddles to the students to help us locate the book", pagpapatuloy ni Miss Mendez.

Riddles? Ano naman ang motibo ng salarin at tinago ang libro and leave a riddle? Marahil ay wala lang
iyong magawa sa buhay at napagtripan ang libro.

Ipinamigay niya sa amin ang hawak-hawak na papel. It was the riddle and it goes like this:

Athena and Achilles have it common but I don't need it that much; a little will do.

Hephaesthus is greek but the roman's first is needed; it's erupting fire indeed!

Zeus has nothing but it's Hera's third! It's the end of war!

Hint:

9 years right after the start of Trojan War, it's loud when there's war but at peace when there's truce.

Napakunot naman ang noo ko matapos basahin ang riddle. Geez, relating with the book, eh? The one
who sent the riddle made use of the greek mythology.

And the hint? Oh, it's not a hint at all. I cannot get heads nor tails of it.
Nang kinalabit ako ni Gray ay napalingon ako sa kanya. "Do you have any idea about this stupid riddle?",
tanong niya at umiling ako. His facial expression tells me he's bored. Some parts of his face are red
marahil dahil iyon sa pagsubsob sa mesa upang matulog.

Nagpaalam naman si Miss Mendez matapos ipamigay ang riddle. She gave us the remaining hour to
crack the riddle since they will also try to decode it.

Lumabas ang ilan sa mga classmates namin at iilan lang ang naiwan doon kasali na ako at si Gray.

Gray sat beside me. "Ano ang naiisip mong sagot sa riddle na ito? What's the motive of hiding the book
and sending this riddle anyway?"

I shook my head. "Ewan, I really don't get it. At maging ang motibo ng kung sino mang gumawa nito. The
first line goes like, Athena and Achilles have it in common. If we based it on Greek mythology, Athena is
the goddess of wisdom. What does she have something in common with Achilles?", I said as I tried to
examine the riddle.

"Achilles is the hero of the Trojan war, known as the greatest warrior since he slayed Hector. Maybe it's
wisdom that they have something in common", Gray said. He got his small notebook and wrote wisdom
in it.

Sumang-ayon naman ako. They both have wisdom. Marahil iyon ang ibig sabihin ng unang linya.

"But what's the meaning of I don't need it that much, a little of it will do? We don't need wisdom that
much?", tanong ko naman. This riddle is really hard.

"No, wisdom is needed. Maybe it's not the wisdom that they have in common", komento naman ni
Gray. Sumandal siya sa upuan. He tapped the pencil on the table as he thinks.

"Let's proceed to the second line, it says Hephaesthus is greek but the roman's first is needed.
Hephaesthus is the greek god of fire and metal working, that's for sure. But I'm confused with the
statement 'the roman's first is needed'", I said at I wrote down Hephaesthus name.

"Roman's first? Is that referring to Jupiter which is the counterpart of greek's Zeus? We can assume that
Jupiter is ranked as the first of all the roman's gods and goddesses since he's the chief of roman gods",
Gray said. Muli siyang nagsulat sa notebook niya.

Nagpatuloy kami sa pag-iisip sa kung ano ang sagot sa riddle nang biglang tumunog na ang school bell,
tanda na lunch break na. Tumayo si Gray at bumalik sa upuan niya upang kunin ang kanyang gamit.

"Let's continue this later", he said bago lumabas ng classroom.

Maging ako kay nagligpit na rin ng gamit. I went directly to the dormitory to have my lunch. Pagdating
ko sa dorm ay nandoon din sina Andi at Therese.

"Amber! Did you already decode the riddle?", tanong ni Andi sa akin pagpasok ko. Umiling naman ako.

"Kahit ako! Binabasa ko pa lang ang riddle, sumasakit na ang ulo ko!", komento naman ni Therese.

"Hindi ko alam. Maging kami ni Gray ay walang maisip", wika ko sa kanila. "Matutulog muna ako, can
you wake me up by 12:50?", tanong ko sa kanila at tumango naman ang mga ito. When I glanced at my
watch, it's still 11:42 kaya I still have an hour to nap. Hindi pa rin naman ako nagugutom kaya matutulog
na lang muna ako.

**

Ginising naman ako ni Therese nang sumapit ang 12:50. Agad akong naghilamos and changed again into
my uniform. My class will start at 1 PM kaya marahil ay mahuhuli ako ng ilang minuto.

After I fixed myself ay agad akong dumeretso sa klase ko. It's already 10 minutes past one kaya
nakaagaw ako ng atensyon pagpasok. When the teacher allowed me to enter ay agad akong naupo sa
pwesto ko.

The classes went smoothly at ng sumapit ang alas kwatro ay tumunog na ang bell na tanda ng dismissal.
Nagpaiwan naman ako sa upuan ko at ng unti-unti ng lumabas ang lahat ay naupo ulit si Gray sa tabi ko.
He brought with him his small notebook and the piece of paper with the riddle in it.

"I haven't seen you in the cafeteria, saan ka ba naglunch?", tanong niya.

"I didn't have lunch dahil natulog ako kanina", matamlay kong sagot sa kanya.

"At bakit naman hindi ka kumain? You should eat dahil mahirap ang riddle na idedecode natin", he said
and crossed his arms.

"Sherlock Holmes said Brain best work on an empty stomach", wika ko sa kanya and he made a face.

"You're not Sherlock Holmes kaya kailangan mong kumain", sagot niya sa akin. Tsk, lunch is not a big
deal at all.

"Whatever Gray. Let's just answer this riddle", wika ko sa kanya and rolled my eyes.

Muli naming hinarap ang riddle. It's really very hard to decode.

Athena and Achilles have it common but I don't need it that much; a little will do.

The first line might be referring to wisdom, but just a little of it. Hindi pa rin namin masyadong
naintindihan kung ano ang ibig sabihin niyon.

Hephaesthus is greek but the roman's first is needed; it's erupting fire indeed!

We assumed that it refers to Jupiter, the roman's chief god but what has it to do with greek's god of fire
Hephaesthus at ano ang ibig sabihin ng erupting fire? This is sure difficult to comprehend. Whoever
made this riddle is good in making us suffer in decoding this.

Zeus has nothing but it's Hera's third! It's the end of war!

Zeus is greek's king of gods and Hera is his wife and the queen. Hera's third? Ano ang ibig sabihin niyon?
We're not sure if it refers to her children or those girls whom she punished because of their affair with
Zeus. At sino ba ang pangatlong pinarusahan nito? We're not really sure of it.

And the end of war, if we based it on the book of The Iliad, it's probably the time when there was a truce
between the Trojan and Achaeans.

9 years right after the start of Trojan War, it's loud when there's war but at peace when there's truce.
The hint is also hard to decode. 9 years after the start of the Trojan war ? It can be connected with the
story The Iliad ngunit nahihirapan pa rin kaming intindihin lahat iyon and we couldn't get a clear picture
of where the book is based in the riddle.

Tumayo si Gray at lumabas ng classroom. When he returned, he has two watermelon shake and two
cake slices na mula sa cafeteria.

Inilapag niya ang pagkain sa desk. "Let's eat first. Nakakagutom ang riddle na ito. I'm sure as hell na
pinag-isipan talaga ito ng kung sino mang gumawa nito. It's not as easy as the alpha-- alpha - bet ?"

Nagkatinginan kami ni Gray as if we're given a clue!

"Alphabet!!!", magkasabay naming bigkas.

**

CHAPTER 14: THE ILIAD (Code Break)

Chapter 14: The Iliad

(Code Break)

"Alphabet!", magkasabay naming bigkas ni Gray. Agad naman siyang naupo at muling binasa ang riddle.

Athena and Achilles have it in common but I don't need it that much; a little will do.

"I guess it's really wisdom. We need a little wisdom on this. Maybe this riddle is not as hard as we think
it is", wika ni Gray.

Napaisip naman ako. Yeah, maybe we should try to limit the way we think. Athena and Achilles have it in
common?

"Gray I guess the first line talks about the letter A that the names Athena and Achilles have in common.
And maybe you're right that we should limit our knowledge just like the riddle said. If we think logically,
magiging masyadong malawak ang pag-uunawa natin but by understanding it literally, it simply means
the first letter of their names", wika ko at napatango naman si Gray. He wrote the letter A on his small
notebook.

Bumaling naman kami sa pangalawang linya.

Hephaesthus is greek but the roman's first is needed; it's erupting fire indeed!

Yes, Hephaeathus is the greek god of fire and metalworkings.

"Ah, the second line does not talks about Jupiter as the first of Roman's God but rather talks about
Hephaeathus's roman counterpart which is Vulcan. The line gives a clue actually. Erupting fire, it says.
Volcanoes erupt and it sounded like Vulcan. The phrase erupting fire simply talks about the Roman God
of Fire which is Vulcan and if we take the first letter of its name, that would be letter V", muling nagsulat
si Gray sa notebook niya.
Matapos iyon ay ang pangatlong linya naman ang pinagtuonan namin ng pansin.

Zeus has nothing but it's Hera's third! It's the end of war!

"The third line is not complicated at all. Hindi ito tungkol sa pangatlong anak niya o sa pangatlong babae
na pinarusahan niya. It's the letter R. We can simply assume that since the word war ends with letter R
as well", wika ni Gray.

AVR?

"Audio Visual Room!", I exclaimed and excitedly stood up to rush to the AVR ngunit pinigilan ako ni Gray.
He held my wrist at muli akong pinaupo.

"What now?", takang tanong ko sa kanya. Kinuha naman niya ang inorder na watermelon shake at cake.
Inilapag niya iyon sa harapan ko.

"It can wait. Let's eat first", wika niya at nagsimulang sumubo.

I rolled my eyes at him at nagsimula na ring kumain. He's so thoughtful by simply forcing me to eat.
Maybe I'll thank him later.

Matapos naming kumain ay dumeretso na nga kami sa loob ng AVR.

Malaki iyon kaya hinati namin ni Gray ang area. He's on the left side while I'm on the right side.

We checked under the metal chairs ngunit wala roon. Nang matapos naming tingnan lahat ay napaupo
ako sa gitna ng AVR at humihingal.

Tumabi naman sa akin si Gray na pawis na pawis. Hindi kasi namin pinaandar ang aircon dahil hindi kami
nagpaalam na papasok dito. We just snuck in nang umalis sandali ang guard doon.

"Mali ba ang pagdecode natin? Bakit wala dito?", humihingal ko pa ring wika.

"No. Maybe there's more than that. Hindi ba may hint na nakasulat?", he said at pinunasan ang
tumatagaktak nitong pawis. Hinubad nito ang suot na blazer at ang under shirt lang ang tinira. He's
really sweating like a pig.

"The hint is 9 years right after the start of Trojan War, it's loud when there's war but at peace when
there's truce, what does it mean?", tanong ko.

Inilibot ni Gray ang kabuoan ng AVR and he let out a victorious smile.

"It says it's loud when there's war but at peace when there's truce, that line might be referring to the
speakers. They're very loud when used but silent when they're not in use", wika niya.

Napatingin naman ako sa mga speakers na nasa gilid. There were large square speakers na nakalagay sa
mga dingding ng AVR. Since the AVR is wide, there is a lot of speakers here. 2 on both sides of stage and
8 on each side of of the wall.

"The 9th on the right", wika ko. We rushed towards the last speaker on the right side. Binuksan iyon ni
Gray at naroon nga ang libro!

"We've found it!", Gray exclaimed. "Let's bring this immediately to the library".
Sumang-ayon naman ako sa kanya agad kaming pumunta sa pinto mg AVR. I pulled the knob ngunit
hindi iyon mabuksan.

"Ayaw bumukas", wika ko at lumapit naman sa akin si Gray. He tried to open the door but no avail.

"Shit! We're locked from the outside!", wika niya. Napasulyap naman ako sa relo ko.

What!? It's almost 9 in the evening!? Ibig sabihin we have decoded the code for almost 4 hours!?

Ang tanging ilaw na nakabukas sa loob ng AVR ay ang ilaw na nasa stage. Pumunta si Gray doon and
watch me with crossed arms. Pinagsisipa ko naman ang pinto. Damn!

"I guess we have no choice but to stay here all night, mananakit lang yang paa mo, hindi pa rin yan
mabubuksan", he said at napaupo sa unang row ng mga upuan.

"What?! Nagbibiro ka ba?! Ayaw kong manatili dito!", I said frantically. Ayaw ko talaga dito!

"We have no other choice! We got so engrossed in decoding the riddle to the point na hindi natin
namalayan ang oras", he said and he crossed his arms.

Oh no! I really hate this. Wala pa naman akong dalang gamit, even my cellphone ay naiwan ko sa bag.

"Where's your phone?", wika ko sa kanya. Kinuha naman niya ang cellphone sa bulsa niya.

"It's here but it's dead batt", wika niya at pinanghinaan na ako ng loob.

"Why are you bringing such useless phone?! Sana hindi mo na lang yan dinala kung hindi rin naman pala
magagamit!", I shouted at him. I'm really mad. At mukhang si Gray ang napagdiskitahan ko.

"I didn't know na ganito ang kahahantungan natin. And why are you so mad? Bakit ikaw? May dala ka
bang cellphone or any means to help us out here?", he said to me. Natigilan naman ako. He's right. Ni
wala nga akong dala o maisip na paraan.

Napayuko naman ako. He's right. Naiwan ko sa bag ko ang cellphone ko and we both didn't expect this
to happen.

I don't like this. I really don't like this.

"Alam mo bang pagsapit ng alas dyes y media ay pinapapatay lahat ng power source dito sa Bridle
maliban ang power source ng mga dorm?", tanong ko sa kanya.

"Yeah. Nalaman ko iyon when I snuck out the dorm by 12 in the midnight to investigate in the cafeteria
during the poisoning. It was pitch black kaya bumalik na lang ako ng dorm and investigated in the
morning instead", he said. Sumandal siya sa upuan at tumingin sa akin. "Why do you ask?"

"Magiging madilim na dito mamaya", I said and prevented myself to panic. Yep, kapag natutulog ako sa
dorm ay iniiwan kong bukas ang bed lamp ko since Andi and Therese cannot sleep with lights on.
Pinapatay namin ang main lights at tanging ang bedlamp ko ang iniiwang bukas. Yeah, I have
nyctophobia. I usually panic kapag nasa dilim and I'm very scared.

"And? Don't tell me you're afraid in the dark?", he said and he chuckled. Right that very moment ay
gusto kong gilitan sa leeg si Gray. Anong nakakatawa sa pagiging takot sa dilim?
"Don't laugh moron! I might have a nervous breakdown later!", I hissed at him. Tumigil naman ito sa
kakatawa.

"Don't worry. We just have to cuddle later para hindi ka matakot", he said at nanlaki ang mata ko.

I picture the two of us cuddled together and I blushed.

"Hey! What's with that look? Are you trying to picture out the two of us cuddling together?", he said at
mas lalo akong namula.

"Hindi ah! That's not what I'm thinking! At mas gugustuhin ko pang magkanervous breakdown than to
cuddle with you!", wika ko sa kanya. Uh! Napakayabang talaga nito.

"Me either. Ayoko rin naman. Wala kang kalaman-laman sa katawan and you don't have curves. If we
cuddle together, it's just like I'm cuddling with a log", wika niya at inirapan ako.

What did he just say? Log?! Hindi ako payat, I have just the right body at bakit payat ang tingin sa akin
ng lalaking ito? Kung nakamamatay lang ang tingin ay marahil nakabulagta na sa sahig ngayon si Gray.

"Hindi sabi ako payat! And there's no way I will cuddle with you, idiot!", wika ko at naupo na din sa
upuan, 3 seats away from Gray.

"Whatever Amber. If I were you sasanayin ko na lang ang sarili ko na mag-adjust sa dilim or better yet,
matutulog na lang para hindi mo na mamalayan na madilim na dito", he said and he closed his eyes at
isinandal ang ulo. Ipinatong niya ang blazer ng uniform sa mukha niya.

Napaupo naman ako. Itinaas ko ang mga paa ko and hugged my knees. Ipinatong ko ang ulo ko sa
ibabaw ng tuhod ko at ipinikit na din ang mga mata ko.

I don't know how long I have been sleeping ngunit nagising nalang ako na madilim na ang paligid.
There's no single light shining. I began to panic ngunit pinigilan ko ang sarili ko.

Shit! Nanginginig na ako sa takot, kahit anong pigil ko sa sarili ko. Hinigpitan ko ang yakap sa tuhod ko. I
can't prevent the sobs from coming out my lips.

"Ang ingay mo naman", reklamo ni Gray. Marahil ay nagising ito sa mahinang pag-iyak ko.

Hindi ko siya sinagot at nagpatuloy lang sa pag-iyak. I heard him groan at naramdaman ko siyang tumayo
at tumabi sa akin.

Kinapa niya ang nakasubsob kong ulo at inangat iyon. He touched my face na basa ng luha.

"You're really crying?", he asked unbelievably. Still I didn't answer him. Nagtatanong pa talaga siya?
Ugh!

"Hush Amber", he said at isinandal ang ulo ko sa dibdib niya. He wiped my face with his hands.

"Stop crying", he said ngunit nagpatuloy lang ako. Little by little ay humihina na ang hikbi ko.

He stroke my hair with his hand as he tried to comfort me. Right that moment, I feel so secured in Gray's
arm. Hindi ko namalayan na nakatulog na pala ulit ako.
CHAPTER 15: MR. ARMAN BRIDLE

Chapter 15: Mr. Arman Bridle

Alas kwatro na ng umaga nang makalabas kami ni Gray sa Audio Visual Room. Maaga kasing nagbubukas
ang guard sa mga facilities ng school.

Nagulat ito ng mapagbuksan kami but we explained what happened. Agad naman naming binalik sa
library ang libro bago umuwi sa kanya-kanyang dorm namin.

Andi and Therese were very worried about me dahil hindi ako nakauwi kagabi.

"Amber! Akala namin kung napaano ka na. We called you many times pero walang sumasagot", halos
mangiyak-ngiyak na wika ni Therese.

"I'm fine Res, naiwan lang sa classroom namin ang phone ko", I told her.

"Asan ka ba kasi kagabi?", tanong naman ni Andi.

"Gray and I were locked in the AVR after finding the missing book", wika ko at nagulat naman ang
dalawa.

"WHAAAAAAT?", sabay nilang wika.

Ang OA naman ng reaksyon nitong dalawa! Ano ba ang iniisip nila?

"Magdamag kayong magkasama ni Gray?!", nanlalaki ang mata na tanong ni Andi. Tumango naman ako
bilang tugon.

"May n-nangyari ba?", tanong naman ni Therese.

"Hoy! Ano ba ang iniisip ninyong dalawa?! We're just locked up and we didn't do anything stupid!", wika
ko sa kanila at tila nadisappoint naman ang mga ito.

Meh! Bakit ganun sila? What do they expect to happen between me and Gray?

"Pero hindi ba pinapatay lahat ng power source dito sa Bridle? Kinaya mo?", tanong ni Andi. They both
know na takot ako sa dilim.

Namula naman ako ng maalala ko ang yakap ni Gray! Geez! There's no way I will tell them na inalo ako ni
Gray sa kakaiyak ko kagabi!

"Hoy Amber, why are you blushing? May nangyari talaga ano?", tukso ni Therese at sinundot ako sa
tagiliran.

"Stop it! I'm not blushing, idiots!", wika ko sa kanila. Nagtuloy na ako sa banyo upang makaiwas sa mga
tukso nila. At kahit nasa banyo na ako, dinig na dinig ko pa rin ang tukso nila! Ugh! Those girls!

Matapos maligo ay nagbihis na ako dahil may klase pa ako. I just ate some oatmeal for breakfast.

Nang makarating ako ng classroom ay binati ako ng ilan sa mga kaklase ko.
Uh, what's with them? They're acting weird. Hindi naman nila ako binabati dati. Nang dumating ako sa
upuan ko ay agad akong naupo. Naroon na ang bag ni Gray but he's not there. Kinalabit naman ako ni
Jeremy.

"Congratulations Amber", bati nito at bahagyang ngumiti. I gave him a questioning look. Pati si Jeremy?
What's with them?

"Para saan?", tanong ko.

"For finding the book", sagot naman nito. Uh, they found out about it already?

"Paano mo nalaman?", tanong ko sa kanya.

"Gray announced it kanina", sagot naman niya. Muli nitong hinarap ang libro na binabasa.

That show off guy! Mayabang talaga ito! Gustong-gusto na maging sikat! Bakit hindi na lang niya tinago
iyon?! Or maybe he should have taken all the credits alone! I don't want attention! I want to live a
private life! Not like him who wants to brag!

"Good morning Amber!", masiglang bati ni Gray nang dumating ito. I rolled my eyes to his greetings.

"What was that for?", tanong niya nang makaupo na siya. Nagtaka ito sa reaksyon gayong maayos
naman ang mood namin kanina ng lumabas kami ng AVR.

"You shouldn't have announced that we found the book. Or you should have just said that you are the
only one who found that book!", wika ko sa kanya.

"Hey hey! Hindi ako ganyan. It's our collective effort. I'm just being honest by telling them that we both
found that book by breaking the code", wika niya.

Hindi ko na siya sinagot dahil dumating na ang guro namin.

"Good morning class", bati nito at binati rin namin ito.

"Amber Sison and Gray Silvan, thank you for your efforts in finding that book. At dahil diyan someone
wants to talk to both of you. Maaari na kayong pumunta sa conference room kung saan naroon ang
naghihintay sa inyo."

Pumunta naman agad kami ni Gray doon. I wonder who wants to talk to us. The librarian? Miss Mendez?
Oh, whoever!

Nang makarating kami sa conference room, there was a man sitting on a swivel chair. He looks more
than 50 years old ngunit masasabing magandang lalaki ito noong kabataan niya. Some of his hair are
white. Abuhin naman ang kulay ng mga mata nito.

He's wearing a corporate suit. He looks so familiar. I think I saw him somewhere ngunit hindi ko na
maalala kung saan.

"So, I now meet the two detectives of Bridle High", wika nito. Lumapit siya sa amin and shake our hands.
"I am Mr. Arman Bridle."

Nagulat naman kaming dalawa. Mr. Arman Bridle is the owner of the school!
Hindi siya masyadong nagpapakita dito sa school, not even to the officials. He lives in London and Bridle
High is just one of his institutions. He's half-British and Half-Filipino. He's a very rich man ngunit wala
itong asawa at anak because he devotes his life in making charities and foundations. He has a lot of
businesses too, from different industries.

Nalaman ko lahat iyon mula sa history of Bridle. Hindi masyadong nagpapakita sa tao si Mr. Arman that's
why there's only one photo of him at black and white pa iyon na makikita sa Bridle High Handbook.

I can't believe he showed himself to us! Kaya pala he looks so familiar, I saw him from the handbook!

"It's nice to meet you sir", si Gray ang unang nakabawi sa pagkabigla namin. "I'm Gray Ivan Silvan."

"A-ako din po sir", wika ko naman. "Amber Sison."

Mr. Arman smiled at us. "So shall we have a seat?"

He guided us towards the chairs. Hanggang ngayon ay hindi parin talaga ako makapaniwala na nandito
ito at nagpakita sa amin.

Hello? We're just ordinary students! Minsan nga lamang siya magpakita kahit sa mga board members ng
Bridle eh.

"The truth is I am the one who schemed the lost of the first edition of The Iliad", nakangiting wika niya.

"Kayo po? And you're also the one who made that riddle?", tanong ni Gray.

"Ah, yes. I'm a fan of mystery and detective stories. I love Sherlock Holmes so much that's why I made a
riddle and whoever finds that book shall receive a reward from me. Ang totoo niyan ay palagi akong
gumagawa ng mga ganitong scheme kapag nakakauwi ako dito sa Pilipinas. And it's been 6 years nang
huli akong makauwi", wika niya.

6 years? Wala pa ako dito nung huli niyang dalaw.

"I also made a scheme like this before, too bad, no one was able to crack that code back then kaya
natutuwa ako na may nakagawa na ngayon", nakangiti nitong wika. "That's why I am giving you a
reward."

Oh, just by seeing him is a reward already ngunit nacurious pa rin ako sa sinasabi nitong reward.

"What do you want?", tanong nito sa amin.

"Naku, wag na sir. Meeting you is already considered a great privilege", wika ni Gray.

"No, no, no. I have to give you a reward, sige ako na lang ang mag-iisip", he paused for a while at nag-
isip. "You want to go to London?"

Nanlaki ang mata namin ni Gray. Who doesn't want to go to London?

Ako, gustong-gusto kong makapunta sa London. It's in my bucketlist! I want to visit Sherlock Holmes'
museum. Nais ko ring magpunta sa Hyde Park where Holmes and Watson used to stroll. Who doesn't
want to visit Buckingham Palace? Oh, definitely not me! Gustong-gusto kong makapunta ng London but I
don't think now is the perfect time.
"We'd love to, Sir ngunit may klase po. We cannot just leave behind our studies", wika ko. Sayang ang
opportunity ngunit a day or two isn't enough.

"I see. Ah, not only smart students but as well as responsible. I admire the two of you. Parang nakikita
ko ang sarili ko sa inyo. Maybe I'll arrange your trip to London, soon but not now. At isa pa, hindi kayo
mag-eenjoy kung sa weekend lang kaya we'll think of another."

"Really sir, you don't have to bother", wika ko. Nakakahiya naman dito.

"Ah! I know it! This weekend, you will stay in my resthouse at my private island! The view is great there.
Mag-eenjoy talaga kayo. Don't worry. May tourist island na katabi ang islang nabili ko kaya hindi kayo
mabo-bore. You can enjoy everything there at my expense. Even for souvenirs, ako na ang bahala. And I
won't take no for an answer", nakangiting wika nito.

Nagkatinginan naman kami ni Gray. Is he really serious?

"Pack your things for this weekend's trip. You're gonna enjoy your weekend in my resthouse, that's for
sure."

CHAPTER 16: HIS AND HER SKILLS

Chapter 16: His and Her Skills

Hindi pa rin kami makapaniwala ni Gray na nagpakita sa amin si Mr. Arman Bridle. And who would have
thought that he would scheme a riddle just to reward whoever can break it?

Oh well, he said it himself. He loves Sherlock Holmes so it's no wonder he love such schemes.

Matapos niya kaming kausapin ni Gray ay bumalik na kami sa aming classroom. It was our PE time kaya
naka PE uniform kami. Pagdating namin ay wala na sila sa classroom kaya dumeretso na kami sa gym.

Everyone was so busy there. Kanya-kanya silang hawak ng kung ano-anong mga equipments and
weapons.

The teacher told us to gather together kaya inilapag na ng lahat ang mga hawak nila at pumunta sa may
bleachers.

"Okay class, for our PE class today we are going to identify which weapon you are good at and what are
your hidden skills", panimula ni Miss Saderna.

Umingay ang paligid at masyadong excited na ang lahat.

"Okay, tahimik muna", wika niya at tumahimik naman ang paligid. "This is what we're going to do. We
have five stations containing different weapons and you have to pass in each station and try whatever
weapon or equipment ang naroon. I will evaluate you and rank each one of you. So shall we start then?"
Nag-Yes naman lahat at nagsimula na. Halatang excited ang lahat. Isa-isa iyon at nag-eevaluate naman si
Miss Saderna sa kanya-kanyang potensyal. Nanonood lang ako sa mga nauna sa may upper bleachers
but when it was Gray's turn ay lumapit ako upang manood.

Arnis is at the first station. Sinubukan niya iyon. He's good enough in using it. He moves swiftly at
mukhang sanay ito sa ginagawa.

Ang sumunod naman ay bow and arrow. Hindi masyadong malayo ang distansya ng target but Gray
missed it. His arrow did not hit it.

Ang sumunod naman ay kendo sticks at gaya ng arnis, he's good at it. He can move equally sa naroong
kendo club member upang maging kalaban.

The next station is karate. Nakakasabay din si Gray sa galaw ng naroon na karate club member. Oh, he's
really good.

Nunchuks are at the last station ngunit hindi masyadong bihasa doon si Gray. He hit his arm while using
it. Mukhang hindi ito marunong gumamit ng nunchucks.

He sat beside me nang matapos niyang lagpasan ang limang stations.

"You're good", komento ko as he's wiping his sweat.

Kumunot naman ang noo nito. "Good? Uh, I'm the best", wika niya. Kahit kailan talaga, napakayabang
nito.

"No, you suck with bow and arrow. At maging sa nunchuks", I pointed the red mark in his arm na
natamaan ng nunchucks.

Tiningnan naman niya ang braso. "Oh, but I'm excellent enough with the three others kaya ako ang
nangunguna since no other student excel in more than one weapon", pagyayabang naman nito.

Tama ito. So far, sa lahat ng tapos na ay sa isang station lang ito magaling. At nagtataka ako why would
Miss Saderna rank us? May iniisip pa ba itong activity?

"Ang yabang mo, you just happened to be lucky in those stations", pagbabara ko Gray.

"Hindi ah. I'm really good in Karate and Kendo. It's because my father taught me well when I was
young", wika naman niya and I rolled my eyes at him.

Tinawag naman ang pangalan ko kaya ako na ang susunod. We were picked randomly kaya hindi namin
alam kung kailan kami tatawagin.

I stood up from the bleachers at pumwesto doon. The girls' PE uniform are white shirt and black shorts
samantalang black jogging pants at white shirt naman sa lalaki.

"That nerd has weak legs, I can see it through her", sabi ng kaklase kong lalaki na si Raymon. He's sitting
on the upper bleachers at malayo sa akin but I heard his voice since nasa gym kami at tahimik ang lahat.
I ignored him at nagtuloy sa unang station.

"Yeah, with a small body like that? Malamang bibigay na yan sa arnis pa lang", wika naman ni Jessie at
tumawa pa.
Gossip boys!

Really? People see me as a weak nerd? How mean.

"You see her as weak? Naah, she's stronger than the two of you", narinig kong wika ni Gray, he emerged
from his seat at pumunta sa upper bleachers kung saan naroon si Raymon at ang mga barkada nito.

Napalingon naman ako doon. Gray sees me as strong? Oh, mabuti pa si Gray kaysa sa mga kutonglupa
na katulad nina Raymon!

"Gray! Haha, that nerd is not like you. You're so cool man! Ang galing mo sa tatlong station", Raymon
said. Ngumiti lang si Gray dito.

"Oh, thanks. And about Amber being weak, we'll see about that", wika niya at tiningnan ako. Agad ko
namang pinulot ang arnis. I don't know how to use it and I'm sure I'm gonna suck at it, unlike Gray who
was very good at it.

Nagsimula na ako ngunit tumilapon lang ang stick at tumama pa sa akin.

"Told you, she's not good", narinig ko namang wika ni Raymon. "That nerd knows nothing but reading.
She doesn't look nerdy but she's really nerd."

What the hell? Why does he have to talk so loud? Naiinis ako sa mga naririnig ko.

"Oo nga. Why do you keep hanging out with her? You should hang out with us. Ang tulad mong matalino
at malakas, kami dapat ang kasama mo", sabat naman ni Kevin.

"Ah, I know it! That nerd threatened you to kill herself if you don't hang out with her, right?", tanong
naman ni Raymon at tumawa. Tumawa din ang mga naroong barkada nito at maging ang iba kong mga
kaklase.

Gusto kong maiyak ngunit that would only give them the satisfaction and would prove them that I'm
weak. Naririnig ko pa rin ang mga tawa nila and it annoys me.

Pumunta na ako sa pangalawang station at pinulot ang bow and arrow. Tiningnan ko ang tumatawang si
Raymon.

Malayo ito sa akin dahil nasa pinakamataas na bleachers sila. He was leaning back on a wooden pillar.

I slowly raised my arms at pinuswesto ng maayos ang arrow and aim it towards Raymon. I focused on his
head at dahan-dahang hinila iyon and released it.

Napasigaw naman ang lahat ng dumapo ang arrow sa wooden pillar na sinasandalan ni Raymon. It was
right above his head, one wrong move ay tatamaan ito sa ulo.

Nawala naman ang kulay sa mukha nito. Nanlalaki naman ang mga mata ni Gray ng tiningnan niya ako.

"What was that for nerd?!", galit na sigaw ni Raymon. Hindi pa rin makapaniwala ang lahat sa ginawa ko.
Kahit si Miss Saderna ay nagulat.
"I just want your attention, I guess I already have it", wika ko at muling kumuha ng arrow and aimed it to
the target. Nang maayos ko na ang pwesto ay inirelease ko na ang arrow and it landed right in the
middle red circle. Sapul!

"Good job", narinig kong sigaw ni Gray bago ito muling bumaba sa pwesto nito kanina bago pa man ito
pumunta kina Raymond.

Napanganga naman ang lahat. Oh, hindi lang nila alam. Archery is my sports back then. And that
Raymon, kapag may sasabihin pa itong hindi maganda ay tatamaan na talaga ito. Good thing he already
shut up. Marahil ay hindi pa ito nakarecover sa arrow na pinana ko malapit sa kanya.

Pumunta na ako sa pangatlong station and fight with the kendo club member. Hindi ako masyadong
marunong nun. I hate handling the sinai, you know, those wooden swords and I guess I messed there.

On the karate station, I did well this time. I may not be as expert as Gray ngunit kaya ko rin namang
makigpalaban, nakakasabay din ako. I did my best there and it was done well.

Sa huling station naman ay nunchucks and I'm expert in that. Madalas kasi akong nagpa-practice ng
ganun at gaya ng archery, I'm good in such weapon.

Matapos iyon ay muli na akong tumabi kay Gray ngunit tiningnan ko muna si Raymon na hindi pa rin
makapaniwala sa ginawa ko sa kanya. Oh well, he deserved it.

"That was cool", wika ni Gray at inabot sa akin ang tubig ko. Inabot ko naman iyon at nagpasalamat.

"He deserved it", wika ko at uminom. Pinunasan ko na rin ang sarili kong pawis na pawis.

"You have good eyesight, nasapul mo", wika ni Gray.

"Yeah, I guess", sagot ko naman dito at nagpatuloy kami sa panonood sa iba.

Miss Saderna called everyone's attention nang matapos na ang lahat.

She stood in front of us with a paper. "So here is the ranking. And I want you to have a battle with each
other using the skill in which you have in common. You will match by rank, meaning Rank 1 vs Rank 2
and so on", wika ni Miss Saderna.

Umugong naman ang ingay sa paligid. What? We have to fight with each other? Uh, ano ba ang
pumapasok sa utak nito?

Pinatahimik muna nito ang klase. "Class be quiet."

Nang tumahimik na ang paligid ay binasa na niya ang papel. "So, this is the final ranking. I gave each
station a perfect points of 50. So meaning we have a total of 250 points and Rank 1 goes to", she
delayed her announcement.

Oh, it's Gray. I knew it.

"Gray Ivan Silvan", wika niya. Nang sulyapan ko naman si Gray sa tabi ko ay tuwang-tuwa ito. Geez, I
know he already expected it.
Binati naman ng mga kaklase ko si Gray at tuwang-tuwa naman ang mokong! Papansin talaga ito! Ang
yabang.

"So he will have a fight with Amber Sison, the rank 2", pagpapatuloy naman ni Miss Saderna.

What? Kami ni Gray? Nag-aalala namang tiningnan ako ni Gray. Maybe he doesn't want to fight with me.
Haller, di ba nga sabi niya na I'm not that strong. Vulnerable daw ako.

Uh, I blushed when I remembered his confrontation in the bus when I got involved in the cave crime
nung nagcommunity service kami.

"But Maam! Are you sure that Amber rank as second? Baka nagkakamali lang kayo sa pagtotal", Gray
said. Oh, he doesn't want to fight with me, right?

Umiling naman si Miss Saderna. "Nope. It's obviously her kahit hindi pa natin itotal. What she did is very
impressive, but don't do it again, you know like aiming at Raymon. That was cool but very dangerous",
baling nito sa akin.

"Pasensya na po", nakayuko kong wika.

"It's fine. So Gray, on the first station, you've got 50 and Amber got 10. On the second station, you've
got 10 points, Amber got 50. On the third station, you got 50 and Amber got 10. On the fourth station,
both you got 40. On the last station, Amber got 45 while you got 10. So that gives you with a total of 160
points and Amber got 155 points."

"But Maam", magpoprotesta pa sana si Gray but I cut him off.

"Stop it Gray. Alam kong ayaw mo lamang makipaglaban sa akin", wika ko sa kanya. "Let's just do it."

He looked at me helplessly. Seriously? Bakit ayaw nito? I'm not weak like what they think about me.
Bumuntong-hininga naman ito.

"Okay, we're settled then. I'll announce the other ranking and match ups then we'll have the fight next.
You're equally good in karate so karate ang gagawin natin", wika ni Miss Saderna at nagpatuloy sa
pagtatawag ng mga pangalan na nasa ranking.

Lumapit si Gray sa akin. "Amber, I really don't want to fight you."

I raised my brow to him. "Bakit? Takot kang matalo?", tanong ko. I saw his face wrinkled.

"Not that. No one can beat me", pagyayabang nito. "It's just that I don't hit girls. They should be hugged,
not hit."

I rolled my eyes at him. "Then don't see me as a girl. As simple as that."

"Amber-"

"No, we will fight", wika ko at iniwan siya upang kunin ang towel ko.

I heard him sigh at kumuha na rin ng towel niya.

CHAPTER 17: KARATE BATTLE

Chapter 17: Karate Battle

We're given fifteen minutes to prepare for our match. Pinipilit pa rin ako ni Gray na huwag na lang
kaming maglaban. He keeps on saying that he doesn't want to fight with girls dahil likas na mas malakas
daw ang mga lalaki kaysa mga babae.

"You're not physically fit like me, look at your body. Ang payat mo, unlike me, I'm a man of muscles",
pagyayabang ni Gray.

Tiningnan ko naman siya ng masama at natawa ito.

"Fine, you're not thin", pagsuko niya. "But Amber, I really can't do this."

Naiinis na ako sa kakareklamo nito. Kanina pa ito hindi tumitigil. I don't get him, we're on the 21st
century at uso na ang gender equality. Argh! Nakakainis na ang reklamo nito. I can beat him if I want to.

"Alam mo bang sa gyera pinapatay lahat kahit mapa-babae o lalaki?", tanong ko kanya.

"Yeah, I know that, but this is different from a war", sagot naman nito. I rolled my eyes at him.

"Takot ka lang talagang matalo", wika ko. I know hindi iyon kayang tanggapin ng ego nito. Duh! Si Gray,
siya na yata ang pinakamayabang na lalaki sa balat ng lupa.

"Of course not! How many times do I have to tell you that I'm just concerned about you", he said..

Really?! Concerned eh?

I'm getting pissed. Mahina ba ang tingin nito sa akin? Malakas naman ako, I may look fragile but I can
fight.

Binato ko siya ng hawak kong mineral water na nangangalahati pa lamang ang laman. I threw it with
force. Nakailag naman ito at takang tiningnan ako.

"Hey, what was that for?", tanong niya at napatayo na nang sunod kong inihagis sa kanya ang arnis sa
tabi ko. Umilag naman siya at tiningnan ako ng masama.

"Amber, stop it!"

Tumayo ako at lumapit sa kanya. I kicked him but he managed to block it. Sinipa ko siya ulit at this time
ay natamaan siya sa may braso. Pinagpag niya ang alikabok na dumapo sa braso niya mula sa sapatos ko,
but I kicked him again at muli siyang natamaan.

"Amber, isa!"

I ignored him and strike him with my hands. He blocked it ngunit sinipa ko siya ulit.

"Hey, the battle is not starting yet", wika niya at umatras.

Nakapalibot naman ang mga classmates namin sa amin. They might be wondering bakit nagsisimula na
kami ni Gray.
Nah, I don't care, as long as marealize ni Gray na kaya ko rin namang makipaglaban sa kanya.

I kicked him again but this time ay nahawakan niya ang paa ko but I made a way to let go at nasipa siya
sa may tenga gamit ang isa kong paa.

"Aray ha! Ano ka ba!", he said ngunit nginitian ko lang siya.

I grabbed his arms and twisted it but he managed to pull me.

Magaan lang ako kaya madali niya akong nabuhat causing me to let go in twisting his arms.

Great. He's beginning to fight back.

Sinipa ko siya ng maraming beses ngunit nailagan niya lahat ng iyon. I began throwing punches ngunit
nakakaiwas siya. I kicked him again and he grabbed my legs at natumba ako. Hindi naman ako
nagpatinag, tumayo ako at hinila siya sa braso, and gave him a knifehand. I pushed his arms to his back
but he held my neck kaya nabitawan ko siya. This time ay siya na naman ang sumipa at ako naman ang
umilag but his last kick hit me in the stomach. I groaned in pain ngunit sandali lang iyon. I strike him
using my hands at natamaan siya sa balikat. Kumapit ako sa balikat niya at paulit-ulit na sinipa siya sa
tiyan.

He kicked me back and he's so fast na hindi ko mabilang kung ilan ang sipa nito. Natamaan ako ng ilan
but I managed to block some too.

I held his arms to twist it again but he held me first. Hinila ko ang braso niya at niyakap iyon upang hindi
siya makawala. I pinned his arms on his back.

Natulak naman niya ako. He pulled my arms and this time, he's the one pinning my arms on my back, he
twisted it a little and I groaned in pain.

I found a way para mabitawan niya, I kicked his knee hard at nabitawan nga niya ako.

Maingay ang mga kaklase naming nasa gilid. Most of them are cheering for Gray and who cares?

Yeah, syempre they're into cheering Gray than Amber the Nerd, right?

Lumapit siya sa akin at nagsimulang sumipa ngunit nailagan ko naman iyon. He kicked fast but I blocked
them all using my hands ngunit may mga pagkakataon talaga na natatamaan ako but it's not that
painful. I grabbed his right arm and twisted it again, he mumbled a curse then made a move to switch
our positions. This time, siya na naman ang nakahawak sa braso ko while I'm groaning in pain.

Muli kong sinipa ang tuhod niya but he managed to avoid it.

"No, not this time, masakit yun ah!", nakangiting wika nito.

"Really? How about this?", tanong ko at siniko siya sa sikmura. Nabitawan naman niya ako.

He held his stomach ngunit sinalakay ko siya ng sipa. He blocked all of those but when I used my right
leg, dumapo iyon sa mukha niya at dumugo ang gilid ng labi niya.

Pinunasan naman niya ang gilid ng labi niya. He licked his blood at ngumisi sa akin.

"You'll pay for this witch", he said smiling and began kicking me.
Umilag ako at ng pagod na akong umilag, pinatid ko siya since isang paa lang ang nakaasuporta sa kanya
dahil nga sumisipa siya.

Napatid naman siya but he pulled me causing me to fall together with him. Inipit niya ako ng braso siya
at narinig na namin ang pito ni Miss Saderna.

"Okay that's enough", wika niya at pinaglayo kami ni Gray.

Gray stood up first and he helped me stand up at pinagpag ko naman ang sarili ko.

"I haven't told you to start yet nagsimula na kayo, you're really excited to fight huh?", natatawang
komento ni Miss Saderna. "You're not in the karate training floor at dito talaga sa concrete floor ha? I
bet you'll feel the body pain later. Masakit bumagsak sa sahig ah."

Uh, hindi talaga kami doon sa training floor dahil biglaan naman talaga ito. It's to provoke Gray to fight
back. Kaya ayun and he really did.

"You're surely a fighter", wika ni Gray nang nakatayo na ako. I smiled at him at ngumiti naman ito.

"Yeah, I told you", wika ko sa kanya at naglakad papunta sa bleachers.

"Amber, Gray, you're both good but you're not listening to me at hindi kayo sumunod sa tamang
proseso. It's dangerous to fight on the concrete floor, paano na lang kung nabagok yang mga ulo niyo?",
Miss Saderna asked us.

Napayuko naman kaming dalawa ni Gray at humingi ng despensa.

"Don't do it again, okay?"

"Yes Maam", magkapanabay naming wika ni Gray.

Nang ibinaling na ni Miss Saderna sa iba ang atensyon ay sabay kaming napatawa ni Gray.

"Hey, that was great. Alam kong pinipigilan mo talaga ang sarili mong kalabanin ako, it was nice
though",wika ko kay Gray. Umiinom ito ng tubig at sinaid ang laman niyon.

"But really, I don't want to do it to a girl not unless she's so evil", he said half-jokingly.

"Hey, you're lower lip is bleeding", wika ko. Hinawakan naman niya iyon and he groaned.

"Aww, I told you to pay for this", he said and smirked. Natawa lang ako at tumayo.

"I'll be right back, just wait here", tumayo na ako at pumunta ng CR upang kumuha ng first aid kit.

Nakaupo pa rin siya Gray doon ng bumalik ako. Inilapag ko naman iyon doon at sinimulang lagyan ng
alcohol ang bulak.

I saw his face became pale. Wait, takot siya sa alcohol?

Nang ididiin ko na sana sa mukha niya ang bulak ay napaatras siya.

"Oh no, not alcohol please", he said. Confirmed!

Nakakatawa lang isipin. He's acting cool and strong ngunit tumitiklop din pala sa alcohol.
"It's to disinfect your wound, duh", idiniin ko na ng tuluyan iyon sa gilid ng labi niya and I saw him
winced in pain.

"Aray!", napalakas yata ang boses nito kung kaya't napalingon sa amin ang mga kaklase namin.

Nilingon naman ni Gray ang paligid ng mapansin niya na naging uneasy ako dahil sa mga nakatingin.

"Hey, what are you all looking at? Gusto niyo bang magkaganito rin?", he asked our classmates na
nakatingin sa amin at tinuro ang sugat.

Binaling naman nila ang tingin sa iba.

"You deserve this", wika ko at diniinan na naman ang bulak sa sugat nito.

"Aray, ano ba! Dahan-dahan kasi. I don't deserve this. How dare you ruin my handsome face!", wika nito
and he pouted upon pointing his face.

"Face lang, walang handsome", I told him. "And that's for underestimating me."

"Hey, I didn't underestimate you. Pinaglaban pa nga kita kina Orcales", wika niya, referring to Raymon.
Yeah, he's right but the fact na ayaw niya akong kalabanin, maybe it's because he sees women as weak.
Duh, gender equality exists!

"Oh ayan, tapos na", wika ko. Napansin kong nakatingin lang siya sa katawan ko. He stared at my arms
at sa legs ko.

"You should apply hot compress on these", wika niya at tinuro ang mga pasa sa katawan ko. What the?!
Andami kong pasa! Some are forming hand grips lalo na ang mga nasa braso ko. Maputi kasi ako kaya't
madali lang magkapasa. Malalaki ang mga iyon at nagsisimula ng magkulay violet.

"That's normal, maputi kasi ang balat ko", wika ko sa kanya. I hate how his eyes gazed through my legs.

Uh, maybe I'm just thinking greenly. Sa mga pasa lang naman ito nakatingin, I don't have to feel this
way.

"Still, you should apply hot compress. Look at yourself, mukha ka ng talong dahil nagiging violet ka na",
nakangiti nitong wika.

I gave him a fake laugh. "You're funny", I said sarcastically and raised my brows.

Natapos na ang PE namin at kahit pagod, we had so much fun. We really enjoyed this day as we
showcase our skills at maging ang karate battle namin ni Gray.

CHAPTER 18: AB ISLAND MURDER PUZZLE (Day 1 Arrival)

Chapter 18: AB Island Murder Puzzle

(Day 1 Arrival)
--

Nang sumapit na nga ang byernes ay pinaremind sa amin ni Mr. Bridle ang weekend stay namin sa island
niya.

He announced it through the school's flag ceremony. Gamit ang school broadcasting system, he
announced:

"Reminding Mr. Gray Ivan Silvan and Miss Amber Sison for their weekend trip at Bridle Island. Your trip
is this afternoon."

Matapos ang announcement na iyon ay hindi na kami tinantanan ng mga kaklase namin sa kakatanong
kung para saan ang trip na iyon.

I didn't answered their questions ngunit ang mayabang na Gray ipinagsabi na reward iyon ni Mr. Bridle
for solving the code of the missing Iliad book.

He even bragged about us meeting him in person at kinamayan pa kami.

Uh! Kahit kailan talaga ay napakayabang nito!

Nang hapong iyon ay nagligpit na ako ng mga gamit para sa two days island vacation namin.

"You're so lucky Amber! Alam mo bang kahit ang ilang board members ay hindi pa nakita si Mr.
Arman?", wika ni Andi habang tinutulungan akong magligpit.

"How does he look like? Sabi nila gwapo daw ito kahit may edad na", dagdag pa ni Therese.

"Yep, at gwapo talaga siya. He's so kind too", sagot ko naman sa kanila.
"Waaaaah! Sana pala tumulong ako sa paghahanap doon sa libro!", maktol ni Andi at natawa lang ako at
nagpatuloy sa pagliligpit.

Alas tres pa lang ng hapon ay sinundo na kami ng van ni Sir Arman, too bad, he can't come dahil lumipad
na ito papuntang London dahil sa mga business nito.

"Ilang oras po ba ang byahe?", tanong ni Gray sa driver. Nasa likuran kaming dalawa.

"Mga dalawa o tatlong oras po sir", sagot naman ng driver.

Nagpasalamat na si Gray dito ay hindi na muling nagtanong. Ako naman ay naidlip muna.

Naramdaman ko na lang ang mahinang alog kaya nagising ako.

"We're here", wika ni Gray. Tumuwid naman ako ng upo at kinuha ang mga gamit ko.

Sinalubong kami ng dalawang steward at kinuha ang mga gamit namin. They guided us in a small yacht.

What the ! He's lending us his yacht? Kahit maliit lang iyon, it was very luxurious.

"What the hell! He's incridibly rich", narinig kong mura ni Gray.

Makikita talaga sa yate ang karangyaan ni Sir Arman. Nasa isang tourist island nga kami. The water was
blue at maputi ang buhangin. It was very beautiful island. May mga maliliit na cottages naman sa gilid.
On the right side of the island ay ang mga hotel at restaurant na maaring tuluyan ng mga guests. Marahil
iyon ang sinasabi ni Sir Arman na tourist island near his private island.

Unang sumakay si Gray sa yate at sumunod naman ako. Inilibot ko ang tingin sa paligid, and it was really
breathtaking!
Nagsimula ng umandar ang yate. Hindi nagtagal ay tanaw na namin ang pribadong isla na pagmamay-ari
ni Sir Arman.

It was a small island ngunit napakaganda niyon. His resthouse was medium size at humanga ako sa
exterior design. Hindi iyon basta-basta.

Oh, I wonder how does the interior looks like. Malamang.marangya din iyon.

"This is AB Island. Ang tugon sa amin ni Mr. Arman ay ihatid kayo dito at sunduin sa linggo ng hapon.
May nakahanda ng boat with engine in case nais niyong pumunta sa kalapit na tourist island", wika ng
isang steward. Inabot niya sa amin ang dalawang credit card. "This is for anything you want to buy. Enjoy
your stay. There were stocks of food also sa loob. Just feel free to use them."

Nagpasalamat naman kami ni Gray at hinintay na makaalis na sila bago kami pumasok sa loob ng rest
house.

Nang makapasok na kami sa loob ay mas lalo akong namangha. It was made with concrete and bamboo.
Napakaganda ng desenyo ng resthouse. We also have resthouse but it was not as elegant as this.

"Sir Arman thought we're lovers", wika ni Gray. Napalingon naman ako sa kanya.

Lovers? I blushed upon the thought.

"Paano mo naman nasabi?", tanong ko.

Naupo siya sa naroon na rocking chair. "First, he let us stay in his private island na tayo lamang dalawa.
Second, look around, the ambiance is very romantic. There were flowers and candles everywhere", wika
nito.

I raised my brow at him. "It doesn't explain anything. Marahil ay mahilig lang talaga siya sa ganitong mga
bagay", wika ko at inamoy ang isang bulaklak.
"Basing from the size of the house, isa lang ang kwarto na narito. And I bet, there were even petals on
the bed", wika niya.

Tiningnan ko siya ng masama. I roam my gaze upon the house. May tatlong pintuan. Una kong binuksan
ang pinto sa kaliwa. It was the CR and bathroom.

Sunod ko namang binuksan ang nasa gitna. It was leading to a small pear-shape pool and a jacuzzi.

The last door was the bedroom at tama nga si Gray, there were rose petals scattered on the bed!

God! Ano bang akala ni Sir Arman sa amin, maghohoneymoon? Uh!

"'I told you", wika ni Gray mula sa likuran ko at pumasok na sa loob. He threw himself into the bed.

"Hey! Ako ang matutulog dyan sa kama mamayang gabi", wika ko sa kanya.

"No way", sagot naman nito. What the hell! Anong ibig sabihin niya, magtatabi kami!? NO WAY din!

"There's no way na magtatabi tayo sa iisang kama!", I hissed at him.

Bumangon siya mula sa pagkahiga at naupo. "Right. Kaya doon ka sa rocking chair", wika nito at tinuro
ang rocking chair.

NO WAY!

NO AS IN NO!

AYAW KO!

AYAW KONG MATULOG SA ROCKING CHAIR!

"Ayaw ko nga! Kung gusto mo, ikaw ang matulog doon", wika ko.

He crossed his arms. "Asa ka! Hindi ako makakatulog kapag nakaupo!", he said.

Oh! What should we do? Wala pa namang sofa doon. There were chairs ngunit hinding-hindi ako
matutulog sa upuan!

"Fine, let's determine who will sleep in the bed through rock, paper and scissors", wika ko at lumapit sa
kanya.

"Fine!", he said at pinuwesto na ang kamay niya.

He let out a stone samantalang gunting naman sa akin. Ibig sabihin.....

"Ulitin natin! Ang daya mo!", wika ko sa kanya.

"I'm not cheating", he said.

"No! Ulitin natin!", I insisted. He uttered something bago muling nakipagjack en poy.

This time, he let out a scissor samantalang papel naman ang sa akin.

"See, I told you", natatawang wika niya at humiga sa kama. The bed was big enough but he stretch his
arms. "Uh, I will be sleeping comfortably", wika niya.

NOOOOOOOOOO!
Lumapit ako sa kama at nahiga. "No, I will sleep here too!"

"Hey, nanalo ako kaya doon ka sa rocking chair", he said and pushed me away.

"No! Whether you like it or not, dito din ako!", wika ko at sinipa siya.

"Aray!", he said at ako naman ang sinipa niya at dahil hindi ko alam na sisipain niya din ako ay hindi ako
nakapaghanda sa pagsipa niya causing me to fall out on the bed.

"Aray! Don't kick me too hard idiot! Alam mong magaan lang ako!", wika ko ng makatayo.

"Tsk, let's divide the bed later", he said at tumayo na rin. "It's still early, let's go to the tourist island
nearby", wika niya at sumang-ayon naman ako since bago pa lamang nag-alas syete.

I went to get my things at nagbihis sa CR. I decided to wear white shorts at blue bikini top. Pinatungan
ko lang iyon ng puti din na off-shoulder crop top.

Gray was also in his black sando and boardshorts. I stared at him as he started the engine of the boat.
Tsk, may muscle din pala ang kumag. I wonder if he had abs too.

"Stop staring, I have abs too. Just tell me if you want to see it", mayabang na wika nito.

What the hell! Am I thinking out loud? Paano ba nito nabasa ang iniisip ko?

"Idiot! I'm not wondering if you do have abs or not", depensa ko sa sarili. Mabuti nalang at madilim dahil
baka nakita niya ang pamumula ko. I'm sure I'm as red as a tomatoe.

He chuckled at mas lalo akong nainis. Pinili ko na lang na wag siyang kausapin hanggang sa makarating
kami sa katabing tourist island. Marami ang mga tao roon.
Maingay ang paligid at may mga nagsasayaw sa gilid. Bumaba na kami sa bangka.

"I'll have a drink at the bar, huwag kang masyadong lalayo", wika ni Gray bago umalis at pumunta sa bar.

Nilibot ko naman ang paligid. There were couples in the side, kissing! Uh! Umalis na ako doon at
nagpatuloy sa paglalakad. I saw a mini-bar sa gilid. It was just a little counter at mga beach umbrella
naman ang sa gilid.

Pumunta ako roon at umorder ng lime juice. Habang hinihintay ko ang order ko ay may lumapit na lalaki
sa akin.

I guess he's around 18 years old. He's good-looking at maganda ang pangangatawan.

"The night is so lovely to be spent alone. Let me guess, nag-away kayo ng boyfriend mo ano?", he said in
a friendly tone ng makalapit siya sa akin.

I laughed at him. "Wrong guess. I don't have a boyfriend", I told him.

"Oh, I missed that one? How about this, you're stuck in an unrequitted love?", hula niya ulit na
nakangiti.

Lalo naman akong natawa dito. "Wrong guess too."

Napakamot naman ito sa ulo habang nakangiti."Oh, I guess I'm not good in guessing. Hey, I'm Cooler,
the cool guy", he said at inilahad ang palad.

Natatawang tinanggap ko naman iyon, he's handsome and friendly. "Amber."

Dumating naman ang order ko. Inilapag iyon ng bartender sa tapat ko.
"Oh, hi Amber. Do you mind if I sit beside you?", tanong nito. Umiling ako at nakangiting umupo ito at
umorder din ng drinks.

"So, Amber. Hmm, let me guess again, you're 15 or 16 years old?", hula naman nito.

"Nope. I'm 17, turning 18 this year", wika ko. I really enjoy talking with Cooler, he keeps on guessing
ngunit kahit isa ay wala pang tama sa panghuhula nito.

"I really suck in guessing eh? And you're 17? You look younger than your age", natatawang wika nito.
"For the last time, let me guess, you're on this island with your family amd staying at that hotel, right?",
wika niya at tinuro ang malapit na hotel.

"Eeeenk! Mali ka na naman. I'm with my classmate and I'm staying at a private island over there", wika
ko sa kanya. Napakamot naman ito sa ulo at natawa na rin.

"I'm no good at it", he said as he leaned his back.

"My turn. Ako na naman ang manghuhula tungkol sayo", wika ko. He smiled at tumango.

"Okay, go ahead", wika niya.

"You're on this island for a day or two. You're 18 years old and a basketball player. You're staying at Lux
Hotel and you just had your spicy crab dinner. Tama ba?", tanong ko sa kanya.

Nanlaki naman ang mga mata nito. "Wow, how do you know that? Don't tell me stalker ka?", he said
and chuckled.

Natawa naman ako. "Simple. I figured out that you've been here for a day or two based on your skin.
You're tanning but some of your skin's color are not the same. Halimbawa nalang ay dito", I raised his
wrist. Iba ang kulay niyon sa balat nito. "Maybe this is because you're wearing a watch."

"Right", he said. "How about the other guessings?", taning nito.

"You're 18 years old. You look 18 and I confirmed it when you ordered vodka as you're drink. They don't
serve liquor to minors pero marahil ay nagawi ka na dito, the bartender already knows that you're
already 18. Tungkol naman sa pagiging basketball player mo, well aside for having a well build body na
marahil nakuha mo sa paglalaro, when we shake hands kanina, you have callous all over your palm
which indicates you used to hold ball", paliwanag ko naman.

Cooler clapped his hands. "You're amazing Amber. How about the last two? I hope I don't smelt crabs
that's why you figured it out", natatawang wika nito.

Natawa naman ako."Of course you don't smell. Ah, about it, I saw a keychain with the label Lux Hotel on
your waist. Inipit mo ang susi ng kwarto mo sa gilid shorts mo since your boardshorts don't have a
pocket. At nahulaan ko rin na you just have your spicy dinner based on your ears. Namumula ang tenga
mo ng dumating ka kanina. You're also swallowing air through your mouth, tanda na kumain ka ng
maanghang. I figured out that it's the spicy crab since I saw the written specialty for tonight in the
nearby restaurant", wika ko sa kanya.

"I don't know what to say", he said at natawa naman ako.

"Let's have our dinner Amber."

Sabay kaming napalingon ni Cooler ng may magsalita sa likuran namin. It was Gray.

"Oh, Gray", tawag ko dito. His face was, uh, angry?

"Let's go", wika nito. Tumayo naman ako.

"I thought you're not with your boyfriend", wika ni Cooler.

"Oh no, he's not my boyfriend", tanggi ko naman sa sinabi nito. Nilapit niya ang mukha sa tenga ko at
bumulong.

"But he looks angry and jealous", bulong nito.

"He's my classmate", gumanti naman ako ng bulong. Tumikhim naman si Gray.

"Baka gusto mo akong ipakilala sa kaibigan mo Amber", Gray said. He was looking at Cooler.

"Ah, Cooler, this is Gray, my classmate and Gray, si Cooler", pakilala ko.

Inilahad ni Cooler ang kamay ni kay Gray. "Nice meeting you pare."

Tiningnan muna ni Gray ang nakalahad na palad ni Cooler bago tinanggap. "Same here." Bumaling na
siya sa akin. "Let's go." Nagpatiuna na siyang lumakad.

"We have to go Cooler, pasensya ka na doon kay Gray, may dalaw yata", wika ko and he chuckled.

"I guess he's jealous", he said. "Take care Amber."

"He's not jealous. Ganoon talaga yun", wika ko sa kanya.

He shook his head. "No, he's jealous. I suck at guessing a while ago, but this time I guess I'm right. He's
really jealous. Believe me Amber, I'm a guy too", wika naman nito.

Nang muli akong tawagin ni Gray ay nagpaalam na ako kay Cooler bago tumakbo papunta kay Gray.

"Bye Cooler. See you around", wiko ko bago tuluyang lumayo.

I remember what he said. Gray is jealous. Jealous? Si Gray magseselos? Naah, nagkakamali lang siguro si
Cooler.

CHAPTER 19: AB ISLAND MURDER PUZZLE (The Murder)

Chapter 19: AB Island Murder Puzzle (The Murder)

Gray decided to dine sa isang seafood restaurant. His face was serious at hindi niya ako kinakausap.

Umorder siya ng lobster dish at crabs para sa dalawa. Ni hindi man lamang niya ako tinanong kung ano
ang gusto kong kainin. Ano bang problema nito?

Nang dumating na ang order namin ay nagsimula ng kumain si Gray habang nakatingin lang ako.

"Kumain ka na, ano pa bang hinihintay mo, pasko?", nakataas-kilay nitong tanong. Tiningnan ko lang siya
ng masama at nagpatuloy siya sa pagkain.

Nang mapansin niya na hindi pa rin ako kumakain ay inilapag niya sa plato ang pinapapak niyang lobster.

"Now what? Gusto mo subuan pa kita?", tanong niya. He sounded so impatient.

Iginala ko ang paningin sa pagkain na nasa mesa bago muling tumingin sa kanya.

"Don't be a spoiled brat Amber at kumain ka na", he demanded.

"But-

"No more buts! Kumain ka na", wika niya with conviction. Ayaw niyang makinig sa sasabihin ko.

"Fine! Pag ako namatay, I'll be haunting you", wika ko. Why does he ordered such foods ng hindi man
lang ako tinatanong. I've got allergy on seafoods maliban sa isda.

"You're allergic to seafoods?", tanong niya at tumango ako. "Why you didn't tell me?"

I rolled my eyes to him. "I tried but you didn't listen!". Inirapan ko siya at bumuntong-hininga.
"Tsk! Wag kang mag-aasawa ng mandaragat", he said and give me a glare bago tinawag ang waiter at
humingi ng menu at binigay sa akin.

Great! Ngayon pa talaga nito naisip na papiliin ako ng gusto kong kainin. And what's with his bratty
attitude?

Nang tingnan ko ito ay magana na itong kumakain ulit. Uh! Marahil ay may dalaw talaga ito, tsk.

Umorder nalang ako ng fish dish para sa dinner at ng dumating iyon ay maganang kumain.

Matapos naming kumain ay nagpahangin muna kami. We walked towards the shore. Maliwanag ang
buwan kaya maganda tingnan ang dagat ngayon.

Hindi pa rin ako kinakausap ni Gray. What's wrong with him? He didn't talked to me habang kumakain at
hanggang sa matapos. In his face was just his normal smirk at mukhang wala talaga ito sa mood.

Kinalabit ko siya. Lumingon naman siya sa akin at tiningnan ako ng masama. "What?"

"Galit ka ba sa akin?", tanong ko sa kanya.

"Bakit mo naman natanong yan?", iritadong tanong nito. Really, kailangan pa niyang itanong?

"Kasi hindi mo ako kinakausap", sagot ko sa kanya.

Naglakad siya at sumunod lang ako sa likod niya. Medyo madilim amg paligid at malayo-layo kami sa
maingay na mga bars dahil papalapit kami sa baybayin.

"Idiot, hindi ako galit sayo. At kung iniisip mo na nagseselos ako, hindi rin! I don't care if you like that
Cooler guy! Wala akong pakialam", he said at dahil nakatalikod siya sa akin ay hindi ko nakikita ang
mukha niya.
"What? Hindi ko iniisip na nagseselos ka! Bakit ko naman iisipin iyan?", I hissed at him at hinila siya
paharap sa akin.

His face was puzzled at umiwas siya ng tingin sa akin. He glared at me bago sumagot.

"A-ano-- kasi"

Hindi na natuloy ang sasabihin nito ng biglang may sumigaw. Sabay kaming napalingon sa
pinanggalingan ng sigaw na hindi masyadong kalayuan sa kinatatayuan namin. Bumitaw siya sa
pagkakahawak sa ko at tumakbo sa direksyon ng sumigaw.

Sumunod naman ako sa kanya. He ran towards the shore kung saan nanggaling ang sigaw. Nang
makarating ako doon ay marami-rami na rin ang taong nakapalibot.

Isang lalaki ang nakahandusay sa buhangin. He was wet at marahil galing ito sa paliligo. Nasa gilid naman
ang babae na sumigaw na nahintakutan ang mukha.

Marami na ang nakiusyoso kaya nakisiksik si Gray. Lumapit siya sa lalaki at hinawakan ang pulso nito.

"He's already dead. Amber, call the police", wika niya sa akin bago bumaling sa babae. "What
happened?"

Agad naman akong tumawag ng pulis mula sa malapit na hotel. Matapos iyon ay bumalik na ako doon at
kinakausap ni Gray ang babae.

"N-nakita ko na lang siya na lumulutang. Tatawagin ko na sana siya ngunit ng hilahin ko siya sa buhangin,
wala na pala siyang malay", halos mangiyak-ngiyak na sabi ng babae.

I learned that she was Eliz Carpio, the victim's bestfriend. The victim was Ronnie Monteclaro, 26 years
old na nagbabakasyon sa isla kasama ang girlfriend at mga kaibigan nito, but he met his tragic end by
being drowned.
Kinuha na ng pulis ang bangkay at nag-imbestiga sa hotel suite na tinutuluyan ng biktima.

Sumama naman si Gray kaya sumunod ako.

Nang makarating kami sa suite ay akmang papasok na din ito kasama ang mga pulis kaya hinila ko ito.

"Gray, bawal ka dyan. It's police work already", wika ko sa kanya ngunit ngumiti lang siya.

"Don't worry about that", wika niya at akmang papasok ulit ngunit muli ko siyang hinila. He gave me a
glare kaya binitawan ko ang braso niya.

Lumabas naman ang isang pulis at tinawag si Gray. "Pasok ka na Ivan", wika ng pulis.

Takang tiningnan ko naman ang pulis at si Gray.

"Kilala ka ng pulis?", tanong ko sa kanya. Tumango naman siya.

"Yap. Kaibigan ko ang mga pulis since I've been helping them doing some detective works."

What? Tumutulong siya sa mga detective work ng mga pulis gayong ang bata-bata pa niya?! Niloloko
niya ba ako?

Pumasok na siya sa loob at sumunod na ako. The suite was a mess. Kalat na kalat iyon na para bang
binagyo. Pinatawag naman ng mga pulis ang mga kasama nito na pumunta sa isla.

According to the police autopsy, mga dalawang oras pa mula ng mamatay ang biktima kaya tinanong ang
lahat tungkol sa mga alibi nito bago matagpuan ang biktima.
There were four of them. Una ay si Eliz Carpio na bestfriend ng biktima at unang nakakakita sa katawan.
Ayon kay Eliz, she was taking a bath at her suite na dalawang pinto mula sa inoukopa ni Ronnie. Hinanap
daw niya si Ronnie at doon na nga sa dagat nakita at wala ng malay.

Isa pang kasama ng biktima ay ang girlfriend nitong si Jeanet Laurente at ayon kay Jeanet ay nasa kwarto
niya lang siya na katabi ng inuokopa ni Ronnie at natutulog.

Kasama rin nito ang mga katrabahong sina Jeko Martinez at Ariel Romero. Ayon naman kay Jeko, nasa
kwarto siya habang gumagawa ng mga naiwang office works.

Si Ariel naman ay katatapos lang maghapunan kaya naninigarilyo daw muna ito sa terrace ng hotel.

Wala namang makakapagpatunay sa alibi ng apat. So all of them were still under the questioning of the
police.

"Hindi niyo pa ba kami paaalisin dito?", iritadong tanong ni Jeko. Kanina pa ito tila aburido at nais ng
umalis. He's rude when the police was questioning him.

"Hindi muna unless matapos nating imbestigahan ito. Nawawala ang wallet at cellphone ng biktima,
marahil ay pagnanakaw ang motibo", wika ng isang pulis habang tinitingnan ang nakakalat na mga
gamit.

"Yun naman pala. Baka may halang ang kaluluwa na nagnakaw kay Ronnie at pinatay siya", wika naman
ni Ariel. He was beside Jeanet who was crying. Sino nga ba ang hindi iiyak kapag isa ng malamig na
bangkay ang boyfriend mo?

Nang sulyapan ko si Gray ay nag-iisip ito ng maayos. Maybe something was bugging him.

"Maari ngang simpleng pagnanakaw lang ito", the police said.

"No, the victim knows murderer at ang pagkawala ng wallet ng biktima ay isang trick na ginamit ng
salarin to make the police have a conclusion na simpleng pagnanakaw na nauwi sa pagpatay ang
nangyari", wika ni Gray. Wait, bakit ba nakikialam ito?
"Ano? Paano mo naman nasabi?", tanong ni Eliz. Hindi pa rin ito masyadong napanatag matapos makita
ang bangkay ni Ronnie. Nanginginig pa rin ito.

"3 things. First ay ang kwarto. Nasa labas ang bangkay, ibig sabihin nasa labas ang biktima ng pinatay
siya ngunit ginulo ang kwarto niya. Napasok ng salarin amg kwarto niya without breaking the door, ibig
sabihin kilala niya ang nanggulo dito. Pangalawa, no one ever heard a shout for help gayong may mga
tao doon malapit sa pinangyarihan ngunit ng magtanong-tanong ako ay walang nakarinig. Lastly, I
believe there were two people involved. Ibig sabihin, iba ang nanggulo dito sa kwarto at iba rin ang
pumatay sa biktim. I'm not sure if they're accomplice though", paliwanag ni Gray. I look at him in
amazement. I have the first two ideas too ngunit hindi ko naisip ang pangalawa.

"Ngunit hindi ibig sabihin na kami na agad ang gagawin niyong suspect! Isa pa, wala kaming motibo
upang patayin si Ronnie!", galit na wika ni Ariel.

Tumayo naman si Eliz. "Wala nga ba? Alam ko lahat tayo ay may motibong patayin si Ron", wika nito.

I look at her in disbelief. Lahat sila ?

"Maari mo bang ipaliwanag ang ibig mong sabihin Miss?", tanong isang pulis.

"Kaming apat ay may dahilan upang patayin si Ron. Una, ang girlfriend niyang si Jeanet. Hindi na maayos
ang relasyon nila dahil nais ni Jeanet na makipaghiwalay ngunit hindi pumayag si Ron kaya hindi pa rin
sila naghihiwalay. I don't know if naaawa lang siya kay Ron kaya pumayag siya na wag na lang
maghiwalay. Ang rason kung bakit nais niyang makipaghiwalay ay dahil kay Jeko. They're on a
relationship ang both cheating on Ronnie at alam iyon ni Ron. Killing him is a way to get rid of him, right?
Si Ariel naman, hindi ba galit ka sa kanya dahil siya ang bumulilyaso sa trabaho mo and cost you losing
the promition that you were aiming for? At ako naman, I love him noon pa man but he keeps on
rejecting me dahil kay Jeanet, it even caused me to be suicidal dahil hindi ko iyon matanggap dati", she
raised her wrist kung saan may mga cut scars tanda na ilang beses na itong nagtangka na
magpakamatay. "That's why I ended up being the bestfriend", paliwanag nito.

Yes she's right. Lahat sila ay may motibo and this case is getting tougher.
"Kung ganoon ay bakit hindi natin tingnan ang kwarto nila. Maybe we can find some evidence there",
suhestiyon ko.

Sumang-ayon naman si Gray. "Tama siya, Detective Tross. Why don't we search their rooms?", wika ni
Gray sa pinakabatang pulis. He was a police detective? Sa pagkakatanda ko ay iyon din ang pulis na
tumawag kay Gray kanina sa labas upang pumasok.

"Teka, who are these high school students? I doubt if they are part of the police. At bakit sila nakikialam
sa trabahong pulis?", inis na wika ni Ariel. He scornfully looks at me and Gray.

"Ah, this guy is part of the police and that girl, maybe his girlfriend", nakangising wik ni Detective Tross
at inakbayan si Gray. "Right Ivan?"

Namula naman ako. Why would he mistaken me as Gray's girlfriend? Do we look like a couple? Uh!

Gray glared at him. "Idiot, she's not my girlfriend, she's my classmate", wika ni Gray.

He didn't react when the detective said he was part of the police. Ibig bang sabihin he's really part of the
police?

"And I'm not part of the police", deklara naman ni Gray. "I'm just a high school detective."

"High School detective? Ah, I guess this place isn't one of those wherein you can play detective games
kaya maari na kayong umalis", pahayag ni Jeko. He's really rude at us.

"No, this guy is really part of the police. His mother is a police detective, his father is a ex-head officer of
the police in a certain area before, that makes him part of the police, right?", Detective Tross said.

What? Both his parents were part of the police? Sino ba talaga si Gray?

"Tsk. Drop it Detective Tross. And why are you so insistent in making us leave this investigation. They're
not part of the police anymore. Takot ka bang may madiskubre ako?", Gray asked him.
"Huh! Bakit naman ako matatakot sayo? You're just an ordinary high school student. I'm not shaken by
the police, not even you", Jeko answered.

"Ah, kung ganoon meron talaga kaming makikita dito, uh, we'll see", wika ni Gray at naglibot.

"Idiot! Hindi yan ang ibig kong sabihin----"

"I don't hear anything", wika ni Gray at galit na galit naman su Jeko.

"Fine! Investigate all you want!", sabi nito at pasalampak na naupo.

Lumapit ako kay Gray na kasalukuyang tinitingnan ang mga nakakalat na bagahe ng biktima sa kama.
There were clothes, cigarette boxes at mga office files. Naroon din ang laptop na nakabukas. When Gray
press the keyboard, the screen light up, ibig sabihin ay hindi iyon nakapatay. It was formated though
kaya walang natirang files. Who would have done that?

Tiningnan ko naman ang mesa. May bukas na bote ng alak doon at dalawang baso. Bakit may dalawang
baso? May kainuman ba ang biktima bago mangyari ang krimen?

Ang isang baso ay halos wala ng laman samantalang parang hindi naman nabawasan ang isa. There were
no fingerprints too. By that, we can't determine who was drinking with the culprit. Napansin ko rin na
may natapon na alak sa sahig sa gilid ng kama. Maybe the victim accidentaly poured some on the floor.
Some of it were wiped away ngunit may natira pa. Marahil ay hindi niya iyon napansin.

"Gray", I called him at lumapit naman siya. Tinuro ko ang mga baso. "The victim is having a chat over
drinks with probably the culprit", wika ko.

Inamoy naman niya iyon. "Yeah, it looks like that."

Iniwan ko na siya at tiningnan ang iba pang mga gamit na naroon. I opened the drawer and take a look
inside. Walang masyadong kahinahinala na mga bagay.
Nang sa iba ng kwarto nanghalughog ang mga pulis ay sumunod na din kami ni Gray.

I guess the glasses are just pieces of this puzzle. Maybe we are about to solve this murder mystery on
this island.

CHAPTER 20: AB ISLAND MURDER PUZZLE (Case Closed)

Chapter 20: AB Island Murder Puzzle

(Case Closed)

----

Sumama ako sa mga pulis sa paghahalughog sa mga kwarto na inuokopa ng apat. They were allowed to
search since they have been able to provide a warrant.

"Detective Tross", tawag ko sa isang pulis na kakilala ni Gray. Lumapit naman siya sa akin.

"Ah, Ivan's girl. Bakit?", tanong niya ng makalapit siya sa akin. I.make a face with the nickname he give
me. Ivan's girl huh?

"I'm not Gray's girl. I'm Amber, please call me Amber", wika ko sa kanya.

He let out a naughty smile at kinamot ang ulo. "Pasensya na Amber. I just thought you're his girl. He
usually don't hang out with girls lalo na sa isang isla pa. Si Khael lang naman dati ang sinasamahan niya",
wika ni Detective Tross.

"You know that Khael?", tanong ko.

Tumango naman ito. "Yup, he's arrogant ngunit mabait din naman. The three of us used to be neighbors
until Ivan's family move."

"So as Gray. He's so arrogant". I crossed my arms and look at Gray's direction.

"You surely didn't call me to gather information about Ivan, right? So what was it?", tanong niya sa akin.

"Can I go inside? Tutulong sana ako sa paghahanap mga ebidensya", wika ko sa kanya.

"Hmmm, you can but please don't touch any evidence. Kapag may makita ka, call us right away. Baka
kasi pag nalaman na naman sa opisina na nagpapatulobg ako sa mga estudyante, pagagalitan na naman
ako. The reason why I let you and Ivan help ay dahil sina Insp. Rusty at Dean ang kasama ko. Both of
them are acquainted to Ivan kaya makakapasok kayo since wala ang ibang mga pulis", paliwanag ni
Detective Tross. "Basta ha, tawagin mo agad kami?"

Nakangiting tumango naman ako kanya. "Roger, sir!"

Pumasok na nga ako sa loob. It was the Jeanet's room, the victim's girlfriend.

Something is strange about her. I thought that she's faking her tears kanina and I confirmed that with
Eliz's statement. She wanted a breakup but the victim don't allow it that's why she had to keep her
relationship with that guy, Jeko, a secret.

What was holding her to remain as Ronnie's girlfriend? Maybe I will know later.

Naglibot ako sa loob ng kwarto at naroon rin si Insp. Rusty. Gray was still in the other room samantalang
nasa iba naman sina Detective Tross at Insp. Dean.

I keep on searching but I found nothing useful kaya bumalik na lang ako sa kwarto kung saan naroon ang
mga kaibigan ng biktima.
Jeko was sitting beside Jeanet at nag-uusap silang dalawa. On the other side naman ay nakaupo si Ariel,
he was doing something on his phone.

Nakatayo naman sa may bintana si Eliz habang nakatingin sa dagat. Perfect timing to approach her.

Lumapit ako sa kanya at ngumiti. "Hi Miss Eliz. Maari ba kitang makausap?", taning ko sa kanya.

Her face was sad at parang may iniisip ito. Gumanti naman siya ng ngiti sa akin."Hey, you're one of the
high school detective right? So, was it about the case?"

Tumango ako sa kanya. "If you don't mind."

"Of course I don't. Tutulong ako hanggang sa mahuli ang pumatay kay Ron", she said sadly.

"Hmm, let's start with his girlfriend. How long do you know each other?"

"Ah, si Jeanet? We're classmates in college samantalang childhood friend ko si Ron. Kaya sila nagkakilala
ay dahil sa akin. I brought Jeanet to our house dati which is next to Ron's. Kaya ayun, he insisted na
ipakilala ko siya doon at hindi nagtagal ay nanligaw siya at sinagot. They've been in a relationship for
three years. Second year na kami noon and we're both taking up Information Technology", she said.

"Ibig sabihin ay IT graduates kayo?", tanong ko sa kanya.

Tumango si Eliz. "Yeah."

"How do you know that Miss Jeanet is having an affair with Jeko?", tanong ko.

"Ron told me. Hindi ko iyon makakalimutan. He was drunk and he was crying. Nahuli niya daw si Jeanet
na may kasamang iba. Seeing the man that you love hurting, it hurts you too." Nagsimula nang
maglandas ang mga luha nito.
I'm not good in comforting kaya hinayaan ko na lang siyang umiyak. Mas mabuti na rin na iiyak niya iyon
at ng mabawasan ang dinaramdam nito. Baka kasi magkaroon na naman ito ng suicide attempts.

Sa lagay na iyon ay hindi ko na makakausap ng maayos si Miss Eliz kaya nagpaalam na ako at naglibot sa
loob ng kwarto ng biktima.

Muli kong nilapitan ang mesa na may mga baso. Ayon sa forensics ay makikita ang mga fingerprint ng
apat sa loob ng kwarto. They just said it us normal since they usually gather in that room.

I wonder why the room was really a mess. Maaring tama si Gray. The murderer and the one who messed
the room were two different person.

Bakit ba nakabukas ang mga drawer? Kahit ang mga unan sa kama ay nagulo. Ano nga ba ang hinahanap
ng salarin?

Napaupo ako sa kama. I had a feeling that there's a clue nearby ngunit hindi ko alam kung ano iyon.

I look down and think hard. What was it? Ano ba talaga ang nangyari dito sa kwarto?

Muli kong napansin ang natapon na alak sa sahig. Konting-konti lang iyon, maybe just few drops but it
seems like it's been wiped away. Yumuko ako sa sahig at tiningnan iyon ng mabuti.

Tiningnan ko rin ang ilalim ng kama and I smiled. I figured it out. I figured out what happen in the room
ngunit hindi ko pa alam kung sino ang gumawa.

Tiningnan ko ang apat. They were still on their chairs samantalang nasa may bintana pa rin si Miss Eliz.
She was standing there at tiningnan ko siya ng mabuti. Cleared.

Sunod ko namang tiningnan ang tatlo. Paano ko ba sila mapapatayo doon sa sofa? I can't just order
them to do so dahil malamang hindi lang ang mga ito makikinig.

What should I do? Nang makaisip ako ng paraan ay dumaan ako sa likuran ng sofa.
"Aaaah, my contact lens!", I exclaimed and search through the sofa. "Maari ba kayong tumayo muna?
Tumilapon kasi ang isang contact lens ko", I said worrily.

"Tsk! That's what you get sa pakikialam sa trabahong pulis!", galit na wika ni Jeko at tumayo. Inalalayan
din niyang tumayo si Jeanet.

Tumayo na din si Ariel at tinulungan akong maghanap. "Sigurado ka bang dito sa sofa tumilapon?",
tanong niya sa akin at tumango naman ako.

I already saw what I was looking for kaya tumayo na ako ng tuwid. No doubt. That person messed this
room and if my deduction is right, it can explain the formatted laptop.

"I found it!", wika ko at umalis na sa may sofa. Pumunta na ulit ako sa may kama.

"Tsk! That girl is just messing up!", galit na wika ni Jeko bago umupo.

Pumasok naman sina Gray kasama ang mga pulis.

"Now did you solve the case? Alam niyo na ba kung sino ang salarin?", tanong ni Eliz at lumapit kay
Detective Tross.

"I don't know but this guy knows", wika niya at tinuro si Gray. He already solved it?

"Huh! I know you're just telling us some rubbish deduction of yours", wika ni Jeko at umiwas ng tingin.

"Why don't we hear him out?", wika naman ni Insp. Dean. Sumang-ayon naman si Ariel at Eliz.

"We searched all the rooms and we found solid evidences. Una naming nakuha ay ang handgun ni Ariel",
panimula ni Gray.
Napatingin naman ang tatlo kay Ariel."You have a handgun?", gulat na tanong ni Eliz at tumango naman
ito.

"Ah, that? Yes, meron but it didn't have bullets, right?", wika ni Ariel at bumaling kay Gray.

"Yes, it doesn't have any. Besides, hindi naman binaril ang biktima. We also found pepper sprays on the
girlfriend's luggage", bumaling naman si Gray kay Jeanet.

"Of course I always have it! Para iyon kung sakaling may mangyari, it's meant for my self defense!",
sagot nito.

Gray didn't anwered her at bumaling naman kah Eliz. "You were the first to find the body right? Paano
mo naman nalaman na nasa dagat ang biktima?", tanong ni Gray. "We also found a lot of sleeping pills in
your things."

"I cant find him anywhere kaya naisip ko na nasa baybayin siya! At ano naman kung marami akong
sleeping pills? I have sleeping problems kaya kailangan ko iyon!", Eliz said.

"And this guy, you have a stun gun right?", tanong ni Gray kay Jeko.

Nagulat naman ang huli. "Of course it's meant for self-defense too!"

Gray let out a smile. "The culprit is the one with the most dangerous weapon", deklara ni Gray.

"What? Ngunit paano nangyari iyon? Wala namang tama ng baril si Ronnie!", takang tanong ni Jeanet.

"I didn't say that he used his gun. I just said that he is the culprit", wika ni Gray. He crossed his arms as
he looked straight at the suspect which is Ariel.

Kahit ako ay nagulat. Si Mr. Ariel ang salarin? Paano nangyari?

"Could you explain to us kung bakit siya ang salarin?", wika ni Insp. Rusty. Malamang maging ito ay
naguguluhan.

"Pinuntahan niya ang biktima sa kwartong ito. The victim offered him a drink ngunit hindi niya iyon
ininom. He lured out the victim to the shore by saying something like may sasabihin ka sa kanyang
importante kaya napapayag naman ang biktima. When they arrived at the shore, he committed his
crime by drowning the victim", Gray said at gulat na gulat naman ang lahat.

"Paano naman naging ako? Jeko has the stun gun right? Hindi ba't ginamit niya iyon kay Ron bago si---"

He stop ng mapansin na sa kanya na nakatingin ang lahat.

"How did you know that the stun gun was used, we never told you that", Gray said with his usual smirk.

"Narinig ko lang iyon sa inyo kanina!", natatarantang wika ni Ariel.

"Nope. We never mentioned that a stun gun was used. Ngayon pa lang dumating ang report ng coroner
na gumamit ng stun gun ang salarin. You know that because you did it right? You stole Jeko's stun gun to
immobilize the victim. Ang stun gun na iyon ay designed to make someone unable to move by the
electric shock. You used that and drowned the victim", Gray said.

Hindi naman agad nakapagsalita si Ariel.Galit na galit ang mukha nito. Nang makabawi ito ay agad itong
nagsalita. "Do you have any evidence?"

"Maliban sa sinabi mong ginamitan ng stun gun ang biktima, he was drowned right? Ikaw ang gumawa
nun. Dinala mo siya sa hindi masyadong malalim na bahagi ng dagat, marahil ay hanggang beywang. You
drowned him and ran back to the hotel at dahil basa ka, you have to change right? We found your wet
shorts at maging ang mabuhangin na tuwalya na ipinampunas mo sa paa mo. Not only that, a bellboy
saw you with the victim came out of this room. You throw away his phone and got his wallet para
lumabas na pagnanakaw ang nangyari diba? You even messed up the room--". Napatingin si Gray sa akin
ng bigla akong magsalita.

"No, he was not the one who messed this room. Iba ang nanggulo dito for a different reason", deklara
ko. Napatingin naman silang lahat sa akin.
"Anong ibig mong sabihin?", tanong ni Eliz sa akin.

"Mr. Ariel killed the victim ngunit iba ang nanggulo dito. That someone messed this room to find
something. And it was you, Miss Jeanet", wika ko at mas lalong nagulat ang lahat.

"Do you mean they're accomplice?", tanong ni Detective Tross at umiling naman ako.

"No", binalingan ko ang hindi makapagsalita na si Miss Jeanet. "You want to break up with him because
you have relationship with Mr. Jeko, right? Ngunit kahit hindi pumayag na makipaghiwalay ang biktima,
you can just ignore him but you still stayed at hindi tuluyang nakipaghiwalay and keep your relationship
with Jeko a secret. It's because the victim blackmailed you. He might have something in his laptop kaya
hinalughog mo ang kwarto ng walang tao rito. It was probably when he was lured out by the culprit. You
found his things under his bed at kinuha mo ang laptop niya ang deleted everything. Kahit may password
ang kanyang laptop, you were able to open it and have it formatted. You are an IT graduate kaya madali
lang iyon sayo but you leave an evidence. Sa may kama ay ang natapon na kaunting alak. It looks like it's
been wiped off it's because hindi sinasadyang naupuan mo ang kalahati niyon habang hinahack ang
kanyang laptop", paliwanag ko. Miss Jeanet was too shock to react.

"Kaya ba nagkunwari kang nahulog ang iyong contact lens dito sa sofa upang tumayo kami at makita ang
ebidensya. I know you're not wearing any contact lenses", wika naman ni Jeko at tumango ako.

"Yeah, and since she's wearing a white shorts, makikita roon ang alcohol stain".

"I-it was because that evil blackmailed me! Tama ka! He blackmailed me. He said na ikakalat niya sa
internet ang mga intimate videos namin! He threatened me by that! Sino bang babae ang gustong
pagpiyestahan ang mga video niya? I don't even know that he took videos! That's why I did it", umiiyak
na wika ni Miss Jeanet.

"Yeah, he's really evil that's why I killed him! It was a promotion that I have been waiting for! Ngunit
nilagyan niya ng pampatulog ang inumin ko kaya hindi ako nakapunta sa meeting ko! It was a big client
and my boss said that if I'll close the deal, I will be promoted as the senior manager. Ngunit hindi ako
nakapunta dahil sa kagagawan niya! I was even demoted to a clerk position! That's what pushed me to
do it! He deserved to die!", galit na wika ni Ariel. His eyes were full of hatred and anger.
Pinusasan na ito ng mga pulis. Bago pa man ito inilabas ay may sinabi si Gray dito.

"You are the evil and not him. He just took your job while you took his life, now tell me, who's the evil?",
Gray said with conviction. Natigilan naman si Ariel sa sinabi ni Gray at may luha na tumulo sa mga mata
nito bago ito tuluyang inilabas ng mga pulis.

--

AN:

3:40 AM kaya matutulog na ako! Mornight! Hihihihihi xD

-ShinichiLaaaabs♥

CHAPTER 21: WHO'S THE COOLEST?

Chapter 21: Who's the coolest?

"As expected from Ivan, you're the man!", masayang wika ni Detective Tross at marahang sinuntok ang
balikat ni Gray. Binigyan naman siya ng masamang tingin ng huli.

Sinakay na sa patrol car ang salarin ngunit nagpaiwan si Detective Tross dahil may dala naman daw itong
sariling kotse.

"And as expected, you would chose your girl to be of equal intelligence ah!", wika ulit ni Detective Tross.

"I already told you I'm not his girl", inis na wika ko sa kanya. Ano bang mahirap intindihin sa sinabi ko?

Kasalukuyan kaming naglalakad papunta sa mga naroon na bar. Pumasok kami sa isang bar since Gray
and I decided not to return to the private island yet.

Detective Tross decided to stay too dahil ayon sa kanya, matagal-tagal na daw siyang hindi
nakapagrelax. He also said that he wanted to catch up some time with Gray.
Kahit hindi pumayag si Gray ay wala kaming nagawa. He keeps on tailing us at naiirita ako sa paraan ng
pagngisi niya kapag kinakausap ako ni Gray.

Nang makakita sila ng mesa ay agad silang naupo at umorder ng maiinom. Detective Tross ordered
whisky samantalang beer naman ang kay Gray. Ayaw kong maupo kasama nila dahil maiinis lang ako kay
Detective Tross kaya pumunta ako sa may counter.

"Hey, where are you going? You're not joining us?", tawag ni Detective Tross bago pa man ako
makalayo.

Hindi masyadong maliwanag doon dahil iba-iba ang kulay ng ilaw at maingay pa ang paligid dahil sa dami
ng tao at dahil sa togtog.

"No, I'd stay there", wika ko at tinuro ang mga upuan sa counter at tumungo doon, hindi ko na hinintay
ang sagot nila at naupo roon.

Umorder naman ako ng lady's drink. Someone sat beside me.

"Hey", wika ng lalaaki at napatingin naman ako dito, it was Cooler.

"Hey", tawag ko rin sa kanya.

"We meet again huh, is this a sign?", he smiled at me at tinaasan ko nman siya ng kilay. Galawang
manloloko diba?

He chuckled a little.

"I really like the murderous look in your face", he said at mas lalo naming napakunot ang noo ko.
Murderous look eh?

"Ah, that look? It's for the flirts.Is it bad?", tanong ko sa kanya.
Umiling naman siya. "No, it's cute. Not the typical girls who blushed immediately", wika niya. "You're so
straightforward, so I'm flirting huh?"

Nagkibit-balikat ako sa kanya. "I don't know, maybe?"

He chuckled. "Forget it. Hey, I've heard about the murder and two young people who helped in solving
the case. I bet one of it was you."

"How do you know?", tanong ko sa kanya.

"Easy-peasy! I just knew it", he said smiling. Inirapan ko naman siya. Wala din pala itong kwentang
kausap paminsan-minsan.

"Fine, I'm just guessing. And I don't think I suck this time", wika niya.

"Ah, yeah. Gray, solved the mystery of the murder and the culprit behind it, I just happened to identify
the one who messed up the victim's room", wika ko sa kanya. I guess I wasn't helpful at all.

"Your so cool!", amazed na wika ni Cooler. Really? He find me cool?

"Cool?"

"Yeah, you're so cool. And I'm Cooler", wika niya, and I laughed.

"Hey, anong nakakatawa?" He let out a childish face as he asked me.

"Yeah, you're Cooler", natatawa pa ring wika ko. Cooler naman talaga ang pangalan niya, right?

"Kaya pala ayaw mo doon sa mesa dahil may kakasama ka pala dito."
Sabay kaming napalingon ni Cooler ng may magsalita sa likuran namn. It was Gray.

Nakataas ang isang kilay nito habang tinitingnan kaming dalawa ni Cooler.

"Hey, Gray", bati ni Cooler.

Masamang tiningnan siya ni Gray.

"Hey."

May narinig naman akong tumikhim sa likuran ni Gray at ng tingnan ko iyon, it was Detective Tross.
Tumikhim siya ulit kaya ipinakilala ko si Cooler sa kanya.

"Cooler, si Detective Tross nga pala, he's one of the police who investigated the crime a while ago", wika
ko kay Cooler. He stretched his arms to him at nagpakilala.

"Hi Detective, I'm Cooler."

Ngumiti naman si Detective Tross habang tinatanggap ang palad ni Cooler.

Kapagkuway tiningnan niya si Gray, at gaya kanina, he's not in his best mood.

"Hi Cooler, I don't really think you're cool", wika ni Detective Tross.

Binigyan ko naman siya ng nagtatakaang tingin and he smiled. "Just kidding. This kid is cool too, right
Ivan?", he said at inakbayan si Gray. "Why don't we try to be cool and have a drink over there, you know
like to identify who's the coolest among us three via drinking?". Tinuro ni Detective ang mesang
inuupuan nila kanina.

"I don't mind, why not?", Cooler said at tumayo. He accepted the invitation. What the hell?

Identify who's the coolest guy by drinking? What's wrong with these guys? At pumayag naman si Cooler!
Sumunod na lang ako sa kanila at naupo na rin doon. Magkatabi Detective Tross at Gray samantalang
nasa harap naman ako ni Gray at katabi si Cooler. They ordered hard drink at nagsimula ng mag-inuman.

Detective Tross started the conversations since Gray seem to be not in good mood. Nakakasabay naman
si Cooler kay Detective Tross. He's good with people, eh?

"Hey Detective, don't you know that I once dream to be a detective too? Yung pakiramdam na
naeexcite, I enjoy such feeling. But I guess I can't be a detective, I don't really have sharp observations
and keen deductions", Cooler said. "Right, Amber?"

Naalala ko ang pagkakakilala naming kanina where he tried to deduce something about me. I guess he's
not really good in it. "Yeah. You messed up kanina."

"Ah, the opposite of Ivan. He has sharp observation skills and keen deductions. He's also smart and
could identify small details that are very important, right Amber?", tanong naman ni Detective sa akin.
He tapped Gray's back at tiningnan naman siya ng masama ng huli.

"Yeah. He's good", sagot ko naman at iniinom ang lady's drink na para sa akin.

"Talaga? That's amazing. Maybe I suck at being a detective but I'm good in sports though. Basketball
really interests me. My schoolmate's used to call me Rukawa, though I like Sendo more, you know those
guys in that anime Slumdunk?", nakingiting wika naman ni Cooler. Yeah, I think he's good at it. Not to
mention na matangkad ito which is an advantage.

"You like anime?", tanong ko sa kanya. He doesn't look like he likes it.

"Yes, I'm an otaku", he said smiling. "I'm so into Attack on Titans."

"Talaga, you were branded as Rukawa? This guy is good in soccer too. Binansagan din siyang Detective
Conan sa dati niyang skwelahan, that little detective who was shrunk and leaves no mystery unsolved
behind", wika naman ni Detective Tross. "That's Ivan."
What's wrong with him? Bakit ba ibinibida niya si Gray? At si Gray naman, he's not talking at all. Panay
lang ang inom nito sa baso. At saka bakit ba siya umiinom? He's still a minor, right?

Nagpatuloy lang sila sa pag-uusap at kung saaan na dumating ang mga topic nila.They talked about the
outer space, future inflations at kung ano-ano pang topic ng mga lasing.

Tiningnan ko ang relo ko. It was almost 12 midnight. "Gray, let's go. It's already late", wika ko kay Gray
na nakasubsob ang ulo sa mesa. Don't tell me he's already drunk?

Inalog-alog ko siya. "Hoy, gising. Uwi na kasi tayo." Nang hindi pa rin siya gumalaw ay hinampas ko ng
mahina ang braso niya.

"Ano?", he said irritatingly at sinubukang umupo ng tuwid.

"Uwi na tayo", bumaling naman ako kay Cooler, "I'm sorry Cooler but we have to go."

"Hatid ko na kayo", wika niya at tumayo. Detective Tross was on the counter paying the bill. Tinanggihan
ko naman ang offer ni Cooler.

"Don't bother, malapit lang naman ang katabing isla, besides, anong oras na, baka mapano ka pa", I told
him. Napangiti naman siya.

"Are you sure?", tanong niya at tumango ako.

Gray was still sitting at nakatulala ito. Malamang ay inaadjust nito ang sarili mula sa pagkalasing.

Pinauna ko ng umuwi si Cooler at hinatid naman kami ni Detective Tross sa may bangka namin.
Tumanggi si Gray na ihatid pa kami ni Detective dahil ayon sa kanya, "he's not drunk and he can
manage" though I doubt it.

"So paano, mauna na ako?", paalam ni Detective. "Ingat kayong dalawa."

Nagpaalam na rin kami sa kanya at sumakay na sa bangka. Gray started the engine while massaging his
head.

"Are you sure you can still manage that?", tanong ko sa kanya. I've never been drunk kaya hindi ko alam
ang pakiramdam ng lasing but I guess it's not pleasant.

"Yeah", tipid niyang sagot. Hindi ko na lang siya kinausap hanggang sa makarating kami sa resthouse.

Agad siyang tumakbo sa banyo at nagsuka. Tsk! That's what he gets! Ni hindi man lamang niya isinara
ang banyo habang nagsusuka siya.

"Are you okay?", tanong ko sa kanya mula sa labas ng banyo. I don't think I really have to ask since he
doesn't seemed to be fine at all.

"Yeah", sagot niya in between his vomits.

"Yan kasi, iinom-inom", pinasok ko na siya sa banyo and caress his back while he vomits in the lavatory. I
don't know if it helps ngunit iyon kasi ang ginagawa ng yaya ko sa akin dati kapag nagsusuka ako dahil sa
byahe.

"I'm really fine", wika niya at naghilamos na. Napasandal ako sa may salamin habang tinitingnan siya.

Lumabas na siya ng banyo at nagpunta sa kwarto. He immediately pressed his back on the bed.

"Hoy hoy! Baka nakakalimutan mo, you don't own the bed alone!", wika ko sa kanya at hinila ang paa
niya. "At saka wag mo ngang ipatong yang paa mo sa kama! Hindi ka pa naghugas ng paa, tingnan mo oh
andaming buhangin", I scolded him.

Nakahiga pa rin siya at nakapikit ang mata. Maybe he's enduring the pain in his head.

"Amber", he called out kaya napatigil ako sa paghila sa kanya.

"What?"

"I'm the coolest, right?", tanong niya.

What?!

Bakit ba ganun ang tanong niya? He might be referring sa inuman nila kanina. Geez! Sa kanilang tatlo
mukhang ito lang naman ang tinamaan, how can he be the coolest? They both agreed na ang
pinakahuling malasing ang siyang tatanghaling coolest diba?

That's the lamest contest between being cool. I rolled my eyes upon the thought.

"Nope. Ikaw ang pinakaunang nalasing", wika ko. "Mali, ikaw lang pala ang nalasing."

He smiled habang nakapikit. "I don't mean that way."

Ano bang ibig sabihin nito?

"Then what?", tanong ko. I don't get what he's trying to ask me.

Bumangon siya mula sa pagkakahiga. "Can you please make me some coffee? Please?"

I rolled my eyes at him. "Fine", wika ko at tinungo na ang kusina upang magtimpla ng kape. I used the
coffeemaker at nagbihis na sa banyo matapos magwash up.

Nang makabihis na ako ay binalikan ko ang kape and poured some in two cups and headed back to the
room.

Nang makarating ako doon ay tulog na si Gray. Tsk, he demanded coffee tapos ngayon matutulog?
Ayoko namang masayang iyon kaya ginising ko siya.
"Hoy gising", wika ko habang mahina siyang tinapik. Binuka naman niya ang isang mata ngunit agad ding
pinikit kaya hinila ko siya paupo.

"Gising sabi, sayang yung kape", wika ko ng makabangon na siya. Ginulo niya ang buhok niya at kinuha
ang tasa sa kamay ko.

"Thanks", he muttered at nagsimula ng uminom. Nang maubos niya iyon at agad siyang tumayo at
nagtungo sa banyo. He was just silent all time.

Matapos ko namang magkape ay nahiga na ako. I put two pillows in between us. Hindi ko naman
namalayan na nakatulog na din pala ako.

--

Tiwala lang, dadami din reads nito, diba diba diba?

-ShinichiLaaaabs♥

P.S.

Hindi ako nagpo-proofread kaya sorry sa mga typo errors, grammars at kung ano ano pa.

CHAPTER 22: BREAKFAST

Chapter 22: Breakfast

Maaga akong nagising kinabukasan. Malamig ang simoy ng hangin at naririnig ko ang mahinang hampas
ng alon sa dalampasigan.

Nasulyapan ko si Gray sa tabi ko. May unan pa rin sa pagitan namin at nakadapa ito sa kama.
Bumangon ako at napagpasyahang maligo sa dagat. Hindi pa masyadong maliwanag ang sikat ng araw
kaya naglakad na ako papunta sa dalampasigan at naligo.

Hindi naman ako nagtagal maligo sa dagat. After 20 minutes ay umahon na ako at nagtungo sa
resthouse upang magbanlaw.

Pagbalik ko ay natutulog pa rin si Gray kaya naligo na ako sa banyo. Matagal-tagal din akong naligo at ng
nakatapis na ako ng tuwalya, saka ko lang naalala na hindi pala ako nagdala ng damit pambihis sa banyo
kaya kailangan ko pang lumabas.

Paglabas ko ay gising na si Gray. Nakaupo ito sa kama habang hawak-hawak ang ulo.

"Wag kang lilingon", wika ko ng lumabas sa banyo. At gaya ng sabi nila, masarap gawin ang
ipinagbabawal, lumingon ito.

Nagtagpo ang kilay nito bago umiwas ng tingin. "Tsk, ano namang itatago mo dyan?"

What the hell! Ano bang problema niya sa katawan ko? "Wala kang paki. Basta wag kang lilingon ulit if
you don't want to feel my punch this early", banta ko sa kanya habang kumukuha ng damit sa maleta ko.

I heard him mumbled something bago ako tumakbo pabalik sa banyo upang magbihis.

Nang matapos ako ay nakaupo pa rin siya sa kama at minasahe ang ulo. Maybe he had a hangover, tsk.

"Maligo ka na, titimplahan kita ng kape kapag tapos ka na", wika ko sa kanya bago lumabas ng kwarto.
Nagtungo naman ako sa kusina upang maghanda ng agahan.

Naalala ko kahapon na nasa fridge ang lahat ng stocks doon. Tinungo ko ang fridge at binuksan but it
can't be opened dahil nakalock pala iyon.

What?! Nakalock? I'm positive na binuksan ko ito kahapon and it wasn't locked.
Gumawa na lang ako ng kape. Namataan ko naman ang isang laptop sa mesa. I don't remember na may
laptop dito kagabi, paano nagkaroon nito ngayon?

I press the space bar at may nagpop up doon.

What the fudge? Seriously?

--

Hinintay ko na lumabas ng banyo si Gray. Hindi naman nagtagal ay lumabas na si Gray. I handed him a
cup of coffee at nagpasalamat ito.

"Gray, look at this", wika ko sa kanya at pinakita ang nasa laptop. It says:

"Good Morning Amber ang Gray! I hope you were enjoying your stay. If you want to open the fridge,
crack the codes and follow to have the key. If you can't, you may have your breakfast on the nearby
island using the credit card! Enjoy!"

-AB

"He really loves codes and riddles that much, eh?", wika ko kay Gray.

He drank coffee from his cup at naupo sa harap ng laptop. "Well, why don't we try it?"
Sinimulan na niyang tingnan ang mga naroon. Naupo naman ako sa tabi niya matapos makahanap ng
papel at panulat.

Find the clues:

D.B. "TDVC", chap. 98, p. 528

What was that supposed to mean? Anong klaseng clue ba ito?

"Is it referring to a book? Chap. 98 stands for chapter 98 right? And p. 528 means the page", wika ko.
Gray stared hard at the monitor.

"I guess so. Ngunit anong libro? He surely has a thousands of books here", wika niya.

Napakarami kasi talagang libro doon sa may mini-library study ng resthouse ni sir Arman. "D.B.? Do you
know any author who have the initials D.B.?"

"Dan Brown?", tanong ko and Gray's eyes sparked.

"Right. Dan Brown's The Da Vinci Code. TDVC stands for The Da Vinci Code. Let's find that book in the
study", he rised from his seat and we both hurried to the study. Agad naming hinanap ang libro and
opened it to page 528.

The encircled part was:

THIS WAY TO:

CLOISTERS

DEANERY

COLLEGE HALL

MUSEUM
PYX CHAMBER

ST. FAITH'S CHAPEL

CHAPTER HOUSE

If I remembered it right, it was the large sign vaulted in the passageway where Langdon and Sophie
passed beneath, wherein they also found an announcement apologizing for the renovations of some
areas like the Pyx Chamber, St. Faith's Chapel and Chapter House. That part was encircled.

"The C in Cloisters and D in Deanery are encircled with a pen. Maging ang house mula sa chapter house",
pansin ko.

"Maybe it means that we should look in the CD piles. Find a singer or band or name of an album na may
House", wika ni Gray at tumungo na kami sa CD rack.

Gray found an album of the Firehouse. Agad niya iyong binuksan at may nakaipit na papel doon with an
encoded code.

UNIFORM-NOVEMBER-DELTA- ECHO- ROMEO -TANGO-HOTEL- ECHO-TANGO-ALPHA-BRAVO-LIMA-

ECHO.

"Easy! Phonetic alphabet. It means Under the Table. All you have to do is convert it into the english
alphabet", Gray said at tiningnan ang ilalim ng mesa. He found a piece of paper which was also a clue.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13

14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22

23 24 25 26 27 28
"What's that? A mathematical joke?", tanong ko nga makita ang nakasulat sa papel.

"Maybe a mathematical formula", wika ni Gray at umupo sa mesa. He got the pen and paper at
nagsimulang bumuo ng mga formula mula doon. He erased each at inis na nilakumos ang papel.

"I don't think these are formula. Damn, simpleng numero na nakasunod-sunod lang naman ito ah?",
muli siyang nagsulat and tried to decode the numbers. Hidi nagtagal ay tumayo na siya.

"These clues are too simple that we complicate it that much", Gray said at tinungo ang kalendaryo na
nasa may pinto. "The numbers 1-12 stand for the 12 months and these 1-28 numbers points out that
we should look for the month February in the calendar since it's the only month with 28 days", he said at
tiningnan ang buwan ng Pebrero at gaya ng naisip niya, may clue nga na nakadikit doon.

"Cursed, cursed creator! Why did I live? Why, in that instant, did I not extinguish the spark of existence
which you had so wantonly bestowed? I know not; despair had not yet taken possession of me; my
feelings were those of rage and revenge. I could with pleasure have destroyed the cottage and its
inhabitants and have glutted myself with their shrieks and misery."

"What's that? A line from a poem? Or maybe a poem created by Sir Arman himself?", kinuha ko sa kanya
at binasa iyon. I don't have any clue what was it.

"Silly. That's a line from Mary Shelley's Frankenstein. You haven't read it?", tanong ni Gray at umiling
naman ako.

What? A line from a book? Did he memorized that book? Hindi ko pa kasi iyon nababasa. I already
watched the movie, I, Frankenstein kaya hindi ko na binasa ang libro.
Muli kaming bumalik sa study at hinanap nga ang libro. I found it at ng buklatin ay may nakaipit naman
na papel doon. Geez, ano bang trip ni Sir Arman sa buhay at kung ano-ano pa ang ipinapasolve sa amin?

I'm pretty sure na bukas talaga ang fridge kahapon kaya malamang may nagpunta dito habang tulog
kami ni Gray o kahapon habang nasa kalapit na isla kami. That someone planted the clues and locked
the fridge. Hindi ko alam kung si Sir Arman ba mismo o may inutusan lang ito.

The code was:

Clubs 6 2 1 4 8

Heart 9 7 K 6 3 4

The numbers after the word club were printed black while the number in after the heart was in red.
Wala naman akong maisip na sagot doon kaya ipinasa ko iyon kay Gray.

"Ewan ko dyan kay Sir Arman. Why doesn't he just open the fridge? Bukas naman iyon kahapon", I
ranted at naupo na lang. Gray let out a smile.

"Well he just wants us to enjoy", wika niya. "Have you seen any cards here?"

I gave him a bored look. "Bakit, gusto mong maglaro ng baraha? You have no match against me."

Umiling naman siya. "No, these clues are in the cards."

Napaisip ako. I guess he's right. The numbers refer to the cards. The colors are clues. Clubs are normally
black and hearts are red in a normal card deck.
Tinulungan ko siyang maghanap ng baraha at nakakita naman kami sa may ibabaw ng oven. Nang
tingnan namin ang mga naroong card ay may nakadikit na stickers doon na may mga tanong.

Inuna namin ang mga baraha na may clubs. They were as follows:

(ShinichiLaaabs' Note: try nyong sagutin bago niyo basahin ang sagot xD Dagdag na yan sa General
Knowledge Hihihihi)

Club 6 Author of Kim.

Club 2 Fear of long words.

Club 1 A massive island and autonomous Danish territory between North Atlantic and arctic Oceans, and
is about 80% covered with ice.

Club 4 Trilogy written by Suzanne Collins made into movie.

Club 8 Author of Pride and Prejudice.

Heart 9 Prequel of Dan Brown's The Da Vinci Code.

Heart 7 Hammer of Thor

Heart King Longest word in the dictionary

Heart 6 Pseudonym of Tarō Hirai

Heart 3 Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's previous name for Sherlock Holmes

Heart 4 Sherlock Holmes' brother.

"Like seriously, we're going to answer that? Hindi natin alam lahat ng sagot diyan and we can't even
access the internet para mag-google ng sagot. This resthouse is generator powered at hindi abot ang
signal dito", reklamo ko.

"No. These are so easy", wika niya at nagsimula ng sumgot. Wala naman akong nagawa kundi pinanood
siya habang sumasagot doon. Kung ako ang masusunod, pupunta na lang kami sa kabilang isla.

"Give it up already Gray, pumunta na lang tayo sa kabilang isla",wika ko.

I saw Gray's eyes darkened. He raised in brow to me.

"Ba't ba gusto mong pumunta doon sa kabilang isla? Gusto mo na namang makita yung bansot na
Cooler?", he said.

Whaaaaat?

"Hindi naman bansot si Cooler ah!", depensa ko. He rolled his eyes at me at iwinasiwas ang kamay.

"Fine, if you want to go there, edi pumunta ka", he said. Arrrrggh! Ayan na naman yung pagkamoody
niya!

"Sinabi ko bang si Cooler ang pupuntahan ko? Breakast Gray, breakfast!", I hissed at him.

"Kunyari ka pa!", tinalikuran na niya ako at hinarap ang mga tanong sa cards.

"Hindi sabi si Cooler! Ano bang problema mo sa kanya?", naiinis na ako.

Hindi na niya ako sinagot bagkus ay nagsimula na siyang magsulat para sagutin ang mga tanong doon sa
cards.

"Author of Kim, hmmmm, it's Rudyard Kipling. Club 2, the answer is

hippopotomonstrosesquippedaliophobia", sinulat niya iyon sa papel.

"You're serious about answering that?", tanong ko sa kanya. Tumango naman siya.

"Yeah, kaya kung tutulong ka that's fine. If not, fine too." Muli siyang yumuko doon sa papel. "Club 1,
Greenland. Club 4 The Hunger Games."

Kumuha naman ako ng card na may tanong. "Club 8 Jane Austen, Heart 9 Angels and Demons", wika ko
naman at isinulat niya iyon.
"Angels and Demons is a prequel of Da Vinci Code? I have read The Da Vinci but not Angels and
Demons", tanong niya.

"No. It's actually two different stories, linked by the same character, Robert Langdon. It's just that it is
chronologically a prequel. Kumbaga mas nauna ang mga pangyayari sa Angels and Demons but the The
Vinci Code have caused more controversy at mas nauna itong gawing film but basically those two are
different stories. You don't have to read one to understand the other", wika ko.

He nodded bago muling kumuha ng card at binasa ang tanong at sinagot iyon. "Heart 7 Mjölnir."

"Mjo-mjölnir? What's that?", takang tanong ko ng isulat niya iyon.

"It's the hammer of Thor. Haven't you read about Norse Mythology?", he asked and I shook my head.
Naaah, I'm not into reading Norse Mythology. Usually kasi ay Greek and Roman lang ang binabasa ko.

"It's owned by Thor, a Norse god associated with thunder. According to the myth, this hammer is one of
the most fearsome weapons dahil sa nagagawa nito. It's so powerful, it can level mountains",
pagpapatuloy ni Gray. Geez, myths are too exaggerated right?

"Unbelievable", I exclaimed. Tumaas naman ang isang kilay niya. "It's just a myth."

Muli niyang tiningnan ang mga cards. "Heart King, The longest word, Pneumonoultramicroscopicsilico-

volcanoconiosis", he wrote the word at napakunot naman ang noo ko.

"That word exists?", tanong ko sa kanya. "Ano naman yan?"

"It's a lung disease. You can acquire that by inhaling tiny sand dust and ashes. Of course it exists. It's in
the Oxford Dictionary", paliwanag niya.

Sakit lang pala, why make it complicated?! Tsk.

"Heart 6 Pseudonym of Tarō Hirai, who the hell is Tarō Hirai?", tanong niya at inilapag ang card sa mesa.
"It's Edogawa Ranpo", sagot ko. Napakunot ang noo niya. "Seriously, you don't know Edogawa Ranpo?"

Gray shook his head. "Si Conan lang ang kilala kong Edogawa. Edogawa Conan, right?", he said and
smiled childishly.

"What?! You call yourself a mystery lover tapos hindi mo kilala si Edogawa Ranpo? He's a Japanese
author and he's a big help in the development of Japanese mystery fiction."

His face wrinkled. "Japanese? Ano namang alam ko sa Japanese Literature? At saka I'm into Sir Arthur
Conan Doyle when it comes to mystery fiction", wika naman niya.

I rolled my eyes to him."Or atleast you should know that Kudo Shinichi got his shrunken name Edogawa
Conan from Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and Edogawa Ranpo. That's where Gosho got that name", I said amd
rolled my eyes. Duh, Detective Tross said that he's called Detective Conan but he doesn't even know
details about that shrunken animated detective.

"I'm not into anime. That's why I don't know. Ang alam ko lang yan yung pangalan ni Detective Conan."
Muli siyang kumuha ng card. "Heart 3 and 4, I'm an expert on this. Doyle's first name for Sherlock is
Sherrinford Hope. Hope is the ship that he onced on board in replacement for classmate who couldn't
make it. Sumulat pa nga si Sir Doyle ng diary which was published with a title Dangerous Work: Diary

of an Arctic Adventure. So it's Sherrinford Hope but it was changed into Sherrinford or Sherringford
Holmes because his first wife thought that the name Sherrinford Hope is awful. That name didn't clicked
so he changed it to Sherlock Holmes which was a succees. In the films, the name Sherrinford is
considered as Sherlock's brother. And his brother which I have read in the book is actually Mycroft",
wika niya at sinulat iyon lahat.

We wrote everything and it goes like this:

Club 6 Rudyard Kipling

Club 2 Hippopotomonstrosesquippedaliophobia

Club 1 Greenland

Club 4 The Hunger Games

Club 8 Jane Austen

Heart 9 Angels and Demons

Heart 7 Mjölnir

Heart King Pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanoconiosis

Heart 6 Edogawa Ranpo

Heart 3 Sherrinford Hope

Heart 4 Mycroft Holmes

"What shall we do with that? It's not like it tell us where to find the key", I told him.

Nag-isip ng maayos si Gray at kinuha ang papel. "Maybe the number tells us to pick the corresponding
letters."

He encircled some letters from the answers which corresponds the given number.

Club 6 RudyaRd Kipling

Club 2 HIppopotomonstrosesquippedaliophobia

Club 1 Greenland

Club 4 The Hunger Games

Club 8 Jane AusTen

Heart 9 Angels anD Demons

Heart 7 MjölniR

Heart king (13) PneumonoultrAmicroscopicsilicovolcanoconiosis

Heart 6 EdogaWa Ranpo

Heart 3 ShErrinford Holmes

Heart 4 MycRoft Holmes

"Right Drawer! Let's look in the right drawer", kapagkuway wika ni Gray. We headed to the room at
binuksan ang right drawer at naroon nga ang susi na may kasamang note.

"Congratulations for cracking the code! Enjoy your breakfast!"

-AB

We opened the fridge and its contents were just the same as before. Akala ko pa naman masosorpresa
kami pag nabuksan namin.

"We're like trying to open an empty box at all." Sinara ko ang fridge at naupo na lang. Maybe I should
prepare breakfast.

"No. I think there's something", binuksan muli ni Gray ang fridge at may kinuha doon. It was a note.

"Enjoy the truffles on the lower side of the fridge! And the boxes under the bed are your rewards. Enjoy
your breakfast!"

-AB

"He likes having notes, eh? Why don't you check those boxes while I prepare breakfast?", suhestiyon ko.
Tumango naman siya kaya naglabas na ako ng mga lulutuin sa fridge while he went to the room.

I prepared pancake, bacon, eggs and hotdogs. Nagtoast din ako ng tinapay. Matapos maghanda ay
tinawag ko na si Gray.

He was smiling all the way habang kumakain kami.

"Para kang timang, why are you smiling like that?", tanong ko sa kanya. "And by the way, what are in the
boxes?"

"I'm just happy at dahil iyon sa mga laman ng boxes", he said and bite into his pancake.
He's happy just because of that? Tinaasan ko siya ng kilay. "Ano nga ang laman?"

"Sherlock Holmes's Novels and Adventures. All of it", wika niya at nabitawan ko ang hawak na
kubyertos.

"You're not joking right?", I asked and he shook his head.

"Nope. There are two boxes, one for you and one for me. At hindi lang iyan, there are some first editions
there. They look pretty old but they're treasures.Right?"

Agad akong tumayo at nagpunta sa kwarto. I confirmed what he's saying.

WHAT THE HOLMES! SERIOUSLY?

Uh-oh, I guess I don't have to linger at the library that much. I'm gonna kiss Mr. Arman the next time I
will see him!

--

AN:

Walang pasok sa holy week! Yey! Makakaupdate ako, Lol! xD

PS.

About the questions, I have basic knowledge of those at kinonfirm ko kay Tito Google. I have read some
of Sherlock Holmes Adventures at nabasa ko na ang Angels and Demons at ang The Da Vinci Code ni Dan
Brown kaya yan ang mga naisip ko. Vote if you like it, Vote if you don't, ayyy, it's all up to you.

Okay, I'll shut up now.

-ShinichiLaabs. ♥

ShinichiLaaaabs' Note

ShinichiLaaaabs' Note:

Hello, it's me..

Para nga pala sa masugid na nagvo-vote at nagtyatyagang magbasa ng Crimes and Clues, I would like to
inform everyone na pinalitan ko na naman ang title, for the fourth time! Hahaha! Gomenasai! I really
suck in deciding what should be it's title.

So the fourth (lame) title I came up with is Detective Files: Crimes, Clues, Love, Mysteries and
Deductions

Pasensya na talaga, wala eh. Wala talaga akong ibang maisip kaya yan na lang.

Thank you for supporting Gray and Amber! Thank you daw sabi nila :)

At gomenasai (sorry) na rin kung andaming typo at grammar errors, sa cp lang kasi ako nagta-type at
hindi rin ako madalas makaupdate kasi nag-aaral ako paminsanminsan haha, at hindi pa bakasyon
namin, May pa yung bakasyon kasi August na nagsimula yung academic year namin so sa May
magtatapos.

Continue supporting Gramber! HAHA!

Yun lang. Byers!

Arigato!

Lovelots,

ShinichiLaaaabs♥
CHAPTER 23: COOLER AND THE DANGEROUS TREASURE HUNT AT THE CAVERN

Chapter 23: Cooler and The Dangerous Treasure Hunt at The Cavern

(AB Island Day 2)

It's our second day at bukas ay babalik na naman kami sa Bridle. Matapos naming magbreakfast ay
nagpahinga muna kami sa resthouse.

Nagbabasa ako ng mga posters at flyers na nakuha ko kahapon mula sa Summer Island. Ayon doon, may
mga adventure rides sa isla at pwede ring magsnorkling but that wasn't the one that caught my
attention. It was the treasure hunting adventure.

I told Gray about the adventures but he just gave me an irritating look. Gray don't want to be there but I
persuaded him with the poster that I've got.

Find the treasure!

Join the treasure hunt and find the treasure at Tickle Island!

for more information, visit the Tourism Division of Summer Island or call 283-xxzx/ 09xxxxxxxxx.

Tickle Island was the nearby island. Matatanaw iyon mula sa AB private Island at Summer Island, ang
tourist island na pinuntahan namin.

Ayon sa poster, kailangan lamang ay magparegister sa Tourism Division ng Summer Island upang
makakuha ng Map at Clues. I don't know if it's true na may treasure talaga doon.

"Sige na Gray, sali na tayo", pagpupumilit ko. Nasa duyan siya habang nagpapahangin. Nakasummer
shorts lang ito at nakashades. Wala itong suot na sando, and it's making me uncomfortable.
"Ayoko", he said. I can't tell kung sa akin ba siya nakatingin. Itim kasi ang shades niya.

"May treasure daw oh at gusto ko ring pumunta sa Tickle Island", hinarap ko sa kanya ang poster.

"They made it for the kids, and it's not like pupunta tayo sa Tickle Island. Ang gagawin lang naman ng
mga sasali ay sasagutin ang mga hints na ibibigay nila. They'll be giving the maps of Tickle but we're not
allowed to go there dahil delikado daw doon. And it's just their way to earn. I've already saw that poster
kahapon pa lang", he said.

Kainis naman oh! Eh ano ngayon kung pambata lang iyon? It won't kill to try right?

Inalog ko ang duyan. "Kahit na! Gusto ko pa ring subukan!"

"Stop it! Kung gusto mong pumunta, edi pumunta ka", tinukod niya ang paa upang matigil ang pag-alog.

"Stupid! Don't expect me to drive that boat kaya dalhin mo ako doon!", I demanded.

Tinanggal niya ang suot na shades at hinarap ako. "Since when did I become your driver?"

Inignora ko siya at pumasok sa resthouse. "Magbibihis na ako. Prepare the boat."

I heard him cussed ngunit tumayo naman ito mula sa duyan. Great, napasunod ko ito.

Nagbihis na ako. I wore my bikini at pinatungan iyon ng shorts at crop top. Paglabas ko ay nasa bangka si
Gray.

"Hali ka na mahal na prinsesa", wika niya. I can hear sarcasm in his voice ngunit tinawanan ko lang iyon.
Natatawa ako sa busangot na mukha nito.

"Why are you wearing a backpack? Magca-camping ka ba?", tanong niya habang binubuhay ang makina.
I rolled my eyes at him. "Don't be exaggerated. Ang liit lang nitong back pack ko."

"Ano ba ang laman niyan?", tanong niya habang pinapaandar ang bangka.

"Paraphernalia", wika ko at ngumiti. I brought some things na sa tingin ko magagamit ko. I have
something in mind. I want this treasure hunt to be exciting.

Tila nabasa ni Gray ang iniisip ko. "Don't do anything stupid Amber", he warned but I just ignored him.

"I'm not going to do anything stupid. I just want adventure", wika ko.

I saw his face crumpled ngunit hindi na ito nagsalita. Dumating na kami sa may baybayin ng Summer
Island kaya bumaba na ako.

"Thank you. I'm going to the Tourism Division", wika ko at tumakbo na palayo. Since Gray don't want to
join, ako na lang mag-isa.

Nagpunta ako sa Tourism Division at nagparegister. They gave me a map at isang malaking papel na tila
poster. It was a bigger map ngunit may mga riddles doon at mga number.

Binigyan ako ng receptionist ng isang booklet. "That's the Tickle Island treasure History maam."

Nagpasalamat naman ako dito at binuksan ang booklet at sinimulan iyong basahin.

Ayon sa booklet, Tickle Island was connected to Summer Island at maging sa AB private island bago pa
man ito nabili ni Sir Arman but due to some phenomenon that causes landslide ay lumubog ang mga
islang dumudugtong dito making it three different islands. 105 years ago, the island used to be the
habitat of a rich man from Russia named Gregori. He eloped with his wife Vladlena who was not
approved by his family and they lived in a cave in that island. Ang kwebang iyon ay nasa Tickle Island
ngayon.
Gregori was a very rich man. He was a crafter of gold and gems. Gumagawa ito ng mga crafts and
adorned it with pure gems and diamonds. He delivered those crafts to different places in exchange of
foods or anything na magagamit nila ng asawa niya in survival of that island.

He was about to deliver his crafts ngunit lumubog ang mga isla kung saan naroon ang kweba.

In the cave was his wife and everything he has. Nabuo ang tatlong isla at nang hanapin ni Gregori ang
kweba ay wala na ito. He waited for days, months and even years ngunit hindi na niya natagpuan ang
kanyang asawa. Then Gregori became mad and loses his sanity hanggang sa namatay siya doon.

His wife's body and his treasures were never found kaya marahil ay nasa lumubog na isla lang iyon.

Ayon pa sa booklet, may kweba sa Tickle Island ngunit that cave contains too much dangerous gases na
kapag nalanghap ay nakakamatay, making the cave an offlimits.

Treasure hunting was just a way to keep kids busy ngunit maari rin namang sumali ang mga matatanda.

Tiningnan ko ang malaking mapa na may riddles. May mga riddles doon at may anim na boxes doon na
may numbers. Ilalagay daw doon ang naipon na cards to reveal the location of the treasure.

Tama si Gray. It's not like pupunta ang treasure hunter sa Tickle. Nasa mapa lang pala ang lahat ng
gagawin. And those places for the clues ay nasa Summer island lang.

Frustrated na inilapag ko ang booklet. Tsk! Excited pa naman ako na hanapin ang treasure.

Lumabas ako ng tourism division at naghanap ng stall na nagtitinda ng malalamig na inumin. I ordered
Buko juice at inilapag ang map at booklet sa mesa.

"You're joining the treasure hunt?"

Napalingon ako sa nagsalita. "Hey Cooler!"

Ngumiti siya sa akin. "Hi Amber, do you mind if I join you on your table?"

Umiling ako. "No, not at all."

Naupo naman ito at umorder ng maiinom. "Hayy! Matagal akong gumising kanina dahil nasobrahan yata
ako sa nainom ko kagabi."

Oo nga pala. Sila nga pala ni Detective Tross ang kainuman ni Gray kagabi.

"How's Gray? Mukhang lasing na lasing yun kagabi", tanong ni Cooler.

"He's fine. I think he went back to AB Island upang magpahinga doon. Mukhang may hangover pa yun",
sagot ko dito.

Kinuha ni Cooler ang mapa na nakalagay sa mesa. "These stuffs are for the kids."

I rolled my eyes at him. Nasabihan na ako ni Gray ng ganoon and now here goes Cooler.

Sasagutin ko na sana siya ng namataan ko ang isang babae sa mesa. I guess she was on her late 20s.
Malungkot ito habang nakatingin sa malaking mapa.

Wait, it's the Tickle Island Treasure Hunt map. Bakit kaya siya umiiyak? And what's with the map?

Tumayo ako lumapit sa kanya. Sumunod naman si Cooler sa akin.

"Excuse me Miss. Bakit po kayo umiiyak?", tanong ko ng makalapit ako sa babae.

Pinunasan naman niya ang mga luha."Wala, may iniisip lang ako."
"Sigurado po ba kayo? Baka may maitutulong po kami", wika naman ni Cooler. Napatingin naman ang
babae sa amin. Her eyes widened ng makita ako.

"Hey, if I'm not mistaken, you were one of those highschoolers who helped in solving the case last
night", wika niya sa akin.

Nahihiyang ngumiti naman ako dito bago tumango. "Ako po si Amber." She held my hand at muling
umiyak.

"I'm Dominique. Amber, I need your help," wika naman niya.

"Kung makakatulong po ako, ano po bang nangyari?", tanong ko sa kanya.

Tumingin siya kay Cooler. "You're also that highschool guy last night?"

Umiling si Cooler. "Hindi po. But I could help if I can. I'm Cooler."

"Ah, si Gray po yun. Nagpapahinga po yun sa resthouse na ginagamit namin ngayon", paliwanag ko sa
babae.

Tumango naman ito. " Ah ganoon ba? Please have a seat", wika niya sa amin at naupo naman kami ni
Cooler.

"Maari niyo po bang ikwento sa amin kung bakit kayo malungkot habang nakatingin dito sa mapa ng
Tickle Island?", panimula ko.

"My daughter has been kidnapped", wika niya na ikinagulat naming dalawa ni Cooler.

"What? Bakit hindi niyo po ireport sa pulis ang nangyari?", suhestiyon ni Cooler.
Maluha-luhang umiling ang babae."I can't. The kidnapper threatened me to kill my daughter kapag
nalaman ito ng mga pulis. And my husband is not here to help me kaya kailangan ko ang tulong mo
Amber."

"Ngunit bakit po kinidnap ang anak niyo? Did the kidnappers asked for any ransom?", tanong ko sa
kanya.

"Yes. They asked for the matryoshka that is handed down to my family from generations", wika niya.

Napakamot sa ulo niya si Cooler. "Matrys-- uh! What's that?"

"It's a Russian doll. Those are wooden nesting dolls na kapag bubuksan mo ay may maliit pa na doll sa
loob", paliwanag ko kay Cooler.

"Yes. But it isn't just an ordinary matryoshka", inilabas ni Miss Dominique ang isang pulang wooden doll
mula sa shoulder bag.

At tama nga siya, it wasn't just an ordinary matryoshka. It was adorned with precious stones and
diamonds. Each decreasing sizes contains different gems and the last of it was not anymore a doll but a
slot for two rings.

"Wow, it's so beautiful and full of gems. Are these real?", tanong ni Cooler.

"Who knows. I never had it appraised since it's our family's treasure", sagot ni Miss Dominique.

"Ngunit bakit isa lang ang narito na singsing?", tanong ko naman. There were two slots there.

"The other one ay suot-suot ng anak ko sa leeg niya", she said at yumuko. 'That matryoshka is handed
down on our generation. It was from my great grandmother kaya hindi ko maaring ibigay lang iyon, but
they got my daughter at hindi ko na alam ang gagawin ko", she said and started crying. Tinago na niya
ang matryoshka sa loob ng shoulder bag niya.
"Why are you staring at the Tickle Map? Doon ba nila dinala ang anak mo?", tanong ko sa kanya.

"Oo. They told me to answer these riddles upang matunton ko ang anak ko.", wika niya at pinakita sa
akin ang mapa. "Please help me."

"What's the name of your daughter?", tanong ni Cooler at nagulat ang babae.

It's M-Monique", she said at umiwas ng tingin. Tinitigan ko lang siya. I was wondering though.

Tiningnan ko ang mga riddles. Tatlo lang ang naroon na riddles at may mga numero roon. What was that
supposed to mean?

Oh, kung nandito lang sana si Gray.

No!

I can do this kahit wala si Gray. At isa pa marahil nagpapahinga iyon dahil may hangover pa.

"Have you been to Tickle Island?", tanong ko sa kanya at umiling naman ito.

"No. Ngayon ko lang nalaman ang tungkol sa islang iyon ng makidnapp ang anak ko", sagot nito.

"Where's your husband?", tanong ni Cooler.

"Na-nasa amin. Hindi kasi siya sumama sa bakasyon namin. Please, sagutin na natin ang riddles. Baka
kasi mapaano na ang anak ko", pag-iwas niya sa mga tanong namin.

"I'll try solving this", wika ko at kinuha ang marker na kasama ng mga mapa.

I am a small lightless place of health opportunity for people everywhere.

"Ano naman ang ibig sabihin niyan? Is it a riddle?", tanong ni Cooler na binasa din pala ang riddle.

"Kanina ko pa yan iniisip but I can't figure it out", Miss Dominique said. "I thought this treasure hunt is
for the kids ngunit mukhang mahirap yata ang pagkakagawa nila sa mga riddles."

Patuloy ko lang na tiningnan iyon. Small lightless place? Alin ba sa bahagi ng Summer Island may maliit
na lightless na lugar? At Health Opportunity for People Everywhere? Mukhang narinig ko na iyon noon.

"You have something in mind Amber?", tanong ni Cooler.

Tumango ako. "Yeah. I guess this refers to the Grotto of Hope. Grottos are artificial cave and caves are
usually lightless places. HOPE is a known abbreviation of Health Opportunity for People Everywhere.
Maaring naroon ang susunod na clue. Puntahan na natin", wika ko at tumayo na upang puntahan ang
Grotto of Hope. Namataan ko iyon kahapon sa tabi ng isang hotel kaya tinungo ko iyon. Sumunod
naman sa akin si Cooler at Miss Dominique.

Nang makarating kami roon ay may nakita akong dalawang card doon. It's front has a letter "e". Sa likod
ng isang card ay may number 4 samantalang number 2 naman sa isa pa.

"Letter e?", Cooler said."Maybe we'll form a word out of the letters that we can collect. Let's answer the
next riddle", he said at binasa ang sunod na riddle mula sa mapa. "Hey I guess this one's easier. Sa tingin
ko ay alam ko kung saan ito. I think I know that place."

Sumama kami kay Cooler. He brought us in a shore na wala masyadong tao. Mabato sa bahaging iyon at
may sirang barko doon. It was average size at mukhang luma.

Tiningnan ko ang riddle. Mukhang tama nga si Cooler.

I am a placid, serene place. People hated me for I cause pain and I am a wrecker.

It's calm there dahil hindi masyadong matao doon. Tourists refuse to be there dahil mabato at matutulis
pa ang mga bato which means that they can cause pain to the tourist's foot. May barko doon na may
nakalabel na Consolacion. According to the informations na nakalagay sa barko, iyon ay shipwreck 105
years ago ng masira ang isla.

We found another two cards there at may nakasulat na letter "p" at "a" doon. At the back of P was the
number 5 samantalang 6 naman sa A.

Napansin ko ang isang lalaki sa di kalayuan. Nakatingin ito sa amin at ng napansin nitong tiningnan ko
siya ay umiwas ito ng tingin. Nagkunyari itong kumukuha ng litrato sa paligid.

Who was that? Is he the kidnapper? Oh, maybe just a tourist. I'm just overthinking, I guess.

Binasa ko naman ang huling riddle.

I am a high place of serenity. They build habitats on me and I am awaken my their chirping sounds as the
light covers me.

"Maybe it refers to the observatory deck. Mataas na lugar iyon at maliwanag. You can see the whole
Summer Island if you look from there", suhestiyon ni Cooler kaya pumunta kami doon.

It was indeed a high place ngunit wala kaming makitang cards doon.

"Geez, why is it that it's not here?", tanong ni Cooler at napaupo. Naupo na rin si Miss Dominique sa
ilalim ng malaking puno.

"Mukhang hindi dito", she said at tiningnan ang mapa.

"No, it's here. Specifically there", wika ko at tinuro ang mataas na punongkahoy sa likod ni Miss
Dominique.

Pumunta ako doon at nagsimulang umakyat. Napatayo naman sina Cooler at Miss Dominique.
"What the hell Amber! That's a big tree! Kaya mo ba yang akyatin?", Cooler said at natawa ako habang
tinalon ang kabilang sanga.

"I'm a monkey, don't worry", wika ko. Climbing trees are just a piece of cake to me. Magaan lang ako
kaya nadadala ko ang katawan ko.

"Be careful", narinig kong wika ni Miss Dominique. I figure out that the riddle pertains to a tree dahil sa
nakasulat sa riddle. It says they build there habitats on me and I am awaken by their chirping sound.
Birds built nest on trees and bird chirps. Direkta ding nasisikatan ng araw ang punongkahoy and it was
the tallest tree kaya marahil ay iyon ang tinuturo ng riddle.

I found two cards there at nadismaya ako ng makita iyon. It wasn't letters from the alphabet gaya ng
mga nauna, sa halip ay ibang character iyon at hindi ko alam kong anong character iyon.

Nang matantya ko na kaya ko na ang layo ng lupa ay tumalon na ako.

"Hell Amber! You're making me feel nervous, paano kong hindi.maganda ang bagsak mo?", nag-aalalang
wika ni Cooler.

I rolled my eyes at him. "I told you I'm a monkey."

"Tsk! At akala ko ba pang bata tong treasure hunt na ito? There's no way kids can climb that trees", wika
niya.

Lumapit si Miss Dominique sa amin. "Have you seen the cards there?"

Tumango ako. "Yes but I don't know what does it mean. They're not from the english alphabet."

Ipinakita ko sa kanila ang dalawang cards. One card has the character "п" at 1 ang nasa likod nito.

Sa isang card naman ay "щ" at 3 ang nasa likod nito.

Kinuha ni Cooler ang isang card. "What's this? Is this the mathematical constant pi with the value
3.14159625?", tanong niya.

Kinuha ko naman iyon. Yeah it looks like pi ngunit I have a feeling that it does not pertains to pi.

"No. They are letters from Cyrillic script. This one is derived from greek letter Pi, and it has the sound of
P", Miss Dominique said at kinuha ang card na may number 1 sa likod.

Inilapag niya ang malaking mapa at inilagay ang card sa may nakapwesto na number 1.

Inilagay ko naman ang e na may number 2 sa likod. The next character was the queer one na mukhang
W.

"What letter is that?", tanong ni Cooler.

"It's Shcha, another Cyrillic letter. In Russian , it represents the

voiceless alveolo-palatal fricative and it has the sound 'sh' but the longer one", wika ni Miss Dominique.
She has lot knowledge on Russian and Cyrillic script.

Inilagay ko na ang lahat ng letters doon ayon sa pagkasunod-sunod.

It was formed as "пещера".

"All these are letters from Cyrillic script. The e has the sound e like the one we used in english alphabet,
it was derived from the greek epsilon. The a has the a derived from greek alpha. The p has the sound Er,
just like the Rho in greek. So if we read this, it's pronounced as "peshchera". It's a russian word which
means Cave", Miss Dominique said. I stared at her, ngunit nabaling ang atensyon ko kay Cooler ng
magsalita ito.

"Then it means that they keep your daughter in a cave in Tickle Island. Let's go to that Island. We can
rent a boat na gagamitin natin", he said at sumunod na kami sa kanya.
Muli kong namataan ang lalaki. It's not a coincidence na nandito rin siya. Is he following us?

Nakakakuha na kami ng bangka kaya pumunta na kami ng Tickle Island. Delikado roon ayon sa booklet
but we have to go there.

Nang makarating kami sa isla ay nakita na namin ang kweba.

"There are dangerous gases here ngunit maaring nawala na iyon ngayon", wika ni Miss Dominique.

Nagsimula na siyang maglakad at sumunod naman si Cooler samantalang nakatayo lang ako sa harap ng
kweba.

"Hali ka na Amber", tawag ni Cooler. Napahinto naman si Miss Dominique at lumingon sa akin.

"Bago po tayo pumasok, can you please clarify some things to me Miss Dominique?", tanong ko na
ikinagulat nito. Maging si Cooler ay nagulat.

"Anong ibig mong sabihin?", takang tanong nito.

"You've been lying to us. You're not married and you don't have a daughter that was kidnapped", wika
ko. "You don't have a ring on your finger that proves that you are married since you've mentioned that
you have a husband. At alam ko rin na wala kang anak, you're hesitant to answer when Cooler asked you
about the name of your daughter, it seems that nag-isip ka pa ng pangalan", wika ko sa kanya.

"Yeah, and you said that you've never been in this place but when we reach this cave, you know that
there are dangerous gases there at sinabi mo pa na marahil ay wala na iyon ngayon, it means that
you've been there", wika naman ni Cooler. So he did noticed the inconsistencies of Miss Dominique too?

Napayuko naman si Miss Dominque. "Yes, I'm not married and I don't have a daughter na kinidnap. I've
been in this island too. But the rest of my story is true at ang rason na nagpatulong ako sa inyo ay upang
mahanap ang isa pang singsing na nasa loob ng matryoshka."
"You are the great grand daughter of Vladlena, right? The wife of Gregori, the Russian crafter who used
to live in this island", wika ko sa kanya.

"Yes. I've been here before. The truth is my great grandmother survived when the island was destroyed.
Nakaligtas siya kasama ang matryoshka but she lost her memory. My great grandfather saw him ay
inalagaan siya. Nalaman nila na Vladlena ang pangalan niya dahil sa singsing na may nakaengrave na
pangalan niya. They got married despite Vladlena's memory loss and she was 76 years old nung bumalik
ang alaala niya. She remembered what happen that time and how she escape in the cave habang dala-
dala itong matryoshka. She remembered Gregori. It was his last delivery of crafts since magpapakasal na
sila and they will leave that island. Ngunit nasira na ang isla and all she have to do is save herself, kaya
kinuha niya ang matryoshka na naglalaman ng singsing nila para sa kasal but he tripped and lost the
other ring. She don't have time to retrieved it dahil unti-unti ng lumulubog ang isla. She was already
bedridden nang bumalik ang kanyang alaala. She asked my grandmother to find the other ring dahil
baka nasa kweba pa iyon but they failed to find it. Lalo na ng magkaroon ng mga delikadong gas sa loob
ng kweba. And now I'm trying to retrieve that ring", kwento niya. "I'm sorry for lying. Kaya ko lang
nagawa iyon ay dahil baka walang maniwala sa akin na descendant ako ni Vladlena." Nagsimula na
naman siyang umiyak.

"Naiintindihan kita Miss Dominique", wika ko.

"Thanks", she said at pinunasan ang mga luha. By the way, how did you know that I am a great
granddaughter of Vladlena?", tanong niya.

"It's the color of your eyes. It's green, the eye color that are common to Russian", sagot ko sa kanya.
"And you're good in Cyrillic script too."

"You're amazing Amber", wika ni Cooler at tiningnan ko siya ng masama.

"I'm sure you've noticed it too", wika ko kanya. He shrugged his shoulder.

"Yeah, alam kong hindi siya purong pilipino but I never know who are that Vladlena and Gregori", sagot
nito.

"Well I just read it in the treasure hunt's booklet", wika ko at pumasok na sa kweba. "Let's go inside."
Sumunod naman sila. Hindi pa malayo-layo ang nilakad namin nang magsalita si Miss Dominique.

"But Amber, dead end na ang dulo kweba", she said. "That's what my grandmother said. Hindi niya
makita ang kweba kung saan dati nakatira sina Gregori."

Nagpatuloy lang ako sa paglalakad at tama nga siya, it was dead end. Tinapik ko naman ang mga
dingding ng kweba. Maybe there are other ways.

"What are you doing?", tanong ni Cooler.

"Checking if there are other entrance", wika ko. "Can you get a large stone and slam it here?"

Tumango naman si Cooler at kumuha ng malaking bato. It was so big at hindi na niya iyon maihampas sa
dingding.

"This is too heavy, maybe I should find another", wika niya at inihagis pababa ang bato. It created a
great impact on the ground at nagsimulang magka-crack iyon.

"What the hell!", I scream ng lumaki ang tipak sa sahig at unti-unting gumuho ang lupa.

"Run Amber!", Miss Dominique exclaimed but it was too late. Gumuho ang lupa at nahulog ako kasama
iyon.

Napasigaw ako ng mahulog ako at tumama ang pang-upo ko sa lupa.

Wait, lupa? I thought I'm going to crash down the sea. Napalingon ako sa paligid, it was too dim there.

"Ambeeer! Are you fine there?", narinig kong sigaw ni Cooler mula sa taas kung saan ako galing bago
bumagsak.
"Yeah, I thought I will fall in the sea but I'm not", sigaw ko rin. Kinuha ko ang backpack. I brought a
flashlight at agad kong ginamit iyon.

"I guess my paraphernalia comes in handy", I told myself. Itinapat ko ang flashlight sa paligid and I was
amazed. I guess it's where Gregori and Vladlena used to stay.

May mga matryoshka roon but unlike the one that Miss Dominique have, the matryoshka there were
plainly made of wood. May mga egg craft din doon and knitted rugs.

Nakakalat doon ang gamit na paggawa ng mga wooden crafts. There were stained glass there too.

"Amber, were going to find something that can pull you up", narinig kong sigaw muli ni Cooler.

"Don't bother. I have rope here. Miss Dominique I found the cave were they stayed. Hahanapin ko muna
ang singsing!", I shouted and I heard her says thank you. Mabuti na lang talaga at naisipan kong dalhin
ang lubid na nakita ko sa resthouse.

Maliit lang ang espasyo doon, marahil ay nasira din iyon dati. There were russian carvings on the wall.
The woods used in creating the wooden dolls are crumbling too, marahil dahil sa katagalan.

I saw the ring and it was stuck on the ground. Hindi ko iyon makuha gamit ang kamay ko lang kaya
inilabas ko ang alambre na nasa bag ko. Mukhang makakatulong nga talaga ang mga gamit na nakita ko
sa resthouse ni Sir Armand.

I tried getting the ring using the copper wire ngunit hindi iyon.makuha. I guess I have to break the
ground. Kinuha ko ang matulis na bagay roon. Mukhang palakol iyon. I started hitting the ground at ng
matipak iyon ay kinuha ko ang singsing.

It was engraved with the name Gregori. Great, this is the real treasure hunt. The treasure is for Miss
Dominique.

"I found the ring. Ihahagis ko sa inyo ang lubid, please pull me up", wika ko at inihagis ang lubid.
"Got it. Hahanap muna ako ng maaring talian nito", I heard Miss Dominique said.

Habang naghihintay ay inilibot ko pa ang kabuoan doon. I believe Gregori and Vladlena are living there
happily until that tragedy happened.

May narinig akong tunog na tila lobo na naglalabas ng hangin. What was that?

Itinapat ko ang flashlight sa may sahig. Shit! Gas!

"Cooler, pull me up immediately! The gas are leaking here!", sigaw ko. Inilagay ko sa bulsa ang singsing
upang hindi iyon mahulog.

Nakita ko ibinaba ni Cooler ang lubid. "Take a tight grip!", Cooler shouted at nagsimula na akong hilahin
pataas.

They successfully pulled me up. "You're a girl scout. May dala ka palang flasglight at lubid?", tanong ni
Cooler ng maayos akong nakalabas doon.

Lumayo na kami doon dahil baka muling gumuho ang ilan pang bahagi ng sahig. We walked towards the
entrance.

"I'm looking forward for an adventure and I never know that I would really be using them", nakangiting
wika ko. Inilabas ko ang singsing mula sa bulsa ko at ibinigay iyon kay Miss Dominique. "Here. Maari mo
nang ilagay iyan sa loob ng matryoshka. It symbolizes their love. Sayang at hindi mo nakita ang kweba sa
baba", wika ko.

Kinuha naman niya ang singsing at inilagay iyon sa matryoshka. "Maraming salamat Amber. You're an
angel. Kaya pala hindi namin makita kung saan ang kweba dahil nasa ilalim pala ito. Maybe it shrunk
when the island was destroyed. Nagkaroon ng landslide which closes the entrance at gumuho ang
kweba, making it under the ground."

"Maybe you should thank Cooler. He's the one who brokes the ground", wika ko at mahinang sinuntok si
Cooler sa may tiyan.
"Oww! Para saan iyon?", natatawang tanong niya.

"That's for my butt! Ang taas kaya ng binagsakan ko!", wika ko at natawa ito bago humingi ng
paumanhin.

"Let's go back to Summer Island.Mukhang uulan", Miss Dominique said nang nasa may bunganga ng
kweba na kami.

May narinig kong baril na ikinasa and I saw someone pointing a gun at Miss Dominique. It was the guy
that was following us! Sinasabi ko na nga bang may masama talaga itong intensyon!

"Who are you?", tanong ni Miss Dominique at umatras.

"Narinig ko lang kayong nag-uusap and I saw that diamond embedded doll. Akin na iyon if you want to
live!", he demanded. Muling napaatras si Miss Dominique.

Humakbang naman ako sa harap niya. "No. At bakit naman namin ibibigay sayo iyon?" I sounded so
brave ngunit nanginginig na ako sa takot dahil sa baril.

Tumawa lang lalaki."You're the smart one. Kung hindi dahil sayo ay hindi masosolve ang mga riddles. At
ikaw din ang naghanap sa singsing, that's amazing. Too bad, I'm gonna blow that smart brain of yours
kapag hindi ninyo ibibigay ang hinihingi ko", he said.

"Sorry ngunit hindi ako mapagbigay na tao", wika ko. Sinipa ko ang kamay niya na may hawak na baril.
Tumilapon iyon palabas ng kweba.

"Run!", wika ko kina Cooler at Miss Dominique. Bago pa sila makatakbo ay may pumutok na baril.
Napalingon ako sa lalaki, he was holding another gun.

"You're a fighter huh? Hindi lang ikaw ang laging handa, I've got an extra gun here kaya kapag
susubukan niyong tumakbo at sasabog yang bungo niyo. Hand me that thing!", he said.
"Hindi iyon para sayo kaya hindi namin iyon ibibigay!", wika ko and he was so angry.

"Shut up!", sigaw niya sa akin. I was about to kick him again ngunit nakarinig ako ng putok. I found my
self lying on the ground ngunit wala akong maramdamang tama sa katawan ngunit nang tingnan ko ang
kamay ko ay may dugo.

Saka ko lang natanto na itinulak ako ni Cooler kaya ako natumba while he was the one being shot! Nasa
tabi ko siya at dumudugo ang braso niya.

Shit! "Cooler! Why did you do that?!", galit na wika ko. He saved me ngunit ito ang nabaril.

"Daplis lang ito, malayo sa bituka. You don't have to cry Amber", wika ni Cooler. Hinawakan ko naman
ang pisngi ko. Hindi ko namalayan na umiiyak na pala ako.

Itinapat ng lalaki sa akin ang baril at tumingin kay Miss Dominique. "Give me that thing kung hindi ay
mamamatay kayong tatlo", wika nito.

"Don't give it to him Miss Dominique!", I shouted. Nanginginig naman na inilabas ni Miss Dominique sa
bag ang matryoshka.

"I have no choice Amber kaysa mapahamak tayo", naiiyak niyang wika.

"Wag!", I shouted.

"Shut up brat! Akin na yan, bilisan mo", he said. "Put it on the ground at lumayo ka.

Inilapag naman iyon ni Miss Dominique at umatras.

The guy smiled evily at kinasa ang baril. He pointed it to me. "Well, mukhang dito na talaga kayong tatlo
mananatili", he said.
What the hell! He will really kill us even if we give him the matryoshka.

Napapikit ako ng makarinig ako ng putok ng baril. I heard a gun dropped on the ground kaya napamulat
ako. I saw the bad guy's hand bleeding.

"Who the hell was that!", galit na wika nito habang tinitingnan ang duguang kamay. Napaluhod ito sa
sakit.

"Sorry. May napulot kasi akong baril dito and I want to try my markmanship. Mukhang ayos naman", I
heard a voice coming from the cave's entrance said. It was Gray! Perfect timing, huh?

Lumapit si Gray sa amin at nang makita ang isa pang baril ay pinulot niya iyon. "How coward. You have
two guns." Pinulot naman niya ang matryoshka. "So you're after this?" He examined it closely. "This is
surely wonderful."

"Sino ka ba? Kung gusto mo ay hatian natin iyan. Napakalaking pera niyan!", the guy said.

"Paghatian? It doesn't belong to you kaya paano natin yan paghahatian?", he handed the matryoshka to
Miss Dominique. "I believe this is yours madame."

Tinanggap naman iyon ng huli. "Salamat."

Muling bumaling si Gray sa lalaki. "At kung iniisip mo na malaking pera iyan, are you sure? Those
diamonds are fake. You will know if you breath through it. Magmo-moist iyon but if it's a real diamond
ay agad iyong mawawala, but in that matryoshka, it doesn't."

"It's made of stained glass", wika ko naman.

"Sino ka ba talaga!?", galit na tanong ng lalaki kay Gray.

Tumingin naman si Gray sa akin. "Sinusundo ko lang ang mahal na prinsesa. Matapos ko kasi siyang
ihatid sa kabilang isla ay hindi ko na siya makita and I have a feeling that she's here kaya ako nagpunta
rito. Pinaiyak mo ang mahal na prinsesa?", tanong ni Gray ng makita na umiiyak ako. I always panic with
guns kaya naluha ako lalo na ng mabaril si Cooler.

"At binaril mo pa ang kanyang kabayo? That's bad", Gray said.

Kabayo? Is he referring to Cooler? Tsk, mainit talaga ang dugo nito kay Cooler.

I saw Cooler's face wrinkled when Gray called him a horse.

"Sorry but I have to do this", wika ni Gray bago sinuntok ang sikmura ng lalaki. "Okay, this way we can
bring him to the other island peacefully."

Kinuha niya ang lubid at tinali ang lalaki. Pagkatapos ay bumaling siya sa amin.

"Hali na kayo sa bangka, can you walk properly?", tanong niya kay Cooler.

"Yeah, braso ko ang tinamaan, not my leg. Mabuti na lang at braso ang nasugatan sa akin dahil kung
hindi ay malamang sinuntok na kita for calling me a horse", Cooler said at tumayo.

Natawa naman si Gray. "Pasensya na. Ikaw mahal na prinsesa? Ayos ka lang ba?", tanong niya sa akin.

"Yeah, I'm still breathing. You're always on the perfect timing", sagot ko sa kanya.

"I told you not to do anything stupid. Mukhang hindi ka na naman nakinig sa akin", he said at binuhat
ang lalaki. "Damn! This guy's too heavy."

Nang makasakay na kami sa bangka ay pinaandar na iyon ni Gray.

"Maraming salamat talaga sa inyo", wika ni Miss Dominique. "At maging sayo Gray. You're that smart
highschool student na kasama ni Amber right? You're really something. Pasensya ka na Cooler at
napahamak ka pa."

"Yeah! Why did you jump in front of me! That bullet was supposed to hit me!", wika ko.

"Stupid. Gusto mo pang sayo.mapunta iyon? Oh well hindi maaring masugatan ang mahal na prinsesa",
he said and laughed.

What now? Nakikisabay na ito sa 'mahal na prinsesa ni Gray?' Tsk! Men! I can't understand them!

Nang dumating kami sa Summer Island ay agad naming pinakuha sa pulis ang lalaki. Dinala naman namin
sa clinic si Cooler.

Matapos linisin ang sugat ay idinischarge na siya. Daplis lang iyon kaya't hindi masyadong malaki ang
pinsala.

Miss Dominique invited us for an early dinner kaya hindi kami tumanggi since nagugutom run kami dahil
hindi kami nakapaglunch.

We dine in a nearby restaurant.

"I really don't how to thank the three of you", Miss Dominique said.

"Wag niyo ng alalahanin iyon Miss Dominique. It's our pleasure to help", wika ko.

"Maybe I'll just give you cash", wika niya.

"Don't bother. A simple thank you will do. Hindi naman kailangan ng kapalit kapag tutulong", Gray said
at sumang-ayon naman kami ni Cooler.
"Yeah. We don't help to have something in return. Tama na sa amin ang makatulong",dagdag ni Cooler.

"Maraming salamat talaga, If my great grandmother was still alive, malamang matutuwa siya", she said.

Bumaling naman ako kay Gray. "Hey, you're not good in aiming right? You suck with the bow and arrow
during our PE. How come you hit his hand properly?", tanong ko.

"He was aiming at you kaya kinabahan ako and I was forced to shot him. Hindi ko naman inexpect na
matatamaan siya. It was just to scare him, you know, bago pa man niya matamaan ang mahal na
prinsesa", Gray said.

"Stop that 'mahal na prinsesa' thing. Naiinis ako", I told him at natawa naman si Cooler at Miss
Dominique.

Hindi na sumagot si Gray dahil dumating na ang pagkain namin kaya nagsimula na kaming kumain.

Matapos iyon ay nagpaalam na sa amin si Miss Dominique dahil may hahabulin pa itong flight bukas.
Hindi na mabilang kung ilang beses itong nagpasalamat sa amin.

Nagpaalam na rin si Cooler sa amin upang makapagpahinga ito.

"Bye Amber, bye Gray", wika niya bago humakbang palayo sa amin. "Ingat kayo sa byahe niyo bukas."

Nasabi kasi namim na bukas na din kami babalik ng Bridle.

"Hey", tawag ni Gray dito bago pa man ito makalayo. Lumingon naman si Cooler.

"For now, you'll be the cooler guy for saving Amber back there", he said.

Ngumiti si Cooler."Yeah, it's because I'm Cooler. You're the coolest for saving us all back there. Ingatan
mo ang mahal na prinsesa", he said.
"I will", wika niya Gray at ngumiti na rin kay Cooler. Gumanti ito ng ngiti bago nagsimulang humakbang
palayo.

"Bumalik na tayo sa palasyo mahal na prinsesa", baling ni Gray sa akin.

I rolled my eyes to him at humakbang na patungo sa kinaroroonan ng bangka. "I said stop that, argh!
Whatever."

I heard him chuckled at sumunod na siya sa akin.

--

AN:

Ano na? Ang lame na naman ng mga riddles ko ano? Haha pasensya na! At salamat kay Gosho Aoyoma,
sa Detective Conan ko naisip yang Russian-russian na mga yan though the plot was originaly mine, inisip
ko yan but I was actually inspired by Detective Conan.

Comment and Vote if you like it! Thanks. :)

-ShinichiLaaaabs♥

PS.

Matagal akong nakaupdate kasi busy ako sa panonod ng Magic Kaito 1412 at Tokyo Ghoul! haha, yun
lang. kbye!

CHAPTER 24: THE TRANSFEREE

Chapter 24: The Transferee

Nung sumapit nga ang linggo ay muli na kaming sinundo ng yate upang makabalik na sa Bridle. I was too
tired that night kaya hindi na ako nagpunta sa cafeteria upang kumain. Nanatili lang ako sa kwarto at
natulog.

Balik skwela naman kami ngayong lunes. Pagdating ko sa classroom ay nakapalibot ang mga kaklase ko
kay Gray. They were asking about our weekend vacation.

Tsk. Tuwang-tuwa naman ito habang nagkukwento!

Pasalampak na naupo lang ako sa mesa ko.

"How's your vacation Amber?", tanong ni Jeremy. As usual ay nagbabasa ito at hindi man lamang
sumulyap sa akin nang magtanong.

"It's fine", tipid kong sagot hindi na ito muli pang nagtanong. Hindi naman nagtagal ay dumating na ang
guro namin. She was with a pretty girl na nakasuot ng Bridle uniform.

Nagbulong-bulongan ang mga kaklase ko. They were praising the beautiful student.

"Please be silent class", wika na ng guro."I would like you to meet your newest classmate."

Tumayo naman sa harap ang babae at ngumiti sa klase."Hi, I'm Marion Valdez! I'm a transferee from
London but I speak Filipino well. Nice to meet you all!"

Tila namesmerize naman ang mga kaklase kong lalaki. Paano ba naman, napakaganda ni Marion! And
she's from London? Oh, she must be damn rich.

She have short hair with reddish highlights. Maputi ito at balingkinitan amg katawan. Not to mention
that she's tall.

She wore her Bridle uniform shorter than it should be.

Sinulyapan ko sa likuran ko si Gray. He wasn't paying attention to the transferee, sa halip ay busy ito sa
pagtetext.

"Hey, we have a transferee", bulong ko kay Gray. Nag-angat siya ng tingin at tiningnan sandali si Marion
ngunit agad ding ibinaba ang paningin sa cellphone.

"Yeah, I've noticed too", sagot niya. Ano ba ang kinaaabalahan nito?

"She's pretty", wika ko.

"Tibo ka ba?", tanong niya ngunit nasa cellphone pa rin ang mga mata.

"What? Of course not!", I exclaimed. Tsk, what made him think that way?

"Hi, can I sit beside you?"

Napalingon si Gray sa nagsalita sa tabi niya. It was the transferee, Marion.

"Yeah, sure", Gray said at muling ibinaling sa cellphone ang mukha. Tsk, hindi man lang binati ang
transferee!

"By the way, I'm Marion Valdez, ikaw?", nakangiting wika ni Marion kay Gray.

Hindi man lang nag-angat ng tingin si Gray.

"Gray Ivan Silvan", he said.

Ang bastos naman nito! Gaano ba kaimportante ang katext nito at hindi man lamang sulyapan ang
katabi?
Sumingit na ako. "Pasensya ka na diyan kay Gray, araw-araw kasi yan may dalaw kasi yan. By the way,
I'm Amber Sison", pakilala ko dito.

Bahagya namang tumawa si Marion."Marion Valdez."

Hindi na kami nag-usap pa dahil nagsimula na ang klase. Inalis na rin ni Gray ang atensyon sa cellphone
at nagfocus sa klase. Hindi naman nagtagal ay tumunog na ang bell.

Nang magbreak ay niyaya ni Marion si Gray na kumain. "Gray, can we eat snack together? Nahihiya pa
kasi ako dahil nga bago pa lang ako. I'll treat you", nakangiting wika nito. Ang ganda talaga nito.

Pasimpleng nilingon ito ni Gray bago ibinaling sa cellphone ang paningin. Tumayo na rin ako upang
lumabas na ng classroom ng sinagot ito ni Gray.

"I'm sorry, what's your name again?", tanong nito.

"Marion, it's Marion Valdez", Marion said, still smiling. Oh Gray! Why are you so rude to such beautiful
girl?

"I'm sorry Marion but I'm meeting someone today with Amber", Gray said ay hinawakan ako sa wrist at
hinila palabas.

Meeting someone? Mukhang wala akong alam tungkol doon?

Humabol pa rin si Marion sa amin."It's fine, isama niyo na lang ako."

Oh, she won't give up eh?

Tatanggihan na sana ito ni Gray ngunit nauna akong magsalita.

"Yeah sure, you can come with us Marion", wika ko at tuwang-tuwa naman ito. Gray rolled his eyes to
me.

"Thanks, let's go! Saan ba tayo?", wika nito at sumabay kay Gray.

Does Marion likes Gray? Uh, maybe. Gray is undoubtedly handsome, not to mention that he's smart. No
wonder that a beautiful girl like her would like Gray.

Nagpahuli ako ng lakad samantalang sabay naman si Gray at Marion. She's talking to him at hindi ko
nakikita ang facial expression ni Gray. Malamang ay nayayamot ito.

We're heading towards the main gate. Wait, main gate? Ano namang gagawin namin sa main gate? Taga
labas ba ang ime-meet namin?

"Mahal na prinsesa, bilisan mo ang paglalakad", tawag ni Gray at nilingon ako. Huminto rin sa paglalakad
si Marion at tulad ni Gray ay nilingon niya din ako.

Lumapit si Gray sa akin at hinila ako. Tsk, ayos naman yung magkasabay silang dalawa ni Marion ah!
Why does he have to drag me?

"Sino ba kasi ang kakatagpuin natin?", tanong ko sa kanya.

"You'll see later mahal na prinsesa", he said. Kailan ba siya titigil diyan sa mahal na prinsesa na yan?

Naghintay kami sa may main gate at hindi nagtagal ay pumasok na ang hinihintay namin.

Lumapit ito sa amin at agad sinuntok si Gray. Napasigaw naman sa gulat si Marion habang ako ay alam
ko na amg mangyayari kaya hindi na ako nagulat.

It's the jerk Khael Alonzo.

"Hi Silvan", he said at ngumiti. Gumanti naman ng suntok si Gray dito.

"Why the sudden visit Alonzo?", tanong ni Gray dito. "Ni hindi mo man lang sinabi sa text mo kung ano
ba ang pakay mo dito. Don't tell me namiss mo na naman ako?"

Oh, so si Khael pala ang katext nito kanina?

Kinuha niya ang kamay ko at yumuko upang halikan ito. "It's not you whom I missed Silvan, it's the little
Miss here."

Agad kong binawi ang kamay ko. "Jerk!"

Natawa naman ito sa reaksyon ko. "Whoah, oo nga pala, tigre ka nga pala madame, I think I'm gonna
like you more", he said playfully. "Dalawa na ngayon ang chiks mo? Ang swapang mo pre", Khael said ng
mapansin si Marion. "Miss, you are?"

Ngumiti naman ng malawak si Marion. "Marion Valdez. A transfere student. Ikaw? Are you from Bridle
too?"

"I'm Khael Alonzo and I'm not from here", wika ni Khael.

"Ano nga ipinunta mo dito?", tanong ulit ni Gray. "State your purpose dahil may klase pa kami."

"I'm in a nearby area dahil may pupuntahan akong party na invited ang family ko mamayang gabi.
Unfortunately, Mom and Dad can't make it so ako na lang ang inutusan nila. At isasama ko kayong
dalawa ni Amber", wika niya na ikinataas ng kilay ko.

"What made you think na sasama ako?", I ask him. He smiled at me, yung tipong nagpapacute.

"Because you will", he said at kumindat. Inirapan ko naman siya at natawa ito. Mukhang may sayad na
yata.
Tumingin si Khael sa relo niya. "It's 10 minutes before your break will be over, get rid of this excess
baggage dahil magka-cut kayo", he said and looked at Marion as he says the word "excess baggage".

"Magka-cut? Bakit?", nagtatakang tanong ko. Bakit kami magka-cut? Saan ba kami pupunta?

"We're going to shop for our outfit tonight", he replied and let out a smile.

Inirapan ko siya. "I'm not going".

Nagka-cut ako paminsan-minsan ngunit kapag may pinag-aabalahan lang akong basahin sa library. I
don't cut classes just to shop.

"Sasama ka nga, ang kulit mo", wika niya. He pouted and he looks so cute ngunit sa halip na macute-tan
ay nainis pa ako dito.

"I can come kung ayaw ni Amber", nakangiting wika ni Marion. Seriously, she's smiling all the way kahit
pa sinabihan siya ni Khael na excess baggage?

"Naaah, wag na. Mabuti pa, bumalik ka na doon sa classroom", Gray said. Hala? Why are they so mean
with Marion? Bumaling si Gray sa akin. "Sasama tayo Amber."

It sounded like a command. Sino ba sila para utusan ako? Duh!

"Let's make this a deal. Babalik ako sa classroom at hindi ko kayo isusumbong na magka-cut kayo mg
klase but you'll bring me along to that party tonight", she said. She crossed her arms as she waited for
their answer.

Napakamot ng ulo sina Khael at Gray. "No way. The party tonight is not a simple one. It's made up of
important people in the society, oh well, most of them at tatlo lang ang invitation na meron ako", wika
ni Khael.

"I can sneak with you", Marion said at umiling naman si Khael.
"Nope, wag ka ng sumama", he said.

Pilyang ngumiti si Marion. "Ayaw niyo? Hmmm, Guard!", she said at tinawag ang guard.

What? Isusumbong niya kami? Kapag nahuli kang magcutting classes at ipapacommunity service ka at
ayaw ko sa ganoon. Napabuga ng hangin si Gray at Khael ng lumakad palapit sa amin ang gwardiya.

"You're a witch", Gray said as he watch the guard walk its way towards us.

"Sasabihin ko lang na may dalawang studyante na magka-cutting classes dahil sa estudyanteng hindi
taga Bridle, how about that?", Marion said smiling. Blackmail, eh?

"Fine! You can come tonight!", inis na wika ni Khael. Binigyan niya ng masamang tingin si Marion. "Just
make sure hindi mo kami ipapahamak."

Dumating naman ang guard. "Anong problema dito?", tanong nito ng makalapit.

"Nagkakagulo po kasi sa cafeteria. Inutusan nila kami na kumuha ng guard", wika ni Marion. She's good
in making stories.

Napakamot sa batok niya ang guard. "Nasa banyo pa ang kasama kong on duty. Walang nagbabantay sa
gate kapag pumunta ako sa cafeteria", wika ng guard.

"Ako na po ang bahala. Aalis lang ako kapag tapos na po ying kasama niyo. Kailangan po talaga kayo sa
cafeteria", Marion said. Nakinig lamang kaming tatlo sa usapan nila.

"Sige, salamat", the guard said at tumakbo na.

"Okay, malaya na kayong makakalabas sa main gate", Mario said. "See you tonight then. Saan ba ang
party?"
"Haven Tower Hotel, 8 pm, it's a masquerade party", wika ni Khael.

"Okay, see you", she said and waived us goodbye."You'd better go bago pa bumalik ang mga guard."

Hinila naman ako ni Gray at Khael palabas. What the hell! Sinabi ko bang sasama ako sa kanila?

Ipinasok nila sa isang kotse. Wait, kay Khael ba ang kotse ito? Oh well, I guess. Mukha naman itong
mayaman. He even got a driver.

"Hindi ba sinabi kong hindi ako sasama?", inis kong wika ng naupo na din sila. Pinagitnaan nila ako doon
sa likod ng kotse.

"Oh, I know you wouldn't want to miss the excitement tonight", Khael said. "By the way, I don't like your
new classmate."

"Me too", komento ni Gray. Ano bang problema nila kay Marion? Mukha naman itong mabait.

"I can't believe she just blackmailed us", wika ni Khael at sumandal. He ordered the driver to drive
towards a somewhere whom he called Ara.

"She's annoying", komento naman ni Gray.

"Ano bang problema ninyo kay Marion? Maganda naman siya at mukhang mabait", wika ko naman. I
don't know why they don't like her.

"No, there's something about her. I had a feeling na nakita ko na siya noon", Gray said.

"Really? That's what I'm thinking too ngunit hindi ko lang maalala kung saan ko siya nakita", Khael said.

I rolled my eyes at them. Duh, for sure ay nagagandahan lang ang mga ito kay Marion and they just
pretended to hate her.
"By the way Alonzo, you said about the excitement tonight. What do you mean by that?", nagtatakang
tanong ni Gray.

"Tonight's party is for the welcome party of the Antonio Velmon", nakangiting wika ni Khael.

Antonio Velmon? The known Antonio Velmon?

"You mean the known owner of Velmon Textile?", tanong ko naman.

"Bingo", he said at kumindat.

Antonio Velmon was a very rich man. He owns huge chain of textile company not only in the Philippines
but as well as abroad.

"Where's the excitement then? Antonio Velmon is no excitement at all", nababagot na tanong ni Gray.
He's not into seing the Textile King huh?

Sumilay ang kakaibang ngiti sa labi ni Gray. "That's not the exciting part. May tumawag sa bahay at
nagtip na may mangyayaring illegal drug transaction sa nasabing party. Dad don't think it's true, marahil
isang prank lang iyon but he still believes na possible rin naman. Kaya lang ay hindi niya mauutusan ang
kanyang nasasakupan to guard the area since it's not part of his division anymore. Not to mention na
may importanteng dadaluhan din siya kaya ako nalang ang pinapunta niya", paliwanag ni Khael.

"What?", gulat na tanong ni Gray. "You shouldn't drag Amber into this situation. Paano kung totoo nga
at may mangyari?!"

"You're too protective man. At saka wala ka bang tiwala kay Amber?", tanong nito.

Gray's protective of me? At kailan pa ito naging guardian ko?

"It's not like that", wika niya ay nag-iwas ng tingin.

"You think that call was noy a prank?", tanong ni Gray. Nagkibitbalikat naman si Khael.

"Who knows. That's why I want to check it", Khael said.

"Hindi pa rin yan ang problema, the thing is I don't want to go", irap ko sa kanila. I'm not interested in
parties, duh.

"No, the problema ay ang freeloader na transferee", Gray said. "I guess we have no choice kung pupunta
talaga siya mamaya. Sana lang ay hindi tayo mapahamak dahil sa kanya."

Tumigil ang kotse at bumaba na kami. It was a small designer's shop ngunit hindi maikakailang
glamoroso ang mga naroong long gown at suits.

Sinalubong kami ng isang bakla na kulay puti ang kalahati ng buhok.

"Sir K! Napadalaw po kayo", masiglang bati nito. Tila tuwang-tuwa ito ng makita si Khael. Napangiti rin
ang bakla ng sumulyap ito kay Gray. Meh!

Ngumiti naman si Khael dito.

"Yeah, Hi Ara. We need something", tiningnan niya ako dahilan upang tumingin rin sa akin ang bakla.
"Find something that perfectly fits her and two suits for two gentlemen."

"Noted, Sir K!", masiglang wika nito at pumalakpak. Lumabas naman ang dalawa pang bakla. They wore
manly dress ngunit base sa lakad at pitik ng mga kamay nito ay masasabing binabae ang mga ito.

"You escort Sir K and this handsome man here, they need suits samantalang ako naman ang bahala dito
kay madame", he said at hinila na ako papasok sa isang silid. Hindi na ako.nakapalag pa.

I was amazed the moment I've entered the room. There were so many gowns there na klase-klaseng
kulay at disenyo. I bet this is not just an ordinary shop.
"What's your name darling?", tanong ng bakla sa akin.

I cleared my throat bago sumagot. "I'm Amber. Amber Sison."

Lumawak ang ngiti nito at nagsimulang tingnan ang mga nakahanger na long gowns doon. "Amber.
You're so beautiful Amber."

Napalunok naman ako. Ako, maganda? Talaga, aysti, seryoso ba siya? "Sigurado po ba kayo?"

"Call me Mama Ara. Yeah, you're surely pretty, hindi ka ba aware?", tanong niya sa akin.

"Alam ko naman pong hindi ako pangit pero hindi rin naman ako maganda", wika ko.

"No, you're beautiful. Alam mo bang ang mga pinakamagandang babae ay yung walang mga arte?
Here", Mama Ara said at humugot ng royal blue na long gown at inabot sa akin. "I'm sure this will
perfectly suit you. Bagay na bagay yan sa maputi at makinis mong balat."

Kinuha ko naman iyon at sinukat. It was a strapless long gown na hapit sa baywang at abot hanggang sa
sahig. There were silver sequence on it forming swirls around the waist. Low cut iyon sa likod kaya't
expose na expose ang likod ko.

(ShinichiLaaaabs's note: Sorry kung medyo blurry, nag google lang ako! Haha, isipin nyo na lang, yan
yun! hihihi)

As an over all assessment, it was very beautiful.

"Wow, sabi ko na nga ba na bagay sayo", excited wika ni Mama Ara. He opened a box at naglabas ng
royal blue din na sapatos. Tumerno iyon sa damit.

"Wala pang nakakasuot ng gown na yan, I made it myself", proud nitong wika at tinulungan akong
magsuot ng sapatos.

"Talaga po? Nakakahiya naman Mama Ara", wika ko.

"Don't be. I'm happy na ikaw ang nagsuot niyan. Ayan, perfect", wika niya.

Pinagmasdan ko naman ang sarili ko sa salamin. Bumagay nga sa akin ang damit. It was the first time I
wore such elegant dress. Hindi kasi ako sumasama kapag may party na dinadaluhan sina Daddy.

Wow, just wow. Somewhat, I feel excited in attending tonight's party with such dress.

CHAPTER 25: THE PERILOUS MASQUERADE (Jeopardy)

Chapter 25: The Perilous Masquerade (Jeopardy Chapter)

Note of ShinichiLaaabs:

Pasensya na sa mga typo errors/ spelling and grammar sa previous chapter. Ayaw maedit eh, naghahang
yung phone ko. The most noticeable mistake there was the spelling of 'sequence'. It was supposed to be
spelled 'Sequins' and not sequence. Sorry talaga! Huhuhu! And I intended to make each chapters not
long, nabobore kasi ako kapag masyadong mahaba per chapter so please bear with it. Yun lang, salamat
:)

eto na talaga xD

Chapter 25: The Perilous Masquerade (Jeopardy Chapter)

Matapos kaming magsukat ng mga damit ay dinala kami ni Khael sa isang restaurant upang maglunch.

It was already 2 pm. Who would have thought na magtatagal pala kami kina Mama Ara ng almost 4
hours? Paano ba naman kasi, ang arte ng dalawang lalaki!

They had a hard time deciding for their suit! I thought mas mahirap hanapan ng damit ang babae, well
not on their case. Napakapihikan nila sa pamimili though Mama Ara's designs were really glamorous.

Gray ended up taking a black suit samantalang kulay gray naman ang napili ni Khael.

Uh, why does Gray didn't took the gray one? Ayaw niya marahil maging redundant. I want to laugh on
my lame thought.

"The party will start at 7pm tonight kaya kailangang by 6 ay handa na tayo", Khael said habang
naghihintay kami sa order namin.

We were in a restaurant at kanina pa talaga ako gutom mabuti na lang at naisipan ni Khael na kumain.
He's not planning to let us die in hunger right? Hindi pa naman kami kumain ng magbreak kanina.

Speaking of break kanina, I wonder why Marion wanted to go to that party. Type ba talaga nito si Gray?

"Hindi ba nila malalaman na mga highschool students tayo?", tanong ni Gray.

Umiling si Khael. "No, we're formally dressed and beside, we don't have to worry dahil may invitation
naman tayo", wika niya.

Gray drank water from his glass. "Yeah, but remember we have an excess baggage."

Excess baggage. Yeah, si Marion. Pinoproblema talaga nila ito.

"Khael, let's say na totoo nga na may mangyayaring illegal transaction mamaya, do you have any
plans?", tanong ko. Mahirap na baka mapahamak kami.

He shrugged his shoulders. "I don't have any formal plan but in case that will happen, all we have to do
is to alert the police."

Tama ito. It's the best thing to do. We should not let ourselves be caught in such danger.

The food that we order arrived at nagsimula na kaming kumain. After that ay pumunta na kami sa hotel
na tinutuluyan ni Khael. Doon muna kami habang hindi pa kami naghahanda para sa party.

I was in the couch while watching tv samantalang nag-uusap naman sina Gray at Khael about Athena
High School where Gray was previously attending. Kahit nakaharap ako sa tv ay nakikinig ako sa kanila.

"Hey do you remember the vandalism at the gym noong secondyear pa tayo? It was really Harrod. He
did it dahil nagalit siya sa akin dahil hindi ko siya pinasahan ng bola during the championship basketball
match with St. Catherine Academy", wika ni Khael. Basketball match? Ibig sabihin ay magaling siya sa
basketball? As of Gray, I haven't seen him played basketball. I remembered what Detective Tross said at
Summer Island. Ayon sa kanya ay magaling sa soccer si Gray.

"Dummy, I knew all along na siya ang gumawa nun", Gray said lazily.

"What?! Eh bakit hindi mo sinabi dati?", wika ni Khael. He sounded annoyed.

"You're a detective right? That case belongs to you since ikaw naman ang bahagi ng basketball varsity",
paliwanag ni Gray. So, Khael is really a basketball player.

Khael crossed his arms. "Tsk, I know back then na siya ang gumawa niyon. I just can't find evidence
during those time at natapos na rin ang klase, I have forgotten about it and not until recently ko lang
naconfirm iyon. Why do you sound like you want to say na mas magaling kang detective kaysa sa akin?
You weren't able to deduce whoever destroyed the soccer balls and the net doon sa soccer varsity
quarter. Ako naman ang nakasolve nun kahit ikaw ang bahagi ng soccer varsity."
Uh, seriously they're quarreling over past things? Why would I'll be surprised, pareho silang mayabang
kaya normal lang na nagpapayabangan sila kung sino ang mas magaling sa kanila.

"I was about to solve whoever did it kaya lang naunahan mo ako", inis na wika ni Gray. Khael is part of
the basketball team samantalang sa soccer naman si Gray. Not bad at all.

"Then that means I'm a better detective than you", Khael said proudly.

"No, you're not", Gray said. What's with them? At diba nga matagal na yun, bakit pa nila iyon
pinagtataluhan ?

"I'm better than you!"

"Not even an inch!"

"I'm the best!"

"You're a lousy detective!"

Nagsimula na silang magtalo. They were so noisy kaya sumabat na ako.

"Will you two just shut up? Ang ingay niyo! And why are you quarreling over who among you is the
best? There shouldn't be a contest on finding the truth." Tumahimik naman silang dalawa sa sinabi ko.
Marahil ay nagulat sila sa mga pinagsasabi ko. Really I said that? Uh, I sounded old.

Si Khael ang unang nakabawi.

"Ah, you're right." Tumayo na siya matapos tingnan ang wristwatch. "It's almost time. I think we'd better
prepare. By the way, thanks for making us realized that there shouldn't be a contest in finding the truth.
It's because one truth prevails, right?"

This time ay kami naman ni Gray ang natahimik. Biruin mo may ganoong logic then pala si Khael?
Binasag ni Khael ang katahimikan sa pamamagitan ng hagalpak nitong tawa. "What's with the serious
face? I was just qouting Detective Conan's line. One truth prevails, there is only one truth and stuffs like
that. You don't have to be that serious."

Oh, I think I should remind myself to punch Khael. I know that it was the famous line of Detective Conan
but I never thought na mahilig pala doon si Khael at nakakainis pa ang pagtawa nito.

"Yeah, as I thought. You've copy the line of that pint-size detective." Walang emosyon na wika ni Gray.
Uh, he's knowledgable about the famous line of that anime too but he said he's not into anime.

I rolled my eyes at them. "I thought you'd add the famous line of that detective in Magic Kaito, Saguru
Hakuba. The truth will come to light, that's it."

Mas lalo namang natawa si Khael. "I was thinking about it too! You're so cute." He pinch my face and I
scowled at him. Ayoko na hinihila ang pisngi. It hurts, duh.

Gray scowled at us. Marahil ay hindi ito nakakarelate sa anime na pinag-uusapan namin.

Nang sumapit ang alas singko ay naghanda na kami. May dumating na make up artist doon upang
tulungan ako sa pag-aayos. She did my hair and make up.

My hair was in a bun that emphasizes my slender neck. I was wearing a light make up too ngunit sapat
na upang mabago ang hitsura ko. I looked like a classic, fine lady. At dahil masquerade ang party, I was
wearing a blue mask outlined with sapphire stones and diamonds. It covers almost half of my face but
displays my scarlet lips.

Khael and Gray were also breathtakingly handsome in their suit. Not to mention na may dating naman
talaga sila, but in such suits, they look very manly. Both of them were wearing black masks. Ang
pinagkaiba lang ay ang design. Gray's mask have diamonds design in swirls in the right side of his mask
samantalang nakaoutline naman sa maskara ang mga diamond sa mask ni Khael.
"Wooah! I'm speechless Amber", manghang wika ni Khael. He removed his mask at yumuko sa akin as if
I'm a queen. Pagkatapos ay kinuha niya ang kamay ko at hinalikan iyon. Inis na binawi ko naman ang
kamay ko.

"Don't do it again jerk or else I'll kill you." wika ko. Why does he have to do it all the time? It's annoying.

He laughed at me. "I like you. Too bad, you're stuck with Silvan." Mukhang may sayad na nga ito.

"Anong ibig mong sabihin?", nagtatakang tanong ko. Stuck with Gray? Me? Oh, no no no.

"Ano bang pinagsasabi mo Alonzo?", Gray asked. Marahil maging ito ay hindi rin maintindihan ang ibig
sabihin ni Khael.

"Nothing." He smiled and offer his arms to me upang umabrisete ako. "It's my honor." Tinanggap ko
naman ang braso niya at lumabas na kami ng hotel suite at nagtungo sa sasakyan.

We arrived at Haven Tower Hotel fifteen minutes past seven. Marami ngang tao roon and they were all
elegantly dressed. Naghintay muna kami sa labas dahil baka dumating si Marion ngunit lumipas ang
labinlimang minuto ay wala pa rin ito.

"Maybe she decided not to go. Pumasok na tayo", Khael said and walked his way towards the entrance.
May dalawang lalaki na naka tuxedo sa harap ng pinto. I believe they were security guards.

Nang makapasok kami sa loob ay humanga ako. It was a huge hall at puno iyon ng mga prominenteng
tao sa lipunan. Businessmen, photograpers, art enthusiast, politicians at kung ano-ano pa. Well, what do
I expect? Antonio Velmon is a known Textile King in the society, no wonder hindi rin basta-basta ang
mga bisita nito.

"Enjoy yourself. Kami na ni Khael ang bahala sa pagmamasid sa paligid", bulong ni Gray sa akin. He don't
wants me to join them in finding any illegal transactions then.

Lumayo na sila sa akin at nagsimula ng naglibot sa paligid. Geez! It seems like I'm stuck at this boring
party. Ni wala man lamang akong makausap.
Dumaan ang isang waiter sa harap ko. He was holding a tray with wine in wine glasses. Kumuha ako ng
isa at ininom iyon. It was a delicious wine,malamang ay mamahalin iyon.

Gray and Khael were accross the hall. They were talking to some ladies.

Meh! I thought they will observe the area if ever there are any suspicious transactions, why are they
flirting?! Men!

Ininom ko na lang ang natitira ko pang wine. Nang may dumaan ulit ay kumuha na naman ako. I've
tasted wine before but it's occasionally. Tuwing pasko o kaya ay bagong taon ay umiinom ako but now, I
guess wine's the only resort I have to get along with the boredom I'm feeling.

Hindi ko namalayan na bumalik na pala sa tabi ko sina Gray at Khael.

"Hey, dahan-dahan lang sa wine, baka malasing ka", wika ni Gray. He tried to get the wineglass from my
hands ngunit naiwas ko iyon.

"I know what I'm doing", wika ko at inirapan siya. Namatay ang lahat ng ilaw kaya napaatras ako at
kumapit sa unang taong nahawakan. Hindi naman nagtagal ay umilaw ang spotlight at tumapat sa taong
nasa stage. It was the Textile King himself, Antonio Velmon.

"I don't know na takot ka pala sa dilim. Cute!", wika ni Khael. Siya pala ang nakapitan ko, I thought it was
Gray. Agad akong bumitaw sa kanya.

I scowled at him. "Ano ngayon kung takot ako? Nagulat lang ako. I've already overcome my fear, I've
been in a dim cave alone and I didn't panic so I guess that fear is already gone."

Naalala ko ang nangyari sa Ticklr Island. Nawala na nga ba ang takot ko or it was just overshadowed by
my great intent to health? Either which, masaya ako na natulungan ko si Miss Dominique.

He just laughed at me at hindi na ako sinagot dahil nagsalita na si Antonio Velmon mula sa stage.
"Good Evening everyone! Thank you for attending this party of mine. I organized this party for my
announcement." Nagsimula ng magbulong-bulongan ang mga tao kung ano kaya ang magiging
announcement nito. Some thought that he would retire, others thought that his business is going down
but I doubt such. May nagsabi rin na baka magmemerge na ang kompanya nito sa isa pang kompanya.

"Ano kaya ang announcement niya?", mahinang sambit ni Gray. He's attention was onstage.

"This is more likely an introduction. I would like everyone to meet my only daughter. Yes you heard it
right. I have a daughter, hindi man sa aking pumapayapang asawa, but she's my daughter. Please
welcome my daughter", pakilala ni Antonio Velmon. Umakyat ang babae sa stage. She was wearing a
black long gown na hapit sa katawan nito. Bagay na bagay iyon sa kanya. Her reddish short hair was
flipped in one side, exposing pearl earrings on her ear. Nakasuot ito ng itim na maskara na may mga
diamonds sa gilid.

"I guess he got a beautiful daughter. Gonna check her out later", mahinang bulong ni Khael. Si Gray
naman ay seryoso ang mukha habang nakatingin sa stage. Ano kaya amg iniisip nito?

Tinanggal ng babae ang suot nitong maskara at gulat na gulat kaming tatlo!

"Hi everyone, I'm Marion Valdez-Velmon", magiliw nitong pakilala at ngumiti. What the hell! She's the
daughter of Antonio Velmon! So she really did went to this party but she didn't went with us! This party
is really for her!

Napalagok ako sa hawak kong wine. Uh, what's going on here?

"Just as I thought", wika ni Gray. "I have a feeling na kilala ko ang babaeng nakamaskara, and it's that
annoying transferee." Uminom siya ng wine at bumukas na ulit ang lahat ng ilaw. Mas lalong naging
maliwanag ang paligid.

Lahat ng tao ay humanga sa magandang anak ni Antonio Velmon. Kaming tatlo? We're still shocked.

"On the second thought, I think I don't have to check her later", bawi ni Khael sa sinabi kanina. Oh, hindi
talaga nila gusto si Marion.
Bumaba na si Marion sa stage ay kinausap ang ilan sa mga guest. Hindi nagtagal ay lumapit ito sa amin.

"Hi Gray", bati nito. Hi Amber, hi Khael", nakangiting bati nito. She was wearing her mask this time.

"Marion, you surprised us", wika ko sa kanya. I thought she was just insistent on going to this party with
us. Bakit hindi na lang niya sinabi sa amin?

"Bakit hindi mo sinabi sa amin na anak ka pala ni Antonio Velmon?", naiinis na tanong ni Khael. He
tapped his fingers on the wineglass that he was holding.

Ngumiti ng matamis si Marion. "I wasn't the daughter of Antonio Velmon until he publicly announced it.
So now I'm his daughter. At isa pa, what's the essence of this party kapag inispoil ko na ang
announcement niya, right?"

Tama nga naman ito. She held Gray's arm. Let's wander around", anyaya niya. Tinanggal naman ni Gray
ang kamay nito sa braso niya.

"Sorry but I've got important things to do", wika nito. "Let's go Alonzo. Amber, just stay here, babalik
kami mamaya."

Umalis na sila ni Khael samantalang naiwan naman kaming dalawa ni Marion.

"Ako na ang humihingi ng pasensya sayo Marion. They're kinda rude, right?"

Ngumiti ito. "It's fine Amber. You don't have to worry. Can I ask you some things?"

Tumango ako sa kanya. "Yeah, sure. What is it about?"

Inilapit niya ang mukha sa tenga ko upang bumulong. "Let's talk about it in the balcony."
Sumang-ayon naman ako at pumunta na kami sa balcony. She stood there at nakahawak sa mga daliri
niya. I could feel that she's hesitant to ask.

Ako na ang unang nagsalita. "What is it Marion?" Uminom ako sa baso ko. I felt a little dizzy ngunit kaya
ko pa naman.

"It's about Gray. Tell me something about him", she said. Mabuti nalang at hindi ko naibuga ang ininom
kong wine. So she really is interested with Gray! "Please Amber. I think I like him but he's cold and
distant to me. I asked you since you seem to know him enough dahil close kayo."

I blinked my eyes few times. "Hindi ko pa siya masyadong kilala dahil tulad mo ay transferee lang din
siya. And don't worry about him being cold and distant. That's Gray." Ganoon naman talaga si Gray,
parang may sayad. Though he loves to brag some things with people, he seems distant to them.

"But you two get along well", nakayuko nitong wika. Kawawa naman ito, ayaw ko rin namang sabihin
dito na sinabi ni Gray at Khael kanina na they don't like her.

"Maybe because bago ka pa lang at hindi ka niya masyadong kilala", wika ko. "If you want to ask more
about him, maybe you should ask Khael. Dati na silang magkakilala. They used to be classmates until
Gray transfered here."

Nagpout si Marion. "Isa pa yang Khael na iyan! I feel that he don't like me."

Oh, hindi naman pala ito manhid upang hindi makaramdam.

"They're jerks pero mabait naman sila. Wag mo na lang silang intindihin", I told her. She smiled at me
and held my hand.

"Mabuti ka pa, ang bait mo sa akin", wika nito. "Hey, you want more wine? Ikukuha kita."

Umiling naman ako. "No, wag na. I'm getting dizzy. Isa pa nakakahiya naman sayo." Yeah, she's
somewhat the textile princess right?
"I don't mind at all. At isa pa, magkukwento ka pa sa akin ng mga nalalaman mo tungkol kay Gray, right?
Just wait here, I'll be back."

Umalis na siya at naiwan naman ako sa balcony. Kitang-kita buwan mula doon. Nasa 8th floor iyon kaya
tanaw ko ang ibaba.

So, Marion really like Gray. Well, Gray's not a bad choice at all kung hindi lang talaga sa kayabangan at sa
flip nitong ugali.

Sumandal ako sa railings ng balcony at tinanaw ang loob ng hotel. Mula sa kinatatayuan ko ay tanaw ko
ang pinto ng hall na pinagdadarausan ng party. Sa gilid naman ng pinto ay dalawang elevator.

Tatalikod na sana ako ng mapansin ko ang tatlong lalaki. They are wearing a mask and a tuxedo. Marahil
ay imbitado ang mga ito sa party.

The two of them were carrying suitcases samantalang may kausap naman sa cellphone nito ang isa. He
got something from his pocket at napansin ko ang isang bagay na nakasukbit sa baywang nito. Gun!

They don't look like the security since magkatulad ang suot na tuxedo ng mga security. He signaled the
two others to follow him and I felt suspicious about them. They headed towards the nearest elevator.

Hindi kaya't sila ang ibig sabihin ng nagtip kina Khael na may illegal transactions na magaganap? Nang
sumara ang elevator ay agad kong tiningnan kung saan sila patungo.

Shit! They headed towards the basement and they were looking around as if checking before they got
inside the and that's even more suspicious. Ang basement ay ang ginagamit na parking lot ng hotel.
Agad akong sumakay sa isa pang elevator at sinundan sila sa basement.

I don't know what I'm into. Those guys were armed ngunit ninais ko pa rin na sundan sila. I'm gonna kiss
myself later for drawing into danger.

Tumunog ang elevator tanda na dumating na ako sa basement. Those guys where nowhere of sight
ngunit may naririnig akong ingay kaya't sinundan ko iyon.
Nagtago ako sa isang sulok nang may makita akong dalawang grupo. One group were wearing formal
attires at may mga kahon sa harap nila. The other group was the one in tuxedo and masks at kasama na
roon ang tatlong lalaki na may dalang mga suitcases na sinusundan ko.

I can't completely hear them dahil malayo-layo rin ang distansya ko sa kanila. Lumapit ako ng konti at
nagkubli sa isa sa mga sasakyan na naroon.

"Here are the guns", wika ng lalaki na nakaformal attire. Bahagya niyang sinipa ang mga kahon na nasa
harap.

Sumenyas naman ang lalaki na nakamaskara sa mga kasama nito."Open the boxes and check it."

Napasinghap naman ako sa nakita. There were lots of guns! Inaatake na naman ako ng nerbiyos ko
kapag nakakita ng baril but I tried to control myself. My hands were ice cold and I was shaking but I calm
myself. Hindi nila ako maaring makita.

"Here's the money", wika naman ng nakamaskara. They handed the three suitcases na puno ng pera.
What the hell! So this is really the illegal transaction!

"All settled then, tell your boss that he should come by the next transaction." The guy in formal clothes
left at naiwan doon ang mga nakamaskara.

"But I'm the boss", wika ng lalaki na nalamaskara. He seems to have the authority.

"Not you. The big boss of mafia", wika ng lalaking nakaformal attire bago umalis. "Mauuna na kami."

"Keep the guns in the trunks of the cars", utos ng nakamaskara ng makalayo na ang isang grupo at agad
namang sumunod ang iba.

They're leaving? I have to tell Gray and Khael about this! I got my phone from my clutch at agad na
tinawagan si Gray. Matapos ang tatlong ring ay agad naman itong sumagot.
"Where the hell are you Amber! Sabi ni Marion ay iniwan ka niya sa balcony to get some drinks ngunit
pagbalik niya ay wala ka na doon!", malakas ang boses na wika nito.

Hininaan ko ang boses ko. "Gray, listen carefully. I am in the hotel's basement and I just witnessed an
illegal transaction. It's illegal firearms smuggling. Pumunta na kayo dito and bring the police bago pa-"

Hindi ko na natuloy ang sasabihin ko nang biglang may humugot sa cellphone ko. It was the transactor of
the guys in mask.

"Kaya pala may naaamoy akong babae, may pusa pala dito", he said to me at tinapon ang cellphone ko.
Basag!

"You're doing something illegal! Mahuhuli rin kayo ng pulis!", wika ko sa kanya. I was shaking at takot na
takot ako. He aimed a gun at me. Goodness! Isang diin lang nito sa gatilyo ay malamang katapusan ko
na.

"Saan na ngayon ang pinagyayabang mong pulis?", he said and laughed. Napasigaw ako ng hablutin niya
ang maskara ko at natanggal iyon sa mukha ko.

"Just as I thought. A fine lady beneath the mask. Too bad, you'll never be seeing the sun shines again",
he positioned the gun on my head at napapikit ako sa takot!

Shit! Sana pala ay hindi na lang talaga ako sumama sa party na ito. I'm too young to die! Biglang may
mga tumunog na sirena.

"Shit! Cops!, Bilisan niyo and leave the area immediately!"

The guy grabbed my arm at kinaladkad ako papunta sa isang kotse.

"Let go of me jerk!", singhal ko sa kanya.Mahigpit ang pagkakahawak niya sa akin at malamang

magmamarka iyon sa braso.
"No way! You've seen our transaction and we just can't leave you alive", pasalampak na sinakay niya
ako. Sumakay naman siya sa kotse and started the engine. Agad niya iyong pinaharurot palabas.

"Where are you going to take me?", tanong ko sa kanya ng binabagtas na ng kotse ang hindi pamilyar na
daan.

"To hell", he said habang nasa daan ang mga mata. God! Ano ba itong pinasukan ko?

"Who are you?", tanong ko ulit. Since mamamatay na din naman ako, susulitin ko na lang sa
pamamagitan ng pagtatanong ang mga nalalabing oras ko.

"I should be asking that question. Who are you? Anong ginagawa mo roon?", wika niya. He was fluent in
english at maayos ang kanyang pananamit. Matangos ang ilong nito at mapula ang labi na hindi
natatabingan ng maskara.

Shit Amber! It's not time to praise the appearance of someone who's going to take your life!

"I'm Amber at bisita lang ako sa party. Nagawi lang ako doon, I never intended to witness such
transaction", nanginginig kong wika.

"Amber? I have a feeling that I've already heard that name", wika nito. I wonder what was his face
behind that mask.

"Of course, hindi lang ako ang may pangalang Amber sa buong mundo", I rolled my eyes at him.

Tumawa naman siya ng mahina. "Feisty cat. But I think I already saw your face too ngunit hindi ko lang
matiyak", wika nito at itinigil ang sasakyan sa harap ng isang mansyon.

What the hell? I thought I will be brought to a place like an abandoned warehouse o kung saan-saang
lugar pa na tulad ng pinagdadalhan ng mga nakidnapp na nasa mga palabas. But heck! I'm in a Victorian
Style mansion!
The guy dialed some number. "Bring those in the warehouse. May inaasikaso pa ako." Pinatay niya iyon
ngunit may tinawagan siya ulit. "Hey dear cousin. I have something for you or should I say someone for
you." Nilingon niya ako and it brought shivers down to my spine! Don't tell me he's intended to give me
to some guys and worst, baka gahasain ako bago patayin.

I want to kick myself for such thought ngunit hindi pa rin maaring maging impossible iyon.

He got a handcuff at hinila ang kamay ko. I winced in pain ng posasan niya ako sa likod. "Careful devil! It
hurts!"

Tumawa lang siya at bumaba ng kotse. He walked on the other side at binuksan ang pinto at hinila ako
palabas.

"I said careful! Alam mo bang naka 6 inches heels ako!", I hissed at him ng makalabas ako ng kotse.

"I don't care", he said at naglabas ng panyo at tinakpan ang mata ko. Kapagkuwan ay kinaladlad niya
ako, malamang papasok iyon sa mansion.

I heard a big door opened. At may tila kasambahay na bumati dito. "Magandang gabi, young master."

"Nasaan si Zeus?", tanong nito sa kasambahay. I wonder who is Zeus. Malamang iyon ang tinawagan ng
lalaki kanina.

"Nasa silid niya po, tatawagin ko po ba?", narinig kong tanong ng kasambahay.

"Yeah, tell him I have someone named Amber", wika ng lalaki at narinig ko ang papalayong yabag mg
kasambahay. Kanina pa ako nanginginig sa takot ngunit kailangan kong mag-isip ng maayos.

Muli akong kinaladlad ng lalaki. Hindi nagtagal ay tumigil kami. "I think Zeus would be surprised to see
you."
"Who the hell is that Zeus, wala akong kilalang Zeus", wika ko sa kanya. I tried to free my arm from his
grip dahil nasasaktan na ako. "Let go of me devil! Nasasaktan ako sa pagkakahawak mo!"

Tinanggal naman nito ang kamay sa braso ko. "Oh, it marks. You're so vulnerable but it's you who
entered in this peril so you'd better be ready in such consequences."

Nakarinig ako ng mga papalapit na yabag. It was from above kaya marahil ay nasa harap ako ng
mahabang hagdan.

"What's this all about Apollo?", narinig kong wika ng papalapit. His voice was loud and it sounded like
thunder. Pakiramdam ko ay mas lalo akong nanginig ng marinig ang boses na iyon. So this guy's name is
Apollo?

Ngunit pakiramdam ko ay kilala ko ang may-ari ng boses na iyon ngunit hindi ko lang tiyak. His voice
seems like it was blocked with something though.

"Ah, Zeus. You know this fiesty cat right?", kinuha ng lalaki na tinawag niyang Apollo ang nakatakip sa
mata ko.

Tumambad sa paningin ko ang lalaking nakasuot ng itim na suit. He was wearing a mask on his face
ngunit buong mukha nito ang natatakpan kaya wala akong makitang bahagi ng mukha nito.

His body built seems familiar. May pakiramdam ako na kilala ko ang lalaking ito. His right wrist was
wearing a silver watch samantalang nakapamulsa naman ang isang kamay nito.

Heck, who the hell is this Zeus guy?

--

Something exciting will be coming. May mga twist at kung ano-ano pa akong naiisip. Comment and Vote
for the next update :)
Thanks :*

-ShinichiLaaaabs♥

CHAPTER 26: THE PERILOUS MASQUERADE (Turmoil)

Chapter 26: The Perilous Masquerade (Turmoil Chapter)

Who the hell is this Zeus? Siya ba ang kikitil sa buhay ko? I bowed my head and say my silent prayer. My
breaths are heavy at hindi ko maayos na naigagalaw ang kamay ko. Masakit na rin ang paa ko dahil sa
sapatos.

Lumapit ang lalaking tinawag na Zeus at inangat ang mukha ko. Napapiksi naman ako sa ginawa nito
kaya agad niya akong binitawan.

"Hindi ba't bilin ni Cronus na wag kayong magdadamay ng mga ordinaryong tao?", he said. Hindi ko
masyadong matukoy ang boses niya dahil sa suot na maskara. It was like the one used by the
Jabbawockeez which covers his whole face.

"She got in the way at ng papatayin ko na sana siya, namukhaan ko siya so I brought her along", wika
naman ni Apollo.

Bumaba ang mukha ni Zeus at tiningnan ang mga pasa ko na mula sa mahigpit na pagkakahawak ni
Apollo. "Damn you Apollo, what have you done?", wika nito na buo ang boses. Hinawakan niya ang
braso ko at tiningnan iyon ng maayos.

Sumandal sa pasamano ng hagdan si Apollo. "Hindi ko alam na malambot pala ang babaeng yan. Maybe
that's normal since maputi siya. So what are you planning to do with her bago siya patayin?"

Nagulat ako sa sinabi nito. So, I will really be killed at pinapahaba lang ng Zeus na ito ang mga oras bago
ako patayin. And what's with their names? Cronus? Zeus? Apollo? Those are names in the Greek
Mythology. Are they using codenames to hide their true identity?
"No, we will not kill her. We'll let her live", Zeus said. Napatuwid ng tayo si Apollo.

"But she knows about the transaction!", protesta ni Apollo. "Alam mo ang mga mangyayari sa
nakakasaksi sa mga transactions natin!"

Hinawakan ako ni Zeus. "Bakit, nakita ba niya ang mukha mo?"

Umiling si Apollo. "Ngunit kahit na! She already knows about the existence of Mafia!"

Hinila na ako ni Zeus paakyat ng hagdan. "Let's end this conversation. Ako na ang bahalang maghatid sa
babaeng ito pauwi mamaya kung saan man siya. Mas mabuting ngayong madilim ko pa siya ihatid upang
hindi niya maaninag ang daan patungo rito. I know she loves to put herself into danger. Give me the
key."

"But Zeus!", wika ni Apollo. "Fine! I hope you won't regret such decision at wag mo sanang ipahamak
ang mafia." Inihagis niya ang susi ng posas at tinanaw kami habang papalayo kami.

"Goodnight Apollo", wika nito at nagtuloy-tuloy na sa pag-akay sa akin paakyat sa mahabang hagdan. It
was a grand staircase, alright.

Bakit ba pakiramdam ko ay kilala ko ang lalaking ito? He said he knows that I love to put myself into
danger. Ibig sabihin ay kilala niya din ako. Who the hell is he?

"Sino ka ba talaga? Bakit pakiramdam ko ay kilala kita?", tanong ko sa kanya habang hawak-hawak niya
ako. Lumiko siya sa kanang bahagi at binuksan ang isang pinto. A large room welcomed me. The room
was a shade of gray at panlalaki ang desenyo. Sobrang laki niyon at kompleto sa gamit. May mga
collections doon ng bola, mula sa maliit hanggang sa malalaki. There were baseball, bowling, pingpong,
tennis, football, basketball at soccerball. There were lots of ball there ngunit wala akong napansin na
volleyball. Ang pinakamarami ay ang soccerball. Lahat iyon ay maayos na nakalagay sa malaking shelf na
may salamin. There were also a lot of books.

"You need not to know my identity", wika nito at pinapasok ako. Iginiya niya ako paupo sa kama habang
pumasok ito sa isang pinto. Nang muli itong lumabas ay may dala itong maliit na palanggana na may
mainit na tubig at bimpo.
He sat beside me at tinanggal ang posas sa kamay ko. Hinawakan ko naman ang kamay ko na nagkasugat
dahil sa posas.

Hinawakan niya ang braso ko at sinimulang punasan gamit ang bimpo at mainit na tubig.

"You're so vulnerable. Please don't put yourself into danger", wika nito. Napatitig ako sa mukha niyang
may maskara. I have something in mind kung sino nga ba siya ngunit pinigilan ko ang sariling isipin iyon.
He couldn't be that person.

"Magbibihis muna ako upang maihatid na kita. Don't try to escape. This place is like a lion's den. Just
wait for me here", he said at pumasok sa isang walk-in closet.

Naghintay naman ako doon. I'm really confused. Iginala ko ang paningin sa paligid. Wala man lamang
litrato o kahit ano na maaring makapagpakilala kung sino man si Zeus.

Hindi nagtagal ay lumabas na siya. He's wearing a pale brown jeans and white shirt under a black hoody
jacket. Suot pa rin nito ang maskara nito.

"Hali ka na", hinawakan niya ang braso ko at lumabas kami ng kwarto. It was a very beautiful house at
gusto kong aliwin ang mata ko sa karangyaang ito ngunit mas naniig ang nararamdaman kong pagkalito.

Why did he let me survive? Ayon kay Apollo ay pinapatay ang lahat ng nakakawitness sa mga transaction
nila. But he spared my life at tinulungan pa ako na punasan ang mga pasa ko.

Sumakay siya sa isang kotse na nasa harap ng entrance. Maybe he already ordered someone to prepare
the car.

Shit! The car was a Ford

Shelby GT500 Convertible model. Hindi biro ang presyo noon, he must be incredibly rich! No wonder he
acquired such things. They're into underground business kaya ito mayaman. He open the door for me at
pumasok ako doon. Umikot naman siya sa kabilang bahagi at pumasok na rin.
He handed me a blindfold. "Please wear this." Sumunod ako at binuhay na niya ang makina. Nang
lumipas ang labinlimang minuto ay pinatanggal na niya ang blindfold. Kanina pa ako kinakabahan ngunit
mukhang nakaadjust na ang sarili ko. I'm not shaking tulad kanina. Could it be because I felt like I know
this person?

"Sino ka nga ba talaga?", tanong ko ulit. "I'm so confused. Why do you know so much about me?"

I know that I'm risking my life by just asking questions. Maaring kahit anong oras ay pasabugin niya ang
bungo ko but I have enough courage to ask him such questions.

"I'm Zeus", maikling wika niya. His face with a mask was still focused on the way. Nakakakita ba siya ng
maayos kapag may suot siyang maskara?

"Not your codename, I mean your real name."

Wow Amber, why do I sounded like I'm just having a normal conversation with him as if my life is not at
risk?

I waited fot him to answer my question ngunit ilang minuto na ang lumipas ay hindi pa rin ito nagsalita
kaya nagtanong na naman ako ng iba.

"Nakakakita ka ba ng maayos diyan sa maskara mo? Why don't you take it?" I know he wouldn't do what
I told him but I still hope that he would.

"This mask cover my face, not my eyes."

Oo nga naman, there's a hole for the eyes and a little hole for the nose. It seems like it doesn't have for
the mouth though kaya hindi ko masyadong nakikilala ang boses niya.

Napakamot ako sa ulo ko. "But the hole for the nose is so small, nakakahinga ka ba ng maayos diyan?",
muli kong tanong.
"Nice try to make me remove this mask but sorry to disappoint you, I can breath perfectly", he said. So
nahalata pala niya? Or am I that obvious?

If course it's so obvious! Heck, this situation makes me so stupid.

Tumingin ako sa labas ng bintana. Pamilyar na ang daan na tinatahak nito. It was the way towards Bridle
High.

Wait, how the hell did he knows na sa Bridle ako bababa? I never mention anything about Bridle unless -

Muli ko siyang hinarap. "How did you know na sa Bridle ako.nag-aaral?"

Hindi niya ako sinagot. He stop the car in front of Bridle's gate. Sarado na iyon dahil malamang ay
nagpapatrol na ang mga guard sa paligid since it's already curfew time.

Muling bumalik ang kaba sa dibdib ko. He really knows so much about me!

"Sino ka nga ba talaga Zeus?", I said and emphasized the name Zeus.

"I already told you na hindi mo na kailangang malaman Amber", wika nito. Nakahawak pa rin siya sa
manibela at hindi man lamang ako sinulyapan.

I move fastly towards him at akmang tatanggalin ko ang suot niyang maskara ngunit nauna niyang ilabas
ang baril niya. He pointed the gun to me kaya napatigil ako at nanginig sa takot.

"I don't want to use this since I know that you're shaken by just a mere sight of a gun, but you pushed
me to do it", he said. I calm myself at yumuko.

"It seems like it's already curfew here, where are you staying?", tanong niya at ibinaba ang baril.
Nanghihinang sinabi ko sa kanya ang hotel na tinutuluyan ni Khael and he immediately drived towards
there.
Nang dumating kami sa tapat ng hotel ay hininto na niya ang sasakyan. Hindi naman ako gumalaw at
patuloy lang na naupo roon.

"Seal your lips about what you've seen tonight, I can't guarantee your safety next time", wika niya at
nakatungo lang ako.

Inabot niya ang lock ng pinto at binuksan iyon. Even his scent is so familiar.

Lumabas na ako ng kotse at ipinaharurot niya iyon palayo. Saka lang ako pumasok ng hotel nang hindi ko
na matanaw ang kotse.

Nang dumating ako sa tapat ng suite ni Khael ay agad akong nagbuzzer. Hindi naman nagtagal ay agad
iyong binuksan ni Khael. He was still in his gray suite.

"Shit Amber! Where have you been? After the call has been cut off ay agad ka naming hinanap ni Gray!
We couldn't find you anywhere! Tanging ang maskara at sirang cellphone mo na lang ang natagpuan
namin!", he said matapos akong papasukin.

Naupo ako sa couch dahil pakiramdam ko ay nanghihina ako. Ilang beses na ba akong natutukan ng
baril? I wanted to freak out each time but I have to control myself. Hindi nakakatulong ang
pagkakataranta ko.

Inalog ni Khael ang balikat ko. "Answer me Amber." Alalang-alala ang mukha nito. Nang hindi pa rin ako
nakapagsalita ay kumuha ito ng isang basong tubig at pinainom sa akin. Agad ko namang sinaid ang
laman niyon.

"Now, tell me what happened", wika ni Khael at naupo sa tabi ko. "You said you saw the transaction
right? Bakit sira ang phone mo at iniwan mo iyon kasama ang maskara mo?"

"I w-was wrong then, it - it wasn't an illegal transaction", pagsisinungaling ko. Naririnig ko pa sa tenga ko
ang huling sinabi ni Zeus sa akin.

Seal your lips about what you've seen tonight, I can't guarantee your safety next time.
Seal your lips about what you've seen tonight, I can't guarantee your safety next time.

Seal your lips about what you've seen tonight, I can't guarantee your safety next time.

Paulit-ulit ko iyong naririnig sa tenga ko. It was so scary and my knees are trembling and my hands are
cold.

"Nahulog kasi ang cellphone ko and the mask itched my face that's why I've removed it. They're just
business man exchanging words. That's it. I just went somewhere dahil nahilo na ako sa dami ng nainom
ko", pagpapatuloy ko. I cannot tell it to him dahil baka madamay pa ito.

"Are you sure? You should have controlled yourself since mahina pala ang alcohol tolerance mo", wika
niya. "You're cold and pale." Hinawakan niya ang kamay ko.at sinalat ang aking noo.

Tumango ako. "Yeah, I'm fine. By the way, nasaan si Gray?"

"I don't know. We got separated looking for you. Ilang oras akong naghintay sa party ngunit wala siya so
I texted him and he replied may aayusin daw muna siya", he said.

Mas lalo akong kinabahan. My brain seemed to stop as I felt the turmoil inside me. Is it possible?

No, I have to remove such thought. Hindi marahil iyon totoo. Maybe I'm just wrong.

"Ayos ka lang ba talaga Amber? You've become paler", wika ni Khael. Shit, bakit ko ba iniisip ang nga
ganoong bagay? I'm just scaring myself, right?

"If you want, I'll call Gray", kinuha ni Khael ang cellphone mula sa bulsa at tinawagan niya si Gray.
"Amber's here." Wika nito nang sinagot na ni Gray ang tawag. Tumahimik sandali si Khael, marahil ay
nakikinig sa nagsasalita mula sa kabilang linya. "Yeah, she's worried about you kaya bumalik ka na rito sa
hotel."
Ibinaba na ni Khael ang tawag at bumaling sa akin. "He's on his way so you don't have to worry."

"Can I borrow some of your shirt? I cannot stay all night with this dress at mas lalong hindi ko muling
susuotin ang uniform ko", wika ko sa kanya. This dress brought badluck to me. This dress have brought
me in a crisis that will surely haunts me.

"Ah, about that, I've already had the driver bought clothes for you and Gray. Check it in the room", wika
niya.

Nagpasalamat ako sa kanya at pumasok sa kwarto. There were two paper bags there at binuksan ko ang
paperbag na pambabaeba ng disenyo.

I found two pairs of shirt and shorts there. May mga pares din ng underwear. Pumasok na ako ng banyo
at naglinis ng katawan.

Kung pwede lang sanang hugasan ang lahat ng alaala ng mga nangyari sa akin ngayong gabi. I've been in
a beautiful mansion but it was really a lion's den. And it was like I was the one who invited myself in
since ako naman ang nakialam sa nangyaring transaction.

I almost meet my death ngunit mukhang pinahaba pa ng Zeus na iyon ang buhay ko. Two bloody hands
touched me. Kamay na ilang beses nang nakapatay and it seems to them that killing is just a hobby.

Apollo and Zeus.

Those names bring shiver down to my spine. Iwinaksi ko na ang isip sa kanila at nagpunas na. Nang
lumabas ako ay nandoon si Gray at Khael.

When Gray saw me, he immediately walked towards me. Hinawakan niya ako sa balikat at agad na
tinanong.

"What happened Amber? Saan ka ba galing", he asked. Mahigpit ang pagkakahawak niya sa balikat ko ay
seryosong-seryoso ang mukha nito.
Tinanggal ko ang mga kamay niya. "Wala, nagkamali lang ako", wika ko at naupo sa kama.

"I've already told him that ngunit ayaw niyang maniwala", sabat naman ni Khael. He was leaning on his
back by the doorway.

"Bakit sira at iniwan mo ang cellphone mo sa basement?", tanong ulit nito. He seemed so worried.

"Nahulog kaya iniwan ko na lang", tipid kong sagot. Sumabat muli si Khael.

"That too. I've already told him about that."

Inis na tiningnan naman ito ni Gray. "Shut up Alonzo, I'm not talking to you."

Umasta na iziniper ni Khael ang bibig niya at tumahimik na.

"How about you Gray? Where have you been?", tanong ko sa kanya. Saan nga ba ito galing? Ayon kay
Khael ay hindi na niya ito nakita kanina.

"I helped in solving a case", wika niya. Really? Bakit parang ayaw kong maniwala sa sinasabi niya? He
was still im his suit ngunit gusot iyon.

Did he changed his clothes at muli iyong sinuot ng pauwi na siya dito?

Tiningnan ko siyang mabuti. His jet-black hair was a mess. Come to think of it, Zeus also has a jet-black
hair. His body build was the same as Gray and Khael.

Bakit ko ba iniisip ang mga ganitong bagay? Eh ano ngayon kung magkatulad ang buhok ni Zeus at Gray?
Khael's hair was a little brownish, marahil ay nagpakulay ito ng buhok dati.

"What's wrong with my face?", tanong ni Gray na ikinagulat ko.

Umiling na lang ako. "Nothing. I'm just tired."

"Kung ganon ay magpahinga ka na. You stay here in bed samantalang doon kami ni Silvan sa sala", wika
ni Khael at hinila na palabas si Gray.

"I have to clean up first", wika ni Gray at pumasok ng banyo. Sinundan ko naman siya ng tingin hanggang
sa sumara ang pinto ng banyo.

Lumapit naman si Khael sa akin at naupo sa gilid. "You've been staring at Gray at mukhang may iniisip
ka. Come on, tell me about it."

Am I that obvious? Paano ko ba sasabihin lahat ng iyon including how I doubt Gray being that Zeus?

"Gaano mo kakilala si Gray?", tanong ko sa kanya. He's the person who really knows Gray since
magkaklase sila noong nasa Athena pa lamang sila.

"Hmm, since we were kids. Magkababata kasi kami as well as our parents. My father and his mother
were part of the police when they're younger at ganoon din ang papa niya but he resigned and became
a businessman. My mom was a crime witness before", kwento ni Khael.

"So totoo ngang pulis ang magulang niya? Detective Tross told me that."

Maybe I should ask Detective Tross about Gray also but I don't think that's possible since wala naman
kaming contact.

Tumango ito."You met Detective Tross?" Tumango ako sa tanong niya at nagpatuloy siya. "Yeah, dati.
But like I've said, his father retired and become a business man. Lumago ang negosyo nila and they even
operated outside the country. They're actually into heavy equipment business and his father's a
shareholder of 30% shares in a big corporations."
Gray's family is rich? Mayaman din naman ang pamilya namin but not as much as them. Konti lang ang
mga shares ni Daddy sa mga big corporations.

Lumago ang business mg daddy niya? What if, no no no no! I should erase that thought. I'm not that
sure na si Gray nga si Zeus.

"How about you? You're also a son of a policeman, right?", tanong ko sa kanya.

"Yeah, but unlike Gray's father, my dad didn't retire kaya naging head na siya ngayon. As of my mom,
she's from a wealthy family and she's a businesswoman", sagot naman nito.

"I see. How do you find Gray as a friend? I mean anong klaseng tao siya?", tanong ko.

Nag-isip saglit si Khael. "He's secretive sometimes ngunit mabait naman siya. Mayabang minsan, but
that's what makes Gray, Gray. He's not Gray kapag hindi siya mayabang, so as me."

Yeah, alam din pala nila na mayabang sila.

Pumitik sa harap ko si Khael. "Don't tell me you're into Gray?"

"Of course not! Nagtatanong lang ako para kay Marion!", tanggi ko at umiwas ng tingin.

"You mean that annoying daughter of Anton Velmon? Sinasabi ko na nga ba!"

Bumukas na ang pinto at lumabas ang nakabihis na na si Gray.

"Please keep this conversation a secret", bulong ko kay Khael. Nagsalute naman ito.

"Aye aye maam! Let's go Gray dahil matutulog na daw ang mahal na prinsesa", wika nito at hinila na
palabas si Gray.
Hinintay ko na tuluyan silang makalabas bago ako tumayo at isinara ang pinto.

I hope I was wrong on what I was thinking.

CHAPTER 27: DECIPHERED

Chapter 27: Deciphered

The next day ay bumalik kami ng maaga sa Bridle upang makapasok sa klase namin. Khael also went
back to Athena.

I was still haunted by the thoughts of what happened last night ngunit kailangan ko munang iwaksi iyon
sa isip ko at ibalik muli sa normal ang buhay ko.

Now, I am just the normal Amber Sison, a Grade 9-A student whom they called nerd.

Dumeretso ako sa dorm at agad naman akong sinalubong ng mga tanong nina Andi at Therese kung saan
ako nanggaling. Oo nga pala, hindi ko sila naitext kahapon.

Speaking of text, wala na pala akong cellphone. That Apollo guy destroyed it. It was the latest iPhone for
crying out loud! Nakakapanghinayang dahil hindi ko pera ang ipinambili nun. It was my parent's money
kaya ako nasasayangan.

Nandoon rin ang mga contacts ko though I memorized mom and dad's mobile number and our landline.

"Where have you been? Alam mo bang gumawa na lang kami ng fake pass slip mo and forged your
signature upang hindi ka mapatawag sa office ng houseparent?", wika ni Andi sa akin. She was properly
buttoning her blouse.

"We've been calling you but you're out of coverage", dagdag ni Therese at gaya ni Andi ay nagbibihis rin
ito.
I smiled at them at binuksan ang closet ko. "I'm sorry about it, I lost my phone. And thank you for
covering up for me."

Inihanda ko na ang extra uniform ko. Bago pa man kami bumalik sa Bridle ay naligo na kami sa hotel.

Nang nakapag-ayos na ako ay dumaan ako sa cafeteria and grab some milk and bread for breakfast.
Matapos akong kumain ay dumeretso na ako sa classroom namin.

Pagdating ko doon ay naroon na si Marion. Agad niya akong nilapitan ng dumating ako.

"Amber! Where have you been? Hinanap kita kagabi but you were nowhere to find", she said and
pouted.

I stared at her for a while at naalala ko kagabi, she said she like Gray. And to think she was the daughter
of a very rich man.

Marahil ay nabother ito sa pananahimik ko. She waved her hand in front of me. "Saan ka ba galing?"

I faked a smile at her. I don't feel like talking ngunit magiging bastos naman ako kapag hindi ko ito
kinausap. "Nagpahangin lang ako at umuwi na."

"Thank God!", she exclaimed. Naupo na ako sa upuan ko at nagpangalumbaba. I didn't have enough
sleep last night. Maliban sa malapit ng maghatinggabi ng ihatid ako ni Zeus, ay hindi rin maayos ang
tulog ko dahil sa mga nangyari sa akin.

Nanghikab ako at pumikit nang biglang may bumulong sa tenga ko. "Are you okay?"

Napatuwid ako ng upo. It was Gray. He may feel that there is something wrong. Nang ihatid kasi kami ni
Khael kaninang umaga ay hindi ko siya kinausap sa kotse hanggang sa dumating kami sa Bridle. Maging
ng bumaba kami at pumasok na sa main gate hanggang sa maghiwalay kami papunta sa kanya-kanyang
direksyon ng mga dorm namin.
Tumango lang ako sa kanya. Naupo naman siya sa likuran ko at tumabi kay Marion.

"Good Morning Gray! Thanks for last night!", magiliw nitong bati dahilan upang lahat ng atensyon ng
mga kaklase ko ay napunta sa kanya.

Last night? Naglandian marahil sila kagabi samantalang ako ay muntik ng mamatay. Wtf!?!!!

Nag-isip na lang ako ng mga gagawin ko pagkatapos ng klase ko. Maybe I will go to the mall and buy a
new cellphone o kaya ay aaliwin ko na lang ang sarili ko sa Timezone mamaya. O kahit saan basta wala si
Marion at Gray! I'm annoyed by just seeing them. Bakit nga ba?

Ah, maybe because of what happened last night. God, hindi biro ang pinagdaanan ko.

"Salamat din pala sa paghatid mo sa akin kagabi ha?", narinig kong wika muli ni Marion. Uh, why do her
voice seems so loud?! Ang landi-landi pa ng boses nito! Maaga pa lang nakakainit na ng ulo! I'm almost
killed last night tapos sila?!!! Hinanap ba talaga nila ako?

Argh! I've decided! Magcu-cutting class ako ngayon na!

Tumayo ako at padabog na kinuha ang bag ko at umalis ngunit bago pa man ako makalayo ay
nahawakan na ni Gray ang braso ko.

"Where are you going?", tanong niya sa akin. All eyes were on us. Maging ang kadarating lang na guro.

"CR", tipid kong sagot.

"Bakit dala mo ang bag mo?", tanong naman ni Marion. Tinuro niya ang sukbit kong backpack.

Ihahampas ko kasi sa inyo, nakakainis kayo, alam niyo ba? Yan ang gusto kong isagot.
Ibinaba ko na lang ang bag ko at tinanggal ang pagkakahawak ni Gray sa braso ko at walang sinabi na
pumasok sa CR. Geez! Bakit ba sila nakikialam? Hindi tuloy ako nakalabas at dumating pa si Maam Roa!
Grrrr! Nakakainis!

Matapos ang ilang minuto ay lumabas na ako ng CR. Mabuti na lang at nagsimula na ang klase kaya hindi
na ako kinausap pa ni Marion at Gray.

Walang ni isa man na pumasok sa kukote ko sa lahat ng pinagsasabi ni Maam Roa. Nagulat na lang ako
ng biglang magtayuan ang mga kaklase ko.

"Where are we going?", tanong ko kay Jeremy. Lumabas kasi ang iba kong mga kaklase at hindi pa
naman break.

"Hindi ka ba nakikinig? Maam Roa said na pupunta tayo sa Auditorium dahil may ginagawang play ang
2A class at tayo ang magki-critic", Jeremy said at inayos ang suot na salamin bago ako iniwan. Sumunod
naman ako sa kanya at hindi pinansin ang pagtawag ni Gray sa akin.

Nang makarating kami sa auditorium ay agad akong pumwesto sa pinakamalayong upuan. Medyo
madilim doon and I don't want anyone to sit beside me. Isa pa ayaw kong madisturbo.

Isinandal ko ang ulo ko doon at pinikit ang mga mata ko. It's a perfect place to sleep dahil walang
asungot na lumalapit.

"Hi."
Binabawi ko na, meron pala! Who the heck was it? Nang buksan ko ang mga mata ko ay may nakita
akong babae. Hindi ko masyadong maaninag ang mukha niya dahil madilim doon but basing fron her
voice, she wasn't from our class.

"Who are you?", tanong ko sa kanya. God! Give me a break! I need to sleep.

"I'm Mariz, from 10B. Maari mo ba akong tulungan? You're Amber, right? You're the one who can solve
codes and ciphers together with Gray, diba?", she asked.

"Yes I'm Amber. Gray usually solve most of the codes kaya sa kanya ka na lang humingi ng tulong", wika
ko sa kanya. I tried to close my eyes again ngunit muli itong nagsalita.

"I tried to ngunit bantay sarado siya nung bagong estudyante. You know the one with a reddish hair."

Oh, Marion. Tsk, wala akong pakialam sa kanila. Tuko kasi yun si Marion at iwan ko kung anong klaseng
nilalang si Gray!

"Fine, I'll try my best. Ano bang nangyari?", tanong ko sa kanya. Well I guess I would enjoy this than
sleeping.

"Let's go outside. It's so dim here", wika niya at lumabas kaming dalawa ng auditorium.

Dinala niya ako sa quarters ng cheering squad. Ibig sabihin ay bahagi ito ng squad. Pagdating namin ay
may tatlong estudyante roon. Dalawang lalaki at isa pang babae.

"This is Amber, she will help us with the code na binigay ni Apple", wika ni Mariz sa apat.

Lumapit naman sila sa akin. Unang nagpakilala ay ang babae. "Hi Amber, I'm Shiela Rivas. This guy here
is John Agosto", tinuro niya ang lalaking nakasuot ng itim na polo shirt. He smiled at me at tumango ako
sa kanya. "Ito naman si Dale Castares", tinuro naman niya ang isa pang lalaki.
Nakaupo ito sa isang high chair. He was writing something. He looked at me at kumunot ang noo niya.
He continued writing samantalang ang isang kamay naman niya ay kinuha ang cellphone niya.

"Are you sure that nerd can help us?", tanong ni Dale. He sounded so rude. Nerd? So maging ito ay alam
ang bansag ng Bridle sa akin.

Tumayo siya at hinarap ako, tiningnan ko naman siya mula ulo hanggang paa.

Siniko ito ni John. "Don't be rude bro, maybe she can help us."

"How can she help us? Look at her, mukha ngang hindi niya kayang magbuhat ng isang mesa, and we're
going to ask her about the code that Apple gave?", wika nito at siya naman ang tumingin sa akin mula
ulo hanggang paa.

What the hell?! Ano namang kinalaman ng physical strength sa intellectual capacity ng isang tao? Hindi
porket mahina ka ay mahina na rin ang isip mo.

Napansin ko ang isang dart na paanan ko kaya pinulot ko iyon. The dartboard was in the end of the
room. Malayo iyon ngunit I'm positive that I can hit the center.

"Your physical strength doesn't measure your intellect", wika ko at ihinagis ang dart. It went straight to
center. Nagulat naman silang apat nang tingnan nila ang dart. Ni walang isa man na makapagsalita sa
kanila.

"Why don't we start with a deduction about you?", pagpapatuloy ko na nakaharap pa rin kay Dale. "You
just ate your breakfast here and your allergic to milk."

"How could you say that? Wala na ang pinagkainan ko dito", tanong nito.

Lumapit ako sa mesa niya. "Simple. May natapon ditong oatmeal, which means your breakfast is an
oatmeal. At kaya ko sinabing allergic ka sa gatas ay dahil walang gatas ang natapon na oatmeal."
"Amazing, but how can you say na walang gatas? You didn't tasted the oatmeal right? And the color
makes no difference dahil konting-konti lang yang natapon ang you cannot simply identify if it has milk
or not", wika ni John.

"No. There is a difference in the color but it isn't that visible lalo na't konti lang. But if I take this out, it
supports my theory", lumapit ako sa isang bag na nasa gilid at inilabas ang dalawang pad ng tablets
doon. Nakalagay iyon sa lalagyan ng bottled water kaya nakita ko ang mga iyon. Those were cure for
food allergies.

"Paano mo naman nalaman na yan ang bag ni Dale? And how can you be sure that it's milk? It could be
other", Mariz asks.

Itinaas ko naman ang keychain na nasa zipper ng bag. "D.C. It surely stands for Dale Castares And the
oatmeal itself indicates it's milk."

Pumalakpak si Mariz. "Awesome!"

Muli akong lumapit sa harap ni Dale. "You can use both your hands in writing but your dominant hand is
left."

"Are you sure?", Dale ask.

"I'm positive. You wipe your sweat using your left hand. You also put your left hand on your chin nang
may iniisip ka and you unconciously used your dominant hand kapag ginagawa mo ang mga ganoong
bagay. Dumaan ka rin sa likurang bahagi ng cafeteria upang mabilis kang makarating dito."

"Paano mo naman yan nasabi Amber? Have you seen him?", Shiela ask.

I smiled at her. "Look at his shoes. It's muddy at hindi umulan kagabi so the ground is dry. Saang bahagi
ba ng Bridle ang palaging maputik? Obviously the back part of the cafeteria dahil sa mga leak sa tubo ng
kitchen sink doon. That way is a shortcut towards here and no one would risk walking on a muddy
ground unless nagmamadali sila, right?", wika ko at tinaas ang isang kilay kay Dale.
He sighed. "Fine, I'm impressed." Umalis na siya sa harap ko at bumalik sa high chair. "I guess you can
really help us."

"You're really amazing Amber!", wika ni Mariz.

I just smiled at them. "Ano ba ang maitutulong ko sa inyo?", tanong ko sa kanila. They guided me to sit
down at ikinuwento ang nangyari.

"Last week ay nahulog ang kasama namin sa squad na si Apple. It was just the normal lifting routine
ngunit nahulog siya and now nasa ospital siya", panimula ni Mariz.

"But bago pa man siya nadisgrasya ay iba na ang kinikilos niya", wika ni Shiela.

Kumunot ang noo ko. "What do you mean?"

"She's acting weird. Palagi siyang malungkot at tulala minsan. Hindi nga kami nakakapagpractice ng
maayos dahil laging wala siya sa sarili, she's the captain of the squad", John said.

"Nang bisitahin namin siya sa ospital noong isang araw, she gave us this card. She's somewhat fine. Sabi
niya ay papasok na siya kapag nasolve namin ang code na ito", John handed me three cards.

Tiningnan ko ang tatlong cards. Err, this Apple is like Sir Arman, masyadong mahilig sa mga codes and
ciphers.

The first card was a drawing. Walis-tambo iyon at may guhit sa pagitan ng stick nito at sa pangwalis.

"Help us Amber, gusto na naming bumalik si Apple", Shiela said.

I nodded at her at muling tiningnan ang card. Ano naman ang ibig sabihin nito? It was drawn using a
marker.
Walis-tambo? It was more like the one used by witches sa mga cartoon. Why would that Apple draw
such thing?

A broom with a line. If we separate it, it would be a vertical line and the lower part of the broom which
resembles a -

a Pompom!

"Saan nilalagay ang mga pompom niyo?", tanong ko sa kanila. Tumayo naman si Shiela at binuksan ang
isang pinto.

"Nandito lahat ng gamit namin, props and customes", wika niya. Sumunod ako sa kanya at pumasok sa
pinto. Maliit na tila bodega iyon. She turned the lights on at binuksan ang isang cabinet.

Tumambad doon ang napakaraming pompom but on top of it was a white cap. Katulad iyon ng mga
sinusuot ng nga kapitan sa barko.

"Bakit may ganito rito?", kinuha iyon ni Shiela. "Baka ito ang clue."

She handed the cap to me at lumabas na kami doon. Tiningnan ko naman ng maayos iyon. There were
writings inside the cap and it was NBSJA DBCSBM.

"Ano namang ibig sabihin ng mga letters na yan? It doesn't make sense", komento ni John.

"It does and I'll tell you later", wika ko sa kanila. Dale was on his chair. He listened to us sometimes
ngunit abala ito sa sinusulat.
Sunod kong tiningnan ang pangalawang card. It was a square and a triangle. Nakapatong ang triangle sa
square which forms a house na tulad ng ginagawa ng mga bata kapag gumuguhit.

"Bahay?", Mariz ask. "I don't really get these codes na binigay ni Apple." Naupo ito sa isang sofa na nasa
gilid ng quarters. Tiningnan ko siya. On the wall above her is a painting. Nakaframe iyon at nakasabit
iyon sa isang pako gamit ang maliit na lubid at nakikita iyon. It was like the drawing!

"It's not a house but that painting", wika ko at tinuro iyon. Agad naman nilang tinanggal ang painting at
tiningnan ang likurang bahagi niyon.

May isang card doon na may nakasulat na mga letra ngunit gaya ng nasa cap, the letters were
incomprehensible.

"FNJHSF? Ano namang ibig sabihin nito?", wika ni John matapos tanggalin ang card sa likod ng painting.
He handed me the card at tiningnan ko iyon ng maayos. Ano ba ang ibig sabihin ng mga letrang iyon?

I set it aside at tiningnan ko ang huling card. It was a square with a smaller square inside it. Ano naman
ang isang ito?

"I'll just buy some snacks for us", wika ni Mariz at kinuha ang wallet mula sa bag. Biglang nahulog ang
mga coins niya. Tinulungan naman siya nina John sa pagpulot ng mga barya.

"Mabuti na lang at may carpet dito, hindi na masyadong gumulong palayo ang mga barya", Shiela said at
napatingin naman ako sa sahig. There was a square carpet in the middle. I knew it!

The code refers to the floor! Square ang sahig ng quarters ng cheering squad at may square din na
carpet sa gitna doon.

Hinintay ko na matapos na pulutin nila ang mga barya.

"Sasama na lang kami sayo upang makapag-isip ng mabuti si Amber", suhestiyon ni John at lumabas na
silang tatlo. Naiwan naman kami ni Dale doon.
Binuksan ko ang carpet at may card doon. It was an arrow pointing on the white board and a blank card.
Pinilulot ko ang walang laman na card at pumunta sa whiteboard.

It was a double-sided whiteboard at ng tingnan ko ang isa pang side ay may mga letra doon.

It was BV SFWPJS. If my deduction was right that Apple is -

Hinarap ko si Dale. "You know something about this, don't you?" Inangat niya ang paningin sa akin.

Tiningnan niya ako na nakakunot ang noo. "Ano bang ibig mong sabihin?"

Hinarap ko siya. "You know what's going on and what's all these codes are about."

Iniwas niya ang tingin sa akin. "I don't know what you're talking about." Tinago na niya ang mga papel at
tumayo doon.

"You're writing her a letter, right?", wika ko sa kanya kaya napatigil siya.

"Fine, I gues there's no way I'll be escaping you. I don't really know what's going on but I have something
in mind, aalis na siya sa Bridle right?"

Tiningnan ko siya ng mabuti. Maybe that's what he really knows, but there's something more.

"Hindi na babalik ng Bridle si Apple?", tanong ng kadarating na si Mariz. Kasama niya sina Shiela at John
at may dala silang pagkain.

"That's what I thought. Maybe lilipat na siya sa ibang school", wika ni Dale.
"Paano mo naman nasabi yan?", tanong ni Shiela. Inilapag niya ang mga pagkaing dala-dala at hinarap si
Dale.

"You all know that we're in mutual understanding. Iba kasi siya this past few days, parang
nagpapahiwatig na aalis siya. I cannot confirm that though dahil nagdeactivate siya sa facebook account
niya, she didn't replied on my email at nag-iba siya ng number. Wala na rin siya sa ospital", paliwanag ni
Dale. Nalungkot naman ang tatlo. Napaupo ang mga ito.

"Apple don't want to be in Bridle anymore", nakayukong wika ni Mariz. She was very sad, marahil ay
mahalaga dito si Apple.

"Alam niyo bang ng mahulog si Apple ay kami ni Roger ang naglift sa kanya?", wika ni John at napalingon
kaming lahat sa kanya. "Hindi naman talaga siya nahulog. Tumalon siya and I don't think that she's
injured that time kaya nagtaka ako kung bakit nagpumilit siyang magpadala sa ospital."

"Bakit ngayon mo lang sinabi yan!", galit na wika ni Dale at hinawakan si John sa manggas. Inilayo naman
sila nina Mariz at Shiela.

"You know I have solved all the codes", wika ko.

"We don't need that codes anymore! Hindi na rin babalik dito si Apple and we can't even contact her!
Pasensya na sa disturbo, makakaalis ka na", Dale said and I saw a tear fall down his eyes. Napayuko rin
sina Mariz at Shiela.

"Are you sure you don't want to know what's the cipher about? You might have hopes from it", wika ko
at sabay silang napaangat ng tingin.

"Bakit? Ano ba ang ibig sabihin niyon?", tanong ni Mariz.

Ngumiti ako sa kanila. "The first card was the broom right? May linya iyon at kapag tinanggal natin ang
vertical line, it's like a pompom kaya tiningnan natin ang pinaglalagyan ng mga pompom and we found
this", kinuha ko ang cap. "The letters here is a name. A name for whoever Apple wants to the next
cheering captain."
"But it's not a name", wika ni John. "There's no one in the squad named NBSJA DBCSBM. It's not even
comprehensible."

"Oo nga", sang-ayon naman ni Shiela.

"It's because it's a cipher. If we use Rot1 cipher, we can have the name", wika ko at napakunot ang noo
nila.

"What's Rot1?", tanong ni Mariz. I smiled at her bago sumagot.

"ROT1 literally means rotate 1 letter forward through the alphabet. This cipher is very common to
children, so if we rotate it's alpabeth, N is M, B is A, S is R, J is I, A is Z, D is C B is A,C is B, S is R, B is A and
M is L. If we put that together, it's Mariz Cabral", wika ko.

"She wants me to be the captain?", tila hindi makapaniwalang tanong ni Mariz. "But, I'm not as good as
her." Napayuko siya.

"No, she appointed you kaya alam niya ang potensyal mo", Dale said at tinapik ang balikat ni Mariz.

"You really think I can handle the squad?", tanong nito at nakangiting tumango naman ang tatlo.

"The second cipher which is FNJHSF, it's émigré, another term for emigrant. That Apple will be moving to
another country", I told them.

"What? Ni hindi man lamang siya nagsabi sa amin", malungkot na wika ni Shiela.

"So she's really leaving", mahinang wika ni Dale.

"Maybe because she don't want us to be sad", pag-aalo ni John sa lalong nalungkot na si Shiela.
"Yeah, that's probably the reason", wika ko. "Her last message, BV SFWPJS, if we cipher that using Rot1,
it means Au Revoir, the french term for goodbye."

"Bakit ba umalis siya dito? At saang lugar ba sila maninirahan? Ayaw ba niya sa atin kaya aalis siya?",
tanong ni Mariz.

"I don't think so. Apple really likes Bridle kaya lang nitong mga huling araw, as what I've said, she's acting
strange", wika ni Dale.

"Yeah, I don't think so too. She loves all of you but she have to leave and it's written here why she have
to", kinuha ko ang blank card at pinakita iyon sa kanila.

"Are you joking? There's nothing written there", wika ni John.

Kinuha ko ang isang coke in can na dala nina John kanina."This card seems blank but if we wet this",
binasa ko iyon mula sa moist na namumuo sa gilid ng coke.

"Amazing! There are letters, but Rx? Hindi naman sinabi kong bakit siya aalis", Shiela said.

"In medical terms, Rx means a doctor's prescription. Maybe she's sick at kailangan niyang ipagamot sa
France", wika ko sa kanila.

"France? How do you know that she's going to France?", tanong ni Dale.

"Her choice of words. Émigré is of french origin, Au revoir is french so she's probably going to France.
Don't worry, maybe you'll see each other again. The praise Au revoir actually means until we meet
again", paliwanag ko sa kanila. "I know she will survive at kaya niya hindi sinabi sa inyo ng direkta ay
dahil ayaw niyang mag-alala kayo."

"Kaya pala palagi akong may nakikita na klase-klaseng gamot sa mga gamit niya. She seemed so strong
ngunit may sakit pala siya", John said. "We'll just pray for her."
"Thank you so much Amber, you're so smart", wika ni Mariz. "Let's all eat, marami kaming binili para sa
aming apat.

Kahit nalungkot sila sa nalaman ay naging positibo pa rin sila. Magana na kaming kumain at hindi
nagtagal ay nagpaalam na ako. It's almost lunch at malamang bumalik na sa classroom ang mga kaklase
ko.

"Sorry but I can't stay long", paalam ko sa kanila. "I must be going."

They bid me farewell at inihatid ako ni Dale kahit anong tanggi ko pa.

"Hindi mo na talaga ako kailangang ihatid", wika ko habang naglalakad kami.

"No, it's my way to express my gratitude and an apology for my rudeness kanina. Thank you for your
help", wika niya at ngumiti sa akin.

"I enjoy such thing kaya wala iyong problema sa akin", ngumiti na rin ako sa kanya.

"Make a critic on each character and evaluate each performance. Yan ang assignment natin bukas but
how can you do that kung hindi ka pala nanood and just wander around with some guy", wika ni Gray.
Hindi ko namalayan na nasa harap na pala ako ng classroom namin. Tiningnan niya ako at si Dale ng
masama.

"He's the other detective, right?", bulong ni Dale at tumango ako. "He's scary. I heard he's good in
martial arts, I'd better be going."

Mahina ang boses nito kaya hindi ito naririnig ni Gray.

I smiled at him at nagpaalam na ng maayos si Dale. "Maraming salamat talaga Amber. Mauna na ako."

Tumango ako sa kanya. "Take care." Umalis na si Dale at tinanaw ko ang papalayong pigura niya. Gray
was still there ngunit hindi ko siya pinansin.
Nang makalayo na si Dale ay akmang papasok na ako ngunit nahawakan ako ni Gray sa braso.

"What's wrong with you? You're ignoring me purposely kanina pa lang umaga, no, kagabi", he said.

"Am I?", patay malisya kong tanong.

"Stop fooling around Amber", he said at hinigpitan ang pagkakahawak sa braso ko.

"I'm not fooling. Hindi rin kita iniiwasan", wika ko sa kanya.

"Where have you been? Sino yung kasama mo?", tanong nito.

"Kailangan ko bang sabihin sayo ang mga pupuntahan ko?", tanong ko sa kanya and his face stiffened.

"Just answer me Amber!", nagulat ako ng tumaas ang boses niya at napapiksi ako sa higpit ng
pagkakahawak niya sa braso ko.

May marka pa iyon dahil sa pagkakahawak ni Apollo sa akin kagabi!

Agad namang napabitiw si Gray sa akin. "I'm sorry."

"I'm sorry too. Nagpatulong lang sila sa akin. Hindi na lang ako magsusubmit ng critic", mahinang wika.

"Tell me, galit ka ba sa akin?", tanong niya. He was intently looking at me.

Iba si Gray at iba si Zeus. Bakit ba si Gray agad ang pinaghinalaan ko? Maybe I'm just wrong! Gray
couldn't be into underground business.

Yumuko lang ako at umiling. Marami ang nakatingin sa amin. Oh, nasaan na pala ang kapit tuko na si
Marion?
Hinawakan ni Gray ang wrist ko at hinila ako palayo sa classroom.

"Saan tayo pupunta?", tanong ko sa kanya. Bakit ba ang hilig nilang manghila?

"Magcu-cutting", mahinang wika niya. What?! Nagcutting class kami kahapon and it does not turns out
to be good, tapos ngayon na naman? I wonder what would it be this time.

**

Vote and comment for the next chapter :)

CHAPTER 28: THE SPECTER OF BRIDLE

Chapter 28: The Specter of Bridle

Gray brought me in the mall matapos naming takasan ang nakaduty na guard. We were still in our
uniforms! Dinala niya ako sa bookstore ng mall and we ate lunch together. We talked about so many
things at somewhat ay nakalimutan ko na ang takot ko na si Gray si Zeus. It's really impossible.

Sunod niya akong dinala ay sa Timezone. We played all the archade games there at nanalo siya sa lahat
ng mga nilaro namin.

"Ang daya mo, hindi ako nananalo sa ibang mga laro. Let's play another, halos lahat ng computer games
at iba pang mga laro ay nalaro na natin maliban na lang sa basketball", wika ko sa kanya at inihagis ang
baril-barilan. Kahit anong gawin ko ay hindi talaga ako manalo!

He wave his hands. "I'll pass." He look around at naghanap ng iba pang computer-operated game na
maaring laruin.

"But that's my only way to win!", sumunod ako sa kanya ng lumapit siya sa isang machine. Heck! I was
never the arcade girl kaya hindi ko alam kung ano ang pangalan ng mga larong iyon.
"Ayoko ng maglaro." Umupo siya sa mga upuan nasa gilid.

I grabbed his hands at hinila siya papunta sa may basketball. "No! Maglalaro tayo!"

Ginamit ko ang binili niyang unlicard at nagsimula na. Wala naman siya nagawa kundi maglaro na rin.

At the end ay nanalo ako. I'm good in aiming kaya marami akong nashoot. Hindi rin naman kataasan ang
ring kaya walang problema sa akin.

When I looked at Gray, he just scored 2 points. What?! Just 2?!!

"Hindi ka marunong magbasketball? Bakla ka ba?", hindi ko mapigilang tanong sa kanya.

"What!? I don't know that basketball indicates gender nowadays", iritadong wika niya. He crossed his
arms at sumandal sa isang computer-operated game roon.

"But all guys know how to play basketball!", wika ko sa kanya.

"Not me!", he said at umiwas ng tingin.

"Bakla ka eh!", tukso ko sa kanya. He looks pissed ngunit mukhang nagtitimpi lang ito.

"Hindi sabi eh!"

"Si Gray bakla? Oh no!" Sinabayan ko pa iyon ng hagalpak na pagtawa kaya mukhang hindi na ito
nakatiis.

"I told you I'm not gay! Gusto mo bang patunayan ko sayo na lalaki ako? Then fine!"
Tumayo siya at lumapit sa akin. Whaaaaaaaaaat!???? Bakit lumalapit siya sa akin?!

He's getting closer kaya napasandal ako sa lalagyan ng mga bola!

God! What is Gray thinking?! Papatunayan niya na lalaki siya?! Is he going to -

to kiss me?!?

Mas lalo pa siya lumapit sa akin kaya inilagay ko ang kamay ko sa mukha ko!

Oh my God! I'm not so ready for this! No no no no! Nakakahiya rin kasi marami-rami rin ang tao doon!
Mas lalong lumapit si Gray sa akin. Nadikit na ang katawan niya sa katawan ko. Graaaaaaaay, what are
you doing -

Kumuha siya ng bola mula sa likuran ko. He tossed it gamit ang kanyang tuhod at sinalo niya iyon sa
pamamagitan ng kanyang dibdib then he hit it using his head. Inilipat-lipat niya iyon sa kanyang mga paa
at tuhod.

Uuuuh! He's doing soccer kahit basketball iyon. Mas matigas at mas mabigat iyon kumpara sa soccerball
ngunit tila madali lang para sa kanya ang ginagawa.

He's actually good at it,

no, he's excellent.

"Still think I'm a gay?", tanong nito habang nagpatuloy sa ginagawa.

I make a face. I thought he's going to kiss me! Wait, why does it seem that I'm disappointed!?!!!
Aaaaarhgh! No! Nakakahiya! Bakit ba ganoon ang iniisip ko?

"Fine you're not. Let's go, bibili pa ako ng cellphone", wika ko. Nagpatiuna na ako ng lakad at sumunod
naman siya.

We went to an iPhone store at tiningnan ang mga model na naroon.

"Hey, buy this one para parehas tayo", he said at ipinakita sa akin ang kanyang cellphone.

"At bakit naman kailangang parehas tayo?! We're not a couple!", wika ko sa kanya at huli na ng
marealize ko kung ano ang sinabi ko.

"What? Couple lang ba ang maaring magkatulad ang gamit?", tanong niya. He looked at me and raised
one brow.

Namula ako at wala akong maisip na sabihin! Shit! Why am I so stupid! Kanina iniisip ko na hahalikan ako
ni Gray! Ngayon naman I told him that we can't have the same thing dahil hindi kami couple! Seriously
Amber? Where's your brain!? Have the zombies already got it?

"Ah, uhhhm, yeah! I will buy that!", wika ko at nagpaassist sa naroon.

Nung magbabayad na ay saka ko lang natanto -

WALA AKONG DALANG CREDIT CARD! NOT EVEN A SINGLE COIN!

SHIIIIIIT! Asan na ba kasi ang utak ko, what's happening to me! Oh nooooooooooooo!

Tiningnan ko si Gray at abot tenga naman ang ngiti ng hudas! He knew all along na wala akong dala dahil
hinila niya lang ako diba? Arrrgh! Pinagmukha pa talaga akong tanga!!!!!

Ibinigay niya ang kanyang credit card sa babaeng naroon at bumulong sa akin.

"I was wondering kanina ng sinabi mong bibili ka ng cellphone", he said and grin. "Your uniform doesn't
have pockets kaya inisip ko na baka may nakalagay na pera o credit card sa dibdib mo o kaya ay sa gilid
ng underwear mo."

I know I'm so red! Parang gusto kong lamunin ma lang ng lupa dahil sa hiya! And this Gray!!!!!

"Perv!", I hissed at him at mas lalong natawa ito.

"You're welcome!"

"I'll pay you later!", iritadong wika ko sa kanya. Tsk! This guy! Nakakainis talaga ito.

Nang lumabas kami ng mall ay alas singko na ng hapon. We've been there for that long! Dinala niya ako
sa park at may mga iilan na naroon. There were kids playing kahit medyo madilim na ng paligid. May
mga nagtitinda ng kung anu-ano.

"Bakit mo naman ako dinala dito?", tanong ko sa kanya. Naupo kami sa naroong bench at tiningnan ang
mga batang naghahabulan.

"Wala lang. Gusto ko lang pumunta dito. I always walked in a park when I was in Athena", wika niya. He
was looking at the park lamp na nasa gilid.
"Oh tapos?", tanong ko. Gray has never talked about Athena. Ngayon lang ito nag-open up tungkol sa
dati nitong school.

"Athena High School was beside a park. Palagi kaming namamasyal roon ni Khael."

"What!? Si Khael ang kasama mong mamasyal?", I laughed at the thought. Ang bakla kayang isipin na
lalaki ang palagi mong kasama na mamasyal sa park!

"Now I remember! Something scary happened way back then habang nasa park kami ni Khael that
time!"

Nanlaki ang mga mata ko! Something scary? Uh, he's not suppose to tell me some ghost stories right?

I'm more afraid of death and of living people but ghosts just give me chills and I'm afraid of them too!
Kaya nga hindi ko kayang manuod kahit ng horror movie man lang! Ayaw kong tinatakot ang sarili ko!

"Now what? You've become pale? Don't tell me you're afraid of ghosts?", natatawang tanong niya and
he smirked at me.

Inirapan ko siya. "What do you care?" Ano bang problema kung takot sa multo ang isang tao? It's pretty
normal!

"They don't exist! Or let's say, they really exist because those are work of the devil but you should be
more afraid of things around you. Not on that ghost behind you", wika niya at tinuro ang likod.

I jumped out on the bench at yumakap sa kanya habang sumisigaw! Damn, madilim na ang kalangitan
and the park lamp was on the other side kaya nagulat ako ng may anino sa likod.

Narinig ko ang pagtawa ni Gray kaya napabitaw ako sa kanya. Why am I hugging him on the first
place?!!! Shiiit, what am I doing?!!
"It's just the balot vendor", natatawang wika nito. He was laughing like crazy!

Lumapit naman sa amin ang nagtitinda ng balot. "Balot po, maam, sir!"

Geez! You almost give me a heartattack and then expect me to eat some! No way!

At isa pa, hindi ako kumakain ng balot. Penoy lang but not balot! They're kinda gross.

"Pabili po ng balot kuya", Gray said at lumapit naman ang vendor sa kanya. Binuksan nito ang dalang ice
bucket at binigyan ng balot si Gray. He knocked the egg on the bench at nagsimula nang kumain. Sarap
na sarap ito!

Bumaling ang magbabalot sa akin. "Kayo po maam?"

Umiling ako sa kanya. "Hindi po. Wala po akong pera."

It's true! Wala naman talaga akong pera. Gray paid for everything including my expensive phone!
Whatever, I'm gonna reimburse him later.

"Hindi niyo po ililibre si Maam, sir?", baling nito kay Gray. "Iba na talaga ang henerasyon ngayon. Kapag
nagdedate na ang kabataan, hindi na ang lalaki ang gumagasta."

Namula ako sa sinabi nito.

"We're not dating!", magkapanabay naming wika ni Gray. Uh, why does he think that way?

Napakamot naman ito sa ulo. "Ganoon ba? Hehe, akala ko kasi. Kahit na sir, dapat ilibre nyo si maam."

Nagpoker face si Gray. "Kahit na ilibre ko pa siya kuya, I don't think she eat stuffs like this. Alam niyo na,
maarte kasi anak mayaman."
What?! Ako maarte?! Hindi ah! At mayaman? He's richer, duh.

"Ahh, ganoon ba? Sa Bridle ba kayo nag-aaral?", tanong nito. Muling kumuha ng balot si Gray at kumain
ulit. Mukhang sarap na sarap ito. I didn't even dare to look at on what he's eating.

"Opo."

"Lage akong dumadaan diyan. Suki ko kasi ang mga guard doon", kwento nito.

"Talaga po?"

Tumango ito. "May kababalaghan palang nangyayari diyan."

Nanlaki ang mga mata ko! Kababalaghan?! Don't tell me- Uh! Give me a break!

Napansin kong napabaling ang atensyon ni Gray sa magbabalot. "Talaga po? Anong kababalaghan
naman iyon?"

"Naikwento kasi ng mga guard sa akin. Dalawang gabi na daw nilang napapansin na parang may mga
yabag silang naririnig sa library."

Shit! Sa library! Of all places, sa library pa! That's my favorite place!

Nagpatuloy ang lalaki. "Noong unang gabi daw, mga bandang ala otso ng gabi nakarinig sila ng mga
yabag at naisip nila, alas singko pa lang magsasara na ang library, paano naman nagkaroon ng mga yabag
doon kung wala ng tao? Nung puntahan nila, nakarinig na naman sila ng mga bagay na parang hinihila,
ganoon."

Napatayo si Gray mula sa inuupuan. Does that thing interests him? Uh, not me! If it's a mystery, I would
be but if it includes ghost? No way!
"Did they saw anything? I mean wala ba silang sinabi na nakita nila sa library ng puntahan nila iyon?", he
asked.

What's with him being agitated at all? Don't tell me he's into this ghost? Urgh!

Umiling ang magbabalot. "Wala. Kaya nga nagtataka sila. Pero nakarinig sila ng tila pinto na sinara. Kaya
ayon, natakot sila at umalis. Baka raw kasi nagkakamali lang sila ng tingin. Ngunit muli silang nakarinig
ng mga ganoon. At may nakita silang mga anino, ngunit ng muli nilang buksan ang library, walang tao!
Kaya naisip nila na may nagmumulto talaga sa Bridle." Pagpapatuloy nito.

Sumiksik ako kay Gray. "Hindi naman siguro!"

Gosh! Why do they have to talk about ghosts in front of me?

"Ah! kagabi! Nagkagulo kagabi sa Bridle dahil may estudyanteng nakakita sa multo kagabi!", wika pa
nito.

What? Kagabi?! Wala akong narinig na ganoon. Uh, sabagay nasa party ako kagabi kaya hindi ko
nalaman ang tungkol doon.

Nang dumating din ako kanina ay wala ng oras sina Andi at Therese na magkwento sa akin o sadyang
ayaw lang nilang magkwento? They both know that I'm afraid of ghost and bogey stories.

"Yan din ang sinabi ng mga kaklase ko kanina", Gray said in a low voice. Oo nga pala, nauna ito sa
classroom kaysa asa akin.

Baka naikwento na ito ng mga kaklase ko sa kanya kaninang umaga. "Maraming salamat kuya, magkano
po ba lahat?"

"Tatlo. Labing pito ang isa kaya sengkwenta'y uno", wika nito. Gray handed him a 100-pesos bill.
"Keep the change kuya, mauna na kami."

Nagsimula na siya maglakad ng nagpasalamat ang lalaki sa kanya kaya sumunod na rin ako.

"Naikwento sa akin ni Marcus ang nangyari kagabi. He said a freshman girl saw some shadows na nasa
library, and they believe that there were ghosts. May mga naiiba daw kasi sa arrangement sa library.
They feel like something's unusual there. Something's out of place."

Pinara niya ang taxi at sumakay na kaming dalawa.

"If you would be asking if something's unusual in the library, you should be asking me. I know the library
more than anyone else, that's my territory", pagmamayabang ko sa kanya.

"Yeah, that's what they said. George said that I should consult the nerd", wika niya and I rolled my eyes
at him. Yeah, nerd. That's me. Whatever.

Alam na alam ko talaga ang library. I even know that there were secret cabinets there. Sa simpleng
tingin ay aakalain mong sahig o kaya ay dingding lang but those were really some sort of small storage
area. Don't tell me -

"You're not taking me to the library tonight, are you?", tanong ko and he smiled a little.

"That's what I'm planning."

"No way!", I exclaimed! Bakit niya ba ako dadalhin sa library at sa ganitong oras pa! It's almost seven! At
sabi nung magbabalot kanina, the library's ghost came out around eight.

"Hinding-hindi ako sasama sayo. Kung gusto mo, isama mo yung kapit-tukong si Marion dahil for sure,
sasama yun sayo!"

I crossed my arms at tumingin sa labas ng taxi.

"Akala ko ba ikaw ang mas nakaakalam sa library? Isa pa, Marion's not staying in the dorm."
She's not staying at the dorm? Akala ko ba boarding school ang Bridle?

"They probably negotiated with the registrar upang hindi magdorm si Marion", wika niya. "And even if
she's there, ayaw kong isama siya. She's so annoying."

Binigyan ko siya ng masamang tingin. Annoying? Duh, he seems to enjoy Marion's company!

"Kahit na! Ayoko sa mga bagay na may kinalaman sa multo! I might have a heartattack!", iniwas ko pa
rin ang tingin sa kanya.

"Ghost doesn't exist. They might thought that there's a spectre in the library and that's what they want
us to believe but the truth, we'll know it later", Gray said with his mischievous smile.

"Anong ibig mong sabihin?", tanong ko. I don't get him. Why does he seem so sure na wala ngang multo
sa library?

"Simple lang. Whoever is in that library wants us to believe that they're ghosts. Ghosts don't really
exist", wika niya.

"But the guard and that student saw it! At ano naman iyong mga naririnig nila? He said they heard
something being dragged right? What if it's the body of whoever they have eaten?", takot kong wika.
Gosh, I'm exaggerating in my thought!

"If that's the thing, wouldn't it more suspicious? What if they're criminals and they really dragged dead
bodies there?", he said at mas lalong nanlaki ang mga mata ko. That's even scarier!

"'We're almost there. Prepare yourself", wika niya ng malapit na kami sa Bridle. Huminto ang taxi sa
harap ng gate at nagbayad si Gray.

Uh, marami na yata akong babayaran kay Gray.

"Let's head to the library immediately", wika niya at nagpatiuna ng lakad.

"Kung gusto mo, ikaw ang pumunta." I walked on the other way at dumeretso sa cafeteria. Gray wasn't
following me kaya marahil ay tumuloy talaga ito sa library.

Stupid Gray! The library spectre might keep his soul!

Pumasok ako ng cafeteria at hinanap sina Andi at Therese. They were sitting in our usual spot at
kumakain. Agad akong lumapit sa kanila.

"Saan ka na naman ba galing Amber? You're still on your uniform kaya marahil ay hindi ka pa nakauwi sa
dorm", Andi said and drank some water from her glass.

"I bought a new phone", wika ko sa kanila. "Hey, what happened here last night?"

"You really want to ask? Hindi ka matatakot?", tanong ni Therese at umiling ako. Tapos na akong
matakot! Nakakatakot kaya ang pagkwento ng magbabalot kanina! Not to mention that I almost freaked
out ng tinakot ako ni Gray ng nasa likod ko siya.

"A stranger told me about what happened last night kaya hindi na ako matatakot. I just want more
details from you", wika ko sa kanila.

Umisod si Andi palapit sa akin. "Matagal-tagal na rin ng unang makakita ng mga anino ang mga guard sa
library. They even heard something that was being dragged on the floor but when they opened the
library, they found nothing."

"Nasundan iyon ng sumunod na gabi. Hanggang sa may estudyante na nakakita! She was actually in the
library kasi nakatulog siya sa ilaalim ng mesa. When she woke up, it's almost seven in the evening.
Naglolock ang mga guard kapag ala syete ng gabi though the library closes at five. She said she saw some
shadows! She said it was a ghost of a girl! May nakita kasi siyang puting damit. It was a long dress at
nakatayo iyon sa may bintana! Then she heard something being dragged!", tumigil si Andi ng napansin
na natatakot ako.
They're story is even scarier than the magbabalot's version!

"Are you sure you want to hear the rest?", tanong ni Andi.

Kahit natataakot ay tumango ako. "Say, sontinue please."

Si Therese naman aang nagsalita."She tried to run but she kicked on something and she saw blood on
the floor! Nagpanic siya and bump into the new boxes of books. Nakita na naman niya ang mga anino
and she heard scary voice. Kaya takot na takot siya ng lumabas siya ng library!"

"What's even mysterious was that there were no traces of bloods there. Tanging bote lang ng C2 ang
naroon", wika ni Therese.

I rolled my eyes. "Maybe it's not really blood. Baka natapon lang iyon ng laman ng C2 but since it's dark,
napagkamalan niyang dugo."

People tend to see things in kapag takot sila diba? I don't really know if that girl really saw a lady in a
white dress.

"I remember, she said she saw something when she bumped in the new boxes of books", Andi said.
Napatingin ako sa kanya.

"What?"

"She said she saw some packs of dried tea leaves instead of books", Andi replied.

Packs of dried tea leaves? Kung ganoon ay dapat nasa cafeteria ang mga box na iyon at wala sa library.

"Paano naman nag

How come may mga ganoon doon? Hindi kaya?? Agad akong napatayo sa upuan ko at tumakbo palabas
ng cafeteria. Ni hindi ko pinansin ang pagtawag nina Andi at Therese sa akin!
If my deduction is right Gray would be in danger!

Lakad-takbo ang ginawa ko hanggang sa makarating ako sa harap ng library. The glass door wasn't
locked kaya dahan-dahan akong pumasok. Madilim ang paligid but I didn't dare to opened the lights.
Magiging sanhi lang iyon upang maging alerto ang kung sino mang naroon.

Dahan-dahan akong pumasok at naglakad sa dilim. Muntik na akong napasigaw ng bigla na lamang mag
humila sa akin at tinakpan ang bibig ko gamit ang mga kamay niya.

Nanlaki ang mga mata ko and I was about to give an uppercut whoever it was nang bumulong ito sa
tenga ko.

"Be still, I heard some footsteps."

It was Gray. I sighed in relief at nagtago kami sa gilid.

"You scared me!", I told him but I keep my voice low. "Saan ka ba galing? I thought you're inside
already?"

Sumandal si Gray sa dingding. Hindi ko masyadong naaaninag ang mukha niya dahil sa dilim.

"I'm from the comfort room. I thought you're not coming?"

What did he just said? Did he - uh!

"What are you doing in the comfort room?", nakataas-kilay kong tanong.

"Why are you asking?", he asked in confusion. "Ano nga ba ang ginagawa sa CR?"
"Did you, d-did y-you, err, t-touch your- Damn! I can't say it!", I hissed and looked away.

"Touch my? What?", nalilito pa ring tanong nito.

Lord, help! Paano ko ba ito sasabihin ng hindi awkward? I can't even find the right words to say!

"Don't play dumb! Alam mo na! Yung ano -". Shit! Mabuti na lang talaga at madilim! I'm sure I'm as red
as a tomatoe!

"Hindi kita maintindihan", naguguluhan nitong wika. Akala ko ba matalino siya, bakit hindi niya agad
nakuha ang ibig kong sabihin?

Naiinis na ako. "Ano ba ang hinahawakan mo kapag umiihi ka?!"

"Of course my -, shit Amber! Ano bang klaseng tanong iyan?", he asked irritatingly.

I kicked his foot as hard as I could. Napangiwi naman ito sa sakit.

"What was that for?", he asked habang hinahawakan ang paa na sinipa ko.

"That's for putting your dirty hands on my mouth! That's so gross!", wika ko. He did put his hands na
pinanghawak niya sa "alam nyo na" niya diba?!

"There's no need to kick me! I used the sanitizer and dried my hands", he said and I was dumbfounded.
Oo nga pala. May mga nakalagay na mga handsanitizer sa mga CR katabi ng hand-dryer machine na
katulad ng mga nasa mall.

Bakit nga ba hindi ko naisip iyon? Ahhhh! So stupid of me!

"Kahit na! It's still not a 100% clean!", I reasoned out at nagpatiuna nang lumakad.
I walked away upang itago ang pagkakapahiya ko but I ran my way back ng may nakita ako. I prevented
myself from screaming at agad na bumalik kung saan ko iniwan si Gray.

"G-gray!!! I saw the l-lady in white!", nanginginig kong wika. I swear I saw something white near the
window! Marahil iyon ang damit na suot-suot ng nagmumulto sa Bridle!

Nakakapit ako sa damit ni Gray habang hinihila siya palayo. He was walking towards the direction where
I saw the ghost instead of the other way.

"I wanted to see if there's really a white lady", wika nito at mas humigpit ang kapit ko sa damit niya.
"Look."

"Are you insane?! Halos mamatay na ako sa takot tapos sasabihin mo pang look?! Ihampas kita dyan sa
pader eh!", I scowled at him.

Tumawa siya ng mahina."I don't know you're afraid of the curtain."

Napaangat ako ng tingin doon. He was right. There wasn't a white lady, just a white curtain.

"But I saw some shadows!", natatakot ko pa ring wika.

"Dummy, it's the curtain's shadow. Look", tinuro niya ang anino sa sahig. "The curtain is tied kaya
mukhang anino ng tao."

Tama nga siya. Bakit ba hindi ko naisip iyon? "But the curtain's swaying kanina."

"It's because the window isn't locked properly", he said and opened the window widely bago muling
sinara iyon. "Bakit ka ba sumunod dito?"
Naalala ko ang sinabi nina Andi at Therese. "Gray, I think whoever was here is hiding some drugs here.
Andi mentioned about the freshmen here last night. She said she bumped into the new boxes of books
but instead of books, she saw packs of dried tea leaves."

Napaisip naman si Gray. "Just as I thought. Nung pumunta kasi ako dito nung nakaraang araw, there
were several boxes of new books ngunit kanina ay wala na ang mga box. When I asked the librarian
where are the new books, she said they were on the last shelf on the right side. Nang tingnan ko iyon,
there were lots of new books but I think hindi iyon ganoon ka dami to fit in those large boxes. Maybe it's
because there were those drugs in the boxes!"

This is really a serious case. Malamang delikado ang lagay namin doon kapag nahuli kami ng kung sino
man amg naroon. We heard approaching step and a shadow kaya nagtago kami ni Gray sa gilid. Who
was it?

Gray whispered something in my eyes. Tumango ako sa kanya at agad na sinunod ang sinabi niya.
Tinawagan ko ang security ng Bridle gamit ang cellphone niya. I told them about the drug storage here in
the library.

Nang dumaan sa harap namin ang anino ay agad na tumayo si Gray.

"You're leaving with just a little amount of the drugs that you confined here?", wika ni Gray at nakita
kong tumigil sa paglalakad ang anino. Lumingon ito sa pinanggalingan ng boses ni Gray at sa tulong ng
liwanag ng buwan, I saw his face! I was surprised to see who was it!

"Don't you want to say anything about those things which look like 'dried tea leaves', Mr. Assistant-
Librarian?", Gray said bravely.

Yes, it was the assistant librarian. Unlike the librarian, he wasn't strict. Mabait ito sa amin, but I guess we
don't really have to trust kind people dahil hindi pa rin natin alam kung ano ba talaga sila.

"Ah, you're the famous Bridle detective. I was impressed ng masolve niyo ni Amber ang code na binigay
ni Mr. Arman sa nawawalang first edition ng The Iliad para sa lahat, I was trying to find it dahil alam kong
may ibibigay na reward si Mr. Arman, too bad, I wasn't able to find it at naunahan niyo ako ni Amber",
wika nito. He was holding tighly his bag. Malamang ay mga drugs ang laman niyon. "Let me share
something. It's not just those dried tea leaves but as well as crystals." He laughed a little.
Did he mean cocaine and other crystal-like drugs? Just as what we thought! There are really drugs here!

"That was just a piece of cake", pagyayabang ni Gray. "That's so bad. Books are the only things that
should be stored here. So you know Amber, huh?"

Napakislot ako sa gilid na pinagtaguan ko. Of course kilala ako ni Sir Joseph! Araw-araw akong nasa
library dati.

"Ah yes, Amber is friendly with books, not with people", wika ni Sir Joseph. "Mukhang hindi mo siya
kasama ngayon. You're brave enough to come alone."

"Ah, yes I'm brave", wika ni Gray. Nakapamulsa ito at cool na cool na kinakausap si Sir Joseph.

Ngumisi naman ang huli. "Let's see where can that bravery takes you." Naglabas ito ng baril.

Shit! Baril! May silencer iyon at itinuon niya kay Gray.

"How coward, I thought we'll do it physically", Gray said. Kinabahan ako para sa kanya.What if bigla na
lang itong barilin ng hindi nito namamalayan? Madilim doon at may silencer ang baril nito.

"Sorry but I'm in a hurry", sagot nito. He smiled like a devil habang nakatutok ang baril nito kay Gray.

I need to do something! Dahan-dahan akong tumayo at hinanap amg switch ng mga ilaw. Nang
mahanap ko iyon ay agad kong pinindot iyon at sumigaw.

"Kick his hands Gray!", I shouted kasabay ng pag-On ko sa mga ilaw.

Nagulat si Sir Joseph at hindi kaagad ito nakagalaw. Kumilos naman si Gray at sinipa ang kamay nitong
may hawak na baril. Tumilapon iyon sa malayo.
"Nandito ka pala at nagtatago lang?", wika ni Sir Joseph sa akin at bumaling kay Gray. "Now that's what
we called cowardice."

Bumukas ang pinto ng library at pumasok ang dalawang guard. Itinaas naman ni Sir Joseph ang dalawang
kamay.

"May mga tinago siyang drugs dito sa library", Gray said to the guards.

"The police are on their way", wika ng isang guard. May narinig akong mga boses sa labas. Uh, bakit
andaming estudyante doon?

"Ang tigas ng ulo ng mga estudyante! Sabi ng wag sumunod", wika naman ng isa pang guard nang
marinig din ang ingay sa labas. "Lumabas na kayo. Maraming salamat sa tulong niyo. Paparating na din
ang mga pulis, as of now, let's preserve this place."

Tumango kami sa guard at nagpatiunang naglakad. Sumunod naman sila sa amin habang hawak-hawak
si Sir Joseph. We were almost on the library's glass door ng bigla na lamang siniko ni Sir Joseph ang isang
guard dahilan upang mapabitaw ito sa kanya.

Nagulat na lang ako ng bigla niya akong hablutin. Naglabas siya ng kutsilyo mula sa bulsa at ipiniwesto
iyon sa leeg ko. Napasigaw naman ang mga estudyanteng nakakita. Maging ang mga guard ay nagulat sa
nangyari. Only Gray remained calm.

"Mamamatay ang batang ito kapag hindi niyo ako pinalabas ng maayos!", banta nito.

"Huminahon ka Sir Joseph, delikado yang ginagawa mo!", wika ng isang estudyante.

"Let me escape first kung ayaw niyong mamatay ang batang ito", wika nito.

"Stupid, you really think you can escape?", cool na wika ni Gray. Nakasandal siya nakabukas na glass
door.
I heard someone from the crowd shouted. "Save her Gray!" It was Therese!

"I don't have to", Gray said na ipinagtaka naman ng mga naroon.

"Umalis ka diyan sa daan!", wika ni Sir Joseph. Nararamdaman ko pa rin ang malamig na bakal na
nakadikit sa leeg ko.

"I told you, you can't escape. You've got the wrong hostage", wika ni Gray. Nagtaka naman si Sir Joseph
sa sinabi nito.

I took that oppurtunity to hit him in his stomach. Lumuwag ang kapit nito sa leeg ko. I managed to pull
myself out and I twisted his arm. Napangiwi ito sa sakit at nabitawan ang kutsilyo but he was fast at
muling pinulot iyon. Bago pa man niya maitaas ang kutsilyo ay sinipa ko ang kamay nito kaya tumilapon
iyon sa malayo. Agad itong hinawakan ng dalawang guard and he heard police sirens approaching.

Nakayuko lang si Sir Joseph hinawakan na ito ng mga guard. Pumalakpak naman ang mga naroong
estudyante.

"Amazing nerd!", I heard someone from the crowd shouted. Uh, I really hate attention.

"Ambeer! Amber! Amber! Amber!", the crowd cheered and I just rolled my eyes. Dumating na ang mga
pulis at pinabalik na ang lahat ng estudyante sa dorm at cafeteria.

Nang konti na lang ang naroon ay lumapit si Gray sa akin. '"Your neck is bleeding", wika niya.

Napahawak naman ako sa leeg ko at tama ito, it was bleeding. "It doesn't hurt though."

"Don't do it again."

Napatingin ako sa kanya. "What? Being a hostage? Hindi ko naman yun ginawa ah."
"That's not it", he said at nag-iwas ng tingin. He cannot look straight at me.

"Ah, turning on the lights? Ginawa ko lang naman yun baka barilin ka and you can't see it since it's dark",
paliwanag ko.

"Not that too."

"Then what?", iritado kong tanong. Ano ba kasi ang ibig niyang sabihin?

He blushed and look away. "Kicking someone wearing short skirt without anything under except your
panties! It's showing you -"

Pinigilan ko na siya. "Stop it!", I shouted. I don't wanna hear anything else! This is so embarrassing!

"It's pink", he said at hindi ko na napigilan ang sarili ko. I raised my leg and was about to kick him ngunit
napatigil ako at parehong nanlaki ang mga mata namin. It was a wrong choice of move!

"I told you not to -"

Hindi na natuloy ang sasabihin nito dahil sinuntok ko ito sa sikmura.

"Pervert!", I hissed at him and he smirked. Inapakan ko ang isang paa niya and he winced in pain.

"Serves you right", wika ko at nagmadaling umalis doon.

Arrrrrrrrgh! This is really so embarrasing!

--

AN: Share your thoughts! Vote and comments are higly appreciated. You can ask questions about the
story and suggest something too (yeah, that would be cooooooool!)
Okay, mags-study na ako hahaha! Mahal ko kasi readers nito kaya inuna ko to kaysa magreview sa 101
pages na Business Law quiz ko bukas! Haha! Di jk lang! Magrerefresh na lang eeehh!

P.S.

Read at your own risks. Sorry typo errors and grammars. I'll shut up now.

ShinichiLaaaabs, the zombie -_-

CHAPTER 29: A BAD OMEN BECKONED BY A VOLLEY BALL

Chapter 29: A Bad Omen Beckoned by a Volley Ball

I made sure na nagsuot na ako ng panty short the next morning na pumasok ako. That pervy Gray!
Nahawa na yata ito sa bespren nitong si Khael!

Ilang beses ba akong nabiktima sa kamanyakan nito kahapon? Urgh! His name should be Green, not
Gray!

Okay, that's kinda lousy! Basta nakakainis talaga siya kahapon but I'm somewhat thankful to him. Naaliw
din naman ako kasama siya.

Pumasok na ako sa klase ko. Pagdating ko ay binati ako ng mga kaklase ko. They were all smiling at me.

"Good morning Amber."

Nagtaka ako kung bakit ganoon sila, what happened? Nasanay na akong hindi pinapansin. Sanay na rin
akong nerd ang itawag nila sa akin instead of Amber.

I plastered a smile on my face. Gosh, hindi ko kaya ang ganito. Nakakapanibago. Lahat sila ay bumati at
ngumiti sa akin.
I sat on my usual spot at naroon na si Jeremy. "Good morning Amber." Bati niya sa akin.

I leaned towards him. "What happened? Our classmates seem so weird. Binabati nila ako, end of the
world na ba?"

Tumawa ng mahina si Jeremy but his eyes were still fixed on what he's reading. "You forgot already?
You're amazing last night! Para kang si Jet Li."

I made a face on his comparison. I was expecting he would say Maggie Q o kaya yun na lang kilala
ngayon sa mga action movies like Shailene Woodly or Jennifer Lawrence. But Jet Li? Oh no.

"It's just basic kicking", I told him at sumandal sa upuan ko. Hindi na ito sumagot and that ends our
conversation. Minsan nga ay naiisip ko kung ano kaya ang mga nasa isip ng isang Jeremy Martinez
maliban sa mga nababasa nitong libro?

A nerd's life is not boring at all. Believe me, I've been there, but tulad na lang kay Jeremy, uh! I don't
know.

Magkasabay na dumating sina Marion at Gray. Iniwas ko ang tingin sa kanila habang papasok. Tsk, ayan
na naman ang tuko!

"Good morning Amber!", bati ni Marion. I gave her a slight smile. I hate this. Ayokong ngumiti ng pilit
but I have no choice.

She greeted all our classmates at kinilig naman ang mga lalaki. Marion is the darling of the crowd,
maliban sa maganda ito, she's very friendly na kinaiinisan ng ibang mga babae at gustong-gusto naman
ng mga lalaki.

Hindi na kami nag-usap pa dahil dumating na si Miss Ruiz. Pinasubmit niya ang pinagawang character
critic sa play kahapon.
Oh, wala nga pala ako kaya wala akong nasubmit na critic. It was encoded and placed in a plastic folder.
Abala na silang lahat sa pagpass samantalang naupo lang ako doon.

She then gave us a story. She let us read the Cask of Amontillado at iniwan lang kami. When our
literature class ended ay agad na kaming nagbihis into our PE uniform.

I wonder what we would be doing this time. Pagdating namin sa gym ay naroon din ang section nina
Andi.

Bakit naroon ang 9C? Ano na naman bang binabalak ni Maam Saderna?

Lumapit ako kay Andi ng tinawag niya ako. The guys were setting up the net. Mukhang alam na nila kung
ano ang gagawin since mas nauna sila doon kaysa sa amin.

"Magvo-volleyball tayo!", Andi said agitatedly. Maging ang ibang mga taga 9C ay excited na excited.

Great. Maglalaro kami ng volleyball. I'm not a sporty person kaya nayamot ako sa isiping maglalaro kami
ng volleyball.

Tumayo na si Miss Saderna sa gitna. "Good morning class. You might be wondering bakit narito ang 9C
when in fact 9A ang nakaschedule na PE ngayon. It's because I want you to have a volleyball
tournament."

Umingay ang paligid. Excited ang lahat, sa 9A at sa 9C!

As of Andi, she's actually good in volleyball. Not me! Mas gusto ko pang magsolve ng maraming math
equations kaysa maglaro ng volleyball.

Pinatahimik ni Miss Saderna ang paligid. "The match will be like this. 9A boys vs 9C boys at 9A girls vs 9C
girls."
Mas lalo pang umingay ang paligid. Not all 9A were sporty kaya malaki ang tsansa naming matalo! Not to
mention that 9C students were known for being bully and harsh! Kadalasan kasi sa mga matitigas ang
ulo ay doon nilalagay. Nag-apir ang mga ito at tuwang-tuwa.

"I'm so excited!", wika ni Marcus, na nasa tabi ni Gray!

"I'm not", narinig king sagot ni Gray and he crossed his arms. Uh, looks like we both hate this sport.

"I hate this", wika ko kay Andi.

Andi chuckled a little. "Just enjoy! I wish you all the best as well as the 9A."

Muling magsalita si Maam Saderna. "Okay, the first match will be the boys. Ang mga physically unfit at
may mga sakit ang mag-o-officiate sa laro. I will be the scorer, now move", wika ni Miss Saderna.
Tumayo naman ang mga lalaki at naghanda na. They assigned someone to be the referee samantalang si
Jeremy naman ang naging umpire.

Bumaba na ang mga lalaki at nagwarm up. Gray was there too pero imbes na volleyball ang gawin nito,
he keeps on kicking the ball as if it was a soccer ball. Oh well, he's good at it.

Pinagsabihan ito ni Maam Saderna na mag-warm up na but he just ignored her. Nagpatuloy lang ito sa
ginagawa at walang pakialam kahit na nagwarm up na ang iba.

I wonder if he knows how to play volleyball. Well, I guess he's the sporty type.

Tumunog na ang whistle tanda na malapit ng magsimula ang laro.

Naupo na lang ako sa bleachers at nanood. Pinag-iba ng upuan ang mga spectators ng 9A at 9C.

Hindi nagtagal ay nagsimula ang laro ng mga lalaki. Gray didn't play on the first half. Parehas na
magaling ang dalawang section at hindi nagkakalayo ang score. Sa unang set ay nanalo ang section
namin. Sa pangalawang set ay ang 9C ang nanalo. Nang sumapit ang third set ay mas lalong gumanda
ang laban. Everyone wanted to win lalo na ang 9A. We wouldn't want to lose over 9C.

Magaling ang section namin at maging ang kalaban. They took several timeouts upang pagplanohang
mabuti ang laro.

When the game resumes ay agad iyong tinira ng nagserve.

Patuloy pa rin ang magandang laro hangang sa malapit ng matapos ang laro. To be declared as winners
kailangan na two points ang lamang ng isang team. Both scored 15-15 kaya't mainit ang laro. When the
other section hit the ball, our section missed to hit it back kaya naging ahead sila ng one point sa amin.
Kailangang pantayan namin ang score nila dahil kapag hindi na naman kami makascore, it would mean
victory to the other section.

Pumito ang umpire at ipinasok ang mga bagong nagsub. Gray was one of it.

Tsk, saka lang siya pumasok ng malapit ng matapos ang laro.

Maingay ang gym at panay ang cheer ng mga kaklase ko sa section namin. Nagpatuloy ang laro at ni
walang makahinga habang nagpalipat-lipat ang bola. Kinakabahan ang lahat at nang dumako ang bola
kay Gray,

everyone was so shocked!

Sa halip kasi na itoss niya ang bola at pabalikin sa kabila, he kicked it! He kicked it so hard at lumagpas
iyon sa court at tumama sa may bintana. The glass of the window broke.
Pumito naman ang referee at sinabing nanalo ang kabilang section. Sigh of frustration was heard from
our section pero walang nagreklamo dahil sa ginawa ni Gray.

Si Gray naman, nakangisi lang habang nakapamulsa as if he didn't let our section lose!

Natatawang tumayo ako sa bleachers at lumapit sa kanya.

"What have you done?", malakas ang boses ko dahil maingay ang paligid. Napatingin sa amin ang iba
naming kaklase, they might also be wondering kung bakit ipinatalo kami ni Gray. They're disappointed
ngunit hindi na lang nila pinahalata since malakas sa kanila si Gray.

"I kicked the ball", wika niya at ngumisi. Napatingin ito sa mga kaklase namin. "Pasensya na, hindi talaga
ako marunong magvolleyball." He gave them a boyish smile at kinilig naman ang mga kaklase kong may
gusto sa kanya.

"Ayos lang Gray!", sagot ng isa sa mga kaklase ko. Uh, they're so kind to Gray.

"Ipapanalo na lang namin", malanding wika ni Marion. Her PE shorts displayed her long legs, dahilan
upang pagpyestahan iyon ng mga lalaki.

"You broke the window", wika ko. Tumingin siya sa direksyon kung saan tumama ang bola kanina at
nabasag ang bintana.

"Yeah, I guess I did", wika niya. "Are you mad that I let our section lose?", tanong niya.

Umiling ako. Bakit naman ako magagalit? Eh maging ako nga hindi marunong maglaro noon!

Tinawag na ang mga babae upang maglaro. Hindi ako nagkaroon ng pagkakataon na mag-officiate sa
laro kaya magiging player ako.

Uh, I suck at this! Una ng naglaro ang mga magagaling. Marion was our star player. Magaling pala ito sa
volleyball?
We won the first set at nang mag second set na ay pumasok ako.

Shit, all I have to do is hit the ball, yun na lang ang inilagay ko sa utak habang nasa court.

Nagsimula na ang laro at hindi pa rin naman pumupunta ang bola sa direksyon ko. Thank God it's
cooperating!

I just stood in the court at pinanood ang pagbalik-balik ng bola. I guess I'm not needed here. Nakatayo
lang ako, I didn't even have contact with the ball.

"Aaaaaambeeeer!"

Napalingon ako sa pinanggalingan ng tumawag sa akin.

Who was it? Hinanap ng mga mata ko ang pinanggalingan ng boses nang bigla akong nakarinig ng isa
pang tawag but this time, it was from Andi na nasa kabilang side ng court.

Lumingon ako sa kanya ngunit biglang tumama nang malakas ang bola sa ulo ko and the last thing I
remember was it was getting darker at narinig ko ang mga pagtawag sa akin bago ako nawalan ng
malay.

**

Nagising ako na masakit ang ulo. Nang hawakan ko iyon ay may benda. Uh, that ball must really hate
me. It's the best form of physical contact with the ball. Not on ky hands but on my head. Great, just
great!

Gumalaw ang natutulog na pigura sa gilid ko. It was Gray. Nang mapansin niyang gising na ako ay agad
siyang tumayo.
"How do you feel Amber? Kilala mo pa ba ako? Alam mo bang Amber Sison ang pangalan mo?", he
asked. Iwinasiwas niya ang kamay sa harapan ko.

Mahinang hinampas ko siya at inalis ang kamay nito. "You're overrated."

I rolled my eyes at him. Hindi naman siguro nakakaamnesia ang nangyari sa akin.

He smiled. "Do you know how long you've been asleep?"

How would I know? I'm still in my PE uniform kaya marahil ay bago pa lang ako dito. I shook my head to
him.

"You've been here for three days." Seryoso nitong wika. My eyes widened. Three days? Three days na
akong walang malay?

Narinig ko ang hagalpak na pagtawa ni Gray and I figured out niloloko na naman niya ako.

"You're easily tricked", he said at umupo ng tuwid. I was lying in a bed at saka ko lang natanto na wala
ako sa infirmary.

"Hey, where am I?", tanong ko sa kanya. The place seems like a private clinic. May mga puting kurtina
ang nakatabing at naghihiwalay sa iba pang mga kama na naroon.

"Dr. Tyra's Private Clinic. Just a few streets away Bridle", he answered. Kaya pala hindi pamilyar ang
lugar. "You've been asleep for almost 4 hours."

Ganoon katagal? Ang huli kong naalala ay may tumawag sa akin bago ako natamaan ng bola.

"Why did you brought me here?", tanong ko sa kanya. Ayos lang naman kahit sa infirmary lang.
He shrugged his shoulders. "I was worried. I felt responsible somehow for the accident kaya dumeretso
na ako dito instead na sa infirmary since nasa seminar din si Dr. Trias at ang nurse lang ang nasa
infirmary ngayon. I was the one who called you bago ka matamaan ng bola."

So it was Gray. At bakit naman niya ako tinawag sa kalagitnaan ng laro?

"Why?"

Tiningnan niya ako ng deretso.

"I had a premonition that something's going to happen", wika niya at yumuko.

Premonition? Tiningnan ko ng mabuti si Gray. Bakit naman siya magkakaroon ng premonition at may
kinalaman pa sa akin?

Nagpatuloy ito sa pagsasalita. "I dreamed last night na may hinahabol akong bola ng volleyball, and in
the end, it disappeared with you", wika niya. "That's why I kicked the ball kanina aside from the fact na
hindi ako marunong magvolleyball."

Napanaginipan niya ako at ang bola ng volley ball? At bakit naman ganoon? Maybe it was just a simple
accident ay wala iyong koneksyon sa panaginip ni Gray. "I thought that ball was a bad omen", wika ulit
nito.

"You're overthinking Gray", I told him. Normal lang naman na may mga aksidenteng mangyari. "What's
the result of the tournament?"

"We won."

I smiled. Nakabawi din pala kami. Kahit na talo ang mga lalaki, nanalo naman ang mga babae. "That's
good to hear. I'm sure Marion did everything."

Lumukot ang mukha niya ng marinig ang pangalan ni Marion. "Yeah, she did."
Tumayo siya at kinuha ang bag. "I'll buy some food. Just stay here."

Tumango ako sa kanya at tinanaw ang papalayo niyang pigura. Medyo gutom na rin ako kaya sumang-
ayon na ako sa gusto niya na bumili ng pagkain.

May narinig akong cellphone na tumunog sa kanang bahagi. Hindi ko nakikita iyon dahil may nakatabing
na kurtina but I'm sure that there was another bed there at malamang ay may pasyente din doon.
Huminto ang ringtone at narinig ko ang boses ng sumagot niyon.

"Poseidon", narinig kong bati nito. "I'm not feeling well right now. Nasa clinic ako ni Tyra."

Biglang sinalakay ng kaba ang dibdib ko. That voice was very familiar. A voice that brings chill down to
my spine.

I felt my hands tremble and I know I'm pale. Maybe that volley ball was really a bad omen. Kinalimutan
ko na ang nangyari ng gabing iyon ngunit lahat ng takot ay bumalik nang marinig ko ang boses na iyon.

Apollo.

That Apollo who pointed his gun at me.

That Apollo who wants to kill me.

"Damn you Poseidon. Kausapin mo na lang si Ares tungkol diyan", narinig kong wika nito.
Poseidon.

Ares.

Nadagdagan na naman ang mga pangalang kinatatakutan ko.

"I'll hang up now."

I prevented the urge to stand up from my bed at silipin kung sino man ang nasa kabilang kurtina. Hindi
naman siguro siya nakamaskara habang nasa clinic diba?

My hands are cold and my heart beats fast. There is that throbbing pain in my head ngunit hindi ko
pinansin iyon. Mas nanaig kasi ang takot na nararamdaman ko ngayon.

"Alam ko kung may nakikinig sa akin mula sa kabilang kurtina", I heard him say at muntik na akong
mapakislot sa kama. Ako ba ang ibig niyang sabihin?

Shit! Nakikita ba niya ako? Paano naman niya nalaman na naroon ako at nakikinig sa kanya. He's one hell
of a devil huh!
Sasagot na sana ako ng biglang may magsalita mula sa kabila.

"I'm sorry, I just got worried on you dear cousin kaya sinundan kita kanina."

I somehow felt relieved. Hindi pala ako ang ibig niyang sabihin. Hinabol ko ang hininga ko na halos
mapugto kanina. Damn, I'm getting paranoid.

"Cut it Artemis", wika ni Apollo. "Ginagawa mo na naman akong bata."

Nakarinig ako ng tawa ng babae. "It's Ryza. Don't call me Artemis kapag wala tayo sa mansion. I'm Ryza,
you know."

Artemis. So they really used greek gods and goddesses as their codenames.

"Yeah, whatever.", narinig kong wika ni Apollo.

"Since you're fine as I can see, mauna na ako sauna little couz! Bye!", paalam ng babae at nakarinig ako
ng mga papalayong yabag.

Muling namayani ang katahimikan at bumalik na naman ang kaba ko. The mafia! They're just right
beside me.

Hindi ko alam kung ilang minuto na ang lumipas ngunit alam ko na nanginginig pa rin ako sa takot. Small
world, eh?

"I'm back", narinig kong wika ni Gray. Muntik na akong napasigaw dahil sa gulat.

Kumunot ang noo nito. "You look so pale. What happened?", tanong niya. "You're sweating. Naiinitan ka
ba? Ayos naman ang aircon ah."
Shit, I can't tell him. Paano ko ba sasabihin na nasa kabilang kurtina lang ang lalaking muntik nang
tapusin ang buhay ko?

I chose not to say anything. I faked a smile at him. "Wala. Masama lang ang pakiramdam ko."

"You look very pale", wika niya at lumapit sa akin. Inilapit niya ang mukha niya sa mukha ko. He held my
head at itinapat ang noo sa noo ko. Nanlaki ang mga mata ko sa ginawa niya.

He's face is very close to mine! Pinikit niya ang mga mata at pinakiramdaman ang noo ko gamit ang noo
niya.

"W-what are you doing?", nanginginig kong tanong. This time, I'm shaking not because of Apollo but
because of Gray. I'm not comfortable with the distance between us!

Inilayo na niya ang ulo. "Just doing temperature check. Mas mararamdaman mo raw ang temperature
ng isang tao kapag ganoon ang ginawa mo. So far, you're normal."

Inilabas na niya ang biniling pagkain. It was snacks and meals at napakarami niyon.

"Mauubos ba natin yan?", tanong ko sa kanya. He handed me a pizza roll.

"We will", he said at nagsimula na kaming kumain.

Matapos kumain ay naghanda na ako upang bumalik ng Bridle. So far, wala namang masyadong pinsala
ang nangyari sa ulo. Malakas lang talaga ang pagkakatama ng bola sa ulo ko kaya nawalan ako ng malay.
The small wound was due to my impact on the concrete ground.

Nasa receiving area ng clinic kami at naghihintay kay Dra. Tyra. Hindi naman nagtagal ay pumasok na ito
sa office nito at sumunod naman kami sa kanya.
"You must take care Amber. May mga bukol ka pa at konting sugat sa gilid ng ulo mo. Don't worry, maliit
lang iyon kaya hindi ka magkakapeklat", wika niya at nagreseta ng mga gamot.

Dra. Tyra was on her late 20s. Narinig kong binanggit ni Apollo ang pangalan ni Dra. Tyra sa isang
nagngangalang Poseidon. Does it mean na kasali rin sa mafia si Dra.?

I throw away such thought. Hindi naman siguro. Maybe I'm just overthinking. Nakakaparanoid kasi sila.

Tumango ako sa kanya at nagpasalamat. Bumukas ang pinto at iniluwa ang isang lalaki. He was very
good looking.

Nakasuot ito ng asul na long sleeve polo and a gray jeans. Maybe he's around 20 years old. Katulad ko ay
may benda din ito sa ulo. Nanlaki ang mga mata ko ng makita siya, I have a feeling that he is -

he is that Apollo.

I confirmed it when he smirked at me. Muling nanikip ang dibdib ko and my hands are cold.

He gave me a lopsided smile at umupo sa harap ko. I'm almost out of breath but I controlled myself.

"You shouldn't enter here kung may bisita pa dito Ryu", Dra. Tyra said. Humingi ito ng despensa sa amin.

"I don't care even if who it is. Kahit pa presidente ng Pilipinas o isang ordinaryong pakialamerang babae
lang", he glanced at me for a while. So it was really that Apollo. Hindi pa ba niya iyon nakakalimutan?
And his name is Ryu.

Hindi ako nakapagsalita. I'm really shaking at marahil ay napansin iyon ni Gray kaya siya na ang unang
nagsalita.

"Mauna na po kami Dra.", paalam niya at inalalayan akong tumayo.

"You're pale. Are alright Amber?", tanong ni Dra. sa akin. Napatingin din si Apollo or should I say Ryu, sa
akin. He was smirking at me.

Tumango lang ako at nagpaalam na. Shit! Apollo's presence really makes me weak.

"Take care of her Gray", bilin ni Dra. at tumango si Gray dito bago nagpaalam. Bago kami makalabas ay
narinig kong nagsalita si Ryu.

"Take care Amber." Buo ang boses nito and he gave me a sexy yet very dangerous smile. Kung ibang
pagkakataon siguro ay humanga na ako sa hitsura ni Apollo. As of that Zeus, I wonder kung ano din ang
hitsura nito, - ahhhhh! I don't know. I don't want to remember them!

How ironic! He's telling me to take care. Was it a warning? Nakakatakot talaga ito, pakiramdam ko ay
isang masamang babala ang sinabi nito.

Inalalayan ako ni Gray palabas ng clinic. It was on the second floor of a building few streets mula sa
Bridle High. Nang makalabas na kami ng clinic ay kinausap ako ni Gray.

"You know that guy? You've become pale when you saw him", wika niya at umiling lang ako. Ayokong
maalala si Apollo!

"But he seem to know you", wika niya ulit. He looks so convinced na magkakilala talaga kami ni Apollo.
Uh, yeah I knew him. He's Death to me.
Gray is persistent in his asking at since tinulungan niya ako, sasagutin ko ang tanong niya.

"Ah, maybe some guy I met during the masquerade party", wika ko at tumango naman si Gray at
pumara na ng taxi.

It wasn't a lie. Nakilala ko naman talaga si Apollo noong masquerade party. I just give him half the truth
dahil hindi ko pwedeng sabihin na ito ang nakipagnegotiate during that transaction. Pinili ko ng hindi na
dagdagan pa ang sinabi ko.

Nahalata marahil nito na ayaw kong pag-usapan ang tungkol doon. Nang makasakay kami sa taxi ay
hindi na ito nagtanong nga kung ano pa tungkol doon.

Pagdating namin sa Bridle ay nagpasalamat ako kay Gray at dumeretso na sa dorm upang magpahinga.

Sumang-ayon naman siya na magpahinga muna ako kaysa sa bumalik ako sa klase upang kunin ang mga
gamit ko. He volunteered to do it kaya pumayag na lang ako.

Alas tres pa lang ng hapon kaya wala pa sina Therese at Andi nang nakapasok ako sa roon namin.

I lay down on my bed at inisip ang nangyari kanina. Totoo nga kaya ang premonition ni Gray? It's not
really pleasant to see that Apollo. Kung dati ay iniisip ko kung ano ang mukha nito behind the mask,
ngayon naman ay gusto kong hilingin na sana ay hindi ko na kang siya nakita.

He may look like a normal rich kid but he's really a part of the mafia.

And speaking of mafias, I never imagined myself to encounter one. Nakakatakot pala sila. I thought nasa
mga palabas lang sila but they really exist.

Those guys in their greek mythology code names, remembering them gives me shivers, lalo na si Zeus.
He seem so nice to me but I feel that he's the most dangerous.
Hindi ko namalayan na nakatulugan ko na ang pag-iisip sa kanila.

--

Keep supporting DF! Aja!

Love and Care,

ShinichiLaaaabs, the monster -_-

CHAPTER 30: RAPUNZEL'S NIGHTMARE CASE

Chapter 30: Rapunzel's Nightmare Case

AN: Yeah, it's a double chapter update, treat ko sa inyo! Haha kaya vote and comment na!

(Hahahahaha, Lol xD)

-evergorgeous ShinichiLaaaabs! **

--

I was running in a dark aisle at habol ko ang paghinga ko. I'm sweating but I keep running as if it's my
only escape.

Nadapa ako and I hurt my foot. Nakarinig ako ng mga papalapit na yabag and I heard someone laughed
evilly. Ang sunod kong narinig ay ang pagkasa ng baril. When I looked up, nakita ko ang nakangising
mukha ni Apollo sa akin as he pointed a gun in my head.
"You're going to die", wika niya at tumawa. I felt so helpless kaya yumuko na lang ako at hinintay na
pasabugin niya ang ulo ko.

I used to be someone who's not into other's affairs. Isa lang naman akong babae na mahilig sa mga libro
and that's how I got that title 'nerd.'

I don't want my nose in other people's affair ngunit ngayon ay nagawa ko iyon, at sa isang mafia pa!

I don't deserve to die yet ngunit mukhang katapusan ko na. Narinig kong muling ikinasa ang baril.

Dalawang kasa ba talaga ang kailangan bago ako barilin?

"Move", I heard someone said and it was Zeus. He pointed his gun at Apollo. Apollo just smiled and the
next thing I knew ay may pumutok na baril.

Napabalikwas ako ng bangon. Thank God, it was just a nightmare!

Seeing Apollo this afternoon, caused me this nightmare. Nagising na lang ako na pawis na pawis at takot.
Their existence really scares the hell out of me. Ano ba ang kasalanan ko at naencounter ko sila? They're
living nightmares!

Sa panaginip ko ay nakatutok ang baril ni Apollo sa akin samantalang nakatutok naman ang baril ni Zeus
kay Apollo. Kahit sa panaginip ay inililigtas pa rin ako ni Zeus.

Bumangon ako at uminom ng tubig. Nang tingnan ko ang alarm clock sa gilid ng kama ko, it's 2:10 in the
morning. May pamahiin pa naman na natutuloy ang mga panaginip kapag ganitong oras. Malakas pa rin
ang kabog ng dibdib ko sanhi ng bangungot na iyon. Andi and Therese were sleeping peacefully in their
beds.

Iwinaksi ko na lang ang isiping iyon at kumuha ng isang libro. I decided to read it hanggang sa hindi ko
namalayan na nakatulog na pala ako.
Nang magising ako kinabukasan ay may commotion sa 7th floor ng dorm. I didn't bother to go up there.
Nagkwento na lamang sina Andi at Therese sa akin tungkol sa nangyari since nakiusyoso sila doon.

"You should be careful Amber, ikaw ang may pinakamahabang buhok sa atin", Therese said.

I gave her a questioning look.

"What do you mean?"

"A student from the 7th floor and another from 6th floor was being attacked last night."

Nanlaki ang mga mata ko sa sinabi niya. "Attacked? By who?"

"Not the physical attack. Someone just cut their hair. You know Janine?", tanong niya sa akin at umiling
ako. Wala akong masyadong kilala sa dorm. I just know their faces, not their names.

"Ah basta. Yun yung may mahabang buhok na babae, grade 10 yata", she said.

"She said someone snuck in her room and cut her hair.", wika naman ni Andi.

"Gayundin ang isa pang biktima. It's Aya, yung freshman na mahaba rin ang buhok", Therese said.

"What? That's very rude!", wika ko. "Sino naman ang gumawa nun?"

Therese shrugged her shoulders. "They said hindi niya nakita kung sino man iyon. Ayon kay Janine, she
was too shocked to move right away. Ayon sa kanya, she felt something touched her hair kaya agad
siyang nagising. She saw someone in a black outfit run off the door. Nakita niya umano ang mga pinutol
na buhok niya na nasa sahig. She cried nang mangyari iyon sa kanya. Kaya nga mag-ingat kayong dalawa,
lalo ka na Amber."

"Mag-ingat? Sa?", I asked confusely.

She crossed her arms bago sumagot. "Ibig sabihin, you're more susceptible of becoming the next victim
kasi nga mahaba ang buhok mo."

Natakot naman si Andi sa sinabi nito. Kami kasing dalawa ang mahaba ang buhok though mine is
relatively long compared to Andi's. Lampas-balikat ang buhok nito samantalang abot naman hanggang
beywang ang sa akin. Therese' hair was above the shoulder.

"Do you really think na sasalakay pa ang gumagawa ng prank na pamumutol ng buhok? That's very
scary, importante sa babae ang buhok. Gosh, I can't picture out myself with a boycut hair", wika ni Andi.

"I just hope they don't", wika ko sa kanila.

**

It's been two days since matamaan ako ng bola. Wala na ang benda sa ulo ko and I'm somewhat feeling
better. Kumakain kami ngayon sa cafeteria. It's Sunday at bukas ay balik na naman sa klase.

Usap-usapan din sa cafeteria ang nangyari sa girl's dorm. I don't know if Gray already knew about it.
Hindi kasi ako lumabas ng dorm noong sabado. Nagpabili lang ako kina Andi ng pagkain at sa dorm lang
kumain.

I don't feel like going out that day. Ngayon naman ay hindi ko nakita si Gray sa paligid. Maaga pa lang
kasi, it's still six in the afternoon and we decided to have an early dinner.

Gray usually have his dinner around eight in the evening.

The two days that have passed have been a peaceful one. Wala masyadong nangyari noong weekend
except the hair cutting prank that happened in the girl's dormitory. Nagsimula iyon noong isang gabi.
Someone was cutting the hair of the girls in the dormitory. Nagigising na lang ang ibang mga estudyante
na may pumutol sa buhok nila.

I don't know what's the motive ng sino mang gumagawa noon.

Another happened last night, and just like the first two, the third victim was another long-haired girl.

There were already three victims and all of them have long hair and I came to the conclusion na mga
mahahaba lang ang buhok ang binibiktima nito.

"This is a serious matter", wika ko. Tatlo na kasi ang naging biktima, after the first one.

The first victim ay mula sa seventh floor, a fourth year student name Janine. Mahaba ang buhok nito,
halos umabot ng beywang. Nang makita ko siya noong isang araw, bobcut na ang style ng buhok nito.

Another victim was someone named Aya, at tulad ni Janine ay mahaba at maganda ang buhok nito. She
also woke up the next day na may pumutol na sa buhok nito.

When the third one happened kanina, naging alerto na ang bawat babae sa dorm. I saw the victim Trina
bago at ang buhok nitong pinutol.

Noong una kasi ay akala lang namin na simpleng prank lang iyon but dahil sa sunod-sunod na pangyayari
ay hindi na iyon maisawawalang bahala.

Tinawag ng mga taga Girl's dorm ang pangyayari na iyon bilang Rapunzel's Nightmare. Mga mahahaba
lang kasi ang buhok ang mga nabibiktima and the girl's believe na tulad ng kwento ay may witch na
gustong kunin ang mga buhok nila.

Nightmare because it happens at night habang tulog ang mga biktma.

"Kaya ingatan mo yang buhok mo, you've got a nice, long hair", paalala ni Therese sa akin. Tsk, I would
make sure na kung sino man ang gumagawa ng Rapunzel's Nightmare prank na iyan, I swear I'll catch
him.

"Mahuhuli ko na kung sino man ang gumagawa niyan bago pa man niya ako mabiktima", wika ko at
tinuloy na ang pagkain.

**
Maaga akong gumising kinabukasan. Wala naman kaming narinig na naging biktima ng Rapunzel's
Nightmare prank nang magising kami unlike yesterday and the other day. I took a bath at nagbihis na
upang kumain sa cafeteria. I decided to grab some sandwiches and milk bago pumunta sa klase.

Marami-rami na rin ang naroon nang dumating ako. Gray was there too. Nang makaupo ako ay kinausap
niya ako.

"I've heard about the prank at the girl's dorm", wika niya at tumango ako. Mainit kasi ang usaping iyon
at marahil ay dumating iyon hanggang sa boy's dorm. "Haven't you figured it out?"

Umiling ako. "Hindi pa ako nag-iimbestiga tungkol diyan." Akala ko kasi ay simpleng prank lang iyon
noong una. Saka ko lamang naisipang imbestigahan iyon ng dumami na ang naging biktima. "Why? You
want to have that case and find the culprit behind?", I asked him.

He smirked at me. "Oh, as if I'm allowed in the girl's dormitory."

Oo nga pala, off-limits ang mga lalaki sa girl's dormitory gayundin ang mga babae sa boy's dormitory.

"Bakit, sa girl's dormitory lang ba maaring mag-imbestiga?", tanong ko sa kanya. The culprit could be
someone from the boy's dormitory who snuck in the girl's dorm, right?

Tumango siya. "The victims are all girls and from what I've heard, girls with beautiful long hair are
usually the victims. Boy's just can't sneak out at night upang mamutol ng buhok ng babae, so I believe na
nasa girl's dorm lang din ang gumagawa niyon. You've got a long, beautiful hair so you'd better be
careful."

I blushed on what he said. He really thinks that I have a beautiful hair?

"Don't give me such face. Masyado ka yatang naflatter sa sinabi ko", bawi niya and I frowned at him.
Maganda naman talaga ang buhok ko dahil iniingatan ko talaga iyon! Not to mention na namana ko iyon
sa magandang mommy ko.

"Whatever." I rolled my eyes at him.

Dumating si Marion at gaya ng nakasanayan, halos isa-isahin nitong batiin lahat ng naroon.

She greeted Gray lastly, in her flirty way, the "Marion way".

"Good morning Gray", she said at pinadaan ang mga daliri na may red acrylic nailpolish. Mabuti na lang
talaga at hindi strikto ang Bridle pagdating sa mga ganoong bagay, unlike some other private schools at
mga Christian school.

Gray give her a half smile at nangalumbaba na sa mesa niya. He uttered something like 'here's the
annoying.' He's really annoyed with Marion, eh?

Pumasok naman ang literature teacher namin dala-dala ang sinubmit nilang critic paper last meeting.
Isa-isang lumapit Maam Ruiz sa amin at binalik ang mga critic. I slouch on my armchair since wala
naman akong matatanggap na critic paper. Nagulat na lang ako ng ilapag ni Maam Ruiz ang isang folder
sa harap ko.

"Nice job Amber. That's really a detective's keen observations on each characters", wika niya at
nilampasan ako matapos ilapag iyon. Dumeretso siya sa pwesto ni Gray at ibinigay din dito ang isang
folder. "You too Gray, I'm so impressed."

Nang makaalis si Maam Ruiz sa row namin ay agad kong hinarap si Gray. I wave the folder in front of
him.

"You made this, right?", mahina ang boses kong wika sa kanya. He just smirked at me.

Uh, I felt so indebted at him. Inihampas ko ang folder sa kanya. Mahina lang iyon ngunit exaggerated
ang pagreact nito.

"Aray! Is that how you say thank you?", wika niya. Nilukot niya rin ang kanyang folder at mahinang
inihampas iyon sa akin. "That's you're welcome."
Sinamaan ko siya ng tingin at tumawa lang siya ng mahina. "Bakit mo ba ako ginawan ng ganito?", I
asked him. There was a big A+ on my folder. Iniisip ko pa lamang na si Gray ang gumawa niyon ay
nakokonsensya na ako. I always got A+ on my papers before ngunit ngayon na si Gray ang gumawa, oh, I
don't know if I would be happy or what.

"I'm bored. Marami kasi akong maicritic sa nagdrama, and it would be very long kung sa akin ko iyon
isusulat kaya gumawa na lang din ako ng isa. I remembered na wala ka palang maisu-submit and that's
when I decided to name the other paper for you. Ayoko ring sabihin ni Maam Ruiz na metikuloso ako."
Sumandal siya sa upuan niya at cool na cool lang na nakikipag-usap sa akin.

"You could just don't make the other critic upang hindi maging masyadong mahaba ang papel mo",
sagot ko sa kanya. It's not really necessary to make one for me! At hindi pa niya ako sinabihan!

"Then they will not improve. Kapag hindi ko sinulat ang mga napansin ko sa play, they tend to believe na
maayos ang ginawa nila. I'm sure Maam Ruiz would relay our critics to the second year for their
improvement." He said at hindi na lang ako nagsalita pa.

I know it's a lie. Alam kong gumawa talaga siya ng isa pa na para talaga sa akin. Inirapan ko na lang siya
at nakinig na kay Maam Ruiz na nagsasalita sa harap.

Nang tumunog na ang bell tanda na break na ay nagsilabasan na ang mga kaklase ko.

Marion dragged the annoyed Gray into the cafeteria at nagpaiwan ako sa classroom. I read the critic
paper na ginawa ni Gray. It was really good. Napansin talaga nito ang mga maliliit na detalye.

Tumayo na ako mula sa upuan ko at lumabas na ng room . I went straight to the cafeteria.

Nang makarating ako roon ay tinawag ako ni Gray and invited me to join in their table. Kasama niya
doon si Marion.

I know Gray is annoyed with Marion's presence. Halata kasi na may gusto sa kanya si Marion and Gray
seems to hate such idea.
I guess I owed Gray a favor of doing a critic paper for me kaya pumayag na akong sumama sa mesa nila
kahit ayoko.

Magmumukha lang akong thrird party roon but I have no other choice.

Marion faked a smile to me. I know she don't like my closeness to Gray at alam ko na may gusto siya dito
since she told me her feelings about Gray.

"What do you want Gray?", malambing niyang tanong kay Gray. Gray just got his phone at may itinext. I
wonder who he texted this time.

"Kung ano ang gusto ni Amber, yun na lang din ang akin", wika niya without even looking at Marion. I
saw Marion raised one brow ngunit saglit lang iyon. Muli niyang tinanong si Gray.

"Do you want pizza?", tanong niya at kinalabit ito.

This time ay itinago na ni Gray ang cellphone sa bulsa at humarap sa akin. "Anong kakainin mo?"

Tumingin na rin si Marion sa akin. I know she's jealous! At hudyo naman itong si Gray! Ako pa talaga ang
ginagamit upang mainis si Marion!

"Ah, p-pizza would be fine", wika ko at tumayo. Ako na ang kukuha ng order ko! Alangan naming iasa ko
pa kay Gray, takot ko lang baka utusan nito si Marion! That's a big no-no for the reputation of the Textile
king's Daughter!

Tumayo rin si Gray at sumunod sa akin. "Sama ako sayo, pizza na lang ang kainin mo Marion, kami na
ang kukuha." He said at tumakbo na upang makasabay sa akin.

Naiwan naman sa mesa si Marion. Nang makalayo na kami doon ay siniko ko si Gray.

"What are you doing? Ginagamit mo ba ako upang pagselosin si Marion?", I asked him in a low voice.
He made a face. "At bakit ko naman siya pagseselosin? She's very annoying, I can't stand her anymore.
Alam mo bang bantay sarado niya ako? Daig pa niya ang bodyguard!" Mukhang naiinis na talaga sa
kakulitan ni Marion.

"She's pretty and she likes you", wika ko sa kanya. Huminto siya sa paglalakad at itinaas ang isang kilay
sa akin.

"So? She's not the first girl who happens to like me. I'm not bragging this ngunit marami pang
magagandang babae ang nagkakagusto sa akin but they don't just interest me at all", wika niya. He's
face was smirking. Uh, eh ano naman ngayon kung marami ang nagkakagusto sa kanya? I don't care!

"Ang yabang mo", wika ko. Sinulat ko ang order naming at ibinigay iyon sa staff ng cafeteria.

"Hindi ako nagyayabang, that's the truth", he said and crossed his arms. He smiled sexily and that
annoyed me! Nang binigay na ng staff ang order naming pizza at coke in can ay ipinasa ko ang tray kay
Gray.

"Dalhin mo yan doon sa mesa", wika ko and paid everything.

"You paid it?", tanong niya nang tanggapin ang tray. I just nod at him and he frowned at me. "You
should have let that brat over there paid this.", wika niya at ngumuso sa direksyon ni Marion.

"Sige na, dalhin mo na yan doon", wika ko sa kanya.

"Opo, mahal na prinsesa", he said at dinala na niya iyon. Oh, there he goes again with such endearment!

Pumunta muna ako sa CR ng cafeteria. Pagpasok ko ay bigla na lang akong bumangga sa isang babae. It
was the first victim of Rapunzel's nightmare, Janine. Ngayon ko lang siya nakita sa malapitan.

Nahulog ang dala nitong filecase at natapon ang mga laman niyong papel. Tinulungan ko siyang pulutin
iyon at humingi ng pasensya.
"I'm so sorry, hindi ko sinasadya", wika ko habang pinulot ang mga papel. Napahinto ako ng mapulot ko
ang isang sobre. It was from a private clinic of Dra. Rena Montalban, a gynecologist.

Agad iyong inagaw ni Janine sa akin at nagpaalam na ito matapos nagpasalamat. Nang tumayo ako ay
tinanaw ko siya habang papalayo. Why does she have a mail from a gynecologist?

She actually looks good on her new hairstyle ngunit naaawa ako sa kanya. Maybe she love her hair so
much tapos magigising na lang ito isang araw na pinutol iyon ng kung sino man.

Napansin ko rin na tila umiiyak ito. Pugto kasi ang mga mata nito. I also noticed na mabalbon ito. I was
thinking of something about her ngunit hindi ko na lamang iyon pinansin at pumasok na sa loob ng CR.

Nang lumabas ako ay bumalik agad ako sa mesa kung saan naroon sina Marion at Gray.

"What took you so long?", tanong ni Gray sa akin.

"I bumped into someone at tinulungan siyang pulutin ang mga nalaglag niyang gamit", sagot ko dito.

Nagsimula na akong kumain dahil malapit na ring matapos ang break. Matapos ang break ay bumalik na
kami sa klase for our Math class.

Habang nagle-lecture ang guro namin ay may bumabagabag sa isip ko. Is it possible?

Paulit-ulit ko iyong inisip. Nagulat na lang ako ng biglang may humampas ng ruler sa mesa ko. Napakislot
ako sa gulat.

Nang iangat ko ang tingin ko, it was our terror Math teacher.

"Where on earth is your mind Miss Sison? Kanina pa kita tinatawag ngunit hindi ka nakikinig. Mind
sharing your thoughts in the class?", wika nito.

It was the old Miss Laid. She was our math teacher at strikta ito. Palibhasa kasi ay matandang-dalaga.
Yumuko ako. "Sorry po."

She scowled at me bago muling bumalik sa harap at muling itinuloy ang pagdi-discuss. Shit, bakit ba ako
spaced out kanina? This is the first time na napagalitan ako sa klase! It's so embarrassing.

Kinalabit ako ni Gray sa likod kaya napalingon ako sa kanya.

"What were you thinking? You were really spaced out, ilang beses na kitang tinawag bago pa lumapit sa
iyo si Miss Laid", bulong niya.

"I'm just bothered with something", wika ko sa mahinang boses.

Nagulat kaming pareho ng bigla na lang may dumapo na eraser sa harap namin! Mabuti na lang at hindi
iyon tumama sa aming mukha!

"What were the two of you whispering there?!", malaki ang boses na wika ni Miss Laid. She's very angry!
Bakit ba kasi nakalimutan ko na ito nga pala ang guro namin ngayon!

Kapag klase kasi nito, walang nagsasalita dahil kahit ang pinakamahinang bulong ay naririnig nito! Every
student in Bridle is afraid of her!

"The two of you, solve these two equations on the board! #1 is for you Miss Sison and you do #2 Mr.
Silvan! Now!", wika nito at paulit-ulit na inihampas ang hawak na ruler sa mesa.

Ganoon kasi ito. Kapag may nahuhuli itong nagsasalita sa klase, pasasagutin niya iyon ng mga katakot-
takot na mga equations sa board. At kapag hindi mo iyon masagutan ay mananatili kang nakatayo
hanggang sa matapos ang klase at kapag nasagutan mo iyon, palalabasin ka sa klase.

Tumayo naman kaming dalawa ni Gray at lumapit sa blackboard.

The mathematical equation on the board was just about inequalities involving rational expressions.
Katakot-takot man ang mahabang equation na iyon, mathematics is just a piece of cake for me. I mean
I'm not really a math genius but I enjoy math.

Agad ko iyong sinagutan and I did it in less than a minute. Nang ilapag ko ang chalk ay tapos na rin si
Gray sa sinagutan niya. He smirked at me.

"Math freak", wika niya ng tiningnan ang solution ko.

I rolled my eyes at him. "It's you moron, you're the freak."

Pumalakpak naman ang mga kaklase namin at galit na galit naman si Miss Laid dahil umingay ang mga
kaklase.

"Shuuut up!", wika nito at bumaling sa aming dalawa ni Gray. "Not because you answered it correctly ay
maliligtas na kayo! You two think you're really smart?! Get out!", she said at pinaalis kami.

Wala naman kaming nagawa kundi umalis doon. Nang makalabas kami ay humingi ng pasensya si Gray
sa akin.

"I'm sorry. Kung hindi kita tinanong, hindi sana tayo mapapalabas", wika niya. We're walking towards
the cafeteria.

"It's not your fault, palagi namang ganoon yun si Miss Laid", wika ko. Pumasok kami sa cafeteria. May
iilang mga tao din doon, malamang ay wala iyong mga pasok.

Paupo na kami ng bigla na lamang kaming nakarinig ng sigaw mula sa female's CR!

Agad akong tumakbo roon. The CR has 5 cubicles at pagpasok ko ay may apat na babae ang nakapalibot
sa harap ng isang babae. May mga piraso ng buhok sa sahig and a scissors.
Napatigil ako. Rapunzel's Nightmare! I thought it only happens at the dormitory at night ngunit mukhang
hindi pala.

"What happened?", tanong ko sa kanila. Biglang bumukas ang pintong pinanggalingan ko at iniluwa
niyon si Gray.

"Hey, you're not allowed here", wika ko sa kanya. Bumaling naman ako sa mga naroon."Please get
outside at sabihin niyo sa amin ang mga nangyari."

They both agreed at lumabas na ng female's CR. Nakiusyoso naman ang iba pang mga naroon.

"What happened?" Gray asked.

The girl who's hair was cut was the one who spoke. " Papasok ako sa pangalawang cubicle ng bigla na
lang namatay ang namatay ang ilaw. Then someone grabbed me and cut my hair."

"Naabutan ko silang apat sa CR. One of them could be the one who did it", wika ko at tiningnan silang
apat.

Gray examined the girl's hair. Hanggang beywang iyon at ang kalahati ay hanggang balikat na lang.

"We can determine the culprit by getting the fingerprint from the scissors", wika ni Gray.

"I'm afraid it's not so. Lahat kami ay hinawakan ang gunting ng makita namin ang nangyari sa kanya,
right?", wika ng isang babae. Sumang-ayon naman ang tatlo.

Tiningnan ko silang apat. One of them was the one I bumped with kanina, the first victim Janine. The
other one was Aya, another victim at hindi ko na kilala ang dalawa pa.

"What's your name?", tanong ni Gray sa biktima.

"Maggie Reyes", wika nito. Gray wrote it in a his small notebook. Wait, he's always carrying it with him?

"How about the four of you", lumapit siya kay Aya. "What's your name and nasaang bahagi ka ng CR ng
biglang namatay ang ilaw?"

Nagulat si Aya sa tanong nito ngunit nakasagot naman ito. "Aya Dela Rosa. Nasa unang cubicle ako ng
mamatay ang ilaw. I stayed in the cubicle dahil madilim. Hindi ako nakakakita since I have nyctalopia."

Kung totoo man ang sinasabi nito, impossibleng ito ang gumawa niyon. Nyctalopia is night blindness.
Closed room kasi ang CR, there wasn't a single window kaya madilim doon kapag nakapatay ang ilaw.

Gray noted it on his notebook. Sunod niyang tinanong ay ang isa pang babae. "How about you?"

"I'm Mica Estrella. Nasa pang-apat na cubicle ako. Nasa loob lang ako ng CR dahil hindi ako makalabas.
The door stucked at tinulungan nila akong buksan iyon."

Gray confirmed her alibi with the others. Sira kasi ang handle ng pinto at bumara iyon sa pagbukas ng
pinto.

Si Janine naman ang tinanong nito. "Janine Fontino. I'm in the last cubicle. Ginagamot ko ang sugat ko
nang mamatay ang ilaw." Pinakita niya sa amin ang sugat niya. It was swollen.

"How about you?", tanong nito sa isa.

"Claire Villan. I'm in the third cubicle at nagbibihis ng - basta! I was also the one who turn on the lights."

Gray reviewed his notes. "Ibig sabihin, ang pinakamalapit sa cubicle ng biktima ay sina Aya at Claire.
Kung totoo nga na may nyctalopia si Aya, that would eliminate her from being the culprit."

"What? Kung ganoon ay ako ang magiging salarin?", tanong ni Claire.

"No, lahat pa rin kayo. But if we based it in your alibi, the three of you got the doubtful alibi. But since
Janine and Aya are also victims of the Rapunzel's nightmare prank, I guess we only have Claire and
Mica", wika ko.

"But I was locked in the cubicle!", Mica said. "I can't get out."

"There's a possibility na saka ka lang nalocked matapos mong putulin ang buhok ni Maggie, if ever you
were the one who did it. And the culprit is lefthanded. "

"Paano mo naman nasabi iyan?", tanong ng isa sa mga nakiusyoso doon.

"Look at her hair. The left side was cut short, ibig sabihin, nagsimula sa kaliwa ang pagputol nito."

Sumang-ayon naman si Maggie. "Yes, I remembered being grabbed with a right arm at pinutol niya ang
buhok ko mula sa kaliwa."

"Looking on the four of you, Claire and Mica are both lefthanded.", wika ni Gray.

"But I didn't do it!", wika ni Mica. She was almost crying.

"Why did you all touch the scissors? Hindi niyo ba alam na iyon ang ebidensya sana?", tanong ni Gray sa
kanila.

"I was the first one to touched it. Napansin ko kasi na may pangalalan ang gunting. It was written using a
marker but it was incompehensible", wika ni Maggie. "Pinabasa ko iyon sa kanila and that's how it
happens to have all our fingerprints."

Gray examined the scissors at hindi na nga mabasa ang nakasulat doon.

Tiningnan ko silang apat. Yes, only Mica and Claire were left handed ngunit naalala ko kanina ng
makabangga ko si Janine. She picked the papers using her right hand ngunit kinuha niya sa akin ang
sobre using her left hand.
But when the third victim in the dorm was attacked, the culprit cut on her right side kaya marahil ay
kanang kamay ang ginamit nito.

I think hard about the Rapunzel's Nightmare case na nangyari sa dorm.

Si Janine ang unang biktima and on the same night ay inatake din si Aya.

The culprit today was lefthanded but the third victim na nakita ko ay pinutulan ng buhok mula sa kanan.

"Do you feel something when the culprit grabbed you? Did you touch her or have you leave any mark
upang maidentify agad natin siya?", tanong ko kay Maggie.

She think for a while bago umiling. "I didn't. Nagulat kasi ako and she covered my mouth. But I think
she's hairy."

Napatingin naman ako sa apat. Only Janine and Aya were hairy! But that's impossible! They were both
victims of Rapunzel's Nightmare!

"Kung ganoon ay silang dalawa ang magiging suspect", Mica said at tinuro si Janine at Aya.

"But that's impossible!", tanggi ni Aya. "Kaming dalawa din ay naging biktima!"

The puzzles are forming in my head. Unti-unti nang nabuo ang ideya sa isip ko. I was wrong on my
conclusion kanina, maybe she has -

"I already know who did it", deklara ko at napabaling silang lahat sa akin.

"Sino?", Gray asked.

Tiningnan ko silang apat. The puzzle pieces in my mind have formed perfectly.

"It's someone who has one of the best alibi, the first victim of this so called Rapunzel's Nightmare,
Janine Fontino."

Gulat na gulat ang lahat ng naroon. They didn't expected na si Janine ang salarin.

"But she's also a victim!", wika ni Claire. "Paano naman nangyari iyon?"

I smiled at them. "Kaya nga she has the perfect alibi. She made herself the first victim kaya hindi natin
iisipin na siya ang gumawa."

Maging si Gray ay naguluhan. "But she's not left handed."

"She's ambidextrous, meaning she can use both hands equally well. I came up with that conclusion nang
maalala ko ang huling biktima sa dorm. Her hair was cut in the right while sa left naman si Maggie. Nang
makabangga ko si Janine kanina, she used her both hands equally well. Pinulot niya ang nalaglag using
her right hand but she grabbed an envelope from me using her left hand. Napansin ko rin kanina na
binuksan niya ang pinto gamit ang kaliwang kamay.", paliwanag ko.

Hindi naman nakasagot agad si Janine. She was shocked on my revelation but I am positive that my
deduction is right.

"Given that is true, ano naman ang motibo niya? Is she a psycho?", Maggie asked.

"I believe it has something to do with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome", wika ko.

"Poly- what?", Mica asked.

"Polycystic Ovary Syndrome. It's when a woman's hormones are imbalance. That's usually hereditary.
And look at her wound, it's swollen. It indicates that she's somewhat diabetic", dagdag ni Gray.
Naguguguluhan pa rin ang iba. "I don't really get it. Anong kinalaman niyon sa pagputol ng buhok
namin?", Aya asked.

"If you have this syndrome, PCOS and it's not treated immediately, it can actually lead to serious
diseases like heart diesease and diabetis. Ang mga sintomas ng PCOS ay irregular menstruation, I don't
know if she's experiencing it. Other symptoms are hair growing on the body and face. Look at her,
madami siyang buhok sa katawan especially on her chest. Nagiging manipis din ang buhok nito sa scalp
and maybe that's the reason why she's cutting girl's hair", paliwanag ko.

Tumulo ang luha ni Janine. "Yes, I'm the one who did it. Nalaman kong may PCOS ako, it's actually in the
family kaya nang unti-unting nalalagas amg buhok ko, I feel so sad. I love my hair so much at hindi ko
matanggap na nalalagas iyon samantalang natutubuan ako ng mga buhok sa katawan. I was advice to
cut my hair down habang nag-a-undergo ako ng treatment. Kaya lang ay naiinggit ako sa mga babaeng
mahaba pa rin ang buhok, and I feel the urge to cut it. Ewan ko kung bakit, ang unfair kasi eh! Why do I
have to suffer like this! Nagkakadiabetis na rin ako!", she cried and cried at naaawa na ako sa kanya. "I'm
sorry! I'm so sorry!", she said in between her sobs at napaupo ito sa sahig.

"That's a selfish act but since you really regret it, I think they will forgive you", wika ni Gray dito. Umiiyak
pa rin si Janine habang paulit-ulit na humingi ng patawad.

Aya and Maggie sat beside her. "Pinapatawad ka na namin." Janine just continued to cry at marami na
ang umalo dito.

Unti-unti na akong lumayo at sumunod sa akin si Gray.

"Hey, that's amazing", wika niya sa akin. "You're knowledgable with medical terms ha, akala ko math
freak ka lang." Tumawa pa ito ng mahina.

"Stupid, ikaw kaya ang math freak! Mas mahirap yung equation mo kanina", sagot ko.

Lumabas na kami ng cafeteria. "When did you find out that it was her? Hindi kasi talaga pumasok sa isip
ko na siya ang gumawa niyon", Gray said.
Ngumiti ako sa kanya. "It was the reason why I was spaced out kanina sa Math. Nakabangga ko kasi siya
and I saw a mail on her things from a gynecologist. At first ay akala ko, buntis siya since she's a little
chubby but I doubt it. Yun yung iniisip ko kanina kung ano nga bang sakit ang nananaba, tapos
nagkakabuhok sa katawan at nalalagas ang buhok sa ulo and I figured out it was that PCOS. But I'm
impressed too. You're quiet knowledgeable about that syndrome."

He shrugged his shoulders. "I have an aunt who have the same syndrome. That's why wala pa siyang
anak ngayon." Lumawak ang ngiti niya. " You solved the case of Rapunzel's Nightmare. Being thrown out
of class is not bad at all."

Napangiti na rin ako. "I guess so. We just have to apologize personally to Miss Laid later. Hey math class
is over, bumalik na tayo."

We headed immediately to our classroom with a big smile.

--

Vote and comments for the next update :*

P.S.

Sorry typo errors and grammars!

CHAPTER 31: MATHEMATICAL EQUATION

AN:

I did my best but I guess my best wasn't good enough huhu, di! jk lang! hindi pa yun best.

Malungkot ako kaya wag kayong mag-eexpect sa update nato, masasaktan lang kayo, lol!

Enjoy :*

-ShinichiLaaaabs, the soul eater (rawr!)

Chapter 31: Mathematical Equation

The fear of Rapunzel's nightmare vanished that day we identified the culprit behind it. Janine's conduct
was really a selfish one.
I've realized na hindi porket nawala ang isang bagay sa iyo ay may karapatan ka nang kunin ang mga
bagay nawala sa iyo mula sa iba upang maging pantay kayo.

Sa ngayon ay malinaw na ang Bridle. Wala nang mga nangyayaring kababalaghan o kung anu-ano pang
mga bagay na pinagkakaguluhan ng mga estu-

Bigla na lamang may bumangga sa akin dahilan upang mahulog ang mga dala kong art materials.

"Bilisan mo! Marami nang tao sa may bulletin board", wika ng babaeng bumangga sa akin. She was
talking to someone na nagmamadali rin at ni hindi man lamang nila ako tinulungan!

At binabawi ko na ang sinasabi kong wala nang pinagkakaguluhan sa Bridle dahil ang mukhang
nagkakagulo yata sila ngayon papunta sa Bulletin board!

Tsk! Hindi pa naman posting ng honor roll ah, bakit sila nagkakagulo doon? There might be an important
announcement.

Hindi na ako nakipagsiksikan pa sa ibang mga estudyante at dumeretso na lamang sa klase ko.

It's our art class at abala ang mga kaklase ko sa ginagawa nilang clay model. May mga gumagawa ng
ibat-ibang hayop out from clay. Gray was making an elephant out from his clay.

Sa row ko naman ay mosaic ang pinagawa sa amin. The first mosaic I made was out from a broken glass.
Nabasag kasi kahapon ang transparent green vase ko and that's when I decided to make a mosaic out
from that shattered pieces ngunit hindi iyon natuloy dahil nagkasugat-sugat ako. That's when I decided
to make another from buttons. Puno pa tuloy ng band aid ang tatlong daliri ko sa dalawang kamay!

I sat down at binati si Jeremy. "Hi Jeremy!"

Tumango iti sa akin at patuloy lang sa ginagawa. He was making a mosaic from eggshells at dahan-dahan
ito sa ginagawa.

Binati naman ako ni Marion. "Hi Amber. What happened to your hands?"

Itinaas ko ang puno ng band aid kong mga daliri."Ah, this? I tried to make a mosaic out from shattered
glass gahapon kaya nagkasugat-sugat ako."

I saw Gray glanced at my fingers at kumunot ang noo nito. "Mosaic from shattered glass? That's so
idiotic." Komento nito at mulong bumaling sa ginagawa.

I mentally rolled my eyes. Yeah, idiotic. "Whatever! It's being creative, idiot!"

"You should be extra careful. May 2-day camp pa naman tayo. You will not enjoy it if you got yourself
injured", wika ni Marion.

Sabay naman kaming napaangat ng tingin ni Gray. What did she just said? A 2-day camp?

"Hey, you two. Why are you giving me such look? Don't tell me na hindi niyo alam ang tungkol doon?",
tanong nito.

Sabay rin kaming umiling. "Uuuuh!", napahawak si Marion sa sintido niya. "Hindi niyo alam yun? You're
staying at the dorm right? Don't tell me na hindi niyo iyon nakita sa bulletin board?"
Sabay ulit kaming napailing ni Gray.

"Ah! You're impossible." Marion exclaimed.

Kung gayon ay iyon pala ang pinagkakaguluhan ng mga estudyante sa bulletin board. 2-day camp, eh?

"Grade 9 and Grade 10 only. We'll be leaving tomorrow", wika niya.

"Saan naman pupunta?", tanong ko. Ayaw ko sa mga outdoor camps at activities na yan. Naalala ko
tuloy amg community service namin dati. Ah, I'm almost killed back there!

Marion shrugged her shoulders."I don't know."

Hindi na kami nakapagtanong pa kay Marion dahil pumasok na ang adviser namin na si Maam Mendez.

She was holding some papers nang pumwesto siya sa harapan. She smiled as she waved the paper in the
class. "I know you already knew about this dahil ipinaskil na ito sa bulletin board but let me tell you the
details of this 2-day camp."

Nagkagulo ang mga kaklase ko. They were very excited about it. Nag-apir at fistbump pa ang mga lalaki
sa tuwa samantalang pumalakpak naman ang mga babae.

"Okay, tahimik", Maam Mendez said. "This 2-day camp ay para sa mga Grade 9 and Grade 10 students
lamang. The camp will be in Olympus Camping Site."

Nang marinig iyon ng mga kaklase ko ay muling umingay ang paligid. Olympus camping site is a famous
one! It was a very huge campsite in mountain sides, 6hours drive away from Bridle.

"But class you know Olympus. Hindi lamang tayo ang nandooon since it's a huge campsite and open to
the public kaya maaring may mga ibang campers din doon. I hope you would behave. Am I clear?",
tanong ni Maam sa klase.

Masiglang sumagot ang mga kaklase ko. "Yes Maam!"

We're dismissed after the announcement. The remaining hours of the day were allocated for our
preparations since bukas ng alas tres ng umaga ang alis ng school bus. We're told to bring tent and other
necessary things for our camp.

Umuwi ako sa dorm pagkatapos niyon. Pagdating ko ay naroon na si Andi and Therese. They were
putting their stuffs in their luggage.

Pabagsak na tinungo ko ang kama. I'm not into this camp at all. Napabuntonghininga na lang ako sa
isiping iyon.

"What's with the sigh? Dalawang beses ka ng bumuntong-hininga simula ng pumasok ka dito", wika ni
Therese.

"Ah, I know it! Ayaw mo sa camp ano?", tanong ni Andi.

Bumangon ako mula sa pagkakahiga at nag-indian sit. "Tell me, what should I look forward into this
camp?"

Nag-isip naman silang dalawa. "Adventure! Ang saya kayang magcamping." Therese said.
I shook my head. "I'd rather read books. Andami kayang adventure sa books."

I knew it", Andi exclaimed. "You should look forward into boys since it's an open campsite! Maybe there
would be bachelors there na nagca-camping. I guess you like bachelors than students dahil mukhang
wala ka namang bet mula dito sa Bridle."

I rolled my eyes at her. She's so unbelievable. "I'd rather read MORE books."

I saw their faces twitched. "As expected." Halos magkasabay nilang wika. "Hey let's go out. Bili tayo ng
tent, I want to buy a new one.", Therese said.

Sumang-ayon dito si Andi samantalang muli akong humiga at ipinikit ang mga mata ko. "I'll pass."

"No, sasama ka", Andi said. She was standing beside my bed habang nakahawak sa beywang niya.

"Tsk!", I grunted ngunit bumangon naman ako. "Fine!"

Nang makapagbihis ay lumabas na kami ng Bridle at nagpunta sa mall. We bought foods at kung ano
pang maaring magamit sa camping at naging tent.

Hindi namin namalayan na ilang oras na pala kami roon. Pagtingin ko sa relo ay alas tres na ng hapon
and we haven't eaten our lunch!

"Gutom na gutom na ako. Mag-Jollibee na lang tayo", suhestiyon ni Andi at pumayag naman kami ni
Therese.

Pagdating namin doon ay wala kaming maupuan sa dami ng tao! Maging sa ibang mga fastfood sa loob
ng mall.

"I guess we have no choice. I notice a pizza house sa dinaanan nating shortcut kanina. Gutom na talaga
ako. Let's eat pizza for the mean time", Therese suggested nang ang mga fastfood sa labas ng mall ay
puno rin. Why are there ate people eating lunch around 3 in the afternoon?

Nang makalabas kami ng mall ay dumeretso kami sinabing pizza house ni Therese. It was small yet cozy
place. Wala masyadong tao roon.

Pagbukas namin ng pinto ay dalawang tao lamang nang naroon maliban sa staff ng pizza house.

Kinuha ko ang menu and take a look at it. They also serve lasagna at kung ano pang mga snacks.

Pizza Loca. That was the name of the pizza house. Ayon sa menu, it's a delicious homemade pizza that
you'll die for. There were madcow pizza, Hawaiian pizza, double meat and other flavors. Habang
binabasa ko ang mga iyon ay bigla akong naglalaway. I'm really hungry, uh.

"Their pizzas look so mouth-tempting and very delicious. Kaya lang ay nakakatakot ang tag line nila. The
Pizza you'll die for! Isn't it creepy?", Andi said.

Creepy nga! At bakit ba ako natatakot sa pizza na yan? I've faced death few times, I don't think this pizza
might kill me. I paused for a while, bakit ba big deal sa akin ang tagline nila? It's just their way of enticing
people anyway.
I rolled my eyes mentally in such foolish thought. Damn those guys in their greek mythology codenames!
Napaparanoid na ako at nababaliw dahil sa kanila.

Natawa naman si Therese dito. "Yeah, their pizza is really good. You'll really crave till death. I've tried
eating here once."

Uh, what's with them? Why associate death with food?

Muli kong tiningnan ang menu. We decided to have pizza with a barbeque flavor and their specialty.
When we decided what to eat ay tumayo ako at pumunta sa counter.

Tatlong babae ang nagbabantay doon. Lumapit sa akin ang isa at mukhang magkaedad lang kami or
she's older.

She smiled at me. "What's your order maam? We have our specialty, the one called Satan's Pizza",
masiglang bati nito.

Napangiwi ako sa sinabi niya. Yeah, I've read that their specialty is the one called Satan's Pizza.

Masyado naman yatang demonic ang pagkakapangalan nito sa pizza. It was actually a thin-crusted pizza
na tatlong flavour ang naroon. May double meat, Filipino style barbeque at Hawaiian. It seems delicious
kaya lang ay hindi ko gusto ang pangalan.

"Uh, why do you name your specialty like that?", tanong ko sa kanya.

Hindi pa rin nawawala ang ngiti nito. She's good in entertaining customers. "Dahil iyon sa tatlong flavor
nito na nasa iisang pizza."

Hindi ko pa rin makuha kung ano ang koneksyon niyon kay Satan. "Whatever, I still don't get it."

"Would you like to try it Maam?", tanong niya. I nodded at her.

"Yeah. And a barbeque flavor please", wika ko.

"Aye-aye maam!", wika niya at sinabi sa isang staff ang order ko. Siya pala ang kumukuha sa mga orders
samantalang ang dalawa naman ang naghahanda niyon. I guess the old fat woman was the one who
makes it.

Tiningnan ko ang paligid. It was just a small place. It was designed like an antique house kahit na naka-
aircon iyon. The tables were made of woods at gayundin ang mga mesa.

Kumuha ako ng isang magazine na nasa counter bago bumalik sa mesa kung saan nakapwesto sina Andi
at Therese.

"I'm really looking forward for tomorrow! Sana naman ay mapansin na ako ni Jeff!", Andi said. Yeah, Jeff
was on Grade 10 kaya marahil kasama ito. I also remembered, he was Gray's roommate.

Andi and Therese talked about their crushes. Kaya hindi ako sumasali sa usapan dahil hindi ako
nakakarelate. Ayon sa kanila, normal daw ang magkaroon ng crush. But I don't have a crush, so am I
abnormal? Iwinaksi ko na lang iyon sa utak ko at binuklat ang magazine na kinuha ko sa may counter. I
start reading samantalang nag-uusap pa rin sina Res at Andi.
Nasa may pinto kami pumwesto kaya nakikita namin kung sino man ang pumapasok. Tumunog ang bell
na nasa pinto, tanda na may pumasok.

Tiningnan ko ang bagong dating. He was a guy in his formal attire. He was around 30 years old at
kagalang-galang ang pananamit nito. May dala itong suitcase, and he was always looking on his watch.
Umorder ito ng pizza roll. Iyon naman ang in-entertain ng babae.

Hindi nagtagal ay may pumasok na naman, it was a woman na nakasuot ng pormal din na damit. She
was looking around the area at kapagkuway may tinawagan. Nang sulyapan nito ang naunang lalaki na
nakapwesto sa may counter, there was some anger in her eyes. Saglit lang iyon at naupo ito malapit sa
amin at umorder na din.

Something was up. That's what I'm feeling at iba kasi ang pakiramdam ko sa dalawang bagong dating.

Lumapit naman ang server sa amin. Nakangiti na ito habang dala ang mga order namin.

"Here's the barbeque flavor pizza and Satan's Pizza. Enjoy your meal", she said to us.

Ngumiti kami ng ilapag niya iyon. I picked up one slice of Satan's and took a bite.

Goodness! It was really delicious! Iba iyon sa mga natikman ko dati na multiflavor pizza. This one's really
good!

"Hmmmm! This is heaven!", wika ni Andi. Ngumunguya ito ng Satan's pizza.

Tumawa si Therese. "You should say it's hell since it's Satan's. No doubt, this is the best!", Res said and I
smiled at them.

"I told you it's the best", the said bago bumalik sa counter.

Masigla naman kaming kumain. The crust is thin at iyon ang gusto kong pizza, yung hindi masyadong
makapal ang crust. Babalik ako dito sa susunod.

I looked for tissues ngunit mukhang ubos na ang nasa mesa namin kaya tumayo ako at pumunta sa may
counter upang kumuha ng table napkins.

Nasa bahagi iyon ng counter kung saan naupo ang lalaking dumating.

"Excuse me Sir, maari po bang iabot niyo sa akin ang mga table napkin?", tanong ko sa lalaki.

He was holding his smartphone at napansin kong may tumatawag doon but he didn't answer it. A name
Robert was on the caller ID.

"Mister, someone's calling you", wika ko sa kanya. He scowled at me at inabot ang lalagyan ng tissue.
Uh, so rude!
"Mind your own business", wika nito at napaatras ako. Humingi ako ng dispensa bago nagpasalamat.
Bago ako umalis ay napansin kong ikinancel niya ang tawag.

"He's rude! Mag-aabot lang naman ng tissue eh", Andi commented nang makabalik ako sa mesa.

"Hinaan mo ng yang boses mo, baka marinig tayo", wika ko sa kanya at sinulyapan ang lalaki.

Ipinagpatuloy lang namin ang pagkain at matapos iyon ay napagpasyahan na naming umuwi. Nandoon
pa rin ang dalawa at kumakain.

We went to the taxi alley upang magpahatid na sa Bridle. I look back at the distant pizza house.
Namataan kong magkasunod na lumabas ang babae at ang lalaki.

Where are they going?

Pinauna ko ng sumakay sina Andi at Therese.

"You go ahead", wika ko habang nakalingon sa lalaki at babae na papunta sa kabilang direksyon. Malayo-
layo din ang distansya ng pizza house sa alley ng taxi but I'm positive na sila iyon.

"Bakit? May bibilhin ka pa ba? Sasamahan ka na namin", Res said ngunit umiling lang ako.

"Nope, may titingnan lang ako", wika ko at nagpaalam na sa kanila. Saka lang ako umalis nang umandar
na ang taxi na sinasakyan nila.

I immediately run towards the direction where the woman and the man headed.

Nang makalampas ako sa pizza house ay may dalawang daan doon and I wonder where did they went.

I choose to go in the right side first at naglakad-lakad doon. May mga iilang tao sa gilid at nag-iinoman sa
may tindahan. Mayroon ring mga bata na naglalaro sa gilid ng daan. Nang namataan ko ang isang babae
ay agad akong nagtanong.

"Uhhm, hi. Pwede bang magtanong? May nakita ka bang babae na nakasuot nang black blazer at lalaking
may dalang suitcase?", tanong ko dito. She think for a while bago sumagot.

"Aah, oo! Kanina!", nandoon sila sa kabilang kanto. She said at tinuro ang kabilang daan.

I thanked her at agad na tumakbo doon. When I went there ay walang tao roon. Malinaw ang paligid at
walang mga nagpakalatkalat na mga bata sa daan.

Sabagay, it wasn't a residential area unlike the other one. Mukhang may itatayo doon na gusali dahil
may malaking tarpaulin doon.

Hindi matao sa lugar na iyon dahil hindi iyon residential area. But something seems odd about the place
at hindi ko alam kung ano. Kakaiba ang pakiramdam ko. Masyado iyong tahimik as if there was
something going on. Naglakadlakad lang ako doon nang bigla akong makarinig ng sigaw. I ran
immediately where the shout came from.

Pagdating ko doon ay may babaeng nakaupo sa lupa ay takot na takot ito na nakatingin sa lalaking
nakahandusay sa lupa na may saksak sa bandang puso.

"Anong nangyari?", tanong ko sa babae.

"I just saw him here", nanginginig nitong wika.

"Tumawag ka ng pulis!", wika ko sa babae at hinawakan ang pulso ng lalaki. It's no avail. Wala na itong
buhay.

Nang dumating ang mga pulis ay pinapunta rin nila ang mga nasa malapit upang mapagtanongan sa mga
nangyari.

"Ano ba ang nangyari?", tanong ng isang pulis. "Wala ka bang nakita kung sino mang gumawa niyan?"

"Hindi ko po alam. Nandito lang ako dahil hinahanap ko ang alaga kong tuta. Taga kabilang kanto po ako.
Nagulat na lang ako nang ito ang makita ko dito", sagot ng babae.

Tumingin naman sa akin ang pulis. "Ikaw? Anong ginagawa mo dito?"

"Napasugod lang po ako dito ng marinig ko ang sigaw niya", wika ko. It was half truth. Hinahanap ko ang
babae at lalaki kanina kaya ako napadpad dito.

Dumating naman ang dalawa pang pulis na naghanap ng mga tao na nasa malapit lang. They got 3
people at kasama na roon ang lalaki at babae na sinusundan ko. The third one was a young guy.
Mukhang nasa kolehiyo na ito.

The victim was Robert Deguero, a university math professor. He was killed by a blow near the heart but
the weapon was nowhere to find. It wasn't robbery dahil naroon pa ang wallet at cellphone nito.

Robert? Isn't it the name that was registered on the caller ID ng lalaki sa pizza house kanina?

"Chief, these are the three people na nasa malapit lang", wika ng isang pulis. Wait, it was Inspector
Dean! Yung kasama ni Detective Tross dati!

"Question them all, maging itong dalawang babae", wika ng pulis na tinawag ni Inspector Dean na chief.

"Ah, I know this one", wika niya. "Amber, right? Grays girl", nakangiting wika ni Inspector Dean. Inirapan
ko siya.

"I told you, I'm not his girl. Good to see you again Inspector Dean", bati ko sa kanya.

"Yeah, likewise", he smiled at me bago bumaling sa tatlo. "So, I'll start the questioning now." Una niyang
tinanong ang babae na nasa pizza house din kanina. "What's your name at ano ang ginagawa mo sa
lugar na ito?"

"I'm Imelda Lopez, a businesswoman. I was supposed to meet someone here kaya nandito ako", sagot
nito.

Bumaling si Inspector Dean sa lalaki at tinanong ang parehang tanong.

"I'm Euler Trinidad, isa akong abogado. I'm supposed to meet Robert here dahil may pag-uusapan kami
ngunit mukhang hindi na kami magkakausap pa", wika niya.

The last one was the guy na mukhang estudyante. Napansin kong madumi ang kamay nito.
"I'm Carlos Paternas. I'm a Business Ad. student in the same university kung saan propesor ang biktima.
He's my professor and he failed me sa isa kong subject kaya hindi ako makakagraduate sa sem na ito",
sagot nito.

"So, Miss Imelda and Carlos knew the victim, maliban na lang kay Mr. Euler Roxas", wika ng pulis.

Nakisingit na ako sa usapan. "I think magkakilala po si Mr. Roxas at ang biktima. Kanina po sa kalapit na
pizza house ay nakita ko pong tinatawagan ng isang Robert si Mr. Roxas, maybe it's the same person as
the victim", wika ko.

"Talaga? Kilala mo ba ang biktima?", tanong ni Ins. Dean kay Euler Roxas. He loses his face color for a
while bago sumagot.

"Ah! You're that brat from that pizza house! Yeah, he's the one I'm supposed meet with", wika nito.

"Why didn't you said that kanina? Hindi kaya ikaw ang pumatay sa kanya?", Imelda said.

"That's impossible!", sagot naman nito. "Wag mo akong pagbintangan!"

"Sandali, ano ba ang kailangan niyo sa biktima?", tanong ni Ins. Dean.

Si Euler ang unang sumagot sa kanya. "I'm his lawyer. He was asking me about his rights on his share in
his investments. He hired me dahil nahaharass na siya kay Imelda, his co-shareholder na nagpupumilit
na ibenta niya ang shares niya."

"Wait! I'm not harrassing him! Aren't you the one who's angry with him? Alam niyang may kalaguyo na
estudyante ang asawa mo and you're mad at him dahil nilihim niya iyon! Your wife is also a professor in
the university", sagot naman ni Imelda.

I'm getting confused more in this case. Each one of them have to motive to kill the victim but who really
is the culprit among them?

"Chief, may nakita kaming mukhang nakascrabble dito sa lupa kung saan nakahandusay ang biktima, it
may be a dying message but it's more likely a mathematical formula."

Napatingin kaming lahat sa sinabi ng forensics. Meron ngang nakasulat sa lupa. It looks like the victim
used his pointer finger to wrote something. It goes like :

z = r[cos (θ+2kπ) + i sin (θ+2k π )] = r (cos θ + i sin θ)

"What's that? He's on the brink of dying but still wrote mathematical equations?? Tsk! Such pathetic
man!", wika ni Imelda.

I look at her at sa equation na nakasulat. "How would you know na sinulat nga niya iyan habang
naghihingalo?"

Maging ang lahat doon ay napatingin kay Imelda.

"Yeah, he may have written it before he was murdered. But it seems that you know that he wrote it
noong naghingalo siya. How would you know that? Unless you saw him", Carlos said to Imelda.
"What ? Siguro lang naman! Don't you dare accuse me!", galit na wika nito. "Ikaw ang mas may galit sa
kanya dahil hindi ka makakagraduate ngayon dahil sa kanya."

"I don't mind at all, hindi naman ako nagmamadali", Carlos replied.

All of them were suspicious, kahit nang hindi ko pa alam na may murder na naganap, I already feel
something wih Euler and Imelda. Ngunit hindi ko mawari iyon. And that equation, I think I know already
who's the culprit if we based it on such dying message. Ang kailangan ko na lang ay ebidensya that
would support the theory behind the dying message.

Think Amber, think! Alam ko ang formula na yan, just think more!

Muli ko silang tiningnan habang tinanong ito ng mg pulis. Then I noticed something!

Ah! That could be it! Agad kong tiningnan ang bahaging iyon and I confirmed it! No doubt! That guy is
the culprit!

Bumalik na ako doon. They were discussing whether it was really a dying message or not.

"I don't think it's connected with this case", Euler said. He was wiping his sweaty face.

"Mukhang ganoon nga. We can't even find the murder weapon", the police whom they called chief said.

"About it chief, I've already solved the message behind that dying message and I also know where can
we find the weapon", I said with a mischievous smile.

"Who are you? You look just like a high school student", wika ng chief.

Ins. Dean wave his hands in front of us. "It's because she's really a high school student. Don't worry
chief, I know this kid. She's a smart student detective. Why don't we hear her out, she might give us
hints."

Uh, no need to emphasize the term smart student detective. Si Gray lang ang nag-eenjoy na tawaging
ganoon.

"Spill your deductions brat", Imelda said. She gave me a scary look. Yung tipong paraan ng pagtingin ng
mg donya.

"The victim wrote that equation before he was murdered", wika ko.

"Paano mo naman nasabi iyan?", tanong ni Euler.

"Look at the ground. It looks like he's been murdered over there but he dragged his own body towards
here kung saan niya sinulat ang clue na maaring magturo sa salarin. He didn't wrote this using his finger,
he used a stick. Look at the writings, his finger is not that dirty too" wika ko. Ins. Dean check the victim's
finger.

"Yeah, it seems. Hindi masyadong madumi ang kamay niya", he said.

"As of the murder weapon, look on those pile of hollowblocks, it's hidden there. I figured it out nang
makita ko ang kamay ng salarin. Also, the equation tells us a name."

"How about that formula? Ano ang sagot doon?", the girl who found the body asked.
"Ah, that formula? It's in polar form and we can rewrite it for convenience in the form :

e subscript i θ= cos θ + i sin θ", I answered.

"And? Paano naman nakakaturo ang formula na iyan sa salarin? Are we going to solve a long equation
for that?", tanong ng chief.

"Nope, it's just as simple as that and the culprit that it points out is .........."

--

Alam ko ang lame pero sige nga, hulaan niyo. Tapos ipopost ko na ang next update xD

Vote and comments!

Thanks :**

-ShinichLaaaabsmonster.

Sorry Typo errors/grammar errors/ spelling!

Read at your own risk.

CHAPTER 32: A SERIES OF PECULIAR EVENTS (On the Way)

Chapter 32: A Series of Peculiar Events (On The Way)

"Nope, it's just as simple as that and the culprit that it points out is -"

I look at them, I am positive that my deduction is correct. He could be the only one who did it.

"It's Mr. Euler Roxas.", there I finally spilled it.

Gulat na gulat naman ito at tiningnan ako ng masama.

"Why are you accusing me brat!?", bumaling siya sa mga pulis. "And why would you even believe her?
She's just a brat who tries to put her nose into police works!", galit na wika nito.

"Maari mo bang ipaliwanag nang maayos ang batayan mo kung bakit nasabi mong siya ang salarin?", the
police asked me.
"It's the formula. Dahil nga nasa polar form ito, it could be simply written into Euler's formula. We don't
have to solve such equation because it already tells us the name. The symbol e is Euler's number. In case
θ= π is Euler's identity, that is esubscript i π. It establishes the fundamental relationship between the
trigonometric functions and the complex exponential function."

"So you mean, it's the name of the formula?", tanong ni Imelda.

I nodded. "It's named after Leonhard Euler. I think bago pa lamang siya pinatay ang biktima ay
nagsusulat siya sa buhangin", sagot ko. "Hindi iyon kataka-taka since isa siyang math professor."

"But that's not enough evidence! I'm a lawyer at nakakasira sa akin ang pinagsasabi ng batang ito!", he
said. Galit na galit na ang mukha nito. He's sweating all over.

"Inspector, it's not my only basis. Look at the victim's palm. It's finger aren't that dirty right? At first I
thought na stick at hindi kamay ang gamit niya sa pagsusulat, but now I figured out na kamay niya ang
ang ipinansulat at hindi stick. And the reason why it was wiped away ay marahil ay naipunas niya iyon sa
damit ng killer niya. Now take a look at Mr. Roxas' gray coat. There's a trace of dirt there na mukhang
ipinampunas doon", wika ko. They all look at Euler's coat at nakita nga nila ang dumi.

"Kanina pa ito! I wiped my dirty hands here!", he denied.

"It wasn't there kanina habang nasa pizza house kayo, I watched you carefully kanina and that dirt
wasn't there", sagot ko sa kanya. Yeah, I'm so observant sa mga tao sa paligid ko.

"So it was him then?", the police ask. "And how do you know that the murder weapon was in the pile of
hollowblocks? We haven't confirm it yet kung naroon nga ba", Ins. Dean said.

"Ah, about it, look at his wrist. May mga pangos diba? It's because you tried to push your hands into the
hole of the hollowblocks probably to hide the murder weapon. When I checked it kanina, may mga
traces ng dugo doon."

Yumuko ito. "I guess I can't deny this anymore. Yeah, I killed him but it was just for self-defense. Siya ang
gustong pumatay sa akin", he finally turn himself in. "Funny, I thought no one would noticed any
evidence against me at akala ko ay walang kahulugan ang math equation na nakasulat, but a highschool
student saw it all through", he said.

Naawa ako sa mga salarin. They tend to do something that they regret the consequence in the end.

"Let's continue this at the police station. Dean, check the pile of hollowblocks and retrieve the murder
weapon", the one they called chief said. He guided Mr. Euler Roxas towards the patrol car.

"Maari ba akong magtawag ng abogado? I'm a lawyer but I can't represent myself, so kailangan ko ng
abogado", he said at pumayag naman ang pulis. After he made the call, sinakay na ito at dinala sa
presinto.

"I'm not surprised anymore Amber", Insp. Dean said. I just smiled at him. "You can all go. Pasensya na sa
abala. I have to go too Amber, kukunin na namin ang weapon."

I nodded my head at him at isa-isa namang umalis ang mga naroon. The case was solved but death has
already occured.

It would be better to prevent the crime than just to identify the culprit, right? But the world is a sinner
and crimes are rampant, it's impossible to prevent all the crimes. Nasa mundo kasi tayo ng pagkakasala.

I really don't understand why would people kill other people. Ah, world peace! Where art thou?!

Umalis na ako doon at nagpunta sa taxi alley upang mabalik na sa Bridle. I passed on Miss Imelda na
nakatayo sa gilid ng kotse niya and she's taking to someone over her phone.

"The deal's off, Cronus. Robert is already dead", she said. Tumigil siya ng mapansin ako, she scowled at
me bago sumakay sa kotse niya at pinaharurot iyon.

I was dumbfounded for a while. Did I just met another member of the mafia? She's talking to Cronus and
I already heard that name dati mula kay Zeus at Apollo.
I felt the chills run down to my spine bago ako sumakay ng taxi at nagpahatid sa Bridle.

ShinichiLaaaabs' Note:

Wag niyo na akong tanungin diyan sa equation na yan haha. Napagod ako sa kaka-scan sa Algebra and
Trigonometry book ko! Ginaya ko lang yang formulang yan doon. I'm not a math freak like Amber and
Gray! I hate math! haha! Ansaket niyan sa bangs!

***

ON THE WAY

event #1 Intersection

Maaga pa lang ay nakahanda na kami para sa aming 2-day camp. Excited silang lahat para sa araw na ito.

Not me! I spent few hours ranting about this camp. Nakakatamad kasi. For sure may mga physical na
activity na namang gagawin tapos pag uwi ng dorm ay mananakit ang katawan ko o kaya ay may sugat
ako.

Wrong timing din kaya ang camp na ito! Tadtad ng band aid ang anim na daliri ko maliban sa mga
hinlalaki at hinliliit. Basta, ayaw ko sa camp na ito! That's it!

Per section ang bus kaya hindi ako makasabay kina Andi o kay Therese so I've got no choice kundi naupo
mag-isa sa pandalawahang upuan katabi si Jeremy. Pumwesto ako sa may bintana at pumikit. Nakapit
din si Jeremy habang naghihintay na umandar ang bus. Hindi ko na binati si Jeremy at naupo lang doon
at hindi nagtagal ay umandar na ang bus.

I don't know how long I've been asleep. Nagising na lang ako na mataas na ang sikat ng araw. When I
glanced at my watch, it was already 7 in the morning.

"Good Morning Amber", bati ni Jeremy sa tabi ko. I smiled at him and greeted back. Bigla na lamang
huminto ang bus kaya napatingin kami sa labas ng bintana.
All the other buses have already passed the checkpoint sa may bahagi ng intersection at tanging ang bus
ng section namin ang naiwan. Some guys blocked the road at kinausap nito ang mga driver nang
pinahintong sasakyan. Nagpakilala itong pulis.

"Pasensya na sa abala ngunit kailangan naming inspection'nin lahat ng mga dumaraang sasakyan. May
mga nahuli kaming mga hijackers and they were equipped with bombs. Nahuli namin sila but they've got
an accomplice na siyang may hawak ng detonator ng bomba", wika ng pulis. My classmates panicked at
umingay sa loob ng bus.

"Please be calm, kailangan lang naming icheck ang mga cellphone ninyo", he said at nagsimula nang
kolektahin ang mga cellphone namin. Bumaba ako ng bus, the three hijackers were on the checkpoint at
binabantayan ito ng dalawa pang pulis.

Nasa gilid din ang bus na ini-hijack nila. Tiningnan ko ang tatlo, they weren't handcuffed yet.
Nagbubulong-bulongan ang mga ito.

Dalawang van ang pinahinto at pati ang bus namin. Mayroon ring isang motorsiklo na sakay ang isang
lalaki na nakasuot ng itim na jacket. Nasa malayo naman ang bus na may bomba.

"Do you think that motorcycle man is one of them?"

Nagulat na lang ako ng biglang magsalita si Gray sa tabi ko! He looks like he just woke up. He's hair was
messy and he was rubbing his eyes.

"Pwede ba! Wag kang basta-basta na lang susulpot! Nakakagulat ka ha!", I hissed at him. Naningkit
naman lalo ang mga mata nito.

"Hindi naman kita ginulat ah, ikaw lang ang nagulat", wika niya. Napansin ko ang pulang marka sa ibaba
ng labi niya.

Was it a -

.
.

a lipstick?!

"Just tell me if you want to kiss me, hindi yang ganyan ka kung makatingin sa labi ko", narinig kong wika
niya ang I blushed.

Am I really staring at his lips? At sino ba ang gustong humalik sa kanya? Definitely not me! Ang yabang-
yabang talaga nito!

"I'd rather kiss a dog!", I told him and he chuckled. "And it's very unpleasant to kiss someone na may
naunang nang humalik. I'm territorial, gusto ko akin lang ang hinahalikan ko, hindi yung para sa lahat!"

Kumunot ang noo nito. "You talk like you know how to kiss. Pakiramdam ko nga ang wala pang
nakakahalik sayo."

I raised one brow. Eh ano ngayon kung wala lang nakakahalik sa akin? My crush Reo already kissed me
ngunit sa ilong lang iyon. "It's because I'm reserving my first kiss to the one who deserve it, unlike you!"

He pulled his hair. "Uuh! Girls and their important first's! First kiss, first love! And what do you mean ng
sinabi mo kaninang you don't want to kiss someone na may nauna nang humalik?"
Itinuro ko ang ang lipstick mark sa ibaba ng labi niya. "You can't deny it. There's a solid evidence, a
lipstick mark."

Nanlaki ang mga mata niya at agad na hinawakan ang mukha. He got his phone at nanalamin doon.

"Argh! That Marion! Pinagsamantalahan ako habang tulog! Damn!", he said nang makita iyon. Agad
niyang pinunasan iyon.

Duh! I'm sure he liked it! He don't have to act as if it's very disgusting!

Bumaba na rin ang mga kaklase namin mula sa bus. We were not allowed to go further, kailangang nasa
paanan lang kami ng bus.

"Amber!", nakangiting tawag ni Marion. Aagd siyang lumapit sa amin ni Gray. I greeted her back.

I saw Gray's face crumpled.

Hinarap nito si Marion. "Who give you permission to kiss me while I was asleep?, he asked Marion. His
face was very irritated, big deal dito ang kiss ni Marion?

Gray's really rude! Ni hindi man lamang ito nagdalawang isip na itanong iyon kay Marion?!

Marion just smiled. "I didn't kiss you", patay maling tanggi nito. She's denying it but her face states the
contrary.

"Don't deny it! There's a lipstick mark on my face at ikaw lang ang katabi ko", Gray insisted. Uh, I
thought guys would like it when someone as pretty as Marion would kiss them.

Umiwas nang tingin si Marion ngunit nakangiti pa rin ito. "Your face was near me at nang biglang
huminto ang bus, napasubsob ako sa chin mo. Sayang nga at hindi sa labi mo mismo." She's successful in
making Gray irritated! Hindi na maipinta ang mukha ni Gray dahil sa inis.

Napapikit si Gray at iniwan kami. "Argh!"

Tinanaw ko ang papalayong pigura nito. He was heading towards the checkpoint kung saan naroon ang
mga hijackers. Wait! We're not allowed to go further right? Lalo na doon pa mismo kung nasaan ang
bombed-equipped bus at ang mga hijackers.

"Hey, where are you going?", pasigaw kong tanong. He answered but he didn't look back.

"Anywhere na walang asungot", he said. Nainis talaga ito. Bakit kaya? Maganda naman si Marion? Hindi
kaya si Khael ang gusto nito? I want to laugh on such thought.

Bumaba na ang pulis mula sa bus namin at binalik ang mga cellphone namin.

"Nakakapagtaka, they said na nasa tatlong magkasunod na sasakyan lang ang accomplice nila, but it
seems like there wasn't any accomplice here na may dalang detonator", the police said. I stared at him
for a while at may tumatakbo sa utak ko habang tinitingnan ang pulis.

I looked around. Ang isang van ay may tatlong sakay and they were from a vacation ayon sa mga pulis at
pauwi na sila. The other van contains a couple na galing sa probinsya at pauwi na rin. The bus
passengers kung saan may bomba ay pinalabas na rin sa bus at nasa malapit na waiting shade. They
were really scared dahil sa nangyaring panghi-hijack. Mabuti na lang at hinarang sila nang checkpoint.

When the driver stopped, he was shot in the shoulders. Ayon sa mga pulis, they noticed na may
nangyayari sa palapit na bus kaya nagbihis sila ng civilian at pumara. Luckily, they were able to catch the
hijackers' dahil sa pagdadamit civilian nila. There were three of them at wala silang dalang baril but they
were able to seized them by their physical strength.

Sa ngayon ay nasa gilid ang mga nasugatan sa nangyari at ina-applayan ng paunang lunas.

"The bomb squad at ambulansya ay paparating na", wika nang pulis. "Kailangan na lang nating
maghintay na makarating ang bomb squad ngunit kailangan pa nating makita ang may dala ng
detonator."

I stared at him again, may kakaiba sa kanila. I asked some passengers of the hijack bus and confirmed
my suspicions.
Hindi masyadong matao roon dahil hindi iyon public high way. It was a road towards the mountainsides
kaya hindi masyadong marami ang mga sasakyang dumadaan.

It's past 8 kaya marahil ay nakarating na ang ibang mga bus sa campsite samantalang naiwan naman ang
bus namin.

When I looked around, hindi ko makita si Gray. Saan kaaya nagsusuot ang lalaking iyon?

Lumapit ako sa may checkpoint. Nakatali pala roon ang tatlong hijackers at nagbabantay naman ang
dalawang nagpakilalang pulis. Lumapit ako sa isa sa mga pulis.

"You're not a police", I told him at halatang nagulat ito. He looked around bago sumagot sa akin.

"Ano bang pinagsasabi mo? Pulis ako", he said. Marami na ang lumapit sa amin at nakinig.

Umiling ako sa kanya. "No, hindi kayo police. Kayong tatlo."

Nagulat naman ang mga nakarinig.

Nagsimula nang magbulong-bulongan ang mga tao na marahil ay kasama ito ng mga hijackers.

"Hindi kayo mga pulis but you weren't one of the hijackers. Mga concern citizens lang kayo na tumulong.
As a proof you weren't on your uniform at wala rin kayong dalang baril. You can't even show us your ID
or memo pad that proves that you were all police. I asked the passengers ngunit ni walang isa sa inyo
ang nagpapatunay na mga pulis nga kayo", wika ko sa kanila.

Natahimik naman sila. They don't really seem like police officers. Ni hindi man lamang nila kami pinigilan
ng lumabas kami ng bus, he should have keep us inside the bus for our safety. Hindi sila sumusunod sa
mga tamang police procedures.

Bigla na lang dumating si Gray. "Yeah, you're not police officers. You don't even know how to disarm a
bomb of simple design", wika niya. He crossed his arms at tumabi sa akin.
"Oo, hindi kami mga pulis. Tumulong lang kami. We just assumed the police title upang sumunod sa
amin ang lahat", wika ng isa.

Well, that's actually a good intention. Matitigas na kasi ang ulo ng mga tao, kahit ang mga nasa
autoridad ay hindi na nila sinusunod.

Nagulat na lang kami ng hinila ako ng isa sa mga hijackers sa buhok. Nakawala pala ito mula sa
pagkakatali. He grabbed my neck at mahinang sinakal ako.

Sumigaw ang lahat sa gulat. The guy was holding a small knife. Marahil ay iyon ang ginamit nito upang
makawala mula sa pagkakatali.

"Pakawalan niyo kami at pakakawalan ko ang ang babaeng ito. Kung hindi ay pasasabugin ng kasabwat
namin ang mga bomba", banta nito.

I noticed his watch na nasa kamay nitong nakahawak sa akin. It doesn't indicate time, sa halip ay nagka-
countdown ito.

Countdown? Could it be the bomb's timer? No way!

"There's no accomplice na magpapasabog ng bomba, it's just the three of them. Wag niyong pakawalan
yang dalawa. His watch has the bomb's timer and there's less than 2 minutes left", sigaw ko at hinigpitan
niya ang pagkakahawak sa akin.

"Matalino ka pa lang bata ka. Kung makukulong man lang din ako, pipiliin ko na lang mamatay sa
pagsabog ng bomba kaysa sa mabulok sa bilangguan", he said and dragged me towards the bus na may
bomba.

Shit! Bakit ba palagi na lang akong nahohostage? I can't kick him hard dahil nakasuot ako ng maong na
tight miniskirt.
"Gray, help Amber!", sigaw ng isa kong kaklase. Nakapamulsa lang si Gray habang tinitingnan kami. Wala
ba siyang balak na tulungan ako?

"Kick him Amber!", sigaw ng isa. Uh yeah, if I could, kanina ko pa ito sinipa.

"Bakit ka ba kasi nakaminiskirt! Ikaw lang ang kilala kong nerd na fashionista!", sigaw ng kaklase ko. Uh,
what's with them? Hindi naman talaga ako nerd! Gusto ko ngang magsuot nang mga damit na uso! I
don't wear glasses, ang linaw kaya ng mga mata ko!

At si Gray! He's the only one who can help me! Bakit relax na relax lang ito? We're on the door of the
bus! And when I glanced at the guy's watch, there's less than a minute left.

Kaya kong iligtas ang sarili ko, I can step on his foot and run right away ngunit pababayaan ko bang
mamatay lang ito?

"Idiot, do something! There's less than a minute left!", sigaw ko kay Gray. Nagsisigawan kami dahil
medyo may distansya din ang bus mula sa kanila.

"I already did. The bombs there are disarmed already kaya hindi na kayo sasabog", he said lazily. His face
was serious at kahit hindi kapani-paniwalaa, I guess he's telling the truth.

Nagulat naman kaming lahat, maging ang lalaking may hawak sa akin.

He disarmed the bomb, seriously? Iyon ba ang ginawa niya kanina nang hindi ko makita siya? He went
up there and disarmed the bomb? Paano na lang kong mali ang ginawa nito, he could be killed in an
instant!

Napatigil ang lalaki sa paghakbang and he checked his watch.

"Hindi ako maloloko nang batang iyon, sinong niloloko niya", wika nito. "Isang bata lang namaan siya?"
"Hindi siya simpleng bata", wika ko. I stepped on his foot as hard as I could at nabitawan niya ako. He
raise his arm na may hawak na kutsilyo.

"Hindi mo ako matatakasan, sabay tayong sasabog dito!"

"I already told you na hindi na nga ito sasabog. Bakit ba ayaw mong maniwala sa akin? Tingnan mo yang
relo mo", Gray said.

Hindi namin namalayan na nakalapit na pala siya sa amin. His watch was on 0:0:0

"Imposible!", he said. While he was shocked on what he saw on his watch, Gray grab the opportunity to
twist his arm kaya nabitawan nito ang hawak na kutsilyo. He seized him at lumapit na rin ang ibang lalaki
at tumulong.

Naririnig na rin namin ang tunog ng sirena ng mga paparating na pulis. Muli nilang itinali ang mga laalaki.
Yeah, tulad nang mga nasa palabas, police would only arrive at the end of the scene.

"Are you fine?, Gray asked me.

Tumango ako. "Yeah, I'm fine. When did you learned to disarm bombs?", tanong ko sa kanya. He smiled
boyishly at napakamot sa ulo.

"When I was seven years old."

"What?", gulat kong tanong. He doesn't seem to be joking.

Seven years old ay nagdidis-arma na siya ng bomba? I wasn't even allowed to play a single match noong
nasa ganoong edad pa ako, samantalang ito, Argh!

"Ano naman ang nakakagulat doon? Both my parents were into police works kaya natuturuan ako
minsan", he said.
He walked ahead of me dahil pinasakay na kami sa bus upang makapatuloy na sa byahe.

"Uh, unbelievable parenting!", wika ko sa mahinang boses but enough for him to hear it. I just heard him
chuckled.

Dumating na ang mga pulis at hinuli ang mga hijackers. They also retrieve the disarmed bombs at
hinayaan nang dumaan sa checkpoint ang mga sasakyan including our bus.

The hijacked bus' passengers were subject to police questioning for the report at maging ang tatlong
tumulong.

We refused to give our statements at nagpatuloy na lang sa byahe namin papunta sa Olympus.

Oh, we're one and a half hour late already. Malamang ay kanina pa nakarating ang iba.

Nang umupo na ako sa pwesto ko ay tumabi si Gray sa akin.

"Hey, that's Jeremy's seat", wika ko sa kanya.

"We traded seats wag ka ng magtanong pa. There's no way I'll be sitting beside Marion after what she
did", he said at isinuot niya ang shades at sumandal.

I mentally rolled my eyes. He traded seats with Jeremy? Napapayag niya ito? Unbelievable!

Itinuon ko na lang amg paningin sa labas. We'll be at Olympus by an hour and a half.

Ibig sabihin, magkatabi kami for an hour and a half. Uh, some time with Gray beside me doesn't kill
anyway.

**

Vote and comment! Niretype ko to, may nadelete kasi huhu. Please bear with the typo errors and
grammars at spelling. Read at your own risk :*
- ShinichiLaaaabs.

CHAPTER 33: A SERIES OF PECULIAR EVENTS (Olympus)

Chapter 33: A Series of Peculiar Events (Olympus)

OLYMPUS

Event #2 Unwarm Welcome

Sa wakas ay dumating na rin kami sa Olympus campsite. We've been delayed for an hour and half kaya
nang bumaba kami ng bus ay marami ang nakiusyoso sa nangyari.

Maging sina Therese at Andi ay tinanong ako. "What took you so long? May nangyari ba?", Res asked.
They were already setting up their tents.

Tumango ako. "Yeah, there was a hijacking na nangyari at may mga bomba", wika ko habang iginagala
ang paningin sa paligid. May maraming mga nakatayo na tent doon ngunit wala naman ang may-ari ng
tent.

"What? Bomba?! That's scary! Hindi ba sumabog?", Andi asked.

I shrugged my shoulders. "No. Gray disarmed the bombs."

"Ah, mabuti naman. Akala ko sumabog, mabuti at nandoon si Gray upang idisar- DISARMA ANG
BOMBA? WHAAAAAAT?", gulat na tanong ni Res. Nanlalaki ang mga mata nito sa gulat. Uh! I could have
the same reaction too nang malaman ko iyon kanina, mabuti na lang at pinigilan ko ang sarili ko. It was
really surprising!

"You mean your Gray? As in Gray Ivan Silvan?", she asked again. Hindi pa ito nakakabawi mula sa
pagkagulat.
I made a face. "Your statement is incorrect. He's NOT my Gray. Your pertains to possesion, and I don't
own Gray. But to answer the second question, yes. Gray as in Gray Ivan Silvan", wika ko. Their faces
were really surprised, uh! I couldn't blame them.

"Res, tama ba ang narinig ko? Gray disarmed a bomb? Oh, no. It's BOMBS, Gray disarmed the bombs?",
Andi said habang nakatingin kay Therese. Gusto kong matawa sa kanila.

"Ewan ko sa inyo. He really did. Looks like he used to play bombs when he was a little kid", I said at
natawa. Nakabawi naman sila mula sa pagkabigla.

"Tapos? Anong nangyari?"

"I was held as hostage", wika ko at muli ay nagulat na naman sila.

"Na naman?", magkapanabay nilang tanong. I nodded my head yes.

Pumulot nang mga dahon si Andi at ipinagpag iyon sa akin. "Norse god of mischief, Loki! Alisin mo ang
masamang sumpa mo kay Amber!"

Natatawa na ako sa kanila. So they thought that curse of misfortune befalls me?

"Alam mo, pakiramdam ko si Gray ang may dala ng sumpa na iyan. You're involving into so many case
simula nang magkakilala kayo", Res said. Her face was serious.

Inisip ko naman iyon. Yes, I have a simple life back then, ngunit hindi naman siguro si Gray ang nagdala
ng kamalasan sa buhay ko.

I'm not the one who used to blame my own misfortune to others. Kung ano man ang mga nangyayari sa
buhay ko, I am responsible of it and it's not anyone's fault.

"Hindi naman ganoon. Gray has nothing to do with it. Nonetheless, he saved me. He's the one who
disarmed the bombs anyway", wika ko.
"How do you managed to escape from the hijacker?", tanong nito. "I'm sure you weren't able to kicked
him, look at your skirt", Res said at tiningnan ako mula ulo hanggang paa.

"Of course, I didn't. I just stepped on his foot."

Biglang napalingon kami ng makarinig kami ng mga estudyanteng paparating. They were chanting so
loud at may dala lang mga banners.

"Uhm-Ah! Hot to go! H-O-T-T-O-G-O! Uhm-Ah! Hot to go! H-O-T-T-O-G-O! A-T-H-E-N-A H-I-G-H!"

They were heading towards the tents na kalapit lamang sa mga tent na itinayo ng ibang mga taga Bridle.

"Where on the same camp with the Athena High?", mahinang tanong ni Andi. Dumaan kasi sila sa harap
namin. They were dirty and muddy, malamang ay galing sila sa kanilang activity.

Lahat ng taga Bridle ay napahinto at tumingin sa kanila. Bridle and Athena are both known ngunit may
hindi mawaring hidwaan sa pagitan ng dalawang school. Students in Bridle thinks that they're better
than Athena's students and vice versa.

"Look, it's Bridle High!", one student said at tinuro kami. They expressed their boos at nagalit naman ang
mga taga Bridle. Mabuti na lang at nagsalita na ang adviser ng Athena.

"Be quiet children, that's not how you should welcome your co-campers", the teacher said. Tumahimik
naman ang mga ito but they never apologize.

"Look! It's Gray!", a girl from Athena shouted. Tumakbo naman ang mga ito papunta sa direksyon ni
Gray.

"Gray! Kumusta ka na?"

"Gray, ayos ka lang ba sa Bridle?"

"Is there anyone bullying you there? I've heard maraming bully doon."

"Gray maayos ka bang nakakatulog sa dorm niyo sa Bridle? Hindi ba malamok?"

I frowned on the girl's questions. Ano bang akala nila sa Bridle? We live comfortably at the dorm and no
one bullies Gray! Minamaliit ba nila ang school namin?

"Excuse me! Hindi malamok ang dorm sa Bridle! Ang ganda kaya ng mga kwarto sa dorm!", one student
answered.

The girl's scowled at her. "We're not talking to you! We're talking to Gray", bumaling ito kay Gray.
"Bumalik ka na sa Athena."

"Sorry but I can't. At maganda sa Bridle, I'm very comfortable there, more comfortable than at my dorm
sa Athena", Gray said.

Bigla na lamang may babaeng lumapit kina Gray. "Wag ka nang bumalik sa Athena! You're nothing but a
bad luck!", the girl said.

"Kristine", Gray uttered. So he recognized her. Kristine's face was very angry. Anong ibig niyang sabihin?
Gray's a bad luck? May nangyari ba sa Athena dati na kinasasangkutan ni Gray at ng Kristine na iyon?

"Kristine, stop it. Kalimutan mo na ang mangyari, Gray already said that it was a suicide", wika ng isang
babae.

"It wasn't! At bakit ba ayaw niyong maniwala sa akin!", Kristine shouted! Bumaling siya kay Gray, "You're
not welcome to Athena anymore. I hope hindi ka na babalik doon!"

Her face was red and tears began to fall down from her eyes. Kung ano man ang nangyari noon, binuhay
ang mga galit at alaala niyon ng makita si Gray.
Lumapit naman si Marion sa kanila. She grab Gray by the hand. "Gray is one of the most respected
student in Bridle at walang bumubully sa kanya. You'd better distance yourself dahil allergic si Gray sa
mga lintang tulad niyo, shooo, shooo alis. Doon na kayo sa tent ninyo. And Gray's not a badluck!",
Marion said at pinaalis ang mga babae.

Nagbulong-bulongan naman ang mga estudyante sa Athena.

"Hindi ba't yan yung anak ni Antonio Velmon?"

"What? You mean the Textile King?"

"Yeah, it's her. That's Marion."

Hinila ng isang babae si Kristine papalayo doon. Nagpatangay naman ito.

Umalis na sila sa harap nina Gray at Marion. I saw Gray removed Marion's arm na nakakapit sa braso
niya.

Bigla na lang may tumalon mula sa puno, right behind Gray ang Marion. It was Khael. He was up in that
tree for the whole time? Gulat na napatingin naman sina Gray at Marion dito.

"Nandito pala ang mga taga Bridle! Ah, Silvan and the annoying girl is here! Ibig sabihin -"

He looked around na tila may hinahanap. Nang mahagip ako ng paningin niya ay ngumiti siya at lumapit
sa akin.

"Hi, my lady", he said at kinuha ang kamay ko. He was about to kiss it but my hands formed into a fist at
dumako iyon sa mukha ni Khael.
"Araaaaaay!"

Napasigaw ang mga taga Athena! Gulat na gulat ang mga ito sa ginawa ko. Ano namang nakakagulat
doon? Hindi pa ba sila nakakita ng lalaking sinuntok?

"I already warned you about this, right?", wika ko sa kanya. Dumugo ang kilid ng labi niya but he just
smiled.

"Ah! It felt so good anyway", wika niya at pinisil ang ilong ko. I give him an irritated look at inalis ang
kamay niya sa ilong ko.

"How dare you to punch Khael's face!", narinig kong sigaw ng isang babae. Bigla na lang may dumapo na
putik sa likuran ko. What the hell?!

Putik iyon na pinatigas, marahil iyon ang ginamit nila sa activity nila kaya nagkaputik-putik sila.

Ayaw na ayaw kong maputikan! That's so goss! Inis na nilingon ko ang pinanggalingan ng putik.

"Who threw that?", tanong ko sa kanila. I'm angry! Galit ako! Galit talaga ako! I don't want to be bullied!
Ayaw na ayaw kong mabully!

"Lagot, pinagalit niyo ang mahal na prinsesa", Khael said at napaatras naman ang babaeng bumato ng
putik. "She's a dragon. Kahit kami ni Gray ay hindi siya kaya!"

Nagulat na lang ako ng hinila ako ni Khael palayo doon. "I'm taking you away."

Hinila niya ako papunta sa may kakahoyan at nang makalayo kami ay inalis ko ang kamay niyang
nakahawak sa akin.

"Hoy, bakit mo ba ako nilayo doon", tanong ko sa kanya. "I want to kick the ass of whoever threw this to
me!"
Pinakita ko sa kanya ang putik na nasa skirt ko. It's very dirty!

Khael snapped his fingers. "Kaya nga nilayo kita. That student didn't mean what she did." Sumandal siya
sa kalapit na kahoy. Saka ko lang muling napagtuonan ng pansin ang dumudugong gilid ng labi niya.
Marahil ay dahil iyon sa pagsuntok ko kanina.

"Hey, your lip is bleeding", wika ko at hinawakan ang labi niya. Inilapit ko ang mukha ko upang makita
iyon ng maayos. I saw his face tightened at namula siya. Nanlaki rin ang mga mata niya.

I pressed his wound at napaatras ito sa sakit. "I'm just checking your wound. You don't have to blush like
a freaking teenage girl", wika ko.

Napakapula kasi nito! At hindi ko mawari kung bakit siya namumula. Hindi naman mainit ah!

"Ahhh! Sadista ka talaga! It's normal to blush lalo na't nasa malapit lang ang mukha ng crush mo."

Haaaaaa? Anong sinabi niya?

"What do you mean? ", patay malisya kong tanong sa kanya. He was smiling and he displays his perfect
set of white teeth! Gusto ko ngang magtanong kung sino ang dentista nito o kaya ay ano ang toothpaste
brand na ginagamit nito.

"You're so dense. I'm having a crush on you Special A." Nakatingin siya ng deretso sa akin. Hindi man
lamang ito nahihiya?! Is he really serious on what he's saying?

At Special A? Hindi ba title yan ng anime? Ano na namang naisip nito at Special A ang itinawag nito sa
akin?

I rolled my eyes to him. "I'm not in the mood for your stupid joke."
He pouted at mahinang hinampas ang kahoy. "Ah, sinasabi ko na nga bang hindi ka maniniwala sa akin.
Bakit, bawal bang magkacrush sayo? Even Gray had a crush on you! I can't imagine the two of us having
the same crush."

Ano bang mga pinagsasabi nito? Si Gray, may crush sa akin? Khael's dreaming! Mukhang naalog na yata
ang utak nito ng suntukin ko kanina.

"Alam mo, you're talking nonsense! Hali ka na nga, baka dahil yan sa sugat mo. Gamutin na nga natin
iyan", wika ko at hinila siya pabalik sa may mga tent. Hinanap ko ang dala kong mga gamit. I brought
along a mini-medicine kit dahil may mga sugat ako sa kamay.

Kinuha ko iyon at pinaupo si Khael sa lupa. Umupo rin ako sa harap niya at nagsimulang punasan ng
bulak na may alcohol ang sugat nito.

"Aray! Dahan-dahan Special A! Masak- aw!", hindi na niya natuloy ang sasabihin dahil mas diniinan ko pa
ang paglagay sa bulak.

"Wag ka kasing puro reklamo", wika ko sa kanya. "At pwede ba wag mo akong tawaging special A!"

Natawa ito. "That suits you. Your name Amber starts with the letter A and you're special so you're
Special A", wika niya at bahagya pang kumindat. Muli ko namang idiniin ang bulak."Aaah-Aw! You're
really a saddist."

"That's so sweet!", narinig kong may nagsalita mula sa likod kaya napalingon ako. It was Marion. Khael's
face crumpled nang makita ito. "Hi Khael!"

"Marion, ikaw pala", wika ko. Napaupo ito sa tabi ko at tiningnan din ang sugat sa gilid ng labi ni Khael.

"Nagpapagamot ka kay Amber? Ang layo niyan sa bituka. Look at her, mas marami siyang sugat kaysa sa
iyo", Marion said at ipinakita ang kamay kong tadtad ng bandaid.

"Alam ko, eh ano naman kung magpagamot ako? Hey, special A, what happened to your fingers?",
takang tanong nito.
Binawi ko ang kamay ko na hawak-hawak ni Marion. "I was trying to make a mosaic from shattered glass
kaya ako nagka-"

"What?! Mosaic fron shattered glass? Oh, that's very creative but don't you think it's very dangerous.
You should have think first about it", sermon nito sa akin.

Tumawa naman si Marion sa tabi ko. "Yeah, that's what Gray told him. He said it's very it's very idiotic."

Pinigilan ko ang sariling batukan si Marion! Bakit kailangan pa nitong ikwento ang komento ni Gray?
Argh!

Tumayo na ako. "Itatayo ko na ang tent ko."

"I'll help you", Khael said ngunit tumanggi ako.

"Don't bother. Look around, tingnan mo ang tingin ng mga taga Athena sa akin, baka hindi na putik ang
dumapo sa akin this time."

Lumingon naman si Khael sa paligid. Masama kasi ang tingin nila sa akin. Uh, bakit kaya? Importanteng
tao ba si Khael? Anak ng presidente?

"Don't mind them, they're just fan girls", wika nito. Tama ba ang narinig ko? Did he said fan girls?

"What's with that face? Hindi ka naniniwala na mga fans ko sila?", nakangiting tanong nito.

"It's no wonder. Gwapo naman si Khael", Marion said.

"Uh, wala akong paki, diyan na nga kayo", wika ko at iniwan silang dalawa.
Naghanap ako ng magandang spot na pagtatayuan ng tent ko. Setting up a tent is no sweat for me, kaya
lang ay may mga sugat ang kamay ko. I can't handle it well.

Napansin ko rin na masama pa rin ang tingin ng mga taga Athena sa amin. Is that how they welcome us?
Uh.

After few attempts ay ibinagsak ko ang hindi pa nakaset up na tent. No avail! I can't make it with these
wounded hand. Gusto ko tuloy pagsisihan ang ginawa kong pag-attempt na gumawa ng mosaic from
shattered glasses.

"You need help?", it was Khael. Kahit ayaw kong magpatulong, wala akong magagawa upang mapatayo
ang tent ko nang mag-isa. I sighed bago tumango sa kanya. Nahiya tuloy ako. I rejected the help he
offered kanina ngunit ngayon ay napagtulong naman pala ako.

"Yes, please."

Agad niyang kinuha iyon at nagsimula ng itayo. Nakaupo lang ako habang nanunuod sa ginahawa niya.

"Khael, I have a question."

Nagpatuloy lang ito sa ginagawa. "Ano? Kung bakit may muscles ako? Syempre nagwo-work out ako
palagi." Ipinakita pa nito ang well-built nitong braso.

Naningkit ang mata ko sa sinabi nito. "It's not that."

"Ah, kung may abs ba ako? Oo meron", humarap siya sa akin at itinaas ang tshirt, displaying his abs.

What the hell! I'm not into those things ngunit maganda palang tingnan ang lalaking may abs! Kaya pala
mukhang nababaliw na sa panggigigil sina Andi at Therese kapag may usapang abs sila!

"Pwede ba! Ibaba mo nga yang damit mo! Hindi rin iyan!", wika ko at natawa nama ito.
"Ah, hindi pala? Ano nga kasi?", hinarap niya ako. Napalingon naman ako sa paligid. Abala ang lahat sa
paggawa ng kani-kanilang mga tent. Maging si Gray ay abala din.

"It's about that Kristine's not so warm welcome with Gray. There talking about someone who commited
suicide. I'm curious about it. Alam mo ba ang tungkol doon?", tanong ko sa kanya. Sumeryoso ang
mukha nito.

"Yeah. It's a case in Athena that Gray and I used to investigate. Dati kasi ay may estudyanteng
nagpakamatay dahil binagsak ng Daddy ni Kristine na isang teacher sa Athena. That student who
commited suicide was Kristine's bestfriend, si Lea."

Mas lalo akong nacurious. Suicide in Athena? I've heard about that last year ngunit wala naman akong
pakialam doon.

"Everyone is blaming Kristine's father kaya nagpunta roon ang mama ni Lea at kinausap si Sir Villanueva.
Even the police questioned him and maybe napressure si Sir that's why he commited suicide. But
Kristine found the suicide so contrived. Una kasi ay walang upuan o kahit ano na nakalagay sa paanan ng
nakabigting guro when he died. Usually meron naman talagang upuan o kung akong bagay na maaring
patungan ng nagpakamatay hindi ba", Khael said.

Napaisip naman ako. If it's suicide, it's really strange. "Then it's probably murder. Paano naman nagbigti
ang gurong iyon ng walang pinatungan."

"That's what we thought at first, kaya lang ay napansin naming nakapaa lang ang biktima. And we found
a string near the table. Sa office kasi ito nagpakamatay. We figured out na ginamit niya ang swivel chair
bilang patungan. There's a string on that swivel chair na nakakonekta sa pulley kung saan naroon din ang
lubid na ginamit sa pagbibigti. Kapag hinila pababa ang isang lubid ay tataas ang kabila, kaya nung
nagbigti na si Sir, nahila ang string ng swivel chair at bumalik ang upuan sa gilid since may mga gulong
naman ito. Naputol din ang string at konti lang ang naiwan sa sahig. The rest was on the ceiling hole
kung saan isinet-up ni Sir Villanueva ang kanyang lubid. Second is that nawawala ang kwentas na
pinakaiingatan ng daddy niya."

It's very interesting but I was wondering. "Why would that Mr. Villanueva wanted it to look like it's
murder?"
Khael shrugged his shoulders. "Nagtataka din ako. Kaya lang isang araw ay sinabi na lang sa akin ni Gray
na wag nang ipagpatuloy ang imbestigasyon. He said that it is certainly suicide ngunit pinagbawalan niya
akong mag-imbestiga pa tungkol doon. He made me swear it, and I'm a man of my words kaya tinupad
ko ang pangako ko sa kanya. Kristine was a huge fan of Gray hanggang sa mangyari iyon. Kristine believe
na pinatay talaga ang Daddy niya. That's when she started hating Gray at lumipat na rin ng Bridle si Gray
nang sunod na pasukan. That afternoon kasi bago nagpakamatay ang daddy ni Kristine ay si Gray ang
huling kausap nito."

So that's what it is about? Kawawa naman si Kristine. Nakakapagtaka din kung bakit ipinatigil ni Gray si
Khael sa pag-iimbestiga. Takot ba itong may malaman si Khael? Iyon pala ang ibig sabihin ng hindi
magandang pakikutungo ni Kristine.

"Chatting time is over, tatapusin ko na ang pagtatayo ng tent mo special A. Malapit na din maglunch
kaya bibilisan ko ito", he said at ipinagpatuloy na ang ginagawa. I uttered him my gratitude at tumulong
na rin hanggang sa matapos iyon.

OLYMPUS

Event #3 A Game of Charade

Bago nga kami mananghalian ay natapos na ni Khael ang tent.

"Thanks again", wika ko sa kanya nang magpaalam na ito. Magpapahinga daw muna siya sa tent niya.

"Bye Special A! Got to go", paalam niya at bumalik na sa kampo ng mga taga Athena.

"Ang gwapo naman ng construction worker mo!", wika ng bagong dating na si Andi. Siniko niya ako at
kinilig ito. "So, who's that guy at bakit magkakilala kayo?"

Nakangisi ito. Uh, ano bang iniisip ni Andi? Yeah, Khael is handsome but that's it. Wala akong interes sa
mga lalaki.
"His name is Khael Alonzo. Kaibigan ni Gray noong nasa Athena pa siya. I met him in Bridle, when Gray
and I were performing Romeo and Juliet."

Nag-isip naman saglit si Andi. Maybe she's trying to recall something.

"Ah, you mean the one who went upstage nang akmang iinumin ni Gray ang potion doon sa play?',
tanong nito. Hindi namin ipinakalat sa Bridle na totoong poison nga ang naroon.

"Yeah, that's him", wika ko.

"He's handsome! At ang daming mga pogi sa Athena! Nakakalungkot isipin na doon pala sa kabilang
bahagi ang mga Grade 10! Akala ko pa naman makakasama ko si Jeff! But no need to worry, marami
namang pwedeng isubstitute mula sa Athena", ngumisi pa ito. "Hey, lunch is served already, halika na."

Nagbihis muna ako ng damit at sumama na ako kay Andi. There was a long table there at may dahon ng
saging. Naroon din ng mga pagkain sa ibabaw ng dahon ng saging. Boodle fight huh?

Pumwesto na ang bawat isa at nagsimula na kamong kumain. Masarap ang pagkain lalo na't nakakamay
kami. May inihaw na isda at pansit doon. Mayroon ding adobo. The food is not bad at all.

Nabusog ako matapos iyon. We're instructed to rest for a while dahil mayamaya ay sisimulan na daw
namin ang aming activity.

There were three advisers who were with us at kasali na roon ang class adviser namin na si Maam
Mendez. Maam Saderna was there too and Sir Rolly. The other teacher's were assigned to look after the
Grade 10.

Matapos makapagpahinga ay maglalaro na tayo. Our first activity is charades", anunsyo ni Maam
Mendez. Excited naman ang lahat.

Charade is simple lalo na sa mga tulad kong mahilig sa pag-oobserba at nagbibigay ng kahulugan sa mga
simpleng kilos.
Identifying a culprit is like playing charades for me. They simply act what they wanted to and I'll be
drawing conclusiobs out from those act.

"The game will be per section at kailangang palitan ng mag-aact", patuloy na paliwanag ni Maam
Mendez. "Within 10 minutes ay paramihan ng mahuhulaan ang bawat section and the winner will have a
special power for the next activity."

May nagtaas nang kamay mula sa section B. "Ano po ba ang special power na iyon?"

"You'll know once we start the second game. So well start now. First section to perform will be-",
bumunot ito mg nakarolyo na papel. "Section B."

Tumayo na ang mga section B at nagsimula. Nagpulong naman ang mga kaklase ko and tried to make a
strategy for the game.

Hindi nagtagal ay tinawag na kami. We did our best ngunit konti lang ang mga nahulaan namin. The
phrases there weren't easy!

Yes, they were phrases! Konti lamang ang mga word na maiikli. Karamihan ay mga phrases na song title
at mga famous na short motto. At ano ba ang mga nalalaman ko sa mga song title na iyon! It's a
lovesong titles for goodness sake kaya nahirapan ako!

Nang natapos na ang lahat ay inipon na kami upang ianunsyo ang nanalo.

"For the charades winner, it's -

.
Kinakabahan kaming lahat. Of course we want that special power for the next game. I'm not into this
camp ngunit nahahawa na ako sa fighting spirit ng mga kaklase ko.

"The winner is Section B!", Maam Saderna announced. Tuwang-tuwa naman ang mga ito at
nagtatatalon.

Nalungkot ang mga kaklase ko but Gray comforted them. "Don't worry, I'm positive that we will win the
next game with or without that special power", wika nito at nabuhayan ng loob ang mga kaklase ko.

Athena's campers were not around. Malamang nasa isang bahagi iyon ng gubat at may activity rin.

Nagulat na lang ako nang biglang may lumapit sa amin na batang babae. She was wet and shaking.
Marungis ito, marahil ay nakatira ito sa mga bahay-bahay sa malapit na mga bundok.

She was wants us to follow her somewhere ngunit hindi ito nagsasalita.

"Ano bang ibig mong sabihin?", Gray asked the girl. Umakto na naman ito na hinawakan ang lalamunan.

"Maybe she's trying to tell us that she can't talk", wika ko. The girl pointed somewhere. Hinawakan niya
ang damit at parang itinulak ang sarili at natumba ito sa lupa. Nang tumayo siya ay tinuro niya ang isang
bahagi ng gubat.

"This charade is easier than the ones we had a while ago. She's telling us na may nakita siyang itinulak at
marahil ay agad na nawalan ng malay ang itinulak", Gray said and we have the same understanding on
the girl's acts.

"Let's follow her", wika ko at sinundan ang babae. Sumunod rin si Gray at ang iba naming mga kaklase.

There were ten of us na sumama. Ang iba naman ay nagpaiwan, they don't think that the girl's act
means something. Nang dumating kami sa may hindi kataasang pangpang ay tumigil ang babae. She
pointed on something at may nakita kaming nakahandusay doon!
Hindi iyon masyadong matirik ngunit maari nang mamatay ang kung sino mang mahulog doon dahil
mabato ang ibabang bahagi niyon.

Bumaba kami sa pangpang at tiningnan ang naroon. It was a woman at wala itong malay. She's still
breathing kaya agad kaming tumawag ng pulis at ambulansya.

It took a while bago dumating ang mga pulis. Agad nilang sinakay ang katawan sa ambulansya at
tinanong kami tungkol sa nangyari.

We said that we just found the body at hindi kami nakakita sa totoong nangyari. Pinaalis na nila kami sa
lugar upang makapag-imbestiga. Maging ang babaeng lumapit sa amin ay umuwi na rin.

Nagsabay kami ni Gray nang pabalik na kami sa camp.

"What do you think of this?", tanong niya. Nakayuko ito at tinitingnan ang dinadaanan.

"It's suicide.", wika ko and he smiled ngunit saglit lang iyon.

"Yeah, I think so. Nasa gilid kasi ang wallet at cellphone ng babae. If she was pushed, then those things
must be in her pocket", wika niya.

Tumango ako. "Yeah, I think so. Besides, the message that the girl told us is she saw someone trying to
jump of the cliff. Gaya ng ginawa niya kanina, she grabbed the clothes of the lady nang magtangka itong
tumalon but she didn't succeded", dagdag ko. "As a proof, that girl's dirty hands marked on the back
part of her dress."

Gray smiled. "Yeah, it's suicide. The same case of Kristine's dad. He committed suicide."

Iyon ang huling sinabi ni Gray at hindi na kami nag-usap pa dahil nakabalik na kami sa may camp at
magsisimula na ang second activity.

**
My next update will be on Wednesday! May exam ako kaya seryosong edukasyon muna!

Vote and comments! Sorry kung ang pangit ng chapter na ito, babawi ako next update. Hihi :]

-ShinichiLaaaabs, Your highness.

CHAPTER 34: A SERIES OF PECULIAR EVENTS (The Gods and Goddesses)

Chapter 34: A Series of Peculiar Events (The Gods and Goddesses)

The Gods and Goddesses

Event # 4 Strength and Intellect

We were gathered for the announcement of the second activity. Iniisip ko pa rin ang sinabi ni Gray
tungkol sa daddy ni Kristine. Is he trying to open up that with me?

Marahil ay nasaktan ito sa mga sinabi ni Kristine sa kanya. She used to be someone who respects him a
lot after all.

"Gray, Amber! Hali na kayo, the second activity will be announced", tawag ni Marcus sa amin. Pumunta
naman kami sa bahagi kung saan pumwesto ang section A.

Pumunta sa gitna si Maam Saderna at ito naman ang nagsalita. I hope it would be something that I
would truly enjoy. Mahilig naman sa mga ganoon si Maam Saderna, naalala ko tuloy ang PE namin dati.

Napangiwi din ako ng maalala ang paglalaro namin ng volleyball. That was really a disaster lalo na ng
makita ko si Apollo!

"The second activity requires your physical strength and intellect. The game is called the Olympian
Dieties Hunting. You'll be dealing with a lot of riddles and codes along the way at kailangan niyong
icollect ang 12 stickers na may pangalan ng 12 Olympian gods and goddeses. The green stickers are for
the Section A, blue for B, red for C, and yellow for D. You have different card colors and hints kaya hindi
kayo magkakaroon ng sticker na nasa parehong lugar. You will be given a hint to find the next sticker at
makukuha niyo ang susunod na hint if you find the other sticker. Each sticker contain the hints. Strength
is needed dahil may mga barriers along the way at gaya ng naunang laro, this is by section", anunsyo ni
Maam. "And there's more. Dapat niyong bantayan ang mga banner ninyo and don't let anyone from the
other section touch the banner. Understood? It's like a cycle, the end would be this same place."

Sabay-sabay na nagyes maam ang mga estudyante. They were really agitated to start the activity.

Tuwang-tuwa naman ang section namin. "Section A will win this dahil nasa amin si Gray!", one of my
classmate shouted at umingay na din ang lahat. Yeah, our best asset will be Gray when it comes to
strength and intellect. Pinatahimik ni Maam ang mga kaklase ko.

"Since the section B won the first activity, they're granted with a special power, that's what we've
agreed kanina diba?"

This time ay ang section B naman ang mag-ingay. Tuwang-tuwa ang mga ito.

"Now that special power is to choose one person per section that you think a threat to you and they will
be eliminated. The chosen person cannot help their section for this activity", dagdag pa ni Maam
Saderna.

What? That is their special power!? Kung ganoon ay alam ko na kung sino sa amin ang tatanggalin nila.

"We will eliminate Gray from section A!", sigaw ng mga taga Section B. Tuwang-tuwa ang mga ito sa
special power na iyon.

Nalungkot naman ang mga kaklase ko. "Oh no, we will lose in this activity again dahil wala na si Gray",
wika ni Lorie, one of my classmate.

I heard Gray's laughter. "What are you saying? Dapat nga matuwa kayo, they didn't eliminate our best
Asset", wika niya at tumingin sa akin. Napalingon din ang mga kaklase ko.

Uh, me? The best asset? Nagjojoke ba ito dahil kung oo, well, it's not funny.
"You mean Amber?", tanong pa ng isa at tumango si Gray. Lumapit siya sa akin at pumwesto sa likod ko.
He held my shoulders at kapagkuway inilapit ako sa iba ko pang mga kaklase.

"When it comes to intelligence and strength, no one beats Amber", wika nito. He's making lies, aren't
he? Alam kong sinasabi lang niya iyon upang hindi mawalan ng pag-asa ang mga kaklase ko.

"You really think so?", someone asked at ngumiti si Gray dito.

"Yeah, 100% sure."

Pinigilan ko ang sariling sikuhin siya. Ano ba ang pinagsasabi nitong si Gray!?! If ever I failed, malamang
magagalit sa akin ang mga kaklase ko!

"So let's start!", narinig kong wika ni Maam Saderna. Maari kayong maghiwahiwalay sa paghahanap
upang mas mabilis niyong makita ang stickers, wag kayong lumampas sa mga boundary na minarkahan
namin ng red ribbon. And also, those eliminated, please separate from your section."

Nagpaalam na si Gray sa amin. "Do your best and listen to Amber. This activity is a piece of cake to her",
wika nito bago unalis.

"What shall we do now Amber", tanong ng mga kaklase ko. Their faces were serious. Malamang nais
nilang ipanalo ang activity na ito.

"Well have to go separately to maximize the time. We're 30 in our section and we will less Gray, that
makes us 29. I want the ten students to guard the banner and the rest, find the stickers. Some should
also locate the barriers dahil marahil naroon ang mga cards. Got it?", wika ko sa kanila. Halata sa mukha
nila na sineseryoso nila ang activity. Sabay silang tumango at hiningi na namin ang first two hints.

The first hint was Underworld samantalang Golden Apple naman ang isa.

I give them the first hint. "That hint pertains to the god of underworld Hades at base sa hint na yan, the
only place where you could find the sticker would be in the underworld. Hades is not part of the 12
Olympians so most probably, it refers to Demeter, the mother of Persephone na queen ng underworld.
Ibig sabihin, nasa ilalim ng lupa ang susunod na hint", agad nilang kinuha ang clue at tumakbo.

Nagulat na lang kami ng biglang may umangat malaking net mula sa lupa. Maybe one of the students
stepped on something!

Shit, nahuli sila sa net trap! And there were 8 of them! Tumaas ang net trap at nakalambitin sila sa isang
kahoy.

Marion was in the net trap too. "Find the stickers and don't let our section lose", sigaw nito.

What the hell! We immediately lose 8 members? Ibig sabihin ay 11 na lang kami!

Bumaling ako sa mga natitira. "Please be extra careful. Kailangan nating manalo", wika ko sa kanila.

They smiled at me at nagsimula nang maghanap ng bahagi ng lupa kung saan marahil nakatago ang
sticker. But we need to be very careful, maraming trap sa paligid.

I stared at the clue that I've got. The Golden Apple. In the mythology, when a golden apple is mentioned,
the first goddess who came to my mind was the goddess of love, Aphrodite. In the greek myth Judgment
of Paris, the gods are all invited to the marriage, except Eris, goddess of discord. This made the goddess
becomes furious and in revenge, Eris makes a golden Apple of Discord inscribed with the words "to the
fairest one" which she threw among the goddesses. Aphrodite, Hera , and Athena all claim it. All of them
wanted that apple so Zeus rely the judgment to the mortal Paris . The goddesses offer him bribes.
Supreme power was offered by Hera, the goddess of wisdom, Athena offered wisdom, fame, and glory
in battle, while the goddess of love and beauty, Aphrodite offers him Helen of Troy ,the most beautiful
mortal woman in the world, as a wife. Paris choses Aphrodite because he was inflamed by the desire for
Helen. But Helen was already married to the king of Sparta . That choice bring about the Trojan war.

Ngunit saan ko nga ba makikita ang hint. Golden Apple. Apples are in the trees. Hindi kaya ....

Napatingin ako sa mga puno. Wala roon. I move forward and look above ngunit wala rin. Naghanap pa
ako ng kahoy hanggang sa makita ko ang hinahanap ko! No doubt, it was really there!
Mataas ang kahoy ngunit may lubid sa gilid niyon. I pulled the rope dahil akala ko ay magagamit iyon sa
pag-akyat ng kahoy ngunit nagulat na lang ako nang may trap na naman doon! Shit! That almost got me!

Sinimulan kong akyatin ang kahoy at kinuha ang gold basket na naroon at gaya ng inaasahan, may
sticker nga roon. It was Aphrodite's sticker samantalang hint naman ang nasa likod.

Bumaba ako ng puno and watched closely on my every step. Mabuti na lang pala at nagsuot ako ng
shorts kaysa jeans, mahihirapan sana akong umakyat.

Nang sulyapan ko ang hint sa likod ay napatda ako. I was expecting na katulad lang iyon ng nauna but it
wasn't. It was a math formula instead!

(1) a² - b² - (a+b)×2

a is an even number, b is an odd number while (a+b)×2 is an even number, where the sum of (a+b) is the
same number it was when "a" has a longer tail and b is rotated 180° clockwise.

After a while ay nakuha ko na ang ibig sabihin ng code.

Nagpunta ako sa bahagi ng campsite na may apoy, the garbage site. It's the only place na hindi
namamatay ang apoy and also the fence around it was made of metal. I found the sticker at tiningnan ko
ang hint na nasa likuran nito.

At the back of the card was the next hint.

(2) It was a picture code. Ang isang picture ay light bulb and the other was a tooth.

This one's easy! Agad akong nagpunta sa may mga tent at hinanap ang sticker doon at gaya ng
inaasahan ay naroon nga iyon. I found another sticker.

Nang tingnan ko naman likod niyon ay may panibagong hint na naman.

(3) It was a date.

 March 21-April 19.

Napangiti naman ako sa hint na iyon. Agad akong nagpunta sa mya pastol ng mga hayop. I looked
around at nakita ko nga ang hinahanap ko, the sticker of that god and the next hint.

(4!) It was just a single letter C. And I already know what's it about. It's another piece of cake!

I went immediately to that place. The east side of the campsite was the shore. Malayo-layo din iyon
mula sa gubat. Tinakbo ko iyon ngunit bigla na lang nahulog ang isang paa ko sa butas!

Shit! Another trap! The next thing I knew ay may lubid na ang paa ko at nakalambitin ako patiwarik!

Hindi iyon masyadong mataas at may isa pang lubid sa harapan ko. If I could take a hold on that rope ay
makakaalis ako doon. I tried reach the rope ngunit hindi ko maabot iyon. Sumasakit ng ulo ko sa
pagkatiwarik kaya nag-isip ako ng paraan. I swayed my body ay sinubukang abutin uli iyon. Just a little
more. I swayed more hanggang sa makuha ko iyon. Nang maabot ko ang lubid ay humawak ako roon
upang makaupo sa isang sanga. I pulled myself up at nang maayos akong nakaupo ay tinanggal ko ang
knot sa paa ko. It formed a bruise but I just ignored it. Bumaba ako sa kahoy at pinuntahan ang
destinasyon ko which was the sea side at nakita ko nga ang hinahanap doon.

When I checked the hint the back, there was another hint picture hint. This time ay tatlo na ang larawan
and unlike the first one, hindi ko makita ang common relationship ng tatlo.

(5) The first picture was a sculpture and a painting. There was an arrow that points the second picture.
There were groups of basketball players. Again there was an arrow at ang sunod na picture ay mga
nakakalat na gamit. (Shinichilaaaabs' note: here's the hint, be familiar with rebus puzzles! Hihi!)

The second picture was encircled. Ano kaya ang ibig sabihin niyon?

I stared at the hint for a while and let out a smile. I guess I know whay was it all about!

I immediately went to the campsite at pumunta sa kahoy kung saan may nakapako na ring. Campers
used to play basketball there kaya marahil ay naroon ang code. Yes, there was a basket up the tree but
there's no way I can get it! Nasa mataas na bahagi iyon and that branch couldn't support me! I don't
even know how they managed to put it there!

Nilingon ko ang paligid at nakakita akong pampitik ng ibon. It was made of rubber at maganda ang
pagkakagawa. I immediately picked up a stone at ibinala iyon doon. I aimed at the basket at nang itinira
ko iyon ay natamaan ang basket at nahulog.

Biglang tumunog ang cellphone ko at si Gray ang tumatawag. "Hey, where are you? Ikaw lang ang wala
dito, don't tell me you went by yourself?", tanong nito.

"Looks like it's like that", sagot ko sa kanya habang pinupulot ang basket.

"Bumalik ka na dito. They've already got 5 stickers kaya halika na", he said.

"Yeah, after the last one", sagot ko at pinatay ang tawag.

Kinuha ko ang sticker at tiningnang mabuti ang hint. The hint was very easy ngunit hindi ko alam ang
lugar kung saan makikita iyon. The hint was simply (6) a circle and another circle with a ring around it.
Alam ko ang ibig sabihin ng hint but I'm not certain where was it.

Then I remembered the instructions kanina. Ah! That's it! I made my way to the base ngunit nang isang
hakbang ko ay nahulog na naman ang paa ko, but there wasn't any trap there. My foot twisted at
napaupo ako sa lupa.

Shit! Mamamaga na naman ito. Dahan-dahan akong tumayo but I heard some sounds.

Ssssssssssssssss.....

Ssssssssssssssss.....

Ssssssssssssssss...

When I looked around, I saw a snake! Shit! Ahas! Takot ako sa ahas!
Nakalimutan ko ang masakit kong paa at nagsisigaw na tumakbo ng mabilis pabalik sa base.
Humahangos ako pagdating doon. Agad naman akong sinalubong ng mga kaklase ko.

"Hey! Why are you shouting?", Gray asked nang makalapit ako sa kanila. My breaths were heavy at
palakas ang pintig ng dibdib ko.

"Snake! May ahas!", I said hysterically. Goodness, nanginginig talaga ako dahil sa ahas.

"That's pretty normal. Where on the mountains anyway!", wika ni Maam Saderna at lumapit sa amin.
"Did you collect all seven stickers? Your classmates got 5 stickers at marahil ikaw ang naghanap sa pito."

Kinuha ko ang mga stickers sa bulsa ko at inabot iyon sa kanya. "You already know where's the seventh
card", wika ko at ngumiti si Maam.

"Amazing section A, as expected", wika nito. "Sa ngayon ay kayo pa ang section na nakakompleto sa
stickers and I guess you won this activity."

Tuwang-tuwa naman ang mga kaklase ko. They really want to win.

"Thanks Amber!", wika nila sa akin. Are they really thanking me?

"Pasensya ka na kung minamaliit ka namin, you're really amazing! You found seven cards all by yourself
samantalang ang dami namin at lima lang ang nakuha namin", wika pa ng isa.

I smiled at them, the geniune smile thag I have."It's fine. And some clues were just easy kaya madali
kong nakuha ang mga stickers."

They really thanked me at pormal pa na nakipagkaibigan ang iba. Well it's a good start.

Nang nag-uusap sila tungkol sa mga adventure nila sa pagkuha ng sticker ay nakinig ako sa kanila. I felt
the pain on my foot kaya tinanggal ko ang sapatos ko.
My ankle was swollen ay nagkukulay violet na naman. May pasa rin dahil sa lubid na nasa paa ko kanina
habang napabitin ako patiwarik.

"Tsk, you've got a swollen foot again", wika ni Gray. Hinawakan niya ang paa ko at tiningnan iyon nga
maayos.

Binawi ko naman ang paa ko. "I tripped kaya lang ay nakakita ako ng ahas kaya nagtatatakbo na ako and
forgot about my swollen foot. Kaya siguro mas lalong nabinat yang paa ko", paliwanag ko sa kanya.

"We need to heal that or else you will not enjoy the camp", he said at tumango ako sa kanya.

Yes, I'm now looking forward into this camp kaya kailangang gumaling na agad ito.

**

By the way, alam ko na yung Project Loki, omaygash! It's an awesome book by an awesome author.
Please don't think that I have copied his story without acknowledging him, that's illegal hihi :D

Nag-update ako kasi gusto ko kayong guluhin! Haha! If you observed the clues above were numbered at
hindi rin sinabi kung sino ang god o goddess ang nasa sticker because it's for you to find out! Haha!
Decode the hints, icomment niyo ang explanation sa hint, the god/goddess that it identify and the
connection with the place where the next hint was found. Some hints were lame (yeah, I knew it! lol!)
but it's worth decoding for! Haha, kaya icomment niyo na!

-ShinichiLaaaabs, the lame puzzler xD

CHAPTER 35: A SERIES OF PECULIAR EVENTS (Pandora's Box)

Chapter 35: A Series of Peculiar Events (Pandora's Box)

Event #5 Dare and Desperation

Madilim na ng nakolekta ng ibang section ang lahat ng mga stickers. Tuwang-tuwa ang section A nang in-
announce na kami ang nanalo.

"Hey, how did you decode the hint in your stickers?", tanong ni Gray sa akin.

"Ah, iyon? It's simple. The first hint was Golden Apple and we can associate that with Aphrodite.
Remember the myth about the judgment of Paris? That's my bases. Nakita ko ang sticker sa taas ng
puno."

"What? Umakyat ka ng puno?", he asked in amusement. Nakangiting tumango lang ako sa kanya. "Uh!
They're out of their minds! Why put the sticker up on the tree?"

Ngumuso ako sa sinabi niya. "Kaya nga kailangan daw ng strength and intellect."

He just smirked. He's not into climbing trees, eh?

"Oh tapos?"

"Then the next hint I've got is a mathematical formula. I can still remember it. It goes like

a² - b² - (a+b)×2

a is an even number, b is an odd number while (a+b)×2 is an even number, where the sum of (a+b) is the
same number it was when "a" has a longer tail and b is rotated 180° clockwise. Base sa clue na binigay,
the a written in italicized letter and extend its tail looks like a number 9. Gayundin ang b, if rotated, it
looks like 9. At first I thought I would use the Pythagorean theorem pero hindi pala. I divide 9 into 2
numbers in which one is even and the other is odd. I come up with 4 and 5. If we square 4, we will get
16. And 5² is 25. (a+b)×2 is (4+5)×2 and we will get 18. So the numbers will be 16-25-18. If we substitute
it with the alphabet, 16 is P", nagbilang si Gray sa alpabeth gamit ang kamay niya.

"Ah, now I got it. 16 is P, then 25 is Y and 18 is R, so you've got the word PYR, which is the greek word
for fire. And since kasama sa 12 Olympians ang god of fire na si Hephaestus, you think you've got the
right deduction", wika niya at nakangiting tumango ako.
"Exactly! So I went to the place where palaging may apoy, sa may compost pit right? They always burn
the garbages there and since it was surrounded by metal, I figured out na tama talaga ako since
Hephaestus is the god of fire and metalworkings", I said at napatango ito.

"And what's the next hint you've got?", tanong niya.

"The next hint was no challenge at all. Just a picture of lightbulb and a tooth."

"It's Athena then", he said.

"Yeah, and I found the sticker on Athena High student's tent", wika ko.

Gray pouted. "Uh, pretty lame hint." Natawa ako saglit, yeah. That's what I've thought too. "How about
the next?"

I smiled widely. "Another piece of cake! It was date. March 19-April 21."

"Then it's Ares. That's the first zodiac right? Aries which pronounced the same as Ares, the god of war.
Wait, since the zodiac Aries is symbolized by the ram, don't tell me the next hinted place ay sa pastolan
ng mga kambing?"

Lumawak ang ngiti ko. "Bingo!"

He smirked. "Uh, just as I thought."

"The next hint was just a letter C but the way towards there has many trap. Nabitin pa nga ako ng
patiwarik."

Nagulat ito at hinarap ako. "What? Patiwarik? How did you manage to save yourself?"
"There was another rope so I grabbed it at hinila ang sarili ko paakyat upang makaupo sa sanga",
paliwanag ko.

"Uh, I can't imagine. If the hint is C, then it must be Poseidon, the god of the sea. Don't tell me the next
sticker is on the shore?", nakataas ang isang kilay niya.

"You got it right", wika ko at nalukot ang mukha nito.

"So lame. Mukhang naubosan na sila ng magandang ideya. But the shore is kinda far", wika nito. Yeah
he's right. Malayo nga ang baybayin. "So, the next one?"

"It's a picture rebus. 3 pictures, the first one was a painting and a sculpture, the second one was a
basketball team at ang pangatlo ay mga nakakalat na bagay", wika ko. Kumunot ang noo nito bago
nagsalita.

"I don't get it. Enlighten me please.", wika niya. Ah, madali lang iyon.

"That's simple. The first picture is Art since painting and sculptures are known artworks. The second is
team and the last one is mess. If we combine that three words, we'll have Art, Team and Mess."

Ngumiti si Gray. "It's Artemis then, the greek goddess of moon."

"Yep, and the picture hint, the second picture was encircled so I guess it was the hint to the next place
kaya nagpunta ako doon sa may basketball ring and the sticker was up in a tree again."

"Don't tell me umakyat ka na naman?", nakabusangot nitong wika. "Iisipin ko na talaga na may lahi kang
unggoy."

I laughed at his lame joke. "Sorry to disappoint you ngunit this time ay hindi na ako umakyat. I saw some
rubber stuffs there kaya ginamit ko iyon. I got the sticker with another picture in it. It was a ring around
a circle."
"It must be Zeus then. Kapag nakakita ka ng circle with a ring around it, you'll remember the planet
Saturn, the hint you said was a circle before a ringed circle so the planet before Saturn is Jupiter, which
is also the name of the Roman counterpart of Zeus."

Ngumiti ako sa kanya. He's right on his deduction.

"And then? Where did you found the sticker?", tanong niya.

"I don't have to find it. The facilitators have it. Remember what Maan Saderna said?"

He shrugged his shoulders.

"She said it's a cycle. The end would be the same place", nakangiti kong wika. I can still remember her
exact words.

Ngumiti si Gray at ginulo ang buhok ko. "As expected, ang galing mo." He keeps on messing my hair. Inis
na iniwas ko ang ulo ko.

"Stop it, oy ano ba! Hoy ano ba! Stop it, nakakapagod magsuklay, aray!", I tried to push away his hands
ngunit makulit ito.

Patuloy lang siya sa ginawa kaya binato ko siya ng bottled water ngunit hindi siya natamaan.

"You can't hit me", nakangising wika niya. Tumayo ako at pinulot ang bottled water upang muling ibato
sa kanya kanya tumakbo na siya palayo habang tumatawa.

Uh, so childish! And there's no way na hahabulin ko siya! Masakit nga paa ko diba?

***
It was already dark at malamig ang paligid. Nasa mga kanya-kanyang tent na kami at naghahanda na
para sa hapunan. Even Athena's students were preparing for their dinner. Nakakatuwang isipin na
nagkasabay na nagcamp ang Bridle at Athena.

I lay down on my tent. My body is tired and my foot is aching, but am very happy. Naging malapit ako sa
ibang mga kaklase ko. Sila na ang lumalapit sa akin at kinakausap ako.

I can hear the sounds of the crickets and other insects outside. Maliwanag ang buwan at malamig ang
simoy ng hangin. Sinulyapan ko ang paa ko. It was swollen at masakit iyon. Ah! Kung hindi ba naman ako
nataranta dahil sa ahas, hindi sana ito mamamaga ng ganito.

May papalapit na yabag sa tent ko at may nakita akong anino. Uh, asungot! I want to lay here peacefully.

"Tao po, narito po ba ang mahal na prinsesa?", narinig kong tanong ni Gray mula sa labas. I mentally
rolled my eyes.

"Wala", sagot ko. Ayoko siyang pagbuksan. I'd like to spend my night alone kasama ang binabasa kong
classical novel na Guillever's Travel.

"Tao po, hindi po ako aalis hangga't hindi ako pinagbubuksan ng mahal na prinsesa", wika nito. Naiisip
ko ang nakabusangot nitong mukha habang nakatayo doon sa labas ng tent.

I sighed bago bumangon. I've got no choice kundi pagbuksan ito. Knowing Gray, malamang hindi talaga
iyon aalis kapag hindi ko pinagbuksan.

"What?", tanong ko at bigla na lang siyang pumasok. May dala siyang maliit na palanggana at bimpo.
Umuosok pa ang tubig na nasa palanggana kaya nahulaan kong mainit iyon.

"Pinapasok ba kita?", tanong ko sa kanya and he just chuckled. Inilagay niya ang palanggana sa kilid at
nag-ayos ng tuwalya sa kandungan niya.

Kapagkuway tinapik niya ang espasyo sa harap niya at tinawag ako. "Upo ka dito mahal na prinsesa at
akin na yang paa mo."
He brought towel and warm water para sa akin? Hindi agad ako gumalaw at nakatingin lang sa kanya.
Siya na mismo ang nag-adjust at lumapit sa akin.

"Tsk, ang tigas talaga ng ulo mo.mahal na prinsesa", bigla na lamang niyang kinuha ang namaga kong
paa at nilagay iyon sa kandungan niya.

Kinuha niya ang bimpo mula sa mainit na tubig sa palanggana, piniga niya iyon at dahan-dahang
ipinampunas sa paa.

"G-gray, what are you doing?", I don't know why I am stattering. Tiningnan ko ang mukha niya.
Nakatingin lang ito sa ginagawa niya sa paa ko.

I saw his brow raised. "This is called hot compress, in case you don't know."

Pinigilan ko ang sarili kong hampasin siya ng palanggana. I don't get him sometimes, minsan ay mabait
ito, minsan may topak. He's hot and cold.

I can't determine his mood. Minsan kasi ay parang wala itong pakialam sa akin and then there would
also be a time na nagiging maalaga at maalahanin ito.

"I can't read you Gray", wika ko sa kanya. Ang hirap niya kasing basahin. I don't have any clue what's
going on his mind. Hindi ko mabasa kung ano ang mga posibleng aksyon niya.

"Then don't. I'm not a book anyway", wika niya. It may seem like a stupid answer but there was
something behind it. Seryosong-seryoso din ang mukha nito habang sinasabi iyon.

"I want to know you deeper. Pakiramdam ko kasi na isa kang libro na nasa harap ko but I can't do
anything but just stare at the cover. I cannot scan through your pages", wika ko sa kanya.

Nag-angat siya ng tingin. "So as you Amber. You're still a mystery to me. A mystery I can't fathom", wika
niya at tiningnan ako sa mata.
Tila mas lalong tumahimik ang paligid. The only thing I've heard is my heavy breathing. Ano ba ang ibig
sabihin nito? I don't how long I've been staring at him habang pinupunasan nito ng maligamgam na
tubig ang paa ko.

Unti-unti namang nawala ang sakit ng paa ko, as if he just wiped it away.

Nagulat na lang kaming parehas nang sumulpot si Marcus mula sa pinto ng tent.

"Bossing, dinner na", wika nito kay Gray. Ngumiti din siya sa akin."Pati na rin ikaw boss ni bossing."

Boss ni Bossing? Ano ba ang pinagsasabi ni Marcus? Tiningnan ito ng masama ni Gray ay itinaas naman
nito ang dalawang kamay, waring sumusuko.

"Hehe, kainan na daw", wika nito bago patakbong lumayo doon.

Lumabas na ng tent si Gray at inalalayan ako. "Halika na mahal na prinsesa." Ayan na naman ang
mapaglarong side nito. His mood shifts easily, eh? Kanina lang ay seryosong-seryoso ito tapos ngayon ay
mapagbiro naman.

Tumalikod siya at itinapat ang likod sa akin. "Hop in."

Nanlaki ang mata kong napatingin sa kaniya. What? Did he want me to ride on his back?

"What? Don't tell me binibigyan mo ng malisya ang pagtulong ko sayo? I just don't want to strain your
foot dahil marami pang activity bukas and tomorrow's activities will be strenous, that's what I've
overheard kanina", wika niya. "Kaya sumakay ka na sa likod ko, I'll give you a piggyback ride."

Hindi ko alan ang sasabihin. I know we would be the talk not only of Bridle's student but as well as
Athena's.

"B-but -"
Hindi ko na natuloy ang sasahihin dahil muling nagsalita si Gray.

"You want the bridal style? I can carry you like that too", wika niya at napalunok ako! He carried me in a
bridal style nang matapilok ang paa ko dati! I know if wouldn't ride on his back, hindi ito magdadalawang
isip na buhatin na naman ako sa ganoong paraan!

I sighed in defeat bago ako sumampa sa likod niya.

"Good girl", wika niya at naglakad na siya papunta sa dinner table namin.

I felt dagger stares hindi lamang sa mga taga Bridle kundi lalong-lalo na sa mga taga Athena! They still
adore Gray after all!

"Kung nakakamatay lang ang tingin, I don't know how many times I'll be dead by now", wika ko malapit
sa tenga niya.

Nilingon naman ni Gray ang paligid. "Don't mind them."

Nang makarating kami sa mesa ay ibinaba na niya ako at nagsimula na kami ng kumain.

Matapos ang hapunan ay gumawa ng malaking bonfire si Sir Rolly. The Athena students were having
their bonfire too at mukhang nagkakatuwaan ang mga ito.

We gathered around the bonfire and have a sharing. Ilang oras din kami doon hanggang sa sumapit ang
alas nuebe. Nagpaalam na ang iba na matutulog na samantalang naiwan naman ang iba. Doon na kami
naghiwahiwalay at nag-by section na sa paguusap-usap.Some went near the tent, samantalang kaming
mga Section A ay naiwan sa harap ng bonfire.

Some Athena students were resting already on their tents samantalang nasa labas pa rin ang iba.
Maraming bituin kaya it's a perfect night for stargazing.

"I know what should we do", wika ni Marion na nakangiti. May dala itong bagay na tinatago nito sa likod.
"Ano?", Ina, one of my classmate asked. There were 14 of us there at kasama na kami ni Gray.

"Tadaaa!", inilabas ni Marion ang bote na siyang tinatago niya sa likod. It was an empty wine bottle.

"Ano naman ang gagawin natin dyan? Wala namang laman yan kaya hindi tayo mag-eenjoy", Lexus said.
Uh, mag-iinuman ba ang nasa isip nito?

Marion pouted. "Hindi naman tayo mag-iinuman eh! We will play truth or dare."

"Ah tama! That would be very fine!", Tina said. Natuwa silang lahat sa "brilliant idea" ni Marion.

Truth or Dare huh? I'm not into those crazy stuffs.

"I'll pass", halos magkapanabay namin na wika ni Gray. Tiningnan naman nila kaming lahat ng masama.

"Walang magpa-pass. Sasali lahat. And we'll just play pure dare, walang truth", Marion said and it was
an order. Nakipagsukatan siya ng tingin kay Gray and Gray surrendered.

I saw Gray's face crumpled ngunit pumayag na rin ito. Uh, wala na rin aking nagawa kundi sumali na
lang.

"Let's make this challenging. You have to do the dare and the consequence nang kung sino mang ayaw
gawin ang dare ay kailangang maghubad", Marion announced.

Did I heard it right? She said maghubad? Uh! Marion!!!! Ano ba yang mga nasa isip mo?!

"Whaaaaat? Nababaliw ka na ba Marion?", gulat kong tanong. Maghuhubad? Paano kung utusan nila
akong pumunta doon sa madilim na gubat, edi maghuhubad ako?
"No, not all your clothes. Lahat ng nasa katawan mo, huhubarin gradually. Katulad na lang kapag ayaw
kong gawin ang dare, huhubarin ko itong suot ko na relo, o kaya ay singsing or anything hanggang sa
panloob na lang na damit ang matira. So let's start", wika niya at hindi man lamang dininig ang protesta
ko.

Oh, looks like everyone liked that rule too! Ang lamig kaya ng gabi tapos pahuhubarin pa kami? This is so
arrrrrhgh! Wala na akong magawa nang pinaikot na nila ang bote.

Una itong tumigil sa tapat ni Lorie. "Game!", masiglang wika ni Lorie. Oh, tuwang-tuwa pa ito na ito ang
naturo? Uh, unbelievable.

"Ako ang mag-uutos", Rico asked. "Pick up that frog at ilagay mo sa tent ni Roan."

Lorie smiled. Look's like she's not afraid of frogs at all. Ginawa nito ang iniutos ni Rico at hindi nagtagal
ay narinig namin ang sigaw ni Roan mula sa tent nito!

Tuwang-tuwa naman sila! Uh! That's so mean! Nakakatakot kaya ang palaka! I saw Roan hysterically run
out from her tent. Kawawa naman ito!

The next one to do the dare was Marion. Nakaupo ito sa tabi ni Gray at sa kabila naman ako, bale
napapagitnaan namin si Gray.

She refused her first dare at agad hinubad ang t-shirt displaying her sexy body! Goodness! Hindi ba siya
giniginaw sa ginagawa niya? At hindi man lamang niya pinag-isipan kong gagawin ba niya ang dare or
not! She immediately took her shirt! Uh, goodluck na lang sa kabag!

We continued playing at halos lahat kami ay wala ng maihubad. We've been playing for a while and I've
already removed my watch, earings, hairpin at jacket! Shorts at tshirt na lang ang natitira!

Ang iba din sa mga lalaki ay nakatopless na. Uh, hindi ba sila nilalamig? Even Gray! Tanging jeans na lang
nito ang suot! Nauna na niyang hubarin ang suot na belt.

Paano ba naman kasi, puro imposible ang mga ipinagagawa nila kaya mas pipiliin mo na lang maghubad!
Katulad na lamang ng mga dare na mambato ng isang tent ng taga Athena! There's no way I'll be doing
that! Inutusan din akong bumunot ng buhok sa kili-kili ni Sir Rolly na nakahiga sa tent niya habang
nakataas ang kamay!

Ang ibang mga dare naman na hindi ginawa ni Gray ay pawang kabaliwan din! It seems like Marion likes
crazy stuffs!

Nang muling umikot ang bote ay sa akin na naman ito tumapat! Uh, I don't like this! Halos wala na akong
maihubad! At kapag imposible na naman ang ipapagawa nila, I don't know what will I take off!

"Ako ang mag-uutos!", wika ni Marion. "Maglap dance ka kay Marcus." She was smiling evilly.

Nanlaki ang mga mata ko! What the hell?! Dance and Amber don't go together. Hindi ako marunong
magsayaw and there's no way I'll be dancing!

"Anooooo? You're crazy Marion", wika ko sa kanya. Lap dance? So not me!

"Don't be kill joy Amber, wala namang mawawala sayo, and it's just a dare kaya gawin mo na. It's just for
fun, you know", Marion said. Sumang-ayon naman ang iba sa sinabi nito. God, they're hopeless case!

"Kung ayaw mong gawin, you can remove something from your body", wika naman ng isa ko pang
kaklase na si Lexus.

Uh, kill joy? Ako? Tawagin na nila akong kahit ano basta ayaw ko ngang maglap dance! Ang laswa kaya
nun!

I've decided! This is a better decision to chose between dancing in Marcus' lap o maghuhubad.

Tumayo ako mula sa pagkakaupo ko sa damo. I have to do this!

Hinubad ko ang suot kong shorts. Di bale, may suot naman akong pantyshorts. Ayaw ko rin namang
hubarin ang t-shirt ko kaya pinili kong hubarin ang short ko. Napakaginaw ng gabi kaya hindi pwedeng
ang t-shirt ko ang huhubarin ko.

Nagulat silang lahat sa ginawa ko. Ayaw ko rin namang tumigil na sa paglalaro, I don't want them to
think that I'm easily chicken out just because of a dare game.

"Are you serious?", tanong ni Gray sa tabi ko. I nodded my head. Ano naman? Nakapanty short naman
ako. Yun nga lang at tshirt ang sinusuot ko kapag nasa dorm ako. Hindi rin naman malaswa tingnan
kapag ganon, mas malaswa pa rin yung nakabra na lang.

We continued playing ngunit muli iyong tumapat sa akin, I don't know what to do! Holy mother father
brother and sister!

Kapag ito ay mahirap na naman, ano na ngayon ang huhubarin ko? Shit! This is so arrrrrghhh!

"My turn. Ako ang mag-uutos", wika ng kaklase kong si Yohan. Tinuro niya ang madilim na bahagi ng
gubat.

"There's a mango tree there at naiwan ko kanina doon ang cap ko. Kunin mo yun."

I was shocked when I glanced at where he was pointing. It was pitchblack there for heaven's sake! And
I'm afraid of the dark, for crying out loud!

Nagulat na lang ako ng biglang napatayo si Gray. "There's no way she can do it. She's nyctophobic kaya
mag-isip ka na lang ng ibang dare", malaki ang boses na wika nito kay Yohan.

Yohan just smirked. "Then that makes it more challenging", sagot niya kay Gray. Bumaling naman ito sa
akin. "Or maghuhubad ka na lang ng either underwear mo o tshirt", he said and chuckled.

Hindi ko inaasahan ang sunod na nangyari. Gray grabbed him by the collar.
"Could you be atleast be respectful to women!", he said habang hawak si Yohan! My other classmates
were too shocked to move, marahil ay nagulat sa sudden outburst ni Gray.

"Stop it Gray", wika ko at tumayo. "I'll be doing it. Maybe it's a training ground for me to overcome my
fear."

"But-", napatigil siya dahil tinaasan ko siya ng kilay. "Fine, you can enter the forest. But if it's past 10
minutes at hindi ka pa bumabalik, I'll be following you", wika niya at nakangiting tumango ako bago
humarap sa direksyon ng pupuntahan ko.

Uh, dark woods, here I come. Dahan-dahan akong naglakad papasok sa kakahoyan. Shit, I'm so nervous.
I don't know why ngunit nanginginig ang mga kamay ko. I can see some things ahead dahil maliwanag
naman ang buwan but this night just creeps me!

The mango tree was a distance from the base kaya kailangan kong magmadali. Naramdaman ko ang
malamig na dampi ng hangin sa katawan ko and then I realized, I was just in my pantyshort and shirt.
Uh, this is double suffering, eh?

I saw some shadows mula sa di kalayuan kaya nagtago ako. I don't know kung kanino bang mga anino
iyon, I just felt the need to hide. I almost stop my breath when I hear voices.

"Hermes just finished him off. Hindi siya sumunod sa instruction so the reaper just did his part", boses
iyon ng babae.

I heard a faint laughter. "I see. Aren't the reapers are becoming blood thirsty? Narinig kong may tinapos
din si Ares", boses iyon ng matanda. Well, not old enough but it seems like very authorative.
Nakakatakot!

I can't completely heard them dahil malayo na sila sa akin. I held my chest at huminga ng maayos,
nagulat na lamang ako ng paglingon ko ay may dalawang tao na sa gilid ko!

Holy shit! Mabuti na lang talaga at pinigilan kong mapasigaw. Napaatras ako and it was too late when I
realized I was on an elevated area kaya napasigaw ako gumulong ako pababa doon.
I rolled down at naramdaman kong tumama ang katawan ko sa mga shrub roon.

Shit! Ang sakit ng katawan ko! It's a high place! Mabuti na lang talaga at hindi mabato roon.

Damn those guys, my eyes are blurry and I can't move well. Napakatanga ko naman para mahulog nang
ganoon! And how come I didn't realized na may dumating palang mga tao sa likod ko? I'm so careless!

Naramdaman kong may mga paparating palapit sa akin. It was the two same person na dahilan ng
pagkagulat at pagkahulog ko dito.

It was Apollo and a masked man and I'm positive it was Zeus.

"We meet again young lady, bakit ba palagi na lang tayong nagkikita? Iisipin ko na tuloy na itinadhana
tayo", Apollo said at inalalayan akong tumayo. Shit! I felt my breathing almost stop.

Am I dreaming or not? When I felt the pain in my body, I confirmed it was all real. Damn, kaharap ko
ngayon ang walang maskarang si Apollo! His handsome face was smirking at me.

"W-why aren't you in your mask?", hindi ko mapigilang tanong. He smirked at me again.

"There's no point hiding my face, I know you already recognized me noong nasa clinic tayo, so there's no
point, unlike this man here", tinapik niya ang katabing si Zeus. "He don't want his identity be exposed to
you kaya kailangan niya ng maskara." He tapped Zeus' back. "My turn to ask, why aren't you in your
shorts or skirt or whatever?"

I almost froze at his question. Parang gusto ko tuloy kainin na lang ako ng lupa dahil sa hiya! Shit, this is
so embarrassing! Gumulong ako mula doon hanggang rito and I'm just in this little piece of clothings!
Hindi agad ako nakapagsalita.

Apollo's eyes widened. "Don't tell me you're pooping he-"

"I'm not! May CR naman doon sa campsite base! Were playing a dare, a stripping dare or what the hell
they call it!", inis kong wika sa kanya.

Apollo laughed at me. Ano naman ang nakakatawa doon? He crosser his arms at tila amused na
tiningnan ako.

"So I see, you're really troublesome huh?", wika nito. Bumaling ito kay Zeus. "What shall we do to this
girl then?"

Kinabahan ako. Tatapusin nila ako? I remembered when they got me for the first time. Nakaligtas ako sa
pagpatay ni Apollo dahil hindi ko nakita ang mukha niya.

But now ay malaya kong nakikita ang gwapong mukha nito! The face where the word death was
inscribbed. Nagsimula na namang manlamig ang mga kamay ko. My body was numb at hindi na maayos
na nakapag-isip ang utak ko.

"We've already talked about this Apollo. I already told you na wag mo siyang pakialaman", Zeus said. His
voice was different from the first time I've heard it. Don't tell me there's a voice changing device in that
mask? Malaki kasi at tila kakaiba ang boses nito.

Zeus took of his hoody jacket at inabot iyon sa akin. "Here, wear this."

I was shaking when I accept the jacket. Shit, what's happening to me again?

Bumaling sa akin si Apollo. "You're one lucky girl you know. You've been protected by someone like
Zeus, that's a lifetime previlege."

I gave Apollo a frown at nagsmirk naman siya sa akin. He likes smirking huh?

I was shaking habang sinusuot ang jacket ni Zeus. God, they're living nightmares at ilang beses ko na
bang dinasal na sana hindi na kami mulang magtagpo ng landas, but it's the opposite!
Palagi na lang nagkukrus ang mga landas namin, uh! Why am I on this mess on the first place?

"Since you've been protected by Zeus, I guess you'd better take heed of this advice of mine, don't be
deceive in what your eyes can see, look closer. And another, don't stick your nose on this matter, from
what I've heard from this guy, that's your forte. This is mafia at hindi sila magdadalawang isip na patayin
ka incase you will do something that will expose the mafia."

I felt the turmoil inside me. Ayan na naman iyang mga bagay na alam na alam ni Zeus tungkol sa akin. Isa
nga ba siya sa mga taong araw-araw ko lang nakakasalimuha? And yes, akala ko ay sa mga palabas lang
dati ang existence nang mafia. I didn't know that I'll be discovering one.

Umihip ang hangin kaya lalong akong gininaw ako. I put my hands inside the pocket of the hoody jacket
and I almost scream when I felt the cold thing there, sa loob ng bulsa ng jacket. It was the gun.

Natatarantang naitapon ko iyon! Shit! A mere sight of a gun freaked me out tapos ngayon ay nahawakan
ko pa?!

Pinulot iyon ni Zeus. "Are you looking for something here?", tanong ni Zeus habang isinukbit sa beywang
ang baril. Why are they carrying guns?

"Yeah, I asked to get somethi-"

Hindi ko na natuloy ang sasabihin dahil bigla na lang akong hinila ni Zeus. He pinned me on the tree
samantalang naglabas naman ng baril si Apollo.

Are they going to kill me? Akala ko ba pinag-usapan na nila ito at protektado ako ni Zeus?

The next thing I knew ay may mga papalapit na yabag. "Hello boss? We've negotiated with the mafia at
ibinigay na nila ang classified information na kailangan natin", wika ng isang lalaki na may kausap sa
cellphone nito.

So, that's what it is all about. Kinakabahan ako sa kanila. Nagtangis ang bagang ni Apollo nang marinig
ang sinabi ng lalaki.
"Of course we have given them the fake items, ang tanga din nila, they fell for it", wika ng lalaki ay
tumawa. His laughter creeps me.

"Just as you thought Zeus, this transaction is a hoax", bulong ni Apollo. "Curse them! Artemis and
Poseidon thought it was a beneficial transaction."

The transaction is a hoax? Naloko ang mafia na kinabibilangan nila?

"I've warned Artemis about this ngunit ayaw niyang maniwala", mahinang wika ni Zeus.

Nagpunta ba sila dito upang tingnan ang mangyayaring transaction na pakiramdam ni Zeus ay isang
malaking lokohan?

"Yes boss, the real jar was in the warehouse. Hindi alam ng negotiator nilang si Artemis na conterfeit ang
jar na iyon", wika ng lalaki. Kinakabahan ako sa mga nangyayari, what if mahuli kami dito?

Nakarinig naman kami ng isa pang boses. Sumilip kami mula sa pinagkublihan namin.

"You think you fooled us?", wika ng boses. It was the woman I heard kanina lang.

Kinuha ng babae ang cellphone at kinausap ang nasa kabilang linya. She was talking to the guy on the
phone samantalang nakatutok naman ang isang kamay nito na may hawak na baril sa lalaki.

"Hi, I'm Artemis at gusto ko lang ipaalam sa inyo na nasa amin na ulit ang Pandora's box", wika niya at
pinatay ang cellphone. She throw it away at binaril ang cellphone.

I was very afraid kaya hindi ko napigilang mapayakap kay Zeus. Dinig na dinig ko ang putok ng baril. The
next thing I knew was she shot the guy dead. Hindi ko namalayan na umiiyak na pala ako. Ni hindi ito
nagdalawang isip sa ginawa!

"Put your gun away Artemis! You're scaring her!", narinig kong sigaw ni Zeus.
Lumapit naman ang babae sa amin. "Just as you thought Zeus, it was a fake jar. Mabuti na lang at
natrace namin ang tunay na pinaglagyan nila sa Pandora's box", sinulyapan niya ako at ngumiti ito.

Oh, she's so beautiful!! Kung hindi ko lang nakita na pumatay siya ng tao sa harap ko ay baka sinamba ko
na ang kagandahan nito. But she's a killer and a killer is not beautiful.

"This must be the girl that Apollo said you're crazy with", wika nito at ngumiti sa akin. "She's crying."

Sumabat si Apollo. "She freaks out seeing a gun. Let's flee Zeus. Artemis didn't used her silencer kaya
marahil ay nagdududa na ang mga tao sa mga putok na iyon. As of that girl, ibalik mo na yan sa
pinanggalingan niya", Apollo said at hinila si Artemis palayo. "We'll wait for you in the car Zeus."

Artemis bid me farewell ngunit hanggang ngayon ay hindi pa rin ako nagsasalita. I saw the dead body of
the guy at nanlamig na naman ako.

Ganito lang ba kadali sa kanila ang pumatay? When Zeus pulled me away ay nagpatangay na ako dito.

Nang makalayo na kami doon ay nagsalita ito. "I'm sorry about that", wika niya. "Bumalik ka na sa base
ng campsite. Don't walk around here at night, you don't know this place."

"What's Pandora's box?", tanong ko sa kanya. Napatigil siya sa paglalakad at tiningnan ako. I also stared
at his masked face.

"You don't need to know about it", wika niya. He was standing there habang nakatingin sa akin. Kating-
kati ang kamay ko na tanggalin ang maskara nito.

"Fine. It's a jar na galing sa pamilya namin, it was a heirloom and it was stolen but we where able to
retrieved it", wika niya.

Pandora's box. Just like in the myth, it was jar. And it was their family's heirloom? I don't know if
maniniwala ba ako sa kanya.
In the myth, it contained all the evils of the world. Katulad nila, they've been doing evil things.

"I have to go. Goodbye Amber", wika niya at bumalik na sa kakahoyan. I wiped away all my remaining
tears at bumalik sa base. Marami ang nagising and they all look worried. They were awaken the
gunshots at tumawag na rin sila ng mga pulis.

"Amber! Where have you been? Narinig mo ba ang mga gunshots?", tanong ni Marion nang sinalubong
niya ako.

I shrugged my shoulders. The truth is I want to tell everyone na hindi ko lamang narinig ang putok nang
baril, I witnessed it with my two eyes. "I didn't hear anything at hindi ko rin nakita ang cap ni Yohan",
wika ko. I guess I have no other option but to lie.

"Don't mind it Amber, kaninong jacket ba yang suot mo?", tanong ni Lorie.

Napatingin naman ako sa suot ko. It was Zeus' jacket. I forgot to give it back to him.

Hindi ko sila sinagot. When I looked around, hinanap ko si Gray ngunit wala siya sa paligid.

"Where's Gray?", tanong ko. Kumunot naman ang noo ni Marcus.

"You didn't saw him? He went in the woods after you", wika nito and I was shocked. Si Gray, sumunod sa
gubat? But I didn't saw him there. I saw Apollo and Zeus instead.

Gray and Zeus. I don't really understand them. And I don't want to think further of the hunch I have in
my mind. As I've said, it's impossible.

We heard sirens at dumating na ang mga pulis and they checked the woods.

Kinuha ko na ang mga gamit na hinubad ko kanina at nagbihis na.

Saka ko lamang nakita si Gray. He was running from the woods. Pawis na pawis ito. Saan kaya siya
nanggaling?

Agad siyang lumapit sa akin. "Okay ka lang ba Amber?"

I stared at him. Zeus has the same height and body built as Gray but I cannot imagine it. I don't want to
think about it either.

I gave him a weary smile at tumango. Nagpaalam na ako sa kanya. "Magpapahinga na ako, goodnight."

I walked away at nagtungo na sa tent ko.

Just like the Pandora's box, there's still "Hope" inside me. Hope that I'm gonna make it out of this mess
and I'm hoping,

I'm hoping that Gray is not Zeus.

--

ShinichiLaaaabs:
Ayan! Nag-update ako kasi may pasok ako bukas kaya ngayon na lang! Haha! Bitin na naman ba?
Saaaaareeeey!

Salamat nga pala sa mga nagco-comment nagvo-vote at nagmemessage sa akin! Nakakataba kayo ng
puso! Naiinspire tuloy akong magsulat!

By the way, si Khael yung crush ko dito kaysa kay Gray! Hahaha, ang landi ko! xD

Natutuwa ako sa inyo kasi nagiging detective na rin kayo! Ang galing niyong magdeduce! *clap clap!*

Vote and comment for the next update! Irecommend niyo din sa friends niyo! (Ang demanding ko diba?
haha!)

Arigato! :***

CHAPTER 36: BRIDLE VS ATHENA

Chapter 36: Bridle Vs Athena

Maaga akong naligo kinabukasan upang mawala ang mga sakit sa katawan ko. Agad akong nakatulog
kagabi dahil sa hapo.

Last night. Andaming nangyari kagabi. I stripped in front of my classmates. I met again with Zeus and
Apollo. I rolled down from an elevated area. I've hold a gun. I witnessed a man dying of gunshots. I met
Artemis.

Those things creeps me out ngunit ngayon ay parang alaala na lamang iyon. Hindi kaya nasasanay na ako
sa mga bagay na katulad niyon?

But still, natatakot pa rin ako. I could end up dead anytime just like that man last night.
I throw away all the thoughts of last night at nagpatuloy sa pagligo. Matapos magbihis ay lumabas ako
ng tent. Alas kwatro pa lamang ng umaga kaya naisipan kong maglakadlakad muna.

"Good morning!", masiglang bati ni Khael. Nakatayo ito sa labas ng tent ko, katulad ko ay nakaligo na ito
at may hawak na dalawang tasa. He handed me one cup.

Nagtatakang tiningnan ko naman siya. "What's that?"

His face wrinkled and he pouted. Uh, why so handsome early in the morning Alonzo?

"This is a cup with a coffee inside it. Hindi ba yan naturo sa iyo noong bata ka pa?", he said at kinuha ko
na ang tasa.

Uh, this guy! Kaibigan talaga ito ni Gray! Pareho silang pilosopo!

I drank the coffee at napangiti ako. It was delicious. "Hey you didn't put some spell in this coffee, right?"

Napangiti naman ito. "Of course not! Haha! Those are instant coffee na bigay ng tita ko mula sa Europe."

Someone grabbed my coffee ay nang lingunin ko kung sino iyon ay napangiwi ako, it was Gray.

"I want coffee from Europe too!", nakangiti nitong wika and he drank from my cup! Uh! That's my cup!
Khael gave me that coffee!

"Hey Silvan! That's not for you! Kung gusto mo, kumuha ka doon sa maleta ko sa tent, marami doon!
Sige na, shooo, shooo alis!", Khael said at inabog si Gray.

Umupo naman ito sa bench. "Ayoko nga! Dito lang ako, at saka gusto ko yung kape na nasa cup ni
Amber. Share na lang kami, diba Amber?", he said smiling.
Hindi agad ako nakapagsalita. I've been bothered by Gray's disappearance last night and Zeus' came out,
but they're not the same person.

They may be of the same built and height but that does not proves everything.

"Diba Amber?", muling tanong nito at wala sariling napatango lang ako sa kanya.

"See?", wika ni Gray kay Khael at muling uminom sa tasa ko. Nanggagalaiti naman sa inis si Khael. Ayaw
ba niyang painumin si Gray? Uh, weird.

"Sabi nang kumuha ka doon eh! Magtimpla kang saiyo, that's for Special A", naiinis na wika ni Khael. He
was really upset with the coffee huh?

"Ayoko nga. Okay lang naman kay Amber na share lang kami", pang-aasar pa ni Gray dito. "And why are
you so upset about it? Siguro ay nilagyan mo ng gayuma ang kape niya ano, that's why you don't want
me to drink from it?"

"For someone who claims he's a better detective than me, that's a lame deduction!", sagot ni Khael. "It's
because I made it especially for her and not for you."

Gray pouted. "I'm the best between the two of us."

Ayan na naman sila sa usapang detective nila. Ano bang problema nila sa isa't-isa? Why don't they treat
themselves as equally known detective? No need to excel over the other.

I stood up at nagpaalam na sa kanila. "I'm going back to my tent at ayaw ko ng asungot. Thanks for the
coffee Khael and you can have that coffee Gray." I made emphasis on the word asungot bago sila iniwan
at nagpunta sa tent ko.

When I woke up for the second time ay breakfast time na. Natapos na pala silang magjogging at
magwarm up para sa mga activities namin ngayon. Maam Saderna told everyone not to woke me up
dahil alam niyang namaga pa yung paa ko kahapon. Well, it's kinda better now. Hindi na masyadong
masakit at hindi na rin namamaga. The hot compress was effective.
Ilang minuto kaming pinagpahinga bago gawin ang unang activity ngayong araw. When we were
gathered for the announcement, tumabi ako kina Andi and Therese. We're not asked to gather by
section kaya sa kanila ako tumabi. I don't know what's up for today's activity.

"Hey, I have a bad feeling for today's activity. Pakiramdam ko ay hindi by section", wika ko sa kanila.

Napatingin naman sila sa akin. "I think so too. Is it by individual? Wag naman sana", Andi said.
Naghihintay kami na magsalita ang mga facilitators namin. Hindi naman nagtagal ay nagsalita na si
Maam Mendez.

"Good morning everyone! You might be wondering why you were not gathered by section, it's because
you will not do the activity by section but as a whole", wika nito and everyone started whispering. As a
whole huh? Ibig sabihin ay wala kaming kalaban?

Someone from the crowd raised his hands at nagtanong. "Does that mean na wala kaming kalaban sa
activity na ito? Is this to measure our teamwork?"

Maam Mendez smiled at us. "Yes, this will measure your teamwork. This activity also measures your
sense of responsibility, camaraderie, intellect and strength. But it doesn't mean that you have no
opponent at all." Nag-ingay naman ang bawat isa. Nagtataka ang lahat sa ibig sabihin nito. This isn't just
a teamwork activity and we have an opponent?

Uh, wait. Don't tell me our opponent for the activity is the -

We heard cheers and chants na papalapit sa amin kaya napalingon kaming lahat sa pinanggalingan
niyon.

"FROM THE EAST TO THE WEST! ATHENA IS THE BEST! FROM THE NORTH TO THE SOUTH, TOGETHER WE
WILL SHOUT! ATHEEEEEENA HIGH!"

Uh, them huh? Just as I thought! Lumapit ang mga ito sa amin at nagtipon din doon but they made sure
that we didn't mixed up. Uh they take this seriously, eh? They booed at us ngunit hindi naman nagpatalo
ang mga taga Bridle, gumanti ang mga ito.
"Okay, that's enough", wika ni Maam Mendez. "Just as you see, the activity is between the Athena High
and Bridle. This activity is called Olympian Obstacle. Since the campsite itself is named after the
residence of the major gods and goddesses, we'll assume that name in every activity. There's an
obstacle course that you will be dealing with, and there are also series of questions or codes along the
way na kailangan niyong sagutan upang makalampas sa isang obstacle as a whole. There are envelopes
na ibibigay sa inyo and after you passed all the obstacles, you have to arrange those letters inside the
envelope to locate your banner and the first one to get their banner will be the winner, but there's a
twist. Each one will have a scarf at kailangan nasa katawan ninyo iyon. Don't let your opponent get that
scarf dahil paramihan ito ng nakuhang scarf ng kalaban. Once you lost your scarf, you are not allowed to
continue the obstacle. Ang mga may pinakamaraming nakuhang scarf ay may reward. You will have
feastive food for dinner!"

Naexcite ang lahat. Feast dinner huh? Nakakaenganyo na din iyon upang husayan namin ang activity but
we also don't want to lose against Athena! No way!

Nagsimula na kaming bigyan ng mga scarf. We were given a blue scarf samantalang pula naman ang sa
Athena.

"Athena will surely win the obstacle course because we got Khael!", the Athena students said. They
cheered and booed us. Uh, mukhang may ibubuga talaga si Khael dahil bilib sa kanya ang mga taga
Athena.

Hindi naman nagpatalo ang mga taga Bridle. "Nasa amin si Gray at Amber kaya kami ang mananalo!
Kami rin ang may masarap na hapunan mamaya!", a Bridle student shouted at nag-ingay na din ang mga
taga Bridle. They really think we're a big help huh?

"Okay, you may now start your planning within your team", Maam Mendez said at nagpulong na kami as
well as the Athena students.

Gray stood up in front. "This is what we're going to do. As instructed, put your scarf in your body na
madaling makita ng kalaban. Don't let anyone get that scarf at kunin niyo rin ang scarf nila. Wag kayong
lalayo sa amin and listen to our instructions along the obstacle. Got it?"

Sabay namang sumagot ang mga taga Bridle. "Roger!"

"Silvan, I guess this is a challenge for us. Good luck to your school, though you've got advantage dahil
nasa inyo si Special A, I wouldn't let Athena lose!", Khael shouted to us. Mukhang tapos na rin itong
makipagpulong sa mga taga Athena. Oh, what's with him calling me Special A in the public? It's
embarrassing, lalo na't matiim na naman ang mga tingin ng mga taga Athena sa akin dahil sa tawag na
iyon ni Khael.

Nakatingin lang ang ibang mga estudyante sa amin. Hinihintay marahil nila ang sagot ni Gray.

"I wouldn't let my school lose too!", Gray said and he smiled. A smile of assurance.

Lumapit si Khael sa amin. He passed through the imaginary boundary na ginawa ng mga taga Bridle at
Athena. Naglakad siya palapit sa akin at tumigil nang nasa harap ko na siya.

"This is not fair. Dalawa kayo ni Gray sa Bridle samantalang nag-iisa lang ako sa Athena. Let's make a
deal. Kapag nanalo kami, we'll have a date", he said and I was dumbfounded. Tama ba ang narinig ko?
He's asking me for a date kapag nanalo sila? Hindi agad ako nakapagsalita dahil sa sinabi nito.

"I'm not into the prize of this activity. I want another prize para pagbutihan kong mabuti ito kahit pa
dalawa kayo. So deal?", wika niya at naghintay silang lahat sa sagot ko! Teka! Ano ba kasing isasagot ko?
He's really serious when he said he had a crush on me?

"Pumayag ka na!", someone from Bridle said.

"He's so gorgeous! Go for him nerd!"

"Aaaah! Khael! Ako na lang kung ayaw ni Amber!"

"Date me too Khael!"

Ngumiti lang si Khael sa mga sumigaw at naghintay pa rin sa sagot ko. When I looked around, lahat sila
ay nakatingin sa akin! Uh! I hate attention! Ilang beses ko bang ulit-ulitin iyan?
"Fine", tipid kong sagot. I heard Gray uttered something like "tsssk". Tuwang-tuwa naman si Khael.

"It's a deal then. Shall we seal it with a kiss?", he said playfully at inilapit niya ang mukha sa akin. I
motioned my fist to punch his face ngunit nahawakan niya ang kamay ko bago pa iyon dumapo sa
mukha niya. "Just kidding", he said and he chuckled.

Naramdaman ko na lang na may humila sa akin palayo kay Khael. It was Gray.

"You're on our boundary Alonzo", he said and he pulled me close to him. Teka, ano bang problema niya?

"Bumabakod ka rin pala Silvan", he chuckled at bumaling sa akin. "Thanks Special A!" Bumalik na ito sa
kanilang team at isinuot na ang mga scarf.

Gray tied his scarf on his forehead. "As if, I'd let them win."

Itinali ko na rin sa wrist ko ang scarf at pumunta na kami sa first obstacle namin. It was a long pile of
tires. Nakalatag ang mga malalaking gulong doon at kailangang dumaan ang bawat isa to get to the first
question and as well as kunin ang unang item. The Athena students were on their first obstacle too na
gaya nang sa amin.

We started hoping on those tires! Uh, this is so tiring! Mabuti na lang talaga at hindi na masyadong
masakit ang paa ko dahil sa nangyari kahapon. Bigla na lang may sumigaw nang kunin nang isang taga
Athena ang scarf niya na nakatali sa buhok niya! Damn! We already lose one scarf!

Gray and I were the first two pass the obstacle upang masagutan na namin ang mga tanong habang
papunta pa lamang doon ang iba. May mga nakarating na sa kabila at hinihintay na lang na makarating
doon ang lahat. We were four sections of 30 class size so there were120 of us!

Nang makarating na kami ay kinuha ni Gray ang unang sasagutan. It was a list of countries and we're
required to give its capital! Shit! There were 25 countries there! Kaya pala pinaiwan nila sa amin ang
mga cellphone at gadget naming dahil baka may mag surf sa internet sa mga sagot.
Tiningnan ko ang list na naroon. I know some of them ngunit may mga bansa roon na hindi ko alam.
Sinimulan na namin iyong sagutan ni Gray and we came up with the answers.

Brunei - Bandar Seri Begawan

Costa Rica - San Jose

Croatia -

Cyprus - Nicosia

Fiji - Suva

Estonia - Tallinn

Iceland - Reykjavík

Jamaica - Kingston

Libya - Tripoli

Nepal - Kathmandu

The Netherlands - Amsterdam

Micronesia -

Morocco - Rabat

Eritrea - Asmara

Mauritania -

Papua New Guinea - Port Moresby

Slovakia - Bratislava

Sweden - Stockholm

Sudan -

Sri Lanka - Colombo

Uganda - Kampala

Turkey - Ankara

Uzbekistan -

Vanuatu - Port-Vila

Vietnam - Hanoi
Nang makarating na ang lahat doon ay nagsalita si Gray.

"These are countries that we're required to list each capital. Please help us remember their capitals at
wag kayong magdalawang isip na sabihin sa amin ang mga tamang sagot kapag alam ninyo", Gray said.

Tiningnan naman nila ang mga bakanteng sagot naman. Jeremy raised his hands at lumapit sa amin.

"Nouakchott. It's the capital of Mauritania", wika niya at isinulat ang sagot doon. "Uzbekistan's capital is
Tashkent and Sudan is Khartoum." Oh he knows the capital of those countries huh? Wide reader talaga
si Jeremy. I don't even know that the names of those countries really exist.

Lumapit din ang isa pang estudyante. "Micronesia's capital is Palikir. I know it dahil nandoon ang kuya
ko." We wrote it down at may isa na namang nagsabi ng sagot.

"Croatia's capital is Zagreb."

Naisulat na namin ang iba pang mga sagot dahil sa tulong nang iba. We immediately presented it to the
facilitator na mula sa Athena. It was to avoid coaching kaya facilitator ng Athena ang nagbabantay sa
amin at sina Maam Mendez at Maam Saderna naman ang nafafacilitate sa Athena. Nakakuha na rin
nang mga pulang scarf and iba. They went to the area where Athena's students are.

We were given the first envelope at tinago ko iyon since we were forbidden to open it unless matapos
na naming lagpasan ang lahat nang obstacle.

We went to the second obstacle and it was a five-meter high artificial wall. Kailangan naming makapunta
sa kabilang side sa pamamagitan nang pag-akyat doon. Madali lang itong akyatin nang mga lalaki but the
girls would really find it hard apat na kahoy lamang ang nakalagay roon na maaring apakan paakyat.

"Listen, we need four strong guys na maaaring taga tanggap sa mga aakyat. Amber and I will go there
first at magtulungan kayo sa pag-akyat. Unahin ninyo ang mga babae. You can make them stand on your
shoulders upang mas mabilis at tatanggapin naman sila nang mga nasa itaas", he instructed at umayon
naman ang lahat.
Hindi ako mahihirapang umakyat doon but I need someone to pull me up kaya tinulungan ako ng
estudyanteng nauna na sa taas. When I was able to reach the top, madali na ang pagbaba bahil mayroon
nang hagdan sa likod niyon. The only difficult side was the other.

Nang makababa kami ni Gray ay nagtulungan na silang makaakyat doon. Gray got the second question
from the facilitator. It was mystery person identification.

Clue 1: I was almost blind when I was 5 and such experience makes me want to help people with
disabilities. Clue 2: I am the teacher of Hellen Keller who was deaf and blind. I taught her how to read,
write and speak using the Braille System.

Who am I ?

"It's Annie Sulivan", wika ko ay isinulat iyon. He get the other question and answered it.

Clue 1: I am an American Revolution Hero.

Clue 2: I am a school teacher in Connecticut when I joined the Continental Army.

Clue 3: Before I was hanged by the British, I said "I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my
country.

"It's Nathan Hale", Gray said and he wrote it down.

"I don't know you're into US History", komento ko sa kanya. He's familiar with the American Revolution.

"No, I'm not. It's his famous line that I'm familiar with", wika niya. We waited for the others to cross the
wall at dumeretso na kami sa susunod na obstacle.

We were our way their nang hinarang kami ng mga taga Athena.

"Sorry but we're going to take your scarfs", wika ng lalaki at nilusib nila kami. They grabbed our scarfs at
nagkagulo na kami. May mga natumba at dinaganan. They were punching at each other at nagkasakitan
na ang bawat isa.
"Don't let them get your scarf!", someone shouted. "Gray, Amber! Mauna na kayo, susunod lang kami
after we get their scarfs."

Tumakbo na kami ni Gray papunta sa sunod na obstacle. Mga nakabitin na gulong iyon at kailangan
naming tumuwid papunta sa kabila gamit ang mga nakabitin na gulong bilang tulay. It was very shaky at
nakalatakot dahil baka mahulog ka but we walked pass it. May mga nakasunod na ngunit ang iba naman
ay naiwan dahil nakunan ng mga scarf.

We got the envelope at ang sunod na question. It was a long list of words and we were required to
identify their commonality.

BULLPEN DEAD HEAT

TRIPLE-DOUBLE GOOFY

DEUCE HAIL MARY

HAT TRICK MULLIGAN

(AN: kayo ba familiar sa mga words na yan? do you find any commonality among them? haha, kasi ako
hindi xD -ShinichiLaaaabs♥)

Oh, ano naman ang commonality doon? Are they murder tricks? Kinds of tricks? I'm not familiar with
those! Are those pet names? Pseudonym nang mga writer?

"What are these words? Saan ba nila nakuha ang mga ito? I don't know them", wika ko. Darn! Those
words are giving me headaches!

"I think these are sports lingo. Bullpen is the area where relief pitchers warm up before coming into a
baseball game. Dead heat is in horse racing but I'm not really sure what it means. Goofy is a stance in a
surfboard or wakeboard in which you put your right foot in front if the board. Deuce is in tennis when
both scored 40-40. Hail Mary is in football, a long forward pass usually done at end of the game out of
desperation. Hat trick is in soccer, it's when individual player scores three goals while Mulligan is in golf,
it's when you retake a shot. I don't know what's triple double though", wika niya.

"It's in basketball. It's when a player records 10 or more in three of any in points, rebounds, assists,
steals or blocked shots."
Bigla na lang kaming napalingon sa nagsalita. It was Khael. He was holding a blue scarf samantalang
nakatali din sa may noo ang pulang scarf nito.

"You're not really into basketball Silvan", he said dahan-dahang lumapit sa amin. Tumatawid pa sa mga
gulong ang iba naming kasama. We didn't noticed na nandito pala si Khael.

"It just don't interests me at all", sagot nito. "Anong ginagawa mo dito? You're supposed to be
answering the questions too, right?"

"Yeah, but I was thinking. Two heads against one, kawawa naman ako kaya I'm here to steal Special A's
scarf", he said.

Napatawa naman si Gray sa sinabi nito. "Anong nakakatawa?"

"You will get her scarf? Kung kaya mo", wika ni Gray at nagtatakang tiningnan ako ni Khael.

"Why? She's fierce but I can use some martial arts to to steal away her scarf. I know she punch hard
enough but I can avoid those", wika nito.

Gray just smiled. "Go ahead. Make sure you won't hit her hard with your martial arts. And a little advice,
be careful."

Khael smirked ay dahan-dahang lumapit sa akin. He grabbed my hand and twisted it a little. "I'm sorry
Special A but I have to do this."

"I won't let you", wika ko. I hit his tummy and was able to free from his grip and I immediately kicked
him. Napaupo ito sa lupa.

"Damn, you know martial arts too?", he asked. Tumayo ito at pinagpagan ang sarili.
"She's excellent in that and in nunchucks and she's also a sharpshooter when it comes to bow and
arrow. That's why I told you to be careful", natatawang wika ni Gray.

"Ah! You're a witch Special A.", wika niya sa akin. I smiled at him at lumayo.

"I can get your scarf from you but I want to give you a fair play", wika ko sa kanya but he smirked.

"This is not a fair play from the very start, dalawa kayo and I'm alone. Uh, fine. I have to prove that I'm
better than the two of you, no I'm the best. I have to win this para na rin sa date natin. Well, I'll leave
the two if you as of now. Good luck", he said at lumayo na sa amin.

"So, where are we now?", tanong ko kay Gray. He was still smiling at mukha itong timang. "Hoy, what
are you smiling at?"

He pouted at me. "I'm just amazed. Hali ka na sa susunod na obstacle. Ibigay ba natin yan sa facilitator at
para makuha na rin natin ang next envelope", wika nito at nagpatiunang lumakad. We headed to the
facilitator at hiningi ang question. Nakasunod na rin sa amin ang iba. There were less than 50 of us left
ngunit marami rin silang nakuhang mga scarf.

We were down to our last obtacle and it was another list of words.

How are these words connected with each other?

Guerdon

Serrefine

Ursprache

Appoggiatura

Autochthonous

Pococurante

Prospicience
Succedaneum

Démarche

Tinitigan ko ang mga iyon. They're not familiar to me but I feel like I've met those list of words before.

"Pakiramdam ko ay alam ko ang mga ito but I can't remember", wika ni Gray. He's also trying to recall
where did he met those words.

Lumapit si Jeremy sa amin at kinuha ang papel. Looks like he survived with the scarf riot ngunit katulad
nang iba ay napakarumi na nito.

"These words are the winning words of Scripps National Spelling Bee from year 2000 to 2008", wika nito
at nagkatinginan kami ni Gray! That's it! Scripps National Spelling Bee!

"You're a saviour Jeremy!", I exclaimed.

Agad namin iyong isinulat at nagpunta sa facilitator where she handed us the last envelope.

We were about to open it nang may marinig kaming sigaw. Gray immediately runs towards the location
where the shout came from.

I also run towards there at hindi ko namalayan na daladala ko pala ang mga envelope na naglalaman ng
mga letters kung saan makikita ang mga banner namin. I was in the middle of my running when I
decided to stop at bumalik doon. Bridle is looking forward into winning this obstacle course kaya hindi
ko sila maaring biguin. All I have to do is to give them the envelopes at sila na ang bahalang hanapin
kung saan man ang lugar na tinukoy niyon.

"Here's the letters, locate the banner, susunod din kami sa inyo", wika ko sa kanila at tumango sila. I
immediately headed back to wear the scream.was.

Wala na akong naririnig but I feel that something's not right. I walked deeper in the forest at nakita ko si
Gray. He was almost falling down on the cliff at hawak-hawak nito si Kristine. It seems like he was saving
him but it turns out that the two of them are in danger.
"I won't let you fall Kris!", sigaw nito as he tried to pull her up. Nahihirapan na ito. Shit! They were at the
edge of the cliff at tanging ang isang ugat nang kahoy ang hinahawakan nito.

"Hold on Gray! I will pull off Kristine first", wika ko. I tried to pull up Kristine. "Hold my hand!", I shouted
but she refused. She was just crying. Ano kaya ang nangyari kanina. "Hey! Grab my hand, hurry!"

She still didn't move and I figured out she wanted to fall down kaya pinagsabihan ko ito. I don't know
what's the story behind but this Kristine needs a good scolding.

"Now what? Gusto mong magpakamatay? Go ahead! Why would I bother to save myself from a bitch
who thinks of nothing but herself? Whatever you're worrying at, sana inisip mo na hindi lang ikaw ang
may mabigat na problema sa mundo!", wika ko. "Bitawan mo.na siya Gray!"

He was shocked too on my words but it was only for a while and then he smiled. "I think you're right
Amber. I will release her at hahayaang mahulog while you pull me up. I-I c-cant hold on anymore", wika
niya.

I was about to pull Gray up when Kristine spoke. "I'm sorry. Please help me", she said at mas marami
pang luha ang dumaloy mula sa mga mata nito.

I smiled at her at muling inabot ang kamay ko sa kanya. She held it tightly as I pulled her up. Nang
maayos na siyang naiangat roon ay si Gray naman ang tinulungan ko.

"Thank you for that realization", nakayukong wika ni Kristine. "And I was blinded by my anger. I'm sorry
Gray. It was for my own sake after all."

Gray tapped her shoulders. "I hope you don't have grudges anymore", he said.

Kristine wiped away her tears. "Yes, I already forgive him. He's a good father to me after all and I also
forgive myself for not thinking right. I do hope pinapatawad mo na rin ako."

"I'm sorry for keeping the truth from you", wika ni Gray and she smiled bago tumango.
"I have to go", wika niya. "I think I need to cool myself first", bumaling siya sa akin. "Thank you for
making me realized how valuable life is. No wonder why they like you. You're not just smart and strong
but also, you are a woman of her principles."

That was her last words bago ito humakbang palayo. Gray stared at her as she walked away. Nang hindi
na niya maabot ng tanaw si Kristine ay humarap siya sa akin.

"Thank you", wika nito at inakbayan ako. "I don't know you have your words of wisdom", wika niya and
he chuckled. Bakit ba nakakainis ang pagtawa nito?

"You're almost falling down the cliff kanina tapos ngayon ay tatawa-tawa ka? Are you nuts?" tanong ko
sa kanya at tinanggal ang kanyang braso.

"Uh, yeah that was close but thanks to you", he said. "Hey how's the activity?

"I entrusted them the search for the banner since nasa kanila na ang mga letters. What happened?",
tanong ko. We were walking towards our base.

"Ah, the scream that we heard kanina ay si Kristine na nagpapakawala sa dinaramdam niya. When she
saw me, she told me she's planning to commit suicide. Today is the first death anniversary so I told her
the truth about her father's death", wika nito at nagsimulang magkwento.

Nagkagulo na ang mga estudyante ng Athena nang makita sina Khael at Gray.

"The geniuses are here!", someone shouted.

"Kyaaaaaaah! Khael! Deduce what's in my heart too."

"Graaaaay! If you're Sherlock Holmes, then I'll be Irene Adler!"

"Khael!!!"
"Gray!!!"

Both of them are equally known and people thinks that they should be rivals but the two of them are
the opposite. They are good buddies instead.

"Gray! Khael! Sir Villanueva is found dead on his office! He's hanging in the ceiling!", a student said.
Humahangos pa ito, marahil ay dahil sa malayong pagtakbo.

Napatakbo na rin si Gray papunta sa sinabing lugar nang lalaki. There were some people there who were
so shock with the sight of the hanging man.

"Have you already called the police?", Gray asked them at may sumagot namam na tumawag na sila.

They started roaming around the room but they made sure they didn't touched anything that may
destroy the evidences in the crime scene.

"Alonzo, do you see anything?", tanong ni Gray kay Khael. Nakatayo ito habang iginala ang paningin sa
palagid.

Khael shrugged his shoulders."No, but this room seems so contrieved. It seem that this is a murder
based on three points. First point ay ang bagay na pinatungan niya before he hang himself. There isn't
anything below his feet na maaring ginamit niya like a chair or anything. Second point is the room, we
can't find his wallet. Maybe some took it away and the last point is broken window."

"That's what I've thought too but something's isn't right here", he said at napalingon sa pinto nang may
dumating. It was Kristine, Sir Villanueva's daughter.

Umiiyak ito habang nakatingin sa nakabitin niyang ama. "Nooooooo! Noooooo! Daddy! Gray, Khael!
Please do anything yo find the culprit!", she said crying. Lumapit si Gray dito.

"I promise that I will", he said to Kristine. Dumating naman ang mga pulis at nagsimula na ang
imbestigasyon.
The office was sealed but Khael and Gray were still inside at tumutulong sa imbestigasyon. They were
able to remain inside dahil nakiusap sila kay Insp. Dean na magpaiwan doon upang makatulong sa pag-
iimbestiga.

"The victim is Nolito Villanueva, Athena teacher and a businessman. He was pressured for the last few
weeks dahil sa nangyaring suicide ng isang studyante na ibinagsak niya sa isang grading period. People
blamed him and he's been questioned by the police. That student is Lea Ranario, A grade 8 student",
Insp. Dean read informations.

"Hindi kaya suicide talaga ito? He's pressured, right?", one if the police said.

"But there isn't something na ginamit niya na patungan. I think this is really murder", Khael said.

"No. This is suicide", Gray said at may pinulot sa sahig. It was a small string. He looked aroud closely and
he noticed something. May mga tied marks sa swivel chair and it corresponds to the strings that Gray
found. "This is suicide that he wants us to think that it's murder."

They checked the rope na pinagbigtian and there were also remnants of the string there.

"Kaya pala nakapaa lang siya", Khael said. Gray let out his victorious smile. "Yeah, it's because pumatong
siya sa swivel chair na nakaattach sa isang string. If some weights were applied to the rope, the string
will be pulled up kaya nakalagay ang upuan doon sa corner and not below the suicide victim. Maybe if
well check in the ceiling, we can find there the pulley", Gray said.

Tiningnan naman iyon ng mga pulis and they found a dent in the ceiling at gaya ng sabi ni Gray may
pulley nga roon.

"This is really suicide huh", Khael said. "I want to investigate the reason behind this suicide case."

"Hey the two of you, pumasok na kayo sa klase niyo. Mapapagalitan na naman ako kapag nalaman ng
mga matataas na pinapasok ko kayo sa crime scene", Insp. Dean said at nagpaalam na sila dito.
They were on their way nang sinalubong sila ni Kristine. "Do you know who's the culprit? Who killed
dad?", namamaga pa rin ang mga mata nito sa kaiiyak.

"It's suicide Kris, you're dad committed suicide", Khael said.l at nanlaki naman ang mata ni Kristine.

"That's not true! Hindi magsusuicide si daddy! Gray! You said that you will find the culprit right? Bakit
hinahayaan mo lang si Khael na sabihing suicide ito?", she asked Gray.

Napailing naman ang huli. "I'm sorry Kris but this is really suicide. We found some dents on the ceiling
and a pull-"

Bigla na lamang sumigaw

si Kristine! "That's not true! He's wallet is missing as well as his important ring na palagi niyang suot. He
used it as a pendant but it wasn't there!" Nagiging hysterical na ito.

"Kris, please calm down and listen carefully -"

"No! There's no way that he will commit suicide! No! Hindi ba't kinausap mo siya kahapon tungkol sa
pagkamatay ni Lea? Hindi kaya ikaw ang nagpressure sa kanya?! You talked to him right after Lea's
mother talked to him diba?", bumuhos na ang maraming luha nito bago tumakbo.

"She's angry", komento ni Khael bago sila pumasok sa klase nila.

Ilang araw ang lumipas at kinausap na lamang ni Gray si Khael. They were on the plaza that time.

"Silvan let's continue our investigation. I've heard that nandoon na naman sa Athena sina Insp. Dean and
this time, he was with Detective Tross", Khael said at kinuha ang skateboard nito.

"Alonzo."

Nilingon naman ito ni Khael. "What?"

"Let's stop the investigation. Let the police handle it", Gray said at nagtatakang tiningnan naman ito ni
Khael.

"But -"

"Swear to me na hindi ka na mag-iimbestiga tungkol dito. It's for Kristine. This is the first time that I will
be saying this word to you, but 'Please'. Please don't go further with this case", Gray said.

Khael look disappointed ngunit tumango naman ito. "Fine but I will be doing this.", bigla na lamang
niyang sinuntok sa sikmura si Gray ngunit hindi na pumalag ang huli. "That's for my limited information
of this case. Let's go back to Athena."

They headed back to the school at hindi na nakialam sa kaso. Kristine was very angry. Ang dating magiliw
at humahanga kay Gray na si Kristine ay wala na.

Without Khael's knowledge, Gray sneak to Detective Tross and told him the details of the suicide.

"Ivan", Detective Tross said.

"I will tell you the truth behind this suicide but please make this a classified information. This is suicide
dahil nalaman ni Sir Villanueva na anak niya si Lea."

"What? Hindi ba't iyong Kristine ang anak niya?", the detective asked in confusion.

Umiling si Gray. "No, she's a foster child. I saw the adoption papers na sinunog niya nung araw bago siya
magpakamatay. I heard from his colleague na may girfriend si Sir Villanueva noon na nabuntis niya at
lumayo. He was very angry dahil pinaako ng babae sa iba ang bata since Sir Villanueva was financially
incapable that time. I figured out that it's Lea's mother and I confirmed it because I talked to her. Mr.
Villanueva made it looks like it's murder upang si Mrs. Colegado ang maging suspect but we found his
trick at abswelto na si Mrs. Colegado", wika ni Gray.
"You mean he regretted the death of her daughter that's why he committed suicide and it was also to
frame up Mrs. Colegado as a revenge?", Detective Tross asked at napatango si Gray.

"Don't let Kristine know about it. We don't want any suicide case to happen kapag nalaman niyang
ampon lamang siya. Itago mo rin ito kay Khael, you know him. He's hot-blooded and he can't keep a
secret lalo na kapag tungkol sa isang kaso", he said.

"Yeah, this will be hidden from Mikmik. Maraming salamat Ivan.", the police detective said bago umalis.

We were almost on the base nang matapos magkwento si Gray. I saw our banner raised up ngunit
nakabusangot ang lahat ng mga taga Bridle.

"Hey, what happened?", tanong ni Gray nang makalapit kami. "You've raised the banner, bakit kayo
malungkot?"

"It's because Athena got here first", wika ni Khael. He was still wearing his scarf ngunit wala nang ibang
taga Athena roon.

"How come? Your team aren't here", wika ko. Yes, their banner was raised just like ours.

"It's because I'm the only one who survived", he said and smirked. What? He's the only one who
survived?

"What do you mean?", tanong ko and one of my classmate replied.

"We got all their scarf except his. At nang makarating kami dito ay itinaas na niya ang banner nila."

Whoaah! Amazing! Khael did that alone? He's really into winning huh! I frowned when I remember our
date deal.

"Athena's students are on the brook. They're cleaning their body as preparation to our victory party
tonight. And prepare for our date Special A", he said at kumindat bago umalis.
Hinarap ni Gray ang mga kaklase namin. "Don't worry about it. Losing in this activity doesn't mean that
we're weak.", he said at tila nabuhayan nang loob ang mga taga Bridle. They were starting to lighten up.

"At least we have so many good memories along the obstacle. At dahil nag-iisa na lang si Khael sa
Athena, it means one thing -"

Sabay-sabay na sumigaw ang lahat.

"WE'LL HAVE A FEAST FOR DINNER!!!!"

--

Vote and comment for the next update! hihihi :D

CHAPTER 37: THE VEILED WOMAN MYSTERY

Chapter 37: The Veiled Woman Mystery

Our dinner was indeed a feast! Napakaraming pagkain at inumin. Nag-ala pista talaga ang hapunan
naming mga taga Bridle while the Athena students had their usual dinner.

I don't know what's their privilege though, I know they have their prize dahil pagkakapanalo sa obstacle
course.

Marami pa kaming ginawa na activity sa araw na ito but hindi na involved ang Athena. As of Gray and
Kristine, it looks like everything has been settled between them.

Tonight on our second night ay pinapasok na kaming lahat sa mga tent namin pagsapit nang alas nuebe
ng gabi for safety purposes. Dahil sa nangyaring barilan kagabi kaya maaga kaming pinatulog. Bukas din
nang madaling araw ang balik namin sa Bridle maging ang mga Grade10 naming kasama na nasa
kabilang campsite ngunit bahagi pa rin ng Olympus.
Nang sumapit ang alas tres nang madaling araw ay lumulan na kami sa mga bus na magdadala sa amin
pabalik sa Bridle. Gray sat beside me dahil ayon sa kanya, baka 'pagsamantalahan' na naman siya ni
Marion.

Dahil madilim pa ang paligid ay napagpasyahan kong umidlip muna. Maging si Gray na nasa tabi ko ay
nakatulog din. Nagising na lang ako nang mataas na ang sikat nang araw but we were'nt still near Bridle
High. Naiwan naman sa Olympus ang Athena High dahil bukas pa matatapos ang camping nila.

I glanced ay my watch and it was almost seven in the morning. The bus was not moving and I saw the
the driver got off. Kasama nito ang mekaniko. Other students were also outside.

Great! While on the way, we're stuck in the checkpoint dahil sa bombing threat sa isang bus. Ngayon
namang pabalik na kami, our bus, the same bus used by section A was wrecked.

"Oh, what a piece of junk", wika ni Gray. Naghihikab pa ito at kinusot ang mata. "This bus doesn't look
old but I guess it's depreciated."

Dumating si Sir Rolly at nagsalita mula sa harap nang bus. "Section A, please get off. Mukhang
matatagalan pa bago maayos ang bus. The Section B's bus will be going back at doon muna kayo
sasakay", wika nito at nagsimula nang bumaba ang mga estudyante.

Nang makababa kami ay naghintay kami sa tabi nang daan. It wasn't a highway kaya wala masyadong
dumadaan na sasakyan doon. The sides of the highway were ricefields at may mga nakatayong mga
scare crow doon.

Uh, they're scary!

"The ricefields are green. Napakagandang tingnan. Parang gusto kong magtatatakbo sa palayan", wika
ko at pumikit nang umihip ang malamig na hangin.

"Really? You're not afraid of snakes? May mga ahas sa mga palayan", wika niya habang nakapamulsa.
Tiningnan ko ito nang masama. "Ahas? Meron ba iyon dito?", tanong ko sa kanya.

Tumango ito bago sumagot. "Yeah, just like that one", he pointed something from my back at nang
lumingon ako ay bigla na lang akong napasigaw nang malakas.

Shiiiiitttt!

A farmer was walking towards our direction. Nakalambitin sa dala nitong taga ang isang malaking ahas. I
felt the chills within me kaya napayakap ako sa likod mi Gray.

"You're cold", wika nito at ngali-ngaling hampasin ko ito nang bato! Of course I'm scared kaya normal
lang na manlalamig ako!

"Hala, natakot si Ineng, pasensya ka na. Itatapon ko lang naman itong napatay ko na ahas", wika nang
magsasaka na may dalang ahas.

Hinila ko si Gray palayo upang makadaan ang magsasaka.

"Pasensya na din po kayo, takot sa ahas po kasi itong kaklase ko", Gray said to the farmer and he
smirked at me. Nang makalayo na ang magsasaka ay hinarap niya ako. "Now go running in the ricefield."
He said at bahagyang natawa.

Mahinang hinampas ko ang braso niya. How would I know na may ahas pala doon? Duh, we don't have
ricefields. Masukal din sa likurang bahagi ng mga palayan kaya marahil may mga ahas.

"Shut up Gray! It's not funny", wika ko at nag-iwas nang tingin. He still chuckled at napatigil lang ito nang
may tumigil na sasakyan sa harap namin.

When the windows were down, we saw the smiling face of Detective Tross.

"Ivan!", he said at tumingin sa akin. "Hey, your gir-", I frowned at him.

"Eer- I mean Amber is here too", he said and smiled.

Lumapit si Gray sa may bintana ng kotse. It wasn't a police car. Sa halip ay mamahaling modelo iyon ng
kotse.

"What are you doing here? You have a case?", tanong niya at umiling naman si Detective Tross.

"Sort of but it's more likely a personal duty. I'm going to a friend's villa. May kababalaghan kasing
nangyayari doon and he wants me stop by. How about you? Why are you here?", tanong ni Detective
Tross.

"We're from Olympus. Nagcamping kami and unfortunately, nasiraan kami ng bus", sagot ni Gray at
itinuro ang aming bus.

Detective Tross let out a smile. "If that's the case, why don't you come with me? It's saturday at sigurado
akong wala kayong pasok. You and Amber can come with me", paanyaya nito.

I gave him a questioning look. "Anong kababalaghan ba ang nangyayari sa villa na iyon?", tanong ko.

"Ah, it's the appearance of a veiled woman with a creepy bloody face and other things", wika nito.

I swallowed hard. Appearance of a veiled woman? Isn't that scary?! Umiwas ako ng tingin sa kanila.
"Then I won't be going."

Naramdaman ko na lang na bigla akong hinila ni Gray at pinapasok sa kotse. What the hell! I just said I
don't want to go, right?

"We're going, drop by the direction of Sir Rolly at ipagpaalam mo kami", wika ni Gray and Detective
Tross pulled the car at huminto sa tapat ni Sir Rolly.

"Hey Sir Rolly", bati ni Detective Tross at lumingon naman ang huli sa kanya.
"Oh, Tross. Napadaan ka?", Sir Rolly smiled at him. They were acquainted with each other.

He glanced at us on the back. "Ah, ipagpapaalam ko lang itong dalawa. Isasama ko muna sila", he said.
Nang lingunin ko si Gray sa tabi ko ay nawala na ito. He was currently putting our luggage on the car's
compartment. Oh, he moved that fast huh?

"Ah, if okay lang sa mga bata", Sir Rolly said.

"Gray, where are you going?", maarteng tanong ni Marion. Nasa may pinto na rin ito ng kotse.

"Uh, somewhere", he said. Napatingin na rin ang mga ibang kaklase namin sa amin. I can't blame them,
agaw pansin ang kotse ni Detective Tross.

"It's fine with us Sir, bye!", Gray said at pinaharurot na ni Detective Tross ang kotse!

They didn't even heard my complain! Ayaw ko talagang sumama! Why would I scare myself in that
villa?!

"Uh! Bakit ba hindi niyo maintindihan ang AYAW KONG SUMAMA?", I asked then and they just chuckled.

"C'mon Amber, mag-eenjoy ka roon", Gray said and I rolled my eyes. Enjoy my ass!!!

Hindi ko na sila pinansin. I just looked outside at nakinig na lang sa usapan nila.

"Hindi ba magagalit ang kaibigan mo? You brought two people with you", Gray said.

Detective Tross shrugged his shoulders. "Nope. I'm sure it's fine with him. It's actually a sort of reunion
naming magbabarkada sa college."

"Then that makes us very unwelcome then", nakisingit na ako sa usapan nila.
"Ah, don't worry. I know you're both deduction freaks, maybe going there would be enjoyable to both of
you, you'd probably solve the mystery behind the veiled woman who appears every night", wika nito at
napasandal ako sa kotse.

Nakakatakot namang isipin na may ganoong babae ang nagpapakita kapag gabi, isn't it a supernatural
creature? Oh! I'm scared of ghosts and the likes but I never really saw one.

Halos isang oras ang lumipas bago kami makarating sa villa. It was huge and nice ngunit nasa liblib iyon
na lugar. May mga malalaking kahoy sa daan na papunta sa nasabing villa.

Sinalubong kami ng isang lalaki na kaedad lang ni Detective Tross.

"Sean, I've brought along my little buddies. This is Gray and Amber. Siya naman si Sean", pakilala ni
Detective Tross sa amin.

"Hi Amber and Gray", he said at ngumiti sa amin. "I'm Sean Brook, I'm a freelance photographer.
Welcome to my humble abode", he said and we greeted him back. Iginiya niya kami papasok sa villa.

Kung humanga na kami sa ganda sa labas ay mas lalo na sa loob. It was a classic villa at may touch na
contemporary features. There were abstract photographs in frames on the wall.

"You have a nice place Mr. Brook. How can a freelance photogrpaher afford such?", tanong ko at nagulat
na lang ako ng hawakan ako sa ulo ni Detective Tross.

"Pasensya ka na sa kanila Sean. They're always like that. They're actually high school detectives", wika ni
Detective Tross.

Sean smiled at sumagot. "It's okay Tross. They're like you huh?"

Detective Tross smiled. "Not really. They're actually better. Police detective doesn't suit me at all", biro
nito at napatawa naman si Sean.
Bumaling siya sa akin. "Ah, yes. A freelance photographer cannot afford such villa. I have one because
my family is rich but I am not. Kaya I'm working hard to be called rich on my own. I've borrowed this
place from my parents." Sagot nito. He's the calm type of man. May hitsura ito at mukhang mabait.

"Hey Mr. Brook, anong nangyari dito sa isang bintana ninyo? It looks like the jealousy is different from
the others. Bagong palit ba ito?", Gray asked. He was on the corner, observing the windows.

Natatarantang tumakbo naman si Detective Tross papunta doon at hinila si Gray palayo sa may bintana.

"Pasensya na talaga Sean. They're really geeks when it comes to mystery kaya kahit mga simpleng bagay
ay binibigyang kahulugan nila.", wika ni Detective Tross.

"I don't mind at all. Maybe they can help us about the case that's happening here. And to answer Gray's
question, yes. That one is different dahil kanina pa iyan pinalitan. That window pane was broken last
night. We were in the dinning area at nang marinig namin ang tunog ng nababasag na window glass ay
agad kaming pumunta rito and then we saw the veiled woman", wika ni Sean. I was shocked, the veiled
woman appeared last night? "I really can't believe that she appeared after few years and you can call me
Kuya Sean. Mr. Brook is too formal", dagdag pa nito.

"Ah, Kuya Sean you said 'we' went here and that means hindi ka nag-iisa dito sa villa?", tanong ko sa
kanya.

"Yeah, Tross didn't told you? This is a sort of reunion naming magbabarkada noon sa college. You'll meet
them. They were in the dining room. Hali kayo", he said at sumunod kami sa kanya.

Gray asked something. "You said something about the reappearance of the veiled woman. You mean
that woman already appeared few years ago?"

Patuloy lang sa paglalakad si Sean. "Yeah, about two years ago", he said at binuksan ang pinto at
bumulaga sa amin ang komedor.

The dining area was very huge too. Mahaba ang mesa na naroon and there were four people there.
"Tross!", wika nang isang babae at sinalubong si Tross. "Long time no see!", wika nito at niyakap si
Detective Tross.

Tssk, why is he blushing? Did he have some crush on that woman? Hindi na rin masama. Maganda ang
babae at maayos ang pangangatawan.

"Hey Tross", bati rin nang isang lalaki na maitim. He was very tall at mukhang bihira lang ngumiti.

Ngumiti rin sa amin ang isa pang babae na naroon. Unlike the lady who hugged the detective, this
woman has short hair.

Ang isang lalaki naman ay medyo may pagkamahinhin. He was wearing eyeglasses at tumango ito kay
Detective Tross.

"Looks like you've brought your children Tross", wika nang lalaking maitim and he smirked.

"Idiot. They're not my children. They are my friends", wika ni Detective Tross. He seems pissed.

They're not in good terms, huh?

Ipinakilala naman kami ni Kuya Sean sa bawat isa.

"Ah, Gray and Amber, these are our friends in college", panimula nito. He pointed out the beautiful
woman who hugged Detective Tross. "This is Beatrice Rivera, she's a nurse and she's Tross' ex."

Ex? Kaya pala nagblush si Detective kanina. I'm gonna remind myself to tease him later about it.

"Ah, let me introduce myself", wika nang lalaking matangkad. "Ako si Kier Conciliado. I'm an engineer
and I'm Beatrice's fiancee."
Nagulat kaming tatlo ni Gray at Detective Tross! Did he say fiancee?! Ibig sabihin wala nang pag-asa si
Detective? Oh, how unfortunate!

Bigla na lamang tumawa nang hagalpak si Kier. "As I thought! What a hopeless expression you have
Tross! I always wonder why you ended up being a police detective. Police are very useless."

I saw the detective's face tightened. Mukhang may hidwaan talaga sa pagitan nila ni Kier. Kier doesn't
like the police? Sa anong dahilan kaya?

"You should'nt joke like that Kier. Ang mabuti pa ang magbati na kayo ni Tross", the short-haired girl
said. "Hi, I'm Mariel Ventura, I'm a real estate broker", nakangiti nitong wika. Gumanti naman kami ng
ngiti dito.

The last one to introduce himself was the man with eyeglasses. "Magandang araw. It's good to see you
again Tross.", he turned his gaze into us. "Hello there, I'm Jason Sy, I'm a chemist."

All of them ay mga hindi basta-basta at may natapos. When I gazed at Kier, he still have his poker face
expression habang nakatingin kay Detective Tross. I wonder what happened between them.

"Okay, I guess I'll be taking you to your rooms upang maiayos ninyo yang mga gamit ninyo and you can
join us here in the dining room", Sean said at iginiya kami papunta sa mga guestroom nang villa.

"Okay this is your room Amber at ang mga katabi naman ay kay Gray and Tross", Sean said bago
nagpaalam sa amin.

We expressed our gratitude at pumasok na sa mga kwarto namin. Nang mapag-isa ako kay humiga ako
sa kama. I still have body pains dahil sa nangyaring camp. I guess I'll be needing a body massage kaya
naisipan ko munang magpahinga. It's still 10 in the morning, a little rest would be useful.

Nagising na lang ako nang may umalog sa akin and when I opened my eyes, it was Gray.

"Hey, what are you doing here?", gulat kong tanong at napaupo sa kama. Gosh! Pumasok siya at nakita
akong natutulog?! Paano na lang kung tulo-laway ako? That's very embarrassing!
"Kanina pa ako kumakatok but you're not answering. Good thing it wasn't locked kaya nakapasok ako.
Hey, bumangon ka na. It's almost one in the afternoon and you haven't eaten your lunch yet", wika nito
at tumayo. He walked towards the door at nang muli siyang lumingon ay nakasmirk siya sa akin. "Wipe
away your saliva."

Nanlaki ang mga mata ko sa narinig! Kyaaaaaaah! this is what I'm talking about! Agad akong tumakbo
papunta sa may tokador kung nasaan ang malaking salamin at tiningnan ang sarili ko.

When I checked myself there wasn't any! Damn! That Silvan got me! Narinig ko na lang ang papalayong
tawa niya. "Just kidding! Bumaba ka na pagkatapos mo dyan."

Uh! Does that guy knows the saying 'maglaro ka na sa lasing, wag lang sa bagong gising'? Uhhhhh!
Nakakainis!

Agad akong bumaba pagkatapos mag-ayos. Si Detevtive Tross, Gray at Beatrice lang ang naabutan ko sa
may komedor.

"Hi Amber. Kumain ka na", bati ni Beatrice sa akin at ngumiti ako sa kanya. I glared at Gray bago umupo
sa tabi nito. Nagsimula na akong kumain nang nagpaalam si Beatrice.

"I guess I need a rest. Napuyat kasi kami kagabi dahil sa nangyari", wika nito at napabaling ang pansin
namin sa kanya.

"What exactly happened Bea?", the detective asked. "Totoo bang mayroon nakabandanang babae ang
nagpapakita dito sa villa?"

Bea nodded. "Yeah. At first I don't believe it too but when I saw her last night, God! I'm so scared."

Gray rose from his seat. "What does that veiled woman looks like?"
Bahagyang nag-isip si Beatrice bago sumagot. "She's very scary and her face was covered with blood.
Her veil is black at maging ang damit niya. I cannot identify her face dahil madilim nang makita ko siya
kagabi."

Kagabi? It's the same story with Sean and the broken window?

"Did you see her altogether? Doon ba sa labas nang may nabasag na bintana?", tanong ko sa kanya and
she shook her head.

"No. I saw the veiled woman when I'm with Kier at the veranda. Nakita ni Sean ang babae sa labas ng
bintana sa kwarto niya and Mariel saw the veiled woman last night doon sa labas nang may nabasag na
bintana with Jason. That's also when we rushed there but we didn't saw the veiled woman."

I saw Gray think for a while. That's very remarkable. They didn't saw the veiled woman altogether kaya
ibig sabihin, the veiled woman could be one of them.

"But what's more in it is that there were popsicle stick sa mga bahagi nang bahay kung saan nakikita ang
babaeng nakabandana. There were three letters on those popsicle stick. D-I-E. Die", dagdag ni Beatrice.
Kapagkuway humikab ito. "I really should be resting now Tross, see you later. Bye Gray and Amber."
Tumayo na ito at umalis ng komedor pagkatapos naming magpaalam.

Gray and Detective Tross looked so serious. Maybe both of them have something in mind.

"Popsicle stick", mahinang sambit ni Detective Tross at sabay kaming napatingin ni Gray sa akin.

"You know something behind a popsicle stick?", tanong ko sa kanya and he nodded.

"It's Nemie's collection", he said and were puzzled.

"Who's Nemie?", tanong ni Gray.

"She's our friend and Kier's girlfriend. She died two years ago, here in the same villa", Detective Tross
said. "She fell down from the veranda dahil sa takot when she saw the veiled woman."

"You mean your friend died because of that veiled woman here and that's why mukhang hindi kayo
magkabati ni Kier?", tanong ni Gray at tumango naman si Detective Tross.

"Yeah, he believed that the veiled woman is inexisting after all and it's just someone who tried to pull a
prank on Nemie", yumuko ito at tila may inisip. "I couldn't figure out the mystery of the veiled woman
that time. I wasn't a good detective after all. That's why nagalit si Kier sa akin. He said I'm a useless
detective."

Gray let out a smile. "Ah, this is getting exciting. There is no mystery in that veiled woman. It's just
someone trying to pull some pranks and revenge for the death of that Nemie."

Yes, Gray's right. Maybe this mystery of the veiled woman will be unveiled later. I'm getting excited
about it.

--

Bumuhos ang malakas na ulan ng hapong iyon. Kumikidlat din at malakas ang kulog. Nasa kanya-
kanyang mga silid ang bawat isa.

Bumaba ako papunta sa may sala. This case has been bothering me. Yeah, I wasn't afraid of the veiled
woman dahil sigurado akong isa lang iyon sa mga kasama namin dito sa villa But who could have done
it?

Nagulat na lang ako nang masagi ko si Gray. He was on the floor and trying to pick up something.

"Aray! Be careful. Tingnan mo nga yang dinadaanan mo", he said at tumayo.

I scowled at him. "Ano ba kasi ang hinahanap mo diyan sa sahig?"

Itinaas niya ang bagay na napulot niya. It was a piece of long black thread. "I guess this is an important
evidence to this case."

"What's that? A strand of a black hair from a wig? Ah, that's it. Kapag naiisip ko na nasa villa na ito ang
nagpapanggap na nakabandanang babae, I'm getting excited to it", wika ko.

"You're not afraid of the veiled woman?", he asked and I shook my head.

"No. It's just some human behind that veil", nakangiti kong wika at bigla na lang kumulog nang malakas.
A thunder strike and I saw the veiled woman outside!

"Ahhhhhhhhh! T-the v-veil", I can't say it straightly. Lumingon si Gray sa labas ng bintana kung nasaan
ang babae, he saw it for a while at bigla na lamang iyong nawala.

He immediately run towards the door but it can't be opened! Naiinis na hinampas niya iyon at tumingin
mula sa bintana but the veiled woman wasn't there anymore!

"Damn!", he looked at me at tinaasan ako ng kilay. "You just said you're not afraid of the veiled woman
but your scream a while ago tells me you're very scared."

Inirapan ko siya. "Of course not! Nagulat lang ako dahil sa kidlat at biglang nagpakita ang babae kasabay
niyon!"

Hindi naman talaga ako natakot! Nagulat lang ako! Uh, bakit ba kasi sumabay pa iyon sa tunog ng kulog
at kidlat? And something was not right when I saw the veiled woman but I can't figure out what is it.

"Oh, whatever. We saw the veiled woman outside and you know it's raining, let's check everyone
upstairs. Kung sino man sa kanila ang basa, it's probably the veiled woman."

We ran upstairs immediately at kumatok sa silid nang bawat isa. We knocked on the first door next to
the detective's room at binuksan iyon ni Jason.
"Yes?", tanong niya sa amin. Mukhang may ginagawa ito dahil nakasuot ito ng hand gloves.

"Are you doing something? Can we sneak inside? Gusto ko kasing maging chemist katulad mo, I hope
you don't mind", Gray said at binuksan naman ni Jason ang pinto.

"Sure you can. I have some important and dangerous chemicals with me, just make sure you don't touch
it", wika nito.

"Ah, I forgot! Pinakuha nga pala kami ni Detective Tross ng ice cream. Babalik nalang kami mamaya Kuya
Jason!", Gray said at hinila ako palayo doon. Uh, I thought we're really going inside.

The next door we knocked was Sean's. He was wiping himself dahil mukhang bagong ligo ito.

He took a bath sa ganitong panahon?

"Yes?", he asked nang mapagbuksan kami. I don't know what to say, sasabihin ba naming nakita namin
ang babaeng nakabandana and we're checking everyone who might possibly be the veiled woman?

Agad namang sumagot si Gray. "I just want to ask if we can eat the ice cream in the fridge. Amber's
craving for it kahit na maginaw eh." He smiled and I threw him dagger stares! Ako pa talaga ang
ginamit?!

Sean smiled at us habang pinupunasan ang basa nitong buhok. "Yeah, you may. Please your self with
anything in the fridge."

Hinila na ako ni Gray. "Thanks!"

We moved to the next door and it was Beatrice's. Mukhang kakagising lamang nito dahil magulo pa ang
buhok nito at mapungay ang mga mata.

"Oh Gray, Amber. May kailangan ba kayo?", tanong niya at nagtatakang tiningnan kami.
I smiled at her. "We got the wrong room. Sorry Ate Bea!" She smiled at us bago muling isanara ang
pinto.

"Hey, I just noticed that Bea's room is right below the window in the living room kung saan natin nakita
ang veiled woman. Noticed her veranda?", Gray asked and I agreeed.

"Yes, it was exactly below but she couldn't be the veiled woman right?"

Gray smiled. "Oh well, that's for us to find out."

We headed towards the room of Kier. We knocked many times ngunit matagal pa iyon binuksan nang
huli. His face was annoyed when he saw the two of us.

"What do you want? I'm from the bath and you brats keep on knocking", inis na wika nito. Napaatras
ako dahil sa paraan ng pagsasalita nito. He's angry?

"Ah, sorry. We knocked on the wrong door, we thought it's Ate Mariel's. Sorry", Gray said ay umatras na
rin.

Kier gave us dagger stares bago isinara ang pinto. The last door was Mariel's and she was wet but it
seem that she's not from the bath. Mukhang nabasa ito dahil sa ulan.

"Yes?", tanong niya nang mapagbuksan kami.

Looks like Gray couldn't find any alibi kaya ako na ang nagsalita.

"Magtatanong lang kami kung gusto mo ba ng kape since it's cold", wika ko.

She smiled at us. "No, I just had coffee with Tross. Pumunta kasi siya dito kanina dahil may pinag-usapan
kami."
"If that's the case, we'll be going back downstairs", Gray said at pumanhik na kami. We were about to go
downstairs ng mapansin naming nakabukas ang pinto ng silid ni Detective Tross. Pumasok kami doon
and we found the detective looking at his memo pad.

He's into this case?

"Detective", tawag ni Gray dito and he turned his gaze at us. Mukhang malalim ang iniisip nito. "What
are you doing?"

Itiniklop ng detective ang kanyang memo pad. "I'm reinvestigating Nemie's death."

"You mean yung isa sa kaibigan ninyo na namatay two years ago dahil sa babaeng nakabandana?", I
asked and he nodded his head.

"Yeah, I found some weak points about it. The truth is no one saw the veiled woman two years ago Si
Nemie lang ang nakakita", he said and it puzzled us.

"What do you mean?", tanong ni Gray.

"No one really saw the veiled woman, we have the thought of it dahil sa sinabi ni Nemie. She woke up in
the middle of the night na may nakitang babae sa terrace ng bintana niya. She shouted at lahat kami ay
napasugod sa kwarto niya. We haven't saw the veiled woman but Nemie keeps on telling us na meron
talaga", detective Tross said.

"And what happened next?", I asked.

"That day na nahulog si Nemie sa veranda ay paalis na kaming lahat dito. Nemie and Kier were fighting
and it's because of a rumoured woman of Kier but Kier denied the accusations, he said that he loves
Nemie so much. But there was a time that I've overheard Kier on the phone, he was talking to someone
and he said something like", he paused and think for a while, "ah, it was like, 'that's a mistake I wouldn't
want to commit again so please stop this. I love Nemie more than anyone else.' That's what he said",
wika ni Detective Tross.
"So he really have woman back then which he regtretted", Gray said and I sat while thinking.

If there could be someone who would be avenging Nemie's death, it would be Kier.

Come to think of if! He was slow in opening the door and he just came from the bath! Hindi kaya he
pretended to take a bath to clear the evidence that he's the veiled woman?!

But Sean and Mariel were wet too! Lalo na si Mariel who was soaked with rain water! Saan kaya siya
nanggaling?

"Detective, we saw the veiled woman", I said and he was astonished for a while but then a smile flashed
on his face.

"So, you also saw her? Ah, I'm getting excited of unveiling her", wika nito. Bigla na lang kaming nakarinig
nang malakas na sigaw.

"It's from Mariel's room!", Gray said and we all headed towards there. Nang makarating kami roon ay
nakaupo si Mariel sa sahig habang takot na takot na nakatingin sa veranda.

"I-I just s-saw the veiled woman!", wika niya. She was shaking with fear. Shit! Whoever is the veiled
woman, she's making an effort to make us notice her.

Gray ran towards the veranda at tiningnan niya ang paligid niyon. "Where did you saw the woman?",
tanong nito.

"R-right exactly where you were standing", nanginginig na wika ni Mariel.

Napatingin si Gray sa sahig. Mukhang may bagay na naroon and when he picked it up, it was a popsicle
stick with the same letters in it. D-I-E.

Napasugod na rin ang iba sa kwarto ni Mariel. They were really worried nang marinig ang malakas niting
pagsigaw.
"What happened Mariel?", Kier asked nang makapasok sila.

"I-I saw the veiled woman! She came to kill me!", wika niya at umiyak. "I-I don't know how but the veiled
woman really exist!"

I was intrigued by her statement. The veiled woman really exist? Ibig bang sabihin ay hindi talaga ito
naniniwala roon?

"It's almost six in the evening, I'll be preparing for dinner. Why don't you stay downstairs too and forget
about the veiled woman?", Sean said and they agreed to go downstairs maliban kay Kier.

"I'd rather be in my room, bababa rin ako mamaya", he said at umalis na roon. We all headed
downstairs at napansin kong wala pala roon si Jason. He didn't showed up kahit na sumigaw ng malakas
si Mariel?

Gray whispered on my ears. "Detective Tross and I will be investigating some things. Watch them closely
dahil baka magpakita na naman ang babae", he said and I nodded.

Gray and Detective Tross went upstairs samantalang nasa kusina naman ako kasama sina Mariel,
Beatrice at Sean.

"Mariel, what do you mean when you said that the veiled woman really exist? Ibig mo bang sabihin ay
hindi ka talaga naniniwala doon?", Bea asked her at tumingin naman ako kay Mariel.

She was still shocked but she managed to answer her. "Yes, I thought that it don't really exist.The veiled
woman was, I don't know. Something doesn't felt right when I saw her." She said and she seem so
convinced about it.

Something doesn't felt right? Hindi kay katulad iyon ng napansin ko kanina?

"Nasaan si Jayson?", Mariel asked. "I haven't seen him. Don't tell me he's working again even if he's on
vacation? That man doesn't know the meaning of vacation huh."
"I'll go get him", wika ni Bea ngunit pinigilan ko siya.

"Ako na po Ate Bea", wika ko at agad pumanhik sa taas. I knocked on Jason's door at hindi nagtagal ay
binuksan niya iyon.

"Oh Amber?", he asked.

"They're calling you downstairs. Hindi niyo po ba narinig ang sigaw ni Ate Mariel?"

He shook his head. "Sigaw? Why? I didn't heard it, masyado kasi akong nakafocus sa ginagawa ko."

"She said she saw the veiled woman", sagot ko but he doesn't seem to be surprised about it. Why? Hindi
nga ba ito nagulat o masyadong mahilig lang itong magpokerface kaya hindi ko mawari kung ano ang
tunay na reaksyon nito?

"Ah, I'll just finish what I'm doing at pagkatapos ay bababa din ako", he said.

"Uhmm, do you mind if I get inside?", tanong ko sa kanya.

"Yeah sure, hinihintay ko kayo ni Gray kanina but it seems that you forgot about it already", he said at
pinapasok ako. Oo nga pala. We made him believed that we want to be chemist at nais naming makita
ang ginagawa ng chemist na tulad niya.

Bumalik ito sa ginagawa niya sa mesa niya at naupo naman ako sa tabi at iginala ang paningin sa paligid.
The guest rooms are identical dahil magkatulad lang ang kwartong ginagamit ko at sa kanilang lahat.

"Kuya Jason, all of you have been friends since college?", I asked him.

"Yeah but Sean, Nemie and I are childhood friends", sagot niya without even looking at me.
Tumayo ako at naglibot sa loob ng kwarto. Nagulat na lang ako nang may makit akong itim na bandana
sa may sahig sa paanan ng kama.

A black veil? Could he be the -?

Nang pulutin ko iyon ay nagulat ako nang nasa likuran ko na siya. Kinuha niya ang bandana sa akin at
lumapit sa mga nakalagay na chemical sa beaker, on the table near the area where I picked the veil.

"You shouldn't touch anything here, as what I've told you, may mga delikadong chemical dito", wika nito
at itinakip ang bandana sa mga chemicals.

Is that really the purpose of that veil? To cover the chemicals?

Nang may kumatok ay binuksan iyon ni Jayson and it was Bea.

"Amber has been taking so long that's why I decided to come here to pick you up. Doon muna tayo sa
sala. The rain's still pouring and the veiled woman can appear anytime", she said.

"I still have to finish something but if you're really worried, let's go then", Jason said at lumabas na kami
ng kwarto.

Nasa kalagitnaan kami ng daan ng bigla na lamang namatay ang ilaw.

A blackout? Shit!

The next thing we've heard was Mariel's sharp cry at ang malakas nitong pagsigaw. We ran immediately
towards the living room kahit madilim ang paligid.

"Mariel!", Sean shouted. "Where are you?"

Wait, Mariel wasn't in the living room? Damn! Don't tell me that veiled woman was aiming for her life?
For what reason?

Nakita namin si Sean. He was from the kitchen at nakasuot ito ng apron habang may dala na emergency
flashlight.

"I heard Mariel's scream! Look for her samantalang paaandarin ko muna ang generator. It's not
automatic so I have to turn it on", wika niya at pumunta sa may power room.

We heard footsteps and it was Gray and Detective Tross. "What happened?", they asked at lumiwanag
na ang paligid. Sean might have turned on the generator. Hindi nagtagal ay bumalik na ito.

Pinaliwanag naman ni Bea lahat.

"Let's find Mariel", Bea said at agad kaming naghanap. We found her on the corner of the living room ay
wala itong malay. She has a wound on her right stomach. Did the veiled woman killed her?

Agad lumapit si Gray at hinawakan ang pulso nito. "She's still alive, call the ambulance!", Gray said.

Agad akong tumakbo sa may telepono but it was no use! The lines have been cut off at nang kunin ko
ang cellphone ko ay wala iyong signal! Damn, were totally shut down here!

"Gray, the lines have been cut off!", wika ko at nataranta silang lahat.

"What?! Then we will all be killed by the veiled woman?", natatakot na sambit ni Bea.

"As if I'd let it happen", detective Tross said and there was that mischievous smile on his face. Does that
mean that they already know who the veiled woman is?

Siya namang pagbaba ni Kier. "What happened here?", tanong nito.

I wonder kung bakit ngayon lamang ito nakababa. What is he doing all this time sa silid niya?
"Where have you been Kier? There was a commotion and Mariel is stabbed but here you are, clueless of
everything?", Sean asked him and he shrugged his shoulders.

"How would I know that the lines and electricity have been cut off? Alam mong kapag nasa silid ako ay
hindi ko ako nagbubukas ng ilaw and I didn't hear any commotions dahil nakaheadset ako", wika nito.

Yes, nang katukin namin ito ni Gray kanina ay madilim sa silid nito dahil wala itong binuksan na ilaw.

Detective Tross carried Mariel in her room at nilapatan iyon ng pang-unang lunas since we cannot
contact the ambulance and even the police.

Lumapit ako kay Gray na matamang nakatitig sa kanila. "Have you found something about this case?",
tanong ko sa kanya.

He nodded. "Yeah, but not that much but those were really considerable points like Mariel and Kier have
an affair before, or better called a one night stand affair."

"What's a one night stand affair?", tanong ko sa kanya and he smirked at me.

"Don't asked me. I think I would be corrupting your innocence if I would tell you", he said at
nagpatiunang naglakad.

Oh, he's acting weird. Why would he be corrupting my innocence if he would tell me what does one
night stand means? Uh, I don't get him.

Pinaipon ang lahat ni Detective Tross sa sala, he said he have some deductions to make after he applied
first aid to Mariel. It seems like he and Gray figured out this case.

Nang napadaan ako sa pinto ng silid ni Kier, I have the urge to enter there kaya nagpunta ako roon nang
hindi nila namamalayan.
The verandas are not really far from each other ngunit hindi pa rin iyon matatalon ng kung sino man. I
looked on the sides and noticed something.

Ah, so that's how it is!

I observed that the guestrooms are eight in total. The four on the first room was mine, kay Gray, kay
Detective Tross at kay Jason. Nasa gitna naman ang masterbedroom na ginagamit si Sean at sinundan
iyon ng silid ni Bea, Kier at Mariel.

Bea's room was right above the window in the living room kung saan namin nakita ang babae.

Good thing I've figured out something. I guess everything will be cleared now and the fear about the
veiled woman would be vanished.

Pumunta na ako sa living room kung saan nagtipon ang lahat.

"I know who's the veiled woman is. It's among the seven of us here. It's you -"

*****

YEY! Nakapag-update na ako! By the way salamat sa mga readers na nagpopost ng message!
Nakakatouch kayo (iiyak na ako hue hue :3) Thank you sa inyo, keep supporting Detective Files!
Pasensya na kung natagalan ang update ko, tinapos ko pa kasi ang dalawang season ng Kuroko no
Basuke (Kuroko's Basketball) kasi napag-iiwanan na ako! Haha! At saka bakit ba kayo panay "Miss
Author?" babae ba ako? Pwede namang lalaki o kaya ay yung nasa gitna ah! xD Basta, ang masasabi ko
lang, Pogi ako! HAHAHAHAHAHA :D

While I was writing this, I was thinking of Sherlock Holmes' The Adventure of the Veiled Lodger but the
only idea I got there was the veil (haha! yung bandana lang talaga kasi ang hirap abutin ang
awesomeness ni Sir Arthur Conan Doyle!) Then I thought of the usual cases in Detective Conan (but I
wasn't able to achieved Gosho Aoyoma's awesomeness too kaya ang lame nang nagawa ko!) Mygosh
ang hirap pala but I was able to pull through something in this chapter.
Anyways, who's your culprit? Sa tingin niyo ba sino yung babaeng nakabandana? Comment your culprit
and deductions tapos saka na ako mag-uupdate! Hihi :D Don't forget to vote din! Sorry typo errors and
grammars, sabi nga ni Lonie "tao lang"!

-ShinichiLaaaabs, Ampogi ko!

CHAPTER 38: A DATE WITH KHAEL AND A MURDER

Chapter 38: A Date with Khael and a Murder

"I know who's the veiled woman is. It's among the seven of us here. It's you -"

Detective Tross paused for a while at tiningnan ang bawat isa.

"It's you Sean."

Lahat kami maliban kay Gray ay nagulat sa sinabi nito. Si Kuya Sean ang veiled woman? I can't believed
it!

"Sigurado ka ba dyan sa sinasabi mo Tross?", Bea asked. He smiled at tiningnan si Gray.

"We've investigated it out and we can't be wrong", wika ni Detective Tross.

"But I was the one who invited you here Tross to investigate about the veiled woman. Why would I do
that if I am that veiled 'woman'?", tanong ni Sean.
"It's because you wanted to make the original veiled woman turn herself right?", wika ni Gray. He's very
sure in his deduction.

"Are you saying that there are two veiled woman?", Jason asked. Lahat kami ay naguguluhan sa
isiniwalat ni Gray at ni Detective Tross.

"Yeah, the one that appeared two years ago is different from the one that appeared this past few days",
the detective said.

"Then who is the other one? The one that appeared two years ago", tanong ni Kier.

"It's Mariel", sagot ng detective.

"What? How was that possible?", Bea asked. This is really complicated.

"We found out about the affair of Kier and Mariel, that's why Mariel pulled a prank to Nemie. She
usually have nervous breakdown kapag natatakot. Mariel probably thought that Kier can't stand it kapag
nasa ganoong estado si Nemie and Kier would choose her over Nemie." Detective Tross showed us a
diary. "This is a proof of their affair. Mariel loves Kier but Kier is into Nemie kahit pa wala na ito."

Napatingin naman ang lahat kay Kier. He was shocked with the revelations too!

"So, totoo nga na may kalaguyo ka dati, and it was Mariel?", halos hindi makapaniwalang tanong ni
Jason.

Kier's face tightened. "It was a night of mistake! Lasing ako noon and Mariel took advantage of that.
Hindi ko alam ang mga nangyari nang gabing iyon and when I woke up, nasa kama na lang kaming
dalawa! She confessed her love to me and told me to choose her instead of Nemie but I refused. I told
her to forget about our one night stand but she keeps on disturbing me!"

So Mariel was really into Kier? She did everything upang nakuha lang si Kier? Iba talaga ang nagagawa ng
pag-ibig but I don't think it was love. It was an obsession. She was so obsessed with Kier to the point that
she pulled a prank to a friend that caused her death.
"But how does that makes Sean the other veiled woman?", tanong ni Kier.

Si Gray looked at Sean at sumagot. "Yes, you intentionally invited Detective Tross to reopen the case.
And the reason why he assumed the identity of that veiled woman is to make the first veiled woman
turn herself, right?", Gray said. "You're inloved with Nemie after all."

Nakayuko lang si Sean habang tumatango. "I guess there's no use denying it. Yes, I am the other veiled
woman and Gray's right. I want to reopen Nemie's case. Yes, I love Nemie that's why I'm happy that
she's also happy with Kier until that incident happened. I figure out that she fell on the veranda dahil sa
takot. I saw the veil and the wig used abandoned in the trashbag few weeks after Nemie's funeral."

"But why did you stabbed

Mariel?", tanong ni Jason. Kahit hindi malala ang saksak ay nakakatakot pa ring isipin na sinaksak ito ni
Sean. They're friends, aren't they?

"It's because when I came to scare her, she said something that awakens my anger. Alam niyo ba ang
sinabi niya? She said 'if this is you Nemie, I didn't regret pulling you that prank that caused your death.'
That's her exact words! Kaya sino bang hindi magagalit doon? Nemie treated her like a real sister tapos
ganoon ang ginawa niya?", Sean was shaking, if it's with anger, I don't know. Maybe.

"Yeah, and you cut all the lines huh", lumapit si Gray sa isang malaking porcelain vase na may mga
artificial flowers. "You even hidden the murder weapon here." Ipinasok niya ang kamay doon at nang
ilabas niya ay hawak-hawak na niya ang isang kutsilyo. We all gasped when we saw it!

Ngumiti si Sean. "How do you know that it's there?"

Gray shrugged his shoulders. "I just thought so. Pakiramdam ko kasi naiba ang ayos ng mga bulaklak."

"You're really a detective huh? You've got sharp eye for observation. It struck me that you're not an
ordinary high school student. How about the fact that I love Nemi?", he asked.
"Ah, about it, Detective Tross found a negative full of Nemie's picture. Analog photographs are rare
these days kaya marahil ay dati pa iyon. You're childhood friends after all. And about you, being the
veiled woman, I saw strand of a wig hair and it corresponds to the wig I saw in your room", sagot ni
Gray.

"You're a great police detective Tross, hindi ako nagkamali when I thought you'd clear this case out. Too
bad, nadala ako ng galit ko kaya ko nasaksak si Mariel. I'll be turning myself to the police tomorrow. As
of now, let's have dinner", wika niya. Mabuti na lang at maayos nitong isunuko ang sarili. He must be
really angry with Mariel kaya niya nagawa iyon.

They were about to head to the dining area nang magsalita ako.

"But I guess there are three veiled woman", wika ko at gulat na napatingin silang lahat sa akin.

"Anong ibig mong sabihin?", tanong ni Bea.

"There are three people who assumed the identity of the veiled woman. First is Ate Mariel, second is
Kuya Sean and the third one was Kuya Kier", wika ko at sabay-sabay silang napatingin kay Kier.

"Is that true Kier?", tanong ni Jason at hindi ito halos makapaniwala nang tumango si Kier. "But for what
reason?"

"It's the same with Sean. I want to scare the one who pulled the prank on Nemie. Nemie's last words
was about the veiled woman. When I told the police about it, they laughed at me at hindi sila naniwala
sa akin. That's when I started to hate the police, including you Tross", nakayukong wika niya.

"Why did you showed yourself as the veiled woman to us?", tanong ko at nagtatakang tiningnan ako ni
Gray.

"You mean he was the veiled woman that we saw?", tanong ni Gray sa akin and I nodded.

"It's because I have a feeling that you will be a big help on unveiling this mystery", Kier said and smiled.
"How did you figured it out?"
"About it, when I saw you as the veiled woman, something was different unlike the one that the others
saw. Sa mga kwento nila, the veiled woman had a bloody face but the one we saw hadn't. Marahil ang
may mga dugo sa mukha ay si Kuya Sean who has a mask", wika ko. "Remember when we knocked on
your door? It's to checked whoever was wet could probably be the veiled woman that we saw by the
window."

"I was happy when you and Gray started to reinvestigate the case. The reason why I opened the door for
a long time was because to pretend that I was taking a bath at upang hindi ninyo alam na nabasa ako sa
ulan nang magpakita ako sa inyo", Kier said.

"But how come did you disappeared immediately?", tanong ni Gray.

"He hung himself with a rope na itinali niya sa veranda ni Ate Bea who was sleeping that time. Then he
went to his veranda na katabi ng kay Ate Bea. He walked by the wall kung saan may tubo. He stepped
and hold on those upang makapunta sa veranda niya at sa veranda ni Ate Mariel. If you checked there,
may mga footprints niya doon." Paliwanag ko.

"You're really smart huh. Kayo ni Gray. So as you Tross, thank you for discovering the truth behind this
case. I also learned a lesson. One's irresponibility doesn't constitutes all of those who are like him. I'm
sorry if I misjudged all the police including you", wika ni Kier and he apologized to Detective Tross.

The detective smiled at him. "I'm sorry too. I only solved this case after two years."

"It doesn't matter. Kung nasaan man ngayon si Nemie, I'm sure she's happy that we discovered the truth
behind her death", wika ni Sean. "As of now, let's have our dinner."

**

The mystery of the veiled woman has been unveiled. Maayos na sumuko si Sean at Mariel and they
didn't bear grudges with each other, sa halip ay nagkapatawaran pa ang mga ito. The very next day ay
ibinalik na kami ni Detective Tross sa Bridle and we're back to being students again.

It's monday morning at maaga akong gumising upang maghanda sa pagpasok. I didn't bother to grab
some breakfast at sa halip ay uminom lamang ako ng kape.
Ah, the past days have been tiring but I enjoyed it anyways. Pagpasok ko ay binati ako ng mga kaklase
ko. It can't be helped, I wasn't the old Amber that they used to know.

Natutuwa na rin ako sa ganito. I feel like I'm existing, unlike before.

"Good morning Amber!", masiglang bati ni Marion sa akin. She has a lot of energy every morning.
Pakiramdam ko ay narerecharge ito kapag nakikita si Gray.

And speaking of Gray, he was slouching on his chair at nakabusangot ang mukha nito. Uh, he woke up
on the wrong side of the bed, eh?

"Good morning Marion", bati ko sa kanya and I faced Gray. "What's with that face so early huh?"

Mas lalong bumusangot ang mukha nito at kumuha ng libro upang ipantakip sa mukha. "Leave me
alone."

Marion chuckled on his side. "He's been like that mula ng dumating siya. Gray-chan is moody
sometimes", she said at sabay kaming napalingon ni Gray sa kanya.

"Gray-chan?", sabay naming tanong sa kanya.

"Gray-chan. It's in japanese term. If you find someone cute and adorable, you put -chan on their names
and since Gray is so cute and adorable, Gray-chan suits him!", masiglang wika nito. Uh, Marion could be
childish sometimes eh?

Oh no, she's really childish. She thinks of so many childish schemes na hindi ko iisiping ginagawa ng isang
Marion Valdez-Velmon.

"Uhhh! Give me a break", Gray uttered at mas lalong isinalampak ang sarili.
Our class started at hindi na kami nag-usap pa. When it was break time ay nagtuloy ako sa cafeteria
since I haven't eaten breakfast. I bought some lasagna and coke in can at bumalik sa classroom namin.
Gray was still there too.

Bumalik ako sa upuan ko and started eating. "Hey, you're not having your snack?", tanong ko sa kanya.
Nakasubsob ang mukha nito sa upuan.

"Yeah", tipid nitong sagot.

"Are you feeling well?", tanong ko ulit?

"Yeah."

"Are you really fine?"

"Yeah."

"Are you gay?"

"Yea- uh. Shut up Amber", he said at nakasubsob pa rin ang mukha nito.

May mga kaklase na rin kaming bumalik na sa classroom kaya hindi ko na siya kinausap pa. My phone
beeped and when I checked it, it was a text message from an unregistered number.

Who could it be? I immediately opened the message and read it.

'See yah tonight on our date Special A! *wink emoticon*

Special A? The only one who call me such ay si Khael lamang. And he's reminding me about our date.
What? Daaaaaaateeee? I totally forgot about it! He's really serious in it?

"Date? You have a date Amber?", tanong ng bagong dating na si Marion. Napatingin din ang mga kaklase
ko sa akin.

"Huh?", nagtataka kong tanong.

"You screamed something about a date", she said. Wait, did I said it aloud? Uh! This is so embarrasing!

"Ah, it maybe the date with that Athena's handsome student!", wika ng isa kong kaklase.

"Uhh! Amber! I'm so jealous! That Khael is so handsome!", wika naman ng isa pa.

"Kyaaaaaaah! I wanna be Amber!

Nagulat na lang kami ng biglang tumayo si Gray. "Could you be quiet? You're so noisy!", inis na wika nito
at pasalampak na umupo ulit.

Tiningnan ko siya ng masama. "Hey, you're the only one who got my number, ikaw ba ang nagbigay sa
kanya?"

He slouched himself more bago sumagot. "That bastard stole my phone and I gave him a good beating
for it." Mahina ang boses niya kaya hindi ko siya masyadong narinig.

"What?", I asked. His slouching mood irks me. Hindi na siya sumagot sa halip ay isinubsob na niya ang
ulo sa mesa.

I didn't bother him anymore dahil mukhang wala ito sa mood na makipag-usap. Hindi nagtagal ay
dumating na ang guro namin at nagsimula na ulit ang klase. The day passed with nothing much
happened.
Agad akong nagpunta sa dorm at pasalampak na naupo sa kama. It's still 4:30 in the afternoon and Khael
texted me na 6:30 niya ako susunduin.

Yeah! That early dahil ibabalik daw niya ako bago ang curfew. Uh, he's really serious about this date huh.

Kahit labag sa kalooban ko ay naghanda pa rin ako sa date namin ni Khael. I decided to wear a simple
peach dress na hanggang tuhod. May manggas iyon ay plain cut lamang. Don't expect me to be in a long
dinner gown dahil nang huli akong magsuot ng ganoon ay hindi maganda ang nangyari. I let loose my
hair gawa ng lagi kong ginagawa.

"Where to?", tanong ni Andi na bagong dating. Uh, ayokong sabihin na may date ako dahil panay tukso
ang aabutin ko sa kanila ni Therese buy I can't find anything to cover up kaya sinabi ko na lang ang totoo.

"I'm going out with Khael", pasimple kong wika at nagulat na lang ako ng bigla itong sumigaw.

"Kyaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhh! Khael? As in Khael of Athena High! Oh my G! Nakakainggit!", sigaw nito at

pinigilan ko ang sariling batuhin ito ng sapatos.

"Andi! Ang ingay mo!", I told her at kinuha ang clutch ko. When I glanced at my wristwatch, it's 10
minutes past 6:30 at malamang nasa gate na si Khael naghihintay. Kanina pa kasi panay ang text nito,
reminding me of our date. Geez! Hindi ko talaga iyon malilimutan dahil halos minu-minuto ito kung
magtext and there was always that winking o kaya ay kissing emoticon.

Umayos naman si Andi, kapagkuway sumeryoso ang mukha nito. "Si Khael ang date mo pero iba ang
naghihintay sayo sa baba."

Nagtataka man ay nagpaalam na ako sa kanya at tiningnan ang sinasabi nito. I saw Gray on the
dormitory's entrance. He was leaning on the wall habang nakatingin sa kawalan at nilalaro sa kabilang
kamay ang cellphone.

"Hey", tawag pansin ko sa kanya at umayos naman ito ng tayo.

"Hey", wika nito. Nakapamulsa ito. He wasn't in his uniform anymore.

"Anong ginagawa mo dito?", I asked him. Mukha kasi itong may hinihintay.

"Ahh-", he looked away, "May hinihintay lang ako, yeah", wika niya. Uh, he's weird uh.

Nilampasan ko na siya. "Okay, mauna na ako sayo." Nagulat na lang ako ng hawakan niya ako sa braso.
Nagtatakang tiningnan ko naman siya.

"Uh, ano kasi Amber", kinamot niya ang ulo at yumuko. "Ano magpapaturo ako sa math."

Kumunot ang noo ko sa sinabi niya. Is he serious? Mas magaling yata siya kesa sa akin.

"Huh? You're good in math than me." Yumuko naman ito at tila balisa. What's with him eh? Hindi ko siya
maintindihan.

"Mauna na ako", wika ko at lumakad ngunit nakasunod pala ito sa akin. "Where are you going? I thought
may hinihintay ka?"

Huminto naman ito at napakamot sa ulo. "Oo nga pala. Take care!", he said and ran. Akala ko ay babalik
ito sa entrance ng girl's dormitory but he ran to the other way. He's acting weird.

Nang makarating ako sa may entrance ay naroon na nga si Khael. He was smiling ear to ear. Pinagbuksan
niya ako ng kotse.

"For the precious lady", he said at ngumiti. Akala ko ay ito ang magmamaneho ngunit may dala pala
itong driver. He sat beside me on the back part of the car. Nang lingunin ko ito ay panay pa rin ang ngiti
nito.

"Stop that", wika ko sa kanya. Nagtatakang tiningnan naman niya ako.

"What?", hindi pa rin nawawala ang ngiti nito.

"That smile. You look stupid", wika ko sa kanya and he pouted. Napansin kong may putok ang labi nito
ngunit malapit na iyong maghilom. Did he went to a fight?

"I'm smiling because I'm happy Special A", wika niya. I rolled my eyes at him.

"What happened to your lower lip?", tanong ko. It was visible ngunit hindi iyon nakabawas sa
kagwapohan nito. Yes, the devil is so handsome.

He touched his lip at kumunot ang noo. "Ah, this? That second-rate detective caused this."

"Who? Si Gray?"

Tumango ito. "Uh, yeah. I snuck in his tent that night na aalis na kayo kinabukasan and got his phone
para makuha ang number mo. That bastard woke up at sinuntok ako."

Really? Ito ba yung sinabi ni Gray kanina though I'm not really sure dahil hindi ko iyon masyadong
narinig.

"Serves you right", wika ko sa kanya. He pouted at sumandal sa upuan.

"Uh, pati ba naman ikaw?", wika nito. Nang tingnan ko siya ay nakapikit ito. He was dazzling in his simple
get up. A plain blue long sleeve polo na tinupi ang balikat and a gray jeans. Mahahalata talaga na galing
ito sa mayamang pamilya.

"Don't stare too much Special A, baka first date pa lang mainlove ka na sa akin", wika niya. Damn! He
knows that I'm staring kahit na nakapikit ito?

"Dream on", inis kong wika at ibinaling sa labas ng kotse ang paningin.

Itinigil ng driver ang kotse sa harap ng mall. Uh, I thought we're going to a restaurant? Bumaba si Khael
at pinagbuksan ako ng pinto.
"I was expecting a restaurant", wika ko sa kanya and he smiled.

"Not so fast. Ang aga pa para magdinner. We're going to play in the arcade first", he said at kumindat.
Arcade huh? Sounds fun.

Naalala ko tuloy noong nag-arcade din kami ni Gray. He won every game except the basketball. Khael
bought unlicards for us.

"Anong gusto mong laruin?", tanong niya sa akin.

"Basketball!"

Kumunot ang noo niya. "Are you sure?", he asked. Yeah, I want to play basketball. Tumango ako sa
kanya and he smiled widely.

"Okay then. I can't turn down a request from a beautiful lady. Just don't expect that you'll gonna win",
he said at hinila ako papunta doon.

When we start ay nagshoot ito gamit lamang ang isang kamay. What the hell? Isang kamay lang ang
ginagamit niya?! And he never missed even one ball!

"Madaya ka", I told him and pouted. Ngayon ko lang naalala na magaling pala ito sa basketball! How
stupid of me! He's part of Athena's basketball varsity right?

"Paano naman ako nandaya?", he said smiling? I pushed him a little further upang mas malayo ang
distansya nito.

"There. Diyan ka", I said and smiled evilly. He's good in basketball kaya hindi na unfair kung medyo
malayo na siya sa ring.
After few minutes ay sumuko na ako. Kahit malayo pa ito ay mas madami itong shots kaysa sa akin. Fine,
I'll concede my defeat. Looks like he's really good in basketball, unlike Gray really who sucks.

At saka bakit ko ba iniisip si Gray? He's nothing but a sulking machine this whole day. Tapos ang weird pa
nito kanina! He said he's waiting for someone in the dorm, tapos bigla na lang niyang sinabi na
magpapatutor siya, and then we just ran away. Uh, I don't get him.

Marami kaming nilaro ni Khael doon and I really enjoyed his company. Bolero kasi ito at mapaglaro. Not
to mention na masyado itong eyecatcher. Girls were gathering around us nang naglaro kami ng
basketball! And he enjoyed such attention! Gustong-gusto naman niya. Papansin talaga!

Hinila niya ako papunta sa may videoke machine sa gitna ng arcade.

"What? There's no way I'll be singing", deretsang tanggi ko sa kanya ng pinaupo niya ako sa harap ng
videoke machine. Ayoko ngang kumanta! Nakakahiya! Kung nandoon sana kami sa mga soundproof
videoke room, maaring kumanta pa ako, but here? No no no no! magugunaw muna ang mundo.

Kinuha niya ang microphone at ang song book. "Edi ako ang kakanta", he said at kumindat. Gosh,
mukhang hindi ko yata siya na-orient na ayaw na ayaw ko yung kinikindatan ako.

"Hoy, isang kindat mo na lang, kukunin ko talaga yang mga eyeballs mo at ipapakain ko sa ibon", inis
kong wika. His winking really irks me!

Tumawa ito ng mahina. At may gana pa talaga siyang tumawa? I'm getting pissed off ngunit mukhang
nag-eenjoy ito kapag naiinis ako. "Special A. what do you want? I'll sing on the videoke machine or I'll
play those instruments on the stage at kakanta?"

Tiningnan ko ang mini-stage na nasa gitna ng arcade. There were instruments there. Kung ano man ang
gusto nito, bahala siya. But if he wants to ask for my preference..

"I think a stage performance is better", nakangiti kong wika nsa kanya. He got a chair at inilagay iyon sa
harap ng stage. Then he called me to sit there at naupo naman ako.
Pumunta naman ito sa taas ng mini-stage at kinuha ang electric guitar. He started strumming it. Oh, he's
actually good in it. Mahusay ang ginagawa ng kamay nito at mukhang sanay na sanay ito sa ginagawa.
He started strumming A Rocket to the moon's I do.

Marami ang nandoon at nakiusyoso na rin. Khael is really a head turner.

You get lost on your way back home,

Just about anywhere

You sing off key to the radio,

Like nobody's there....

When he started singing, I stopped for a while. He's really good in what he's doing but when he started
to sing ay nais kong matawa. He's off tune! (ShinichiLaaaabs' note: Hahahahahaaha, I don't know pero
natawa ako kahit hindi naman nakakatawa!)

Pero kahit na wala ito sa tono ay marami pa rin ang kinilig sa ginawa niya. Nagkainstant fan pa ito at may
nagrequest pa nang isa pang kanta but he refused.

It's almost 8:30pm and we haven't had our dinner yet.

We went out of the mall at muli kaming sumakay sa kotse. He said he made some plans for us.

"Hey, you're so off tune", wika ko sa kanya. Mabuti na lang at magaling itong maggitara, hindi na
masyadong napapansin na wala ito sa tono.

He laughed at me at kapagkuway pinitik ang ilong ko. "I knew it." Oh really? He knows that he's out of
tune ngunit kumanta pa rin ito sa public? Talking about Mr. 200% Confidence Level huh.

"Hey where do you want to eat?", tanong niya sa akin.

"Just don't bring me in a classy five-star restaurant. They're not my type, I'm allergic to their foods", I
said and looked outside.

"At mas lalong wag mo akong dalhin sa mga seafood restaurant kung ayaw mong sa ospital ako iuwi."
"As expected", wika niya sa akin at bumaling sa driver. "Kuya Rex sa Parekoy kami", wika niya sa driver.
Parekoy? I haven't heard of a restaurant like that.

Hindi nagtagal ay inihinto kami ng driver sa isang by the sea restaurant.

Their foods were not totally seafoods. Sa halip ay maari kang pumili nang kung ano mang gusto mo. It
was a very romantic place at mukhang nakakatakam ang mga pagkain. Khael ordered their specialty at
napakarami ng mga putaheng inorder nito.

I was surprised nang dumating na ang order namin at napakarami nga niyon! Ano ba ang akala niya sa
akin, baboy? Masyado iyong marami at mukhang hindi namin iyon kayang ubusin.

"I hate this. Tataba ako nito", wika ko nang nasa harap na naming ang mga pagkain. It looks so very
delicious!

"Don't worry, kahit mataba ka, you'll always be my Special A", wika niya sa aakin. I showed him my fork.

"Isang banat mo pa dyan at babaon sa katawan mo itong tinidor", wika ko sa kanya. Napakabolero
talaga nito, palibhasa ay may itsura din naman talaga.

"I love your violence", he said and chuckled. Nagsimula na kaming kumain and the food was really great.
Kahit napakarami niyon ay halos maubos iyon namin.

Matapos kumain ay nagpasalamat ako kay Khael. "The food was great. Thank you for bringing me here",
wika ko sa kanya.

"No problem Special A-"

Hindi na nito natuloy ang sasabihin nang makarinig kami ng malakas na sigaw. It was on a table near us.
Isang lalaki ang natumba mula sa upuan nito.

Napatayo naman kaming dalawa ni Khael sa upuan at agad na sumugod doon. The guy struggled for a
while and then become unconscious.
"What happened?", tanong ni Khael sa tatlong kasama nito. There were two middle age man and a
woman.

Ang babae ang sumagot, "Hindi namin alam. He just groaned and then he collapsed!", wika nito na
natataranta.

I touched the guy's pulse but he was already dead.

"Khael, he's already dead", wika ko sa kanya at yumuko naman ito upang icheck ang lalaki sa sahig.

He checked it for a while at nagsalita. "A scent of almond is emanating from his mouth. This is a case of
cyanide poisoning. Tell the guard to seal the entrance. Don't let anyone get out of this establishment.
Tumawag rin kayo ng pulis", puno ng autoridad nitong wika. He looks so very serious. Ang mapaglarong
Khael na kasama ko kanina ay nawala. He was a very serious man pagdating sa mga detective works.

The police arrived after a while. Those were not one of the police that I've known, sa halip ay mga
bagong mukha iyon but they recognized Khael. Mukhang marami talaga itong kakilalang pulis since his
father has a position in the police.

The victim was Andrew Fuentes, a businessman. He was 42 years old and dining with his partners dito sa
restaurant.

"Who was with the victim?", tanong ng isang pulis na tinawag ni Khael na Insp. Dave sa mga naroon.
Three people stepped forward at lumapit upang magpakilala. They said that they were having dinner
and discussing about their businesses since they were partners in a business.

Una ay ang babae na sumagot kanina. Her name was Liza Pandera. She was the financial officer nang
partnership na itinayo nilang apat.

The second was a fat guy na nakasalamin. His name was Rudy Palmes, an accountant and the last guy
was Henry Marquez, a small time business man.
"What were you doing bago mamatay ang biktima?", tanong ni Khael sa kanila. They were reluctant to
answer since he wasn't part of the police but Insp. Dave keeps on reiterating his question kaya sinasagot
iyon ng mga tinatanong.

"Nasa harap niya kaming lahat. We were discussing our business since we're experiencing loss and it's
hard fo our business to recover so were planning on dissolving our partnership", sagot ni Rudy.

"Yes, we already have our dinner kaya pinag-uusapan na namin ang maari naming iaksyon para sa
kampanya, but he just collapsed and then the next thing we know is that he's dead", halos hindi namaan
makapaniwalang wika ni Liza.

I went to the table where they were eating. Wala na roon ang pinagkainan nila dahil ayon nga sa kanila,
tapos na silang kumain.

The poison couldn't be on the food. Ang tanging nasa mesa ay tatlong bagay na hinawakan ng biktima
na galing sa tatlo nitong kasama.

First was a document na ayon sa kanila, those were the partnership's financial statement na dinala ng
accountant na si Rudy to explain the excessive loss of the company.

The second object was a signature pen na pinahiram umano ni Henry upang magamit nito sa pagpirma
and the last was a piece of wet tissue na binigay ni Liza sa kanya upang pamunas sa kamay.

Ayon sa forensics ay may poison sa kamay nito kaya nagkaroon din ng poison ang documents at ang
signature pen na hinawakan nito, maliban sa tissue.

"Ibig sabihin maaring isa kina Henry at Rudy ang lumason sa biktima", Insp. Dave said. "The evidence are
on those items that were checked by the forensics. The victims hands were covered mostly with
poison."

"But we didn't poisoned him!", wika ni Henry. Khael was observing them closely samantalang nasa gilid
lang ako at matamang nakikinig.
"Don't you think that it's suicide and that Andrew tried to frame us? He said something weird back
then", wika naman ni Rudy.

"What did he said?", one police asked.

This case of poisoning also puzzles me. How come did the victim made direct contact with the poison?
They wasn't eating that time, right?

"He said something like it takes one's responsibility to take account of his actions, so he's gonna take
account of his actions, that was his words", Liza said and I saw Khael thought hard.

Lumapit ito sa mga forensics and whispered something. Iniabot naman ng forensics sa kanya ang
records, then he showed Khael the documents which are the financial statements. He stared at it for a
while and a mischievous smile emerged from his lips. Looks like he got something.

Sunod nitong tiningnan ay ang mga kasama nito. He was assessing each one and then he went to the
comfort room.

"Ah, I guess this is really suicide", wika ng isang police. "Those words are the evidence and the victim's
hands which are covered in poison. The reason why there were traces of cyanide in the documents and
pen was because the victims made contact with his hands on it."

I wasn't satisfied with his explanation though ngunit pinigilan ko na ang sariling makialam doon, besides
Khael already laid his nose on it.

"Wait up, Inspector, it's not over yet. This is not a case of suicide but a plain and basic murder", wika ni
Khael. He was coming from the comfort room.

Kumunot ang noo nang isang pulis. "Ikaw na naman. You're chief Alonzo's son right? Then what do you
see about this if you think you do better than the police." He was full of sarcasm but Khael just ignored
him.

Lumapit ito sa tatlong kasama ng biktima. "Who was beside the victim?"
The tables there where squares kaya marahil ay tig-isang tao sa isang side.

"I was across Andrew, in his left was Rudy samantalang nasa kanan naman si Liza", Henry answered.

"Then it's clear, the one who poisoned the victim is Miss Liza", simpleng wika nito na ikinagulat ng lahat.
He simply said the culprit's name without hesitation? He's that sure?!

Gulat na napatayo naman ang tinuro nito. "Who are you brat?! You simply point out names?! Ano ba sa
tingin mo ito, isang laro?!"

"Wait, Mik, how can you say so?", tanong ni Insp. Dave. Kahit ako ay naguguluhan sa sinasabi nito.

"I figured it out base on the data gathered by the forensics. Most of the victim's hands were covered
with the poison so it comes to me that he must have wiped his hands with something that makes the
poison scattered on his hands." Khael was very firm in his every word.

"But ayon sa forensics, tanging ang wet tissue ang walang bahid ng poison", Rudy asked. "How is that
even possible?"

"Yeah, and besides the pack of wet wipes were new, at si Andrew pa mismo ang nagbukas niyon", Rudy
added.

"About it, Miss Liza already altered the tissue na nasa mesa bago pa man siya nalason. Did she stood up
to go to the comfort room while you were discussing?", tanong ni Khael.

"Yes brat! Of course at dahil iyon nagretouch ako!", galit na wika ni Liza. She's very angry dahil sa mga
sinabi ni Khael.

"No, it was because you were disposing the wet wipes by flushing them in the toilet, too bad you can't
flush the plastic wrapper so you threw it away in the garbage bin", wika ni Khael. I was amazed by his
deductions.
"The wet wipes are here brat!", wika ni Liza at kinuha ang isang pack ng wet wipes mula sa bag.

"No, that was a similar brand that you prepared before hand. If we check that for fingerprints, for sure
ay wala diyan ang fingerprints ng biktima, you said he was the one who opened it, right?", Khael said at
mas lalong nanggalaiti sa galit si Liza.

"But that's not enough evidence that will identify Miss Liza as the culprit", wika ni Rudy.

"And we both saw that the pack of wet wipes were new at si Andrew pa mismo ang nagbukas niyon",
dagdag naman ni Henry.

Nagtanong din ang isang pulis. "How did the victim take the poison? Hindi na sila kumakain that time."

"It's because she didn't open the wet wipes to put poison in it. She probably injected the poison before
going here and prepared a clean pack in case something like this will happen. You all know that the
victim has habit like putting his hands on his mouth right? Kaya kahit hindi na kayo kumakain, it's
possible that he will put his poisoned hands on his mouth", Khael smirk at them. "As of the other
evidence", lumapit siya kay Miss Liza and grabbed her hands. Itinaas ni Khael ang kamay nitong may
singsing.

"What are you doing brat!", Liza hissed.

Napatingin naman ang lahat sa kamay ni Liza. Her hand was with a gold ring. Some parts were shiny and
some where not.

"Cyanide can be used in gold gilding and buffing. That's why her ring's color is not even", he said at
napayuko naman si Miss Liza.

Dumating naman ang isa sa forensic. "Inspector, we checked the tissue wrapper na nasa basurahan ng
CR gaya ng sinabi ng batang ito and it's positive with the poison", wika nito. Napatingin naman ang lahat
kay Liza who was surprised. Unti-unting napaupo ito at yumuko.
"I'm too careless! Maging ang isang bata ay napansin ang ebidensya. Yes, all that this brat said are true.
Nilason ko nga si Andrew! He's embezzling our money that'a why we have suffered such loss!",
mangiyak-ngiyak nitong wika.

"I know that he's embezzling. I'm the accountant after all, but bakit mo siya pinatay Liz? We've known
each other since we're young!", halos hindi makapaniwalang wika ni Rudy.

Hindi naman nakaimik si Liza, sa halip ay nakayukong umiyak lang ito. Lumapit ang mga pulis sa kanya at
hinawakan siya.

"We want your statement in the police station", Insp. Dave said. Kumindat ito kay Khael. "Thanks Mik."

Khael scowled at him. "Don't call me Mik", wika nito at tinawanan lang ito ng inspector.

The case has been solved and we're allowed to leave the restaurant. It's past 10 already kaya
nagmamadaling nilapitan ako ni Khael.

"I sorry Amber. I'm the worst, I abandoned you here just because of a case", wika nito na nakayuko.

"Ayos lang. Anyways, I enjoyed watching your deductuon show", wika ko sa kanya and he pouted. His
mood shifts again. Wala na ang Khael na masyadong seryoso, it was the Khael that I've known.

He glanced at his watch. "I'm taking you back to Bridle, I'm really sorry. Babawi na lang ako next time",
wika niya at sumakay na kami ng kotse.

"Hey, how about you? Athena is a four-hour drive from Bridle, right?", tanong ko sa kanya.

"Don't worry about me. Kuya Rex and I will be staying at a hotel at bukas ng madaling araw pa kami
babalik ng Athena", wika naman niya at sumandal sa upuan. "Thank you Special A. I'm happy tonight,
even though that case comes on our way." He sounded so serious so I just smiled at him.
"You ditched your afternoon class right? Just make sure you wouldn't missed your morning class
tomorrow", paalala ko sa kanya. Malamang ay umabsent ito kanina dahil nga malayo ang Bridle sa
Athena.

"Aye aye Maam", masigla niyang wika.

"Good boy, Mik!", I said and I saw him straightened from his seat. He hate being called that way huh?

"Please Special A, don't call me such way. You sounded like my mother. She call me Mikmik and treat me
like a kid", he said and pouted. Natawa naman ako sa kanya.

"Mikhael is your real name?", tanong ko and he nodded.

"Yeah, you said it. Mikmik is my nickname", he said lazily.

Huminto na ang kotse at nang tingnan ko ang labas ng bintana ay nasa harap na kami ng Bridle. He went
out first at pinagbuksan ako ng pinto.

"Maraming salamat talaga Special A", he said and smiled. I gave him a smile too at nagpasalamat din.
Kahit naman may nangyaring kaso ay nag-enjoy pa rin naman kasama ito.

"Shall I kiss you goodnight?", he said and he held my hand and was about to kiss my forehead when a
palm held his face. Nang lingunin ko ang pinagmulan ng kamay ay si Gray iyon.

Khael rolled his eyes at binitawan ako. "I don't know you're with your father", he said and I chuckled.

Hindi naman maipinta ang mukha ni Gray. "It's almost curfew, let's go inside. Umuwi ka na rin Alonzo."

I bid goodbye to Khael at pumasok na sa gate. I saw Gray throw dagger looks at Khael but the latter just
laughed bago sumakay nang kotse.
**

Vote and comments are highly appreciated. Sorry for the late update. Finals na namin sa Accounting
huhuhu!

-Shinichilaaaabs♥

CHAPTER 39: WHO'S THE FAIREST OF THEM ALL?

Chapter 39: Who's the fairest of them all?

I woke up early the next day. Nothing is special this day ngunit maaga ring gumising sina Andi at
Therese. They were sitting accross me at kasalukuyan akong tinatanong tungkol sa date namin ni Khael
kagabi. Nang dumating kasi ako ay tulog na sila.

"Spill it Amber, what happened? Nakahome run na ba si Khael?", excited na tanong ni Therese. She was
very lively when it comes to this topics.

Binato ko siya ng unan. What does homerun means? Hindi ba sa baseball iyan? I realized it has another
meaning dahil sa kakaibang ngiti nito.

"Shut up Rese, nothing happened. We just played in the arcade, kumanta siya kahit napakawala sa tono
niya and then we went to restaurant and have dinner. There's a poisoning happened in that restaurant
and then he solved the case and that's it, hinatid na niya ako dito", wika ko and I saw their faces become
disappointed. What now? That's really what happened.

Nagkatinginan naman ang dalawa and they frowned. "That's worst than ditching his date."

It was really a fine date. I was amazed by his intelligent deduction with that poisoning case. He solved
the case in a short time kaya nakakabilib ito.

"Haay nako, simula talaga nang magkaroon ka ng existence dito sa Bridle ay palagi ka na lang
napapasubo sa mga kaso and things like those", Therese said. Oh, really? Hindi naman siguro. I just don't
want to get involved before kahit pa kating-kati na ako dati na sabihin kung sino man ang may mga
kasalanan.

Getting involved is not really that bad. I remember a quote says 'Speak the truth even if your voice
shakes' kaya hindi na masama kung sabihin ko man ang katotohanan behind those cases.

"Hindi naman siguro", wika ko at tumayo. "I'll be using the bathroom first", wika ko at nagtungo sa CR.

When I went out ay nag-uusap pa rin sina Andi at Therese. They were discussing about the upcoming
school festival, which will be next week.

Wait.

What?! next week? Ang bilis naman yata. Bridle's School festival are usually week long kaya magsisimula
iyon sa lunes at matatapos ng Byernes.

"It's already announced last few weeks at malamang hindi ka na naman nagbabasa sa mga
announcement doon sa bulletin board", wika ni Andi. She's right. Hindi ako masyadong nagbabasa sa
bulletin board.

Nang pumasok na ako ay tungkol rin sa school festival ang pinag-uusapan ng mga kaklase ko. Nakikipag-
usap din sa kanila si Gray. It seems like he's not a sulking machine this time, unlike kahapon.

Last night ng inabangan niya ako sa may gate ay hindi niya ako kinakausap. I keep on asking him kung
ano ang ginagawa niya sa may gate ngunit hindi niya ako sinasagot kaya hindi ko na rin ito kinausap
hanggang sa dumating ako sa dorm. Hinatid niya ako doon and then he left immediately nang hindi pa
rin ako kinausap.

Nang namataan niya ako ay ngumiti siya sa akin at tinawag ako. Uh, he smiled at me? Himala!

"Amber, look at the events on the festival", wika niya at iwinagayway ang hawak na papel. After I put
down my bag ay lumapit ako sa kanila at tiningnan nga iyon.
There were lots of events; literary, musical, sports, club presentations na gaganapin sa cultural night and
a masquerade party.

Masquerade party?! Sounds terrifying. Kapag naalala ko ang masquerade party noong ipinakilala si
Marion ay natatakot ako. Oh, well I'd better fix myself and let go of this fear.

Tinuro ni Gray ang isang event sa sports section, which is soccer. "I'm so excited for this."

Yeah, I guess he's a soccer kid by heart. Mukhang ito yata ang nagpagaan sa mood nito, unlike
yesterday.

Dumating na ang adviser namin na Maam Mendez. She announced about the upcoming festival.

"Class, since the festival will be next week, I will give you time to plan about your events na sasalihan. As
of now, a memo just arrived that we're required to suspend the classes dahil club meetings ngayon. So
you may now proceed to your various clubs." We replied yes maam in chorus at umalis na si Maam
Mendez sa harap at naupo sa table niya.

"Gray what club did you joined?", tanong ni Marion. Sinasamantala nito ang magandang mood ni Gray.

"I've joined the martial arts club. Why?", tanong niya kay Marion. Oh, martial arts club is where Gray
really belong.

Lumabi naman si Marion. "I don't have a club yet at ayaw ko rin namang sumali sa martial arts club. I'll
break my nails there."

Lumapit ako kay Marion. I guess she suits in the Theatre and Drama Club. "Then join the theatre and
drama club Marion."

She hesitated for a while ngunit kapagkuway pumayag na rin. "I guess that will be a good choice
Amber."
Sinama ko si Marion sa office ng drama and theatre club. Marami na rin ang naroon ng makarating ko. I
immediately approached Mia upang ipakilala sa kanya si Marion.

"Mia, please consider her. She's my classmate Marion and she wants to join the club", wika ko kay Mia.
Tumayo naman ang huli at kinilatis ng mabuti si Marion. She turns around Marion at matamang
tiningnan ito mula ulo hanggang paa. Uh, Mia's weird sometimes.

Sinundan naman siya ni Marion nang tingin kahit nagtataka. I'm sure Mia would approve Marion in the
club. Napakaganda kaya nito, for sure ay magiging bida ito sa mga play nang club kapag nagkataon.

"Okay, she's in", nakangiting wika ni Mia. Yeah, that fast.

"Uhm, aren't you gonna make me sign an application form and then went to an audition?", tanong ni
Marion sa kanya. Marahil ay nagtataka ito sa immediate recruitment.

Umiling naman si Mia. "No, you already passed my standards. At isa pa, I'm sure babagay ka sa play na
gagawin natin ngayong school festival", she said and let out a victorious smile.

Inutusan na niya kaming maupo dahil magsisimula na ang meeting. The club officers commence the
meeting at agad nilang inilahad ang agenda ng pagtitipon.

The club's vice president was in front at nasa gilid naman si Mia.

"Since the school festival is fast approaching at nakagawian na na may club presentations tayo every
cultural night kaya iyan ang pag-uusapan nating ngayon. It's not a contest but the best presentation
would actually gain accreditations for outdoor contest and interschool competitions kaya nais nating
pagbutihan ang presentation natin. You want accreditations, right?"

Sabay sabay na nagyes ang bawat isa at halatang excited sa gagawin na presentation. Yeah, Bridle
students are into these things. Ako? I don't exist in the school festival before. Sa mga club presentations
ay palaging nasa production staff ako.
School festival is just normal day for me. Ngayong taon lang naman ako nagkaroon ng play appearance
simula nang mapasa kay Mia ang tungkulin bilang club president. The previous president was good
ngunit tila hangin lang ako sa kanyang paningin. She doesn't even consider my ideas much. Mabuti na
laang talaga at gumradweyt na ito.

Mia stood up at ito naman ang nagsalita sa harap. "So for this year's presentation, we're planning of
something new. Hindi na tayo gagawa nang play na existing na. What we're gonna do ay tayo ang
gagawa ng storya mula sa mga existing na characters."

Nagsimula nang magbulong-bulongan ang bawat isa. They were amazed by Mia's brilliant idea and they
were wondering what will be her concept.

"The play will be entitled Who's the fairest of them all. The idea will be like this. We'll make use of the
fairy tale's heroines. We will have Cinderella, Snow White, Belle of Beauty and the beast, Aurora of
Sleeping beauty and Jasmine of Aladdin."

Sounds cool. Ano ba ang tumatakbo sa isip ni Mia at nakaisip ito ng ganoong concept.

"Miss President", tawag nang isang club member. What will the five heroines would do?"

"Oo nga, ano ba ang flow ng play?"

Mia waved her hand. "I'm not done yet. It's not like in the fairytale. There's a twist. There will be only
one prince and the five heroines will offer everything to win the prince's love."

Mas laong umingay ang paligid. Mia's idea was really great. Mukhang maganda ang naisip nito. Not the
usual fairy tale na masyado ng gasgas sa mga drama at play.

Nagulat ako ng magtaas ng kamay si Marion. "Who will be chosen by the prince then?", excited nitong
tanong. Looks like she's into one of the main role.

Napangiti naman si Mia. "Good question and the answer is no one. Wala sa lima ang pipiliin ng prinsipe
dahil mamamatay siya the moment the heroines offer him their possesions."
Nadismaya naman ang lahat sa sinabi ni Mia. A tragedy, eh?

"Don't be dismayed. We're still working on the story. As of now, ang kailangan muna natin ay pumili
nang mga magiging character. Practice a short line of your own preference at magsisimula na ang
audition after 30 minutes."

Nag-isip naman ng mga linya ang bawat isa. Even Marion, she was thinking of a famous play lines.
Mukhang interesado talaga ito sa papel na maaring gampanan.

Well me? I don't think I'll be joining kaya lumabas muna ako ng office dahil abala pa ang bawat isa sa
loob.

Nakatayo ako sa labas ng club office ng bigla na lamang dumating si Gray. He was sweating, mukhang
galing ito sa pagtakbo. Nang makarating siya sa harap ko ay hinabol niya ang hiniha at napahawak sa
kanyang tuhod. Oh, what's up with him?

"Hey, anong nangyari sayo? You're sweating", wika ko sa kanya habang tinitingnan siya. Kinuha nito ang
panyo mula sa bulsa at pinunasan ang mukha at leeg. He looks so handsome kahit na pawis ito.
Nagmukha tuloy itong model nang panyo sa paraan ng pagpunas nito sa sarili.

Wait. Where did those words came from Amber?

Iwinagayway niya sa harap ko ang isang nilakumos na papel. Kinuha ko iyon mula sa kanya at ibinuklat.

What's this? A piece of trash? Nang buklatin ko iyon ay nagulat ako ng makita iyon. it was just some
punctuation marks.

•••---•••

Isinulat iyon gamit ang isang marker. The paper where it was written was just a small piece and it looks
like it was just torn from a small notebook.
Muli kong tiningnan ang nakasulat doon.

"Where did you get this?", tanong ko sa kanya habang nakatingin sa papel.

"I found it near the boys' dorm", wika niya. Muli kong inalala kung ano ang ibig sabihin ng nakasulat sa
papel.

•••---•••

•••---•••

•••---•••

•••---•••

•••---•••

This writings make sense. It looks like a -

"Hey, isn't this a Morse code?", tanong ko kay Gray. He seem to have gathered enough air na nawala
niya mula sa pagtatakbo.

Tumango siya at tumuwid ng tayo.

"Yeah, that's why I brought it to you. What do you make of it?"

I glanced at the paper again. "This? If we cipher it, it's SOS, a Morse code pro sign of standard
emergency signal. Ibig sabihin may nangangailangan ng tulong."

"Yes, it's recognized as signal of distress. Do you think someone's really in distress?", tanong niya.
The Morse code is a known cipher kaya maaring wala naman talagang nangangailangan ng tulong.

Some students may have purposely written it. "Hindi naman siguro. Someone just wrote that out of
boredom", sagot ko sa kanya.

"That's what I thought at first too, but Marcus picked up another", kinuha niya ang isa pang papel na
nilakumos mula sa bulsa at ibinigay sa akin. Nang tingnan ko iyon ay ganoon pa rin ang nakasulat and it
was torn out from the same type of paper.

"And not just Marcus, may tatlo pang mga estudyante ang nakapulot ng ganyan pa rin. They picked it up
near the dorm too, and I don't think it's some sort of prank."

What? Not just one or two? I guess someone might need help really.

"Where do you think we can find this someone who's been sending this SOS sign?", tanong ko sa kanya.
He shrugged his shoulders.

"I'm clueless where exactly is his location too but kung sino man ang nangangailangan ng tulong ay nasa
malapit lang ito ng boys' dorm. All those papers were found near the dorm kaya marahil inilipad iyon ng
hangin that's why those papers were not in the same spot but I'm sure it's just nearby", he said.

Napaisip kami sandali kung saan ba namin hahanapin ang nagsusulat ng SOS sign. We're busy thinking
ng isang lalaki ang lumapit sa amin. I think he was a grade 10 student base sa suot niyang necktie.

Bridle's uniform varies by grade in small way. Sa mga babae ay ang above the knee blue checkered skirt
at plain white long sleeve blouse na may ribbon. Garde 7's ribbon was color green, yellow naman ang
grade 8, grade 9 was blue and Grade 10 is red. Ganoon din sa lalaki. They wore black slacks and a white
polo with a blue coat. Their necktie's vary in colors too katulad ng mga ribbon ng babae.

The guy who just approached us was wearing a red tie. Balisa ang mukha nito at pawis na pawis.

"Gray Silvan right? Please help me. I'm Kino Dela Cruz, a grade 10 student. Nawawala ang kaklase ko
mula kahapon. We're doing our initiation rites para sa sinasalihan naming school frat. We're tasked to
put itching powder sa mga towel nag varsity na naliligo sa CR nang gym. It was yesterday afternoon but
he hadn't returned yet", kwento nito. "Please help me. He's been missing since yesterday."

"Hindi mo ba siya hinanap? Maybe he was just trapped somewhere", wika ko sa kanya. He shook his
head.

"He's nowhere to be found. Tinanong ko rin ang mga varsity players kung nakita ba nila si Jed but they
said no."

"If that's the case, how can we help you?", tanong ni Gray ditto. If he can't find his friend, mas lalo kami.
We don't even know his friend's appearance. And why are they even joining a school frat and do those
initiation rites? Uh, those things don't make sense at all.

Frats are crazy stuffs na naiisip ng mga estudyante. Big frats or those they called brotherhood could
useful sometimes but frats whose ultimate motives are just to make them cool and annoys other people
are all crap.

Inilabas ng lalaki ang kanyang cellphone at ipinakita iyon sa amin. It was a text message from someone
named Jed.

"This is a message I've got from his phone, ngunit pakiramdam ko kung sino man ang nagtago sa kanya
ang siya ngayon na may dala sa cellphone ni Jed and he's the one who send me this weird message for
me to find Jed", wika niya. He showed us the text message which he thought a clue to where his friend
can be found. "I've tried calling him but he's out of service. Marahil ay nakapatay na ang cellphone niya."

I frowned when I saw the message. There was nothing to be considered there as a clue. It was just
numbers repeated many times.

76755 76755 76755 76755

"What's with the repeating numbers? I don't have any idea about that numbers, if it would be repeating
6, I would have been able to cipher that it's a number from the illuminati", wika ko. Those numbers
don't really ring a bell on me.

Oh, well, maybe it does to Gray. He seems to be focused on staring at those numbers. Ipapaubaya ko na
sa kanya ang pag-iisip kung ano man ang ibig sabihin niyon.
76755.

Nag-isip ako ng mga maaring ciphers. If we would assigned alphabet to it, it would be GFGEE and GFGEE
don't make sense at all kaya using alpabeth is impossible.

Hmm, math equation? 7 + 6 = 13 + 6 =19 + 7 = 26 + uhhhh! It still doesn't make sense.

"Hmm, I now get it", Gray said at sabay kaming napatingin ni Kino sa kanya. Uh, he already deciphered
it?

"Really? You already know the meaning behind that text message?", tanong ko but he shook his head.
Huh? He just said that he understand it right?

"You just said that you already get it."

"Yeah, but not the guy's location. What I know is that this text message isn't send by whoever kept your
friend, instead this text message is sent by that Jed himself", puno ng kumpiyansa niyang wika. Oh, Gray
could never be wrong in his deductions. Ang napapansin ko kasi sa kanya ay hindi diya nagsasalita kapag
hindi pa siya sigurado sa ideya na nasa isip niya.

"Anong ibig mong sabihin? If Jed typed this message himself, why would he type things like this kung
maari naman niyan itype kung nasaan man siya", Kino said and I agreed in his statement. Yes, mas tama
yatang ang lokasyon nito mismo ang itinext nito sa halip na mga numero.

"About that, I don't think he's capable of typing something that will reveal wherever he is. Dahil sa
ganitong paraan niya itinype ito, I guess he's somewhere wherein he cannot use his hands freely. Maybe
he's tied up or something kaya marahil ang nagagawa niya ay magtype ng mga numbers na may ibig
sabihin. Maybe his phone is defaulted in alphanumeric keys kaya numbers instead of letters ang
kanyang text", he said at iniabot na kay Kino ang cellphone nito.

He's right. There's a big possibility na nakatali nga si Jed kaya hindi niya malayang nagagamit ang mga
kamay. Nang muli kong sulyapan si Gray ay matamang nag-isip ito.
"Ah, I guess this has something to do with the Morse code SOS papers", wika niya. What? The paper that
we're just talking a while ago?

Is it possible na si Jed na kaibigan ni Kino, who sent him some weird number text message and the one
who throws SOS sign in morse code is the same person?

Is his kept somewhere where he cannot use his hands freely, it's possible that he's the one making those
SOS, the penmanship on that paper is shaky kaya posible iyon.

"Yeah, maybe he's the same person who keeps on throwing those SOS signs. He wrote SOS in morse
code instead in alphabet ay dahil nasa hindi magandang sitwasyon ito ngayon, that's why he wasn't able
to wrote it properly", wika ko and he nodded.

"Yeah, 767. In a non-qwerty keypad, S can be found in the key number 7, O is in the key 6 at sa 7 ulit ang
S", wika ni Gray. "What I don't get is the next numbers, 55? It doesn't make sense at all."

I glanced at my watch. It's been fifteen minutes since Mia's allocated time bago magsimula ang audition.
I looked back at the club office. Marahil ay abala na ang bawat isa doon, they're into the festival anyway.
I stared at the office and noticed something on the wall. On the building's wall was written A1-5.

It's the name of the building. Bridle's buildings were labelled gaya ng A1 with five floors and such
building was allocated to the club offices.

Building A2-2 ay ang two floors science laboratory. Building B1-5 ay ang five floors building allocated to
the section A students. Building B2-5 ay para naman sa mga section B students and so on.

Could it be that 76755 means -

"Gray, I think that SOS sign is from Building G-5", wika ko. Building G was a five floor depreciated
building that was scheduled to be demolished at papalitan ng bago. If someone would be keeping a
person, it would be in an abandoned place.
"G5? That's to be demolished next week right?", Kino asked.

Gray smiled. "Yeah, maybe. 76755 means an SOS mergency call from Building G-5 and on its fifth floor",
he said.

"Then let's go there", wika ni Kino at pumunta na kami doon.

Building G was a little bit far dahil nasa may likod iyon ng boys' dormitory. Nang makarating kami doon
ay may nakita na naman kaming papel na may SOS sign.

"No doubt, it's really here", Gray said at pumasok na kami doon. He pulled the shutters at sumunod
kami sa kanya.

The building was a mess. Mukhang hindi na iyon matibay kaya masyadong delikado. Bridle used to be an
80 year old school kaya may mga gusali na hindi matitibay. It was bought by Mr. Bridle and renovated
the school, making it one of the famous ellite schools. It was now designed modernly.

We hurried towards the fifth floor at gaya nga ng inaasahan ay may lalaking nakataali doon. His hands
and feet were tied at may busal ang bibig. Nasa tabi nito ang cellphone at mga piraso ng mga punit na
papel. Maybe those where remnants of the paper that he used in making the SOS code. May marker din
doon sa kanyang gilid.

Agad naming siyang pinakawalan doon.

"Thank God, I'm saved!", he said ng makawala siya. "Damn those frat guys! They tied me up here for
initiation! I would never pursue their frat anymore! Those guys were rascals, curse them!", wika niya. He
expressed his gratitude to us at gayundin sa kaibigan niyang si Kino.

"Thanks bro, I really thought I would starve here to death. Grabe ang pagkakatali nila, I can't move my
hand kaya I wrote the easier way but I'm doubting na may makapansin sa Morse cose SOS sign na sinulat
ko", wika niya.
Nguniti naman si Kino. "It's because of them kaya sila ang dapat mong pasalamatan. They're smart
enough to decipher your SOS sign at maging ang weird text message mo", wika ni Kino. Bumaling naman
ng tingin sa amin si Jed. Saka ko lamang siya napagmasdan ng mabuti. He was the guy that I've always
saw on the library noong madalas pa akong tumambay doon.

"I'm really thankful to both of you. The news about you was really true. You two are smart", he said.
Lumapit siya sa akin at inilahad ang palad.

"I'm Jed. I'm sorry for the prank calls before, I was the one who's been calling you", he said at yumuko.

Prank calls ? Siya ang gumagawa niyon dati ng hindi pa ako nagpalit ng number? Oh, I remembered that
I've suspected that it was Gray but hindi pala. Maybe I should believe Gray the next time.

"Please forgive me Amber, truth is I really like you but I don't know how to approach you kaya
sinusundan na lang kita."

Nanlaki ang mga mata ko. He's deliberately following me? Kaya ba madalas ko siyang makita kung saan
man ako dati?

"You're always following me? That's kinda creepy, you know", wika ko amd he chuckled. Tatanggapin ko
na sana ang palad niya ng mauna itong abutin ni Gray.

"Ah, so you're the one who make those prank calls? Alam mo bang ako ang pinagbintangan niya", Gray
said. Jed didn't stretch out his palm to me this time.

"Yeah, I used to but Amber seem to have changed her number", wika niya at ngumiti sa akin. He's not
scary looking but his prank calls before were scary.

"Yeah she did kaya wag ka ng tumawag and don't come following her, stalkers are creepy", wika ni Gray
at tiningnan ng masa si Jed. Uh, he's defending me? At saka bakit ba tila naiinis ito? I have a feeling that
his mood is shifting again.
Jed raised his arms. "Yeah yeah, I'm sorry. Hindi na mauulit. I'm not following her anymore simula ng lagi
na kayong magkasama. You're both smart. You make a good couple", Jed said. Wait, did he said couple?

Ako at si Gray? Naaaaaah, imposible!

"Not really, we're just into this things", sagot ni Gray at ngumiti naman si Jed. He's still throwing dagger
stares at Jed. At hindi man lamang ito nagreact sa sinabi ni Jed!

"Let's leave this place. It will crumble if we stay here too long", wika ni Kino. We all agreed at bumaba na
kami doon. Nauna ng bumaba sina Kino at Jed.

"Simple codes and ciphers could really take time sometimes, right?", wika ni Gray habang naglalakad
kami.

"Yeah", I said habang tumatango. Tama siya, those simple ones ay ang madalas na kinocomlicate ng mga
tao.

Nagulat na lang ako nang may naapakan si Gray na kahoy and the floor cracked at nalaglag si Gray!
Mabuti na lang at nakahawak pa ito sa matigas pa na sahig.

"Shit! Grab my hands Gray", wika ko sa kanya at inabot ang kamay niya upang mahila ko sa pataas. He
held may hand and was about to pull him up nan gang inaapakan ko naman ang masira causing the two
of us fall together!

Kahit hindi iyon kataasan ay masakit pa rin mahulog!

I shouted as I feel my body falling kaya napapikit na lang ako ng makarinig ako ng mahinang lagapak but
I didn't felt anything on my body.

When I opened my eyes, I was on top of Gray!

What the !!!!!!!!!!

Uh! This is so embarrassing! He was looking at me and I was looking at him! I wanted to stand up but my
body doesn't seem to cooperate! Sa halip ay nanigas ako at hindi makagalaw. We were both staring at
each other and no one dared to move and ruin the moment.

Shit Amber, you're on top of Gray! Move! Arrrrrgh !

I don't know how long have we been staring at each other nang bigla na lang may nagsalita.

"Gray, Amber are you - " hindi na natuloy ni Kino ang sasabihin ng makita kami. "Uh, get a room." He
said and chuckled.

What?! Get a room?

Nang marinig namin iyon ay saka pa lamang kami tila natauhan at biglang napatayo! Shit this is so
awkward.

"A-are you fine Amber?", Gray asked me without looking at me. Same as me! Hindi ko siya matingnan ng
deretso after our staring session! God, this is so not me!

"Y-yeah. H-How about you?", uh good thing I was able to pull through my question.

"Yeah, I'm fine though my back hurt", he said. "Halika na, this place is not safe", wika niya at
nagpatiunang lumabas sa pintong pinasukan ni Kino.

This is really embarrassing but I've got no choice kaya sumunod na ako sa kanya.

Bumalik na ako sa Drama club office matapos nagpaalam sa kanila. Pagdating ko doon ay nagsisimula na
nga ang audition.

I looked around at hinanap si Marion. I found her on the corner kaya nagpunta ako doon at umupo sa
tabi niya.
"Are you done?", tanong ko sa kanya. Her gaze were focused on the auditionee kaya malamang ay nag-
aasses din ito sa performance ng bawat isa.

"Not yet. How about you? You're not joining?", tanong niya sa akin and I shrugged my shoulders. Maybe
I'll just help Mia on the script.

Marion pouted. "I wonder why you didn't joined the book club. I've heard from our classmates that
you're a nerd kahit hindi naman halata."

Oh yeah, nerd huh? I thought I wasn't dubbed as nerd but it seems like Amber and Nerd are meant for
wach other. I rolled my eyes upon the thought.

"The book club's president before was my schoolmate in elementary who used to bully me kaya hindi
ako sumali doon", wika ko. Kahit gusto kong doon sumali ay ayaw ko rin namang mabully! That girl is
really mean! She put wad of gums on my hair before.

Hindi na nakasagot pa si Marion dahil tinawag na ang number nito. She winked at me bago tumayo at
nagpunta sa harap. The moment she went there ay marami na ang humanga sa kanya. Yeah, that's
Marion. You'll simply adore her by just looking at her.

She started her audition piece which was a line from Frankenstein?!

She used a line of Frankenteun as an audition piece? I was thinking she would use something more
feminine. Nonetheless, mahusay ang ginagawa nito. Mararamdaman mo ang puso ni Marion sa
ginagawa niya.

After a while ay natapos na ang bawat isa. Mia tally the scores at pumunta sa harap.

"Okay, we already have our casting for the five heroines", wika niya at excited ang lahat. I'm sure Marion
would get one role dahil magaling ito.
"For Cinderella, we'll have Trisha. Snow White will be Rica,Jasmine will be Candice, Belle will be Marion
and lastly Aurora will be Amber", wika ni Mia.

See? I told you na makakakuha talaga ng role si Marion kahit pa bago pa lamang ito sa club.

Nagulat na lang ako ng sabay na tumingin sa akin ang mga member ng club, there was the surprise look
in their faces. Uh what's with them?

Kinalabit ko si Marion sa tabi ko. "Hey, why are they all staring at me like that? Galit ba sila akin? I didn't
do anything." Katakot-takot kasi ang tingin nila sa akin.

Ngumiti si Marion. "Exactly. You haven't done anything but you've got Aurora's role."

Whaaaaaaaaaat?! Aurora?! I've got Aurora's role? But I haven't auditioned!

Tumayo ang isang babae at tinuro ako. "But she didn't auditioned! Paano naman niya nakuha ang
role?!"

"I appointed her", Mia said at napaupo naman ang babae. Tumayo ako at lumapit kay Mia. I pulled her
on the corner upang makausap ito.

"Mia, what is it this time?", I asked her. Mukhang gustong-gusto talaga nitong isali ako. She was grinning
ear to ear!

"I appointed you. Alam mo bang positive ang feedback ng mga taga Bridle and even the outsiders nang
iportray ninyo ni Gray ang Romeo and Juliet? The only negative review there was that guy who went
upstairs. The audience wondered why you didn't finished the play", wika niya. Yeah, it was the part
where Khael stopped Gray from drinking the poison.

"But Mia -"

Pinutol niya ang sasabihin ko at bumalik na sa harap. "I don't hear anything."
Bagsak ang balikat na bumalik ako sa upuan ko ay nilagpasan ang mga mapanuring tingin ng mga club
members. I heard them mumbling something like how lucky I am to be an appointee.

Uh, lucky eh? I don't think so.

**

Sabaw ba ang update? Pasensya na, my brain is bombarded with the exams kaya please bear with me.
At saka salamat sa mga nagvovote at magcocomment! I really appreciate it, pasensya if I cannot reply to
your comments. Salamat din sa mga nagmemessage! At sa nga nag-a-add sa nga RL nila. Mahal ko na
talaga kayoooooo!

Sa mga nagcocomment ng kanilang culprit and deductions, Gray and Amber will bless you! Haha! May
gumagawa din ng ships like GrayEr, ZeusEr, nakakatuwa! Maybe I'll be posting another update as a treat.
Just maybe :)

Keep reading! May the odds be ever on your favor, lol! As usual, read on your own risk. Sorry for the
errors, technically and grammatically. Arigato!

-ShinichiLaaaabs, pogi mula noon hanggang ngayon. ♥

CHAPTER 40: APOLLO IN A LOCKED ROOM

Chapter 40: Apollo in A Locked Room

Yeah, it's a double chapter update. Happy weekend everyone.

-ShinichiLaaaabs ♥

Mabilis na dumaan ang mga araw and everyone in Bridle is busy para sa upcoming school festival. Each
club were practicing for the cultural night at abala ang bawat section para sa mga sports, literary and
musical event.
It's only four days including the weekends bago ang festival at abala na ang lahat. As of the play, araw-
araw kaming nagpapractice.

May mga nagtayo na rin ng mga booth sa grounds ng Bridle. The gym was cleaned up for the basketball
and volleyball. The lawn were already mowed for the soccer and baseball game.

Katatapos lamang ng practice namin. We were on the auditorium with the play's main cast at ng ilang
mga staff.

Tumayo si Marion at lumapit sa akin. "Amber, samahan mo naman ako. We'll pick out our customes for
the play."

"But the club will provide us our custome", wika ko sa kanya.

"I already told Mia about it. She said we can have our own gown as long as it's of the same color", she
said. She's chosing her own gown? Oh yeah, she don't have problems regarding that since they're very
rich.

"Please Amber, samahan mo ako please? Magpapasukat lang ako sa couture", she said and pouted. Uh,
matatanggihan ko ba ito?

Pumayag ako at tuwang-tuwa naman ito. "Yes! Let's go. But first, can we drop by at Castle Hotel?
Pinayagan lang kasi ako ni Daddy na pumunta sa couture kapag kasama ko ang pupuntahan natin sa
hotel", she said and I nodded. Wala namang problema doon.

Umalis kami ng Bridle at sumakay ng taxi papunta sa Castle Hotel. Looks like Marion's daddy don't want
her daughter to be wandering alone. Not bad, they're incredibly rich kaya prone sa mga kidnapping si
Marion.

"Sino ba ang pupuntahan natin sa Castle Hotel Marion?", I asked her ng makasakay na kami ng taxi.
She's frowning mula ng sinabi niya na pupunta kami sa Castle Hotel, maybe she don't like whoever we're
meeting.
I saw her frowned again. "My suitor, oh, not really a suitor. His dad forced him to court me. Daddy
wanted me to be acquainted with that guy since business partner niya ang daddy nung guy."

Sumimangot ulit ito. That's usually the rich kid's problems. Your parents would decide for your partner
and then put you in betrothal. Uh, mabuti na lang at hindi ako pinapakilala nina Daddy sa kung sinu-
sinong anak ng mga business partners nila. Not that we're as rich as the Marion's father.

"You're frowning. You don't like the guy?", tanong ko sa kanya and she shook her head.

"He's hot and handsome but alam mo namang si Gray-chan ang gusto ko diba?", she said. Oh, yeah. He's
into Gray-CHAN. Whatever.

"Besides, I guess we're the same, you know, that guy who's courting me. I don't like him and he doesn't
like me too. Sinabi niya talaga iyon sa akin. Oo, nanliligaw siya but it's like out of compliance. And I hate
such", wika ni Marion.

That's weird. I wonder why there were people who would really go after into orders even if it cost them
their happiness. Courting someone out of compliance? Uh, not good.

Tumigil na ang taxi sa harap ng hotel at bumaba na kami. Marion got her phone and dialled a number.

"He's not answering. He said kanina na pupuntahan ko lang siya dito and call him if I'm already at the
hotel's premises", wika ni Marion.

I looked around the hotel. It was one of the biggest hotels na malapit sa Bridle. Its name suit it dahil
malapalasyo iyon.

"What did you said? Siya pa mismo ang nagpapunta sayo dito? How rude! Guys should be the one
fetching girls and not the other way round", wika ko and Marion chuckled.

"I told you, he's not into me kaya normal lang na hindi niya ako itrato na parang tunay na nililigawan."
Paliwanag ni Marion but I just frowned. Kahit pa siguro hindi niya gusto si Marion, he should be
considerate enough not to let Marion fetch him. That's a guy's job.
I rolled my eyes. "Kahit na, you're still a lady."

Whoever it was, wala siyang modo! He makes a girl fetch him? And now he's not answering his phone?
Uh, what a guy!

Lumapit kami ni Marion sa receptionist at nagtanong doon.

"Excuse me, nagcheck out na ba ang nasa Suite 202? He told me to be here but he's not answering his
phone", tanong niya and the receptionist checked the records.

"Not yet Maam, are you Marion Velmon?", tanong nito at tumango si Marion.

"Mr. Morrison is expecting you on his suit", wika nito at nagpasalamat si Marion. Looks like the guy
already told the receptionist to let Marion went to his suit.

Sumakay kami sa elevator at hinanap ang room number na sinabi ni Marion. We knocked and knocked
ngunit walang sumagot. When I tried to open the door, it wasn't lock.

"Marion, it wasn't locked", wika ko at pumasok si Marion. Sumunod naman ako sa kanya. The occupant's
things were still inside. Naroon din ang cellphone nito.

"It's weird. Nasaan kaya ang lalaking iyon. I already checked the bathroom ngunit wala pa rin", wika ni
Marion.

"Why don't we stay outside? Doon na lang natin siya hintayin sa baba", suhestiyon ko at pumayag
naman si Marion.

Another minus point for that guy! Making a lady wait? Uh, strike 2!

We went out the suite immediately at bumaba na doon. When we passed on the next floor ay may
nakita akong mga tao na kumakatok sa isang kwarto.
"Ricky! Open this door!", sigaw ng lalaki. He knocked and knocked ngunit wala pa ring bumubukas doon.
Mukhang nababahala na din ang mukha ng kasama nitong babae at lalaki.

Napahinto naman ako habang nanunood sa kanila.

"I know you want to checked the situation there", Marion said. ", you're like Gray-chan, a deduction
maniac", wika niya at hinila ako papunta doon. "Halika, let's see what can we do there."

Uh, deduction maniac huh?

Nagpatangay na lang ako sa hila niya at lumapit kami doon.

"Ano po bang nangyari?", tanong ko sa babae ng makarating kami ni Marion doon.

"I've been calling him but he's not answering so I went here alone sa halip na magkita kami sa mall gaya
ng napagkasunduan namin. When I arrived here naabutan ko dito sina Sammy at Allen. They said they're
knocking here for a while ngunit hindi sila binubuksan ni Ricky", wika ng babae.

Bumukas ang katabing pinto. "It's been a while ng kumakatok kayo. You're disturbing other guest here
too."

Humingi naman sila ng paumanhin ngunit nababahala pa rin sila kung bakit hindi dila binubuksan ng
tinatawag nilang Ricky.

"Hindi kaya natutulog lamang ang kaibigan niyo? Look, the door is locked", wika ni Marion.

"But were knocking here and calling his mobile for a while ngunit hindi pa rin siya gumigising kung
natutulog man siya, don't you think it's strange?", wika ng tinawag nila na Allen. The three of them look
like they were on their late 20's.

"Ah, come to think of it. It's almost two hours when I heard a strange noise mula sa suite na iyan", wika
ng guest mula sa katabing kwarto.
Sabay kaming napalingon sa kanya.

"Strange noise?", tanong ng babae. Tumango naman ang hotel guest.

"Yeah, it was a loud thud and it sounded like something's hit. I also heard a faint cry", wika niya. The
rooms there were not sound proof dahil hindi iyon VIP room unlike the one that was used by Marion's
suitor.

"Something must have happened inside", wika ko at nagulat silang tatlo.

"Tatawag na ako ng hotel staff! Baka ano ng nangyari kay Ricky", the girl said at umalis. When she
returned ay may kasama na ito.

They knocked again at wala pa ring nagbukas niyon. Worried about what may happen ay kumuha ng
masterkey ang hotel staff at binuksan ang kwarto.

When he opened it, the safety lock was still latched. Nagulat kami ng may namataan kaming kamay sa
sahig. We can't see the whole body dahil hindi pa maayos na nabuksan ang kwarto since the safety lock
was on.

"What's going on? Is that Ricky's?", tanong ni Sammy. He kicked the door and bumped his body many
times and he was able broke the chain safetly lock.

Nang mabuksan iyon ay agad kaming pumasok. Laking gulat ko ng makita ang lalaking nakahandusay sa
sahig. He's head was bleeding.

It was Apollo!
"Ryu!", wika ni Marion at lumapit kay Apollo. Ryu? She knows Apollo? Hindi kaya ito ang "suitor" niya na
pinuntahan namin dito?

"Marion, siya ba ang hinahanap natin?", tanong ko and she nodded. Inalog niya si Apollo at nagising
naman ito.

"Marie", he said ng makita si Marion.

"It's Marion. Ilang beses ko bang sasabihin na Marion ang pangalan ko at hindi Marie?", Marion said at
inalalayang tumayo si Apollo.

He touched his bleeding head at napangiwi ito. He looked around the room and smirked when he saw
me. Uh, another meeting eh?

"You're here huh", wika niya and I rolled my eyes at him. Takang tiningnan naman kami ni Marion. She
might be wondering why Apollo, or should I say Ryu recognized me.

"You know each other?", she asked at sabay naman kaming sumagot ni Ryu.

"Yes", he said.

"No!", tanggi ko naman and Marion become more confused. Oh yeah, I know him. He's a devil!

Hindi na ako nakasagot dahil nakarinig kami ng sigaw. It was a loud scream from the lady na kasama
namin. We rushed immediately to the bathroom kung saan nangagaling ang sigaw nito.
We saw a guy lying dead on the bathroom's floor. He was hit with something on the head at nagkalat
ang dugo nito sa sahig.

"Call the police immediately!", wika ko at sumunod naman ang hotel staff. I touched the guy's pulse
ngunit binawian na ito ng buhay. Someone was murdered in a sealed room. This is a locked murder case,
no doubt about it.

"Rickyyyyy!", the girl was crying as she saw the guy. Hindi rin halos makapaniwala ang dalawang lalaki.

"We just talked kaninang umaga but now he's dead!", wika ng isang lalaki.

"Ricky. Who did this to you?", sambit naman ng isa.

This case is mysterious. Nakalock ang kwarto and even the safety lock were still latched. Another
suspicious point was Apollo inside the locked room. Ano naman ang ginagawa niya dito?

I turned my gaze at him at nilapitan sitya. "You did this or not?", I asked him directly. I know it's not him
dahil kung ito man ang gumawa niyon, malamang ay gumamit ito ng baril. He's a devil who've got gun.

He raised his brow at me and crossed his arms. "Pointing fingers eh?", wika niya at tinuro ang duguang
ulo. "See this? I'm not stupid as getting myself hit after I killed someone and stayed in that murder
scene."

Tama naman ito but cases associated with death ay hindi ko mapipigilang isipin na may kinalaman ito.
Killing is his forte.

"I'm really confused. How did you know each other?", tanong ni Marion sa amin.

"She's a cat who's good in sticking his butt into others business", wika ni Ryu and smiked at me.

"Shut up devil, I don't know you. Or maybe I know you but I don't remember you. You're not even worth
remembering", sagot ko at mas lalong napangisi ito.
"Really? Acting tough huh? Since wala naman dito ang pinsan ko, I can put my fingers on your pretty
little neck and wring -"

Pinutol ni Marion ang sasabihin nito. "Wait.You're not really friends huh, ngunit hindi niyo naman
kailangang magsagutan as if you're giving each other death threats."

Dumating na ang mga pulis at nag-imbestiga sa paligid, they questioned the three friends of the victim
and Ryu who was inside the crime scene dahil sila ang huling kasama ng biktima bago pa ito pinatay.

The girl's name was Rose Montes. She was the girlfriend of the victim. Ayon sa kanya ay pumunta siya
doon dahil may arrangement sila ng boyfriend niya na magkikita. She stayed there buong gabi at umuwi
pagkaumaga upang magbihis. She left by 7 in the morning.

The guy who pushed the door open was Sammy Raval. He was friend of the victim at katrabaho. Ayon sa
kanya ay pumunta siya roon upang kunin ang mga naiwang trabaho around 8:30 in the morning at
umalis matapos kunin iyon.

The last guy was Allen Salve, at ayon sa kanya ay pumunta siya roon upang kunin sa biktima ang hiniram
nitong pera mula sa kanya but the victim wasn't able to pay kaya umalis na lang siya. He left around 11
in the morning.

"We didn't kill him! I", wika ni Allen.

"Someone might have killed him!", wika naman ni Sammy.

"I shouldn't have leave him", mangiyak-ngiyak na wika ni Rose.

Bumalik si Rose dahil hindi dumating and biktima sa mall gaya ng kasunduan nila. Sammy went back
dahil may naiwan siya sa mga paperworks na kinuha niya mula sa biktima kanina and Allen was
instructed by the victim to come back in thr afternoon dahil magbabayad ito.

Nakatayo lang ako at matamang nakatitig sa tatlo habang tinatanong ito ng mga pulis.
Kumuha ng first aid kit si Marion at inilapag iyon sa harap ni Ryu. "Treat yourself, I don't know how to do
it", wika niya but Ryu just smirked.

Mukhang tama nga si Marion. He's not into her dahil kahit ang simpleng pangalan ni Marion ay hindi
nito maalala and not to mention that he's rude to her.

"Stupid. I can't treat my wound since I cannot see it. Pupunta na lang ako sa clinic ni Tyra after the police
questioning", wika ni Ryu.

"But you may have excessive blood loss", giit ni Marion ngunit tumahimik din ng inirapan siya ni Ryu
bago ito humalukipkip.

Kinuha ko ang first aid kit at binuksan iyon. "I want you dead but since may mga taong nakakakita, I
don't want them to say something like wala man lamang akong ginawa upang tulungan ang isang injured
na tao na tulad mo", wika ko at ginamot ang ulo niya. Hindi na ito pumalag, sa halip ay pinabayaan lang
niya ako.

"Just because I let you treat my wound doesn't mean I owe you my life", wika niya and winced when I
pressed his wound. "Be careful witch!"

"Tumahimik ka kasi diyan, kaya iyan sumasakit kasi ang dami mong sinasabi eh", wika ko sa kanya and
he shut his mouth habang nagtatakang tiningnan naman kami ni Marion.

Lumapit ang mga pulis kay Ryu at ito naman ang tinanong.

"They said you were lying unconscious on the floor, what are you doing here?", tanong ng pulis.

Sinimulan ko nang ibandage ang ulo niya habang kinakausap ito ng mga pulis.

"I was passing this way when I heard a faint cry kaya pumasok ako thinking someone might need help",
wika niya.
Uh, he's thinking someone might need help? This devil would help people? Unbelievable.

"And then? Have you seen the culprit?", tanong ng pulis and Ryu shook his head.

"No, I was about to enter when someone hit me with a hard object and the last thing I knew ay nawalan
ako ng malay. But I did glance a little at the culprit's body. He was wearing a black shirt", wika niya.

Tiningnan ko naman ang tatlong kaibigan ng biktima. No one was in black shirt. Nakapula si Sammy,
nakasuot naman ng asul na polo si Allen. Rose was wearing a pink dress.

"Since the three suspects na pumunta dito and arrange to meet with the victims ay walang nakapula,
could it be possible na wala na rito ang salarin? There were no CCTV camera's on this floor dahil sira
iyon", wika ng isang pulis.

Matapos kong gamutin ang ulo ni Ryu ay naglibot ako sa loob kahit pa binawalan ako ng mga pulis. I
went near the door at tiningnan ang pinto. It was not a simple case dahil nasa loob iyon ng locked room.
How did the culprit managed to escape the room since it was locked with a chain lock from the inside?

I noticed something on the floor kaya pinulot ko iyon. What is this? Is this a tire wire?

Tiningnan ko ang sirang locked. Ah, I guess I have something that can explain this locked room murder.

Tiningnan ko ang tatlo. Anyone of them could be the suspect. The victim let him in kaya marahil ay kilala
ng biktima ang kung sino mang pumatay sa kanya.

But if we take account of Ryu's words, the culprit was wearing a black shirt but none of them is wearing
black. Hindi kaya nagpalit ito ng damit dahil naisip marahil ng salarin na nakita siya ni Ryu?

"I'm gonna punch whoever knocked me! He even let me lay down on that dirty black rug!", narinig kong
nanggagalaiting wika ni Ryu. Oh, the devil's angry huh?

Tiningnan ko ang area kung saan namin natagpuan si Ryu. He was lying on that dirty black rug huh, wait.
There wasn't any black rug three. It was red and not black, hindi kaya -

Ah, this supports my first theory. I think I know whoever the culprit is. Ang kailangan ko na lang ang
ebidensya. I look around but there wasn't anything na maaring magpapatunay na ang taong iyon nga
ang salarin.

Lumapit ako kay Ryu at hinarap siya. "Hey devil, aside sa nakasuot ng itim ang salarin, what else did you
observed?"

He smirked at me. "Why should I answer you? You're not the police."

"Amber's a detective kaya sagutin mo na lang siya", Marion said and Ryu ignored her but Marion is
persistent.

"Sagutin mo na kasi upang masolve na ito and then you can be release here."

"Fine", wika ni Ryu. Kahit labag sa kalooban niya ay pilit niyang inalala ang nangyari. "He's wearing white
socks", he said. "And I can't remember anything. I passed out immediately after being hit."

Lumapit naman ako sa may banyo. The body has been removed and the area where the body was found
was marked by the police habang iniimbestigahan nila iyon.

"Hey, I told you not to wander around, this is police works already", wika ng isang pulis.

Lumapit ako ng kaunti and I saw something which will be enough evidence.

"I guess I know who killed the victim", deklara ko at napatingin silang lahat sa akin. Yeah, I'm now sure of
it after seeing the place where the victim's body was found.
"Hey brat, this isn't school work. This is murder", wika ng pulis at tumango ako sa kanya.

"Yeah, this is police works but why don't you hear my deduction to make this locked room case come
into light?", wika ko sa kaya.

"She's a high school detective and she's been helping some police", wika ni Marion. Lumapit sila ni Ryu
sa amin kung saan naroon din ang tatlong suspect.

"Fine, who do you think is the culprit and what's your bases?", tanong ng isang pulis.

Lumapit naman si Rose sa amin. "I thought some other guy in black killed him", wika niya.

"No, it was one of the three of you", wika ko at tiningnan sila.

Galit nasumagot naman si Allen.

"Hey, make sure you're giving the right name dahil hindi ito isang laro", wika niya sa akin.

"Yeah, according to that guy there", tinuro ko s i Ryu, "he saw someone in a black shirt but the truth is
he saw someone in red shirt."

Gulat naman silang napatingin kay Sammy.

"Are you saying I'm the culprit?", galit nitong wika.

"Yeah, you killed the victim and hit Ryu in the head", wika ko. "Ryu is color blind. He mistook red for
black. It's the case when someone has dichromic color blindness particularly protanopia", wika ko.
"What's protanopia?", tanong ni Marion. They were all puzzled by those terms classes of color blindness
deficiency.

"It's a severe type of color vision deficiency due to the absence of red retinal photoreceptors", wika ko.

Ryu stepped in at nagslita.

"You sounded like my doctor. Yeah, I'm color blind and I forgot to wear my single-red tint contact lens
which I should put on my non-dominant eye. Ngayon ko lang naalala na hindi ko iyon suot and I mistook
red for black. Protan's like me find it difficult to distinguish red and mistook it for black. We hardly
distinguish blue from purple too", wika ni Ryu at bumaling sa akin. "How do you know I have such vision
deficiency?"

"It's when you said you laid on the on the black rug when in fact it is red", wika ko

"And how do you know a lot about that deficiency Amber?", tanong ni Marion.

"I used to read a lot", wika ko and I saw Ryu smirked.

"Freak", he uttered and I ignored him.

"How about the door, it's locked from the inside, right?", wika ng isang pulis.

"About it, the culprit already detached it bago pa man siya umalis mula sa kwartong ito. He removed
some chains and connected it again with a tire wire nang nasa labas na siya. By that he has the safety
lock still latched. After attaching it, he locked the room from the inside, completing this locked room
murder after killing the victim and hitting Ryu", wika ko.

"But we can discover that trick", wika ng pulis.

"No, dahil sa simula pa lang ay alam na niya ang mangyayari kaya niya sinira ang safety lock at
nagkunwaring nag-aalala sa nangyari. By that even if we saw that the safety lock was manipulated,
police may just thought that it was because sinira iyon upang makapasok."
Galit na lumapit si Sammy sa akin. "Anyone could have done it! At bakit ba ako ang itinuturo mo? do you
have any evidence?", wika niya.

"Of course. Ryu said that you were wearing a white sock at naroon ang ebidensya ko", wika ko at
nagtaka ang lahat.

"What?!", tanong niya.

"Remove your shoes", sabat ni Ryu. "The evidence is in your socks."

Lumapit naman ang isang pulis at yumuko. "Maari ba naming tingnan ang medyas mo?"

Sammy removed his shoes and showed us his socks at gawa nga ng inaasahan, naroon ang ebidensya.
There was a trace of blood under it. Malamang ay hindi niya namalayan na nakaapak siya ng kaunting
dugo ng biktima.

"You killed him Sam?", napaiyak na wika ni Rose. Hindi ito makapaniwala sa nangyari.

Napayuko naman si Sammy.

"Yeah, I killed him."

"How dare you! You're a murderer! I thought kaibigan ka namin!", hysterical na wika ni Rose. Inalo
naman ito ni Allen.

"Huminahaon ka Rose", wika ni Allen.

"Alam mo ba kung bakit ko siya pinatay? It's because he said na malaki ang utang niya kay Allen and he
wasn't able to get enough money from you! Oo Rose! Piniperahan ka lamang ni Ricky! That's why
nagdilim ang paningin ko at hindi ko napigilan ang sarili ko!", wika niya at napatigil naman si Rose. Halos
hindi ito makapaniwala sa narinig.
Pinosasan na ng mga pulis si Sammy. "Ikwento mo ang buong pangyayari sa presinto", wika ng pulis at
inilabas na si Sammy.

Panay naman ang iyak ni Rose dahil sa nalaman at inaya ko na si Marion na umalis matapos
nagpasalamat ang pulis sa akin.

Lumabas na kami doon at nagpunta sa suite ni Ryu.

"You're a freak huh. You identified the culprit. Oh, I forgot to punch that guy!"

I rolled my eyes at him. Lumapit si Marion kay Ryu. "Wag ka na lang sumama sa amin ni Amber.
Magpahinga ka na lang muna dahil sariwa pa ang sugat mo sa ulo", wika ni Marion but Ryu disagreed.

"Papagalitan ako ni Daddy kapag hindi kita sinamahan Marie", wika nito and I saw Marion frowned.

"I told you, it's Marion", inis niyang wika but Ryu just smirked.

"Whatever."

Bumaba na kami matapos kunin ni Ryu ang kanyang cellphone at susi at nagpunta sa parking lot ng
hotel.

Naghintay kami habang kinuha ni Ryu ang kanyang kotse and I almost cussed ng huminto ang kotse niya
sa harap namin. He was driving a dodge challenger SRT8!

Holy crap! Talking about rich kids huh?! Lalo na't sangkot pa ito sa isang mafia.

He didn't bother to open the doors for us kaya sumakay ako sa likod samantalang sa harap naman si
Marion. She instructed him to drive into a known couture. It was a very nice car and I wasn't
comfortable riding it!
Uh, the devil's driving luxurious cars huh? I think I'd better used to Apollo/Ryu's appearance in my life
since prospect husband pala ito ng daddy ni Marion para sa anak.

That Greek mythology coded mafia! I've been meeting a lot of its members lately.

Ibinaling ko na lamang sa labas ng bintana ang paningin at naghintay hanggang sa dumating kami sa
destinasyon.

--

Vote and Comment! Thanks :*

CHAPTER 41: INTELLIGENCE QUOTIENT

Chapter 41: Intelligence Quotient

Hey, wala ba kayong napapansin? Ganda nung bagong cover ano? HAHA! Maraming salamat kay
Thwackpsyche, siya ang may gawa niyan. Arigato!

Alam ko na nauumay na kayo sa mga cases at nagmumukha nang case magnet si Amber kaya pass muna
tayo sa mga kaso ngayon. This chapter is to answer the frequently asked question about their IQs and
"some" (just some) Gramber moments, kaso lame akong magpakilig kaya bear with it HAHA! (though
may mga epal na Marion and Ryu).

Pasensya din kung ngayon pa lamang ako nakapag-update. Tinapos ko kasi yung Akatsuki no Yona at
Another! Hi sa mga reader na otaku! :D

Keep safe guys, baka kasi dumating ang mga zombies. They will eat our brains, Lol! xD

Lovelots, ShinichiLaaaabs. ♥
Chapter 41: Intelligence Quotient

First day ng school festival at abala ang bawat isa sa kanya-kanyang gawain. It's also the opening of the
sports events and double elimination process need to be done kaya abala ang buong Bridle.

There were different booths from each club and sections. Katatapos lamang ng opening ceremony.

On the first day of the festival ay puro sports event ang magaganap. Our section has been boosting our
players para sa kani-kanilang event. The basketball players were already on their respective uniforms.

The first game was basketball and the Grade 9's opponents were the Grade 10. Marami ang nanunuod
since the gates were open for the outsiders to visit Bridle High on its school festival.

The temperature in the gym was increasing. It was a close fight and Grade 10 has only 3 point advantage
against the Grade 9.

I heard a sigh on my side at nang lingunin ko iyon ay nakita ko ang bored na mukha ni Gray.

He's slouching in his seat at hindi man lamang tinitingnan ang mga naglalaro sa court.

It was a good game, why is he sighing? Inilagay niya ang mukha sa kanyang palad at muling bumuntong-
hininga.
Uh, now I remembered that he's not into basketball. At bakit naman siya nanunuod dito? He could just
leave if he wanted to.

Mahinang siniko ko siya, causing his face to fall from his palm. He gave me dagger looks.

"What's that for?

Itinuro ko ang scoreboard. "It's a good game, why do you have to project a bored face like that?" I saw
him pouted ngunit ganoon pa rin ang reaksyon nito. He doesn't even budge when the crowd screams ng
makashoot ng tree points ang isang players mula sa Grade 9.

"I'm not interested in basketball", wika niya sa akin. Sumandal siya at inilagay ang dalawang kamay sa
ulo.

"Why are you even here in the first place?", tanong ko sa kanya.

"I'm bored", he said.

"Fourth quarter is almost over. I'm amazed how you survived watching the game even if you don't like
it", wika ko sa kanya. "Are you going to watch the second game?"
Umiling ito. "Nope, I'll be dead due to boredom if I do", wika niya. He's exaggerating eh?

"Hey, why don't we have a deal? If Grade 9 wins, we'll be watching the second game but if the Grade 10
does, let's visit the horror booth outside", wika niya.

Is he serious? The horror booth? He's making a bet out of it?

Tiningnan ko ang nalalabing oras sa electric scoreboard. There was only 34 seconds left and Grade 9 has
a two point advantage against the Grade 10. Imposible ng manalo ng Gade 10 base sa nalalabing oras.

"Hey, why are you betting against the Grade 10? Nasaan ba ang loyalty mo?", tanong ko sa kanya and he
chuckled.

"Of course I want the Grade 9 to win but I have a premonition that Grade 10 will win the basket", wika
niya. "So? Deal?"

Horror booth huh? I'm not into those things dahil matatakutin ako, but I believe that Grade 9 will win
the game kaya pumayag ako.

"Deal!

The timeout resumes at bumalik na sa court ang mga players. Excited ang lahat and they hardly can't
breathe dahil sa init ng laban.
Grade 9 has the ball, looks like they keep on passing it to kill time at para maiwasang makascore ulit ang
Grade 10.

Nagulat na lang ang lahat ng maagaw ng isang player ang bola at ipinasa sa kasama nito. The grade 10
three pointer run towards their ring and position himself to the three point and shoot the ball.

Halos hindi makahinga ang lahat when the ball reach the ring and it went in kasabay ng buzz. A buzzer
beater!

Napasigaw sa tuwa ang mga Grade 10! It was indeed a good game. I also heard a Yes beside me and it
was Gray. Looks like he won.

"So, shall we go? I'm dying to get my ass out of here", wika niya at tumayo. I took a deep sigh at
sumunod sa kanya. Horror booth, here we come.

Palabas na kami ng gym ng biglang may tumawag sa amin. Nang lingunin namin ito, it was Marion and
she was with that devil Ryu.

Huminto kami ni Gray at hinintay na makalapit sila.

"Hey, who's that guy with Marion?", Gray whispered in my ears.

He's a devil who's after my life. "He's name is Ryu, Marion's suitor", sagot ko sa kanya. Hindi na ito
sumagot pa dahil nakalapit na sina Marion.

"You're not watching the second game?", Marion asked at umiling kaming dalawa ni Gray.

"Nope, we're going ghost hunting at the horror booth", nakangiting wika ni Gray. I gave him a dagger
look, ghost hunting huh?

I saw Ryu smirked at me. Kailan ba siya hindi nagsmirk sa akin? Mukhang sa araw-araw na ginawa ng
Diyos, nakatadhana na talaga na ganoon si Ryu. You would be wondering if he's not smirking at you.

"Why don't we join them? A witch will go ghost hunting huh? Interesting", Ryu said at hindi ako iniiwan
ng tingin.

Tiningnan naman ako ni Gray at mahinang siniko. "You know him?"

Nagulat na lang ako ng humakbang si Ryu palapit sa amin at inilahad ang kamay kay Gray.

"I believe you're Gray. I'm Ryu", wika ni Ryu at tinanggap ni Gray ang nakalahad nitong palad.

He knows Gray? How? Naikwento ba ito ni Marion?

Tinanggap ni Gray ang palad nito at hindi man lamang tinanong kung bakit kilala ito ni Ryu.
"So, shall we join them?", baling ni Ryu kay Marion. Lumawak naman ang ngiti ni Marion at tiningnan si
Gray bago tumango. Lumapit ito kay Gray at kumapit sa braso niya.

I saw Gray frowned ngunit nagpatuloy lang kami sa paglalakad papunta sa horror booth. Uh, with this
devil around the horror booth would seem realistic.

Lumapit sa akin si Ryu at bumulong. "Hey, is it fine with you that that barbie is clinging to your
boyfriend?", tanong niya sa akin.

Barbie? He's calling Marion as barbie? And who is he calling my boyfriend? Si Gray? Uh.

"He's not my boyfriend moron!", I hissed at him and he chuckled.Nagpatiuna na ako ng lakad sa kanya.
Wala siyang kwentang kausap. Not that I want to talk to him though.

Dumating na kami sa harap ng horror booth and Gray brought four passes for us. I took a deep sigh. Am I
really going in? Sana hindi na lang ako pumayag sa pustahan namin ni Gray. Sa labas pa lamang ng booth
ay nakakapangilabot na. There were creepy mannequins hanged on the sides.

Pagpasok din sa loob ay may klase-klaseng nakalambitin! There were mummies around at may mga
ataul!

Shit! How do they come up with such ideas? I felt a cold hand touch my arm at paglingon ko ay lalaking
walang ulo ang nakahawak sa akin.

"Graaaaaaaaaayyy!", I shrieked and kick the headless guy. Natumba ito at natanggal ang tila leeg na
costume.

"Aray!", the headless guy said ng matumba. "Hey, don't take this seriously!", galit nitong wika at iniwan
ako.Uh, I've been that hard. Kahit alam kong mga estudyante lang ang mga ito, nakakatakot pa rin.

That's his fault for scaring me! I don't care if this is a horror booth! Ayaw kong matakot at ayaw kong
takutin!
Naglakad pa ako papasok. Shit, it's too dark and creepy here. I saw a coffin at ng dumaan ako ay bigla
nalang itong bumangon!

Shocks, alam ba nila na ayaw ko ang ginugulat ako? I can't stop myself from punching the guys' face kay
nawalan ito ng malay at muling nahiga sa kabaong!

Uh, that's the second for today. This is all Gray's fault! Tapos iniwan pa niya ako! If I can't find someone
to cling on ay baka lahat ng nakacostume na multo dito ay masapak ko.

Nagulat na lang ako ng may humila sa akin at nang tingnan ko iyon, it was Gray. Thank goodness!

"You'll end up beating all the guy here", wika niya. I saw amusement in his face sa kabila ng malamlam
na ilaw.

What is he amused about? I hit him in the stomach at napangiwi ito sa sakit habang hawak hawak ang
tiyan.

"Hey what was that for!", tanong niya. Tinaasan ko siya ng kilay! How dare him asked?

"That's for bringing me here and leaving me along! Walang hiya ka!", I hissed at him at mahinang
tumawa ito. Nabubuwesit ako sa paraan ng pagtawa niya!

He's laughing at me? Kulang pa siguro ang isang suntok! I motioned my fist to hit him in the face ngunit
nauna niyang hawakan ang kamay ko.

"Enough violence please", he said at bahagya pa ring tumatawa. "You're so cute when you're pissed."

Ano raw? Shit! Why do I have a feeling that I'm blushing? Mabuti na lang talaga at malamlam ang ilaw
dito, it's somewhat useful.

Binawi ko ang kamay ko mula sa pagkakahawak niya. I am blushing eh? So not me!
"I hate you", wika ko and he pouted. Gosh, why does he looks so cute when he's pouting?

"I'm sorry for leaving you, okay? Marion has been clinging to me all this time. God, she's creepier than
the ghosts here. Nakakahiya naman kay Ryu", Gray said at hinawakan ang kamay ko. "Let's just walk
together till the end of the booth at aalis na agad tayo."

I stared at our hands. I remembered the Acronym that Andi used to say.

HHWW.

Holding Hands While Walking and that's what we are doing now.

Well, yuck. The meaning is gross. Napakacorny!

There were so many types of ghosts along the way but hindi na ako natakot. Is it because Gray is holding
my hand? Uh, I don't know. Maybe.

Paglabas namin sa exit ay naroon na sina Ryu at Marion. I saw Marion glanced at our intertwined hands
and she frowned. Agad ko namang binawi ang kamay ko.

"How's inside?", tanong ni Ryu kay Gray. Uh, they're already close?

"No fun at all. Amber keeps on punching every ghost", natatawang wika nito at tumawa rin si Ryu.

"What? You want to be hit too?", I asked him. The devil's laughing, whatever.

"Why don't we eat together? My treat!", wika ni Marion at hinila si Gray, leaving Ryu to me.
Pagkakataon ko naman na kausapin si Ryu. I raised on brow to him.

"Hey devil, how do you know Gray?", tanong ko sa kanya. Nakakapagtaka kasi na kilala nito si Gray. I
doubt Marion talked about Gray with him.

"I have my ways, I'm the great Apollo, remember?", he said. Uh yeah, he's Apollo! Paano ko ba iyon
makakalimutan?

Behind his handsome face was a dangerous man. Ayoko ng isipin kung ilang tao na ba ang pinatay nito.

"Can you please pretend that you're not around? Your presence irks me", wika ko sa kanya at mas lalong
dumikit pa ito!

"Too bad, you'll be seeing me for this whole week since the old man orders me to stick around with that
stupid barbie over there", he pointed Marion who was currently clinging to Gray. "Look, she's clinging
with your guy, why don't you -"

I cut him off. "Shut up! He's not my boyfriend moron!"

Napalakas yata ang boses ko dahil napatigil sina Gray at nilingon kami. Napalingon din sa gawi namin ni
Ryu ang mga tao sa paligid.

Ryu smirked at me. "Be nice to me." He said at hinila na ako palapit kina Marion. Uh, why is he dragging
me like this? Close ba kami? He's holding my wrist as if I have allowed him!

"Hey Gray. I'm getting jealous, we have to trade partners. Here's this witch Amber at akin na yan si
Marie", Ryu said.

Nalukot naman ang mukha ni Marion. "Marion, Ryu! It's Marion!", she hissed. Ano bang klaseng IQ ang
meron si Ryu at simpleng pangalan lang ay hindi nito matandaan?!
Ryu smiled sweetly. "It's my unique endearment for you. Everyone's calling you Marion, so I'm making a
sweet and unique nickname for you."

Yuck. Hindi pala bagay dito ang magsweet-sweetan. Nakakadiri.

"You owe me one. Now go and fight for your love", he whispered bago hinila si Marion palayo sa amin.
Naiwan kaming dalawa ni Gray doon.

Uh, did he said fight for your love? Tsk, he's really annoying. I gave him dagger stares on his back. Sayang
nga eh, he can't be dead with such stares.

"It seems like you get along with Ryu that much", wika ni Gray at nagsimula na rin kaming maglakad.

Huh? We get along that much? Naaamaze nga ako na hindi kami nagpapatayan kapag nagkikita kami.

"He's annoying I can't stand him", wika ko. Uh, ako at si Ryu, magkakasundo? No way! They're monsters!
Sila na Zeus! They are living bad luck!

Pumasok sina Marion at Ryu sa cafeteria kaya sumunod kami doon, there were also stalls of the
homemaker's club there kaya may mga abgong pagkain. They are serving homemade pizzas and other
delicacies.

Gusto ko tuloy lantakan ang mga kakanin na nasa stall.

We sat in the table. It was a round table kaya nasa gilid ko lamang sina Gray at Ryu.

We ordered different foods at napakarami niyon! Gosh, paano ba namin iyon mauubos? Uh, ayaw ko na
lang magreklamo, it's free food anyway. Manlilibre daw si Marion, diba?

Nang nasa mesa na ang lahat ng order naming ay kumuha si Marion at nilagyan ang plato ni Gray. "Here
Gray, you eat this. This is delicious", masiglang wika ni Marion. Uh, she's flirting with Gray kahit pa nasa
tabi lang nito si Ryu. I can't blame them; they don't even like each other.
Inilapit ni Ryu ang upuan niya palapit sa akin. "Hey, I thought your fighting for your love, you're so slow",
he whispered.

Uh! Ano bang problema niya? Nilalason niya ang utak ko! At isa pa, who told him to whisper in my ears,
as if we're friends! I pictured him out as Satan, tempting Jesus! Panay ang bulong niya sa akin. Well
yeah, he's really a devil.

I stepped hard on his foot under the table. Napangiwi naman ito at napamura.

"Shit!", he cussed at binigyan ako ng masamang tingin.

"What's wrong Ryu?", Marion asked. Mukhang ngayon lang nito napansin na narito si Ryu. Duh, the devil
exists.

He shook his head at ngumiti ng pilit. "Nothing, just a big ant", wika niya at muli akong tiningnan ng
masama. I saw him smirked and a naughty smile emerged from his face, as if he got some bright idea.

Kumuha siya ng pagkain at nilagay sa plato ko.

"Here, eat Amber. It's good for you, you know", wika niya at kumindat sa akin.

Ew, that's gross! Kung ibang babae lang siguro ay baka kinilig na ang kung sino mang kindatan ni Ryu,
well not me! Lalo na at alam kong halang ang kaluluwa nito.

Mas inilapit pa niya ang upuan sa akin, making his elbow touched mine. God, he's annoying! What is he
up to?

"What are you doing devil?", I asked him in a low voice. Bigla na lang kasi itong nagsweet-sweetan. Is he
matchmaking me for Gray? Hinawakan niya ang mahabang buhok ko at inamoy-amoy iyon!

Shit, kahit alam kong hindi amoy araw ang buhok ko, naconcious pa rin ako! I prevented my elbow to
land on his face kahit pa kating-kati na ako na gawin iyon!
"Your hair smells like strawberry, it's so sweet", wika nito. What now? He sounded like a poet and it's so
pathetic.

Hinila ko ang buhok ko mula sa pagkakahawak niya and fixed it on my left side. Pumulot ako ng isang
slice ng pizza at isinalampak iyon sa bibig ni Ryu. I know he's mad ngunit ngumiti pa rin ito habang
nginunguya ang pizza!

I saw his ears reddened, yeah! It was stuffed with super spicy ketchup!

"Uh, isn't that sweet?", wika ni Marion habang nakatingin sa amin ni Ryu. "You to look good together",
wika niya at nabitawan ko ang kubyertos samantalang napaubo naman si Ryu. Gray dropped a glass at
nabasag iyon!

"Are you three okay?", tanong ni Marion. What? Is she crazy? Ako at si Ryu? Uh, para na rin nitong
sinabi na nakakapagsalita ang isda! Impossible!

"Uh, never. He's not my type and will never be my type", wika ko at pinasadahan ng tingin si Ryu. He's
smirking again. Yeah, the usual, Ryu-way.

"Really? What's your type then?", tanong ni Gray. Well my type? I'm not really sure about it.

"Ako, I like smart guys", masiglang wika ni Marion. Oh, sana sinabi na lang nitong she likes Gray.

Bigla naming tumunog ang cellphone ni Ryu kaya napatahimik kaming lahat ng sinagot niya iyon.

"Yes?", tanong nito. His face seemed irritated.

Bigla na lamang may lumapit na babae sa likuran ni Ryu, and when I looked up halos mapatda ako ng
makita ko kung sino iyon.

Shit! She's the one whom I saw shot the guy dead in the Olympus Campsite.
Artemis.

"Hi couz!", masiglang bati nito mula sa likuran ni Ryu at ulat na napatayo naman ang huli. Oh, she's
talking to Artemis in the phone right? "Sabi ko na nga ba na ikaw iyon. I was suspecting it's you that I
saw but I'm not really sure kaya I called you and it was confirmed", she said at ngumiti ng malawak.

Napakaamo ng mukha nito, you wouldn't thought that she'd shot someone fearlessly.

Her gaze went down on me at mas lalong lumapad ang ngiti nito. "Hi Amber", she said at bumeso pa sa
akin. Damn, I'm shaking here already samantlang nagawa pa nitong bumeso sa akin. She's a good actress
huh? "So, who are these people here, especially this handsome one here", wika ito at tiningnan si Gray
at Marion.

Nagtaka naman sina Marion at Amber kung bakit kilala ako ni Artemis. Was that really her name?
ipinakakilala naman ni Ryu sina Gray at Marion. "The girl is Marion Velmon", wika nito.

An 'oh' formed on Artemis' lips. "You must be that girl that tito keeps talking about. And you,
handsome?", she said smiling.

Tumayo si Gray at inilahad ni Gray ang palad kay Artemis. "Gray Ivan Silvan, maam", magalang nitong
bati. Maam huh? Halatang mas matanda sa amin si Artemis but addressing her as maam sounds so old.

"Well hi, I'm Ryza Falcon, Ryu's cousin", she said at tinanggap ang palad ni Gray. She stared at him for a
while, assessing him. "IQ level, above genius right? 127, superior. Not really accurate, but
approximately. Obtains fluid intelligence which includes the broad ability to reason from mere concepts
and unaccustomed problems using novel procedures, can reason using previously learned procedures.
Good quantitative reasoning, long-term storage and retrieval, superior visual processing and processing
speed."
Napanganga naman kami. What is she talking about? She identified Gray's IQ level by mere looking at
him? Unbelievable.

Hiyang napangiti si Gray. "Hmm, actually it's previously 128 but since it changes as one aged, maybe that
one or lesser and those factors are somewhat true according to my recent IQ test. Hey, how do you do
that?", manghang tanong ni Gray.

"Amzing!", Marion exclaimed.

"She's just mumbling crazy things. She really can't identify your IQs, she's purely guessing", pagbabara ni
Ryu sa pagkamangha namin kay Ryza.

I saw Artemmis pouted. "That's rude couz! I've got a degree in Psychology and I graduated with flying
colors", wika niya. But is it really true na nababasa niya ang IQ ng isang tao? Is that even possible?

"Oh well, I'm actually guessing but I have some psychological bases kaya wag kayong maniniwala sa
paninira ng batang iyan", she said at naupo sa upuan na inihanda ni Gray sa kanya. "Want to try it again
with you Amber?"

Oh, she's talking to me like nothing just happened. That event in the Olympus has been traumatic for
me! And they keep on reminding that event to me since they have been having so much exposure on my
daily life.

Hindi man ako pumayag ay nagsimula na itong magsalita.

Naningkit ang mga mata nito habang nakatingin sa akin at kinagat ang ibabang labi. "IQ level, 125,
superior enough. General factors, hmmmm, fluid intelligence and also crystallized which includes your
breadth and depth knowledge, comprehensive quantitative reasoning, long term storage and retrieval,
superior visual and superior processing so just like Gray, you can recall visual representations, can
process and discriminate speech sounds even under distorted situation. Am I right?", nakangiting wika
nito.

"Maybe. A similar one has been the result of my previous IQ test", wika ko. Papalakpakan ko ang sarili ko
dahil nagawa ko ng pakalmahin ang sarili ko habang kasama nina Ryu at Ryza.
"Tsk, you're fooling around Ryza", wika ni Ryu. Looks like naiirita ito sa presensya ni Ryza.

Bumaling naman si Ryza kay Marion. "You want me to assess you too?", tanong nito at tumutol naman
ang huli.

"Oh, no need. I'm not as smart as them. I've got an average IQ", wika ni Marion at ngumiti lamang kay
Ryza.

"No problem then", wika nito at tiningnan ang mga pagkain sa mesa. "Uh! I'm hungry now! Can I eat
with you?", tanong nito at agad na sumagot si Marion na halos kapanabay lamang ni Ryu.

"No, you can't", Ryu said.

"Sure Ate Ryza!", wika naman ni Marion at tuwang-tuwa naman ito at binelatan si Ryu, who just smirked
at her. Mukhang kahit pinsan nito ay hindi makakaligtas sa walang hanggang smirk nito.

"Yeheeey!", how about you Gray and Amber? Is it fine?", she asked and pouted. Oh, she's kinda childish.
Kaya siguro naiirita si Ryu dito.

Matapos kumain ay nagpaalam na si Gray sa amin. Mamaya ay first game ng soccer kaya excited ito.
nagpaalam naman sina Ryu at Ryza samantalang nagpunta naman kami ni Marion sa auditorium dahil
may practice para sa nalalapit na play. We've only got two days kaya subsob kami sa ensayo.

We practiced for almost two hours at ayon kay Mia ay mga konting polishing na lang ng kulang. After the
practice ay dumeretso ako sa field. Una ng umuwi si Marion dahil may gagawin pa daw ito.

It was currently a penalty kick and Gray nailed it. They won with a 2 points gap. Looks like he's really
good in soccer dahil nanalo ang grade 9 with Gray as the key middlefielder.

I glanced at my watch. It's already 3 in the afternoon kaya nagpasya akong umuwi ng dorm upang
makapagpahinga. Tomorrow will be another busy day.
--

Bitin ano? Sorry :)

Votes and comments are highly appreciated.

CHAPTER 42: FAIRYTALE NIGHT

Chapter 42: Fairytale Night

The past three days of the school festival have been a strenuous one dahil mahigpit ang laban when it
comes to the sports and literary events.

We're down to the last two days of the school festival. Mamayang gabi ay ang cultural night at club
presentations samantalang bukas ng gabi naman ang masquerade party at grand fireworks display.

Nasa auditorium kami at abala sa huling practice. The idea that Mia come up with was great.

"Pagod na ako Mia", reklamo ni Marion. "We've been practicing for hours." Naupo ito sa tabi at hinimas-
himas ang paa. Nasa tabi din namin ang mga props at iba pang mga characters.

Mia glanced at her watch. "Okay, 3 hours custome and make up preparations would be fine. You go and
prepare", she said at umalis na ang lahat upang maghanda.

May mga make up artist ang kanya-kanyang main lead ng play but Marion got her own HMUA. Oh, even
her own gown.

Umuwi muna ako ng dorm at naligo. Walang tao sa loob ng kwarto namin, maybe may sinalihan na
event sina Andi at Therese.
I can't believe that I will be onstage again upang magperform. Namumuro na yata si Mia sa kanyang
ginagawa sa akin.

Bumalik na ako sa club office at inayosan ako ni Lexie. He's a gay who's member of the club. I'm
portraying Aurora's role so he let my hair loose. He applied a little make up and emphasized my facial
features.

I really can't believe na ako ang nakikita ko sa salamin. Oh, well hindi naman talaga ako mahilig sa make
up kaya marahil ay naninibago ako sa mukha ko.

"You're so beautiful Amber! You don't need much make up!", maarte nitong wika at hinarap ako sa
salamin.

Beautiful eh? But I do admit na humanga din ako sa resulta ng ginawa ni Lexie.

"Thanks Lex, by the way, nasaan ang iba?", tanong ko. Napansin ko kasi na kami lamang dalawa ang
naroon. The other lead characters and their make up artist are nowhere to be find.

"They're on the other rooms. Pagandahan kasi kami ng model", wika nito. Uh, seriously?

"Marion was there too. I don't like her HMUA, and I don't like her too", wika nito habang sinusuklayan
ako. He don't like Marion ?

"Mabait naman si Marion ah", komento ko. Marion is a bitch sometimes ngunit mabait din naman ito.

"I don't know. I just feel she have something on her sleeves", Lexie said.

"My gown is tube cut so I guess I have no sleeves Lexie."

Sabay kaming napalingon kay Marion na bagong dati. Uh, she heard it huh?
Nakaayos na ito. Her short red hair have extensions, making it long. She's wearing a yellow tube dress
na bumagay sa maputing kutis nito. It displays her sexy hips dahil hapit iyon sa katawan. May malaking
slit iyon sa gilid which shows her long legs. Her white arm warmer reach just below her elbow.

Magandang-maganda ito dahil sa kanyang ayos. Gosh, nakakahiyang tumabi dito!

Our gowns' colors were based on the Disney's adaptation of the fairytale kaya dilaw ang gown ni Marion
ay dahil ito ang gaganap na Belle.

"Marion, you're so beautiful!", wika ko sa kanya. She smiled at me.

"Thanks, Amber! How about you? Bakit hindi ka pa nagbibihis?", tanong nito.

"Kakatapos ko lang kasing ayusan eh", wika ko.

She raised one brow at me. "Talaga? Naayosan ka na?", she said and throw a look at Lexie. Looks like
narinig nga nito ang sinabi ng bakla kanina.

Umirap naman si Lexie. Mukhang magkatulad lang sila, they mutually don't like each other.

"Oh, by the way, I brought a dress for you. I guess this fits you well", wika niya. She handed me the
paperbag that she was holding.

Nang tingnan ko ang laman niyon ay isang pink na long gown. It was a pale pink gown with lace
shoulders and an open back! Lace din sa may dibdib niyon but only enough to display one's cleveage.

"Aurora would look good in that dress", she said and winked.

Whaaaaat?! Pasusuotin niya ako niyon?! My God, halos makita na nga ang kaluluwa ko sa damit na iyon.
Muli ko iyong ibinalik sa paperbag at ibinigay sa kanya. "I'm not wearing that Marion. At isa pa, may
damit ng inihanda si Mia sa akin." There's no way I'll be wearing that gown!

Inilabas niya ulit ang damit at hinila ako sa tabi. "Mia already approved this gown kaya ito ang susuotin
mo." She untied my robe.

Uhh! What is she doing?! Bibihisan niya ako.

"Hoy! Ano ba?", I grabbed my robe at lumayo ng konti.

"Kaya nga magbihis ka na kung ayaw mong ako ang magbihis sayo", wika niya and I sighed.

"Fine! Give me that dress and you wait outside", wika ko sa kanya. I guess I have no other choice.

Sinuot ko ang gown. Uh, this is so awkward to wear. Napakarevealing ng damit. I'll admit it was nice at
bumagay iyon sa akin, but for goodness' sake! Its back is so open, displaying all of my back! Mabuti na
lang at wala akong mga tinatago sa likod ko!

Nang lumabas ako ay halos mapanganga si Marion. She's speechless for a few minutes bago ako
niyakap.

"Kyaaaaaaah! Amber! Sabi ko na nga ba na babagay sayo eh!", she said at pinaikot ako. She examined
every detail of the gown on my body. "Gosh, you really are beautiful!"

I rolled my eyes at her. "You're exaggerating", wika ko sa kanya.

"Really Amber, ang ganda mo", she said at lumabas na kami ng office. Nagpunta kami sa backstage ng
function hall kung saan gaganapin ang cultural night. All the play's lead heroines are dashing in their long
gowns. Maging ang gumanap na prince ay nakapag-ayos na din.

Nagsimula na ang cultural night at nauna ang mga musical events. Marami ring tao sa loob ng function
hall dahil open pa rin ang event ngayong gabi maliban sa masquerade ball bukas.
I was on one side of the backstage, playing with my cold white fingers. Bakit ba ako kinakabahan? It's
not my first time to act is school plays anyway.

I felt an arm snaked around my waist. Someone pulled me towards him and whispered into my ears.

"I know Aurora sleep for few years because of a spinning wheel, why don't we make it something new.
Aurora sleeps forever because of a gun."

I pushed away that someone at base sa tinig nito, I figured out it was that devil! Damn that Ryu!

"You're not funny", wika ko sa kanya. Damn him! He just showed up and threatened me with those
words. Gusto ba niya talaga akong patayin? I'm trying my best to forget that their mafia existed!

"I'm not trying to make you laugh", he said at humakbang palapit sa akin. I stepped backward ngunit
mas lalo lamang siya lumapit at napaatras ulit ako hangang sa mag dead end na. Napasandal na lamang
ako sa dingding.

Shit! What is he doing?

He put his arms on my sides, trapping me in! "Now I know why Zeus is crazy over you", he said. "Smart
and somewhat beautiful."

Napalunok ako dahil sa sinabi niya. Pinaalala pa niya sa akin si Zeus!? Who really the hell is that Zeus? I
know that I know whoever the man behind the mask is; I know that I know him!

"Jerk! Why are you so close!", singhal ko sa kanya and tried to push him away ngunit hindi ito natinag.
He didn't even move a little. Para itong isang matibay na dingding.

"You look so weak and fragile. By just looking at you, I would think that you're breakable but that's
contrary on what I am seeing in you. Sa halip ay iniisip ko na napakalakas mo", he said while looking at
my eyes. He was not smirking this time but a mocking smile flashed from his lips.

"I'm not weak moron!", wika ko sa kanya and tried to pushed him again but no avail. Hindi pa rin ito
natinag. Napakalakas ba nito o sadyang mahina lang ang pagkakatulak ko sa kanya?
"I wondered why he's crazy over you to the point na he let you survive despite messing with us", he said.
"Now I know why." He's still flashing his mocking smile.

"You know what? I hate people like you. Killers and the likes. I hate you. I hate Zeus. I hate your mafia! I
hate your existence", wika ko sa kanya at tiningnan siya ng deretso.

"Amber?"

I pushed him away ng marinig ko ang pagtawag ni Mia sa akin. "Get out of my way devil", wika ko sa
kanya. "And I don't care about your cousin Zeus, wala akong pakialam sa inyo. So please, leave my life
alone."

He smirked at me. "Maybe now, you don't care about him but just a word from me. You'd be surprised
to know whoever he is. Better brace yourself", wika niya at umalis.

Surprise? Masosorpresa ako kapag malaman ko kung sino siya? Why ? Damn him! What does he think
he's doing?!

Hindi nagtagal ay nagsimula na ang club presentations. We started the play. It was about the five fairy
tale heroines, Cinderella, Snow White, Belle, Jasmine and Aurora. Both were equally known as the five
beautiful maidens of the town. They can't decide who between them is the fairest and a prince from a
faraway land and was looking for a maiden to be his queen. He saw the five fine ladies and was puzzled
who among them he would choose.

He asked for an advised from an oracle, who said to him to pick the lady who has the greatest thing to
offer. First to offer was Jasmine who offered him a lamp, but the genie inside it was a wicked one. The
second to give her offers was Cinderella who gave her one piece of glass shoe. The glass shoe was
broken and end up wounding the prince badly.

The next to present her offer was Belle, who gave him a rose picked from the beast's garden. It was such
a nice rose but its torn only hurt the prince. The next was Aurora, who offered the spinning wheel but
ended up pricking the prince. The last one was Snow White who gave him the poisoned apple and ended
killing the prince with all their offerings.
It was a tragedy but a good one. We received a loud applause from the audience ng matapos iyon.

Pagbaba ng kurtina ay tuwang-tuwa ang lahat ng member Drama and Theatre club. The play was really a
good one, it really entertained everyone. Umalis na kami doon upang makapaghanda na rin ang susunod
na club.

"Hi", Gray said at me. Hindi ko namalayan na nakalapit na pala ito. I haven't seen him mula pa kaninang
umaga dahil abala kami sa huling practice at dressed rehearsals kanina. He was also playing for the
championship match ng soccer kanina, and they won.

"Hi", batik ko rin sa kanya. He smiled at me as his gazed went all over me. Naconcious tuloy ako sa suot
ko. Gosh, ano ba ang iniisip nito habang tinitingnan ako? I hope it's positive.

"You're excellent on the play, not to mention that you look so beautiful", wika niya sa akin. Oh, bakit ba
ganito si Gray? Diba nagbabangayaan kami dati? Now he's saying compliments to me.

I snapped my fingers on his nose. Naninibago ako sa kanya. "Thought you'd say I don't look good in this
dress because I'm flat chested", wika ko sa kanya at bahagyang tumawa.

He smiled a little. "That too, but you're really beautiful." Wika niya and I frowned. So he really thinks
that I'm flat chested?! Walang hiya!

"Ang sama mo", wika ko sa kanya habang hinuhubad ang sapatos ko.

Tumawa ito ng bahagya. "Hey, I haven't had dinner yet", wika niya and pouted. He shakes his fingers,
and looked away. Mukhang may sasabihin ito ngunit nahihiya lang. "Let's eat, please?"

I stared at him for a while. Si Gray ba talaga ito? He's like a kid. Yung parang bata na nahihiya sa harap
ng crush niya.Oh, not that I thought that he have a crush on me. Napakaconceited ko naman kapag
inisip koi yon. Pumayag ako ngunit nagbihis muna ako at tinanggal ang make up sa mukha ko bago ako
sumama sa kanya.
Matapos naming kumain ay niyaya niya akong maglakad-lakad sa school grounds. He said he's not
interested in the cultural night. The night was still young at konti na lamang ingay na naririnig naming
mula sa function hall. The night sky was wonderful. Napakaraming bituin at maganda ang buwan.

"Tomorrow is full moon", wika niya habang nakatingin sa buwan. I looked at at tiningnan na rin ang
langit. "You're inviting someone for the masquerade ball tomorrow?", tanong niya.

Yeah, tomorrow will be the ball and I'm not planning of bringing someone. Umiling ako bago sumagot.
"Nope, none at all."

Naupo kami sa gitna ng field, malapit sa soccer goal's crossbar.

"You're not inviting Khael?", tanong niya at umiling. "He called me and checked how I was doing so I told
him about the festival but he said he's up for their examinations kaya hindi siya makakapunta dito. I
didn't invited him, he just said it himself." wika ko. Nang tumawag kasi ito ay nasa kalagitnaan ako ng
practice so I've got no choice but inform him about the school festival.

"Can you be my date tomorrow then?", Gray asked at nanlaki ang mga mata ko. He's asking me to be his
date tomorrow on the ball? Tama ba ang narinig ko?

"Kung ayaw mo, edi wag", he said in an irritated voice. Uh, he's being impatient eh? Matagal akong
nakasagot dahil nagulat ako sa pagyaya niya.

"That's fine with me", wika ko. His face becomes serious habang tinitingnan ako. Saka ko lang natantong
napakaromantic pala ng paligid. The night and the stars above were really enchanting. Halos puno ang
langit ng bituin, a perfect night for wishes.

"Amber, how do you see me?", tanong niya. "He was looking at the sky."

My mouth gaped open. Ano ba ang ibig sabihin nito?

"I don't get you", wika ko.

Humarap siya sa akin. Malamig ang simoy ng hangin. Mabuti na lang at nagsuot ako ng jeans at
sweatshirt dahil malamang lalamigin ako.

"I mean ano ba ang tingin sa akin? Assessment kumbaga", he said,

Bahagya naman akong nag-isip. Ano nga ba si Gray? He's sometimes good, and sometimes jerk. He's
moody and cold. Sometimes he's kind and sometimes he's not. He's sometimes sarcastic ngunit mapag-
alala din kung minsan. Minsan naman ay may topak ito, minsan din ay masayahin. He's difficult to read
and very unpredictable.

Hindi ko sinabi lahat iyon. "You're smart.", wika ko and he frowned. Why is he frowning? Matalino
naman talaga ito.

I heard the faint music from the function house. It was Dashboard Confessional's Stolen.

We watch the season pull up its own stakes

And catch the last weekend of the last week

Before the gold and the glimmer

Have been replaced

Another sun-soaked season

Fades away

"That's not it", he said. "Ang ibig kong sabihin ay yung ako. Me as Gray Ivan, a person. And not Gray as
your classmate", paliwanag niya.

He's seriously asking my opinion about him as a person? Well I could give him a hundreds of my
observations about him. But those are just superficial. Yun ang nakikita ko sa kany, and I don't even
know if it's the true him. Like I've said, he's difficult to read.

You have stolen my heart ...

You have stolen my heart ...

"You're a big question mark", sagot ko sa kanya. Yes, that's the truth. I don't know him well enough.
Pakiramdam ko kasi ay may itinatago ito sa akin. I must admit that I am also thinking that he's Zeus. Yes,
I have never disregarded that idea. Not to mention that my suspicion have basis. Sa tuwing nakikita ko
kasi si Zeus ay nawawala si Gray. The first time I met Zeus ay wala si Gray, he's nowhere to be found. He
just said he helped in solving a case but he didn't even bother to explain much about the case.

Nang dalhin din ako ni Zeus sa silid nito ay napansin ko rin na marami itong collection na mga bola but
the most ball there was soccer ball. Wala rin akong nakitang volleyball and I remembered that during
our Pe, Gray said that he hates volleyball and basketball. He even kicked the ball during our PE
tournament. That's another suspicious point.

The second time na nakita ko si Zeus was in Olympus. That was also the time that Gray disappeared
after looking for me in the forest, right? It's much of a coincidence.

Invitation only grand farewells

Crash the best one

Of the best ones

Clear liquor and cloudy eyed

Too early to say goodnight ...

"I know you have something in mind sa paraan ng pagtingin mo sa akin", he said. "Spill it."

Nababasa niya ang iniisip ko? No, I'm not really sure kung siya nga ba si Zeus, I have to be sure first.

You have stolen my heart ...

You have stolen my heart ...

"Nothing. Saka ko na sasabihin kapag nasigurado ko na", wika ko sa kanya. Mas lalo tuloy sumeryoso
ang mukha nito.

"You really have something in mind. I was just guessing though but mukhang totoo nga. Is it bad?",
tanong niya and I shrugged my shoulders.
Yes, it's very bad. Hindi ko alam kung ano ang magiging reaksyon ko kapag siya nga talaga si Zeus. He's
doing detective works but he's making illegal business. So ironic.

And from the ballroom floor

We are celebration

One good stretch before our hibernation

"I don't know. Maybe. Siguro mag-iiba ang tingin ko sayo", wika ko at yumuko. I just hope that he's not
Zeus. "How about me? How do you see me?", tanong ko sa kanya.

"You're awesome", he said at napatingin ako sa kany. Really? He finds me as an awesome person?

Our dreams assured

And we all will sleep well

Sleep well, sleep well

Sleep well, sleep well.

"That's it?", tanong ko sa kaya and he nodded. "Truth is I also have something in mind but I'm not saying
it now", he said. Uh, gaya-gaya eh?

You have stolen my ...

You have stolen my ...

You have stolen my ...

You have stolen my heart ...

Ginaya rin ko ang tanong niya. "Is it bad?"

He shrugged his shoulders. "I don't know. Maybe it's bad for me."
Bad for him? Why? What was it something about me that's bad for him? Ano ang ibig niyang sabihin? I
hope he's not saying that I am a bad influence.

I watch you spin around

In your highest heels

You are the best one

Of the best ones

We all look like we feel ...

"It's not about me being a bad influence to you right? Or me causing you mischief?", tanong ko. For
goodness sake, I am not Loki in case iyon nga ang ibig niyang sabihin. Tumawa siya ng bahagya ngunit
hindi ako sinagot.

Tumayo siya at pinagpag ang damit. "It's getting late at malamig na. Let's go inside", wika niya at
naagpatiunang lumakad.

Uh, what was that laughter means? Ibig sabihin ay ganoon nga na ako sa kanya? No way!

Tumayo na rin ako at humabol sa kanya.

"Hoy, Gray! Ano ba kasi iyon!", pangungulit ko sa kanya. He stopped at nilingon ako, and I don't know
that he would stop kaya bigla na lamang akong nabundo sa dibdib niya.

You have stolen my ...

You have stolen my ...

You have stolen my ...

Our faces were closed to each other. Ano ba ito? I can't breathe! Wala naman akong problema sa dibdib
ko ah, why am I feeling this way? Umayos ako ng tayo at hinarap siya.

Tiningnan niya ako ng deretso. His gazed was straight into my eyes.
"It's worst. It's more than a mischief for me. It's because I'm falling."

You have stolen my heart ...

**

Kasi nga wala akong romantic bone sa katawan, pagpasensyahan niyo na ha? My next update will be this
weekend, and it's a double chapter update, that if you promised to be good and would leave your votes
and comments! Hahaha! Di joke lang, but it will really be a double chapter update kasi excited na ako sa
next chapter! Haha, a great revelation is approaching! Lol! xD

Salamat pa rin sa mga nagmemessage at sa nagvovote at comment! Nakakainspire magsulat. Sorry for
the errors for this chapter, the previous chapters and for the future chapters. I suck in typing (mehehehe
xD). Kung may grammar/spelling error man din, SORRY NA HUHUHU. At kung ang pangit man nung
naisip kong tragedy, sorry na din!

I'm bombarded with finals and comprehensive exams kaya ang papangit na gg mga idea ko. Ang dami ko
pang dapat isaulo para sa Business Law recitations ko! Gusto ko yung pinipressure niyo ako sa pag-
uupdate but this week is not a perfect time (haha! Yeah, gusting-gusto ko yung nagcocomment ng
"Author, update pleaaaase"). It's only a sign that you find the story interesting diba? Kaya lang wrong
timing ngayon so please be patient. Hihihi :D So please enough with the pressure as of now ha? Thankiss
:* Anyways, who's your favourite male character? Ako kasi si Khael at Ryu eh HAHAHA!

I'll shut my big mouth now! May the odds be ever in you favour.

ShinichiLaaaabs, a struggling accountancy student -_-

CHAPTER 43: MASQUERADE DEJA VU

Chapter 43: Masquerade Deja Vu

Alas nuebe na ng umaga ng magising ako kinabukasan. My body has been aching for few days dahil sa
walang hanggang pag-eensayo para sa play. It's worth all the body pains dahil nga nanalo kami and
acquired the accreditation.

The last events this morning ay ang mga championship sa ilang sports event at literary. Nang lingunin ko
ang kama nina Andi at Therese ay natutulog pa rin ito.

Mukhang pagod din sila dahil sa cultural night kagabi. Both of them are part of the school's Performing
Arts group.

Bumangon ako upang maligo. When I went out the bathroom ay gising na sina Andi at Therese. They
were talking about last night's event.

"Grabe Amber! I'm so amazed with your appearance last night, halos hindi kita nakilala", Andi said ng
makalabas ako.

"You're exaggerating", I told her at kinuha ang lotion at nagsimulang magpahid sa katawan.

"May isusuot na ba kayo para sa masquerade ball mamayang gabi?", tanong ni Res. Sabay kaming
umiling ni Andi. I have dresses on my closet ngunit hindi ko pa alam kung ano ang isusuot ko.

"Let's go shopping!", suhestiyon ni Andi at pumayag naman si Res. Uh, kailangan pa ba iyon para lang
mamaya? We can just wear some old dress that we had.

"I'll pass", wika ko but I received deadly glares from both of them kaya pumayag na lang ako. Do I have a
choice? Uh!

"Yey!", Res said and clapped. "Maliligo na ako!", she said and run to the bathroom.

It was almost lunch ng makahanda kami kaya kumain muna kami sa cafeteria bago umalis.
Matapos kumain ng pananghalian ay nagpunta kami sa shop ni Mama Ara. I like her gowns and dresses
kaya iyon ang nirekomenda ko kina Andi at Therese. I still remember the way there kaya itinuro ko iyon
sa driver ng taxi.

When we arrived there ay tuwang-tuwa si Mama Ara ng makita ako. It seems like he's fond of me dahil
panay ang tukso niya kay Khael sa akin.

Ayon sa kanya ay crush din niya si Khael dati but since Khael hate flirty gays, naging pormal siya.

We didn't stay long at his shop. Matapos kaming makapili ng damit para mamayang gabi ay umalis na
kami doon at nagpunta sa isang jewelry shop.

Andi wanted to choose some glamorous jewels na maaring bumagay sa kanyang damit. It was a big
jewel shop at hindi gaano karami ang tao roon.

"Wow, look at this one. Ang ganda!", Res said at itinuro ang isang silver choker. It was ended very
beautiful.

Kumikinang ang napakaraming dyamanteng disenyo nito.

I moved on the other side of the shop at tumingin-tingin sa mga nakadisplay na singsing. I'm not really
fond of jewelry but I enjoy looking at them.

I saw a man talking on his phone suspiciously. Panay ang lingon nito sa paligid at mahina ang boses nito
habang may kausap sa cellphone.

Ano kaya ang ginagawa niya doon sa tabi? And why is he whispering over his phone?

Nilagpasan ko lamang ito at lumapit sa mga nakadisplay na singsing. There were different designs there
but what caught my attention was the infinity shaped ring. Simple lamang iyon ngunit magandang
tingnan.
"You like that one honey?", wika ng isang lalaki, di kalayuan sa akin. He was with a lady. Marahil ay
girlfriend niya iyon.

"Yes hon, that one", the girl said at itinuro ang isang singsing na may diamond sa gitna.

Oh, an engagement ring huh.

Tinawag nito ang isang saleslady upang matingnan ang singsing na itinuro ng kasama niyang babae.

It was a very beautiful ring. Bumagay iyon sa kamay ng kanyang kasama. The guy keeps on telling her
cheesy lines kaya lumayo na ako doon at lumapit kina Andi na namimili pa rin ng kwentas.

Andi picked up necklace with a tear pendant. "Bagay ba?", tanong niya sa akin at inilapit sa leeg niya ang
kwentas.

Oh, I'm not a good fashion analyst kaya tumango na lang ako sa kanya. She picked up another at inilapit
ulit iyon sa leeg.

"How about this one?", tanong niya sa akin.

I nodded at her. "Yeah, it's nice", wika ko and she frowned.

"You're lying. You just keep on saying it's nice even if it's not", wika niya. Nakapansin din pala ito but I'm
not saying it doesn't suit her. Hindi lang talaga ako marunong pumili kaya tumatango na lang ako.

Besides, all those she picked were really nice at bagay naman talaga sa kanya ang mga iyon.

Lumapit si Therese sa amin at bumulong. "Hey, kanina ko pa napapansin yang lalaki doon sa tabi. He's
looking over the watches while wearing a headset. He keeps on singing at malakas ang boses niya", wika
ni Therese at tiningnan ko naman ang itinuro nito. "So annoying!"
The guy was really wearing headset and he's banging his head while singing. Uh, hindi ba niya alam na
lumalakas ang boses niya?

"That's normal. Ganyan ka din naman kapag nakaheadset ka ah. You keep on singing in a loud voice",
wika ni Andi and Res frowned.

"Atleast not in the public", she said at muling ibinalik ang tingin sa mga alahas.

I also noticed a guy in his glasses. Nerdy ito kung manumit and he was looking at the watches too.

May lalaki rin doon na kumakain ng lollipop while looking at the brooches. Weird, matanda na ito ngunit
kumakain pa rin ng lollipop. He's not really old but you'll seldom see a guy eating lollipop.

"Hey, look at that guy. He's eating a lollipop, so childish", wika ni Andi. Mukhang nakatingin din pala ito
sa lalaking tinitingnan ko.

The guy look at our way. Napalakas yata ang boses ni Andi at narinig iyon ng lalaki. He walked towards
us.

"Ah, ito bang pagkain ng lollipop ang ipinagtataka niyo? Nagsimula akong kumain ng lollipop ng
mapagpasyahan kong hindi mabuti ang sigarilyo. That's when I resort to lollipops instead of cigarettes",
he said ng makalapit ito sa amin. Mukha ngang narinig nito si Andi.

"Pasesnya na po. We didn't mean to talk about you and your lollipop", paghingi ko ng paumanhin sa
kanya.

He smiled at us at tumango.

"Don't worry. I'm used to it. Marami ang nagtataka dahil nga matanda na ako para sa lollipop kaya I
always explain the situation to them", wika nito at nagpaalam.

Nang makalayo na ito ay hinarap ni Therese si Andi.

"Ayan narinig tayo, buti na lang at mabait. Nako Andi yang kadaldalan mo", she said at tumawa naman
kami ni Andi.

Therese is really strict sometimes. Paminsan-minsan rin ay parang matanda ito dahil ito ang madalas na
nagsasabi sa amin ng dapat at di dapat gawi

That's normal. Between the three of us, she's the oldest kahit na buwan lamang ang pagitan namin. Ito
kasi ang matured mag-isip at may pagkaresponsable.

Nagulat na lamang kami ng makarinig kami ng malakas na tunog ng pagkabasag. One glass case was hit
with a baseball bat by a man in bonnet and it was broken!

"Holdap!", he shouted at itinion ang hawak na baril sa amin. May kasama din itong lalaki na nakaasuot
din ng bonnet at may dala-dala ring baril.

They ordered the guard to pull down the shutters at wala namang nagawa ang guard kundi sumunod.
Nang masara na ang shutters ng shop ay ibinigay ng isa sa mga holdaper ang isang malaking bag sa isang
saleslady.

"Ilagay mo diyan lahat ng alahas at ang pera!", he shouted while pointing the gun at her, kaya kahit
nanginginig sa takot ay sumunod naman ang babae.

Pinatabi naman kami ng isa pang holdaper. He ordered us to stay at one side. There were eight of us
there. Kaming tatlo nina Andi at Therese, the suspicious guy that I found on the corner, the couple who
were looking for a ring, the guy in his headset at ang lalaking may kinakain na lollipop.

They collected our phones at wala kaming ibang mahingan ng tulong. The guard was knocked out after
the shutters were closed.

Nagtangka ang lalaking kumakain ng lolliop na lumaban ngunit nauna itong hampasin ng lalaki ng baril
nito. The guys head was bleeding at napasigaw ang lahat.
"Sinabi ng wag kayong gagawa ng kung ano man! Kapag may nagtangka pang gumalaw ay babarilin ko!",
he said.

Napasandal na lamang sa tabi ang lalaki at hinawakan ang dumudugong ulo.

Pumwesto ang isang holdaper sa harap namin to make sure na walang gagawa ng kahit ano habang
inuutusan pa ng isa ang manager ng shop na buksan ang vault.

The manager was shaking habang ginagawa ang utos ng holdaper.

May pinindot sa relo nito ang lalaking may kasamang babae. Looks like it was a phone watch! Tamang-
tama! We could ask for help by using that phone watch.

Napasigaw ulit kaming lahat ng bigla na lamng itong barilin ng isa sa mga holdaper!

"Sinabi ko na diba!", galit nitong wika at kinuha ang relo. The guy was hit in the shoulders kaya hindi
masyadong malala iyon. Shit, the situation is worse. Wala kaming ibang magawa kundi ang suunod na
lang sa kanila.

But I was wondering kung paano ito napansin ng holdaper, the guy just simply held his watch at isa pa ay
malayo ito. He cannot simply see the little movement of that guy unless -

Napalingon ako sa paligid. Hindi kaya may kasabwat ang mga ito na nagkunwaring isa sa mga simpleng
customer lamang?

Isa-isa kong tiningnan ang mga kasama namin. First was the guy that I've noticed talking on one corner
with someone on his phone. Kahina-hinala ito dahil panay ang tingin nito kanina sa paligid habang
mahina ang boses na nakikipag-usap sa telepono. Hindi kaya ang mga holdaper ang kausap nito and he
was the one who signalled them to enter?

The other guy was the nerd one, unlike the first one, hindi ito kahina-hinala. It isn't unusual for a nerd to
be in a jewelry shop. He was looking at the watches kanina kaya marahil ay nais nitong bumili ng relo.
The other was the guy in his headset. Ito naman ay kahina-hinala. What if he was communicating with
the holdapers using that headset?

When I glanced at the holdapers, there were none of them wearing a headset kaya imposibleng
nakikipag-usap ang lalaki gamit ang headset.

Naroon din ang babae na kasama ng lalaking binaril at ang lalaking kumakain ng lollipop. They were both
victims of the holdapers kaya malabong sila ang kasabwat.

Andi was crying on our side at inaalo ito ni Therese. Ano na ang gagawin namin ngayon? Kapag gumawa
kami ng kahit ano ay baka kung anon a talaga ang gawin ng mga ito.

I have to do something! Hindi koi yon magagwa dito dahil baka mayroon ngang kasabwat ang mga
holdapers at mahuli ako bago ko pa man magawa ang binabalak ko.

"Excuse me po kuyang holdaper", wika ko at nanlalaki ang mga mata nina Andi at Therese na tumingin
sa akin.

I am taking a risk ngunit walang mangyayari kung hindi ko iyon susubukan.

Lumapit naman ang isa sa mga holdapers sa akin, "Ano?!", he asked irritatingly.

"Naiihi po kasi ako!", I said and acted like I really want to pee

"Wala akong pakialam! Umihi ka dyan kung gusto mo!", he hissed at me. Mukhang mahirap ito kausap. I
tried again and put on my best acting.

"Sige na po! I can used the employee's CR. Hindi ko na po talaga kaya, kung gusto niyo po samahan niyo
ako!", I said at him. Gosh, I just hope that this scheme will work.

"Hoy sige na, samahan mo na lang doon sa CR", wika ng isang lalaki.
Sinamahan ako ng lalaki sa CR. "Bilisan mo!", he ordered at nang makapsok kami sa CR ay hindi agad ako
nag-aksaya ng panahon, I kicked him at nabitawan nito ang baril.

I punch him hard on his stomach and kicked him again in his head causing him to lose consciousness.

Kinuha ko ang baril niya and hid it on my side. Gosh, mukhang nasasanay na ako ngayon sa baril dahil
hindi na ako tulad ng dati na hindi halos makagalaw kapag nakakakita ng baril.

Dahan-dahan akong lumabas ng CR at tinawag ang isa pang holdaper.

Napansin niyang wala ang isa niyang kasama kaya lumapit siya sa akin habang nakatuon pa rin ang baril
sa akin. "Nasaan ang kasama ko?", he shouted at me.

"Mukhang siya yata ang nais gumamit ng CR eh", I told him. Ayaw kong paputukin ang baril kaya ang
ginawa ko ang ibinato iyon sa kamay niya. Nabitawan niya ang kanyang baril at agad iyong kinuha ni
Therese.

"Get him Amber!", she said at tumulong naman ang iba pa sa pagbukas ng shutter upang makahingi
kami ng tulong.

"Sa tingin mo kaya mo ako!", he said at kinuha ang tinatagong kutsilyo. Ngunit bago pa man niya iyon
tuluyang mahablot ay sinipa ko na siya. Tumilapon ang kutsilyo at nang mabuksan ang mga shutters ay
agad na pumasok ang mga pulis na naghihintay na pala sa labas.

They already arrested one of the holdaper's accomplice na naghanda ng get away vehicle ng mga ito.

Hinuli na sila ng mga pulis at napag-alamang mga kilalang holdapers pala ang mga ito na nakatakas mula
sa kulungan. The police thanked me at maging ang iba pang mga customer na naroon sa shop.

"Hihingin namin ang mga statement ninyo mamaya", wika ng pulis sa amin. We waited for a while
hanggang sa matapos sila sa pagtatanong.
Matapos ang pag-iimbestiga ng mga pulis sa nangyari ay hinanap ko agad ang lalaking iyon. He was
about to leave the shop kaya sinundan ko siya. Pasakay na siya sa kotse niya ng maabutan ko siya.

"How bad of you to leave your subordinates and escape on your own", wika ko sa kanya.

Huminto siya sa ginawang paghakabang at nilingon ako.

"Ano ba ang ibig mong sabihin?", tanong niya sa akin at kinuha ang lollipop mula sa bibig. Yep, it was the
guy with the lollipop.

"You don't have to play dumb, I've read the situation well", wika ko sa kanya. "You were one of the
holdapers who dressed in civilian to served as the lookout. Oh well maybe I can say that you were the
mastermind behind this holdapping."

He laughed in an evil way. "Paano mo naman nasabi na ako nga ang kasabwat nila? Mastermind? Come
on, tell me your bases", wika niya.

I smiled at him. "I was really deceived when you first acted like helping us and getting yourself hit
causing that injury on that head of yours, but when I noticed na kapag may mga simpleng galaw na
gagawin, the other holdappers who cannot see enough knows and that's when I thought that there
must be a an accomplice. Kapag may gumalaw sa kanan mo, you moved your lollipop stick on that side.
Kapag sa kaliwa naman, you move it on that side. It's a signal to the holdappers kaya nalalaman nila na
may nagtatangkang gumawa ng hindi nila gusto. Am I right?", I asked him.

"Mukhang matalino ka nga. You even knocked those stupid fugitives", he said, "too bad, you can't stop
me from escaping", wika niya. Inilabas niya ang baril at itinapat iyon sa akin. He opened the car's door at
nagtangkang sumakay sa kotse.

"Nope, you can't escape", I told him at lumabas naman ang mga pulis na matimbrehan ko kanina tungkol
sa kasabwat ng mga holdappers. Agad nilang nahuli ang lalaki at isinakay iyon sa pulis car.

Natapos na ang imbestigasyon ng mga pulis at inirelease na kami mula doon.

"Grabe! Nakakatakot pala ang maholdapp!", Andi said ng nakasakay na kami ng taxi pauwi. Her eyes
were swollen dahil sa pag-iyak nito kanina.
"Mabuti na lang at nandoon ka Amber! Ikaw talaga ang tagapagligtas namin!"

I rolled my eyes at her.

"Whatever Andi. Nagkataon lang talaga na medyo bobo yung mga holdapers at naniwala naman sa
akin", wika ko.

"Well I can't blame them. You're a good actress", wika ni Therese at natawa naman ako. Yeah,
sometimes we have to pretend to save our asses from danger.

Mabuti na lang talaga at walang masyadong nasaktan ng mangyari ang insidente kanina.

**

I was facing the big mirror at our room. Mukhang tama nga si Mama Ara ng sinabi niya kanina na
babagay sa akin ang damit na ito.

It was a red long gown which shows my bare neck and back. Bumagay iyon sa akin dahil maputi ako. But
why does it have to be red? Bloody eh? Does it means that I'll have a bloody masquerade party again?

Iwinaksi ko iyon sa isip ko at isinuot na ang pulang arm warmer. Simple lang ang make up na inilagay sa
akin ni Andi. She curled the tips of my hair and pinned it on one side and displayed my slender neck. My
silver mask was covered in precious ruby stones at halos takpan nito ang kalahati ng mukha ko.

Nakabihis na rin sina Andi at Therese on their long gown. Andi wore a cream long gown while Res wore a
pale yellow long gown.

"I'm so jealous! Ang ganda-ganda ni Amber!", Andi ranted.

Nag-iiba talaga ang mukha ko kapag naaayosan. It seem to them that there were ni changes in their
appearance ngunit dahil lamang iyon palagi silang nakasuot ng make up.
"Hurry up red riding hood, you're prince is already downstairs", paalala ni Therese.

Oo nga pala! Gray texted me na susunduin niya ako ngayon. He texted me again to inform me na
naghihintay na siya sa baba.

"I'm not red riding hood and he's not a prince", wika ko sa kanila at nagpaalam. Ayaw kong paghintayin
si Gray ng matagal kaya bumaba na agad ako.

"Go princess!", wika nila bago ko sila iniwan. Princess eh? Uh, I mentally rolled my eyes at bumaba na.

Nadatnan ko si Gray sa sala ng dorm. Marami ding mga lalaki ang naghihintay doon since they're not
allowed upstairs.

He was sitting near the door.Napakakisig niting tingnan sa suot na tuxedo with a red polo inside. Hawak-
hawak nito ang kulay silver na maskra.

Red? We've match our attires? It was just a coincident right? He glanced at may direction ng mapansin
niya ako. Agad niya akong sinalubong.

"Mahal na prinsesa", he said naughtily and smiled. There he goes again with that 'mahal na prinsesa'
thing!

Bakit parang -

Bakit parang gumwapo siya lalo?! Gosh, huli ko siyang nakita ay kagabi but he looks more gorgeous
today!

Wait, maybe that's overrated ngunit iba talaga ang aura nito. Is it because of his smile? Oo na! Siya na
ang may halos perpektong ngipin! Nakakainggit sila ni Khael!

"Shut up Gray", wika ko and he chuckled. Bumalik na naman ang pagiging maughty nito. I wish he's
always like this. Hindi iyong minsan ay hindi mo mawari kung ano ang iniisip niya.
He offered his hands to me. "Shall we?"

Nakangiting tinanggap ko naman iyon at lumabas na kami ng dorm. Mabuti na lang ang mataas ang suot
kong sapatos, hindi na nagkakalayo ang height namin.

Naalala ko ang huling pag-uusap namin kagabi. He said he's falling.

Falling where?

Wala naman siya sa mataas na lugar kagabi. Why would he fall? He's weird sometimes. Hindi ko na lang
siya tinanong kagabi kung ano ang ibig niyang sabihin. Maybe I'll ask him later.

Papunta kami sa function hall na pagdadaraosan ng masquerade ball.

"I haven't seen you around kanina. Ryu keeps on looking for you too. Pinopormahan ka ba niya?", he
asked. Mabuti na lang at nakakapit ako sa braso niya dahil kung hindi ay malamang natapilok na ako!

My goodness, si Ryu, pumoporma sa akin? No! Hindi! Negative! No way! Eeeenk! Impossible! At isa pa,
hinahanap marahil niya ako dahil baka iniisip niya na tumakas ako at hindi na niya ako mapapatay. Uh,
cursed them to the deepest pits of hell!

"Hindi no! We're not even friends! Kaya imposible yang mga pinagsasabi mo", sagot ko.

He smiled at me. "Mabuti naman." He was somewhat relieved ay nagpatuloy lang kami sa paglalakad.

Mabuti naman what?Ano ang ibig nitong sabihin? At baka nakakalimutan nito na si Marion ang
nililigawan ni Ryu at hindi ako. Duh.

Dumating na kami sa loob ng function hall. Halos nagpapagandahan ang bawat isa sa kani-kanilang long

gowns.
Sumama ang pakiramdam ko ng makita ang paligid. A Deja vu! It was the time na ayaw ko ng isipin pang
muli. I messed up with a mafia. A very dangerous mafia.

Napahigpit ang kapit ko sa braso ni Gray ng maalala ko ang lahat ng iyon. A masquerade ball. An illegal
transaction. A gun pointed at me. A great mansion. A kind host in the person of Zeus.

God! Remembering those things bring chills to my spine. It was a bad memory that keeps on hunting
me.

"Ayos ka lang ba Amber?", tanong ni Gray ng mapansin ang pagtigil ko. I faked a smile and nodded at
him.

Nang may dumaan na waiter sa harap ko ay agad akong kumuha ng isang wine glass at sinaid ang laman
niyon. I didn't even bothered to check if it was wine or not. Hindi ko na rin pinansin ang init at pait na
dumaan sa lalamunan ko.

"Hey you're not really okay. You drank a vodka straightly. Anong problema?", tanong niya ulit. I just
shook my head.

Maraming tao sa loob ng function hall. Naalala ko na may mga outsiders din pala doon since each
student are allowed to bring atleast one outsider.Kailangan lamang na may suot itong badge ng Bridle.

Gray offered me a sit at agad akong naupo doon. The alcohol was starting to heat up my body.

"Alam mo bang may mga sinusundan akong mga lalaki kanina? They're very suspicious but wala namang
nangyari kanina kaya naisip ko na I was just overthinking", kwento niya ng makaupo kami. "Where have
you been kanina?"

"I with my roommates. Bumili kami ng damit", sagot ko sa kanya.

"For the whole day?"

"Yeah. Actually natagalan lang naman kami dahil may nangyaring panghoholdap sa isang jewelry shop
na pinuntahan namin", sagot ko.

I saw him raised one brow. "And then?"

"Nothing. Nahuli sila ng mga pulis", wika ko. Ayaw ko ng ikwento ang buong pangyayari. He's already
raising a brow. Baka makatikim na naman ako ng sermon mula dito for getting my ass on it.

He sighed. "Good. Akala ko nakialam ka na naman", he said. Oh yeah, if you only know.

I looked around at halos mapugto ang hininga ko ng makita kung sino ang mga parating.

It's the devil Ryu. Kasama nito si Marion. Seeing Ryu again in a mask ay mas sumariwa ang lahat ng
alaala sa akin. They walked towards us and I saw his familiar evil smirk.

"Good to see you again Amber", sarkastikong wika ni Ryu. I don't know of it's the alcohol or Ryu who
caused this burning sensation in me.

"Well for me it's not", sagot ko. I can't let this devil toy with me. Kaya ko rin siyang batuhin ng mga
maaanghang na salita.

"You look good in that red dress. Reminds me of a bloody masquerade", he said. Shit, why does he have
to say it. Yeah, bloody it is.

"The night's good. Can you dance with Amber for a while samantalang kakausapin ko muna si Gray
sandali", Marion said. She was wearing a silver gown with her reddish hair.

"Yeah sure, I'd love too", wika ni Ryu at inalalayan akong tumayo. I glanced at Gray as if I'm asking for
help ngunit hinila na rin ito ni Marion palabas kaya wala akong nagawa kundi ang makipagsayaw kay
Ryu.
He held my waist at humawak din ako sa leeg niya. The song was one of my favorite song, it was Jason
Mraz's Beautiful Mess. If I'm not dancing with this devil ay malamang iisipin ko na ang ganda ng
pagkakataon. I'm in a ball gown dancing with one of my favorite song.

You've got the best of both worlds

You're the kind of girl who can take down a

man,

And lift him back up again

You are strong but you're needy,

Humble but you're greedy

Based on your body language,

Your shouted cursive I've been reading

"I can't believe that I'm dancing with you", wika niya. "I shouldn't supposed to dance with someone
who'll be dead sooner."

Me neither! Sa hinagap ay hindi ko naisip na makasayaw ko ito! "The feeling's mutual devil. I want to kill
you right this very moment but then I realized that I don't want to be killers like you", sagot ko. Sino ba
ang gusto makipagsayaw dito? I feel like I'm dancing with death!

You're style is quite selective,

Though your mind is rather reckless

Well I guess it just suggests

That this is just what happiness is

"If I would describe you, I would say that you're a pain in the neck. Alam mo ba kung ilang milyon ang
nawala sa amin dahil sa pangingialam mo dati?", he said.

I raised my brow at him. "Alam mo ba ang salitang move on!? That was long time ago, get over it. At isa
pa, it's not my fault. It's yours, you're the transactor after all. You should have been extra careful not to
let anyone witnessed that oh so precious transaction."
I saw anger glittered in his eyes. Nasaktan ba ito sa sinabi ko na he's not a good transactor?!

"I'm over it but you still affects us. Zeus would cancel immediately transactions kung saan nasa malapit
ka. You see? You're not doing anything but your existence affects us", wika niya sa akin.

Ipinapacancel? Why would that Zeus do that?

"It's not my fault devil! Maybe you should tell that cousin of yours to forget about my existence at ng sa
ganoon ay hindo mo na isisi ang lahat sa akin!", I hissed at him.

"I guess the only way for that is to get rid of you through your death", wika nito. Kaya pala parang palagi
itong kating-kati na paslangin ako.

Hey, what a beautiful mess this is

It's like picking up trash in dresses

Well it kind of hurts when the kind of

words you write

Kind of turn themselves into knives

And don't mind my nerve you can call it

fiction

Cause I like being submerged in your

contradictions dear

Cause here we are, here we are

Nagulat ako ng may kamay na humawak sa beywang ko at hinika ako palayo kay Ryu.

"Sorry bro. My turn, Marion is over there", he said at itinuro si Marion. Umalis naman si Ryu doon at
saka lamang ako nakahinga ng maayos.
"Hey, you're alwaya talking about death with Ryu", wika niya at mahina akong sinasayaw.

Although you were biased I love your

advice

Your comebacks they're quick

And probably have to do with your

insecurities

There's no shame in being crazy,

Depending on how you take these

Words that paraphrasing this relationship

we're staging

And it's a beautiful mess, yes it is

It's like, we are picking up trash in dresses

"He's a jerk, don't mind him", wika ko. Tama si Gray, walang araw na hindi sinasabi sa akin ni Ryu na
gusto niya akong patayin.

"Okay as you wish. Uhmm, y-you remember my words last night?", tanonng niya and I nodded.

"Yeah. You said you were falling. Bakit? Nasaan ka ba? Bakit ka mahuhulog? Or was it failing, not
falling?", I doubt if it's failing dahil malinaw ang pagkakarinig ko na it was falling and not failing.

I saw him frowned for a while at pinitik niya ang ilong. "You're so slow and dense mahal na prinsesa", he
said. Bakit ba kasi?

Bakit pakiramdam ko ay may nais siyang iba pang ibig sabihin? We continue to dance at pakiramdam ko
at humigpit ang pagkakahawak niya sa beywang ko.

Well it kind of hurts when the kind of

words you say

Kind of turn themselves into blades

And the kind and courteous is a life I've

heard

But it's nice to say that we played in the

dirt

Cause here, here we are, Here we are

We're still here

And what a beautiful mess this is

It's like taking a guess when the only

answer is yes

And through timeless words in priceless

pictures

We'll fly like birds not of this earth

And tides they turn and hearts disfigure

But that's no concern when we're wounded

together

And we tore our dresses and stained our

shirts

But it's nice today, oh the wait was so worth it.

When the song ended umupo muna kami ni Gray. Kumuha ako ng kopita na may lamang wine. Yep,
Bridle served alcoholic drinks and wines just for tonight.

He glanced at his watch to check the time I was sirprised to surprised to see his watch! I have a feeling
that I've already seen that watch before.

I felt my heart leaped. Bakit ba ako kinakabahan? Maybe it's just another coincidence. Yep, I saw Zeus
wearing the same watch.
Iba kasi ang usual na wristwatch na suot ni Gray araw-araw kaya naninibago ako ng makita ang relo niya.

"Ayos ka lang ba Amber? You've become pale again", pansin niya at binigyan ako mg tubig.

Agad ko iyong tinanggap at ininom. Was it possible that I'm over thinking? No! Zeus is not Gray, I hope.

I nodded and assured him that I'm fine. Siguro ay kailangan ko ng sariwang hangin. This masquerade
party makes me unable to breathe in.

"Can I stay outside for a while? I need fresh air", wika ko sa kanya at pumayag naman ito. He walked
with me outside.

Nang naglalakad na kami sa school grounds ay naramdaman ko ang malamig na hangin. It was really full
moon tonight at maraming bituin.

"In five minutes ay ilulaunch na nila ang grand fireworks display" , Gray said. Napansin ko na maraming
mga nakamaskra sa paligid. It's pretty normal, it's masquerade ball after all.

After few minutes ay nagsimula na nga ang fieworks display at lumabas na ang mga tao sa function hall.

All were amazed and dazzled by the beautiful fireworks display ngunit pakiramdam ko ay may naririnig
akong iba. A different sound na sumasabay sa putok ng mga fireworks.

Napansin ko rin na panay ang lingon ni Gray sa paligid. He might have also heard thaf different sound.

Was it some gunshots?!

"Amber, just stay here okay? I'll just have to check something", wika niya at nagmamadaling umalis
doon. He was heading towards the boys dorm.
Kinakabahan ako sa maaring mangyari sa kanya! What if those sounds were really gunshots thn he
would be in danger!

Kahit na manatili ako doon ang bilin sa akin ni Gray ay sumunod pa rin ako sa kanya. Hindi ko na siya
naabutan, sa halip ay ilang mga lalakj na nakasuot ng maskara ang nakita ko. They were wearing the
Bridle badge kaya marahil ay mga outsiders sila. They were putting some boxes in their cars.

Kumubli ako sa isang bahagi doon. Did I just witnessed another transaction? I saw a guy lying dead on
the ground!

Shit, he was mostly covered in blood kaya marahil mga putok nga ng baril ang narinig ko kanina na
kasabay ng fireworks.

I felt a hand held my shoulders and I almost screamed out of surprise.

"Amber, I already told you not to stick your ass to something dangerous, especially when it comes into
the mafia", he said. Nasa tabi niya si Ryu who keeps on giving me dagger stares.

Damn! It's him again! That Zeus guy! This time, he wasn't wearing a mask na tumatakip sa buong mukha
niya, instead it only covers half of his face and I was surprised ng makilala kung sino iyon.

Crap! Siya si Zeus? Why? Why him?!

--

Nakakabitin diba? Well that's me. Mahilig akong mambitin. The next update will be posted by 1PM later
hihihi :D

By the way, I love those songs whose lyrics I've been writing on the chapter. It was playing on my phone
while I'm typing this one.

Again and again, please bear with all the errors on this chapter, technically and grammatically.
Drop your vote and comments after reading this chapter. Thanks :*

PS: Election is coming. Vote wisely and don't waste your chance to vote dahil hindi lahat nabibigyan ng
ganyang pagkakataon! ( Lol, kapag hindi ka naman nakarehistro, sad life! xD)

-ShinichiLaaaabs, the cliff -hanger.

CHAPTER 44: ZEUS, THE GREAT AND ALMIGHTY

Chapter 44: Zeus, the Great and Almighty

(This chapter is dedicated to me, syempre pogi ako eh! Di, joke lang! Dedicated ito sa mga panay ang
hula kung sino si Zeus! May mga nakahula, at meron din namang hindi. Play the song Secrets of One
Republic when reading this chapter para perfect moment! Lol xD)

Damn! I can't move! I can't even find a word to say! I shouldn't have drank kanina, now I'm suffering this
throbbing pain in my head.

Zeus is right in front of me. Bakit siya?! My God, I not ready for this. The last thing I knew was everything
turned to pitch black at nawalan ako ng malay.

Nagising ako na nasa malambot ako na kama. I was in a very huge room na may malaking veranda.
Tumayo ako at nagpunta doon. It's still dark outside. Anong oras na ba at nasaan ako?

I saw an old style wall clock and it says that it's two in the morning and I still in my red long gown.
Bumalik ako sa kama at naupo roon.

The fireworks display was launched by 10:30 last night kaya ibig sabihin ay ilang oras na rin akong
walang malay.
Crap! I guess I am in this mansion which is a counterfeit of hell for me. Zeus brought me here after
passing out.

Nasaan kaya si Gray? Nakita din kaya siya ng mafia at pinatay?! No! Shit! Why am I thinking this way? I
just hope that he's fine.

Bumukas ang pinto at iniluwa niyon si Zeus. Lumapit siya sa akin at naupo sa upuan sa tabi ng kama.
God, I really can't imagine that he is Zeus. I never even thought na magkikita pa kami.

"How do you feel Amber?", he asked me. He wasn't wearing his mask at malaya kong nakikita ang
kabuoan ng mukha. The face that I never thought would be causing all these fears in me.

"I feel like I'm dead. Why Cooler? Akala ko ay isang simpleng bakasyonista ka lang who's stupid enough
to jump in front of a bullet for me", wika ko sa kanya. Yep, he's Cooler. The one that I have met at
Summer Island. The same Cooler who got shot at the cave in Tickle Island.

Seryoso lang ang mukha nito habang nakatingin sa akin. I wanted to mock him with sarcasm ngunit baka
mapikon ito sa akin at mapagpasyahang patayin na lang ako. No!

"I'm sorry for bringing you here again", wika niya sa akin. His handsome face look straight at me. Damn!
Just like Ryu, Cooler is very handsome.

Why am I praising them? Yeah, devils like them are not worth worshipping. I'll give myself a good
beating later for doing so.

"Hindi ko pa rin maintindihan ang lahat Cooler, or is it really your name?", I said with sarcasm.

Bahagya siyang yumuko. "Yeah, that's my real name. I maybe lying with my identity but that's my real
name." Inilahad niya ang isang palad sa akin. "I'm Cooler Vander."

I looked at his hands but I refused to accept it. Ibinaba namam niya iyon ng mapagtantong hindi ko iyon
tatanggapin.
"Where's Gray? Ano ang ginawa niyo sa kanya?", I asked hysterically! Damn! Baka kung ano na ang
ginawa nila kay Gray. I will never forgive them if they do!

"Don't think too much. We'll never ki a mafia heir", wika niya and I was surprised. Did he say mafia heir?

"Hindi talaga kita maintindihan Cooler. Si Gray mafia heir?"

What is it some kind of a joke? Dahil kung oo ay tatawa na ako kahit na hindi iyon nakakatawa.

"You will never understand it Amber", mahinahon niyanh wika and that's when I burst into tears.

"HINDI KO MAIINTINDIHAN DAHIL HINDI MO NAMAN IPINAPAUNAWA SA AKIN!", I shouted at him and
my tears are running down my face.

I don't know why I am crying. Naguguluhan na kasi ako sa lahat ng mga pangyayari. Una ay si Cooler.
He's Zeus. And now he's saying that Gray is a mafia heir.

I pinched myself and figured out that I wasn't dreaming. Everything is real. Hindi ito panaginip.

"Fine, I'll give you some idea about it. Gray and I", he sighed at nagpatuloy, "magkapatid kami", he said
at mas lalo akong naguluhan. I thought Gray's an only child, ayon kina Khael at Detective Tross.

And now sasabihin na lamang ni Cooler na magkapatid sila?!

"Do you remember the first time that we saw each other at Summer Island? It's not a coincident. Dahil
iyon sinusundan namin si Gray", wika niya.

I was even more surprise. Ibig sabihin ay si Gray ang ipinunta niya doon?

"What for?", I asked hin while wiping away my tears.

"Ryu and I followed him. We just wanted to check him. Do you remember the first expression of Gray
when he saw me with you. You were right there, he's angry. He's angry upon seeing me and he's
jealous."

Galit si Gray kay Cooler. Kaya pala ganoon ito kung umasta.

"Why? Bakit galit siya sayo?", tanong ko and he shrugged his shoulders.

"I don't know. He don't wanted to live with us after Cronus asked him too. Maybe he don't like me",
sagot nito.

Everything was very confusing. Ayon ka Khael na kababata bi Gray, his parents were both part of the
police, but he's father retired and become a businessman.

"I thought his parents were part of the police?", tanong ko. I want to get a clear picture of everything.

"Yeah. His mother and his foster father is", sagot nito. Foster father? Ibig sabihin ay hindi totoong ama ni
Gray ang lalaking kinikilala niyang ama ngayon?

"How are you two become siblings? Is he even aware of it?", lulubusin ko na lang ang pagtanong at ng
maintindihan ko ang lahat. Oh God, if I don't, I think I'll be losing my mind.

"Our real father is Cronus. Cronus had my mother pregnant with me a year earlier but he refused to
marry my mother. A year after I was born, he met Gray's mother who was in the police. They got into a
relationship and she got pregnant with Gray. Cronus offered her marriage but she refused. That's when
she found out about the mafia so she leave him and married a police officer who accepts Gray as his
own. I met Gray before that's why he knows me. Alam din niya na si Cronus ang ama niya. Cronus is fond
of him, he's very smart after all. So he keeps on telling him to join the mafia but it looks like he got his
mother's righteous beliefs so he refused", wika niya. "That's all I can say for now."

So that's Gray's story. Mukhang nagmana nga ito sa nanay niya. He's into justice and fairness at all. Kaya
pala Gray find him so secretive sometimes. He really got something on his past.
"Amber, I don't want you to be involved in this things. This is mafia Amber, and it's dangerous", wika
niya.

What? But I'm already involved. Is it ky fault for pushing more into things? Argh! Kung kailan lumalayo
na ako ay saka din naman sila lumalapit.

Sino ba naman ang gustong kumalaban sa mafia? Goodness, I still love my life and I haven't achieved
anything in my life so I to love my life and get out of the mafia's way.

"So Gray knows Ryu too?", I asked him and he shook his head.

"No. He hadn't meet Ryu before", wika niya. Kaya pala mukhang hindi talaga kilala ni Gray si Ryu ng una
niya itong makita but it seems like Ryu knows Gray.

"Why are you protecting me Cooler? Ryu said I should be dead if it wasn't because you. Why Cooler?", I
asked bravely. That devil wanted to end up my life ngunit hindi nito magawa dahil kay Zeus. It seems
that Zeus got some power and control over the mafia.

"It's because I wanted to Amber. Hindi dahil alam kong palagi

mong kasama si Gray but because I just wanted to protect you. You're so weak and breakable. I feel that
I have to protect you", wika niya.

"I'm not weak!", wika ko sa kanya and grabbed the gun on his side. Huli na ng mapigilan niya ako, I
already got it first at itinutok ko iyon sa kanya.

I pulled the gun's safety latch. Itinaas naman ni Cooler ang dalawang kamay.

"I see. Now you've overcome your fears with gun. You never failed to surprise me Amber", wika niya.

"Yeah, I have to upang maprotektahan ko ang sarili ko laban sa inyo", wika ko sa kanya. "Where's Gray?
Bring me to him", I ordered him.
"I'm sorry Amber but I can't. He's probab-"

Hindi na nito natuloy ang sasabihin ng ipinaputok ko ang baril and it pass just few centimetres from his
ears. Isang maling galaw nito ay matatamaan ito sa ulo.

"I'm not joking Cooler. I may owe my life to you once but please. I don't want to fire this gun again kaya
dalhin mo na ako kay Gray ngayon na", wika ko sa kanya.

Tumayo naman ito at nagsimulang maglakad. "Fine, follow me then."

Lumabas kami ng silid at nagpunta sa isa pang silid. I saw the grand stairecase na dinaanan ko na dati ng
una akong madala ni Ryu dito.

He opened the door ngunit hindi siya pumasok. "He will kill me if he sees me. He's very angry kanina
kaya ikaw na lang pumasok", wika niya.

I bit my lip at agad na pumasok. I still brought his gun with me. Nang makapasok ako ay agad kong
hinanap si Gray.

The room was very familiar. It was the same room na unang pinagdalhan ni Zeus sa akin. There were
collections of ball there kung saan marami ang soccer ball. It was one of my bases before for thinking
that Gray is Zeus dahil sa mga bola.

But I was wrong then, he wasn't Zeus but this room is really for him. For a mafia heir.

I saw him on the veranda. Nakatayo ito at nakatingin sa kawalan. He was still on his ball attire maliban sa
hinubad niya ang suit niyon at iniwan ang pulang polo.

"Gray!", I called out his name at napalingon siya sa akin. When he confirmed it was me, ay agad siyang
tumakbo palapit sa akin at niyakap ako.
He crashed me against his body. "Damn Amber! What did they fucking done to you? Are you hurt?", he
said habang yakap-yakap ako

I felt hot liquids running down my eyes. Bakit naiiyak ako?! Is it this good to be hugged by him.

I started weeping kaya binitawan niya ako at tiningnan. "Why are you crying? Did they lay their hands on
you? Damn! I will never forgive them!"

Mas lalo tuloy akong naiyak and I can't stop myself from crying! I wasn't hurt but I'm really crying!
Marahil ay masaya lang ako na ligtas si Gray.

"Damn it! Answer me Amber!", he said at hinawakan ang mga pisngi ko.

I shook my head and wiped away my face with my hand holding the gun. Nagulat ito ng makita ang baril
at agad na kinuha iyon sa kamay ko.

"Get rid of those things", he said at tinapon ang baril sa kama. "Okay ka lang ba talaga Amber? Crap!
Seeing you crying makes me want to kill someone just like those monsters do", wika niya.

I took a deep breathe. "G-gray si C-cooler", putol-putol kong wika.

He wiped away my tears. "Yeah, he's my elder brother. I'm sorry about it. I don't know that this would
happen", he said.

"Totoo ba na isa kang mafia heir?", I asked and he just bowed his head.

"Yes, I have my real father's blood on my veins but there's no way I'll be like them", wika niya. Naaawa
ako kay Gray. They have contrasting principles with his father.

"I've already asked Cronus to free me dahil hinding-hindi ako sasama sa kanya. I'd rather be with my
foster father. He's good to me at itinuring niya akong parang tunay na anak. Unlike him, he wants me to
follow his step and that's bullshit", galit niyang wika.
God, what mess we've been in! I have never imagined myself to be in this mess.

"You look so tired, let's not talk about it now, it's already 3 am. Let's sleep at bukas ay kakalimutan na
natin ang lahat ng ito", wika niya and he let me sat on the bed.

Nahiga ako at bahagya pa ring umiiyak. Gray lay down beside me and wiped away my tears.

"The first time I was brought here, I thought you were Zeus because of this room. It's so like you", wika
ko habanv inilibot ang paningin sa paligid kahit na nakahiga.

"This room is for me. I was brought here before. When was the first time you were brought here?", he
asked and faced me. Ilang dangkal lang ang layo ng mukha namin.

"It was during the masquerade party that we attended with Khael", mahinang sagot ko.

He bit his lower lip. "Just as I thought. You were cold and distant to me back then. Well, sleep now
princess. Let's live a normal life tomorrow. Goodnight", wika niya and he kissed my forehead.

I was assured that I'll be safe with him by that kiss of goodnight in the morning.

**

A short update, yeah. Naaliw kasi ako sa panonood sa kawaleyhan ng mga ROTC officers sa fliptop battle
nila HAHAHA!

READ AT YOUR OWN RISK. VOTES AND COMMENTS ARE HIGHLY APPRECIATED.

-ShinichiLaaaabs♥
CHAPTER 45: THE CULPRIT IS A VAMPIRE?

Chapter 45: The Culprit is A Vampire?

(I have felt your excitements in your comments and I don't want to prolong your agony in waiting so I
have posted this update! Sabi ko diba, if you'll be good, I'll be posting an update so here it is! Happy
Sunday everyone!)

--

Nang magising ako kinabukasan ay nakayakap ako kay Gray. Gosh! Mabuti na lang at ako ang unang
gumising kaysa sa kanya. Baka pag ito ang nauna ay nakakahiya! My head was on his arm at nakayakap
ako sa beywang niya!

When I glanced at the clock, it was 9 in the morning kaya pumasok ako sa isang pinto roon at gaya ng
inaasahan, it was a bathroom.

No, it was a very big bathroom! Puno iyon ng mga gamit na panlinis ng katawan. I opened one drawer
and saw unused toothbrushes there. Kumuha ako ng isa at ginamit iyon.

I also got a new towel matapos kong maghilamos. I am still in my long gown and I guess I would be going
back to Bridle in these dress too.

I stared at my appearance in the big mirror for a while. Andami palang nangyari sa buhay ko. I was
shocked with all the revelations and secrets that are unfolded last night. Namamaga rin ang mata ko,
marahil ay dahil iyon sa pag-iyak ko kagabi.

Lumabas ako ng banyo and Gray was already awake. He looked at me with his messy hair. He smiled
gently at siya naman ang pumasok sa banyo.

Nang lumabas ito mula sa banyo ay inutusan na niya akong suotin ang sapatos ko dahil aalis na kami.
When we went out the room ay nakatayo doon si Cooler. I saw Gray throw him dagger looks. Mukhang
hindi sila magkakasundo kahit na magkapatid sila.

"Where's the car that I've asked your father last night?", wika ni Gray kay Cooler. He's cold and he
refused to look him.

Your father. He addressed Cronus, their father, as Your father. Mukhang hindi pa nito matanggap ang
ama at kapatid.

"I hope you will consider his proposal. You're still a Vander after all", wika ni Cooler.

"Stop talking about nonsense things. I've already answered that last night and I don't think being asked
by you would change my decision", buo ang desisyon na wika ni Gray. I was just standing behind him.

I heard Cooler sighed."The car's waiting outside. Hindi ba muna kayo kakain?", he asked.

"No thanks", Gray said at tiningnan ako upang sumunod sa kanya.

Nang humakbang na siya ay sumunod ako sa kanya but Cooler held my arm.

"Amber can we talk?", he asked me at nagulat na lang ako ng hilahin ako ni Gray palapit sa kanya,
causing me to free from Cooler's grip.

"No you can't", he said at nakipagsukatan ng tingin kay Cooler.

Cooler grabbed me again but Gray held tightly kaya hindi ako nahila ni Cooler. Magkapatid nga sila,
they're both hardheaded and stubborn.

I winced in pain when they both grabbed my arms. Si Cooler ang unang bumitaw at humingi ito ng
paumanhin.
"I'm sorry", he said. Hindi na ako nakasagot pa dahil hinawakan ako ni Gray sa kamay at bumaba na kami
sa grand staircase.

Napakatahimik ng mansion. It was a very big one ngunit tila iilan lang ang mga nakatira. I don't even see
so many maids. Iilan lang din ang naroon at naglilinis.

Nang makalabas kami ng mansyon ay naghihintay na nga roon ang isang magarang sasakyan na siyang
maghahatid sa amin.

Pumwesto kami sa likod at nagsimula na iyong paandarin ng driver.

"I know you don't want to be back to Bridle wearing that dress, you can go with me at our house", wika
niya.

Sa bahay mismo nila? Oh, I think I'd like to. Pumayag ako at sinabi na niya sa driver iyon.

Their house was a two hour drive mula sa mansion. Hindi nagtagal ay ipinatigil ni Gray ang kotse sa
harap ng isang napakalaking bahay. It may not be as huge as the mansion kung saan kami galing, but it
was also huge enough.

There was a sign at the side of the gate, Iverone Silvan, Attorney at Law.

Bumaba na kami ng kotse and he rang the door bell.

"Who's Iverone Silvan?", I asked him at itinuro ang sign sa tabi.

"She's my mom", sagot nito. His mom's a lawyer?

"I thought she's a police detective", wika ko and he nodded.

"Yeah, she is", sagot nito. "It's just lately when she pursued law and eventually passed the bar exam."
Binuksan ng isang matandang babae ang gate. She was in a maid's uniform.

"Ivan! Nako, anak! Namiss ka na namin", she said niyakap ng mahigpit si Gray. Tuwang-tuwa ito ng
makita si Gray.

Gumanti naman ng yakap si Gray dito. "I missed you more Nana. Andyan ba sina Mama at Papa?",
tanong nito.

"Si Papa mo nandoon yata sa Singapore, at si Ivy naman, mukhang abala sa hinahawakan niyang kaso
ngayon. Nagretiro na ng siya sa pulisya upang maging full time na abogado", wika ng katulong. She
glanced at me at saka pa lamang niya ako napansin.

"Ivan, anak? Mag-aasawa ka na?", lumapit siya sa akin at kinilatis ako mula ulo hanggang paa.

Oh, I hate it. Ayaw na ayaw ko ang tingnan ako ng mula ulo hanggang paa.

"Hmmm, hindi na masama. Maganda rin naman, tisay, makinis ngunit anak, ang bata-bata mo pa", she
said matapos akong i-assess.

Natawa ng bahagya si Gray ar inakbayan ang babae. "Sorry to disappoint you Nana but she's just my
classmate at Bridle. Her name is Amber", wika niya at pumasok na kami sa loob ng gate.

"Hello po", I smiled at her ngunit tango lang ang isinagot nito. Uh, she doesn't like me, does she? Iniisip
marahil nito na aagawin ko sa kanila si Gray.

Kung humanga na ako sa labas pa lamang ay mas lalo akong humanga sa loob ng bakuran. There was a
rectangular pool on the side at may hardin ng mga bulaklak.

Oh yeah. Magara na ang porch pa lamang ng bahay, baka himatayin na ako kapag makita ko na ang
interior design niyon.
"Simula ng mag-aral ka doon sa Bridle madalang ka na kung umuwi dito. Dati nung sa Athena ka pa,
madalas ka namang umuuwi ah. Kayo ni Mikmik!", tila nagtatampong wika nito.

"Sorry na Nana. Wag ka ng magtampo, alam nyo namang malayo ang Bridle diba?", Gray answered.

"Oo na. Teka kumain na ba kayo? Ipaghahanda ko kayo ni Tessie ng pagkain", wika nito at nagpaalam
muna na pupunta ng kusina.

Nang makaalis na ito ay humingi ng paumanhin sa akin si Gray. "Pagpasensyahan mo na si Nana Sena.
She's our mayordoma and she's the one who raised me mula pagkabata. You know, my mom and dad
was busy in their police works before", he said.

Ngumiti lang ako sa kanya. "It's fine."

"Let's go upstairs at ng makapagbihis ka", wika niya at pinasunod ako sa kanya. We went upstairs at
napansin ko ang malalaking mga litrato sa gilid ng hagdan. It was Gray when he was few years younger.

He was with a beautiful young woman in one of the portraits.

"I don't know that you have a sister", wika ko while looking at the pictures.

"I don't have one. That's my mom", he answered and I almost tripped.

Whaaaaaat?! His mom!? Bakit mukhang ilang taon lamang ang tanda nito kay Gray?! She's very sexy and
beautiful too!

"WHAT?! That's your mom? Are you joking? She's too young to become your mom", wika ko sa kanya.
Baka niloloko lang ako nito.

"She's 17 when she carried me in her womb", kwento ni Gray. "That's why we looked like siblings."

I saw another photo and it was two young boys, one carrying a basketball while the other is carrying a
soccer ball.
"Hey, isn't this Khael?", I asked at tinuro ang larawan. Bata pa sila doon, mukhang nasa mga seven years
old pa lamang.

"Yes, that's him."

"Kyaaaaah! He's so cute!", I exclaimed and I saw his face crumpled.

"He's not. Tingnan mo oh, ang lakas ng loob bumungisngis, eh bungi naman!", he said and pointed the
gap in Khael's teeth.

"Kaya nga ang cute niya. Look at your smile, oh no. You're not smiling", I told him.

"Parehas kami bungi niyan kaya ayaw kong ngumiti", he said and frowned.

That's when I burst into laughters! Sabay talaga silang nabungi?!

He pouted when I laughed hard at nagpatuloy sa paglalakad. Patay! Nainis yata.

I stopped myself from laughing at sumunod sa kanya. He went inside a huge dressing room at binuksan
ang malaking walk-in closet. There were so many lady's clothes there.

"Chose anything you want. Kung gusto mo rin ay maligo ka muna", he said.

Wait, there were so many clothes that I can borrow there but there's no way I'll be borrowing
underwears!

"But Gray-", shit! Paano ko ba iyon sasabihin?

"What?"
"Ano kasi -", Damn! I really can't say it!

"Ano nga? You want me to undress you? Just tell me", he said and smirked.

I know I'm as red as a tomatoe now! Ano ba ang pinagsasabi niya?!

"Pervert! I just wanted to tell you that I can't borrow underwears!"

Oh! There! I finally said it.

"Edi suotin mo na lang ulit - awwww!", I stepped hard on his foot.

"Nababaliw ka na ba? I can just wash my panty and let it dry using your dryer! The problem is bra! I'm
not wearing any bra!", I screamed on his face.

His eyes widened and his ears are becoming red. Saka ko lang din narealized kung ano ang sinabi ko!
Shit!!!!

Talagang Holy Shit!

"Why are you not wearing bra?", he asked at kating-kati na ang kamao kong dumapo sa mukha niya.
What a very stupid question!

Very Stupid!!!!!

"Arrrgh! I'm not wearing any dahil may built foam itong damit na ito!", I hissed at him. Crap! It's so
awkward to discuss your undergarments with a guy!

"What are we gonna do now?", he asked and I rolled my eyes. Uh! Wala ba itong maisip?
"I thought your IQ is superior pero tanga ka rin pala! You can just ask your maids to buy me one", I told
him. Really? Uh stupid Gray! So stupid!

Naningkit ang nga mata nito and he looked away. "There's no way I'll be telling them to buy you
underwears. You tell them yourself", wika niya at pinindot ang intercom sa tabi.

"Nana, nandiyan ba si Dezza? Please sent her up in the dressing room, thanks." Matapos niyang
magsalita ay hinarap niya ako.

"Papunta na si Dezza kaya ikaw magsabi sa kanya.", he said. Oh, now I know. Nakakahiya nga pala sa
lalaki na mag-utos ng ganoon! Kahit ako ay nahihiya!

"But I don't have money! I lost my clutch", wika ko. Crap! This is the second time na may kailangan
akong bilhin but I don't have money. The first time was when I bought a phone. When I pay him the next
day, he refused to accept it.

May kumatok sa pinto at iniluwa niyon ang babae na halos kaedad lang namin, or magbe we're older.

"That's Dezza, Nana Sena's granddaughter, Dezza, she's my classmate Amber", pakilala ni Gray sa amin.

"Hi po Ate Amber", she said and I smiled at her. "May nais po ba kayo?"

"Ano kasi, can you buy me a pair of underwear?", I asked her at kinuha naman ni Gray ang kanyang
pitaka at naglabas ng tatlong tig-iisang libong papel at ibinigay iyon kay Dezza.

Dezza looked at the money with amusement. Tiningnan ko rin ng si Gray na nakataas ang isang kilay.

"What?!", he asked nang mapansin ang tingin ko at ang pag-aatubili ni Dezza na kunin ang pera.

"I'm not asking Dezza to buy me Victoria Secret's underwear! That's too much for a pair of it!", wika ko
at ininguso ang kamay niyang may hawak ng pera. Kumuha ako ng isanh libo at ibinigay iyon kay Dezza.
"Medium and a 32B will do", wika ko at nagpaalam na ito.

"Malay ko ba", he whispered at ibinalik ang natitirang pera sa wallet. "Pumili ka na ng damit and you can
take a bath at my room's bathroom since sira ang heater ng mga shower sa guest room."

Matapos makapili ay dinala niya ako sa kanyang silid. It was huge though it was't as huge as the room in
the mafia's mansion. Malinis iyon at maayos. There was a shelf na may soccer ball. The room was a
shade of light blue with gray blinds.

On one corner ay ang desktop computer nito. May xbox din sa gilid at isang bookshelf. Malinis at
maayos din pala ito.

"That's the bathroom. There are spare towels there. Hihintayin ko sa baba si Dezza", he said at lumabas
na.

Hinubad ko na ang damit at kumuha ng towel at itinakip iyon sa katawan. I heard some knocks at nang
buksan ko iyon ay iniabot niya sa akin ang maliit na basket na naglalaman ng kung ano-anong panlinis ng
katawan ng babae.

"That's mom's things. You can use it since mga for men's ang mga gamit ko sa banyo", he wasn't looking
at me. Sa halip ay nasa kabila ang paningon nito.

What is he doing?! Bakit ayaw niyang tumingin sa akin. Uh, weird.

When I entered the bathroom ay halos mamangha ako. Ang dami ngang abubuts nito sa katawan! And it
wasn't just a single brand but three of them. Uh! Daig pa nito ang babae.

Matapos maligo ay nasa kama na ang pinabili ko kay Dezza at agad akong nagbihis. Agad akong bumaba
ng makapagbihis na ako. I just chose a black sweatshirt and some shorts. I hope Gray's mom wouldn't
mind it. Ang sexy siguro ng mommy ni Gray! Her clothes are not that big to me.
I looked for Gray but he's nowhere to find. Pumasok ako sa kusina kung nasaan ang mga katulong at si
Nana Sena.

"Uhm, excuse me po Nana Sena Nasaan po si Gray?", tanong ko sa kanya.

"Oh, ikaw pala ineng. Nandoon sa lanai, may kausap yatang kapitbahay", wika nito.

"Ah, sige po. Salamat."

I was about to leave ng tawagin ako ni Nana Sena.

"Ineng sigurado ka bang kaklase ka lamang ni Ivan?", she asked me and I blushed! Do we looked like we
had something special? Uh.

"Nako, oo po. Magkaklase lang po talaga kami", sagot ko dito at sumimangot naman ang matanda.

"Sayang naman. Ngayon pa lamang nagdala ng babae si Gray dito", she said. Oh, I thought she hated me
tapos ngayon nasasayangan ito?

"Pero pakiramdam ko may iba sa inyo. Sige na ineng, hanapin mo na si Ivan. Mamaya ay
manananghalian na tayo", she said at nagpaalam na ako.

I immediately went to the lanai kung saan kakaalis lamang ng kausap ni Gray.

He was in a deep thinking when I approached him. "Hey", tawag pansin ko sa kanya at saka pa lamang
niya ako napansin.

"Hey."

Tiningnan ko ang papalayong lalaki. He was on his late 20's. Mukhang kaedad lang ito ni Detective Tross.
"Who was that?"
"Our neighbor Kuya Janus. Amber do you think Vampire exists?", he asked me in a serious manner.

"How would I know? I never saw one", wika ko at nagkibitbalikat.

"Well, we'll see for ourselves later", he said at pumasok na sa loob.

**

Matapos kaming mananghalian ay isinama ako ni Gray sa bahay ng kapitbahay nila na kausap niya
kanina.

Ayon umano kay Kuya Janus ay may bampira sa bahay nila. He don't want to believe it but he saw it with
his own eyes. Ayon dito ay nakatatanda nitong kapatid ang bampira.

It was recently when his brother's private nurse was killed by a vampire. There were two holes on her
neck which looks like a vampire's bite.

He tried reporting it to the police but they won't believe him. May nga kababalaghan din umanong
nangyayari sa bahay nila.

His basis for pointing out his brother as the vampire was because they caught him in the act. Nahuli
umano ito nina Janus nang minsang marinig nila ang sigaw ng dalawang taong pamangkin nito. When
they rushed into the room, they saw the their brother held his neice. They saw how he raised his head
from the child's neck. There were traces if the child's blood on his mouth at may dalawang butas naman
sa leeg ng bata kung saan nagmumula ang dugo.

They can't ask him about it dahil hindi ito nakakapagsalita simula ng ma-stroke ito. Ang tanging nag-
aalaga dito ay ang kanyang asawa. Bago pa rin umano ito na-stroke ay ayaw na nitong makalanghap ng
pagkain na may bawang which was also one of the basis of their suspicion about him becoming a
vampire.
He invited Gray to check the situation dahil halos mabaliw na daw ito sa kaiisip kung naging bampira nga
ba ang kanyang kapatid.

Nasa harap kami ngayon ng malaking bahay nina Kuya Janus. There were high walls at nagulat na lang
ako ng mapagbuksan kami ng gate! There were so may reptiles around!

There were salamanders, komodo dragon at kung ano-ano pang mga reptiles! What made me held tight
to Gray were the snakes na nasa kanya-kanyang cage! And it was from the smallest to a large one!

"I'm sorry. I forgot to tell you that Kuya Janus' brother is a herpetologist kaya normal lang na maraming
reptiles dito. Don't worry about their fangs, it's been removed", wika ni Gray.

"It's more like his hobby than his profession, he's still a businessman after all", wika ng isang babae at
napalingon kami sa kanya. "Hi Gray, I haven't seen you in so long." She said at ngumiti kay Gray. I guess
she was a college student.

"Ate Crizza! Yeah it's really a long time", bati ni Gray dito.

"You've brought along a girlfriend?", she asked ng makita ako.

"She's my classmate Ate Crizza, her name's Amber", pakilala ni Gray at ngumiti naman ako sa babae.

"Oh, hi Amber. Mauna na ako sa inyo, I have to go to school pa kasi, bye!", paalam niya sa amin.

Pumasok naman kami sa bahay at panay ang hawak ko kay Gray! Geez! Those snakes are creepy!

Sinalubong kami ni Kuya Janus. "So this is your classmate Amber", wika nito kay Gray. Mukhang
nasabihan na ito ni Gray kanina na isasama niya ako.

He talked to us again tungkol sa kababalaghang nangyayari. He don't want to believe that vampires
exists but he saw it with his own two eyes.
"I really don't know what to do. Ni hindi ko alam kung ano ang sanhi ng lahat ng ito. If Kuya Morris really
becomes a vampire, what cause him to become one?", tanong ni Kuya Janus.

"I don't really think that vampires exist Kuya Janus though there were really some tribe or cult who
drinks blood as a form of tradition. Did your brother leave to go somewhere bago pa man nangyari ang
pag-atake ng sinasabi niyong bampira?", I asked him. He thought for a while at umiling.

"I don't think there are any place he'd went", sagot nito. Ibig sabihin, the possibility that he have
encounter tribes who have been drinking blood as part of their tradition has been eliminated.

"Can you show us the kid that you've said has been bitten?", Gray asked him at tinawag naman ni Kuya
Janus ang isa sa mga katulong at pinakuha ang bata.

When she arrived, she was carrying the two year old kid. It was his daughter, Jehan. Sariwa pa ang sugat
sa leeg nito, and it really looks like it was bitten by some sharp fangs. It could have been the snakes but
since he assured us that all the snakes ay tinanggalan ng mga pangil, snake bites are impossible.

"It really looks like caused by sharp fangs", komento ni Gray and I agreed. How was it possible? Kuya
Janus even said that he saw him bit the child.

"How about the maid who was killed? Does she have the same bite marks?", tanong ko.

"Yeah, she has", sagot nito.

Gray was lost in his thought. Kapag ganoon siya ay unti-unti ng may bumubuo na idea sa isip niya.

"Who are that brats Janus?"

Sabay kaming napalingon sa pinanggalingan. It was a fat woman na donyang-donya sa suot nito. She was
holding a home magazine habang binibigyan kami ng mapanuring tingin.
"Ah, they're from the neighborhood Ate Jana", Kuya Janus said to the lady. She just raised her brows to
us bago umalis.

"Pagpasensyahan niyo na si Ate. Ganoon talaga iyon, lalo na ng dumating siya dito. She's from Spain at
nagpunta dito ng ma-stroke si Kuya. Sa susunod na linggo ay babalik na din iyon sa Spain. Why don't you
tour around the house? Maybe you can solve the mystery about the vampire if you do so", wika niya at
tumawag ng isang katulong na maaring maglibot sa amin sa paligid while have some things to do.

We both agreed at kasalukuyan na kaming lumilibot sa paligid. Una kaming nagpunta ay sa bakuran.
There were really varieties if reptiles there from different sizes and color.

Matapos kaming maglibot doon ay pumunta kami loob, and that's when I bumped into a lady. She was
in her formal business attire at nang mabangga ko ito ay tumilapon ang mga dala-dala nito.

"Nako! Pasensya na po! Hindi ko po sinasadya", wika ko at nagsimulang pulutin ang mga natapon niting
bagay. Tumulong na rin ai Gray sa pagpulot niyon at ibinigay iyon sa babae.

"It's fine. Pasensya na din, I wasn't looking at my way. You're a friend of Janus?", tanong niya sa amin.

"Yes, Maam. I'm the son of Silvan in the neighborhood, ky name is Gray and this is my classmate
Amber", pakilala ni Gray sa amin.

She was a middle-aged woman at mukhang galing ito sa trabaho dahil sa suot nito.

"Really? Oh, hi!", bati niya sa amin. "My name is Monette. I'm the wife of Morris", wika niya. She was
the wife of the "alleged vampire?"

"Mauuna na ako sa inyo, I still have to attend the needs of my husband. Well he's been stroked by now
so he can't speak and move well enough kaya I have to go", paalam niya sa amin and we bid her
goodbye too. Nagpatuloy naman kami sa paglilibot kasama ang isang katulong.
We went inside a room full of animals. It was like a huge zoo lalo na ng magawi kami sa reptile room na
kung saan naroon ang iba't-ibang uri ng reptiles na dating pinagkakaabalahan ng kapatid ni Kuya Janus
na si Morris, the one whom they thought a vampire.

Lumapit si Gray sa isang tila aquarium kung saan may malaking ahas. "Wow! He has a Yellow bellied sea
snake. Looks like Mr. Morris is really into snakes. This type of snakes are found in tropical oceanic
waters", he said at tila amazed na tiningnan ang ahas sa loob niyon. Uh! He's amazed huh? Ako nga ay ni
hindi halos makatingin doon!

Inilibot ko ang paningin sa loob ng reptile room and I saw a small cabinet on one side with a sticker in it
which says Do Not Open.

At dahil likas sa akin ang kuryusidad ay lumapit ako doon at binuksab iyon. There were small bottles of
liquids there with different labels.

Isa-isa ko namang binasa ang mga nakasulat sa mga maliliit na bote.

(Atractaspididae)

- Burrowing asp -

(Elapidae)

- Black Mamba -

(Colubridae)

- Boomslang -

(Elapidae)

- Death Adders

(Viperidae)

- Russell's Viper -
Wait, these are -

"Venoms", Gray said from my back. Hindi ko namalayan na nakalapit na pala ito sa akin.

"Yeah, these are venoms from the different venomous snakes", wika ko sa kanya. Ibinalik ko na iyon sa
loob ng maliit na cabinet at inaya si Gray at ang kasama naming katulong na lumabas na doon. The
reptile room is so scary! Pakiramdam ko ay ano mang oras ay maaring makawala ang mga malalaking
ahas doon.

"Nandito po ba kayo noong may namatay na private nurse ni Sir Morris dito?", Gray asked the maid with
us.

Tumigil ito sa paglalakad at tumayo. "Oo. Takot na takot nga ako ng makita ko ang nangyari kay Joan!
Totoo ang bampira!", she said at takot na takot ito.

"Kay simula ng mawala si Joan ay nahihirapan na si Maam Monette sa pag-aalaga kay Sir Morris."

"Bago pa man na stroke si Sir Morris, is he acting weird? May mga bagay bang hindi normal sa mga
dating ginagawa niya?", I asked and she nodded.

"Oo. Palagi niyang sinasabi na nasa amin na ang mayroon siyang", she stopped and thought for a while.
"Hindi ko maalala kung ano yun eh, basta pinakadelikadong ano daw ng ahas sa mundo at magkatapos
ay tatawa siya na parang demonyo."

"Hindi ako naniniwala sa bampira. It's human act, I'm sure of it." Buo ang loob na wika ni Gray. "Noong
nakita ni Kuya Janus si Mr. Morris, nakita mo rin ba siya ng kinagat niya ang bata?"

The maid nodded. "Oo. Nang iangat niya ang ulo niya mula sa leeg ng bata ay may dugo sa gilid ng labi
niya."

"That's remarkable", wika ko but just like Gray, I do believe that there is no vampire who was the culprit
of killing the made and biting the child.
Sunod niya kaming dinala ay sa sala kung saan may nangyari ding kababalaghan. The maid said that they
saw Mr. Morris in the mirror. He was very terrifying to look at dahil nakalabas umano ang mga pangil
nito!

"Sigurado ba kayo na si Mr. Morris nga iyon?", tanong ni Gray and the maid nodded.

"Nakita talaga naming lahat", the maid said.

Impossible naman yata na makita nila sa salamin si Mr. Morris. Aren't they're hallucinating?

Nagulat na lang kami ng lumapit sa amin ang isang matanda. "Totoo ang bampira! Totoo ang bampira!",
she screamed.

"Pagpasensyahan niyo na si Maam Teresa. Nasaksihan kasi niya ang nangyari kay Joan at mukhang
natrauma. Pinsan siya ng namayapang si Sir Rolando, ang papa nina Sir Janus", kwento niya at
nagpaalam na ihahatid na muna niya si Maam Teresa sa silid nito.

Naiwan kami ni Gray doon. He seemed so puzzled. Nakatingin ito sa kawalan at malalim pa rin ang
iniisip. I have my deductions on my mind but I don't have any evidence about it.

I looked at the mirror. It was impossible to see someone inside a mirror, right? I looked closely at it. I
noticed light paint on its side. It looks like there was a larger mirror there but now it was replaced with
the a smaller one.

Bumalik naman ang maid na kasama namin so I asked her about the mirror. When she answered my
question about it, I confirmed my suspicion and it provides a good reasoning!

Agad akong umalis doon at pumunta sa likod na bahagi ng salamin. It was a door of a comfort room.
Tinantya ko ang bahagi ng dingding kung saan marahil nakalagay ang salamin sa may sala.

It was also right behind a mirror. I examined it closely but it wasn't like the one found outside. Am I
wrong on my deduction?
I took a deep sigh at hinawakan ang salamin. It moved! Ibig sabihin ay may tsansa pa na tama ang naisip
ko. I removed the mirror and confirmed my idea.

Oh, so this is how the trick was done huh? Trick that you may think that what's happening was because
of supernatural and fictional creatures.

Agad akong lumabas doon at bumalik sa sala kung saan ko iniwan si Gray. I was surprised when
everyone was gathered there!

Mukhang nag-aaway sina Kuya Janus at ang Ate niyang si Maam Janna.

"It's your fault kung bakit halos malugi ang kompanyang iniwan ni papa! Kung hindi lamang dahil sa
asawa mo ay baka tuluyan ba itong magsara!", Maam Jana shouted at a man who was sitting in a
wheelchair na tulak-tulak naman ni Maam Monette.

The old man on the wheelchair was crying. Mukhang marami itonng gustong sabihin ngunit hindi lang
nito masabi dahil nga na-stroke ito.

"Stop it Ate! Walang ginawang masama si Kuya sayo!", galit na wika ni Kuya Janus.

"What now Janus?! Nakalimutan mo na bang muntik na niyang patayin ang anak mo?! Hindi na siya
nagkasya sa dugo ng private nurse niya at sinubukan pang patayin ang anak mo! He's not your brother
anymore because he have turned into a vampire!"

"Sorry to interrupt but I guess there's no vampire here who killed the nurse and attempted to kill a child.
It's all human work", Gray said. Mukhang buo na ang deduction nito. I guess we have the same culprit.

"Wala kang pakialam dito! Usapang pamilya ito!", Maam Janna shouted ngunit parang wala lamang iyon
kay Gray.

"Let's hear him out. I've asked him here to investigate this case. I have known him since he was a child
and I know he got brains and good reasoning na makakatulong sa atin", Kuya Janus said.
Nagsimula naman si Gray. "There's no vampire. It's someone's doing who wanted all of you to think that
the innocent Mr. Morisson who become a vampire did it", Gray let out a victorious smile. "Right Mrs.
Monette?"

Nagulat naman ang lahat. Halos hindi sila makapaniwala! Uh, yeah. We really have the same culprit.

"What are you saying?", mahinahon nitong wika. Mukhang sanay ito sa ginawang pagkukinwari na wala
itong kinalaman

Lumapit si Gray dito at kinuha silver na hair chopstick na nasa ulo nito. Its tip was sharpened. Kapag
sinaksak ka ng ganoon ay magmumukhang kinagat iyon ng pangil.

"You used this hair adornment together with the venom that you got from the reptile room upang
patayin ang nurse. You kept that venom to avoid comparison in case the police would suspect anything
about it", deklara ni Gray.

"Nababaliw ka na ba? Walang nagkulang sa mga venom na naroon", Maam Monette said.

Nakisingit na rin ako sa usapan. "Of course there is. The venom of the most dangerous snake
scientifically known as Oxyuranus microlepidotus or the inland taipan. He had such collection of venom
dahil ayon sa mga katulong, before he got sick ay sinasabi niya mayroon siyang venom niyon", I told
them at nagulat silang lahat. Good thing I still remember its binomial name.

"Yeah. An inland taipan has the most dangerous venom with subcutaneous injection

LD 50 or median lethal dose is 0.1% in bovine serum albumin in Saline", dagdag ni Gray.

I saw Maam Monette's face tightened. Bumaling ito sa mga naroon. "Bakit ba tayo maniniwala sa mga
bata na walang basehan sa mga pinagsasabi nila!", she said.

Gray stepped forward and raised a small notebook on his hand. "Sorry but we have your husband's
research as basis", he said. Oh, he got a notebook as a basis, good one Gray!
The old woman stepped forward. "We saw him! We saw Morris bit Janus' child! He have become a
monster!", tila natatakot na wika ng matanda.

"Tama si Tiya! Nakita nating lahat ang ginawa ni Morris sa anak mo Janus!", Maam Jana said. They were
really puzzled by this make believe story of vampire.

"The story behind that goes like this. Maam Monette pricked the child with these thing coated in the
venom of the inland taipan, and Sir Morris, knowing that it could cause death with 30 minutes, he
sipped the venom from the child's neck to avoid it from spreading from the child's body and by that he
saved the child", Gray said at halos matulala si Kuya Janus. He might be thinking that the one he was
blaming for the almost death of his child was actually the one who was saving her!

"That's impossible! If he did sipped the poisonous venom ay sana wala na siya ngayon. You said that it's
the most deadly venom!", galit na wika ni Maam Monette. She still didn't turn herself in.

"Venomous snakes are often said to be poisonous, but poison and venom are different things. Poisons
must be ingested, inhaled or absorbed, while venom must be injected into the body by mechanical
means like you did when you killed the nurse and almost killed the child. It is harmless to drink

snake venom as long as there are no lacerations inside the mouth or digestive tract except for some
snake venom", paliwanag ni Gray. His face was very serious habang isinisiwalat ang lahat ng
katotohanan tungkol sa nangyari.

"But what could be her reason if ever that's true?", tanong ni Kuya Janus. He was still surprised ngunit
mukhang nakabawi na ito.

"Probably because of embezzling money. You said na nalulugi ang family company ninyo, right? It's also
possible that it caused his husband's current condition. The nurse knows about this too kaya pinatay
niya ito in a way that no one could imagine. She did it to the child to confirm all of your suspicions about
Mr. Morris being a vampire", Gray said at halos hindi makapaniwala ang lahat. Panay naman ang tulo ng
luha ni Mr. Morris who was unable to move from his wheelchair.

"Huh! Interesting deduction but how will you explain his sudden hatred for foods with garlic as well as
his appearance in the mirror? Surely monsters like him could have done it!", wika ni Maam Monette.
"It's no mystery at all, just pure trick", wika ko at napabaling ang atensyon nilang lahat sa akin. I
instructed one of the maid to stay at the bathroom where I saw the mirror.

"About the garlic, it's normal for aging people to have a change in tastes and preferences. As of the
mirror trick, look", tinuro ko ang salamin and they all saw the maid's face na pinakiusapan ko doon.

They were all surprised by that! "How was that possible?", tanong ni Maam Janna.

"It's a one-way mirror, which is partially reflective and partially transparent. I asked the maid to turn off
the lights in the bathroom where the other side of the mirror is while this other side of the mirror is
brightly lit so it allows viewing from the

darkened side but not vice versa. But if we shine a light just like what I asked the maid to do, we are able
to see her. When you see Mr. Morris in this mirror with the fangs, it's probably an edited picture of him.
Maam Monette did it to complicate his husband", paliwanag ko. Yep that was the trick behind the mirro.
You will know if it's one way or not if you pressed your fingers in it. It's totally different from a normal
mirror though it's not really that noticeable.

My basis for it was when the maid said that Maam Monette was the one who bought a replacement
mirror kaya she could probably manipulated it.

"Shut up brats! Nang-aakusa kayo! You don't have any evidence about it! I am saving the company and
not embezzling money from it!", she shouted at us. Mukhang galit na galit na ito.

"Of course we have evidence. Show everyone the passbook and bank records that we helped you picked
up kanina. It says everything. As of the murder, we can have a luminol test on this to prove if there are
remnants of blood here. We can have it examined for poison too", mahinahong wika ni Gray at napatigil
naman si Maam Monette. Mukhang wala na itong kawala.

Nagulat na lang kami ng lapitan ito ni Maam Janna at sinampal ng malakas. "It was you all along then!
Ang kapal ng mukha mo! You even put the blame on my brother since he's on his weakest state!",
umiiyak na wika ni Maam Janna at muli itong sinampal. "You're worst than all the snakes in this house! I
don't know that we are living with the most dangerous snake at ikaw iyon!"

Napayuko na lamang si Maam Monette. Everything was exposed now.

Muli pa sana itong sasampalin ni Maam Janna but Kuya Janus prevented her. "Enough Ate. We'll let the
police handle her. Let's not put justice into our hands. It must be in its proper procedure. Kahit ako ay
kating-kati ng ihigante ang anak ko and Kuya Morris but we should do proper procedures. The police are
on their way", wika nito sa mahinahon na paraan and Maam Monette burst into tears.

The police arrived at nagpaalam na rin kami sa kanila. They all thanked us for unveiling the truth at
humingi ng paumanhin si Maam Janna sa amin dahil sa unang pagtrato nito sa amin.

We can't count how many times they thanked us. Nagpaalam na kami at lumabas sa mataas nilang gate.

We were walking on our way towards Gray's house."I don't know you're good in memorizing the
binomial name of that inland taipan", wika niya.

"Yeah, I just read it recently", sagot ko. Nagulat na lang ako ng tumigil siya sa paglalakad at hinarap ako.

"Are you afraid of snakes?", tanong niya sa akin. His face was very serious.

"Of course! Panay nga ang kapit ko sa sayo kanina diba?", I answered him.

Nasa tabi kami ng daan. It was a subdivision area kaya walang masyadong sasakyan at mga tao sa
palagid.

"Are you really sure?", he asked again.

"Kulit din ng lahi mo ano? Oo sabi eh! I would probably freak out kung hindi lang nakacase yung mga
alagang ahas nila doon. Bakit ba?", wika ko sa kanya. Uh, he's acting weird. What's with that oh-so-
serious face anyway?

"Because you were carrying one on your foot", he said at ng tingnan ko ang isang paa ko, there was
really a very small snake clinging there.
"NANAY TATAY! HOLY CRAP! CHEESECAKE! PIZZA! LASAGNA! GET THAT FREAKING THING ON MY LEG
PLEASE!", I cried at iniyakap ang sarili ko kay Gray.

Oh yeah, it's like the small snake was clinging on my foot while I am clinging on Gray. Great. Just great.

**

Hi! Kahit anong pilit ko ay wala talaga akong kilig bone eh! Anyways, thanks to Sir Conan Doyle's
Sherlock Holmes. It's where I got the idea of vampire case. Yeah, just the vampire case. It was in The
Adventure of Sussex Vampire. The whole story was totally different. A kid anf a dog was poisoned by
something there and the culprit was his client's 12 yrs old son (not really sure about age though). I
assure you, it was a really different story. I thought of the venom as the murder weapon on my own and
I researched about those dangerous snakes kahit labag sa loob ko dahil takot ako sa ahas, lol! I got the
concept of the one way mirror from Detective Conan but as I've said, it was a totally different story. I am
hoping that you've enjoy this chapter.

The usual, read on your own risk and sorry for the technical and grammatical error. I'm not really busy
dahil hindi ako nakarehistro, sayang nga eh. Oh well, it's a blessing in disguise! Ibig sabihin ay
makakapag-update ako bukas haha! (probably!)

Vote and comments. Thanks!

-Hugs and kisses, ShinichiLaaaabs. ♥

P.S.

My roommates left me alone in our room in the dormitory. I've got no other things to do but to post an
update. Leeeeels! xD

By the way, I'm hoping for a clean election. Sana magbago na ang Pinas. #ChangeIsComing:D

CHAPTER 46: BIZZARE NOTICE

Chapter 46: Bizzare Notice

It was Monday at tila hindi pa nakaka-get over ang mga estudyante sa kasiyahan dahil sa nagdaang
School Festival. My phone is back. Andi retrieved it dahil naiwan ko pala ang clutch ko sa function hall.

We're back to our normal classes with the lessons and quizzes. I am not feeling well today and I don't
feel like talking too.

I am purposely ignoring Gray. Yes, I'm still mad at him. Nang araw kasi na bumalik kami ng Bridle ay hindi
ko siya kinausap. It was because it took him a long time to removed the small snake on my foot. I know
I'm acting like a bitch pero galit talaga ako. I just can't stand snakes clinging on my body.

I arrived a minute before the first period kaya hindi ito nagkaroon ng pagkakataong kausapin ako. When
it was time for the break ay una din akong lumabas and bought some food. I stayed for a while at the
convenient shade near the library at saka lamang bumalik sa room ng tumunog muli ang bell.

On our next period ay pinapunta kami sa AVR para sa isang informational film showing about chemicals
and chemical reaction.

I sat on the last side of the upper row at katabi ko si Jeremy. All those flashed on the projector are not
new to me kaya humalukipkip na lang ako and only half listened to it. Chemistry is just a piece of cake
for me.

I saw Gray emerged from his seat at lumingon as if he's looking for someone. Inisa-isa niyang tingnan
ang mga row and walked on our direction ng makita ako sa pinakadulo. Oh yeah, mabuti na lang talaga
at nasa pinakadulo ako dahil hindi ito makakatabi sa akin. Gray sat on the vacant seat.

"Why are you mad?", he asked in a loud voice enough for me to hear habang nakatingin sa harap. I
know he knows a lot about chemistry too kaya kahit hindi na ito makinig ay makakasagot ito. Talking
about Mr. 2 points above genius-level IQ!

I ignored him deliberately at itinuon ang pansin sa harap but he's persistent enough to ask again.

"Amber, I'm talking to you. Don't tell me you're still mad about that little snake?", he asked again and I
still ignored him.
"Was it about bringing you to that place wherein there were so many snakes?", patuloy niya and I still
pretended that I didn't heard him. I gonna kiss myself later for such pretending.

"Fine! I would think that it's about you and me worrying for your underwears", he said at napalingon ang
ilan sa mga kaklase namin na nasa palagid. Mabuti na lang at madilim doon dahil kung hindi ay makikita
nila na pulang-pula na ako!

Now that statement is impossible to ignore!

"Shut up perv! It's about the snake! Idiot!", I hissed at him. I don't care if my voice is loud. Mas malakas
pa rin naman ang sound system ng AVR.

"Why would you get angry over that?", he asked. Oh he don't know?! Snakes makes me pale as if I'm
dead!

"You took too long before removing that snake! I almost died of fear moron!", I said. Yeah, I'm planning
to name him with all the names that I could think of!

"It's because you're clinging on my neck! How could I removed that snake if you're on the way? I mean
you hugged tightly on my neck and I can't even move!", he said. Now everyone who's near us had all
their attention on us.

Heller! Nagfifilm showing tayo! Focus in front and not on us!

I'm really so red now! Was I really clinged in him that tight that he can't even move? Ugh! I can't
imagine!

"Kahit na! You should have think of other way! Yeah, I'm alive but I feel like I'm dead that day! Stupid!", I
told him. I glared at some of our classmates at nagkunwari naman ang mga ito na ibinalik ang atensyon
sa pinapalabas. I know their ears are still on us!

"Oh well sorry for being stupid! But I'm still the one who removed that snake! And why are you freaking
out over it? It's too small! A shoelace is even longer than it, not to mention that it's fangless! It's
harmless you know!", he said. He was getting pissed too, I can feel it on his voice. Ganoon naman talaga
ito. He's easily pissed, that's what I noticed on him.

"Harmless, my ass!", yeah I really sounded like a bitch throwing her tantrums.

"Uhhhm, would you like to trade seats Amber? You two can talk properly that way", wika ni Jeremy na
napapagitnaan pala namin! Gosh, we're shouting and I call Gray with names and I totally forgot that
Jereny is sitting right in the middle of us.

"No thanks! I'm not staying here anymore", I said at tumayo. I went out the AVR at bumalik sa
classroom. Nakakainis! Arrrgh!

I sat on my desk at nagpakalumbaba when I noticed a black envelope on my desk. Uh, what is this?

Kinuha ko iyon at binuksan. There wasn't anything written on the back except for an X which was cut out
from a magazine and glued on the envelope.

Weird.

I opened it at inilabas ang papel na laman niyon.

It was encoded. What was it? A poem?

My beauty beguiles them and they ignored my thorns for they focused on my red petals ..

One have to taste my wrath ..

Come at once if convenient - if inconvenient come all the same.

PS. I'm no Napoleon of Crime, got nothing on Moriarty, just as cunning as him. This is a declaration of
war! - X!
Napakunot ang noo ko matapos basahin iyon. I felt a chill runs down from my back. Was it a prank or
not?

But that notice puzzled me. It says someone must have to taste the wrath of whoever sent this. Why
was it even sent to me? Who the hell is X? What now? Is this another faceless who like Zeus before, who
comes my way?

The sender even quote Sherlock Holmes' line.

Come at once if convenient - if

inconvenient come all the same.

If ever the sender have a negative intention as stated in this notice, how dare him use Sherlock's line! It
was supposed to be for the right and justice! Not the other way round.

And he even claim that he got nothing on Sherlock's mortal nemesis, Professor James Moriarty who
Sherlock addressed as the Napoleon of Crime.

And this is a declaration of war? Was it? Hindi ko alam kung paniniwalaan ko ba ang sulat na ito but a
part of me says that I should.

I had this feeling that something's going to happen. Something bad is going to happen.

**

I've been sulking and acted so bratty for the whole day. I must say I still haven't reconciled with Gray,
uh, I don't even know if reconciliation is the right word.

Fine! I'm gonna tell the reason behind this bratty attitude I have now. I'm on second day of my period
and I have this feeling of being grumpy. I don't know the reason behind this ngunit totoo ngang mainit
ang ulo ng isang babae kapag meron ito.
I have a cousin before who was older than me. Her attitude really irks me whenever she had her period.
Now I know how she feels and I don't know if there are people who's getting irritated on me like the
way I used to be irritated before with my cousin. Oh, yeah. Maybe Gray. He's pissed kanina at nang
magsimula na ang unang klase sa hapon ay hindi na ito nagtangka pang kausapin ako.

I felf guilty somehow. He's right, even though it took him time to get the snake from my foot, he was still
the one who did it. At marahil ay kasalanan ko rin kung bakit natagalan siya sa pagkuha niyon.

Like he had said, I've been clinging tightly on him. Yuck! I don't even wanted to picture out myself doing
so. Now I'm mentally fighting with myself whether to apologize or not. In the end I decided I have to.

I decided to take action of my Operation: Apologize to Gray. I bought two coke in can and two dark
chocolate bar. Bumalik ako sa classroom at hinanap si Gray ngunit wala ito roon. I looked on the nearest
convenient shades and checked if he was there.

Along the way, I passed on the roses planted in the flower box that outlined the pathway at naalala ko
ang kakaibang sulat kanina.

My beauty beguiles them and they ignored my thorns for they focused on my red petals ..

One have to taste my wrath ..

Dito ba ang ibig sabihin ng sulat na iyon? The roses there were red and thorny. Could it mean that if
something happened, this is the place where it would be?

Iwinaksi ko muna iyon sa aking isipan. I'm not even sure if that was serious or something that bored
people come up with. As of now, I have to accomplish the Operation: Apologize to Gray.

Nakita ko siya sa isa sa mga convenient shade doon. He was talking to someone on his phone. Dahan-
dahan akong lumapit sa kanya at hinintay na matapos itong makipag-usap. It seems like he was talking
to his mother.

"Come on Ma, why make a big fuss about it? I told you, she's just my classmate and it's due to some
circumstances that made me decide to bring her there", wika niya. "Don't make stories.", he paused for
a while at nakinig sa kabila.
Wait, are they talking about me? I'm his classmate whom he brought to their home right?

"Argh! You're no Cupid Ma, so stop with the matchmaking. She's not my type. She's stubborn and bratty
sometimes."

Sandali! He's telling her mom bad things about me?! What the hell?! Sinisiraan niya ako sa mama niya?!

"She's smart and pretty, yeah but please Ma, stop it. As I've said she's a trouble herself! She loves
trouble so much that she put herself into. She's also skinny and flatchested.", Gray said.

NOW THAT'S BELOW THE BELT! OPERATION: APOLOGIZE TO GRAY has been terminated and replaced
with OPERATION: KILL GRAY instead. Call me anything but never a flatchested, not when I'm in my not
so good mood due to my period.

Sa inis ko ay binato ko siya ng isang chocolate bar. Tumama iyon sa ulo niya kaya napalingon siya sa akin.

"What the -", he frowned ng makita ako. "I'll hang up now Ma. Bye!", he said at pinatay ang tawag.
Pinulot niya ang chocolate bar na tumama sa kanya. "Hey, how long have you been standing there?"

Pakiramdam ko ay may mga itim na usok ang nakapalibot sa akin. It's doom's day for Gray!

"Long enough to hear everything you said!", wika ko at lumapit sa kanya. Inilapag ko sa mesa ang
dalawang coke in can at dumapo ang kamao ko sa kanyang mukha. It was a strong punch at sabay
kaming napangiwi. I hurt my fist while hitting his face.

"No blood? I'll give you another blow!", wika ko and positioned my fist to give him another punch but he
held my hand.

"Hey! The first one hurt! My sight is getting blurry!", wika niya. Of course, I hit him in between his nose
and eyes!
"I don't care! I'm going to kill you!", I hissed at him. "I was here to apologize for my rudeness kanina! I
even bought you coke and dark chocolate for peace offering since I know that dark chocolate somewhat
helps in lighting up someone's mood tapos maabutan ko na lang na ganito! You're badmouthing me to
your mom aren't you?", I asked him.

"She's teasing me about it that's why I told her those things so that she would stop, Awww!", he
answered and I was able to give him a good punch in the stomach.

"Hey, stop hurting Gray bitch or else I will report you to the guidance office!", I heard a student shouted.
Mga nanonoud pala sa munting palabas namin ni Gray.

I glared at her. Did she just called me bitch? Now I'm really pissed to the highest level! I'm the only one
alllowed to call myself a bitch if ever I want to.

"This is how we greet each other because we're friends", I gave emphasis on the word friends. "Why,
you want to be friends with us? I'll be greeting you like this everyday then!", I said and I saw her
frightened. Umatras ito at tumahimik.

"Look Amber, I'm sorry okay? Totoo naman na matigas ang ulo mo diba? You're also pretty and smart.
The last ones were kind of negative but -"

I cut him off. "Ipagpatuloy mo ang sasabihin and this coke in can will surely explode in that head of
yours! Sana pala ay ito ang binato ko sayo kanina and not the chocolate bar!", wika ko and he smiled.

Oh, why is he smiling? Ganun lang iyon? I'm furious and he will smile? What the hell?!

Kinuha niya ang isang chocolate bar at binuksan iyon. He took a bite at ngumuya. Akmang aagawin ko
sana ang chocolate sa kanya ngunit nauna niyang iiwas iyon. Binuksan niya rin ang isang coke at
uminom.

"Hmm! Sarap!", he said. I have changed my mind in giving it to him as peace offering but now he is
eating it?
"Bakit mo kinain iyan?", I asked him. He licked his lip ng may kumalat na chocolate doon and he looked
so sexy in doing it so.

Damn you Amber. How the hell did you got that idea of a guy licking his lip a sexy one?! Uh, I don't want
to answer my own question though.

"It's for me so I should eat this", wika niya. "Now my mood has been lightened up. Why don't you eat
your share?", tanong niya sa akin.

"I have changed my mind in giving it to you so you shouldn't have eaten it", sagot ko sa kanya. I'm still a
little bit pissed.

"Sorry but I haven't changed my mind in accepting it", he said and smiled.

I rolled my eyes at him. "Whatever." Kinuha ko ang isa pang coke at chocolate bar at tumalikod na sa
kanya. Afternoon break is almost over kaya kailangan ko ng bumalik sa classroom.

I walked away ngunit nagulat ako ng sumunod siya sa akin. He was directly behind me, just a few
centimeters away.

What is he doing now? He's so close at baka maapakan niya ang likuran ng sapatos ko dahil sa lapit niya
sa akin. What is this? We're falling in line?

I tried to ignore him but his presence right behind me is difficult to ignore. I stopped and he also stopped
right behind me.

Patience Amber, Patience! I calmed myself at naglakad ulit but he's still tailing me. Hindi na ako nakatiis,
tumigil ako at akmang lilingunin siya but he spoke first.

"Don't look back. Just walk straight", wika niya at naguluhan ako. Why?
"Why would I listen to you and your stupid instruction?", I asked but didn't really looked back. It's like
I'm questioning his instruction but following it on the process.

"Leak", he said.

Kumunot ang noo ko. "What?"

"Tsk, I said you've got leaks. I know you don't want to walk around with such leak on the back of your
skirt", wika niya and I turned as red as the tomatoe.

Crap! This is really awkward!

**

Short and shitty update! Haha! Anyways, it's just to introduce a new antagonist in the person of X! Vote
and comments are highly appreciated. You know the other procedures and apologies. Goodnight! :*

-ShinichiLaaaabs ♥

PS. By the way, please take time to read author's note. May mga nagtatanong pa kasi kung saan inspired
ang story. Those are explained in the AN, so I've figured out some skipped in reading it. Again I'm hoping
for a clean election tomorrow!

CHAPTER 47: COME IF CONVENIENT

Chapter 47: Come If Convenient

It's already wednesday and I survived my past two days. Mabuti na lang at huling araw na ng period ko
kahapon dahil may PE activity kami ngayon.

I already apologized to Gray by the means of the most effortful way,

- by texting him (insert sarcasm here!).

Yeah, I just texted him SORRY in uppercase followed by a pleading emoticon. His reply was very much
effortful too, he sent me a smiley (insert more sarcasm here!).

Just a smiley, nothing more, nothing less.

We're all gathered together at the gym. May mga nakahanda ng mga standing target which looks like a
human figure. Today's PE class is amazing. Archery. Uh, piece of cake. Yeah, I'm boasting, duh.

Hindi pa dumarating si Maam Saderna kaya kumuha ako ng isang bow at arrow. I positioned my arm
properly at the target which was really far but when I released my arrow, it hit the red spot. Bull's eye!

I heard a clap beside me at ng lingunin ko iyon ay naroon si Ryu. Uh, ano na namang ginagawa nito sa
Bridle? School Festival is over, diba?! Why does he keeps on hanging out here?

And I still didn't forget that I hate him! I hate their mafia!

"Your legs look so weak, but that shoot isn't. Why Amber, mapaglinlang ka. Now I know why the mafia
want you alive, other than Cooler protecting you", wika niya as he looked at me.

"Anong ibig mong sabihin?", I asked him. Hindi ko kasi siya masyadong naiintindihan. The mafia is
protecting me too, aside from Cooler?

"Yeah. You've got their eye as a potential reaper", simpleng wika niya.

What the hell did he just said? Did he said Reaper? I mean, potential reaper? Bad Greek mythology-
coded mafia! Gusto pa yatang itulad ako sa kanila.

Cruel and ruthless! Killers and the likes. No way. I will never be like them.
Nagulat ako ng may humila sa akin palayo kay Ryu. "Don't talk to him Amber", wika ni Gray na siya
palang humila sa akin.

"Hi dear cousin", Ryu said and smirked. Oh, that familiar smirk. "Maybe we should get along some other
time, like we should have a boy's night out and we go drinking all night", kwelang wika ni Ryu. Oh, don't
mess up with Gray.

"Shut up, okay?", Gray said. "I'm dying to land my fist in that face of yours but I can't", he said and look
around the gym kung saan abala ang mga estudyante.

He stepped towards us. "I can't wait", wika niya kay Gray bago bumaling sa akin. "Think of the mafia's
possible proposal as early as now."

"Reaper huh? Sounds cool. I wanna start reaping right now", wika ko at kumuha ng isang arrow. Inayos
ko iyon sa bow and positioned to hit Ryu who was in front of us. Umatras ako palayo upang mas
accurate ang pagtama ko.

"Hey, hey! Are you serious?", he asked ng makitang seryosong-seryoso ang mukha ko. I'm focusing here,
duh.

"I've never been serious for my whole life, ngayon lang", wika ko and I released my arrow. Napasigaw
naman ang mga nakakita.

The arrow passed Ryu at tumama sa likuran niya which landed on the target. Sinadya kong hindi siya
tamaan but I want to see his colorless face when the arrow passed just right beside his ears. It touched
his left ear causing it to bleed a little. I'm gonna congratulate myself later for being amazing.

"Ryu!", Marion shouted at tumakbo palapit kay Ryu. "What was that for?", she asked at takang
tiningnan kaming tatlo.

"We just played Marion", I answered her. Yeah, we're playing. I'm playing as the reaper and Ryu is my
target. Perfect game huh?
I saw amusement in Gray's face at annoyance naman ang nakikita ko sa mukha ni Ryu. Lumapit siya sa
akin at bumulong.

"Consider yourself lucky today because I don't have gun with me", he whispered at agad na inakbayan
ako. "You're amazing!", he said full sarcasm at hinarap ako kay Marion. "She's amazing, uuuh-"

Siniko ko siya at nabitawan naman niya ako. "Don't touch me moron!", I hissed at him at ngumiti naman
ito. Oh, it's more like a smirk than a smile.

"You're really something Amber", he said. Lumapit siya kay Marion. "I just dropped by to give this to
you, naiwan mo kahapon sa kotse ko", he handed Marion her phone at nagpaalam na.

Dumating naman si Maam Saderna and instructed us for our PE activity today.

"I'm sorry to inform you class but Archery is not our activity for today. That was used by the Grade 10
students kanina at hindi pa yan naliligpit."

Sigh of frustration echoed around the gym. Uh! It's not for us? Yeah, paasa ka Maam. Of all student, I'm
the most disappointed here.

"What we will be playing is Dodgeball", Maam Saderna said and I frowned. I just thought she's the most
awesome PE teacher Bridle could ever have but she's not. Uh, I hate dodgeball as much as I hate
volleyball.

Ano naman kasi ang dapat kong gustuhin sa dodgeball? They'll be throwing you and you have to dodge
it. Ugh! No challenge at all. Pakiramdam ko ay walang mae-enhance na skill sa akin.

"You can enhance your speed, agility and your sensitivity to your surroundings", wika ni Gray na
nakatayo sa gilid ko.

Wait. Am I thinking too loud?

"You're not a mind reader, right?", wiko ko sa kanya. Oh, how come did he read ny mind?

"Yeah. Your face says it all", he said and I frowned. So that's it? Basta ayaw ko pa ring maglaro ng dodge
ball.

Wala naman akong nagawa ng nagsimula ng hatiin ni Maam Saderna ang klase sa dalawang pangkat.
The game was a unique one. There will be three balls to be thrown at a time. Duh, I don't even find it
unique.

I didn't volunteer to become one of the throwers ng magsimula na ang laro and we were the it. Naupo
ako sa may bleachers at nanoud habang naglalaro ang pangkat na kinabibilangan ni Gray.

After almost 30 minutes ay naubos na ang isang pangkat and it's our time to play. Geez, I'm not even
excited about it.

Marion sat beside me at gaya ko ay nakasimangot din ito. I guess we share the same sentiments.

"You're gonna sunk the Philipppines with such face", komento ng kaklase namin na nakaupo sa di
kalayuan. Nagkatinginan kami ni Marion as if we're saying to each other to ignore that talkative
classmate of ours.

"Daig niyo pa ang intsik na nalugi", he commented again, and when I glanced at him, it was Jeremy.

What the hell?! Jeremy is talking to us?! Is this some kind of miracle or a joke or what?

We still ignored him but he spoke once again. "Dodgeball is fun. Hitting and dodging. It sounds cool."

Now three sentences from Jeremy within a short period of time is too rare so it shouldn't be ignored.

Sabay kaming napalingon sa kanya at binigyan siya ng nagtatakang tingin.

"Hey, you're a nerd right? You're supposed to be quiet", Marion said. Where did she got that idea that
nerds supposed to be quiet?

"Jeremy are you sick?", I asked him because he's not acting as he is.

He blinked many times at tiningnan kaming dalawa ni Marion. He didn't have time to answer dahil
tinawag na kaming tatlo upang maglaro. Yes! 3 Students must play at a time.

When the game resumes ay panay ang sigaw ni Marion habang umiilag sa bola. Mukhang nag-eenjoy
naman si Jeremy sa ginagawang pag-ilag nito sa bola while I still maintain my bored look. Gosh, kung
alam ko lang sana na Dodgeball ang lalaruin namin sa PE, I shouldn't have attended the class.

Napatigil naman kaming tatlo sa kakatakbo at kakailag ng tumigil din ang mga ito sa pagbabato. What
now? Are they planning a new strategy?

We heard Marcus shouted.

"FIRE IN THE HALL!" Nagulat na lang kami ng sabay nilang ibinato sa amin ang tatlong bola. We weren't
prepared about it kaya nagpanic kaming tatlo causing as to bumped with each other with impact.
Marion's head hit Jeremy's head since both of them are taller than me. I felt Jeremy's elbow hit me right
in the middle of my two eyes causing me to pass out. Bago pa man tuluyang nawala ang paningin ko, I
saw both Jeremy and Marion collapsed too.

I woke up with a bandage on my head. When I looked around ay nasa loob ako ng infirmary. Nasa mga
katabing kama ko naman sina Marion at Jeremy.

Oh, the three of us passed out huh? It was already 3:45 in the afternoon, ilang oras na ba kaming walang
malay? Kapag wednesday kasi, we have the whole afternoon for PE activities while we have the one and
a half hour for the other days. Uh, this is not really good. Ilang beses na ba akong nadala sa mga clinic
dahil sa PE? It's not even a streneous activity! I'm not sent to the clinic when we have our martial arts.
But this sports? Oh bad luck. Noong una ay ng magkaroon kami ng volleyball tournament and now
dodgeball? What the hell is a ball's problem with me?

"Ouch!", I heard Marion said at hinawakan ang nakabendang ulo. Gising na din pala ito. "My God, this is
so frustrating. I hope I'm not gonna have a scar for this."
"Don't worry. The three of you only got small wounds. You just lost conciousness due to the impact",
wika ng school doctor na si Dr. Trias.

"It was worth a wound; it was worth many wounds; to know the depth of loyalty and love which lay
behind that cold mask. The clear, hard eyes were dimmed for a moment, and the firm lips were shaking.
For the one and only time I caught a glimpse of a great heart as well as of a great brain. All my years of
humble but single-minded service culminated in that moment of revelation", Jeremy said as he sat from
the bed. Hinawakan niya ang nakabendang ulo.

Wait, did he just quoted -

"You are really freaking me out nerd! Nakakatakot ka pa lang magsalita ng mas marami kaysa sa
inaasahan", Marion said to him. Yeah! Jeremy is really weird! Why is he talking too much?

"I'm just quoting Dr. Watson in the Adventure of the Three Garridebs when he jumped right in front of
Sherlock Holmes to save him from being shot", wika niya. Just as I thought. He's quoting Sherlock's
comrade and biographer, Dr. John Watson. Ngayon ko lang napansin na hindi pala ito nakasuot ng
salamin na marahil ay nabasag kanina ng magkabanggan kami. His hair na dating tila dinilaan ng
dinosaur kapag pumapasok ito ay magulo ngayon and that messy hair looks good on him. He's still have
his teeth braced. He is actually handsome, I should say.

"Who cares about your Sherlock? Where's your glasses? Wear it dahil naninibago ako sayo", Marion said
to him. Oh, yeah. Nakakapanibago si Jeremy. I feel like his not the nerd seatmate of mine.

"Sorry but your glasses are broken ng dalhin kayo ng mga kaklase ninyo dito kanina", Dr. Trias said.

"It's okay doctor. Maybe I'll have to wear my contact lens instead", wika nito and Marion jumps out of
her bed at tumabi sa akin. She held on my arm at tiningnan si Jeremy.

"Gosh! He really creeps me out", she said. Oh, Marion, shouldn't you must be happy? Atleast Jeremy's
acting normal!

"Uh, Marion. I guess it's good that he's not acting nerdy", wika ko sa kanya na nasa tabi ko.
"Exactly. I've known him as nerd kaya normal lang na matakot ako. Why? Aren't you surprised?"

Oh, syempre nagulat ako. Duh, I've been with him since Grade 7 and he is really a nerd since then. We're
seatmates and we haven't even talked long enough kaya mas dapat akong magulat but it's just that I
should be happy for him. He's opening his isolated world.

"Of course I am but it's a good thing", wika ko and Marion just frowned. Bumaling naman ako kay
Jeremy. "Why are you quoting Dr. Watson?"

He might be doing something that nerds don't usually do like talking too much, but he's still talking
weird. He just got up from the bed and quote a line from a book right? Quiet weird.

Jeremy held his hurt head. "Just checking if my brain is still functional. I have memorized that line from
that book because I like it", wika niya. Malakas yata ang pagkabundol nito kay Marion causing him to
shake his brain and connected it to his tongue that's why he's talking longer than expected.

"And since when are you reading books other than those containing informations and shitty formula?",
Marion asked. Oh yeah, now she's being a brat.

Jeremy think for a while. He crossed his arms and pointed one finger on his temple. Yeah, weird
gestures. "Ah yes. Since Amber left her book under our desk", wika niya. "It's entitled The Casebook of
Sherlock Holmes, and I have researched about it and I found out that it's a first edition released! Just
where on earth did you buy such awesome first edition book?"

Oh, he has my book? Kaya pala kahit anong hanap ko ay hindi ko iyon makita. I have my shelf and boxes
of book poured out but it's nowhere to be found.

"Why didn't you tell me that you have my book?", I asked him.

"You're not on the mood", sagot nito. Uh, yeah. I lost that book since monday.
"Hey, if you wish to go back to your respective classes, you may. You have enough rest anyway", wika ni
Dr. Trias at iniwan na kami.

"We should be going out of here", wika ni Marion at tumayo na. Sumunod naman kami ni Jeremy sa
kanya.

Lumabas na kami ng infirmary matapos magpaalam ka Dr. Trias. Lumapit si Jeremy sa akin at mahinang
siniko ako. "Lend me another Holmes' book. I think I'm gonna be a Sherlockian. I like his line 'When you
have eliminated all which is impossible, then whatever remains, however improbable, must be the
truth.", wika niya. He's really being talkative. Is this really Jeremy?

"Oh yeah. After you return the one that you stole", wika ko sa kanya and he laughed heartilly.

"Okay, ibabalik ko iyon ngayon na but you have to give me the other book tomorrow", he said and I
rolled my eyes.

"Yeah, fine", I told him.

"There's another line I love there too. It goes like 'We must look for consistency. Where there is a want
of it we must suspect deception.'", he said proudly.

Tumigil naman sa paglalakad si Marion at hinarap kami, especifically si Jeremy.

"Stop quoting the book. I mean stop talking like that. I'm not really used to it", she said and walked
away.

"Is she mad?", tanong ni Jeremy.

I nodded at him. She's pissed, I guess.

"Should I run after her?", he asked me.

I nodded again. "I think you should", wika ko at nagulat na lang ako ng mawala ito sa harapan ko.
Hinabol na pala nito si Marion na papasok na sa gusali kung saan naroon ang classroom namin. I stared
at them for a while.

Jeremy and Marion. They don't really talk. Marion who greeted everyone whenever she arrives would
also greet Jeremy every morning who didn't even bothered to reply at her, so I'd understand how she
felt now that Jeremy's talking more than the usual.

Papasok na sila sa 4 storey building. Up in the fourth floor were the piles of red bougainvillea flowers in
large flower pots. Nagulat na lang ako ng biglang mahulog ang isa niyon! I can't clearly see if someone
pushed the flower pot dahil nasisilaw ako sa araw.

"WATCH OUT!", I screamed at them but it was too late. The next thing I knew was someone pushed
them away at walang natamaan sa kanila. I remembered the bizzare notice that I have received last
Monday.

My beauty beguiles them and they ignored my thorns for they focused on my red petals ..

One have to taste my wrath ..

Come at once if convenient - if inconvenient come all the same.

PS. I'm no Napoleon of Crime, got nothing on Moriarty, just as cunning as him. This is a declaration of
war! - X!

It was really a serious warning! And it does not refer to the bushes of rose as I thought first but rather on
the bougainvilleas! Come to think of it! It has red petals too and it have thorns!

Agad akong napatakbo sa kanila na kakatayo pa lamang! Shit! That was a close one!

"Ayos lang ba kayo?", I asked them. Tumayo si Marion at lumapit kay Jeremy.

"You're a bad luck!", she said at tiningnan ang taong sumagip sa kanila. "Thanks by the way", she said
and walked away.
Nagpaalam na rin sa si Jeremy and he was shaking. Malamang ay takot na takot ito. That was a close
one. Basag ang bungo ng kung sino mang matamaan niyon!

I looked at the person who saved them. "What are you doing here Cooler?", I asked him. Yeah, it was
Cooler. He was with the Devil Ryu who was on the side, playing with his mocking smile.

Lumapit siya sa akin at hinawakan ang mukha ko at tiningnan ang nakabenda kong ulo. I pushed away
his hands. "You hurt yourself again?", he said with a worried face.

"State your purpose of coming here Cooler. I'm sure you didn't come here just to save my friends", I said
and looked straight at him.

"I want to talk with you Amber", he said at hinawakan ako sa braso. Why is it that I don't hate him?
Nang una ko siyang makilala ay magaan na ang loob ko sa kanya. He even saved me from that bullet
which reminds me of Dr. Watson's line which Jeremy quoted kanina.

"Sorry but she's not talking to you", wika ng kadarating na si Gray. He pulled me away from Cooler who
also didn't let go of me. Nagsukatan sila ng tingin at walang sino man sa kanila ang unang bumawi.

We heard Ryu whistled kaya napalingon kami sa kanya. "Way to go, loverboys", naglakad siya palapit sa
gumugulong na bola ng baseball. Pinulot niya iyon at inihagis sa estudyanteng humabol doon.

"Why don't we decide it over a game since wala sa inyo ang may balak na bumitaw. Whoever wins, can
have Amber. I mean if Cooler wins, he can talk to Amber, if Gray does then we will accept our defeat and
we would head back home, how about it?", he said.

"Fine with me as long as we'll play soccer", Gray said.

"I suck at it. I don't even know how to play it! Basketball, it is!", wika naman ni Cooler.
I remebered that he was good in basketball. He said it when we first met. But Gray also suck at
basketball. At isa pa, bakit ba sila pumapayag? I'm the one in concern about this right? I should be the
one deciding but the idea of deciding it over sports is fun so I agreed to it.

"But Gray suck at basketball too", wika ko.

"Then why not this. Since they know different sports, let's have a 50-50 probabilities of losing and
winning. Well have a coin toss. It's either basketball or soccer. If it is basketball, it's for Cooler's
advantage, if not then it's for Gray. That's fair enough right?", Ryu said.

"Fine! Head for soccer", Gray said at kumuha naman ng barya si Ryu.

"Head for soccer and tail for basketball. Here it goes", Ryu said and tossed the coin. Nang saluin niya
iyon ay kinuha niya ang kamay ko at inilagay ang barya.

"Damn!", Gray cussed when it was tail.

"So it's basketball", Cooler said. "Let's start right away", he said with a victorious smile.

"Perfect timing. My best buddy is in distress and I am here to save him."

Sabay kaming napalingon sa bagong dating.

"Khael!", I called him out. Perfect timing!

"Hello there my Special A!", he said. Lumapit siya sa akin and kissed my hand which I didn't resisted.
Nasasanay na yata ako sa kanya.

I saw Cooler and Gray frowned while Ryu was on his usual smirk.
"Hi everyone. My name is Mikhael Timothy Alonzo, Amber's future boyfriend", he said and I rolled my
eyes on his statement. "My best buddy Silvan knows nothing about basketball so I'll be representing
him", wika niya.

Hindi naman pumayag si Cooler. "That's not our agreement!"

I stood infront of them. "Why don't we make it 2 on 2. Khael will help Gray while Ryu will help Cooler",
suhestiyon ko. Maybe it's better that way.

"What? I know nothing about basketball too! If it is baseball, I would be sure of our victory" he said.

"Then it's better. Gray and Ryu both suck on basketball while Khael and Cooler are good at it. It would
be a fair match.", paliwanag ko sa kanila.

"Fine!", Cooler said.

"Fine!", pagpayag naman ni Gray.

"Finer and finest!", Khael said. "Now where's the gym?"

We all set and walked towards the gym. Basketball match huh. This is exciting.

**

[ A MUST READ AUTHOR'S NOTE ]

I'm bored kaya nag-update ako! Lol, my next update will be on weekend dahil balik na ulit ako sa
pagiging studyante! Final wave nah! Finals and comprehensive exams! I'm gonna study for the exams ng
mga Prof kong Sugo ng Diablo! Nagbibigay ng exam, wala naman sa discussion. Shemay!
READ AT YOUR OWN RISK, FORGIVE ME FOR THE ERRORS AND I'M GIVING YOU THE BURDEN OF
WAITING HAHA! Well anyways, Patience is a virtue!

I'm giving you a teaser for the next chapter. It's gonna be a sweaty basketball match with all their
YUMMY ABS (lol! xD)

Yun lang HAHA! Look forward for the next update! X's second challenge will come also.

Byeeeers, I'm out.

- most handsome author, ShinichiLaaaabs♥

CHAPTER 48: YOU DO NOT OBSERVE

Chapter 48: You Do Not Observe

We all went to the gym. Ano nga pala ang dahilan kung bakit may ganito? Uh, yeah. Cooler wants to talk
to me but Gray wouldn't allow it so Ryu got this crazy idea.

It's fine with me to talk to Cooler, like I said, I don't hate him. But when it comes to that devil, it's
another story.

The idea of having this match is not really bad. I don't know kung ano ang pumasok sa kukote ko at
nakisakay ako sa kakitiran ng utak ni Ryu. Ugh, well, it's a good way to kill time.

While on our way to the gym, we saw our classmate Marcus along the way kaya pinakiusapan namin
siyang magreferee sa laro which he gladly accepted.

Nang makarating kami sa gym ay nagwarm up muna sila. Gray went to change in his rubber shoes since
ito lang sa kanilang apat ang nakasuot ng black shoes at uniform.
Lumapit naman sa akin si Khael at nagtanong tungkol sa kalaban nila.

"Who are those people Special A?", tanong niya at ininguso ang labi kina Cooler at Ryu na nagwawarm
up.

"They're not so good buddies of Gray. Ah basta. The one who shoot a lot is Cooler while the one who
cannot shoot is Ryu", wika ko at tinapunan sila ng tingin. Cooler owns the basket. Hindi pa man
nagsisimula ang laro ay marami na ang tumambay sa gym upang manuod sa kanila. Oh yeah, they're eye
catchers, no wonder.

"Buddies? I don't know them. I'm Silvan's best buddy so I'm supposed to know them too", he said. Uh,
mukhang nagseselos ang bestfriend. I wanna roll my eyes. Kung alam niya lang. Cooler is his half brother
and Ryu is his cousin.

Hindi ko iyon sinabi sa kanya. It's not my concern anyway. Kung may dapat magsabi sa kanya tungkol
doon, it should be Gray.

Khael was frowning while watching Cooler and Ryu. "I don't like them", he said habang nakatingin pa rin
sa dalawa.

"Why?", I asked him. What's this, a 'hate at first sight?'

"They're a threat to our handsomeness", wika niya at pinigilan ko ang sariling batukan ito. Seriously
Khael?!

"Masyado ka talagang mahangin", I said. "By the way, paano ka nakapasok dito sa Bridle? Hindi basta-
basta nagpapapasok ang Bridle", I asked him.

"Oh, that? I climbed on the walls", he said. Whaaaaat? May lahi talaga itong unggoy. I remembered
during the camp that he stayed up on a tree at natulog. "How about those two? They're not on their
uniform so I supposed that they're not from Bridle too, are they?"
I rolled my eyes. Dalawang bagay lang iyan. It's either they fooled the guards or they threatened them.
Pero pwede rin namang kakilala nila ang guard kaya pinapasok sila even if they are not allowed too. "I
don't know how but I hope that it's through the most legal means. What are you doing here anyway?", I
asked him. Surely he didn't feel like Gray needed help so he rushed his few hours drive towards here.

"I came to save Silvan", he said and I gave him my deadliest glare so he raised his arms in surrender and
answered me. "Fine, don't look at me that way Special A. I came here to invite you for the upcoming
Athena's School Festival", wika niya.

Oh, their school festival? Katatapos lamang ng sa Bridle and now sa Athena naman. I'm not sure if I want
to visit their school. I have never been inside Athena though it's one of the school that dad considered
after I graduated elementary.

Hindi na ako nakasagot pa dahil tinawag na ni Gray si Khael. He was now on his jeans and rubbershoes
instead of his slacks and black shoes. Nakasuot din ito ng black sando.

He's wearing jeans? Uh, that way it would be fair since the three others are wearing jeans. Nagsimula ng
magwarm up sina Gray at Khael.

Just like Cooler, Khael shoot the ball easily while kahit isang shoot ay wala si Gray. Ni hindi nga halos
umaabot sa ring ang inihahagis nitong bola.

Hindi nagtagal ay nagsimula na ang laro. Cooler got the ball on the jumpball at agad na nilaro iyon. He
scored their first shot.

Bumawi naman si Khael. He got the ball from Ryu who was dribbling it and shoot it from the three point
line. Sapul!

Nagsimula ng dumami ang mga estudyanteng nanunuod. Some girls were shouting and cheering for
them.

"Go Athena guy!", a girl shouted. She was a Grade 8 student kaya marahil nakilala na nito si Khael during
the camp.
"WHOOO! The one in gray jeans! Marry me please?", another one shouted and she was referring to
Cooler.

"Graaaaay! Ikaw pa rin sa akin kahit hindi ka pa nakaashoot!"

"Kyaaaaaaaah! Please court me Mr. Handsome instead of Marion."

Iba-iba ang sigaw ng mga estudyante. Uh, seriously?

The game was good. Khael and Cooler are equally good. Tila walang magpapatalo. On the other hand,
Ryu and Gray equally suck. Both of them didn't scored even once.

But looking at them, they have something good in them. Mabilis makaagaw ng bola si Gray na agad
niyang pinapasa kay Khael. Ryu was good at defense too at magaling itong magblock sa nga tira.

They called for time out dahil pinagpapawisan sila. Napasigaw ang lahat ng hubarin ni Cooler ang t-shirt
nitong puno ng pawis. My goodness, every girl student started screaming! Mukhang nababaliw ang mga
ng makita ang 6-pack abs ni Cooler.

What the fudge! He got a six-pack abs?! Hindi ko mapigilang sundan ng tingin si Cooler but someone
suddenly blocked my view and when I looked up at him, it was Gray. He stood in a way that he blocked
Cooler from my sight. Tsk! Killjoy!

Nagulat ako ng muling magkagulo ang mga estudyante. When I looked at on what they're screaming for,
it was Khael who was taking his shirt off.

What the hell is he doing? And why on earth he have got a six-pack abs too?!

"What are you doing?!", I asked him. Ginagaya ba niya si Cooler o sadyang papansin lang talaga ito?

"My shirt said he wanna be ripped off so I did", wika niya and I rolled my eyes. Papansin nga! Inihagis
niya ang ang tshirt sa may bleachers at nag-inat. "My body is screaming hot." He said arrogantly.
Why do they got a six pack abs?! Arrrrgh! Suddently I've become interested to abs. Dahil hinarang ni
Gray mula sa paningin ko si Cooler, my eyes resorted to the nearest sight which is Khael.

Kunwari naman ay nag-inat si Gray and when he stretched his arms sideward ay natamaan nito ang tiyan
ni Khael.

"Awww!", he hissed at ngumuso kay Gray. "What was that for?!" Hinawakan nito ang natamaang tiyan.
It must really hurt dahil hindi niya napaghandaan iyon.

Patuloy naman sa pag-iinat si Gray. "My hands are sweaty and it slipped off nang mag-inat ako."

Inirapan lamang siya ni Khael. "Admit it Silvan that you got jealous over my abs", Khael said. Owwww!

"Dream on Alonzo, compared to mine, yang pinagyayabang mo ay bilbil. Purely baby fats Mikmik", he
said and emphasized the words baby fats and Mikmik. He called Khael with his cute nickname.

Nairita naman ang mukha ni Khael. "Really Ae-Ae? Bilbil?"

Ae-Ae? Who's Ae-Ae?

Hinubad ni Gray ang sando niya ang I was like

OMAYGAD! PUGAD! CHEESECAKE! PANCAKE! CARROT CAKE! CAMOTE CAKE AND CASSAVA CAKE! JUST
WHERE ON EARTH DID THEY GOT THOSE ABS?!

Nagsigawan na din ang mga babae sa paligid at maingay na maingay ang gym.

"Waaaaaaahh! Graaaaaaaaaaay! Take off your jeans too", someone shouted. Uh?! Anong akala nila sa
laro? Strip show? Porn show?! Behave children!
"Kyaaaaah! Khael Alonzo of Athena High! Make me your slave!"

"OMG! Guy in gray jeans! Please take me with you!"

"Ryuuuuuu! Take your shirt off too!"

They have their own yells at napakaingay na. My God! Why are they shouting over the abs?! Pwede
namang manuod ng tahimik gaya ng ginagawa ko. Hihihi, pasimpleng sulyap lang naman eh.

Before the game resumes ay hinubad na nga ni Ryu ang kanyang tshirt at iniwan ang sando samantalang
umingay naman lalo ang paligid. Uh, now they're drawing too much attention.

The game was still close. Kapag nakakascore si Cooler ay nakakascore din si Khael. Kahit hindi
nakakashoot sina Ryu at Gray, they made the game interesting too dahil sa depensa nila.

Nagulat na lang ang lahat nang napatigil si Khael sa paghabol kay Cooler. Humihingal ito na tumigil ito at
pinanuod si Cooler na ishoot ang bola.

Uh, what's wrong Khael?

Umayos siya ng tayo at nag-abang ulit sa bola. He got it and scored a shot. Nang tatlong minuto na lang
ang natitira ay nakalalamang na sina Khael ng tatlong puntos.

Cooler made a comeback and made a 5 point advantage on the last 10 seconds of the game. He was
about to shout for the 6 point gap ng bigla na lamang matumba si Khael.

He immediately throw away the ball at tinulungan itong tumayo. Napasugod na rin ako doon at maging
si Gray. Ryu just walked slowly as if nothing happened.

"Hey, Mikhael Timothy Alonzo, are you okay?", Cooler asked him. He didn't answered him, sa halip ay
ipinikit lang nito ang mata.
When I touched his neck, he was burning hot. May sakit pala ito, why did he played such streneous
game? Nabinat tuloy ito ngayon.

"Hoy Khael!", I called out his name but he remained closing his eyes. "Hoy! Isa! Susuntukin talaga kita!
Dalawa!" I'm becoming hysterical.

He slowly opened his eyes. He smiled when he saw me. "I'd love to, Special A but I guess that's the least
thing I need for now. I guess I need a doctor", he said at tuluyan na itong nawalan ng malay.

Nang dinala siya ni Gray sa infirmary ay nag-usap naman kami Cooler.

I shouldn't have agreed on Ryu's crazy idea, hindi sana hinimatay si Khael. Looks like he's already sick
ngunit naglaro pa rin ito

Dinala ko si Cooler sa mga mini-park na nasa likod ng gym. "Ano bang gusto mong pag-usapan natin?",
tanong ko sa kanya ng makarating kami.

Naupo siya at matamang tiningnan ako. "I know I haven't apologized to you for everything."

"You don't have to. You once saved my life and you also have been the reason of my danger. Let's call it
even", wika ko sa kanya. I know that I caused my own danger since I am the one who put my ass on it,
but I just need someone to blame. Yes, I'm acting like a self-centered bitch for doing so but I really have
to. I'd be losing my mind if I don't blame him.

"Do you hate me?", he asked sincerely and I shook my head.

"I don't hate you Cooler. I just hate your mafia", wika ko sa kanya. Why does he have to be part of it?
Bakit hindi na lang normal na tao si Cooler? Bakit hindi na lang siya si Zeus? Andaming bakit.

"I also want to apologize about Ryu telling you the mafia's interest in you in becoming one of our
reapers. I have already opposed to such idea as well as Gray", wika niya. Ibig sabihin ay seryoso nga ang
sinabi ni Ryu about me being a prospect reaper?
I shrugged my shoulders. "I'm too young to become one. Oh, not that I agree on it too."

"The mafia reapers are young. They believe that reapers must start at a young age for more experience",
wika niya. "Artemis started at the age of 14."

What? 14? She's been killing people since she's 14? Unbelievable!

"Uh. She's a freak, she reads one's IQ by merely looking at them", wika ko ng maalala ang pagbisita ni
Artemis dito sa Bridle.

Cooler laughed. "That's not true. It's not even possible. We already had a background check on you
that's why she had those information", he said.

What? Wala talaga itong ganoong kakayahan?

"She said she's a psychology graduate", sagot ko sa kanya.

"Yeah, she was. She's even a summa cum laude but even if how smart you are, you cannot see people's
exact IQ by simply looking", wika niya. Shucks! Tama siya! I was so amazed with Ryza to the point that I
really believed that she had such skill. So stupid of me!

"The truth is she wanted to see you kaya siya nagpunta dito", pagpapatuloy ni Cooler.

"Why?", I asked. Ako talaga ang ipinunta ni Artemis ng araw na iyon? Really?

"She said she wanna see the future reaper. But don't worry about it. They're over that subject after my
disapproval, seconded by Gray nung nasa mansion kayo", Cooler said.

I looked away at him. Both he and Gray is protecting me against the mafia. But why?

"Yan lang ba ang ipinunta mo dito?", tanong ko sa kanya.

Tumayo siya at hinawakan ang kamay ko. "I came here as Cooler Vander, and not Zeus. I seriously want
to be friends with you Amber", he said sincerely.

I felt something touched my heart. Am I carried away with his sincerity? For the first time ay muli kong
nakita si Cooler sa kanya. The Cooler that I used to know. The Cooler who suck in deducing. The Cooler
who's stupid enough to jump in front of me and almost getting killed in the process.

I looked at him seriously. "I'm not closing doors Cooler but I guess it's not the perfect time for that.
Everything is still fresh."

He smiled at me at binitawan ang kamay ko. "I know that Amber. I'm happy to hear such response. I'm
willing to wait anyway", wika niya. "Well I have to go."

Tumango ako sa kanya at nagsimula na siyang humakbang palayo. I waited for him to disappear from my
sight bago ako umalis at dumeretso sa infirmary.

Pagdating ko doon ay nakahiga sa kama si Khael at nasa gilid naman si Gray. When he saw me ay
lumawak ang ngiti nito.

"How are you feeling?", tanong ko sa kanya. He's wearing a clean dry shirt na malamang ay pinahiram ni
Gray sa kanya.

"Better especially now that you are here", he said. Ugh, nagkasakit na at lahat ngunit nambobola pa rin.
That's Khael.

"I'm leaving", seryosong wika ko at umaktong aalis but he stopped me.

"Just joking Special A! I'm feeling better, napainom na rin ako ng nurse ng gamot. It's just overfatigue",
wika niya.

Pinukpok ko ng kamao ko ang ulo niya. It's not that hard ngunit exaggerated ang reaksyon nito.
"Araaay! Aray! Ano ba, para saan naman iyon?", he asked habang inilalayo ang ulo mula sa akin.

"That's for not telling us na may lagnat ka pala", wika ko sa kanya. Umandar kasi ang kayabangan nito
kanina. He volunteered himself to represent Gray tapos may sakit naman pala ito. So stupid of him!

"It's all been done. I was absent for two days kaya naisipan ko na lang pumunta dito upang maimbita
kayo. I'm sick of lying on my room all day", wika niya. Hinawakan niya ang leeg. "Anyway, I'm better now
so I'll be back at Athena tonight."

Lumapit ako sa kanya. "Let me check your temperature." Inilapit ko ang noo ko sa noo niya gaya ng
ginawa dati sa akin ni Gray. They said it was the most effective way of checking one's temperature.

I was about to put my forehead on Khael's forehead ng bigla na lamang may kamay na pumigil sa noo
ko.

"Let me do it", Gray said at hinila ako palayo sa tabi ni Khael and he stood there instead. Unti-unti niyang
ibinaba ang kanyang mukha.

Wait, it's too awkward to see them is such position!

Bago pa man tuluyang bumaba ang mukha nito ay dumapo na ang palad ni Khael sa mukha niya at
inilayo iyon.

"Stop it Silvan! Or else I'm gonna kill you!", he said at tiningnan ako. "You should have let Special A do
it!"

Umaayos naman ng tayo si Gray. "I'm not checking your temperature. I'm checking the redness of your
eye. You're too gay to think that I'm gonna put my forehead on yours."

"He! He! He!", sarkastikong tawa ni Khael. "Awww! Careful!", he said ng pasalampak na hinawakan ni
Gray ang noo niya.
"You're fine. Tumayo ka na dyan at umuwi", Gray said at hinila patayo si Khael. Bumaling siya sa akin.
"Umuwi ka na sa dorm mo Amber. Ako na ang maghahatid sa lalaking ito sa kanyang dakilang driver.
May pag-uusapan din kasi kami."

His face was serious kaya nagpapalam na din ako sa kanila. They must be talking about Cooler and Ryu.

Bago ako umuwi ay dumaan muna ako sa classroom namin upang kunin ang bag ko. When I arrived
there, I saw another familiar black envelope.

Oh, not again please! Muntik ng mapahamak si Marion at Jeremy kanina tapos ngayon ay isang
panibagong sulat na naman. I'm sure as hell that it is another warning for another catastrophe.

I picked the envelope with my pale and shivering hands. Gaya ng inaasahan ay isa na namang iyong
encoded na sulat.

When the clock stops at three,

it stirs the anger in me.

See me at -

E-FH

W-SL

S-FP

N-Boundary

-X

P.S

You see, but you do not observe. The distinction is clear.

What's this? Ano na naman ba ang ibig sabihin nito? I should be careful this time dahil minsan ng muntik
na mapahamak si Jeremy at Marion dahil sa kapabayaan ko. I wasn't able to see through the first notice
kung kaya't kailangan ko ng maging maingat ngayon.

I stared once again at the paper. The X has arrowheads on its four edges. Ano naman ang ibig sabihin
niyon? I feel like I know that figure but I cannot identify what is it.

For the second time ay gumamit na naman si X ng mga salita ni Sherlock Holmes! How dare him!
Dinudumihan niya ang mga magagandang salita sa pamamagitan ng masamang intensyon niya! I can't
let it pass this time!

Niligpit ko na ang sulat at inilagay iyon sa bag ko bago umalis ng classroom.

**

Pagdating ko sa dorm ay pilit kong inalala kung saang libro ba makikita ang linyang ginamit ni X sa
kanyang sulat.

You see, but you do not observe. The distinction is clear.

Uh! My mind is not functioning well. I can still remember that such statement was made by Sherlock
Holmes but I cannot remember which case or novel it is. I decided to scan every novel and book I have. I
started with the book A Study in Scarlet but it's not there.

I had a feeling that it wasn't in his novels so I tried scanning the books where his short stories were
compiled and bingo!

I found it in my book, The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes especifically in the story A Scandal in Bohemia.

The story was about the King of Bohemia who asked Holmes to
retrieve an imprudent photograph of him with the renowned opera singer Irene Adler. The King thought
that such photograph would derail his marriage to daughter of the King of Scandinavia.

Holmes accepted the job and disguised himself and he witnessed Adler marry the man she really love.
He dusguised himself again and helped Adler from which he got himself bruises in saving her so Adler
brought him to her room to be healed. Dr. Watson was already waiting for his signal to demonstrate
their plan and they succeeded in finding where Adler hid the photograph. He went home that night and
was bid goodbye by a youth in his way.

By the next day after Holmes informed the King about the photograph's location, they went to Adler's
home only to find Adler had fled the

country with the photograph, leaving behind a letter for

Holmes and photo of herself in an evening gown for the King. The letter states how Holmes impressed
Adler of how he did very well in finding the photograph and fooling

her with his disguises. She also reveals that she disguised as the youth who bid Holmes good night.

She said that she had left England with the photograph and she will not use it against the King.

The King was happy about it and he allowed Holmes to retain the photograph as a souvenir.

Although Holmes claimed that he had never loved, Adler is the only woman who has ever disturbed
Holmes intellectually, one of only a few of people who ever subjugated him in a battle of wits.

[Superhandsome Author's Note: Oh ayan, sa mga hindi pa nakakabasa sa kwentong iyan ni Sir Arthur
Conan Doyle, I'm giving you a brief summary, Lol! xD I'm pissed kasi pinunit at ginamit na pangdarag ng
apoy ng pinsan ko yung Bantam book Volume 1 compilation ko ng Casebook of Sherlock Holmes and His
Last Bow with the two novels The Hounds of Baskervilles at The Valley of Fear! Imagine my reaction!
Umakyat lahat ng dugo ko sa ulo pero wala na akong magawa kasi naging abo na yung book! Her reason
for doing so ay dahil mukhang matanda na daw yung aklat kaya yun nalang ang ginamit niya! My
Goatnesz! She should have used my Thirteenth Child book than the Holmes Book! (Not that I don't like
that book, it's also nice but that Holmes Compilation is a treasure!) O kaya ay yung nga tagalog romance
novels na lang ang sinunog niya! huhuhuhu! Kung pwede pa lang mang "Uncousin!"]

But I was thinking, what was its connection with the warning that was sent by X?
"Amber, let's have our dinner", tawag ni Andi sa akin. When I glanced into my wristwatch, it's already 7
PM.

Oh, it took me time to think about that warning?! Ni hindi pa nga ako nakakapagbihis ng suot kong PE
uniform.

"I'll just have to change first at susunod na din ako sa cafeteria", sagot ko sa kanya at pumasok sa banyo
upang makapaglinis ng katawan. Pagkatapos niyon ay nagbihis na ako and keep my phone on my short's
pocket at bumaba upang magtungo sa cafeteria.

While on my way there, I saw Bridle's large clock which was right in front of the Admin Building. It was
an old design katulad ng Big Ben ng England though it wasn't as grand as it. It's hands shows that it was
already 7:15 in the evening.

Nang makarating ako sa cafeteria ay agad akong naupo sa mesa nina Andi at Therese. I looked around
the area but Gray was nowhere to be found though his roommates Jeff and Marwin na minsan na
niyang pinakilala sa akin.

Lumapit ako sa kanila at nagtanong kung nasaan si Gray.

"Nasaan si Gray?", I asked then directly without even greeting them. Napalingon naman sila sa akin at
sabay na nagkibit-balikat.

"Hindi ko alam. He brought along his friend kanina sa dorm at nagpaalam siya na ihahatid niya sa parking
lot but he hasn't return yet", sagot ni Jeff. "I think that friend's name is Khael, and he's from Athena."

I heard Marwin whistled. "Hinahanap na ni misis si mister", he said and I gave him a deadly glare at
naintindihan naman niya iyon. "Just kidding!", he said.

Nagpaalam na ako sa kanila at bumalik na sa mesa namin. Our food was already served kaya nagsimula
na akong kumain.
"Hey, look at my new watch. It's a gift from my dad ng makarating siya mula sa Spain", Therese said at
pinakita sa amin ang relo niya. It was a compass watch.

"Wow! Ang ganda naman Res! I love vintage things like that. Tingnan mo Amber oh", Andi said and
motioned Therese's wrist on my direction.

"Yup, it's so nice", wika ko at pinasadahan iyon ng tingin. Muli akong napatingin doon and I remembered
the letter! Compass! It's the clue! Pilit kong inalala ang laman ng sulat.

When the clock stops at three,

it stirs the anger in me.

See me at -

E-FH

W-SL

S-FP

N-Boundary

-X

P.S

You see, but you do not observe. The distinction is clear.

I picture out the letter. I have to think about it bago pa man may malagay na naman sa panganib!

Think Amber, think!

E means East, and FH means Function House. Yes, the function house is in the east side.
On the West is separate Science Lab. May isa pang Science Lab sa 3rd floor ng isang school building but
there is also an old Science Laboratoty on the west side of Bridle at malapit iyon sa boys' dorm.

On the South is the admin. building with the flag pole in front kaya marahil ay iyon ang ibig sabihin niya.

On the north side is the highwalls of Bridle High.

It all coincide with what was written on the letter. Where would be the place that X said for me to meet
him among the four directions?

I remembered the X with the arrowheads. Could it be that it's where the arrows met? When I pictured
out what was in between, the four directions intersect in the woods! Sa may mga madilim na
kakahoyan!

Agad akong tumayo sa mesa. "Mauna na ako sa inyo may pupuntahan pa kasi ako", wika ko. Naglapag
ako ng pera sa mesa. "Please pay for my food for me. Thanks!"

I immediately dashed outside. When I passed at the admin building, muli ko na namang sinulyapan ang
malaking orasan.

Crap! Why was it stopped at exactly 3?! Now it really coincides with the letter! But I was wondering how
did it stopped at 3? Nang dumaan ako dito kanina, it's on 7:15. Kung huminto man ito, it should be near
that time! Impossible namang umatras ang kamay ng relo!

Tumakbo na ako papunta sa may kakahoyan! Damn! It's kind of dim there dahil iilan lamang ang mga
poste ng ilaw na naroon.

I saw a guy in his black cap and jacket. Could it be that he's X?! When he saw me ay humakbang siya
palayo kaya hinabol ko siya.

"Wait!", I shouted and run after him but suddenly, a rope caught my leg! Damn it! A trap! Naramdan ko
na lang ang sarili kong umangat ng patiwarik! Everything in my pocket fell maliban sa cellphone ko na
nahawakan ko. The rope that caught my leg was attached to a nearby tree na may poste ng ilaw.
Easy-peasy! I can just cling into the nearby branches na nasa paligid ko. I tried to swing my body to reach
the nearest branch but I stop when I noticed something.

Was it a -

a snake?

Shit! There was a big snake on that branch! I wanted to freak out but I controlled myself not to! I tried
reaching on the other near branch but gaya ng una ay may ahas din doon!

What the hell! The snakes must have been set up together with the trap! I want to curse myself for
falling into such trap! Nagpapadala na naman ako sa mga bagay na ganito without thinking! Walang sino
man ang makakakita sa akin since no one would pass this way and the guards will have their inspection
by 10:30 at naghintay pa ako sa oras na iyon, the snakes must probably clinging and biting me by that
time.

Hindi ko napigilan ang mapaiyak. Stupid! Stupid! Stupid me! How can I let myself caught in such
situation? Now it's the end of me!

I wiped away the tears on my forhead since I was hung upsidedown and I realized I still have my last
card!

My phone! I immediately dialled Gray's number at narinig ko ang pagtunog mula sa kabilang linya.

Please Gray, answer the phone! Please! Please!

Pagkatapos ng ilang ring ay narinig ko na ang boses nito. "Yes?", he asked. "Jeff said you were looking for
me. I am here at the cafeteria now." Tuloy-tuloy niyang wika and I sob when I heard the hissed of the
snakes.
"Amber? What happened?", he asked and I sensed worriness on his words.

"G-gray", I sobbed. Shit, I can't stop crying! I need to tell him that I need his help ngunit puro hikbi lang
ang lumalabas sa bibig ko.

"Amber, stay calm okay? Tell me where are you", wika niya. I tried to calm myself like he instructed
ngunit hindi pa rin nawawala ang hikbi ko.

"G-gray h-help m-me. Please. P-please save me." There. I finally said it.

"Nasaan ka Amber?", tanong niya sa akin.

"I-I'm in the w-woods. U-up in a- ", patuloy pa rin ang paghikbi ko and my words become
incomprehensible. Nabitawan ko ang cellphone ko at nahulog iyon and all my hopes of being saved
disappeared. I bit my lower lip as I continued to cry.

Kapag nasa bingit ka ng kamatayan ay maiisip mo talaga kung paano ang naging buhay mo. I could say
that I made my life meaningful kumpara noong isa akong nerd na hindi nag-eexist. Atleast even for a
short period of time I have been visible to everyone.

I felt the snake made it's way towards the nearest branch. Damn! I want to shout ngunit natatakot ako.

"Ambeeeeeer!"

I heard Gray's voice called my name. Gusto kong sumagot but I can't. Mukhang may humaharang sa
lalamunan ko at walang lumalabas na boses doon.

I saw him with Marwin and Jeff. They keep on calling my name but I can't call them back.

I heard a familiar sound. It was my ringtone! Gray was calling my phone and they saw it on the ground
just below me.
Pinulot niya iyon and he looked up. "Amber! Hold on!", he said when he saw me. He said something to
Marwin and I don't know what was it. Nanghihna na rin ako dahil sa pag-akyat ng dugo ko sa ulo dahil sa
pagkatiwarik. I don't know how long I was hanging there and the next thing I knew was someone cut the
rope at nahulog ako. I was expecting to land on the hard ground but I felt someone catch me.

When I opened my eyes, it was Gray. I gently smiled at him. "S-snakes", mahinang wika ko. I felt him
walked slowly as he carried me.

"They're taken care by the guards", wika niya. "What happened Amber?"

"W-when the clock stops at three, it stirs the anger in me", mahina kong wika. I was stating the letter of
X.

"What?", naguguluhan niyang tanong.

"See me at E-FH, W-SL, S-", he cut me off.

"Just fucking tell me what happened! What were you doing there!", galit ang boses nito and I cannot see
his face directly dahil madilim.

Nang makarating kami sa harap ng admin building ay tinuro ko ang malaking orasan.

"Look at the clock. It stops at 3", mahina kong wika. I am still gaining back my strength.

"What are you saying? Look at the numbers and its hands. It's swaying. It must probably a cloth printed
with the same pattern on the clock and placed there", wika niya matapos pagmasdan ang orasan.

I also stared at it and he was right. It was swaying. When the wind blew harder, the cloth swayed more
and I catch a glimpse of the original clock.

"I see. I didn't observed, I just merely watched. Now I see the distinction", wika ko and I want to punch
myself hard.
I'm so STUPID.

**

Hiyeers! Nag-update ako kahit sabi ko na sa weekend pa! Haha! Nangangati kamay ko eh xD And I hope I
have answered the FAQ of how did Khael entered Bridle.

READ AT YOUR OWN RISK AND SORRY FOR THE TECHNICAL AND GRAMMATICAL ERRORS.

VOTE AND COMMENT! THANKS!

-ShinichiLaaaabs♥

CHAPTER 49: INVADING ATHENA HIGH SCHOOL

Chapter 49: Invading Athena High School

(A/N: Read at your risk, I don't do proof reading and I suck in grammar and subject-verb agreements, so
sorry! I'm just pretty, not perfect. Haha Joke lang, ene be keye! Isa pa, I have turned down an offer of
someone to become my editor. Wala akong pansahod, though he said tags would be enough, nahihiya
pa rin ako sa kanya, he's a total stranger after all. Yun lang, kbye!)

eto na talaga. xD

Chapter 49: Invading Athena High School

I woke up sweaty and shivering with fear that night. Paano ba naman ay napanaginipan ko ang nangyari
sa akin! I was hanging upsidedown that tree when the snakes have bitten me!
Mabuti na lang at panaginip lang iyon. I immediately got up at kinuha ang bottled water na nasa mesa sa
tabi ng kama ko.

The fear of what happened still haunts me. Who would have pulled such dangerous trick on me? Who is
X? Ganoon na lang ba talaga ang galit niya sa akin?

And I still can't believe myself that I have been fooled in such trap! The trick on the clock really got me.

X is really serious his letters. But why me? Hindi ko pa rin lubusang maisip na nangyari sa akin lahat ng
iyon. I am still wondering who would have used that snakes on me. Bakit alam ni X na takot ako sa ahas?
Could it be that he's one of my classmates na nakarinig ng minsang magtalo kami ni Gray sa AVR tungkol
sa ahas?

Iwinaksi ko lahat ng iyon sa isip at pinilit ang sarili kong makatulog.

I went to school the next day na parang walang nangyari. No one knew what happened last night except
Gray and his roommates who I hope, kept everything that happen a secret. Kung may nakakaalam man
sa klase namin tungkol sa nangyari, it would be me, Gray and X if ever he is really one of my classmates.

The days passed by at mukhang hindi pa nagpapadala ng bagong sulat si X. I hope that he gave up in
putting me into danger.

Gosh, kung may galit talaga ito sa akin o ano, I just don't know how he was able to come up with such
plans! He's smart and cunning, a typical adversary.

Nang sumapit ang byernes ay pinaresearch lamang kami ng isa naming subject teacher para sa book
review namin sa library. After few hours of staying there ay lumabas na kami and went stratight to the
cafeteria.

As usual ay si Gray at Marion pa rin ang kasama ko.

"I really can't believe na si Jeremy nga yang nasa kabilang mesa. Yeah, he's still nerd for reading books
everytime but look at him, he looks so different", Marion said at ininguso si Jeremy na abala sa
pagbabasa ng Sherlock Holmes novel na pinahiram ko sa kanya.
Jeremy was still on his school uniform but gone was his thick eyeglasses, sa halip ay nakasuot lamang ito
ng contact lense dahil nasira ang salamin nito noong maglaro kami ng Dodgeball sa PE Class namin
noong Miyerkules. He still have his braces on ngunit ang dating hating-hati sa gitna nitong buhok ay
naka-ayos ngayon like the one that usual teenage guys prefer their hairstyles to be.

"He gained fans", komento ni Gray nang makita aang ilang mga babae na panay ang pacute kay Jeremy
but no avail because all his attention was on the book. Yeah, I think he's becoming a Sherlockian.
Whatever.

"Wow! A chic!", someone said.

"Cool pare! Ang ganda!", komento naman ng isa.

Napalingon ako sa tiningnan ng mga ito and I saw a beautiful lady entered the cafeteria. She was not in
Bridle uniform kaya hula ko ay hindi ito mula sa Bridle.

Wait, why do I have a feeling that I have already seen such lady?

Saan nga ba?

I keep on thinking where have I seen her nang bigla na lamang itong lumapit sa mesa naming.

"Ae-ae!", she said smiling.

Ae-ae? Hindi ba iyon ang tinawag ni Khael kay Gray?

Is she -

Wait, oh my God, she really is!

Gulat na napatayo si Gray sa kanyang upuan at nilingon ang babae sa kanyang likuran. I saw Gray's face
crumpled at nagkatinginan naman kami ni Marion, throwing a questioning look with each other.

"Ae-ae!", she said again at akmang yayakapin si Gray but the later keep himself distance from the lady.

"Stop it Mom", he said.

"What did Gray called the beautiful lady? Mom?", I heard one of the guys in the cafeteria asked.

"Ha? Nanay niya iyan?"

"Shit! Does he really call her mom?"

"But Ae-ae -"

Gray cut her off. "Mom, isa."

The lady pouted at matamang tiningnan si Gray. "Don't you dare count on me Ae-ae."

"Dalawa", Gray said and closed his eyes as if he was controlling his patience.

"Ae -"

"Tatlo", he said. He turned his gaze to me and Marion. "I'm leaving", he said at akmang aalis but the lady
held him.

"Fine. Ivan", she said at napatigil naman si Gray.

"What are you doing here Mom?", he asked.

"Oh my God, I'm gonna be dead! She really is his mom", someone said.

"What the fudge! She looks younger than my sister!"

"What? Why does Gray have a very sexy mom? I'm so jealous!"

Uh, what's with these students commenting such words in loud voices? Duh, Gray and his mom can hear
you all!

"I just missed you Ae-ae", she said playfully at ginulo ang buhok ni Gray who looks so pissed on such
gesture of his mother.

"I said stop it mom! It's so embarrassing". He said and looked around the cafeteria where the student's
attentions were on them. Nang iginala naman ng mama ni Gray ang paningin ay nagkunwaring abala ang
bawat isa sa kani-kanilang kinakain. Duh, too obvious.

Saka naman kami napansin ng mama niya. She smiled at us at marahang lumapit. "What is this Ivan? I
told you not to be too womanizer. That's too unfair to have two beautiful girls at a time", she said.
Namula kaming dalawa ni Marion

What? Kami, babae ni Gray. No no no no!

As in nooooooooooooooooo!

Tumayo si Marion at bumeso sa mama ni Gray. Uh, feeling close eh?

"Hi tita, my name is Marion Velmon. I am Gray's seatmate and his future girlfriend", wika nito. Oh
Marion, I really appreciate your overflowing confidence. Binato siya ni Gray ng masamang tingin but
Marion just ignored him. She's getting along very well with his mom.

"Oh, such a beautiful girl!", she said at gumanti ng beso kay Marion.
"Not as beautiful as you tita, though I can't believe that you are really his mom since you look so young
and beautiful, I can see his similarity in you, especially the eyes. Gray got your tantalizing yes", masiglang
wika ni Marion.

"Really? Oh well, I have him when I was 17 years old", she said smiling. "By the way, I'm Iverone Silvan.
And you said you are a Velmon? Are you related to Anton Velmon, the textile King?"

Gumanti ng matamis na ngiti si Marion. "Actually I'm his daughter", wika nito.

"Oh, yeah. I have heard that he have a daughter though I really haven't read that news in the
entertainment section", Gray's mom said. Bumaling siya sa akin at tinitigan ako. "Then you must be
Amber."

Napatayo ako mula sa pagkakaupo. Oh, she knows me? Now I remembered how Gray badmouthed me
to his mom! Maybe she knew me because of those bad things that Gray said.

Bahagya akong yumuko. "Yes Maam, my name is Amber Sison."

Nagulat na lang ako ng lumapit siya sa akin at bumeso. Uh, now this is really awkward.

"I heard a lot of things about you from Gray and Nana Sena", wika niya. Uh, I hope those are not
negative things though. "Especially about you being so observant, why don't we try a little deduction
game? What can you deduce about me Amber?"

What? She wants me to deduce something about her? How can I, uh, she looks so persistent so I want to
give it a try.

"I'm not that good as you expects me to be Maam but -"

She cut me off. "Tita Ivy would be fine. Drop the formality, I felt so old when I'm called Maam", she said.
Uh, fine kahit na masyadong awkward. My God, Gray got a half-crazy mother eh.

"I'm not really that good when it comes to deduction T-tita but we'll give it a try." I stared at her for a
while. Hmm, now this is really uncomfortable especially that everyone's attentions were on us.

"There were traces of bright paints on your fingers probably from paint gun shells, look, there were also
some of it on your clothes, so it's safe to presume that you have played a survival game in a nearby
commercial shooting range. Paint gun are made of water-soluble ink that comes out clean if you wash
them but since there were traces of them on you, you haven't washed with water yet. You also dropped
by a nearby fast food and ordered cinnamon bread and coffee then you went all the way here. And you
probably sleep late last night since there were some dark circles around your eyes, and I guess the
reason why you sleep late is because you were watching the late night talk show with the known
lawyers about the current issue of tax evasion. Is that right?", I asked her and she clapped her hand.

"Uh, as expected. Yeah, I did play with paint gun with my friends and I didn't washed with water, I just
wiped my skin using wet wipes but I guess there were still little traces that only with those with keen
eyes can observe. Oh, yes, I just have cinnamon bread and coffee, you probably smell that when I kissed
you on your cheeks. You're also right on saying that I slept late last night because of such talk show but
are there really dark circles on my eyes? Oh, I thought I have them covered with concealer", she said
and frowned.

"I don't see any dark circles around your eyes Tita", Marion said at tiningnan nang mas malaapit ang
mukha ni Tita Ivy. "Wala talaga."

"Of course there are, kahit anong tago mo sa concealer, Amber will still noticed it since she got a hawk
eye", wika ni Gray. Hawk eye huh? That's exaggerated.

"Oh well, I'm really impressed. Totoo nga aang naririnig ko mula kay Ae-ae tungkol sa -"

"Mom", banta ulit ni Gray.

"I mean ni Ivan", she pouted at his son. Uh, why does Gray got such beautiful childish mom?
Gray's a serious type so he probably got such attitude from his dad which is Cronus of the Vander Mafia.
Oh, yeah, Cooler's father too. Tiningnan niya kaming tatlo at ngumiti. Oh, now I know where Gray got his
sexy smile.

Wait, did I said sexy? My God, my choice of words is really getting colourful.

Bumaling naman ito kay Gray. "Well, not a bad choice son but as I've always said, you should settle with
one."

Gray rolled his eyes at her. Does she really think that we are Gray's flings? Uh, yeah. Whatever.

Gray's mother didn't hang out long dahil dumaan lang umano ito and she's in hurry dahil may trabaho
pa itong naiwan. Uh, yeah. His mother's a lawyer now right? I remembered Gray said she quit the police
and focused on being a lawyer now.

The whole day passed with nothing happened much maliban sa mga lessons at boring na quiz namin sa
TLE. Uh yeah, I hate that subject. Kahit malaki ang nakukuha kong marka sa subject na iyan ay
pakiramdam ko ay wala aakong masyadong natutunan.

By Monday ay maaga akong tinawagan ni Gray. I was about to take a bath when I received his call.

"Hey, we're not going to school today", wika niya. What the hell? What is he saying? Wala bang pasok
ngayon? Wla namang memo ah? It isn't a holiday too.

"What do you mean?", I asked him.

"We're going to Athena High School today, remember? We promised Khael that we'll be going today for
their school festival's opening since we cannot visit him on the succeeding day dahil sa upcoming
exams", wika nito.

I took a sigh. I almost forgot. Nakapangako nga pala kami na pupunta ngayon nung araw na naglaro sina
Ryu, Cooler, Khael at Gray ng basketball.
I was really planning to turn down his invitation but he made a drama. Ayon sa kanya, he almost risked
his 'precious' life of coming here just to invite us. He even climbed walls!

Saying he risked his life was really overrated. He's the one who volunteered himself to join the
basketball match after all.

Uh, eh ano ngayon? Hindi naman namin ito inutusan? In the end ay napapayag na lang ako dahil sa
katakot-takot na pagpuppy eyes nito just to have us visit Athena High Schhol's Day one of their school
festival.

Isa pa ay may isang open contest daw na mangyayari and it was called a Mythology Quiz Bee. Everyone
is allowed to join such quiz bee even though hindi mula sa Athena.

I don't have idea what was it about but ayon kay Gray ay nakaugalian na iyon ng Athena High na
magkaroon ng ganoong klaseng quiz bee tuwing school festival. It was a quiz bee about Greek
mythology as the name suggests.

After we ended the call ay naligo na nga ko and changed into some decent clothes.

"Oh, you're going somewhere? It's Monday and you're not wearing your uniform", pansin ni Therese.
Nagkibit-balikat ako sa kanya.

"I'm not going to school today. I'm going to Athena High."

"Athena High? Anong gagawin mo doon Amber?", tanong ni Andi na kalalabas lamang ng banyo.

"It's their school festival and I promised Khael that we will be going there today", sagot ko sa kanila.
After I dried my hair using a blower ay umalis na ako ng dorm and went to the backdoor kung saan
naghihintay si Gray.

When I say backdoor, it was not the usual door on the back. It was an escape way upang makalabas sa
Bridle without the guards noticing you.
Yes, it was right on the woods. After a while of struggling with the bushes ay nakalabas na din kami ni
Gray ng Bridle. My God, now I wished I had Khael's monkey abilities! We could just have climbed on the
high walls instead of going through those bushes! Now I have my skin itchy because of some insects
there!

Gaya ng inaasahan ay naghihintay sa amin ang dakilang driver ni Khael na si Kuya Rex. He said that Khael
sent him at hindi na ito sumama dahil may hinahandaan pa ito para sa isang event nito sa Athena. When
I glanced at my watch, it was still 6:45 in the morning and Athena is a two hour drive from Bridle kaya
marahil ay makakarating kami roon by quarter to nine.

"Hey, you didn't tell me the reason why you transferred to Bridle", wika ko kay Gray na nakaupo sa tabi
ko.

His face crumpled and he pouted at me. "Isn't it obvious?"

"Obvious what?"

Oh, I want to punch him. Magtatanong ba ako kung alam ko and if ever I know that obvious reason he
was talking about?

"You're slow sometimes. Athena High School is owned by that Greek-myth coded mafia", wika niya.

What?! They owned Athena High School? I thought they're into underground business only!

"Uh, I don't expect they owned a known private school", komento ko.

"Not only private school but as well as private hospitals and other establishments. They extend their
business since they don't know how long can their mafia sustain", wika niya.

"They're still business man."

Kaya pala mula sa Greek Goddess of Wisdom ang pangalaan ng skwelahan nila.
"Why did you enrolled there on the first two years of your high school? Does your mom knows that they
owned it?", tanong ko. I just hoped he would answer it even though I might be digging too much about
his personal life.

"Yeah, she knew about it. Actually it's their agreement with Cronus. I should be studying on the school
which was owned by him", wika niya.

Why does he doesn't call Cronus as his father? Hindi pa ba niya ito natatanggap?

"When I learned about them, that's when I decided to transfer to Bridle and my dad approved my
decision. When I say Dad, I mean Arvie Silvan, my foster father and not Cronus", wika niya.

Uh, looks like he really doesn't accept it yet.

"What's Cronus' real name?", I asked.

"Cool Vander."

"What?"

"I mean his name is Cool", he said.

"Uh, really? And he named his first son as Cooler so you'd probably be Coolest", I joked. He smiled a
little. (AN: I just find xxmaicakim's idea of Cooler having brothers named Cool and Coolest cool! *ano
raw?* xD)

"Just as I thought. I have thought of that pun too", wika niya and looked out at the window. I guess he
don't want to talk about his dad so I decided to drop the subject.

Hindi ko namalayan na nakatulog pala ako sa byahe. Nagising na lang ako sa mahinang alog ni Gray sa
akin.
"We're already here", he said at napatayo na ako at lumabas ng kotse.

This is the first time that I have been here to Athena. I just saw its pictures on the website.

It was big and well, a nice school. Just like Bridle High, Athena is a very known school.

Maganda ang disenyo ng mga building at gaya ng Bridle ay boarding school din ito.

Pagbaba namin ay naroon nga si Khael and he was with his stupid smiled plastered in his face. Nang
makita niya ako ay nakangiting lumapit siya sa akin and positioned himself to give me a welcoming kiss
ngunit nakahanda na aang kamao ko upang salubungin ang mukha nito.

"That's kinda rude Special A!", he said pouting. "I'm gonna kiss Silvan instead", wika niya.

Gray was also pressing his knuckles. "Come here Alonzo, my fist is dying to meet your lips."

He stopped and crossed his arms. "I should be getting a thank you kiss and hugs from you", wika niya at
nagpatiunang naglakad. "Fine then, follow me. I will tour you around. Oh, since Gray is familiar with
Athena, I will be touring Special A alone kaya tsupi, alis ka na, go and find some old friends to hang out
with", wika niya kay Gray.

Sa halip na umalis si Gray ay mas lalo pa itong dumikit sa akin. "Ayoko nga. Tour me around with Amber.
I'm not a Athenian anymore and I feel like stranger in this place", he said with a pokerface.

He was lying when he said he felt like a stranger dahil pagpasok pa lamang namin sa gate ay binati na ito
ng guard.

"Uy! Gray! Long time no see," bati ng isang guard.

"Hey Kuya Ron! Long time no see too", wika nito.

Mas marami pa kaming nakasalubong na mga estudyante, faculty and staff na panay aang bati kay Gray.
Oh yeah, looks like he's really famous when he was still on Athena.
We visited the different booths at naaliw ako sa kani-kanilang mga pakulo.

Khael glanced at his watch. "It's almost time. Tara na sa AVR dahil magsisimula na ang quiz bee", he said
at nagmadaling umalis.

Nagmadali na rin kami ni Gray. They said a minute late would render the participants default.

I was walking fast when I bumped into someone. Sa lakas ng impact ay napaupo ako sa lupa, uh, what
the fudge!

That someone helped me got up.

"Sorry, Miss I haven't noticed you", he said. Nang akmang kukunin ko ang kamay niya ay parehang
napatigil kami.

What the hell is this devil doing here?!

"Anong ginagawa mo dito?!", magkapanabay naming wika.

Ryu let out his usual smirk. "I should be asking that question, right? You're from Bridle and it's school
day, you should be at school sticking your ass on your desk", wika niya.

"Shut up, you do not own this -", naalala ko ang sinabi ni Gray kanina. Their mafia owned Athena High.
"Oh well, let'say you own the school but I don't care", wika ko at nilagpasan ko siya. I heard him
mumbled something but I just ignored him. I followed Gray and Khael towards the Audio Visual Room.

When we arrived at the AVR, there was an announcement posted there saying that the Quiz Bee's venue
was transferred to the Information Technology Building, so we went there instead. Pagdating namin
doon ay maraming tao gaya ng inaasahan.
"Just like the old times, there were lots of people interested in this quiz bee. They always pull through
something in this", komento ni Gray. Khael guided us into one of the seats at naupo kami doon habang
hinihintay na magsimula ang quiz bee.

I wonder what this was all about. I've got a feeling that this isn't just an ordinary one since I noticed nerd
looking people busy on the computers. Panay ang tipa ng mga ito sa keyboard as if keeping everything in
control.

Hindi nagtagal ay nagsalita na ang isang faculty sa harap and introduced the main mechanics and
instructions for the quiz bee.

"Good day Athenians and guest! As usual, we have our annual Quiz Bee that Athena High School used to
have. As of this year, we have a new procedure in going through this quiz just like everytime, may bago
na naman. As you see, we are here in the IT Building it's because our Quiz bee would be with the help of
little devices here in front. For those who wants to join the Quiz Bee, please sit down in the respective
chairs in front of the computers, we need 30 participants for the first batch of the quiz", wika ng nag-
announce. Nagsimula ng tumayo ang mga tao at pumwesto sa harap ng mga computer units.

"Oh, it's not by pair or by group like the usual?", tanong ni Gray kay Khael.

Khael shrugged his shoulders. "That's what they said. This year's quiz bee is individual. Why Silvan, you
got cold feet for these at ayaw mo ng sumali?", he asked boastfully.

"Dream on Alonzo. This will be the first time that we will be fighting for the quiz bee since we always
cooperate before", tuayo na si Gray. "I'm gonna beat your ass out."

"I can't wait!", sarkastikong sagot ni Khael.

I just rolled my eyes on them. What now, they're trying to compete over this quiz bee again? Uh! Bahala
sila. They still haven't decided among them who got the better brains. I wonder what Khael's IQ count
was though.
Tumayo na rin ako at umupo sa harap ng isang computer. Oh well, I want to try this even for once. This
looks interesting since I am into mythology too. Bridle doesn't hold events like this I want to try it here in
Athena High School.

"Please connect your phones, android phones to be exact to the USB connector right in front of you",
the announcer said, or should I say, the quizmaster said.

Sumunod naman ang lahat ng sumali sa sinabi nito. There were 30 participants on the first batch.

The nerd looking guys on the side must probably staffs. Thet could also be IT Masters and currently
controlling something for the quiz.

I wonder why we have to do it but I still connected my phone to it anyway.

"Now put the wired thing on your head, specifically at the side of your temple", the game master said.
Kinuha ko naman ang tila isang bagay na gaya ng nasa hospital, like the one put on the body of patient.
Mukha iyong mga bagay na gaya ng nakadikit sa mga salamin na sasakyan na nasa mga stuffed toys. I
put it on the side of my head like what was instructed.

"This is a brain mapping sytem with electric waves. I wonder how would the quiz bee be like through
this", wika ni Gray na nakaupo sa katabing unit ko. He put on that thing on his temple too as well as
Khael.

"Not bad, a quiz bee with the help of technology. I've heard they have hired IT masters and other
hackers, the best ones", Khael said.

IT masters and hackers? So tama ako ng sinabi kong IT masters nga ang mga nasa gilid. But why there
were hackets? Why do I have a bad feeling for this?

Bakit kailangan pa nila ng IT masters and hackers, at hindi lang basta hackers, Khael said they're the best
ones.

"Now for those other people, who didn't make it for the first batch, please enjoy yourself around
Athena. We will just call your attention after the first batch of participants for the quiz make it", the
quizmaster said at pinalabas na ang iba.
Now this is really suspicious. When I tried to check my phone, I cannot open it. It says that the phone's
data was currently used. What now?

The next thing we know was that the IT room was locked. Why did they lock it and why did they let the
spectators out?

"I have a bad feeling for this", mahinang wika ni Gray.

Siya din? Yeah, iba ang pakiramdam ko sa quiz na ito. Why do we need to connect our phones into the
computers? Why are we wearing this electromagnetic waved-brain mapping system?

"You might be wondering why we let you connect your phones it's because this is not an ordinary quiz
bee. We have hired the best IT masters and hackers just to scheme out this thing. This quiz bee is not for
the weak minds. Athena High aims their student to be the best they could ever produce not only
academically but as well as on every aspect. That is why we used your phones to compel you to do
everything just to survive this quiz bee. Your opponent is yourself. You have to beat yourself and save
your accounts. Yes, we have infiltrated you accounts through your phone. We got your bank accounts
and other privacy things on your phone through the help of the world's best hackers. Ibig sabihin, if you
didn't survive the quiz bee, we will be having access to your accounts, every one of it. You might lose
your trust funds and other savings dahil dito so you'd better do good in this quiz bee", wika ng
quizmaster. "On the other hand if you survive, you have our word that we won't do anything with it as if
we haven't infiltrated it. Or atleast, even just one of you survive, you will all be saved, but I'm telling you,
it's not that easy."

What? They infiltrated every account of the participants at maging ang aming bank accounts? Are they
crazy?

I saw Ryu on one of the master units used by the IT masters and hackers. He was looking on my way
with his familiar smirk. I gave him a smirk too and I saw his amusement when I did it.

Isang lalaki ang tumayo at akmang hahablutin ang kanyang cellphone mula sa nakakonektang USB
connector.

"Don't ever think of doing that, or you might regret it", Ryu said at napatingin sa kanya ang lahat.
"What do you mean? I want out! This is a crazy quiz bee! If you keep giving such nonsense things about
the quiz bee, I'd better not join", the guy said. He scowled at the quizmaster at kay Ryu.

"Your parents are currently a stockholder at BM Corporation with you as the beneficiary. 20% shares to
be exact, entered into a mutual fund savings with OB Enterprises. 32 million fund saving account on your
trust fund, visa card number 4539 7158 -", Ryu read the data on his monitor.

The guy stopped him bago pa man niya masabi lahat ng binabasa niya.

"Enough! Who the hell are you?", tanong niya. He was furious said Ryu read the exact things, if so, ibig
sabihin , they really got our accounts! Darn it!

Lumapit naman si Ryu sa harap and introduced himself in the mic. "My name is Ryu Vander Morrison, an
IT graduate of Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Cambridge."

"You mean you are Apollo? The famous hacker from Cambridge?", tanong ng isa pang estudyante.
What? He is the famous hacker from Cambridge? Tama ba ang rinig ko?

Nagsimula ng magbulong-bulongan ang bawat isa. Yes, I also heard about a famous hacker from
Cambridge whom people said that he's called Apollo. I just can't believe that it was that devil!

Ayon din sa nga sabi-sabi, such hacker was offered a job by big corporations abroad but he declined.
Hindi talaga ako makapaniwala na si Ryu/Apollo nga ang Apollo na kilalang hacker.

"Yeah, whatever you call it. So if I were you, you'd better not remove that device on your phones or else
you lost everything since we have it infiltrated. We hired known IT masters around the world just for
these quiz bee. Also, that thing on your head contains electromagnetic waves that might destroy
everything on your brain. Meaning you will lose everything, wits and money so just do good in this quiz",
Ryu said at bumalik sa pwesto niya.

"Damn! Curse them all!", wika ni Gray. He was really pissed with this.
"Shit this is really bad!", Khael said. "I have sensed that something's not right and I just thought this one
might be different! Damn, I'm so careless!"

Just like them I want to curse all I want but I didn't. It's all been done and all I need to do is survive this
quiz just like they said. All I did is that I mentally cursed and destroyed them.

Curse the mafia to the pits of hell! They really are very evil!

"Now, let the quiz begin", the quiz master said and there were things that flashed in the computer
monitor in front of me.

Please enter the Greek god/goddess that you wish to have as your username.

I typed Athena there. Not a bad choice, she's the goddess of wisdom anyway.

The next words that flashed on the monitor after I have typed Athena was,

WELCOME TO THE ATHENA ANNUAL REAPING QUIZ BEE. MAY THE GODS BE EVER ON YOUR SIDE.

**

I cannot post an update this weekend just like I have promised so I did post this today. Babawi ako by
wednesday and it will really be an exciting chapter (I hope!)

By the way, I am dedicating chapters to those who keeps on voting and expressing their comments, I
hoped I can express my gratitude in such way. At saka #18 yata sa Mystery/Thriller ang Detective Files.
Salamat guys! I'm aiming for the first spot (Ambisyosa mo teeeeeh? Haha!)

Who wants to add me on my real facebook account? Just PM me, Hihihi xD

Anyways, Happy Friday the 13th Guys! Don't strain yourself with the negative things they said about bad
luck. There's no such thing as bad luck. You're the one making your fate a bad one anyway :)

-ShinichiLaaaabs, Kudo Shinichi's girlfriend, Kuroba Kaito's babe, Hattori Heiji's darling and Hakuba
Saguru's sweetypie. Hahahaha xD ♥♡♥

PS.

I'm watching Kuroku No Basuke's third season so wala munang update hanggang wednesday haha! Jk! :3

CHAPTER 50: WE NEED YOU

Chapter 50: We Need You

Shoutout sa roommate ko na baliw! I was crying due to my supeeeeeer headache, tapos inalagaan nila
ako, and she was saying: "Tam, ayaw paglabad-labad ug ulo diha. Mag-update pa raba ka kang Gray".
(Tam, wag kang sakitan ng ulo dyan, mag-uupdate ka pa kay Gray) tapos with all the worried face pa
diba? Hahaha andami ko sanang tawa kaso lalong sumasakit ang ulo ko kapag tatawa ako Haha! She
even have Gray in her dreams, lol! Ang baliw lang ehhhhh!

To those who's patient (and not patient) enough to wait, here's an update for you :)

Lovelots, Shinichilaaaabs♥

Chapter 50: We Need You

WELCOME TO THE ATHENA ANNUAL REAPING QUIZ BEE. MAY THE GODS BE EVER ON YOUR SIDE.

What's with the creepy greeting message? Reaping quiz bee huh? Great! That's so lame and I want to
punch the monitor but I didn't. They were Apple units at sayang naman kapag binasag ko lang gamit ang
kamao ko.
I glanced at Ryu. His face was serious and gone was his usual smirk. Instead ay isang seryosong Ryu ang
nakikita ko.

What's with this quiz bee anyway? Do they have other agenda other than hacking all our accounts?
Kung meron man, I hope it doesn't harm us all.

I waited as the screen load the first question. Uh, I just hope that this thing on our head will not really
destroy our brain.

THERE ARE 4 QUESTIONS AND A CODE TO BE DECIPHERED. A MAXIMUM OF TWO ERRORS WILL
ELIMINATE YOU FROM THE QUIZ. DO GOOD AND SAVE YOUR ACCOUNTS.

Uh, 4 questions? Just 4? And a code? Tapos kailangang hindi lumagpas sa dalawa ang mali? Why are
they so perfectionist? Uh, di bale. Apat lang naman ang tanong.

But I am wondering. What are they up to? I clicked the start icon at nagsimula na.

Give the equivalent answers.

QUESTION #1

God of War.

I rolled my eyes on the first question. Elementary quiz! Tsk! I typed Ares and clicked submit. I waited
until the second question appeared on the screen but it didn't. Instead ay isang napakalaking X ang
lumabas doon and it says that I must not commit another mistake again.

What the fudge?! Isn't Ares the god of war? Bakit mali ang sagot ko? Did I mistyped it? Oh, maybe I
mistyped it.
I heard some cuss from Khael and Gray. Did they got the wrong answers too? I am very sure that Ares is
the god of war. Marahil nga ay nagkamali lang talaga ako sa pagtype niyon.

I clicked the next question and it popped in the screen.

QUESTION #2

Goddess of the wisdom.

Another easy question. Wala ba silang maisip na mas mahihirapan pa kami? Well I'm not saying na
minamaliit ko kung kung sino man ang may gawa ng quiz, I was saying, he should have made the quiz
challenging enough, duh.

I typed Athena. She's the goddess of wisdom, right? And it's the name of the school. I clicked submit and
waited for the screen to pop up something like Congratulations but it didn't appeared. Sa halip ay isang
malaking X na naman ang lumabas doon.

Another what the fudge! Anong problema ng unit na ito?! Did I mistyped it again? I heard groans of
frustrations from the other participants. Marahil ay nagkamali din ang mga ito.

I'm really sure that it's Athena like I was sure the answer to the first question was Ares.

I have to answer the next question properly upang hindi ako maeliminate sa quiz na ito. I clicked the
next icon at nagpop up na ang pangatlong tanong.
QUESTION #3

God of commerce, eloquence, travel and theft. Messenger of gods.

This time ay inisa-isa ko na ang pagtype niyon. It's Hermes. H-E-R-M-E-S. I checked it again and this time,
I'm really positive that I typed it properly.

I waited for the monitor to flash a check or whatever for my correct answer ngunit gaya ng mga nauna
ay isang katakot-takot na malaking X ang lumabas sa screen. Whaaaat? Is this some kind of a joke? Tama
naman ang sagot ko ah?

Nagulat kaming lahat ng tumayo ang isang participant.

"What's the fucking wrong with this computer?! I have entered the correct answer! Why does it fucking
says that I'm out of the quiz?", galit na tanong nito.

"Mine too!"

"Yes, Hermes right? Bakit mali? Sira ba ang unit na gamit ko?

"Even mine! I typed Ares and Athena on the first two questions but it says that I'm wrong."

"Does the programmed quiz malfunctioned?"

Umingay na ang paligid dahil sa kanya-kanyang hinaing. Looks like everyone got the big X too kahit na
tama ang kanilang sagot, same as my situation.

A man in tuxedo went to the guy who stood up first and held his arms. "Hey, what the hell is this?", he
asked when the guy dragged him out of the room at hinila papunta sa extension ng IT room matapos
nitong tanggalin ang kung ano-anong may electromagnetic wave na bagay na nasa ulo namin, right on
our temple.

"Your unit is deactivated but it doesn't mean that you're saved from the consequences of the quiz. For
those who already have two mistakes, please follow the guards kung ayaw niyong makaladkad, and
don't do anything stupid or else you will not like it", Ryu said. He sounded so authoritative. Mas
nakakatakot pala ito sa ganitong estado kumpara sa pagiging snobbish-smirky guy. I'd rather have him in
his jerky attitude than this one.

And I was shocked when almost everyone went to the extension room. Wait, everyone got the wrong
answer? Paano nangyaring mali ang mga sagot namin?

Nilingon ko sina Gray at Khael mula sa tabi ko. Akmang tatayo na ako at sumunod naman si Khael.
Mukhang tulad ko ay nagkamali din sila.

"I wonder what's wrong with our answers. I'm positive that I typed it correctly", wika ni Khael. He
removed the thing on his temple at iyon din ang ginawa ko ng mabasa sa monitor na maari na iyong
tanggalin.

Lumapit si Khael sa akin upang sabay na kaming umalis. We noticed na hindi pa rin tumatayo si Gray. Sa
halip ay nakaupo lang ito doon at nakakuyom ang palad na nakatingin sa monitor.

"Hey, you got the right answer Silvan?", Khael asked him and he nodded without even leaving his sight
from the monitor. Seryosong-seryoso ang mukha nito habang tinititigan ang monitor.
"You got the right answers? Hindi kaya sira ang keyboard naming lahat at sayo lang ang hindi?", I said
when I saw na kaming tatlo na lang ang participant na naroon. All the others were already in the
extension room.

Saka lamang niya kami tinapunan ng tingin. "There's nothing wrong with the program or the keyboard.
Everyone must really have typed the wrong answers including the two of you", Gray said. He has a
worried and angry face. What was that for?

"Anong ibig mong sabihin?", Khael asked. Katulad ko ay naguguluhan din ito sa sinabi ni Gray. We typed
the wrong answer? Ha?

"I figured it out when I got a wrong answer on the first question. I thought it was Ares but when the big
X flashed on the screen, I thought of another possible answer. Then I remembered the instruction. It
was Give the equivalent answer. That's when I thought to type the Roman counterpart of the Greek
gods and goddesses", he explained.

A smile formed on Khael's lips. "Oh, I see, equivalent huh? Well I guess we really have to rely on you
Silvan. 29 people are hoping for you to save their accounts from being hacked", he tapped Gray's back at
tiningnan ako. "Let's go to the extension room Special A, as instructed."

Tumango ako sa kanya at akmang hahakbang ng magsalita si Ryu.

"You two can stay", he said but his eyes were fixed on the screen, where he was busy doing something.

I gave him a dagger look kahit na hindi niya iyon nakita dahil nga nasa monitor ang atensyon nito.

"But we got the wrong answers so we have to -", he cut me off.

"Just stay there as I have said", malaki ang boses nitong wika. Nagkatinginan kami ni Khael at mukhang
nagkaintindihan kami. We sat down on our chairs.

Gray clicked the next question and another question popped. Inilapit ko ang upuan sa kanya at ganoon
din ang ginawa ni Khael. We read the question mentally.
QUESTION #4

Goddess of love and beauty.

I saw Gray typed Venus. Yeah, Venus was the goddess of love and beauty. If it is Greek, it must have
been Aphrodite.

The word success popped on the screen. Mukhang maayos ang pagkakagamit ni Gray sa talino niya. He
figured out that it must be the Roman equivalent in his first mistake. Gosh, I thought I mistyped it, hindi
pala.

Sunod na nag pop sa screen ang mga sari-saring numero at symbol. Now what was this? Ito na ba ang
sinasabing code na kailangang idecipher?

"What's that?", Khael asked. "And what is that guy doing here? Did he say he was a Vander? They're the
owner of this school. I thought he was just some guy who suck in basketball tapos ngayon malalaman ko
na lang na siya si Apollo, the famous hacker from Cambridge?", he said in a low voice. Iniiwasan marahil
nito na marinig siya ni Ryu na abala pa rin. Maging ang mga IT masters at sinabi nilang mga hackers ay
abala din sa ginagawa nila sa mga unit nila.

"Don't ask. You wouldn't want to know", wika ko at muling iginala ang paningin sa paligid. Mukhang
masyadong seryoso ang lahat. What's going on here? Seryosong-seryoso kasi ang ambiance, whatever it
is, it must be really important.

Muli kong sinulayapan ang mga numbers at symbols na nasa monitor sa harap ni Gray.

1+4×1-2+5×0×1

3×2+1-3+2×2-8

1+2×3-4+5×0-3

4×2+4-9+1×5-3
Uh? What now? A mathematical formula? What should we do with it? Substitute it with letters or what?

"How are you going to answer it? Is it vertical, horizontal, from left to right or what?", Khael said to Gray
ngunit hindi ito nakikinig sa kanya. Sa halip ay bigla na lamang tumayo si Gray at tinawag si Ryu.

"Hey hacker. I know what you're up to", he said in a loud voice, enough to catch attention. Hindi naman
ito nagkamali. He made the busy Ryu divert his attention to him.

"What?", he asked with his brows raised. Mukhang seryoso nga ito sa kung ano man ang plano ng mga
ito regarding this quiz bee. This quiz bee must be a big catch for the Vander Mafia.

"I know you're trying to make us crack some codes that are probably password to a safe or anything. It
must be a safe since you are a famous hacker but you can't do anything about it", Gray said.

A code to a safe? Is this really serious? So this is really the works of the mafia! This so called quiz bee,
the hacking and everything? They really have something behind this and it was to make us crack a
vault's code!

I heard Ryu whistled and clapped three times. "Whoah. As expected from the genius son, you really read
the agenda behind. Well yeah, let me share some information. Yeah, it's a vault made by the mafia's
master of traps but he was killed by a rival, leaving no password to that vault, just the clues na gaya ng
nasa quiz. It was full of trap, once you touched something wrong, you'll end up killing yourself with the
installed trap. The code can be cracked through a software program and we cannot hack it, the one who
made the vault and was killed was Achilles, a famous hacker and the master of traps. If we entered a
wrong password thrice, the program will shutdown and we can't do anything about it. That's why we
hired the known hackers and IT masters but we cannot crack it so I guess we have to rely on you dear
cousin. We tried answering the quiz and entered the answers that we got but it was all wrong. We tried
again but still, no avail", paliwanag ni Ryu at lalo namang napakuyom ang kamao ni Gray.

Lumapit ng bahagya si Khael sa akin. "Did he said cousin? What's going on here Special A? I'm the best
buddy so I suppose I must know something about it too but it looks like I'm the one clueless here", he
whispered and I rolled my eyes. Now is not the right time for a storytelling, duh!
"Don't ask me. Ask your best buddy", wika ko and I emphasized the word best buddy to him.

"What now cousin? Aren't you going to help us?", Ryu said at bahagyang lumapit sa amin.

Gray let out a sarcastic laugh. "Why should I? Tell Cool, or should I say Cronus that I'm not interested in
helping the mafia. Or you should have relied to experts and not on amateur like us", Gray said. His hands
were on his pocket at simpleng nakatayo ito sa harap ni Ryu.

"We cannot trust them and beside, this does not need an expert. Just smart people", sagot ni Ryu.

Gray crossed his arms. "Really? But sorry to disappoint you but I as I said, I will not help you", he said
with conviction.

I thought na magagalit si Ryu sa sinabi ni Gray but it was the opposite. He let out a smile, yung tipong
may binabalak na ngiti.

"We do't want to do this but if it's the only way to compel you crack the code, we have to do it", Ryu
said. He looked at the guys in tuxedo and nodded at them.

Wait, what was that for? A signal? For what?

Nagulat na lang kami ni Khael ng apat na lalaking nakatuxedo ang lumapit sa amin. One grabbed us and
held our hands to our back while the other one pointed a gun at our temple.

Shit! A gun! I'm still afraid of it but unlike before, I'm not really that hysterical. I feel the cold tip of the
gun on my skin.

"What the hell!", Khael exclaimed when the guy grabbed him. He tried kicking him but he was not
succcesful.
"Ouch! Careful moron!", I hissed to the guy who grabbed me. Hindi ba niya tinitingnan ang katawan ko
kumpara sa kanya? He was grabbing me as if I'm a teddybear.

"Damn you Hacker!", Gray said. Now he's really angry and he's scary when he is. "Pakawalan mo sila!",
he demanded but Ryu just pouted. Seriously?! He have the guts to pout at times like this?

"I'm sorry dear cousin but I can't unless you give us the right code of the vault", wika ni Ryu. "Now do it
if you still want to see your buddy and baby alive." Ryu laughed in his evil laugh.

What? Buddy and baby? What was that? Buddy must refer to Khael, so baby must be me? Damn that
devil, I'm not Gray's baby for Pete's sake!

"Do it now dear cousin", Ryu said. When I glanced at Gray, his face was really angry. Tiningnan niya kami
ni Khael bago muling umupo sa harap ng unit niya.

"Fine! Just don't mess up with our lives again", he said. "What does the code on that vault like?"

"It's composed of 5 letters and 4 numbers. The clues are the quiz", wika ni Ryu. He wore again his
serious face.

He's good in wear different faces huh? Kanina lang ay seryosong-seryoso ito, and then his next face was
full of mockery then it shifted into a sarcastic one and now back to the serious one. Ryu is difficult to
predict if what he really feels.

I don't know how many minutes did we stayed that way. Both Khael and I were in the side, still held by
the guys and with a gun pointed on our heads. Pinagpapawisan na ako sa set up na ganito. Even though
fully-airconditioned ang kwarto ay pinagpapawisan pa rin ako. It was probably because of the gun.
Gray was busy in cracking the code of the safe at ganoon din sina Ryu at ang iba pang mga hacker na
naroon.

"I knew it already", Gray declared at napatingin sa kanya ang lahat. He already knew the code of that
vault?

"What is it?", Ryu asked. He was very eager about it. I wonder what are the important things that must
have been inside that vault. The mafia hired the best hackers and IT masters so it must be really
important.

"As of the answers to the for questions, they're Mars, Minerva, Mercury and Venus. Sa code naman, we
can use the rule of MDAS. The first row will be 4 multiplied to one added to the product of 5 times zero
times one. That's 4 added with 1 and subtracted to 2. The answer is 3", Gray said. I also solved the
numbers mentally using the rule of MDAS wherein you have to start with the multiplication symbols,
followed by division, then addition and lastly is subtraction. He was right, the answer is 3.

Nagpatuloy si Gray. "As of the second row, using the same rule for the four rows of numbers, the second
row will be 3 multiplied to 2 added to the productbof 2 and 2. That will be 6 plus 4, that's 10 plus 1,
subtracted with 3 and 8 that's 0 all in all for the second row. Third row will be 2 times 3 added to the
product of 5 and 0, plus 1 less than 4 and 3, another 0 as answer. The last row will be 4 times 2, that's 8
added to 5 which is the product of 5 times 1, plus 4, plus 1, less than 9 and less than 3 and that's equal
to 5. All in all we have the digits 3005."

Tiningnan ko si Gray. His face was really serious, hindi pa rin nawawala ang seryosong ekspresyon sa
mukha nito unlike Ryu.

Kahit ayaw niyang tulungan ang mafia ay nanaig pa rin ang nais niya na tulungan kami ni Khael. We're
held as hostages, right?

"3005 is the number code. It's supported with the answers to the four questions. Mars, Minerva,
Mercury and Venus. If we take their first letters, that's MMMV in Roman Numerals, and that's 3005. As
of the 5 letter code, I guess the code is Roman. It's Roman 3005. Now bitawan niyo na sina Amber at
Khael", Gray said. His voice was firm and angry. I saw Ryu nodded at the guys in tuxedo at binitawan nila
kami.

Ryu typed something and then a victorious smile flashed on his face. "You amazed me dear cousin", he
said. "It's unlocked already. Now I understand how Cronus was so fond of you. You must join us, we
need you."

Tiningnan ito ng masama ni Gray. "There's no way I'll be joining you and your mafia! Palabasin mo na
kami dito ang leave our accounts and other matters", he said.

"Don't worry. The hacking thing is just a hoax though I'm capable of doing it", Ryu said and inutusan ang
mga tauhan na buksan na ang mga pinto. "You're free to go. I know I cannot force you since kahit si
Cronus ay walang nagawa. You are really his son, you're stubborn like him", wika nito at nagmadali
naman kaming lumabas matapos kunin ang mga cellphone namin.

Pinalabas na rin ang iba mula sa extension room and they leave the IT building too after retrieving their
phones.

No one dared to speak hanggang sa makalayo-layo kami mula doon. Saka lang din nagsalita si Khael ng
makalayo kami.

"I'm really confused Silvan. Who's that guy? Why is he calling you dear cousin? What's about the
mafia?", Khael asked. Hindi naman tumigil sa paglalakad si Gray.

"I'll tell you later Alonzo. As of now, I want something to eat", he said. Mukhang nagugutom nga ito. I
wonder if he have eaten his breakfast kanina.
Khael pouted when he didn't got an answer from Gray. "Fine. Tell me later Kulay. I'm your best buddy,
remember? I'm used to guns ngunit hindi ko pa rin mapigilang matakot kanina. I know they are
dangerous people", he said.

Tsk, I wanna my eyes. He's always saying he's Grays best buddy. Whatever.

And yes, they really are. I don't want to mess with the mafia ngunit ganoon yata ang palaging
nangyayari.

"Let's eat then, same old place where we used to eat. Tita Rovi's always bugging me kung nasaan ka na",
Khael said at nagpatiuna ng lumakad.

Sumunod ako sa kanila. It's almost 12 kaya gutom na rin ako. I want a heavy lunch.

Nakarating kami sa isang fastfood. It was small and cozy at malinis naman. Marami ang tao roon. I bet it
was a good fastfood house since marami ang kumakain roon.

"Special A, you'll never regret eating here, this is the best fastfood here", Khael said and smiled.

We went inside and find a spot for us. Nang makakita kami ng mesa ay agad akong ipinaghila ni Khael ng
upuan. Uh, gentleman huh?

Lumapit naman sa amin ang isang middle-aged na babae. "Gray! Khael! It's nice to see the two of you
together again", she said at niyakap sina Gray at Khae. "Namiss talaga kita Gray, alam mo mag-isa na
lang kung kumain ditto si Khael", the lady said.

"Tita Rovi, don't make it sound like I can't live without Gray", Khael said and smiled. Mukhang close nila
ang bababeng tinawag nilang Tita Rovi.

"Mukha naman talagang palagi kang malungkot ngayong wala na si Gray dito ah", the lady said. Oh, they
really are close with each other.
"Really Tita?", Gray asked at bumaling kay Khael. "You're so gay Alonzo", he said at tiningnan naman siya
ng masama ni Khael.

"In your dreams", he mumbled and punch Gray on his shoulder at gumanti naman ang huli.

Nasulyapan naman ako ng babae. "Oh, you brought a lady? Who's girl is she?", tanong nito at ngumiti sa
akin.

I want to roll my eyes. Uh, why do I always end up looking like Gray or Khael's girl? N-O. That spells no.
I'm not their girl.

"Hi hija, my name's Tita Rovi", pakilala ng nanae and she held my hand. "And you are?"

Tumayo ako at bumati na rin sa kanya. "Hi po, I'm Amber and I'm Gray's classmate at Bridle", pakilala ko
sa kanya. Mas mabuti ng magkaliwanagan. We're just classmates. Nothing more, nothing less.

"Oh, just a classmate? Akala ko ay mga binata na itong dalawa and decided to settle with a girlfriend",
she said and smiled. Bumaling siya kina Gray at Khael. "I'm sorry I cannot entertain you boys, you see,
maraming customer, babawi na lang ako sa susunod okay?", she said at nagpaalam matapos pumayag
ang dalawa.

Nagpaalam din ako sa kanila na pupunta muna sa CR at pagpasok ko roon ay nabangga ako sa isang
elementary na batang babae. She was around 8 years old. Her face was sad at tila may dinaramdam.
Nang mabangga ko siya ay may mga nalaglag na mga tablets mula sa bulsa ng suot nitong hoody jacket.

"Sorry", I said and helped her picked up her medicines.

"Sorry din po", wika niya at agad kinuha ang mga iyon sa akin.

"Okay ka lang ba?", I asked her and she nodded. "Are you sick?", I asked again and she shook her head.
Mukhang hindi ito basta-basta nakikipag-usap kahit kanino kaya nagpakilala na ako. "By the way, my
name is Amber. You can call me Ate Amber. Anong pangalan mo?"
She hesitated to answer but she still did. "Glaiza. My name is Glaiza", she said. She looks smart even
though she's still young. Maputi ang balat nito at kutis mayaman.

"Uhm, what are those medicines for?", I asked her. Her face was worried and again, she was hesitant to
answer. "Uhm, para po sa - "

"It's okay if you don't want to answer", I told her. I don't want to force her if she don't want to.

"Para po sa food allergies ko. I have trouble with foods containing milk kaya palagi akong may dalang
gamot. Mauna na po ako, my m-mom is waiting outside", she said habang nakayuko.

We heard someone called her from the door, and it was a lady. The lady scowled at me at tinawag muli
si Glaiza. Uh-uh, mukhang hindi yata friendly ang mama nito.

"Glaiza, bilisan mo nga dyan anak", the lady said. Nagpaalam naman si Glaiza sa akin at lumabas na ng
CR matapos isuot ang hood ng jacket.

I feel like something was bothering her or maybe I'm just overthinking. But I was wondering why she
was wearing a jacket at maging ang hood nito gayong ang init ng panahon.

I forget about Glaiza at pumasok ng ng CR. Matapos iyon ay bumalik na ako sa mesa kung nasaan sina
Gray at Khael. Naroon na rin ang pagkain na inorder namin.

"What took you so long?", Gray asked and I shooked my head.

"Nothing", I answered. "I just bumped into some kid."

When I look around, I saw Glaiza with the lady, probably her mom on a table near us. She was still
wearing her hoody jacket at palagi itong nakayuko. Sa harap nito ay ang order nito na milkshake which
was untouched. Panay naman ang tingin sa cellphone ng mama nito.

"Hey Earth to Special A", I heard Khael said kaya muli akong napalingon sa kanila.

"I'm sorry", I said. I was really thinking something about Glaiza. Mukhang may dinaramdam ito. What
was it?

"Just eat okay? We still have to explore Athena High", Khael said at sinimulan na nilang lantakan ang
pagkain. I eat my food too and it was good. Masarap nga ang mga pagkain dito.

Nasa kalagitnaan kami ng pagkain namin ng biglang tumunog ang cellphone ni Khael. He picked it up
dahil mukhang importanteng tawag iyon.

"Yes Detective Tross?", he asked and listened for a while. "Yeah, I'm here at Athena. Actually I'm with
Silvan and Amber", he paused. "Yeah. Yeah, okay. I'll be watching around", he said at pinatay ang tawag.

"What was it?", Gray asked. He was curious about Detective Tross' call.

"He said he's into a kidnapping case. The area was just near Athena High and since the police have been
warned about it, the exits of the city are blocked. May mga checkpoint na naghihintay kaya marahil ay
hindi pa nakakalayo ang kidnapper", Khael said.

When he said kidnapper ay napaisip ako. Kidnapping case? Hindi kaya - ?

I glanced at the table where Glaiza and her mother were sitting. I have a bad feeling about it. Hindi kaya
si Glaiza ang batang kinidnap that's why she was still wearing a hoody jacket kahit mainit ang panahon?

"Hey, kanina ka pa palaging nakatingin diyan sa mag-ina. What's wrong Special A?", Khael asked at saka
naman ako natauhan.
"Nothing. I'm just thinking about something", wika ko. When I glanced again at them, I saw Glaiza's mom
got up at sinama nito si Glaiza sa CR. Tumayo na din ako upang sumunod doon.

"I have to go to the toilet", wika ko sa kanila at nagmamadaling pumasok na rin doon. There were three
cubicles at gaya ng inaasahan ko, Glaiza was standing outside the door where her mother entered.

Hinila ko si Glaiza palapit sa akin. "I know your situation. Maybe I can help you", wika ko sa kanya. I'm
not really sure but if she confessed, then my deduction was right.

"Hindi ko po kayo maintindihan ate", she said and looked away.

"I know you're lying since you looked away", wika ko sa kanya. I hope that I wasn't wrong.

If she did confessed about her situation just before the lady come out, I can help her if I use some
martial arts habang papalabas pa lamang ng CR ang babae.

"Come on, tell me."

She shook her head but still looking away. "Wala po talaga."

"Glaiza, you can trust me," I told her. Tiningnan niya ako ng mabuti. Then she began to have teary eyes.

"The truth is - "

Hindi na niya natuloy ang sasabihin dahil bumukas ang pinto at lumabas na ang "mama" niya.
"What's it Glaiza? Didn't I told you not talk with strangers?", she asked and glared at us. "Anong
problema mo sa anak ko Miss?"

Nagtago si Glaiza sa likuran ko. "Help me please", she said as tears fell from her eyes.

"Do you hate me Glaiza for not buying that toy? I told you we can buy it later right? You don't have to be
so angry", wika ng babae at akamng hahablutin si Glaiza mula sa likuran ko but I pushed her away.

" She's not my mom. Sabi niya she will kill my real mom if I told anyone that she's not my mom", Glaiza
said, still crying. Oh, just as I thought! Sinasabi ko na nga ba, she's very suspicious.

"Do you know that Glaiza is carrying cream for her skin rashes?", tanong ko sa kanya.

"Of course she is. I know she have some rashes, how would I don't know it. I'm her mother and I bought
her that cream since she had that rashes noon pa man", wika ng babae."Kaya lang naman niya sinasabi
na hindi ako ang mama niya dahil nagtatampo siya ng hindi ko binili ang laruang gusto. Come on Glaiza,
let's go", the lady said.

"Sorry Miss but you fell for it. She's not carrying some cream but tablets. She's allergic to food with milk
but you ordered milkshake for her. If you're her mother, bakit hindi mo alam na allergy siya sa pagkaing
may gatas? You didn't even know that she's not carrying cream for rashes", wika ko sa kanya. My
deduction was really right. She was not Glaiza's mother, but her kidnapper. Glaiza must be the kid that
Detective Tross called Khael about.

"Okay, you got me. But I got this", she said at naglabas ng baril mula sa likuran. She pointed the gun at
us. This is the second gun pointed at me just for this day. Wow, I'm gonna kiss myself for being a gun
magnet. Nasasanay na talaga ako sa ganito. I held Glaiza tightly on my back.

Shit, I never thought that she got a gun. Now my risking my life and Glaiza's life. Nagulat na lang ako ng
may humila kay Glaiza mula sa likuran ko and it was Khael.
"I'm gonna keep this kid safe Special A", he said at hinila palayo ang bata. Ikinasa naman ng babae ang
baril ngunit nauna ng ilaglag ni Gray sa harap nito ang mga bala.

Oh, he got the bullets of the gun? But how?

"Sorry maam but that's not possible because I have it unloaded", wika ni Gray.

"What?! Paano?", naguguluhang wika ng babae. She checked the gun if it was really unloaded but when
she did ay bigla na lamang sinipa ni Gray ang kamay nitong may hawak ng baril. Tumilapon iyon palayo
sa babae.

"Sorry but I'm just kidding. It was the guard's bullet that I've stole", Gray said.

"What the hell!", the woman said and tried to attack us but too late, the police were already there. Agad
nilang hinuli ang babae, which was one of the kidnappers. The other accomplice were caught already.
Oh, they're fast huh.

Naayos na rin ang lahat and Glaiza was now back to her real mom. She thanked us for saving her
daughter at ganoon din si Glaiza na panay ang pasasalamat sa amin. Looks like they're really rich kaya ito
nakidnapp. They offered us cash for saving Glaiza but we refused.

Helping someone doesn't need something in return. That's what I always keep in my mind.

Nang maayos na ang lahat ay muli kaming bumalik sa Athena. "Hey, how do you know that I have such
situation in the CR?", I asked them. Mukha kasing alam na nila na ganoon ang mangyayari that's why
they were prepared to help.

"Simple. You seems to bothered when you first came out of the CR Special A and you keep on looking on
those kid and lady from that table so we're thinking that something must really up", Khael said.
"How about the bullets that you have Gray?", tanong ko. He got the guards bullet. Yeah, he stole it. They
said that pasimpleng kinakausap ni Khael ang guard at si Gray naman ay pasimple ring hinablot ang baril
ng guard without him noticed it!

Uh, yeah. They make a good pair of robbers. Khael will simply do the talking and Gray will do the other
actions.

"Well, I saw you watched those two went to the bathroom so I observed them as well and I saw
something bulging on the woman's back so probably it was a gun", he said. Uh, Gray is really very
observant.

"How about the police? Ang bilis naman yata nilang makarating doon?", tanong ko. I was really amazed
by their fast arrival.

Khael rolled his eyes. "They're just around since they have been looking for a possible hideout of the
kidnapper", Khael said. Uh, kaya pala ang dali lang nilang dumating doon.

I just nodded my head at nagpatuloy lang sa paglalakad hanggang sa matanaw ko na ang gate ng Athena
High School.

When I glanced at my wristwatch, it was still 1:23 in the afternoon. Oh, I still have the whole afternoon
to enjoy and explore Athena.

A/N:

Hi! Sorry kung medyo natagalan yung update, I'm so busy these past few weeks kasi Finals week namin.
Yeah, shoutout for the "TeamAugust-MayUniversities! Sorry din kung medyo boring ang update na eto,
and I didn't update a 'kilig' chapter just like what most of you requested. Babawi na lang ko next update,
Promise!
As usual, READ AT YOUR OWN RISK, tinatamad akong magproofread eh, hihi. I still have a
comprehensive exam for Business Law mamaya kaya yun muna unahin ko. Don't worry, summer break
na sa Monday kaya free na ako but I cannot guarantee a regular update. xD

Yun lang, byeers :*

-Shinichilaaaabs.

CHAPTER 51: HOUSE OF CARDS

Chapter 51: House of Cards

A/N:

The plot is inspired by Detective Conan's second movie, The Fourteenth Target. Just the plot of using
cards as clues/sequence of murder but the rest are different. Credits as well to Detective Conan for
some tricks used in this chapter. Happy reading! (Kahit di kayo happy xD)

**

We're planning to spend the rest of the afternoon roaming around Athena and enjoying the booths
made for their school festival.

When I saw the Booklover's booth, hinila ko sina Khael at Gray upang pumasok doon. The booth is
where the book lovers usually gather. They display books for everyone all throughout the whole festival.

Busangot naman ang mukha ng dalawa. Both of them wanted to enter the horror house which I refused!
Ayaw kong manapak na naman ng nga estudyante lalo na't hindi ko sila kilala and vice versa.

After Gray have cracked the code, hindi namin pa nakita pa si Ryu or any of his buddies in tuxedo.
Mukhang iyon lang talaga ang ipinunta nila dito. Mabuti na rin iyon. I don't want to see that devil's face
around! Hindi ako mag-eenjoy kapag nagkataon dahil masisira lang ang buong araw ko if I see his
smirking face!

"Ugh, I'm not really sure if I can last an hour here Special A, I'm kinda allergic to places full of books kaya
kung may lugar man na ayaw kong puntahan, it's the library", Khael said ng nasa entrance na kami ng
booth.

I rolled my eyes. It's the opposite of me. I can live with books forever!

"They're one of the most wonderful things on Earth you know", wika ko and he just scowled at me.

"Boring", he mumbled.

"Good Morning Maam, Sir! Welcome to our booth! Feel free to read anything you want", bati ng
babaeng nasa may pinto. It was her job to greet everyone with the same line.

Pumasok na rin si Gray at lumapit sa isang shelf doon. Kumuha ito ng isang libro. He read the back part
at inihagis iyon kay Khael. Nagulat na sinalo naman iyon ng huli.

"Hey! Wag mong ihagis ang aklat!", I shouted at him. Ihagis ba naman iyon? Paano kung hindi iyon
nasalo ni Khael? The fall would probably damage the book.

"Oy, what's this Silvan?", he asked at matamang tiningnan ang libro. "Ugh, Fifty Shades of Grey?"
"You should read that", walang kabuhay-buhay na wika ni Gray. Seriously? He's advising Khael to read
that erotic book? Okay, I haven't read it, neither watch the film. Naririnig ko lamang iyon kina Andi at
Therese.

Nagulat na lang ako ng muli iyong ihagis ni Khael kay Gray. "Tapos na. Ikaw ang dapat magbasa niyan",
he said.

Umakyat ang dugo ko sa ulo. Bakit ba ang lakas nilang manhagis ng libro? Haven't they heard of handle
with care?! It also apply for books!

I both gave them my deadliest glare ng muli sanang ihahagis ni Gray ang libro kay Khael.

"Sige, isang hagis niyo pa dyan at tatamaan kayo sa akin", I said as I clutched my knuckles.

"Oh, I'm returning this", Gray said at ibinalik nga iyon sa shelf. Pumasok pa siya at tiningnan ang iba pang
mga libro doon. I went my way too samantalang umupo lang si Khael sa isa sa mga upuan doon.

"I'll be staying here", he said at inilabas ang cellphone at nagde-kwatro ng umupo. Maybe he was
playing something on it.

I went on the other side na may mga shelves at may mga estudyanteng nagbabasa doon.

"Have you visited the house of cards near the boundaries?", narinig kong wika ng isang lalaki. He was
reading something at gayundin ang kausap nito.
"Ayoko nga! Walang kwenta ang booth na yun", sagot naman ng isa. "Wala akong magawa doon."

House of cards? Hmmm, sounds interesting. I want to visit that booth right way. Inilapag ko muli sa shelf
ang kinuha kong libro. I looked around and when I found him ay hinila ko si Gray patungo sa pwesto ni
Khael.

"Hey, saan ba tayo?", Gray asked.

Agad kaming lumapit kay Khael.

"Oh ano? Narealize niyo na bang ang boring dito kaya bumalik kayo?", he asked but his face is still fixed
on his phone.

"Sorry but I still believe that this place is so amazing, kaya lang ay may gusto pa akong puntahan eh.
Have you heard of the house of cards?", I asked him.

That's when I got his full attention. Itinago niya sa bulsa ng pantalon ang cellphone at hinarap kami.

"Saan mo naman narinig iyan Special A?", he asked at nagtatakang tiningnan ako. He also glanced at
Gray na nakakunot ang noo.

"Why? What's with that?", tanong ni Gray.

"Let's talk about it outside." Tinuro niya ang Observe Silence sign sa tabi at agad kaming lumabas doon.
"Saan mo ba kasi iyan narinig Special A?", Khael asked again ng nasa labas kami. He seems so serious
about it.

"Just some students inside. They said nasa boundary daw iyon makikita", sagot ko. Mas naguluhan ang
ekspresyon ng mukha ni Khael.

And then he just smiled. "Ah, a booth? I see. Let's go there. Follow me." Nagpatiuna na siya ng lakad at
sumunod naman kami.

It was silly for me to think na isang totoong house of cards talaga ang pupuntahan namin. It was actually
a customized room painted with different cards on the wall.

Sa loob ay may mga estudyanteng bumubuo ng house of cards at may mga tao ring naroon na
tumitingin-tingin at bumubuo rin ng kanilang bahay.

"Whoah", I exclaimed. "Mukha talaga siyang totoong house of card", I said referring to the room.

"Yeah", Khael said at lumapit sa mga barahang nakalapag sa mesa. He started building his own house of
cards. He started with 6 cards as base.

"Why Alonzo? May nalalaman ka bang kakaiba kapag naririnig mo ang House of Cards? You have a
serious expression kanina", Gray asked him.
Khael diverted his gaze. "Nothing", he said. Ipinagpatuloy niya lang ang ginagawa.

Bigla na lamang itong sinapak ni Gray sa ulo, causing him to destroy his house of cards na nasa
ikalawang palapag na. Uh, that hurts.

"Aray! Ano ba!", he hissed at him. Kapag nagkataong naging lalaki ako, I don't want to be friends with
them. They're violent.

"I know when you're lying because you usually divert your gaze and then bite your lower lip", wika ni
Gray.

"Fine! It's just some series of murders that happened few months ago. I guess it's still on going and the
culprit isn't identified yet", sagot ni Khael.

Series of murders? And the killer is still not caught?

"At ano naman ang koneksyon niyon sa House of Cards na ito?", I asked. "The killer is here in Athena?"
"No, no. It's not like that. This house of cards booth are just made by some Athena students while the
series of murder victims are all card players, and their group's name is house of cards. That's what I've
heard", he said. He started building his house of cards again.

"In building a house of card, you have to rely on nothing more than balance and friction to keep your
house stays upright."

Sabay kaming napalingon sa nagsalita. It was a man, around mid-30's. Gaya ni Khael ay gumawa rin siya
ng kanyang pyramid mula sa mga nakalapag na cards. He started with twelve cards as base.

"Ah, pasensya na kung nakisali ako sa usapan niyo. I just heard the three of you talking about the death
of my acquaintances", he said.

"Acquaintances? Kilala niyo po yung mga pinatay sa House of Cards Serial Murder case?", Khael asked.

"Yes, I'm one of them actually. The seven who were killed were my friends. We used to play card games
in the casino", kwento niya. He put on the last two pairs of card and he successfuly build his six-storey
classic card castle. Uh, I'm amazed!

"Seven? There are already seven victims?", Gray asked. I don't know what's with them. Tila
interesadong-interesado silang dalawa ni Khael tungkol doon. Oh well, they're deduction maniac, I'm
sure they both have something in mind -

to identify whoever was behind that serial killings.

Muling nagsalita ang lalaki. "By the way, are you the son of Police Chief Mikhael Alonzo?"

Tumango si Khael bago nagpakilala. "Yes sir, my name's Khael Alonzo. These are my friends, Gray Silvan
and Amber Sison", he said at ipinakilala kami.

"Sabi ko na nga ba. He's an acquaintance way back in college, manang-mana ka kasi sa kanya, that's why
I thought you are his son. I want to talk to him personally about this case ngunit masyado siyang busy at
iba ang nakaassign sa kasong ito. Oh, I'm Arthur Murillo. I'm a member of the House of Cards, just like
the one you mentioned a while ago", he said at nakipagkamay sa aming tatlo.

Member of House of Cards? What's with their group's name?

"Base on your facial expression, you might be wondering what's House of Cards and how we got such
name. It's our frat. We used to call ourselves house of cards because we have the card's numbers on our
name. Nagkakilala kaming lahat sa isang casino sa Las Vegas and that's when we decided to establish
such frat", kwento niya.

A frat of card players? I always have the prejudiced idea when I hear the word frat but this time ay iniba
ko ang pananaw ko sa salitang iyon.

"Frat? Bakit naman po kayo bumuo ng ganoong frat?", tanong ko sa kanya. Okay, I'm getting curious
about this serial killing case too.

"The 15 of us entered into a joint venture. We invested in the same corporations and mutual funds
hanggang sa lumago ang mga investment namin. Our bond as a frat become stronger until something
happened. Jacques embezzled a large sum of money causing the corporation to suffer excessive loss
hanggang sa nadissolve na ito", kwento ni Sir Arthur.

"You said that all of you have the numbers of cards in your names. Ibig po bang sabihin, kayo po ang
King? Arthur is a famous name of the legendary King", Khael said.

Tumango naman si Sir Arthur. "Exactly. Oh, maybe if I tell you about the case, you can relay it to your
father", wika niya.

A confident smile flashed on Gray's lips. "That if we can't do any good in this case, that will be the time
that Khael will relay it to his father, right Alonzo?", he said at mahinang siniko si Khael.

Gaya ni Gray, isang kakaibang ngiti rin ang sumilay sa mga labi nito. "Yeah. We're actually high school
detectives Sir", Khael said. Uh, ang yabang talaga nilang dalawa.

"High school detectives? I don't know if you can really help gayong maging ang mga pulis ay nahihirapan
sa kasong ito. It's been two months since this case started and there were already seven victims. But I
guess it won't harm if you, high school detectives, can would try to solve this case too. This young lady
too?", he asked at tiningnan ako.

I shook my head hard. I don't possess the skills of a detective, unlike Gray and Khael though I like
deducing things. When it comes to detective works, I'm not like them. May mga maliliit na bagay akong
naoobserbahan but those aren't as helpful as those two notice. "Oh, no Sir. I'm not a case freak like
them."

"She can help too", Gray said and I rolled my eyes.

"Yeah, she can. But Sir, I was wondering why you keep on saying 15 members. Isn't a deck of cards
contains 13 cards with corresponding value?", nagtatakang tanong ni Khael. Maging ako ay nagtataka
rin. The a deck of cards contains the cards from 1-10, a jack, a queen and a king, that make's it 13 but he
was saying 15.

"Ah, you think so? Maybe you were just counting the cards with value and you exclude the joker. As I
was saying, the frat members are Ace Vera, Augusto Roco II, Thirdy Olivares, Four Rahim, Sebastian De
Lima, Sixto Roa, Seven Clemente, Felix Ochoa, Janine Vivares, Quinten Smith, Jacques Roswell, Quennie
Rivas, Kingrey Barret, me and Juan Manuel Verona", wika ni Sir Arthur.

"And the victims are?", tanong ni Khael.

"The victims are Augusto, Thirdy, Four, Sebastian, Sixto and Seven and Felix", sagot ni Sir Arthur.

Pareho ding kumunot ang mga noo ni Khael at Gray. They must be wondering too why did the culprit
skipped Ace at nagsimula ito sa 2 through 8.

"The culprit skipped Ace? He's supposed to be number one right?", Gray asked. I was thinking of the
same too.

"Yeah. I don't know why he did such. He called me last night saying that he's the next victim so that's
when we decided to gather tonight at my villa for a seance."

Nagugulahang nagtanong naman ako. "What's a seance?"

"It's a spiritual meeting to summon spirits and communicate with them", Khael answered at bumaling
kay Sir Arthur. "Are you saying that you're going to communicate with the seven dead members of
House of Cards?", he asked him.

Sir Arthur nodded. "It's eight. We will include the founder, Kingrey Barret. He wasn't a victim of the
serial killing though. He was the Original King, and I was just the joker together with Juan, but when he
died of heartattack dahil sa ginawa ni Jacques, they appointed me as the king since I was the one who
made another step to save our investments. Sa ngayon ay nagsisimula kami bilang mga shareholders sa
isang kilalang korporasyon. It may not be our own but it's a good way to start", kwento niya.

There was an original king? Now I'm getting a blurry picture. So, one member died of heartattack and
the others were victims of serial killings.

"I can see that you're all confused. We're not doing a seance dahil naisip namin na si Kingrey ang may
gawa niyon, of course that's impossible, we're on the modern day. The seance is for the spirits of the
seven to tell us who killed them and to let the late Kingrey bless us. You want to come with us?", tanong
niya sa amin.

Seance? Communicating with spirits, uh I would like to decline such offer ngunit nauna ng pumayag sina
Khael at Gray. Like really?!

"You're friends won't if you'd bring us along?", Gray asked. He have an excited expression on his face.

Umiling naman si Sir Arthur. "No, they're also tagging some friends along too kaya okay lang na sumama
kayo."
I saw Khael hesitated for a while. "I hope you don't mind my question Sir, but why should we trust you in
bringing us into your villa?", he asked.

Yeah, we don't know he could be the serial killer and he wanted us to come along with him upang mas
lalong dumami ang mapatay niya! Oh no! And maybe I'm just overthinking too.

"Okay, I know trusting me is an issue here but I assure you, malinis ang intensyon ko. You can call and
ask your father about me. Like I said I just want you to relay everthing to your father", paliwanag niya.
Though he looks like a respectable man, we can't be sure if he's telling the truth. Ayon nga sa kasabihan,
looks can be deceiving.

"Okay Sir, we'll come along with you", Khael said. He was as eager as Gray to see the other members of
the House of Cards.

"I'll pass -"

Gray cut me off. "All of us will be going Sir", he said at hindi man lamang pinakinggan ang pagprotesta
ko.

Ugh! I hate this! The first time he compelled me to tag along was the time where I entered a house full
of snakes and other reptiles! Tapos ngayon?! Uh! Ewan ko na lang.

"I won't be coming along, mauuna na lang akong bumalik sa Bridle", mungkahi ko kay Gray.
I saw him frowned. "That's rude. We came here together tapos iiwan mo lang pala ako", he pouted
when he said those words.

I rolled my eyes at him. Seriously?! He's so gay when he said those but fine! Effective siyang
magpakonsensya! Sasama na lang ako! Uh!

"Fine! Don't give me such look!", wika ko sa kanya at lumawak naman ang ngiti niya.

Sir Arthur glanced ay his watch. "It's almost four. My villa is a 30-minute drive from here. I brought a car,
you can hop in", he said.

Tumanggi naman si Khael. "I have my own driver Sir, we can just follow your car. I hope you don't mind."

"I don't mind at all. The seance will start by 9 in the evening. I'm going back this early dahil galing ako sa
pamimili ng ihahanda para sa hapunan mamaya. I just drop by here in Athena to visit my nephew", wika
niya.

We all set to follow him towards his villa. Sumakay na kami sa kotse ni Khael at kasama pa rin namin si
Kuya Rex. I wonder why Khael was always with his car and his driver.

After almost 30 minutes ay nakarating na nga kami sa villa ni Sir Arthur. It was not that big but it was
wonderful.
Sinalubong kami ng isang babae na mukhang mataray. She looks like she's of the same age as Sir Arthur.
When she saw us got off the car ay itinaas niya ang dalawang kilay.

"Who are these brats King?", she asked Sir Arthur. Binigyan niya kami ng mapanuring tingin. Uh, I hate
people who looks on other people in such way.

"Ah, these are the children of my friend in college Nine", Sir Arthur said at isa-isa kaming ipinakilala. We
greeted her but she didn't greet back.

She was Janine Vivares also called Nine. I guess Sir Arthur and his friends used to call each other their
codenames which are the numbers in their names.

When we entered the villa ay nakilala pa namin sina Quinten or the one whom they called Ten, Quennie
or the queen and Juan the joker.

Unlike Janine, the others gave us a warm welcome. The queen brought along her boyfriend and nine
also brought her friend. Kami lang tatlo roon ang medyo bata pa. All of them were most likely on their
mid30's.

"By the way King, papunta pa lamang si Ace while Jacques refused to come dahil nahihiya siya sa atin. I
told him that we've already forgiven him for everthing and I persuaded him to come and he agreed and
now he's on the way", wika ni Queen.
Nine raised her brows. "I will never forgive him!" She looks so angry.

"Nine just forget it", Juan said. He might have already forgiven Jack for what he did. All of them suffered
the loss but looks like Miss Janine can't get over it.

"Okay that's enough. Let's make the seance peaceful enough. Please forget about even just tonight", Sir
Arthur said. Bumaling siya sa aming tatlo."Follow me para makapagpahinga muna kayo habang
naghahanda pa kami ng hapunan", wika niya. Sumunod kami sa kanya papunta sa ikalawang palapag.

He opened a door with two double-deck beds inside. It was airconditioned and cozy enough.

"I'm sorry if I cannot give you three separate rooms, as you can see, my villa is not huge enough",
paghingi niya ng paumanhin sa amin.

"We don't mind at all Sir Arthur.This is a very comfortable room but we're not planning to stay here for
the whole night", Khael said. "Tatawagan ko lamang si Kuya Rex mamaya kapag uuwi na kami. He's not
staying here with us since he have his family waiting for him. As of Amber and Gray, babalik pa sila ng
Bridle High mamaya ring gabi dahil may pasok pa sila bukas."

Tiningnan naman kami ni Sir Arthur. "Oh, you two are from Bridle? I see. Hindi nga kayo basta-bastang
mga estudyante. So paano? I'll leave you to prepare dinner, okay?", he asked and we both agree at
nagpaalam na sa kanya.

"Alonzo", tawag ni Gray kay Khael. They both sat on one bed and discussed somethings regarding this
case.
Humikab naman ako. Seeing the bed makes me so sleepy. Pumwesto ako sa isa pang kama na nasa
ibabang deck and I fell asleep.

Nagising na lang ako sa mahinang alog sa akin. When I opened my eyes, I saw Gray's face.

"It's dinner time. Halika na. The Ace and Jack has arrived kanina habang tulog ka and there was a little
scene", he said at napabalikwas ako ng bangon.

A little scene? "What happened?", I asked.

"Oh, just a live boxing event. The Jack received a welcome punch from Ace who arrived few minutes
earlier than him. Nakatikim din siya ng mga masasakit na salita from the nine", Gray said. Kawawa
naman si Jacques. I hoped they will settle everything after tonight. When I glanced at my wristwatch, it
was still 7:30 kaya mataas pa ang oras bago magsimula ang seance.

Uh, saying that word gives me shivers. Communicating with the spirits huh? Is that really possible?
Aren't it some rituals of the cults?

"Sige na, halika na", Gray said and I got up at pumasok sa banyo upang maghilamos. When I went out ay
naroon pa rin siya. Uh, he waited for me? Pwede naman siyang mauna na lang doon!
Sabay kaming nagpunta ni Gray sa komedor. When we arrived there ay naroon na ang lahat sa long
table. There were two new faces and those were probably Ace and Jacques. The one with a bruised face
must be the jack.

I can feel the tension on the table as we were eating dinner. Walang sino man ang nagsalita sa nangyari
kanina. They all purely discussed about the seance that will be performed later.

Panay ang masasamang tingin na ipinupukol ni Nine ay Jack. Ace was also giving him dagger stares while
Jack silently ate his food.

Matapos ang hapunan ay isa-isa ng nagsipag-alisan sa komedor ang bawat isa. Ayon sa kanila ay
maghahanda pa sila para sa gagawing seance mamaya.

Bumalik na rin kami sa kwartong ginagamit namin. Pagdating namin doon ay seryosong-seryoso ang
mukha ni Khael at Gray. Both of them were pacing there phones. Ano naman kaya ang
pinagkakaabalahan nila sa mga cellphone nila?

"Hey, what are you two doing?", tanong ko sa kanila. They seem so occupied with something. I waited
for them to answer ngunit walang sumagot. That's when I decided to glance over their phones.

Memopad app? They're both reading something in their memo app?

"What was that all about?", tanong ko muli sa kanila ngunit hindi pa rin nila ako pinapansin. Uh, I hate
this. I decided to grab both their phones.
"Hey!", sabay nilang wika ng hablutin ko ang mga cellphone nila.

"Now I had your attention. Thank you", I said at inilagay sa bulsa ko ang mga cellphone nila.

"What was that Special A?", Khael asked. Kung ano man ang binabasa nila kanina, marahil ay importante
iyon since they're so serious and engrossed in reading it to the point that they're ignoring me.

I rolled my eyes at him. "Kanina ko pa kayo kinakausap but you're all ignoring me. You're reading some
erotic articles in your phones right?", I asked them at parehong napakunot ang mga noo nila.

"Of course not! We're studying this case. We might not now, there will be another victim of that serial
killing tonight", Gray said at namilog ang mga mata ko sa sinabi niya.

"Yeah. We gather informations about this case kanina habang tulog ka. Alam mo bang may mga iniiwang
cards ang salarin kapag may pinapatay siya? He leave a spade card which refers to the victim", dagdag ni
Khael.

Cards which refers to the victims. Ibig sahihin ay noong pinatay ang mga biktima ay may card na iniwan
like a 2 spade card noong pinatay si Augusto, 3 spade card ng si Thirdy naman and so on.

"Why spade?", I asked them. Bakit naman spade? Pwede namang heart o kaya ay diamond or a clover.
"The spade symbolizes death kaya iyon ang ginamit ng salarin", wika ni Gray

Spade. It symbolizes death. Oh, yeah. Now I remember. I'm not really playing cards. Spade symbolizes
death, heart for love, diamonds for wealth and clover for luck.

"Do you have any hint to whoever the culprit?", I asked them and they both shrugged their shoulders.

"All of them are suspect but as of now, we're not really sure who specifically among them is the killer",
Khael said. Gone was the playful Khael. Isang seryosong Khael na naman ang nakikita ko like the one I
saw when we have a date and he solved the cyanide poisoning case in that restaurant.

Suddenly, we heard loud knocks from the other door. Agad kaming lumabas at tiningnan iyon. We saw
Nine knocking hard on the next door.

"Ten! Open this. Magsisimula na tayo. Kanina pa kita tinatawag. Ten!", she continued knocking kasabay
ng pagtawag niya.

Dumating na rin sina Sir Arthur kasama sina Queen at Ace. "Anong nangyayari Nine?", he asked.

"Kanina ko pa tinatawag si Ten ngunit hindi siya sumasahot and he's not opening the door", sagot ni
Nine. Lumapit na rin si Sir Arthur doon at kumatok ngunit wala pa rin.
Jack and Joker arrived too. "What happened?", tanong nila.

"Hindi lumalabas si Ten. I'm opening the door Ten", Sir Arthur said at kumuha ng masterkey. He open
the door but the safety look was still latched.

Madilim sa loob dahil nakapatay ang ilaw.

"Oh my God! Hindi kaya pinatay na siya!", she said at agad na kinabahan.

Sumabat naman si Khael. "I sensed that something's not right inside. May paraan ba na makapasok sa
loob Sir Arthur using another way?", he asked.

"I don't think so. There's a veranda but that's very dangerous. Masyadong malayo ang distan-", hindi na
niya natapos ang sasabihin dahil pinutol iyon ni Khael.

"Where is it?", he asked.

Sir Arthur opened the next door. "Here", he said. Pumasok kami doon at dumeretso sa may veranda. Sir
Arthur was right. Masyadong delikado dahil malayo ang distansya. There was also a big tree in between
the verandas. Hindi iyon basta-basta natatalon -

What the hell!?! Khael just jumped into that tree! Binabawi ko na ang sinabi kong hindi iyon bast-basta
natatalon dahil sa nakikita ko ay hindi nahihirapan si Khael sa ginagawa niya and he's still wearing his
shoes!? Oh no! May lahi nga yata itong unggoy! How could we swiftly move from this veranda into that
tree!?
He swinged his body to the next branch. The next thing we know was that he was climbing on the
railings of the next veranda. Oh, really?!

Bumalik kami sa labas ng pinto na inuokupa ni Ten and waited for Khael to open the door for us.We
heard something like a glass broke inside. Hindi nagtagal ay binuksan na nga ni Khael ang pinto. Agad
kaming pumasok doon and switched on the light. Nang lumiwanag ang paligid ay tumambad sa amin ang
katawan ni Ten na nakahiga sa kama. There was a red mark on his neck, probably marks made by the
weapon when he was strangled.

"Nooooo!", natatarantang wika ni Queen. She was shivering when she saw the body. Gayon din sa Nine.
Napailing namang ang iba bg makita ang katawan ni Ten.

"He's already dead", Gray said after touching Ten's pulse.

"Who did this? Kung sino man angay gawa nito malamang ay tayo na ang isusunod!", the joker said.
Natakot naman lalo sina Nine at Queen.

"The glass door on the veranda is locked at gayundin ang safety lock ng pinto. This is a locked room
murder", Khael declared.

A locked room murder? Whoever did it, he made it perfectly! Paano siya nakalabas ng kwartong iyon
without passing through the veranda or the main door?
"Let's call the police! We can't risk our lives. The killer might still be around", Sir Arthur said. He
immediately called the cops using the telephone on the bedside.

"Or the killer might be one of us here in this room", Gray said at isa-isang tiningnan ang mga naroon.

"Are you accusing us for killing our own friends? How dare you young man!", galit na wika ni Ace kay
Gray. He was very angry dahil sa sinabi ni Gray.

"He's not accusing, he's just telling you to take precautions because you might be the next victim. We
both believe that the killer is here", Khael said. He got a bleeding elbow. Marahil ay nagkasugat iyon ng
sinubukan niyang basagin ang glass door.

Bumalik naman si Sir Arthur. "The police can't be here immediatly. A 10-wheelers with logs met an
accident along the way. Nagkalat ang mga troso sa daan and it blocked the way towards here kaya
matatagalan pa silang dumating dito", wika niya.

"What?! Then we'll be risking our lives here? What will happen to us now?", Jack said at gaya ng iba ay
nababahala ito sa kaligtasan niya.

Khael and Gray were busy roaming around the room looking for any clues that will help in identifying
the killer.

Lumapit naman ako sa katawan ng biktima. I closely examined the mark on his neck. It was made by a
thin rope as thin as a shoelace. He was killed with such weapon? If that was used, why doesn't he resist?
I noticed something in between his nails too. What was it? This is a - ah. Now I know how he was killed.
It must have been the way! Now I need to know who did it and how was he able to escaped in the
locked room after performing his crime.

"Why don't we do the seance together? That way, no one will be killed since magkasama tayong lahat.
We'll be done by the moment the police will arrive", suhestiyon ni Sir Arthur at sumang-ayon ang lahat.
Maging kami ay kasali. Gayon din ang iba pang naroon na hindi miyembro ng House of cards gaya ng
boyfriend ni Queen and Nine's friend.

We entered a closed room set up for the seance. Nakapatay ang mga ilaw doon at tanging ang mga
kandila sa paligid ang tanging nagbibigay ng liwanag. I feel the fear in me. Tinitingnan ko pa lamang ang
silid ay natatakot na ako.

Agad akong kumapit sa braso ni Gray ng papasok na kami. He looked at me and sensed that I was afraid.
"Your hands are cold. Don't be afraid Amber, just sit beside me", he said and he held my hands ng
papasok kami sa loob.

Oh, Gray's holding my hands? Uh, I guess I'll be colder this time. He's not simply holding it! He put his
fingers on the spaces between my fingers! He grip my hands -

Fine! To put it simply, WE'RE HOLDING HANDS. Yuck! The word holding hands is so corny! What's even
"yuckier" is that napapadalas yata ang paghoholding hands namin ni Gray. Pansin niyo din ba? (A/N: I
don't know why I'm smiling as I typed this particular part in this chapter! Lol! xD)
I'm somewhat glad na madilim ang paligid dahil kapag nagkataong hindi ay mahahalata nila na
namumula ako. Uh, damn you Gray for causing this. I don't even know why I'm blushing!

We sat on a big round table. Sir Arthur, Queen, Ace, Jack and Joker were all wearing a black hoody
gown.

Nagsimula na ang seance and we must held each others hands. Dahil napapagitnaan ako nina Gray at
Khael, I'm holding their hands.

Sir Arthur started reading something in a dialect which I don't understand. It was probaly in Latin.

Shit! Nakakatakot pala ang ganito. Even the sight of them in those black hoody gowns na gaya ng
sinusuot ng grimreaper sa mga palabas ay nakakatakot tingnan!

Nagulat kaming lahat ng bigla na lamang may mga mahihinang tunog ng pagsabog at namatay ang mga
kandila! A total darkness occupied the room!

Damn! This is what I hate the most! I started shaking just when someone slammed me in his chest and
whispered.

"Just stay still", he said and I was astonished for a while. Gray. It was Gray.
"What happened?!", natatarantang wika ni Queen. I cannot see them dahil madilim doon but I can
sensed that they're pancking too!

"Bakit namatay ang mga kandila?! Is this done by their spirits?", Joker said.

I felt Khael stoop up. He feel the switch on the wall but when he turned it on ay hindi pa rin lumiwanag
ang paligid.

"Sir Arthur, please bring me to the circuit breaker", he said. "Everyone, please don't move until the lights
are on", tugon nito bago namin narinig ang mga papalayong yabag nila.

We don't have our phones with us iniwan namin iyon sa kwarto ng sinimulan na ang seance.

After a while ay lumiwanag ang paligid and all was surprised!

Queenie was sitting in her chair dead! Wala itong malay at may isang kutsilyo na nakasaksak sa dibdib
nito, together with a Queen of Spades card!

The killer is really here! Damn! Paani nagawa ng killer ang krimeng iyon kahit madilim ang paligid?! And
who the hell did it?! I positive that no one stood up nang namatay ang ilaw!
"Shit! Queen is dead!?", natatarantang wika ni Nine! "Isusunod na niya tayong lahat!", she sounded
hysterical.

"No! Kataposan na nating lahat!", Joker said. Gaya ni Nine ay takot na takot din ito.

Napatayo naman si Jack at agad na lumapit kay Queen. "Queen!", he exclaimed ngunit bago pa man niya
mahawakan ang katawan ng biktima ay napigilan na siya ni Gray.

"Don't! You might destroy all the possible evidence", he warned at napatigil naman si Jack.

Hindi nagtagal ay nakabalik na din sina Khael at Sir Arthur doon. Gulat na gulat din sila ng makita si
Queen pagbalik nila.

"Damn!", Khael said at lumapit kay Gray na abala sa pag-oobserba kay Queen. Umalis na pala ito sa tabi
ko, hindi ko namalayan.

"No use. It's a fatal blow in the heart", wika ni Gray kay Khael. May narinig kaming tunog ng doorbell.

"It might be the police. Pagbubuksan ko muna", Sir Arthur said at umalis doon. Pagbalik nito ay may
kasama itong tatlong pulis at isa na doon si Inspector Dean.

One policed questioned the remaining members of the House of Cards in the other room samantalang
naiwan naman kaming tatlo doon kasama si Insp. Dean at ang isa pang pulis.
"I'm not surprised to see the two of you here. You're case magnets", biro ni Insp. Dean. "Idinamay niyo
pa si Amber."

I want to laugh in his statement, uh, I'm a case magnet too!

"What are you doing here?", tanong ni Insp. Dean sa amin.

"It's long story. Basta we were invited by the villa owner", Khael answered and continued roaming aroun
the room, looking for evidence. He went near the victim and smelled her. Then a smile emerged from his
lips. Looks like he got something about the case.

Ibinaling ko naman ang tingin ko kay Gray. He picked up a candle and examined it closely at tulad ni
Khael, a victorious smile emerged from his lips.

I leave everthing to them. Two great high school detectives are enough. Isa pa ay hindi naman ako
kasinggaling nila.

"I know who's the killer", magkapanabay nilang deklara. They looked at each other and smiled. See, two
great detectives are more than enough.

**

A/N:
Ohayo! Miss me? *Anabelle* Haha, di joke lang. Sorry for the super late update! Ayan na, bumabawi na
ako! Maybe I'll post the resolution tomorrow. (Just maybe!)

Who's your killer and what's your deduction? Share your thoughts, icomment niyo na yan mga
detectives! Haha! Leave your votes too and sorry for the errors! As of dedications, hindi na naman ako
makakapagdedicate ng chapters kasi sa cellphone na ulit ako nagtatype! Sorry talaga! Gomenasai!
*puppy eyes* Yun lang biyeers!

-Shinichilaaaabs, girlfriend ni Kuroko Tetsuya! (Haha! Pagbigyan! Katatapos ko lang ng Season 3 eh!)

CHAPTER 52: HAZARD

Chapter 52: Hazard

"I know who's the killer", magkapanabay na wika nina Gray at Khael. Both of them flashed a victorious
curve on their lips.

"Alam niyong dalawa?", I asked them. They both nodded.

"But we still have to find one thing", Khael said at tiningnan si Gray na tumango sa kanya.

"Yeah. A concrete evidence", wika ni Gray. "Just that evidence and everything will fall according to its
place."

Muli silang naghanap ng maaring magamit na ebidensya sa kung sino mang iniisip nila na killer.

Tumulong na rin ako sa paghahanap. I closely examined every corner of the room. Imposibleng walang
naiwan na ebidensya doon.

Tiningnan ko ang mga wire at switch na nasa sahig. What caused the electricity to be out? At first ay
inisip ko na gawa iyon ng mga espiritu na tinawag namin sa seance but that was just a trick used by the
killer to execute his plan. May mga extension wire sa ilalim ng mesa at mayroon ding switch doon.

Wait, a switch? Paano nagkaroon ng switch doon?

"This is the switch used by the culprit. Ang kailangan na lang ay ang pagpapatunay na siya nga", Gray
said na yumuko sa tabi ko at tiningnang mabuti ang switch.

He noticed something at muling tiningnan ng maayos ang switch. There was something on it. Inilapit
niya iyon sa paningin at inamoy. Pagkatapos ay ngumiti na siya.
"Got it!", he said at tumayo. Hinanap niya sa Khael but he was nowhere to be found. Hindi nagtagal ay
pumasok na ito doon.

A switch was used? Inalala ko ang pwesto namin kanina. In a round table from my right was Gray, Sir
Arthur, Queen, Queen's boyfriend, Jack, Nine, Nine's friend, Joker at nasa left side ko naman si Khael.

Who could have done it? I still don't have any idea who did it.

"Where have you been?", Gray asked Khael. Nakasilay pa rin sa labi nito ang isang kakaibang ngiti.

"I went to see the other members of House of Cards. And I got an evidence. I also know who killed Ten",
wika niya.

"Me too. It's that person", he said. They told Insp. Dean to gather everyone in the living room. Nang
nandoon na ang lahat ay sinimulan na nilang isiwalat ang lahat tungkol sa kaso.

"What? You let these brats handle the case? Anong klaseng pulis kayo?", galit na tanong ni Jack ng sinabi
ni Insp. Dean na alam na nina Khael at Gray kung sino ang killer.

"Hindi namin pinahawak sa kanila ang kaso. They helped us. A lot", sagot nito.

"Kahit na! Anong akala ninyo sa nangyayaring serial killing na ito? A joke? Hindi ito nursery rhymes na
maari ninyong iasa sa mga bata!", wika naman ni Nine.

Nang sulyapan ko sina Gray at Khael ay wala lang sa kanila ang pagprotesta ng iba. Or maybe they're
used to it.

Gray was just leaning on his back against the wall. Nakapamulsa ito habang tinitingnan ang lahat ng
nandoon. I don't have any idea what's running on his mind.

On the other side was Khael. Nakaupo ito na nakade-kwatro. What's common between him and Gray is
that their pokerfaces. Wala silang pinapakitang emosyon but their eyes tell something.

Something like unveiling the truth in this case.

"Why don't you hear us out? We'll exposed the trick used by the killer", mayabang na wika ni Gray. Yes,
he still have that attitude. Mukhang bahagi na yata iyon ng kanyang pagkatao, duh.

"Sige! Spill everything kung ano man ang trick na sinasabi ninyo", Ace said.

"Let's start with how the killer make the candles blow out. He set up the candles beforehand with some
device with a little amount of explosives na naging sanhi kung bakit namatay ang mga kandila. The
evidence are the remnants of the explosives in candles. Mahina lamang iyon at hindi mahahalata but
there were obvious evidences. Sinadya niyang patayin ang mga kandila upang mapatupad ang sunod
niyang hakbang para sa gagawing pagpatay", Gray said.

Explosives? Kaya pala may naamoy akong kakaiba kanina ng mamatay ang mga kandila. It's just a faint
smell ngunit naamoy ko pa rin iyon. I've got a good and very functional olfactory nerve, I guess.

"His next step is to let someone turn on the switch of the lights. That's what I did, right? But the he
already manipulated it kaya nang i-on ko ang ilaw ay namatay ang lahat ng ilaw sa kabuoan ng villa.
Dahil sa ginawa ko, the current becomes too strong and the breaker automatically stops all the current
to avoid any dangerous problems. That's why we have to fix the circuit breaker and he executed his
crime in the middle of the darkness", he said.

"Paano naman pinasabog ng killer ang mga sinasabi ninyong explosives?", naguguluhang tanong ng isa
sa pulis na kasama ni Insp. Dean.

"It's activated by a switch. We found it under the table where everyone was sitting. It's impossible for
the killer to press the switch using his hands dahil naghawak-kamay ang bawat isa ng mangyari iyon, so
he stepped on it", paliwanag ni Gray.

"Paano naman niya pinatay si Queen? Walang tumayo nung nakapatay ang ilaw diba?", Joker asked.

Yes, when the lights were off, we don't feel anyone got up from his seat upang patayin si Queen.

"That's because the killer didn't stand up. He crawled under the table and killed Queen", wika ni Gray.
The killer crawled under the table? Yes it's possible but -

"Paano naman nalaman ng killer na si Queen nga ang sinaksak niya? It's too dim. You cannot identify the
person", Sir Arthur asked.

I know how did the killer found Queen! I saw it when the lights were off.

"She's wearing an incandescent bangles on her wrist. Dahil malapit siya sa kandila, the heat let the
bangle produce glowing light and that's how the killer located her", wika ni Khael.

They're exposing the killer in a collaborative manner at hindi ko alam kung pinag-usapan ba nila ang
tungkol sa deduction eventhough I don't think so.

"Kung gumapang nga ang killer mula sa ilalim ng mesa, how come did Queen didn't shout or resist nang
tangkain siyang patayin ng killer?", Insp. Dean asked.

"The killer used chloroform as anesthetic. By that, he was able to make Queen unconcious at malaya
niyang nasaksak ito", Khael said at nagulat ang lahat.

"Who is it?! Who is the killer?", tanong ni Nine. She was shivering of fear. I can't blame her. Her life was
at risk too.

"The killer is -"

Nagkatinginan sina Gray at Khael.

"The killer is Juan, the Joker", they said in unison at nagulat naman ang lahat. Maging ako ay nagulat. It
was the Joker? But how?
Napatayo naman si Joker. "Ano ba ang pinagsasabi ninyo? Pinagbibintangan niyo ba akong pumatay sa
lahat ng miyembro ng House of Cards?", he sounded so pissed.

"We're not accusing you. We have evidence", wika ni Khael. "All of us have observed the victim right?
Marahil ay napansin ninyo ang lipstick ni Queen na nakasmudge sa mukha niya. It was because of the
handkerchief that you used upang mapalanghap siya ng chloroform." Khael seems so sure on every
word he said.

Tumawa ng payak si Joker. "Wala akong panyo na ginamit sa kung ano man yang mga pinagsasabi
ninyo", wika niya.

"Of course we knew all along that you would dispose that evidence ngunit may isa pang ebidensya na
makapagtuturo sayo. An evidence that you didn't know existed", Gray said.

Napatingin ang lahat kay Gray. An evidence na hindi alam ng killer na mayroon pala?

"What is it?", Nine asked.

"It's the remnants of the chocolate that he stepped on. Nasa sole iyon ng sapatos niya at dumikit sa
switch ng explosives na inapakan niya", Gray said at nagulat naman si Joker. Lumapit ang isang pulis sa
kanya.

"Maari ba naming tingnan ang iyong sapatos?", tanong nito and when Joker didn't move, he raised his
shoe and looked at his soles.

At gaya nga ng sinabi ni Gray, mayroon nga itong naapakan na chocolate.

Chocolate?

Something at the back of my head rings.

Chocolate.

Chocolate.

Chocolate.

What's with a chocolate?

Then I remember something regarding that chocolate! So that was it! That's what happened!

"Now, aaminin mo na ba ang ginawa mo?", tanong ng pulis kay Joker.

"You are the killer Joker? But why? What's your reason for doing so?!", hindi makapaniwalang tanong ni
Ace.

"Tinatanong mo yan Ace?! Ako ang dapat na Ace. I'm Juan! Ako si Juan pero inagaw mo sa akin ang
pagiging Ace!", sigaw niya kay Ace.

"What? Napakababaw naman yata ng rason mo!", Ace hissed at him.

"Mababaw? Hindi lang naman iyon! Alam mo bang walang halaga ang joker sa baraha? Iyon din ang
ipinadama ninyo sa akin! Akala niyo ba hindi ko alam na hindi ako shareholder ng korporasyong tinatag
natin? I have my investments pero hindi ako may-ari? Ano ito, donasyon? Sa lahat ng mga investment na
pinasukan natin wala ni kahit isa na nandoon ang pangalan ko! Hindi dahil wala akong alam sa business
ay lolokohin niyo na ako! Noong buo pa ang korporasyon, palagi na lamang maliit ang dividends na
nakukuha ko! Ni hindi ninyo pinapakita sa akin ang mga putang-in*ng financial statements!", he said.
Napayuko naman ang lahat. Marahil ay totoo ang nga sinabi ni Joker.

"Yes, we made a mistake for not disclosing everything to you before. Naging sakim kami noon but now
we're trying to correct every mistake!", paliwanag ni Sir Arthur.

"Too late", sagot ni Joker. "I loathe each one of you!" He said and I saw how anger fired in his eyes. Bago
pa man ito may gawing masama ay pinusasan na ito ng mga pulis.
"I'm sorry Joker", umiiyak na wika ni Nine. "Kung hindi mo man kami mapatawad ngayon, sana ay balang
araw", wika niya.

Humingi ng tawad ang bawat isa kay Joker but the latter refused to accept any of their apology. Sana
lang ay magkapatawaran na silang lahat.

"So, as of Ten's case, the one who killed him was Jack", deretsahang wika ni Khael na ikinagulat ng lahat
maliban kay Jack. Mukhang inaasahan na nito ang sasabihin ni Khael.

"What?", tanong ni Ace. "Jack? Ikaw ang pumatay kay Ten? Bakit?", he asked.

Napatango naman si Jack. "Yes, I'm the one who killed Ten. We're both responsible for the
embezzlement. Magkasabwat kami but he dropped me. Iniwan niya ako sa ere ng magkabukingan!
That's why I killed him!", naiiyak nitong wika.

"No you didn't kill him."

Sabay silang napalingon sa akin. Even Gray and Khael. Yes, I was the one who said those.

"What do you mean Special A?", nagtatakang tanong ni Khael. "You said he didn't kill Ten?"

Tumango ako sa kanila. "Yes, he didn't kill him."

Napatayo si Sir Arthur at naguguluhang tiningnan ako. "I'm now confused. Jack just confessed that he is
the one who killed Ten and now you're saying that he was not."

"I killed him. I killed him with my own hands", wika naman ni Jack.

"As I said, you didn't kill him", wika ko ulit.

"Ano ba ang ibig mong sabihin Amber? He killed Ten and locked the room. We saw some giftwrapping
ribbon on the drawer at iyon ang ginamit niya upang maging posible ang ginawa niyang locked room
murder", paliwanag ni Gray.

"Yeah, he used his summer short's lace. That's why manipis ang strangled mark ng biktima. Look at his
summer shorts, wala na ang lace niyon. It's because he already get rid of the murder weapon Special A",
paliwanag naman ni Khael.

"Yes, they're right. Ako ang pumatay kay Ten and its through the process that they were saying", Jack
said.

I'm sure of it. The chocolate told me so.

"Yes, you attempted to kill him but he was already dead when you strangled him", wika ko, and
everyone was surprised.

"What? Dead? How could you say so?", tanong ni Nine.

"Joker already killed him. Pinatay na siya ni Joker through a pillow murder. If you observe the corpse's
nails, may mga nastuck doon na mga cotton-like things na mula sa unan na ginamit na weapon ni Joker.
Sa kwartong iyon din nakaapak ng chocolate si Joker. Kapag tiningnan niyo ang sahig doon, naroon ang
naapakan na chocolate ni Joker. After doing so, he left the room and then you attempted to kill him
without knowing that he's already dead", wika ko.

Jack thought for a while. "Kaya pala madilim ang kwarto at nakahiga lang doon si Ten. I thought he was
just asleep so I strangled him at nang napansin kong hindi na siya humihinga, that's when I locked the
room", wika niya.

"Hindi ka man lang ba nagtaka na hindi man lamang siya pumalag? Sa tingin mo ay basta-basta mo na
lamang masasakal ang isang tao, using a short lace na hindi man lamang pumapalag? Even if how many
times you double the lace, papalag pa rin ito", wika ko sa kanya.

"Kinakabahan ako at hindi ko na naisip ang mga ganoong bagay", Jack said.
Lumapit si Insp. Dean sa kanya at inakbayan siya. "But that doesn't mean na abswelto ka na sa kasalanan
mo. Please come with us at the station", he said at sumama naman ng matiwasay si Jack.

Everything was settled that night. May kasalanan ang bawat isa at kailangan nilang magkapatawaran.

Before we left that night ay nagpasalamat sa amin ang mga natitirang miyembro ng House of Cards,
lalong-lalo na si Sir Arthur. Ayon sa kanya ay hindi siya nagkamali sa pagsama sa amin. He was thankful
dahil hindi na sila tuluyang pinatay lahat. Kahit dalawa sa kanila ay namatay, they can move on and start
a new life.

Pagbabayaran naman nina Jack at lalo na ni Joker ang lahat ng mga krimen nila.

Hindi nagtagal ay dumating na ang driver si Kuya Rex at sinundo kami. It was already 2 am kaya
nagpasya kaming tumuloy na lang sa hotel at maaga kaming babalik bukas ng Bridle.

**

Kasalukuyan nagkaklase ang terror naming guro sa Math na si Maam Laid.

I was yawning secretly all the time. Gosh, I'm so sleepy! Alas dos na ng umaga ng natulog kami at
pagsapit ng alas singko ng umaga ay gumising naman kami upang makabalik dito sa Bridle.

Truth is I want to spend my whole day sleeping in my bed at the dorm but I cannot miss school again.
Nag-absent na kami kahapon at ayaw kong umabsent ngayon.

Yesterday was a tiring day. Mula sa katakot-takot na code-cracking quiz bee na pasimuno ng mafia, to a
kidnapping case and lastly was that House of Cards Serial killing case. Naniniwala na talaga ako na
nagiging case magnet na kami.

When I glanced at Gray on my back, he was slouching on his seat too at panay din ang hikab nito.
"Saan kayo galing kahapon ni Gray? Parehas kayong di pumasok. Nagdate kayo?", tanong ni Jeremy. His
gaze was fixed on the board, marahil ay upang hindi siya mapansin ni Maam Laid.

Hindi agad nagsink-in sa utak ko ang sinabi niya at nang napagtanto ko ang sinabi niya ay hindi ko
mapigilang mapalakas ang boses.

"We're not dating!", I hissed at him. Nababaliw na ba siya? Ako at si Gray? No way! "There's no way
Gray and I will be dating!"

Nagulat din sina Gray at Marion na nasa likuran lang namin at naririnig kami.

"What? You're dating Amber, Gray-chan?", malakas ang boses na wika ni Marion. She even emerged
from her seat.

"What are you saying?", gulat na rin na tanong ni Gray. Oh, now everything's messed up! Blame Jeremy
for this!

"Don't date anyone or else", Marion said pouting. Napatayo naman si Gray at hinarap ito. He looks
pissed.

They say na magbiro na sa lasing, wag lang sa bagong gising. Oh well, on our case, wag magbiro sa mga
kulang sa tulog. Makakatikim talaga si Jeremy at Marion sa amin.

"Or what?", Gray asked her at nagsukatan sila ng tingin. Binigyan ko rin ng deadly glare si Jeremy, he
started all of this.

"Or. Just or", wika ni Marion at tiningnan ako. "Saan kasi kayo nanggaling kahapon Amber?"

I was about to answer her ng may dumapo na eraser sa mesa namin. Sabay kaming napalingon sa
nagbato niyon. It was Maam Laid.

She was standing with her arms in her waist. I can sense her angry aura. "Kanina ko pa kayong apat
tinatawag! You even stood up in the middle of my class! The four of you, GET OUT!"
Nagulat kaming lahat. Nakayuko ang iba naming mga kaklase. Ayaw marahil nilang madamay sa galit ni
Maam Laid.

"You didn't hear me? I SAID GET OUT! OUT NOW!", she shouted at agad kaming lumabas bago pa ito
atakihin. Uh, I don't know if she had a heart disease o ano basta ayoko lang na baka mahigh blood ito ng
tuluyan.

"What now?", Gray asked ng makalabas na kami.

I hate this! This is the second time na napalabas ako sa klase ni Maam Laid.

"Uuwi ako ng dorm. Matutulog ako", wika ko at akmang aalis ngunit nagsalita si Jeremy.

"You can't. Almost 20 minutes na lang ay Chem na natin at may lab tayo ngayon", he said at saka ko lang
naalala. Yes, we will have our laboratory later. Mabuti na lang at malapit ng matapos ang Math period
namin ng pinalabas kami.

"Kasalanan mo talaga ito Nerd!", wika ni Marion kat Jeremy.

"It's your fault Marion!", wika naman ni Gray.

Really, pinagtatalunan pa nila yung ganoon? Uh, ewan ko sa kanila.

"Fine! My fault. I'll treat everyone at the cafeteria", Jeremy said. Nagpatiuna na siyang lumakad at ng
napansin niyang hindi kami sumusunod ay nilingon niya kami.

"Ano pa ang hinihintay ninyo? Minsan lang akong manlibre", he said.

Minsan? Baka ngayon lang talaga. Sa tatlong taon naming pagiging pagiging magkaklase, this is the first
time he said those words.
Teka, si Jeremy nga ba talaga ito? As I said before, gone was his thick glasses and ugly hairstyles. Lumapit
ako sa kanya at pinisil ang pisngi niya. He winced in pain when I did it.

"Awww! Amber that hurt!", he said at hinawakan ang nasaktang pisngi.

Uh, I was expecting that his face will peel off kagaya ng nangyayari sa mga ginagawa ni Kaito Kid sa
anime but it didn't. Baliktarin man ang mundo at ang braces nito, it was really Jeremy.

"Uy, libre daw!", Marion said at hinila kaming dalawa ni Gray. "Get ready Nerd, mamumulubi ka
ngayon!"

Nang makarating kami sa cafeteria ay tama nga ang sinabi ni Marion. Mamumulubi talaga si Jeremy! She
ordered foods that's worth my whole week allowance. Namigay pa ito sa mga naroon! She just
screamed

"Unlimited foods all on Jeremy, the nerd!"

Agad naman iyong sinunggaban ng mga estudyante! Gosh, Marion is crazy! Mababayaran ba iyon lahat
ni Jeremy nang hindi nagpapalipas ng kain para sa mga susunod na araw?

"Jeremy, are you sure na kaya mong bayaran ang lahat ng iyon? Marion is out of her mind", Gray said at
bahagyang sinulyapan si Marion na abala sa pamimigay.

I can't hardly eat the foods in our table! Baka maghunger strike na si Jeremy for the next few days!

"Don't mind her. I still can pay, lalo na't malaki na ang savings ko from my allowance, don't worry about
it", he said at bumaling ng tingin sa akin. "Amber! I love the book you lent me which is His Last Bow. In
The Adventure of the Bruce-Partington Plans he said, 'Education never ends Watson. It is a series of
lessons with the greatest for the last.'", he said trying to sound old.

Gray swallowed a large slice of pizza. "It's in the Adventure of The Red Circle and not that one", wika
niya at iniwas ang tingin kay Jeremy.
"You read the book Gray?", he asked in amazement.

Gray let out a bored look. "Yeah, and I've got a complete set too, just like Amber", wika niya. He
sounded so boastful. Nabawasan tuloy ang excitement sa mukha nito.

"Ah, ganon ba?", Jeremy said at muling sumigla ang mukha nito. "Please lend me another Amber", he
said, pouting at me.

"Yeah, su-"

Bigla na lamang sumingit si Gray. "Sa akin ka na lang humiram since mas malapit lang tayo, we're both
on the boy's dorm right? Don't bother Amber", wika nito.

Anong problema ni Gray? Mukhang nag-iba yata ang mood nito.

Jeremy hesitated for a while. "Ayos lang ba sayo?"

"I offered you right? Kaya malamang okay lang -awww!", he groaned nang apakan ko ang paa niya sa
ilalim ng mesa.

"Could you be atleast nice to Jeremy?", I asked him at tiningnan siya ng masama.

Jeremy glanced at his watch. "Math class is over, tara na sa Science Lab", he said at tumayo na. Lumapit
siya sa counter at nagbayad. I don't want to know how much he paid. Panay pa rin ang pamimigay ni
Marion ng pagkain.

Tumayo na rin kami ni Gray at tinawag si Marion. "Marion, let's go", I called her.

She pouted when she glanced at her wristwatch. "But I haven't eaten yet and we cannot bring foods at
the lab! And I'm a little bit hungry!"
"Your fault. Kung gusto mo, iiwan ka na lang namin dito", Gray said at nakapamulsang naglakad.

"Fine. I'll grab snacks later", she said at tumakbo palapit kay Gray. "Wait for me Gray-chan!"

Nasa kanya-kanyang working table kami sa laboratory. I don't know what kind of science activity ang
gagawin namin, ang alam ko lang ay chemical compound ang topic namin. May mga folded papers doon
at mga iba-ibang chemicals. The paper contains the instructions.

Bridle spoil their students with all the science chemical and other elements as long as maingat lang ang
mga estudyante. Mrs. Sera, the laboratory incharge is a known chemist kaya maayos niyang naiga-guide
ang mga estudyante.

Tiningnan ko ang naroong compound sa harap ko. Nasa loob iyon ng isang beaker. It was like a white
crystal.

"It looks like Pentaerythritol tetranitrate", komento ni Gray na nasa likuran. "But of course, it isn't. Bridle
wouldn't prepare such."

"Pentaewankosayo. Err, what's that?", tanong ko sa kanya. Ni hindi ko nga masabi kung ano iyon.

"It's one of the most powerful explosive material with a relative effectiveness factor of 1.66", wika niya.

Explosive? Hindi naman siguro ito ganoon!

Gray is knowledgable about those things, he even knows how to detonate a bomb!

"Hey, you lose color, I'm sure its not PETN", natatawang wika niya. Sino ba ang hindi mawawalan ng
kulay kung ganoon?

"Ewan ko sayo", inirapan ko siya at kinuha ang beaker. I read the instructions. The element in the beaker
was Barium.

The piece of paper says that I have to observe the reaction of Ba(CN) 2 or Barium Cyanide when mixed
with water.
But wait, isn't cyanide dangerous? I hesitated for a while ngunit agad ding nawala iyon. Hindi naman
siguro gagawa ng ikakapahamak ng estudyante ang skwelahan.

Kanya-kanya na sa ginagawa nila ang mga kaklase ko kaya sinimulan ko ng lagyan ng H20 ang crystal-like
barium na nasa beaker.

Agad iyong umusok at unti-unting nawala ang paningin ko. The last thing I remembered is that Gray
ordered everyone to get out of the laboratory and he rushed to me and held me bago pa ako tuluyang
bumagsak.

**

I woke up in a hospital. Nasa tabi ko si Marion.

"Amber, mabuti naman gising ka na. Are you okay? What happened?", tanong niya sa akin.

Tumango lang ako sa kanya. My head is still spinning in circles.

Bumukas naman ang pinto at iniluwa niyon si Gray. His face was very serious.

"Gray-chan, gising na si Amber", Marion said to him.

Agad siyang lumapit sa akin. "Okay ka na ba? How do you feel?", he asked me.

"What happened?", I asked them.

Nagkatinginan silang dalawa and both of them has a worried face. Marahil nag-aalinlangan sila kung
sasabihin ba nila o hindi ang nangyari sa akin. In the end ay sinabi na nila.

"The compound that you mixed is Barium Cyanide. It reacts with water and carbon dioxide in air slowly,
producing highly toxic hydrogen cyanide gas. I smelled the bitter scent of almond ng nagreact na sa
tubig ang hinalo mo", Gray said.

"But why did Mrs. Sera instructed me to mix those? She should know that it is dangerous", I said. Yun
naman talaga ang nasa instuction sa akin and who would have thought that it was dangerous?
"She wasn't the one who wrote that instruction. Iba ang papel mo sa papel naming lahat. And at the
back of that paper, there was a big X. Mayroon sing nakasulat doon, a line from Holmes. It says 'Some
fumes which are not poisonous would be a welcome change", Gray said.

X. There he goes again. Ilang araw lang itong nagpahinga sa pagpapahamak sa buhay ko. I don't know
what he's up to.

"Nasaan na ngayon si Mrs. Sera?", Marion asked.

"She's been questioned by the police", humarap siya sa akin. "Do you know that X?

I shook my head. "I don't know who he is but this is the third time he did something like this at palaging
may ganoon, a line from Holmes but I really don't have any idea kung sino man ang nagpapadala niyon",
wika ko. X is really serious in risking my life. What's his motive in doing so, I do not know.

"Listen Amber, the next time na makatanggap ka ng ganoon, tell me right away", Gray said. I just nodded
but I hope tumigil na si X sa mga pinaggagawa niya.

Pumasok ang doktor at kinausap ako. She told me that I can be discharge by the afternoon.

--

A/N:

Short and crappy update. Sorry ngayon lang nakapag-update, I'm sick for 3 days at hindi pa rin
gumagaling hanggang ngayon.

yun lang, byeers :)

-SHINICHILAAAABS.

CHAPTER 53: KIDNAPPER, GRAY IVAN SILVAN

Chapter 53: Kidnapper, Gray Ivan Silvan

These few days, I've been thinking how close I am to death.

Death.

For me it's the most savage thing one would ever experience. You'd be hurt if someone important to
you dies. Same as when you die, those who love you would suffer and berieve.
I once wonder why there is death without considering the bible where it says that for all have sinned
and fall short of the glory of God. Another verse says that the wages of sin is death that's why people are
sinners and sinners would die.

The most silly answer I thought about why people die, ignoring the bible's explaination is that if people
don't die, the earth would be overpopulated.

Silly, right? But of course it's possible. Even if it's silly, it is possible.

It's been a week since that incident happened in the laboratory. Nothing happened for the past few days
maliban sa cold treatment ni Gray sa akin. I don't know if it is deliberate or not. Hindi niya kasi ako
pinapansin, not that nagpapapansin ako sa kanya.

I asked him something about our assignment and he just nodded at me without any other word. During
the breaktime, he left immediately. Nang bumalik ito ay hindi man lamang ito kumibo o sinulyapan man
lamang ako. I don't know if he's ignoring just me or all of us. I figured out it was just me nang nakita ko
siyang tumatawa habang kausap si Marion at Marcus.

Fine! Wala akong pakialam! Bahala siya!

I was silently eating my snack nang bumalik si Jeremy at umupo sa tabi ko. He nudged my side kaya
napalingon ako sa kanya.

"Are you in quarrel with Gray?", he asked in a low voice.

Am I? Wala naman akong naalala na pinag-awayan namin.I don't even remember anything na sinabi ko
or nagawa ko sa kanya to deserve such treatment.

"Wala naman. Ewan", I answered. Jeremy thought for a while, he was pointing on his temple while
thinking. Even without the nerdy look, he still possesss the nerdy gestures.
"Ah! I remembered! When I went to his room yesterday to borrow his books, he looked like he was
bothered with something. You sure you didn't have fight with him?", he asked again and I gave him a
deadly glare. Paulit-ulit?!

"Okay, okay! Wala", wika niya. Umayos na kami ng upo dahil pumasok na ang guro namin para sa
susunod na period.

Nang sumapit ang lunch break ay umuwi muna ako sa dorm sa halip na dumeretso sa cafeteria at
kumain ng pananghalian.

I was lying on my bed when my phone rang. Nang makita ko ang pangalan ni Khael sa caller ID ay agad
ko iyong sinagot.

"Moshi-moshi Special A."

I rolled my eyes. "Anong masamang hangin ang nag-udyok sayo na tumawag?", I asked without
returning his greetings.

"Ouch, masamang hangin talaga? Well I can say that the air is really polluted nowadays", he said and I
can imagine his naughty face.

"I'm gonna hang up now", I said.

"We-we-wait! Highblood mo naman. Meron ka?"

"My time is precious and I don't waste it on any nonsense call like this", I told him.

"Fine, I just call to ask how are you. I heard about what happened last week", he said.

"I'm fine now. Who told you about it?"

"Silvan, of course. We're best buddy, remember?"

"So if you are his best buddy, he might tell you as well why he's ignoring me, right?"

"He's ignoring you? Oh, that's unrequited love. You should resort to me, I'm willing yo be your rebo-"

"I'm really hanging up."

"Just kidding, hindi ka naman mabiro. Hindi ko alam why he's ignoring you. You two didn't have a
quarrel?", tanong niya and I mentally rolled my eyes.

"If we have been in a quarrel, I would have known why he is ignoring me", I said lazily. Uh, why would
people think that we have a quarrel and then I don't realize that it's the reason why he is ignoring me?
"But I really don't know Special A", he said. Mukhang wala talaga akong makukuha na impormasyon dito
kaya hindi ko na lamang pinilit ito.

"Okay. Ibaba ko na, I have to grab my lunch dahil may pasok pa ako", paalam ko sa kanya. Hindi ko na
hinintay ang sagot niya at agad ko na iyong pinatay.

I went out of the dormitory and walked my way towards the cafeteria. Papasok na sana ako ng marinig
ko ang boses ni Gray mula sa gilid. Agad akong nagtago sa isa sa mga halaman doon at nakinig sa kanya.
He was calling someone over his phone.

"Yes, boss. I'll be going right away", wika niya.

Boss? Who the hell is Boss? Saka ko lamang napansin na hindi na niya suot ang kanyang school uniform.
He was on his usual get up, jeans and a poloshirt.

"Okay Boss, sa Mall? I'm on my way", wika niya at pinatay ang tawag. He immediately made his way
towards Bridle's exit.

Ako naman, instead of going inside the cafeteria and have my lunch, I just found myself following Gray
towards the exit. Lunchtime at palitan din ng duty ang guard upang makapananghalian ang isa. When
we arrived there, eksaktong walang guard na naroon, Gray immediately ran and call a cab. Nang
makaalis na ang taxi na sinakyan nito ay agad akong pumara ng taxi at pinasundan ang naunang taxi.

Huminto ang taxi na sinasakyan ni Gray sa harap ng mall. I waited for him to get off first saka ako
bumaba. He called someone again but I cannot hear what he is saying dahil medyo malayo ako sa kanya.
Gosh, masyado akong agaw pansin dahil suot ko pa ang school uniform ko. Both Bridle and Athena's
uniform are headturners since both schools are prestigious.

Kahit malayo si Gray ay tanaw ko pa rin siya kaya malaya ko siyang nasusundan. I saw him bumped into
a girl, who was wearing a school uniform.

If I'm not mistaken, it was Carson High School uniform. Nalaglag ang mga dala nitong paper bag at agad
itong tinulungan ni Gray.

Wait did he do it on purpose?

I saw Gray flashed a sweet smile on the girl, at kinilig naman ito. Ang landi lang! Nabangga lang tapos
ganoon?! Sana pala nagkabangga sila malapit sa escalator at natumba yung babae, then the escalator
absorb her hair! Ang landi-landi!

Okay, that's too harsh. Sana pala nauntog na lang ang pwet nito tapos hindi makalakad. But if that
happens, Gray would be obliged to carry her?! No no no! Not that one.

Sana pala ay mabilaukan ito sa iniinom nitong Zagu nang magbangga ito at si Gray and then the Zagu will
spill all over her uniform and -

then Gray would also be obliged to buy her new clothes, and worst magpapasama pa ito sa dressing
room!

Oh! Another no no!

Fine! Nagbangga lang ang mga ito at ngumiti si Gray dito. Let's keep it that way.

I thought na kapag tapos na ang malanding ngitian nila ay aalis na ang babae, but to my surprise ay
nagshakehands pa ang dalawa!

Oh no! Maybe I should give Gray a lot of alcohol and hand sanitizer! Nagkavirus na tuloy ang kamay nito.

Abot-tenga naman ang ang ngiti ng babae! Nagmumukha na itong payaso dahil sa mga kolorete nito sa
mukha.

The next thing I knew was that Gray was carrying her paperbags for her! Don't tell me ihahatid niya ito
kung saan man ito pupunta?!

They went inside a fastfood inside the mall. Aba! Naisipan pa talaga nilang kumain?! Fine with me, hindi
pa rin naman ako kumakain. Matapos nilang umorder ay pumwesto sila sa may patagong dulo. Abala sila
sa pag-uusap kaya hindi ako napansin ni Gray nang umorder ako ng pagkain at isa pa ay nakatalikod siya
sa akin.

After I got my food ay pumwesto ako sa mesa na di kalayuan sa kanila. They were talking about
something at panay ang tawa ng babae with matching hampas pa sa braso ni Gray. Gosh, she's very
annoying than Marion!

Bakit ba hindi naa-annoy si Gray dito like the way he did when Marion do the same thing? Not to
mention that Marion is very beautiful and that girl is, uh, no comment.
I noticed Gray's phone on his side kaya naisipan kong itext siya.

'Class already starts. Where are you?'

After I pressed send ay inilapag ko sa mesa ang cellphone ko at tumingin sa direksyon nila. Maybe his
phone vibrates kaya napatingin ito doon. He read my message but he didn't replied.

What the hell?! He ignored my message?! I tried calling him but he cancelled my call.

What?! Pinatay niya ang tawag ko dahil lamang sa babaeng iyon?! I texted him again.

'I'm cutting all other subjects if you will not tell me where you are'.

After I pressed the send button ay palihim na sumulyap ako sa gawi nila. He picked up the phone and
after reading it, he replied.

'Home. Gonna meet my mom.'

Liar! At kailan pa niya naging bahay ang mall at naging nanay ang babaeng iyon?! Duh!

Nilantakan ko na lang ang fried chicken na nasa plato ko. Nang matapos akong kumain ay tapos na rin
sila. They both stood up at umalis doon. They went out of the mall at nagtungo sa basement na parking
area din ng mall.
Wait?! What are they supposed to do in the basement?! Oh no! I hope it's not what I'm thinking! That's
too gross! Too immo-

Biglang lumabas ang isang blue na convertible na kotse at lulan niyon si Gray at ang hitad, I mean the
girl. Nagtatalo ang kalooban ko kung susundan ko ba ang mga ito o hindi. In the end, I decided to follow
them! Baka ano pa lang ang gawin noong babae kay Gray, no way!

I was about to call a cab when a familiar Ford Shelby GT500 convertible model stopped on my side.

Uh, what's with convertible cars?! Malanghap niyo sana lahat ng polusyon sa Pilipinas!

I frowned when I saw who was driving the car.

Cooler.

Cooler as in Cooler.

Cooler Vander.

Cooler, aka Zeus!

"Are you lost?", he asked gently. Mainit ang araw but his roof is down.

I pretended to look around. "Haunted na pala ang basement ng mall? Hala! Maybe I have Schizophrenia
because I'm hearing voices", I said totally ignoring him.

I'm not in the mood to entertain him! I want to take a break from the mafia as well as from X!

"You must have skipped school since class hours ngayon and you're still wearing that uniform", wika niya
ulit.

"May multo nga yata. Makaalis na nga", I said and find a way to escape from the basement ngunit muli
itong nagsalita.

"You must be following my brother who was with another beautiful girl", wika nito and flashed a smile.
Ngayon ko lang napansin na magkatulad sila ng ngiti ni Gray. The kind that makes your knees go weak.

Makes your knees go weak?! Wait, I've became creative in my choice of words these past few days, ew.
So not me!

"What? Anong klaseng mata ang meron ka ba? You find that girl beautiful? Babaeng espasol! Siguro may
bakery sila at ginagawa niyang face powder ang lahat ng flour nila! She's not beautiful. Not even an inch
to Marion", wika ko. If I would spell beautiful, it would be M-A-R-I-O-N. Maganda kasi ito. With or
without make up. Pumapasok na kasi ito na nakaface powder lang and not a heavy make up.
"Hmmm, yeah. They own large cake and pastry shops here and in abroad. Her name is Allison Easton.
Heir of Sweet Tooth Pastry Shop", Cooler said.

And I was like,

What the fudge! That's my favorite Pastry shop since I was a kid! Now I want to hate that shop!

But if they own Sweet Tooth, she must be incredibly rich! Noooooooooo!

Oh, well yes. They really are rich! And I don't care! (A/N: Even the care bears don't care! Haha ayon kay
Sinio!)

"Now if you want to follow my brother, hop in habang hindi pa sila masyadong nakalalayo", wika niya
and he opened the shotgun ride. I didn't hesitate at agad na sumakay doon at agad naman niya iyong
pinaharurot.
I wonder why he keeps on calling Gray as 'my brother' samantalang si Gray ay hindi man lamang masabi
ang pangalan niya. He just keep on addressing Cooler as 'that guy'.

Sinulyapan ko siya habang payapa siyang nagmamaneho. This is the first time I appreciate the swiftness
of this car. Nang unang beses kasi akong sumakay dito ay noong galing kami sa party kung saan
ipinakilala si Marion. Like what Ryu said, I ruined their million dollar transaction that night.

"Now, will you answer me why are you following my brother?", he asked again at bahagya lamang akong
sinulyapan.

"I'm not following him", I said at tumingin sa labas.

"Okay, why are you not following him?", he asked again and I prevented myself to wring his neck dahil
baka madisgrasya pa kami kapag nagkataon. Gosh, I just realized, simula ng nainvolve ako sa mga iba-
ibang kaso ay nagiging bayolente na ako.

I gave him my deadliest glare and ignored his question. "Will you put your roof on please? Baka makita
pa ng mga kalaban niyo na magkasama tayo, baka mapahamak na naman ako."

He chuckled but he followed what I said. "No one knows that I'm part of Vander Mafia. I'm the
anonymous transactor!", wika niya.

"Really, eh bakit alam ko?", I said sarcastically.

"I mean sa mga kalaban ng mafia, as what you say."

I remembered Ryu's skill. He's a known hacker. Ngayon ay nacu-curious na ako kung ano man ang meron
kay Cooler.

"Hey, that devil cousin of you is a hacker, no, a famous hacker. How about you? Tell me at ng hindi na
ako magulat kapag nagkataon", wika ko sa kanya.

He pouted and still focused his sight on the road. "Naaah, don't have any. That's why Cronus, our father
is pursuing his genius son and that's Gray. He wants him to handle the mafia as early as now. I'm not a
genius like him, or like you or Ryu. My IQ is on average level and I don't have any special skill that is
useful to the mafia", wika niya. I felt his emotion when he said those. Hindi naman siya naiinggit kay
Gray o kay Ryu who are geniuses but there is something in his voice.

"Oh well, here's their car", he said at inihinto ang kanyang kotse sa gilid, hindi kalayuan sa nakaparadang
kotse nung ano nga bang pangalan nung babae?

Oh, nevermind. She's not important anyway.

It was infront of a souvenir shop. I also noticed Gray calling someone over his phone. There was a black
van sa di kalayuan at may mga lalaking nakasuot ng itim at bonnet, and he is also calling someone over
his phone.

Is it possible that it's Gray whom he is talking over the phone? No no no! Gray would not skip class just
to do anything stupid like that. Impossible.

Nang lumabas si Gray at ang babae sa shop ay agad silang sumakay sa kotse. Nang makaalis sila ay
sumunod din ang itim na van.
"No. Gray must not be doing what I am thinking", Cooler said at pinaharurot ang sasakyan. So we have
the same thing in mind.

Lumiko sila sa isang hindi mataong kalye, and I saw it with my own two eyes how Gray put a
handkerchief on the girl's mouth at agad itong nawalan ng malay. They immediately abandon the car
and he carried the girl towards the black van. Sumama din siya at pinaharurot na nila ang sasakyan.

Cooler was still in his astonishment. I punched his shoulders. "What are you doing?! Sundan mo sila,
bilis! They're doing something bad."

Nasa tamang huwisyo na si Cooler but he didn't move the car.

"Cooler!"

"No. We're not following them. I will. So get out and call a cab. I cannot risk your li-"

I cut him off by punching his stomach. He has abs so my knuckles hurt.

"Aww! That hurts!", reklamo niya.

"That hurts too!"

"I told you to get off!"

"I'm not getting off."

"Wag matigas ang ulo Amber."

"Who's being hardheaded? I was the one who told you to follow them."

"Isa."

I rolled my eyes. "Dalawa."

"Amber!"

"Yeah, that's my name. Amber Sison."

"I'm serious."

"And you think I'm joking?"

"Amber, I'm getting pissed."

"Well I'm pissed!". Ayaw ko ngang magpatalo!

"Amber Sison!"
"Cooler Vander!"

"Amber, please. I'm begging you to return to Bridle right this very moment."

"And Cooler, I am ordering you to follow them right this very moment!"

"Arrrgh!", he screamed at sinuntok ang manibela. "You're so stubborn!" Bigla na lang niyang pinaharurot
ang kotse and I slammed on my seat.

"Careful devil!", I said. Yeah, that endearment was for Ryu but it fits him right now.

"Put your seatbelt on", he said at mas lalong nilakasan ang pagpapatakbo and that's when I decided to
shut my mouth hanggang sa makarating kami sa paroroonan.

Hindi nagtagal ay inihinto ni Cooler ang sasakyan sa isang two-way street. Nang ihinto niya iyon ay agad
ko siyang pinagsisipa.

"Aray! A-a-aray! Para saan iyan?!", he asked habang panay ang iwas. Too bad, we're inside a car and
there's only a little space there. I didn't answer him at patuloy lang sa pagsisipa.

"Amber, stop! Your pink underwear is showing", he said and that made me stop. What the hell!
But-

But I'm wearing a cycling and my underwear is white not pink!

"Okay! I got you!", he said and chuckled. Naiirita ako sa pagtawa nito! Oh yeah, he really got me.

"Oh nasaan na sila?", I asked him at nilingon ang paligid. There was no abandoned warehouse there
gaya ng mga pinagdadalhan ng mga kidnappers sa kinidnap nila sa mga palabas. Sa halip ay isang
palayan ang naroon.

"I think we're lost", he said at napakamot siya sa ulo. Kumulo naman ang dugo ko! He drived that fast
just to get us lost?

"Ugh! I want to slaughter you right now. You'd better drive me to Bridle bago pa magbago ang isip ko at
itapon kita dyan sa palayan", I told him. Okay, I'm all words.

He chuckled again. "Really, you can do that?"

I sighed and rolled my eyes. "Just drive me to Bridle."

"Okay! If Gray did something like that, maybe he had reasons. Wait for him at your school", he said at
mahinang pinaandar ulit ang sasakyan.

**

Pinahinto ko kay Cooler ang sasakyan sa isang kanto, hindi kalayuan sa main gate.

"Don't expect me to say thank you", wika ko sa kanya.

"Well, you're welcome!", he said smiling at bumaba na lang ako ng kotse bago ko pa mahampas sa
magandang sasakyan niya ang kanyang gwapong mukha.

Nang makababa na ako ay pinaalis ko na agad siya. Magni-ninja moves na naman ako sa pagpasok upang
hindi ako mapansin ng guard. There's no way I'll be climbing walls just like Khael did o kaya ay dumaan
sa 'backdoor'. Baka may mga ahas o kung anong kulisap pa doon.

Mabuti na lamang at kasalukuyang nasa banyo ang nagbabantay kaya malaya akong nakapasok without
anyone noticing me.

Agad akong dumeretso sa dorm at natulog. Nagising na lang ako ng mahina akong inalog ni Therese.

"Amber, gising. It's already 8. Let's have dinner", she said at agad akong bumangon. I'm still in my
uniform kaya nagbihis muna ako at gaya ng nakasanayan ay pinauna ko na sila.

Matapos magbihis ay agad akong sumunod sa cafeteria. Gray was there too and he was eating with our
classmate, Marcus.
I deliberately slammed the cafeteria's door to get his attention.

Well, I got everyone's attention.

Taas noong pumasok ako, not minding everyone's gaze at agad tinungo ang nakasanayan naming mesa. I
was about to sit down when I realized it wasn't their table.

Uh, damn! Ngayon pa talaga ako pumalpak?

"Psst, Amber! We're here!", I heard Andi called me.

Great Amber, just great! Remind yourself to pull your hair for such stupidity.

Fine, not the hair. It hurts a lot. Just the fingers. I'm gonna pull my fingers later for my stupidity.

When I look at Therese and Andi's chosen spot, parang gusto ko tuloy bumalik sa dorm. It was right
beside the table where Gray and Marcus are sitting.

Extra reminder, I'm gonna give both Andi and Therese a good beating!
Ayaw ko mang umupo roon ay wala akong choice. I would look like a loser if I would make my exit. I took
a deep breath at umupo doon. It was on the same side as Gray. Their table was on our right side. I don't
know if I can digest or even chew my food if I'm sitting right beside a kidnapper.

Nang makaupo ako doon ay agad akong kinausap ni Andi. "Why did you went that way? Hindi mo ba
kami nakita?", she asked.

Hindi dahil nang makita ko si Gray ay dumilim na ang paligid ko! That kidnapper!

"I- I t-thought you're one the same spot", sagot ko at tiningnan ang pagkaing inorder nila. Fried chicken.
The same viand I had during lunch. It's also the same viand that Gray and the Espasol Girl had.

"Let's eat", wika ko sa kanila at nilantakan ang pagkain though I doubt if I can really chew some.

"You look tensed. What's the matter?", Therese asked at nabilaukan naman ako. She handed me the
glass of water at agad ko iyong ininom.

Yeah, I'm tensed. Our table is right beside a kidnapper!

"Tensed? Hindi naman. Nabitin lang siguro ako ng tulog", pag-iwas ko. Muli akong sumubo but I'm
careful this time.

"Hey Amber! You're not around by the whole afternoon. Saan ka galing? Nagdate na naman kayo ni Gray
ano? He's not around too!", Marcus said.

Kahit anong pagdahan-dahan ko sa pagsubo ay nabilaukan pa rin ako! I immediately grabbed the almost
empty glass of water.
Another extra reminder, KILL MARCUS!

But to answer his question, I went following a kidnapper while Gray dated and kidnapped an Espasol
girl. Duh.

Nilingon ko siya at binigyan ng matamis ngunit pilit na ngiti. "I witnessed a crime that's why I'm not
around." Dinaanan ko rin ng malamig na tingin si Gray at agad itong napakunot-noo.

"Really Amber? What kind of crime?", tanong ni Therese.

"Kidnapping", simple kong sagot at muling binigyan ng malamig na tingin si Gray. Mas lalo namang
kumunot ang noo nito.

"Did you report it to the police?", Andi asked.

I shook my head. "Nope. I just followed the kidnapper."

"What? That's too dangerous! And then what happened?", Marcus asked. Napalingon na rin ang mga
katabing umuukopa sa mga mesa.

"No. We lost track of him because the kidnapper is so cunning ang evil and he -"
Nabitawan ni Gray ang mga kubyertos at naglikha iyon ng ingay. Maging ang pagtayo nito ay biglaan, his
chair made a noise.

Lumapit siya sa akin at marahas na hinila ako sa braso.

"Aray! Ano ba!", I hissed at him. Napatingin na ang lahat ng naroon dahil sa malakas kong boses.

"We need to talk", he said with a very serious face.

"We're talking!"

"Privately!"

"I'm eating!"

Pumikit siya ng marahan at kinagat ang ibabang labi, tila nagpipigil. Aba! Siya pa ang may ganang
magpigil?!

"That can wait."

"Ayoko nga! I'm so hungr-"

Nagulat na lang ako ng binuhat niya ako, in a bridal style! Oh no! This is so embarrassing!
Nagsigawan ang mga naroon, tila kinikilig! "Mabuhay ang bagong kasal!", I heard someone shouted.
Urgh, there's no way I'll be marrying a kidnapper! No as in no!

Nagpupumiligas ako upang bitawan niya. "Put me down, criminal!", I hissed at him. "I don't want to talk
to you!"

He smirked at me. "We're talking."

I want to roll my eyes. He's using my line's kanina!

"I'm not talking to you in private!", sigaw ko sa kanya.

"Yes you are", he said. Someone opened the door for him. What the hell?! I have to put that person in
my deathnote, isali na rin yung sumigaw kanina ng mabuhay ang bagong kasal!

"I said put me down!", wika ko at patuloy pa rin sa pagpupumiligas upang ibaba niya.

"If I were you, I wouldn't move. Natatabig mo ang tama ko and it hurts like hell but I'm enduring it so
that you wouldn't fall, because believe me, you wouldn't like to fall (A/N: Bigyan ng hugot, Lol! xD)",
wika niya.

May tama siya?

Tama ba ang rinig ko na may tama siya?! Well, I don't want to fall kaya hindi na ako gumalaw pa. He
brought me in front of the admin building.
"Spill it", he said ng ilapag ako. Wow! Ako pa talaga ang may ilalahad? Ako ba ang nangidnapp?

But fine. I'll spill it! "I followed you!"

"I saw no one!", wika niya.

"That is what you may expect to see when I follow you", sagot ko sa kanya.

He massaged his forehead. Nauubos yata ang pasensya nito sa akin. "You sounded like Jeremy. Stop
using Sherlock Holmes' line", wika niya.

"Well you qouted Dr. Watson when you said I saw no one."

"He's not the only one who can use such line", paliwanag niya.

"So as Holmes."

"I said I saw no one but Allison noticed a girl with a long hair wearing Bridle's uniform", wika niya.

"Ah, Allison, the espasol girl", I said in low voice.

"What?"

I rolled my eyes. "Nothing."

He sighed at inilagay sa bulsa ng pantalon ang mga kamay. It wasn't the clothes he was wearing kanina.
"Why did you follow me?"

"Because you're acting suspicious! You're even ignoring me the whole morning!", I hissed at him. "Tapos
malalaman ko na lang na nangingidnapp ka na lang? And that stupid brother of yours! Halos mamatay
ako sa bilis ng pagpapatakbo niya tapos mawawala lang kami!"

Napatingin siya sa akin. "Wait, you're with that guy?"

"His name is Cooler, just so you know! Yes, I saw him on the mall to and we followed you! Both of us
witnessed your crime!", wika ko sa kanya.

"Let me explain-"

"What? Sasabihin mo na hindi mo pala bet ang maging detective kay you resorted to being a crim-"

This time, he cut me off. "I said just listen!", his voice was full of authority and I was compelled to listen
as he told me everything that happened.

Kasalukuyang nagbabasa si Gray ng tumunog ang kanyang cellphone at rumehistro doon ang pangalan ni
Detective Tross.

"Hello, Ivan?", bati ng detective.

"Yes? Napatawag ka? Let me guess, it's a case?", Gray said at isinara ang libro.

"A case assignment to be exact", wika niya.

"About what?", Gray asked. He's interested in a case.

"A kidnapp-for-ransom group. May nagtimbre na dudukutin daw ang anak ni Alfredo Easton", Detective
Tross said.

"You mean the owner of a known pastry house?", Gray asked.

"Yeah."

"And? What happened?"

"Our informer send a cryptic message about who was behind it. He also gave the name of the group, it's
Tarantula Gang", the detective said.

Gray chuckled. "Pathetic criminals! Ang pangit ng naisip na pangalan! And then? What else did that
informant of yours said?"

"He said nothing more because he was killed."

"Who killed him?", Gray asked.

"We don't know. And we still have the message here. We haven't deciphered it yet. Can we meet?"

"Yeah sure."

Nagkita na si Gray at Detective Tross sa piniling lugar nila. The detective brought some police files and
showed them to Gray.

He showed him a photo of a girl. "This is the target, Allison Easton, 17 years old at nag-aaral sa Carson
High School."

Sunod niyang inilabas ang litrato ng isang lalaki. "This is one of the goons. The head goon. All you have
to do is to join the gang. The late informant said that they're looking for a handsome member so that
they can lure out the girl."

Nagulat si Gray sa narinig. "What? You want me to become an undercover and infiltrate their gang? Why
not Khael? He always claim to be more charming than me."
Umiling si Detective Tross. "No. He's known as chief Alonzo's son kaya we cannot ask him for help. The
police cannot trust this to anyone but only to the two of you, but since Khael cannot do it, we only have
you."

"Fine", pagsang-ayon ni Gray. "Where can I find this goon?

"Before that, please decode their mastermind's identity", the detective said at inilapag sa harap ni Gray
ang papel na may nakasulat na code.

KBLYQGAGEINNRK

-snake.

May nakaguhit pa na ahas sa gilid ng salitang snake.

(A/N: Umepal na naman ako. This is a super easy cipher for you, baka sabihin pa ng iba na maliit na
bagay! Haha! Why don't you decipher it my dear detectives bago kayo magpatuloy sa pagbabasa and If
alam niyo na, icomment niyo na. Sa mga hindi alam, wag kayong magbasa ng comment, just try again
hanggang sa makuha ninyo, okeba mga parekoy? hihi xD)

After a few minutes of thinking, he already knows who was the mastermind behind. All they have to do
is to capture him.

Sinaulo ni Gray lahat ng napag-usapan nila ng police detective and went back to Bridle. By the weekend,
they began their operation. He did as he was instructed.

They followed their man and when they spotted him in an open area ay agad nilang pinababa si Gray.

He bumped into the man in the photo and dropped his things which are biodata and other application
requirements.

"Pasensya na po, nagmamadali po ako. Ilang linggo na akong naghahanap ng trabaho", wika niya sa
lalaki. He was wearing large clothes and an old rubber shoes. Detective Tross prepared everything to
make him look like a poor job-huntee.

Tinitigan siya ng lalaki saglit at tinapon nito ang sigarilyong hawak. "Gusto mo ng trabaho? Mabibigyan
kita."

"Talaga po?", he acted happy by the guy's offer.

"Oo, sumunod ka sa akin."

Sumakay sila sa itim na van at dinala sa isang abandonadong bahay. It was a big house ngunit hindi
inilawan ang buong kabahayan at sira-sira na iyon.

Pinaharap si Gray ng lalaki sa mga kasamahan nito. They were large guys with tattoos and piercings on
the different parts of the body.

"Solve na tayo!", the guy said to the other goons.

"Aba, bossing. Mestiso! Papatok yan doon sa babae", wika ng isa.

"Teka, saan mo naman nakita iyan?", another goon said.

"Nakabangga ko. Naghahanap ng trabaho kaya bibigyan ko", sagot ng lalaki.

"Tingnan mo ang balat, mukhang mayaman. Sigurado ka bang naghahanap yan ng trabaho?", wika ng
kalbo na may tatlong piercings sa labi.

"Tingnan mo ang damit! Diyan nakikita ang lahat! Kita mo nga yung kapatid ko diba? Ang puti pero ang
hirap namin!", sagot naman ng isa.

"Oh, tisoy anong pangalan mo?", tanong ng isang lalaki.

Inalala ni Gray ang pangalan na napagkasunduan nila ng detective. "Marlon po."

"Bosing iharap mo na yan kay Supremo si Marlon", suhestiyon ng isang lalaki. May tinawagan naman ang
lalaki sa cellphone nito.

"Hello, supremo. May narecruit na kaming tisoy. Chat ka na sa amin at ng makita mo", he said at agad na
binuksan nito ang laptop.
Nakikita ni Gray ang sarili niya ngunit itim lang nakikita niya mula sa kabila.

He was ordered to get along with Allison Easton. They didn't expect that it would work that fast. Sa
unang araw pa lang ay nagawa na ni Gray na nagpakilalang Marlon ang iniutos sa kanya. They bought
him good clothes upang pamorma. Allison Easton is known to be easily drag by handsome guys kaya
iyon ang napili nilang stratehiya.

Marlon did his duty, right on the very first day at agad na natangay ang babae. He made her unconcious
using some chemicals provided by the gang.

They plotted everything and it turned out to be successful. Agad nilang dinala si Allison sa kanilang
hideout kung saan naghihintay ang mastermind na si Snake which Gray decoded the real identity.

Just as expected, it was that man that Gray deciphered. The known fugitive convicted for murder, rape
and kidnapping Solomon Guevara.

They were about to call Allison's parents when the police made their entry. Agad na nagkagulo doon.

"Police Asset! Traydor!", he said and shoot Gray. Daplis lamang ito ng tama nito sa gilid ng tiyan. The
gang was outnumbered by the police kaya agad nahuli ang mga ito. After some medical attention, Gray
went back to Bridle.

"Now, would you still call me criminal?", he asked matapos ikwento ang mga nangyari. I was hoping he
would detailed especially during her date with that Espasol, uh, I mean Allison Easton.

"Sorry, I'm not sorry unless you would tell me why you are ignoring me kanina", I asked him at
naghalukipkip na naghintay sa kanyang sagot.

He sighed. I don't know kung ilang beses na ba itong bumuntong hininga habang kausap ako.

"I know you would tag along if you would know so I decided to ignore you instead", wika niya. Hinampas
ko siya sa gilid at napangiwi naman ito sa sakit.

"I told you, I have a wound there!", wika niya at inangat ang suot na shirt at pinakita ang sugat nito na
ginamot kanina.

Nakonsensya naman ako sa ginawa ko. "Now, I'm really sorry. Ihahatid ba kita sa boys dorm?", tanong
ko sa kanya.

Sasagot na sana ito ng lumapit amg guard sa amin.

"Gray", tawag ng guard sa kanya nang makalapit ito. I don'y know that the guards know him by first
name. Madalas kasi ay puro apelyedo lang.
"Uy, Kuya Russel", bati din nito.

Inabot ng guard sa kanya ang isang envelope. It was color black and there was a big X on the back.

"Gray, may nagpapabigay sayo pina-mail kanina", he said at inabot naman iyon ni Gray.

"Teka, kuya Guard, para po yata yan sa akin", I said referring to the envelope na iniabot niya kay Gray.

"Sabi noong nagbigay kay Gray daw eh. Nakaaddress din sa kanya", the guard said at nagpaalam na.

When Gray opened it, there was a small piece of paper together with a photograph of me and Gray. It
was when we have our snack at the cafeteria the other day. Ginupit iyon dahil kalahati na lamang ng
katawan ni Marion ang naroon and there was a hand on my left that was probably Jeremy's.

In the piece of paper was another line from Holmes' book but it was a line of Dr. Watson:

"To Sherlock Holmes she is always the woman. I have seldom heard him mention her under any other
name."

---

A/N:

Hi! Sorry sa late update and sorry for making the previous chapter a 'bitin' one. Like I said, I'm sick.
Thank you for your care! I'm fine now ngunit may problema na naman. My android phone's battery
broke! Wala na! Sira na! Wala ng update! Joke! Gumagawa ako ng paraan kaso wala pang budget eh. By
the way, use the Vigenère square or the tabula recta to solve the cipher.

As to this chapter yeah, si Gray na naman ang kinokontak ni X but still about Amber! Marami pang
mangyayari so keep reading! (please be patient in waiting for the next update)

Share your thoughts and cast your vote. The end is near lol xD

Andami ko pang gustong sabihin pero shu-shut up na lang ako. Happy weekend!

-Shinichilaaaabs♥

CHAPTER 54: OPEN FEINT

Chapter 54: Open Feint

A/N: For the previous chapter's cipher, like I said, you have to use the tabula recta/ Vigenère Square to
get the plaintext. The encrypted code is KBLYQGAGEINNRK and use the word Snake as the keyword.
Write the word SNAKE hanggang sa magkatulad na ang bilang ng letra. So since 14 letters ang
KBLYQGAGEINNRK, you write Snake as SNAKESNAKESNAK. Then use the Vigenère square. Pair each
letter with the keyword as the letters in the row at hanapin ang ciphertext letters. Kapag nakita mo na,
look for its corresponding letter in the column and you will get the plaintext which is Solomon Guevara.
As simple as that! :) yun lang, shut up na ako xD

Disclaimer:

Walang kwenta ang update na ito kaya babawi na lang ako sa susunod. I'm typing this at the hospital
you know! hue hue hue :3

--

Ang bilis palang dumaan ng panahon. It's the last day of November at bukas ay papasok na ang buwan
ng Disyembre.

What's with December by the way? Ah, pasko. At Araw ni Rizal.

Uh, my birthday too. My 18th birthday. Madalas kapag nasa ganyang edad ay nasa college na but I
wasn't. I used to be sickly kaya pinagpahinga muna ako nina Mommy ng dalawang taon noon.
At dahil ber months na ay malamig ang panahon. Umuulan din sa labas at nasa may bintana lang ako
habang nakatanaw sa patak ng ulan sa malawak na soccer field ng Bridle.

It was Saturday morning at katabi ko ang isang baso ng gatas. I just received an early call from my
parents abroad. They were asking me for my debut's preparation as well as the gift that I want.

Kung ako ang papipiliin ay ayaw ko ng cotillon but mom was the one persistent about it. Ayon sa kanya
ay nakagpareserve na sila ng Grand Hall ng isang hotel with a capacity of 250 guests.

Meh! I only have less than 10 people to invite in my mind. Well, iimbitahin naman siguro nina Daddy ang
mga kamag-anak namin. I'm not close with my cousins kaya sila na ang bahala.

Kakalapag ko lang ng baso nang muling tumunog ang cellphone ko. It was Gray.

Uh,why call this early? Alas sais pa lamang umaga. Agad ko iyong sinagot at hindi man lamang ito binati.
"Good morning", he said on the line. "Huhulaan ko kung nasaan ka. Nasa may bintana ka ano at
tinitingnan ang patak ng ulan?"

I rolled my eyes at iginala ang paningin sa labas. He must be watching me from somewhere.

"Where are you?", tanong ko sa kanya. "Stop looking at me."

"I'm somewhere out of Bridle. Maaga akong tinawagan ni Detective Tross and I'm on my way there",
sagot niya. I can hear a car's engine kaya marahil ay nagsasabi ito ng totoo.

"How do you know I'm beside a window?", tanong ko sa kanya.

"Simple! Malakas ang naririnig kong patak ng ulan. It's too early to take a walk around Bridle kaya sa
may bintana lamang ang naiwan na lugar kung saan maririnig mo ang malakas na patak ng ulan.
Eliminate all other factors, and the one which remains must be the truth", sagot niya.
"Fine. Bakit ka tumawag? I'm sure you didn't call just to deduce where I am sitting", wika ko. It's too
early. Malamang kung hindi tumawag sina Daddy ay tulog pa ako hanggang ngayon.

"I want to ask a favor. Could you please get the envelope that I have on my drawer? I will text you an
address at ihatid mo dito please?", he asked. Malambing ang boses nito, palibhasa may pabor.

"Too tired", I said grumpily. Naghikab pa kunyari ako.

"Please?"

"Ayaw."
"Please? Please? Please?"

"Ayaw. Ayaw. Ayaw."

"Amber, please?", pagsusumamo nito. I gave up. Pagbibigyan ko na lang.

"Don't end the call, I'm going now", wika ko sa kanya at sumunod na ito. I walked my way towards the
boys dorm habang dala-dala ang payong ko. Tahimik doon at tila wala pang gising dahil walang tao sa
lobby.

"No one's at the lobby", pagbibigay-alam ko sa kanya. "You should have asked your rooommates to do
this you know."

"They went home yesterday kaya walang tao sa room namin. I'm on the first floor by the way. Room
101", wika niya.
Wait, he wants me to enter their room?! That's too awkward! Kadalasan pa naman sa mga lalaki ay
makalat. What if there are used underwears na nakakalat doon?! That's gross!

"Damn you Kulay! Or should I call you Filter?! You know like the one you used in photos, Grayscale!"

"You're not funny Amber", wika niya.

"I'm not joking! Masyadong buwis buhay ang ipinagagawa mo sa akin!", I hissed at him.

"Really? All you have to do is to open my drawer at kunin ang envelope doon", wika niya.

"You owe me big for this!", wika ko at pinihit ang pinto na may markang 101.
I was expecting a super messy room but it was the exact opposite. It was a very organized room. Maayos
ang tatlong kama na naroon. Wala silang kurtina, sa halip ay blinds ang naroon. Why does their room
looks like a bachelor's pad?

Maayos na nakalagay sa shoerack ang mga sapatos na naroon. There was an empty trash bin, malamang
ay katatapon lamang ng laman niyon. There was also a red round carpet on the middle of the room.

May mga poster sa dingding ngunit maayos ang pagkakalagay niyon, hindi maduming tingnan. They
were posters of The Script and Faber Drive.

Abala pa ako sa pagtingin sa paligid ng tumunog ang cellphone ko at agad namatay iyon. Dead batt!

I have no other choice but to find that envelope on my own. I figured out that Gray's bed was the one
with a gray sheets on the right side dahil may soccerball doon. On his headboard was his file of books
including the Sherlock Holmes series. Mayroon ding litrato niya roon kasama ang mama niya at ang
kanyang papa. It must be his foster father.
Who would have thought na malinis pala ang mga lalaking iyon? I've been on his room sa tunay nilang
bahay and it was organized too. I thought malinis lang iyon dahil sa mga katulong nila but I guess Gray is
really an organized person.

Maging ang penmanship nito ay malinis at maayos din unlike our other male classmates. The truth is
mas maganda pa nga ang sulat-kamay nito kaysa sa akin.

I found nothing on his bedside drawer kaya hinanap ko iyon sa pagitan ng mga libro ngunit wala pa rin.

Magkatulad lang ang desinyo ng girls at boys dorm kaya marahil ay may tatlong drawer din sa ibaba ng
cabinet ng mga gamit nito.

It wasn't locked kaya binuksan ko ang drawer na may nakalagay na Gray. And I was shocked when I saw
it too. Maayos din ang pagkakatupi at pagkakahanger ng mga damit nito. Wha the hell?! Hiyang-hiya
tuloy ang drawer ko!
I opened the first drawer and I raised my brow ng mga underwear ang laman niyon. Uh, this is really
awkward! I prevented myself from touching any of it and I got a naughty mind. Darn, this is really not
me. Kailan pa ako naging pilya pagdating sa pag-iisip?

There wasn't an envelope there kaya binuksan ko ang pangalawa at mga gamit sa paglilinis ng katawan
iyon. Mayroon ding lotion, deodorant at mga pabango. Inamoy ko ang isang pabango doon. Oh, he got a
good taste in chosing his scent. Wala rin doon ang hinahanap ko kaya isinara ko iyon at binuksan ang
pangatlo.There were wristwatches, shades at kung ano-ano pa and the envelope. Agad ko iyong kinuha
at nagmadaling lumabas ng dorm.

Bumalik na ako sa dorm ng mga babae. Agad akong naligo at ng matapos ako ay tinawagan ko si Gray
kung saan ko iyon ihahatid. I brought along my phone and powerbank.

Malakas pa rin ang ulan nang umalis ako. Nang makarating ako sa adress na itinext ni Gray. Nagulat ako
ng mapagtantong isa iyong opera house.

Ano naman ang ginagawa ni Gray sa isang opera house?

I called him ng huminto na ang taxi upang ipakuha sa kanya ang envelope.

Lumabas naman ito ng opera house at lumapit sa akin. "Thanks Amber! You're the best! Bumaba ka na,
I'm having an investigation inside. I know you'd be interested too. You believe in phantoms right?
Spectre and the likes. Well that's this case all about", nakangiting wika nito.

"No way! Aalis na ak-"

He pulled me from the cab at binayaran na ang taxi. Urgh! I don't want to be involve in cases like this!
My God! Phantoms? Even an opera house is very creepy.

"Why did you do that?", I scowled at him. Pwersahan ba naman akong hilahin palabas ng kotse?!

"Like I said, I'm working on a case here and I'm appointing you to be my assistant", wika niya.
Assistant?

"I don't want to work a case with you here and I don't want to be your assistant", wika ko sabay irap.

"I said I'm appointing you."

"That's force labor! I'm still underage!", wika ko sa kanya ngunit hindi na niya ako pinansin.

"If you don't want to be my assistant, be an expectator then", wika niya. Hinawakan niya ang kamay ko
at hinila ako papasok sa opera house.
Malaki iyon at maluwang, gaya ng nakikita sa mga palabas. Pagdating namin doon ay naroon si Detective
Tross at isang lalaki na nakasuot ng salamin.

"Hi Amber!", bati ng Detective sa akin. Ngumiti lang ako sa kanya at nang dumako ang tingin nito sa
kamay ni Gray na nakahawak ay agad kong hinila ang kamay ko. I saw a grin flashed on his face.

Why Detective? Want to feel my fist on your face?

"By the way Sir Lee, this is Amber my classmate, and Amber siya naman si Sir Lee. Director nitong Opera
house", Gray said.

Bumati si Sir Lee sa akin at gumanti rin ako ng bati sa kanya. Matapos iyon ay agad na nilang pinag-
usapan kung ano man ang paksa nila.

"Gray, those files that I sent you are the files of the two staffs na namatay", Detective Tross said.
Binuksan ni Gray ang envelope na inihatid ko at mga files nga ang naroon.
The first one's name was Clyde Legaspi, the one who operates with the curtains and other stuffs. Ayon
sa file ay namatay ito dahil sa heart attack.

"Heart attack?", Gray asked at nag-angat ng tingin kay Sir Lee. Tumango naman ang huli.

"The phantom triggered it. His last words when he died was he saw the phantom dressed in a
grimreaper", sagot ni Sir Lee.

Muling bumaling si Gray sa isa pang file. It was a woman named Angela Dimagiba, an opera actress.
Namatay ito dahil nabasag ang isang props na salamin and she was running out of fear and she didn't
noticed the shattered glass ng salamin. She pierced her heart with the shattered pieces and died right
away.

Oh, that's too savage! If I would die, I want it the less painful way!

"Do you really think that there is a phantom or whatever you call it in this opera house?", Detective
Tross asked.
"I heard some strange sounds like chains being dragged on the floor at minsan naman ay iyak at hindi
lang ako ang nakakarinig niyon, lahat kami", wika ni Sir Lee.

"Hindi niyo ba naisip na baka may nangangailangan lang ng tulong? Maybe that someone was tied with
chains and the only thing he can do is to cry", suhestiyon ko.

"We thought of that possibility that's why we checked the whole opera house ngunit wala talaga."

Nahulog sa malalim na pag-iisip sina Gray at Detective Tross. Maybe this case really puzzle them.

"Darating mayamaya ang iba pang mga crew at cast ng opera para sa rehearsal. May kanya-kanyang
karanasan sa nananakot dito sa opera house", dagdag ni Sir Lee.
Tiningnan ni Gray ang larawan ni Angela nang mamatay ito. There was a big mirror on the floor at may
bahagi na nakasandal sa dingding and it was shattered into pieces. Nakatihaya naman sa gilid ang babae.
There was a piece of shattered glass plunged in her heart. Napangiwi ako at iniwas ang tingin doon.

"Accident? The police identified this as accident?", Gray asked habang binabasa ang kalakip na police
report doon.

"Yeah. That's an old mirror at palagi ko silang sinasabihan na mag-ingat dahil hindi na matibay ang frame
niyon. Maybe Gela ran off at nabangga sa salamin. Nabasag iyon at natuhog niya ang sarili", wika ni Sir
Lee.

Kumunot ang noo ni Gray habang tinitingnan ang larawan. "No matter how I look at it, this is a murder
than an accident."

Nagulat kaming lahat sa sinabi nito. "Anong ibig mong sabihin? Pinatay si Angela? How can you say so?"
"Look at the photo. If she accidentally crashed in the mirror, she should have been pierce on the glass
that is still attached to the frame", Gray said.

"Pwede namang hindi. What if ang salamin na nakatusok sa katawan niya ay nabasag at humiwalay sa
frame that's why hindi siya nakaattach sa malaking salamin", paliwanag ni detective Tross.

"Look at the mirror's position too. Sabi ninyo ay nabangga niya ito and that caused the accident. Now as
I see in this photograph, nakatumba talaga ang malaking salamin, as if somebody bumped it. The mirror
is facing the floor when the victim bumped it kaya kung aksidenteng nabangga siya at natusok niyon, the
shattered glass pierced in her must have the mirror facing upward at nasa ilalim ang likurang bahagi but
look at this photo", inabot niya ang isang close up na larawan ng biktima.

The reflective part was facing downward samantalang sa itaas naman nakaharap ang likuran ng salamin!

"Oo nga! Just look at the mirror and the body's position", I exclaimed out of excitement. Uh,
excitement?! That's too harsh! Why would I'll be excited in a murder case?
"Keen observations Ivan. Tama ka nga", sang-ayon naman ni Detective Tross.

"The phantom killed her?", tanong ni Sir Lee.

"Well let me tell you one thing Sir Lee. This opera house has no phantom of a dead person but of a living
criminal", Gray said and he flashed a smile on his lips. "A phantom criminal that we're going to discover
who."

--

Dahil hindi pa kami nag-aalmusal ay umorder si Detective Tross ng pagkain mula sa isang fasfood chain
na naghahanda ng agahan at ipinadeliver iyon. They went early in this opera house to observe the place
bago pa man dumating ang ibang staff at cast ng opera.

The orchestra whom they are working with ay hindi pa dumarating. Ayon sa kanila, they usually practice
in other location at saka lamang dito sa opera house kapag malapit na ang performance.
Hindi nagtagal ay dumating na nga ang mga kasamahan ni Sir Lee. There were six of them. Dalawa ay
bahagi ng crew ay ang apat naman ay main cast ng Les Misérables, a novel which they will perform as an
opera.

One of the crew was Ruel Garcia, assigned with the lights, curtains and other staffs. Ang isa naman ay si
Trina Ignacio, the make-up artist of the group.

Ang cast naman na naroon ay sina Troy Monteclaro, the one who will portray Jean Valjean, the main
protagonist. Ang isa naman ay si Rocco Fellon, ang gaganap bilang Inspector Javert. The one who will
portray Fantine and older Cosette is Shania Ford. The last one was Ryan Chua who will portray Marius
Pontmercy, Cosette's lover.

Nagsimula na sila sa pag-eensayo at nanuod lamang kami sa kanila. Nang lingunin ko si Gray ay
matamang pinagmamasdan nito ang galaw ng bawat isa.

Uh, don't tell me he can identify whoever the phantom criminal among them by merely looking at
them?
Unang nagreklamo si Shania. "I'm so tired! Kahapon pa panay ang ensayo namin kasama ang orchestra!
Sumasakit na nga ang lalamunan ko! Let's take a break Director Lee. And what's with the audience?",
reklamo nito at masamang tiningnan kami as she referred to us as the audience.

"Don't mind them. They're on investigation", sagot ni Sir Lee sa kanya.

"Investigation? Like a police investigation?", Rocco asked.

"Police investigation", sagot ni Sir Lee.

"Even that young man and that girl?", Troy asked. Pinigilan ko ang sarili kong taasan ito ng kilay. He
referred Gray as young man while he called me a girl?! Bakit hindi na lang sabihin na young woman?
Napakanene pakinggan kapag tinawag kang girl kaysa kapag tawagin kang young woman. Meh! I'm
turning 18 eleven days from now moron!

"Yeah. They're undercovers", paliwanag ulit ni Sir Lee. "Just don't mind them. Okay, let's have a break.
I'll call a snack house for food delivery."

Umalis na ang lahat sa stage. That's the time na nagsalita na si Gray.

"Detective Tross, have you noticed something queer with the seven people with us?", tanong niya dito.

"Not really maliban sa magagaling silang kumanta", nakangiting sagot ng detective. Mukhang na-
starstruct pa ito sa mga boses ng cast ng opera.

Gray made a face at him bago humarap sa akin. "How about you Amber?"
He's asking me? Wala ngang naisagot ang police detective, ako pa kaya?!

"Queer? You mean aside from their bratty attitude?", I asked. Yeah, all the cast are stubborn and bratty.
Ito pa ang nagagalit kay Sir Lee gayong ito ang director. Tumango si Gray sa akin at hinintay ang sagot
ko.

"Uh, well mula ng sinabi ni Sir Lee that we're part of the police investigation, parang nagulat sila at lahat
ay naging maingat sa ginagawa at sinasabi nila", sagot ko.

"Yeah, that's true. Other than that?", tanong niya ulit and this time I shrugged my shoulders.

Ano nga bang meron sa kanila?

"Didn't you notice that each of them have their mannerisms? Katulad na lamang ng ni Troy na gaganap
bilang Jean Valjean, hindi niyo ba napansin na kapag wala itong ginagawa ay tina-tap niya ang sahig o
dingding gamit ang kanyang daliri? ", Gray asked at ininguso ang labi kay Troy na nakatayo sa harap ng
stage habang panay nga ang tap ng daliri nito sa sahig, as if he's doing it with a beat of a music.

"Another is Shania. She used to twirl her hair using her fingers", wika ni Gray. "Si Rocco naman ay
palaging nakapamulsa ang kamay. Look at Ryan, he always touch his ears. Tingnan niyo rin ang staff,
Ruel always touch his mustache, Trina the make up artist, always bite her nails while Sir Lee used to fix
his eyeglasses using his index finger."

When Detective Tross and I observed everyone, saka lamang namin napansin ang mga mannerisms nila
na gaya ng sinabi ni Gray.

"Are those significant?", I asked him. Ano naman kung may mannerisms sila? Magpapatunay ba iyon na
sila ang salarin?

"Who knows it's the only way we can identify the criminal", Gray said with a smile.
Nagpaalam kami kay Sir Lee na maglilibot muna kami sa kabuoan ng opera house. Tiningnan namin ang
mga VIP seat at maging ang mga nasa veranda na upuan. Ayon kay Gray ay mahal daw ang veranda seats
dahil maganda raw ang view mula doon.

Lumapit sa amin si Sir Lee at kinausap kami. "Pasensya na kayo, I have stubborn and spoiled casts. It's
been 3 years when they were chosen as casts", kwento nito.

Three years? Tatlong taon na mula ng napili nila ang cast. Oh, so operas and other things are really
prepared ahead of time. Even their rehearsals took a long time. Kaya nga bumibilib ako sa mga drama
and theatre club sa mga skwelahan. They are able to pull a performance even with a limited time.

"3 years? That's quite long", komento ni Detective Tross.

"Yeah, minsan nga ay umaabot ng anim na taon. Some of them are not part of the original cast", Sir Lee
said at napabaling ang atensyon naming lahat sa kanya.
They are not the original cast? Ibig sabihin ay may nauna pa sa kanila and they are just subs? But where
are the originals?

"Why are they substituted?", tanong ni Gray.

"Two of them met an accident along the way during the contract signing three years ago."

"What kind of accident?", tanong ni Detective Tross.

"Car accident. All the cast are having a drink after they signed the contract but on their way home, the
couple Louie and Myla met the accident. Nawalan ng preno ang kotse nila, not to mention that they're
both tipsy and they fall down the cliff", wika ni Sir Lee.

Nahulog naman sa malalim na pag-iisip si Gray. Well me? My mind doesn't function well. Giniginaw ako!
Malakas ang aircon sa loob ng opera house at malakas pa rin ang ulan sa labas. Umaalog at kumikidlat
pa.
"Who are the substitutes?", tanong ko kay Sir Lee. Isa-isa naman nitong tiningnan ang mga naroon.

"The one who will play as Jean Valjean and Cosette. Troy and Shania are both substitute", wika ni Sir
Lee.

Nang tingnan namin ang cast na nasa stage ay mukhang nagkakagulo ang mga ito kaya napatakbo kami
papunta roon.

"What happened?", Sir Lee asked them.

"The phantom! The phantom of the opera, nagpaparamdam na naman!", Shania exclaimed.

I want to laugh on how they call the one who's been scaring them. Phantom of the Opera, eh? I can't
blame them. They are opera actors and actressses at baka nga naperform na nila ang kwentong iyon sa
opera. It's a novel by Gaston Leroux. It's actually a good french novel about the phantom of the opera
who fell inlove with the opera actress Christine. But as of this case, we both believe that there is no Erik
here who was a phantom like in the novel.

What we believe is that merong nananakot and he's no phantom but rather a criminal.

"Bakit, ano ba ang nangyari?", Detective Tross asked them.

"We heard the chains and someone's cry!", sagot ni Ryan.

"You're all imagining. Baka nagugutom lang kayo, parating na ang inorder natin kaya wag kayong mag-
alala", Sir Lee told them.

"But we heard it!", wika ni Rocco.

"We'll handle it", sabi naman ni Detective Tross at bumaling ito kay Gray. I don't know what are they
talking about basta't nang matapos silang mag-usap ay magkahiwalay na kinausap nila ang mga cast at
crew na naroon.

Dahil wala naman akong magawa ay naupo na lang ako doon at pinanuod sina Gray at Detective Tross sa
ginagawa.

I stared at Gray. Kapag may inaasikaso itong kaso ay napakaseryoso nito. He seemed so focus and it
seems like he only want to uncover the truth behind. Hindi na ako magtataka kung gagawa ito ng sariling
detective agency balang araw.

Hinubad ko ang sapatos ko at ipinatong ang paa ko sabay yakap sa mga tuhod ko. Gosh, hindi ba nila
nararamdaman ang ginaw? Ako lang ba?
Dumating na ang inorder nilang pagkain. It comes with coffee. Oh, how convenient. Kanina pa ako
giniginaw.

The foods there were doughnuts, munchkins and other finger foods. Napakarami niyon. Binuksan iyon
lahat ni Sir Lee at inaya ang lahat na kumain.

Unang kumuha ng pagkain si Troy. He picked up a doughnut and immediately took a bite.

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHH!", he screamed at nataranta ang lahat. Napatakbo rin sina Gray at Detective
Tross sa direksyon nila.

What the hell ?! Did the food -

Bigla na lamang bumunghalit ng tawa si Troy at buong sinubo ang doughnut.

"Just kidding! Your faces are hilarious!", he said laughing.

"You should not joke around like that at times like this Troy!", Ruel said to him ngunit patuloy lang ito sa
pagtawa.

"Well it's just to worry our little police here", wika niya at tiningnan kami. Uh, ano ba ang problema niya
sa amin?

Nagsimula ng kumain ang ilan at hindi pinansin si Troy. How inconsiderate for him to pull such joke!
Inaya ako ni Sir Lee na kumain ngunit tumanggi ako but I accepted the coffee.

Well for me, coffee is fine. Ayaw kong kumain. Busog pa ako sa inorder naming almusal kanina.
Pinanuod ko lamang sila at maging sina Gray at Detective Tross. They're not eating too but both of them
are sipping their coffee from a styrocup ng isang sikat na coffeeshop. I saw how Gray's face tightened ng
nagbiro kanina si Troy.

Tiningnan ko si Trina as she picked up her munchkin. Nag-alangan pa ito kung ano ang pipiliin ngunit sa
huli ay pinili nito ang isang chocolate munchkin.

She took a bite and -

"AAAAAACCCKKKKK!", nagulat na lang kaming lahat ng bigla itong napasigaw at natumba sa sahig. Hindi
ito pinansin ng iba dahil baka gumagaya lamang ito kay Troy ngunit iba ang pakiramdam ko.
"Pull it up Trina, hindi na bebenta ang joke na iyan", wika ni Rocco sa kanya at kumuha na din ng
pagkain.

"You should have think of another joke", sang-ayon naman ni Ryan.

Nag-aalalang tiningnan ko si Gray at tila naintindihan naman nito ang tinging iyon. He immediately run
towards Trina at inamoy ito.

Nang akmang itatayo ito ni Ryan ay napasigaw si Gray.

"Don't touch her! There's a scent of almond eminating from her mouth! No doubt she's been poisoned
with cyanide!", Gray hissed at him at nagulat naman ang lahat.

Lumapit si Shania ng kaunti at inamoy din si Trina. "But I don't smell any almond", wika nito.
"The scent is not like the almond that you know. It's the bitter scent of it when it is newly harvested! You
cannot smell it unless you've got genetic trait", paliwanag ni Detective Tross.

"Detective", tawag ni Gray kay Detective Tross. Bumaling naman ang huli sa kanya.

"Please call for additional police. Just tell them that there's a criminal who's brave enough to kill
someone in front of a detective", wika ni Gray at muling pinagmasdan ang bangkay na nasa kanyang
harapan.

"We always encounter cases like cyanide poisoning", komento ko.

"It's because it's one of the most easiest way to kill someone. No force needed, just a strategy on how to
let the victim take the poison", Gray answered. Yes, hindi nga iyon nangangailangan ng lakas. Napakadali
pang umepekto niyon.

I wonder how does cyanide tastes like. According to the article that I've read before, it has a burn taste.
Who knows? I guess there is no living someone who tasted it and confirm how does it tastes like.
Matapos ang trenta minutos ay dumating naman ang dalawang pulis na tinawagan ni Detective Tross.
One of it was Insp. Dean at hindi ko naman kilala ang isa. Nagsimula na silang magtanong-tanong at nag-
imbestiga sa nangyari.

Dahil giniginaw pa rin ako ay muli kong niyakap ang tuhod ko mula sa pagkakaupo. Abala ang mga pulis
sa pag-iimbestiga at maging si Gray.

I wanted to use the CR kaya tumayo muna ako but my shoes were nowhere to be found dahil napailalim
pala ito ng upuan. I emerged from my seat at lumuhod doon upang makuha ang sapatos ko but I found
something.

What are these? Speakers and a switch-operated mini-player? Hindi iyon nakakalat doon sa halip ay
nakadikit ang mga iyon sa ilalim ng upuan. Agad kong tinawag si Gray at ipinakita iyon.

Maingat na sinipat niya ang mga iyon. He even used a handkerchief to avoid his fingerprints to be on
those things.
"I think I know who set this up, all I need is the evidence. Thanks Amber!", he said and smiled at me.

Lumapit sa amin si Detective Tross at nababahala ang ekspresyon ng mukha nito.

"None of them are positive with the poison", laglag-balikat nitong wika. "Tell me Amber, did the
phantom poisoned the make up artist?"

I rolled my eyes at him. "There's no phantom here."

Humagikhik ito ng payak at ginulo ang buhok ko. "You don't have to roll your eyes, hey you look cold",
bumaling ito kay Gray. "Mind stripping and give your shirt to Amber?"

Mas lalong gusto ko tuloy iikot ang eyeballs ko sa sinabi ng detective. Meh, nice idea Detective Tross,
maybe watching a shirtless Gray burns me up.
Oh, please stop being maharot Amber!

"Detective, the corpse has been brought to the morgue. As of the test that we did, none of them is
positive with the poison, iisipin ko na talagang isang multo nga ang narito", wika ng isang pulis. I don't
know if he's serious or not though.

"So how do we do this?", tanong ni Detective Tross habang tinitingnan ang mga cast at crew na
kasalukuyan pa ring kinakausap ni Insp. Dean.

I don't know what to do too kaya mas pinili ko na lang manahimik. I drank from my styrocup ngunit wala
ng laman iyon.

Binuksan ko iyon kahit alam kong wala ng laman. I don't know why I opened it, maybe out of boredom.

"That's it!", bulalas ni Gray habang nakatingin sa akin.

What now? Ano namang idina-That's it-that's it nito?!

Nagtatakang tiningnan ko siya. "What?"

Isang kakaibang ngiti ang sumilay mula sa labi nito. "Amber, are you familiar with the thirty-six
stratagems?", tanong niya sa akin.

I haven't heard of those kaya umiling ako. "What are those?"

"Chapter one, winning stratagems. Cross the sea without the emperor's knowledge."
"So?"

"Hide your real goals by using a fake one, until the real goal is achieved. It's called open feint. Meaning,
in front of everyone, you point west, when your goal is actually in the east", paliwanag ni Gray.
Tiningnan niya si Detective Tross. "I know who the culprit is and I also know that he still have the
evidence hidden. Let's use this stratagem Detective, let's fool them that we're leaving because
everything is an accident and we have done our investigation", wika niya. The detective agreed on it at
kinausap sina Insp. Dean.

After a while ay nagpaalam na kami sa kanilang lahat. Uh, seriously we're really doing such stratagem?
Natagpuan ko na lamang ang mga sarili namin na nasa labas na ng opera house. Gray was discussing the
plan samantalang nakikinig naman ang lahat sa kanya.

Looks like at young age, the police can really rely on him kaya nakikinig ang mga ito sa kanya. Matapos
nilang mag-usap ay muli kaming pumasok sa loob ngunit hindi kami nagpakita sa kanila.

Gray sneak his way towards the dressing room ng hindi man lamang napapansin ng mga naroon.
We saw how Rocco got a bottle from one of the secret compartmemt of the dressing room right behind
a mirror. Agad niyang itinapon ang laman niyon sa sink at siya namang pagbukas nina Gray at Detective
Tross.

"As expected, you are the killer", wika ni Gray.

Nagulat naman ito ng makita sina Gray. Dumating na rin ang iba pang cast and crew doon sa dressing
room.

"Anong ibig ninyong sabihin? Pinagbibintangan niyo ba ako?", galit nitong wika. Tiningnan nito ang mga
kasamahan na tila nanghihingi ng tulong.

"We're not accusing you, we just caught you disposing a very strong evidence against you", Detective
Tross said.
"But I just saw this bottle here!"

"Oh no Rocco, you are the one who poisoned Trina?", halos hindi makapaniwalang tanong ni Shania.

"What?! Of course not, pinagbibintangan lamang nila ako!", he scowled at us.

"You want me to spill everything mula sa pagkamatay ni Angela Dimagiba at Clyde Legaspi, sa pananakot
dito sa opera house which made everyone think that there is really a phantom here hanggang sa
paglason kay Trina?", Gray said and there goes again his mischievous smile.

"Ikaw ang may gawa ng lahat ng iyon Rocco?", Ruel asked in disbelief.

"Go ahead young man! Let's hear what you are about to say", hamon ng galit na si Rocco.
"First is that you caused the heart attack of Clyde by dressing as a grimreaper. Alam mong may sakit siya
sa puso so it's easy for you to kill him without getting the blame. As of Angela's death, the police
reported it as accident but it's not. You stabbed her with a shattered glass. The photographs showed the
proofs of murder. As of the creepy souds that everyone hear, we found the speakers and player that you
installed around. At first, I thought it was a mannerism of yours na ilagay ang kamay mo sa bulsa. But it's
not really your mannerism to keep your hands on your pocket, you just did that for you to hold the
switch", wika ni Gray. Lumapit siya kay Rocco at marahas na hinila ang kamay nito na nakapamulsa.
Tumilapon ang isang maliit na bagay.

"How dare you! That doesn't prove anything!", Rocco shouted.

"Hindi nga ba? Hey detective, you're in possession of the of the speakers and players right? Let's do
some demo", wika niya at pinulot ang switch. He pressed something at tumunog ang mga speakers na
dala ni Detective Tross. There were crying sounds and dragging of chains.

"Those were the sounds that we heard from the phantom!", komento ni Sir Lee.

"Ikaw nga ang nananakot dito sa opera house!", wika naman ni Ryan.

"As of the recent death of Trina, you made use of her habit. She used to bite her nails and lick her
fingers when eating. That's how you made her take the poison", pagpapatuloy ni Gray. "Only you knows
how you let her touch the poison but this bottle is enough evidence. Sorry to caught you off guard.
You're too good in covering your crime."

Napayuko naman si Rocco habang isinisiwalat ni Gray ang lahat.

"You killed them and made a fool out of us Rocco!", galit na wika ni Troy. Halos hindi ito makapaniwala
sa lahat.

"They all deserve to die! They killed Myla and Louie! Why Troy? You must be very happy when Louie
died dahil nakuha mo ang lead role!", galit nitong wika. Bigla na lamang itong sinuntok ni Troy.

"Bakit ako matutuwa?! Louie is my bestfriend!", galit na wika nito at nang akmang susuntukin ulit nito si
Rocco ay pinigilan na ito ni Shania.

"Alam niyo bang sinadya nilang siraan ang kotse nina Louie? I overheard some crew talked about it. It
was Clyde and Angela who plotted everything at kinonsente naman iyon ni Trina", pagsisiwalat ni Rocco.
"They even scared Myla with the said phantom here, alam nating lahat na matatakutin si Myla but they
always play prank on her. They killed my sister! Well now they know how it feels!", tila baliw nitong wika
at tumawa.
"Kapatid mo si Myla?", tanong ni Ruel. Lahat sila ay nagulat sa sinabi ni Rocco. Maybe they don't know
about it.

"Yes, I am her half brother. Kahit na ayaw niya sa akin ay ipinaghigante ko pa rin siya!"

"You must be crazy for doing so", wika ni Troy. "Whatever your reasons are, revenge won't do any
good."

"I can't believe you really did it Rocco", hindi makapaniwalang wika ni Ryan. Agad na pinosasan ng mga
pulis si Rocco at dinala sa kotse.

The case of the Opera House Phantom was now closed. The people would not fear the phantom criminal
na kasama lang pala nila. The problem about it has been solved but Director Lee got another problem
for the substitute of Rocco para sa nalalapit na opera performance. They thanked us and invited us to
the performance night which we gladly accepted.

Matapos magpaalam ay sumakay na si Detective Tross sa kanyang kotse at nauna na ring hinatid nina
Insp. Dean ang salarin.

Nakatayo lamang kami ni Gray sa isang tabi. Umuulan pa rin ngunit hindi na iyon kasinglakas ng kanina
and I'm still shivering. Hinihintay ko na may dumaan na kotse ng tinawag ako ni Gray.
"Hey, what are you standing there? Hali ka na", tawag niya sa akin.

"I'm waiting for a cab", I answered.

"Why?"

"Uuwi tayo. We can't just fly, duh."

"Who told you we're flying?", he asked at binuksan ang pinto ng isang bagong asul na kotse. It was a
BMW 428i 4 Series Convertible.

"Hop in", wika niya at binuksan ang pinto ng shotgun ride.

Lumapit ako doon at tiningnan ang kotse. "Who's car is this?"

"Mine."
"Di nga!"

"It's really mine."

"Yabang."

"This is mine. It's a birthday gift from mom", wika niya.

"Birthday mo ngayon?", I asked him at kumunot ang noo nito.

"Hindi."

"Then it's not a birthday gift!", I hissed at him.

I saw him pouted. "Sumakay ka na lang. Kanina ka pa nanginginig."

Nang makasakay ako may inabot siya mula sa likuran ng kotse. He tossed it to me. It was a jacket.

"Thanks", wika ko sa kanya at inamoy iyon. Uh, bakit ang bango niyon?
"Hindi naman siguro yan mabaho. Kanina ko pa ginamit iyan ng tawagan ako ni Mommy upang kunin
ang kotse", wika niya ng mapansing inamoy ko iyon. "Kung ayaw mong isuot akin na lang", he tried
getting back the jacket ngunit agad kong iniiwas iyon.

"Sabi ko bang mabaho?", I asked him at dali-daling sinuot iyon bago pa niya maagaw iyon.

Matapos kong isuot iyon ay agad niyang binuhay ang makina. "We should be going habang umuulan pa.
Wala pang checkpoint."

"You don't have a license?", hindi makapaniwalang tanong ko. Seriously, he's driving without a license?!

"I'm still underage", nakangiting wika nito. "Don't worry, magkakaroon din ako niyon."

"You could just fake one kaysa ganitong iiwas ka sa mga pulis", suhestiyon ko sa kanya. Yeah, what an
illegal suggestion, eh?

"My mom's an ex-police and now a lawyer. It's too ironic if his son would do something contrary to law",
wika niya.
"Oh, yeah. Whatever. Hey, are you sure you know how to drive? Dahil kung katulad ka lang naman ni
Cooler ay maglalakad na lang ako!", wika ko sa kanya.

Tumawa siya ng mahina. "I'm not like that guy. Don't worry, I'll be careful. Consider yourself lucky,
you're the first one to ride this dude", wika niya at pinaharurot ang sasakyan.

Damn! He's worst than Cooler!

**

A/N: Babawi talaga ako sa susunod, promise. xD

-Shinichilaaaabs ♥

CHAPTER 55: MY FAIR LADY

Chapter 55: My Fair Lady

A/N: Ano na? Mahirap pa rin ba yung cipher doon sa previous chapter? Basahin niyo na lang yung
explanatory comment ko, tinatamad ako magtype eh HAHA!

***

Abala kaming lahat sa classroom. Not with classes but with putting up christmas decors. Normal pa rin
naman ang Bridle High, we still put up a christmas tree and other stuffs gaya ng mga ginagawa ng public
school. Hindi lang naman puro aral ang ginagawa namin.

"Gray-chan please lift me on your shoulders dahil ilalagay ko iyong ribbon doon sa taas", malambing na
wika ni Marion.

Iniabot naman ni Gray ang isang monoblock chair dito. "You should use this."

Ngumiwi si Marion. "Ang arte, magaan lang naman ako ah. Hindi ko pa rin maabot kahit gamitin ko yan.
Amber pakiabot nung ribbon please."

"Find another way", Gray said.

"Sige na Gray-chan! Hindi ko abot eh", wika ni Marion at hinila si Gray.

"You're so heavy. Look at your body, you're so fat", he said lazily. Tila wala talaga itong balak na
tulungan si Marion.
"What did you say? Ako? Mataba? Rule of the thumb, never call a woman fat!", she said to him. Si
Marion mataba? Oh, Gray must be blind!

Hindi ito pinansin ni Gray dahil abala ito sa pagtanggal sa mga buhol sa tassel.

Inabot ko kay Marion ang isang malaking ribbon. She tried placing it on top of the big christmas tree
using the monobloc chair ngunit hindi talaga niya iyon maabot. She tried again ngunit tinawag ito ng
kaklase naming si Lorie.

"Marion, tawag ka ni Maam Mendez doon sa faculty office", wika nito.

"Bakit daw?"

"Tungkol yata sa Yuletide Pageant eh. Punta ka na lang doon."

"Okay", masiglang wika ni Marion at ibinigay sa akin ang malaking ribbon. "Amber, ikaw na lang
maglagay nito sa tuktok ng christmas tree, doon malapit sa star", wika nito at nagmadaling pumunta sa
faculty office.

I looked up at the top of the christmas tree. Mataas iyon at hindi ko iyon maaabot kahit pa pumatong
ako sa isang upuan. What is Marion thinking?! Hindi nga niya iyon maabot kahit na mas matangkad siya
sa akin, ako pa kaya!

Inihagis ko iyon kay Gray. "Mas matangkad ka naman, ilagay mo daw yan sa tuktok."

Kumunot ang noo nito nang tingnan rin ang tuktok ng christmas tree. Muli niyang inihagis sa akin sa akin
ang ribbon. Uh, kawawang ribbon.

"Ikaw ang maglagay niyan, I will carry you", wika niya.

Seriously? Tumanggi siya kanina kay Marion but now he's suggesting to carry me?

"Ayoko nga! Tumanggi ka kay Marion kanina tapos ngayon ako ang bubuhatin mo? Flip ka siguro ano?", I
asked him and I saw him smirked.

He get down on his knees at tinapik ang balikat. "Step here as I lift you. You can hold the wall for
support", wika niya.
"Ayoko nga!"

"Sige na Amber, para matapos na kayo", Jeremy said. Nakaupo habang nakapatong ang isang paa. He
was reading another Sherlock Holmes book na malamang ay hiniram nito kay Gray.

Uh, like a boss eh? Bakit hindi na lang ito tumulong?!

"Sige na sabi", Gray said kaya hinubad ko ang suot kong sapatos at tinira ang medyas. Umapak ako sa
dalawang balikat niya at humawak sa dingding. I don't mind stepping in his school uniform. It's his idea
kaya bahala siya. Pero hindi rin naman siya madudumihan dahil malinis naman ang medyas ko!

Unti-unti niyang inangat ang kanyang katawan patayo.

"Don't dare look up or else I will kill you", banta ko sa kanya habang ibina-balance ang sarili ko.

"Of course I won't, aray! Dahan-dahan", wika niya at hinawakan ang mga paa ko.

"Itaas mo pa ako ng konti", I demanded.

"This is my full height you know", reklamo nito. I stepped my foot on his head. "Hey, what are you
doing?"

"Konti lang talaga", wika ko habang inaayos ang ribbon sa ibabaw. "Ayan! Tapos!"

"You two look cute", komento ni Jeremy. Namula naman ako sa sinabi nito. Uh, I silently wished na sana
ay hindi na lang ito naging madaldal. Kailan nga ba nagsimula ang pagiging madaldalin nito?

Ah tama. Noong PE namin na napa-infirmary kaming tatlo ni Marion at siya ng matamaan kami ng bola
ng dodgeball. Ganoon ba talaga ang impact ng bola sa kanya?

"Uyy, si Amber nagblush!", tukso ng kaklase ko. Yeah, palunok ko sayo yang hawak mong christmas balls
eh!

"Ibaba mo na ako, bilis", I demanded at agad naman akong ibinaba ni Gray.

"Nahihiya si Amber!", tukso pa ng isa kong kaklase. I took a deep breath at pinigilan ang sarili kong
pagsakalin sila ng mga tassel na naroon.
Binigyan ko ng masamang tingin si Jeremy. He started it! Umiwas naman ito ng tingin at tinakpan ng
libro ang mukha.

"Bakit wala pa ang subject teacher natin? Sayang ang oras natin na dapat ay inaaral natin sa halip na
tinutukso ninyo ako", nakataas-kilay kong wika sa kanila. Yeah, I have a bratty side.

"They're on the meeting para sa upcoming yuletide events kaya free time natin ngayon", wika ng kaklase
ko.

"Yeah, they're on the meeting", Marion said. Kadarating lamang nito. Mabuti na lang at hindi nito nakita
ng ginawa kong human ladder si Gray dahil baka magselos ito.

Unti-unting umalis ang ilan sa mga kaklase ko. Some of them went to the cafeteria at kung saan-saan
naman ang iba. Siyam lamang kaming naiwan sa classroom.

"I have a riddle for everyone", wika ni Ina.

"Go ahead. It's a perfect way to kill time", Jeremy said. Nakinig naman kaming lahat kay Ina.
"Here it is. With pointed fangs I sit and wait; with piercing force I crunch out fate; grabbing victims,
proclaiming might; physically joining with a single bite. What am I?", she asked.

"A vampire!", bulalas ni Jeremy. Uh, really?!

"No, you're too literal", sagot ni Ina sa kanya.

"Sorry, I got carried away. I'm reading the adventure of Sussex vampire by the way", Jeremy said.

"Hmm, a knife?", Marcus asked ngunit nakangiting umiling lamang si Ina.

"An icepick?"

Umiling pa rin ito.

"A stapler", Gray said and Ina frowned.

"How do you know?", she asked.

"Quiet easy", mayabang nitong wika. Uh, ang yabang talaga. Siguro noong nagsabog ng kayabangan ang
Panginoon ay nasalo lahat nito.

Ay mali. Pinaghatian pala nilang tatlo ni Khael at ni Ryu.

"My turn", Marion said. "I am greater than God. The poor people have me and rich people need me. If
you will eat me, you will die. What am I?"

"Nothing", walang kabuhay-buhay na wika ni Gray.

"Could you atleast let the others think Gray-chan?", Marion said pouting.

"Huh?", Lorie asked. "Di ko gets eh."

"Nothing is greater than God. Poor people have nothing, rich people need nothing. If you eat nothing
you will die. Ganoon", paliwanag ni Marion.

"Meron din naman sigurong kahit ano yung mahihirap tsaka may pangangailangan din naman ang
mayayaman ah", kontra ni Lorie sa sagot.

"Ah basta, nothing yung sagot", Marion said at tumahimik na lamang si Lorie.

"Ako naman", Jeremy said. Nag-isip ito saglit. "Eto, Why was the chef embarrassed?"

"Why?", I asked. Riddle ba iyon? Hanging yata eh. He made a face.

"You have to answer it. It's a good riddle, I bet even Gray doesn't know the answer to it", he said.
"He's not good in cooking?", Marcus asked at isang iling ang natanggap nito mula kay Jeremy.

"Dahil may langaw yung luto niya?", Imie asked ngunit umiling pa rin si Jeremy.

"Shoot nerd", Marion said impatiently. Uh, thin thread of patience huh?

"Ikaw Gray, alam mo ang sagot?", tanong niya kay Gray ngunit maging si Gray ay naguguluhan sa riddle
nito kaya umiling ito.

"See! I told you it's a very hard riddle. The chef is embarrassed because he saw the salad dressing!
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! The salad dressing! HAHAHAHA!", he said at
sinabayan iyon ng hagalpak na pagtawa. Inihampas pa nito ang kamay sa mesa dahil tuwang-tuwa ito
samantalang nagkatinginan naman kaming lahat.

What's funny?!

"Stop it Jeremy, it's not funny", wika ko sa kanya at tinapik siya sa balikat. Tumigil naman ito ngunit
nagpipigil pa rin ng tawa.There were tears in his eyes, marahil ay dahil sa sobrang pagtawa nito.

"How about this one. What starts with a P, ends with an E, and has thousands of letters?", I asked.
Tiningnan ko ng masama si Gray. "Wag kang magsalita kung alam mo ang sagot."
He looked away and whispered "KJ!". Bumulong pa ito, eh dinig na dinig ko naman!

"Walang word na may thousand letters!", JC said. "Kung meron man edi pinalitan na nito ang
Pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanoconiosis bilang longest word." I frowned at him ay natawa
lamang ito.

"Oo nga!"

"Shoot Amber!"

"Post Office", Gray said lazily at mahinang hinampas ko siya sa balikat. "Aray! Ano ba?"

Uh, didn't I say "mahina?" He is exagerating his ARAY, yeah.

"I said don't tell them the answer!", wika ko sa kanya. Simpleng instruction lang naman iyon ah, di pa
makuha?! Akala ko ba genius ito? Duh!
"Hindi naman nila alam kaya ako na lang", paliwanag niya. He cleared his throat. "My turn. What is easy
to get into, but hard to get out of?"

"Trouble", I said lazily. I thought makakaisip ito ng magandang riddle, hindi pala.

"You're good at it dahil madalas mong pinapasok ang sarili mo dyan", he said and crossed his arms.

"Namemersonal ka na yata."

"Am I?", patay-malisya nitong sagot.

"Whatever", I rolled my eyes at him. Uh, this is civil war! Bigla na lamang tumayo si Marion at umupo sa
pagitan namin ni Gray.
"Dito ako sa tabi mo Gray-chan!", she said. "Ako naman. What do you throw out when you want to use
it, but take in when you don't want to use it?"

Nag-isip naman ang mga kaklase namin. It's quiet easy so I'll let them handle it. Sana ay ganoon din si
Gray. Hindi yung basta-basta na lang itong sasagot hindi pa man nalapag-iisip ang iba.

"It's an anchor", Gray said. Wala na! Panira talaga ito! Tiningnan ko lang siya ng masama at ginantihan
niya ako ng isang dakilang smirk.

"Ako na naman", Jeremy said. "What did zero say to eight?"

"Oh, I know it's another pun", wika ko.

"I knew it all along", Gray said.

"Wag ka na lang magsalita Jeremy", dagdag ni Marcus.

"Ang daya niyo! Sagutan niyo na lang!", wika ni Jeremy.

"Ewan. Anong sagot?", Imie asked him.

"Hey, nice belt! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA", bumunghalit ulit ito ng tawa.

Seriously Jeremy?! Nakapag-almusal ba ito? Nainom na ba nito ang mga gamot? Haaaay!

"Oh, just as we thought", wika ni Ina at tumayo upang lumayo kay Jeremy. Gumaya na rin ang lahat at
dumistansya dito.

"Here's mine", Imie said. " What kind of coat is always wet when you put it on?"
"May ganoon ba?"

"Tinanong ko diba, edi meron", she said sarcastically.

"Fleece? But I don't think it's wet", Marion said. Nag-iisip ito ngunit nakatitig kay Gray.

"A coat of paint", I said at pumalakpak naman si Imie.

"Amazing Amber!"

Si Marcus naman ang nagbigay ng riddle. " What only gets wetter the more it dries?"

"A towel!", Marion exclaimed. "Ikaw na naman magbigay ng riddle Gray-chan."

Nag-isip saglit si Gray. "Ah, ito. This word I know, Six letters it contains. Take away the last and only
twelve remains. What is the word?"

Mukhang mahirap nga iyon. Six letter word? Ano nga bang 6 letter word ang magiging 12 kapag kinuha
mo ang huling letter? Napaisip din ang lahat.

I gave up. I can't think of any word.

"Shoot", Marcus said.

"Isipin niyo muna", pagpupumilit ni Gray ngunit wala talaga akong maisip.

"Dozens", wika ni Jeremy mula sa likuran. He wasn't looking at us dahil patuloy ito sa pagbabasa.

"Right", wika ni Gray at gulat na gulat naman si Jeremy dahil nakatama ito.
"Really? Tama ako? Oh my God, I can't believe it!", he said and I rolled my eyes at him. Weird.

"Okay, dahil nakatama ako, my turn", pagbibigay-alam nito.

"Just make sure it's not another pun."

"Ayusin mo Jeremy."

"Dahil kung hindi ay hindi ka na sisikatan ng araw bukas", pabirong wika ni Marcus.

"Why? Wala namang report ang Pag-Asa na uulan bukas ah?", inosenteng tanong nito. We all made a
face at him.

"Ugh, just go on."

"Sige, What do pandas have that no other animal has?", tanong niya.

"A black-eye!", sagot ni Marion ngunit umiling si Jeremy.

"A black and white color?"

"Remember may dalmatian", he said.

"Ewan!"

"What's the answer?"

"A baby panda! Uhaaaa! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!", bulalas ulit nito. Isa-isa namang nagsitayuan ang
mga kaklase ko at lumabas ng classroom.

"Let's go and grab some snacks", wika ni Lorie at hinila ang ilan sa mga kaklase ko.

"I'm leaving too."

Lumabas na silang lahat hanggang sa kaming apat na lamang nina Gray, Marion at Jeremy ang naiwan.

Katatapos lamang tumawa ni Jeremy. "Where are the others?"

"Umuwi na", sagot ko sa kanya.

"Why?"

"There's a meteorite that will fall on Earth", I answered at kumunot ang noo nito. Iisipin ko na talagang
may sayad ito sa utak kapag naniwala pa ito.

"I didn't read that in the news", nakakunot-noong wika nito at nilingon sina Marion at Gray. "Don't tell
me you heard about it too?"

Marion made a face at nilingon ako. "Tell me Amber, how many years in prison do I will spend if I will kill
this nerd here?"

"How old are you?"

"17."

"Hindi ka pa makukulong. Go ahead and kill him", kinuha ko ang stapler na ginamit namin sa
pagdedekorasyon at ibinigay iyon kay Marion.
Natatarantang tumakbo naman ito palayo sa amin habang nagsisisigaw ng tulong. Hinabol ito ni Marion
na dala-dala ang stapler.

Biglang tumunog ang cellphone ni Gray. He immediately answered it. "Yes Detective Tross?"

Nakinig ito saglit at panay "okay" ang sagot. Ano na naman kaya ang itinawag ni Detective Tross dito?
Baka magpapatulong na naman?

"We're on our way. See you", Gray said at pinatay ang tawag. We're on our way? Sino naman ang
kasama nito?

Nagulat na lang ako ng bigla niya akong hinila at patakbong lumabas ng classroom.

"Hey, where are you dragging me?", nagtatakang tanong ko sa kanya.

Hindi ito sumagot hanggang sa makarating kami sa parking lot ng Bridle. Uh, here he goes again with his
new car.
"Detective Tross needs our help", wika niya. "We have to hurry bago pa tayo maabutan ni Marion. I
don't want an excess baggage."

Binuksan niya ang pinto at mahinang tinulak ako. Aba! Nanunulak?!

"Teka, teka! Sinabi ko bang sasama ako?", I asked him.

"Did I asked for your approval? Remember I appointed you to be my assistant kaya wala kang
karapatang magreklamo. Sige na, pasok ka na", wika niya. Nang hindi pa rin ako gumalaw ay hinawakan
niya ang balikat ko at iginiya ako papasok ngunit ayaw ko pa rin.

"Ayoko sabi eh." Pagmamatigas ko. Syempre, sasama ako pero gusto ko munang sagarin ang pasensya
nito.

"Ayaw mo talaga?", he asked as he crossed his arms.

"Ayaw", I said and shook my head.

"Well you leave me with no choice", wika niya. The next thing I knew was that he pressed something at
bumukas ang convertible roof ng kanyang kotse. Napasigaw ako ng tinulak niya ako papasok at napahiga
ako sa upuan.

Damn him! I'm wearing a skirt! What a perverted moron!

Tumalon ito papunta sa driver's seat at muling isinara ang bobong ng kotse. I tried opening the door
ngunit naka-automatic lock ang mga iyon. He started the engine at pinaharurot ang kotse.

"This is kidnapping, jerk!", I hissed at him. He let out a hearty laugh.

"You leave me no choice", wika niya. Dumaan kami sa guardhouse at sinabi niya sa guard na inutusan
kami kaya pinabayaan lamang kami ng guard na lumabas ng Bridle.
Ang dakilang sinungaling talaga! I hope I don't get any consequence for cutting another class. O kaya ay
sana hindi pa rin magkaklase mamayang hapon.

"Saan ba kasi tayo pupunta?", I asked him nang nasa daan na kami. Mahina lang ang pagpapatakbo nito,
unlike the first time that I rode in his car.

"May hinihinging pabor si Detective Tross and he needs both of us."

"Kasali ako? Ano namang magagawa ko?"

"We'll know later." He flashed a sweet smile at muling humarap sa daan.

We went to a restaurant at doon namin kinatagpo si Detective Tross. He was with a man, about his age.
Tila nababahala ang mukha nito na para bang may malaking problema.

"Ivan, Amber. Mabuti at dumating kayo", bati niya sa amin ng makalapit kami.

"Yeah, we ditch class", sagot ko and the detective chuckled.

"Sorry about that. Hindi naman siguro kayo uulit ng highschool dahil dyan diba?", biro nito.

"I doubt."

"Oh, by the way, this is my friend Albert Worth. Albert, these are the kids that I'm talking about", wika
niya. I rolled my eyes when he said the word "kids".

"Are you sure they can help? They don't look useful", wika nito. Teka, minodify niya lang ba ang pagsabi
na mukhang useless kami?
"I think we have to go Amber. Mauna na kami Detective. I don't also think that I can help someone who
thinks we're useless. Just to think he needs OUR help", matigas na wika ni Gray. Mukhang na-offend
yata ito sa sinabi ni Albert Worth..

"Ivan, please ...", Detective Gray said at hinawakan si Gray sa braso. Kapagkuway bumulong ito. "He is
boastful at times, but he is good deep inside."

"Fine, I wouldn't help if it's not because of you", wika ni Gray.

"I'm sorry about it", paghingi ng depensa ni Albert. "Please have a seat and hear me out."

Umupo kaming dalawa ni Gray. When Detective Tross asked for our order, I just asked for a coffee at
gayundin si Gray.

"Ivan, Amber, this is more of a personal request than a police assignment. I want the two of you to
disguised as an adult couple and enter Underworld", the detective said.
Underworld? Ano iyon?

"It's an underground bar. As you see my friend Albert here needs something from someone from that
bar."

Si Albert naman ang nagsalita. "I have lost a very important heirloom of our family in that bar. I guess
you don't know Bruno. He is an evil man from Underworld. Underworld, as the name suggests, is a bar
which do underground stuffs. Drugs, drinks, gambling and bitches are there."

"Let me guess, you bet your heirloom over some stuff and eventually lose, right?", Gray asked.

"Yes and I regret doing so. That's why I asked Tross for help and he referred the two of you", wika niya.

"What kind of heirloom is that? And in what game did you lose?", tanong ko kay Albert.
"It's a ring with a lapis lazuli and embedded with diamonds", wika niya. He showed us a picture of the
ring. Whoah, that was quiet a jewel! No wonder pinagdiskitahan iyon ng kapustahan niya.

"And I lost in a monopoly game", dagdag niya. Kumunot ang kilay ko sa sinabi niya. Monopoly? What is
that game?

"That's why I am asking for your help Ivan. I know you're playing monopoly since you are a kid dahil
isang businessman ang daddy mo", Detective Tross said.

"He's an ex-police turned to a fulltime businessman", komento ni Gray. "And? You want me to play the
game and get back the ring?"

Tumango si Albert. "Yes, I'm willing to pay any amount as long as mabawi lamang ang singsing", wika
niya. "Please help me."

Paglalaruin si Gray ng monopoly? And what did Detective Tross said? Magpapanggap kaming couple?
Seryoso ba iyon?
"My service doesn't need any amount. I'm not a professional anyway. I will help to the extent that I can
but I cannot accept any amount as payment", wika ni Gray. He has his own principles. Hindi ito
tumatanggap ng bayad dahil ayon sa kanya ay hindi pa siya propesyonal sa ganoong larangan.

Detective Tross instructed us to follow his plan. He wanted Gray to assume the name Albie Worth na
kapatid ni Albert. Ako naman si Vanessa Worth, his wife. Uh, ginawa ba naman kaming mag-asawa?

They bought us to somewhere naag-aayos sa amin para sa aming "couple" look. We were dressed in an
elegant manner kung saan magmumukha kaming mag-asawa than some high schoolers.

Matapos kaming maayosan ay nagmukha nga kaming matured sa mga ayos namin. I pulled my dress
down. Bakit ba ang ikli naman yata ng pinasuot nung babae sa akin. It was a red slutty dress.

"I'm not comfortable with this", wika ko habang panay hila pababa sa damit. "Hindi ba ako
nagmumukhang pokpok dito?", I asked Gray na abala sa pag-aayos sa necktie niya.

"Hmmm, let me see", pinasadahan niya ako ng tingin mula ulo hanggang paa. "If only your chest is a bit
bigger, papasa kang round girl sa boxing." Sinabayan pa niya ito ng mahinang pagtawa.
"Gusto mo bang bumaon ang takong ng suot kong sapatos diyan sa katawan mo?", I asked him with
glaring eyes. Fine! Ako na ang flatchested!

"Just kidding", wika niya at pinigilan ang sariling matawa. "Let's go. Naghihintay sila sa labas."

Sumunod ako sa kanya at tiningnan ang suot kong relo. It was still 1 pm and I wonder why we dressed
this early. Bukas na ba ang bar na iyon ngayon?

They instructed us about the place where Underworld can be found. Mayroon pang password para sa
mga maaring pumasok. Underage is not allowed kaya kailangan naming magpanggap.

"Teka. Bukas na ba ang bar na iyon ngayon? Ala una pa lamang ng hapon", pagbibigay alam ko sa kanila.

"Underworld is unlike any other bar. Bukas iyon ngayon at maaring naghahanap na naman ng kalaro si
Bruno", Albert said.
Isinaulo namin lahat ng habilin nila. They said they would be waiting outside kung ano man ang
mangyari sa loob ng bar.

Nang dumating kami doon ay napalingon ako sa paligid. A convenient shop? Akala ko ay doon nga ang
Underwold ngunit lumapit si Gray sa isang guard. He told him the word HADES at agad kaming iginiya ng
guard papunta sa isang maliit na pinto. He opened it and there was a tunnel-like way there. May isang
hagdan na pababa rin at madilim doon.

Looks like they mean the word Underworld literally.

Pagdating namin sa mismong bar ay parang gusto kong umatras. There were people with large tattoos
everywhere. Mayroon ding malalaki ang katawan na tila ba lumaklak ng sangkaterbang steroid. Almost
naked girls where everywhere. Panay ang masahe nito sa mga naglalaro ng baraha sa mga mesa at ang
iba naman ay naglalaro ng billiard.

Nang humakbang papasok si Gray ay napakapit ako sa braso niya. Gosh, I don't want to enter such
place! Tila naintindihan naman nito ang pagkapit ko. He got my hand amd intertwined our fingers
together.

"Relax Mrs. Worth", bulong niya sa akin. I took a deep breath at tumango sa kanya. Magkahawak-kamay
na pumasok kami doon at dumeretso sa bar.
Nang makaupo ako doon ay bumulong siya sa akin. "Order something. Just make sure na hindi ka
magmumukhang bata sa oorderin mo. I'll just check if that Bruno is around", wika niya. I just nodded at
umalis na agad ito doon.

Teka, ano nga ba ang oorderin ko na hindi ako magmumukhang bata? I'm sure I cannot pick an orange
juice at wala rin naman sigurong itinitinda na kape doon. I was mentally fighting with myself if what will I
drink nang may lumapit na babae sa counter.

"Martini please", she said at agad na umalis ng ibinigay ng bartender ang order nito.

Fine, I'll have a martini too. "M-martini please", wika ko sa bartender.

Nang ilapag nito sa harap ko ang inumin ay agad ko iyong ininom. Napangiwi ako sa lasa. It doesn't
tastes good but it's not bad either. Muli akong uminom hanggang sa nasanay ang bibig ko sa lasa niyon.
Hindi pa rin dumarating si Gray kaya muli akong kumuha ng isang martini.

"Ilang taon na po kayo Maam?", tanong ng bartender ng ilapag niya sa mesa ang inumin ko.

"Sev- I'm 22", pagsisinungaling ko. Gosh, if I have told him that I'm seventeen, malamang ay sa labas na
ako pupulutin.

"How about the guy who's with you kanina? Is he your boyfriend?", tanong ulit nito. Kailan pa naging si
Boy Abunda ang bartender ng Underworld?

My head was spinning in circles. Mukhang nahihilo na ako sa nainom ko.

"Ah, si G- Albie? He's my husband", wika ko. Focus Amber! Baka masira ang plano.
"Husband? You're already married? You look so young", komento nito.

"Why? What's your problem with my wife being married at young age?", tanong ng kadarating na si
Gray. He scowled at the bartender at agad akong tinayo doon. I was getting tipsy kaya napayakap ako sa
kanya ng hinila niya ako patayo.

"Hey, careful baby", I said. My eyes are cloudy and I want to puke.

Wait, did I said baby? Ew, saan naman galing ang endearment na iyon? Nakakasuka! Nakakasulasok!
Pwe!

Isang pilyong ngiti ang sumilay sa labi nito. Itinayo niya ako ng tuwid. "Who told you to drink baby? You
should have waited for me."
Inilayo niya ako sa counter ng bar. "Hey Amber. I already booked a game with Bruno kaya umayos ka
dyan. You will sit beside me inside."

I was too dizzy to say yes kaya kumapit lamang ako kay Gray. I buried my face in his neck.

"Amber."

"J-ust a few minutes please?", I asked him at patuloy lamang sa pagkapit. Shit, I regret drinking such
thing!

Naramdaman ko ang mahinang paghawaka niya sa beywang ko at inayos ako ng tayo. He held my face at
itinapat iyon sa mukha niya. "Times up."
His face was so close at tila nahimasmasan ako dahil doon. Bigla ko siyang natulak at agad na tumuwid
ng tayo.

He chuckled at hinawakan ako sa braso. "Halika na baby." He emphasized the word baby at tila gusto
kong masuka, either due to the martini or due to that "baby" thingy.

Pumasok na kami sa isa pang pinto at mas lalo akong namangha doon. There were lot's of people and
they were all in their elegant clothes. Mukhang mayayaman ang mga ito. I recognized some people
inside. Politicians, businessman and some where in showbiz.

"So you're the one who challenged me to play with monopoly, huh? What can you give to me?", tanong
ng isang lalaki. He was in a tuxedo whilw sitting at the end of the long table.May hawak itong pipe na
sinisindihan nito.

"Name it, I can give it", Gray said.

"What's your name again?"

"Albie Worth."

"Ah.Worth. Damn rich. Well, you challenged me, so you are willing to be bankrupt. I would like to
remind you of my rules.Whatever you bet in the game, you have to give for real."

Ngumiti si Gray sa kanya. "Got it. You can have anything from me but I want only one thing from you.
The ring that my brother lose to you."

Tumawa naman si Bruno. Nakakatakot itong tumawa. He really sounded like a soap opera's villain.

"Ah, you mean this one?", inangat nito ang kanang kamay at ipinakita ang singsing sa amin. "Okay!
Deal."

"Let's start", wika ni Gray.Umupo siya sa isang upuan kaharap ni Bruno at naupo naman ako sa tabi ni
Gray. Some people were around us. Nanunuod ang mga ito sa laro.
Kahit hindi ko maintindihan ang laro ay nanuod pa rin ako. I was puzzled with everything on the board
game. There were chance ad community chest cards, go to jail and other stuffs. (A/N: I'm not familiar
with the game too at ginoogle ko lang kaya hindi ko na iiexplain Hihihi, sareey!)

I saw how Gray easily acquired hotel and houses. He sometimes land on go to jail ngunit agad din naman
itong nakakabawi. Bruno seems to be losing dahil halos hindi maipinta ang mukha nito. Hindi lamang
bahay at mga hotel ang nakuha ni Gray but as well as money.

When he rolled the die for the last time ay agad niyang inihagis iyon. "I won. Give me my ring", wika niya
sa galit na si Bruno.

"Not so fast loverboy. Let's have one last round. My turn to ask for what I will get. I'll bet everything I
have if you win but if I did, give me that fair lady beside you", wika niya at tiningnan ako ng malagkit. Tila
ito isang aso nanaglalaway nang makakita ng isang buto.

What the hell?! He wanted me to be the collateral for the game?!

"This fair lady beside me is my wife", Gray said at tiningnan ako.

"Your wife huh? Interesting", Bruno said.

Gusto ko siyang belatan. Neknek niya! Akala niya siguro ay ipupusta ako ni Gray! No wa-

"Yes, my wife. But if you really want her, then let's play again", Gray said. Bruno flashed an evil smile.

Maang na napatingin naman ako kay Gray. Did he just bet me to a nasty looking guy?! What the hell!
Paano kong matalo ito?! I feel hot liquids beside my eyes ngunit pinigilan kong tumulo iyon. How dare
him to bet me!
"Okay, let's play then", wika ni Bruno at nagsimula na silang maglaro.

It took them almost two hours ngunit gaya ng naunang laro ay nanalo pa rin si Gray.

"I'll take the ring and my wife then", wika ni Gray. He pulled me closer towards him. Gusto kong alisin
ang kamay niya sa balikat ko. Kahit pa nanalo ito, I can't believed that he really bet me to that guy!

"I think you should take this first", Bruno said at naglabas ng baril and pointed it to us.

Tuso! Hindi ba ito tumatanggap ng pagkatalo?

"Like I said, not so fast loverboy. No one defeated me in this game! Not even once at ngayon tinalo mo
ako sa dalawang laro? Who the hell are you?!", he said at ikinasa ang baril.

"I told you my name is Albie Worth", walang kabuhay-buhay na wika ni Gray.

"Oh come on. That person is dead two years ago kaya marahil ay ginamit mo lamang ang kanyang
pangalan. Oh, wag mo na lang sagutin. Susunod ka rin naman sa hukay", Bruno said at nakakalokong
ngumisi.

"Sorry but it's too late", wika ni Gray. Napakunot naman ang noo ni Bruno. Hindi marahil nito
naintindihan ang sinabi ni Gray.

The next thing I knew was that bigla na lamang bumukas ang pinto at iniluwa niyon ang maraming pulis
kasama si Detective Tross.

"Walang kikilos! This is the police! We have a warrant for you and this place for drug and illegal firearms
smuggling!", wika ng isang police.
Bago pa man magkagulo doon ay inilabas na kami ni Detective Trosa mula sa silid na iyon. "Thank you
for your help. The police received a tip about this place and we immediately got a warrant kaya
madaling nakapunta ang mga pulis dito", paliwanag niya. "I hope you two didn't get hurt."

"Wala namang nasaktan sa amin", Gray answered.

Anong wala?! Nakalimutan na ba nito na nasaktan ako ng ipinusta niya ako sa mukhang halimaw na
lalaking iyon?! My God! Mukha itong asong ulol!

Patuloy lang sila sa pag-uusap habang naglibot naman ako. Pinalabas ang lahat ng tao doon ngunit
naroon pa rin amg bartender.

"Hey", tawag ko sa kanya at napalingon naman ito sa akin.

"Ikaw pala Maam."

"Give me a shot of martini", wika ko sa kanya.

"We're not serving anymore Maam. As you see, hinuhuli na ng mga pulis -"

I cut him off. "I don't care. Just give me a shot."

Sumunod naman ito at binigyan ako. I already drank 3 shots nang nilapitan ako ni Gray.

"Hey, who told you to drink?", tanong niya at inagaw sa akin ang baso.
"G-give me that", sinubukan kong abutin sa kanya iyon ngunit agad na niyang inilayo iyon sa akin at
inalalayan akong tumayo.

"Saan mo ako dadalhin?", I asked ng napansin kong palabas na kami ng bar.

"I'm taking you back to Bridle."

"I hate you!"

"Why?"

"Wag mo akong ma'why-why?"

"Bakit nga?", he asked. Hindi ko namalayan na nasa tapat na kami ng kanyang kotse.

"You bet me to that ugly freak, you moron!", I scowled at him.

Uh, I really want to puke.

"Nanalo naman ako ah! Ba't ka nagagalit?"

Muli ko na namang naramdaman ang pang-iinit sa gilid ng mata ko.

"Kahit na! Yung isipin na ipinusta mo ako?! Hindi mo alam kung ano ang pakiramdam ng ganoon! Kahit
gaano ka pa kagaling, ang sakit isipin na ipinusta mo ako!", I said at hindi ko na talaga napigilan ang aking
mga luha.

Nagulat na lang ako ng hinila niya ako. He slammed me against his chest. He caress my hair as he hugged
me. "I'm sorry. You should have trust me. I wouldn't risk you for anything if I don't trust myself over that
stuff. I'm sorry. I swear it won't happen again", wika niya. I could feel his sincerity but there is something
that I am feeling.

Something coming up inside me.

The next thing happenes was that I puke in front of Gray. Right in his chest.
Great! Ang galing tumayming ng pagsusuka ko. Well, we'll call it even. Ipinusta niya ako at sinukahan ko
siya.

**

Thank you for your messages and comments darlings! Nakakainspire kayo. Mahal ko na talaga kayo!
Ayieh! ♥

Vote and comments are highly appreciated. Look forward for the next chapter. Malapit ng matapos ang
Detective Files. 5 more chapters to go, at hello File 2 na haha! Yaaas, I'm planning for file 2 (magbunyi!
Yey!)

-Shinichilaaaabs, ever handsome. xD

CHAPTER 56: GRAY VS KHAEL: GRAND DEDUCTION BATTLE

Chapter 56: Gray Vs Khael: Grand Deduction Battle

A/N: Few chapters to go, Hello File 2! Hihihi *insert Ryu's smirk here* Gusto kong magdedicate ng
chapters kaso sa cp pa rin ako nagtatype, kaya sorry! Sa susunod na lang :(
It's December 5 at anim na araw na lang ay debut ko na. I already received the invitations at ang
kailangan ko na lang gawin ay ipamigay iyon sa mga nais kong imbitahin sa debut ko.

I already gave my invitations to Therese and Andi. Sa mga kaklase ko na lang na nais kong imbitahin but
I'm not planning to invite all of them. Only a few.

It's friday and I have already apologized to Gray for vomiting into him the last time we went to help Mr.
Albert Worth As of that case, nabawi na ni Mr. Worth ang kanyang singsing and Underworld was closed
due to it's illegal activities. Hindi rin umano rehistrado ang bar na iyon kaya agad iyong napabaklas.
Bruno and the other druglords where already in jail.ay ibang nakatakas but the big fishes were already
caught.

Back to the vomiting scene, my God, that was very embarrassing! I don't know what Gray thought about
it. Pumasok ako kinabukasan with a hangover and I spent most of the time slouching in my seat.

Binigyan ko lang siya ng strawberry flavoured smoothie na may nakadikit na sticky note with a Sorry in it.
Gasgas na ang pagtext na paraan ko kaya I thought of another way and that's the best way I came up
with.

Well, it's not really the best way dahil hindi ko man lang naisip na hindi pala mahilig sa strawberry si
Gray. He ended up accepting my apology but giving away the smoothie.

PE time namin at panay na naman ang laro namin. Kailan ba ako makakagraduate ng PE? Buti sana kung
gusto ko lahat ng ginagawa namin but there were things that I really hate lalo na kapag nagkakaroon ng
tournament sa basketball o kaya ay sa volleyball.
Laro ng lahi ang nilalaro namin and I was resting on one side of the gym. There were red rope marks on
my palms dahil sa kakahila ko sa lubid sa tug of war.

I hate this! Ginawa naman namin ang lahat. We gave all our best yet natalo pa rin kami and in the end
nasaktan pa kami. Natumba lang naman kami at nagkapantal-pantal sa kamay. Parang pag-ibig lang.
Ginawa mo na ang lahat, pero naagaw pa rin ng iba at sa huli ay masasaktan ka lang. Okay, humuhugot
ako but that wasn't my line. It was Jeremy's. I don't know where he got such thoughts at impossible ring
galing iyon sa binabasa niyang libro ni Sherlock Holmes.

Ugh! I wonder kung anu-ano ang tumatakbo sa isip ng nerd na iyon!

I took a break when the second game started which was agawan-base. Nagkunwari akong masakit ang
ulo at bibisita muna sa infirmary upang humingi ng gamot. White lies like this work at times. Pumayag si
Maam Saderna at agad akong lumabas ng gym dala-dala ang bag ko.

I was walking with my eyes fixed on my shoes nang bigla na lang akong nabundol sa isang tao. I wasn't
paying attention kaya napaupo ako sa lupa sanhi ng pagbangga namin. When I looked up, I saw a devil.

Yeah.
Ryu, the devil. Matagal-tagal ko ring hindi ito nakita. Malamang ay nagtatago ito sa lungga nito na kung
tawagin ay impyerno.

He was holding a box at inalalayan akong tumayo. I pushed away his hands at pinagpagan ang sarili ko.
Pinulot niya ang bag ko at agad kong inagaw iyon sa kanya.

"Ang sungit mo naman. You didn't missed me?", nakangiting tanong niya. Bakit ba niya ako kinakausap?
Close ba kami? Duh.

"Why would I miss you? The past weeks without you is my most peaceful week. Ay hindi pala dahil
nakasama ko ang pinsan mong kaskasero", wika ko sa kanya.

He chuckled. Pansin ko lang, bakit ang fresh nito ngayon? Pumuti rin ito na tila ba hindi nasikatan ng
napakainit na araw ng Pilipinas.

"So you spend some time with Cooler? Hmmm, I see. Good for him", wika niya and he looked at me with
amazement.

Tinaasan ko siya ng isang kilay. "What? Don't tell me may masama ka na namang binabalak? And how
did you get here? Alam mo bang bawal ka dito?"
"I befriended the guard", wika nito.

"You mean you threatened them", pag-iwas tingin ko sa kanya.

Tumawa siya ng mahina. Uh, good mood yata eto at hindi pinapalabas ang million dollar smirk nito.
"Befriended would be the right term."

"Ah, basta! Wala akong pakialam. Kung hinahanap mo si Marion ay dumeretso ka lang. Nasa gym sila
dahil PE namin. Mauna na ako sayo", wika ko at nagtangkang lampasan siya ngunit hinawakan niya ako
sa braso. Nagtatakang tiningnan ko naman siya.

"I didn't dropped by to see her. I came to see you", wika niya. Tama ba ang dinig ko? Ako ang ipinunta
nita dito?

He's not letting out his horns and tails even though he is a devil. Ngumiti siya sa akin sa halip na isang
katakot-takot na smirk ang iginawad niya. Ako ang ipinunta niya dito sa Bridle sa halip na si Marion.
Oh no! Is it doom's day? Ito na ba ang sinasabi ko kay Jeremy na may babagsak na meteorite sa Earth?!
Uh, maybe he has something up on his sleeves.

Inalis ko ang kamay niya sa braso ko. "What's up devil? I know you have something on your sleeves."

Kumunot ang noo niya at tiningnan ang nakatuping sleeves ng asul na polo niya. Uh, Lord! Hindi ba nila
alam ang tungkol sa idiomatic expressions?

"I don't have any", pilosopong wila nito.

I rolled my eyes at him. Damn this hacker. Kalahi marahil nito si Jeremy. "Anong kailangan mo?", tanong
ko sa kanya.

Inabot niya sa akin ang kahon na hawak. If it would be a bit thinner ay iisipin kong pizza ang laman
niyon. But it's thicker at mas malapad ang box na iyon at may mga japanese characters sa ibabaw ng
kahon.

"What's that?", nakataas-kilay kong wika sa kanya.

"Open it."
"Ayoko nga. Baka mamaya, bomba pa lamang ang laman niyan", inirapan ko siya at tumangging buksan
ang box.

He chuckled. "Believe me Amber, if I would be giving you a bomb, it wouldn't be in a box like this. I don't
like surprises when it comes to death."

Muli niyang inabot sa akin ang box at kahit nag-aalangan ay kinuha ko iyon. Dahan-dahan king tinanggal
ang tali niyon. There are million crazy things I have in mind about what must be inside. I just hope it's
not a snake.

Nang matanggal ko ang tali ay dahan-dahan kong iniangat ang takip. I was surprised nang tuluyan kong
mabuksan ang laman niyon!

Chibi figures of the characters of Detective Conan!

Naroon si Conan (in which he is really a chibi of Shinichi), Shinichi, Ran, Heiji, Kazuha, Detective Mouri,
Eri, Sonoko, Ayumi, Genta, Haibara, Mitsuhiko, Sera, Professor Agasa and Kaito Kid!
Even Detective Satou, Takagi, Shiratori, Megure and Chiba! Naroon din ang mga miyembro ng black
organization na sina Gin, Vodka, Vermouth at Bourbon. Maging ang FBI agents na sina Jodie, Agent
Camel, James at Akai ay naroon din.

"Where the hell did you bought this? Alam mo bang matagal akong naghanap ng ganito?", amazed kong
wika. Uh, I have a collection of chibi figures ngunit sa characters lamang iyon ng Kuroko's Basketball.

"I stayed in Japan for a week at nakita ko yan. Then I remembered a note from your facebook account.
It's about your agony in finding such figures", nakapamulsang sagot nito.

Wait, paano niya nabasa ang note na iyon? That was in private!

"You hacked my account? How dare you!", I scowled at him. Arrrrgh! Wala na! Nabasa na niya marahil
lahat ng isinave ko doon!

"I didn't do it intentionally! It was during the quizbee in Athena", paliwanag niya. Palusot! Kahit na!
Sinadya pa rin niyang basahin ang mga notes doon.
"Wala naman sigurong hindi sinasadyang magbasa", I told him and he raised both his arms in surrender.
Ibinalik ko sa kanya ang box.

"Kung nagpunta ka lang dito upang magpainggit diyan sa chibi figures mo, umuwi ka na", wika ko sa
kanya. He refused to accept the box kaya nagtatakang tiningnan ko siya.

"That's for you, silly. I bought that one for you."

"Para sa akin?", nanlalaki ang mga mata kong tanong. "But why? Hindi ko pa naman birthday ah. We're
not even friends para bigyan mo ako ng regalo."

"Let's call it a donation. I want to spend money that's why I bought that", wika niya. Ang yabang talaga!
Sinasabi ko na nga bang salong-salo nito lahat ng kayabangan sa mundo!

"Ano naman ang hihingin mong kapalit?"

"Didn't I said it's a donation? It's a free contribution then. Why don't you consult Merriam-Webster
about its definition?", wika niya at pinigilan ko ang sariling ihampas sa kanya ang bag ko.
Oh, Japan's air must really be good for him. Bumait ito kahit saglit ngunit sa huli ay lumalabas pa rin ang
tunay na kulay nito. As a return gift ay iimbitahin ko na lang ito sa birthday ko.

Pinahawakan ko sa kanya ang box at kumuha ng dalawang invitation cards mula sa bag ko at inabot iyon
sa kanya.

"What are these?", he asked.

I rolled my eyes at him. "It's an invitation card, you know. Oh, I guess you should consult Merriam-
Webster for its definition", I told him. Serves him right! Those are his lines.

"What am I going to do with these?", tanong niya.

"Kainin mo", I said and he smirked. Sa wakas, ayan na ulit ang kanyang dakilang smirk. I'm used to seeing
smirks than his smiles.

"Really? Well I'm still full, should I stuff this in your mouth instead?", he asked. He's a jerk, I knew it.
"Now, let's drop the stupidity, are you inviting me to your birthday?"
"I don't really want you in my birthday pero sobra ang invitation ko kaya sayo na lang yan. If you will
come, fine with me but it's finest if you don't. And please, out with the guns. I don't want any harm on
my debut", pagbibigay alam ko sa kanya. "And give the other to your dear cousin."

"It's best if I don't come? Bakit?", tanong niya.

"Dahil masisira ang gabi ko kapag nakikita kayo", I scowled at him. Tumawa ito ng mahina.

"Expect us to be there then. Are we part of your 18 roses?", he asked. "I'd like to be part of the 18 guns."

"There's no such thing, devil! At kailan mo ba titigilan ang buhay ko? Give me a break!", I hissed at him
at mahinang tumawa ito.

"I should be going", wika niya at iwinagayway sa harap ko ang hawak na invitations. "Thanks by the way,
expect us on your special night", he said at humakbang palayo. Pinanuod ko lang siya habang papalayo
sa akin. Nang hindi ko na siya natanaw ay dumeretso ako sa dorm sa halip na pumunta sa infirmary
upang ihatid ang ibinigay niya sa akin.
Matapos kong iwan iyon sa kama ay agad akong bumalik sa gym. They were outside the gym at nagjo-
jogging sa gilid ng gym. We can't jog inside the gym dahil ginagamit ng varsity ang court. Nang makita ko
si Marion at Gray at agad akong sumabay sa kanila.

"What are we doing next?", I asked them habang panay takbo.

"Ewan, pinajog kami eh. Ayos ka na ba?", Marion asked and I nodded at her.

At the back of the gym were Bridle's high walls. Nagulat na lang kami at biglang napahinto nang bigla na
lamang may tumalon mula roon.

It was Khael and he was wearing Athena's uniform. Uh, bakit ba ang hilig nitong umakyat sa mga
matataas na puno o kaya ay pader? He could just befriend the guards just like Ryu did sa halip na basta-
basta na lamang ito umakyat! It's safer that way!

"You scared me! Unggoy ka ba?", Marion exclaimed. Ngumiti lamang si Khael sa kanya.

Tumayo ito at pinagpag ang suot. "Uh, I'm too handsome to be a monkey. What a perfect timing! I don't
have to find you. You found me!"
Ano naman ang ginagawa nito dito? Malamang may pasok ito and he just ditched classes upang
pumunta dito.

"What are you doing here Alonzo?", tanong ni Gray sa kanya at nilingon ang paligid. Lots of students
stood by at nakatingin sa amin. "And you're still wearing Athena's uniform. You're drawing too much
attention."

Inilibot din ni Khael ang paningin sa paligid. "I can't help it. I'm thrown out of class Mr. Estillo, remember
that old man who used to hate us? Pinalabas ba naman ako ng klase?!"

"And? You must have done something."

Napakamot ito sa ulo. "Well, yeah. I exclaimed a big 'Whoah!' in the class."

"And why is that?", Marion asked. She shoved away some students by giving them deadly glares.
"I was stalking Amber's facebook and I saw on her profile that her birthday is in six days", wika niya and
he smiled at me.

Uh, what's up with my facebook account? Doon din nalaman ni Ryu na naghahanap ako ng mga chibi
figures. Gosh! magdedeactivate na ako mamaya!

"Just because of that?! And why are you stalking my facebook account anyway?", I scowled at him.

He gave me a naughty smile. "Ano namang masama kung istalk mo ang crush mo?", he said without
hesitation. Oh Khael! Why so vocal? Hindi ka man lang ba nahihiya sa akin? Why is it too easy for you to
say straight to my face that you had a crush on me? Minsan nga ay naiisip ko na hindi naman talaga ako
gusto nito. Maybe he just like to tease me.

"And you let Kuya Rex drive for 2 hours just to confirm that? Hindi mo ba naisip na tapos na ang period
ni Mr. Estillo and you already missed your next class?", Gray asked him. Nagtagpo ang dalawang kilay
nito.

"I drived myself and it only took an hour and a half. And who cares? Naiinis ako kanina! 7 am class, first
period na first period and I'm thrown out of class already?! That's why I decided to ditch the whole day's
class and drove here", sagot nito. Bumaling siya sa akin. "Are you throwing a party? I volunteer myself as
your escort!"
My escort? Oo nga pala. When I had a call with my parents, they told me that they haven't fixed who
consists my 18 everything so they haven't included them on the invitations. Ayon sa kanila, I can have
them on the spot. I refused to hire an organizer but Mom did kahit na ayaw ko.

Napalingon ako kay Gray ng bigla na lamang itong tumikhim. "I'm sorry to disappoint you Alonzo but I
also volunteer myself to be her escort", wika nito at namilog ang mga mata ko. Did he?

"Nauna ka na?", Khael asked and Gray shook his head.

"I was planning to ask her but you arrived kaya ngayon ko pa nasabi", Gray answered.

Khael smiled evilly. "Ibig sahihin nauna ako? You should pick me Special A, I asked you first."

"This is not a first ask, first serve lane bastard", Gray said. "You should choose me Amber. I'm your
classmate."

"This isn't a priority lane for classmates too! I should be the one escorting her! I'm older than you!"

"You're just older by a day. That's too insignificant", sagot naman ni Gray. Ibig sabihin isang araw lamang
ang pagitan ng birthday nila? I wonder when it is.
"Kahit na. Amber will choose me dahil mas pogi ako sayo."

"Dream on Alonzo!"

"Bakit? Hindi ba?"

"Not even an inch!"

"Teka, teka! What are you arguing about? Sigurado ba kayo na iimbitahin kayo ni Amber sa birthday
niya?", Marion asked at tila nabuhusan ng malamig na tubig ang dalawa.

"You're going to invite us, right?", Gray asked me. Nakatingin silang tatlo sa akin at hinihintay ang sagot
ko.

"Well, yeah. I have the invitations here", kinuha ko ang mga invitations sa bag ko at binigyan silang tatlo.

The invitation card was greatly designed. Only it was colored blue at maganda ang pagkagawa.
Nagpasalamat silang tatlo sa akin dahil doon.
"So, Amber. Who among these two gents here are you gonna choose to be your escort?", Marion asked.
Naghintay silang tatlo sa sagot ko but I can't decide yet.

"Uh, I-I h-haven't decided yet -"

Hindi ko na natapos ang sasabihin ko nang may dumating na isang kaklase namin. He was sweating all
over na tila ba galing ito sa pagtakbo. He look so scared too.

"Gray, Amber! Si Mrs. Sera!", humihingal pa ito.

"Why? What happened?", I asked him. Hindi agad ito nakasagot dahil panay pa rin ang paghingal nito.

"S-si Mrs. Sera! Natagpuang patay sa laboratory!", he exclaimed at gulat na gulat kaming lahat. We were
about to head towards the direction of the laboratory ng magsalita si Marion.
"Well, little detectives, why don't we use this opportunity to identify who will be Amber's escort?", she
said at naguguluhang tumingin kami sa kanya.

"Anong ibig mong sabihin?"

"Since both of you wants to be Amber's escort and I know both of you are dying to solve this case kahit
pa hindi na saklaw ni Khael ang Bridle, let's make this a deduction battle. The one who will solve the case
first will be her escort. Deal?", she asked them. Inilahad niya ang dalawang palad sa kanila.

Parehas namang napangiti ang dalawa. "Deal!", magkapanabay nilang wika and tapped Marion's palm as
sign of approval.

Oh, do they really have to bother that much?

---

We all went to the Main Laboratory ng Bridle kung saan matatagpuan ang bangkay ni Maam Sera. I can't
believe that she's already dead at sa mismong laboratory pa in which she was the incharge. Mabait so
Mrs. Sera at kasundo nito ang mga estudyante. Well, there was one student she hated the most, it was
Lowie Mondino whom he used to argue ever since. Minsan pa nga ay nagbabantaan sila.

Well I can't blame Mrs. Sera. Lowie was one of the blacklisted student of Bridle. Sa katunayan ay subject
for expulsion na ito.

There was a yellow police ribbon labelled with Police Line Do not Cross outside the Main Laboratory
ngunit pinayagan pa rin kami na makapasok lalo na at isa sa nga pulis na naroon si Inspector Dean. Hindi
na kailangang makiusap nina Gray dahil agad nila kaming pinapasok.

Kalunos-lunos ang naroong bangkay ni Maam Sera. Nakalbo ito at walang ni isa mang buhok ang naiwan
sa ulo nito. Bumubula din ang bibig nito at may beaker na nakakalagay sa kamay nito. She was holding it
tightly, bago pa man ito nawalan ng buhay. There was also a razor in the table in front of her. She
doesn't have any stab wounds on her body at walang ni ano mang pasa ito sa katawan.

Maayos na nakaupo ito sa isang upuan at nakasandal doon. There were also no signs of struggle in the
laboratory. Walang nakakalat na gamit doon, tanda na may intruder na pumatay sa kanya.

Gray and Khael were busy looking on every angle of the case. Nakatayo naman kami ni Marion sa gilid at
nakatingin sa kanila habang abala ang mga ito gaya ng mga pulis.
"Goodness! I can't believe na wala na si Maam Sera! Parang kailan lang nung huling lab activity natin",
natatakot na wika nito.

Why would I forget it? I almost lost my life because of X who tampered my chemicals and instructions in
this same laboratory with Mrs. Sera, thus producing the dangerous gas out from the reaction of water
from Barium Cyanide.

The police stated thier initial report. Based on rigor mortis, Mrs. Sera died 12 hours ago. Marahil ay
kagabi pa ito binawian ng buhay. Whatever happened inside this laboratory bago pa man ito mamatay
ay inaalam pa ng mga pulis.

When I observed the main laboratory, there was something peculiar about it, I just can't figure out what
was it. Ano nga ba iyon?

Muli kong iginala ang paningin ko sa kabuoan ng laboratory. I saw Gray and Khael standing at one side
staring at the white board. Saka ko lang napansin ang nakasulat doon. That's what makes the lab
peculiar! May nakasulat na mga numero at letra doon.

Gray was still staring at it while Khael went to the computer and searched something. He also went to
see the big periodic table of elements. Mukhang mas nauna ito sa pag-iisip kaysa kay Gray.
I stared at the numbers too. It was 1310-58-3. Ano kaya ang meron sa numerong iyon? Beside it was
P280 P305+351+338 P310.

On the lower part of the board, there was something similar to the familiar sequence of number.

1 1 2 3 5 8 13 12.

At first it was Fibonacci Sequence but when I stared at the last number, it wasn't part of the sequence.
Fibonacci numbers was supposed to be 1 1 2 3 5 8 13 21 and so on. Is it possible na nagkasliding error
lamang sa paglagay ng huling number?

Gray stopped staring at the board and went to the Lab A. The main laboratory has 2 extensions in which
we call Chem Lab A and Chem Lab B. Pumasok siya doon and I didn't bother to follow him to know what
is he doing there.

Patuloy lang ang mga pulis sa pag-iimbestiga. There were neither witness nor suspect to the case.
Dumating si Khael at lumapit sa amin.

"Where's Silvan? Should I celebrate my overwhelming victory for solving this case?", seryosong tanong
nito. I wonder how he could joke around but still posses a serious face.
"You solved the case?", Marion asked and he nodded. Lumapit sa amin sina Inspector Dean.

"Mikmik? You already figured it out?", he asked and Khael smiled. "Who's the killer then? Pangalan ba
ng killer ang mga numero at letra na nakascrabble sa whiteboard?"

"I'm afraid there isn't a killer because this is a suicide case", wika niya at nagulat kaming lahat. Suicide
case? Mrs. Sera committed a suicide?

"What? Suicide? How can you say so?", tanong ng isang pulis na kasama ni Insp. Dean. Napatigil ang mga
ito sa ginagawa upang makinig kay Khael.

"Look around. There isn't any marks of struggle on the crime scene. If someone attacked her, mayroon
sanang nakakalat na mga basag na equipments since this area is a bit full of glass equipments",
paliwanag niya. When I looked around at tama nga siya. Wala ni kahit anong nakakalat na basag na
bagay. Sa halip ay napakalinis ng laboratory.

"What if the killer fixed everything bago siya umalis?", I asked.

"You're from Bridle so you should know if may nagkulang at pinalitan bang mga equipment dito. The
laboratory doesn't seem contrieve but you can also judge by yourself", wika niya.
Mayroon nga bang kakaiba sa loob ng laboratory? Well, I don't observed any maliban na lamang sa
mukhang Fibonacci Sequence at iba pang mga nakasulat sa whiteboard. I shook my head at him.

"So how does it proved na nagsuicide nga si Maam Sera?", tanong ni Marion. Maging ito ay tila hindi
makapaniwala sa sinabi ni Khael.

"No other fingerprints were found around the lab since bagong linis ito. Based on the facts that the
police gathered, she shaved her own hair dahil tanging sa kanya ang naroong fingerprints sa razor. The
number 1310-58-3 on the board represents the chemical compound that she used. It is the CAS Registry
Number of the compound Potassium Hydroxide. Such compound is used in the chemical cremation
process to decompose animal and human body and it is also used as hair removing agent. All you have
to do is soak your hair for few hours. Pre-shave products and shave creams contain that compound. It
opens the hair cuticle and act as hygroscopic agent to let water into the hair shaft, and totally damaging
it. The hair will be weakened and is more easily cut by a razor like what the victim did", paliwanag niya.
So iyon pala ang tiningnan niya sa computer kanina. I was amazed by how easily Khael thinks. Nakalap
niya ang nga impormasyong iyon even before the police did.

Nagpatuloy ito sa pagsasalita. "Also, written in the board was P280 P305+351+338 P310. It is simply the
GHS precautionary

statements of the chemical compound Potassium Hydroxide. Those are the statements that will replace
the S-phrases that we used in dealing with chemicals. She also drank the chemical compound to end her
own life. The reason why she did it, we'll let the police handle the investigation kung may problema ba
ito sa pamilya o kung saan", Khael said. Siguradong-sigurado ito sa mga sinasabi.
"So, it's suicide then. Ganoon din ang initial findings ng pulisya", Inspector Dean said. "By the way,
where's Gray? I thought he is investigating with us?" Inilibot nila ang paningin sa loob ng main lab ngunit
hindi namin makita si Gray.

"I don't know kung nasaan siya", Khael said as he looked around.

"But Khael, there is something bothering me", wika ko at napabaling ang atensyon nilang lahat sa akin.

"What?"

"How about the numbers below the board? It looks like a Fibonacci Sequence na nagkaroon ng sliding
error sa huling bahagi. It should be 21, not 12", I said and all their eyes fixed on the board.

"I don't think it's significant. Bakit naman magkakaroon ng isang sequence na mula sa isang
mathematician ang isang science lab?", komento ni Khael.

"Yeah, it's too irony", sang-ayon ni Marion.

"Yeah, and that's what makes it suspicious. Hindi ba nakapagtataka na mayroon ngang ganoong mga
numero dito? And there was a deliberate sliding error on the last number."

Napalingon kami sa nagsalita. It was Gray. He was holding a laboratory pictogram.

"Inspector, everything that Alonzo said is a fact but there is something lacking to it", buo ang boses
nitong wika.

"What do you mean?", Khael asked.

"Yes, you stated all the facts but it's only half of it. Mrs. Sera did everything as you said but it wasn't
through her free will. Someone was telling her to do so. Maybe that someone threatened her to follow
his orders to make this case looks like a suicide. Hindi ba nakapagtataka na kailangan pa niyang kalbuhin
ang sarili niya bago magpakamatay? She could just kill herself immediately", Gray said at napaisip
naman kaming lahat. Yes, he has a point.

Kung magpapakamatay lang din naman ako, I would do it immediately and I won't do any intermission
number just like Mrs. Sera did.
"Also the numbers on the lower part of the board, it's not insignificant. In fact, it's the most significant
writings on the board. 1 1 2 3 5 8 13 12 is not Fibonacci Sequence though it looks like one. If we replace
it with the letters from the alphabet, we can have A A B C E H M L. Arrange those letters, and we can
form CHEM LAB A. And when I went to the chem Lab A, this is what I found", itinaas ni Gray ang hawak
na pictogram na nakadikit sa illustration board.

It was the familiar orange pictogram with a big black X on it. May mga nakasulat doon na symbols gaya
ng KHS, LiOH at NaOH.

"It's the chemical hazard symbol XN which represents harmful substances or preparations. In other
words, X is the one who manipulated and forced her to commit suicide", wika ni Gray. "Maam Sera
probably know his identity nang dahil sa nangyari kay Amber noong laboratory namin. We talked last
week and she told me that she had some idea as to X's identity but she have to confirm it first ngunit
mukhang naunahan siya ni X. She left this clues in a code style upang hindi ito mapansin ni X."

Si X na naman? He's been killing people na sa tingin niya ay magiging balakid sa pagkitil niya sa buhay ko.
But why? I somehow felt sad. Namatay ba si Maam Sera dahil sa akin?

"How about the symbols found in that pictogram?", Inspector Dean asked at tinuro ang mga symbols na
nakasulat sa hawak-hawak ni Gray.

"They're probably written by some students before hand", Gray said. "X is responsible for everything. I
guess we should divert our investigation on identifying who is that X."

---
The case was now closed and the police already marked X as part of their investigation task. Nasa
cafeteria kaming apat at kumakain ng pananghalian. Gosh, it's almost 2 in the afternoon and we have
skipped our classes after PE.

Panay ang tingin ng mga estudyante sa amin. They might be wondering why there is someone in
Athena's uniform sitting and eating with us.

"I now concede my defeat Silvan", mabigat ang loob na wika ni Khael. "We both got the case but you
have gone deeper and eventually solved the missing puzzle."

Isang tikhim ang sinagot ni Gray sa kanya. He smiled victoriously na para bang sinasabing maliit na bagay
lang iyon.

" Sayang at may exams ako sa birthday ko kaya hindi kita maide-date Special A", Khael said and I wonder
when is his birthday.

"Bakit? Kailan ba ang birthday mo?", I asked him.

"It's on 9."
"What? Birthday mo sa 9? Ibig sabihin ay 10 ang birthday mo, Gray-chan?", tanong ni Marion and he
nodded.

"Oh, I can't believe it. Khael's birthday is on December 9, Gray-chan is on 10 and Amber is on 11. How I
wish mine was on 12 and not on February", hinaing ni Marion. "Oh well. So, it's decided then. Gray will
be Amber's escort."

When I looked at Gray, he was flashing a smile on his lips bago siya sumubo ng pagkain. Uh, looks like
he's going to be my escort then. Well, I'm looking forward to it.

**

A/N: Any idea about X's identity? Comment niyo na :D Cast your votes too. Thankiss :*

-ShinichiLaaaabsbebe♥

SPECIAL CHAPTER: CODE X!

Special Chapter: Code X!

MUST READ!

A/N: This is a special chapter. Why? Dahil ang chapter na ito ay ang first and only chapter na POV ni
Gray. Yaaaas, his point of view. Marami kasi ang nagrerequest ng POV niya. This chapter is a fast forward
event sa pagkakatuklas ni Gray sa identity ni X right on Amber's birthday. Don't worry, hindi kayo
maguguluhan dahil magpopost pa rin naman ako ng update na katulad ng timeframe sa special chapter
na ito but sa point of view na ni Amber. It will be posted sa chapter 57 and I'm not yet sure kung kailan
ko ipopost. Wag mag-alala, ilang araw lang naman ang lilipas. Malalaman niyo na kung sino si X sa
special chapter na ito and let's see kung tama ang hula niyo. xD
By the way, natutuwa ako sa mga ishini-ship niyo! Haha! May maka Gray-Amber, Khael-Amber, Cooler-
Amber, Ryu-Amber, Jeremy-Amber, tapos Shinichilaaaabs-Shinichi, Shinichilaaaabs-Kaito (Ayyy! Nakiepal
si owtuuuur! Haha!) Anyways, love can wait but cases cannot! Haha!

P.S. Hindi pa rin ako makapagdedicate kasi #TeamCP pa rin ako. Gomenasai! :(

GRAY IVAN SILVAN'S POV

I'm somewhat happy dahil ako ang magiging escort ni Amber sa kanyang debut. Katatapos lamang
naming isolve ang main laboratory case na kinasasangkutan ng suicide ni Maam Sera. A suicide forced
and intimidated by X.

My guess is that Maam Sera already knew his identity bago pa man ito nagpakamatay. I don't know how
should I put it. Nagpakamatay o pwersahang pinatay.

But I am thinking of some things. The main lab is full of baffling codes left by Maam Sera herself for us to
know about X's intervention in this case and I'm positive na nag-iwan din ito ng mga codes or clues
about the real identity of X. I just can't let these three people with me know that I will be back in the
crime scene later for further investigation. I cannot let my guards down. I don't want to risk Amber nor
any people na maaring idamay ni X.

When I received the letter with a line from Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's character, which refers to Irene
Adler, I figured out that X is really after Amber's life. Isa pa ay hindi sinasabi sa akin ni Amber na ilang
beses na pala itong pinagtangkaan ni X.
The big question there is WHY?

Why is it that X is after Amber's life? Why is he doing such things? I fucking don't understand why.

"Gray-chan! You're spacing out", Marion said and waived her hands in front of me. "The case is over,
bakit tulala ka pa?"

I can't help but pout. A childish gesture but that's me. I'm weird at times kahit hindi halata. I keep my
weirdness only to myself. You wouldn't believe it too but I'm also a mental cuss machine. I used to cuss
mentally but I never voice out any of those. That's a big no-no. Isa pa kapag nalaman ni Mommy na ang
tungkol doon, I would receive a pinch on my cheeks. Naalala ko dati, I was reading a brutal murder case
in which she was also reading and I exclaimed a big 'what the fuck!', she immediately emerged from her
seat to pinch my cheeks.

"Ae-ae! I told you not to say such disgusting words! Urrrrrrgh!", she said as she pinched my
face.Nanggigil ito sa ginagawa.

"Aray! Mom! Ah-uh- Aray!", I said and caressed my cheeks.

Dad just laughed at us. He doesn't want any violence in the house. He is practicing a hands-off approach
in raising me.
That's why I like him a lot. Bakit hindi na lang siya ang naging tunay na tatay ko? He is not treating me as
if I'm not his own son. Sa katunayan ay parang tunay na anak ang turing niya sa akin. He is also the one
who told Mom na sabihin sa akin ang katotohanan regarding my identity when I reached 12.

After I knew about my identity ay mas lalong naging close kami. He's the best dad in the world for me.

"Gray-chan!", tawag ulit ni Marion sa akin. This girl is loud and annoying. She's too clingy and territorial.
Oh, maybe not territorial. I should say envious. Ayon sa mga kaklase ko ay pinagbawalan sila ni Marion
na magpapansin sa akin. I don't know why she did it though.

"Sorry. I'm just really hungry", wika ko sa kanila. I even took a spoonful of food and chewed it.

Amber was staring at me. I don't know what she's thinking though. That's one of the thing I hate about
her. I'm good in deducing things yet I cannot deduce anything about her.

"Silvan, just make sure you'll be a good escort to Amber", wika ni Khael and he looked at Amber.
"Special A, just tell me if this guy here do anything stupid, okay? I will give him my Saitama punch
immediately!"
What's Saitama punch by the way? Alonzo is weird at times. He's naming some things which I don't
really understand. Kapag tinanong ko naman siya tungkol doon, sinasabi niyang galing iyon sa pinanuod
niyang anime o di kaya ay sa binabasa niyang manga.

"I can handle myself", Amber said and that's a big lie. Of course she cannot handle herself that's why I'm
protecting her. I just don't know how would she end up kapag muli na namang umatake sa kanya si X,
indirectly.

"I'm not doing anything stupid with Amber", wika ko and Khael glared at me. This guy is my best buddy
ever since. Well, he used to say I'm his best buddy but now I'm adapting his term. Magkababata kami
and we were inseparable since then. Nang dalhin ako nina Mommy sa London ay naiwan si Khael dito sa
Pilipinas. We were grade school that time at dahil wala ako, he also refused to go to school. Saka lamang
ito nag-aral ng makabalik kami after two years.

Inseparable? That's so gay but that's what we really were. Ngayon lang naman kami nagkahiwalay when
I transferred here in Bridle. That's when I realized that Athena High School was owned by Vander Mafia.
It's one of their front institution that will cover up their true business which is an illegal one.

I decided to transfer nang masyado na nilang pinapakialaman ang buhay ko. Cronus, which was my
biological father wanted me to join them. He said that my high IQ would be a great help to the mafia. I
refused and he agreed on my refusal but he wants me to eventually visit him.This time ay tumanggi ako
dahil pakiramdam ko ay kukunin lang niya ang loob ko and in the end, he would still wants to used me
for the benefit of the mafia.
I also met my brother Cooler. He is a year older than me. Pinipilit niya rin akong tumulong sa mafia and
that's what creates the gap between us. I would have befriended him if only he got the same ideology as
mine. But it's not. He thinks nothing but the mafia. Maybe it's because of out father's influence.

The first time I left Athena and transferred to Bridle ay panay ang buntot nila sa akin. They used to tail
me and I don't know why. I remembered when we were at AB Island kung saan nagcheck in din sa isang
hotel sa Summer Island si Cooler just to tail me around.

I don't know kung magkakasundo ba kami. That guy isn't a brother figure to me. Mas gusto ko pang
maging kapatid si Khael kaysa sa kanya.

"I think you should go Alonzo", wika ko at tumayo. Ngayon ko lang napansin na ako pala ang
pinakamatagal natapos kumain sa aking tatlo. Am I really that spaced out?

Tumayo ako at lumapit kay Khael. I grabbed the collar of his uniform at hinila siya patayo. I used to wear
such uniform too but that was before.

"You're that excited to throw me out of Bridle huh?", nakangiting tanong nito. Kapagkuway tinabig niya
ang kamay ko.

Kung ibang tao ang nakatingin sa amin ay malamang iisipin nilang nag-aaway kami but we're not. In fact,
this is our kind of bond. I like such relationship with Khael.
"Ihatid niyo naman ako sa backdoor", nakangiting saad nito. Backdoor? It probably means the way
which he used to avoid the guards. Yes, that's Timothy Mikhael Alonzo, the monkey. Noon pa man ay
wala na itong takot umakyat sa kahit ano. I can still remember when we were eight years old, we used
to play kites. My kite was caught on top of a big guava tree and I end up crying. Bigla na lang niya akong
sinuntok just to stop me from crying at pagkatapos ay inakyat niya ang puno. We ended up getting
scolded by our nannies.

"Dumaan ka sa tamang daan", Amber said and she crossed her arms.

"But my car -"

"Edi puntahan natin sa labas kung saan mo iniwan. As simple as that", she said again at napangisi naman
si Khael.

I guess he really likes Amber. This is the first time that she was bothering too much just because of a girl.
Well, he used to have a crush on Megan Fox but she's too impossible for Khael.

Tumayo na sila at agad kaming lumabas ng cafeteria. Marami pa ring mga estudyante ang nakatingin sa
amin. I can't blame them. It's too rare to see an Athena's student wearing Athena's uniform inside
Bridle.
"Marion, Amber pakihatid niyo na lang si Khael kung saan man siya nagpark, please?", I said to them at
nagtatakang tiningnan naman nila ako. I guess I need a lot of explainining to do.

"Why? Where are you going Gray-chan?", Marion asked.

"You're not coming with us Filter?", Amber said at sabay na napatingin sina Khael at Marion sa kanya.

"Who's Filter?", they asked in unison.

Amber rolled her eyes. She always do that. Routine na yata nito na ipaikot ang kanyang eyeballs.

"Filter is Gray. You know, like the one we use in editing photos? Grayscale", Amber said. That idea is too
lame but Amber is not good in cracking joke. Well, neither do I.

"I was thinking of a cigarette filter", Khael said.

"Mine was a screen. We can use that in filtering right?", wika naman ni Marion. I want to put my palm in
my face. People!

"Out with the filter thing! Bakit hindi ka sasama sa amin Silvan? Are you abandoning your best buddy
now?", Khael said. He even acted like he was hurt.

Paano ko ba lulusutan to? I can't just tell them that 'hey, kayo na lang dahil mag-iimbestiga pa ako sa
laboratory'.

I cannot do that dahil paniguradong sasama si Amber. Knowing her, she's the most stubborn person that
I have ever known.

"I-I'm", shit! I don't have any alibi.

"What?"

"I-I -"
"Let me guess. You want to pop? Nasobrahan ka yata sa kain kanina eh. Ikaw ang pinakamatagal
natapos eh", Khael said with a big grin.

I guess I have no other choice but to ride in his silly and well, disgusting idea. I slowly nodded my head at
natawa naman silang tatlo at lumayo sa akin.

A major turn off! But who cares? As long as I can identify whoever is X, I don't mind no matter how off it
is.

"Fine! Happy popping!", masiglang bati ni Amber at hinila na sina Marion at Khael. I watched them
habang papalayo sila and when they're out of my sight, I immediately ran towards the main laboratory.

Gaya ng inaasahan ko ay naroon pa si Inspector Dean. I texted him, to wait for me at the lab dahil
magsasagawa ako ng further investigation. Mabuti na lang at pumayag ito.

"Why Ivan? You find some angles in this case?", he asked me habang panay ang paglilibot ko sa loob.
Nasa labas pa rin ang police ribbon na may nakasulat na POLICE LINE DO NOT CROSS.

"Sort of. I'm not convinced na hanggang sa pagtuturo lamang na may kinalaman si X sa nangyari ang
codes na iniwan ni Maam Sera. I'm sure that there is more."
Ipinagpatuloy ko ang ginagawa. It took me 2 hours but the only peculiar things that I have observed
around was the chemical symbols na nasa pictogram. I'm not really sure if Maam Sera wrote it or some
random students did, but I cannot drop the possibility na maaring codes nga iyon. I also noticed in the
calendar that the number 3 was encircled. I wonder what's with December 3. Pwede rin namang
reminder lang iyon dati ni Maam Sera para sa activities na gagawin niya noong December 3. I just found
it strange dahil kung reminder nga ito, sana ay may ibang mga petsa din na nakabilog doon. It's strange
dahil tanging iyon lamang ang bukod-tanging nakabilog. It also seems that Mrs. Sera is not the type who
used to mark calendars for reminders.

The day lasted but I'm still clueless of X's real identity.

Mabilis na dumaan ang mga araw and today was Khael's birthday. I cannot disturb him now dahil ayon
sa kanya ay may exams ito. Maybe I'll just invite him to an overnight drinking at a bar. Yun ang palagi
niyang sinasabi sa akin dati. He wanted to reach the legal age and the first thing that he would do is that
he will go to a bar and drink the night out.

I wonder why he wished to do such thing. Like I said, Khael is quiet weird at times. I texted him to wish
him a happy birthday.

'Happy Birthday Dude. Let's drink the night out by the weekend.'

It only took a few minutes at agad itong nagreply. Mukhang nakaharap ito sa cellphone all this time.
'Thanks best buddy! Aasahan ko yan!'

Sinamahan pa niya iyon ng isang kissing emoticon. Tsk! Ang bakla nito paminsan-minsan. Tinawag pa
akong best buddy. Oh well, I guess that's better than him calling me bestfriend. That's so fucking gay!
Baka nagkataon ay masapak ko pa ito.

I went to school and nothing really happened. No cases, no notice from X, lahat ay panay leksyon. I
always feel bored at school. It's not that alam ko na lahat ng itinuturo sa klase, well not to boast but I
already knew most of it.

Sinulyapan ko si Amber mula sa harapan ko. Her gaze was focused on the front ngunit panay ang
pagsusulat ng kamay nito. She's not really writing, the truth is she's just doodling nonsense things.

Nabitawan nito ang hawak na balllpen ng mahinang siniko ito ni Jeremy. She gave him a deadly glare at
tumuwid naman ng upo ang huli.

I diverted my gaze into Jeremy. He used to be a nerd but now he's - well he still a nerd but not
physically. Sa ngayon ay kinababaliwan nito si Sherlock Holmes. When I told him that he can borrow
books from me, naging suki na siya sa room namin. He even like to quote the book's line and that makes
him suspicious. Jeremy used to quote Holmes and so as X. Hindi kaya siya si X? Ngunit kung siya man si
X, he wouldn't obviously quote the book to us dahil magiging kahina-hinala ito.
Well I'm hoping that he's not X. I can't imagine him being the smart and cunning X.

**

I woke up feeling lightheaded the next morning. Well, happy birthday to me. Mom and Dad were not
around dahil nasa abroad sila that's why she gave me her early gift which was the car. She told me that
she's throwing a party for me kapag nakabalik na sila. I refused to so they decided na munting salo-salo
na lang.

Agad akong naligo at nagbihis para sa klase. I dropped by at the cafeteria to grab some cup of coffee
because breakfast is not my thing.

After I finished my coffee ay pumunta na ako sa classroom. Nobody knows about my birthday maliban
na lamang kay Amber at Marion. Not unless ipinagkalat nila na kaarawan ko ngayon.

Pagdating ko doon ay wala pa ang guro namin. I glanced at my wristwatch. Limang minuto na lang ay
magsisimula na ang klase. It's rare for our first period instructor to be late kaya nakapagtatakang wala pa
ito.
Iilan lang din sa mga classmates ko ang nandoon. I wonder where are the others. Pagpasok ko ay siya
ding pagpasok ni Marcus.

"Nasaan ang iba?", I asked him.

"Faculty meeting ulit eh", wika niya at tuluyang pumasok. Faculty meeting again? I guess it has
something to do with the incident at the laboratory at mga Yuletide activities. I went to my chair and I
observed na wala doon si Amber. Wala rin ang bag nito.

"Happy Birthday Gray-chan!", sigaw ni Marion. Pinasabog niya ang hawak na confetti at kinuha ang
maliit na cake na may kandila.

Oh, thoughtful din pala ang annoying na si Marion. Yes, she's very beautiful, the kind that still looks
gorgeous even though sweaty and messy. Nagtataka nga ako kung bakit ipinagsisiksikan niya ang sarili sa
akin. I don't do relationships, neither hook ups. I'm too young for that and besides, I agree with Sherlock
Holmes when he said 'The emotional qualities are

antagonistic to clear reasoning'. As far as I can do, I cannot let anything destructs my clear reasoning.

"Thank you so much Marion, I really appreciate it", pasasalamat ko sa kanya.

"Shall I kiss you a happy birthday then?", tanong nito at unti-unting lumapit sa akin. I cannot push her
away, that's very rude. Bigla na lamang tumunog ang cellphone ko.

Saved by the bell!

Nagkaroon ako ng excuse na tumayo at umalis doon. "Excuse me Marion, I have to answer this call",
paalam ko sa kanya at lumayo. The one calling was an unregistered number yet I chose to answer it than
to received Marion's kiss.

"Hello?", bati ko sa kabilang linya.

"Hey, mind going at the gate and receive your birthday gift from me and Cronus", wika ng nasa kabilang
linya. I'm sure it was that guy.

I don't want him to wait for me kaya agad akong pumunta sa labas ng Bridle. I saw him outside,
nakasandal ito sa kanyang kotse habang nilalaro sa kanyang mga daliri ang kumpol ng susi. Tumuwid siya
ng tayo nang makita ako at agad na inihagis sa akin ang susi na kinuha nito mula sa bulsa.

"What's this?", I asked him. That was actually a silly question. I know that it's a key.
"A key", simpleng wika nito.

"A key for what?"

"Cronus' gift for you", itinuro niya ang kotseng nasa likuran ko. When I looked back I was surprised to
see the car.

What the fuck! It's a Porsche Carrera 4S Cabriolet! I'm not really a sucker for a car but it was a fucking
porsche! I cannot accept it. It's from his illegal transactions. I was about to toss back the key to that guy
ngunit mas nauna itong magsalita.

"Don't ever think of returning it to me. You have no idea how much beating I get from Cronus kapag may
ibinibigay siyang bagay sa iyon ngunit hindi mo tinatanggap. As of my gift", he opened his car's door and
got something. It wasn't wrapped in any birthday wrapper kaya alam ko na agad kong ano iyon. It was a
watch.

"That's the first watch I bought through my savings in my allowance. It's the same as mine at binili ko
yan noong nag-aaral pa ako sa Minnesota. Kung ayaw mo ay ibigay mo na lang sa iba", wika niya at
sumakay na sa kotse. He started the engine and I was expecting na aalis na ito doon ngunit sa halip ay
pumasok ito ng Bridle.

I stared at the watch. Katulad nga iyon ng suot niya. I felt guilty somehow. Maybe it's not his fault that
we're born of an evil father but I still despise him. It's not his fault to be a son of Cronus yet it is already
his fault that he did bad things as Cronus does.

Tinanggal ko ang suot kong relo at isinuot ang ibinigay ko Cooler. Sinulyapan ko naman ang itim na kotse
sa likuran ko. If Cronus is thinking na madadala ako sa binigay niyang kotse, well I'm not. I took a deep
sigh at pumasok sa kotse and drove it inside Bridle.

Pagbaba ko ay pinagtitingnan ako ng mga estudyante. Yeah, I got a Porsche car from my mafia boss hell
of a father.

Muli kong nasulyapan ang kotse ni Cooler. It was now heading towards the main gate but this time hindi
na siya nag-iisa. Kasama niya ang nakabusangot na si Amber.

Where the hell is he taking her? I was mentally torturing myself whether I should follow them or not.
Ngunit naisip ko rin naman, why should I follow them? Ano ngayon kung magkasama sila?
I decided to leave them alone and I headed towards the boy's dormitory. When I went to my afternoon
class ay wala pa rin si Amber and I don't know why I am annoyed. Was it because I knew that she's with
Cooler?

Sa tabi ko naman ay ang nakabusangot na si Marion. She waited for me to come back but I didn't.
Ibinigay na lang niya sa iba ang cake dahil sa inis niya sa akin. I felt guilty somehow so I apologized and
she immediately accepted it.

Natapos ang lahat ng klase namin sa hapon na walang nagpapakita na Amber Sison. Not even her
shadow! Agad kong kinuha ang cellphone ko and I dialled her number. Matagal-tagal bago niya iyon
sinagot. Nang sagutin na niya iyon ay agad ko siyang tinanong without even greeting her.

"Where are you? Alam mo bang dalawang quiz ang namiss mo ngayong hapon?"

Alam kong pinapaikot na naman niya ang eyeballs niya ngayon. Yeah, that's Amber.

"I'm home and I won't be around tomorrow too kaya magkita na lang tayo sa venue. Bye!", she
immediately hang up.
I sighed. Palagi na lang niya akong binababaan ng telepono. Oh, hindi lang naman ako. Lahat yata ng
tumatawag dito ay binababaan niya palagi ng telepono.

I somehow felt relieved knowing na hindi na nito kasama si Cooler sa mga oras na ito. Tomorrow will be
her debut and I was a little excited about it. Yes, just a little. I'm fond of her, inaamin ko. I want to
protect her no matter what and I don't want her hanging out with any other guy. Not even Khael.

I'm not entertaining any fond feelings though. Ewan. Hindi ko alam. All I know is that I don't want
anyone for Amber.

Ngayon ko lang natanto! Amber didn't greet me. Alam naman niyang birthday ko diba? Why do I feel
pissed about it? Kung hindi niya maalala na kaarawan ko ngayon, then fine! I guess I'll celebrate my
birthday tonight with my roommates.

Pagdating ko sa dorm ay may nakalapag na regalo doon. Kanino naman galing ito? There wasn't any
name of whoever sent in the small box. Hindi kaya galing ito kay X? Bumukas ang pinto at iniluwa niyon
si Jeff. I decided to ask him first if he know whoever sent the little box bago ko bubuksan iyon.

"Hey Jeff. Do you have any idea about from whom this box came from?", tanong ko sa kanya.
"Ah, that box? Binigay yan sa akin nung roommate yata ni Amber na si Andi. Pinapabigay daw sa iyo eh",
he answered at nang marinig ko na galing iyon kay Amber ay agad kong binuksan iyon. How stupid of
me. Inisip ko pa naman na kinalimutan ni Amber ang tungkol sa kaarawan ko.

When I opened the box ay bumulaga sa akin ang isang ipod na may kasamang headset. Mayroon ding
note doon at agad kong binasa iyon.

"Happy Birthday Gray! I spent few sleepless nights just to think of what I should give you. Then I
remember the time that you listen to my phone's songs and you praise my choice of music so I decided
to download all my favorite music for you to listen to it. You can just delete them if you want."

-Amber.

Naalala ko nga noong pinakialaman ko ang headset nito. It was during our community service. She slept
on my shoulder at natanggal ang isang headset na suot nito and I listen to her genre of songs which I
really like too.

Agad kong kinuha ang ipod at headset upang pakinggan ang mga nakadownload na music doon. It was
Dashboard Confessional, Bastille, Simple Plan, Maroon 5, Boys like Girls, Fall Out Boys, One Republic and
other bands. Naroon din ang mga kanta ng paborito kong banda na Faber Drive at The Script. She's a girl
but she's not into OPM and other lovesongs and I found her awesome for it. I don't know how but I just
found myself lying on my bed with my eyes closed habang nakalagay sa tenga ko ang headset at
pinapakinggan ang mga kanta mula sa ipod na ibinigay ni Amber.
That night, I brought Marwin and Jeff at the nearest restaurant. Pagkatapos naming kumain ay umuwi
na kami bago pa man kami maabutan. We were about to ride in my car nang namataan ko ang isang pet
shop sa gilid ng kinainan namin. I asked them to wait for a while habang pumasok naman ako doon sa
petshop.

"Good evening Sir!", bati ng babaeng naroon. "Gusto niyo po ng pet sir?"

I looked around. Marami ngang pwedeng pagpilian. There were white mice, fishes, rabbit, cat, dog, even
a chipmunk. Alin kaya ang magugustuhan ni Amber dito?

"Ano ba ang magandang iregalo Miss?", I asked the lady. She smiled at me at tinuro ang isda na nasa
fishbowl.

"Eto po Sir."

I don't think Amber like fishes so I dropped the fish from my choices.

"Ano pa?", I asked her again.

"Kung mahilig po sa reptiles ang pagreregalohan niyo, mayroon po kaming ahas."

Another No-no! Baka ma-flying kick ako ni Amber ng wala sa oras kapag nagkataong niregalohan ko ito
ng ahas. And what's up with the saleslady? Walang kwenta ang inirerekomenda nitong pet na panregalo.

I was about to leave the shop nang paulit-ulit na tinahol ako ng isang tuta. It was a white poodle.
Malamlam ang mga mata nito habang nakatingin sa akin at panay tahol. I stared at the puppy for a while
and he also stared back at me.

That's it!

Muli akong lumapit at tinanong ang babae. "Miss, how much is this poodle puppy here?"

**

Pakiramdam ko ay ang tagal nang takbo ng oras. Today is Amber's birthday at mamayang gabi ang party
na gaganapin sa isang hotel para sa kanyang debut. I was half listening to our teacher habang panay ang
pagtuturo nito tungkol sa history.

Gusto ko nang matapos ang araw at mag-gabi na upang makapunta na ako sa party ni Amber. Kung
pwede pa lang hilahin ang oras ay malamang ginawa ko na.
"Gray, you look very uneasy. Excited ka na sa party ni Amber mamayang gabi?", tanong ng nerd na
katabi ni Amber na si Jeremy.

What the fuck?! Is he an oracle upang mabasa niya ang iniisip ko? Kahit na natumbok niya iyon, there's
no way that I will admit it.

"Of course not. Pagod lang ako", wika ko sa kanya.

"I'm so excited for tonight. I already prepare my black dress for tonight", komento naman ni Marion.

"Why black? Naglalamay ka ba?", tanong ni Jeremy kaya Marion. Darn nerd! Kapag ba nagsuot ng itom
ay maglalamay na agad?

Oh as of my outfit for tonight, I already prepared a blue polo under a black coat. Amber's debut motiff
was blue so I choose blue as my polo.

"Tanga! Naglalamay lang ba ang pwedeng magsuot ng itim?", Marion asked him and he shook his head.
"Ewan ko sayo!", inis na wika ni Marion at hindi na ito pinansin. These two have been enemy for few
days and looks like they're enjoying it.

Matagal din bago natapos ang araw but atleast it ended. Agad akong naligo at inihanda ang sarili ko. I
have to look good tonight.

Damn, that's too gay! Bakit kailangan kong pomorma? I'm just Amber's escort. It's not that she will
introduce me to people.

The invitation says thag the party will start by seven in the evening at malapit na ring mag-alas syete.
Nakahanda na ako and I'm on my way towards the parking lot. Bago ako lumas ng dorm ay nasulyapan
ko ang malaking kalendaryo namin. There was a circle to the date December 11. I was the one who did
it. Sinadya ko iyon upang gayahin ang nakita kong kalendaryo sa laboratory kung saan nakita ang
bangkay ni Maam Sera.

The main lab wasn't sealed by now. Sa katunayan ay magdadalawang araw na mula ng tinanggal ng pulis
ang nakaseal doon.

Sa kakatingin ko sa kalendaryo ay may bumabagabag sa akin. We have a big calendar here at the dorm
and it was really big compared to the laboratory's calendar.
Why do I feel uneasy? Is it because of excitement? Ako na rin ang sumagot sa tanong kong iyon. I felt
uneasy because of this calendar here. Maybe I should visit the laboratory for a while.

Sinulyapan ko ang suot kong relo. It was the one that was given by that guy. It's still quarter to seven and
a little tour to the laboratory wouldn't do any harm.

The lab was still open when I arrived there. The new incharge was Mrs. Roja, another science teacher
but unlike Maam Sera, she wasn't a chemist.

Pumayag siya ng sabihin kong may titingnan lang ako sa loob. I went first to the small calendar which
was bothering me. Why does Dec 3 is encircled. Dahil maliit lang ang kalendaryong iyon ay Dec lang ang
nakalagay doon sa halip na December. I stared at it ngunit wala talaga akong maisip na kung ano mang
espesyal sa Dec 3.

I went to see the pictogram kung saam may nakalagay na malaking X. Who the hell is this X? He is really
giving me a hard time.

Napadako ang tingin ko sa mga nakasulat doon.

KHS.

LiOH.
NaOH.

Aren't they're chemical symbols? No. I'm positive that they're chemical compound symbols! I knew it
since I'm good in balancing chemical equations as well as in naming chemical compounds.

KHS stands for Potassium hydrosulfide. LiOH is for Lithium Hydroxide while NaOH is for Sodium
Hydroxide.

Something in my head popped. What's common with these three chemical compound? Damn! My mind
doesn't seem to function well.

Bigla na lamang tumunog ang cellphone ko but I ignored it. Ayaw ko ng istorbo kapag ganiting may
iniisip ako. Nang mapatay ang tawag ay saka ko lang naisip ang oras! I immediately glanced at my watch.

Damn it! It's fifteen minutes past seven. Ibig sabihin ay magtatatlompung minuto na ako dito sa
laboratory?!

Agad kong kinuha ang cellphone ko mula sa bulsa. 3 missed calls and 8 messages. All calls were from
Amber at ang anim na mensahe. Binuksan ko ang mga mensahe niya.

'Where are you?'

'Gray?'

'Magsisimula na.'

'Are you on the way?'

'Graaaaay? Nagsimula na.'

May mga dumating din na bagong mensahe and it was from Khael and Marion at pareho nila akong
hinahanap.

The last message was a sad emoticon sent by Amber and I somewhat felt guilty. Agad ko siyang
tinawagan but she wasn't answering. Marahil ay nagsimula na nga doon kaya abala na ito. Tinago ko ang
cellphone ko sa bulsa.

Muli kong hinarap ang chemical symbols na nasa harapan ko. The laboratory's computer was open so I
decided to do a little research. I typed potassium hydroxide which was the chemical used by Maam Sera
to remove her hair easily as well as the chemical that she drank.
Agad namang nagload iyon at nagdisplay ng mga impormasyon sa naturang chemical. I read the data
and I found the chemical compound that were written on the pictogram!

Potassium hydrosulfide is potassium hydroxide's related compound which was its anion or a negatively
charged ion. The Lithium hydroxide and Sodium hydroxide were related compounds if the potassium
hydroxide and they were other cations or positively charged ions!

Saka lamang promoseso sa utak ko ang ibig sabihin ng kalendaryo. The 3 in Dec 3 was encircled but it
doesn't pertains to Dec 3 itself! It must refer to the 3rd month of each year which was abbreviated in
that calendar as Mar, shortcut for March.

If we connect it with the chemical symbols which are the ions, it would be Mar and ion!

X is Marion!

The next thing I did is that I rushed out of the laboratory and went straight to my car and hurried to the
hotel.

Damn! Amber is in danger!

**

A/N: Nagstruggle ako sa code na ito! Haha! I didn't planned it on the very first time I created Marion's
character. Umayon lang talaga ang chemistry sa akin! Haha! Ang hirap kayang gumamit ng mga
chemicals and other science things! At mas lalong mahirap magsulat ng POV ni Gray Hahahahaha :D

May nakahula na si X si Marion pero di niyo naisip yung code ano?! Haha! Ako nga din! Ang hirap ng
code na yun! Mabuti na lang matalino si Gray!
Vote and comment for this special chapter and look forward for Chapter 57! Like I said, babalik tayo
doon sa birthday ni Khael, sa date ni Cooler at Amber (well it's not really a date) and Amber's point of
view on her birthday as well as on Gray's birthday.

Yun lang, shut up na ako. Goodnight!

P.S. My regards to the nocturnal readers! Magda yung peg ninyo! Tulog sa umaga, gising sa gabi. (That
was lame! xD)

Ciao!

-Shinichilaaaabs ♥

CHAPTER 57: ESCAPE GONE WRONG

Chapter 57: Escape Gone Wrong

A/N: Pass muna tayo sa case kasi mukha na talaga silang murder magnets Haha!

I can't believed it na dalawang araw na lang ay nasa legal na edad na ako. Today is December 9 and oh!

It's Khael's birthday today! Ano nga bang maari kong iregalo sa unggoy na iyon? Should I give him
bananas?

No. Not bananas. Malamang marami iyong supply ng saging. Hmm, how about a harness? Para naman
sigurado akong ligtas ako sa mga "akyat gate" missions nito.
Maybe he doesn't need a harness. Magaling siyang kumapit diba? How about a trampoline at ng sa
ganoon ay tatalon na lang ito sa halip na umakyat?

I rolled my eyes on my own stupidity. Kinuha ko ang cellphone ko at idinial ang number ni Khael. It's still
six in the morning kaya marahil ay naghahanda na ito upang pumasok. Agad naman niyang sinagot ang
tawag ko.

"Atlast Special A! I've been waiting for your call or text since 12 am!", wika nito.

Uh, does he really have to wait? Bilib talaga ako sa mga taong sinasalubong ang birthday nila. Well not
me. Tinutulugan ko lamang iyon. 12 am calls are the serious one at ayaw kong magdrama ng ganoon ka
aga.

"Who told you to wait?"

"Wala. Sabi ko nga diba? Sige na Special A, simulan mo na ang speech mo", wika nito.
Meh! Who told him that I will be giving him a speech?

"I'm hanging up now. Itetext ko na lang ang HBD ko sayo", I told him and he chuckled.

"You're hurting me Special A", wika nito ngunit bahagyang natawa.

"Happy Birthday Khael. Saka ko na lang ibibigay ang gift ko kapag nagkita tayo. Probably on my birthday.
I have to hang up now, do good in your exams by the way."

May sinabi pa ito ngunit agad ko nang pinatay ang tawag. Tumayo na ako sa kama at nagpunta sa banyo
upang maligo.

This day is very boring. Wala akong nagawa sa buong klase kundi punuin ng mga walang kwentang sulat
ang likurang bahagi ng notebook ko.

Bigla na lang nahulog ang hawak kong ballpen ng mahina akong siniko ni Jeremy. What's his problem?!
I gave him a deadly glare at agad naman itong nagfocus sa harapan but he slipped a piece of paper on
my desk. Nang kinuha ko iyon at tiningnan ay may nakasulat doon.

*Gray is staring at you from behind.*

Kumunot ang noo ko sa sinulat niya. Malamang Gray is staring from behind. Nasa likuran ko siya kaya
kung titingnan man niya ako it would be from behind -

Wait.

Why would Gray be staring at me? Agad kong pinulot ang ballpen at nagsulat doon.

*What kind of stare?*

Ipinasa ko iyon sa kanya at patagong kinuha naman niya iyon upang basahin. We're trying our best not
to get caught dahil kapag nahuli kami ay katakot-takot na detention ang aabutin namin. Napaubo ako ng
basahin ko ang isinulat ni Jeremy.

*Lust look.*

What the hell! Ano ba ang alam nito sa mga ganoong bagay? And lust look?! That's kinda disgusting!
Nagsulat ako at ibinalik ang papel sa kanya.

*Shut up.*

Nagsulat ito ulit at ipinasa ulit sa akin ang papel. I rolled my eyes when I read what he wrote.

*Lust look. Yun bang Huling Pagtingin. Tawa ka na HAHAHAHAHAHA*

Gumuhit pa ito ng isang emoticon na nakatawa. Oh another Jeremy's trash. I never saw it coming. He
must mean last look. Siguro kailangan muna nitong magworkshop sa pagjojoke. Nilakumos ko na ang
papel bago pa man madagdagan ang walang kwentang joke nito.

Lumipas ang araw na wala masyadong nangyari. The class ended at agad akong umuwi ng dorm dahil
aalis pa ako. I'll be buying gifts for Gray and Khael. Matapos magbihis ay agad akong umalis ng Bridle at
nagpunta sa mall kasama si Andi.

"Amber wag kang swapang. Dapat isa lang sayo. Sino ba talaga, si Khael o si Gray?", tanong ni Andi
habang naglilibot kami sa mall.

Pinigilan ko ang sariling sapakin ito. Oh, si Gray at Khael ay pawang kaibigan ko lang. What's with buying
your friend a gift anyway? Wala naman sigurong masama doon.

"Andi wag mo ngang bigyan ng walang kwentang kahulugan ang pagkakaibigan naming tatlo", wika ko sa
kanya.

Bigla na lamang itong napatigil at napaisip. "Pero Amber ganito kasi yun. Crush ka ni Khael tapos crush
mo naman si Gray."
What?! Who told her that I had a crush on Gray! Wala kaya! Hindi ko siya crush! Hindi talaga! Hinding-
hindi! Promise di talaga!

"I don't have a crush on Gray."

Pinisil niya ang ilong. "Ayy, humaba ang ilong ni Pinocchio." I pushed away her fingers from my nose.
"Alam mo kung magiging movie ang lovelife mo, ang themesong ay Mahal ko o Mahal ako. Aheem", she
started singing the song. "Sinong pipiliin ko? Mahal ko o mahal ako?"

Nagpatiuna na akong lumakad sa kanya at iniwan ito. "Ewan ko sayo."

Gabi na ng makauwi kami ni Andi. Mabuti na lang at hindi kami naabutan ng curfew! God, chosing a gift
for a guy is very time consuming! Ang hirap pang pumili ng maaring iregalo! In the end, I picked an ipod
for Gray at isang malaking unan naman na may nakaprint na unggoy ang binili ko kay Khael. It was
cheaper compared to my gift for Gray ngunit alam kong magugustuhan naman ito ni Khael.

Wag lang sana silang mag-inarte! Ang hirap kayang pumili ng bibilhin para sa kanila.

I woke up early the next day ngunit nagtagal ako sa cafeteria. I'm eating my breakfast ng nakita ko si
Jeremy. When I glanced at my watch, it's ten minutes before the first period ngunit nasa cafeteria pa ito.
You will seldom see him outside the classroom dahil madalas, twenty minutes before the class ay nasa
classroom na ito. He's never been late for all of his life.

Bumili ito ng freshmilk at agad din namang lumabas ng cafeteria ngunit bago pa man ito makaalis ay
tinawag ko ito.

"Hey Jeremy, wala pa ba ang first period teacher natin?", I asked him. He looked at me at umiling.

"May usap-usapang faculty meeting ulit ngayon", he said at matapos magpasalamat dito ay agad na
itong umalis. Ipinagpatuloy ko naman ang pagkain ko.

Nang dumami na ang mga kaklase ko na nasa cafeteria ay mas pinili kong magtagal muna dito. Looks like
walang iniwang seatwork o activity ang subject teacher namin unlike the other sections.

I spent almost 30 minutes inside the cafeteria at nang lumabas ako ay natanaw ko ang isang pamilyar na
sasakyan. Huminto ito sa harap ko at binuksan ang shotgun ride.

"Good morning Amber! Care for a ride?", tanong ng driver and it was Cooler. Bumaba ito ng sasakyan at
bago pa man ako makasagot ay bigla na lang niya kong binuhat at ipinasok sa loob ng kanyang kotse.
"On the second thought, I'm not asking for your opinion", wika niya at inilapag ako sa loob ng sasakyan.
Agad siyang tumakbo papunta sa driver's side at pinaharurot ang sasakyan.

"Hey, what do you think you're doing Cooler?", tanong ko sa kanya na nakabusangot ang mukha.
Napansin ko ang isang itim na bagong porsche na pumasok ng Bridle at iniluwa niyon si Gray.

He's driving a porsche?!

"I'm eloping with you" Cooler said with a big smile. Ibinaling ko na lang ang paningin ko sa labas bago ko
pa ma'smash ang mukha nito sa dashboard ng sarili niyang kotse.

"Okay, that look is scary. I'm taking you somewhere. Kumbaga pre-birthday treat", wika niya. His gaze
was still focused on the road.

"You should be treating your brother and not me", wika ko.

"Naaah. Baka bugbugin lang ako niyon. You know how much he despises me."
Oo nga pala. Hindi pala sila magkasundo. Ni hindi nga maatim ni Gray na tawagin ito sa kanyang
pangalan.

"What are you doing here this early by the way?", tanong ko sa kanya.

"I delivered Cronus' gift for Gray", sagot niya.

"You mean that black porsche?", I asked and he nodded.

Spoiled rich brats! An 18-year old is driving a porsche? Uh, how spoiled.

"But it looks like he doesn't like it. I'm expecting him tonight at the mansion upang isauli niya ang
sasakyan. I know he doesn't like things that were acquired through the mafia's transaction", wika ni
Cooler.

Enough of this conversation. Lumalayo na kami sa Bridle.

"Aren't you go tell me where are we going?", tanong ko sa kanya. Sumandal ako atvnapahalukipkip.
Good thing hindi nito pinapalipad ang pagmamaneho.

"I told you I'm giving you a pre-birthday treat", sagot nito.

"With me in these uniform?"

"Why? You want to strip naked?", he asked with a naughty smile. Kinuha ko ang car freshener na nakita
ko doon at binato iyon sa kanya.

"Shut up pervert!"

Natawa lang ito at nagpatuloy sa pagmamaneho. "By the way thanks for the invitation Amber. Asahan
mo ako bukas."

Itinuon ko sa labas ang paningin. "Sabi ng sumobra lang ang invitation kaya ko kaya ko kayo binigyan."
"You know you're not a good liar", wika niya. "I'm looking forward to be your last dance."

"Uh, it's Gray. He will be my escort tomorrow", pagbibigay alam ko sa kanya.

"I'm jealous."

"Shut up Cooler."

"I'm really jealous."

"Wala akong pakialam."

"You're so hard on me", natatawang wika nito. I rolled my eyes at him. Inihinto niya ang sasakyan sa
harap ng isang amusement park.

"Anong gagawin natin dito?", I asked when he pulled the car on one side.

"May dadalawin sa sementeryo", seryosong wika niya.

"Walang sementeryo sa amusement park!", I hissed at him.

"Exactly!"

Mahinang sinuntok ko siya at lumabas ng kotse. Maaga pa lamang ngunit marami-rami na ang tao sa
amusement park.
I received stares from people. Marahil ay nagtataka sila kung ano ang ginagawa ng isang estudyante na
nakasuot pa ng uniform and it's class hours sa ganitong amusement. Oh yeah, I ditched class!

"Ang ganda mo. Tinitingnan ka ng mga tao", komento ni Cooler and I gave him a deadly glare.

"They're thinking why there's a student in an amusement park lalo na at umagang-umaga", wika ko sa
kanya.

He laughed heartily. "Don't burst my bubble. Alam mo bang iniisip ko na naiinggit sila sa akin dahil may
kasama akong magandang babae?"

I gave him a punch in a gut at napangiwi naman ito. "You're really a sadist. Since you love mysteries, let's
watch a magic show", wika niya at hinila ako papasok sa entrance ng amusement park.

We went to a hall kung saan may nakalagay na tarpaulin sa labas.

MOJO MAGIC SHOW

Open every Mon-Fri from 9 am to 10:30 am ~

Witness a spectacular magic brought to you by Mojo ~

I'm not into magic dahil naniniwala akong wala naman talagang magic. It's all tricks and illusions that
were used to make people think na may magic nga.

Pumwesto na kami sa harapan. Cooler paid for everything. It's his pre-birthday treat as what he said
anyway. I'm just taking advantage of his generosity.

I was frowning all the time nang naupo kami. Kumunot ang noo ni Cooler ng lingunin niya ako.

"Could you atleast pretend that you're enjoying?", he asked. He was excited for the show. Well, what's
to be excited about?

"I'm not into magic. Tayo lang ang niloloko ng mga magician na yan", paliwanag ko sa kanya.

"They don't intend to fool us. They intend to entertain us", pagkontra naman ni Cooler.
"Exactly. They entertain us through fooling us."

"Ah! Please don't poison my mind. Kahit anong sabihin mo ay naniniwala pa rin ako sa magic", he said at
itinuon ang atensyon sa stage nang bigla na lamang namatay ang ilaw at nagkaroon ng spotlight sa
stage.

Isang lalaki ang umakyat sa stage. He was wearing a black tuxedo at nakasuot ito ng maskara na
tinatakpan ang mata niya. Uh, reminds me of the mafia's guys.

"He looks like one of your goons", wika ko. "They also dressed like that when I saw them before."

"Uh, please Amber don't say it. I'm thinking of the same thing too", natatawang sagot nito.

"Magandang umaga sa inyong lahat! Are you ready to witness Mojo's magic? Wag kayong kukurap!", the
guy said at muling namatay ang nga ilaw.

Meh, I'm sure they're using the absence of light to set up their trick! Nang bumalik ang ilaw ay may
maliit na mesa sa harapan. Mojo was holding three cups at iwinagayway niya iyon sa audience kasama
ng tatlong bola.

Mojo put one ball in one cup and nested the other two cups above it. When he pulled the middle cup,
the ball was there.
"Whoah! That ball was inside the first cup but now it's in the middle cup? Did he makes the ball
penetrate in the second cup?", amazed na tanong ni Cooler.

Then Mojo put another ball in the cup. He separated it with the other cups but when he got the other
cup, the ball was there at wala na sa unang cup na pinaglagyan nito. He did another trick using only the
three cups and the balls. He stacked the cups, making the balls seems like it penetrated through the
cups. In the last part of his performance, all three balls are in the first cup kahit pa inilagay niya iyon sa
tatlong cup ng isa-isa.

"Mojo is awesome!", Cooler exclaimed kasabay ng palakpak.

I roll ed my eyes at him. "The trick to such performance is a secret fourth ball. Also he uses misdirection
to trick us. He wants us to focus our attention to the cups and balls because his hand is doing the trick",
paliwanag ko kay Cooler.

"But I didn't noticed anything!"

"Well that's exactly his plan that's why he uses misdirection", wika ko sa kanya. Mukha itong bata na
naeexcite sa susunod na gagawin ng magician.

The next thing that Mojo did is that he got aluminum pan with a lid. Iniharap niya iyon sa audience and
the pan seems empty.
He poured some volatile liquid inside the pan. Kumuha ito ng apoy at sinunog ang loob ng hawak nito.
He slammed the lid to extinguished the fire.

Naghintay naman ang lahat ng naroon kung ano ang mangyayari. After a while ay pinabuksan niya sa
isang audience ang hawak-hawak and then suddenly a dove flew from the pan. Lumipad ito at dumapo
sa balikat ng audience na nasa stage. Applause filled the area matapos iyon.

"Oh, I don't know that we can produce a dove from fire!", wika ni Cooler.

I gave him a bored look. "The secret to that trick is the lid. There is a liner there or another pan in that lid
kung saan nakalagay ang kalapati. You noticed that he didn't properly showed the lid to us? It's because
of that trick."

"You're spoiling my amazement", wika niya. Oh. Am I?

"Uh, I'm just explaining the trick behind it", I answered him.
Marami pang ginawa si Mojo na trick sa kanyang show. Naaliw na naman ang nga tao sa kanilang
pinapanood, even this guy beside me! Mukha itong bata na panay palakpak sa bawat magic trick na
ipinapakita ni Mojo.

As a finale, Mojo performed a predicament escape. He went inside a big box, chained and locked. His
assistant locked him up inside the box and then his other assistants came, bringing big swords. They
signaled each other at agad na tinusok ang mga hawak na espada sa malaking box kung nasaan si Mojo.
They used 10 swords at tinusok iyon lahat sa box

Natakot ang mga tao sa trick na ginawa ni Mojo. Lumipas ang ilang minuto ay hinugot ng isang assistant
ang isang espada but when she pulled it out, it was covered with blood!

Napasigaw ang mga tao sa takot. Even Cooler emerged from his seat dahil sa gulat. They pulled another
sword ngunit gaya ng nauna ay may dugo pa rin iyon. The people began fussing about what happened to
Mojo.

"Shit, Amber! There's a critical situation over there!", he said hysterically while I remained calm and
maintained my pokerface.

"Just relax Cooler, it's part of the trick", mahinahon kong wika sa kanya.
"But look! Even the assistants are worried! The swords are covered in blood and Mojo cannot escape
since he is chained! Is it possible that he is murdered?", natataranta pa rin si Cooler. Patuloy pa rin ang
pagkabahala ng mga tao at maging ng mga assistant nito.

Just then the spotlight turned towards the upper part of the hall, near the audience. Nakatuon ito sa
nakangiting si Mojo, safe and unscathed.

Pumalakpak naman ang mga tao. They really thought that he was killed inside the box.

"See? I told you. You may now take your seat Cooler", wika ko sa kanya matapos itong makahinga ng
maluwag nang makita si Mojo.

"I really thought that he was murdered", wika niya at biglang napaupo. "Thank God! I was scared! I
thought that he was killed."

I rolled my eyes at him. It's so ironic that he was scared when he thought that Mojo was killed where in
fact killing is just like drinking your cup of coffee in the mafia. Naalala ko noong nasa Olympus kami kung
saan walang gatol na pinatay ni Artemis ang lalaking katransaction nila with regards to the Pandora box.

"Really, you're scared?"

Pinitik niya ang ilong ko at hinila ako patayo. He pulled me towards the exit at sumunod naman ako.

"I know what you're thinking. Don't worry. I haven't killed anyone, I'm not a reaper and I wasn't caught
yet in a situation where I'm leave with no choice but to kill them", wika niya habang naglalakad kami.

I don't know why but I immediately believed him when he said that he haven't killed anyone.

"Since you already spoiled my love for magic, would you mind explaining to me that trick? I really
thought he was killed", nakangiting wika niya.

"Easy. You haven't observed that the box is right in front of the curtain which is the background of the
stage. Well I can't blame you for not observing it. The dim surroundings and the spotlight is a great tool
in achieving this trick. He went out in that box probably through a secret passage at the back part of the
box and he passed through the curtain", I explained to him. Well, I'm not really sure but it could be the
possible way.

"But he's chained and locked!"

"Tinanggal niya ang lock ng chain probably using the key that was hidden inside his mouth. And he's only
locked from the front and not at the back, who knows that there is another door there." Matamang
nakikinig si Cooler sa paliwanag ko.
"How about the blood? At paano siya nakarating doon sa taas?", he asked again.

"They must have installed blood bags inside that box that will burst if pricked with a sword causing the
blood to splatter. As of how he arrived above, he made his way towards there. Marahil ay nagdisguise
ito and since people are worried and confused about the situation onstage, hindi siya napansin. That
predicament escape trick is also known as escape gone wrong. The trick is presented initially as escape
acts na mukhang nabulilyaso, giving the audience the impression that the performer must have been

killed. You see, everyone was worried and Mojo used that opportunity to escape. In the end, it will be
revealed to the audience that he is alright but leaving the audience in awe", paliwanag ko sa kanya.

He stopped walking and he made a face. "You seem to know a lot about magic tricks."

I shrugged my shoulders and walked pass him. "Uh, I used to be a reader of Harry Houdini's escapology
tricks."

"Unbelievable!", he said at hinila ako papunta sa isang arcade. He pulled me towards a booth. Basketball
shooting booth.

Naalala ko na magaling pala ito sa basketball. He plays well just like Khael. As of Gray, oh he's brainy.
He's good in deciding a strategy at wag na lang nating pag-usapan ang tungkol sa pagshoot nito. Oh,
mali. He doesn't know how to shoot kaya wag na lang nating pag-usapan ang tungkol sa hindi pagshoot
nito.
"Anong gagawin mo dyan?", I asked him and it was too late to realized that it was a stupid question lalo
na at kalahating engot ang kasama ko, malamang ay isang katakot-takot na pamimilosopo na naman ang
matatanggap ko.

"Uh, on the second thought,wag mo na palang sagutin ang tanong ko. I know you'll be playing basketball
and we're not eating balls here", bawi ko and he laughed.

"You're fast!"

"Ayoko lang mapilosopo."

He paid on the little guy in counter. Nag-inquire pa siya kung ano ang magiging premyo.

"Kailangan po ng 5 consecutive shoots sir upang makuha ang malaking stuffed toy", the guy said and he
pointed on the stuffed toys inside a glass case.

And I was like -

OH MY BAYMAX! I pulled Cooler's shirt at tinuro ang malaking stuffed toy na si Baymax.

"Let's make use of your skill. Shoot 5 times and give me that Baymax stuffed toy over there", wika ko sa
kanya. Uh, I'm really taking advantage of his generosity.

Humarap siya sa akin at nagpokerface. "Hi, I'm Cooler, your personal healthcare companion. At the scale
of 1 to 10, how would you rate your pain?", he asked, imitating Baymax but failing big time.

"Even if you'd be displayed in that glass case, I don't think I'd be picking you over Baymax", wika ko sa
kanya.

Hinawakan niya ang dibdib at umaktong nasaktan. "Awww! That hurts! Now I really need Baymax. I'd
rate my pain at a scale of 10 and it's emotional pain", he said at pinigilan kong matawa sa kanya but I
end up laughing.

"See? You laughed. I mean it you know", he said and he pouted. "But I'm glad. You said you will not pick
me over Baymax, ibig bang sabihin niyan, you would choose me if it would not be Baymax and just the
other stuffed toys over there?", he said at mahinang siniko ako.
Ugh, I can't believe this guy. I pushed him towards the playing area. Medyo malayo din ang distansya ng
ring but I'm not doubting Cooler.

"Dream on Cooler. Just go and get Baymax for me", wika ko. He smiled at kumuha ng bola. People began
gathering around us, oh well, most of them are girls.

They must be jealous with me, I'm with a handsome guy. I don't feel priveleged being with him or any
other handsome guy though. Naalala ko din noong nag-arcade kami ni Khael. He also gained a lot of fans
when we played basketball. He even gained fans when he sang kahit gaano pa nito kasintunado!

I shook my head to clear my mind. Ang landi naman ng utak ko! Why do I keep on remembering those
guys? Una ay si Gray, ngayon naman ay si Khael? Arrgh! Is this some side effect if you're turning 18?

Saka lamang ako nakabalik sa wastong huwisyo ko ng makarinig ako ng palakpakan. When I looked at
Cooler, he already scored 3 consecutive shots.

Uh, that fast?! I heard another clap from the expectators and it was his fourth shot. He made his last
shot at gaya ng mga nauna ay walang kahirap-hirap na ishinoot niya iyon.

Humanga naman ang mga nanuod while I went to the counter to claim my prize. Yes, MY prize even if
Cooler played and not me. Niyakap ko ang malaki at tumataginting na Baymax stuffed toy.
"Ang baba ang kaligayahan mo. I told you, I'm Cooler, your personal health care compa-"

"Please Cooler, wag mong sirain si Baymax", wika ko sa kanya and he gave out a cute chuckle.

Hinila na naman niya ako papunta sa Carousel. Uh, why a carousel?

"I've rode a horse yet I haven't ride on a carousel", wika niya habang nakapamulsang pinanuod ang mga
nasa carousel. Like seriously?

"The opposite of me. I have rode a carousel but never on a horse", wika ko sa kanya. Palagi akong
dinadala nina Mommy sa amusement park dati. It used to be our bond.

"You want to ride a horse? I can teach you horseback riding", he said and I shook my head.

"No thanks. I think horse stinks", wika ko sa kanya. "You want to ride a carousel?", I asked and he shook
his head.

"I was thinking of the roller coaster."

"No way!", I hissed ngunit hinila niya ako. No as in no way! Kung may hindi man ako sasakyan sa isang
amusement park, it would be the roller coaster. Mas pipiliin ko pang sumakay sa isang Ferris Wheel
kaysa dito!

Patuloy pa rin siya sa paghila sa akin and when I saw a metal bench ay kumapit ako doon. He continued
pulling me but I held tightly in the bench. Pinagtitingnan na kami ng mga tao but I don't care as long as
hindi ako makasakay sa roller coaster.

We spent most of our time pulling each other and in the end ay wala kaming nasakyang rides sa
amusement park. He invited me in a fastfood inside the amusement park at kumain kami. He ordered
foods enough for 5 people! Ano ba ang akala niya sa akin, malakas kumain?!

"I felt guilty somehow", wika niya habang kumakain kami. I gave him a questioning look.

"Saan?"

"For my brother", wika niya habang nilalaro ang kinakain na inihaw na manok. Naaawa na ako sa manok!
He murdered it few times using his fork.
Kay Gray? Ano naman ang dapat niya ikaguilty kay Gray?

"Para saan naman?"

Inilapag niya ang kutsara at tinidor sa mesa at hinarap ako. "Today is his birthday and he's supposed to
spend time with you but here you are, I stole you from him. I hope he don't mind total araw-araw ka
naman niyang nakakasama."

Uh, why? Does Gray have to spend time with me porket birthday niya?

"Why should he spend time with me?", naguguluhan kong tanong.

Cooler frowned at me. "Slowpoke! Of course because you are special to him."

Special? Ako special kay Gray? Am I?

"So monggoloid ako?", I joked and he faked a laugh bago muling nagpokerface. Sabi ko na nga na sana
tinago ko na lang ang joke ko sa sarili ko.

"Please, out with a joke. As of our topic, how could you be so smart yet so slow. Hindi mo ba ramdam na
special ka kay Gray?", he asked at napaisip naman ako.

Special ba ako kay Gray? Hmmm, is it because palagi niya akong sinasama kapag may hahawakan siyang
kaso or was it because ako ang unang nakasakay sa bagong kotse niya? You know, his convertible BMW.

"I don't think I'm special", wika ko sa kanya. Naalala ko noong minsang sinabi ni Gray sa akin na he is
falling. "Cooler, I have a question."

"Shoot."

"Anong ibig sabihin kapag sinabi ng lalaki sayo na He is falling. He said it kahit wala naman kayo sa isang
mataas na lugar", wika ko sa kanya and he put his palm on his face. Uh, what now?

"Amber, nagkamicrodeficiency ka siguro noong bata ka pa ano? Hell, you're so slow! Let me guess, it's
my brother, right?", he asked and he let out a naughty smile.
"Si Gray?! Hindi ah! Iba! It's - it's my classmate! Natanong lang niya sa akin!"

He laughed. "You know, you're not really good in lying."

Nag-iwas ako ng tingin sa kanya. "Hindi naman talaga. Just answer it, okay?", wika ko. Paninindigan ko
na ito. Deny to death Amber!

"Ibig sabihin ay gusto ka niya", Cooler said.

"And?"

"Gusto ka niya."
"That's it?", I asked and he nodded.

"Wala kang kwentang kausap, alam mo ba?", naiinis kong wika sa kanya.

"Bakit naman? Magtatanong ka tapos kapag sinagot kita sasabihan mo akong walang kwentang
kausap?"

"Ewan ko sayo", wika ko at ipinagpatuloy ang pagkain.

I excused myself for a while at nagpunta sa CR. Saka ko lang naalala na hindi ko pa pala binabati si Gray!
It's his birthday at naiwan ko pa sa dorm ang regalo ko sa kanya. I blushed when I remembered my gift.
It's an ipod with my favorite songs downloaded in it. Naalala ko kasi noong nagcommunity service kami
at pinakialaman niya ang cellphone ko. He told me I've got a good choice of music kaya iyon na lang ang
naisip kong regalo sa kanya. I just hope that he would like it. Nang maalala ko na dederetso na lang ako
sa amin ay tinawagan ko si Andi. It took a while bago niya iyon sinagot.
"Konichiwa Amber!", masigla nitong bati.

"Andi, you liked Jeff right?", I asked her immediately.

"Yes, why Amber? You like him too? Oh no!", wika nito at napangiwi ako sa kadramahan niya.

"Well, I'm giving you and opportunity to approach him. You see that small box on my bed? Pakibigay yan
kay Jeff at sabihin mong ilagay sa kama ni Gray", wika ko.

"Oh my! Right away!", excited na wika nito. Matapos makapagpasalamat ay pinatay ko na ang tawag at
muling bumalik sa mesa namin ni Cooler.

Marami pa kaming nilaro maghapon. We were enjoying ourselves nang napansin kong panay ang lingon
ni Cooler sa paligid. It's like pakiramdam niya ay may nagmamasid sa kanya. Ginaya ko siya at lumingon
din sa paligid.

Saka ko lamang napansin ang mga lalaking nakasuot ng itim. Nakakalat sila sa paligid at may nga suot
itong headset at panay ang bulong.
Mahinang siniko ko si Cooler. "You recognize those guys, Cooler?"

Tiningnan niya ako ng matiim and he slowly nodded. "Yes, they're from the syndicate that fooled the
Vander mafia and Poseidon end up killing their transactor. Nabunyag din sa kanila na ako ang transactor
ng Vander mafia", wika niya. Seryosong-seryoso ang mukha nito.

Oh no, this is really a serious situation. "What are we going to do now?"

"What do you call Houdini's special trick?", tanong niya sa akin.

"You mean escapology?"

He held my wrist tightly at tiningnan ako. "That's it. When I say run, you run okay?"

I nodded at him.
"Now run!", he said at sabay kaming kumaripas ng takbo.

Hindi ko alam kung gaano na kalayo ang tinakbo namin. Ang alam ko lang ay nakalabas na kami sa
amusement park. Mabuti na lamang at nailagay na namin si Baymax sa kotse ni Cooler at kung
nagkataon ay mahihirapan kaming tumakbo. Napunta kami sa isang mataong lugar, a market to be
exact. Napahinto kami at sabay na napahingal.

"Damn you Cooler, I'm not going out with you again", wika ko sa kanya at panay pa rin ang hingal.

"Who would have thought na may time pa palang mag-amusement park ang mga goons ng sindikatong
iyon?", he said at muling nilingon ang paligid. Masikip ang paligid but he was still observant dahil baka
mayroon na namang goons na humahabol sa amin.

This time, he took a deed sigh. "Amber, what do you call the trick that Mojo used when he escaped in
the box, making the audience worried?", he asked with a very serious face.

Kahit nagtataka ay sinagot ko pa rin siya. "Escape gone wrong. Why?"

"Because that's our situation now", he said at lumapit sa amin ang dalawang lalaki. They wore formal
clothes at hinawakan si Cooler. Hindi sila naging bayolente kaya nagtataka ako.

"Zeus, pinatrack po kayo sa amin ni Cronus dahil hindi niya kayo macontact. Kailangan niyo pong
sumama sa amin ngayon din dahil naghihintay na ang mga armas sa pantalan", wika ng isang lalaki.

"Please tell Cronus na ihahatid ko muna ang kasama ko", mahinahong wika ni Cooler but I know that he
is pissed.

"Ngunit ang sabi niya ay ngayon din. Kasama namin si Apollo. Siya na lang ang maghahatid sa kasama
ninyo", sagot ng isa.

"Hindi niyo ba ako narinig? Ang sabi ko ako ang maghahatid!", malakas ang boses na wika ni Cooler. He
sounded scary at naisip ko na matatakot din ang mga lalaki but to my surprised, they handcuffed him.

Napabuntong-hininga na lamang si Cooler at tila pinipigil ang galit. He looked at me and he frowned.
"See? I told you, we're in a escape gone wrong situation. I'm sorry Amber, I can't do anything if Cronus
ordered them to handcuff me." Bumaling siya sa mga lalaking may hawak sa kanya. "Just make sure na
hindi kayo magpapakita kapag wala ng posas ang mga kamay ko."

This time ay rumehistro na ang takot sa mukha ng mga lalaki. Uh, serves them right.

"Okay lang Cooler, I understand", wika ko at naramdaman kong may humawak sa braso ko. Paglingon ko
ay nakita ko ang nakangiting mukha ni Ryu.

"Ako na ang maghahatid sa kanya Cooler", Ryu said at tumango naman ang huli sa kanya. Muli siyang
nagpaalam sa akin bago ito hinila ng mga lalaki.

Paglingon ko ay nakahalukipkip si Ryu habang nakatingin sa akin. "So? Where's our destination school
girl?", he asked habang nakatingin sa kabuoan ko. Uh, yeah. I'm in my school uniform.

"I'm going home on my own", wika ko at iniwan ito. Nang napagtanto kong nasa bag ko ang wallet ko at
iniwan ko ang bag ko sa kotse ni Cooler ay muli akong bumalik at lumapit sa kanya.
"I changed my mind. Take me home", wika ko at natatawang hinawakan niya ako sa balikat at
pinatalikod. Nagsimula na siyang lumakad habang tulak-tulak ako.

Did the devil just laughed?

--

Inihatid nga ako ni Ryu sa bahay namin. Itinugon ko na lang sa kanya ang bag at si Baymax na naiwan ko
sa kotse ni Cooler kung saan naiwan naman namin ang kanyang kotse sa Amusement park.

Pagdating ko sa amin ay naging abala ako sa pagsusukat sa mga gown. Uh, mom is really enthusiastic for
my debut. Katatapos lamang naming magsukat ng biglang tumunog ang cellphone ko. When I looked at
the screen, it was Gray. Agad kong sinagot iyon.

"Where are you? Alam mo bang dalawang quiz ang namiss mo ngayong hapon?", wika niya ng hindi man
lamang ako binabati. Uh, galit ba ito?

"I'm home and I won't be around tomorrow too kaya magkita na lang tayo sa venue. Bye!", I rolled my
eyes. Malamang nagtagpo na naman ang mga kilay nito sa mga sandaling ito. I heard mom called my
name kaya agad kong pinatay ang tawag.
Pumunta ako sa kwarto ko kung saan naghihintay si Mommy. When I went inside ay pinagmasdan ko
ang tatlong gown na nakahanger sa loob.

Well yeah. I'm turning 18 tomorrow at ngayon ko pa lamang naramdaman ang excitement as well as
nakaramdam din ako ng kaba. Kaba sa kung saan, I don't know.

Well, we'll find out tomorrow. Tomorrow on my 18th birthday.

**

A/N: Omaaaay! Malapit na talaga siyang matapos at nagsisimula na rin ako sa pagda-draft sa File 2!

Excited na ako sa next update ko! (Akala niyo kayo lang? Pwes, pati ako! Haha)

Share your thoughts! Votes and comments are highly appreciated. Have I told you na binabasa ko talaga
lahat ng comment niyo? Natatawa nga ako eh, ramdam ko yung mga emosyon niyo. It's just that I can't
reply on every comment kaya please forgive me. Salamat nga pala sa nagsesend ng mga fan cover!
Ilaaaaabyuuu sabi nina Gray, Khael,Cooler, Ryu at Jeremy. Pati na din ako :)

Yun lang! Ciao!

-Shinichilaaaabs♥
CHAPTER 58: DANCE WITH THE NERD, DEVILS AND DETECTIVES

Chapter 58: Dance with the Nerd, Devils and Detectives

A/N: Pansin ko lang, ba't ang daming may gusto kay Ryu? Tapos kay Jeremy? Kay Cooler din? Haha! Pero
mas marami talaga kay Ryu! Kayo ha, gusto niyo talaga yung masama ang ugali. Halaaaa, be careful of
what you wish for (coz you might just get it on yeaaaaah haha!)

Yun lang, k bye! :)))))))))

**

Everything was perfect. From the tables that were arranged accordingly to the event, to the big
chandelier that was placed above the area. Pink and blue curtains, tablecloth and others fully furnished
the place.

The chairs and table were perfectly prepared according to the occasion. May nakakalat na blue, pink and
white balloons sa sahig and some were on the walls. Different sizes and designs of lights were hanged
thus making the place very romantic. I'm amazed with the caterer as well as the organizer's work dahil
napakaganda ng ginawa nito sa hall ng hotel na ipinareserve ni Mommy.

Sa malaking table ay ang giant blue fondant cake at chocolate fountain. Everyone on the party was
perfectly dressed too. Men were on their dazzling suits while ladies are on their shinning gown.

Yeah, it's my 18th birthday at nasa isang hotel suite ako ngayon habang inaayosan ng aking make-up
artist.

Geez, I don't know why pero kinakabahan ako. Maybe it's because of the fact that I am on my legal age.
Habang inaayos ang buhok ko, tumunog ang cellphone ko kaya agad ko iyong sinagot.
"Hello?", tanong ko. When I checked the caller ID, it was Khael.

"Hey, what took you so long? I'm kinda bored waiting here", he said and I make a face. It's still early
kung kaya hindi pa ako lumalabas.

"Can't you just sit there and wait?", tanong ko sa kanya. I heard him groan in disapproval.

"I wanna see you", he said and I smiled. Humohokage talaga itong si Khael. "By the way, I have received
your gift and I really appreciate it. Pakiramdam ko ay kayakap na kita gabi-gabi."

"Uh, just don't make any silly thoughts kapag kayakap mo yan gabi-gabi", wika ko sa kanya and I heard
him laugh.

"You're so naughty Special A! Are you suggesting?", wika niya I frowned. Ano ba ang tumatakbo sa utak
ng isang Khael Alonzo?
"I was wondering Special A. Bakit unggoy?"

"Uh, how much is your IQ count?", I asked him.

"Anong kinalaman niyan sa unggoy?"

"Just answer me."

"126. Why?"

"Superior. Then deduce on your own why it is a monkey."

I can hear his sigh on the other line. "Wala talaga akong maisip Special A. I'm too handsome to be a
monkey. I don't even believe in Charles Darwin's Theory of Evolution."
"Think harder smartass! I'm hanging up now, bye!", wika ko sa kanya. Hindi ko na hinintay ang sagot niya
at agad pinatay ang tawag.

I stared for a while at my blue gown bago ako nagpa-assist na isuot iyon. Nang tingnan ko ang sarili ko sa
salamin, I can't believed what I saw.

Not that I am very impressed on my appearance, but rather I saw myself as a lady. Yeah, I'm on the legal
age and I should act that way. I smiled at hinintay na magsimula na ang party.

Pumasok si Mommy sa suite na ginagamit ko. She has a teary eye. Oh Mom, please not now! Hindi pa
natutuyo ang maskara ko and I don't want it to smudge on my face.

"I can't believe that you are already a lady, darling", wika niya sa akin. Ayon sa mga tao, hindi kami
mapagkakamalang mag-ina. Mom is too young to be a mother. Not that she's as young as Gray's mother
but she has a good figure. Well yeah, Amy Sison is very beautiful too.

"Mom."
"I knew it darling. Ayaw mo ng kadramahan?", she said at lumapit sa akin. She kissed my forehead at
binati ako. "Happy birthday Amber."

With that simple greeting ay nais ko nang maiyak! See! Yun nga lang, naiiyak na ako! Paano na lang kung
nag-MMK pa ito?

"I love you Mom", wika ko sa kanya.

"I love you too sweetie."

That's how we are. We don't need the long comforting words para lang ipadama na mahal namin ang
isa't-isa. Abala sila ni Dad sa business but they never failed in spending time with me kapag bumabawi
na sila. Palagi din nila akong minomonitor through calls and text ngayong naninirahan ako sa dorm sa
Bridle.

Living in a dorm at a boarding school is my choice. Sa simula ay inisip nilang hindi ko kayang mamuhay
ng walang yaya but I proved them wrong and since then ay pinagkatiwalaan na nila ako sa paninirahan
ko sa dorm. Oh well, I'm always the kind and obedient daughter to them.
Pumasok na din si Daddy at binati rin ako. He also knew from the very start that I hate emotional
speeches kaya simpleng bati lang din ang ginawa niya sa akin.

"By the way sweetie, where's your escort? Mind introducing him to us bago pa magsimula ang party?",
tanong ni Dad.

Oh, si Gray. Nasaan na kaya iyon? I tried calling him kanina but he didn't answer my call kaya inisip kong
naghahanda pa ito.

"Hindi pa po dumarating Dad eh, maybe later", sagot ko at tumango naman ito. I got my phone and sent
Gray a text message.

'Where are you?'

I waited a few minutes for his reply ngunit wala akong natanggap so I texted him again.

'Gray?'
Lumapit si Daddy sa akin at nagtanong kung nasaan na si Gray dahil labinlimang minuto na lang ay
magsisimula na ang party. I just told him na baka natraffic lamang si Gray kaya wala pa ito. After Dad left
the suite ay muli akong nagtext kay Gray.

'Magsisimula na.'

I walked back and forth around the suite habang nilalaro sa kamay ko ang cellphone ko as I waited for
Gray's reply. I tried calling him again ngunit hindi pa rin nito sinasagot. Now I'm so worried. What if may
nangyari ng masama dito? No no no! Iwinaksi ko iyon sa isip at muling nagtext kay Gray.

'Are you on the way?'

I called his number again but no avail. Gray, where the hell are you? Iniwan na ba nito ako sa ere? Did he
realized na ayaw niya palang maging escort ko? Did he decided to boycott me on my birthday?

Naramdaman ko ang panginginit ng gilid ng mata ko ngunit pinigilan kong maglandas ang mga luha ko.
Bakit naman ako iiyak? Eh ano ngayon kung wala si Gray? It's not the end of the world. Tinawag na ako
ng organizer. She informed me that the party was about to start. I texted him again.
'Graaaaay? Nagsimula na.'

Nang hindi pa rin ito nagreply ay piniga ko na ang lahat ng natitirang lakas ng loob ko. I texted him a sad
emoticon bago iniwan ang cellphone ko sa suite at lumabas doon.

Hindi naman nagtagal ay nagsimula na nga ang party. Everyone greeted me and praised me how
beautiful I am. Namataan ko sina Andi at Therese sa isang tabi.

I also saw Ryu and Cooler on one side. Kasama naman ni Marion at Jeremy si Khael. Kahit anong
paglilibot ang gawin ng mata ko ay hindi ko makita kahit ang anino ni Gray.

Please Gray, just be safe kung nasaan ka man.

I asked Khael to be my escort instead dahil wala talagang dumating na Gray. The cotillion's rituals
started at nagsimula na akong sumayaw kasama ang bumubuo ng cotillion ko.
Nang magsimula na ang 18 roses ay si Daddy ang una kong sayaw. "Hi there beautiful lady", bati niya sa
akin habang nagsasayaw kami.

"Hi Dad."

"I can't call you baby now since you are a lady", wika niya and I smiled at him.

"But I am still your baby." Oh yeah, I'm a daddy's girl. Oh well, close ako sa kanilang dalawa ni Mommy
but Dad spoiled me most of the time.

"Sweetie, kanina ko pa napapansin na nagkakandahaba na yang leeg mo sa kakalingon. You're looking

for that Gray guy?", Dad asked and I looked down. There's no point in lying.

"He didn't come Dad."

"Yeah, I noticed too. Didn't he notified you for his absence?", tanong niya ang I shook my head.
"Cheer up sweetie. He must be dear to you to the point na nalulungkot ka ng ganyan. You're really a lady
now", he said with a smile.

"Dad!"

"You don't have to be shy sweetie. It's normal", wika niya at kahit anong tanggi ko ay iba pa rin ang ibig
sabihin sa kanya ng pag-aalala ko kay Gray.

My next dances were from my cousins and relatives hanggang sa umabot na ito kay Jeremy.

"Happy birthday Amber", bati niya sa akin. He looks so good in his coat and tie. Nakadagdag pa sa appeal
nito ang suot nitong braces. If he would be less weirder ay malamang marami na itong napaiyak na
babae.

"Amber I have a knock knock", nakangiting wika nito. "Knock knock!"

I rolled my eyes. "Just make sure it's not another pun Jeremy. Who's there?"
Natawa ito. "I'm good at this, don't worry." Uh really? I don't believe him and I don't want to believe
him. We were still dancing at hawak-hawak ko ang binigay niyang rosas.

"Birthday girl."

"Birthday girl who?"

He cleared his throat at nagsimulang kumanta. "Happy birthday to you. Happy birthday to you. Happy
Birthday, happy birthday. Happy birthday to you."

He stopped singing so I asked him. "So? Where's the birthday girl?"

He flashed a sweet smile. "Eto, kasayaw ko." This time, I smiled geniunely because of Jeremy's words.
Who would have thought na may mga galawan pala itong ganoon?

"Thanks Jeremy. You made me smile", wika ko sa kanya. This time, my worries about Gray are lesser,
thanks to him.
"Smile Amber. Don't worry,darating din yung detective in shining armour mo. Oh no. I saw him driving a
black porsche. I should put it as detective in shining porsche", he said ay napangiti ulit ako.

"Jeremy tama na yung knock knock mo. Wag mo ng dagdagan pa", nakangiting wika ko sa kanya. "And
it's not because of Gray kaya hindi ako masyadong ngumingiti. I'm just tensed since all eyes are on me."

"Syempre, birthday mo ATE Amber eh", he said and he laughed.

"Uh, what's with the Ate?"

"You're older than me. I'm only 17, you know", he said. Oo nga pala. My age is a bit older than him since
I'm 2 years late in studying.

We danced a little longer at naaliw ako sa mga walang kwentang pinagsasabi nito. Matapos ang ilang
minuto ay pinalitan na ito ni Ryu.

"This dancing with you scene is so familiar", he said matapos niyang ibigay sa akin ang rosas. He held my
waist tightly and he pulled me close to him.
Naalala ko nga noong unang beses na sumayaw kami. It was during the masquerade party at Bridle after
the school festival. Yeah, that was the time when he was sugarcoating his words yet it all have the same
destination which is to end my life.

"Really? A devil has a good memory? Mabuti at naalala mo pa", wika ko sa kanya. I guess ito na talaga
ang normal naming usapan. We're both giving each other dagger words at kulang na lang ay totohanan
namin ang pagpapatayan.

"Of course. This devil is a smart one", wika niya. "Oh, you look like a clown by the way."

I frowned with his words. Hindi kaya ako mukhang clown. Yes, makapal ang make up ko but I don't look
like a clown.

"And you're a jerk", ganti ko sa kanya.

Tumawa siya ng mahina. "I'm expecting such words from you. I can't believe that I'm attending a party
like this without a mafia transaction. I only attend such events dahil sa mafia. Is it because I found you
interesting?"
I rolled my eyes at him. "Cut your words devil dahil kapag may sasabihin ka pang katulad niyan ay iisipin
ko na talagang may gusto ka sa akin."

Okay, it took me a bucket of confidence to say those words kaya paninindigan ko na iyon.

He gave out a hearty laugh. "I don't want to be like Cooler who's been caught in an unrequited love. You
know he likes you but you like his brother. But don't worry, he's willing to give way for his beloved baby
brother", Ryu said at nais ko ulit iikot ang mga eyeballs ko.

He's the third person who told me that I like Gray. Uh, fine. It's fourth kapag sinali ko pa si Daddy. Una ay
si Andi, tapos si Cooler. Kanina naman ay si Daddy, tapos ngayon siya naman. Really people?

"I don't like Gray, you know!", wika ko sa kanya. Bakit ba tingin ng lahat ay gusto ko si Gray?

"I don't believe you."

"Then don't."
Ryu let out a smile. Mukhang napapadalas ang pagngiti nito kaysa sa pagamirk. "By the way my gift for
you is a vintage watch", wika niya and I frowned.

"Hindi ka rin spoiler ano? You should have waited for me to open your gift", I told him. Napansin kong
mataman siyang nakatitig sa akin.

"What?"

"Nothing. I just can't believe that you're still alive after you ruined the mafia transaction", wika niya. Oh,
hanggang ngayon ba naman Ryu?!

"Can you just forget about it?", tanong ko sa kanya. God! That was decades ago.

"I can't forget about it", wika niya kapagkuwag lumingon siya sa paligid. "Where's my cousin?"

I sighed and shrugged my shoulders. Actually, that question is running around my head. Where the hell
is Gray?
"Maybe he's with another bitch", wika niya at mahina kong pinisil ang leeg niya. Mahina lang iyon sa
simula hanggang sa unti-unti nang bumaon ang kuko ko sa balat niya.

"Oh, why? You don't believe that he's also a manwhore? Siguro ay nagsawa na siya sayo", he said and I
gave him a deadly glare.

"Wag mong igaya si Gray sayo", wika ko at umirap sa kanya.

Tumawa siya. "You look pissed. Don't worry, I guess he's loyal. At isa pa marami kang substitute. You can
have Cooler or the guy from Athena", wika niya, referring to Khael.

"Pwede bang tumahimik ka na lang? Wag mo akong piliting pagsisihan ang pag-imbita ko sayo", I said
and he giggled.

"I told you that I will be present to ruin your night", he said and a throw a dagger look at him.
Napalingon ito sa likuran ng may tumapik sa balikat nito.
"My turn bro", Cooler said at inagaw ako mula kay Ryu. He gave me the rose that he was holding at
hinawakan ako sa beywang.

"Oh, you came too fast. Wala pa kaming minuto na nagsasayaw", he said.

Cooler slightly laughed. "It's been five minutes moron. Now, take your seat", he said at patuloy pa rin
akong sinasayaw. Ryu left the dancefloor with a smirk.

"May nagsabi na ba sayong ang ganda mo ngayon?", he asked at kumunot ang noo ko sa sinabi niya.

"Yeah. Why?", Fine! That sounds like I'm boasting ngunit totoo namang kanina pa ako pinupuri ng mga
tao. Only that devil told me that I looked like a clown!

"They're lying", Cooler said. What now? Don't tell me he agrees with Ryu?! Urgh! Magpinsan nga!
They're both devils!

Sinamaan ko siya ng tingin ngunit muli itong nagsalita. "They're lying because you don't look beautiful.
You are very beautiful", he said and emphasize the word very. Shemay! Cooler never fails in making me
smile. I know I'm blushing kaya bahagya akong yumuko upang itago ang pagkapahiya.
Marahan kaming sumasayaw sa tugtog. The violinist that Mom hired is good. He was playing Katy Perry's
Teenage Dream in a slow and mellow way that makes me love the song.

"Amber, do you know why I'm the mafia's secret negotiator?", he asked and I shook my head. How
would I know? Duh.

"It's because I have a strong gutfeel and I'm good in estimating things, well that's according to Cronus.
Also, he lets me decide about things because I'm not hotblooded and I always think first before acting",
wika niya. Why is he telling me such things? Ano naman ang pakialam ko sa posisyon sa mafia? I'm not
interested in them.

"Why are you telling me all those things Cooler?", I asked him. He took a deep breath bago sumagot.

"Because I have a bad feeling about tonight. A premonition that something bad will happen tonight", he
said with a very serious face.

I faked a laugh to lighten up our mood. "Don't scare me."

"I'm not scaring you Amber. I'm just telling you to be vigilant. Iba talaga ang pakiramdam ko. I have a
feeling of treachery. You sure you've got trustworthy friends?", tanong niya at tiningnan ang mga tao sa
paligid.
"Of course. Of the people here, well except for my relatives and family friends, Ryu is the only one that I
don't trust", wika ko at napangiti ito.

"I'm glad that you trust me", wika niya. Yes, I can say that I trust him kahit na naging siya si Zeus na dati
ay nagbibigay ng takot sa akin. After I knew his identity ay hindi na ako natatakot sa kanya. Well, he
onced jump a bullet in front of me.

"Sinalo mo dati ang bala na para sa akin. You prevented Ryu from killing me after I messed up with the
mafia's transaction. You saved me few times. Now tell me why shouldn't I trust you?", tanong ko sa
kanya. Muli ay napangiti ito at may naalala ako.

"Hey! Where's my bag and my Baymax?", tanong ko sa kanya. He frowned at me.

"Really? Iyan pa talaga ang inaala mo?"

"I can't lose Baymax! Pinaghirapan mo iyon sa amusement park!" Now that's a bluff. Hindi ito naghirap.
He doesn't even shed a sweat for it.

"Just as I thought. Hahanapin mo talaga iyon so I brought them along. Nasa sasakyan lamang sila", wika
niya at napangiti ako. Haaay salamat!
"Amber, would you accept it if I give you a gun?", he asked at nanlaki ang mga mata ko sa tanong niya. Is
he crazy?! Hindi nga ako halos makagalaw makagalaw kapag nakakakita ng baril, tapos bibigyan niya
ako? Okay, that was before. Ngayon ay nasasanay na ako sa madalas na pagkikita namin ng mga baril na
yan, they are even pointed at me! Pero kahit na! Mababaliw siguro ako if I possess a gun.

"You must be crazy."

"Just as I thought. I guess all I can do is protect you", wika niya. Hindi na ako nakasagot pa dahil
dumating na si Khael, my last dance for tonight.

"Sorry dude but I have to steal this beautiful lady from you", he said at kinuha ang mga kamay kong
nakakapit sa balikat ni Cooler at inilagay iyon sa kanyang balikat. He pulled my waist, completely taking
me away from Cooler.

Cooler smiled at me bago bumalik sa mesa kung nasaan si Ryu.

Khael gave me my last rose. "I don't know if I'd be happy or what for Gray's absence tonight. Well he just
called me and said that something came up and then my battery died", wika niya. Tinawagan siya ni
Gray? Mabuti pa ito! Well, he is his best buddy but he should have called me too! O kahit simpleng text
man lang na nagsasabing hindi siya nakakarating.

Ngumiti ako ng pilit. "I'm glad that he is safe", wika ko.

"I'm wondering what is that something that came up. Saka pa nagloko ang cellphone ko", wika niya. "By
the way, happy birthday Special A!"

"Thanks Khael."

Bigla na lamang itong sumimangot. "You don't seem happy. Ayaw mo ba akong kasayaw? Mabuti pa
doon sa lalaking may bakod ang ngipin, ang tamis pa ng ngito mo", he acted as if he was really hurt.

Lalaking may bakod ang ngipin? Oh. He must mean Jeremy and his braces. I smiled on his words,
describing Jeremy.

"See! Napapangiti ka kapag naaalala mo yung lalaking iyon. Maybe I'll have my teeth fenced too", wika
niya and this time ay natawa na ako.

"Silly! I'm smiling on your words. May bakod ha? His name is Jeremy. And don't ever think of bracing
your teeth because I like them. Hindi na nila kailangan ng bakod", natatawang wika ko.
"I'm jealous. You like my teeth and not me."

"Baliw!"

"Seryosong usapan Special A. I'm happy that you've befriended Gray. You're one of his best buddy too",
wika niya.

"You're so gay Khael, alam mo ba?", I said and he giggled. Hindi ko lubos akalain na magiging kaibigan ko
rin si Khael. Well, he was onced an annoying someone who interrupted our play by preventing Gray
from drinking poison. He was a lifesaver that time!

"Hulaan mo kung ano ang regalo ko sayo", he asked.

"Ewan."

"Hulaan mo kasi!"
"Ayaw ko!"

"Ugh, stubborn! It's a -"

I cut him off. "Hep! Don't be a spoiler! Can't you wait until I open all the gifts?", wika ko. These guys are
being spoiler! Ryu just told me that he got a vintage watch for me tapos ngayon, siya naman?!

"Right, I'll just wait", he said.

"But I can't wait."

Sabay kaming napalingon sa nagsalita. It was Gray! He was sweating all over but it never made him less
gorgeous. He was carrying a bouquet of red roses. Suddenly, he snatched me from Khael and pulled me
closer towards him.
"Sorry Alonzo but I have gone a lot before coming here so I'm claiming the debutant", he said to Khael.

"I don't know why you're sweating like a pig but I understand that you must really have gone a lot bago
ka makarating dito kaya pagbibigyan kita. You're the original escort anyway", Khael said at marahang
tinapik sa balikat si Gray. He was about to make his exit ngunit bumalik ito at inihagis ang isang panyo
kay Gray. "I think you need that one. Mahiya ka naman kay Amber", wika nito.

Napangiting sinalo naman iyon ni Gray at pinunasan ang pawisang mukha. "Thanks best buddy", he said
at tuluyan ng umalis si Khael upang bumalik sa kanyang upuan.

Matapos niyang itago ang panyo sa bulsa ay iniabot niya sa akin ang dala-dalang bouquet. "I guess I'm
not part of the 18 roses anymore so I decided to buy a bouquet instead."

Tinanggap ko ang bulaklak at pinagmasdan iyon. I didn't bother to comment on his statement. Inangat
niya ang mukha ko at pinaharap ako sa kanya. "Hey, are you mad?"

I shook my head. Damn! Bakit umiinit na naman ang gilid ng mga mata ko? Nandito na siya diba? It's
better late than never nga diba?
"Oh please don't cry", wika niya at mahinang hinampas ko siya.

"I'm not crying. I'm not used in wearing false lashes and eyeliner idiot!", wika ko at pinunasan ang mga
luhang nagbabantang tumulo.

"I'm really sorry Amber. I have a very important matter to attend to", he said.

"I- I... I was worried."

There, I said it.

"Worried? For?"

"I'm worried for you idiot! Akala ko kung ano na ang nangyari sayo. You didn't even called me o kahit
text na lang! But thanks God, you're safe", I exclaimed and he flashed a big smile.

"You're not angry with me?", tanong niya and I shook my head. I'm not angry, I'm relieved dahil ligtas
pala ito.
"Where have you been?", tanong ko at bigla na lamang sumeryoso ang mukha nito. "Ah, I knew it. You
went to solve a case? Uh, you really leave no mystery behind Mr. Deduction Maniac."

He pouted and he looks so cute in doing so. "There's one unsolved mystery for me and that mystery is
you."

Napatanga ako ng sinabi niya iyon. Ano na naman ba ang ibig sabihin niyon? That was a very awkward
moment dahil walang nagsalita sa amin matapos niyang sabihin iyon.

Binasag ko ang katahimikan sa pamamagitan ng pagtatanong at pagkukulit dito kung saan nga ba ito
galing.

"Let's not talk about it now. Maybe after your party. Let's not ruin the night", wika niya at nagtaka
naman ako. Does it have something to do with me?

"Why? May kinalaman ba iyon sa akin?"

"I told you let's not talk about it now. And Amber, I have one request. If I can't stick with you tonight,
please don't go anywhere with Marion", wika niya at mas lalong nagtaka ako.
"Why? What's with Marion?"

To my surprised, he pulled me so close to him kaya napayakap ako sa kanya as we swayed through the
music. Uh, to put it simply, we're more like hugging than dancing.

"Nothing. Just don't go anywhere with her."

"Ayoko hangga't hindi mo sinasabi sa akin kung bakit", pagmamatigas ko sa kanya. Hindi ko
maintindihan kung bakit pinagbabawalan niya akong sumama kay Marion. She's our friend and
classmate, right?

"Please?", he asked in a low voice.

I don't know why but I just found myself nodding my head. "Okay", sagot ko sa mahinang boses.
Naramdaman ko ang mahinang dampi ng labi niya sa buhok ko and he pulled me even closer. That's
when I allowed myself to burry my face in his neck. It's the most comfortable position as of this
moment.

**
It's almost midnight when the party was over. Unti-unti nang umuwi ang mga bisita maliban sa mga
inimbitahan ko na mula sa Bridle at maging sina Khael, Ryu at Cooler. Mom let my roommates and
Jeremy stay at the hotel since hindi na kami makakapasok sa Bridle dahil lipas curfew na.

I can't find Gray and Khael. Kanina ay matamang nag-uusap ang dalawa. They seem to have a serious
topic kaya pinabayaan ko na sila. Kasama ko si Jeremy at inihatid namin sina Ryu at Cooler, maging si
Marion papunta sa parking lot ng hotel. Nauna nang nakatulog sina Andi at Therese sa suite na inuokupa
nila.

"Thank you for tonight Amber", Marion said with a big smile. Nasa harap na kami ng kotse nina Ryu at
Cooler.

"Walang ano man Marion, salamat din sa inyo", I said sincerely.

"It's late. Mauna na kami Amber", Cooler said and he glanced at his watch. "Well, it's still 11:42. Happy
Birthday Amber!", bati nito at nagpasalamat ako sa kanya. Si Ryu naman ay nakamasid lang sa amin.

Sumakay na sila sa kotse nila habang panay naman ang lingon ni Marion sa paligid ng parking lot.

"Hey Marie, sumabay ka na sa amin", Ryu said at inirapan ito ni Marion.

"It's Marion. Ilang beses ko bang sasabihin sa iyo na Marion ang pangalan ko at hindi Marie", Marion
scowled at him habang nakasmirk lang sa kanya si Ryu. "Whatever. I'm glad that our engagement is off.
God, you can't even remember my name!", dagdag ni Marion. Uh, engaged silang dalawa dati?!
"I'm glad it's off too! I can't have a lunatic girl as a fiancee", sagot ni Ryu.

"Whatever! I'd rather wait for my driver till morning than to ride with you!", Marion said to him.

Bago pa man lumaki ang pagtatalo nila ay pinaalis ko na sina Ryu at Cooler. Nagpaalam naman ang mga
ito at pinaharurot na ang kotse.

Naghintay naman kami ng ilang saglit sa loob ng parking lot sa driver ni Marion. Wala masyadong tao
doon at tahimik ang paligid.

"Nasaan na ba ang driver na yun", maktol ni Marion.

Humikab naman si Jeremy. "I'm so sleepy. Antagal naman ng sundo mo, dito ka na lang kaya matulog?"

"I can't. Pagagalitan ako", she answered at panay pa rin ang lingon niya sa paligid.

Humakbang ako palayo sa kanila. "Teka, titingnan ko doon sa kabila baka nandoon", paalam ko sa kanila.

I slowly walked away but I immediately looked back nang may marinig akong kakaibang tunog. It was a
loud thud and a groan.
Paglingon ko ay nakita ko ang nakahandusay na si Jeremy, his head was bleeding.

But it wasn't just Jeremy that I saw. I also saw Marion holding a gun with an evil smile on her lips.

Just what the hell is the meaning of this?!

**

Sorry typos and other errors! Hindi ako nag-eedit hahaha.

Thank you for sa lahat ng readers! My head says "file 2! file 2! file 2!" Hahaha!

Vote and comments xD

Thankiss :*

-Shinichilaaaabs♥

CHAPTER 59: TREACHEROUS

Chapter 59: Treacherous

A MUST READ AUTHOR'S NOTE --

A/N: Pansin niyo bang araw-araw na akong nag-uupdate? Tapos ko na kasi ang story, ang kailangan ko
na lang ay magpost ng update kada araw pero depende pa rin kung may load ako haha. Like I've said, I'm
working on File 2 hihi :D

By the way, this chapter is a special one. Bakit? Dahil bukod sa second to the last chapter na ito ng File 1,
this chapter contains many POV. I don't like to have multiple POV (pansin niyo na man na kay Amber
lang na POV ang ginagamit ko) but this time, I'm letting you read the awesome minds of other
characters. Don't forget to share your thoughts and cast your votes. Irecommend niyo rin ang story sa
mga kaibigan,kaklase, kapatid, kapamilya, kapuso at sa buong barangay niyo HAHA JK!
Kaya hindi niyo maopen yung kanina dahil naubos ang data ko habang nagpapublish, tapos nagreboot
ang cp ko tapos naging draft na ulit huhu. But now here it is.

Happy Reading xxx

-Shinichilaaaabs♥

P.S. Sorry sa past, present at future errors hue hue :3

**

AMBER SISON'S POV

Nagulat ako ng makita kong nakahandusay si Jeremy sa sahig. His head was bleeding as if he was hit with
something. I was so worried kaya nais kong tumakbo palapit sa kanya but I saw Marion holding a gun.
She flashed an evil smile on her lips.

Did Marion hit Jeremy? I keep myself calm at mahinahong kinausap si Marion. "Marion, si Jeremy! What
happened?", I asked her. The truth is I'm so scared. One thing is for sure, dahil kami lamang ang naroon
ay malamang si Marion ang may kagagawan ng nangyari kay Jeremy.

"Oh, Jeremy? He's lying cold on the ground", she said without any emotion. Kakaiba ang Marion na
kaharap ko ngayon sa Marion na araw-araw kong kasama sa Bridle. This Marion here seems so
dangerous. Is this really Marion?

Unti-unti siyang lumapit sa akin habang hawak-hawak pa rin ang isang baril. I'm not into guns so I can't
identify its type. Marion looks so dangerous in her long black gown and gun. Unti-unti akong napaatras
dahil lumalapit siya sa akin.

"I-ikaw b-ba ang may gawa niyan kay Jeremy?", nauutal kong tanong. Bahagya niya itong sinulyapan
bago muling tumingin sa akin.
"Yeah, that nerd is annoying. Isa pa ay ayaw ko ng expectator the moment that I will kill you", she said.
Papatayin niya ako? Bakit? Ano ba ang kasalanan ko sa kanya?

"Marion, put away that thing. That's dangerous", I'm trying to tame her. My God! How could she hold
that gun in a way like she was just holding a pen? Tila madaling-madali lang dito ang paghawak niyon.

"I really thought you're a cat Amber. You've got nine lives! Ilang beses na kitang pinagtangkaang patayin
indirectly but I always failed. That's so bothersome. I have to give a code and site Holmes' quotes just to
plan your death ngunit palagi na lamang akong palpak. That's when I decided to kill you directly", she
said.

Ibig sabihin siya si X?! But why? Bakit kailangan pa niyang mandamay ng iba?

"You're X?", halos hindi ko makapaniwalang tanong sa kanya.

"That's right. Nice to meet you, I'm X, your archenemy", she said and laughed like a maniac.

She's X? Pero hindi ba ay muntikan na siyang maging biktima ng unang beses na nagpadala ng notice sa
akin si X? She and Jeremy were almost hit by that big pot!

"N-no. You're not X! Isa ka lamang sa mga nadamay ni X", I said stattering. No, Marion can't be X!
Mabait si Marion. She's the happy-go-lucky girl that I've known in school. She can't be the cunning and
evil X! It's impossible!

"That's part of the trick Amber", wika niya.

"But why Marion? Why are you after my life?", tanong ko sa kanya. As far as I can remember, I haven't
done any harm to her. Maayos ang pakikitungo naming dalawa sa isa't-isa tapos ngayon ay malalaman
ko na lang na ito pala ang may kagagawan ng mga banta sa buhay ko. Idinamay pa niya si Mrs. Sera!

"Ibig bang sabihin ay ikaw din ang may kagagawan ng nangyari kay Mrs. Sera?"

She laughed evilly again. "Oh, that stupid chemist? Yeah, I shaved her hair. Pakialamera kasi."

"Why Marion? I thought we're friends?", tanong ko sa kanya. Other than fear, I also felt so angry. Hindi
nakakatuwa ang ginawa ni Marion.

"Friends? Naririnig mo ba ang sarili mo? We can't be friends! Not even in hell!", she shouted at
napapiksi ako. She's scary! This is not the Marion that I used to know! Hindi kaya clone niya lang ito?

"Ano bang kasalanan ko sayo? Why do you have to undergo so much trouble just to kill me?", sigaw ko
sa kanya.

"It's because I HATE YOU! So much! I really hate you Amber to the point that I want you dead", lumapit
siya sa akin at hinampas ang ulo ko gamit ang hawak niyang baril. I was caught off guard but I was still
able to take a step backward. Tumama ang baril sa gilid ng ulo ko but I haven't lost my conciousness.
Naramdaman ko na lang ang hapdi at ang pagpatak ng dugo sanhi ng sugat.

Naalala ko ang sinabi sa akin ni Cooler.

"Because I have a bad feeling about tonight. A premonition that something bad will happen."
Ito na ba ang ibig niyang sabihin? He said he got a feeling that someone treacherous is among my
friends. Naniniwala na talaga ako na malakas nga ang gut feel nito. DAMN! I should have listened to him.

"But why do you hate me? Ano ba ang ginawa ko sayo?!"

"You don't know bitch? You're a pain in my neck! Pabida ka eh! You stole Gray-chan away from me!",
she said at namumula ang mukha nito sa galit.

I stole Gray from her? Gray was never hers on the first place!

"Wala akong inagaw sayo!", I hissed at her. God, just because of Gray? Ganoon ba ito ka obsessed kay
Gray to the point na handa itong pumatay?!

Kinalabit niya ang gatilyo at nakarinig ako ng malakas na tunog mula doon. I just felt pain on my right leg
at nang tingnan ko iyon ay agad iyong dumugo. Damn! Hindi matao ang parking lot ng hotel, which is the
basement. Ibig sabihin, maliit ang tsansang may dumating upang tulungan kami ni Jeremy.

Naalala ko ang sinabi sa akin ni Gray kanina. He told me not to go anywhere with Marion. Hindi kaya
alam na niyang si X ay si Marion? Ito ba ang mahalagang bagay na inasikaso niya kaya siya muntikan ng
hindi makarating sa party ko?

"I hate you Amber! I hate your existence! You're always the smart one! Papansin ka! Akala mo ba hindi
ko alam na inaahas mo si Gray? That's why I've sent you snakes but hell! You have survived it and I don't
know how!", galit na galit nitong wika.
Darn! I have survived those snakes because of Gray and his roommates. Kahit anong pilit kong isipin ay
hindi ko talaga maintindihan ang tunay na rason kong bakit siya nagagalit ng ganito.

"Palagi na lang ikaw! Ikaw! Ikaw! Paano naman ako?! Ako naman Amber!", bigla na lamang itong
napaiyak. Ako? Naging pabida nga ba ako sa buhay ni Marion? Why is she acting like an egocentric
bitch? Hindi kaya -

Marion is mentally ill? Isa ba itong pyschopath?!

"Do you know that I killed my personal maid nang magkomento siyang ang gwapo ni Gray? I stabbed her
to death! Gray is mine! Only mine kaya ayaw ko na may ibang kumakausap, humahawak o kung ano
man sa kanya! And you bitch! Ikaw lang naman ang may lakas ng loob na ilapit ang sarili mo! Alam mo
bang nangangati na ang kamay kong patayin ka kanina habang sumasayaw kayo?! Hindi ko lang magawa
dahil maraming tao sa party and my bullets are not enough to kil everyone!", nagsimula na naman itong
tumawa na parang isang baliw. God! She's really ill!

Lumapit siya sa akin at tinusok ang baril sa sugat ko. I cried in pain nang maramdaman ko iyon! Shit! It
hurts like hell! She pulled my hair at sinampal ako. Haven't I told everyone na ayaw kong sinasabunutan
at sinasampal? Damn! I just can't move dahil patuloy niyang idinidiin ang baril sa sugat ko.

Inipon ko ang lahat ng natitirang lakas ko at sinipa siya nang malakas. She cried in pain when I kicked her
in the gut and I also cried in pain nang mahila niya ang buhok ko. I took the opportunity to run. Mabuti
na lamang at nakapagbihis na ako dahil kung nagkataong suot ko pa rin ang damit ko kanina sa party,
malamang ay mahihirapan akong tumakbo.

"YOU CAN'T ESCAPE ME AMBER!", narinig kong sigaw niya at agad akong nagkubli sa isa sa mga kotse
doon. Mg leg hurt at maging ang mukha ko. My sight is getting blurry too sanhi nang paghampas niya ng
baril sa akin kanina. I wonder how was Jeremy. I just hope that he's fine at sana ay tumakas na ito.
Nagulat na lang ako nang bigla itong sumungaw sa harapan ko na may malademonyong ngiti sa labi. She
glanced at her watch at inangat ang baril sa akin.

"It's still 11:58. Happy birthday Amber", she said. I guess I have no escape and the only thing I did was
closed my eyes bago ako makarinig ako ng malakas na putok nang baril.

GRAY IVAN SILVAN'S POV

I was so worried nang muntikan na akong hindi makarating sa hotel na pinagdaraosan ng birthday ni
Amber. Kung nagmamadali ka nga naman, saka pa ako natraffic. Holy crap! Ilang beses akong bumusina
sa kotseng nasa harap ko kanina.

Kasalukuyan kong kinakausap si Khael at nasa roofdeck kami. I chose to talk to him in private upang
makapag-usap kami ng masinsinan without everyone interrupting us. I told him everything about
Marion. Matapos ko kasing malaman na si Marion ay si X ay gumawa ako ng mabilis na research about
her. Nagpunta ako sa mansion nila at nakausap ko ang isang katulong. I asked her about Marion. At first
ay maingat pa ang pakikiusap nito sa akin. She didn't told anything bad about her ngunit kalaunan ay
sinabi na niyang psychopathic si Marion. She even killed one of their maids.

I was so fucking shocked nang malaman ko lahat ng iyon. I can't believe it! The jolly Marion is actually a
psychopath? What the hell! Marami pa akong nalaman tungkol sa kaya nabahala ako sa kalagayan ni
Amber if ever she's leave with Marion alone.

"What? Are you sure about it?", halos hindi rin makapaniwalang tanong ni Khael after I told him
everything about Marion. That's so damn shocking, I knew it.

"I'm positive", sagot ko sa kanya.

"I knew it. That excess baggage has really something in her sleeves. Iba ang mga tinging ipinupukol niya
sayo Silvan", Khael said.

According to the maid na nakausap ko, she was obsessed to someone named Gray kaya hindi na ako
nagpakilala bilang Gray. I just introduced myself as Ivan.

I can't believe what psychopaths are capable of doing. They think of nothing but themselves. Umaabot
pa sila sa puntong pumapatay sila ng tao just because of their egocentricity.

"Ilang beses na niyang pinagtangkaan ang buhay ni Amber."

"Well that explained my weird feelings towards her. Hindi ba't noong una pa lamang ay hindi ko na siya
gusto. Now I know why", Khael said at sumandal sa grills doon.

"Listen Alonzo, wag mong ipahalata na alam na natin ang tungkol kay Marion. We have to protect
Amber bago pa man may hakbang na gawin sa kanya ito", wika ko. "Sa mga sandaling ito ay kasama pa
nila sina Cooler at Ryu kaya marahil ay hindi gumagawa ng hakbang si Marion. Those guys are from the
mafia kaya pinagkakatiwalaan ko silang magprotekta kay Amber sa nga sandaling ito."

I don't want those guys around Amber but I think they're the safest companions that Amber can have
habang wala kami ni Khael. I cannot entrust her to Jeremy dahil baka may mangyari dito. I'm not
underestemating him ngunit sa tingin ko ay hindi niya mapoprotektahan si Amber laban kay X which is
Marion.

"Mafia?"

"Yes. Mafia. The one named Cooler is my brother and the other one is my cousin. Please don't ask
questions about them now. We can talk about it some other time. As of now we have to plan to stop
Marion from doing anything", wika ko sa kanya. We can't fucking risk any moment. Amber is in grave
danger kapag umatake na si Marion sa kanya.

"Hey Silvan. Does those guys drive a Ford Shelby GT500 convertible model and a black Jaguar?", tanong
niya na ipinagtataka ko.

"Yes. Cooler drives the convertible car while Ryu drives a jaguar. Why?"

Khael flashed a worried face. "Dahil kanina ko pa napansin ang pag-alis ng dalawang kotse na iyon. Ibig
sabihin ay hindi na nila kasama si Amber."

Saka lamang promoseso sa utak ko ang mga sinabi ni Khael. Damn it! It only means one thing -

Amber could be in danger now! Nagkatinginan kaming dalawa ni Khael and by that ay nagkaintindihan
kami. We both rushed towards the roofdeck's door and hurried to the nearest elevator.

COOLER VANDER'S POV

Katatapos lamang ng birthday party ni Amber na dinaluhan namin ni Ryu. I really like Amber because
she's so different. Ano ang iba kay Amber? She's not the typical girl who's afraid of breaking her nails.
Nagulat nga ako nang malamang marunong ito ng martial arts, hindi halata sa hitsura niya. I was even
more surprised when the mafia is after her. Not for her life but as I potential reaper. Sa kakabuntot kasi
ng mafia kay Gray ay nalaman nila ang tungkol sa kakayahan ni Amber. She's a sharpshooter, a skill to be
possesed by a reaper.

Even though I like her, I'm not pursuing her. I know Gray likes her and I know she likes Gray too but both
of them are dense or maybe they just don't entertain such feelings.

Another reason why I'm not pursuing her is that I don't want to risk her life. Panganib lang ang
maibibigay ko sa kanya lalo na at maraming kalaban ang mafia.
She's very carefree and smart. Nag-enjoy ako sa lakad namin kahapon kahit wala itong ginawa kundi ang
ibulgar ang trick ng pinanuod naming magic show. She even asked me for a Baymax stuffed toy! I was
amazed on everything about her.

Ngunit kanina, sa buong durasyon ng party ay kakaiba ang pakiramdam ko. Like I said, I have a
treacherous feeling about tonight. I told Amber about it ngunit ayon sa kanya ay pinagkakatiwalaan niya
lahat maliban kay Ryu.

That's exactly what treachery is about. Someone you trust will harm you. Hindi ako mapakali sa
nararamdaman kong ito. Agad kong kinuha ang cellphone ko at tinawagan si Ryu.

RYU VANDER MORRISON'S POV

Gaya ng sinabi ko kay Amber ay ito nga ang unang beses na dumalo ako sa isang pagtitipon na walang
kinalaman sa mafia. All my life evolved within Vander Mafia. I breath for the mafia, I woke up for the
mafia, I stay alive for the mafia. Lahat ng ginagawa ko ay para sa mafia. I even studied abroad and
become a known hacker all for the mafia.

I order people to kill other people for the mafia. I became heartless because of the mafia. Kailan ba ang
huling beses na nagkaroon ako ng pagkakataong maging si Ryu na para sa sarili ko and not for the mafia?
For my 21 years of existence ay umiikot ang buong buhay ko sa mafia.

Rionessi, my father even intervened with my personal affairs. He wanted me to court the daughter of
the rich textile king, which was Marion. Sinunod ko sila and I sticked to that annoying girl but recently I
found out that she's a lunatic.
When I say lunatic, I mean that she's mentally ill. Nang minsang pilit na pinadalaw ako sa mansion nila ay
wala ito kaya inutusan ako ng ama niya na puntahan ito sa silid niya and I was shocked when I saw her
room. Puno iyon ng larawan ni Gray! Stolen photos of all angle. May mga inedit pa na magkasama sila at
magkaakbay. Some edited photos were Gray kissing her! Hindi naman lingid sa kaalaman ko na may
gusto siya kay Gray but this is too much! I mean I don't know that she was this obsessive! That's when I
told Hades about her and he agreed to call off the engagement ayon na rin sa request ko at ni Marion.

You see? My life is all controlled by the mafia. You may see me as the tough Ryu but the true me is a lost
soul. Hindi ko kilala ang sarili ko.

And when do I forgot about my obligations for the mafia? It's only when I pissed the hell out of Amber.
Yes. It's true.

Everytime I talk death with her ay naiinis ito at ako naman ay natutuwa. Heck, that's rude but it's the
truth. Naaaliw ako kapag nawawala ang kulay sa mukha nito. Not that I mean it when I said I'm after her
precious life.

I was really into killing her at first when she messed up with the transaction na unang beses kong
hinawakan. I was freaking angry that time. Kaya ko hindi malimutan iyon dahil iyon ang unang beses na
pinahawak ako ng malaking transaksyon ni Cronus. Kumbaga initiation rites ko iyon to prove myself to
the mafia and Amber ruined it. I ended up not gaining Cronus' trust and remained in my position as the
mafia hacker instead of being a negotiator like Cooler.

Bakit ko gustong bwisetin ang buhay ni Amber? I don't know. Maybe because I see her as the younger
sister that I never had. The truth is I have a younger sister but she's killed together with my mom and for
Pete's sake, she's only a fetus when she was killed. Ni hindi man lamang ito nagkaroon ng pagkakataong
masilayan ang mundo. I even named her Ryle. But am I really seeing Amber as a sister? Well, maybe.
Just maybe.
I was driving my car at pauwi na kami ni Cooler mula sa birthday party ni Amber. Bigla na lang tumunog
ang cellphone ko at rumehistro ang numero ni Cooler. He's driving ahead of me, knowing him, he is a
drag racer. Madalas itong sumasali sa mga street racing and he was a popular one lalo na sa mga mahilig
sa drag race.

I answered the call and turned on the speaker upang makafocus pa rin ako sa pagmamaneho.

"Zeus."

"Ryu, when is the last time na nagkamali ako sa gutfeel ko?", he asked me. Kapag tinatawag niya ako sa
tunay kong pangalan ay ibig sabihin ay personal affairs ang nais nitong pag-usapan.

I wonder why he's asking such question pero sinagot ko pa rin siya. "As far as I can remember, its when
you're 16 years old. You said you had a feeling na mababasted ako but I didn't", sagot ko sa kanya. Yes,
that's Zeus or Cooler. He have a good sense of, I don't know how to put it. Maybe he got a good sense
for upcoming things. Laging tama ang nararamdaman nito. He sometimes predict that a transaction is
hoax ngunit hindi nakikinig ang mafia and ended losing millions for such transactions. Kumbaga siya ang
Nostradamus ng mafia.

"Why?", tanong ko sa kanya.

"I have a feeling of upcoming treachery. I guess Amber is in grave danger", wika niya at agad akong
napapreno.

Unti-unting bumalik sa gunita ko ang mga nakita ko sa silid ni Marion. On one side were photos of
Amber. May mga nakatusok na dart doon. Some were crashed using a sharp object.
I immediately turned the car at muling tinahak ang daan pabalik sa hotel.

AMBER'S POV

I can't imagine myself being dead right on the last few minutes before my birthday ends. Masakit ang
paa ko at ramdam ko pa rin iyon. After I heard a gunshot ay pinakiramdaman ko ang sarili ko. I don't feel
anything maliban sa tama ko sa binti, my bleeding wound in my head na sanhi ng paghampas niya ng
baril sa ulo ko. Masakit rin ang pisngi at ang anit sa ulo ko. Damn! Full packed ang sakit na iginawad sa
akin ni Marion.

When I slowly opened my eyes ay nakita kong napaupo si Marion sa sahig. Dumudugo ang braso nito,
marahil ay dahil sa tama ng baril. Napalingon ako sa bumaril sa kanya. Dahan-dahan itong humakbang
palapit sa amin.

Ryu ~

Ryu saved me? I thought he's after my life too?

"How dare you!", sigaw ni Marion sa kanya. Nang akmang kukunin niya muli ang baril ay may biglang
pumulot niyon bago pa man iyon makuha ni Marion.

MIKHAEL TIMOTHY ALONZO'S POV

Pagdating namin ni Gray sa parking lot ay mas binilisan pa namin ang takbo.

Special A! Naging pabaya ako! I should have find Special A agad-agad matapos kong makita ang
papalayong kotse nang mafia guys. Well that's Gray's term.

Matagal pa bago ko natanto ang sitwasyon ni Amber. I just hope that she's not hurt. Nang makita namin
sila ay nakaupo sa sahig si Special A. Her head was bleeding and she hot a bruised cheek. Dumudugo din
ang binti nito!

I also saw Marion at gaya ni Special A ay dumudugo rin ang braso nito and I saw the guy who
administered the quiz in Athena shoot her. I guess his name is Ryu. Gray ran towards Special A while
pinulot ko naman ang baril na akmang aabutin ni Marion.

"Pistole 80, Glock 17. A semi-automatic type parabellum with 9×19mm caliber. Don't you know that a
beautiful girl like you should not carry a thing like this?", wika ko habang maingat na sinusuri ang baril.
Identifying guns is just a piece of cake for me! Pops is a police chief and guns really interest me.

Hanggang ngayon ay hindi ako halos makapaniwala sa isiniwalat ni Gray sa akin. This girl with a very
beautiful face is actually a psycho? Yes, she's beautiful but I found her annoying mula sa simula pa lang.
Ang ipinagtataka ko ay bakit niya ginagawa lahat ng iyon kay Special A.

"Give me that gun! This is between me and that bitch kaya wag kayong makialam!", she shouted. She
must really hate Special A para gawin niya ito.

"Walang ginagawang masama sa iyo si Amber!", the guy named Cooler said. I can't believe it nang
sabihin ni Gray na kapatid niya ito ngunit habang pinagmamasdan ko siya ay nakikita ko ang
pagkakatulad ng features nila ni Gray.
Both of them possessed a dark and deep set of eyes. Yung tipong snobero ngunit magkaiba lang siya ng
ekspresyon ng mukha. Cooler has a friendly smile while Gray maintained his snobbish aura.

They both have pointed nose and wait. This is so damn gay! Bakit ko ba ina-assess ang hitsura nila? I'm
the most handsome here hoho!

"She stole Gray from me!", Marion shouted. "Gray is mine!" Unti-unti itong umiyak at naging tila
maamong tupa.

"I'm sorry! I- I just love Gray so much! I sorry Amber!", humagulhol ito at nakakaawang tingnan. I pity
mentally-illed people like her.

"Marion wala akong inagaw sayo and if I have done any wrong against you, my apologies for that",
mahinahong wika ni Special A. Why is she so kind despite all her damages? If it would be me ay baka
sinira ko na ang mukha ng kung sino mang bumaril sa akin.

"F-forgive me!", patuloy pa rin sa pag-iyak si Marion. Crap, I hate dramatic scenes like this. I hope this is
the part where everything comes to an end. Pagsisihan ni Marion ang kanyang ginawa at
magpapagamot ito.

And then eventually Special A would fall head over heels inlove with me and OKAY! That idea is stupid.
Iniisip ko pa iyon sa mga ganitong pagkakataon?

Iwinaksi ko ang isiping iyon sa isip. I tucked the gun on my side at tinawag si Cooler.

"Hey, Gray's bro. Can you lend me your phone? Tatawag lang ako ng ambulansya at pulis", wika ko sa
kanya. He took a deep breath bago kinuha ang cellphone sa bulsa at inihagis iyon sa akin.
Buti na lang magaling akong sumalo! Hindi man lamang ito sumenyas ng ihagis iyon! Argh! Magkapatid
nga sila ni Gray! My best buddy is also like him!

Patuloy pa rin sa pag-iyak at paghingi ng tawad si Marion. Dumistansya ako upang makatawag ng pulis
but right after I took a few step ay bigla na lamang nagsalita si Marion.

"You all think that I'd say that?! No way!", she shouted at inangat niya ang suot na damit. She got the
revolver that she kept in her thighs at pinaputok iyon kay Amber ngunit agad itong nayakap ni Gray. He
got the bullet that was intended for Special A right on his back, near his lungs. Isa pang putok ang narinig
ko and then I saw Ryu lying on the ground.

DAMN! We can't really trust psychopaths!

**

Down to the last chapter! Votes and comments are highly appreciated! Mwaah :*

CHAPTER 60: AMITY AND ARMISTICE

Chapter 60: Amity and Armistice

A/N: The last time I checked, Detective Files is on the #4 spot in Mystery/Thriller! *throws confetti and
sets up fireworks*

Yey! Gawin nating first spot (Lol! xD)

Arigato readers! Mahaaaal ko si Shinichi, aysti KAYO pala *flying kiss*

--
I can't believe that Gray and Ryu were shoot! Damn! The bullet that hits Gray was meant for me! Why?
Why did you jumped in front of me Gray?! And Ryu - please! I don't want any of them to die!

After Ryu and Gray were shoot, no one dared to move. Pakiramdam ko ay tumigil ang mundo. Shit! Is
this for real? Malubha ang tama ni Gray at Ryu. Agad na sinapo ni Cooler ang walang malay na si Ryu.

Nang tingnan ko si Gray na nakayakap sa akin ay unti-unting pumupungay ang mga mata nito. I cupped
his face marahang inalog siya.

"Gray! Please hold on! You idiot! Why did you do it?! Are you nuts? That's for me! Stupid! How stupid of
you!" I felt hot liquids running down my cheeks. Not that I want to trade places with him but why did he
do it?! Cooler did the same thing before though it wasn't as grave as this. And now si Gray naman? Even
Ryu! Marion doesn't have any grudge against them, sa akin lamang ngunit heto at nadadamay sila! What
now? Is this really the commonality in a Vander blood that runs through their veins? Yung tipong handa
silang ialay ang buhay nila just to keep me safe? Damn! I don't really know if I'm worth it!

Pilit kong hinahanap ang tama niya and I want to cover it with my palm upang tumigil ang pag-agos ng
dugo. Silly me, alam kong hindi iyon makakatulong. But Gray must not die!

Please don't die on me!

He smiled gently at me. "I don't want you dead. Please live Amber", he said hanggang sa unti-unting
pumipikit ang mga mata niya. No! Please anyone! Call an ambulance! Gusto kong isigaw iyon ngunit
walang lumalabas sa bibig ko. Why does it has to turn out like this? God, I was just dancing and enjoying
my birthday and this is what happens after everything?

"How tragic. Is this some modern version of Romeo and Juliet? Now let's complete the tragedy!",
Marion said at muling inangat ang hawak na revolver at itinuon iyon sa akin. Everyone was too shocked
to move. Maging si Khael na nasa tabi ay hindi halos makagalaw. He wasn't able to move nang
mapagmasdan niya si Gray. I don't know how does he felt seeing Gray in such situation. Napansin ko na
lang ang pagkuyom ng palad niya at may bahid ng galit at pag-aalala ang kanyang mukha.
Bago pa man mapaputok ni Marion ang hawak na baril ay bigla na lamang itong napahandusay sa sahig.
Jeremy was on her back habang hawak-hawak ang isang tubo na marahil ay siyang inihampas nito sa ulo
ni Marion.

"Oh, I'm just returning the favor you did to me a while ago Marion. Sorry and please, no hard feelings",
Jeremy said at tiningnan ang nakahandusay na si Marion. "What happened?", he asked innocently at
saka lamang natauhan si Khael. He immediately called the police and an ambulance.

I don't hear anything except for my loud weeping! Hell, my tears can't even lessen the pain that I'm
feeling. I don't want to cry dahil alam kong kahit anong gawin kong iyak ay hindi matatanggal niyon ang
bala na nakabaon sa katawan nina Gray at Ryu. But I just can't stop myself from crying. My tearducts
doesn't cooperate at patuloy lamang ang pag-agos ng mga luha ko.

My leg hurt as well as my face but it cannot surpass the pain that I'm feeling upon seeing Gray and Ryu.
Gray got a shot on his back near his lungs while Ryu got another shot on his side.

I heared a police siren as well as the ambulance approaching. Masakit na ang lalamunan ko and my sight
becomes blurry. Nakaramdam ako ng matinding hapo and I just felt my body collapsed on the ground
before I lost conciousness.

**

Nagising na lang ako na puti ang nasa paligid ko. I'm not in the mood to joke kung nasa langit na ba ako
at anghel ba ang gwapong nurse na nasa gilid ng kama ko. Agad akong napabalikwas ng bangon ng
maalala ang lahat ng nangyari.

"Sweetie? How do you feel?", tanong ni Daddy na nasa tabi ng kama ko. Naroon din si Mommy and both
of them look worried.

"I'm fine Dad. Where's Gray and Ryu?", tanong ko sa kanila at nagkatinginan sila. No one dared to
answer my question.

"Amber, anak. You have to rest. The wound on your head has been stiched at kahit daplis lang ang tama
mo sa binti -"
"Where's Gray and Ryu Mom? Dad?!", tanong ko ulit. Myself is least of my concern now. I need to know
where's Gray and Ryu. I need to see them. I need to checked if they're fine. I need to talk to them. I
HAVE TO TALK TO THEM! I'm preparing punches for them! Ang tanga nila! They're not heroes! Balak ba
nilang agawan ng pwesto sa Luneta si Rizal?! Rizal died for the country and it's worth it! But those silly
guys? They don't have to die for me!

"Anak -"

"JUST ANSWER ME!", nagulat sila sa pagsigaw ko. Agad namang dumaloy ang mga luha sa mata ko. Shit!
I really hate this! Nagawa ko pang sigawan sina Mommy at Daddy.

"I-I'm sorry. Mom. D-dad. I'm just so desperate to know their whereabouts. Please. Please answer me", I
said between my sobs.

Napabuntong-hininga naman si Daddy. Lumapit siya sa akin at hinawakan ang kamay ko.

"Listen sweetie, but please be calm okay?"

Dahan-dahan akong tumango ngunit kinakabahan ako. I just hope that they're fine. I still want to see
Gray solve many cases. Si Ryu, kahit araw-araw niyang pagbantaan ang buhay ko, ayos lang! Kahit
magsmirk siya sa akin sa buong buhay niya, fine with me as long as they have to live. Please. I'm asking
You. Let them live.

"Both of them have undergone surgery kaninang madaling araw at natanggal na ang bala sa katawan
nila. Ryu already gained conciousness but Gray", Dad paused for a while.

"Why? What happened to Gray?"

"Gray suffered too much blood loss when the bullet penetrated through his lungs and it complictes
everything. He's in the intensive care unit now", wika ni Dad at napaamang ako sa narinig. I want to
shout ngunit tila may blade sa lalamunan ko. It hurts like hell! I glanced at Dad's watch and it was
already 3 in the afternoon. I've slept that much? Ang pagkakatanda ko ay hatinggabi nangyari ang lahat.
Marion. Bakit si Marion? No, I should put it this way. Bakit iyon nangyari? Bumangon ako sa kama ko. I
really need to see them ngunit pinigilan ako nima Mommy at Daddy.

"Stay still Amber. Kailangan mo munang magpahinga", wika ni Mommy at pinigilan ako sa akmang
pagtayo.

"I'm fine Mom. Wala akong nararamdamang sakit sa katawan. I have enough rest too", wika ko. That's a
lie. Masakit ang binti ko at maging ang ulo ko but I need to see them.

"Just stay in -"

"Please Mom? Dad?", I look at them with pleading eyes. Napabuntong hininga naman si Daddy.

"Fine. I'll just ask for a wheelchair. And you can only see Ryu. Not Gray dahil nasa ICU pa ito, got it
sweetie?", he asked and I nodded. Gosh, what did I do to deserve such understanding parents and
heroic friends?

Nang bumalik si Daddy ay may dala na itong wheelchair at agad niya akong dinala sa hospital suite ni
Ryu. Dad knocked few times at ang nakangiting mukha ni Artemis ang bumungad sa amin.

"Oh, Hi Amber. How do you feel?", she asked me.

"Never been better. Where's Ryu?", I asked her. I don't want to reminisce the first time that I saw her
kaya mas pinili kong maging komportable sa pakikipag-usap sa kanya.

"Hali ka", she said and guided me. Nagpaalam naman si Dad na sa labas lamang siya maghihintay. Agad
na tinulak ni Artemis ang wheelchair ko palapit sa kama kung saan naroon si Ryu. He was lying on the
bed and a pair of headset is tucked on his ears. Artemis pulled his headset to get his attention.

"Hey you've got a distressed visitor. Aalis muna ako upang makapag-usap kayo. Bye Amber!", wika niya
and I smiled at her.

Nang makaalis na sila Artemis ay wala ni isa man ang nagtangkang magsalita sa amin. Hindi ito nakatiis,
he smirked at pinitik ang ilong ko.
"Stop making that face. Ang pangit mo, alam mo ba?", he said and I smiled. This is the first time na
natuwa ako sa smirk niya.

"Thank goodness!", I exclaimed. Nagtatakang tiningnan naman niya ako. I took that opportunity to
punch his face. AWW! We both cried in pain. This devil got a hard face!

"What the hell! What was that for?!", inis na wika niya habang sinapo ang nasaktang mukha.

"Tanga ka ba? Bakit ka nagpabaril?!", I hissed at him.

"Tanga ka rin ba? Edi sana ikaw ang may ganito ngayon", itinaas niya ang suot na hospital gown at
ipinakita ang nakadressed niyang tama. God! He saved me from a bullet too? Argh! Iisipin ko na talagang
may sayad silang tatlo. Cooler did the same thing before!

"Idiot! You can just find another way to prevent Marion from shooting! Hindi ganitong ililigtas mo ako
but you're killing yourself in the process!", sigaw ko sa kanya. I guess we will never have a normal
conversation.

"Stupid! Ikaw na nga ang iniligtas, ikaw pa ang may ganang mamili ng paraan ng pagligtas sayo! Heck,
you're crazy!"

"And why did you saved me on the first place? Ako sana ang nasa kamang iyan at hindi ikaw!"

"I want to kill you in my own terms. And why? You want to trade places with me? Tumayo ka dyan sa
wheelchair at lumipat ka dito sa kama!", he scowled at me and I smiled. Ito rin ang unang beses na
napangiti ako sa banta niya sa buhay ko.

"Unbelievable. This is the second time that you smiled at me the moment you've entered this room.
Naalog ba ang utak mo? Oh, that explains the bandage", he said and he crossed his arms.

"I don't know that devils like you can be trusted too. Thank you Ryu. How can I pay you this favor? Just
ask anything", seryosong wika ko sa kanya.
He uttered something like 'tsk.' Umiwas siya ng tingin sa akin. "Oh, hindi bagay sayo yang tila maamong
tuta na mukha mo. And besides if you want to pay me, pay me with your body", he said in a very serious
voice.

Pay me with your body?

Bigla na lamang akong napalunok. Bumangon siya at umupo sa kama. Inilapit niya ang mukha niya sa
akin.

"What now? Nababahag ba ang buntot mo? You said that I can ask anything so I'm asking for your
body", wika niya and shit! I can't breath due to the small distance between our faces. Bigla na lamang
itong napatawa ng malakas. What now?!

"You have no idea how does your face look like", wika niya at nagpatuloy sa pagtawa. Did he just played
a joke on me?! Gosh! Ang tanga ko para maniwala! Sinapak ko siya sa dibdib, right on his wound.

"Aaaaargh! Damn you sadist! That hurts!"

Oh, serves him right! "That's for pulling such joke idiot!", I scolwed at him. Muli siyang tumawa ng
malakas.

"As if I'd like too. You're not as beautiful as my bitches", he said.

"Manwhore!"

Muli siyang tumawa. Side effect ba iyon ng surgery? Ang palaging napapatawa si Ryu?

"Hey, where's Cooler?", I asked ng mapansin na wala si Cooler sa paligid. I can't find Khael and Jeremy
too.

"Oh, nandito sila kanina. You know, Cooler with the Athena guy and the one with braces. Kaninang
tanghali lang sila umuwi, and the Athena guy went out with a police. He said he will help on the
investigation as well as he will give his statement to the police", wika ni Ryu.

"His name is Khael."

"Ah, yes Khael. And Cooler? I guess he's in the ICU. He haven't sleep even a single minute. Binantayan
lang niya sa Gray after he donated his blood", he said.

"Cooler donated his blood to Gray?"

"Yeah. They're both type O."

Now I see how much Cooler cares for him. Sana ay nakita din iyon ni Gray. Gray could be jerky at times
but I hope that Cooler have proved himself worthy of Gray's trust.

"I hope this is the truce between the two of them. They're of the same blood anyway", komento ko.
Napansin kong matamang nakatitig sa akin si Ryu kaya bumaling ako sa kanya.

"Let's agree on this as an armistice between us too."

He gave me a million dollar smirk. "No way. I will always annoy the hell out of you."

I rolled my eyes at him. I guess he can't live without pestering my life! Aasahan ko na ang kanyang mga
sugarcoated death threats for me. Oh Ryu! Give me a break!

**

It's the night before Christmas and I've been staring at the huge christmas tree in our living room. Abala
ang lahat sa bahay. They're preparing for the noche buena. Bigla na lamang tumunog ang cellphone ko
at rumehistro ang pangalan ni Khael sa screen kaya agad kong sinagot iyon.

"Merry christmas Special A!", bati niya and I rolled my eyes. It's still quarter to eleven and there's still
more than an hour bago ang pasko.

"I'll sent you a watch or a wall clock for christmas. It seems like nagdisfunction na yata ang orasan
ninyo", wika ko sa kanya and I heard him giggled.

"Why? Can't you greet Merry Christmas to someone even before the clock strikes 12?", he asked. Tama
nga naman but malapit ng magpasko, edi sana mamayang hatinggabi na lang ito tumawag!

"Fine. Merry christmas too Khael", bati ko sa kanya.

"May kulang eh."

Ha? Ano namang kulang doon? "What?", I asked him.

"Kulang nga."

"Ano nga ang kulang doon?"

"It should be merry christmas handsome Khael. I love you!", he said and laughed. Argh. Baliw talaga ito.

"Dream on Mikhael Timothy!", wika ko sa kanya.

"Cut the Timothy. Naaalala ko ang lolo ko dyan."

I mentally laughed at him. "Timothy. Timothy. Timothy. Timothy. Timothy!", pag-uulit ko.

"Ugh. Stubborn. I'll give you my gift if I'll see you", wika niya at narinig kong tinawag ako ni Mommy.

"Mom called me. I'll call you later Khael", wika ko at agad pinatay ang tawag.

I helped Mom set up the table. Andaming pagkain kahit tatlo lamang kami. Uh, six to be exact. Kasama
namin ang dalawang katulong at isang driver. Well, ipamimigay naman nina Mommy ang mga pagkain sa
pamilya ng driver o sa mga katulong.

Lumapit sa akin ang isang poodle na tuta. His name is Filter. Iyon ang regalo sa akin ni Gray noong
kaarawan ko. Paulit-ulit itong tumahol kaya agad ko itong kinarga.

"Merry christmas Filter!", bati ko sa aso. I'm crazy to think na sasagot ito but Filter wagged his tail at
tumahol. Maybe he said Merry christmas to me too.

When I glanced at my watch, it was 11:11. Didn't they said na matutupad ang hiling mo tuwing 11:11? I
closed my eyes and silently wished that Gray will call me.

Hindi kasi kami nagkausap matapos niyang lumabas ng ospital. He survived his operation and he's now
in good terms with Cooler. Hindi naman masyadong close but their relationship improved. He doesn't
despises him anymore unlike before. I remembered our conversation at the hospital when I confronted
him about his stupid heroic stunts.

"Why did you do it Gray? Akala ko ba matalino ka? Do you think it's logical to save me by jumping in
front of a bullet for me?", I told him while crying. It was after I hugged him tighly. Gosh, it was so
awkward but I don't mind. I'm glad that he's fine.
"Once you care so much about someone, it's impossible to be logical about them anymore. The only
thing you'll have in your mind is how to save them."

He left me dumbfounded with such words.

As of Marion, she was brought abroad for psychological treatment. We visited her at the hospital.
Nakahiga lang ito at nakatingin sa kawalan. Naaawa ako sa kanya. I know she suffers so much with such
mental illness. I don't hold any grudge against her. Biktima lamang din naman siya ng kanyang sakit.

As of Jeremy, I keep in touch with him through social media. He greeted me a merry christmas kanina.
He even posted and tagged me and some of our classmate in his fb status, greeting us a merry
christmas. Uh, naglelevel up na talaga si Jeremy. Hindi na ako magugulat kong isang araw ay magpopost
na ito ng kanyang selfie.

Sumapit ang pasko at binati ako nina Mommy at Daddy. We opened our christmas gifts for each other.
We spend time together hanggang sumapit ang alas dos. We decided to rest kaya nagpunta na ako sa
kwarto ko. Dinala ko na si Filter at inilapag ito sa rug na nasa paanan ng kama ko. I was about to turn of
the lights nang may tumawag sa akin. It was an unregistered number. What now? Is this a prank call on a
christmas day?

Kahit nag-aalangan ay sinagot ko pa rin ang tawag.

"Get out of your house", wika ng nasa kabilang linya. I recognized his voice and it was Gray! Looks like
11:11 is really effective. But why is he acting like a jerk? Ni hindi man lamang ako binati!

"Ayoko nga. It's 2 in the morning at maginaw sa labas", wika ko sa kanya. Nasa subdivision ang bahay
namin kaya hindi maingay ang paligid. Kaninang pagsapit ng alas dose lang maingay dahil may mga
fireworks.

"Just get out okay? I'm kinda freezing here", wika niya. Wait. He's outside? I jumped out of my bed at
agad na lumabas. I was outside when I realized that I'm in my pajamas and a black spaghetti-strap top.

I saw him leaning on a black porsche. Oh, his porsche. Tumuwid siya ng tayo ng makita niya ako.

"Merry Christmas", simpleng bati niya. God! I missed him! It's been a week and a half since the last time
that I saw him. I prevented the urge of throwing myself to him and give him a tight hug.

"Merry christmas Gray", bati ko rin sa kanya. Binuksan niya ang kotse and he pulled three paperbags
from inside. Una niyang inabot ang isang itim na paperbag. The paperbag's print was the skeleton on the
Nightmare before Christmas.

"Open it. It's Ryu's gift for you.", wika niya. Ryu's gift? Ibig sabihin ay nagkita sila?
"Nagkita kayo?", I asked and he nodded.

"I went to the Vander Mansion by 1, Dad's request since Cronus asked him dahil sa kanya lang naman
ako nakikinig, I mean my adoptive dad. I'm being amiable with those mafia guys nowadays", sagot niya
sa akin. "Buksan mo na. He told me to watch you open his gift."

Agad ko namang binuksan iyon and I almost cursed Ryu to death when I saw what's inside. It's a pair of
red and black sexy nighties! What the hell! Anong akala niya sa akin, nasa honeymoon?!

"Tell him not to show himself to me. I will kill that perverted jerk once I see him!", inis na wika ko. Inabot
naman niya ang pink na paperbag.

"Cooler's gift."

Agad ko iyong kinuha at binuksan. It was an earings with my birthstone. Uh, ayaw ko ng isipin kung
gaano kamahal ang halaga niyon dahil baka makonsensya lang ako na gamitin iyon.

"Send my gratitude to him." Inabot niya ang huling paperbag sa akin.

"And this one is Jeremy's. It's a pair and he said I can have the other one kaya kinuha ko na."

Binuksan ko iyon and there was a photoframe inside with a photo of me and Gray. It was a stolen photo
during my debut. Gray and I were dancing and we're both smiling in that photo. I already saw all the
photos took by the hired photographer on my debut but this one is really awesome.

"I'll chat my thank you to him later", wika ko at muling ibinalik sa loob ng paperbag ang frame. "Thanks
for delivering them by the way."

"I don't have a gift for you as of this moment but I have a code for you to decipher", inabot niya sa akin
ang isang nakatuping papel. "Call me and tell me your answer if you have already deciphered it. Saka ko
na rin ibibigay ang regalo ko sayo."

"I don't have a gift for you too. Ibibigay ko na lang din kapag nagkita pa tayo", sagot ko sa kanya at
kinuha ang papel.
"It's getting cold. Pumasok ka na", he said and I nodded matapos magpasalamat ulit. I took a step
backward and turned on my back ngunit muli itong nagsalita.

"Crap, I forgot something", the next thing I knew was that he pulled me on my waist and he hugged me
tightly. "Merry christmas Amber."

Yeah. It was a MERRY Christmas indeed.

**

It's already six in the morning and I haven't sleep even a single minute! Damn Gray! Kapag nagka-
eyebags ako ng ilang kilo ay kasalanan niyang lahat. His tight hugged leave me sleepless kaya pinili ko na
lang idecipher ang ibinigay niyang code and another Damn him! Ang hirap ng ibinigay niyang code!
Haller! I'm not as smart as him! The code goes like this:

A Message from Giovan Battista Bellaso ~

IMCCWQBXWGNFOFMHRKCYPKPEX?

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

(Handsome author's note: Hello Detectives! Try to decipher this message bago kayo magpatuloy HAHA!
Alam niyo na to! May mga nagstruggle nga dito pero yakang-yaka yan!)

Argh! Who the hell is Giovan Battista Bellaso? Classmate ba namin iyon o taga ibang section na mula sa
Bridle? Inis na nilakumos ko ang papel na sinulatan ko. Nakakainis naman eh! Humiga ako sa kama at
nahagip ng tingin ko ang desktop computer na nasa sulok ng kwarto ko. Uh, I'll cheat! Isesearch ko sa
facebook o kaya sa google yang si Giovan na yan!

Agad akong bumangon at nagpunta sa harap ng PC. I typed the name sa google at lumabas ang mga
impormasyon tungkol sa kanya. He was an Italian cryptologist who invented different ciphers including
Vigenère cipher which was strengthened by Blaise de Vigenère by creating an autokey cipher.

That's it! Vigenère cipher!

Agad kong pinag-aralan ang cipher. I tried using Giovan Battista Bellaso as the keyword but the word is
incomprehensible. Hindi kaya Merry Christmas ang keyword?

I tried again using Merry Christmas as the keyword. I located the keyword on the row and find the
cipheredtext in the square.

I located the corresponding letter in each column and I got the following letter.

I-M-W

M-E-I

C-R-L

C-R-L

W-Y-Y

Q-C-O

B-H-U

X-R-G

W-I-O

G-S-O

N-T-U

F-M-T

O-A-O

F-S-N

M-M-A

H-E-D

R-R-A

K-R-T

C-Y-E

Y-C-W
P-H-I

K-R-T

P-I-H

E-S-M

X-T-E

WILL YOU GO OUT ON A DATE WITH ME?

He's asking me for a date? Uh, maybe just a friendly date. Ayon nga sa kasabihan, Do not assume unless
otherwise stated!

But damn him! Ilang oras akong hindi nakatulog just to crack this code tapos ganito?! He could just ask
me directly! Agad kong kinuha ang cellphone ko at tinawagan ito.

"So, is it a Yes or Yes?", he asked directly. Namumuro na nga yata ito sa ginagawang hindi pagbati kapag
kausap ko ito sa telepono.

"I want to wring your neck, alam mo ba? I haven't sleep even a minute because of this!", wika ko sa
kanya and I heard him chuckled.

"I'll consider that as a yes. Thanks Amber. See you on the 30th", he said at pinatay ang tawag. The hell!
Did he just hang up on me?

But uh, I'm looking forward for December 30! Oh, I wish I could drag the days upang maging Rizal Day
na!

I ran towards the mirror. Fine, I don't want to drag the days! I need enough time for a beauty rest.

Oh God! I've got some bags down on my eyes. Uh, I need to sleep! ###

***

END OF DETECTIVE FILES: Crimes, Clues, Love, Mysteries and Deductions File 1##

A/N: Naawa na ako kay Marion kaya inibsan ko na ang kasamaan niya! Haha! I'll be posting Frequently
Asked Questions and File 2 Spoilers later, so look forward to it!

Lovely (estii) Lovingly,

ShinichiLaaaabs ♥

P.S. File 2! File 2! File 2! HAHA

FAQs

To the readers of Detective Files:

Since writing is my only way of reaching you, I would like to grab this opportunity to express everything I
have in my heart.

For few months of writing this story, I have established a different kind of bond with you readers. Parang
kailan lang, nanunuod lang ako ng mga Detective Conan and now I'm have completed a story inspired
with such anime.

You have no idea how much happy I am nang magsimula nang lumago ang Detective Files. Isa lang
naman akong hamak na estudyante na fan na fan ng Detective Conan. Die-hard fan ako, alam niyo ba?
I'd rather watch A DC episode nang paulit-ulit kaysa sa manuod ng iba. Nagpapadownload ako sa
classmate ko at paulit-ulit na pinanuod ang episode at movie na gusto ko. Dalawang beses ko nang
pinanuod tapos ikekwento ko sa roommate ko tapos kapag nanuod siya ay nakikinuod din ako haha!
Pinapaalis na nga nila ako kasi nakikinuod pa ako kahit ilang beses ko nang pinanuod. Namememorized
ko na nga yung subtitle eh! Kapag naririnig ko ang background music ay alam na alam ko kung anong
eksena iyon. Would you believe it na puno ng mga pictures mula sa Detective Conan ang dingding ko sa
dorm namin? I have a personalized Detective Conan bookmark. Puro Shinichi/Conan, Heiji, Kaito at
Hakuba ang nasa gallery ko. Detective Conan characters ang background ng Go SMS ko at maging ang
wallpaper at lockscreen ko (recently lang ng pinalitan ko ng picture ni Kuroko ang wallpaper ko). Yung
iLauncher ko, pinalitan ko ng mga characters ng Conan ang mga icon at maging sa Go Keyboard ko.
Panay post din ako sa facebook ng mga screenshots ko ng DC. Puno ng vandal ng Japanese characters
nung Conan ang mga libro at notebook ko at kapag nakakakita ako ng marker ay nagta-tattoo ako sa
sarili ko nang Conan. I never speak any other anime above Detective Conan kaya ako nainspire magsulat
ng ganito. Yes, I used tricks from DC but revised it to my version. Marami pang pinagdaanan ang
Detective Files bago ito natapos. May mga negative comments and reviews at naikompara pa ito sa
ibang mystery story na nagmarka na sa Wattpad. I even came to the point na inisip kong ipu-pull out ko
na ang story ko, but I'm glad that I didn't do it dahil may mga nainspire pala akong tao sa pagsusulat ko.

Napamahal na sa inyo ang mga characters kahit gaano pa katigas ng ulo ni Amber, yung katorpehan ni
Gray (is he? haha). Maging ang kawaleeyhan ni Jeremy ay minahal ninyo, Ryu's million dollar smirk,
Khael's naughtiness, Cooler's coolness and the author's craziness. You bear with all my crazy ideas, faulty
story na puno ng errors (haha!) and everything about Detective Files.

Thank you so much readers, hindi ko alam kung paano ko kayo pasasalamatan. I guess the best way is to
continue writing stories that will entertain you. May pinaplano din akong isulat na story other than DF
pero plano pa lang naman.
SALAMAT TALAGA! MAHAL KO KAYOOOOO :*

[Frequently Asked Questions]

1. May Book 2 po ba?

~ Matagal ko ng in-announced iyon, hindi siguro kayo nagbabasa ng AN ano? Haha, pero okay lang.
Mabait ako kaya sasagutin ko. Yes. May File 2 at nagda-draft na ako.

2. Bakit po ang tanda na nila pero nasa HighSchool pa din?

~ Si Amber kasi sakitin dati, si Gray naman nag-abroad tapos si Khael, hindi mabubuhay kung wala si
Gray kaya hindi muna nag-aral ng habang nasa Abroad si Gray. Ni-reiterate ko na lang kahit naexplain ko
na ito sa isang chapters. Jeremy and the others (Amber's roommates) ay around 16.

3. How about Detective Tross? Ilang taon na po siya?

~ He's 26 at matanda na siya pero pogi syempre haha!

4. Ang galing niyo po Author (aheem!) Saan po kayo humuhugot ng idea?

~ Like I've always said, Detective Conan, Sherlock Holmes and Nancy Drew inspires me a lot.

5. Bisaya po kayo?

~ Oh, bisaya gyud ko! HAHA! Kamo? Bisaya mo?

6. Papasok po ba sila sa Mafia World?

~ Sounds like an interesting idea. I'll try considering it.

7. Bakit ang haba ng buhok ni Amber?

~ Kasi ni-REJOICE niya! ♪Haba ng hair, nagrejoice ka ba girl?♪

8. May gusto po ba sa kanya si Khael?

~ Yaaas! He's the most vocal guy in DF kasi gusto niya talaga si Amber.

9. Eh, si Ryu po? Tingin ko may gusto talaga siya kay Amber eh.

~ Andaming shiper sa kanila ni Amber pero I'll leave that as mystery hihi!

10. Ilang taon na po ba ang mga main characters?

~ Amber, Gray and Khael are 18, si Cooler ay magti-twenty (20) at magti-21 na si Ryu.

11. Ang gwapo po ni Ryu! Pwede po bang sa akin na lang siya?

~ Pwede! Kung matitiis mo ang sama ng ugali niya.

12. Si Cooler po, pwede sa akin na rin?

~Pwede rin kaso busy siya sa mafia kaya wala siya masyadong time sayo huhu.

13. Si Jeremy po! Ang cute niya! Pwede po iuwi?

~ Yeah, sure. Go ahead. Kaya mo namang tiisin ang kawaleeeeyhan niya diba?

14. Ano po ba talaga kayo? Babae o lalaki?

~ Babae talaga ako pero feeling ko, pogi ako.

15. Bakit po ang pogi niyo?

~ Aheem, maliit na bagay! HAHA

16. Kailan po maipupublish ang File 2?

~ No exact date. Kaya chill lang kayo. I'm trying my best to update always kasi summer pa namin,
madalang na lang akong makapag-update kapag sumapit ang August, pasukan na kasi.

17. Magkakaroon po ba ng development sina Gray at Amber o si Amber at yung iba pang characters?
~Gray and Amber are both dense at since idol ni Gray si Holmes, naniniwala siyang destruction lang iyon
sa logical faculty, but don't worry, people change xD

18. Ang ganda niyo po. Bakit po?

~ Maliit na bagay ulit HAHAHAHAHA! (Chill lang kayo, joke lang!)

19. Kaya niyo po gumawa ng XXX scene?

~ OMAYGAAD! I can't imagine! Ang sagwa naman kung may ganoong eksena sa DF! Loko kayo ha! Gawin
ba naman akong erotic writer? HAHA

20. Nakakainis po si Marion! Bakit di niyo po pinatay?

~ HAHA! Natawa ako sa mga ipinapakita niyong emosyon towards her. Hindi siya namatay kasi Matagal
mamatay ang masamang damo.

21. Wala na po bang special chapter para sa date nila?

~ Wala na. Abangan niyo na lang sa Detective Files File 2.

22. Doon po sa Chapter 59, bakit po may baril si Ryu?

~ Because he's a mafia devil haha kaya palaging may dalang baril, ganoon siya.

23. Magkakatuluyan po ba si Marion at Ryu?

~ Hindi eh. Ayaw talaga nila sa isa't-isa huhubells

24. Babalik po ba sa File 2 si Marion?

~ Possibly!

25. Pwede po magpadedicate?

~ Uh, you have no idea how much I want to dedicate each chapters to you my avid readers, kaso hindi
ako makapagdedicate kasi sa cp lang ako nagtatype at nagpa-publish.
26. Kailan po ang next update?

~ Eto yung pinakagasgas na tanong Haha! The answer is kapag may load ako, mag-uupdate ako! HAHA!

Pinned Question:

Ganito po yung sa Detective Conan ah? Bakit po?

~ Gaya ng laging sabi ko, DC inspires me a lot kaya ganoon and AGAIN, I didn't totally copied the tricks,
nirevised ko.

FILE 2 (Possible Case/Titles)

*Dare Me, Date Me

*The Thief who didn't steal

*Messages from underworld

*The culprit is a ghoul

*Who's the dummy?

*Detective Ryu?

File 2 Chapter 1 Spoiler:

Chapter 1: Dare me, Date me

(A/N: Kung inaakala niyong may mangyayaring case sa date nila, pwes nagkakamali kayo! It's the other
way round. May case na nangyayari pero nagdate sila sa kasagsagan ng kaso! HAHA!)

"You look beautiful today."

"Don't say such words in the middle of a case!"

"Oh, even if this case arrived ahead of me, we will still have our date kahit pa dito sa crime scene
mismo."
--

I'm a cliff-hanger, yes! HAHA

Arigato!

-Tammii/ShinichiLaaaabs♥

P.S.

I really appreciate readers na sa sobrang hook nila ay nakakagawa sila ng book covers! Salamat sa inyo!
I'm open for any book covers na gagawin niyo for DF file and 2 kung sakali. Lovelots :*

Announcement

Announcement

DETECTIVE FILES File 2 was already published sa WP. Search niyo na lang, DETECTIVE FILES (File 2)

Join DF discussions on facebook! Just search DETECTIVE FILES by SHINICHILAAAABS and let's get
acquainted! Para na rin mainform kayo for file 2 updates. ♥

Yun lang! Arigato!

- Shinichilaaaabs♥