Death Trap Pandemonium (COMPLETED)

Chapter Thirteen

CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Tying Loose Ends

October 31, 2015; Saturday
Blue Bay Retreat House, Azulan City
7:46 am

"Baka naman inatake na 'yan sa puso dahil sa sama ng loob? Kanina pa siya hindi gumagalaw, eh."

"Tonta¹, edi sana humandusay na yan diyan. Besides, that bitch is tougher than some members of B.I.P. combined. How do you think she survived falling-you get my point?"

JC didn't know what to expect when he decided to go make a cup of coffee for himself in the kitchen but it was certainly not this. Cess and Reigne were huddled together by the window over the kitchen sink, as if spying on something or someone out in the backyard. At nangangamoy nasusunog na isda ang buong kusina.

"Charred bangus ba ang nasa menu ngayong umaga?" tanong niya, dahilan upang mapatalon ang dalawa.

"Ay, anak ng kaibigan kong walang lovelife dahil 'di maka-move on!"

"Dios mio, qué horror de puta madre!²"

Sabay na bulalas nina Reigne at Cess at agad na napabalikwas. Dali-daling nilapitan ni Cess ang kalan sa kabilang bahagi ng kusina upang asikasuhin ang niluluto niya. On the other hand, Reigne simply grinned cheekily at him as he tried to fix his coffee up with only one hand.

"Kailangan mo ng tulong?" tanong ni Reigne matapos ang ilang sandali.

For a few moments, JC thought about letting his pride win and refuse the offered help but, eventually, common sense won.

"Salamat, Reigne," sabi ni JC habang isinasalin ng dalaga ang mainit na tubig sa kanyang baso. "So. . .anong meron? Bakit nasunog yung agahan natin?"

Bahagyang natawa si Reigne bago sumeryoso. She glanced briefly at Cess who was still busy trying to salvage their breakfast and back out the kitchen sink window before heaving a sigh.

"Nag-aalala lang kami kay Ailee," aniya habang tinitimpla ang kape ni JC. Nakunot ang noo niya at hinintay itong magpatuloy. "Well. . .alam mo naman na na-reveal nang wala sa oras yung tungkol sa kakambal niya, 'di ba? We're just worried na baka ma-trigger siya at mag-relapse sa. . .you know." She briefly gestured to her wrist.

JC mulled over the information for several seconds before coming to a decision. "I'll. . .susubukan ko siyang kausapin," aniya matapos pasalamatan si Reigne sa pagtitimpla ng kape niya.

"I don't think that's a good idea, Sanchez," Cess immediately said from the other side of the room.

Kunot-noong napatingin sa kanya sina JC at Reigne.

"Bakit naman hindi?" Nalilitong tanong ni Reigne. "Eh, 'di ba dati, si JC rin naman yung kumausap sa kanya noong. . .nag-away-away kayo nina Aron at Jean?"

Bago pa man makasagot si Cess, binitbit na ni JC ang kape niya at nagsimulang maglakad palabas ng kusina papunta sa kung nasaan si Ailee.

Agad na sumalubong sa kanya ang sariwang hangin dahil sa mga naglalakihang punong nakapaligid sa retreat house. Ailee was sitting on the steps of the veranda attached behind the kitchen, poring over a black notebook. The only indication that she was aware of his presence was how she paused from scribbling on the pages before shutting the notebook completely.

"Pwede bang umupo rito?" tanong ni JC at sumenyas sa pwesto sa tabi ni Ailee.

The redhead simply shrugged, not looking at him. "I don't see a sign saying it's forbidden to sit there."

"Yeah, wala nga. Pero I have a feeling na masasampal o masasapak na naman ako kapag umupo ako dito nang walang permiso," sabi ni JC bago tuluyang umupo sa tabi ng dalaga.