Foreseen

Chapter 4: Student Detectives

"I can't believe I'm spying on my brother," hindi makapaniwalang sambit ni Kenji sa kaniyang sarili. I observed the man we've been spying on ever since an hour ago. Unlike Kenji, he has thicker eyebrows. He's wearing a blue polo shirt paired with black pants. His hair is tied in a man bun that complements his look. He's got this authoritative and charismatic aura emanating from him. Kenji's brother, Cullen, ordered a meal at a counter. He walked elegantly towards a table with a loaded tray on his right hand. He set the tray down on a table that's just two tables away from where we're seated. I glanced at my wristwatch. It's just 6:37 AM.

Tulad ng napag-usapan, we're in a quest to prove his brother's innocence and to search for the real culprit. My dad dropped me at school earlier than usual. Pagpasok ko, nakaabang na si Kenji sa isang bench malapit sa entrance. Dumiretso agad kami sa kapetirya para abangan ang pagdating ng kuya niya. His brother's staying at the boy's dormitory according to Kenji pero umuuwi naman daw ito every weekend o kapag hindi na ganun kahigpit ang kaniyang schedule inside the school.

"Observe him until we give you orders. Kung may mapansin kayong kahina-hinala, balitaan niyo kami kaagad."

Ang mga salitang iyon ang bilin nila Detective Pablo sa amin nang mag-usap kami sa telepono kanina. Just like us, they're also investigating. They're busy searching for any traces left by the murderer ngunit hanggang ngayon ay wala pa ring lumilitaw.

Tumango ako kay Kenji bago ito lumapit sa kuya niya. I'm discreetly observing them from afar while pretending to be an early bird student enjoying her breakfast.

"Good morning, Mr. President," pagbati ni Kenji sa kaniyang kuya. Mas diniinan ko pa ang earpiece sa aking tenga upang mas malinaw ko silang marinig. Kenji's wearing one too. Buti nalang at may kahabaan ang buhok niya kaya hindi gaanong halata.

I pleaded my father yesterday to permit me to join their investigation. If only you know how many attempts of appeal I've been through just to attain victory. Yeah, victory 'cause it felt like I just waged war with my father. What can I do? I'm just dying to solve the mystery and I want to at least find out why I dreamed of it. Is it just a precognitive dream? Then what is its connection to me?

I even begged my father to lend us some wireless earpieces. Noong una'y hindi siya pumayag ngunit noong banggitin ko ang paggamit nila saakin kahapon sa interrogation room para mapaamin si Kenji, agad itong pumayag. Napangisi nalang ako sa naalala ko. It's just a matter of give and take.

Cullen lifted his gaze when Kenji approached his table. Kapansin-pansin ang walang buhay na mukha nito. Pati ang mga mata niya'y namamaga rin. He surely has been unable to recover from his grief at his lover's death. I pity him. The love of his life left him entirely. Nawalan siya ng pagkakataon na makausap at makipagkasundo sa dati niyang kasintahan. The last memory of her is painfully heartbreaking.

"Morning," matamlay na pagbati nito. "Why are you here so early? I didn't know you're an early bird," tanong nito matapos umupo ni Kenji sa harapan niya. "I'm sorry." Sa halip na sumagot, humingi ng tawad si Kenji. Kenji looked down while his brother curiously looked at him because of what he said.

"Sorry for what?"

"I shouldn't have asked her to meet me at the parking lot." Guilt is evident in his voice. "In that way, wala sanang dumanak na dugo."

"That's not your fault, Ken. It's no one's fault but the murderer." Halata sa boses nito ang pagkamuhi nang banggitin niya ang huling salita. Hindi ko man malinaw na mahagilap ang reaksyon niya but I know that he's furious just by the tone of his voice. Bahagyang natahimik si Kenji sa reaksyon ng kapatid niya.

"Were you able to meet her yesterday?" Nasa kalagitnaan na sana siya ng pagsubo ngunit napatigil ito sa tanong ni Kenji. Sumeryoso ang ekspresyon ng mukha nito at tumitig siya sa kaniyang kapatid. Mukhang nagdadalawang-isip ito kung sasagutin ba niya ang katanungan ni Kenji o kung ano ang isasagot niya. "No, I wasn't able to meet her," sagot nito makalipas ng ilang segundong katahimikan.