DESPEDIDA GONE WRONG. What's supposed to be a memorable send-off party ends up in tragedy as the celebrant drops dead after making a toast. Of all the possibilities, murder seems to be most likely scenario. And the suspects? The four attendees who w...
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ANASTACIA
FIFTEEN MINUTES after their heart-to-heart talk, Zack went down with Desmond and met us in the living room. Tapos na ang one-on-one sessions niya sa 'min. Nasabi na niya malamang ang mga huling habilin niya. Wait, that sounded so wrong. Better siguro kung "pabaon" para 'di pangit pakinggan. He's not dying. He's just going somewhere.
Zack put his hands together once and rubbed his palms together. "It's time for the farewell toast! May inihanda akong vintage wine para sa occasion na 'to. I hope everyone's okay with a little bit of drinking tonight."
"Wow! Talaga, Sir?"
"I'm in as long as I don't get too drunk to drive."
"I don't drink, but tonight will be an exemption."
"Kung ano ang trip n'yo, sasakyan ko."
"Literal na parting shot 'to." Pumunta siya sa kitchen, binuksan ang cabinet at bumalik sa sala na may dala-dalang wine bottle. Itinaas niya 'yon para ipakita sa 'min. "Do you all drink wine? Oh, first time? Don't worry, this is better than alcohol."
I had already tried wine, but only during special occasions like Christmas or New Year's eve. Tonight, I would make an exemption. Hindi ko palalampasin ang pagkakataon na 'to. This could be the last time we would make a toast . . . until we'd see each other again in the future.
"Let's have a toast in the balcony?" Zack jerked his thumb over his shoulder, pointing at the stairs. "Wine is best partnered with an exquisite view outside. Hindi gano'n ka-memorable ang scenery na tanaw mula sa balcony, pero pagtiyagaan na natin. Masarap naman ang sariwang simoy ng hangin do'n. Shall we?"
Sabay-sabay kaming tumayo at akmang pupunta na sa hagdanan. Magkahalong excitement at lungkot ang naramdaman ko. This toast meant that we're getting close to saying goodbye to him.
"Cole? Des?" Zack called the boys. "Can you help me with the glasses and the ice?"
"Sure, Sir! No problem."
Sinabayan ng dalawa si Zack sa kitchen habang kami ni Beatrice ay umakyat na sa hagdanan. From up here, we still heard the boys talking and walking around downstairs.
"Cole, pwede mo bang kunin 'yong wineglasses sa cabinet?"
"Yes, Sir!"
"Inilalabas ko lang ang mga 'yan kapag may special occasion. This might be the last time I'm going to use them anyway."
"'Yong nasa taas ba o 'yong nasa baba?"
"'Yong nasa baba. Mag-ingat ka sa paghawak, ha? Mamahalin ang mga 'yan. Ipababayad ko sa 'yo kapag may nabasag."
"Sir naman!"
"Joke lang! O, Des, pakisuyo 'yong ice cubes sa chiller. Some wines are best enjoyed with ice."
