Origins of the QED Club

Chapter 24: Two Truths, One Lie

How about her love for matcha? That drink was a trend because of its unique taste. I tried drinking it before. Okay ang lasa niya—it kind of lived up to its hype—pero hindi siya pasok sa top five drinks na o-order-in ko sa isang café. Jamie seemed to be type who enjoyed trending stuff, so this could be another truth. Hayan, lumalabas na tuloy ang pagiging judgmental ko.

That left the boyfriend thing. Without any bias or prejudice, Jamie was undeniably pretty and extremely talented. Being adored by guys—and probably girls too—would be hardly surprising. She might have reciprocated someone's affection toward her. So she might have had a boyfriend in the past, unless she preferred a girlfriend. This could also be a truth.

Ano ba 'yan? Suitable ang lahat ng ibinigay niyang choices sa kanya.

"Time's up!" She clapped once to get our attention. My shoulders jerked as I was in deep thought. "Sino'ng maunang sasagot? Ikaw na, Lorelei, kasi ladies first."

Alin sa tatlo ang kasinungalingan? Ah, hindi! Dapat ang piliin ko ay kung ano ang least likely na totoo. Three choices presented themselves, and one of them must be the correct answer. Parang may sinasagutan akong multiple choice exam.

"You love matcha?" I replied hesitantly. Idinaan ko sa technicality ang aking choice. Maybe she enjoyed drinking matcha, but she never loved it. "I guess that's the lie."

"How about you, Loki?"

"The bit about matcha, too. Who likes drinking grass?"

"Al?"

"You've had a boyfriend."

I darted a sideward glance at my childhood friend. So he thought that Jamie had no boyfriend before? He must have seen something that I missed.

"The correct answer is . . ." Jamie paused to build up suspense. "Me having a boyfriend is the lie! I'm a pureblood Swiftie and I so freaking love matcha! Si Al lang ang tumama!"

My eyes repeatedly blinked. That took me aback. Maybe I was judgmental by thinking that she already had a boyfriend before. But in my defense, based on her eye-catching looks and charming personality, it was hard to believe that she had not entertained any suitor. People are more than what they seem.

"Parang hindi kayo makapaniwala, ah? I haven't had any boyfriend since birth, okay?" No one asked, but Jamie explained herself anyway. Itinaas pa niya ang kanyang kanang kamay. "Promise, cross my heart."

Sino ba naman kami para pagdudahan ang sinabi niya? We got no choice but to take her word for it. Walang mas nakakikilala sa sarili niya kundi siya. Also, her love life was none of our concern.

"At dahil si Al ang nakahula, siya ang susunod!" Nagmuwestra si Jamie sa katabi ko. "What are your two truths and one lie?"

Nagkrus ang mga braso ni Alistair, saglit na napatingin sa sahig at napahawak sa chin. "Let's see . . . One, Science ang favorite subject ko. Two, I was a member of my previous school's student council. Three, I have a black belt in taekwondo."

I smirked. Dito mate-test ang friendship namin. Baka itakwil niya ako bilang kaibigan kung magkamali ako rito. But there was nothing to worry about. I knew the answer.

"Last na sasagot si Lori," nakangiti niyang sabi sa akin bago binalingan sina Jamie at Loki. "Jamie, ikaw na ang mauna, 'tapos si Loki."

Jamie twirled her hair in braid as she looked up at the ceiling. Parang nakasulat sa kisame ang sagot. "Feeling ko, black belt 'yong lie. Baka masyado kang busy sa studies mo para makapag-train ng martial arts."

"The answer is obvious. Science is the lie," Loki said. "Do I need to explain?"

"Science is my answer, too," I seconded. "Kung favorite mo talaga ang Science, you would have chosen STEM instead of HUMSS. Araling Panlipunan kaya ang fave mong subject."