DETECTIVE FILES. File 1 (Published under PSICOM)

CHAPTER 44: MY FAIR LADY

"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, anong ginagawa mo― aray ano ba?"

"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 nagba-blush!" 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!

"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.

"Nasa 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.

"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, na na-carried away lang sa binabasa kong the adventure of Sussex vampire," 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.

"Quite 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 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?"