Mystic Club: The Paranormal Detectives

Chapter 9: Misadventures of Coco in California

"Nasaan ka ba ngayon nanay at bakit hindi ka pa umuuwi?"

"The Duchess of Alba wouldn't let me go. Hinulaan ko kasi siya nitong nakaraang linggo at gusto niyang manatili ako para sa isang importanteng selebrasyon kung saan kakailanganin niya ako."

Ipinameywang ko ang aking isang kamay at bumuntong-hininga. I'm really trying my best to keep myself calm. Nanay naman!

"What do you want me to do then?"

"Can you check your Tita Colleen in California? Alam mo namang may tampuhan pa sila ng Tita Caroline mo di ba? Anak, ikaw na lang talagang pag-asa ko at kapág nalaman mong hindi maganda ang sitwasyon niya doon ay isama mo siya pabalik sa Pilipinas. Please anak, nasa sayo pa naman di ba ang visa mo?"

Aside from being weird, nanay can really be a wart on my shoulder sometimes. She's very talented on that. Ang kaninang nakapameywang kong kamay ay hinilot ko sa aking sentido.

"Okay I will but you need to make an excuse letter for me when I come back here."

"Sure Baby Coco! Salamat anak ko!"

I was about to click the end button but nanay said 'wait' kaya ibinalik ko ulit iyon sa tenga ko.

"What is it nanay?"

"Did you know that Persephone is the daughter of Demeter?" Heto na naman tayo.

"Yes nanay and Hades fell in love with the daughter of his sister Demeter."

Hades and Persephone's love story are one of the best that had ever told. Even I like it. After the exchange of goodbyes and 'I love yous', I ended the call and readied myself for the trip.

---

I stood in wonderment as I watched the people on their bikinis and shirtless state here in the magnificent Zuma Beach. With my small fuschia luggage and backpack, I'm finally here in Malibu, California. A beach town like no other.

I'm still on my white spaghetti strap top with flannel shirt over it and a capri jeans but the rushing waves are so welcoming that I want to take those off on the spot. Sinapo ko ang noo ko para sa ideyang iyon.

"You're here for an important business." I reminded myself.

Iniwanan ko muna ang club kina Wren at Tobbie na parehong nagulat sa biglaang pagpunta ko dito. They disapproved at first but when I told them the reason and promised them that I'll be back as soon as possible ay pumayag naman agad sila. Sayang talaga at hindi ko sila makakasama at makikita. Lalo na siyempre si Wren.

"Get out of the way miss!"

Napatingin naman ako sa gilid ko kung saan nanggagaling ang sigaw. May lalaking nakaputing button down shirt at khaki shorts ang tumatakbo papunta sa banda ko. Ang magulat na lamang ang tanging nagawa ko nang banggain niya ako at nang pareho kaming mapahiga sa buhangin.

His hair is of the light color red. It's quiet clear that it was dyed but it suits him very well. Ewan ko nga ba't napapadalas ang engkwentro ko sa mga taong may weirdong kulay ng buhok. Kulay brown ang mga mata niya which reminds me of Wren's eyes. He got an aristocratic nose and stubborn jaw. Para siyang Vitamin C, good for the eyesight. Pogi e.

"Pretty." He suddenly mumbled and that's when I came back to my senses.

Nanlaki ang mga mata ko ng makita ang posisyon naming dalawa. He's on top of me with all smiles.

"Hey! Get off me!"

Itinulak ko siya patayo gamit ang mga palad ko na nasa dibdib niya. When we heard the voice of some policemen approaching, he immediately pushed himself up and run away from me. Inis akong tumayo at pinagpagan ang mga buhangin sa katawan ko.