The Incomplete Detective [Volume 1]

[08] Outro of a Musician

Sebastian

AN EXHAUSTING week followed the completion of our first case. We ended up working for the student's little problems just like the surface-level Alethea Detective Club year ago. Students these days just can't be self-reliant. They ask help even for small things like searching for their missing stuffs, answering their basic algebra, and such.

I wish we have a criteria to assess which case we'll only take. Nakakapagod rin kasi ang paulit-ulit na problema nila, at mas lalo pang bumibigat ang trabaho namin dahil sa dispute sa pagitan namin ni Delvin. Yes, we still have the bad blood between us, but thanks to our sense of professionalism, nagagawa naming pagtiisan ang isa't isa.

Naglalakad ako sa hallway patungo sa aming clubroom para makapagpahinga. Hindi ko rin kasi gusto ang tabas ng dila ng susunod naming guro dahil lagi niyang pinipilit ang religious beliefs niya. So, I find the Room 204 as my resting place during this period.

Pagpanik ko sa second floor, I turned to my left which allowed my eyes to see a tall guy, probably five-foot-nine, looking at our clubroom from few meters distance. Is he another client who will make a dumb request? I walked towards the clubroom without giving a hint of noticing him. As I inserted the key in the keyhole, a hoarse voice tipsily said, "Life was made to be enjoyed. You don't know who qualifies to meet tomorrow."

Lumingon ako't nakita lamang ang nakatalikod na matangkad na lalaki. Kinda random for him to talk to himself. Wala namang tao sa paligid niya bukod sa akin. It feels like the same moment when I suspected Del—a bastard who might had known me. Coincidence? I sighed in confusion. Ayaw kong mag-isip ng ganitong bagay sa ngayon.

I turned the knob and entered inside the clubroom, shrugging off my nonsensical thoughts. Inside, tumambad sa aking harapan ang isang natutulog na lalaki. Naging habit na talaga niya ang matulog sa clubroom namin. Feet on the desk. Back on the swivel chair. Listening to the University Radio aired on his phone that is placed on the desk. Pumapasok pa ba siya?

"Now, we'll about to hear the newest song composed by yours truly, Angelo De Guzman and his co-composer Desmond Gonzales," the female broadcaster said cheerfully. I sat down on the folding chair as I listened to the live broadcast. "This song is, Dage!"

It was a song revolting against a particular group which I can interpret from the metaphors used in the lyrics, probably to a religious sect since the cross is mentioned multiple times. I love literary, and songs are literary too kaya I'm quite familiar with it. That's why naku-curious ako kung bakit "Dage" ang title ng kanta since wala akong nakikitang connection—there's story behind a thing.

Matapos ang ilang minutong pakikinig, bumigat ang talukap ng aking mata. I darted a sideward gaze on the sleeping face of this bastard. Then, I yawned. Tila isang nakakahawang virus ang antok. I rested my forearms on the table. Before laying my head on the darkness' lap, I asked myself, dapat na ba akong makipagbati kay Delvin?

"Huwah!" a deafening scream of a woman boomed by ears. Minulat ko ang aking mga mata't iniangat ang aking tingin sa direksiyon ng tunog habang hinihimas ang sumasakit na batok. Napabuntong-hininga na lamang ako nang makitang humahalakhak si Delvin, pinipindot ang stop button ng audio sa cellphone niya. Why this bastard acting chummy so sudden?

I darted a questioning gaze at him.

"Sebastian," he stressed in a serious tone, bowing his head; "I'm really sorry about what happened between us. Ako ang may kasalanan d'on!"

Mentally, nagulat ako sa biglang paghingi ng tawad ni Delvin. Why is he acting that way this time? Anyway, what should I reply? Questioned flooded my head, but I know that I should be honest to this new perspective developing in my system. "Can you avoid using that term? What happened between us sounds inappropriate. If someone heard you, you might lead that person to a wrong idea," I sighed; "but, I'm also sorry."