The Paramount Code (The Odd Ones, Book 1)

038. The Intruder

Tahimik na nagbabasa ng ilang mga researches si Daniel sa loob nang opisina niya nang bigla siyang mapaupo nang maayos dahil sa tunog ng pagkatok sa bukas niyang pinto. Nang mapatingin siya sa direksyon kung saan nanggaling ang tunog, at nanlaki ang mga mata niya nang makita ang school director sa pintuan ng opisina niya.

"Sir Benjamin... Meron po ba kayong kailangan?" Daniel sounded anxious as he moved away from his chair and approached the man.

Natawa si Benjamin, lalo nang makita ang mga papeles sa mesa ng class adviser. "I'm sorry if I interrupted your work..."

"It's alright, Sir. Nagreresearch lang naman po ako..." Daniel's voice trailed off when an unfamiliar man entered his office. Halos kasingtangkad niya lang ang lalaki na may kalmadong ekspresyon at isang sinserong ngiti sa mukha nito. "May kasama po pala kayo..."

"Ah, right," tumango si Benjamin, "Daniel, this is Dr. Janus Roth. He is a scientist, and the head of Project Cosmos, a program the Paramount Labs is developing. Andito siya para makita ang mga miyembro ng Paramount Class, at para maging bahagi ng quarterly assessment natin sa kanila na mangyayari sa huling araw ng semester. He is also going to make occasional visits here to see the students, and I hope that the two of you can work together," Benjamin then moved his eyes on the doctor he is with, "Dr. Roth, this is Mr. Daniel Arevalo, the class adviser of the Paramount Class. He has been with us from the beginning of this project, and is the one to credit for the wonderful success of the students in this project."

Nginitian siya ni Janus at iniabot ang kamay. "It's nice to meet you, Mr. Arevalo. Pwede ba kitang tawaging Daniel? Hindi kasi ako sanay na maging pormal eh... Pwede mo rin naman akong tawagin sa pangalan ko kung gusto mo. Okay lang ba?"

"Okay lang naman," tugon ng class adviser matapos kunin ang kamay ng doktor at nakipag-kamay dito, "Walang problema sa 'kin 'yun."

"That's good to hear..." komento ni Benjamin habang pinagmamasdan ang dalawang lalaki, "Alam kong magkakasundo kayong dalawa... This is really nice. Hindi na ako makapaghintay na –" Naputol ang pagsasalita niya nang biglang tumunog ang phone na agad nilabas ng school director mula sa bulsa niya, "Excuse me for a while... I just need to take this call. By the way... Daniel?" Benjamin said, like he was reminded of something.

"Ano po 'yun, Sir?"

"I want to see you in my office later. May mga gusto lang akong itanong sa'yo."

Napatango na lamang si Daniel habang sinusundan ng tingin ang palabas na school director. Hindi niya mapigilan mag-alangan at kabahan sa posibleng pag-uusapan nila ng lalaki.

"He's just going to ask you a few questions about the upcoming quarterly assessment. Don't worry..." biglang saad ni Janus sa kanya, "Tsaka hindi na 'yun babalik. May gagawin pa siyang importante pagkatapos nito. It looks like I'm under your care now."

Daniel was a little startled, as his brows furrowed in confusion. "A-ano?"

Nanatiling nakangiti si Janus, dahilan para makaramdam ng pagkaalangan si Daniel. Hindi alam ng class adviser kung bakit hindi siya komportable sa presensya ng doktor na nakatitig sa kanya, lalo na sa kakaibang kalmadong ekspresyon sa mukha nito.

"May problema ba?" tanong ni Daniel sa doktor na naupo na sa harap ng mesa niya. He is sitting comfortably, as he looked around the interior of the office.

"Wala naman," tugon ni Janus habang nakangiti. "By the way, your office looks nice... It doesn't look crowded or suffocating... My office is seriously messy. Some visitors even complain that they feel claustrophobic when they are inside..."

Tuluyan nang binigyan ni Daniel ng matalim na tingin ang lalaki, "Ano ba ang kailangan mo?"

"Ooh... Hot-tempered," Janus chuckled and heaved a shallow sigh, "I know you're a good man... You may have a lot of rage in you – which usually clouds your judgement – but you are kind... Unfortunately, it seems like your temper and impatience always gets the worst of you. Well, you're lucky you're not alone in this battle though... Good luck."