CASSIEN
"MAISIE ISN'T a liar," I firmly said, intently meeting Ranpo's eyes who just spoke ill of my friend. "Hindi siya gumagawa o nag-iimbento ng kwento."
Seryoso kaming nagkatitigan nang ilang sandali. The frigid air wasn't enough to hinder the tension building around us. I've barely talked to this lad before in our classroom nor anywhere and haven't least make out of his character. If he calls himself a detective by dropping such conclusions as that, especially when it comes to Maisie, his life was a joke.
Siya ang unang kumalas sa staring contest namin. He then adjusted his specs through the bridge and shook his head unbelievably. I can't help but to show my victory smile. Huh! Kung salungatin niya ang sinabi ni Maisie, akala mong nando'n siya sa hospital kanina. Where was he when we interrogated Maisie? Sitting here idly, waiting for the news to arrive and breathing the cold air from the air conditioner?
"Akala ko utak mo lang ang mahina," he said which surprised me. "Pati rin pala pandinig mo."
Eh? Ano'ng sabi niya?
I was about to charge him but Conan halted me. He flashed an awkward smile and said, "Nag-j-joke lang siya."
What? I scoffed. Kung gusto niya kaming patawanin, pag-isipan niya muna ang joke niya kung may mao-offend na ba siyang tao o wala!
Kahit totoo man 'yung sinabi niya, nakaka-offend pa rin!
"I can't recollect a moment wherein I said your friend was a liar," Ranpo continued and put his hands together whilst elbows were over the table. "She was also driven to believe that there was car from the other line."
"A sound recording, huh. Probably a cassette tape." Newt spoke with a monotonous tone and laid his ass on the couch. He was about to take his eye patch off but when he gave me a quick glance, he stopped. Sayang! Gusto ko pa namang makita kung anong nagtatago sa likod ng puting eye patch na 'yon.
Teka, ano raw? Sound recording?
"Ranpo, paki-explain naman, please?" Conan requested. 'Tapos ay bigla siyang napalingon sa 'kin. "Hindi lahat ng nandito ay matalino."
Oo na, tanggap ko na. Huwag niyo nang ipamukha pa sa 'kin.
"Princess," Newt called out kaya napatingin ako — wow, kinakarir ko na talaga ang pagiging prinsesa, a. "You asked us earlier whether it was normal that the angel didn't fly over when she got hit. Now, our answer is no. We're about to give you the explanation why."
"There was actually someone around Ava when she crossed the street."
I thought there was no eye witness? Sabi na nga ba!
"Whilst crossing and talking to her friend, someone behind her suddenly played the recording — which was an engine of a car, racing fast — with a loud speaker that even Maisie Beja from the other line heard. The suspect quickly hit her head with a blunt object and then cut the call. He left her laying on the lane. As simple as that, stupid," Ranpo explained.
"Kaya pala nasa pedestrian lane lang siya . . . kasi hindi siya nabangga!" I exclaimed. Parang akong nasa madilim na daan noon ta's nang in-explain nila, the street lights switched on.
"Have you told the police?" tanong ni Newt.
Ranpo shook his head and smiled softly. Nanahimik naman kami na para bang pinoproseso ang katotohanang binitiwan niya. And by the way, why hasn't he told this to the police?
"Cassien, it'd be best if I take you home," pagbasag ni Conan sa katahimikan. "Kami na ang bahala ro'n. Mula ngayon, don't ever stick your nose to this business."
"The shank is right, Princess."
Who could've done something so horrible to Ava? Why would someone kill her? At this moment, I knew that once I step out of this room, I'll never be able to know the answers to those questions. Sa sobrang curiosity ko, pati sarili ko may hindi ko na rin mapigilan.
Conan held the door for me as the darkness from the other room awaits me. Tumingin ako sa kanilang tatlo bago sabihin ang laman ng puso ko. I wanted adventures — I longed for something to drift my life to wonders.
"I want to join your club."
"No."
Nagulat ako sa agad nilang pagsagot. They all had the same expression of disapproval. I couldn't comprehend why they didn't even think of my application. Isn't it too early to decide? Or baka ayaw lang talaga nila sa 'kin?
"Why?" kunot-noo kong tanong.
"This is a non-maiden detective club. So apparently, you're not allowed in here," sagot naman ni Ranpo habang mariing naniningkit ang mga mata sa likod ng kanyang salamin. Newt from the couch approved of what he said samantalang si Conan ay tahimik, letting his co-members do the talking.
Some questions filled my head. Why aren't girls allowed? Are they looking down upon me? Do they have superiority complex? Did my stupid personage paint something horrible in their mind?
"Wait, wait. So bawal talaga ang babae dito?" pag-uulit ko, umaasang mali lang ako ng nadinig. Newt and Conan gently nodded, as if they're tryna be considerate towards my feelings whilst Ranpo just motioned his hand to the doorway.
"Well, your hearing is now fixed, you heard it right," ani Ranpo.
I started to feel the heavy tonnage on my chest. Para akong unti-unting nilalamon ng bibig ng kawalang pag-asa. I thought this was the day but . . . disappointment does arrive after too much expectations.
No, I won't give up. Mukhang determinado na sila sa desisyon nilang i-reject ako. But sorry, I am also determined to erase giving up in my vocabulary. I'm gonna make them change their mind, and not the other way around.
Lalo na 'yang Ranpo na 'yan na parang kino-corrupt pa ang President nila.
Wala akong katiting na ideya kung bakit ayaw nilang magpasali ng mga babae pero nakaisip ka ako ng paraan. Hehe, mautak kaya 'to!
I gave them all a one last glance before stepping out. I shall return.
Hinatid ako ng isang black na limousine patungo sa bahay 'ko. For the first time in my life, nakasakay din ako sa ganitong klase ng kotse! Conan didn't ride with me pero alam kong driver niya 'to.
Today will be the most outstanding entry on my diary!
Nang makarating kami sa bahay, nagpasalamat agad ako sa driver pero hindi naman siya nagsalita. Dedma lang. I guess, they were trained not to talk unless unnecessary?
When I swung the door open, the lights were off. Ang tanging liwanag lang ay ang nanggagaling sa sala kung saan nakabukas ang TV. I saw my mother, expressionlessly sitting on the couch, watching a lame telenovela.
Para ngang naging color blue ang balat niya dahil sa TV screen. Pinipigilan kong tumawa dahil naaalala ko 'yung movie na Smurfs. Well, maliit naman ang height niya so why not? Pfft—
"Saan ka galing?"
"Sa school po." Ipinatong ko ang bag ko sa isang upuan at aakmang lalakad papunta sa kusina nang muli siyang magsalita.
"Alas-otso na, nasa school ka pa rin? Sabihin mo ang totoo, Cassien Agreste."
Hehe, medyo nakakatakot 'pag tinatawag ka ng mama mo sa buong pangalan, 'no?
"Sa school nga po."
"'Yung totoo?"
"Sa school nga po . . . at sa hospital."
Ipinalo niya ang kamay niya sa kanyang hita at pagkatapos ay tumingin sa 'kin. Somehow, I knew for a fact that she was pissed off — but not like a typical mother.
"Nasaan 'yung ulam?"
Ulam? Splash!
Parang binuhusan ako ng malamig na tubig. Binilinan niya ba akong bumili ng ulam? I didn't remember at all! Jusme, katakot-takot nanamang sermon ang aabutin ko ngayon gabi!
"Hindi pa nga nagpapadala ang tatay mo ng pera 'tapos ikaw, tamang gala lang?"
Hindi naman ako naggagala, e. Kung alam niya lang sana kung anong ginawa namin ng detective club na 'yon, baka hindi na siya magalit. But knowing her character, she won't listen to me. She won't let me speak back before, during, and after her speech.
"May pa-private-private school ka pang nalalaman. Kung ipinangkain na lang natin 'yang bwisit na tuition fee na 'yan, e 'di sana hindi tayo nganga ngayon, 'di ba? Kababae mong tao, ginagabi nang uwi—"
Ito kaya ang first time na ginabi ako nang uwi!
"—ang daming gagawin dito sa bahay, naglakas-loob ka pang maglakwatya. O, ano? Ano'ng napala mo sa paglalakwatya? May kinita kang pera? Wala, 'di ba? Kung itinuon mo na lang ang oras mo rito sa bahay, e 'di sana hindi pa nasayang!"
Ang mga sermon ni Mama ang huli kong narinig bago matulog. Fortunately, I didn't dream of her and her speeches. Otherwise, hindi na lang ako matutulog. Ginawa ko na ngang hapunan ang sermon niya kaya busog na busog na ako kahit hindi kumain.
Paggising ko sa umaga, naalala ko ang panaginip ko na nagkaroon daw ng zombie apologize — este apocalypse. However, it pricked my chest that I was running alone from those horrid, ill-favored zombies — I didn't even have a knight-in-shining-armor!
Yet the worse thing was Maisie turned into zombie and tried eating me!
Nakakainggit lang kasi kahit naging zombie siya, ang ganda niya pa rin. Brrr, sana all!
"Tell me, Maisie. Kapag ba naging zombie ka, kakainin mo 'ko?" tanong ko sa kanya habang sabay kaming naglalakad ngayon patungo sa school.
She looked at me with a dull expression and blowed the bubble gum from her mouth. "Seriously? What's up with you, today? Una, 'yang uniform mo at bagong hairstyle. Pangalawa, your silly question."
"Tee-hee," I replied with my tongue out. She cringed.
Well, tinutukoy niya sa una ay 'yung sudden change ng uniform ko. I had to pull this off in order to join that club. Iyon nalang ang tangi kong pag-asa para naman magkaroon ng adventures ang buhay ko!
When we entered the Reagan Academy's premises, some eyes were set upon me for a mometary moment. Plausibly perplexed about me. Wait, I'm a nobody, remember? Their perplexity must mean something else.
Buti nalang walang mga bulungan — 'di tulad ng mga stories na nababasa ko sa Wattpad.
Someone from the crowd shouted, "Beja! Kailan ka pa nagka-boyfriend?!"
Maisie just rolled her eyes. Kahit nobody ako, kilala naman si Maisie sa school dahil nasa class A siya. May peks rin ako, hehe. Wait, ano raw? Boyfriend?
She parted ways with me after a brief, emotionless farewell. Dumiretso agad ako sa library. The librarian only looked at me for a short while, asking what the hell is wrong with me, through her stunning eyes. She must've recognized me.
Ngumiti ako at kumaway sa kanya. "Good morning po!" bati ko.
She just nodded and flashed a small smile. See? Wala silang paki-alam kung anumang gawin ko sa buhay ko! This is also what I love about Reagan Academy.
This is no place for chismoso't chismosa.
Nang masigurado kong wala nang tao sa paligid, I went to the corner where the secret door of the detectives' lair were situated. Tinulak ko 'yon pero hindi bumukas. It didn't open no matter how vehement my force is! Sandali, bakit ayaw?!
No! Don't tell me, imagination ko lang ang nangyari kahapon?! What if wala talagang secret door dito at hallucinations ko lang ang lahat? It was all surreal? Fudge, ang creepy!
Teka, baka naka-locked lang sa loob?
"Ginagawa mo?"
Halos mapatalon ako sa gulat nang makarinig ako ng pamilyar na boses mula sa gilid ko. I briskly removed my hands off the wall — that was supposed to be a door — and confronted the man.
"Cassien Agreste?"
Deja vu?
Ranpo looked at me from head to toe and cringed. "You're . . . lame. Wait, I know you've always been — but you're extra lame this time."
He must be referring to my new uniform and hairstyle.
"Hehe," wika ko at pinilit ngumiti kahit ininsulto pa ako. "Good morning sa 'yo."
"What are you doing here?"
"I'm gonna join your club," confident kong sagot.
"Didn't we already tell you — oh. You're such a clever idiot. Did you really suppose we'd let you in because you . . . cross-dressed?"
I had to admit that he's right. Sinuot ko ang uniform ng mga lalaki — well, wala naman pinagkaiba kung sa top ang pag-uusapan. Sa pantalon lang naman sila naiba. I also took a hard time making my hair short. Clip here, clip there, clip everywhere! — Wala kasi akong pambili ng wig. Pero ang cute ko naman, e. I looked like a skinny guy with a thick hair. Parang 'yung sa mga anime? HAHA!
"Yes," I responded and looked up at him. "Kung bawal ang mga babae sa club niyo, e 'di 'wag. From now on, I'm Mr. Cassien Agreste!"
Wala akong balak maging lesbian or something. I just want to be a man in their eyes para makasali ako.
"Pfft." He suppressed his laughter as he intently looked at my eyes. "You're also hilarious."
"Hilarious, but not giving up. Stupid, but not a complete ignorant," wika ko at ngumisi.
"Whatever, my decision is final. You can't join, Mr. Cassien Agreste."
"Your decision? Excuse me, I may not know you three pero alam kong hindi ikaw ang president. Just let me talk to Newt! And'yan ba siya sa loob—"
"He's the President while I'm the King."
Huh? King?
"Say whatever you want, pero hindi ako aalis dito hangga't hindi niyo 'ko papasalihin sa club niyo," I said, filled with conviction. Gan'yan ako kadesperadong lisanin ang boring kong buhay.
"All right, then." He smiled satirically and took his eyeglasses off. Humarap siya sa secret door at ipinasok ang handle ng kanyang salamin sa maliit na butas. Wait, handle ba tawag do'n? Basta, 'yung part ng specs na sinasabit sa tainga para hindi ito mahulog!
The secret door opened.
'Di nga? Seryoso? Susi 'yon?!
My mouth gaped as I watch Ranpo swing the rotating door open. Nang makapasok siya, susunod sana ako sa kanya sa loob pero tinulak niya ako papalabas at isinara na ang pinto.
For the second time, I bumped in the bookshelf across the door. Kung marunong lang sanang magsalita ang mga libro, malamang sinigawan na nila ako.
Kasalanan 'to ng Ranpo na 'yon, e! Walang galang sa mga babae — hold on a second, hindi na pala ako babae ngayon. I'm cross-dressing as a handsome guy!
Tch! I sat on the floor and stared blankly at the door. Siguro hihintayin ko na lang muna silang lumabas do'n. For sure naman, 'di sila nag-cu-cut ng classes, lalo na si Conan dahil galing siya sa class A. I still have a couple of minutes before the classes start.
"Cassien? Ginagawa mo rito?"
Halos mabuhayan ako ng loob nang marinig ko ang boses na 'yon. The man I've been expecting! I quickly got on my feet and smiled at him. "Good morning, Conan!"
"Good morning to you, too," bati niya at tiningnan din ako mula ulo hanggang paa. "Bakit . . ."
"Since ayaw niyong magpasali ng mga babae, I decided to be a man."
He chuckled. "I didn't see this coming. You're kind of stubborn, huh. But I guess, 'di pa rin 'yan uubra kay Ranpo. Matigas din ang ulo ng lalaking 'yon."
Bakit ba si Ranpo ang sinasabi niyo? Baka typo ng author? Baka mali siya ng nabanggit na tao?
"Ranpo? You mean, Newt, the president . . . right?" tanong ko naman at inaasahang makuha ang kanyang matamis na oo. Wah, para ang nanliligaw, a.
Nagulat ako nang umiling siya. He continued, "Si Ranpo ang magde-decide no'n para sa club. He's the King after all."
I heard the word King again. Ano ba'ng mayroon? Bakit—
"Maniwala ka sa 'kin, Cassien. Please, layuan mo na kami. Hindi sa ayaw namin sa 'yo, but we invite disaster. Believe us that rejecting your application is for the best." He tapped my shoulder and showed me his weak smile. Napakurap pa ako nang ilang sandali bago maproseso sa utak ko ang sinabi niya.
"I want disasters," my tongue slipped.
"Huh?"
Nang matauhan ako sa sinabi ko, agad akong bumawi. "No, no. Hindi sa masochistic ako pero mas gusgustuhin mayroon akong gagawin — kahit pa pumasok sa gulo — para kay Maisie at Ava kaysa panoorin lang sila at tumunganga!"
Silence momentarily clicked. Conan ascended his gaze, as if he was thinking about what I said. "Hmm . . . I sorta liked what you said. Ranpo gave me an assignment tonight. You can come with me and—"
"Talaga?!" Kulang nalang siguro ay maghugis puso ang mga mata ko dahil sa tuwa. Ang bilis naman magbago ng isip niya!
"Yes. Iyon ay kung makukumbinsi ko — I mean, natin — si Ranpo na isali ka."
Tumalon-talon ako sa tuwa at umikot-ikot pa. This is it! This is my chance! Dito na talaga magsisimula ang adventures ko!
"Hindi gan'yan umarte ang mga lalaki, Cassien," natatawa niyang wika kaya natigilan ako. "You're cross-dressing as a guy. Perhaps you should learn from me. Ako kayâ ang Master of disguise."
Master of what?!
"Help me convince Ranpo. And when we succeed, samahan mo 'ko sa investigation ko mamaya. Para kapag nadawit ako sa gulo, ikaw lang ang mahuhuli."
Teka, ano raw?!
"Hey, that's mean!"
"Biro lang — medyo. Tutal ikaw naman ang may gusto ng disasters kaya you can cover me up."
Napakasama naman nito. Pero ayos lang 'yon. We just have to make sure na hindi kami madadawit. Damn! I'm getting more wills to join this club! Especially when he said about his assignment that might cause a trouble? That's shucking exciting!
"First, we have to convince Ranpo," sabi ko at ipinag-krus ang mga braso. "Paano natin 'yon gagawin? At saka, bakit mo siya tinatawag na King?"
Biglang naging seryoso ang expression niya. "Kung matalino ako, mas matalino si Newt. He could be a Sherlock Holmes in our generation. The greatest fictioal detective ever lived. Pero tulad nang na-experience mo kahapon, Cassien — Ranpo was the most intelligent, genius, smartest, most clever, wittiest. He could be Mycroft Holmes."
"Microsoft Homes?"
"Mycroft Holmes. Kung 'di ka familiar sa kanya, he could solve a crime without leaving his armchair. Give him all the details and he'll give you an expert solution. He was the British Government. So we called Ranpo the King. They are alike."
British? Duh, nasa Pilipinas naman kami, why do they have to compare Ranpo to someone afar?
I felt afraid of him, somehow. Parang kaunting galaw ko lang, may mabasa na siya tungkol sa personality ko. That was terrifying but at the same time . . . absolutely awesome! I'd rather spend my time with them than deal with my monotonous life.
"How do we convince him then?" tanong ko.
"We have to propose—"
"Sorry, Conan. Pero wala pa akong balak ma-engaged or mag-asawa. Ayoko ring magka-anak 'tapos sa huli magkakahiwalay lang kami, then maghihirap sa financial hanggang sa wala nang makain at mamatay—"
"Whoa, ang advance mo mag-isip." Tumawa siya nang mahina. "Hindi sa gano'n. I knew him for years so we just have to prepare a bait."
"A bait? Paano natin siya mabibitag? What was his weakness?"
"Most kings have Queen. That's where we hit the weak spot. He has a Queen."
Hindi ako makapaniwala sa sinasabi niya. Queen? Wow, grade 11 palang kami pero ang aga na niya lumandi, ha! I don't know whether I'd burst out laughing or cry in disappointment.
"What? Ia-abduct ba natin 'yung babae? Hihingian ng ransom kunwari pero actually iba-blackmail lang si Ranpo? I want trouble and adventures pero 'wag naman sana darating sa puntong makukulong ako. No one will bail me!"
He winked at me. "Don't worry, I will."
"What?!"
"Kidding aside, what did you say? Abduct? Babae? No, you're not getting my point. His Queen is not a maiden, nor a living thing," he said and gripped his luxurious phone from his pocket. Iba talaga 'pag yayamanin. When kaya ako?
He showed me a photograph of a . . . chocolate? Are my eyes seeing the exact thing — a chocolate?
"What about it?" nagtataka kong tanong habang tinititigan ang mukhang imported na sweets. The more moment I stare at it, the more I crave for it. Though I know, I'll never be able to taste such delicacy!
"This is his Queen."
I let out a nervous laugh. "You're kidding, aren't you?"
"Do I look like I am?" he inquired and frowned.
My jaw dropped as I unbelievably gaze at his serious expression. Lady Fate, kung bibigyan mo po ako ng panaginip, 'wag naman sana 'yung ganito na parang masyadong totoo. I slapped my right cheek twice and realized I'm awake.
Eh?! He's most intelligent and his weakness is a chocolate?!
Nagulat kami nang biglang bumukas ang rotating door at sumilip si Ranpo mula sa loob. Nagpabalik-balik ang tingin niya sa aming dalawa until he looked at Conan's luxurious phone's screen.
"Did I hear anyone say chocolate?"
"Siguro," sagot ni Conan at ipinakita ang photographs sa phone niya. "Balak ko sanang bigyan ng chocolates si Cassien kasi ni-reject natin ang application niya, though she tried her best cross-dressing."
Reject? Hum! This must be part of the strategy! A very unbelievable, silly strategy for a great detective.
"You're giving her — what?"
"This is the least thing I could do to pay for her efforts. Naaawa kasi ako na baka—"
"All right. Let me propose something."
"Propose? Sorry, rejected ka na agad," sabi ko at ngumisi nang nakakaasar. Nang parang makikita kong magbabago siya ng isip, I quickly help up my hand. "Joke lang! Ano ba 'yang proposal mo?"
He sighed and open the rotating door completely, showing us his intact body. "Mr. Cassien Agreste will join us in exchange of chocolates."
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