CASSIEN
UNBELIEVABLE. SURREAL. That pair was the abstract of my reaction upon Ranpo's approval of my application. It was utterly unbelievable yet at the same time, very hilarious. Somehow, hindi matanggap ng utak ko na chocolates lang pala ang kayang magpatiklop sa lalaking 'yon. At first, I thought Conan was messing around not until I heard it from Ranpo himself. I was like: Seryoso? Gano'n-gano'n lang 'yun?
"Don't be so full of yourself, Cass," panimula ni Ranpo sa pag-uusap habang sabay kaming naglalakad patungo sa aming classroom. "I can kick you out anytime soon after I receive the chocolates. Aside from maidens, we don't permit dumbasses there."
Dumbasses?
I glanced up to him and squinted my eyes. "I'm not as dumb as you think I am."
"Yeah, you're dumber."
Aba! Sumosobra na 'tong lalaking 'to! Kung makapagsalita siya, feeling niya ay kilalang-kilala niya na ako. Uh, doesn't he? Pero mas nabigla ako nang huminto siya sa tapat ng isang classroom at saka pumasok do'n.
Whoa, have I been too dwelled in my thoughts not to notice our classroom right away? Kailangan ko na yata talagang magpa-check up. May direkta kayang cure para sa mga taong laging lutang?
I just watched Ranpo walked inwards confidently whilst our classmates ceased their current occupation. Is it just me or parang nakakapanibago sila? I was about to enter our classroom but a guy within spoke.
He was smiling down at Ranpo. "Oy, may bisita tayo, guys. Kulang ata sa tulog, o."
Eh?
I scanned the surrounding, each corner of the classroom and the sea of faces only to remind me that this wasn't our actual classroom. Buti nalang 'di pa ako tuluyang nakakapasok!
Ranpo froze at the aisle as I notice his cheeks and ears were burning red. Bahagyang nanlaki rin ang kanyang mga mata at pinilit na ngumiti. "S-Sorry."
When I looked up at the top of the doorway, I saw the template of class STEM 11-C. That means our real classroom was just around the corner!
Tinakpan ko ang aking bibig para mapigilan ang sarili na tumawa. Habang pinagmamasdan ko si Ranpo na dahan-dahang naglalakad paatras, I couldn't help wondering how could he keep up a tough attitude before me.
Moreover, I didn't foresee this coming — na mayroon din pala siyang shy-type side behaviour! If I hadn't talked to him yesterday and discovered their secret lair, I'd still betoken him as a typical classmate of mine.
Nang makalabas siya ro'n, mapang-asar akong ngumiti at sinabayan siya sa paglalakad patungo sa katabing room — which is our class. Medyo namumula pa rin ang mukha niya dahil sa kahihiyan. Huh, so the King has weird weak spots, too. First off, chocolates. And now, shy-type side? Pfft. I even have to slap myself to gain the confirmation of reality.
Bago kami makapasok sa classroom namin, Ranpo halted me by extending his arm to block my way.
"I've given Conan his assignment and as a new recruit, you ought to come with him. Investigate the Crocus street. Check the CCTV's from the each pavement from the nearest stores. The culprit must've gone under surveillance."
"You gave him? 'Di ba dapat trabaho 'yon ng president? Ni Newt?"
"I know much better than he does."
Ang hangin, a. He did have a superiority complex.
Then, something snapped in me. "Wait, you mean iisa-isahin namin ang lahat ng taong dumaan sa apat na corner ng pedestrian sa Crocus street? Ang dami no'n!"
"You don't need to use the process of elimination by inspecting every passerby," sahot niya at itinaas ang kanyang specs through its bridge. "Because I know for certain that you'll notice something very odd if you watch closely."
"Very odd?" nagtataka kong tanong. "What is it?"
"Figure it out yourself."
*
SINUNDO AKO ni Conan sa classroom ko nang matapos ang klase sa maghapon. I had a hard time informing Maisie that I wouldn't be able to walk to home with her. I dismissed telling her that I was now a member of an unofficial club — and the fact that I should keep this as as secret from her pricks my heart. Friends aren't supposed to be secretive to each other, are they?
Surprisingly, Maisie showed her confusion openly when she heard that I had a business with Conan. Of course, I, too, was shocked. I mean, it was a long time ago when I last saw her confused about me thus seeing her so felt like first time. When she asked the reason why, sinabi ni Conan na magpapatulong siya sa 'kin na hanapin ang kanyang aso. I noticed that she wasn't convinced though Conan's acting felt very genuine. Pero gaya ng kadalasan, hindi niya ako pinilit at hinayaan na lang.
"Conan! Magandang hapon!"
Kasabay ng pagtunog ng bell ay narinig ko ang pagbati ng isang matandang babae sa counter nang makapasok kami sa coffee shop sa Crocus.
"Magandang hapon din po, lola Mering!" bati naman ni Conan nang tuluyan kaming makapasok.
I glanced over him and whispered, "Lola mo siya?"
"Hindi." He shook his head. "Gano'n lang daw ang itawag ko sa kanya, imbes na Ate o Aling."
"Maupo muna kayo, mukhang pagod pa kayo galing sa school. At saka may bago ka pang kaibigan, Conan!" She ushered us to the nearest table to the counter and stood next to us when we took our seat. "Kumusta si Newt?"
Hmm, so they frequent here, huh.
"Ay, oo nga po pala. Siya po si Cassien Agreste, schoolmate ko po. Ayos lang naman po si Newt. Pinapakumusta rin po niya kayo."
"Cassien?" pag-uulit ni Lola at lumingon sa 'kin. Nagulat na lang din ako nang hawakan niya ang mga pisngi ko. "Naku! Napakagandang lalaki naman nitong si Cassien. Baka habulin din 'to ng mga chicks."
Hehe, sabi na nga ba. Maganda lang ako kapag nagbihis lalaki. Crossdressing ain't that bad — it's actually fun!
"Haha! Marami din pong chicks 'yan!"
I unbelievably looked at Conan and slightly opened my mouth to say something pero inunahan ako ni Lola.
"Kayo talagang magkakabarkada, mga magagandang lalaki! Hindi talaga ako magugulat kung bukas ay may mabuntisnkayo," she told us that caused me to choke on my own saliva. Grave naman makapag-joke so Lola! "O, siya. Usual flavor ba, hijo?"
"Opo, 'yung usual," sagot ni Conan at sabay tingin sa 'kin. "Ikaw, Cassien. Ano'ng gusto mo? My treat."
The two lingered their gazes to me, patiently waiting for my response. Hindi naman ako mahilig sa mga kape kaya hindi rin ako makapili agad. I scanned the menu over the counter — pero actually wala akong nabasa dahil as panic. I felt bad letting them wait for me — hindi naman ako VIP — so I made my answer.
"Nescafe 3 in 1 nalang po."
Uka. Uka. Uka. Uka. Uka. Basta 'yung tunog ng mga uwak kapag sobrang tahimik ng paligid!
They had gone silent after hearing my response. The old lady chuckled awkwardly whilst Conan slapped his forehead, avoiding my gaze. Wait, ano'ng nangyari? Did I say something wrong?
Hold on a second! Baka iba ang brand ng kape nila dito?
"Uhm, G-Great Tatse White nalang po, mayroon po ba? Hehe."
Napatingin ang ibang customers sa 'kin. Ang ilan ay natatawa samantalang ang iba naman ay nagtataka. Eh?! Ano ba 'yon?!
Okay, I'm done.
I felt my cheeks burning in embarrassment as I quickly glance at Conan to ask for help, expecting he'd get my red signal. I couldn't take this awkwardness any longer. Where could my order possibly go wrong?
"Nag-jo-joke lang po siya," awkward na pagbasag ni Conan sa katahimikan. "Cappuccino po talaga ang ibig niyang sabihin."
Lola Mering informed the woman in the counter about our orders as the latter started brewing with a smug look on her face. Conan told Lola about about our genuine business in her shop — requesting to view their CCTV footages the day before yesterday to know whether "his lost dog" went in this way.
Without much hesitation, we were led to a room filled with various computer screen. Lola Mering asked if we wanted to see the footage of the whole day, however, Conan only aimed for the time when Ava got hit. Luckily, she didn't find such deed suspicious.
We sat for about thirty minutes, having our cup of coffee and watching the humdrum pavement where variety of people passed by. Yet we didn't find anything odd. Ano ba kasi 'yung sinasabi ni Ranpo na very odd?
We offered our wholehearted gratitude and went out of the shop. Wala rin kaming nakitang kakaiba sa footage, ni isa wala! But welp, that wasn't to be sullen about. Mayroon pa naman kaming tatlong CCTV na papanoorin. One down, three to go.
"Ano ba kasi 'yung very odd na sinasabi ni Ranpo?" tanong ko kay Conan habang tumatawid kami sa kabilang side ng street.
"I also have no idea yet. Ang ibig niya kasing sabihin, we'll see very extraordinary."
"Yeah, oo. Iniba mo lang 'yung word pero— ba't 'di niya na lang sabihin sa atin para hindi tayo mahirapan?"
"We trust Ranpo with all our hearts. If he's not telling anything, either may makatuwiran siyang dahilan o wala pa talaga siyang alam. This time, alam niyang may makikita tayong kakaiba sa CCTV footage pero wala rin siyang ideya kung ano 'yon."
"How could he know there was something extraordinary in the footages when he doesn't even know what it is?"
"That? Wala akong alam. But we could be certain that he wasn't just using his gut feelings. Sa sobrang talino kasi niya, imposibleng maintindihan ng mga taong kagaya natin ang pag-iisip niya."
Wala na akong ibang magawa kundi mamangha na lang.
Conan did the same method — that thing that he used to Lola Mering — when we arrived at the next store. Remarkably, he did befriend most of the establishments' managers in this street. It gave us the advantage and saved us from too much struggles.
Unfortunately, wala pa rin kaming nakitang kakaiba sa katapat na store nila Lola. Two down, two to go.
Naglakad pa kami at nilampasan ang pedestrian lane kung saan na-hit-and-run si Ava. We went to the third store and at that moment, medyo matigas ang puso ng manager kaya kinailangan pang bonggahan ni Conan ang pag-arte niya.
Watching him beg in the verge of crying just for his lost dog made me cover my mouth and suppressed my laughter. E kasi, totoo namang nakakatawa siya! 'Yung feeling ma pinapanood mo 'yung tropa mo na may ginagawang kahihiyan nang hindi niya nalalaman. Not to mention that I filmed him.
"Nasayang lang ang pag-arte ko," nakanguso niyang bungisngis nang makalabas kami sa store pero wala naman nakitang kakaiba sa CCTV footage nila.
"What if we missed it?" tanong ko. "Paano kung nakila Lola Mering pala 'yung hinahanap natin, o baka nando'n talaga sa pangalawa? O kaya rito?"
"Genuinely, looking for something we don't know — that's one of the most difficult job for a detective. Pero Cassien, alam kong wala sa tatlong 'yon ang hinahanap natin" — he looked at the store across, the last store we are about to check — "because it's there. I'm certain."
Natulala ako sa Sally's Toy Store sa kabilang street dahil sa sinabi niya. Ano ba kasi 'yung kakaibang makikita namin na sinasabi ni Ranpo? What if he's just making this up and we're wasting time and efforts? I don't want an adventure in vain!
"We should call it a day."
Huh? I drifted my eyes to his and gave him my signs of bewilderment. Isa na lang ang ic-check naming store, ngayon pa kami titigil? The sky was still orange and the sunset was spectacularly making the world a better place, giving me the mood to seize the time. I was about to protest when Conan spoke again.
"Mamayang gabi na lang tayo mag-usap. Can I have your phone number?"
"Luh?" natatawa kong reaksyon. Nagkakilala pa lang kami kahapon, ang bilis agad niya duma-moves, a!
"Hoy, hindi ako naghahanap ng ka-textmate. Ite-text kita mamaya tungkol sa magiging plano natin."
Whoops, sorry. Napaka-ashumera ko lang pala. I gave him a piece of paper with my number imprinted on it. Sinamahan ko na rin ng signature ko para masaya.
"Bakit may pirma?"
"Autograph ko. Ayaw mo?" I heartily laughed. Well, galing siya sa mayamang pamilya at isa sa mga heartthrob sa school kaya why not reverse the tradition?
"Ang kapal ng mukha, a."
Nagtatawanan kaming nagpaalam sa isa't-isa. Medyo na-weird-uhan lang din ako sa mga huli niyang tanong gaya ng kung may bintana raw ba ang kwarto ko na kasya isang tao. Maybe he was just concerned na baka ma-abduct ako o baka may serial killer na mag-raid sa bahay namin.
Lady Fate, please 'wag naman gano'n klaseng bisita!
Ah, basta. I'm a hundred percent sure I won't meet a thief tonight dahil— hello? Wala siyang mananakaw sa bahay namin! Unless na trip niya ang mga second-handed appliances. My phone was always within my clothes whenever I sleep, so safe siya.
Nang makauwi ako sa bahay, naabutan kong nagluluto si Mama ng hapunan namin. Well, she also have good qualities as well that I sometimes dismiss whenever she released the inner monsters inside her. She seemed in a good mood — probably nagpadala na ng pera ang papa ko — and this was a perfect time to hug her from behind.
Heh, no. I'm not that type of child.
*
TOK TOK!
Naglalakad kami ni Maisie sa daan nang kutusan niya 'ko. Wait, what?! What did she do?! She was saying something I couldn't understand dahil na rin siguro sa impact ng kutos at umalog ang utak ko.
TOK TOK!
Maisie kept on knocking my head! She was just warmly smiling down at me, probably making fun of me!
TOK TOK!
Awe! Kinutusan niya ulit ako! Gusto ko sanang magalit kaso once in a blue moon lang 'to mangyari kaya dapat sulitin ko na! Maisie isn't a gal prompted to do such deed, like teasing me or having fun of — I mean, with me.
"CASSIEN! CASSIEN!"
I opened my eyes and the dark ceiling had crossed my sight. The ambient was so silent that I could even hear my own breathing. Teka, nasaan ako?
Oh, shuck it. I'm in my room, supposedly sleeping. That dream about Maisie earlier was so damn hilarious. Biruin mo, I dream of something so stupid especially when it comes to Maisie! If anyone was to intrude my dreams, I'd die in shame.
I was about to close my eyes back when I saw a silhouette from my window. Hold on, was it— a human?
Wha! Ito na ba 'yung bisitang sinasabi ko kanina? Kahapon? What time is it, by the way?
Agad akong bumangon sa kama at kinuha ang walis tambo sa kwarto ko. As an alternative for a baseball bat, I'll use the broom as a self-defense weapon.
"Cassien!"
His voice was muffled, hindering me from recognition, because the windowpane was still closed.
Kung si Rapunzel ay may frying pan, ako naman ay may enchanted broom.
"Cassien!"
His voice was muffled, hindering me from recognition, because the windowpane was still closed. I can tell that the standing man outside was chubby, covered in a jacket and its hood.
"Huwag kang lalapit!" sigaw ko.
"Buksan mo 'tong bintana!"
Wow! Ang kapal naman ng trespasser na 'to, inutusan pa 'kong buksan ang binatana! I gripped my phone from my pocket. Should I call the police now? Nakita ko rin sa screen na ala-una pa lang nang madaling araw! Naka-received din pala ako ng message mula sa unknown number.
"It's me, Conan. Open up!"
Conan? I squinted my eyes to have a clear sight of that fat man from the window. I know I just met that guy the other day but I know for certain that he wasn't as fat as this!
"I'm in a diguise, Cassien Agreste," sabi ni Taba.
Eh? Nagdalawang-isip ako kung bubuksan ko ba 'yung bintana. Is he really Conan in disguise? Paano kung isa pala siyang kidnapper? Wait, that's impossible.
"Kuya, may balak kang kidnap-in ako, wala magbibigay sa 'yo ng ransom dahil mahirap lang kami. Hindi mo rin mabebenta ang mga laman-loob ko dahil marami na silang damage—"
"Haha, Cassien. Very funny. Bilisan mo na, baka magalit si Ranpo kung 'di tayo susunod sa sinabi niyang oras. We need to get to that toy store at 1:30 AM!"
Natauhan ako sa sinabi niya. This fat man must be Conan. I slid my phone to my pocket again and slowly walked towards the window whilst still holding my broom. Welp, kung hindi man si Conan 'to, bahala na — basta naka-ready na ang walis tambo ko.
I slided the windowpane and the fat man removed the hood from his head. It's Conan's face! My gaze descended on his tummy, big fat tummy.
"Ano'ng kinain mo? Ba't tumaba ka yata?"
*
DUMAAN KAMI sa gilid ng pavement kung saan hindi kami natatanaw ng CCTV. Conan told me that we've got no other choice but to sneak in to view the footages. Masungit raw kasi ang may-ari nito at hindi kami papayagan sa hiling namin, unlike Lola Mering and the two others.
"How do get in?" I whispered whilst staring at the front entrance.
He pointed his forefinger to that narrow alley where I saw a door. Maglalakad na sana ako papalapit doon pero pinigilan ako ni Conan. He looked at the top of the doorway and we saw another CCTV na nakatapat mismo sa doorway.
"Meow~"
Napatingin kaming dalawa sa pusang dumaan sa likod namin. Wow, akala ko mga tao lang din ang nagpupuyat, pati rin pala mga pusa.
Conan smirked. "I'm sorry, pussy cat."
Nagulat nalang ako nang binuhat niya ang pusa and threw the poor creature across the doorway.
"What have you done?!" I hissed. Pero natigilan ako nang makita kong gumalaw ang CCTV at dumapo ito sa direksyon no'ng hinagis na pusa. It drifted its attention away from the doorway.
Now's our chance!
Hinila ako ni Conan papunta roon. I twisted the doorknob but of course, it was locked. My companion gripped something from his own pocket — isang hairpin. Wait, lock-picking?! Ngayon ko lang napagtanto na illegal ang ginagawa namin. This is trespassing!
"Conan, 'yung CCTV, baka tumapat na sa atin—"
Seconds later, I heard a click from within. Bago pa bumalik ang CCTV sa 'min ay nakapasok na kami. Hinabol ko pa ang hininga ko dahil sa sobrang kaba. Nang dumapo ang paningin ko kay Conan, he seemed very relaxed!
"Grabe, parang tatalon na palabas ang puso ko," bulong ko.
"Actually, we could just pick the lock kahit na nakikita pa tayo ng CCTV. Wala namang tao sa loob ng store ngayon kaya kapag pinanood natin ang footage, we could hack the computer to remove our presence."
"What?!"
"Gusto ko lang na makita kang nagpa-panic." He playfully smiled. "You look cute."
I felt my cheeks burning. I drifted my gaze away and clicked my tongue. Gusto niya yatang nanti-trip ng mga tao! "Kahit na! Hinagis mo 'yung pusa!"
"Sssshhh."
We headed to the security room where computers and screens, other gadgets and two swivel chairs were presented.
"Take a seat."
Kinuha ko ang isang swivel chair at umupo doon. Hinintay ko lang na si Conan ang kumilos at mag-operate dahil baka makasira pa ako. I was utterly surprised when he took something underneath his jacket — his jacket as filled with snacks! Kaya pala ang laki, akala ko tumaba talaga siya!
We started watching — na para bang nasa sinehan pa kami dahil sa snacks — the footages. Medyo nabo-bore ako kaya lumabas pa rin ang antok ko. Not to mention I'm still in my pajamas.
"Cassien."
I opened my eyes and fixed my composure when I heard Conan called me. Baka tuluyan na talaga akong makatulog. Bakit kasi ako pa ang kailangan niyang kasama? I'm a sleep lover! I don't my sacrifice sleep! I guess today's a different story.
"May nakita ka na ba?"
"Wala pa nga, e." His voice seemed discouraged. Or baka antok lang din siya? "It must be here."
"Oo, dapat lang talaga. Sinakripisyo ko ang tulog ko para dito. May pasok pa tayo mamaya."
"I know. Kaya kailangan talaga may mai-report tayo kay Ranpo."
"Natatakot ka ba kay Ranpo? Mukhang may sayad 'yon, e. Hehe," natatawa kong wika kaya napatawa rin siya.
"If he heard that, you'd be saying goodbye to our clubroom."
"Wait!" sigaw ko nang may mapansin akong kakaiba sa footage na pinapanood namin. I pointed that peculiar guy. "Look, ito na ba 'yung hinahanap natin?"
"What's he doing?" tanong niya at inilapit ang mukha sa computer screen.
"Kumakain ng spaghetti ng Jollibee habang naglalakad sa daan."
"Eh?" His face looked as confused as I am.
"Wait, wait! May isa pa!" sigaw ko ulit nang may mapansin akong kakaibang naglalakad sa pavement, seconds after that guy eating spaghetti.
Nagpokus din si Conan sa screen, watching closely. Our eyes grew wide as we realize who it was.
A clown was walking on that pavement and stopped at the front of the toy store. He looked up and waved at the camera.
–– : ––