Alas kwatro na ng umaga nang makalabas kami ni Gray sa AVR. Maaga kasing nagbubukas ang guard sa mga facilities ng school. Nagulat ito nang mapagbuksan kami but we explained what happened. Agad naman naming binalik sa library ang libro bago umuwi sa kanya-kanyang dorm.
Andi and Therese were very worried about me dahil hindi ako nakauwi kagabi. "Amber! Akala namin kung napaano ka na. We called you many times pero walang sumasagot," halos mangiyak-ngiyak na wika ni Therese.
"I'm fine Res, naiwan lang sa classroom namin ang phone ko.".
"Asan ka ba kasi kagabi?," tanong naman ni Andi.
"Gray and I were locked in the AVR after finding the missing book," wika ko at nagulat naman ang dalawa.
"WHAAAAAAT?," sabay nilang wika. Ang OA naman ng reaksyon nitong dalawa! Ano ba ang iniisip nila?
"Magdamag kayong magkasama ni Gray?!," nanlalaki ang mata na tanong ni Andi. Tumango naman ako bilang tugon.
"May n-nangyari ba?," tanong naman ni Therese.
"Hoy! Ano ba ang iniisip ninyong dalawa?! We're just locked up and we didn't do anything stupid!," wika ko sa kanila at tila nadisappoint naman ang mga ito. Meh! Bakit ganun sila? What do they expect to happen between me and Gray?
"Pero hindi ba pinapatay lahat ng power source dito sa Bridle? Kinaya mo?," tanong ni Andi. They both know na takot ako sa dilim. Namula naman ako nang maalala ko ang yakap ni Gray! Geez! There's no way I will tell them na inalo ako ni Gray sa kakaiyak ko kagabi!
"Hoy Amber, why are you blushing? May nangyari talaga ano?," tukso ni Therese at sinundot ako sa tagiliran.
"Stop it! I'm not blushing!," wika ko sa kanila. Nagtuloy na ako sa banyo upang makaiwas sa mga tukso nila. At kahit nasa banyo na ako, dinig na dinig ko pa rin ang tukso nila! Ugh! Those girls! Matapos maligo ay nagbihis na ako dahil may klase pa ako.
Nang makarating ako ng classroom ay binati ako ng ilan sa mga kaklase ko. Uh, what's with them? They're acting weird. Hindi naman nila ako binabati dati. Nang dumating ako sa upuan ko ay agad akong naupo. Naroon na ang bag ni Gray but he's not there. Kinalabit naman ako ni Jeremy.
"Congratulations Amber," bati nito at bahagyang ngumiti. I gave him a questioning look. Pati si Jeremy? What's with them?
"Para saan?"
"For finding the book," sagot naman nito. Uh, they found out about it already?
"Paano mo nalaman?" tanong ko sa kanya.
"Gray announced it kanina," sagot naman niya. Muli nitong hinarap ang libro na binabasa. That show off guy! Mayabang talaga ito! Gustong-gusto na maging sikat! Bakit hindi na lang niya tinago iyon?! Or maybe he should have taken all the credits alone! I don't want attention! I want to live a private life! Not like him who wants to brag!
"Good morning Amber!" masiglang bati ni Gray nang dumating siya. I rolled my eyes to his greetings. "What was that for?"
"Bakit mo ipinagkalat? I mean, you can just take the credits for yourself only."
"Hey hey! Hindi ako ganyan. It's our collective effort. I'm just being honest by telling them that we both found that book by breaking the code," wika niya. Hindi ko na siya sinagot dahil dumating na ang guro namin.
"Good morning class," bati nito at binati rin namin ito. "Amber Sison and Gray Silvan, thank you for your efforts in finding that book. At dahil diyan someone wants to talk to both of you. Maaari na kayong pumunta sa conference room kung saan naroon ang naghihintay sa inyo."
Pumunta agad kami ni Gray sa conference room. I wonder who wants to talk to us. The librarian? Miss Mendez? Oh, whoever! Nang makarating kami sa conference room, there was a man sitting on a swivel chair. He looks more than 50 years old ngunit masasabing magandang lalaki ito noong kabataan niya. Some of his hairs are grey, at abuhin naman ang kulay ng mga mata nito. He's wearing a corporate suit. He looks so familiar. I think I saw him somewhere ngunit hindi ko na maalala kung saan.
"So, now I meet the two detectives of Bridle High," wika nito. Lumapit siya sa amin and shake our hands. "I am Mr. Arman Bridle."
I froze on my track. Mr. Arman Bridle is the owner of the school! Hindi siya masyadong nagpapakita dito sa school, not even to the officials. He lives in London and Bridle High is just one of his institutions. He's a very rich man ngunit wala itong asawa at anak because he devotes his life in making charities and foundations.
Nalaman ko lahat ng iyon mula sa history of Bridle. Hindi masyadong nagpapakita sa mga tao si Mr. Arman that's why there's only one photo of him at black and white pa iyon na makikita sa Bridle High Handbook. I can't believe he showed himself to us! Kaya pala he looks so familiar, I saw him from the handbook!
"It's nice to meet you sir," si Gray ang unang nakabawi sa pagkabigla namin. "I'm Gray Ivan Silvan."
"A-ako rin po sir," wika ko naman. "Amber Sison."
"So shall we have a seat?" He guided us towards the chairs. Hanggang ngayon ay hindi parin talaga ako makapaniwala na nandito siya at nagpakita sa amin. Hello? We're just ordinary students! Minsan nga lamang siya magpakita kahit sa mga board of directors ng Bridle eh.
"The truth is I am the one who schemed the lost of the first edition of The Iliad," nakangiting wika niya.
"Kayo po? And you're also the one who made that riddle?"
"Ah, yes. I'm a fan of mystery and detective stories. I love Sherlock Holmes so much that's why I made a riddle and whoever finds that book shall receive a reward from me. Ang totoo niyan ay palagi akong gumagawa ng mga ganitong scheme kapag umuuwi ako dito sa Pilipinas. And it's been 6 years nang huli akong makauwi," wika niya. 6 years? Wala pa ako dito nung huli niyang dalaw.
"I also made a scheme like this before, too bad, no one was able to crack that code back then kaya natutuwa ako na may nakagawa na ngayon," nakangiti nitong wika. "That's why I am giving you a reward." Oh, just by seeing him is a reward already ngunit nacurious pa rin ako sa sinasabi nitong reward. "What do you want?"
"Naku, wag na sir. Meeting you is already considered a great privilege," wika ni Gray.
"No, no, no. I have to give you a reward, sige ako na lang ang mag-iisip," he paused for a while at nag-isip. "You want to go to London?" Nanlaki ang mata namin ni Gray.
Who doesn't want to go to London? It's in my bucketlist! I want to visit Sherlock Holmes' museum. Nais ko ring magpunta sa Hyde Park where Holmes and Watson used to stroll. Who doesn't want to visit Buckingham Palace? Oh, definitely not me! Gustong-gusto kong makapunta ng London but I don't think now is the perfect time.
"We'd love to, Sir ngunit may klase po. We cannot just leave behind our studies," wika ko. Sayang ang opportunity ngunit a day or two isn't enough.
"I see. Ah, not only smart students but responsible as well. I admire the two of you. Parang nakikita ko ang sarili ko sa inyo. Maybe I'll arrange your trip to London soon but not now. At isa pa, hindi kayo mag-eenjoy kung sa weekend lang kaya we'll think of another."
"Really sir, you don't have to bother," wika ko. Nakakahiya naman dito.
"Ah! I know it! This weekend, you will stay in my resthouse at my private island! The view is great there. Mag-eenjoy talaga kayo. Don't worry. May tourist island na katabi ang islang nabili ko kaya hindi kayo mabo-bore. You can enjoy everything there at my expense. Even for souvenirs, ako na ang bahala. And I won't take no for an answer," nakangiting wika nito. Is he really serious?
"Pack your things for this weekend's trip. You're gonna enjoy your weekend in my resthouse, that's for sure."
***
Hindi pa rin kami makapaniwala ni Gray na nagpakita sa amin si Mr. Arman Bridle. And who would have thought that he would scheme a riddle just to reward whoever can break it? Oh well, he said it himself. He loves Sherlock Holmes so it's no wonder he love such schemes.
Matapos niya kaming kausapin ni Gray ay bumalik na kami sa aming classroom. Pagdating namin ay wala na sila sa classroom kaya dumeretso na kami sa gym para sa PE class. Abala ang lahat doon. Kanya-kanya silang hawak ng kung anu-anong mga equipment and weapons. The teacher told us to gather together kaya inilapag na ng lahat ang mga hawak nila at pumunta sa may bleachers.
"Okay class, for our PE class today we are going to identify which weapon you are good at and what are your hidden skills," panimula ni Miss Saderna. Umingay ang paligid at masyadong excited na ang lahat. "This is what we're going to do. We have five stations containing different weapons and you have to pass in each station and try whatever weapon or equipment ang naroon. I will evaluate you and rank each one of you. So shall we start then?"
Nag-Yes ang lahat at nagsimula na. Isa-isang ini-evaluate naman ni Miss Saderna ang kanya-kanyang potensyal. Nanonood lang ako sa mga nauna sa may upper bleachers but when it was Gray's turn ay lumapit ako upang manood.
Arnis ang nasa unang istasyon. He's good enough in using it. He moves swiftly at mukhang sanay ito sa ginagawa. Ang sumunod naman ay bow and arrow. Hindi masyadong malayo ang distansya ng target but Gray missed it. Mukhang hindi ito magaling sa pagpana. Ang sumunod naman ay kendo sticks at gaya ng arnis, he's good at it. He can move equally sa naroong kendo club member upang maging kalaban. The next station is karate. Nakakasabay din si Gray sa galaw ng naroon na Martial arts club member. Oh, he's really good. Nunchuks are at the last station ngunit hindi masyadong bihasa doon si Gray. He hit his arm while using it. Mukhang hindi ito marunong gumamit ng nunchucks.
Naupo siya sa tabi ko nang matapos niyang lagpasan ang limang stations.
"You're good," komento ko as he was wiping his sweat.
Kumunot ang noo niya. "Good? Uh, I'm the best," wika niya. Kahit kailan talaga, napakayabang nito.
"No, you suck with bow and arrow. At maging sa nunchuks," I pointed the red mark in his arm na natamaan ng nunchucks.
Tiningnan naman niya ang braso niya. "Oh, but I'm excellent enough with the three others kaya ako ang nangunguna since no other student excel in more than one weapon."
Tama ito. So far, sa lahat ng tapos na ay sa isang station lang ito magaling. At nagtataka ako why would Miss Saderna rank us? May iniisip pa ba itong activity?
"Ang yabang mo, you just happened to be lucky in those stations," pambabara ko Gray.
"Hindi ah. I'm really good in Karate and Kendo. It's because my father taught me well when I was young," wika naman niya and I rolled my eyes at him.
Tinawag naman ang pangalan ko kaya ako na ang susunod. We were picked randomly kaya hindi namin alam kung kailan kami tatawagin. I stood up from the bleachers at pumwesto doon. The girls' PE uniform are white shirt and black shorts samantalang black jogging pants at white shirt naman sa lalaki.
"That nerd has weak legs, I can see it through her," narinig kong sabi ng kaklase ko na si Raymon. He's sitting on the upper bleachers at malayo sa akin but I heard his voice since nasa gym kami at tahimik ang lahat. I ignored him at nagtuloy sa unang station.
"Yeah, with a small body like that? Malamang bibigay na yan sa arnis pa lang," wika naman ni Jessie at tumawa pa. Gossip boys! Really? People see me as a weak nerd? How mean.
"You see her as weak? Naah, she's stronger than the two of you," narinig kong wika ni Gray, he emerged from his seat at pumunta sa upper bleachers kung saan naroon si Raymon at ang mga barkada nito. Mabuti pa si Gray kaysa sa mga kutonglupa na katulad nina Raymon!
"Gray! Haha, that nerd is not like you. You're so cool man! Ang galing mo sa tatlong station," Raymon said.
"Oh, thanks. And about Amber being weak, we'll see about that," wika niya at tiningnan ako. Agad ko namang pinulot ang arnis. I don't know how to use it and I'm sure I'm gonna suck at it, unlike Gray who was very good at it. Nagsimula na ako ngunit tumilapon lang ang stick at tumama pa sa akin.
"Sai na nga ba," narinig ko namang wika ni Raymon. "That nerd knows nothing but reading. She doesn't look nerdy but she's really nerd."
"Oo nga. Why do you keep hanging out with her? You should hang out with us. Ang tulad mong matalino at malakas, kami dapat ang kasama mo," sabat naman ni Kevin.
"Ah, pinagbantaan ka ba niya na magpapakamatay siya kapag hindi ka nakipagkaibigan sa kanya?," tanong naman ni Raymon at tumawa. Tumawa din ang mga naroong barkada nito at maging ang iba kong mga kaklase. Gusto kong maiyak but that would only give them the satisfaction and would prove them that I'm weak. Naririnig ko pa rin ang mga tawa nila and it annoyed me. Pumunta na ako sa pangalawang station at pinulot ang pana at tiningnan ko ang tumatawang si Raymon. Malayo ito sa akin dahil nasa pinakamataas na bleachers sila. He was leaning back on a wooden pillar. I slowly raised my arms at pinuswesto ng maayos ang arrow and aim it towards Raymon. I focused on his head at dahan-dahang hinila iyon and then released it.
Napasigaw ang lahat nang dumapo ang arrow sa wooden pillar na sinasandalan ni Raymon. It was right above his head, one wrong move ay tatamaan ito sa ulo. Nawala naman ang kulay sa mukha nito. Nanlalaki din ang mata ni Gray nang tiningnan niya ako.
"What was that for nerd?!," galit na sigaw ni Raymon. Hindi pa rin makapaniwala ang lahat sa ginawa ko. Kahit si Miss Saderna ay nagulat.
"I just want your attention, I guess I already have it. Thank you," wika ko at muling kumuha ng arrow and aimed it to the target. Nang maayos ko na ang pwesto ng pana ay inirelease ko na ang arrow and it landed right in the middle red circle. Sapul!
I heard someone whistle. Napanganga naman ang lahat. Oh, hindi lang nila alam, archery is my sports back then. And that Raymon, kapag may sasabihin pa itong hindi maganda ay tatamaan na talaga ito. Good thing he already shut up. Marahil ay hindi pa ito nakarecover sa arrow na pinana ko malapit sa kanya.
Pumunta na ako sa pangatlong station and fight with the kendo club member. Hindi ako masyadong marunong doon. I hate handling the wooden swords and I guess I messed there. On the karate station, I did well this time. I may not be as expert as Gray ngunit kaya ko rin namang makigpalaban, nakakasabay din ako. I did my best there and it was done well. Sa huling station naman ay nunchucks and I'm expert in that. Madalas kasi akong nagpa-practice ng ganun at gaya ng archery, I'm good in such weapon.
"That was cool," wika ni Gray at inabot sa akin ang tubig ko nang bumalik ako sa upuan. Inabot ko naman iyon at nagpasalamat. "You have good eyesight, nasapul mo," wika ni Gray.
"Yeah, I guess," sagot ko naman dito at nagpatuloy kami sa panonood sa iba.
We gathered altogether nang tinawag kami ni Miss Saderna nang matapos na ang lahat. She stood in front of us with a paper. "So here is the ranking. And I want you to have a battle with each other using the skill in which you have in common. You will match by rank, meaning Rank 1 vs Rank 2 and so on," wika ni Miss Saderna. Umugong naman ang ingay sa paligid. What? We have to fight with each other? Uh, ano ba ang pumapasok sa utak nito?"
Nang tumahimik na ang paligid ay binasa na niya ang papel. "So, this is the final ranking. I gave each station a perfect points of 50. So meaning we have a total of 250 points and Rank 1 goes to..." she delayed her announcement. Oh, it's Gray. I knew it.
"Gray Ivan Silvan," wika niya. Nang sulyapan ko naman si Gray sa tabi ko ay tuwang-tuwa ito. Geez, I know he already expected it. Binati ng mga kaklase ko si Gray at tuwang-tuwa naman ang mokong! Papansin talaga ito! Ang yabang!
"So he will have a fight with Amber Sison, the rank 2," pagpapatuloy naman ni Miss Saderna.
Nag-aalalang tiningnan ako ni Gray. Maybe he doesn't want to fight with me. Haller, di ba nga sabi niya na I'm not that strong. Vulnerable daw ako. Uh, I blushed when I remembered his confrontation in the bus when I got involved in the cave crime noong nagcommunity service kami.
"But Ma'am! Are you sure that Amber rank as second? Baka nagkakamali lang kayo sa pagtotal," Gray said.
Umiling naman si Miss Saderna. "Nope. It's obviously her kahit hindi pa natin itotal. What she did is very impressive, but don't do it again, you know like aiming at Raymon. That was cool but very dangerous," baling nito sa akin.
"Pasensya na po," nakayuko kong wika.
"But Ma'am," magpoprotesta pa sana si Gray but I cut him off.
"Stop it Gray. Alam kong ayaw mo lamang makipaglaban sa akin," wika ko sa kanya. "Let's just do it."
He looked at me helplessly. Seriously? Bakit ayaw nito? I'm not weak like what they think about me. Bumuntong-hininga naman ito at nag-aalalang napatingin sa akin.
"Okay, we're settled then. I'll announce the other ranking and match ups then we'll have the fight next. You're equally good in karate so karate ang gagawin natin," wika ni Miss Saderna at nagpatuloy sa pagtatawag ng mga pangalan na nasa ranking.
"Amber, I really don't want to fight you."
"Bakit? Takot kang matalo?," tanong ko. I saw his face wrinkled.
"Not that. No one can beat me," pagyayabang nito. "It's just that I don't hit girls. They should be hugged, not hit."
I rolled my eyes at him. "Then don't see me as a girl. As simple as that."
"Amber—"
"No, we will fight," wika ko at iniwan siya upang kunin ang towel ko. I heard him sigh at kumuha na rin ng towel niya.
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