LORELEI
"WHAT ABOUT this evening?"
"....."
Oh, how I pity her. Halos lumuwa at magkanda-hilo na ako sa kinauu-upuan ko dahil sa maya-maya't kong pag-irap just because of Jamie's annoying voice! It's like a remote that switch my eyes automatically into a roll by her voice's pitch. Kanina niya pa kinukulit si Loki na makipag-date sa kaniya but the guy didn't show some interest on it.
I stood up and starts walking when a hand grabs my arm. Nang tingnan ko ay si Loki 'yon. Nakatingin sa'kin as well as Jamie, but hers is different. Parang may inaabangan siyang sasabihin ko kahit na wala pa namang nagsasalita.
"Where are you going?" he asked, still seating on his chair.
Sumulyap ako kay Jamie bago kay Loki,"Girl's restroom. Why? You want to come?"
He looks so shocked but then it changed into a smile, a smirk.
"Oh, I'm not interested" he shortly replied before getting back on his previous position like nothing happened and so as Jamie.
Again, before walking out of this room, I manage to rolled my eyes before finally stepping out of this room full of voices.
I've been irritated and pissed this past two days. Alistair is not here, and if you're asking me why, then I don't know. Probably, doing a report to my Dad or whatsoever. Or maybe he got some of his modelling schedules that he's busy of.
I found myself walking up the stairs of the rooftop. The police's warning tape are still here, proof that there has been a crime scene here. But then, I didn't mind. Hinawi ko lang ang mga tape na 'yon para makapasok sa rooftop. Unlike noon, malinis naman ang rooftop and the tea cup that we saw here is already gone. The rooftop looks so neat, like you would think that the police'a tape is just a joke.
'Di ko alam kung bakit ako pumunta dito. Memories starts to flashback as I look around the rooftop. Those times which I cherish the most. Naalala ko nung unang kasong ginawa ni Loki para sa'kin, it includes me in that case dahil ako ang nagmakaawang tulungan niya ako noon in finding my secret admirer and then naalala ko ang ginawa niyang pagtago sa kabila nang muntikan ng pagsasamantala ng lalaking 'yon. Galit na galit ako sa kaniya, sino ba namang babae ang hindi magagalit sa ginawa niya?
I chuckled at that thought, I used to see it as a bad memory that look what I'm doing know, I'm already smiling on it. It's true that memories from the past can make you warmer either if it is bad or good memories.
I looked down to watch the students walking around. Some of them are with someone, maybe their friends or maybe their partners. Some of them are smiling ear to ear while talking to each other which I can make deduction to.
Maybe they're talking about their plans about this upcoming Valentine's Day and I'm fully aware of that event. Actually I've planned on it already. I'm sure that it would be a long day for a girl like me.
I search for another people that I can deduce to. I saw a group of girls, laughing and they're almost squeezing each other because of their closeness to each of one them.
Based on their acts, I think they are trying to state their plans this Valentine's Day together with their boyfriend or maybe they are planning for something more, confession can be. As I observe them, I saw how they gave a look at the other group of guys near their place. But this group of guys doesn't even care to look at those group of girls. I must say that its the second one.
I search for another group or pairs that I can deduce nang may nakita akong familiar na lalaki. Mukhang kakalabas lang din nito ng school just like the others but this one is alone and I could clearly state that it's one of my co-members.
Loki.
What is he doing there? At bakit di niya kasama si Jamie? Ang pagkaka-alala ko ay kasama niya 'yon kanina bago ko sila iniwan para pumunta sa restroom.
Pinanood ko ang bawat kilos niya but then I almost jumped nang napatingin siya dito sa kinatatayuan ko. He has this same old poker face that he have while going inside the school again.
Saan naman kaya pupunta 'yon?
As I got bored on making a deduction to every group and pair of people, napagdesisyunan kong umalis na dito sa rooftop. I don't know but my mind has been occupied with a lot of things that I've been deduce to the people down there.
Naglakad na ako pababa ng rooftop nang may makasalubong ko si Jamie. She's looking around like she's searching for someone. I was about to ignore her when she saw me.
Lumapit siya sa'kin and she held my arms, "Lori! Have you seen my Loki dear?" she asked. I mentally rolled my eyes on her question. And seriously? Kailan niya pa naging pag-aari ang leader namin sa club?
I shrugged, " I don't know. I thought you're with him?"
She's looking at the ground, "Yeah, he's with me a while ago but he disappeared when I gave a look at my bag!" she exclaimed. Napakunot naman ang noo ko 'don.
I saw him a while ago, nasa labas na siya. Akala ko ay magpapahangin siya pero nang mamataan niya ako, pumasok siya ulit. Maybe he's looking for me. May sasabihin ba siya?
"Lorie?"
I turned to her, " Oh, I'm sorry. I'm spacing out"
"It's okay, hahanapin ko na muna si Loki dear. We're not yet finished on our plans about this upcoming Valentine's Day" she excitedly said bago ako lagpasan para daw hanapin ang kaniyang 'Loki dear'.
As of for me, pumunta ako agad sa rooftop to see if Loki is there. Nang mabuksan ko ang pinto ay wala naman akong nakitang tao 'don.
Maybe I'm wrong, mali ako nang inakala ko na may sasabihin siya sa'kin. Di ko kasi mapigilang isipin 'yon dahil sa tingin niya sa'kin. His eyes are saying something that his mouth cannot.
Muli akong bumaba sa rooftop saka dumeretso sa restroom lung saan dapat ako pupunta kanina dahil 'yon ang paalam ko sa kanila.
Nang makapasok ako ay tinignan ko ang sarili ko sa salamin. I look normal but my eyes, they are sad. Siguro dahil sa naiisip ko ngayong araw.
I strted to walk on the corridor as I get out of the restroom. I saw some of the members of student council with a box in their hands. It seems like they are already oreparing for the event tomorrow.
According to Jamie, the student council will held an event for themost awaiting occasion of lovers---Valentine's Day. It will be like a school fair but this one is just all about the occassion itself. So they will be expecting some hearts floating in the air and a lot of lovers on every side or corner of the school without anyone complaining at their romantic acts.
In short, it would be an advance Valentine's Day here in our school tommorow. And of course, school clubs are also allowed to make some games or events for tommorow but they must based it or connect it to the main purpose of the event.
For us----the QED Club, wala pa akong kaide-ideya sa gagawin namin bukas o kung meron ba kaming magagawa bukas. Our leader seems to dislike the theme and as well as the event. Only Jamie and Alistair---if he's only here, will agree from this kind of event. Kahit na ako ay walang interest sa event na 'to. Not because I'm jealous or bitter but because I'm out of idea on how we can make a game through that theme? Can someone remind them that our club is all about solving mysteries or deductions? What would be our output for this?
Doing some deductions to every couple? Para na kaming manghu-hula kung ganon. And it wouldn't be popular just because of our club services, our club leader will be annoyed if I will tell him this idea. Baka walang magtagal na esrudyante kung siya ang magde-deduce.
I decided to go in our club room. I don't have any appointment anyway. There's no class today because of the event that will held tommorow. It is according to Loki's brother.
"Oh, you're here already"
Napatingin ako sa taong nagsalita 'non and there he was, sitting on his favorite chair while looking at the papers on his table. Looking at them intently.
Pumunta ako sa gawing harap niya to see the papers that he's looking. It states their a handwritting in bold, 'PLANS'. It seems like he starts to make a plan about the event tomorrow.
"Have you picked one already?"
He looked up to me with a confused look, "Picked one?"
"Yep, picked one from those ideas"
"No, I don't have any interest in any of these. I believe that the main point of it is we should not made anything for that ridiculous event tommorow. It will only be tiring" he said as he lay his back on the chair he's sitting.
He has a point, it will only be tiring. Besides, it's not required, it just states there that the clubs are 'allowed' which mean that they permit us to do something but it doesn't have any required word on it. It means that its up to us if we will do some activities.
I remained silent as I Iook in our little board in the wall. It has the same pinned information except for the heart shape on its side that is made up of red paper. Probably Jamie's idea. She's the sweetheart of this school anyway kahit na umalis na siya sa theater club na sinabihan niya. Di ko parin lubos na maisip na nagawang iwanan ni Jamie ang theater club niya kung saan sikat siya para lang makasalubong dito sa club namin.
Is it because of Loki? Obvious naman na may gusto siya kay Loki and this is where the effects of love come in. When it really comes to love,you can do anything. But that's all of her reason? To get close to Loki and nothing else more?
"Loki dear~"
And speaking of the devil, here she comes.
And again, natapos ang araw ko na halos upo at king lang sa pinag-usapan nila. It took me a while bago makalaya sa pinag-uusapan nila na sa totoong lang ay puro si Jamie lang ang nagsasalita. Minsanan lang sumasagot si Loki sa mga tanong niya, kapag konektado 'yon sa isang mission o di kaya ay mahalaga ang tanong niya. Halos mga tinatanong at sinasabi kasi ni Jamie ay..--urrr..Nonsense?
Ngayon ay naka-upo ako dito sa sofa habang si Loki naman ay nasa kwarto niya. I don't know what he's doing there pero tahimik, wala akong naririnig na kahit ano. Ako naman ay nag-iisip ng maaari naming gawin para bukas.
I'm actually not good at this kind of planning. I don't like romantic stuffs or everything that is connected to the term 'love'. I prefer mysteries, and solving than watching romantic movies.
Ringg!
Tinignan ko ang phone ko nang tumunog 'yon. Agad ko namang sinagot ang tawag nang makota kung sino 'yon.
"Hello?"
"Lori! How are you?"
"Never been better, Al. Nasan ka ba kasi? Di mo ba alam na di na ako makaintindi sa mga ginagawa ng mga kasama natin sa club?"
I heard him laugh, " Is it about Jamie again?"
I did not respond to his question.
"Don't mind her. It's actually normal to be that annoying especially na malapit na ang Valentine's Day. Oh, speaking of that, what's your plan on Valentine's Day?"
I grunted and rolled my eyes, sumalampak ako ng higa sa couch habang kausap parin siya.
"Nothing. Just nothing, Al. Di naman siguro required na gumala sa araw na 'yon di 'ba?"
"It isn't. But you know, you have to enjoy that day! Alam mo bang maraming babae ang magiging masaya sa araw na 'yon? You're a girl and that's why you have to enjoy it too!"
Tsk, enjoy? Well, mag-eenjoy naman din siguro ako sa plano ko sa araw na 'yon di ba? Besides, I don't really care that day's importance. It's just February 14 and it is observed as an honor of St. Valentine and as a time for sending valentines. Nothing much more, masyado lang nilang pinapalalim yung meaning ng araw na 'yon.
"I will. Don't worry, Al. My plan for that day will be fun"
He went silent, "Oh? Who is it? Is it Loki?"
I'm confused, what's who? What does he mean by that? What's with Loki? Naguguluhan ako sa sinasabi nitong taong 'to.
"What?"
Ano bang sinasabi nit--- Oh, bakit naman niya iisipin 'yon?
"Is it Loki? Where are you going then?" he asked again.
My eyes widened, "What? No! I'm with no one on that day. Just myself and my things inside my room. Bakit naman nadamay dito si Loki?"
"I don't know. Maybe because he's your roommate, and he can't say yes to Jamie's offer if ever she did"
Well, he has a point on that. Pero pasensya na lang si Jamie, dahil baka maging tulad ko ring nasa bahay ang roommate ko sa araw na 'yon. Maybe magbabasa lang siya ng libro, or maybe pupunta siya sa kaibigan niya na si Hershel or maybe uuwi siya sa kanila to celebrate and I will be left alone, again. Di bale, sanay na naman ako 'don. It would be my pleasure if ever I will be alone on that day, consider it better.
"Lori? Still there?"
"Yeah, I'm still here. Bakit ka nga pala napatawag?"
"Well, I just want to ask about the event tommorow. How was it? What's your plan? I heard that it will be open for other students kaya naman naiisip kong magiging malaki ang event na 'to. So, what's our club's activity?"
I sighed, " About that, di ko pa alam. Walang nagsasabi sa'kin na may gagawin kami bukas, even Loki has nothing and it seems like he's not interested on it. Meanwhile Jamie, I think she's the one who gave him those plans but Loki said that he's not interested on her plans and to the event itself"
"Ganun ba? Naisip ko na 'yan kanina pero naisip ko rin na nandyan si Jamie and you too, Lori! Akala ko mapapapayag niyo siya but I think the first thing that I thought is right."
"Well, it looks like you're deduction is right. It looks like nothing can make him agree on this one"
"By the way, I called because your Das wants to say that there will be a dinner at your house on this coming Valentine's Day. Makakapunta ka naman siguro di 'ba? I'm invited too! Besides, you can invite your friends according to Tito."
A dinner, huh? At magi-invite? Kahit naman siguro mag-invite ako ay wala namang makakasama. I mean, it's a busy day and people are strolling on whenever they like. Isa pa, I have nothing to invite! Pwede siguro sila Loki, Jamie, and I can invite Rosetta too! But as always, knowing this guys' attitudes and schedules, I'm sure na hindi sila makakasama sa'kin. For Loki, just like the what he's doing today, malamang mas gugustuhin niya pang magbasa ng kaniyang 'Sherlock Holmes' series na siguro'y nabasa niya na ng ilang beses na o di kaya ay mas gugustuhin niya pang tumanggap ng kaso rather than coming with me. As of Jamie, wherever her Loki dear is, nandun din siya. Except if she has some other things to do or some event to attend to. And of course, Rosetta. She is a part of paranormal club and I know that she will be busy on their club's activities. Probably she might have her own schedule too, as well as a date.
So, according to my deduction, there's no use of inviting somebody to come with me.
"Pag-iisipan ko pa, Al." I replied to him. I heard him sighed, maybe he expected it already.
"Fine. But do think about it, okay? Your Dad misses you so much but he said that he can't reach you because you don't answer his calls and even his messages" he sounded like Dad, actually. Al and I are close and that somehow allows him to act like that in front of everyone.
"Yes, I will Al." I then replied before hunging up the call.
I sighed for many times. I don't kniw what to do. Di ko alam kung pupunta ba ako o hindi. Wala naman kasing problema sa pagpunta 'don its just that, it's awkward. Alam kong may mga iba pang dadalo 'don sa dinner na 'yon. He might as well invites his friends and workers to join us and I hate that! I hate attentions that's one of the reasons why I don't want to go. But maybe it will be better if someone will accompany me.
**
"Hey, bilisan mo d'yan! Malapit nang mag-umpisa!"
Lots of students are running and yelling because it's already seven o'clock and the event will start in thirty minutes. Kahit na malapit nang magsimula ang event, marami parin ang nagpa-panic dahil di pa handa ang magiging booth nila pati na rin sila. If some of them are not prepared, of course, there's also clubs that are really prepared, just like the paranormal club. Rosetta said that they had it prepared before they go home last night. I remembered her facial expression while she's telling me her experience at school while they're preparing their booth last night.
She said that they saw someone, a student running behind the bush and they were wondering kung sino 'yon dahil sigurado silang sila na lang ang estudyante 'don except for the guards and other more facilitator of school. Naisip nila 'nong una na baka guard lang 'yon but when they saw it wearing uniform of our school, nagtaka sila.
I told her that maybe there's still students that are making their booth on that night just like them but she insisted, sabi niya ay wala naman silang ibang narinig na gumagawa ng booths but in the end, she thought of it too. She also favored me to investigate about it but Jamie called me that night, she told me about the booth that we will be making according to her decision.
Umayos na ako at tumulong na sa paggawa ng booth namin. According to Jamie, it would be a booth with a lot of challenges that has a connecrion to Valentine's Day. She said that a couple should solve everything with the help of each other. Bawal daw na isa lang ang sumabak sa laro, and there will be ten challenges. It's like a solve and escape situation. Kapag hindi nila nasagot o na-solve ang tanong, di sila makaka-alis ng booth namin. Nakaka-irita lang dahil nang sasabihin ko sana ang gusto kong gawin na lang sa booth namin ay inunahan na niya ako. Ako daw ang magiging guide sa mga customers habang siya ay nandoon sa may 'Couple Jail' as she call it, together with Loki.
Great, sila tutunganga lang habang ako ay mage-entertain ng mga papasok sa booth namin. Ang buong akala ko pa naman ay makakapag-ikot ako at makakasubok ng mga ibang booths dito.
Minutes passed, nag-umpisa na ang event. Kanya-kanyang pwesto at gawa ang mga estudyante habang marami naman ang mga estudyanteng mula sa ibang eskwelahan ang dumalo. We got their interest, huh?
Maya-maya ay may pumasok na dalawang tao sa booth namin. By their holding hands and smiles, I can say that they are couple. I approached them and told them the rules of our booth. They got scared at first but the boy said that they can do it and continued their lovey dovey stuffs in front of me. The ending? They did not get the first question. I thought that Jamie chose the hard one but it looks like she did not. Alam ko pa naman ang sagot.
Because of this two, we already got out first couple inmate. They are sitting on the floor while Jamie and Loki are outside of the cell, looking at them. It's lame pero dahil nga si Jamie ang mag-isip nito, it looks like she's taking advantage of the situation. Her hands are in Loki's right hand habang magkatabi sila sa iisang mesa kaharap ang mga bilanggo.
"Great! We already have our first couple! Thank you, Lori" Jamie said to me. I just rolled my eyes because of she have said. As if naman na ako ang nagpatalo sa kanila.
It looks like Jamie didn't saw it, on the other hand, Loki is just sitting on the chair while reading another book. I bet its about murder case and mysteries because of its cover. He looks focused and at the same time serious about what he's reading when Jamie called his name.
"Loki dear!"
Loki didn't bother to look at her kaya tinuloy na lang ni Jamie ang dapat niyang sasabihin.
"We have to interrogate this two here!"
"Why would I bother to? I told you, I'm not interested"
"Come on! It's our job for today" hinila ni Jamie si Loki papasok sa cell where another set of chair and table is placed. Mukhang wala namang choice si Loki kaya ginawa na lang niya ang pinapagawa ni Jamie. Bored akong lumabas ulit sa booth namin para mag-abang ng mga lalapit na pair.
Rumarami ang dumarating na bisita sa booth namin para subukan ang mga activities namin. Ang iba pa ay napilitang manghila ng isa pang tao para masubukan ang laro. Unfortunately, wala pang nakakatapos ng activities. I was busy in the another guest nang makarinig ako ng sigaw.
"DEXTER!"
Nagulat ako sa sigaw kaya lumabas ako ng booth namin, leaving the pair that I've been guiding. Nang makapabas ako sa booth ay nakita ko ang isang lalaki na nakahandusay sa sahig, naliligo sa sarili niyang dugo habang may ilang saksak sa kaniyang katawan. Maraming tao ang naki-osyoso habang may isang babae ang naka-luhod sa tabi ng bangkay habang umiiyak. I think its her who screamed and according to her,the victim's name is Dexter.
"What happened here, Lorilei?" napalingon ako sa nagtanong non. There I saw Loki, looking at the body of the suspect like he's alreadt deducing it. He didn't bother to hear my answer at ginawa niya na ang dati rati niya pang ginagawa, he examined the body immediately with a gloves in his hands na kinalito ko.
Bakit siya may dalang ganon? Is he really that prepared to this kind of situation?
As Loki continued to examine the body, I turn to the girl beside the victim to ask her questions.
"Did you saw what happened? Miss...?" I asked her. Napstigil naman siya sa pag-iyak pero agad muli itong tumulo.
"I didn't. Nakita ko na lang siyang n-nakahandusay after ilang oras ko siyang hinanap kahapon. I'm Shelie, Dexter's girlfriend."
Kaya pala di matapos-tapos ang iyak nito, dahil pala boyfriend niya ang nakita niyang patay ngayon. Nakaramdaman ako ng awa sa babae pero pinagpatuloy ko ang pagtatanong.
"What happend before mo siya nakita ngayon?"
May dinukot siya sa bulsa ng palda niya, it turns out na panyo 'yon. She wiped her tears bago tumingin ulit sa'kin.
"Ngayon na lang ulit kami nagkita ni Dexter. He has been missing since yesterday. Tawag ako ng tawag sa kaniya nun pero di niya sinasagot, even my messages! Akala ko ay busy lang siya dahil nasabi niya sa'kin ang gaganaping event na 'to sa school nila. He even invited me to come pero, nang pumunta ako, hoping that I will see him today, nabigo ako. I-I did saw him pero... i-in this situation. I do want to see him b-but not with this! I don't know what to do! I love him very much!" she cries. Wala naman akong ibang magawa para i-comfort siya kaya nanahimik na lang ako.
"Are you in good terms yesterday?" biglang tanong ni Loki. Nagulat naman ang babae dahil 'don.
"Y-Yes, I admit na di kami nagpapansinan 'non because he have busy this past few weeks pero he even texted me! He told me that he loves me! Pero.." di na niya natuloy ang sasabihin dahil napangunahan na naman siya ng iyak.
Tahimik lang sa gilid si Loki habang may tintingnan sa biktima.
"He was stabbed for ten times. Iba't-ibang bahago ng katawan niya ang pinuntirya causing his death. It looks like the culprit wants to make sure that the victim will be dead." sabi ni Loki sa'min. Napakunot ang noo ko nang may napansin ako kakaiba. Wala kay Loki ang tingin ko kaya nakita ko 'yon. Nang nalipat ang tingin ko kay Loki ay siya ring nakating sa'kin. Nagulat ako sa tingin niya pero, may kakaiba din 'don. It seems like he knows what I'm thinking.
**
"We're taking care of this, sabihin niyo lang kung may nalaman na kayo tungkol sa kaso na 'to"
Umalis na ang mga pulis na siyang kinaguluhan naman ng mga estudyante. They had the autopsy but we still haven't solve it yet. Loki is not talking but I know that behind those silence, something is wondering inside his head.
"Have you seen it?" Loki uttered. Napalingon naman ako sa kaniya habang pumapasok kami pabalik ng booth namin.
Did he also saw it?, "Yes. Nakita ko kanina. Does it mean..?"
"Yes." he shortly answered. Pumasok na kami sa loob ng booth namin. Naiwan ako sa lugar ko habang nagpatuloy namang naglakad si Loki sa pwesto nila ni Jamie. Di pa nakakalipas ang isang minuto nang lumabas ulit si Loki. He looked confused, as if he's looking for something.
"What's wrong, Loki?" tanong ko sa kaniya nang magpatuloy siyang maghanap.
Tumigil siya, "Have you seen Jamie?" He asked. Nagtaka naman ako 'don.
"Di ba kaying dalawa ni Jamie ang magkasama? How come you don't know where she is?" I asked him.
"She's not there in the chair thay were in when I get back. That's why I don't know where she is"
Kinabahan ako sa sinabi niya kaya dali akong lumabas para hanapin si Jamie pero isang kahon ang nakapansin ng tingin ko. Kinuha ko 'yon at binuksan.
Looking for your friend? Crack this code to save her!
It's Valentine's Day
Couples are also in the way
They have their hands together
As smiles showed on their faces.
Love in their mind
As they got there each other's time
Resting at each other's shoulders
Like memorizing each other's eyes.
Believing that there is love.
When they saw their lover
Aiming their love.
0-1-6-22-4-3-2-9-4-10-1
I tried to used different ciphers pero naalala kong may isa pang hindi ko nagagamit.
Tinignan ko ang mga letrang nasa bilang ng numero na nakalagay sa babang bahagi. Tinandaan ko ang bawat letra upang mabuo ko ang sinasabi nito.
C
A
F
E
T
E
R
I
A
Cafeteria?
Sasabihin ko na sana kay Loki ang nakita ko nang makita ko siyang tumatakbo palayo. Tinawag ko siya at sinundan nang makitang papunta rin siyang cafeteria.
Nang makarating kami 'don ay wala masyadong tao pero sa gilid ng isang upuan ay may nakapating na box na katulad na katulad ng box na nakita ko! Kinukha 'yon ni Loki at tulad ng nauna kong nakita, may sulat din 'don.
You made it! Get your friend at the black room where there's a big question mark on its entrance
Dali naman kaming lumabas at hinanap ang sinabing room sa sulat. Maraming tao ang dumalo sa event kaya medyo nahirapan kaming hanapin 'yon pero kalaunan ay nakita na rin namin 'yon. Agad naming pinuntahan 'yon nang huminto si Loki kaya napahinto na rin ako.
"Do you have the pen with you?" Tanong niya. Tumango na lang ako bago siya tuluyang pumasok sa loob. Pumasok na rin ako agad pero nagulat ako nang makitang walang Jamie ang nandon. Walang katao-tao at walang gamit. Tanging---
Isang malakas na kalabog ang narinig ko sa likuran kaya napalingon ako. Nakita ko ang isang bakal na nakapalibot sa'min at----
Nakaramdamn ako ng matinding sakit sa batok ko bago ako nawalan ng balanse at ng malay.
**
Nang maimulat ko ang mata ko ay agad akong nakaramdaman ng matinding sakit mula sa batok ko. Di aako agad nakatayo ng maayos pero nagawa kong lingunin ang kasama ko. Loki is still here, thank God pero nasan kami?
Anong nangyari?
"Shit, someone trapped us"
Nagtaka ako sa sinabi niya pero agad ko ring napansin ang bakal na nakapalibot sa'min. Napansin ko rin na nakakandado ang isan--- its like were in a cage. How come we didn't noticed it?
"It looks like the culprit trapped us, in this way, we can't stop her from her next murder case" Loki said as he starts to walk repeatedly. Para siyang may iniisip na malalim kaya di siya mapakali sa kinatatayuan niya.
He's right pero knowing that the culprit is free, it means that she can do everything that she planned!
"I know, but we have to escape this one first" he then search something on his pocket at inilabas 'don ang isang maliit na bagay. He starts to lock picking the lock and luckily, nagawa niya. Sabay kaming lumabas ng room nang isang kwarto pa ang bumungad sa'min. Parang nanggaling lang kami sa isang maintenance room dahil paglabas namin ay hindi pa talaga ang pinakalabasan nito
Kung hindi ako nagkakamali, isang 'tong patibong!
Mukhang naisip na rin yon ni Loki kaya dali naming pinuntahan ang isang table na nakapwesto sa gitna ng kwarto.
Nilibot ko muna ng tingin ang kwarto at wala naman akong napansing kakaiba 'don. Siguro ay plano lang kaming patulugin ng may salarin para di namin siya mapigilan sa balak niya. Pero di parin pwede 'yon, kahit na di kami mga kilusan ng mga pulis, di namin basta basta hahayaang makakaalpas ang may kasalanan lalo na't kilala namin 'yon.
Napatingin ako nang biglang hawakan ni Loki ang kanang kamay ko, "Let's go, we need to get out of he---
He was cut off nang biglang bumukas ang pintuan. Bumungad 'don ang isang babaeng may hila-hila ang isang malaking kulay itim na plastic. Hirap na hirap siyang hinihila 'yon na para bang sobrang bigat 'non kaya naman nagsimula na akong magduda. Patuloy ko siyang pinapanood sa ginagawa niya nang biglang napalingon siya sa'min.
She smiled like she did something good, binitiwan niya ang hila-hila nang maipasok na niya ito saka sinarado ang pinto.
Naramdaman ko ang paghigpit ng hawak ni Loki sa kanang kamay ko. Kaya napatingin ako sa kaniya.
"Hold the pen, be ready for an attack" sabi niya habang pisil-pisil parin niya ang kamay ko. Tumango na lang ako bilang sagot sa sinabi niya. Dinukot ko ang stun pen sa bulsa ng palda ko at hinawakan 'yon ng mabuti.
"Oh, lovers! Alam niyo bang maghihiwalay din kayo?"
Nagtaka naman ako sa sinabi niya. Lovers? Mukha ba kaming may relasyon ni Loki sa lagay na 'to?
I was about to explain na wala kaming relasyon ni Loki nang maramdaman ko ang paghsaklop ng kamay ni Loki sa kamay ko na hawak niya.
"Hindi kami maghihiwalay. Masyado ka na bang galit sa mga magkasintahan para magawa ang bagay na 'to? You killed Dexter and now? I bet inside that plastic is another victim of your broken heart"
Nagulat siya sa sinabi ni Loki pero nakabawi naman agad siya dito. She smiled deadly bago niya inialis ang plastik na kinalalagyan ng kakalabas niya lang na biktima. Isang lalaking puno ng dugo, tpuno ng saksak tulad ng ginawa niya sa nauna niyang biktima.
" Huh, impressive. Nakalimutan kong ikaw nga pala ang leader ng QED club na narinig ko sa kasamahan ko. Akala ko nagjo-joke lang siya pero mukhang hindi, dahil nagsasabi siya ng totoo. Unfortunately, matitigil na ang kalokohan mong 'to. Dahil mamamatay rin kayong dalawa. Di ba kayo naniniwala sa sinasabing, 'walang forever?'" gigil niyang sabi. Nagulat kami nang tumakbo siga papalapit samin pero agad kong nilabas ang stun pen para sana patumbahin siya pero agad niyang nahawakan 'yon. Hinila niya ang kamay ko na nahuli niya. Di ako magkagalaw nang makita ang bagay na inilabas niya mula sa bulsa niya.
"LORELEI!"
Ihaharang niya sana ang sarili niya pero huli na, naramdaman ko ang isang matalim na bagay sa tiyan ko kasunod ng paghapdi nito at ang unti-unti kong pagbagsak sa sahig.
"L-Lorelei!" narinig kong sigaw ni Loki pero di ko na siya makita dahil nanlalabo na ang mga mata ko. Sobrang sakit ng tiyan ko na para bang di na ako makakahinga ng mas matagal pa. Nakarimig ako ng kalabog pero di ko na pinansin 'yon dahil di na ako makapag-isip ng maayos. Nagiging mabigat na ang talukap ng mga mata ko.
Maya-maya ay nakaramdaman ako ng kamay sa likod ko, inangay ako nito na nakadagdag sa sakit na nararamdaman ko.
"L-Lorelei! Wake u-up!"
**
Pagmulat ko ng mata ay bumungad sakin ang puting kwarto. Naka-amoy aagd ako ng gamot at may nakakabit sa kamay ko. Kahit na di ko na itanong ay alam ko na agad kung nasaan ako.
Hospital.
Naaalala kong nasaksak nga pala ako. Di ako makagalaw dahil sa sakit ng bandang tiyan ko.
"Are you alright now? Anong nararamdaman mo? Masakit pa ba yung sugat mo?"
Muntikan na akong mapatalon sa gulat kung hindi lang masakit ang tiyan ko dahil sa taong nagsalita sa gilid ko. Its Loki, he's looking at me and waiting for my answer.
"L-Loki?"
Nakaramdam ako ng gutom kaya napatingin ako sa maliit na table na nakalagay sa gilid ng kinahihigaan ko. Nagtaka ako ng makita ko ang isang bulaklak at isang sikat na brand ng tsokolate don.
"Kanino galing 'yan?" tanong ko sa kaniya. Napansin kong nalaiwas siya ng tingin pero nanatili parin ang walang emosyong mukha niya.
"Its from me, Happy Valentine's Day, Lorelei"
###