MAVIEL
I ONLY have six subjects for this semester. But thanks to my mandatory detective training at the Moriartea Cafe, nadagdagan pa ng isa ang sakit ko sa ulo.
For the past few days, I have been reading about Sherlock Holmes, kagaya ng in-instruct ng aking detective mentor na si Sigmund. Medyo nakakadugo ng ilong ang pagkakasulat dahil isa ito sa mga classic novel. But I was no stranger to this kind of readings. AB Literature ang kinukuha kong course kaya sanay na ako sa mga ganitong babasahin.
That was an interesting read, of course, but I doubt that someone like the greatest fictional detective of all time existed. In retrospect, however, Sigmund's existence was telling me that a real life Sherlock might be possible.
"Good afternoon!"
Napaangat ang mga balikat ko nang marinig ang kanyang boses. He was on my mind a few moments ago. Out of nowhere, he appeared at the center of the library. Well, it wasn't magic. I wasn't just paying attention.
"How did you know that I'm here?" I hissed. I'd rather not get the attention of the strict librarian who's making rounds a few tables away.
Maingat na hinila ni Sigmund ang kahoy na upuan at marahang umupo. His curly hair bounced as he took his seat. "People follow routines. It isn't that difficult to predict what they're going to do and where they're going. And fortunately — or unfortunately — you are one of them."
"At paano mo nalamang pumupunta ako sa library?" tanong ko. "Teka, huwag mong sabihing—"
"No! No! I'm not a stalker!" pailing-iling na depensa niya. His voice was slightly raised so he got the attention of the librarian. "I asked Nikolai to follow you since a couple of few days ago. Lumabas sa kanyang pagsunod sa 'yo na lagi kang pumupunta ng library bago ka mag-duty sa cafe."
"Nikolai? But I never noticed him around me!"
"Don't underestimate his skills." One end of his lips curved and formed into a smirk. "Alam na rin niya kung saan ka umuwi. If you failed to notice him following your trail, then he isn't losing his touch."
"That's creepy, you know. Asking someone to tail an innocent girl without telling her beforehand."
"Creepy, yes, but that's necessary. One of these days, he will teach how to hide your presence flawlessly and follow someone stealthily."
In short, Nikolai's going to teach me how to be a hardcore stalker. I did not sign up for this!
"What? Are you having second thoughts of canceling our contract?" may pang-aasar na tanong ni Sigmund. I hate it whenever he second-guessed what's on my mind.
"Get used to it."
"Okay, fine! Tell me what you want! May kailangan ka sa akin kaya ka pumunta rito, 'di ba—"
But my words were cut short when the shadow of the plump librarian appeared on the table surface. Dahan-dahang lumingon ang mga ulo namin sa tila iritableng mukha nito.
"May I remind you two na library 'to at hindi love-rary? Kung gusto n'yong maglandian, humanap kayo ng ibang lugar!"
"Ma'am, nagkakamali ho kayo. Hindi ho kami—"
"GET OUT! NOW!"
No words would suffice to calm down the angry librarian kaya minabuti na naming umalis. Ang sabi nila, kapag nairita siya sa mga estudyante, uulan daw ng mga libro sa buong library. I'd rather not create a commotion here.
"Mission success!" bulalas ni Sigmund nang makalayo na kami. "I'm not yet losing my touch, am I?"
"What do you mean by mission?" kunot-noo kong tanong. "Sinadya mo bang kunin ang atensyon ng librarian kanina para paalisin tayo?"
He plastered that usual smile on his face. "You are starting to read between the lines. Hindi sayang ang pagte-train ko sa 'yo."
Wala akong nagawa kundi mapabuntong-hininga. Thanks to him, masasama na ako sa mga naka-blacklist sa library.
"Libraries are boring. Why don't we go somewhere more interesting?" tanong niya.
Meron pa bang lugar dito sa campus na interesanteng puntahan? "At saan naman 'yon?"
"Have you been to the greenhouse?"
"Not yet." I did not have any biology-related classes. "Anong balak mong gawin doon? Magtanim ng patatas?"
"Wouldn't that be a romantic spot for a date?" He strode off on his own, ni hindi man ako hinintay. Napaka-unpredictable talaga ng lalaking 'to. Nagawa pa niyang mag-joke tungkol sa pagde-date.
The greenhouse is located at the rear part of the campus. Pakiramdam mo'y nasa aquarium ka kapag nasa loob, thanks to the transparent glass walls. Pagpasok mo pa lang, amoy na amoy na ang bagong bungkal na lupa. May iilang puno na hindi gano'n katayog ang nagbibigay lilim dito. May mga halaman ding bonsai na nakatanim sa malalaking paso. Nakasabit naman sa mga sanga ng puno ang ilang makukulay na bulaklak.
"Is this for a case? O na-trip-an mo lang pumunta rito para mag-sightseeing ng mga bulaklak?" I asked as I went near a sunflower bed.
"I'd like you to be aware of something," he answered, inhaling some fresh air. "Don't worry, may koneksyon pa rin ito sa detective training mo."
"At paano makatutulong ang pagpunta ko sa greenhouse upang maging magaling akong detective?"
Tumigil siya sa tapat ng isang garden plot na may mga nakatanim na halaman. Namunga ito ng kulay ubeng bulaklak. I couldn't recognize the species so that might be a foreign plant.
"She is beautiful, isn't she?" Umupo siya sa tapat ng bulaklak at tinitigan ang kagandahan nito.
Napaupo rin ako sa kanyang tabi at pinagmasdan ang halaman. Saktong hahawakan ko ang bulaklak nito nang mabilis niyang pinigilan ang aking kamay.
"What's wrong with you? Hahawakan ko lang naman ang bulaklak, hindi ko pipitasin!"
"Never ever do that, especially to this kind of plant." Nag-iba ang tono ng boses ni Sigmund, naging seryoso. Gano'n ba siya ka-protective sa mga halaman?
"Do not be deceived by its appearance," he warned. "Things that are alluring to look at may cause our demise. The same is true with this plant. Do not give in to temptation."
"Bakit hindi mo na lang ako diretsuhin? Nagpapaligoy-ligoy ka pa eh."
Tumayo siya't itinuro ang bulaklak habang nakapamulsa ang isa niyang kamay. "That is an aconite, also known as wolfsbane. Kung hindi ka familiar diyan, that's a poisonous plant."
"Eh? Bakit naman sila magtatanim ng ganyang klaseng halaman dito?"
"Researchers can study the toxicity of wolfsbane," he explained. "You won't quickly die by merely touching it. What's lethal are the plant's roots. Highly toxic."
"Alam n'yo ba kung bakit kilala ang halamang 'yan bilang wolfsbane?"
Sabay kaming lumingon sa likuran. We were greeted by a smile from a bespectacled man with slick back hair. He had a tall but slender figure. Nakasuot siya ng rubber gloves bilang proteksyon sa mga wild plant.
"Ginagamit noon ang katas ng halamang 'yan sa mga palaso na pamatay sa mga lobo," kwento niya habang patuloy ang paglapit sa amin. "Matagal ka nang hindi bumibisita rito, Sigmund. Ang akala ko'y na-expel ka na. At sino ang magandang babaeng 'to? Girlfriend mo?"
"Na-Nagkakamali ho kayo! He's not my boyfriend!" mabilis kong depensa. He's the second person today to get the wrong idea about me and Sigmund.
"Nice to see you again, Professor Verde! She's my protegee, by the way," sagot ng mentor ko. "Tinuturuan ko siya sa pamamaraan naming mga detective."
"Oh?" Magkahalong pagkamangha at pagkagulat ang ipinakita ni Sir Verde. Malamang hindi siya makapaniwala na may apprentice ang kanyang kakilala. "Darating ang araw na ikaw na ang magiging bida kapag may mga nangyaring kaso sa university."
Hindi ko naman ginustong maging detective at wala akong balak i-pursue ang gano'ng career kapag tapos na ang part-time job ko sa cafe.
"Binunot n'yo ba ang isa sa mga wolfsbane dito, sir?" tanong ni Sigmund sabay turo sa parte ng lupa na halatang binungkal.
Napahawak sa kanyang baba si Sir Verde, umangat ang tingin at may pilit na inaalala. "Wala akong matandaan na binunot diyan. Wala rin kasing nag-request ng sample ng wolfsbane."
"If not you, then who?" Sigmund asked, his eyes transfixed on the fresh ground. "May kakaiba ba rito sa greenhouse nang buksan n'yo kanina?"
"Ngayong nabanggit mo, bukas ang padlock nito nang datnan ko. Ang alam ko kasi, naka-lock na ito kagabi. Kaso baka nakalimutan kong ikandado nang maayos kaya hindi ko na masyadong pinansin."
Looking puzzled, Sigmund turned to me. "What do you think, Mav? Any idea on why there's a missing wolfsbane here?"
"Uhm... Teka. Let me think." Bakit ba pabigla-bigla ng tanong ang lalaking 'to? Hindi tuloy ako prepared sa isasagot ko. "May dalawang possibility akong naisip. Una, may kumuha ng wolfsbane dito para gawing dekorasyon sa kanilang bahay. Pangalawa, dahil isang poisonous plant ang wolfsbane, may balak paggamitan ang taong kumuha nito."
"And which between the two is more probable?"
"The second one," I answered. "May mga nadaanan tayong magagandang bulaklak. Kung naghahanap ng ornamental plant ang salarin, he or she could have stolen those flowers, not this poisonous one."
"Sir, I suggest that you report this incident to the school authorities," Sigmund advised. "Whoever's in possession of that plant is capable of poisoning someone to death."
"Si-Sige," Professor Verde stuttered. It must be weird for him to be ordered around by a college student. "Ire-report ko sa kanila."
"In the meantime, kailangan na nating bumalik sa cafe," sabi ni Sigmund. "Mag-start na ang duty mo ngayong hapon."
We left the greenhouse and Sir Verde behind, still baffled about the missing wolfsbane. Should we be alarmed that someone got hold of a plant that could kill anyone? If that's the case, wouldn't it be more convenient if he stole a poisonous chemical compound in the chemistry lab?
"By the way, I won't be on duty this afternoon," he said as he walked past a group of female students. Sobrang bagal nilang maglakad, parang namamasyal sila sa park.
"Bakit naman?"
"I know that you will miss me, but don't worry, I will be only gone for two hours. Ipe-present ko ang thesis proposal ko ngayong hapon."
"What's your thesis about?" I asked curiously.
He came into a halt, turning to me and placing one finger in front of his lips. "It's a secret for now. I can't tell you."
Okay, fine! Kung ayaw mong sabihin, eh 'di 'wag.
"While I'm away, ikaw muna ang magma-manage ng cash register. Naturuan naman kita kung paano gamitin 'yon, 'di ba?"
Tumango ako. Hindi naman rocket science ang pag-o-operate no'n.
"Work closely with Landice," he reminded me. "Alam kong hindi pa kayo comfortable sa isa't isa, pero malay mo, this is the chance for you two to get close."
"Speaking of Landice, do you mind kung may itatanong ako?" Binilisan ko na ang aking lakad dahil nahuhuli na ako sa kanya. Nahihirapan at nababagalan akong maglakad, thanks to the heels I was wearing.
"As long as I can answer that, ask away."
"Mag-o-one week na akong nagtatrabaho pero ni minsan, hindi pa kami nagkausap nang matino ni Landice. Does he have a problem with me? He's always shooting daggers with his cold stares."
"I told you before, didn't I? That he's not the talkative type of person."
"Yes, you did," I nodded. "But why do I get the feeling that he doesn't like me? As a co-worker."
"There's a reason why the word 'ice' is in his name," he quipped. "Ganyan din naman siya noong baguhan pa lang kami ni Nikolai doon. I thought we won't be getting along."
"But how do you three — gaya ng sinabi mo — get along? Parang hindi kayo nag-uusap-usap kapag break time o kapag wala masyadong customer."
"We are well coordinated when it comes to work. That alone is the proof." He beamed at me. Nag-expect ako na ikukwento niya sa akin kung paano sila nagbo-bonding noong wala pa ako. Lumalabas ba sila tuwing pay day? Nagkakaraoke ba sila sa KTV bar? I admit that I was curious. "Don't worry, darating din ang araw na kakausapin ka niya. But that might take some time though. He's an eccentric genius so you have to bear with him."
"Eccentric?"
Sigmund leaned a little closer to me na tila may ibubulong na sikreto. "Have I told you that among the three of us in the cafe, Landice ranks highest when it comes to deductions?"
My mouth gaped. "Ta-Talaga? He's the smartest kahit na hindi siya masyadong nagsasalita?"
"Kahit siguro si Nikolai, ganyan din ang perception. We have our own strengths and weaknesses. But in terms of deductive prowess, Landice beats us all."
I couldn't believe it. Sigmund was already smart enough as a detective. And he's saying that someone else was smarter than him?
"I call him the counter detective," he went on. "Landice hates that nickname but it sounds cool, right?"
"Bakit? Kinokontra niya ba lagi ang deductions n'yo?"
"Well, no. Gano'n ang tawag ko sa kanya dahil lagi siyang nasa counter," he chuckled. "And he can solve the most complex of cases nang hindi siya umaalis sa spot niya, as long as the facts are available to him."
Masyado yatang fina-flatter ni Sigmund ang workmate namin. Masyado ring exaggerated ang pagkaka-describe niya rito. Really, that guy could solve a case without leaving the cafe?
"His only weakness is legwork," Sigmund added. "Ayaw niyang pumupunta sa mga crime scene, kagaya ng sinolve nating case doon sa hotel. He could have cracked the code in a matter of minutes, but he couldn't have saved the girl taken hostage. Kaya sa aming dalawa ni Nikolai napupunta ang gano'ng klaseng kaso."
Landice may be snobbish, but I already sensed na may ibubuga siya kahit paano. Hindi ko lang in-expect na gano'n kataas ang tingin ni Sigmund sa kanya.
"I should probably ask him to give you a lesson or two about being a deductionist," Sigmund suggested. "What do you think?"
"Se-Seryoso ka ba?" Kumurap ang mga mata ko. "Paano niya ako tuturuan e hindi nga niya ako kinakausap?"
"If there's a will, there's a way!"
Hindi ko namalayan na nakabalik na kaming dalawa sa Moriartea Cafe. Iilan pa lang ang mga customer kaya hindi problema ang service sa kanila. Pumwesto na ako sa cash register habang hinihintay ang susunod naming customer.
"Should I ask him?" pabulong na tanong ni Sigmund. "This is the perfect chance, don't you think?"
"Pe-Pero nakakahiya sa kanya—"
But what's the point of protesting? Itinuloy pa rin niya ang balak niyang gawin.
"Hey, Landice! Do you mind—"
"Pass," he replied even before question was completed. Hindi pa nga niya naririnig, dineny na niya agad.
"He just needs some convincing." Despite his failed attempt, Sigmund did not sound disappointed. His optimism was remarkable. "Parang babae si Landice, kailangang suyuin mo muna bago mo makuha ang malamig niyang oo. Though most of the time, nire-reject niya ang lahat ng pakiusap namin na hindi work-related."
After waving his hand, he went out of the cafe. An awkward moment ensued. Ibang-iba talaga ang aura kapag wala si Sigmund sa tabi ko. Parang may kulang.
"Mav, kayo muna ang bahala ni Landice dito," sabi ni Nikolai paglabas niya sa staff room. Suot na niya ang kulay asul na uniform na katulad sa mga pulis. Nakasabit sa kanang balikat niya ang isang itim na backpack.
"Pati ikaw, may pupuntahan?"
"May klase ako ngayong hapon. Baka mamayang gabi pa ako makapag-duty ulit." Lumingon si Nikolai sa tila walang pakialam naming kasama. "Landice, ikaw munang mag-alaga kay Mav. Huwag mo siyang masyadong i-intimidate sa silence mo."
"Not my thesis subject," tugon ni Landice sabay lipat sa pahina ng kanyang binabasang libro.
"Ganyan talaga siya, minsan kung ano-ano ang sinasabi," Nikolai said, flashing an uneasy smile. "See you later!"
Lalong naging awkward ang aura sa cafe ngayong kaming dalawa na lang ang naiwan dito. Parang couple kami na kaka-break lang tapos hindi na nagkapansinan. Kahit kailan talaga, mapaglaro ang tadhana at paborito niya akong biktima.
Hindi ko naman siya gustong kausapin dahil may kailangan ako sa kanya. I wanna talk to him so we could start a good working relationship. Ilang buwan din akong magtatrabaho rito kaya mas mabuti kung maaga pa lang, walang gusot ang relasyon namin.
No, not that kind of relationship, you dummy!
How do you start a conversation with someone you barely know or talk with? Kung nandito si Sigmund, siguradong nasagot na niya ang tanong. He is, after all, a psychology student who knows how to manipulate people's minds and scenarios.
"Miss? Oorder ako ng earl grey tea. Miss?"
"Y-Yes, ma'am?!" Ugh. Sa kakaisip ko ng kung ano-ano, hindi ko na namalayang may bagong dating na customer sa harapan ko. Automatic na kumurba ang labi ko upang batiin siya ng ngiti.
"Isang earl grey tea, please."
"Anything else, ma'am?"
The female customer shook her head as she pulled paper bills from her wallet. Fringes covered most of her forehead while her straight hair swayed with every turn of her head.
I pressed on the touch-sensitive screen of the cash register at hinanap ang item na in-order niya. Hindi ko first time na gamitin ang machine na 'to, ngunit dahil hindi ako ang madalas na nakatoka bilang cashier, naninibago ako.
"Maviel? What a unique and cool name!" She stared at my nameplate before beaming a smile at me. "What does that mean?"
"Combination ng pangalan ng mama't papa ko," I answered as I pressed the earl grey tea option. "Gusto kasi nilang unique para hindi ako mahirapang kumuha ng documents. Landice, isang order ng earl grey tea!"
He closed the book and started doing what he loves — making tea.
"Interesting!" Somehow the customer's eyes sparkled with curiosity. "How much?"
"Eighty pesos, ma'am. I received one hundred pesos."
Dahil hinihintay pang kumulo ang tubig, pinaupo ko muna ang customer at binigyan ng number. Once the kettle has boiled, Landice soaked the teabag with hot water. Nikolai's not around and my workmate here returned to reading kaya ako na ang naghatid ng tea sa babae.
"Here's your order, ma'am!" nakangiti kong bati sabay lagay ng teacup na may saucer sa mesa. My head turned to the right and saw the empty teacups and torn sachets of creamer left by customers who had just exited.
Again, dahil wala si Nikolai at walang intensyon si Landice na tulungan ako, I had no choice but to clean the table. Ipinatong ko sa dala-dala kong service plate ang mga tasa pati na ang mga gamit na sachet. My hand was about to crumple an unused sheet of tissue paper, but something caught my eye.
CHECK TABLE 13
My eyes roamed around the cafe, searching for the thirteenth table. Binitawan ko muna ang service plate sa kakalinis na mesa at pinuntahan ang sinasabi ng tissue.
"Ah, miss? Saan ang mga creamer n'yo?" tanong ng lalaking customer na nadaanan ko.
"Nasa condiments corner, sir."
Malinis ang naturang mesa, walang kalat sa ibabaw. Yumuko ako nang kaunti at tiningnan ang paanan nito. I found a black bag below. Pasimple kong sinilip kung anong laman.
A black iPad? May nakaiwan ba nito? No, that tissue directed my attention to this table. Ibig sabihin, sinadyang iniwan ang bag na 'to para mahanap namin. Nice deduction, Mav!
Bumalik ako sa aking puwesto at inilapag sa countertop ang itim na iPad. I hope this wasn't a bomb na biglang sasabog kapag na-turn on ko.
"Hey, Landice, do you have a moment?"
At last, meron na akong legit na dahilan upang makausap ang kasama ko. I no longer had to think of any way to get his attention.
"No," he answered in monotone. Ugh! May issue ba talaga sa akin ang lalaking 'to? Importante ang sasabihin ko sa kanya, but he chose not to pay attention.
"A customer intentionally left this gadget behind," I went on kahit na umayaw siya. He could definitely hear what I was saying dahil wala siyang suot na headphones o ear plugs. "What should we do about it?"
"Intentionally?" Ibinaba niya ang hawak na libro at humarap sa direksyon ko. Great, I got his attention.
Ipinakita ko sa kanya ang tissue na pinulot ko kanina. "Someone from Table #7 left this note. Tapos nakita ko ang iPad na nakapaloob sa bag sa ilalim ng Table #13."
He slowly stretched out his arm and delicately pinched the tissue. Pagdampi ng mga daliri niya, hinablot niya kaagad ito mula sa mga kamay ko.
"He-Hey!"
Tinitigan niya ito nang ilang segundo bago muling ibinalik sa akin. "Cheap ballpoint pen. Left-handed."
I can't help but stare at him in disbelief. Wala pa yatang ten seconds mula nang kinuha niya ang tissue, he already came up with a conclusion. "How did you know?"
"The width of each stroke. The quality of ink. The slant of every letter. The direction of smudge. Whoever wrote it used his left hand."
Wala akong na-gets sa pinagsasabi niya. Kung hindi ko siya kilala o walang naikwento sa akin si Sigmund tungkol sa kanya, I would think that he was just making up his deductions.
"Turn on the iPad," utos niya.
A CHALLENGE TO THE ESTEEMED MORIARTEA DETECTIVE AGENCY
As expected, there wasn't a single hint of surprise on Landice's face. I couldn't even see his eyes, thanks to his bangs.
So... a new case, huh?
~M~