LORELEI
IT WAS still early in the morning at tila kakagising lang din ni haring araw. Napabangon ako sa aking kama nang maalimpungatan ako from my good night sleep.
I grabbed my phone to check the time. Mag-a-alas syete pa lang. And since I can't get myself back to sleep, I managed to get up and walk out of my room.
Tuluyan nang nagising ang diwa ko as I stood frozen with my mouth slightly open. I was surprised to see Loki sitting on the couch with his legs crossed habang tutok sa kaniyang laptop. "Good morning, Lorelei. Good you're awake." Inaantok niyang sabi sabay hikab. And that's a rare sight to see— a cute one too. "You look so curious to why I am not in bed early this morning."
"Good morning, Loki." I replied back at nagkusot-kusot pa ng mga inaantok kong mata, nilagpasan ko si Loki, ignoring his superb deduction prowess at dumiretso sa kusina.
Once the kettle started squealing, agad ko nang pinatay ang stove and prepared myself a cup of coffee and one for Loki dahil mukhang good mood.
Tumungo na ko sa sala at nilapag sa center table ang parehong tasa ng kape, as I sat on the couch across him. "Coffee?" Offer ko as I slightly moved his cup towards him.
His brows narrowed into slits and his forehead crumpled as he shot a curious glance at me. "Are you still asleep or are you still dreaming?" He mocked as if he thought that never can I make a coffee for him without anything in return.
I just ignored him and took a sip of my coffee. "So... do you mind telling me why are you up early this morning? Ano bang pinagkakaabalahan mo?" Tanong ko sabay turo sa laptop na nakapatong sa hita niya.
"My brother, which is Luthor by the way," Tila sumama na naman ang timpla niya nang sabihin ang pangalan ng kanyang nakakatandang kapatid. "Wanted me to come over an exhibit in Manila, in replacement for him since he would like to start his world domination and won't be able to come." Bored niyang saad, his tone was monotonous but it has a strong sense of sarcasm.
"And since it's a Saturday, I pressume that you have no business at the moment? I want you to come with me," he finished his coffee, bottoms up, before continuing his business. Ni hindi man lang ako nagawang tignan as if he wasn't making a request! "Oh, it's not a request, by the way." Sabi niya na tila nabasa ang nasa isip ko.
"And who told you that you can tell me what to do?" Sabi ko at tumayo na, hindi ko pa nauubos ang kape ko dahil nawalan na ako ng gana, I don't want to argue with him early this morning.
Nilagpasan ko na siya and tumungo sa kusina. Wala nang nagsalita pa sa'min until he decided to break the silence. What now? Does he really think na mapipilit niya—
"I want you to be my date." Natigil ako saglit at saka siya hinarap, shocked to see him standing right before me. "Ehem, companion, rather."
Tumayo ako ng tuwid at pinilit na maging seryoso, knowing that he can read through me. "Please?" Napapaiwas siya ng tingin at napahawak sa batok niya when he said the magic word as if it was a curse for him.
Napairap na lang ako. Wala man lang bahid ng sincerity. Oh, what do you expect, Lorelei. He's Loki. The Loki. "Okay, fine." Sabi ko at nilagpasan na siya.
Napairap na lang ako. Why does it have to be me?
I took a shower and let myself dry. I chose to wear a cream long-sleeved blouse tucked in my red pencil skirt. Nagsuot rin ako ng heels na hindi gano'n kataas. Since it's a convention, I expect to see attendees in their semi or formal attires.
Lumabas na ko ng kwarto. He is also set for today. He is wearing a red long-sleeved polo partnered with a black necktie. "You look...attractive, well sort of." He uttered under his breath.
Hindi ko naman alam agad ang isasagot ko, I should compliment him too, well sort of. Tsk. I eyed him from head to foot as I quickly think of what and how should I compliment him.
"Well, you are well-favored," it almost sounded like a whisper. "Sort of." Pahabol ko, para naman malaman niyang it was half-meant like how he delivered his.
Ilang minuto rin kaming naghintay para sa kanilang family chauffeur to pick us up and drive us to Manila.
Naging tahimik ang biyahe namin, Loki, as usual, is playing Criminal Case on his cellphone while I decided to take a nap para naman mabawi ko ang tulog ko na naudlot kanina.
* * *
Nagising ako nang makaramdam ako ng init. I roamed my eyes around at sumilip rin sa car window. Sikat na sikat na ang araw, and we are currently stucked in traffic pero alam kong nakalagpas na kami ng Pampanga.
"You may resume your nap, malayo-layo pa tayo." Bored na sinabi ni Loki na hanggang ngayon ay tutok parin sa paglalaro.
Pero hindi ko na nagawa pang matulog ulit and so I decided to watch the sea of cars stuck in the traffic, in same road as ours.
Pasado alas-diyes ng umaga na kami nakarating sa aming patutunguhan. Pinagbuksan pa kami ng pinto ni Mr. Vasquez and dropped us off a prestigious hotel. Wow, it's so huge! Ang ganda naman dito.
Napalingon naman ako kay Loki who doesn't seem to be amused with the place. We made our way to the hotel lobby at may iba na ring mga tao maliban sa amin. Most are elites, you can say, based from their attires.
"Here's your pass." Loki caught my attention by handing me a small laminated card that says, THEON'S ART GALLERY. Nagpukol naman ako ng nagtatakang tingin kay Loki. "Theon must be the heir of the Soriano's."
"And I didn't know that the exhibit is about art." I giggled. "And also, I didn't know that you like art."
He rolled his eyes and walked past me. Nagtungo naman kami sa front desk at nagtanong about sa iba pang detalye ng gaganaping exhibit.
"They said na magkakaroon muna ng press con before they open the gallery right after lunch." He threw me some keys at nauna nang maglakad patungo sa elevator.
Both of us got down on the 7th floor of the hotel and searched for the room 706.
"They said every guest is accomodated with a hotel suite," he explains as he roamed around the room.
Hindi ko siya pinansin at nilibot ang napakalaking suite! It was spacious and the lights and temperature are relaxing.
Nagtanggal muna ako ng sapatos at nahiga sa napakalambot na kama and started making "snow angels". "Is it your first time in a hotel suite?" He asked na parang nawi-weirdo-han na siya sa'kin pero I just shrugged and ignored him.
Ilang oras din kaming namalagi sa loob ng suite na 'yon at maya-maya pa ay pinatawag na kami sa press con kasama ng iba pang mga guest.
Sa ground floor, sa isang malaking hall kami nagtungo at marami-rami na rin ang tao, may mga press at media na rin na kanya-kanya ng setup ng mga dala nilang recording devices. Habang kami naman ay naupo sa isang bakanteng 8-seater round table.
May nakalatag naman na mahabang lamesa sa stage na kung saan mauupo ang mga bida sa araw na 'to. Nagbaling ako ng tingin sa aking katabi na naiinip na naghihintay sa gaganaping press conference.
"Why would Luthor go in this kind of gathering?" He muttered crossing his arms over his chest.
"Bakit nga ba?"
"As far as I know, Soriano's are influential in the field of business, their heir, based on this," he roamed is eyes around, indicating to the event. "Must be inclined with art or somehow."
Natahamik kami saglit at hindi na nag-imikan. Nagulat ako nang biglang may lumapit sa amin dahilan para mapatayo si Loki, kaya tumayo na rin ako.
A couple in their mid-30's are standing upon us giving warm smiles as greetings. I bowed down slightly at bumati ng good morning.
"Louis!" The man, wearing a formal black suit with his bowtie, exclaimed with delight as he shook hands with Loki beside me. Hindi na ko nagulat pang tinawag siya with that name, though I find it really awkward when I hear it. "I wasn't expecting you here! Glad you came!"
"My brother had some errands to run so he can't come," He said politely. Now look who's talking! Halos matawa-tawa ako dahil pinipilit niyang magmukhang 'pleasant' sa harap ng mga kausap niya. He even covered up for his big brother!
"And who's this young maiden with you?" The lady, who was wearing a sophisticated knee lenght dress, na sa unang tingin pa lang costs thousands of pesos, said as she looked at me.
He jerked is thumb pointing towards me. "She is my collea—" He was cut mid-sentence nang magsalita naman ang lalaki.
"You have a good choice in lady, my young man."
"He is not my—"
Natigil na naman siya sa pagsasalita when the lady interrupted him this time. "Ahh, sweet lovers." She said dreamily, batting her eyelashes and clasping her hands together. "I'm Mrs. Sally Soriano and this is my husband, Dan."
For the nth time, napagkamalan na naman kaming couple. I doubt Loki would be interested somehow.
Medyo nagulat ako upon hearing her name. They are the Sorianos. No doubt that they dress like that. "Lorelei Rios po. Nice meeting you." I awkwardly offered a hand shake pero she gave me a cheek-to-cheek kiss.
A tall, stout man then approached us. He was with a bespectacled fat man. Both are in their mid-30's and in their semi-formal attires.
"Richmond! Fred!" Bati ni Mr. Soriano sa dalawang kadarating lang na lalaki. "They are my friends." Introducing them to us. I smiled at them to show respect.
"Richmond Rico here is my right hand man." Motioning his hand towards the tall, stout man. "While this is Mr. Fredrick Fajardo, he's a business partner."
Napansin ko naman ang hindi biglang pagtahimik ni Mrs. Soriano. She then excused herself at sumunod na ang mga lalaki.
"You noticed that, too, huh?" I looked at Loki who has his hands inside his pockets. "Don't you think it's weird?"
"Baka naman nagkaro'n lang ng misunderstanding between them?" I minimized my voice dahil it's very inappropriate na pag-usapan namin ang mga kilalang personalities who's in the same room.
"It's interesting though." He looked bored but I know that that piqued his attention.
Ilang saglit pa ay nagsimula na ang press conference kasabay ng pag-serve ng lunch. Tahimik akong kumakain while Loki barely touched his food. "Hey, eat. Nilalangaw na yung pagkain mo." Though that was a bit exaggerated, I caught his attention.
Sumubo naman siya ng isang kutsarang kanin at kapiranggot na ulam mula sa plato niya before getting his attention back to the stage. Nakaupo do'n sila Mr. and Mrs. Soriano. May bakanteng upuan naman sa tabi niya. I wonder where on earth is Theon? He is actually the star of this day but he's missing in action.
"Thank you for everyone who had come to take part of this first ever art convention from our side of the family. We apologize since Theon is still not around," Mrs. Soriano broadcast, medyo nahihiya but she managed to smile in front of those rolling video recorders and flashing cameras. "But he will be with us anytime soon."
Loki on the other hand, hasn't finished his meal yet. He's focused on what's happening on the stage right now. Looks like something does not satisfy him.
Kinalabit ko naman siya at kinamusta. "Something bothering you?"
"I have a strange gut feeling here. I just can't figure it out yet." Hindi na niya ko muli pinansin matapos no'n hanggang sa matapos na ang conference at around 1:40 in the afternoon.
Hanggang sa puntong 'yon, hindi na niya nagalaw ang pagkain niya! He's wasting food pero hindi ko na siya sinita pa. I know it would just fall into deaf ears.
Tumayo na kami and left the hall, gano'n rin ang iba pang guests at press. Inip na inip na si Loki kaya he grabbed me by the hand at hinila ako paakyat ng hagdan.
"Ano ba? Naka-heels ako dahan-dahan naman!" I shrieked at pilit na nagpumiglas sa pagkakahawak niya but to no avail.
Fortunately, nakarating kami ng 3rd floor ng hindi ako nasubsob sa hagdan sa ginawa niyang pagkaladkad. Inayos ko naman ang sarili ko at napadaing sa pagkirot ng mga paa ko.
"Sorry," sabi niya sabay bitaw sa kamay ko. Wala man lang sincerity.
"My God, Loki! Do you really need to drag me up here?! On those stairs?!" I ranted like a child buti na lang at nauna kami sa gaganapan ng exhibit.
"I said, I'm sorry." 'Di gaya ng kanina mas sincere ang tono ng pananalita niya. His eyes told me so. "Okay ka lang ba?"
"I can manage." I kept distance from him para naman malaman niya na I'm still not okay with what he did to me. Now I have to endure the pain for a little longer. "Why are you in such hurry ba? Parang hinabol ka multo e."
"There is no such thing as—"
"EH bakit nga?" Intensyonal kong nilakasan ang boses ko para hindi na siya magpaliwanag about about ghosts not being real.
"I got bored waiting in line."
"You're always bored."
"And I want to come here first. Ayokong makipagsiksikan sa mga media with their enermous aparatus for featuring this whole event."
Nang makarating na sila Mr. and Mrs. Soriano along with the other guests, official nang binuksan ang art exhibit dedicated for Theon. Unlike the hall earlier, mas malawak sa loob nito. The hall was dimly lit with orange lights. May mga paintings na nakasabit sa bawat sulok at may mga nakadisplay rin clay models at crafts sa gitna.
Guests started making rounds, checking on each and every painting. I wonder what's up with these? Hinila ko si Loki as we head on the right side near the entrance.
Makalat ang paintings. Abstract you can say. Pero kung susuriin, crayons and pencils ang primary medium used.
Nakapamulsa si Loki habang tinitignan ang mga artworks. "Is this some kind of a joke?" Loki scoffed upon seeing the artworks.
Theon is a kid! That explains the messy artworks na halos lahat ay pare-pareho lang ng itsura.
"They wasted their money for this trash." Loki whispered, unsatisfied.
Nahampas ko naman siya sa braso niya. "He's a kid! What would you expect? That he's like Da Vinci?" Hindi na siya sumagot after no'n.
We looked on the other paintings. It was somehow weird dahil iba na ang mga itsura ng drawing niya dito. Napahawak ako sa aking baba while Loki crossed his arms na parang iniisip rin ang naiisip ko.
"Monsters..?" I gasped nang ma-picture out ko ang subject sa isang artwork na mahigit tatlong minutos na rin naming tinititigan.
Unlike on the right side of the room, mas creepy ang pagkakadrawing niya sa mga artworks niya along this aisle. Tinahak pa namin ang isang hilera pa ng mga paintings.
Kung hindi bata ang gunawa ng mga ito, you would think that the artist is depressed or possesed by means of the subject.
Nasubsob naman ako bigla kay Loki nang may makaapak sa paa ko para mas lalo itong sumakit. Agad naman akong inalalayan ni Loki makatayo pero dinaing ko pa rin yung paa ko.
His eyes are full of concern pero nabaling yun sa kung ano man nasa likod ko. Tumalikod ako and saw a young boy, wearing a formal attire and orange crocs. His hair was desheveled and his bowtie is loosely tied around his neck.
Napangiti ako knowing that a kid accidentaly stepped on my foot so I let it slide. I bent and smiled at the kid.
"Who are you?" Inunahan ako ni Loki sa pagtatanong ng pangalan sa cute na batang lalaking nasa harapan namin.
I glared at him making his lips move na parang tinatanong kung anong nagawa niyang mali. "You're scaring the innocent child!" I muttered.
Hinawakan ko naman sa magkabilang balikat yung bata. "I'm sorry." Sabi niya sabay turo sa paa kong naapakan niya kanina.
"It's okay. What's your name?"
"Theon."
Loki and I exchanged stares. "Theon Soriano?" Loki asked. Tatango-tango namang sumagot ang bata.
"Did you paint these things?" Tanong ko sabay turo sa mga artwork na kanina pa namin tinititigan ni Loki.
He nodded his head again. "Yes, is it ugly?"
"Ye—"
"NO! Not at all. Hehe~" Inirapan ko si Loki na wala pa ring kaemo-emosyon ang mukha. "Can I ask you a question? Why do...your paintings look like this?" I pointed out one of his artworks.
"I draw what I saw." My eyed widen in shock. He see monsters? "That is Rick the oh-man rich man! He's from the cartoons! Though he does not kinda look like him."
Nakahinga naman ako nang maluwag sa sinabi ni Theon. Sinuri rin niya ang sarili niyang artwork. Hinahanap siguro ang anggulong tutugma ang hitsura sa nasabi niyang cartoon character.
May tumawag naman sa pangalan niya so he then bade us farewell. Tumayo na ko mula sa pagkakaluhod before facing Loki, he looked away.
"You're so mean! He's a child Loki! He's merely 4 years old!"
"And he is practically weird." He walked away and looked at the other artworks on the wall. His hands were on his back reminding me of his brother.
Iika-ika ko naman siyang sinundan. "Loki, wait!"
"Is this a cat or an elephant?" He asks pointing his finger on the artwork before us. Natawa naman ako sa reaction niya.
"Neither." I giggled. "It's a lion. Hintayin mo ko dito. I'll be back. I just need to use the restroom."
Naligaw-ligaw pa ko bago mahanap ang girls' restroom. Buti na lang at itinuro 'to sa'kin ng isang hotel housekeeper. After using the restroom, I was washing my hands when I heard a loud thud. Agad akong napalabas ng banyo and saw the housekeeper lying on the carpeted floor.
Agad kong tinawagan si Loki to have him here. I also called help mula sa mga staff na nakabantay sa labas ng exhibit. "Loki, on the corridors, quick!"
Hindi ko na hinintay pa si Loki na makarating and left the scene. Tinanggal ko ang mga sapatos na suot ko at nakayapak na tumungo sa dulo ng corridor. Palingon-lingon ako searching for someone na hindi ko naman alam kung sino.
I have a gut feeling na someone knocked her out, it maybe by physically hurting her o baka may matapang na bagay siyang naamoy or something between the lines.
I took the stairs at bumaba sa parking lot. It was eerie down here. Madilim na rin sa bandang dulo. Pero may naaninag akong naglalakad.
I jumped out of fright when my phone suddenly rang. I hid somewhere and aswered the call. "Lorelei, where are you?"
"Loki, I found out something weird down here in the—KYAAAA!!" Nabitawan ko ang cellphone ko nang makita ang isang lalaking naka-mask standing before me.
"Hello?! LORIE? LORELEI?!" Hindi ko nagawang sumagot. I am still in shock dahil sa lalaking nasa harapan ko. Namilipit ako sa sakit nang bigla niya kong sikmuraan. Unti-unti akong nahilo hanggang sa mawalan ng malay.
* * *
I slowly opened my eyes. I figured that I am inside our hotel room. Loki was sitting on the edge of the bed. "Loki?"
Nagulat naman ako when he locked me in his embrace. "Lorelei! Are you okay? Did you get hurt?" His eyes are full of concern as he touched my cheeks to check if I'm okay.
"Very much unlike you, Loki." I teased at hinawakan ang kamay niyang nasa pisngi ko. "Ano bang nangyari?"
He let out a long sigh before looking away. "I took you to the clinic to have you checked when I found you lying on the cold cemented floor of the basement parking. Once they assured me that you'll be fine, I brought you here."
Naalala ko na. "Loki, I saw some suspicious guy kaya sinundan ko siya doon. I thought it is connected to the man behind the unconscious housekeeper."
"Oh, Lorelei. Don't put yourself in such trouble! I'm worried sick!" Pangaral niya sa'kin.
"Wala naman si Moriarty dito, he's back there in Pampanga." I assured him pero hindi siya nakuntento.
"That's the point! It would be harder if I lose you here." Napalitan ng lungkot ang kanyang mga mata. Imbes na ma-touch sa concern niya, natawa pa ako.
"You are acting very strage Mr. Mendez. I wonder if what did you intake. Is it the lunch served earlier? Although you barely touched your food."
"Stop it." His tone went serious as he stood up. He fixed his tie and turned around. He was about to walk away pero hinawakan ko siya sa kamay.
"Where are you going?"
"You. Stay here. Get some rest." Pero hindi ko siya pinansin at nagtatatalon pa sa kama to prove him wrong.
"Look, I'm perfectly fine." Namali naman ako ng bagsak kaya I end up falling... in his arms.
Saglit kaming natigil sa ganong kalagayan we were exchanging blank stares, both still in shock of what happened.
I was the first one who looked away. "Ehem, l-let's go. Let's go." I wore my shoes and fixed myself at nauna nang lumabas.
4 o'clock na rin nang bumalik kami sa exhibit held on the third floor. Mr. Soriano was on the phone while Mrs. Soriano on his right looked so worried.
I left Loki behind and ran towards them. "Hi po. Sorry but may I ask what's happening?"
"Our son, Theon was kidnapped." Maiyak-iyak na sabi ni Mrs. Soriano. Napatakip naman ako ng bibig upon hearing such terrible news!
Loki came right after. "Have you asked the police to assist you?"
"We were hesitant at first. We don't want to get much attention. Lalo pa't ang daming bisita sa loob," Mrs. Soriano expounded nakakapit ang mga kamay sa braso ni Mr. Soriano. "Plus wala pang 24 hours."
"Louis. Help us." Mr. Soriano almost begged to my companion. Kulang na lang ay lumuhod pa ito sa harap niya.
"We will."
Bigla namang may lumapit na hotel staff sa amin. Handing a brown envelope to the man in front of us. The couple trade curious looks. Loki instructed them to open it.
He must thought that there will be no such threat in a flat envelope. "It's Theon's drawing." They broke down in tears.
He handed it to us with his trembling hands.
My forehead creased as soon as my eyes are set on the paper Loki was holding.
"It's still newly done. The sky blue color is still vibrant. The pencil shadings are still dark." He quipped as if he's an art enthusiast or some sort.
Ako naman ang sumuri sa envelope, it was addressed to Mr. Soriano from an anonymous sender.
"We can have a fingerprint analysis on this. Excluding my prints, yours and Thyrone's, of course, we might find something interesting that will lead us to the culprit." Sabi niya na parang 100% sure siyang may makikita nga kaming trace ng mga kumidnap kay Theon. Theon, Loki. Not Thyrone!
Agad namang tumango-tango si Mr. Soriano at agad na nagpa-request nang gaya ng sinabi ni Loki. He asked his secretary para asikasuhin ito.
"Where did you last saw Timmy?" He asked the couple before us. Tulala naman sila at natatarantang sumagot.
"30 minutes after the opening of the exhibit. Hinatid siya dito ni Emily, ang secretary ni Dan."
"So she is one of the possible kidnappers who took your child away. Since she was with your child the last minutes before he was lost."
"But Emily is too busy organizing the whole event—attending to guests and answering calls!" Mr. Soriano protested, believing that his most trusted secretary can't do such thing.
"Sino pa ang huling mga nakasama ng anak niyo?"
"We let Theon to roam around the exhibit. Iilan lang ang mga kilala niya among my business partners and friends." Paliwanag ni Mr. Soriano.
"At normal naman na advice sa bata is don't talk to strangers," Mrs. Soriano said in a matter of fact. "Kaya I'm sure Theon would ignore someone he does not know."
"Mr. Soriano, do you know who among your colleagues Theon knows personally?" Loki interposed, shifting his bored look to the man in front of us.
"Bukod kay Emily, he knows Richmond since he often plays with him when Theon visits the office. Si Fredrick naman ay ninong niya sa binyag."
"Nannies? Bodyguards? None?"
Iiling-iling siyang sumagot. "Wala siyang yaya ngayon. Kaka-resign lang ng yaya niya at yung driver naman ay hinatid lang siya dito."
"Call for Richard and Franklin." Loki commanded. Mr. Soriano made a phone call asking Emily to ask both Richmond and Fredrick to come over.
While we are waiting for them to arrive, I decided to share our encounter with Theon as well. "In fact, we also saw Theon when he unexpectedly bumped into us a while ago."
"But I assure you that we are not the ones who kidnapped Timon. I can testify to her statement. She was with me until somebody called your son." Depensa ni Loki.
"Do you, by any chance, remember kung anong tinawag sa kanya ni Theon? Yung mukha niya? What does it look like?" Tanong ni Mrs. Soriano, worry is still etched on her face.
Umiling-iling ako. I feel sorry dahil hindi ko naalala ang itsura ng tumawag sa kanya.
Nagbaling naman ako ng tingin kay Loki. "How about the unconcious housekeeper who fell on the ground? And that suspicious man who knocked me out on the basement?" I enumerated at baka may relation ang mga 'yon sa kaso.
"Do you remember his or her face? He must be up close to you para mapatumba ka niya." Loki questionned.
I shook my head for the second time. "Naka-black mask siya when he approached me at wala na kong malay sa mga susunod."
Lumapit naman sa amin ang isang babaeng naka-office attire, tumatagaktak ang kaniyang pawis kahit na malamig naman dito. She was hugging a clipboard to her chest and her cellphone on her hand.
She must be Emily, the secretary. "Sir ito na po yung results ng fingerprint analysis." Agad namang kinuha ni Loki 'yon. I was surprised to see not even a single unfamiliar name from the list! "Papapuntahin ko na rin po sila Mr. Ramos and Mr. Fajardo."
Malinis tumrabaho ang may gawa nito. But the question is who? "There's no such thing as perfect crime. We'll know the kidnapper just soon." He whispered interupting my train of thoughts. His gaze still locked on the list.
Dumating na maya-maya sila Fredrick at Rico, darting curious stares on us. "Oh, what happened here? I haven't seen Theon. Wala pa ba siya?" Bungad ni Fredrick, the big fat guy, as he fixed his slipping spectacles on his nose.
"Tyler Soriano is missing." Loki interfered, giving the two newcomers a blank look. It's Theo—oh, never mind.
"WHAT?!" They both exclaimed in surprise. Pwede ngang isa sa kanila ang maging suspek sa pag-kidnap kay Theon kung pagbabasehan namin ang statement ni Mrs. Soriano. The question is, what would be his motive? Mayayaman naman silang lahat.
"Pwede ba naming malaman kung nasaan kayo between 2:30 and 3:30 in the afternoon?" I asked.
Naunang sumagot si Fredrick. "Kasama ko ang iba pa naming business partners, in fact kasama namin sila Soriano do'n." Tumingin naman ako kay Mr. Soriano, he was nodding his head, approving to Mr. Fajardo's statement.
"Ako, mag-isa lang akong naglilibot-libot sa mga oras na 'yon."
"He has an alibi but not too strong," Loki whispered to my ear.
"Anyway, we will be calling for you again anytime soon once we found something about this case. You may leave." Utos ni Loki sa dalawang elite na nasa suspect list. Nagpasalamat na lang ako sa kanila sa naging panayam in behalf of Loki who didn't even bother.
"Ay sir, may nagpapadala rin po pala ulit nito." Emily approached us, looking more haggard than she was moments ago. Handing us another brown envelope. At gaya ng inaasahan, mas marami pang nakalakip sa envelope na ito compared to the first envelope.
"There's no use if we have these checked again. The results will end up just the same." Halatang napipikon na si Loki pero his facial expressions didn't show.
Para kasing kahit paikot-ikutin namin ang mga drawings na pinadala, parang walang uusad sa kaso. Wala ring kasamang message mula sa kidnappers.
Kung ang suspect list ang pagbabasehan namin, parang walang sense. Kung kidnap for ransom ito, they should have called and set a price. Knowing that the child is from a well-off family.
May iba pa sigurong motive and kidnapper aside from money. "I also considered that angle." Loki interrupted, mindreading my thoughts— again.
Halos mag-a-alas cinco na rin pala, isa-isa nang naglabasan ang mga bisita, pilit naman silang ngini-ngitian ng mga Soriano and bade each one who comes out farewell.
"Mr. And Mrs. Soriano, pwede na muna ho kayong magpahinga. Kami na ho ang bahala ni Loki dito. We will inform you as soon as we found information of your son's whereabouts."
Matamlay namang tumango ang mag-asawa. "Thank you, Louis and Lorelei."
"Don't thank us yet." He turned around and took his leave. I immediately followed him as we get inside the elevator.
Binuksan niya ang kwartong tinutuluyan namin at sumalampak sa kama. He scattered the drawings on the bed at seryosong pinagmasdan ang bawat isa.
The first drawing sent was a picture of a black and white scenery, only the the upper portion of the paper is colored with yellow-orange while in the middle, drawn a pointy shape that resembles that of either a pencil or a skyscraper.
The first two photos, on the second envelope was just the same as the one in the first envelope. But the difference is that the color of the medium used.
The photo in the first envelope used a sky blue color. The first photo in the second envelope used a yellow-orange color. While the second photo of the second envelope used a bright orange color.
The third photo in the second envelope is drawn with a window on the left-hand side and the rest was fully shaded by a black crayon.
And the last photo is a picture of a caricature of such. Parang nakita ko na siya dati. I just don't know what it resembles.
Tumabi ako kay Loki at sumali sa staring contest niya at ng mga nakalatag na artworks sa kama.
"Ah!" He startled when I suddenly had a eureka moment. "It's Ricky the Oh-man Richman!" Tinuro-tinuro ko pa yung pang last na picture. Kaya pala parang familiar siya. Pero why would Theon draw these?
My eyes widened when I figured something out. Nagkatinginan kami ni Loki who's showing off a sly smile— well, more of a grin.
He knows who took Theon away. And probably knows where he took him.
I piled up all the artworks he scattered on the bed at nag-ayos na ng aking sarili. We took the stairs and headed back to the exhibit.
We asked for Ms. Emily's help para matawagan sila Mr. and Mrs. Soriano. Hindi na niya sinama ang mga pinaghihinalaang suspects. Loki also asked Ms. Emily to have a car ready.
Sa may harap ng hotel entrance na kami naghintay. Nilapitan agad kami nila Mr. and Mrs. Soriano. "Ano, Louis? Do you know where my son is?"
Loki didn't utter a word instead he replied with the same sly smile he showed me a while ago.
A black limousine stopped right in front of us.
We rode the limosine at tinanong ng driver kung saan kami pupunta. Mr. Soriano threw the question to Loki. Tumayo siya at binulungan lang ang driver. The driver nodded as soon as he had instructions from him.
He sat beside me before making a phone call. "Hello, this is Loki Mendez, yes. Yes. A child is kidnapped. I'll send you the details."
He just called the police. It's a hundred percent sure he already know who's behind this and where the suspect hid his victim.
"That building over there is your company's building, right, Mr. Soriano?" He pointed out the window a building with a pointed top, we just passed through. Napa-oo naman si Mr. Soriano.
Moments later, the car had a full stop. Bumaba na kaming lahat sa tapat ng isang abandonadong apartment. Mukhang kakasara lang nito, kupas na ang pintura, sira-sira na ang facilities, pero hindi pa mukhang haunted.
Loki ordered the driver to tell the police to report immediately since mauuna kaming umakyat. We entered discreetly at nagtungo sa pinakataas na floor which is the 7th floor—by stairs! Dahil matagal nang hindi nagagamit ang elevator
Along the hall, all doors are closed maliban sa kwarto sa dulo. It was slightly opened. Loki signaled us to follow him. Nang buksan namin ang pinto, a vacant room appeared before our eyes. May isang bintana, study desk and a single bed.
Taliwas sa common na abduction scene kung saan nakagapos ang biktima ang bumungad sa'min ngayon. Hindi mukhang kinidnap ang bata, it's as if he was just in his bedroom.
Sa sulok, nakahiga ang isang lalaking makisig ang pangangatawan at mahimbing na natutulog katabi ng batang hinahanap namin. He's a kid having a nap.
We looked behind nang may malalakas na yabag kaming narinig. Could it be the police? But no, it was Richmond. Richmond Rico.
He catch his breath when he stopped in front of us. Mukhang tumakbo siya paakyat dito. I looked at Loki whose face was expressionless as usual.
"Ramos!" Mr. Soriano was surprised upon seeing an uninvited guest.
"Emily told me that you guys are here! Nasa'n na si Theon?" Hinihingal niyang tanong.
Loki took a step forward placing his hands behind his back, an indication of the start of his deduction show. "Richard, who told you again that we were here?"
"Si E-Emily."
"Oh, really? I don't remember telling anyone aside the driver that we're going here."
Natigil naman si Richmond sa sinabi ni Loki. Namumuo na ang mga butil ng pawis sa kanyang noo.
He motioned me to hand him the artworks at isa-isa 'yong ipinakita sa amin. "This is not simply an artwork. Every artwork is a message for help and a hint that would lead us to his kidnapper."
"Anong ibig mong sabihin?" Tanong ni Mrs. Soriano.
Sumingit naman ako sa eksena at nakiagaw ng konting spotlight kay Loki. "Nakausap namin ang anak niyo kanina. He even asked us kung anong masasabi namin sa artworks niya. But instead, I asked kung bakit gano'n ang mga dino-drawing niya. His answer? He draw what he saw."
All of them looked puzzled parang wala pa ring naiintindihan.
And so Loki resumed the show. "Probably, the kidnapper asked him to draw for him to send it to you. Which is a lame thing to do by the way," he managed to joke as if this is not a serious case.
"And since there's nothing to see in here, he looked out this window. Remember the first three drawings that all looked the same?" Tinulungan ko siyang maghawak para mapakita namin ng sabay-sabay ang mga drawing. "He was looking outside this window while he was drawing these."
"And from here, kitang-kita ang building ng company niyo, Mr. Soriano. Dahil familiar siya na pagmamay-ari niyo 'yon, it most probably got his attention." Sabi ko sabay turo sa pointed building sa labas. It was a skyscaper afterall, not a pencil.
"He used different colors that's equivalent to the color of the sky. He drew the artworks in different time frames." Loki raised up the colored sky blue. "This must be around 3PM when he first arrived here. Sa mga oras na 'yon, maliwanag pa ang langit."
"The second one is colored yellow orange since the sun is starting to set. And on the last one, since its already late in the afternoon, he probably colored it orange."
Nakikinig lang silang lahat sa amin as we explained every piece of the puzzle Theon gave us to solve. Theon and the muscular guy, on the other hand, is still peacefully sleeping.
"The fourth picture is telling us that he is inside this room. Since there is no electricity source in the whole building, he probally got the idea to tell you that he is locked in a dark room."
"And lastly," Loki smirked glancing at Theon's kidnapper. "This right here is Timothy's favorite character."
"Rick the Oh-man Richman." Dagdag ko.
"And the message he wanted us to convey in this artwork is his kidnapper." Loki let out a soft chuckle. "Rick the Oh-man Rich man? Does it ring a bell?"
Umiling-iling sila so Loki resumed. "If you remove the 'the' and the two 'man', you'll end up having?" He left them hanging there para sila mismo ang umisip kung sino.
Nanlaki ang mga mata ni Mrs. Soriano, ganon rin si Mr. Soriano nang ma-realize kung sino ang tinutukoy sa drawing ng anak nila. "That's right, the man behind this kidnapping is Ric-Oh, Rich. A.k.a., Mr. Soriano's right hand man."
Nagbaling kami lahat ng tingin kay Richmond. His hands were balled into fists, his veins are almost popping out while his head is hung down low. "Richmond! Totoo ba 'yon!?" Mr. Soriano shouted, raging in anger. Dahilan para magising ang lalaking bantay na kanina pa natutulog pero nanatili siyang tahimik.
Pilit siyang pinakalma ni Mrs. Soriano at baka bigla siyang mahimatay sa sobrang galit.
Richmond decided to speak. "4 years ago nang magkaro'n kami ng affair ni Sally, ng asawa mo. Nabuntis ko siya no'n and I couldn't be any happier. Pero alam niyang magagalit ka, Dan. Kaya ipinalaglag niya ang anak namin nang hindi man lang sinasabi sa'kin!" Napaluhod siya sa sahig at napahagulgol. "Tapos ilang buwan matapos no'n, nabalitaan kong buntis siya ulit at ikaw ang ama. Simula no'n, hindi na siya nakipagkita pa sa akin dahil nga aligaga na siya sa anak niyo. Sana hindi ako nagluluksa ngayon! Sana may anak rin ako ng gaya ni Theon! Sana naging magkaibigan pa sila pero hindi! Pinatay ng babaeng 'yan ang buhay ng anak ko!"
Mr. Soriano didn't get a chance to reply. Sa dami ba naman ng lihim na naibunyag mula sa mga nagdaang panahon. Kahit ako ay magugulat. Napakapit ako bigla kay Loki nang samplin ng malakas ni Mr. Soriano ang kanyang asawa.
"D-dan! I'm s-sorry! I'm sorry!" Lumuhod pa ang babae at nagmakaawa. Nilagpasan lang siya ni Mr. Soriano at binuhat ang anak niyang mahimbing pa ring natutulog.
At gaya sa typical Filipino action movies, ngayon lang nagawang rumesponde ng mga pulis, pinosasan sina Richmond at ng kasabwat niya.
Hinila na rin ako ni Loki pababa at umalis na. Paulit-ulit kaming pinasalamatan ni Mr. Soriano nang makabalik kami sa hotel. Dahil bukod sa nakuha namin pabalik si Theon, nagising rin daw siya sa katotohanan.
Nilapitan naman kami ni Theon na kakagising lang. Nagbend ako para makapantay ko siya. "Bye bye, little da Vinci. Nice artworks! Keep it up, okay?"
Nakangiti naman siyang tumango. "You're a literal escape artist. Don't get yourself into trouble again, young man." He commentend kneeling down on one knee at ginulo ang buhok ng bata. I can see his concern kahit na his expressions fail to show.
I think he'll be a great dad kahit na ganyan siya. Haha, don't ask me why pero malay niyo naman.
Sinundo na kami ng family chauffeur nila Loki at hinatid pabalik sa Pampanga. I decided to rest dahil sa pagod na nadama ko.
"Okay ka na ba?" He asked. Nagulat ako nang isandal niya ang ulo ko sa balikat niya. "Have some rest."
* * *
Nagising ako at nasa tapat na kami ng apartment ni Tita Martha. Inaantok pa kong bumaba ng kotse at nauna na sa unit namin.
Hindi na ko nakadiretso pa sa kwarto ko at umunat na sa sofa. Tinanggal ko na ang sapatos ko. My feet are sore.
Papapikit na ko nang biglang pumasok si Loki ng unit. "Alam mo, you act very unusual today." I told him with my eyes still closed and smiling at the thought.
Pero hindi na siya sumagot. I was about to fall into deep slumber nang tawagin niya ang pangalan ko. Napadilat ako and saw him standing beside me holding two cups of steaming coffee.
"Coffee?"
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