.18
Ilang araw na pinag-usapan ang nangyari sa Grand Pavillion may isang newspaper ako nakita at ang headline nito ay "The Tragedy of Grand Pavillion Massacre".
It's all over the news, every time I switch channels ang nangyari sa Grand Pavillion ang nakikita ko. That night, there were over 800 guests, 256 died and 149 are injured.
Ayon sa mga nabasa kong news report, wala pang may nakakaalam kung sino ang nasa likod ng mga nangyari. May ilang articles na nagsabi na may family feud daw, may isa rin naman akong nabasa na ang mga Mafia ang nasa likod ng mga pangyayari ng gabing iyon.
May mga report din na nagsabi na may kinalaman ang nalalapit na eleksyon, at ilan pang haka-haka. Ayon rin sa mga witnessess, nakasuot ng clown mask ang mga suspect. Kagaya ng lalakeng pinatay ni Polina.
Halos isang linggo na ang lumipas simula mangyari ang insidente pero hindi pa rin ako makatulog ng maayos, iniisip ko pa rin ang mga nangyaring gabing iyon. Iniisip ko rin ang misteryong bumabalot kay Ivo at Polina. At hindi pa rin matukoy kung sino ang naglagay ng sunog na pugot na ulo sa loob ng condo unit ko.
Nakakapagtaka lang ay hindi ko nakita si Tia Constanza, if I remember correctly she's here because of the Charity Ball, but I didn't see her, and she's not here at Uncle's house too. When I asked Uncle about it, he told me that he doesn't know where Tia is.
"Skyla"
"Skyla"
"Skyla," a hand touched my shoulder and I looked at Alexavia, she's frowning at me.
"Yes? Sorry, what were you saying?" wala sa sarili kong tanong.
"Okay ka lang? You didn't touch your food" sa bleachers namin napiling kumain ng lunch ni Alexavia pero hindi ko naman halos nagalaw ang pagkain ko.
Alexavia is worried about me, she knows what happened that night dahil sa mga balita at dahil na rin kay Anthony. After Ivo and Polina left, Anthony found me in the corridor standing all alone. He described me as tuliro at wala sa sarili to Uncle and Alexavia. I don't blame him tho, a man was killed right before me and I can still hear the gunshots, the screams and the pleas of the guy every time I close my eyes.
"I'm okay, wala lang akong gana kumain" she frowned at me, I can see the worry in her eyes. I didn't tell anyone about what I saw, nilihim ko iyon sa sarili ko. Hindi ko rin sinabi kanino man na hindi ako makatulog ng maayos tuwing gabi. Ang ayoko sa lahat ay ako ang dahilan nag pag-aalala ng ibang tao. So I forced myself to smile and pushed all my worries and questions away. "but I'm craving for some matcha cheesecake" I said and smiled to Alexavia.
Umismid si Alexavia sa sinabi ko, "Matcha? Ano ba meron dyan ang gustong-gusto mo yang color green na yan?"
"Masarap kasi yung matcha kung open minded ka lang sana, Alexavia, for sure you'll like it too."
"Wow naman, ako pa hindi open minded. Sure ka dyan?" tinawanan ko lang sya at pinisil ang pisnge nya, "araaay naman" at lumayo sya sa akin, at lalo akong natawa sa kanya. She looked behind me and I looked too, nakita naming palapit si Detective Michaels.
I closed my eyes, wishing na sana mali ang nakikita ko. Alam kong may kailangan sa akin si Detective, for sure, he'll ask me few questions about what happened that night and I can't answer him, not because I don't want to but because everything seems too much now.
"Good afternoon, Detective Michaels." ngise ni Alexavia sa kanya. He only nodded at her and looked at me.
"Miss Vielle, can I talk to you?" wala na akong lusot ngayon, gumawa man ako ng rason na hindi pwede ay paniguradong babalikan at hindi rin ako titigilan ni Detective. "Alone" he emphasized.
Padabog na kinuha ni Alexavia ang mga gamit nya, she glared at him "5 minutes, Detective" may kakaiba sa tono ni Alexavia na hindi ko maipaliwanag at iba rin ang mga tingin ni Detective kay Alexavia habang naglalakad ito paalis.
"How can I help you, Detective?" I asked casually.
"Let's cut this short, Ms. Vielle. What were you doing at the Congressman's house?" napalunok ako sa tanong ni Detective Michaels. "May nag-tip sa amin na nakita ka doon. Anong ginagawa mo doon dis-oras ng gabi?, Ms. Vielle"
"I was curious." I said truthfully, "I had an accident the very same night the girl was murdered, I was just curious, that's all. I found out from a friend na malapit lang ang bahay ni Congressman sa lugar kung saan ako naaksidente. Remember a car with no breaks driver chooses to hit a tree to save herself? Yes, that was me"
Sumeryoso ang mukha ni Detective, "And what did you find?"
"Wala akong nahanap because I got scared, I was about to leave but before I got the chance to, I heard two guys talking. I think they're scouting the area but I'm not sure"
Lalong kumunot ang noo ni Detective sa sinabi ko, "Is there a problem, Detective?" I asked, getting a bit worried.
"Miss Vielle, sigurado ka ba sa mga sinasabi mo?"
"Yes, I'm sure."
"You shouldn't have let your curiosity won, you should have stayed where you are that night" he fished his phone out of his pocket and started typing.
"What are you talking about?"
"We can't talk here." kinuha nya ang kanyang wallet at kumuha ng isang kapirasong papel, he wrote something at binigay sa akin ito. Nakita ko na numero ang nakasulat dito. "Call me if anything happens"
"I don't understand, Detective. What's going on?" seryoso kong tanong sa kanya.
Detective Michaels looked at me straight in the eyes, "Ms. Vielle, to tell you frankly, I think you might be in danger"
"Wha-what?" my voice trembling because of what he said.
"I'm not sure yet, but something big is coming and I think you're caught in the middle"
"Detective, you're not making any sense. Just tell me, straig-"
"Okay! 5 minutes is up" Alexavia appeared suddenly, inakbayan nya ako, "Detective, I'm sure may ibang araw pa naman para sa mga tanong mo di'ba? You don't mind if I get my girl kasi sinisira mo bonding time namin" I sense the anger in her tone. What's happening to Alexavia? Is it the time of the month? Ganyan lang naman sya pag meron sya.
"Sure, Ms. Mendez. Have a great day" Detective Michaels smiled at both of us and leave.
Alexavia stared at his back for a long time and whispered, "Gago" and I pretended that I didn't hear her.
"Alex! Skyla! Come on guys, let's go" Aoede shouted at us from the bottom of the bleachers, she's with Tyrone, I almost forgot na ngayon pala kami pupunta sa bagong bukas na restaurant nila Tyrone.
Tyrone may be bad at cooking but his parents aren't. At ngayon pupunta kami sa 26th branch ng restaurant nila. The Radish is a popular restaurant around our city, not just that here but also across the nation.
Alexavia asked Tyrone bakit 'The Radish' ang name ng restaurant nila, he laughed and told us the story behind it. Buntis ang mommy ni Tyrone noon, at si Tyrone ang pinagbubuntis nito when his mom started craving radishes. Mula noon ay lagi ng tinatawag na Radish ni Alexavia si Tyrone sa tuwing naiinis sya rito.
"I'm surrounded by beautiful women, I'm blessed" ngise ni Tyrone habang naglalakad kami patungo sa kotse nya. Natawa lang kami sa sinabi ni Tyrone. "And by the way, eat as much as you can. Forget your diet girls, sila mommy bahala sa atin"
"Sa luto lang talaga ng restaurant nyo nasisira diet ko. Tell me, Tyrone bakit hindi mo namana yung galing ng parents mo sa pagluluto?" sabay halakhak ni Alexavia. Trip nya kasing asarin si Tyrone.
"Sa ibang bagay kasi ako magaling" and then he winked at us and opened his car. Tumawa lang ako sa kalokohan ni Tyrone at halata naman sa mukha ni Aoede at Alexavia na they don't find it funny at all.
"Manyak," pabulong na sabi ni Aoede but Tyrone heard her.
"Sayo lang naman babe," namula ang pisnge ni Aoede at tumawa naman si Tyone saka pumasok ng kotse.
Hindi ko alam na nag-level up na pala ang asaran ni Aoede at Tyrone, noon kasi patola at espasol lang nama ang asaran nila, ngayon naman ay babe na?
"Wag kayo malandi sa harap ko mga bwiset," ani ni Alexavia habang pumapasok sa sasakyan. Tyrone is driving, Aoede is next to him and Alexavia and I are in the backseat.
"Hindi lang naman kami sa harap nyo malandi lalo na pag wala kayo" humalakhak ng tawa si Tyrone at sinuntok naman ni Aoede ang braso nya.
"Siraulo ka! Kung anu-ano na naman sinasabi mo"
"Sorry babe, I forgot na secret lang pala natin 'yon" mas natawa naman si Tyrone sa sinabi nya at paulit-ulit naman na hinahampas ni Aoede ang braso nya. Hindi ko mapigilang matawa rin sa mga biro ni Tyrone. I know that he likes teasing Aoede but deep down, I know he cares about her a lot.
"Sige, Radish, isa pang malanding banat sa bibig mo sisipain kita" asik ni Alexavia.
Tumawa lang si Tyrone sa banta ni Alexavia, "Oo na po. Kaya nga single e, you're so violent. Dapat sa ibang bagay ka lang violent kagay---ARAAAY!" hindi na ito natapos ni Tyrone dahil sa hinampas sya sa braso ni Aoede at pinandilatan ng mata.
When I'm around them I forget my worries away, kahit na nag-aaral kami sa parehong University hindi kami masyado nagkikita at kung nagkikita man kami ay madalas hindi pa kami kumpleto. Kaya we seize the moment when we are all together.
"Skyla, are you okay? You look pale and your eye bags are big. Are you even sleeping?" Tyrone glanced at me from the rearview mirror, Aoede and Alexavia both looked at me at the same time.
"Are you having trouble sleeping?" asked Aoede, the concern on their faces warms my heart.
"Yes," I said truthfully, "I'm having nightmares" I closed my eyes and the image of Polina shooting the guy came back and I opened my eyes and tried to calm myself, "but I'll be fine guys" I smiled at them.
"I have some tea in my locker, it'll help you sleep. They're from Nana" Aoede's grandmother is into herbal medicines and gardening. Her grandmother knows a lot about herbal medicines, stomach aches, headaches, body pain and etc.
"Thank you, Aoede"
Wala pang 30 minutes ay nakarating na kami sa aming destinasyon. The restaurant is packed when we got there but Tyrone's parents already reserved a table for us. The Radish is classical theme restaurant, beautiful lights, stunning interiors and delicious food.
I should bring the trio here; Jake, Ian and Clarence. Kailangan kong bumawi sa kanila dahil nangyari noong birthday ni Tasha.
Tyrone's parents can't meet us yet, dahil busy pa sila sa pagluluto. Mamaya nalang daw pag konti na ang mga tao. Kung kanina ay wala akong gana kumain, ngayon ay meron na.
"By the way, Skyla. You and Kev will be at National University Conference, three weeks from now. There's no exact date yet, I'll tell you pag meron na"
National University Conference happens every 2 years, mga miyembro lang ng student council ang pwede pumunta, namely the president and vice president. Since miyembro ako ng photography club at ng school newspaper, I have to be there to document everything.
Kev and I? Kami lang?
"How about you guys? Aren't you both coming?" I asked, slightly confused.
"Dalawang tao lang ang ipapadala ng school natin so Aoede and I can't come." he paused to drink his wine, "and I think it'll be a good time to get to know each other" he smiled.
"I agree and he's a nice guy" ani naman ni Aoede.
Nice guy? Si Kev Conti? I don't think so. I still think that something's off about him.
"Kev Conti?" Alexavia asked.
"Yes, he's a member now" I answered for Alexavia.
"Oh my gosh, really? Should I join too? Para may RTW ako?"
Kumunot ang noo ko sa sinabi ni Alexavia, "Huh? RTW?" I asked.
"Reason To Work" natatawang sabi naman ni Aoede, "I think una kong nabasa yan sa forum ng school natin then boom everyone's using it."
Sumimangot naman si Tyrone, "Pssh, he's not that handsome tho" natawa ako sa sinabi ni Tyrone, you see can be a baby sometimes.
"Hahaha! Lamang lang sya ng isang ligo if that makes you feel any better" tawa ni Alexavia at lalong sumimangot si Tyrone.
I don't like the idea that Kev and I will be together for this coming conference, after ng mga kinilos nya sa parking lot, mas lalo ko gustong lumayo sa kanya. I sighed and closed my eyes, and when I opened them I saw them.
I noticed that the table across from us is about to be occupied, the receptionist ushered them to their seats. A lady, with her fiery eyes and strong aura. Two other guys are following her and they sat down and checked the menus. If this is in a high school setting, their table is the table you don't want to mess with.
Polina has a bored look on her face when she told the waiter their orders, the other guy looks familiar, it's the blue suit guy at the party na may maamong mukha. Yung isa namang lalake ay hawak ang kamay ni Polina at hinihimas-himas ito. I think this is the guy who Polina flipped a finger at.
I saw him before he saw me, napaawang ang bibig ko ng makita sya. The last time I saw him was at the charity ball, I don't know where this sudden anger came but I'm sure para ito sa kanya. I looked at our table, kinuha ang bote ng wine and poured a full amount in my glass.
"Skyla?" natatawang tanong ni Alexavia, "okay ka lang?" I wiped my face with the back of my hand and nodded at her, and repeated what I did a moment ago.
"Take it easy, Sky. That's a Zinfandel and its strong"
"I can handle" ngise ko kay Tyrone, umiling lang sya sa akin at natawa. They watched me drink Zinfandel like it's water.
"I guess you don't need my Nana's sleeping tea, I'm sure bagsak ka mamaya" Aoede said and then laughed. I grinned at her.
I look at the table across from us and saw Ivo staring at me, his jaw clenched. I arched my eyebrow at then drink my wine, I wiped my upper lip with my tongue still looking him. He clenched his right hand and looked away from him.
"Excuse me," I stood and they all stared at me, "comfort room," I said.
"Kaya mo? Do you want me to go with you?" umiikot ang paningin ko pero I waved my hand to Alexavia, a sign of a no.
"I'll be fine," I say, and walk to the bathroom.
Sana nag-flats nalang ako, medyo masakit na kasi ang mga paa ko dahil sa heels. And it's difficult to walk, I staggered to my feet, swaying a little as I walk. I stopped walking at sinandal ang ulo sa isang pader dahil sa hilo.
My breath was the underlying cause of the smell of alcohol that entered my nostrils, and my mouth was sore from the amount of Zinfandel that I poured down my throat. Tyrone was right, the Zinfandel is strong but I don't regret drinking it.
I was about to walk again but a hand grabbed my arm and made me face him, he touched my left cheek and I closed my eyes, I like it when he touches me like that. Just like the night we danced together.
"Ivooooooo" I slurred and grinned at him, I still can't read his expression but I'm sure that he didn't look amused.
"Can you walk?" he asked, I nodded still grinning at him like an idiot.
"Yes, but I'd like it better if you carry me" I feel pretty, witty and cool, this is what I like about drinking alcohol, it gives you the confidence to flirt. Confidence to say the things you wouldn't say if you're sober.
"No, you'll walk. Come on" he placed his right hand on my hips and we started walking. May exit sa likod ng restaurant at doon kami dumaan. I pouted, I wanted him to carry me.