The contents in this container are clues related to Jasmeen's death. I'm positive about it because why else would Kinsley place a print out of Jasmeen's last text? The very same text that she sent the night she died.
What are the polaroids for though? Who's the girl in the polaroids? The photos were candid shots of a really beautiful girl. Lahat ay mukhang hindi alam ng babae na kinuhanan siya. Some polaroids were closeup shots of body parts. A closed eye, lips, nose, hands... Looking at it and how it may be linked to a killer gave me the creeps.
And then there's the key. It's just a simple ordinary key with the brand engraved on the metal. Hindi 'yong nakikita sa movies na may kakaibang disenyo pa. What is this key for? Where can I use it to unlock something? And what will it reveal?
At bakit kailangan pa ilihim ni Kinsley ang pag-iimbestiga niya? Why hide the clues in her brother's things? Unless... she's hiding it from someone who has access to this house?
I got rid of the stuff from the container and tried to shake it. Baka sakaling may secret compartment pa o ano.
"Ate Jasmeen!" Nial suddenly exclaimed.
It made my heart drop and gave me goosebumps. I looked at Nial, expecting him to be looking at a ghost but he was staring at the polaroid instead.
"That's Jasmeen?" I asked Nial.
"Yes po, Ate." Nial looked sad. "I miss Ate Jasmeen."
If the girl in the polaroids are Jasmeen... then what does it mean? What does it have to do with the case?
I picked up the photos and turned it over to check the back part. Umasa ako na may nakasulat doon pero nabigo lang ako. It's just photos.
Maybe the right question is who took it? Does it have to do with whoever 'Crazy' is?
I thought of Penelope's novel. The protagonist mentioned that the only person who they call 'Crazy' is Hannah's ex-boyfriend. Does it mean the 'Crazy' that Jasmeen was referring to in real life is her ex-boyfriend? Or maybe I'm just reading too much?
Sumasakit ang ulo ko sa kakaisip. I'm already struggling with solving my own murder. Now, I have another killer to find just to solve Jasmeen and Kinsley's case!
There's already a pattern in their case. Parehong sa sariling dorm ang crime scene, which means the list of suspects will immediately narrow down to those who has access on the place. Someone close to them. I have to be really careful about this because the killer could just be around me.
I already know that this is going to be harder than my own case. I can't event think of possible suspects aside from Jasmeen's ex! Kung totoo ang nasa novel at kung meron nga siya no'n. I don't know anything about Kinsley. Ang pamilya niya at ang dalawang kaibigan lang ang kilala kong malapit sa kanya talaga.
I'm torn between solving my own case and solving their case. Hirap na nga ako sa paghahanap ng killer, nadagdagan pa ng isa. Sumasakit talaga ang ulo ko!
"Ate, I'm sleepy," Nial announced, pulling me out of my own thoughts.
Napatingin ako sa kanya at napansin ang pamumungay ng kanyang mga mata. Huminga ako nang malalim at iniligpit ang mga gamit pabalik sa lalagyanan nito.
I looked at Nial who was watching me with his sleepy eyes. I smiled at him. "Can we keep this a secret again, Nial?"
"Are you going to give me another cookie?" he innocent asked me with wide and hopeful eyes.
Tumawa ako at tumango. "I will."
"Okay!" he happily exclaimed.
"Alright. Go to sleep."
Tumango si Nial at humiga na sa kanyang kama. He covered himself with his blanket. "Goodnight, Ate."
Something pinched my heart. I reached for Nial's head to brushed it. I really miss my brother.
I smiled and stood up from bed. Itinago ko ulit ang police car sa pinakailalim ng kanyang mga laruan bago lumabas ng kanyang kwarto.
**
The agenda for today is simple. Spend time with Silver and find out if Jasmeen had a boyfriend before she died. The spending time with Silver is easy but the latter is hard. Hindi ko alam kung sino ang tamang taong pagtatanungan. They'd ask me why and until I don't know how to answer that, I'd rather not risk it.
Twelve pa ang pasok ko ngayong araw pero naisipan ko umalis ng ten o'clock para makapunta sa café. As Fabienne, I always go there before this day's first class and Silver would always show up. I'm just hoping that he'll be there today.
Pababa ako ng hagdan ay nakasalubong ko ang maid. My heart jumped and my lips parted not because of the maid but because of the guy who was shortly behind her.
"Jakob," I stated.
He cleared his throat. "Hey."
What is he doing here? My forehead creased at that. Oo nga pala. Then I remembered that he usually goes here for Noah. Oo nga pala.
"Wala na dito si No-uh, Kuya. Pumasok," I informed him.
"I know." He pursed his lips and nodded. "I came here for you."
My eyes widened. I couldn't stop myself from blushing at what he said.
"W-What?"
"I wanted to check on you. I... got worried yesterday." He looked away from me. I don't know if it's just me or he's slightly turning red.
What?
Hindi ako nakapagsalita. Hindi ko alam ang isasagot ko. My heart was fluttering inside my chest so fast that I couldn't keep up. What is happening to me? May heart disease ba 'tong katawan ni Kinsley?
Jakob glanced at me and he sighed when he realized I wasn't going to answer. "Papasok ka na?"
"No. Mamayang 12 pa ang start ng class ko. May pupuntahan lang ako," I explained.
"Saan? Ihatid na kita," he offered.
"Huh? H-Hindi na. I need the car kasi susunduin ko pa si Kirsten mamaya."
He shrugged. "Pwede akong sumama na sumundo."
What is happening here?
"Bakit?"
"Bakit hindi?" he rebutted.
"E kasi... Hindi naman tayo... close dati 'di ba?" maingat kong tanong.
"Why? Is it bad to get close with you now?'
Init na init na ang mukha ko. Ngumuso ako. "Hindi naman. I just wanna know why."
He suddenly reached for me, making me freeze with widened eyes. Akala ko ay hahakawan niya ako pero kinuha niya lang ang bag ko. His jaw was clamped as he stared at me. He heavily sighed and turned around.
He mumbled something to himself but I heard him loud and clear. "I wanna know why either."
Dere-deretso si Jakob sa paglabas ng bahay kaya sumunod na lang ako. The whole drive was quiet. Hindi ko naman kasi alam ang sasabihin sa kanya.
"You can drop me there." I pointed at the vacant space in front of the café. Jakob didn't say anything. Sinunod niya lang ang inutos ko.
I unbuckled my seatbelt and opened the door. "Thank you sa paghatid."
Hindi ko na tiningnan pa si Jakob. For some reason, I feel really conscious around him. Hindi ako makakilos nang maayos.
I was about to open the door when an arm suddenly blocked my way and pushed the door open for me. I glanced at who it was and I shouldn't be surprised to see Jakob but I still was.
"What? May naiwan ba ako?"
"No. I just wanna come with you," he simply said. And there goes my heart again.
"Ha? 'Wag na!"
"Why not? Are you seeing someone here?" he asked with an accusing tone. His eyes hardened.
"Huh? Wala!" Nag-iwas ako ng tingin sa kanya at pumasok na sa loob ng café.
I was scanning the tables but when I felt Jakob behind me, I had to continue walking towards the cashier. Bakit ba sumusunod sa akin ngayon ang isang 'to?
I heavily sighed and ordered the dark chocolate frappe. I'm not into this flavor but this body is allergic to nuts, kaya wala naman akong choice. I ignored the guy behind me and walked towards the waiting counter after ordering.
Sumulyap ako kay Jakob na abalang umo-order ng sariling inumin. I used that opportunity to scan the place again.
"Looking for someone?" I jumped at Jakob's voice. My heart was beating so fast it's ridiculous!
"I'm not," I said without sparing him a glance.
"You're looking for that Mondragon, aren't you?" he asked.
That made me look at him with wild eyes. My face was heating profusely from the way he's glaring at me. "No!"
"Tss." He rolled his eyes and looked away. He looked really annoyed.
"Dark Chocolate for Kinsley?" the barista announced.
"Thanks," tipid kong sabi at kinuha ang cup.
As I walked, I searched for Silver among the tables but failed to see him. Mukhang hindi na siya pumupunta rito. That's understandable. He doesn't have a reason anymore anyway.
I settled on a vacant table. It didn't take long for Jakob to sit on the opposite table. The discomfort that I was feeling returned while he looked like this doesn't bother him at all, that this is just a normal occurence to him.
I stared at him. I was reminded of the photo that I saw last night. Jasmeen's. I could perfectly see the similarities between the two, like two versions with different genders. The only difference is his features were hard and rough while Jasmeen's features were the opposite.
By the way he acted yesterday and six months ago, I know he loved his sister dearly. I wish I could tell him about Kinsley's investigation regarding his sister's death, but how am I going to explain it? I wish I could tell the truth... will he believe me though?
"What?" he asked, looking at me as he sipped from his drink.
Maybe I can try him?
I smiled at him. "Do you believe in metempsychosis?"
"To believe, I have to know what it means first," Jakob smilingly jested.
"Ah, sorry. It's a concept in Greek mythology. It's the supposed movement of soul after death to a different body," I explained.
"Like reincarnation?"
"Reincarnation is more of a religious belief while meyempsychosis is a philosopical concept... but yes, it's similar."
Jakob brought down the cup and leaned back on his chair. He looked like he was giving my question a deep thought.
"I think there are a lot of things in this world that even science can't explain."
I sat up straight. "So, you think it's possible?"
"I'm not dismissing the idea." He looked at me intently, as if he's trying to send a message across.
I didn't say anything else after that. Nauna na akong pumasok sa campus dahil kailangan niya pang i-park nang maayos ang sasakyan na dala.
For the rest of the afternoon, I fulfilled my Kinsley duties and attended her classes. Hindi kami nagkita ng mga kaibigan n'ya dahil wala naman akong vacant period ngayong araw.
It was in the middle of my last subject for today when my phone pinged for a message. I subtly checked it since the professor was lecturing in front.
My eyebrows immediately raised when I read Jakob's name. Curious, I opened it.
Today 4:00PM
Jakob:
Where are you?
I typed a quick reply.
Me:
Class. Why?
Mabilis din ang naging sagot niya.
Jakob:
Where exactly?
I typed in my building and room number. Tinanong ko ulit siya kung bakit pero hindi na siya sumagot pa ulit.
"On a one half sheet of yellow paper, you have until dismissal time to formulate a step-by-step process on what your course action for the problem written on the board. You may work on this with a partner."
Looking for a partner back when I was Fabienne was easy but as Kinsley is hard, especially not with her memory. Wala akong kakilala sa mga classmates nya. Not even a familiar face.
I glanced at the four people who were in the same row as me but they were already paired up.
"Hey, Kinsley. May partner ka na?" a guy asked, making my head turn. He was standing beside my chair.
I shook my head. "Wala pa. Ikaw?"
"Ayos. Wala pa rin ako. Partner na lang tayo?" he asked.
Nakangiting tumango ako. "Sure."
He returned to his previous chair, probably to fetch his things while I removed the bag that I placed on the seat next to me. I brought out a paper and folded it before expertly cutting it in half. It's one of my special talents.
"Hindi ka na namamansin ngayon ha," the guy stated.
I sighed. I know where this conversation going. Ilang mga kaklase at dating kaibigan ni Kinsley ang lumalapit sa kanya at minsan ay bumabati. Some times I just greet them back and pretend that I know them but the others who engage in long conversation with me, I had to tell them that I have amnesia and I don't remember anything at all.
Kapag itatanong naman nila kung paano ako nagkaroon ng amnesia, I'll just tell them that I don't feel like talking about it and thankfully, that's enough to make them leave me alone.
"Sorry. Are we friends before? I forgot who you are. May amnesia kasi ako," I patiently explained. It doesn't really annoy me. It's bothersome to explain but it's not their fault if they're curious or concerned about Kinsley.
He gaped. "So the rumors are true? Wala ka talagang naalala?"
"No. Can we work on this now? I have to be somewhere after this," I exclaimed as polite as possible.
"Sure." Ngumisi siya at inabot ang kanyang kamay. "I'm Mason, by the way."
I accepted his hand and shook it. After getting that out of the way, we directed all of our attention to the given activity. Mason was very cooperative and insightful that we were able to submit it early.
Mason was watching me fix my things inside my bag. "Last class mo 'to?"
"Yup." I nodded and stood up. Tumayo na rin siya. It looks like he was waiting for me to leave so we'd walk together.
"You know, ngayon lang ako nagkaroon ng kakilala na may amnesia. I only see it in movies or TV series," he laughingly said.
I smiled, nodding. "Me, too."
"How does it feel?" he asked as he opened the door for me.
He let me go out of the room first. I was already preparing myself to answer him but I halted when I saw Jakob leaning on the wall across our room.
"Kinsley?" Mason called out.
That made Jakob glance at the guy who was now standing beside me. He briefly glared at the guy before looking at me again.
"Let's go. We still have to pick up Kirsten," he said abruptly before leaving. He didn't even bother to wait if I was going with him or not.
I heavily sighed and looked at Mason who was still waiting for me. "I have to go. Thanks kanina, Mason."
He looked disappointed but he quickly replaced it with a wide smile. He nodded. "No prob. See you on Monday."
Mabilis kong hinabol si Jakob. Hindi pa naman siya nakakalayo dahil mabagal lang ang lakad niya. He only coolly glanced at me once and didn't say anything else. Nagsalita lang siya nang makapasok na kami sa sasakyan.
"Do you know how to go there?"
"No, but Kirsten sent me an address. I can put it in Waze." I brought out my phone and opened Waze to search for the school.
Jakob didn't say anything but he started the car as soon as I've activated the directions. The whole drive remained quiet like that. Kirsten sent a text asking for my whereabouts so I told her that I'm already on my way.
Kirsten was already waiting in front of their school's main gate when we arrived. I rolled down the window and peered outside to call her.
"Here, Kirsten."
Her eyes found mine as soon as I called her. Her forehead creased in confusion when she saw me inside the car. Hindi siya pumasok agad. Lumapit muna siya sa bintana para silipin ako mula sa labas.
"Whose car-" she stopped in the middle of her sentence when her eyes drifted to the driver's seat. Her eyes bulged. She looked really shocked. "Kuya Jakob!"
Jakob flashed her a bewitching smile. "Hey, Kirsten. Get in."
Her face flushed and her eyes brightened. She looked really thrilled.
"Oh my God," bulong niya sa sarili. Kita ko ang pagpipigil niya sa ngiti. Mukhang kinikilig. She threw me a mocking smile before opening the door for the backseat.
"Saan tayo?" Jakob asked, looking at Kirsten from the rear view mirror.
"Sa Mall, Kuya. May bibilhin lang ako sa National Book Store," she sheepishly answered.
Jakob didn't respond but he adjusted the gear and drove off. Kirsten cleared her throat.
"So... Bakit kayo magkasama ni Ate, Kuya?" Kirsten asked sounding as innocent as possible.
I face palmed. Kirsten is aware that Kinsley's crushing on Jakob. I know she's just trying to be a good wing-woman, but this is really embarrassing.
"Wala akong ginagawa, so I offered to drive her here," Jakob dutifully answered.
Kirsten gasped. "You offered."
"Can I turn on the radio?" I butted in, para matigil na ang usapan nilang dalawa.
Jakob nodded. "Sure."
I quickly reached for the player and made sure to increase the volume. Kirsten was teasingly smiling at me through the rear view. I glared at her but that only made her grin. She didn't pursue the conversation though.
Nanguna si Kirsten sa paglalakad at nakasunod lang kami ni Jakob sa kanya. Just like what she said, sa National Book Store siya pumunta. She ran off to a random aisle kaya naisipan ko na maglibot na lang muna. I thought Jakob will decide to wander off in his own, too, but I saw him walking right behind me when I looked.
Instead of asking why he's tailing me behind, I just decided to let him be and went to the book aisle. I miss reading but I'm too preoccupied with solving my murder and finding Jasmeen and Kinsley's killer to even do something so trivial.
As I scanned the shelves, my eyes found a certain book displayed among the thriller section. The Sisterhood by Michael Palmer. I've read that book. It's a medical-mystery. But that's not the reason why it caught my attention though. There's one particular person that I know who's into medical-mystery. Si Gavin.
I picked up the book from the shelf and smirked.
It's time to pay my favorite cousin a visit.