Chapter 44: Night Out

We sat on the cafeteria's chairs at pinakinggan ang usap-usapan ng mga naroon. Kalat na sa campus ang nangyari kay Marcus, except the fact that he's part of a huge drug syndicate. And the fact that he was killed by another member.

The police set Jeremy free after we requested another fingerprint test at gaya nga ng naisip ni Gray, the records were altered. Ang mga records na iyon ay kay Marcus and the school's files were really hacked by Trojan. Narinig ko na ang pangalang iyon mula kay Ryu and I never thought that I would encounter such name again.

Ryu said that Trojan is a modern time legendary hacker that the Genesis has. If Vander Mafia got the famous Apollo, the Genesis got the more famous Trojan.

I hate how the Genesis work. Pinapatay nila si Marcus sa takot na maaaring magsalita ito. Marcus is Plumbite but there is another member within Bridle na malapit sa amin. It could either be Jeremy, of course he could be part of all these kahit na ayaw kong paniwalaan na posible iyon.

Next is Math. Maliban sa pagiging mayabang at inventor nito, I don't know anything about Mathilde Corazon. Kung ano man ang buhay nito dati, tanging ito lamang ang nakakaalam niyon.

Another one is Detective Adler. He may be a famewhore and his greatest dream is to capture Vander Mafia and the Genesis ngunit pwede rin namang bahagi lamang iyon ng drama niya. He might be pretending that he is after Genesis to hide the truth that he's part of it.

Kahina-hinala din ang dalawang inspectors. They're good for nothing and I don't know what they're up to. I don't trust any of them. Period.

"Grabe no, sino kaya ang lumason kay Marcus? Naalala ko tuloy ang nangyari kay Joey dati. Diba si Lowie ang nais lasunin ni Angelo noon? My God, is there another Angelo here in Bridle who goes around poisoning student?", wika ng isang estudyante.

"First is the seven missing students case, then the murder, tapos ngayon ay poisoning? Mukhang hindi epektibo ang ginawa ni Chancellor Judas."

They all expressed their fear about what is happening in Bridle High School lately. It's a known school for its quality education, facilities and excellence ngunit ngayon ay kasama na yata sa description nito ang pagiging mapanganib na eskwelahan.

"Bakit ba ganito ang nangyayari dito sa Bridle? Pakiramdam ko may salot dito, magtransfer out ka na nga Math", Jeremy said which made Math to snort. Oh, Je is really back.

"What? Are you saying na salot ako?", she asked.

"Hindi ah, sabi ko I SALUTE you", Jeremy said. Tsk, mukhang nasasanay na si Math sa pambabara ni Je sa kanya. So far ay hindi pa naman ito nagagalit ng todo dahil doon.

"Anyway, tomorrow is saturday, what are you planning to do tonight?", Math asked. She flashed a smile na para bang may binabalak ito.

"Itatapon kita sa Bermuda Triangle, that's what I'm planning to do", Je said at mahinang sinipa ko ang paa nito mula sa ilalim ng mesa. "Joke lang. Anong plano-plano? Baka nakakalimutan mong para tayong nasa Munti, we're locked here."

I took a deep breath. Oo nga pala, the gates of Bridle are still locked and students are forbidden to leave the school without company of parents or guardians. Tumayo na si Jeremy at nagpaalam na bibili muna ng makakain naming lahat.

Sinulyapan ko si Gray na nasa malalim na pag-iisip. I think he's bothered by the thought about Genesis' invasion inside Bridle High School.

"There's the backdoor", Math said with a grin. Hininaan nito ang boses upang hindi ito marinig ng ibang mga estudyante na naroon.

As much as possible, ayaw kong gamitin ang "backdoor" para sa mga hindi importanteng lakad. Baka kasi matuklasan iyon at pabantayan na ng guard, we cannot risk it.

"Don't use the backdoor for not so important matters", wika ni Gray. Ngayon pa lamang ito nagsalita mula nang nagpunta kami dito.

"Minsan lang naman ito. Don't you think we need a little chilling after a stressful week?", Math asked. She nudged Jeremy na kasalukuyang naglalapag ng cake slices sa harap namin. "Diba Jeremy?"

"Hmm, not a bad idea, why not?", sagot nito at muling naupo sa tabi ko. Inilagay niya ang isang platito ng cake sa harap ko which I respectfully shove away from me.

"No thanks. I'm on a diet", wika ko. Nagstress-eating kasi ako these past few days at pakiramdam ko ay bahagya akong lumobo kaya iniiwasan ko ang pagkain.

"So, what do you think?", untag ulit ni Math sa amin. "Let's hang out, please?"

I stared at Math. Hanggang ngayon ay hindi pa nila inaamin ni Je sa amin kung bakit nagawi sila sa fifth floor ng dorm. They're acting like it wasn't a big deal at hinayaan na lamang namin iyon but we're being cautious, lalo na ako. Ayokong maulit na naman ang Psycho-Marion Incident.

"Fine with me", Jeremy said habang nilalantakan ang cake niya.

Gray is still silent at tila ba may iniisip. Just then Math clung into his arm and she rested her head on his shoulder.

"Sige na Gray. Let's watch movie together", she said in her flirty voice which made me widen my eyes as I stared at the cake.

"Kayo lang?!", Je asked.

"No, of course the four of us. Katabi ko nga lang si Gray."

Napalunok ako ng ilang beses. Uh, hello Amber? Don't you think it's good to let your cousin have some time for himself?

"Je, please pass me the cake", hindi ko mapigilang wika kay Jeremy. He's my COUSIN kaya nag-alala lang ako na baka pagsamantalahan ito ni Math.

Oh, really Amber?

"Akala ko ba diet ka Bestie?", tanong ni Jeremy. Inabot niya ang cake na inilayo ko kanina and I sunk low down when I heard Gray's reply.

"Yeah, I guess we need some chilling. Watching movie is a good choice", Gray answered. He didn't say anything about sitting beside Math ngunit iyon ang nasa isip ko! Gusto lang ba niyang tumabi kay Math sa sinehan?!

Bago pa man mapasa ni Jeremy sa akin ang platito at ilapag iyon sa harap ko, nauna ko ng kunin ang laman niyon. I grabbed the big chocolate slice and shoved three-fourth of it into my mouth. Argh! I think I'll be needing more.

"Okay then! Let's do it tonight!", Math exclaimed happily while I shove the rest of the cake into my mouth. Oh, I silently wish na hindi na sana gumabi. Tsk.

"Hep! Bago muna ang usapang gala, sagutan niyo muna ang quiz ko", Jeremy said with a grin.

Gray sunk on his chair while Math checked her phone. Uh, walang interesadong makinig sa "quiz" niya.

"Hello! Pwede namang magkunwaring interesado", wika ni Je ngunit hindi pa rin kumibo sina Math at Gray. Ibinaling ni Je ang paningin sa akin, assessing me if I am interested in his "quiz" or not.

"Uh. I'm listening", wika ko.

"Good. Math, Gray? Kung ayaw niyong makinig, ayos lang. Malapit lamang ang office of the chancellor. I can report that you're planning to escape tonight through -"

"Go ahead with your quiz", wika ni Gray.

"Yeah! Stimulating quiz! Go!", Math said na halatang napipilitan lamang.

"Madali naman pala kayong kausap eh! Marami akong baong quiz dahil hindi ako nakapag-quiz nung nasa conference room ako", panimula ni Jeremy. Uh, seriously?

"Shoot", wika ni Gray.

"How do you get a watermelon pregnant?"

Napakunot ang noo ni Math. "Eh? Pwede ba yun?"

"Ewan", tamad na sagot ni Gray. Je diverted his gaze into me and I shrugged my shoulders.

"Edi, you PAKWAN! Gets nyo? You F*ck One! HAHAHAHAHAHAHA, medyo green nga lang!", Je said and started laughing. "Eto naman, ano sa english ang bulak?"

"Cotton", Math answered.

"Tama. Eh ang Bulakak?"

"Flower."

"Eeeenk! Edi Cottonton! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHA!", Je chuckled at sinamaan namin ito ng tingin.

"Jeremy, hindi nakakatawa", Math said. Umayos naman ng upo si Jeremy and he smirked at her.

"Sinabi ko bang tumawa ka? Whatever. Ito pa isa, anong sabi ng medyas na hinubad matapos gamitin?"

"Shoot."

"Wow ha. Ang bilis mong mag-isip Gray", wika ni Jeremy. "But anyway, ang sabi ng medyas, Hahay! Life SOCKS! HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!"

Uh, seriously?

"Isa pa. Ano ang tawag sa kotse na pasosyal?", he asked.

"Ano?"

"Edi Hon-duhhhh!", wika niya sa maarteng paraan. He giggled to his own joke. "Eh ang mas sosyal na kotse?"

"Ewan pa rin. Ano ba?"

"Edi Maz-duhhhhhh!", wika niya sa mas maarteng boses that made me giggle.

"The joke isn't funny. You are", nakatawang wika ko sa kanya. Minsan talaga ay naiisip kong may sayad si Jeremy.

"Ano ang kanta ng lechon sa nagle-lechon sa kanya?", he asked again. Mukhang wala itong planong magpaawat mula sa "quizzes" niya.

"What?"

He cleared his throat and started singing. "Just gonna stand there and watch me burn but that's alright because I love the way it hurts! HAHAHAHAHAHA!" He laughed and swallowed a big slice of cake.

"Ah", Gray said showing no interest.

"Okay", wika naman ni Math.

I remained silent at pinili na lamang wag magkomento sa walang kwentang puns niya.

"Eto last na. Knock knock."

"Pasok", sagot ni Gray. Je darted a deadly glare at him. "What?"

"Dapat kasi who's there. Ulit. Knock knock."

I heard Gray groaned pero sinagot pa rin niya ito. "Who's there?"

"NANAY NI WALEY."

"Nanay ni waley who?", tanong ni Math. Oh, I had a feeling na wala pa ring kwenta ang knock knock niyang ito.

"NANAY NI WALEY na ako sa forever, simula nung makilala kita! HAHAHAHAHAHA!", he sang and then laugh. Eh? Ano bang kanta iyon?

"Okay Jeremy, enough", Math said. "Let's talk about our route tonight. Movie then clubbing, okay?"

"Roger! Teka... Pwede ba tayo sa mga clubs and bars? Diba 18 above lang ang allowed doon? Paano na yan, apat lang tayo!", he said at napasimangot kaming tatlo sa kanya.

"Nice try for a joke. We'll just make sure that we'll wear slutty clothes like what they usually wear inside a bar and then we can instantly lie about our ages. See yah tonight!", Math said excitedly.

*************************

Math wasn't joking when she said we're going to chill tonight. Pinuntahan niya ako sa kwarto namin and she reminded me of our night out. Good thing Andi and Therese were out nang sunduin ito ng mga magulang nila kaya ako na lamang mag-isa sa kwarto namin.

We agreed to meet at the backdoor na mismo. We cannot risk going together dahil baka mahuli pa kami ng guard. Madilim na ang paligid nang nagpasya akong umalis na ng dorm. Pagdating ko sa tagpuan namin ay naroon na si Jeremy.

"Yow, Bestie!", bati niya sa akin. "Ganda mo ngayon ah."

I rolled my eyes. Nothing's new with my outfit. Simpleng black lacy dress lang naman iyon na may maliit na manggas.

"Hindi ka naniniwala Bestie?"

I shook my head. "Not even a little."

He frowned at hinarap ako. "Ang ganda mo kaya. Simple ka lang kasi at walang arte. Naku, tiyak na mapapanganga si Gray nito! I can see my ship sailing later."

Malawak ang ngiting ipinamalas nito. As far as I can remember, he's the number one shipper of me and Gray. Too bad, his ship had shrunk even before he knew it. Hindi nga pala nito alam ang tungkol sa katauhan ko.

"Sorry to burst your bubble but Gray and I are cousins."

"Naku, pag-eepal mamaya si Math, ingungudngod ko- wait, what? COUSINS?!", he asked with his eyes wide open. Oh, not a surprising reaction at all. Ganoon na ganoon ang iniisip kong reaksyon niya.

"Yup. Cousins. Magpinsan kami."

"Holy shit. Paano?"

"We happened to have our parents as siblings", sagot ko sa kanya. I'm too lazy to detail everything to him. Sapat na sigurong alam nito na magpinsan kami ni Gray at nang hindi na niya kami itudyo sa isa't-isa. "Ryu is my brother."

"Nakakaiyak naman. Ngayon ko lang nalaman na The Last Man Standing pala ang tema ng lovelife mo Bestie. Ibig sabihin, cross out na sina Gray, Cooler at Ryu sa listahan. That leaves Khael alone... Oh, there is Zywon. Dalawa na lang pala", he said.

Eh? Bakit kung anu-ano ang naiisip ni Jeremy. Zywon eh?

"Ano namang kinalaman ni Zywon dito?", I asked.

"Type ka nun. Naalala mo nung Noli Me Tangere ninyo? Feel ko talaga na type ka niya", wika niya.

Sinamaan ko siya ng tingin. "Ewan ko sayo Je. Kung anu-anong iniisip mo."

"Sorry natagalan kami."

Napalingon kami kay Math and she was with Gray. Wait, did Math pick up Gray or it's the other way round? Did Gray pick up Math? The hell! Don't I deserve to be picked up too? I'm his - uh. His cousin.

Sinulyapan ko si Math. She's dazzling in her skimpy royal blue dress. It fitted her body very well emphasizing every curve she has. My black conservative dress suddenly felt like a garbage bag kapag ikinumpara iyon sa suot niya.

Ibinaling ko ang tingin kay Gray. He is in his usual self. I slowly inspected every inch of Gray Ivan Silvan. His prominent cheekbone, his broad shoulders beneath his blue shirt. Wait, bakit naka-blue silang dalawa?! Naramdaman ko ang bikig sa aking lalamunan hanggang sa nagpasya kaming lumabas na ng Bridle. Gray's car is already parked outside dahil nauna na niyang ilabas iyon kanina.

Sa shotgun ride pa sumakay si Math habang nasa likod kaming dalawa ni Je. On our trip's duration ay tahimik lamang ako habang pinapakinggan ang mga pag-uusap nila. Sometimes, Je will crack a joke at tumatawa naman si Math sabay hampas ng mahina sa braso ni Gray.

Nang makarating kami sa sinehan ay wala pa rin akong imik. Gray asked me if I'm fine at tumango lamang ako. Parang kailan lang hindi niya halos mapasok sa isip ang sinabi ko sa kanya na magpinsan kami. He was dying to talk to me then but now ay parang wala lamang iyon sa kanya. Tanggap na ba niya na hanggang magpinsan lamang kami?

Aray.

They chose a film na hindi ko na inabalang tanungin kung ano. Nang pumasok kami sa loob ay hindi pa rin ako umiimik sa kanila. Kung pwede lang sanang mauna ng umuwi! Our sitting position is Math and Je on both sides. Napapagitnaan namin ni Math si Gray samantalang nasa left side ko naman si Je.

"Are you okay Amber?", tanong ni Gray sa akin. Nagsisimula na ang pelikula ngunit nakayuko lamang ako sa cellphone ko, doing nothing.

Bahagya akong nag-angat ng tingin sa kanya at tumango. Hindi na ito sumagot pa ng marinig ko ang maarteng pagtawag ni Math sa kanya, requesting him to hold her popcorn.

Ibinaling ko ang paningin sa babaeng nasa harapan ko. She is silently crying na siyang ipinagtataka ko. Kakasimula pa lamang ng palabas at wala rin namang eksenang nakakaiyak but why is she crying?

And then I noticed, she was intently staring at the couple in front of her who were- uh. KISSING.

My mind protested nang maisip kong ganoon din ang gagawin nina Gray at Math. No! No way! If they're gonna do it, I'm gonna pull Math's hair and beat the hell out of her but I can't. I just can't. Argh! Whatever! Ayoko si Math para sa pinsan ko. I repeat. AYAW KO SI MATH PARA SA PINSAN KO.

Muli kong ibinalik ang tingin ko sa babae. I don't want to stress myself in thinking what Gray and Math are capable of doing in this cold, dark place.

"What's your deduction Bestie? Sa tingin mo, bakit umiiyak ang babaeng nasa harapan natin?", tanong ni Jeremy sa akin.

"Hmmm, sa tingin ko broken hearted siya so she decided to watch a movie para umiyak", walang ganang wika ko. "The couple in front of here triggered her emotions."

"Ennk. Mali. Well technically she's heart broken kaya umiiyak siya pero hindi dahil doon kaya nanood siya ng pelikula. She wasn't broken hearted when she went here, not until few moments later nang pumasok siya dito. Bago pa lamang dito yang sweet na couple and that's when she started to cry. It's either boyfriend niya ang lalaki at nagtataksil sa kanya without knowing na nandito siya or ex niya ang lalaki at mahal pa rin niya kaya siya umiiyak. Look at her fist, it's clenched na para bang galit siya."

Hindi na kami nagkaroon pa ng pagkakataong malaman kung sino sa amin ang tama. Alangan namang itanong namin iyon sa couple o di kaya ay sa babae. The movie ended at nanatili lamang doon ang babaeng tahimik na umiiyak. Ako naman ay walang naintindihan sa palabas. Hindi ako nakapagfocus dahil naiinis ako kapag naririnig ko ang mahinang pagtawa ni Math sa tabi ni Gray.

Lumabas kami ng sinehan and I'm feeling grumpy all along. I have regretted going out with them. I should have stayed at the dorm where I'd safely tuck in bed kaysa sumama sa kanila.

"How was the movie Amber?", Math asked. We're heading towards the nearest cafe to grabbed some snacks. We didn't bother for dinner anymore.

"Okay lang."

"And?"

"It's fine." Uh, wala nga akong maalala tungkol sa pelikula! And please Math, stop asking. I'm not in the mood.

"Yun lang?", she asked again and i felt irritated. Good thing Jeremy butt in.

"Don't pissed her. Iba siya magfreak out lalo na kapag pinakialam ang kanyang personal property", he said at bahagyang sumulyap kay Gray.

Ha? Hindi ko maintindihan kung ano ang ibig sabihin ni Jeremy.

"Why?", tanong ni Math. I refused to glance at Gray na cool na cool na naglalakad habang nakapamulsa ang mga kamay.

"She kinda freaks out when she's pissed and it usually leads to face destruction of whoever pissed her off", wika ni Jeremy at sinamaan ko siya ng tingin. Eh? He's making things, isn't he?

"Naku! Sino ba yan Amber?", she asked with concern at hindi na ako nagkaroon ng pagkakataong sumagot dahil binuksan ni Gray ang pinto ng Cafe at pumasok doon. There I caught a glance of the woman who was crying at the cinema. Nakaupo ito doon na para bang may hinihintay. Her eyes are swollen at nasa harap niya ang isang tasa ng tyaa. I'm sure that it's a cup of tea dahil may nakababad na teabag doon.

Pumwesto na kami sa pang-apat na upuan with Jeremy on my side. My attention is on the woman at mabuti na lamang ay pinaalala ni Jeremy sa aking it's rude to stare kaya ibinaling ko sa iba ang paningin ko.

"I'm so excited para sa clubbing natin mamaya! Hey boys, no hard drinks allowed okay? Amber and I cannot carry you", wika ni Math.

"Hindi ako umiinom. May chuckie or yakult ba sa bar?", tanong ni Je and Math giggled.

"Mas lalong hindi yan pwede. Have some drinks na may konting alcohol", sagot nito.

Nang dumating na ang order namin ay napansin kong bumukas ang pinto ng cafe at iniluwa niyon ang isang babae. If I am not mistaken, she is one of the couple kissing in the cinema. Bahagya itong napatigil at huminga ng malalim bago lumapit sa babae at naupo sa harap nito.

"Let's make a bet. Kapag nagsabunutan yang dalawang babae, sa akin na yang cake mo, pag hindi naman, sayo pa rin yan", bulong ni Jeremy sa akin. Gaya ko ay napansin din pala niya ang pagpasok ng babae.

Eh? Anong klaseng kondisyon ba iyon? It isn't a win-win condition, right?

I shove my dessert towards him. Ang takaw talaga nito! "Sayo na lang."

"So you concede na mag-aaway sila?"

I shook my head. "Nope. I just don't feel like eating."

"Ayaw mo niyan Amber? What do you want?", tanong ni Gray sa akin.

I want you to separate yourself from Math!

"Nothing. Busog pa kasi ako", wika ko sa kanya at hindi na ito nagpumilit pa. They started eating their dessert while I face my coffee.

I've been suspicious with Math. After Marcus/Plumbite was killed, I became vigilant about Math. It's possible that she's part of the Genesis taking into account her exposure in the footage na hanggang ngayon ay hindi pa rin niya inaamin. Marcus's hot chocolate was safe until we went outside at dumating siya. Or it could be the two inspectors or detective Adler who put the poison in his drink.

Everyone was capable of doing it that moment dahil hindi na namin napagtuonan ng pansin ang styrocup niya na nakalapag sa bench.

Manaka-nakang sinulyapan ko ang dalawang babae na nag-uusap. So far ay wala pa namang signs of violence o kung ano man na maaaring pagsimulan ng physical contact ng dalawa, just like what Je predicted. They were talking about the possible bars na pupuntahan namin nang bigla na lamang kaming makarinig ng lagapak. The woman who was crying at the cinema fell on the floor at gulat na gulat naman ang babaeng kausap nito.

We immediately emerged from our seat at tumakbo palapit doon. She lies on the floor, shaking like she's having an epileptic seizure. Nagkagulo rin ang ibang mga tao na naroon at nakiusyoso. Tila nahihirapan rin ito sa paghinga.

"Call the ambulance!", sigaw ni Gray at sumunod naman ang staff na naroon. He didn't touch the body at tiningnan ang nasa mesa ng biktima. Bumaling siya sa babaeng kausap nito na hindi halos makapagsalita.

"Kaanu-ano mo ang biktima?", he asked and it took a while before she was able to speak up.

"S-she's my ex bestfriend."

"What's your name?", tanong ulit ni Gray sa kanya.

"Meryll Cruz."

"Ang biktima?"

"Aria Sy..", she answered while shaking.

"This is no doubt a case of poisoning but I cannot tell yet what kind of poison was used unless we'll have the experts check it. The poison could either be from her cup or anything nearby. Siguradong hindi iyon mula sa cake niya since it was untouched. Do you have any motive in doing this to her?"

I was surprised by Gray's directness in questioning her. The staff informed us na parating na ang mga pulis at ambulansya.

"Pinagbibintangan mo ba ako? I didn't do it!", the girl exclaimed.

"Aren't you the one in the cinema with your boyfriend? The victim was watching you while crying", singit ni Jeremy. Nawalan naman ng kulay ang mukha ng babae sa sinabi nito.

"But I didn't kill her!"

Sumingit na ang staff sa usapan. "Kilala ko ang biktima. Girlfriend siya ng anak ng may-ari ng cafe. Nagtatrabaho siya bilang nurse sa New Zealand. Nang makauwi siya dito ay nagulat na lamang siya ng malamang may relasyon na ang best friend at boyfriend niya."

Napalawak ang ngiti ni Jeremy. He got a correct deduction kanina sa cinema. Dumating na ang ambulansya at kinuha ang babae who is still having seizures. Dumating rin doon sina Inspector Dean and he's walking towards us.

"Ipapacheck namin ang content ng tea na iniinom ng biktima", wika ni Inspector Dean. "So, may napatunguhan na ba ang primary investigation mo Gray?"

Gray shrugged his shoulders at lumapit sa mesa. "It's still in progress."

The police questioning goes on at patuloy nilang tinanong ang bestfriend, staff at boyfriend ng babae na kadarating lamang. The staff told us that the victim ordered dessert and teas of different variety. Hindi narecognize ng cafe ang teabag na nasa tasa nito. She also told the police that the victim asked for a sticky note at nagsulat doon. She posted it on the cafe's dedication wall.

Lumapit si Gray doon and he inspected the wall, probably looking for the victim's post. There were so many colorful notes there kaya natagalan siya sa paghahanap doon. We helped him in finding it until Math saw it.

"Check this out", wika niya at pinakita niya sa amin ang sticky note. The handwritten content of the paper reads:

I found the courage in this unlikely place. With scabby hands, I am cutting the lace. What else is there to stay?
- A.

Nahulog sa malalim na pag-iisip si Gray. He sat on one side at matamang tinitigan ang sulat ng biktima. It looks like a simple poem. It took him minutes bago siya lumapit kina Inspector Dean.

"This is a suicide case", wika niya. He stood there in full confidence. He only use such tone kapag sigurado siya sa deduction niya. I wonder if Gray Ivan Silvan would ever commit a wrong deduction and how will he able to handle it.

"Suicide case? Paano mo naman nasabi?"

"Based on her note. Look at this", inabot niya ang sticky note sa mga pulis. "It's a suicide note. The courage that she's talking about is the courage to kill herself. I don't think it's a courage though. Her choice of words tell us the poison that she used. Scabby hands and lace. Scabby hands and lady's lace is a name for the poisonous flowering herb called hemlock. She's a nurse at New Zealand right? It's not impossible to obtain such herb since it grows there. Marahil ay iyon ang laman ng teabag niya. We'll have the headquarters confirm the teabags content. Marahil ay lubusan siyang nasaktan tungkol sa nalaman niya pag-uwi niya dito and she thought there's nothing left to stay."

I beg to disagree with the victim. There are so many reasons to live. I also don't think that suicide is a courageous act. It is rather an act of cowardice but she fails to see it.

The police received a call confirming Gray's deduction about the tea bag's contents. They thank him for solving this case at umalis na kami doon.

It's already past eleven in the evening and Math is dying to go to clubs. We drove towards a club named WASTED. Pangalan pa lamang ng club ay hindi ko na nagustuhan.

Nang huminto ang kotse ay natanaw ko na ang bouncer na tila lumaklak ng maraming steroid dahil sa laki ng katawan nito. We decided to split into two at pinauna naming pinapasok sina Gray at Jeremy. Nang matagumpay na nalagpasan nito ang bouncer ay lumabas na rin kami ni Math sa kotse.

"Wait Amber!", tawag ni Math at ngtatakang napatingin ako sa kanya. "Didn't I tell you to wear a slutty dress? Bakit naman itong may manggas ang sinuot mo, mukha kang dalagita na magsisimba."

I frowned at her. "I don't have slutty clothes." Tsk! Hindi naman talaga ako sang-ayon sa clubbing na ito so don't expect me to be in my best cooperative suit that will surely fits the bar!

Nagulat na lamang ako ng lumapit siya sa akin. She pulled the sleeve of my dress at narinig ko ang tunog ng pagkapunit ng tela. Nanlaki ang mga mata ko nang tinanggal ni Math ang manggas ng damit ko! She did the same on the side, making it a tube dress! Manipis lamang ang tela niyon kaya madali lamang ang pagpunit niyon.

"What the hell are you doing?!", I exclaimed nang itapon niya sa lupa ang punit na bahagi ng damit.

"Making you look like your age", sagot niya and I almost scream when she pushed me inside the car. She grabbed her purse at naglabas ng make up kit at sinimulang ilagay iyon sa mukha ko.

"Hey-"

"Be still kung ayaw mong magmukhang clown. Ang ilaw lang sa labas ang inaasahan ko so be still", sagot niya. She put a thick blush on my cheeks. She also put a bloody red lipstick on my lips. Ginulo niya ang buhok ko at hinila ako palabas ng kotse.

"Perfect!", she exclaimed and I frown. Hindi ko alam ang hitsura ko and she could be lying! Hinawakan niya ang kamay ko as we strode toward the bar's entrance.

Saglit na humarang ang bouncer sa amin ngunit agad ding umalis at pinapasok kami ng kindatan ito ni Math. Pagpasok namin ay sinalubong kami ng malakas na musika at iba-ibang kulay ng ilaw. There are many people dancing, getting wasted. Drinks are everywhere and some people were carrying a lighted stick. What do they call it?

Agad naming nakita sina Je at Gray sa mesa sa gilid. Jeremy was surprised to see me.

"Bestie? What happened to your sleeves? At- oh. Mahangin ba sa labas?", tanong niya habang nakatingin sa buhok ko. He diverted his look at Math who was smiling all the way. "Oh, no wonder. May kasama ka palang malakas na hangin. But yeah, you look good."

Tiningnan ko siya ng masama while Math ignores his statement. Nang tingnan ko si Gray ay bahagyang nakakunot ang noo nito habang tiningnan ang kabuoan ko. Eh? Got any problem?

"So, let's drink the night out!", Math exclaimed at umorder ng cocktail para sa amin. The place is hot and noisy. I sat uncomfortably there habang nakikinig sa mga kwento ni Math. Nagyaya itong sumayaw but Gray and I refused. Nanatili lamang kami doon as she grabs Jeremy to the dancefloor.

Nagsimula silang sumayaw kasabay ng maraming tao to the beat of a famous music. Math gracefully dances like she's really good at it making boys divert their attention into her. On the other hand, I wanna laugh at Jeremy who was dancing the steps of YMCA.

"I wish we can talk about us", wika ni Gray. Napatingin ako sa kanya.

He's holding his glass habang nilalaro ang laman niyon. "Cronus told me everything but I don't want to believe it."

Napabuntong-hininga ako. Kahit maingay ang paligid ay dinig na dinig ko ang sinabi niya. I felt a lump in my throat at hindi ko alam kung ano ang isasagot sa kanya. Was he sorry for the kiss that we shared?

"It was all too sudden", wika ko. Namayani ang katahimikan sa pagitan namin hanggang sa magsalita ito.

"I really like you", wika niya at inilapag niya ang baso at direktang tumingin sa akin. "I like you in a way that is forbidden between us but I just can't stop liking you."

I felt my heart leaped out of its cage. Hindi ko alam kung ano ang kailangan kong maramdaman ng mga sandaling ito. Should I be happy because he likes me or should I be sad dahil hindi na iyon maaaring umusbong dahil nga magpinsan kami?

"Gray...."

Ngumiti siya ng mapakla. "Siguro ay pilitin ko na ang sarili ko na itigil ang pagkakagusto sayo."

His words felt like a huge sword stabbed directly to my chest. Kahit di ko man aminin, I know that the feeling is mutual. I like him too. But hearing those words just pained me.

Suddenly, slow music started playing. Math arrived and pulled Gray towards the dancefloor. Hindi na ito nakatanggi pa ng ilagay ni Math sa beywang nito ang mga kamay niya while she encircled hers on his neck.

Mas lalo kong naramdaman ang pagsikip ng dibdib ko. It hurts to see them pero hindi ko tinanggal ang paningin sa kanila. When I felt my eyes starting to water ay bigla akong napatayo at nagpasyang pumunta sa CR but I bumped into someone. I tried to help him pick up his belongings na nalaglag but I was surprised to see what those are!

The blue packs! Nang mag-angat ako ng tingin ay saka ko lamang napagtanto kung sino iyon.

LOWIE MONDINO!

He immediately grabbed the drugs at tumakbo palayo. Agad ko siyang hinabol hanggang sa lumabas kami ng bar. I can't run properly with my wedge so I decided to take it off at patuloy siyang hinabol.

"Lowie! Stop!", I shouted but he didn't even look back. Lumiko siya sa isang makitid na iskinita at agad ko siyang sinundan. My feet start hurting because of the concrete road ngunit ininda ko iyon. Madilim sa bahaging iyon but I set aside my fear at patuloy lamang na hinabol si Lowie.

I continued chasing him but he was out of my sight. I was sweating and my heartbeat was fast but I ignored all of those. I looked around and decided to go further ngunit bigla na lamang akong nabangga sa isang pigura.

"Aray!", I exclaimed as I flew towards the ground. The guy helped me up but I was surprised to see who it was.

"Just Amber?"

"Zywon?! Anong ginagawa mo dito?", ko sa kanya.

"I should be the one asking. And why do you look like a clown again?", tanong niya. I shot him a glare. Kapag nakikita niya akong naka-make up ay sinasabi niyang mukha akong payaso.

"And where are your shoes?!"

I was about to answer him nang bigla na lamang may umilaw na sasakyan sa tabi ko. There was a red and blue light above the car and I realized it was police car. One police grabbed me and the other grabbed Zywon.

"Kahit talaga anong linis sa eskinitang ito, hindi pa rin nauubos ang mga prosti dito", wika ng pulis at hinila kami sa sasakyan.

"Hey, you got it wrong!", protesta ni Zywon.

"Customer ka ba o bugaw?", wika ng pulis. "Kung ano ka man, sa presinto na kayo magpaliwanag."

They pulled us to the back of the car at ipinosas kami doon. May dalawang babae doon na nakaupo and they were wearing sexy clothes at makapal din ang make up ng mga ito.

Oh great. Napagkamalan lang naman akong prostitute and I can't totally blame them. My dress became slutty at makapal pa ang make up ko. Not to mention that I was barefooted in a dim street.

Great! Isn't it?

#

-Shinichilaaaabs