Chapter 4: A Happy Return (Part1)

"Bestie! Kanina ka pa namin hinahanap. Saan ka ba nagsususuot?", Jeremy asked nang makabalik ako. I tried all my might to follow the girl but I can't. Ni hindi ko nga maabot ang lagusan na binuksan niya. Isa pa ay nasa isip ko pa rin ang pag-uusap namin kanina. She knows my name and she said we have a friend in common. A friend which I have an endearment Bestie. Ah, maybe she got it wrong. I have no friend with an endearment Bestie except for Jeremy who calls me that but I do not call him that way. But does the girl really mean Jeremy?

To avoid further commotions ay pinauwi na ang lahat ng mga estudyante. Jeremy pulled me while I am in the state of confusion. Hinila na niya ako papasok sa bus matapos muling siguraduhin ng ilang staff na wala sa amin ang responsible sa nangyaring nakawan. The museum staff said that they are still chasing the guy who was responsible. Nagtatalo ang kalooban ko kung sasabhin ko ba ang tungkol sa babae at hindi ang lalaking hinahabol nila ang salarin. But who knows, maybe those two are accomplices.

Sa huli ay napagpasyahan kong sarilinin lamang ang nalaman. The valuable things are returned anyway at isa pang rason ay ang sinabi ng babae. She said she just came to take something that was stolen from them. Anong ibig sabihin niya sa sinabi niyang iyon? Does she mean that the ring she took belongs to her and not to the museum? Ninakawan ang magnanakaw. That's her words and my mind says that I shouldn't believe to a thief. They are good in fooling people. Patuloy pa rin ako sa kakaisip sa babae when Jeremy waved his hands in front of me. Nasa bus na kami at pabalik na ng Bridle.

"Kanina ka pa tulala Bestie, ano bang iniisip mo?"

Napatingin ako sa kanya. Ah, he's the friend the girl was talking about. I grabbed him by the shoulders at hinarap siya, making my face closer to him.

"Woah, what are you doing Bestie? Hindi tayo talo at isa pa patay ako kay Gr-"

"By any chance, may kilala ka bang babae na kulot ang buhok, matagkad at maganda?", I asked immediately without listening to his claim kanina. Geez, what is this guy thinking? I would kiss him? Oh come on.

"Marami akong kilalang babae but I am not a playboy okay? Sila lang-"

"Je."

"Seryoso ako. Marami akong kilalang babae."

"No. She wants to give you something. Wait", wika ko at kinapa sa bulsa ko ang singsing na binigay ng babae. Maybe Jeremy will recognize her kapag nakita niya ang singsing.

He let out some air by popping his cheeks. "Tss. Ano na naman yan? Bigay ng babae? For sure it's chocolate. Lately I've been receiving a lot of it from my fans."

I rolled my eyes at him. Fans my ass. How did he get some fans?

"No, it's something expensive", wika ko. Oh, nasaan na ba ang lintek na singsing na iyon? I continued searching on my skirt and vest's pocket.

"Ah! I know it! Expensive chocolate?", he said with a big smile.

The hell?!

"Sabing hindi nga ito chocolate", inis na wika ko. I found the ring at agad na ipinakita iyon sa kanya. "Here."

Ang malawak niyang ngiti ay unti-unting nawala at napalitan ng- galit? Then the anger disappeared and then there was longing and sadness in his eyes. Dahan-dahan niyang kinuha ang singsing mula sa kamay ko at nahulog sa malalim na pag-iisip. He is not smiling like he used to. Maybe the ring brought back some sad memories.

"Je? You know that ring?"

Nagpakawala siya ng pilit na ngiti. From how I see it, the ring really reminds him of something sad kaya naging ganoon siya. Ang nag-uumapaw na energy niya ay tila naubos ngayon.

"So the curly-haired girl gave you this ring?", he asked at tumango ako.

"Do you know her?"

"I do. Hulaan ko, siya ang nagnakaw kanina sa loob ng museum, right?"

Upon hearing those, I was surprise how he was able to guess it. My conclusion is that he really knows the girl. Oo nga pala. They are old friends kaya posibleng alam na niya ang tungkol dito. But I am curious about the ring and the two of them. I slowly nodded to answer his question tungkol sa nangyari kanina. He forced a smile bago ikinuyom ang kamao na hawak-hawak ang singsing.

"Old habits die hard", komento niya.

"Do you know her? Alam mo bang alam niya ang pangalan ko? She said an old friend used to tell her about me. Bet it was you."

"I know her. I mean I used to know her but not really", he said at tumingin sa labas ng bintana. I know he doesn't want to talk about it now kaya pinili ko na ring tumahimik. Maybe I'll ask about the thief soon if he's comfortable to talk about it.

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

Tell me how to spend some time in a boring class without yawning. I felt so relieved when Math class was over at ngayon hinihintay na lamang namin ang pangalawang subject sa umaga bago magbreak.

"Namiss ko na ang magpalaro ng riddle sa inyo. How about some rounds?", Jeremy asked with a smirk. Good thing he's smiling now kumpara nung umuwi kami kahapon mula sa museum. Maybe I'll ask him soon about the girl and their connection. Sa ngayon ay wala akong planong patulan ang riddles nito. I guess it's the same for the other two here.

"No thanks", tanggi ni Math dito while Gray chose to remain silent. Je scowled at her bago humarap sa akin and he pouted.

"Don't give me that face, Je."

"Bestie, what do you think of how I will murder Math?
A. Tinidurin sa mata
B. Palaklakin ng muriatic acid
C. Combination of A and B
or D. all of the above?", he said at sadyang nilakasan ang boses upang marinig ni Math.

The latter threw him a piece of fry na agad naman niyang nailagan. Nahulog iyon sa mesa ngunit agad niyang kinuha at kinain. Uh?

"Iisipin ko na talaga na may gusto ka sa akin Jeremy", wika ni Math.

Nagkunwari namang nasuka si Je dahil sa sinabi nito. These two really get along well, don't they?

"Hindi kita type, for your information. Mas magugustuhan ko pa ang aso kong si Porsche kaysa sa iyo", he said and stuck his tongue out at ganon din ang ginawa ni Math sa kanya.

"Same here! The feeling is mutual ano! Mas magugustuhan ko pa din si Medicol kaysa sa iyo!"

"Medicol is the ugliest dog I have ever seen in my entire life!"

Pumulot ulit si Math ng isang pirasong fry at muling binato iyon kay Jeremy but he caught it again at agad na nginuya.

"Hindi pangit si Medicol! Labrador are cute breeds!"

He rolled his eyes. "Yeah, lokohin mo sarili mo. Cute? Si Medicol cute? Ughh. So back to my riddles."

"Walang makikinig sayo", Math said.

"Makikinig kayo whether you like it or you like it! Diba Bestie, Gray?"

Eh? Anong klaseng pagpipilian ba iyon? He's not giving as an option right? The typical Jeremy.

"Shoot", halos magkapanabay naming wika ni Gray. Well, if he feels like giving riddles, then fine kahit na puro lamang siya kalokohan. I'll be giving him the title King of Puns forever. Well anyway, listening to his puns- err, calling those riddles is a good way to lessen boredom while waiting for the next period.

"What desserts are served by ghost?"

Dati ay seryosong sinasagot namin ang tanong niya. Sasabihin namin ang mga kung ano-anong dessert but knowing him, I know no normal dessert will be the answer for his riddle.

"Shoot."

Napalabi siya sa amin. "Could you atleast try to answer it?"

"I already told you walang makikinig sayo", Math laughed.

"Really? Eh bakit ka nakikinig?"

"Kasi kawawa ka."

"Whatever. I'll say it, they serve I SCREAM! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!", he said and his laughter filled the room, dahilan upang mapatingin sa amin ang ibang mga kaklase namin. Whenever he's in this mood, gustong-gusto iyon ng mga kaklase namin. Some faced us at humingi ng iba pang mga riddles mula kay Jeremy.

"Jeremy! Isa pa!"

"Tanong ka pa ulit!"

Our classmates began asking him to give more riddles kaya hinarap niya si Math and he started teasing her. "Anong walang makikinig ngayon ha?" he said and stuck his tongue out again.

"Ito pa. Bakit takot si 6 kay 7?"

"Bakit?", tanong ng isa kong kaklase.

"Kasi 7 8 9! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!"

Ano raw? I rolled my eyes as I listen to his laughter. I thought I was the only one who didn't get his joke but everyone's expression is puzzled.

"Puns, mind explaining?", tanong ni Gray sa kanya.

Natampal niya ang noo, like he was saying what kind of brain we have. "Hay! Kayo ba ang kainin ko di ba kayo matatakot sa akin?" he asked. Ah, seven ate nine eh? Pretty lame. Still the blank expression is present in everyone's face.

"Kasi nga 7 ate 9. Duh! AHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!", he started laughing again at gayundin ang iba naming kaklase. I do not know what they are laughing at, the riddle or Jeremy.

"Eto pa. What has 6 eyes but cannot see?"

"Pinya?"

"Eeenk! Anim lang ba ang mata ng pinya?"

"Buntot ng peacock?"

"Eeenk!"

"Shoot Jeremy."

"Edi three blind mice! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!"

I heard Gray let out a single chuckle at napailing na lamang. Meh, Jeremy became worse. Sinamaan ko na lamang siya ng tingin hanggang sa tumigil siya sa kakatawa ng dumating na ang guro at nagsimula na ang klase.

When the class ended ay dumeretso na agad kami sa paborito naming tambayan. The cafeteria. While on the way ay napansin ko ang bahagyang paghinto ni Gray at napatitig siya sa dalawang babae na nag-uusap. My mind is telling me that maybe he stopped because those girls are pretty but then the look on his face seems different. It's the look that he usually shows if he is interested into something like some curious cases. Uh, what's with curiosity about girls by the way?

Jeremy walked beside Gray at inakbayan niya ito. "Yow Pare, chiks ba?" I wanna roll my eyes with his tone. He's trying hard to sound like he's some kind of a tough guy at school.

"Nakikinig ako sa pinag-uusapan nila. I think I heard about someone missing", Gray answered. His gaze passed me and it didn't linger on me. Agad na bumalik sa dalawang babae ang paningin niya at sakto namang napansin siya ng mga babae.

"Gray!", one of the girls said at tumayo upang lumapit sa kanya. She grabbed Gray's arm and she pouted. "You are really heaven sent! We really need you right this moment."

Tumayo din ang isang babae at lumapit kay Gray. "Please help us. It's about our friend", the other said. Lumapit na rin sina Math at Jeremy while I remain on where I was standing. I'm not interested in helping them and I don't know why. Maybe because I am still grieving. Or it could be because I just don't want to help them.

"Ano ba ang nangyari sa kaibigan niyo?", Jeremy asked the two girls.

"Nawawala kasi ang kaibigan naming si Kate kahapon pa", the long-haired girl answered. "Matapos kasi silang maghiwalay ng boyfriend niya kahapon, ay hindi na namin siya nakita."

"Wait, let's start on formalities first. Let's have a little introduction bago tayo dumeretso sa nangyari?", singit ni Math sa usapan.

"My name is Maxine Dela Torre. Classmate ko si Kate", the long-haired girl answered.

"Ako naman si Ilene Milan. Kate is my friend at roommate din kami sa dorm", sagot ng babaeng may pagka-brown ang buhok. "Hindi niyo na kailangan pang magpakilala pa sa amin, we know all of you."

I don't know if I should be flattered that she knows us. Maybe I am included when she said "all of you" even if I'm standing a meter away from them and don't seem interested.

"Can you please tell us what happened first?"

Ang nagpakilalang si Maxine ang nagsalita. "She ditched our class yesterday upang makipagbreak sa boyfriend niyang si Vinn kahapon. She said she'll meet him at the lobby of building D. The last text that she sent me was a crying emoticon kaya agad ko siyang tinawagan but I cannot reach her", sagot nito. "I waited for her until lunch time ngunit hindi na siya nagpakita. Palagi ko rin siyang tinatawagan ngunit puro voicemail lang ang sumasagot sa kanyang cellphone. Nang dumating ang hapon at hindi pa rin siya nagpapakita ay kinausap ko na si Ilene but unfortunately, hindi rin niya macontact si Kate."

"Oo. Hindi rin siya umuwi sa dorm kagabi kaya nag-alala na kami ng husto. Plano talaga naming magpatulong sa inyo, mabuti na lamang at kayo na mismo ang lumapit sa amin", Ilene said.

"Have you tried talking to his boyfriend?", tanong ni Gray.

"Yes, pero iniiwasan kami ni Vinn."

Jeremy tapped his temple like he's thinking hard. "Very suspicious. Hindi kaya tinago niya si Kate at pinatay? Maybe he cannot accept the breakup and-"

"It's too early to conclude that Kate is dead", putol ni Gray sa sinabi nito. I also agree. We cannot just conclude that Kate is dead and Vinn is responsible of doing it.

"He's right. Kailangan muna nating tingnan ang bawat anggulo. Maybe Kate just went somewhere", Math said.

"Pero kapag umaalis siya ay nagpapaalam siya sa akin o kaya ay sa isa pa naming kasama sa kwarto", Ilene said. She looks so worried just like the other girl Maxine. Maybe they really care for their friend Kate.

"Did she bring her things with her?", tanong ni Gray. The girls shook their head and reached for a pink bag on the table. Iniabot niya iyon kay Gray and I guess that's the bag of the missing Kate.

"Iniwan niya iyan kaya nag-aalala na talaga kami kung nasaan si Kate ngayon."

Gray opened the bag at inilabas ang mga laman niyon sa mesa. Binder. Pen. Wallet. Coin purse. Make-up kit. They closely examined those things at nanatili akong nakatayo sa gilid at nakamasid sa kanila.

"I guess none of these are helpful", Gray said. "So she only got her phone with her. Why does she want to breakup with her boyfriend?"

Bahagyang nagkatinginan ang dalawa. Nagtulakan pa ang mga ito kung sino sa kanila ang sasagot sa tanong ni Gray. In the end, Ilene decided to answer him.

"I guess Vinn is having an affair."

"An affair?"

"Oo. Sinabi iyon ni Kate sa amin. Sa tingin niya ay may ibang girlfriend ang boyfriend niya."

"That's remarkable. We'll get your number and tell you immediately if we found something." Agad naman na nagbigay ng contact number ang dalawang babae at nang matapos magpasalamat ay nagpaalam na sina Gray sakanila. We immediately walked our way towards the cafeteria kung saan talaga ang destinasyon namin kanina pa.

"Why leave immediately Gray? Hindi mo na ba sila tatanungin sa iba pang detalye ng pagkawala ng kaibigan nila?". Math asked nang nasa may pintuan na kami.

Gray stopped and looked at her. "I'd like to investigate things myself first. And neither of them is going anywhere so there's nothing to question more."

Nauna na siyang pumasok sa loob ng cafeteria at sumunod naman kami. We sat on our usual spot. I don't know if it's my imagination o sadyang wala talagang umuupo sa bahaging ito kapag breaktime. Maybe the students think that these seats are really meant for us. We don't bully them but they seem to reserve this seat for us.

Jeremy is always incharge of ordering foods kaya tumayo na ito at kumuha ng pagkain while Gray and Math started discussing the case.

"So what do you think about the case Gray? Sa tingin mo, nasaan si Kate?", Math asked.

"Basing on what they told us, posibleng umalis lang si Kate. Or maybe she ran away with the guy. What do you think Amber?"

Napatingin silang dalawa sa akin as they waited for my answer. I raised my brow as if I'm asking for them to report their question.

"What can you say about this case?"

They looked intently at me is if they couldn't live without hearing my answer. Namataan ko si Jeremy na papalapit sa amin.

"I think....."

I don't know why they are so silent as they waited for my answer. It's so sudden why they asked for it dahil hindi naman nila madalas na tinatanong ang opinion ko dati.

"I think it isn't an important case at all", I commented and they sighed in frustration. Ano ba ang inaasahan nilang isasagot ko? That this case is so important and we need to give all our time to find the girl who could appear any minute now after staying for a whole day and night with someone.

"I'm surprised to hear such thing from you. It's so...", Math paused and rolled her eyes. "so not Amber-like."

"Oo nga Bestie", pagsang-ayon ni Jeremy. "Kadalasan ay ikaw ang pinakaaktibo sa lahat. You're always in the call of duty pero ngayon? What makes you think na hindi ito importante?"

I shrugged my shoulders at bahagyang napakunot ang noo nang muling natuon ang atensyon nilang tatlo sa akin. It looks like they are very interested with every word that will come out of my mouth.

"Look, the girl is missing after seeing her boyfriend. You cannot just conclude that she's abducted or whatever just because of that. What if she just went somewhere out of reach? Maybe she made it with him."

Iwinagayway ni Jeremy ang kanyang mga palad sa harap ko. His mouth was slightly opened in amusement.

"Ikaw ba talaga ito Bestie?"

Tinabig ko ang kamay niya at sinamaan ng tingin. I'm not in the mood for their evaluation of how I see this case or what. Hinarap ko na lang ang pagkain ko at nagsimulang sumubo.

Ilang minuto na kaming kumakain nang magsalita si Gray. "How about let's check building D where she said she would meet her boyfriend Vinn? Maaaring masagot doon ang ilang mga katanungan natin whether that Kate is abducted or not. Let's go."

Tumayo na si Gray at gayundin si Math. Jeremy also stood and followed them while I remained sitting comfortably in front of my food. Bahala na sila kung gusto nilang lutasin ang idinulog na "kaso" ng dalawang babae kanina. I was about to have a bite on my pizza when Je grabbed my hand at hinila ako patayo. Nahulog sa plato ko ang pizza and all I want to do right now is hit him right on his face. Isa sa ayaw ko ay ang pinapakealaman ang pagkain ko.

"Argh! What are you doing!", I scowled at him but he just smiled sweetly at me. Kinuha niya ang pizza and shoved it on his mouth, whole! What the hell! That was my Pizza! MY Pizza!

"Sorry but in our Detective Triumvirate plus 1, no one gets left behind", he said and winked bago ako hinila palabas ng cafeteria. Here he goes again with his imaginary detective club. I hate to break it to him but there is no Detective Triumvirate in Bridle and there will never be.

Pagdating namin doon ay abala si Gray sa kakatingin sa paligid. He is observing every corner of the building but it was just an empty spot. Walang gaanong tao doon dahil under renovation ang nasa itaas na bahagi niyon. I saw him stared at the upper right ceiling and he let out a smirk.

"I guess let's check the security footage first", wika niya. Lumapit siya sa akin at tumigil sa harap ko. "How about let's have this task appointed to us? We've done this before right? You're good at this."

I raised a brow at him. It was when Ryu and I have something to get with regards to Jeremy's case before. Noong panahong iyon ay abala sa kakalaro ng Pokemon Go ang guard but I doubt if he's still playing now. Malamang ay alerto na ito sa pagbabantay and he will never let us, students, get inside to check the security footage unless the Bridle Management would ask for it.

"I'm sorry but I wasn't the one who's good in sneaking. It's Ryu", paalala ko sa kanya. Unti-unting naalis ang ngiti niya at napalitan iyon ng pagsimangot. I don't know what he's frowning at. Maybe he doesn't want me to decline this task.

"Kahit na. This time we'll do it."

"I'm not interested", wika ko kasabay ng paghalukipkup.

I saw Math and Jeremy dropped their jaw. What's with these people and their overrated reactions? Hindi ba pwedeng hindi lang ako interesado sa kasong ito?

"But look, isn't this something that could be our basis na maaaring nasa panganib nga si Kate?", wika ni Gray. He showed us a nametag na maliit. May nakasulat na Kate doon. Sa kanang bahagi ng nameplate ay may pulang tuyo na likido doon. It could be blood or something else.

"I guess that girl is really in danger. Come on, I'll be in-charge of sneaking inside the security footage room if Amber doesn't want to do it", wika ni Math and she pulled them out of the building. Tinanaw ko sila habang papalayo at nanatili lamang doon.

"Vinn!"

Napalingon ako sa pinagmulan ng boses. May isang babae na hinahabol ang isang lalaki. Base sa suot niyang bowtie, Grade 10 na ito pati ang lalaki.

"Vinn, sandali!", the girl called the guy again. Huminto ito at naiinis na nilingon ang babae. She grabbed him from his polo at niyakap ang lalaki. "Vinn... Please talk to me. Alam ko na naghiwalay na kayo ni Kate. Please."

Nang sinabi niya ang pangalan ni Kate ay nasigurado ko sa sarili ko ang Vinn na iyon ay ang Vinn din na tinutukoy ng mga kaibigan ni Kate. At ang Kate na hinahanap din namin ang Kate na pinag-uusapan nila.

"Carla I told you I'm not gonna talk to you", wika ng lalaki. Inalis niya ang pagkakayakap ng babae sa kanya. He sighed at hinawakan ito sa balikat. "Carla, please stop it. I already told you na kalimutan mo na iyon. I was just bored and hurt during those times. And please do not talk about Kate." Pagkatapos niyang sabihin iyon ay iniwan na niya ang babae na halos hindi makapagsalita. Meh! Pathetic girl. Why chase someone who can't see you at all?

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-ShinichiLaaaabs