CHAPTER 5: A HAPPY RETURN (Part 2)

Chapter 5: A Happy Return (Part 2)

Sinundan ko ang lalaki na nagtungo sa common CR. I waited for him outside. I have no idea how to approach him but I guess I will just go with the flow. Kanina lamang ay sinabi ko na hindi ako interesado sa kasong ito but now I found myself tailing this guy who we think is the primary suspect for Kate's disappearance.

Nakasandal ako sa dingding sa labas ng CR at hinintay ito.

"Hey."

Huminto si Vinn sa paglalakad at nilingon ako. He looked around to check if I am talking to him o sa ibang tao. When he found out that no one was there ay nagtatakang tinuro niya ang sarili.

"Ako ba ang kausap mo?"

"Bakit may nakikita ka bang hindi ko nakikita?", I asked. I know I am too sarcastic and we're not even close but I just can't help myself from being sarcastic.

He frowned at me at ngumiti. "So, what does the Bridle's famous girl detective want from me?" I'm not surprised if he knows me. After all, I have become famous to Bridle. Famous because I have some girl haters who secretly and openly curse me to death for being close to Gray. Kulang na lamang ay magpatayo sila ng official Anti-Amber Sison club sa loob ng Bridle.

"I guess you already know why I approached you."

Ang nakakaloko niyang ngiti ay agad na nawala at napalitan ng pangamba. He's handsome, the usual cool guy at school. Nabalot ng pangamba ang mukha niya at agad na itinanggi ang bagay na hindi ko pa man natatanong.

"Hindi ko alam kung nasaan si Kate!", he said. May bahid din ng pag-aalala sa mukha nito. And I wonder what the worried look is for. Maybe he's worried for Kate or maybe he's worried that he might get caught.

"Oh, so you know that she's missing. Don't you think it's too soon to deny it when I haven't even asked for it?", I said and looked on every reaction. Mas lalong nagulat ito at tila kinakabahan.

"Of course! Alam kong nawawala si Kate dahil sinabi iyon ni Max at Ilene. And I was the last person that she talked to yesterday", he answered.

"Then that makes you the most suspicious one. Saan mo siya dinala pagkatapos ninyong mag-usap?"

"Wala! We parted ways after we broke up." Napayuko siya nang sinabi niya ang tungkol sa paghihiwalay.

"So naghiwalay na kayo? Who decided to end your relationship?"

Nag-alangan pa ito na sagutin ang tanong ko but he decided to answer it.
"It was a mutual decision."

"Mutual decision? Didn't you break up with her dahil doon sa babaeng kasama mo kanina?"

He sighed at mas lalong nag-alala kung papaano sasagutin ang tanong ko. "Fine. She broke up with me pagkatapos niyag malaman na naging fling ko si Carla."

"So basically it was a breakup in which you didn't consent?"

"Of course, I don't want to lose her."

"Really?"

Tila naiinis na ito sa paraan ng pagtanong ko. I'm not really as inquisitive as this but I found myself asking too many questions. "It was some sort of a misunderstanding okay? Wala akong alam kung nasaan si Kate. I wish you could find her sooner."

I looked at him intently as I try to assess myself if I should believe him or not. Maaaring mahusay lamang itong magpanggap na tila nag-aalala sa kanyang ex. I don't have any experience with exes and relationships but I can tell if someone is sincere or not. But this guy is just so good in acting. Who knows he could be a wolf in a sheep's clothing. Sa tingin ko ay wala na akong maaari pang itanong sa kanya kaya nagpasya na akong umalis. Before I left ay hinawakan pa niya ako sa braso at sinabing gawin ko ang lahat upang makita si Kate. Bumalik na lamang ako sa classroom kung nasaan na si Jeremy but Math and Gray were not around.

Nang naupo ako sa pwesto ko ay bahagya kong siniko si Je at ngumuso sa mga upuan ni Gray at Math.

"Where are they?"

He frowned and shrugged his shoulders. "Ewan. Baka pinag-part time na naman ni Math si Gray sa furniture shop niya."

I gave him a deadly glare. Iniwan niya ang dalawa? Hindi ba't magkasama lamang sila kanina?

"Siguro titingnan nila ang security footage", he said while maintaining his attention in front. I just simply nodded at nagfocus na rin sa harap. It was almost forty five minutes nang bumalik sina Math at Gray. I don't know why I am annoyed looking at the two of them. Maybe it's because I am a bit upset because they did not include Jeremy in their investigation gayong siya naman talaga ang totoong bahagi ng Detective Triumvirate at hindi si Math.

Oh, since when did I concede about Je's idea of the non-existing Detective Club? I wanna punch myself for thinking so. Nevertheless, I could not think of any other reason why I am annoyed seeing Gray and Math together. Ah tama, iyon nga ang rason at wala ng iba pa.

It took how many boring hours before the morning class ended at gaya ng inaasahan ko ay ang pagkawala ng estudyanteng si Kate agad ang pag-uusapan nina Gray. I just sat down and listened to them at ganon din ang ginawa ni Jeremy who's sitting next to me as he keeps on throwing them glares.

"I have a theory that Kate broke up with Vinn dahil may iba itong girlfriend", deklara ni Math habang nakatingin sa maliit niya na notebook. Just like Gray, she likes to list down all the details in a small notebook and carry it wherever she goes.

"Kailangan muna nating makausap ang boyfriend niya."

This time ay nakisingit na ako sa usapan nila. "I already did."

Hindi ko alam kung ano ang kakaiba sa sinabi ko that they looked at me surprised.

"You talked to her boyfriend?", Gray reassured and I nodded.

"I did."

"You mean her boyfriend Vinn?"

"Yeah."

"How did you talk to him?"

If I could be naughty, I would answer Math's question saying I used my mouth to speak with him pero pinigilan ko ang sarili ko. Being sarcastic would do no good this time.

"I bumped into him." Okay that was a lie. I did not bump with him but I followed him. Kaya ko lamang sinabi na nakabunggo ko ito dahil tinatamad ako na idetalye ang totoong nangyari.

"And?"

"And he admitted that he had an affair with a girl named Carla before but I guess it's over now. Ayon sa kanya ay ayaw niyang mawala si Kate sa kanya."

"And you believed him?"

"I'm thinking about his statement." Pakiramdam ko ay ginigisa ako ni Math. I feel like I am a guilty suspect her and she's the jury by the way she questions me.

"And?"

"Why do you ask?"

"Look Amber, we just want to help and-" I can feel the imaginary fire between us at parehas na kaming nagsisimulang uminit ang ulo.

"Nag-aaway ba kayong dalawa?", tanong ni Jeremy at tumayo sa pagitan namin. Uh, nag-aaway nga ba kami? Well, I know that Math is always the bitch she is and I am also the bitch I am. But isa sa mga natutunan ko nitong mga huling araw? Do not be too submissive to others. Kailangan alam mo kung paano dalhin ang sarili mo. And I am not letting her control me.

Say Hi to the new me by the way.

"Hindi naman", I said with a brow raised. My expression is contradicting my words. Oh sorry, I am not good in hiding my facial expression. I saw her shook her head at pinili na lamang na talikuran ako. Si Gray naman ay nakatingin sa amin na nakakunot ang noo. He looked at me with a puzzled expression ngunit agad din namang napalis iyon.

"I learned something", Gray said, trying to cool up the ambiance. "Hindi lamang si Vinn ang nangangaliwa sa kanila. So is the girl Kate", he said. Inilapag niya sa mesa ang kanyang maliit na notebook na may nakasulat na pangalan.

Jimmy Rivera.

"Carla gave me the impression that Kate is seeing someone else", he said. "Nalilito na ako dito. Dumarami na ang nadadawit at hindi man lamang natin alam kung ligtas ba o hindi si Kate."

"Hindi ba may bahid ng dugo ang nakita mong nametag?", Math asked.

"Yes but the amount of blood is inconsiderable. Konti lamang iyon at hindi ibig sabihin na maaaring dugo iyon ni Kate unless we do some blood testing."

"Siguro kailangan muna nating kausapin si Jimmy", suhestiyon ni Gray. "I'll do it right away." Tumayo na siya sa mesa at nagpaalam. He barely touched his food. Meh, going to do something with an empty stomach, huh?

Tumayo din si Math at sumunod kay Gray. And to my surprise, Je stood up too and tagged me along. This isn't the first time he dragged me with them ngunit nakakagulat pa rin. Looks like he really believes that no one should get left behind.

"Je, hindi ako sasama."

"Sasama ka."

"Ayoko nga."

"Sasama ka nga."

There's no point in arguing with him dahil alam kong mapilit ito. I just let him pull me to wherever he goes at sinundan niya lamang sina Math at Gray. Guess those two are getting along well at wala akong pakialam sa kanila. As in wala.

We end up asking on the lower sections of Jimmy Rivera's whereabouts hanggang sa may nakapagturo sa amin na sa botanical garden namin siya makikita dahil madalas siya doon. The weather is so hot ngunit wala silang pakialam doon at tinungo lamang ang botanical garden. Hindi na rin ako nagreklamo ng hinila din ako ni Jeremy papunta doon and we're surprised to see who was there.

Gray cleared his throat to and caught the attention of the couple who was there. Ilene Milan and a guy which I bet is Jimmy Rivera. Nagulat pa si Ilene nang makita kami at agad na tumayo. She let out a smile samantalang nagtaka naman ang lalaki sa presensya namin doon.

"Ilene, bakit ka nandito?", tanong ni Math. Ilene smiled at us at hinawakan ang lalaki upang ipakilala sa amin.

"Ito nga pala ang boyfriend kong si Jimmy", she said. "Bae, alam kong kilala mo sila. We asked for their help to locate Kate."

Napalunok si Jimmy nang marinig ang pangalan ni Kate. He became uneasy too at hindi makatingin sa amin. Oh, he's being suspicious. Nang kinamot niya ang kanyang ulo ay napansin kong may bandaid ang isa niyang daliri.

"Bakit nga pala kayo nandito?"

I thought they're going to tell her about an alleged affair of her boyfriend Jimmy and Kate ngunit nagsalita si Gray. "We just dropped by to check something. I guess we need to go."

Ngumiti siya bago hinawakan sa balikat si Math na magsasalita na din sana. Inakbayan niya ito at tiningnan ng tingin na tila nagsasabing "Do-not-say-a-word." My eyes lingered on his arm na nasa balikat ni Math and I prevented the urge to grab his arm and tear it away from her. Didn't he say yesterday that he doesn't want any guy to touch me and now he's touching Math? The hell?! Dapat bang sinabi ko rin na ayaw kong may hinahawakan siyang iba?

Iwinaksi ko na lamang iyon sa isip ko. I removed Je's hand on my arm at ako na ang nakahawak ngayon sa braso niya. I walked faster at nilagpasan sina Gray at Math.

***

Binilisan ko pa ang takbo papunta sa classroom namin. Bakit ba nahuli ako ng gising ngayon? I seldom wake up and come to class late. I have many records of cutting classes but none for tardiness. I hate being late dahil magiging sentro ka ng atensyon kapag pumasok ka sa loob ng classroom. Ni hindi ko nga alam kung bakit tinanghali ako ng gising. I slept at 10 PM last night dahil tinapos ko pang basahin ang libro na bigay sa akin ni Rese. I am so late kaya hindi na ako nagtagal pa sa banyo at hindi na ako nagkaroon pa ng pagkakataong magsuklay. After I wear my uniform, I put on my shoes and it's my rubber shoes, not my school shoes. Nagkalat na ang mga sapatos sa shoe rack namin dahil pinaglaruan iyon ni Filter and I cannot find my school shoes.Sinuot ko na lamang ang una kong nadampot at iyon ay ang aking rubber shoes so I immediately put it on and run outside kahit hindi ko pa nalalaso ang mga sintas niyon.


I was near the building kung nasaan ang classroom namin nang bigla na lamang akong nabangga sa isang bulto. Ang suklay na nakatangay sa buhok ko ay tumilapon gayun din ang bag ko and I end up being knocked down on the floor.

"Aww!", I gently massaged my butt when it hit the ground. Kapag nagmamadali ka nga naman, saka ka din pinaglalaruan ng pagkakataon. Sitting here is a waste of time and I am really running late! Tumayo ako mula sa pagkakaupo at pinulot ang suklay na natapon. I tried picking up my bag next ngunit nauna na iyong pulutin ng taong nakabangga ko.

I almost cursed loudly when I saw who it was. Hindi ako maaaring magkamali. Those soulful eyes that melt me gently. Down those eyes was a perfectly formed nose and chiselled cheeks na iisipin mong napakaperpektong tingnan. His red and luscious lips that once touched my nose was so adorable that I am wondering how does it feel to be touched by those again. And-

What the hell am I doing? Kailan pa ako naging ganito ka pervert? I shook my head to remove all the thoughts I have in mind at muling nagfocus sa lalaking kaharap ko ngayon. He has grown taller and has developed a well-built body. He has broad shoulders that will make you wonder how it feels to be wrapped around his arms.

Shit. Here I am again. This poor thing in front of me has no idea how I am harassing him in my mind. It's been almost seven years since the last time I saw him but I am pretty sure that he is that person.

My puppy love.

The only crush I had in my entire life. The one who once played as my prince in Snow White and gave me the best actress title because of my lifeless scene. Kaya lang naman nangyari iyon dahil hinalikan niya ang ilong ko when it wasn't even a part of the script! And I was a friggin Grade 5 student that time!

Ngumiti siya sa akin at hinawakan ang balikat ko. He raised my arm and inserted my backpack on it. Gayundin ang ginawa niya sa kabilang handle ng backpack ko, causing us to be closer with little distance between us. Nalalanghap ko din ang kanyang manly na amoy, the type which you will prefer to stay closer with. Matapos niyang gawin iyon ay ngumiti siya sa akin. Alam kong ako lamang ang nakakakilala sa kanya. He doesn't remember me at all. I am just someone who once played a lead character with him. We haven't even gotten a formal conversation before. Hanggang tanaw na lamang ako sa kanya since ahead siya sa akin ng isang taon and there were so many pretty girls in their class.

"I always thought you'll grow into a beautiful woman at hindi nga ako nagkamali", he said with a smile which caused me to open my eyes in great surprise. Like what the hell?! He remembers me?

"N-na-a-ala-la mo a-ko?" Damn. Why am I stuttering? At bakit nakalimutan ko na nagmamadali ako dahil late na ako? Uh fine. It's not every day that I'm gonna see this god in front of me kaya lulubos-lubusin ko na.

"Of course. You're meant to be remembered Amber Sison", he said at nang ngumiti siya ay tahimik na hiniling ko na sana ay may pasimano sa tabi ko na pwede kong hawakan upang suportahan ang nanginginig kong mga tuhod. God, this guy is melting me. Really. You know this feeling that you're reunited with your first crush and puppy love? Damn. Try meeting them and you will know how I feel. Yung parang natatanga ka at halos hindi makagalaw. Your hands are cold and your heart beats fast. Very fast.

"Ah-eh..." Uh! Remind me to chop my tongue later for making me stupid in front of this guy!

"Ikaw? Do you still remember me?"

My mind says I'm so damn late but then the other half says screw it! Who cares if you're late? That's your puppy love REO!

"Ah...You're...."

"It's me Reo Loyola", he said and reached for my hand then shook it. His palm is warm that compliments the coldness of mine dahil sa kaba. Nagmumukha na akong teenager dito na sobrang kinikilig.

"Of course, I remember you." There, natuloy ko na rin ang sasabihin ko.

Ngumiti siya at tiningnan ang kabuoan ko. God, how many times do I have to melt because of his alluring smile? He let out an amusing smile nang mapadako ang kanyang mga mata sa sapatos ko. I felt my cheeks reddened when I remembered I am wearing a rubber shoes instead of my school shoes. And oh, my hair's a mess too. Gusto ko tuloy sapakin ang sarili ko. Of all time, bakit ngayon pa ako nagmukhang tanga?!

I have to admit that my previous feelings for him awaken. Siguro nawala lamang iyon dahil sa hindi ko na siya nakita but now, it feels like I am back to those times. Yung pakiramdam na naninigas ka at hindi makagalaw. If there would be someone beside me, malamang ay nakurot ko na iyon. But then it's just me and him. At hindi na rin ako ang Grade 5 na si Amber na may crush sa kanya dati. I'm older now and I should act according to my age. Mas lalo akong hindi nakagalaw nang bigla na lamang siyang yumuko at lumuhod sa harap ko.

"Let me do the laces for you", he said at yumuko at inayos ang sintas ng sapatos ko. My knees shake and I need someone to hold on too. Too my surprise, I found myself holding onto his hair.

Nagtatakang napatingala siya sa akin. That's when I realized what I have done, I immediately distanced myself at niyuko ang sarili kong sapatos upang ilaso iyon.

"A-ako na."

He let out a hearty chuckle at tiningnan na lamang ako habang inaayos ang sapatos ko. Nang matapos iyon ay agad akong tumuwid nang tayo at gumanti ng ngiti sa kanya. Naalala kong may pasok pa pala ako at sobrang late ko na.

"I-it's nice seeing you again Reo. Mauna na ako", I walked passed him but to my surprise, he held my arm causing me to stop on my tracks.

"Can I get your number? Let's have snack together at the cafeteria", he said.

Aarte pa ba ko?

I end up giving him my number at dali-daling nagpunta sa classroom. I know I look so silly with the smile that is plastered on my face but I'm really looking forward for later. Nang pumasok ako ay nagtatakang tiningnan nila ako while I hum as I sit on my chair. How I wish it's break time already kahit na kakarating ko pa lamang. Classes have really started and I apologized for being late. When I sat down on my chair, agad akong siniko ni Jeremy.

"Mukha kang timang sa ngiti mo alam mo ba? You hate being late but now you're late yet ang laki ng ngiti mo. End of the world na ba?"

I darted a glare at him ngunit nakangiti pa rin. Kahit si Gray ay nagtatakang tiningnan ako. All of them were puzzled because of my good mood. Sa katunayan ay masama ang mood ko kanina but the incident of bumping with your old crush did good and here I am, smiling all the way. Pinili kong wag siyang sagutin at nagfocus sa klase. It feels like forever waiting for the class to end but I patiently did. Nang sumapit ang break time ay agad na tumayo sina Gray at Math asking us to continue the search for Kate.

"I'm not going. Math may dala ka bang polbo? Can I have some?"

Math's jaw literally dropped. Hindi ako mahilig magpolbo and this is the first time I asked for it. Nagkatinginan sila ni Gray at maging si Jeremy ay nilinis ang tenga and asked me if I am really asking for a powder.

"Yes, powder. Pahingi naman oh."

Kahit halos hindi makapaniwala si Math sa hinihingi ko ay naglabas siya ng polbo mula sa kanyang bag at ibinigay iyon sa akin. I applied some on my face while the three of them are looking puzzled.

"Uh, may lipgloss ka ba?"

This time ay napasinghap si Jeremy. Pinaypayan niya ako gamit ang kanyang notebook and asked me if I really feel fine today. Sinamaan ko siya ng tingin at inabot ang lipgloss mula kay Math. I applied some and smiled at the small mirror when I was satisfied at nagpaalam agad ako sa kanila.

"Enjoy your investigation. Bye!"

Bago pa man ako tuluyang makalayo ay hinila na ako ni Je sa braso. "Wait, where do you think you're going?"

"Cafeteria?"

"Kailan ka pa nagpopolbo at naglilipgloss kapag pumupuntang cafeteria?", Gray asked.

"For a change?"

"Ah. Type mo yung bagong dishwasher Bestie? Iyak ka na Bro."

"Hindi no."

"Anong meron Amber?"

My phone beeped and it was an unregistered number saying:

Hi! It's me. I'll be waiting here in the cafeteria. See you.
-Reo.

Sumulyap ako sa relo ko. It's like it's saying I am wasting some time with their mini-interview. "I'm meeting someone. Bye!", I said at iniwan silang nagtataka.

#

-ShinichiLaaaabs

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