LORELEI

I SLAPPED my right hand on my forehead as I slowly shook my head. Why does he always have to be straightforward? The doctor in front of us is a potential serial killer. Is Loki not worried about the harm that his sharp tongue can cause?

Dr. Grimm Mortimer let out a long sigh and reclined in his chair. Paulit-ulit niyang pinagpipindot ang button ng kanyang fountain pen. "You probably heard some nonsense about me being a grim reaper wandering the halls of this hospital. That's BS."

"It isn't nonsense if it is true," Loki countered. He took a step closer to that person's desk. "Man-to-man, are you the doctor of death?"

"No," the doctor said firmly. Kung siya nga talaga ang pumatay sa mga pasyente niya, bakit naman siya bigla-biglang aamin, 'di ba? He would deny it to death. "I work here to save lives, not to deliver them to Death's doorstep."

"How would you explain the deaths of your comatosed patients?" Hindi na ako nakapagpigil na magtanong. I'm worried about what he might do to Alistair if our hunch was correct. "Sa tatlong hinawakan n'yong pasyente, lahat sila'y binawian ng buhay. That's too much of a coincidence."

"And that's where the rumors probably began about you," Loki added. His eyes were closely watching the doctor's every movement. Maging ang paghinga yata nito, binabantayan niya. "They said your curse cost your patients their lives."

"I'm a medical man, a believer of science. I don't give a damn about those curse rumors." Bahagyang tumaas ang boses ng doktor, dala na rin siguro ng pagkainis. "Whatever happened to those patients, my hands are clean. Ganyan naman talaga kapag naka-comatose ang isang tao. There's a chance that he might wake up, there's a chance that he won't."

"You said it yourself that you're a medical man." But Loki won't back down. "Perhaps you used something to kill them without arousing any suspicion."

Fuming, Dr. Mortimer slammed his fists on the table. "I swear on my mother's grave that I did not use my medical expertise to kill anyone! Ano bang mapapala ko kung papatayin ko sila? Do you think that I'm a psychopath who does things for fun?"

"You may want to free them from the uncertainty," Loki did not flinch. "You said that there's a chance they might not wake up. Baka ayaw mong nakikitang umaasa ang mga pamilya nila kaya pinagpahinga mo na ang mga pasyente mo habambuhay. An act of mercy, you may call it."

Muling napasandal sa kanyang upuan ang doktor. Kahit anong sabihin niya, nakahanda si Loki para kontrahin ang mga 'to. He'd be wise to shut his mouth instead of exchanging fiery words with my colleague.

"Let me give you an option." Humakbang pa si Loki palapit sa desk ng doktor. "You can hire us to investigate the alleged curse that has tarnished your reputation in this hospital. We can prove either your innocence or your guilt."

"What? Hire you? Sino ba kayo?"

"We are high school detectives, and we take cases that pique our interest."

"At bakit ako magtitiwala sa inyo?"

"Whether you had any hand on your patient's death or not, we can prove it."

"And you are the doctor of my childhood friend," I remarked, staring at him. "Your so-called curse has a specific pattern. It targets every patient of yours who has been in a coma. My friend is in a coma. He might be the next target."

Biglang natawa ang doktor, ang akala niya yata'y nagbibiro kami. "Sinong nasa matinong pag-iisip ang magtitiwala sa mga tulad n'yong detective wannabe, ha? Bored ba kayo masyado kaya napili n'yong pagtripan ang sumpa kuno sa akin?"

"The Clark High Campus Police and the Angeles City Police Department have trusted us with cases in the past." Loki raised two fingers as he named his answers. "And we solved those cases with minimal help from them. I can go on talking about our credentials but time is of the essence."

"Ang mga pulis?"

We nodded.

Napatingin palayo ang doktor, tila napaisip muli sa kanyang sinabi tungkol sa amin. It was a mistake to call us detective wannabes.

"He's gonna yes," Loki whispered in my ear as his eyes remained transfixed on the doctor. "If you consider hiring us, we need to have access on your patients' files and review them."

"Those are confidential," sagot ng doktor kasabay ng mabagal na pag-iling. "Hindi ko pwedeng basta-basta ipakita sa inyo ang mga ganung dokumento. That will be a serious violation of the doctor-patient confidentiality policy."

"You don't have to break the rules. You just need to bend them."

After a few moments of silence and contemplation, Dr. Mortimer picked up his telephone and dialed a number. I thought he was calling the security to drag us out of his room and the hospital. But I was relieved when he mentioned the word "nurse" in the call.

"Can you please bring the files of my three deceased patients who were in a coma? May kailangan lang akong tingnan sa records nila. Thank you, Narcissa."

One end of Loki's lips curved. Nagtagumpay ang kanyang pangungumbinse sa nag-aalangang doktor.

Pinaupo muna kami ni Dr. Mortimer habang hinihintay ang pagdating ng kanyang nurse. May narinig kaming tatlong katok bago bumukas ang pinto ng opisina. The nurse, who visited Al's room earlier together with Dr. Mortimer, was bringing three folders. Nang maibigay na kay doc ang mga 'yon, nagbato siya ng tinging may pagtataka sa amin bago siya nagpaalam na lumabas.

"I cannot and will not violate the privacy of my patients even if they are already dead," sabi ni Dr. Mortimer sabay patong ng mga folder sa kanyang mesa. "I cannot hand them over to you. That's the rule. I hope you understand. Anyway, I need to drink coffee. It's gonna be a long night."

Bigla-bigla niya na lang kaming iniwan sa opisina niya. Ni hindi man niya kami sinabihan na umalis. Pinakuha niya pa ang mga file eh 'di rin pala niya ipapakita sa amin.

Ilang segundo matapos lumabas ang doktor, bahagyang binuksan ni Loki ang pinto at sumilip sa labas. He pressed the lock on the doorknob and approached the doctor's desk.

"Anong ginagawa mo?" tanong ko sa kanya.

He grabbed the three folders and handed one to me. "Starting our investigation. That's what we are here for, right?"

"Hindi mo ba narinig ang sinabi ni doc? Hindi niya pwedeng ipakita sa atin ang record ng kanyang mga pasyente. So why did you take them?"

"He said he cannot hand over the files to us because that is a violation of their ethics," Loki explained as he flipped through the pages. "But if he leaves the files somewhere in his office and we accidentally read the contents, he won't be violating anything because he did not give his consent. Kung seryoso siya na ayaw niyang lumabag sa doctor-patient confidentiality policy, he wouldn't have left these folders lying on his table."

"Ang ibig sabihin, sinadya niyang iniwan ang mga file para tingnan natin?" Nagawi sa hawak kong folder ang aking tingin. So he wanted us to investigate his curse after all.

We started reading the files of three unfortunate patients. The first one, admitted three months ago, was involved in a road accident. His head was severely injured and despite the surgery, he wasn't in a good condition. He died around midnight, two nights after the operation.

The second patient was admitted more than two months ago. He had a heart attack that left him in a comatose state. They conducted a surgery on him and saved his life. His condition became stable even though he was still in a coma. But a day after, he passed away around midnight.

The third one fell from the stairs and smacked his head on the railings. He was admitted a month ago. The trauma on his brain was so serious that even Dr. Mortimer thought he would no longer wake up (based on his notes). He expired four days later.

"So..." I closed the folder and put it back on the desk. "Two patients had serious injuries while the other one was recovering already."

"I thought I had the truth within my grasp." Loki looked slightly disappointed. He probably read the question "why" written on my face so he went on. "I'm trying to understand the killer's motive. At first, I thought he was only freeing these comatosed patients from their misery."

"But?"

"But the patient who was on his way to recovery junked my theory. Why would he be killed if he's getting better? That breaks the pattern. Most serial killings follow a specific pattern, Lorelei. Victims of Jack the Ripper were prostitutes. Victims in this case are all comatosed patients."

"Maybe there is more to this case than meets the eye."

"What else could there be-"

We almost sprang from our seats when we heard knocks on the door. Inayos ni Loki ang pagkakalagay ng mga folder sa mesa bago nilapitan ang pinto at binuksan ito. The nurse from earlier emerged from the doorway. "Narcissa" was engraved on her nameplate.

"Nasaan si doc? At bakit naka-lock ang pinto?" tanong niya habang palipat-lipat sa akin at kay Loki ang kanyang tingin.

"Uminom lang ng kape si Dr. Mortimer," sagot ko. Mukhang hindi kumbinsido ang nurse sa sinabi ko. "He asked us to stay here while waiting for him."

"At sinabi niyang i-lock n'yo ang pinto?"

"Ah, he probably did not notice that he locked it!" palusot ni Loki. "He was too preoccupied with saving lives and stuff so he forgot that we are still here."

Nagkatitigan muna silang dalawa bago kumalas ng tingin ang nurse. I could still see the suspicions in her eyes.

"You are Dr.-What's-His-Face's assistant, aren't you?" Loki asked, breaking the awkward silence.

Tumango ang nurse. "Bakit?"

"Do you believe he has a curse that killed his three previous comatosed patients?"

Here he goes again with being so blunt with his words.

"Hindi ako mapamahiing tao kaya hindi ako naniniwala sa sumpa-sumpa," pailing-iling na tugon ng nurse. "Nasa digital age na tayo ngayon. Meron pa bang naniniwala sa mga 'yan?"

Loki nodded. He found someone who shares the same belief as him. "So do you suspect that he murdered those patients?"

Natawa ang nurse. "Hinding-hindi magagawa ni doc 'yang sinasabi mo. Dedicated siya sa kanyang trabaho na magpagaling ng mga maysakit. At saka bakit niya gagawin 'yon?"

"How would you explain the deaths then?"

Napakibit-balikat ang nurse. "Baka sadya talagang oras na nila. Hindi naman natin alam kung kailan tayo kukunin ni Lord."

She seemed to have too much trust on the doctor.

"Where was the doctor when the patients expired?" I asked. Kung sakaling ang doktor ang killer, he would have needed to be near his victims to take their lives.

"Wala na siya sa ospital noon dahil hanggang ten o'clock lang ang duty niya," sagot ng nurse. "Nang mag-flatline ang mga pasyente, wala na rito si doc kaya imposibleng may kinalaman siya sa pagkamatay nila."

"Are you sure? Baka nag-disguise siya bilang bisita o ibang tao kaya hindi mo napansin?"

"Sigurado ako. Ako kasi ang unang nakakarating sa kwarto ng mga pasyente. On the way, wala akong napansing kahina-hinalang tao."

If that's true, there's no way the doctor could have killed them. Unless he has magical powers that enable him to kill someone from afar or teleport out of the room in a split second.

"Did you conduct autopsy on the victim's body?" Loki asked.

Umiling ang nurse. "Wala naman kasing kahina-hinala sa pagkamatay nila kaya hindi na kinailangang magsagawa ng autopsy."

"Baka nga talagang coincidence ang pagkamatay nila?" sabi ko kay Loki.

"We can't say for certain. If only the hospital conducted autopsy on the corpses, they would have known if their deaths were natural or not. Nevertheless, I'm still inclined to think that those patients were killed by someone."

"What if they were killed to ruin the doctor's reputation?" I uttered. "Someone holding a grudge against him might be behind those deaths. Kung mamamatay ang mga hawak niyang pasyente at kakalat ang tsismis tungkol sa pagiging doctor of death niya, madudungisan ang pangalan ni Dr. Mortimer."

"That's the second motive on my mental list," sagot ni Loki. "Since the first motive-which is to free the patients from their mistery-was shot down, I've entertained that idea as well."

"Nurse?" Nabaling ang tingin ko kay Narcissa. "How long have you been working for the doctor?"

"Uhm... Kaka-start ko lang ngayong taon."

"Do you have any knowledge if he has committed any blunder?" Loki asked. "'Yong tipong may magtatanim ng galit kay doc?"

"Mula nang magtrabaho ako sa kanya, wala pa naman siyang kapalpakan. Pero naikwento sa akin ng mga kasama kong nurse na may tinanggihan daw siyang pasyente noon dahil wala silang pambayad sa operasyon. Dahil doon, namatay ang kawawang pasyente."

If we were gonna pursue the suspect-with-a-grudge lead, that might be a potential motive.

"Kindly tell Dr. Mortimer that we will no longer wait for him." Looking satisfied, Loki swang the door and walked out of the doctor's office. Ako na ang nagpasalamat sa nurse para sa pakikipag-cooperate niya sa amin.

"What do you think of this case?" he asked while we were waiting for the elevator. "This whole doctor of death business seems to be complex, isn't it?"

"I don't think the rumored doctor of death did it," sagot ko habang pinagmamasdan ang floor number display. "He seemed optimistic about Al's condition, he allowed us to read the files of the three deceased patients. Kung siya ang serial killer at meron siyang tinatago, he would have dragged us out of his office instead."

"But that could be an act," kontra ni Loki. "I also believe that he isn't our man. No serial killer would swear on his mother's grave then lie. If he isn't the killer, what choices do we have left? Either those cases are mere coincidences or someone else killed them. I'm betting on the latter."

"And that someone wanted to blame those deaths on the good doctor?"

He nodded. "My hunch? These serial murders were committed by someone who won't appear suspicious unless you look beyond his mask. Someone who can walk across these halls freely without fear of being suspected. Someone who can hold a weapon without anyone noticing it."

"Speaking of weapon, paano pala napapatay ng killer ang mga biktima niya? Hindi naman siguro niya tinatakpan ng unan ang mga mukha nila hanggang sa malagutan ng hininga, tama?"

"The deaths need to look natural," Loki repeatedly pressed the down button. "His targets were in a coma so he needed to use a murder weapon that, when used, wouldn't arouse any suspicion. Maybe an aminosteroid that paralyzes the respiratory muscles or a potassium salt that stops the heart."

We got inside the elevator as its door opened.

"Ano nang gagawin natin ngayon?" I looked at him after pressing an elevator button. "We are still steps away from finding out the truth."

"If we cannot find the truth beneath the sea of lies, then we have to lure it out," Loki said with confidence. Parang masama ang kutob ko sa kanyang tono, lalo na nang ginamit niya ang salitang "lure."

"But how?" kunot-noo kong tanong.

"The serial killer is hiding in the shadows, probably waiting for the opportune moment to strike. Alistair, despite having the same qualifications as the earlier victims, is still alive because of some reason. Have any idea what that is?"

I shrugged my shoulders. "Baka may sagabal sa plano niya kaya hindi niya magawa-gawa."

"Exactly. He needs to enter his target's room so he can kill them. He also needs to perform his ritual."

"At kung may nagbabantay sa pasyente, hindi niya kaagad maisasagawa ang balak niya!"

Everything is clear. Halata naman sa mga eyebags ng katiwala ng pamilya Ravena na wala siyang tulog. Malamang magdamag niyang binabantayan si Al. The killer is having a hard time on carrying out the killing because of that guardian.

As soon as we got out of the elevator, we turned to the right wing and strode off to our friend's private room. Pagbukas namin sa pinto, bumungad sa amin ang nakasimangot na si Jamie. Dahil yata sa sobrang pagkabagot, nabalatan na niya ang lahat ng mansanas at orange.

"Ang akala ko, pabalik na ang magbabantay kay Al!" paghihimutok ng aming kasama habang nilalaro ang kanyang buhok at lumalamon ng sliced apple. She was talking even if her mouth was full. "Sinolo n'yo na namang dalawa ang aksyon!"

"Kahit nagbantay ka lang, malaki ang pasasalamat namin sa 'yo," sabi ko. "Kung sumama ka sa amin at walang naiwang nagbabantay kay Al, he could have been targeted by someone."

"Kumusta pala ang imbestigasyon n'yo?" she asked as she ate another sliced apple. Baka maubos na niya ang mga prutas na binili namin ni Rosie para kay Al.

Since Loki was too busy thinking and pacing, I took the liberty to explain in detail the result of our investigation.

"Hindi kayo naniniwalang siya ang may kagagawan ng mga 'yon?" pagulat na tanong ni Jamie.

"It might be someone else. We still don't know," tugon kong may kasamang pagkibit ng balikat.

"Jamie," tawag ni Loki na natigil na sa paglalakad. "I need you."

Namula na parang kamatis ang kasama namin. If we were best of friends, malamang pianghahampas na niya ako sa kilig. "Loki dear, I know."

"I need you. I need you to do something for me. For my scheme."

Sa isang iglap, nawala ang kanyang pagba-blush at napalitan ng pagtataka ang ekspresyon ng kanyang mukha. "Use me as you will, Loki dear."

"For us to capture the serial killer, we need to..."

"Si-Sigurado ka ba diyan?!" I was shocked to hear his plan. Sabi ko na nga ba! Kanina pa masama ang kutob ko. Masyadong risky lalo na kay Al!

"We must let our guard down and let the enemy think that he can do whatever he wants. I assure you that I won't let anything happen to our friend who's still in deep slumber. We just need to clear some initial conditions. Are you ready?"

Game na game na tumango si Jamie habang ako nama'y napilitan lang. Loki's plans are sometimes-oh, scrap that!-most of the times dangerous. He wanna use Al as a bait to lure the killer out!

"Jamie, do what needs to be done. Lorelei, it would be better if you come with her," utos ni Loki habang iginagala ang mga mata sa kwarto. "I will figure out how to set up the net for the big fish."

Without any protest, lumabas kaming dalawa ni Jamie sa kwarto at pinuntahan ang katabing private room sa kanan. Loki said that the patient here is a man and we can use our charms as women to ask for favors.

Jamie knocked until someone opened the door for us.

"Ano 'yon?" tanong ng middle-aged na lalaking may neckbrace na sumilip sa pintuan. Tiningnan niya muna kami mula ulo hanggang paa.

"Hi! I'm Jamie from the room next door and this is my friend, Lori." Nakaka-touch naman na ipinakilala niya akong friend. At least, hindi na siya bitchy sa akin. "May hihilingin sana kaming favor sa inyo kung okay lang?"

She twirled her braided hair as she spoke. Her voice sounded so seductive that it could enchant any man who hears her voice.

"Pa-Paano ako makakatulong sa inyo?"

"Kasi balak naming i-surprise ang friend namin na naka-admit sa kabilang room. Birthday niya kasi bukas. Pwede bang mag-stay kami mamayang bago mag-midnight dito habang hinahanda ang surprise namin? Kahit thirty minutes o isang oras lang?"

Her eyes blinked a couple of times, her voice was pleading.

"Si-Sige, walang problema sa akin. Wa-Wala namang bumibisita sa akin dito sa room."

Biglang hinawakan ni Jamie ang mga kamay ng lalaki. "Thank you! Thank you! Tatanawin namin 'tong isang malaking utang na loob! Mamaya, ah?"

Iniwan naming nakatulala ang lalaki. Jamie winked at me as we walked back to Al's room. Tapos na ring makapag-set-up si Loki doon kaya handa na ang lambat namin para hulihin ang isda.

~*~

Somehow I feel guilty for using my defenseless childhood friend as a bait. May tiwala naman ako sa plano ni Loki ngunit ang paggamit sa walang malay naming kaibigan bilang pain? I hope our plan succeeds or else...

Bago namin sinimulan ang plano, tinext ko ang tagapagbantay ni Al na huwag munang bumalik dito sa ospital. Siniguro ko sa kanya na kami na muna ang bahala habang nagpapahinga siya. She needed to be out of picture for a while.

Pagsapit ng bandang alas-diyes ng gabi, pumunta na kami sa kabilang room. Loki hid a camera phone somewhere in Al's room and put it in a position where its camera can capture anyone who enters the scene. Naka-video call ito sa aking phone para makita namin ang live feed.

We needed to wait for more than thirty minutes dahil walang ibang pumapasok sa kwarto. Ni hindi nga kami sigurado na susulpot ang hinihintay naming bisita. He may or may not attempt to kill Al tonight. But we gambled.

"Here he comes!" excited na sabi ni Loki nang bumukas ang pinto sa video. Nagulat ako nang makita ang figure ng taong kakapasok pa lang. That person locked the door before approaching our friend's bed. May bigla siyang kinuha mula sa dala-dala niyang maliit na bag. It looked like a syringe.

On cue, the three of us burst out of the room and rushed back to Al's. Pinihit ko ang doorknob, ngunit naka-lock pala mula sa loob kaya ayaw bumukas.

"Bilisan mo!" sigaw ko kay Loki habang kinakapa niya ang mga bulsa ng kanyang pantalon. Every second counts!

"Oh, crap!" he gasped. "I forgot my lockpicking kit!"

"What? Are you joking?!"

"Bakit ngayon pa, Loki dear?"

"Do you have any hair pin or something thin?" he asked with a hint of desperation in his voice. He knew what was at stake here! Bakit ngayon pa siya sinumpong ng kamalasan?

I wanna strangle him right now. But Al's life is more important than the mess Loki has made.

"We have no choice! Let's take down this door!" he yelled at us. "At the count of three! One! Two! Three!"

We slammed our bodies against the door, but to no avail. Dahil sa lakas ng tunog, napalabas sa kani-kanilang private room ang ibang pasyente.

"One! Two! Three!"

"Aray!" daing ni Jamie nang muli naming subukang pabagsakin ang pinto.

"Isa pa! One! Two! Three!"

Ibinuhos ko na ang lahat ng lakas ko sa ikatlo naming pagsubok. Maging ang mga kasama kong alalang-alala na kay Al ay ibinigay na ang lahat.

Fortunately, the door was forcibly opened and we ran inside. We saw the familiar figure of nurse on Al's bedside, her back was turned to us.

It was Narcissa.

"ALISTAIR!" sigaw ko. Hihilahin ko na sana ang braso ng nurse para mailayo siya mula kay Al.

But when I got closer, my jaw dropped and tears fell from my eyes. For a second or two, I lost my voice. I wanted to scream but I couldn't.

Maging si Jamie ay natulala nang makita ang kaibigan namin. Napatakip siya ng bibig at nabalot ng pagkagulat ang mukha. What she saw rendered her speechless.

Loki, meanwhile, just stood near the end of the bed. Despite what he saw, there wasn't a tinge of emotion painted on his face.

Alistair...

Alistair is...

Alistair is now awake!

"Sorry for making you three worried," he said in a hoarse voice.

What surprised us more was his left hand clasping tightly on Narcissa's arm holding the syringe. Biglang binitawan ng nurse ang hawak niya at napaupo sa sahig. Walang tigil na tumulo ang luha sa kanyang pisngi.

"I told her to turn herself in. For the murders she committed." Kahit mahina ang kanyang boses at nahihirapang magsalita, pinilit pa rin ni Al na magpaliwanag. "She wanted to avenge her brother who was turned away by my doctor."

"A-Ang ibig sabihin, kamag-anak niya ang ikinwento niyang pasyente na tinanggihan ni Dr. Mortimer?" The dots have become clear and we can now connect them.

"Para maghigante, pumasok siya bilang nurse dito at ginawa ang lahat para mapalapit sa doktor," dugtong ni Jamie na nagpupunas ng kanyang luha. "At doon niya sinimulang patayin ang mga comatosed na pasyente para masira ang pangalan ni Dr. Mortimer?"

"The killings started happening three months ago," Loki said. He did not sound surprised. "Because she is the doctor's assistant, she has access to the patient's room. I have to say, she positioned herself brilliantly to carry out her revenge plot."

'Di kinalauna'y dumating ang security personnel ng ospital sa private room dahil sa ingay na ginawa namin. We explained to them why we needed to take down the door. When we told them about the attempted killing of our friend and its connection to the three murders in the hospital, they finally understood the situation. They escorted the nurse out of the room.

"Alistair!" I jumped at my childhood friend and hugged him tightly. Parang pumayat ang katawan niya at nanghihina pa. Ilang linggo din kasi siyang na-comatose.

Jamie couldn't hold back her joy so she also embraced our now awakened colleague.

"Te-Teka. Huwag n'yong masyadong higpitan. Hindi ako makahinga."

"We missed you, Al!" naluluhang sabi ni Jamie. "We've been through a lot the past few weeks."

"Nice acting," Loki said he reclined his back against the wall. "How long have you been awake?"

"You knew?" my friend asked.

"I noticed that your left arm moved by a few inches when we returned here from Dr. Mortimer's office," Loki revealed. "A person in a comatose state would not be able to move any part of his body unless he's already awake."

"Eh? Alam mo nang gising siya?" Jamie and I asked in chorus.

He nodded. "I let him hear about our plan to lure out the serial killer so he can be prepared if ever our plan fails. Alistair did not disappoint me. I intentionally delayed our entrance here so he could finally stop playing the sleeping prince."

"Kung ganun, hindi totoong nakalimutan mo ang lockpicking kit mo?" tanong ko.

Loki chuckled. "I'm not yet suffering from memory loss."

And yet he can't get Rosetta's name correctly... and tens or hundreds of people he met. Even their own family driver.

As soon as people heard that Al woke up, nurses rushed to the room. They asked us to leave while they check on my friend's condition. Tumambay muna kami sa lounge ng ospital habang hinihintay matapos ang ginagawa nila.

Pumunta muna ako sa vending machine para bumili ng inumin. I can't say how glad I am tonight that my childhood friend woke up.

"Naku, nurse of death pala ang real story!" Sumulpot na parang kabute sa likuran ko ang tsismosong nurse na nag-share sa amin ng kwento ng doctor of death. "Ang buong akala namin may sumpa na talaga si Dr. Mortimer!"

"Sabi nga ng kasama ko, walang sumpa." Ipinasok ko ang twenty-peso bill sa machine at pinindot ang tomato juice option. "Tao at hindi sumpa ang pumatay sa mga na-comatose na pasyente."

"Tutal nabanggit mo ang mga na-coma na pasyente, naalala ko na kung saan ko nakita 'yang kasama mo," tugon ng nurse. "'Yung naka-braid ang buhok."

"Si Jamie? Hindi naman ito ang unang beses na pumunta kami sa ospital na 'to. Hindi kataka-taka kung bakit pamilyar ang mga mukha namin."

"Alam kong nakita ko na siya noon, kaso hindi pa ganun ang hairstyle niya. Nakalugay ang buhok niya! Tandang-tanda ko ang hubog ng mukha niya pati ang boses kapag nagsasalita. Sa akin kasi siya nagtanong noon kung saan ang room ng isang comatosed na pasyente rito. Nang makita ko siya kanina na bumisita sa isa pa niyang kaibigan na nasa coma, I thought na baka may sumpa rin siya."

Is she talking the Santiago family curse? Or something else? Nagbato ako ng nagtatakang tingin sa kanya habang iniinom ang aking tomato juice. "Ano ho ang pangalan ng binisita niyang pasyente noon?"

Napapikit ang nurse at napahawak sa kanyang noo. "Ano nga kasi ulit 'yon? Medyo kakaiba ang name eh. One of a kind."

For some unknown reason, my heart started beating faster. Natigil ako sa pag-inom habang hinihintay na maalala ng nurse ang pangalan.

"Parang pang-foreign pakinggan, hindi pam-Pinoy. Nasa dulo ng dila ko. Teka. Alberto? Albert Einstein?"

My jaw dropped as my eyes slowly widened, staring at the reminiscing nurse.

Napapalakpak siya. "Aha! Stein Alberts! Teka, 'di ba 'yan din ang pangalan ng nagpadala ng bulaklak kanina? Kung ganun, magkakilala kayo? Hey, miss? Miss? Okay ka lang?"

CLANK!

I dropped my canned tomato juice, its contents spilt on the floor.

Jamie...? No, it can't be!

q.e.d.