THE FINAL COUNTDOWN: Four days before the finale!

LORELEI

DREAMHILL. WHAT a beautiful yet strange name for this cruise ship. I understood the "dream" part, but what's with the "hill"? It could have been Dreamboat or Dreamyacht. But the mystery was soon solved. One of the crew told me that the "hill" part had a symbolic origin. The owner of the "Dream" cruise line wanted to honor his late wife by naming his most prestigious ship after her: Hillary.

Para ngang panaginip ang pagsakay sa barko na 'to. Maliban sa amenities na mae-experience namin, priceless ang tanawin mula sa deck. I stood near the bow, feeling the cold sea breeze brushing through my skin. The orange sunset clashed with the cerulean sea, creating a sight to behold. I tried to take a photo, but seeing it with my very eyes was way better. This spectacular scenery was already worth the money of the Emerson and Mendez family.

"Wow! Ang ganda ng sunset!" Jamie put her hands together as her eyes sparkled with joy. Parang nakakita siya ng regalo na matagal na niyang inaasahan. I had the same reaction. No words in the English language could perfectly describe the scene before us. "Ang gandang kuhanan 'to ng picture! Tara, guys! Picture tayo!"

Ngumiti ako sa kanya. I was happy that she's back to her normal self. Mukhang nakatulong sa kanya ang therapy sessions kay Dr. Theresa Pierre. I had no idea what they talked about inside the therapist's office. It could be about her late brother. It could be about repressing some of her memories. But as long as it could help her overcome her suicidal tendencies, I was fine with it.

"Tara na, Loki dear! Minsan lang tayo makakapag-picture nang ganito kaganda ang sunset!" Jamie insisted, pulling Loki's right arm. Halos i-drag na niya ito malapit sa bow.

Knowing Loki who doesn't like his pictures being taken, he'd resist to the idea. He doesn't appreciate the marvelous surrounding around us. Kung hindi ko pa siya pinagbantaang ipapabuhat kay Alistair mula sa kanyang cabin, hindi pa siya lalabas dito sa deck.

Alistair leaned against the handrail behind him and folded his arms. The sunset highlighted that smile that he always wore. He was sparkling too. We both watched as Jamie struggled to bring Loki closer to us.

"It's nice to see Jamie being Jamie again," he said, beaming at the two. Sandaling nagawi sa kanya ang tingin ko. "I hope she stays that way. Mas magandang nakikita siyang nakangiti palagi at puno ng energy. She won't be our Jamie if she's not like that."

Tumango ako sabay sulyap sa dalawang tila naghahabulan na parang mga bata. "Sana nga. Iba ang feeling kapag wala siya sa sarili niya. Remember when we were abducted by Cedric and his goons, and brought to a warehouse? Ibang-iba siya matapos ang insidenteng 'yon. Kung hindi pa namin siya binisita ni Loki, hindi agad siya babalik sa dati niyang sarili."

I still don't know what Loki whispered in her ear when we paid her a visit, but there's no doubt that it was effective. In the blink of an eye, the color returned to Jamie's dull face.

"Do you think it's a good idea that we haven't asked her about her brother?" I asked, tossing a glance at Alistair. I lowered my voice so no one could overhear us.

We haven't broached the subject yet to Jamie since the rooftop incident. We have been careful on how we're going to deal with her. May ilang beses nitong mga nakalipas na araw na naisip kong tanungin na siya. Pero tuwing nakikita ko ang ngiti sa kanyang mukha, umuurong ang dila ko. I couldn't. I couldn't make her feel the misery again. Even Loki, who would surely want to know more, didn't dare to ask a question.

Alistair's vibrant smile slowly faded as his lips drew a straight line. He blew off some air. "For now, yes. Ayaw nating bumalik ulit siya sa dati niyang kondisyon. She might attempt to harm herself again. We can't allow that to happen, can we?"

"But we can't avoid the topic forever," I replied, gently shaking my head. "At some point, we need to confront her about it. It burdens not only her, but us as well."

"You're right. At this point, we're only delaying the inevitable." He stretched his lips to show a smile, but I saw no joy in it. "I want to protect that bright smile of hers. I want to protect what we have. I'm sure you do as well."

But we cannot protect ourselves from the truth. Hangga't hindi naa-address ang issue, tila may tanikalang pumipigil sa amin upang makahakbang palayo. We have to unshackle ourselves from the chains of the past. Sooner rather than later, hopefully.

"Hayan! Napapayag ko na rin si Loki dear!" masayang anunsyo ni Jamie habang naka-lock ang kanyang braso kay Loki. Hindi na siya nagtangka pang umalis. Malamang napagod na rin sa pakikipaghabulan sa kanya. He's not the athletic type. Ilang minutes pa lang, paniguradong hihingalin na siya agad.

"Sayang," nakangisi kong tugon bago tumingin sa katabi ko. "Ipabubuhat ko sana siya kay Al kung magmamatigas pa siya."

"Ano ba'ng mas gusto niya? Princess carry o piggyback carry?" pabirong tanong ni Alistair. Either way, Loki would surely look embarrassed in those positions. Nai-imagine ko na ang itsura niya habang binubuhat siya ni Alistair. Hindi ko palalampasin na kuhanan iyong ng picture. His brother might be amused to see it.

"If I could only jump from this ship and swim across the sea and back to land, I would have already." Loki had a faraway away look in his eyes as he stared at the blue horizon. The setting sun was kissing his face with its tangerine light.

"Pwede ka namang tumalon ngayon kung gusto mo." Nakisakay na ako sa joke niya, kung joke man 'yon. "Ang tanong lang ay kung marunong ka bang lumangoy?"

"He can borrow a life preserver from the crew," Alistair added, pointing at the water wheely over there. "Baka nga lang mapagod siya sa kapapadyak niya."

Loki only gave us a stare. Mukhang hindi niya na-appreciate ang joke namin. O may iba pang dahilan?

"Wait a minute." My eyes slowly squinted at him. He would have boasted that he knew how to swim to defend his reputation, but he did not. "You don't know how to swim, do you?"

"Totoo, Loki dear?" Jamie clapped her hand over the mouth." Dapat sinabi mo agad! E 'di sana nagkaroon tayo ng private one-on-one session para naturuan kitang lumangoy. Paano kung biglang lumubog ang barkong 'to? Paano kung magaya tayo sa Titanic?"

"Oh, please!" Loki scoffed, averting his gaze. "I don't see any iceberg here so how can this cruise ship sink? By the way, speaking of cruise ship, this isn't exactly what I've imagined. I thought it's gonna be huge. But it isn't that big. Whoever called this thing a cruise ship must be tied to a stake and burnt."

I got to agree with him. Hindi talaga gano'n kalaki ang barkong ito. In my estimate, it could only fit fewer than a thousand people. Cruise ships could accommodate thousands. But it still gave us the Titanic vibes. Sana nga lang, wala kaming matamaan na malaking bato na magpapalubog sa barko namin.

"Don't worry," Alistair assured him with a smile. "If you fall off from this ship, I will jump into the water and save you from drowning."

Well, I wouldn't be surprised if Alistair does. He's one of the best swimmers in our class. Saving a kid or Loki from drowning is an easy feat for him. 

"Ano ka ba naman, Al?" Napamaywang na singit ni Jamie. "I know you're so obsessed with saving people, pero ako dapat ang magliligtas kay Loki dear! Sa ating dalawa, ako lang ang paniguradong hindi lulubog. If you know what I mean. No offense, ha?"

"None taken." Alistair shook his head. Nakakunot naman ang aking noo dahil hindi ko gets kung ano'ng ibig sabihin ni Jamie. Bakit hindi siya lulubog? Was that a joke too that I was too clueless to understand?

"Can you two stop from debating who's gonna save me from drowning?" Loki interjected. "This ship isn't sinking. I won't fall off the rails. No one's gonna drown."

"Loki dear, we're not debating! Kina-clarify lang namin kung sino dapat ang magliligtas sa 'yo. We're your friends kaya concerned kami sa 'yo lalo na't hindi ka marunong lumangoy."

"What am I, a kid?" Loki grabbed the handrail and leaned toward it. "Do you think I'll be dumb enough to let myself fall from this—"

I gasped as I clutched on my chest. Nawalan ng balanse si Loki at tumama ang katawan niya sa handrail. His eyes widened and his mouth gaped as his upper body almost slid over it. Alistair was quick to throw his hand at him, hoping to catch him, but...

"Why so serious?" Umayos ng tayo si Loki at ngumisi sa amin. "See? I'm not that stupid to—hey, hey! What are you two doing?"

I elbowed him in the gut while Jamie repeatedly slapped him on the arm.

"Stop! Stop!" He took a step backwards as his body leaned against handrail. Mahuhulog na siya kapag kinorner namin siya roon. "Gusto n'yo ba talaga akong mahulog?"

"Muntikan na akong atakihin sa puso!" sabi ko sa kanya bago ko siya muling sikuhin. "Huwag kang magbibiro ng ganyan, ah?"

Seryoso! Halos malaglag ang puso ko nang makita ko siyang muntikan nang mahulog. I stood frozen and had no idea what to do! Naalala ko na naman kasi 'yong tila masamang pangitain sa barko na 'to.

"I was just kidding! Don't you know how to take a joke?"

"Please! Don't do that again! Please!" Jamie stopped when Loki grabbed her by the wrists. What started out as a joke turned into something emotional.

Kumurap ang mga mata kong pinapanood silang dalawa. Even Alistair's face became serious.

Jamie's eyes well up with tears. They glistened as the sunlight shone on them. Loki was stunned. "Kahit pabiro lang, huwag na huwag mo na ulit gagawin, ah?"

"Y-Yeah, s-sure. I'm sorry about that."

Biglang niyakap ni Jamie si Loki. She buried her face into his chest. The latter's hands froze as he turned to me and Alistair. He made a "what am I supposed to do?" face. Sumenyas ako na yakapin niya rin si Jamie. And he did.

"I won't do it again."

Being close to death, Jamie must have not wanted to see anyone on the brink of it. We should not make fun of it anymore. I hope Loki would learn his lesson.

"Dahil diyan..." She wiped her tears with her hands and forced a smile. "Pagbibigyan mo ang lahat ng gusto ko, okay? At ang unang request ko, magpi-picture tayong apat habang nasa background ang sunset!"

"Fine. Whatever. I mean, if that's what you want."

Jamie sniffled. Inilabas niya ang kanyang phone at inianggulo ito hanggang sa pumasok sa frame ang palubog na araw. Elbow to elbow we stood next to each other. From left to right: Loki, Jamie, me and Alistair.

"One, two, three! Say QED!"

"QED!"

"Ulit! Hindi gumalaw ang bibig ni Loki dear! One, two, three!"

"QED!"

She took not only one, but many snaps and happily showed the photos to us. Hindi mapawi ang ngiti sa kanyang mukha. Hindi ko rin maiwasang mapangiti habang pinagmamasdan ang mga picture. Pero may bigla akong naramdaman sa aking puso. My fear was knocking. I tried to keep it at bay by not giving it any thought. But every time there's a moment like this where the four of us are happy, it kept on coming back.

I shrugged the thought off my head again and forced myself to smile. Remember what Dr. Pierre said. Enjoy the moment. Enjoy the present.

"Ise-send ko na agad sa inyo para may copies din kayo," sabi niya habang nagta-tap ang mga daliri niya sa screen. "Gagawin ko rin itong wallpaper ng phone ko. Permission to post it sa social media para may dagdag na memories tayong apat?"

"Granted," Alistair and I said in unison. I appreciate her asking us for permission before posting anything with our faces on it.

"Posted and... sent!" Jamie said in a singsong tone. An alert crossed over my phone and saw the notification that I received ten photos from her. Muli kong tiningnan ang mga picture. I can't help but smile for a few seconds, and feel sad immediately after.

If we were only ordinary high school students living our ordinary student lives, I wouldn't have to fear anything at all.

"Uhm... Excuse me?"

Our attention was caught by the arrival of the student council officers on the deck. Umayos nang tayo ang mga estudyanteng kasama namin at biglang tumahimik. Wearing a viridian one-shoulder dress, Emeraude stood at the center. Her fellow officers, clad in coats and dresses, lined up behind her. They stood out from the rest of us. How? Nakapang-casual na damit pa kami habang sila'y naka-formal dress na.

For this pre-finals party, we have been asked to bring a formal or semi-formal dress. Magkakaroon daw kasi ng party mamaya kaya mas maganda kung naka-dress kami para feel na feel namin ang cruise na 'to. Speaking of cruise, the ship has no specific destination. We would float around the seas and return to the dock tomorrow morning.

Luthor Mendez, the tallest among the five, caught my eye. His crimson suit was hard to not notice.

Muling sumagi sa isipan ko ang mga pinag-usapan namin noong nakaraang linggo. How this cruise ship was his idea. How he planned to have Stein Alberts cornered during the party. How he finally made a move.

Remember that arrest in the gymnasium? That wasn't the first and last. Sinundan pa ito ng pag-imbita ng campus police sa tatlo o apat pang estudyante. Seeing Inspector Morgan Morales escorting a student out of the high school building has been an everyday sight for us.

Almost everyone had no idea what's going on, but I do. Luthor has decided to use the contents of Augustus' box to report students affiliated with M's organization. I was somehow confused on why he did it last week. I thought he'd wait until Stein is cornered and he assumes the role of Moriarty. He surely had a plan prepared. He wouldn't have made a move out of a whim. Unfortunately, he chose not to let me or Loki on in his plan. He only told me that something big was going to happen.

Did I tell Loki about it? Of course. He probably noticed that Luthor and I went missing around the same time during the orientation. Ayaw ko nang magsinungaling o magtago ng nalalaman ko sa kanya. Transparency is key, especially if the other person has a way of knowing things.

Nang malaman niya ang pinag-usapan namin ni Luthor, he became excited about the cruise. Kaya kahit ayaw niya sa ganitong parties, nagkaroon siya ng motivation upang dumalo.

I honestly thought of suggesting to him, Jamie and Alistair to not attend. I have a bad feeling about tonight. Something might happen. But I held my tongue and kept that suggestion to myself.

Sana'y tama ang desisyon ko.

"We will start the party at seven," Emeraude announced. "You may now return to your cabins, take a rest and change into your formal wear. See you at the atrium! Execom officers, please escort our students. Thank you!"

Pumalakpak nang dalawang beses si Rye Rubio at sumenyas sa amin. Hindi ko alam kung namamalikmata ba ako o may sadyang nagpaparamdam sa akin, pero parang may naaninag akong babae na may bangs at nakasuot na salamin sa likuran niya. When my eyes blinked, she disappeared.

Agad naming sinabihan ang mga estudyante sa paligid na bumalik na sa kanilang cabin. Heto na ang mga matitigas ang ulo. We did not leave the deck until it's clear of any student.

"Tapos na po ang picture-taking! Ay, ate! Dapat kanina pa kayo nag-selfie kasama ang sunset! O, pakibilisan n'yo na lang diyan! Baka mapagalitan kami ng boss namin!"

"Pakiayos po 'yong pila natin! Huwag po tayong mag-unahan. Makapapasok tayong lahat sa loob."

"Hey, are you deaf? Do you have hearing problems? Didn't you hear what the student council president said? Return to your cabin. Should I say it again? Should I speak more slowly? Should I translate it in Filipino so you'd understand? No? Good."

"Huwag na po tayong mag-stay rito sa deck!" Halos mapaos na ako sa kauulit ng isinisigaw ko. "Pumasok na ho tayo sa loob!"

It took almost half an hour to ask everyone to go inside. Nang matapos na kami, nag-aagawan na ang liwanag at kadiliman sa horizon. Umilaw na rin ang mga lamp sa deck. It felt like the ship was swimming across a sea of darkness. Who knows? A monster might appear at the bow and lash its tentacles on us?

Oh, wait. There's already a monster in this ship. There's no need for another one.

Bumalik na rin kami sa aming cabin. We parted ways at the intersection because the rooms for male and female are separated. Each room can accommodate two students. That means Jamie and I shared the same cabin.

Dahil overnight trip lang ito, hindi namin kinailangang magdala ng maraming gamit. We only had to bring a dress and one or two spare clothes.

For tonight's party, I wore a yellow dress with bow puff sleeves. I feel more comfortable with light colors.

My roommate Jamie wore an emerald strapless dress, revealing her flawless shoulders and firm arms. Naaalala ko tuloy noong birthday ng papa ko. She wore a scarlet dress and her hair was not in a braid. Ngayon, naka-braid pa rin ang kanyang buhok. Maybe she did not have time to style her crowning glory.

"Yellow looks so good on you, Lori!" Jamie held me by the shoulders and surveyed me from head to toe. She was smiling. "Alam mo bang para kang araw sa kalagitnaan ng gabi?"

My eyebrows furrowed deeply. "Is that a compliment or an insult—"

"No, no, I'm not insulting you!" She shook her head repeatedly. She began to gently rub my arms. "Perfect nga sa 'yo kasi you emit that aura when people around you are in the dark. You may look serious most of the time, but when needed, you bring light to them."

My heart almost melted at what she said. I wouldn't argue na lagi akong seryoso. That's a fact. But for her to tell me that I'm like a sun? I don't know if she's exaggerating, but I appreciate the compliment.

Well, if there's a sun among the four of us, she's definitely the one. Despite her childishness and her clinginess to Loki, she always brings energy to our group. Wala ni isa sa amin ang kayang abutin ang gano'ng level. That's why it's hard to imagine if... No, I don't want to think about it.

I returned her smile. "You look stunning, as always. Kahit yata ano'ng suotin mo, babagay sa 'yo."

"Nasa nagdadala lang 'yan!" tugon niya. "Kahit nga ang sakong pinaglagyan ng bigas, kaya nating gawing attractive. Partida, ha? Wala pa akong masyadong preparation niyan. Ni hindi nga ako nakapagpa-derma, eh. Kung may star of the night award, I won't be surprised kung ako ang mananalo."

"I won't be surprised either."

"Let's not make the boys wait any longer," she said as she took one last glance at the mirror. "Alam kong excited na akong makita ni Loki dear! Ayaw ko na siyang pasabikin pa!"

Tumingin din ako sa salamin at umikot nang isang beses upang makita kung maayos ba ang itsura ko. When I felt confident about how I looked, I gave her a nod and we promptly left our cabin.

We met at the entrance of the atrium. Our two boys stood by the panels.

Loki wore not only a navy blue coat, but also his usual bored look. Pagkabalik yata niya sa kanilang cabin, isinuot agad niya ang kanyang coat nang hindi naliligo o naghihilamos.

Alistair wore a white coat, similar to the one he wore during my dad's birthday. Unlike the boy beside him, refreshed ang itsura niya. Mas maayos din ang pagkakasuklay ng kanyang buhok.

"Parang magdo-double date tayo, 'no?" bulong ni Jamie. "Sa akin si Loki, sa 'yo si Al."

Napaalis ang pagkakakrus ng mga braso ni Alistair nang magawi ang kanyang tingin sa amin. Loki only shot us with a glance and gave us a slight nod.

"You two look—"

"Gorgeous? Attractive?" Jamie cut him short with a smile. "Lovely? Beautiful? Pretty?"

"You took the words out of my mouth."

"You also look handsome in your suit!" Jamie commented, brushing Alistair's shoulder like an invisible dirt was there. "Lalo kang nagliliwanag sa paningin namin. Right, Lori? At siyempre..."

She leapt toward Loki and suddenly pulled his arm closer to her. Halos mawalan ng balanse ang katabi niya. "Pogi pa rin ang Loki dear ko! Sorry, Al. Kahit yata anong suotin mo o kung anong ayos mo, mas guwapo pa rin si Loki sa paningin ko. No offense, ha?"

"None taken." Ngumiti si Alistair. Alam naman niyang biased si Jamie pagdating kay Loki. Kahit yata ilang araw na hindi maligo si Loki at kahit gaano kagulo ang kanyang ayos, siya pa rin ang mangunguna sa kanya.

"Oh my! You all look so... perfect!"

I gulped. Those words may sound like a compliment, but that voice raised every hair on my body.

Taking a deep breath, I turned around to see Stein Alberts in his baggy coat. Hindi ko masabi kung sinadya niyang magsuot ng hindi eksakto ang fit sa kanya o wala siyang narentahan na ka-size niya. His eyeglasses shone, signaling something sinister for us.

Kumuyom ang mga kamao ko na itinago ko sa aking likuran. Alistair took a step forward, prepared to defend us. Jamie held tightly on Loki's arm as if she wouldn't want to let go.

"Black?" Loki said as he scanned Stein with his scrutinizing eyes. "You attending a funeral?"

"Sort of," Stein replied, smiling.

"Maybe your own?"

"Maybe someone else's."

Muli akong napalunok ng laway. No matter how playful his tone may be, I couldn't shake off the veiled threat in his voice. He's not here to say hello. He's here to warn us. Walang good news na dala ang presensya niya sa amin.

Stein stretched out his arms like a bird spreading its wings. His smile grew wider, now ear to ear.

"Welcome to the final stage, Loki and the QED Club!"

Lalong nanindig ang mga balahibo ko. What did he mean by "final"? Was he referring to his big move? Was he planning to end everything tonight?

"Since this is a party, I've got some surprises for you," he said, wiggling his eyebrows. "If I were you, I'd be on my toes. Don't blink because you might miss it."

"If I were you, I would keep distance from the handrails," Loki retorted. Kita ko kung gaano kahigpit ang pagkakahawak sa kanya ni Jamie. "You might slip off this ship and drown in the sea. If you aren't lucky, a sea monster might drag you into the darkest depths, where you really belong."

"Oh!" Stein whistled as his eyebrows almost formed a straight line. "Why do I feel The Final Problem vibes here? Do you want us to reenact that scene between Sherlock Holmes and Professor Moriarty? But instead of the Reichenbach Falls, it's gonna be in this Dreamhill cruise ship. Well, there's water below us so I guess it still fits."

"If we're gonna reenact The Final Problem, we both know how this is gonna end. You do know that only Moriarty fell, right?"

"Unfortunately, this won't be like the short story though—"

KYAAAH!

My shoulders jerked up as I heard a scream coming from the atrium. Sabay-sabay kaming lumingon sa likuran kung saan nagsimulang maglupong ang mga estudyante roon. Biglang bumilis ang tibok ng puso ko. Kahit malamig dito, nakaramdam ako ng pamamawis. Parang may masamang hangin na dumaan.

Slowly I turned to Stein who did not seem alarmed or surprised at all. With hands in his pockets, he walked toward Loki and casted a sideglance at Jamie. "Looks like the real party has started."

I have a bad feeling about this.

Tinapik niya sa balikat si Loki. Inilapit ang kanyang ulo sa tenga nito at may ibinulong. "Shall we play a game to entertain ourselves?"

q.e.d.

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