This is the finale of the Project LOKI series. Join our Twitter party tonight by using the hashtag #ProjectLOKIQED!

As always, STRICTLY NO SPOILERS! Let's not ruin other people's reading experience.

"Miss Lorelei? Miss Lorelei?"

I RUBBED the sleep off my eyes as I slowly opened them. Luminga-linga ako sa paligid at napansing nakaupo ako sa backseat ng isang sasakyan. I felt the breeze from the air conditioner and the pop song being played on the radio. What time was it already? Parang tirik pa rin ang araw sa labas.

Sa sobrang traffic at haba ng biyahe mula Manila papuntang Angeles City, nakatulog na ako. I was kinda exhausted and I needed that nap to rest my eyes and my mind.

But that nap did not make me feel refreshed. Na-stress pa nga ako. Parang nahulog ako sa isang masamang panaginip. Isang bangungot. I dreamt of two people being washed ashore and found dead on the beaches. Halos maglupasay ako sa aplaya nang makita ang kanilang mga mukha at katawan.

Thank God, I got out of that nightmare.

Muli kong ipinikit ang aking mga mata at minasahe ang sentido ko. I inhaled the cold air, held my breath for a few seconds, and exhaled slowly. Feeling ko tuloy, sumakit ang ulo ko.

Tumingin ako sa rearview mirror kung saan kita ang mga mata ng driver. Our eyes met.

"Nandito na ho tayo sa apartment ng tita n'yo," nakangiting bati niya.

Bumalikwas ako sa aking pagkakaupo. Oo nga pala. I was supposed to go to my aunt's apartment right after my business in Manila. Aalisin na sana ng driver ang kanyang seatbelt at lalabas ng kotse para pagbuksan ako ng pinto. But I stopped him halfway and told him I could manage myself.

I grabbed my bag, told him to drive safely and got off the car. Kumaway ako sa kanya at hinintay munang makaalis ang kotse. When the car drove away, I slowly turned around, lifted my chin, and stared at the three-storey building before me.

"Lorelei!"

I lowered my gaze and saw my aunt coming to my direction. Nginitian ko siya nang magkasalubong ang aming tingin. It's been a while, Tita Martha. Sinalubong ko siya sa gitna, nagmano at niyakap siya nang mahigpit. She hugged me so tight up to point that I couldn't breathe. Halatang excited siyang makita ako at miss na miss na niya ako.

"Kumusta na ho kayo?" nakangiti kong tanong nang kumalas ako ng yakap. Nakahinga na rin ako nang maluwag sa wakas.

"Heto, mina-manage ang apartment," tugon ni Tita Martha, hawak-hawak ako sa balikat. Sinuri ako ng mga mata niya mula ulo hanggang paa. "Parang antagal nating hindi nagkita, ah? Medyo nagkalaman ka na! Kumusta pala ang biyahe mo mula Maynila? Parang bagong gising ka yata?"

"Grabe pa rin ho ang traffic. Talagang aantukin ka sa sobrang tagal umusad ng mga sasakyan."

"At least, safe kang nakarating dito sa apartment. O siya na, ihahatid na kita roon sa unit," sabi niya sabay tulak ng gate. Pinauna niya akong pumasok bago siya sumunod. "Baka gusto mong magpahinga, ah?"

Dala-dala ang aking bag, inakyat namin ang hagdan hanggang sa marating ang third floor. We halted in front of Room 302. She took out her keys and searched for the one that could open the door.

I took a moment to breath and shut my eyes close. Magkahalong excitement at kaba ang nararamdaman ko ngayon.

"Tadah!" Tita Martha gently pushed the door and motioned her hand inside. "Tawagin mo lang ako sa baba kapag may kailangan ka."

Hinaplos niya ang aking likuran at ngumiti sa akin bago niya ako iniwan. Ramdam ko ang pagiging motherly figure niya sa akin. I may not be her daughter, but she wanted to treat me that way.

Muli akong huminga nang malalim bago tumapak sa loob. Bumungad sa akin ang mga couch at ang mesa sa pagitan ng mga ito. Maingat kong ipinatong ang aking bag doon. Meron ding TV set sa isang sulok na naalikabukan na. I went further into the room and reached the kitchen. My fingers trailed the edge of the dining table and clutched on top of the monobloc chair's backrest. Sunod kong tiningnan ang mga kuwarto. Tanging kama at walang lamang cabinet ang nakita ko rito. Wala na akong makitang trace ng mga dating tumira sa unit na 'to.

If I wanted to, I could live here alone.

"Sorry, I'm in the middle of solving a puzzle here so do you mind not disturbing me for another five minutes?"

Umangat ang aking balikat kasabay ng paninindig ng mga buhok ko. Mabilis akong lumingon ako sa likuran, sa may sala. Tila may naulinigan akong boses ng lalaki. When my eyes roamed around the room, I saw no one there. The door was still open, but surely I would have heard footsteps if someone walked in.

Akala ko may kasama na ako rito. Guni-guni lang pala.

Umupo ako sa couch at patuloy na iginala ang aking mga mata. Hindi ko maiwasang maluha habang tinitingnan ang bawat sulok nito.

Oh, I missed this place! Room 302 meant so much to me. Not just the unit itself, but the memories that I enjoyed here. Most especially, the person who shared the roof with me: Loki Mendez.

It's been two months since the Dreamhill incident. I could still remember everything that happened on that one fateful night. It seemed like it was just yesterday. "Tragic" would be an understatement to describe the events that unfolded. Kung kaya ko lang sana, kinalimutan ko na ang masalimuot na gabing 'yon.

I had to go through more therapy sessions since that day. It shook me to the core. It traumatized me. Seeing my two friends fall from the cruise ship was a sight not everyone could stomach to see. That scene alone scarred me for life. I have been through so many unfortunate situations, but none of them could beat it.

Ilang linggo matapos ang insidente, I moved out of Tita Martha's apartment and transfered to the condominium that my late father suggested. Days before he died, tinanong niya ako kung gusto kong lumipat sa mas secure na lugar. I declined his offer, which he understood, and let me stay in this apartment.

While this unit reminds me of my most precious memories and brings smile to my face, it also reminds me of the thought that things may never be the same again. I felt a pang in my heart whenever that crosses my mind. So I decided to distance myself from here and live on my own.

Knock! Knock!

"Pinaghintay ba kita?"

My head turned to the door to see who knocked. My lips formed a curve as my eyes met the smiling face of my childhood friend: Alistair Ravena. He's wearing a white polo shirt and denim pants.

"Halos kararating ko lang dito," sagot ko sabay tayo. "Alam mo naman kung gaano kabagal ang traffic sa Manila. Tatanda na ako, hindi pa kami nakakaalis ng EDSA."

He went inside, his hands slid in his pockets. He was throwing glances everywhere before his gaze landed on me. "You must miss him, right?"

I stretched my lips into a smile, my eyes looking down. May naramdaman na naman akong kirot sa puso ko. Mabilis na sumagi sa akin ang mga moment ko kasama si Loki habang nasa apartment na 'to.

"I miss everything about him. About us," I answered, looking up then casting glances around the room.

Maraming magagandang alaala ang nabuo sa unit na 'to. I could still remember when the four of us played UNO cards, tapos pinagtulungan pa namin si Loki. I could still remember us watching movies on Netflix while munching on popcorns, tapos nakatulog sa kalagitnaan ng show si Loki habang naka-cling sa kanya si Jamie.

Of course, I wouldn't forget the intense moments that happened in this very room. The night when Luthor revealed to Loki about him being one of them. The night that shook our friendship where Jamie and Alistair walked out. The night that Loki was screaming in his room after Margarette's death.

It's such a shame that I left this place, but I had to.

"Shall we go?" he asked.

I nodded at him. Binitbit ko ang aking bag at sabay na kaming lumabas ng unit. I heard from Tita Martha that someone's gonna move in here next week, so this might be the last time that I'd be here. That made me teary-eyed again. Sa huling pagkakataon, iginala ako ang aking tingin at huminga nang malalim.

I'm gonna miss this place definitely. I'm gonna miss the smell. I'm gonna miss everything about it.

I reached for the knob and gently shut the door.

Goodbye, Room 302.

Bumaba na kami ni Alistair at nagpaalam kami kay Tita Martha. Niyakap niya kaming dalawa at hiniling na sana'y alagaan namin ang aming mga sarili. She gave me a kiss on the forehead. We bade her our farewell and went straight to the car parked outside.

My childhood friend has bought a new car. Still remember when he crashed it into a tree to save him and Jamie? Halos tatlong buwan na pala mula noon. Tandang-tanda ko pa na parang kahapon lang.

Sabay kaming pumasok at sabay naming inilagay ang aming seatbelts. Sandaling nagawi ang tingin ko sa rearview mirror kung saan may naaninag akong nakaupo sa backseat. They looked exactly like Loki and Jamie. Umiling ako't nawala bigla ang mga nakita ko.

Guni-guni ko na naman.

"How's the meeting with your editor?" Alistair asked as he steered the wheel and drove off.

"Oh! They gave me proofs of my novel for checking," I answered, reaching for my bag. "Kapag na-review ko na at ibinigay ko na ang aking approval, they will proceed with the printing. I appreciate how they involved me with the process. I feel valued as a writer."

Yes, my book would be out soon! That's the reason why I came all the way from Manila today, to meet with Sir Johannes Gutierrez and my editor. Pinatawag nila ako sa kanilang office upang ipakita sa akin ang book covers na mapagpipilian ko at ibigay ang mga proof na hiningi ko. I was impressed. Within two months, they got to edit my book and prepare the other materials for printing. Soon, makikita ko na ang aking libro sa mga bookstore.

"I have a copy for you!" I said in glee. Inilabas ko mula sa aking bag ang libro na may blangkong cover. "Baka gusto mong mabasa muna at magbigay ng insights bago ko i-approve? Kasama ka rin kasi sa kuwento kaya mainam na kumuha rin ako ng feedback mula sa 'yo."

"Gusto ko sanang basahin kapag naisalibro na talaga siya," nakangiti niyang tugon sabay sulyap sa akin. "Kaso hindi ko rin ma-contain ang excitement ko. Congratulations, by the way. You deserve it. You deserve everything."

"Thank you." I beamed. If I were like the other young authors out there, I would have jumped up and down, yelling and crying at the same time about my success. Not everyone could enjoy this opportunity after all. But I couldn't bring myself to fully celebrate. May nagho-hold back sa akin.

When we reached our destination, he pulled his car to the side. Bumaba kami ng sasakyan at pinindot ang doorbell sa No. 1013 Mayflower Street sa Marisol Subdivision. We waited until a middle-aged lady came to greet us and opened the gate.

"Mekeni! Mekeni!" hikayat niya. I've been visiting this house for the past few weeks, so I kinda learned some basic Kapampangan words, like "mekeni" meaning "halikayo," I think?

Aling Dolores escorted us to the yard where, from this distance, we saw a young woman seated under a tree. Nakalugay ang kanyang mahabang buhok at nagbabasa siya ng libro. Patuloy kaming lumapit sa kanya habang iniwan kami ng katiwala. Nang maaninag niya kami, iniangat niya ang tingin sa amin at dahan-dahang lumawak ang ngiti sa kanyang mga labi.

Kagaya ng dati, positive pa rin ang aura ng kaibigan namin: si Jamie Santiago.

"Hello!" bati niya sa amin sabay sara ng librong binabasa niya. "Kumusta kayo?"

"Ayos naman kami. Medyo pagod lang sa biyahe," sagot ko bago tumingin kay Alistair na tumango. We sat on the lawn and joined her under the shade of the tree. "Ikaw, kumusta ka naman?"

"Siyempre, okay lang din ako!" masiglang sagot niya. Ipinakita niya ang makapal na libro na kanyang hawak. "Wala akong pinagkakaabalahan kaya nagbabasa ako. Teka, hindi ba ako nakaiistorbo sa inyo? Halos araw-araw n'yo akong binibisita, eh."

"Wala sa amin 'yon," nakangiting sagot ni Alistair. "Gusto ka rin namang makasama, 'di ba?"

I nodded. Hinaplos ko ang mahabang buhok ni Jamie. It took a while for me to get used to seeing her hair not in a braid. "By the way, remember what I told you the other day? About the book that I'm writing?"

Tumitig lang sa akin si Jamie. I couldn't hide my frown, but I quickly turned it into a smile. Ayaw kong makita niya akong malungkot. Ayaw kong maapektuhan ang kanyang masayang mood.

Inilabas ko ang isa pang libro na blangko ang cover at iniabot sa kanya. "Bibigyan kita ng copy. Hindi pa 'yan ang official version, pero baka naghahanap ka ng ibang mababasa. At saka... baka makatulong 'yan sa 'yo."

Nagningning ang mga mata ni Jamie. Hinawakan niya ang libro, ini-level sa kanyang mga mata at niyakap ito nang mahigpit. Her smile was so wide, blinding, and heartwarming.

"Talaga? Ibibigay mo sa akin 'to?" Hindi makapaniwala niyang tanong sa akin. Marahan akong tumango. "Sakto! Halos maubos ko na ang lahat ng books sa bahay namin! This is gonna be a good read!"

"S-Sigurado a-akong mae-enjoy m-mo 'yan." My voice was cracking. I bit my lower lip and tried to hold back my tears. Seeing her innocent eyes and her clueless face, I was getting emotional again. "Basta kapag nalulungkot ka, kapag kailangan mo kami sa tabi mo, basahin mo lang 'yan, ha?"

Jamie nodded thrice, still beaming at us. The longer I looked at her brightened face, the deeper was the pain that I felt. Parang may sumasaksak sa puso ko.

Nagsimulang manginig ang mga kamay ko. I clasped them together to stop them from shaking. Alistair noticed it, and he held my hands too. Medyo kumalma.

She placed the book on her lap, raising her gaze at us. Nabawasan ang lawak ng kanyang ngiti.

"You know what? I appreciate everything that you're doing for me. As in sobra! Hindi ko alam kung deserve ko ba 'to. The past few weeks, I was feeling lonely. I felt like I was alone in this world. But whenever you two visit, nawawala ang mabigat na feeling na 'yon. Hindi ko alam kung bakit, pero ang gaan ng loob ko sa inyo."

Lalo pa akong napakagat sa aking labi. Hinawakan ko ang kanyang kamay at tiningnan siya nang mata sa mata. Hindi ko ikinalas ang tingin ko sa kanya.

"We are friends," I told her as I sniffled. "Always remember that, Jamie."

Nagsimulang maglawa ang kanyang mga mata, pakurap-kurap sa akin. She leaned toward me and Alistair, and locked us into her tight embrace. Hinaplos ko ang likuran niya.

Kumalas din siya ng yakap sa amin, palipat-lipat ang kanyang tingin sa akin at sa katabi ko. Pinipigilan ko pa ring pumatak ang aking mga luha.

"Thank you . . . so much . . . Lo . . . uhm . . . A . . . uhm . . . ?" Jamie's tears began to fall. "I . . . uh . . . I want to say your names. But . . . I can't recall them . . ."

Doon na siya napahagulgol. Ipinatong niya ang kanyang ulo sa aking dibdib. Hindi ko na rin napigilan at naluha na rin ako. Hinayaan ko siyang umiyak. I was caressing her back, trying to calm her down.

Jamie survived the fall and drowning, but she's suffering from retrograde and anterogade amnesia. Hindi niya maalala ang kanyang nakaraan. Nahihirapan din siyang tandaan ang mga bago niyang alaala. She used to have a sharp and retentive memory. Now she has lost her ability and her memories.

I don't wanna remember what happened that night, but seeing her in a sorry state reminded me of that moment.

Luthor probably anticipated that something bad might happen during the cruise, so he already had the crew on standby the moment his deception was revealed. They threw out life preservers to mark the spot where Loki and Jamie went down. Bumalik ang barko sa point kung saan nangyari ang insidente at ini-ready ang lifeboat. The crew then started the search. Kinontak din ang Philippine Coast Guard upang madagdagan ang mga taong naghahanap.

An hour later, they found Jamie whose head was bleeding. She must have hit a part of the ship when she fell into the water. Agad siyang idinala sa hospital. Dahil sa kanyang tama sa ulo, she underwent imaging tests, MRI and CT scan, for brain damage. The result was not good news. Isang buwan din siyang nanatili sa ospital habang inoobserbahan. Nang magising na siya, hindi na niya maalala kung ano ang nangyari at kung sino-sino kami na nasa harapan niya.

That's why Alistair and I pay her a visit almost every day, hoping that would make her regain her memories. Somehow I was torn on whether I would want her to be back to the old Jamie.

On one hand, she has forgotten about her troubling past and everything that she did and knew. Nakalimutan niya rin kami at ang mga pinagsamahan namin. But she could start a new life and create new memories with us.

On the other hand, she's missing something in her life. She looked like an incomplete puzzle right now. She might not fully embrace her identity. Ang ikinakatakot ko, baka lumala ang kanyang kondisyon.

We'd see in the coming days or weeks. Maybe months? Or even years. Ang importante sa ngayon ay buhay siya.

"Do you wanna come with us?" tanong ko matapos punasan ang aking mga luha.

"Where?" Jamie sniffled, also wiping the tears off her face.

"I want you to meet two people."

Tumango siya sa amin at sabay-sabay na kaming tumayo. Nagpalit muna siya ng damit kaya hinintay namin siya sa kanilang sala. Her portraits with her brother Jaime still hung on the walls. I stared right into the eyes of the person who dragged us into a messy mystery without him knowing about it.

"Now I know why..." Alistair muttered. Ibinaling niya ang kanyang tingin mula sa mga portrait patungo sa akin. "Look. Wala ni isang photo ng kanyang papa rito."

Ibinalik ko sa mga larawan ang aking tingin at paulit-ulit na iginala ito. Ganito rin ang mga portrait na nadatnan namin sa bahay na 'to noong una kaming bumisita ni Loki. Only Jamie and Jaime were in the photos. Her dad was nowhere to be found. Her mom? I wasn't sure why she wasn't in them either.

"Let's go?" tanong ni Jamie pagbaba niya sa hagdan. Umikot pa siya sa harapan namin, bahagyang umangat ang hem ng kanyang damit. She was wearing a floral dress.

We nodded at her and we promptly left the Santiago residence. Gaya ng nakasanayan, umupo ako sa passenger's seat habang si Jamie naman ang nasa backseat. I looked at her through the rearview mirror and noticed the confused look on her face.

Lumingon ako sa kanya. "What is it, Jamie?"

Naningkit ang kanyang mata na nakatitig sa bakanteng space sa tabi niya. "Bakit feel ko na may lagi akong katabi kapag sumasakay ako ng kotse? It felt like someone was supposed to sit here."

My eyes looked down. She used to have a seatmate. I unfastened my seatbelt, exited the car, and reentered through the door beside her. Umupo ako sa tabi niya at nginitian ko siya. I wanted to assure her that she's not alone.

"Will you feel comfortable kung tatabihan kita?"

"Of course!"

Pinaandar na ni Alistair ang sasakyan. Isinandal ni Jamie ang kanyang ulo sa balikat ko at saka ipinikit ang kanyang mga mata. She also held my hand firmly. Hinaplos ko ang kanyang buhok habang pasulyap-sulyap sa mukha niya.

Our poor, sweet Jamie...

Huminto muna ang kotse sa tapat ng flower shop para makabili kami ng dalawang basket ng bulaklak. When the transaction was done, Alistair continued driving toward Pax et Lumen Memorial Park. he pulled his car to the side, on the safe parking space. Ginising ko na si Jamie at bumaba na kami ng sasakyan.

We walked through the grassy area until we reached the tombstone we're looking for. It's been a while since I last visited this place. Alistair laid a basket of flowers in front of it as we offered our prayers.

"Rhiannon delos Reyes . . . ?" Jamie muttered. "Bakit familiar sa akin ang name na 'yon? I already heard it somewhere, I think?"

"I haven't met her in person, but I heard that she's a great woman," I said, staring at Rhea's name on the gravestone. She was our senior in the QED Club. It's only fitting that we, the new members, pay our respects to her.

Rhea, I hope you've found peace in the afterlife.

Ilang minuto rin kaming nagtagal doon, nakikinig sa mga huni ng ibon at iginagala ang aming mga mata sa paligid. Once satisfied, we moved on to our second and last destination in this cemetery.

Ako na mismo ang naglagay ng bulaklak sa tapat ng pinuntahan naming puntod. We gathered around the tombstone, put our hands together and offered our prayers in silence.

"Margarette Fernandez . . . ?" Jamie muttered. "Another familiar name, pero hindi ko maalala kung saan ko narinig."

"She's also another great woman. Like Rhea," I told her. Napangiti ako nang maalala ang moments namin kasama siya. I miss seeing her eyeglasses and her bangs. I miss listening to her banter with Loki. "We were lucky to meet her and work with her."

"Really?!"

"We're part of the student executive committee in Clark High," Alistair said, also smiling at the thought. "Siya ang boss natin. May pagka-istrikto siya, pero para naman 'yon sa ikabubuti ng committee. We really enjoyed working with her."

"How I wish na naaalala ko." Jamie frowned, her eyes blinking. "I don't know anyone except Tita Dolores . . . and you two. I feel like everyone around me is a stranger."

I gently held her shoulders. "Don't force yourself to remember, okay? Just enjoy every day of your life. Enjoy every moment that you share with us."

Her frown turned into a smile as her face brightened. Tumango siya sa akin at nagpasalamat.

"Shall we go to our last destination?" Alistair asked.

Bumalik na kami sa kanyang kotse. He drove all the way from the memorial park to the hospital. Ipinasok niya ang sasakyan sa basement parking at doon na kami bumaba. We took the elevator going to the fifth floor.

Habang naglalakad kami sa hallway, napahawak sa kanyang ulo si Jamie. Oo nga pala, may traumatic experience din siya sa mga ospital. I asked if she's feeling well or if she wanted to leave, but she said she's okay.

We stopped in front of Room 505. Alistair gently knocked on the door three times. Seconds later, we heard the lock unbolted and the door swung inwards. Bumati sa amin ang mukha ni Tita Frigette.

"My dearest!" natutuwang bati niya. Magmamano na sana kami sa kanya, pero naunahan niya kami. She tried to embrace the three of us in her arms. "How are you all?"

"We're doing good naman po," I answered. Alistair seconded. I kinda felt like I was lying. After all these months, hindi pa ako totally okay. Pero kailangan kong ipakita na nakakaya ko pa.

Sunod na nagawi ang tingin ni Tita Frigette kay Jamie. From a smiling face, it turned into a concerned one. Jamie looked visibly confused as to who's the woman before her. Niyakap nang mahigpit ni tita ang kasama namin.

"How are you, my dear Jamie?"

"Uhm . . . " Jamie awkwardly turned to me, asking for help.

"My name's Frigette Corazon-Mendez. I'm Loki's gorgeous mother! Remember me?"

"Lo . . . ki?" Jamie squinted her eyes before looking to another direction. "Familiar . . . "

Nagpalitan kami ng tingin ni Alistair. Hindi namin maitago ang awa at lungkot na naramdaman namin para sa aming kasama. Seeing her not remember anything was heartbreaking.

This was Jamie's seventh time to visit here and meet Tita Frigette every time she did. But she couldn't recall her name.

"Tuloy kayo!" imbita ni tita sa amin. She stepped aside to let us in.

Tumuloy kami sa loob ng kwarto hanggang sa marating ang kama. The constant beeping sound of a machine beside the bed welcomed us. There he lied, our sleeping prince: Loki Mendez.

"I knew you three would visit my dear boy again."

Lumingon kami sa kanan at nakitang nakaupo si Tito Odinaire Mendez. Lumapit kaming dalawa sa kanya ni Alistair upang magmano. Jamie, who was still confused, also did the same.

My eyes landed their gaze on the boy to his left. Luthor was sipping his hot cup of afternoon tea, his legs crossed. Kumaway ako sa kanya at tumango naman siya sa akin.

"May improvement na ho ba sa condition niya?" tanong ko.

Umiling si Tita Frigette sabay baba ng kanyang tingin sa sahig. Kitang-kita ko ang kalungkutan sa mga mata niya. She always looked confident whenever we met. But in the past weeks, she also wore that melancholic look. She tried to smile, but I could tell that was forced.

"He hasn't woken up yet," she replied.

"Loki . . . So that's him?" Jamie whispered, looking at the unconscious body of our friend.

Thank God, Loki also survived the fall. But he's been in a coma for two months already.

Back at that heart-wrenching night, the rescuers told us that Jamie was trying to keep afloat with Loki behind her. It looked like she saved him when they fell into the sea. Despite the injury she sustained on her head, she still thought of rescuing the very person she promised to protect and save.

Nagkaroon din ng head injury si Loki kaya kinailangan din siyang isailalim sa imaging tests. Unlike Jamie's results, there wasn't any serious damage to his brain. Pero dahil daw sa lakas ng trauma dulot ng pagtama ng kanyang ulo, hindi pa siya nagigising. He's been under observation for two months already, and the doctors could not tell kung kailan niya imumulat ang kanyang mga mata.

He's still alive, but he isn't with us right now.

I was hoping that one day, he'd open his eyes. Since Alistair got through his comatose state, I was hoping that Loki could do the same. Kaso hindi namin masabi kung matutulad ba siya sa childhood friend. Alistair's coma only lasted for only a few weeks. Meanwhile, dalawang buwan na ang kay Loki. Ang tanging magagawa namin ay umasa at manalangin na magigising siya balang araw.

I don't wanna lose hope.

"Frig, why don't we give them some moments of privacy?" Tito Odinaire asked. Tumango si tita sa kanya at sabay silang lumabas ng kuwarto. Pagkasara ng pinto, namayani ang katahimikan sa loob.

Umupo muna sa couch sina Alistair at Jamie. Ako naman, lumapit sa bedside ni Loki at pinagmasdan ang natutulog niyang mukha. We may not know if he's gonna wake up, but his face was peaceful. Parang nawala na ang bigat na lagi niyang dinadala. Mahaba na rin ang buhok niya ngayon, pero halatang sinusuklay.

Tuwing bumibisita kami rito, lagi namin siyang kinukuwentuhan ni Alistair kung ano ang nangyari sa school. He may not be conscious to hear what we were saying—and he'd probably get bored with our stories, if he's listening—but we kept on talking to him.

Gumising ka na, please.

I heard a clinking noise beside me. Luthor placed his teacup on the table and rose to his feet. Lumapit siya sa akin at tumayo na tila matangkad na tore sa tabi ko.

"Your friend . . . " he whispered, ". . . hasn't regained her memories yet, has yet?"

I shook my head slowly and spoke in a low voice. "Ni hindi nga niya maalala ang pangalan naming dalawa ni Alistair. Hindi rin niya maalala ang pangalan ng mama mo."

"Is it safe to say that she's not acting?"

"Why are you still suspicious of her?" Lumingon ako sa kanya. "You saw her recent test results. How could she fake everything up until now? My gut feeling tells me that she's not lying or acting. Even Alistair would say the same."

"How can you tell that she has not regained her memories and is not pretending to be amnesiac?"

"She's on our side, remember? That's all that matters right now." I turned around and smiled at the person we're talking about. "Jamie, I want you to meet Luthor Mendez. He is Loki's brother and the vice president of the student council."

Agad na tumayo si Jamie at iniabot ang kanyang kamay sa lalaking katabi ko. Luthor shot me with a sideway glance before reaching out to Jamie and shaking her hand.

"I am pleased to make your acquaintance."

"Me too! Nice to meet you po!"

Bumalik na sa kanyang upuan si Jamie habang humakbang pabalik sa kanyang kinatatayuan kanina si Luthor.

"How's your life as the new Moriarty?" I asked.

"I am already at ninety-five percent of identifying all members and all crimes they committed in the past two years," Luthor answered. "This month, I am certain that I can present all the names and the evidences to the campus police. The organization will finally be brought to justice."

Since Stein's death at Dreamhill and Jamie's failed suicide, no one's left on Luthor's way of becoming the next Moriarty. Ipinakuha niya ang dalawang phone na gamit ni Stein at 'yon ang kanyang ginamit upang ipagpatuloy ang pag-contact sa mga tauhan nito. With M's phone in one hand and the Augustus' box in the other, Luthor has fully taken control of the organization. Only a fool would dare challenge him now.

"I have asked them to lie low and only commit misdemeanors," Luthor went on, glancing at me. "They might suspect that something's off if I do not give any orders. Some might get bored and go rogue."

"Bale sila ang nag-vandalize sa bust ng Clark High founder? Sila rin ba 'yong naglagay ng laxative sa pagkain sa cafeteria kaya blockbuster ang pila sa mga comfort room?"

He nodded. Wow. From an organization that struck fear into the hearts of some students, they became pathetic pranksters. Well, that's way better than taking lives.

"By the way, Rosetta sends her regards," he said. "She's excited to come back to school as soon as the purge is over."

Oh! I haven't heard from her in a while. Napangiti ako nang malamang makikita ko na ulit siya. Nai-imagine ko na tuloy ang magiging reaction ng mga classmate ko kapag sumulpot siya na parang kabute sa classroom.

Luthor reached for his left pocket and drew his phone. I couldn't say if that's an urgent call because his face remained expressionless.

"Excuse me for a moment. I have an urgent business to attend."

He walked out of the room, his phone placed near the left ear. Muling bumalik ang atensyon ko kay Loki na tahimik na nahihimbing dito. Minsan naisip kong magsisigaw o kaya magdala ng malalakas na stereo para gisingin siya. Who knows? He might rise from his bed because of the unbearable noise and rant nonstop.

I guess it's time for that thing again.

Kumuha ako ng upuan na ipinosisyon ko sa tabi ng kanyang kama, malapit sa tenga niya. I grabbed a copy of my novel's proof and flipped the first few pages. Lumapit sa akin si Alistair na sinundan ni Jamie.

"I'm planning to read the first chapter to him," sabi ko sa kanila. "Baka bigla siyang magising para mag-comment kung gaano kapangit ang isinulat ko."

"Kaunti pa lang ang nababasa ko, pero ang ganda kaya ng pagkakasulat!" komento ni Jamie. "You really have a talent! I think you're born for this!"

Napangiti ako sa sinabi niya. Well, I had to thank my editor for making sure that every sentence was close to perfection and for pointing out my areas of improvement.

"What was chapter one all about?" Alistair asked.

I smiled. My eyes blinked as I remembered some words that I used to describe it.

"Our first meeting."

Kumuha rin ng upuan sina Alistair at Jamie, at tinabihan ako. Tila may reading session kami sa hospital room ni Loki. I started reading the first line and continued until I was done with the first page. Pasulyap-sulyap ako sa mukha niya habang binabasa kada linya, umaasang may reaksyon mula sa kanya. Kahit hindi na muna niya imulat ang kanyang mga mata, basta ngumiti lang siya.

Then when I looked at him as I turned to the next page, my eyes went wide. My mouth was left hanging open. I almost dropped the book.

Loki's forefinger moved.

I glanced at his face, his eyes were still shut.

A tear rolled down his cheek.

QED

And that's the end of Project LOKI! Thank you to everyone who followed the adventures of the QED Club! I know this is not the perfect book, this is not the best book, but I hope that you enjoyed reading it and that you learned something from it.

I will post an Afterword one of these days. I still can't put my thoughts into words on how grateful I am to everyone!

To celebrate this milestone, I will post next a short POV chapter of Jamie, way before the game started.

For now, join the Twitter party tonight by tweeting with the hashtag #ProjectLOKIQED! Let me know your comments, reactions, questions or messages!