Mystery in the Locker

CHAPTER TWO

LOKI AND I STARTED ON THE WRONG FOOT. I COULD NOT TELL IF IT WAS MY FAULT FOR TRYING to engage in a conversation with him or if he crossed the line by mentioning stuff that he should not have in the first place. Dahil diyan, tuluyan na kaming hindi nagpansinan sa mga sumunod na araw. Ni hindi nga siya nag-sorry sa akin. We walked past each other in the living room and the kitchen without saying a word. It was as if we were pretending that either of us did not exist in the same space.

I was still upset at him. May mga bagay akong gustong makalimutan, pero dahil sa pinagsasabi niya, muntik ko nang maalala ulit. That night, I thought of reporting him to Tita Martha. But I realized that would be too childish. I must handle this issue on my own.

To divert my attention, I created a blog and posted about my new experiences here. Kasama na roon ang unang pag-uusap namin ni Loki. That could serve as my online diary which I would not share with anyone.

This situation went on for the next couple of days. Walang kibuan, walang pansinan. There was one time when I was tempted to have a conversation with him. Ayaw ko siyang kausapin, kaso nainis ako nang mapansing hindi man lang niya naisipang maglinis ng unit, maghugas ng mga plato, o magtapon ng basura sa labas. Parang ipinapaubaya niya sa akin ang lahat at nagmistula akong housemaid niya. In the end, I chose not to talk to him because I did not want to get more annoyed.

Somehow, I felt relieved that our arrangement was like this. We're like strangers who were forced to live under one roof, and we did not care about each other. Was it lonely for me? Not really. Nakakausap ko naman si Tita kapag bumibisita siya sa amin o kapag bumababa ako ng apartment.

The next Monday, I went to Clark High for the orientation. Part of the adjustment in my new life here was my education. I heard that my dad was a friend of the school president, so they arranged for my papers to be transferred here. Last academic year, I was a grade 10 student. Ngayon, mamimili na ako ng strand. My dad wanted me to take Accountancy and Business Management. But since he's not around to control my decisions, I took Humanities and Social Sciences.

I wanted to be a journalist someday, so this might be the right path for me.

Good thing, the campus was only a few blocks away from Tita Martha's apartment. Puwedeng lakarin, puwedeng sumakay ng tricycle papunta at pauwi. Puwede ring mag-bike kung meron. May ilang tenants na roon din nag-aaral. And one of them was, coincidentally, Loki Mendez.

How did I know? I was not stalking him or anything. Nakita ko kasi ang mga uniform na ipina-laundry niya. They matched the descriptions in the student manual that I was given. Malamang napansin na rin niya ang bagong gawa kong blouse, blazer, at skirt.

I hoped our paths would not cross at school. It's too much for me to be with him every day in the apartment.

THE FIRST DAY OF CLASSES HAD FINALLY ARRIVED. MAAGA AKONG NAGISING DAHIL SA excitement. Nasabayan ko ang unang tilaok ng mga manok. I rubbed the sleep off my eyes, the lids still feeling heavy. Halos hindi ako nakatulog nang maayos kagabi. Inaantok pa ako, pero ayaw ko nang maidlip. Baka mapasobra at ma-late pa ako.

Bumangon na ako mula sa kama at lumabas ng aking kuwarto. Just in time, Tita Martha dropped by our unit to check on me. May dala siyang isang pack ng hot pandesal. Hindi ko ramdam ang gutom, pero kumain ako kahit isang piraso ng tinapay para magkalaman ang tiyan. I then took a bath and got dressed into my school uniform. Nang paalis na ako ng unit, doon pa lang nagising si Loki. I did not bother to greet him good morning or farewell.

I went on my way to the Clark High campus. For me, this was the official start of my new life. My experience in my previous high school was not pleasant, so I was hoping that I could start anew and enjoy it here.

There's nothing remarkable in my first week. As a transferee, I was greeted with welcoming smiles and friendly gestures. Pakiramdam ko, talagang belong ako sa Grade 11-HUMSS class dahil parang nakababatang kapatid ang turing nila sa akin. Some of them wanted to get to know me more and be friends with me.

Among the girls, may isa talaga na pilit ipinagsisiksikan ang sarili sa 'kin. Her name is Rosetta Rodriguez. She had long, straight black hair that reached past her waist. Her crowning glory was parted in the middle, exposing her forehead. A permanent smile was seemingly etched on her lips. Kung pagtatabihin kaming dalawa, mapapansin ang ilang inches na height difference namin dahil mas matangkad siya sa 'kin. She gave off the vibe that she's a people person.

"Lori, bakit mag-isa kang kumakain?" tanong niya noong minsan na naabutan niya ako sa cafeteria. Umupo siya sa tabi ko at inilapag ang food tray niya sa mesa. "Mas mae-enjoy mo ang pagkain kapag may kasama ka! Simula bukas, sumabay ka na sa 'kin, ha?"

"Sorry, medyo naninibago pa kasi ako sa environment dito," sagot ko bago sumubo ng isang kutsarang kanin.

"Don't worry! Tutulungan ka naming i-navigate ang bagong environment mo."

Since then, I had joined Rosetta and some of our classmates during lunchtime even if I was not that comfortable with all of them. I had trust issues when it came to friends. Kapag nakikita ko ang mga classmate kong gustong makipag-close sa 'kin, hindi ko maiwasang maitanong sa sarili ko: Sino kaya ang mga magiging tunay kong kaibigan sa kanila at sino ang nagpapanggap lang?

I thought that everything would go smoothly in my new school. But I was mistaken. Something began to bother me during my second week here.

One Monday morning, I was at the locker area to get my PE uniform. Kasama ko si Rosetta na magpapalit na rin ng damit. Ipapasok ko na sana ang susi ko sa keyhole, pero bigla akong napatigil nang may mapansin akong kakaiba roon.

"May problema ba, Lori?" tanong ni Rosetta na katabi ko ng locker. Only my close friends could call me by that nickname, but I let her. Mas maganda nang pakinggan 'yon kaysa sa Lei-Lei na balak niyang itawag sa akin noong una. "Hindi ba gumagana 'yang susi mo?"

I turned to her as my finger pointed at my locker door. "May mga gasgas sa paligid ng keyhole. Sa pagkakatanda ko kasi, walang ganito noong huli ko 'tong nakita last week."

Nilapitan niya ang aking locker at sinuri ang susian. Nanliit pa ang kanyang mga mata habang pinagmamasdan 'yon. "Sigurado ka bang hindi ikaw ang may gawa nito?"

"Maingat kong ipinapasok ang susi kaya imposibleng magkagasgas 'yan."

"Baka naman may nagkamali ng locker at pilit na ipinasok ang maling susi rito?"

That's impossible. Nakadikit ang buong pangalan ko sa locker door kaya kung sakaling may naligaw man, mapapansin niya agad na hindi sa kanya 'to. Mangyayari lang ang sinabi ni Rosetta kung hindi marunong magbasa ang taong 'yon.

I shrugged. Ipinasok ko ang susi at maingat na binuksan ang locker. I did not know why, but I felt like I needed to be careful when opening it. Pagbukas ko, bumungad sa akin ang isang box ng mamahaling chocolate. May nakalakip pang card na may message.

"I hope this makes you happy."

"May nagpumilit ngang buksan ang locker ko," komento ko habang hawak ang maliit na box ng chocolate. Imbes na kiligin sa ganitong gesture, nangilabot pa ako.

"Sa ganda mong 'yan, talagang magkakaroon ka ng secret admirer!" Nakangiting sinuri ni Rosetta ang nakasulat sa card. "May lalaki yatang tinamaan ng charm mo, Lori!"

The last thing that I would ask for was unwanted attention. Walang problema sa akin ang mabuhay nang hindi masyadong napapansin ng iba basta hindi nagugulo ang buhay ko.

I thought this would only happen once, that's why I did not think too much about it. But I was wrong. Sa sumunod na araw, may iniwan na namang isang bagay sa locker ko na nagpangilabot sa 'kin.

My eyes went wide at a photo of mine. Sa retrato, nakadungaw ako sa bintana ng classroom namin, mukhang may malalim na iniisip. May kasama pa 'yong pulang rosas. Meron ding card na may message na, "You look prettier when you smile. Please smile more often."

This was creeping me out. Hindi na yata secret admirer ang nasa likod ng mga misteryosong regalo. Mukhang may stalker na ako.

"May kilala ka ba sa mga lalaki nating classmate na interested sa 'kin?" tanong ko kay Rosetta na abala sa pagpapalit ng damit. Naka-ponytail na ang kanyang buhok na sumusunod sa bawat galaw niya.

"May ilan akong alam na may crush sa 'yo. Gusto ka nilang makilala. May nagpapatulong nga sa 'kin kasi nahihiya sila. Bakit? Sa tingin mo ba, classmate natin ang may gawa niyan?"

I showed her the photo. "Nakuhanan ang shot na 'to habang nasa classroom ako. Wala namang taga-ibang class na basta-basta nakakapasok sa room natin, 'di ba? Kaya malakas ang kutob ko na classmate natin ang nagbubukas sa locker ko at nag-iiwan ng mga regalo."

Rosetta caressed her chin, her eyes flicking up. "May tatlong classmates tayo na merong crush sa 'yo. Una si Marcus. Kinukulit niya akong ibigay ang number mo, pero don't worry! Hindi ko ishinare sa kanya."

Mabuti nama't hindi niya ibinigay. That Marcus also asked for my number, but I politely told him that I was not comfortable giving it away just to anyone. Sana'y hindi siya na-offend sa sinabi ko.

"Next is Aaron! Natanong niya sa 'kin kung may boyfriend ka na raw ba. I told him na hindi ko alam kasi hindi ko pa natanong sa 'yo. Hindi naman siguro siya magtatanong kung hindi siya interested sa 'yo, 'di ba?"

Teka, hindi ba girlfriend ni Aaron ang isa naming classmate na si Lisa? Lagi ko silang nakikitang magkasama tuwing breaktime at class dismissal. If what Rosetta told me was true, wouldn't it be weird that he's also interested in me despite having a girlfriend? Or maybe they were just friends?

"Then there's Nathan. Ilang beses na niyang tinry na sumabay sa atin kapag lunchtime, kaso lagi ko siyang tine-turn down. Boys aren't welcome to our table."

That Nathan once invited me to eat lunch with him. I also turned him down because I was not comfortable sharing a table with a boy. Tama ang desisyon ni Rosetta na huwag siyang hayaang sumali sa amin.

"Silang tatlo lang ang medyo napi-feel kong may gusto sa 'yo." Ibinalik na ni Rosetta ang tingin niya sa 'kin. "Ayaw mo bang nakaka-receive ng mga gift?"

Muling nabaling ang tingin ko sa loob ng locker. Nandoon pa rin ang mga regalo. I intended to return them to the sender once I found out who he was. "Hindi sa ayaw ko, pero nagiging uncomfortable na kasi para sa 'kin. Walang masama kung may crush ka sa isang tao. Pero kung gusto mong i-express ang feelings mo sa kanya, huwag sa ganitong paraan. Kung interesado siya sa 'kin, bakit hindi siya magkaroon ng lakas ng loob para ipakilala ang sarili niya?"

Naisuot na ni Rosetta ang kanyang puting shirt at jogging pants habang ako, binabagabag pa rin ng mystery na 'to. The problem was so troublesome: I could not focus on what I was supposed to do.

"Kailangan ko na yatang i-report ito."

"It might take some time for the school bago nila ma-identify kung sino ang nasa likod niyan," komento ni Rosetta sabay sara sa locker niya. "Kung gusto mong mabilisang malaman ang identity ng secret admirer mo, may kilala akong makakatulong sa 'yo."

"Huh?" My eyebrows furrowed at her. "Sino naman?"

"Kapag may problema ang mga estudyante, may isang lugar sila na laging pinupuntahan. Basta kapag may mystery kang gustong ma-solve, maaasahan mo ang club na 'yon. Puwede mo silang i-consult diyan sa problem mo."

"Parang detective club?"

"Parang gano'n! Marami na silang na-solve na cases dito sa campus—mula sa simpleng nakawan hanggang sa blackmail. Kung bukas, hindi pa titigil ang sinumang nag-iiwan ng regalo sa locker mo, humingi ka na ng tulong sa kanila. Just give them twenty-four hours, exposed na 'yang secret admirer mo."

"Talaga? Saan ko sila puwedeng ma-contact?"

"Pumunta ka sa third floor at hanapin mo ang Room 315. Nasa pinakadulo 'yon ng hallway sa left wing at may nakadikit na sign na 'QED Club' sa pinto."

Tila itinadhanang ibigay sa 'kin ni Rosetta ang gano'ng advice. The next day, I found a cute teddy bear inside my locker. May nakadikit pang larawan mula sa isa sa profile pictures ko sa Facebook. Maging sa social media, ini-stalk na ako ng secret admirer ko.

The fact that he went through the trouble of picking the lock of my locker and stalking me in person and online was probably an indication of his obsessive nature. I might no longer be dealing with someone creepy. I might be dealing with someone dangerous.

Hindi na ako nagdalawang-isip na puntahan ang nasabing detective club. Around lunchtime, I went to the third floor and walked down the hallway until I reached the end. Bawat room na nadaanan ko, tsine-check ko ang number at hinahanap ang sign na "QED Club."

After less than five minutes, I found myself standing in front of Room 315. Hindi ko muna binuksan ang pinto. Should I bother them with such a petty problem? I was here, so I might as well proceed. Huminga muna ako nang malalim bago kumatok, pinihit ang doorknob, at itinulak ang pinto papasok.

Kapansin-pansin kung gaano kaliit ang clubroom. Sa tantiya ko, nasa lima hanggang anim na tao lang ang puwedeng magkasya rito. Its size was only a quarter of a regular classroom. There's a rectangular wooden table with five chairs at the center of the room. Lots of paper with random numbers scribbled on them were all over the surface. A bookshelf that was almost empty was at a corner. Teka, parang pamilyar ang ganitong scenario.

Inasahan kong may tatlo o apat na estudyanteng babati sa 'kin pagpasok ko. Gano'n kasi ang mga scenario sa clubs. Pero wala akong nakita sa loob maliban sa lalaking nakaupo sa swivel chair. His back was turned to me, but his hair looked strangely familiar. He was reading a paperback book.

"Excuse me? Is this the QED Club?" I asked just to confirm if I entered the right room. Baka kasi fake ang sign sa labas lalo na't handwritten 'yon.

"If you're familiar with the English alphabet and you know how to read, the answer to your question is obvious." The boy snapped the book shut as he slowly swiveled his chair toward me.

That voice!

My eyes went wide when I finally got a good look at his face. That unkempt hair. Those lackluster eyes. That emotionless face. And that condescending tone! There's no way I could be mistaken. They could only come from one person whom I had the misfortune of meeting.

That's my roommate Loki!

He kept a straight face as our eyes met briefly. There's a hint of recognition as his eyes narrowed at me. "You're my roommate, right? What's your name again? Lorraine? Lorena?"

Wow. Hindi ko alam kung inaasar niya ako sa pag-astang nakalimutan na niya ang pangalan ko. My name was uncommon so it should not be that hard to remember it.

"My name's Lorelei," I introduced myself for the second time. Sana'y matandaan na niya at hindi ko na kailangang ipakilala ang sarili ko ulit. "Sorry, pero mukhang nagkamali ako ng room na pinasukan."

Of course, that's a lie. Tumalikod ako't naglakad palabas ng clubroom. Kung alam kong siya pala ang daratnan ko rito, hindi na sana ako nagsayang ng oras.

"Oh, don't you lie. You're exactly where you're supposed to be," he said in a matter-of-fact tone. "A minute ago, you asked if this is the QED Club. You're obviously looking for this place, so why are you denying it now?"

I rolled my eyes. I was looking for this club, but not for him. "You're the last person that I want to see today. If you don't mind, I'll go ahead."

"That's another lie," he replied before I could reach for the door. "The last person you want to see is someone who's causing you trouble. A secret admirer, perhaps?"

With widened eyes and mouth hanging loosely open, I turned to him. "At paano mo nalaman ang tungkol doon?" There's no way he could have known about my dilemma. Wala akong ibang sinabihan maliban kay Rosetta. I wrote about it on my blog, but it's unlikely that he searched for it and read my entries.

He tossed the book on the table and put his fingertips together. "Let's say that I have the power to know if someone's in trouble or not."

"May nagsabi sa 'yo?"

Instead of a simple yes or no, he gave me an entirely different answer. "Our first conversation must have left a bitter taste in your mouth. I have nothing on my plate at the moment so I can help you out. I'm not forcing you though. You have two options. You can walk away and be still bothered by your secret admirer. Or you can tell me the details of your problem and I'll expose the identity of the mysterious guy."

I wanted to put an end to this secret admirer case because it was starting to stress me out. But I was not sure if this guy was trustworthy. After our serious conversation that did not end well, I wished our paths would never cross again.

"Don't worry. Once your problem is solved, we can return to playing strangers again." He motioned his hand toward the vacant chair across the table. "So why don't you take a seat and tell me more about your case?"

That sounded like a great deal. Kahit may boses sa isip ko na nagsasabing hindi dapat ako magtiwala sa kanya, umupo pa rin ako at naghandang ikuwento ang problema ko. He remained seated in his swivel chair. Pakiramdam ko, para akong ini-interrogate ng mga pulis.

"Go ahead, I'm listening."

Huminga muna ako nang malalim bago nagsimula. "Nitong Monday, napansin kong may nagbukas ng locker ko at nag-iwan ng isang box ng chocolate. Kahapon, naglagay siya ng red rose at picture ko na may note. Kanina, nag-iwan siya ng maliit na teddy bear na may nakadikit na profile picture ko mula sa Facebook."

He turned his chair away from me and looked out the window. He said he was listening, but his attention seemed to be elsewhere. "Looks like there's nothing unusual in your secret admirer case. Do you have any idea who this person might be?"

"Sa tingin ko, isa siya sa classmates kong lalaki. 'Yong iniwan niya kasing picture kahapon, kinuhanan habang nasa classroom ako. Wala namang taga-ibang class na pumapasok sa room namin kaya malabong outsider 'yon."

"Interesting observation." He looked at me over his shoulder. "What time do you usually check your locker?"

"Umaga, tuwing PE class namin."

He swiveled his chair to face me again. "Consider your problem solved. If you want, I can introduce your secret admirer this afternoon."

That was quick! Did he figure it out even if I did not provide him with more details?

"Kilala mo na kung sino siya?"

"Not really. But I have an idea on how I can expose his identity. Until what time are your classes today?"

"Until four o'clock. Why?"

"Meet me at exactly five o'clock on the rooftop. I'll unmask the identity of your secret admirer and put an end to your problem."

He was oozing with confidence. Hindi ko pa masabi kung puro hangin at yabang ang lalaking 'to o talagang kaya niyang i-solve ang problema ko. Based on what Rosetta had told me about them, this club could close cases quickly.

Just this once, I decided to trust this guy. My fingers were crossed that this would be the first and the last time I asked for his help. I refused to owe him any favor.

THE SCHOOL BELL RANG AT FOUR O'CLOCK ON THE DOT. AFTER OUR LAST PERIOD, I STAYED IN the cafeteria for about an hour. Almost all of my classmates went home. Yet here I was, waiting for my meeting with Loki.

Five minutes before five o'clock, I went back to the school building and climbed all the way to the rooftop. When I arrived there, there was no one in the area—only three huge cardboard boxes and a bunch of plumbing pipes.

Time check: It's three minutes past five. He said "five o'clock sharp," but he's the one late.

I walked toward the edge of the rooftop, near the cardboard boxes and plumbing pipes, and looked down the campus field. Halos wala nang estudyante sa school. Around this time, only clubs with after-class activities were allowed to stay.

Time check again: It's ten minutes past five. What's taking him so long? Posible kayang pinagtitripan niya ako kanina? Baka gumaganti siya matapos akong mag-walk out noong isang araw sa apartment? I would give him another five minutes. If he's still a no show by then, I would go home.

Dinarama ko ang sariwang bugso ng hangin at ang katahimikang naghahari sa rooftop nang biglang bumukas ang pinto sa likuran ko. Lumikha ito ng kaluskos at sinundan ng mababagal na yabag ng sapatos. At last, he's here.

I was surprised to not see Loki from the doorway. That's not the guy with unkempt hair, dull eyes, or blank face. That's someone else whose face was familiar to me.

"Aaron?" I called him. "Ano'ng ginagawa mo rito? May ka-meeting ka rin ba sa rooftop?"

His lips twisted into a grin as if he was delighted to see me here. That's when realization struck me. There's no way he's here by coincidence. Remember, he's one of my boy classmates who was apparently interested in me.

"Ang sabi mo, gusto mo akong makita." Ipinakita niya sa 'kin ang isang kapirasong papel na may sulat na hindi ko malinaw na mabasa. "Kaya nagmadali akong pumunta rito."

My eyes narrowed into slits as I watched him approach me. Masama ang kutob ko sa lalaking 'to. Kung tama ang hinala ko, nasa peligrosong sitwasyon ako. "Sorry, pero hindi ko maalalang may sinabi akong ganyan sa 'yo. Baka nagkakamali ka lang. May iba akong hinihintay rito."

He arched his right brow at me. "Pero nag-iwan ka ng message para sa 'kin sa locker mo. Ang sabi mo, gusto mo akong makita ngayong five o'clock dito sa rooftop para makilala ako at magpasalamat sa mga regalong ibinigay ko sa 'yo. I'm here, as you requested."

My suspicion was finally confirmed. Nanlaki ang mga mata ko at humakbang paatras. "K-kung gano'n, i-ikaw ang secret admirer ko?"

Iniyuko niya ang kanyang ulo na parang isang magician matapos ang performance. "Yours truly. O, bakit namumutla ka riyan? Hindi ka ba masaya na makita at makilala na ako?"

I shook my head slowly. Hindi ko matandaang may iniwan akong note sa locker ko. Wala pa naman akong memory gap o amnesia. "S-sorry, pero hindi ko talaga alam ang sinasabi mo—"

Wait! There could only be one person who put it there: Loki.

"Noong first day mo pa lang dito, gusto na kitang makilala." Habang lumalapit siya sa 'kin, patuloy ako sa paghakbang paatras. I wanted to run away from him, but my legs became weak. All I could do was drag my feet. "Lagi kong pinagmamasdan ang ngiti mo at kung paano ka tumawa."

"S-stay away from me!" I yelled at him. Ang malawak niyang ngiti kanina, naging ngising-demonyo na. His brown eyes gleamed with lustful joy as they stared at me. Napakagat pa siya sa labi na parang natatakam. How disgusting!

Bigla niya akong hinawakan nang mahigpit sa kanang braso. Pinilit kong magpumiglas pero todo-kapit ang kamay niya. "Ganyan mo ba pasasalamatan ang admirer mo? Mahilig ako sa mga palabang babae kaya siguradong magugustuhan talaga kita."

"Tulon—" I wanted to cry for help, but he covered my mouth with his other hand.

He leaned close to my left ear. "Sshh . . . Huwag kang maingay. Ang akala ko, gusto mo pa akong mas makilala? Kapag sinubukan mong sumigaw ulit, baka matulak kita mula sa rooftop. Ayaw kong masayang 'yang ganda mo."

I got goosebumps all over my body as he ran his fingers over my face. I smelled his minty breath as his head leaned closer.

Then it all came back to me . . . what happened a few months ago. I was in the dark and I saw various colors dancing around. Party music was playing in the background. Shadows began to surround me, with malignant grins plastered on their faces. Their mouths were moving, but I could not make out a single word that escaped their lips. Everything was muffled.

My head was spinning. My vision was blurry. And then . . .

When I opened my eyes again, Aaron was no longer in front of me. He was no longer touching my cheeks and holding my arm. I found him lying on his stomach. He struggled to rise, but another guy stepped on his back.

That messy hair . . . "Loki?" I muttered. Thank goodness that he arrived just in time!

My legs gave up, and I sat on the dusty floor. My whole body would not stop shaking. I hugged myself in an attempt to calm myself down. Even my hands and knees were trembling. Aaron touched just my face, but I felt violated.

"Sorry if I didn't act too soon." Loki glanced at me over his shoulder. He showed his phone. "I waited for him to make his move. I was recording a video of his attempt on you."

I lifted my head and squinted my eyes at him. "K-kanina ka pa nandito? Paano mo nalaman na—"

"He can access your locker, right? I left a note for him, asking to meet you here at five." He pointed at the cardboard boxes. "I was hiding behind those boxes while waiting for the two of you. If he saw you alone here, he would lower his guard and take advantage of the situation. It worked as I predicted."

My eyes shot daggers at him. My shaking fists clenched as I felt the urge to punch that guy in the face. Kanina pa pala siya nandito pero hindi man lang niya agad pinigilan si Aaron? I did not care about his reasons. He almost let me unlock a memory that I had been trying to seal away forever in my mind.

"You bastard . . . " I muttered, grinding my teeth. Sinubukan kong tumayo kahit nanginginig ang mga tuhod ko at lumapit sa kanya.

Aaron pulled himself up and ran toward the rooftop's exit. He almost stumbled on his way out. Loki did not budge to go after my classmate.

"Don't worry about him. The video that I've recorded will suffice as evidence." He pocketed his phone as he turned to me. The expression on his face was still as blank as a clean sheet of paper. It was as if nothing happened here. "Once I submit it to the school authorities, your secret admirer will be no more—"

I slapped him in the face. I could no longer hold my anger. It's too much for me to handle. Namula ang kanang kamay ko at bahagyang sumakit ang aking palad dulot ng impact. His head snapped to one side. He did not see it coming. Pulang-pula ang pisngi niya at pansin ang marka ng kamay ko sa mukha niya.

His hand caressed his left cheek. Wala man lang siyang reaksiyon, parang wala lang sa kanya ang sampal ko. "Is this how you say thank you? If yes, you're welcome."

My eyes began welling up with tears, but I tried to hold them. Ayaw kong umiyak sa harapan ng lalaking 'to. He did not deserve to see my tears.

"You have no idea what you've put me through today." I told him. My voice was fierce but wobbly. "You lied to me and used me as a bait to lure out that creepy guy. Ngayon, hindi ko alam kung sino'ng mas masahol sa inyong dalawa."

"The end justifies the means, Lorelei." He spoke with conviction. Finally, he got my name correctly. Proud pa siya't walang pagsisisi sa kanyang ginawa. Was he really this insensitive?

Still, I could not quell the rage boiling through my body. There's nothing he could say or do to calm me down. Before I could slap him again, I walked toward the rooftop's exit and left him behind.

That day, I realized that crossing paths with him and asking for his help was a mistake.