L O R E LE I

WHOEVER THE culprit is that's responsible for this crime, he or she is very brave, I must say.

Imagine, halos kalahating oras pa lamang kaming nagmumula sa kanilang room upang resolbahin ang poison pen letter case, heto na naman at may isa na naman kaming kinakaharap. It's either that the offender is very confident of himself or he doesn't care whether he'll be caught or not.

Either way, the Q.E.D club won't stop until we get him and make him pay.

Muli kong pinagmasdan ang room habang busy ang paramedics na inaasikaso ang walang buhay na katawan ng kanina lamang ay aming kliyente na si Angele. Kung pagbabasehan ang initial reaction ng biktima at sa paraan ng paghawak nito sa parte ng dibdib nito na kinalalagyan ng puso, madali mong mahihinuha na inatake ito. The question is, how and why did she get a heart attack?

Hindi pa rin tumitigil sa pag-iyak ang babaeng nagngangalang Mai, and she's crying on the shoulders of the boy named Oliver. Ganoon siguro ka-importante si Angele kay Mai kaya hanggang ngayon ay hindi pa rin ito kumakalma. Oliver on the other hand, looked impassive as ever, at tila walang pakialam sa nangyaring komosyon sa kanilang silid. Mas na matimbang pa rito ang pag-aalala sa babaeng umiiyak sa balikat niya.

Nakita ko si Jamie, at walang pinagbago na nanatili itong mistulang isang sloth na nakasabit sa isang punong nagngangalang Loki. Sa tingin ko'y nag-uumpisa nang kausapin nina Loki ang mga posibleng may kinalaman sa nangyari kay Angele.

Madaling sabihin na natural lamang ang nangyari sa kanya, na baka talagang may iniindang karamdaman sa puso ang babaeng presidente, but I have a very strong hunch that this is a murder case. I just know it is.

And that's what we're ought to solve right now.

Muli kong inalala ang bagay na nakita ko kanina noong malapitan ko ang bangkay ni Angele. It was a very minute detail but a very strong point essential in this case. May ilang bagay na lang akong kailangang siguraduhin. I'm sure Loki and Al noticed it, too. Hindi ko na lang alam kay Jamie na wala namang ibang tinitingnan kundi si Loki. I wonder why Loki doesn't push her away. 'Does he like her, too?'

The pair started wandering around the room, and I bet they're searching for more clues that might help us to solve our second case for today. We really should be careful of what we wish for. Kanina lang ay hiniling ko na sana ay may kaso kaming matanggap pero hindi ko naman akalain na isang murder case ang pinakamalalang mangyayari sa araw na ito.

Muling nagbalik ang tingin ko sa dalawang babae na katabi ni Angele sa drama-rama na katatapos lamang kanina. Medyo tumahan na ang dalawa ngunit halata pa rin ang bakas ng mga luhang tahimik na naglalandas sa kanilang mga pisngi. Nanatili silang tulala sa lugar kung saan natagpuang nakahandusay at wala nang buhay ang kawawang si Angele. Nagsimula akong humakbang upang kausapin sila sa mga nangyari. Ramdam kong nakasunod lamang si Al sa likod ko.

I'm really glad that whenever he can, Alistair would always stay beside me. Alam ko namang kaya ko at dapat kong kayanin mag-isa, but it's still different when you have someone who really understands you.

I could never ask for any other best friend in the world aside from him.

Maikli lamang ang naging pag-uusap namin ng dalawang babae, at kung isa-summarize ang mga nakuha naming impormasyon sa kanila, wala namang kakaiba. Though they would still remain as one of our primary suspects dahil malapit sila kay Angele. Kung tutuusin ay mahihirapan siguro kaming tapusin ang kasong ito dahil buong klase ang listahan ng mga maaaring paghinalaan, but I'm confident in Loki's deductions and in no time, we would be able to narrow down the list.

Malakas din ang kutob kong malapit lang kay Angele ang gumawa niyon sa kanya, patunay na roon ang importanteng detalyeng nakita ko kanina sa katawan niya. We have to verify something real quick.

Al and I went to the next pair. Mai still hasn't stopped from crying while her face was buried on Oliver's shoulder. You could easily tell the two were lovers judging the way they held onto each other, which was a bit intimate for friends.

'Kami kaya?...'

'Goodness Lori, you can think about that later! Focus on the case instead!' Pagalit kong kastigo sa sarili ko. Madali kong ipinilig ang ulo ko at mabuti na lang ay walang nakapansin dahil baka mawirduhan na sila sa akin. Kinain na yata ako ng sistema ng Valentine's Day. May mas dapat kaming asikasuhin sa ngayon kaya hindi ko dapat inaabala ang sarili ko.

Isang mahinang vibration ang nakapagpa-balik sa akin sa kasalukuyan. I pulled my phone out of my school skirt's pocket and took a quick glance at the new message. Napangiti ako ng malapad habang tumitipa ng sagot.

"Who texted you that made you smile like that? And aren't phones prohibited in school?"

Muntik na akong mapatalon sa gulat nang makita ko si Loki at Jamie sa harap ko. Dali-dali kong itinago ang phone ko at awkward na ngumiti sa kanila. Why didn't I hear them coming, anyway?

"Is that a guy, my dear Lorelei?"

Hindi ko alam kung anong isasagot kay Loki because I was caught-off guard, idagdag mo pa ang mga matatalim na titig na ipinupukol sa akin ni Jamie, na tiyak kong nag-ugat sa pagtawag ni Loki sa akin ng 'my dear Lorelei.'

There could be no other person denser than you, Loki. Manhid ka, ugh!

"Ah, it's just a friend." That was the safest way to get out of the situation, after all I was told that everything should remain covert until the right time.

My palms were starting to sweat, kaya bago pa nila ako tadtarin ng tanong, dali-dali na akong tumalikod sa kanila at nagkunwaring magpatuloy sa paghahanap ng ebidensya, which was partly true. Kailangan na naming tapusin agad ang kasong ito dahil maya-maya ay darating na siya at ayoko naman siyang paghintayin.

Muntik ko pang makabangga si Alistair na nanggaling pala sa labas. Mukha itong balisa at nagmamadali.

"Hey Al, what happened?" Nag-aalala kong tanong sa kanya. I knew him as calm and composed most of the time, kaya hindi ko maiwasang makaramdam ng kaba.

"I have to go, Lori. Loki and Jamie," sabay tango niya sa likod ko at napalingon naman ako, "there has been an emergency at home and Dad wants me to go as soon as I can. Pasensya na talaga kung iiwan ko kayo sa gitna ng isang importanteng kaso, but my hands are tied."

Kahit papaano ay nakahinga naman ako ng maluwag sa tinuran ni Alistair, although I was a bit puzzled as to what was the emergency he was talking. Surely, it's not something grave...right? Ah, I should stop thinking negatively. Isang tipid na ngiti ang ibinigay ko kay Alistair as I rested my hands comfortingly on his shoulder.

"We understand, Al. You should go now, and don't forget to send my regards to Tito and Tita as well." Pinadausdos niya ang kamay kong nakahawak sa braso niya at mahigpit na hinawakan iyon bago ngumiting pabalik sa akin. "I'll make sure they'll get that, Lori. Sigurado ka bang magiging okay ka lang dito?"

It was then that I realized that with Al leaving, that means...hello to being the third wheel to Loki and Jamie. Oh, what a dreadful day this is. But I was instantly saved as I remembered the message I received earlier. At least I won't stay as a third party for the whole day.

I smiled reassuringly at Al. It actually felt good that even though he's kind of in trouble right now, he still managed to worry for me. "I'll be okay, Al. Walang mangyayari sa akin."

Isang tango pa ulit kina Jamie at Loki at tuluyan nang umalis si Alistair, not before pulling me and giving a chaste kiss to my forehead, which eventually left me a bit stunned. Alistair, you were never this showy before so why now? And as a result, I could feel my cheeks reddening at my best friend's gesture.

"Tch." It snapped me out of my reverie. "We still have work to do here, Lorelei. I'll give you time to enjoy your daydreams after this case." Loki sounded annoyed as he turned his back.

Okay...so can someone tell me what just happened to him?

---

After that little episode where Loki walked out on me, and Jamie constantly sending out daggers to my direction, I thought of questioning the Mai-Oliver couple. Salamat naman at kahit papaaano ay nahimasmasan na ang babae. Medyo sinisinok na kasi siya kanina dahil walang humpay ang pag-iyak niya.

"Hi." Dahan-dahan ang paglapit na ginawa ko sa dalawa, tinatantiya ko kung ayos na bang kausapin sila tungkol sa kung anong nangyari. "Maaari ko ba kayong makausap, kung ayos lang? I just have a few questions."

"Sige po, ayos lang. Basta mahuli lang ang gumawa nito kay Angele, tutulong po kami. Hindi ba Oliver?" Mai answered as she tugged on the sleeves of his uniform, and he could only nod once, as if urging me to go on.

"Gaano katagal niyo na kakilala si Angele?" I have a strong feeling that they knew each other as if the back of their hands, and she confirmed this. "Magkababata po kaming tatlo nina Angele at Oliver. Bata pa lamang po ako ay sa kanila na ako nakatira, dahil maaga po akong naulila. My parents and hers were best friends, and because we had no immediate relatives left here in the Philippines, the Yfels were so kind to keep me. Angele and I became the best of friends ever since, tapos nakilala namin si Oliver a year after staying with them."

I took note of everything that Mai said. I'm not sure if the key to this case lies within them so I have to be attentive. Muli akong nag-isip ng tanong.

"Did you know if ever Angele has an illness, something in relation to her heart?" It's too early to lay out the cards I have, I still have to probe so that we can win.

"I don't think she has, dahil wala naman siyang nababanggit sa amin. Angele's a health buff, mana sa kanyang ama at ina. Although lately, feeling ko may tinatago siya eh. Whenever I go to her room, naaabutan ko siya minsang may hawak na bote ng gamot o kung anuman, pero hindi ko na siya natanong masyado dahil palagi niyang nililihis ang usapan. There was once instance though, that I heard her say like she has diabetes, or some sort. Why? Did Angele die of heart attack?"

"Yes." And for the second time, I nearly jumped out of surprise when Loki spoke a meter or two behind me. Bakit ba ang hilig niya manggulat ngayong araw?

"Wide eyes, stiff body muscles, bluish-violet color of face that indicates suffocation and chest pains: those were obvious telltale signs that Angel suffered from a heart attack. And yet, we still have to get the formal results of the autopsy. That will come soon, but I'm sure this is a natural case of death."

What? Loki, please tell me you're just bluffing! I know this is a murder case, but how can he say that—

"Do you trust me, Lorelei?"

"Of course I do!" And hey, it felt like déjà vu. Bigla kong naalala ang malamig na gabi noong Kapaskuhan, kung saan mag-kausap kami ni Loki sa connecting terraces ng mga kwarto namin sa Villa Del Mundo. And my answer stayed the same. I have my faith in him. I always had.

It looked like we were having the same train of thoughts. "Good." And again, there was the ghost of a smile pulling up against his lips, and it was contagious I felt myself smiling as well. Right, eventually we'll get through this.

"Ehem." Pekeng ubo ni Jamie, at masama na naman ang titig niya sa akin. I mean, ano pa bang bago? Marahil ay napansin niya ang pag-uusap namin ni Loki and she's clearly showing she's not liking it one bit, pero sinusubukan niya namang itago ito kay Loki. Hay, bahala na muna siya.

Muli kaming napatingin kina Mai at Oliver, na ngayon ay palipat-lipat na ang tingin sa aming tatlo at tila ba may gustong itanong. I dismissed them immediately and proceeded with the questioning.

"Ano ang pagkaka-kilala niyo kay Angele? Ibig kong sabihin, alam niyo naman ang nangyari kani-kanina lamang hindi ba? The poison pen letter case that involved Paul, and Angele and her friends?" Napasinghot naman si Mai bago siya sumagot. I have never heard the boy speak the whole time we were here. Was he hiding something, or he's not really just fond of socializing with others?

"Mabait, magalang at masunurin na anak si Angele sa bahay. At a young age, she's very responsible that she even showed it here in school. She's smart, generous, at palaging naka-handang tumulong. You can imagine how it was a shocker to me when we learned of the video earlier. Hindi pa rin naman ako naniniwalang ganoon si Angele, it must be peer pressure that made her do it. She was never like that."

You could clearly hear the pride in Mai's voice as she described her best friend, and yet I saw a gleam of something else as well, although it faded as soon as it came.

Napatango naman ako. I was about to ask again when Loki butted in. "Does she have anything in possession that she considers a favorite, something she always carries around?" The lass pondered for awhile before she replied. "I think so. Meron siyang isang ballpen na lagi niyang dala-dala, and it's a bit odd that she never lets anyone take a chance of touching it. It's as if the pen holds a secret. Kahit ako, hindi ko naranasang hawakan ang pen na iyon."

Bingo. "Ah, I already gave it to the forensics that came here earlier. I'm sure in no time we'll know why she died, or should I say... how you killed her, Maya?"

Is it already time to tell the improbable truth? Whatever, Loki has already spilled out the beans so all I can do is play along. He just can't wait, can he?

Nanlalaki ang mga matang tumingin si Mai sa amin. "Wha—how, I mean, what are you saying? That's pure nonsense! I can't kill my best friend, you know that!" Mabilis naman ang paghingang tumayo si Oliver sa kanyang upuan at sinuntok ang arm chair, pagkatapos ay galit na galit na dinuro si Loki. "Don't you dare something like that about Mai. She can't even harm a fly."

Bago pa man magkainitan, sumingit na ako sa usapan nila. Napapailing ako habang nakatingin sa matalik na kaibigan ni Angele. Birds of the same feather really flock together, huh? Someone can appear as white and clean as a saint, but you'll never know when they can turn into a devil that has been hiding under the mask.

"Do we really know, Mai?" I heaved a sigh. "Tell me, kung hindi ikaw ang pumatay sa kanya, how did you know instantly that there is a culprit responsible for Angele's death, and that this is not just a simple case of heart attack?" It was time for her to stifle a gasp and turn white as a bond paper. "Unang tanong ko pa lang kanina, umamin ka na. Kami lang ng Q.E.D Club ang may inisyal na hinala na isa itong kaso ng pagpatay, and yet the fact came out of your mouth so fluid and carelessly. Your statements were also inconsistent."

"Hindi sapat na dahilan iyon para—"

"Then tell me why you tried to hide a needle in your handkerchief."

Mas lalo pa siyang namutla. Si Oliver naman ay tila mas lalo pang napika at mukhang kasama na ako sa listahan niya. "Quit speaking trash, people. Ayoko sa lahat ay sinungaling, so you better back off while I can still reign myself!"

His voice was thundering throughout the room, and I was reminded that we're not the only ones in the room, for I began to feel the number of eyes that stared at us. Nagulat siguro dahil sa pag-sigaw  ni Oliver, when he knew them as a silent person.

"I saw it." Jamie was the one who spoke this time. "Hindi niyo siguro nahalata, pero kanina pa ako nagmamasid sa paligid. Pagkapasok pa lang namin kanina dito sa room, alam ko nang may kakaiba. Nakumpirma ko iyon nang bahagya kang yumuko bago pa kayo palayuin nina Loki dear at Alistair sa crime scene kanina. You were trying to pick up and hide a needle piece in your handkerchief and then hurriedly throwing it to the bin.

"The specialist has already gotten them and in no time, we would be able to verify what sort of substance was there that killed Angele, which I'm sure would be the same liquid present in her favorite pen. 'Must be a nerve suppressant agent or anything related. I also bet we could trace some of your sebum."

Ah, at least we made use of Jamie's retentive memory for today.

Ako naman ang nagsalita. "You mentioned earlier about diabetes, right? Kung tamang ito nga ang sakit ng biktima, hindi na bago kung kadalasan ay sa braso may tanda ng turok ng injection. We did see that there's a fresh opening on the right arm, a clear indication of her medical habit. How unusual was it that there was also a prick of a needle in her neck, something very inconspicuous, but just in luck that it was the same place where you were when we entered the room?"

"And another thing, Oliverto." What? Goodness! Kung hindi lang seryoso ang usapan eh baka napatawa na ako sa pangalang binaggit ni Loki. Saang baul niya ba nahuhugot ang mga pangalang sinasabi niya? I tried my best to keep my face impassive as his. "We are not liars. Let me ask you, how could you hate your own kind?"

Mas lalong naningkit ang mga mata nito. "I am not—"

"Ah, ah. How can you deny to your girlfriend then, that you cheated on her with Angele?" Loki was obviously smirking this time, as if enjoying how the once flustered Oliver turned as pale as Mai.

"Yung dalawang babaeng kausap namin kanina, sinabi nila sa amin ang totoo. There was one time that Angele tried to seduce Oliver, and he fell for it. Kaya lang, nakonsensya ka. Nakikipagkalas ka na kay Mai, hindi ba? Kasi hindi mo matanggap na pinatulan mo ang best friend niya, na naging mahina ka." Muling singit ni Jamie.

"We can also show you a video if you want the evidence, Robert. I suppose you're still not aware of the additional CCTVs placed around the campus just recently?"

Nanatiling tahimik ang dalawa, Si Mai ay umiiyak nang muli habang si Oliver ay nananatiling nakayuko, tila nahihiyang umamin sa katotohanang sumambulat sa kanila.

"Isa pa, malabong hindi mo alam na may iniindang sakit si Angele. You live in the same house, napakadali para sa iyong malaman kung may nangyayari ba sa kanya, kaya madali rin para sa iyong malaman kung anong sakit niya, hindi ba?"

Sa pagtatanong ko kanina, hindi siguro alam ni Mai na may nakakita na inabot niya ang favorite pen ni Angele nang mahulog ito sa sahig. That could be the sole chance that she changed the pen she used as a disguise for her medicine into something that contains some deadly fluid. Binalak niyang gamitin ang pen para maisagawa ang planong pagpatay, dahil kabisado niya ang pattern ng pag-intake ni Angele ng kanyang gamot. Marahil ay upang makasigurado, muli niyang sinaksakan ng parehong gamot ang biktima, making sure the poor soul would end up dead before the day ends. It was an overdose for sure kill.

Biglang tumigil sa pag-iyak si Mai, tapos ay binuntutan iyon ng nakakakilabot na tawa. She must've lost her mind, if you can see how evil the grin she is wearing right now.

"Bagay sa kanya ang mamatay. Pati apelyido niya, sang-ayon sa kung anong ugaling meron siya. Yfel, the origin of the word 'evil.' Saktong-sakto, hindi ba?" Ang kaninang masayahin niyang mukha ay puno na ng galit ngayon. "Si Angele, mabait naman talaga siya. She was the one who helped me cope up when I was still grieving for my parents. Pero masyado siyang selfish eh. Pinagbigyan ko na siya noong hilingin niya sa aking ipaubaya ang pagiging top student sa school, pero bakit pati si Oliver kailangan niya agawin? Alam niya kung gaano ko kamahal ang boyfriend ko, pero sinubukan niya pa ring ahasin. Eh alam niyo naman ang ginagawa sa mga peste, pinapatay para hindi na makapaminsala pa." Ngayon naman ay napahalakhak ito.

"I can forgive you Oliver, don't worry. It's only Angele I intended to erase, and now that she's out of our way, we can live our happily ever after, right? Alam ko namang hindi mo iyon sinasadya." Ngiting-ngiti itong bumalik sa tabi ng lalaki.

Parang nandidiring lumayo si Oliver nang hawakan siya ni Mai, na ikinagulat naman nito, at tila ba muli na namang iiyak. Wala na, may nanalo na. Talo na si Jamie sa bilis nito sa pagpapalit ng expression. Saang drama school ba pwede magpaturo noon?

"You've gone too far, Mai. I don't know you, you're not the woman I love." Mabilis itong umiling, pilit itinatanggi sa sariling ang kasintahan ang may pakana sa nangyaring pagpatay. "Kaya nga ako nakikipaghiwalay sa iyo, I don't deserve you. You were the nicest person I've ever met, and I was thankful for the chance of being with you. And then that happened, so I knew we can't be together anymore. I love you Mai, but you didn't have to kill your best friend for me. Hindi mo kailangang dumihan ang kamay mo sa akin, I'm not worth of everything."

Iyak lamang ang tanging narinig namin nang dakpin na ng school authorities si Mai, probably for further and much more formal questioning. Tahimik namang sumunod si Oliver.

Nakakapagod ang araw na ito. From the poison pen letter to a literal poison pen case. Masyadong maraming drama, luha, kalungkutan, kailangan ko nang magpahinga—oh, shoot! He's coming today. Muntik ko na makalimutan.

The three of us went out of the room after Loki finished talking to the other members of the school police. Himala ding wala si Inspector M&Ms (or Inspector MM ba 'yon? Ay ewan.) kaya napadali ang ginawa naming pag-iimbestiga. I was starting to fidget in my position, which was behind the mommy-and-baby koala pair, when I felt them stop.

"Do you have a problem, Lorelei? I can sense you're a bit on overdrive, and you can't stay still."

Patay. Kanina pa ba niya ako tinitingnan kaya nahalata niyang hindi ako mapakali? Ano nang sa sasabihin ko? Hindi pwede—

"Lorelei, I'm asking you dear."

Cue in Jamie's knife-like glares.

"EZRAEL'S COMING TODAY!"

You are so doomed, Lorelei Rios. You know that, right?

"Tsk."

Loki walked away from me the second time today, and he was pissed. So is Jamie.

I was left face-palming myself.

THIRD PERSON'S POV

If only you can see this pair walking along the hallways of Clark High, baka mapatawa ka rin. Imagine, a happy and cheerful woman has her arms linked with a stoic and expressionless man? Halata din namang may sinasabi ang babae at panay ang kwento nito, pero hindi yata nito nararamdaman na walang pakialam sa mundo ang kasama niya.

"Loki dear naman eh~ Kanina pa ako salita nang salita rito, hindi ka naman sumasagot. Saan ba tayo pupunta? Iniwan pa natin si Lori. Ayaw mo ba makita si Ezra—"

"Jamie, I'm sorry, I really am, but can you please stop talking for a minute or two? And no, I don't want to see that guy."

Agad namang tumikom ang bibig ni Jamie, kasi ramdam niyang wala talaga sa mood si Loki dear ngayon. Isa pa, naiinis siya sa isiping dahil baka kay Lorelei at ang balak nitong pakikipagkita kay Ezrael ang dahilan kung bakit mainit ang ulo nito. Nakita naman niya kung paanong tila nainis ito pagkabanggit pa lang ni Lori sa pangalan ng kapatid ni Rhea.

Speaking of that bubuwit, kasama kaya siya?

L O R E L E I

Naramdaman kong nasamid ang kasama ko.

"May nakaalala yata sa akin, Ate Lorelei."

Yes, you guessed it right! Kakasundo ko lang kay Rhea ngayon sa gates ng Clark High. Hindi naman talaga si Ezrael ang dadating, hinatid niya lang si Rhea. Isa pa, sabi ko nga, mahiyain talaga si Ezrael so I doubt he'll ever socialize with me.

Siya yung nag-text sa akin kanina. Despite not seeing each other for a month or two, we never really lost communication. Bago kami umuwi galing Cavite, hiningi niya ang mga number namin...well, again except for Jamie's. Tinanong ko siya kung bakit galit siya kay Jamie.

"I don't hate her, ate. I just don't like her, either. Alam mo, parang sa love lang. Hindi naman kailangan ng rason kung bakit mahal mo siya, mararamdaman mo na lang. Ganon din kung paanong hindi ko siya gusto."

Minsan hindi ko rin maintindihan ang mga hugot lines na usong-uso ngayon sa mga millennials.

Kasalukuyan kaming dumadaan sa gitna ng open fields nang may makita kaming kumpol na nagkakasiyahang tao.

"Go, Jamie!"

Ah, walang duda. Kaya pala maraming tao—wait, Jamie? If there's Jamie, then more or less nahila niya din si Loki. Out of curiosity, pinuntahan namin ang kaguluhan.

Habang papalapit kami, nakakita ako ng mga babaeng kinikilig habang nakatitig sa harapan. Ano bang meron?

Sana pala, hindi ko na lang tiningnan.

AUTHOR'S NOTE: Last part of the installment coming right up!