ANG NAKARAAN...

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.

L O R E L E I

SEVERAL BOOTHS were already set up when we reached the school grounds, all screaming of the Valentine's day theme. Halata mo din namang nag-e-enjoy ang mga estudyante sa panandaliang break sa stressful na school life.

Ang unang plano namin ni Rhea ay pumunta sa club room para sana sunduin sina Loki at sama-sama na din kaming makapag-ikot. I know Rhea knows that he's not into these kind of things, but she assured me that he will join us no matter what, whilst showing off a grin you could categorize as arrogant- malicious even- it made me shudder.

I wouldn't want to think what tricks she's hiding up in her sleeves just so she can get what she wants.

Going back to the current predicament, napadpad nga kami ni Rhea sa isang booth na maraming tao ang tila yata may nakaka-in-love na K-dramang pinapanood. Girls were gushing to each other while some showed off jealous faces, which was also the same for almost half of the boys, the remaining ones being loud and noisy while cheering on something.

Pinagmasdan ko ang paligid. It was plainly decorated, but you could easily tell what the booth is for. Bunch of flowers on top of corresponding stands line up the pretense walkway covered with a red velvet carpet, connected to each other by white see-through cloths. Shifting my gaze all more to the center of the commotion, although it proved to be a bit harder than it should be, I saw two familiar faces mediated by a male student dressed up falsely as a priest, holding a disguised notebook and wearing a goofy grin on his face.

Madali lang naming hulaan kung anong nangyayari, hindi ba? Ibinigay ko na halos lahat ng clues, eh.

Loki stood stoic as ever despite the festive mood of the audiences. Hindi ka na rin magugulat na maraming manonood sa munting palabas na ito, dahil isa si Jamie sa mga hinahangaang member— former, for that matter—ng repertory club ng Clark High. I admit, sa kabila ng pagiging tila taong bato ni Loki, bagay sa kanya ang suot niyang crisp black suite. Iyon nga lang, medyo halata mo ring hindi siya komportable, siguro ay naiinitan dahil madalian lamang ipinatong sa suot niyang uniporme ang pormal na kasuotan.

It's the opposite for Jamie, though. The happiness was so evident in her eyes, they were actually gleaming that you could see right through the white veil, which was the only accessory adorning her. Kahit pa natatakpan ang mukha ni Jamie, mahahalata mo pa rin sa manipis na tela ang bahagyang pamumula ng pisngi niya at ang malawak na ngiting nakapagkit sa labi niya.

While we were watching the scene unfold in front of us, naramdaman ko naman ang pagngingitngit ng kasama ko, though most of her annoyance she is obviously pointing at Jamie. She puffed her cheeks and crossed her arms, glaring while trying to think of what she can do to stop it, her feet unconsciously tapping to a certain beat. Hindi pa kami napapansin ng dalawa, dahil pumwesto kami sa parteng bahagyang nakatago pero madali naman silang makikita. She looked so adorable that time, pero sana hindi siya gumawa ng eksena.

"ITIGIL ANG KASAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAL!"

Kasasabi ko lang, bakit hindi naman ako pinagbigyan?

R H E A

Inipon ko ang lakas ko para lamang maisigaw iyon ng ganoong kalakas at kahaba, para ramdam nila ang impact. Oh 'di ba, napatigil silang lahat? Pfft---HAHAHAHA! Nakakatawa silang panoorin, priceless ang hitsura nila. Kung tingnan nila ako'y tila ako isa akong kontrabida sa leading characters na magkakatuluyan na sana.

'Oh well, I think I could pass as one. I can be nice, only if this Jamie girl isn't trying her best to infuriate me. I admire her bravery though, I think I can give her a clap or two. But only because she doesn't know what storm is brewing whenever she pulls a stunt like this.'

Pinigilan kong mapangiti dahil alam kong magdududa si Ate Lori sa kung anong tunay na intensyon ko. Kuya Louis has already seen right through me, so I can't afford to make another mistake. That December night, it was just the start of everything for the Grandmaster.

Alam kong hiyang-hiya si Ate Lori sa ginawa kong pagsigaw, dahil nakayuko siya habang pilit akong hinihila paalis sa lugar na iyon bago pa kami makita ng dalawa. Sorry na lang siya, dahil natutuwa pa ako sa mga nangyayari ngayon at wala talaga akong balak umalis.

Nakita kong napalingon na sa dako namin ang dalawang bida na nasa unahan. Kuya Louis didn't show any sign that he was surprised to see me, not that he is one to show that much of an emotion. Si Jamie ang halata mong hindi makapaniwala na nandito ako ngayon, all in the flesh to ruin her day and play Cupid at the same time.

'The countdown strikes, and it's either you get out fast, or you'll end up dead. The choice is yours, sweetie. Tick, tock!'

L O R E L E I

I was never fond of too much attention, so I did my best just to pull ourselves out of the scene. Apparently, Rhea had other plans in mind, as she stood her ground firm and didn't let herself be carried away, which left me with no choice but to stay.

Ugh, I'm really starting to have a headache.

Matigas siyang nakipagtitigan kay Jamie, na matapang din namang ibinabalik ang mga tinging ipinupukol niya. Sana lang ay hindi sila mag-away sa harap ng maraming tao. Rhea can be stubborn at times, and I know she wouldn't back down against the girl she has claimed she doesn't like.

"Ah, bata, chill lang. Kunwari lang naman ito, tsaka—" Agad na pinutol ng babaeng kasama ko ang kung anumang nais sabihin ng estudyanteng nagbihis pari, ang pagtaas ng kanyang kanang kamay tanda na hindi niya nais na marinig ang kung ano pa mang salita mula sa bibig nito. Agad namang tumikom ang bibig ng lalaki at umalis na sa harap at tumabi na lamang sa mga kaibigan niya. I guess he had felt the air of intimidation Rhea was exuding.

"I am so not talking to you. And be this fake or not, I want this to stop. This is utterly stupid and corny, aren't you aware of that?" With an eyebrow raised, arms crossed and lips twitched, this little girl was the perfect image of a bratinella, though she's a cute brat. Hindi ko alam kung anak ba ni Loki si Rhea o kaya'y kamag-anak, pareho silang may mga bibig na hindi mo mapigilan.

I can see a trace of mirth dancing in those dull orbs of Loki's as he watched Rhea speak. Pero kahit na nakikita na niyang malaki ang posibilidad na magkasagutan ang dalawa, wala siyang ginagawa para pigilan ito. He just stood there, unmoving.

"E-excuse me?!" Jamie almost screeched. Woah, for a while, she forgot she's in the public and lost her cool, though she was quick to place the mask back on. Angry veins on her temples are still visible anyway, at matinding pagpipigil ang ginagawa nito para hindi patulan si Rhea. Isang insulto nga naman na ang isang bagay na nakakapagpasaya sa iyo ay sasabihing stupid at corny.

"Pwede ka nang umalis." Nagtataka naman si Jamie sa naging sagot nito. "You said 'excuse me', now you can go. Huwag mong sabihing hindi mo naintindihan ang sinabi ko, Miss Jamie? You want me to spell it out for you?"

There goes again her trademark sarcasm whenever it's the theater actress she's talking to. Masyado na yatang umiinit ang ulo ng kasama ko at bago pa sila sumabog, dapat na kaming magpalamig. I think I saw a make-shift café somewhere near...

"Rhea, I think we should go. Sayang ang araw, dapat tayong mag-ikot at mag-enjoy, hindi ba?" Everyone can hear the desperation in my voice as I tried to get out of this awkward situation. Ang iba'y nagsi-alisan na sa eksena, ngunit may iilan pa ring piniling manatili at manood muna.

"No, Ate Lori. This woman is trying to be funny, when she's never going to be. Babae na ba talaga ang nanghihila ngayon sa marriage booth para ikasal sila kahit kunwari?"

Sumusobra na siya kaya dapat ko na siyang suwayin. Kahit na wala lang ito para kay Jamie, Rhea still has to know whether she's getting overboard or not. This is one of those times.

"Rhea."

Ngayon ko na lang ulit siyang narinig na nagsalita. Akala ko'y wala na siyang balak sumingit sa dalawa, eh. Ang anumang plano ni Rhea o ni Jamie na magsalitang muli ay natigil dahil lang sa isang salita niya. His expression never changed, but I think Rhea hos gotten his message and just zipped her mouth, her forehead still creased. Si Jamie naman ay gayon din. I felt relief surge within me.

"Sorry, Kuya Louis."

"You know it's not me that you owe an apology to."

"Okay lang, Loki dear. Girls have mood swings, especially at sometime within the month, kaya naiintindihan ko rin siya. I could treat you guys a cup of iced drink so we can relax and cool down." I still wonder how Jamie can easily change moods that fast. Hindi na nakapagtatakang hinangaan siya sa galing niyang umarte at magpanggap.

"I am calm, ikaw lang yata itong pikon, Miss Jamie." Isang tawa ang ibinuntot nito matapos nitong magsalita. "Nagbibiro lang naman ako, hindi naman talaga siya corny. Nakakakilig nga eh. Mas maganda nga lang sana kung hindi si Kuya Louis ang kasama mo diyan sa unahan."

I nudged Rhea by her elbow, giving her a warning. "Biro lang, Ate Lori!" Agad namang bumaling ang tingin niya sa dalawa. "But I'm not indebted to anyone of anything. So, a sorry is not necessary." She spurted as she shrugged her shoulders.

"Still feisty as ever, Rhea. It has been years and you still haven't changed, huh?"

"Riel!"

Agad naman kaming napalingon sa isang hindi pamilyar na boses na bigla na lamang nagsalita, although I could tell Rhea recognized him very well. I swear I saw how her eyes twinkled when she turned to him and waved her hands as she greeted him chirpily.

"What are you doing here? Don't tell me Clark High is where you're teaching right now?"

The guy named Riel almost rolled his eyes as he neared to us, reaching out to Rhea. "Humor me, sweetie. You've been reading my books and attending almost all of my meet-up and book-signing events though you never showed up to me, plus the fact that I know you've joined the group dedicated to readers of my works. Ah, need I say more as to why you're updated about me? Besides, it's you we're talking about here. You always have your ways."

This statement earned a hearty chuckle from the little lass. "You knew me too well I can call it illegal, Riel. Anyway, you've been keeping tabs on me as I on you, so we're quits, don't you think?"

We just watched as the exchange between the two continued. "Fair point, well-made. Well, baka naman gusto mo akong ipakilala sa mga kaibigan mo? Mukhang kanina pa sila nagtataka kung sino ako kahit matagal na ako rito at palagi nilang nakakasalubong dito sa Clark High."

Nanlaki naman ang mata ni Rhea at saka pa lamang naalala na may mga kasama nga pala siya. "Pardon my manners, Ate Lori, Kuya Louis, Miss Jamie." I thought she wouldn't address Jamie, but I'm glad she did.

"This is Riel, a friend of mine I met in the university. He's a full time Math and Science teacher, and a well-known writer of mystery/detective/thriller fictions. And these are—"

"Loki Mendez, Lorelei Rios, Jamie Santiago, and Alistair Ravena who is missing in action right now, I see. Who wouldn't recognize the pioneers of the prime detective club of Clark High? The pleasure to meet you is mine. My name is Andriel, and I am currently teaching Physics right now. Halos araw-araw niyo akong nakakasalubong sa Senior High building, pero mukhang hindi ninyo ako natatandaan kung pagbabasehan ang mga mukha ninyong may bahid ng pagkalito." Natatawa naman nitong puna sa amin.

Inabot ko naman ang kamay na inilahad nito. Wow, I didn't know there's such an amazing man here in Clark High, who chose teaching as profession. And another thing is he writes detective stories. Did he make the Q.E.D club an inspiration once in one of his stories?

"Oh yes, I did, Ms. Rios. It has been...amazing up to now, writing a story about you guys, although I would like to apologize if I didn't ask permission from you. I was expecting you wouldn't mind. You can read my works if you like, I wish they would meet your expectations, especially yours, Mr. Mendez. Right now, I'm still working on the last volume, as I'm still unsure as to which one of the fantastic four will die. Oops, spoiler, am I?"

Tinawanan lang siya ni Rhea, pero kami ay nanatiling seryoso. Was it supposed to be a joke, or he really knows something? And is he a mind reader, too?

"Tingnan mo, Riel, tinatakot mo ang mga bata! Ikaw talaga." Napapailing na lang si Rhea tapos ay bumaling sa amin. "Don't mind him, guys. He just really likes to speak in riddles, an attempt of creating a mysterious aura around him. It's nothing to be serious about."

Jamie butted in. "You said you two met in the uni? How come? I thought you're younger than us."

I was about to explain this, since Rhea told me about it, but I decided not to. I wasn't being the one questioned, anyway.

"Must be part of her scheming again." Sir Andriel crossed his arms as he stood beside Rhea and turned to us, shaking his head as he did. "Rhea likes fooling people about her age. It's obvious it doesn't look like it, But Rhea has already graduated from college, the top of her batch in the Engineering Department. We used to be classmates in some of our minor subjects during the first two years, though that's the last time we were together as we have started facing our own majors. And she's turning twenty-one this year."

"Thank you, but I think you are flattering me too much, Riel. Pero alam na naman nila Lori, Louis at Alistair 'yun, nakalimutan ko lang siguro sabihan si Miss Jamie."

"One of your lapses, Rhea? I thought you had them cured?" Hindi ko alam kung talagang nag-aalala siya o nang-aasar eh. Para kasing gusto niyang matawa na hindi.

She just dismissed him. "Wala ito. Hindi ko lang pala talaga siya sinabihan kasi wala akong number niya, hindi ko hiningi at wala akong balak, at ayoko siyang kausapin. She's so annoying and it's not like we're friends, or we're ever going to be."

Naaasiwang tinakpan na lang ng guro ang bibig ni Rhea, bago pa nito sundan ang mga panlalait nito kay Jamie, na siya namang gusto na talaga itong patulan. "Loki dear oh, inaaway ako ni Rhea~"

Hindi naman ito pinansin ni Loki at nagsimula nang maglakad palayo. Lalo namang parang nagmukhang sabitan ng palayok ang bibig ni Jamie habang pa-minsan minsan ay tinitingnan ng masama si Rhea, who just stuck her tongue out. I followed after the two, Sir Andriel and my guest hot on our trail. I heard Loki murmured a few words while leading us.

"I can feel an incoming headache. I need to get a cup or two of coffee."

Gusto ko na rin yatang uminom ng Iced Americano ngayon.

---

We are now situated in a very comfy cat café just a few minutes away from Clark High. I didn't know such haven like this existed. How I wished Freya is here and I could cuddle her.

We were seated on the floor covered with colorful playmats, a round table catering the drinks and pastries we ordered. Bale ang posisyon namin ay ganito: ako, si Loki, si Rhea, si Sir Andriel at si Jamie sa kaliwa ko. She was very displeased about the seating arrangement, and did not bother hiding it one bit. Ipinagsawalang-bahala na lamang nila ito.

Muntik pa nga silang magkasagutan ulit kanina ni Rhea dahil nang hihilahin na niya si Loki para magtabi sila, nauna na si Rhea at ipinaupo ito sa tabi ko, tapos inokupa ang pwesto sa tabi nito. Of course, the teacher would take a seat beside his friend, so Jamie was left to sulk and plop down next to me.

"Ah, this milk tea is so refreshing!" We all relaxed and took our time sipping on our drinks, enjoying the tranquil setting. Sandali, hindi ko pa nga pala naitatanong ang talagang sadya niya sa pagpunta rito.

"Rhea. Do you mind telling us now about the favor you are asking from us?"

"Ah, yes. I already told Louis some parts of it, so I'll tell you the whole story now, just for the sake of everyone."

She cleared her throat first before continuing.

"There was this old, legendary house back in Cavite, located just a few kilometers away from our villa. For the past decades, centuries even, there's an urban legend that says there was a string of bizarre deaths that happened in that house, specifically in a room that has always been sealed off. Anyone who spends the night there will die."

"It seems inspired from an impossible locked-room murder, or it can be something involved with the paranormal." Sir Andriel commented as he seemed enticed to the story.

"Yes, so it seems, but I don't think this is a supernatural thing. Anyway, I would like to ask if the QED Club can help us out with regards to this."

"May nangyari ba, Rhea?"

Malalim na paghinga muna ang ginawa niya bago sumagot, animo'y humuhugot ng lakas. Mariin siyang napa-pikit at pinagsalikop ang dalawang kamay niya, at may pag-aalala namang hinagod ng guro ang kanyang likod. Maybe he sensed that this is something serious.

"Sherdan died in that house...in that room."

---

Mahabang katahimikan ang lumipas matapos bitiwan ni Rhea ang mga salitang iyon. I felt pity for the old man. He was such a jolly and kind person, and even though he was part of the plan to deceive us, it doesn't make him so bad of a person. And I can feel the fatherly love he has for everyone in that house.

"This might be a ploy or something to make us look like a fool again. I don't trust you. We shouldn't take this case, this might be a trap—"

"I know better than to play around with the idea of death. Maaaring naloko namin kayo noon, pero seryoso ako ngayon. Sir Sherdan has been a very good mentor and father to all of us, and I just can't afford to make up jokes at the expense of his demise." She was staring hard at Jamie, a bit offended at her remark. Tingin ko'y matinding pagpipigil ang ginagawa nito para tuluyang mapaiyak sa harapan namin.

"Sorry." Pabulong na sambit ni Jamie.

"Oh, Rhea. I'm so sorry to hear that. I know Sir Sherdan myself and this must've been so hard for you. You should've told me earlier, sweetie." Alo ni Sir Andriel habang mariing gagap ang nakakuyom na mga kamay ni Rhea. She seemed to calm down a bit at his gesture.

"I was out of the villa that time, attending to some personal matters. Pagbalik ko ay saka ko lang nalaman kung anong nangyari."

Si Loki naman ay mataman lamang nakikinig sa kanya, though I could tell he was worried about Rhea and how she would take the death of someone important to her. Because he knew. This story must have reminded him of the original Rhea, Loki's special friend. It was never easy for him to deal with the memory of her dead body.

"Hindi ko alam kung ano ang talagang nangyari ng gabing iyon, ikinuwento na lang sa akin ni Ezrael ang lahat. Nagkakatuwaan sila ng gabing iyon nang mapadpad ang usapan nila tungkol sa abandonadong bahay. Everyone was under the influence of alcohol, and they played the old truth or dare game. Sir Sherdan, although still sober, carelessly volunteered himself to enter the house.

"Of course, they found a way to unseal the room. They promised him that they will let him out of the room once the sun shines. Everyone had a good laugh, they let him spend the night alone and cold, while he was locked up."

Tinapik ko naman ang balikat niya, dahil alam kong nahihirapan na siyang ipagpatuloy pa ang pagsasalaysay. But we need to know what happened, so that we may be able to think of a plan or anything so we can help solve this case.

"Halos magta-tanghali na nang may maka-alalang naiwan si Sir Sherdan sa bahay, at tila doon pa lamang natauhan ang lahat. Dali-dali silang nagsibalik sa pinag-iwanan nila kay Sir Sherdan. They were so nervous, for they knew there's something that must've happened to him while they were gone. Their hunches were correct. Huli na ang lahat nang sila ay dumating."

She drew an envelope from the tote bag she was carrying. No, I don't think I'm brave enough to see what's inside. If the situation is grave, for Rhea to muster her best not cry for someone she considers her father...

"Oh, my God."

Ang gulat na gulat na boses ni Jamie ang nagpanumbalik sa akin sa kasalukuyan. Hawak na pala ni Loki ang sobreng tiyak kong naglalaman ng mga litrato ng pinangyarihan ng insidente, at alam kong malala ito. I was afraid for Jamie and her retentive memory, for a horrible image may haunt her even in her sleep.

Narinig ko na lamang ang mahinang paghagulhol ni Rhea at ang tahimik na pagpapa-kalma dito ni Sir Andriel. He was holding her close to him while she was sobbing quietly, and all he does is let her cry, and whisper her comforting words while stroking her hair gently.

How could a person...can a human even do this kind of horrendous killing? Hindi ko kayang titigan ng matagal ang picture, at kahit si Jamie ay nanghihinang napahikbi at isinandal ang kanyang ulo sa balikat ko. Wala akong nagawa kundi ang yakapin siya, dahil hindi ko alam kung anong magiging reaksyon ko sa nakita kong kalagayan ng lalaki.

Sir Sherdan—or half of him, I should say—was pinned to the wall, his face once full of happiness now full of pain and agony. It must have been a slow death for him, and it was such a cruel thing for you to watch yourself die. Both of his wrists were struck with a piece of wood, each situated in the middle and hammered deep. Pieces of his flesh and internal organs hung carelessly beneath him. He's even missing an eye.

The lower half remain seated on a chair in the middle of the room, but in a way you can see that the bones were snapped and broken, and for a while I was confused which is the left and right. Everything was just...messed up.

Matagal na tinitigan ni Loki ang mga litrato, marahil ay pinag-aaralan na ang lahat ng posibleng anggulo sa nakagigimbal na pangyayaring ito.

"We're going to take this case."

Oh yes, we definitely will.

-30-