A/N: We're done with Harriet and Morrie. Now it's Mina's turn!

WILHELMINA

IT TOOK a great deal of courage for me to open my mouth and let my voice be heard. Hindi ko inasahan na makapagsasalita ako matapos ang mahabang panahon ng hindi pag-imik. Mula nang mangyari ang insidenteng 'yon noong bata pa ako, hindi ko na nagawang magsalita pa sa harap ng ibang tao.

Was I mute? No. Sa harap ng ibang tao, kapag sinubukan kong magsalita, walang lalabas na boses. But if I were alone, I could speak even though my voice was barely audible.

Nasanay na akong makipag-usap gamit ang Morse code. When I was a kid, I used to tap my fingers on a table or on any surface to send the short and long signals through sounds. When I became a teenager, I started to write on blank pieces of paper. But I realized that was wasteful. Now that I'm a student here in the university, I write on the screen of my tablet which I always bring with me. You wouldn't see me without it.

It came as a surprise to me that back at the island, I was finally able to talk in front of other people. This hasn't happened in my years of stay in the university. Ano ba ang nangyari? Nawalan ng battery ang tablet ko noon habang nasa gitna kami ng isang misyon. Nahirapan ako, pero pinilit kong magsalita para maintindihan ako ng mga kasama ko. Himala kung iisipin na nakabuo ako ng salita, na kinalaunan ay naging parirala at sa huli'y naging pangungusap.

Maybe it's out of necessity that's why I managed to speak. Or maybe... it had something to do with the people around me at that time. Kasama ko noon sina Harriet, Aiden at Morrie. Nataon na nabunot ang mga pangalan namin para bumuo ng grupo sa klase. We called ourselves Team WHAM. It was me who gave us that name. Sa una, mukhang hindi payag sina Aiden at Morrie. Ngunit mabuti'y sinubukan silang kumbinsihin ni Harriet. Sa huli, pumayag din ang dalawang lalaki at iyon na ang naging pangalan ng grupo namin.

Harriet Harrison of House Holmes was closest to me among the three. Komportable at maluwag ang pakiramdam ko sa kanya. She is overly competitive, but she does not make me feel like I'm a competitor that she needs to beat. Kahit na magkalaban ang Houses namin pagdating sa rankings, nagkakasundo pa rin kami. Sherlock Holmes and Dr. John Watson are good friends in the lore. Baka nag-ugat doon ang amity sa pagitan naming dalawa. Mabait din naman si Harriet. Tanda ko pa ang araw na iniligtas niya ako sa abandonadong clock tower. Someone abducted me, brought me up there and tied me up. Mabuti't may dala akong penlight kaya iyon ang ginamit ko para magpadala ng mensahe sa sinumang makakikita ng signal. Kasama niya noon si Morrie.

Speaking of Morrie Moreno of House Moriarty, I was not sure what to feel about him. Mula pa noong maging magkaklase kami, may pagkamisteryoso na ang katauhan niya. Matalino rin siya at, kung paniniwalaan ang mga sabi-sabi, may pagkatuso rin. I have been observing him since we became teammates. Nakita ko kung paano siya makipag-cooperate sa amin, lalo na noong nasa isla kami. He is always level-headed and he thinks not just one, but two to three steps ahead. Ngunit kahit magkasama kami sa classroom at nagkasama na kami sa WHAM, hindi ko pa rin mawari kung sino ang tunay na siya. As the cliche goes, there's more to him than meets the eye.

Then there's Aiden Alterra of House Adler. He is popular in our class and in our year because of his looks. I think the style and color of his hair, the structure of his face from eyebrows to chin, and the complexion of his skin look attractive to people who adore him. Magaan ang loob ko sa kanya, parang madali siyang pakisamahan. He must be one of the chill people that I have met in university. But I was still wary of him. Students who belong to the same House as him know how to adapt in their environment. That meant he knew how to read the room. He knew what to say and not to say. He knew what to do in certain situations. I have high hopes that the Aiden I knew is the real Aiden, not just a mask or a performance.

I was picky when it came to the people that I wanted to associate myself with. Ayaw kong isingit ang sarili ko sa mga tao na hindi kapareho ang interes sa akin. Ang lagi kong nakakasama ay ang mga Housemate kong sina Joanna at Sean. Ngunit kapag kasama ko ang tatlong ito, iba sa pakiramdam ko. Magkaiba man ang pinanggalingan at ugali namin, hindi iyon naging hadlang para magkaintindihan at magtulungan kami kung kailangan.

Iyon na rin malamang ang dahilan kung bakit nagawa kong magsalita at nagagawa kong magsalita kapag sila ang nasa paligid ko. I must be comfortable and confident around them. At first, I thought me talking to them verbally would only be on the island. Maging sa university, sinusubukan kong makausap sila. Kung ibang tao ang kaharap ko, tatahimik lamang ako at magsusulat sa aking tablet.

Ngunit iba sa kanila.

This morning, the four of us coincidentally met again in front of Baker Building. Nag-uusap kami ni Harriet at kinumusta niya ako nang biglang nagpakita sa harapan namin si Aiden. Gaya ng inaasahan, may kaunting away ang dalawa. Hindi ko napigilang matawa sa kanila. I even thought of teasing Harriet a bit. Namula ang mukha niya. Then came Morrie who asked if there was any update on the case that we were involved in.

Mas masaya sana ang experience sa isla kung walang nagtangka sa mga buhay namin. I could still feel the terror when we almost got cornered by the hound. Wala pang update na ibinabahagi sa amin halos isang linggo na ang nakalilipas nang pumunta kami roon.

If this case was simple, they would have already found the answers to our questions. Ngunit mukhang komplikado ang lagay nito at gugugol pa ng ilang araw o linggo.

Just a moment ago, we also met Morrie's elder brother, Arturius, who seemed to be a popular and important figure during his time in the university. Mukhang awkward si Morrie nang sandaling makasama ang kuya niya. Hindi niya rin inaasahan ang pagbisita nito sa campus. But there was something strange in his brother. One of his eyes had a different color and the look it gave me was peculiar.

Hindi lamang siya ang nakita namin ngayong umaga. Roanoke Roswell, the agent investigating a separate case but likely connected to the island trip incidents, also greeted the unexpected visitor. Mukhang may history ang dalawang alumnus. After Morrie's brother went ahead, he left us with a reminder.

"We'll be talking again very soon, Team WHAM. For now, enjoy your classes. But don't get too comfortable."

Hangga't hindi pa namin alam at nahuhuli kung sino ang nasa likod ng mga ito, hindi kami basta-basta magiging komportable.

"Tara na, Mina!" hikayat ni Harriet sa akin, pinangunahan ang pagpasok sa Baker Building. "Worrying about the threat won't resolve it. Let's carry on with our lives here. Pero siyempre, kailangan nating maging maingat."

I agree with her. Walang mabuting maidudulot ang pag-aalala. Lalo lamang lalala ang pangamba namin kung palagi namin itong iisipin. The best we could do was not to let ourselves be troubled by it and remain vigilant.

I looked at the clock on my tablet screen. May pitong minuto pa bago magsimula ang klase para sa unang subject namin. Lumingon ako sa dalawa naming kasama bago ako sumunod sa kanya.

"Uy, bakit si Mina lang ang niyaya mo?" kunot-noong tanong ni Aiden. "'Di ba barkada tayo rito? Dapat sabay-sabay na tayong apat!"

Harriet looked at him and Morrie over her shoulder. "Kung kayong dalawa ni Morrie ang makakasabay ko, 'di baleng mauna na ako."

"That's a wise idea," Morrie commented. "I don't want my fellow Moriartians to see me hanging out more often with someone like you. They might think I'm going soft on a Holmesian."

"Same here," Harriet replied. Inakbayan niya ako at halos kaladkarin niya ako sa loob. "Tara na, Mina. Pabayaan mo na ang mga 'yan."

Hindi na talaga maiiwasan ang bangayan sa dalawa o tatlong ito. It was always one versus two: Harriet against Morrie and Aiden. Parang aso at pusa sila. We had been through a lot on the island a week ago. Now it seemed like we were back to square one.

Nauna kami ni Harriet, ngunit ayaw magpatalo ni Morrie kaya mabilis din ang paglalakad niya. Hanggang dito ba naman, may competition pa rin ang dalawa. Harriet walked faster, forcing me to do the same. Morrie tried to keep up. None of them wanted to lose even if this wasn't an official walkathon. Halos maiwan na sa likuran si Aiden, nilalampasan ng mga estudyanteng kapapasok pa lamang.

"Teka!" Aiden walked in a faster pace to catch up with us. "Hindi ba better kung mas madalas na tayong magkasama na apat?"

Harriet and I came to a halt as we turned to him. She arched an eyebrow. "Gusto mo lang yata akong buwisitin kaya gusto mong mas madalas ang pagsasama natin— Wait, that sounds very wrong."

"Alam kong minsan nagdyo-joke at nang-aasar ako, but I'm serious right now," Aiden replied. "Hindi lang dapat sa loob ng classroom, kung 'di maging sa labas. Kapag nasa Hudson's Hub tayo, Gladstone Gymnasium o kahit saan man sa campus!"

Morrie came closer. "I don't think that's a good idea from a strategic perspective. If we're always together, whoever wants us harmed can attack the four of us in one fell swoop. Remember what happened on the island? Kung hindi natin napigilan ang hound, baka nalapa na tayong tatlo dahil nasa iisang lugar tayo."

"Just this once, I agree with him." Harriet shoot a glance at Morrie. "Also he forgot to mention na kung hindi ako dumating sa tamang oras, baka naging dog food na kayong tatlo. That's part of the narrative, please don't exclude it."

"It's irrelevant to the suggestion raised by Aiden so there's no need to mention it."

"Still—"

Heto na naman sila. They would not miss the opportunity to trade barbs.

I cleared my throat, making them look at me. They gave me the impression that every time I was about to speak, they were intently waiting for the words that would come out of my mouth.

"I think... Aiden has a point," I stammered. Sa una lamang ako nauutal at nabubulol. Kapag komportable na ako, pwede na akong magsalita nang diretso sa kanila. "There are risks... but there are benefits too. We can watch... each other's backs."

Harriet folded her arms and went silent for a while. "That's true. Yes, we can be targeted all at once. But if the four of us are fully aware of our surroundings and the people around us, we won't easily fall victims to their attacks. Mase-sense agad natin kung may nagmamasid o nagtatangkang umatake sa atin."

"Four heads... are better than one... or two," I added.

Morrie touched his chin as his eyes looked down. "You have a point there. The benefits of us being together can outweigh the risks. Alone, they can pick us off one after another. But together, it won't be easy for them."

"Teka lang!" Aiden raised both of his hands. "Bakit noong ako ang nag-suggest, agad n'yong ni-reject? Pero noong nagsalita na si Mina, bigla kayong nag-change mind? Hindi yata patas ang trato n'yo sa 'kin?"

"Hindi kasi nagpaligoy-ligoy si Mina," sagot ni Harriet. "Kung sanang in-explain mo agad nang maayos, baka um-agree na kami."

Napakamot na lamang ng ulo at napabuntong-hininga si Aiden. I think Harriet would still have instantly shot down his suggestion even if he explained it very well... just because it came from him. Morrie was just thinking strategically, as he always did.

"How are we gonna do this?" Morrie asked, looking at each of us. "Is there a specific time period or instances that the four of us need to be together?"

"Basta hangga't nasa labas tayo ng residence halls o campus buildings?" suhestiyon ni Aiden na isa-isa rin kaming pinagtinginan. "Ang importante'y magkasama tayo o may kasama tayo. Wala ni isa sa atin ang dapat na nag-iisa."

"Parang buddy system?" Harriet glanced at me. "E 'di si Mina na ang lagi kong kasama! Tapos kayong dalawa ni Morrie. Problem solved!"

"Either in pairs or as a group," Morrie added. "If you're always with someone you're very comfortable with, the chances are you will lower your guard and make yourself and the person with you vulnerable. Better to routinely switch up the pairings if we're gonna push this buddy system."

"Okay, fine!" Harriet rolled her eyes.

"Then it's settled!" Aiden clapped. He extended his right hand in front of him, palm facing down. "Ipakita natin sa kung sinuman ang gustong magtangka sa atin na hindi niya tayo basta-basta matatakot!" Palipat-lipat sa amin ang tingin niya. "Ano ba, guys? Nangangawit na ang kamay ko!"

I put my hand on top of his. Harriet sighed before placing hers on top of mine. Morrie was the last to put his on top of Harriet's.

"Let's go, Team WHAM!" Aiden sang.

Harriet covered her face with her other hand while Morrie shut his eyes close for a few seconds. Kita sa kanila ang pagkahiya lalo na't pinagtinginan kami ng mga dumaraang estudyante.

"Tara na!" Si Aiden na ngayon ang nangunguna sa amin. "Sabay-sabay tayong maglakad bilang show of unity! Walang mauuna, walang mahuhuli!"

We did exactly what he told us. Parang napilitan lamang si Harriet na sumunod para wala na masyadong debate. Morrie also didn't seem pleased by the idea, but he went along as well.

Me? I liked where this was heading.

We formed a horizontal line. Harriet and I were on the left while Morrie and Aiden were on the right. Sabay-sabay naming nilakad ang entrance hall at inakyat ang hagdanan patungo sa second floor ng Baker Building. I reflexively touched the bridge of my eyeglasses when I felt that almost everyone on the hallway was looking at our direction. Tila ngayon pa lamang sila nakakita ng grupo na may apat na estudyanteng mula sa apat na House na magkakatabi at sabay-sabay na naglalakad.

"Malay n'yo, baka kunin tayong ambassadors for unity ng university," Aiden whispered, smiling. Kinakawayan niya ang mga estudyante, lalo na ang mga babae, na ngumingiti sa kanya. "Well, our group name represents not only our initials, but also the initials of the four Houses. Swak na swak, 'di ba?"

"Speaking of the four Houses..." Harriet whispered back, glancing at me before the two boys. "Ready na ba kayo sa Quadetective Tournament? Ongoing na ang search para sa champion namin. Kabahan na ang mga dapat kabahan diyan."

"Our House is full of exceptional candidates, so it might take some time to come up with a shortlist," Morrie replied, looking straight ahead. "If I were you, I'd make sure that your representative is the best of the best. Otherwise, you might end up in second place again. Or lower."

"Huwag ka masyadong pakampante," Harriet retorted. "Baka lampasuhin kayo ng champion namin. Ang mabuti pa, namnamin n'yo na ang trophy hangga't nasa House n'yo pa. Mag-selfie at mag-groufie na kayo kasama 'yon. Baka next year, wala na sa inyo."

Here they went again.

"Malapit na pala 'yon?" nakangiting tanong ni Aiden. "Parang mag-i-start na kami sa paghahanap ng representative namin, sabi ng Council. Wala kasi masyadong pressure sa amin. Ang mas importante'y ma-enjoy namin ang competition."

I hope that's also how our Council viewed the upcoming tournament. Ngunit hindi kasi "laro lamang" ang tingin nila rito. They were taking it very seriously.

"This isn't just a game. This is our chance to prove that we're better than Houses Holmes and Moriarty! Hindi natin pwedeng palampasin ang pagkakataon na 'to!"

"We must do everything that we can to win. Everything! Dapat na nating baguhin ang strategy natin."

"Let's show the university what we're capable of. Let's show them that we aren't just a sidekick to the main character."

"How about sa inyo, Mina?" Harriet asked. Bumalik ang kamalayan ko sa kasalukuyan. Napaangat ang tingin ko sa kanya. "Kumusta ang preparation n'yo para sa tournament?"

"I think... it's going well," I replied. "Our Council has started... the screening process."

"That's great! I wonder kung sino-sino ang magiging champion ng bawat House natin?"

We reached the room of our first subject this morning. Saktong tumunog ang school bell nang pumasok kami. Nauna si Harriet, sumunod ako, at saka sina Morrie at Aiden. Instead of joining our Housemates in the class, Aiden asked us to sit together. We did, after a brief discussion.

I turned my tablet on. It's time to return to being the usual me.

♦ ♦ ♦ ♦

Up next is Aiden's POV chapter!

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