-providing information.

09

Hindi ako naka-react kaagad, hindi pa nag-sink sa utak ko ang narinig ko.

The moment the bartender mentioned the white, I immediately knew who it was.

His face popped in my head. . . Felix.

Questions started to fill my mind, thoughts, and suspicions.

Why are they meeting here?

They're engaged! There's no need for them to keep their meetings a secret.

Since when?

Is it connected to the disappearance of Hilian?

Does Felix know. . . where she is?

I started overthinking, my mind was panicking. I felt like my head was about to explode when I felt someone tap my shoulder. I was startled. Agad akong napalingon.

"Lady Harlotte?" hindi niya makapaniwalang sambit nang masilayan ako.

Kapwa ko ay nabigla rin ako nang makita siya. "S-Sir Nilus!" I exclaimed.

Wearing ordinary clothes, a white shirt with a brown vest on top. Paired with brown pants with shoes, also a black newsboy hat.

Hindi ako makapaniwalang nakatingin sa kaniya. He's the last person that I've imagined bumping into!

His forehead furrowed. "What are you doing here?"

Napakagat ako sa ibabang labi, mabilis kong tinignan ang bartender. "You didn't see me here," mariing ani ko. Hinila ko kaagad paalis sa harap ng bartender si Nilus.

Dinala ko siya sa pinakagilid ng counter. Nakakunot pa rin ang noo niyang nakatingin sa 'kin.

"Look, I'm here to investigate about my sister's case."

"But Lady Harlotte, it's dangerous here. Some people are getting out of hand. You shouldn't be here," seryosong sambit ni Nilus.

"I-I know, I won't be here for too long. I'm also about to go-"

Nahinto ko ang sasabihin ko nang marinig ko ang pagtunog ng bell, hudyat na may pumasok. Sabay kaming napalingon ni Nilus sa pintuan at kapwa lumaki ang mga mata.

"It's Sir Sherlo-"

Awtomatikong gumalaw ang kamay ko at tinakpan ko kaagad ang bibig ni Nilus.

"Shhh."

Patago at mabilis ko siyang niyuko at tinago sa iilang bakanteng lamesa. Sinigurado kong hindi kami napansin at mapapansin ni Sherlock.

Sinensyasan ko ang kasama ko na tumahimik.

"Lady Harlotte, what are you doing?-"

"Shh, keep quiet." Masinsin kong tinignan si Nilus. "Please, just this once, keep it a secret from my father, from my mother too. They shouldn't know that I've been here, specially Sherlock." Hinawakan ko ang magkabila niyang kamay. "Please, Sir Nilus, please, just this once."

He wasn't convinced, but you can't underestimate Harlotte's—my charm. "Please. . ."

Pinakita ko ang nagtutubig kong mga mata. Sa magaganda lang 'to umeepekto, pero kung gawin ko 'to gamit ang katawan ko sa totoong mundo, baka may sumapak sa 'kin.

Hilus clicked his tongue. "Fine, but if you get found out about this, I'm out."

Lumiwanag ang ekspresyon ko. "Yes!" mahina pero masiglang sagot ko.

Sinulyapan ko ang pwesto ni Sherlock, kausap niya ang bartender. "We need to get out of here without him noticing." Naningkit ang mga mata ko sa pinapanood ko, binabantayan siya.

Napailing ang lalaking kasama ko. "Dahil nandito na rin ako, sasakyan na kita sa ginagawa mo," mukhang napipilitan niyang sagot. May sinenyas siya sa 'kin.

"Follow me, Lady Harlotte, I know where the back door is."

𓉞✎🕊

With Nilus' help, I successfully got the information I needed, without bumping into that Sherlock.

Malalim akong bumuntong-hininga. I'm on the carriage right now, on my way back. In front of me is the hero of the day, Nilus Gale.

Ngiting tagumpay ako sa isip ko. Pero mabilis din itong naglaho nang maalala ko ang impormasyon na nakalap ko. Bumaba ang tingin ko at bumalik sa isipan ko ang nalaman ko.

Hilian is meeting Felix in secret. . . but why?

Muli akong bumuntong-hininga. Ang daming tanong sa isipan ko, at isa na roon ay. . .

"Why are you in that pub, Sir Nilus?" Umangat ang tingin ko sa lalaking kaharap ko. Marami akong tanong na gustong malaman, pero sa tanong na 'to, may sagot akong makukuha.

Hinabol ko ang tingin niya. "It's not a place that nobles usually go to, specially a young Lord like you."

Napailing sa 'kin si Nilus. "I've known that place for quite a time now, it was introduced to me," sagot niya. "I go there to drink from time to time."

Naningkit ang mga mata ko, nagkrus ang dalawang braso. "And you expect me to believe that?" ani ko.

Nakipagtitigan pa sa 'kin ng ilang segundo si Nilus bago malalim na bumuntong-hininga, senyales na talo na siya sa 'kin. Napaalis siya ng pagkakasandal.

"I shouldn't tell you this-"

"I won't tell," pagputol ko sa kaniya. "At isa pa, alam mo ang pinunta ko r'on. Don't you think it's just fair for me to know why you're there too?"

Bakas sa mukha niya na nahihirapan siya sa sitwasyon niya ngayon—lalo na't pinipiga ko siya. Still, in the end, he let out a sigh again, a sign that shows that I win once more.

"Okay, okay. . . but this is something you shouldn't meddle in, Lady Harlotte." Biglang may pagbabanta ang boses ni Nilus na kinabigla ko. "I'm just telling you this because you asked, but it doesn't mean that you'll have to interfere."

Biglang nagkaroon ng mabigat na tensyon sa loob ng kalesa. Nag-iba bigla ang ihip ng hangin.

"What I told you earlier wasn't a lie, but it's not the only reason why I came there," seryosong ani Nilus. "I'm also investigating a case—a case where authorities are involved. I told you that it's dangerous there, not just there in Ruby Street, but in this whole city."

Kada salitang binibitawan ni Nilus ay pasikip nang pasikip ang dibdib ko. Nakatitig ako sa kaniyang nakikinig, kinakabahan. Napalunok ako nang malalim.

"There are cases of people suddenly going berserk, they're not on themselves. They do anything they can think of, steal, harass, hurt. . . and even kill."

"I'm investigating why they're behaving that way, that's why I'm there."

Seryoso niya 'kong tinignan. "So again, Lady Harlotte, it's not safe for you to go out on your own. Hindi lang dahil sa sitwasyon na meron ka ngayon, kung hindi ang sitwasyon na meron ang bayan na 'to. I advise you to stay home and wait for everything to be okay first."

Hindi ako nakasagot sa sinabi ni Nilus, bigla akong napanghinaan ng loob. I have no idea that's happening right now. . . was it mentioned in the book?

Bumaba ang tingin ko na mabilis niyang napansin. I heard him heaved a sigh before leaning his back at his chair.

"I know you're worried about Lady Hilian, but I think it's better for you to rest and recover your memories first. You should let Sir She-"

"No," mariing sagot ko. Nanatili akong nakayuko nang sumagot ako. "I can do this on my own way."

"It's still-"

"Do you also take me as a fool?" I asked. Umangat ang tingin ko at hinabol ko ang mga mata niya. "Do you also think that what I said last night to Sherlock, is a joke?"

Hindi kaagad siya nakasagot. Muli akong nagsalita. "Why? Is it because I'm not a detective? Is it because I'm just a rich daughter of a nobleman who doesn't know what she's saying? Or. . . is it because I'm a woman?" Tinignan ko siya mabuti. "Is that why you underestimate me?"

Nilus stared at my eyes for seconds, before shaking his head. "I apologize if you think it that way, Lady Harlotte. But I don't—and never underestimated you once."

I was taken aback by his answer. His tone is deep and serious.

"You're the daughter of a Lord I currently work under with, and you're someone I know. If you're going to do something that might get you in trouble, whether you're a man or a woman, an adult or a child, I can't just turn a blind eye."

Our eyes met. "Still, if you're really determined to solve this case on your own way, please feel free to ask my assistance." He smiled. "I will gladly help you with the best of my abilities, I just couldn't let you be."

"If you really insists on taking this case, you might be able to solve it." He chuckled. "Who knows? You might be the first detective to first solve Sir Sherlock Holmes' own case before him."

I was stunned for a moment, still staring at Nilus. It might be the first time I saw him smile, laugh rather. Napayuko ako, bigla akong nakaramdam ng init sa pisngi. Harlotte might be blushing.

Napatikhim ako, napaayos ako ng upo. "Well, changing the subject." I changed the topic and atmosphere. Mabilis kong inalis ang nasa isipan ko.

From the gloomy tension we have a second ago, I made it lighter by changing the expression I have.

I showed a teasing look. Nilus stopped smiling. He immediately knew what I'm up to with my smug look, and he looks like he doesn't like it.

"You've just said it, you'll help me. . ."

"So. . ."

Hindi ko pa natatapos ang sasabihin ko ay hindi na maipinta ang mukha ni Nilus. Hindi nawala ang ngiti na meron ako, hanggang nasa tapat na ulit ako ng manor.

Nanatiling nakangiti ang labi, ang pinagkaiba lang ay hawak-hawak ko ang braso ni Nilus. Kanina ay magkaharap kami, ngayon ay kaharap namin ang pintuan ng bahay—kung nasaan ang ama at ina ko.

Governor Howard looks confuse, so as my mother, behind is Sir Druce who's also confused.

"You. . . went on the library together?" Pagkumpirme ng ama ko. Tinignan niya kaming dalawa, pati ang mga suot namin. Pasimple kong siniko ang katabi ko.

"Y-Yes, Sir Howard. Please forgive my boldness, I didn't ask for your permission."

"You should," sagot ng ama ko. Napunta ang tingin niya sa 'kin. "Kahit ikaw, Harlotte, dapat ay nagsabi ka sa 'kin. Palubog na ang araw, at hindi namin alam na umalis ka. Alam mo ang sitwasyon natin ngayon."

I gently touched my cheeks. "Please forgive me, father. Napupuno ng kung ano-ano ang isipan ko kaya kinailangan ko 'tong ilabas," marahang sagot ko.

Hindi pa rin maipinta ang mukha nila.

"Since when did you two got close?" muling tanong ni ina.

I faked a laugh. "Nilus was nice to me during the ball. And he was also there when the accident happened, he comforted me."

"H-Huh?-" Muli kong pasimpleng siniko si Nilus.

"A-Ah, yes. L-Lad—Harlotte and I, are good friends."

My father winced, still confuse. My mother tried to show a smile.

I feel sorry to Nilus right now, he's losing his reputation to my father. He's a respectable young Lord who's obedient and well mannered. No one will imagine him in this position, being forced by a misbehaved, troublesome, and sly young lady—me.

"But. . . I thought you were sleeping? How did you get in-"

"At least Nilus did take me home safely," mabilis kong pagputol sa sasabihin ng butler namin. Pilit akong ngumiti nang malaki at matamis.

"By the way, father, mother, where are you going?" pag-iiba ko. Tinignan ko silang dalawa gamit ang kumikislap kong mga mata.

Naabutan namin sila rito sa labas, pareho silang nakabihis. I needed to change the subject fast, and I'm also curious on where they're going at this time.

Father sighed. "Now that you're here, you should come with us," sagot niya.

My eyebrows rose. "Hm?" I imagined the dots at the top of me head while processing what he just said.

"Come with us, Harlotte. We're going to have a dinner with the Byron's."

Another set of dots appeared at the top of my head. I still stared at them.

"Hmm?"

𓉞✎🕊