[01] A Cup of Tea

MAVIEL

TODAY, FATE chose me as her victim and played a trick on me.

You know how? Una, late akong nagising para sa seven o'clock classes namin ngayong
umaga. Second, I forgot my ID card kaya hindi ako kaagad pinapasok ng security
guard. Third, pinalabas ako ng Logic professor namin dahil late ako ng fifteen
minutes.
Doon na ba natatapos ang kamalasan ko ngayong araw? Nope! Far from it.
Habang hinihintay kong matapos ang aming morning period, I went to a tea shop
outside the campus. It has a weird name - Moriartea Cafe - but its ambiance is good
for those who want to have their morning drink. Dahil tatambay ako ng mahigit isang
oras dito, kailangan kong bumili ng inumin. Upon entering the shop, dumiretso na
ako sa counter. Ilang minuto rin akong tumingala para tingnan kung anong pwedeng
bilhin.
"Chamomile tea, please," sagot ko sabay bunot ng pera sa aking wallet. Mabuti na
lang, may extra budget ako para sa ganitong expenses.
"P50 only, ma'am. I received one hundred pesos," sabi ng cashier na may nameplate
na "Sigmund." He had curly hair and a smile that was plastered on his face.
Lumikha ng "Ding!" na tunog ang cash register kasabay ng pagbigay niya sa akin ng
sukli. "Here's your change. Enjoy your tea while waiting for your next class."
"Thanks-" My smile froze and my face flashed a curious expression. "What did you
just say?"
"Enjoy your tea while waiting for your next class," Sigmund repeated, his smile
still unfading across his lips. "May mali ba sa sinabi ko, miss?"
"How did you know that I'm waiting for my next class?"
"Obviously, you are late for your first class. Nandito ka sa tea shop namin para
magpalipas ng oras."
"Obviously?"
"Take a look at yourself, miss. Hindi maayos ang pagkakalagay ng necktie mo at
hindi rin nakabutones nang maayos ang blouse mo. Those are signs that you were in a
hurry, probably because you woke up late. Then you professor didn't allow you to
enter the class so here you are. Am I right?"
Napatakip ako ng dibdib sabay tingin kung nakabutones nga ba 'yon. I immediately
buttoned it dahil sumisilip ang aking undergarments. Nakakahiya!
But how in the world did he know about that?
"Kailangan mo lang maging observant sa mga bagay-bagay na nasa paligid mo," sabi
niya na sinabayan pa niya ng pagkindat. "That's the first step to the art of
deduction."
It sounded so simple for him while for me, it seemed complicated. If he's been
working as a cashier for quite some time, he must have observed a lot of things.
He had another companion behind the counter who made my tea. His hair was messy at
halos natatakpan ng bangs ang kaniyang mga mata. He delicately poured it in a
teacup before putting it on the tray. Medyo malayo siya kaya hindi ko nabasa ang
nakasulat sa kaniyang nameplate.
"Umagang-umaga, may napag-trip-an ka na naman, Sig!"
A good-looking man appeared beside me while holding a mop. I didn't notice na nasa
tabi ko na siya. May mole malapit sa kaniyang kaliwang mata. The name "Nikolai" was
engraved on the nameplate.
"Pagpasensyahan mo na ang cashier namin, miss. Talagang mahilig siyang mag-show off
ng kaniyang observation skills."
"I'd like to make an impression to our first time customer." Sigmund placed his
elbows on the counter and shot a glimpse at me. "This is my way para makahikayat ng
regular customers. Kung alam nilang may magaling na deductionist dito sa tea shop,
mataas ang tsansa na bumalik sa sila rito."
"Hindi naman sila pumupunta rito para sa mga deduction mo. They're here to enjoy a
cup of tea."
Truth be told, medyo creepy nga ang ginagawang pag-observe at pag-deduce ng
cashier. If I were a much more ordinary person, I would have freaked out.
Pero teka. "How did you know that it was my first time here?"
"If a customer stares at the menu for around three minutes, there's a high chance
that he or she is not accustomed yet to the establishment," the cashier said, his
finger pointing at the blackboard over his head.
"If you keep talking to him, baka kung ano pa ang sabihin niya tungkol sa 'yo,"
bulong sa akin ni Nikolai. Kinuha niya ang hawak kong tray. "Saan n'yo balak umupo,
ma'am?"
Itinuro ko ang pinakadulong mesa at doon inilapag ng waiter ang aking cup of tea.
Compared sa ibang malapit na shop, kakaiba ang isang 'to dahil may mga nakapalibot
na bookshelves. Para ngang reading corner ang napili kong spot. Well ventilated din
ang buong shop at wala pang masyadong tao kaya makakapag-relax ako.
Dahil mahaba-haba pa ang hihintayin ko, kinuha ko ang isang envelope mula sa aking
bag at inilabas ang papel na kalakip nito. Galing ang form mula sa Office of
Student Affairs and Financial Aid.
I came from a middle class family but we cannot fully afford the tuition and other
expenses here. College education is expensive lalo na kung sa isang private
university ka mag-aaral. Nangungupahan din ako sa isang dorm ilang street ang layo
sa campus kaya kailangan ko ng pera upang bayaran ang renta.
Kung na-meet ko lang sana ang academic requirements, nag-apply na ako bilang
scholar. Kaya bilang alternative, naisipan kong mag-apply bilang student aide. I'd
like to ease the financial burden of my family. Willing akong mag-sacrifice ng
ilang oras kada araw para maipagpatuloy ang aking pag-aaral.
After accomplishing the application form, kumuha ako ng isang libro mula sa shelf
at inumpisahang basahin ito. It was a detective novel titled "The Art of
Manipulation." Not a fan of mysteries kaya ini-skim ko lang ang mga pahina habang
inuubos ang aking tea.
Ten minutes before eight-thirty, umalis na ako ng tea shop at pumasok na sa aming
second subject.
* * *
After our classes, dumiretso ako sa OSAFA upang i-submit ang application form ko
para sa pagiging student aide. Kumpleto naman ang lahat ng requirements ko.
But fate seemed to have played a trick on me again.
"Sorry, pero wala nang slot for student aide," sabi ng office secretary matapos
kong ipakita sa kanya ang aking form. "May nakakuha na ng last two slots kaninang
umaga. Kung sanang nag-submit ka around nine o'clock, baka nakapasok ka pa."
"Eh?" Nanlaki ang mga mata ko sa kaniya. Hanggang dito ba naman, sinundan ako ng
kamalasan? "Wala na ho bang ibang available na program para sa akin? Kailangang-
kailangan ko ho talagang maging working student para sa pag-aaral ko rito."
"Pasensya na talaga. Hindi namin maga-grant ang request mo." Nagmukhang naawa sa
akin ang office secretary. "Kahit gusto naming pagbigyan kayong mga nag-a-apply,
may limit kasi sa number ng working students. Nasa policy kasi 'yan ng office
namin."
"May alternative scholarship program ho ba kayong maire-recommend sa akin?"
"Try mong maging academic scholar. Magkaka-discount ka sa tuition fee mo kung ma-
meet mo ang grade requirements."
It's not that I'm dull pero masyadong mataas ang maintaining grades para sa mga
scholar. Kailangang walang grade na bababa sa 90. Worth it naman ang privileges
dahil malaki-laki ang discount sa tuition fee. Kaso nga lang, walang assurance na
mame-maintain ko ito throughout my college education.
Nakayuko akong lumabas ng kanilang opisina, walang tigil sa pagbuntong-hininga. At
this rate, baka hindi ako tumagal sa university na 'to. I need to find a temporary
source of income para mabayaran ang bills at iba pang gastusin dito.
I stared at the bulletin board where the list of available scholarships have been
posted. Maliban sa student aide program, wala nang ibang fit para sa akin. Kung
gusto kong maging working student, baka kailanganin kong magtrabaho sa labas ng
campus. Pero sino namang kukuha sa isang tulad ko?
"You seem to be in a great distress, miss."
Huh? Parang familiar ang boses na 'yon, ah. I turned around to see kung sino ang
nagsalita. Behind me was a young man with curly hair and a killer smile on his face
since we "met" earlier.
What is the tea shop cashier doing here? Ini-stalk niya ba ako? What was his name
again? Sieghart? Sigmund?
"Relax, miss! I'm not stalking you!"
Teka, wala pa akong sinasabi. How did he-
"Your microexpressions told me about your thoughts." Muli na naman siyang ngumiti.
For the second time, nahulaan niya kung anong tumatakbo sa isip ko. "Huwag ka
sanang ma-creepy-han sa akin."
Wow, ah! Kahit sino maki-creepy-han sa ginagawa niya. "A-Anong ginagawa mo rito?
Hindi ba't nagtatrabaho ka sa tea shop?"
"Part-timer lang ako doon." He showed a bottle of milk tea, twisted the cap and
drank some of it. "I'm also a student here like you!"
Tiningnan ko siya mula ulo hanggang sapatos. He was wearing the white uniform of
Psychology students and black pants.
"Let me deduce: You didn't make it to the cut-off of student aide program?" he
said.
"How did you know-"
"Habang nasa tea shop ka kanina, napansin kong may inilabas kang envelope mula sa
OSAFA. I figured that you were applying for a scholarship program here. Based on
the disappointed face you had by the time you exited the office, mukhang hindi
positive ang kinalabasan."
"You're right. Hindi ako umabot sa cut-off." Wala bang nakakalampas sa mga mata na
tulad sa mga lawin ang linaw?
"I observe almost everything around me. That's how I deduce things."
"What else can you deduce about me?"
"You are now desperately looking for a job that will support you financially. You
are probably considering working outside the campus."
Another accurate deduction. This man is amazing.
"Thank you for the compliment!"
But I didn't say anythi-oh, nevermind. Nababasa siguro niya ang bakas ng
pagkamangha sa mukha ko. Anyone would be impressed by how easily he reads the minds
of someone.
"As it happens, may alam akong pwede mong pag-apply-an for a part-time job. Good
salary. Good work and student life balance. Good environment."
"Baka naman mahirapan akong mag-apply diyan?"
"They're not that strict when it comes to requirements," sagot niya. "As long as
you can commit to the work and you are willing to learn, one hundred percent na
matatanggap ka!"
"At saan naman?" He sounded like a promodizer na desperado nang maibenta ang
kanilang product.
"Our very own tea shop."
Eh?
"We are not in need of part-time staff, but in special cases, we can hire someone
who needs a job. And you perfectly fit the job description."
Teka, baka naman miyembro ng sindikato ang lalaking 'to? Ire-recruit niya ako tapos
ibebenta sa ibang lugar. Sabi nga nila, if the offer's too good to be true, magduda
ka na.
"We are operating legally," Sigmund explained without me having to say any word.
"Hindi kami scam o kidnap-for-ransom group. I wouldn't approach you here in the
campus if I were one of them."
May punto nga naman siya. May mga CCTV camera sa iba't ibang sulok ng building kaya
siguradong nakuhanan na siya ng image.
"Let's say that I'm interested. What do I need to do?"
"We will hire you in one condition: You need to undergo my training as a
detective."
Ang dali lang pala ng kondisyon niya. Teka-ano raw? Detective training?!
~M~

[02] Deal or No Deal?

MAVIEL

TEKA LANG. Buffering pa ang utak ko. Tatanggapin nila ako bilang part-time worker
sa tea shop kung papayag akong sumailalim sa detective training.

Hindi makuha kung anong correlation ng pagiging tea barista at detective. Parang
kasing layo ng buwan at Earth ang koneksyon nila. Dahil ba matalas ang sense ng
lalaking 'to kaya gusto rin niyang magkaroon ng ganong skill ang tatanggapin nila?

"I can read your thoughts all over your face." Nag-drawing pa talaga siya ng bilog
sa harap ng mukha ko. "Hindi ko pa pwedeng sabihin sa 'yo kung ano ang kinalaman ng
pagtatrabaho sa tea shop at pagiging detective. I would only tell you if you accept
the offer."

Umiling ako. "No matter how hard I try to think about it, I couldn't connect the
two dots. Mas mainam kung ise-share mo na sa akin ang dahilan para magbago ang isip
ko."

"No assurance, no answer," nakangiti niyang sagot bago mulig uminom ng kaniyang
bottled milk tea. "Telling you about it would be tantamount to revealing our shop's
secret."

"I appreciate the offer, but no."

"Eh?" There was a slight hint of surprise on his face. "I thought you would agree."

"This must be the first time that you misread my mind. Ayaw kong pumasok sa isang
deal nang wala akong kaide-ideya kung ano ang papasukan ko."

"Shame." He pursed his lips, looking a little dsappointed by my answer. "Wala akong
magagawa kung ayaw mo. See you around!"

That's it? Kumaway na lamang siya at naglakad palayo sa akin, ni hindi na nagawang
lumingon sa akin. I thought he would try to be more persuasive upang magbago ang
isip ko. But he gave up immediately. What's the deal with him?

Anyway, may other options pa naman ako. Their tea shop is not the only
establishment na pwede kong applyan para sa aking part-time job.

I spent the rest of the day asking nearby fast food chains if they were accepting
part-timers. They looked interested in me, but once I introduced myself, they
instantly turned down my application. Nakakapagtaka nga na parang mag-iiba ang
atmosphere at mood ng manager kapag nalaman na niya ang pangalan ko.

Out of ten establishments, everything has been crossed out except for one:
Moriartea Cafe.

Tinurndown ko na ang offer kanina kaya nakakahiya naman kung pupunta ako roon para
magtanong kung pwedeng mag-apply. Hindi kakayanin ng pride ko.
I was walking on the sidewalk of the university campus, nakakasabay ang mga
estudyanteng palabas. Palinga-linga ako sa paligid dahil baka may makita akong
WANTED: PART-TIMER na nakapaskil sa mga poste o sa signage ng mga establishment
dito.

"I admire your persistence."

Napatalon ako sa gulat nang may bumulong sa likuran ko. Mabilis akong lumingon at
bumungad ang nakangiting mukha ng lalaking taga-tea shop. Like earlier, may dala-
dala siyang bote ng milk tea. Did he buy a new bottle o 'yon din ang iniinom niya
kanina? Well, it doesn't matter.

"Let me guess..." His hazelbrown eyes squinted slightly and he tapped his finger on
his chin. "Ni-reject ang application mo sa mga pinag-apply-an mong establishment,
tama?"

"How did you know-"

"Gotcha!" His right forefinger drew a spiral shape on my face. "Don't be surprised.
Your face hinted as much. And your reaction confirmed my deduction. The human mind
is so predictable."

There is no way in this world para malaman niyang walang tumanggap sa akin by one
single look at my face! Para siyang magician na pinapaniwala ako sa magical powers
niya kahit alam kong isang trick lang 'yon.

"Are you stalking me? Kaya ba alam mong na-reject ako, ha?"

He smirked. "I've been on duty at the cafe for the past few hours. The shop's CCTV
camera would prove my alibi so how in the world could I follow you where you went?"

There must be some sort of trick here. His deductive prowess may be impressive but
there are some things that he can never deduce.

"Hindi kita pupwersahing mag-apply sa aming tea shop," he said after taking a sip
of his milk tea. "But the offer is still there. Feel free to come in, look for me
and say the magic words."

Kagaya kaninang umaga, kumaway lamang siya sa akin at naglakad palayo. He sounded
eager to recruit me sa kanilang employment but then he seemed to have lost interest
and walked away.

"Teka, coincidence ba na nagkita tayo rito? Gaya ng pagkikita natin kanina sa harap
ng OSAFA?"

He came into a halt but didn't turn around. Bahagya lamang niyang inilingon ang
kaniyang ulo. "They said that there is no such thing as coincidence. But who knows?
Life is full of surprises."

Kumindat siya sa akin bago nagpatuloy sa paglalakad. I have this weird feeling
about the chain of events. Was it a mere coincidence or is there something else?

***

Mag-isa lang akong nakatira sa dorm na inuupahan ko. Maliit lamang ito pero okay na
para sa akin. Basta may mahihigaan, banyo at kusina, I could live without any
complaint. Isang block din ang layo nito mula sa campus kaya hindi ko problema ang
pagko-commute o pagiging late (maliban kanina).
Today's quest was fruitless. Wala ni isang fast food chain o restaurant ang willing
na tumanggap sa akin. Baka kailangan kong lawakan ang range ng paghahanap ko ng
part-time job. I've already exhausted all choices-except the Moriartea shop-within
one kilometer radius of the campus.

Dahil mag-a-alas-siyete na ng gabi, bumaba muna ako ng dorm at pumunta sa isang

fast food chain. Sa ngayon kasi, puro take out muna ang binibili ko. Convenient din
para sa akin dahil wala akong kagamitan at sangkap sa pagluluto sa dorm. All I have
is a small rice cooker.

Nakayuko akong umorder sa counter, nahihiya dahil baka mamukhaan ako ng cashier.
There's nothing to be embarrassed about getting rejected but I don't feel
comfortable about it. She gave me a number kaya umupo muna ako sa isang sulok.

Habang pinapanood kong magtrabaho ang crew, nakaramdaman ako ng urgency na

makahanap na ng part-time job. Para sa kinabukasan. Para sa ekonomiya. Mahirap na,
baka mapatigil ako sa pag-aaral nang wala sa oras.

"Here's your order, ma'am!" nakangiting bati ng isang crew sabay lapag ng plastic
sa mesa. "Teka, ikaw 'yong naghahanap ng part-time job kanina, 'di ba?"

Naku, lagot! I thought ligtas na akong makakaalis mula sa fast food chain na 'to.
Bakit kasi may nakaalala pa?

Nahihiya akong tumango. Wala na akong magagawa kundi harapin ang nagtanong. "Oo,
ako nga."

"Sayang, mukha ka pa namang masipag," pailing-iling na sabi ng lalaking crew.

"Nangangailangan talaga kami ng mga part-timer ngayon lalo na't kulang kami sa
manpower. Naka-hire na nga kami ng dalawa nang umalis ka eh."

"Eh?" Kung nagawa nilang tumanggap ng application, bakit hindi nila kinuha ang sa
'kin?

"Ewan ko ba sa manager namin, automatic na dineny ang application mo," the male
crew continued, shaking his head slightly. "Usually naman kasi umaabot muna sa
interview bago niya sabihin kung accepted o rejected ang aplikante. Sa 'yo,
pangalan pa lang nakita niya, nagba-bye na kaagad siya. Dahil kaya 'yon sa
natanggap niyang message kanina?"

"Message? Anong message?"

"Ewan kung anong laman ng text message sa kanya. Basta pagkatapos niyang basahin,
sinabihan niya kaming tawagin kaagad siya kapag may nag-apply na part-timers."

Napalunok ako ng laway habang nakatitig ang mga nanlaki kong mata sa lalaki. Lalong
lumakas ang weird feeling na kanina pa bumabagabag sa akin. Everything that
happened today, everyone that I met-they are all connected na parang sapot ng
gagamba.

And there's only one person who's at the center of the web.

"Thank you!" Nagmadali akong lumabas ng kanilang fast food chain at tumakbo patungo
sa campus. Supposedly, pabalik na dapat ako ng dorm upang enjoyin ang binili kong
dinner, but something in my chest wants to explode.

I need to confirm something!

Huminto ako sa tapat ng Moriartea shop. Hindi kagaya ng mga katabi nitong
establishment, dim lights ang gamit nila.

"Good evening, ma'am! Welcome to the Moriartea cafe!" masiglang bati ng lalaking
may mole malapit sa kaliwang mata. Siya rin ang staff na nakita ko kaninang umaga
na may dala-dalang mop. What was his name again? Niccolo? Nikolai?

Nilagpasan ko lamang siya at dumiretso sa counter. I was expecting to see the

annoying and smirking face of that guy with curly hair. But he was nowhere to be
found. Tanging ang lalaking may magulong buhok at natatakpan ng bang ang mga mata
ang natagpuan ko sa counter.

"Nasaan 'yong lalaking naka-duty bilang cashier kaninang umaga?" tanong ko.
Tinitigan lang ako ng lalaki sa counter at muling bumalik sa pagpupunas.

"Excuse me, miss? Si Sigmund ba ang hinahanap mo?" biglang sumabat si Nikolai, may
nakapintang awkward na ngiti sa kaniyang labi. Naramdaman niya sigurong iba ang
aura ko. Mabuti na lang, wala nang customer dito kaya okay lang na mag-iskandalo
ako nang slight.

"Basta 'yong lalaking kumuha ng order ko kaninang umaga! Sigmund ang name niya?"

"Ano ang kailangan mo sa kaniya? Bakit parang may atraso siya sa inyo?"

"Talagang may atraso siya sa akin!" Lalo pang lumakas ang boses ko nang hindi
sinasadya. Kalma, lang Maviel. Huwag idaan sa init ng ulo ang mga bagay-bagay.

"Miss me, sweetie?"

I rolled my eyes as I turned around. The guy who caused me too much trouble today
was seated at the couch in the customers' area, waving his hand and flashing the
same smile he wore since we first met here.

Ipinagkrus ko aking mga braso kasabay ng paglapit ko sa kaniya.

"Agressive behavior, I see..." he darted a glance at my elbows before looking

directly into my eyes. "I better prepare for an incoming outburst in three...
two... one."

"Sa tingin mo ba'y tanga ako para hindi ko mapansin kung anong sinubukan mong
gawin?" Talagang dapat siyang maghanda dahil pauulanin ko siya ng mga salita. "Sa
tingin mo ba'y nakakatawa ang ginawa mo?"

"Miss, teka lang, ano bang nagawang kasalanan ng katrabaho namin?" nakakunot-noong
tanong ni Nikolai. Base sa facial expression niya, wala siyang alam sa ginawang
kalokohan nitong si Sigmund.

"He sabotaged my application to nearby fast food outlets here!" Idinuro ko talaga
ang lalaking wagas kung makangiti. Ni hindi ba siya nahihiya sa ginawa niya?

"Sa-sabotage?"

"Oo! Nag-apply ako sa nine na fastfood chain at lahat sila'y ni-reject ang
application. I thought na minamalas lang ako and it was a coincidence that none of
them accepted me. Kaso may nakausap akong crew doon sa isa sa mga in-applyan ko at
sinabing may natanggap na message ang kanilang manager tungkol sa pag-hire ng mga
part-timer."

"At paano naging relevant ang text message?"

"Wala akong proof but I think the content contained something like 'do not accept
any applicant with this name.' Handa akong isa-isahin ang mga establishment na
pinuntahan ko para tanungin kung may natanggap na ganong message ang mga manager
nila."

"Interesting theory-"

"At noong nagkita tayo kanina, you already knew that I got rejected sa mga
inapplyan ko. I doubt that you can deduce it through mere facial expressions.
Malamang alam mo dahil ikaw mismo ang nagsabi sa mga manager na huwag akong i-
hire."

"Interesting point-"

"And you said that there is no such thing as coincidence. Kaya bigla akong napaisip
kanina kung nagkataon nga lang ba na minalas ako o may nagmanipula ng mga
pangyayari. There's only one person who might be capable of plotting everything. At
walang iba kundi ikaw!"

Medyo hiningal ako sa dami ng mga pinagsasabi ko. The irritating smile across
Sigmund's lips grew wider as he gave me a couple of nods.

Inilibot ko ang aking mga mata sa paligid, looking for someone who can help us
resolve this issue. "Gusto kong kausapin ang manager n'yo para formal na
makapagreklamo laban sa kaniyang empleyado."

"The manager is currently on leave," Sigmund replied. "But you can talk to the
assistant manager."

"Sige, kahit sa kaniya na lang. Basta kung sinong in-charge sa cafe na 'to."

"You're already talking to the assistant manager," he pointed his thumb at himself.
"That's me."

Napapikit na lamang ako at napabuntong-hininga. Bakit ba ang malas ko ngayong araw?

Kahit anong reklamo ko sa kaniya, kung siya mismo ang assistant manager dito, wala
ring patutunguhan ang pagprotesta ko.

So what now?

"It took you some time before you arrived at that conclusion," sabi ni Sigmund
sabay tayo mula sa couch. "But for a beginner, I must say that I am impressed.
Congratulations, you passed the test."

Test? What test?

"Lahat ng pinagdaanan mo ngayong araw ay part ng iyong application dito sa

Moriartea cafe," paliwanag ni Sigmund. Here he goes again with his mind-reading
skill, second-guessing my thoughts. "If you fail the connect the dots, we won't
pursue you as a potential part-timer."

"I never applied to be your shop's part-timer!"

"You just did and you passed! Welcome to Moriartea Cafe!" Sigmund greeted
enthusiastically, spreading his arms wide.

"Teka, teka. Just to be clear, hindi ako nag-apply rito. And considering what you
did to me, I probably won't. Hindi n'yo rin akong mapupuwersang magtrabaho rito
dahil wala tayong kontrata."
Lumapit sa akin si Sigmund at huminto sa tapat ko. "If you sign up with us, your
monthly salary would be..."

He whispered the figure to me.

"So you think na mapapayag n'yo ako gamit ang-Teka, magkano nga ulit ang ibinulong
mo?"

Muli niya akong binulungan. Halos malaglag ang panga ko sa gulat. "Seryoso ka ba
diyan? Baka sinasabi mo lang 'yan para mahikayat mo akong magtrabaho rito?"

"Kung sa ibang cafe ka magtatrabaho, you will only get one-fourth of the salary na
ino-offer namin sa 'yo. Halos kasing rate lang ng regular employee ang sasahurin mo
rito. Tapos may extra kita ka pa, pero hindi ko muna idi-discuss kung saan
manggagaling 'yon hangga't hindi mo ibinibigay sa akin ang matamis mong oo."

Napakagat tuloy ako sa aking mga kuko. The offer is something that I couldn't
resist lalo na't nangangailangan din ako ngayon. If what this guy said is true,
hindi na ako mahihirapan sa expenses. Pero kung joke lang ito para mapapirma niya
ako ng kontrata, ako ang maaagrabyado.

"Hindi mo naman kailangang mag-decide right away," sabi ni Sigmund na muling umupo
sa couch. "You can sleep on it and tell me your decision tomorrow. Pakatandaan mo
lang: Kapag pumayag ka sa deal, you need to undergo detective training in this
cafe."

And that's the part I don't get. Bakit ba pinagpipilitan niyang turuan akong maging
detective kung ang gusto ko lang ay kumita para may pambayad ng bills?

"Kailangan ko ngang pag-isipan. Thank you and good night."

Nag-goodbye na rin sila sa akin maliban sa lalaking nasa barista's corner. Mukha
ngang seryoso siya sa kaniyang ginagawa at ni minsa'y hindi nagsalita o nakisali sa
diskusyon namin.

Should I accept it or not?

Sa kakaisip ko sa aking isasagot, naiwan ko pala ang dala-dala kong takeout.

~M~

[03] Terms and Conditions

MAVIEL
KUNG PAGIGING practical ang paiiralin ko, dapat ko nang tanggapin ang offer sa
Moriartea Cafe. Kahit sino sigurong offeran ng ganong kataas na salary, kaagad na
pipirma ng kontrata on the spot. Sana nga lang ay hindi ito scam na isinet ni
Sigmund.
What a weird name, by the way. Naalala ko tuloy si Sigmund Freud, isang kilalang
psychologist.
"And here's your contract."
When an opportunity knocks on your door, let it in, they said. Kaya nga pagkatapos
ng morning period namin, dumiretso na ako sa Moriartea Cafe upang pirmahan na ang
kontrata. And somehow, I felt special. Isinara pa talaga nila ang buong tea shop
para sa akin.
Sigmund was seated across the table, his hands placed on the knees of his crossed
legs. Now that I have an idea of what he is capable of, nakaramdam ako ng
pagkailang. Parang binabasa niya kasi ang isip ko sa pamamagitan ng mga maliliit
kong kilos.
"Oh, just take your time and relax! Wala namang time limit ang pagpirma mo sa
contract. Basta basahin mo nang mabuti para wala tayong problema."
Ugh. He read my mind again.
"Yes, I did."
Napapikit na lamang ako bago muling itinuon ang atensyon ko sa papel. Dumagdag pa
sa pagkailang ko ang paligid-ligid na si Nikolai, nakatutok ang hawak na digital
camera sa akin. Parang isa akong artista na nagko-contract signing sa isang
bigating network. If this is how they make people feel special, I don't know if
they are doing it right.
I flipped over the pages and read the terms and conditions. There was nothing
unusual in the contract-except for two items.
18. In the event of resignation, the employee must submit a written notice thirty
days before its effectivity. Furthermore, she shall pay the company an amount that
is equivalent to her accumulated salary during her tenure in the cafe.
That's unfair! Bakit ko naman ibabalik sa kanila ang pinaghirapan kong pera? I
expected them to include suspicious provisions in the contract.
At heto pa:
20. By enlisting to the part-time job program, the employee agrees to undergo
detective training. Her refusal to submit herself to this provision is tantamount
to termination of the contract.
I wonder kung lahat ng mga part-timer-kung meron mang nauna sa akin-ay sumailalim
din sa kanilang training program. Pinag-isipan ko nga kagabi kung para saan ba
talaga ang condition na 'yon. It surely doesn't make sense.
Itinaas ko ang aking kamay. "I have a question sa number-"
Pero napatigil ako nang mabasa ang pinakahuling item.
"The terms and conditions stated in the contract are non-negotiable."
Ang ibig sabihin, wala akong karapatang magreklamo sa mga provision dito.
I repeatedly pressed the tip of my pen as I stared at the SIGNATURE OVER PRINTED
NAME blank. Kapag pinirmahan ko na 'to, wala nang urungan. Parang nakatali na ako
rito sa tea shop for three months.
Hay, bahala na nga. I printed my name in all caps bago nilagdaan sa ibabaw. Mabilis
na hinablot ni Sigmund mula sa kamay ko ang kontrata at sinuri ang parteng may
signature ko.
"Congratulations!" He extended his right hand to me and beamed with that permanent
smile. "Welcome to the Moriartea Cafe!"
Walang gana akong nakipagkamay sa kanya. Sunod-sunod na pag-click sa shutter button
ang isinalubong sa akin ni Nikolai. Napilitan tuloy akong ngumiti sa harap ng
camera.
I hope I won't regret my decision later on.
"Welcome to the family," sunod na iniabot ni Nikolai ang kaniyang kamay sa akin.
Good vibes ang nararamdaman ko sa lalaking 'to kaya feeling ko, magiging close
kami.
Lumingon ako sa may barista's corner kung saan naka-station ang lalaking parang
walang pakialam sa mundo. Nang magsalubong ang mga mata namin (kahit na hindi ko
makita dahil sa bangs), I expected him to greet me gaya ng ginawa ng kasamahan
niya. But he only looked away and continued what he was doing. What a weird guy.
"Now that you are officially one of us, let me introduce you to our your co-
workers!" masiglang saad ni Sigmund sabay turo kay Nikolai. "If you're observant
enough, you probably know his name by now."
Paanong hindi ko malalaman e naka-engrave sa nameplate na naka-pin sa uniform ang
mga pangalan nila?
"He's the waiter who serves the drinks and cleans the whole tea shop," Sigmund's
eyes were fixated on Nikolai who's mopping the floor. "Wala kang makikitang kahit
katiting na alikabok dito, thanks to him."
Mukha namang masipag at malinis sa katawan ang kasama niya.
"Yes, and he's also a Criminology student." Sigmund turned his gaze to me. "His
classes are in the late afternoon and evening kaya minsan, ako ang sumasalo sa
duties niya sa pagse-serve ng drinks. Thanks to his looks, dumarami ang mga
customer naming babae. Just hire a pretty boy as a waiter and girls will flock to
this tea shop."
In fairness, may looks naman si Nikolai. It would be strategically advantageous sa
tea shop kung siya nga mismo ang tagahatid ng drinks.
"Next we have Landice, our tea barista," Sigmund gestured his right hand to the
counter. Alam ko na ngayon kung anong pangalan ng snobbish na staff. "He doesn't
talk too much. He rarely talks. And he values his personal space. Mukha lang siyang
snob pero may busilak na puso ang lalaking 'yan."
This Landice is probably an anti-social. Ironically, he works for a tea shop that
deals with a lot of people every day.
"Siya ang personal na gumagawa ng signature blends namin," Sigmund continued.
"Without him, magiging katulad lang ang Moriartea ng ibang tea shop diyan sa tabi-
tabi."
So he's valuable here, huh? "Anong course niya?"
"He dropped out of college."
Naningkit ang mga mata ko kay Sigmund. I didn't have to say a word for him to
elaborate. After all, he could read based on my facial expression kung ano ang
iniisip ko.
"Wala ako sa posisyon para ikuwento sa 'yo ang background niya." Bahagyang humina
ang boses ng kausap ko, malamang iniiwasan niyang marinig kami ng taong pinag-
uusapan namin. "But something happened in the university so he decided to stop
going to school. Siya lang ang full-time employee rito."
That's sad.
"And of course, yours truly." He placed his right hand on his chest and bowed a
little. "Sigmund, at your service! You have probably deduced from my uniform when
we first met in front of OSAFA kung ano ang course ko."
Of course, I did. Hindi naman kailangang gamitan ng deduction para malaman kung
anong kinukuha niyang kurso. As long as you know kung anong uniform ng isang
course, it would be as easy as slicing a cake.
He leaned forward, placing his elbows on the table and putting his fingertips
together. "Now let me tell you about this tea shop's not-so-secret secret."
"Go ahead, I'm listening."
"Hindi lang kami basta-basta nagse-serve ng tea at cake. We also accept cases
here."
Halos magsalubong ang kilay ko sa sinabi niya. "Cases? What do you mean?"
"Moriartea is obviously a tea shop and-not so obviously-a detective agency."
Napakurap na lamang ang mga mata ko. Seryoso ba siya sa sinasabi niya? O nagdyo-
joke time na naman siya?
"No, I'm not joking. We are a legit detective agency accepting different cases. You
can say that this is an agency disguised as a tea shop. The business is merely
serving as a front."
Now that detective thingy makes sense! "Kaya ba nakalagay sa kontrata na kailangan
kong sumailalim sa detective training?"
"Bullseye! Getting sharper everyday, eh? What an improvement." He slowly clapped as
if I did something spectacular. "The manager-slash-owner only hires employees who
have potential to be a detective."
But I don't have the potential nor the dream to be one. Kaya bakit ako nasali rito?
"You are an exception." His finger pointed at me. "But so far, you have proven
yourself to be a promising student of the science of deduction."
Salamat sa pagse-second guess ni Sigmund sa mga iniisip ko, nakakapag-save ako ng
laway at effort mula sa pagsasalita.
"Last night, naikwento ko sa 'yo na may extra ka pang kikitain dito. That money
will come from our clients. The fee is split into the shop and those who
participated in solving the case."
"At bakit naman pupunta rito ang mga may problema sa buhay? Why would they trust a
bunch of teenage detectives para lutasin ang mga misteryo sa buhay nila?"
"Because our clearance rate is ninety-three percent!" he replied. "Ayaw kong
magbuhat ng sariling bangko but we rarely fail."
Wow, ah. Parang dinaig pa nila ang mga professional private investigators. Baka
paghahanap lang ng nawawalang aso ang nire-refer na kaso sa kanila? I still find it
hard to believe that these boys are into that sort of business.
"As your first assignment, you need to read the Sherlock Holmes books." Sigmund
stood and put his hands inside his pockets. "'Yan ang magiging module natin
throughout the training. Magkakaroon tayo ng quiz within this week. May copies pa
yata ng libro sa library."
"Te-Teka! Bakit parang nag-enroll ako sa isang unfamiliar subject?"
Sigmund smirked. "Now that you've signed the papers, there's no turning back.
Unless you wanna terminate our agreement?"
I heaved a sigh of surrended as I bowed my head. Dahil parte 'yon ng kontrata, wala
akong magagawa kundi sumunod sa gusto niya.
"Mamayang hapon ka na magre-report for duty. Pwede mo nang puntahan ang library
para makapanghiram ng libro. In the meantime, I will have your uniform prepared for
you."
My God, ano ba 'tong napasukan ko?
~M~
Next update? Maviel's first case!

[04] Buttons Up!

MAVIEL
PERFECT. GANYAN ko maide-describe ang suot kong cafe uniform. Halos kapareho ito ng
style sa suot ni Sigmund - white longsleeved blouse, crimson vest and black ribbon.
Sa pang-ibaba lang ang pinagkaiba dahil itim na skirt at stockings ang sa 'kin
habang sa kanila'y pants.

Tiningnan ko ang sarili ko sa salamin. I don't know kung pinasadya talaga nila ang
uniform o nataon lang na fit ang damit na 'to. Hinayaan kong nakalugay ang buhok ko
sa harapan habang naka-ponytail naman ang sa likuran.
"Bagay na bagay sa 'yo."
Sigmund, in his seemingly perpetual smile, looked at me through the large mirror in
the girl's washroom. Nakasandal siya sa pintuan habang tinitingnan ang reflection
ko. Wala naman siyang maboboso sa akin so I don't mind him taking a peek.
"I got your measurements right, didn't I?" tanong niya. "34-25-36."
Those are my vital statistics! How did he-
"Don't be surprised. I put my observation skills into use. That's how I knew."
Napabuntong-hininga na lang ako. As usual, he was second-guessing my thoughts.
Minsan ko nang naisip na baka may superpower itong si Sigmund, given the accuracy
of his mind reading.
Lumabas na ako ng washroom at nagtungo sa customer area. Sigmund followed behind.
Maagang natatapos ang klase namin araw-araw. When the clock strikes three, pwede na
akong pumunta rito para mag-duty. According to the contract, I only have to work
four to five hours a day unless kailangang mag-overtime.
"Wow!" Natigil sa pagpupunas ng mesa si Nikolai at tiningnan ako mula ulo hanggang
paa. Parang na-starstruck siya nang makita ako. "It looks perfect on you, Mav.
Perfect!"
"Th-Thank you," nahihiya kong sagot. I'm not used to compliments kasi.
Nagawi sa direksyon ko ang tingin ni Landice na nagbabasa ng libro sa corner niya.
Sandaling nagkatagpo ang mga mata namin bago siya kumalas ng tingin. He didn't
bother to say anything. May issue ba siya or what? Malamig na nga rito sa shop,
nakadagdag pa ang cold treatment niya sa akin.
"Okay!" Sigmund rubbed his palms together as he went behind the cash register.
"Because you have the looks and the charm, you will also be in-charge sa paghahatid
ng drinks sa customers. Always remember to smile at huwag na huwag mo silang
susungitan, ah?"
No need to remind me. I already know what to do. May ibubuga naman yata ako
pagdating sa customer's service. Prepared nga akong magtrabaho sa mga fast food
chain eh.
Halos kalahati ng mga mesa ang occupied dito sa shop. Most of the customers were
students reading their thick notes or doing their assignments. Unlike other
establishments, mas relaxing ang feeling dito sa Moriartea. I somehow understand
kung bakit pipiliin nilang tumambay rito.
"Working in a tea shop is a perfect spot for training your observation and
deduction skills," nakapangalumbabang sabi ni Sigmund habang pinapanood ang
ginagawa ng ilang customer. "You can deduce something about a customer based on
what is on his table."
Mukhang alam ko na kung saan patungo ito. "Balak mo bang ipagsabay ang duty at
detective training ko?"
"It's better to hit two birds in one stone. So let me ask you: How do you determine
if someone's left handed or not?"
That sounded like a dumb question. "Kung aling kamay ang may hawak ng isang bagay.
Kunwari, 'yong estudyante sa bandang dulo. Hawak ng kanang kamay niya ang ballpen
kaya malamang right handed siya."
"Amazing observational skills, Sherlock." He didn't sound impressed and I sensed
the sarcasm in his voice. "Paano 'yong lalaking nagta-type sa kaniyang laptop?"
Sinuri ko ang customer na nasa harapan namin, sobrang busy yata sa kaniyang
assignment. Wala siyang tigil sa pagta-type sa keyboard. I can't guess whether he's
left or right-handed dahil parehong nakapatong ang mga daliri niya doon. Wala rin
siyang nakasaksak na mouse sa magkabilang side ng laptop.
What else did I observe? Nawalan na yata ng lamig ang inorder niyang fresh cup of
tea na nasa gawing kaliwa ng mesa. At may suot siyang relo sa kanang wrist.
"Is this my first test?"
"Just for fun," Sigmund smiled. "Let's see how sharp your observation skills are."
"Possibly left-handed? Ang mga kakilala ko kasing right-handed, nilalagay sa
kabilang wrist ang kanilang relo. If I apply the same line of reasoning, the
opposite will still be correct. A left-handed person will wear his watch on the
right wrist."
Observation lang naman sa mga kakilala ko ang pinagbasehan ko, ewan kung tamang
gawing basis 'yon para sa deductions.
"Am I right or not?"
"That customer is most likely left-handed," sagot niya habang nakamasid ang
kaniyang mga mata sa galaw ng mga kamay ng customer. "You pointed out one factor,
but there's still another. The placement of his teacup on the table."
"Dahil nasa kaliwang side ng mesa?"
"Most people would put things within the reach of their dominant hand. If he was
right-handed, he would put his teacup on the right dahil nasanay siyang humawak ng
baso gamit ang kanang kamay. As for that man, it would be a little uncomfortable
kung right hand ang gagamitin niyang panghawak kung nasa left side naman ang baso."
Huminto sa pagta-type ang customer at saka maingat na hinawakan ang teacup gamit
ang kaliwang kamay. We were right about his handedness.
"Kung graded recitation ito, I will give you five out of ten. If you only got the
teacup part, perfect ten na sana ang score mo."
Sana nama'y walang grading system sa detective training na 'to. Some may agree that
numbers don't measure someone's intellect. Ang importante'y nakuha mo ang concept
at kaya mong i-apply sa buhay kung anumang natutunan mo.
Biglang bumukas ang pinto ng shop at pumasok ang isang lalaking nakaputing
longsleeves at black pants. Lumingon-lingon siya sa paligid na tila may hinahanap
bago dumiretso sa aming counter.
"Uhm... Excuse me?"
"Yes, sir? How may I help you?" Sigmund greeted him enthusiastically.
"Nagpa-book kasi ako ng appointment sa isang online detective agency. Ang sabi,
dito raw ang address? Tama ba?"
"You went to the right place!" Umalis muna si Sigmund sa harap ng cash register at
hinawakan sa balikat ang bagong pasok na customer. "Landice, take care of the
orders muna. Maviel, come with me."
He led the man upstairs followed by me. Kapag pala may kliyente ang tinatawag
niyang detective agency, basta-basta na lang niyang iiwan ang puwesto niya sa baba.
The second floor layout was entirely different from downstairs. May mga couch na
nakapalibot sa isang glass table at flatscreen television na nasa pader. It
appeared like a normal living room.
"Take a seat," Sigmund motioned to one of the couches before turning to me. "This
is where we bring our clients to discuss about their problems. Masyado kasing
maingay sa baba."
"What am I supposed to do here?" tanong ko nang makaupo na ang kliyente. "Shouldn't
I be helping out downstairs?"
"Gusto kong ipakita sa 'yo na legit kaming agency despite the tea shop disguise.
Maybe you can get some tea for me and our client. Mine's green tea while for
him.... an oolong tea will do."
He took his seat habang ako nama'y bumaba at kumuha ng isang service plate.
"One green tea for Sigmund and one oolong tea for the client," sabi ko kay Landice.
Nakaupo lamang siya habang nagbabasa sa sulok ng counter. Nagpukol muna siya ng
nababagot na tingin sa akin bago siya tumayo at kumuha ng mga teabag.
I didn't expect him to say anything kaya hindi ako na-disappoint na hindi niya ako
kinausap. Normally, a tea barista would say, "Right away, ma'am!" or "Coming up!"
Hinintay niya munang kumulo ang tubig bago ito ibuhos sa mga teacup. Nilagay niya
ang dalawang teacup sa inihanda kong service plate sabay sabing, "Tell Sigmund to
pay for the tea."
Nagulat na lamang ako nang biglang bumukas ang bibig niya. Sa sobrang
pagkasorpresa, sandali akong natulala at hindi nakasagot. Bumalik na ulit siya sa
pagbabasa kaya I decided not to disturb him.
"Thank you," sabi ko na lang. There was no response from him. I wonder kung paano
siya makikipag-deal sa mga customer ngayong siya rin ang in-charge muna bilang
cashier.
Maingat kong dinala ang dalawang teacup. Dahan-dahan din akong umakyat sa hagdan
dahil baka matapilok ako at matapon ang pinaghirapan ni Landice. Mahirap din kasing
maglakad kapag may suot kang heels.
Pagpatong ko ng mga teacup sa mesa, kaagad na kinuha ni Sigmund ang kaniya at
hinipan ito. It's too obvious, but I can deduce na mahilig sa tsaa ang lalaking
'to. Is that why he chose to work in a tea shop?
Umupo ako sa isang bakanteng couch at ipinatong sa aking mga hita ang pabilog na
service plate. Like what Sigmund said, gusto niyang manood ako kung paano sila
magtrabaho.
"May we know what happened at your workplace?" panimulang tanong niya.
"Ganito kasi-H-How did you know na may nangyari sa pinagtatrabauhan ko?" pagulat na
tanong ng kliyente.
"Just a guess," Sigmund answered before taking a sip of his steaming tea. Good to
know na hindi lamang ako ang suki ng kaniyang mind reading technique.
"My name's Joaquin Jacinto. I work as a manager sa isang hotel malapit dito." The
man introduced himself, stirring his cup of tea. "Gusto ko sanang i-refer sa inyo
ang kakaibang behavior ng isa naming guest. Para kasi siyang... possessed."
Inilabas niya ang kaniyang laptop at ipinatong ito sa mesa, maingat na huwag
matamaan ang teacup ni Sigmund. After tapping a few keys, a video window appeared,
showing a scene inside an elevator.
"And what are we looking at?"
"Watch." Joaquin hit the "enter" button to play the video. Makalipas ang tatlong
segundo, pumasok sa elevator ang isang teenage na babae kasama ang isang lalaki't
babae na malamang ay nasa forty o fifty years old na. Hinawakan ng ginang ang kamay
ng babae habang nakatayo sa kabilang side niya si manong.
Nagulat ako nang diretsong tumingin ang babae sa camera, tila nakipagtitigan dito
sa loob ng ilang segundo. Nang ibinalik niya sa harapan ang kaniyang tingin,
mabilis niyang pinindot ang HOLD button at saka isinunod ang mga button na G-3-6-7-
10-11-12A-15-18.

17-18
15-16
12A-14
11-12
9-10
7-8
5-6
3-4
G-2
Hindi man namin narinig ang pag-uusap nila, tila pinagalitan ang babae ng kasama
niyang ginang.
"A young woman randomly presses the elevator buttons," Sigmund muttered, his eyes
fixated on the laptop screen. He didn't sound interested about the case at first.
"So you think something is weird with what she did?"
"Panoorin n'yo ang dalawa pang susunod na video," sabi ni Joaquin bago may pindutin
sa kaniyang device.
Click!
Parehong anggulo pa rin sa elevator ang ipinakita sa amin ngunit iba ang date at
oras sa time stamp. Kagaya ng unang napanood na video, pumasok ang babae kasama pa
rin ang ginang at manong sa loob. For the second time, the girl glanced at the CCTV
camera before randomly pressing the elevator buttons.
"Same floors, huh?" bulong ni Sigmund nang i-stop na ni Joaquin ang video. Kung
nakakunot ang noo ko dahil hindi ko naintindihan ang nangyari, parang chill na
chill lang ang kasama ko.
Almost exactly the same scene happened in the third video. The timestamp was
different as well as the outfit of the people in the footage. May dalawang common
denominator sa tatlong pinanood na video: ang mga pinindot na elevator button at
ang paglingon ng babae sa camera bago gawin 'yon.
"Now explain that!" hamon ni Joaquin sabay sandal ng kaniyang likuran sa couch.
"Bakit gagawin 'yan ng isang babae, hindi lang isa kundi tatlong beses? Posible
kayang sinasaniban siya ng masamang espiritu tuwing sasakay ng elevator?"
"Surely you know kung saang unit sila nag-stay?" Sigmund blew the steam off his
tea. "Have you tried asking the girl kung bakit niya ginagawa 'yon?"
"Her name is Marianne. Noong isang araw, kumatok ako sa kanilang unit at nagtanong
kung bakit niya pinagpipindot ang buttons. Humingi ng sorry ang kaniyang parents-
ang dalawang kasama niya sa video-dahil nagpa-prank daw ang anak nila."
Kung prank lang pala ang lahat, there's no point in investigating it. But Sigmund
probably thought otherwise dahil napatingin siya sa akin. "Part of being a
detective is asking the right question. Meron ka bang gustong itanong sa kaniya?"
"A-Ako? Magtatanong?" Napaturo pa ako sa sarili ko. And I thought I was here just
to observe! "Seryoso ka ba?"
"Any random question that you can think of. It might lead us somewhere."
I bit my lower lip as I try to squeeze out the deductive juices - Is there such a
phrase? - from my brain. Bahala na, kung ano na lang ang maisip ko. "Aside from her
name, do you know anything else about the student? Talaga bang kasama niya ang
parents niya doon sa unit?"
"Kumukuha siya ng BS Education Major in Special Education. Doon talaga siya
nakatira pero ngayon lang niya nakasama ang mga magulang niya. Parang bumisita sila
tapos doon na muna nag-stay. Nakakuwentuhan ko kasi siya dati at wala akong na-
sense na kahit anong kaweirduhan sa kaniya."
"So she wants to teach those with disabilities. Interesting." Sigmund placed the
teacup back on the saucer. "Prior to the arrival of her parents, have you seen them
before?"
Umiling ang kliyente. "Kamakailan lang namin sila nakita. Mababait nga sila e. Lagi
nilang hinahatid si Marianne sa school kahit malapit lang."
There must be something in that question. Hindi basta-basta magtatanong si Sigmund
ng kung ano-ano kung walang koneksyon sa case.
He looked at the clock display on his phone. "It's already six o'clock. Do you
think they're in their room? I'd like to meet them."
"Hindi naman sila kumakain sa labas," sagot ni Joaquin. "Mula nang dumating ang
parents ni Marianne, lagi na silang nagpapa-deliver ng kanilang pagkain. Malamang
nasa unit pa sila at naghihintay ng kanilang delivery."
Biglang tumayo si Sigmund, inayos ang kaniyang ribbon at lumingon sa akin. "You
better come with me, Maviel. Ipapakita ko sa 'yo kung paano umaksyon ang agency
natin."
"Te-Teka! May duty pa tayo rito! Iiwanan ba natin ang shop?"
"Solving a case is far more important than serving tea," he smiled before turning
to the client. "Are you willing to pay for the consultation and service fee?"
"Basta malaman natin ang katotohanan sa likod ng pagka-possess ni Marianne sa
elevator. Mahirap na, baka magkaroon ng haunted rumor tungkol sa hotel namin."
"Then, let's go! It's time to do some detective stuff!"
Did I really sign up for this?
"You actually did! Remember the contract?" Sigmund winked before vanishing into the
stairs.
I'm now beginning to hate it when he does that.
~M~
A/N: Credits to CryAllen for the Maviel artwork!

[05] Damsel in Distress

MAVIEL
FIRST DAY, first case! And I'm not looking forward to it because I didn't expect
it.
Naunang bumaba ng hagdan ang energetic na si Sigmund. I could feel the excitement
in his aura na para bang atat na atat na siyang i-solve ang kaso.
"Landice, man the cash register while I'm away. Nikolai, continue doing your work."
Ni hindi man siya huminto habang inuutusan ang mga workmate namin. Kahit labag sa
loob ko, sumunod na lang ako sa kaniya.
Ganito ba talaga rito? Kapag naisipan niyang lumabas para lumutas ng kaso, basta-
basta na lang niya iiwan ang kaniyang post? Counted ba sa work hours namin ito?
"Should we call a taxi or-"
"I can drive you to the hotel," sabi ni Joaquin sabay lapit sa kulay gray na
Mitsubishi na naka-park sa labas.
Umupo kaming dalawa ni Sigmund sa backseat ng kotse at hinayaan ang hotel manager
na i-drive kami patungo sa destinasyon. Nang mapayuko ang aking ulo at magawi ang
tingin sa vest ko, may biglang sumagi sa isip ko.
"Pupunta tayo sa hotel na ganito ang suot natin?"
"What's the problem?" tanong ng katabi ko. He seemed to be comfortably seated. "We
can use our work uniform as disguise. Pwede nating sabihin na nagde-deliver tayo ng
tea sa unit nila so we can have access inside."
Sumandal ako sa leather seat at ipinagkrus ang aking mga braso. I never thought
that I would get involved in solving a case. Naalala ko tuloy ang mga napanood kong
detective anime. Ang buong akala ko'y sa TV lang 'yon nangyayari, maging sa totoong
buhay pala pwede. Mabuti nga't hindi murder ang ini-refer sa amin.
Sigmund leaned toward the driver seat and pointed at the convenience store on the
side. "Ah, excuse me! Pwede ba tayong mag-stopover diyan?"
Inihinto muna ni Joaquin ang kotse. Sigmund quickly got out of the car and entered
the convenience store. We waited for about five minutes until he returned. Pagbalik
niya, may dala-dala siyang milk tea bottle-the same brand na iniinom niya noong
magkita kami sa OSAFA.
"You really like milk tea, don't you?" tanong ko nang isara niya ang car door.
He twisted the cap as he replied, "Yup! This drink increases my deduction prowess
by thirty percent. You should try drinking it sometimes. Baka tumalab din sa 'yo."
"May therapeutic claim ba 'yang sinabi mo?"
"Nope. Gawa-gawa ko lang 'yon. Placebo effect. I make myself believe that I become
smarter by drinking this milk tea. And it works!"
Ipinagtuloy ni Joaquin ang pagda-drive hanggang sa marating namin ang sinasabi
niyang hotel. Nauna na kaming lumabas ni Sigmund habang ipina-park ng manager ang
kotse. Pagpasok pa lang sa loob, bumati na sa amin ang mga nakangiting mukha ng
receptionist at bellboy pati na ang malamig na hangin mula sa aircon.
"Good evening, ma'am and sir! How may I help you?" tanong ng receptionist na
tiningnan kami mula ulo hanggang paa. Baka akala nila na nagko-cosplay kami ng
kasama ko.
"Ah! Sila 'yong sinasabi ko sa inyong taga-online detective agency!" Joaquin said
nang makapasok na rin siya. "Nandito sila para bisitahin si Marianne at mga
magulang niya sa unit. Ihahatid ko na sila sa taas."
"Oh? Magpe-perform ba sila ng exorcism doon sa babae?" tanong ng walang kamuwang-
muwang na bellboy.
Ano bang tingin nila sa amin, mga supernatural detective?
"The girl is possessed by something, but definitely not by an evil spirit," sabi ni
Sigmund. "Mas mabuti siguro kung kaming dalawa na lang ng kasama ko ang aakyat. If
we want to catch them off guard, kailangang wala kaming kasama na hotel staff."
Nagpukol tuloy ako ng nagtatakang tingin sa kanya. He wants to go there nang walang
back-up? How overconfident can he get?
"Catch them off guard? Anong ibig mong sabihin?" Joaquin's eyebrows furrowed as he
asked. Maging ang mga empleyado niya, na-confuse na rin.
"Let me confirm my theory first then we will explain later, okay?" Sigmund gave
them a thumbs up. "Anong floor at room number nila?"
"Tenth floor, Room 1010."
"Thank you! At kapag may dumating na delivery boy mula sa Moriartea Cafe, paakyatin
n'yo siya sa taas. He's also one of us. See you later!"
With that, he strode off his way to the elevator lobby. As his apprentice, sumunod
ako sa kaniya nang walang kaalam-alam kung ano ang gagawin namin. He should brief
me with his plans para well coordinated kami.
"Don't worry, I will tell you about what I'm planning," sabi niya bago kami pumasok
sa elevator. He pressed the "hold" button and observed the others.
"Tititigan lang ba natin ang mga elevator button hanggang mamaya?" nababagot kong
tanong.
"A detective should know how to be patient," he said, turning to me while smiling.
"Let me ask you: Why do you think the girl darted a glance at the CCTV camera
before pressing the buttons here?"
I crossed my arms over my chest, trying to think of a logical reason. Kung ako ang
babae... "She might be trying to tell something. I have a gut feeling na tumingin
siya sa camera para sabihing 'look at what I am about to do' bago niya
pinagpipindot ang mga button. What if she left a message through the elevator
buttons? Something that she cannot say out loud?"
Sigmund nodded approvingly. "Astute deduction, Maviel. The 'possessed girl' theory
is now busted. 'Yan din ang tanong sa isip ko. Kasama naman niya ang mga
nagpakilalang parent niya kaya bakit mag-iiwan siya ng message?"
Okay. Pinipiga ko na naman ang utak ko upang makaisip ng sagot. Kung tama ang
deductions namin, what sort of message would she leave? Is she playing prank on
anyone who's watching the video?
"Ano nga ulit ang mga pinindot niyang button?"
Instead of answering verballly to my question, Sigmund pressed the same buttons in
the video. Nakakamangha lang na na-memorize niya ang mga floor number.
17-18
15-16
12A-14
11-12
9-10
7-8
5-6
3-4
G-2
"Repetition is key. Once you watch something over and over again, our mind
remembers the most significant of details. Now what do you think is the message
here?"
I bit my lip as I stared at the numbers. Kahit anong pilit ko, walang pumapasok na
ideya sa akin. Maybe the numbers represent certain letters? But how about the G and
the 12A? Kulang din ang mga numero to represent the twenty-six letters of the
alphabet.
"A code, maybe? But I don't know what sort of."
"Your next assignment? Read more about the types of codes." Muling ibinaling ni
Sigmund ang kaniyang atensyon sa mga button. "One way to know what code was used is
through knowing the background of the one who wrote it. For instance, a seafarer
can leave a message via Morse code because he's familiar with it. Ano ang
natatandaan mo tungkol sa babae?"
"She's a special education student studying in the university. Importante ba ang
detalyeng 'yon?"
"That fact gave it away," ngumiti si Sigmund sabay pindot sa button na nagsara sa
pinto ng elevator. "Sino-sino ba ang tinuturuan ng mga SPED teacher? Mga
estudyanteng may kapansanan. They can be deaf, dumb or visually impaired. Emphasis
on the visually impaired."
Salamat sa mga pinagpipindot niyang button, humihinto ang elevator every now and
then. "What's with the visually impaired?"
"Are you familiar with the Braille? No? A system of writing and reading for the
visually impaired or blind. Every character is represented by a set of six dots
divided into two columns and three rows, and some of those dots are raised. Sa
pamamagitan ng pagkapa sa mga ito, nababasa ng bulag ang mga letra at nakakabuo ng
salita."
"Ang ibig mong sabihin... that girl used Braille to hide a message? And she did
that through the elevator buttons?"
"Look. These are divided into two columns and nine rows. Kung ihihiwalay natin ang
bawat tatlong row, they would look like characters in the Braille alphabet."
17-18
15-16
12A-14
------
11-12
9-10
7-8
------
5-6
3-4
G-2
Mabilis na nag-type sa kaniyang phone si Sigmund. "Let's assume that the pressed
buttons are raised dots. The Braille code via elevator button is now complete."
Following his line of reasoning, may tatlong character lang ang iniwang message ng
babae.
"When it comes to codes, a single letter is crucial. Those three letters can tell
us already if someone's in danger." He showed me a series of dots flashed on his
phone screen.

Kung pagbabasehan ang ipinakit niyang guide, the message would say...
"SOS?" nakakunot-noo kong tanong sa kaniya.
"A distress signal from someone who needs help," he added, pocketing his phone.
"Kung susundan ang ating reasoning, humihingi ng tulong ang babae sa kung sinumang
makapansin sa ginawa niya sa CCTV footage."
"But why would she ask for help? Kasama naman niya ang mga parent niya. Kung
kailangan niya ng tulong, she could have asked them."
"Unless they are not her real parents."
Ding! Sa wakas, huminto na sa tenth floor ang elevator. Naglakad kami sa kahabaan
ng hallway, patingin-tingin sa mga room number.
"Wait, you think na hindi niya tunay na magulang ang mga kasama niya?"
"Just a hunch," he replied as he drank from the milk tea bottle. "Remember, the
hotel staff had no idea how her parents looked like until they arrived last week.
Kahit sino, pwedeng magpakilala bilang magulang niya dahil walang ideya ang mga tao
sa hotel tungkol sa itsura nila."
Kaya rin siguro laging nakahawak ang kamay ng ginang sa babae at sobrang lapit ni
manong sa kaniya tuwing sasakay ng elevator. They didn't want her to alert the
people in this building.
"Is it possible that she's being kept as hostage here?" tanong ko. "Kaya ba sobrang
dikit sa kaniya ng dalawang matandang kasama niya?"
"That's more likely the case. The distance between two people can reveal so much
about their relationship. Kagaya nating dalawa, you kept a two to three feet
distance from me kanina sa kotse at ngayong naglalakad tayo, suggesting that you're
stilll getting accustomed as my companion."
Pati ba naman 'yon, napansin niya? Aminado naman akong medyo dumidistansya ako nang
kaunti sa kaniya dahil hindi pa kami ganon magkakilala.
"Nakita mo kung gaano sila ka-close sa video, 'di ba?" He went on as we turned to a
corridor. "That's a sign of overprotectiveness. But why? They're in a secure area,
no one will do them harm. Unless there's another explanation."
"Ano nang gagawin natin?" Napahinto ako sa tapat ng Room 1009. "Kung tama ang
sinabi mo, hindi ba tayo tatawag ng hotel staff para tulungan tayo?"
"Most detectives would do that sort of thing." Huminto naman si Sigmund sa tapat ng
Room 1010 at pinindot ang doorbell. "But I am not like most detectives."
Ding! Dong!
"Te-Teka! What are you planning to do? Bakit basta-basta ka na lang lulusob sa
giyera nang walang strategy?"
"You're mistaken," he countered, showing me his phone. "I already have everything
prepared! We only need to confirm our deductions first before we make a move."
May ihihirit pa sana ako kaso bumukas na ang pinto ng naturang unit. A smiling lady
greeted us warmly. Siya nga ang kasama ng babaeng estudyante sa CCTV footage.
"Magandang gabi. May maitutulong ba ako sa inyo?"
"I'd like to know if you're keeping someone hostage in this room."
Whoa! What the flipping heck is he saying? Napaka-straightforward naman niya to ask
that question to the woman in front of us!
"May problema ba, honey?"
A man appeared on the doorway, caressing the shoulder of his partner. Now I got a
much closer look on his face. Slick-back hair with a few white strands. Moustache.
Prominent jawline. He looked tougher in person than in the CCTV footage.
"Sabi ng batang 'to, may hawak daw tayong hostage sa unit natin," sabi ng ginang sa
kaniyang partner. "Basta-basta na lang tayo inakusahan ng kung ano-ano."
Napatawa na lang si manong sabay hawak sa balikat ni Sigmund. "Hijo, hindi ko alam
kung saan n'yo napulot 'yang sinasabi n'yo. Wala kaming hawak na hostage dito. Ang
kasama lang namin ay ang anak naming babae. Baka nagkamali kayo ng unit na
napuntahan. Kung gusto n'yo, tulungan ko kayong magtanong-tanong sa mga floormate
namin."
"Then tell me, when exactly is your daughter's birthday?" nakangiting tanong ni
Sigmund. I could feel the confidence in his voice that he could prove that they are
lying.
Hindi kaagad nakatugon si manong pati ang kasama niya, pinag-isipan nang ilang
segundo kung ano ang isasagot.
"August 8, 1998."
Lalong lumawak ang ngiti sa labi ng kasama ko. "It took you five seconds to recall
your daughter's birthday. We don't even know if that's the exact date."
"Hindi kagaya n'yong mga bata, nagiging mapurol na ang memorya namin. Wala namang
ibang ibig sabihin 'yon."
"Nah. You're lying. It's written all over your face." Itinuro niya ang mukha ni
manong at saka isinunod ang sa ginang. "And yours too. We will call the attention
of the hotel staff so we can search this unit and find proof whether you two are
really her parents or not. See you later!"
Susunod na sana ako kay Sigmund na nagsimulang maglakad palayo sa unit... nang may
marinig akong pagkasa ng baril.
"Isang hakbang pa, papatukin ko ang ulo ng kasama mo."
I saw through my peripherals the gun pointed at my head. "Si-Sigmund?"
Dahan-dahang lumingon sa kaniya si Sigmund, sabay na itinaas ang magkabilang kamay.
"Whoa! That escalated real quick! Easy there, tiger! Nakalimutan mo na bang may
CCTV camera sa floor na 'to?"
"Alam ko, pero salamat sa nakaharang na pinto, hindi ako mahahagip ng camera."
Dinig ko sa boses ng armadong lalaki ang pagiging kumpiyansa. Paano siya
nakapagpuslit ng baril dito?
"Pumasok kayong dalawa sa loob. Bilisan n'yo dahil nangangati na ang daliri ko."
Without saying any word, we gave in to the man's threat.
~M~

[06] Grand Experiment

MAVIEL
SINO BANG nasa matinong pag-iisip ang basta-basta na lang pipindutin ang doorbell
at tatanungin ang mga residente ng isang unit kung may hawak silang hostage?
Wala. Pero may isang lalaking hindi nagdalawang-isip na gawin 'yon-si Sigmund. All
this time, I thought: he is with me, what else could go wrong? Thanks to his
"everything-is-prepared" attitude, nakagapos na ang mga kamay namin at nadagdag pa
sa hostage ng mag-asawa.
Sinubukan kong alisin ang pagkakatali ng duct tape sa aking wrist. Ngunit sa
sobrang higpit nito, balewala lamang ang effort ko. Siniguro ng dalawang matanda na
hindi kami basta-basta makakatakas.
"Just relax," bulong ni Sigmund na nakasandal sa likuran ko. Magkatalikod kasi
kami.
"Paano ako magre-relax e hostage nila tayong dalawa?" I hissed at him. If I only
knew that this would happen, sana pala'y hindi na ako sumama sa kanya rito at nag-
stay ako sa Moriartea para mag-serve ng tea. E 'di sana wala ako sa panganib
ngayon.
"They cannot kill us," tugon niya. "And I will never allow them to kill both of
us."
"Do you have a plan?"
"I sure do."
"What is it? Para makatakas na tayo rito."
"Kalma lang," he answered. "Let's enjoy this moment together and wait for a miracle
to happen."
Is this guy serious? After he put me through this trouble? Ayaw ko pang mamatay!
May tatapusin pa akong assignment sa World Literature subject namin!
"Don't worry, we're not gonna die, sweetie." There was not a single trace of fear
on Sigmund's face and voice. He was acting as if nothing serious might happen to
us. I wonder how he manages to keep his cool in these circumstances. "I am the
chief strategist of Moriartea. Everything that happened and about to happen have
been accounted for."
No matter where I look at this situation, only one plausible conclusion can emerge:
we are gonna die.
"Why are you so negative? Just relax and wait for the events to unfold. My plan is
like preparing tea. You just need to wait for the water to boil before pouring it
in a teacup."
"Hindi mo ba naiintindihan? Alam na natin ang mga mukha nila! Pati ang intensyon
nila, aware na tayo. Sa tingin mo ba basta-basta na lang nila tayong papalayain
nang buhay?"
"Focus on the now, Maviel. Huwag mo munang i-second guess ang kapalaran. Who knows,
it might surprise you in the end."
"Hoy, hoy, anong pinagbubulungan n'yo diyan?"
Lagot!
Lumapit si manong sa amin, hawak-hawak pa rin ang kaniyang baril. Paano kaya niya
naipuslit 'yon dito? Ganon ba ka-ineffective ang security nila sa hotel?
"We were discussing about Sun Tzu's The Art of War," my companion nonchalantly
said. Ano na namang random palusot ang naisip ng lalaking 'to?
"Sun Tzu? K-Pop artist ba siya? Art of War? Bagong K-drama ba 'yan?" tanong ng
ginang na lumabas mula sa kwarto at pumunta sa sala, hila-hila ang isang babae. She
was the female student on the CCTV footages. Her mouth was sealed with duct tape
and her hands were bound by rope.
"All warfare is based on deception, sabi ng idol kong strategist," sagot ni
Sigmund. He closed his eyes and raised his head slightly as he said the following
statements. "Kung malapit ka, kailangan mong magmukhang malayo. Kung malayo ka,
kailangan mong magmukhang malapit. Kung mahina ka, magpanggap kang malakas at kung
malakas ka, magpanggap kang mahina."
Blurting out random stuff won't make our situation any better! Bakit ba parang
balewala lamang ang panganib sa lalaking 'to? Saan siya humuhugot ng
overconfidence?
"Magkakilala ba kayong tatlo?" tanong ng ginang. Umiling ang babaeng hostage nila.
Maging kami ni Sigmund, umiling na rin. The hostage doesn't look well. Ilang araw o
linggo na ba siyang hawak ng mag-asawa?
"Ang akala ko pa naman, kaklase niya kayo." Umupo si manong sa harapan ni Sigmund
at pinaglaruan sa kaniyang kamay ang hawak na baril. Napapapigil ako ng hininga
tuwing tumatapat sa amin ang barrel nito. Anytime kasi, pwede niyang pindutin ang
gatilyo at... Bang!
"Paano n'yo nalaman na hindi kami ang magulang ng babaeng 'to?"
Nakangiting tumugon ang kasama ko habang nakapukol ang kaniyang tingin sa baril.
"Just a no-brainer observation. Nagpakilala kayo bilang mga magulang niya, but she
doesn't look like any of you two. I couldn't see any dominant feature of hers that
she inherited from her so-called parents."
"Kung ganon, mahilig kang mag-observe?"
"Oooh. You will be surprised by what a mere observation can reveal about people."
Hindi pa rin kumakalas ang tingin ni Sigmund sa baril. Is he worried na baka
biglaan na lang iputok 'yon sa amin? "You smoke, don't you? Tobacco cigarette?"
"Paano mo nalaman?" The armed man seemed surprised. Here goes my companion's
deduction show.
Ngumuso si Sigmund sa glass table malapit kung saan nakaupo ang babaeng hostage.
"The fresh cigarette ash on the ashtray. There's also a faint smell of smoke on
you. Judging by your yellowish teeth and stinking breath, mukhang ikaw ang may
bisyo."
Napasinghot din ako upang i-confirm ang sinabi niya. Totoo nga, amoy sigarilyo ang
hininga ng lalaki.
Hindi naiwasan ni manong na mapangiti bago tumayo. "Matalas ang mga mata mo, boy.
Sayang nga lang, nalagay ka nito sa peligro. Ang mga katulad n'yong bata, hindi
dapat nakikialam sa business ng mga matatanda."
"A good Samaritan cannot resist the urge to help people in distress," Sigmund said,
maintaining a confident look on his face.
Nagtungo si manong at ang kaniyang partner sa isang sulok, sabay tanong kung
kumusta na ang transaction nila. Habang busy ang dalawa sa pag-uusap, pasimple
akong bumulong sa kasama ko.
"Baka pwede mong gamitin ang deduction skills mo para makatakas na tayo rito, hindi
'yong nagpapa-impress ka sa hostage-taker."
"You thought that I was having a nonsense chit-chat with that man, but little did
you know that I have already confirmed a theory of mine."
Eh? "Ano naman 'yon?"
"Kakasabi ko lang kanina, 'di ba? Kung mahina ka, kailangan mong magpanggap na
malakas at kung malakas ka, kailangan mong magpanggap na mahina upang malinlang mo
ang kalaban."
His words weren't too deep but I understood none of them. Is he referring to
himself? Or to these two partners-in-crime? Aling panig ang nagpapanggap?
"Kailangan na lang natin hintayin ang isa pang character na pumasok sa eksena,"
dagdag ni Sigmund. "And he's coming in three, two... one!"
Silence.
"Uhm... Three, two, one!"
Silence again. I would be surprised kung pagbilang niya ng one, himala kaming
makakatakas dito.
"Three, two-"
Ding-dong!
Lahat kami'y napalingon sa pinto. Tila nasorpresa ang mag-asawa sa biglang pagtunog
ng doorbell. Sumenyas si manong sa kaniyang kasabwat na bantayan kami at ang
babaeng hostage nila habang siya nama'y sumilip sa peephole para tingnan kung sino
ang nasa labas.
"Delivery from Moriartea!" sigaw ng lalaking nasa kabilang panig.
Ni-Nikolai?!
"Delivery?" Itinuck-in muna ni manong ang baril sa kaniyang baywang bago buksan ang
pinto. "Nagkamali ka yata ng pinuntahan, boy. Hindi kami umorder ng kahit ano sa
inyo."
"Eh? Pero may nag-order sa amin through text message at sinabing i-deliver dito.
Bayad na ho kasi ito."
"Bayad na? O sige, kukunin na namin. Baka 'yong anak ko ang umorder."
"Sige ho, ipapasok ko na sa loob. Limang order kasi 'to baka mahirapan kayong
magbuhat."
"Ka-Kahit ako na! Hindi naman ako ganon kahina."
Nagpumilit na pumasok si Nikolai, bitbit ang dalawang plastic na naglalaman ng tig-
dalawa o tatlong milk tea container.
"Ako na ho, sir!"
"Ang kulit, ah! Sinabi nang-"
SPLAAASH!
"Aaargh!" napahiyaw yata dahil sa sakit si manong, dahilan upang mapatayo ang
kaniyang partner at puntahan ito.
"Anong ginawa mo asawa ko-"
PSSHT!
We heard a thud on the floor as the woman's voice faded. A few seconds later,
biglang nagpakita si Nikolai sa harapan namin.
"The water has boiled. Time to prepare the tea!" Sigmund winked at me. "I told you,
everything has been accounted for,"
Inuna munang tanggalin ni Nikolai ang pagkakatali sa kamay ng babaeng hostage pati
ang takip sa bibig nito. Sunod niya kaming pinuntahan upang alisin ang mahigit na
pagkaka-tape sa aming mga kamay. Napa-aray tuloy kaming dalawa ni Sigmund dahil
parang sumasama ang balat namin sa pagtanggal ng tape.
"You're one minute late!" reklamo ng kasama ko. "I told you to come exactly ten
minutes after you received my text message."
Instead of complaining, dapat magpasalamat pa nga siya dahil nailigtas na kami mula
sa panganib.
"Ikaw kaya ang mag-serve sa maraming customers sa cafe?" may bahagyang pagkairitang
sagot ni Nikolai. "Naiinis nga si Landice dahil bigla-bigla n'yo na lang kaming
iniwan kung kailan peak hours na."
Nag-unat-unat si Sigmund matapos matanggal ang kaniyang gapos. "It's all for a
case. Landice will understand."
"Teka, ano bang ginawa mo kay manong? At doon sa partner niya?" tanong ko.
"Ibinuhos ko sa kanya 'yong mainit na tea na dala-dala ko. Sa babae naman,
inisprayan ko ng knockout gas para hindi ko na siya kailangan batukan o saktan pa,"
Nikolai replied before turning to the female hostage. "I don't hurt women."
Inalalayan niyang tumayo ang babaeng ngayo'y malaya na. Napayakap pa ito sa aming
kasama at kinalauna'y napahagulgol. Our companion patted her back and whispered
some soothing words, trying to calm her down.
"By the way, nakuha mo ba ang baril ni manong?" Sigmund asked.
"Baril?" Lumingon sa amin si Nikolai habang pinapatahan ang babae. "Anong baril?"
"Ang akala n'yo ba makakatakas na kayo rito?!"
Muling pumasok sa eksena si manong, ngayo'y hawak-hawak ang kaniyang baril at isa-
isang itinututok sa amin. Namumula ang kaniyang mukha at nabasa ang kaniyang buhok,
malamang dahil sa ibinuhos ni Nikolai kanina.
Automatic na napataas ang mga kamay namin ni Sigmund habang nakayakap pa rin si
Nikolai sa hostage.
"Sayang, dapat pala inisprayan ko na rin siya ng pampatulog."
"Muntik n'yo na akong mautakan, ha?" Desperation is now etched on the man's face.
"Pinag-disguise n'yo pa talaga bilang delivery boy ang kasama n'yo."
"For the record, he's really working in a tea-" Sigmund tried to butt in, but the
armed man silenced him by pointing the gun.
"TAHIMIK! Kapag may gumawa pa ng kalokohan sa inyo, papaputukin ko 'yang mga ulo
n'yo!"
"So go ahead, shoot!" Sigmund took a step forward. "You can do better than threaten
us with that little toy of yours."
"Sigmund!" I called him. Does he have a death wish? Why is he taunting that man?
'Di bale sana kung siya lang ang pwedeng gawing target, but there are four of us
here who could be shot anytime the shooter wants!
"O baka hanggang pagbabanta lang ang kaya mong gawin gamit ang baril na 'yan?"
Ibinaba na niya ang parehong kamay. He jerked his right thumb at the man as he
turned to us. "Don't worry, this guy is harmless. He's only trying to make it
appear that he can hurt us by holding that fake gun. Remember what I said earlier?
Deception."
Fa-Fake? Is that what he confirmed habang kausap si manong?
"I told you that I'm a good observant," Sigmund explained. "When you and I had a
brief chat earlier, I observed the gun's texture and its weight based on how you
hold it. Not to mention, imposibleng maipuslit mo ang isang totoong baril sa hotel
na may metal detector sa entrance. Your gun is probably made of plastic but it
looked quite real."
"That's Sigmund for you," namanghang komento ni Nikolai sabay baba ng kaniyang mga
kamay. I also did the same as the threat instantly vanished.
"Tsk!" Inihagis ni manong ang laruan niya sa amin at saka nagmadaling tumakbo sa
pintuan. Bago pa siya tuluyang makalabas, kinuha ni Sigmund ang ashtray sa mesa at
inihagis ito sa direksyon ng tumatakas na salarin.
THUD!
Narinig na lang namin ang tunog na tila may bumagsak na mabigat na bagay sa sahig.
"Bullseye!" Sigmund exclaimed when we confirmed that the ashtray hit the man and
knocked him cold. "Well, hindi ko in-expect na tatama talaga sa kaniya 'yon."
~*~
We immediately called the security personnel below who in turn called the police.
Inaresto nila ang magkasabwat na hostage-taker. Walang tigil ang pasasalamat sa
amin ng babaeng hinostage. She was reunited with her real parents as soon as she
called them to tell that she's already safe.
Nagpasalamat din ang hotel staff sa amin dahil na-solve ang misteryong una'y
inakala nilang tungkol sa sinasanibang babae. Sigmund gave them the account number
where they can deposit the payment for our services. At the end of the day, it's
all about the money.
Pasado alas-siyete na nang makabalik kami sa Moriartea Cafe. Pagpasok namin,
Landice was seated at his usual spot. He gave us a quick, sharp gaze before his
eyes returned to the book he's reading. Wala man lang good evening o kahit anong
greeting. Maybe he was pissed dahil iniwan namin siya rito.
"Case closed, Landice! Thanks for holding the fort!" Bumalik na sa tapat ng cash
register si Sigmund habang ako nama'y tumambay sa gilid ng counter.
"Good job, guys! Huwag n'yong kalimutan ang share ko, ah?" Nikolai waved his right
hand as he walked to the backroom.
Back to normal na naman ang lahat.
"I wonder how Landice managed the cafe alone?" pabulong kong tanong para hindi ako
marinig ng taong tinutukoy ko. "He doesn't seem to be the talkative type. Paano
niya kinukuha ang order at isineserve ang drinks sa mga customer?"
"Hindi naman siya pipi kaya nakakapag-interact pa rin siya sa mga customer," sagot
ni Sigmund. "Nagiging self-service ang tea shop kapag siya lang ang naka-duty. He's
used to working alone kaya walang problema sa kaniya."
Ayaw kong maging judgmental, but Landice doesn't seem to have the charisma that
Sigmund and Nikolai have. I can't imagine him smiling at the customers either.
"Anyway, how did you find your first case?" Sigmund asked, resting his elbows on
the countertop. "Enjoyable? Boring?"
"Ang akala ko matutuluyan na talaga tayo." What happened earlier flashed in my
mind. Ayaw ko nang malagay ulit sa panganib. "Somehow, fulfilling para sa akin
dahil may natulungan tayo. If we didn't take that case, maybe that student will
still be in danger."
"Gusto kong ipakita sa 'yo kanina kung gaano kadelikado ang trabaho namin," sagot
ni Sigmund habang pinapanood ang mga customer sa isang table. "Alam kong hindi mo
pinangarap na maging katulad namin, but look at where fate brought you. Now that
you are under my tutelage, I need to equip you with the proper knowledge. I'd like
to call it the Grand Experiment."
So I'm the guinea pig while Sigmund is the scientist? Parang ganon kasi ang dating
sa 'kin.
"When you're ready, you will take a case on your own and solve it," he added. "But
for now, watch and observe how the pros do it, okay?"
"Yes, sir."
"And one more thing, Maviel."
"Hmm?"
"Trust me," he said.
"I will," I replied, my lips forming a curve.
Bumukas ang pinto ng tea shop at pumasok ang isang couple or maybe mag-bestie,
based on how close they are with each other. Gradually, naa-absorb ko na ang
methods ni Sigmund. I remembered what he said about distance kanina.
Smiling, I greeted them. "Welcome to Moriartea Cafe! May we take your order, ma'am
and sir?"

[Artwork by CryAllen]
~M~
A/N: Yow, Author-kun is on a roll! That concludes Mav's first official case! Did
you decode the elevator button message? Did you establish connection between the
code and the student's course? If you did, congratulations!
Author-kun will take a one or two-day break so there will be no update tomorrow.
Pagbigyan n'yo na ako, sunod-sunod naman ang UD for five straight days. Hehe~
See you in the second case! We're just getting started!

[07] Counter Detective

MAVIEL
I ONLY have six subjects for this semester. But thanks to my mandatory detective
training at the Moriartea Cafe, nadagdagan pa ng isa ang sakit ko sa ulo.
Fo the past few days, I've been reading about Sherlock Holmes, kagaya ng in-
instruct ng aking deduction mentor na si Sigmund. Medyo nakakadugo ng ilong ang
pagkakasulat dahil isa ito sa mga classic. But I'm not a stranger into this kind of
readings. AB Literature ang kinukuha kong kurso kaya sanay na ako sa mga ganitong
babasahin.
It was an interesting read, of course, but I doubt that someone like the greatest
fictional detective of all time exists. In retrospect, however, Sigmund's existence
somehow screams at me that a real life Sherlock is possible.
"Good afternoon!"
Napaangat ang mga balikat ko nang marinig ang kaniyang boses. He was on my mind a
few moments ago. Then out of nowhere, he appeared at the center of the library.
Well, it wasn't magic. I wasn't just paying attention.
"How did you know that I am here?" I hissed. I'd rather not get the attention of
the strict librarian who's making rounds a few tables away.
Mahinhing hinila ni Sigmund ang kahoy na upuan at marahang umupo. His curly hair
bounced as he finally took his seat. "Most people follow routines so it isn't that
difficult to predict what they're going to do and where they're going. And
fortunately-or unfortunately-you are one of them."
"At paano mo nalamang pumupunta ako sa library?" tanong ko. "Teka, huwag mong
sabihing-"
"No! No! I'm not a stalker!" pailing-iling na depensa niya. His voice was slightly
raised so he got the attention of the librarian. "I asked Nikolai to follow you the
past few days. At lumabas sa kaniyang pagsunod sa 'yo na lagi kang pumupunta ng
library bago ka mag-duty sa cafe."
"Nikolai? But I never noticed him around me!"
"Don't underestimate Nikolai's skills." One side of his lips curved and formed into
a smirk. "Alam na rin niya kung saan ka umuwi. If you never noticed him following
your trail, he isn't losing his touch."
"That's creepy, you know. Asking someone to tail an innocent girl without telling
her beforehand."
"Creepy, yes, but that's necessary. Maybe one of these days, he will teach how to
hide your presence flawlessly and follow someone stealthily."
In short, Nikolai's going to teach me how to be a hardcore stalker. I didn't sign
up for this!
"What? Are you now having second thoughts of canceling our contract?" may pang-
aasar na tanong ni Sigmund. I have hated it when he second guesses what's on my
mind.
"Get used to it."
"Okay, fine! Tell me what you want! May kailangan ka sa akin kaya ka pumunta rito,
'di ba-"
But my words were cut short when the shadow of the plump librarian appeared on the
table surface. Dahan-dahang lumingon ang mga ulo namin sa tila iritableng mukha
nito.
"May I remind you two na library 'to at hindi love-rary? Kung gusto n'yong
maglandian, humanap kayo ng ibang lugar!"
"Ma'am, nagkakamali ho kayo. Hindi ho kami-"
"GET OUT! NOW!"
No words would suffice to calm down the angry librarian kaya minabuti na naming
umalis. Ang sabi nila, kapag nairita siya sa mga estudyante, uulan daw ng mga book
sa buong library. I'd rather not create a commotion here.
"Mission success," sabi ni Sigmund nang makalayo na kami. "I'm not yet losing my
touch, am I?"
"What do you mean by mission? Sinadya mo bang kunin ang atensyon ng librarian
kanina para paalisin tayo?"
Ngumiti lamang siya. "You are starting to read between the lines. Hindi sayang ang
pagte-train ko sa 'yo."
Wala akong nagawa kundi mapabuntong-hininga. Thanks to him, masasama na ako sa mga
naka-blacklist sa library.
"Libraries are boring. Why don't we go somewhere more interesting?" tanong niya.
"At saan naman 'yon?"
"Have you been to the greenhouse?"
"Not yet. Anong balak mong gawin doon? Magtanim ng patatas?"
"Wouldn't that be a romantic spot for a date?" Then he strode off on his own, ni
hindi man ako hinintay. Napaka-unpredictable talaga ng lalaking 'to. Nagawa pa
niyang mag-joke tungkol sa pagde-date.
The greenhouse is located at the rear part of the university. Pakiramdam mo'y nasa
aquarium ka kapag nasa loob, thanks to the transparent glass walls. Pagpasok mo pa
lang, amoy na amoy na ang bagong bungkal na lupa. May iilang puno na hindi ganon
katayog ang nagbibigay lilim dito. May mga halaman ding bonsai na nakatanim sa mga
malalaking paso. Nakasabit naman sa mga sanga ng puno ang ilang makukulay na
bulaklak.
"Tell me. Is this for a case? O natripan mo lang pumunta rito para mag-sightseeing
ng mga bulaklak?" tanong ko.
"I'd like you to be aware of something," sagot niya, inhaling some fresh air.
"Don't worry, may koneksyon pa rin ito sa detective training mo."
"At paano makakatulong ang pagpunta ko sa greenhouse upang maging magaling akong
detective?"
Tumigil siya sa tapat ng isang garden plot na may mga nakatanim na halaman. Namunga
ito ng kulay ubeng bulaklak. I don't recognize the species so maybe it's a foreign
plant.
"She looks beautiful, doesn't she?" umupo siya sa tapat ng bulaklak at nakipag-
staring contest doon.
Napaupo na rin ako sa kaniyang tabi at pinagmasdan ang halaman. Saktong hahawakan
ko ang bulaklak nito nang bigla niyang pinigilan ang aking kamay.
"What's wrong with you? Hahawakan ko lang naman ang bulaklak, hindi ko pipitasin."
"Never ever do that, especially to this kind of plant." Biglang nag-iba ang tono ng
boses niya, mas naging seryoso. Ganon ba siya ka-protective sa mga halaman?
"Don't be deceived. Things that look beautiful can sometimes cause our demise. The
same is true with this plant. Do not give in to temptation."
"Bakit hindi mo na lang ako diretsuhin? Nagpapaligoy-ligoy ka pa eh."
Tumayo siya't itinuro ang bulaklak habang nakapamulsa ang isa niyang kamay. "That
is an aconite, also known as wolfsbane. Kung hindi ka familiar sa halaman na 'yan,
that's a poisonous plant."
"Eh? Bakit naman sila magtatanim ng ganyang klaseng halaman dito?"
"Researchers can study the toxicity of wolfsbane. You won't quickly die by merely
touching it. What's lethal are the plant's roots. Highly toxic."
"Alam n'yo ba kung bakit kilala ang halamang 'yan bilang wolfsbane?"
Sabay kaming lumingon sa aming likuran. We were greeted by the smiling face of a
bespectacled man with slick back hair. Nakasuot siya ng rubber gloves bilang
protection siguro sa mga wild plant.
"Ginagamit noon ang katas ng halamang 'yan sa mga palaso na pamatay sa mga lobo,"
kwento niya habang patuloy ang paglapit sa amin. "Matagal ka nang hindi bumibisita
rito, Sigmund. Ang akala ko'y na-expel ka na. At isinama mo pa ang girlfriend mo?"
"Na-Nagkakamali ho kayo! He's not my boyfriend!" mabilis kong depensa. Siya na ang
ikalawang tao rito sa campus na nagkaroon ng maling akala.
"Nice to see you again, Professor Verde! She's my protegee, by the way," sagot
naman ng kasama ko. "Tinuturuan ko siya sa pamamaraan naming mga detective."
"Oh?" Magkahalong pagkamangha at pagkagulat ang ipinakita ni Sir Verde. Hindi
siguro siya makapaniwala na may apprentice ang kaniyang kakilala. "Darating ang
araw na ikaw na ang magiging bida kapag may mga nangyaring kaso sa university."
"Binunot n'yo ba ang isa sa mga aconite dito, sir?" tanong ni Sigmund sabay turo sa
isang parte ng lupa na tila binungkal.
Napahawak tuloy sa kaniyang baba si Sir Verde, napaangat ang tingin at may pilit na
inaalala. "Wala akong matandaan na binunot diyan. Wala rin kasing nag-request ng
sample ng aconite."
"If not you, then who?" Sigmund asked, his eyes fixated on the fresh ground. "May
kakaiba ba rito sa greenhouse nang buksan n'yo kanina?"
"Ngayong nabanggit mo, parang bukas ang padlock nito nang datnan ko. Ang alam ko
kasi, naka-lock na ito kagabi. Kaso baka nakalimutan kong i-lock nang maayos kaya
hindi ko na masyadong pinansin."
Sigmund turned to me. "What do you think, Mav? Any idea on why there's a missing
aconite here?"
"Uhm... Teka. Let me think." Bakit ba naman pabigla-bigla ng tanong ang lalaking
'to? Hindi tuloy ako prepared sa isasagot ko sa kanya. "May dalawang possibility
akong naisip. Una, may kumuha ng aconite dito para gawing dekorasyon sa kanilang
bahay. Pangalawa, dahil isang poisonous plant ang aconite, may balak paggamitan ang
taong kumuha nito."
"And which among the two is more probable?"
"The second one. May mga nadaanan tayong magagandang bulaklak. Kung naghahanap ng
ornamental plant ang salarin, he or she could have stolen those flowers, not this
poisonous one."
"Sir, I suggest that you report this incident to the school authorities," Sigmund
advised. "Whoever's in possession of that plant is capable of poisoning someone to
death."
"Si-Sige. Ire-report ko sa kanila."
"In the meantime, kailangan na nating bumalik sa cafe. Mag-start na ang duty mo
ngayong hapon."
We left the greenhouse and Sir Verde behind, still baffled about the missing
aconite. Should we be alarmed that someone can now kill anyone using that plant?
"By the way, I won't be on duty this afternoon," he said as he walked past a group
of female students. Sobrang bagal nilang maglakad na parang namamasyal sila sa
isang park.
"Eh? Bakit naman?"
"I know that you will miss me, but don't worry, I'll be only gone for two hours.
Ipe-present ko ang thesis proposal ko ngayong hapon."
"What's your thesis about?" I asked curiously.
He came into a halt and turned to me, placing one finger in front of his lips.
"It's a secret for now. I can't tell you."
Okay, fine. Kung ayaw mong sabihin, e 'di 'wag.
"While I'm away, ikaw muna ang magma-manage ng cash register. Naturuan naman kita
kung paano gamitin 'yon, 'di ba?"
Tumango ako. Hindi naman rocket science ang pag-o-operate no'n.
"Work closely with Landice. Alam kong hindi pa kayo comfortable sa isa't isa, pero
malay mo, this is the chance for you two to get close."
"Speaking of Landice, do you mind kung may itatanong ako?" Binilisan ko na ang
aking lakad dahil nahuhuli na ako sa kaniya. Nahihirapan at nababagalan akong
maglakad, thanks to the heels I'm wearing.
"As long as I can answer them."
"Mag-o-one week na akong nagtatrabaho pero ni minsan, hindi pa kami nagkausap nang
matino ni Landice. Does he have a problem with me? He's always shooting daggers
with his cold stares."
"I told you before, didn't I? That he's not the talkative type of person."
"Yes, you did. But why do I get the feeling that he doesn't like me? As a co-
worker."
"There's a reason why the word 'ice' is in his name. Ganyan din naman siya noong
baguhan pa lang kami ni Nikolai doon. I thought we won't get along."
"But how do you three-gaya ng sinabi mo-get along? Parang hindi naman kayo nag-
uusap-usap kapag break time o kapag wala masyadong customer."
"We are well coordinated when it comes to work. That alone is the proof." He smiled
at me. "Don't worry, darating din ang araw na kakausapin ka niya. But that might
take some time though. He's an eccentric genius so you have to bear with him."
"Eccentric?"
Sigmund leaned a little closer to me na parang may ibubulong sa sikreto. "Did I
tell you before that among the three of us in this shop, Landice ranks highest when
it comes to deductions?"
"Ta-Talaga? He's the smartest kahit na hindi siya masyadong nagsasalita?"
"Kahit siguro si Nikolai, ganyan din ang perception. We have our own strengths and
weaknesses. But in terms of deduction prowess, Landice beats us all."
I can't believe it. Sigmund was already smart enough as a detective. And now he's
saying that someone else is smarter than him?
"I call him the Counter Detective. He doesn't like that nickname but it sounds
cool, doesn't it?"
"Why? Kinokontra niya ba lagi ang deductions n'yo?"
"Well, no. Ganon lang ang tawag ko sa kaniya dahil lagi siyang nasa counter. And he
can solve the most complex of cases nang hindi siya umaalis sa spot niya, as long
as the facts are available to him."
Masyado naman yatang fina-flatter ni Sigmund ang workmate namin?
"His only weakness is legwork. Ayaw niyang pumupunta sa mga crime scene, kagaya ng
sinolve nating case doon sa hotel. He could have cracked the code in a matter of
minutes, but he couldn't have saved the girl taken hostage. Kaya sa aming dalawa ni
Nikolai napupunta ang ganong klaseng kaso."
Landice may be snobbish, but I already sensed before na may ibubuga siya kahit
paano. Hindi ko lang in-expect na ganon kataas ang tingin ni Sigmund sa kaniya.
"Maybe I should ask him to give you a lesson or two about being a deductionist?"
"Se-Seryoso ka ba? Paano niya ako tuturuan e hindi nga niya ako kinakausap?"
"If there's a will, there's a way!"
Nakabalik na kaming dalawa sa Moriartea Cafe. Iilan lang ang mga customer kaya
hindi problema ang service sa kanila. Pumwesto na ako sa cash register habang
hinihintay ang susunod naming customer.
"Should I ask him?" pabulong na tanong ni Sigmund. "This is the perfect chance,
don't you think?"
"Pe-Pero nakakahiya sa kaniya-"
But what's the point of protesting? Itinuloy pa rin niya ang balak niyang gawin.
"Hey, Landice! Do you mind-"
"Pass," he replied even before question was completed. Hindi pa nga niya naririnig,
dineny na niya agad.
"He just needs some convincing." Despite his failed attempt, Sigmund did not sound
disappointed. "Parang babae si Landice, kailangan suyuin mo muna bago mo makuha ang
malamig niyang oo. Though most of the time, nire-reject niya ang lahat ng pakiusap
namin na hindi work-related."
After waving his hand, he left the tea shop. An awkward moment ensued. Ibang-iba
talaga ang aura kapag wala si Sigmund sa tabi ko. Parang may kulang.
"Mav, kayo muna ang bahala ni Landice dito," sabi ni Nikolai paglabas niya sa
backroom. Suot na niya ang kulay asul na uniform na katulad sa mga pulis.Nakasabit
sa kanang balikat niya ang isang itim na backpack.
"Pati ikaw, may pupuntahan?"
"May klase ako ngayong hapon. Baka mamayang gabi pa ako makapag-duty ulit."
Lumingon si Nikolai sa tila walang pakialam naming kasama. "Landice, ikaw munang
mag-alaga kay Mav. Huwag mo siyang masyadong i-intimidate sa silence mo."
"Not my thesis subject," tugon ni Landice sabay lipat sa pahina ng kaniyang
binabasang libro.
"Ganyan talaga siya, minsan kung ano-ano ang sinasabi," Nikolai said, flashing an
uneasy smile. "See you later!"
Lalong mas naging awkward ang aura sa tea shop ngayong kaming dalawa na lang ni
Landice ang naiwan dito. Parang couple kami na kaka-break lang tapos hindi na
nagkapansinan. Kahit kailan talaga, mapaglaro ang tadhana at favorite niya akong
biktima.
Hindi ko naman siya gustong kausapin dahil may kailangan ako sa kaniya. I wanna
talk to him so we can start a good working relationship. Ilang buwan din akong
magtatrabaho rito kaya mas mabuti kung maaga pa lang, walang gusot ang relasyon
namin.
No, not that kind of relationship, you dummy!
How do you start a conversation with someone you barely know or talk with? Kung
nandito si Sigmund, siguradong nasagot na niya ang tanong. He is, after all, a
psychology student who knows how to manipulate people's minds and scenarios.
"Miss? Oorder ako ng earl grey tea. Miss?"
"Y-Yes, ma'am?!" Ugh. Sa kakaisip ko ng kung ano-ano, hindi ko na namalayang may
bagong dating na customer sa harapan ko. Automatic na kumurba ang labi ko upang
batiin siya ng ngiti.
"Isang earl grey tea, please."
"Anything else, ma'am?"
The female customer shook her head as she took out money from her wallet.
I pressed on the touch-sensitive screen ng cash register ang item na inorder niya.
Hindi ko naman first time na gamitin ang machine na 'to, pero dahil hindi ako ang
madalas na nakatoka bilang cashier, naninibago ako.
"Maviel? What a unique and cool name!" she stared at my nameplate before beaming a
smile at me. "What does that mean?"
"Combination ng pangalan ng mama't papa ko," I answered as I pressed the earl grey
tea option. "Gusto kasi nilang unique para hindi ako mahirapang kumuha ng
documents. Landice, isang order ng earl grey tea!"
He closed the book and started doing what he loves-making tea.
"Interesting!" Somehow the customer's eyes sparkled with curiosity. "How much?"
"Sixty pesos, ma'am. I received one hundred pesos."
Dahil hinihintay pang kumulo ang tubig, pinaupo ko muna ang customer at binigyan ng
number. Once the kettle has boiled, Landice soaked the teabag with hot water.
Nikolai's not around and my workmate here returned to reading kaya ako na ang
naghatid ng tea sa babae.
"Here's your order, ma'am!" nakangiti kong bati sa kaniya sabay lagay ng teacup na
may saucer sa mesa. My head turned to the right and saw the empty teacups and torn
sachets of creamer left by customers who had just left.
Again, dahil wala si Nikolai at walang intensyon si Landice na tulungan ako, I had
no choice but to clean the table. Ipinatong ko sa dala-dala kong service plate ang
mga tasa pati na ang mga gamit na sachet. My hand was about to crumple an unused
sheet of tissue paper, but something caught my eye.
CHECK TABLE 13
My eyes roamed around the tea shop, searching for the thirteenth table. Binitawan
ko muna ang service plate sa kakalinis pa lang na mesa at pinuntahan ang sinasabi
ng tissue.
"Ah, miss? Saan ang mga creamer n'yo?" tanong ng lalaking customer na nadaanan ko.
"Nasa condiments corner, sir. Doon sila nakalagay."
Malinis naman ang naturang table, walang kalat sa ibabaw. Yumuko ako nang kaunti at
tiningnan ang paanan nito. I found a black bag below. Pasimple kong sinilip kung
anong laman.
A black iPad. May nakaiwan ba nito? No, that tissue directed my attention to this
table. Ibig sabihin, sinadyang iniwan ang bag na 'to para mahanap namin. Nice
deduction, Mav!
Bumalik ako sa aking puwesto at inilapag sa countertop ang itim na iPad. I hope
this isn't a bomb na biglang sasabog kapag na-turn on ko.
"Hey, Landice, do you have a moment?"
At last, meron na akong legit na dahilan upang makausap ang kasama ko. I no longer
have to think of any way to get his attention.
"No," he answered in a bored voice. Ugh! May issue ba talaga sa akin ang lalaking
'to? Importante naman ang sasabihin ko sa kaniya, but he chose not to pay
attention.
"A customer intentionally left this gadget behind," I went on kahit na umayaw siya.
"What should we do about it?"
"Intentionally?" Ibinaba niya ang hawak na libro at humarap sa direksyon ko. Now I
have his attention.
Ipinakita ko sa kaniya ang tissue na pinulot ko kanina. "Someone from Table #7 left
this note. Tapos nakita ko ang iPad na nakapaloob sa bag sa ilalim ng Table #13."
He slowly stretched out his arm and delicately pinched the tissue. Pagdampi ng mga
daliri niya, hinablot niya kaagad ito mula sa mga kamay ko.
"He-Hey!"
Tinitigan niya ito nang ilang segundo bago muling ibinalik sa akin. "Cheap
ballpoint pen. Left-handed."
I can't help but stare at him in disbelief. Wala pa yatang ten seconds mula nang
kinuha niya tissue, he already came up with a conclusion. "How did you know?"
"The width of each stroke. The quality of ink. The slant of every letter. The
direction of smudge. Whoever wrote it used his left hand."
Wala akong na-gets sa mga pinagsasabi niya. Kung hindi ko siya kilala o walang
naikwento sa akin si Sigmund tungkol sa kaniya, I would think that he's just making
up his deductions.
"Turn on the iPad," utos niya.
I pressed the button on the side as the screen lit up. Nanlaki ang mga mata ko nang
makita ang mga nag-flash na salita.
A CHALLENGE TO THE ESTEEMED MORIARTEA DETECTIVE AGENCY
As expected, there was not a single hint of surprise on Landice's face. I couldn't
even see his eyes, thanks to his bangs.
So... a new case, huh?
~M~

[08] Let's Play Deductions

MAVIEL

FATE, HANGGANG kailan mo ba ako paglalaruan?

Kung kailan dadalawa lang kami sa tea shop, doon mo naisipang hamunin kami. Hindi
ba pwedeng hintayin mo munang makabalik si Sigmund o si Nikolai?
Don't get me wrong. May tiwala ako kay Landice. Sigmund wouldn't speak so highly of
him if his deduction prowess wasn't the best. Ang concern ko lang, baka mahirapan
akong makipag-coordinate sa kaniya lalo na't hindi niya ako pinapansin.
I swiped the iPad screen to the right and unlocked it. The "challenge" greeting
faded and another message flashed.
LET'S PLAY A GAME.
"Not worth my time," bulong ni Landice bago siya muling bumalik sa favorite corner
niya.
"I don't think so." Ipinakita ko sa kaniya ang mga sumunod na salitang nag-flash sa
screen.
If you ignore this message, some of your customers will die.
If you accept my challenge, you can save their lives.
Landice probably realized the possible danger brought by the ominous iPad. I may
not see his eyes directly, but I could tell that he's staring at the screen.
Accept or ignore? 'Yan ang dalawang choices na sunod na lumitaw. Dahil senior ko si
Landice, I let him choose for us. He clicked the "accept" button and once again,
the text on the screeen changed.
LET'S PLAY DEDUCTIONS!

I will give a murder case scenario. You need to find out who's the killer and how
he killed the victim. If you get it right, I will tell you how I plan to murder
some of your customers. If you get it wrong, you know what will happen to them.
Do you wish to continue?
It did say na gusto niyang makipaglaro sa amin. But how could he or she play with
human lives na parang piyesa sa chess na pwede niyang itapon o isakripisyo for the
sake of a game?
Landice answered yes. Nag-fade into black ang screen at sunod na lumabas ang
picture ng isang cafe.
"Is it now worth your time?" tanong ko, but he refused to answer or even give me a
glance.
Mukhang may ideya na ako kung paano makukuha ang atensyon ng malamig kong workmate.
It might come in handy.
Isa-isa munang ipinakita sa amin ang mga tauhan.
Unang ipinakilala ang babaeng nakasuot ng pabilog na salamin at pasulyap-sulyap sa
kaniyang relo. Her hair was tied to a bun with only a few loose strands dangling.
Her name, according to the character box that flashed on the screen, was Angela the
secretary.
Sunod na ipinakita ang lalaking parang bunot ang buhok na kakalabas lang ng men's
comfort room. Napatingin din siya sa kaniyang relo at nagkomento kung gaano katagal
ang kanilang boss. Ang pangalan niya'y Benedict, the executive assistant.
Kasunod niya ang isang babaeng may kulot na buhok. Maingat niyang iniangat ang
chocolate cake mula sa box at inilapag sa table. Inilagay din niya ang isang
kutsilyo sa mesa. She was introduced as Carla the assistant manager.
Sa labas naman ng coffee shop ipinakita ang panghuling tauhan na kakalabas pa lang
mula sa isang taxi. He was a short and plump man. He had a habit of rubbing his
finger near his nostrils and sniffing from time to time. His name is Victor the
boss.
"So the story will revolve around those four characters?" komento ko sabay sulyap
kay Landice na nakatutok ang mga mata sa video. Kumuha ako ng kapirasong tissue at
isinulat doon ang mga pangalan. "One of them is going to be the victim while the
other three will be suspects."
"Don't state what is obvious," he muttered.
We continued watching the video. Pagbaba ng taxi ni Victor, sinalubong siya kaagad
sa entrance ni Angela. The two shook hands and exchanged pleasantries before they
came inside.
Nagsitayo naman sina Benedict at Carla sabay kanta ng "Happy Birthday" song. The
coffee shop staff sang along with them and clapped their hands. Nahiya tuloy si
Victor at sinabihan ang mga kasama niya na huminto na sa pagkanta.
"Blow the candle, boss!" Carla said as she held the cake with both hands.
Hinipan ni Victor ang kandila at muli silang nagsipalakpakan. Dahil walang ibang
tao sa paligid nila, they probably reserved the whole venue for this event.
On the tissue paper, I drew the table set-up of the four characters. Victor was
seated in between Angela (on his left) and Carla (on his right). Benedict sat
opposite to him.
So how will the culprit kill the victim? Hindi naman siguro siya basta-basta
sasaksakin diyan ng sinuman lalo na't may ibang tao sa paligid nila.
I shot a glimpse at Landice who seemed to be too absorbed with the case. Sinubukan
kong basahin sa mukha niya kung ano ang iniisip niya. But I failed. Unang-una sa
lahat, hindi ako si Sigmund na kayang basahin ang microexpression ng isang tao.
Pangalawa, walang reaksyon sa mukha niya kaya wala talaga akong mababasa.
Solving the case would be more engaging kung sanang nag-uusap kaming dalawa.
Isinerve na sa kanilang table ang tig-iisang cup of black coffee. Victor raised his
hand to call the attention of the waiter and asked for creamer. But his executive
assistant Ben stood and volunteered to get them from the condiments corner.
Dalawang sachet ng creamer ang ibinigay niya sa kaniyang boss.
I have a gut feeling that Victor will be the victim. Parang naka-focus sa kaniya
ang camera most of the time. If I were the killer, how would I kill him? Not the
most common method obviously. Could it be poison instead?
When the coffee was ready, sinuggest ni Carla kay Victor na hiwain na ang cake.
Iniabot niya ang manipis na kutsilyo sa kaniyang boss. The cake was sliced into
four equal portions and given to each person around the table.
Thirty minutes have passed-based on the clock shot on the video-but nothing
happened. Patuloy lang ang pagkukuwentuhan at pagtatawanan nila... until Victor
excused himself and went to the men's comfort room. He was pale and sweating.
Mukhang tama ang hinala, siya nga ang mamamatay.
But to my surprise, nakalabas pa siya ng comfort room makalipas ang ilang minuto at
maaliwalas na ang pagmumukha niya. Maybe he only had an upset stomach kaya sumugod
siya sa banyo? I took note of it para gawing reference mamaya.
Nagpatuloy sila sa pagkukuwentuhan, pag-inom ng kape at pagkain ng cake.
Binabantayan ko ang bawat galaw ng tatlong nakapalibot kay Victor, feeling ko kasi,
isa sa kanila ang papatay sa kaniya.
Strangely, isa-isa rin silang nagpa-excuse sa kanilang boss. Pumunta sa women's
washroom si Angela upang ayusin ang kaniyang lipstick at maglagay ng make-up. When
she returned, Benedict stood next to have a bathroom break in the men's comfort
room. Upon his return, Carla excused herself to smoke outside.
Habang nagtatawanan sila, napahawak ang kanilang boss sa kaniyang leeg at naging
malalim ang kaniyang bawat paghinga. He looked like he was gasping for air. His
employees gathered around him and asked him what's wrong. He tried to respond, but
he ran out of breath and collapsed on the floor.
Now the mystery begins. Who killed Victor?
The police arrived at the crime scene immediately, led by a middle-aged man with
muscular build. He was wearing the blue GOA uniform of the police and his nametag
had the title INSPECTOR.
"The victim died due to poisoning," he said as he read the autopsy report.
"According to our medical examiner, the poison that killed him is aconite. Maraming
na-detect na traces nito sa kaniyang kamay. Meron din sa ilalim ng kaniyang
nostrils, sa hawakan ng cup at tinidor na ginamit niya. We also searched the areas
in this cafe, but we found no other traces."
Aconite? That sounds familiar. Saan ko nga ba... Ah! Doon sa pinuntahan naming
greenhouse ni Sigmund kanina! What a coincidence na ganon din ang involved na lason
sa kasong ito.
"Dahil kayong tatlo ang kasama ng biktima bago siya nawalan ng buhay, you three are
considered as suspects in this case," dagdag ng inspector. "We ask for your consent
to come with us to the police station."
The next scene was a shot in an interrogation room. One by one, the three principal
suspects were questioned by the police.
"Do you have any motive to kill the victim?"
"Wa-Wala!" nauutal na sagot ni Angela. "Mabait na boss si Victor at lagi niyang
iniisip ang kapakanan ng empleyado niya. Kung may dapat kayong tanungin, si
Benedict 'yon! We think that he has a grudge on our boss dahil pinangakuan siya ng
promotion pero wala namang nangyari."
"Thank you for your cooperation. We will call him next," tugon ng pulis.
Sunod na humarap sa mga pulis ang executive assistant.
"Oo, totoong pinangakuan niya ako at nagalit ako sa kaniya," depensa ni Benedict.
"Pero matagal nang isyu 'yan! Naintindihan ko kung bakit hindi niya muna ako
prinomote. You know what? You should ask Carla. Kung sama ng loob ang pag-uusapan,
baka siya meron."
"Paano mo nasabi?"
"Our boss' position was initially offered to hers. Ngunit dahil sa office politics
at malakas si Victor sa management, he got the position instead."
Nang matapos ang interrogation sa kaniya, pinapasok na sa room ang pinakahuling
suspek-ang assistant manager.
"Who told you about that?" tanong ni Carla matapos sabihin ng pulis ang naikwento
ng naunang suspek. "Yes, I admit na sumakit ang loob ko na sa kaniya napunta ang
posisyon. But as a consolation, they promoted me to assistant manager. Whatever
issue I had before with him, that's water under the bridge already. Maybe the one
who killed him is someone with the most recent issue."
"Like who?"
"His secretary, Angela? There are rumors going around the office that Victor was
sexually harassing her. Natanong ko sa kaniya noon kung totoong minomolestiya siya
ng boss namin. She confirmed it but she said that she couldn't do anything about
it. After all, malakas si Victor sa management."
The iPad screen faded into black and a question in white text flashed:
WHO KILLED VICTOR?
Tila nakaramdam ako ng sakit ng ulo matapos panoorin ang buong murder scenario.
Thank God na hindi actual na nangyari 'yon dito sa tea shop.
"Show your worth, part-timer."
Another surprise. Landice was the first to strike a conversation with me. At
mukhang gusto niya akong hamunin.
"Prove yourself worthy to be one of us," he added, turning around to return to his
favorite corner. "Kung talagang karapat-dapat kang maging detective ng cafe na 'to,
you will manage to solve this case with minimal or no help from me."
"W-What? Teka, wala pa ako sa point ng training kung saan tinuruan akong mag-solve
ng isang murder case!"
"I asked you to solve the case, not to make excuses."
He said those words in a calm manner, but they sent chills down my spine. Napalunok
tuloy ako ng laway. Naalala ko sa kaniya ang professor namin sa Logic na hindi mo
mapakiusapan.
"Su-Sure, I will try. Are you going to solve this case as well?"
"I have already solved it," he said in a matter-of-fact tone. "I know who the
culprit is. I know how he killed the victim."
Napakurap ang mga mata kong nakatitig sa kaniya. Unbelievable. He did not have to
watch the video again. He did not have to take note of any crucial detail. And yet,
he already came up with a conclusion? Is he even human?
"Hindi naman sa gumagawa ako ng excuse, but maybe you can already input your
answer?" tanong ko. "Remember? Whoever left this iPad has an intention to kill some
of our customers. Their safety should be our concern, tama?"
"Your theory first," he answered without looking at me. "They want to play a game.
You play with them."
Kung ganon, nakasalalay sa akin kung maililigtas kaagad ang mga customer. What a
huge responsibility for a novice deductionist like me!
"Do a process of elimination," Landice said. "That's the only advice I can give."
~M~

[09] Process of Elimination

A/N: Before anything else, I wanna say that I enjoyed reading your theories in the
previous chapter. I dedicate this update to EVERYONE who tried to solve the aconite
case!
Now back to you, Mav!
MAVIEL
PROCESS OF elimination? For Landice, it may be as easy as slicing a cake. But for
me, sakit ng ulo.
Parang nananadya na talaga ang tadhana. Ako pa talaga ang nilagay sa spotlight at
kung kailan wala pa sina Sigmund o Nikolai. If this is how Landice wants to teach
me the way of a deductionist, I don't know if he's doing it right.
I browsed over my notes on the tissue paper. Naisulat ko naman ang pagkakasunod-
sunod ng mga pangyayari but I couldn't identify kung sino sa tatlo ang pumatay.
Baka guni-guni ko lang, ngunit nararamdaman kong nakatitig sa akin ang mga mata ni
Landice. Mahirap sabihin dahil natatakpan ang mga ito ng kaniyang buhok.
I call upon the God of Deductions! Bigyan mo ako ng talino upang ma-solve ang
kasong ito! Baka kailangan ko ring uminom ng milk tea na favorite ni Sigmund para
tumaas ng thirty percent ang deduction prowess ko?
Muli kong ibinaling ang tingin ko sa tatlong pangalan. Sino kaya kina Angela,
Benedict at Carla ang pumatay kay Victor? Maraming traces daw ng lason ang naiwan
sa kamay ng biktima. Meron din malapit sa kaniyang nostrils, hawakan ng baso at
tinidor. The killer probably had a direct physical contact with him. Ang problema,
lahat ng tatlong suspek ay nagkaroon ng contact sa kaniya.
Angela shook hands with him the moment he arrived at the cafe.
Benedict gave two sachets of creamer to him for his black coffee.
Carla handed him the knife used to slice the cake into equal portions.
Using process of elimination, everyone remains to be a suspect. Nakakainis.
Lumingon ako kay Landice na pa-relax-relax na lang sa kaniyang corner habang
nagbabasa ng libro. "Can you give me another clue? I'm stuck."
"In a real investigation, no one will give you a hint," sagot niya. "Get used to
it."
Ugh! Why did I even bother asking him? Mukhang kailangan kong isa-isahin kung sino
sa kanila ang most likely na lumason sa biktima.
Let's start with Carla dahil siya ang unang pangalan na nakita ko sa tissue paper.
Pwede niyang ilagay ang lason sa handle ng knife na hinawakan ni Victor. Pag-slice
niya sa cake, kumapit ang lason sa mga kamay niya. That explains why there are
traces of poison on the cup's handle and the fork he used to eat the cake.
But why didn't the police detect any poison on the knife's handle? Maybe Carla
wiped it clean bago ito kinuha ng mga pulis? Anyway, Carla is still on my suspect
list.
How about Ben? Siya ang nagbigay ng dalawang sachet ng creamer kay Victor. Kaso
wala namang ni-report ang mga pulis na may lason ang ininom ng biktima. Pwede rin
namang nasa sachet lang ang lason but the police should have reported any traces of
it. Maybe I can strike off Ben from my list.
Up next is Angela. The only contact she made with the victim was when they shook
hands. Suspicious, huh? Posible kasing merong lason ang kamay niya at naipasa ito
sa kamay ni Victor. Kaya hindi na kataka-taka kung bakit may lason sa mga hinawakan
ng biktima.
Muli akong lumingon kay Landice. This time, I hope he would answer my question.
"How can aconite kill someone?"
"Inhaling or ingesting," he answered without looking at my direction. "Depends on
the dose."
Ang tipid naman nitong sumagot. But thankful ako na hindi niya ako inisnob.
Back to the case, how did the poison enter the victim's system? Walang na-trace na
lason sa ininom niyang coffee. Wala ring lason sa kinain nilang cake dahil kung
meron man, dapat nalason na rin ang mga kasama niya.
Landice mentioned something about inhaling. If I remember correctly, Victor was
rubbing beneath his nostrils and sniffing from time to time. That's it! Kung may
bahid na ng lason ang mga kamay niya at pasinghot-singot pa siya habang kinakati
ang ilong niya, the poison would go in through inhaling!
Kung hindi fast-acting poison ang aconite, it might take sometime bago ito
umepekto. Mukhang alam ko na kung sino ang salarin.
With a victorious grin, I turned to Landice and proudly announced. "I know who
killed the victim."
Landice lowered his book and slowly faced me. "Let me hear your deductions."
"The culprit is Angela," I declared with my voice full of confidence. "She laced
her hands with powdered aconite. When the victim shook hands with her, he got the
poison."
Silence. Ni hindi man siya kumibo sa sagot ko. Maybe I need to elaborate my answer?
"Victor had a habit of sniffing as he was rubbing his finger laced with poison near
his nostrils. Dahan-dahan siyang pinapatay nito nang hindi niya namamalayan. That
also explains kung bakit may bahid ng lason ang hawakan ng baso at ang tinidor na
ginamit niya."
Silence again. His face wouldn't tell me if I hit the bullseye or not. Baka sa
sobrang pagkamangha niya sa deductions ko, nanigas na siya roon? Nah, impossible.
"Wrong," he said.
Oh, crap.
"Have you forgotten that Victor went to the comfort room in the middle of their
party?" Landice went on reading and turning the pages of his book. "He stayed
inside for around five minutes, probably due to an upset stomach. He would
definitely wash his hands thoroughly and make sure that they are clean."
"By doing so, matatanggal ang traces ng lason sa kaniyang kamay..." My voice
trailed off as I understood his counter deduction. "But he already touched some
items on the table like the cup handle and fork before going to the comfort room.
Posibleng dumikit ulit sa kaniyang mga daliri ang lason."
"Can you explain why the police did not find any trace of poison on the creamer
sachet?"
Napaisip ako doon sa sinabi niya. Kung may lason nga naman ang kamay ni Victor mula
sa umpisa, lahat ng hahawakan niya ay dapat may traces na rin nito. But according
to the police, the cup handle and the fork were the only items on the table that
had poison.
Ugh! Parang natutuyuan na ako ng deductive juices! I thought I already got the
right suspect!
"Kung hindi si Angela, my second suspect is Carla," hirit ko. Sana'y tumama na ang
aking second chance deductions. "Ipagpalagay na nating may lason sa handle ng
kutsilyo at nailipat 'yon sa kamay ni Victor nang mag-slice siya ng cake. That
would explain the flaw in my deductions earlier. Nauna niya kasing hinawakan ang
creamer sachet bago ang kutsilyo kaya walang traces ng lason doon sa una."
"Again, the victim went to the men's comfort room after slicing the cake. He stayed
inside for around five minutes, probably due to an upset stomach. He would
definitely wash his hands thoroughly and make sure that they are clean."
Teka, parang inulit lang niya ang sinabi niya kanina. Verbatim. "Kahit malinis na
ang mga kamay niya, posibleng malagyan ulit ng lason kaapg hinawakan niya ang mga
bagay na may traces na ng aconite."
"The amount of aconite on his hands, according to the police, is abundant. How
could there be so much poison by merely touching those items with minimal traces?"
Mali na naman? Kung hindi 'yung dalawang suspek na babae ang salarin, that would
mean...
"If Angela did it, there should have been traces of aconite on her cup handle and
fork. If Carla did it, we should have observed her wiping the poison off the knife
handle," Landice explained. "That leaves us with one suspect: Benedict."
What? I crossed off Ben's name on the list! "Paano? Wala namang nakitang lason ang
mga pulis sa creamer sachet na iniabot niya kay Victor. Wala rin namang lason sa
mismong ininom ng biktima."
"The poison was somewhere else," sagot ni Landice. "Benedict only needed to make
sure that the victim will go to that place."
Eh?
"At the start of the video, we saw Benedict coming out of the men's comfort room.
He must have set up his trick while inside. Ang kailangan niya lang gawin ay
papuntahin doon ang kaniyang biktima. Enter the creamer sachet."
Naningkit ang mga mata. Hindi naman sa slow ako, pero hindi ko ma-gets ang
reasoning niya. "I don't understand."
"He volunteered to get the creamer so he can replace them with tampered ones. No,
it's not poison. It's something that can force the victim to go to the comfort
room."
Now I remember! Minutes after uminom ng kape ni Victor, namutla siya at mukhang
masama ang pakiramdam.
"Laxative?" I muttered. "The creamer sachet that Ben gave had laxative kaya
napabanyo ang biktima."
"The aconite powder might have been sprinkled on the comfort room's inside
doorknob. After Victor had washed his hands and dried them using bathroom tissue,
he touched the doorknob and voila. The poison is now on his hands."
"Teka, walang sinabi ang mga pulis na may natagpuan silang traces ng lason sa
doorknob o kung saan mang parte ng cafe. They only mentioned some items on the
table."
"Minutes before the victim collapsed, Benedict went to the comfort room. Doon na
niya pinunasan ang doorknob upang walang makitang kahit anong bahid ng lason ang
mga pulis. He then returned to their table as if nothing happened."
Napanganga ako habang pinapanood si Landice na i-type sa iPad ang pangalan ni
Benedict. What Sigmund told me about him was true. He solved the case as soon as
we're finished watching the video. He presented his flawless deducions as if he's
only reciting the alphabet. He is indeed the Counter Detective.
As he pressed the ENTER key, three words flashed on the screen.
ACONITE IN CREAMER
Landice's mouth slightly opened as he stared at those words. This was the first
time I saw a slightly surprised expression on his face. Well, the first ever
expression I observed on him.
"Check our creamer sachets. Now," utos niya.
Hindi na ako nagtanong kung bakit. Pumunta kaagad ako sa condiments corner kung
saan nakalagay ang mga sachet ng creamer at sugar. The moment I checked on them, I
heard a groan behind me.
"He-Hey! Anong nangyayari sa 'yo?"
"O-Okay ka lang ba?"
"Na-Namamanhid ang mukha ko," sagot ng customer na nakahawak sa kaniyang leeg at
tila nahihirapang huminga. Siya 'yong lalaking nagtanong sa akin kanina kung nasaan
ang mga creamer.
This is bad! My head turned to Landice who's on the phone.
"We need an ambulance here," I heard him speak calmly to whoever's on the other
line. "Someone has been poisoned. Aconite."
Dinala ko sa kaniya ang ilang sample ng creamer. He checked them one by one and
noted the slight deformity on the sachets.
"Someone replaced the creamers," he concluded. "If you don't look closer, you won't
notice it."
Now everything makes sense. The missing aconite in the greenhouse. The "murder
scenario" involving aconite poisoning.
Whoever left that iPad is clearly targeting the Moriartea Cafe.
Thankfully, the ambulance arrived quickly and took in one of the customers.
Mabuti't kaagad naming na-solve ang kaso at wala masyadong customer around that
time kaya iisa lang ang nabiktima ng aconite.
Due to the incident, we temporarily closed the tea shop.
"Disappointing." I heard Landice mutter as he returned to his spot in the corner.
"I beg your pardon?" Was he disappointed na kaagad niyang na-solve ito?
He closed the book and lifted his head to face my direction. Salamat sa makapal
niyang bangs, hindi ko makita kung direkta ba siyang nakatitig sa akin.
"I don't know what Sigmund saw on you and why he chose you as a trainee," he went
on. "You couldn't even solve a simple case."
Si-Simple? Sa tingin ba ng walking fridge na 'to, lahat ng mga aspiring detective
ay katulad niyang matalino at kayang lutasin ang isang kaso within a matter of
minutes?
"Sorry kung hindi ko na-meet ang expectations mo. But I know that I did my best."
"Keep telling that to yourself. Ganyan ang sinasabi ng mga talunan."
W-What did he say? Alam kong hindi ko na-solve ang kaso but that doesn't mean that
I'm a loser! This detective work isn't a game after all. There's no winner or loser
here!
"I can only see minimal potential in you. Sigmund will waste his time and resources
teaching a onion-skinned trainee."
Napakuyom ang mga kamao ko at napakagat ako ng labi, nagtitimping huwag sampalin
ang maputlang mukha niya. No matter how smart this man is, he's already crossing
the line. I'm only a trainee for crying out loud!
Ganon ba kababa ang tingin niya sa akin? Kaya ba ayaw niya akong pansinin? Hindi
niya ba ako tanggap dito?
"You want me gone? Okay, fine!" sigaw ko kay Landice sabay tanggal ng suot kong
cap. "Are you happy now?"
I walked out of the cafe, still wearing my Moriartea uniform. Bahala na kung
anumang insulto ang ibato ni Landice sa akin. Ipapakuha ko na lang bukas ang naiwan
kong school uniform sa locker nila.
Saktong-saktong pagtawid ko sa kalsada, I saw Sigmund crossing the pedestrian lane
from the other side. Lagot! Tinakpan ko ang aking mukha, umaasang hindi niya ako
mapapansin. I hope his mind is still preoccupied by his thesis proposal.
Nang mag-red na ang traffic light, tumawid na kaming mga pedestrian.
Sana 'di niya ako mapansin. Sana 'di niya ako mapansin.
"Where are you going?" narinig kong tanong niya nang malampasan ko na siya.
Nagpatuloy lang ako sa paglalakad, kunwari'y wala akong narinig, pero bigla niyang
hinila ang kamay ko.
"A-Ano ba?"
"You miserably failed in hiding your presence. Nikolai can teach you a thing or two
about that." Sa gitna pa talaga kami ng daan huminto. "You're still wearing our
work uniform, paanong hindi kita makikilala niyan?"
Oh, crap. Dapat nga ba'y nagpalitan ako ng damit bago ako umalis. Si Landice kasi
eh.
BEEP! BEEP!
"Hoy! Tatawid ba kayong dalawa o ano? Malapit nang mag-green light!" bulyaw ng
isang truck driver.
"Doon nga kayo sa gilid magdrama, huwag sa gitna ng daan!"
"Okay! Okay! Calm down, bro!" tugon ni Sigmund sa kanila bago niya ako itinawid sa
kabilang daan. Nang malayo na kami sa mga driver na mainit ang ulo, hinarap niya
ako. Ni hindi ko siya magawang tingnan sa mata.
"Something happened, I can tell. I don't need to use much of my deduction prowess
to notice it. Was it Landice?"
I just gave him a nod. Ayaw ko nang idetalye pa ang mga masasakit na salitang
binitiwan ng workmate namin.
"Come with me." Hinawakan niya ang kamay ko at hinila ako patungo sa direksyong
pupuntahan niya.
"Te-Teka! Saan mo ako dadalhin? 'Di ba may duty ka pa sa cafe?" Teka, temporarily
closed muna pala ang tea shop. Muntik na akong madapa dahil sa ginawa niyang
paghila sa akin.
"We will wipe off the gloomy look on your face. You look prettier when smiling."
He brought me to an ice cream parlor just a block away from the highway. He ordered
two scoops of chocolate ice cream for both of us.
"Chocolate is an easy fix for the blues." Para siyang commercial model na
ineengganyo akong bilhin ang kanilang produkto. "It increases the serotonin levels
in our brains. Well, it's the same chemical released when we're in love."
Napabuntong-hininga muna ako bago isinubo ang isang kutsara ng ice cream. Medyo na-
conscious ako dahil pinapanood ni Sigmund ang pagkain ko.
I don't know kung magic ito o ano, but I felt more relaxed than the way I was
minutes ago.
"Now that's better," he said as he took in a spoonful of ice cream. "Kapag
malungkot ka, kumain ka lang ng chocolate ice cream o uminom ng hot choco.
Chocolate na lang ang hindi nang-iiwan sa atin."
Dahil sa sinabi niya, napatawa ako nang mahina. Hindi niya bagay ang mag-joke o
humugot.
"Did Landice assign you to solve a case?"
"Sort of. Someone left an iPad and asked us to solve a murder scenario. I will tell
you more about the case later," sagot ko bago muling sumubo ng ice cream. "Ginawa
ko naman ang lahat, halos pigain ko na ang utak ko sa kaiisip kung paano pinatay at
sino ang pumatay sa biktima."
"But in the end, it was still Landice who solved the case, right?" he finished my
thought. "So he decided to test you today kung kailan wala ako."
"He said that I have little potential to be a detective."
"What we need to do is maximize that potential."
"He also said that you will be only wasting your time trying to teach me with your
methods."
"I don't think so."
Napatingin ako sa kaniya. "Sa tingin mo ba, may patutunguhan itong detective
training?"
"Of course! Hindi naman ako tataya sa kabayong alam kong matatalo sa karera. Do you
get what I mean?"
Tumango ako.
"Listen, Landice's test doesn't end in the case resolution. He's still testing you
at the moment."
Tumaas ang isa kong kilay. "Anong ibig mong sabihin?"
He lifted his head and his eyes had a faraway look in them. "When I was tested, I
also failed to solve the case. I was overconfident back then."
"Ta-Talaga?" Parang hindi ako makapaniwala na magagawa 'yon ni Sigmund.
"A complex case, if I may describe it. But I took that failure as a lesson. His
words were harsh, but I didn't allow them to get into my head. That's his other
test: He wants to know whether you will give up or not."
I took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. Now that my mind is clear, makakapag-isip
na ako nang maayos.
"I can't just give up, can I?"
"Legally, you can't. You are bounded by our contract."
I knew he would bring that up kapag nabanggit ko sa kaniyang balak kong mag-quit.
Looks like I was left with no other choice.
"Okay, fine. I will return to work."
"Excellent!" he exclaimed saka niya inubos ang ice cream sa kaniyang cup.
"By the way, how's your thesis proposal?" tanong ko.
"Oh, that?" he wiped his mouth first before replying. "Just like you, it was a
rocky road for me. Skeptical pa ang Research instructor namin kung tatanggapin niya
ang topic ko."
"Bakit? Ano bang balak mong gawan ng study?"
"I'd like to keep it a secret until makapasa ang topic ko sa kaniya." He looked at
the clock display on his phone. "I think it's time to return to the cafe. Okay lang
ba sa 'yo?"
"Temporarily closed ang tea shop dahil sa nangyari kanina. Someone was poisoned
using aconite, but don't worry, he's still alive."
"Aconite..." Naningkit ang mga mata ni Sigmund sabay hawak sa kaniyang baba. He
must have realized the coincidence of a missing aconite plant in the greenhouse and
the poisoning at the tea shop. "Tell me more about the details later, okay?"
I nodded. "At medyo nahihiya ako kay Landice dahil nag-walkout ako sa harapan
niya."
"Don't worry, as long as I'm on your side, you are protected."
He winked at me before starting our walk back to the tea shop. Like a loyal
protegee, sumunod ako sa kaniya.
I must say na kapag nandiyan siya, mas comfortable ang aura sa paligid ko.
Nakakailang hakbang pa lang kami mula sa ice cream parlor, nanindig bigla ang mga
balahibo ko at nakaramdam ng panlalamig. No, it's not because of the ice cream. I
had a vague feeling that someone was staring at us so I looked around.
"Is something wrong, Mav?"
I shook my head slowly and smiled at him. Baka guni-guni ko lang.
~M~

NEXT CHAPTER PREVIEW:

DUN-DUN-DUN-DUN-DU-DUN-DUN-DU-DUN!
"He's back! He's back! The manager is back!"
P.S. The author will take a one-day break. Five to seven chapters left before
Moriartea ends!

[10] Napoleon of Tea

MAVIEL

THE MYSTERY of the wolfsbane case remains unsolved. No, not the case in the video,
but the one that happened in the tea shop.
Fortunately, the poisoned victim survived after he was given immediate medical
attention. Kami na mismo ang nagbayad sa pagpapa-ospital niya. Ayaw kasi naming
magkaroon ng issue at madungisan ang pangalan ng Moriartea Cafe.
It was a typical Thursday afternoon when we gathered around the counter. Sigmund
stood by the cash register, Landice at his favorite corner, Nikolai in front while
I'm on the side. A mellow instrumental music played in the background as our
customers enjoyed their cups of tea.
O, kumusta kami ni Landice a.k.a. the walking fridge? As usual, hindi na naman
nagpapansinan. Pagbalik namin kahapon dito ni Sigmund, I apologized to him for
walking out and raising my voice. Alam kong rude ang ginawa ko at aminado akong
mali 'yon. But he seemed to not care about my apology dahil tiningnan niya lang ako
bago bumalik sa lagi niyang ginagawa. Whether he accepted it or not, hindi ko na
concern 'yon.
Nagawi ang tingin ko sa condiments corner. I'm still thinking kung sino ang
nagpalit ng mga creamer doon kahapon.
"I have the same question in mind." Nagulat ako nang biglang nagsalita ang
napangalumbabang si Sigmund. His gaze had a dreamy look in his eyes. Second
guessing my mind has become his habit apparently. Were my thoughts that
predictable?
Napaangat ang tingin ko sa kisame at napansin ang naka-install na CCTV camera.
"Have we checked the footage? Pwede nating i-review kung sino-sino ang lumapit sa
condiments corner pati na rin kung sino ang nang-iwan ng iPad sa ilalim ng mesa."
"I wish we could," Nikolai commented as he started mopping the floor. "Ang kaso,
matagal nang hindi gumagana ang CCTV camera na 'yan."
"Eh? Bakit hindi n'yo pa pinapalitan o pinapa-repair? Paano kung kailangan ang kuha
niyan?"
"Hindi pa kasi namin nire-report sa manager na nasira 'yan," paliwanag ni Nikolai.
"Kasalanan ni Sigmund kung bakit. Pinakialaman niya kasi."
"Hey, hey!" Sigmund raised both of his hands. "I was just curious back then! I
didn't know na substandard lang ang ininstall na camera ng manager. If I had known,
hindi ko na hinawakan."
"But what's the use of that security camera kung wala ring nare-record na footage?"
kunot-noo kong tanong.
"Kahit na hindi gumagana, the camera gives the customers a sense of security. They
would think that everyone's being monitored so they will feel safe and no one would
dare to commit a crime."
"But someone managed to do something bad," I countered, looking at Sigmund. "Kung
effective ang iyong trick-their-minds-with-a-non-functioning-camera strategy, how
did the culprit replace the creamers and leave some items behind without fear of
getting caught?"
"Either he's confident that the camera won't catch him red-handed or he knows that
the camera is not working," Sigmund deduced, raising two of his fingers.
"Alam na ba nila kung sinong bumunot ng aconite sa greenhouse?" sunod kong tanong.
There must be a link between the two cases. Kung wala, napakalaking coincidence
naman. "Posibleng doon galing ang lason na inilagay sa creamer, 'di ba?"
"Professor Verde said that the security personnel didn't notice anything strange
the night before," he answered. "I checked the padlock earlier. No scratches, no
signs of forced entry. What can you make of that, Mav?"
Here comes the impromptu question and answer portion.
"Posibleng may hawak na susi ang nanloob sa greenhouse o magaling siyang mag-
lockpick," I answered. "Those are the possible explanations kung bakit walang
gasgas sa lock."
"Excellent, Mav! Very good!" Sigmund exclaimed with glee. Para akong bata na
nakasagot ng tama sa recitation. Kulang na lang ay bigyan niya ako ng lollipop
bilang reward.
"Tama rin bang isipin na whoever left that challenge is targeting us? He knew about
the cafe being a detective agency. Not everyone knows that, right?"
"You're on a roll! That's my girl! In no time, you will be able to solve a mystery
on your own."
Okay, medyo sumosobra na yata ang papuri niya sa akin. Though I enjoyed hearing
compliments from here, mas maganda sana kung sincere ang mga 'yon.
"Nevertheless, kailangan nating maging handa sa mga susunod na mangyayari," sabi ni
Nikolai, wiping the sweat on his forehand. My eyes can't help but notice the mole
near his left eye. "I have this feeling na hindi pa sa insidente kahapon nagtatapos
ang lahat."
"Whoever's challenging us is only getting started. An appetizer, you may call it-"
DUN-DUN-DUN-DUN-DU-DUN-DUN-DU-DUN!
"Holy Sweet Heavenly Iced Tea..." Nikolai muttered as he shot a wide-eye stare at
the speakers. Mula sa malumanay na instrumental song, naging march na ang
pinapatugtog. Ang mga customer tuloy, nagtatakang nagpalinga-linga sa paligid nila.
Sunod akong napatingin kay Sigmund na biglang inayos ang kaniyang ribbon. Ang isa
pa naming kasama na busy sa pagbabasa, isinara ang hawak na libro at tumayo na rin.
DUN-DUN-DU-DUN-DUN-DU-DU-DUN-DU-DUN-DUN-DU-DU-DUN!
"Isn't that a Star Wars soundtrack? Imperial March? Kapag may scene si Darth
Vader?" I asked, still confused with the sudden changes in their poses. I hope they
would enlighten me kung ano ang nangyayari. Isa ba itong fire o earthquake drill?
"In this cafe, that music means something else!" Unlike earlier, nag-times two ang
bilis ng pagmo-mop ni Nikolai, parang natataranta. Kumuha pa siya ng air freshener
at inispray ito.
"You know the drill, Landice!" Umalis si Sigmund sa kaniyang puwesto at sinimulang
ayusin ang mga bakanteng mesa at upuan. Ang walking fridge naman, kumuha ng basang
basahan at pinunasan ang countertop.
DUN-DUN-DUN-DUN-DU-DUN-DUN-DU-DUN!
Everyone seems to be in panic mode. But here I am, watching them do all the chores.
What in the world is going on here? Can someone tell me?
"He's back! He's back! The manager's back!" Sigmund told as he pushed a table by a
few inches. Ang ayos-ayos na ng arrangement, ginagalaw pa niya? Nagpapaka-OC ba
siya?
But wait! Parating ang boss namin? How did they know?
"We have a secret device in this cafe that can detect the manager's phone," Sigmund
explained, moving some couches. "Kapag nasa fifty-meter radius na siya, that device
will pickup his phone signal and automatically play the Imperial March!"
"Ganon namin nalalaman na parating siya!" dagdag ni Nikolai, sabay sarado sa
pintuan ng comfort room. "We have approximately one minute and twenty-three seconds
to clean the mess!"
Anong mess ang sinasabi ni Nikolai? Eh ang linis-linis na ng cafe?
For the first time, nakita kong gumalaw nang maliksi si Landice. He wiped the
countertop clean as well as the cabinet. Parang darating ang hari sa paglilinis
nila. I've never seen them so serious in cleaning.
Sigmund stood beside me, his eyes squinted as he observed kung tama na ang
arrangement ng mga mesa. Parang wala namang pinagbago.
"That table is off by three inches to the right," bulong niya. "I hope he won't
notice it."
"Ten seconds left!"
"Battle formation!" sigaw ni Sigmund. Biglang humilera sa tabi ko ang tatlong
lalaki. Para kaming mga sundalo na naglinya dahil sasalubungin namin ang paparating
na heneral.
Bumilis ang tibok ng puso ko, magkahalong excitement at kaba. Sa wakas, makikilala
ko na rin ang manager-slash-owner ng Moriartea.
Ewan kung nananaginip ako o may automatic function ang pinto ng cafe. Bigla kasi
itong bumukas kahit walang nagtulak nito. Did the manager use the force on the
door?
Thanks to the transparent glass walls, I caught a glimpse of a bespectacled man
approaching the cafe entrance. He had the aura of a king as he majestically walked
in. Parehas sila ng uniform ng male crew dito. Naiba lang ang nameplate niya kung
saan nakaukit ang pangalang JAMESON MORIA at ang posisyon niya bilang MANAGER.
Pagpasok niya, ni hindi man niya kami binati ng "Good afternoon!" Nagpatuloy lang
siya sa paglalakad, idinikit ang daliri sa countertop at tila gumuhit ng linya
hanggang sa marating niya ang dulo.
He must be checking if there's any dust on the surface. How meticulous. Good thing
that Landice wiped it clean moments ago.
Sunod, ipinikit niya ang kaniyang mga mata at huminga nang malalim. He did the
inhale and exhale process for three times.
"Tut-tut-tut. You only sprayed the air freshener twice. Kulang pa ng isa," he
commented as he opened his eyes slowly. Nabaling ang tingin niya sa mga mesa.
Parang kinikilatis niya ang isang painting sa art exhibit sa tagal ng kaniyang
pagtitig.
"Table No. 7 is off by three inches to the right. Table No. 11 needs to be moved by
two inches to the left." His hands made swift gestures in front of him. "The table
arrangement is not perfectly symmetrical. Tut-tut-tut. It irks me."
What? Pati ba naman sa pagkakalagay ng mesa, metikuloso siya? And what's with the
tut-tut-tut?
"The aircon temperature is set at 18.5 degress Celsius," he said as his right hand
touched the temple of his spectacles. "Hindi ba dapat 19 degress 'yan?"
"So-Sorry, boss!"
"Tapos ang tea leaves jars sa cabinet, hindi perfectly aligned. You push one jar a
three centimeters backward."
"Noted," Landice answered.
"My God, nawala lang ako ng ilang linggo, nagkagulo na ang arrangement dito sa
cafe." Humarap sa amin ang manager sabay lagay ng kaniyang mga kamay sa likuran. He
looked like a general who's about to scold his soldiers.
"What brings you here, boss?" Sigmund asked casually, dispersing the serious
atmosphere. "Ang akala ko next week pa ang balik n'yo."
"Dapat next week pa talaga ang balik ko rito," sagot ni Manager Jameson. "I was
busy managing our main branch when I read about this!"
Hindi ko alam kung saan niya tinago ngunit bigla na lang may lumitaw na diyaryo sa
kamay niya. On the front page, naka-print in bold letters ang mga salitang
"Customer, nalason sa tea shop!"
Teka, may iba pa palang branch ang tea shop na 'to?
"Don't be alarmed, boss!" Sigmund answered nonchalantly. "That's a tabloid.
Talagang exaggerated ang mga balita diyan. Buhay pa naman ang customer."
"Aren't you wondering why the City Health Office didn't come here to conduct an
investigation? No? Dahil nakipag-areglo na ako sa kanila as soon as I heard about
the incident yesterday. Thanks to the staff at our main branch, we have been
cleared of any possible sanctions dahil sa nangyari."
"You're doing a great job, boss!"
Biglang nabaling ang tingin ng manager sa akin. "And who's this girl?"
I extended my right hand to him. "I'm Maviel, sir, a part-timer."
Nangawit na ang braso ko pero hindi niya ako kinamayan. Tinitigan niya lang ito
bago napatingin kay Sigmund. "Who hired the young lady in front of me?"
Itinuro nina Nikolai at Landice ang aming kasama na naka-smiling face pa rin.
"Yours truly, sir!" Sigmund touched his chest and gently bowed his head.
"Who gave him the authority to hire the new part-timer?"
Again, Nikolai and Landice pointed fingers at our workmate.
"And who told him that he can assume my power to hire?"
Sa ikatlong pagkakataon, muling itinuro nina Nikolai at Landice si Sigmund.
"Only me," he answered, jerking his thumb at himself. "According to the job
description, if the manager is not around, the assistant manager can make decisions
on his behalf."
"Tut-tut-tut. That's usurpation of authority, Sigmund." The manager shook his head
slowly with his eyes closed. "I hope she doesn't suffer the same fate as the former
part-timer we had months ago. 'Yong biglang nawala at hindi na nakita kailanman."
There was a hint of recognition on Sigmund's and Nikolai's faces while Landice had
no reaction. May nakita akong kaunting bahid ng kalungkutan sa kanilang mga mata.
The sadness etched on their faces vanished instantly when the door swung open and a
female student entered. She looked around the interior of the cafe na parang may
hinahanap. She looked troubled and a little bit paranoid. Palingon-lingon kasi siya
sa labas na tila tinitingnan kung may sumusunod sa kaniya.
"How can we help you, ma'am?" masiglang tanong ni Sigmund. Parang permanente nang
nakaguhit sa labi niya ang isang matamis na ngiti.
Once again, the girl looked behind her before turning to us. "Na-Nagpa-book ako ng
appointment sa online detective agency. Ni-recommend kayo ng kaklase kong si
Marianne."
Marianne? The girl we saved at the hotel?
"Stalker, huh?" The manager's eyeglasses shone as the light outside struck its
lenses. "Tut-tut-tut. Mukhang seryoso ang problema mo. Don't worry, we can help you
out."
"H-How did you know na may stalker ako?"
Manager Jameson only replied with a smile. "May we discuss the case upstairs? Mas
tahimik doon kumpara dito sa baba."
Dahil puro detectives ang kasama ko rito sa cafe, I won't be surprised if the
manager also has superb deduction skills.
"Gusto kong makita kung gaano kagaling ang part-timer natin. What's your name
again? Maviel?" Humarap sa akin ang manager. "Sigmund hired you so I'm expecting na
may maibubuga ka pagdating sa detective work. Otherwise, what's the point of you
being here?"
Test na naman?! Kakatapos ko lang sa pang-iinsulto ni Landice kahapon tapos ngayon
isasabak na naman nila ako?
"Don't worry, you will be accompanied by a senior staff member." Ibinaling ng
manager ang kaniyang tingin sa isa sa mga kasama ko. "And since we will deal with a
stalker here, Nikolai's the best man for the job. Only a stalker can take down
stalker, right?"
Sumaludo si Nikolai sa aming manager. "I will do my best, sir! I'm looking forward
to working with you, Mav!"
"M-Me too." I said, forcing a smile.
"Now, let's go upstairs. Nikolai and Maviel, come with us. Landice, prepare a cup
of tea for our client. And Sigmund, man the cash register."
It's gonna be a stalker versus stalker, huh?
~M~
A/N: For the DUN-DUN-DUN part, listen to the attached media with the Darth Vader
thumbnail!

[11] Under Surveillance

MAVIEL

MAGING ANG second floor, hindi nakaligtas sa pagiging OC ni Manager Jameson Moria.
He noted how the couches were off by a few inches and the painting on the wall that
was slightly slanted. He pays too much attention to details!

Ako na ang kumuha ng chamomile tea para sa aming kliyente. She introduced herself
as Miley Cipriano, a special education student. Pinainom muna namin siya ng tea
para kumalma ang tila nababagabag niyang isipan.

Manager Jameson sat on the solo couch while Nikolai and I settled down on a longer
one. The client was seated across the table, exactly opposite of our manager's.

"Maviel," tawag sa akin ni manager sabay tanggal ng kaniyang salamin. "Why do you
think our client here has a stalker problem?"

I thought only Sigmund would put me in an on-the-spot question and answer portion!
Pati ba naman ikaw, manager?

Dahil ang boss na mismo ang nagtanong, I had no other choice but to answer.
Kailangang maging maingat din ako sa isasagot ko, baka mapahiya ako sa kaniya.

"Nang pumasok siya sa cafe kanina, palingon-lingon siya sa likuran, tinitingnan

kung may nakasunod sa kaniya." My eyes were fixated on the client, trying to deduce
something from her appearance. "Based on her features, it isn't surprising kung may
magkakagusto sa kaniya to the point of obsession."

"And that obsession led to stalking," Nikolai finished my thought. "Just like
online stalking. Hahalughugin mo ang lahat ng social media sites para makilala pa
ang target mo. Aabangan mo ang mga post at tweet niya araw-araw."

"Good observation, part-timer. You show some potential." The manager started wiping
his eyeglass lenses clean. "My turn. You are used to having a number of admirers,
aren't you? But recently, one of them has frightened you. Maybe he acted unsual and
alarming. Tama ba?

Napakurap ang mga mata ni Miley habang iginagala ang tingin sa aming tatlo. Hindi
siguro siya makapaniwala na nagawa naming i-deduce kung ano ang problema niya
without her telling us a signle thing about it.
"Ga-Gaya ng sinabi n'yo, sanay na akong magkaroon ng admirer. But this week,
something happened." She took an envelope out of her shoulder bag and slid it on
the table. "Someone sent me that thing noong Tuesday."

Binuksan ni Nikolai ang envelope at inilabas ang mga litrato mula rito. We were
suprised to see photos of our client only wearing her undergarments. At the back of
one photo, the following words were written:

I apologise for the intrusion. I can't help but admire your beauty. It would be
such an honour to meet you face to face.

"Mag-isa akong nakatira sa isang apartment ilang street mula sa campus," paliwanag
ni Miley. "Ang pinagtataka ko, paano niya nakunan ang mga photo na 'yan?"

"Walang ibang tao sa apartment mo ng mga oras na kinunan 'to?" tanong ni Nikolai.

Umiling ang kliyente namin. "Imposibleng hindi ko mapansin kung may nagtatago sa
unit ko. Studio type lang kasi at walang pwedeng pagtaguan sa loob."

"What kind of lock do you have?"

"Doorknob lang."

"Have you noticed anything strange on its surface? Mga weird scratch na wala doon
dati?"

For the second time, umiling ang aming kliyente. "I already thought that someone
might be trying to open it. But there was no indication."

Why does this case sound familiar? Ah! The same case in the missing aconite at the
greenhouse! Wala rin daw nakitang kakaibang scratches sa padlock ng pintuan.

"Did you also feel that someone has been tailing you?"

Tumango si Miley. "Kapag lalabas ako ng apartment tuwing gabi para bumili ng
takeout dinner o sa convenience store. I could sense there's a person following me
meters behind."

"What do you think, Nikolai?" Manager Jameson put back his glasses on. "Any ideas?"

"Malakas ang kutob kong may nanloob sa apartment mo, miss. At base sa mga litrato,
someone installed a hidden camera in your room." Nikolai raised one of the photos.
"Judging by the angle, posibleng nakatago ito sa taas na five hanggang seven feet."

"I suggest that you start by paying a visit to her apartment, find out where the
hidden camera is, and check if something will jump out at you," sabi ni manager.
"I'm leaving this case to my trusted employees."

"Okay lang ba sa 'yo na pumunta kami sa apartment mo?" tanong ni Nikolai.

"I don't mind," the client answered, shaking her head.

With that, nagpaalam kami nina Nikolai at Miley kay manager. Bago tuluyang
makalabas ng tea shop, Sigmund wished us good luck with matching thumbs up while
Landice only darted a glance.

Like what the client said, her apartment is only a few streets away from the
campus. In about five minutes, we've already reached our destination. May kulay
asul itong gate at walang security guard na nagbabantay sa labas. No wonder how the
stalker got in so easily.

We walked past three units before halting in front of Unit 104. Bago maipasok ni
Miley ang susi sa keyhole, pinigilan siya ni Nikolai at sinabihang hayaan siyang
inspeksyunin ang doorknob.

"Nothing unusual," he leaned his eyes closer to the keyhole. Mula sa pagkakayuko,
humarap siya sa amin at sinabing, "Kung pumasok ang stalker mo gamit ang pintong
ito, he must have had a considerable lockpicking skill. I suggest that as soon as
possible, palitan mo na ang doorknob."

Miley agreed. "Nakausap ko na ang landlady. Within this week, papalitan na 'yan ng
bagong doorknob."

"You should also add another lock, maybe a bolt. Kahit kasi baguhin 'yan, as long
as the stalker knows how to pick a lock, mababalewala ang pagpapalit n'yo."

"Better kung mahuhuli natin siya," I said, crossing my arms over my chest. "If he's
caught, all this creepiness will stop and Miley can continue living a normal life
without fear."

"Marunong ba kayong mag-acting?" Nikolai asked, putting his hands inside his
pockets. "Your stalker is probably anticipating you coming home through his hidden
camera. We need to find that device. Mav and I will pretend that we are here to
have a casual chit-chat with you, para hindi siya maalarma kung bakit may kasama ka
sa unit."

"And while we are talking to one another, pasimple mong hahanapin ang hidden
camera?" tanong ko.

"I already have a method kung paano," Nikolai flashed a grin that spoke of victory.
"I also tried planting a camera somewhere in the campus. May idea na rin ako sa way
of thinking ng isang stalker."

Isn't that illegal? Unauthorized surveillance is one of the major offenses

according to the school rulebook. I hope it was for a good purpose and he didn't
plant it inside a women's comfort room para mamboso.

Binuksan na ni Miley ang pinto at pinapasok kami sa loob. Gaya ng nasabi niya
kanina, studio-type lamang ito at maliit para may pagtaguan ang isang lalaking
palihim na kumukuha ng litrato.

Pinaupo kami ng kliyente malapit sa kaniyang foldable table at binigyan kami ng

tig-iisang baso ng tubig. Nikolai took out his phone at inilapag ito sa mesa. After
a few minutes, bigla itong nag-ring at nag-vibrate.

"Oh, Sig! Napatawag ka?" Tumayo si Nikolai at pabalik-balik na naglakad sa tapat ng

cabinet na kaharap namin. "Busy ba kayo mamaya ni Landice? Tara, mag-inuman naman
tayo minsan!"

Totoo namang may kausap siya sa phone dahil nakita ko ang number na nag-flash sa
screen. But I highly doubt that he's really inviting our two workmates to drink. It
must be part of his script.

Huminto siya sa right side ng cabinet at pasimpleng tiningnan ang mga gamit doon.
"Don't worry, sasama sa atin si Mav. Alam mo ang babaeng 'yon, malakas uminom!
Makakatatlong bote ng beer 'yon! Haha!"

Teka! Never pa kaya akong uminom! I hate the taste of beer or any alcoholic
beverages. Lagi akong nagpa-pass kapag may nagyayaya sa akin.

Hindi ko alam kung paano niya tsine-check kung nasaan ang hidden camera. He wasn't
physically touching any of the items there. Focused lang siya sa kausap niya
through phone at pasulyap-sulyap sa mga bagay na naka-display.

Lumipat naman siya sa kabilang side ng cabinet. Bahagya siyang tumingala at

napatingin sa isang teddy bear. "So saan tayo mamaya? The usual spot? Baka maraming
nakatambay doon!"

Miley had a confused look on her face. It was silently screaming, "What in the
world is he talking about?" Somehow, ramdam ko na ngayon kung ano ang feeling ni
Sigmund kapag nagagawa niyang basahin ang reaksyon ng isang tao through facial
expressions.

"Pwede rin tayong lumipat kung punuan mamaya. Dala ko naman ang kotse ko. Teka,
medyo choppy ang signal dito, hindi ko na maintindihan ang pinagsasabi mo. Hello,
Sig? Sig? Tawagan na lang ulit kita mamaya."

Binaba na niya ang tawag at pinuntahan kaming nakaupo sa mesa. "Labas muna tayong
tatlo, medyo mainit dito."

Inubos ko muna ang isang baso ng tubig bago sumunod sa kaniya. Sa tapat lang kami
ng pintuan tumambay.

"Para saan ang tawag mo kanina?" tanong ko pagkasara ni Miley sa pinto. She
probably wanna ask the same question.

"I was determining kung saan nakalagay ang hidden camera," he answered with an air
of confidence. "And I already deduced its location."

"Ta-Talaga? Sa isang phone call lang?"

Ipinakita niya sa amin ang kaniyang mahiwagang phone. May special feature ba ito na
kayang mag-detect ng nakatagong camera?

"The trick is to use your mobile device to pick up electromagnetic field." He waved
his gadget in front of us. "Nang tumayo ako sa right side ng cabinet, the
communication line between me and Sig was clear. Pero nang lumipat ako sa left
side, may mga narinig akong clicking noises. That's an indication that my phone is
interfering with an electromagnetic field used by hidden cameras."

Parang nagkaroon kami ng libreng science lecture. I never thought of that!

"Kung alam mo na ang possible location, bakit hindi pa natin tanggalin ang hidden
camera?" I asked.

"Ssshh! We need to make the stalker believe that we are not yet aware about it.
Pwede nating gamitin 'yon sa ating advantage."

He somehow reminds me of Sigmund who's fond of taking advantage of the situation.

"Kapag ne-expose ka na sa methods ni Sig, hindi maiiwasang ma-adapt mo ang pag-

iisip niya," paliwanag ni Nikolai. "You know how much that guy loves theatrics."

Sinabi mo pa! Imbes na tawagin namin ang security personnel noong hotel SOS case,
he just suddenly walked into the enemy territory, saying that he had everything
prepared.
"A-Ano nang gagawin natin?" nagtatakang tanong ni Miley. "Habang nasa loob ng
apartment ko ang camera, mababantayan niya ang mga galaw ko."

"He still wants to monitor your activities o baka may balak pa siyang gawin," sagot
ni Nikolai. "Anyway, we can use that camera to lure him out."

"But how?"

"Mag-stay ka lang sa apartment mo," he suggested. "For the sake of our plan, wala
ka munang papapuntahing ibang classmate mo unless we say so. Alam ng stalker mo
kung may kasama kang ibang tao rito o wala. And if he is as obsessed as I think he
is-judging by the hidden camera that he installed-he might be waiting for a perfect
opportunity to manifest his obsession."

"Manifest his obsession..." I repeated under my breath. Mukhang alam ko na kung

anong tinutukoy ng kasama ko. "Are you saying na posibleng puntahan niya mismo si
Miley?"

Nikolai nodded. "Yes. Kailangang maging alerto ni Miley. The stalker can knock on
the door and appear normal before you or pick the lock to force his way inside."

"I will be on my guard," Miley assured.

"May ideya ka ba kung sino ang mga posibleng obsessed sa 'yo? To the point na i-
stalk ka niya? Among your classmates, maybe?"

"Hmm... I can only think of three people," sabi ni Miley sabay hawak sa kaniyang
sentido. "Dickson, he tried to court me before but I turned him down. Edgar, he's
not my type but he's always there to help me. Felipe, he just creeps me out, I
always catch him looking at me."

"What do you think, Mav?" Humarap sa akin si Nikolai. "Tama bang paghinalaan natin
ang mga classmate niya?"

Tumango ako. "They should be the first ones in our list. If the stalker and Miley
have the same class schedule, the former wouldn't have a hard time following the
latter after class hours. Marami siyang opportunity para i-stalk ang target kahit
saan man siya magpunta."

"We will gather more info about them," Nikolai said as he turned to our client.
"Stay right here. Contact us immediately kung may something weird na mangyari."

"Su-Sure," tugon ni Miley. "Just tell me what needs to be done."

"One more thing: saang subject kayo pinasulat ng essay recently?"

It took a few seconds for Miley to recall. "Writing in the Discipline. Ma'am
Valencia asked us to answer some essay questions this morning."

"Thank you."

Miley returned inside her apartment while Nikolai and I walked on our way back to
the campus.

"Anong pinaplano mo ngayon?" Kinailangan kong bilisan ang aking paglalakad dahil
malalaki ang hakbang ni Nikolai. "Paano naging relevant sa case kung pinasulat sila
ng essay?"

"May naisip akong paraan kung paano natin ma-identify ang stalker mula sa tatlong
initial suspect. Hindi ganon ka-reliable but it might be worth a try. We might need
to do something illegal though."

"Eh? Illegal?"

"Desperate times require desperate measures," he added, shooting a sideward glance

at me. "We cannot ignore the threat of a stalker. Any time from now, he can do
something much worse than putting his target under surveillance. Excited ka na ba
sa first case nating dalawa?"

Maybe? Maybe not? Gusto ko rin kasing makita kung paano mag-solve ng case si
Nikolai. I've already seen the methods of Sigmund and Landice. Siya na lang ang
kulang.

"Naalala ko tuloy ang first assignment ko sa cafe," Nikolai looked up, his eyes
seemed to be reminiscing the good old days. "The manager asked me to follow a male
businessman and find out if he's having an affair with someone else. Request ng
kaniyang asawa."

Napatingin ako sa kanya. "Mula pa lang sa una, mga ganitong kaso na ang assignment
mo? Following people a.k.a. stalking?"

"Hindi ganon kadali. Sometimes you have to do a stake-out. Oh, hindi ka familiar sa
term? Palihim mong babantayan ang aktibidad ng isang tao o grupo ng mga tao sa
isang lugar. It might take hours or days. Kaya kailangang magbaon ng maraming
pasensya."

"Naging successful naman ba ang first assignment mo?"

"Yup! Nakakuha ako ng litrato ng target kasama ang isang babae habang papasok sila
sa motel. Dahil hindi pa ako masyadong magaling noon sa pagtatago ng presensya ko,
medyo nahirapan ako. The target showed signs that he's aware of me following him."

"Oooh." At doon pala nagsimula ang stalking career niya. "You succeeded pala in
your first case. That reminds me, Sigmund told me that he failed his."

Halos magdikit ang mga kilay ni Nikolai. "Sig told you that? For real?"

With a confused face, I nodded. What's with his reaction anyway? "Ye-Yeah.
Naikwento niya sa akin kahapon na hindi raw niya nagawang ma-solve ang unang kasong
hinawakan niya. He said that he was too full of himself."

"That's weird." Napahawak sa kaniyang baba si Nikolai at muling napatingin sa taas.

"As far as I can remember, ni minsa'y hindi pa pumalpak si Sig. One hundred percent
ang clearance rate niya, kung hindi natin isasama ang isang kaso na hindi pa rin
naso-solve hanggang ngayon. Kung tama ang naalala kong first case niya, he
certainly didn't fail. Or maybe, he was referring to something else?"

Dumaan kami sa side gate ng campus at tumuloy sa stone benches sa center square.
Saktong-sakto naman na tumugtog ang Angelus, senyales na pumatak na ang ala-sais ng
gabi.

"What are we gonna do here?" I whispered as everyone in the square stood and
started reciting the prayer.

"The English faculty room is at the fourth floor, right?" Nikolai whispered back.
"Balak kong silipin ang mga essay na isinulat ng klase ni Miley. If the stalker is
one of her classmates, he might have left a clue on the way he writes. Naalala mo
ba ang mga nakasulat sa litrato kanina?"
"Yes. So you're planning to compare the writing style of the stalker who sent the
photos and the three suspects?"

"Longshot idea, but if their writing styles match, we are one step closer to
unmasking his identity."

Nang matapos na ang Angelus, muling umupo ang mga estudyanteng nasa paligid namin.
Ang iba nama'y nagpatuloy sa paglalakad.

Nikolai pointed at one room on the fourth floor. It still had its light on.

"Kailangan nating pasukin ang English faculty room. Diyan natin makikita ang mga
sinagutan nilang papel."

"But why are we still here at the square? Shouldn't we be on our way there?"

"Hindi naman natin pwedeng kalkalin ang mga papel habang may tao sa loob, 'di ba?
We need to wait for them to leave before stepping into their territory. Since it's
six o'clock already, aalis na kung sinuman ang natitira sa faculty room."

"Nang sinabi mong 'pasukin' kanina, you weren't just talking about entering the
room like how normal people do?"

Nikolai's lips once again formed a grin, confirming my suspicions. "Ila-lock nila
ang office, that's for certain. Kaya kailangan nating humanap ng ibang paraan upang
makapasok. Fortunately, I'm an expert on unlocking doors."

'Yon siguro ang tinutukoy niyang "illegal" na gagawin namin. Should I take part in
this breaking break-in? Well, I have no choice, do I?

Nang mamatay na ilaw sa binabantayan naming faculty room, Nikolai signaled to me

that it's time to commence the operation. I didn't expect that we have to go this
far.

We stopped in front of Room 401. Thankfully, walang masyadong dumadaan dito dahil
walang regular classroom sa fourth floor. Ang mga katabing kuwarto ay mga
specialized classroom tulad ng speech lab, chemistry lab at biology lab.

Lumingon-lingon muna si Nikolai sa paligid bago niya inilabas ang dalawang paper
clip.

"At anong balak mong gawin sa mga 'yan?"

"I'm going to unlock the door using these clips."

"You serious?"

"Sabi ko na sa 'yo, desperate times call for desperate measures. Kaya nga-"

"Hoy! Anong ginagawa n'yo diyan?"

Lagot!

~M~

[12] Art of Stalking

MAVIEL

"OH? DETECTIVE trainee!"

Sabay kaming napalingon ni Nikolai sa kaliwa. Biglang lumabas sa katabing biology

lab ang isang professor na nakasalamin at naka-slick back ang buhok. Wait, I've met
him somewhere before.

"Sir Verde?"

"Maviel, right? Sigmund's apprentice." Sir Verde touched the bridge of his
eyeglasses. "Hindi mo yata siya kasama ngayon?"

"Naka-duty ho siya sa cafe ngayon," I answered. "I'm with one of his workmates."

Mabilis na ibinulsa ni Nikolai ang hawak niyang paper clips. "Nikolai from
Moriartea Cafe. At your service!"

"Another detective, huh? At talagang naka-uniform pa kayo," nakangiting tugon ni

Sir Verde. "Ano nga pala ang ginagawa n'yo rito? Kakaalis pa lang yata ng mga
English faculty member. Is this for a case?"

"Ma-May iko-consult lang kami sa English professor namin," I lied. "Kailangan ko

rin kasi siyang kausapin tungkol sa assignment."

"Sayang, hindi namin siya naabutan dito," nakisakay na rin si Nikolai sa

kasinungalingan ko. "Importante pa naman sana ang itatanong namin."

"Dapat maaga kayong pumunta," sabi ni Sir Verde. "Hanggang six o'clock lang kasi
sila."

"Ano nga ho pala ang ginagawa n'yo diyan?"

"Ah, tsine-check ko ang mga specimen sa biology lab." Sir Verde jerked his thumb
toward the nearby room. "After the break-in incident sa greenhouse, I decided to
regularly check the items here. Mahirap na, baka masalisihan ulit. Nagpalit na rin
ako ng padlock sa greenhouse."

"May update na ho ba kayo tungkol sa missing aconite case?"

Sir Verde slowly shook his head. "Unfortunately, wala na talaga kaming mapigang
information kung sino ang posibleng pumasok at bumunot ng halamang aconite. Don't
worry, I will tell Sigmund kapag may development sa kaso. I should go now. See you
around!"

He waved his right hand before descending to the stairs. Kumaway rin kami ni
Nikolai sa kaniya at sinabayan pa ng ngiti hanggang sa mawala siya sa paningin
namin.

"That was close," I muttered. "Mabuti na lang, hindi mo pa sinimulan ang paglo-
lockpick mo."

Muling inilabas ni Nikolai ang dalawang paper clips. He unbent one of them and
straightened it. "You will only need two of these things para makapagbukas ng
doorknob o ng padlock. One will act as a tension wrench while the other one will
act as a lock pick."

Tumango-tango ako kahit hindi ko masyadong naintindihan ang mga pinagsasabi niya.
He inserted what he called "tension wrench" into the bottom of the keyhole and
started turning it repeatedly. Sinunod niyang nilabas-pasok ang isang paperclip at
pinaikot-ikot ito sa loob.

Click!

With less than one minute, we heard a clicking sound. He removed the paper clips
and turned the doorknob. Hindi na ako nasorpresa pa nang tuluyang bumukas ang
pinto.

He pressed the door lock before proceeding inside. Pipindutin ko sana ang light
switch kaso mabilis niyang hinawakan ang kamay ko.

"H-Hey?"

"If you turn that on, malalaman nilang may tao sa loob," sabi niya sabay labas sa
maliit niyang flashlight. "Imagine what kind of rumors they will spread kapag
nakita nila tayong dalawa sa room na dapat ay wala nang tao."

I forgot about that. "So-Sorry."

Dahil iilan lang ang desks sa faculty room, hindi na kami nahirapang hanapin ang
puwesto ni Ma'am Valencia. After all, naka-print in bold letters ang pangalan niya
at may kasama pang photo. We started searching among the folders on the desk and
found the one that had Miley's course and section on it.

Iniisa-isa namin ang mga papel at hinanap ang mga pangalang Dickson, Edgar at
Felipe. We separated them from the rest of the papers I still have no idea on how
we're supposed to identify the stalker through reading their answers.

"Take a look at question number four," sabi ni Nikolai sabay bigay ng tatlong papel
sa akin. Thanks to his small flashlight, I was able to read what was written.

DICKSON

How do you tell if a story is good?

You can consider a story good if you can feel that it was written from the heart
and the flow of ideas is fluid. The criteria, however, varies on the readers. No
matter how well written a composition is, if it doesn't suit the taste of the
audience, one may not consider it good.

EDGAR

How do you tell if a story is good?

Before judging, one must analyse the elements of a certain composition. I'd like to
compare it to a spider's web: the centre should contain its core values while the
strands and layers should unravel the organised ideas that give flavour to it.

FELIPE

How do you tell if a story is good?

One can tell that a story is good by how a reader enjoys it. He must look beyond
all the technicalities and focus on the message that the story wants to convey.
When it comes to stories, it is the impact that counts, not how perfectly written
it is.
"Pwede ba nating ma-deduce kung sino ang stalker gamit ang mga sagot nila sa
question number four?" nagtatakang tanong ko.

"Pwede!" sagot ni Nikolai. "Kung ang mga sagot na 'yan ang pagbabasehan, alam ko na
kung sino ang stalker."

"Eh? Talaga?" That was quick!

"No matter how good a stalker is in hiding his presence, he sometimes leaves a part
of himself on his tracks," sabi ni Nikolai.

"Kung pagbabasehan natin sa sentence construction, kulang ang data na nakuha natin
sa nakasulat sa mga litrato ni Miley. Those are only what? Two or three sentences?"

"Paano kung nasa mga salitang ginamit niya ang clue? Remember what was written on
the photos?"

I apologise for the intrusion. I can't help but admire your beauty. It would be
such an honour to meet you face to face.

"He spelled the word apologise with an s. There's another way of spelling it,
apologize with a z. But why would he prefer the s-version? Isa pa ang salitang
honour. He could have spelled it without the u."

"The stalker uses British English instead of American English!" I exclaimed sabay
tingin sa mga sagot ng tatlong suspek. "If he prefers the British English standard,
he would definitely spell some words with an s instead of z and add u!"

"At sa kanilang tatlo, ang gumamit ng British English ay si..."

"Edgar," napaturo ako sa mga salitang ginamit niya. "He spelled analyse instead of
analyze, centre instead of center and flavour instead of flavor."

"Dahil nasanay na siyang gumamit ng ibang standard, posibleng hindi na niya

namalayan nang nagpadala siya ng litrato kay Miley."

"What should we do now?"

Inilabas ni Nikolai ang kaniyang phone at nag-dial ng number. "Ah, hello, Miley!
Pwede mo bang tanungin ang classmate mong si Edgar kung nasaan ngayon siya? Paki-
text na lang ako sa sagot niya. And can you please send a photo of him? Thank you!"

"Balak mo ba siyang komprontahin?" I asked after he hung up the call.

"Hindi. We will lure him out then follow him. It's time to leave this faculty
room."

Inayos namin ang pagkakalagay ng mga folder sa desk ni Ma'am Valencia bago ito
iniwan na parang walang nagulo. Sumilip muna kami sa labas kung may dumadaan. When
the coast is clear, we quietly walked out of the faculty room, locked the door and
climbed down the stairs.

Saktong pagbaba namin sa ground floor nang makatanggap ng text message si Nikolai
mula kay Miley. It said that the target is currently at the cyberspace room.

Muling tinawagan ni Nikolai ang aming kliyente. "Can you ask Edgar to come to your
apartment? Huwag kang mag-aalala. Susundan namin siya hanggang makarating siya
diyan."
"Are you serious?" tanong ko habang nilalakad namin ang kahabaan ng hallway patungo
sa susunod naming destinasyon. "You want Miley to let in her potentially obsessed
stalker?"

"Gaya ng sinabi ko kanina, we are luring him into a trap. Alam na niya siguro na
walang ibang kasama si Miley sa apartment. If he's the stalker, he might take
advantage of the situation. We cannot control our obsession sometimes, can we?"

Tumambay kami sa labas ng cyberspace room. Madilim na sa buong campus, tanging ang
mga lamp post na lamang ang nagbibigay liwanag sa bawat sulok nito.

"Huwag kang mag-alala," sabi ni Nikolai. "Kung siya talaga ang stalker, hindi natin
kailangang maghintay nang matagal dito. Ayaw niyang palampasin ang pagkakataon kaya
he would definitely grab it. Let's make sure that we won't be missing him from our
sights."

That reminds me... "Speaking of missing, the manager mentioned something about a
part-timer earlier. 'Yong nawala at hindi na ulit nakita pa."

I saw the hint of surprise on Nikolai's face. He may not have expected me to ask
such question.

"May I know what happened to him or her?"

Huminga muna nang malalim ang kasama ko bago siya nagsimulang magkuwento. "We had a
female part-timer months ago. Her name's Aria. She was Sig's second apprentice. And
you're the third one."

Kung ganon, hindi lang pala ako ang isinailalim nila sa detective training na 'to.

"Kakatapos lang niyang mag-duty noon sa cafe nang magpaalam siya sa amin na papasok
sa evening classes niya. Kinabukasan, nalaman namin sa mga classmate niya na hindi
siya nakapasok sa klase at sa mama niya na hindi siya nakauwi. They asked the
school authorities to look for her but to no avail. Ni-review nila ang mga CCTV
camera. Confirmed na pumasok siya sa campus, but she was never seen leaving."

"Sinearch ba nila ang buong campus?"

"The Office of Campus Security did everything to find her," Nikolai said, shaking
his head. "Wala silang nakitang traces niya."

That's weird. How did she disappear? "Did you investigate the case?"

"Yes. It was Sig who led the investigation," sagot ni Nikolai. "He had a hunch na
baka ginamitan ng chemical ang katawan ng part-timer kaya natunaw ito at hindi na
nakita. Sodium hydroxide, I think? But upon checking, walang stock ng ganong
chemical ang chemistry lab. Wala rin natagpuang drum na pwedeng paglagyan ng
katawan ng biktima habang hinihintay na matunaw ito."

Biglang nanindig ang mga balahibo ko. I feel sorry for the poor girl. No one
deserved to die in that way kung 'yon man ang ginamit na method.

"Meron ba kayong nakitang motibo para gawin 'yon sa kanya?"

"You sound like a real detective now," Nikolai commented. "Wala siyang kaaway sa
school at wala ring may sama ng loob sa kanya. Kung pinatay talaga siya, what would
be the killer's motive? 'Yan ang tanong na bumagabag noon kay Sig. Until now, the
case is still not clos-Oh! Here he comes!"
Naputol ang pagkukuwentuhan namin nang lumabas sa cyberspace ang isang lalaking
mukhang lalampa-lampa. Kamukha niya ang taong nasa photo na isinend sa amin ni
Miley. He was watching something on his phone and earphones were plugged in his
ears.

"Kung meron siyang mobile data connection, pwede niyang i-access sa phone ang feed
mula sa hidden camera." Sinundan ng mga mata ni Nikolai ang target namin. Tatayo na
sana ako para simulan ang pagsunod, but my companion pulled me down.

"Akala ko ba susundan natin siya?"

"Kapag may ini-stalk kang tao, ten meters ang ideal na gap sa pagitan n'yong
dalawa. Hayaan muna natin siyang makalayo nang kaunti, okay?"

Dahil wala kaming dalang meter stick para malaman kung sampung metro na ang layo ng
target, tinantiya na lang namin ito.

"About time." Tumayo si Nikolai at pinagdikit ang mga palad niya. At first, I
thought he was praying for the mission to succeed. Napanganga na lang ako nang
biglang lumikha ng mabibilis na galaw ang mga kamay niya. Imagine his fingers
playing the flute violently while his hands are stationary.

"What the flipping heck are you doing?"

"Let me teach you... the Art of Stalking Number One: Chameleon's Cloak!"

I expected that something will appear out of nowhere, like a cloak that will render
us invisible. But I was disappointed.

"Idol mo ba ang mga ninja kaya kung ano-anong hand seals ang ginawa mo? And what's
with the technique name?"

"Chameleons are known for their camouflage ability," Nikolai explained. "Nagagawa
nilang maki-blend sa paligid nila kaya hindi sila nahuhuli ng mga predator. The
same concept applies pagdating sa stalking. Kailangan mong maki-blend sa paligid ng
taong sinusundan mo para hindi ka niya mahalata."

Keeping that in mind, sinimulan na namin ang pagsunod sa target. We did our best to
blend among the crowd in the campus.

"Don't focus too much of your attention on him," payo ng senior ko sa stalking.
Compared sa akin na diretso ang tingin, he was shifting his gaze at people and
buildings around us. "Look at somewhere else. As long as we glance at him once in a
while, hindi siya mawawala sa paningin natin."

Tumango ako't sinubukang sundin ang tip niya. Dahil hindi pa ako sanay sa ganitong
activity, my eyes couldn't help but look straight at the target.

I wonder how a stalker feels like when he's being stalked.

"Next tip: Sabayan mo ang paghakbang niya." Itinuro ni Nikolai ang kaniyang mga
paa. "Kailangan mong i-synchronize ang paglakad n'yong dalawa. Pwede mong lakihan
ang bawat hakbang mo para hindi ka niya mapag-iwanan.

Nang makalabas na ang target sa campus, bigla siyang huminto at lumingon-lingon sa

kaniyang likuran. Lagot. Naramdaman ba niyang may sumusunod sa kaniya? Napahinto
tuloy ako nang wala sa oras.

"No, don't stop walking!" Nikolai whispered to my ear as he pulled my arm, forcing
me to continue my stride across the sidewalk. "Kapag huminto siya at huminto ka
rin, he might suspect that you are following him. A normal person wouldn't come
into a halt kapag tumigil ang taong naglalakad sa harapan niya, tama?"

Isa lang ang ibig sabihin ng mga kapalpakan ko: I'm not fit to be a stalker.

Nagtungo muna si Edgar sa pinakamalapit na convenience store sa tabi ng daan. We

waited for about five minutes. Paglabas niya, may bitbit na siyang malaking
tetrapack juice.

Dahil hindi kalayuan ang apartment ni Miley, nakarating kaagad kami sa labas nito.
Thankfully, Edgar did not suspect that we are following him. Salamat din kay
Nikolai. Kundi dahil sa kaniya, baka pumalpak na ang misyon.

As we were waiting outside, Nikolai took out his phone and dialed our client's
number. "Nandiyan na siya. Nasa labas naman kami. Don't hang up, okay? Gusto naming
marinig kung ano ang sasabihin at balak niyang gawin."

And the third waiting game begins. Kanina sa stone benches. Tapos sa labas ng
cyberspace room.

"Stalking is all about waiting for the perfect opportunity before attacking," my
stalking senior said.

Pinakinggan na lang muna namin ang pag-uusap nina Miley at Edgar sa phone.

"Ed! Sorry kung pinatawag kita ng ganitong oras! Kailangan ko kasing magpatulong sa
Math assignment natin."

"Wala rin naman akong ginagawa ngayong gabi. I would be glad to help you out. By
the way, may binili akong juice sa labas. Do you want some?"

"Oh, sure! Nauuhaw na rin ako. Teka, kuha lang ako ng baso."

My right palm covered half of my face while Nikolai repeatedly clicked his tongue.
"Hindi siya dapat uminom. If she does that, everything will go according to the
stalker's plan."

"Balak lagyan ng something ni Edgar ang juice, tama? Sedative?"

"Kapag napatulog niya si Miley, he can do whatever he wants on the unconscious

girl. He finally found the chance to fulfill his desires. So shall we move in?"

"Eh? Hindi ba masyadong maaga para diyan? He hasn't done anything yet."

"If Sig were here, he would wait until something happens to the client. He'd prefer
to make a dramatic entrance," paliwanag ni Nikolai. "But I'm not Sig and I don't
want to put a fair lady in a traumatic situation."

Sumunod ako sa kaniya at pinasok naming dalawa ang apartment compound. He knocked
on Miley's door at hinintay na pagbuksan kami ng pinto.

Nakakunot-noo kaming tiningnan ni Edgar bago nanlaki ang mga mata niya sa gulat.
May laman nang orange juice ang dalawang baso sa mesa. Mabilis niyang ibinulsa ang
hawak niyang sachet.

"Ed, meet Nikolai and Maviel, two of my friends," pagpapakilala sa amin ni Miley.

"Nice to meet you, Ed! This is our first meeting, isn't it?" nakangiting nilapitan
ni Nikolai ang target sabay abot ng kaniyang kanang kamay.

"Ye-Yeah."

"I could swear there was a slight hint of recognition on your face the moment you
saw us." Nikolai's smiling facade turned into a serious one with a mischievous
grin. "Parang nakita mo na kami dati at nagulat ka nang dumating kami rito."

"Ba-Baka nagkita na tayo sa campus. Hindi ganon kalaki ang university natin kaya
hindi malayong nagkasalubong na tayo dati."

"You already saw us earlier, didn't you?" Nikolai asked, putting his hands inside
his pockets. "Nang pumunta kami rito sa apartment kani-kanina lang."

"Paano ko kayo makikita rito e kakarating ko lang?"

"You need not to be physically present. You have already planted your eye in this
room, haven't you?"

Napalunok ng laway si Edgar. May mga namuo na ring pawis sa kaniyang noo.

"Mav, check out the teddy bear on the left side of the cabinet," utos ni Nikolai na
walang reklamo kong sinunod. Sinuri ko ang stuffed toy na nananahimik sa sulok at
napansin ang kakaibang design sa mata nito.

"A hidden camera." Ipinakita ko sa kanila ang camera na kasing laki ng butones.

"Teka, teka, teka! Napaka-unfair naman yatang mag-conclude na ako ang naglagay
niyan dito!"

Itinuro ni Nikolai ang bulsa ng pantalon ni Edgar. "Can you explain the sachet in
your pocket? Balak mong lagyan ng pampatulog ang juice ni Miley, tama?"

Napakapit ang hawak ni Edgar sa kaniyang bulsa, lalong tumagaktak ang kaniyang
pawis at namutla ang mukha. Signs of guilt, I guess?

"Pwede nating ipa-examine ang laman niyan kung gusto mo. But I'm pretty certain
what the lab result would be. Gusto mo bang mag-risk o aamin ka-"

SPLASH!

"Ugh!"

Mabilis na hinawakan ni Edgar ang baso ng juice at ibinuhos ang laman sa mukha ni
Nikolai. Kaming dalawa ni Miley ay nagulat sa biglaang galaw ng stalker kaya hindi
namin siya napigilang tumakas.

"Are you okay?" Pinunasan ko ang malagkit na tubig mula sa mukha ng kasama ko, pati
na rin sa kaniyang damit.

"Ma-My uniform!" Nanlaki ang mga mata ni Nikolai nang makita ang orange na mantsa
sa kaniyang puting longsleeves. "Kakalaba ko pa lang nito kahapon!"

"Mas importante pa ba 'yang uniform mo kaysa sa tumatakas na stalker?" Napaturo ang

hinlalaki ko sa pintuan kung saan dumaan ang suspect namin. "If we don't do
something, he will get away!"

Huminga muna nang malalim si Nikolai at pinagdikit ang mga palad niya. That pose!
No, no, not again!
His hands made quick gestures before slamming his fists on the ground. Nakaluhod
siya't nakababa ang isang tuhod.

"At anong jutsu na naman 'yan?" nakapamewang kong tanong. "Kaysa mag-pose ka diyan,
bakit hindi mo na lang habulin ang stalker?"

"Art of Chasing Number Two: Raging Bull." Ilang beses siyang naglabas ng hangin sa
ilong katulad ng isang toro. He lunged forward and ran as fast as he could. He had
the force of an out-of-control truck that can crash anyone or anything on its way.

"A-Anong nangyari sa kaniya?" Miley asked seconds after Nikolai took off. "Bakit
parang naging toro siya?"

"He's on chasing mode. Kami nang bahala sa stalker mo. You stay here and wait for
us, okay?"

Tumakbo ako palabas ng apartment compound at hinabol ang kasama ko. From a
distance, I saw Nikolai closing in to Edgar who was taken aback by my companion's
speed. It only took a few seconds bago pinatumba ng raging bull ang hunyagong
papatakas na sana. Pinagtinginan tuloy sila ng mga tao sa gilid ng kalsada.

"That's for the juice stains on my uniform," Nikolai said as he brushed the dust
off his pants. "Aamin ka na ba o gusto mong makatikim ulit?'

"Oo na! Oo na! Aamin na ako!" Sabay na itinaas ni Edgar ang kaniyang mga kamay.
"Ako ang nag-i-stalk kay Miley! Binalak ko ring lagyan ng pampatulog ang juice niya
kanina!"

Andali naman pala niyang kausap. "Do you also confess installing the hidden camera
in her room?"

To our surprise, Edgar shook his head frantically. "'Yan lang ang hindi ko kayang
aminin! Hindi ako naglagay ng camera sa kaniyang unit!"

"But you probably have access to the feed!" sumbat ko sa kaniya. "If we check your
phone-"

"He-Heto!" Inilabas niya ang kaniyang phone at ipinakita sa amin ang isang litrato.
It contained a single letter that baffled us.

"Whoever sent that image volunteered to plant the hidden camera! Bigla niya akong
kinontak at hindi man siya humingi ng kapalit sa akin! Maniwala kayo!"

Nikolai and I looked at each other, confused about what's going on.

~*~

The case was solved, though a part of it isn't clear yet. Edgar knelt and
apologized to our client repeatedly. Miley decided not to pursue legal actions
against him as long as he maintains distance.

Lagpas alas-siyete na ng gabi nang makabalik kami ni Nikolai sa Moriartea Cafe. The
manager was at the counter, helping out Landice with the tea. Sigmund was stationed
at the cash register, entertaining new customers with his deduction skills.

"Enjoy your tea!" He beamed a smile at the customers before turning to us. "How did
it go?"
Ikinuwento namin sa kanila kung paano na-identify ni Nikolai ang stalker at kung
paano namin siya napaamin. The details bored them, but what caught their interest
was the single letter that the stalker showed us.

"W?" Manager Jameson raised his left brow as he stared at the photo. "W stands for
what? William? Wysiwyg?"

Nikolai rested his elbows on the countertop. "We don't know that much about him.
Ang alam lang natin sa ngayon ay magaling siya mag-pick ng lock at mag-plant ng
hidden camera."

"And he also has a habit of tolerating evil in the hearts of men," Sigmund added.
There was a mixed trace of melancholy and recognition in his face. I don't know
kung ako lang ang nakapansin, but he sounded as if he's describing someone he knew.

"A person who's as skilled as Nikolai, huh?" bulong ni manager. Nag-reflect sa

lente ng kaniyang salamin ang ilaw mula sa bumbilya ng cafe. "Tut-tut-tut. That's
gonna be a problem in the future, don't you think?"

"I'd like to prepare a party for him," Sigmund turned around, his face no longer
visible to us. "We sometimes need to appreciate someone's efforts, don't we? He
tried so hard to get our attention in the wolfsbane case. At ngayon, dumagdag pa
ang stalker case."

"Sa tingin mo ba'y konektado ang dalawang kaso?" tanong ni Nikolai.

"If that person anticipated that the female client will come to our agency for
help, his message was guaranteed to be delivered." Without turning to us, Sigmund's
left hand motioned to the phone on the counter. "The message being that letter W or
M. What do you think, Landice? Do we have the same line of thought?"

"Yes."

Kagaya ng inaasahan, matipid sumagot ang walking fridge.

"Ano nang gagawin natin?" tanong ko. "If someone wants to challenge the cafe-"

"We can't do anything for now," Sigmund butt in. "The enemy is a shadow that lurks
in the darkness. But I could hear him shouting at us, 'Catch me if you can' or
something along those lines."

"Kailangan nating maging on-guard lagi," dagdag ni Nikolai. "We need to be on the
defensive as we wait for him to attack."

With nothing left to discuss, business as usual na naman sa cafe. But I noticed
something weird in Sigmund. He seemed to be less cheerful than he was moments ago.
Whenever he smiles at the customers, halatang pilit. No longer genuine.

Gusto ko sana siyang kumustahin... but I might be crossing the line. Does it have
anything to do with the threat?

Pagpatak ng eight o 'clock, nagpaalam na ako kay Manager Jameson at sa ibang

katrabaho ko.

"Be careful, Maviel."

Narinig kong sabi ni Sigmund pagkahawak ko sa doorknob ng pinto. Humarap ako sa

kaniya at nag-thumbs up. "Don't worry about me."

Strange. Tinawag niya ako sa buong first name ko. He used to call me "Mav"
recently.

Habang naglalakad ako pabalik sa apartment, sumagi sa isip ko ang ikinwento ni

Nikolai kanina. About the part-timer who went missing after her duty at the cafe.

Pagliko sa kanto, I felt goosebumps all over my skin. Bigla akong napatigil sa
paglalakad at lumingon sa likuran. Someone is following and staring at me... I
could feel it! Kapareho ito ng naramdaman ko noong umalis kami ni Sigmund sa ice
cream parlor.

Binilisan ko na lang ang lakad ko hanggang sa marating ang apartment. This time,
sigurado na akong hindi na guni-guni 'yon.

~M~

A/N: Are you ready for the fourth and final case?

[13] "Senpai"

A/N: Here's the first of the last three chapters! Enjoy reading!

MAVIEL
PINUNASAN KO ang namuong pawis sa aking noo. Sa sobrang intense ng assignment,
halos pigil-hininga ko itong ginawa.
Bakit ba ayaw bumukas nito? Ilang beses ko ba kailangang kalikutin ang butas?
"Three, two, one. Time's up!" I heard a clicking noise behind him. Manager Jameson
Moria, who has been watching me all along, pressed a button on his stopwatch. "Tut-
tut-tut. Kung i-a-assign ka para i-infiltrate ang isang admin office sa university,
malamang nahuli ka na ng security guard."
Inalis ko ang mga nakapasok na paper clip sa keyhole ng employee's locker sa cafe.
When Nikolai picked the lock at the faculty room, it looked so easy that even a
fifth grader can do it. But I was wrong.
"Cheer up, Mav!" Nikolai said, his arms crossed over his broad chest. "May mga
bagay talaga na hindi natin nakukuha sa unang subok. But we need to be persistent
so we will get it right next time. Maging ang mga part-timer na nauna sa 'yo,
nahirapan din sa lockpicking exercises."
"Aria got it the fourth time she tried," Manager Jameson said. "While it only took
two tries for Vivien."
Vivien? Ngayon ko lang yata narinig ang pangalang 'yon.
"She's the first part-timer that Sig trained," paliwanag ni Nikolai nang itanong
ko. "May potensyal talaga ang babaeng 'yon para maging magaling na deductionist.
Sig was proud of her as his student."
"I wonder where she is right now." The manager casted a sideward glance at him.
"Wala na akong balita sa kaniya mula nang matapos ang kontrata niya sa atin. I
wanted to hire her in the cafe."
"Ang alam ko, nag-aaral pa siya diyan sa university," sagot ni Nikolai. "Mula nang
matapos ang pagiging part-timer niya, hindi ko na siya nakakasalubong sa campus.
Hindi na nga siya bumibisita o dumadaan dito. I hope that you can meet her, Mav.
Baka may mai-share siya sa 'yong tips."
I would be glad to share my stories with her. Gusto ko ring malaman kung paano niya
nakayanan ang ilang buwan na detective in training. Nakatulong ba ito sa personal
niyang buhay o sa ekonomiya?
Sinubukan ko ulit ipasok ang mga paper clip sa keyhole but my efforts in unlocking
the locker door was in vain. The manager (with matching tut-tut-tut) said that I
could take a break muna and try again at a latter time. Magkaka-deduction lang sa
sahod ko kapag hindi ko pa na-perfect. Unfair!
"Do you now have a master's degree in lockpicking?" Sigmund jested as I left the
back room and returned to the counter.
"Mukhang kailangan kong i-repeat ang lockpicking course mamaya o bukas," I
answered. Pumwesto ako sa gilid ng counter while waiting for new customers to come
in. And needless to say, Landice paid no attention to me or whatsoever.
It has been a while since Sigmund and I collaborated to solve a case. I hate to
admit it, but I missed him second guessing my thoughts and reading my
microexpressions. Mukhang balik na rin siya sa normal matapos niyang malaman ang
tungkol sa misteryosong "W" na humahamon sa amin.
"Someone followed you last night," Sigmund muttered out of the blue, sending me in
a brief moment of surprise. How did he know about that? That concern wasn't on my
mind. "Did I hit the bullseye, sweetiepie?"
Dati sweetie, ngayon dinagdagan na niya ng "pie." What's up with his words of
endearment?
"How did you know? Pinasundan mo ba ako kay Nikolai kagabi?"
"I didn't ask our dear colleague here to follow you," sagot ni Sigmund, darting a
glance at Nikolai who's cleaning a table. "It was only a hunch. Thank you for
confirming it!"
Naalala ko tuloy ang sinabi niya sa akin bago umalis ng cafe kahapon. If he already
suspected that someone would be tailing me, his words of warning made sense.
"Tell me. Is it related to the mysterious W?" I asked. "Do you have an idea on who
he or she might be?"
"The timing of events is quite suspicious, don't you think?" he replied. "As for
his or her identity, I have a name in mind. But until I confirm it, I'd rather keep
it to myself. What's your hunch, honeybunch?"
Ano na namang word of endearment ang ginamit niya? Ewan kung dapat akong matuwa o
mangilabot.
"Naisip ko na baka nagsisimula sa letter W ang pangalan at code name niya," sagot
ko. "I was thinking kung ano ang posibleng dahilan kung bakit tinatarget niya ang
cafe directly at indirectly. One of the unsatisfied customers or clients, maybe? Or
someone related to a suspect na hinuli n'yo noon?"
"Paano kung hindi talaga letter W 'yon?" Sigmund raised that possibility which made
me think. "Kung babaligtarin mo, you can also interpret it as letter M. A matter of
perspective."
Pwedeng W, pwedeng M. But which one is real?
"M can stand for Moriarty," he added. "Have you heard about him?"
"Kakabasa ko pa lang ng The Final Problem kagabi," I nodded. "Professor Moriarty is
the archnemesis of Sherlock Holmes, isn't he?"
"Sa kanya rin ipinangalan ang cafe natin," dagdag niya. "Though there was a little
play on words sa -ty part."
Our discussion was interrupted when a group of college students entered the cafe
and approached the counter. Sinubukan kong tanggalin muna sa isipan ko ang
misteryosong letter na 'yon. But whenever I see our shop's logo-which is a cursive
M-hindi maiwasang sumagi sa akin ang palaisipan.
Maaga akong nagpaalam kay Manager Jameson dahil may tatapusin pa akong research
project sa English. Pumayag naman siyang mag-undertime ko dahil nandiyan ang
tatlong staff ng cafe.
Thanks to whoever's following me last night, naging aware ako sa aking paligid.
Nikolai gave me tips kung paano malamang palihim na nakatingin ang isang tao sa
'kin. Sinubukan kong gamitin ito sa mga nakakasalubong at nasa likuran ko. But the
more I think about it, the more paranoid I become.
It was already six o 'clock in the evening when I went to the nearest fastfood
chain. I ordered a burger and fries with pineapple juice first before settling down
to a vacant seat. Saktong umalis ang mga nakaupo doon kaya nagkapuwesto na ako.
"Maviel?"
Busy ako sa pagsusulat sa yellow paper nang marinig kong may tumawag sa pangalan
ko. Iniangat ko ang aking tingin at nakita ang nakangiting mukha ng isang babaeng
may wavy na buhok at lagpas sa kaniyang balikat. Her face looked familiar, but I
couldn't remember where I saw her.
"Uhm... Nagkita na ba tayo dati? How did you know my name?"
"My apologies! Hindi pala ako nakapagpakilala sa 'yo noon!" Hinila niya ang upuan
sa tapat ko at umupo doon. "I was a customer at the Moriartea Cafe. Nag-order ako
ng earl grey tea noon, don't you remember?"
Naningkit muna ang mga mata ko bago dahan-dahang nanlaki ang mga 'to. Yeah, I now
remember her! Siya 'yong customer na na-curious kung bakit Maviel ang pangalan ko.
Come to think of it, that was also the day of the aconite case. But wait,
something's strange.
"Straight ang buhok mo noon at full bangs pa kaya siguro hindi kita kaagad
nakilala," sabi ko. "Did you change your hairstyle?"
"Yes, for a change!" Ramdam ko sa boses niya ang nag-uumapaw na energy. "I'm proud
to flaunt my forehead! By the way, my name's Vivien, an Education student. Pleased
to make your acquaintance!"
Nakipagkamay ako sa kaniya. Wait, what's her name again? Vivien? Coincidence lang
ba o kapangalan niya ang unang part-timer sa cafe?
"No, that's not a coincidence," she said. "I also worked for the cafe where you are
now working."
"That means-wait a minute! Did you just read what's on my mind?"
"Sigmund's methods, right?" she smiled broadly. "I haven't fully mastered the art
of reading people's microexpressions though. Wala pa ring makatatalo sa kaniya
pagdating sa mind reading kuno."
I knew it! What a coincidence na dito ko pa talaga nakita ang senpai ko!
"Did Sigmund tell you something about me? No?" The curve on her lips turned into a
frown. "I guess he already forgot about his first student."
"M-Maybe hindi pa siya comfortable na mag-share tungkol sa mga dati niyang
apprentice," depensa ko. If the manager didn't bring her name up earlier, I
wouldn't have known about her. "Matagal ka na raw hindi bumibisita sa cafe."
"That's not true! I visit them from time to time! But they don't seem to recognize
me. Noong nag-part time kasi ako roon, my hair was still short. When my training
ended, Sigmund told me na mas bagay ko raw ang mas mahabang buhok. I value his
opinion as my mentor so I followed without any question."
Ilang minuto pa lamang kaming nag-uusap, but why I do feel comfortable with my
senior? Dahil ba pareho kaming dumaan sa training ni Sigmund kaya somehow
nag-"click" kami? Alam n'yo ba 'yong feeling na muli kayong nagkita ng kaibigan mo
makalipas ang ilang taon? Ganon na ganon ang nararamdaman ko.
"I've been wanting to talk you mula nang makita kita sa cafe," Vivien said, her
face turned serious. "May gusto sana akong itanong sa 'yo."
"How can I help you?"
She cleared her throat first and looked around. "Dahil lagi mong nakakasama ang
tatlong staff ng Moriartea cafe, have you noticed anything strange sa kanila?"
Kumunot ang aking noo at halos magdikit ang mga kilay ko sa tanong. "What do you
mean by strange?"
Natahimik muna nang ilang segundo si Vivien, tila pinag-iisipan kung ano ang ire-
reply sa akin. "Hindi na ako magpapaligoy-ligoy pa. For months, I've been
investigating the disappearance of Aria, the second part-timer and detective
trainee of Sigmund."
"Are you thinking that one of the Moriartea boys is involved in her disappearance?"
"It sound ridiculous and absurd, I know! Pero gusto kong mawala ang suspicion ko sa
kanila. I just found it weird that they haven't solved the mystery. Knowing their
combined deduction prowess, kahit anong kaso, kaya nilang lutasin."
"'Yon ba ang dahilan kaya pumupunta ka sa cafe nang hindi nagpaparamdam sa kanila?
Dahil iniimbestigahan mo sila?"
A slight curve formed at the end of her mouth. "Mukhang nagbubunga ang training ni
Sigmund sa 'yo. Tama, inoobserbahan ko kung may kakaiba sa ikinikilos nila. Aria is
a close friend of mine. She and I shared a lot of things about the training. Hindi
ako matatahimik hangga't hindi nabibigyan ng hustisya ang pagkawala niya."
I could feel the overwhelming emotions inside of her. Her eyes welled up with tears
sa bawat pagbanggit ng pangalan ng kapwa trainee namin. I could also see the
determination in them to close this case once and for all.
"Wala akong napapansing kakaiba sa kanila, if that's what you are asking," sagot ko
nang may kasamang marahang pag-iling. "Honestly, hindi ko magawang isipin na may
kinalaman sila sa pagkawala ng trainee. What would the motive be? Like the police,
maybe they hit a dead end kaya hindi rin nila nagawang i-uncover ang katotohanan."
Yumuko si Vivien at natahimik. "You're right. I shouldn't have suspected them in
the first place. How foolish of me. Nakakahiya, trainee pa naman nila ako tapos
sila pa ang pinaghinalaan ko."
"We sometimes follow the wrong lead." My gosh, I can't believe that I'm actually
saying those words! Do I now sound like a true detective?
"I should start pursuing another thread. Baka doon na ako tumama." Nagpakita siya
ng pilit na ngiti sa akin. "Thank you for your time."
Tumayo na siya't nagpaalam. But before she could take another step...
"Wait," I said on impulse.
"Yes?"
"Ikaw lang mag-isa ang nag-iimbestiga sa kasong 'yan?" tanong ko.
Vivien nodded. "I can't trust anyone so easily kaya I took the job alone. For
Aria."
"Do you mind if I help you with that case?"
Her eyebrows furrowed. "Really? Gusto mo ring imbestigahan ang pagkawala niya?"
"Oras na siguro para subukan kong lumutas ng kaso nang walang tulong mula sa
Moriartea boys. I don't want to be babysitted by them forever. At saka gusto ko
ring makatrabaho ang senior ko. Baka may mapulot akong tips mula sa 'yo."
Biglang hinawakan ni Vivien ang aking mga kamay. Tila nagningning ang mga mata
niya. "Salamat! Maraming salamat! If Aria were here, siguradong matutuwa siya na
malamang magtutulungan ang dalawang trainee na kagaya niya upang bigyan siya ng
hustisya! Sinadya yata ng tadhana na magkita tayo rito!"
I beamed an awkward smile. "Sigmund told me before that there's no such thing as
coincidence. But some things just happen, right? Without any particular reason at
all."
"But do not trust too much in Sigmund." Vivien's voice shifted from ecstatic to
serious. "It's okay to believe in him, but leave a room for doubt sa mga sinasabi
niya sa 'yo."
"Huh? What do you mean?"
Umiling lang si Vivien sabay pikit ng kaniyang mga mata. "Nevermind what I said.
Just enjoy your detective training, okay?"
We had shaken hands as sign of our partnership before she left me in the fastfood
chain. Muntik ko nang makalimutan na may sinasagutan pa akong assignment.
~*~
Excited na akong makatrabaho ang aking senior.
During our morning break the next day, Vivien and I met in front of the library to
discuss about Aria's case. She told me that she would bring the materials about the
disappearing part-timer. Tumambay kami sa steel bench at doon niya inilapag ang
laptop.
"This is the CCTV footage at the campus entrance where Aria was last seen alive,"
she said, pressing the play button on the video.
"How did you get a copy?" I wondered.
"Kinailangan ko pang i-blackmail ang isang security personnel," she smiled
mischievously. "Did Sigmund teach you about that method?"
I shook my head. "Nasa basics pa lang kami ng deductions."
"Oh." Ibinalik niya ang kaniyang tingin sa laptop screen. "If you watch the entire
video, ni anino niya, hindi mo makikitang lumabas ng campus. May CCTV footage din
ako sa parking building. Naisip ko kasing baka ipinuslit siya ng killer palabas ng
campus by hiding her in the car trunk. But there was no suspicious activity."
Ipinagkrus ko ang aking mga braso at ni-recall ang narinig ko noong stalker case.
"According to what I heard from Nikolai, nag-search daw ang pulis sa buong
university pero wala silang nakitang kahit anong bakas ni Aria."
Tumango si Vivien. "That's true. The killer must have hidden her body somewhere na
hindi basta-basta makikita ng mga awtoridad. It would seem as if Aria vanished into
thin air."
"Alam mo ba kung ano ang theory ni Sigmund?" tanong ko.
"About the chemical? Yes, pero walang ganong compound sa chemistry lab at wala ring
pwedeng paglagyan ng katawan habang hinihintay na tuluyang matunaw ang katawan ni
Aria. The body decomposition would also create a foul odor. Bakit walang nakapansin
ng masangsang na amoy sa campus kung 'yon ang method na ginamit?"
She has a point. "May lugar ba sa campus na pwedeng pagtaguan ng katawan niya?"
Inilatag ni Vivien ang blueprint ng campus sa mesa. "Kung tinago man 'yon sa isang
kuwarto, siguradong mangangamoy ang bangkay niya. But there were no reports noon ng
mabahong amoy."
"Saan mo ba pwedeng dalhin ang isang bangkay na walang makakahalata ng traces ng
decomposition nito?"
Iginala ko aking mga mata sa mapa, naghahanap ng lugar kung saan pa posibleng itago
ang bangkay.
"How about sa garbage area? Baka natabunan ng mga basura ang bangkay na itinago
doon. The foul odor won't be immediately noticed."
"The police searched the garbage area pati na rin ang dumpsite kung saan dinadala
ang mga basura. They found no corpse."
"How about the greenhouse?" tanong ko sabay turo sa isang square sa mapa. "Noong
first time kong pumunta doon, napansin kong malambot ang lupa at pwedeng hukayin.
Kung ibinaon diyan ang bangkay, talagang hindi mangangamoy at walang makakapansin."
"Naghukay na rin ang mga pulis sa greenhouse but they found nothing," Vivien
countered. "Pero we can check it out. Who knows? Baka may nakaligtaan ang mga
pulis."
She packed her things and stuffed them inside her shoulder bag. We walked toward
the rear part of the campus where only a few students could be seen. Karamihan sa
mga nandito, mga estudyanteng pasikretong nagyoyosi.
The greenhouse was open and we could see someone's figure inside. Diretso kaming
pumasok sa loob nang hindi kumakatok o nagpaparamdam. A bespectacled man was
holding a garden scissor, trimming the leaves of a bonsai tree in a large pot.
"Sir Verde?"
He turned around and beamed a smile at us. "Ikaw pala, detective trainee! Maviel,
right?"
Ibinaba niya ang hawak na malaking gunting para puntahan kami ni Vivien.
He squinted his eyes at my companion, trying to recognize her face. "You look
familiar. Nagkita na ba tayo noon?"
"Nakalimutan n'yo ba ako, sir? I was Sigmund's first ever trainee!"
Marahang nanlaki ang mga mata ni Sir Verde. "Ah! Pasensya na! Maiksi kasi ang buhok
mo noon kaya hindi kita nakilala ngayon. What was your name again? Vicky?"
"Vivien!"
"Tama! Vivien! Pasensya na. Sa sobrang dami ng mga estudyanteng nakikilala ko every
year, hindi ko na matandaan ang mga pangalan n'yo. So what brings two of Sigmund's
apprentices to my garden?"
Nagkatinginan muna kaming dalawa ni Vivien bago siya naunang magtanong.
"Naaalala n'yo pa ba 'yong nawawalang estudyante three months ago? She was also
Sigmund's trainee at that time."
Napahaplos sa kaniyang baba si Sir Verde at napatingin sa ilalim. "I can't remember
the name pero may natatandaan akong ganyang insidente."
"We are revisiting the potential crime scenes," Vivien replied. "Gusto sana naming
i-confirm ang findings ng pulis."
"Sa pagkakatanda ko, naghukay sila sa part na 'yan," Sir Verde recalled, pointing
at the garden plot where the aconites were planted. "Kaso wala silang nakitang
kahit ano. Noong una, tutol ako sa ginawa nilang paghuhukay dahil sinisira nila ang
garden na idinesenyo ko. But thanks to the order from the university president,
nagkaroon sila ng permission."
"Wala ba kayong napansing kakaiba sa garden a day before?" Ako naman ang nagtanong.
"Something that was off?"
"I wish I could answer your question," he replied. "Absent ako noong araw na 'yon.
Pagdating ko rito kinabukasan, wala namang nagulo sa set-up. Wala rin ngang sign na
may naghukay noong gabi."
Mukhang wala kaming mapipiga mula sa greenhouse. If not here, saan pa kaya
posibleng itinago ang bangkay?
"Thank you for you cooperation, sir!" Vivien waved her right hand as we bid the
professor goodbye.
"By the way, kung makita n'yo si Sigmund, pakisabing may ibibigay ako sa kanya,"
hirit ni Sir Verde.
We left the greenhouse empty-handed. We once again confirmed what had been already
confirmed by the authorities.
"Where should we go next?" tanong ko nang makabalik kami sa steel benches sa tapat
ng library. "
"Maybe we can continue the investigation later," sabi ni Vivien sabay hinto sa
paglalakad. "We still have our morning period."
"Just text me later. Inform kita kapag may pumasok na idea sa isip ko."
"See yah!"
Today is Friday so our subject at ten-thirty would be Physical Education. Nagtungo
ako sa gymnasium at dumiretso sa locker room upang magpalit ng damit.
Pagbukas ko ng aking locker, I noticed something inside. Isang folder ang
nakapatong sa rubber shoes na nakapaloob doon. Inilabas ko ito at tiningnan ang
laman. Weird. I don't remember putting something like this. Kung ganon, sino ang
nagpa-
Natulala ako nang makita ang front page ng sampung pahinang dokumento. Kinusot ko
pa ang aking mga mata para siguruhing hindi mali ang nakikita ko.
No, it can't be. This must be some kind of prank!
I tried to control myself from scanning the document. A part of me wants to ignore
it. A part of me wants to know if it's legit. Ngunit kahit gaano ko labanan ang
aking kuryosidad, nagwagi pa rin ito.
Napaupo na lamang ako sa sahig ng locker room matapos basahin ang mga nakasulat
doon. Parang lumutang ang isipan ko.
How? How could he...?
~*~
Later that afternoon, parang wala ako sa sarili habang naka-duty sa cafe. Mabuti't
umalis muna si Manager Jameson kaya walang pumupuna sa akin. Nikolai tried to cheer
me up, but his efforts failed. How about Landice? He never cared.
Nang wala masyadong customer sa cafe, I asked Sigmund if we can talk privately. He
didn't ask why. He just smiled.
Ni-lock ko ang pinto ng back room para masigurong walang makakaistorbo. I don't
want anyone interrupting our conversation.
"I never thought that you are kinda straightforward, Mav." Hindi pa rin mabura-bura
ang ngiti sa kaniyang labi. I wonder how he could maintain a facade brimming with
confidence and a smile that shines brighter than the sun.
"Are you okay, Mav? You don't look well." Nabahiran ng kaunting pagkabahala ang
kaniyang mukha. "Kanina ka pa wala sa mood. Something's bothering you. Gusto mo
bang mag-undertime para makapagpahinga ka?"
Sinubukan kong kontrolin ang nararamdaman ko kahit nais na nitong sumabog. Ilang
oras ko ring inipon ito at naghintay ng tamang pagkakataon.
"Your silence scares me," he added.
Yeah, you should be afraid by now, Sigmund.
Inilabas ko mula sa aking bag ang folder na nakuha ko gym locker room kanina at
iniabot ito sa kaniya. I tried not to make any direct eye contact with him. I don't
want to look at his deceptive eyes.
"What is this?" tanong niya bago napalitan ng gulat ang ekspresyon ng kaniyang
mukha. It rendered him speechless as he flipped over the pages. "Where did you get
this?"
"Totoo ba ang mga nakasulat diyan, Sigmund? Totoo ba na..."
I bit my lower lip as I controlled the tears that were about to flow like a broken
dam.
"Mav, let me explai-"
PAK!
Hindi na napigilan ng kanang kamay ko na sampalin siya. One side of his face
quickly turned red and my hand left a noticeable mark on it.
Nabitawan niya ang hawak na folder at muling tumambad sa akin ang front page nito.
LEARNING THROUGH EXPERIENCE: A CASE STUDY OF AN 18-YEAR-OLD COLLEGE STUDENT AND HOW
SHE ACQUIRES ENHANCED DEDUCTION ABILITIES FROM A GROUP OF DETECTIVES
An Undergraduate Study in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of
Bachelor of Science in Psychology
Sigmund Siegel

~M~

[14] Deceptive Detective

MAVIEL
A CASE study. A thesis subject. Is that what I am to Sigmund? How foolish of me. I
should have suspected that something was amiss when he offered me a part-time job
at the cafe. The money was good, so I chose to turn a blind eye on any ulterior
motive behind the offer.
Ang tanga-tanga ko. Ni hindi ko man lang napansin. The dots were already there but
I failed to make any connection!
"Let me ask you again, Mav." His soothing voice was meant to console me but I know
better. Namumula pa rin ang isang side ng kaniyang pisngi sa sobrang lakas ng
pagkakasampal ko sa kanya. "Where did you get a copy of my thesis proposal?"
"Does it matter kung saan galing?" pabalang kong sagot. "Mas mahalaga kung ano ang
nakasulat diyan. How dare you trick me, you manipulative bastard! Why didn't you
tell me na balak mo akong gawing case study?"
Umurong na yata ang dila niya kaya hindi na siya nakapagsalita. Shame on him!
"If I did, would you agree to be my subject?" malumanay niyang tanong. The usual
smile on his lips became fainter as seconds went by. "The answer would be no, I
presume. 'Yon ang dahilan kung bakit kinailangan kong gumamit ng ganong strategy sa
'yo, Mav."
"So you admit that you used me?"
"There's no point in denying it, is there?" He picked up the folder on the floor
and showed it to me. "You already have the evidence. I would be a fool if I try to
get away with it."
"Kaya mas mataas ang salary ko bilang part-timer sa inyo? 'Yon ba ang bayad mo sa
akin para sa pagiging test subject mo?"
He nodded.
"Did you honestly think that we can call it quits dahil lang sa pera?" Hindi ko na
maiwasang mapalakas ang aking boses. Kumuyom ang mga kamao ko, halos bumaon na ang
aking mga kuko sa palad. Even if my right hand is in pain, I would want to slap him
again.
Sigmund bowed his head, probably in shame. Dapat lang na mahiya siya sa ginawa
niyang panloloko sa akin.
But seconds later, I heard a giggle from him. Then it eventually turned into a
laughter.
"Hi-hi-hi-hi. Ha-ha-ha-ha! HA-HA-HA-HA!"
I bit my lower lip as I tried to control myself. Is he laughing at my own
foolishness? How dare him!
He combed his hair with his fingers as he lifted his head to look me directly in
the eye. "Should I be proud that you figured it out? Or should I be disappointed
that it took you days before you learned of the truth?"
The innocent Sigmund was replaced by someone twisted. I didn't recognize him for a
second. Has he gone mad? Is this the real him?
"I tricked you." He slightly tilted his head on the side. "That's what you wanna
hear, right? Happy now?"
"Alam din nina Landice at Nikolai ang tungkol sa case study mo, tama?"
"How can you say?"
"Before the aconite case, nadulas si Landice at sinabi niyang hindi raw ako ang
thesis subject niya. He knew all along that this detective training was nothing but
a front at ang gusto mo lang ay pag-aralan kung may matututunan ako. Nikolai gave
me an awkward smile and tried to divert the topic."
Tch. Naiinis ako sa sarili. Bakit ba naging bulag na ako? Landice remark was
already a dead giveaway.
Sigmund gave me a slow clap. Was that supposed to cheer me up? Or was he mocking at
my gullibility?
"Very good, Mav. I can say that you learned your lesson," he said, grinning from
ear to ear. "Am I a good teacher?"
"You're a good trickster... and a liar," I replied. "Remember the day we ate at the
ice cream parlor? Sinabi mo sa akin na pumalpak ka sa unang kasong hinawakan mo.
But that's not true, is it? Nikolai accidently spilled the beans that you never
failed in your detective career, except for that one case where your part-timer
disappeared. Tell me, bakit kinailangan mong magsinungaling sa akin?"
"I needed to comfort you," sagot niya. "Landice's harsh words might have affected
your decision to work at the cafe. Kinailangan kong maging relatable sa 'yo at
ipakitang hindi ka nag-iisa sa kapalpakan mo. It worked, didn't it? Nabago ko ang
isipan mo."
"What you said about me having a potential... was that a lie?"
"Oh, that bit? There must be some truth in it. Kung wala, you wouldn't have figured
out my scheme."
"The words of endearment that you used, are they also-"
"People are attracted to anything sweet, aren't they? Just sugarcoat some words and
they fall for it. That's how I built the rapport between you and me."
Damn this psychologist! Damn this manipulator!
"Now that you solved the mystery, ano nang gagawin mo ngayon?" Sigmund spread his
arms as if he was inviting me for a hug. Yeah, gusto ko siyang yakapin nang
mahigpit hanggang sa mawalan siya ng hininga. "You wanna slap me in the face again?
Strangle me to death? Be my guest."
"I wouldn't waste my energy on you. I'm quitting from this cafe! Good luck to your
case study."
Kinuha ko ang aking school uniform sa locker at nagtungo sa washroom. Mabilis kong
hinubad ang work uniform at iniwan na lang sa sink.
"Hey, Mav! Saan ka pupunta?" tanong ni Nikolai nang magkasalubong kami sa back
room.
"I quit!" Proud ko pang inanunsyo sa kanya para marinig din ni Landice na nasa
counter. "I don't wanna work with people who deceive others for their own benefit."
"Baka naman pwede-"
Diretso lang akong naglakad hanggang sa marating ang pinto ng cafe. For the last
time, I shot a glance at Landice who doesn't seem to care about my departure.
"Take care, Mav! See you around the campus!" pahabol na sabi ng manipulative
bastard na si Sigmund. Kung pwede lang ipakain ang mga salita, ipapalamon ko sa
kanya.
How I wish na hindi na kita makita kailanman.
Dahil maaga pa para umuwi ako sa dorm, tumambay muna ako sa isang random na
carinderia at umorder ng isang bote ng softdrinks. After all that has happened
today, kailangan kong magpalamig ng ulo.
Ano nang gagawin ko ngayon? Dahil nag-quit na ako sa Moriartea, I no longer have
any source of income. Pwede bang mag-apply na lang ako rito? Kahit assistant ng
chef nila?
Nabaling ang tingin ko sa lalaking chinochop-chop ang isang buong manok. He cut the
leg part and put it inside a paper box. Dahil sa laki, pilit itong pinagkasya ng
lalaki sa loob.
Marunong naman akong humawak ng kutsilyo at mag-chop kaya kung 'yon ang iuutos ng
chef, hindi ako mahihirapan. Should I ask them kung pwede akong mag-apply?
Lumapit ako sa lalaki at muli siyang pinanood sa paghiwa sa parte ng manok. He
didn't have a hard time putting the wing part inside the paper box dahil maliit
lang ito.
Maglalakas-loob na sana akong magtanong... nang may biglang sumagi sa isip ko.
What if the killer used that method?
Kaagad kong tinawagan si Vivien habang fresh pa ang ideya sa akin. Kung tama ang
iniisip ko, I know how the killer got rid of his victim's body without the police
noticing!
"Yes, Mav? Mabuti't napatawag ka? Is something wrong?"
"Vivi! I think I figured out how the culprit hid Aria's body! It may sound a bit
absurd but maybe it's worth looking at!"
"Ta-Talaga? You solved the case already?"
"Hindi pa ako sigurado. Can you meet me in ten minutes sa greenhouse?"
"Sure, tatakasan ko na lang ang prof ko. But why there?"
"My instinct tells me na that's the perfect hiding spot."
"But you heard what Sir Verde said. Walang nakit-nevermind. Let's confirm your
theory as soon as we get there."
Binaba ko na ang tawag at nagmadaling tumakbo patungo sa campus. I could feel the
adrenaline rush!
I may no longer be part of the Moriartea Cafe but I can't resist to uncover the
truth about Aria's disappearance. No, I'm not solving this case for Sigmund. Wala
na akong pakialam sa kaniya.
This is gonna be my last case as a detective trainee.
Magtatakip-silim na nang makarating ako sa greenhouse. The lamp posts guided me
here. Dahil nasa liblib itong bahagi ng campus, bilang sa daliri ang mga
estudyanteng nakasalubong ko.
Nadatnan kong naghihintay sa entrance si Vivien.
"Unfortunately, ni-lock ni Sir Verde ang greenhouse," bati niya sa akin. "But
fortunately, we can unlock it ourselves, can't we?"
Thanks to Nikolai's lockpicking course, alam naming buksan ang mga bagay na naka-
lock. I haven't perfected the art yet, but it doesn't matter anymore. Hindi na rin
naman ako babalik doon.
"Do you want to give it a try?" tanong ni Vivien.
"Sure." Inilabas ko ang dalawang paper clips at lumuhod sa tapat ng pintuan. I
recalled how Nikolai demonstrated his extraordinary skill to me. Ipinasok ko ang
tension wrench sa ibaba ng keyhole, sunod ang lock pick na paulit-ulit kong
inilabas-pasok.
"Just a little bit more."
Beads of sweat began forming on my forehead. Heto na naman tayo. Nakakahiya sa
senior ko kung hindi ko mabuksan ang ganitong kasimpleng lock.
Click!
Nakahinga na ako nang maluwag matapos itong bumukas. I may have failed in our
exercises but at least, nagtagumpay ako sa totoong challenge.
Ini-lock mula sa loob ni Vivien ang greehouse bago kami tuluyang pumasok. Wala pa
ring nagbabago sa arrangement nito kanina. Nakahilera pa rin sa gilid ang mga
malalaking paso at nakasabit pa rin ang mga ornamental flower.
"Did you tell Sigmund and the others that you figured it out?" tanong ng kasama ko
habang papalapit kami sa plot ng mga aconite flower.
Umiling ako. "I already quit as a part-timer."
"W-What?! Bakit naman? I thought everything is sailing smoothly?"
"You were right yesterday. I shouldn't have trusted too much in Sigmund."
If I only met my senior, baka maaga akong natauhan. Baka nga itinadhanang magkita
kaming dalawa kahapon upang magising ako sa kasinungalingan.
"Anyway, let's focus on the case at hand," sabi niya. "You can tell me more about
it later. We don't have too much time. Baka pumunta rito si Sir Verde."
"Remember when we went here earlier?" tanong ko. "Sinabi ni Sir Verde na hinukay ng
mga pulis ang garden plot sa paghahanap sa katawan ni Aria, tama?"
"Yeah, the police thought that the killer might have buried it here." Vivien's eyes
roamed around the greenhouse. "But they found none, right? So why do you think that
this is the perfect hiding spot?"
"Naisip ko lang na baka nagkamali ang mga pulis sa lugar na tiningnan nila."
"If not several feet below the ground, where else can you bury an adult human body
here?"
"That!" I pointed a finger at Vivien. "That's exactly the flawed reasoning kaya
hindi nila nakita ang katawan."
Naningkit ang mga mata ng kasama ko. "Sorry but I don't follow."
"The police were looking for the body of a college student," I said as I approached
the big pots on the side. "But what if that body was chopped into pieces?"
Dahan-dahang napabukas ang bibig ni Vivien, mukhang hindi makapaniwala sa ipunto
ko. "Th-That's brutal!"
"Inasahan na ng killer na maghuhukay ang mga pulis dito. Para hindi nila makita ang
pinagpira-pirasong katawan ng biktima, naisip niyang itago ang mga bahagi ng
katawan sa lugar na hindi kaagad paghihinalaan."
"The pots..." Vivien muttered as she looked at one of them. "Sa laki ng mga 'yan,
magkakasya nga ang isa o dalawang parte ng katawan ng tao."
"Kung iisa-isahin natin ang mga paso, malamang makita natin ang mga buto o kung
anong natira sa katawan ni Aria."
"Let's say na tama ang theory mo," Vivien said as she crossed her arms. "Who could
have done such a thing to her?"
"Someone who has access to the greenhouse. Someone who has an authority in the
university para ipatawag si Aria dito." Humarap ako sa aking kasama. She should
already have an idea on who I was talking about.
"Sir Verde."
Naglakad-lakad sa aking palibot si Vivien, nakapasok ang mga kamay sa bulsa ng
kaniyang palda. Maybe she couldn't believe that a nice-looking teacher would be
capable of killing someone.
If you think about it, Sir Verde being the killer can be linked to the challenge
sent to our cafe. Pwedeng siya mismo ang bumunot ng aconite dito sa greenhouse. He
didn't need to pick the lock dahil may susi siya.
But what would be his motive? Why would he kill Aria? Why would he challenge the
cafe months after the death of the part-timer? These are only some questions that
need to be answered.
"You're wrong, Mav."
"Huh?" Lumingon ako kay Vivien na nasa likuran ko. "Anong ibig mong sabihin?"
"It wasn't Sir Verde. It was me."
"Wh-"
BZZZ!
Bumagsak ang katawan ko sa lupa matapos makaramdam ng biglaang daloy ng kuryente sa
aking tagiliran. The last thing that I saw was Vivien's malignant grin.
~VV~
A/N: Who is the "deceptive detective" now?

[15] W

A/N: Here's the final chapter of Moriartea! I'd like to thank everyone for their
continuous support! I hope you enjoyed the story as much as I enjoyed writing it.
MAVIEL
LIES AFTER lies after lies. Nabiktima na naman ako ng isang taong mapagpanggap.
Someone whom I trusted. Someone whom I thought can help me solve the puzzle.
Nagising na lang ako nang nakatali ang aking mga kamay at paa. While humming a
familiar nursery rhyme, Vivien dug some dirt from a large pot.
Bakit ba lahat ng mga detective na pinagkakatiwala ko, mga psycho? 'Yon na ba ang
bagong trend ngayon?
"Gising ka na pala, Mav." Tumigil muna sa kaniyang ginagawa si Vivien at humarap sa
akin. I could sense something evil from how she smiles at me. "Sorry kung
kinailangan kitang gamitan ng taser."
Lumingon-lingon ako sa paligid. It was already dark outside. Only the stars and the
moon gave light to the forsaken greenhouse.
"You can cry for help if you want," sabi niya at saka nagpatuloy sa pagtanggal ng
lupa sa paso. "But this greenhouse is soundproof. Kahit anong sigaw mo, hindi ka
maririnig ng mga tao sa labas. And should I mention na iilan lang ang dumaraan
dito?"
"Bakit? Bakit mo ginagawa ito? Ganito rin ba ang ginawa mo kay Aria? I thought she
was your friend!"
Ngumisi si Vivien. "And you fell for that lie? Sinabi ko 'yon upang makuha ang
tiwala mo. You were so gullible that a simple fabricated story managed to deceive
you."
Again? "Dahil ba nalaman ko ang katotohanan kaya kailangan mong gawin sa akin 'to?"
"I have nothing personal against you, Mav. Sana'y maintindihan mo. But I can't
allow anyone to get closer to Sigmund. You and Aria tried to erase me from his
memory, didn't you? Kaya ba tinanggap mong maging part-timer?"
"W-What?" Anong pinagsasabi ng babaeng 'to? "Wala akong ganong intensyon! Ni hindi
ko nga alam ang tungkol sa 'yo kung hindi ka nabanggit ni Manager Jameson!"
"Exactly! Aria almost got rid of me from Sigmund's memory. Oh, speaking of the
devil."
Yumuko siya't kinuha ang isang bungo mula sa malaking paso.
"Maviel, meet Aria. Aria, meet Maviel."
I looked away and controlled myself from vomiting. How could she hold someone's
remains without any respect for it?
Ipinagulong niya ang bungo patungo sa puwesto ko. "I hope you enjoyed your limited
time with my sweet Sigmund. Nasarapan ka ba doon sa ice cream parlor na pinuntahan
n'yo? Unfortunately, that's the last ice cream that you will ever taste."
"Ikaw ang nakasunod at nakasubaybay sa amin noon?"
"I've been watching you ever since the aconite incident at the cafe. Gumawa ka pa
talaga ng drama para kaawaan ka ni Sigmund. Thanks to that, nilibre ka niya sa ice
cream parlor."
So the uneasy feeling that I had before was from her?
"It took me days before putting my plan into action. Kinailangan kong humanap ng
paraan upang mahiwalay kita kay Sigmund at sa ibang kasama n'yo sa cafe.
Fortunately, I found out about Sigmund's thesis proposal."
"Ikaw ang naglagay noon sa locker ko?"
She nodded. "And as expected, you reacted exactly as I predicted. My sweet Sigmund
used to say something about the human mind being too predictable. I bet that's
true."
Damn it! I played right into her hands!
"After observing you for a while, I realized na kailangan ko nang kumilos bago mo
pa siya tuluyang maagaw sa akin. I took the risk of directly introducing myself to
you at the fast food chain, get your sympathy by telling the case of Aria and
condition your mind to help me. And you did."
Tsk. A nice storytelling got me.
"But what I didn't expect was you finding out the truth. Ang plano ko noong una'y
tawagan ka at sabihing alam ko na ang trick na ginamit upang maitago ang katawan ni
Aria. But you beat me to the punch! Dapat nga kitang pasalamatan dahil pinamadali
mo ang trabaho ko."
Sige, ipamukha mo pa kung gaano ako katanga. I already had enough of that today.
"When Aria was in your situation, I killed her first before chopping her body."
Vivien picked up a blade and wielded it in her hand. "What if I chop your body
while listening to your screams until you die? Good idea?"
"You're sick! Pareho nga kayong dalawa ni Sigmund! You're twisted! You're insane!"
"Don't badmouth my sweet Sigmund!" she yelled, pointing the sharp blade at my neck.
Napalunok ako ng laway habang tinitingnan ang kahabaan nito. "How dare you say
something against my beloved mentor! Now shall we start the party?"
Ipinikit ko na lamang ang aking mga mata at nanalangin. No one's out there to save
me. No white knight coming to rescue me from an evil witch.
Hindi ko inasahang dito magtatapos ang buhay ko. I wished for a more decent death.
"Let's start with your arm." Inalis niya ang pagkakatali ng aking kamay at ini-
stretch ito sa lupa. I groaned but she didn't care. "I won't stop chopping you into
pieces until you beg for your death."
I don't wanna die this way. I don't wanna-
"Art of Concealing Number Five: Mole in the Hole."
Th-That voice! Could it be-
Bumukas ang mga mata ko nang marinig ang pamilyar na boses. Mula sa garden plot,
may tumayong dalawang nilalang na balot ng plastic na may kasamang lupa at buhangin
sa katawan.
"Ni-Nikolai! S-Sigmund!" Naluluha kong tawag sa kanila. Despite what happened, they
came here to save me? But how? How did they know about Vivien's plan?
"Naku! Nadumihan na naman ang uniform ko!" reklamo ni Nikolai matapos alisin ang
mga bakas ng lupa sa kaniyang damit at sapatos. Naalala ko tuloy nang tapunan siya
ng orange juice nung stalker.
"Pwede mo namang ipa-laundry 'yan," Sigmund said as he stepped out of the garden
plot.
"Dapat nag-disguise na lang tayo bilang puno para hindi masyadong nadumihan ang
damit natin!"
"There's no point in crying over spilled milk." Sunod na lumingon si Sigmund sa
akin. "Good evening, Mav! It's nice to see you in one piece!"
What's up with his changed attitude? Kaninang nag-usap kami sa back room, para
siyang baliw na tuwang-tuwa sa natuklasan kong panggagamit niya. Ngayon, back to
normal na? May saltik yata ang lalaking ito eh.
"And nice to see you again, Vivi. Pinahaba mo na ang buhok mo gaya ng suggestion
ko. And you looked different from the last time I saw you."
"My sweet Sigmund!" nakangiting bati ni Vivien, lumawak ang ngiti sa kaniyang labi.
"I knew that you would come. But I didn't expect that you've been hiding in the
garden plot. As expected from my mentor! Did you know about everything already?"
He simply nodded. "The moment I saw the photo containing the letter W, I had a
hunch that it was you. If you look closer, kapansin-pansin ang signature mo. The W
part can be split into two Vs while the supposed outline below looked like a letter
N. V-V-N. Kung babasahin mo nang mabilis, parang binanggit na rin ang pangalan mo:
Vi-vi-en."
Pumalakpak ang dati niyang apprentice na psycho. "Still sharp as ever! Gaya ng
inaasahan ko sa 'yo, mentor! Kung nakapagtago kayong dalawa ni Nikolai dito, ang
ibig sabihin alam mo nang dito ko dadalhin si Mav. How did you know about that?"
"I have known for months na dito itinago ang katawan ni Aria. I have also suspected
that the culprit might be you. But I have no evidence or anything that would prove
my theory. Kahit labag sa loob ko, I decided to let the Aria case left unsolved and
wait for the proper opportunity to catch you."
"Is that why you hired another part-timer?"
Muling tumango si Sigmund. "I wanted to test the theory that the culprit who killed
Aria is only targetting the cafe part-timers and detective trainees. When you made
your presence felt noong aconite case, my suspicions intensified and I couldn't
help but think na tama nga ang hinala ko."
"Good! Very good, mentor!"
"Oh, should I also mention the broken CCTV camera at the cafe?" Sigmund added. "You
knew about that, didn't you, when you worked as a part-timer? Alam mong hindi pa
rin napapaayos ang camera kaya hindi ka nahirapang palitan ang creamer sachets at
iwan ang iPad sa isang table."
Patango-tango lamang si Vivien habang nagpapaliwanag ang aming mentor. "That's
correct, except for one thing. I asked other people to do those mundane tasks for
me. I thought you wouldn't notice."
So noong araw na nag-order siya sa cafe, she was only there to observe kung
magtatagumpay ang plano niya?
Sigmund put his hands inside his pockets and started slowly approaching his former
student. "Nang makita ko ang thesis proposal na ibinigay mo kay Mav, I figured out
that you wanted to separate her from everyone in the cafe, especially from me. I
thought that I can take advantage of what you were planning kaya I told Mav some
nasty things that compelled her to quit. Just so everything will go exactly as you
planned."
A-Ang ibig bang sabihin, hindi totoo lahat ng ipinakita niya kanina sa back room?
Was everything just an act?
"And as expected, you led Mav here so you can carry out a murder." Sigmund stopped
when he was only a few steps away from Vivien.
"What can I say? I challenged the detectives of the Moriartea Cafe. I wasn't too
surprised that you got wind of my plan. But your appearance here won't change
anything. I will still kill this bitch."
She pulled my hair up and leveled my head on the blade's edge. I screamed in pain
habang humihigpit ang hawak niya sa akin. Pakiramdam ko tuloy, parang matatanggalan
na ako ng buhok.
"Don't worry, my sweet Sigmund. Ibibigay ko sa 'yo ang ulo niya bilang souvenir.
You can also have Aria's skull if you want."
Vivien swung the blade on her side, preparing to cut my head off. Hey, do
something!
"NIKOLAI, NGAYON NA!" sigaw ni Sigmund sabay labas ng earplugs na ipinasok niya sa
kaniyang tenga.
"Art of Disruption Number Three: Banshee's Cry!" May inihagis na parang granada si
Nikolai sa paanan ni Vivien. Maging siya'y naglagay ng earplugs at sumenyas sa akin
na takpan ang mga tenga ko.
What in the world are they planning?
BIP! BIP! BIP! BIP! BIP! BIP! BIP! BIP! BIP! BIP! BIP! BIP! BIP!
"WHAT THE F-"
Imbes na pagsabog, isang nakakairita at walang tigil na pag-beep ang inilabas ng
granada. Dahil sa sobrang lapit nito sa amin, tinakpan ko na ang mga tenga ko.
Vivien, who was interrupted by the sound grenade, let go of my hair and the blade
she was wielding.
Mabilis na tumakbo patungo sa direksyon ko si Nikolai, pinulot ang plastic na
granada at inilayo ako mula sa reach ni Vivien. When the culprit was totally
distracted, Nikolai pressed the lever of the grenade, stopping the annoying beeps.
To my surprise, Sigmund approached the Vivien and hugged her. Tinanggal na niya ang
earplugs.
"Nikolai, you know what to do," he said as he continued caressing his former
student's back and whispering in her ears.
Humarap sa akin ang mala-ninja detective at inabutan ako ng earplugs. "Wear this.
For your safety."
"Papasabugin n'yo na naman ang sonic grenade?"
He shook his head. "Sigmund's gonna use his secret skill. Para hindi ka
maimpluwensyahan nito, hindi mo dapat marinig ang mga sasabihin niya."
"A-Anong secret skill?"
"Hypnotism," Nikolai replied before putting the plugs in my ears.
All I could hear were faint sounds. Bukas-sara ang bibig ni Sigmund habang
bumubulong kay Vivien. His former trainee then burst into tears and hugged him
back. Hindi ko maintindihan kung ano ang pinag-uusapan nila, but moments later,
Vivien slowly closed her eyes as if she fell asleep.
After a few minutes, Sigmund gave a thumbs up. Sabay naming tinanggal ni Nikolai
ang mga earplug at nilapitan siya. Dahan-dahan niyang inihiga sa lupa si Vivien who
seemed to be sound asleep.
"That will do," bulong niya. "The moment she wakes up, she will confess her crimes
and let herself be judged by the laws of men."
"I never thought that she's capable of..." Nikolai's voice trailed off as he
glanced at the skull on the ground. "Who would have thought..."
"Was it my fault that I allowed her to turn into a... monster?" tanong ni Sigmund
habang hinahaplos ang mukha ni Vivien. "She was a sweet little kitten when I first
took her in. Now she's a brutal, murderous lion. Was it my fault as her teacher?"
"Don't blame yourself," hirit ko. "The problem sometimes lies on the student, not
on the teacher. Nasa kanila kung paano nila gagamitin ang mga natutunan nila.
Vivien chose to use her talents for the dark side."
"All because of extreme emotions. The moment we let our feelings get the better of
us, that's the time we lose being rational."
But don't get me wrong, Sigmund. I haven't completely forgiven you about what you
did to me.
Moments later, dumating na ang mga pulis sa greenhouse. Sigmund took the liberty to
explain what happened here habang kami naman ni Nikolai ay nasa likod lang niya.
"By the way, nasaan na si Landice?" tanong ko. "Pinanindigan na ba talaga niya ang
pagiging counter detective kaya hindi niya magawang umalis doon?"
"Kailangang may maiwang isa sa atin sa cafe," sagot ni Nikolai. "Magwawala si
manager kapag nakita niyang walang naka-duty."
Oh. Lagi na lang si Landice ang naiiwan.
"And Landice vowed never to step on the campus grounds again. He put himself in
some sort of self-exile after he dropped out of college." Nikolai shot a sideward
glance at me. "You're going to return to the cafe, aren't you? Matapos ang lahat ng
nangyari dito?"
Napayuko ako. "I don't know what to think and feel right now. Masaya ako na
nailigtas n'yo ako bago humiwalay ang ulo ko sa aking katawan. A lot of things
happened today. I can't make any decisions."
"Remember what Sigmund said. Do not let your feelings get the better of you."
"Now it's time to awaken the sleeping beauty." Nilapitan ni Sigmund si Vivien at
lumuhod sa gilid nito. With a single snap of his finger, Vivien slowly opened her
eyes and regained consciousness. The police escorted her out of the greenhouse and
took her in for questioning.
Maging kami'y inimbitahan sa police station upang magbigay ng salaysay. I told them
my side of the story, Sigmund told them his deductions leading to the arrest of the
culprit and Nikolai corroborated with our statements.
After getting our testimonies, the police let us go. Vivien was left inside to
undergo police interrogation.
All's well that ends well, I guess?
~*~
Days have passed since the conclusion of the W case. Ilang araw na rin akong hindi
pumupunta sa cafe para mag-duty. Yes, I owe them my life but that doesn't mean I
need to repay the debt by continuing my work as a part-timer.
But no matter how hard I try to deviate, I always end up being in the same orbit as
them.
It was a peaceful Sunday afternoon when Sigmund asked me if I wanna pay my respects
to Aria. The same night Vivien was caught, the police started searching through the
giant pots and found what remained of the missing part-timer.
As instructed, pumunta ako sa memorial park kung saan inilibing ang kaniyang mga
labi. I expected to see Nikolai, Landice and Manager Jameson there. Pero ang
tanging nakita ko ay ang mapagmanipulang si Sigmund. His hands were in his pockets
while his eyes were gazing at the tombstone.
ARIA ARELLANO
March 4, 1998 - March 26, 2016
"I wish you met her," panimula ni Sigmund even though I haven't made my presence
felt. Malamang naramdaman niya ang paglapit ko. "You remind me of her sometimes.
Your cheerfulness. Your energy. Your reaction whenever I second guess your
thoughts."
Trying to be a little relatable, huh? Sorry, but I won't fall for that trick again.
Do you think we can call it quits because you saved me from death? Hindi ko pa rin
nakakalimutang ginawa mo akong guinea pig para sa thesis mo.
"I was planning to tell you about my thesis," sabi niya sabay harap sa akin.
"Sinabi ko na sa 'yo noon na hindi ko pa pwedeng sabihin sa 'yo hangga't hindi pa
naa-approve ng thesis instructor ko. I was only waiting for the proper moment. But
thanks to Vivien, everything's now a mess."
Here he goes again. Wala pa nga akong sinasabi, he already knew what's at the top
of my mind.
"You should have told me the moment you offered the part-time job." Hindi ko na
natiis na manahimik na lamang. "I deserve to know, don't I?"
"Okay! Okay! I admit that I shouldn't have tricked you!" He raised both hands as if
he was surrendering. "I will tell you about it eventually. Without your informed
consent, my thesis would be invalid."
But that won't change anything. The damage has been done, Sigmund.
"Do you know what I feel right now?" Tumalikod siya sa akin at muling napatitig sa
lapida ni Aria. "I feel like I'm a failure as a teacher. My first student turned
into killer. My second student got killed and I did nothing to save her. Now, my
third student is about to leave me. You told me nights ago that I shouldn't blame
myself. But..."
He's now playing the emotions card. I won't... fall for it.
"Gusto kong i-renew kung ano ang nasimulan natin." Muli siyang humarap sa akin. He
was no longer smiling. I could see the sadness in his eyes. "I am now the one who
needs saving. Help me redeem myself as your mentor."
No, I won't... fall for it. Never again.
"I understand if you don't wanna go back to the cafe. We respect your decision but
we want you to work with us. The manager likes you. Nikolai likes you. Landice...
is starting to like you. And I like you."
Damn it, Sigmund. Stop abusing the word "like"! I couldn't even bring myself to
believe in you!
He stretched out his arm and showed me his pinky finger. "If ever you decide to
work with us, I swear on Aria's grave that I will never ever lie to you again."
How childish. Sa tingin niya ba'y madadaan sa pinky swear ang lahat? Did he think
that it will erase what he did and start all over again?
But looking at him and listening to his voice, he seemed to be sincere about what
he said. Maybe I should recon-No! He must be tricking my mind again! Gusto niyang
ipamukhang kaawa-awa siya para makuha ang simpatya ko. How dare he used Aria's
grave for his lie!
A part of me wants to believe him. A part of me wants to not believe him. Hini-
hypnotize niya ba ako kaya nagkaroon ako ng agam-agam sa nauna ko nang desisyon?
Ugh! I hate this feeling!
"Maviel, trust me," Sigmund said slowly. "This time, for real."
Ipinikit ko na lamang ang aking mga mata at huminga nang malalim.
It's okay, Mav. This doesn't guarantee anything. I also stretched out my arm and
locked my pinky finger with his. "If and only if I decide to work at the cafe
again. Kailangan ko pang pag-isipan."
"I will never lie to you again, I swear," sabi ni Sigmund.
Maybe I have forgotten, but he wasn't the main reason why I chose to accept their
offer in the first place.
~*~
"Good afternoon! Welcome to the Moriartea Cafe! May we take yo-Oh, welcome back!"
Kahit kailan talaga, napaka-energetic ng boses ni Sigmund. Sinamahan niya pa ito ng
kaniyang wagas na pagngiti.
I returned to the Moriartea Cafe with my work uniform on. After giving it some
thoughts, naisip kong mas mainam kung ipagpapatuloy ko ang part-time job ko rito.
And also, Sigmund's detective training.
"Welcome back, Mav!" Basta-basta na lamang binitiwan ni Nikolai ang hawak niyang
mop upang akbayan ako. Hinila niya ako patungo sa harapan ng counter.
Nakakahiya. Pinagtitinginan tuloy kami ng mga customer.
"Hey, Landice! Why don't you greet our cafe's prodigal child?" tanong ni Nikolai.
Ibinaba lamang ng walking fridge ang bago niyang binabasang libro at tumango sa
akin. He can't even say two words for me. But what else should I expect from him?
"He's a man of a few words, isn't he?" Mabuti't binitawan na ako ni Nikolai dahil
nasasakal ako sa ginawa niya.
"Welcome back, Maviel," Sigmund said, resting his elbows on the countertop and
leaning a little closer to me. "So what changed your mind?"
"I tried applying in other establishments, but they didn't accept my application.
Mukhang dito pa rin ang bagsak ko."
That's a lie, of course. Ni minsa'y hindi ko sinubukang mag-apply sa iba mula nang
hindi na ako pumasok dito.
"Tut-tut-tut! After how many days of being AWOL, you finally showed yourself."
May iisang tao lang dito sa cafe na may trademark na "tut-tut-tut." Manager Jameson
climbed down the stairs and greeted me with a smile. "Welcome back, Maviel. Oops.
Huwag kang ngingiti-ngiti diyan. Ibabawas ko sa sahod mo ang ilang araw mong
absence."
"As long as welcome pa ako rito, handa akong magkaroon ng salary deduction. Sorry
kung hindi ako nakapag-report ng ilang araw, manager."
"Of course, welcome ka pa rin dito!" masiglang sagot ni Nikolai. "Kahit itanong mo
pa kay Landice, 'di ba?"
"Ye," tugon naman ng walking fridge.
"Consider Moriartea Cafe as your second or third home," Sigmund smiled, stretching
out his both arms. "You are always welcome."
Indeed, they all make me feel at home here. They make me feel as if I'm part of
their family kahit ilang araw pa lang ako rito.
"Uhm... Ex...excuse me?"
Sabay-sabay kaming napalingon sa entrance kung saan kapapasok lang ng isang
matabang lalaking pinagpapawisan at hinihingal pa. He doesn't look like someone who
wants to have tea. Maybe he has a problem that he wants to be solved.
"Welcome to Moriartea Cafe!" I greeted, smiling from ear to ear. "May we take your
case, sir?"
-THE END-

Stay tuned for the epilogue, to be posted within the hour.

Epilogue

A/N: Are we just getting started?

If you haven't read the finale, DO NOT PROCEED.

If you are already satisfied with the finale, DO NOT PROCEED.

Ang kulit, ah. Sabi nang DO NOT PROCEED.

Okay, fine! Read at your own risk.

AT THE ANGELES CITY POLICE STATION

"DON'T WORRY, my sweet Sigmund. I will pay for my crimes just like what you want me
to do."

Hinipan muna ni Vivien ang mainit na sopas na kaniyang hapunan. Ilang araw na rin
siyang nakakulong dito mula nang maaresto siya ng mga awtoridad sa greenhouse
incident.

Ngayong gabi, nakatakda siyang ilipat mula sa police station patungo sa

Correctional Institution for Women kung saan dinadala ang mga babaeng kagaya niya
na nagkasala sa batas.

"Handa ka na ba?" tanong ng pulis na lumapit sa mesa niya. Tumango si Vivien sabay
tayo bago sumunod sa lalaking sumundo sa kanya.

Paglabas niya ng police station, huminga muna nang malalim si Vivien, nilanghap ang
sariwang hangin na ilang araw na niyang hindi nararamdaman. Damang-dama ng kaniyang
mga kamay ang malamig na posas.
Pumarada ang isang van sa harapan niya. Binuksan ng mga pulis ang pinto ng
sasakyan.

"I would be a free woman by the time we meet again. I hope you will keep your
promise that you will wait for me."

Saktong papasok na sa van si Vivien nang may dumaang lalaking naka-hoodie. He was
humming a familiar nursery rhyme which Vivien seemed to recognize.

"Twinkle, twinkle, little star. How I wonder what you are."

"May problema ba?" tanong ng pulis na nasa likuran niya. Vivien froze like a statue
on the spot, her eyes widened in inexplicable surprise.

"Anong problema? Bakit ka tumigil?"

"Hoy! Anong ginagawa mo? Bakit-"

BANG!

"Shit!"

Napamura ang mga pulis matapos makarinig ng putok ng baril. Maging ang mga nasa
loob ng istasyon, nabahala rin sa nangyari.

Vivien was lying on the ground, a pool of blood formed near her head. Her right
hand was holding a gun which she stole from a police officer.

"Anong nangyari dito? Bakit hinayaan n'yong mahablutan kayo ng baril?"

"Sir, hindi namin alam! Bigla na lang siyang tumigil tapos-"

Meters away from the crime scene, naglalakad ang lalaking naka-hoodie at patuloy pa
rin sa pagha-hum. Inilabas niya ang isang bote ng milk tea, inalis ang takip at
uminom mula rito.

~*~

IN A RANDOM RESTAURANT SOMEWHERE

"ARE YOU enjoying our lunch date?" tanong ng isang babae sa kaniyang kasamang
lalaki na busy sa pagkain. "I feel blessed na kasabay kitang kumain ngayon!"

The young man who had messy hair and wireless Bluetooth earpiece on his right ear
only nodded. He sliced the beef steak lazily as if he doesn't have an appetite.
"Karangalan din sa akin na maka-date ang isang lintang katulad mo."

Natigil sa pagnguya ang babae, napatitig ang mga kumukurap niyang mata sa lalaki.
"E-Excuse me? Li-Linta?"

Binitawan ng lalaki ang hawak niyang kutsilyo't tinidor. "You've dated five popular
guys in the last two weeks. You never posted your photos with them on social media
but they were saved in your iPhone. I wonder why."

"H-How did you know about that?"

Itinuro ng lalaki ang kaniyang sentido. "I just know. Alam ko rin kung sino-sino
ang mga balak mong i-flirt ngayon. The vice president of a certain college student
council. The varsity player of the basketball team. The news editor of the school
publication. The lead actor in the stage play. That's quite a list, don't you
think?"

"Pa-Paano mo nalaman? Did you take a look at my phone?"

"I just know." The young man replied, flashing a mocking smile. "Now you want to
add me in your collection. You have an album in your phone of all the guys you've
dated. I don't know if I should be honored or disgusted that I will be added to the
list."

Pailing-iling ang babae, tila hindi makapaniwala sa pinagsasabi ng ka-date niya.

"This isn't possible! How could someone like you-"

"When it comes to any digital information, nothing escapes me," napangalumbabang

tugon ng lalaki. "Do you want me to post on your Facebook account the photos of the
guys you've flirted with so far? I can do that with the snap of a finger. Right
here, right now. I only have to say the magic words. Oh, you like fingers, don't
you?"

SPLASH!

Ibinuhos ng babae ang laman ng kaniyang baso at saka dali-daling nag-walk out sa
restaurant.

"Does your rudeness know no bounds, Wysiwyg?"

The young man named Wysiwyg wiped the water on his face and threw the tissue on the
table. "Sa wakas, nagparamdam ka na rin, madam chairman. Akala ko tuloy, may legit
stalker na ako."

Nagpakita sa kaniyang harapan ang isang babaeng may dala-dalang malaking teddy
bear. Iniupo niya ito sa isang bakanteng upuan bago niya kinuha ang puwesto ng
babaeng nag-walk out kanina.

"Is this the part where we reminisce the good old days?" Wysiwyg raised his glass
before drinking from it. "Matagal-tagal na rin tayong hindi nagkita."

"Have you heard the news about the disappearing student case?" tanong ng chairwoman
sabay krus ng kaniyang mga binti.

"It took them months to solve it," komento ni Wysiwyg. "If we were not that busy
months ago, we could have closed that case much faster! What do you think, Teddy?"

The teddy bear, who sat silently in his chair, suddenly spoke. "No comment."

"Why the hell did you have to bring him here?" Wysiwyg looked annoyed by the
stuffed toy's response. "Nevermind. Can you tell me instead why you followed me all
the way here?"

"Code blue," the chairwoman muttered, showing a letter with the seal of the
University Student Council.

Natigil sa pag-inom si Wysiwyg at napatingin sa babaeng kaharap niya. "Are you

serious?"

"The University Student Council Prime Minister has initiated the blue ribbon
protocol, thereby re-establishing the Blue Ribbon Commission for the current
academic year."
Biglang napatawa si Wysiwyg sabay baba ng hawak niyang baso. "Finally! I've been
waiting for that moment! Nababagot na rin kami ni Airene dito. I wanna have some
fun!"

"We already have our first assignment. We will discuss it at the Blue Room."

"So does it mean that I can now play a game with that traitor?" Wysiwyg asked.

"Traitor? Are you referring to that former member of the Blue Ribbon Commission?"

"Yes. That emotionless robot who can freeze someone by merely staring at them." The
smile on Wysiwyg's lips broadened.

"Landice."

-M2-

[SPECIAL] Wysiwyg's Rebellion 1

A/N: Nope, this is not the second season.

WYSIWYG (wiz-ee-wig)
MY NAME is Wysiwyg. I know, I know, my name is probably the weirdest that you have
ever heard in your lifetime. My parents are IT experts who graduated from top
universities. Mukhang pinagtripan lang nila ang pangalan ko, but the truth is: it
has a meaning.
What you see is what you get. For those who aren't aware of IT stuff, that's a
popular term in web design. I can teach you a thing or two about it, pero kaunting
space lang ang ibinigay sa akin ng author.
Can the same thing be said about my personality? I don't know. Only those who have
met me can be the judge.
Naglalakad ako sa kahabaan ng hallway sa ground floor, pinagmamasdan ang mga
estudyanteng nakaupo sa stone benches at nagbabasa ng kanilang notes. Look at those
pathetic fools na nagpapaalipin sa sistema. Instead of enjoying their college life,
mas pinili nilang magpatali sa pagre-review para makakuha ng pasado o mataas na
grade.
Little did these idiots know that numbers won't define their future. But don't
worry. Soon enough, I will free all of you from that curse-
WHACK!
"Aray!" Napainda ako sa sakit nang tumama sa ulo ko ang isang pamaypay. Where the
hell did this fan come from?
"Bakit pangisi-ngisi ka diyan?" Paglingon ko sa likuran, nakita kong papalapit sa
akin ang isang babaeng may mahabang buhok na lagpas balikat ang haba. "Para kang
nasasaniban ng masamang espiritu."
Pinulot ko ang ginamit niyang pambato sa akin at ibinalik sa kaniya. What does she
think of me, a walking target practice board? "May naalala lang akong joke mula sa
pinanood ko kagabi. At kailan ka pa natutong maghagis ng pamaypay?"
She whipped her fan. "Oh, I was just testing my targeting skill. Hohohoho~"
If I know, sinadya mo talagang ihagis 'yan sa akin. Oh, before we move on, meet
Irene Iverson, my classmate and my... let's say... love interest.
"Nakita mo na ba ang grades mo sa Computer Technology?" she asked. Sinabayan niya
akong maglakad patungo sa cyberspace room.
"Oh? Naka-encode na ba ang grades natin?" I replied. "Himala. Bigla yatang sinapian
ng espiritu ng kasipagan si Sir Tumibay. Kumusta naman ang grade mo?"
Napabuntong-hininga si Irene, senyales na hindi maganda ang numerong nakuha niya.
"Kulang ng one point para ma-meet ko ang minimum grade requirement sa academic
scholarship ko."
It surprised me to hear that she got a grade below 85. While she may not be among
the brightest in our class, she's a hardworking student and she has always shown
the willingness to learn. Lagi nga siyang nagpapaturo sa akin pagdating sa
activities.
"Kinausap ko na rin si Sir kung pwedeng i-adjust niya para hindi matanggal ang
scholarship ko. Kaso ayaw niya talaga. 'You get what you deserve,' sabi niya sa
akin."
My fists clenched as I imagined that instructor saying those exact words. "These
teachers think that grades define someone's intellect and future. Just because they
have the 'power' to encode those numbers on a poorly designed website, they think
that they can already control our lives. Shame on them."
"Wala naman tayong magagawa. Sila ang may hawak ng class record at sila rin ang
mag-eencode ng grades. May punto naman si Sir. Kung ano ang ibinigay natin sa
kanila, 'yon ang iko-compute nila. What you give is what you receive. Parang
meaning ng pangalan mo. Haha!"
"Pero hindi pa ring tamang-"
"Maybe I should inquire about being a working student gaya mo." There was sadness
in Irene's voice, and I hate to hear it. "Kung gusto ko pang ipagpatuloy ang
studies ko rito, kailangan kong maghanap ng alternative."
I was out of words. I don't know what to tell her. Hindi kasi ako pinanganak na
magaling pagdating sa pag-console ng mga tulad niya.
Nagkahiwalay kami sa tapat ng cyberspace room. I saw how sadness dulled her bright
expressions. This numbers game is really getting on my nerves.
Don't worry, Irene. Sooner or later, mawawala na rin ang sistemang nagpapahirap sa
atin.
Gaya ng sinabi niya kanina, isa akong working student dito sa university. I was
assigned at the cyberspace room. Wala kaming financial problems sa family kaya
hindi ko talaga kailangang magtrabaho.
But why did I choose to be a working student? You will find out soon.
I switched places with another student who's in charge of managing the cyberspace
room. Para sa karamihan, lugar ito ng mga estudyanteng gustong magpalipas oras sa
pagse-surf sa net. Pero para sa akin, isa itong minahan na pwedeng pagkunan ng
ginto. Well, not literally.
Binuksan ko kaagad ang aking desktop computer at in-open ang code na matagal ko
nang ginagawa. Just a few more lines and it will be finished. Matutupad na rin ang
pinapangarap ko at mapapabagsak ko na ang sistemang nagpapaalipin sa mga
estudyante.
Napa-alt tab kaagad ako nang may pumasok na babae at ibinigay ang kaniyang ID sa
akin. Pinasulat ko ang kaniyang pangalan at course and year sa logbook bilang
protocol.
Do you think na tagapagbantay lang talaga ako rito? Let me show you what my real
business is.
I opened my "Pandora's File," a well hidden sheet in the administrator's computer.
Nang mag-log in sa Facebook ang babae gamit ang PC #7, lumitaw sa latest entry ng
sheet ang kaniyang username at password.
Now you are mine.
Yes, my so-called Pandora's File contains the confidential log-in details of
students who have used our computers here. I installed an advanced keylogger sa
lahat ng unit dito upang ma-record ng mahiwagang file ang mga credential nila. As
of today, I also have the log-in information of three hundred and twenty-one
students, twenty-three faculty members and twelve non-teaching personnel.
No such thing as secret passwords now. I own those passwords.
Oh, I told you earlier, didn't I, that the cyberspace room is my gold mine? With
those pieces of information at my disposal, I can make hundreds-no, scratch that!-
thousands of pesos. What I need to do is log in their accounts, search through
their inbox and look for some juicy messages. May iilan na akong na-blackmail gamit
ang nude photos na isinend nila sa kanilang ka-chat.
Hinintay kong matapos sa pagko-computer ang babae bago ko siya pinalabas ng
cyberspace room. I replaced the "open" signboard at the door with a "closed" one.
It's show time.
Kinuha ko mula sa aking bag ang isang wireless Bluetooh earpiece at inilagay sa
kanang tenga ko. I synched it with the desktop computer I'm using.
"Initialize Operation AI-rene," I typed on my computer. Huminga muna ako nang
malalim bago pinindot ang enter key.
Will it be a success or a failure? Magbubunga na ba ang ilang gabi ko ng pagpupuyat
para matapos ang code?
A new window popped up, saying "Welcome to Operation AI-rene. Please state your
name for voice recognition purposes."
I cleared my throat first before responding. "My name's Wysiwyg Watson. Activate
voice recognition function."
"Voice recognition has been activated. What is your next command?"
Bigla kong narinig ang boses ng isang babae sa wireless earpiece. If you are an
Apple user, it would feel as if you are talking to SIRI. Pakiramdam ko tuloy, ako
si Ironman habang si AIRENE naman si JARVIS.
"Upload AIRENE to the network server," I commanded as I reclined on my swivel
chair, playing a pen with my right hand. "Bypass all network security protocols by
using SFTP, HTTPS and SSL counter-algorithms."
"Uploading AIRENE to the local area network... Initializing SFTP, HTTPS and SSL
counter-algorithms... Bypassing all network security protocols..."
I leaned forward as I wait for AIRENE's response. Kapag pumalpak ang algorithm na
in-encode ko, made-detect ng network admin ang security breach at posibleng ma-
trace nila kung saan ito galing. Let's pray and hope that I don't get caught.
Mabigat ang punishment pagdating sa illegal access to the network server.
Will it work? Will it work? Hurry up, AIRENE! Kaunting push pa!
"AIRENE has been successfully uploaded to network server. No problem encountered."
Pinigilan kong mapatawa nang malakas. Kahit wala na akong kasama rito, kailangan ko
pa ring mag-ingat. And as expected, the university network server isn't well
protected and secured. I thought na top-notch ang mga IT administrator namin.
But I can't relax yet. Kakabukas pa lang ng pinto at kakapasok ko pa lang. I
haven't got what I wanted inside.
Now let's see kung gaano kagaling si AIRENE. Ngayong nasa loob na siya ng network,
pwede ba niyang kontrolin ang lahat ng units?
"Open all computers in the cyberspace room," I ordered, slowly turning my swivel
chair from left to right.
"Processing..."
Sabay-sabay na bumukas ang mga flatscreen monitor ng mga computer dito. Nag-load
ang mga operating system hanggang sa start-up screen.
Hindi pa rin ako makapaniwala sa nakikita ko. Operation AIRENE is a success!
"What is your next command?"
"Upload data from the Pandora's File. Log on to the university schoolbliz. Input
account details under the category faculty member."
"Uploading file... Loading university schoolbliz page... Logging in all
accounts..."
Kahit walang nagpapagalaw sa mouse o nagta-type sa keyboard, automatic na naglo-
load ang mga browser. Perfect! Perfect! This is how I imagined AIRENE to work!
"All accounts have been logged in."
That was quick. "Change passwords of all faculty member accounts to
wysiwyg9974993."
"Changing account passwords... Log-in details have been updated."
The side of my lips formed a smirk. "Go to the online record section and delete all
encoded details."
"Deleting... Data deletion has been completed."
'Yon na 'yon? Hindi pa nga ako nakakatatlong kurap, natapos na ni AIRENE ang
pinapagawa ko sa kanya? As expected from my creation!
To check if my plan worked, I logged in my schoolbliz account on my mobile phone.
Lumawak ang ngiti sa labi ko nang makita ko ang mga sumusunod na salita.
NO GRADE ENCODED.
NO GRADE ENCODED.
NO GRADE ENCODED.
NO GRADE ENCODED.
NO GRADE ENCODED.

"Ha-ha-ha-ha-ha! HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA!"
I can't help but burst into a maniacal laughter. I did it! I brought down the
numbers system! I won!
What now, my beloved professors? Lahat ng hawak n'yo sa amin ay nawala na ng parang
bula! Dahil paperless na ang class record system, wala na silang basis sa grades
namin. And not to mention, I changed their account details!
"What is your next command?"
"Log out all faculty member accounts." I stood up and pressed both of my hands on
the desk. "Clear recent history and all digital traces. After that, shut down all
computers."
"Processing..."
After a few seconds, sabay-sabay na nag-black ang screen ng mga monitor at namatay
ang mga computer. The whirring noise of the system units faded and silenced ensued
in the cyberspace room.
"What is your next command?"
"That's all, AIRENE. Good job," I said before removing the earpiece and placing it
on the table.
I did it. Tonight, the whole university will change. If they resist, I will do this
over and over until they learn their lesson.
This is just the beginning and I'm just getting started.
~*~
When I went to school the next day, almost everyone is rejoicing about the
schoolbliz hacking incident. Ang mga hindi lang natuwa ay mga estudyanteng puspusan
sa pag-aaral at tuluyan nang nilamon ng sistema.
I could care less about their feelings. As long as majority of the student body are
happy with it, masaya na rin ako.
Change is coming? No, change has come.
"Sino kaya ang nag-hack ng schoolbliz natin?" tanong ni Irene sabay patong ng
kaniyang tray ng pagkain sa mesa. Dahil lunch time, sabay na kaming kumain sa
school cafeteria.
"May iilan nang nag-attempt dati pero bigo sila," she added. "Na-suspend pa nga ang
mga 'yon dahil na-trace ang ginamit nilang computer."
Don't compare me with those amateurs, Irene! These pathetic hackers are too
oldschool, using laptop and desktop computer as their weapon. But I only need my
wireless Bluetooth earpiece and AIRENE. Not her, but the beta artificial
intelligence that I created.
"Whoever that person is, he must be a genius," sabi ko bago kagatin ang binili kong
sandwich. Medyo awkward na dine-describe ko ang sarili ko. "But what he did is
marvelous. He abolished the grading system so we can enjoy our college life!"
"I don't know about that," sagot niya. Napansin ko ang pagsimangot ng kaniyang
mukha kasabay ng paghawak sa kutsara't tinidor. "Minsan, gumugulo ang mga bagay-
bagay kapag walang sistema. Oo, pansamantalang nawala ang grading system. Pero
paano ang scholarship namin? Sa mga number nakabase kung pasok pa kami o hindi."
"The school admin should adjust," I replied after swallowing what's in my mouth.
"Kahit maibalik pa nila ang dating sistema, I doubt that the hacker would just sit
down and do nothing about it."
"I hope na hindi siya mahuli." Irene took in a spoonful of rice. "I heard from our
classmates na taga-campus paper na on the move na ang Blue Ribbon Commission."
Napatigil ako sa pagnguya. "Blue Ribbon what? Kalaban ba sila ng Red Ribbon
bakeshop?"
"Do you know about the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee na nag-iinvestigate ng mga
anomalya sa gobyerno? Ganon din ang concept nila. Sila ang mga executive detective
ng university. Oh, speaking of the devil!"
Her eyes looked at the door so I followed her gaze. Pumasok ang isang babaeng may
mahabang buhok na may dala-dalang lifesize na teddy bear, isang lalaking halos
natatakpan na ng bangs ang mga mata at isa pang kasama nila na nakataas ang buhok.
They all have something in common-a blue armband with the university's insignia on
their left arm.
Tumabi ang mga estudyante at nagbigay-daan para sa kanila. Pinauna na sila sa linya
nang walang reklamo.
"So these guys are the antagonists, huh?" I muttered under my breath. "The so-
called Blue Ribbon Commission."
-W-

P.S. "Wysiwyg's Rebellion" happened about a year before the events of Moriartea.
This is going to be a three-part chapter.

[SPECIAL] Wysiwyg's Rebellion 2

LANDICE

A CASE is like a spider's web. You can follow many threads, though most of them are
dead-ends. But if you choose the right one, it will lead you directly to its center
and eventually, to the one that created it-the spider.
The hacking incident that shocked the whole university is no different. The spider
weaved a web with thousands of threads, making it difficult for the best and
brightest minds to find him.
But his hours are numbered. The Blue Ribbon Commission, the official investigative
body reporting directly to the University Student Council Prime Minister, has been
tasked to locate the spider and bring him to justice.
Thus today, we convene to discuss about the case. After buying some refreshments
from the school cafeteria, we went back to the Blue Room, the headquarters of our
commission. Our meeting place was set up like a VIP lounge of a five-star hotel.
"We need to close this case as soon possible, gaya ng habilin sa atin ni PM," The
long-haired chairwoman said, putting a life-sized teddy bear on the sofa. "It is
time to show the school admin what we've got. Makakatulong din ang case na 'to para
sa mga budget request natin."
"Hindi pa ba sapat ang mga ginawa natin noon?" Our co-member Blaise asked before
taking a big bite of his burger. "We initiated investigations that led to the
impeachment of two college student council presidents, termination of four
professors and expulsion of six students since last year. 'Di pa ba sila bilib sa
atin?"
"The school admin trusts us," the chairwoman spoke slowly, putting emphasis on the
last word. "But we need to prove to them that we can catch the person that their IT
experts couldn't."
Annoyed, Blaise took a sip from his canned soda. "We should be investigating that
fraternity instead of this clown! Bakit ba napaka-incompetent ng ilang staff ng
university? Laging sa atin ipinapasa ang trabaho! Are we the last resort?"
The chairwoman shrugged her shoulders. "Wala na tayong magagawa. This case is now
under priority alpha. Ginagamit na nila ang lahat ng available resources."
"Baka naman pakana ng frat ang nangyaring hacking?" Blaise said. "You know, to
distract us from the real case. What if this whole hacking incident is a mere
diversion?"
"The possibility is at five percent." The teddy bear, who's the only permanent
member of the commission, spoke in its robotic voice. "There's forty-six percent
chance that the person behind the hacking is a student who hates the grading
system, thirty-four percent that he got a failing grade and wanted to erase it on
the record, and fifteen percent that he did it for the LOLs."
"Kung ang fraternity man ang nasa likod nito, they would have shut down the entire
school website," the chairwoman added. "And they could care less about their
grades. May iba pa silang mas dapat pagkaabalahan."
I flipped over the pages of my book, glancing at my colleagues every now and then.
I have no opinion to share so I chose to read in silence and let them do the
discussion.
The chairwoman looked at her wrist watch before turning to us. "Now let's hear the
report from our consultant."
She picked up the remote control, pointed it at the hanging flatscreen television
and pressed a button. The moment the screen lit up, we were greeted by the face of
a bespectacled man with unkempt hair. He looked young, probably the same age as
ours.
"Uh, hello! Sorry kung late akong nakapag-online! I've been working on a long-range
stun pen. Hindi ko namalayan na oras na pala."
"No problem with us, Herschel. Kakabalik lang din namin mula sa cafeteria," the
chairwoman said, crossing her legs as she sat on the sofa. She took a sip from her
canned soda. "Is there any update on the hacking case that we referred to you?"
Since none of the Blue Ribbon members were experts in IT, we consulted someone who
knows the field like the back of his hand - Herschel Aguirre. He is known as a
young inventor of weird gadgets. The robotic system in our commission's teddy bear
is also his creation.
"Whoever infiltrated the schoolbliz section is an able hacker," Herschel said,
touching the bridge of his eyeglasses. "Hands down. Wala akong masabi sa ka-oh, I'm
sorry. I tried to hack into the network server but to no avail. He turned it into a
fortress of his own."
"Parang bilib na bilib ka sa kanya, ah?" Blaise commented, crumpling the burger
wrapper and throwing it on the table. "Kung hindi mo magawang i-hack, does it mean
na isa na 'tong hopeless case?"
"I acknowledge someone's genius when I see one," Herschel smiled. "I've been trying
to bypass the security protocols but the hacker instantly changes the algorithm as
if he has been waiting for someone to try."
"Uhm... Sorry, we don't follow."
"Ganito." Herschel cleared his throat first. "Imagine yourself illegally entering a
house with a series of three doors. Kapag ni-lockpick mo ang unang pinto, dapat
dalawa na lang ang matitira, tama? Ngunit dahil sa code na inilagay niya, may
bagong pinto na lalabas at haharangan ka. No matter how many times I input my
codes, he always finds a way to put up another defense."
"Now that's better."
"May dalawang explanation kung bakit nagagawa niyang kontrahin agad-agad ang
counter-algorithms ko," Herschel went on. "Una, lagi siyang online at ready siya sa
anumang pag-atake mula sa labas. Pangalawa, parang may buhay mismo ang in-upload
niyang code na nag-take over sa network server. An artificial intelligence,
perhaps?"
"Are we dealing with the greatest hacker that this university has ever seen?" The
chairwoman asked, putting down her canned soda on the glass table.
"Probably," Herschel responded. "Whoever hacked your system has a vast knowledge
about this stuff. Kahit nag-connect lang siya sa inyong school wi-fi, kaya na
niyang pasukan ang server. Kung tama ang hinala kong gumamit siya ng AI upang i-
hack ang network server n'yo, then that makes him more dangerous. But that person
has one weakness."
"Weakness?"
I darted a glance at the consultant upon hearing that word.
"Technically, the AI is doing the work for him after it has been uploaded,"
Herschel explained. "What the hacker needs to do is give commands. If we cut off
the bridge that connects the creator and his creation, he will be powerless."
"And what is that weakness?"
"I will send over a plan on how you can counter him on the ground. In the meantime,
I will try to challenge him again. Wish me luck!"
"Thank you, Herschel."
The television screen went black. Everyone in the Blue Room looked at one another,
except for me.
"What do we do now?" Blaise asked, reclining on the sofa and crossing his arms.
"Hihintayin ba natin ang resulta ng efforts ni Herschel?"
Touching her chin gently, the chairwoman turned to me and asked, "What do you
think, Landice?"
I closed the book and slightly raised my head to face her. "Capture the hacker
immediately before someone else does."
"Someone else?"
"You heard Herschel," I replied. "The hacker developed an AI. If someone with not-
so-good intentions gets to that person first, imagine the terror that will follow."
"Tinutukoy mo ba ang fraternity, Landice?"
I nodded. "They can use it for other means. They can do much worse than delete
student records."
"I agree with him," the chairwoman said. "We need to act fast. Habang sinusubukan
ni Herschel na i-hack ang network server, we can start investigating the identity
of the hacker on our own. We need to find clues that will lead us to that person."
"Someone experienced with IT stuff," I blurted out. "An IT student, maybe? Familiar
with the school's network. Stayed until late afternoon yesterday. Has issues with
the grading system."
"My hunch was right!" Blaise clapped his hands. "Naisip ko rin na baka taga-College
of Computer Studies ang suspect. Sila lang ang mahilig sa mga hacking na ganyan."
"The probability is at sixty-three percent," the teddy bear spoke again. "Thirty
percent chance that he is someone from other colleges but experienced in IT. Nine
percent that he is an outsider."
"There are about four hundred students in that college." The chairwoman got to her
feet. "Kung gusto natin siyang mahuli kaagad, we need to start reviewing their
profiles."
~*~
Finding the hacker among hundreds of students is like finding a needle in a
haystack. But if you know what you are looking for, it won't be that difficult.
Based on the criteria we set earlier, we narrowed down the potential suspects to
three persons only: a returnee who's working at an IT firm, a blogger who's been
ranting about the system, and a working student at the cyberspace room.
Among those three, my bet is on the working student.
"Are you sure about your suspect?" Blaise asked. We were on our way to the
cyberspace room in the IT building. "In terms of experience, mas fitting ang
returnee bilang hacker. He probably encountered the necessary codes at his work
that he used to infiltrate our network server."
"He is my second candidate," I answered. "But among the choices we have, only the
working student is at the most advantageous position to commit the hacking."
"Dahil ba nagtatrabaho siya sa cyberspace room? If you heard what Herschel said
before, kahit naki-connect lang ang hacker sa campus wi-fi, kaya na niyang pasukan
ang server."
I handed over to him the paper containing the profile of my primary suspect. "He
may have covered his tracks in what he did yesterday. But he can't cover up his
background. Wysiwyg Watson. Nineteen years old. Parents are IT experts working at
top firms. Passed all subjects with flying colors. Stays in the campus until early
evening for his duty."
"Seems like a child who inherited his parents' genius and now following their
footsteps," Blaise commented after reading the file. "Why do you think that he is
our man?"
"Inconsistency," I replied. "Given that his parents are working in a high-paying
industry, his family must be well-off. Why would he apply for a student aide
program?"
My colleague's mouth slowly opened and a slight hint of realization etched on his
face. "Bakit nga ba? He doesn't need money. His family can pay for his tuition fee.
Wala ba siyang magawa sa buhay kaya naisipan niyang maging working student?"
"I highly doubt it was due to boredom," I said. "The cyberspace room is a perfect
spot to start the attack. It is connected directly to the network server. It can
connect with the eight other cyberspace rooms."
"According to his profile, he passed his subjects with flying colors." Blaise shot
a sideward glance to me. "Why would an achiever like him hack the schoolbliz
website and delete the student records? In other words, ano ang motibo niya? Did he
do it for the LOLs?"
"That's the missing piece of the puzzle." We halted in front of the cyberspace room
door. "Why indeed?"
Blaise held the door handle and slowly swung it open. We felt the air-conditioner
breeze coming from the inside.
"Good afternoon! Welcome to the cyberspace room!" A man with messy hair and
wireless earpiece in his right ear greeted us with enthusiasm. The smile across his
lips faded as his eyes gazed at the blue armband on our right arm.
"Wysiwyg Watson," I muttered.
-W-

[SPECIAL] Wysiwyg's Rebellion 3

WYSIWYG

Five hours before the confrontation...

TRY AND try until you fail! Kahit ilang beses n'yong subukang i-hack ang network
server, mababalewala lamang ang effort n'yo. I wrote twenty-four different
algorithms that will be automatically activated once AI-rene detects a security
breach.
The university network is mine and there's nothing that these idiots can do to
reclaim it.
Matapos naming kumain ni Irene sa cafeteria, I went to the school building's
rooftop. I breathe in some fresh air and exhaled slowly. In my own way, everything
that's digital in this campus is mine. I could access anyone's Facebook account in
just two or three words.
My Pandora's File is limited so I decided to expand it. Through AI-rene, I uploaded
a virus in the network that will give me access to every phone connected to the
campus wi-fi. Ang ibig sabihin, may access na ako sa messages, photos, videos at
lahat ng naka-save sa kanilang phone. Kung may "juicy" silang itinatago, the
better.
What's next for me then? Should I start blackmailing the faculty members one by
one? Kaya ko silang paluhurin sa harapan ko kung gugustuhin ko. Or should I go
after some university officials?
Sa panahon ngayon, information is everything. If you have something against
someone, you can control him easily, make him bark if you want.
Oh? How about the Blue Ribbon guys? No need to worry about them. I could smash them
like flies if I want to, basta may alas ako laban sa kanila.
Isinuot ko sa tenga ang aking wireless earpiece. Unlike other hackers, I don't need
to operate any computer upang makapagsagawa ng hacking. Ang kailangan ko lang ay
ang earpiece na 'to at internet connection.
"AI-rene, give me the data on the members of the Blue Ribbon Commission," I
ordered.
"Command has been acknowledged. Fetching data from the Office of the University
Student Council..."
Ano kayang baho ang itinatago ng mga taong 'yon? I'm excited to find out.
"No data found on the Blue Ribbon Commission members."
"Eh? Can you check if they have records in other offices?"
"Fetching data from more than twenty offices... No data found."
Anong nangyayari? Binura ba nila ang mga record? Did they figure out that I might
come after their data?
I hate it when something doesn't go according to plan. Kailangan kong makahanap ng
paraan upang magkaroon ng panlaban sa kanila kapag dumating na ang oras. Kung
matatalino talaga sila gaya ng ikinwento ni Irene sa akin kanina, there's a chance
that they might find me.
But I don't fear that possibility. In case that happens-just in case-meron akong
jail-free card na pwedeng gamitin laban sa kanila.
Two hours before the confrontation...
After our class in Object Oriented Programming, pumunta ako sa vending machine sa
second floor para bumili ng canned coffee. I inserted my twenty-peso bill, pressed
the coffee button and waited for the machine to dispense it.
"I-Ikaw ba si Wysiwyg Watson?"
"Ako nga." Yumuko ako nang kaunting upang kunin ang canned coffee. Pagkalingon ko
sa aking kanan, I saw a fat boy who's shorter than me by a few inches. Halos
bumigay na ang kaniyang uniform dahil sa katabaan. "May kailangan ka ba sa akin?"
"Gu-Gusto kitang makausap," sabi ng matabing lalaki. He looked weird.
Pinagpapawisan siya kahit hindi naman mainit dito. Hindi rin siya mukhang
komportable na tila gusto niyang magbanyo.
"I still have classes so I need to go now," I replied. My canned coffee made a
popping sound as I opened it. "Kung may business ka sa akin, you can talk to me
after class."
Nilagpasan ko na lamang ang matabang estudyante. Wala pa naman ang instructor namin
para sa next subject, but I don't feel like talking to a weird man.
"Ha-Hacker."
Saktong-saktong nakaanggulo na ang lid ng canned coffee sa aking bibig nang matigil
ako sa paglalakad. Dahan-dahan akong tumalikod upang muling harapin ang
pinagpapawisang estudyante.
"Anong sinabi mo?" nakakunot-noo kong tanong sa kaniya.
"I-Ikaw ang h-hacker, 'di ba?" nauutal na sabi ni tabachoy. His stuttering began to
annoy me. "I-Ikaw ang na-nagbura sa mga s-student record, tama? E-Excellent work."
"Wala akong alam sa sinasabi mo." Muli akong tumalikod at nagsimulang naglakad
palayo. I better ignore this fatso. Hindi ko alam kung paano siya nagkaroon ng
hinala na ako ang hacker.
"W-Walk away a-and I will te-tell the B-Blue R-Ribbon."
Sa ikalawang pagkataon, napahinto ako sa paglalakad. I turned around to face him
again.
"I-If I te-tell them what I know, th-they will fo-focus their a-attention on you."
Napalunok ng laway ang matabang lalaki. I noticed the earpiece on his left ear.
"Let's pretend for a moment na ako nga ang hacker." Nilapitan ko siya sabay pasok
ng kaliwang kamay ko sa bulsa. "Why would you inform me before going to the Blue
Ribbon Commission?"
"Wa-Wala akong intensyong i-isumbong ka sa kanila," sagot ni tabatchoy. "I-I'm here
to make an o-offer."
"Offer?" My left eyebrow raised. "And can you please stop stuttering? It annoys me.
Ganyan ka ba talaga magsalita?"
"Pa-Pagpasensyahan mo na. Na-Napili kong ga-gamitin ang ma-matabang 'to para ma-
makipag-usap sa-sa'yo. Ga-Ganito pala ka-kapag mali ang pup-pet na napili mo."
Naningkit ang mga mata kong napatitig sa earpiece. Is someone else feeding the
replies through this man?
"Ka-Kailangan naming ma-maging maingat, lalo na't isa kang hacker. Ku-Kung
malalaman mo kung sino talaga ako, ma-madali lang sa 'yong maghanap ng i-
impormasyon tungkol sa akin, tama?"
He got it right. I only need to know his name while AIRENE will do the search in
the university database. Whoever's whispering in that fat guy's ears must be
extremely cautious in his actions.
"Let's cut to the chase. May nabanggit kang offer kanina."
"W-We want you to jo-join us. J-join our fa-fraternity. W-We need people la-like
you among our ra-ranks."
Isang frat? I heard na may mga ganyang kapatiran dito sa campus. But I've never
considered joining one. Ni hindi ko nga maintindihan kung bakit halos magpakamatay
ang ilang estudyante para makasali sa frats.
"I-Iisang aso lang ang hu-humahabol sa atin. W-We can t-take them down if w-we want
to, as long as you join us."
"Sorry to disappoint you, but I'm not interested in joining any frat. Baka ikamatay
ko pa ang gagawin n'yong hazing sa akin."
"Y-You don't know about the i-impending danger, Wiwisig."
"Go ahead, tell the Blue Ribbon Commission that I might be the hacker," sabi ko sa
kaniya. "And by the way, it's wiz-ee-wig, not wi-wi-sig."
"I'm n-not talking about that," sagot ni tabachoy. "Th-Those Blue Ribbon guys are
getting closer. Da-Dapat na maghanda ka na da-dahil anumang oras, pwede silang
kumatok sa pi-pinto mo."
"Thanks for your concern. I do appreciate it. Bye!" I waved my hand before turning
around and walking away.
"Bi-Bibigyan kita ng be-bente-kuwatro oras pa-para pag-isipan ang alok ko."
He kept on blabbing stuff that I don't care about kaya iniwan ko na siya sa vending
machine. Wala akong oras para makipagkuwentuhan sa kanya.
But... is there some truth in what he just said? Or he was only bluffing to force
me to join them?
Three minutes before the confrontation...
I better prepare for anything that might happen. Sabi nga ng isang professor namin,
"Failure to plan is planning to fail." No, no. Hindi ako natatakot sa Blue Ribbon
Commission. Gusto ko lang maging ready sakaling komprontahin nila ako.
Kakaunti lamang ang mga estudyanteng nasa cyberspace room. Lahat sila'y nakasuot ng
headset at nanonood ng videos sa YouTube. Subukan lang nilang manood ng porn dito,
mayayari sila sa akin.
"AI-rene, can you access the automatic security doors in the IT building?" Dahil
may suot akong earpiece, iisipin ng mga nakakakita at nakakarinig sa akin na may
kausap ako sa phone.
"Yes. The network server has given me access to all facilities, not only in the IT
building."
"Good, good," patango-tango kong sabi. "How about the security cameras?"
"Facial recognition has been activated. I can tell you if there are people on a
specific area covered by the cameras."
Napangalumbaba ako sa aking desk. As long as I have AI-rene, I am unbeatable. But
I'd like to see the Blue Ribbon Commission try. Gusto ko ring ma-challenge dito sa
mission ko. It would be boring if I will have easy wins.
Bumukas ang pinto ng cyberspace room at pumasok ang dalawang lalaking pamilyar ang
mukha. I already saw them somewhere.
"Welcome to the cyberspace room," I greeted. The blue armbands on their right arms
caught my attention. According to Irene, there's only a certain group of students
who have that fashion statement-the Blue Ribbon Commission.
What now? Have they come here to ask me several questions or to take me away? Heto
na ba ang sinasabi ng tabachoy kanina?
But how did they find out about me? The defense of the hacked network server is
still intact. There's no way that they can trace the hacking to me or to this room.
I need to see their names. "Pakiiwan na lang ang ID n'yo at mag-log dito kung gusto
n'yong gumamit ng PC."
The man who seemed fired up pointed at his armband. "We are from the Blue Ribbon
Commission. Hindi na namin kailangang dumaan sa inyong SOP."
"Pero policy ng cyberspace room na-"
"If you have problem with that privilege, pwede kang pumunta sa Office of the
University Student Council at iprotesta mismo sa Prime Minister," sabat ng lalaking
nakataas ang buhok.
"We are not here to use your computers," sabi naman ng lalaking natatakpan ng bangs
ang mga mata. Nakakakita pa ba siya? "We are here to ask you questions."
Tumayo ako mula sa aking swivel chair at nilapitan silang dalawa. "I'm at your
service. Anong gustong malaman ng Blue Ribbon mula sa akin?"
"Yesterday, the schoolbliz section of our university website was hacked. A tech-
geek consultant of ours traced the source in this room."
Liar. Walang paraan upang matunton ng sinumang hacker ang source hangga't hindi
nila napapasukan ang network server.
Parehong nakamasid sa akin ang dalawang taga-Blue Ribbon. They must be observing if
I would have a shocked or agitated expression. But I won't fall for that lie,
bangsie.
"That's weird," I said, crossing my arms. "Wala naman akong napansin kahapon na
suspicious dito. There was one female student na gumamit ng computer but I doubt
she's capable of hacking the network."
"Network?" pag-uulit ni Mr. Bangs. "How did you know that the network was hacked?"
"Kakasabi mo lang kanina na na-hack ang network."
"I said website, not the network."
Holy sh-
"The public knows na website ang na-hack," sabi ng kasama niya. "We did not inform
them that the university's network has been compromised aside from the schoolbliz
page. Kaya paano mo nalaman ang tungkol doon?"
"I am an IT student," depensa ko. "Is it surprising na marinig n'yong alam ko rin
kung ano ang alam n'yo?"
"That's correct. You are an IT student," Mr. Bangs walked around me. "That means
you also have the knowledge on how to hack a network, collect the faculty members'
log-in details and infiltrate the schoolbliz page."
"Hacking is not my thing, okay?" pagsisinungaling ko. "Alam kong ilegal 'yon. At
saka wala akong masyadong background tungkol diyan. If you are suspecting me as the
hacker, you are looking at the wrong direction."
"Except that you have parents who are IT experts working in top firms," Mr. Bangs
spoke behind me. Though I couldn't see his eyes, I could feel his gaze. "You could
have consulted them on how to write codes that will hack the system."
"You can deny all you want, pero lalabas pa rin ang katotohanan," dagdag ng kasama
niya. "If our tech-geek consultant inspects the computers here, walang dudang
makikita niya ang bakas ng ginawa mong pangha-hack."
Lumapit ako sa desk ng PC #1 at napahawak sa swivel chair. Pinigilan kong mapangiti
sa harapan ng dalawang imbestigador. I should have listened to that fat guy's
warning. Indeed, the Blue Ribbon fools are right behind me.
My right hand touched the earpiece. "AI-rene, can you hear me?"
"Loud and clear. Waiting for your command."
"PAINT IT BLACK!" I yelled.
"Anong sinasabi mong paint-"
Biglang nagdilim sa buong cyberspace room at namatay ang mga computer. Mabilis kong
itinulak ang swivel chair patungo sa direksyon ng dalawang taga-Blue Ribbon. One of
them groaned in pain.
I know this room better than anyone else so finding the exit in total darkness is
not a problem. I ran as fast as I could and reached for the door.
"Hoy, bumalik ka rito!" sigaw ng kasama ni Mr. Bangs.
Sorry, but I have no time for you. I have a mission to fulfill. Hindi ako pwedeng
mahuli ng mga puppet ng sistema!
Tumakbo ako sa kahabaan ng pasilyo, iniiwasan ang mga estudyanteng sobrang bagal
maglakad. Tabi! Kung ayaw n'yo nang bumalik sa dating sistema, padaanin n'yo ako!
"Wysiwyg Watson! Bumalik ka rito!"
Nakarating kaming dalawa sa bridge na nagkokonekta sa IT building at main building.
Sumandal muna ako sa pader habang hinihintay ang tila walang kapagurang member ng
Blue Ribbon Commission. Saan naman kaya nagpunta si Mr. Bangs?
Damn it. Hindi talaga ako makakatagal sa habulan. Kailangan ko munang magpahinga
para hindi bumigay ang mga binti ko.
"Wysiwyg Watson! Sumuko ka na!" sigaw ng humahabol sa akin. He was only a few
meters away from me.
But there's nothing to worry about.
"AI-rene, activatate security door in I4."
"Roger."
Bago pa man tuluyang makalapit sa akin ang taga-Blue Ribbon, may mabilis na umangat
na glass wall sa pagitan namin dalawa. He tried knocking on it, his mouth spewing
some words, probably cursing at me.
"Buh-bye!" I waved my right hand to him before crossing the skybridge. My mission
right now is to get out of this campus as soon as possible.
"AI-rene, navigate the second floor of the main building using the security
cameras," I commanded as I walked across the hallway. Nakarating ako sa
intersection point ng east at west wing ng school building. "Are there any incoming
threats?"
"An unidentified object is moving to your direction, coming from the west."
"Unidentified?" I muttered as my head turned to my left. Laking gulat ko nang may
makita akong life-sized teddy bear.
No, it's not just a teddy bear.
It's a teddy bear in roller blades!
"What the hell is that?!" Napilitan na naman akong mapatakbok patungo sa east wing.
Judging by the blue armband, that giant stuffed toy is also a member of the Blue
Ribbon Commission! How weird can they get?
"Wysiwyg Watson, your chance of escaping is only at seven percent. Escape is
futile. Surrender."
What? Nagsasalita rin siya? Nanaginip lang ba ako o talagang parang buhay ang
stuffed toy na 'yon? Was it a mascot at may tao sa loob?
Dahil sa suot niyang roller bladers, halos maabutan na niya ako sa bilis. If may
ganon din sana ako, mas mapapabilis ang aking pagtakas.
"AI-rene, activate fire alarm in the main building!"
"Roger."
KRRRIIIINNNGGG!
Sabay-sabay na naglabasan ang mga estudyante mula sa mga dinaanan kong classroom.
Halos lahat sila'y nagulat nang makita ang naka-roller blades na teddy bear. Thanks
to them, I managed to confuse my pursuer. May ilan ngang estudyanteng na-cute-an sa
kaniya kaya hinug siya at pinaghihila.
That's two down already. Ilan bang members meron ang Blue Ribbon?
"AI-rene, how's the situation on the second floor?"
"Students are going down the ground floor. Expect heavy volume of students on the
exits."
"No more incoming threats like that giant teddy bear?"
"There are student blockades waiting on the two pathways. Only the stairs is
clear."
What? Ang bilis naman yata nilang makapag-set up? Did they anticipate where I will
be going?
I have no choice but to go up. Kailangan ko munang makapagtago at makapagpahinga
bago ko sila muling takbuhan.
"Check the situation on the third and fourth floor."
"Student blockades have been set-up at the east wing of the building."
Tch. Mukhang wala na akong mapupunta kundi ang rooftop. Kailangan ko lang siguruhin
na hindi nila makukunan sa CCTV camera kung saan ako pupunta.
"AI-rene, black out all security cameras."
"Roger."
Hindi rin nagtagal, nakarating ako sa rooftop ng school building. I locked the door
from the outside. With the rooftop as my hiding spot, I will be out of their radar
for a while.
"Ha-ha-ha-ha! HA-HA-HA-HA-HA!" I couldn't stop myself from laughing. The whole Blue
Ribbon Commission is no match for me. Nautakan ko nga sila eh.
"You took your time."
"Ha-ha-ha-huh?" Natigil ako sa pagtawa nang marinig ang boses na 'yon.
No, it can't be.
Nakasandal si Mr. Bangs sa pader malapit sa pintuan habang nakakrus ang mga braso.
How did he know that I will be here?
"You think that you are clever enough, but you are not." Humarang siya sa pinto,
sinigurong wala na akong ibang mapupuntahan. "This is a check."
"Paano mo nalamang pupunta ako rito?" tanong ko. Nagpalingon-lingon ako sa paligid,
naghahanap ng ibang escape route. Dahil nasa rooftop kami, the only way out is by
jumping from the five-storey building. Kainis! I'm trapped!
"Everything was planned to put you right where we want you to be," sabi ni Mr.
Bangs. "Our colleague who chased you out of the IT building and forced you to run
to the skybridge, the teddy bear who blocked your path to the west wing, the
student blockade on all floors-everything went exactly as planned."
Napakuyom ang mga kamao ko. That's why the stairs were clear of any threats! They
anticipated that I will climb to the rooftop!
"Surrender to the Blue Ribbon Commission now, Wysiwyg Watson. Game over."
Game over? Nagpapatawa ba siya? On the contrary, the game has just begun. "I demand
that you let me walk out of this campus unharmed."
"You don't have any right to demand. You are now cornered."
"Are you sure about that?" I smirked. "If you don't let me go, I will be forced to
post the secrets of more than three hundred students in this campus. I have access
to their social media accounts, inboxes, photos and videos. Nai-imagine mo ba kung
gaano kalaking iskandalo ito?"
"Is that your bargaining chip?" tanong ni Mr. Bangs. He didn't seem to be alarmed
by my threat.
"Leverage. Kapag na-leak ang lahat ng hawak ko, you should be blamed for it."
"Empty threats won't work against me."
E-Empty threats? Naramdaman ko ang pagpulso ng ugat sa aking sentido. Does he take
me for a fool?!
"Fine! Bibigyan kita ng sample kung 'yan ang gusto mo! AI-rene, choose one hundred
accounts randomly and post everything that you can!"
"Roger."
Lumawak ang ngiti sa labi ko. "You better take my words seriously. I don't give
idle threats, bangsie."
But there was no reaction from Mr. Bangs. He maintained a composed demeanor despite
me making true to my threat.
"AI-rene, have you posted them already."
"..."
"AI-rene? Do you copy?"
Mr. Bangs started walking toward me, his hands inside his pockets. "Our tech-geek
consultant told us to cut off the bridge between you and your creation."
What happened, AI-rene? Bakit hindi ka sumasagot sa akin?
"That bridge is none other than the campus wi-fi. Without any internet connection,
you cannot send any command to your AI."
I see. They found my only weakness, huh?
But he's a fool if he thinks that cutting off the wi-fi connection has paralyzed
me.
"Tell me, bangsie. Nakalimutan mo na bang may iba pang paraan upang makapag-connect
sa internet?" I flashed a grin that spoke of my victory. "That's right! Mobile data
connection! I will be reconnected to AI-rene in no time!"
I pressed my earpiece, activating the mobile data option. Hinintay kong muling
marinig ang boses ni AI-rene.
Ngunit walang sumagot.
Paano nangyari 'to? May load naman ako kaya paanong-
"Phone signal jammer. Have you heard about it?" tanong ni Mr. Bangs. "Did you think
that we won't consider you using any other available methods of connecting to the
internet?"
Damn it! Damn it! Damn it!
"Checkmate."
I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. Everything that I have worked so hard has
crumbled into dust. "What now? Balak n'yo ba akong ipa-expel dahil sa ginawa ko sa
schoolbliz?"
"What you did is a major offense and in violation of cybercrime act," sagot ni Mr.
Bangs. "There's no doubt that you will be expelled. But there is an unless."
"Unless?"
"Unless you join us. Instead of expulsion, I would recommend to our chairwoman to
recruit you into our commission."
Nanlaki ang mga nakatitig kong mata sa kanya. "Are you joking? You want me to work
with you people who are tolerating the corrupt system?"
"The system is not evil, but some of those who control it are," Mr. Bangs answered.
"If you join us, you can change the system from the inside, purge those who abuse
their power and those who take advantage of the powerless. Make your choice."
He extended his hand to me as if it was the hand of salvation.
~*~
"Wysiwyg? Gising. Oras na."
Namulat ang mga mata ko sa lounge ng Office of the University Student Council.
Kanina pa kasi kami naghihintay rito kaya hindi ko naiwasang makatulog.
"Tayo na ba ang kasunod? Tapos na ba ang Cabinet meeting?" tanong ko sabay punas ng
aking bibig. Baka kasi may tumulong laway habang natutulog ako kanina.
"Kakalabas pa lang nila," the chairwoman said, carrying the life-sized teddy bear
named Theodore. "You had a nice dream?"
"Tch. Nightmare would be the best word to describe it." Iniunat ko ang aking mga
braso bago tumayo. "That traitor visited me in my dreams."
"You hate Landice so much, don't you?" the chairwoman asked.
"You should too!" I exclaimed. "He betrayed the commission that he was a part of.
If we had only known sooner that he's part of that wretched fraternity, the whole
investigation won't be botched."
"Past is past. Let's move on. We have a bigger problem to solve."
The chairwoman held the door of the meeting room and slowly swung it open. The
whole office felt strangely cold.
"We are here, Prime Minister."
-W-
A/N: And that's it for the special chapter! I hope you enjoyed it!

SEASON TWO

Amid the mystery of Vivien's suicide, the Moriartea detectives will face off with
the distinguished investigators of the Blue Ribbon Commission. As the two detective
groups clash, a shadow will creep into the arena.
RED versus BLUE! Who's going to solve the grand case first and who shall emerge as
the better detectives?
Join them in the second season of MORIARTEA!
P.S. Special thanks to CryAllen for the awesome Wysiwyg artwork!