A/N: We're done with Jamie's and Lorelei's entries. Now, our white knight enters the scene!

This is a collaboration between yours truly and SarcasticGrey.

ALISTAIR

PARA SA akin, halos lahat ng cases na sinolve namin bilang QED Club ay worthy na i-share sa mga magbabasa ng aming anthology. While most cases were serious, some were not that heavy and depressing. Readers would surely find those stories enjoyable.

Mahirap mamili lalo na kung maraming pagpipilian. I had to choose which among these tales was the most deserving to be shared to the readers. Lahat kasi'y memorable para sa akin. Ano ba ang dapat na criteria? 'Yong pinakatumatak ba? 'Yong pinaka-kakaibang case na na-encounter namin? 'Yong pinaka-nahirapan ba kaming i-solve?

Matapos kong pag-isipan nang maigi, I came up with a choice. This was one of the memorable moments for me, not just because of the mystery, but because of the circumstances in it: one of the rare occasions where the four of us went on an out of town trip.

It all started when I received a call from my dad. Nagluluto ako ng breakfast sa condo nang sagutin ko ang tawag niya. Since I transferred here in Pampanga, I learned how to cook my own food. I didn't want to depend on fast food deliveries.

"Hello, dad?"

"Hi, Al! How are you doing there?"

"I'm fine." I flipped the omelet on the frying pan. Nakaipit ang phone sa pagitan ng tainga at balikat ko. "Kayo ho, kumusta riyan?"

"I'm preparing for my business trip tomorrow. Speaking of which, I have a favor to ask from you. If you don't mind?"

Pinatay ko ang electric stove at maingat na inilagay sa plato ang omelette. I placed the plate on the table. "Ano ho 'yon?"

"Are you free tomorrow? One of my business partners sent me some tickets to her nature park and resort located at the mountainside in Pampanga, famous for its spring water pools. It's gonna be their twentieth anniversary so they thought of inviting us over."

Tumango-tango ako habang naglalagay ng kanin sa plato. Inilagay ko sa mesa ang aking phone na naka-loudspeaker mode.

"Coincidentally, meron akong naka-schedule na business trip ngayon kaya hindi ako makapupunta doon. I thought I should give you the complimentary tickets so you can go to the resort on my behalf. You can invite your friends to come with you, if you want."

Natigil ako sa pagsubo sabay titig sa aking phone.

"I have four tickets here. Two days and one night accommodation. Kung available kayo at gusto n'yong pumunta, I can send the digital tickets to you via email."

I smiled at the thought of me and my friends enjoying the amenities in the resort. "Sure, dad! Sakto, wala kaming pasok sa Monday dahil holiday. But I have to ask my friends if they're available tomorrow. Biglaan din kasi. Baka may naka-schedule silang lakad bukas at hindi nila ako masamahan."

"Thank you, Al. Send my regards to my business partner. Ise-send ko sa 'yo ang details sa email so you'd be well informed."

My dad hung up the call. Nagpatuloy na ako sa pagkain ng aking breakfast.

Ilang buwan na rin mula nang samahan ko si Lorelei sa QED Club, at makilala sina Loki at Jamie. This out of town trip must a good opportunity to bond with them. Kapag magkasama kami, lagi kaming nasa clubroom at pinag-uusapan ang case na ini-refer sa amin. Wala kaming bonding maliban sa pagkain tuwing lunch time at pag-uwi matapos ang class dismissal.

Kaya gusto kong i-treat ang trip na 'to bilang pagkakataon para mag-unwind kami. Wala kaming iisipin kundi enjoy-in ang spring water pools ng naturang resort at ang tanawin mula sa gilid ng bundok. It's like being one with nature because of its location.

Kailangan ko munang malaman kung available sila bukas. Pagkatapos kong kumain ng breakfast, naligo na ako at nagsuot ng casual na damit. I could have told them about the trip on the phone, but I thought of breaking the news to them in person.

When I was all set, I rode the elevator down to the condo's parking basement and drove my car out.

Kung may lesson akong natutunan sa pag-transfer ko rito sa Pampanga, walang iba kundi ang pagiging independent. I've been leaving alone in my condo unit for months now. And I really learned a lot from being on my own.

Wala sa plano ko ang lumipat dito. I was doing well in Manila. Transferring here was originally my dad's idea, and it had something to do with Lorelei. Apparently my dad and her dad—who were quite close—agreed to arrange our marriage as early as now. Gusto ni dad na lumipat ako rito para mas maging close kami ni Lorelei at mabantayan ko siya, lalo na't may traumatic experience siya na pinagdaanan noon.

Hindi ako kinonsulta sa arrangement na 'yon. If I were consulted, I would have opposed it. Ayaw kong pilitin ang sinuman sa isang bagay na hindi niya gusto, maging ang sarili ko. But it's a done deal already. My dad said I could do nothing about it.

My mom was against the idea of me studying here. Wala naman akong issue sa dati kong school kaya wala raw dahilan para lumipat ako. Kung magta-transfer ako, gusto niyang sumama sa akin para makasama at mabantayan ako. But my dad insisted that I was already old enough to take care of myself.

I'm already eighteen years of age. Pwede na akong mag-drive ng sarili kong sasakyan dahil may license na ako. Pwede na rin akong bumoto sa darating na eleksyon. I understand my mom's concern for me. But I agree with dad on this issue. Kailangan ko na ring masanay na maging independent lalo na kapag nag-college na ako. It's gonna be a good learning experience.

Tumagal nang halos thirty minutes ang biyahe ko papunta sa apartment nina Lorelei at Loki. Today was a Saturday so many people were commuting to the malls, causing heavy traffic. I pulled my car beside the apartment building and got off my vehicle.

Tumingala ako sa gusali, nakatingin sa ikatlong palapag nito. Naisipan ko ring mag-rent ng apartment unit dito para mas malapit ako kay Lorelei at sa school namin. Hindi ko na kakailanganing mag-drive pa dahil walking distance na lang ang campus. When I inquired here, the landlady told me that there was no vacancy. Wala akong choice kundi maghanap ng ibang matutuluyan.

Umakyat ako sa ikatlong palapag hanggang sa marating ang tapat ng Room 302. Tatlong beses akong kumatok sa pinto. Akala ko noong una, walang tao sa loob dahil walang sumasagot. Wala akong marinig na ingay mula sa loob kaya masasabi kong walang nanonood sa kanila ng television o ng phone nang hindi naka-earphones.

May dalawang possible explanation kung bakit walang sumasagot: Tulog pa rin sina Lorelei at Loki sa mga oras na 'to o lumabas silang dalawa ng kanilang unit. Malabo ang una dahil 'di mahilig magpuyat si Lorelei at 'di rin siya late na nagigising. Malabo rin ang pangalawa dahil sa tingin ko, mas gugustuhin ni Loki na mag-stay rito sa apartment kaysa lumabas.

Dumating din agad ang sagot sa tanong ko. A minute later, I heard the locks being unbolted and the door was swung open from the inside. Sumilip sa siwang ang mukha ni Lorelei. Nanlaki ang mga mata niya nang makita ako.

"Al!" she exclaimed.

"Good morning," nakangiting bati ko sa kanya. "Nakaiistorbo ba ako?"

Umiling si Lorelei. Tuluyan na niyang binuksan ang pinto at pinatuloy ako sa loob ng kanilang unit. Malinis at maayos ang kanilang sala. Kapag bumibisita ako minsan dito, may mga pakalat-kalat na papel, sticky note sa TV at ilang libro sa mesa. Sa tingin ko, si Lorelei ang nag-ayos at naglinis nito. Hindi naman sa hinuhusgahan ko si Loki, pero wala sa itsura niya ang magkaroon ng initiative na maglinis ng kanilang apartment.

'Yon din minsan ang naikukuwento ni Lorelei sa akin—kung paanong siya lagi ang gumagawa ng gawaing-bahay habang paupo-upo sa couch habang nagbabasa ng libro si Loki.

Napansin kong nakapatong ang isang laptop sa couch. Nasa kabilang couch naman si Loki na may pinapanood sa kanyang phone. Instead of greeting me with pleasantries, he nodded at me as an acknowledgment of my presence before focusing again at the show he was watching.

"Sorry kung medyo natagalan ako sa pagbukas ng pinto," paumanhin ni Lorelei. Bumalik siya sa pagkakaupo sa couch. She carefully lifted her laptop and placed it on her lap. Iniangat niya ang kanyang tingin sa akin bago napatuloy sa pagta-type. "I was busy editing my blog entries. Hetong si Loki, ayaw tumayo at buksan ang pinto."

Saglit na nagawi sa kanya ang tingin ni Loki. "Can you blame me for being cautious? We don't know if a serial killer on the loose was knocking on our door. Better be safe than sorry."

Umirap ang mga mata ni Lorelei. Minsan may pagka-exaggerated ang mga palusot ni Loki. "Ang sabihin mo, tinatamad ka lang na tumayo at magbukas ng pinto. Huwag mo nang idamay ang walang kamuwang-muwang na serial killer sa katamaran mo."

"Be that as it may, I don't want to compromise our safety. We're not expecting any visitor today so you can't blame me for being doubtful on who might be behind the door."

Napangiti ako sa palitan ng dalawa. Hindi na sumagot pa si Lorelei dahil siguro alam na niyang walang patutunguhan ang kanilang pag-uusap. Si Loki naman, nagpatuloy sa panonood sa kanyang phone.

"Ano'ng case ang ine-edit mo ngayon?" Sumilip ako sa screen ng kanyang laptop. Her fingers were flying all over the keyboard without her looking at what she was pressing. Sa tagal na niyang nagsusulat, malamang nasanay na siyang mag-type nang hindi tumitingin sa keyboard.

"The Haunt of Bascoville," sagot niya. "Remember when we stayed overnight at the student council president's house to investigate the alleged curse?"

Tumango ako. Natatandaan ko pa ang case na 'yon. That's the incident where the victims died after seeing an image of a grim reaper. Ang kuwento sa amin, dala raw 'yon ng sumpa sa bahay na binili ng mga kamag-anak ng student council president. At the end of the case, we found out the grim figure was only a piece of cloth and a skull mask being flown by a drone.

"Hassle ba?"

Mabagal na umiling si Lorelei. "Can't say it's not. But blogging has become my passion so I enjoy writing about the cases that we've solved."

Bago ko pa napagdesisyonang lumipat dito, binabasa ko na ang blog ni Lorelei. She was only seeing most of my messages and rarely replied to them. Wala akong way para malaman kung kumusta na siya. After everything that happened to her in our alma mater, I wanted to know if she's doing okay.

Habang nagse-surf ako sa internet, nakita ko ang blog niya at doon ako naging updated sa mga nangyayari sa kanyang buhay. Noong una'y nahiwagaan ako kung bakit at paano siya naging involved sa pagiging high school detective. Akala ko nga'y fiction lang ang mga isinusulat niya. Ngunit nang muli kaming magkita sa isang cafe kung saan ipinakilala niya si Loki bilang kanyang boyfriend, na-realize kong totoo ang mga kuwentong nasa blog niya.

"Gusto mo ba ng juice? Magtitimpla ako," tanong ni Lorelei nang muli siyang tumigil sa pagta-type.

Okay na sa akin ang isang baso ng tubig, pero mabilis siyang naglakad patungong kusina. Ayaw ko sana siyang maistorbo sa ginagawa niya. But I couldn't easily turn down her gesture of hospitality.

"A cup of tea will be lovely," pahabol ni Loki kahit hindi siya tinatanong.

Sandaling napatingin sa kanya si Lorelei bago umirap ang mga mata. Maliban sa dalawang basong inihanda niya para sa akin at sa kanya, kumuha pa siya ng isang teacup. She took out a container of juice powder and a box of teabags from the cabinet over her head.

"So what brings you here, Alistair?" tanong ni Loki. Ibinaba niya ang kanyang phone at tumingin sa direksyon ko. "I assume that this isn't just a social visit. You won't come all the way here to say hi and enjoy a glass of juice—the flavor of which is orange, I think?"

Ngumiti ako. Hindi na ako nasorpresa pa na natunugan niyang may iba akong pakay rito. He's the Loki Mendez after all. Mapapansin niya kung may iba pang motibo ang mga taong kaharap niya.

"May plano ba kayong lakad bukas?" tanong ko.

Loki shook his head. Muli niyang ibinalik ang kanyang tingin sa phone. "None. I'd rather stay here than waste my precious time by going outside. There's nothing of interest for me out there."

"My dad was invited to a private park and resort on the mountainside," kuwento ko kahit hindi siya nagbato ng follow-up question. "Sikat ang lugar na 'yon para sa kanilang spring water pools. Kaso hindi siya makaa-attend dahil may conflict sa schedule niya. He asked me if I can come in his stead and bring some friends with me."

"Friends, huh?" pabulong na ulit niya.

"He sent me four tickets. I thought of inviting you, Lorelei and Jamie to come with me. Kayo kasi ang pinaka-close sa akin. We might as well consider this opportunity to have some quality time. What do you think?"

Muling ibinaba ni Loki ang kanyang phone at nagbato sa akin ng kunot-noong tingin. "Are you serious about this invitation?"

Tumango ako. I couldn't see any reason why I shouldn't be.

"You do know that if you invite us to come with you, something might happen," pagpapatuloy ni Loki. "Something tragic. Someone might drown while enjoying the spring water pool. Someone might get poisoned while eating his favorite lunch."

"I thought you don't believe in curses?" may kaunting pang-aasar kong tanong.

"I don't see this as a curse, but a trick played by fate," tugon niya.

Loki is not a fan of superstitions. He doesn't believe in the paranormal. Gaya ng insidente sa "The Haunt of Bascoville" case, hindi siya naniwalang may sumpa sa mga biktima. Pinagsuspetyahan niyang gawa-gawa ito ng isang creative na suspek. It turned out that he was right.

Nakukuha ko naman kung saan siya nanggagaling. Lagi kasing may nangyayaring 'di maganda kahit saan kami magpunta. Parang may sumpa sa amin. If I were a superstitious man, it would be much safer if I stay at home instead of going outside.

Kung ako ang tatanungin, ginagamit niyang excuse ang "sumpa" para 'di sumama sa amin. Sa talino niya, marami siyang maiisip na creative na palusot.

"How does Maggie describe me again?" Nagawi sa kisame ang tingin ni Loki, tila may inaalala.

"A magnet of tragedies."

Lumingon kaming dalawa kay Lorelei na galing sa kusina. She was holding a tray with two glasses of orange juice and a teacup on a saucer. Umuusok pa ang tsaa ni Loki samantalang nabalot naman ng moist ang baso ng orange juice. Maingat niyang ibinaba sa mesa ang tray.

"So Al is inviting us to go to a private park and resort tomorrow?" Mukhang narinig din ni Lorelei sa kusina ang pinag-usapan namin ni Loki. "Gaano katagal?"

"Two days and one night." Kinuha ko ang baso ng juice at dahan-dahang uminom. "Ika-twentieth anniversary ng resort bukas. There might be surprises waiting for us there."

"Sakto, holiday sa Monday kaya masusulit natin ang ating stay roon." Bumalik sa kanyang upuan si Lorelei at itinabi muna sa gilid ang kanyang laptop. She also took her glass of orange juice and sipped from it.

"Wait, you want to go to that resort?" tanong ni Loki. He was blowing the steam off his tea. "How about your blog entries? Shouldn't you be spending the weekend and the holiday editing them? You're willing to sacrifice your productive time just to dip your feet into the water?"

"Wala naman akong deadline sa pagpo-post sa blog," sagot ni Lorelei. Ibinaba niya ang kanyang baso sa mesa. "And I agree with Al. Pwede nating i-consider ang trip na 'to bilang opportunity para magkaroon ng quality time. Jamie will surely agree to come. Have you told her yet?"

Umiling ako. "Kayo muna ang tinanong ko dahil baka busy ang isa sa inyo o kayong dalawa bukas. There's a likely chance that she will say yes, lalo na kung sasama si Loki. You know what I mean."

"Well then, I wish you three a safe trip." Kumaway sa amin si Loki. He returned his gaze to his phone as he continued sipping from his cup of tea.

"Is this about you being an alleged magnet of tragedies? Or are you just too lazy to come with us and go out there?" tanong ni Lorelei.

"Uhm... Both?" sagot ni Loki. Umayos siya ng upo at humarap sa amin. "Even if I had the energy to join you in the trip, I don't wanna spoil the fun by tempting fate to give us a case to solve."

"Look, you are not a magnet of tragedies," sabi ni Lorelei sa kanya. "If something happens during our trip in the resort, it's gonna be a coincidence. Walang kinalaman ang sumpa o paglalaro ng tadhana. You know that better than anyone—Teka! Baka ginagamit mong excuse 'yan para hindi ka sumama sa amin?"

Ngumisi si Loki. Sabi ko na nga ba. He'd rather stay in this apartment and read a book than go out there and enjoy a fun experience with us. Mahihirapan kaming i-convince siyang sumama kung wala siyang makikitang interesting para sa kanya.

But he needed to relax too. This was the perfect opportunity for him. For us.

"Come on, Loki." Lorelei leaned forward. "This is an out-of-town trip. An invitation like this doesn't come to us very often. Timing pa nga na holiday sa Lunes kaya hindi tayo magagahol sa oras. Wala namang masama kung mag-a-allot ka ng two days para dito, 'di ba?"

"I can spend those two days more productively elsewhere than going to a resort," nagmamatigas na sagot ni Loki.

"Kung 'di ka sasama, malamang 'di na rin sumama si Jamie," dagdag ni Lorelei. Bahagya siyang sumimangot at napatingin sa sahig. "Parang package deal kayong dalawa. If you don't go, she doesn't go too. Kaming dalawa na lang ni Al ang makapupunta roon. We might as well cancel the trip if there's only the two of us."

Tama siya. Malaking factor si Loki sa kung sasama ba sa amin si Jamie o hindi. While I was kinda okay na kaming dalawa lang ni Lorelei ang pumunta sa resort, mas maganda kung kasama namin sina Loki at Jamie. I intended this trip for the four of us.

"Well, Jamie has a mind of her own," may pagmuwestrang tugon ni Loki. "We can't ask her to do something she doesn't want to do. If she doesn't want to come with you to that resort, then we can do nothing about it."

Mukhang hindi namin siya madaling mako-convince gamit ang mga salita. Walang problema. May isang paraan upang mapasama namin siya. Kung ayaw niyang idaan sa pakiusapan...

"Why don't we settle this issue with a game of chess?" tanong ko sabay tingin sa chessboard na nasa ilalim ng mesa. "The name of the park and resort is The Royal Chessmen. Hindi ba fitting kung idadaan natin sa boardgame na 'to ang desisyon mo?"

Ilang segundong tumitig sa akin si Loki, mukhang pinag-iisipan kung kakagat ba siya sa pain ko. "I don't mind playing this game to pass the time. Very well. If you win, I'll come with you. If I win, you'll give up convincing me to join you son this trip."

"Deal," nakangiti kong sagot. Iniabot ko ang aking kamay sa kanya. I wanted this to be a game between gentlemen. Kung ano ang napag-usapan, 'yon ang igagalang ng mananalo at matatalo. Bawal tumalikod sa napagkasunduan.

Hindi ako expert or grandmaster pagdating sa chess, pero ilang beses ko nang nalaro ito laban sa mga classmate at kaibigan ko noon. I know the basic rules. I know the basic moves. It all boils down to the strategy.

Itinabi ni Lorelei ang mga baso namin bago ko inilapag sa mesa ang chessboard. Loki took the black pieces while I took the white ones. Kahit 'di gano'n ka-familiar si Lorelei sa larong 'to, she sat in the couch and watched us move our pieces in every turn.

Dahil ako ang may hawak sa white pieces, ako ang unang tumira. Sumunod si Loki. Hindi naman blitz chess ang laro namin, pero naging mabilis ang mga galaw niya. Pagkagalaw ko pa lang sa isang piyesa, meron na siyang nakahandang move.

"Checkmate," deklara ko nang aking igalaw ang queen malapit sa king ni Loki.

Sinubukan pa niyang maghanap ng paraan upang malusutan ang checkmate. But he threw his hands up and resigned.

"I've won," nakangiting sabi ko sa kanya. I put our kings at the center of the board. Mine was on E4 while his was on D5. "You're coming with us tomorrow."

"Fine!" sagot niya sabay sandal sa couch. "You got lucky this time, Alistair."

I don't think I got lucky. Mukhang sinadya niyang hindi seryosohin ang laro namin. He was quickly moving his pieces without giving his moves any serious thought. Wala namang oras kaya walang dahilan para magmadali siya.

Naisip ko na baka gusto talaga niyang sumama, pero gusto niyang pilitin muna siya o magkaroon ng valid reason para mapilitan siyang sumama. Either way, he's coming with us.

"Let's meet at seven o'clock here, okay?" Tumayo na ako at naglakad patungo sa pinto. "Susunduin ko muna si Jamie bago ko kayo daanan. Speaking of her, kailangan ko siyang tawagan mamaya para i-confirm kung available din ba siya bukas."

"See you tomorrow, Al," paalam ni Lorelei bago niya isinara ang pinto.

q.e.d.

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