Chapter 13: Cooler and The Dangerous Treasure Hunt

It's our second day at the island at bukas ay babalik na naman kami sa Bridle. Matapos naming magbreakfast ay nagpahinga muna kami sa resthouse. Nagbabasa ako ng mga posters at flyers na nakuha ko kahapon mula sa Summer Island. Ayon doon, may mga adventure rides sa isla at pwede ring mag-snorkling but that wasn't the one that caught my attention. It was the treasure hunting adventure.

I told Gray about the adventures but he just gave me an irritating look. Gray don't want to be there but I persuaded him with the poster that I've got.

Find the treasure!

Join the treasure hunt and find the treasure at Tickle Island!

For more information, visit the Tourism Division of Summer Island or call 283-xxzx/ 09xxxxxxxxx.

Tickle Island was the nearby island. Matatanaw iyon mula sa AB private Island at Summer Island, ang tourist island na pinuntahan namin. Ayon sa poster, kailangan lamang ay magparegister sa Tourism Division ng Summer Island upang makakuha ng Map at Clues. I don't know if it's true na may treasure talaga doon.

"Sige na Gray, sali na tayo," pagpupumilit ko. Nasa duyan siya habang nagpapahangin. Nakasummer shorts lang ito at nakashades. Wala itong suot na sando, and it's making me uncomfortable.

"Ayoko," he said. I can't tell kung sa akin ba siya nakatingin. Itim kasi ang shades niya.

"May treasure daw oh at gusto ko ring pumunta sa Tickle Island," hinarap ko sa kanya ang poster.

"They made it for the kids, and it's not like pupunta tayo sa Tickle Island. Ang gagawin lang naman ng mga sasali ay sasagutin ang mga hints na ibibigay nila. They'll be giving the maps of Tickle but we're not allowed to go there dahil delikado daw doon. And it's just their way to earn. I've already saw that poster kahapon pa lang," he said.

Kainis naman oh! Eh ano ngayon kung pambata lang iyon? It won't kill to try right? Inalog ko ang duyan. "Kahit na! Gusto ko pa ring subukan!"

"Stop it! Kung gusto mong pumunta, edi pumunta ka," tinukod niya ang paa upang matigil ang pag-alog.

"Stupid! Don't expect me to drive that boat kaya dalhin mo ako doon!," I demanded.

Tinanggal niya ang suot na shades at hinarap ako. "Since when did I become your driver?"

Inignora ko siya at pumasok sa resthouse. "Magbibihis na ako. Prepare the boat." I heard him cussed ngunit tumayo naman ito mula sa duyan. Great, napasunod ko ito. Pumasok na ako sa loob at nagbihis. Paglabas ko ay nasa bangka si Gray.

"Hali ka na mahal na prinsesa," wika niya. I can hear sarcasm in his voice ngunit tinawanan ko lang iyon. Natatawa ako sa busangot na mukha nito.

"Why are you wearing a backpack? Magca-camping ka ba?" tanong niya habang binubuhay ang makina.

I rolled my eyes at him. "Don't be exaggerated. Ang liit lang nitong back pack ko."

"Ano ba ang laman niyan?" tanong niya habang pinapaandar ang bangka.

"Paraphernalia," wika ko at ngumiti. I brought some things na sa tingin ko magagamit ko. I have something in mind. I want this treasure hunt to be exciting.

Tila nabasa ni Gray ang iniisip ko. "Don't do anything stupid Amber," he warned but I just ignored him.

"I'm not going to do anything stupid. I just want adventure," wika ko. I saw his face crumpled ngunit hindi na ito nagsalita. Dumating na kami sa may baybayin ng Summer Island kaya bumaba na ako.

"Thank you. I'm going to the Tourism Division," wika ko at tumakbo na palayo. Since Gray doesn't want to join, ako na lang mag-isa. Nagpunta ako sa Tourism Division at nagparegister. They gave me a map at isang malaking papel na tila poster. It was a bigger map ngunit may mga riddles doon at mga number.

Binigyan ako ng receptionist ng isang booklet. "That's the Tickle Island treasure History maam."

Nagpasalamat naman ako dito at binuksan ang booklet at sinimulan iyong basahin. Ayon sa booklet, Tickle Island was connected to Summer Island at maging sa AB private island bago pa man ito nabili ni Sir Arman but due to some phenomenon that causes landslide ay lumubog ang mga islang dumudugtong dito making it three different islands. 105 years ago, the island used to be the habitat of a rich man from Russia named Gregori. He eloped with his wife Vladlena who was not approved by his family and they lived in a cave in that island. Ang kwebang iyon ay nasa Tickle Island ngayon.

Gregori was a very rich man. He was a crafter of gold and gems. Gumagawa ito ng mga crafts and adorned it with pure gems and diamonds. He delivered those crafts to different places in exchange of foods or anything na magagamit nila ng asawa niya in survival of that island. He was about to deliver his crafts ngunit lumubog ang mga isla kung saan naroon ang kweba. In the cave was his wife and everything he has. Nabuo ang tatlong isla at nang hanapin ni Gregori ang kweba ay wala na ito. He waited for days, months and even years ngunit hindi na niya natagpuan ang kanyang asawa. Then Gregori became mad and loses his sanity hanggang sa namatay siya doon. His wife's body and his treasures were never found kaya marahil ay nasa lumubog na isla lang iyon. Ayon pa sa booklet, may kweba sa Tickle Island ngunit that cave contains too much dangerous gases na kapag nalanghap ay nakakamatay, making the cave an offlimits.

Treasure hunting was just a way to keep kids busy ngunit maari rin namang sumali ang mga matatanda. Tiningnan ko ang malaking mapa na may riddles. May mga riddles doon at may anim na boxes doon na may numbers. Ilalagay daw doon ang naipon na cards to reveal the location of the treasure. Tama si Gray. It's not like pupunta ang treasure hunter sa Tickle. Nasa mapa lang pala ang lahat ng gagawin. And those places for the clues ay nasa Summer island lang.

Frustrated na inilapag ko ang booklet. Tsk! Excited pa naman ako na hanapin ang treasure. Lumabas ako ng tourism division at naghanap ng stall na nagtitinda ng malalamig na inumin. I ordered Buko juice at inilapag ang map at booklet sa mesa.

"You're joining the treasure hunt?"

Napalingon ako sa nagsalita. "Hey Cooler!"

Ngumiti siya sa akin. "Hi Amber, do you mind if I join you on your table?"

"No, not at all."

Naupo naman ito at umorder ng maiinom. "Hayy! Matagal akong gumising kanina dahil nasobrahan yata ako sa nainom ko kagabi." Oo nga pala. Sila nga pala ni Detective Tross ang kainuman ni Gray kagabi.

"How's Gray? Mukhang lasing na lasing yun kagabi," tanong ni Cooler.

"He's fine. I think he went back to AB Island upang magpahinga doon. Mukhang may hangover pa yun," sagot ko dito.

Kinuha ni Cooler ang mapa na nakalagay sa mesa. "These stuff are for the kids." I rolled my eyes at him. Nasabihan na ako ni Gray ng ganoon and now here goes Cooler.

Sasagutin ko na sana siya ng namataan ko ang isang babae sa mesa. I guess she was on her late 20s. Malungkot ito habang nakatingin sa malaking mapa. Wait, it's the Tickle Island Treasure Hunt map. Bakit kaya siya umiiyak? And what's with the map? Tumayo ako lumapit sa kanya. Sumunod naman si Cooler sa akin.

"Excuse me Miss. Bakit po kayo umiiyak?" tanong ko ng makalapit ako sa babae.

Pinunasan naman niya ang mga luha. "Wala, may iniisip lang ako."

"Sigurado po ba kayo? Baka may maitutulong po kami," wika naman ni Cooler. Napatingin naman ang babae sa amin. Her eyes widened ng makita ako.

"Hey, if I'm not mistaken, you were one of those high school student who helped in solving the case last night," wika niya sa akin. Nahihiyang ngumiti naman ako dito bago tumango.

"Ako po si Amber." She held my hand at muling umiyak.

"I'm Dominique. Amber, I need your help," wika niya.

"Kung makakatulong po ako, ano po bang nangyari?" tanong ko sa kanya.

Tumingin siya kay Cooler. "You're also that high school guy last night?"

Umiling si Cooler. "Hindi po. But I could help if I can. I'm Cooler."

"Ah, si Gray po yun. Nagpapahinga po yun sa resthouse na ginagamit namin ngayon," paliwanag ko sa babae.

Tumango naman ito. " Ah ganoon ba? Please have a seat," wika niya sa amin at naupo naman kami ni Cooler.

"Maari niyo po bang ikwento sa amin kung bakit kayo malungkot habang nakatingin dito sa mapa ng Tickle Island?" panimula ko.

"My daughter has been kidnapped," wika niya na ikinagulat naming dalawa ni Cooler.

"What? Bakit hindi niyo po ireport sa pulis ang nangyari?" suhestiyon ni Cooler.

Maluha-luhang umiling ang babae."I can't. The kidnapper threatened to kill my daughter kapag nalaman ito ng mga pulis. And my husband is not here to help me kaya kailangan ko ang tulong mo Amber."

"Ngunit bakit po kinidnap ang anak niyo? Did the kidnappers ask for any ransom?" tanong ko sa kanya.

"Yes. They asked for the figurine that is handed down to my family from generations," wika niya. A figurine? A figurine for a ransom? Napansin marahil ni Miss Dominique ang reaksyon naming kaya agad siyang nagpaliwanag. "Hindi iyon ordinaryong figurine. It's embedded with diamond. Look at this," may kinuha siya sa loob ng bag niya na isang kumikinang figurine.

At tama nga siya, it wasn't just an ordinary figurine. It was adorned with precious stones and diamonds. It contains different gems.

"Wow, it's so beautiful and full of gems. Are these real?" tanong ni Cooler.

"Who knows? I never had it appraised since it's our family's treasure," sagot ni Miss Dominique. "You can open it."

Binuksan ni Cooler ang figurine aymay isang singsing sa loob. "Bakit isa lang ang narito na singsing?" I asked. There were two slots there.

"The other one ay suot-suot ng anak ko sa leeg niya," she said at yumuko. 'That figurine is handed down on our generation. It was from my great grandmother kaya hindi ko maaring ibigay lang iyon, but they got my daughter at hindi ko na alam ang gagawin ko," she said and started crying. Tinago na niya ang figurine sa loob ng shoulder bag niya.

"Why are you staring at the Tickle Map? Doon ba nila dinala ang anak mo?" tanong ko sa kanya.

"Oo. They told me to answer these riddles upang matunton ko ang anak ko," wika niya at pinakita sa akin ang mapa. "Please help me."

"What's the name of your daughter?" tanong ni Cooler at nagulat ang babae.

It's M-Monique," she said at umiwas ng tingin. Tinitigan ko lang siya. I was wondering though. Tiningnan ko ang mga riddles. Tatlo lang ang naroon na riddles at may mga numero roon. What was that supposed to mean? Oh, kung nandito lang sana si Gray. No! I can do this kahit wala si Gray. At isa pa marahil nagpapahinga iyon dahil may hangover pa.

"Have you been to Tickle Island?" tanong ko sa kanya at umiling ito.

"No. Ngayon ko lang nalaman ang tungkol sa islang iyon nang makidnap ang anak ko," sagot nito.

"Where's your husband?" tanong ni Cooler.

"N-nasa amin. Hindi kasi siya sumama sa bakasyon namin. Please, sagutin na natin ang riddles. Baka kasi may mangyari pa sa anak ko," pag-iwas niya sa mga tanong namin.

"I'll try solving this," wika ko at kinuha ang marker na kasama ng mga mapa.

I am a small lightless place of health opportunity for people everywhere.

"Ano naman ang ibig sabihin niyan? Is it a riddle?" tanong ni Cooler na binasa din pala ang riddle.

"Kanina ko pa yan iniisip but I can't figure it out," Miss Dominique said. "I thought this treasure hunt is for the kids ngunit mukhang mahirap yata ang pagkakagawa nila sa mga riddles."

Patuloy ko lang na tiningnan iyon. Small lightless place? Alin ba sa bahagi ng Summer Island may maliit na lightless na lugar? At Health Opportunity for People Everywhere? Mukhang narinig ko na iyon noon.

"You have something in mind Amber?" tanong ni Cooler.

Tumango ako. "Yeah. I guess this refers to the Grotto of Hope. Grottos are artificial cave and caves are usually lightless places. HOPE is a known abbreviation of Health Opportunity for People Everywhere. Maaring naroon ang susunod na clue. Puntahan na natin," wika ko at tumayo na upang puntahan ang Grotto of Hope. Namataan ko iyon kahapon sa tabi ng isang hotel kaya tinungo namin iyon. Sumunod naman sa akin si Cooler at Miss Dominique. Nang makarating kami roon ay may nakita akong dalawang card. Its front has a letter "e." Sa likod ng isang card ay may number 4 samantalang number 2 naman sa isa pa.

"Letter e?" Cooler said."Maybe we'll form a word out of the letters that we can collect. Let's answer the next riddle," he said at binasa ang sunod na riddle mula sa mapa. "Hey I guess this one's easier. Sa tingin ko ay alam ko kung saan ito. I think I know that place."

Sumama kami kay Cooler. He brought us in a shore na wala masyadong tao. Mabato sa bahaging iyon at may sirang barko doon. It was average size at mukhang luma.Tiningnan ko ang riddle at mukhang tama nga si Cooler.

I am a placid, serene place. People hated me for I cause pain and I am a wrecker.

It's calm there dahil hindi masyadong matao doon. Tourists refuse to be there dahil mabato at matutulis pa ang mga bato which means that it can cause pain to the tourist's foot. May barko doon na may naka-label na Consolacion. According to the informations na nakalagay sa barko, iyon ay nasira, 105 years ago. We found another two cards there at may nakasulat na letter "p" at "a" doon. At the back of P was the number 5 samantalang 6 naman sa A.

Napansin ko ang isang lalaki sa di kalayuan. Nakatingin ito sa amin at nang napansin nitong tiningnan ko siya ay umiwas ito ng tingin. Nagkunwari itong kumukuha ng litrato sa paligid. Who was that? Is he the kidnapper? Oh, maybe just a tourist. I'm just overthinking, I guess.

Binasa ko ang huling riddle.

I am a high place of serenity. They build habitats on me and I am awaken my their chirping sounds as the light covers me.

"Maybe it refers to the observatory deck. Mataas na lugar iyon at maliwanag. You can see the whole Summer Island if you look from there," suhestiyon ni Cooler kaya pumunta kami roon. It was indeed a high place ngunit wala kaming makitang cards doon.

"Geez, why is it that it's not here?" tanong ni Cooler at napaupo. Naupo na rin si Miss Dominique sa ilalim ng malaking puno.

"Mukhang hindi dito," she said at tiningnan ang mapa.

"No, it's here. Specifically there," wika ko at tinuro ang mataas na punongkahoy sa likod ni Miss Dominique. Pumunta ako doon at nagsimulang umakyat. Napatayo naman sina Cooler at Miss Dominique.

"What the hell Amber! That's a big tree! Kaya mo ba yang akyatin?" Cooler said at natawa ako habang tinalon ang kabilang sanga.

"I'm a monkey, don't worry," wika ko. Climbing trees are just a piece of cake to me. Magaan lang ako kaya nadadala ko ang katawan ko.

"Be careful," narinig kong wika ni Miss Dominique. I figure out that the riddle pertains to a tree dahil sa nakasulat sa riddle. It says they build there habitats on me and I am awaken by their chirping sound. Birds built nest on trees and bird chirps. Direkta ding nasisikatan ng araw ang punongkahoy and it was the tallest tree kaya marahil ay iyon ang tinuturo ng riddle. I found two cards there at nadismaya ako nang makita iyon. It wasn't letters from the alphabet gaya ng mga nauna, sa halip ay ibang character iyon at hindi ko alam kong anong character iyon. Nang matantya ko na kaya ko na ang layo ng lupa ay tumalon na ako.

"Hell Amber! You're making me feel nervous, paano kong hindi maganda ang bagsak mo?" nag-aalalang wika ni Cooler.

I rolled my eyes at him. "I told you I'm a monkey."

"Tsk! At akala ko ba pang bata tong treasure hunt na ito? There's no way kids can climb that tree," wika niya.

Lumapit si Miss Dominique sa amin. "Have you seen the cards there?"

Tumango ako. "Yes but I don't know what does it mean. They're not from the english alphabet."

Ipinakita ko sa kanila ang dalawang cards. One card has the character "п" at 1 ang nasa likod nito. Sa isang card naman ay "щ" at 3 ang nasa likod nito.

Kinuha ni Cooler ang isang card. "What's this? Is this the mathematical constant pi with the value 3.14159625?" tanong niya. Yeah it looks like pi ngunit I have a feeling that it does not pertains to pi.

"No. They are letters from Cyrillic script. This one is derived from greek letter Pi, and it has the sound of P," Miss Dominique said at kinuha ang card na may number 1 sa likod.

Inilapag niya ang malaking mapa at inilagay ang card sa may nakapwesto na number 1. Inilagay ko naman ang e na may number 2 sa likod. The next character was the queer one na mukhang W.

"What letter is that?" tanong ni Cooler.

"It's Shcha, another Cyrillic letter. In Russian , it represents the voiceless alveolo-palatal fricative and it has the sound 'sh' but the longer one," wika ni Miss Dominique. She has lot knowledge on Russian and Cyrillic script. Inilagay ko na ang lahat ng letters doon ayon sa pagkasunod-sunod. It was formed as "пещера."

"All these are letters from Cyrillic script. The e has the sound e like the one we used in english alphabet, it was derived from the greek epsilon. The a has the a derived from greek alpha. The p has the sound Er, just like the Rho in greek. So if we read this, it's pronounced as "peshchera." It's a russian word which means Cave," Miss Dominique said. I stared at her, ngunit nabaling ang atensyon ko kay Cooler nang magsalita ito.

"Then it means that they keep your daughter in a cave in Tickle Island. Let's go to that Island. We can rent a boat na gagamitin natin," he said at sumunod na kami sa kanya.

Muli kong namataan ang lalaki. It's not a coincidence na nandito rin siya. Is he following us? Nakakakuha na kami ng bangka kaya pumunta na kami ng Tickle Island. Delikado roon ayon sa booklet but we have to go there. Nang makarating kami sa isla ay nakita na namin ang kweba.

"There are dangerous gases here ngunit maaring nawala na iyon ngayon," wika ni Miss Dominique. Nagsimula na siyang maglakad at sumunod naman si Cooler samantalang nakatayo lang ako sa harap ng kweba.

"Hali ka na Amber," tawag ni Cooler. Napahinto naman si Miss Dominique at lumingon sa akin.

"Bago po tayo pumasok, can you please clarify some things to me Miss Dominique?" tanong ko na ikinagulat nito. Maging si Cooler ay nagulat.

"Anong ibig mong sabihin?" takang tanong nito.

"You've been lying to us. You're not married and you don't have a daughter that was kidnapped," wika ko. "You don't have a ring on your finger that proves that you are married since you've mentioned that you have a husband. At alam ko rin na wala kang anak, you're hesitant to answer when Cooler asked you about the name of your daughter, it seems that nag-isip ka pa ng pangalan," wika ko sa kanya.

"Yeah, and you said that you've never been in this place but when we reach this cave, you know that there are dangerous gases there at sinabi mo pa na marahil ay wala na iyon ngayon, it means that you've been there," wika naman ni Cooler. So he did notice the inconsistencies of Miss Dominique too?

Napayuko naman si Miss Dominque. "Yes, I'm not married and I don't have a daughter na kinidnap. I've been in this island too. But the rest of my story is true at ang rason na nagpatulong ako sa inyo ay upang mahanap ang isa pang singsing na nasa loob ng figurine. Pasensya na kung nagkunwari pa ako at nagpatulong sa pagsagot sa riddles. Nahihiha kasi akong sabihin sa inyo ang tunay na rason."

"You are the great grand daughter of Vladlena, right? The wife of Gregori, the Russian crafter who used to live in this island," wika ko sa kanya.

"Yes. The truth is my great grandmother survived when the island was destroyed. Nakaligtas siya kasama ang figurine na naglalaman ng singsing but she lost her memory. My great grandfather saw him ay inalagaan siya. Nalaman nila na Vladlena ang pangalan niya dahil sa singsing na may nakaengrave na pangalan niya. They got married despite Vladlena's memory loss and she was 76 years old nang bumalik ang alaala niya. She remembered what happen that time and how she escaped the cave habang dala-dala itong figurine. She remembered Gregori. It was his last delivery of crafts since magpapakasal na sila and they will leave that island. Ngunit nasira na ang isla and all she have to do is save herself, kaya kinuha niya ang figurine na naglalaman ng singsing nila para sa kasal but she tripped and lost the other ring. She don't have time to retrieve it dahil unti-unti ng lumulubog ang isla. She was already bedridden nang bumalik ang kanyang alaala. She asked my grandmother to find the other ring dahil baka nasa kweba pa iyon but they failed to find it. Lalo na nang magkaroon ng mga delikadong gas sa loob ng kweba. And now I'm trying to retrieve that ring," kwento niya. "I'm sorry for lying. Kaya ko lang nagawa iyon ay dahil baka walang maniwala sa akin na descendant ako ni Vladlena." Nagsimula na naman siyang umiyak.

"Naiintindihan kita Miss Dominique," wika ko.

"Thanks," she said at pinunasan ang mga luha. By the way, how did you know that I am a great granddaughter of Vladlena?" tanong niya.

"Just a guess," sagot ko sa kanya. "You're good in Cyrillic script too."

"You're amazing Amber," wika ni Cooler at tiningnan ko siya ng masama.

"I'm sure you've noticed it too," wika ko kanya. He shrugged his shoulder.

"Yeah, alam kong hindi siya purong pilipino but I never know who are that Vladlena and Gregori," sagot nito.

"Well I just read it in the treasure hunt's booklet," wika ko at pumasok na sa kweba. "Let's go inside." Sumunod naman sila. Hindi pa malayo-layo ang nilakad namin nang magsalita si Miss Dominique.

"But Amber, dead end na ang dulo kweba," she said. "That's what my grandmother said. Hindi niya makita ang kweba kung saan dati nakatira sina Gregori."

Nagpatuloy lang ako sa paglalakad at tama nga siya, it was dead end. Tinapik ko naman ang mga dingding ng kweba. Maybe there are other ways.

"What are you doing?" tanong ni Cooler.

"Checking if there are other entrances," wika ko. "Can you get a large stone and slam it here?"

Tumango si Cooler at kumuha ng malaking bato. It was so big at hindi na niya iyon maihampas sa dingding.

"This is too heavy, maybe I should find another," wika niya at inihagis pababa ang bato. It created a great impact on the ground at nagsimulang magka-crack iyon.

"What the hell!," I scream nang lumaki ang tipak sa sahig at unti-unting gumuho ang lupa.

"Run Amber!," Miss Dominique exclaimed but it was too late. Gumuho ang lupa at nahulog ako kasama iyon. Napasigaw ako nang mahulog ako at tumama ang pang-upo ko sa lupa.

Wait, lupa? I thought I'm going to crash down the sea. Napalingon ako sa paligid, it was too dim there.

"Ambeeer! Are you fine there?" narinig kong sigaw ni Cooler mula sa taas kung saan ako galing bago bumagsak.

"Yeah, I thought I will fall in the sea but I'm not," sigaw ko rin. Kinuha ko ang backpack. I brought a flashlight at agad kong ginamit iyon.

"I guess my paraphernalia comes in handy," I told myself. Itinapat ko ang flashlight sa paligid and I was amazed. I guess it's where Gregori and Vladlena used to stay. May mga gamit doon like the one that Miss Dominique had. May mga egg craft din doon and knitted rugs. Nakakalat doon ang gamit na paggawa ng mga wooden crafts. There were stained glasses there too.

"Amber, were going to find something that can pull you up," narinig kong sigaw muli ni Cooler.

"Don't bother. I have rope here. Miss Dominique I found the cave where they stayed. Hahanapin ko muna ang singsing!," I shouted and I heard her said thank you. Mabuti na lang talaga at naisipan kong dalhin ang lubid na nakita ko sa resthouse.

Maliit lang ang espasyo doon, marahil ay nasira rin iyon dati. There were russian carvings on the wall. The woods used in creating the wooden dolls are crumbling too, marahil dahil sa katagalan. I saw the ring and it was stuck on the ground. Hindi ko iyon makuha gamit ang kamay ko lang kaya inilabas ko ang alambre na nasa bag ko. Mukhang makakatulong nga talaga ang mga gamit na nakita ko sa resthouse ni Sir Arman. I tried getting the ring using the copper wire ngunit hindi iyon makuha. I guess I have to break the ground. Kinuha ko ang matulis na bagay roon. Mukhang palakol iyon. I started hitting the ground at nang matipak iyon ay kinuha ko ang singsing. It was engraved with the name Gregori. Great, this is the real treasure hunt. The treasure is for Miss Dominique.

"I found the ring. Ihahagis ko sa inyo ang lubid, please pull me up," wika ko at inihagis ang lubid.

"Got it. Hahanap muna ako ng maaring talian nito," I heard Miss Dominique said.

Habang naghihintay ay inilibot ko pa ang kabuoan doon. I believe Gregori and Vladlena are living there happily until that tragedy happened. May narinig akong tunog na tila lobo na naglalabas ng hangin. What was that? Itinapat ko ang flashlight sa sahig. Shit! Gas!

"Cooler, pull me up immediately! The gases are leaking here!," sigaw ko. Inilagay ko sa bulsa ang singsing upang hindi iyon mahulog.

Nakita ko ibinaba ni Cooler ang lubid. "Take a tight grip!," Cooler shouted at nagsimula na akong hilahin pataas. They successfully pulled me up. "You're a girl scout. May dala ka palang flasghight at lubid?" tanong ni Cooler nang maayos akong nakalabas doon. Lumayo na kami doon dahil baka muling gumuho ang ilan pang bahagi ng sahig. We walked towards the entrance.

"I'm looking forward for an adventure and I never know that I would really be using them," nakangiting wika ko. Inilabas ko ang singsing mula sa bulsa ko at ibinigay iyon kay Miss Dominique. "Here. Maari mo nang ilagay iyan sa loob ng figurine. It symbolizes their love. Sayang at hindi mo nakita ang kweba sa baba," wika ko.

Kinuha niya ang singsing at inilagay iyon sa lalagyan. "Maraming salamat Amber. You're an angel. Kaya pala hindi namin makita kung saan ang kweba dahil nasa ilalim pala ito. Maybe it shrunk when the island was destroyed. Nagkaroon ng landslide which closes the entrance at gumuho ang kweba, making it under the ground."

"Maybe you should thank Cooler. He's the one who broke the ground," wika ko at mahinang sinuntok si Cooler sa may tiyan.

"Aww! Para saan iyon?" natatawang tanong niya.

"That's for my butt! Ang taas kaya ng binagsakan ko!," wika ko at natawa ito bago humingi ng paumanhin.

"Let's go back to Summer Island. Mukhang uulan," Miss Dominique said nang nasa bunganga ng kweba na kami.

May narinig kong baril na ikinasa and I saw someone pointing a gun at Miss Dominique. It was the guy that was following us! Sinasabi ko na nga bang may masama talaga itong intensyon!

"Sino ka?" tanong ni Miss Dominique at umatras.

"Narinig ko lang kayong nag-uusap at nakita ko ang dala ninyong figurine. Akin na iyon kung gusto niyo pang mabuhay!," he demanded. Muling napaatras si Miss Dominique.

Humakbang naman ako sa harap niya. "No. At bakit naman namin ibibigay sayo iyon?" I sounded so brave ngunit nanginginig na ako sa takot dahil sa baril.

Tumawa lang lalaki."Kung hindi dahil sayo ay hindi masosolve ang mga riddles. At ikaw din ang naghanap sa singsing, magaling. Kaya lang ay pasasabugin ko yang utak mo kapag hindi ninyo ibibigay ang hinihingi ko," he said.

"Sorry ngunit hindi ako mapagbigay na tao," wika ko. Sinipa ko ang kamay niya na may hawak na baril. Tumilapon iyon palabas ng kweba.

"Run!," wika ko kina Cooler at Miss Dominique. Bago pa sila makatakbo ay may pumutok na baril. Napalingon ako sa lalaki, he was holding another gun.

"Hindi lang ikaw ang laging handa, may isa pa akong baril kaya kapag susubukan niyong tumakbo ay sasabog yang bungo ninyo. Akin na!"

"Hindi iyon para sayo kaya hindi namin iyon ibibigay!," wika ko and he was so angry.

"Shut up!," sigaw niya sa akin. I was about to kick him again ngunit nakarinig ako ng putok. I found myself lying on the ground ngunit wala akong maramdamang tama sa katawan ngunit nang tingnan ko ang kamay ko ay may dugo.

Saka ko lang natanto na itinulak ako ni Cooler kaya ako natumba while he was the one being shot! Nasa tabi ko siya at dumudugo ang braso niya. Shit!

"Cooler! Why did you do that?!," galit na wika ko. He saved me ngunit ito ang nabaril.

"Daplis lang ito, malayo sa bituka. You don't have to cry Amber," wika ni Cooler. Hinawakan ko naman ang pisngi ko. Hindi ko namalayan na umiiyak na pala ako.

Itinapat ng lalaki sa akin ang baril at tumingin kay Miss Dominique. "Akin na ang hinihingi ko dahil kung hindi ay mamamatay kayong tatlo," wika nito.

"Don't give it to him Miss Dominique!," I shouted. Nanginginig naman na inilabas ni Miss Dominique sa bag ang hinihingi nito.

"I have no choice Amber kaysa mapahamak tayo," naiiyak niyang wika.

"Huwag!," I shouted.

"Tumahimik ka! Akin na yan, bilisan mo," he said. "Put it on the ground at lumayo ka."

Inilapag naman iyon ni Miss Dominique at umatras. The guy smiled evily at kinasa ang baril. He pointed it to me. "Well, mukhang dito na talaga kayong tatlo mananatili," he said.

What the hell! He will really kill us even if we give him the figurine and the rings! Napapikit ako nang makarinig ako ng putok ng baril. I heard a gun dropped on the ground kaya napamulat ako. I saw the bad guy's hand bleeding.

"Anak ng! Sino yun?!," galit na wika nito habang tinitingnan ang duguang kamay. Napaluhod ito sa sakit.

"Sorry. May napulot kasi akong baril dito and I want to try my marksmanship. Mukhang ayos naman," I heard a voice coming from the cave's entrance said. It was Gray! Perfect timing again, huh?

Lumapit si Gray sa amin at nang makita ang isa pang baril ay pinulot niya iyon. "How coward. You have two guns." Pinulot naman niya ang figurine. "So you're after this?" He examined it closely. "This is surely wonderful."

"Sino ka ba? Kung gusto mo ay hatian natin iyan. Napakalaking pera niyan!," the guy said.

"Paghatian? It doesn't belongs to you kaya paano natin yan paghahatian?" he handed the thing to Miss Dominique. "I believe this is yours madame."

Tinanggap iyon ng huli. "Salamat."

Muling bumaling si Gray sa lalaki. "At kung iniisip mo na malaking pera iyan, are you sure? Those diamonds are fake. You will know if you breathe through it. Magmo-moist iyon but if it's a real diamond ay agad iyong mawawala, but in that figurine, it doesn't."

"It's made of stained glass," wika ko.

"Sino ka ba talaga!?" galit na tanong ng lalaki kay Gray.

Tumingin naman si Gray sa akin. "Sinusundo ko lang ang mahal na prinsesa. Matapos ko kasi siyang ihatid sa kabilang isla ay hindi ko na siya makita and I have a feeling that she's here kaya ako nagpunta rito. Lagot ka, pinaiyak mo ang mahal na prinsesa?" tanong ni Gray nang makita na umiiyak ako. I always panic with guns kaya naluha ako lalo na nang mabaril si Cooler. "At binaril mo pa ang kanyang kabayo? That's bad," Gray added.

Kabayo? Is he referring to Cooler? Tsk, mainit talaga ang dugo nito kay Cooler. I saw Cooler's face wrinkled when Gray called him a horse.

"Sorry but I have to do this," wika ni Gray bago sinuntok ang sikmura ng lalaki. "Okay, this way we can bring him to the other island peacefully."

Kinuha niya ang lubid at tinali ang lalaki. Pagkatapos ay bumaling siya sa amin. "Hali na kayo sa bangka, can you walk properly?" tanong niya kay Cooler.

"Yeah, braso ko ang tinamaan, not my leg. Mabuti na lang at braso ang nasugatan sa akin dahil kung hindi ay malamang sinuntok na kita for calling me a horse," Cooler said at tumayo.

"Ikaw mahal na prinsesa? Ayos ka lang ba?" tanong niya sa akin.

"Yeah, I'm still breathing. You're always on the perfect timing," sagot ko sa kanya.

"I told you not to do anything stupid. Mukhang hindi ka na naman nakinig sa akin," he said at binuhat ang lalaki. "Damn! This guy's too heavy." Nang makasakay na kami sa bangka ay pinaandar na iyon ni Gray.

"Maraming salamat talaga sa inyo," wika ni Miss Dominique. "At maging sayo Gray. You're that smart highschool student na kasama ni Amber right? You're really something. Pasensya ka na Cooler at napahamak ka pa."

"Yeah! Why did you jump in front of me! That bullet was supposed to hit me!," wika ko.

"Stupid. Gusto mo pang sayo mapunta iyon? Oh well hindi maaring masugatan ang mahal na prinsesa," he said and laughed when he said 'mahal na prinsesa.'

What now? Nakikisabay na ito sa 'mahal na prinsesa ni Gray?' Tsk! Men! I can't understand them!

#

-ShinichiLaaaabs.