Chapter 38: A Date with Khael and a Murder

Detective Tross paused for a while at tiningnan ang bawat isa. Tumahimik naman ang lahat habang kinakabahang nakatingin sa kanya.

"It's you Sean."

"Sigurado ka ba dyan sa sinasabi mo Tross?", Bea asked. He smiled at tiningnan si Gray.

"We've investigated it out and we can't be wrong", wika ni Detective Tross.

"But I was the one who invited you here Tross to investigate about the veiled woman. Why would I do that if I am that veiled 'woman'?", tanong ni Sean.

"Dahil gusto mong sumuko ang dating nagpapanggap na babaeng nakabandana, tama?", wika ni Gray.

"Ibig sabihin ay dalawa sila?", Jason asked. Lahat kami ay naguguluhan sa isiniwalat ni Gray at ni Detective Tross.

"Yeah, the one that appeared two years ago is different from the one that appeared these past few days", the detective said.

"Kung gayon ay sino iyon? The one that appeared two years ago", tanong ni Kier.

"It's Mariel."

"What? How was that possible?", Bea asked. This is really complicated.

"We found out about the affair of Kier and Mariel, that's why Mariel pulled a prank to Nemie. She usually had nervous breakdown kapag natatakot. Mariel probably thought that Kier can't stand it kapag nasa ganoong estado si Nemie and Kier would choose her over Nemie." Detective Tross showed us a diary. "This is a proof of their affair. Mariel loves Kier but Kier is into Nemie kahit pa wala na ito." Napatingin ang lahat kay Kier. He was shocked with the revelations too!

"So, totoo nga na may kalaguyo ka dati, and it was Mariel?", halos hindi makapaniwalang tanong ni Jason.

"It was a night of mistake! Lasing ako noon and Mariel took advantage of that. Hindi ko alam ang mga nangyari nang gabing iyon and when I woke up, nasa kama na lang kaming dalawa! She confessed her love to me and told me to choose her instead of Nemie but I refused. Pero hanggang ngayon ay ginugulo pa rin niya ako!"

Ginawa iyon ni Mariel upang nakuha lang si Kier? Iba talaga ang nagagawa ng pag-ibig but I don't think it was love. It was an obsession. She was so obsessed with Kier to the point that she pulled a prank to a friend that caused her death.

"But how does that makes Sean the other veiled woman?", tanong ni Kier.

Gray looked at Sean at sumagot. "Yes, you intentionally invited Detective Tross to reopen the case. And the reason why he assumed the identity of that veiled woman is to make the first veiled woman turn herself.", Gray said. "You're in loved with Nemie after all."

Nakayuko lang si Sean habang tumatango. "I guess there's no use denying it. Yes, I am the other one who posed as the veiled woman. I want to reopen Nemie's case. Yes, I love Nemie that's why I'm happy that she's also happy with Kier until that incident happened. I figure out that she fell on the veranda dahil sa takot. Nakita ko ang wig at bandana na itinapon niya!"

"But why did you stabbed
Mariel?", tanong ni Jason. Kahit hindi malala ang saksak ay nakakatakot pa ring isipin na sinaksak ito ni Sean. They're friends, aren't they?

"Dahil iyon sa sinabi niya nang nagpakita ako sa kanya. Binuhay ng mga salitang iyon ang galit ko. Alam niyo ba ang sinabi niya? She said 'if this is you Nemie, I didn't regret pulling you that prank that caused your death.' That's her exact words! Kaya sino bang hindi magagalit doon? Nemie treated her like a real sister tapos ganoon ang ginawa niya?"

"Yeah, and you cut all the lines huh", lumapit si Gray sa isang malaking porcelain vase na may mga artipisyal na bulaklak. "Itinago mo rito murder weapon." Ipinasok niya ang kamay doon at nang ilabas niya ay hawak-hawak na niya ang isang kutsilyo. We all gasped when we saw it!

Ngumiti si Sean. "Paano mo nalaman?"

Gray shrugged his shoulders. "I just thought so. Pakiramdam ko kasi naiba ang ayos ng mga bulaklak."

"Hindi ko ito inaasahan, hindi ka nga ordinaryong estudyante. Paano mo naman nalaman ang tungkol sa nararamdaman ko kay Nemie?"

"Ah, tungkol diyan, nakita ni Detective Tross ang negative na puno ng larawan ni Nemie. Analog photographs are rare these days kaya marahil ay dati pa iyon. You're childhood friends after all. And about you, being the veiled woman, I saw strand of a wig hair and it corresponds to the wig I saw in your room", sagot ni Gray.

"You're a great police detective Tross, hindi ako nagkamali when I thought you'll clear this case out. Too bad, nadala ako ng galit ko kaya ko nasaksak si Mariel. I'll be turning myself to the police tomorrow. As of now, let's have dinner", wika niya. Mabuti na lang at maayos nitong isunuko ang sarili. He must be really angry with Mariel kaya niya nagawa iyon.

They were about to head to the dining area nang magsalita ako.
"But I guess there are three veiled woman", wika ko at gulat na napatingin silang lahat sa akin.

"Anong ibig mong sabihin?", tanong ni Bea.

"There are three people who assumed the identity of the veiled woman. Si Ate Mariel, pangalawa si Kuya Sean at ang pangatlo ay si Kuya Kier", wika ko at sabay-sabay silang napatingin kay Kier.

"Totoo ba Kier?", tanong ni Jason at hindi ito halos makapaniwala nang tumango si Kier. "But for what reason?"

"It's the same with Sean. I want to scare the one who pulled the prank on Nemie. Nemie's last words was about the veiled woman. When I told the police about it, they laughed at me at hindi sila naniwala sa akin. That's when I started to hate the police, including you Tross", nakayukong wika niya.

"Why did you show yourself as the veiled woman to us?", tanong ko at nagtatakang tiningnan ako ni Gray.

"You mean he was the veiled woman that we saw?", tanong ni Gray sa akin and I nodded.

"It's because I have a feeling that you will be a big help on unveiling this mystery", Kier said and smiled. "How did you figure it out?"

"About it, when I saw you as the veiled woman, something was different unlike the one that the others saw. Sa mga kwento nila, the veiled woman had a bloody face but the one we saw hasn't. Marahil ang may mga dugo sa mukha ay si Kuya Sean who has a mask", wika ko. "Remember when we knocked on your door? It's to checked whoever was wet could probably be the veiled woman that we saw by the window."

"I was happy when you and Gray started to reinvestigate the case. The reason why I opened the door for a long time was because to pretend that I was taking a bath at upang hindi ninyo alam na nabasa ako sa ulan nang magpakita ako sa inyo", Kier said.

"But how did you disappear immediately?", tanong ni Gray.

"He hang himself with a rope na itinali niya sa veranda ni Ate Bea who was sleeping that time. Then he went to his veranda na katabi ng kay Ate Bea. He walked by the wall kung saan may tubo. He stepped and hold on those upang makapunta sa veranda niya at sa veranda ni Ate Mariel. If you checked there, may mga footprints niya doon." Paliwanag ko.

"You're really smart huh. Kayo ni Gray. So as you Tross, thank you for discovering the truth behind this case. I also learned a lesson. One's irresponibility doesn't constitutes all of those who are like him. I'm sorry if I misjudged all the police including you", wika ni Kier and he apologized to Detective Tross.

The detective smiled at him. "I'm sorry too. I only solved this case after two years."

"It doesn't matter. Kung nasaan man ngayon si Nemie, I'm sure she's happy that we discovered the truth behind her death", wika ni Sean. "As of now, maghapunan na muna tayo."

***

The mystery of the veiled woman has been unveiled. Maayos na sumuko si Sean at Mariel and they didn't bear grudges with each other, sa halip ay nagkapatawaran pa ang mga ito. The very next day ay ibinalik na kami ni Detective Tross sa Bridle and we're back to being students again.

It's Monday morning at maaga akong gumising upang maghanda sa pagpasok. I didn't bother to grab some breakfast at sa halip ay uminom lamang ako ng kape.

Ah, the past days has been tiring but I enjoyed it anyways. Pagpasok ko ay binati ako ng mga kaklase ko. It can't be helped, I wasn't the old Amber that they used to know. Natutuwa na rin ako sa ganito. I feel like I'm existing, unlike before.

"Good morning Amber!", masiglang bati ni Marion sa akin. She has a lot of energy every morning. Pakiramdam ko ay narerecharge ito kapag nakikita si Gray. And speaking of Gray, he was slouching on his chair at nakabusangot ang mukha nito. Uh, did he wake up on the wrong side of the bed?

"Good morning Marion", bati ko sa kanya and I faced Gray. "What's with that face so early huh?"

Mas lalong bumusangot ang mukha nito at kumuha ng libro upang ipantakip sa mukha. "Leave me alone."

Marion chuckled on his side. "He's been like that mula nang dumating siya. Gray-chan is moody sometimes", she said at sabay kaming napalingon ni Gray sa kanya.

"Gray-chan?", sabay naming tanong sa kanya.

"Gray-chan. It's Japanese term. If you find someone cute and adorable, you put -chan on their names and since Gray is so cute and adorable, Gray-chan suits him!", masiglang wika nito. Uh, Marion is childish sometimes eh?

Oh no, she's really childish. She thinks of so many childish schemes na hindi ko iisiping ginagawa ng isang Marion Valdez-Velmon.

"Uhhh! Give me a break", Gray uttered at mas lalong isinalampak ang sarili.

Our class started at hindi na kami nag-usap pa. When it was break time ay nagtuloy ako sa cafeteria since I haven't eaten my breakfast. I bought some lasagna and coke in can at bumalik sa classroom namin. Gray was still there too.

Bumalik ako sa upuan ko and started eating. "Hindi ka ba kakain?", tanong ko sa kanya.

"Yeah", tipid nitong sagot.

"Okay ka lang ba?", tanong ko ulit.

"Yeah."

"Are you really fine?"

"Yeah."

"Are you gay?"

"Yea- uh. Shut up Amber."

May mga kaklase na rin kaming bumalik na sa classroom kaya hindi ko na siya kinausap pa. My phone beeped and when I checked it, it was a text message from an unregistered number. Who could it be? I immediately opened the message and read it.

'See yah tonight on our date Special A! *wink emoticon*

Special A? The only one who calls me such ay si Khael lamang. And he's reminding me about our date. What? Daaaaaaateeee? I totally forgot about it! He's really serious?

"Date? You have a date Amber?", tanong ng bagong dating na si Marion. Napatingin din ang mga kaklase ko sa akin.

"Huh?", nagtataka kong tanong.

"You screamed something about a date", she said. Wait, did I say it aloud? Uh! This is so embarrasing!

"Ah, it maybe the date with that Athena's handsome student!", wika ng isa kong kaklase.

"Amber! I'm so jealous! That Khael is so handsome!", wika naman ng isa pa.

"Kyaaaaaaah! I wanna be Amber!

"Amberrrr! Ang pogi nun!"

"Ang swerte ni Amber kay Khael!"

Nagulat na lang kami nang biglang tumayo si Gray. "Pwede bang hinaan ninyo ang boses ninyo? You're so noisy!", inis na wika nito at pasalampak na umupo ulit.

Tiningnan ko siya ng masama. "Hey, you're the only one who got my number, ikaw ba ang nagbigay sa kanya?"

He slouched himself more bago sumagot. "That bastard stole my phone and I gave him a good beating for it." Mahina ang boses niya kaya hindi ko siya masyadong narinig.

"Ano?", I asked. His slouching mood irks me. Hindi na siya sumagot sa halip ay isinubsob na niya ang ulo sa mesa. I didn't bother him anymore dahil mukhang wala ito sa mood na makipag-usap. Hindi nagtagal ay dumating na ang guro namin at nagsimula na ulit ang klase. The day passed with nothing much happened.

Agad akong nagpunta sa dorm at pasalampak na naupo sa kama. It's still 4:30 in the afternoon and Khael texted me na 6:30 niya ako susunduin. Yeah! That early dahil ibabalik daw niya ako bago ang curfew.

Kahit labag sa kalooban ko ay naghanda pa rin ako sa date namin ni Khael. I decided to wear a simple peach dress na hanggang tuhod. May manggas iyon ay plain cut lamang. Don't expect me to be in a long dinner gown dahil nang huli akong magsuot ng ganoon ay hindi maganda ang nangyari. I let loose my hair gaya ng lagi kong ginagawa.

"Saan ka pupunta?", tanong ni Andi na bagong dating. Ayokong sabihin na may date ako dahil panay tukso ang aabutin ko sa kanila ni Therese buy I can't find anything to cover up kaya sinabi ko na lang ang totoo.

"I'm going out with Khael", pasimple kong wika at nagulat na lang ako nang bigla itong sumigaw.

"Kyaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhh! Khael? As in Khael of Athena High?! Oh my G! Nakakainggit!", sigaw nito at pinigilan ko ang sariling batuhin ito ng sapatos.

"Andi! Ang ingay mo!", I told her at kinuha ang clutch ko. When I glanced at my wristwatch, it's 10 minutes past 6:30 at malamang nasa gate na si Khael naghihintay. Kanina pa kasi panay ang text nito, reminding me of our date. Geez! Hindi ko talaga iyon malilimutan dahil halos minu-minuto ito kung magtext and there was always that winking o kaya ay kissing emoticon.

Umayos naman si Andi, kapagkuway sumeryoso ang mukha nito. "Si Khael ang date mo pero iba ang naghihintay sayo sa baba."

Nagtataka man ay nagpaalam na ako sa kanya at tiningnan ang sinasabi nito. I saw Gray on the dormitory's entrance. He was leaning on the wall habang nakatingin sa kawalan at nilalaro sa kabilang kamay ang cellphone.

"Hey", tawag-pansin ko sa kanya at umayos ito ng tayo.

"Hey.

"Anong ginagawa mo rito?", I asked him. Mukha kasi itong may hinihintay.

"Ahh-", he looked away, "May hinihintay lang ako."

Nilampasan ko na siya. "Okay, mauna na ako sayo." Nagulat na lang ako ng hawakan niya ako sa braso. Nagtatakang tiningnan ko naman siya.

"Uh, ano kasi Amber", kinamot niya ang ulo at yumuko. "Ano... Magpapaturo ako sa math."

Is he serious? Mas magaling yata siya kesa sa akin. "Huh? You're good in math than me." Yumuko naman ito at tila balisa. What's with him? Hindi ko siya maintindihan.

"Mauna na ako", wika ko at naglakad palayo ngunit nakasunod pala ito sa akin. "Saan ka pupunta? Akala ko ba may hinihintay ka?"

Huminto naman ito at napakamot sa ulo. "Oo nga pala. Take care!", wika niya at tumakbo palayo. Akala ko ay babalik ito sa entrance ng girl's dormitory but he ran to the other way. He's acting weird.

Nang makarating ako sa entrance ay naroon na si Khael. He was smiling ear to ear. Pinagbuksan niya ako ng kotse.

"For the precious lady", he said at ngumiti. Akala ko ay ito ang magmamaneho ngunit may dala pala itong driver. He sat beside me on the back part of the car. Nang lingunin ko ito ay panay pa rin ang ngiti nito.

"Stop that", wika ko sa kanya. Nagtatakang tiningnan naman niya ako.

"What?"

"That smile. You look stupid", wika ko sa kanya and he pouted. Napansin kong may putok ang labi nito ngunit malapit na iyong maghilom. Did he fight with someone?

"I'm smiling because I'm happy Special A", wika niya. I rolled my eyes at him.

"What happened to your lower lip?", tanong ko. It was visible ngunit hindi iyon nakabawas sa kagwapohan nito.

He touched his lip at kumunot ang noo. "Ah, this? That second-rate detective caused this."

"Sino? Si Gray?"

Tumango ito. "Yeah. I snuck in his tent that night na aalis na kayo kinabukasan and got his phone para makuha ang number mo. That bastard woke up at sinuntok ako."

Really? Ito ba yung sinabi ni Gray kanina though I'm not really sure dahil hindi ko iyon masyadong narinig.

"Buti nga sayo", wika ko sa kanya. He pouted at sumandal sa upuan.

"Pati ba naman ikaw?", wika nito. Nang tingnan ko siya ay nakapikit ito. He was dazzling in his simple get up. A plain blue long sleeve polo na tinupi ang balikat and black jeans. Mahahalata talaga na galing ito sa mayamang pamilya.

"Don't stare too much Special A, baka first date pa lang mainlove ka na sa akin", wika niya. Damn! He knows that I'm staring kahit na nakapikit ito?

"Dream on."

Itinigil ng driver ang kotse sa harap ng mall. Uh, I thought we're going to a restaurant? Bumaba si Khael at pinagbuksan ako ng pinto.

"I was expecting a restaurant", wika ko sa kanya and he smiled.

"Not so fast. Ang aga pa para magdinner. We're going to play in the arcade first", he said at kumindat. Arcade huh? Sounds fun.

Naalala ko tuloy noong nag-arcade din kami ni Gray. He won every game except the basketball.

Khael bought unlicards for us. "Anong gusto mong laruin?", tanong niya sa akin.

"Basketball!"

Kumunot ang noo niya. "Are you sure?", he asked. Yeah, I want to play basketball. Tumango ako sa kanya and he smiled widely. "Okay then. I can't turn down a request from a beautiful lady. Just don't expect that you'll gonna win", he said at hinila ako papunta doon.

When we start ay nagshoot ito gamit lamang ang isang kamay. What the hell? Isang kamay lang ang ginagamit niya?! And he never missed even one ball!

"Madaya ka", I told him and pouted. Ngayon ko lang naalala na magaling pala ito sa basketball! How stupid of me! He's part of Athena's basketball varsity right?

"Paano naman ako nandaya?", he said smiling? I pushed him a little further upang mas malayo ang distansya nito.

"There. Diyan ka", I said and smiled evilly. He's good in basketball kaya hindi na unfair kung medyo malayo na siya sa ring.

After few minutes ay sumuko na ako. Kahit malayo pa ito ay mas madami itong shots kaysa sa akin. Fine, I'll concede my defeat. Looks like he's really good in basketball, unlike Gray really who sucks.

At saka bakit ko ba iniisip si Gray? He's nothing but a sulking machine the whole day. Tapos ang weird pa nito kanina! He said he's waiting for someone in the dorm, tapos bigla na lang niyang sinabi na magpapa-tutor siya, and then he just ran away.

Marami kaming nilaro ni Khael doon and I really enjoyed his company. Bolero kasi ito at mapaglaro. Not to mention na masyado itong eyecatcher. Girls were gathering around us nang naglaro kami ng basketball! And he enjoyed such attention! Gustong-gusto naman niya. Papansin talaga! Hinila niya ako papunta sa videoke machine sa gitna ng arcade.

"What? There's no way I'll be singing", deretsang tanggi ko sa kanya ng pinaupo niya ako sa harap ng videoke machine. Ayoko ngang kumanta! Nakakahiya! Kung nandoon sana kami sa mga soundproof videoke room, maaring kumanta pa ako, but here? No no no no! Magugunaw muna ang mundo.

Kinuha niya ang microphone at ang song book. "Edi ako ang kakanta", he said at kumindat. Gosh, mukhang hindi ko yata siya na-orient na ayaw na ayaw ko yung kinikindatan ako. Tusukin ko kaya ng barbe-que stick ang mata nito? Argh, wag na lang, ang gwapo pa naman niya.

"Hoy, isang kindat mo na lang, kukunin ko talaga yang mga eyeballs mo at ipapakain ko sa ibon", inis kong wika. His winking really irks me!

Tumawa ito ng mahina. At may gana pa talaga siyang tumawa? I'm getting pissed off ngunit mukhang nag-eenjoy ito kapag naiinis ako. "Special A. what do you want? I'll sing on the videoke machine or I'll play those instruments on the stage at kakanta?"

Tiningnan ko ang mini-stage na nasa gitna ng arcade. There were instruments there. Kung ano man ang gusto nito, bahala siya. But if he wants to ask for my preference..

"I think a stage performance is better", nakangiti kong wika nsa kanya. He got a chair at inilagay iyon sa harap ng stage. Then he called me to sit there at naupo naman ako.

Pumunta siya sa taas ng mini-stage at kinuha ang gitara. He started strumming it. Oh, he's actually good in it. Mahusay ang ginagawa ng kamay nito at mukhang sanay na sanay ito sa ginagawa. He started strumming A Rocket to the Moon's I do. Marami ang nandoon at nakiusyoso na rin.

Khael is really a head turner. When he started singing, I stopped for a while. He's really good in what he's doing but when he started to sing ay nais kong matawa. Wala siya sa tono!

Pero kahit na wala ito sa tono ay marami pa rin ang kinilig sa ginawa niya. Nagka-instant fan pa ito at may nag-request pa ng isa pang kanta but he refused.

It's almost 8:30pm and we haven't had our dinner yet. We went out of the mall at muli kaming sumakay sa kotse. He said he made some plans for us.

"Hey, wala ka sa tono", wika ko sa kanya. Mabuti na lang at magaling itong maggitara, hindi na masyadong napapansin na wala ito sa tono.

He laughed at me at kapagkuway pinitik ang ilong ko. "Alam ko."

Oh really? He knows that he's out of tune ngunit kumanta pa rin ito sa public? Talking about Mr. 200% Confidence Level huh.

"Hey where do you want to eat?"

"Just don't bring me in a classy five-star restaurant. They're not my type, I'm allergic to their foods at mas lalong wag mo akong dalhin sa mga seafood restaurant kung ayaw mong sa ospital ako iuwi."

"As expected", wika niya sa akin at bumaling sa driver. "Kuya Rex sa Parekoy kami", wika niya sa driver.

Parekoy? I haven't heard of a restaurant like that. Hindi nagtagal ay inihinto kami ng driver sa isang by the sea restaurant.

Their foods were not totally seafoods. Sa halip ay maari kang pumili nang kung ano mang gusto mo. It was a very romantic place at mukhang nakakatakam ang mga pagkain. Khael ordered their specialty at napakarami ng mga putaheng inorder nito.

Ano ba ang akala niya sa akin, baboy? Masyado iyong marami at mukhang hindi namin iyon kayang ubusin.

"I hate this. Tataba ako nito", wika ko nang nasa harap na namin ang mga pagkain.

"Don't worry, kahit mataba ka, you'll always be my Special A", wika niya sa akin.

I raised my fork. "Isang banat mo pa dyan at babaon sa katawan mo itong tinidor", wika ko sa kanya. Napakabolero talaga nito, palibhasa ay may itsura din naman talaga.

"I love your violence", he said and chuckled. Nagsimula na kaming kumain and the food was really great. Kahit napakarami niyon ay halos maubos iyon namin.

Matapos kumain ay nagpasalamat ako kay Khael. "The food was great. Thank you for bringing me here", wika ko sa kanya.

"No problem Special A-"

Hindi na nito natuloy ang sasabihin nang makarinig kami ng malakas na sigaw. It was on a table near us. Isang lalaki ang natumba mula sa upuan nito.

Napatayo kaming dalawa ni Khael sa upuan at agad na sumugod doon. The guy struggled for a while and then become unconscious.

"Anong nangyari?", tanong ni Khael sa tatlong kasama nito. There were two middle age man and a woman.

Ang babae ang sumagot, "Hindi namin alam. He just groaned and then he collapsed!", wika nito na natataranta.

I touched the guy's pulse but he was already dead. "Khael, he's already dead", wika ko sa kanya at yumuko naman ito upang icheck ang lalaki sa sahig.

He checked it for a while at nagsalita. "A scent of almond is emanating from his mouth. This is a case of cyanide poisoning. Tell the guard to seal the entrance. Don't let anyone get out of this establishment. Tumawag rin kayo ng pulis", puno ng autoridad nitong wika. He looks so very serious. Ang mapaglarong Khael na kasama ko kanina ay nawala. He was a very serious man pagdating sa mga detective works.

The police arrived after a while. Those were not one of the police that I've known, sa halip ay mga bagong mukha iyon but they recognized Khael. Mukhang marami talaga itong kakilalang pulis since his father has a position in the police.

The victim was Andrew Fuentes, a businessman. He was 42 years old and dining with his partners dito sa restaurant.

"Sinu-sino ang mga kasama ng biktima?", tanong ng isang pulis na tinawag ni Khael na Inspector Dave sa mga naroon. Three people stepped forward at lumapit upang magpakilala. They said that they were having dinner and discussing about their businesses since they were partners.

Una ay ang babae na sumagot kanina. Her name was Liza Pandera. She was the financial officer ng partnership na itinayo nilang apat. The second was a fat guy na nakasalamin. His name was Rudy Palmes, an accountant and the last guy was Henry Marquez, a small time business man.

"Ano ang ginagawa ninyo bago mamatay ang biktima?", tanong ni Khael sa kanila. They were reluctant to answer since he wasn't part of the police but Inspector Dave keeps on reiterating his question kaya sinasagot iyon ng mga tinatanong.

"Nasa harap niya kaming lahat. We were discussing our business since we're experiencing loss and it's hard for our business to recover so were planning on dissolving our partnership", sagot ni Rudy.

"Yes, we already have our dinner kaya pinag-uusapan na namin ang maari naming iaksyon para sa kompanya, but he just collapsed and then the next thing we know is that he's dead", halos hindi naman makapaniwalang wika ni Liza.

I went to the table where they were eating. Wala na roon ang pinagkainan nila dahil ayon sa kanila, tapos na silang kumain.

The poison couldn't be on the food. Ang tanging nasa mesa ay tatlong bagay na hinawakan ng biktima na galing sa tatlo nitong kasama.

First was a document na ayon sa kanila, those were the partnership's financial statement na dinala ng accountant na si Rudy to explain the excessive loss of the company.

The second object was a signature pen na pinahiram umano ni Henry upang magamit nito sa pagpirma and the last was a piece of wet tissue na binigay ni Liza sa kanya upang pamunas sa kamay.

Ayon sa forensics ay may poison sa kamay nito kaya nagkaroon din ng poison ang documents at ang signature pen na hinawakan nito, maliban sa tissue.

"Ibig sabihin maaring isa kina Henry at Rudy ang lumason sa biktima", Inspector Dave said. "The evidence are on those items that were checked by the forensics. The victim's hands were covered mostly with poison."

"But we didn't poison him!", wika ni Henry. Khael was observing them closely samantalang nasa gilid lang ako at matamang nakikinig.

"Don't you think that it's suicide and that Andrew tried to frame us? He said something weird back then", wika naman ni Rudy.

"What did he say?", one police asked.

This case of poisoning also puzzles me. How did the victim makes direct contact with the poison? They wasn't eating that time, right?

"He said something like it takes one's responsibility to take account of his actions, so he's gonna take account of his actions, that was his words", Liza said and I saw Khael thought hard.

Lumapit ito sa mga forensics and whispered something. Iniabot naman ng forensics sa kanya ang records, then he showed Khael the documents which are the financial statements. He stared at it for a while and a mischievous smile emerged from his lips. Looks like he got something.

Sunod nitong tiningnan ay ang mga kasama nito. He was assessing each one and then he went to the comfort room.

"Ah, I guess this is really suicide", wika ng isang police. "Those words are the evidence and the victim's hands which are covered in poison. The reason why there were traces of cyanide in the documents and pen was because the victims made contact with his hands on it."

I wasn't satisfied with his explanation though ngunit pinigilan ko na ang sariling makialam doon, besides Khael already laid his nose on it.

"Wait, Inspector, it's not over yet. This is not a case of suicide but a plain and basic murder", wika ni Khael. He was coming from the comfort room. Lumapit ito sa tatlong kasama ng biktima. "Who was beside the victim?"

The tables there where squares kaya marahil ay tig-isang tao sa isang side.

"I was across Andrew, in his left was Rudy samantalang nasa kanan naman si Liza", Henry answered.

"Then it's clear, the one who poisoned the victim is Miss Liza", simpleng wika nito na ikinagulat ng lahat. He simply said the culprit's name without hesitation? He's that sure?!

Gulat na napatayo naman ang tinuro nito. "Sino ka ba? Ano ba sa tingin mo ito, isang laro?!"

"Wait, Mik, how can you say so?", tanong ni Inspector Dave. Kahit ako ay naguguluhan sa sinasabi nito.

"I figured it out base on the data gathered by the forensics. Most of the victim's hands were covered with the poison so it comes to me that he must have wiped his hands with something that makes the poison scattered on his hands." Khael was very firm in his every word.

"But ayon sa forensics, tanging ang wet tissue ang walang bahid ng poison", Rudy asked. "How is that even possible?"

"Yeah, and besides the pack of wet wipes were new, at si Andrew pa mismo ang nagbukas niyon", Rudy added.

"About it, Miss Liza already altered the tissue na nasa mesa bago pa man siya nalason. Did she stood up to go to the comfort room while you were discussing?", tanong ni Khael.

"Yes brat! Of course at dahil iyon nagretouch ako!", galit na wika ni Liza. She's very angry dahil sa mga sinabi ni Khael.

"No, it was because you were disposing the wet wipes by flushing them in the toilet, too bad you can't flush the plastic wrapper so you threw it away in the garbage bin", wika ni Khael. I was amazed by his deductions.

"The wet wipes are here brat!", wika ni Liza at kinuha ang isang pack ng wet wipes mula sa bag.

"No, that was a similar brand that you prepared before hand. If we check that for fingerprints, for sure ay wala diyan ang fingerprints ng biktima, you said he was the one who opened it, right?", Khael said at mas lalong nanggalaiti sa galit si Liza.

"But that's not enough evidence that will identify Miss Liza as the culprit", wika ni Rudy.

"And we both saw that the pack of wet wipes were new at si Andrew pa mismo ang nagbukas", dagdag naman ni Henry.

Nagtanong din ang isang pulis. "How did the victim take the poison? Hindi na sila kumakain that time."

"It's because she didn't open the wet wipes to put poison in it. She probably injected the poison before going here and prepared a clean pack in case something like this will happen. You all know that the victim has habit like putting his hands on his mouth right? Kaya kahit hindi na kayo kumakain, it's possible that he will put his poisoned hands on his mouth", Khael smirk at them. "As of the other evidence", lumapit siya kay Miss Liza and grabbed her hands. Itinaas ni Khael ang kamay nitong may singsing.

"Ano'ng ginagawa mo?!", Liza hissed.

Napatingin naman ang lahat sa kamay ni Liza. Her finger was with a gold ring. Some parts were shiny and some where not.

"Cyanide can be used in gold gilding and buffing. That's why her ring's color is not even", he said at napayuko naman si Miss Liza.

Dumating naman ang isa sa forensic. "Inspector, we checked the tissue wrapper na nasa basurahan ng CR gaya ng sinabi ng batang ito and it's positive with the poison", wika nito. Napatingin naman ang lahat kay Liza who was surprised. Unti-unting napaupo ito at yumuko.

"I'm too careless! Maging ang isang bata ay napansin ang ebidensya. Yes, all that this brat said were true. Nilason ko nga si Andrew! He's embezzling our money that's why we suffered such loss!", mangiyak-ngiyak nitong wika.

"I know that he's embezzling. I'm the accountant after all, pero bakit mo siya pinatay Liz? We've known each other since we're young!", halos hindi makapaniwalang wika ni Rudy.

Hindi naman nakaimik si Liza, sa halip ay nakayukong umiyak lang ito. Lumapit ang mga pulis sa kanya at hinawakan siya upang igiya papunta sa nag-aabang na police car.

The case has been solved and we're allowed to leave the restaurant. It's past 10 already kaya nagmamadaling nilapitan ako ni Khael.

"Pasensya ka na Special A. I'm the worst, I abandoned you here just because of a case", wika nito na nakayuko.

"Ayos lang. Anyways, I enjoyed watching your deduction show", wika ko sa kanya and he pouted. His mood shifts again. Wala na ang Khael na masyadong seryoso, it was the Khael that I've known.

He glanced at his watch. "I'm taking you back to Bridle, I'm really sorry. Babawi na lang ako next time", wika niya at sumakay na kami ng kotse.

"Thank you Special A. I'm happy tonight, even though that case comes on our way." He sounded so serious so I just smiled at him.

"You ditched your afternoon class right? Just make sure you wouldn't missed your morning class tomorrow", paalala ko sa kanya. Malamang ay umabsent ito kanina dahil nga malayo ang Bridle sa Athena.

"Aye aye Maam", masigla niyang wika.

Hindi nagtahal ay huminto na ang kotse at nang tingnan ko ang labas ng bintana ay nasa harap na kami ng Bridle. He went out first at pinagbuksan ako ng pinto.

"Maraming salamat talaga Special A", he said and smiled. I gave him a smile too at nagpasalamat din. Kahit naman may nangyaring kaso ay nag-enjoy pa rin naman ako kasama ito.

"Shall I kiss you goodnight?", he said and he held my hand and was about to kiss my forehead when a palm held his face first. Nang lingunin ko ang pinagmulan ng kamay ay si Gray iyon.

Khael rolled his eyes at binitawan ako. "I don't know you're with your father", he said and I chuckled.

Hindi naman maipinta ang mukha ni Gray. "It's almost curfew, let's go inside. Umuwi ka na rin Alonzo."

Sinamaan niya ng tingin si Gray at hinarap ako. "Pumasok ka na Special A. Thank you for tonight."

"Maraming salamat din Khael," I tiptoed towards him and kissed him on the cheek. Parehong nanlaki ang mata nilang dalawa ni Gray. Nanigas naman si Khael at napahawak sa kanyang pisngi.

I bid goodbye to Khael at pumasok na sa gate. I saw Gray threw dagger looks at Khael but the latter just laughed bago sumakay ng kotse.

#

-ShinichiLaaaabs.