Mysterious Palace (COMPLETED)

CHAPTER 12

"I saw you last night." She said and offered Shaina her cigarette.

She picked one stick bago sinindihan ito, "Of course, you were there too."

"We're both seeking for an answer, I guess." Aniya bago ibinuga ang usok.

Tumango ang huli bago bumuntong-hininga. "I just can't understand why are they doing it."

"You mean..." Shantel asked, confused.

"Maybe. But I still give them the benefit of the doubt. Ayokong gumawa ng anumang conclusion, kahit sinasampal na sa harapan natin ang katotohanan." she sigh while sitting at the single couch in a terrace.

It's already past midnight but they can't sleep. They're still looking for Sheila since morning. Gusto niyang lagyan ng konsensya ang utak nito na puro paghihigante lang ang alam. Makakasakit siya, lalo na at nanghihinala siyang may laman na.

Shaina silence Shantel using her hands when she feel someone's presence behind the door. Nagtago sila sa gilid at tinabunan ang sarili ng makapal na kurtina.

"They found it out already." the voice is too familiar that they don't need to confirm it. "Damn those bitches, I can't wait to strangle their neck!"

Tumiim ang bagang niya habang nakatago sa likod ang hawak niyang dagger. She glance at Shantel's direction outside the window. She's sitting comfortably at the couch while playing the arrow on her hands.

"I know, but they didn't confront us," ngumisi siya dahil halata sa boses nito ang kaba. Dapat lang!

"Paano kung may nakahanda na pala silang plano? What are we gonna do?" Pagpatuloy nito at bumuntong hininga.

Naglakad ang mga ito at may binuksang pinto sa tapat niya. After they close the door, lumabas siya sa pinagtataguan at umakyat sa malaking pillar. Sira na ang pinakataas na palapag ng palasyo kaya kitang kita niya kung ano ang ginagawa ng dalawang tao sa baba.

May nakita siyang dalawang kabaong do'n at nakasarado ang isa. She have a bad feeling about this. They both open the coffin and her heart is beating fast because of worry for Sheila who's sleeping inside it.

"Did she know?" Umiling ito habang nakatingin sa dalagang nakanganga pang natulog at pawis na pawis ang mukha.

She glance at Shantel who was about to leave. Kinuha niya ang maliit na bato sa gilid at binato sa direksiyon ni Shantel para kuhanin ang atensyon niya.

"Where are you going?" She whispered.

Tinuro nito ang kaliwang bahagi ng pasilyo kung saan nakita niya si Romelette na naglalakad. Tumango si Shaina at nagpatuloy sa pakikinig sa kanila.

"If she saw your face, she'll be disappointed to you." natatawang sabi nito na may halong lungkot.

Her forehead creased. Did they know that she's here? Hindi ito gagawa ng ikasama ni Sheila pero sinarado nila ang kabaong.

Naglakad sila sa isang pillar at may tiningnan doon bago may pinindot. There, she saw another door and went inside the darkness. Pagkasarado ng pinto ay kaagad siyang bumaba at tahimik na naglakad papunta sa kabaong kung nasaan si Sheila.

"Sheila," she called.

Dahan-dahan nagmulat ang mata nito pagkatapos ay naghikab. She stand up while looking at Shaina confusedly.

"P-paano mo ako nakita?" Taka niyang tanong.

She was about to answer when she remembered something, so she choose to lie. It's for their safety not to know, ayaw nilang mapahamak ang kaibigan kahit alam naman nito makipaglaban.