Hours ago before the tragedy...
WENDY
"MARUNONG KA ba maghiwa ng kamatis?" I asked Sophie as I put the basket of tomatoes over the table. We were tasked to prepare the tomatoes and the salted eggs—which is commonly known in Tagalog as 'itlog na pula'. Samantalang 'yung mga lalaki naman ay naatasang kumuha ng mga dahon sa puno ng saging. Mang Timmy and Mrs. Ragasa took the privilege to make our main dishes.
The table were situated outdoor for us to feel the genuine vibes of province's fresh air. The sky was cloudy at the moment and thank goodness, hindi na kami nahirapan pang maghanap ng lilim. Sa 'di-kalayuan, natatanaw namin sina Zen, Skye at Kentonni na mukhang naglalaro pa sa gitna ng mga sagingan habang may hawak na mga itak.
Sophie gave me a disbelieved look. "Seriously? Mukha ba talaga akong spoiled brat sa 'yo?"
"No — t-that's not what I mean—"
"I'll show you, then!" She grabbed a piece of tomato and a knife. "Nnnnn, 'di ako 'yung tipong apo ng bilyonaryo na uupo lang maghapon sa trono—"
"Wait, Sophie! Hindi pa nahuhugasan 'yang mga 'yan..."
"Ay? Sorry, na-excite lang."
Pagkatapos naming hugasan ang mga kamatis mula sa outdoor sink ng mansion, bumalik kami sa table at nagsimula nang maghiwa nang may pag-iingat. Medyo matalim kasi ang gamit naming kutsilyo. Marunong naman ako pero hindi lang sanay dahil sina papa at kuya ang madalas nagluluto sa bahay.
Sophie looked so adorable when doing her best to make the slices of each tomatoes good although it looked utterly obvious that she wasn't used to such chore. Talagang mai-inspire kang ayusin din ang paghihiwa mo.
"Try mo 'yung ganitong paghawak ng kutsilyo."
I tried helping her in the kindest way as far as possible without ridicule or making her feel degraded. I'm relieved that she views me as a great help rather than a cause of irritation and distraction.
"Hey, Wendy..."
"Hmm?" I was occupied with our business in these tomatoes that I didn't even nother looking at her. From my peripheral, I saw her hands stopped slicing.
"Sino sa tingin mo ang mas bagay para sa 'yo? Si Skye or si Zen?"
What the?!
Napatigil ako sa paghihiwa at gulat na nilingon siya. Her eyes were looking intently at the boys from afar.
"Sophie, wala silang gusto sa 'kin at mas lalong wala rin akong gusto sa kanila. Stop shipping me with anyone."
She frowned. "Masyado namang cliche 'yang sagot mo. Pero nnnnn, tingnan natin kung sino talaga ang may care sa 'yo.
My bewilderment increased as my mouth slightly opened, unable to convey the words I wanted to spill. Ano ba'ng pinagsasabi niya?
Her hands formed the letter O around her mouth and shouted. "Guys! Nasugatan si Wendy ng kutsilyo habang naghihiwa!"
Wait, what?! That's far from truth! I nudged her but it was futile because the boys already heard it. What the hell is she thinking?!
Napahinto si Kentonni sa pagtatabas ng dahon at napatingin sa direksyon namin. Skye was about to come closer to us but Zen stopped him by grabbing his arm.
"Do we really look like some kind of doctors here or something?! Hayaan mo 'yan! 'Di siya mamamatay d'yan!" Zen shouted.
What he said was true. Hindi ko alam kung anong klaseng hangin ang pumasok sa ulo ni Sophie at naisip niyang isigaw 'yon.
BINABASA MO ANG
The Phantom Detective ✓
Misteri / ThrillerHave you ever met a highschool detective that doesn't show himself in the crime scene? People around here called him the Phantom Detective. After discovering the phantom detective's identity, Wendy has started extraordinary adventures in a world fi...
