Almost Isolated

Chapter 10 - Unlikely Investigation

"If I could eat, I bet I'll love your cooking."

Neri made a face and stared at her pork chop. It was still pink on the middle but charred on the edges. "That's really nice of you. Me? I'm worried about dysentery."

"Dysen... Like diarrhea?" Robbie got her meaning and laughed.

It was Neri's first cooking attempt. It had been biscuits, instant noodles and canned tuna or beans for her during her quarantine. If not for the rice cooker, she wouldn't have rice. If not for Dianna, she wouldn't have real home meal. Nevertheless, after her fourteen-day isolation, her aunt thought, she can do the grocery on her own... and the cooking. And Neri, pampered by her mother was too timid to admit that she didn't know how to use the stove.

"You know some people eat their food raw," Robbie put in. "Sushi, a Japanese delicacy is uncooked, right? I remember having them during -"

He paused and Neri let him think. He was standing across her table in his military greenish-brown uniform, looking solid as ever. Tough and handsome as he stared at nothingness.

"I remember myself in a black suit with a silver tie..." Robbie said. "... and I was with someone. There were nice tables, like I'm in a restaurant. I see myself smiling then... just that's it."

"Like you were in a date?"

"I don't see my companion as a 'she' and I was holding a suitcase... I think."

"That is intriguing. You a businessman and a soldier of the past? And you know, only rich and important people wear a suit and a tie in those days." Neri pushed her plate of pork chop. She figured she'll open a can of pork and beans instead.

For one moment, she got worried that Robbie has a special someone. But then she told herself, 'so what?'. For the past days, Neri gathered, she'd became fond of the ghost but not to that point that she wanted him for herself. Besides, if Robbie does have someone, shouldn't she feel remorse for him and for his girl that they couldn't be together anymore? Then again, Neri will be a lot thankful if Robbie wasn't engaged or married.

"I'll have to jog my mind for that," Robbie said suddenly becoming transparent.

"Oooppss... Leaving?"

"For a couple of hours. I'll be back soon."

"To the white room?"

Robbie flashed her a sunny smile but it didn't lingered in his eyes. "Later."

Neri's ghost friend would stay with her most of the time. Since her father's death, Robbie would disappear but only for a little while, as if he knew she needed him.

Neri did need him... and she still needs him...

Robbie wasn't anything like her father or mother who could lift her spirit with wisdom. His words can be distressing and Neri found herself being more appreciative with his silence rather than encouraging him for an advice. But despite of his flaw, Neri can feel his sincerity. She knew he understood her; only he couldn't find the right words.

The ghost would usually show up again after an hour with his refreshed aura of genuine vibrancy; asking Neri what would she do next. He would let her do the talking while she do her chores. Then they would see a movie or a series on Netflix. Disappointingly, it was already dusk and Robbie hadn't returned yet.

Did something happen? Neri wondered about the white room. She'd asked Robbie once about his whereabouts whenever he disappeared; he mentioned about a foggy place where everything seemed to be white.

Heaven? She wanted to ask. But it wouldn't make sense. If the white place was indeed heaven, Robbie should already be at peace and not roaming the earth. Could he be an angel with a mission?

Neri was still thinking about the possibility when she went out to take out the garbage. It was at that exact moment when she saw Margot sneaking into the Jones' property.

~oOo~

"And what do you think, you're doing?"

Margot flinched at the sound of her voice. Neri had followed her at the side door of the house. Her cousin was trying the doorknob when she spoke. The tall girl tried to ran pass her, almost knocked her over then recognized her.

"What the f*uck. It's only you." Margot was also wearing a disposable blue facemask like her. A small backpack hung from her narrow shoulder.

Neri gaped over her cousin's attire - a pair of ripped jeans and a black hooded jacket. Seriously?

It was a hot evening. There weren't news about typhoons or low pressures for the past days as summer was already taking over. Neri was in her oversized T-shirt and denim shorts. Sweat was oozing from her forehead and having a facemask on was becoming uncomfortable. She pulled the thing under her chin.

"Whoa... Virus danger!"

"Just don't remove yours, okay? And keep your distance from me."

The Covid-19 was still on its toll, in the Philippines, infecting two to three people each day. The virus was an invisible enemy. People were warned to sanitize all the time, wear facemask and prevent close contact with anyone.

"Yeah... And It's 'only' me," Neri retorted. "Only me who'll get your ass kicked by your mom... And maybe ground you for good without a phone."

"No wait! Don't call Dianna... I mean mom! Please."

Neri had already tapped the number of her aunt on her smartphone; she cancelled her call, curious with Margot's unexpected 'please'.

Was she talking to the same 'Margot'?

"The f*uck... Didn't I say please?"

Yep... She was still the same cousin.

"Dad was able to call us last night after many weeks. He said he was stranded in a hotel with food but with so little money since his company had to shut down because of the virus. Dianna... Mom didn't tell on me but Dad made me promise that I should fix my attitude from now on or else... He won't be able to get home."

There was something wrong about Margot's statement as if she was lying; she chose to believe her. "Okkkaayyy..."

"But really? Why breaking your promise to Tito and breaking the law by trespassing?"

"I'm not breaking something. I'm investigating." Margot's eyes fell on the empty flowerpots near the door. "They said it was robbery and Helen just got in the way. I think it was personal. I want to contact her spirit to know the real story. I'm going to use my third eye."

"Whoa... Third eye -?"

Neri was going to tell her cousin, the idea was crazy; she saw the spare key behind the pots. She remembered throwing it back there after fleeing from the unfriendly ghost. She paled. Her feet took some steps back as if having a mind of its own.

"Do you want to come? With our third eye, we might be able to contact Helen. Give her justice ... maybe from that big burglar guy they were telling about?"

There was that dangerous man in that house, Robbie's voice was suddenly in her mind. Somehow, I know him, Neri.

"I could find him a clue," she muttered, thinking out loud, considering to help Robbie.

"No way, we could ask her directly." Margot was talking about Helen.

Neri felt her feet on the move again; retreating involuntary as her cousin found the key and pulled it out from the empty pots. "What... what about the soldier ghost?"

"He won't bother us." Margot gave her a confident, badass smile. "I'm sure he'll be grateful that we're going to bring justice to his home."