WHOSE DEDUCTION SHOW?

9: BEST BUDDIES?

Chapter 9: Best Buddies?

GRAY

WE were instructed to go to our room before dinner.

Sabi ng host na maaari muna naming ayusin ang mga gamit namin sa silid habang inihahanda pa nila ang hapunan. Since we were separated from Amber and Math, napansin kong naging tahimik si Jeremy. I expected him to throw puns like rockets, but surprisingly, he was silently observing our company.

“Are you good?” I checked on him. He shook his head as he sat on his chosen bed.

“No, I’m not,” sagot niya at tiningnan nang masama si Loki. “On the way here, Loki said, ‘This is the way to the boy’s room, Jeremiah!’ How could he call me Jeremiah?!”

I replied with a shrug. “Maybe he’s good at deductions but bad with names.”

“Hindi ko pa rin matanggap!” maktol niya. “I highly respect their club since I heard a lot about them. Pero pagkatapos n’on, ime-murder lang niya ang pangalan ko? Pati ang pangalan ng grupo natin, iinsultuhin pa niya?”

“Deal with it, Puns. Just fix your things while waiting for the go signal na puwede na tayong pumunta sa dining hall,” sabi ko at inayos ang aking gamit sa napili kong kama.

The tension on air was undeniable mula pa kahapon nang magkasagutan kami sa interview. I must admit this Loki guy is sharp. He tends to see things in many perspective, and he’s definitely someone worthy to be called detective.

I noticed Alistair comfortably lying on his bed with his head beneath his arms samantalang abala naman sa pag-iikot sa kabuoan ng silid si Loki. He inspected every corner of the room as if he’s searching for something. He closely examined mirrors, cabinets, everything inside the room. Maging ang mga nakasabit na painting ay hindi niya pinalagpas.

“What are you doing?” Hindi ko napigilang itanong.

Napatigil naman sa paglalakad si Loki upang bahagya akong tingnan. “Inspecting the room. Obviously.”

“Hindi pa nagsisimula ang second round, Loki,” sabi sa kanya ni Alistair. “Maybe you can relax a little.”

“Well, we aren’t prohibited to do so and what difference does it make if I do it now than later?” tanong niya, completely shutting Alistair kaya napakibit-balikat na lang ito.

Well, Loki has a point. Kung kami lang din sana ni Jeremy ang nandito ay malamang ginawa ko na rin ang ginagawa niya. But then they’re here and if I acted like how I usually do, baka isipin nilang masyado akong atat sa gagawin.

Napansin kong lumapit si Jeremy kay Alistair at nagsalita nang mahina. “Is he always like that?”

“Like what?” Alistair asked.

“Silent and always in deep thought. Hindi naman siguro siya nakikipag-telepathy sa mga bagay, ‘di ba? Or baka bored siya. Hmmm . . . I have an idea!” biglang bulalas ni Jeremy na maging sina Loki at Alistair ay napatingin sa kanya. “This is a deduction show, and I, Jeremy Martinez, is in charge of stimulating and sharpening my members’ minds by giving them quizzes. I will give the QED Club an honor to answer my quizzes today!”

Alistair looked interested while Loki looked bored as he continued his search.

“Why not?” sabi ni Alistair at saka ngumiti. “This can be another ice breaker.”

Jeremy stretched his arms as if he’s about to throw something sensible. Oh, please, hopefully he wouldn’t embarrass himself.

“Why do skeletons like comedy?”