The Case of Adelaide (S1)

xii. on the sly

-moving secretly.

12

Sherlock's words earlier are still haunting me. Napasabunot ako sa sarili ko habang nakaupo sa harap ng lamesa, nagsusulat sa journal ko. I'm already on my sleeping dress, but I can't sleep yet.

"Then why now? Bakit hindi no'ng magkasama kayong dalawa sa kalesa? Bakit siya lang ang nawala? Bakit hindi ikaw, o kayong dalawa?"

Bakit nga si Hilian lang ang nawala kung magkasama kami no'ng mga oras na 'yon? Kung iisa ang gustong magpahamak sa 'kin at sa kumuha sa kaniya, bakit nila 'yon ginagawa ngayon?

Napaismid ako at napakamot sa ulo. I shouldn't let his words eat my thoughts!

I clang the bell next to me. Agad-agad, nakarinig ako ng pagkatok sa pintuan ko.

"Lady Harlotte, do you need something?" Rinig kong sambit ni Melissa sa labas.

Mabilis akong tumayo at binuksan ang pinto.

As always, my maid was startled.

"Melissa! I need you to do something for me."

She looked at me with confusion. "I-I will do anything you ask, Lady Harlotte."

My lips curved. Lumapit ako sa kaniya at bumulong. Balisa siyang tumingin sa 'kin at umiling.

"B-But Lady Harlotte-"

I thumbs up. "Don't forget to bring it tomorrow, okay?"

"But lady-"

"Thanks! Good night!" I didn't wait for her response and I closed the door. Sigurado akong aangal siya sa sinabi ko.

Ngayon ay nakahinga na 'ko nang maluwag. I came up with an idea. I have a plan that I will do tomorrow.

I'll continue solving this case. Ayoko munang isipin ang magpapagulo pa sa isipan ko. Wala akong alaala no'ng araw na 'yon, kaya kailangan kong kumuha ng mga impormasyon.

Pinatay ko ang lamp sa table ko at nahiga ako sa malambot na kama. Bukas, pagtatagpitapiin ko ang mga impormasyon na nakalap ko.

Marahan akong pumikit.

I'll find you soon, Hilian. . .

"Harlotte. . ."

Dumiin ang pagkakapikit ko.

"Harlotte. . ."

I can hear someone calling me. Dahan-dahang bumukas ang mga mata ko. Kumunot ang noo ko at pilit kong in-adjust ang paningin ko.

I'm looking at the end of my bed, between my feet. . . I can see a woman?

"Harlotte. . ."

Unti-unti, luminaw ang mga mata ko. Mas nakita ko mabuti ang nasa harapan ko.

I'm not looking at a mirror, but I can see someone in front of me—someone who looks exactly like me.

I was frozen in my place, can't believe at what I'm seeing. My eyes slowly widened.

"H-Hilian?"

A face looks exactly like me, wearing a white dress. Her curly brunette hair is moving with the wind, coming from the opened window. The difference that we only have on our features, are our eyes.

Mine are gold like the sun—hers are emerald green like the forest.

An unexplainable feeling, my skin is warm and my heart is soothing. She slowly walked towards me, I remained staring at her—stunned. It was just seconds before I glance at her, already in front of me.