Unsolved Mystery (Nilacabb Series #1)

10

tw: depression, language

A/N: miss ko na siya guys, miss niya rin kaya ako?

CHLOE

chleslim: Eat your lunch. Don't forget to drink water. I brought you your favorite—shawarma—kaso you're sleeping kanina. We love you!:)

I sent the message to Hazel, praying she’d read it. For a week now, she’s been locked away—refusing to eat, isolating herself, and skipping school. Her silence was deafening.

Naiintindihan ko siya. Ayaw ko siyang piliting maging okay kung hindi niya kaya. Baka mas lalo pa siyang ma-trigger at mag-lead na naman 'yon kung saan.

It's agonizing to see your closest friends suffer like this. I’m grieving too; Chris was my friend as well. Mabuting siyang tao at wala akong maisip na rason para patayin siya kung sino man ang killer na 'yon.

"How’s Hazel?" Renzo's voice broke through my thoughts.

We were at the gazebo, shaded by an old acacia tree whose branches stretched far, as if offering comfort. Renzo had invited me here, saying I needed fresh air. He handed me a cold bottle of distilled water and a sandwich he’d thoughtfully bought.

"Gano’n pa rin. We haven’t made any progress. Hanggang kailan kaya siya magiging gano'n?" I muttered, trying to keep my voice steady, though it trembled with pain. Kinuha ko ang sandwich at water pero I did not bother taking a bite nor sip.

Renzo leaned back, gazing at the swaying leaves above. "It hurts, but someday… everything will be fine. Trust God. He knows what’s best, and trust His plan. Surrender yourself to Him, and He will make everything better."

His calmness felt like a balm on my raw emotions. I smiled weakly and let out a heavy sigh. Resting my head on his shoulder, I sought the comfort I desperately needed. Inayos niya ang pwesto niya para hindi ako mangawit. Umakbay siya sa akin at hinaplos ang braso ko.

"I hope so. Ayoko na nito. Sobrang nasasaktan ako no'ng nakita ko si Hazel na nags-suffer," I said, my voice breaking. Tears pricked at the corners of my eyes, blurring the vibrant greenery around us.

Hazel is such a gentle soul, her heart so tender that she always puts others before herself. Seeing her like this is unbearable. Hindi ko ma-imagine. Alam kong sobrang sakit para sa kaniya ng nangyari kay Chris. Hindi ko lang matanggap na ang anghel na kagaya niya ay halos 'di na makaahon sa kalungkutan ngayon.

"Last night na ni Chris?" Renzo asked cautiously, his tone laced with empathy.

I nodded, unable to speak. Parang 'pag nagsalita ako, tuluyan nang tutulo ang luha ko.

"Pupunta ka sa libing?" he asked after a pause. He hesitated, perhaps afraid to bring up the topic. Iniingatan niyang masaktan ako.

"Oo naman," I replied softly. "Chris' my friend after all."

"I see. Pupunta ako mamaya. Chris was one of the kindest people I know," Renzo said, gently caressing my hair and kisses the top of my head.

For a few moments, we sat there in silence. He allowed me to grieve, unbothered by the world around us. I couldn’t cry in front of my friends who were grieving just as deeply. I had to be strong for them. Kung hindi ako magpapakalakas, sino ang kakapitan nila?

The next day was Chris' funeral. The atmosphere was somber, the gray skies threatening rain, as if mourning with us. I searched for Hazel in the crowd but couldn’t find her. Would she come? Naiintindihan ko kung hindi niya kayanin.

chleslim: Gusto mo puntahan ka namin ni Renzo sa condo mo? Puwede ko siya paki-usapan, bes.

jannhazel: ayoko muna bes