Unsolved Mystery (Nilacabb Series #1)

29

"Arjian Keana Hernandez," Caleb's Tito suddenly appeared from nowhere. "Sumama ka sa amin,"

"Bye, bitch. That's your new home." Kyra said and waved good bye to her. Nag-blow pa siya ng flying kiss. She even flipped her hair. What a badass.

"Okay ka lang?" Tanong sa 'kin ni Renzo at hinawakan ang bewang ko. His hazel eyes were fixed on me—it looked innocent.

I nodded. "I am," I answered kaya napatango siya. He get some tissues to wipe the sweat on my face and kissed my forehead.

"Can we go out now? I'm touching a dirt in this wall," maarteng sabi ni Kyra at naglagay ng alcohol sa kamay niya.

"Share mo lang?" Pambabara sa kaniya ni Chescka na ngayon ay busy na sa phone. Para siyang galit na nagta-type pero kalmado ang boses niya.

"You know what? You're never really nice to me, Franchescka," She said and rolled her eyes. "I hate you,"

Bumalik na sina Chris, Jarenn at Caleb. As soon as they enter the room, Chris hugged Hazel and Caleb hugged Mikayla. Wow, by pair.

"Okay ka lang?" Rinig kong tanong ni Chris kay Hazel bago ito halikan sa labi.

"Eww!" Kyra said and looks disgusted. "By the way, they're waiting for your story, Christian. What really happened daw ba?" Kyra asked. She sighed and played with her hair. "I can't tell them,"

"Akala ko ba kaaway namin kayo? Powerpuff Girls?" Natatawang tanong ni Chris sa kaniya.

"You have no idea, man. I betrayed my clan." Pagbibiro ni Chescka at tinawanan si Kyra na mukhang na-offend sa sinabi niya. "But go ahead,"

"Ito na,"

CHRIS

- flashback -

Nandito ako ngayon sa library. Naghahanap ng libro na pwede kong basahin. Nag-text kasi sa 'kin si Hazel na she's having a bad day dahil sa pagkamatay ni Brey, so I want to give her some comfort. Babasahan ko siya.

Natigilan ako nang may narinig akong librong nahulog. I picked it up and when I am about to put it in shelf, naka-ramdam ako ng malakas na pukpok sa ulo ko.

Malinaw na malinaw sa 'kin ang mukhang nakikita ko ngayon. It was him. It was the man I never think he is.

He was about to hit me again nang may narinig kami boses na pumasok sa library. That was... Haziel's voice. Matindi ang pukpok na natamo ko kaya tuluyan akong nawalan ng malay.

Pag-gising ko, nandito na 'ko sa ambulansya. I looked around, tryin' to figure out what happened.

"Yes, emergency room," rinig ko ang boses ni Tita Gwen na paniguradong mayroong kausap sa telepono. Kapatid na Doctor ni Mama.

I don't have enough strength to talk to her so I couldn't say something. She let me rest hanggang sa makarating ako ng hospital.

Nagising na lang ako mayroon nang malaking bandage ang ulo ko.

"Christian, you're awake. Be thankful dahil hindi gano'n kasama ang tama mo." She said.

Be thankful pa?

"Tita, nasaan si Hazel? I wanna see my girlfriend. Where's she?" I asked her as she held my hands.

"Do you want me to call her? Nag-aalala sila sa 'yo. Pumunta sila kanina pero pinaalis ko, gaya ng hilig mo noong nasa ambulansya ka." She explained. She fixed her coat and blonde hair.

That's good. That's actually good. In this way, I'll be able to save Haziel. To save them.

"Tita, palabasin po nating patay na 'ko," sabi ko at tinitigan si Tita Gwen. She looked confused but she'll get it.

"What do you mean? Hindi madaling mag-peke ng kamatayan, Chris!" Sermon niya sa akin pero sa mahinang boses.

"Hindi maniniwala si Hazel hangga't hindi niya nakikita ang katawan ko. Please, help me, Tita." I said. "I have to save them. The killers are after her."

Huminga nang malalim si Tita Gwen bago tumango. "Sige, may kakilala akong pwedeng tumulong. May mga bangkay na walang nagc-claim na pwede nating magamit. Imposibleng wala kang kahawig sa dami no'n." Sagot niya sa akin.

May bus kasi na naaksidente last week. Tatlong bus. Maraming pamilya ang hindi nag-claim kaya marami ring katawan ang hindi pa naililibing. Hindi nila pwedeng ilibing ang mga 'yon dahil sa batas dito sa Nilacabb. You can't burry an unknown body.

That was good na alam nilang patay na 'ko. Dahil kung hindi, paniguradong he'll looked after me... or worst, si Caleb ang isunod niya. I got his pattern. Alphabetical ang pagpatay niya.

So, pinanindigan ko. I'm still attending class. Pinapalitan ko ang name ko into another name. I also switched course. I took Bachelor of Science in Legal Management now. I am always wearing a face mask and jacket din. Much safer din, because I don't want anyone to know that I'm alive.

I'm always watching Hazel from a distance. I am suffering a lot. Gustong-gusto ko siyang yakapin 'pag nakikita ko siya sa school, pero bawal. To save her, I have to keep my distance.

Year passed. Sobrang daming nangyari. Ilang beses akong nag-attempt na magpakilala sa inyo, pero natatakot ako. Natatakot ako na baka biglang isa na naman sa 'tin ang mawala... baka si Hazel na. Hindi ko 'yon kakayanin.

- end of flashback -

CHLOE

"That's clever, Chris. But you don't know how many times does Hazel attempt to kill herself because of your lost." I said and smile painfully. Hindi ako galit kay Chris, galit ako sa dahil kailangang mangyari 'to.

"I'm sorry," he apologized and looked at Hazel again.

"Hey, it's okay. At least, nandito ka na," Hazel said and hugged him again. "I hope I'd never lose you."

I heard Kyra sighed deeply and rolled her eyes. "You're just masamang damo, Chris,"

"You too, Kyra," Chris said and laugh, teasing her. She just rolled her eyes and pushed Chris a but to hug Hazel.

"Shut up," she said making Hazel giggled.

"Anyways, There's one thing I have to tell you..." Seryosong sabi niya.

CHRIS

"No'ng nag away-away kayo dahil nagbibintangan kayo. Nando'n ako. Nasaksihan ko lahat." I said.

It hurts me. I watched them from a distance. I fucking knew the truth but I'm a coward. I'm a fucking coward.

"There's one thing you need to know..." I said.

One thing that will probably shock you. I can't believe na ganito siya katalino... na nalinlang namin pareho 'yung killer na 'yon. Ha! Our team work wins.

"What is it?" Renzo asked.

"May kasama ako no'n... sa pagtatago?" I said.

"Who?" Jarenn asked.

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txzeia