Unsolved Mystery (Nilacabb Series #1)

34

"Pinapasabi ni Papa na patawad daw sa mga nagawa niya sa inyo." Samuel looked down, his voice tinged with sorrow.

We were at a restaurant, having dinner together, and catching up on everything that's happened. The mood was bittersweet.

"At least nakasama niya ang anak niya bago siya namatay," I said, trying to comfort him. I looked at Samuel, but it felt like no words could fully ease the pain.

I couldn't help but feel bad for Kuya Denver. He had been a victim too. People had taken advantage of him and painted him as the villain.

"Ano'ng balita kay Ate Mae?" Chescka asked, her voice filled with concern.

"Namatay siya sa kulungan dahil sa depression. Looks like hindi lang si Papa ang nagkaroon ng problema sa pag-iisip. She kept calling Samantha," Samuel said, his voice barely above a whisper. He sighed deeply as he remembered the chaos that led to us to almost downfall.

It had been a year since she was imprisoned. It must've affected her deeply. Everyone at the table fell silent, lost in their own thoughts.

"By the way, I heard g-graduate na kayo next month, ah." He added, trying to lighten the mood, his attempt at a smile softening his usually serious face.

"Siyempre naman! Manonood ka, Engineer, huh?" Jairel said, nudging him. "Wala kang excuse!"

"Oo naman, manonood ka kasama ko, 'di ba?" Samuel joked, raising an eyebrow at Jairel.

"Ayy?" Jairel reacted, scratching his head in mock confusion. "G-graduate ako, 'no. You're so judgemental talaga!" He mocked Kyra's voice.

We all burst out laughing. The tension lightened, if only for a moment.

"Thank you guys for the unforgettable experience sa UM," Chescka said, looking around at all of us with a soft smile. "This place really changed all of us."

"Masama pa rin loob ko kay Kyra. Pinagbintangan ako tapos pagkatapos, sabihing killer ako, tinapunan pa 'ko ng judgment looks niya," Mikayla said, still clearly upset. Her tone was sharp, but you could hear the joke behind it.

"I'm sorry naman, Mikayla. I was just mad and sad that time," Kyra said, looking at Mikayla apologetically. "I didn't mean to hurt you, I swear."

"Para bang lahat tayo na-bullied. Wala ngang kasalanan, pero bawat isa sa atin may na-accuse," Jarenn said, glancing at Caleb and Kyra. "That was a rough time."

"Kyra, the Bintangera," Leo giggled.

We all laughed together, the joke breaking the tension in the room. Kyra's cheeks flushed, but she was laughing too.

"Huwag niyo na i-bully si Kyra," Rheeon said, his voice warm and playful as he smiled at her. Kyra returned the smile, clearly flustered.

"Hoy, ano 'yan? Kyra, sabi mo pass ka kay Rheeon? Ano 'yan, ha?" Chescka teased, her eyes wide in playful disbelief.

"Well... people change," Kyra said, her voice softening as she glanced at Rheeon.

"Anong people change? May gusto ka kay Rheeon?" Hazel asked, her eyebrows raised with curiosity.

"May gusto kay Rheeon? That's the grossest thing I've heard," Renzo joked, shaking his head.

Naawa ako kay Kyra dahil tinitira siya ng mga tao. Pero she seemed to be okay with it, smiling at Rheeon shyly.

"Naawa nga rin ako kay Chloe kasi pinayagan ka niyang manligaw e," Rheeon teased, making us all laugh. "Aroy, manliligaw pa rin hanggang ngayon?"

"Huwag niyo nang asarin 'yan si Pres. Baka umiyak," Caleb said, egging us on.