Moriarty's Disciple: Cristopher Magsalin

Chapter 5: Chasing the Dragon

"Nellie," I said catching her attention then she revealed me her mourning sagged eyes. I stretched my arms while holding her cellphone. "Here is your phone."

Nakaupo siya sa isa sa mga bench dito sa park na malapit sa Caprus Police Station. Dito ko siya iniwan para kunin ang cellphone naming dalawa na kinuha kanina ng mga pulis. Nag-chat kasi sa groupchat namin si Sir Sevilla na pinapasabi ni Sir Castillo na maari na naming kunin ang phone namin doon.

Our afternoon class was not in a good ambiance because of  what happened and because of our mourning class president. At kahit naman papaano ay naging bahagi na rin si Maegan ng araw-araw naming lahat.

Nalaman na rin ng lahat na rati pala talagang magkaibigan si Maegan at Nellie kagaya ng unang hula ko. Our instructors couldn't believe for what happened and couldn't bring it up in the class because they were afraid to express their opinion about the case. Some of them did not believe that Sir Victor could commit that heinous crime but they were afraid to speak because it was the School Coordinator Head's daugther.

Tumayo siya, akala ko'y tatanggapin niya na ang kanyang cellphone pero isang malakas na sampal lamang ang natanggap ko. Napaharap ako sa kaliwang bahagi dahil sa lakas ng sampal niya, dumagundong ang ingay nito roon.

Nellie was a very bossy class president. She wasn't bullying me but her words were very offensive and shows the level of her perception on me. Though, she never had the courage to slap me in front of some people even if she got irritated whenever I failed or finished the task very late before. It was the first time.

"You could have saved her! Dapat naging mabilis ka, kung ginawa mo 'yon e 'di sana ay buhay pa siya ngayon!" she said between her cries. "Ang tanga-tanga mo kasi at ang lampa-lampa mo!"

I looked at her and tried to understand her situation. That's how Cristopher Magsalin dealt with the people he knew. Pasanto-santo lang kung umasta. It was very easy to understand her drama, I just have to wear her shoes.

What would be my reaction if Raea got killed? Well, I won't blame someone who tried to save her like Nellie's doing to me. But I had to understand that she was deeply hurt. Obvious namang concern siya kay Maegan at pinapahalagahan pa rin nila ang pagkakaibigan nila.

"Sana nga naging mabilis dapat ako pero sorry dahil hindi ko nagawa. Pasensiya na kung ganoon ako katanga't lampa," I said while looking down at the ground to show her that I feet sorry, but she shook her head, trying not to believe me. "But I tried, I tried to save her."

"BUT you failed! AGAIN! It's your own fault! Ikaw ang huling nakasama niya dapat ginawa mo ang lahat ng makakaya mo!" Nasanay na ako sa mga masasamang sinabi niya sa akin pero sa pagkakataong ito, hindi ko maiwasang isipin na responsable rin ako sa pagkamatay niya. Tama siya, dapat naging mabilis ako.

Pinagsusuntok-suntok niya ang dibdib ko at hinayaan ko lang hanggang sa magsawa siya. Sa huli'y sinapo niya ang kanyang mukha at pilit na hinihinaan ang pag-iyak. I have never thought that she will be heartbroken from her death. Ilang taon silang hindi nagpansinan (base sa pag-oobserba ko), it must be hurt for her. Sinubukan niyang hampasin ulit ako pero sa pagkakataong 'yon ay pinigilan ko 'yon at hinila siya papalapit sa akin saka siya yinakap.

"Pasensiya na Nellie, pasensya na." Hinahaplos ko ang kanyang likod para tumahan siya pero kabaliktaran naman ang nangyari. She broke into tears. Akala ko'y itutulak niya ako pero siguro'y kailangan niya lang ng masasandalan.

"Before she passed away, she told me something that I should tell you." Napaangat ang tingin niya sa akin nang sabihin ko 'yon.

"Ano ang pinasabi niya?" she asked indulgently. She distanced herself to give me more attention.