Wild Flower

VIII: Lavender Town Murders

WOLFSBANE

Linggo. After going to the church, (siyempre. Mali parin ang pagpatay, nuh!) Napag-isip-isip namin na gumala muna. Maaga pa naman, eh. And when it comes to out-of-the-house adventures, Bella and Ivy have the captain's wheel. And guess what location they picked? The newly-opened garden just a few streets away from Wild Flower. She told me that today was its grand opening and the first 100 visitors have a free souvenir. Kahit walking distance, pinilit ko silang mag-tricycle. But of course, majority wins, maglalakad kami. Grr...

Wala pang sampung metro mula sa café, napaupo na ako sa kalsada.

"Mag-tricycle nalang tayo!" Pagpupumilit ko.

"Hoy, Wolf! Tumayo ka nga! Mapagkakamalan kang isip-batang ewan!" My sister placed her hands on her waist like mom always does. Ivy crossed her arms and blew the strands of hair covering her forehead while Castor had his hands placed in his pockets. All of them frowned at me except Hemlock. Who only raised both of his brows. Told ya! Friends kami, yay! God, now I DO start acting like a child.

Oh! And have I mentioned that Hemlock's hair was fixed in a ponytail and had a black ribbon tied on it? Ang cute niya kaya tingnan! Pagbaba niya sa second floor, hindi ko naiwasang paglaruan ang buhok niya, mehehe.

"Ok! Ok! Heto na! Maglalakad na! Grumpy Donnie..."

Bella rushed at me and our faces became inches apart. Her eyes fixed in a glare and her brows closer to each other. Since I'm taller, she has to stand on her toes to reach me.

"What did you say? Wolfie?"

I rolled my eyes and sighed. "Wala."

Bella relaxed her arms and turned her back against me. She continued leading the way with Ivy beside her. Hemlock's black ribbon swayed in the wind.

Dahil 12:23 na nng tanghali, mainit na sa labas, of course. We forgot to bring our umbrellas kaya nag-stay muna kami sa isang convenience store. Hemlock ordered a vanilla ice cream while the others ordered a hotdog sandwich and some juice.

"Sure kang ice cream, Hemlock? Mabubusog ka ba dun?" Tanong ko kay Hemlock para I-confirm ang kanyang desisyon. He gave me a thumbs up to tell me yes. Good... he has a sweet tooth. Mag-tooth brush ka, k?

After I ordered, may nakita akong babae. Not suspicious but she surely caught my attention. She had long, wavy black hair that reached her back and a fair complexion. She also wore a long, flowing white dress and a white summer hat with black flowers on top of it. Yung malapad na hat ito, because of that, all that I saw were her lips.

Natulala ako sa kanya and so did the other boys behind and beside me while the girls impatiently tapped their feet and rolled their eyes to avoid seeing her.

I think she is the envy of all girls here.

"Hey, Wolf, what's taking so long?" Bella slapped my shoulder. "Bakit ang tagal mo?"

I shifted my gaze to my sister. Ayokong ma-glue uli ang mga mata ko sa babaeng nakita ko. Does she have some kind of hypnotic abilities through the use of her body? Ridiculous ideas, Wolf. Ridiculous. Nakakaawa ka.

"Sa akin ka naman ngayon nakatingin?"

"Here's your order, sir! Enjoy!"

"Oh! Heto na pala ang order natin! Bella, if you may?"

Bella sighed as she helped me with the hotdof sandwiches. Binalikan ko nalang ang kanilang juice.

After I had seated myself on the chair, hindi na nila ako hinintay at nauna nang kumain. Only Hemlock thought of waiting me, his ice cream was left untouched. How thoughtful and sweet of you, Hemlock.