The Enigma of Erald

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR: QED versus K-OS

ERALD

THE TIME has finally come. The most awaited showdown between the formerly renowned QED Club and the rogue, good-for-nothing K-OS Club.

Hindi ko in-expect na sa kabila ng bantang panggugulo ng mga walang magawa sa buhay, marami-rami pa rin ang nag-attend sa acquaintance party. Everyone was wearing their best semi-formal attire. May ilan pa ngang nagpapakabugan sa kanilang outfit.

Me? I have no interest in fashion. Hindi rin naman ako nakikipag-compete para ma-award-an bilang "face of the night." Instead of wearing a coat and tie or a vest, I chose to don our school uniform. Yes, the blue blazer over my white longsleeved shirt, paired with red necktie. Pagpasok ko pa lang sa gymnasium, pinagtitinginan na ako ng mga attendee. Para akong artista na tinutukan ng spotlight.

The security was unusually strict. Pinapadaan ang lahat sa metal detector at kinakapkapan ang katawan. I doubt that the chaos bringer would hide a gun or a knife in his trousers.

"You do have a knack for standing out effortlessly." Sinalubong ako ni Clyde sa registration area. He was wearing a black coat over his white V-neck shirt.

"We are here to deal with the K-OS Club," I reminded him, my eyes scrutinizing his outfit from head to shoes. "Hindi tayo naparito para enjoy-in ang party."

"Are you worried that we might fail?" he asked, gazing at the hundreds of pretentious students in their best attire. "Natatakot ka bang mapahiya tayo?"

"Thanks to all the pressure, all eyes are on us," I sighed. "Finding one or two suspects among four hundred attendees is not an easy task. Kung hindi sana nagyabang ang club president natin at nangakong mahuhuli natin ang tauhan ng K-OS Club, hindi natin kailangang masyadong mag-effort."

"Oh," Clyde's inquisitive eyes narrowed into slits. "Being concerned about our group's image. That doesn't sound like you."

Did he really think that I'm deeply concerned about our club's reputation? Far from it! Kung papalpak kami ngayon, mas lalawak ang ngiti sa labi ni Torry. Our failure, or my failure, would only prove that he's right: He is the better villain. Competitive as always, I can't let him have that title.

This is no longer between the QED Club and the K-OS Club. This is personal between me and that spectacled, trying hard villain.

"Are you ready?"

May naramdaman akong braso na pumatong sa aking balikat. The girl from behind pulled me closer to Clyde who also has an arm wrapped around his neck. There's only one person in this school who would make such gesture: Charlotte.

I gently removed her arm around me and turned to her. I was about to speak what's on my mind, but my brain went blank when I saw her. She was stunning in her single-strap royal blue gown. At gaya ng nakasanayan, nakasabit sa kanyang leeg ang bago niyang camera.

"Erald, bakit hindi ka nag-effort na magsuot ng formal attire?" pangungutya niya sa akin matapos akong tingnan ng mga mapanghusga niyang mata mula ulo hanggang paa. "Even the executive committee members and the student council officers are well dressed tonight!"

"Sorry, but this isn't my thing," I replied once my mind snapped back to reality. "For me, this isn't an acquaintance party. This is like a showdown, a bloodbath between us and that club. And I should wear my best armor, which is my school uniform."

"Nevermind." Charlotte stretched out her hand holding the camera. "Let's take a commemorative picture! Selfie muna bago pigilan ang K-OS Club!"

Click!