Tease Out the Truth

Kabanata IV: First Night and the Results

Dave

3 MINUTES and 2 seconds. Sa loob ng tatlong minuto'y natapos ko na ang Simulation test. Piece of cake.

Hindi man lang ako pinagpawisan. Ewan ko ba sa kung sino ang bumuo ng test na iyon, wala man lang kahirap-hirap. I was actually expecting a more difficult simulation test this time since we're entering college, but I bet anyone could solve it.

"That was impressive, Dave. You never fail to surprise me with your deduction skills," papuri ni Miss Dalia sa akin.

I mumbled a simple thanks. What do I call this? It's like it's been a customary practice to receive praises from my professors every time I passed the test. I have gotten used to it. There was nothing new.

Makalipas ang ilang minuto ay tumunog na ang buzzer na hudyat na tapos na ang limang minuto ng mga agents. Sa glass tubes ay may tablets sa itaas na bahagi ng pinto nito na nagpapahiwatig kung natapos ba nila ang test o hindi. Sa kabuoan, apat lamang kaming may "case closed" na nakaimprenta sa mga tablets. Kung gayon ay sigurado nang pasok sila sa Sub-1 detective class. Ang iba naman ay i-aassess nila base sa progreso ng deduction nila. Some would go to Sub-2 or would be sorted into the ordinary program.

Isa-isang nagsilabasan ang mga agents sa kanilang glass tubes. Ang iba'y pakamot-kamot pa ng ulo at ang ilan naman ay wagas kung makangiti na para bang nanalo sa lotto.

"Agents, please proceed to the registration room and get your dorm keys there. We'll be posting the results tomorrow on the information wall. Good day!"

At dahil diyan, nagsilabasan na kaming lahat. Sa aking paglalakad patungong dorm ay nahagip ng aking mga mata ang mga kaibigan kong dalawang buwan ko ring hindi nakita at nakasama.

"Woah! Dabid men!" pagbati sa akin ni Eroll, he's the loudest in our group. All of them turned their heads in my direction as I made my way near them.

"Tsk."

"Oh, bad mood ka?" tanong niya tapos napangisi na para bang nag-eenjoy siya na madilim ang timpla ng araw ko.

"Nainis siguro siya dahil sa simulation test," pagsingit ni Chris sa usapan. Chris was the complete opposite of Eroll as he was the most silent in our group. He rarely talks and only gave his opinion when he think it was deemed to do so.

Natawa naman ako at sakto naman ang dating ni Monica na may dalang meryenda.

"Here," mahinhing saad niya. "Hey, Dave, it's been a while. How's the simulation test? I'm sure you're the first one who finished it in your batch."

"Of course, ako pa," mayabang na sagot ko.

Monica was the only rose among the thorn in our group. We became friends because of Chris. They were childhood friends and she always tagged along with our group until she became part of the gang.

"Hmm, well congrats. You'll be the first one on the list again this year," she beamed at me.

"Let's see," sabi ko bago ngumuya ng lasagna na dala niya.

"Kumusta naman ang lakad mo kanina?" biglang tanong ni Chris. Every one turned to me after that as if they've been anticipating to ask the question.

"Well, nawawala lang naman ang tagapagmana ng P & L Enterprise. And I was tasked to look for that guy, kung sino man iyon," sagot ko.

"ANO?" sabay-sabay nilang tanong.

Si Eroll ang unang nakabawi at nagtanong, "Baka naman na-kidnap or something?"