Knotted Conundrum (Project:Mystery #1) [COMPLETED]

Chapter Eight: Paint in Red (N-0000)

Chapter Eight: Paint in Red (N-0000)

Three weeks had passed since my last trip to Furrer Family's mansion. Three weeks na rin ang nakalipas simula nang makilala ko si Ruxinaire. There is still no signs of any improvement about the Castell Organization. Kung meron man, puro kapalpakan lang ng mga crew ni Ruxinaire ang nababalita.

"I will contact you as soon as I have leads on your father's case."

Iyon ang sinabi sa akin ni Flare noong nakaraang linggo matapos nilang i-raid ang isang location kung saan nila nahuli ang mga members ng Castell Organization na nagkakaroon ng joint agreement sa isa pang organisasyon.

~***~

"... I'm in a field of dandelions
Wishing on everyone that you'll be mine, mine..."

"And I see forever in your eyes... I feel okay when I see you smile~ smile..." I sang through the music as I washed the dishes I had used this morning.

Nasa dorm ako ngayon at mag-isa lang naninirahan pansamantala. Si Friar kasi may inaasikaso kasama si Lucas sa mansion.

Matapos kong maghugas ay nagsuot ako ng damit panlabas. I just wear a simple white shirt na naka-tuck in sa isang light denim jeans. I put a white cap on and grab the keys of the dorm room bago ako umalis. Siyempre, may dala-dala naman akong maliit na bag para paglagyan ng mga importanteng gamit ko.

" 'Cause I'm in a field of dandelions... Wishing on everyone that you'll be mine~ mine~" pagkanta ko habang naghintay ng masasakyan sa daan.

Mayroon kasing bus stop na malapit dito sa dormitory kaya hindi na akong nag-abalang maglakad pa ng malayo. Ilang minuto akong naghintay hanggang sa mayroong magarang kotseng huminto sa harap ng bus stop.

The window slowly went down and I saw a familiar face darting their eyes towards me. "Yo," bati niya.

"Ruxinaire!" Napatayo ako sa gulat. "Anong ginagawa mo dito?"

"Coincidentally, I am on my way to the mall when I saw you waiting for a bus to come by. Gusto mo ba sumabay na lang sa akin, my lady?"

Sinamaan ko siya ng tingin. "I said drop the 'my lady' thing. Mavis na lang."

"Okay then, Miss Lia."

"Lia?" kuot-noo kong reply.

"Oo, Lia. My lady's name is Mavis Sherlia Throver, right? I got it from your second name. And it's a cute name so I just have to go with 'Lia', my lady. Or is it kind of an inconvenience for you?" nakangising sabi niya.

Napabuntong-hininga ako at napairap. "Whatever," pagwagayway ko ng aking kamay sa harap ko at saka binuksan ang pintuan sa back seat.

"You don't want to seat on the passenger's seat?" turo niya sa passenger's seat matapos kong makapasok at sinarado ang pintuan ng kanyang mustang.

"Dito na lang ako," sagot ko at ginawang komportable ang sarili ko.

I leaned in the cushion and closed my eyes. I feel tired these days. Kahit na kakasimula pa lang ng pasukan three weeks ago, sobrang hirap ng pinapagawa ng teachers. Puro pinagpupuyatan namin ang mga projects and assignments. Plus pa ang sandamakmak na nakukuha naming documents sa club ni Flare. Walang hinto ang pag-agos ng mga gawain.

Ruxinaire started maneuvering the car and we drove to the roads. Kahit na sabihin mong nasa parteng walang masyadong trapiko ang dormitory ng school, the luck of no-traffic isn't with us today dahil na-stuck kami ng mahigit isang oras sa mahabang trapiko.

"Saan pala ikaw nag-aral noong bata ka pa, Miss Lia?" tanong ni Ruxinaire.

Sinimulan niya ang pakikipag-usap hangga't naghihintay kami na makausad sa trapiko. He is tapping his fingers impatiently on his mustang's steering wheel while looking at me through the rearview mirror.