Hues and Lies

🎨9: Mask

The heat was at its peak, as the gentle wind blew up the trees and the grasses. I and Faith were seated in the bench under the shade of the tree.

Nakatitig lang kami sa kawalan, habang malalim na nag-iisip. We were doing a brainstorming activity about the suicide incidents.

"Faith, maliban ba sa head injury, wala ng ibang tama ang katawan ng best friend mo?" I gulped as I asked.

I found out from Faith, na autopsy pala ang katawan ng best friend niya na si Rosy. Unfortunately, ngayon lang sinabi sa kanya ng family nito.

"Sa ulo lang daw ang tama niya, parang pinalo ng matigas na bagay, aside from that, wala na," she sighed.

"Pero bakit hindi na sila nag conduct ng investigation? Ibig kung sabihin ang pamilya niya, wala ba silang ginawa?"

Faith lowered down her head. "Mahirap lang din kasi ang buhay nila Cindy, gaya namin, di na kaya ng pamilya niya, ang magsampa ng kaso o ano pa man."

"Kaya pala, ano ng plano mo ngayon? Tingin mo ba, may foul play talaga?" I tapped her shoulder.

"Oo Cindy, ang masakit lang dito eh late na nila sinabi sa akin, sana nalaman ko ng mas maaga," she massage her temple. "Tama ako, may pumatay sa kanya, at sisingilin ko, kung sino man ang gumawa noon sa kanya."

Bigla naman akong kinabahan sa sinabi ni Faith. Pero hindi ko siya masisi, matalik na kaibigan niya yun. Ang alam ko lang, kailangan ko siyang tulungan at suportahan, so we can solve the case.

After talking, I and Faith parted ways, para magsipasok sa mga klase namin.

Knowing that Faith's best friend had head injury, I really believe, na may killer talaga sa loob university namin. I need to find out who is that person. I must clean up the reputation of our university, whatever it takes.

"Hey Cindy!" I heard someone called my name. Tumigil ako sa paglalakad at nilingon siya.

"Oh Caden?" he's smiling at parang good mood ito.

"Sabay na tayo, I haven't see you and Faith during lunch time," he knitted his forehead. "Saan kayo galing?"

I gulped. I and Faith didn't take our lunch. Nawalan talaga kami ng gana kumain, because of what we found out.

"Ano kasi, may tinapos kaming project sa library," I alibied. "Nag-biscuit na lang muna kami."

"Next time, don't starve yourself," naging seryoso ang mukha nito. "You should take care of yourself."

Napangiti naman ako. Kahit pala masungit to' minsan eh may soft spot din siya.

"Oo salamat, meryenda na lang kami mamaya," napayuko ako. "Ah...sige pasok na muna ako."

"Sige, see you later," nakangiti nitong sagot.

When I continued to walk, halos lahat ng babae sa hallway, nakatitig sa akin. Nagbubulungan at yung iba, they're raising their eyebrows. For sure, naiinis sila sa akin because of Caden.

Malakas kasi talaga ang dating ni Caden. He is a silent one that makes him a mysterious type. Aside from his looks, some girls like him because of the way he carries himself.

When I reached our class, tahimik na lang akong naupo. Wala pa ang professor namin, kaya ang ingay ng mga classmates ko. This group of my classmates are kind. They never insulted me ever. Sana nga, sila na lang ang classmates ko sa lahat ng classes ko.

Karamihan kasi sa kanila mga scholars din. Sayang, sana kasama ko si Faith dito.

"Guys! Absent daw si sir, wala tayong klase," malungkot na sabi ng isang kaklase namin. They are the type of students, na hindi masaya pag' walang klase. They are eager to learn, and I admire them for that. They deserved to be here.