Euclid Shellingford (Volume 2)

CHAPTER 28.3: It Started with a Riddle (Solution)

Margielyn Basco, a Mechanical Engineering student who committed suicide three years ago was apparently related to the victim's sister Sharalyn La Moste. What could be the link between the two girl's death and what truth can we get from Rizzie's sister?

"Oi baka naman matunaw na yan kakatitig mo!" I just hissed at Nico as I took the milkshake he just handed me. Nandito kami ngayon sa clinic kung saan namin dinala si Ms. Sharalyn para mapakalma.

"I'm not staring at her," sabi ko sa kanya at saka tinikman ang dala nito. Great, this is something I definitely need right now-something sweet.

"Ohh yeah? Isusumbong kita kay Nickan mamaya!" parang bata pang usal nito na nagpakunot ng noo ko.

"What? I'm not staring, okay? I'm observing her!" I answered, emphasizing the word observing. Natawa naman ito at saka bahagyang kumunot ang noo.

"Hindi ba pareho lang yun?"

"Of course not! There is a significant difference between staring and observing, you know? When you stare at someone, there is a high probability that you will be caught as it makes people uncomfortable. Like when they have something stuck between their teeth or when they have coal on their face. On the contrary, when you observe, it's generally more indirect and less obvious. You do not need to stare for too long for you to observe, you just only need to be critical and objective about your intention!"

"Okay fine, wala na akong sinabi Mr. Holmes Junior!" sabi pa nito habang nakataas pa ang magkabilang kamay. Hindi ko na lang siya sinagot pa. Nagfocus na lang ako sa mga iniisip ko habang umiinom mula sa hawak kong milkshake. Ibinalik ko ang tingin ko kay Ms. Sharalyn na nakatulala pa din habang nakaupo sa kama at hawak-hawak ang cellphone. It must have been a big shock for her to know about her younger sister's death.

Kanina ay dumating na din ang parents nito na agad ding umalis nang malaman ang nangyari sa bunsong anak. Mula sa mga nakalap ko kanina sa mga kaibigan nito, napag-alaman naming dalawa lang silang magkapatid at parehong busy palagi sa work ang parents ng mga ito.

Nang maubos ko ang iniinom ko ay tumayo na ako at saka dahan-dahang lumapit sa kinauupuan ni Ms. Sharalyn.

"Can I talk to you?"

Napapitlag pa ito at halatang gulat na lumingon sa'kin.

"W-Wala ako sa mood makipag-usap," sumandal ito sa may kama at saka niyakap ang mga tuhod habang nakatakip ng kumot ang kalahating katawan nito.

"I just wanted to ask about... Ms. Margielyn," panimula ko.

Napansin ko ang dagling pag-iiba ng reaksyon ng mga mata nito. Naging mailap ito, a sign that she's definitely hiding something. What could it be?

"Miss..."

"Leave me alone," mahina pero madiin nitong sabi.

"Look, I'm not forcing you to cooperate but-"

"I said leave me alone!" sigaw nito. Huminga ako ng malalim at saka tumayo.

"Fine, I'll leave you now. But that doesn't mean I won't be able to know the truth about your friend's death. I'll retrieve that missing link and solve your sister's case."

Sinenyasan ko na si Nico at saka ito nauna ng maglakad papunta sa may pinto. "One more thing," nagpause ako saglit at saka siya tiningnan. I know, she's listening. "Your sister may look weak but, she did not kill herself. And this afternoon, I'm going to introduce to you her killer. Rest for now 'cause you might be needing your strength later."

I turned my back at her and slowly, we left her room.

"So, saan ang una nating destinasyon?" tanong ni Nicolai maya-maya. Itinapon ko na muna sa pinakamalapit na trash bin yung naubos ko ng milkshake at saka siya hinarap.