It was just supposed to be a typical year for Zanaya Reign not until she got herself entangled in the series of unfortunate events in a very unusual Academy for detectives. Mysteries are bound to happen, different emotions will linger and rise, and...
Napadpad ako sa isang malawak na parke. Maraming bata ang masayang naglalaro at naghahabulan sa ilalim ng mga punongkahoy. May mga pamilyang masayang nagkukwentuhan at nag-aasaran.
Dumako ang aking paningin sa isang batang lalaking papalapit sa akin. Nakangiti ito habang nakalahad ang maliit niyang kamay sa harap ko, para bang inaaya niya akong makipaglaro sa kanya.
Napangiti rin ako dahil sa tamis ng kanyang ngiti. Inabot ko ang kamay niya ngunit nagulat ako dahil sa tulad niya, maliliit din ang aking mga kamay.
Bumalik ba ako sa pagkabata?
Napatingin din ako sa suot ko. Naka-bestidang pula ako at naka-braid din ang buhok.
Magulo man ang nangyayari ngunit tila ba may nagtulak sa akin na sumunod sa bata. Kahit na hindi ko maipaliwanag ang nangyayari sa akin, parang wala naman akong nararamdaman.
It feels like I've been here before. It feels like, I've hold his hands before. Then suddenly, it hit me. I've been dreaming of this before. Does this mean that I am dreaming again? But I am supposed to be in the simulation.
"Dee-Jay, saan tayo pupunta?" tanong ng batang version ko sa batang lalaki.
Napalingon sa akin ang batang nagngangalang Dee-Jay. Ang mga mata niyang pamilyar sa akin ay kumurap-kurap at muling napangiti.
"I'll show you something, Reign."
Tumakbo lamang kami hanggang sa marating namin ang isang sasakyan. Sa tingin ko sa kanila ito dahil sa alam na alam niya ang kinakalikot dito. Binuksan niya ang pinto sa may passenger seat at kinuha ang isang maliit na asul na kuwaderno. Ibinigay niya ito sa akin.
Dahil sa curiosity, binuklat ko ito para malaman kung ano ang laman. Unang bumungad sa akin ang series of dots and dashes sa front page.
"Alam mo ba kung ano iyan?" tanong niya sa akin.
"Morse code," wala sa sariling sagot ko.
"Decode that then you will know its meaning."
Kaya ko naman itong i-decode pero may gusto pa akong malaman.
I was about to ask him when suddenly, the whole place changed. The boy was not with me anymore but I am still holding the notebook. I am in front of a mansion. Felt like I am looking for something. Then I spotted him. He was sitting alone on the bench under a narra tree. Seemed like he was sad.
An ice cream vendor passed by so I quickly followed him to buy some. After getting my two cones of ice cream, I silently approached him.
"Dee-Jay... Don't be sad. Kung hindi sila naniniwala sa'yo, nandito lang ako, ako ang number one supporter mo. Here's an ice cream for you," sabi ko at iniabot sa kanya ang cone.
Napatingin muna siya sa akin saglit bago siya pilit na ngumiti at tinanggap ang ice cream na natutunaw na.
"Na-decode mo na?"
"Not yet."
"Do you want me to help?"
"Hindi na, kaya ko ito."
Binuklat ko ang notebook at sinimulang i-decode ang Morse code.
Matapos ang dalawang minuto, ipinakita ko sa kanya ang resulta ng pagde-decode ko.
David Jonathan and Zanaya Reign will stick together forever.
Hindi ko alam ang magiging reaksyon ko sa decoded message na ito.
David Jonathan? As in Dave Zyfford?
"Please, don't go to Italy. Just stay here..."
Iyon ang huling sinabi niya bago ako hatakin ng maid namin at sapilitang ipinasok sa sasakyan.
Malungkot ang mga mata niyang nakatingin sa papalayo naming sasakyan. Unti-unti siyang naglaho kasabay ng paglaho ng paligid na napalitan ng glass tube.
Ipinikit ko ang aking mata. Tanging ang batang version lamang ni Dave ang aking nakikita. Bigla akong nakaramdam ng lungkot. And I also felt betrayed. He knew it all along. Why didn't he tell me? I've been with him for months now. I hated him more for keeping the truth from me.
While thinking of this, I fell asleep, and everything was just a memory.
THANKS FOR READING TEASE OUT THE TRUTH. IF YOU'RE INTO THIS KIND OF STORY WITH DETECTIVES AND CRIME SOLVING THEN YOU MIGHT LIKE TO READ MY OTHER NOVEL.
TITLE: TRACE OF INNOCENCE GENRE: MYSTERY/THRILLER LANGUAGE: ENGLISH and FILIPINO LINK: https://www.wattpad.com/story/275670104
Oops! Bu görüntü içerik kurallarımıza uymuyor. Yayımlamaya devam etmek için görüntüyü kaldırmayı ya da başka bir görüntü yüklemeyi deneyin.
BLURB:
A writer and a detective team up to investigate the death of two siblings, but suddenly end up getting involved in a case of serial killings in the city.
****
When news spread about a ruthless killer stalking the city streets and attacking the rich, Clarissa Yaneza is busy mourning for the death of her friends. Everyone thinks they died due to an accident, but Clarissa refuses to believe. She isn't fond of coincidences, so she seeks help from Lew Renko, the renowned Detective of the Metropolis.
As the two delve further into the mystery, they are able to identify potential assailants, and the case gets more personal and serious. The serial killings of wealthy people in the city makes it even more complicated.
Join Clarissa and Lew in solving two independent cases as the serial killer lurks in the corner and determined in keeping the truth hidden at all costs. _
Written in Taglish Date started: June 1, 2021 On-going
