Lorelei X Loki

LoreKi #2: Last Day

Lorelei's POV

Mendez, Loki *.

I watched him walk on stage and get his certificate and medal. Tita Frigette and Sir Odinaire, along with Luthor, are sitting in front of the stage, looking proudly of what their son has achieved. Not being rude or what, but I wasn't expecting Loki to graduate with honors. I remember him getting zeroes one time.

Ravena, Alistair *.
He did the same thing as what Loki did. As his childhood friend, I am proud of him. I don't know why he chose to stay even if we already solved Moriarty's case. He's still probably worried about me.

Rios, Lorelei *.

I went up the stage and looked at my father, Walter Rios. He nodded, his sign of acknowledgement, at me after I got my certificate. I never thought I would end up graduating in Clark High. Well, like Al, it was my choice to stay here after we've solved Moriarty's case.

Santiago, Jamie *.

She went upstage smiling widely while the crowd is cheering for her. I can't help to smile and be happy for her. Marami talagang naa-attract sa charm niya. Hindi ko nga alam kung bakit yung dalawa, hindi man lang nadadala.

Jamie. She was my enemy then later became my friend. It took a while before I completely forgive her for what she have done. But that was all in the past now. Our relationship became stronger.

When everyone got their certificates and medals, speeches started. Napailing na lang ako. Why do we have to have long and boring speeches like this?

After the ceremony, other people wanted to have a party, but not me. Instead, I decided to go home. I was about to go to the parking area, since was already there, when Jamie called me.

"Lori!" Jamie ran towards me as if she's not wearing a five-inch heels. Al, behind her was just smiling and also jogged after the latter. Loki...is just Loki.

She hugged me then held my hand. "Congrats to us!"

"Salamat. Congrats din." I smiled a little at her. I can't help to be sad. It will be probably the last time I would see her.

"Are you okay? You don't look like happy." Al noticed, of course.

"It's just I'm going to miss you. Alam niyo naman na aalis na din kami maya-maya. I just thought this would be the last time that I'm going to see you." Jamie's face saddened. We may not had a very good start but as months passed by, we didn't realize we were treating each other as a sister.

"Hindi ba pwedeng next month ka na lang umalis? I'll miss you, too." Jamie got teary-eyed. "Oh gosh. I don't want to cry." Hinagod lang ni Al ang likod nito.

"This day should be our happy day so please, spare this with your dramas." Loki cut our moment. We glared at him. This guy, tsk. "Besides, magkikita pa naman kayo mamaya. Why don't you just say what we really went for here." He added.

Jamie inhaled deeply. "Since it's your last day here, why don't we take a picture wearing this?" Tinuro niya ang suot naming toga. "At dahil sinira mo ang moment namin, ikaw ang magpi-picture sa amin." Jamie gave the camera to Loki. Halos ayaw niyang kunin ang kamera pero wala siyang nagawa ng pinagtaasan ko siya ng kilay.

Hindi pa man kami nakahanda ay pinindot na ni Loki ang shutter ng camera.

"Loki!" Napahilot na lang ako sa sintido ko. Di kalaunan ay mayroon na kaming litrato. At dahil naawa daw si Jamie, isinama niya si Loki.

"So paano ba yan? See you later? For the last time?" Jamie hugged me tightly.

"See you."

NILAGAY KO na ang mga iba ko pang gamit sa bag ko pagkatapos ay lumabas bitbit ang maleta. Kakaalis lang ni Jamie. She can't stay longer dahil may pupuntahan din ito kaya naman ay dumaan lang ito for the last goodbye.

She can't help to stop by the living room. Many memories happened here. Dito nangyari yung unang sagutan namin ni Loki. Dito rin namin plinano kung paano mabibigyan ng hustisya ang pagkamatay ng dati niyang kaibigan na si Rhea sa pamamagitan ng paghuli kay Moriarty. Dito nag-umpisa ang lahat at sa tingin ko dito rin matatapos.

"Lori? I'll be waiting outside. Take your time reminiscing." Naalala ko nga pala, nandito rin si Al. Sasabay kasi siya sa akin pabalik ng Manila.

Tumango lang ako at lumabas na siya ng apartment dala ang maleta ko. Huminga ako ng malalim at tinignan ang laman ng bag ko, making sure that I did not left anything valuable. My body started to panic when I can't find it. Binuksan ko lahat ng zipper ng bag pero wala talaga. Bumalik ako ng kwarto ngunit mas lalo akong nadismaya nang hindi ko makita ito sa ibabaw ng table na nasa gilid ng kama ko. I went out of the room, disappointed. That thing is important to me. Nag-iisa lang yun.

Muntik na akong mapaigtad nang nagsalita si Loki na hindi ko namalayan ay nakasandal sa gilid ng pintuan ng kwarto niya.

"Are you looking for this?" He lifted his hand showing the stun pen he gave me. My face brightened. I thought I lost it. Well, almost.

I went near him and got the pen from his hand. "Where did you find it?" May na-realize ako. "Wait, not to be mean, but why did you get it? As far as I remember nakapatong lang 'to sa ibabaw ng mesa ko."

"I told you follow the landlady's suggestion and put three or four locks." He poked my forehead and grabbed the pen from my hand. He walked towards my bag at siya na mismo ang naglagay nito doon. I remember him saying the same thing when I came here the first time.

"At bakit mo naman kinuha 'yan?"

"Upgrade." He faced me. I was about to asked him what kind of upgrade but he answered it. Probably he read it in my face again. "Herschel made the volts higher and added a mini-camera opposite to the side where you usually hang the pen. Just twist the bottom part of it and it'll start recording." I was amazed. I'm still mesmerized on how smart and creative Herschel is.

Pagkatapos niyang mag-explain ay tila may dumaang anghel. The whole room was filled with silence. Bago pa tuluyang maging nakakailang ang paligid ay kinuha ko na ang bag ko.

"I guess this is it. Goodbye, Loki." I stared at him for a second. Umiwas ako ng tingin para hindi niya makita na naluluha ako. Tumango lang siya sa akin. Hindi pa ako nakakalabas ng tuluyan ay tinawag niya ako.

"Lorelei."

"Loki?"

"Don't forget me." Dahil sa sinabi niyang 'yon ay nahulog na ng tuluyan ang luha kong kanina ko pa pinipigilan. I ran the distance between us and hugged him as tight as I could.

"I am going to miss you." I sobbed like a kid and burried my face on his chest. I don't care anymore.

Loki became my friend and my protector. We may not have the typical friendship like what others have but I can say that our friendship was unique. Sana ay di niya ako makalimutan.

I felt him reciprocating the hug that I gave while carressing my hair.

"I-I will, too." I pulled away from the hug and wiped my tears. Hindi ko maiwasang matawa dahil nautal siya. He's not used to showing affection and I understand that.

"Take care Theodore for me." He nodded. "Bye, Loki." Tumalikod na ako at dumiretso na ng pinto.

"See you soon, Lorelei." I waved at him before riding the car. Pagpasok ko sa backseat ay tinanong ako ni Al.

"Are you okay?" He handed me a handkerchief.

"Yes, I'm good. It's just...goodbyes are the hardest." I smiled showing him that I am fine. He smiled back and said that we'll go through it.

Sa huling pagkakataon ay tinignan ko ang apartment na paliit nang paliit sa paningin ko. I exhaled deeply and whispered

"See you soon, Loki."

***
Written while waiting for the chapter next to Chapter 43: The Last of Augustus (The Plot)