Copper

11

Thirdy just got back in Manila. He immediately drove papunta sa apartment ni Dani. Madaling araw na kasi kaya nanalangin siya na gising pa ang kapatid. But mukhang hindi sinagot ang dasal niya.

He dorbelled thrice ngunit wala pa ding nasagot. He also tried calling her pero dahil tulog mantika si Dani, hindi na din siya nangulit. He was tempted na doon matulog sa condo ni Bea pero Copper isn't around wala siyang excuse bakit siya nandon. Kahit pagod at antok, he went home to his condo.

Nakareceive siya ng maraming tawag kay Elmer simula paglapag ng eroplano sa Cebu pero di niya sinagot. It's a sign na Bea told her parents. Hinayaan nalang muna niya dahil alam niyang makakarinig nanaman siya ng masasamang bagay patungkol kay Bea.

Sometimes he can't help to think, may ganong klase pala talaga ng magulang no?

He slept well, that's for sure. Lunch time na noong pumunta siya sa clinic ni Dani. His sister is actually shocked to see him.

"Oh ano nanaman?" Dani asked

"Cucu?" he said while looking at the clinic expecting Copper to welcome him

"Huh? Wala sa akin" Dani frowned

"Anong wala eh sayo ko iniwan??" Takang tanong ni Thirdy

"Kinuha ni Ate Bei sa akin friday night." she explained

"Friday night?" Nakasimangot niyang inulit

"Oo sabi niya magttext siya sayo kaya di na kita inupdate kasi akala ko nagsabi na siya"

"Oh okay sana pala doon na ko umuwi kagabi. Sige sige. Thank you" he was relieved na nakay Bea si Cucu pero hindi niya alam bakit there's something off. Bea's not supposed to pick up Copper since may check up siya the next day.

He pushes the thought away at nagpark sa condo ni Bea. He holds the key sa right hand at pinasok ang left hand sa bulsa while waiting for the elevator.

When it tings, he saw Andrei na palabas ng elevator. He looks like he's relieved to see Thirdy.

"Huy hello" he greeted

"bro" Thirdy said

"Saan si Bei? Walang nasagot sa unit niya ilang araw na kong madaming ulam sa ref" Andrei chuckled nervously pero si Thirdy parang nanlamig

"Di ko alam pre but I will check. Thanks" He pushed the buttons of the elev. Nagmamadali siya at hindi mapakali buti wala siyang kasabay sa loob.

Pag labas ng elevator, agad siyang tumakbo para buksan ang unit. he's shocked. Sobrang ayos ng condo. He roamed around. Wala nga ang magina niya. Mas okay siguro na umalis sila kesa nagfaint siya magisa

He checked his room baka may iniwan si Bea na letter or note pero wala pero nagtaka siya bakit kumonti ang laruan ni Cucu.

"weird" he whispered

he checks the bedroom and the bathroom.

"wala yung iba niyang gamit?"

he also checked her medicines and Cucu's. Wala ang mga ito.

Hindi maganda ang pakiramdam ni Thirdy kaya tumawag siya kay Bea but her phone is not in service.

He dialed Dani's at tinanong ulit baka may nasabi si Bea but his sister told her everything she knows.

he sighed

"Where are you?"

He stayed in the condo for a few more hours naasang babalik si Bea at any moment pero pagpatak ng 5pm, he decided to call Det.