She Who Got Rejected ✔️

Chapter 21.1

Part 21.1

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"So," hindi ko pinansin si Alekxus at nanatili akong nakatitig sa apoy at sa mga nagbabagang kahoy na nagbibigay dalab rito. I could hear the crackling sounds from this fire and I find them soothing. "We should review our plans before we continue our travel."

Nang bumalot ang dilim sa kagubatan na may kalayuan na sa territoryo ng Oxalis Pack, napagpasiyahan na naming magpahinga. Mahaba-haba na rin ang oras na ginugol sa paglalakbay. Walang hindi sumang ayon sapagkat kailangan na rin talaga ito ng pagod naming katawan.

"May hindi ka ba naintindihan kaya gusto mong ulitin?" panghahamon ni Kaizon.

"May mali sa plano mo kaya gusto kong ulit-ulitin hanggang sa maisaksak diyan sa kokote mo, gago."

At this point, medyo sanay na ako sa bangayan nila, tinalo pa ang mga nauulol na aso, kaya mas pinili kong 'wag na itong paglaanan ng attensyon.

We're sitting on logs set on three different corners and at the center is a medium-size bonfire. Nakahuli kami ng tatlong kuneho kanina at sa loob-loob ko ang laki ng aking pasasalamat kay Alekxus dahil nagbalot pala siya ng herbs at spices na pinang-marinate namin sa karne.

We also stuffed the rabbit with some of these herbs and vegetables we found growing along the path we traversed earlier. Sa 'di kalayuan ng napili naming kampo, may isang maliit na ilog na umaagos. Mukhang malinis naman ang tubig rito na nagsilbing inumin namin.

Overall, it is a good simple meal. We're all hunters and gatherers too. Sa lawak ng kaalaman ko at ng mga kasama ko tungkol sa buhay gubat, paniguradong hindi kami magugutom.

"My Redemption?" napatingin ako kay Alekxus. I am enjoying this time with the forest, its mysteries, and wildlife to the point I stopped listening to them. "Did you hear what this idiot said?" puno ng panglalait ang boses ni Alekxus.

"We all know who's the real idiot." bato pabalik ni Kaizon.

Hindi siya pinansin ni Alekxus and he continued complaining to me, "Dapat ang iimbestigahan kaagad natin ay ang mga kalapit na werewolf packs including those who aren't friendly with Oxalis, pero mas gusto ng hinayupak na 'to na sundan at i-trace muna natin ang mga lugar na napuntahan ng limang werewolves niya bago mangyari ang insidenteng 'yon," Alekxus snorted, "Waste of time. Someone's trying to frame my pack for a crime they didn't commit, we should be talking to people, extracting clues and confessions from them rather than roaming around, following tracks of the dead!"

Napakunot ang noo ko kay Alekxus. He really sounds very frustrated.

Kaizon does have that effect in most people. 

"I don't know why you're against it but we might also find clues on those tracks they passed. Huwag rin nating tanggalin ang element of surprise." saad ni Kaizon.

"Surprise?" Alekxus asked in disbelief. "Dami mong time ah! We can't depend on possibilities. What we should do instead is follow the most reasonable path and that is to interrogate werewolf packs!" Alekxus sneered in disgust. Napahinga ako ng malalim. He's being his stubborn self again. "No wonder why they died on your watch." Kaizon's shoulders stiffened. "Habang nagrerelax ka, nagkakandamatay na ang mga nasasakupan mo."

Marahas na tumayo si Kaizon at akmang susugod kay Alekxus. Mukhang may balak si Alekxus na magtagpo sila sa gitna at nakapwesto na rin ito upang umatake.

Before it gets more chaotic, hinagis ko sa gitna ng dalawa ang nagbabaga at nagliliyab na kahoy. Napatalon ang dalawang unggoy papalayo sa nakakapasong sanga.

"Take a seat." utos ko. Nang hindi sila sumunod at para na rin hindi mawasak ang kapayapaang  nasa imahinasyon ko lang, I added, "I'm tired and my head is aching." Their fault. "Can we just talk in peace?"

"Impossible, your companion is a spoiled brat." Pinagsamaan ko ng tingin si Kaizon. Hindi nakakatulong ang komento niya.

Kaizon raised his hands in surrender, "Fine. For you, my detective." And then he winked.

Alekxus hissed in anger and growled, "Stop calling her like that!"

"Alekxus!" awat ko rito. He's more agitated than usual. He has been very easy to irate and moody ever since his father was punished by the Council. "Stop it, please."

Kaizon huffed in annoyance but remained quiet. Kumalma rin si Alekxus at napapikit ang mga mata. Nang iminulat niya ang mga 'to, he regained composure and sat back quietly but tensely on his log.

Mas lalo akong napayuko at ipinulupot ang kamay sa mga tuhod ko. I also place my hood over my head because the night is getting colder. Habang nakatitig sa apoy, I said, "There's no harm in checking those tracks. I do get Kaizon's point. There could be clues hidden in there."

"There could be. We're not certain. Baka magsayang lang tayo ng oras." argued Alekxus. "I want this over as soon as possible." Nawala ang aggresyon sa boses niya. Alekxus now just sounds tired. "I want to clear my Pack's name. The Council has embarrassed us enough."

"Ah, Oxalis Pack, the good guys. Tagapagtanggol ng naapi." singit ni Kaizon.

"Shut up, old man!"

"Isa pa talaga kapag 'di pa kayo tumigil, kahit ngayong gabi lang, baka may tuluyan na akong maputol!" I exclaimed at nanahimik sila. I caught glimpses of their hands twitching, napatakip sa parte ng katawan nila na pinagbantaan ko.

"Ready to listen now?" Both nodded hesitantly. "Better." I added. "In solving a case, we must consider all possible scenarios, gather all the clues we could get, and usually, they're found at the most unexpected places."

"Taking his side, huh?" bitter na komento ni Alekxus.

"I'm not." anas ko. "I'm telling you my side. If ever it has similarities with him, it doesn't mean I'm taking his side."

Alekxus shrugged and started messing his shoe laces. I frowned again at him.

Anong problema niya?