Chapter Six: My Hera

"Hay, sa wakas, tapos na rin ang klase. Buti na lang walang masyadong ginawa sa SSC Office," ani Friar.

Nakatambay kami ngayon sa club ni Flare. It is on the third floor, second hallway of the university. Wala na si Lucas dahil may sched siya sa kanyang dance club at may tuturuan pa raw siyang mga students.

"Mavis, pansin ko, wala ka pang nasasalihan na club." Umupo ng maayos si Friar sa sofa kaharap ko habang nagsasalita.

Flare looks at his sister questioningly, eyebrows suddenly knitted together. "Why would you ask such a simple thing to song thrush? If she doesn't want to join something, don't ask. Let her."

Sumimangot si Friar. "Tinanong lang naman. Saka malay mo curious din si Mavis kung anong club ang gusto niyang salihan, 'di ba? She never applied to any club since day one. Curious lang din ako."

I tilted my head. "Hm? But I'm not interested in clubs," I answered.

Napatitig lang sa akin ang dalawa nang sinabi ko 'yon. Kunot-noong nakatingin ako sa kanila at uminom sa sodang nakuha ko sa vending machine.

"Ha? Bakit naman? Gusto mo dito ka na lang sa club ni Flare para kahit papaano mayroon kang club," suggest ni Friar.

"I refuse."

She shot a glare at him. "Heh, akala mo naman ayaw mo pero gusto mo talaga kasama si Mavis dito."

He arched an eyebrow. "Who said?"

"Said me," mayabang na sagot ni Friar. Nakatayo na siya ngayon habang ang kamao ay nasa kanyang dibdib.

"I refuse," pag-uulit ni Flare at uminom sa coffee can niya. Nakaupo siya sa swivel chair at nakaangat ang dalawang paa sa office desk.

"Ayaw mo no'n, may kasama ka. At saka, required for all students to at least have 1-2 clubrooms na nasalihan. Kapag hindi ka pa nakasali within a week sa isang clubroom, automatically mapupunta kang theatre room."

Nanlaki ang mga mata ko. "May theatre room din dito?"

"Oo," kunot-noong sagot ni Friar. "Teka. I thought you have a school tour na after you applied here? Ba't hindi mo alam ang tungkol sa theatre room?"

"You're an idiot, sister. The school tour is limited to visitors. Sa tingin mo, our dean or the principal would visit the theatre room with her kung hindi siya kasali dun as a junior or a senior?" komento ni Flare.

"Ay, oo nga pala."

Napailing-iling siya. "What an idiot. Hey, song thrush." Napalingon ako kay Flare nang tawagin niya ang nickname ko. "Come with me later."

"Ha? Saan?"

He looked away. Hindi ko alam kung mali pagkakakita ko pero may onting blush sa pisngi niya. "I am inviting you to our home once again. You helped out in the previous case anyway."

Nagliwanag ang mukha ko nang marining iyon. It is not exactly what I want to hear from him nung sinabi ko sa kanya na gusto ko may kondisyon pagkatapos ko siyang i-assist sa kaso pero it's fine, at least he invited me.

I nodded and smiled brightly at him. "Thanks."

Binigyan niya ako ng masamang tingin at inikot ang swivel chair niya. Ang likod ng swivel chair niya tuloy ang nakikita ko't hindi siya.

Napanguso ako at napahalukipkip habang masamang nakatingin sa likod ng swivel chair. Siya unang nag-invite tas sasama loob niya. Hmph.

"Ehem, nandito pa po ako. 'Wag kayo mag lovey dovey diyan," panunukso ni Friar sa amin. Nakangisi siya habang nakatingin sa akin.

"Hindi kami nag-la-lovey dovey," reklamo ko.

"Eh, ano ginawa sa'yo ng mah brother ko ha? He never invited someone than you to go in our house."

I think my heart skipped a bit. Napahinga ako ng malalim at napailing-iling. Kalma, Mavis. It's just Friar's words. 'Wag ka magpaapekto.

"Anyways, Flare, did you receive Yna's message?" tanong ni Friar. Nakatingin na siya sa kanyang kapatid.

Flare moved the swivel chair and turned a side glance at his sister. "He will come back from London, right?"

Friar nodded at lumingon sa akin. "Kung confused ka, may babalik kaming kasamahan mula sa ibang bansa. Si R.V. The one that the stupid dancer used when he tried to tease you on the first case of the school year."

Tumango ako. Of course, how could I forget? 'Yon ang isa sa mga naging key points namin sa unang kasong na-encounter ko sa university na 'to.

"Maybe you will meet him later. He is always roaming around the house," dagdag pa ni Flare at may kinuhang libro mula sa drawer ng office desk niya at binasa 'yon.

I caught a glance at the book and the title is Crime and Punishment. It was made by Fyodor Dostoyevsky, a Russian novelist, and journalist. I had once taken a glance at the book when I was playing in my dad's office at the house.

Hindi na ako nagtanong tungkol do'n at tumingin na lang ako sa screen ng cellphone ko. 6:48 PM. Medyo matagal-tagal na rin pala kami. Inintay ko na lang namin na makatapos si Lucas sa kanyang club bago kami umuwi sa bahay nina Friar.

~***~

Truth to his words, pinatuloy nga ako ni Flare sa kanilang bahay. The twin maids gave me spare clothes na pwede kong pampalit muna—a plain shirt over my knees and pajamas with hearts on it.

"Sir Zeus informed me that you shall need to proceed to the library once you finished dressing up," Jane said as she folded my uniform neatly on her forearm. "I'm warning you again, woman. 'Wag kang gagawa ng masama sa bahay na 'to. If you have any plans on doing so, I'll—"

"Yeah, yeah. Gets na gets ko, Jane. Pwede ka ng makaalis," pagpapaalis ko sa kanya.

Bumuntong-hininga siya at umalis na ng guest room. Lumavas ba ako ng kuwarto at sinarado ng mabuti ang pinto bago ako bumaba ng second floor.

I just found out na ang ibang mga guest rooms ay nasa third floor and for exclusive people lang daw. I refused a while ago about putting me in one of the guest rooms in the third floor pero hindi pumayag si Flare at pinahatak ako sa twin maids para do'n ako pumasok. Noting that there are only two guest rooms in the third room and six on the second floor.

The number of rooms in their house makes them slap me across the face with their family's money.

Nang makapasok ako ng library, sinarado ang malaking pintuan at dumaan sa matataas na bookshelves bago ko makita si Flare. He is sitting on one of the twelve chairs in a long table.

He is reading something again. I didn't mind the book he was reading and sat on the chair across from him. Apart from reading a book, nakasalamin siya ngayon. He is wearing a retro round glasses. Gano'n pa rin naman itsura niya ngayon. 'Yon nga lang, parang mas cool siya tingnan ngayon. Also, his hair is wet. That makes his face ten times innocent than looking cold. Mukha tuloy siyang nerd na inosenteng nagbabasa ng libro.

"What do you need?" he asked while he flipped a page and closed it. He glanced at me. "What is it you need and you're staring at me like a fool? You look like you're gon' drool."

Nanlaki ang mga mata ko at dali-daling pinunasan ang bibig ko. Tumawa siya bigla. Sinamaan ko siya ng tingin at hininto ang pagpupunas.

"Ikaw ang nag-imbita sa 'kin dito. Sabi ng isang kambal pinapatawag mo raw ako," sabi ko, referring 'Jane' as the twin in my statement.

"Oh. The head of the mafia is here so I would like to introduce you," sabi niya at tumayo sa kanyang inuupuan. Iniwan niya ang libro sa table at lumakad papalapit sa akin, inilahad ang kanyang kamay na parang isang prinsipe at binigyan ako ng tipid na ngiti. "Shall we go, song thrush?"

~***~

Huminto kami sa isang pintuan na malapit lang sa guest room na tinuluyan ko. Nasa pinakadulo siya ng hallway kaya 'di ko masyadong napansin 'yon dahil 'di naman nasabi ni Flare ang tungkol do'n.

"This is my father's office," sabi niya sa akin at kumatok ng tatlong beses. "Dad, can I come in?"

May konting katahimikan ang bumalot sa amin bago makarinig ng isang matandang boses mula sa loob ng opisina na pinahihintulutan kaming pumasok. Hawak-hawak ni Flare ang kamay ko habang pinihit niya ang doorknob ng pintuan at sabay kaming pumasok.

Nang pumasok na kami, bigla siyang lumuhod na parang isang kawal na ginagawa sa mga hari. Hinatak niya rin ako kaya napaluhod din ako sa sahig. Kunot-noo naman akong napatingin sa kanya.

"Kneel and bow down," he whispered. "That's the head, not just my father." He glanced at me with serious eyes.

Hindi ko ginawa ang sinabi niya at tumayo. Halatang nagulat siya sa ginawa ko. Dumiretso ako sa pintuan at sinarado iyon bago umikot paharap sa "head" ng Furrer Mafia. It's just like any other office. Bookshelves on the side. A large glass window up from the ceiling with long red curtains by the side cascading down the floor. There is an office desk and a chair with gold sides shouting royal vibes. There, a man sitting with his elbows resting on the desk, fingers linked together as his black venomous-like eyes are looking directly at me.

I could feel a shiver down my spine. I took my time to observe his features. Kamukha niya si Flare, pati ang ibang galaw niya. The posture and all, halos katulad ng ginagawa ni Flare.

"Mavis," he spoke. Nanlaki ang mga mata ko at napalunok. Wala akong ginagawang masama sa harap niya pero nag-mukhang guilty na ako dahil sa boses niyang ma-awtoridad.

I clenched my fist as I stared back at him without holding back. This man is dangerous.

"I heard a lot about you from my twins," pagpapatuloy niya at ngumiti. "How's your day at the university? Are the twins good? Are Lucas and Flare still teasing each other?"

Parang nawala ang kabang nararamdaman ko sa biglang pag-iba ng boses niya. Hindi ko alam na nagpipigil na pala ako ng hininga nang bumuntong-hininga ako ng malalim.

"Dad!" rinig kong sigaw ni Flare sa kanyang tatay. Tumayo na siya at nanlalaki ang mga matang nakatingin sa kanyang tatay. "What was all that questions?!"

His father chuckled. "Oh, my dear son. I'm just asking how all of you are well in school. I do not mean any harm." Pinatong niya ang kamay niya sa ulo ni Flare at ginulo iyon. "You're still cute when you're mad."

Tinanggal ni Flare ang kamay ng tatay niya sa ulo niya at malakas na hinampas ang office desk ng dalawang kamay. "You told me to come here because it's urgent."

"I'm fine. Flare's doing well with cases, but they're always fighting—he and Lucas," I answered after their small battering. Pinanlakihan ako ng mga mata ni Flare pero 'di ako huminto. "Friar is doing quite well guiding me. Flare dragged me on cases always, bringing up na 'assistant' niya raw ho ako."

"Song thrush!" sigaw ni Flare.

"And that too," turo ko habang nakatingin sa tatay niya habang nakangisi. "The nickname. He gave that to me while you're away, sir."

"Oh." There's a familiar teasing smile on his father's lips. He glanced at his son. "Song thrush huh, son? I see kung bakit gusto ka tuksuhin ni Lucas."

Flare's ears reddened. "Father!"

His father chuckled again and held out his hand at me. "Come, my dear. Tell me more stories about my twins, especially on this young man," he glanced at Flare as he said that.

Sinamaan ni Flare ng tingin ang tatay niya at humalukipkip. He looked away with blushed cheeks. Aw~ Ang cute naman. Nahihiya siya.

I giggled and accept his father's hand, guiding me to sit on the small sofa chair near his office desk. Umupo rin si Flare sa upuan na kaharap ko lang. He is still sulking.

"As Flare said, I have an important message to give," sabi niya nang makaupo na muli sa kanyang upuan. He crossed his fingers again and looked at me. "I think you could be a Reaper," seryoso niyang sambit.

"Ho?" Naguguluhan ako sa kanyang biglang anunsyo.

"I think you could be a Reaper," pag-uulit nito. "Specifically, you are qualified to be one of the High Reapers."

Nanlaki ang mga mata ko sa kanyang sinabi. Same position as Flare and Friar? Really?

"Uh, sir, I don't think—"

"Dad, Mavis isn't ready for that," pagsingit ni Flare. Matiim ang pagkakatitig niya sa kanyang tatay. He leaned into his sofa chair and put his hands on his lap while his legs are crossed. "I supposed you know that Mavis has knowledge about our organization that's why you're proposing her to be one of us. But that's not the actual reason, is it?"

Biglang nagkaroon ng mabigat na tensyon sa loob ng kuwarto. After a long silent tension, his father sighed and looked at me. "My name's Ferris, the head of the Furrer Mafia. Cronus is my codename. I supposed you are informed of the current situation of our organization, aren't you?" I nodded. "Good. I run a background check on you and you're qualified to be with us."

Biglang tumibok ng malakas puso ko. Background check? That means...

"My dear, you have the eyes of a wild cat there."

Hindi ko namalayan na masama na pala ang tingin ko sa tatay ni Flare kung hindi lang siya nagsalita. I bowed and apologize at him quickly.

"Accepted, young miss. Though I announced I run a background check without permission, I shall consider its privacy between us two."

Nakahinga ako ng malalim sa sinabi niya. Buti na lang at kahit papaano, mabait tatay ni Flare.

"This is connected to your goal, young miss. I prefer you would join us if you would like your progress to accelerate. I put an advanced order within the organization that if you accepted my proposal for you, they will help you in the best they can. My members aren't fools, to begin with. They're reliable in handling their own positions and in doing so, they'll give you information on the connection of the justice you seek to find to your goal. What can you say, dear?"

"Sa tingin ninyo po mase-sway agad ako ng proposal ninyo, Mr. Furrer?"

"Tito Ris will do, hija."

"Tito Ris," I repeated. Matalim ang pagtingin ko sa kanya. "I am not a fool too. I could say the proposal would be a very big leap for me if I accepted it. It'll help me find pieces of evidence and information about my goal. However..." I leaned in the sofa chair. "... the details of the proposal is lacking. You have ulterior motives besides that, haven't you? Hindi niyo lang ako kukunin dahil nalaman niyo ang background profile ko, kung hindi may nakuha pa kayong impormasyon na makakatulong sa organisasyon niyo, tama? Shall you tell me what is your plan on using me, Tito?"

There's a moment of silence in between the conversation. Ayan na naman ang katahimikang parang sasakalin ka sa leeg sa sobrang tense.

Tito Ris suddenly sighed and gave me a satisfied smile. "I'm impressed. As expect something more minimal to you, my dear, but I'm terribly wrong. To my amusement, you're a very keen observer."

I sighed. "There's two conditions for me, isn't it? The first motive is clear. Kukunin mo ako bilang miyembro once I accept your proposal. Bibigyan mo ako ng freedom na makausap ang mga members mo para makatulong sa goal ko pero ang kapalit no'n kailangan ko rin tulungan ang organisasyon. What is the second condition then?"

"Investigate the Castell Organization," sagot niya. "This is not an easy task. I only put this mission on my twins and the rest of the High Reapers. The only low rank reaper that could manage to catch up is R.V. so he knows the plan as well. I want you to take over as Flare's assistant for this mission, if you would accept the proposal that is."

Castell Organization... Kung ia-accept ko ang proposal, magkakaroon ako ng tsansang imbestigahan ang organisasyon na involve sa kaso ng Dad ko. Kung hindi, magiging mabagal ang progreso ko. Choose wisely, Mavis. Ano ang pipiliin mo?

"Dad, I told you that she could not join us. You are preparing a proposal too early for her to take," ani Flare.

Tito Ris smiled. "My son, I would not give a proposal for a person if he can't do it. I run a background check on her. She looks frail but not weak. There's a lot more than meets the eye, dear."

"Tito Ris, I accept your proposal," I said, looking up at him.

Nanlaki ang mga mata ni Flare habang may amusement naman sa mukha ni Tito Ris. "Magnificent! I shall put a celebration for this! I will call my dear daughter to prepare a feast for you, young miss!"

I smiled. "Mavis will do na lang po, Tito."

"Oh. But I would prefer a mature nickname for you, dear."

Sa tingin ko, alam ko na kung saan namana ni Flare ang karantaduhan niya pagdating sa nicknames.

"Mavis will do, Tito Ris. It'll be fair for me since you let me call you Tito po."

His sad face brightened. "Ah! That make sense. I shall call you 'dear Mavis' from now on!" sabi niya at lumabas ng opisina.

Nagkaroon na naman ng katahimikan sa loob ng opisina. Pero hindi na 'yong mabigat na tension kung hindi awkward na katahimikan. Sa mga nangyari, halata namang hindi namin mapoproseso lahat. Lalo na ako. I accepted the proposal pero hindi ko 'yon ni-regret. I wanted this because I have a goal and I need to finish it.

Napatingin ako kay Flare. Medyo napaigtad ako nang makita kong nakatitig na pala siya sa akin. He looks mad. Incredibly mad.

"Why did you accept the proposal? I'm trying to refuse it for you!" galit niyang sambit. "Alam mo ba ang pinasok mo?!"

Wow, wow. Galit na galit ah. Akala mo naman hindi ko inisip ng maigi 'yong desisyon ko.

"I think it through though. For the purpose of my goal, I accept the proposal."

"The mission is dangerous. Being one of the informants is also dangerous. It could possibly get you killed."

"I know."

"If you know, then why did you—"

"Kasi gusto ko!" sigaw ko sa kanya. He is taken aback and he looked away from me, biting his lips with a tinge of guilt. "Hindi ko naman ginusto na pumasok sa organisasyon ninyo kung wala kaming napag-usapan na magbe-benefit sa 'kin at sa inyo. I think this very thoroughly. Alam kong andaming palabok ni Tito sa sinabi niya pero pumayag pa rin ako. Alam mo naman kung gaano ko gustong matapos ang kaso ng Dad ko, 'di ba?" Nakatayo na ako habang sinasabi ko 'yon sa kanya.

He looked back at me but with sadness in his eyes. "I apologize." He sighed. "Sorry, I was just taken aback." Huminga siya nang malalim at tumayo na rin. He suddenly lay a hand in front and looked me straight in the eyes. "Mavis Sherlia Throver, welcome to Furrer Mafia. From now on, you are my Hera, the official assistant of Zeus. Address me by my codename when you're under mission. Obey orders and don't do anything ridiculous." His tone is authoritative, almost like his father.

But I'm not scared. Siya pa rin naman si Flare, ang cold na detective na na-meet ko nung first day of class sa Ferris University. The Sherlock Holmes of the FU.

I shake his hand and smiled at him. "Nice to meet you again, sir."

###