Kefálaio Dyo

Gabi na at gising pa din ako dahil sa mga reaper na sinasanay ko. Napulot sila sa rooftop ng building na ito.

"Here's the tea sir"

I sipped at the oolong tea, Warren made. Muntikan na akong masuka sa pakla ng ginawa niya.

"What's the main recipe? Ampalaya?"

"Sir try mine" masiglang alok ni Ryza

I then try Ryza's Lemon Tea. Isa lang ang masasabi ko, someone diabetic can't drink this.

"And yours is sugar? I think in going to follow Ben's track if continue drinking this"

Napayuko silang dalawa. Tiningnan ko naman ang palapulsuhan nilang dalawa, wala talaga naka sulat.

They are my mission. Lemme tell you what happened.

"Good news, you finally have a mission." Thanatos said while panting for air.

Ngayon lang yata ako natuwa sa tanang buhay ko.

"What is it?" excited na tanong ko.

"Guide two reapers" he said while browsing a brown book.

Naging malungkot ako dahil sa misyon ko, sa lahat ng ayoko ay ang mag turo sa mga reaper.

"Are you insulting me?"

"Oh!" he said as if he realize something "no, definitely!"

I just rolled my eyes avoiding his face.

"They are Warren Ravena and Ryza Trinidad, please treat them nicely." he continued.

"Have you treated me nicely?"

"Ofcourse" then he ruffle my hair.

"What's so special about them?"

"Ryza can detect lies and Warren can teleport"

"So--" naputol ang sasabihin ko dahil sa idadagdag niya.

"And.. hindi din pala gagana ang ability ni Ryza sayo."

"What?! Why? Bakit yung kay Ben pwede?"

"They have their own reasons. It is also a mission for Ben. To give him a useful ability but he have to hide the results to you. Besides it is restricted 'cause it is not necessary for your mission."

"Okay, okay. But can I use my special ability on them?"

"No."

"You can leave now."

"Wait, there is still more" pahabol niya

"What?! Why do it have to ba a lot?"

"Did you know that the recovering process from the damage you did is still ongoing?"

"So your second mission is... find Gianalyn" the naughty reaper that ruins everything, including the death timeline in kéntro.

Napahinto ako sa sinabi niya.

"Yan lang ba ang kailangan gawin?" bawi ko nang matauhan ako

"Look, I'm sorry I do not control the mission you know that and I'm not supposed to be the one telling you this but because you're in a different case. They assigned me to be here."

"Kung iyon lang pala ang gagawin bakit ngayon niyo lang pinagawa sa akin?" parang ipinaayos niyo nalang sa akin ang sariling gulo na ginawa ko, na hindi naman talaga ako gumawa.

"Ngayon lang siya bumaba dito. You heard it right nandito na siya, noong isang linggo lang siya nakababa dito."

"What?! Pano?"

"Puro ka WHAT?!" pang gagaya niya sa boses ko "Malamang tumakas siya"

"Things are really messed up."

"Yes, actually matagal na" I glared at him "By the way, the commission of rules is trying to solve a massive problem right now even the guards of the gate is in trouble."

"It means that they already arrange a convocation?"

He nods.

"And majority of the votes wants you to chase her down" he points at me "Also, don't get fooled again"

"Okay, stop reminding me about the past."

"Just finish your mission."

"What do I have to do with Gianalyn?"

He gave me a mini cork bottle with a lavander liquid inside, it also have some mini flowers inside.

"What is this?"

"It's called Eternitea. It keeps anyone; a lost soul, human, any creature everywhere, at peace, eternally. So be careful with it."

"What do I need to do with it?"

"You need to atleast drop one droplet of this on the body that is Gianalyn using right now"

"Then after that I can comeback to kéntro?"

"Yes, but you have to start again to bring your position back on the commission"

"Yeah, I know."

"Good luck on that, I know you can do it. You are not the best educator for nothing, just... don't get fooled. Okay?"

"Yes, I know. I will never make the same mistake twice."

"Oh! And before I forget about it. Don't worry the two will help you."

"How about I just focus on cleaning?" Warren suggested.

"As if I have a choice." I sarcastically said "The both of you can't brew coffee or make a tea, I guess I'll keep the both of you out of the kitchen stuffs."

"I can manage the counter." Ryza raised her hand.

I just sighed. What's with these reapers, they are to joyful to be one.

"Can the both of you stop smiling?"

"Why I think I look cute with it." then she faced the mirror on her right.

"Do you want the souls to freak out when they see you smiling at them will guiding them?"

"I think it will be more fun if you smile while guiding them" she defended

"You're a reaper not a fast food crew."

"Can you show use our room?" Warren said pouting a bit.

"You ain't cute." I said

"You too." he fired back

"FYI I'm the cutest person on the world, even in kéntro." then I pouted

"You are weird" Ryza said

"That is because I am not the same person I was seconds ago"

"You are not a human, you're a so--" naputol ang sasabihin ni Ryza "Wait, what are you?"

"What do you think?" I smirked

"You are creepy." Warren said while spinning on the bar stool beside the counter.

"A soul?" Ryza guessed

I shook my head.

"I think a reaper?" Warren guessed

Again. Until they exchanged guesses.

"A god?"

"Commission's Agent?"

"Time Commitee?"

"Lost Soul?"

"Maybe a punished soul?"

"F*ck it, a UNICORN?!"

Ryza burst out laughing with Warren's thought. While I'm shaking my head in dismay.

"Let me just guide you to your rooms"

We walked all the way to the back door then we went through the stairs leading to a small hall way with two doors each side.

"This is my room" I point at the first door at the right.

This is Ben's ideas, he said we need extra rooms atleast two for guest but we never have guests when he's still here.

"And this is Ben's" and then I pointed at the first door on the left "You can choose what room you want" then I pointed at the two rooms at the back.

"May kasama ka pala dati dito?" di makapaniwalang tanong ni Warren

"Ofcourse, almost everyone in Kéntro wants to be with me. Dito pa kaya" napangiwi sila sa sinabi ko

"Ba ka nga kinamumuhian ka nung tao na yon eh" banat naman ni Ryza

"Note, he is a reaper too."

"Ow, then what is his name in Kéntro?"

"Dýnami"

"What?! The famous Dýnami?!" nagulat na sabi ni Warren

"Yup, but I'm more famous"

"What is it?" Ryza said as if she's challenging me

"Noimosýni"

"Ow, the unknown fool" Warren

"That is so ironic you know" Ryza

"You're really famous for being a fool though." patuloy pa niya

"Okay that's enough for today. I need a sleep."

Papasok na sana ko sa kwarto ko nang may maalala ko. Napahinto din sila sa pag bubukas ng napili nilang kwarto.

"And, bukas mamimili tayo ng damit nyo"

Naka tayo kami ngayon sa harap ng mall. I'm wearing a hawaiian polo with one side tucked inside my pants and a black rubber shoes. I also wore my eyeglasses with silver frame.

While the two are wearing the usual outfit we had when we were sent here. Ryza is wearing a black long dress with long sleeves paired with black sandals while Warren with a black long sleeves polo and black pants with black rubber shoes.

Trendy reapers.

Maaga ko silang ginising pa malaban at mai-dryer ang mga suot nila. Pumasok kami sa isang café.

Umupo ako at ganon din ang ginawa nila. Umupo silang dalawa sa harap ko.

"Wag kayong gagawa ng kalokohan ha. Ayokong mababalitaan na gumawa kayo ng gulo." sabay naman silang tumango.

"Here's the money" inabutan ko sila ng pera "Buy anything you want, just make sure it's not useless"

"Okayyy" excited na sambit ni Ryza. Habang si Warren naman ay tatango tango pa rin.

"Pag tapos na kayo bumalik na kayo dito."

Nang makaalis sila ay pumunta ako sa counter para umorder. Napatingin agad ako sa pulso ng cashier, 06/18/26 in green.

I think I should not but I pity her.

"One Americano with five shots of espresso and one fourth cup of water only."

"Is that all sir?"

"Uy ang pogi ni kuya"

"Tanong mo pangalan mamaya"

"Wag na tatawagin naman yun nung cashier"

"Ay oo nga noh" naririnig ko ang bulungan ng dalawang babae sa table sa gilid ng cashier

"Yes"

"Ano po'ng ilalagay na name sir?

Pag katapos ay bumalik na ako sa tabi ng glass wall na inuupuan ko kanina.

May tatlong babae at dalawang lalaki na may dalang drinks at desserts ang umokupa sa katabing lamesa ko.

"Anong sabi ni sir Clint?" tanong ng babae na may highlight ang buhok sa lalaking abala sa kanyang cellphone "Hoy Austin!"

"Yes, I won!" he exclaimed

"Did you really won or you use your.. you know" tanong ng babaeng naka salamin

"Sagutin mo muna yung tanong ni Skylar" sabi naman nung babaeng naka ponytail.

"I'll tell you something" sabi naman nung babaeng tinawag nilang Skylar, nakapag tataka lang na nag takip silang apat ng kanilang mga tenga.

"Okay we will listen na Sky!" sagot ng lalaking naka salamin

"Ang sabi ni Clint, hindi daw tuloy training tuloy bukas. May lakad daw sila ni Kheene." sagot nung Austin

"Are you sure ba ka naman iba na ang lalakadin niyan?" paninigurado nung babaeng naka ponytail.

"Yes sa bar." sagot niya ulit

"I knew it." biglang sabi nung lalaking naka salamin.

Habang ako ay naka tingin lang ng mabuti sa mga pulso nila. Nakapag tataka lang talaga.

They all accidentally died at the same month, day and year but... there is one yellow.

Maya maya pa ay inginuso ako nung babaeng naka ponytail. Awkward silang lahat na nag ka tinginan.

"He's hot though." bulong nung tinawag nilang Skylar.

Lumapit sa akin yung babaeng naka salamin dala ang isang cinnamon bread at macchiato, base sa naaamoy ko.

"Kuya ba ka po gusto niyo?" inaabot niya sa akin ang mga bitbit niya.

Sumunod naman sa kanya yung Skylar. "Move out" sabi niya dito at humarap sa akin "I'll tell you---" hindi na niya naituloy ang sasabihin niya nang takpan nung lalaking naka salamin ang bibig niya atsaka ibinalik sa table nila.

"Sorry po" pag hingi nito ng paumanhin at itinulak ang bridge ng salamin niya gamit ang hintuturo.

What's with them?

"It's fine." sagot ko

"Thank you but I was just waiting for my order." baling ko sa nag aalok sa akin ng pag kain.

Nakatingin kasi ako sa pala pulsuhan nila ang akala yata nila sa pagkain ako nakatingin. Nag mukha tuloy akong walang makain.

"A-ah sige po" nahihiya siyang bumalik sa table nila.

Sakto namang tinawag ako para sa order.

"Ahm-- Sir Kurikong?" tawag ng cashier

Tumayo ako at kinuha ang order ko. Tulala ang cashier at ang ibang tao sa cafe nang kuhanin ko ang order ko.

"Ang bantot ng panglan" narinig kong bulong nung babaeng nag aabang sa panglan ko kanina.

"Wag na ba ka ikahiya lang nang mga magiging anak namin ang panglan niyan" dagdag ng kasama niya

Speed.

Matapos kong kuhanin ang order na nabayaran ko na, dumiretso ako sa book corner ng cafe kung saan pwedeng manghiram ng libro habang nandito ko sa cafe.

Kumuha ako ng isang libro, Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Ugly Truth. Bumalik ako sa upuan ko at sinimulang mag basa habang paminsan minsan ay umiinom ng kape.

Tumingin ako sa wristwatch ko, isang oras na mula ning umalis yung dalawa at ni isa wala pa ding bumabalik. Kaya itinuloy ko nalang ang pag babasa ko. Lumipas pa ang trenta minutos wala pa namang fire alarm na nagaganap kaya wala pa siguro silang ginagawa na kalokohan.

Kaya pala medyo tahimik dito, wala na palang tao sa kabilang table mukhang kanina pa umalis dahil malinis na ang lamesa.

'Happy Finding the Impostor' nalang sa kanila... Hanap Well

"Sir!" napatigil ako sa pag iisip at bumaling sa entrance ng cafe.

Andito na si Ryza na madaming bitbit na bag mula sa iba't-ibang kilala na brands ng damit, accessories, pabango at bags pati na make up at may dala din siyang... standee?

Mukhang isang idol na nag-e endorse ng beauty product dahil may hawak pa itong cream.

Nakikita ko din si Warren na palapit na at madami din'g dalang bag. Hinihingal pa siya at mukhang may tinatakbuhan.

"Sir tara na!" sigaw nito kaya't napatingin kami ni Ryza sa kaniya.

"Why?" tanong ko

"Ninakaw lang pala ni Ry yung standee na yan!"

What the f*ck did just happen?

We got chased by a store manager hanggang sa parking lot buti nalang at naka para ako ng taxi pag labas namin. Can you imagine reapers stealing a standee from a boutique?

"What's the standee for?"

Andito kami ngayon sa cafe, sarado ang mga window blinds with soft white lighting from the bulbs. Magkakatabi kaming naka upo sa bar stool na gilid lang ng counter.

It's good to see them wearing light colors unlike the all-black outfit.

"May dagdag na naman kayong problema na ginawa" napasalo nalang ako sa mukha ko. "Kailangan niyo pa nga palang matuto kung paanong gawin yung mga menu dito. ARGHH!" nagulat sila sa akin.

I'm really frustrated.

"Ang dami ko pang gagawin"

"Kaya naman po naming aralin yung mga recipe dito." depensa ni Warren

"Yes, ampalaya." I said

"Kaya po talaga namin. Bigayan niyo po kami ng oras, kahit ngayong gabi lang kaming dalawa na po magha-handle ni Warren bukas ng cafe"

"You too, diabetes"

"So what's the standee for?" patuloy ko

"A-ang pogi po kasi eh."

"Mas pogi pa ko dyan eh" Warren

Binatukan ni Ryza si Warren.

"Kayabangan mong inutil ka."

"Tumigil nga kayong dalawa dyan." singit ko "Alam naman nating mas pogi talaga ko"

Umakto pa si Warren na nasusuka.

Bawas sweldo toh saken.

"Kung 'di lang kita boss binatukan na den kita"

"I'm also you teacher."

"Kelan po trai--" hindi na naituloy ni Warren ang sasabihin niya nang may marinig kaming malakas na ingay.

Mukhang may bumagsak sa basurahan ng cafe sa likod.

"What's that?" Ryza asked, almost panicking.

"Ba ka pusa lang" Warren shrugged na parang wala lang sa kanya ang nangyayari

"Ang laking pusa naman non?" tanong ko

Pumunta kaming tatlo sa likod ng cafe.

"Sino mag bubukas ng basurahan?" tanong ni Ryza

"Syempre si Sir sya teacher dito eh" sagot ni Warren

"I'm the teacher and I'm commanding you to open the dumpster" I said

"Ehhhh" nag didiwarang sabi ni Warren

"ANO NA!! MGA DUWAG KAYO" sigaw ni Ryza

Kaya napatiklop nalang kami ni Warren. Nag tago kami sa likod niya nang bubuksan na ang dumpster.

Nang mabuksan ito ay nagulat ako sa nakita ko. Mas tama yata na sabihin kong nagulat KAMI.

"WHATT??"