✔ 03 | Point Of Exposure

CAPITULUM 17

S A T U R D A Y

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December 7, 2019

There are a few things he hated about mornings.

But never in his entire career as a detective did Nico thought that being surrounded by a crowd of journalists with their cameras will be on top of his list. Wala naman siyang personal na galit sa kanila, of course. In fact, he thinks journalism is a reasonable and needed profession...

Pero sino ba naman ang hindi maiinis kung hindi ka pa nakakadalawang hakbang mula sa apartment building, pinapalibutan ka na na parang artista?

"Detective Yukishito, anong masasabi mo sa kawalan ng pormal na health guidelines sa Eastwood sa kabila ng banta ng virus?"

"Detective Yukishito, nabanggit kahapon ni Inspector Ortega na iniimbestigahan niyo na ang kasong ito. May suspects na ba kayo?"

"Detective Yukishito, gustong malaman ng mga tao kung kailan matatapos ang problema kay Unknown Disease. Ano ang kumento mo rito?"

Detective Yukishito.
Detective Yukishito.
Detective Yukishito.

'Damn Sherlock!'

"Why don't you all just step aside so that I can do my fucking job?!"

Dahil dito, agad na natahimik ang mga journalists at hinayaan na siyang dumaan. Ni wala nang nagtangkang harangan siya hanggang sa tuluyan na siyang maglaho sa mga lansangan. While trying to keep his sanity despite the chaos around him, hindi nakaligtas sa pansin ni Nico ang mga taong nagsusuot na ng face mask.

There was an urgency in the way they walk.

Eyes wary of every stranger that might be UD.

Puno ng takot.

Because of this, the guilt slowly crept in hm.

Nang marating na niya ang gusali ng kanilang agency, hindi na siya nagulat nang makasalubong niya sa entrance ang kanyang uncle. Uncle X wore casual clothes and a casual smile when he greeted him, "Ah. Kamusta ang pagsusuplado mo sa mga reporters?"

"I didn't know news travels faster than the speed of light."

Uncle X chuckled, "And I didn't know you'd easily get grumpy this morning. Magkape ka na muna. Alam kong magiging busy na naman kayo ni Detective Carlos buong araw."

"Well, it's better than pretending to be busy with the stupid paperworks you give me."

"Hay. Personal na yata ang galit mo sa mga papales. Ano bang ginawa nilang mali sa'yo?"

"Nothing, and that's exactly why I dislike them."

Napailing na lang si Uncle X at hinintay munang makapasok sa pantry ang kanyang pamangkin bago dinagdag, "She came here about half an hour ago, by the way. Nang sinabi naming wala ka pa, Detective Carlos apologized for stepping into our 'territory' and walked out of the building with a dozen eyes trailing her. Tawagan mo na lang daw siya kapag 'nakabangon' ka na ulit sa 'hukay' mo."

Nakita ni Nico ang aliw na ekspresyon ng kanyang tiyuhin, bago siga naglaho sa pasilyo. Meanwhile, the gears in his head were already turning. Nova crossing their territory, huh?

'Malamang may nalaman siya kagabi mula noong huli kaming nagkita, that's why she wants to discuss it to me first thing in the morning,' Nico deduced and sipped on his cup of espresso.

But what are the chances that he'd be able to enjoy his cup of beloved coffee without any interruptions?

A ringtone.

A call.

The impatient voice of his partner.

["Yukishito, nasaan ka?"]

The detective drained his cup and set it on top of the counter before replying, "DEATH. Anong natuklasan mo?"

["Nothing as important as what Dr. Almeida discovered. Kasama ko siya ngayon dito sa Night Sparrow."]

The mention of the virologist's name caught his undivided attention. Kung tinawagan na nito si Nova at nakikipagkita na ito sa kanila, iisa lang ang ibig sabihin nito….

"I'll be there in 20 minutes."

*

Nang makarating na si Nico sa tea house, agad siyang sinalubong ng matapang na amoy ng tsaa. The scent of camomile flowers and mint mixed with the morning breeze made him almost regret not having another cup of coffee this morning. Agad niyang nakita sina Nova at Dr. Almeida sa kabilang gilid ng shop. Not that he has trouble spotting her mop of pink hair, anyway. Nang lapitan na niya ang dalawa, kabadong ngumiti ang virologist. Hindi tulad ni Nova, mukhang hindi pa nito nagagalaw ang kanyang almusal.

"Have a seat, detective. Pasensya na kung masyadong maaga ko kayo naabala para rito."

He slid into the seat beside Nova.

"Nonsense. Walang pinipiling oras ang hustisya. Natuklasan niyo na ba kung anong virus ang pumatay sa kanila?"

She fidgeted before heaving a sigh. Noong mga sandaling 'yon, alam na nilang hindi magandang balita ang hatid nito sa kanila. Might as well throw in the worse case scenario...

"Is it Ebola?"

Depending on the type, ebola is one of the deadliest viruses known to mankind. Noong nagkaroon ng outbreak sa West Africa, naitala nilang umabot ng 90% ang mortality rate o siyam sa sampung na-infect ay namatay. An estimate of 12,000 people died globally because of this virus. It can wipe out a whole village, and until this day, scientists don't have a vaccine or a cure for it.

To his momentary relief, umiling si Dr. Almeida.

Pero agad ring bumalik ang kanilang takot sa sunod nitong ibinunyag sa kanila.

"No, but it's from the same family..."

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