“I knew it! His attitude is terrible! I don’t understand why I liked that man! I’m so terrified!” Savannah’s entry. We are currently in her unit. This is where I landed after deliberating whether or not to tell her what had transpired. I pondered her feelings for Raviel, which was why I was hesitant, but when I remembered how put off she was by their date last time, I decided to tell Savannah all I had uncovered.
“Basically, he used me because I’m close to you, and you’re close to Ismael. Hold on, what if he installed a hidden camera on my belongings, as he did to your cat?”
I shake my head. “I’ve already removed it. I noticed it the instant you told me about your date with him; that’s when I got the idea that he was using us, and I confronted him.”
I showed him the precise design of the small camera Raviel placed on my cat. “I saw it on your wrist watch.” She instantly examined the watch she normally wore.
“Damn it! I remember him asking about the time. He quickly grabbed my hand to check it on his own, and I was so taken aback that I didn’t know it was all a facade,” she added, laughing sarcastically. “Aren’t we going to tell this to the police?”
I shake my head. “We cannot. He will simply deny it. We need strong proof to put him in jail.”
“But he is being creepy! He behaved like a stalker. He invaded your home to install a camera on your cat.”
I suddenly remembered something, and that gave me hope. “I remember; that was one of our conversations!” I exclaimed, smiling.
“With who?”
I gazed at her with a proud smile. “Ismael knows about it. Ismael was aware of who had installed the camera on my cat. I’m sure he is doing something right now. All we have to do is discover him to be confident of that.”
I nearly forgot about it. I had already asked him about it, and he was going to tell me when Professor Sybill appeared in front of my house. I have a strong suspicion that this is one of the reasons Ismael is absent today. Perhaps he was doing something to catch Raviel.
I did not lose my smile. I feel as if Ismael is speaking to me in my mind. I wish telepathy existed between us so that even if we were apart, we could read each other’s minds and converse as if we were in the same room, gazing into each other’s eyes.
“So, where do we start looking for him? Does he always go somewhere? Does he have a secret hideaway that you know about?”
I took a big breath and focused on only one location.
*****
“Are you sure about what you’re going to do?” Savannah asked me. We’re in the hardware store looking for something vital for my strategy.
“Why? Do you doubt it?” I asked in return. I clung to her arm, dragging her to the region of the digital security camera.
“No! You’re very witty, huh? Who would have thought you would consider putting a 360-degree camera with a speaker in your home to catch Ismael entering your home?” She giggled at the undeniable statement, mingled with admiration for me.
“That’s how technology works. Did he think he was the only one who was technologically advanced enough to consider installing a smart door lock in my home? Of course, I’m smart, so I’ll include something he wouldn’t expect.”
Just thinking about catching him makes me laugh. You don’t think I will consider that, right? You’re still hiding from me, Ismael. Are you actually hiding from me? I don’t know but I’ll do anything to locate you.
We’ve already taken aim and paid for it. Savannah accompanied me to my residence and assisted me in placing a camera in an inconspicuous location. We are still giggling.
“I can’t imagine Professor Mondalla’s expression when you finally caught him in 4K. He’ll be shocked,” he said.
“He will.”
We both lay down on the couch after doing the tasks that men often do. Fortunately, I had Savannah with me since I could use her height to connect the camera. In fact, I was only the one holding the chair she climbed upon. I’ve also set up a link on my phone so I can view the video the camera captured. I also tested whether I could move the camera with my phone. Fortunately, it worked. I can’t wait to finally see Ismael.
“Do you want beer?” I make an offer to Savannah.
“Oh, you have?”
I nodded and got up to grab some beers from the fridge. Mr. Mikael gave me one hundred thousand before. At the very least, I do not need to be concerned about having food the following day. My fridge is also not empty, and I was able to buy some beer.
“Thank you,” she responded, opening the can of beer and downing it.
“No, I should be the one grateful to you for assisting me with this as well as with everything else. You’re such a wonderful friend, Sav.”
“You deserve it. You’ve saved my life before, and this is the only thing I can do in return for you treating me like your best friend.”
“Honestly, you’ve already done a lot for me. You were always there for me, especially after Ismael left me. You do not owe me anything anymore. Actually, there shouldn’t be anything,” I clarified.
“Well, Jothea, I am doing this because I love you. You have been my first friend since becoming my mortal enemy. I used to have a lot of insecurities. I’ve always attempted to find anything wrong with you, but little did I realize I was growing persuaded that you’re constructed differently and uniquely-your gestures, demeanor, expression, and the way you fought back against me before. Your ability to make my nerves jangle astounded me.”
I looked at her and grinned. “Thanks for noticing them. I never imagined it would have an effect on you.”
“It has an effect, Thea. Certainly, and especially to Professor Mondalla. I was particularly pleased by how casual you were when talking to him in class. I never imagined the two of you would end up together.”
A bitter-sweet smile appeared on my lips. I felt a sudden rush of longing for Ismael. Just thinking about how we met and how we ended up apart immersed me in a deep pool of solitude. Tears welled in my eyes. “As time went on, we were convinced we hated each other, only to realize that we were starting to care for one another.”
“It is indeed true that the more you hate, the more you love.” She smiled at me and drank another beer. “Do you believe Professor Mondalla used you? That is what he stated when he left you, correct?
A sigh escaped me. Those are the questions I didn’t want to hear. My smile disappears. I was never prepared to hear those connotations from her. My sleepy brain had more what-ifs. To be honest, I can’t help but think this way because I don’t have a straightforward answer to every subject that crosses my mind. I just want to wait and believe, but I can’t help but have some doubts, especially since he doesn’t show himself up until now. He went to this house, but I’m not sure if he’ll return.
“I’m not convinced, either. What if he truly just told them he used you for your benefit? Because he does not want to interfere with your education, which will allow you to graduate. Because, for sure, if you both confessed, you’d be out of here.”
“I don’t really know,” I replied faintly. “I want to think that way, but I want to hear from him, whatever the reasons behind this all are.” I drank my beer in one go. I felt heat radiating from my throat down my body.
“I agree. Everything will become evident when he appears and tells everything to you. I respect your patience, Thea. Not everybody can wait that long.”
“Yeah, I don’t even know how I coped.” I looked at the promise ring on my finger. “I just have to endure and trust that everything will be fine.”
Savannah tapped my shoulder and urged me to embrace her, which I did, and she greeted me with both arms. “Yes, everything will be OK at the end. Now that he’s gone, you should keep working on yourself. Live your life and dreams.”
“Right. We’re almost there. We are about to graduate.” She pulled away from hugging me. When I think about finishing school, I can’t help but reflect on the efforts I’ve made since then to support myself.
“Speaking of graduation, are you thinking of a company to apply to?” She changed the subject while pulling out the chips that I had brought out earlier so we could eat something while drinking. “Are you going to work soon?”
“Yes, I will,” I replied, handing her the beer again. I am enjoying this conversation with her. It was as if we were taking another step towards getting closer. I couldn’t stop smiling because the significance of our chat has shifted to future hopes and dreams. “I’ve looked up a number of companies in the Philippines. I’ve been eyeing this company for a long time.”
“And what is that company, Thea?”
“Loeisal Malmdan Company.”