Kabanata 20 (Part 2)
Hi! I revised this part a bit in consideration of the suggestions to make the court scene better, thank you so much for the comments! It helped me a lot to be better! Tho, this isn't perfect. I am sure there are errors. Slight revisions lang, may ibang naibang scenes at may nadagdag but all in all. Same content, kayo na bahala if you will read again.
My apologies for the errors in the court scene. I'll fix it soon.
Note: Contains sensitive topics. Beware.
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Kabanata 20 (Part 2)
The trial went on for weeks. Justice is indeed so hard to obtain these days.
"Miss Sandejas, my client is drunk. It seems to me that she was drugged, she claimed that after drinking the water the defendant was giving her, she felt unusually hot and touchy to him." Adira explained for the day's trial. "She went to the restroom to freshen up but she couldn't, she went out and her friends were still partying, may usapan silang ihahatid siya ng alas-tres ng madaling-araw but it was a bit early and she wanted to go home, the reason why Mr. Yuzon offered to take her home."
"Then what about this footage, Attorney Sandejas?" Ash asked while pointing to the screen. "It was seen here how the plaintiff came to the hotel with the defendant, willingly."
The video was shown and it was me, locking hands with Eugene while entering the hotel. I closed my eyes tightly, couldn't actually remember being like that while entering the hotel. That night, I blacked out. I felt hot and weird and I couldn't remember anything after that, pwera na lang noong nagmulat ako ng bahagya at nakita ang kanyang ginagawa sa akin.
"There is a possibility that there was a presence of a date-rape drug, Attorney." She named the drug and shared information about the usual use of it, a party drug used for crimes like that.
I sighed, glancing at my family. Tito Zeijan and Zion listening intently to Adira. "A person who had ingested the said drug might feel energetic, extra happy, and excited at first like what was happening in the video."
She pointed to the screen and it was me being hyper while locking hands with Eugene. I was even pulling him towards the hotel's entrance but I know for a fact that I was not myself.
"She may look energetic but look at this video footage," Adira said and nodded at mayamaya'y nakita ang video ko na kung saan akay na ako ni Eugene. "The effect would be after fifteen to thirty minutes and like what we're seeing here, my client was weaker unlike the first video shown. Victims would usually black out after being energetic and that's when the assault would take place."
"Your client is a liquor intolerant, yes?" Ash said, fixing his blue coat while staring at my sister in her dark green terno suit and pants, bagsak din ang kanyang diretsong buhok at nakahati sa gitna.
"Yes, you are suggesting?"
"Let me remind you, Attorney, that alcohol also had its disinhibiting effects and her being intolerant might've been the reason she became sleepy and easily drunk. Not drugs. Mr. Yuzon only took care of her. In addition, no drug tests of any kind were taken so it's out of the question and irrelevant to the case." Bumaling siya sa prosecutor na katatapos lang magtanong at kausapin ako at si Eugene na paulit-ulit na itinatanggi ang lahat.
"Atty. Sandejas," ani ng prosecutor.
"My client knows her limit when it comes to drinking. Yes, she somehow had drank a few more glasses than she usually does but it felt unusual. She confessed to me that she felt hotter than usual, that kind of thing you will feel not because you are naturally aroused. It's filled with discomfort and my client never experienced that while drinking before except that night of the incident, Adira said. "My client swore to only say the truth and she is saying the truth, she woke up. She couldn't fight the perpetrator that's why, even if she tried resisting, she couldn't.
"After the deed, after Mr. Yuzon assaulted my client, Miss Sandejas. They fought, my client tried to resist him but he threatened him, Attorney Guerrero. He threatened her at gunpoint, telling her that if she tried reaching out to the authorities, he would kill her and her family. Would she risk her family's safety? She didn't want to so she remained silent and trauma lived within her for all these years."
"Objections!" ani Ash. "We strongly deny the accusations, Attorney," Ash said and glanced at the judge. "Your honor, my client never brought his gun from work while he's off-duty. My client is a Lieutenant-Colonel of the police force, he's awarded not because he's the General's son but because of his good deeds. He has a good reputation with his work and never could he do such thing the plaintiff is claiming."
"No, Attorney Guerrero." Adi touched her hair briefly. "This is not your client's first involvement in a case, based on my documents, Mr. Yuzon was a suspect in a murder that happened years ago."
"And yet my client was proven not guilty in the accusation," he said. "He got involved but he isn't the perpetrator. You are aware the gunman before was already jailed, right? The trial was immediately closed because of the lack of evidence against him dahil hindi siya involved doon, the gunman was jailed afterwards and that's it. This is totally unrelated to our case so why bother checking this out?"
"I was just concerned, you know?" Adira's lips lifted. "That your client isn't that ideal like what everyone is saying. Having medals and awards does not define a good man, Attorney. Just saying."
"Yes, Atty. Sandejas, but we need proof for everything because an accusation without proof is merely just an accusation," Ash fired back.
"Attorneys, calm down. We are in court. This is not a boxing ring!" sita muli sa kanila na nagkakainitan na. Kaya sabay silang humingi ng paumanhin.
Nagkatitigan sila ni Ash. Naghahamon ang huli. My sister only smiled, I saw the wicked glint in her eyes as she nodded and glanced at the judge.
"Your honor, let me introduce my witness," Adira said kaya napakurap-kurap ako, inayos ang buhok kong kulot.
"Okay, let him in," The judge said. I saw the prosecutor nodded, may sinabi sa katabi at mayamaya'y bumukas ang pintuan kaya napabaling ako roon at nanlaki ang mata nang matanto kung sino iyon.
My heart thumped loudly when I saw Locket on his blue police uniform walking towards the witness stand. He got a new haircut, malinis na muli ang gupit niya. I noticed his aura turned darker and scarier. He looked cold, serious and intimidating. Walang emosyon ang mukha kagaya noong una ko siyang nakita.
I was always seeing Locket silently protecting me and my family from afar, sila ng mga baby penguins ko. He was heading the police force around us and I've been seeing him staring at me from time to time pero kapag nagkakatinginan kami ay iiwas siya at hindi na muling titingin.
"Lieutenant Lorcan Keith Dmitrov, a witness who had seen the plaintiff, Miss Sandejas with the defendant, Mr. Yuzon in Vista Hotel." Adira started off and I was aware he had seen us together way back pero...he'll be a witness for my case?
Really?
Nangilid na naman ang mga luha ko, I stared at Locket who was currently saying the oath before being a witness and my heart pounded.
He'd testify for me...he would.
Our eyes met after he said the oath and my heart melted. I saw how the coldness of his eyes vanished when he saw me looking at him and my heart broke more when I saw a small smile on his lips, reassuring me it was gonna be alright but the sadness underneath it didn't escape my eyes.
"Lieutenant Dmitrov, you were there that night, April 17. Vista Hotel, am I correct?" Adira asked.
"Yes." He said seriously.
"Can I ask what you are doing that night there, Lieutenant?" Adira asked.
"I just had an errand to attend, late night work. Security anomaly sa hotel. That was my last task that night before I went home until I saw him with a girl. The girl looks unconscious, not really herself when I saw her, the reason why I approached them." He said seriously and then I tried recalling it in my mind and only remembered Eugene talking to someone, a male perhaps but I hadn't seen his face at all.
"What happened then, Lieutenant?" Adi asked.
I saw Eugene smirking, tahimik na sumandal sa upuan niya, uminom pa ng tubig at humalukipkip, pinapanuod si Locket na seryoso.
This demon...maybe conscience left him a long time ago.
"I approached them, asked where they were going and Lt. Col. Yuzon told me that he was with his girlfriend," Locket said.
Ash nodded a bit while listening to Locket's statement from his seat.
"So, Lt. Dmitrov, what happened then? You are suspicious, right? About Mr. Yuzon with a girl? Why? Wala ba siyang girlfriend?" Adira asked.
"Her step-sister's my girlfriend before..." I froze. Kaagad na kumalabog ang puso ko nang maalala si Veronica. "Veronica had told me before na walang girlfriend si Eugene so I was confused as to why is he with an almost unconscious girl."
"What happened then, can you further elaborate?" she asked, watching him intently.
"I asked him where he was bringing the girl, I said I'd like to check on the girl if she's alright. I was planning to take the woman to the police station where I could call some relatives or something," ani Locket na malalim ang iniisip. "But...I..." he sighed audibly.
"But what?" Adira then asked. "What stopped you from checking on them?"
"The woman...Miss Sandejas spoke and said she was sleepy while we were talking and it stopped me, I thought they were in a relationship," he said lowly, pain laced in his voice. "I-I know I should've stopped them...I'm..."
"You were threatened, Lt. Dmitrov, yes?" Adira asked. Locket slowly nodded.
"He told me before that if tried getting on his way again, he'll take Ver from me."
My heart ached, nakita ko ang pagtungo ni Dad at ang frustrated na hawak niya sa kanyang buhok, my mother hugged him and Chiel glanced at me kaya inabot ko ang tubig ko at tahimik na uminom.
"Can I ask why would my client take away his step-sister from you, Lt. Dmitrov? For what reason?"
"Veronica left her home because of Lt. Col. Yuzon and her family," he said, stopping me. "She was against her family's way of tolerating Eugene's bad deeds. She told me everything about him and what he's doing whenever they see each other."
"What is the defendant doing to your girlfriend before, Lieutenant? Can I ask?" Adira said and touched her hair a bit. Locket heaved a deep sigh, I saw how his hand fisted as he composed himself.
"He's...he's sexually harassing Veronica." He said and my heart fell, kaagad na nahulog ang luha sa aking pisngi sa narinig. "I...I remembered her telling me he's been groping her and touching her in such places."
Nakita ko ang pag-iling ng judge, miski ang prosecutor ay napatingin sa kanyang sinusulat at may ginawa roon.
"T-that wasn't true!" I was shocked when Eugene suddenly became violent. "He's fucking lying! He's just mad at me! He's envious of me! Kasi mas mataas ako sa kanya!" his voice roared.
"Atty. Guerrero..." the judge called and Ash closed his eyes tightly and tried calming his client. Sina Earn na nasa likod ni Eugene ay hinila siya pabalik para maupong muli sa upuan.
"That wasn't true you asshole!" he exclaimed loudly, pilit na kumakawala kina Earn. "You are just fucking jealous of me! I love Veronica! Hindi ko man siya kapatid ay hindi ko magagawa sa kanya iyon!"
"Mr. Yuzon! Silence!" the judge exclaimed at nakita ko ang pagbulong ng nakakunot na noong si Ash sa kanyang kliyente roon.
I glanced at the crowd and saw Veronica's parents, ang kambal at Nanay nila. Even the General is here pero wala lang silang reaksyon kaya mas nasaktan ako.
Why...why would they react that way? Aren't they shocked? Bakit...bakit hindi nila natulungan si Ver?
"Objections! We strongly deny the accusations, Your Honor." Ash stood, his forehead creasing. He looks stressed, inayos pa niya ang coat at seryosong bumalik sa pwesto kanina para kausapin si Locket. "Lt. Dmitrov, can I ask for proof of that accusation? My client had told me you and he had a misunderstanding. He was merely helping Veronica, his sister, and accidentally touched her skin. That's it."
"Do I need proof for that, Attorney?" dumiin ang boses ni Locket doon. "He harassed her! Kaya pumunta sa akin si Veronica, I hid her from him to protect her!"
"Excuse me but this is now unrelated to the case," the prosecutor called their attention kaya natahimik sila. "Atty. Guerrero, you'll get your time to cross-examine the witness. Settle down."
"I'm sorry, prosecutor," ani Ash na muling naupo.
"I apologize, prosecutor." Adira then said and glanced at Locket. "Can I ask what you did next, Lieutenant? Did you leave the two of them? Like nothing happened?"
"Yes," I heard the strain in his voice. "I went home but I was bothered and the next morning, I checked the hotel again and they already left. I was also waiting for a report the next day for any suspicious movements and victims coming but I heard no one."
Adira settled down. Si Ash naman ang tumayo.
"Atty. Guerrero..."
"Lieutenant Dmitrov, the defendant, Mr. Yuzo,n and Miss Sandejas had a relationship, yes?" he asked Locket who shook his head.
"It's just my assumption."
"I see, but didn't they have a relationship? I'm gonna suggest they have one, the reason why the two of them decided to go to the said hotel voluntarily and consensually where the plaintiff claimed the alleged sexual assault had happened, correct?" he asked coldly.
"Objections, your honor," Adira raised her hand.
"Proceed,"
"Let me clear this to you. No, Atty. Guerrero. They might have a mutual understanding but they are not engaged in a relationship so, no. Look as to how your client lies to you."
"How sure are you your client isn't?" Ash fired back at nagtagisan sila ng tingin.
"Attorneys..." the prosecutor called kaya tapatikhim sila at nag-iwas ng tingin.
Adira nodded and Ash started questioning Locket again.
"There is no sexual assault reported the next day, then? Yes?" He asked and Locket nodded. "Then, there is no case, Atty. Sandejas." Ash claimed and Adira's forehead creased.
"What happened then? That's it? No investigating anymore?" Ash examined Locket again. Locket sighed and brushed his hair frustratedly.
"There's no investigation when there's no cases filed, Attorney," ani Locket. "Ever since I heard what he did to Veronica, I was wondering if he had any other victims. I wanna help, for my girlfriend and his victims. You could ask the police officers during that time, I was searching for the woman he was with. I wanna know what happened, to at least speak to her, or if there's anything I could do to help. If there is no harassment or any suspicious things happened then okay but if there is, I want to fight for it, Attorney. I was handling violent crimes for women before and that involved sexual harassment and assaults kaya hindi ko iyon mapapalagpas."
Damang-dama ko ang diin doon.
"But I couldn't find her...I was searching for days to find her, at least know her name."
"You said you were handling violent crimes for women before, correct? What stopped you then? I heard you are still handling violent crimes these days but not about assaults anymore, what happened? You are handling homicide, drugs, and such things right now, right?"
"Yes." Locket closed his eyes tightly and I remembered we talked about that before.
"Can I ask why?"
"I was...I was so engrossed in finding the woman's identity. I've been doing it from time to time, checking on Eugene's whereabouts that I forgot about Ver. Hindi ko siya nakakausap and we fought. There's this one time we planned about dining that night and I forgot about that dinner since nalaman ko ang bar na pinuntahan ni Eugene noong gabing 'yon. I came there and asked around but before I found out her name, someone called..." Mas naramdaman ko ang hapdi, lungkot at pakikiramay sa pait sa mga mata ni Locket.
"What happened, Lieutenant?"
"Someone called and said, Ver's dead. She was shot and died on the spot," he muttered. "Kaya...tumigil ako, kasi ayoko na...I was mad at myself, I was mad because I couldn't help Ver...I couldn't help Crest. I was there and I knew something happened pero...pero hindi ko sila natulungan."
My tears fell uncontrollably. Locket glanced at me and I couldn't breathe when I saw a tear fell on his cheek while he's staring. Nasapo ko ang mukha habang umiiyak at itinago iyon sa kanila, tahimik na humikbi habang iniisip ang lahat ng nangyari.
It felt like we were running in circles, running without an end. An endless cycle of nightmares with no way out.
Everyone was silent, even Ash, was silent as if thinking deeply. I could see something in his eyes, remorse, I think. Pero mabilis niya iyong itinago at muling naging malamig.
"That's not true, you were just so envious of me!" Eugene was violent again kahit anong hatak sa kanya nila Brent at Adam pabalik.
"Mr. Yuzon! Are you a police officer in that case? How can you be so violent? If you are not guilty then behave!" The honorable judge exclaimed. Eugene cursed under his breath and sat abruptly, annoyed.
"Your witness had a bad blood against my client, Atty. Sandejas," malamig na sinabi ni Ash. "There is a competition between him and Mr. Yuzon in the workforce, the rank, perhaps. This whole thing is made up for Lt. Dmitrov's revenge."
"I'm not that dumb for petty revenge, Attorney." Kumunot ang noo ni Locket. "I wouldn't waste my time in useless shits like that."
"Words..." The judge said kaya umigting ang panga ni Locket at umiwas ng tingin.
"This is where his ex's case would resurface, your honor, prosecutor." Ani Ash. "He was pushing na may kinalaman ang kliyente ko at ang pamilya nito mismo sa pagkamatay ni Veronica."
"What are you suggesting then, Attorney?" The prosecutor asked him.
"That it was a plot for revenge, no footage was seen na pumunta si Lt. Dmitrov sa hotel noong araw na 'yon, he has no alibi about his whereabouts, tho. Hindi na rin mahanap ang mga dating empleyado ng hotel para sa statement kung nakita siya roon."
Ash's forehead creased more. "I can actually see the brighter picture here, you are seeking revenge against my client and as he had stated, it has something to do with the rank. Agree?"
Locket's forehead creased.
"I am not that low to have a childish revenge with that man, Atty. I am seeking justice here! I wanted to stop him from doing that to her but I got no evidence, there are no reports the next morning in my station!" he exclaimed frustratedly but still doing his best to calm himself down.
"You weren't seen in the hotel, Lieutenant. You have no proof you had seen the two of them together. You are merely framing my client to have your revenge—"
"Objections your honor!" Adira raised her hand. "There is not enough proof to support the defendant's counsel claim."
Sabay silang tumitig sa Judge na mabilis na bumaling kay Ash. "Come here, Atty. Guerrero." Ash stepped closer to her and the two of them talked for a while, miski ang prosecutor ay lumapit bago bumaling sa kanya.
"Atty. Sandejas, do you have further arguments?" the prosecution asked. My sister then fixed her hair and nodded, standing straight with poise.
Si Ash ay inayos din ang coat, mukhang hindi pinayagan sa kanyang argumento at naglakad ito palapit sa may witness stand at inantay si Adira na magsalita.
The silent but observant Locket was listening, his face was filled with exhaustion. Someone from the courtroom talked to him and escorted him back to the front seat where he could listen to the trial again.
"I just want to comment regarding Atty. Guerrero's claims about the witness' appearance in the hotel. No CCTV footage doesn't mean he didn't come in there, Attorney."
Ash just stared at her intensely and waited for her next words.
"Also, for the said report in the police station the next morning. I doubt my client had the courage to speak at that time. She was terrified. Let me point this out, as per Dr. Valderama, a psychiatrist, survivors often experience trauma. What would you expect? It was such a brave thing my client even decided to speak and tell everyone her story. She was also threatened, isn't that enough reason for you to stay silent before?" Her brow raised.
Lumingon siya sa isang banda, I saw those people from our side giving papers to everyone. To the jurors, prosecutor, and the judge.
"The files we had just given you are proof regarding Miss Sandejas' sleeping pills medication the past few years for her insomnia, one indication she is indeed traumatized. She claimed she had nightmares about a man, the defendant, Mr. Yuzon, the reason why she had trouble sleeping," she reiterated. "She is showing signs of PTSD too, as per the psychiatrist's psychological examination."
The judge nodded.
"How about the explicit video your client has, Atty. Sandejas. Could you please elaborate? You claimed it has something to do with the defendant," the judge asked.
"About the video circulating online, that explicit and sensitive video in social media of my client. Miss Sandejas was videotaped without her consent," Adira muttered coldly.
"Can I ask if there were proof of that claim? Social media is a large platform, anyone could post anything," Ash asked. Adira smirked and nodded.
"Can I add another evidence for this claim, your honor?" Ani Adira sa judge na saglit na nag-isip pero tumango rin.
"Why now?"
"It came late but this is a crucial piece of evidence to prove my client's claim. I hope you'll consider." The judge agreed, bumaling si Adira kay Ash at ngumiti.
"Should I show you evidence, Attorney?" Adira challenged. I saw Ash licked his lower lip and bowed a bit.
"Of course, Attorney," he said. Adira walked towards the screen, her straight hair swaying with her movements. I admired her so much for being brave.
She was like that, always. Sobrang tapang sa korte pero kapag natatapos ang trial ay yayakap sa akin o kahit kina Dad at iiyak dahil natatakot daw siya at kinakabahan sa kalalabasan ng kaso ko.
"We have searched the origin of the video and found the source with the help of our agents," she then glanced at Tito Zeij and Zion na tumango. "We found the uploader, investigated it and all evidence pointed to your client, we also checked the bank account records and there is a transaction between the uploader and Mr. Yuzon, proving that this claim is indeed a fact, without reasonable doubt."
Ash just stared at her and didn't say anything, si Eugene ay kunot ang noo habang nakatingin kay Ash na walang imik na roon.
"Attorney, what the hell—"
"Fact taken, Atty. Sandejas. Good work." The prosecutor said. "Any arguments? Atty. Sandejas?"
"Yes," Adira said.
I glanced at my family, Dad removed the tears from his eyes while staring at Adira. Si Chiel ay napangiti pa at naiiling na napatakip sa mukha.
"Pabibo na ang mahiyain kong kapatid," I whispered to myself when I saw how brave she was to stand and say something again.
"Lt. Dmitrov also wrote a written statement of him, telling us he had seen first-hand how Miss Sandejas experienced agitations and trauma, he had seen the plaintiff crying and shaking when she first saw the defendant and the papers we're about to show you are the copies of the said statement." Aniya at mayamaya'y may lumitaw at nagbigay sa kanila ng papel.
"Well, I just wanted to say and clear again that I believe there is no such thing as revenge. If the defense counsel is referring to Lt. Dmitrov's statement, I see no jealousy and envy here. Instead, I am seeing how brave and honorable Lt. Dmitrov is to stand for women who were a victim of abuse, harassment, and assault which in fact, not generalizing but saying as a citizen, I rarely see police officers like him."
"These days, there is no honor in people who were supposed to be honorable. A police officer's responsibility is to take care of and protect their people but look what was happening? A police officer, of an honorable high rank, is allegedly accused of rape, abuse, grave threat, and sexual harassment. How sad it is that the people who swore to protect are the ones to hurt them first?" Adira sighed. "And I wanted to make a change right now in our justice system. We should punish perpetrators, we should punish those people in the government for doing something against the law they swore to never do. He is a high-ranking officer with good records but it doesn't mean he wouldn't do such things because a rapist is a rapist. A crime is a crime. It should be the law against crime and not the law and power against people."
"I wanted to commend my client, Miss Crest Veronica Sandejas because of her bravery. I stand with her right now, not just because she's my sister but because I am a woman and I know our rights. I wanted to stand with her, as a survivor, for I am not just standing with my sister but with every woman who got abused, harassed, and assaulted every day who couldn't speak. Today, I wanted to be a voice for those women. I wanted to let people know in this court that we should respect women and not silence them for speaking up. We should encourage them, we should help them have a voice so there will be no further victims that will experience such cruelty and inhumane acts in the future."
Her eyes glistened with unshed tears and I found myself nodding at her.
"Honorable judge, prosecutor, and our jurors. I hope you will make the right judgment in this case. I believe and trust you will." Adira smiled and lowered her head before leaving the pavement.
The prosecutor was smiling when she stood and nodded, glancing at Ash.
"Any further arguments, defense counsel? Atty. Guerrero?" the prosecutor asked and I saw how Ash shook his head and smiled briefly.
"No further comments, prosecutor." He said instead and I saw how Eugene's eyes widened.
"What the fuck..." Eugene gasped. "You should be protecting me! Why the hell—you asshole!"
"Silence!" The judge exclaimed and when it calmed down, she called the prosecutor who went in front.
"Good afternoon, we have heard and seen the arguments, evidence, and claims from both sides. Based on the evidence submitted and reviewed in court, and will take the cases filed against the defendant into consideration."
My heart thumped loudly. She looked at the jurors.
"The prosecution will take into consideration the rape, grave threat, possession of illegal firearms, sexual harassment, and the violation of the anti-voyeurism act in consideration," she announced kaya napasinghap si Eugene.
"T-that was fucking unfair—" Eugene's harsh voice filled the courtroom but was immediately silence when the strict judge cut him off.
"We will be having an hour recess for the deliberation. I think what we have seen and heard today and the last few weeks was enough to make a judgment. I will talk to the jurors and the prosecutor and we will announce the final judgment for this case," ani ng judge.
When they left I was in relief, kaagad na naglakad papunta sa pwesto ko ang pamilya ko at kaagad na nangilid ang luha ko nang mabilis akong niyakap ni Adira.
"A-Ate...I'm scared, I-I hope I convinced them," She whispered.
"You did a great job, Adi," I muttered softly. "Y-you're so great. I am so proud of you, you did your best."
While we're on the break, I noticed Ash and Eugene arguing. It was Eugene who's enraged and Ash was nodding nonchalantly, habang nagmumura pa si Eugene ay walang pakialam pang uminom si Ash ng tubig pero binatukan ng kliyente niya kaya nabulunan.
"Tss, wrong client nakuha ni Ash." I said. Adira chuckled, resting her head on my shoulder.
"Nabulunan pa..." Adira muttered. "I swear, Ate, after ng kaso na 'to, mag-aaya 'yan kumain ng buffet."
"Oh?" I asked. She chuckled.
"Matakaw 'yan, macho 'no? Pero kapag kumain parang maraming compartment sa katawan." She said, her voice filled with admiration kaya napangiti ako at niyakap ang kapatid ko.
My eyes wandered around and noticed Eugene's family wasn't her anymore. Locket was on the far side of the court, standing in silence, observing and protecting. My heart goes for him.
I have nothing against Veronica because I know she is a good woman. I felt that she was and like me, she didn't deserve to be harassed like that. We didn't deserve to be the demon, Eugene's victims. We didn't deserve it. Never.
I hope if ever I got justice, it will be for both of us. My justice against Eugene will be Veronica's justice too. Our justice would be Locket's too. Para sa amin.
The judge came back with the jurors and the prosecutor and I was never this nervous my whole life except now. I felt like this judgment would either break me or make me and I am so scared and nervous.
Lord...Lord, please help us. Please help us get the justice we deserve.
"Good afternoon, thank you for waiting. The jurors had come to a decision and I do, too. After a thorough deliberation of the evidence submitted and reviewed and by watching the defendant who hadn't shown remorse. Not even guilt or anything." Umiling ang judge. Umusbong ang pag-asa sa puso ko.
My heart hammered when he opened the folder.
"The plaintiff, Miss Crest Veronica Sandejas had filed several cases against the defendant, Mr. Eugene Yuzon and we all had seen the arguments and facts from the counsels of both sides and came up with a careful decision.
"The cases filed against the defendant are Rape, possession of illegal firearms, grave threat and sexual harassment and the violation of the anti-voyeurism act of 2009." She said and took her cartoon gavel. "The defendant is..."
My heart hammered inside my chest as I gripped my sister's hand tighter.
"...found guilty of these charges beyond reasonable doubt," she said and rang the gavel.
"Mr. Eugene Yuzon is found guilty of the accusations and will be sentenced with the maximum and highest possible punishment," she reiterated over the years he will spend behind bars. "He'll be sentenced with Reclusion Perpetua."
My tears fell continuously, napahagulgol ako nang marinig iyon at mabilis na niyakap ang kapatid kong umiiyak na rin katabi ko.
We can hear Eugene's violent arguments but his voice faded when the police took him into custody.
"I'm not done with you!" He screamed violently.
My eyes wandered and my heart melted when I saw how my father almost tripped just to get closer to me and the moment he reached me, he hugged me tightly, crying loudly while resting his face on my shoulder.
"I-I'm sorry, anak ko...I'm sorry." He cried while hugging me and I did too, hugging him tightly while shaking my head.
"Y-you did your best, D-dad. Y-you did your best." I muttered and hugged him tighter.
"D-dad, Ate..." we heard a voice and when we saw Adira crying, we lost it. We hugged her immediately and I heard Dad muttering words about how proud he is of Adira. She did a great job on her first trial.
"A-anak..." My eyes watered more when I saw the teary eyes of my brave mother and Chiel whose nose was red from crying.
"M-mom..." I ran to her and glanced at my twin, sobbing. "K-kambal, p-pangit mo na..." I muttered and then cried harder when he cried too and hugged us.
Everyone was so happy and grateful for the court's decision about my case. I felt relieved. I was overwhelmed, happy like a heavy thing got off my chest.
I was hugging and greeting my family, thanking them for everything they had done to help me. They were crying too yet we were all happy about the judgment.
"Ang galing-galing ng mga kapatid ko, Crest-ganda is so brave, parang ayaw ko makalaban sa korte si Adira, parang lalampasuhin ako," ani Chiel na napahawak pa sa batok kaya natawa ako at bumusangot si Adira.
"Super OA," Adira hissed at him kaya natawa ako pero nawala iyon nang mapasulyap ako sa gilid at nakita si Locket na hinihila noong tatlo papalapit.
I saw Locket shaking his head at them, may sinabi pa si Adam na hindi ko makuha pero umiling siya at sumulyap sa akin, natigilan nang makita akong nakatingin sa kanya.
My heart thumped and I immediately look away and smiled at my family when they talked to me. Sa muling pagsulyap ko kina Locket ay nakatayo na lang at tahimik sina Adam, Brent at Earn. Si Locket ay palabas na ng korte, tahimik at nawala na siya sa paningin ko.
"Mama?" my eyes shifted when I realized the three are now standing closer to me kaya mabilis ko na silang nilapitan at niyakap.
"W-we're proud of you, Mama Pinga. A-ang tapang-tapang mo." Earn whispered. I cried more while hugging my three baby penguins who were crying with me.
"S-si..." I glanced at Adam who shook his head sadly.
"H-he's still ashamed of himself, Mama," aniya kaya nakagat ko ang aking labi.
We all went home to eat with the whole family in a quiet and simple celebration of winning the case. I was happy but not entirely as of the moment. It felt like I still have an unfinish business.
My mind wandered back to Locket and those sad gray eyes of his.
I glanced at Ping-ping on my bed beside Chichay. My heart felt like squeezing while looking at the two.
"O-okay lang ba na maghiwalay kayo pansamantala, mga babies?" I muttered softly, hugging Chichay and kissing Ping-ping's head.
"Chichay..." I smiled at my baby. "I-is it okay if ipapahiram muna natin kay Papa Pingu si Ping-ping?" I asked softly. Chichay stared at me as if he understood me and barked.
I made a decision.
When night came, I asked my twin to take me to Locket's unit. He was hesitating first kaya nagpaalam kami kay Dad. My father stared at me intently, hesitating at first but let us go. Aniya'y susunduin ako ni Chiel pagkatapos kaya pinayagan ako.
"Will you be okay? Kailan ka uuwi? Ngayong gabi rin o bukas?" he muttered when we reached Locket's building.
"Bukas na ng maaga," I said. "I just wanted to check on Locket, kambal. He may have hurt me, malaki ang utang na loob ko sa kanya. He's a good man, kambal. I just want to make sure he's fine because I am. Gusto ko dalawa kami."
"Alright." He kissed my forehead. "Take care, kambal. Text me, okay? I love you."
"I love you, kambal. Thank you for everything."
Nang maihatid niya ako sa loob ng building ay umalis siya kaagad. Inayos ko ang maliit na paperbag sa aking kamay at umakyat sa unit ni Locket. When I reached the door of his unit, I pressed the door bell but a few moments came but he isn't answering kaya napagdesisyunan ko nang buksan ang unit niya.
Malamig ang unit niya pagkapasok ko. It felt empty. I couldn't see any signs of him. Nanikip ang dibdib ko at madalas malinis ang unit niya pero ngayon ay mukhang napabayaan. May mga basyo pa ng alak sa sala.
"Locket..." I walked towards his room, I saw that it was slightly open kaya sumilip ako roon at kaagad na natigilan nang makarinig ng mahihinang hikbi.
I slowly opened the door. It revealed Locket on the floor, sitting there like a kid still in his uniform. Nakataas ang kanyang tuhod at ang nakatungo siya roon.
The tears I was doing my best to stop fell when I noticed his shoulders moving from crying. His soft sobs broke me. I walked closer to him and knelt.
"P-pingu..." I called. He lifted his gaze, his bloodshot gray eyes stared back at me.
"C-Crest ko..." he muttered when he saw me, a tear fell on his left eye.
"L-Locket..." I called but then, he chuckled nonchalantly while staring at me.
"Fuck me...I'm even hallucinating seeing her right now." He said while staring at me. "N-nababaliw na nga ako..."
My tears fell more as I stared at his face. I shook my head.
"N-no..." my voice broke. "It's not your hallucination, Pingu. A-ako 'to, totoo 'to..."
He froze and stared intently at me. I cupped his cheek.
"It's me..." I muttered and his shaking hand reached for my cheek.
"P-Pinga?" he muttered.
"O-oo..." I said, gasping the moment he rose and hugged me, halos matumba ako sa gulat sa kanyang ginawa pero napaiyak din nang marinig ang hikbi niya sa balikat ko.
"C-Crest...Crest ko..." he called brokenly. Niyakap ko siya.
"H-hmm? W-why are you crying?" I muttered. He hugged me more and shook his head.
"I-I love you, Crest. M-mahal na mahal kita, Crest, pero hindi man lang kita natulungan. H-hindi man lang..." his voice broke. "I-I'm sorry, I'm sorry, hiyang-hiya ako sa 'yo..."
"I-it wasn't your fault, hindi..." I shook my head.
"N-nandoon ako, eh. I-I could've helped you, I-I should have forced myself and took you. Sana...e 'di sana h-hindi gano'n ang nangyari sa 'yo. Sana hindi ka nananaginip ng masama. S-sana hindi ka nakaranas ng gano'n." I could hear the pain and determination.
"L-Locket..."
"I-it's my fault, it's my fault..." he muttered. I shook my head, softly pushing him away from me. Nang maupo siya muli sa lapag ay inabot ko ang kanyang pisngi at pinunasan ang luha sa kanyang pisngi.
"I-it's not your fault, Locket..."
"No, I could've helped you, Crest! K-kaya kong mapigilan, eh. N-nandoon na ako pero wala...wala na naman akong nagawa. I-I always end up failing the people I love, Crest. I'm s-such a failure. H-hindi kita natulungan, anong kwenta..."
"N-no, you listen to me, okay?" I muttered and cupped his cheek. "The incident is no one's fault, hmm, P-Pingu? It was solely Eugene's fault, it was his fault I was raped. Walang may gusto kung hindi siya..."
"But I could do something, Crest!" he explained. "M-may magagawa ako pero wala naman akong...hiyang-hiya ako sa 'yo. S-sana tinulungan kita, you don't deserve that, Crest! You don't deserve that! M-may magagawa ako pero..." he frustratedly run his finger on his hair.
"J-justice is in my hands yet I let it slipped away...p-palagi ko na lang binibigo ang mga taong mahal ko."
"Locket..."
"I'm s-sorry, Crest. I'm s-so sorry..."
"It wasn't your fault, please stop thinking that way, hmm?" I hummed softly.
"M-mahal kita, Crest...m-mahal kita, s-sana mapatawad mo ako..." his voice shook.
He looked worn out and tired. Mas nahulog lang ang luha ko sa sakit habang pinagmamasdan siya.
"P-please don't cry, Crest ko..." he said gently. "D-don't cry."
"I-I'm just..." I sniffed. "I'm just hurt seeing y-you that way, stop blaming yourself from the things you couldn't c-control, Locket. No one wanted what happened." He lowered his face and stared at his knees at ramdam na ramdam ko ang pagsikip ng dibdib ko nang makita siyang gano'n.
"H-hey, Locket, look at me," I muttered and knelt more, cupping his cheek. "It wasn't your fault, okay? It wasn't my fault either. It was Eugene's fault because he's a criminal, he's a rapist."
"P-pero may magagawa ako..."
"Oo, may magagawa ka and you might not win the first time, at least you did your best."
"I-I should have tried harder..." he muttered. I admired him more.
"It's okay, Locket ko." My voice broke. "You did your best, Pingu."
"Crest..." his tears more. "I-I love you..."
I slowly nodded and removed the tears on his cheek.
"I-I know..."
"I-I'm sorry about remembering Ver through you b-but when I get to know you, I-I swear in my life, Crest. I-ikaw 'yong minahal ko...minahal ko si C-Crest Veronica dahil siya ang P-Pinga ko..."
"Hmm?"
"Y-yes..." he nodded like a kid. "I-I know you won't believe me pero Crest, i-ikaw...ikaw 'yong laman nito, p-pangako ko. Si Pinga ang mahal ko..." he muttered like a kid and took my hand, letting me feel his beating heart.
"V-Veronica is a good woman, I am sure of it," I said. He nodded and gripped my hand.
"Y-yes...I loved her and I admit that because I really did but now. You, I fell in love with you. Ikaw ang mahal ko, Crest. P-pangako, i-ikaw lang...ikaw na simula noong mas nakilala kita. I-I love you because you're Crest, I-I fell in love with you because you're you, not because of anyone else."
Mas napaiyak lang ako at tumango sa kanyang sinasabi, naniniwala sa kanyang mga salita ngayon.
"I-I know it now..." I said, realizing the genuine hope in his gray eyes.
"I-I'm sorry, Crest ko. I-ikaw 'yong mahal ko k-kaya nasasaktan ako...k-kasi sana may nagawa ako, s-sana mas sumubok ako, s-sana mas naging matapang a-ako..."
"It's not your fault but I forgive you, L-Locket..." I said. "W-whatever it is you did. You've hurt me, yes, but I could never deny how you made me feel stronger. How you made me feel empowered. I wanted to thank you for that. Y-you helped me mold the person I am right now..."
He closed his eyes tightly and sobbed. No matter how he tried suppressing it, it escaped his mouth.
"B-but you see, Pingu, love isn't for me now. Y-you love me, I believe you now and you know I'm in love with you too pero hindi pa ito ang tamang panahon para doon kasi p-pareho tayong may sugat pa sa nakaraan. H-how could we love freely if we're still chained in the past, right?"
Ang kamay kong hawak ay dinala sa kanyang labi at hinagkan.
"I-I love you..." he muttered. I nodded, reached for the paper bag closer to me and took Ping-ping.
"S-sa'yo muna si Ping-ping," I muttered. I saw how pain inflicted in his eyes when he saw it.
"Y-you're giving our child b-back to me?" his voice is obviously hurt. Naiiyak man ay umiling ako at mas inabot sa kanya si Ping-ping.
"My love for you is with Ping-ping, Locket. Through her, you will be with me. Chichay has your love for me so she will be mine." I said.
"H-hindi na ba p'wede? I-I will work hard, please take me back, C-Crest. H-hindi ko kaya, I-I need you..."
"But I needed myself too, Lorcan Keith." I said softly. There was a glint in his eyes, as if he's realizing something. "We need to complete ourselves too, love ourselves so we could give love. P-paano tayo magbibigay ng pagmamahal kung kulang ang mayro'n tayo sa sarili?"
"W-we could help fix each other, Crest... we could..."
"Paano natin mabubuo ang isa't-isa kung pareho tayong basag?" I asked.
"C-Crest..." he muttered. I closed my eyes tightly when he gently took Ping-ping from me, kneeling to hug me tightly, sobbing.
"I'll b-be better for you. I'll be a better man."
"Shh, be better for yourself, not for other people," I whispered. "Sinabi mo sa akin 'yan, 'di ba? Noon? Be better for ourselves, please ourselves."
"P-pinga..." he whispered and hugged me as if he was so scared to let me go but he had to.
"Ikaw muna bago ako, ako muna bago tayo, Locket," I whispered and smiled a bit.
"I-ikaw muna bago ako..." he whispered back.
Old leaves from a tree should fall for the new ones to grow and bloom.
One often trips down the ground before learning how to walk. Things shouldn't be rushed, for good and great things to remain, we must learn to wait.
Life isn't just rainbows and butterflies. Sa totoong buhay? It's a big and chaotic jungle, dark and scary. Trees might turn to monsters, some might chase you, cage you. There are times you might get lost on your way out but if you wait and don't give up, you will see your way out. The light.
Life has ups and downs, there is a rainbow after the rain, and in every sunset, the sun shines and tomorrow, indeed, will be better.
"Hi, Ma'am? Sign lang po para ma-finalize na ang release sa fashion week." My secretary smiled. I smiled back, taking the papers from her. I looked for my name and signed.
Crest Veronica Castuares Sandejas
Crescent Shines Luxury Clothing, Fashion Designer, CEO.
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