Kabanata 25 (Part 2)
This is unedited. Enjoy!
Warning: Contains sensitive topics.
--
Kabanata 25 (Part 2)
The crowd looked thrilled seeing me, shocked that I was walking towards the witness stand. I swore an oath too before testifying. When Dad permitted me to talk, I did.
I told them everything, lahat ng naaalala ko sa nangyari noon.
"We went to the cafeteria after and talked, Veronica was a kind and brave woman." My voice almost broke when I said that. "She's the first person I'd ever get to tell my experience, about the assault that happened to me. She...she encouraged me to speak, tell her things and she's comfortable to be with so I told her anything.
"Sabi niya, she has a police officer boyfriend and that, they can help me," I said, remembering her face. "She gave me her phone and I put my number in there. She told me her name is Veronica Abad and she'll call me after consulting my case with his boyfriend and...then, she asked me if I knew the name of my rapist and I-I told her...I told her it's Eugene Yuzon."
I heaved a deep sigh, inabot ko ang tubig ko para inumin at kalmahin ang sarili ko.
"I-I noticed her looking surprised and terrified that time. She's suddenly panicking, telling me she can do something for me. N-na she could help me, na tutulungan nila ako ng boyfriend niya k-kaya umasa ako...k-kaso, kaso hindi naman siya tumawag sa akin kinabukasan. I-I thought she abandoned me so I did my best to forget her, I buried my memory of her inside my mind with the hope I had that day. H-hindi ko alam...hindi ko alam na no'ng gabing 'yon ay pagtatangkaan siya." I lowered my face and removed the tears from my eyes. I'm at the verge of hyperventilating but I controlled myself. I shouldn't get my emotion get ahead of me.
I saw the look on my Dad's face and he's about to cry too, namula ang kanyang mata habang tinititigan akong nagke-kwento. Parang gusto niyang maging Dad ko ngayong Prosecutor siya sa harap ko, as if he wanted so bad to hug me and comfort me and tell me he's here to protect me.
"Prosecutor, do you have questions for your witness?" the Judge asked at mukhang natauhan si Dad at tumango. He removed the tear on his cheek and composed himself before speaking.
"Miss Sandejas...how about the dress the victim is wearing? Can you tell everyone the significance of it in your statement?"
Mas kumalabog na ang puso ko, I was thankful I couldn't see the audience at kung sakali'y baka umiiyak na ako ngayon.
"In the bar, we met in the restroom because she wanted to clean her stained dress and like I said, I was crying. She heard me tapos sabi niya she will dine with her boyfriend so I felt bad na she has stained clothes so I offered her mine," I said, referring to the green one. "A-and she agreed tapos we exchanged our clothes. We went to a coffee shop with her wearing my dress and left after telling me she'd help me with my case."
Rinig ko ang singhapan at ang bulungan mula sa mga nanunuod ng trial, my heart is pounding hard after that and the Judge was looking more engrossed right now.
"My witness, Miss Sandejas, claims she and Miss Abad exchanged clothes that night when they met for the first time. The prosecution is convinced that the original statement of the gunman was accurate and that it was a mistaken identity. That it was Miss Sandejas who was supposed to be k-killed." My Dad's voice labored, bothered about it, too.
Naibaba ko ang ulo at humugot ng hininga.
"The gunman was convinced it was Miss Sandejas he was about to kill because of the dress. Because he was aiming from such a distance, she couldn't see the victim's face. He altered and changed his first statement after he was prosecuted and said he only did that for leisure and a random attack," ani Dad. "That he felt guilty, like what Atty. Alejez was suggesting which is highly doubtful.
"If you ask, why would Mr. Yuzon attack my witness, first off because of the crime he committed against her. He assaulted and threatened her which was proven in this court before. It took him almost a week to be scared that she might tell the public or tell someone about this so he planned to kill her. Of course, not personally, which checks his alibis out," ani Dad. "Napatunayan na rin ang pagtatangka noon dahil sa nahuling lalaki sa likod ng sasakyan ni Miss Sandejas, the man almost killed her, good thing someone helped her and caught the culprit which later on confessed that it was Eugene who paid him to kill her."
I was trying to calm myself when Dad let Atty. Alejez talked to me this time.
"Miss Sandejas, can I ask what's the difference of that green dress the victim was wearing allegedly, as you claimed from you sa ibang damit? Sa panahon ngayon ay uso na ang pagkakaparehas. How can you say it was a case of mistaken identity, na sa halip na ikaw ay ang biktima ang nasangkot?"
"The dress is unique, Attorney." I said, "I personally designed it. It was one of my first collections and creations so there is no way it will be the same as others."
May lumitaw sa screen and it was a copy of my original sketch, noong nabuo na 'yong dress at nasa akin na suot noong sinusukat at ang selfie ni Veronica na kita ang unique na disenyo ng damit.
"Oh, I see," aniya at tumango sa akin. "And in that case, assuming that your design is unique—"
"It is unique, Attorney." Malamig kong sabi.
"Oh, sure. You offered the victim, Miss Veronica to exchange clothes and claim that my client was planning to get you killed. Perhaps, are you aware of it and victimized Miss Abad instead?"
"What?" my forehead creased.
"You knew about the plans to kill you, hindi kaya'y balak mong idamay lang si Veronica para sa kapakanan mo? Para siya ang mamatay at hindi ikaw—"
"Objections, your honor!" mariing sabi ni Dad na tumiim na ang panga sa narinig.
"Withdrawn," the Judge said. "Atty. Alejez, your questions!"
Narinig ko ang tawa ni Eugene sa malayo, nang harapin ko siya ay dinilaan niya lang ang labi at ngumisi sa akin kaya kumuyom ang kamay ko.
"Let me answer your question, Atty. Alejez." Mariing sabi ko at hinarap ang abogadong mukhang natuwa sa galit ni Dad sa kanyang tanong sa akin. "Why would I exchange my clothes with Ver, you say?"
"Yes, you wanted to exchange clothes because you wanted to get her killed instead of you—"
"That's an overrule, Atty. Alejez!" I heard the tension in the Judge's voice.
"Please allow this question, your honor." Ani Alejez at sumulyap sa Judge, "this just won't hurt, isa pa, she agrees to this—"
"Your honor, that question was not appropriate—"
"Let me answer that question, your honor." I said and glanced at my father and to the Judge na mukhang nagulat sa sinabi ko pero mayamaya'y tumango pagkatapos umiling.
"Proceed..."
"As I was saying, you're aware Mr. Yuzon was planning to kill you to silence you from telling the authorities about the assault, yes? That said, you set Miss Abad up, right? So she would get killed instead of you?" he sounded so amused with his questions at nakita ko ang galit ni Dad doon.
"First of all, can't I help other women with such simple things?" malamig kong tanong. "Can't I help Ver by lending my clothes so she would look prettier on her date?"
"That seems impossible, Miss Sandejas. Girls don't like other girls who are prettier than them—"
"Oh, h'wag mong lahatin, Attorney." Tumaas ang kilay ko at humalukipkip sa harapan niya. "There are women out there who help other women too, there are women who aren't scared of someone getting prettier than them. Can't women help each other? Can't we be women without competition of who's looking better?"
Tumikhim siya at kumunot ang noo. "I'm just saying that it's weird you lend her your designer clothes without having something in return. That's suspicious."
"Oh, pity you, Attorney. It's such a pity you grew up and reached that age with you...always waiting for something in return for things." I almost laughed when I saw how offended he was. "H'wag mong lahatin, Attorney. Hindi lahat ng kabutihan ay dapat may kapalit, you give kindness and kindness would come to you in time, hindi lahat ng tao'y kagaya n'yong naghahangad palagi ng kapalit."
"T-this is unrelated to the topic, ang sinasabi ko lang, you set Miss Abad as a trap so you could be saved!"
"Oh, and you're claiming the fact that your client really is planning to kill me?" I smiled mischievously when he looked so stunned. "Thanks for the confirmation, Attorney Alejez. I hope the prosecution takes note of that." Baling ko kay Dad na tinaas ang ballpen niya at mayabang na ngumisi kay Atty. Alejez.
It was chaotic, pagbalik ko sa upuan ay hindi ko na nakita si Locket sa kanyang upuan kaya nangilid ang luha ko.
I sat beside my mother and hugged her, breaking down because I felt so strong and brave in the stand pero ngayong wala si Locket sa kanyang pwesto ay nasasaktan na ako.
The trial ended with no Locket in sight, nakausap ko ang tatlo na niyakap ako ng mahigpit, telling me how brave I am for standing up and speaking like that.
"Ah, si Padlock, nag-iisip lang 'yon, Mama." Earn told me with a soft smile, lahat sila ay sinabing nag-iisip pa pero I am convinced, I know for a fact what he feels right now and I couldn't blame him.
His feelings are valid, his anger for me...I think I deserved it. Kung...sana'y 'di ko nadamay si Ver...sana...
"Let me introduce my witness," ani Dad sa ikalawang araw ng trial at napasulyap ako sa kabilang side ng upuan.
I saw Locket on his gray dress shirt beside the boys, he's quiet, nakatingin lang sa kanyang kamay at mukhang malalim ang iniisip.
"Captain Caroline Perez," natigilan ako at natulos sa kinauupuan nang makita si Carol na papasok sa korte.
She's wearing her police uniform and skirt, nakapusod ang kanyang buhok at malamig ang mata habang papasok.
"Witness?" I murmured, napasulyap ako kina Earn at mukhang gulat din sila. I even caught Locket's eyes when he glanced at me kaya dali-dali akong bumaling sa harap, kumakalabog ang puso.
Kita ko ang galit sa mukha ni Eugene nang makita si Carol sa witness stand, kinausap pa niya ang abogado at mukhang nagkakagulo ang dalawa.
"Captain Perez is Mr. Yuzon's friend, a co-officer, that friend I am referring who actually confirmed his alibi." Narinig ko ang bulungan doon.
"Captain Perez, is it true that you were with Mr. Yuzon that night?" Dad started interrogating.
"Yes," she answered coldly.
"You were confirming his presence with you that night, right?"
"Yes."
"What made you testify today, Captain Perez? Can you tell everyone? Since the last time, you confirmed that Mr. Yuzon was with you that night in the bar, you were partying with other officers, correct?"
"Yes," she sighed. "But...during our party, he went out to excuse himself to smoke tapos I decided to go out too, just wanting to get some fresh air when I accidentally heard him talking to someone on the phone."
"Can I know what are the conversion about?"
"I...I heard him saying silence her tonight, make sure she won't say a thing, that night and I thought it was harmless but I realized it all makes sense now."
"Y-you liar! Hindi totoo 'yan! That was unrelated here!" Eugene screamed out loud kaya mabilis siyang hinila paupo ng mga pulis.
"Attorney Alejez!"
"I apologize, your honor." Ani Atty. Alejez at hinawakan si Eugene na galit na galit.
"Proceed, Captain." Dad nodded.
"And I...that night, Veronica called me. She was...she was asking where Lt. Col. Dmitrov was and I told her he's not with me. She proceeded to ask me about Eugene's number. I didn't tell her, of course, but then, she said on the call that it was urgent so I lent my phone to Eugene and told him she wanted to speak to him.
"He left but I followed them out of curiosity and heard they were fighting on call. If I remember correctly, I heard Eugene telling her to shut up and don't say a word. It's been a while so I couldn't properly remember."
Gulat na gulat ako na nandito siya, she had the dark aura around her but...she doesn't that bad at all.
"I hid my phone after that, hindi na nagtanong. I thought it was a petty sibling fight or something so I didn't meddle and maybe, thirty minutes later, we received a call and said, someone died in a gunshot tapos umalis kaagad si Eugene at 'yon..." She nodded and sighed. "T-that's all I know."
"Thanks, Captain." Ani Dad kaya nagtungo na si Atty. Alejez para tanungin na siya.
"You're lying," entrada kaagad ni Atty. Alejez kaya nagulat kami.
"What?"
"You vouch for Mr. Yuzon's alibi yet now, you're claiming that? Did the prosecution pay you to lie?"
"Objections!"
"Atty. Alejez! One more word and I'll kick you out of this court room!" galit na sabi ng Judge at ngumiwi lang si Alejez at binalingan si Carol.
"I vouched for him because I saw him, Atty." Aniya, "he's with me so I vouched about his alibi but I never told you or anyone else na wala akong narinig na gano'n. I find it unrelated that time so I stayed silent, isa pa, I didn't know Eugene was involved in this one too—"
"So you are saying he's not involve here, right? Hindi niya 'yan magagawa—"
"I said, I didn't know he's involved, hindi ang hindi siya kasama, okay?" malamig niyang sabi. "When I found out about this just days ago, it made me think. I think what I know would help the case."
"Bakit wala ka rito noong unang araw? Why now? You were in the defendant's side before and now—"
"I'm on no one's side, Attorney. My side is for what I know, I don't care what the decisions are, I just wanted to let everyone know what I know to find justice for the victim and everyone involved here. I was honestly hesitating if I'd stay quiet and bury this with me but a woman told me..." she sighed. "Na tumulong ako sa iba...that's how I repay the kindness other people gave me. I know I am not a good person but I wanted to be a better one now, I will start it now."
"I thought before that not speaking or just saying yes or no would make your colleagues like you, that it was the position that's important but I was wrong. I forgot that it was the honor I should have as a police officer, not just the rank and the position." She sighed. "I forgot that it was to protect the people, it's my duty.
Natahimik ang lahat. I was on the verge of clapping my hands and telling her she was right but I remained silent.
"The prosecution did not ask for me, I came here voluntarily, hoping what I will say will somehow help this case. I hope there'll be justice for the victim and for everyone involved. May the culprit rot in hell and never go out again." Malamig niyang sabi bago umalis sa witness stand.
She glanced at me and our eyes met. She nodded and I nodded back at nag-iwas siya ng tingin bago taas noong umalis.
The next witness was the gunman himself. He looked scared while being interrogated, they asked him about the truth and he cried when he found out his family was here and watching.
"Ipinatira sila sa probinsya, Ate," Adi whispered. "They were paid to stay silent or die kaya nanatili sila roon. We have talked to the gunman and made amends. I just hope he'll cooperate now and tell the truth."
"Are you admitting of lying in court?" malamig na sabi ni Dad.
"O-opo...s-sorry po, Prosecutor. S-sorry, natakot lang po ako!" he cried and Eugene's ballistic, stress na stress naman na si Alejez at kunot na kunot ang noo.
"Can you tell me what happened? The truth this time?"
"I-inutusan po akong patahimikin si M-miss Sandejas, si Crest Sandejas po..." I expected it but hearing it from the gunman himself was weakening and scary, ipinikit ko ang mata ko ng mariin. "Sinundan ko po siya sa bar tapos tinandaan 'yong damit niya, k-kakaiba kaya mabilis kong natandaan."
Mas bumilis ang pintig ng puso ko at nakita si Locket na nakatungo na roon, sapo ang ulo at si Adam ay nasa tabi niya lang at tinatapik ang kanyang likod.
"Lumabas po siyang may kasamang babae tapos binantayan ko lang. Iniwan kasi naghanap ako ng pwesto tapos ilang oras, inantay kong mag-isa siya habang naglalakad kaya pinatamaan ko. K-kaso nakatakbo kaya pinaputukan ko pa ulit. H-hindi ko po alam na ibang babae na pala. N-nalaman ko lang kinabukasan." He sighed. "Sabi po ay baguhin ko ang sinabi ko p-para pagtakpan. U-utos lang po, p-pasensya na, s-sasaktan kasi ang pamilya ko kapag hindi ako sumuko."
"That's not true! You are fucking lying! I will kill you, you hear me?! I will fucking kill your family—"
"Mr. Yuzon! Do you want me to tell you how guilty you sound right now?!" the strict judge hissed.
"I-I apologized, I apologized your honor, my client's just stressed hearing these lies," Alejez said.
"I just wanted to let you know your family is safe now," ani Dad kaya natigilan ang lalaki.
"T-talaga po?"
"We will guarantee their safety, we promise, as long as you tell us the truth about your involvement here and the case. Tell us who was the mastermind."
"That's manipulation—"
"We are not manipulating, Atty. Alejez. We are protecting civilians!" mariing sabi ni Dad at umiling.
"Atty. Alejez, on your seat now." Malamig na tawag ng Judge.
"Mr. Ben Gonzales, correct?" ani Dad at tumango ang huli. "Can you tell us who your mastermind is?"
Kumunot ang noo ni Eugene. I saw him giving the gunman a scary look. The man sighed and slowly lifted his hand.
"S-si Eugene po...Eugene Yuzon." Klarong sabi niya na nagpaingay sa korte.
"That's not true! You bastard! I would never kill Veronica! I love her! Akin siya! Akin!" sigaw niya roon kaya napailing na ang Judge at napapikit ako ng mariin.
Atty. Alejez stood and tried ruining the gunman's statements but you can never twist something when it's the truth so he ended up failing and making repetitive statements.
Biglang may pumasok sa korte at nagulat ako nang makita si Tito Zeij kasama si Zion, they have a zip lock in hand and folder, nilapitan nila si Dad para bulungan at tumango ang huli at ngumisi.
"Your honor, the state would like to introduce a new piece of evidence," Dad said at ang dalawang pabalik ay tumabi na sa amin habang nakangisi.
"Kapagod mag-rush, ha?" Tito Zeij commented kaya natawa na kami.
"What is it that he asked you to do?"
"Veronica's phone," ani Zion kaya nagitla ako at sinulyapan siya.
"You...got it?"
"Yes, ako pa ba?" ani Zy kaya namamanghang napangiti ako at sinulyapan si Dad na naroon na sa gitna.
"Objections, your honor! The evidence wasn't introduced before the trial started!" Alejez retorted.
"Your honor, please allow me to include this evidence. This is Miss Abad's phone and it is a crucial piece of evidence—"
"Your honor, we would like to request the withdrawal of the evidence not introduced before—"
"Will it hold a crucial part of the investigation, Prosecutor Sandejas?" malamig na tanong nito at tumango si Dad.
"Yes, your honor, please allow me to add this for the prosecution," Dad said.
"Isn't this unfair—"
"Alright, I'll allow it. Proceed." Ani nitong malamig kaya tumaas ang kilay ni Dad at bumusangot na si Alejez doon.
Dad's secretary and assistant fixed the screen for him where he projected the phone.
"What I got here was Miss Veronica's phone. This piece of evidence wasn't introduced before. This phone isn't on the list of things Miss Abad had with her after the incident. We found out that this phone was hidden, untouched in Mr. Yuzon's old office, a police found this in the locker." Aniya kaya napapikit ako ng mariin.
"When we checked the phone, it was empty, as if it was deliberately cleared, intentionally wiping any evidence. With the help of our intelligence, we managed to retrieve some messages, contacts, and phone calls from here." He raised the zip lock.
"My assistant will give you the documents and proof of the phone's contents. As you can see here." He pointed to the screen and we saw the screen with Veronica's recent calls that time. It was her name.
Caroline Perez
"On her recent text messages was an unknown number with this text message, let me show you." Aniya bago may pinindot at halos kilabutan ako nang makita iyong tinutukoy niya.
From: Unknown Number
Don't even attempt to do it, Veronica. I silenced her already. You can't do anything, one word and I'll silence your boyfriend too.
Received 11:19 P.M.
I shivered when I realized she was already dead that time when he texted her.
"Upon further investigating, we found out that the number was registered to Mr. Yuzon here, that's his spare number," ani Dad na malamig ang tono. "Thank you."
"Any arguments? Defense counsel, Atty. Alejez?"
"No, your honor. Let me proceed to my closing statement." Malamig na sabi ng huli kaya tumango ang Judge at inilahad ang kamay. "Proceed."
"I strongly believe that my client, Mr. Eugene Yuzon is an honorable man. I believe a person has a good and evil side. Some of you may judge my client based on what he had done before but he changed. I had asked for evaluations from my client's jailmates upon accepting this case and I got good words from them. My client was a model prison, always helping inside the jail. What the prosecutor and the court were throwing against my client was mostly opinionated and only with circumstantial evidence. My client never tried to kill Miss Sandejas or even Miss Abad, his own sister. I believe in my client's word and he could never kill. What Mr. Gonzales is claiming is false and has no basis, he's a gunman who wanted to kill in leisure and chose Veronica as a victim and that's it. Walang kinalaman ang aking kliyente roon.
"My client has changed, jurors, our honorable judge. I hope you will find in your hearts the forgiveness and the doubt that my client would never be able to do that. Thank you." He said with the softest voice. I frowned.
"Prosecutor?" ani ng Judge at si Dad ay inayos ang robe bago pumunta sa harapan at nagsalita.
"Good afternoon, what the prosecution had shown you from the first trial up to now was the same evidence we got before when this case was closed. However, we made sure to spark some light on the truth since the gunman must've been put in jail but the brains of the murder weren't yet. Which is saddening on my part, as a prosecutor who handled this case before as a lawyer. This case was abruptly closed with the defendant's request, saying they wanted peace for Miss Veronica Abad's death when all he wanted was to hide the crime he committed."
Dad sighed. "I reopened this case because I wanted to give Miss Abad the justice she deserves. I wanted the people who loved her to have the closure they deserved. I wanted to put the perpetrator in jail, the perpetrator who did not have any remorse for killing and harassing women just because he found them weak. He threatened them, which I don't think should be forgiven at this point. Hindi iyon makatao. I personally think we could never forgive the perpetrator on their behalf because we weren't the victims, hindi tayo ang nakaranas.
"Wala tayong karapatan na patawarin ang isang taong nanggahasa at pumatay para sa mga biktima, sila lang ang may karapatang gawin iyan dahil sila ang nakaranas. I wanted to clear everything, it was Miss Sandejas who was supposed to be killed that night but they exchanged clothes. Miss Veronica Abad's death was a case of mistaken identity, however, ang pagkamatay niya'y naging daan ni Mr. Yuzon para mas itago ang kanyang krimen. He forced the gunman, Mr. Gonzales to tell everyone it was a random attack to hide his intentions, kapag nalamang nagkamali ng taong papatayin ay mabubuksan ang kanyang kaso kay Miss Sandejas in which he tried hard to hide until the past years. Another thing was Dr. Roque's sudden disappearance. It is suspicious that after the release of the autopsy, he vanished, as if someone was stopping him to do something.
"Closing Miss Abad's case abruptly would close his case with Miss Crest Sandejas too and it is beneficial for his part. I believe both girls helped each other in their own ways. Miss Abad helped Miss Sandejas in trying to get her justice and unfortunately became a victim. Miss Sandejas did too and that's by standing for her right now and helping her get the justice she deserves." Dad sighed. "I hope the evidence I showed you was enough to convict the perpetrator who managed to end lives, cause traumas, and ruin people. This isn't just mere circumstantial evidence now. What we have now are hard and solid proofs.
"Miss Veronica Abad is a tough woman by trying to stand for another woman's rights, she's a brave individual and I admire her for that. She may not be here to defend and save herself, she may not be here to jail her killer, but we were still here. Tayo ang kanyang magiging daan para bigyan siya ng hustisya, we stand here in front of you with the proofs and facts to help her get the justice time once taken from her. May we give her the justice she deserves this time, not just because she's dead and she's a woman but because she's human. A once ball of sunshine like us. She could've done a lot of amazing things if she's still alive but unfortunately, she was taken from us. Let's be the helping hands and give her peace. I trust you, our respectable jurors and our honorable judge.
"I am hoping that we will use our power to give people the justice they deserve because we can. Thank you." Dad said and bowed a bit.
It took an hour recess before the judge came with a decision that would make or break everyone's hearts now.
"The jurors and I deliberated and talked about the case. During the deliberation, all of us noticed that the defendant, Mr. Yuzon, showed no remorse and mercy while hearing the arguments. "We have checked the proofs and come up to the decision."
"Mr. Eugene was found guilty beyond reasonable doubt for Miss Veronica Abad's murder and will be given an additional life imprisonment for his reclusion perpetua." He rang the cartoon gavel, making me cry in glee.
My Dad almost fell on the floor upon hearing that. Locket cried loudly in his seat when he heard it and our baby penguins were there to hug him while I was crying as I embraced my younger sister and my twin.
"Justice...w-we got it," I cried.
Ver...Veronica sana'y masaya ka. Ver, we got your justice. We got the justice you deserve. Thank you for everything.
Our family got out of the court room with our tilted chins, ang Mom ay nakakapit kay Dad at si Chiel ay nasa gitna namin ni Adi, inaakbayan kami habang papalabas.
Everyone congratulated us. I am happy but still, my eyes wandered around to look for Locket but he was nowhere to be seen.
Nagtungo na ang pamilya ko sa sasakyan at susunod na sana ako nang may tumawag sa akin. I shifted my gaze and saw the three waving at me.
"Mama, p'wede ka bang mahiram?" ani Earn kaya tumango at nagpaalam sa pamilya ko na sasaglit lang. I followed them and my eyes widened upon seeing Locket near the fountain, it was nearly sunset kaya halos orange na ang paligid sa papalubog na araw.
"Pasensya na, Mama. Usap muna kayo, ah? Doon lang kami." Ani Adam na ngumiti at hinila ang dalawa paalis.
My throat dried up, sumulyap ako kay Locket at nakita siyang nakatitig sa akin.
His eyes are bloodshot, resembling mine. Kaagad na sumikip ang dibdib ko habang nakatingin sa kanya
He stepped closer and my heart pounded more when we're closer to each other now.
"S-sorry..." I muttered the moment we were face to face. I was expecting him to scold me or get mad at me but to my shock, he reached for my hand and held it.
"F-for?" he whispered and touched my palm.
"B-because I was the reason V-Ver died," my voice broke while saying that. "K-kasi kung...kung hindi kami nagpalit ng damit sana b-buhay pa siya—"
"W-what are you saying?" inangat ni Locket ang mga mata niya at sinalubong ang akin.
"K-kasi I offered her my d-dress kaya siya ang napagkamalang ako. L-Locket, kasi ako dapat 'yon—"
"It's not your fault." Aniya at inabot ang pisngi ko para tanggalin ang luha na umaagos ang luha ko. "H-hindi mo 'yon kasalanan, Crest—"
"Ako sana ang mamamatay, L-Locket!" I exclaimed. "Ako sana! K-kung hindi ko siya nadamay...e 'di sana—m-magpapakasal pa kayo p-pero dinamay ko siya—"
"It wasn't your fault, okay?" mariing sabi niya pero humikbi lang ako. "Hindi mo kasalanan, Crest Veronica. Hindi mo kasalanan, hindi niya kasalanan, hindi ko kasalanan."
"N-no..." I shook my head. "D-dahil sa akin..."
"No! It was because of Eugene! No one ever wanted this b-but him, okay?! S-sabi mo dapat hindi natin sinisisi ang sarili natin sa mga bagay na 'di natin nako-kontrol pero ikaw ngayon..."
"K-kasi si Veronica iyon, Locket! 'Yong mahal mo 'yon! T-tapos dahil sa akin, sa akin kaya kayo nagkagulo tapos nadamay pa siya—"
"Ikaw ang mahal ko, Crest Veronica!" he exclaimed frustratedly, stopping me. "Yes, I loved Veronica! She has this special place in my heart, Crest, we were going to get married! Yes! Pero ikaw ang mahal ko ngayon! Ikaw! Ikaw lang!"
"P-pero ako ang may kasalanan! P-paanong mahal mo ako? Y-you should be mad at me—"
"Is it you who killed her? No! It was the asshole! He played with our lives!" he tried hard to explain. "H-hindi naman kita sinisisi, a-ah? Hindi ka rin sinisisi ni Ver...hindi siya g-gano'n, Crest. M-masaya si Ver para sa 'yo. M-masaya siyang pinaglaban mo rin siya! Masaya si Ver sa atin! Masaya siya..."
"H-how can you say, huh? N-nadamay siya sa akin! How can you say she's happy—"
"I know her, Crest! I dreamt of her! I told her about you! I told her how you made me happy again! I told her na may bagong taong nagpapasaya sa akin! Ikaw 'yon! Alam niyang pinapasaya mo ako, s-sinabi ko 'yon sa kanya, a-alam niya tungkol sa 'yo. A-alam niyang ikaw na ang laman nito, Crest!" he pointed to his chest, his tears fell on his cheek more.
"M-masaya siya sa atin...masaya ako sa atin. Masaya akong minamahal kita, Crest! Masaya akong nakilala kita!" he exclaimed while I am crying in front of him, shaking hard.
"H-hindi dapat gano'n—"
"Wala ba akong karapatang maging masaya, huh? W-wala ka bang karapatan? H-hindi na ba tayo p'wedeng maging masaya, Crest, h-huh? A-ayaw mo ba?" pagod niyang bulong kaya nagbaba ako ng tingin at kinuyom ang kamay na kinuha mula sa hawak niya.
"Hindi mo naiintindihan—"
"Anong 'di ko naiintindihan, Crest! Sabihin mo sa akin! A-anong hindi ko maintindihan? B-bakit? Bakit 'di tayo p'wedeng maging masaya? Bakit?!"
"I-I don't know..." I cried loudly and shook my head, "—'di ko alam."
"G-gusto kong maging masaya, C-Crest..." bulong niya at muling inabot ang kamay ko. "P-pagod na akong mag-isa, pagod na akong malungkot kasi wala ka. 'D-di ko na kaya."
"'D-di ko alam," I whispered and bit my lower lip.
"C-Crest, baby, come on..." he called frustratedly and lifted my chin to stare at my eyes. "W-wala na ba talaga? H-hindi na ba talaga tayo p'wede sumubok ulit? A-ayaw mo na ba talaga sa akin? A-alam ko nasaktan kita pero babawi ako, pangako babawi ako."
"I-I don't love you anymore, Locket," I said. He froze while staring at me, tears fell more on his cheek.
"Y-you don't?" he asked in a broken voice, sounding like a lost child. "A-ayaw mo na sa 'kin? A-ayaw na?"
"I-I'm sorry..." I whispered and pushed him a bit from me. "S-sorry, wala na. H-hindi na."
I saw the grief on that gray eyes, mas nahulog ang kanyang luha kaya suminghap ako at umayos ng tayo at umiling.
"S-sorry, h-hindi kita mahal...hindi na." I whispered and turned my back to walk away from him.
Patuloy ang agos ng luha sa mga mata ko habang marahang naglalakad palayo, my heart felt like squeezing hard, I felt like my chest would explode in pain every step I take away from him.
I slowly looked back and stared at his back, nakatungo siya. His shoulders are shaking, inangat niya ang braso para marahas na hawiin ang luha and instead of walking away, I found myself running back.
I pulled his arm for him to face me and his startled and grieving eyes met mine.
"C-Crest..."
"H-hindi kita m-matiis, pakyu ka, p-panagutan mo ako." I whispered, crying and before he could even say something, I pulled his nape down before tiptoeing, claiming his lips for a kiss.
Bạn đang đọc truyện trên: Truyen3h.Co