The passing away news of my father added salt to my wounds, but what I learned that day gave me another strength to fight.

I became more motivated to face all of them and to finally let them know how furious I am with what they did to my father.

I decided to go home.

"Sure ka? Kaya mo nang bumalik mag-isa?" Maya worriedly asked.

Tumango ako. "Kaya ko na. Panahon na talaga siguro para harapin ko silang lahat."

"Okay, sige. Tawagin mo lang kami ni Sorel kapag kailangan mo ng resbak ha?"

I gave her a smile and nodded before driving my car away.

Nang dumating ako sa mansyon ay agad kong napansin ang mga sasakyang nakaparada sa labas, at nang makapasok, I immediately saw familiar people who were paying their respects.

Wearing an all black dress and accessories, I walked my way in.

I immediately saw Sabrina and Sophia talking to some people at the side, and when Sophia saw me ay agad nanlaki ang kanyang mga mata.

"Gertrude?" She asked and approached me. "Anong ginagawa mo rito?"

I took my shades off and I immediately heard people whispering at the side.

"Siya ang tunay na anak, 'diba?"

"'Yong biglang nawala? 'Yong may scandal dati?"

"Hala, oo nga! Ang tagal din niyang nawala."

"Saan pumunta? May asawa na ba?"

"Nako, noong nakaraan nabalitaan ko pa. Kinaso 'yong Kuya niya dahil ginahasa raw siya!"

"What? Si Steven? Napakabait na bata nun!"

I looked around and bowed my head.

"I am here to visit my father's ashes and pay my respect. Also, I wnat to talk to your mother, Sophia. Siguro may karapatan din ako dahil bahay ko rin naman 'to."

Sophia just remained looking at me.

"What? Ang kapal naman ng mukha mo! Hindi ba't pinalayas ka na nga!" Sabrina suddenly interrupted us at dahil doon ay mas lalong lumakas ang bulong-bulungan sa paligid.

Napabuntong-hininga nalang ako dahil inaasahan ko na rin iyon.

"Yeah, right. Pinalayas niyo ako. Pinalayas niyo pa rin despite knowing the truth. Sabagay, what am I expecting from all of you?" I let out a sarcastic laugh.

"Lumayas ka na rito bago ka pa namin ipakaladkad." Sabrina angrily answered.

I smirked and let out something from the black envelope I was holding.

"I'm not here to cause trouble. Nandito ako para sana magbigay ng respeto sa abo ng ama ko. But if you'd keep on doing this, then siguro mas mabuting basahin niyo muna ang mga papel na ito. That way you'd realize how fucked up your mother is." Nakangisi kong sabi at agad namang napalitan ng pagtataka ang mukha nilang dalawa. Sinamantala ko namang muli ang pagkakataon para magsalita.

"And by the way, kung may nararapat mang palayasin dito ay kayo 'yon at hindi ako." Dagdag ko.

Anger immediately registered on Sabrina's face and she was about to slap me when a voice resonated from a distance.

"What's happening here? What's the commotion all about?"

Agad akong napalingon sa pinanggalingan ng boses and there I saw the person that I badly want to talk to.

Sanya.

"Oh, hi there, stepmother. Mabuti nalang lumabas ka na rin, ayaw kasi akong papasukin ng mga anak mo." Nakangiti kong sabi at agad na naglakad palapit sa kanya. "Kumusta? Nag-enjoy ka ba nitong mga nakaraang taon?

"Gertrude, what the hell are you doing here? After all you did, may gana ka pa talagang magpakita dito?" She muttered angrily but I got braver when I noticed how fear crept into her eyes when they met mine.

"Ginawa ko? Oh, you mean... how I brought your son to court?" I smirked. "Don't worry, soon ikaw din."

"What?" Hindi niya makapaniwalang tanong. "Ganyan ka ba kawalang-hiya at walang utang na loob?"

"Walang hiya at walang utang na loob? Hindi ba't ikaw 'yon, Sanya?" I chuckled without humor and looked at her daughters. "After my father accepted your children and gave them his surname and everything they needed, pero ikaw... anong ginawa mo? Anong ginawa niyo ni Steven?"

"Anong pinangsasabi mo? Are you out of your mind? At dito ka pa talaga magkakalat?" She interrupted at mas lalo naman akong ginanahang magsalita.

"When my father was diagnosed with dementia, anong ginawa niyo ni Steven? 'Diba tinago niyo sa kanya ang resulta? No'ng unti-unti nang nawawala ang memorya niya, hindi ba't pilit niyong ipaniwala sa kanya ang lahat ng kasinungalingang ginawa niyong dalawa para makontrol niyo siya?! My father wanted me to be happy! He loved me! But what did you do?" I stopped and pointed my index finger to her.

"You made him hate me! You feed him lies! Na kahit ang pangalan ko... halos makalimutan na niya!"

I wanted to cry. Gusto kong sumigaw. But I don't want to give them the satisfaction.

"Those were just mere allegations, you're a lawyer, alam mong pwede kang makulong dahil sa sinasabi mong 'yan." said by a familiar voice.

My hands trembled a bit when I heard him ngunit mas nanaig ang galit at determinasyon sa akin.

"Oh, here comes the rapist." I laughed it off. "Huwag kang mag-alala, Steven. Kung makukulong man ako, sigurado naman akong mauuna ka."

I looked around. "Tama ang mga narinig niyo at hindi ko babawiin ang mga 'yon. And by the way, Sanya..." I looked at Sabrina and Sophia from the side.

"What I said were not just mere accusations, because I have everything that I need to prove your lies in court." I said with finality and walked my way to the jar that contains my father's ashes.

"Mom, is this true? You knew about father's condition?"

"That was already ten years ago, pero bakit hindi mo sinabi sa amin?"

I heard Sabrina and Sophia questioning their mother ngunit hindi ko na sila pinansin. Patuloy akong naglakad hanggang marating ang banga.

My tears immediately fell as I looked at it. Tila gatilyo namang bumuhos sa isip ko ang lahat ng masasayang alaala na mayroon ako kasama siya.

I held the jar and slowly caressed it.

"Pinapatawad na kita, Papa. At sisiguraduhin kong magbabayad sila." I vowed.

Pangako, hindi ko sasayangin ang lahat ng mga bagay na iniwan mo sa akin... both the tangible and intangible things.

I spent the next few days grieving. Marami rin akong nalaman nang muling makausap si Tito Norman, including all the mishaps that happened during the last months of his work as an attorney.

Including the case that involved Alistair's father.

Tito Norman gave me the folder that contained all the details that involved the case.

"I worked with your father in this case. A quite complex one lalo na't involved ang malalaking pangalan. An actress and a known businessman. We both know what really happened at lahat ng ebidensya ay nakaturo rin sa taong 'yon. But during the last day of the trial, your father..." he stopped and I think I already know what happened.

My father purposely made the criminal win. May it be because of his illness or what, mali pa rin iyon.

"It was the last case that your father handled at alam kong hanggang sa muling memorya niya ng kasong iyon ay pinagsisisihan niya ang nangyari."

My hands trembled as I flipped on the pages.

Ang sabi ko ayaw ko nang magpakitang muli sa kanya but it seemed like fate was really playing with us. Ayaw kaming tantanan.

"You know his son, right?"

Tumango ako.

"Alam ko na rin po ang gagawin ko. Salamat sa lahat, Tito."

He smiled and gave me a pat on the head. "Just tell me if you need something. I really owe your parents a lot kaya lahat gagawin ko para makatulong."

Pagkatapos naming mag-usap ni Tito ay agad akong tumungo sa office ni Alistair. There's no guarantee na papapasukin ako, but surprisingly, they let me in.

He was busy with paperworks when I went inside his office. He didn't even look at me when I went in.

I cleared my throat. "Uhm, pasensya na. Hindi naman ako magtatagal, I... I just want to give you these. The files from your mother's case."

Napatingin siya sa akin ng sinabi ko 'yon at agad ko namang naramdaman ang kurot sa puso ko nang makita ang mga mata niyang tila nagulat habang nakatingin sa akin.

"I also want to apologize. Because it was my father who handled the case. H-He... he was the one who made your father win despite all the solid evidences against him."

I bowed my head. "I'm really sorry, Alistair. It was an unjust fight and justice could've been served if it wasn't because of my father. I know that an apology won't suffice, but still, I want to say it. I apologize."

Binaba niya ang papel na hawak at tumayo. He stared at me with his sorrowful yes and I was startled when he suddenly went close to me and wiped something on my eyes.

Ni hindi ko namalayang umiiyak na pala ako.

"Please stop crying, it's making me want to hug you when I shouldn't."

Mas lalo akong nagulat dahil sa sinabi niyang iyon.

"And please don't apologize because the sin of your father is not your sin. Wala kang kasalanan," he muttered while looking at me.

Umiling ako. "M-Marami akong kasalanan sayo."

Natahimik siya ng ilang sandali.

"Alam ko, pero hindi ko alam kung bakit..." he looked at me with his confused expression and bit his lower lip. "Bakit minsan pakiramdam ko wala kang kasalanan?"

Muli akong umiling. "M-Marami akong nagawang mali, Alistair. L-Lalo na sayo."

He gave me a sad smile. "But you won't tell me, right? You won't tell kahit ilang beses at kahit anong gawin kong pagmamakaawa, tama ba?"

My tears fell again as I gave him a nod.

"Okay then, I won't ask you for an explanation anymore." He looked away. "Pero ang hirap lang kasi na clueless ka. Ang hirap na parang may mabigat na nangyari sa taong mahalaga sayo pero hindi mo alam. But I guess that's it, hanggang doon nalang talaga ako."

"I'm really sorry." I said again and pushed his hands away from me.

"But can you answer this one question? Itong tanong lang na 'to, Gi."

I didn't know what would it be but I found myself nodding to his question.

"Did you really cheat on me?"

I froze after hearing that. Tears fell harder from my eyes and I had to put my hands to my mouth to keep myself from sobbing.

Slowly, I shook my head.

"I didn't."

I saw how pain crossed his eyes while looking at me, and before he could say or do something ay agad na akong lumabas ng office niya.

The day of the last trial came. The pressure and nervousness I was feeling was so intense that I didn't even notice Prosecutor Manjarrez's presence beside me. Kung hindi pa niya ako binati ay hindi ko siya napansin.

"Focus. We still have a case to win." He smirked.

Mas lalo naman akong kinabahan sa ngisi niyang iyon. Because it's a famous rumor among prosecutors and lawyers that when he smirks, something bad would happen.

Everyone in the defense arrived after. Steven, Sabrina, and Sanya were there. Wala si Sophia sa tabi nila at hindi ko alam kung bakit.

Tumabi sa akin si Sorel at nginitian ako.

The trial immediately started after that. Muli akong tinanong kung anong nangyari no'ng gabing iyon and I vividly stated all that happened to me despite my trembling voice.

Lahat ng kababuyang ginawa niya sa akin.

"Nasa condo ako no'n, Steven came and told me that father is sick and that he's looking for me. Ayokong sumama sa kanya because I don't like his presence pero nang sabihin niya iyon, nagdesisyon akong sumama, kasi kahit hindi maayos ang relasyon ng papa noon, ama ko pa rin siya."

To tell the story again isn't easy but I had to do it. Masakit pero kailangan.

"Pero nang makarating kami sa mansyon, nagtaka ako kasi walang tao, kahit mga kasambahay ay wala. I found it odd. Then I went to kitchen para tingnan kung meron ba ako no'ng favorite wine ko na lagi kong iniinom tuwing uuwi ako. I found one on the fridge, binuksan ko iyon at sinimulang inumin."

I clenched my fist.

"Then I asked Steven kung nasaan sila, sina papa, at doon na niya sinabi that they're out of town. Doon na ako nagtaka, kasi bakit kailangan niyang magsinungaling sa akin? Why did he tell me na may sakit si papa at hinahanap niya ako? I got mad that he lied."

I looked at him and he was just staring at me blankly, wala man lang bahid ng kaba sa mukha. Isa nga talaga siyang demonyo.

"After that, he started insulting my boyfriend, he said harsh words such as buang, siraulo, fucker, crazy. He said that he's not good for me and I should leave him. Then he also slut-shamed me, tandang-tanda ko pa ang sinabi niya sa akin. Masyado daw bang makati at masyado raw bang magaling ang boyfriend ko."

I paused to catch a breathe as I already feel somehow difficult breathing.

"He cornered me after that but I defended myself. But he suddenly played a video, it was a video of mine with my boyfriend as we make love. Hindi ko alam noon na may camera pala na naka install sa condo unit ko. I freaked out when I learned about it. Then he blackmailed me..." tears fell from my eyes.

"I asked him to delete the video pero ayaw niya. He said that's why I get for not noticing him, he suddenly seemed to be a different person. He was asking me notice him. Takot na ako no'n pero tinatagan ko pa rin ang sarili ko, I declined him. Then he asked me to have sex with him para idedelete niya ang video, or else he'd upload it. He threatened me and I got no choice that time. No'ng una, sinubukan ko pang sikmurain, but when he started kissing me, my whole body trembled. Takot na takot ako at galit na galit. And when he's about to penetrate me..." I stopped and wiped my tears, kinailangan ko ring habulin ang hininga ko.

"Doon na ako nagsimulang lumaban. Kasi ayoko, hindi ko pala talaga kayang sikmurain ang kababuyan niya. I repeatedly said no, sinubukan kong makawala sa kanya, pero hindi ko na nagawa kasi nawalan na ako ng lakas. Hindi ko na magalaw ang mga binti ko hanggang sa pakiramdam ko ay namanhid na ang buong katawan ko, and I was also slowly losing my consciousness. Pero nilabanan ko, I did my best to stay awake and shout, hoping that someone would help me."

My tears fell harder and my whole body was shivering as the memories resurfaced again, pakiramdam ko ay bumabalik na naman sa akin ang gabing iyon.

I heard the prosecutor talking to the judge, pero kaya ko pa naman. This has to end now. Kakayanin ko.

"I kept on shouting as he moved on top of me, binababoy ang katawan ko. Umaasa ako na may darating na tulong, umaasa ako na may makakarinig... but no one did. He penetrated me repeatedly, he also forced me to do an oral on him. He slapped me hard countlessly, punched me, and even... pulled my hair hard to the point na akala ko ay hihiwalay na ito sa anit ko."

My vision wa spinning after I said that, that was when Prosecutor Manjarrez marched to where I was sitting.

"It's enought, you did well." He gave me a tap on my shoulder.

Inalalayan naman niya ako pabalik ng upuan, Maya hugged me immediately nang makarating. Umiiyak din siya. Sorel then held my hand as he whispered comforting words.

"Hindi totoo ang sinabi niya. Kagaya ng sinabi ng driver namin, nasa labas ako no'ng oras na tinutukoy niya. I am a busy person, you all know that."

Steven kept on denying everything and it was slowly getting into my nerves. It was frustrating.

But when Prosecutor Manjarrez started talking again, the game seemed to change.

"May 2, 8:00 - 3:00 am. Nasa labas ka no'ng oras na iyon, hindi ba?" He asked.

Tumango si Steven. "Yes."

"Umalis ka? Sigurado ka, 'diba?"

"Yes."

The prosecutor smirked. "Paano mo naman maipapaliwanag ang video na 'to?"

Everybody was surprised when Prosecutor Manjarrez started playing a video. Even me was surprised.

"This is the CCTV footage that was said to be unavailable dahil sira no'ng oras na 'yon, but it turned out to be perfectly fine. Kaya nga napapanood natin ngayon." He smirked again and looked at the defense counsel. "And this video rejects the alibi that the accused previously stated. As you can see, Mr. Alcantara, dragged Ms. Alcantara inside the room at exactly 7:54 pm of May 2 and he went out of the room at exactly 1:52 am of May 3."

Gulat ako sa nasaksihan, I really thought that there's no footage dahil iyon ang sabi sa akin simula't sapul palang.

Pero... sino? Sino ang nagtago?

"And I also have a witness that can further prove the evidence I presented..." Prosecutor Manjarrez stated at doon na ako tuluyang nagulat.

Sophia Alcantara marched to the witness stand.

Agad kong narinig ang pagprotesta ni Sanya sa kabilang banda and Steven whose sitting on the accused seat seemed to have lost his soul already. Gulat na gulat siyang nakatingin sa kapatid.

Nangilid ang luha sa mga mata ko as I felt a ray of hope within me.

Sophia took an oath and when she sat on the witness seat and looked at her family, tears immediately fell from her eyes.

"Nasaan ka no'ng gabing nangyari ang insidente?" Prosecutor Manjarrez asked her.

"Sophia, don't do this!" Sanya yelled. "Anong ginawa niyo sa anak ko? Did you brainwash her?"

The judge ordered her to be silent after that.

"N-Nasa labas ako ng bandang alas syete ng gabi. I was outside with my friends. Ang sabi ni Kuya, I can do everything that I want. I can even meet with my boyfriend that time at hindi niya sasabihin kay Mommy. O-Of course, I liked it, even though I kind of found it strange. Kasi 'di naman gano'n si Kuya e, he's even always overprotective of me." She stopped and looked at Steven.

"S-Sorry, Kuya. Pero hindi ko na kaya e. Guilty na guilty na ako." She shook her head and started crying hard.

"Umuwi ako bandang alas nuwebe ng gabi dahil naiwan ko ang charger ng phone ko. I was planning to have a roadtrip with my boyfriend at hindi naman pwedeng lowbat ako, that's why I went home. When I entered the house, I found it odd dahil wala ang mga katulong namin. At doon..." she stopped again and wiped her tears.

"D-Dahil halos magkatabi lang ang kwarto namin ni Gertrude, I heard something. Ingay. Kalabog. Muffled screams." She looked up like she was remembering everything that she heard, mas lalo naman akong naiyak dahil hindi ko inaasahang gagawin niya iyon.

"I-It was Gertrude. At handa na sana ako... handa na sana akong humingi ng tulong para matulungan siya. B-But..."

She looked at his brother with pain in her eyes.

"I-I suddenly heard my brother's voice from the inside."

We were all surprised when Steven rose from his seat and banged the table.

"Sophia." Mariin niyang sabi sa kapatid. "Bawiin mo ang sinabi mo. You liar! I didn't do it!"

Tears fell hard from Sophia's eyes as she looked at her brother's face.

"S-Sorry, Kuya. M-Mahal kita. Alam mo 'yan. P-Pero ang mga narinig ko no'ng gabing iyon, hanggang ngayon dala-dala ko pa rin lahat sa puso ko. Ang guilt! Ang pagsisisi na hindi ko tinulungan ang taong nagmamakaawa! Lahat! Ikaw ang may gawa pero pakiramdam ko... m-may kasalanan din ako! I could've prevented it pero hindi ko ginawa kasi g-gusto kitang protektahan!"

Tears fell from my eyes as my hands trembled again as I recalled how I shouted and asked for help that night, and how pained I was when no one came.

Mabilis namang hinuli ni Sorel ang mga kamay ko at hinawakan.

"Did you see the accused rape Ms. Alcantara?" Prosecutor Manjarrez asked again.

Umiling si Sophia. "I didn't, p-pero narinig ko... narinig ko ang ginawa niya. N-Nakita ko rin ang kapatid ko na lumabas sa kwartong iyon matapos ang ilang oras, and when he left and I checked on Gertrude, she already lost her consciousness."

Before Sophia left the seat, she looked at her mother and me.

"Sorry, Mom. Hindi ko na kaya e. And sorry, Gertrude, ito nalang ang magagawa ko para sayo."

I didn't know what to feel. Halo-halong emosyon ang meron ako. I feel nervous, hopeful, and angry at the same time.

"Both the prosecution and the defense have now rested their cases. The attorneys
will now present their final arguments. Please remember, what the attorneys say is not
evidence. However, do listen closely. They are intended to aid you in understanding the case. Prosecution, you may begin." The judge proceeded.

My whole body trembled and it wasn't long after that when the judge finally announced the decision, which almost made my soul leave my body.

"The Republic of the Philippines versus..." the judge started announcing it at napapikit nalang ako ng mata.

Hindi ko na narinig ang mga sumunod na sinabi ng judge dahil pakiramdam ko ay nabingi na ako.

Maya hugged me, while Sorel squeezed my hand firmly.