"The Court of the Second Judicial Circuit, Criminal Division, is now in session, with the Honorable Judge Aquino presiding." 

Ito ang kauna-unahang pagkakataon na tutungtong ako sa korte. But not as a spectator... and as a woman who killed her father. Ang babaeng walang awa na pinagsasaksak ang tatay niya ng ilang beses.

I never imagined that anyone other than Mama would be angry with me, but now I can convince myself that this is how it is when almost everybody is angry with you.

Pakiramdam ko, sa labas ng lugar na ito, maraming tao ang napaniwala sa isang kasinungalian. Kasinungalian na walang makakapagsabi kung totoo ba ito o gawa-gawa lamang. 

But evil and deceit prevailed more. 

Bumalik ako sa reyalidad nang mapagtanto ang tingin na pinupukaw sa akin ni Callie. He stares blankly at me and appears to be thinking so profoundly that no one can dive.

"Department One of the Superior Court is now in assembly. Judge Aquino presiding. Please be seated." The tension began to paralyze my body after the bailiff's addition.

Nanginginig ang buong kalamnan ko.

The trial is about to begin, but I already wanted it to be over.

May kung anong sinabi ang judge at kaagad naman itong sinagot ng abogado sa kabilang panig. According to what I know, she is the prosecuting attorney who will defend my mother.

"Ready for the defense, Your Honor," Callie replied.

Since I had only known Callie for a day or so, he was a stranger to me. Wala akong alam na kahit anong bagay na tungkol sa kaniya. 

I wouldn't have known he was a lawyer if he hadn't told me. 

Alam ko ang pangalan niya ngunit hindi ang buong pagkatao niya. But if God gives me the chance and time to get to know him, I won't think twice about asking questions to get to know him better.

Hindi ko nga alam kung paano ko siya pasasalamatan at babayaran sa mga ginawa niya sa'kin sa bawat oras na lumilipas. He looks to have skipped a meal because he is so concerned and focused on the current investigation.

I couldn't help but ask myself.

Bakit niya ako tinutulungan? 

He should have just left me and abandoned me rather than involving his name in the case. Beside, hindi niya ako kilala at hindi ko rin siya kakilala.

As in, strangers.

Pero... parang ang tagal ko na siyang kilala... kakaiba 'to. 

Even though I wanted to cover my ears so I wouldn't hear the lies, I forced myself to return to reality. The first thing that happens in a trial is called an opening statement. 

Naunang mag-salita ang abogado ng kabilang panig, si Mrs. Dacles.

"Your Honor and ladies and gentlemen of the jury, under the law, my client is presumed innocent until proven guilty. During this trial, you will hear no real evidence against my client. You will come to know the truth that Mrs. Sevilla was only accused of this crime, therefore my client is not guilty." Simula ni Mrs. Dacles.

"Your Honor and ladies and gentlemen of the jury, the defendant has been charged with the crime of murdering. The evidence will show that my client was abused by her own mother on the night of March 2nd," Callie remarked.

I stared him directly in the eyes, fearless.

I believe that being a lawyer suits him nicely. 

"The defendant was arrested for killing her father. The evidence I present will prove to you that the defendant is not guilty as charged."

Bukod kay Papa, siya ang pangalawang lalaki na ipinakita ang pagtatanggol sa'kin. The other man who is capable of defending me. But the first stranger who can prove that he is not just a stranger.

The court said, "The prosecution may call its first witness," and as the bailiff produced the witness, I nearly lost my breath seeing this willing confessional woman.

Agad akong nanlumo nang makita si Mica.

"Please raise your right hand." She obliged immediately.

"Do you solemnly swear or affirm that the testimony you shall give in the case before this court shall be the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help you God or under the pains and penalties of perjury?"

"I do," Mica answered with a stern voice.

"Please state your name," the clerk said.

"Mica Acepcion," she replied.

Yes, she is no longer Sevilla. Kasal na siya at may isang anak. Even though I don't live with them, I can say that, like Mama, she is also an abusive mother to her child. Saksi ako sa mga pananakit na ginagawa niya sa pamangkin kong si Deron simula nang ipanganak ito. 

Prosecuting attorney Dacles stepped forward and cleared her throat before speaking. "What is your relationship with Micaella Sevilla?"

"She is my mother,"

"Can you describe the relationship of Mr. Sevilla and Mrs. Sevilla?"

"We are a happy family. Maayos sila at laging nagkakaintindihan. Lagi nga silang sabay kumain. They don't fight over things... dahil mas pinipili nilang pag-usapan ito kaysa sa pag-awayan." 

Sa bawat pagbigkas niya sa mga salitang binitawan, masasabi kong isa siyang hayop. Siya ay nagsisinungaling! Despite the fact that we grew up together, she witnessed how my mother and father fight almost daily.

"Does the defense have any questions?" the judge asked, and that's when Callie stood up with such confidence.

"You said, they always eat together," He sexily repeated it.

Napansin ko ang patagong pag-irap ni Mica bago sumagot. "Yes."

"You mentioned that your parents never got into a fight," 

Hindi ko makita ang reaksyon ni Callie dahil kasalukuyan siyang naka-talikod sa akin. Tanging ang malapad na likod lamang niya ang nakikita ko. 

"Yes, understanding sila pareho at mapag-paraya. Hindi sila nag-aaway dahil sa maliliit lang na bagay. They're both mature enough for that kind of argument." Walang pag-kurap na paliwanag ni Mica.

Hindi rin siya nautal at nananatiling kalmado. Na para bang sanay na sanay na sa pagsisinungaling.

"You sure?" Hindi tinantanan ni Callie ang babae. 

Mica sighed, mukhang ubos na ang pasensya sa tanong ng abogado ko. "Yes."

"Then why does Mr. Sevilla have a child with someone else? and married with someone else?"

Umugong ang bulungan sa buong lugar. Maging ako ay hindi makapaniwala sa mga binitawang salita ni Callie. 

Hindi naman nakasagot si Mica sa tanong. Mukhang kinakapa niya pa ang dapat sabihin ngunit hindi niya mahanap dahil sa lalaking may pilyong ngisi na nasa harapan niya.

"Objection, your honor!" Attorney Dacles roared defensively. "The defense is trying to yield a serious allegation that has nothing to do with the case!"

Hinarap siya ni Callie at nginiwian lamang. 

"It will yield something relevant, Your Honor," Ang pamilyar na boses mula sa kalayuan ang bumalot sa aking tainga. 

Agad akong napatingin sa likuran ko upang hanapin ang boses. And when I saw my nephew, Deron, it seemed like my life had some color. 

Sobrang tagal na simula nung huli ko siyang makita. I can say that he grew up well.

"Tita." He waved at me, and I gave me a sweet smile.

Anak siya ni Mica. At panigurado akong sasaktan na naman siya ng babae sa oras na makalabas sa lugar na ito. 

Because he sided with me and opposed his mother.

"Objection overruled," the judge decided. "Continue."

Nakita kong lumawak ang ngiti sa mukha ni Deron at prenteng naupo sa tabi ng mga taong nanonood. Pinag-krus niya ang braso niya at mukhang ganado dahil alam na ang magiging kalabasan.

"Thank you, Your Honor," Bahagyang yumuko si Callie upang ipakita ang respeto sa husgado bago muling bumaling kay Mica.

"Did Mrs. Sevilla become upset upon finding that Mr. Sevilla had a wife and child with someone else?"

"Y-Yes. Kahit sino naman."

"Is she angry?"

"Yes."

"So angry that she could kill Mr. Sevilla?"

Tuluyang natutop ang babae at nanigas sa kaniyang kinatatayuan. Mica simply gazed at Mrs. Dacles. Napansin ko ang pag-uusap nila sa pamamagitan ng mga tingin. 

"Thank you. I have no further questions," huling sabi ni Callie at inayos ang kaniyang tie.

Natapos si Mica ay sunod na itinawag ang ikalawang saksi.

"As you can see at the projector, the knife used to stab Mr. Sevilla was a spear point. His abdomen is stabbed four times, which is why there's no chance of surviving." The guy pointed the spear point, and I saw his lips curled for a moment. 

He changed his aura, and he took a glance at Callie.

"You can also see the fingerprints of the killer on the knife used on the victim, and it matched the defendant, Mr. Sevilla's daughter." may diin na ang bawat salitang binibigkas ng lalaki habang nakatingin sa akin kasabay nang pag-ugong ng mga bulungan ng mga nanonood.

"Does the defense have any questions?" tanong ng judge kay Callie.

"Not at this time, Your Honor." Callie answered.

"Then, the knife will be admitted to the people's exhibit. Does the prosecution have their witness?" the judge asked, and the guy nodded as an answer.

"Yes, Your Honor," The guy replied.

Mariin kong pinikit ang aking mga mata nang unti-unting sumakit ang aking ulo. I massaged my head and opened my eyes when I noticed that Callie was looking at me with his jaw clenched.

Kanina ko pa napapansin ang pasulyap-sulyap niya sa akin sa tuwing makakakuha ng tyansa.

Mabilis siyang nag-iwas ng tingin at ibinaling ang mata sa hurado.

Tuluyan akong naging blanko at walang maintindihan nang isalang ang professional na nagtitingin ng mga prints. Hanggang sa matapos siyang tanungin, naka-tulala lamang ako sa kawalan. 

Ang sakit na ng ulo ko... gusto ko nang unuwi.

"Does the defense have any questions?" Muling tanong ng judge kay Callie.

"Yes, your honor," Sagot ni Callie at bumaling sa lalaki. "In truth, Mr. Balibar, you also found fingerprints on the knife that were not the defendant's, didn't you?"

"Yes," matipid na tugon ng examiner.

"To whom they belong?" sunod na tanong ni Callie at mas lalo niyang binigyan ng tensyon ang laban sa korte.

I don't know, but watching a trial is nerve-wracking and also thrilling at the same time.

"Lumabo ang ilang fingerprints na nakatanim dahil sa dugo ni Mr. Sevilla. Hindi na ito ma-basa pa. But the only identical print is the defendant's prints."

Umismid si Callie. Mukhang may gusto siyang sabihin at pagalitan ang examiner dahil sa naging reaksyon niya ngunit mas pinili na lamang kumalma at tumango.

"Thank you. I have no further questions."

Mabilis na umikot ang oras sa orasan. Sunod na isinalang ang pangatlong saksi at sa pagkakaalam ko, siya ang babaeng anak ng kapitbahay namin.

"We have CCTV in our house, and the CCTV catches the window of the Sevilla family's house there. And... CCTV footage captured the defendant holding a gun, and she later fired it as her father fell to the floor." 

Muling bumukas ang projector at napalitan ito ng CCTV footage. 

Para akong binuhusan ng malamig at nagyeyelong tubig nang makita ko ang sarili ko. Mahipit ang hawak ko sa baril. Nakatutok ang buka sa sarili kong tatay... in my eyes full of anger, sadness, and despair.

Halo-halo na ang nararamdaman ko nang mapalitan ng katahimikan ang matinding ingay na nagmumula kanina sa mga madla. 

Like me, they were also shocked, but I felt twice as much. 

Nanginginig ako... sa galit. I can't kill my dad! I just did it to defend my mother. 

"In conclusion, the defendant attempted to kill her father with a knife but failed, so she grabbed a gun to get what she wanted."

I could hear nothing but the murmuring sound.

Sa sobrang tensyon na bumabalot sa apat na silid ng korte na ito, hindi namin namalayan na masiyado kaming natutok sa isang saksi kaya mabilis itong natapos.

"Does the defense have any questions?" Muling tanong ng judge kay Callie.

"Not at this time, Your Honor," usal niya. Pinaglaruan niya ang dila niya sa loob ng pisngi at bahagyang sumilay pa ang isang ngisi. 

He appears to be able to foresee what will happen next and is extremely composed.

The judge said, "Then, the knife will be admitted to the People's exhibit. Does the prosecution have their witness?" and Mrs. Dacles gave a nod in response. 

"Yes, Your Honor," Callie replied. 

I saw the bailiff stand up and took out the witness to the witness stand

It was a forensic expert.

"Do you solemnly swear or affirm that the testimony you shall give in the case before this court shall be the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help you God or under the pains and penalties of perjury?" the clerk stated and the expert answered.

"I do."

"Please state your first and last name."

"John Benedick Ocampo," The expert stated his name, and the clerk ordered him to sit down. The guy couldn't wait any longer. He took the chance to interrogate the expert as his witness in the case.

"Mr. Ocampo, where are you working?"

"I'm working in the Ocampos Department. I've been a qualified CCTV footage examiner for ten years," the examiner replied in a flat tone.

Bahagya niya pa akong sinilip bago muling tumingin sa husgado. 

"Is the CCTV footage edited or not?"

"It's not. Based on the footage, there are no technical or visual giveaways. Technical giveaways are artifacts of the editing technique; for example, editing software uses known mathematical formulas to produce effects like blurring that do not match reality, so by closely examining a blurred edge, you might be able to determine whether it is a natural blur or one created by an editing program,"

He slowly tilted his head. "The shadows are obviously not edited because it has the correct and right angle."

"Thank you. I have no further questions and no other witnesses, Your Honor." 

Mrs. Dacles spoke while smiling. I can almost tell she is full of herself. The way she exhibits and presents the data with that attitude makes me uneasy.

"Does the defense have any questions?"

"I have no further questions, your honor." Sagot ni Callie.

"Is the defense ready with its case?"

"Yes, Your Honor,"

Inayos ni Callie ang neck tie niya at may kinuha na papel sa suitcase. Pinasadahan niya ako ng tingin. Nagkasalubong naman kaagad ang mga mata namin. 

Hindi ko minamaliit ang kakayahan ni Callie. 

Pero may parte sa akin na naniniwalang matatalo kami. Masiyadong malakas ang hawak nilang ebidensya, those evidences they have can say that I am guilty. Habang sa'min... ay mahina lamang at walang ibubuga.

There was a long pause of silence. My mind seemed in chaos.

What if we lose?

Ayon naman ang gusto ko para hindi makulong si Mama pero may parte sa'kin na gustong hingin ang hustisya na dapat na maibigay sa'kin. Gusto kong tatagan ang loob ko, pero hindi ko kaya. 

I just want to bear the responsibility because I am powerless, even if it means spending another few decades in prison.

Nag-simulang mamuo ang mga luha sa aking mata. I heard Callie clicked his tongue. 

Bahagya siyang bumaba upang mapantayan ang aking mata. Nahulog naman ang puso ko dahil sa kaniyang ginawa. I gritted my teeth internally when he placed his middle and index fingers on both sides of my lips.

He then spread his index and middle fingers wider together, stretching my lips and curving them into a smile.

"Smile, Lemerie. We are bound to succeed."

^________________^