"Lyn . . . hindi ka pa rin ba kakain? Sige na, oh."

Hindi ko pinansin si Amirah. Nakapikit lamang ang mga mata ko habang nandito sa waiting area ng hospital at hinihintay kung ano ang sasabihin ng doctor sa oras na lumabas siya galing sa loob ng kwarto.

Callie is currently undergoing tenaculum surgery to get the bullet removed from his body.

And yes, he is still unconscious.

At sana makayanan ng katawan niya ang operasyon.

"Lyn," Tinabig ako ni Amirah gamit ang mangkok ng sopas. Tiningnan ko naman iyon at tinitigan lamang hanggang sa mangawit ang babae sa kakahawak sa mangkok. "Kapag hindi ka kumain, magagalit si Ayang!"

Ang mga salitang iyon ay tila ba pumasok sa kaliwang tainga ko at lumabas din agad sa kanang bahagi ng tainga.

Wala talaga. Kahit anong panakot ang gawin nila sa akin, hindi ako nagkakaroon ng lakas ng loob sumunod.

Hindi ako nagugutom. Bigat lamang sa damdamin ang tangi kong nararamdaman. Ang sakit. Napakasakit. Kahit pakiramdam ko wala na akong luha na mailabas, maalala ko lang ulit na . . . baka mawala siya sa akin . . . wala na.

I returned to myself as Amirah's phone started to ring.

"Hello, bibi Ayang!" Ayang picked up the phone, and Amirah spoke.

"Bakit po, tita Amirah? Okay na po ba si Attorney? Si Mama po? Nasaan na po siya? Okay lang po ba siya?"

Mariin akong napapikit at naputol ang pag-iisip ko nang marinig ang boses ni Ayang mula sa kabilang linya. Miss ko na agad ang anak ko, kahit na kakatawag ko pa lang sa kaniya isang oras makalipas.

"Attorney is still unconscious," Nag-angat ng tingin si Amirah mula sa cellphone patungo sa aking mata. "Si Mama mo naman, she doesn't want to eat—"

Mabilis kong inagaw ang cellphone kay Amirah at inilagay ito sa tainga. "Yep, I don't want to eat soup. Gusto ko mag-kanin, Nak. . ."

I smiled awkwardly. "Wala, gusto ka lang namin i-update ni Tita Amirah mo. I'm going to hang up, Nak. Kakain na kami, kumain ka na rin. Bye, mag-iingat ka. Love you."

I waited for Ayang's answer before hanging up. Sinamaan ko ng tingin si Amirah at sumenyas na magtungo sa canteen bago tumayo. Mabilis naman itong sumunod sa akin sa paglalakad.

"Kakain ka rin naman pala, pinahirapan mo pa ako." Pagalit sa akin ni Amirah.

Knowing Ayang, she won't eat if I don't eat. Mana kasi sa tatay, pareho silang gano'n ang isipan.

Bumili kami ng pagkain at umupo sa ilalim ng puno. Tahimik lamang kaming kumakain, dinadama ang sariwang hangin na tumatama sa aming balat. Wala akong gana kumain pero sa kabila ng iyon, kumain ako kahit ayaw ko. 

Wala e, magsusumbong si Amirah.

"Anong balak mo, Lyn?" Tanong sa akin ni Amirah bago uminom ng tubig.

Ang balak ko? Makulong sila. Makulong si Mr. Salazar. He deserves to be imprisoned despite what he did to Callie. Alam kong hindi magiging madali 'yon pero kailangan ko . . . hangga't maaga pa.

Thinking of Mr. Salazar, kaya niyang mamatay kapalit ang buhay ni Callie. He will do everything to avenge his daughter. Sa tingin ko nga, ngayon, para na siyang uod na binudburan ng asin dahil sa kaisipan na hindi niya napatay si Callie.

At ang anak ko . . . anak namin.

Paniguradong gagawin ang lahat ni Mr. Salazar para makuha kaming dalawa ni Ayang, upang gawing hostage.

Hindi ko maiwasang hindi mag-overthink. I'm just looking at what can happen in the future. Para makasigurado na ligtas kaming lahat . . . na wala na ulit masasaktan . . . o mababawian ng buhay.

Ganoon ang nangyari, I filed a case against Mr. Salazar. Nasa hospital siya, nagpapagaling pa rin dahil sa pagpukpok ko ng kahoy sa kaniyang ulo. Buti nga, hindi ko nabasag ang bungo niya, he should thank me.

"Alam mo ba na sila ang pinakamalaking drug syndicate dito sa bansa?" Tanong sa akin ni Attorney Grey.

We're gathering information and looking for it right now. Solid proof that backs up our accusations against Mr. Salazar. Searching for Surveillance evidence, getting in touch with a witness who may testify, and researching Mr. Salazar's background.

Mas lalong napadali ang paghahanap naming ng ebidensya nang sumagi sa utak ko ang diary ng costumer ko. Pinagdugtong dugtong ko lahat ng kaganapan. Simula sa plaka ng sasakyan hanggang sa iba pa.

Bahagya akong umiling bilang sagot sa tanong ni Attorney Grey. Nonetheless, I won't be shocked if he is a drug syndicate. Halata naman kasi sa kilos at itsura niya. 

Why bother to argue the obvious?

"Kape tayo," Alok ni Sai at dahan dahan na inilapag ang dalawang baso ng kape sa gitna ng lamesa namin. Nakita ko naman ang pagtigil ni Attorney Grey sa kaniyang ginagawa at ipinagpalit ang baso ng kape ni Sai sa iniinom niyang gatorade.

Sai gritted her teeth and looked at Attorney Grey. "Ngayon na lang ulit ako iinom ng kape, Attorney Grey. At'saka ayo'ko ng Gatorade."

Attorney Grey's phone rang. And before getting up and taking the call, he turned to face Sai. "Magpa-palpitate ka na naman," 

He looked at me. "Excuse me."

Tumango ako at pinanood lumabas ng kwarto ang abugado.

Close pala sila? In that case, Sai and I have a mutual friend. Ang liit pala talaga ng mundo.

"Halos isang dekada rin tayong hindi nagkita," Binuksan niya ang bote ng Gatorade. "Nakikita mo pa ba sina Zendaya? Or may contact ka pa sa kanila?"

Bahagya akong napangiwi. They are my friends at the orphanage. At simula nung magka-hiwa-hiwalay kami, hindi na ulit kami nagkita kita pa. Natutuwa nga ako dahil noon, halos isang beses lamang sila kumakain sa isang araw. Pero ngayon, may sari-sarili na silang resto.

I'll agree that I'm the richest of the group. Nakilala ko sila nung araw na sumama ako kay Mommy na pumunta sa bahay-ampunan para mag-donate ng kung ano. At ngayon, napag-iwanan na ako ng tadhana. Ako na ang nasa ibaba.

But I don't want to compare myself to them. Hindi naman kasi kami pare-pareho.

"May contact ako sa kanila. Kapag naayos na ang lahat, If possible, I'll arrange a get-together"

I nodded often to express my approval of her plan. Saglit pa kaming nag-usap at nagkamustahan hanggang sa bumalik si Attorney grey. Pinagtipon tipon namin lahat ng malalakas na ebidensya na pwedeng idagdag para bukas.

Indeed, the trial is scheduled for tomorrow.

At kabado ako. Sobra.

Mabilis na lumipas ang gabi at bawat takbo ng oras, mas lalo lamang akong kinakabahan. Kinakabahan sa kung anong pwedeng mangyari. Also, it has been almost nine years since I last entered a courtroom.

"Ma, hindi po ba talaga ako pwede manood?" Hindi ko nakikita si Ayang pero alam kong naka-nguso siya ngayon. "Magbi-behave naman po ako, Ma. Hindi naman po ako mangkukulit doon."

Bahagya akong napangiti. Tinawagan ko si Ayang para kumuha sa kaniya ng lakas ng loob. And I think it is effective. Pero iba pa rin kung makikita ko siya ngayon bago ako tumuntong sa korte.

"Nandiyan si Tito Dion mo, diyan lang kayo. 'Wag matigas ulo, Ayang hah," I gulped, nananatiling tinatahak ang pasilya patungo sa silid ni Callie. "Uminom ka na ba ng gamot mo? Mga homeworks mo? Tapos mo na ba?" Bahagya akong nangatal.

Ngayong linggo, alam kong malaki ang pagkukulang ko kay Ayang. Hindi ko na siya nahahatid at nasusundo papasok at pauwi sa eskwelahan niya. Bihira ko na lang din siyang makausap dahil mas tutok ako sa pag-sampa ng kaso.

Alam kong nagtatampo na siya sa akin, but she prefers to understand the situation.

"Opo, Ma . . . nagawa ko na po lahat ng pinapagawa niyo," Bahagyang lumungkot ang kaniyang boses. "Papasok na po ako sa school, Ma. Good luck po, I hope we win, Ma. Love you."

"Lyn, mali-late na tayo," Singit ni Amirah. Tiningnan ko naman ang babae sa gilid ng aking mata at bahagyang tinanguhan upang iparating na naintindihan at narinig ko ang sinasabi niya.

"I love you so much, Nak. Bye, ingat kayo." Ani ko at hinayaang si Ayang ang magbaba ng tawag. Nang tuluyang mababa ang tawag, bumaling ako kay Amirah.

"Five minutes lang, mabilis lang 'to." Paalam ko sa babae at pumasok sa loob ng silid kung nasaan nandoon si Callie.

"You did great, Callie," Ani ko gamit ang mababang tono, sinisikap na hindi siya maistorbo mula sa mahimbing na pagkatulog. "Ipapangako ko na makukulong si Mr. Salazar. Pagbabayaran niya yung ginawa niya sa 'yo. . ."

Mr. Salazar should spend the rest of his life in prison for threatening to kill Callie.

I looked up when the door opened and I immediately saw Amirah's head peeking through the door. "Lyn," Nabasa ko sa mga mata niya ang pagpapaalala sa oras.

Bahagya kong tinanguan si Amirah at hinintay ang pagsara niya sa pintuan bago ako bumaling pabalik kay Callie. He appeared worn out when I glanced at his face. Magulo ang kaniyang buhok ngunit sa kabila ng ito, nananatiling malakas ang dating niya.

"Promise, Mr. Salazar will be imprisoned . . ."

Malakas ang hawak naming ebidensya . . . at naniniwala ako na mananalo kami. Mananalo tayo.

My rage . . . remained in hell.

"All rise," The bailiff ordered, and everyone stood up. "Department One of the Superior Court is now in session. Judge Lomocho presiding. Please be seated." The moment the bailiff added that, the strain began to weaken my body. The trial is about to begin, but I immediately wanted it to be over.

"Good morning, ladies and gentlemen. Calling the case of the People of the State of Philippines versus Fransis Salazar. Are both sides ready?" Judge Lomocho questioned.

"Ready for the People, Your Honor," Attorney Grey replied.

"Ready for the defense, Your Honor," Said the lawyer of the other side and took a glance at me.

"Will the bailiff please swear in the jury?" The judge said.

"Will the jury please stand and raise your right hand? Do each of you swear that you will fairly try the case before this court, and that you will return a true verdict according tothe evidence and the instructions of the court, so help you God? Please say "I do." You may be seated."

Sa hukuman, may dalawang panig ngunit isa lamang sa kanila ang magsasabi ng totoo. Hindi ko alam kung paano nila naipaglalaban ang mali at nananaig ang kasinungalingan sa katotohanan.

Tinawag ang unang witness. It was Andres Monte, ang costumer ko nung gabing iyon.

"Please stand. Raise your right hand. Do you promise 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?" The bailiff asked him.

"I do."

"Please state your first and last name."

"Andres Monte."

"You may be seated."

"Did you work as a janitor at Francis Salazar's firm?"

Tumango ang lalaki. "Yes."

"On February 8th, did you call the call center for assistance in choosing an engagement ring?"

"O-Opo."

"Do you recall the contact center representative you spoke with?"

Mabilis na tumango ang matandang lalaki, halata ang kaba sa kaniyang mukha. "Opo, s-si Miss Lyndzey Sevilla."

"But because it was a call, you sent it through Gmail? Alam mo ba ba na maling link ang na-send mo?"

"Hindi . . . kung hindi ko bubuksan ulit 'yon para tingnan kung anong mas maganda."

"Aware ka ba na diary link ang na-send mo?"

Nakita ko ang pagyuko ng matandang lalaki at mabilis na nanikip ang dibdib ko. He just wants to marry the girl he loves, pero nauwi sa gan'to dahil kumapit siya sa patibong para kumita ng pera.

"Opo."

"Thank you, I have no further questions."

"Does the defense have any questions?" The judge asked.

"Not at this time, Your Honor."

"The witness is excused. The prosecution may call the next witness" the judge said, the reason why I started fidgeting my hands and chattering my teeth. It's the second witness, but who will be it?

My forehead creased when the bailiff took the second witness out. She's wearing formal attire with her hair tied up, and she looks relaxed as she walks to the witness stand.

"Do you promise that the affirmation 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?"

"I do," she swore with such confidence.

"Carmina Sanchez," pagpapakilala ng babae at dumako sa akin saglit ang tingin. Si Attorney Grey ang nag-asikaso ng lahat at ang tanging ginawa ko lang naman ay ibigay ang mga kaunting impormasyon na mayroon ako.

"What is your work, Ma'am?" tanong ni Attorney Grey.






"I'm a researcher and a forensic ballistics."

"How many years have you been working as a researcher and a forensic ballistics?" Grey questioned.





"Eight years," she replied without hesitation, and it seems that she already predicted all the questions that Attorney Grey is going to ask to her.

Lumapit si Attorney Grey sa lamesa at kinuha ang isang papel. "You tested the bullet that was discovered in Callie's body, right?"

The researcher nodded. "I saw a fingerprint on the bullet." Everyone gasped because of shock, but my eyes went to Mr. Salazar, who flinched and swallowed hard. That fingerprint seen in the bullet belongs to him.

Do you feel guilty now?

"Your Honor, I would like to include this result as the first exhibit and ask that they be admitted into evidence," usal ni Attorney Grey at pinagkatitigan ang resultang hawak. "I'm holding the result of Mr. Salazar's fingerprint, and it says that it was positive."






"Does the defense have any objection?" the judge asked, and the defender just shook his head.

"No, Your Honor."

The witness stand ended and the final argument began. Nagdagdag si Grey ng ebidensya ukol sa kaso. At ako 'yon.

"Yes, Your Honor."

"Please stand. Raise your right hand. Do you promise that the testimony you shallgive in the case now before this court shall be the truth, the whole truth, andnothing but the truth, so help you God?"

"I do," I replied as I raised my right hand.





"Please state your name to the court."

"Lyndzey Lemerie Sevilla," I replied. The prosecutor turned to the judge. "Your Honor, we are giving the testimony of this witness to authenticate the substantial allegations filed against the accused. She will testify that she has witnessed grave threats. She will also name the accused, verify pertinent materials, and testify on other related things. May I proceed?"





"Proceed," said the judge.

Attorney Grey stepped forward and cleared his throat before speaking. "Ms. Lyndzey Lemerie Sevilla, are you related to Fransis Salazar?" he asked, and I took a breath first.

Nakarinig ako ng mga pagsinghap.

"Yes,"

"What's your relationship with him?"





"He is my friend's father, Sharon Salazar." Sagot ko.






The growing levels of the gasps prompted the judge to hush the courtroom. Nakita ko pa ang pagtitig sa akin ng judge at ang paglipat ng tingin nito sa kabilang panig.

I just smiled to myself. Nakaya ko nga nung una akong tumuntong sa korte, ngayon pa kaya na alam kong naka-apak ako sa tama at hindi sa kasinungalingan?

"Where do you work?"

"I am a call center agent," Mabilis kong sagot.

"Were you working there on February 8th?"

"I was. And that night, I discovered something." Nilunok ko ang bara sa aking lalamunan.

Tumango naman ito. "What did you discover then?"

"They mercilessly give Attorney Callie a grave threat." I was the one who gave out all the documents, videos, and information about the case, and it was the best thing I've ever done in my life." I gritted my teeth.






"As a call center agent, it is my duty to assist those people who needs a help. At nung gabing 'yon, may naging costumer ako na nagpapatulong sa pagpili ng kung anong mas magandang engagement ring para sa asawa niya,"

"It's a call, so I can't see what his choices are. In order for me to help him, I thus asked that he send it to my gmail account. At ayon, pinadala niya. But he sent the wrong link."






"Objection, Your Honor. That was not taken up during the direct examination!" the defense attorney said.






"Overrule,"





Nakita ko ang bahagyang pag-ngiwi ni Attorney Grey.

"Binuksan ko yung link at kahit alam kong nai-invade ko ang privacy niya lalo na't diary link iyon. Because I'm curious. And every day, he writes about what is happening in his life. Bata siya ni Fransis Salazar, kumakapit sa patibong para sa pangpakasal."






"Do you have a document to support your claim?"

I nodded. "Yes, I have."

Nakita ko ang pagtingin ni Attorney Grey sa buong hukuman.

"Open the link," utos niya.

Sa malaking monitor ay lumabas ang isang video at nanginig ang tuhod ko nang makita ang mga tauhan ni Mr. Salazar na binubugbog ang nakatalikod na si Callie. Wala siyang kalaban laban dahil nakahawak sa kaniya ang dalawang lalaking armado.

"Iyan ang link na na-send ng costumer ni Lyndzey nung gabing iyon. This is a diary. Hindi lang isang CCTV footage ang nasa diary, There are plenty further instances that support Mr. Salazar's guilt, Your honor."

"Does the defense have any objection?" the judge asked, and the defender nodded.

"Yes, Your Honor."

"Halos lahat ng kuha ay malabo. And since there is no drop name, how can you be certain that my client is connected in that case?"

Nahagip ng mata ko ang pag-ngiwi ni Sai kasabay ng kaniyang pagsandal sa lingkuranan ng upuan at tila ba alam na ang kasunod na mangyayari.

"Masiyado ka namang excited, Attorney." Biro ni Attorney Grey sa abogado ng kabilang panig. "Kidding aside. Nao-open ni Lyn ang updated na Diary link,"

"And on March 2, the day of the shooting in the abandoned SM building, there came a fresh update," Grey gritted his teeth. "Open it."

Mabilis na bumungad ang liham ni Andres Monte sa malaking screen. And it has a video. Ilang minutong iniwang nakabukas sa liham ang screen upang bigyan ng oras ang mga mambabasa bago iplay ang video.

It was Mr. Salazar that gave the order to assassinate Callie in retaliation for the death of his daughter Sharon. Kahit nanginginig ang camera, kitang kita pa rin ang mukha ni Mr. Salazar habang hinihipak ang yosi at binibigyan ang mga lalaking naka-itim ng tagi-isang armas.

"Mr. Fransis Salazar, the jury finds the defendant... guilty."

Nakulong si Mr. Salazar.

At nang makalabas kami sa korte, punong-puno ng saya ang puso ko. As if natanggal ang mga tinik na nakabara sa lalamunan ko. Because I know that no more tragedy will happen... dahil nakakulong na si Mr. Salazar.

Sabay kaming natigilan ni Sai mula sa paglalakad nang makasalubong namin si Adonis sa hallway. I was shocked to see Adonis staring at me—knees shaking, tears in his eyes.

What the fuck was happening?

"What happened?" tanong ko sa lalaki.

Adonis looked disheveled, unable to speak as his eyes bore into me. Ngayon ko lang siya nakitang nagkakaganito. Adonis was a crier, but this was something far more eery. Napahinto ako.

Ano na namang trip nito?

Lalo akong kinabahan. I could feel my body shake as my heart crashed into my chest. I was suddenly aware of every breath that I took—each one becoming more labored than the last.

I had this sick feeling in my gut.

Hindi naman siguro diba... Please—please tell me it was not what I thought it was.

"Adonis, what the fuck is happening?" My voice quivered. His silence felt like a sharp stab, as he struggled to find words with tears dampening his cheeks.

Hindi ako nakapagsalita. It felt like something pierced my chest. I drifted to the impossibly dark corners of my thoughts. What was I supposed to think?

"Lyn, wala na si Attorney . . ." 

____________________