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Ralph's POV

"Pagkakataon mo na, Atty. Marquez..."

"Huh? Why is that?"

"Si Atty. Navarro ang abogado nang mayamang pamilyang nagdidiin kay Tatay na iakyat na murder ang kaso."

Malalim akong napabuntung-hininga kasunod ang paglapag ng sworn statement ni Mr. Ruben Centeno. Hindi ako makapag-isip nang maayos dahil umalingawngaw sa tenga ko ang sinabing yun ni Laila.

There was deep anger in her tone. And pain.

I can't blame her if I were in her shoes. I could've done worse.

Of course I know the story between Navarro and her because I was there. Although, I wasn't invited at their wedding, I attended secretly.

I had my personal reason.

Nanliit ang mga mata kasabay nang paghigpit ng kapit sa manibela ng kotse ko nang dumating ang bridal car.

Nagngalit ang bagang ko.

It's so obvious that she really wanted to make this wedding happen. Nauna pa ito kaysa sa groom.

Kanina pa ako dito more than an hour before the schedule of the wedding ceremony. Atty. Navarro's car is not in sight so I'm sure wala pa ang groom.

Napailing muli ako nang maalala ang babae.

I saw her first in pictures sa cubicle desk ni Atty. Navarro. I came to the office early when the guard reported that the newly hired associate brought in a lady visitor there a couple of hours after our business time. Wala naman sanang issue. Baka client or witness na kailangang makausap na walang ibang available na oras maliban sa gabi, at kailangan nila ng pribado at propesyunal na lugar.

Pero umangat ang inis ko dahil sa sinabi ng guard na sa tingin niya ay girlfriend.

I immediately went to the security room to check the CCTV. I want to see things first bago umakyat kay Daddy. I need to know the details first so I know how to defend my subordinates. And primarily, ayokong mapahiya dahil ako ang nagrekomendang kunin namin si Atty. Navarro. I saw his dedication when he was still an intern here.

My father was having second thoughts about him reason he didn't retain Atty. Navarro after his internship was over.Not even after some months he took his oath as a lawyer. He said his guts is saying something about this new bar passer. Dad is not the type who'd run after board placers, although it would be an advantage.

Like his grandfather and mine, Dad upholds the integrity of the company.... and requires the same to its lawyers.

Some may find lawyers as liars but in Marquez Law Firm and Associates, we use the loopholes in the law and the mistakes made during the due process to win cases. Unknown to many, hindi na mabilang ang mga kasong naa-acquit ang defendants dahil mali ang prosesong ginawa ng mga pulis, or even the stages of passing evidences against defendants.Kahit ang mga piskal, nagkakamali sa kung papaano ipe-presenta ang demanda.

Wala namang kakaibang ginawa ang dalawa nang mapanood ko ang CCTV. Kaswal na magkahawak-kamay. Saglit na nagyakap. The worst they did was a quick peck on the lips. If you call that worst.

Napangiti pa nga ako dahil halatang pinagmamalaki ni Atty. Navarro sa karelasyon ang opisina namin. And that made me proud as well as the future CEO of this firm.

So before office hours, bumaba na ako sa associates floor kung saan naroroon din ang office ko. I dropped by Atty. Navarro's work area.

There, I got a closer look at his girlfriend's picture.

I know some women more beautiful than her. I mean, way beautiful, alright. Has higher education and with class. From prominent families.

But there was something in her I find attractive, I just can't pinpoint what.

Pagdating ni Atty. Navarro, agad kong pinatawag sa opisina ko. I still wanted to hear his explanation. I want to prove myself that he wouldn't lie.

And I was right. Although, I got pissed off because he reasoned out he was not informed that bringing in guests in the office proper is not allowed.

"Ignorance of the law excuses no one. That's basic. Atty. Navarro. I'm wondering how you passed the bar even making it to the top 18."

Napahiya ito. I do not regret telling that to him. I hate seeing a fellow lawyer getting stupid because of a woman.

Men always have the upperhand.

Bigla kong naisip si Reid at Rob. Oh well! Their choice but will never be mine. Ito ang patotoo na mali ang kasabihang 'Birds of the same feather flock together'.

I should have listened to my Dad. To listen to gut feelings. First impressions do not always last. Just like my impression with Atty. Navarro's fiancee. She looked sweet and harmless yet smart in the picture.

One really cannot judge a book by its cover.

Ang babaeng ito ang dahilan nang pagtalikod sa amin ni Atty. Navarro. Siguradong minamadali nito ang lalaki na magpaopera siya sa mata para makakita muli. I bet she's a brat. An only child and CPA, according to Atty. Navarro himself when we had a chance for a light chitchat while taking a break during a case review which we were working on. The Almonte Group of Companies versus Montemayor Corporation.

I know my subordinate felt guilty for being the responsible party why his fiancee got blind. Isa sa dahilan kaya hindi na pinabayaran dito ang damage sa company issued car. Anyway, malakas naman ang opisina namin sa car insurance broker so I dated her out then asked her to work on its accident coverage. Ang babae na ang gumawa ng paraan. Then I did not hesitate signing the paper to have another car issued to my subordinate, but it was not a brand new one like the first. Because he'd need it for work. He has to work harder now. He told me about his obligations to his mother and siblings, now the fiancee.

Naawa ako. So, I helped in any possible way I know na hindi ganun kahalata na nagiging paborito ko ang bago namin. Baka may mainggit eh.

I just saw in him my father before. Young and striving to make his woman happy.

Napakunut-noo ako.

Dumating na si Atty. Navarro at magsisimula na ang kasal. The number of guests didn't meet my expectation.

When everyone went inside the church, bumaba na rin ako sa kotse. Sinadya kong ibagay ang suot sa okasyon. I'll simply gate crash.

I wanted to see what it is really that made Atty. Navarro turn his back on Marquez. He said working with us was his goal but he left us, particularly me, in a mess and shame. Huwag na yung sa ibang associates at senior lawyers namin. Kay Dad at kay Lolo na lang.

They were very disappointed in me. And implied the phrase "I told you so..." because I vouched for Atty. Navarro. Not just to be employed but also to help me handle a big case.

I just couldn't get it off my head why a promising, ambitious and dedicated lawyer like Atty. Navarro would do that. Because I won't do that.

There are so many beautiful women but only one big shot for a dream.

Or maybe, he's just like Reid and Rob.

But things went south about everything in that wedding.

If I was shocked to that scandalous wedding hullabaloo, how much more to the bride?

I will never forget how her bright, nervous yet happy aura turned upside down when her groom ran away with another woman.

A woman I believe Laila Centeno had no knowledge about dahil kahit ako ay hindi inaasahan.

Magaling silang magtago.

I got more furious, but at the end of it all, I was grateful that I found out at an early stage. That I wasn't in the deep shit yet. But my ego and pride were brutally bruised.

Again, my gut feeling failed me. I was very wrong about that poor blind lady.

Naputol ako sa pag-iisip dahil sa tawag ni Rob.

"Balita sa kaso ni Mr. Centeno, bro?"

"Parang luto eh."

"I was about to say the same."

"Why?"

"I had the PAO lawyer previously handling the case investigated. Lahat halos ng kasong hinawakan, guilty plea lagi to get a lower punishment ang inilalatag sa kliyente niya. Ayaw nang maraming paperwork and research."

"Obviously," sang-ayon ko.

"Not just that. He initiated a call to the lawyer of the other party."

"What the--" I exclaimed. "Bakit?"

"He informed tht he is not handling the case anymore. Na nasa Marquez na. This is going to be interesting for you, pal. Your former 'favorite' associate is the Barcelon's lawyer."

Alam nila ni Reid ang tungkol sa nangyaring yun. Sa kanila ako naglabas ng sama ng loob. They know how I felt being betrayed and deceived. And how ashamed I was.

"Don't be so hard on yourself, Ralph. My confidence in you is still intact," si Reid, habang nag-iinuman kaming dalawa sa den ng villa ng mga Schulz.

"Be careful who to put your trust next," sabi ni Rob.

"Kaya ayokong magtiwala sa babae," napapailing na lang ako.

Tinapik ako ni Reid sa balikat, "Not all women are like your mother, Ralph. Look at my Drew."

"And Jun," segunda ni Rob.

Napabuntung-hininga ako, "Iba naman sila."

I was sincere with that. May exception naman ang pananaw ko pagdating sa mga babae. Reid and Rob won't fight for the dela Cruz sisters if the two women were not worth it. Mabuti nga at nakakahinga na itong si Rob ngayon dahil kita namang nag-improve na emotionally si Juno mula sa pagkamatay ni Carlito Sorriente. The younger dela Cruz made efforts to do so making herself busy with her studies. And now preparing for graduation.

I guess that's good news for Rob. Kaya nga maganda ang bukas ng mood nito nang mga nakaraang linggo.

"Kaya nga, hindi ba?"

Pagak akong natawa.

"You know what,Ralph," patuloy ni Rob. "We, men, have our good share of infidelity. Only that the society is more lenient to us but puts too much scrutiny on women. But it's all the same. Betrayal and deceit. Both are cutting. Cheating does not have a gender."

"Iba tayo," salag ko pa rin. "We have girls left and right. In every direction but they know the name of our game. No commitment."

"That was before I met my wife," sabi ni Reid. "Again, fidelity is part of commitment. So thus obligation and responsibility in the relationship."

"That's why I don't want any of it. I'm happy to what I am now. Going with the premise of your argument, Reid, no commitment, so I am not guilty of infidelity. I have no obligation nor responsibility to any woman. And I can't imagine myself doing errands for a woman, and giving in to any of her caprices."

While saying that, I was imagining Dad during those days Mom was still with us. Napangiwi ako.

Yes, my mother is the primary reason I have issues about women when it comes to having serious relationships.

My parents had a failed marriage, not because my Lolo and Lola disapproved of it. My grands never looked down at my mother's family being in the middle class.

They gave the relationship a thumbs down because they knew Dad was only a rebound. As the only child, masakit sa isang magulang na makitang ganun ang estado ng anak. Dad was head over heels with Mom. Alam nila dahil ikinukwento raw ni Daddy kay Lola ang tungkol kay Mommy. They were college students at the same university where they met in the US. Si Dad, on student visa, while Mom and her family were immigrants there.

He's Mom's secret admirer. He befriended her. So when he got the chance to be intimate with my mother in the times she was very sad because of breaking up with her ex-boyfriend, Dad made sure that she got pregnant.

I was the fruit of that one-sided love story.

I never got close to my mother. She wouldn't let me. Ako raw ang dahilan na natali siya kay Daddy dahil nasa America man, dala pa rin ng mga magulang ni Mommy ang pagiging konserbatibo. They demanded that my father marry her. Of course, Dad willingly obliged. Wala na ring nagawa sina Lolo dahil sa ipinagbubuntis na nga ako.

Part of Lolo's consequences for Dad's impulsiveness was that he won't support his studies anymore if we stay in the US. Gusto rin naman nina Lolo na mag-work ang pagsasama ng mga magulang ko kaya nila kami pinauuwi. Para ang ilayo si Mommy sa tukso. Her ex was also in California. But Dad couldn't convince Mom to relocate.

Lolo said that my father had to learn how to be a family man. All financial support stopped. Nahirapan si Daddy na pagsabayin ang pagtatrabaho para sa amin at ang pag-aaral. Huminto siya to work full-time. Mommy never tried looking for a job. She was a stay at home wife, but a lazy one.

I saw how my mother made my father suffer. But Dad didn't let go. Nagtiis siya na pati gawaing-bahay, at pag-aasikaso sa akin ay inako niya basta intact kami.

Ni hindi niya pinapatulan ang pangna-nag ni Mommy kapag kinakapos kami. There were some instances na binabato ni Mommy si Dad ng plastic cannisters, or remote control ng TV. Hindi siya pinapatulan ni Dad. Basta kakargahin na ako at papasok sa kuwarto ko.

He never bad-mouthed my mother to me during our father and son time. He was even saying sorry on my mother's behalf. He made me promise not to tell my Lolo and Lola what's happening in the house.

If there are neglected and abused wives, my father was the husband version.

But the only moment he snapped was when Mom turned her anger and bitterness on me.

Hanggang ngayon, naririnig ko pa sa utak ko ang mga sinabi niya na kung hindi raw siya tinakot ni Daddy na ipakukulong ay ipina-abort na ako. Hindi legal ang abortion sa California. Narinig yun lahat ni Daddy, tapos ay nakita na mapula ang mga braso at pisngi ko. Bakas ng palad ni Mommy.

That evening, nasampal ni Daddy si Mommy in my defense.

The same evening that I finally saw my Dad fight back, I was happy for him. The same moment I adored him more. But it fired back at him.

Mom left the house that evening. After a week, bumalik ito not to stay but to take all her clothes. She said she wanted divorce. Ayaw pumayag ni Dad lalo nang malaman ang dahilan at kung ano ang nangyari sa isang linggong pagkawala ni Mommy.

Kahit kasal na sila ni Dad, sumama pa rin sa dating karelasyon si Mommy nang bumalik. I still remember how my father pleaded to her not to leave us.

For a four-year-old boy, that was too much for me. To see the man I respect so much crying. To see a strong hero figure crumble down to pieces... because of a woman. Kahit nanay ko pa yun.

Binatilyo na ako nang ma-realize ko kung bakit hindi niya pinapatulan ang pang-aabuso sa kanya ni Mommy. Dahil alam niyang gumagawa ng dahilan ang babae na makipaghiwalay siya. It was me that finally broke his self-control.

But Dad redeemed himself.

Bumalik siya sa poder ng mga Marquez na dati niyang tinalikuran para kay Mommy. He continued studying law. He was already in his thirties when he became a lawyer.

I grew up in the care of my grandmother. But Dad would always find time to be with me one whole day once a week. He is a good father despite we lack time to be together.

He did not marry again. I know he still loves my mother. The only thing I hate about him because I despise the woman.

Making me hate being in a marriage or any serious relationship.

I respect and love my father a lot pero ayokong matulad sa kanya.

 "Yeah, I heard. Ms. Centeno told me."

"Hhmm... not bad. Handling and winning this case is hitting two birds with one stone."

"What do you mean?"

"You and Laila Centeno. Both of you have beef with Atty. Justine Navarro and the Santiagos."

Napailing na lang ako, "Pati ba naman yung sa dalawa kinalkal mo?"

Natawa ito nang mahina, "Di naman intensyon. I just got curious because I remembered you telling us that your ex-favorite subordinate jilted his blind ex-fiancee on their wedding day. Then, I did a background check on the Centenos. Baka lang kasi may bad record na magagamit yung kabila para madiin lalo yung matanda."

"Meron ba?"

"Well, there are four things that caught my attention."

"And those are...?"

"Yun nga, the wedding fiasco, why Laila is blind now, and I think I found out why the old Centeno is always jumping in without thinking twice when there's a woman and violence involved."

"Are you referring to his wife being killed?" tanong ko.

"Oo. "

Pareho kami nang iniisip ni Rob. Naikuwento sa akin ni Mr. Centeno ang bagay na yun. Na walang tumulong agad sa asawa na madala sa ospital. She blead out to death on the sidewalk in broad daylight.

"Hindi ko na naisip na alamin kung may baril yung bata," naiiyak na napapailing si Mr. Centeno. "Basta nung marinig ko na humihingi ng tulong yung babae, ayun na nga."

Bata ang patungkol nito dahil eighteen years old lang lalaking napatay niya sa isang bar hub sa Pasay. Siya ang pumasada ng UV Express nila nang araw na yun dahil may sakit ang driver nito. Sa nasabing lugar daw pumara ang huling apat na pasahero niya at nagplano nang umuwi. Papaalis na siya nang mapansin na umaalog ang isang kotseng malapit naka-park kung saan siya nagbaba ng pasahero, tapos ay narinig ang isang pagibik ng babae.

"Nilapitan ko. Nakita kong nagkakapisikilan sila o mas tamang parang nanlalaban yung babae. Inisip ko nab aka magboypren, pero kahit na. Babae yun. Kaya kinatok ko yung bintana ng kotse. Galit na lumabas yung bata at pinagtutulak ako. Sabi na nagkmali raw ako nang bibiktimahing holdapin. Biglang may humatak sa kuwelyo ko sa likod. May dalawa palang kasama. Galing siguro sa loob ng KTV bar. Mga bata pa sila. Mapupusok at mga nakainom. Ito ba namang edad ko, hindi na ako makakalaban pa. Depensa lang naman ang akin, Attorney."

Sa halip na tumulong daw na pigilan ang kaibigan, pinagtulungan nila ang matanda. Pangho-holdap ang bintang ng mga ito na motibo ng matanda dahil yun ang narinig mula sa biktima lalo pa na lasing nga tapos ay makita na,

"Ang akin lang naman kaya dinala ko yung malaki kong screw driver bago ako lumapit eh proteksiyon lang."

Naiintindihan ko naman ang matanda. Ang problema ay ang aksyon niyang yun ang nagdidiin sa kanya ngayon. Na pinalalabas nang kabilang panig na may intensyon talagang masama si Mr. Centeno, lalo at nalaman na may anak na nais mapaoperahan sa mata.

"Hindi ko na alam ang sunod na nangyari. Basta ang alam ko, may mga tinamaan ako sa ilang ulit kong pag-unday ng saksak. Umikot ang paningin ko sa suntok na inabot ko sa batok. Tapos ay narinig ko na kunin daw yung 'dala' nila sa kotse. Kaya nga dinaluhong ko na agad yung bata nang makita konghawak na niya yung baril. Hindi ko binigyang pagkakataong maitutok pa sa akin," gumaralgal ang boses nito. "Dahil ang naisip ko na lang nang mga sandaling yun, si Laila. Kung ano ang mangyayari kung mamatay ako habang pinagtutulungan ako. Ang intensyon ko ay tumulong nung una. Sa bandang huli ay ang iligtas na ang sarili ko. Pero ganun pa rin ang nangyari. Para ko na ring iniwan ang anak ko."

Kanina ay tahimik na umiiyak lang si Laila sa tabi ng amang nakaposas sa pribadong silid na yun ng city jail pero, "Huwag mo akong alalahanin, 'Tay. Kaya ko ang sarili ko. S-sanay naman ako sa loob ng bahay."

"Papaano kung may manloob sa iyo? Mag-isa ka lang at hindi nakakakita."

"Rob Agoncillo got her a security detail. Him," itinuro ko si Jon na nakatayo sa malapit.

"Anong ibig n'yong sabihin?"

"Hindi ako pumayag," apela ni Laila.

Inulit ko ang sinabi ko kanina sa law firm na, "It's a package deal, Mr. Centeno, when you asked help from Rob. Me, as your lawyer and the bodyguard. Your daughter's safety may also be at risk. We do not know how people think. Some still believe in the saying blood for blood. Especially that the Barcelons have money to spare, and you don't. You're not even free."

Saglit na natahimik ang mag-ama.

"S-sobra naman yatang tulong ang --"

Pinutol ko pa ang sasabihin nito, "Rob's wife survived because you immediately told your passengers to get out of your vehicle so my friend can bring her to the nearest hospital. She was pregnant at that time. The baby also survived. Ang tulong na ito ni Rob ay wala sa kalingkingan sa nagawa mo para sa pamilya niya."

Nabasa ko ang pag-aalinlangan sa mata ng matanda, "Don't worry. Mapagkakatiwalaan ang mga tao ng Agoncillo Agency. I'll also ask Rob if he can work on getting a female helper for Laila. And I will visit your daughter on my free time. Busy ngayon si Rob dahil ooperahan ang anak niya."

Walang nagawa si Laila nang pumayag ang ama.

Hindi ako kinakausap nito nang ihatid ko siya pauwi. Ayos lang naman dahil nag-iisip ako nang malalim tungkol sa kaso. Walang imik ko siyang inoobserbahan nang nasa loob na kami ng bahay nila habang hinihintay si Jon na dumating dahil nag-iba ito ng daan para ihatid si Gina.

Medyo makalat sa bahay nila.

Paano kaya ang pagkain niya? Maaring kumukuha na lang sa tindahan. Nakita ko kasi na meron silang sari-sari store pero sarado. Pero ang pagluluto?

Kailangan nga ng babae ng kasama. Nariyan naman si Jon. Kaya na niya ito. Pareho naman silang kailangang kumain.

I couldn't help but grimace when a vision flashed in my mind. Yung para silang magbabahay-bahayan. Iyun ang pinoproblema nang mag-amang Centeno.

At parang ayaw rin nang isang sulok ng utak ko.

Sasabihin ko kay Rob na ikuha ng kasamang babae rito si Laila.

I turned some pages on Mr. Centeno's file stopping at the documents of the prosecution. Ang nakalagay sa sworn statement nang mga nagdemanda,walang baril. And that there was no girl.Only the three friends went out for a guy's night out. The two friends said that they were about to leave the place to go some elsewhere, but Leo Barcelon went out first. Paglabas nila, yun na ang inabutan.

The guy was hit in the armpit puncturing his lungs. Dead on arrival in the hospital. He bled internally and choked with his own blood. And both the friends were also hit on their arms with the screw driver. Natigil lang sila sa pag-aaway nang matumba na nga ang biktima.Agad na itinakbo ng mga kaibigan si Leo Barcelon sa ospital. Si Mr. Centeno ay agad na tumungo sa isang presinto para i-report ang nangyari at sumuko.

"Rob...?"

"Oh?"

"I'll take this case as pro-bono."

"What?! Why? I can pay."

"Not that, moron," napahinga ako nang malalim, "I can't promise to get the old man out of jail time."

Natahimik si Rob. Sa palagay ko ay isa yun sa itinawag niya. Ang alamin ang assessment ko sa kaso.

"What's the best you can do, Ralph?"

"They're pinning the man for murder. I can make sure they won't get that. I can win that part. I'll try to win this for self-defense but it will take time. At maraming sabit. I need your help to investigate further."

Mr. Centeno has multiple cases around his neck. Murder, attempted murder resulting to physical injuries and attempted robbery. All filed separately.

I'm having a debate with myself on how to go about with this case. If I should file a motion to combine all the cases in just one. Para kapag naipanalo, acquitted si Mr. Centeno as a whole. One-time big time. But it may also backfire at us, one-time big time as well. Or if I should just take the multiple charges one by one. Uunahin ko ang attempted robbery dahil yun ang pinakamadaling mapatunayan mali. May kabuhayan ang mag-ama. Winning that first can immediately help us in proving that there was no reason for Mr. Centeno to have the intent nor had premeditated the crime. It'll cancel out the attempted murder but will fall into physical injury. Mas mababang kaso. Less jail time and bailable. Then we can use the two won cases to fight the murder charges.

"Sure, of course," ang sagot nito. "What's the worst scenario?"

"Homicide, Rob. And physical injury dun sa dalawa pa."

We have no witness for us, but the Barcelon and his friends got the security guard and one local bystander roaming around the area. Isa nga rin yun sa pinag-iisipan ko. Ang mga witnesses nila. On how I can discredit their statements.

But our best defense would be finding the girl Mr. Centeno was talking about and that damn CCTV footage report which the said establishment should have. I don't understand why it wasn't included in the file case.

"What help do you need now, Ralph?"

"If you can find the girl, the CCTV footage of the KTV bar hub. Maraming mapapatunayan yun. Like the girl, the gun and ... well, I guess almost everything."

"Alright, I'll have someone look into it."

"Wait, Rob."

"Yup?"

"You only said three things that caught your interest about the Centenos. What's the fourth?"

"Hmm, I'm not sure if the prosecution can still dig it up and use it on their advantage."

"Alin nga?"

"Nagkaroon ng record si Mr. Centeno sa lugar nila. After his wife's death, he became a drunkard for some time. At kapag nalalasing na raw, naghahamon ng away sa mga tambay sa lugar nila. Lalo na yung pinaghihinalaang mga magnanakaw. Thing was, may pumatol. But was hit on the head by a tube pipe. Naareglo naman sa pakiusap na rin ni Laila sa pamilya nung nakabangga ng tatay niya. Naawa rin kasi high school lang si Laila noon at alam sa lugar ang pinagdadaaanan ng pamilya nila. Sinagot na lang nila ang pampaospital and paid damages. Doon na raw parang natauhan si Mr. Centeno at bumalik sa pagiging mabuting ama. But still, there was a blotter record in the barangay."

Ang impormasyong yun ang nagtulak sa akin na bumalik sa tanggapan ng barangay nina Laila makaraan ang dalawang araw nang pag-uusap naming yun ni Rob.

Mainit ang pagtanggap na isinalubong sa akin ng kapitan doon lalo. Nakarating na raw ang usap-usapan sa lugar nila na pribadong law firm na ang hahawak sa kaso ng tatay ni Laila. Hindi nga lang nito inaasahan na sa Marquez galing.

"Mabuti at magaling na abogado ang hahawak sa kaso ni Ben. Kilala sa city hall ang pangalan ng opisina ninyo, Attorney," ang sabi.

I told them why I came. Pinahanap nito ang file ng dating blotter report ni Mr. Centeno at ang settlement agreement.

"Tahimik ang pamilyang yan lamang eh nagkaroon nga ng isyu sa pag-inom siBen nung mapatay ang asawang si Merly. Naunawaan naman namin. Mahal na mahal ang asawa eh. Nasa probinsya ang mga kamag-anak nila. Pero umayos naman yung matanda dahil iniyakan nang husto nung anak. Silang mag-ama ang nag-alalayan sa panahong yun. Ayaw iwan ang bahay nila dahil sa alala ni Merly. Nung makarekober sa trahedya, tahimik lang uli sila, at naging mas madaling malapitan ng tulong.Pero hindi maalis sa kanya ang matinding galit sa mga magnanakaw at nananakit ng babae."

Ang kuwento nito habang naghihintay sa kopyang hiniling ko. Medyo natagalan dahil may dekada na ang nakaraan. Iba pa raw ang kapitan nang mga panahong yun. When I finally got the copy, I thanked the man and shook his hand. He cleared his throat when I stood up,

"Hindi ba makakasama sa kaso ni Ben ang mga iyan, Atty. Marquez?"

"Gusto ko lang mabasa. Para mas makilala ang kliyente ko."

Tumango ito, "Sinisigurado ko sa iyong hindi masamang tao si Ben. Lahat kami rito, hindi naniniwala sa bintang sa kanya. Ahm, may gusto sana akong itanong kung hindi mo mamasamain, Attorney."

"Yes?"

"Ang balita rito ay may mayamang tumutulong kay Laila para kay Ben. Yun ba ang kumuha ng serbisyo mo?"

"Why ask?"

"Uhm, wala naman. Nag-aalala lang ako para sa dalaga ni Ben. Palaging ibinibilin sa amin yan nung tatay kapag aalis. Ang akin lang, baka may usapang 'kakaiba' sa tumutulong sa kanya para mapalaya si Ben. Magandang bata pa naman kaso eh baka nadedesperada lalo at bulag. Eh itong si Laila, iwas nang makipag-usap kahit kanino sa amin magmula nung... Gago kasi ang dating noby—tsk!" umiling ito na hindi tinapos ang sasabihin.

Matipid akong ngumiti, "Matalik kong kaibigan ang tinutukoy ninyo, Chairman. Nothing to worry about because there's no hocus pocus about all the help. Tumatanaw lang nang malaking utang na loob si Rob kay Mr. Centeno. Kayo na ang may sabi, hindi masamang tao yung matanda. At pro-bono ko ang kaso ni Mr. Centeno."

"Mabuti at salamat. May usap-usapan na rin kasi na baka maaaring lumapit si Laila sa dating nobyo na abogado na rin ngayon para tumulong. Tutal eh may atraso yun sa mag-ama."

"Malabo ho."

"Ah, nasabi ba nila sa iyo ang tungkol dun?"

Umiling ako. "Naroon ho ako nung araw na dapat ay kasal nila."

"Ha? Kilala mo--"

"Boss ako ni Atty. Navarro dati. At siya ang abogado nang nagdedemanda kay Mr. Centeno ngayon."

"Aba'y – eh gago talaga ang sira-ulong yun ah!"

I felt happy that I met someone nearby who cares about the Centenos. And that this barangay chairman shares the same feeling I have about Atty. Navarro.

Tumangu-tango ito, "Uhm, yung lalaking kasama ni Laila, totoo bang bantay niya yun?"

Tumango uli ako, "We're just making sure she's safe."

"Ah, ganun ba? Naniniguro lang. Dadalawa lang sila nung bantay niya ang naroroon."

Hindi ko nagpahalatang nagulat.

Ang sabi ni Rob ay nagpadala siya ng katulong para kay Laila.

Agad akong nagpaalam sa barangay chairman.

Pagpasok na pagpasok ko sa kotse, agad kong tinawagan si Agoncillo.

"Uhm, yeah, she sent the helper back. She even declined my offer about her eye operation," imporma nito. "Why so upset about it?"

"I'm not upset. It's just that I saw how concern the father was about Laila. Sinabi ko sa matanda na di lang si Jon ang kasama ng anak niya."

"We can't force the lady about the helper, Ralph. At nakausap ko na naman ni Jon. Wala naman daw problema sa kanya. Napakagaan daw ng trabaho niya sa mga Centeno. Para lang daw siyang tambay doon," tapos ay bahagyang natawa. "Imagine one of my agents, taking care of the sari-sari store business after doing house chores."

I really do not like the sound of it. Di ko magawang makitawa kaya kahit wala sa plano ko, pinuntahan ko ang bahay ng mga Centeno.

For no reason at all, I stopped a few meters away from the house gate where I can see the front door and the sari-sari store. I observed them from my car. Ang agent nga ni Rob ang bantay sa tindahan. May ilang bumubili na puro mga kadalagahan.

Obviously, they are buying to get a chance to see or have a chitchat with Jon.

Nang wala na ang mga customers, nagpunta si Jon sa may gate tapos ay pumasok sa bahay kaya bumaba na rin ako ng kotse.

Paglapit, doon ko napansin na bukas ang gate. Hindi nakalapat ang maayos. Nadagdagan ang irita ko. Mapagsasabihan ko ang tao ni Rob. It appears he's slacking with his job!

I know it's rude not to knock but I couldn't help it, I entered then straight to the front door.

And my irritation went a notch higher with what I saw in the kitchen.

Hawak ni Jon ang kamay ni Laila at akmang bubuhatin ang babae!

Kaya di ko napigilang, "What's going on here?!"

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