Dante's POV

"This boy is just fifteen years old," simula ni Primo. "He is now living with this dark reality. His mother killed his father. Nakakalula,"

Nanlaki ang mga mata ni Jake. He shook his head slightly. "What could have driven her to do something like that? It must be so confusing for him,"

Nagpakawala ako ng malalim na hininga. Pinapakalma ang sarili habang pinapanood ang mga kasamahan kong may sari-sariling opinyon tungkol sa kaso na hahawakan ko ngayon.

The boy's mother killed his father. It was stated in the papers. Noong una ay hindi ko sana hahawakan ito dahil hindi ko kayang makita ang batang iyon, but I need to help him win this case and put her mother into jail. She deserves to be in jail after all.

"I know!" sambit naman ni Ace.

My heart aching for the boy. "The reports say that she struggled with mental health issues for years. It's like she was a different person, someone he didn't recognize anymore. Now that he's stuck in this limbo-grieving for his father, but also struggling with feelings of anger and betrayal towards his mother."

"But what about the justice system? I mean, if she's charged with murder, he could end up losing her as well. Isn't that too much for a boy to handle?"

"Iyan din ang iniisip ko," sabi ko. "The boy is being pulled in every direction. He's been placed in the care of relatives, but what if they can't provide the stability he needs? It's like he's losing everything at once. His father, his home, and possibly even his mother in the long run. The whole situation involves trauma."

Bahagyang dumidilim ang mga ilaw nang sumapit ang gabi, at lumipat ang usapan sa law seminar na dadaluhan ko sa susunod na linggo.

"Do you think they will allow the boy to speak?" tanong muli ni Primo, bakas ang pag-alala. Ang softhearted ng gago. Hindi dapat gano'n.

"I hope so," mariing sagot ko. "He deserves to have his voice heard.

Binuksan ko ang cellphone mula sa aking kamay. Nakita ko ang mensahe ni Aling Waning. She said na kauuwi lang ni Rose galing university. Tumango ako at palihim na umirap upang hindi mapansin ng mga kasama ko.

Hindi pa rin kami nag-uusap. Sa tuwing nagtatagpo ang mga mata namin lagi akong umiiwas. Natatakot ako... natatakot na baka masabi sa kaniya ang lahat. I don't want to let her go, I like her. Kahit itago ko pa itong nararamdaman ko, mabubunyag at mabubunyag din ito kalaunan. For now, aayusin ko muna ang dapat ayusin. Babawi ako sa kaniya kapag matapos ko itong kaso na hinahawakan ko ngayon.

Hindi niya alam na nagtatrabaho ako sa NC. Ito ang papel ko sa NightClub, gumagalaw sa gabi at nag-aaral sa umaga. Yes, I'm still a student, pero may alam na ako sa ganito. Pinag-aralan ko na ito noong nasa Canada ako. I transferred here dahil kay Lola. Hindi ko kasi matiis e. Gusto agad niya akong pag-asawahin kahit wala pa sa plano ko.

Kinuha ko ang itim na envelope sa ibabaw ng lamesa. May nakaukit na letrang AS sa bilog na logo nito na pinalilibutan ng gintong ribbon.

What the fuck is this? Bakit ngayon ko lang 'to napansin?

Binuksan ko ang envelope. Bumungad sa akin ang pangalang hindi ko kilala. Alixir Seville. Who the hell is this? Imbes na alamin ang pagkatao ng taong ito, pinili ko na lamang balewalain saka muling bumalik sa pagkakasandal. Iniisip si Luella.

Kung anuman ang iniisip niya tungkol sa club na iyon, I won't let her eat her own curiosity. Klaus works there, hind niya tatantanan si Luna.

"Ano naman ang sasabihin mo sa kaniya kung bibigyan ka ng pagkakataon?" basag ni Ace sa katahimikan.

Lahat sila napatingin sa akin.

Nagpakawala ako ng malalim na hining. "I would tell him that it's okay to feel lost, that he's not alone and healing takes time to heal. I will tell him that it's okay to forgive and to love. Lastly, it's important to seek help, to ask for someone to listen."

***

Nasa loob kami ng courtroom ngayon. Naghihintay sa mga mahahalagang tao ngayong araw. Kasama ko ang aking kliyente na labinlimang taong gulang.
Mabigat sa tensyon ang hangin sa courtroom. Bulong-bulungan ng madla ay namayani sa buong silid, na sinamahan ng paminsan-minsang pag-ubo ng kakulangan sa ginhawa.

I glanced at my client, mga mata ay puno ng magkahalong takot at kawalan ng hustisya.

Lumapit ako sa batang lalaki. Hinaplos ko ng marahan ang kaniyang ulo habang nanginginig ito dahil sa kaba at takot.

"Remember, you're doing great. Just focus on your answers, okay?"

"I... I don't want her to go to jail..." nauutal niyang sagot.

"I know, but we need to find the truth. Can you tell me again about the night your father was killed?"

Kinuyom ko ang aking kamao. Everyone's now looking at us. Nakatingin habang abala ang bibig sa anumang chismis na kanilang nakalap o narinig. They think that this boy is crazy because he's too young to file a case against his mother.

Sino namang maniniwala sa isang bata?

"He... he was mad. Mom was yelling too,"

"That's not true! You don't know what you're talking about!"

Nabaling ang tingin namin sa bagong dating. It was his mother, kasama ang Attorney nitong may katandaan na.

Tumikhim ako upang iwasan ang namumuong balakid sa aking lalamunan. Nilingon ko si Sam, hinawakan ko ang kaniyang nanginginig na mga kamay at pilit pinapakalma. His mom was mad, halata ang itim sa kaniyang mga mata na parang kulang sa tulog. The woman in her early 40s, sat a few feet away. Her eyes glazed over and her body swaying slightly. It was clear that she was under the influence of drugs. Diyan pa lang talo na.

"Don't be scared. Just speak." Iyon ang huling sinabi ko bago bumalik sa aking kinauupuan.

Magsisimula na. I will fucking do my best to win this damn case. At para na rin makatulog ng maayos.

Bilang Attorney ng batang ito, I had spent months poring over evidence, interviewing witnesses, and preparing for this moment. The prosecution had built a strong case against the boy's mother, accusing her of killing the boy's father in cold blood. But I knew that the truth was more complicated than that.

The mother had always been a troubled woman, struggling with addiction and mental health issues for years. Ngunit noon pa man, naging mabuting ina siya sa kaniyang mga anak, doing her best to provide for her son and keep him safe. Noon lamang sila iniwan ng ama ay nagsimulang mawalan ng kontrol ang mga bagay-bagay.

"Order in the court!" the judge's gavel struck down sharply, silencing the murmurs as he peered over his glasses with a gaze that seemed to pierce through the very fabric of the case we were entangled in.

Nagpakawala ako ng malalim na hininga.

"Your Honor, may it please the court," I began, my voice steady despite the swarm of emotions fluttering in my chest. "We have heard testimony regarding the night Frank Montemayor was murdered. My client, Sam, has demonstrated unparalleled courage through this nightmare, yet he sits here today-not to accuse, but to seek truth and justice."

Ang mata ng mga tao ay nabaling kay Sam, na nakaupo sa likuran ko, hawak-hawak ang isang maliit na laruang kotse. Kitang-kita ko ang nanginginig niyang maliliit na kamay. I feel bad for him.

Sa tapat ng silid, ang ina ni Sam, si Linda Montemayor. Nakayuko sa sandalan ng kaniyang upuan, ang mga mata ay namamaga at nanlilinsik. Her Attorney, a man in a tailored suit who had adeptly navigated the limelight of litigation, sat next to her, calm and with authority.

"Hindi 'yan totoo! Hindi ko pinatay ang asawa ko!" galit niyang untag pagkatapos marinig ang sinabi ng kaniyang anak.

I stood up. I gritted my teeth. "Your Honor, I would like to remind the court that this is a serious matter. We have evidence that suggests otherwise." Matigas na sabi ko.

Marahas na tumayo ang Attorney sa kabilang panig. "Objection! The boy is obviously confused and easily manipulated. This is nothing but speculation!"

"I will decide what is admissible," binalingan niya si Sam. "Can you tell us what you saw that night?"

"I... I saw mom and dad fighting. And then... and then dad fell."

"Hindi 'yan totoo! Sinungaling!"

Habang pinapahinga ko ang aking kaso, naalala ko ang mga sandaling napilitan si Sam na sariwain ang gabi ng insidente, describing the chaos that had erupted within their home. The 911 call, the sound of his father's last words echoing in the background-their weight was almost unbearable.

"Mrs. Montemayor, the evidence shows that there was a struggle. We have the 911 call recorded - you can hear your voice in the background."

Umiling-iling siya. I turned my gaze to the judge.

"Your Honor," pagpatuloy ko. "The prosecution has pieced together a timeline that demonstrates not only motive but opportunity. Linda Montemayor was found at the scene with traces of a substance in her system-substance that, by all accounts, could alter perception, leading to a lapse of judgment that night. Is this the behavior of an innocent mother?"

Linda's Attorney shot to his feet. The arrogance of his posture is evident. "Objection, Your Honor! Counsel is attempting to demonize my client based on assumptions and hearsay! The evidence is circumstantial at best!"

The judge raised a hand for order, clearly impatient. "Sustained, but counsel, stick to the facts."

Tumango ako, at mas lalong nagpukos sa kaso. "Of course. The main point here is Sam. His truth breaks through the shadows cast by his mother's deeds. That night, gunshots were heard, but it was the silence that devastated him. The silence of a mother who would be absent forever if convicted. We must ensure justice is served-for Sam. He deserves a chance at healing." Seryoso kong sabi. Matigas ang boses, ang mga mata ay handang harapin ang anumang aberya sa kaso na ito.

"I didn't kill him, Sam," she called, her eyes darting toward the boy as if attempting to bridge the chasm that had formed between them. "I love your father, you have to believe me."

"You told me you were going to change, mom. You said it more than once," he took a shaky breath and added it. "But you didn't."

Silence enveloped the room. Linda sank back into her seat, as if the weight of her choices pressed her down.

As the courtroom cleared, I couldn't help but feel a sense of satisfaction. I had fought for justice for my client, and in the end, the truth had won out. It wasn't a perfect outcome, but it was a fair one, one that recognized the humanity of all involved.

Nang makarating sa mansyon, napansin ko ang pamumutla ni Rose hindi kalayuan. She was standing at the door, eyes widened. What the hell happened to her?

"Luella Rose?" tawag ko sa kaniya.

Dahan-dahan namang umangat ang kaniyang ulo at noon na lamang ang gulat ko nang sumuka ito ng dugo sa aking harapan.

"What the fuck!"

Mabilis akong lumapit sa kaniya, dinaluhan kaagad siya at pilit binubuksan ang kaniyang nakasarang mga mata.

"What the hell happened here, Rose! Anong nangyari sa'yo?!" halos hindi ako mapakali habang buhat siya.

I hurriedly went to my car and open it. Habang nagmamaneho hindi ko mapigilang hindi mangamba sa kaniyang kalagayan.

What the fuck is happening. Are they starting now? Alam na kaya ni L kung saan nagtatago si Luna? What the hell.

While driving, tinawagan ko si Klaus na kaagad niya namang sinagot.

"What the fuck, Salvatore?! Natutulog ang tao!"

"Did you talk to Rose?" may diin ang boses.

"What? Hindi kami nag-usap. Bakit, anong nangyari?"

"Sumuka siya ng dugo! Hayup! Balitaan mo ako kapag may mapansin kang kakaiba sa club. I'm on my way to the hospital."

"Damn that club."

Nang makarating sa hospital, the staff immediately took notice of us. A doctor approached us.

"Attorney, it's good to see you here. Don't worry, I will take care of your wife."

I was taken a back by his familiarity, but I quickly regained my composure and nodded in agreement. The doctor led Rose away to examine her, and I waited anxiously in the waiting room, hoping for some good news.

Hours passed, nanginginig pa rin ang buong katawan ko, hindi mapakali. Maya-maya pa ay lumabas ang doctor, his expression was grave. "I have some alarming news," simula niya. "Your wife, Rose, has been poisoned. We need to act quickly to save her life."

My heart dropped, mas lalong bumigat ang nararamdaman ko. Fvck! I had never felt so helpless and terrified. The doctor quickly sprang into action, calling for a team of specialists to attend to Rose's urgent medical needs.

"Help her, please..."

Tumango ang doctor at mabilis na pumasok sa loob ng emergency room. Naiwan akong takot, nangangamba at hindi alam ang gagawin.

"Fuck!"

Who would want to harm Rose, and how did they manage to poison her?

Kagagawan kaya ito ni Rīdā?

Isang tunog mula sa aking cellphone ang nakaagaw ng pansin ko. Kinuha ko iyon at binasa ang mensahe ni Klaus.

"He's near, Davian. Alam niyang buhay si Luna."

Pinikit ko ang mga mata at galit na tinapon ang cellphone sa pader.

Tangina.

Lumabas ako ng hospital. Naglabas ako ng isang stick ng sigarilyo mula sa bulsa  at saka sinindihan iyo. Tangina talaga. Hindi pa ako tapos sa NC, hindi pa sapat ang pagod at hirap ko. 

Pumikit ako ng mariin. Mariin kong kinuyom ang aking kamao habang nilalanghap ang usok ng sigarilyo. It calms me.

Nang mahimasmasan, bumalik ako sa loob. Wala na doon ang doctor. Naiwan na lamang ang isang nurse at si Luella na mahimbing na natutulog.

Dahan-dahan akong lumapit. Napansin ko ang gulat sa mukha ng nurse at halos hindi mapakali nang makita niya akong papasok.

"S-Sir!"

"Kumusta ang lagay niya?"

"O-Okay na po. Nga po pala, sir, hinanap po kayo ni doc kanina,"

Tumaas ng bahagya ang kilay ko. "Why? Maniningil na ba siya?"

Mabilis naman siyang umiling. "Hindi po!"

Hinawakan ko ang kamay ni Luella. Umupo ako sa kaniyang tabi habang pinagmamasdan ang kaniyang maamong mukha. Fuck. Ang ganda talaga. Kahit ilang beses kong sinasabi sa sarili na hindi ako magkakagusto sa maingay, madaldal at walang modong babaeng 'to, nauuwi pa rin sa kaniya ang atensyon ko. I want to protect her kaya ko ginagawa ito sa kaniya. Hindi pa ito ang tamang oras, marami pa siyang pagdadaanan gano'n din ako.

Gusto ko rin sa kaniya mismo manggagaling ang katotohanang dapat kong malaman sa pagkatao niya.

"Stay with me, Luella."

Inangat ko ang kaniyang kamay saka binigyan ng halik bago nagpasya na lumabas. Bibili ng prutas para sa kaniya.

"Davian! Kumusta?"

Kumunot ang noo ko. "What the fuck are you doing here, Klaus?" halos sikmuran ko ang gago nang tumawa ito.

"Gusto ko lang naman mangumusta. Bawal ba?"

Sinamaan ko siya ng tingin. Imbes na sagutin tinalikuran ko na lamang. Sumunod naman ang tangina. "Hindi ko kailangan ang walang kuwenta mong pagkatao, Klaus."

"Baka nakakalimutan mong may kailangan ka sa akin?"

"Malalaman ko rin naman without your damn help." Lumabas ako ng hospital. Tumungo ako sa isang malapit na grocery store at bumili ng mga kakailanganin. Sunod nang sunod naman si Klaus. Pambihira.

"Hindi mo man lang ba itatakbo ngayon si Luella? Hihintayin mo pang ku—"

Marahas kong binitawan ang supot at mabilis siyang kinwelyuhan kasabay nito ang pagtaas ng kaniyang dalawang kamay.

"Chill! Chill!"

"Subukan mo lang, Klaus, hindi ako magdadalawang isip na sirain ka rin."

"Kalma, Salvatore. Pumunta ako dito dahil may pinadalang envelope si Alixir. Nakakuha ka ba?"

Iyon ba 'yung nakita ko kanina sa opisina namin? "Bakit naman ako magkakaroon ng gano'n? At sino ba 'yang gagong Alixir na 'yan?" Kinuha ko ulit ang supot. "Umalis ka na. Hindi kita kailangan."

"You will meet him soon, Davian. Sana'y paghandaan mo ang araw na iyon dahil magkamukhang-kamukha din sila."

Napatigil ako. "What are you trying to say?"

"Alam kong hindi ka rin basta-basta. Pero 'yong taong 'yon, mas malala pa kay Rida. Hindi mo siya kaaway pero..." napasinghap ako nang bigla itong tumigil.

"Shit! Aalis na ako!"

Tangina. Anong pinagsasabi ng hayup na 'yon? Magkamukha? Sino ang tinutukoy niya? 'Yong Alixir ba? Putangina.

***
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