30

Napabalingkwas ako dahil sa masamang panaginip. It claims that I was harassed and on the verge of being raped. Pero mali pala ako... It turns out to be true... Redvelbeth staff almost sexually assaulted me.

Lumandas ang luha sa aking pisnge. I'm still shaking. Para bang naiwan ang kaluluwa ko sa pangyayari na 'yon at iyong takot na naramdaman ko nong gabing 'yon, nararamdaman ko pa rin hanggang ngayon.

It's like it's already tattooed on my mind and heart. Hindi ko na makalimutan... hindi na mabura.

"Cid,"

Nilibot ko ang mata ko at napagtanto na nasa hospital ako ngayon. I was perplexed to see Xion by my side and realized that dextrose had gotten in my hand.

"Anong nangyari?" Tanong ko kaagad.

"Nawalan ka ng malay,"

"Hindi..." Umiling ako. "Anong nangyari sa mga bata?"

The last thing I remember is that I passed out. Wala akong natatandaang iba bukod sa dalawang lalaki na ginawa akong madumi... at kung paano sila binugbog ni Xion gamit ang sariling kamao.

"They're still inside the warehouse,"

Napamura ako sa sariling isipan. I was hoping and praying that he wouldn't answer me with that and something else that was good news. Inaasam-asam ko pa naman na wala na sa kamay nila Beth ang mga bata.

"Bakit?"

"May tumulong kina Beth para pakiusapan 'yong mga pulis na kasama ko,"

Mariin akong napapikit.

"We need to have more evidences... hindi tayo pinaniniwalaan ng mga pulis because they think we are too young and just delusionals."

"How about the place? Hindi ba nila tiningnan 'yon?" I asked. "Wala bang news na lumabas about dito? Para sana kahit paano... matulungan tayo ng mga nanay ng mga bata na nasa loob ng warehouse."

"May iilan na lumabas sa balita... pero natabunan din agad dahil hot topic 'yong tungkol sa mga spies na nakapasok sa bansa."

Halos mapasapo ako sa noo. We don't have anything else to prove what's true.

Umangat ang tingin ko kasabay nang pagliwanag ng mukha ko. "I injected their experimental medicine to me... and I think it will help."

"You what?" Umangat ang kilay niya, handa na akong pagalitan.

"Let's not argue about what I did. Ang mahalaga, we have something to prove to their lies." I gulped, iniiwasan ang pagalit sa'kin ni Xion.

"Sabi sa'kin ni Astre, they're the only company who invented and have the hexachlorophene."

"Nabac? I guess so... since everyone will do everything just to have the perfect ingredients for that thing... Even my mom, actually."

An antibacterial cleaner for topical use is hexachlorophene. In order to stop the spread of infection, the skin is cleaned before operation.The FDA banned the drug's non-prescription usage in 1972 in response to studies into the toxicity of hexachlorophene in animals and accounts of accidental intoxication in France.

"I've read the label of the experimental medecine that I injected into me," I almost panic. "Hexachlorophene, Emollient, triclosan, Phthalates, Formaldehyde tapos..." Halos kapusin ako sa hangin.

"Rest first, Cid-"

"Ayo'ko, Xion..." Sunod-sunod ang luha na nahulog sa mata ko. "Iisang gamot pa lang 'yong nasa loob ng katawan ko pero halos ikamatay ko na. Paano pa kaya 'yong mga bata sa loob ng warehouse na 'yon na halos araw-araw nakakaranas ng bagong gamot sa katawan?"

"I understand you... but please, your body and your mind need a rest-"

"Ayos lang sa'kin." Ngumiti ako para makumbinsi siya. "Please make someone check what's inside my veins. Okay lang sa'kin kahit pasukan ako ng malalaking karayom... anesthesia lang naman iyong katapat no'n."

"I will.... but what's your plan?" He said, giving up.

"The whole earth knows that Redvelbeth would never give up the Nabac. Kapag nakita nila na may hawak tayong hexachlorophene, magtataka sila kasi sa Redvelbeth lang makikita 'yong compound na 'yon."

"We need to escalate," Xion urged, a sense of urgency pulsing through every fiber of his being. "If we can uncover Redvelbeth's involvement in trafficking hazardous drugs alongside the hexachlorophene, it could ignite a firestorm of scrutiny that they won't be able to contain."

My eyes narrowed as I heard his voice tense with determination. "But how do we penetrate their fortress of secrecy? They're experts at covering their tracks, especially when it comes to dealing with dangerous substances."

"Ako na ang bahala sa lahat, Cid," Aniya. "Magpahinga ka na muna."

Hindi ako nakapanlaban dahil bigla na lamang niya akong tinurukan ng kung ano na nagpakalma sa'kin at kinalaunan ay nakatulog din.

Ganoon ang nakasanayan ko sa mga sumunod na araw. I stayed here in my hospital room, waiting for someone to inject me to check for my blood. Determinado naman ako sa desisyon ko, kaya ko namang tiisin ang malalaking karayom na tutusok sa akin.

"Akla, ang laki na ng pinayat mo!" Ian almost bawled his eyes.

Sinubsob niya ang mukha niya sa gilid ko dahilan upang mapairap ako sa kawalan. Kakauwi lang niya galing sa ibang bansa at araw-araw ay sanay na ako sa pag-bisita niya sa'kin para lamang iyakan ako na para bang iniiyakan niya na ang bangkay ko.

He always make visit every three hours. Minsan ay dito siya natutulog para bantayan ako.

"May nahanap na kaming lawyer ni Xion," Aniya at bigla na lamang naging mapanlaro ang mata. He even bit his lower lip. "Ang pogi nung abogado, akla! Ang yummy! Balita ko, highest paid-lawyer daw 'yon! Shit talaga!"

"Gago? Sinong magbabayad doon?"

Ian shrugged. "Kaibigan naman daw ni Xion... baka hindi na ata magpabayad." Muli niyang kinagat ang labi niya at nilabas ang cellphone.

"Balita ko, Callie Zyphr name no'n. Stalk ko nga 'to, add to heart agad."

I snatched his phone. Hinigaan ko ang cellphone niya dahilan upang mapasimangot siya.

Hindi pa sakin bumibisita si Xion dito dahil paniguradong alam niyang hindi ako titigil sa pangungulit hangga't hindi niya sinasabi sa'kin ang totoong nangyayari sa labas ng hospital.

"Anong sabi nung doctor na tumitingin sa'kin?"

Nagitla ang lalaki ngunit agad din na binalik ang sariling katinuan. He shook his head and just smiled at me widely. "Ewan ko, eh."

I am aware that Ian and Xion are discussing how they shouldn't inform me about what's going on outside in order to prevent me from worrying and thinking. Nakakainis lang dahil wala akong balita kung ano na ang nangyayari sa kanila.

"Lalabas na ako bukas, malalaman ko rin naman-"

"Eh 'di tiisin mo hanggang bukas."

"Sige na... Spoil mo lang ako kahit kaunti." Nag-puppy eyes pa ako.

"Okay sige," He pouted, teasing me even more. "Si Astre ang tatayo sa witness stand."

Napag-usapan na namin ang tungkol sa bagay na 'yon. Astre will stand on a witness stand. Si Jaena naman, inabot kami ng siyam-siyam bago siya mapapayag na h'wag nang humarap sa korte.

Though Jaena has to be at the court, she shouldn't be under any stress because she is carrying a child. Mabuti na lang at napapayag namin ang babae, at sa pagkakaalam ko, kakaalis lang niya ng bansa kasama ang asawa niya.

Good for her.

Pero... "Si Xion?"

Nakita ko ang paglungkot ng kaniyang mukha.

"Wala siya bukas sa korte,"

"Bakit naman?"

"Ewan."

Kumalabog ang puso ko at halos mapakagat sa sariling kuko. I know something had happened, hindi niya lang sinasabi sa'kin dahil baka kung ano ang gawin ko sa oras na malaman ko iyon. But I wonder what it is?

"Ano 'yon, Ian? Sabihin mo na, please," Hinarap ko siya. "Mas mamamatay ako kakaisip kapag hindi mo sinabi-"

"Anong gusto mo? Mauuna mo akong sabihan ng condolence o ikaw ang mauuna kong sabihan ng condolence?"

I rolled my eyes and turned away from him, knowing that there was nothing I could do but wait until tomorrow. I bet Xion is blockmailing him to stop talking about what is happening from the outside.

Halos mamatay ako kakahintay sa loob ng hospital sa pag-sapit ng araw.

I ready myself because reporters will come and get some details about what really happened. Hindi ko alam kung paano nangyari ang mga nangyayari ngayon... Nasa tuktok kami ng Redvelbeth ngayon dahil sa mga lumabas na impormasyon.

The FDA has banned all products from Redvelbeth Pharmaceuticals worldwide due to allegations of the company's involvement in kidnapping children for drug trials.

Halos mapangiwi ako.

The topic at issue is currently ranked second among trending topics. Nauuna pa rin ang topic tungkol sa mga spies na nakapasok sa bansa. Some of the children's parents think that their kids are being held hostage by spies when, in reality, it's redvelbet that's locking up them.

Ang gulo ng mundo. Ang daming pangyayari na hindi naman inaasahan. And I am aware that all we needed to win this battle was... acts bravely and wisely.

"Sigurado ka ba talaga, Cassee?" Ian asked me. "Mahal na mahal mo si Tito Fred tapos-"

"I will put him in jail no matter how much I love him."

I've learned enough; hindi lahat ng kadugo mo ay aarte na kadugo mo. My Papa killed old Cassee who he could manipulate with his dirty lies.

And I know who I am now... I am the vile who has the rage to unveil such a vile person as me.

"You expect this court to believe your accusations against Redvelbeth Pharmaceuticals based solely on your word?" the defense attorney challenged, his voice laced with skepticism.

"I stand by my testimony," I asserted firmly. "I have no reason to lie about what I witnessed at Redvelbeth. I saw the truth, and I refuse to stay silent."

Pinilit kong maging kalmado sa kabila ng matinding kaba at takot na nararamdaman, ang tingin ay diretsong nakatutok sa abodagong nasa harapan.

Inilibot ko ang paningin ko at agad na hinanap ang rebulto ni Xion.

I haven't seen him in almost two days. Umaasa pa naman akong sisipot siya ngayon sa korte pero mukhang hindi 'yon mangyayari.

"Do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help you God?" Halos manuyo ang lalamunan ko nang mapagtantong ako ang kinakausap ng hukom.

This is my first time going to court, wala akong ka-alam-alam sa mga nangyayari at mangyayari.

Fuck.

"I do." I answered firmly.

"You may proceed with your questioning, Prosecutor."

"Thank you, Your Honor," Bumaling sa'kin si Attorney Geissies. "Mr. Cid, can you please tell the court about what you witnessed regarding Redvelbeth Pharmaceuticals?

I took a deep breath. Totoo nga ang sinasabi sa'kin ni Ian tungkol kay Callie. Maitsura nga siya.

"Your Honor, I am the son of Fred, and I was present during several instances where discussions regarding the company's activities took place because my daughter was also there among the children who used to experiment with drugs."

Attorney Geissies smirked. Napag-usapan na namin ang tungkol sa maaring itanong ng kabilang panig sa'kin at ang tanging sinabi niya lamang sa'kin ay walang iba kun'di ang maging kalmado at sabihin ang totoo.

"How did you know your child was there?"

"Someone told me from the RedvelBeth." Si Jaena.

"Can you state her name?"

Umiling ako. "She doesn't want her name to be exposed for her own good."

"Thank you, Mr. Cid. No further questions." Callie nodded.

"Defense, your turn for cross-examination."

"Thank you, Your Honor. Mr. Cid, can you confirm that you are the son of Fred, who was romantically involved with the CEO of Redvelbeth Pharmaceuticals, Ms. Beth?" The defense lawyer asked.

"Yes, I have given them the documentary that can say that I am Fred's son."

As the questioning continued, the courtroom hung on every word, the intensity of the moment almost suffocating. But I, the witness remained resolute.

"Are you ready with final arguments?"

The final arguments are the attorneys' last chance to talk to the jury about the evidence and to try to convince youto see the case the way they do. Sigurado akong mani lang para kay Attorney Geisseis ang bagay na ito.

Halos lahat ng mata ay pinanood ang paglunok ni Attorney Geissies bago tuluyang mag-salita.

"Your Honor, and ladies andgentlemen of the jury: The judge has told you that we must prove threethings. There is absolutely no question about the first two things wemust prove. First, Ms. Beth will release a new product, and she needs a thorough experiment as an excuse for her to kidnap children,"

He paused.

"Second, Hexachlorophene is a substance that only redvelbeth possesses, and Cid's body contains it along with other items. And lastly... Please allow me to add some more recipes, Your honor."

Kumunot ang noo ng hukom.

"Sustained," The judge said that made me smirk.

"Fred, the lover of Ms. Beth, is the one who killed Polca, the former mid-laner of the TVOT team before Cid. He killed him because we all know that Polca is one of the biggest ambassadors of Ven's-"

"Hindi 'yan totoo!" Sa unang pagkakataon, narinig ko ang ingay mula sa panig nila.

Sa tingin ko ay hindi na niya napigilan ang sarili niya sa paggawa ng mga bagay na pagsisisihan niya.

"This is the document that can prove that the two of them is involved of Polca's case."

Kinalaunan lang, habang nagaganap ang pagsasara ng mga argumento ng prosekusyon, ang nangungunang abogado ay naghatid ng marubdob na pakiusap para sa hustisya na pumukaw sa puso ng lahat ng nanonood.

"Ladies and gentlemen of the jury," he began, his voice thundering through the courtroom, "you have heard the evidence, you have seen the truth laid bare before you. Now, it is your duty to stand up for what is right-to hold Redvelbeth accountable for their crimes, to ensure that no more lives are sacrificed at the altar of corporate greed."

His words struck a chord with those in attendance, igniting a fire of determination in their hearts. The air crackled with anticipation as the jury prepared to deliberate, the weight of their decision hanging heavy in the air.

"Thank you, Your Honor. Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, the evidence presented in this courtroom leaves no doubt that Redvelbeth Pharmaceuticals engaged in reprehensible actions, including the kidnapping of children for drug trials. This conduct is not only unethical but also illegal, and it is imperative that those responsible are held accountable." The prosecution said.

And when the verdict was finally announced-guilty on all counts-the courtroom erupted in a cacophony of cheers and applause. Tears of relief flowed freely as the truth prevailed, and justice was served.

Inaresto si Beth kasama ang tatay ko. Hindi bumase ang batas sa dami ng kayamanan na hawak nila at mabilis din na kumalat ang ingay na ginawa nila sa buong bansa. Nakalaya naman ang mga inosenteng bata at kasalukuyang ligtas sa piling ng mga magulang nila.

"Your honor!" Nakita ko ang pagpupumiglas ng tatay ko sa dalawang pulis na may hawak sa kaniya. "Kasama iyang si Cid sa pagpatay kay Polca! Nagmamalinis lang 'yan pero isa ring kriminal 'yan!"

Halos punitin ko ang tainga ng lahat upang hindi nila marinig ang sinasabi ng tatay ko. He was so aggressive while shouting everything that he could.

"Kung ayaw niyong maniwala, you guys find it yourself." Ani fred. "Ang totoong Cid ay nasa Hospital, naka-coma siya dahil sa pangyayari sa resto bar," Walang pagdadalawang isip na sabi ni Fred. "Bonifacio Hospital, room 143."

Fred looked at me. "Nagmamalinis lang din naman ang anak ko. She loves me so much to the point na sinalo niya lahat para mapagtakpan ang krimen na ginawa ko. She's a vile, and deserves to be unveil."

Umugong ang bulungan sa buong lugar at ang iba ay maduming tingin ang pinupukol sa'kin. I felt like my feet were jelly. Malakas ang kalabog ng dibdib ko habang hindi nagpapatinag sa mga tingin na nakapako sa'kin.

I pray on the side... that no one will believe my father. Kasi kapag nagkataon, paano na ako?!

Napa-angat ako ng tingin nang mapansin ang pamilyar na anino galing sa pintuan ng korte. I immediately saw Xion's presence, but he immediately disappeared from my sight. Kaagad akong lumabas sa loob at hinanap agad ng mga mata ko ang rebulto ni Xion.

And I think he's looking for me too.

Napahinto siya sa paglalakad matapos tumambad ang mukha ko sa harapan niya. He was holding papers while his eyes were fixed on mine.

Halos manlambot ang tuhod ko dahil sa sobrang talim ng tingin na pinupukol niya sa'kin. I can't even read his mind. Para bang kakapusin ako sa hangin sa tuwing pipilitin ang sarili na labanan ang tingin niya sa'kin.

"Cassee Yvonne Acosta..." Halos makiliti ako sa tono na gamit niya habang binibigkas ang pangalan ko. "The name really suits your boldness."

^______________^