Isabella Jaime Wilson, work as an escort. She was forced to live a life she never desired because of the overwhelming debt she incurred when her parents passed away. Started to embrace her new life, losing sight of the divine significance of her fem...
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They stated that your day would begin anew the moment you woke up and felt the warmth of the sun. People believe that when you simply forget about the life you sought and accept your convictions without considering the hereafter, everything will proceed as planned. Yet they were wrong. On that day, my life took on the darkest hue as a smile appeared on my lips, the shine caught a glimpse of my dozing eyes, and the warm sensation of the sun and air met my body.
“GUILTY! ”The jury made a verdict. The witnesses to the trial then let forth yells of triumph.
I was deep in contemplation. My gaze was fixed on the spot where I had been seated earlier. The place I go to plead and fight for my innocence. Even though the seat was vacant now, I could still feel my spirit sitting there and yelling, battling for my clean conscience. I bit my lip when the weeping became out of control. Every time, I can feel my breathing getting harder and my shoulder trembling. I keep tapping my chest lightly with my right hand in an attempt to relieve the excruciating pain that is inside of me.
“Jam! ”Ara screamed. She's crying and trying to come closer to me, but the two policemen stopped her. Her hands were covering her month. I turn to face her and see Carter standing there. His hand was closed, and his jaw was clenched. He looked at me with mixed emotions.
“It's not over, Jam. Hindi ako makakapayag,” he said in his most baritone voice. When the police dragged me out of the courtroom, Ara, who is still crying, gave me a nod and a pitying smile until I could no longer see either of them.
When we got out, I could hear people's voices roaring within my ears. They just look at me with disgust. Some people were so eager to hurt me, and some couldn't even afford to look at me or show me any affection.
A man suddenly flung a rock, landing it on my forehead. Nobody seems to mind when blood spills. While the cameras kept flashing, the cop I was with tried to hide me from the press.
I bit my lip to stop myself from crying, but the tears were coming down like a flood. Right now, all I can do is try to keep it as quiet as possible.
“Murderer!”
“Mamamatay tao!”
“Mabulok ka sa kulongan!”
“Wala kang puso!”
“Walang kwenta!”
“Puta na nga, criminal pa! Tang*na mo!”
My mind began to crawl with those words. deteriorating my already vile spirit.
“I didn't do it! No- I didn't kill him!” Those remarks are mumbled out of need, but people were already excessively intense.
I was grabbed by three women until I was lying on the damp road, pulling my hair, slapping, and striking me.
“Tabi! Kunin n'yo siya! Lumayo kayo!” Suway ng mga pulis bago ako alalayang makatayo.
Just a meter away, I noticed the police car waiting. My head spun. I shook my head and started sobbing uncontrollably.
“I didn't kill him; wala akong kasalanan! Maniwala kayo! ”The cop who was pressing my head inside the automobile ignored my pleas until the vehicle had driven off.
My head is reeling from what occurred to me. I've been found guilty of murder, and everyone believes that I killed Clifford. Now, I will be spending the rest of my life behind bars.
“Puta, tayo! ” sigaw ni Shin, ang taong nagpapaalala sa aking humihinga pa ako tuwing madadama ko ang mga suntok, sipa at ano mang klase nang pananakit niya.
“Hindi ba't ang sabi ko sa'yo, akin 'yang pagkain mo? Alis! ”Nanghihinang tumayo ako mula sa aking pwesto nang agad din niya itulak dahilan upang bumagsak ako sa malamig na semento.
“P*tanginang bagal! ” sigaw niya. Nagtawanan ang mga nakasaksi nuon palibhasa at oras ng pagkain.
“Hoy, anong nangyayari d’yan?! ” a police officer enquired. Shin giving me a wary look. Enough for her to threaten me.
"W-wala po," sambit ko.
“Tumayo kana d’yan at huwag kang mag inarte,” Shin continued. I stand up after taking a strong swallow.
I moved to one side of the room and briefly closed my eyes. My cuts and bruises from them were all enlarged. Many of them are of a dark blueish green color, and some are even leaking blood. I inhaled deeply and used my tongue to moisten my lips after tasting some blood. I felt the pain when I did that again.
When I eventually found the new cut near my lip’s corner, I growled, “F*ck!”
“Wilson, may dalaw ka!” the policewoman says. I got up right away, hoping it might be Ara and Carter. However, after we go to the visiting room, I discovered Jilbert Guam, my cousin, and ultimately the one who represented me in court, seated there. A public defender who offered no assistance in my case. I clenched my jaw and gave him a blank stare.
I asked a direct question: “What are you doing here? ”
“To discuss things with you.” I laughed bitterly.
“Hindi na kailangan pa,” I said before standing up, planning to leave him there. But before I could get away, he grabbed my wrist and made me look at him.
“I'm sorry, Isabella. But this is a hopeless case. I can't do anything about it.” I withdraw my wrist from his grip and look at him intently.
“Why? Because all the evidence points to me? Then f*ck you! F*ck justice, because I will say this one more time: I am innocent. And I will never stop expressing that, even if I rot in prison. I am never guilty of murder,” I said before leaving him there.
I know how difficult my case is, but I still detest him for doing nothing. He knew me personally and was aware of my inability to commit such a crime. But he doesn't even seem to be able to believe me, though.
I went back inside the jail and tried to sleep. But, of course, it failed me. I felt paralyzed by the chilling sensation of the dirty, cold floor when I decided to get up from bed. The room is gloomy, with two double beds. Only a tiny, gridded window allows light to pass through. Even with me in the room, it seemed hollow and empty.
My lips again trembled, realizing that I've been in this prison for three weeks now. And all I can do every day is wonder what went wrong. How I ended up being a murderer.
Looking back, I woke up in that room utterly oblivious to what was happening, and I had no idea how I ended up there. Memories of that day began to race through my head. I could still clearly see the dead man on the bed and the smell of blood all over my body.
***
"Wilson, may bisita ka," the officer remarked. He eased the rusted iron bar and threw it open.
"Bilis na, malapit na matapos ang visiting hours," he added.
My body resisted going, but with the hope that it would be Ara and Carter, I got up. He handcuffed me right away and led me outside.
I wanted to back out of the visiting room as soon as I saw the two familiar figures waiting for me there. How am I going to let them see me like this? But Ara's voice floated through the hallway before I could object.
"Jam!" Ara exclaimed, got to her feet, and ran to give me a big hug. She is crying hysterically against my shoulder. I bite my lip and close my eyes, trying not to cry the tears that are starting to invade again.
When the officer needed to remove my handcuff, Ara moved aside. I looked at the man seated in front of me. His hand is positioned so powerfully that it gives him an even more rigid, masculine appearance.
I cried out, "Carter," but he did nothing more than examine my wounds and bruises. Casing the jaw shut and balling the fist after that.
“Jam, what happened to you? ”Ara exclaimed, crying. I touched her cheek and gave her a small smile.
“Ayos lang ako,” mahina kong saad na lalo lamang ikinaluha niya.
To be really honest, I want to cry in front of them right now. I am confident that they will always tap my shoulder and provide consoling words. But the previous few days have been spent drowning in tears, which has made my predicament worse.
Around this white table, we sat. I glance at them; not a single one attempts to shatter the quiet. The room will sound absolutely empty if Ara's cries are the only reason for it.
“We-we brought food. Sana magustohan mo.” At last, Ara said something. I watched as she opened the container for me after taking it out of the bag. Carter was staring at me with his eyes riveted on mine, but he was still silent. I just tried not to look at him since I was starting to feel embarrassed.
“Kain kana,” she said. My stomach started to grumble upon seeing the food I had in front of me.
Ever since I moved here, I feel as though I've become too detached from reality. That's why, when I smell the aroma of meat and rice, my mouth starts to water. I picked up the disposable spoon and fork and started to consume the food that was placed in front of me.
I feel that in my 23 years of existence, I have never before experienced a truly great meal—that is, until today. I was simultaneously comforted and tormented by the sweet and sour taste that is currently stroking my tongue. My eyes begin to well up with tears as I delve into another container, and they both give me a pitying look.
Despite having a full mouth, I dared not stop eating and continued to cram food inside of it while hurriedly wiping away my tears.
Carter got up and turned his head away from me, while Ara gave me a back pat and started crying at my misery.
"Thanks for the food," I said once I consumed everything. Ara nodded her head.
"Dadalawin ka namin lagi," she added, and I couldn't help but be moved by their concern. Kung iisipin, hindi ko naman sila mga kaano-ano.
Ara and I were coworkers at my previous job. Even after I lost my job and began working as an escort, our friendship remained strong. She was adamantly opposed to it, but my parents debts didn't offer me another choice. And that's how Carter and I met. He's an athlete who had an injury two years ago that ended his career. Getting drunk in that bar, we met, and he saved me from those men who nearly killed me when I refused to do what they wanted me to do.
Our paths crossed by fate, and we unintentionally developed a close connection that has lasted for more than a year.
I took a deep breath. I hadn't even struck up a conversation when the two cops barged into the room and grabbed me.
The officer saying, "You are not allowed to receive visitors from now on," caused my eyes to widen.
“W-why? That is absolutely unsuitable, sa-sandali lang! ”
The two officers yanked me out of my chair despite my pleas, showing little interest in listening.
“Jam! ”Carter and Ara yelled my name abruptly.
“Sandali! What is going on? Karapatan niyang tumanggap ng bisita? Bakit prohibited! ”Carter shot back. Even when he tried to pull me back by standing up, the cops moved quickly to get me out of the room. I sobbed, pleading with them to return me to the visiting area, but nobody dared to answer.
For the final time. I look at Carter, striking the wall out of sheer rage, and Ara, who is now crying uncontrollably.
"Sir, bakit bawal ako tumanggap ng bisita? Bakit—”
“Manahimik ka! ”
Natigilan ako sa sigaw na iyon ng pulis lalo na nang itulak niya ako sa ibang pasilyo.
“Sandali! Walang akong ginagawang masama! Get me out of here! No! ”When they began shoving me inside the dimly lit jail, I screamed. They then locked the door and abandoned me there, preventing me from seeing anything. I tried banging on the door and demanding to know why I had to be brought in, but they had already left me.
I chose to remain in that corner, embracing my knees and burying my face in it. And despite having a heart as heavy as the rain, I am able to go to sleep.
