The Path Towards Greatness (Youth Series #2)

28

#TPTG28

As soon as I've arrived at the police station, I immediately searched for Nicholas. Maraming pulis ang nagkalat sa paligid. May mga iba't iba ding tao sila na nahuli. Their hands were cuffed and heads down low.

I even saw an old lady being held by one of the police. Narinig ko ang usapan nila sa tabi.

"Ikulong niyo na 'yan," utos ng pulis sabay tulak sa matanda sa loob ng kulungan. Walang nagawa ang matanda kundi sumunod sa kanila.

My heart is breaking into pieces by the sight. It pains me to see her arrested and based on my observation, she looks sick. She was crying while pleading for help with a hint of anguish filled her eyes.

"She's Helena Lonzame, sixty two years old, is a paralegel of Karapatan and a member of Kapatid who assists victims of human rights violations including her son who is a political prisoner Robert Lonzame," sabi ng isang babae sa tabi ko

I slowly clenched my fist in anger. "Why did they have to do that? Wala ba silang awa?"

"I know. Imagine arresting a sixty two year old woman na ang ginawa lang ay tumulong ipaglaban ang karapatang pantao. Ganyan sila kaduwag!"

Tumingin ako sa kanya. She's well-dressed. Naka-pencil skirt siya at cream blouse. Her hair was in a ponytail exposing her long neck and collarbones.

"Are you...a lawyer too?" I asked

She looked at me too. "Yes. Nice to meet you din, Attorney," she smiled

Binalik niya ang tingin sa harap. "Ang daming narered-tag ngayon at pati aktibista ay pinapatay. Hindi ko alam kung bakit si Nanay Helena ay nakulong samantalang ang ibang pulitiko na matatanda ay nakalaya sa krimen nila. Hay, ang hirap mabuhay sa Pilipinas."

Hindi na ako nagsalita. Unti-unting bumagsak ang mata ko sa sahig. I was frightened 'cause someone might here us especially that we are surrounded by a bunch of police officers.

"Oh, andiyan na pala yung client ko. Sige, Attorney. Una na ko," sabi niya at sinalubong ang kliyente

Pinanood ko sila hanggang sa makalabas ng police station.

"Attorney!"

Napalingon ako sa tumawag sa'kin. I knew that voice was familiar and I was right. It was Nicholas. He's wearing a complete uniform with his cap on.

He flashed a smile, showing his dimples. "Hi!"

"Hi. So, any news?" I asked straight to the point

"Yes. Nahuli na namin siya."

My brows raised. "Really? That fast?"

He nodded.

Is he always this friendly? Parang palagi siyang nakangiti?

"Come. He's here," he said but this time, his voice turned serious

Tinalikuran niya na ako at agad ko siyang sinundan. I ignored their suspicious gaze towards me and continued to walk.

"Sir! Wala po akong kasalanan. Hindi ko po alam yung sinasabi niyo."

"Ano'ng hindi?! Nakuha nga namin yung shabu sa bulsa ng shorts mo. Kami pa lolokohin mo?! Sige, ikulong niyo na 'yan," the police dismissed him

The victim continued to beg but he wasn't acknowledge. Hinawakan siya ng dalawang pulis na may malaking pangagatawan at kinaladkad palayo. The man looks poor and dirty. He's only wearing a simple gray shirt and loose shorts. Wala siyang suot na tsinelas.

Dumaan sila sa harap ko kaya naman napaatras ako.

"Attorney?"

Napatingin ako kay Nicholas. Tumango ako at mabilis na sumunod sa kanya.