The Bad Lawyer (Mafia Series #1)

25

Nagpark ako at bumaba na ng kotse. Nagkasabay pa kami ni Samuel sa pag pasok sa loob ng firm. Iyon nanaman ang nakakalokong ngisi niya.

"Hinintay mo siguro ako, attorney!" Nakangiting sabi niya sakin. Pinundot ko ang botton ng elevator bago humarap sakanya.

"Nenang mo." Sabi ko bago pumasok sa loob. Sumunod naman siya. Ang dami dami niyang sinasabi pero hindi ko na lang siya pinapansin. Sanay na ako.

Nauna na ako sa opisina ko at nagtimpla ng kape. Biglang nag ring ang phone ko at si Dad ang tumatawag.

It's been 7 years after what happend. Nag hiwalay si Mom and Dad at nag hiwalay din kami ni Nash. It was so heart breaking for me.

May kumirot sa puso ko ng maalala ko nanaman ang lahat. Kung wala sa tabi ko ang greek ng mga oras na yon ay nawala na ako sa tamang pag iisip ko.

Napatingin ako ulit sa phone ko. Sinagot ko ang tawag. This is the first time I'm answering his calls for the past 7 years.

[Alexandra.] Dad said in the other line.

"Yes, speaking..." I said at hinalo ko ang kape.

[Today is your Mom-]

"She's not my Mom." I said pretaining to his new wife.

[Daddy, si ate ba yan?!] Rinig kong boses ni Maria. My half-sister. I maybe accepted my sister but never her Mom. I will never accept her. So as my Dad. He had a chance to take my Mom back. But, he never did.

[Pakausap kay ate, Dad!] Sabi ni Maria. [Hello ate]

"Hi, Maria. Kumusta ka?" Tanong ko.

[I'm fine, ate!] She said. I smiled. [Ate, bisita ka dito ulit, please, please...]

"Kapag may oras ako ay bibisitahin kita, ulit." Sabi ko. I remember, two days from now is her birthday. And four days from now.. is my mom's 6th death anniversary.

She commited suicide two days after Maria's first birthday. That was one of the most painful thing that happend in my life. I didn't let my Dad come to my Mom's funeral. That was his fault that's why Mom took her own life. And I saw it in my own eyes.

I bit my lips. I tried so hard to forget it but I think hindi ko na yon makakalimutan. It's part of my worst nightmares now.

Hindi ko napansin na ilang beses na pala akong tinatawag ni Maria sa kabilang linya.

[Ate, hello?] Tawag nito sakin.

"H-Hello, ano ulit sabi mo?" Tanong ko. I was spaced out.

[Sabi ko, kailan yon?] Pagkaklaro nito sa tanong niya.

"S-Sa birthday mo! I'll clear all of my schedules on your birthday, just for you." Sabi ko.

[Really?! I love you ate!]

"I love you too, sweetie." Sabi ko. "Gonna hang up now, bye!" Then I hanged up. Sakto naman na pumasok si Samuel.

"Tara na?" Tanong niya. I nodded. This is the last day of trial. Sumunod ako sakanya at sabay kaming sumakay ng elevator.

"Sabay tayo mamaya sa dinner?" Tanong niya.

"Nah, I have plans." Sabi ko. Hinatid ako ni Nash sa bahay after that. Hindi niya naman sakin sinabi kung saan ko siya ipagluluto.

He's weird, bakit naman niya akong gagawin taga luto niya? Hello, lawyer 'to. Abogado. Hindi chef.

Sabay na kaming pumunta ni Samuel sa court. Manonood siya.

"Ano ulit kaso niyo?" Tanong niya.

"Harassment, Sexual Abuse, Physical Abuse, and Assault." Sabi ko.