Mountains To Cross

Chapter 26

Chapter 26

"If you are not friends with anyone in the party, then why are you there that night?" Tanong ng abogado ng kabila.

"Sinamahan ko ang kaibigan ko." Sagot ni Tain, "He knows the celebrant."

"Do you mind telling us who that friend is?"

"Juan Luis Lee. He's here." Huminga ng malalim si Juan Luis na nasa tabi ko.

"Juan Luis Lee of the Lee family?"

Tumango si Tain, "Yes. Our parents are long time friends and we are childhood friends. We are close enough to go with each other in parties like those, it's not new to us."

"So did you stay with Mr. Lee through the night?"

Naiinis ako. Naiintindihan ko naman na trabaho nila na dipensahan ang mga kliyente nila pero kumukulo ang dugo sa tuwing nagtatanong siya kay Tain. Masyadong diretso at mabigat. Siguro nga ay hindi para sa akin ang mga ganito.

"No." He answered, "My friend got his own date for the night. I have no plans in being a thirdwheel and decided to settle on the side of the house quietly,"

"So only this friend got a date?"

"Sinabi ko na... I have a girlfriend." Sinabi niya iyon nang may kasamang malalim na paghinga. Pakiramdam ko ay ilang beses niya na itong ipinaliwanag sa iba, "I was bored to death and I have a girlfriend. Ilang beses ko pa ba itong uulitin?"

"You did not cheat-"

"Objection, Your Honor." Sabi ng abogado ni Tain.

"Defense counsel, please refrain asking questions that doesn't help with the case,"

Tumango ang abodago ng kabila. They flashed something on the screen. Una, nagpakita sila ng mga litrato. Nandoon si Tain. Mas bata ang mukha dahil pitong taon na ang lumipas mula noon. Nag-assume lang ako na iyon ang mga litrato sa party na sinasabi nila.

Sigurado akong siya talaga ang nasa litrato.

The picture looks normal. By normal, I mean a normal party that he enjoyed. Ngunit maaari ba talaga itong maging basehan? Is this valid? Na kapag inenjoy mo ang party, wala ka nang limitasyon?

"These are pictures of Tain Justin Yang in the said party, seven years ago." Sabi ng abogado ng kabila, "Obviously, it contradicts his 'I am bored to death' statement. He doesn't look bored at all. He enjoyed the party, he enjoyed the night."

"Tain..." I heard Tita Ara. It's not a call of doubt, it's a call to make him know that she is still behind him and she will always be behind him through the process.

"I was drugged. I know I am." He says, "Mataas ang alcohol tolerance ko. But that night, it was different. Hindi lang alak ang napunta sa sistema ko. Your Honor, even if I look like I enjoyed the party in those pictures, the truth is I don't even remember how that happened. Lumapit si Violet Palaez sa akin at binigyan ako ng inumin, I didn't reject the drink because, even for a second, it didn't came to mind that it will be harmful. I just don't want to be rude."

"When did you realize that you were harassed?"

"Years ago." He answered, "A day or two, after..."

"A day or two! But hesitated? Bakit ngayon lang? Bakit hindi noon? Your parents are both high end lawyers, Mr. Yang! Bakit hindi noon? Dahil ba ngayon ay mas malinaw na ang motibo na maalis sa pwesto si General Palaez?"