Maybe This Time

Chapter Thirty

Present

"Help me." Joss said with tears forming in his eyes. "Alam mong marami kaming mga hindi pagkakaintindihan, pero kahit ganon Papa ko parin siya. And afterall, he's still our CEO."

Hinawakan ni Bright ang kamay ni Joss, "Of course I will help you, Joss. Kahit ano pa yan, I will help."

Umayos ng pagkaka-upo si Joss at hinarap si Bright.

"We have to hire the best and most capable lawyer, Bright."

"I know. And we will, Joss. You don't have to worry about anything, ako na ang bahala-"

"No, you don't understand." Joss cut him. Nanatiling tahimik si Bright.

"What I mean by the best... what I mean is Atty. Win Hernandez."

And with that, Bright just blankly stared at Joss. Hindi niiya alam kung papaanong magrereact na muling mapakinggan ang pangalan ng lalaking matagal niya ng kinalimutan. Joss held Bright's hand. 

"I know this is too much to ask. But I really need help." nagmamakaawang sabi sakanya ni Joss. 

Hanggang sa pagtulog ay iyon ang nasa isip ni Bright. After what Joss told him, Bright just simply nodded and said he'll try to contact Win's law firm. Bright looked at Joss who's beside him. Dahan dahan niyang tinanggal ang pagkaka-yakap sakanya ng nobyo at nagsuot ng kanyang silk robe. Tahimik siyang lumabas sa veranda upang magpahangin. 

It has been five years ever since he last heard from Win. After he decided to migrate to Switzerland ay hindi na niya nakausap pa muli si Win. For Bright, he was a part of the past that he didn't want to remember, and Joss knew. All his struggle, all his pain, alam ni Joss lahat 'yon. Pero selfish nga bang masasabi si Joss kung ginagawa niya naman iyon para sakanyang ama? 

Kinabukasan agad na inutusan ni Bright ang kanyang executive assistant to book an appointment kay Atty. Win. Bright blankly stared at his desktop and then without thinking he googled Win's name. Sunod sunod na articles ang lumabas. After Win graduated from law school, he took the bar exam and ranked one amongst the bar exam takers kaya naman naging madali kay Win para marating ang kanyang tagumpay. He was now one of the top lawyers of the country. Hindi rin basta basta ang makapagpa-appointment sakanyang law firm, ma-swerte ka nalang kung mapagbigyan ka niya ng oras sa sobrang in demand nito. 

Lumipas ang mga araw na hindi makapagbook ng appointment si Bright sa law firm ni Win. Kasabay 'non ay ang stress na dinudulot ng kaso ng Papa ni Joss sa imahe ng kumpanya. Pasalamat nalang sila at may tiwala parin ang mga shareholders sa kumpanya. 

"Sir Bright, fully booked na raw ho si Atty. Hernandez. Naka-ilang subok na po ako." ani executive assistant ni Bright. Napahilot siya sakanyang sentido sa narinig. Nalalapit na ang unang hearing ng Papa ni Joss, hindi parin sila kumpyansa sa abogadong nakuha nila kaya sinusubukan parin nilang makuha si Atty. Hernandez. 

Tumayo si Bright at nagsuot ng kanyang coat. "Cancel all my appointments for today." ani Bright atsaka nagmamadaling umalis. He didn't have the choice. He wanted to try his luck and personally book an appointment. This will be their last straw. Kung hindi parin ay wala na silang magagawa kundi makuntento sa abogadong nakuha nila. 

Bright deeply sighed before he went out of his car. Mataman niyang tinignan ang napakatayog na building sakanyang harapan. Hernandez & Mondreal Law Firm. Taas noong naglakad si Bright at dumiretsyo sa reception. 

"Hello Sir, good morning. Any booked appointment for today?" the receptionist asked. 

"Uhm.. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to seal a slot." Bright said truthfully.