The Love That Destroyed Us

CHAPTER 08

"Attorney, kain po muna kayo," my secretary peeked at the door to remind me that it's lunch time.

"Susunod ako," sagot ko nang hindi lumilingon sa kaniya. Nakatuon ang aking pansin sa papeles na binabasa.

I sipped on my coffee. Hindi ko mabilang kung nakakailang kape na ako ngayong araw. I need to stay awake.

I need to win this case. It was a rape case kaya kailangan ko pang doblehin ang pagtatrabaho.

The trial will already take place the next day.

I stopped. I glanced at the empty chair in front of me. Suddenly I felt a feeling of emptiness and longing.

I haven't seen Engineer Arellano for almost one week since what happened last time.

Hindi ko alam kung busy ba siya o baka napagod na siguro kakakulit sa akin. His coworkers were updating me about the house naman kaya walang problema.

My client was a victim of rape and the opposite side is also a lawyer. Biktima siya pero siya ang pinagbintangang gumawa ng krimen. How unfair was that?

Marami silamg ebidensiya kaya mas pinag-igihan ko pa ang paghahanap ng ebidensiya at witness. I believe my client.

The day of the trial came. Ayos na ayos ako pero bahagyang namumutla dahil masyadong dehydrated. Ang dami ko kasing nainom na kape sa ilang araw.

I sat on my chair and smiled at my client, reassuring him that everything will be okay.

Yes, he's a man.

"Judge presiding. All rise."

The trial started. My client was losing hope pero sinubukan ko siyang patatagin.

Fifty-fifty ang chance namin na manalo lalo na't marami talaga silang ebidensiya.

"Men can't be raped.."

The fuck?

Umawang ang labi ko sa sinabi ng attorney. I fisted my hand, trying to calm myself. I glared at the attorney but she just smirked at me.

I closed my eyes when I heard my client silently crying. He wiped his eyes using the palm of his hand. He looks helpless. Na kahit nandito ako para ipaglaban siya ay parang wala kaming kalaban laban.

"F-ck you," I cursed and their eyes went to me.

I was gritting my teeth,trying my best to be clam. My fist was shaking because of so much anger.

"Words, attorney," the judge warned me.

I heaved a deep breathe, trying to calm myself. Nang makayanan ay ako naman ang nagsalita.

"When people hear the words rape or sexual assault , they automatically figure the victim is female. This isn't always true. Males can be raped. Also, females can rape people. There are some state laws, however, that define rape only in terms of a male forcing sex upon a female. Regardless of how rape is defined legally, being forced to do something sexually that you did not agree to is always wrong and can have lasting effects, regardless of your sex or the sex of the person who raped you." I gritted my teeth.

"We need evidences, Ms. Guiñarez. Kahit gaano ka kagaling, kung walang ebidensiya ay matatalo ka. We are in a court.." the attorney spatted.

I gulped. Yeah, he was true.

And I hate it. I hate the fact that we're lacking of evidences. We're hopeless.

I glanced at my client, Mr. Lopez. Pagod na pagod ang kaniyang mata. He closed his eyes, as if he's tried to hear the shits from the people who had been judging him.

I need to win this case. I need to defend him and prove to everyone that they were wrong.

I gathered all my hope until the next trial came.

But my hopes were shattered when a new judge entered the court room.

Judge Rafael Castanuarez.

He was known as a fair and just judge. Pero nasa loob ng kulo. Noong nakaraang buwan lang ay minamanmanan ko siya.

Gusto ko siyang ilagay sa kulungan. I want the people to see what's really behind his heartwarming smile.

Nakanganga akong umupo. The attorney glanced and smirked at me as if he knew that we're already lost.

I shook my head.

I gulped and tried to gather all my hopes up. Baka..baka may katiting na tyansang hindi sila nagkampihan ng kabilang panig.

But my hopes were all in vain.

Tinanggap ng judge lahat ng ebidensiya ng kabilang panig pero sa akin ay isa lang ang tinanggap. When it was time to call our witness, he didn't prohibited it.

I want to curse at him but I can't risk.

"Guilty."

I heard the sound of hammer, kasabay ng malakas na hagulgol mula sa aking kliyente.

Nanigas ako sa kinauupuan.I glanced at him, my eyes welling up with tears.

I failed him.

"I'm.." my voice broke. "I'm sorry.."

He glanced at me and shook his head, his tears continuously flowing. The guards came to drag him and he stood up willingly.

He turned his back on me without saying anything. I tried my best not to cry.He looked back at me, and he smiled sadly.

"You did a great fight, attorney.." he said before they took him away.

Hindi ko pinansin ang mga taong naroon. Lalo na nang makalabas ako ay may mga reporter na papalapit.

"Ano po ang pakiramdam niyo na ito ang kauna unahang kaso na natalo kayo?"

Hindi ako sumagot, patuloy akong naglakad paalis. Pinaharurot ko ang sasakyan pauwi sa bahay.

I didn't mind opening the lights and went inside. I took off my heels and sat on the sofa.

Kumuha ako ng black label at bumalik sa sofa. I stared at nothing while drinking continuously.

Patas ang mundo. Hindi ang mga tao.

I shook ny head. Paulit-ulit na nagpapakita sa isip ko ang umiiyak na mukha ng kliyente ko at kung paano siya ngumiti.

You did a great fight, attorney.

I shook my head. No, I couldn't accept it. I should've tried my best. Sana mas pinagbutihan ko pa. Sana...

I was stopped from thinking when my phone rang. It was my secretary.

"Hello.." I yawned.

Nakarinig ako ng mahinang pagkaluskos bago sumagot ang kabilang linya.

"Attorney.." her voice seems scared.

"What?" I asked.

"Mr. Lopez committed suicide," naginginig niyang saad.

My phone fell on the floor and it made a sound. I stared at my phone, my hand was trembling.