Innocently Mischievous (Finished)

[19] - I've been down the darkest alleys

[19] - I've been down the darkest alleys 

"Good morning, Attorney."

I smiled at the staff who greeted me the moment I arrived at the Public Attorney's Office.

"Morning," I answered back as I made my way into my office. I was still wearing my gray sweatshirt and sweatpants. Doon na kasi ako sa office magbibihis ng formal uniform ko for PAO. Galing pa kasi ako sa underground club at late na ako ng twenty minutes sa trabaho.

"Attorney," Binati naman ako ni Mrs. Luciana Ponce na siyang secretary ko sa opisina. She's already in his late 50's at tatlong taon na siya naging sekretarya ko. Parang na ring Nanay ang turing ko sa kanya - lahat kaming nandito sa PAO ay Nanay ang turing sa kanya.

"Morning, Nay," I smiled genuinely as I was now in my office table. Hindi naman kasi ganun kalaki ang opisina ng PAO sa hall of justice. It was just enough for a number of staff and some other public attorneys. PAO is intended for those indigent people to have free access in the court.

It's been three years since I started working again in a Public Attorney's Office. Seven years kasi akong nakulong and Ezekiel made it possible. He also made it possible that my license as being a lawyer will not be revoked even though I was convicted. Ezekiel delos Reyes was the reason why I only got imprisoned for seven years. Kahit minsan ay sinasabi niya sa akin na kulang pa ang ginawa niya, na dapat isang taon lang iyong pagkakakulong ko, I would just laugh at him. Wala namang problema sa akin, malaki pa rin ang utang na loob ko kay Ezekiel.

When I finally got my parole and was freed from my cases and charges, my senior, Atty. Madrigal offered me to apply for PAO again. I gladly accepted and was very grateful. I just want to start over. I want to start over freely, with no lies, with no skeletons to hide. I want to live simply. I don't want to live with lies anymore.

"May pasa ka na naman sa mukha mo," Nagsalita naman ulit si Mrs. Ponce nang mapansin niya ang pasa ko sa may kaliwang mata ko. Masyado kasing malakas iyong pagkakasuntok 'nung trainee habang tinuturuan ko siya ng mixed martial arts sa underground club, "Araw-araw ka na lang talaga may pasa sa mukha mo, Alonso." Sermon nito sa akin kaya naman natawa ako. Sometimes, I really missed having a doting mother.

"Ikaw na yata ang susunod sa yapak ni Manny Pacquiao eh."

"Muhammad Ali naman po, Nay," Pakikisabay ko. Isinuot ko na iyong long sleeve na barong ko at black slacks. I folded the sleeves up into my elbow. Hindi kasi gaano kalakas ang aircon sa loob kaya medyo naiinitan pa rin ako sa suot ko. Last month ay napromote ako bilang officer-in-charge sa opisina namin doon ng regional director ng Public Attorney's Office.

"Attorney Lopez," Pareho naman kaming napatigil ni Mrs. Ponce nang may pumasok na matandang babae sa loob ng opisina. Ngumiti naman ako nang papalapit na siya sa akin. Aaminin kong medyo pamilyar iyong mukha niya. Malaya kasing nakakapasok ang mga kliyente lalo na iyong mga kapus-palad na hindi makabayad ng pribadong abogado para mairaos ang kaso nila.