A LOVE WE LEFT BEHIND

Chapter 2 — The Man on the Other Side

A Love We Left Behind

Chapter 2 — The Man on the Other Side

"Your Honor, the company would like to clarify that Inigo Grand Hotels and Resorts has never intended to displace the residents without proper due process."

Tumayo ang corporate counsel ng Inigo.

Nakatayo lang si Zielle sa kabilang table, hawak ang isang folder habang nakikinig.

Professional.

Composed.

Hindi siya tumitingin kay Clert.

Kahit alam niyang naroon ito.

Kahit ramdam niyang nakatingin ito sa kanya.

"The company has already conducted preliminary structural inspections," patuloy ng abogado. "However, we cannot immediately accept full liability for every c***k and structural concern being attributed to the ongoing construction."

Tumango ang judge.

"Attorney Rivera?"

Tumayo si Zielle.

"Yes, Your Honor."

She stepped forward.

"May I respond?"

"Proceed."

Huminga siya nang malalim.

"Your Honor, my clients are not asking the court to determine liability based on allegations alone. We have photographs, inspection reports, witness statements, and records showing the timing of the damages."

Binuksan niya ang folder.

"We are prepared to submit these documents for judicial evaluation."

Tumango ang judge.

"Proceed with the presentation."

Zielle walked toward the evidence table.

Isa-isang inilatag niya ang photographs.

Mga bitak sa pader.

Mga bitak sa sahig.

Damage sa ilang bahagi ng bahay.

At isang litrato ng malaking construction vehicle na dumaraan sa makitid na residential road.

"These photographs were taken before and after the construction activities, Your Honor."

Tumigil siya sa harap ng isang malaking photograph.

"This particular household has been living in the area for more than twenty years."

Tumingin siya sa matandang babaeng nasa likod.

Napayuko ang babae.

"She is not asking to stop the project," sabi ni Zielle. "She simply wants a safe home."

Tahimik ang courtroom.

"Another family operates a small roadside business. Because of the heavy vehicles and road conditions, their daily income has significantly decreased."

Isa pang document.

"Another household reported difficulty accessing their home because of construction traffic."

Isa pa.

"Twenty households."

Huminto si Zielle.

"Twenty households are affected."

Tumingin siya sa judge.

"That's why our proposed remedy is not simply monetary compensation."

She paused.

"We are requesting a structured relocation agreement."

Napatingin ang judge sa company representatives.

"Specifically?"

"First, a suitable relocation site within Batangas."

Zielle looked down at her notes.

"Second, replacement houses appropriate for each affected household. Third, assistance with relocation expenses. Fourth, livelihood assistance during the transition period. And fifth, a clear timeline so the residents are not left in uncertainty."

The judge nodded slowly.

"That is a substantial request."

"I understand, Your Honor."

"And does your client understand that relocation may permanently change their community?"

"Yes."

"Then why are they willing to proceed?"

Zielle looked toward the residents.

Then she answered softly.

"Because sometimes, Your Honor, staying is not the only way to preserve a home."

The courtroom became even quieter.

"If the current environment has become unsafe, then perhaps the better solution is to give them another place where they can live safely."

She looked at the judge.

"But they should not be punished for agreeing to relocate."

Clert's eyes remained fixed on her.

He remembered that about her.

Even when they were teenagers, Zielle always tried to find a solution where nobody had to lose everything.

She wasn't naïve.

She simply believed that people deserved to be heard.

"Attorney Rivera," the judge said, "does your client have a proposed relocation site?"

"Not yet, Your Honor."

She glanced briefly toward the Inigo representatives.

"Because we believe that should be negotiated with the company."

The judge nodded.

"Then I will direct both parties to begin formal negotiations."

Zielle returned to her seat.

The company counsel stood.

"Your Honor, we agree to negotiations."

The judge looked toward Clert.

"Mr. Inigo?"

Clert slowly stood.

"Yes, Your Honor."

His voice was low.

"The company agrees."

Zielle looked at him.

Only for a second.

"Furthermore," Clert continued, "I am willing to personally attend the negotiations."

Olcen's head turned sharply.

Zielle's eyebrows lifted slightly.

The judge nodded.

"Very well."

The hearing continued for another hour.

Eventually, the judge scheduled the next conference and ordered both parties to submit their initial proposals.

"Session adjourned."

Everyone stood.

The courtroom immediately became noisy.

Residents began talking.

Lawyers gathered their papers.

Corporate representatives spoke quietly among themselves.

Zielle closed her folder.

"Attorney Rivera."

She turned.

It was one of the residents.

"Maraming salamat po."

She smiled.

"Walang anuman."

"Attorney, paano po kung hindi kami pumayag sa amount na ibibigay nila?"

"Then we negotiate."

"At kung hindi po sila pumayag?"

Zielle's smile disappeared.

"Then we continue the case."

The resident nodded.

"Salamat po."

Zielle gathered her things.

She was about to leave when someone spoke behind her.

"Zai."

Her body froze.

One word.

One name.

A name she hadn't heard from him in seven years.

She slowly turned.

Clert was standing several feet away.

Their eyes met.

He looked almost uncertain.

Almost vulnerable.

But Zielle's expression immediately hardened.

"Don't."

Clert swallowed.

"I just wanted to—"

"Don't call me that."

Silence.

Olcen, standing behind Clert, immediately looked away.

Oh boy.

Clert nodded slowly.

"Okay."

Zielle looked at him.

"You lost the right to call me that a long time ago."

The words landed harder than anything she could have said in court.

Clert didn't defend himself.

Didn't argue.

Didn't explain.

He simply accepted it.

"I understand."

Zielle turned away.

But before she could walk, Clert spoke again.

"Zielle."

She stopped.

"Yes?"

His eyes softened.

"I'm sorry."

She didn't turn around.

"Save it."

Then she walked away.

Clert watched her leave.

Olcen came beside him.

"That went well."

Clert looked at him.

"Olcen."

"I'm just saying."

Clert sighed.

Olcen folded his arms.

"Seven years, my friend."

"I know."

"And your first words to her are basically 'Zai.'"

"I didn't plan it."

"Clearly."

Clert looked toward the doors where Zielle had disappeared.

"I didn't expect to see her."

"But now you have."

Clert remained silent.

Olcen's expression became serious.

"What are you going to do?"

Clert looked down.

Then back toward the door.

"I'm going to fix what I can."

Olcen stared at him.

"And if she doesn't want you around?"

"I'll respect that."

"Good."

"But I'm not going to stop trying."

Olcen sighed.

"Of course you're not."

A small smile appeared on his face.

"You're still the most stubborn man I've ever met."

Clert didn't answer.

Because his mind was already somewhere else.

On Zielle.

On the girl she used to be.

And on the woman she had become.

The next morning, Zielle arrived at her office earlier than usual.

Her secretary looked surprised.

"Attorney Rivera, you're early."

"I couldn't sleep."

"Because of the case?"

Zielle placed her bag on the desk.

"Yes."

It wasn't entirely a lie.

She walked toward the window.

The view outside showed the busy streets of Batangas slowly coming alive.

She crossed her arms.

She hated that seeing Clert again had affected her.

She had spent years convincing herself that she was already over him.

And yesterday proved otherwise.

Not because she still wanted him.

At least, that's what she told herself.

It was because she still remembered.

There was a difference.

She returned to her desk.

"Attorney?"

"Yes?"

Her secretary entered carrying something.

"A delivery."

Zielle frowned.

"For me?"

"Yes."

She placed a bouquet on the desk.

White flowers.

Simple.

Elegant.

Zielle stared at them.

There was no name.

Only a small card.

She picked it up.

Her heart immediately knew.

She opened it.

For a better morning.

No signature.

But she knew.

Clert.

"Seriously?"

Her secretary smiled.

"Beautiful po."

Zielle stared at the flowers.

"Take them."

"Where po?"

"Anywhere."

Her secretary hesitated.

"Throw away?"

Zielle looked at the bouquet.

"No."

A pause.

"Just... put them somewhere."

"Okay."

The secretary carried the flowers toward a small table.

Zielle watched them.

Then quickly returned to her documents.

She wasn't keeping them.

Of course not.

She just didn't want perfectly good flowers thrown away.

That's all.

At least, that's what she told herself.

Across town, Clert sat inside his office.

Olcen entered.

"So?"

Clert looked up.

"Did she receive them?"

"Yes."

"And?"

Olcen smiled.

"She didn't throw them away."

Clert's expression softened.

"Good."

"Don't get too excited."

"I'm not."

"You look excited."

Clert returned to his paperwork.

"I'm working."

Olcen laughed.

"Sure."

Clert ignored him.

But beneath the table, his fingers lightly touched the small box sitting beside his chair.

Inside was another bouquet.

Because he had already decided.

He would not force Zielle.

He would not demand forgiveness.

He would not ask her to forget.

He would simply show her, day after day, that he was no longer the boy who disappeared.

If she didn't answer his messages—

He would wait.

If she returned his flowers—

He would send another.

If she ignored him—

He would remain patient.

Because this time, he wasn't leaving.

And Zielle didn't know it yet.

But that was only the beginning.