Love in War

Chapter 11

Ilang linggo na ang lumipas mula nang dinakip si Ruiji, at hindi pa rin siya nakakauwi. The case finally reached the courtroom, and now the room was filled with buzzing whispers as the trial began.

Kinakabahan akong nakaupo sa tabi ni Mommy, ang mga kamay ko'y malamig at nanginginig. On the opposite side, I could see the Montalgos, exuding authority and grief. Kumpleto ang pamilya nila, and at the back of the courtroom were reporters flashing their cameras, though they remained unusually silent.

Tahimik din sina Tito at ang iba pa naming pamilya, pero ramdam ko ang kaba nila. My eyes drifted to Ruiji, sitting stiffly beside his defense attorney. His jaw was tight, and tension was etched all over his face as the charges against him were read aloud. Kahit hindi kami masyadong close, tahimik akong nagdasal na sana malagpasan namin ang pagsubok na ito.

"The court is now in session for the case of People of the Philippines vs. Ruiji Da Silva. Prosecution, you may proceed with your examination," the judge declared firmly.

Prosecutor Regino confidently stood. "Thank you, Your Honor. I would like to call Miss Lailee Montalgo to testify."

"Miss Montalgo, please proceed to the stand."

Lailee stood and looked back at her family, who nodded in encouragement. As she approached the stand, her hands trembled as she took her oath. Kita ko ang takot, galit, at kaba sa mga mata niya, at iniiwasan niyang tumingin sa banda ni Ruiji.

"Miss Montalgo," Atty. Regino began, his tone careful but firm, "I understand how difficult this is. Can you recount what you remember from the night of the incident?"

Lailee swallowed hard before speaking, her voice trembling. "I-I was at the bar, Euphoria, with my friend. We were drunk... I went to the restroom to relieve myself and to throw up." She paused, struggling to continue.

"Then, the lights went out while I was alone," she added, her voice shaking even more. "I could still hear the loud music from the dance floor. I heard someone come in. It was so dark, so I reached for my phone's flashlight, but a man grabbed me and pushed me to the sink. I begged him to stop. I pleaded for mercy."

Her voice cracked as tears began to fall, but she steadied herself.

"I tried to scream, but he pressed something sharp against my back. He r***d me, and I couldn't do anything but cry. I heard him call my name. Then I heard someone outside the restroom call him, 'Ruiji.' The voice told him to hurry because someone was coming. After that...I felt a needle prick my neck, and I blacked out."

Silence fell over the courtroom, broken only by Lailee's quiet sobs. Napahigpit ang hawak ko sa bibig ko. Hindi ko mawari ang sakit at takot na nararamdaman niya.

"Miss Montalgo," Atty. Regino continued, "did you see the face of the person who assaulted you?"

She shook her head. "No. He pinned my head down. But... I saw his tattoo on his right arm. A snake, slithering from his palm up to his arm."

The courtroom erupted into whispers.

Ruiji has a snake tattoo.

Atty. Regino pressed on. "Miss Montalgo, you mentioned earlier that you were drunk, and the lights were out. How could you possibly have seen his tattoo? Could you clarify this for the court?"

Lailee took a deep breath before answering. "My phone fell when he grabbed me. It landed face-up near our legs, and the flashlight was still on. That's when I saw it."

"To clarify, Miss Montalgo," Atty. Regino said, "you did not see the assailant's face, but you noticed the tattoo and heard the name 'Ruiji.' Is that correct?"

"Yes," Lailee replied firmly.

"Thank you, Miss Montalgo. No further questions."

Lailee returned to her seat, visibly shaken.

Atty. Valera stood. "Your Honor, I would like to call Mr. Ruiji Da Silva to the stand."

Ruiji rose and approached the stand, his steps steady. After taking the oath, he sat down.

"Mr. Da Silva," Atty. Valera began, "can you tell the court where you were on the night of the incident?"

"I was at Euphoria with my friends, but I left the bar at 10 PM and went straight home. I was back at our mansion by 10:15 PM," Ruiji answered confidently.

"Do you have evidence to support this claim?"

"Yes. We have security footage showing me entering our home at that time, and our household staff can confirm I was there the entire night."

"Mr. Da Silva, do you have a tattoo of a snake on your arm?"

"Yes, I do," he answered calmly.

The courtroom erupted again, and the judge banged the gavel.

"Would you be willing to show the court your tattoo?"

"Of course."

Ruiji rolled up his left sleeve, revealing the snake tattoo. Lailee stiffened in her seat, her expression shifting to confusion.

"Miss Montalgo," Atty. Valera addressed her, "you mentioned earlier that the tattoo you saw was on the right arm. Looking at Mr. Da Silva's tattoo now, can you confirm it is the same one you saw that night?"

Lailee hesitated, her gaze fixed on Ruiji's arm. "It... it looks similar, but I'm sure it was on his right arm."

At Atty. Valera's direction, Ruiji rolled up his right sleeve, revealing his spotless arm.

"N-no! This isn't happening!" Lailee shouted, her voice breaking. "I know what I saw. He must have done something to hide it!"

The courtroom erupted into chaos again, and the judge called for order.

"Order in the court!"

Atty. Valera turned back to Ruiji. "Mr. Da Silva, how do you respond to these claims?"

Ruiji's jaw tightened. "I can't speak for what Miss Montalgo believes she saw. But I know I wasn't there. Someone is trying to frame me."

The judge leaned forward after a pause. "The evidence presented is circumstantial at best. There is reasonable doubt surrounding Mr. Da Silva's involvement. This court dismisses the charges but orders the investigation to continue. The court is adjourned."

The gavel struck, and the courtroom erupted in mixed reactions. Tito and Mommy immediately embraced Ruiji, their tears falling in relief. Masayang-masaya ako na makakauwi na rin sa wakas si Ruiji.

But a cold shiver ran down my spine when I caught Zephyr Montalgo grinning at me. His dark, cruel eyes contrasted with his jubilant smile.

I turned away, only to meet Crixx's furious gaze. His eyes were filled with questions and rage.

I knew then that this was far from over.