Kabanata 9
1396 Words
Kreige
The moment the trial started, I knew the other team will leave the trial room with a heavy heart. Today's the last day of the trial, and up until now, they still cannot prove that I really sexually harassed Geneva.
"You've been in his every match. You tried to post as a supportive friend on behalf of his ex-girlfriend, but right after Crystal Magbanua was shot, you became all-out about your feelings for my client, but since Mr. Ducani doesn't find you interesting enough, you resorted to framing him up. Is that true, Miss Punzalan?"
I tapped my fingers on the table while watching Geneva bow her head after her legal team objected on Bea's question.
"Miss Punzalan, on the night that you said you were harrassed by Mr. Ducani, weren't you seen with your cousin, German, heading to a private resort to visit his girlfriend?"
"Not true."
Bea smirked. "Your honor, I'd like to submit an evidence."
Ngumisi ako nang makita ang pagputla ng mukha ni Geneva. She immediately eyed her legal team, probably seeking help because she knew Bea is about to roast her ass.
"Thank you, your honor," Bea said with a smile as she returned to her podium. "Exhibit 198, Miss Punzalan. Can you tell the court what it is?"
Lumunok si Geneva. "It's uhm. . . Dina's i********: post."
"And what is the date indicated in it?"
Geneva pursed her lips for a moment. "September 28."
"Your honor, Dina Clavin, German Punzalan's girlfriend posted exhibit 198 on the same night Miss Punzalan claims that she was harassed by Mr. Ducani. This photo was taken down on October 12, two weeks after the first session of her case versus my client." Bea turned to Geneva. "Did you ask Miss Clavin to turn down the photo because it will affect the probability of you winning this case—"
"Objection, hearsay."
I sighed. This trial is stupid. Yes, Bea is doing an amazing job, but I bet she can do more if they'd given us a good fight.
The questioning resumed and Bea just became nastier. The smug grin on her face reminded me of a ruthless news reporter who once roasted me and Crystal on an interview. I hate that reporter so much, but Bea is making me smirk like a proud boyfriend.
I swallowed. Boyfriend? Tangina, saan galing 'yon?
"Miss Punzalan, are you smiling in that photo?" Bea asked.
"Yes," Geneva answered. Naniningkit na ang mga mata kay Bea dahil ayaw siyang pakawalan.
"Is that the face of someone who just told her cousin that she was harrassed? Oh, kaya ka nakangiti sa larawan dahil hindi naman totoong pinagsamantalahan ka ni Mr. Ducani bago ka nagpunta kay Miss Clavin kasama ang pinsan mo?"
"Objection, leading."
"Sustained."
"Let me rephrase my question, Miss Punzalan. Why are you smiling in that photo?"
Geneva sighed. "Dina and I are both influencers. I wanted to look good so I smiled. Hindi ba pwedeng magaling lang akong umarte at magtago ng totoo kong nararamdaman kaya ako ngumiti?"
Bea flashed a cocky smile. "No more questions, your honor."
I smirked and watched Bea walk towards our table with so much confidence. Ewan ko ba pero parang sa mga sandaling iyon ay nag-slow motion ang paligid.
Bea on her royal blue coat and pants, slaying with her wavy brown hair that's on one side, ready to sit on her throne knowing so well that she's leaving this room with another victory on her belt.
This woman is getting hotter and hotter in my eyes. Damn it!
I looked back and saw my Dad smirking. Kinindatan pa niya ako, mukhang kahit siya ay kumbinsidong lalabas kami ng trial room na malinis ang pangalan ko.
And we did. As soon as the trial ended in favor of our team, my Mama Khallisa gave Bea a big hug.
"I knew she'd win the case," ani Daddy na nakapagpangiti kay Bea. Para naman akong nahipnotismong tumitig sa matamis na kurba sa mga labi ni Bea.
"Thank you for trusting me, tito." She turned to me when my Dad was approached by a friend of his. "You're officially a free man now. You just have one tiny problem."
"What is it?" I asked, still staring at her lips.
"My toddler said I should let you know that you're back to being enemies again because you left without waiting for him to wake up."
Nahimas ko ang aking batok. "Looks like I gotta prepare myself for another beating from a two-year old."
She smirked. "It's not easy to tame my baby."
"I know." Bumuntonghininga ako't muli siyang tinitigan sa mga mata. "Let's go meet tonight then. I'll treat the both of you to dinner. Pasasalamat man lang."
Tumaas ang kanyang kilay. "Is that your way of saying, 'thanks, Bea. You saved my ass' hmm?"
My lips curved. "Why would I thank you if you were paid to defend my ass?"
Umikot ang kanyang mga mata, ngunit lalo lamang akong napangisi. Tangina, bakit ang cute nito sa paningin ko ngayon? What the f**k is wrong with me?
"Just say it. Flatter me. I deserve it."
I faked a sigh. "Fine. Thank you, Attorney Basha Ortega." Napatitig siya sa akin habang ang kurba sa kanyang mga labi ay unti-unting napawi. Napakunot tuloy ako ng noo at bahagyang nag-alala.
"Why?"
She looked away and swallowed. "Nothing I. . . just don't like my real first name."
"Is that so?" I smirked. "Thanks for giving me an idea on how to annoy you more."
"And who said you'd still have the chance to do so? Tapos na ang kaso. You wouldn't see me again unless you'll get your dumb ass in trouble again."
I don't know why that statement kind of hurt me. Dahil ba gusto ko pa siyang makita kahit wala na kaming kasong kailangang intindihin?
Tumikhim ako't kinamot ang aking sintido. "Bring Khalid at Dejesa by seven PM. I'll buy him a peace offering."
"Make sure you'll be there. Baka kung hindi mo kami siputin, hindi ka na pansinin ni Khalid kahit kailan."
"Of course I'll be there," I assured.
Tumango na lamang siya't nakipag-usap na sa mga kasamahan niya sa kanilang law firm. Sumabay naman ako kina Daddy pauwi. Nang makarating kami ng bahay ay dumiretso kaagad ako sa kwarto para maghanap ng maisusuot.
I grabbed my best suit and had it ready for my dinner with Khalid and Bea. Nang maihanda ko ang isusuot ko ay humiga ako sa kama't binuksan ang cellphone ko.
Maybe I'm beginning to lose my mind. Dahil awtomatikong kumilos ang mga daliri ko at tiningnan ang social media account ni Bea.
I found her f*******: account and noticed that she has a thing for tattoos. I never liked getting inked. Pakiramdam ko ay marumi sa katawan ngunit heto ako ngayon at isini-save sa phone ko ang mga tattoo designs na in-share niya sa f*******:.
After spending nearly an hour browsing on her account, I received a call from Caya. Bumangon ako't sinagot ang tawag dahil baka tungkol 'yon sa desisyon ng Mama nilang alisin na ang life support.
"Kreige?" she called.
"What's up?"
"Can you come over?"
Tumunog ang phone ko, senyales na pa-lowbat na. "Uh, yeah. Pupunta na ko."
I ended the call and plugged my phone. Wala naman akong balak magtagal doon kaya iniwan ko na lang dahil akala ko ay makakabalik ako kaagad, ngunit nang dumating ako sa bahay ni Crystal, iyak nang iyak si Caya dahil nagtalo sila ng Mama niya. I had a hard time soothing her, kaya imbes na sandali lang ako ro'n ay napatagal.
I kept glancing at the clock. Nang mag-six thirty na ay bumuntonghininga ako't tumingin muli kay Caya.
"I really wanna stay pero may lakad ako ng alas syete. Pwede bang iwan muna kita?"
She sniffed. "Dito ka na lang muna, please? Natatakot akong baka bumalik si Mama at subukan na naman niyang alisin ang life support ni ate. Wala akong laban sa kanya kung mag-isa ako."
I sighed, and despite me wanting to leave already, I worried about what their Mom would do to Crystal.
Napahimas ako ng batok at muling huminga ng malalim. "Fine. I'll stay a little longer."
Caya smiled and gave my arm a gentle squeeze. "Thank you, Kreige."
Tanging tango na lang ang isinagot ko.
Patay ako nito lalo kay Khalid. . .
- Writer
