Beyond the Beat

Chapter 3

I thought my "apartment" would be inside some high-rise building, but no. It's a two-story modern house painted in soft cream and warm gray. The facade has a simple elegance, with clean lines and large windows reflecting the afternoon sun. A cozy veranda wraps around the front, perfect for lazy mornings, and the garden outside is dotted with tall trees that sway gently with the breeze. There’s even a wooden bench nestled under one of the trees, like a quiet little escape in this polished world.

Is this his idea of an apartment? A f*****g two-story house? I muttered, shaking my head in disbelief.

They really are desperate to get rid of me. And honestly... I feel the same way. Maybe these unexpected changes will turn out good for me after all, maybe their cold, thoughtless decision will somehow work in my favor. But what am I kidding? They were never good, never kind, and never cared enough to love me like I deserved. Not as their daughter, not as anyone who mattered in their perfect little lawyer family.

Tss.

Pagpasok ko sa loob, bumungad sa akin ang maliit na sala with aesthetic furniture in grey and white. The couch looked stiff and lifeless, more like a showroom exhibit than a place to rest. Sa left side ay ang kitchen at mini dining table, sleek and spotless but cold to the touch, like no one ever really uses it for more than appearance. Sa right side may vacant na maliit na library, walang laman but full of pretension; books arranged perfectly straight but untouched. Sa taas naman ay may dalawang kwarto. I guess this house is for two people. I bet the shower and comfort room are inside the rooms themselves, neat and detailed, but still just façades.

I didn’t care how huge and comfortable my so-called apartment was because it’s still my parents’ money. Mas pipiliin ko pang tumira sa masikip na boarding house kaysa dito, but mag-inarte pa ba ako, diba?

But then again, why should I make things harder for myself?

I was born privileged,both my parents are lawyers, the kind of family that bends laws like twigs. To them, justice doesn’t mean fairness; it’s just a game for those with money to play. Their motto is simple: if cash doesn’t flow, justice will not be served.

What a bunch of assholes.

They never loved me. Never wanted me. Their kindness is an act, their concern is

a performance. I’m just another problem to shove away.

I’m not a hypocrite,nakikinabang din ako sa pera nila kaya marangya ang buhay ko. My life was laid out on a silver platter, but behind that luxury lies a living hell.

I’m already inside my room. A queen-size bed with an elegant, aesthetic design dominates the space, complemented by a sleek study table and carefully chosen decor. Talagang pinaghandaan nila ito, ha?

Nakaimpake na ako ng mga gamit ko, maingat kong pinilo at inayos sa loob ng cabinet. Habang inaayos ko ang mga damit, biglang may kumatok sa pinto. Well, actually, parang bell na ang tumunog.

Who the hell is this? Is this Kuya Nathan? Did I forget something in his taxi?

Pababa na ako ng hagdan at tuluyan na rin nakarating sa main door. Pinihit ko ang pintuan. In front of me was a man in his forties with dashing looks, carrying a chicken with black sauce.

"Gwapo ba, iha?"

He laughed.

"Po?"

I said, my voice steady but cautious.

"Gwapo ba iyo?"

He laughed again.

He said something in a foreign language that I couldn’t understand.

"O siya, bagong lipat ka pala, kaya hindi mo ko maintindihan. Taga Manila ka ba, iha?"

Sabi niya ulit, eyes curious but friendly.

"Opo."

I replied, keeping my tone even.

He smiled and nodded.

I studied him carefully, looking at the chicken with black sauce he carried. My brows furrowed, suspicion rising, but the old man just chuckled at my reaction. I’ve learned to observe people closely, to read beneath the surface. Because I don’t let anyone in easily. Walls built from years of cold reality keep me guarded.

"This is Tuala itom, iha. It’s a Zamboanga Muslim dish," he explained.

"You're a Muslim?"

I asked, genuinely curious but still distant.

"Hindi, iha. Na-adopt lang talaga namin ang mga pagkain dito sa pueblo kaya. Peace offering pala to ng anak ko. Hehehehe,"

he said, smiling again.

He reached for the transparent Tupperware, showing me exactly what was inside.

"Thank you po."

I said, offering a polite smile, though my thoughts stayed behind my guarded eyes.

Pagkakasabi ko, umalis na siya. Pumasok na rin ako sa loob dala yung ulam na binigay niya. He seems harmless, decent enough. Wala naman ata tong lason. Kumulog din ang tiyan ko. f**k, gutom na talaga ako. But I didn’t saing pa.

Dumerecho na ako sa kusina, hinanap ko ang rice cooker. Buti na lang visible siya, kaya madali ko siyang nakita. Binuksan ko yung cardboard box na may mga groceries na nakalagay doon, kasama ang isang sack ng bigas. Dali-dali akong nagsaing habang dama ko na unti-unting lumalakas ang gutom ko.

Habang hinihintay kong maluto ang kanin ko, kinuha ko yung Criminal Law Book 1 at binuksan. I figured, mas maganda nga siguro na mas maaga kong pag-aralan ito, gaya ng sabi ng professor namin. Sabi niya, studying law is damn hard, hindi pwedeng minamaliit, dahil kailangan mong intindihin nang mabuti ang mga fundamentals para magtagumpay. Pero kahit mahirap, hindi ko maitatanggi na nakakaintriga rin talaga siya. Parang puzzle na kailangang lutasin.

***

Case Title:

Baby B. Marasigan, Petitioner, vs. People of the Philippines, Respondent

G.R. No. 230991

Second Division, June 11, 2018

Per Justice Caguioa

Facts:

Jerry, a police officer, was accused of shooting Duke Marasigan, a teacher, inside the school campus. On June 17, 2021, Jerry visited a friend at the school where Duke worked. After some time, Jerry asked permission from his friend to use the comfort room. Instead of going there, Jerry proceeded to Duke’s classroom and shot him in front of his students.

Issue:

Whether the prosecution proved beyond reasonable doubt that Jerry was guilty of the crime charged.

Ruling:

The Court found that the prosecution witnesses’ statements were inconsistent on material points, which severely undermined their credibility. In contrast, the defense witnesses testified consistently and forthrightly. With the prosecution’s evidence weakened, the accused’s alibi gained credibility. As a result, the prosecution failed to meet the heavy burden of proving Jerry’s guilt beyond reasonable doubt.

Doctrine:

When inconsistencies in the prosecution’s evidence create reasonable doubt, and the defense presents a credible alibi, the accused must be acquitted. The benefit of the doubt always goes to the accused.

Disposition:

Acquittal of the accused is hereby ordered.

Ting!

The rice cooker beeped. Tumayo na ako at sinara ang libro na binabasa ko. I unplugged the rice cooker and grabbed a plate to scoop some rice.

Dinala ko yung kanin sa center table, at kinuha ko yung ulam sa oven kasi iniinit ko rin siya. Kinuha ko rin yung pitcher na may laman na tubig.

When I saw the dish, medyo kakaiba ang itsura,natakpan ng itim na sabaw, parang mysterious. It’s a soup with a black broth. Habang tinikman ko yung sabaw, my brows furrowed.

Parang tinola siya pero maanghang. Malambot at malasa yung manok, puno ng sili na sumasabog sa dila. Hindi ko alam kung saan nanggaling yung itim na kulay baka sa spices. Pero sa totoo lang, surprisingly masarap siya, comforting in a way na di ko inasahan.

While eating, I thought about how different my life really is—full of changes and new people coming in, but me, I’m still always closed off in my own world, observing everything but not easily opening up. It’s not easy to trust others, especially now that I’m in a new place.

Kinain ko lahat ng ulam. Nilinis ko yung pinggan habang iniisip yung mga kailangan kong gawin bukas para sa enrollment. Despite the food and my exhaustion, may konting excitement pa rin sa loob ko. New beginning ito, and gusto kong patunayan sa sarili ko na kaya ko ‘to.

After that, naligo na ako at inihanda yung mga gamit ko. Hinayaan kong bumagsak ang katawan ko sa kama, and I smiled bitterly. Kahit marami pang uncertainties, handa na akong harapin lahat ng ‘yan.