Quest For Justice

CHAPTER 5: PLAN NUMBER TWO

Nobody has the right to own what belongs to others.

Bukas na ulit ang law firm ni Cassandra. Tony was glad he was back to his normal job. He was sipping at his coffee while sniffing the smell of the office atmosphere.

“I love this office.” Tony closed his eyes as he leaned comfortably on the backrest of his swivel chair. Meron siyang peace of mind kapag nasa office siya, that’s the thing he loves the most about being at the office rather than going undercover with his boss.

Cassandra who was slumping at her office chair while her heels are crossed on top of the table stared at the ceiling. She was thinking. Siguro ay tamad siya sa mga physical work pero never siyang tinamad sa pag-iisip. Her brain always worked really well.

“What do you love about this office, Ton?” she asked without looking at him. She was in a good mood not until…

“Definitely not you.” Tony was starting to wake the b*tch inside her.

She put her feet down and took the nearest thing to her, which was a pen, and tossed it in Tony’s direction. Tony was able to avoid the damage that pen could do to him.

“Nananakit ka na naman, atty.. Kung pikon, pikon lang.” He scowled at her..

“Ikaw nauna!” She rolled her eyes.

“Bakit ka pikon? Ang pikon ay laging talo.” Minsan ayaw din ni Tony tumigil.

Cassandra looked around na parang naghahanap na naman ng bagay na itatapon ulit kay Tony.

“That’s enough. I’m not going to talk anymore.” Tony stood up and extended his arms in defense.

But Cassandra didn’t listen. The broom caught her eyes and she immediately took it. Tony ran behind the single sofa. Cassandra lifted the broom up and tried to hook Tony with it. But she couldn’t hit him ‘cause he was good at dodging.

The two of them were busy playing around when a woman came unnoticed inside. Tony was the first to see the woman dahil nakatalikod si Cassandra sa pinto habang sinusubukan pa ring matamaan si Tony ng walis.

“Atty., may tao.” Tony stood straight at his place and acted professionally in front of the woman even though she had already seen them playing around like kids.

Cassandra turned her head to confirm if he was telling the truth while his right knee is on the sofa habang nakataas ang kamay na may hawak na walis.

She hurriedly shifted position when she saw the woman. She shove the broom aside and fixed herself. She was ashamed, an annoying flash of heat washed up her face. Baka husgahan siya nito base sa nakita nito kaysa sa totoong kakayahan niya.

“Magandang umaga po, atty..” The woman greeted them with a smile.

“Magandang araw din po. Pasensya na po doon sa naabutan ninyo.” She smiled shyly.

“Ay, naku. Wala po ‘yon, atty.. Nakakatuwa nga po kayong panoorin. Napaka-humble niyo po.”

She blushed at the woman’s compliment. Biglang bumuti ‘yong mood niya ulit.

“Ay. Hindi po siya humble. Isip bata lang po talaga.” Tony grinned.

Cassandra turned to him and he read the movement of her lips while saying words voicelessly. “Bwisit ka. Humanda ka sakin mamaya!”

Tony swallowed the lump on his throat at that and behaved himself. When Tony looked back at the woman, she was smiling sweetly.

“Tara po, ma’am.” She walked to her table.

Cassandra gestured at the chair in front of her table. “Upo po kayo.”

Cassandra sat at her office chair while the woman sat opposite her. Tony was also back at his own table.

“Ano po ang maitutulong ko sa inyo, ma’am?” She was very accommodating because the client was kind to them.

“Ako po si Belen, atty., at ‘yong asawa ko po ay na-scam. Tinangay po ‘yong isang daang libong pera namin. E, ‘yong perang ‘yon ay pinagbentahan ng maliit naming sakahan.” Cassandra heard the woman sobbed.

She didn’t say a thing and waited for the woman to continue with her statement.

“Tapos po ay nakipag-usap ako doon sa tao na tumangay ng pera namin na kapitbahay lang din namin. Ipina-baranggay ko na, atty.. Tinanong siya roon sa barangay kung saan niya dinala ang pera pero ayaw niyang umamin. Ang sabi niya ay hindi raw siya ang kumuha ng pera. E, na-scam lang din daw siya. Kaya wala kaming nagawa, atty.. Paano ako maniniwala sa sinabi niya, nang sumunod na araw ay nakapag patayo siya ng malaking tindahan.” Bumuntong hininga ito.

“Aba ang kapal ng mukha!” Napatayo si Tony sa inis sabay hampas sa lamesa nito.

Cassandra shook her head. Ganitong-ganitong mga kaso lang ang mga natatanggap niya palagi.

“Nay, determinado ho ba kayong kasuhan iyong kapitbahay ninyo?”

“Atty., pumarito ho ako sa inyo para makahingi ng advise kung ano ba ang dapat kong gawin? Gusto ko lang naman, ho sana na maibalik lang ‘yong pera namin. Hindi ko rin ho gustong ipakulong siya dahil ‘yong mga anak niya ay kababata ng mga anak ko.” Belen sighed.

Cassandra bit her lower lip as she heard how stressed Belen was. Belen looked up at her when she stood up.

“Puntahan natin ‘yong sinasabi ninyong kapitbahay, Nay Belen. Kakausapin ko lang, ho.”

Nabuhayan ng loob si Belen sa sinabi ni Cassandra at agad itong napatayo.

“Ako na ang magmamaneho, atty..” Tony volunteered. Sa mga ganitong eksena, proud na proud ito sa boss nito.

The three of them drove to Belen’s address as she instructed the way. Nobody sat at the passenger seat, si Cassandra ay sinamahan si Belen maupo sa back seat. 

It was only a thirty-minute drive.

The car could go only so far. Eventually, the side street grew too narrow for the four-wheel drive. It seemed they must proceed on foot.

“Ma’am, hanggang dito na lang po ang sasakyan ninyo. Hindi na po makakapasok ang sasakyan papunta doon sa amin,” ani Belen.

Belen first climbed down from the vehicle.

“Atty., may tsinelas po kayo dyan,” said Tony while pointing at the back seat.

“No! I’m never gonna take my hells off.” She raised a brow.

Mas confident kasi si Cassandra kapag soot niya ‘yong mga gusto niya. Feeling niya matalino siya kapag naka soot siya ng women’s suit. Feeling niya, mataray siya kapag naka red lipstick siya. Feeling niya kagalang-galang siya kapag naka heels siya. Those sum up her confidence. In fact, lahat naman ng feeling niya ay totoo.

Naglakad sila sa maputik na daan. Humble houses are everywhere. They progress along the steaming alley of a squatter area. Ang mga maliliit na bata ay naghahabulan at ang iba sa mga ito ay wala pang mga soot na tsinelas. She sighed at that sight. But even though, those kids were running without their slippers on, their smiles and laughs were all genuine. Ang sarap maging bata.

Cassandra just wanted to take her heels off kasi napuputikan ‘yong sandals niya na nagkakahalaga ng isang-daang libo. She was fine with walking barefooted, hindi naman siya maarte, mas importante sa kanya ‘yong mahal na sandals.

“Sinabi ko naman sa inyo, ma’am, na magsoot nalang ng tsinelas.” Tony offered his hand para alalayan siya because he could see how much she was having a hard time sa paglalakad sa maputik na daan with those high-heeled sandals on, but she refused. So Tony just went on, paminsan-minsan nililingon siya nito kung hindi pa naman siya nadadapa.

“Naku, atty.. Pasensya na ho kayo sa daanan namin. Hindi pa kasi napapasemento ng barangay. Tsaka malakas po kasi ‘yong ulan kagabi,” ani Belen na nasa unahan nila.

“Ok lang po, Nay. Malapit na naman tayo, ‘di ba?” She was hopeful.

“Malapit na, ma’am.”

Maya-maya ay dumating na rin sila sa bahay nina Belen. They entered through their gate na gawa sa mga pinag tagpi-tagping yero. They were accommodated at the humble living room of Belen’s house. Cassandra asked for a tissue. She used it to clean her shoes na naputikan kanina. Their house was half-concrete. The rooms didn’t even have a proper door, kurtina ang nagsilbing pintuan ng mga kwarto. Their humble home was a proof of a humble living. Cassandra felt more enraged at the thought na bakit ‘yong ibang tao ay manloloko pa sa kapareho rin nilang mahihirap?

“Magandang araw po, atty..” Bati ng isang lalaki whose age seemed to be aroud 60s.

“Siya po ang asawa ko, atty.. Si Carding.” Pakilala ni Belen sa asawa.

Cassandra and Tony both stood up and bowed at the man as a polite greeting. Then they went back to seat.

“Kumusta ho kayo, Tay?” ani Cassandra nang naka-ngiti.

Cassandra spotted a black stain on Carding’s hands and shirt, she also smelled oil from him. Siguro ay nagtatrabaho ito sa talyer.

“Mabuti naman, atty.. Hindi ko ho inaasahan ang pagpunta ninyo dito sa amin. Pagpasensyahan niyo na po ang itsura ko, may grasa. Tinawagan lang kasi ako ni Belen sa telepono na nandito raw kayo. Nagtatrabaho po kasi ako sa isang shop sa may kabilang kanto lang. Nag-aayos po kasi ako ng mga sirang motor.”

Cassandra could sense the way Carding spoke that masayahing tao ito at nakangiti lang palagi. He was a good man working hard for his family’s living. She even stared at his dexterous and skilled hands yet brutish and battered. How dare that neighbor scam him?

“Naku, gwapo nga po kayo, Tay, eh. Para sa akin ‘yong mga lalaking masisipag at mapagmahal sa pamilya ang pinakagwapo sa lahat. Palagi pa kayong nakangiti,” she honestly said in an optimistic voice.

Mas lalong lumapad ang ngiti ni Carding sa sinabi ni Cassandra. He was extremely happy to the point na napaluha ito.

“Atty., salamat po. Sana matulungan niyo kami. Magkokolehiyo na po kasi ‘yong pangatlo namin.”

Hinimas-himas ni Belen ang likod ng asawa habang siya ay maluha-luha na rin.

“’Wag kayong mag-alala, Tay. Babawiin natin ‘yong pera ninyo.” With a little high pitch in her voice, Cassandra stated dauntlessly. That gave assurance to the couple somehow.

Kasama ang mag-asawa who led their way, Cassandra and Tony went to the house of Joseph, the scammer. Cassandra stood straight in front of Joseph when he went out to face them. Hindi man lang sila nito pinapasok sa loob ng bahay at sa labas lang sila ng gate hinarap.

“Anong ginagawa niyo dito?” Joseph was almost yelling. He was a man with a big tummy, how dare he.

Cassandra examined Joseph, tried to establish the personality of this person in her mind. The man looked younger than Carding. Maybe around 40s. Wala itong galang, even Belen and Carding were older than him nakuha pa nitong pagtaasan ng tono ang mag-asawa. She was sure na dinadaanan lang nito sa malakas ng boses ang mag-asawa to constrain them. Itong mag-asawa naman, eh, mukhang hindi marunong makipaglaban sa sobrang bait. That’s why Joseph knew kung paano sila tapak-tapakan. This guy intentionally scammed Carding because it would be easy for him since Carding seemed too naive.

“At sino naman tong mga taga barangay na sinama ninyo?” There was mockery in Joseph’s voice. It was obvious na wala itong takot sa mga taga barangay kasi nakalusot na ito roon noon.

Magsasalita na sana si Belen nang inunahan ito ni Cassandra.

“Alam mo, masyado kang mayabang para sa isang manloloko.” Cassandra smirked as she made steady eye contact with Joseph.

Tony also flashed an insulting smile at Joseph while he stood beside Cassandra.

“Aba! May proweba ka bang hawak na manloloko ako? Pwede kitang kasuhan sa paninirang puri mo.” Halos sigawan na ni Joseph si Cassandra.

“Wala pa akong proweba sa ngayon. Pero sinisigurado ko sayo subukan mo lang ang pasensya ko paliliguan kita ng ebidensya.” Cassandra tried to hold her temper when the truth was gusto niya ng manuntok.

“Eh, puro ka lang naman salita, eh. Sana may ebidensya ka na bago ka pa pumunta dito. Tsaka ano ka ba? Reporter sa radyo?” Joseph laughed, nanunuya sa iritasyon niya.

Mas lalong nag-init ang ulo niya. She held his breath.

“Joseph! Walang hiya ka talaga!” Himutok ni Carding na kanina pa nagpipigil.

“Anong sinabi mo, tanda?” Inambaan ni Joseph ng suntok si Carding.

“Kapag sinaktan mo si Mang Carding dodoble ‘yong kaso mo. Kahit ayaw ni Manang Belen na ipakulong ka, sinasabi ko sayo, maghaharap tayo sa korte,” kalmadong aniya habang naka pamaywang siya.

Binawi ni Joseph ang kamaong naiwang naka bitin sa ere. At the word korte ay nag-iba ang ekspresyon nito bigla. Doon lang nito na-realized na abogado ang kaharap nito.

Cassandra raised a brow while her hands are still on her waists.

“Joseph, Nobody has the right to own what belongs to others. Sana naunawaan mo ‘yon. Matanda na si Mang Carding pero nagtatrabaho pa rin siya. Hindi ka na nahiya? San mo dinala ‘yong pera?” Nag-aalab ang mga mata ni Cassandra.

She saw fear in Joseph’s face.

“W-wala kayong ebidensya.” Nauutal nitong sinabi.

“Ikaw. Ikaw ang ebidensya. Sasabihin ko sa’ yo ‘yong super powers ko, ha. Alam mo kung ano? Isang tingin ko pa lang sa tao alam ko na agad kung guilty siya or not guilty. Kaya saan mo dinala ‘yong pera?” Her face flushed, malapit ng mapigti ang pasensya niya.

“Sabihin mo na.” Tony meddled, scowling.

“Sasabihin mo? O dadalhin natin to sa korte? Sige, maghanap ka ng abogado mo. Mag harap tayo sa korte.” Cassandra was trying to make Joseph surrender himself by pressuring him.

“Ayaw naman yatang umamin, eh. Alis na tayo. Masakit na ‘yong paa ko, eh.” Tumalikod si Cassandra and pretended to walk out when Joseph stopped her.

“Sandali lang, atty..”

Cassandra smiled satisfyingly. Joseph even called her atty.. He established respect toward her in a very small amount of time.

She faced him back fiercely.

“Pinaghatian po namin ng mga kasamahan kong illegal recruiter. ‘Wag niyo po akong ipapakulong, atty..” Now, he’s begging for his freedom.

“From being mayabang to being pitiful real quick.” Tony clapped slowly. ‘Yan ‘yong mga klase ng palakpak na ibinibigay sa mga mapagkunwaring tao.

“Ibabalik ko ho ‘yong 50, 000 na nakuha ko.”

“50, 000 lang? 100, 000 ‘yong Ini-scam mo!” Napahilot ng kanyang sentido si Cassandra.

“Hindi ko na po makukuha sa kanila ‘yon.” Joseph tried to be pitiful as much as he could, pero hindi niya madadaan ang isang Cassandra sa ganyan gayong pinakitaan siya nito ng kayabangan sa unang mga minuto ng kanilang paghaharap.

“Ay! Hindi na namin problema ‘yon." Cassandra smirked.

Cassandra laid her hand open in front Tony. He immediately got what she needed. In a small suitcase he was holding, hinugot nito mula roon ang isang long bond paper na may naka-imprintang mga salita and placed it in her outstretched hand.

Cassandra hung the paper in the air with the tip of her fingers right at Joseph’s face.

“For your information, this thing is called a wager. Nakasulat dito na ibabalik mo ng buo ang 100,000 na ini-scam mo kay Mang Carding in less than a month. This is authenticated by yours truly. If you fail to do so, you will be charged with fraud and theft. I’m looking forward to your kind cooperation.” She sounded a little sarcastic in the last sentence.

“At tutal, hindi mo naman kami pinapasok sa bahay mo, dito ka na rin pumirma.”

Tony handed Joseph a pen. Joseph signed the wager, shaking his head. He seemed to have no choice but to find ways. He looked so down. Parang naiiyak na ito. That satisfied Cassandra anyhow.

After signing the wager, Cassandra took it and handed it to Tony.

Cassandra crossed her arms while she looked straight at Joseph’s eyes.

“Just a piece of advice. ‘Wag mo ng gagawin ulit ito. Dahil kapag ginawa mo pa ulit sa iba, baka makulong ka na. Tsaka ‘wag na ‘wag kang magkakamali na takutin sina Mang Carding at Aleng Belen. If you harm them, lagot ka.” She smirked bago niya ito tinalikuran and Joseph just problematically looked at her back walking away like a runaway model.

Carding and Belen were very grateful sa tulong na ibinigay ni Cassandra at Tony sa kanila. Mangiyak-ngiyak pa ang mag-asawa. They went back to Belen’s house and the couple gave them soft drinks.

“Atty., maaari ko bang mahawakan ang mga kamay ninyo?” Mangiyak-ngiyak na humingi ng pahintulot si Aleng Belen na nakaupo sa tabi ni Cassandra.

Agad namang ipinatong ni Cassandra ang babasaging baso sa lamesang nasa harapan niya at saka kinuha ang mga kamay ni Belen.

“Maraming-maraming salamat sa inyo, atty..” Pang-sampung pasasalamat na iyon ni Belen sa kanila.

“Nay Belen naman, eh. Walang anuman po.” Cassandra gave Belen her sweetest smile as she pressed the woman’s hands on her hands.

“Nay.” Isang babaeng may mahabang buhok ang pumasok sa bulwagan galing sa labas.

Morena ito at mukhang nasa late 20s na ito.

“Anak,” ani Belen.

Cassandra released Belen’s hands.

“Atty., siya po ‘yong panganay namin. Si Dayana. Nag-aaply po siya bilang domestic helper sa Singapore pagkatapos niyang mag-resign bilang katulong.”

Cassandra nodded at Dayana as a greeting.

“Magandang araw po, atty..” Magalang na pagbati ni Dayana sa mga panauhin.

“Mag-a-abroad ka?” tanong ni Cassandra.

“Opo, atty.. Mas malaki kasi ang sasahurin ko roon kaysa sa pagiging katulong ko dito sa Pilipinas. Mas makakatulong ho ako kanila Nanay at Tatay.”

“Ang bait mo naman. I pray for your better future. Good luck!” Casandra showed appreciation towards Dayana’s efforts.

Dayana shyly smiled at Cassandra.

“Hindi ba malaki rin mag-pasahod ang mga mayayamang pamilya dito sa Pilipinas sa mga kasambahay nila?” kuryusong ani Tony.

Napatingin sa direksyon ni Tony si Dayana. At agad naman itong nginitian ni Tony.

“Hi, ako si Tony. Assistant ni Atty. Cassandra.” Pagpapakilala ni Tony.

Dayana nodded at him, smiling shyly.

“Depende naman, sir. May mga mayayamang pamilya dyan na minimum lang din ang pinapasahod sa mga kasambahay nila. Katulad ng pinagtrabahuhan ni Dayana,” sabat ni Carding.

“Opo, sir. Sobrang yaman po ng pamilyang pinagtrabahuhan ko. Sila po ‘yong may ari ng CPM company. ‘Yong may mga mall at hotels. Kaso hindi rin malaki magpasahod, sir, eh. Minsan nga ‘yong mga anak niya pa ang nagbibigay ng bonus sa amin.” Napaka madaldal naman pala ni Dayana, kanina ay parang nahihirapan itong magsalita.

Napatingin sa isa’t-isa sina Tony at Cassandra na parehas nanlalaki ang mga mata. When they broke their eye contact, a spark in Cassandra’s eyes as she looked back at Dayana.

“Tama ba ‘yong narinig ko, CPM company ‘ka mo?” Cassandra’s interest was too much that her voice and facial expression were showing it. Nasa tao na kung nahahalata nila.

“Opo, atty..” Dayana cofirmed it.

“Ah. So ibig sabihin nangangailangan sila ng bagong kasambahay?”

“Opo, atty.. Hindi pa sila nakakahanap hanggang ngayon ayon sa kasamahan ko roon na nakausap ko kanina lang. Noong isang araw lang po kasi ako umalis,” anito.

Cassandra'a face lit up, it was a hint of information to Tony that an idea popped into her mind.

Iilang minuto pa silang nagkausap bago tuluyan ng napag-desisyunan nina Cassandra at Tony na tumuloy na. Masayang nagpaalam ang dalawa sa pamilya ni Belen. Masaya si Cassandra at nakatulong siya sa pamilya nina Belen at masaya rin siya dahil sa impormasyong dinala ni Dayana sa kanya.

Pagkarating na pagkarating nila ng opisina ay agad na ibinahagi ni Cassandra kay Tony ang planong naisip niya kanina.

“So, ano 'yong plano mo?” tanong ni Tony nang maupo ito sa upuan in front Cassandra’s table.

“Change of plan tayo. Hindi na ako makapaghintay na mag-resign iyong matandang secretary ni Sebastian. Matagal ko ng hinihintay mag-resign ‘yon. Pero wala pa talagang balak. Kaya let’s have a plan no. 2 that we need to execute as soon as possible.”

Plan number two. Cassandra will apply as a maid to Guzman’s household.

“Ano? Baliw ka ba, atty.?” Tony’s jaw-dropping expression made her flinch.