Chapter 3

       Living alone in an apartment is not a difficult one for Atty. Immanuel Gonzales; got used to it ever since his foster father died of a heart attack a few years back. He has been a top-notched lawyer, most sought after by the wealthy and powerful. With his looks and charisma, most of his clients took a liking to him. Some of them were amazed how this man of twenty-seven had made a big impact in the law industry. He had a high rating of success, notwithstanding the case. Mostly, he had clients who were accused of fraud, tax evasion, and even murder. One such case was that of Mr. Ernesto Lopez, a rich oil magnate and airlines owner who was accused of killing his own wife so he could marry his own lover. He hired Atty. Gonzales, as per the recommendation of his former client who was a friend of the suspect. 

     Their first meeting did not as intended by both parties as they did not appear to trust each other. When he was being questioned by the lawyer, the alleged culprit had shown annoyance of his face, which was easily detected by the attorney. He stood his ground by telling Imman that what had transpired was an accident and self-defense; even adding to his story that his wife started the fight when she threw a bottle and hit his head. Mr. Lopez pointed at his head which was wrapped with a bandage. Looking at the lawyer who was listening to him seriously and doubting him,( as per the culprit's thought), he told his friend that he wanted to look for another lawyer for he had a feeling that he will lose his case and will end up in jail for a crime he did not commit. His friend advised him to trust the lawyer but he kept on disparaging the talent and abilities of the young man.

 Fed up with his chatterings, Imman stood up and said in a firm and calm voice,"It is up to you sir! You have the right to choose and be represented by any lawyer you want. I do not want to hear any more words coming from you. Do as you please sir! I am going now, Good day!"

     Without wasting any more minutes, prepared to go but the culprit's friend stopped him and advised him to calm down and to talk things over. He even apologized on behalf of his friend's unfriendly behavior. Imman, who was still furious, replied to Gabriel Santos, his former client(a businessman who was accused of money laundering but was acquitted for lack of evidence) "Let that man knows that my time is as precious as his time if he wants to insult me, fine! He could that all he wants, I don't give a damn! But I won't spend a second of my time listening to his nonsensical ideas. Please find a new lawyer sir! I am going now! There are other cases that I have to look into, bye!"

     He was already at the parking area when Mr. Santos called and begged if he could spare a minute of his time. "Please attorney, hear me out!" he said and continued, "My friend was just worried that the lawyer who is going to handle his case will only be after his money. I know that this would cause a lot of news nationwide for is a very rich man, and he could not trust anyone except me. We had a conversation when you left and I told him that he had to ask you for forgiveness and he must behave accordingly. So, please come with me and talk to him again."

     The lawyer, looking back at the speaker, without any hesitation asked him frankly, "Do you think he is innocent or not? Tell me honestly before we go back there."

     "Well, all I can tell is that he is a good husband, though he had an affair which only lasted for a month before the said accident happened. Please do not judge him harshly, he is not that bad." his former client replied.

     Smirking and raising his eyebrows, he went back to talk to the suspect. Their conversation was brief and concise, only tackling the important issues and evidence that the lawyer would present to the court. When they were done talking, the attorney promised his client that he would do anything to prove his innocence in court. The suspect was glad to hear the lawyer's assurance and promised him that if he would be acquitted, he would help him to achieve more in his career. 

     They shook hands afterward; the client who kept on asking for forgiveness while the lawyer kept on frowning and raising his eyebrows. (He was used to this kind of hypocrisy, he murmured to himself once he got away from his client).

     After coming to terms with his client, he decided to go back to his office and called his secretary and reminder her about the papers that were on his desk. Those were old files from a felon who was imprisoned nineteen years ago. He had been looking into this case even before he became a lawyer. 

     Though the said had already served his time at the prison, his case was an interesting one; he pleaded not guilty and some witnesses saw the convict sobbing throughout the trials begging the judge to let him go for the sake of his child who was only seven years old at that time. The judge did not pity the suspect but instead put him in jail, leaving his son alone.

     The said person was freed a year ago but the lawyer had shown interest in reviving the case again and promised himself that the real culprit would pay for his crime. Imman, who was planning to go back to his office, changed his mind and went as far as going out of the city. It was almost noon when he arrived at his destination - a small but neat house which was surrounded by a different variety of plants and vegetables that were being tended by the owner himself. The owner of the house heard a car stop in front of his house, looked out of the window, and saw the lawyer getting out of his car carrying a bag of groceries which he bought on his way to the said area. 

     Mr. Armando Gonzales, a middle-aged man, with a medium built and height, with scars on his face and arms, went out to meet the lawyer. Upon seeing the former prisoner, Imman hugged and kissed him on the forehead and said, "How are you, father? Are you doing fine here? I have told you before that you could stay and live with me at my apartment but you don't want. Why father? Don't you like your son to be your companion?"

     His father looked at him tenderly, scrutinizing him from head to foot, realizing how odd it was that he, a former convict, uneducated, and a construction worker, has a son who is a lawyer. "I am doing fine here Imman. Do not worry about me. Just seeing you right now makes me happy. What else do I want? Nothing. Oh my dear, you always remind me of your mother! Let us go inside and eat. I was so happy that you called me last night and informed me that you will come."

    "Father, to tell you the truth, I almost forgot about it but I remembered it when I was on my way to my office. Did you cook my favorite food, father dear?"

     "Yes of course." was the short answer.

Inside the old man's house, you could see a small couch and a table in the living room, a small radio on the corner, a small television set, and pictures of the young Imman with his parents. When he noticed the framed pictures of his family, his heart sunk and remembered vaguely those days gone by where he used to play with them. In the kitchen area, there was nothing much to see but a small fridge, a gas range, and a set of one table and chairs for three persons.

     Imman bought the said house for his father after he's released and since then he regularly visits him, especially during the weekends. At first, the ex-convict did not want his son to spend money for him but his son reasoned out that he had to stay in a place where he could feel solitude and serenity since he did not want to live in his son's apartment. His only fear, as he always told himself, was that people would become indifferent to his son because of his past.

     "Eat more Imman! Here take this! (giving his son the fried fish, which he bought from the supermarket nearby). The lawyer took the food and gladly ate, with relish, remembering those days where he used to eat simple dishes with his parents. Those were the happiest time for him though he was deprived of any privileges at all.

     After eating, Imman, who was sitting comfortably beside his father, said in a warm and voice, "Father, I'd like to open your case again. I have been collecting evidence and interviewing witnesses ever since I was studying law. Please cooperate with me father! It will help clear your name that was tarnished because of that baseless accusation. The real culprit must be jailed, not you!"

     His father heaved a sigh, glanced at his son tenderly, and knew that his son was seriously considering opening up the wounds that already killed him inside. For him, he did not want to open it up again, the past is past and nothing would change even if the real perpetrator of the crime be known since he had already gone to jail. He had already served nineteen years inside the prison for a crime he did not commit. Seeing his son wanting to open it again only reminded him of the pain; of the many days and nights where he was separated from his dear child. With this in mind, he looked at his son and replied calmly, "You do not have to open the case again, son. Let it pass, I am okay now and that is more important than anything else. As long as we are together, there is nothing more I could ask for. God knows what had happened on that fateful night and He alone knows the truth, so please just let it be. The real culprit could have been penalized already. Conscience is hard to ignore, my dear and even hardened criminals could succumb from it. My son, as long as we are alive, healthy, and far from any sickness, there is nothing much I could have wished for. So please let us bury the past and live for the present."

     Imman listened very well to his father's advice but he could not understand why he wanted to let it go. For him, he had to know the truth, to punish the real criminal before he could live at the present. His younger days were spent without his father, alone and with people he knew nothing about. Thing is, he got lucky that he had met the school teacher which became his adopted father and his good friend. When his own parent was convicted, no relatives of them helped him and they even sold the small house to one of their acquaintances. Most of all, they believed that his father really killed the victim of the crime.

     Young as he was, back then, he made up his mind to become a lawyer and would do his best to clear his father's name. That is his only wish and he would do anything to keep it real.

     "Father, I understand what you mean, but please hear me out. I'd like to punish that person who did injustice to you. He should have been the one to suffer and not you! I'll do whatever it takes to put him in jail. I want to clear your name...our name father. So please cooperate with me. I won't hear any more of your sentiments regarding this." he retorted to his father in a serious tone, which the latter acknowledged.

     The old man who could not believe how determined his son was, only looked at him with a blank expression. He knew that nothing would stop him from searching for the truth, so he changed the topic of their conversation. "By the way, Imman, how long would I wait for a daughter-in-law? You should get married now. I really would like to play with a little boy or girl that looks like you."

     Imman, who was surprised at his father's question, replied, "I will not get married, father. I have had some relationships before but they did not last for a year. My work occupies much of my time and right now, I am more inclined to work diligently, father, and to help you also.

     "I hope that you will change your mind later, son. It is better to have a woman by your side who loves you just like what your mother to me back then, oh! I really miss her!"

     "I miss her too father! I will only marry someone that would make my heart flutter and makes me happy, though she is poor and plain-looking. What is important is that she loves me and I love her too.

     Discussing topics regarding love is a bit uncomfortable for the lawyer. It was known that he had been in relationships but none were serious and only lasted for months since he was busy with his career. The last one he had was a year ago and the girl had already given up on him. He did not mention yet to his father about the woman whom he met and helped a week ago that made his heart skip a beat.

     "Father!" he continued, "Do you remember our old house which was sold to one of our acquaintances by our relatives?"

     "Yes, of course, what about it?"

    Imman looked tenderly at his father, his eyes shining, retorted, "I bought it back father! I am planning to renovate it and when it's done, I am planning to live there with you. Do you like my idea, father?"

     Some rapturous feeling had touched the simple of the old man, thinking of the house where they dwelt with his wife only brought fond memories of the days gone by. The old man was glad to hear that his son had bought it back. With his son's inquiry, he replied in a joyful voice, "Oh my dear! I longed to visit that house again and am so glad that it will come true! Thank you, my dear! Just let me know when we are going to visit the house. We have so many beautiful memories there and you know how much I miss your mother!"

     The young lawyer who was also glad to see his father happy told him that he would stay for the night and would leave the following day. Knowing how tired his son was, he let him go and was left alone in the kitchen, cleaning out the dishes. For the old man, being reunited with his son is the only happiness he had known since his release. While in jail, he had hoped and prayed that the Almighty would guide and help his son, which, he knew was heard by Him.