Let's Break Up

"Everybody has losses, it's unavoidable in life. Sharing our pain is very healing." - Isabel Allende

A woman in the midst of 40’s raised her hand and as she took the oath of perjury in the witness stand. Nang matapos magsalita ang witness ng kabilang panig ay nagsimula nang magtanong ang attorney ni Professor Gonzales.

“Miss Gelly Vergon, ang sabi mo kaya hindi nakapunta si Professor Gonzales sa meeting nila ni Miss Irishka Folk ay dahil inakala mong manganganak kana kaya tinawagan mo siya at kinailangan mo ang tulong nya. Tama ba?”

“Opo”

“Maari mo bang ikuwento samin ang nangyari?”

Napataas ako ng kilay ng sandaling natigilan ang babae at umikot ang mga mata pero agad ito nang nakabawi at nagsalita. Napakuyom ako ng kamao nang marinig ang statement niya.

“Friday po nang hapon, 4pm nang tinawagan ko po si Franco. Matalik na kaibigan po sya ng namatay kong asawa at matagal na po syang tumutulong sa aming pamilya. Dahil sa hindi inaasahang pagkirot ng tsyan ko, natakot ako na baka manganganak na ako ng maaga. Kaya naman tinawagan ko po sya para maipag-drive nya kami sa malapit na hospital. Nang makarating po kami sa hospital, sinabi ng doctor na Braxton Hicks contractions daw po yun, sa madaling salita. It was only a false labor. After po nun, hinatid nya kami sa bahay at doon na kumain ng dinner si Franco.”

“Natatandaan mo ba kung anong oras sya umuwi?”

“I think 9 pm na rin ng gabi”

Napahinga ako ng malalim matapos nyang magsalita. Masyado malinis ang pagkakakwento nya. Napakahilig nilang gumawa ng nobela. Lumipat ang tingin ko sa Professor. Naging mabilis ang paghinga ko at bahagya na nanginig ang kamay na nakapatong sa aking hita. Mukha syang inosente ngayon, malayo sa demonyo nyang mukha ng gabing iyon. So much for pretending to be good.

Nang umupo ang attorney ay agad na lumapit si Prosecutor Lachowski sa judge.

“I’ll submit this video and ID as evidence” the prosecutor said and look at the judge. Tumango ito pabalik at hinayaan syang gamitin ang video upang iprisenta sa korte.

This woman, really use her power just to avenged her daughter’s death. When in the first place, hindi naman namin ito kasalanan. Pinatawag si Mr. Walkers para umupo sa witness stand. After nyang magsambit ng oath of perjury agad na syang tinanong ng Presecutor.

“Where are you on Saturday morning?” she said, habang naglalakad sa harap ng accused.

“Na-nasa dorm po” sambit nito nang di makatingin.

"You are aware, Mr. Walker, that you just took the oath of perjury. According to Article 183 under the law of perjury, any person who willfully and knowingly offers in evidence a false witness or testimony in any judicial or official proceeding shall be punished as guilty of false testimony and shall suffer the respective penalties provided in this section. Punishment for committing perjury could result in probation, fines, or a prison sentence of up to 5 years. So now, are you willing to tell me the truth? " After she said that, the prosecutor smirked.

"Objection, your honor! The prosecutor is intimidating the defendant" sambit ng lawyer ni Mr. Walker. Prosecutor Lachowski ngumiti ng matamis and tumingin sa judge.

"Your honor, I’m just reminding Mr. Walker about the consequences if he lies in court."

"Sustained" was said by the judge.

"Let me repeat my question. Would you tell us where exactly are you on Saturday, at 5 in the morning?"

The man clenched his jaw and bowed his head before he answered.

“I decided to go in a store to buy coffee since I want to have a morning review and then, I got on the parking lot of the dormitory at 5 am”

“Hmm. Tell me Mr. Walkers, where did you go?”

“I-I was on cafeteria”

“Can you prove your statement?”

Hindi nakasagot ang lalaki kaya huminga ng malalim ang prosecutor at pinindot ang hawak-hawak nitong remote. Confident na tumingin ang prosecutor sa screen at sumeryoso ang mukha. Napatingin kaming lahat sa projector nang bumukas iyon. Mahigpit na hinawakan ni Kuya Zayne ang kamay ko na nasa tabi ko ngayon. I sighed. Sa loob ng video, makikita ang lalaki na kakabalik lang sa underground parking lot ng school.

“On exhibit A, saturday morning at 5:00 am. Mr. Gregory Walkers was caught by the CCTV camera of the school. Base sa dormitory rules, ang mga istudyante ay may curfew time. They were allowed to go out at 6:00 am and ends at 10:00 pm. Kaya nakakapagtakang, nasa labas si Mr. Walkers sa mga oras na to. Now, watch the Exhibit B”

Tumingin ako sa screen, kung saan makikita doon na lumabas si Mr. Walkers para kausapin ang nagbabantay ng junkyard bago sya muling pumasok ng sasakyan, pinaandar nya ito papasok roon at lumipas ang ilang minuto. Lumabas ang lalaki, may suot itong cup at itim na damit katulad na lamang ng damit nya sa Exhibit A.

“Ladies and gentlemen, the defendant Mr. Gregory Walkers may argue that he was sleeping on his dorm and not guilty for the crime. However, the accused was caught on the surveillance camera on Saturday at 4:00 am, driving the car used for kidnapping towards the junkyard to erased the evidence.”

“Objection your honor, the prosecution is overlooking the situation. The defendant is merely an accessory. Not the abettor of the crime.”

Tumalim ang tingin ng Prosecutor doon sa lawyer ni Mr. Walkers.

"Your Honor, I submitted the evidence earlie to proved my assumptions"

May lumapit sa judge at sa lawyer. Parehas silang binagyan ng papeles at tahimik na tumingin roon. Ilang sandali lamang ay nag-angat ng tingin ang Judge at inilapit ang bibig sa mic.

"Sustained"

"Earlier I submitted the document of land ownership and the fingerprint analysis which states that it was Mr. Walkers who owned the house and harmed the victim, Miss Irishka Folk. After the defendant learned that Professor Gonzales and Irishka Folk were having a meeting, he used it as an opportunity to abduct Miss Folk with the intention of raping her. His fingerprints were found on her uniform and on the bedsheets of the room. It was also seen on camera how he destroyed the evidence. On Saturday at 4:30 am, the mansion was almost gone by a fire. Fortunately, it was stopped since the police happened to be there on time. "

Napapikit ako ng madiin at hindi makakilos mula sa kinauupuan ko. I clenched my fist when tears escaped my eyes. Tila nabibingin ang aking pandinig, pero malinaw sakin na natalo ako sa case na to. Why? Because the true criminal is freed, with no bad reputation to destroy his name.

"Therefore, I hereby deny the charges against the defendant, Professor Franco Gonzales, because he has proven that he is innocent; the accused was made as the scapegoat for the crime, and Miss Folk was suffering from an emotional breakdown, memory distortion, and delusion as a result of the abettor's drug injected on the victim; Thu,s Mr. Gregory Walkers, the accused who defended himself as an accessory to crime, is convicted by the prosecution as an abettor in the offenses of abduction, attempted rape, and feticide...Your honor, I rest my case. "

Lugmok akong naglakad papalabas ng courtroom. All I hear are people praising him for winning the case. Nandyan ang tatlo kong kapatid at ang daddy upang sumuporta sakin. I couldn’t even look at the monster who destroyed my sanity and killed my baby. He disgusts me.

How can they free a monster just like that?

Napatigil ako sa paglalakad nang may marinig akong pamilyar na malamig na boses. It was a unique voice since it was quite gentle at the same time cold, that everytime I hear it. It sends shivers running down my spine.

“Mom, how can you do that to her?” mahinang bigkas nito habang naglalakad si palayo.

Tumingin ako sa mga kapatid ako at sinenyasan sila na pupunta muna ako ng washroom. I followed the two of them until we stopped in front of an empty hallway. I hid behind the post and listened to their conversation.

“Ma, answer me. Why are you defending your ex-husband? Alam mo na sya talaga ang may kasalanan dito. Yet you let an innocent man took all the blame.”

“Innocent? What are you talking about Hali Lachowski? Mr. Walkers is not innocent as you told he is. Have you watched the trial? Have you seen all the evidences that I presented? Do not lecture me Hali. I know what is right”

“Right? What the fuck mom. Is it right to defend that Professor just because he is your beloved ex-husband?” He mocked dangerously to his mother. Ngunit kung gaano sya kalamig at karahas magsalita, ay ganun din ang mama nya.

“Presumption of innocence, an accused must be presumed innocent until his guilt is established by proof beyond reasonable doubt. And so, professor Gonzales is not guilty of crime. Do you understand?”

“I do. But what I do not understand is you, prosecuting an innocent instead of the true criminal. What? Are you still guilty about what happened to ate Felicia? That’s why you’re still protecting that man!”

“Do not mention your ate’s name here, Hali Rhoezin Lachowski. Don’t you dare!” tila nawala ang kalmadong tono neto at napalitan ng mahinang pagsigaw. I clenched my fist and closed my eyes. Resting the back of my body on the post.

“What? Because it’s true? I already talk to him and he said his doing this for ate Felly? Do you really think that this is what she wants mama?”

“How can I know? Their family killed her.” She firmly said. I pressed my lips as her words echoed in my mind. Narinig ko na ang papalayong takong neto.

Kaya naman napagdesisyunan ko nang lumabas mula sa pinagtataguan ko. Naabutan ko si Hali na frustrated ang mukha. He looks like his not sleeping well. Kitang-kita ko ang mga eyebags sa ilalim ng magaganda nyang mga mata.

But no matter how thankful I am with him. It doesn’t change the fact that he is her daughter. Son of the prosecutor who protected the true criminal.

“Thank you” I said, dahilan kung bakit nakuha ko ang atensyon nito.

“Irishka” he whispered and glanced at me. I smiled at him. Lumapit ako sa kanya at kinuha ang maliit na box na kanina pa nakatago sa bag ko. I didn’t expect that I will see him here. I was about to go and gave this to Elisha, just to pass it on him.

“I don’t blame you. I know you are just doing your work and the prosecutor was the one can do the rest but I’m kind a disappointed.” I softly said and gave him the gift. Napatitig sya dito bago kinuha ito sa kamay ko.

“I’m sorry. I was out of the case after they know that the prosecutor of yours is my mother. I did everything you told to me. Someone steal the evidences from my office and pass it on the prosecution. I couldn't do anything about it ”

Napatigil ako nang marinig ko yun. Kaya pala. Napatango ako sa sinabi nya at napahinga ng malalim.

“Really. But why you didn’t tell me about that? That you were out of the case? And the prosecutor is your mother?”

“I know why she's doing this and telling you the truth means you wouldn't comfortable to accept my help.”

Pagkarinig ko nun ay bahagya akong napatawa. I shook my head and combed my hair.

“Indeed, I am. Well, I guess it’s a goodbye, Investigator Hali Rhoezin Lachowski” I said and decided to turn my back on him.

His right. I wouldn't be comfortable to accept his help. But I also has the right to know the truth. I don't if I should trust hsi words. Someone steal the evidence? Napahinga ako ng malalim at napahagod ng leeg. Sumasakit na ulo ko kakaisip. That man, he knows that his mother would do this but he even has the guts to come in our house, giving us the information that I will need which basically used against me on the court.

Nang makabalik ako kung saan naroroon ang mga kapatid ko ay nanlaki ang mga mata ko ng lumapat ang paningin ko sa taong kakwentuhan nila ngayon.

“Andyan na si Irishka, let’s go. We’re going on lunch.” Kuya Zayne said and put his arms around my shoulder. Nang makapunta sa parking lot ay sya na ang naghatid sakin sa sasakyan ni Nathan. I know they want us to talk.

When I got inside his car, I looked at the window beside me. The beautiful blue sky is so comforting, and the slow movements of the clouds somehow remind me that even though the process is slow, it wasn't enough reason to give up. We have an upside-down life, which means that there are times when we stumble, fall, and face the wrath of the demons who seek to steal our happiness. But until you are breathing, it is not yet over for you to win. Life is a matter of survival and intelligence. If you are too weak to stay until the end, then you lose, but if you can be patient, steadfast, and unbreakable until the end, the crown of life will welcome you at the finish line of the race.

After a minute of driving in which neither of us were talking, Nathaniel suddenly stopped the car.

Nag-angat ako ng tigin nang marinig ko ang boses nyang malambing.

"How are you?"

“I’m… fine”

“Can we now talk about what happened? Look babe, I know you're mad and I already gave you a space, but I have the right to know the whole story. This is about my girlfriend and my baby, which I don’t even know because, apparently, he was already dead. So please tell me babe, how did it happen? "

Napapikit ako ng madiin.

“Are you blaming me?” I defended.

I don’t like his choice of words. It seems like he was blaming me that our baby is dead and for not saying anything about it. Does he know what I’ve through? What it made me feel? I’m a mother! I know he has rights but he should give me more time. Ang hirap sa tao akala nila madaling magkwento about doon. That it was so easy to open up just to satisfy their curiosity and to healed their unfixed wounds. But what about mine? Can he wait till’ I’m ready? I just lost the case! The scale wasn’t able to punish that true criminal.

“No, no of course not. I just want you to talk to me. Kung di ko pa tatanungin sa mga kuya ang mga nangyari sayo. I wouldn’t have known. Even them babe, they don’t know the whole story. Nalaman lang nila during court trials”

“Because everytime I narrate what happened, the pain is coming back like a repeated video records on my mind! Do you want me to suffer just to know the whole story? I was telling it to the court because it was needed! Haven’t you heard it? Why do I need to repeat myself over and over again?”

“Babe, I-I’m sorry. It just that. I was also hurt babe. I wasn’t there for you. I wasn’t even there when you’re fighting to them and I wasn’t there to save our baby. I-I’m sorry”

I clenched my fist. Nagsimulang bumagsak ng tahimik ang mga luha sa mata ko. I-I don’t know what to say. His right. He was also hurt but I didn’t let him to talk to me. I didn’t let him to fight with me.

I was so mad that I didn’t notice that I was pushing people away. I sniffed and sobbed harder. I feel Nathan’s hugging me. But I was hurt, so hurt that I couldn’t even speak about it. I just want to forget that it happened. That it was just the worst nightmare ever. Yet I know it wasn't...

"Do you know why it hurt so much? Because babe, you don't share your pain. I am here. We can bear it together" he softly said.

I cried but what I said next is unexpected for him...

“I-I don’t want this anymore Nathaniel.” Mahina kong sambit na nagpaluwag ng yakap nya. Napailing-iling ako ng ulo at huminga ng malalim. I rubbed my eyes then looked at him.

"W-what? why?"

I bit my lip and frustedly brushed my hair. I'm doomed and he needs to get away from me fast. He shouldn't be with me.

“Let’s break up”