Prosecute to Protect

“Judge fairly and make sure no one suffers unjustly”- Seo Byung-Ju

Investigator Hali Adral

"Officer Daniels, I need you to gather your team in 5. We’re going to arrest Professor Gonzales. And you, Westlie, get the request warrant to the prosecutor's office. I need it immediately. " I said coldly as soon as I got inside the room. 

Tumango sakin si Westlie at lumabas na ng kwarto. While Officer Daniels grinned and wave his phone. That means, he already gathered them. Napahinga ako ng malalim at napahilot ng noo.

I licked my bottom lip and crossed my arms. Tumitig ako sa babaeng nakaupo. Mayroon malaking salamin na nakadikit sa wall at konektado sa tabing kwarto, kung saan nakikita ko si Miss Folk mula sa kinaroroonan ko. She was resting her back on the chair with her eyes closed, and her delicate hands were on the table, tapping the surface with her fingers.

“I was pregnant. I-I didn’t know. I was clueless about it. If I just know, hindi na dapat akong lumaban. He will not punch me twice and drug me if only I submit myself from what he wants. But I was so stubborn. That’s why I lost my baby in just one night! Hinding-hindi ko mapapatawad ang sarili ko” nangigigil nyang sambit.

“…pero mas hinding-hindi ko mapapatawad ang taong puno’t dulo nito. Ang taong nagging bingi sa lahat ng pakiusapan ko… ang taong hindi lang ako ang pinatay pati na rin ang buhay ng magiging anak ko.”

Umangat ang kanyang mukha. Tumingin sakin ang kulay amber nyang mga mata na tila blangko at malamig na nakatigtig lamang sa kawalan. Habang ang mga ito ay napupuno ng luha. Marahas nyang pinunasan ang kanyang pisnge at sinuklay ang buhok nya patalikod.

Meanwhile, I was just here listening to her. I pressed my lips, staying silent from my seat. I couldn’t move, my hand stopped writing her testimony the moment she cried. I felt like I failed her. If only I was faster enough to get her then she will not have this traumatizing experience and her baby will be alive right now.

“You’re an investigator, right? Help me win this case. Prove his insolence! That he has no rights to teach and admired by the people! He should be in jail, suffering forever. I was wrecked when he tried to rape me but I died when I found out that I lost my baby in one night. I-I can’t accept this… I-” madiin nyang ipinikit ang mga mata at huminga ng malalim.

I clenched my jaw. ‘This is a job, Hali. Keep your emotions intact.’ I said to myself like a reminder.

Niluwugan ko ang necktie na tila sumasakal sakin. I leaned forward and look at her intently in the eyes“I promise you Miss Folk. We will make him pay for what he did to you and your baby.”

Napabalik ako sa realidad ng may magsalita sa tabi ko.

“Investigator Adral, are you sure about this?” someone murmured these words beside me. Saglit na lumingon ako rito at napataas ng kilay. Mabilis ko ring ibinalik ang tingin sa harapan, kung saan naroon parin ang babaeng sinabihan ko na pwede ng umuwi muna.

‘Why she still not leaving the room?’ I asked internally and sighed. I probably should message Elisha, to tell her family that Miss Folk can already go home.

“Look, I’m just concerned. What will your mother say about this?” Sabrina said. I clenched my jaw and get my phone to text Elisha. Nang maitago ko na yung phone ay nagsalita ako habang ang mga mata ay nananatili sa kabilang kwarto.

"She has no right to say anything," I said firmly, side-glancing at her. "And neither do you. It is our duty to help and protect the victim. We cannot put our personal issue on this. Officer Jensen, please remember that we are not here to play games. You are a cop, act like one. "

Pagkatapos kong sabihin iyon ay lumabas na ako sa kwarto kasama si Officer Daniel. I understand those are terrible words for a woman. However, we must maintain our personal and professional life separate. She is not my relative here, but a junior officer who required discipline. So, I don't need her opinion by taking this case just because of my mother’s issue.  

‘Let the hunt begin’

Napabangon ako sa tubig at marahas na napaubo. Ilang ulit ko sinuntok ang dibdib ko upang mawala ang paninikip hanggang sa maging okay na ang pakiramdam ko. Basa ang buong katawan, hubat barong nakatampisaw sa ilog. Habang ang hilam na luha sa aking mga mata ay humahalo sa tubig na nasa aking mukha.

I decided to get back on my feet. I gritted my teeth when the shivering cold air run through my skin. Nagtaasan ang mga balahibo ko sa katawan. Kaya naman ng makuha ang bathrobe na nakapatong sa malaking bato ay agad ko itong ibinalot sa sarili. I look at my reflection on the water and saw my amber dull eyes staring back at me.

I sighed.

There are times that I wish I was strong enough to fight, that I had superpowers to protect myself and those people who are precious to me. But it all boils down to one thought, ordinary is sucks and reality is a jerk.

Some people believe that your destiny is already written, that it was already designed by the creator, and that suffering is inevitable part of life to give some spice. What I can say is that life is a struggle for survival. If you’re weak, you will lose, and if you are too strong, well, you will also lose, because being too strong is simply known as "self-destructing people". That’s why I chose to be in the middle, to be clever.

I am both weak and strong. And I believe that smart people have an 85% probability of winning, with the remaining 15%, of having a fall back. Which we can assume that not all smart people win the game, maybe because they don’t have the passion of strong people and the compassion of the weak. Or they don’t have the power, which is in the top chain to the key of survival. The 10% that the smart one should have.

And I realize this in a hard way, in a hopeless case. That even though we have money to pay and evidences to prove that his guilty.

If the game changer is smart enough to lie on court to protect someone, then I cannot win this game. Regardless of my status and intelligence. Inside the court, people who has power controlled the game. One, is the prosecutor and the lawyers as the game changer; two, is the judge which is the game destroyer.  

“Don’t do that again” napaikot ako ng mga mata ng marinig ko ang malamig na boses na yun. Ang hilig nya talagang sumulpot kung saan-saan. Sabay kaming naglakad palabas sa kakahuyan papunta sa mansion. It was only a small distance away.

“You can’t tell me that” I simply said.

“Stubborn”

“So are you”

Napatigil ang babae sa paglalakad at masamang tumitig sakin. Napataas naman ako ng kilay dito. I brushed my hair and crossed my arms in front of her.

“Look Vanessa, I don’t want to see you being dragged by the darkness just like what happened to me. Don’t be foolish.” Her blue eyes looked concerned but her face is blank and has no expression. Tskk. If I didn’t know her, mamasamain ko ang sinabi neto.

I smirk “Whose dragging who? I already fell Eli. And it just a matter of time when I got buried by it.” Nagpatuloy na ako sa paglalakad at iniwan sya roon.

When I looked at the mirror, I couldn’t see the old Irishka Folk. The perfect daughter and a straight A president lister. All I see is a lifeless doll, with her amber eyes that look so cold, filled with grief and vengeance. I look at my body, I lost weight since that tragedy happened and my skin got paler than before.

Today is the 2^nd trial of my case. It’s been weeks since the man got arrested and I couldn’t say that I am happy with the 1^st trial. Every evidence that was shown was ruled out by the court. It’s funny to think that the prosecutor job is to convict the accused but it seems like the other way around.

"Investigator Adral is here, he wants to talked to you princess." sambit ni Yvonne na nakasilip sa pinto ng kwarto. Tumingin ako kay Eli gamit ang salamin at tumango dito. The woman smirked at me and waved her hand. 

Tipid akong napangiti at napailing pagkatapos ay sumunod sa kapatid ko pababa. Nang matanaw ng mata ko ang lalaki, ay saglit kong nahugot ang aking hininga. Kakaiba. His intimidating presence is dominating even though his not doing anything. 

"Maiwan ko na kayo dyan" Yvonne said and walk inside the kitchen. 

"Investigator Hali Adral, what do I owe you a visit?" sambit ko ng makalapit sa lalaki. Umupo ako sa harapan nya at eleganteng pinagsaklop ang aking mga hita. I'm wearing a long pristine maxi dress that feels like a second skin. It has a lace fabric at the skirt while, my brown hair was perfectly ponytailed leaving no baby strands on my face. 

"Professor Gonzales is not on the mansion. We also found out that the mansion is not registered by his name" agarang sambit nito.

Natahimik ako sa sinabi nya at napaisip. Fuck...

"You mean, it's either this crime was executed perfectly and he wanted to leave no trail to avoid exposing his identity or... professor Gonzales intended to leave no trail, but when the investigation begins the scapegoat will reveal itself and the whole prosecution take the bait. Closed case."

"Yes" malamig nitong sambit. Napahilamos ako ng mukha ko at napayuko. 

"The scapegoat, is a reliable witness and might be the only key to make me win this case… No, Investigator don't let them find the scapegoat and the ID." I firmly said those last words and glance at him.

"Wha-what? I don't understand. Just like you said, he is the only witness and I thought you want me to find the ID." he looks surprised. I hide my smile and my head turn on the women who answered his question.

"Prosecutor Lachowski will use the scapegoat to protect the professor. After all, they have a history together and a secret to protect. Believe me, once they find him, we will lose this case." Elisha said coldly while her blue eyes darted on us. I breathed. Lumingon ako kay Investigator na nakatingin sakin at tumango rito. I am counting on you. 

I sighed and opened my eyes.

“I request to summon the victim to take a stand” sambit ng prosecutor. Nang pumayag ang judge ay mabagal na naglakad ako papunta sa harapan. Pagkatapos sambitin ang oath of the perjury ay naupo na ako at tumitig sa babaeng nasa harap ko.

‘Prosecutor Kreisha Lachowski’ I murmured inwardly.

“You said that Professor Franco Gonzales tried to raped you on October 10^th, Saturday midnight. Yes or no?”

Napalunok ako at napakuyom ng palad “Ye-s”

Tumitig sya sakin. Her eyes darkened and I saw a glimpse of anger in her eyes. “And you said that it was dark that time and you were drugeded? Tama ba ko?”

“Yes” I respond and nodded.

“You are a BS Toxicology student, right? Can you tell us what does the drug he injected you can do to one’s persons mind and body?”

Napahugot ako ng malalim na hininga at napamura ng mahina sa isip. I brushed my hair and played with my fingers under the table, at the top of my lap, before looking at her. I know what she is trying to do. And fuck it’s working if I answer her. It’s either pwede kong makuha ang simpatya ng judge at ng audience but them it can also use against me. This is bad…I bit my bottom lip.

The prosecutor in front of me is not pursuing the true criminal but protecting him instead.  

“Tell me Miss Folk, the persecution already have the results. But I want you to tell the people on the courtroom, what kind of drug is it and how does it affect a person?”

Huminga ako ng malalim bago magsalita “Clonazepam known as Klonopin, is a most potent drug of Benzodiazepines used for seizures and panic attacks. If used intravenously, it can lead to a serious side effects or disorders.”

“What are those side effects?” I pressed my lips and answered her again.

“Drowsiness, confusion, vertigo, numbness, impaired coordination, slow reflexes, slowed or stopped breathing, loss of consciousness and… death”  

Matapos kong sabihin iyon ay bahagya kong inilibot ang aking mga mata. I could see the pity of the people’s eyes on the courtroom. Napakagat ako ng labi. Then I saw the prosecutor smirked at me after what I darted my eyes on her. She moved towards her desk and get something. Bahagyang nanlaki ang mata ko. My left-hand tremble, so I tried to stop it under the table.  

He found it. The ID, but I said.... fuck

“Your Honor, I submitted medical record which states that the victim has the history of delusional disorder. I consult a psychiatry, Dr. Evangeline Chavez who stated that the traumatizing experiencing and drugs can trigger past disorders. Therefore, I conclude that the victim is experiencing a distorted memories as evidence by confusion and vertigo side effects of drug overdose..."

'No.... No, No... That's not true' 

I shook my head kasabay nang pag-bulong ko sa aking isip. Nalilito. Natatakot at higit sa lahat, naaawa ako saking sarili. Hindi na ko mapakali sa inuupuan ko. What the fuck is she doing? Nanginginig na napahigpit ako ng kapit sa paldang suot. Nakaramdam ako ng hilo. Pakiramdam ko masusuka ako sa kinauupuan ko ngayon. 

"...... causing her to point out the crime to the wrong person.” pagpapatuloy ng Prosecutor. 

"No" I whispered, shooking my head.

Bumuhos ang luha ko at nawala ang pagiging kalamdo na kanina lamang ay mayroon. Tila nauupos na kandila akong napatitig sa kawalan. Habang halo-halong boses ang aking naririnig. Sa loob ng courtroom ay umaalingawngaw ang samut-saring salita ng mga tao tungkol sa binanggit ng Prosecutor.

“What are you doing prosecutor?” the judge asked seriously. Prosecutor Lachowski smiled at him and spoke, which silence the entire people in the courtroom.

“Your honor, the prosecutor duty is to convict the criminal not the innocent. So, may I request to summon Mr. Gregory Walkers on the court, a student of Nightlight University Hospital who commits the offense of abduction, attempted rape and feticide.”

INVESTIGATOR HALI ADRAL

"What the fuck did you do Sabrina!?" I harshly grumbled. Binitawan ko ang mahigpit kong pagkakahawak sa braso neto nang makapasok kami sa office ko. 

Napahilot ako ng sentido at pabagsak na umupo sa swivel chair Nakakuyom ang mga palad na nag-angat ako ng tingin sa babae. She looks scared pero matapang na nakatingin lamang sakin habang nanginginig ang mga kamay na napahawak sa table na nasa harap ko. 

"I just passed the evidences with the office of Prosecution. Isn't the right thing to do Investigator?" she said. 

Napahinga ako ng malalim, pilit na pinapakalma ang sarili. No. I hide that evidence for a reason. I know that what Elisha and Miss Folk said is true. I did my own investigation and learned that Professor Gonzales is the father of my dead half-sister. My sister whom my mother loves so much that until now, she's grieving with her death.  

"You didn't ask my permission Sabrina." 

"The evidence are not yours Investigator. You should know that." matigas nitong binanggit iyon kahit nakikitaan ko parin ng takot ang kanyang mga mata. Just like my mother which is her auntie, she will not back down without a fight.

"I know that but it doesn't gave you the right to come here in my office and steal the evidence that I've gathered. You have no respect! I already said to you Sabrina that we are not cousin here. So you have no right to go here without my permission." I coldly said. 

Nangigigil na binagsak ko ang palad sa table at tumayo. Napaatras ang babae dahil doon. Malamig na tumingin ako sa pinsan ko. I know that she's helping my mother but I also that she has a point. I don't own that evidence but what Sabrina did is unforgivable.

It is not her business to begin with.

I sighed and mumble "Leave" 

"I'm sorry Hali but I know you. You have no intention to pass the evidence" 

Malamig na tumingin ako sa kanya. My lips quivered in annoyance. Putangina. Marahas akong nabuga ng hangin bago magsalita. 

"Don't pretend that you just did a good deed. We both know why you do that."