Chapter 52

I knew this would happen, but it still surprised me when I was called to the judge's chamber. I submitted the amended complaint. I named all the names that I wanted to name—I didn't hold back. Not one fucking bit. I knew that this would be dangerous. I knew that if any, I had one chance to do everything, so had to do it correctly.

"Good afternoon," bati ko sa kanya.

He didn't even give me a look. Hindi ko alam kung ano ang ineexpect ko—na sasabihin niya rin ba na magbackoff ako? But then again, Lui already saw this coming. Kung sinuman ang nabili nilang judge, we'd get rid of him. Not literally, of course. Hindi pa naman ako nasisiraan ng ulo.

"I have read the amended complaint," panimula niya. Nanatili akong naka-tayo roon. I was already prepared to hear him tell me to back-off... o kaya ay bawasan iyong mga pangalan na naka-lagay doon. I mean, it wouldn't be the first time.

"Are you prepared for this?" Bahagya akong natigilan. Naramdaman niya ata iyong pagka-bigla ko kaya naman tumingin siya sa akin. Tinanggal niya iyong reading glass niya at saka inilagay 'yon sa lamesa. "I asked you a question, Atty. Hernaez."

Agad na umayos ako ng tayo. "Yes, Your Honor," sagot ko. "I am prepared."

Binigyan niya ako ng maliit na tango. "Very well." Bahagyang napaawang iyong labi ko. Agad niyang napansin. "What? Did you expect something else from me?"

I debated between lying and being honest... and I decided on the latter. "Yes, Your Honor," seryoso kong sagot. "If you did, honestly, it wouldn't be the first time."

"I know," simpleng sagot niya. Hindi ako nakapagsalita ulit. Ano naman ang sasabihin ko? Itatanong ko kung magiging patas ba siya? "Do your best. I will decide based on the letter and spirit of the law," sabi niya na para bang nabasa niya kung ano ang nasa isip ko. "This case will attract the interest of a lot of people—both with pure curiosity and those who have vested interest. Make it so that when I make my decision, no one can question it."

I felt a lump on my throat. I felt my chest tightening a bit. Alam ko naman na hindi lahat ng judge ay corrupt... pero iba pa rin pala kapag naka-kita ka ng judge na magbibigay ng pag-asa sa 'yo na hindi pa huli ang lahat.

Nagpasalamat ako kay Judge Genero bago ako lumabas sa may chamber niya. Nagka-salubong kami ni Iñigo. I gave him a small nod. I knew that this was just work and I will do my best to not take things personally. I appreciated the head's up he gave me.

Dumiretso ako pauwi sa condo. I just had to re-check my files para sa arraignment at preliminary hearing bukas. I'd read these files over and over again na para bang kabisado ko na lahat ng naka-lagay dito. I felt like throwing up. Gusto kong magrelax, pero hindi ko magawa. I felt like I had to prepare over and over again.

But I also knew that I needed to calm down—I couldn't let my nerves get the best of me. Dahil kahit gaano pa ako ka-handa, kapag kinabahan ako, possible na magkamali ako... And to think na si Iñigo pa iyong nasa opposing counsel. I knew that if I let him get a foot in the door, he'd bust it wide open—I knew because that's what I'd do, as well.

Gusto kong tawagan si Tito, but I decided against it. I knew that as much as he believes in justice, mas mahal niya ako bilang pamangkin niya. He'd just tell me again na hindi naman kailangan ako ang gumawa nito—na bakit ba ako ang gumagawa nito?

"Do you need anything?" Lui asked nang sagutin niya iyong tawag ko. He immediately picked up. Simula nung bahagyang nagalit ako sa kaya dahil hindi niya agad nasagot ang tawag ko dahil naliligo siya, mabilis na siyang sumagot ngayon.

"No," sagot ko. "Everything's in order."

Hindi agad siya nagsalita. He probably wanted to ask me kung bakit ako tumawag kung wala naman pala akong kailangan. I didn't want to tell him that I just wanted to hear his voice... because somehow, after him always assuring me that everything will be fine, my brain had associated him to... calm.

Kahit siya naman ang numero unong gumugulo sa utak ko talaga dati.

"Sasama ka ba bukas?" tanong ko sa kanya.

"Yes."

"Hindi ba sila magagalit sa 'yo?"

I knew that he's still playing both sides. I was worried for him, but I knew that he knew what he was doing. I just needed to trust him.

"They know we're together," he said. "It's not like it's a secret."

I wanted to ask him why after all these years, hindi pa rin niya sinasabi sa kanila na matagal na kaming tapos. Even some of the people I knew na hindi ko naman ka-close ay iniisip na kami pa rin—because Lui wouldn't delete my photo in his Instagram account. It was the only photo he posted. Of course people would think we're still together.

"Dahil ba... meron pa rin sa frat niyo na may balak sa akin?" I asked. I just wanted an answer.

"Yes," he said. "A lot of people are waiting to take you down a notch."

I pressed my lips together. It wasn't a surprise. After all, law is still a male-dominated field. Alam ko na maraming abogado ang inis sa akin. Swerte nila na wala akong pakielam.

"Tomorrow," panimula niya. I tuned in to every word. "Don't get out of my sight."

"It's just arraignment," sabi ko.

"Yes."

"Hindi naman madidismiss, 'di ba?"

"Hindi," sagot niya. "You saw the files."

"I know," I said. "Then the bail..."

"You'll request for remand."

"I definitely will," sabi ko sa kanya. "But what if they'll use the same tactics as the others? Gamitin na naman nila iyong old age?" I asked him. I already knew what I'd be doing tomorrow. Of course I knew what I'll be doing. I imagined this procedure like it was second to breathing.

But I wanted to hear his thoughts—because his take on things fascinated me. We're on the opposite ends of the spectrum.

"Are you just making small talk?" tanong niya. "Because this is just bail. Alam ko na alam mo na iyong gagawin."

Mabuti na lang at naka-call lang kami. I would have hated for him to see the look on my face when he pointed out what I was doing.

"Never mind," I said to try to salvage what was left of my pride. "I just want to cover all bases dahil si Iñigo iyong opposing counsel."

I wanted to ask Lui kung may hawak ba iyong mga Villamontes kay Iñigo, but decided against it. As Iñigo said, this wasn't his first rodeo. Alam niya naman siguro ang ginagawa niya.

"I'll be there with you tomorrow," he said like he was trying to pacify me. As if he could feel the worry I was feeling.

"Alam ko."

"Just do your best," sabi niya. "Whatever you lack, I'll provide."

And somehow, his words felt like magic that calmed me down.

* * *

Contrary to when I first formally got involved in the case, ngayon ay marami ng media sa labas ng court house. I didn't know for sure kung dahil ba public records naman lahat 'to o may kinalaman ba si Lui... either way, this was better. Tama nga si Judge na basta gawin ko lang lahat. Iyong tipong hindi maku-kwestyon ang magiging desisyon niya. Maraming mata ang naka-tingin.

"Ready?" Lui asked. Naka-park kami. Dito pa lang ay rinig na rinig ko na iyong boses ng mga reporters.

"As ready as I could be," I replied.

Papa-labas na sana kami nang may biglang huminto na sasakyan. I didn't know if it was deliberate... o kung nagkataon lang talaga. If it were the former, ang kapal naman ng mukha nila. Talagang iyong kaparehong van pa ang ginamit nila.

It was as if Lui felt the anger that was brewing inside my chest. Napa-tingin ako nang bigla niyang hawakan iyong kamay ko. He didn't let go of my hand kahit naka-tingin na ako sa kanya.

"We already saw this coming," he said.

"We did?"

He nodded and then looked outside and motioned me para tumingin din doon. Napaawang iyong labi ko. Of course... bakit ba ako nagulat pa? Of course naka-wheelchair Reynaldo Villamontes.

"Nakita mo siya last week. Tama ba?" tanong ko kay Lui. Tumango siya habang pinapa-nood namin na alalayan siya ng mga nurse at mga bodyguards niya.

God, I could already see some people eating this up... Kesyo matanda na... Bakit? Kapag matanda ba, hindi na dapat accountable?

"This is just theatrics," sabi ni Lui. "Makikita mo na naka-neck braces na rin sila kapag nagsimula na si Achilles sa ibang mga kaso."

I looked at Lui. My lips were pressed together. Did he just try to crack a joke?

"Let's go," sabi ni Lui. Napa-tingin din ako sa labas nang sabihin niya 'yon. Lumabas si Iñigo sa sasakyan. He was only carrying a brief case. Mas nakaka-kaba kapag walang masyadong dala iyong kalaban mo.

Sabay kaming bumaba ni Lui. You'd think na kami iyong may ginawang kasalanan dahil may security din kami. Diretso kaming naglakad. Villamontes was giving an interview. It's fine. Whatever he says publicly can be used against him, anyway. I was sure that Iñigo advised against it. I was sure that Villamontes thought it was harmless anyway—or that he's untouchable either way.

"This is clearly a harassment against my family," rinig kong sabi niya nang maka-lapit kami. "We are still mourning the loss of our grandson, but our family will not let this slide. We will not let anyone besmirch the legacy of our family."

I was quietly watching them nang mapa-tingin siya sa gawi ko. I didn't give him any reaction. Tama naman si Lui—this was just theatrics. I would not give him any satisfaction of getting me riled up.

"Atty. Hernaez!" sabi ng isang reporter na naka-pansin na nanonood din kami. "Any comment sa statement?"

"No comment," I simply said. "It's an ongoing case."

I tried to look as professional as possible. I even wore dark neutral colors. I knew that although this is a legal matter, public perception also matters. If I dress the way I usually do, some people won't take me seriously. I needed to look tough—at least during the duration of this case.

Nagpatuloy ako sa paglalakad. Napa-tigil ako nang may biglang humawak sa braso ko. Pagtingin ko roon ay agad ng nawala iyong kamay sa braso ko dahil natanggal na agad iyon ni Lui. I looked at him with my forehead creased. I thought no making public splash?

"Mayroon ba talagang kinalaman ang pamilya Villamontes sa nangyaring massacre?" tanong sa akin nung reporter.

I normally wouldn't answer, but since Lui already grabbed him, I did. "I will let the evidence speak for itself," sagot ko bago tuluyang naglakad na papasok sa may court.

Naupo ako sa pwesto ko. Nasa likuran si Lui. I briefly closed my eyes and drew deep breaths. I shut down all the noises temporarily hanggang sa dumating na si Judge.

We all stood up and followed procedure. The clerk stood up, and read the amended complaint. "On November 23, a vehicle, carrying Patricia Santiago, star witness in the case of People v dela Serna," panimula. We all stood in silence habang isa-isang binabasa iyong pangalan ng iba pang naka-sakay sa sasakyan na 'yon. I could vividly remember the feeling...

Iyong panlalamig ng buong pagkatao ko.

Iyong pag-iisip ko na may kinalaman si Lui—na sinadya niya na hindi agad ako maka-punta roon dahil alam niya lahat ng mangyayari.

I hated that it could be his dying declaration, pero hindi pa rin siguro ako maniniwala na wala siyang kinalaman doon... na kahit kaunti, wala siyang alam.

He must've known...

"At around 10AM, the convoy of vehicle was stopped at a checkpoint along the road in Bgry. Sulok, Antipolo. The checkpoint was secured by people who introduced themselves as part of the military. While the inspection was ongoing, a group of heavily armed men, allegedly part of the private military of the Cantavieja family, swooped in and ordered all the passengers of the vehicles to step out and lie on the ground. Their personal belongings were taken from them including their mobile phones, cameras, and wallet.

The group was driven to a remote area in the same municipality. Minutes later, gunfire was reported in the same municipality. At around 4PM, military and police were deployed to the area, but nothing was found. Three weeks later, after an anonymous tip, the crime scene was identified. The police was able to recover the mutilated bodies of the 20 missing corpses bearing multiple gunshot wounds. The bodies were later identified as the missing passengers of the missing convoy."

Naka-tingin lang ako sa mga kamay ko. I wanted someone to hold my hand to stop me from trembling. I shouldn't be afraid... wala naman akong ginawang masama.

"Wherefore, premises considered, let the corresponding information for murder as provided for under Art 248 of the Revised Penal Code be filed against Reynaldo Villamontes in the proper court."

Napa-tingin ako sa gawi nila. I chewed on my inner lip habang tinutulungan siya na tumayo.

"How do you plead?" tanong ni Judge.

"Not guilty, Your Honor," sagot niya.

Ibinalik ko iyong tingin ko kay Judge. Cases like this, remand talaga. But I had no idea about the tricks Iñigo had in his sleeves. Of course client niya pa rin 'yon.

"Your Honor," Iñigo began. "Mr. Villamontes is a respected member of the society with no prior criminal history. We have also prepared a copy of his medical history to prove that he is not a flight risk. His physician strongly advised bed rest for Mr. Villamontes. He also has a strong ties in a society. And also, given his old age and precarious health, we request house arrest, Your Honor."

"Atty. Hernaez?" tanong sa akin ni Judge nang hindi agad ako makapagsalita. Ang kapal talaga ng mukha.

Quickly, I drew a deep breath.

"Your Honor, as seen in the discoveries submitted, the evidence of guilt in this case is strongly against the accused. Additionally, we have evidence to prove that not even a week ago, the accused was seen going around his town—without a wheelchair in sight," sabi ko sabay pakita nung envelope na inabot sa akin ni Lui kanina. He really... scares me. "The prosecution requests remand, Your Honor."

"Your Honor, as stated in the medical certificate provided by my client's physician, given the old age of my client, the risk of his illness worsening if remand be granted—"

"Your Honor, the prosecution will agree to a house arrest provided that a physician of our choosing will also perform the tests that Atty. Borromeo keeps on talking about," mabilis na sagot ko.

Rinig na rinig ko iyong tibok ng puso ko habang naghihintay sa susunod na sasabihin ng judge.

"Your Honor, given the severity of the charge against the accused—"

"This is only a bail hearing, Atty. Hernaez," pagputol niya sa sasabihin ko. "Save your oral arguments for your cross," dugtong niya. "Bail is denied." Napaawang iyong labi ko. "Accused will be remanded but will be given round the clock care."

Halos hindi ako maka-galaw kahit na na-dismiss na kami. I almost flinched when I felt someone's hand on my shoulder, but I quickly relaxed nang maramdaman ko na si Lui 'yon.

"Gusto kong masuka," sabi ko habang naglalakad kami palabas ng korte at inaalalayan niya ako. A group of reporters hounded us, but Lui shielded me from everyone hanggang maka-balik kami sa sasakyan.

"First win," he said. "Congrats."

I looked at him. "Can you hold my hand?"

Napa-kunot ang noo niya tapos ay napa-tingin siya sa mga kamay ko na nanginginig. It was like he knew what I was asking for and held my hand and gave me comfort. We sat in silence while he was holding my hand.

I never knew a simple hand holding could be so comforting. 

**

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