#TPTG36

"You ready mom?"

I glanced at her beside me. She has that worried expression written all over her face. I know that she's scared and nervous. As her daughter, I have to comfort her but as her lawyer, I have to be strong to defend her.

I held her hand. "Don't worry mom. This will be over soon."

Hindi siya sumagot. Diretso lamang ang tingin niya sa harap.

I am nervous as she is but I tried to be positive. Kailangan kong magpakatatag.

I took a deep breath as we enter the court. This is the first day for the first hearing. Everyone is all already present. There were people inside too. As I was walking, I saw the Guevarra's sitting on the front row. Tumingin ako kay mama at nakita ko siyang nakatingin sa kanila.

I squeezed her hand and gave her an assuring smile.

Binalik ko ang tingin sa kanila. Masama ang tingin nila sa'min, maslalo na kay mama. It's like they want to eat us alive. On the side, nagtama ang mata namin ng governor. He's glaring at me with a serious and cold expression. Hindi nagtagal ay umiwas din siya ng tingin.

Iginaya ko si mama sa harap at pinaupo siya sa tabi ko. I can still see them from the corner of my eyes watching us intently from yhe audience. I straightened my back and lifted my chin. Hindi na ako muling tumingin sa kanila.

Meanwhile, the prosecutors have arrived. There were three of them. Unang pumasok ay isang babae. She has this fierce and cold aura. It can make the presence of the room uncomfortable. Sunod ay isang lalaki. Pormal lamang ang itsura niya.

And finally, Keith arrived last. His side profile looks already serious. He's always been like that. Wala siyang pinapakitang emosiyon. I automatically fixed my poise when our eyes met. Hindi iyon nagtagal at umiwas din siya ng tingin.

I just checked mom beside me to check if she's alright. I didn't let go of her hand.

Binalik ko ang tingin sa harap. Nakita kong nakatingin sa'kin ang prosecutor na babae na katabi ni Keith. I don't know but there's something in her gaze that's telling me she knows me.

"All rise. The Court is now in session, the honorable Judge Brillantes presiding," the Bailiff announced

All of us stood up.

"State your name," Judge Brillantes ordered

I looked at mom beside me.

"Maria Cecilia Cervantez, Your Honor."

"You may be seated."

Lahat kami ay muling umupo.

"Do you understand all your rights Ms. Cervantez?"

"Yes, Your Honor."

Binalingan ng judge ang clerk. "Read the complaint."

The clerk stood up. "Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, this is a criminal case of homicide charged on Maria Cecelia Cervantez given on April 1, 2020 for allegedly killing Archie Fernandez II within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court, the above named accused, Maria Cecelia Cervantez unlawfully and with evident premeditation, that is, having conceived to kill Archie Fernandez, armed with a pistol gun, shot Archie on the front portion of his body which caused his death. The incident happened inside the office of Governor Guevarra."

I slowly clenched my fist in anger. They really think that mom was capable of killing him when in fact, it's the other way around.

"Is each and every juror here willing to take an oath, the highest form of promise that a citizen can give, that they will render an impartial verdict based solely on the evidence?"

"Yes judge," the jurors replied

"Members of the jury, your duty today will be to determine whether the defendant is guilty or not guilty based only in facts and evidence provided in this case. The prosecution must prove that a crime was committed and that the defendant is the person who committed the crime. However, if you are not satisfied of the defendants guilt to that extent, then reasonable doubt exists and the defendant must be found not guilty."

"Counsels, make your appearance."

The prosecutors all stood up.

"Your honor, my name is Atty. Paulo Arrelano, and I am representing the people of the Philippines in this case.

"Your honor, my name is Atty. Trisha Lopez and I am representing the people of the Philippines in this case."

Lastly, Keith faced the jude. "Your honor, my name is Atty. Keith Adrian Sanchez, and I am representing the people of the Philippines in this case."

After they introduced themselves, it's our turn next, the defense lawyers.

I was the last to introduced. I took a deep breath and faced everyone. "Your honor, my name is Atty. Felicity Maeve Cervantez, and I am representing the accused in this case."

"Is the prosecution ready?"

The prosecutors rose from their seat. "Yes your honor," they said in unison

"Is the defense ready?"

We stood up as well. "Yes, your honor."

"Does the prosecution wish to call any witness?" Judge Brillantes said

Atty. Lopez stood up. "Yes, Your Honor. The prosecution would like to call Mr. Melchor Guevarra."

I looked at the governor. Diretso lamang ang paningin niya. I held my mother's hand. I know that she saw the governor after the incident happened. Of course, he would assume that my my mother intentionally killed him. Sigurado akong ipagdidiinan niya iyon.

Agad na pinatong ng governor ang kamay niya sa Bibliya. "Do you solemnly swear that you will tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help you God?"

"I do," he firmly said

How could he hold the Bible like a saint when he's the devil himself? Buti ay hindi siya nasunog.

Everyone was watching us especially the whole Guevarra family. Pabalik balik din ang tingin nila sa'min. Base sa pagtitig nila ay para nila kaming sinusumpa ni mama...para bang hindi kami naging parte ng pamilya noon o baka umpisa palang ay hindi na talaga kami parte. They never treated us like we're part of the family. They just pretended to do so.

"State your name," Keith said in front of the governor

"I am Melchor Guevarra," he replied formally

"How are you related to the victim?"

"He's my nephew but I consider him as my son."

"And based on your statement, you also witnessed the incident. We would like to hear it."

He inhaled deeply before speaking. "I came back from work that day. Pagkadating ko sa mansion ay umakyat ako papuntang opisina at doon ko natagpuan ang duguang katawan ng pamangkin ko," he paused and glanced at my mom. "At...at nakita ko din doon si Cecelia, siyang may hawak ng baril."

In my head, I'm already cursing him to death but I remained calm while listening to his statement.

"Based on the forensics, fingerprints of the accused were found on the murder weapon which is the pistol gun. What do you think is the motive of Ms. Cervantez to kill the victim?"

Tumingin siya ng diretso kay Keith. "Because she's taking revenge on my family. She wanted to take over my position. Hindi rin namin siya kadugo. She's sick alright! I can prove it. We have a family doctor that can give her medical records."

Bahagyang nanlaki ang mata ko. I immediately looked at mom. Umawang ang labi niya.

"May we request our second witness to stand."

Tumingin ako sa isang doctor na tumayo. Pinalapit siya sa harap at pumwesto siya sa harapan ni Keith para magbahagi ng statement.

I'm not entirely familiar with him. Baka hindi ko na siya naabutan. I had no idea that we have a family doctor. Maybe he entered the mansion when I left...

"State your name," Keith began

"I'm Dr. Alfred Tan."

"And you are Ms. Cervantez doctor?"

He nodded. "Yes."

Keith took out a brown envelop and lent it to the doctor. "May you read what's indicated on the paper Dr. Tan."

I watch him as he slowly opened the envelop. "It states here that Ms. Cervantez was diagnosed with Atypical Depression."

How—

Para akong binuhusan ng malamig na tubig. I didn't know this information. Agad akong tumingin kay mama. Unti-unti siyang napayuko.

"What were the prescriptions that you have given to Ms. Cervantez? And what were the symptoms?" Keith asked

"Mostly are anti-depressants called monoamine oxidase inhibitor. For the symptoms, mood swings, anxiety, delusions, fatigue. Most of the time, she's hallucinating. May mga times na hindi siya fully aware at conscious sa ginagawa niya."

Keith nodded. "Well, with that being said, could this mean that she may be in the form of hallucination that's why she accidentally pulled the trigger at Mr. Fernandez that caused his death."

I rose from my seat. "Objection Your Honor!"

Keith lazily faced me. Walang halong emosiyon ang mukha niya.

"On what grounds?" the judge asked

"Creation of a material fact, Your Honor," I firmly said while not breaking eye contact to him

"Over-ruled."

I clenched my fist. Napapikit at napamura ako sa isip ko sa inis.

"Continue," he added and diverted his attention back to Keith

"As I was saying, we can conclude that Ms. Cervantez is capable of killing Archie Fernandez and it was not a mere self-defense. You cannot use your illness as an excuse. You are not innocent as you think you are Ms. Cervantez," he calmly said while looking at my mother

He's wrong. Mom would never do that. Whether it be accident or not.

Ilang sandali ay ako naman ang namahayag ng statement. Keith, on the other hand, returned to his seat.

"My client, Ms. Cervantez committed a justifiable homicide or should I say, self-defense. Archie Fernandez was the one who attacked her and put her in imminent danger."

"What are your evidence Atty. Cervantez?" the judge said

I gave him a brown envelop and inside it was her hospital records.

"One of the important elements of self-defense is unlawful aggression. Based on her hospital records, it is stated that she has been stabbed by a knife on her right thigh which caused a fatal wound. The murder weapon that was used was apparantly owned by Archie Fernandez and his fingerprints were also found on the knife which we can conclude that he tried to murder Ms. Cervantez," I stated

She gave me a weak smile. Agad akong umiwas ng tingin. I took a deep breath before I continue.

"Furthermore, she's also been choked by a rope. You can clearly see it by the photos shown inside the envelop. If it's not sufficient enough then you can check on her yourself. You can clearly see the mark that was left on her neck."

I fixed my posture and faced everyone. "Based on the evidence shown, she was, in fact, attacked by Archie Fernandez and the wounds inflicted were not her own doings. The defendant also stated that Mr. Archie Fernandez strangled her on the ground and with that, she was in the brink of her death that left her no other choice but to kill him before he does."

"Ms. Cervantez also left the premises of Mr. Guevarra because she was being abused by him. She wasn't taking revenge but rather she decided to stay away from you," mariin kong sabi habang nakatitig sa governor. "She never thought about killing Archie Fernandez. It's the other way around." Binalik ko ang tingin sa harap. "Second that can be justified is that there is lack of sufficient provocation on the defendant. This simply means that she did not provoke Mr. Fernandez or by any means. He was first one to attack and Ms. Cervantez did not do anything to cause that sudden action."

I diverted my attention back to my mother. I gave her a small smile, telling her that everything will be over soon. I saw Atty. De Guzman on the side. He nodded at me with encouragement.

"Fifteen minutes recess," Judge Brillantes announced

I saw Christian guided mom outside. I was about to follow them when the prosecutors went on the same direction as I did. Pinauna ko na sila. Nagtama ang mata namin nung Atty. Lopez. Iniripan niya ako at diretsong naglakad palabas.

"I expected more from you Attorney."

I didn't notice that Keith was behind me. Lumapit siya lalo kaya nasa tabi ko na siya ngayon pero diretso lang ang tingin niya sa harap.

Is he provoking me or something?

Sinundan ko siya ng tingin hanggang sa makalabas na rin ng korte.

***

"Felicity," tawag sa'kin ni Christian

My eyes were fixed on my mom.

"Ma..."

Nakayuko lamang siya.

"Are you okay?" I worriedly asked

She nodded. "Yes."

I gulped. "Why didn't you tell me about the doctor and...the medication?"

"Because I didn't want you to get worried. I am not crazy Fey. Yes, I was depressed because the governor physically and mentally abused me...they suddenly hired a physician and prescribed me with medication to cure my depression but it was useless."

"You should have told me at least.."

She slowly lifted her eyes on me. "Believe me Fey. Hindi ko sinasaktan ang sarili ko, sila ang nananakit sa'kin. They're trying to say that I'm a crazy woman but I'm not," she pleaded

Christian caressed her back and comforted her. Tumingin din siya sa'kin.

"Don't worry Felicity. You did well a while ago. Just keep going," he said

I looked at mom and held her hand. "I believe you mom. I believe you."

They can play dirty everytime they want but I'll make sure we'll win this fight. I'll never forgive them for what they did to her.

"Attorney. I think the prosecutors will now call Ms.Cervantez to testify. She has to be ready." Napatingin ako kay Christian pagkatapos niyang sabihin iyon

I nodded and faced my mother. "Mom. You have to prepare alright? Just tell them what happened. How Archie tried to kill you. Don't skip details and don't let them deceive you. Sigurado akong babaliktarin nila ang storya. Remember mom, you were just trying to defend yourself. Don't worry, I got your back to prove it."

She nodded. "I trust you Fey."

"Court hearing for the case of People v Cervantez resumes," the clerk announced

"May we request the accused to rise," Keith ordered

I looked at mom and nodded. She then went to the center where witnesses are being interrogated. Nakaupo si mama at magkatapat na sila ngayon ni Keith. 

My heart started beating wildly inside my chest. Tumaas ang balahibo sa katawan ko. This sight alone is already enough to crush my heart. I calmed my breathing and focused my attention to my mother only. 

Deep inside, I'm hoping that everything will go smoothly.

"Do you solemnly swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth?" he announced

Mom glanced at me while raising her right hand. "I do."

"State your name."

"I am Maria Cecilia Cervantez."

Keith only nodded and began to throw her some questions. He's holding a folder where the questions are.

"How long have you been staying at the mansion?"

"I'm not staying there anymore. I recently moved out.."

"But you have lived there for a long period of time, am I correct?"

She nodded. "Yes. Hindi ko na rin mabilang kung ilang taon ako tumira doon."

He glanced at her. "And during those years, what was the experience like? Because recently, everyone found out-"

"Objection your honor," I said and stood up

Binalingan ako ni Keith. "Relax Attorney. I'm just cross examining your client."

In the end, I wasn't able to do anything since the judge dismissed me and let Keith proceeded. Bumalik na ako sa pagkakaupo. Dinamayan ako ni Christian.

"In recent news, turns out that you're not a real Guevarra afterall. So you've lived with a fake identity for so many years," he stated

Napayuko si mama. "Y-yes. I'm not a Guevarra. Hindi kami mag-asawa ni governor. Hindi din," napahinto siya at hindi na tinuloy pa ang sasabihin

"If that's the case then, can you tell us using a few sentences your experience living with him?"

Her mouth gaped open, trying to find the right words to say. "At first he accepted me. Malaki rin ang natulong niya sa buhay ko. Tinanggap ako ng buong pamilya Guevarra. At first, I was happy."

Keith smiled weakly. "Even if you are lying to them the whole time for not being-"

"Ang iba ay alam pero pinagtakpan ako ng governor," agad niyang sagot

"So you must have had a stable life living with them. What made you move out? You must felt ashamed when everyone found out the truth."

I looked at mom who's having a hard time answering the questions. She couldn't even look at Keith in the eye. She must be intimidated and nervous by his mere presence.

"Oo mabait sila pero sa umpisa lang. Nag-iba ang trato nila sa'kin kaya ako umalis kasi hindi ko na kaya!"

I heard some of the people in the audience gasped, especially the Guevarra's. They looked insulted and offended. Masama ang tingin nila kay mama habang nagbubulungan. 

"Did you volunteered to leave or the governor himself kicked you out?"

Her lips parted. Hindi agad siya nakasagot. Napatingin siya kay Keith pero hindi iyon nagtagal.

"The answer must be the latter. So what made you come back to the mansion? Perhaps you want to take revenge that's why you murdered Mr. Archie Fernandez, the nephew of governor Melchor Guevarra."

Her eyes widened in shock, taken aback by what he said. "No! Hindi ko kailanman naisip o gawin iyon. You got it all wrong. Marami silang ginawang masama sa'kin. They're not good people. They mistreated me! They have done so much worse," she wailed

Keith, on the other hand, remained
calm. "Now you're trying to twist up your words to change the story. It's quite obvious how much you loath them that it triggered you to kill."

Namilog ang mata ko habang nakatingin kay Keith. He suddenly looked at my direction too. My lips slowly parted, holding back my tears when we made eye-contact. His eyes that inflicted another pain in my heart. 

I shifted my gaze back to my mom and my heart crushed even more when I saw her still mumbling some words to him, trying her best to explain but Keith showed no emotion at all. Not even a bit.

"I have no further questions your honor," he said and left her in utter shock