Chapter 27

Guilty

"The accused pleaded not guilty, your honor."

Inasahan ko na naman na iyon ang magiging sagot niya pero hindi ko pa rin talaga maiwasan ang pag-usbong ng pagkamuhi ko sa kanya.

Not guilty? How dare him lie again and again!

"Proceed," deklara ng judge. "Finding the motion for reconstitution of records sufficient in form and substance, this Court hearby grants and admits the evidence..."

I noticed a small movement coming from Attorney Mendez who sat in front. His back straightened.

"Proceed with the trial," continued the judge. "Who is your first witness?"

Attorney Domingo gave me a small tap on the arm.

Tumayo naman si Attorney Mendez at hinarap ang judge. "The victim herself, Jia Chen-Cua, your Honor."

Ikinuyom ko ang palad.

"Is she ready?"

Attorney Mendez turned his head to look at me. He gave me an encouraging nod.

"She is, your Honor."

"Call your witness," utos ng judge.

"May we call Jia Chen-Cua to come to the witness stand."

Tumayo na ako at naglakad na palapit sa stand. Walang naglakas ng loob na gumawa ng anumang ingay. It was so quiet that even my steps on the marble floor could be heard.

Huminto ako sa harap ng judge at court interpreter.

"Raise your right hand." Sinunod ko ang utos niya. "Do you swear or affirm to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth?"

"I do," may pananalig na sagot ko.

I stepped towards the stand and quietly took a seat there. My eyes refused to survey the room.

Lumapit sa'kin sa harapan si Attorney Mendez. His eyes were sharp.

"We offer the testimony of the witness-complainant to give proof that the accused committed the crime," Attorney Mendez pointedly said. "For the record, please state your name, status, and residence..."

I stated the information about myself.

"Miss Jia Chen, do you know Mr. Alec Von Cua, the accused in this case?"

Nagtiim-bagang ako. "Yes, I do."

"Can you please tell us how you know him?"

"He's my... husband."
Namayani ulit ang bulong-bulungan sa loob ng korte.

"How long have you two been married?"

"Two years."

"And prior to your marriage, how long have you known each other?"

"I don't really know the exact number," I answered. "We are in the same circle."

"So is it safe to say that you've known him enough, with all of those years?"

"Objection, your Honor," sabad ng abogado ni Alec. "It is not a question but a statement and is irrelevant to the case."

"Sustained. Please ask your question."

"Is it safe to say that you could never mistake Mr. Alec Von Cua for someone else?" tanong ni Attorney Mendez.

"Yes. I could never mistake him for someone else."

He nodded. "What happened on the night of January 23rd, 2023?"

I paused, trying to play it all over again in my mind. Reliving the reality of my nightmares every night in my head.

"I was dragged by two men inside the black SUV against my will," pagkukuwento ko. "Bago pa ako nawalan ng malay, nakita ko si Alec sa may front seat."

"Please tell us your recollection of the events moving forward."

I inhaled shakily. My nerves were kicking in. Pumikit ako at bumaha ulit sa'kin ang masasamang alaala.

"I woke up in the cold room." My voice sounded far away. "I felt the concrete floor. Hindi ko alam kung nasaan ako. I screamed for help... but no one came to save me..." Nanliit ako sa sarili dahil sa kahinaan ng boses ko.

"Please go on, Miss Jia."

Dumilat ako. It was dark again as if I was still in that small room.

"Bumukas ang pinto," pagpapatuloy ko. "May pumasok at naglapag ng lampara sa sahig. I saw a plate of food on the floor. I was so hungry. Pinigilan ko ang sarili ko na kainin iyon dahil sa takot na baka may lason."

"What happened after that?"

"Bumukas ulit ang pinto. May pumasok ulit. I saw a Rolex. It was Alec."

"What was your reaction when you saw the accused?"

"Objection, your Honor! Irrelevant. It does not tend to prove the fact in issue."

"Overruled," responded the judge.

"What happened next?" Attorney Mendez clenched his jaw.

I bit on my lips just to stop them from shaking.
"He was holding a bat." That same horror filled me again. I closed my eyes just to keep my focus. "I b-begged him... I begged him to stop. I told him I was s-scared."

Nalasahan ko sa labi ang sariling luha dahil sa pagpatak nito.

"What did your husband, Alec Von Cua, do with the bat that was on his hand, Miss Jia?" Attorney Mendez's voice turned gentle.

Huminga ako nang malalim. Matapang akong dumilat at sa wakas ay tiningnan na si Alec sa mga mata. He was crying as well.

"He hit me with it." I hissed in pain.

I saw him painfully closed his eyes. I saw how his jaw clenched. I saw how his chest moved as his breathing ragged.

"Did you lose consciousness?"

I shook my head at my attorney's question. "No. I wish I did."

"Why is that?"

Huminga ako ng malalim bago sinagot ang tanong.

"Kung nawalan lang sana ako ng malay, hindi ko na sana naramdaman pa ang sakit," I softly answered. "But I felt every pain. Every pain he inflicted on me reminded me that it was all real."

"Was there ever a moment that the pain finally stopped?"

Umiling ako. "It only got worse. Night after night."

Attorney Mendez paused for his next question. "Do you pray, Miss Jia?"

"Yes, I do."

"What was your prayer in those nights?"

I paused for a while. Everyone was quiet as they waited for my answer.

"Na sana mamatay na ako para matapos na," pag-amin ko.

"In one of those nights that you prayed, what else happened?"

"He raped me," I gritted.

"If he is in this court room, will you please point at him?"

I breathed in and slowly raised my hand. I looked at Alec. His hair is shorter. He looked like he hadn't slept for a while. He was wearing a black suit.

He was looking at me with so much emotions. Pity, pain, regret. I pointed a finger his way without any hesitations.

"No further questions, your Honor."

Bumalik si Attorney Mendez sa gawi ng legal team ko. He sat next Attorney Domingo. Pumalit naman sa puwesto niya sa harapan ang defense attorney ni Alec.

"Do you have any questions for cross-examination," tanong ng judge sa abogado ni Alec.

"Yes, Your Honor."

"Proceed."

"Miss Jia, why were you in Malapascua?" Alec's defense attorney asked.

"I... I left him."

"By him, do you mean your husband, Mr. Alec Von Cua?"

"Yes."

"I see. What is your relationship with Kai Morales in Malapascua?"

Naitikom ko ang bibig. Hindi ko inasahan na madadawit si Kai rito.

"You lived with him and his daughter for a year in Malapascua. Can you describe to me your relationship with them while you're still married to your husband Mr. Alec Von Cua?"

Tumalim ang tingin ko sa kanya. "Kaibigan ko sila. Kinupkop nila ako—"

"Was Kai Morales the reason why you ran away from your husband, Miss Jia?"

"Objection. Speculation," Attorney Mendez' interrupted.

"Sustained. Please answer the question."

"No. Kaibigan ko si Kai," pagtanggi ko. "Walang namamagitan sa'ming dalawa."

"Why did you marry Mr. Alec Von Cua?"

"Objection. Relevance. Foundation," si Attorney Mendez.

"Sustained," tugon ng judge sabay mariing titig sa abogado ni Alec. "If you can just lay the foundations."

"Your family's company were losing. You entered a pragmatic marriage with my client, Mr. Alec Von Cua because your family needed the financial boost. People were saying that you were even forced into the marriage. You never loved him—"

"Objection. Speculation again. Hearsay!"

"I will accept the objection as hearsay," saad ng judge. "Next question, please."

Umigting ang panga ng abogado ni Alec. He looked like he was about to strike but was only forced to stop.

"When you lost your baby," aniya nang makabawi, "did you or did you not blame your husband, Mr. Alec Von Cua?"

May pait na kumalat sa sikmura ko dahil sa naging tanong ng defense attorney. Mahirap man ay mas pinili ko pa ring tatagan ang sarili.

"Yes, I did blame him."

He seemed satisfied with my answer. "Before you left him, you offered him an annulment. Was that out of anger of losing your baby?

I looked at Alec once again. Mas lalo lang sumiklab ang galit ko sa kanya dahil sa pagdamay sa anak namin sa korte. He was even using our unborn baby as a shield to cover up his crimes.

"Yes, I was angry," pag-amin ko. "But I did not want any—"

"Were you angry enough that you would accused him of rape just to get your revenge—"

"Objection. Leading!"

"Overruled," kalmanteng responde ni Judge Lagdameo. "I will accept the question as this is not a direct examination but a cross examination. Please, proceed to your question."

Alec's defense attorney looked very satisfied as he nodded at the judge. "Thank you, Your Honor." Muli niya akong tiningnan. "Were you so angry when you lost your baby that when you finally got the chance to plot your revenge, you'd accuse my client of rape?"

"Oo! Galit na galit ako noong nawala ang baby," I spat. "Yes, I blamed him for it! He cheated on me reason why I lost my baby. But I... I would never paint myself as a... as a rape victim because of it! Kahit kailan hindi ko hihilingin na maranasan ang bangungot na 'yon." I looked at Alec with angry tears. "Ang bangungot na ipinaranas mo sa'kin dahil sa kawalanghiyaang... g-ginawa mo!"

I put a hand on my chest because it was already hard to breathe. I felt like the entire court room was closing in on me.

"Lumayo ako para kalimutan ang lahat lahat," hirap na pagpapatuloy ko. "I wanted peace and freedom. Gusto kong huminga ulit kasi... kasi hirap na hirap na akong huminga..." Bumuhos na ang mga luha ko. Maski na nanlabo na ang paningin ko dahil sa walang tigil na pagbuhos ng luha ay nakuha ko pa ring tingnan ang mga tao sa loob ng korte. They were looking at me sympathetically. Some of them wiped their tears as they cried with me.

"G-Gusto ko lang namang h-huminga at maging... maging masaya." My whole body shook. "If I can't be happy, I just wanted to be safe again... Maski 'yon na lang sana."

I looked at my legal team. Masinsinang nag-uusap sina Attorney Domingo and Attorney Mendez. Inilipat ko ang tingin kay Alec. Nagbago na ang isip ko. I wanted to see him. I wanted him to see how broken I had become because of him.

"Bakit pati 'yon 'di mo maibigay sa'kin?" tanong ko sa kanya sa nagsusumamong boses. "You were supposed to protect me! Minahal kita! Nagtiwala ako sa'yo!" I screamed so loud I thought I'd break.

The judge said something. I did not stop.

"Pa'no na ako mabubuhay nito? Pa'no mo nagawa sa'kin 'yon!" sunod-sunod na paglabas ko ng galit.

I was so angry. Nagdilim na ang paningin ko. Ni hindi ko napansin ang sumunod na nangyari. Bigla na lang nasa tabi ko na sina Attorney Domingo at Attorney Lake.

My entire body went cold. I was numb that I could not even move my legs anymore. Inalalayan nila akong dalawa para makaalis sa stand. Dumalo na rin sa'kin ang iba pang kasama sa legal team.

I went back to my seat. Nilapitan ako ni Kuya Lee. He looked so concerned. Pumasok na rin sa loob ng korte si Feng. She hugged me as well.

The judge asked my legal team if I would still be able to go on with the trial. I assured them that I would be fine. I did not understand what was happening after my outburst.

I saw Alec angrily arguing with his defense attorney. His attorney looked exasperated. It was so confusing to me. Later after that my attorney and Alec's were called by the judge to approach the bench.

Pagkatapos ng ilang minutong masinsinang pag-uusap ay bumalik si Attorney Mendez at nag-usap ulit sila ni Jok. When their conversation ended, Attorney Domingo turned to me.

"Are you okay? You have to calm down, Jia," marahang paalala niya sa akin.

"I know," pag-amin ko. "I just..."

"Are you ready to go back to the stand?" Si Attorney Mendez ang nagtanong nito.

"Oo," sagot ko at tumayo na para ipakitang kaya ko pa. They let me.

I walked back to the stand. The murmurs in the room resumed. Tahimik akong muling naupo.

Alec's defense attorney went back in front. Napansin ko ang pagbabago sa awra niya. Naging tila ba maamo na siya.

"Miss Jia, how were you able to ascertain that it was Mr. Alec Von Cua who raped you, given that it was very dark when the incident happened?"

"As I stated, the lamp illuminated his face in one of those dark nights..."

"In one of those nights, sabi mo nga. So in some nights, you did not really see his face?"

"I..." natutop ko ang sasabihin. He got me cornered. "He was wearing a Rolex—"

"Anyone can wear a Rolex, Miss Jia!" he stated mockingly. "I was asking if you can really confirm in this court, positively, that it was indeed Mr. Alec Von Cua, my client, you saw!"

"It was him!" gigil na sagot ko. "I could never be wrong..."

"Was there any distinguishing mark which would enable you to establish that it was indeed Mr. Alec Von Cua who hit and raped you?"

"It was his face I saw," giit ko. "I married him, Attorney. Bakit ako magkakamali sa pagtukoy sa sarili kong asawa?"

"Bakit nga ba hindi, Miss Jia? Ikaw na rin ang nagsabi, hindi ba? It was dark."

"Objection, Your Honor. The defense is being argumentative."

"Sustained. If you can just ask your question properly, Attorney Albuero," ang judge.

The defense attorney glanced at Alec. He sighed and shook his head a bit.

"None, Your Honor," he answered. "No further questions."

I was told to stand up and leave the witness stand. After a few minutes, Attorney Mendez went back in front.

"With the permission of this Honorable Court, may I call our second witness for her testimony, Your Honor?"

"Call your next witness, Counsel."

"Our second witness is Miss Fely Yang." Tumingin si Attorney Mendez sa deriksiyon kung nasaan si Feng, sa bandang likuran ko.

I glanced at my friend and saw her standing up. Humugot siya ng isang malalim na paghinga at pagkatapos ay naglakad na papunta sa harapan. She looked at me and gave me a small smile. Naupo siya sa witness stand.

Attorney Mendez proceeded in asking her some questions. Hindi ko naman nakitaan ng kaba si Feng sa bawat pagsagot niya. Her eyes did not survey the room. Nakatuon lang ang buong atensiyon niya kay Attorney Mendez. Minsan din ay sumusulyap siya sa banda ko.

Kinuha rin bilang isa sa witnesses ko ang katulong galing sa mansiyon ng pamilya ko na isinama ko noong ikinasal kami ni Alec. She gave a testimony about how we were at home. Hindi niya kinaligtaan ang detalye noong nagbasag si Alec ng kanyang baso dahil sa galit. Our driver was also asked to be on the stand. I long accepted that the case would be messy because of the people involved.

Ang panghuling testimonya na pinakinggan ay mula sa doktor na nag check sa akin sa isla. My legal team told me that it would strengthen the case because of its credibility. Ang testimonya ng doktor ang magpapatunay na na-rape nga ako at nagtamo ng injuries.

It was long hours of questioning. Sometimes I'd listened, other times I would try to zone out.

Eventually, the morning session was over. The judge announced a recess. Nagsitayuan na ang lahat pagkatapos lumabas ng judge. I and my legal team stood as well.

Alec and his legal team remained on their seats. They were in some sort of a heated argument.

Ayaw manatili ng mga mata ko kay Alec. When Attorney urged me to exit the room, I obediently followed.

We went out and dined in an exclusive restaurant for lunch. My brother was not able to join us because of an urgent meeting in the company.

Tahimik kaming dalawa ni Feng habang kumakain. Abala naman sa usapan tungkol sa trial ang mga kasamahan naming abogado. Hindi kami nagtagal sa restaurant.

We went back to the court room earlier than the announced time of resumption.

Alec and his team went back later on. Minutes later, some security went inside the court room. Pumasok si Senator Caleb Del Fuego. He quietly sat at the back corner of Alec's legal team.

The last thing I saw before looking away was him tapping at Alec's back probably as a display of emotional support.

Binalot ako ng takot at pangamba. Alec is already powerful on his own. But with a famous senator behind him, it made him even more untouchable.

The judge finally entered and we all stood. Ilang sandali pa ay nagpatuloy na ang trial.

Alec's witnesses were called. I saw the familiar face of his head of security. He was asked on the stand for his testimony. Isa sa mga katulong din namin dati ay nagbigay ng testimonya pabor sa kanya. I felt betrayed all over again.

Mag-aalas kuwatro na nang si Alec naman ang tinawag na maupo sa stand. Namayani bigla ang katahimikan sa loob ng korte. I looked down as he took the seat. Kahit hindi ako nakatingin sa kanya, ramdam ko naman ang masidhing titig niya.

"Please state your name in this court for the record," panimula ng kanyang defense attorney.

"I am Alec Von Cua," malalim na boses niya. He then continued giving information about himself.

"For clarification, what is your relationship with the complainant?"

I heard him paused for a while. "She's my wife."

"Where were you on the night of January 23rd, 2023?"

"I was in my residence in Manila."

"So you were never in Malapascua on that specific date?"

"Yes. One of the witnesses earlier can confirm to that."

"When you learned that your wife had left you, how did you feel about it?"

"Hopeless. Lost," tipid na sagot niya.

"Bakit hindi mo siya pinigilan?"

"Because I know that she's hurting," marahang paliwanag niya. "When we lost... our baby, I knew I was slowly losing her as well."

"When she repeatedly asked for an annulment, bakit hindi mo siya pinagbigyan?"

"Dahil matigas ang pagmamahal ko. And I regret it. God knows how much I regret it. Sana pala pinagbigyan ko na lang siya. Kung pumayag lang sana ako agad sa annulment na hinihingi niya, 'di na sana siya... Hindi na sana nangyari ang lahat ng 'yon sa kanya."

"Anong nararamdaman mo ngayon na pinararatangan ka ng asawa mo na siyang pasimuno sa pagdukot sa kanya, and even accusing you of rape?"

I gritted my teeth. Hindi kaagad nakasagot si Alec.

"I don't know how to feel anymore," he said hoarsely. "I did not do it. I could never..." Dinig na dinig ang hirap na paghinga niya bago siya nakapagpatuloy. "I just want her to be okay. I just want this to be over and for her to be okay."

"How much do you love your wife, Mr. Cua?"

The question was greeted with silence. I finally looked up. Alec was not looking at me anymore. He was looking at his attorney.

He smiled but his eyes showed sadness. "I wish... I wish I can bring justice for her," he said sharply. "I know she's in so much pain right now. I wish I can say I did all those things to her just so she can finally get past these dark moments in her life. But I didn't do those awful things to her."

"You did not answer the question, Mr. Cua," his defense attorney patiently pointed out. "The question was, how much do you love your wife?"

Seryoso niyang ginawaran ng tingin ang kanyang abogado.

"I'm willing enough to go to prison."

His own defense attorney suddenly looked nervous. He cleared his throat. "Mr. Alec Von Cua, what I was asking—"

"This trial is taking a toll on her emotionally," matigas na pagputol ni Alec sa sariling abogado. "She already suffered enough and going through all of these is just reminding her again of what she went through. I want all of these to be over for her."

For the very first time, his defense attorney looked dumbfounded. He threw a panic glance at the rest of his legal team. It was like he was thrown under a bus. All of his efforts for his client were done for.

"If the only way for her to heal and be at peace is to pin the crime on me," mabigat na pagpapatuloy ni Alec, "then let's end this. I am guilty."