Untying the Rope (Mujer Fuerte Series #1)

Chapter 19 : ATTORNEY

I thought I can slay law school but it turns out, it slayed me.

Halos mamatay na ako sa pagod dahil sa araw-araw na recit at pagda-digest ng mga kaso.

Ang mas nakakapagod pa, halos lahat ng kaso na dina-digest ko ay puro kaso ng mga rape.

Na-titrigger ako pero pinipilit ko ang sarili kong umayos. Tutal ay kailangan ko ito.

Kung hindi ko kayang mag basa ng kaso ng iba, paano ko maipaglalaban ang kaso ko?

Dapat na talagang masanay ako sa ganito. Hindi man madali, pero lagi ay kakayanin.

It was a hot afternoon when I had lunch at the school's cafeteria. I ordered vegetables and rice, with bottled water.

Habang kumakain ay nagbabasa pa rin ako ng kaso. Medyo hindi nga na-poprocess ng utak ko na kumakain pala ako dahil ibang information ang nakakalap niya.

In-expect ko na naman na ganito ang magiging buhay ko sa law school. Wala halos pahinga at libreng oras.

Talagang nasanay lang akong mag manage ng oras ko, kaya napagsasabay ko pa ang pagtatrabaho at pag-aaral.

Simula no'ng mamuhay ako mag-isa, ako na ang bumuhay para sa sarili ko. Kaya lahat ng pagod at hirap ng buhay ay naiintindihan ko. Lagi kong ginagawang pampalubag loob ay nahihirapan man ako ngayon, sagana naman ako sa hinaharap.

I do believe that time heals all wounds. Because as time goes by, slowly, I know I am healing.

Hindi madalian ang proseso ng pagbangon kong muli. Pero alam kong unti-unti... alam ko sa sarili ko na makakabangon ako nang tuluyan at walang kahit sino ang makakapag patumba sa akin.

"Kumain ka muna. Mamaya na ang digest."

Nagulat ako nang biglang may matangkad na lalaki ang nagsalita sa likuran ko. I looked back to face him.

He smiled and tapped my head before seating beside me.

I always thought that I would never trust anyone. I always thought that I would live this lifetime by myself. Not until I met my best friend, Nathan.

I met Nathan Velasquez during my first year in law school.

I was that shy and unresponsive girl in class. I don't respond to anyone unless it's truly necessary.

That's why no one dared to strike a conversation with me again, but Nathan is too stubborn and determined. He just wouldn't stop talking unless you talk back to him.

Our friendship is going on its three years now. He's the only one I trusted my life with. He is the only one I trusted my dark past with.

And I was never wrong in doing so because he made me realize that when you suffered from a dark past, a bright future awaits.

And I hold on to that.

"Sanay na ako." I said and glanced at him. "Ikaw ba? Kumain ka na?"

A playful smile appeared on his face.

"Pa-fall ka, Ken. Ganiyan 'yung mga tanong ng mga taong may gusto sa best friend, e! May gusto ka sa akin 'no?" He wiggled his brows.

I laughed and shook my head.

"Asa ka."

Because of him, I have found myself laughing and smiling genuinely. I have never done those for years.

"Anyway, to answer your question, yes. Actually, katatapos ko lang kanina. Hinahanap kita pero hindi kita makita, e. Sabay sana tayong nakapag-lunch." Umakbay siya sa akin.

"Ang bigat ng braso mo." Reklamo ko at inalis ang akbay niya.

Pero mukhang wala siyang pakielam dahil umakbay ulit siya.

Geez, bahala ka nga.

"Lapit na ng graduation natin." He said nonchalantly.

I heaved a sigh.

"Tingin mo makaka-graduate ako?" tanong ko sa kaniya.

Lumingon siya sa akin at nagtaas ng kilay.

"Oo naman! Ikaw pa ba? Ang galing galing mo sa recit, daig mo pa nga si Attorney!" Ang OA niyang pumuri kaya hinampas ko ang balikat niya.

"Ang OA mo, Nathan."

He smiled and leaned closer to me.

"Hindi ako OA. Wala ka kasing bilib sa sarili mo, e, ako nga, bilib na bilib sa'yo!"

I smiled because of that. He's the only person who truly sees the things I have achieved.

Natutuwa ako na bukod kay Mommy, may isa pang tao na naniniwala sa akin.

Nathan is the only person who truly believed in me, apart from my mother.

At first, I was so scared to tell him what exactly happened to me. But he made me feel secured. So I spill everything.

I can still remember his reaction when I told him what my father did. We were in our second year in law school back then.

His jaw was clenched and his lips were in a grim line. I saw his hand formed into fists. He looked dangerous.

"Sorry for the word, Ken. But your father is a motherfucking asshole."

I know, Nathan. I know.

"How can he do that you?" he sounded so mad.

I wasn't talking. I felt tired re-telling what happened to me. I glanced at Nathan.

He looked stiff and really dangerous but when his eyes met mine, his hard expression immediately softened.

"Come here," he said and opened his arms to welcome me for a tight hug.

He hugged me so tight, making me feel secured and safe.

"You're not alone in this fight, Kendra. You have me."

And he did fought with me. We both slayed law school.

"Congrats, Nathan!" I said merrily.

"Congratulations to us!" aniya at nagulat ako nang buhatin niya ako.

"Uy, ibaba mo ako! Nathan!"

He looked at me so I stopped whining.

"I'm so proud of you," he said sincerely.

I smiled at him.

"Thank you. Proud din ako sa'yo!" I played with his graduation cap.

We graduated law school together, and passed the BAR exam... together.

"You seriously topped the boards! Halimaw!" I said when I saw the results of the BAR exam.

Nathan hits top 1! While I hit top 8.

Hindi naman sa nagrereklamo pa ako, pero sabay kaming nagreview at pareho lang kami ng pinagaralan. Bakit ang layo naman ng agwat namin?

Sabagay... mas matalino naman talaga siya sa akin. Deserve niya naman.

"Abogado na tayo! Hindi na avocado lang, abogado na talaga!" Tuwang tuwa si Nathan habang naka-akbay sa akin.

Kahit ang bigat ng braso niya ay hindi ko na iyon pinansin. Masaya ako, e.

I can't believe that after all these years... I am finally living my dream.

At the age of 27, I became a lawyer.

I am now Atty. Nina Kendra P. Arce.

I will stand by myself and the rest of the people who are suffering from oppression.

I will fight for them, but most of all... I will fight for myself.