Untying the Rope (Mujer Fuerte Series #1)

Chapter 22 : DEVIL

I saw a hint of shock plastered on her face. But she managed to swiftly re-gain her composure. She cleared her throat and heaved a sigh.

"Are you the victim?" she asked.

I nodded and her mouth formed an 'O'.

"If I may ask... Sino ba itong Mateo na ito?" tanong niya ulit.

I glanced at Nathan and saw his worried expression. I gave out a small smile to convince him that I am fine.

I looked at the officer again.

"He... is... m-my father," I slowly uttered.

I didn't know that telling this information to others will open the wounds I tried to heal for years.

Pero ganoon naman talaga. Para tuluyang gumaling ang isang sugat, hayaan mo lang itong matuyo nang kusa. Hayaan mo lang itong ma-expose sa sakit.

Dahil kung pipilitin mo itong matakluban, hindi matutuyo ang sugat. Mananatili lang itong sariwa... at sobrang sakit.

"Tatay mo, Attorney?" gulat na tanong ng babae. Napahawak pa siya sa kaniyang dibdib.

"Opo, officer." Tumango ako.

"Sigurado ka ba riyan?" tanong niyang hindi ko nagustuhan dahil sa tono ng kaniyang boses.

Parang may halong pangamba.

"Oo naman ho," sagot ko nang nakakunot ang noo dahil sa kaunting iritasyon.

Nagtaas siya ng kilay sa akin.

"Sigurado ka, ah? Totoo iyan? Baka may consent mo naman pala," aniya habang sinusuri akong mabuti.

Tangina?

Ano?!

Ang tono niya ay punong-puno ng panghuhusga. Biglang nanlamig ang buong katawan ko.

Ito iyon...

Ito 'yung kinakatakot ko...

Tumikhim si Nathan at umayos ng pagkaka-upo.

"With all due respect, Officer. But that question isn't necessary for you to ask and it is obviously biased." Seryosong sambit ni Nathan.

His lips were pursed, he looked pissed off.

"Hindi naman ho sa gano'n, Attorney Velasquez," sagot ng babae. Biglang bumait ang pakikipag-usap niya.

"Ibig ko lang hong sabihin na baka naman pala may sabit si Attorney Arce—"

Nathan cut her off immediately.

"Your job is to file the case that the victim complains about. It is never your right to judge someone and give false accusations. Dinaig mo pa ang Prosecutor kung makapagdiin ka ng tao," mariing sambit ni Nathan.

Napayuko na lang ang babae, napapahiya siguro.

Samantalang ako naman ay hindi makagalaw sa kina-uupuan ko o makapagsalita manlang.

I didn't expect that. Especially because she's also a woman. I thought she'll be able to understand and she'll believe in me.

I guess... victim blaming is really inevitable for some people.

Dahil siguro naramdaman na ang galit ni Nathan ay hindi na gaanong nanguwestiyon ang babae. Inayos niya na lang ang mga papeles para sa paghahabla ko ng kaso. She didn't talk, unless it's really necessary.

Nathan and I waited inside his car. Naghihintay kaming ma-proseso ang papel para makapunta na kami sa piskalya.

"Hey," Nathan called.