Rule #3: Changing The Rules

[43]

Chapter 43

The trial started shortly. Tahimik akong nakikinig at isang beses na sumulyap kay Troy. Nakatingin siya sa kamay ko. Hindi pa rin makapaniwala sa nakita kanina.

I hate that his presence is still affecting me somehow. Pero hindi ko alam kung ano nga ba ang dahilan non. Is it because I really believed that I genuinely loved him? Or is it because I thought he could overthrow the love I have for Prince?

O baka dahil umasa akong sa kanya ko di mararanasan ang masaktan?

We were perfect, but just like how every perfection that I encountered it was just a cover up to the real rotting side of our relationship.

"Where were you on the day of the crime?" The female lawyer asked Daddy.

He breathed deeply before answering. "I was in Verde Estates Hotel. I came there for a conference."

The lawyer nodded slowly. "Were you with anyone? Your wife, perhaps?"

Kumunot ang noo ni Daddy at nailing. Mommy looked uncomfortable, looking down at her hands. Tumingin sa gawi namin si Criselda, ang mata'y nanlilisik sa galit.

"No. I'm not with her." he replied cooly.

A lie...

The female lawyer nodded.

"Judge, I would like to present an evidence which suggests that Elizia Gallego, the accused's wife may have something to do with the crime—"

"Objection, your honor!" tumayo si Atty. Reius Asuncion. "The accused in question is Adrian Gallego, not Elizia Gallego. The relevance of this evidence to the case is not substanstial."

The female lawyer had a tight lipped smile.

"Your honor, I am in for the truth. Isn't it right that we question the accused's wife who also appears to be affliated with the crime? We don't know, they might've planned it together," she stated.

"She doesn't have anything to do with this. Ako lang—" tumigil si Daddy nung makita ang tingin at senyas ni Tito Reius.

Tito Reius faced the judge.

"The evidence did not go through the process, your honor. We cannot consider this as a substantial evidence to determine whether or not the accused should be convicted of the crime that he is facing charges with." he said eloquently.

This is my first time watching Tito Reius in court. He looks so confident like he's not afraid of anything. I wonder... ganon din kaya ang asawa ko pag nasa korte na?

I watched Prince as he intently stared at his father. Even Troy on the other side of the court is watching his father with coldness on his eyes. Naalala ko na naman ang hinanakit niya rito. At hanggang ngayon, hindi pa rin siya tanggap ni Tito Reius bilang anak.

The judge sighed and nodded slowly.

Inis na bumalik ang babaeng abogado sa kanyang posisyon. Kita rin ang inis sa mukha ni Criselda at ni Larraine. Cairus was just tapping his thigh, not caring a single bit.

The trial proceeded and scheduled for another one. Daddy didn't seem relieved or happy. Parang gusto niya pang makulong nalang habang-buhay.

Pansin ko ang pilit na pagdiin ng lawyer nila Tita kay Mommy kahit na wala naman itong relevance. She's still at it, huh? Ang laki pa rin ng galit niya kay Mommy kahit na siya naman ang tunay na may kasalanan.

"Papa..."

Narinig ko ang boses ni Troy nung makalabas kami ng korte.

Saglit na nagtama ang tingin namin ni Daddy bago ito umalis at dinala ng mga bantay niya.