Hiraya (HEST #1)

Kabanata 46

Antagonist's Tale XLVI: Getting Better

Steps

Learning how to walk, instructions at the top of the paper, cooking recipe, paddling on the bike, drowning at the pool to swim, kinder to college, operating a machine—everything started in the first step. 

And the first one, well, it's the most frightening of all, isn't it?

I sat straightly when I settled on the court's seat.

Ang mga tao ay balisa pa at hindi magkamayaw ang halatang pagkaka-intimida sa akin. The loud reporters were left outside. Ang buong silid ngayon ay natahimik simula noong ako'y dumating. All of them are obviously still pondering on the chills of the line I said earlier.

I sternly stared at the woman on the corner. Nakaupo ito kasama ang kaniyang mga abogado. I can sense her trembling with my stares, though she tries so hard to hide it.

Ang kaniyang diretso at mahabang buhok ay nakaipit. An expensive hair scarf is wrapped around it. She's wearing a perfectly trimmed black long sleeves dress with her stilettos. She has the face of a doll. Kung hindi lang siguro ako andirito dahil siya ang pumatay sa aking ama ay baka maawa pa ako sa kaniyang lagay.

She almost looked like a helpless barbie who found herself out of her fashion world and is now in chains.

I gritted my teeth.

A huge hand covered my thigh softly and I snapped back from my deadly stare. Napalingon ako sa aking katabi at ang nagtatahan na itsura ni Seref ang sumalubong sa akin. Malalim na hininga ang aking ginawa bago tumango sa kaniya upang sabihin na ayos lamang ako.

"The court with the Honorable Judge Mena presiding is now in session," the bailiff announced. "All rise."

Tumayo kaming lahat sa pagpasok ng judge. She was one of our profs in law school. I'm glad she's the one in this case.

Hindi dahil papaboran niya ako kundi dahil kilala siya bilang isa sa mga natatanging judge na patas sa korte. Alam ko na hindi siya nabili at nabayaran ng mga Agrazal. Kung ano ang hahatulan niya sa huli ay kampante ako na dala iyon sa patas na desisyon.

"This court shall determine whether the defendant is guilty or not guilty based only on facts and evidence provided in this case," Judge Mena stated. "The prosecution must prove that a crime was committed and that the defendant is the person who committed the crime. However, if the prosecution failed to satisfy the defendant's guilt to that extent, then reasonable doubt exists and the defendant must be found not guilty."

Napasulyap ako sa harap kung nasaan nakatayo si Hathen na malamig na nakatingin sa lahat.

Mas lalo akong nakampante sapagkat alam kong hindi rin magiging madali para sa abogado ni Eponine Agrazal ito. I'm certain that they weren't able to pay Hathen. At sigurado rin ako na hindi bibitaw si Hathen hangga't hindi niya maparusa ang lahat ng mga kriminal.

Pinaupo na kaming lahat. The clerk of the court stated the case in session.

"Appearance for prosecution and defense counsel," ani Judge Mena.

"Your honor, Hathen Anael Hilario, appearing as a prosecutor under the direct control and supervision of the public prosecution," he answered seriously.

I can almost feel the room getting more anxious by the minute because of the prosecutor's dark air.

"Your honor, Yen Cordero, counsel for the defense."

The other attorney was introduced too.

Tumango si Judge Mena. "May I ask for the accuse."

Ang tensyonadong si Eponine Agrazal ay tumayo.