Queen Of Damn

CHAPTER 40 (Rainy Days) Part 1

*Reina*

I was nervous like hell.

Trying to dry my clammy palms, rubbing them against my skirt. Puffing sighs a hundred times already I think.

Then the lawyers came into the retreat room together with Tita Theresa. I stood abruptly and eyed her intently. "So? Tita?"

She sighed deeply and shook her head. "I'm sorry, Reina. We lost the argument,"

My world just crushed down to my feet. "No, hindi pwede yun, tita."

"I know, we did our best. Matibay yung statement mo, and for a second, the judge gave it a deep thought, but he gave his verdict. For now, we have a recession, the next trial will be on the 21st of this month."

"No, tita, hindi pwede, gusto ko nang makasama ang kapatid ko."

"Alam ko, alam ko," inalo na ako ni Tita Theresa dahil umiiyak na ako.

Pinilit kong pakalmahin ang sarili ko, pero sa mga oras na yun, ang isip ko ay nasa kapatid ko. Habang tumatagal si Yumi sa poder ni Mom, delikado siya kay Tito Salvador.

Nag-usap-usap silang mga subordinates ni Tita Theresa, mga junior associates niya sa firm namin na kasama niyang nag-present ng case namin kanina.

I also stood as a witness in the middle of the trial. Pero nag-hysterical si Mom, dinuro-duro si Tita Theresa at pinasinungalingan ang lahat ng sinabi ko.

Nagkaroon ng maiksing pagkaantala, muntik pa ma-contempt si Mom, kaya pinakalma ng mga abogado nito. Dun nagsimula ang palabas nito.

It was a theatrical scene. It made us look like the villain and mom was the victim. I almost lost my cool and recoiled but, tita gave me a gaze with the intent to reassure me and encourage me to stay focused.

I finished my part without any falter, making Mom act deranged again.

The court police seized and took her away. Napatayo rin ako kasi ayokong kinakaladkad nila ang mom ko. Napapaiyak na ako at talagang nalilito na sa gagawin ko.

Tapos nun, nagkaroon ng close door meeting with the judge, mga abogado lang ang pwedeng kumausap, one at a time. Pinahintay na lang ako ni Tita Theresa at legal team namin sa retreat corner or neutral side.

Tapos ito lang pala ang mangyayari? Di ko inaasahan na mauuwi lang dito ang pinahirapan namin. Halos di ako nakatulog kagabi dahil sa trial tapos ganito lang ang magiging resulta?

Hindi ko matanggap, ayokong tanggaping talo kami.

"First trial pa lang naman, Reina. Get a grip, we can turn the table on the next trial." pampalubag-loob ni tita.

I just drew another harsh sigh and then nodded. All I could do was to have faith in the judiciary, to believe God would help me get through this. He will and always does.

Lumabas na kami sa retreat room at gaya ng hula ko, sinalubong agad kami ng media.

"Attorney Montecarlo, ano pong masasabi n'yo, sa naging takbo ng trial?"

"Miss Montalvo, is it true that you are just politically motivated and used by your throng of lawyers?"

"I don't think she needs to answer that, I'm sorry, but we cannot answer any of your questions but for sure, we will release an official statement," Tita Theresa fired her salvo in a quipped tone.

"Miss Montalvo, Miss Montalvo, ano pong masasabi ninyo sa mga alegasyon ng Mom n'yo na nakagamit lang kayo ng drugs kaya kayo nag-i-imbento ng kwento? Knowing your history of being libertine,"