Perennial Blooms (Ciudad de Escalante #2)

Phase 38

Masayang mukha ni Mama ang unang nakita ko nang makauwi na sila kinagabihan. I sighed and I already knew what happened in Gaviana's trial. Sa office siya dumiretso kasama ni Daddy na tahimik lang kaya sumunod ako.

They don't mind my presence inside while listening in their following preparation for the second trial.

"Gladly, you're here, Gaea. The prosecutor in charge wants you to testify in the court as a witness. You're young when it happened, and they thought that your statement is useless, but they're also desperate to win, so they decided to summon you for the next hearing..." Mama stated, and my lips parted.

Me? As a witness?

"They will conduct a subpoena, and you'll receive it any days from now on. While waiting, we need to prepare you for the possible questions. Your statement is either will weaken or strengthen our chance to win..." dugtong ulit ni Mama sa seryosong boses habang may binabasang dokumento.

"What should I say? Will I lie too like Gaviana? She did it on purpose... and not for defense..."

"So what are you trying to say, Gaea? You'll let your sister rot in jail so you will tell everything what you saw? Maganda ang kinalabasan sa korte kanina. Our side discredit all their evidences. Statement mo nalang ang panghahawakan nila panigurado kaya pinatatawag ka ngayon," lintanya niyang muli at tumahimik na lamang ako.

So my statement will play a crucial role now? What would happen if I messed up?

"Don't pressure our daughter, Guiliana. Avi is smart, so she knows what's the right thing to do and what's she's going to say on the witness stand..." apela ni Daddy na mukhang pinagkatiwalaan ako.

Right thing to do? What's even right to them anyway? Iyon bang itatago ko ang totoo para manalo kami? Iyon bang ituturo ko si Axton na siya lahat may gawa nito?

"Eras, did you heard her? She's hesitating if she will defend her sister. Paano kung pumalpak at makakuha sila ng butas sa atin?" giit ni Mama kaya napayuko ako.

Inignora ni Daddy ang sinabi niya at humarap sa akin.

"Avi, go to your room. It's already late. Wash up and have a good sleep. Don't worry about this..." bilin ni Daddy sa akin kaya iyon na lamang ang sinunod ko.

Tahimik akong lumabas ng opisina nila at dumiretso sa aking kuwarto para sa panibagong gabi nang pagdalaw sa akin ng walang kapantay na takot at hindi matapos tapos na pangamba.

Ilang Linggo rin ang lumipas at sa loob ng paghihintay para sa susunod na hearing, natanggap ko na ang subpoena na nagsasabing obligado akong magpakita sa korte.

"I thought you will going to prepare me for the possible questions tomorrow, Daddy?" I asked.

Sabi ni Mama, si Daddy daw ang bahala sa akin para ayusin ko ang isasagot at ikekwento ko sa korte. Kailangan magtugma ang sasabihin ko sa mga sinabi ni Gaviana noong nakaraan.

The second trial is tomorrow already. Hindi ko na napigilan pang magtanong dahil takot akong pumalpak at madismaya sila kapag nagkalat ako. Naghihintay ako sa bawat araw para roon ngunit wala man siyang sinasabi sa akin.

I've think about it for the past weeks. I am bad enough and I did a lot of sins already. Siguradong sa nagbabagang apoy na ang bagsak ko kapag nawala sa mundong ito.

Mama wants Gaviana to win, so I'll be good to save our family's name and reputation. If I have to lie, then I will.

"You don't need that, Avi. Just say what's the truth and what you see. You suffered from hiding your sister's immorality. Telling the truth will help you free," he said.