Afflicted (TLS #3 - COMPLETED)

A R T I C L E 3 - S E C T I O N 2 6

LAUREN'S painful wails filled the courtroom. Halos matabunan na ng mga hagulgol niya ang tunog mula sa footage na patuloy paring nagpi-play.

I was about to walk towards her when the loud noise of the gavel overpowered the noise. Halos lahat ay nag-angat ng tingin papunta sa judge na kasalukuyang nakatingin kay Lauren na wala paring tigil sa pag-iyak at panginginig.

"Let's resume after two hours," the judge announced. Kumunot ang noo ko habang pinapanood siyang tumayo mula sa upuan niya. He was about to turn his back but paused before sighing and went back near his podium.

"The defendant would be excused during the period of review of the evidence," dagdag nito bago tuluyang lumabas ng courtroom. Mabilis kong ibinaling ang atensyon kay Lauren na kasalukuyan ng yakap-yakap ni Mama habang pilit na pinapakalma.

"Lauren . . . anak please naman . . ." awat ni Mama sa kanya haabang tinutuyo ang walang tigil sa pagbuhos na mga luha niya. We're currently in one of the detention rooms, nagpapalipas ng oras at pilit na pinapakalma si Lauren.

Alam kong may posibilidad na maging ganito ang reaksyon niya, that's why I tried to have her leave the trial earlier. Akala namin ni mama ay handa na kaming makita siya na ganito pero hindi pala.

Bumukas ang pintuan at pumasok ang isang officer para sabihan kami na limang minuto na lang ay magre-resume na ang hearing. Nagpasalamat ako sa officer bago muling nilingon sina mama at Lauren. Magang-maga na ang mga mata nilang dalawa dahil sa walang tigil na pag-iyak.

"You can go, anak, I'll stay with them," ani ni Papa kasabay ng mahinang tapik sa balikat ko.

Huling sulyap sa dalawa ay huminga ako ng malalim bago tumango at lumabas ng detention room.

I was making my way back to the courtroom assigned to us but my mind was still on the room where I left her. I was just thankful that I had my parents stay with her. Her father was also anxiously waiting for news on our end mula pa kaninang umaga. Mama called him earlier to update him on whatever was happening here, he also tried to talk to Lauren but she seems so far away at kahit ako ay hindi kinakausap.

My parents' already starting to worry about whatever was happening to her. At mas lalo na ako, alam ko kung gaano ito kabigat para sa kanya kaya ganoon na lang ang dalangin ko na 'wag sana niya kaming sukuan, kasi hinding-hindi namin siya susukuan. We'll fight with her until the end, sana lang ay pati siya ganoon din.

"Attorney Lopez," nag-angat ako ng tingin at agad na nasalubong ang mga malalamig na mata ni Russianna Quintos. Sandali niyang binalingan ng tingin ang direksyong pinanggalingan ko bago huminga ng malalim at kinamusta ang kalagayan ni Lauren.

"I think the court is now in your favor. The judge seems to be affected with Lauren's reaction earlier." Tumango ako dahil napansin ko rin iyon.

"I just hope she'll be acquitted today," rinig kong bulong niya.

"Can I help arrange for a therapy—"

"My mother already set an appointment for her. After watching the footage earlier and based on the judge's reaction the case was most probably over." Huminga ako ng malalim at tumigil sa paghakbang, she stopped walking too and turned to face me.

"Are you ready to see your father—"

"Let me tell you something," putol niya sa sasabihin ko bago nagpatuloy sa paghakbang. Tahimik akong sumunod sa kanya at inaabangan ang susunod niyang sasabihin pero tuloy-tuloy lang ang paglalakad niya.

We both stopped in front of the door of the courtroom. I heard her sigh before turning around to face me. She stared at my face for a while bago iniwas ang tingin at muling nagpakawala ng buntonghininga.

"After Lauren's trial . . . I still need you and your family's help."

"Help? For what?" kunot noo kong tanong.

"Help for sending that demon to prison. Hindi lang buhay ni Lauren at ng mga magulang niyo ang sinira niya, JD. And I know it might be so ruthless of me to ask this but I need Lauren and your mother to stand on court as witnesses for his crimes."

Hindi ako makasagot.

I was planning to take Lauren away from here after all of these.

My family thinks that it would be good for everyone if we do so. We already planned to migrate somewhere else but . . .

"I know my father, JD. This case wouldn't be over as long as he's free. Ayoko na sana kayong idamay, I tried looking for other ways but there is none. Kasi sa simula palang, damay na talaga kayo," dagdag niya. She checked her wristwatch before sighing heavily again and tapping my shoulders.

"It's almost time. Think about it. Let's end all of this once and for all, shall we?" pakiusap niya bago naunang pumasok sa loob. I watch her walked inside the courtroom with her usual cold expression before I entered the room and walked towards our table. Bahagya akong nagbigay galang kay Judge Baldevarona na nahuli kong nakatingin sa akin bago ako tuluyang umupo.

I cleared my head of the thoughts about what Russianna's requests as the trial resumed. The whole courtroom was silent as the footage played in front of us. Nang lingunin ko ang panig ng mga Quintos ay nakita ko ang panginginig ni Mrs. Quintos habang nakatitig sa kababuyang ginagawa ng asawa niya sa harapan. Although we had managed to sensored the video it was very clear what was actually happening.

I can hear everyone gasping as soon as the door opened and Roselle entered Lauren's penthouse. She shot Russel while Lauren fell on the floor shocked.

"Y-you . . . You—" Roselle passed the gun into Lauren's hand.

"You killed Russel, Lauren. Ikaw ang pumatay sa kanya." Pagkatapos ay umalis siya doon na parang walang nangyari. A few moments later, police came in barging into Lauren's penthouse and took her. Kitang-kita rin sa footage kung paanong nilinis ng iilang mga taong naka-unipormeng pulis ang crime scene.

After the footage ended, I gave my final speech and tried my best to convince everyone that Lauren was the true victim here. Although by the angered look on Judge Baldevarona's face, I was sure that there's no need to say more. As I've said, the video itself is more than enough to prove Lauren's innocence.

"With substantial evidence and testimonies from witnesses, the case of Russel Quintos versus Lauren Ignacio, the court found the defendant not guilty of the charge of murder. Thank you, everyone, for your presence today. Court is adjourned."

I can't explain the relief I felt as soon as the verdict had been said. Although we already expected this, iba pa rin sa pakiramdam na narinig kong abswelto na si Lauren.

"Let me go!" Naglakad ako papalapit sa pinanggagalingan ng komosyon at nakita ko si Roselle at si Governor Quintos na pinuposasan at inaalalayan ng mga pulis palabas ng courtroom. Roselle was peacefully going along with them but the governor was stubborn and keeps on throwing threats against the officers.

Roselle's eyes fell over me and I swear, I felt the hair on my nape stand as I saw her smirked at me.

"This is not yet over," she mouthed before she let the authorities take her.