Capturing The Grand Duke

Chapter 7

My eyes are glued at my elder brother, Kuya Zeke, who is standing up to prepare for his cross-examination on the witness. He stood up with dignity and there's an air of authority in it. He also remained emotionless. I do admit that all of us are all different whenever we are inside the courtroom.

"Once again, I'm Attorney Ezekiel Ajero. For the convenience of the court, this witness' statement can be found starting in page forty. May I proceed your honor?" dire-diretso ang pagsasalita niya at sobrang linaw noon

Other people probably felt intimidated when they heard him spoke. Even the witness who was brought by the prosecutor looked intimidated. I can't blame him, he is very different when he is on work mode. Even Xyra and Luna are very different. Kahit ilang beses ko na silang nakikitang ganoon, minsan pakiramdam ko alter ego nila o baka kakambal nila ang nasa loob ng courtroom.

"Objection, lack of foundation." the prosecutor objected as soon as Kuya Zeke asked a question

"Do you any arguments to that, Attorney Ajero?" the judge asked him

Kuya Zeke remained unmoved and expressionless, "Your honor, may the prosecutor further elaborate how this is a lack of foundation?"

The prosecutor tried to argue but Kuya Zeke will never back down. Pinigilan ko ang sarili kong mangiti at pinilit ang magfocus sa trial. Medyo natatawa kasi ako dahil kanina pa nag-oobject ang prosecutor but Kuya Zeke always have answers to his arguments.

"Objection overruled. Witness, answer the question." the judge stated

It was obvious that the prosecutor is doing his best to prevent the witness from sayong something that may go against them. But too bad, his opponent is Kuya Zeke. Kahit bago pa lang kami sa larangan na 'to, hindi pa rin mapagkakaila kung gaano kagaling si Kuya Zeke.

Proud sister here!

"Objection, hearsay!" the prosecutor objected for the nth time

"Your honor, it's not a hearsay. According to the witness' statement, he was at the scene when the fight broke out." Kuya Zeke argued

Malaki ang ngiti naming nilapitan ang kliyente namin at ang pamilya niya. We assured him that he will go out soon and that we will prove his innocence. Tatlo kaming may hawak ng kaso niya, ako, si Kuya Zeke at si Xyra.

Sigurado kaming maipapanalo namin ang kasong 'to kaya malakas ang loob namin na sabihing makakalabas din siya ng kulungan. Napagbintangan lang naman talaga siya na kasali sa isang murder case.

"Naks! Nakakanginig talaga 'tong utol mo, Avy." hinampas ni Xyra ang braso ni Kuya Zeke at bahagya pang ginaya ang facial expression niya kanina

Natawa ako sa kalokohan niya. Mahilig talaga mang-asar nito, e.

My friends already knows about my relationship with Kuya Zeke. Hindi naman namin iyon tinago at alam naman din nila na ampon lang ako. Medyo nagulat lang ako dahil parang hindi sila nagulat at sinabi nilang halata naman daw na may favoritism si Tito Greg na ikinatawa lang namin.

Bumalik din kami agad sa firm nang makabili kami ng pagkain. Nagbilin kasi sila Ash at Luna na magdala kami ng pagkain pagbalik namin. Siguradong busy din ang mga 'yon dahil pro bono week namin. Meaning, tumatanggap kami ng mga kaso ng walang bayad, pero syempre mga simpleng kaso lang ang kinukuha namin.

"Hey, you're not gonna eat?" tanong sa akin ni Luna na napatigil sa pagsubo ng pizza

Tumingin ako sa kanya at napakurap bago binalik ang tingin ko sa cellphone ko. Napahigpit ang kapit ko doon at parang gusto ko na lang ihagis iyon sa dingding.

Kunot na kunot ang noo ko at nanginginig ang kamay ko sa galit. I've never felt this kind of emotion, this kind of anger. I think the right term would be livid. Parang gusto kong magwala at itapon lahat ng gamit na mahahagip ng kamay ko. Gusto kong sumigaw sa sobrang galit pero pilit ko lang na kinakalma ang sarili ko dahil alam kong makakasama lang 'yon sa akin.