THE RETURN OF A CALDERON (COMPLETED)

#12

NIKKO'S POV

“What!? You called Atty. Fernandez just to settle matters you build? Huh? And you,” giduro ni mama akong papa.

Sayo pas buntag dako na kaayog baba si mama tungod sa amoa ni papa.

“You are tolerating your son. Unsay nakaon ninyo?” my mom look frustrated.

It's because she found out I had a meeting with Atty. Fernandez. A famous attorney with his solved hot cases.

Walay palya akong pagkuha sa iyaha to hold the harrassment case I filed for Mr. Suarez.

Felicio Suarez, that's the name of Latina's ex boss. I immediately knew t'was him tungod sa iyang maot nga tingog.

His voice irritates my eardrum. Iyang family kay shareholder sa among kompanya. Good to know sad kay aron dali ra sila ma bankrupt.

Chr. Di na nako damayon iyang parents pero once nga dapigan nila si Mr. Felicio Suarez sa akong reklamo, edi wow nila.

“Hon, your son need a small help-

Ming tubag si papa pero gi sapawan rasad ni mama,

“What's the case all about?” she sip on her tea cup.

“Sexual Assault” sabay namong tubag ni papa.

My mom stopped rapping. Chr. I mean nahilom na sya, huhu.

She calm down, “Do you need another attorney? Naa koy daghan kaila.” ana sya.

Taud taud ni hilom ang palibot. Then suddenly ni katawa si papa. Kusoga jud og payting spirit oy. Seryoso ang nawng ni mama pero kataw an rang papa.

Mama glare at him, “Sa gawas ka tug unya ha?”

I roll my eyes as they start teasing each other. Jusko I feel so single.

—

“Bye mom” I kissed my moms cheeks.

“Please do message me if you need help. That person, deserve niyang malata sa kulongan.” ingon pa ni mama before mi nipanaw.

Kauban nakos papa ron para sa among case nga gi file to sue Mr. Felicio Suarez. He's also aware nga gi demanda nako sya.

What he did caused Latina a trauma. A woman that was sexually harassed, malamang nga ma trauma jud. Ug di ko mosugot nga maka gawas gawas gihapon syag hapsay after what he did.

No one deserve to live freely after ruining someone's life. You can even demanda a chismosa, how much more sa tao nga nang harrass.

And if i-tolerate ning ing ani, basin sunod niya ma biktima kay ma rape pa niya. Kuyawa ba niyag fighting spirit.

That's why I'm here in the court along with my dad, Lucas, Latina and their parents. On the other side, Suarez family was there, silently sitting.

—

“Sexual or indecent assault is an act of physical, psychological and emotional violation in the form of a sexual act, inflicted on someone without their consent.” those are Judge's words.

She's stating facts about Rape and Sexual Assault. I breath heavily.

“This can cause severe distress, emotional harm and injuries which can't be seen,” the Judge continue reading something from her paper,

“All of which can take a long time to recover from.” he added.

I felt a heavy energy starring at me maong akoa syang gi lingi. I smirk at him, “Boo!” I mouthed at Felicio, mocking him.

Mr. Felicio Suarez can't react but irritation is still visible sa iyang nawng.

Well, lagot lang gud, bisan pag mo tiurok ka diha wa koy labot.

•

Wala ko kabantay sa oras, paspas kaayo ang tuyok sa akong wristwatch. Chr.

Basta na realize nalang nako nga i-announce na sa Jury kung guilty ba or not guilty ang accused. Pero of course, confident ko sa kung unsa man ang akong madungog.

The judge will examine the facts of the case, including aggravating and mitigating factors, in order to settle on the exact sentence.

Later on,

The sentence was announced, and everyone on my side stood up to give Latina a hug. Natulala rako kay bisan expected na nako ang akong madungog, na star struck gihapon ko kay wa pa ni sink in sakong utok.

My heart skipped a beat as I felt a warm hug, “Thank you,” hunghong ni Latina.

“If it's not because of you, I will be forever cage inside a nightmare made by him.” dungag niya.

Nikirig akong atay.

Abi kog nihunong ang earth ug tuyok, kay ni statwa man ang mga tao pagka dungog nila nga naa'y ni tsabaw.

“Ma please get me out of here. I didn't do anything ma. Ma please ma”

I averted my eyes from Latina to Mr. Felicio Suarez. He's on his knees, begging in front of his parents.

His mom gently caress his face, then suddenly, a loud slap noice echoed inside the four walled room.

“I didn't raise a criminal.” ingon sa iyang mama ug gi biyaan sya. His dad follows his mom without leaving him a word.

Then Mr. Felicio Suarez was escorted to his destined selda. Serves him right.

A waist hug get my attention, I look at Latina who is comfortably hugging me.

Luh? Nya inlab naka ana nako? Owshi maykdrap.

“Salamat” ingon niya.

Niinit akong aping, kuyawa ani oy. Ako man nuoy gikilig. Wala sya naka tan aw nako maong libre ko mag ngisi ngisi.

Then I saw a man looking intently at me. It's just Lucas, he smirk at me pero wala syay gi sulti.

Ang mga witness kay nilugwa na, maong kami nalang nabilin diris sulod.

“Mangaon ta ta” aya ni papa.

I heard giggles, “Okay darling, enough with the hugs. You might fall in love with each other ana.” tingog sa mama ni Latina.

Wa ko ka bantay nga nakatulala ra diay ko maong gi kuhit kong Latina.

“Hoy!”

I blink kay lutang gihapon ko until now.

Latina asked, “Ano na Nikko?”

”I do, father.” paspas nakong tubag.

They all laugh at me. Even Latina awkwardly laugh with her ear turning red.

Shit! Did I say something wrong?

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