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A slap awakened me. It hurts! I opened my eyes and saw I was lying on a hospital bed. What the heavens I am doing here?
Another slap landed on my cheek. Napatabingi ang ulo ko. Parang naalog ang utak ko ah. Nag-angat ako ng tingin kung sino ang sumampal sa akin.
"H-hey, w-what was that f-for?" Nauutal kung tanong dito. Pero, she just looked at me coldly.
"How dare you?!" Nanigas ako sa tono ng pananalita nito.
"You bastard!" Galit nitong saad at sinampal ako ulit. I just let her do what she wants.
Namamanhid na ang mukha ko dahil sa bigat ng kamay niya. Pumutok na rin ang gilid ng labi ko. Samsampalin na sana niya ako ulit when the door opens revealing two mad mans.
Marahas nila akong itinayo at malakas na isinandal sa pader. Aguy! The other didn't contain his anger and punched me straight on the stomach. Napaubo ako.
The door opens again revealing the woman I love. I smiled at her but she just stared at me.
"W-what's h-hap...pening?" Nahihirapan kong tanong.
Umalis ang tatlo at naiwan kaming dalawa ni Aiah sa loob. She's just looking at me seriously.
"H-hey?" I asked, lumapit ito sa akin at akala ko yayakapin niya ako pero bigla niya akong sinampal ng pagkalakas-lakas.
"What did you do?!" Mariin nitong binibigkas ang bawat salita.
"How could you?" Huh?
"You...raped my sister!" Galit nitong dagdag.
W-what? Raped? Sister? Her sister? That was her sister? Magpapaliwanag na sana ako when the door opened again revealing men in uniforms. I didn't.
"Ziandrei Amyeille Romano, you are subject to arrest for violating the RA 8353 or The Ant-Rape Law of 1997. You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law. You have the right to an attorney. If you cannot afford an attorney, one will be provided for you. Do you understand the rights I have just read to you?" Agad na saad nito at tumango sa kasama niya para posasan ako.
Nakatulala akong naupo sa questioning room. Kanina pa nagsimula ang interrogation pero hindi ako sumasagot. Nanginginig ang kalamnan ko. How the heavens I am in here?
"Kung ako sayo, aminin mo na kung paano mo ginawa." Diin na saad nito, konti nalang ay bibigay na at sasapakin ako kung sakali.
Tiningnan ko lang siya kaya marahas itong napatayo at sinipa ang upuan ko. Agad naman akong itinayo ng mga nasa likuran ko.
"Hindi mo ba alam kung sino ang biktima mo? Anak ni Mr. Amir Hidalgo!" Mariin na bigkas niya at hinampas ang mesa.
Napapikit ako, I've seen and met Mr. Hidalgo. A charming man at mabait. Pero paano ko ipagtatanggol ang sarili ko? They already view me as a criminal. Where's the innocent until proven guilty?
It's been two days since I was detained here. I never heard of Mom. Amaiah has never shown herself to me. Today was supposed to be our graduation. I smiled sadly at that. Hindi pa ako kumakain, hinang-hina na ako. The guards here are evil.
"Bata, may dalaw ka." Napatingin ako dito bago lumapit. Agad akong pinosasan at itinulak palabas. While walking in the hallway I saw the others looking at me.
"Sampung minuto." Saad nito at pinapasok ako sa visiting area. Lumilinga ako ng makapasok ako sa loob.
Hindi pa ako nakakaupo nang salubongin ako ng malakas na sampal ni Dad. Mommy immediately pulled him away.
"You brat! You fucking piece of disgraceful shit! You're such a shame in this family, from now on. Forget that you have a family, I regret that I took you with me. You will only be carrying my surname but you're not part of the clan anymore." Galit na galit na saad nito at umalis. That's it? He never heard me speak my side.
"M-mom, I'm s-so...sorry." Nakayuko at umiiyak kong saad.
"My baby, we will fight. Hmm." Lumuluhang sagot nito at niyakap ako.
"I-i...mom... I never break the family's rule." Nahihirapan kong saad. One major rule in our family is that we should not commit any form of offense for the good of ourselves. Ironic because Dad had an affair.
"I know baby, I love you." Umiiyak pa rin na sambit nito. Niyakap ako nito ng mahigpit at hinalikan sa noo at tumayo.
Pinatayo ako ng guard at iginiya pabalik sa selda ko. Lumingon ako kay Mom at ngumiti. Umiiyak naman itong napabalik ng upo.
Kakatapos lang ng pangalawang hearing. Mabilis umusad ang kaso because high profile ang involved. I've seen Amaiah earlier. She didn't look at me. Her face was dark and her eyes were cold.
The case is restricted to the media. No other people were involved in every hearing. It's just the lawyers, the jury, and the family. I've seen how Amaiah's family killed me with their looks.
Our last hearing would be the next day. If I was found guilty I would be transferred to Fronteras de Aguilar. A maximum security prison for women.
Malapit nang matapos ang hearing. The witness pointed to me already. Nakayuko nalang ako habang naghihintay ng hatol. Earlier it was a promising scenery, because who wouldn't be amazed to see the one you love to stand with confidence while questioning?
I'm smiling mentally, she really carried herself well. I never heard of her accepting cases to defend. But, for now. Seeing her in this cornered room, I'm indeed proud. I couldn't believe I got a chance to see her in this situation.
My love had defended her team. I mentally laughed when a thought crossed my mind. I thought I could just see her questioning suspects but I am one of them so I made it to be questioned by her.
"Accused, what is your plea?" Napaangat ako ng tingin when the judge asked me.
I could see everyone in the room waiting to answer. Amaiah and her family are giving me piercing stares. My mom is here too. She's crying.
"I plead not guilty, Your Honor." I said, Mom's cry became louder when she heard me. I didn't look at Amaiah's side. Napangiti ako ng mapait. Nasabi ko na ang mga gusto kung sabihin and I'm tired of defending for myself because they don't believe me. I see the judge read a folder that the clerk handed in, and when the judge handed it back the clerk read the verdict.
"People of the Philippines vs. Ziandrei Romano y Castellano. The required elements of rape under Article 266-A of the Revised Penal Code, (I) had carnal knowledge of the victim and (II) accomplished the act through force or intimidation, or when the victim was deprived of reason or unconscious. The court found that the prosecution proved all elements by providing credible testimony of the witnesses and AAA's medical examination. The jury found the defendant guilty of sexual violence and rape and sentenced her to reclusion perpetua and ordered her to pay P325,000 in moral exemplary damages to AAA." Napapikit ako ng mariin when I heard it.
"So ordered." The judge then pounds his gavel.
My mom immediately went to me and hugged me. I did not cry or smile. Para akong lumulutang. The brothers of Amaiah are sending death glares while her mother is smiling victoriously. Her father offered me a small sad smile.
"M-mom, take care of yourself. I love you, Mom. And tell Dad and my siblings I am sorry." Mahina kong bulong. Mom's sobs echoed in the room.
The guard took me from Mom and escorted me outside the room. I saw Amaiah sitting down at nakatulala. She was crying when she lifted her head, I smiled and mouthed I love you. I didn't look back after that.
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BINABASA MO ANG
Convicted Innocence (1)
FanfictionFreedom seeks for crime and law. The truth among the lies and denials. Regrets and consequences. Questions and statements. Roaring in agony and despair. Truth or lie? Between the two, who are you? Justice towards betrayal. Will it be yours? Love a...
