Convicted Innocence (1)

Chapter 39

Her pleading eyes when we are in the courtroom keep flashing on my mind. I saw how she begged and cried. I believed in her but I couldn't turn my back towards those who trust me and I ended up breaking her. God knows how much I regret calling her that night. And I am still regretting that I held the case.

Seeing her again after 8 years had me blissed. She lost weight. I saw how scared she was when she saw me in front of her. I heard how she vomited in the bathroom and I saw how she ran away.

Days of waiting for her to show up is worth it. She's still the Amyeille I fell in love with. People in the province said she's really kind and caring to the people around her. I am amazed that she was the one little Gia has been mentioning.

The first time I saw the kid, it had me confused. She's a bubbly smart kid. Her mother had raised her well. I even asked Lia whose kid she is but she just smiled and said it was Sam's cousin. I knew she was the niece of Tatay because I knew him before Amyeille did but I never knew she had a kid already.

I went back the night after we left. Only Sam's parents knew that. When I knocked on her door that night she looked at me confused but had me stay. The day I asked her why can't she be mad at me had struck me. I really messed her up. Knowing she's blind and seeing her scars shake me to death.

Seeing her on her knees made me feel what it's like to be asked about spending the rest of your life with someone you love.

I feel numb with what I heard. I cried hard when she left the room. I've never seen her mad or anything even before. She's really patient and understanding. How did I hurt a precious human being like her? I am so sorry, love.

I couldn't stop my tears when I saw her sitting at the dining table with cans of milk in front of her. Did I really betray a person like you? Our pictures are neatly placed in an open space of the house.

Shocked is an understatement when I know from her mother that she was disowned by her father. She didn't share any of her sufferings unless I pushed her. I am crying while hugging the pillow she used every night while sleeping on the couch.

She was tortured? Punished? And what? R-raped? But she's still doing her best to meet our needs. How can you be so good when you've been hurting, Amyeille?

"Mommy, good morning." Nagising ako sa boses ni Gia. She's sitting on the bed while smiling cutely at me.

"Good morning, baby." She hugged me and kissed my lips. This sweet kiddo had always got me.

"Did Baba go home?" Tanong nito habang nakaupo sa counter at hinihintay akong matapos ayos.

"Yes po." At binuhat ito pababa ng hagdan. I am shocked to see there are foods already. Where is she?

"Did she leave again?" Tanong ni Gia at nagsimula ng sumubo.

"I don't know po." I answered and started to eat too. Hindi pa man kami tapos when I heard a running sound. I was about to ask her when she did it first.

"Do you have any whereabouts today?" Tumango ako kaya nag madali itong umakyat sa taas.

"I'll take care of that, you take a bath na." Napalingon ako when I heard her. She's already dressed. Her new style had me amused as always. She always wears signature shoes and clothes before and now, well, she has become more simple but still neat.

"Baby, don't go out ha. I'll just bring Mommy to school." I heard her remind Gia and the kid run to me and give me a kiss and hug.

The ride is quiet but not awkward. Hindi ako sanay because she's always been madaldal. I sighed and looked outside as I remembered how she cried while confessing last night. Her last set of it had me struck. The pain in her voice when she said she might have lost us both ni Gia.