Secretly Dating!

Secretly 10

Just because you believe he's innocent, doesn't mean he is. Sometimes you have to dig deeper, even if digging means hurting someone.

"THESE are the files for Harry's case. May kopya din ang prosecutor's office nito. They'll use it as evidence against Harry." Sabi ko habang nilatag sa lamesa ang apat na folders at dalawang CD's.

Agad na kinuha ni Miguel ang folders and he scanned the papers in it, halatang hindi niya nagustuhan ang nakasaad dun dahil nakasimangot na ang kanyang mukha. He took the blue CD and asked me, "Ano to?"

I grabbed the remote control at ini-on ang Smart TV ko. Saka ko kinuha sa kanya ang blue CD, at nagsabing, "This is the copy of recorded scenes ng CCTV outside Harry's condo."

I played the CD on the TV screen at umupo sa tabi ni Miguel. "It clearly says na naunang pumasok si Harry sa condo. One hour later, binisita siya ng biktima na si Miss Elaine Alcordo which happens to be his girlfriend."

Pareho naming tiningnan ang CCTV scenes at ramdan ko ang buntong-hininga ni Miguel. That night, nakasuot ang biktima ng red backless dress, white sandals, at may dalang pulang shoulder bag. Halatang galing sa isang party at sa condo nang boyfriend tumuloy. 

I turned to look at Miguel at hindi ko mapigilang maawa. Alam kong may ideya na siya ngayon na mahirap patunayang inosenti si Harry.

"Within that hour nangyari ang krimen. Wala ding tao sa mga oras na yun. Isa pa, tumestigo din ang gwardiya na bumisita nga si Elaine that night. Miguel, sa CCTV palang, diin na talaga ang kapatid mo."

Hindi siya umimik sa sinabi ko. I know, brutal truth is sad and harsh. Kaya nga katotohanan, di ba? 

"There is something odd about this, Clarice. Alam kong mahal ni Harry si Elaine, he wouldn't kill her."

"Kilala mo ba talaga ang kapatid mo?" Tanong ko. "Because Miguel, I wanted to believe you that Harry's innocent. Pero sabihin mo, in what way ko mapapatunayan na inosenti siya when all evidences turn to him?"

"You're a lawyer, you know what's best. Gamitin mo ang lahat ng nalalaman mo para madismiss ang case, Clarice. Isn't that what you do? I'll pay you any amount." He said and I felt insulted.

Hindi na siya ang Miguel na nakilala ko noon. Come to think of it, he actually didn't change at all. Ganyan naman talaga siya noon pa man. Kaya nga umalis siya sa Beloved, di ba? Because he couldn't keep on pretending that he's a Christian. Because he wasn't in the first place.

"Baka nakalimutan mo, Miguel. I'm a Christian lawyer. I don't win cases just because I have to protect my client, I win cases when I think it's worth fighting for in God's eyes."

"Harry is innocent!" Diin niya. Napalakas na din ang kanyang boses. 

"Just because you said he's innocent doesn't mean he is! My gosh, Miguel! Ano bang gusto mong gawin ko? Magsinungaling sa korte? Kahit na gawin ko yun matatalo pa rin tayo sa lakas ng guilt evidence. But if we plead guilty at the first hearing, we can petition for a lesser penalty. That's the best option."

Tumayo si Miguel at nakakuyom ang mga palad, disappointment flood his beautiful eyes. No. He's not the person I used to know. This is a different Miguel. He's just another person who wants to protect his brother by all means. The type of person I hate the most.

"That's not the best option, Clarice. If you can't dismiss his case, then maybe you should quit the law." He fumingly said at tinalikaran ako. He opened the door and left the house.

Naiwan akong nakatunganga. "Walang respeto." Bulong ko, pinipigilan ang inis na kanina ko pa kinikimkim.

"ATE, MAGANDANG GABI. Hindi mo sinabi na bibisita ka, katatapos lang naming kumain, eh." Bati sa'kin ng kapatid kong si Aryen nang buksan niya ang pinto ng aking sasakyan. Pinark ko kasi katabi ng Montero ni David.