A Mad Woman, Allison.

CHAPTER FIFTEEN: TURNING POINT

I stepped into the busy streets of Manila. It's been a while, Pilipinas. I've missed it here.

Finally, I am now a licensed lawyer. I know I should've chosen to stay in Germany, that the government here is more fucked up, but I chose to fight where I first belonged. I went to our office only to be greeted with so much acknowledgement.

“Atty. Monroe!” one called.

“Attorney! Yes, that's my girl!” Women lawyers cheered for me.

I noticed another woman from across the room. She was just staring at me but I felt seen. A wide smile plastered on my face.

I went towards my space. I spent my day working on my space arranging and organizing my documents. I plan to lay low for a while; handling cases in the lower part of the court. Since then, I've always wanted to help the poor. To be the voice of the people who lack power in this type of government we have. After I defended my fourth case this week, I was welcomed by Attorney Rye Benjamin.

“Kilalang-kilala na apelyido mo sa lower courts, Atty. Lahat ba naman ng hinawakan mong kaso naipanalo mo,” he said. He sounded proud of my little achievements.

“Small things,” I laughed. “It's my dream, honestly.”

“Ayaw mong humawak ng mas malaking kaso? Mas malaki pa makukuha mong sweldo,” he raised a question all of a sudden.

“Hindi lang pera ang habol ko sa pag-aabogado, Benj,” I admit I was kind of offended because of what he said. “You know what I mean? There's more to it in my heart. Who knows? I might handle bigger cases, I like thrills.”

“Iba talaga 'pag may kaya sa buhay. Hahaha. Pera lang habol ko sa pag-aabogado, e.” There was bitterness hidden in his joke. I know he just laughed it off but deep down, he's also a victim of this cruel society.

“You should try loving your job as well. Mapapagod ka niyan,” I suggested to comfort him. I wanted him to know he have me.

“Ayos lang,” he answered. “Kaya namang i-gaslight ang sarili kapag pera na ang usapan.”

“But sometimes happiness can't be bought with money,” I confessed. “Sometimes it's the little things that matter.”

He looked at me like what I said was purely ironic. “Syempre. Para sa 'yo, wala lang ang pera. Ako, hindi. Ako lang ang inaasahan ng pamilya,” he smiled weakly.

I empathise with him. “Trust me, you'll also love your work.” I was full of confidence. “I'll help you.” I genuinely smiled at him.

It was almost 10 pm when I got back to my table. I noticed Atty. Benjamin was leaving with his motorcycle.

“Attorney! Kakatapos pa lang ng hearing?” I nodded at him. He discovered I was not cheerful as before. “Okay ka lang?”

“Hmm. I'm just... just tired,” I responded but I knew he heard the sudden lowering of my voice.

He left his motorcycle and handed me a helmet. “Tara, pahangin ka muna.” Nginitian niya ako nang tipid. There's something in his smile that somehow made me feel better.

As we were riding his motorcycle, I can feel the cold breeze enveloping my body. And as he was driving faster, my face lit up brighter than the streetlights of this city.

We stopped in front of an empty warehouse. “Why did you bring me here?” I asked him.

“Magpapahangin. Halika sa rooftop,” pag-aaya niya. I just followed him upstairs.