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There I was, standing in a room that I never thought I'd be in— a trial court.
Kaliwa't-kanan ang mga taong nakapaligid sa akin and all I saw were angry, disgusted, and disappointed faces.
Pakiramdam ko, bawat segundong tumatagal ay nilalamon ako ng kaba at takot. Ang sikip sa dibdib dahil kahit ang paghinga ay hindi ko magawa nang maayos. Every time na tumatayo ako, I could feel my knees trembling as if it's going to disown me anytime.
These past few weeks, parati akong tinatanong ng mga tao— investigator, lawyers, and even the media.
"Did you really kill her?"
"What's your motive for killing the victim?"
"Sino ang nag-utossa'yo?"
Those questions are repeatedly asked by people and it felt suffocating. Iyong hindi ka pa man sumasagot ay tila ba may sagot na sila sa isipan nila at iyon ang paniniwalaan nila.
My heart raced like it was in a marathon as I sat in the courtroom. Mahigpit kong hinawakan ang dulo ng damit ko na para bang nakasalalay dito ang lakas ko.
The air was so tense and it felt suffocating. Nakakamatay. Nakakaubos.
Para akong natulos sa kinauupuan ko nang pumasok ang isa sa mga iginagalang ng tao. Suot-suot niya ang kulay lila na kopa sa kanyang likod at walang emosyon ang mukha nitong humarap sa amin.
It was the Judge.
I couldn't help but hold my breath. The atmosphere became still, and I could feel the tension in the whole room.
The bailiff's voice boomed in the courtroom as if it's a thunderstorm, "All rise." He announced.
Para akong masusuka sa kaba. Nakadagdag pa sa kaba at takot ko ang malamig na simoy ng aircon.
With my knees trembling, I force myself to stood up, along with everyone else in the room.
My heart was pounding inside my chest as the bailiff stepped forward and announced the case. "Your Honor, today's case is Divina Rivera vs. Datche Reese Rivera," he announced and his voice echoed inside the room again as if it was a thunderstorm.
The judge nodded and turned to the prosecution. "Is the prosecution ready?" He asked. Punong-puno ng otoridad ang boses niya.
Hanz Gazzer Herrera, the prosecuting attorney, stood up and replied, "Yes, your honor."He answered back. His voice is so calm as if this case is just as normal as his other client's cases.
I couldn't help but notice that he never once met my gaze. His eyes remained fixed on some point in the distance, and his face was completely devoid of emotion. Para siyang batong walang buhay at tamang nakaupo lamang.
