Rhythmic Laws (Law School Series 2)

11

"May utang ka pang case digest," ipinaalala sa akin ni Tanya habang kami ay nasa library ngayon, abala sa paghahabol para sa exams.

Pero bago pa man kami makapag-exam ay may mga classes pa kaming dapat tapusin. Busy si Beauty sa mga talents niya ngayon at iba pang pinagkakaabalahan kaya hindi siya kasama sa aming group study. Ganoon din si Janella at Allie.

"Have you all analyzed the given data from Exhibit "K", the one with P300,000.00 balance?" Dante handed us the printed copy of his digest. Lagi 'tong kompleto sa lahat at lagi ring prepared. Suplado man siya, pero nangangailangan kami.

Hinablot na lang ito ni Tanya pero agad naman itong binawi ni Dante, "thanks, Dan— luh?"

"For free?" he raised his brows, "G.R. 039211234,"

"Bouncing checks na case?" pagsingit ni Randall na nakatingin pa rin sa kaniyang laptop. "Kay Clay 'yan,"

Sa pagkatulala ko, sa aking case pala naka-assign yung hinahanap ni Dante. Agad kong iniabot ang case na iyon sa mga halo-halong printed notes na meron ako.

This month has been an exhausting one, aside from the fact that exams are coming, I've been busy with the recording studio.

While the pressure in recitation is eating me, I'm also torn with the time. Hindi ako pwedeng malate ngayon. Kaya pagkatapos na pagkatapos namin sa class, hindi na ako nakapagpaalam sa mga blockmate ko at dumeretso na agad ako sa studio.

After I parked, I entered the Bright Ent.'s building and went straight to the floor for the recording. This is when I reached text messages from the assistant of the producer. I messaged the assistant that I'm already at the elevator.

Nagmadali na ako at pagbukas ng elevator ay sinalubong niya na ako.

"Mr. Clay— Clay," Charmaine greeted me and handed me a board in my hands. Naalala niya ang sinabi ko na hindi na namin kailangan ng formalities.

"Mainit na ba ulo niya?" pagtutukoy ko sa producer.

"Sir Richard has been in a bad mood since yesterday," she warns me.

Pagpasok namin sa loob ng recording room, bumungad na sa akin ang matinik niyang titig. He stares at me for a second, examining my clothes, then back to my face again.

"How many times will you be late?" then here comes the machine gun bullets of his words over my late ten minutes.

Hinayaan ko lang siya at uminom na lang ng tubig sa water bottle na inabot sa akin ni Charmaine.

Mabuti na lang at napatibay ako lalo sa law school. Sisiw na lang sa akin itong paninigaw at pamamahiya niya sa akin. Well, mas worse pa nga sa law school, dahil kung 'di ka sisigawan ng 'tatatanga-tanga', mumurahin ka pa.

I understand how Sir Richard wants me to learn. When I signed the contract, I was assigned to him. He is known for building stars from the entertainment. Masinop kahit matinik siya sa pangangaral. Most of the actors, singers, and performers he handled have now good careers.

Pumasok na ako sa recording room at isinuot ang aking headphones. Inilapat ko ang aking bibig pagkatapos magwarm up ng voice. Muli kong tinitigan ang papel na nakapatong sa stand kung saan nakasulat ang aking kanta.

Sinimulan namin ang pagbuo ng kanta sa paraang gusto ni Sir Richard. At first, I showed them how I wanted the music to sound like until he made certain criticism on how it should be.

"Try doing it in a higher key, especially at this part," he pointed the encircled lyric.

Sinubukan ko ito nang hindi nakamic at nang makuha ko na ito ay nirecord namin.

Sir Richard began instructing me how I should open my mouth and manage to control the breathing and release of sound my tone to the mic. It feels like I'm a voice lesson, but this time, with a strict teacher.

Nasa kalagitnaan ako ng chorus nang biglang hugutin ni Sir Richard ang kaniyang phone sa bulsa niya. He answered the call outside and I still continue. Nang matapos ko ang backing vocals, I tried playing with the lyrics and sound of it. Natawa na lang kami ni Charmaine hanggang sa bumalik si Sir Richard.

"There's still lacking on your voice and the lyrics. We might change a few, but for now let's end the night," he said then left after saying few words to Charmaine that I didn't hear.

Paglabas ko ng recording studio at inabutan ulit ako ni Charmaine ng water bottle.

"Bakit nakatawa ka pa rin?" pagpuna ko sa kaniya habang palabas kami patungo ng elevator.

"Sir Richard don't always compliment like that," she smiles, like a reward has been given for both of us.

"Compliment? Compliment ba 'yun?" napakunot ang ulo ko sa kaniya habang nakangisi pa rin ang kaniyang mukha.

"You should take it that way!" she cheers me up.

Pinauna ko nang umalis si Charmaine kasama ang workmates niya at dumiretso naman ako sa restroom para magwash up lang.

Sir Richard is a rough mentor. But I guess he's just honest. And maybe no one really did became honest since my mother was beside me.

Hiyaan kong dumampi ang tubig sa aking mukha at nanatiling nakabukas ang gripo. I look in the mirror and see the reflection of my face as the water drips all over me... then I see my younger me with tears on the cheeks.

"Bakit ka umiiyak? Punasan mo ang luha mo, kailangan mong maging matapang kasi kung hindi, matatalo ka!" sigaw sa akin ni Mama kasabay ng pag-iwan niya sa aking kinakaupuan.

Dumating si Papa at siya naman ang pinagbuhusan niya ng galit.

I remember this day too well. I was crying outside the courtroom, the hearing just finished, and I stand witness for a crime.

I didn't know anything about law, but from the reaction of my mother, I just know that I messed it all up– her plans, her expectation on this case, and finally achieving the justice for our family to the crime that happened to us that night.

Nagising ako sa pagkakatulala sa salamin nang may kumatok sa pinto. I told him I'm done and then wipe my face before leaving the restroom.

Those that happened in my past will always be locked in that time. Pero dumadating talaga ang mga panahon na naalala ko sila lalo na sa mga oras na nahihirapan akong maliwanagan kung bakit ako nanghihirap.

But I promised to myself, I will still be kind and gentle and I won't let my heart be hard like the stones they throw at me.