Love At First Argument (Law student series#1)

CHAPTER 23

Namumula parin si Kade pagkarating namin sa office ni Judge kaya’t nag taka ito.

“Are you having an allergy, Mr. Lopez?” Tanong nito kay Kade at iling lamang ang isinukli sa kaniya.

Hindi na naman nag-usisa pa si Judge at agad na kaming pinapasok sa library. Pero sumama ito saamin dahil gusto niya raw na manood.

“I’ll be giving a case, and you two will have a pre-argument about it, if in case both of you have different answers or opinion about the case. However, if both of you have the same opinion, then, elaborate why.” Judge Autida said and we nodded.

Tumikhim naman ito at tumingin saaming dalawa. She is not bringing any notes. I think, the case is in her mind already.

“Alright. The case is about free trade treaty. Louveir has a free trade treaty of his goods. However, the receiver named Koleair of the nation in which he imported the goods raised its tariff from Louveir to 12%. In this case, does Koleair violate an International Law about the free trade treaty?” Tumango at nag-tinginan naman kami ni Kade sa tanong ni Judge.

“Okay, isa isa ko kayong tatawagin. State your opinion, and because this is law, you have to state an article or act which Koleair violated.” Tinignan lang namin si Judge waiting for her words kung sino saamin ang mauunang sumagot.

And I’m not surprise nang ako ang ituro nito para unang sumagot. Well, if we’ll talk alphabetically, D ang una sa L. And, there’s a quote saying “ladies first.” Maybe one of that is the reason.

“I believe Koleair violated an act. What he did is actually an internationally wrongful act. When we say, free trade treaty of course it has already a Free Trade Agreement. Kasi, we are talking about importing goods internationally, talagang may batas na involve diyan. Going back, Free Trade Agreements are a set of rules and procedures negotiated by two or more countries that establish a tariff-free trade zone. Countries with Free Trade Agreement can export goods to any participating country without paying tariffs. Therefore—” I wasn’t able to finish my statement because Kade cut my words.

“May I finish her statement, your honor? Parehas po kasi kami ng opinion. And, I know kung ano ang na-iisip ko, iyon rin ang naiisip niya.” Napangiti naman ako sa sinabi ni Kade.

I haven’t felt this happy when it comes to team works because all my life, I prefer working individually.

Akala ko hindi papayag si Judge. Kasi, iisipin niyan, alangan ganyan ang gagawin namin sa finals, or future lawyerd pa naman kami, dapat may kaniya kaniya kaming way of arguing.

“Okay. This is just trial pa naman. Besides, mag-kakampi naman kayo during the competition. At, gusto kong i-enjoy niyo lang, gusto kong hindi kayo pressurized while studying and training dahil baka ma mental blocked kayo sa finals. Na-iisipin niyo nalang “hala, dapat kami ang panalo.” Win or loss, both of you will remain the pride of Guevara Law School. We should be your supporter while counting sainyong dalawa, at hindi maging rason para ma pressure kayo dahil lang iniisip niyo ang expectation namin. No, we believe towards both of you.” Napangiti naman kami sa sinabi ni Judge.

Tumango naman ito kay Kade hudyat na pwede na niyang ipag-patuloy ang pag-sasagot. “Therefore, Koleair really did violate an international law about FTA because first of all, he is not allowed to make Louveir pay for a tariff because it is a free trade treaty. He has no right to make Louveir pay. It is really an internationally wrongful act.” Tumango naman si Judge sa sinabi ni Kade, at ngumiti ako sa kaniya.

I guess, I am starting to like teamwork. Huh???

“Both of you are correct. Kung may free trade treaty, talagang may agreement na diyan. Kasi, walang mangyayaring gano’n without an agreement. Importing goods isn’t a joke, magagamit at makakain ng isang bansa ang i-import. Hindi ka basta bastang mag i-import without following rules or law.” Nag-apir naman kami ni Kade sa sinabi ni Judge.

“Alright, lalabas na ako. May huhusgahan pa akong case sa supreme court. You can eat your snack and continue studying after minutes of resting.” Pag-papaalam nito.

Pormal naman kaming nag-paalam sa kaniya pabalik at pinagbuksan ako ni Kade ng chocolates.

“How are you?” Napangiti naman ako sa usual na tanong niya saakin.

“I’m fine. I’m happy today. How about you?” Pabalik na tanong ko sa kaniya.

Ngumiti naman ito at sumagot. “I’m okay too. Do you mind if I ask you why are you happy?”

Muli ay sinuklian ko siya ng ngiti. Of course he is the reason why I am happy. Swerte ko nga ata talaga siya.

“I have never felt this happy every time teamwork is required with the situation because I was used of doing task individually. Pero ngayon, ang saya ko . What we did might be just a simple teamwork, but it means so much to me. Sobrang thank you talaga Kade for making me out of my comfort zone.” I sincerely answered him.

Ang daming nabago ni Kade sa buhay ko. Hindi lang ang pagiging hopeless romantic girl ko, pati rin kung paano ko i-handle ang sarili ko ngayon. I know, what I had back then was unhealthy mental lifestyle. Yes, my close friends before betrayed me, pero hindi naman ibig-sabihin no’n lahat ng tao sa mundo will just betray me. And, aside from Kade, Soleia and Jake also helped me from interacting to other people closely aside from my family, and Kade. Soleia is my first girl best friend, ang dating akala ko na lahat ng naka-paligid sa akin na hindi ko family ay magdudulot lang ng betrayal sa buhay ko, nawala noong makilala ko sila. Kahit hindi ko sobrang close si Jake, alam kong totoo siya.

I am just happy. I may not living the life I never expected to happen, pero sobrang best at blessed. Kasi, all my life I already imagined my self living independently. That aside from my family, wala na akong iba pang kikilalanin.

“I am more than happy. My life before was never as colorful as now. But when you came? I experienced what best life is, like the books I have read before.” I smiled and hugged him.

Sa ilang taong pamumuhay ko sa dilim sa parteng romantic love at real friends, sobrang blessed talaga ako sa part na nakakilala ako ng mga genuine na tao. Waiting is really better than rushing. And, little friends are the one who’s real and genuine, kasi sa maraming nga kaibigan, hindi mo naman talaga alam kung lahat sila ay totoo sa’yo.

“You know what part I am more than happy?” He softly asked in between of our hug.

“Mhmm? What is it?” Tanong ko naman

“I am more than happy to the part where our love contributed something more than good. Iyong klase ng love na hindi lang basta tinitibok ng puso. Alam mo ‘yon? Tipong, our love isn’t just love. Instead, our souls are connected to the fact that it change something to the both of us.” Kumalas naman ako sa yakap at tinignan ang mata niyang puno ng sinceridad.

Kung may award siguro ng lucky girl in the whole wide world, malaki talaga ang pag-asa kong manalo. I mean, what else I could ask for? If Thaddeus Kade Lopez gave me beyond the requirements of my standard towards a man.

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enjoy reading!:)

@dfndrsun