Love At First Argument (Law student series#1)

CHAPTER 24

This is the day. After days of training, practicing, studying, and reading. We are now here at  Adamson Law School.

“Are you nervous?” Kade asked while we are sitting here in GLS chairs. I slightly nodded.

Sino ba naman kasi ang hindi kakabahan? Andami pala talagang tao. Andaming schools ang kasali. I mean, the one who made this day happened came from a famous international law firm. No wonder.

He softly brush his hands against my hand while we are waiting for the competition to start.

I smiled at him. “Ikaw ba? Are you nervous too?” Tanong ko sa kaniya.

“Slight. Mawawala rin ‘to pag tayo na ang tinawag sa harapan.” Sagot nito saakin.

Tumango at ngumiti naman ako ‘tsaka tumingin ulit sa harap. I hope this day won’t end without us being called as the winner. Kahit na sabihin ni Judge Autida na hindi nila kami pinepressure, I will still pressure myself. Hindi in a negative way. Well, negative naman talaga pag narinig natin ang word na pressure. Pero, in a way kasi na I will aim for high. What’s the purpose of joining if you don’t trust yourself? Paano ka magkakaroon ng confidence to conquer everything kung tiwala palang sa sarili ay wala kana?

My thoughts were cut off when a formal, beautiful and sophisticated old lady stand in the stage while holding a mic. Oh, the announcer I guess.

“Good day, people of law!” She greeted the crowd at pinagalaw ang mata niya sa aming lahat.

Akala ko, after her greetings the crowd will went wild to greet her back but neither of us shouted. People remain sitting while looking at her. It’s like a story of an OA vs. Nonchalant. Just kidding.

“This day won’t come true without the mind of everything you are seeing in here. Therefore, to start this competition. May I call Judge Rodrigo B. Quiño the owner of Q International Law Firm and a Chief Justice of Law. ” The crowd just formally clapped their hands after the announcement of the lady.

“Magandang Araw, mga kapwa ko alagad ng batas, at mga future alagad ng batas. Standing in front of you is Judge Rodrigo B. Quiño the owner of Q International Law Firm. You have heard it right, I am a Judge. That is why, I don’t allow anyone to call me just “mr.” or “sir” At lalong lalo na ang title na “CEO” because, the firm originally owned by my grandfather, ipinamana lang saakin. On the other hand, the name Judge is the result of my dedication, struggles, and hard work I put into the realms of law. Ang titulo na Chief Justice ay ang patunay na isa akong alagad ng batas. At bilang alagad ng batas, ipinaghirapan kong maabot ang position na nasa akin ngayon. In a nutshell, you can’t easily win without working for it. You can’t be on top without climbing hard and fighting the people or things that might ruin your goal.” He stopped for a second and continued afterwards. “And now, let me tell everyone of you the main reason why I did this competition for the aspiring lawyers. Ginawa ko ‘to, at inogarnisa para ma-challenge kayo. I know, it has been hard for you dealing everything for the past days dahil kasabay nang inyong pag-aaral ay kinakailangan ninyong pag-aralan ang mga possibleng sasalubong sa inyo ngayon. And, I am proud of that. Pero, kagaya nga nang sinabi ko, hindi ka diretsong makaka-akyat sa taas without struggling first, without working for hard. In order to aim high, you need to work for it. I also know that some of you, might answer me right now na “auto-in card” lang naman for the international law firm ang matatanggap if we won. How about the others na gustong maging government lawyer, and so on. Alam ko, kaya ‘yan lang ang inanunsyo ko, para surprise ngayon na ang “auto-in card” ay pwede ninyong ibigay kahit saang law firm, kung saan ninyo gustong mag trabaho.” The crowd clapped for him, of course including us. Kaya, huminto muna siya bago mag patuloy. “Ang haba na ng sinabi ko. Pero, nasabi ko na ang rason at ang possibleng matatanggap ninyo kung kayo ang mananalo. Kung kaya’t, let us now start the competition. But before that, here’s a tips from me again. Aim high. You got this.” And once again, we clapped for him.