Game Over

Chapter 38

Chapter 38

I tried to keep my head down and just focused on my work. I kept on telling myself that not my monkeys, not my circus. I'd just have to hold on to what Lui said na hindi siya involved doon sa may initiation. I'd just focus on my workload... and I guess I'd have to draw a very professional line kay Julia in any case that she'd decide to ask for a freaking favor.

I mean... seriously?

The hell does she take me for?

"San ka?"

Napa-tigil ako nung marinig ko iyong pagtawag sa akin ni Julia. I drew a deep breath and tried to maintain composure. Paano niya nalaman iyong schedule ko? Did she bribe the paralegals? Seriously? Wala na ba talaga akong mapagkakatiwalaan sa trabaho na 'to?

"Inquest," I lied even though I knew na alam niya kung saan talaga ako papunta. I made the conscious decision na 'wag dito gawin iyong interview. I just knew that Julia's lurking around. I mean, honestly, I really tried to empathize with her... He's her best friend... But also, Julia's not dumb.

I knew, therefore she knew, too, that he's so fucking guilty that I literally should just throw him in jail myself. But we have the law to uphold, so I'll just stick to doing my job... as should she.

"I'm reading the witness' testimony again," she said.

"Okay?" I replied because what did she want? A fucking round of applause?

Julia and I could've been really good friends... if not for her lack of morals.

"I think I'll have to send a summon again," she continued. "I found some inconsistencies."

"Okay," I just said tapos ay tumango ako. I began to walk. I really needed to go dahil lumuwas pa galing sa probinsya iyong iinterviewhin ko. Narinig ko na tinawag ulit ako ni Julia, but I just pretended not to hear her.

Thankfully, mas nauna akong dumating. I read the copy of the complaint again. Working as a prosecutor, I wanted to say that I was already used to reading complaints... pero meron talaga akong mga ayaw na hinahawakan—rape being one of them.

I just... can't and refuse to understand.

Do some people really get the thrill in forcing themselves on others? Why can't they just find someone who's willing? Or if wala talaga, just fucking pay someone to sleep with you. God!

Agad na napa-tingin ako nang maramdaman ko na may naka-tingin sa akin. I immediately recognized her face... and I hated that my memory of her included the bruising on her neck and arms dahil sa higpit ng pagkaka-hawak sa kanya.

"Hi," I greeted. She just nodded at me. I knew that this must be hard for her. Alam ko na ilang beses niya ng sinabi 'to pero heto ako, tatanungin na naman siya. "May mga gusto lang akong itanong."

Hindi siya nagsalita.

Diretso lang siyang naka-tingin sa akin. Hindi ko matanto kung ano iyong naglalaro sa isip niya, pero sigurado ako na may takot sa mga mata niya.

"Na..." sabi niya at saka natigilan. "Naniniwala po ba kayo sa 'kin?"

My heart just broke when I heard her question.

"Hindi naman po ako nagsisinungaling... Hindi ko lang po talaga alam na gagawin niya sa 'kin 'yon kaya wala po akong ebidensya... Hindi po ba talaga sapat na sinabi ko na ginawa niya 'yung mga ginawa niya sa 'kin?"

I knew I shouldn't reach for her hand.

I knew that as much as I sympathize with her, I should remain professional.