beautiful goodbye (TUS I)

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

a/n: this chapter is unedited expect for typographical and grammatical errors. 

Juno POV

The tension is quite heavy. Dalawang minuto kaming nag tititigan. I'm waiting for him to speak up. I noticed na wala 'man lang siyang dalang kahit ano aside sa isang white envelope. I wonder kung ano ang laman ng dala-dala niya. 

"I will recommend some lawyers, who are more capable and qualified to be your lawyer, Juno." I heave a sigh. "I don't need anyone else, Father. Atty Sanchez is already here to represent me. And she is more capable and qualified than your list of lawyers. 

"No, walang kwenta 'yang Sanchez na 'yan. Listen to me, Juno. Do what I say and you will be freed. Please anak pakinggan mo muna ako." How dare he called Cali 'walang kwenta'?! 

Putangina pala nito eh

I remained silent. I'm trying to calm myself. I want to keep my sanity stable. 

"I already talked to some people and pulled strings para hindi ka ma-acquit sa case na 'to. Follow my plan, Juno. I'm doing this for your sake." And kailan pa siya nag karoon ng pake sakin? As far as I know you never seek nor talked to me for how many years? Tapos ngayon mag papakita siya dito na parang isang mabuting Ama? How funny, Dad. 

"I don't want your plans. I did not do anything, inosente ako at papatunayan ko 'yon sa hukuman." I proudly said to him. I can see how furious he is. "Tignan ko lang kung magawa mo talaga 'yan. Remember that Denver's father is the incumbent Chief Justice of the Philippines. Without my political connections, you will rot in jail. Let's see how your pride takes you, Juno." Saad nito at umalis, leaving me in shock. Hindi parin ako natatakot dahil wala akong kasalanan. 

Buong gabi ay inisip ko ang mga sinabi ng tatay ko. I know he has a point and his political connections can help me get out of here. But I trust Calypso and the justice system here in the Philippines. As well as my friends, they are willing to testify with me and prove alibis that will lift suspicion of me. 

Sobrang miss ko na ang nanay ko. Sa totoo lang hindi ko na alam ang gagawin ko. I'm so fucked up. 

Kung sana andito ka lang mama, I know hindi mo ako papabayaan. 

I don't even know If I still have a future after this. 

I'm in so much mess. Can someone help me?

I'm slowly drowning. 

Mom, tell me what I will do. I need you right now.

Calypso POV

This is the first trial ng case ni Juno. I never felt this nervous sa buong ng law career ko. Ngayon lang ako kinakabahan. I know I'm 100% confident pero dahil siguro si Juno ang pinag tatanggol ko kaya ganito ang nararamdaman ko. 

"People of the Philippines vs Aguirre, Nephthys Juno y Aurelio." Tila kinilabutan ako sa narinig ko. Before it's normal for me to hear this phrase but now it's different. 

It's different. 

I present my documents to the presiding Judge. Umpisa palang ay nag iinit na ang tingin sakin ni Syvenne. This is the second time na nag-kita kami sa korte. And sa huli ako ang lalabas ng panalo ulit. 

But how sure am I? She is the sister of Juno and I am her lover, who will win this case?

I silenced that thought. I can't afford to be distracted sa lagay na 'to. Emotions are not welcome here in the courtroom. "Okay defense counsel, please present your first argument." Saad ng presiding Judge, which is the stepmother of Juno. Syvenne started her argument while listening to it ay nag t-take notes ako for my rebuttal later.