ALIKANSYA

A love of a Father

And that same night, Pen was happily going home with his sidecar when suddenly a two-rider motorcycle blocked his path and stopped him, "what do you need?" asked Pen "keep quiet" the man said at the same time punched Pen, Pen did nothing and the beating continued but luckily the barangay guards saw him "Hey stop it" shouted a barangay guard and the two quickly got on the motorcycle and runand the barangay tanods never hit them, and they immediately took Pen to the nearest hospital. The next morning, Martin visited Pen because of the news of the beating on him "how are you Pen" Martin asked "it's fine it's just a scar" Pen's response was "scars? your right eye is almost torn" said Martin "I'm fine, the only thing that matters is that there is good in me" was his response "it's good and at least it's getting better" said Martin "by the way I also heard that the attorney that was given to you has left of the municipality? Am I right? I know if the Mayor is doing something and he is acting to exonerate his son," said Martin. "don't worry someone is ready to help me with terisita's case" said Martin "huh who is it" asked Martin. And there is a voice of a woman called outside the house "Mang Pen" the woman's language "he is the one we are waiting for" Pen happily replied, and Pen did pick up attorney Dian and he introduced him to Martin "Attorney Dian?" was his question., "Dian Lucas?" he continued to say, "Yes, I am the lawyer's response, If I am not mistaken, you are the daughter of the former mayor of this town?" When Martin asked, "Yes, the lawyer's response was, and as the conversation continued, Attorney Dian noticed the bruise on Pen's face, "What happened to you Mang Pen? who did that to you"... I suspect that the Mayor's staff is planning to scare Pen, Martin doubts, but right now we don't have any solid evidence to emphasize what Mayor Marquez is doing. It's better to look for more I have evidence to help, Martin said, and he was already informed. While Pen and the lawyer were at home, Pen narrated what he saw, "did you see them again?" the lawyer asked, "yes, attorney " replied Pen., "do you remember the license plate of the car they were riding in? he asked more, but Pen hesitated to answer because his speech with numbers and letters got worse but he didn't know how to pronounce them "if I see it again, I know I'll get it worse" was the compassionate answer he told the lawyer as the questioning continued that Mang Pen also told the story of his daughter's life and how happy they were while she was still alive, Pen raised Teresita alone but despite this he did not care about the it's hard to be with them "Thank you Mang Pen" let it go and you will also get the justice that is for you the lawyer's response. And the day of the trial has come Mang Pen together with Attorney Dian brought the defendant to court. Pen's face shows fear and apprehension. As they got stronger, they met the Mayor and his son. "I know if justice will prevail" the Mayor said to the audience to win their sympathy. Mang Pen's camp remained silent and sat down in the court. The hearing in court has begun, first the Mayor's son appeared and he strongly denied all the allegations and his story was well patched together and then followed by the mayor's son's friend who stressed him, can be seen in The anxiety is growing, Attorney Dian's party is complacent because he is the strong witness who can possibly put pressure on Mayo's son but unfortunately all his initial statements were reversed, he also insisted that the police threatened to hurt and kill him while he was in jail, the police officer, Martin, angrily yelled "liar, that's not true.. " and there was a commotion inside the court. The investigation continued and Pen did appear in court and was being questioned by the lawyer of the other side.."Where were you Mang Pen that night" the lawyer asked.. Pen trembled and answered "I was on my way home from work" his response was "But your Honor according to the police record of the same day there was molestation in a public place bus involving the complainant... is it correct Mang Pen" the fear that Martin said was not true "objection your honor, the claim was not verified" replied Attorney Diane "continue" the Judge's response continued the question "and that's also why you didn't pick up your son at the right time, right?" Mang Pen couldn't answer because of his mixed feelings and continued "so your son decided to go home alone.. are you doing your duty as a father correctly, doing better but with dirty thoughts? how can you say good father "objection your honor the questioning done to my client does not fit the crime that took place" Attorney Dian responded "if we continue" the language of the Judge.. "thank you your honor, wait where are we now.. ahh yes that's right for being a good father, is it good? to let the little child be alone on the street and blame others for the shortcoming" and the other side's lawyer's rambling question, you can see the confusion, fear and sadness on Pen's face and the Attorney noticed it, but in the silence suddenly spoke Pen "maybe you're right, maybe I haven't been a good enough father but.. but I know for myself that I've been a good father to my daughter, there's not a day in my life that I don't think about Terisita, there's not a minute that I don't experience my love for her...."We just want a happy life, why did you take her from me.. my daughter is the only one I have, she is the only reason for my life why... why... why did you deprive us of simple happiness.. we will live more when you pick her up and go to hospital at that time, if you hadn't been so bad, my daughter would have been alive , every day I think about her last thoughts to me if only I had money if only I could" he said crying inside the court, In a few moments, everyone was silent. "But your love is not a reason to imprison someone who you are not sure if he is the one who killed your daughter?" He replied, Can you reveal to this court the plate number of the car that killed your daughter? the lawyer's question "I don't know how to read or write but when I see...." when you see, do you mean that there is a point that you are not sure of what you saw because you can teach according to what you want to see.. there is something Are we going to handle the cctv footage of the crime scene or pressurize my client, Mr. Pen?" the lawyer continued. and that's when Pen couldn't answer anything, and the questioning ended. The first trial is over. Attorney Dian took Pen home "I know it's hard for you Mang Pen, but we just have to be strong and justice is on our side and Pen just only bowed