Game Over

Chapter 52

Chapter 52

I knew this would happen, but it still surprised me when I was called to the judge's chamber. I submitted the amended complaint. I named all the names that I wanted to name—I didn't hold back. Not one fucking bit. I knew that this would be dangerous. I knew that if any, I had one chance to do everything, so had to do it correctly.

"Good afternoon," bati ko sa kanya.

He didn't even give me a look. Hindi ko alam kung ano ang ineexpect ko—na sasabihin niya rin ba na magbackoff ako? But then again, Lui already saw this coming. Kung sinuman ang nabili nilang judge, we'd get rid of him. Not literally, of course. Hindi pa naman ako nasisiraan ng ulo.

"I have read the amended complaint," panimula niya. Nanatili akong naka-tayo roon. I was already prepared to hear him tell me to back-off... o kaya ay bawasan iyong mga pangalan na naka-lagay doon. I mean, it wouldn't be the first time.

"Are you prepared for this?" Bahagya akong natigilan. Naramdaman niya ata iyong pagka-bigla ko kaya naman tumingin siya sa akin. Tinanggal niya iyong reading glass niya at saka inilagay 'yon sa lamesa. "I asked you a question, Atty. Hernaez."

Agad na umayos ako ng tayo. "Yes, Your Honor," sagot ko. "I am prepared."

Binigyan niya ako ng maliit na tango. "Very well." Bahagyang napaawang iyong labi ko. Agad niyang napansin. "What? Did you expect something else from me?"

I debated between lying and being honest... and I decided on the latter. "Yes, Your Honor," seryoso kong sagot. "If you did, honestly, it wouldn't be the first time."

"I know," simpleng sagot niya. Hindi ako nakapagsalita ulit. Ano naman ang sasabihin ko? Itatanong ko kung magiging patas ba siya? "Do your best. I will decide based on the letter and spirit of the law," sabi niya na para bang nabasa niya kung ano ang nasa isip ko. "This case will attract the interest of a lot of people—both with pure curiosity and those who have vested interest. Make it so that when I make my decision, no one can question it."

I felt a lump on my throat. I felt my chest tightening a bit. Alam ko naman na hindi lahat ng judge ay corrupt... pero iba pa rin pala kapag naka-kita ka ng judge na magbibigay ng pag-asa sa 'yo na hindi pa huli ang lahat.

Nagpasalamat ako kay Judge Genero bago ako lumabas sa may chamber niya. Nagka-salubong kami ni Iñigo. I gave him a small nod. I knew that this was just work and I will do my best to not take things personally. I appreciated the head's up he gave me.

Dumiretso ako pauwi sa condo. I just had to re-check my files para sa arraignment at preliminary hearing bukas. I'd read these files over and over again na para bang kabisado ko na lahat ng naka-lagay dito. I felt like throwing up. Gusto kong magrelax, pero hindi ko magawa. I felt like I had to prepare over and over again.

But I also knew that I needed to calm down—I couldn't let my nerves get the best of me. Dahil kahit gaano pa ako ka-handa, kapag kinabahan ako, possible na magkamali ako... And to think na si Iñigo pa iyong nasa opposing counsel. I knew that if I let him get a foot in the door, he'd bust it wide open—I knew because that's what I'd do, as well.

Gusto kong tawagan si Tito, but I decided against it. I knew that as much as he believes in justice, mas mahal niya ako bilang pamangkin niya. He'd just tell me again na hindi naman kailangan ako ang gumawa nito—na bakit ba ako ang gumagawa nito?

"Do you need anything?" Lui asked nang sagutin niya iyong tawag ko. He immediately picked up. Simula nung bahagyang nagalit ako sa kaya dahil hindi niya agad nasagot ang tawag ko dahil naliligo siya, mabilis na siyang sumagot ngayon.

"No," sagot ko. "Everything's in order."

Hindi agad siya nagsalita. He probably wanted to ask me kung bakit ako tumawag kung wala naman pala akong kailangan. I didn't want to tell him that I just wanted to hear his voice... because somehow, after him always assuring me that everything will be fine, my brain had associated him to... calm.