Feathers of Yesterday (Lost Dreams Series 1)

Chapter 31

When the week of the final hearing came, I admit that I'm extremely nervous. I don't know what would happen that time. We may lose. Kapag nangyari iyon, mapupunta lahat ng paghihirap namin sa wala. I would be in danger and won't have a face to show in that school.

If we win, I'll have the justice that I want and probably, things will slowly come back to normal for me.

Nang dumating ang mismong araw, mas lalo akong kabado nang harapin ulit lahat ng tao sa korte. I was even more nervous when I saw Sir Castro, smirking at me as if he's telling me that there's no chance for me to win.

Not until that unexpected witness came.

“I was a student of Sir Castro before and I was also h-harassed by him," the girl confessed.

Although I can see anger in her eyes, I know she's nervous because of her trembling voice. Nanatili namang nakababa ang tingin ko sa mga kamay kong magkapatong sa mesa at nakatulala habang nakikinig.

“Bakit ngayon ka lang nagsalita?" the lawyer asked her.

“He threatened me."

When I lifted my eyes, I saw her looking at Sir Castro with evident disgust on her face.

“Ang sabi niya, w-wala raw mangyayari kapag nagsumbong ako. I was also afraid of what other people would think of me. Ang sabi niya, m-matatanggalan daw ako ng scholarship. Natakot ako noon kasi wala kaming pera pambayad ng tuition. H-hindi ko rin kayang magsayang ng oras kasi walang ibang aasahan ang pamilya ko. I can't afford to be delayed for school.”

Humagulgol ito matapos ng kaniyang sinabi. Nakatulala pa rin ako habang nakikinig sa bawat hagulgol niya. Hindi ko namalayang umaagos na pala ang luha sa pisngi ko.

Somehow, we are the same. I've been worrying about what will happen to me after this hearing. I'm worried about the possible looks and stares I'd be getting from people. I wonder what their thoughts would be about me.

Natatakot ako na baka hindi nila ako tanggapin. Even if it's not your fault, you will never be free from the judgment of society.

We won the case.

Magkahalong tuwa at bigat sa dibdib ang naramdaman ko sa mga oras na iyon. I know we won, but I just can't be completely happy.

“Azineth…” matagal akong niyakap ni Tito Ibarra nang matapos ang hearing. May tipid na ngiting naglalaro sa kaniyang labi. "Magiging maayos din ang lahat,” saad niya habang hinahagod ang likod ko.

Hanggang sa makauwi kami sa bahay nila, ganoon pa rin ako. Nakatulala. Siguro hindi lang din ako makapaniwala na nanalo kami. Justice is served and I should be happy.

Pero heto ako ngayon.

“Azi…” I turned around to face Isaiah's worried look. Ilang oras na rin akong nakatingin sa labas ng bintana at nakatulala.

He sighed and walked towards me.

"Nagluto ako ng paborito mo, kumain muna tayo.”

"Hindi ako nagugutom,” I said in emotionless tone.

"Kaninang umaga ka pa hindi kumakain,” I can hear the annoyance in his tone, his forehead is creasing too. But I know he's preventing himself from scolding me. "Halika na kumain na tayo," he grabbed my hand.

He's used to grabbing me. I was used to his touch. But for some reason, there's something with it that startled me.

Sa pagkabigla ay mabilis kong nabawi ang kamay sa kaniya. Gulat siyang napatingin sa akin.

“A-ang sabi ko hindi ako gutom,” I faces the window again. Itinago ko ang sariling kamay na parang natatakot magpahawak sa iba.

Ramdam ko namang natigilan si Isaiah sa aking likod. Kahit ilang minuto na ang lumipas, nanatili pa rin siyang nakatayo roon.