Forbidden Desires

14: GUILTY?

A/n: Purely authors imagination. None of these really happens in real life.

Alice Pov

After what happened last night, all I've done is sulk and cry hard here in my cell. She saw it, I hurt her again. I did it for the sake of both of us, ayaw ko ng lumala pa ang lahat, masyado ng maraming nadamay na inosenteng tao at ayoko ng madamay pa siya lalo.

I have no energy to do anything today even though my lawyer has constantly reminding me to pull myself together as today is the day that the court justice will render its verdict.

Pupunta kaya siya? Fuck it, Alice. Wala ng pake yon sayo, galit yon sayo!

Wala akong choice, I still need to get ready dahil ngayon ang araw na malalaman ko kung totoo bang may sala ako o wala. Natatakot ako, sobra sobra ang takot ko. Wala akong kasalanan, yan ang totoo. Hindi ko alam kung saan nila nakuha lahat ng ipinaparatang nila saken. Ayokong makulong ng matagal, dito palang palagi na akong umiiyak paano pa kaya kung doon pa sa lugar na hindi ako sanay. Ayaw ko, hindi ko kaya. Naiiyak na naman ako, tama na please, pagod na ako oh.

Bakit ganito ang justice system natin? How is it possible for them to imprison someone who is innocent? Why is it always those who genuinely help others and contribute positively to society end up facing harsh punishment at mas malala pa ay kamatayan? Someone gets killed without having an opportunity to defend themselves while their innocence is never proven.

they are being so unfair as always, it's so disappointing for me as a victim also.

Fast Forward...

•́⁠ ⁠ ⁠‿⁠ ⁠,⁠•̀

Third Person Pov

In a dimly lit courtroom, Alice, sits nervously at the defendant's table. Her lawyers, her sister Sheila Guo, her best friend Cassandra Ong and her fiance, Donya Tesoro stayed with her.

While waiting, she wandered her eyes through the whole room looking for someone even though she's fully aware that, that person will never come. Her shoulder dropped, 'sana man lang magpakita ka bago ako ikulong' she thought to herself.

It started already, Alice's involvement in human trafficking and violating human rights is brought up to the court justice, she faces a panel of stern judges and a room full of spectators.

As the trial unfolds, Alice's defense attorney argues that she was a victim herself.

"Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, the evidence clearly shows that Ms. Aliceth Guo was not just a victim; she was an active participant in a heinous crime, knowing full well the consequences of her actions." The prosecutor stands confidently.

"Objection, Your honor. The prosecutor is mischaracterizing my clients involvement. Alice was a victim herself, manipulated into this situation. She was coerced by those who preyed on her vulnerabilities." Alice's attorney uttered, the intense atmosphere calmly rising in the courtroom.

The prosecutor smirked.
"Coerced? Is that what we're really calling it? She had her choice, didn't she? She could have walked away at any time, but instead, she continued it for her own gain."

"Your Honor, I ask the jury to consider the circumstances surrounding Ms. Guo's actions. She just did what she thought was right, she got threatened by those who controlled her. It's easy to judge from the outside, but we must understand the context of her choices." Alice's defense attorney firmly said. Alice couldn't help but smile, she knew her lawyer would do anything to prove her innocence.