Midnight Momento (Astalièr Series I)

MDT 38

Chapter 38

"Atty. Samonte... you may now cross examine the witness." my breath hallowed when Judge Perez started the cross examination. I silently watched Atty. Samonte stood up and strode in front of the court.

My eyes darted into the witness sitting in front, her lips were shaking and she didn't know where to look, except for me and Atty. Lamirez. I gave her an assuring nod, letting her process and re-think everything we prepared and planned for.

"She looked like she's about to have a nervous breakdown." bulong sa akin ni Atty. Lamirez. Bumaling ako sa kanya at seryoso siyang tinignan.

"She got this. Just don't show any emotion that will trigger her nervousness. Let her think we have the upper hand." I answered in a low tone.

His brows shot up. "But we really do, you're here." he cocked his head sidewards.

I rolled my eyes. "Let's wait until Atty. Samonte was done questioning her,"

Sabay naming binalik ang atensyon sa harap. I crossed my arms and straightened my back. Ready to backfire anytime he mistreated my client.

"Ang paliwanag mo kanina, wala ka sa bahay habang nangyayari ang pagpatay. Tama ba?" panimula nito.

Yolenda gulped and looked up to him. "W-Wala ako noong dumating sila sa bahay, pero naabutan ko kung paano pinatay ang pamilya ko..." she answered shakily.

Tumango si Atty. Samonte. "Maaari mo bang linawin... ano ang nakita mo?"

Biglang natahimik. Sumulyap si Yolenda sa amin at nagkatitigan kami, pero sa huli ay pinili nitong sumagot. "T-Tatlong lalaki... madilim pero pamilyar ang mga tindig at boses nila. Ang isa sa kanila ang nagtutok ng baril sa ulo ng asawa ko... habang naka-upo ito sa sala. W-Wala pang isang segundo at bumagsak na siya sa sahig... a-at sinunod ang mga..." pumikit ito at tumulo ang luha niya.

Dahan-dahan akong napatayo. Nang mahina itong humikbi ay hindi ko na napigilan. "Objection your honor—"

Humarap sa akin si Atty. Samonte bago sa judge. "Relevant to the case, your honor." katwiran nito.

"Overruled. Sit down, Atty. Monteves." sagot ng judge.

Pumikit ako ng mariin at umupo. Humarap ako kay Yolenda at mariin siyang tinitigan. Kaya niya 'to. Alam ko kaya niya.

"Continue."

"M-Mga anak ko. Isa-isa silang binaril. Nagmamakaawa silang 'wag at umiiyak..." pinilit nitong sumagot.

I licked my lower lip and sighed when Atty. Samonte finally nodded. But he proceeded.

He paced back and forth in front of the witness. "Nangyari ito nakalipas na ang apat na taon... you were in shock when everything happened. Can you affirm to me that all of your memories and your statement earlier was the same as what really happened that night?"

Napalunok muli si Yolenda. "O-Opo..."

Atty. Samonte clicked his finger and walked towards their desk. He took some printed documents and walked near the judge to hand it. My brows narrowed and intently gaze at him. I heard Atty. Lamirez scoffed.

Tinanggap iyon ni Judge Perez.

"Your honor, that is a medical report that was publicly shown in Sulestra. If you look at page five, you'll read the witness' name along with her test results. She suffers from hallucinations due to her husband's maltreatment towards her." sambit ng abogado bago humarap sa amin. Nagkatinginan kami ni Atty. Lamirez. "So, based on her statement earlier she said she was certain. But how can we trust that if her medical reports say otherwise? She even took an oath at the first place---"