The Misadventures of Seduction (COMPLETED)

Kabanata 7

Safe

Nanginginig akong tumingin sa lalake habang nasa police station kami. The police asked my parents' number but I did not give it to them. Instead, I gave them my lawyer's number. Hindi na sila nagtanong dahil may kasama naman akong matandang babaeng nagsisilbing guardian ko.

I need this man arrested quietly.

"Kailangan ko ang abogado ko!" Sigaw ng choreographer habang pinapasok siya sa police station. Binalutan ako ng kumot ng matandang babae kanina at hanggang ngayon ay hindi niya ako binibitawan.

I did not run and punch him. I just stared as he looked at me, guilt and anger plastered in his eyes. Noong una ay nagbalak pa siyang tumakas ngunit nadakip pa rin siya ng mga pulis. His eyes were red because of the pepper spray I sprayed in his eyes.

Nang makalapit nang bahagya ay nakita ko ang handcuff sa mga kamay niya. The police told his rights while putting the handcuffs earlier.

At first, I was scared they would think that I'm bluffing. But when they interviewed me, they even checked for wounds or bruises. Nagtagal ang tingin nila sa aking leeg at sa aking balikat. May nakita rin silang mga pasa sa kamay at paa ko.

"Tsk. Tsk. Iba na talaga ang mga tao ngayon." The police officer said.

Pinagpahinga muna ako sa sasakyan ng abogado ko habang abala siya roon. I immediately locked the door when the old woman left. Nagtagal ako roon na bukang buka ang mata hanggang sa dumating ang abogado kong babae at nagsimula nang magmaneho.

"What happened?" Nanghihina kong sinabi.

Ngumiti lang ito sa akin.

I know it will be hard. Wala kasing witness at wala ring CCTV sa mismong studio. Pero may CCTV naman sa hallway. Will that be enough? And they checked my body! Tinignan nila kung may masakit ba sa akin! Kung hindi kayang attempted rape ang kaso sakanya ay ang pagiging bayolente nalang niya!

"Please don't tell my parents..." I silently said.

Tumingin ito sa akin bago humarap ulit sa daan. I know it will be hard to keep it from my parents. I sighed. Tumingin ulit siya sa akin bago tumango nalang.

"We can file a case on the violation of RA 9262. That, I can promise, because of your bruises and the superficial burn on your neck and scrapes on your skin because of the presence of a taser. He will be imprisoned for a year and he needs to pay five hundred thousand pesos."

Tumango ako roon. What about attempted rape? Or sexual harassment?

"Sexual Harassment..." She sighed. "We need more evidences. The building owner said she has a CCTV on that floor." She looked at me.

"Sa hallway lang." I answered.

Tumango siya at tumingin muli sa daanan.

"Did he follow you when you escaped?"

Tumango ako nang mabilis, nabubuhayan ng pag-asa.

"Just follow?" Tumango ako.

"H-he was running to me."

"Were you dressed like that?"

Tumango na rin ako. I don't know how it works but I need to give her every detail. Kahit nakakanginig. Kahit nakakatakot.

"He used my taser against me. I used it on him too for self-defense. He... he even threw my phone when he saw someone text me."

"Property damage." She said before nodding. "We can file a case on the violation of RA 7877. This Act is a consolidation of House Bill No. 9425 and Senate Bill No. 1632. Since you were in a training environment, sexual harassment is committed against one who is under the care, custody or supervision of the offender, against one whose education, training, apprenticeship or tutorship is entrusted to the offender, when the sexual favor is made a condition to the giving of a passing grade, or the granting of honors or scholarships, or the payment of the stipend, allowance or other benefits, privileges or consideration; or when the sexual advances result in intimidating, hostile or offensive environment for the student, trainee or apprentice." She said as if she memorized the whole handbook of law. "Don't worry, Vivienne... We will file as many case as possible. We'll also apply to the district court for a restraining order. Physical violence may be our reason since he marked many bruises on you." She tsked when she realized the offender's mistake.