School of Law #1: Burdened (COMPLETE - TO BE PUBLISHED)

Cairish Flem Castilleja

The world is full of injustices. 'Yan ang palagi kong iniisip ever since I found out that I wanted to be a lawyer. That became my motivation to pursue law. Aside from that, I wanted to continue my family's legacy. My mom is a well-known political lawyer, and my dad is an executive judge in Cebu City Regional Trial Court. Since then, tinanggap ko na sa aking sarili na ito na nga ang daan na aking tatahakin. I never had second thoughts pursuing this field. I believe that injustices can be stopped. You just need to fight.

"So hija, plano mo talagang mag-law after college?" I smiled and nodded at Tito Joaquin.

Everyone on the table were looking at me. I could see mom and dad's proud look. I smiled widely. Nothing beats supportive parents like them. They motivated me even more.

"Alam mo, Cairish, dapat sa Manila ka na mag-aral. You can take Law at Clarke para magkasama na rin kayo ni Merian doon." Si Tita Sofia.

"Yes, po. 'Yon nga po ang plano ko. Nag-take na rin ako ng entrance doon, tita. I just need to fix my requirements here."

Doon ko naman talaga balak mag-law kasi doon na rin naka-base si Mommy at Caleiah. Kami na lang talaga ni Daddy ang nandito sa Cebu because of his work and my studies. Also, halos lahat ng pinsan ko sa mother side nasa Manila na rin. I kinda miss them too. I'm excited.

~***~

My vacation was spent in Cebu. Nag-Manila lang ako a week before the classes started. Medyo mahirap ang adjustment sa bagong environment, pero nandoon naman ang mga pinsan ko to guide me so walang naging problema. Si Merian ang ka-age ko sa kanila. May mga kani-kanilang trabaho na kasi ang mga nakatatandang kapatid niya. Two of them were in Med school, sa Clarke din.

Laking pasalamat ko na nga lang at blockmates kami ni Merian. That way, 'di na ako mahihirapang maghanap ng kaibigan. Napasabit na rin kasi ako sa isa niyang kaibigang bakla.

"Cai, may pupuntahan tayong dinner mamaya," mom told me when we were having our lunch. Ngumuso si Cali.

"Ma, may kailangan po akong tapusin na mga plates."

Napatingin ako sa kambal ko. She's so hardworking. Architecture student kasi siya at 5th year na kaya ayan sobrang busy niya na.

"Okay, nak. Kaming tatlo na lang ang pupunta."

"Saan po pala 'yong dinner, mom?" tanong ko.

"We are invited to the President's welcome party for his grandson, hija. We need to be there."

I wasn't shocked at all. Mom is the personal lawyer of the President's son, si Senator Achilles Del Rio. 'Yong papa naman ni dad ay dating family lawyer ng mga Del Rio. In short, we are close with the president's family because of our family affiliations. Madalas na nasa Malacañang sina mommy at Cali dito kasi parati silang pinapatawag. It would be my first time naman since 'di naman ako sumasama noon.

"I'll have your dress deliver later, Cairish. Magpahatid ka na lang kay manong. Hindi kami makakasabay ng daddy mo at may importante kaming pupuntahan, okay? Let's just meet at the venue." Napatango na lang ako. It's not like I have a choice.

I decided to pamper myself when mom left. Nag-spa ako and everything. Si Cali naman nasa kwarto niya lang at nakatunganga sa mga plates niya. Ang weird lang kasi ako 'yong galing probinsya pero mas sheltered si Cali. Ako 'yong gala at siya naman ang nasa bahay lang. Hindi ko alam kung paano niya na-survive ang Manila nang nasa bahay lang.

"Pupunta ba kayo mamaya sa Malacañang?" tanong ko kay Merian. We were having our tea after kong nagpa-salon.

"Hmm maybe not. Alam mo namang walang interest si papa sa politics. It's just business for him."

Ngumuso ako.

"E, ikaw? Pupunta boyfriend mo, diba?"

Barkada raw kasi boyfriend niya at 'yong apo ng president.

"I'm not going. Katamad. Si Dan naman, I don't know. Galing pa 'yong business trip. Baka pagod pa."

Bumuntong-hininga ako. Looks like I'll be alone later. Madali naman akong makisama sa tao pero depende sa environment. At 'yang party na 'yan mamaya, I don't think I'll be able to cope up. Ayoko ng politika.

~***~

"Maam, nandito na po tayo. Bigay niyo na lang po itog invitation sa reception area."

Bumuntong-hininga ako at kinuha ang card kay manong. Agad kong ti-next si mommy pagkababa ko. Tiningnan ko ang paligid. The atmosphere screams politics. Hindi ko man sila kilala sa personal, I was sure I was seeing them on TV. Senators, congressman, name it. It's a closed party kaya walang media. Thank God.

Huminga muna ako ng malalim bago naglakad patungo sa reception. Everyone was greeting someone. I felt so out of place!

"Invitation."

Binigay ko ang invitation. The girl just nodded at me and pointed me towards the door. Sumunod ako sa isang grupo papasok. I just don't want to be alone in entering. Baka maging center of attention ako. That's the least that I want tonight.

Pagkapasok ay sinalubong ako ng isang orchestra music. Nagtinginan pa ang iba sa pintuan. It was indeed a good decision to blend in with a group.

Agad kong ikinalat ang aking tingin. Ang laki ng venue! Nasaan sina mommy? I got my phone from my clutch. Walang reply si mommy kaya tinawagan ko siya. It was ringing but she wasn't picking up. Gosh!

"Excuse me, are you lost?" Agad akong napalingon nang marinig ang boses na 'yon. Muntikan pa akong matumba nang makita ko ang nagsalita.

Holy cow! He looks so fucking gorgeous! He has this beautifully sculpted jaw and clean-shaven face. His black hair was cleanly fixed. I was sure that he's been a regular gym costumer. Kitang kita sa hugis ng katawan niya.

"Miss?"

Shit!

"Uhh yeah... I mean yeah..." I let out a sigh. Bahagya siyang natawa. Mas nadepina tuloy ang panga niya. Gahd. Ang ganda ng smile!

"Well, I might help you. May hinahanap ka ba?"

"Hmm kind of. I'm looking for my mom. I can't contact her."

"I could help you. Sino ba mommy mo?"

"Attorney-"

"Cairish!"

"Mommy!"

"Saan ka ba nagsusuot?"

"I was calling you kaya!" Napairap ako. Gahd! Hindi ako pinansin ni mommy. Sa halip, hinila niya anag braso ko paharap sa mga kasama niya.

"Senator, Mr. President, this is my other daughter, Cairish. Siya itong kasama ng daddy niya sa Cebu, while Cali's here with me." Tipid akong ngumiti. Fudge. I don't even know how to act! Kaharap ko ang presidente, hello!

"Wow! Ang ganda nga naman nitong anak niyo, judge. Manang-mana sa inyo. Hating-hati ang Fermin at Castilleja, o." I awkwardly smiled again.

Then they began talking about something na naman. I felt so out of place! Hindi ko alam kung paano mag-excuse hanggang sa naramdaman ko ang mga titig mula sa aking likuran. Napalingon ako at nakita iyong lalaking nag-alok ng tulong kanina. He was smilinh amd smirking. Ang gwapo nga naman ng isang 'to kahit mukhang fuckboy.

"Desiderius, hijo, come here! Halika!" Agad na nanlaki ang mga mata ko at napalingon sa anak ng presidente. Lumapit 'yong lalaki sa amin at nakipagkamay pa kay daddy.

"Hija, this is Caile Desiderius Del Rio, only son ni Achilles at Allana," mommy said and gestured me to him. Inabot niya ang kanyang kamay. Ako naman ay gulat na gulat at hindi makapaniwala.

He is the president's grandson! The only grandson! What the freak?!

"Nice to meet you, Cairish. Des na lang." Inabot ko 'yong kamay ko kahit na nakaawang pa rin ang bibig ko. Fudge, Cairish get yourself together!

That handshake started everything. The next thing I knew, I was already involved with him, his family, and his political shits. That's when things started to get more complicated.