Rescue Me, Stranger

Chapter 5: Arraignment

Chapter 5
Arraignment

LAW

“Attorney, I was arrested. For murder.”

Para akong nabingi at hindi agad nakasagot. Alam ko at inaasahan ko nang mangyayari ‘to pero hindi ko pa rin maiwasang mabigla. My heart is racing like a horse. I closed my eyes and tried to compose myself, “I’ll come to you, okay? I always do.”

“I’ll wait for you,” Mecy said from the other line.

Pagkatapos kong ibaba ang tawag, binitawan ko ang papel na hawak ko. Nakusot ko pa ‘to nang hindi sinasadya dahil sa pagkabigla. Napansin kong nagtaka si Mr. Go at Patty dahil nagmamadali akong umalis kaya sinabi kong may importante akong pupuntahan.

“Importante rin ‘yong trial sa makalawa,” giit ni Mr. Go. “Mas importante pa ba ‘yan?”

“It’s a new case,” I replied. “And I’d rather die than lose it.”

As soon as I picked my car key, I rushed out and jumped in my car. Habang nagmamaneho patungo sa presinto, hindi mawala sa isip ko si Mecy. She must have been shocked and terrified when they arrested her. And did they even arrest her properly?

Halos paliparin ko ang sasakyan. Mabuti na lang, hindi na rush hour kaya hindi na gaanong traffic. Hindi rin gaanong malayo mula sa presinto ang law firm kaya wala pang bente minutos ay nakarating na ‘ko. I want to maintain my composure but I’m so nervous right now. This isn’t any different from any other cases I’ve handled and won yet I’m losing control. I may know the law, but sometimes you have to make it work to your advantage. And right now, Mecy and I are obviously on the bad side.

Nagmamadali akong pumasok sa loob. Nilapitan ko agad ang pinakaunang pulis na nakita ko, “Where’s Mecy Javier?”

“Nasa interrogation room na,” sagot nito.

“What?!” singhal ko. “Even without her counsel?!”

“Hindi pa naman kami nag-uumpisa, attorney.” Napalingon ako at nakita si Officer Paeng. Nagkakilala na kami sa mga kasong hinawakan ko noon. “Hinintay ka namin.”

Agad akong nagpasama sa interrogation room kung nasaan si Mecy. Pupunta rin pala si Officer Paeng doon. Sumama rin sa’min ‘yong pulis na pinagtanungan ko.

Habang naglalakad patungo sa interrogation room, bumibigat ang paghinga at paghakbang ko. Napunta na ‘ko sa ganitong sitwasyon. Mecy is not my only client who was arrested for murder. In fact, the other case I’m currently handling is also murder. But this feels weird and different.

The thought of watching her being interrogated as a murder suspect somehow devastates me.

Pagdating namin sa interrogation room, natigilan ako nang makita siya. Nagtama ang mata namin at napakagat na lang ako sa labi ko para pigilan ang sariling mapamura.

Damn it. She’s handcuffed, and I want to get her out of that kind of situation.

Naglakad ako palapit at naupo sa tabi niya. I forced a smile, “Don’t worry, I’m here. You just have to answer their questions. I won’t let them lead you, okay?”

Tumango lang siya bilang sagot.

Hindi ko alam kung anong tumatakbo sa isip niya. But the look in her eyes tells me that she’s scared. I want to hold her hand to ease her concerns but for now, I’ll hold back myself. I don’t know what I might do. I might pull her out of her if I get a hold of her. Damn it.