LET ME IN DARK (COMPLETED)

Kabanata 29- Trial

Trial

"All rise." Tumayo kaming lahat "Department One of the Superior court is now in session. Judge Valeria presiding. Please be seated."

Napatingin ako sa bailiff, Nakasuot siya na parang uniform ng isang pulis. Nakaramdam naman agad ako ng tensyon at kaba habang pinapanood ang Judge. Na nakasuot ng kulay itim na judge robe. Maikli lang ang buhok niya at hanggang balikat lang. Sa tantya ko ay mga nasa mid 50's na ang edad niya. Sa aura niya ay bakas na bakas ang pagiging professional na nagpakaba lalo sa akin.

"Good morning, Ladies and gentlemen. Calling the case involves the disappearance of Aica's luxury bracelet. In this case, Aica Gonzales, who is an owner of the luxury bracelet is the plaintiff and Kaela Yves Fernivilla is the defendant. Are the both sides ready?"

"Ready for the People, Your Honor."

"Ready for the defense, Your Honor."

"Will the jury please stand up and raise your right hand?" Tumayo ang lahat ng Jury na involve.

Ang Jury sila 'yung mga taong responsible sa pagbibigay ng verdict sa case na binigay sa kanila. Sila rin 'yung nagpapataw ng parusa sa isang tao kung napatunayan itong guilty. 

"All of you swear that you will try the case before this court, and that you will return a honest verdict according to the evidence and the instructions of the Court, so help, God? Please say "I do"." sumagot ang jury ng I do "You may be seated."

Lahat kami ay sabay sabay na umupo. Nangingig ang kamay ko kaya para pigilan ang pangangatog ay kinurot-kurot ko na lang ang kamay ko. Umayos ako ng pagkakaupo at ginala ang paningin.

There he is.

Wearing a sky blue longsleeve polo. He still handsome with his messy hair. He looks miserable too.He met my gaze.

"I love you.." he mouthed.

Kinagat ko ang aking labi, 'Yung mata niya ay nangungusap at nakatingin ng direkta sa akin. Tagos na tagos ang pag-aalala niya na parang yumakap naman sa puso ko.

Bakit ngayon ka lang nagpakita? Wala ka ng panahon na nakulong ako. Wala ka nung panahon na kailangan kita.

"Does the prosecuting attorney want to open a statement?" Tanong ni Judge Valeria.

Napatingin ako sa babaeng biglang tumayo. She's wearing a black prosecutor gown mayr'on pang red line sa bandang neckline. Nakatakong rin siya, kitang-kita rin sa tindig niya ang pagiging confidence. Prosecuting Attorney sila 'yung public official or lawyer na nagsasagawa ng kaso laban sa defendant.

"In this case will prove that on Wednesday, March, 26, Kaela Fernivilla has taken the luxury bracelet worth almost half a million pesos from my client, Aica Gonzales. When Aica went to a conference room she was still wearing her bracelet but a few minutes later it was lost and the only person in the conference room was Aica, Aica's two employees and Miss Fernivilla. For a minutes they found the missing bracelet from Miss Fernivilla and for the another few minutes the defendant was arrested stealing a luxury bracelet. The defendant's fingerprints was detected in bracelet to be stolen. The evidence I present will prove to you without any doubt that the defendant is guilty as charged." Mahabang paliwanag niya.

Tiningnan kong maigi ang nagsalita. Anong guilty?! Sinabi ko ng hindi ako guilty! Napatingin naman ako kay Attorney. Nazario na tumayo. She's wearing a white blouse and pencil cut. Halos kaedad lang rin siya nina Magen. Mabuti na lang at kakilala 'to ni Magen.

She trusted me.

"Ladies and gentlemen in this court. I want to clarify that my client, Kaela Yves Fernivilla has been wrongly accused of stealing Aica Gonzales luxury bracelet. Miss Fernivilla was ordered by Miss Gonzales to get a blue folder inside her office located in A.V Furnitures building and was followed by Miss Fernivilla on March 26 before the meeting would take place. I want you all to know the truth: that my client, Kaela Yves Fernivilla had nothing to do with what was falsely charged in her. Therefore, I want to inform all of you without any doubt that my client is not guilty." Pagdedepensa niya sa'kin.