Let's Talk, Mi Amore

Chapter 1

'Judge Matsomoto is arrive, please all rise' the court clerk said.

Tumayo ang lahat upang makapagsimula na.
And then after a few minutes of opening rituals, the clerk continued
'Good Morning Ladies and Gentlemen, calling the Criminal Case no. 6969, People of the Philippines versus Arnel P. Langbayag. Are the both parties ready ?'

'Ready, Your Honor', sabay naming sagot ng kabilang panig.

Tumikhim ang Hukom 'Ladies & Gentleman of this court, this case about Violence against women and their children. Mr. Langbayag the accused, the Wife and step daughter are the victims. Prosecution, would you like to start the opening statement?'

'Yes, Your Honor.' nakatapat sa akin ang mikropono habang ako'y nagsasalita at humarap sa monitor na naglalaman ng mga litratong na mga pasa, sugat na siyang magiging malakas na proweba sa nagawang pang-aabuso ng tiyuhin ng dalagita sa kanila.

'As you can see on each slides,those are the evidences that will prove that the accused is guilty as charged.' and the whole court silence.

'Defense ?' Hukom.

'My client was accused of beating his wife and step-daughter. However,  those evidences were concrete but it doesn't mean that my client is guilty. We we're here in front of the court to prove the innocence of Mr. Langbayag'

'SANAOL WALANGBAYAG !' bulong ko na ako lang ang makakarinig. Then I look at the clerk and she nodded.

'The Prosecution wants to call the witness and also a victim.' clerk.

The clerk stood up in front of the victim and say 'Say your name for the record' and continued, 'Do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth? Raise your right hand and say I do.'

'I do', and the clerk nod and say 'You may sit down'.

I stood up and walk towards on the victims' where she sat.

'Good Morning Ms. Inah, how are you ?' I asked her and smile to make her calm but I fail.

'Di po 'ko maayos, hanggat di nakukulong si Uncle.' usal niya habang tumutulo ang kaniyang luha.

'Pwede mo bang ilahad sa loob ng korteng ito ang buong detalye ?'

'Opo.' tumatangong sagot niya.
Lumingon siya sa kaniyang tiyuhin.

'Noong unang pananakit niya kay Inay ay no'ng ika labing siyam ng pebrero, alas onse po ng gabi, lasing na lasing po siya noon at sinisigawan biya si Nanay na "Walang kwenta, puta ! Wala kang silbi ! Mga palamunin" at bigla niya pong sinakal si Nanay, lumabas po'ko ng kwarto upang awatin si Uncle. Pinalagpas po yun ni Nanay dahil lasing lang daw si Uncle. Nung nag Umaga po humingi naman po ng pasensiya si Uncle.'

'See, nag sorry ako. Di ko naman Kasi yun sinasadya, lasing ako nun.' Sabat ni Mr. Langbayag.

'Yung ikalawang pananakit niya po ay dahil po sa pera, hinila niya po ng Todo Yung buhok ko at sinampal ng ilang beses. Pinagbintangan niya po akong ninakawan ko po siya--

'Totoo naman talagang ikaw ang nagnakaw ng pera ko ! Kitang Kita ko mismo na nasa kamay mo !'

'Order in the Court !'Judge.

'Sorry,Your Honor'. hinging paumanhin niya.

The Judge look at the victim and said 'Continue'

'Hindi ko po 'yon magagawa. Di po'ko pinalaki ni Nanay na mangialam ng bagay na hindi po sa akin na walang pahintulot. Yung perang nakita po ni Uncle, pinaghirapan ko po 'yun. Nang guguna po ako sa kalapit bahay upang may pangbaon po ako kinabukasan sa paaralan. At ikatlo po ay.....'