Rage Against The Heart (Valdemar Series #3)

Kabanata 22

22 – Resort

The appeal we filed for the case was rejected. They did not give me another chance to prove her innocence. They did not reconsider the judgement they made. That made me really furious. Alam ko kung paano ko napatunayan ang lahat, alam ko kung gaano katibay ang mga ebidensiya pati na ang mga testigo. I don't know where I went wrong. Or maybe, I didn't. Alam na alam kong mayroon na namang perang pumasok sa kasong ito. Hindi ako nagkakamali ro'n.

I did not leave the firm that night. I was wide awake, thinking about the look at nanay's face when they took her again. It was still encouraging, hopeful, and full of love. Hindi nagbago ang ngiti niya matapos ang lahat ng nangyari. Sana ay kasing tapang niya ako na kaya pa ring ngumiti sa gitna ng digmaan.

She is in prison for nearly six years. Hindi ko alam kung saan siya humuhugot ng lakas ng loob sa ganitong panahon. She doesn't seem angry about what happened. She is so forgiving, that is what's wrong about her.

Hindi dapat pinapatawad ang mga taong hindi nagsisisi. At kahit magsisi sila, hinding-hindi nila makukuha ang kapatawaran mula sa akin.

Ipinikit ko nang mariin ang mga mata ko nang maramdaman ko ang guhit ng alak sa lalamunan ko. I let my fingers run through my hair and glanced at him.

"Hindi ko na alam kung ano pang ebidensiya ang dapat kong iharap, Luigi.." I shook my head. "I don't know where I went wrong."

"Nothing went wrong, Ally. That's just the third case you handled and you handled it very well."

Binitiwan ko ang baso saka yumuko. Natalo ako. Natalo ako sa kasong iyon. They took her away from me again.

"I lost it."

"You didn't.." he said. "They did something to the judge and the jury, I am sure of it."

Bumaling ako sa kaniya. Malamlam ang tingin niya sa akin saka inagaw ang basong hawak ko. I shut my eyes and swallowed the last drop of the alcohol inside my mouth.

"Napatunayan mo ang totoong nangyari nang gabing iyon. Your witnesses were stronger. The evidences you presented proved it. The prosecutor doesn't want to see you in court anymore because he's threatened! And you know he is the best in town."

Pumangalumbaba ako habang nakatingin sa kaniya. Halos mahilo na ako sa alak ngunit hindi ko iyon inintindi. I feel like a failure. I am disappointed with myself.

I smiled sadly. "Am I even deserving to be a lawyer? I lost the case of my mother."

"You fought for it equally, Ally. You said you'll fight for her and you did. That won't change just because you lost it.."

He held my hand. Umiling ako saka yumuko. Ngayong gabi lang ako magiging mahina, lulubos-lubusin ko na. And I know Luigi won't judge me. He knows every sacrifices I did to get here.

"The appeal is rejected. Hindi ko na a-alam ang gagawin ko.."

"We will find a way, Ally.. More witness, more evidence, we will get there.." he encouraged. "I'll do the investigation to the people of the jury and the judge, don't worry about it. Malalaman ko kung anong nangyari.."

Hindi ko napigilang maluha. I looked up to stop my tears from falling but I failed. Hindi ko rin napigilan ang sunod-sunod na pagbagsak ng mga luha ko.

I nodded and forced myself to smile. Nilingon ko siya saka nagpunas ng luha. He was looking directly to me with hopes in his eyes. Muli akong tumango kasabay ng pagtulo ng mga luha ko.

"Salamat, Luigi. Hindi ko alam ang gagawin ko kung wala ka."

Humigpit ang hawak niya sa kamay ko saka ngumiti. I am thankful to him. I am thankful with all of my heart. He never left me. He never let me down.