BS#3: OWNING HER INNOCENCE

Kabanata 13

Present. . .

 

 

                                 

Rhezi closed her eyes as the vivid memory from the past flashed in her mind. She shook her head lightly and massaged her temple. She was feeling uneasy out of nowhere. She tried to calm herself, and her eyes abruptly turned to Kraius Montreal, who was standing in front of them, facing one of Mrs. Andao’s witnesses.

He asked, “Kung si Mr. Andao ang sinasabing nangaliwa kay Mrs. Andao, bakit madalas ang paglabas ni Mrs. Andao sa gabi?” Humarap din ito sa mga naroon at inilibot ang paningin. Nang makita siya ay tumigil ang mga mata nito. “If Mr. Andao was cheating from the beginning, can you prove your claim?”

She blinked a few times as Kraius’ eyes pierced through her. She knew his mad. Well, galit din naman siya rito kaya amanos lang sila!

Tumalikod muli ito para harapin ang witness. Marami itong tanong na hindi na halos masagot ng huli. Kapagkuwan, naglakad ito palapit kay Judge Condrad Aguirre at may inabot itong kung ano.

“Videos and pictures that will prove that Mrs. Andao always left their house at night,” mariing turan nito habang may ngisi sa labi. Muli rin nitong ibinaling ang tingin sa kaniya. “You can watch it if you want. Mrs. Andao is the one who cheated, not my client.”

“Objection, Your Honor!” she opposed. She was appalled by Kraius’ behavior. Mariin ang pagkakapatong ng dalawang kamay niya sa mesa habang nakatayo. Biglang nawala ang maamong itsura niya at naging mabangis iyon.

“Why? I have proof to justify my claim,” si Kraius.

“It’s clearly false accusations,” sagot niya.

“Order in the court,” Judge Aguirre said while hammering his gavel.

Rhezi sighed heavily and glared at Kraius, who was eyeing her intently. Ngumisi ito na mas lalong nagpainis sa kaniya. She rolled her eyes on him and looked at Dr. Olive Ramirez, who was gracefully walking in front and sat on the bench to present her psychological study of Mr. and Mrs. Andao’s case.

Napailing siya, sinusubukan na kumalma sa mga titig na ibinibigay ni Kraius sa kaniya. Mariin pa rin ang titig nito na tila namamangha. He was eyeing her from the chair he was sitting in, observing her every move. 

Nang matapos ang trial ay nakahinga siya nang maluwag habang nakaupo pa rin sa bench na nakalaan para sa kaniya. She talked to Mrs. Andao and thanked their psychiatrist before she took her purse. Mabilis ang mga hakbang habang nakataas ang noo na nilisan niya ang courtroom.

She was walking fast. The sound of her heels echoed in every corner of the pathway she was walking. Tuloy-tuloy ang lakad niya habang binabati naman ang iilang nakasasalubong.

“Fuck!” she cursed as she looked at her Vacheron Constantin watch. It was five in the afternoon and she was obviously fucked up.

“You cursed.” Out of nowhere, Kraius spoke.

Natigilan siya sa akmang pagpasok sa loob ng sasakyan niyang Audi A4. She shifted her gaze and looked at Kraius, who was looking at her unbelievably. Para bang hindi ito makapaniwala sa nalaman dahil sa kunot na kunot nitong noo. Ngayon lang ba ito nakarinig na nagmura siya? Well, it had been a long time since they saw each other.

“The trial is already done, Mr. Montreal. May kailangan ka ba sa akin?” Her face remained stoic. She even raised her eyebrow to emphasize her claim.

Hindi apektado si Kraius sa pagtataray niya. He walked closer to her and grabbed her left arm. Nagtatagis ang mga bagang nito habang mariin ang mga titig nitong sinusuyod ang kaniyang mukha. His eyes were dull, but a glint of hatred was also evident.