Rage Against The Heart (Valdemar Series #3)

Kabanata 40

40 – Defendant

"Those bastards are threatening Luigi.." Jared gritted his teeth. "Mga walanghiya talaga."

I looked down and felt guilty. Alam kong gagawin ni Esperanza ang lahat para wala akong makuhang abogado, ngunit hindi niya maiaalis sa akin si Luigi. Kevin told me that he is receiving threats. Gaya na lamang ng ipasasara ang firm niya, o ipatatanggal ang lisensiya niya, at ipapapatay siya. He has received all of those.

Kahit naman sabihin ko sa kaniyang huwag na akong ipagtanggol, hindi siya makikinig. I wanted to represent myself but that wouldn't be good.

I stayed in the prison for a month. The trial is tomorrow and I can't help but to be nervous. Luigi didn't mention any witness to me. He was too busy to even visit me so Willow, Terry, Jared, and Kevin made sure that they'll see me. Hanggang ngayon, wala pa rin sina nanay at hindi dumating. Iyon nga ang gusto ko, dahil hindi ko alam kung ano ang magiging epekto sa kanila kapag talagang nakita nila ako rito.

Luigi was nervous on the day of the trial. So was I. Sobrang kaba ang nararamdaman ko dahil alam kong ito na ang huli. Kung hindi namin ito maipapanalo, ibig sabihin ay tapos na ang lahat.

"Luigi, h-hindi mo kailangang gawin ito.."

I know all of the threats he's receiving. At kung pati ang buhay niya ay nakataya sa pagtatanggol sa akin, hindi na lang. Hindi ko iyon kayang payagan.

"Gagawin ko ito, sa ayaw at sa gusto mo."

I shut my eyes and breathed deeply. Hinawakan niya ang kamay kong mayroong posas saka umiling.

"Mahal kita, Ally. Kahit na hindi ka sa akin uuwi matapos mong makalaya, wala akong pakialam."

Umiwas ako ng tingin kasabay ng biglang pagbagsak ng luha ko. He can't be like this. It hurts to hear him like this.

Luigi has been a good friend to me. He was always there. He is the friend I never expected to come into my life. He was there everytime. Through highs and lows, he never left. And it breaks my heart that he isn't the one I love.

He left when the trial was about to start. Mayroon pa ring posas ang palapulsuhan ko at kasama ang mga pulis sa iisang kuwarto. Terry, Willow, Jared, and Kevin will be there. Napakaraming reporters ang naroon. Alam kong ang balitang ito ay lalabas sa kahit saang istasyon.

"All rise. The court is now in session."

Nanuot ang lamig sa balat ko. Luigi's face was expressionless as he look at the judge. I stood up and bowed my head a little. Matapos iyon ay umupo na ang lahat ngunit patuloy pa rin ang bulungan ng ilan.

"Prosecutor George Walsh, your Honor."

Luigi cleared his throat. "Atty. Luigi Alcantara, counsel for defense, your Honor."

Luminga ako sa loob. Nanay was there beside Willow. She was already crying. Umiwas ako ng tingin upang hindi maiyak. I will try my best not to show any weakness in this trial. Ito ang huling laban ko. I need to win this. We need to fight for this.

In front was the judge and beside him was the witness' chair. I was on the side, facing the jury on the other part of the courtroom while the court officer was on my side. Luigi was just beside the prosecutor and the investigating officer. Sa kanang bahagi ng kuwarto ay naroon ang public gallery kung saan nakapuwesto sina nanay. The other half was the victim's space. Naroon din ang mga reporters.

Esperanza was looking at me with a smirk on her face. Wala sa tabi niya si Alondra at na sa likod iyon. Malakas na humampas ang dibdib ko nang makita kung sino ang katabi niya. He looked cold. Diretso ang tingin niya at hindi bumaling sa akin. He was like a mess. Hindi ko mapigilan ang pagkirot ng dibdib ko. I miss him so much.