#CTG50 Chapter 50

"Thank you," I said after I paid for the pocket knife that I just bought. Paglabas ko galing trabaho ay agad kong napansin iyong naka-ipit na papel sa windshield ko. Huminga ako nang malalim bago ko binasa iyon. Alam ko naman na kung ano ang mababasa ko... Ever since Iñigo started his job as a prosecutor, I'd sometimes find myself at the end of these threats.

I was always the subject.

What they didn't know is that instead of scaring Iñigo, they're just making him madder—almost like some kind of push that makes him work extra harder in his cases that almost always ended up in conviction.

And this morning, the same happened...

Only this time, Iñigo's name wasn't mentioned.

I held my coat closer to my body as if that was enough to shield my baby from everything that's happening. Gusto ko na ring matapos 'to. Gusto ko ng bumalik sa dati. I just wanted to go to work and go home and lie in bed with Iñigo and talk about the name of our baby—we had a deal na kung sinumang case ang naipanalo niya nang mabuo namin 'yung baby, doon kami mamimili ng pangalan.

I surely did hope na may magandang pangalan sa kaso na 'yun.

Pagdating ko sa condo ni Jax ay si Yago ang naabutan ko. He was... whistling. He was even strumming his fingers against the desk. Someone's in a good mood.

"Good morning, Cha!" he greeted.

Naka-tingin lang ako sa kanya bago tumingin sa paligid para tignan kung nandito ba si Jax. I needed to know if he's receiving the same threat that I got. Sigurado ako na galing 'to sa mga Ramirez dahil sila lang naman ang may kayang magpadala ng ganito.

"San si Jax?" I asked.

"I don't know. He was just here..." nagtataka na sabi ni Yago. "By the way, thank you."

"For what?"

"Rory just told me that you talked to her."

"Kayo na ulit?"

"Yes. Thank you."

"No problem," I replied and quickly turned around. Iniiwasan ko talaga na makita ang mukha ni Yago dahil magiging malaking problema ito kapag siya ang kamukha ng anak ko imbes na ang tatay niya. Malapit naman ng matapos iyong kaso... Iba talaga ang kapangyarihan ng mga Ramirez. Usually, umaabot ng buwan o taon ang kaso, pero sa case ni Katherine? Sobrang bilis ng mga pangyayari.

Dahil wala si Jax ay kaming dalawa lang ni Yago ang natira. We were just staring at the board in front of us, trying to piece the puzzle together... Hindi pa rin namin maintindihan kung paanong magagawa ni Katherine na saksakin si Kier gayong kaka-hampas lang ng ulo niya sa bathtub.

"Some people are seriously just batshit crazy," Yago said.

"You know what they say? Don't talk ill about the dead," I replied.

He scoffed. "Pasalamat nga 'yan patay na siya, e. If not? I'm pretty sure it's Jax we'd have to get out of prison."

I didn't comment on that kasi totoo naman. I'd seen Jax get pissed sometimes... but this was the only instance that he's really mad. He's so mad that he cried out of frustration. He wasn't able to control his feelings anymore. Kahit nga nung naghiwalay sila ni Katherine, he was still able to pull himself together and to focus his attention on studying...

Pero ngayon?

Sigurado ako na kung buhay pa si Kier, ang magiging problema namin nila Yago ay kung paano ilalabas si Jax ng kulungan because we're all sure that he'd commit murder.

Ilang oras na kaming nagta-trabaho ni Yago nang bigla na lang siyang tumayo at mabilis na kinuha iyong mga gamit niya.

"Yago," I called, confused as to what was happening.

"I need to go," he replied. "Rory's dad..."

My lips parted.

Ni hindi nagawa ni Yago na ituloy ang sasabihin niya. He just quietly went his way habang naiwan ako roon na hindi alam kung ano ang gagawin o sasabihin.

Bakit... ganito? Bakit sabay-sabay?

"Where's Yago?" Jax asked when he finally returned.

"Umalis," sagot ko. "I think... I think something happened with Rory's dad."

I watched as colors got drained from Jax's face. Kitang-kita ko kung paano niya ipinikit ang mga mata niya at kung paano siya huminga nang malalim na para bang pinipilit niya na lang ang sarili niya na maging matatag.

But he's tired.

We're all tired.

We all just wanted this to end.

"Okay," he whispered to himself. Tumingin siya sa akin. "Cha, pwedeng ikaw na lang 'yung pumunta sa address na 'to?" he asked, getting a piece of paper and scribbling something down.

"Sure. Ano'ng gagawin ko rito?"

"I... don't know yet," he replied. "Ako sana iyong pupunta, pero kailangan kong puntahan si Rory."

I nodded, accepting the paper from him. I knew that Jax's close to Rory's father dahil laging bumibisita si Jax sa bahay nila. How hard it must be for him—para talagang sunud-sunod na iyong nangyayari.

"May nakuha ka bang death threat?" I asked bago ko pa man malimutan.

Agad siyang napa-tingin sa 'kin. "May nakuha ka rin?"

I nodded. "Kaninang umaga."

His jaw clenched. Napa-hawak siya sa upuan. Ipinikit niya ang mga mata at huminga nang malalim.

"Cha... I know I asked for your help, but this is getting too dangerous. Okay na 'yung naitulong mo. Ako na ang bahala," seryoso niyang sabi sa akin.

"I can handle myself," he said.

"I know, but I won't be able to live with myself kapag may nangyari sa 'yo," he replied. "Nandito naman si Yago. Kaya na namin 'to."

I looked at him, debating if I'd tell him na kinakabahan ako dahil sigurado ako na mananalo si Iñigo. Tuwing nakikita ko siyang nagta-trabaho sa apartment, kitang-kita ko na parang alam niya na kung paano niya maipapanalo ang kaso. There's... something. Hindi ko maipaliwanag. But living with Iñigo for years, alam ko na kung kailan siya sigurado sa kaso.

Kapag hindi siya sigurado kung mananalo siya, I could always see the visible frustration on his face... pero sa kaso na 'to? He's so calm... almost like he already knew the ending.

"No offense, pero ako ang pinaka-mataas sa crim finals sa ating tatlo," I said, and Jax laughed for a few seconds. "Jax, believe it or not, you're my oldest friend. Hindi kita iiwan, okay? So, stop even asking me for that. I'll take extra care."

He looked at me, and then sighed.

"Okay..." he said.

Jax and I agreed that he'd move back to their house for the time being. Dito pa rin sa condo niya kami magta-trabaho. I told him that it's absolutely necessary na sabihin niya sa pamilya niya iyong nangyayari para hindi sila magka-gulatan. They'd understand. Lawyer din ang nanay ni Jax. This is the risk that comes with the territory.

Dahil doon, Joey's boyfriend, Psalm, helped in getting us security for the time being... which was ironic... because as far as I was concerned, the Gomez de Liaño family's affiliated with the Ramirez.

Politics is really a mystery.

"Ano'ng nangyari?" Jax asked nang muling magkita kami sa condo niya. Hindi pa namin nakaka-usap muli sina Rory at Yago dahil busy pa sila sa burol.

It's only the two of us for now.

"I went there last night. Two hours akong naghintay pero wala namang dumating," I said.

Jax merely nodded. I didn't prod further.

The days rolled by quickly. I was very careful na hindi na ako dumadaan kung saan-saan tuwing pauwi ako. I just... God, I just really wanted this case to be over.

Paglabas ko ng kwarto, nakita ko na naka-handa na roon iyong pagkain. It's a complete breakfast. Nandoon na rin iyong vitamins na kailangan kong inumin.

We were both quiet.

Today's the first day of trial.

"Sabay na tayong umuwi pagkatapos," he said.

"Okay," I replied.

"Kung anuman 'yung sasabihin ko 'dun, lagi mong tatandaan na hindi ko 'yun gusto."

Tumingin ako sa kanya.

"Alam ko," sagot ko.

"Salamat."

"Iñigo," I called. "Do you think you'll win?"

He looked at me. He's wearing the tie that I got him when he got the prosecutor's job. Sabi niya na lucky charm niya iyon at na nanalo siya tuwing suot niya 'yun.

"Yes," he replied.

Hindi ako nakapagsalita.

"But still, please tell Jax to do his best. It's proof beyond reasonable doubt... Hindi natin alam kung ano ang pwedeng mangyari."

Hanggang sa matapos kaming kumain ay wala ng nagsalita pa. Ramdam na ramdam ko iyong kaba. Parang naririnig ko iyong tibok ng puso ko.

Pagdating namin sa korte ay agad kong pinuntahan sina Jax at Katherine. Jax was briefing Katherine. Tahimik akong nakikinig doon. I needed Katherine to focus, but she's more focused about being mad for Jax receiving death threats.

For one moment, I wanted to slap her and beg her to focus dahil hindi lang buhay niya iyong naka-salalay dito. She's always all about Jax! She's all about compromising everything kaya sila naka-rating dito. If she even thought about herself for once, hindi naman sila aabot dito.

Too much of everything is bad.

Sobra siyang magmahal.

Walang tinira sa sarili.

"Hindi ko alam ang gagawin ko kung may mangyari sa inyong dalawa," she said.

I looked at her, hoping that she'd get this in her thick head.

"If we die, then at least don't let our deaths be in vain, Katherine. For once, stop trying to throw yourself a fucking pity party. The fight hasn't even begun yet. Lumaban ka naman. Kahit hindi para sa sarili mo. Kahit para kay Jax na hanggang ngayon, pinaglalaban ka pa rin,"sabi ko bago ako lumabas.

Nang lumabas ako ay natigilan ako nang makita ko si Iñigo. He was just standing on the hallway, his back resting against the wall. His eyes were closed.

"Cha," tawag niya sa pangalan ko nang makita ako.

"May the truth win in court," I said.

He nodded. "What wins in the court becomes the truth."

"You're right," I replied.

He smiled sadly. "I never thought na sa ganitong paraan tayo magkikita sa korte. I always thought we'd be on the same side."

"That's life for your, prosecutor," I replied.

"You're right, attorney," he said. "Pagkatapos nito, punta tayong mall para bumili ng gamit ni baby? I need to unwind."

"Okay. But no pink, please."

He laughed. "Pero 'wag puro white," he said. "Bibili na ba tayo ng crib o masyado pang maaga? Also, gusto mo tumingin na tayo ng lupa sa subdivision tapos ipon na tayo para magpa-tayo ng bahay?"

"Pwede naman... pero ayoko sa Metro Manila tumira," I said. I was about to tell him that I wanted to live somewhere that still near Manila, but not really in Manila, pero natigilan ako dahil nakita kong paparating na si judge. I looked at Iñigo.

"See you inside, prosecutor," I said before I made my way inside.

Nang magsimula ang hearing ay tahimik akong nakikinig. Himala na hindi pa nababali ang ballpen na hawak ko dahil sa sobrang higpit ng pagkaka-hawak ko.

Iñigo's good...

He's so fucking good...

"Calm down," I whispered to Jax dahil ramdam ko na kinakabahan na siya. He needed to focus. Hindi makaka-tulong sa kanya kung magiging masyado siyang emosyonal. This is the court of law—not the court of emotion. Facts win in this place. He needed to get that in his head—silang dalawa ni Katherine dahil sobra silang apektado.

Nang panahon na ni Jax para magtanong, pinapanood ko iyong mukha ni Iñigo, but he was just... so calm.

He's been through this a couple of times. Alam ko na alam na alam niya na kung ano ang gagawin, kung ano ang itatanong.

I knew that Katherine and Jax were thinking that Iñigo's playing dirty tricks, but I knew him better. He's just really fucking good at this that it's almost annoying.

Nang magbigay ng recess si Judge Marquez ay kitang-kita ko ang galit sa mga mata ni Katherine.

"Who's our witness?" Katherine asked. She sounded furious.

"The doctor who examined you," Jax said. "He'll testify that you weren't strong enough to inflict the wound that killed Kier."

"How about Jessa's testimony? Hindi ba nila gagamitin iyon para palabasin na sa sobrang galit ko kay Kier, kinaya ko na saktan siya?" tanong niya.

Jax looked surprised.

Kahit ako naman.

I was so used to seeing Katherine so down that this... was something new. It's almost like we're back in law school and she's the Katherine who made Jax ditch our class and miss his quiz.

"No more babying me. I want to know everything," she told us. "I will fight. I'm tired of letting you take all the bullets for me."

I wanted to not smile because surely, there's a better time than that... but God, I was just so happy! Finally! Dahil malapit na rin akong mapikon sa self-pity niya. Thank God she's back!

"Katherine—" Jax said, but Katherine quickly cut him off.

"I'm fine. I'm a lawyer, too, Jax. I fucking studied for four years. I reviewed. I passed the BAR. I took the oath. I signed the roll. I am a lawyer."

That's it.

I closed the gap and hugged her.

God, this was what I wanted to see.

"That's the bitch I hated back in law school!" I exclaimed, hugging her. "Now, let's get back to work and defeat my fiancé!"

* * *

I quickly excused myself nang matapos iyong first hearing. Mabilis kong hinanap si Iñigo.

"What the hell was that?" I asked when I finally saw him on the parking lot. He was about to open the door of his car, pero hindi na siya gumalaw pa nang magsalita ako. I waited for him to say something, anything, but I was stunned nang bigla niya akong yakapin.

Iñigo kept on apologizing.

Hindi ko alam kung bakit.

Dahil ba sinadya niyang kwestyunin iyong desisyon ng judge? That was something Iñigo wouldn't do... He purposely did that to mess up his arguments. Alam niyang hindi niya dapat gawin 'yun. That was a rookie mistake, but he did it anyway.

"Let's go home, okay? I'll drive," I said because I just wanted to get him out of here as quickly as possible.

Iñigo kept on looking around like he was so scared. I wanted to ask him kung bakit siya nagkaka-ganito, kung dahil ba 'to sa natanggap kong sulat.

"Cha, hindi ba pwede na magdagdag pa ng security sa 'yo?" he asked. I just looked at him. He looked so defeated. "I'm sorry," he said again. "I just... Tangina," mahinang sabi niya. "I know I promised that I'll take care of you pero... putangina," muli niyang sabi. "Nang marinig ko galing mismo sa kanya iyong mga ginawa sa kanya nung tanginang 'yun..." Then he stopped and wiped the tears from his eyes.

He's so tired.

Like all of us.

This wasn't just a case to us. Iba kapag kilala mo iyong mismong tao. It's different... It's harder. There's a lot more on the line.

"I'm sorry, Cha."

I reached for his hand and held it.

"It's okay," I assured him.

Umiling siya. "No. Magagalit sila. Alam nila na sinadya ko 'yun," he said, panicking. I wanted to assure him that everything would be fine, but I couldn't make that promise dahil kahit ako, hindi ko na alam kung ano ang mangyayari.

Ang hirap.

"Cha... please... bitawan mo na 'yung kaso... Tangina, ako na 'yung makaka-patay kapag may ginawa sila sa 'yo..."

Hearing him like this was breaking my heart.

I felt the tears falling.

"Alam ko kaibigan mo si Jax... pero maawa ka naman sa 'kin... para na kong masisiraan ng ulo sa kaka-isip kung ano'ng mangyayari kapag may ginawa sila sa 'yo... Unahin mo naman ako... Kahit ngayon lang... Maawa ka naman... Hirap na hirap na ko..."

I wiped my tears as I nodded.

I talked to Jax... but it was hard to leave him alone dahil hindi rin maka-tulong si Rory dahil sa nangyari sa tatay niya pati sa kapatid niya. Pati si Yago ay hindi alam kung sino ang uunahin. But I really did try. I didn't attend all the hearings anymore and just helped as little as I possibly could.

And today was the last day of hearing. Ang bilis ng panahon. Nasa condo lang ako ni Jax dahil ayokong pumunta sa hearing para na rin sa ika-tatahimik ni Iñigo. But we didn't tell Katherine that dahil ayaw namin ni Jax na isipin niya pa iyon.

Nang pumunta ako sa ref para kumuha ng pagkain dahil nagugutom na naman ako ay natigilan ako nang makita ko na naman iyong address na pina-puntahan sa akin ni Jax. There's a date. Ngayong araw.

I looked around and saw that there's nothing more to do...

Ngayon na iyong huling araw ng hearing.

It's all done from here and we'd just have to wait for the verdict.

Lumabas na ako, pero nang mapa-daan ako sa coffee shop kung saan ako dating pumunta, I decided to stop there first... Dito rin kasi ako pinapunta ni Jax dati kaya lang ay walang dumating.

I ordered food. The doctor told me that I needed to eat more para sa baby dahil kung ako lang, hindi naman ako mahilig kumain. Marami lang akong kumain kapag pares ang ulam o kapag pinapanood ako ni Iñigo.

But I stayed there for 2 hours at wala na naman akong nakitang kakaiba. Ano ba'ng meron sa lugar na 'to at laging pinupuntahan ni Jax?

Lumabas na ako. Dadaan na lang ako ng grocery para bumili ng pwedeng iluto. Sigurado ako na pagod si Iñigo pagdating niya. Panahon na rin siguro para magbakasyon kami pagkatapos ng lahat ng nangyari na 'to.

While I was trying to find for the key inside my bag, napa-tingin ako sa sidemirror at bumilis ang tibok ng puso ko nang makita kong may lalaking papa-lapit sa akin. I wanted to tell myself that it's nothing... but with the way he was hiding his hand inside his jacket, it sent alarm across my system.

Nanginginig ang kamay ko habang mabilis na hinanap iyong pocket knife sa loob ng bag ko. I felt my entire body cold. I'd never felt so scared in my life.

Agad akong napa-hawak sa tiyan ko.

I wanted to run, but I was just one bullet away from dying.

Hindi ako pwedeng mamatay.

Hindi ngayon.

Hindi ko pwedeng iwan si Iñigo.

When he was right behind me, I tried to slash his throat like I was taught, but he was quick to snatch the pocket from my hand and my eyes widened when I saw the knife deep in my stomach.

"Pakielamera ka kasi," he said before repeatedly stabbing me.