Chapter 9: Dig Deep

Years had passed, and I finally became a lawyer. I wish I could say life had gotten easier, pero parang lalo lang akong nalulunod sa bawat kasong hinahawakan ko. Most of my cases were heavy, but none of them compared to the one I had just accepted — a case so horrifying that it clawed at my insides every time I thought about it.

A high school girl had killed her entire family — her father, mother, and uncle — and now she was on trial. Ngunit habang binabasa ko ang mga detalye ng kaso, mas lalo akong natulala sa bigat ng pinagdaraanan niya.

Her name was Emilia. She had run away from home after a heated argument with her father. Sa kasamaang palad, pinatuloy siya ng tiyuhin niya — the same man who would later ruin her entire life.

Ang tiyuhin niya... putangina.

He saw Emilia and was instantly reminded of his first love — Emilia's mother. Pero ang mas masahol? The woman, Emilia's mother, chose his brother instead of him. Kaya nang makita niya si Emilia, a spitting image of her mother, something twisted snapped inside of him.

He drugged Emilia. Took advantage of her. And when that wasn't enough, he trafficked her. Ipinasa siya sa kung kani-kaninong lalaki, habang pinanonood ng sariling tiyuhin niya. Hindi lang doon natapos — nilasing din niya ang sariling kapatid, pinanood habang ginagahasa niya ang asawa nito, then forced Emilia to sleep with her own father while her mother was unconscious.

Tangina.

I remember vomiting after reading the case file. The photos... the reports... the lifeless expression on Emilia’s face. She endured all of that. And one day, when she couldn't take it anymore — she killed them all.

And now? Siya ang ikinulong. Siya ang nililitis.

It was a constant reminder of how the justice system fails people like her.

After a long day in court, I finally stepped outside, trying to clear my head. Then my phone rang. Victoria.

"Hey girl! The guys are in the city and we're having a get-together tonight!"

I forced a laugh. "Vicky, I can't. I'm drowning in this case, and—"

"Oh, shut up. Hindi kita pinapatawag para magpaalam ka. I'm telling you to come. We're at James’ cousin’s restaurant. I swear, you need to breathe or you'll die from stress."

I hesitated. "Vick, I really can't—"

"Adeline Kaye Abellana, if you don't show up, I'll personally drag your ass out of your office."

I groaned. "Fine. I'll go."

The restaurant was grand as always. Owned by James’ cousin, it looked like a scene pulled straight from a British ballroom — chandeliers, velvet walls, and a faint classical music playing in the background.

"Ayun siya!" Victoria squealed, waving me over. Nandoon sina James, Nikolai, at Alexander — the same group we had back in college.

"Kumusta ka na, Atty. Abellana?" biro ni James.

"Sira, pero kita mo naman stressed." saad ko forcing a smile.

We ate quietly until Victoria had to bring it up. "So... 'yung case mo ngayon, ano na balita?"

I froze. "I’d rather not talk about it."

"Adeline, come on." she nudged. "We’re not strangers here."

I sighed heavily. "Fine. The girl I'm defending killed her entire family. Pero... she didn’t do it out of malice. Her uncle drugged and trafficked her. Pati nanay niya, ginahasa. Tapos pinalabas siyang makipagtalik sa sariling ama. Eventually, she snapped and killed them all."

Silence. Everyone's face darkened.

"Tangina..." bulong ni Alexander.

"And she's the one being tried for murder?" James asked incredulously.

"Yeah. The court doesn’t always favor the victim kapag siya ang pumatay."

Victoria slammed her hand on the table, causing heads to turn. "Bullshit! That girl is the victim — she was tortured beyond belief! Bakit siya ang nakakulong?"

"I know, Vicky!" my voice cracked. "Pero the law doesn’t work on sympathy. I'm trying my best to turn it around."

Then my phone rang again.

"Atty. Abellana, Emilia attempted suicide. She's in critical condition."

"What?!" I shot up. "I’m on my way!"

I turned to everyone. "I have to go—"

"I'll drive." Alexander quickly offered. I hesitated but eventually nodded. "Let’s go."

The ride was painfully silent. Alexander gripped the steering wheel tightly. I could feel his eyes glancing at me now and then.

"Celine... are you okay?" he finally asked.

"No."

After a long pause, he spoke again. "You know... you look like you're fighting for more than just Emilia."

I clenched my jaw. "What the hell does that mean?"

"It means you look like you’re trying to save yourself too."

I laughed bitterly. "Focus on the road, Alex."

"I’m serious." he muttered. "You think no one notices but... you carry the same broken look as that girl."

I swallowed hard. "Stop talking."

"Fine."

I rushed to the hospital, breathless. The doctor pulled me aside. "She was in the bathroom. We stabilized her but... she kept saying she should've killed them earlier."

I swallowed bile. "Can I see her?"

They let me in. Emilia lay there, lifeless, tubes connected to her. When she turned to me, her eyes were hollow.

"Did I win?" she asked weakly.

"What do you mean?"

"I killed them... but I didn't kill the monster in my head."

I couldn't hold my tears. "We're gonna get you out of here, Emilia. I swear."

She smiled bitterly. "You're lying."

_________________

Pagod akong lumabas ng kwarto pagkatapos kausapin ang mga doctor.

Tapos ay nakita ko si Linda, kaibigan ko at psychologist ng hospital.

"You're falling apart, Adeline." she said bluntly.

"Excuse me?"

"This case is unearthing you. And until you face it, you can't save that girl."

"Bullshit. Ano ba pinagsasabi mo diyan?" I snapped.

"Your taking the case too personal, masyado kang stressed." puno ng pag-aalala niyang saad.

Sa sinabi niyang yun napatigil agad ako. "Alam mo....putangina ka talaga Teh. Ano ba yan, wala naman akong sinasabi tapos ginaganyan niyo ako. Stressed lang ako kasi di ko matapos tapos to. Personal amputa, tigilan mo nga ako"

"Ewan ko nalang talaga sainyo." pairap kong sabi sakanya.

"Whatever you say." sabi naman niya ng pataray sa akin.

"Ay ewan, uuwi na ako bahala ka na diyan. Byeee~ biatch!" sigaw ko palabas.

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