When The Night Falls

CHAPTER 3: The Encounter

“Objection Your Honor, the witness’ answer was not responsive to the question.”

Jiho’s masculine voice resonated around the court, leaving no words unheard. Napatingin sa kaniya ang abogado na nasa kabilang panig, maging ang saksi na kanilang iniimbestigahan.

“The statement that was presented was very inconsistent and vague,” dagdag pa nito.

Nakatayo siya ngayon habang ang kaniyang braso ay nakatukod sa lamesa na nasa kanilang harapan; matalim ang mga tingin nito sa katunggaling abogado.

Napataas ang kilay ng abogado at napakunot din ang noo nito. Kita sa mukha ng saksi ang labis na kaba dahil sa panggigisa sa kaniya ni Jiho. Tila pinagpapawisan na ito nang malamig at hindi na mapakali sa kaniyang kinauupuan.

“How can you say that the witness’ statements were unclear?”, Atty. Perez asked Jiho. Napangisi naman sa kaniyang pwesto si Jiho at saka tumayo. Umalis siya sa kaniyang kinauupuan upang magtungo sa saksi at linawin ang kaniyang mga sagot.

While Jiho was confidently marching towards her, the witness’ lips were quivering in extreme fear. She felt a bit of discomfort and anxiety.

“Sabi mo kanina, nakita mo si Mrs. Pelaiz noong March 19 na pumasok ng pabrika ng alas- singko ng gabi, tama ba ako Miss?”, tanong ni Jiho.

“Opo, si- sigurado po ako...,” nauutal na sagot ng babae sa kanya. Itinaas ni Jiho ang kaniyang dalawang kilay simbolo ng hindi nito pagtanggap sa salaysay ng babae.

“Kung alas- singko mo nakita si Mrs. Pelaiz, bakit sa ipinasa mong video, ang oras kung kailan siya pumasok ay 19:34 ng hapon at nagsimula ang sunog ng 19:49.”

Atty. Perez looked at the TV in front flashing the video they have presented to serve as an evidence. Bahagya itong napaisip at tumingin sa kawalan. Samantala, ang saksi naman na kasalukuyang ginigisa ni Jiho sa mga nakalolokong tanong niya ay tila mahihimatay na sa labis na kaba.

Prosecutor Jiho, for the second time, drew near Judge Abaya to present new evidence that could support their claims that could make the suspect guilty for her crime. Atty. Perez was left in awe when Jiho presented some pictures containing the face of suspect, Socorro Pelaiz, and those were flashed on the TV in front.

“Your Honor, Socorro Pelaiz involved in different crimes such as human trafficking, illegal possession of firearms, and theft. She also has history of arson crimes in Visayas region. In addition, those pictures that I have presented to you were scenes from the neighboring establishments taken from their CCTV camera and black box from different cars near the factory. I also have a copy of footage wherein Socorro Pelaiz was caught in the act, carrying gallons of gasoline together with her accomplice.”

Napatango sa kaniyang inuupuan si Judge Abaya na tila ay unti- unti nang napapaniwala sa mga argumento ni Jiho.

“Your Honor, the prosecutor is making a hypothetical statement,” Atty. Perez said.

“I’m only making a point that the fire was caused by the accused. It’s also relevant that she has involved in previous crimes related to this. I’m only supporting my claims,” Prosecutor Montenegro answered.

“Atty. Perez, do you admit to the charges?”, one of the juries asked.

“No, I plead not guilty to the entire charges. The accused, Mrs. Pelaiz, claims innocence to all charges,” Atty. Perez replied, with full of confidence.

Napangiti si Jiho sa kaniyang upuan. “The evidence I have was sufficient to condemn the accused as guilty for her charges,” Jiho loudly uttered.

“Your Honor, the evidence they have was taken illegally,” Atty. Perez rebutted. Jiho abruptly lift his left eyebrow and grinned on him.

“Are you sure that these evidences I have presented were taken illegally? They have given me their permission to use this as evidence in the court. To support this, do you want me to exceed my limits and give those consent letter to Your Honor?”

Nanlaki ang mga mata ni Atty. Perez at halos hindi na makasagot. Kinakabahan na rin si Socorro Pelaiz sa kaniyang kinauupuan dahil alam niyang malapit na siyang mabisto sa kaniyang pagkakasala.

“Your Honor, sigurado po ako sa nakita ko. Hindi po si Socorro Pelaiz ang nagpasimula ng apoy sa pabrika. Nakita ko ho siya 1- hour bago ang sunog at malabong mangyari na siya ang may gawa nito.”

“Stop stating false claims. Gusto mo bang makasuhan ng perjury dahil sa pagsisinungaling mo?” pananakot ni Jiho sa saksi. Naging epektibo naman ito dahil bahagyang natikom ang bibig ng babaeng saksi at hindi na muling nakapagsalita.

“Sustained!” Judge Abaya said after examining the paper given by Jiho. Mabilis na napatingin si Atty. Perez sa hukom dahil hindi niya akalain na ito ay tatanggapin. Napaawang din ang bibig ni Mrs. Pelaiz sa narinig niyang ito.

“Objection Your Honor,” muling sambit ng abogado. Tumayo ito sa kaniyang kinauupuan upang tumutol sa naging pagsang- ayon ng hukom.

“On what grounds do you make your objection?”, the judge asked the lawyer. His mouth was zipped, as if he became a mute. He has nothing to say for he couldn’t defend it anymore. Alam niya sa sarili niyang hindi na niya maipapanalo ang paglilitis na ito dahil malakas ang mga nakuhang ebidensya ni Prosecutor Montenegro laban sa kanila.

Napaupo na lang si Atty. Perez at hindi na makasagot. Napapikit din ito at humawak sa kaniyang noo.

After minutes of having an argument, the judge and the juries have finally made their final verdict for this trial.

“Metropolitan Trial Court, Criminal Investigation Department Four, will now announce the final verdict. April 2019, case number 2891, the accused Socorro Pelaiz to this arson case, is charged guilty. All of the evidence that was presented is enough to charge her as guilty beyond reasonable doubt.”

Disappointment, the feeling of losing the game overwhelmed them. Pain was visible to her. As the policemen put a handcuff to Mrs. Pelaiz, joy was seen on the factory owner’s face. Bagama’t nawala sa kaniya ang kaniyang mga ari- arian, ang hustisya naman ay kaniyang napasakamay.

Jiho’s colleagues praised him for the determination and dedication he has exerted to win the trial. Attorney Jeffrey Perez, the lawyer of the accused Mrs. Socorro Pelaiz, was one of the toughest lawyers they, prosecutors, could ever face, but Jiho easily robbed the victory from him.

With his fervency to get the triumph and his extreme autobiographical memory, no lawyer could ever win against him. Nothing, not even one.

He sides with the truth. Justice was the thing he should bestow to those who deserves it, and his passion was to die for. Before grabbing the chance to speak up inside the courtroom, he should play against sleepless nights and intensive studying.

Jiho decided, on the night when his father died, to be a prosecutor. He wanted to quench the curse of injustice that has been roaming for years. No innocent shall be condemned on the crime he did not do, but rather imprisoned those who really is a sinner.

He does not want the innocent one to be judged guilty, while the guilty one walks free. As what he had promised, he wanted to be a paladin of the truth, and the one who greatly resent and despises injustice, as well as unfair treatments to the poor.

“Prosecutor Montenegro, are you free? I would like you to treat a cup of coffee...,” his girl colleague offered, who has a secret affection with him.

Undeniably, Jiho became an attractive man with a strong appeal. Lots of women like him because of his looks, intellect, and his reputation.

“Hmm, I’m not free right now. Maybe next time?”, Jiho uttered. Even though she was being rejected, the girl was still smiling and blushing. Her eyes were stuck on him... on him alone. It is very weird, and somehow creepy.

Jiho, together with his friends who are also a prosecutor, went to a nearby restaurant to celebrate his success. Though winning a trial was just usual and predictable, celebration became a habit for them.

"Grabe, napataob mo nang ganon ganon lamang si Atty. Perez," Prosecutor Gamboa said, while gnawing the pork inside his mouth.

Jiho was serious and still pre- occupied. Alam niyang hindi titigil si Atty. Perez, at hahanap at hahanap ito ng butas na maaaring ikabagsak ng career ni Jiho.

"That game was not that easy," he said, then seriously looked back at Prosecutor Gamboa. "He's one of the best attorneys we have, so I should not become complacent...."

Napatingin sa kanya ang kaniyang mga kasamahan at tila hindi naniniwala na nahirapan talaga si Jiho.

"Sigurado ka bang nahirapan ka? Eh halos walang abogado nga ang gusto makalaban ka sa korte dahil siguradong dehado agad sila," Prosecutor Alarcon uttered jokingly.

Sumulsol din ang iba sa sinabing ito ni Prosecutor Alarcon, ngunit nanatiling seryoso ang mukha ni Jiho. Ayaw niyang isipin na sapat na ang kakayahan at galing na mayroon siya dahil kung magpapakampante siya, siya lamang ang babagsak at masasaktan.

"Where's Jiho now?" Zach asked his assistant, over the phone.

Nakaupo siya ngayon sa kaniyang opisina, nakasandal ang siko sa gilid ng upuan at nasa noo ang kamay. Matutulis ang mga tingin nito habang kausap ang kaniyang utusan.

"Nandito po sila ngayon sa may samgyupsalan kasama ang iba pang mga prosecutor," sagot nito.

Saglit na hindi sumasagot si Zach, tila nag- iisip. Seryoso pa rin ito at nakatanaw lamang sa may salamin ng kaniyang opisina na kitang kita ang buong Kamaynilaan.

"What happened to the case he is now working?" he asked hardly.

"Naipanalo po niya---"

"Holy f**k!" sabay baba sa kaniyang cellphone. Tumayo ito mula sa kaniyang kinauupan, umuusok sa galit.

"Why does that jerk keep on winning the trial?" Zack asked himself. His jaw protruded and keep on breathing heavily.

Kinuha niya ang isang figurine na nasa kaniyang opisina, ngunit bago pa man niya ito mabato ay biglang pumasok ang kaniyang sekretarya.

"Sir Zach, pinatatawag ho kayo ni Chairman Leviste. Your meeting with foreign investors will soon starting," mahinhing tugon ng kaniyang sekretarya.

Muli niyang ipinagalaw ang kaniyang panga at marahang ibinaba ang figurine na dapat sana'y ibabato niya upang ilabas ang kaniyang galit.

Agad siyang lumabas ng kaniyang opisina, at dumiretso na patungo sa silid kung saan gaganapin ang kanilang meeting.

After their group dinner with his colleagues, Jiho straightly walked heading home. Ngunit bago siya tuluyang umuwi ng bahay, saglit muna siyang dumaan sa convenience store upang bumili ng mga cup noodles at iba pang mga stock na pagkain.

Hindi rin siya nagtagal doon dahil wala naman gaanong tao. Maggagabi na nang tuluyan siyang makauwi sa kaniyang maliit na apartment.

Mag- isa lamang siyang naninirahan dito. Simula noong naging ulilang lubos siya, dito na siya nanuluyan kaya mag- iisang dekada na siyang naninirahan dito.

Even though he earned so much money, he still preferred to live on this tiny and shabby apartment. This place seems to have a sentimental value on him.

Saglit na humiga si Jiho sa kaniyang sofa upang pansamantala ay mapawi ang kaniyang pagod mula sa maghapong paglilitis sa korte.

Nakaramdam ng gutom si Jiho kaya tumayo ito at pumunta sa kusina upang maghanda ng kaniyang makakain.

Bumalik ito sa kaniyang sofa, at binuksan ang TV upang sandali ay malibang kahit papaano.

The moment he turned on the television, the news popped out. The news was about the murder case of an old man on his 50's. When he was about to listen to the news, his phone rang loudly. The prosecution agency was calling him, and he immediately answered it.

"Mr. Montenegro, the higher ups designated you to handle a murder case. You need to go to the crime scene tomorrow for further investigations."

Tila labag sa loob ni Jiho na tanggapin ito sapagkat ilang linggo nang sunod sunod ang kaniyang mga paglilitis. Hapong hapo na ang kaniyang katawan at gusto munang magpahinga.

"I will go to the office tomorrow. I will talk to them and will plea to pass it to the other prosecutors. I will submit my sick leave application tomorrow morning," Jiho answered, then hung up the phone.

Hinawakan ni Jiho ang kaniyang mukha at saka bumuntong hininga. He laid his body on the couch and turned off the TV.

A loud noise, which came from his alarm, woke him up. This was his daily routine, and even though he was still sleepy, he still stood up and went to the comfort room.

This scenario was just normal to him. Waking up at 5 in the morning and preparing for the work he should do. But this morning seems to be a good day for him because he's going to apply for his leave. He wanted to unwind and clear up his mind from the stress that had been exhausting him for a couple of weeks.

Bumiyahe na siya patungo sa law firm kung saan siya nagtatrabaho. He chose to ride constantly on the bus and train than to purchase a brand-new car even though he can afford to have one.

Matiyaga siyang nagko- commute araw- araw, kahit ang suot pa niya ay napaka- formal. Jiho is a very simple man. No one will never know how wealthy Jiho is right now. He earns a lot of money, but still choose to live a decent life apart from luxury.

He was confidently marching on the alley of their law firm, and people, mostly girls, was starstruck by him. He was famous, not just for being a good- looking man, but also for being a man of intelligence.

Dumiretso siya sa opisina ng kaniyang boss upang ipasa ang inihandang aplikasyon para sa one week leave niya.

Sa kaniyang pagpasok, bumungad agad sa kanya ang boss niya at kinompronta agad ito.

"Do not try to reject this case. This was a very serious murder case, Jiho. And if you are trying to apply for a leave, I will never let you. You must first accept it, and I will let you to use your leave for the next week," his boss said.

Jiho's mood suddenly changed as he heard his boss' insistence to accept this murder case.

"But Sir, I have already accepted those cases you have given me last time. I didn't complain, kahit na sunod sunod ang mga hinahawakan kong kaso. I just need to rest, Sir," Jiho answered in a weak voice.

"Jiho, please. Ikaw lamang ang inaasahan kong magpapanalo sa kasong ito. Ikaw rin ang gusto ng pamilya na humawak ng kaso ng kanilang ama dahil sa hanga sila sa mga naging performance mo," pagmamakaawa ng kaniyang boss.

Jiho and his boss, Mr. Rupert Cortez, have an intimate relationship. Ilang taon na silang magkasama sa industriya, at itinuring na ito ni Jiho na kaniyang pangalawang ama. He was his professor when he was on the law school. Tinulungan siya nito na makapasok sa ahensyang pinagtatrabahuhan niya ngayon, kaya malaki rin ang kaniyang utang na loob dito.

Walang nagawa si Jiho kundi tanggapin na lamang ito, kahit na labag ito sa loob niya. Napaupo siya sa malambot na upuan at saka nag- isip isip. Mr. Cortez kept on apologizing to Jiho, ngunit nginingitian na lamang ito ni Jiho. Lumabas ng opisina si Jiho at pumunta sa coffee shop ng kanilang law firm. Kasama niya roon si Jozen na isang prosecutor din.

"Bakit hindi mo matanggihan 'yang si Sir Rupert. Lahat ng inaalok niya sa'yong kaso tinatanggap mo, kaya ayan tignan mo halos nangangayayat ka na," Jozen said.

"Alam mo Jozen, gustong gusto ko talagang tumanggi dyan. Pagod na pagod ako pero hindi ako nagrereklamo kasi mataas ang respeto ko sa kanya. Tatay na ang turing ko sa kanya eh," mapait na tugon ni Jiho.

"Marami tayong kasamahang prosecutor ang palihim na nagagalit sa'yo dahil kinukuha mo na raw halos lahat ng kaso at wala ng natitira sa kanila. Hindi man lang daw tumataas ang credibility rate nila dahil parang latak na mga kaso na lang daw ang napupunta sa kanila," ani Jozen.

"Gustuhin ko mang tumanggi, eh wala naman akong magawa. Actually, magpapasa nga sana ako ng application for my one week leave pero hindi naman pumayag si Sir Rupert. Hindi raw siya papayag na mag- leave ako hangga't hindi ko tinatanggap 'tong kaso na 'to."

"So anong balak mong gawin? Tatanggapin mo ba o... hindi?", huling tanong ni Jozen sa kanya.

Pagpatak ng alas- sais ng gabi, nagsimula nang magdilim ang kalangitan. Naghanda na si Jiho upang pumunta sa crime scene kung saan pinatay ang matanda. Ito ang krimen na kanyang nabalitaan sa TV.

Naroon na ang ilang mga detectives na ipinadala ng Scene of the Crime Operatives o mas kilala bilang SOCO. Ramdam ni Jiho na unti- unti nang tumatalim ang kaniyang memorya kaya habang nasa bus, kinalma niya ang kaniyang isip at saglit na pumikit.

Nang tuluyan nang makarating sa crime scene, sinalubong siya ng iilang mga detectives upang batiin. Magkakakilala na sila dahil matagal na rin silang nagkakasama sa iba't- ibang imbestigasyon sa Kamaynilaan.

May iilang mga media rin ang naroon upang interview- hin ang mga detectives patungkol sa krimeng ito. Nagsimula nang puntahan ni Jiho ang lugar kung saan pinatay ang matanda. Bagaman wala na rito ang bangkay, nakabakat sa sahig ang mga bakas ng dugo.

Jiho roamed his eyes around the place. He searched for an evidence that might lead to the culprit of this crime. Puro talahiban ang nasa lugar na ito at ang pinakamalapit na building ay halos 150 metro pa ang layo.

Wala rin itong CCTV cameras kaya hindi niya alam kung paano mahuhuli ang gumawa ng karumal dumal na krimeng ito. He also started to interrogate some detectives if they have a person of interest that would become one of their suspects in this crime. Ngunit wala siyang nakuhang kahit na ano sa mga detective dahil maging sila ay clueless din sa krimeng ito.

Naglakad lakad muli siya sa loob ng 20m radius from the crime scene upang humanap ng mga bakas. But because Jiho was looking on the floor, he accidentally bumped into a woman. Nakasuot ito ng hoodie at may earphones sa magkabilaan nitong tenga.

Tila tumigil ang mundo ni Jiho ng makita niya ang babaeng ito. Ilang segundo siyang nakatitig sa mukha nito, kung kaya't nagtaka ang babae sa kaniyang ikinilos.

Tinanggal ng babae ang isang earphones niya at kinompronta si Jiho.

"Did I... know you?" the girl asked curiously. Nakakunot ang noo nito at tila hindi alam kung bakit ganito makatitig si Jiho sa kaniya.

"Pamilyar... ang mga mata mo..." marahang sagot ni Jiho habang nakatitig sa mapupungay na mata ng dilag.