"Piccolo latte for Ms. September."
Morning coffee made me feel alive this early morning. This day must be a tiring day for holding too many papers on my desk and maybe holding new cases again. I got some small cases but, I decided that Hector should handle that. Big cases are for me. And for him, he should do some small cases while learning. After being a lawyer years ago, I must handle an intern like him.
After entering our law firm office, I saw some of them getting busier. I even saw Hector stressing out about what is typing.
"What case is that?" I ask after I reach the view of his computer.
"Just a normal case." sabi niya kahit ang totoo, bakas sa kaniya ang stress at pagod. I think he didn't sleep for this.
"You dont need help?" sabi ko pa sabay ng pagbaba ko ng bag ko sa sarili kong table.
"Sus. September nasaksihan namin ginawa mo kahapon. Pati si bossing bilib sayo eh." one of my co-attorney said. Huh that old man?really? Tch. Kung bilib siya sabihin niya na lang hindi yung lagi niya akong pinagtatawanan.
"He should be. He hired a great attorney like me." I just sat and looked at the papers on my desk.
"Mamaya na trial ko. So I really need your help." nagpaparinig namang sabi ni Hector. I knew it. Tch. Tch.
"No, you do it. I'm gonna watch you later." I said while wearing my eyeglass and opening my computer.
"Hey, I helped you yesterday. It's your time to help me out of here."
Tch. Tch. Tch. Kawawang Hector. How can he be an attorney if he doesn't have any confidence to handle his case?
"You said it's a normal case. If you can't do it then lose it." I simply said and rested my back on my chair. He's just a new attorney and, I don't think he will be a smart as I can.
"Fine!" naiinis namang sabi niya. I don't want him to hope and used to be with me. He should do it on his own.
Sometimes you just need to go into the courtroom without strategies and let the other side fill out your curiosity. Then after getting that way, it's about time that you should use your brain. Let just flow it and speak it up if you find something's wrong. He must know what is his brain capability. In my case, I knew exactly what is this and that.
I continue browsing my papers and let the hours begin with my brain and eyes roaming around these new cases. One case at a time. Hindi ako si superwoman para tulungan lahat ng mga kasong nakalagay dito. Sometimes I give it up to those who are in need, like my other co-attorneys here. Hindi lang naman ako ang attorney dito.
"Good morning po, is attorney De luna is here?" I stop reading the details of my new case when suddenly someone knocks and I hear my surname.
De Luna. I guess its a famous surname because I am carrying it.I close the folder and look who is it. One attorney look at me like I should approach it on my own but I didn't. Tch. Mukhang nahinuha naman niya ang tingin ko kaya mabilis siyang tumayo para usisain ang taong naghahanap sa akin. Hindi ako basta basta nag a-approach ng bisita kung hindi ka kamag anak ng criminal o isa ka mismo sa hinahawakan kong kaso.
"Attorney, one of the cases that had been submitted to you." my co-attorney said. Tch. Tch. Ang tanda na yun meron na naman siyang ginawa na hindi naaayon sa akin.
"Nasan si tanda ngayon." sabi ko pa while fixing the papers in front of me.
"May pupuntahan lang daw siya. After lunch babalik na yun."
I am looking around the ceiling like thinking about what answer I should say to that visitor.
" By the way, what case is that?" If it is a normal case he maybe really think that I am still an easy person. Tch. Ang matandang Yun. Nakalimutan na niya yata, after being here for a year and holding almost five hundred cases is a piece of cake to me.
"A homicide case." homicide? Did he find something wrong about this case? He wants me not to rest?. Is he thinking that I am a hard-headed woman and run to those revenging close cases?
Baka nga hindi ko pa alam nagteam up na yang mga criminal na yan at nagbabadyang patumbahin na lang ako eh. Although i made him proud to be here in his office he should do some screening first about the case before putting it up the file here.
"Name?" I ask when I search some files in my area.
"Papuntahin ko na lang kaya dito?" my co-attorney said. It made me stop searching.
"How many months are you staying here?" he looks at me wondering why I ask him.
"Dude, just tell her the details. She might kick your ass if you're doing that here." Hector finally showed up too, besides me. He knew me. He is just new here. I think, a week ago?
By just looking on his face, tch. Tch. He's irritated huh? Hindi siya makakatagal kung ganyan siya.
I drink my favorite coffee and stand.
"Okay, go back to your cubicle," I said before facing my visitor.
He is a tall skinny guy. He looks like a high school student. Really? At nakauniform pa?
"What do you need?" I ask while looking at him from head to toe.
"Are you attorney De Luna?" He asks like I am not the one he's looking for.
"If I'm not? Are you gonna tell me your reason why are you here student?" I cross my arms like an old teacher scolding a student who did something wrong.
"I am here because of my father. I need her help. He shouldn't be in jail. He didn't kill anyone. Can you please tell me where is she? I want to talk to her." If he didn't kill anyone, why is he in jail? Tch. It must be about humor, power, and false calculation.
"Come with me," I said while going back to my desk. Other attorneys are looking at me even the man who's following me.
Tanda, talagang pinahihirapan mo ako ano? You both me a new case that might everyone can be in danger. Tch. Tch. Tch.
"Sit down," I ask while scanning again the files and finding the homicide case. While roaming his eyes around my table and even the other cubicle.
"Atty. September De Luna." I heard him said on the name he saw on my table.
I find the files I need. I read the details and look after it then, face him.
"Why aren't you at school?" I curiosity said while holding the file, rested my back, and then moved my chair from left to right, continuously.
His tongue hangs like thinking that he should say it or not. This kid, I think he just ditched because of thinking about his father.
I looked at my watch and saw the time.
"Go back to school and come back here when you don't have classes," I said continue reading about the file.
"I thought you're gonna help me?" He asks wondered why I let him go.
" Help yourself, first kid. Did you think after going here, your hope must be filled? Go. Study first." I look at Hector who's finally getting ready for his trial. I should watch him. It isn't all about the promise earlier but I think that would also help me about some cases.
"But.!" Again, this kid is trying to get my point of pity for him.
"Kid, I think you should go. Mabilis yan mainis sa mga makukulit. Take her advice." Hector said while blinking his eyes at me because it is the time of his trial and, he might need me.
Tch. This stupid man. 😑
"Then promise me to be my father's lawyer. I will go back here after my classes and, you should fulfill your promise." Promise? Tch. This kiddo doesn't know what promise is all about.
I didn't answer but, he stand ready to leave.
"I will look at that as a promise, attorney. I'm going back here." He said while looking at me straightly. Go on. Just study and enjoy your life, kiddo.
He then walks and leaves.
Napailing na lamang ako.
"Hays. Naku attorney, that boy might be your irritation in the other day." Hector said while fixing his hair.
I close the file and arrange the files on my table and then put it above them.
"Are you going to accept it?" He asked while looking at the file I arranged.
"What do you think?" I stand, and also arranged some files in the other corner of my table.
"Hindi. Pero lagot ka kay bossing nyan." He said while looking at his wrist watch.
"You know he can't do that. Let's go. I just want to see how you will lose this trial." I said and getting myself ready to go with him.
"He's waiting for you?? " Hector suddenly said when we were on our way downstairs. I ignore the kid. I think he probably goes back inside to let me know and to be sure too. Tch. I even saw him following us. He reminds me of Calvin who makes me annoyed.
"A-attorney,"
We suddenly stop from walking when we heard a loud noise. I looked around to know what happened.
"Help! Help!" I saw a woman looking for help. A big screen in the corner suddenly crashes down. It is fixed by the maintenance but maybe they hold it wrongly.
"Shit! Attorney may na aksindente." Hector also looked around, not far in the incident. Nagsilabasan naman ang lahat ng chismoso't chismosa sa paligid. I look above again to see the pinpoint of the accident and look at my wristwatch again.
"You're gonna be late. Let's go." I said and walked again.
"Attorney! I think they need help." The kid approaches us again. I stop walking and face him.
"Why are you still here? If your father isn't a criminal, then leave it here. It isn't your duty to clean his mess."
I said and looked away.
"Attorney Santos? What are you doing? You want to lose the trial?" after I said, Attorney Santos looked away too. I followed him right away.
"I think that man is wrong. You are not a good attorney. You don't even care about people around you. Do you think you're smart? You don't even help the one who is really in need!" He spoke loudly but, I did not exchange any replies with him. We even saw a man lying down with drops of blood on the ground of the incident.
We reach the courtroom silently. I look to attorney Santos.
"Good luck..." I said like he shouldn't win it.
"Let your fit on the ground and, your brain should speak up loudly. I'm just going somewhere." I said while taping his shoulder. And about to go.
"Ha? Akala ko ba manonood ka?" sabi niya na naging hudyat ng hindi matawarang kaba sa kaniyang mukha.
"I don't know if I will go back here early. I think you should learn how to win this time. Okay, Goodluck again." I said before going back outside of the court. I even heard him complaining.
"Wait! What are you doing?! Where's the medic?! Call it first!" I heard the lady shouting again. I continued walking and passed it by to the people who were just looking around. After reaching the view, I saw another man looking around the man lying then putting his hand on the neck. I think he's trying to rescue that man.
Tch.
Wrong.
I continue walking again until I reach my sight to the man who rescues him.
"You're just killing him," I said while looking at the patient.
"What? " he asks while trying to rescue the man.
"I said it is wrong. " I scan the injured man.
"Who are you?" he even asks.
"I am an attorney," I said and opened the man's shirt. I found some bruises. I even touch his stomach.
Tenderness in the chest area. There are rib fractures, which can cause damage to the internal organ. I think his abdomen is bleeding too.
"Stop that.! Please! " another woman who's shouting earlier stopped me from what I am doing.
"Did you call the medic? " I ask calmly. Panicking can cause killing. Is she think that panic will help her cure this man?
"They said, they're on their way," she said nervously.
I scan his pulse. He can't breathe clearly.
I am not the doctor to assist but maybe I can do some first aid to him. But first I called someone who might help me with this.
"...Come here in the ground center hall... No buts! Bring some medical kit tools! .. He may die kung hindi mo bibilisan! Stupid!.. Now!!!"
I said to the man Who's gonna help me. Tch. This day is irritating me, huh?.
I look again to the man's body then go beside the one who's helping him.
"Remove your hand. Let me do it." I said while looking at the injured patient.
"No! I am a doctor! Let me handle this!" I sigh heavily. He's a doctor, huh? But he's just killing the patient.
"I said MOVE! If this man dies, I will kill you! "
Aish!
I sigh again.
' September, calm down, please. Maybe because he's just an intern doctor. '
At dahil sa kaniyang kakulitan hindi siya nakinig sa aking sinabi. He's still doing that wrong that might cause the patient's death. So it is my time to push him away from this patient. It took me so long before I'm gonna be the one who's rescuing the man. I should stop his bleeding because it might be dangerous to him.
"Hey! I said stop it! You are not a doctor!"
'Tch. Kung hindi lang dahil sa sitwasyong ito kanina ko pa naupakan ang isang ito.'
I bring my handkerchief and put it above the neck. I don't have any equipment to operate and, I might need to call again that idiot. 'Damn it! Where is he?! I'm going to kill him now!'
"What's happening??"
'Damn.. he's now here.' napapapikit at pagtitimpi ko pang sabi sa aking isip.
"What do you think?! Damn you! Operate it now!" I said while him, panicking too.
"O-okay. Okay." He also sat beside me and tried to examine the patient.
"Shit, I forget that lecture. What is it? What is it?"I heard him murmuring. 'Damn this kid.'
" Just do it!! I'm gonna tell you the method! Idiot!" I shouted at him again. I don't have time for arguing but, it is not my duty to operate this.
" You!.. Give him CPR first." I shouted to the man beside me who said that he's a doctor.
He may be surprised by what's I am doing.
"Do it now!" I move again to make him do the CPR. He doesn't know what to do. The hell he became a med person.
"He needs to breathe. Scalpel here then, put this on." I bought him my ballpen. He finally knows what I am thinking. He does that thing and, after a few minutes, the man is successfully breathing.
"Finally!" the man exhaled and thanking that it is successful.
" Now, remove that glass on his body," I said to them. I let them operate it until the medic is finally showed up. An ambulance is always late to make this man survive. It is an exhausting thing I did today. After I saw the sign of first aid, they have finally done. I stood up and looked around. These people must be out of their minds. I even saw the kid who's talking to me earlier. He is looking at me curiously. I just ignored him before scaping the scene.
"Hey, where are you going? May I ask you first why do you know that thing." the doctor is approaching me now a question but I did not answer and started to walk. I pray that the trial that still going on.
I just walk like nothing happens until I reach the door of the courtroom.
" ...the defense rest... " I heard Atty. Santos's voice. I go inside silently and sit.
Inantay ko lang matapos ang trial while chewing again my gum. It is my favorite habit if I feel my brain isn't functioning or I am in deep thinking.
"What happened?" Tch. Pambungad naman nya sa akin. I should be the one who needs to ask that too. I am not stating if his client is not guilty or guilty. I need the info of the other side if they did a great investigation about the case.
"Tch. I'm not in the mood. Just tell me their strategies now. They might change because the great September of us is doing great with her duty. They might think wisely now. I think they are hitting you because of me." I simply said while crossing my arms.
"Marunong na silang magtakip ng butas. They are learning because of you." nakakunot namang sabi niya.
"Okay. They should... Because I am the great." Paghanga ko pa sa aking sarili bago naming naisipang bumalik sa opisina.
"Oh eto na pala si Atty. De Luna eh." napakunot naman ang aking noo. Baket ba andaming bumibisita saken ngayong araw? Napalingon naman ako sa bisita. Tch. This med kid.
"Why?" I asked before sitting down on my favorite spot.
"hehehe thankyou kanina attorney. Hindi ko magagawa yun kanina kung wala ka." he said while making a bow on me continuesly.
"Okay," I said and now continuing my work.
"Pero attorney, a-ano... A-ano Kase e-eh.."
Aish!
"What do you need?" I ask looked at him angrily.
"Gusto ka daw po makilala nung doctor kanina. " pagkakamot pa niya sa kaniyang ulo.
"So?"
kaya ayokong tumutulong eh. Helping is the last choice I will make but, that kid pressured me earlier because of that. Tch.
"Binigay ko po ang number nyo. "
Aish!
"Didnt I said don't give my number??! " nagtitimpi ko pang sabi. This punk lost is lost his mind again.
"S-sorry p-po... Sige po alis na ako. Bye." sabi niya sabay karipas ng takbo.
Great.
Stupid kids.
they always make my temper go away.
----
"RUN! " I shouted to the man lying down because I hit his legs.
He even nervously and scared animal who needs to run and hide. They didn't learn.
"Do you want to live or leave? You choose?" I said again while pointing him a gun. Tch. He can't even use the shotgun he brings. This gun maybe can cure or hurt him.
Cure, because he can peacefully rest above the rainbow.
Hurt, because I will put this all until he dies.
He stands to hurry like a scared dog who needs to protect himself from danger.
"S-sino k-ka b-ba?! H-ha?!" tch.
Tch.
Tch.
Who am I?
"Can you see the hell? " I ask while still pointing his gun at him.
"Bibilang ako ng dalawa... kapag umabot ng tatlo... siguradong may susundo na sayo."
I said while looking at him, seriously. You can't be free on my hand's idiot.
"Isa... " I step in once.
"..dalawa... " I step in again.
"tat...l-" mabilis pa sa daga syang tumakbo palayo.
Pinaputok ko ang aking baril sa kaniyang gawi.
Bull's-eye.
I hit one again.
I smile while nodding. He thought he can't die in my own hands? He hopes so. I smirk at that thoughts.
I move and hide above the tree.
Who am I?
After sending me a six of the spade playing card, that idiot asked me, 'who am I?' huh? Really?
I looked up above the sky and saw the moon. Full moon. It is great to see another blood on this wonderful night.
I open my jacket to open another clue.
TSS.
They are really playing with me. They really think madadaan nila ako sa mga clues na ito?
Then bring it on.
Because at the end of the day, I will put all of them to hell.
I opened the red and small box I saw in the abandoned place not far away here earlier.
They are making me laugh. Six of the spade as a warning then this thing?
After opening the box, I saw another clue that made me smirk and feel excited. What will happen very SOON?
It is another card. Don't tell me they want to play a dangerous game?
Is it a clue for you or me? I think I should bring this to them.
Tch.
These might be for you, jerks. Bad news on your side, stupid because you might be in great danger.
Soon.
I smirk and look at the moon while holding a new clue card.
Jack of Diamond.