STS #2: Give Me More

Kabanata 55

Mabilis na tumango si Belle. Nagmamadali itong tumakbo palabas dahil malapit na kaming magsimula. Naramdaman ko ang walang pakundangang paninitig ng lalaking kaharap ko kahit pa hindi ako nakatingin sa kanya.

Perhaps one of the proudest things I have learned in three years is restoring my personal value and self-reliance which is more than what I've lost before because of him. Dahil ngayon, hindi ko man napaghandaan ang pagkikita naming ito, natitiyak kong hindi na ako katulad ng dating Portia na kilala niya.

I lowered the script I was holding as the floor director gave me the cue to start. I smiled widely at the camera, full of confidence in myself.

We started our conversation smoothly until it got harder... and tougher. Determinado akong pigain siya sa pamamagitan ng mga tanong ko, pero nagagawa niyang sagutin ang mga ito na puno ng kumpyansa. Our talk became more and more complicated as our discussion of the recent murder case he has won has deepened.

Yes, he's handling criminal cases now and also very well known in this field. Lahat ba naman ng kasong hawakan niya ay naipapanalo niya? Kulang na lang tuloy ay sambahin siya ng mga negosyante at pulitiko. Pero dahil sa pagtanggi niya sa mga ito, siya rin ngayon ang most hated lawyer ng mga big shot criminal offenders. Hindi kasi siya basta tumatanggap ng isang kaso—kahit pa isang may mataas na posisyon sa lipunan ang humabol sa kanya.

Hindi ko maintindihan kung bakit mas pinipili niyang pahirapan ang sarili niya sa mga kasong may low rate of success imbes na pumanig sa side kung saan sa isang pitik lang ng daliri niya, panalo na siya.

Does he just want to challenge himself? I doubt it.

I tapped my fingers on the script I was holding. I studied his face carefully, but he was just calmly waiting for my next question to him.

"You're one of the most sought lawyers in the country today, Atty. Smith," I said, laying my hands on my lap. "But why do you only provide such great service to the marginalized and underpriveleged members of the society?"

"Free access to courts shall not be denied to any person by reason of poverty, Ms. Martin," he confidently answered without even wasting a second to think.

"But why?" I can't help but give him a mocking smile. I leaned a little forward. "Lawyers are not saints to miss out on a great opportunity. Especially you who should be in the higher courts now, right? Have you seen a greater opportunity in defending the opressed? Or maybe... there are things you regret doing before so you want to make up for it now."

Mataman lang siyang nakatingin sa 'kin habang ibinabato ko ang malinaw na mga pambabatikos ko sa kanya. I can't deny how much that serious look on his face adds to his overflowing confidence.

Nag-mature ng kaunti ang itsura niya pero mas lalo lang nakadagdag 'yon sa lakas ng dating niya bilang isang hambog na abogado.

"I have no regrets about anything. Because even if I'd be given another chance to do it again, I would still do what I did before," He gave me a straight look in the eyes as he added another jerky response that brought great annoyance to my hearing. "I'll do it again with no hesitation, Portia."

He really has become a complete asshole.

Pero salamat sa magkahalong kayabangan at kagaguhan niya dahil successful naming natapos ang pilot episode. Saktong pagkaalis pa lang namin sa ere ay naghiyawan na ang buong team at panay ang congratulate sa 'kin.

"Isa ka talagang alamat, Ms. Deanna! Tignan mo, trending ka! 1st spot!" Lumapit 'to sa 'kin at pinakita ang screen ng hawak na phone at nakita ko nga ang pangalan namin ni Sam at ng programa.

"We're really trending." Napatingala ako sa katabi ko. Biglang mawala ang staff na kumausap sa 'kin at bumulaga sa 'kin ang mukha ni Sam na nakadungaw sa hawak kong phone.