In A World Of Vigilantes

There's Hope

Chapter 3

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"Alam ba ng ama mo na nandito ka?"

Natigilan si Herrea.

She clenched her fist and face Cie again. "Bakit nasali sa usapan ang daddy ko?"

"Wala namang patakaran na hindi puwede."

Nag iwas ng tingin si Herrea. "Hindi."

"Anong hindi?" Kunot noong tanong ni Cie.

"Hindi niya alam." Her stares dropped on the floor. "Hindi ko alam kung alam niya na o talagang wala siyang pakealam."

"Wala siyang pake sayo?"

Napasimangot si Herrea. "Point it out." She said flatly.

Nagkibit balikat si Cie. "Wala palang k’wenta ang pagdala namin sayo rito."

Nanlaki ang mata ni Herrea. "Anong ibig mong sabihin?"

Cie let out a deep sigh. "Ano sa tingin mo ang dahilan para dakpin ka rito?"

Napaisip si Herrea. "Akala ko dahil sikat ako."

Cie tsked. "Anong gagawin namin sa kasikatan mo?"

"Malay mo may nagkaka-crush sa'ken rito?"

"What's the sense of being in fame, kid? Tell me the advantage of it."

"You gain supporters--"

"Aalis din sila."

"Ba't hindi mo hanapin ang sagot sa labas mismo? For sure, you'll get what you seek."

"Lalabas lang ako kung may ipapapatay sa'kin. 'Yon ang patakaran namin." 

"Ang pangit ng patakaran niyo." Herrea blurted that made Cie closed his eyes in irritation.

"What made you think of that, Herrea?" He hissed.  "Buong buhay ko, wala na akong ibang sinunod na patakaran kun'di ang patakarang ginawa rito! How can you say that? Bakit? Maganda ba ang palisiya sa inyo? Then why are you here? Help is vague for you. Your hope is, too. Bakit hanggang ngayon patuloy ang krimen? People are suffering.  Population grow bigger and bigger because of a fucking mindless lust!  Wala man lang may kumikilos sa bagay na 'yon!" Napataas na ang boses ni  Cie na nagpatigil kay Herrea. "Is it hard making a decision? Decision for themselves? Decision for their own good? Just look at how poverty grow. Look at how trees gone and floods runs though. Killing many lives? What kind of policy are you bearing? Bakit patuloy ang paglaki ng populasyon na nagsasanhi ng krisis at kahirapan. What's the use of your people in chairs of palace? What rules are they giving? You have a punisher? What kind of? Are--"

"M-may lawyer kami." Naiiyak na sabi ni Herrea. Hindi pa rin siya makapaniwala na  sa buong buhay niya ay may makakaharap siyang ganitong klaseng tao.

"A liar—oh! My mistake." He shook his head. "A lawyer. Is that your punisher? Then let me tell you this," Lumapit si Cie kay Herrea.

Napaatras naman ang dalaga hanggang sa dumikit na ang likod niya sa malamig na tiles. Cie placed his hand on the side of Herrea's head before leaning down at her.

His eyes were dark and his gaze are about to leave you breathless.

"What lawyers do if they aren't paid?" His voice was so livid and serious. "If they're paid, they will fight for justice, right? Ipaglalaban nila ng buong husay ang kaso ng ibang tao. Kahit mali. Kahit nasa panig ng may kasalanan. Kahit alam nilang hindi tama. Kahit alam nilang may sala. Ipaglalaban nila! Bakit? Bakit sa tingin mo? Is it because of their work? Is it becauae of the principles of being on the law?" Umiling si Cie. "No. It's because of money."