chapter 17

Krist POV

" This court is now on session" announced by someone whom I'll bet the in-charge for the court management since from time to time before the judge arrive, he always go forth checking us in our seats.  

Me,  on the other hand, couldn't make any comfort with my seat since I'm still in a deep confused. Wandering why I am ended up in Bogols court instead of slumping my butt on Mrs. Mantra office for my day workload. 

"We have a matter line up regarding the physical assault case and protection against exploitation. " The judge revealed the case to be preceded .  

Lumibot ang mga mata nito sa buong kwarto bago nagpatuloy sa pagsasalita. 

"Today's case is not for passing sentences on who's guilty or not,  not even for the verdict of custody.

 To arrive a bona fide judgment, we will legally citing a precedent or what we called Case Law and to collect testimonies both parties witnesses or what we called Subpoena. " Patuloy nito.  

I took a glances side by side,scanning the errands of the people who're present at the court chamber. 

Kasalukuyang, binubuklat buklat ni Mrs. Mantra ang papel na hawak nito katabi ang lalaking walang pakialam sa nangyari ngayon. Judging by how he sit unseemly and throwing an amused look over my cue. 

Singto was really a nerve wracking guy. If you let him dig into your system then you're helpless and tamed by his playful skit. 

Since then, he's arriving the chamber he never leave a bat eye over my cue portraying as well his signature smirk which I hardly ignore. But the atmosphere knows a lot how hard I tried acting  indifferent by the situations I've in plus Singto stares and smirk. 

" To add more clarification, our case today adjourned by laying a concrete foundation of paper term of which my sentences and verdict of the grand jury matters to each signatures of both parties. " The judge paused. Inaayos nito ang natabinging reading glasses. Mrs. Mantra do the same as I'd took a look over. 

"Bailiff please collect the paper and handed it to me! " utos ng judge. 

Bailiff pala ang tawag sa kaakibat ng husgado sa korte partikular na sa pagkontrol ng sitwasyon kapag may mamumuong alitan sa loob ng korte. 

The judge take a perusal over the handed paper comes from both parties. 

A moment of silence embed the atmosphere. Kaya napatuon ang tingin ko sa kabilang bahagi ng upuan kong saan nakaupo sina Mrs. Mantra,  ang geeky guy na nakilala ko lang kahapon, lawyer  at ang mahangin na si Singto. 

Bale siyam kaming naririto sa loob ng court chamber. Nasa kanang bahagi kami nakaupo  kasama ko si Lester at ang lawyer nito. Habang nasa front ng chamber naman ang judge at Bailiff. 

Katulad ko hindi rin maipinta ang mukha ni geeky guy, paisod-isod ito sa upuan animo'y nababahala sa kinasasangkutan na sitwasyon. Clueless at inosente sa mga kaganapan ngayon na kinapapalooban ko rin. 

Tila nagkaroon ng koneksiyon ang bawat isipan namin ni geeky guy sa matagal na paninitig ko sa kanya kaya napatuon ang tingin nito sa aking kinaroroonan. 

We stared blankly not even creating a single words to adressed each stares. Pareho lang kaming napatda habang nakasalubong ang mga titig.  

Naputol ang titig ko kay geeky guy ng umuklo si Singto. His face was darkened and totally locked up, I even rarely saw a red tint on it na parang galit. Mas lalong napatda si geeky guy sa kinauupuan at nanlaki ang mga mata. Panigurado akong may ibinubulong si Singto na ikinatakot ni geeky guy. 

He's so mean. Geeky guy didn't do anything to him to threatened him that lamely. 

" Presence Ladies and gentlemen" The judge addressed our presence kaya napaayos ng upo si Singto ngunit tiim nitong tinitigan ang likod ni geeky guy. 

" That bastard! I will not let this skip not even care my Father's favor, I'll take risk whatever resort I can do to take part my revenge! " nagulantang ako sa matiim na boses sa akin likuran, it was just a monologue but I heared it clearly because of its threatened resonance. I assure it was come from Lester. I lightly swerved my head on the back. 

"It's your fault after all, you beat geeky guy! " I taunted and glimpse at geeky guy, his presence was on the judge. 

" You mean Dean?!, fuck! How could I do that to a lame guy who's geeting into my.... my... " animo'y nahihirapan nitong sambit sa panghuling salita. 

So Dean,  is the name of geeky Guy? 

"Whatever! " pinal na sabi na lang nito na ipinagkibit balikat ko lamang.

Acck!! Wala naman itong ipinagkaiba kay Singto na ngayo'y mas lalong nagdilim ang awra ng mukha. Pareho lang ang latay ng bituka ng mga to, kung hindi bully ang trip, humatong naman sa bugbugan. Wala naman ipinagkaiba don. If they have the appetite to do robust act then it is their satisfaction beyond the bully facade.  

"It's a win-win then. You hurt geeky guy, but the physical hurt was on your's! " Kondena ko rito. 

" I will not let this skip as I've said.  If you oust yourself as my witnessed. I don't care, after all this is just a legal paper term case!" ani. Disregarding my castigation to him. He cared less as I've sense the unsincerity of his voice but the tone of it was enough for me to heared it clearly.  

But the "witnessed" word caught me up. Napaurong bigla ang dila ko. 

" For witnessed....... WHAT? " Hindi ko napigilan pataasin ang boses dahil sa sinabi nito. 

" The trial isn't yet begin but maintain the decorum of the court" The judge order. Kaya napatakip ako sa bibig sa sobrang hiya. 

I become more vulnerable as I've caught Singto wide smirk. Argghh! He once saw my disdain again. 

" Now Bailiff, escort both parties in front to lay down each sides! " The judge order, after my horrendous scene hoisted on air. 

Dean, the geek guy was seemingly hesistant for the offer of the Bailiff to go in front. I do likewise,  but I fight the urge and finally sashayed that makes everyone notice my demeanor. The pit of my stomach churned for their attention and make my way next to Dean who's making an uncessary hand gestures which I contemplated that he is very nervous.  I just looked at him calmly for him to be collected as well. 

" It's okay" I mouthed at him with a piece of sly smile. He nodded so shy and peeling off his nervousness within his self as I'd observe how he heaved a deep breath just to act collected.  

" Before each parties witnesses lay down each foundation of each argument,  let me clarifies something again. Both defender and defendant complain must tackle of today's hearing, only of today's short term hearing each of its cases solve,  of course with the signatures being oath of both parties" The judge thoroughly lay down his addendum. 

Everyone nodded for agreement.  

" Now, Mr.  Krist Perawat lay down your argument as foundation of your defend as a witnessed to Mr. Lester Conje. " He addressed my presence and observe me afterwards. 

I felt like I'm going to squash myself being a witnessed. This is a total frame up of being unaware by indulging this situation. I woke up this morning, bugging by the rung of my phone and astonished afterwards with this court cases.  

" I caught Singto,  beating up Lester and his minio----este friends on the hallway" I finally revealed. Kong ano mang nakita ko, yon ang panama ko sa argumentong ito. 

I already put myself on the bush and so I need to defend my story as a witnessed to Lester predicament. 

" Continue" untag sa akin ng Judge sa paghinto ko. 

I took a glimpse to the other corner and my eyes landed on Singto piercing eyes. He studied my features and so the others do the same. 

" I clearly saw the beating and his punches towards Lester. He even oblige another punches on Lester surrender form" I spit, gathering all myself to swayed down all I had been witnessed.  

A loud groaned fleeing the court chamber followed by a hard stomped of a feet. It was comes from Singto. In my peripheral view, Mrs. Mantra stopping Singto on his robust squirmed. 

I sank the sight. 

"SUSTAINED" The judge agreed and order disregarding Singto tantrum.

Singto wanted to utter something but Mrs. Mantra stopping him off. 

" Now its your turn to talked Mr. Dean Valdez,  lay down your foundations " The judge order. 

Napahinga ako ng maluwag sapagkat nanghihina ako sa tapang na nailabas ko sa katawan dagdagan pa sa nanunusok na titig sa akin ni Singto maging ang nanunuligsa na titig sa akin ni Lester. He knew,  I can't afford squashing myself as his prime witnessed.  

" Sing-----to----fend me from bully" Dean revealed his side, his voice was uncomposed. 

He gulped. 

" Lester playfully spinning me around and shoved my head unto the floor.  If I am not mistaken with my instinct,  without the presence of Singto, he then beating me up into pulp as I'd felt it that way,  judging by how hard he shoving me in. " He thoroughly revealed. 

I knew it, since then. After all, things happened in this court chamber adjourned after with a peace order by both parties signatures. Pero nakokonsensiya ako bilang isang witnessed kay Lester, I'd do really knew what's his insider ado inside the campus. 

" That is why,  Singto beating them up instead and-------" The judge interrupted. 

" OVERRULED" The judge ordered.  

Dean eyes dilated for the judge disagreement and so I am too. I mentally gasp and collecting some scratched on my head. 

The devious smirked on Lester lips dodging around. 

" The lawyer must resume the stand and defend my belabor to witness foundations" The judge array his order. 

In no time the lawyer save over. 

" Mr. Dean Valdez straight to the point foundations misinformed him to take note the important part of the incident before it is really occurred . He failed to imparted the delude bickering of both host of the incident which causes riots." The lawyer explained well. He then, took a disdain look over Dean distress self. 

" Point taken" The judge concluded. 

" Let me interfere your honor! " Singto entering the pictures na ikinagulat ko pa. 

" Is there any object-----" In no time, Singto curtailing the judge ongoing statement. 

" How sure Mr. Peraya witnessed the wholesome scenes,  in the first place, he seems like a forensics investigating only the latter crime that had been done?" ani sa nagtatanong. 

The tight knot of the judge eyebrow showed dislikeness towards Singto interruption. With all sort of script, the judge conclude Singto concerned. 

" On what grounds do you make your objection? " The judge spitting out, taking back in favor to Singto concern. 

" What I am trying to say, he only saw the shaded part of scenes" he embarked, briefing his concerned.  

" Point taken! " The judge concluded . 

All I could do after Singto emancipation was taking a shallow breath. More or less praying that he wouldn't act flirty by his entrance as of moment. 

" he's saving me somehow from my devilish endeavor, stopping me of throwing severe punches over Lester and his minions" 

Sinabi ko na nga ba? 

He never set aside his skit at naipasok pa sa concern niya ang  flirty cache na nakatago sa katawan nito. 

What's new? He never knew how to put it in a right time and places. 

" That leads to another concerned on board Mr. Singto" The judge exclaimed, rejecting  segway. 

" But I don't want to keep stashed this feeling anymore,  his stares, smiles,  and tomatoes reactions really bothering me? " he keep pinning on his skit. 

I knew was all just playful flirt, but still couldn't help blushing by the outburst in it. Everybody's wanted that sort of flirt act knowing how good looking that guy. 

The court chamber suddenly turned a delusional love court room as I've redeemed the sweetest smiles from Singto. It was so kinky and tricky, myself wouldn't aware that because he's good at playing others emotions and for the record I'd fall for it. 

" DECORUM" mariing mando ng husgado na nagpapukaw sa mundong minamanipula ni Singto. 

God!  He psychologically manipulated my emotions and brain. 

This is another level of flirting on court chamber history. 

Pero ang malakas na dagundong sa boses ng husgado ang nagpakaba na ngayon sa aking dibdib. 

"Order! Order! " The judge keep on hitting the badge.  

But then,  Singto never quit to his flirty mood. 

" Order of the court! You!  Mr. Perawat soon to be Mr.  Prachaya. You're accused of crawling into my heart and hijacking my smiles with your cuteness. How do you plead? 

Guilty! 

You're sentenced to be my nightingale. No bail. " he said it half sung and on poetic way. 

Di ko na alintana ang kong ano man ang reaksiyon sa paligid basta ang narinig ko lang ay ang malakas na kalabog ng aking dibdib. He may be fooling around but I can't help it but to be affected even how doubled its mere factual play.  

" Disregarding Mr. Prachaya nonsense agenda. Now, juror and lawyer I'll gave you 10 minutes to discussed the decision so we can proceed now the order signatures. Both parties witnesses, you may now go back to your seats! " Mariing mando ng husgado, hindi na ginawang big deal pa ang agenda ni Singto na ikinapanghina ng aking kalamnan. That was a mischievous level of flirty. 

The court love tinge order he been accused was beyond insane. 

Gustuhin ko mang lumabas sa korte pero ayaw kong gumawa ng eksena. Tama na ang isang pagkakataong ginawa ni Singto na pinahiya ako, ginawang ulol ang aking isipan maging ang normal na tibok ng aking puso. 

Prente lamang itong nakaupo ngayon. His face lit up with so much teased aura, he seems entertained. I prefer,  seeing him in a dark aura, it makes me feel like I exhaust him all way round.  

I puff an air, to regain my normal breath. 

" Still had a guts of playing around huh! " entrada ng boses sa likod ko.  I bet Lester referring to Singto flirty skit awhile ago. 

Mariing napapikit lamang ako dahil pinaalala na naman ng lalaking ito ang ginawa ni Singto. I am about to suppressed it. 

" Wala namang ipinagkaiba sa inyong dalawa. So shut up" mariing sagot ko. Not minding him anymore. Gathering all my courage as well not to drop any single look over Singto. 

Malimit ko na lamang na pinasadahan ng tingin ang nag-uusap sa harapan sa masinsinang konbersasyon. 

Something come up with my head. Kinuha ko cellphone sa aking bulsa at kinontak ang head nurse sa infirmary. 

One call away. Sinagot agad nito ang tawag ko. 

" How severe the injuries for me to indulge this matter? " entrada ko agad sa linya sa mahinang boses. 

But I am too eager to know it since I am so stuck up by the situations right now. 

" Just minor okay! " sagot naman sa kabilang linya. 

Ipininid ko ang aking mga palad sa speaker ng phone. 

" But the argument here in court, isn't seems likewise" diin ko pa. 

" Try to take a look with Lester if he had a limp injuries. I'll send you the medical record for a proof" pangumbinse pa nito. 

I'll bet she wasn't lying. I knew her well and being part of peace keeper, I'll keep on visiting the infirmary to keep checking the medical record of students particularly the indulge fight and causes. And so, our momentary conversation is a break through of knowing her so well.  

" He doesn't look like one" sagot ko ng masilip ko ng mabuti ang kalagayan ni Lester na sobrang pokus sa nag-uusap sa harapan. 

" See! Composed yourself it was just legal term case! There's no bail to sentence" ani, pahapyaw pang natatawa. 

Di nakakapagtaka kong bakit alam agad ni Ms. Cordero ang tungkol dito sapagkat maimpluwensiya ang pamilya ni Lester dagdagan pa na hawak nito ang bad record ni Lester sa buong campus. One call away,  our mind connected as well for the matter. 

I mentally rolled my eyeballs. Atsaka pinatay na lamang ang kabilang linya ng makitang umaksiyon ang husgado sa pagkasa ng usapan pabalik. 

" As per favor by both family's parties. Our case sessions today back up with footages for a proof,  everything we had talking was recorded and send directly to family's attached account. And the paper proof crafted by both parties is a proof of term paper that needs to fill up with both parties. In aligned with our agenda today, everything was written already on the paper. So the signa................. " The judge hang up on his words when Singto grab the paper. 

Hindi na nakahuma ang husgado sa ginawa, nakapatda nalang nitong hinayaan si Singto na ngayon ay pinermahan ang nasa papel. Parang slow mo ang ginawa nito,  bawat kilos ay sinusundan ng mga matang nakamasid sa loob ng court,  maging ang simpleng paghagod lamang nito sa ilong. 

Walang pag-aalinlangan ibinato naman ang papel sa kinaroroonan ni Lester,  sapol ang mukha nito sa ballpen. It sends groaned from Lester,  but Singto shrugged it off.  

Napaawang ang bibig ko sa kabalastugan nito. 

"That was rude" I mentally whispered. 

Singto shots his look over me and focuses now his dilated eyes to me. 

" Further ado,  nakakabagot" mariing saad nito. 

He's pertaining to judge discussion but upon saying it his eyes never leaving into mine. 

I mentally shaking my head. 

May iba na naman itong kalokohan. I knew it. Not gonna happen now. 

Please! Tell me, my mind just fooling me around. 

" I am so icky to grab my concerned here judge as you rejected my appeal to be part of your order. And now,  I'll drop my concern to another level of court" he finally retorted and making his way to my seat. 

No. 

No. 

No. 

Not gonna grabbing me now! 

What was done and what he said,  please leaving it on a rain parade from hell.  Please. 

But in no time, he grab my hand and forcibly but gently pulling me off. Whatever resort of force I've lured it will leaving me no choice, but to go with the flow of his sashyed form. 

Not with my wildest dream.