CHAPTER FOUR

CHAPTER 4

"NAKAKAGULAT na hindi ka nagdabog sa mga magulang mo." Ani Noah habang nakasandal sa pinto at pinapanood si Victoria na tahimik lang na nagliligpit ng damit.

Victoria just rolled her eyes. "Shut up, Noah. Grandma said she'll ruin my career and freeze my cards if I resist."

Napailing-iling nalang si Noah at kinuha ang unan sa kama niya.

"What are you doing?" Naguguluhang tanong ni Victoria.

"I'll sleep in the other room. Tatlo naman ang kwarto sa bahay. You and I can sleep on separate rooms. I'm sure your parents won't know." Noah answered.

Saktong pumasok ng kwarto si Aqua na may dala ring maleta. "Atty. Alegre, since I am Miss Victoria's secretary, I'll be living here with her because I don't trust you. Do you have any spare rooms?"

Napabuga ng hininga si Noah. "I have one spare room. I'll just sleep in the living room." He said. Giniya niya si Aqua papunta sa spare room.

Nang makapasok si Aqua sa kabilang kwarto, humarap siya kay Noah. "Please don't think of doing anything weird to Miss Victoria. You may be her husband but it still doesn't give you the right to take advantage of her."

Noah heaved a deep breath. "I don't swing that way, Alexana. She's not my type and I'm not that kind of a person who takes advantage of women."

Bahagyang yumukod si Aqua. "Thank you for respecting Miss Victoria and thank you for calling me Alexana." She slightly let out a smile.

Noah chuckled. "Why are you called Aqua anyway?"

"When Miss Victoria and I were kids, I used to follow her around because she's so popular and pretty. Since then, Miss Victoria calls me "Aqua", a name for a puppy because I remind her of a loyal dog who follows its owner around." Aqua explained.

Noah slightly chuckled. "It's a good thing that you stayed by her side even though she naturally insults you."

Aqua shrugged. "I'm used to it."

"Anyways, kung may kailangan ka, tawagan mo lang ako. Ang bathroom ay nasa labas kung kailangan mo iyon gamitin." Ani Noah at lumabas para maligo.

Dahil malapit nang maggabi, kailangan niyang maligo agad at matulog nang maaga. May hearing siya bukas at hindi na siya pwedeng magre-sched dahil matatanggal na siya sa trabaho.

Nang makapasok sa cr, mabilis na hinubad ni Noah ang mga saplot sa katawan at humarap sa salamin para maghilamos at magsipilyo.

Naghihilamos palang si Noah nang biglang bumukas ang divider ng shower sa banyo.

Then there stood Victoria, in her undergarments habang nakatapi ng tuwalya ang buhok.

They both stilled as they stare at each other. Pulang-pula ang mukha ni Victoria habang si Noah ay nakatingin lang kay Victoria.

"M-M..." Victoria stuttered.

She continued, "Manyak!!" Sigaw niya at tinago ang katawan gamit ang mga kamay.

Si Noah naman ay natinag at mabilis na hinilamos ang mukhang may sabon. "Teka, hindi ko sadya!" Sigaw pabalik ni Noah kay Victoria na tumakbo palabas ng banyo.

"Miss Victoria, what is happening—"

Napatigil ang bagong dating na si Aqua sa banyo nang makita siyang walang damit.

She was stuttering as Aqua was looking down below!

"A-Atty. Alegre..I'm sorry!" Aniya at tinakpan ang mga mata habang tumatakbo.

Noah groaned. Lumapit siya sa pinto at sinara iyon para wala nang pumasok pa roon.

Kaswal siyang pumasok ng shower at naligo pero sa loob-looban niya, hiyang hiya siya at parang ayaw na niyang lumabas ng banyo dahil dalawang babae ang nakakita sa katawan niya!

• • •

"TEKA, so minanyak ka ng anak ko?" Naguguluhang tanong ni Tess kay Victoria.

Nagsumbong si Victoria sa magasawang Tess at Norman dahil sa nangyari sa banyo.

Victoria earnestly nodded. "I was taking a shower then he suddenly entered like I wasn't there!" Aniya at masamang tingin ang pinukol niya sa asawa.

"Kung maliligo ka o gagamit ng banyo, ilock mo! Isang banyo lang naman ang mayroon sa second floor. At hindi kita minanyak. Kung tutuusin, ako dapat ang umiyak dahil dalawa kayong nakakita sa aking walang saplot." Noah snapped.

Si Aqua ay nasa likod ni Victoria at nakayuko habang pulang-pula pa rin ang mukha.

Of course, she saw something new to her eyes.

Naguguluhang tumingin si Tess kina Noah at Victoria na magkaharap na nakaupo. "Teka, ano naman ngayon kung nakita niyo ang katawan ng isa't isa? Mag-asawa kayo. Normal lang iyan sa magasawa." Tess pointed out.

"But we're not a real husband and wife!" Victoria shouted.

Napailing-iling si Tess. "Huwag niyo na itong gawing big deal. Normal lang ito." Tumingin ito kay Victoria, "ang sabi sa akin ng mommy mo, magsumbong daw ako sa kaniya kung hindi mo inaalagaan nang mabuti ang asawa mo."

Victoria's eyes widen. "She said that?!"

Tumango si Tess.

Galit na tumayo si Victoria at nagpapadyak na umakyat patungo sa kwarto. Sumunod naman si Aqua na

Huminga nang malalim ang mga magulang ni Noah at tumingin sa anak. "Matulog ka na rin. Gabi na." Utos nila.

Tumango si Noah at humiga sa sofa nila. "Oh, bakit diyan ka matutulog?" Tanong naman ni Norman.

Patihayang humiga si Noah at pinikit ang mga mata. "Victoria's in my room. Si Aqua naman ay nasa guest room. Hindi naman pwedeng tumabi ako kay Victoria dahil baka magwala na naman yun." Sagot ni Noah habang nakapikit ang mga mata.

His parents just shrugged. "Okay. Sabi mo eh. Pero hindi dapat plaging ganiyan. Dapat nagtatabi rin kayo sa kwarto dahil mag-asawa kayo." Sambit ni Tess at nauna nang pumunta ng kwarto.

Hindi komportable ang matulog sa sofa dahil medyo maliit ang sofa nina Noah. Mainit din dahil wala naman silang aircon sa salas at umaasa lang siya sa electric fan na mahina ang hangin. Pero hinayaan nalang niya na daluyan siya ng antok.

• • •

NAGISING si Noah sa malakas na paggisa ng kung ano sa kitchen at mahinang pagdaing.

Dahil rin sa amoy sunog, mabilis na bumangon si Noah at nagpapanic na tumakbo papuntang kitchen.

Only to find Victoria holding a ladle in her hand habang tinatakpan ang mukha.

"What's wrong?" Noah asked.

Lumayo si Victoria sa kawali. "I'm cooking breakfast. Your mom woke me up at six am just to tell me to cook breakfast! She went out with your dad to buy some groceries. Si Aqua naman ay pumunta sa bahay para dalhin ang ilang gamit ko. I don't even know how to cook!" Victoria shouted.

Sumilip si Noah sa kawali. "It's just hotdog." Napailing-iling siya.

"Hindi mo rin hiniwa ang hotdog at masyadong malakas ang apoy." Kinuha niya ang sandok sa kamay ni Victoria. "Ang kanin, niluto mo?"

Tumango si Victoria at tinuro ang rice cooker. "But I think your rice cooker is broken. It won't cook the rice."

Noah blew a loud breath. "It's because you didn't press the cook button. Malamang hindi talaga niyan lulutuin ang kanin." Aniya at pinindot ang cook button.

Victoria crossed her arms. "I told you, I'm not a cook. I'm a model. I don't cook."

"But it's a basic life skill to cook. Kailangan mong matutong magluto." Noah argued.

"We have five chefs at our mansion. May tagaluto na kami don." Victoria claimed.

Noah frowned. "But you're in my house. Walang chef dito. Kailangan marunong kang magluto."

Victoria rolled hey eyes at umupo sa hapagkainan. "Marunong ka naman magluto. Edi ipagluto mo ako. And kindly tell your parents that it's not my obligation to cook for you just because I'm the wife. Hindi porket babae ako ay dapat ako na ang magluluto."

Noah sighed. "Yes, ma'am." He teased while placing the food on the table.

"Good. Remember that even though you're the lawyer, I always win at arguments." Victoria pointed her fork at Noah.

"Miss Victoria, it's a surprise that you woke up early." Ani Aqua na kararating lang at may bitbit na paper bags.

"Noah's mom woke me up to prepare breakfast."

Aqua's eyes widen. "You cooked breakfast?"

Victoria shook her head and pointed at Noah. "He did."

Nang makita ni Aqua si Noah, namula na naman ang mukha nito at tahimik na tumayo sa likod ni Victoria. "Alexana, don't just stand there. Eat." Alok ni Noah.

Victoria immediately interferred. "Hey, why are you calling Aqua by her real name?!"

"Because Alexana is her name." Simpleng sagot ni Noah at pinaghandaan ng pagkain si Aqua.

"Breamfast is the most important meal of the day. Kumain ka na." Noah insisted.

Hindi makatingin si Aqua sa mata ni Noah. "T-Thank you, Atty. Alegre."

"Bakit naiilang ka sa akin? Is it because of what happened last night?" Noah asked.

Aqua's eyes widen. "What? Ano bang nangyari kagabi? Wala naman ah?" She awkwardly laughed.

Nagkibit-balikat lang si Noah at nagsalita naman si Victoria. "Aqua can't see anything because it was so small that even her 20/20 vision couldn't do anything." Victoria mumbled but he can clearly hear it.

Palalampasin na niya ito pero narealize ni Noah kung ano ang ibig sabihin nito.

And it broke his dignity and pride as a man!

"Hey! I'm not small." Noah argued.

Victoria smirked. "Really?" Hindi makapaniwalang tanong nito sa asawa.

Noah just grunted then ate his breakfast. Habang kumakain ay binabasa niya ang case ng client niya dahil may hearing siya ngayon. He can't afford to lose the case. Iilan na nga lang ang kliyente niya.

"Hey, can you stop reading while eating?" Victoria scolded.

"May hearing ako mamaya. Kailangan ko 'tong aralin. Hindi naman ako pwedeng matalo." Noah explained while sipping coffee.

Victoria just grunted. "Anyways, what time do you come home? Your mother also asked me to prepare you some dinner."

Umiling si Noah. "I'll be coming home late. Maybe at 10 pm."

"Then you cook your own food, 'kay? I sleep at 8 pm and I don't like ruining my sleep schedule because of a nobody."

"Contrary to your belief, this nobody you're calling is your husband." Noah dictated.

"I don't care. Can you stop that drawing that husband card on me? You're not my real husband. I am perfectly single." Victoria smiled and left. Sumunod naman si Aqua at pumunta sa kwarto para magayos.

Si Noah ay nagayos na rin para sa hearing niya.

• • •

"MISS Trinidad, can you describe the appearance of the car you saw outside the victim's house?" Tanong ni Noah.

Sumagot si Miss Trinidad. "It was black. Tinted ang sasakyan kaya hindi ko makita ang loob. It was a hatchback car but I don't know the brand."

Tumango si Noah. "Then can you please point the person you last saw coming outside Mr. Leo's house?"

Mr. Leo is Noah's client. Ang case na hinahandle niya ay tungkol sa pagkamatay ng anak ni Leo.

Miss Trinidad pointed at the defendant, Carlos Cruz.

Dahil sa ginawa ni Miss Trinidad, Mr. Leo cried in relief.

Noah proceeded. "Miss Trinidad, did you noticed anything about Carlos after the incident happened?"

Tumango si Miss Trinidad. "Kapitbahay ko siya. Matapos ko siyang makitang lumabas mula sa bahay ni Leo, nagiging abuso na siya."

"Why do you think Carlos changed after the incident?" Noah asked.

"Objection. Calls for speculation." Noah's opponent exclaimed.

The judge answered, "sustained."

"You're Carlos's neigbor. What sports does he do?" Patuloy na tanong ni Noah.

"He plays taekwondo."

Noah faced the judge. "That's all, your honor."

Umupo na si Noah sa tabi ng kliyente. "Maraming salamat, Atty. Alegre." Anang kliyente niya.

"Saka niyo na po ako pasalamatan kapag tapos na ito at nanalo tayo." Ngiting tugon ni Noah.

Pinapanood lang ni Noah ang kalabang attorney nang maramdaman niyang nagvavibrate ang phone niya sa pocket. Agad niya iyon kinuha at binuksan.

"Come home early. Mom asked me to cook you for dinner. Yes answers only. -V"

Noah just grunted at hindi na ito nireplayan pero paulit-ulit ito sa pagvavibrate hanggang sa matapos ang trial.

Oras na para malaman kung guilty o hindi ang defendant.

Nakasalalay ang career ni Noah dito. If he fails, he'll totally lose his clients. Mr. Leo is a big time billionare. Kung matatalo siya, baka sirain ni Mr. Leo ang trabaho niya.

"Members of the jury, have you reached your verdict?" Tanong ng judge.

The spokesperson answered, "yes, your honor."

"Members of the jury, on the case of Leo Amadeo vs. Defendant, Carlos Cruz, what do you say?" The judge asked.

Malalim na huminga si Noah. Kinakabahan siya sa maaaring maging sagot ng jury.

"Your honor, the members of the jury finds the defendant not guilty."

Noah felt his world crumble when he heard the verdict. He thinks he failed as an attorney. He failed his only client.

Galit na humarap sa kaniya si Mr. Leo at sinuntok siya. "You promised me! You promised me you'll give my daughter the justice she deserves. You are a failure! You are weak!" Pinagsusuntok siya ng kliyente habang umiiyak ito.

Hindi kayang umiwas ni Noah. He thinks it's his fault afterall.

"Quit being an attorney if you can't even do your job properly!" Pinagsusuntok pa rin siya ni Mr. Leo hanggang sa nakahiga na siya sa sahig at tinatanggap ang suntok ng kliyente.

Suntok at sipa, tinanggap lahat iyon ni Noah. Some were laughing while some are looking at him with pity.

"Mr. Leo, please stop that." Anang kararating lang na si Aeign habang inuutusan ang mga guards na awatin si Mr. Leo.

"Hey, don't stop me! Dapat sa mga ganiyan ay hindi na pinagtatrabaho." Dinuro siya ng kliyente. "You...you are a failure. Tandaan mo yan. Remember this day where you failed to deliever justice and you failed to do your job." Anang Mr. Leo at nauna nang umalis.

Lumuhod si Aeign at humarap sa kaniya. "Alam kong hindi ka okay. Kailangan mo bang pumunta sa ospital?" She worriedly asked habang pinupunasan ang dumudugo niyang labi.

Masakit ang katawan ni Noah dahil sa suntok at sipa ng kliyente niya. Dumudugo rin ang ilong at bibig niya. "I'm fine, Aeign. Uuwi muna ako."

As an attorney, he thinks it's his fault. He is not good enough to bring justice to his clients. He is a weak person who can't even come out of his confort zone. He's a person with anxiety and he will always stay that way.

Was it really his fault? Was it his fault that the jury failed to see the truth?

Kailangan pa siyang alalayan ni Aeign para makatayo dahil sobrang sakit talaga ng katawan niya.

"Noah, you should really go to the hospital. Sasamahan kita." Nakayakap si Aeign sa baywang niya at inaalalayan siya.

Napailing si Noah. "Pahinga lang katapat nito, Aeign."

Napabuga ng malalim na hininga si Aeign. "Ano nang gagawin mo ngayon?"

"I'll continue working, of course. Kung walang kliyenteng pupunta sa akin, ako ang maghahanap ng kliyente."

"Noah, you're abusing yourself. Magpahinga ka muna ng ilang araw."

"I feel like I don't want to go home today." Sambit ni Noah.

"Why? Kanina pa ako tinatawagan ni Victoria. She can't contact you."

"I don't want to go home. I feel ashamed to look at my parents. They worked so hard to make me successful but I became a failure instead. Take me to the office." Napangiwi si Noah sa sakit ng katawan.

Nakakailang ngiwi si Noah sa bawat lakad niya dahil sa kirot na nananalaytay sa katawan niya sa kaniyang paggalaw. Mabuti nalang ay nandiyan ang kaibigan niya para alalayan siya.

He can't help but tear up as soon as he's alone. He really is a failure..