AlONE (Chapter 6)

Maliit lang ang court room. Pero para kay Lorraine, it's a room for party. She waited outside dahil napa-aga ang punta niya. Excitement? Yes. Excitement because after several years of waiting, magbubunga na lahat ng pagod niya.
Umupo siya sa bench na malapit sa side ng hallway. It was made from wood. She rested her back on the wall since walang sandalan ang bench. She looked at her watch, Rolex watch, and it was 7:30 in the morning. 8am ang trial. She's 30 minutes early. Nakasanayan niyang maging 30 minutes early. Dahil nga nag-stay ng ilang taon sa America kaya siguro na-inherit niya ang pagka-maaga ng mga kano. She saw the judge coming with his secretary behind him holding a clipboard with papers inside.
"Ms. dela Cruz! It's still 7:30. You're really an early bird," said the judge as he came near to Lorraine.
"Judge, that thing I told-" naranasan din niyang masingitan ng linya.
"O, it's all settled. Don't worry."
"That-" She was interrupted again. The judge looked at his watch as fast as he could and told Lorraine that he have to leave already because he has to arrange some appointments. He left her and entered the court room. As he opened the door, an ordinary door, Lorraine peek inside and she sighed.
Umupo siya ulit and she covered her face with her hands. She checked her watch and it was 7: 35. Mabagal ang oras. Habang palapit ng palapit, bumabagal naman lalo.
The time has come. Nasa loob na ang lahat. Even Lorraine. She was sitting at the first row after the lawyer's seat. Ka-hilera niya si Clarissa, but she's not yet around. Papunta pa lang sabi ng lawyer ni Clarissa. Present at the court room were the Collins, Canlas and the former maids of the Canlas family when they were still rich.
At 8:05, Clarissa was brought to the court room with two policewoman assisting her. Her hands were handcuffed. She was wearing a yellow shirt and jeans. She was led to her seat on the first row. As she was about to sit, nagka-tinginan sila ni Lorraine. She gave her a smile but Lorraine just snobbed her. Akala siguro ni Lorraine nang-iinis pero ang ibig sabihin ng pag-ngiti ni Clarissa is that, she already accepted the fact that Lorraine really hated her.
Everything went well. Huling tinanong si Lorraine and she was asked by Clarissa's lawyer.
"Will you tell as what happen on that night?" asked the lawyer who was wearing a black suit with white polo inside and a blue necktie. His shoes were well polished and he looked presentable.
"I was about to get some milk before I go to bed. As I opened the door, I saw Clarissa in action. She stabbed Lucas Collins on his stomach by using a kitchen knife."
"And then, what did you do after seeing that?" The lawyer walked around the room as he asked Lorraine.
"I screamed, of course, at first. I didn't know what to do. Clarissa ran away leaving the knife at the table were she was preparing their snack." Nakatingin lang si Lorraine kay Clarissa. Pero hindi mo makikita ang galit sa mga mata nito. She's not wearing her uniform but she looked perfect with her dress. Hindi mo aakalaing isa siyang police officer.
"Then?" the lawyer looked at Lorraine and he crossed his arms.
"Then what?" nakipag-tinginan din si Lorraine. Naiirita dahil sa hindi pag-kumpleto ng lawyer ng tanong niya.
"What did you do next?" he walked near to Lorraine and placed his arms at the table in front of her.
"Humingi ako ng tulong. Everyone was asleep. Ewan ko lang sa parents ni Clarissa. I know na nagising sila nun. If you're going to ask me then I'm going to answer you that it's because of my instinct." Nakipag-titigan ulit si Lorraine sa lawyer ni Clarissa. As she, spoke again, she looked at the people around her. "Habang wala pang dumarating, I took the knife as the evidence. Pero siyempre, alam kong makikita ang finger prints ko that's why I used a towel."
"Kung gayon," the lawyer walked around again, "bakit hindi ka agad nag-sumbong sa mga police?" The lawyer stopped walking and turned around to Lorraine.
"I was afraid at first. Lumayo ako. Pero unti-unti kong na-realize na pwede akong gumanti sa kanya unless she'll reach her 18th birthday." She bowed her head and clenched her fists.
At ilan pang tanong, pinabalik na si Lorraine sa kanyang upuan.
Ilang saglit lang, binasa na ang hatol kay Clarissa. Pero bago pa man masabi ang pangalan ni Clarissa-
"Saglit lang!" Lorraine stood up with her head bowed.