Jade

"What. The. Fuck?"

Jade swore under her breath, wide-eyed with scornful astonishment, trying to let the image of a huge wave of humanity blocking her way, sink into her system.

For a minute, Jade thought she was in one of those zombie apocalyptic movies; the street is just swamped with people.

"What the fuck is going on?!"

Jade swore louder as she honked at the mob unfolding right before her, blocking her way, proudly waving their banners and flaunting their tarpaulins.

"This is not the time to show the world that you care, people!"

Infuriated, she glanced at her watch. "It's 30 minutes before seven and I'm stuck. I am so screwed."

Jade geared the car on reverse but as she looked behind her, citizens have already accumulated the path.

Or I can just run them over. LOL. No.

"I can't believe this is happening."Jade shook her head in abhorrence.

She honked twice, rolled down her side window and stuck her head out, yelling at the rowdy crowd. "Guys, can you please get the fuck off the street?"

But the deafening cries of the protesters drowned Jade's voice, remaining where they are, seemingly not noticing the very pissed off woman inside the red Toyota Vios.

Jade slammed her hands against the steering wheel.

"The universe is against me right now. This is fucking amazing!" Jade grunted sarcastically.

You swear too much, Jade. It's not proper for a decent lady. Amanda would perpetually remind Jade whenever she hears her daughter say some random cursing.

Again, as dutiful as she was, the lady didn't listen. She's not that type of lady. She would curse whenever she wants to, because she deemed it appropriate for the situation and also because, she feels like it.

Besides, it was taught in Psychology 101, I think, that it is therapeutic to vent out how one feels. Therefore, if I feel shitty, I will say shitty things.

Oh Jade, always the one with the witty, sensible rebuttal.

Amanda, with narrowed, disconcerting eyes, just shakes her head for having an obedient and at the same time, defiant daughter.

"Hoy! Hindi niyo ba nakikitang kalsada yan at hindi tambayan? Puwede bang umalis kayo sa gitna ng kalsada?"

Jade, honked again; this time, the honk was longer and even more aggressive.

"Miss."

Jade almost jumped out of her seat upon being startled by someone, abruptly ceasing her rage that's projected towards the car horn. She looked up and saw a man in blue uniform wearing a badge stating: Traffic Enforcer.

"Sir. Mabuti dumating kayo. Paki sabihan naman po yang mga nakaharang na tumabi. Kanina pa ako busina ng busina dito. They are obstructing traffic!" She pleaded, the irritation in her voice noticeable.

Bewildered, the officer explained, "Miss, mukhang mali ka ata ng kalsadang nilikuan. Hindi mo ba nakita na closed itong area na ito?"

"What?!" Jade looked behind her. In total disbelief, at the farthermost corner of the street, Jade saw detour signs placed in the middle of the road.

"But those signs were not there kanina."

"Miss, kanina pa yan diyan."

Jade, sunk back to her seat, closed her eyes and massaged her temple to calm her nerves. She no longer wants to argue. Time is of the essence.

The crowd has now devoured the entirety of the road where Jade's car is currently marooned.

Fighting every urge to be infuriated while an officer of the law is standing right next to her, Jade took a deep breath and gave out a courteous smile.

Hoping that her charm would work, she looked at the officer with puppy eyes and begged, "Sir, I have to be in court in less than 30 minutes. Is there a way na you can just clear this path so that my car can pass through? Sa Supreme Court ang punta ko."

The officer, now growing impatient, has shifted his nonchalant reaction to a bit of exasperation.

"Miss, gusto ko lang pong ipaalam sainyo na itong kalyeng pinasukan ninyo ay one way. Kaya lang kayo nakaliko dito ay dahil sinarado itong kalsada mula doon sa kabilang dulo. Dapat nga tiketan kita dahil violation itong ginawa mo."

Jade looked out her window and realized that the traffic enforcer wasn't bluffing. She made a right turn from Kalaw to Maria Orosa!

"Oh God, this day not going well for me." Jade uttered under her breath, pressing her head on the steering wheel.

What was I thinking?

Jade perfectly knew what she was thinking– her mom's disagreeable phone call.

Yes, she kept on repeating the scenario inside her head while she was driving on her way to court.

"Wait, what? Ma, what the he-"

"Jade, language!"

"I cannot process this right now, Ma. I just can't." Jade now entangled in a spiraling surge of emotions, closed her eyes and tried to block a familiar feeling – the pain of separation.

"I'm deeply sorry, darling. I know my timing is horrible. I just wanted to inform you firsthand."

Jade was no longer listening. She's now sucked in a limbo - a very dark place inside her head where she kept all those mundane, unresolved perplexities.

She clenched her phone that she can hear some of its parts creaking.

"Jade, are you still there?"

Jade's senses were now spinning but she still managed to muster a reply. "Yes, Ma. I'm still here."

"One more thing..."

Nothing is worse than this, Jade thought.

"Your father and I will be dropping by your office tomorrow to process the annulment. We already made appointments."

Oh Jesus Christ, kill me now! Jade screams inside her head.

Snapping back to reality, Jade closed her eyes. Playing the scenario repeatedly inside her head did not do her any good and now, she's stuck in this rather unfavorable traffic predicament.

She turned her attention back to the traffic enforcer and pleaded, "Pasensiya na sir. Sobrang tuliro lang talaga ng utak ko. Please, huwag niyo na po akong bigyan ng ticket."

Seeing that the lady in the red car is already in distraught, the empathetic officer half-heartedly agreed, "Sige. Papalampasin ko to ngayon."

Jade let out a sigh of relief. However, there's still one problem - she's still in the middle of a crowd-filled street.

"Sir, is it okay if I just park my car dun sa may sidewalk? Can you help me clear the people dun sa area na yun? Please?"

Scratching his head, the officer agreed. "Sige. Hindi mo rin naman puwedeng iwanan sa gitna ng kalsada itong sasakyan mo."

The officer provided clearance and guided to Jade to park aptly at the specified corner.

After making sure that her position is secured, Jade turned off her car's engine, took her bag and alighted from the vehicle.

"Salamat, sir. Lalakarin ko na lang." Curious as to what the commotion is all about, Jade inquired, "Para saan daw ho ba itong rally na ito?"

"Para daw ito doon sa hearing nung mga napatay na dalawang estudyante sa isang concert."

"Oh, shit..."

---

Althea

Upon arriving at the main entrance of the Supreme Court, Althea instructed the people to systematically gather behind the fences or what the government would like to call as "crowd control barriers".

Notwithstanding the exhaustion and heat, the people continued to wave their banners and went on chanting their shout for justice while the reporters set up their equipment in one corner, anticipating any kind of upheaval from the involved parties.

Althea was surprised at how the barricades were formed – complete with barbed wires wrapped on top of it. Like cherries on ice cream. Only, these cherries are not enticing at all.

Althea also observed at how the security officers or the riot control squad, as what the government would like to call them, approximately 40 to 50 on count, who were steadfastly guarding the front gate, are in full armor – helmets, shields, vests, knee pads, neck protectors and even gas masks.

Gas masks, Althea noticed, are they planning to gas us, just in case? This is overkill.

If she doesn't know any better, there's a fire truck hiding around somewhere ready to hose people to the ground.

Althea deemed this show of control, unnecessary.

"They let the riot control squad out, they certainly mean business." Batchi discerned.

"I'll talk to the head of their squad. Look around for anything suspicious, Batch. I don't feel good about this sort of treatment." Althea frowned.

Batchi acknowledged.

Althea turned to Father Rodriguez who, at that moment, is setting up a small platform.

"Father, if you could please start the program with a novena."

"Will do, Althea."

Althea needs the people to be distracted once she talks to the officer-in-charge of the riot squad. She's been here before, she knows how demonstrations work. Batchi and Althea have been through a lot of protests making them well-aware of every damn situation that may or may not occur.

Somehow, Althea has a gut feeling that the riot control squad did not dress up for show. They are dressed to exterminate.

I don't want them to see me argue, it will just heighten their animosity towards the situation, Althea silently running flashbacks in her head.

Trying to keep her cool, she approached the platoon; one of them went out of line and walked towards Althea's direction.

"Hanggang diyan ka na lang, miss."

Althea estimated the distance between her and the officer. She was approximately two meters away from him.

"Sir, I am Althea Guevarra. I am the representative of this group. I'd like to talk to your commander-in-chief, please."

"He's not here." The officer replied sternly, not moving a muscle.

Althea moved closer, "Sir, if you could kindly call him and tell him that I am-"

"Inuulit ko, hanggang diyan ka lang." The officer stopped Althea's steps.

Althea was surprised. He's not even listening.

"Sir, hindi po kami pumunta dito para gumawa ng gulo. Gusto ko lang naman pong makausap yung chief ninyo at sabihin sa kanya na-"

"Miss, kung hindi ka aatras, mapipilitan akong hulihin ka!" The officer yelled, catching the attention of the media who are already on their feet, preparing for some sort of newsworthy conflict.

The crowd who are simultaneously praying stopped and looked at Althea's direction. Some of them stood up and were now focused on the tension of the two individuals who are supposedly talking.

Batchi's eyes were locked at Althea and the officer, not missing the moment, not blinking. She knows what happens during demonstrations like these. No matter how "peaceful" one ought it to be, one false move and hell breaks loose.

Althea, noticing that the people were now looking at them, put her hands in the air as a sign of surrender, not taking her eyes off the officer who just shouted at her, took a step back and went to the direction of the protesters.

Althea talked to them with reproachful eyes, "Guys, it's fine. Konting misunderstanding lang. My fault. Father, please continue."

Batchi approached Althea and whispered, "That didn't go well."

"No, it did not." Althea responded feeling the tension trickling inside her.

"I...I need to make a phone call."

---

Jade

Finally!

Jade arrived in front of a protester-stricken courthouse with aching feet and a wasted look. Walking four blocks in high heels while experiencing a Patintero-like route, is not Jade's idea of starting her day.

"Quarter to seven. I can still make it for our morning briefing." Jade said, still gasping for air as a result of all the brisk walking.

As she advanced to the entrance of the building, with a sharp intake of breath, Jade's jaw dropped. The main gate of the Supreme Court is heavily guarded and there's even media involved.

This is getting better by the minute. Jade thought sarcastically.

And by the looks of it, the entrance has been blocked by barricades and some sort of security forces who, if Jade would interpret basing on the entire picture, are there to ward off protesters from entering the premises.

Good thing I have a badge, they'll let me in. Jade felt confident and fished her badge from her bag.

"Holy shit!" Jade exclaimed gaining the attention of some of the protesters praying beside her.

"Sorry." Jade smiled apologetically.

Her badge - it's not in her bag!

Why is this happening to me?! Jade, already in a state of panic, tried to compose herself. Deep breaths.

She could always talk to their leader. Bleak as it is, Jade still wants to try her luck.

How bad can it be, right?

But as she was about to go near the officers, one of them stepped down and approached her; stopping her steps, exactly two meters away from the barricade.

"Hanggang diyan ka na lang, miss." The officer stated.

"Hi." Jade initiated, feeling wary of the scene. "Sir, I am Jade Tanchingco. I am needed inside the courtroom by seven to attend to one of my clients."

Jade made another step, cautious of her words. "I am with the defense panel of the-"

"Miss, inuulit ko hanggang diyan ka na lang." The officer insisted.

Jade looked over her shoulder. Some of the protesters are now steadily watching her while they continue with the program; eyes anticipating Jade's next move. Some of them are even whispering to each other, probably betting if she'll make it through or suffer the same fate as the one who attempted before her.

Well, this is embarrassing, Jade thought.

But that didn't matter. Jade was still determined to make it through. No. Matter. What.

"Sir, can I just reiterate that I am not one of them?" Jade pointed towards the crowd's direction. "I mean, look at me, I'm not even wearing the shirt that-"

"Where's your badge?"

"Wh-"

"Hindi ka makakapasok kung wala kang badge. Kung talagang meron kang hearing, alam mong kailangan ng badge para makapasok."

Jade pursed her lips and narrowed her eyes. This is one argument she's not going to win – the rules are clear and she's the one on the losing end.

Knowing that this conversation is not going anywhere and is another waste of her precious, precious time, Jade smiled wryly and stipulated, "I'll get it from my car. I remembered I left it there. Stupid of me."

Jade backed out of the gate and walked away from the crowd feeling defeated.

I can't go back to my car. I wouldn't make it by seven.

Jade is totally displeased with her current circumstance.

Whoever said that, "When it rains, it pours," is an understatement. It should be, "When it rains, it pours acid, fire, and hell."

Jade is fighting the itch to call Tanya or Charles and inform them of this mishap and maybe get some freaking help. But she knew that this will just give her two seniors the pleasure of harassing her for the rest of her life and adding it up to her infamous achievements.

I will not give them that satisfaction. I've shed blood for this case. I will not go down without a fight. Jade assured herself.

As she continued walking away from the center of the pandemonium, Jade found a quiet spot where she can collect herself and contemplate.

She rested her head against the wall that separates the outside world from the highest court in the land – a wall that separates her from her dreams and her future. She needs to clear her head and find a solution from all of this.

Ten minutes to seven. Jade shook her head. Ten minutes before I'm doomed.

Jade tilted her head, looked up to the sky and called upon the heavens to send her some sort of a miracle. Not that Jade believed in miracles but at this point, there's nothing that she wouldn't believe in.

Then, out of the corner of her eye, Jade saw something that made her smile.

---

Althea

Althea's knees were still trembling as she excused herself from the crowd and asked Batchi to take over for a couple of minutes. Though she is used to these kinds of protests, her nerves always betray her. She would never get used to the thought that this might end up badly and people will get hurt.

The crossfire is so severe; it's like the killing fields. And most of the time, when a riot cannot be contained and protesters are badly injured, she blames herself.

She'd been through a couple of those protests that didn't end up well.

One of which, nearly took her life.

Althea, don't die on me! Batchi's voice was filled with fear as her friend was wheeled inside the Emergency Room.

Althea remembered seeing bright lights and people wearing scrub suits and lab gowns; nurses injecting vials of drugs, instinctively, as per doctor's instructions.

Ma'am doon muna po kayo sa may waiting area while we attend to your friend's condition. Althea still slightly conscious was overhearing the conversation of Batchi and a medical practitioner – she was not sure whether that's a nurse or a doctor.

Is she gonna be okay? Althea can hear the distress in Batchi's voice.

We'll do the best we can. The gaping wound just below the side of her ribcage is severe. Our fear is that the stabbing incident did more damage and involved some of the main organs of her body. We'll have to take her to the operating room to make sure that...

Althea's vision was getting blurry and she can no longer decipher the voices ringing in her head.

Everything was just hazy.

She struggled to breathe but there was a searing pain coming from the right side of her. She coughed and swore that the wound spat out blood.

Someone placed an oxygen mask around her head. And before she completely blacked out, the last thing she remembered was Batchi screaming, Althea, please, do not die on me!

That occurrence left a hideous scar along her side, just inches below the right ribcage, slightly above her lumbar area. Now, it's just a part of her chaotic past painted over by a passage from the Bible.

Red, Althea instructed the tattoo artist, to remind me of that bloody episode in my life.

The trauma of that day has never left her system. Indelible. Sometimes, causing sleepless nights. Repeated nightmares that nobody knows.

Until now, she still feels that stabbing pain especially during heightened, stressful situations, much like the one that happened just a couple of minutes ago.

Althea, finding a quiet, crowd-free spot, groped on to her side where the scar is and applied some pressure. She was feeling that searing pain again aggravated by that argument.

She took several deep breaths to calm her nerves, then fished out her phone from her bag.

Althea pressed "1" on speed dial.

"Hello?" A soft-spoken voice answered.

Althea let out a sigh of relief hearing someone answer on the first buzz. Then she smiled.

"Hello, Nay. Kamusta na po?"

"Anak! Napatawag ka."

"Miss ko lang kayo, Nay."

"Miss din kita anak. Sana makapagbakasyon ka naman dito sa atin."

Althea felt her side pain fading, her breaths calmer.

"Dibale, Nay. Pag natapos ko na po itong kaso, mag-fafile ako ng leave sa trabaho para makapagbakasyon ng kahit isang linggo lang."

"Teka...Ngayon pala yung kaso mo laban dun sa mga elitistang pinagsususpetyahan na pumatay dun sa dalawang estudyante