Heaven
“Why is he handcuffed? You made a mistake with the handcuffs! Bobby should be here, not my nephew! He didn’t do anything wrong!”
“Ma’am, he stabbed the man so he’s here. He’s in the hospital—”
“Oh lord! Don’t you understand? That idiot is planning to rape my nephew! He just defended himself! He even gave him some drugs! We should sue Bobby, not him!”
Earlier I looked back and forth at Tyang and the policeman in front of me. The sharp stares of the people around made my body curl. I nodded and stared at the knee. If I could, I would bury my face in my knees so as not to see the judgmental gaze of the people. I would have wanted to hug myself if I hadn’t had the cold iron on my wrist, I could have done that. I pressed the body into the monoblock chair opposite the police desk Aunty was talking to.
Their conversation caught people’s attention.
“Sir! Listen to us first! That Bobby is harassing us because he knows he’s the only one we can ask for an extension of the rent. I’m sure he planned this with my cousin! He knew I would force him so he harassed us. Todo! He should be imprisoned! “ said Carolina.
“Ma’am, you have a witness. He taught. He saw that your cousin stabbed the victim, he was at the scene of the crime.”
She slammed her hands on the desk. The policeman flinched.
“Victim ?! The only victim here is my cousin! Aren’t you thinking huh ?! He’s there because they have a bad plan for my cousin! Your witness’s whore is an accomplice! He should also be imprisoned with Bobby! Release him Leigh! “
The man took a deep breath before saying, “Ma’am, your cousin is a suspect. He was stabbed—”
It grabbed the policeman’s collar.
“I’ll stab you if you don’t let out the—”
Some policemen quickly surrounded us.
“Carolina! T-that’s right …”
Every time I close my eyes I see Bobby’s bloody body. Even though the man with him was surprised he quickly ran outside and shouted that I stabbed Bobby. I couldn’t take my eyes off her bloody body. It was too late for my brain to go back to normal because they had already called the police and I arrived in the room with his bloody body. I planned to run but it didn’t work out. How many times have I defended myself. I tried to explain that it was all an accident and that I was not at fault. They even planned to hurt me. The police did not listen. No one believed me … Nothing. He was taken to the hospital while I was at the precinct. No one will ever believe me, even here. I felt so alone. So weak… so helpless.
Is this how I will live my life? Weak, poor, and helpless?
Being degraded by people.
I was the victim…
I didn’t do anything.
Maybe it’s my fault, I know that it’s dangerous to ask for help to Bobby, but still I took a risk.
Because I need it.
But he deserve it.
No doubt that he deserves it. I know he assaulted a lot of girls, other than me. I just let him taste his own medicine. I don’t regret stabbing him at all. Even though it’s accident and I needed to protect myself.
“What’s right Leigh? These are idiots!”
He glared at the man. “If you’re a sensible police officer, you should imprison the culprit. It’s not my cousin who’s innocent!”
They were the only ones who believed in me. My chest tightened. Letse! It’s all my fault. I shouldn’t have consented to Bobby’s wishes. I knew he could do it but I believed there was a little more kindness in his heart, I was wrong.
“C-carolina…” I stuttered.
“You are the one who was abused, you are the one who will be imprisoned! You are not at fault!”
Letse! The tears on my cheeks haven’t even dried yet, this is it again.
Carolina sighed.
Tyang wrapped his arm around me. I leaned over him. Carolina knelt at my feet.
“S-sorry Leigh. I shouldn’t have forced you to go to Bobby. H-it wouldn’t have happened.”
Her shaking hands reached for mine. Tears swam in her eyes. “Sorry … Sorry Leigh…”
I wanted to tell Carolina not to cry because it wasn’t her fault but nothing came out of my mouth but sobs. My tears never stopped flowing.
“I’m sorry… I shouldn’t—”
“C-carolina that’s right w-it’s not your fault—”
“What are you two? That’s right! Marites’ son is to blame for this! You’re just a victim Leigh! Instead of him holding the son accountable to the law you used to make him juicy!”
“I hope that man dies!” Carolina exclaimed.
Condensed milk is not possible!
“H-he can’t die Carolina. He’ll admit the truth. H-he needs to be imprisoned.” He needs to be imprisoned for what he did to me! He’s an animal!
I thought there was nothing worse than what Theron and Thander did to me… I thought the pain and suffering would end when I returned to my old life. I was wrong…
“Don’t worry Leigh. We’ll make a way for you to get out of here.”
“Aunty… Impossible—”
She kneels in front of me.
“We’ll make a way.” She squeezed my hands.
“Tyang…”
I can only get out of here if Bobby admits the truth. His family has the capacity for life. He can control the law, they have already done so.
Every minute is like an hour inside a cell. I have been curled up in a cold corner for three days and have stopped crying. I’m sure my eyes are full and deep black. I could not stop my brain from thinking of my sins and wrongdoing to others.
Why is all this happening to me? Why not end the suffering and pain? I wasn’t even allowed to be happy for a moment! Misfortune never left me!
It all happened when I met the two. Letse sila!
Is this the payment for my sin of premarital sex?
“Pst!”
I turned to Berna, she was one of the women in my cell. He is thin and not tall. Her hair is long and straight and her body is full of tattoos. When I come in here, he thinks of me differently. It’s also one of the reasons I can’t get to sleep.
“Are you going to cry again? You’re so ugly!”
“You are a waste!” he said, then hovered over me with a sticky look.
“I wish I had met you before I was imprisoned. I will definitely earn a lot from you.”
I put more pressure on myself in the corner.
I was startled when the policeman guarding our cell shouted.
“Hey, you!”
“Leigh Alvarez! You have a visitor!”
I quickly stood up from the corner. I breathed a sigh of relief as Berna disappeared from sight. Letse! I have to be careful with him. I’m sure he’s dangerous.
Aunty’s warm hug greeted me.
“Leigh! Jusmiyo!”
My forehead furrowed as Carolina smiled at me. No bitterness… I kept my gaze on him. My chest throbbed as I realized if the smile could not be removed from his lips. That smile of hope.
“Oh lord! You’re losing weight right away.” Said Aunty. She sighed.
“Never mind! You won’t lose weight!” excitement is present in her voice. His face was also clear unlike the day before.
My chest throbbed.
“W-what’s up Aunty?” I stuttered.
“You’re about to break free!”
My eyes widened.
“What do you mean Aunty? Has Bobby already admitted the truth?”
Shake it.
My forehead furrowed. “N-no? Then how can I free Tyang?”
That was the only way I could be free. Did they approach the mayor?
It touched my hand. He smiled broadly.
“Someone came over to help us Leigh. You’ll have a good lawyer. He’s also ready to bail you out without compensation.”
“What?”
What is Aunty saying?
Did anyone approach them for help? Will you give me a good lawyer? Am I ready to bail? Who is the person who will do it without replacement?
Isn’t it because Tyang is delirious? I know they want me out of here but my imprisonment is no longer good for their health and mental state. They also need to rest so that this does not happen.
“He fell from the sky, Leigh!” Aunty said.
“He’s rich!”
“And… Not only that, he’s still handsome!” Carolina exclaimed. Her cheeks blushed.
Rich and handsome? What does a rich and handsome man care about me? Especially in my case? Is there anyone like me who is willing to help the poor like me?
“H-ha? Are you serious?”
“Yes! You already know him!” I know? I don’t know any rich and handsome men ---
My body stiffened as I realized who Carolina was referring to.
“Oh! There he is, oh!”
