I looked at the night sky filled with stars and a beautiful moon. This always sooths me whenever I want some.
"You looked so fierce earlier yet now, you're here relaxing your nervous nerves."
I rolled my eyes as if Yino could see it when in fact he was at my back fixing my hair.
"My nervous nerves couldn't calm down since I woke up today."
I heard him chuckled. "Trust, Cyn. Trust. You have us. We have you. Let's trust each other."
I smiled. Though Yino is often a mischievous freak, he never failed to comfort me whenever I needed some.
"I trust the three of you. The problem is on me. I'm worried that I might mess up tomorrow," I said then rest my chin above my elbows that were placed above my knees.
Yino pushed my head. "Don't move your head. You are messing my master piece."
I was about to turn my head at him when he pushed my head again. "Ouch!"
"This is not your first time in court, Cynwise. Every cases you handled, you won. Like what Triptivo said, a false accusation. Why are you bothered to mess up in a false accusation? Keep in mind that truth always win, it may not be always inside the court but truth find ways to win by any means."
"Thank you, Yino," I paused. "Where did you read that line anyway?"
He tweaked my hair. "You really a pro on ruining a moment."
"That hurts!" I held my head. "I just learned that from you since it is your expertise," then we both laughed. "Seriously, I'm happy having you, Yino."
"And, so am I"
Silence ensued. It was not the awkward one, its the soothing silence.
I continued contemplating at the night sky, full of amusement. Moon never fails on showing how beautiful it was. May it be on a quarter moon, half moon, new moon or full moon. It made a beautiful scenery with the stars at night.
"The moon is beautiful, isn't it?" I broke the silence.
I was startled when Yino pushed me. "What is with you? You're to brutal at me today," I hissed.
Yino snorted. "If I am brutal then I should have pushed you over the balcony. And, I should be the one to ask you, what is with you." He held his chest, closed his eyes, bowed his head and shook it, "I'm sorry but I want to reject you. I already love someone and you know who is she."
I looked at him with disgustment. "What are you talking about?"
"It's okay, Cyn. I know you're just saying that because you are shy of my rejection. Don't be, okay?" he paused. "But, I'm really sorry. I can't reply 'I can die happy' as a lover. We are just friends," he said like he was so guilty.
That's when everything sinked on me. 'The moon is beautiful, isn't it?' is a poetic way of Japanese to tell 'I love you' to their lovers and 'I can die happy' as a reply if you love her/him too.
"Will you stop overthinking? I was just asking if the moon is beautiful for you. I was not confessing my love for you. Don't be too grossed," then I acted like I was about to vomit.
We looked at each other, our eyes were full of disgustment. Then, we both shrieked 'eww!'
Our night ended shrieking to our room, both too grossed by the idea we, as lovers.
Morrow came. This is the day. The first trial.
I don't know if I should be thankful to Yino or not. Instead of thinking what might happen in the court, I was busy exchanging childish acts with him.
"What's wrong with the two of you?" Lark asked.
"Too nosy"
"Nevermind"
Yino and I said in unison. We looked at each other and both act like we were about to vomit.
Confusion was written on Lark's face. "Seriously? Did you guys fight?"
"Too worse than a fight."
"Like what?"
"She confessed to me."
My eyes widened, nose flared and lips parted. "Hey! I didn't. I was just asking!"
"Yeah! You're asking if the moon was beautiful. It means you're confessing!"
"Do you hear yourself? Creepy! I just wanna share same sentiments about the moon, on how beautiful it was!"
"Stop shouting!" Larked stated with brows furrowed.
"Excuses! You know that I love someone else!"
"The question is, does she loves you too?"
"Yah! That's too personal! Bitter!"
"Hey, stop!"
"Do I look like I care?"
"You're bitter!"
"I am not!"
"Yes, you are!"
"I am not!
"Yes, you are!"
"I am-"
"Will you two shut up?!!"
My eyes widened at Lark's sudden burst. His eyes were like daggers and his panting. His neck was reddish.
"D-Did he just shout?" I asked Yino as it was like a big deal. But, hey! It really was.
"You witnessed too? I thought I was just daydreaming."
"If you two won't shut up, I will drag your ass off my car!"
Both Yino and I sat properly. We were like scolded by our parents. Lark barely-uh no! he rarely shouts. And when he does, it means he is definitely mad.
With that, we arrived at the station with the silence on us.
Even Triptivo noticed, "Are y'all okay?"
We all looked at each other. But when we saw how Lark looked at us deadly we chose to zip our mouth.
Triptivo nodded awkwardly. "Maybe I should ask later."
When the clock strikes to 7:30 am, we went to the regional trial court.
I can feel the coldness in my body. I kept on pressing my nails. I was startled when a hand hold mine.
"We can do this," Triptivo eyed me full of sincerity that gave me warmth. Up until now, he could still gives me the warmth that no one could made me feel.
No one speak between us. Only our eyes were communicating. For a moment, I let myself be hypnotize by his eyes. His eyes that is full of sincerity, longing, care and....love.
"Please all rise. The Regional Trial Court, Branch 102, is now in session, the Honorable Judge Maricor Dela Fuente presiding," the Clerk of Court uttered that woke up my senses. I immediately broke our eye contact and focus my attention in front.
The judge motioned us to be seated. "Members of the prosecution, your duty today will be to determine whether the defendant is guilty or not guilty based only on facts and evidence provided in this case. The prosecution must prove that a crime was committed and that the defendant is the person who committed the crime. However, if you are not satisfied of the defendant's guilt to that extent, then reasonable doubt exists and the defendant must be found not guilty. Ms. Litha Reyes, what is today's case?"
I really hope we are on the right judge. I hope I'm right with my presumption with Judge Dela Fuente. She is an objective person.
"Your Honor, today's case is the Criminal Case No. 24689 People of the Philippines versus Triptivo Lopez."
"Is the prosecution ready?"
Celestine Sevilla and the other prosecutor stood up, "Yes, Your Honor." They sat down afterwards.
"Is the defense ready?"
Yino and I stood up, "Yes, Your Honor."
I immediately held my knees after we seated. My knees were wobbly. Sh*t! Why am I acting like this is my first time? I ain't like this. Goodness gracious! I wanna bang my head.
My hands that were on my knees felt a warm hand. I was to look at the owner when he spoke, "No, don't look at me. Calm down, okay?"
For a bit, I forgot the tense and it is between Triptivo and I---I exhaled. I need no mess in this trial. But, I can't do this if I will continue being tensed--and fantasizing.
I focus infront. After the Prosecutor Sevilla stated her opening statement, argh! I'm tensed again.
'We can do this.'
'No, don't look at me. Calm down, okay?'
I heard Triptivo's voice on my mind. I don't know but magically, I'm a bit calming down. I guess he just don't say it personally because the pumping of my heart is so fast whenever he does.
The trial had went on.
Everything that was neutral is not good for me. The trial was neutral between the both sides. I guess what I did inside the court was not enough.
I was all smile when someone was going near me saying their 'goodlucks','you did good' and many more. But, what I showed inside the court was not enough for me.
"You did good. Stop overthinking." Lark told me that made me back to my senses. "Please," he added.
I forced a laugh. "What d'you mean? I am not."
"But, you was." He eyed me with those expressive eyes he have. "Look, your eyes showed it all. I know you always want to be competent enough. You do, Cynwise. Please. Please. Stop overthinking. You're making me worried," then he left.
I was astounded with what he said when Yino told me, "Atleast be true to us with what you feel, Cyn."