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CHAPTER 15 - UMMA AYAM SINSANA (WHERE ARE YOU NOW?) The First Time

“ ….just like in a prima facie case where the minimum evidence is adequate to establish an inference about the accusation….” Atty. Lagum was sauntering around the classroom like a caged monkey.

“ If I were to accuse Mr. Lagaton of robbery…what do you think are the evidences that would be considered in a prima facie case?” he stopped right behind Benny.

Benny’s mind was half attentive and half preoccupied with the events of yesterday.

It was the first time he and Julia had a “fight”.

“ You are supposed to watch over him!” Julia’s voice was up by a notch.


“ I was. I just went to the other room to get this book.”

Andre was wailing and there was a big, ugly bump on his forehead.

Julia was near to tears as they both tried to rock Andre to appease him. But it was apparent that he was hurt by his continuous crying.

They decided to bring him to the nearby hospital.

They were both upset and terribly worried that they almost forgot to bring the house keys.

“Apply an ice pack 3 times a day until the bump subsides. Observe him for 24 hours. If he vomits or becomes febrile, you’ll have to bring him back immediately,” the Doctor instructed.

On their way home, they didn’t speak to each other.
Benny was thinking, "Did she have to shout?"
Julia was thinking, "He should have been more watchful."

Andre slept soundlessly after taking in his medications, unaware of the growing tension between his parents. That night - for the first time in their lives- Benny and Julia slept apart like strangers.

Benny had been stressed out with the assignments from school. He had to read several excerpts of a topic from 10 different books AND - baby sit simultaneously because Julia was busy cooking in the kitchen AND - washing clothes too.

It was how Julia shouted at him that Benny didn’t want. Nobody ever shouted at home. Every misunderstanding was resolved calmly. Andre falling off his high chair was an accident.

Granted that it was his fault, still - it does not warrant being shouted at. It was simply unacceptable to him.

“ Mr. Lomiwan…?”

Benny was alert in an instant. “ the prima facie evidence would depend on the charges…,” he answered.

“ I said robbery charges Mr. Lomiwan…” the Professor was eyeing him sternly.

Benny vainly searched in his mind the answer to the question at hand. “ The accused maybe indicted if the weapon used and the goods stolen are found in his possession.“ It was a shot in the dark but common sense dictated that it was the best he can come up with under the circumstances.

“Correct, but this fact should be established beyond reasonable doubt,” the professor was visibly not impressed.

Benny‘s breathing grew steady.

“What if I say Mr. Lomiwan , that you have a tail at the base of your spine because you’re an Igorot?” Professor Lagum just wouldn't give up.

Someone snickered at the back, but the rest of the class became deathly quiet as Benny’s back turned stiffer.

“How can you disprove the allegation through evidence presentation?” the professor threw the question to the whole class.

It was high school all over again, Benny thought. he could still remember the taunting he had received from his peers because he belonged to a cultural minority.

The air in the room was increasingly charged with apprehension as the silence grew longer.

Benny slowly stood up and towered over the smaller professor. “I can show you the evidence Professor if you can assure me that I have the permission of everyone here in this classroom; and that you would vouch I won’t be charged with indecency.”

Their eyes met and clashed. An interminable minute passed one after the other. The professor’s beaded eyes looked down first, and he moved forward like a squirrel scampering for cover.

Benny didn’t sit down though; “I want all of you to know that I indeed have a tail, but it’s not found at the base of my spine, but in front of me - between my two balls. If you want evidence I would gladly show you this particular “tail".”

Laughter erupted in the classroom and the professor went red in the face but he said nothing.

Photo by Lin Pernille ♥ ...


Just then the bell rang and Benny left without talking to anyone.

He went straight to the school library to research more about their assignment.

He knew now that the professor won’t make life easier for him after his unabashed pronouncement in class.

REMEMBER WHEN

By: TASHA BUD

I know that Father's Day is long passed, but as I said before in my Unspectacular Quirks post, I'm seldom punctual.

So, today, I'd like to dedicate this post to the love of my life.

Hon, I know that I haven't been a perfect wife, but still you loved me unconditionally.

Photo by Sabrina Campagna

Out of the young and gorgeous women in your life who wanted to be with you, you chose to be with me instead.

Young, naive, and poor as I was, you took me into your life and showed me the world.

You loved and nurtured me, patiently, until I blossomed into the woman I have become who can truly give and reciprocate the love you so deserve.

We've had our ups and downs along the way as many married couples have. But I admire you in your steadfastness and commitment to our marriage, even when, at times, I'd like to leave and just throw everything away.

Within the first year of our marriage, I asked you to send me back home to the Philippines.

Having never been away from home and away from my family, I felt homesick and despondent.

Even at 22, you had the maturity to tell me to give ourselves a chance, before resorting to what I'd asked of you.


Photo by E-Rocks

From different cultures and backgrounds, you and me, you thought we needed time to adjust and to get to know each other better.

When you first learned that we'd be parents, you were ecstatic, beyond comprehension.

As much as you loved hunting and other outdoor sports, you gave them up to dedicate your time to fatherhood.

The children's activities with school, martial arts, basketball, volleyball, and soccer games had replaced hunting and other outdoor sports you loved doing with your friends.

Photo by …†∆†¡∆µ∆ 

Almost thirty-one years of marriage, two children, and one grandson and a granddaughter on the way later, you're

still standing by me, loving me and supporting me while I achieve my dreams and goals in life.

I dedicate this post to you, my love, along with this beautiful song by Alan Jackson--Remember When. And if the time of my demise arrives before yours does, I'd like for you to play this song at my funeral to remember me by.

With All My Love,
Tootie


ABOUT THE AUTHOR


"I'm a dreamer, a risk taker, an adventurer, a hopeless romantic, and a Taurean who hopes that one day soon be a successful published Romance Novelist."

This is what TASHA BUD has to say for herself.

She has never written a novel but you wouldn't know this because she writes beautifully; her current work has faithful readers from all over the globe. She maintains two blogs namely;
The Big Picture (her home blog for her novel with the same title) and Tasha's Take ( where she writes her other thought provoking posts).

She knows how to put her heart into her writing that leaves readers clamoring for more. She is a rising star worth watching out for.

Let's put our hands together for a superb romance novelist - Tasha Bud.

The Hut in the Mountains

UPDATES ON CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE INSPIRATIONAL BOOK

Well folks here's an update on the stories submitted for the inspirational book.
As of this moment there are 3 (three) official entries:

1. INSPIRATION by: NICHOLAS CHASE
2. SHE DIDN'T DANCE by: ROY DE LA CRUZ
3. REMEMBER WHEN by: TASHA BUD ( Not published on this site but will be published soon)

I need at least 25 stories, and my target publication will be August 1, 2009.

I'm inviting all writers for this book as I know it would be a good book for people who are willing to take time to read. I still offer the 5,000 credits as incentive. It may not be much but "money is not everything."

Wish me luck. I invite all of you to be a part of my quest in fulfilling this dream of a lifetime.

Thanks for all the support and encouraging words.