Looking back (chapter 9)
Present day: morning after partying all night
She had a killer headache and no idea where she was going or how she’s going to get there. Philippines massaged her throbbing head with one hand as she desperately tried to walk normally. She’s swaying on her feet, and please Brunei, go walk on your own. Brunei, who probably felt as crappy as she did, was clinging on her other arm for support. Even Brunei could barely keep walking straight seeing as she’s half-asleep and superbly dizzy too. Damn, I feel so sick. I swear I’ll start drinking moderately from now on! Or I’ll never schedule a 16-hour flight at seven in the morning the day after! My headache’s killing me!
After a few more minutes of tiredly trudging their way through the crowded airport, Philippines gave up even trying. Her knees buckled beneath her and she sank to the floor, dragging down Brunei with her. Brunei did not even complain, she must have not felt the difference in their pace, she’s already dead to the world minutes ago.
Philippines felt like crying. The other ASEAN nations were no longer in sight since they were already running late when they got to the airport. And since Philippines’ and Brunei’s flights were scheduled a little bit later than the rest, they could afford to lag behind a little too, though they all arrived at the airport together. After quick ‘goodbye’s’ and ‘see you soon!’s, each one of them left.
The quiet Indonesia who always watches her back had long since gone too. Actually, he offered to miss his flight in order to accompany her home and see to it that she arrived there safely but she insisted that she could take it. She knew that was the right thing to do since Indonesia was much further away than her home and she knew Indonesia really can’t afford some time to accompany her. She’s really thankful for the gesture but, he really didn’t need to do that. She could take care of her own until she gets home…but apparently, with her and Brunei sitting on the floor like that that people were already staring, she can’t handle her own. She’s way too sick to even stand, furthermore, Brunei is about to miss her flight!
“Brunei…Brunei…” she prodded the sleeping girl who dismissively swiped a hand at her and grumbled something in her native language. “Brunei! Stand up! Your flight is up in fifteen minutes!”
“Oh…let the damn plane go without me! Let me sleep!”
“You could go sleep on the plane, mine’s up in twenty minutes, look!” Philippines pointed to the board. She stood up quickly and tried to pull the other nation up.
“I can’t take this anymore!” Brunei sluggishly rose to her feet and dragged her travel bag after her, walking to the boarding terminal to Brunei. “Bye, Phili! See you soon!” she waved behind her and continued walking in a fast pace, slightly hunched, making everyone in front of her part to give her way. She must have looked menacing instead of desperate for a break.
“Have a safe trip; I’ll be picking you up in your place before we go to the ASEAN meeting!” Philippines shouted after Brunei. The latter waved her hand again as a gesture that she heard it.
Philippines then proceeded to run up to the check-in counter of the flight to her home. Since she did not bring much things, actually, more than half of her luggage were composed of ‘pasalubong’ she had bought for everyone at home, from politicians to the gardeners that went in and out of her house.
“Pilipinas!” a few voices called out from behind her. She slowly whirled around to see who called her and saw some of her countrymen heading towards the check-in counters as well. “We’re going home too!”
One of the things Philippines always liked when boarding planes going back home is when she sees her overjoyed countrymen exhilarating at the prospect of finally going back home, to where their real families were, to where, Philippines thought, they truly belonged. As much as she hated seeing them go to some foreign countries to earn their living, she had long accepted the fact that she was in no state to give them everything they could wish for, to provide them the comforts working in another country could give them, to give them the security that their loved ones would have everything they need. Everyday, Clara worked hard towards her goal of keeping the country afloat amidst the massive blows to her economy and government. She knew that not all who promised to alleviate her burdens had really done anything at all that even closely resembles ‘public service’, but Clara remained patient with them. There was no use blaming them, no matter how much of her problems were their fault, so she devoted herself to being a model citizen, to act like how she expected her own people to act, and hopefully, they’ll follow suit too.
She gave them a big smile despite wanting to throw up so badly. “Thank you for your hard work…”
They smiled at her in return, one of them, a woman in her forties, stepped forward and clasped Philippines hands in hers, “You didn’t have to thank us, that we could be of help to you from across the world is something that we are proud of. So just hang in there, we know you’re tired. We’re going home.”
Philippines muttered a ‘thank you’ again and led them through customs. Once it was her turn to have her bag checked, she noticed the guard look her over before speaking in hushed tones in his wireless. He then turned to her and said, “Miss, please follow me to the office, we seem to have a problem, your flight would wait for you.”
“Huh? Why? What’s wrong?” she said, inching away from the guard. As far as she knew, there’s nothing illegal in her bag or anywhere on her for that matter, so why the hell is she being called away that they would have to guarantee her that her flight would wait for her.
“It’s standard procedure, Miss. Please go this way.” The guard gestured towards a long hallway where only employees seem to pass through.
Philippines felt cold sweat at her back. God, she’s so dizzy and this man just had to hold her up at the terminal when all she wanted to do was sit on the plane and be dead for the whole flight. Making up her mind, she turned back towards the group of Filipinos behind her who all gave her confused looks, “Sorry, I had to go to their office. I’ll be back quickly but just go ahead without me,” she told them, giving them a reassuring smile before she picked up her bag and proceeded to follow the guard.
“We’ll be waiting for you to get back!” a man called after her.
She looked over her shoulder and let out a giggle, “Don’t let the plane leave no matter what!”
If only she knew what she had in store for her, she would have resisted till the very end. If only she got on that plane home…
She was led through a long white hallway, passing airport employees and many rooms but the walk never ended in any one of those doors. They walked and walked, turning left and right until the number of people she could see around them decreased until she could no longer feel secure enough following an unknown man. She had contemplated running back but…she could no longer remember how to get back. They had been walking for twenty minutes now and she’s getting more anxious by the minute. She walked a bit faster and tapped the guard’s shoulder, “Um…excuse me, we’ve been walking for a while now…where exactly are you taking me?” Could I run now?
She stopped walking and stepped back as silently as she could and when the guard just continued walking, she completely turned around to take a run for it when suddenly, there were three men going her way and they were looking at her. She backed away again and jumped when she felt herself ram into someone, she realized, the guard. She gasped in fright when the man grabbed her by the arms and held her there while the three men were zooming down on them. “Let me go!” she beat the man with her fist but it was no use. He did not even bat an eye when she started clawing on his face. That was the first time in a long while that she ever felt really threatened. “What do you want with me? Unhand me now!”
Then she felt a blunt force on the back of her head and she fell to the ground, conscious but unable to move. She watched with tears in her eyes as they threw a black blanket over her and wrapped her in it, then proceeding to carry her off to god knows where. She could feel the blood rushing through her hair and she felt more drained. She could not even dry her own tears. She wasn’t restrained but she could not even fight back. She felt degraded that she could not even protect herself properly despite all the ‘self-defense’ lessons she had been taught before. She felt so useless and weak. God, what’s going to happen next?
She heard doors being opened and despite the blanket covering her, she felt the blowing of the wind. They were already outside the airport. But where are they taking her? Next thing she heard was the skidding of tires before they at least gently laid her on something akin to a stretcher. And she feared all the more when she realized they were on the Tarmac. “Help…help…” but it came out of her mouth in incomprehensible sounds, owing to the restrictions of the cover on her and the pain in her head. She was much too afraid to succumb to unconscious no matter how much her instincts were screaming at her to just shut off all the pain.
She felt the rolling stop and the blanket lifted just a little over her head. The men looked down at her indifferently before one of them clamped a respirator over her mouth and nose. She no longer had time to protest as her eyes slowly drooped and in seconds, she was already dead to the outside world. Wake up, Clara! You can’t let them do this to you!
Hours later, she woke up to find herself sitting in an antique looking chair in a small circular room. She panicked when she found out her clothes had been changed too, from the plain civilian outfit of blue blouse and skinny jeans, it had been changed to a pure white off-shoulder dress that reached above her knees. Despite the decent clothing, she felt bare. The cold air from the AC unit was not much help as it only served to discomfort her. Though the dizziness was gone, her head throbbed painfully every time she moves it. She reached a hand over the back of her head to feel where the men had hit her and she was sure had bled. There was something covering it. At least they were kind enough to bandage her up.
“Anyone there? Hello?” she eventually stood up when she was sure she was allowed to do so at least. She looked around the room. There was no one in there except for her, and there was nothing in there except for the chair she was sitting on and the door in front of her. She tried for the door and she was a surprised to find that it was unlocked. She quickly opened it and peeked at the other side. It looked pretty much a luxurious living room. There were plush chairs lining up the walls and there was a shiny wooden table in the middle. A large television was situated against one wall and the floor is carpeted a rich red. She wondered why there were no windows and the ceiling was concaved.
She got out of the room and closed the door gently behind her. She must get out of here, no matter how safe-looking this place was. She can’t possibly be truly safe here.
“Ah, I see, you’re awake now. Good. Good. I was afraid my men had hurt you badly. Please join me for tea, Miss Philippines,” a voice said out of nowhere and Clara jumped in surprised. A man stood up from one of the couches with its back to her and that was when she saw him.
She shook her head. “Who are you?”
The man smiled. He must be in his fifties, with his white shock of hair and mustache and the wrinkles in his face. He was wearing a white suit and she wondered if her clothes were his doing too, seems like he likes white too much. He looked like an everyday grandfather whose favorite hobby is fishing…but this guy…exudes far more than old age…there was something about him that garnered respect the moment you set eyes on him.
The man smirked, “Forgive me, my lady. My name is Dmitri Leonov…and you are currently in my plane heading to my house. Please, please, take a seat, I tire very much just by standing. Here, here.” he offered her the couch in front of where he was sitting and sat back down again.
Clara was wary of his intention but decided that listening to him for a moment could give her some clue as to why he’d kidnapped her. She sat down in the offered couch and politely refused when he poured tea for her.
“Please state your business. I may or may not put up with it by the way your men had treated me earlier. Is it normal for you to kidnap people when you want to get them on a plane to your house?” she glared at him.
The older man chuckled and linked his hands, “Well then, since my little girl wants to get down to business already, I guess I’d just have to obey her. I have something I want to have you help me with. And of course, there is a little reward for you in it too. You are a nation, aren’t you?” there was a demonic glint in his eyes that sent shivers down Clara’s spine. This man…cannot be trusted to be doing good.
“Y-yes, I am. But what does it have to do with anything? And I’m not going to help you anyway, so never mind, and please drop me off in the nearest airport. Thanks for the tea.” She stood up, though not sure how she’s even going to get out, or if she’s even going to get out.
The man smiled at her, “Please sit back down, and we’re not finished yet. I’m sure you want to know what I’m up to.” When she did not obey, his smile dropped and he gave her a stern look, “I said, please sit down.”
Clara tried hard to stop the trembling in her gait. This can’t be good. She’s trapped in a plane with a madman. She was almost sure nothing could be gained from this but trouble. She sat back down.
“Very good. Now, Miss Clara, how does the position of being the world’s dominant superpower appeal to you?”
Oh God, he’s crazy. Take me away from this scary man. Why does this have to happen to me all the time? “Excuse me?”
The man let out a breath and leaned back comfortably in his seat. “I’m saying I’m going to give you the world in a silver platter, in exchange for your help.”
Clara really, really want to lock the man up in an insane asylum and forgot all of this ever happened. She can’t bear listening to him. Is he a prospective terrorist or something? And what would she do with the world, anyway? She’s glad where she stood with the others. “You’re insane.”
The man smirked at her, “Miss Clara, you don’t even know the half of it.”
Six months later, the whole world was left stunned as Clara declared the start of the third world war.
June 8, 1892 - August 25, 1896
Clara patiently waited for the days to pass by. She also made a point not to issue commands pertaining to a revolution and she just let the interested men organize themselves, though she checks on them from time to time to see what they had accomplished.
She had continued with the advocacy of La Liga Filipina even in the prolonged absence of Rizal. He was exiled in Dapitan in Mindanao for a long time. Every month, she got reports on how the man was doing in captivity. She even encouraged his affair with a certain Irish woman he had met in Dapitan. Clara smirked as she read his letter telling her that he wished to marry said woman. She had jokingly replied that she was somewhat jealous that someone else gets to marry her Jose. Rizal replied seriously that Clara could be sure that Rizal still loves her most no matter what. She missed him all the more and she prayed that he stayed safe. He’s currently quarantined in a ship in Manila harbor since the Spanish government wanted his services to help with the Cuban War of Independence. Rizal had agreed in exchange for getting out of Dapitan.
As she sat under the mango tree she had been waiting in, she looked up to the sky and frowned. La Liga Filipina was close to complete dissolution now. It was split into two groups, the radicals and the conservatives. The radicals subsumed into the Katipunan or their formal name “Kataastaasan Kagalanggalangang Katipunan ng Mga Anak ng Bayan (Highest and Most Respected Association of the Sons of the Country). She liked the name very much though she had doubts about their objectives. What they had in mind is very dangerous. The conservatives, on the other hand, Clara later realized, were mostly composed of the wealthier Filipinos. They too, subsumed into another subgroup of the league, the Cuerpo de Compromisarios, which pledged continued support to the reformists in Spain. Clara was part of the latter. However, every move that had been made so far were done with great secrecy and discretion. The Spaniards were already suspicious that the Filipinos were up to something for a long time now and they had already guessed as close as that it is akin to the existence of a secret revolutionary society. Because all in all, the Katipunan is a government in itself.
Until a talkative Katipunero blabbed it to his sister who then told him to confess everything to a parish friar and so landed them to their current predicament now. There was an extensive manhunt for all Katipunan members. Hundreds of arrests were made, whether they were proven innocent or guilty. It had become more dangerous times.
Clara sighed and opened her copy of Kalayaan (freedom), a newspaper published by the Katipunan to read and pass the time while she waited for Emilio Jacinto, Bonifacio’s closest friend and confidant, to pick her up and take her to Pasig. She had been moving from one place to another ever since rumors circulated that she was already inside the country again. Last time she checked, Antonio was also in the country too. The day that they’ll meet again, Clara felt that it was too soon already. No matter how much she imagined how their meeting would turn out she still can’t seem to be ready to face him. It hurts to say the words she wanted to the father she loved the most. But for the sake of her people, she had to bear everything. She had already started this twenty years ago. She had to finish it. She had to win.
Nothing dear to a person of pure heart
Is denied to the country that gave him birth:
Blood, wealth, knowledge, sacrifices,
Even if life itself ends.
Clara blushed. No matter how much she repeated reading Bonifacio’s poem “Love for the Homeland”, she can’t help but get bothered and embarrassed…somehow. Everything in the paper was pertaining to her and implying a call to revolution. Damn, Bonifacio never wastes time. Well, Clara thought, at least they still heeded her. Even now, they still valued Rizal’s warnings. It was like the only thing that holds them back from fully calling to arms amidst the arrests.
If this country is in danger
and she needs defending,
Forsaken are the children,
the wife, the parents, the brothers and sisters
at the country's beck and call.
Though she also can’t help but admire their dedication to her. It was impressive. Especially with the publication of Kalayaan, membership to the Katipunan went from 300 only to hundreds of thousands all throughout the country. Today, she was going to Pasig after Bonifacio called for a meeting of the major leaders of the secret society in order to formalize talks about the revolt.
“Mahal ko, you’re reading his poem again, don’t you like mine too? I’m a better writer than Andres, he admitted that already…I’m getting jealous,” a voice came up from behind her. Clara jumped in surprise and proceeded to hit the newcomer with the rolled up newspaper. “Ouch! Hey! I’m kidding! I came to get you! Geez, you hate me, don’t you?” he pouted.
“Don’t call me that! You always sneak up on me! Don’t do that, especially at times like this that I’m paranoid since I’m a wanted person!” she glared at him. Emilio Jacinto grinned at her.
“Yeah, me and Bonifacio were betting how long it will take before you land yourself in jail. Wait, if that happens, should I bail you out? If I could get a kiss, I’d gladly penetrate the deepest prison for-Ouch! Who?!?” Jacinto turned around to see an irritated Bonifacio standing behind him. Clara giggled. Another thing she liked, secretly, about them.
“I’m glad to see you’re safe, Clara. Don’t believe a word this estupido is saying. Let’s get going before anyone comes.” he then said in a reprimanding tone to his friend, “Stop messing around with Clara. Get a wife if you want a kiss.” He said as they started walking towards the fettered horses. Bonifacio pulled her onto his horse before Jacinto could pull her on his.
“Hey! This is oppression! Why do you always get her? I’ll tell Gregoria on you!” Jacinto whined.
Clara giggled and made funny mocking faces as Bonifacio proceeded to give the younger man a bump on the head. “Act like a respectable lawyer, will you? Sometimes I can’t believe you wrote theKartilla when you’re acting like this.
“Hahaha...yeah…it’s better than your Decalogue, ain’t it?”
Clara and Bonifacio rolled their eyes in frustration. He’s so easy to control yet he’s extremely loyal to Bonifacio.
Clara’s headache intensified when they started shouting. She had ceased peeking from the semi-closed door at the meeting of the major players of Katipunan and started pacing the room she was in, along with some women, who were also Katipuneras. As far as anyone could tell, the meeting was not going well. The opinions were split into two factions. Bonifacio who wants to proceed with the revolution now and Emilio Aguinaldo, the head of the Katipunan in Cavite, who wants to give it some more time due to the lack of sufficient firearms. Just like she promised, she did not join in the fray. She’d remain loyal to Rizal’s beliefs until Rizal says otherwise. Because she trusts that Rizal would know what’s the best for her since she knew him the longest and she had listened and made to understand his beliefs as he said them.
“My child, come over here, don’t force yourself to listen to those men, they’re not going to reach a consensus anytime soon.” a gentle voice called from behind her. Clara turned and acknowledged the old woman by touching the woman’s hand to her forehead. She sat down on the floor beside the old woman’s rocking chair and laid her aching head on the woman’s lap.
“Tandang Sora…” she whispered as she closed her eyes for a much desired sleep but the throbbing of her head won’t allow her. “Do I deserve to be waged a war for?”
“You are so beautiful…but war does not befit you, my child…”
“Sometimes I feel like I don’t deserve all their kindness…yes, war does not befit me. But I don’t have the power to stop them, for I am made by their wills. If they wish to go to war, then I have no choice but to go with them.”
The old woman chuckled, put down her embroidery and began stroking Clara’s hair, “They are your men, that’s how they are. They are naturally brave. I’m proud that my son is one of them. Be proud of them too, for they love you so much.”
Clara smiled and before she could open her mouth to say ‘thanks’, the door flew open and in came Jacinto and Bonifacio, who still seemed to be fuming. Gregoria immediately went to calm her husband down. She sat him down on one of the chairs while Jacinto went to fetch a drink of water for him.
“What happened? What have you decided to do?” she asked, standing up from the floor and going to his other side.
Bonifacio looked at her seriously before speaking, “We’re entering a revolution, Clara. We’re launching an offensive against the Spanish colonial army…and we’re rescuing Rizal before he’s taken out of the country. Everyone has agreed that he’s far too valuable for this movement.”
Jacinto came back with the glass of water which he offered to Bonifacio. Andres refused the offer and Jacinto quickly drowned the water he fetched himself. Clara glared at him and brought down her outstretched hand. “We’re getting him out tomorrow. You’ll get to see your beloved Pepe after a long time, ain’t ya’ happy?”
“Who’s going to get him?”
Bonifacio nodded towards Jacinto. Jacinto grinned at her. “Andres and your beloved Jacinto, of course!”
Clara rolled her eyes at him then turned her attention back to the silent Bonifacio, “I want to go with you.”
Bonifacio stared at her then shook his head, “No, it’s much too risky…like all people here, we can’t risk losing you either. Please stay here and we’ll bring Rizal to you safely.” It sounded more like an order than a request.
“How do you expect to get in?” she asked.
“We’re going to disguise ourselves as sailors, of course! Ain’t that neat?” Jacinto answered for Andres.
Clara smiled at him for the first time that evening, “Why thank you, Jacinto. Yes, it is neat.”
Jacinto can’t deny that he’s an educated man. And an educated man knows how to respect ladies. But right now, he just can’t stop laughing. At least he stopped himself from rolling on the ground now. This girl is really epic. He had lost count on how many times she had gotten on Bonifacio’s nerves after all these years that she had tied her life close to theirs. And as said girl stood in their way, scowling at Jacinto’s mockery of her appearance, Clara had the urge to beat the crap out of him once and for all.
“Ahahahahahaha! Mahal ko, you look so funny. Ahahahahahaha!”
“Shush, Jacinto! Shut your mouth!” Clara was really close to making up her mind about beating the crap out of him if he does not stop laughing.
Bonifacio’s eyebrow twitched in irritation, first at his best friend and now at the girl standing in front of them, decked in the same Spanish sailor uniform as the two of them. They were in a dark alley near the harbor now. And what more, Clara cut her hair until it’s an inch above her shoulders..
“Why did you disobey me, Clara?” Andres asked solemnly, not really wanting to give Clara the impression that he’s angry at her, no, he could not get angry at her. “I expected you to do this much but why do you always do what I expect you to? Sometimes I just wish you fail me. You won’t listen even when I say it’s dangerous or we could manage it by ourselves. Why don’t you get it that we are worried about you? Why do you always throw yourself into danger knowing that we are doing this to protect you?”
Clara knew that and God, did she always pray everyday for their lives. Who else could appreciate the things they had done all this years more than she herself, the motherland. Of course she knew what they were doing is dangerous, heck, their very existence is dangerous! As much as they wanted to protect her, she also wanted to protect them by herself. Even if she had thoroughly refused to sanction a revolution, she still wanted to be by their side. Because even if they had different means of achieving it, they all only had one goal: Independence from the colonial powers.
“I know that you’ve been trying your best to protect me all this time and all that you aim for is done for my sake. But even if I’m also looking towards the same goal as you, I’m also aiming for the preservation of all your lives. I am happy that you pledged your lives to me and that’s exactly what makes you important to me. How could I expect my countrymen to stand up when I myself am afraid to stand up to our common enemies? You could protect me, but I can’t hide forever. I easily bend to the will of my people, sooner or later, even I would lose my own will and call for a bloody war. So please, while I still have my own will, let me change the things I wish to change, to talk about my own opinions, to carry out the things I intend to do.”
Bonifacio looked at her like he did all those years ago when he founded the Katipunan and knew that like that time, she can’t be swayed when she had already made up her mind. “Follow me closely.” He said as he passed by her and went out into the harbor.
Clara made to follow but Jacinto held her hand in his and smiled at her reassuringly, “Believe me, I, too, worry for you. You’re so cheeky sometimes. That’s what I like about you. But believe me, too, when I say Bonifacio cares deeply for you. So just obey him next time, mahal ko.” He chuckled and pushed down on her head playfully. She let out a yelp and elbowed him in the gut.
“Don’t call me that! People will misunderstand!”
Jacinto just chuckled again after he recovered, “I still mean it, though. You’re the first woman I ever saw with short hair and you’re still so beautiful.” He ran his hand through her soft black hair and brought it to his lips. “The things you do…hey, do you know? You make a convincing young man! I knew you lack some parts!”
She swatted his hand away and tucked her hair inside the cap she was wearing. “Let’s go get Rizal, you pervert.”
They went out into the cold dimly lit harbor and searched for Rizal’s ship. They saw Bonifacio in the distance, about to board a ship, but he waited for the two of them to catch up when he caught sight of them. As the three of them climbed through the board to the ship, he said, “Rizal’s room is in the first floor directly below deck, the second door on the right. Most of the ship’s occupants are sleeping now so security is lax. It would be easy to get to Rizal once we reach the stairs going down but the majority of the night officers are on deck so we’ll have to make sure to avoid meeting them so we have to watch out carefully, we’ll have exactly fifteen minutes before the guards at the harbor patrols around this area again.”
Jacinto and Clara both nodded in understanding. They stepped into the ship. The coast was clear. They silently sneaked to the stairs and proceeded to the appointed room for Rizal. “Ain’t that fairly easy, mates?” Jacinto said as he opened the door.
“Yeah…I’m nervous as hell now.” Clara answered. She stepped into the darkened room and called for Rizal…no one answered. “It seems he’s not here.” She returned to her companions outside the room. Jacinto closed the door again. “Maybe he’s somewhere else on the ship, let’s go split up and find him.” She suggested.
Seeing as there’s no more efficient way to accomplish the job faster, Andres and Jacinto agreed, though albeit reluctantly cause that would mean Clara would be left unguarded, so one of them went with her. “Let’s meet again at the entrance in twenty minutes. Get off the boat when that time passes, even if one of us two did not make it back, understood, Clara?” Bonifacio instructed. They separated ways, Clara and Jacinto going back to the upper deck, Bonifacio in the other rooms below deck.
Clara and Jacinto walked side by side on the halls on deck, checking rooms one by one for signs of Rizal. He wasn’t in anyone of them and Clara started to lose hope about finding Rizal whenever she finds another empty room. What if Rizal had already been taken out of this boat? What if they had him some place dark and hidden, like a prisoner?”
Clara felt a hand tighten on hers and Jacinto whispering, “Don’t worry, we’ll find him soon enough, there’s still Andres searching the rooms down there if he’s not here.”
She nodded and continued wishing that Rizal would show up anytime now so they’ll just have to grab him and run for their lives. When they met an authentic Spanish sailor, everything was screwed up. They weren’t aware that the drunk sailor was of higher ranking compared to what the uniform they were wearing indicated what theirs were. In short, they failed to salute him. Unfortunately, even in his drunken stupor, the Spaniard did not fail to notice the lack in respect from his troops.
“Where do you think you’re going not giving me any respect? Is that how you were supposed to treat your commander? I’ll send you back to training, you idiots!” he said.
Jacinto and Clara stopped walking and reluctantly turned around and gave him a meek salute. And unfortunately too, the man also inspected their faces. “Wait, you’re not Spanish, I don’t remember recruiting guys like you here.”
“We’re new, Sir.” Clara answered, but quickly covered her mouth after she said it.
“A woman? I don’t recruit women! Who are you-,” he did not get to finish that sentence when Jacinto pounced on him and proceeded to knock him out. The commotion had caught the attention of nearby guards and soon as they saw them, chased after them.
“Mahal ko, you are going to be the death of me.” he said before pulling her hand and taking a run for it. They ran into the long halls, followed by shouts of ‘Stop!’ in spanish. They continued running and running until they managed to leave behind all those who ran after them. They sneaked inside another room when they were sure they were not seen. After closing the door, Jacinto locked it and slid down the floor beside Clara, regaining his breath and calming his heart. “That was crazy, I had never ran like that in my entire life. You attract too much trouble.”
“Don’t talk as if it’s my fault, Jacin-,” she stopped when suddenly there was a pointed sword in front of her face. Jacinto immediately pulled her to him to shield her.
“What do you seek here?” the unknown man said.
And despite the darkness, Clara instantly recognized that voice. “Jose, it’s me, Filipinas.”
Jacinto’s hold on her loosened just as the sword was withdrawn. They stood up and fixed themselves while Rizal went towards the table to further illuminate the room. When the room was sufficiently bright for them to recognize faces, Clara quickly ran to Rizal and gave him tight embrace. “I missed you so much…I missed you so much…I was always scared of what they might do to you…I’m so glad to see you.”
“Me too, Clara. I missed you too. I’m glad you’re alright.” After returning Clara’s embrace, he held her to his side and acknowledged Jacinto with a handshake. “See here, Pepe, we came to get you!” she said excitedly as if she was on a great adventure or something like a mission.
Rizal’s smile dropped and he looked at her seriously, cupping her face in his hands to make her look at him, “I’m sorry, Clara, but I can’t go with you.” He said with finality.
Clara was confused. What reason could Rizal possibly have to refuse to go with her? Is he happy to be a captive? True, she did not know what to expect when it came to Rizal, but at least she thought he had wanted to be free that’s why he agreed to serve in Cuba. “But why? Did they threaten you?” she asked, even if she knew Rizal was strong enough to not succumb to petty threats.
“You know I don’t heed to threats Clara. I can’t go with you because I’d be putting you in more danger if I went free. I don’t support the revolution, Clara, please know that.”
“Me too! I don’t want them to fight! But I still want to get you out of here, Jose! I can’t stand leaving you behind now that I know we have a chance to escape together! Please, go with me?” she pleaded, not knowing that she had regressed to crying.
Rizal felt his heart break as he watched his beloved nation cry, pleading with him to go with her. Ah, how much he wanted to stay by her side, but alas, it must not be. He’s the most prominent enemy of the state now. Further involvement with her would lead to only suffering. He kept to his beliefs that freedom could be achieved through peaceful and bloodless negotiations with the proper authorities. And his fellow countrymen does not seem to realize that they lack the ability to organize themselves, to acknowledge that they are still powerless among their unified enemy. The fact that they don’t consider themselves as one proves to their failure. They won’t succeed. Rizal knew. And he would strive to prevent encouraging that.
He gently pushed her towards Jacinto and shook his head. “I’m sorry, Clara. But I have decided to stay here. Please understand that I’m not abandoning you, rather, I’m trying my best to help you. I love you Clara. I don’t wish for you to get hurt.” He then said to Jacinto, “You shouldn’t stay here for too long, you need to go as quickly as you can. I’ll help you escape. Tell Bonifacio to take care of Clara and never hand her over to anyone he had deemed as an enemy, anyone at all, is that clear?”
“Yes, sir.” Jacinto said.
Clara struggled out of Jacinto’s grasp and clung onto Rizal. “No! Jose! Please! Please! Please! I’d listen to everything you say! I’d disarm the troops! I’d disband the Katipunan, just please! I beg of you! Go with me!” she sobbed on his shirt as she refused to let go even when Jacinto was pulling her away from Rizal. “I’m begging you…please, please, please, please, PLEASE?!?”
Rizal looked at the other man in the eye and Jacinto stopped trying to separate Clara from Rizal. When Clara felt Rizal’s hand close over her fisted ones on his shirt, she found herself losing the strength to hold on to him and she knew she could no longer plead with him anymore. It was no use.
Jacinto wanted to sigh in resignation. Whenever Clara, Andres and Rizal decided on something, no one could sway them any further, but it seems their type of people could be reasoned with only by their own kind. What weird and difficult creatures he had befriended.
The three of them was startled with the door opening, but relaxed when Bonifacio entered and closed it behind him. He gave them one look before saying, “I guessed this is the right room,” he looked like he also had been running before entering the room. Actually, it was a library. Shortly after he finished searching the lower deck, he beat down on a guard and some information out of him before he left him in a supplies closet. The guard had said that Rizal frequented the library so Bonifacio went there but it seems there was already a manhunt for Jacinto and Clara going on deck and he too, would not escape getting found out soon since the enemy seemed like good spotters of strange things. But he made his way to the room without being noticed so he relaxed for a bit just enough to regain his breath. And from the expression of grief on Clara’s face, Bonifacio knew it was a no-win situation. If Clara was not able to persuade Rizal to go with them, and Andres was sure she tried her best in begging Rizal, then he, too, won’t be able to do anything to remedy the situation anymore.
“We need to find another way to get out of here, they had blocked the exit.” he said.
“There’s a lifeboat attached to the balcony of this room, use it.” Rizal said, pointing to a door at the back of the room. “Quick, they’d come to check on me anytime now.”
Bonifacio nodded and the four of them went towards the balcony and stepped into the small boat. “Even if you do not support our revolution, I want you to know that I had valued your opinions thus far. But the call of war is inevitable now given our current predicament with the Spaniards. We shall proceed with it whether you approve of it or not.” Bonifacio said.
Clara tried to dry her tears and send Rizal off with a smile on her face like she used to but she’s far too sad with his decision that she can’t even show her face as she hid behind Jacinto.
“I understand. Just don’t forget the real reason as to why you are going to throw your fellow countrymen into a bloody war for. Don’t lose your noble intentions, Bonifacio. If you could prove to me that what we are doing are the same, I will support you, wherever I may be.” Rizal said.
“Then we must take our leave now, Rizal. I pray I made the right decision to leave you here.”
Rizal nodded and then there was silence. They all looked at the girl still hiding behind Jacinto.
Rizal smiled. “Farewell, Clara, please don’t do anymore reckless things. I’m sure these two men did not plan to take you here tonight.”
Clara finally looked at him from behind Jacinto’s shoulder and pouted before getting out of the boat and throwing her arms over his shoulders for one last hug. “No, not farewell, we’ll see each other again. When that happens, I’d make you start listening to me!” she said and gave Rizal a kiss on the cheek.
And just like that, she was gone into the night. The next time they saw each other, they were in Bagumbayan on his execution day.
“Let’s go to Balintawak.”
Translation: “Mahal ko” - my beloved
I don’t know Bonifacio and Jacinto’s personalities so I just came up with theirs here. I mostly played around with Jacinto’s…and the fact that I see them as ‘best friends’, when Bonifacio was killed by Aguinaldo, Jacinto refused to subject himself to Aguinaldo’s commands, which is kinda extremely loyal to his friend. They looked so cute here.
Haha…I was so busy I was not able to update last week…sorry…thanks to those who commented/reviewed on the previous chapter! I hope this one was satisfactory enough to make up for the missed week.
Real facts:
---Bonifacio, Jacinto and Pio Valenzuela collaborated on the society's organ Kalayaan (Freedom), which had only one printed issue. Bonifacio wrote several pieces for the paper, including the poemPag-ibig sa Tinubuang Lupà (roughly, "Love for the homeland) under the pseudonym Agapito Bagumbayan.
---The publication of Kalayaan in March 1896 led to a great increase in membership. The Katipunan spread throughout Luzon, to Panay in the Visayas and even as far as Mindanao. From less than 300 members in January 1896, it had about 30,000 to 400,000 by August.
---The rapid increase of Katipunan activity drew the suspicion of the Spanish authorities. By early 1896, Spanish intelligence was aware of the existence of a seditious secret society. Suspects were kept under surveillance and arrests were made. On May 3, Bonifacio held a general assembly of Katipunan leaders in Pasig where they debated when to start their revolt. While Bonifacio wanted to revolt as soon as possible, Emilio Aguinaldo of Cavite expressed reservations due to their lack of firearms. The consensus was to consult José Rizal in Dapitan before launching their revolt. Bonifacio sent Pio Valenzuela to Rizal, who was against a premature revolution and recommended prior preparation. (I omitted this last part and proceeded that the consensus they reached was to rescue Rizal)
---The Spanish authorities confirmed the existence of the Katipunan on August 19, 1896. Hundreds of Filipino suspects, both innocent and guilty, were arrested and imprisoned for treason. José Rizal was then on his way to Cuba to serve as a doctor in the Spanish colonial army, in exchange for his release from Dapitan. When the news broke, Bonifacio first tried to convince Rizal, quarantined aboard a ship in Manila Bay, to escape and join the imminent revolt. Bonifacio, Emilio Jacinto and Guillermo Masangkay disguised themselves as sailors and went to the pier where Rizal's ship was anchored. Jacinto personally met with Rizal, who rejected their rescue offer.
---Emilio Aguinaldo is the leader of the branch of Katipunan in Cavite…he’s not playing a major role yet.
---Within the society, Bonifacio developed a strong friendship with Emilio Jacinto who served as his adviser and confidant, as well as a member of the Supreme Council. Bonifacio adopted Jacinto'sKartilla primer as the official teachings of the society in place of his own Decalogue which he judged as inferior.
---Bonifacio is the ‘third’ Supremo of the Katipunan, he was not the first, but since the first two were not (I think) prominent enough for any of you to associate with, I’d just settle with Bonifacio since when we think of Katipunan, we immediately think of Bonifacio (I did not even realize that Aguinaldo was a bona fide Katipunero until I started re-reading Philippine History, I’m such an idiot)
--- Even though Rizal is a premier enemy of the state, security around him was always lax because he does even want to escape. In his trial, he was left unchained and had numerous chances to escape but he did not do so. He’s so mysterious and cool.