I was to leave for Marinduque as soon as I could. Anticipating the eruption of conflict, Heneral Luna wanted to begin organizing and training military units in my newly-created district imdiately.
His letter didn’t carry the dismissiveness of Heneral Artemio Ricarte’s tone. Luna truly sounded like he believed my command could make an impact in the looming conflict.
That said, there was urgency in his words. He pointed out that I hadn’t even begun my work yet. It was clear he didn’t want staying another day in Bulacan—and I agreed. Ti was against . Training a military unit to reach even a semblance of battle-worthiness could take up to half a year.
Besides, it had always been my plan to leave as soon as the promulgation event was over. I missed my Isabela and the charming quaintness of Marinduque.
And yet... a part of wanted to stay—just one more day.
Last night, I had looked for a chance to speak with Paz. But with Isidro and Don Tiongson constantly drawing attention, that opportunity never ca.
"It was a delight to have you as our guest, Don Lardizabal. In more peaceful tis... I would like to visit Marinduque," said Don Tiongson from across the breakfast table. The old man looked genuinely downcast. With gone, I supposed he wouldn’t have anyone his age left to chat with.
"You will be welcod in Marinduque, Don Tiongson, whether in troubled or peaceful tis," I replied, taking a final sip of my coffee. It had gone cold and nearly made cough.
I glanced at his daughters seated nearby. They gave the sa sad smile their father wore.
None of them were Paz. It struck as odd—she usually made it to breakfast. I lingered, sipping my coffee slowly, giving her ti to appear if she had overslept.
Isidro and the two lieutenants were visibly growing impatient. Sooner or later, one of them was bound to ask why we were still dilly-dallying.
But in the end, it wasn’t them who forced to stop waiting.
Don Antonio clapped his lap gently and stood up. "Well... we won’t hold you any longer. You’re needed elsewhere."
Everyone at the table stood up promptly, and I hesitated before rising as well.
At the door, Don Tiongson grasped my hand firmly. "May God be with you, Heneral. May He keep you safe."
I smiled, gently patting his wrinkled hands. "And may He keep you as well, Don Antonio. Thank you for everything. I could not have asked for a better host."
I turned to Agapita. "I will miss your cooking, Señora."
"It’s a sha... I was planning to cook adobong manok for lunch. And adobo is my obra maestra," she said with her usual teasing smirk.
"Indeed, it is."
To the rest of the Tiongson sisters, I offered a slight bow and tipped my hat. They returned the gesture.
After one final glance at the sala, and at the stairs leading to the upper floor, I stepped out into the yard. More than twenty soldiers from my escort detail were gathered there, huddling beneath the shade of the acacia trees.
"¡Atención, escolta!" Teniente Dimalanta barked as soon as I erged, briefly startling .
The sergeants echoed the order. The soldiers quickly left the shade and ford two lines, creating a path toward the gate.
Heneral Torres had clearly handpicked his best. In seconds, the n were standing at full attention—rigid and disciplined.
I nodded in approval, clasped my hands behind my back, and walked slowly toward the gate.
Then I paused. There was movent near the fence. Soone was tending to the plants.
That soone turned—and began walking toward .
Paz.
She seed startled by the sight of the soldiers and their rifles but smiled as soon as her eyes landed on .
I quickened my pace to et her. She looked newly woken—hair tousled, no makeup—and still, she was beautiful. In fact, she might have looked her best in that unguarded, natural state.
She handed sothing wrapped in a handkerchief.
"Your... uhm... the sampaguita stems you asked for, Don Martín," she said, stumbling a bit over her words. "I didn’t think you would leave so soon."
I chuckled, suddenly very happy and not because of the flowers. "Thank you very much, Señorita. I’ve genuinely enjoyed your company."
"Likewise," she said, then looked down at the stems. "And... if we et again, I’d love to know if your sampaguitas have blood."
I was feeling sothing foolish. Sothing that did not befit an old fossil like . I swallowed the feeling with a sigh. This had been enough. It had to be enough.
I took her hand and gently kissed it, in the manner of gentlen of the ti.
"We shall et again... and I’ll make sure the sampaguitas bloom."
---
The train station was loud and chaotic. Above the constant chug of the engines, officers shouted orders. Hordes of soldiers answering Luna’s call filled the sheds, each carrying a rifle—and a spade.
I braced myself for the hassle and expected a long wait. But only a few minutes after our arrival, a Colonel recognized from the banquet.
Rank ca with burdens—but also privileges. The soldiers were ordered to part, clearing a path like the Red Sea. A whole train car was emptied for my escort detail. Vicente, Ronaldo, Isidro, and I were given seats in the first-class coach.
"So... how do we get to Marinduque?" Dimalanta asked, barely able to contain his excitent. "We can’t go through the port in Manila, not with our uniforms and crates."
I had no ready answer. Soone else did.
Across from , Isidro clucked his tongue. "I think... Señor Alcantara is still in Manila. With his ship."
I had forgotten about him. The man usually stayed a day or two in the capital after arriving on Mondays, giving ti for cargo to be sold and unloaded.
Vicente scratched his chin. "Well, how do we get to Señor Alcantara? And even if we contact him... how would we get on his ship?"
Isidro thought for a mont before answering. "I think I can still enter Manila. The Aricans know only as a trader. Even if they have spies around, I doubt they’ve figured out I work for Aguinaldo."
"That’s risky, Isidro," I warned.
He chuckled and gave a get-a-load-of-this guy look. "And you’re the only one allowed to take risks?"
Vicente scratched his head, visibly stressed. "Okay, but how do we get on the ship if we can’t sneak in with you?"
"You don’t," Isidro replied simply. "At least not in Manila."
The lieutenant frowned in confusion. I was already forming an idea in my head. "Go on."
"You get off the train before reaching Manila. Travel by foot to Cavite—Ternate, to be safe. From there, we pick you up. Get so fishern to ferry you to the steamship."
It was a good idea—but not without risks. There was no guarantee Alcantara would agree. Even if sympathetic to our cause, he might not want to take the risk. And there was always the chance of U.S. patrols blanketing the waters from Manila to Corregidor.
"So?" Isidro asked, when none of us responded right away.
I nodded. A thrill was already bubbling in my chest.
"I like it. Let’s get this started."
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