Through Time And Trials [Heneral Luna + Goyo]

IV

warning: some cursing

• • •

After that bombshell of a drop, we bid our goodnights and went to sleep. Well, sinabi ko na "went to sleep" pero kanina pa ako hindi makatulog.

Gregorio Del Pilar.

Gregorio Del Pilar.

Gregorio Del Pilar.

Fuck. Wasn't he that general that got killed in Tirad Pass? Come on I was speaking about witnessing history but not like this. I was speaking in like a general way! But actually, even if I did volunteer in the Red Cross, what are the odds I'd see Goyong again? Baka nga after this I won't ever see him again, unless I hear about his passing. Shoot. It's 1897 right now. Doesn't he die in the Phil-Am war? When was that? All I know is that the revolution against Spain ends around 1898. So how close to that is the Phil-Am war? Fuck. I haven't even gotten close to the guy yet but knowing he dies? Fuck. That's some real shitty circumstances.

I woke up at around six a.m. after a fitfull nap with nay Rosaria busying herself around the kitchen, the way we're blowing our food supplies for these men I'd have to sell jewelry again and soon. I woke up, took my toiletries outside and did my regular routine in a closed off section near the water pump (that I paid some men to build so I can take a bath and stuff), it's basically an outhouse.

After that brief shower I emerged wearing a baro't saya in grey colors this time. My face red from the cold and from the products I put in it, smelling of vanilla and thank God for deodorants because then I don't have to take a bath every single day. Disgusting but I'm in the past okay? Plus I make sure na mag-hilamos everyday at least. Yung water pump kasi ni Nay Rosaria madalas ay ginagamit din ng iba sa mga residente dito.

Matapos kong ibalik yung mga gamit ko sa bag ko, kumuha na ako ng panlinis sa sugat ni Isidro, na nakita kong gising na sa loob ng kubo at kausap si Julian at Goyong.

Una akong nakita ni Julian na ngumiti, "Magandang umaga binibini, tunay nga na kabigha-bighani ang halimuyak ng mga dilag dito sa Bulacan ano?" sabi niya habang nakatingin sa akin nang nakakaloko. Oh yeah I did wear that perfume, sorry na nasanay na ako na part iyon ng daily routine ko.

I raised an eyebrow as Goyong elbowed his brother and shot him a look. "Hindi ko malalaman ginoo. Dayo lang din ako rito."

This made Isidro and Goyong chuckle, and Goyo turned to me,"Magandang umaga Josefina."

"Magandang umaga mga ginoo. Titignan ko lang yung sugat ng pasyente," I didn't look at Goyong as I moved closer to the patient. Touching his forehead and then cleaning up the wound.

"Wala ka ng lagnat so wala na sigurong tsansa na magka-impeksyon ka pa. Pero bibigyan nalang din kita ang anti-bacterial cream para magamit mo 'pag lilinisan mo yung sugat mo. Yung tahi, mag-isang matatanggal iyan, huwag mo lang kalikutin at galawin ng sobra. Kapag natastas yung tahi, pwede mo naman ulit ipatahi sa iba. Pero malamang yung sinulid na gagamitin nila kailangan pang ipatangal so 'di ko maimumungkahi na gawin mo iyon. May tanong pa po ba ginoo?" Oh wait I just information dumped them, I lowkey just want them to go now. I'm still thinking about the fact that one of these guys is a dead man walking, I don't need that added to my long list of demons. Coward-ish? Totally. But that's me in a nutshell.

"Mukhang patapos na sa pagluluto si nay Rosaria, mauuna na ako at tutulungan ko pa siya," I quickly went outside avoiding Goyong's eyes.

Mabilis akong naglakad papunta sa pintuan ng kubo pero narinig ko pa rin si Julian na nagsabi, "Oh mukhang iniiwasan ka na Goyong ah. Ano bang ginawa mo?"