n. the frustration of photographing something amazing when thousands of identical photos already exist—the same sunset, the same waterfall, the same curve of a hip, the same closeup of an eye—which can turn a unique subject into something hollow and pulpy and cheap, like a mass-produced piece of furniture you happen to have assembled yourself.
* * *
Immediately after hearing the news delivered to us, the three didn't hesitate to scramble in wearing their clothes at once. The moment we make it back to the town proper, it is almost dusk and everyone else seems to have already heard of the news that the Americans had finally launched their attack.
Surely, Dagupan being close to San Fabian, if I remember correctly on the maps that I've seen the others had been looking at before, the next town to the east is such. Not to mention that the Americans had used the Lingayen Gulf as their primary means of reaching San Fabian. Who knows that if they didn't targeted San Fabian, they could be attacking Dagupan instead last night.
Juan and the two other soldiers that had seen us by the river return with us. We are all in a rush, not to mention that we'll be needing to skip breakfast in favor of packing our things. I have little to none, to begin with, so if ever I'll be having a backpack at this time, all of it could fit in there. However, Juan had been accomodating himself that he'll find a soldier to carry and ensure my things, and will seek a horse for me to ride on the journey.
Goyo seems to have heard it, now somehow relax compared to how he'd acted after his near drowning incident and him proclaiming to all of us that he is to die, and interrupts, "Ako na bahala sa kanya, Juan. Huwag na mag-alala sa kabayo."
Juan nods at him before dashing to his other duties.
Before Goyo could approach me this time, Julian reaches out for his arm, halting him. When the two of them face one another, Julian says, "Ito na Goyong. Nagsimula na."
The fear seems to settle back to him as he just nods and unconsciously turns to the direction of Don Nable Jose's house.
As some sort of coincidence, we've ended up right in front of their house. And on the balcony is none other than Remedios Nable Jose. You may call the scenario like some scene from Romeo and Juliet, but instead of declaring Romeo's love for his Juliet, Goyo just turns away and looks at me. Our eyes meet and he smiles softly before walking onward to where our house is so that we can immediately pack our things.
We notice both Isidro and Jose clamoring up and down the stairs, already on their uniforms after their night patrol. They look exhausted but the news of the Americans finally attacking awakened them much more. They have their things already fixed just as soldiers all around town prepares for the journey. For a second, I see Isidro looking at me, and grimly, he nods slowly at me, telling me that there is no other way but to continue onward to this.
I bite my lower lip and lower my head a little as I grasp for my shawl.
"Mauna na ako sa loob," Enteng remarks before heading straight to the house.
This time, Goyo stops his brother from taking a step further. The realization seems to finally settle on him this time as he asks, "Babalik ka talaga ng Bulacan?"
"Kailangan, Goyong," Julian remarks as he draws his younger brother to a tight and quick embrace. Afterwards, keeping a hand on the shoulder of another, his eyes pierce straight to Goyo as he adds, "Tandaan mo kung sino ka."
Again, Goyo looks desolate as he just nods. Whatever words he has or wants to say quickly evaporates out of him.
"Maraming salamat, (Y/N)." Julian turns to me the next. "Mag-iingat ka."
I nod and counter, "Kayo rin."
"Heneral Goyo!" a young woman's voice shouts, followed by hurried footsteps. I remember seeing her at the party at the house of Don Nable Jose, and if I've remembered correctly through all my eavesdropping from the conversation of others, she is Remedios's younger sister Dolores. She stops right in front of Goyo and hands to him a folded lace handkerchief. "Galing po kay ate." Just after giving it, the young woman didn't hesitate to stay longer and head back.
After five months of peaceful settlement in Dagupan, the very town itself is no longer a sanctuary or haven, but a trap that will lead us to our imprisonment or death. And so, we leave with a guerilla movement in mind, helpless to run onward wherever we make it. Perhaps, until there is no more to run and trapped in all sides.
# # #
A few hours of traversing the trail of Dagupan to Bayambang, we've make it to the boundary of Bayambang itself, fearful that going any further and we might find ourselves surrounded by Americans right away, just before noon. After all, as explained to me by Goyo, the next town will be a province of Tarlac. And upon being reported that Tarlac had fallen along with the surrender of San Fabian, we better be wary.
Both Juan and Goyo remain true with their words. Juan had a soldier to take care of my belongings; well, not only mine but also of the others. And Goyo keeps me with him on his horse.
That only makes a formal meeting with President Aguinaldo a little unlikely and awkward. That when we meet the President's forces at the headquarters in Bayambang for the two to talk with General Jose Alejandrino who was stationed at the town, I don't know how to face the rest of the President's troops as the two halt their horses and greet one another with a salute.
Without any further prejudice, President Aguinaldo greets, "Maligayang kaarawan, Goyo."
I stop for a second and turn slightly to Goyo, surely unaware that it will be his birthday.
Goyo sighs and nods. "Salamat, Ka Miong. Pero sa Martes pa po." He easily unmounts the horse, as well as the President as they hand the reins to the waiting foot soldiers to keep their horses. Later on, Goyo turns to me and helps me to unmount.
I properly greet President Aguinaldo then with a curtsy.
The President nods at me, asking me to ease with a small smile. "Pasensya na at pinuyat ko kayo."
"'Wag po kayo mag-alala," Goyo replies. "Di po makakapasok ang mga Amerikano dito."
"Naalala mo ang sinabi sa iyo ng Tiyo Marcelo mo? Paghandaan mo lagi ang kamalasan at magiging tama ka." The President then turns to his troops, ordering, "Palibutan niyo ang bahay."
Goyo looks a little shaken but orders the same to his men. "Palibutan ang bahay." He then looks at me and says, "Dito ka lang muna."
I nod as he and the President enter in the house. It takes about half an hour after and they return, ordering the troops to make way to Santa Barbara where all troops of Goyo's and the President's are to assemble, but to stop for a second in Calasiao to meet the President's family.
On the day of the odyssey, the President discusses his plans with Goyo. And me, since it appears to be common knowledge for most that I am to stick with Goyo, also listens attentively to the discussion. With a map on the table, the President says, "Kailangan natin hatiin sa dalawang hanay ang grupo para mas mabilis ang pagkilos." He looks at Goyo. "Ikaw ang mamumuno sa vanguardia. Kasama ako, si Felicidad at Hilaria."
Goyo nods in agreement and looks at me. "May mediko po ba tayo?"
"Ah, kami po." Two men in white uniform without the trinkets of an official introduce themselves in the discussion. As if to take note of their position, they've been carrying white boxes that resemble first aid kits of the present.
Goyo seems to know them, shaking hands with the other as he acknowledges them, "Doktor Villa. Doktor Barcelona."
Aftewards, the President continues, "Sa pangalawang grupo ang aking ina at ang aking anak."
I freeze for a second at that, and it seems I am not the only one surprise. Goyo immediately questions, "Kasama ang anak ninyo?"
"Hindi ko maaring iwan ang pamilya ko," President Aguinaldo explains. "Ikaw na ang bahala sa itatalaga mong opisyal sa retaguardia. Basta siguraduhin mong ligtas ang aking ina at ang aking anak." After saying that, the president leaves to head on to his family as if to tell them his decision and to bid farewells.
Goyo sighs heavily as he looks on at the table, conflicted of the decision that had been told him. I know that he has something to say about it but decides to keep quiet.
I bite my lower lip for a second and call his name softly, "Goyo..."
He sighs another time and while keeping his eyes still pinned on the table, he answers, "Sabihan mo si Isidro at Juan. Sila na ang bahala sa retaguardia kamo."
I didn't hesitate at all to follow his command, searching then for the two to tell them what Goyo had decided upon.
And even before parting ways, Isidro asks me, "Kaya pa?"
I nod. "Kakayanin."
# # #
After ensuring that one whole brigade of Luna is present and no quarrel will ensue between them and those of Goyo's and the President's brigade, Goyo mounts his horse. This time, I've earlier told him that if the other women will be walking, mind I as well do so. After all, knowing that his former lover will be with us in the vanguard... I don't want to prove of the perks of being close to Goyo now. Also, this is a game, and I better partake on whatever challenges are to appear because whatever made Goyo as a person he is now and the events that are happening, for some reasons, it also involves me.
Once ensuring that the rest of the troops are all prepared and ready, Goyo's voice in the silence echoes loudly as he orders, "Marcha."
And so, we start the march onward to Ilocos.
* * *
A/N: Here I am again to promote angsty chapters for Dead Reckoning, and a budding kilig with my other story, FLIGHT PLAN! Thank you for your support!!! Follow me on twitter @23meraki for more updates. ;)
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