In Whose Love?

Chapter 17

(Irene's POV)

I couldn't sleep last night. I kept on dialing Jessie's phone but he doesn't answer. We are now sitting on our respective chairs as we eat our breakfast.

Bong: "Dad, anong update sa Mindanao?"

Ferdinand: "They will come this afternoon to bring the captured communists."

"Are there any casualties?" I asked looking down.

Ferdinand: "I don't know, that's all the information they told the palace because the signal is not stable. They said that they will be here at precisely 8:00 PM."

(Jessie's POV)

Ako na ata yun pinaka walang silbeng tinyete ng Pilipinas. Bakit? Kasi nakacrutches ako tapos may band aid sa pisngi ko at nababalot ng bandage ang noo ko. Bakit nababalot ang noo ko? Dahil sa bumagsak na pader noong unang nabombahan ang kinakainan namin. Yung tipong hindi mo talaga aakalaing sundalo kausap mo.

Nat: "Sir ready na po ang helicopter. Dapat daw pong mas maaga tayong makarating sa Manila sabi ni Col. Gomez."

I was about to stand up when he offered to help me but I refused. Bakit? Kasi may pride ako. Wala namang wheelchair dito. Hello? Nasa gubat ako, walang ospital dito. Mga siguro 5 minuto ako nakarating sa helicopter dahil sa kakuparan kong maglakad.

Nakarating na kami ng Manila at dumeretso agad sa palasyo. Yung mga nahuli naming komunista ay agad na pinunta sa bilibid. Nakakahiyang magpakita sa presidente. Imagine mo, ako lang talaga yung pipilay-pilay saaming lahat. Yung mga iba kong kasama galos lang nakuha.

"We have arrived sirs." the driver informed.

Mark: "Lagot ka sir, baka pagalitan ka kasi hindi natin nakuha lahat. Buti nga lang hindi kami opisyal. Mag-isa mo lang na papagalitan." Pang-aasar ni Mark.

Nauna na silang lumabas at huli ako. Bakit? Kasi takot ako. As I got out, my colleagues are walking towards the garden so I have no choice but to follow them, slowly. They all lined up and salute the President. There is a space alotted for me. I stood to salute the president. "Sasapakin ba ako?" I thought as I gulped.

"At ease." he commanded. They are all watching at us and when I mean "they", his family.

Ferdinand: "Where are the communists?"

"Bilibid Prison Sir!" I replied while holding my crutches tightly while my colleagues placed their hands on their backs.

He slowly came closer to me. "God, I am going to die." I thought still looking straight. He raised his hand.

Ferdinand: "What happened to you?" He asked as he held my chin and move my face to the side for him to see a better view.

"War Sir."

He looked at me from head to toe as he removed his hand from my face.

Ferdinand; "Go and eat. You will return to Mindanao three days from now. All of you will sleep here for the remaining days."

We saluted him as he exited with his family.

Mark: "Kinabahan ka no?"

"Sobra. Kala ko kakatayin ako ng buhay."

Mark: "Bilis bilisan mo nga. Nagugutom na kami."

"Edi mauna na kayo."

Mark: "Hindi pwede noh. Mas mataas ranggo mo kaisa sa amin. Ikaw ang unang kakain bago kami."

"I command you to eat first without me." I looked at them.

Ramsey: "Sir naman."

"It's a command."

Sinunod nga nila at talagang nagtakbuhan papunta sa kusina. Habang ako tong isang oras maglakad.Nakapasok na ako sawakas at nagtanong kung saan ba kwarto ko. Ginabayan ako ng mayordama sa room ko.

Ung gusto ko nang humiga, may kumatok. "Sino nanaman ba toh?" I uttered. I opened the door, it's Irene.

"Hi, are you not going to eat? All the soldiers are eating everything that they can find downstairs. Baka ginutom mo sila." She said jokingly.

"Ummm...I'm tired walking." There was silence. "Do you need something Ms. Marcos?" I asked as she hug me. Crossing her arms behind my neck.

Irene: "It's good that you're fine."

"Ma'am I am a soldier, I cannot be seen hugging the daughter of the president." I said as she let go.

Irene: "I'm just glad that you are okay. Why didn't you answer your phone before the explosion?"

"I believe you have asked below the belt ma'am. I'm sorry but I cannot answer your question."

Author's Note

VOTE AND SHARE MGA MAREHHHH...thank you for reading.