This I Promise You

19

Heartless

"Evan's friend will fly you to Germany. All the things you need are there, and my people are also there to for your security..." Said General dela Cerna.

Pinapaliwanag na niya sa amin ang magiging plano pagkatapos ng kasal bukas ng umaga.

"Why do we need to go to Germany and not straight to the Philippines?" I asked.

"We need to stay there until the Philippine Army confirms that there's no danger once we land in the country." Si Evander ang sumagot.

"Your fake documents are ready, and you will use them to get out of Sweden and enter the Philippines. This identity is only temporary. We will finalize your new documents before you arrive in the Philippines, so you can live like a normal person there until we can secure your return here." Si General ulit.

"How about my parents? Are they safe staying here?" Untas ko sabay baling sa mga magulang.

"Don't worry about us, sweetheart." Mamma said and held my hand.

"Ta bara hand om dig själv, så ska vi också ta hand om oss själva, min prinsessa (Just take care of yourself, and we will also take care of ourselves, my princess)." Pappa gently said.

I don't want to leave them, pero wala din naman akong magagawa kung mananatili ako. Baka maging pabigat pa lalo ako sa mga plano nilang gawin kaya naman ang tanging magagawa ko nalang ay sumunod sa kanilang gusto at ipagdasal na sana ay walang mangyaring masama sa kanilang dalawa.

"Evan will work at the intelligence unit of the Philippine Army, ordered by the president himself, in exchange for her highness' protection."

Hindi ko naiwasang hindi itanong kung ano ang kapalit ng lahat ng ito. Kahit ilang taon nang Chief of Staff si General dela Cerna, alam ko namang may kapalit pa rin ang pagtulong ng Philippine Army sa amin, lalo na't malaking bagay itong ipinapagawa sa kanila at maaaring maging sagabal pa sa pananatili ng kapayapaan ng kanilang bansa. And that was the general's answer to my question.

"Even before graduating, the president already wants Kuya to join the elite joint service, but he declines." Sambit ni Ezekiel.

Napatingin naman ako kay Evan dahil doon. Tahimik lang siyang nakatitig sa akin, tila pinag-aaralan lahat ng reaksyon ko.

He declined the president of the Philippines? But why? Is it because of...me?

I wanted to ask more questions, but I stopped there. I felt guilty.

Ako ang dahilan kung bakit tinanggihan niya ang gusto ng kanilang presidente, at ngayon ako pa rin ang magiging dahilan kung bakit kailangan niyang mapunta sa isa sa mga pinakamahirap na branch ng military.

The next morning, my mother is helping me with my gown, as the wedding will happen today.

I'm wearing a sophisticated mermaid tulle wedding dress with long lace sleeves and a square neck. My hair is styled in a medium, messy low bun with a simple diamond headband. Then Mamma let me wear one of her favorite pearl earrings to go with my dress.

Except for me and my parents, the dela Cernas are the only ones who knew about this wedding. Kami nalang ni Mamma ang nagtulungan na mag-ayos sa akin at hindi na nanghingi ng tulong sa mga palace maids para wala nang ibang makaalam. Pinagday-off din kasi ni Pappa ang aming mga tauhan at nagtira lang ng iilan para malaya kaming makakagalaw sa palasyo sa araw na ito.

"Du ser så vacker ut älskling (You look so beautiful, darling)." Mamma said to me.

We are both looking into the mirror. I smiled at her. She's wearing an ivory tulle beaded gown featuring appliqué detailing, bead embellishment, a plunging V-neck, three-quarter-length sleeves, a flared skirt, and a long length. I will never get tired of my mother's beauty.