The Moonlight Assassin

In Disguise

The following morning, as the first rays of sunlight peeked through the windows of the nipa hut in Purok Kabuwasan, in the town of San Roque, Miguel and Tabby emerged from their hidden sanctuary. As they went out, they smelled a seemingly familiar scent - a pot of boiling hot sikwate, hot chocolate native to the town. 

Nanay Lorena told the couple, "Come on in! Have some breakfast!" They are served sikwate with freshly baked pandesal from a neighborhood bakery.

Outside, Tatay Cristobal tended to their farm animals. Seeing that breakfast is served and both Miguel and Tabby woken up, he called out his wife, "Mahal! Catch me up with those sweethearts! I just need to feed our goats and chickens!" 

Miguel felt uneasy from what happened last night. "I'm a bit worried now about the people in our town, Nanay," told Miguel, "especially Tabby is with us, and she is in great danger."

"It's okay, babe," tells Tabby, "I will just have to disguise myself so that no one will recognize me. But  we don't have our clothes with us. Can you provide me, Nay?"

"Don't worry, anak," replied Nanay Lorena, "I'll take care of you. You can have my clothes when I was younger. They look really old now but they should fit you."

Under the guidance of Lorena, Tabby transformed her appearance to resemble that of a simple, poor-looking woman. She wore worn-out clothes and deliberately disheveled her hair, concealing her true identity. She also disguised her name, by using her Chinese name, Li Mei, and spoke in a way that seems that she can't speak any English or Filipino well.

Miguel, having seen what Tabby has become, regained control himself, and assured his parents with a mixture of relief and gratitude. 

"I do hope, Nay and Tay, that everything will be fine," he said.

The family shared a quiet breakfast, a brief respite from the chaos that had unfolded the night before.

However, the calm was short-lived as news of Miguel's return spread through the town like wildfire. Townsfolk, curious and wary, began to visit their home, eager to catch a glimpse of the manananggal who had caused such commotion last night. 

Miguel, feigning innocence, welcomed them with a warm smile, presenting himself as if he had just returned from a long journey.

"How are you, everyone?", Miguel greeted the townspeople of San Roque.

The townspeople, still skeptical and cautious, couldn't help but notice a significant change in Miguel. They whispered among themselves, speculating on the events of the previous night.

A middle-aged woman approached Miguel, eyeing him suspiciously. "Miguel, my dear, you've been gone for quite some time. Where have you been?"

Miguel, maintaining his composed facade, replied, "I've been traveling, seeking answers to some personal questions. It's good to be back home."

The woman continued to scrutinize him but shifted her attention to Tabby. "And who is this woman with you? We've never seen her before."

Tabby, in her disguised appearance, lowered her gaze and spoke with a humble tone in a broken Chinese accent, "Ho cha ki. Sorry disturb you. My name Li Mei, and me come from Bungang Kahoy. Belong to old Chinese family there. I meet Miguel online, he is handsome and sweet man lo, and he kindly offered me to stay here San Roque, yah."

The townspeople exchanged skeptical glances, their curiosity piqued. The woman continued probing, "Bungang Kahoy, you say? Why haven't we heard of your family before?"

Tabby, quick on her feet, responded, "You should know lah. Our family lived there many many generation. We have small feng shui business there. I'm grateful for Miguel's kindness in offering me refuge."