In the end, Old General Arturo also failed to convince Veira to join the army.
But that didn't make him give up though.
Instead, he planned to seduce her to army little by little.
That night, before he left with James and Diego, he even gave her a martial arts book.
You see, he believed that when a person learned martial arts and swordsmanship, they couldn't really resist to learn other more skills out there.
Leaving that book was a start for him to entice her for more learning.
Of course, Veira figured out what he was thinking. The old man was so obvious, he even told her, "Once you learn the skills in that book, you can come to me in the army and I can let you borrow more," before he left with James and Diego that night.
The old man was right, of course. She really couldn't resist learning these fighting skills. Unfortunately for him, her resistance towards the army was way, way more stronger in this lifetime.
As what she said, she didn't want this thankless job.
***
Days later, Diego and James "visited" again sa bahay nila para sabihing babalik na sila sa army kinabukasan.
It turned out na ang dahilan ng pagdayo ng retired general sa Barangay Rojo was to check why they had been postponing reporting back to the army.
Well, what else could be other than the fact that they were enjoying their staying at home this time. More interesting things kept on happening everyday. It was definitely livelier than in the army.
Still, they really needed to go back now. Since the old general came to check on them personally, it meant something important was about to happen in the army.
"Lulu, wag mong kakalimutang ideposito ang pera namin sa bangko ha." Bilin ni James which made Veira rolled her eyes again.
"Don't worry, Kuya James! Walang labis, walang kulang... Lahat ilalagay ko sa bangko."
"Ikaw naman, Lili. Magsanay kang maigi ha. Aabangan ka namin ng Kuya Diego mo sa army!"
Then...
"And Vei---"
"Shut up. Mamamatay ka na ba at naghuhuling habilin ka na?"
"Aiyooo... You are still rude as ever! Paalis na lang kaming dalawa pero kung tratuhin mo pa rin kami ay parang wala naman tayong pinagsamahan!"
Veira rolled her eyes. Looked at how fake he was acting. Tch!
"Fine, fine! I just want to let you know na kahit bumalik kami sa army ay bibili pa rin kami ng mga luto mong pagkain. Fortunately, the camp is not very far. May distansya man pero kaya pa ring makabili ng pagkain sa restaurant mo sa pier without spoiling them. Remember, don't skimp when you portion our food orders, okay?"
***
This week was truly full of surprises. After meeting the old general then the departure of Diego and James, this time, they were summoned to Law Enforcement Office.
"It's about the children." Officer Tasha gave Veira a heads up.
She had formed friendship with the Tan's family nang imbitahan ng mga ito ang kanilang team sa kanilang bahay para sa isang munting salo salo. She was also one of the officers na rumesponde sa may pier upang tulungan si Veira na isalba ang mga bata at hulihin ang mga human traffickers.
She saw how amazing the woman was when she was fighting those fiends so she somehow formed an idolization towards her. Isa pa sa hinahangaan niya dito ay ang purong pagmamahal ni Veira sa mga batang naiwan sa kanyang pangangalaga.
She would drop by in Veira's restaurant everyday and in their house from time to time. So she could see and observe the interaction between her and the children.
Halos dalawang buwan pa lamang ang mga bata sa puder ng babae ay nagkalaman at tumabataba na ang mga ito, lalo na yung mga bata na matagal tagal na sa kamay ng mga human traffickers at halatang naabuso ng husto. She had also brought them to the hospital several times just to make sure their physical and mental health would be taken care off really well, especially Angel who couldn't speak at all.
Now that the chief of their office told her to invite Veira and her family, she couldn't help but to feel bad and decided to give them a head's up so they could somehow prepare themselves before they got there.
"Will they take away the children?" Lulu asked with a wary look on her face. Kahit na nagselos siya ng bahagya sa mga ito but she had already treated them as part of their family. If someone wanted to take them away from them, she would definitely not feel indignant about it.
In fact, she already looked at Officer Tasha with a little dissatisfaction and blame. She was working with the Law Enforcement Office. It was their office who entrusted those kids to their care in the first place and now they wanted to take them away? No way!
She wanted to say some words of protest towards Officer Tasha but she saw the look Veira had thrown at her.
"We understand, Officer Tasha. Salamat sa impormasyon. Magsasara muna kami tapos ay didiretso na kami sa inyong office."
"Sure, Veira. Babalik na muna ako. Hintayin ko na lang kayo sa opisina."
"En..."
As soon as Officer Tasha left, Lulu stomped her foot, her lips pouting and her eyes were teary as she looked at Veira aggrievedly. Even Lili and Nanay Onang looked at her worriedly.
The lady could only sighed upon seeing this.
"Little ancestor, you shouldn't be wilful in front of an officer. Kahit pa close tayo kay Officer Tasha but we should still be respectful towards her." She told her as she mushed both Lulu's cheek na nanlolobo dahil na rin sa pagpout nito.
"Ate, pano na ang mga bata?" Lili asked.
"So far, we are just fostering them. If people come and identified them as their family, wala tayong choice kundi ang ibalik sila. It is also for their best na makabalik sila sa mga pamilya nila."
"But what about you?" Nanay Onang asked with a hint of pity in her voice. She didn't intend to feel pity towards Veira but knowing how she truly loved these children, she somehow felt indignant like Lulu.
Veira smiled towards the three of them. "Don't worry about me. What best for them is what matters most."
***
