Cleome Farwina Cinense
In the heart of a sprawling military training facility, a group of young cadets stood at attention, their eyes fixed on the imposing figure of Colonel Vlasmo. After years of staying in Naval Base Camilo Osias in Santa Ana, Cagayan site, I am now deployed at Camp O’donnell here at Capas, Tarlac where Colonel Bjorn Wryner Vlasmo resides. It is a former United States military reservation and now a military base located here in Luzon.
I never knew that Vlasmo is part of the military, and to my surprise colonel pa. It answered my how’s in mind nang gabing tinawag niya akong Lieutenant. Maybe he already saw me way back. Pareho ang propesyon namin kung kaya’t hindi malabo na kilala nga niya ako. Hindi ko nga lamang alam kung papaano at saan niya ako nakilala. Hindi siya pamilyar sa akin, I just knew him as an MMA fighter, nothing more. Maybe I was too busy with a lot of things kaya hindi pamilyar ang mukha niya sa akin.
“Listen up, recruits!” His voice boomed across the parade ground. This is not his work as the Colonel pero he was there to give some advice to welcome the recruits. “Today marks the beginning of your journey towards becoming soldiers of honor and valor.” Kakaiba ang dating niya kapag suot ang uniporme naming pang-militar. Nawala ang mayabang niyang dating bagkus naging respetado ang kanyang tindig.
Sa nakikita ko ngayon hindi mo aakalain na may pagka-womanizer siya. The way he stood screams so much the opposite of his attitude whenever I see him on an MMA Competition. Ngayon kasi para siyang lalaki na may dangal at pagpupursigi para sa bayan, mas gwapong tingnan.
“You didn’t enter the military for no reason. Alam ko na alam niyo kung ano ang pinasok niyo.” Aniya habang matikas pa rin ang tindig, at nasa likuran ang dalawang kamay.
Nasa likod niya kami together with the other officers. “I am here as the Colonel to tell you that our profession takes a lot of perseverance and courage. Loving our country and fighting for it means sacrificing a lot not only for yourself but also for your family. You have to embrace everything, positibo man o negatibo dahil ito ang propesyon na tinahak niyo.” He said with emphasis and finality.
“Naiintindihan ba?” ma-awtoridad niyang tanong.
“YES, SIR!” The recruits answered with pride.
After that, humarap siya sa amin at sa hindi inaasahan ay nag tama ang paningin naming dalawa. I evaded his gaze immediately, hindi ko matagalan na tingnan siya lalo na mataas ang ranggo niya kumpara sa akin at ipinagbabawal din ito.
“Colonel Vlasmo is looking at you, Lieutenant Cinense.” Sergeant Ramos whispered beside me.
I know! Kailangan talaga i-bulong? Itong si Sergeant Ramos halatang may pagka-marites. Hindi na nga ako makapag-focus sa sinasabi ni Lieutenant Bautista dahil sa titig ni Vlasmo.
Makalipas ang ilang minuto ay ramdam ko pa rin ang titig niya at nang i-angat ko ang paningin ko sa may gilid ay nakatingin pa rin siya sa akin. Tinaasan ko naman siya ng kilay pero ngumisi lang siya at iniiwas na ang paningin.
Ano ba ang problema niya?
“I know he is single pero mukhang may natitipuhan na. Hindi ka na lugi, Lieutenant.” Nang-aasar na tinig ni Sergeant Ramos.
“Shut up, Sergeant Ramos.” Madiin kong saad.
His laughter filled my ears. Kairita, kung wala lang talaga kami sa trabaho nasapak ko na siya. Hanggang leeg ko pa man lang din siya.
Kalaunan ay nagpaalam si Sergeant Ramos, tinatawag na raw kasi siya ng kalikasan. Weird, kailangan talaga ipaalam e ’no.
“You look stunning with that uniform, Lieutenant.” Napaigtad ako nang marinig ko ang boses na iyon.
