Pinoy historical romance: Intramuros

Pinoy historical romance: Intramuros Part 8

"I see. I'll do further investigations. Hmm, let me talk to the lieutenant first." The Corporal talked to the lieutenant, promising to take care of the matter himself. Later on, about a half hour past five, Corporal was still writing on his desk at the headquarters. There were only a handful of people there, mostly corporals who were finishing their paperwork.

"Lieutenant, Corporal Manuel said, looking up with surprise. All of the other officers have already gone home. "Forgive me, sir. I thought you had already gone home like the other officers."

'The Villagracias' servant who came by told me that Don Severino will come by to thank me for finding their dog. Apparently it is a favorite there. It is already past five but he hasn't come yet. Do you think he forgot?"

"I don't think so, sir." said the corporal, trying not to ask if the servant also said anything of Francia coming with the don. "The don came from abroad so his body is still not used to the time here in Manila. Umm did the servant say who else was coming."

"No, corporal, he did not. I hope Don Severino came alone so there would be less chitchat."

"You're right, sir." Just then an unfamiliar man – wait, he looked like the young man who was often with Merceditas – walked inside the headquarters.

Corporal Manuel was going to reprimand the man, but the lieutenant stopped him because the young man was actually there to help Don Severino Villagracias, who was walking slowly using a walking cane.

"Lieutenant, thank you for waiting for me. I see most of the civil guards have already left. I'm sorry I'm late."

"Apologies are not necessary, Don Severino. We civil guards are always willing to serve."

The corporal looked at the door intently, waiting if someone else came with Don Severino.

"Don Severino, this is Corporal Manuel," the lieutenant was saying. "He led the investigation into the disappearance of your dog. All efforts to find your dog are all thanks to him."

Corporal Manuel, who already stood at attention when his name was called, bowed to Don Severino. The don was as tall as the corporal when standing upright so when the officer bowed, he didn't see that the don smiled in delight.

"Ah, yes. I was hoping to see you. You are popular in the house, especially with the servants. What is your Christian name, son?"

"It's Sebastian, Don Severino," said the Corporal, trying hard not to ask if he was also popular with other people in the estate.

"A good name. My family is very grateful you returned our dog to us. I feel Like I should give you a reward."

"It's not necessary, senior."

"The corporal is correct, Don Severino," said the lieutenant. " A reward is not necessary. We in the civil guard are always willing to–"

'Serve, I know, I know. But that is what I feel. Maybe I'll ask my Francisita to draw your portrait, hmm corporal? I don't know."

Corporal Manuel's heart skipped a beat when he heard Francia's name and immediately thought: why did the don say that? He looked at the don's face for clues but he already continued talking to the lieutenant.

"... new bicycle. It's popular among the young people in Spain, but I don't really care about them. Someone almost ran into me in that thing. And another bicycle's wheels ran over my foot! How barbaric! But young people really enjoy riding on that thing. I prefer horses, thank you."

"Yes, sir, Don Severino," said the lieutenant.

"Alright! I'm not going to take up more of your time."

"But it's no bother, Don S–" said the lieutenant who stopped when the don waved his hand.

"No, no. I see that the other civil guards have already left work and perhaps are already resting. You must, too. I bid you, goodnight, lieutenant, corporal. Ondre, help me up."

And the don walked slowly out the headquarters. The lieutenant looked at the corporal then went to his office to put some things into his bag.

"You're not leaving yet?" shouted the lieutenant, still in his office, to the corporal.

"Not yet, sir," said the corporal. " I have to finish this paperwork."

The lieutenant left, leaving Corporal Manuel and two other corporals in farther desks. While working, the corporal cannot help but think about Francia and being in the same room together while she was making his portrait, perhaps alone. He wondered what poses he had to do,but quickly settled on sitting upright in attention, as befits an officer of the law. She couldn't help but look at his face for a long time. And he would look into her eyes....

He realized the pen on his hand was dripping ink on the paper on his desk – he probably didn't move his hand for a long time. He shook his head and promised not to think of Francia, or he would not finish anything. Ah, Francia...