Firewood

Chapter 4

The news of Elena’s death encircled the whole town. It reached not only the locals attention but also the Japanese. For most of the locals, her death was worthy of the crime she did. They called the unselfish service as crime but for the Japanese soldiers, especially for the one who received it, it was an act of heroism.

“I should have been able to protect her”, says the one Japanese with still a cloth tied on his legs. “She saved me and helped me without even thinking the wrongs we did to them. I am a coward. After I was treated well, I left her and hid until I heard her death”.

“It’s fine, the important is you are still alive”, says the other soldier. “As a captain, you are much needed by our country especially now that the Filipinos are getting more aggressive on fighting against us”.

“And I also heard that their guerillas are beginning now to gather more members”, added the third soldier. “They are placing spies near our garrisons and some of them are even watching us both night and day”. And he added, worried, “We should be very careful now”.

“No! I will look for the family of that woman and personally thank them”, opposed the captain. “If I need to give them money, I will do that only to express to them how grateful I am for what that woman did to me”. He thought for a while and said, “But that will still not be enough”.

His soldier, now confused, burst out and asked, “Are you still in your mind? If you do that, you will put yourself in harm again!” He continued, “What if the revolutionaries are there watching their house? What if her whole family already joined the guerilla?” When he realized to whom he was talking, he lowered his voice and said, “I’m sorry to say this Captain Lao but please think first before you act for something. Your soldiers need your command”.

“Our country needs you”, added the other soldier.

Remembering how Elena taught him something by helping him, he said “I am needed not only by our country but by all those who really need me. A real service is not placed inside a four cornered room but is freely extended even outside of it, to all who need it”. And he added, “Shouldn’t I serve everyone not only our people but also them?”

“If only Captain… if only”, sighs the soldier.