A Leap Of Fate

Chapter XXX

Chapter 30

Desires

I stared at him from head to toe, my very tired eyes relishing and embracing every bit, every sight of him.

My gentleman, Leonel had changed. His shoulder length hair that was always tied with a ribbon was now longer and loosely tied with a white cloth. There were several strayed strand that framed his face. His skin was still pale with the reddish flush in his cheeks. He was wearing a shabby white Camisa de Chino with two buttons opened that showed his collarbones and the upper part of his chest. A red neckerchief was tied around his neck. Despite all that ruggedness, he still looked and stood like a very well bred mestizo.

His eyes lingered on me for a while and I wished that he would see the sparkle that he caused in them. Then his smile widened a little. I tried to smile back but all I could do was let the tears fall.

“My son.” Don Leonardo said.

Leonel turned to him and his smile faded.

“Papa, I’ve come back for you. I can never leave you like this.” He said and smiled bitterly again.

Then he turned around and made a motion with his hand. Suddenly, a big crowd gathered around him. Most of them were men, wearing the same ensemble Leonel was wearing, and they reminded me of the icon of the revolution, the Supremo, Andres Bonifacio who is always being portrayed wearing that same revolution costume over and over.

There were daggers and bolos hanging across their waists and some were even carrying riffles, which I suspected they got from the Spaniards that they have captured.  Their faces were browned by the sun and showed nothing but bravery and determination. There were some women too who were wearing simple and plain dresses with white shawls.

There was a fierce looking man in the middle off the throng who was standing behind Leonel. He then stepped forward with his eyes on Don Leonardo.

“Señor.” He made a shallow bow with his hat over his heart but his sharp eyes remained glued to Don Leonardo’s.

Don Leonardo’s eyes widened and he looked at Leonel. “What is the meaning of this? Are you really-“

“Papa, calm down and please do listen to me first. Will you?” Leonel calmly said.

Don Leonardo looked at the man again and his jaw tightened. “All right. Explain this to me.”

“Manuel Mercado… a longtime prisoner during papa’s government.” Ciro carefully whispered to me.

 I looked at him and my eyes widened.

Ciro shrugged then returned his attention to the scene.

“He is with us to help.” Leonel slowly said.

“Help!” Don Leonardo exclaimed.

“Señor, hear us out first. Do you want to combat the Governor General’s men alone?” He mockingly smiled.

“Papa, he and his men will work with us. Señor Manuel will help us fight His Majesty’s police and anyone who wants to get you.”

“But why?”

“I know. You will not believe I am this kind hearted. If not only for your son, who fought for our freedom and rights, I will not help you.”

“Then do not! I don’t need a rascal’s help!”

“Papa,” Leonel slowly approached his father and carefully put his hand on his shoulder. “We were wrong. Señor Manuel is a man of great principle and dignity. You are now out of His Majesty’s favor, and this is the right thing to do. I want to help in fighting for this colony’s freedom and it’s people’s rights. This is the right chance to do so, and on the other hand, you and every one of us will be safe as well. We will fight Spain, and we will help this country get her freedom while we are fighting for ours as well. Think about it, father.”