Dogtag (completed)

8. ties

“…ikaw nga…you have your Tita Menchu’s smile…”

General Mendoza smiled at Dei. Sgt. Tuviera brought Dei to Gen. Mendoza’s house in the residential area of the camp for the general’s dinner with his granddaughter.

Dei had not met or known of the general before. He was Dei’s paternal grandfather but he and his son were not in very good terms. Jepoy Mendoza, Dei’s dad, passed away 2 years prior to Dei’s assignment to Camp Sikatuna. Her Mom, Mayang, lived with her older son, Nikko. She worked as an office assistant and took care of her grandchildren. Unknown to Dei, Lolo Teddy had been wanting to meet her since she was born. However, Jepoy was very stubborn. Until he passed away due to illness, he refused to make contact with his Dad. Gen. Mendoza was able to convince Mayang, though, to meet his granddaughter after all these years.

“Tita Menchu?...Ah, si Ninang…”

“Yes, your Papa’s older sister…”

“…I’m sorry but Papa never liked talking about his childhood…”

“I know…I was very strict so I think yun yung dahilan kung bakit nagalit sya ng husto sa akin…gusto ko sana mag-duktor sya…”

“Engineer si Papa…businessman…”

“Hmm…pinipilit ko lahat ng gusto ko noon kaya nagalit sya sa akin…”

“Oh…”

“Nung nabalitaan kong gusto mong maging military nurse, natuwa ako…you became like your lola, Genny…”

“Lola?”

Gen. Mendoza reached for a photo on the mantle and showed this to Dei. The old woman in it was beautifully dressed in a military uniform with a nurse’s cap.

“Your Lola, your Papa’s Mama, was also a military nurse. When I found out that you took nursing and eventually worked at the camp, I felt that your Lola had finally gotten her wish. I’m sure she’s very happy that you’re in the medical profession. We wanted at least one of our kids to be like one of us.”

“…but Papa was sick…”

“unfortunately…his Mama was worried a lot…”

“…what happened to her?”

“She had herself assigned to work in the field. I didn’t want her to leave but she insisted. Fighting was also bad in the area. She suffered from an aggressive type of pneumonia which worsened due to the storm that happened during that time. Hindi sila makaalis agad sa lugar…that’s why I had a facility named in her honor…Genevieve was a very loving, selfless lady.”

“Genevieve’s home…”

“Yes. Nung sinabi sa akin ni Tonio na nahanap ka na at kung anong trabaho mo, I requested for your pull out…”

“…Thank you…”

“Masyado nang maraming taon na magkahiwalay tayo…”

“But Papa…”

“Your Papa was proud of you too…”

“He didn’t like me entering the service…”

“Natatakot din sya…”

“Hmm…”

“…but sigurado akong masaya din sya…I got to talk to Mayang…”

“...Mama?”

“Yes…nagkausap kami…she and your Papa are very proud of you…if you want, I can arrange for an early leave for you so you can visit home…”

“Hmm…”

“…just tell me when…”

“…wag na po…nakakahiya…”

“…I understand…” Gen. Mendoza smiled.

They had an enjoyable dinner of simple, home-cooked food. “Dei, please come over for lunch on Sundays. Bisitahin mo din ako madalas. Matanda na ang Lolo mo…”

Dei had always wondered about her paternal grandparents. Her Papa rarely talked about his family. Dei only saw her Ninang Menchu at gatherings usually in restaurants. Ninang Menchu lived abroad so they hardly really bonded. The general’s invitation came at the right time. “Sir?”

“Lolo…Lolo Teddy…”

“Lolo…thank you po for everything. Sgt. Tuviera told me that you requested for my team to be pulled out from Sikatuna…”

“…I already lost too many people in the field…I don’t want to lose you, too…”
“Hmm…I’d love to come over on Sundays…”

“…papasundo natin ang Mama mo sa holidays…”
“I’m sure Mama would like that…”

“Hmm…” Lolo smiled. “Uhm, Dei…”

“Po?”

“…may nobyo ka na ba?”

“Wala po…” Dei replied softly.

“Manliligaw?”

Dei shook her head. She felt something warm in her pocket.

Lolo just nodded and smiled. He hadn’t been this happy in a long while. Ever since he had learned that Dei had entered military service, the once strict and terror General mellowed down. His staff noticed a change in demeanor. He was less cranky and also began to shout less at people. By the time Dei was stationed at Camp Sikatuna, he was like a totally different person.