[Capítulo Diez: Agosto (August) 26, 1896]
THE two of us made our way towards the bustling crowd gathered in the backyard of one of the houses.
Once again, it was Goyo who had led me there, inexplicably finding me amidst the assembly.
“Jong!” I turned to see Marianne beside me, already dressed with wet hair like the other maidens.
“Kilala mo siya, Binibini (Do you know her, Miss)?” one of the maidens inquired of Marianne.
“Huwag niyo nang alamin kung sino siya (You don't need to ask who he is). Masama ang ugali niyang panot na iyan (That creep's crazy). Ayoko naman sa kaniya (I don't even like him),” she replied, crossing her arms and furrowing her brows.
“Napakaguwapo naman ng dalawang iyan (Those two are really handsome),” said another.
“Dalawang iyan (Those two)? Anong pinagsasasabi niyo (What are you saying)?” asked Marianne.
“Balita ko ang pangalan ng isang iyan ay si Gregorio at iyang isa naman ay si Joaquin (I heard that one of them is Gregorio while the other is Joaquin),” another one spoke.
“Teka (Wait)! Gregorio?” Marianne’s eyes widened when she once again saw the man beside me. Once again, she was consumed by silence.
“Kailangan na nating umpisahan ang rebolusyon! Ngayong alam na lang naman ng mga Espanyol ang tungkol sa Katipunan, bakit pa natin kailangang magtago (We need to start the revolution! Now that the Spaniards are already aware of the Katipunan, why do we still need to hide)?” From my concealed position, I absorbed the charged atmosphere as voices collided.
“Teka lamang, Supremo (Begging your pardon, Supremo). Hindi ba’t hindi maayos na basta-basta na lamang tayong lulusob (Isn't it better to plan and not just recklessly charge in)?” voiced one man, injecting a note of caution.
“Tama si Pio, Supremo. Mas maganda kung mas pagpaplanuhan pa natin ang laban na ito (Pio is right, Supremo. It's better if we plan this battle more thoroughly),” reasoned another, advocating for thoughtful planning.
“Para sa akin ay ayos lang naman (For me, it's alright),” nonchalantly contributed one of the men, revealing a casual stance.asual stance.
“Ipagpaumanhin mo na, Kapatid. Naniniwala ako sa sinabi nina Pantas at Valenzuela (I apologize, Brother. I believe in what Pantas and Valenzuela said),” added another. “Maaaring marami ang mawala sa atin nang dahil sa desisyon mong iyan (Many may be lost due to that decision of yours).”
The room erupted into chaos, two opposing groups forming, locked in silent contention over an undisclosed, crucial decision.
“Ano kaya ang pinapag-usapan nila (What could be their conversation)?” I overheard Gregorio's speculative remark as his gaze fixated on the house in front of us.
After a brief interval, Señor Andres emerged from the room, his countenance now marked by determination and gravity – a stark contrast to my initial impression of him.
“Alalahanin ninyo ang naging kapalaran ng mga kababayan nating binaril sa Bagumbayan. Kapag bumalik tayo sa mga bayan natin, babarilin din naman lang tayo ng mga Espanyol (Remember the fate of our fellow countrymen shot in Bagumbayan. When we return to our towns, the Spaniards will shoot us, too),” he declared, his voice resonating to silence the crowd.
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Past In The Spotlight (SUNSET TRILOGY #1)
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