Past In The Spotlight (SUNSET TRILOGY #1)

Chapter 13

[Capítulo Trece: Pamahiin (Superstition)]

"JOAQUIN?" Clara's concerned voice brought me back to the present. "Joaquín, ¿estás bien (Joaquin, are you okay)?"

My mind raced, attempting to form an answer, but a surge of anxiety rendered me momentarily speechless.

"Kasi naman puro kayo Espanyol, e (It's because of your Spanish)!" sermoned Marianne. "Malamang nablanko na ang utak niyan (That must be the reason why his brain became empty)."

"Subalit akala ko ba'y iyon ang kaniyang sinasalitang lenggwahe (But I thought that it is the language he speaks)," Clara responded, expressing her confusion about my language. The argument between Marianne and Clara seemed to continue.

Marianne's voice, a gentle whisper, reached my ears as she leaned in. "Ganito kasi iyan (Here's what will happen)," she said, her eyes lighting up with excitement. "Joaquin, do you want to go with us? We will pick mango in the garden."

My limbs, once stagnant, regained life. With a subtle nod, I inhaled deeply.

Returning to her house, two figures about to depart caught our attention.

"Clara! Sila na ba iyong mga iniligtas ninyo kahapon (Are these the ones you rescued yesterday)?" the man's deep voice resonated.

"Opo, Ama (Yes, Father)," Clara responded with a smile. "Allow me to introduce Marianne de Guzman and Joaquin Garcia."

Recognition dawned on Marianne as she addressed Clara's father. "Ah! Kayo pala ang Papa ni Clara (So your Clara's father)," she remarked. A friendly greeting accompanied her words, her hand waving in a gesture of warm hello.

Their attention shifted downward, both Marianne and Clara's father engrossed in a conversation that left the rest of us curious, unaware of the specifics exchanged in that fleeting moment.

Clara interjected, realizing my limited understanding of Tagalog. "Hindi po pala nakakaintindi ng Tagalog itong si Joaquin (I forgot that Joaquin can't understand Tagalog)," she explained. "Subalit marunong naman po siyang magsalita ng Espanyol (But he can speak Spanish)."

"Siya na ata ang sinasabi ng mga tao ritong 'Illustrado' sa Katipunan (He might be the one whom the people here refers as the 'Illustrado' in the Katipunan)," the woman she was with spoke. As she joined the conversation, the events of the previous night, coupled with the resemblance between Clara and her companion, left me in a state of intrigued contemplation.

"Hola, Joaquín (Hello, Joaquin)," the man greeted in Spanish, taking a step closer. "Mi nombre es Miguel del Rosario. Esta es mi esposa Isabella (My name is Miguel del Rosario. This is my wife Isabella)."

My gaze met theirs as I inclined my head in a subtle bow. "Hola, Señor. Hola, Señora (Hello, Sir. Hello, Madame)," I greeted, acknowledging their presence with a touch of formality in the exchange.

"Hola, Señorito," echoed Señora Isabella, her words adding a touch of warmth to the conversation as she, too, extended her greetings in the elegant dance of Spanish.

"Sasama kami ngayon sa Supremo upang maghanap ng mga bagong sasapi sa Katipunan (We will now join the Supremo to recruit new members for the Katipunan)," said Señor Miguel.

"Mag-iingat kayo, Ama, Ina (Take care, Mom and Dad)," cautioned Clara, concern etched in her voice. "Masyadong delikado. Baka matunton kayo ng mga Espanyol (It's so dangerous. The Spaniards might find you)."

"Mag-iingat kami ng iyong Ina, Clara (Your Mom and I will take care, Clara). Huwag kang mag-alala (Don't worry)," her father reassured, their exchange revealing the underlying tension and risks associated with the turbulent times.

"Tara na, Miguel, Isabella (Come now, Miguel, Isabella)," urged the group that had gathered in the front yard, inviting Miguel and Isabella to join them.

"Mauna na kami sa inyo (We'll be heading now)," they spoke, their words hanging in the air as they departed, venturing together toward the uncertain path that lay ahead. The phrase echoed with a blend of determination and anticipation for what the journey into the unknown might unfold.

"Nasaan na sila (Where are they)?" Our eyes were caught by the scene of a man in white long sleeves running in front of Clara's front yard. He seemed so weary as he let his eyes wander around.

About to depart once more, poised for another sprint, the man in white long sleeves, halted as Clara's voice called out to him. "Goyo!" The small distance between us seemed to dissolve as his gaze turned, connecting with ours in a moment of shared recognition and anticipation.

"That man again," I whispered to myself. "Really? How does he keep on finding us?" The mystery surrounding the persistent appearance of the man named Goyo lingered, leaving me puzzled and intrigued by the recurring encounters.

"Binibini (Miss)," he spoke, taking a step towards us. "Nasaan na ang mga magulang mo (Where are your parents)?"

"Kakaalis pa lamang nila (They just left)," Clara replied. "Bakit (Why)? Ano ba ang problema (What's the problem)?"

"Nanaginip ako kagabi (I had a dream last night)," he spoke, panting. "Binangungot akong may mangyayaring masama sa plaza (I had a nightmare that something bad is going to happen on the plaza)." His words, uttered with a breathlessness that echoed the urgency of his dream, hinted at an ominous premonition tied to the plaza, adding a layer of suspense to the unfolding narrative.

Clara's eyes widened as Goyo spoke. "Subalit doon papunta sina Ina at Ama (But that's where my Mom and Dad are heading)," she replied, the realization of the potential danger creeping into the shared consciousness, creating a palpable tension in the air.

"Padadalhan ko sana sila ng pangontra subalit nakaalis na pala sila (I was planning to send them some protections, but it seems they've already left)," he spoke. On his hand, I noticed that he was holding something, but I couldn't see it clearly.

"Dios Mio (My God)," Clara gasped.

"Pero bangungot lang naman yun, e. Hindi yun magkakatotoo, maniwala kayo sa akin (But that's just a nightmare. It won't come true; believe me)," Marianne intervened. "Hindi ko alam na napakahilig pala sa pamahiin ng mga taga-rito sa bundok (I didn't know that the people here in the mountains are very superstitious)."

"Hihilingin ko na lamang na hindi sana magkatotoo ang aking napanaginipan (I will just wish that my dream won't come true)," said Goyo. "Aalis na muna ako upang tumulong sa mga kalalakihan sa pagsasanay (I'll go now to help the men with their training)."

As soon as he left, Clara's worried expression seamlessly transitioned into calm composure as she turned to me. She gracefully entered the house, reemerging with three baskets, each designated for one of us. The shift in her demeanor hinted at a quiet resolve to address the impending challenges.

"Sundan niyo na lamang ako (Just follow me)," said Clara as we began to go walk away from the village. "Mamimitas tayo ng mga mangga (Let's pick some mangoes)."