Past In The Spotlight (SUNSET TRILOGY #1)

Chapter 20

[Capítulo Veinte: Malapit Na (It's Near)]

I periodically checked the soldiers guarding our path to freedom, gauging their alertness. I suspected they wouldn't sleep on duty, but I aimed to assess their attention levels.

They continued discussing their wealth and the Philippine government, alternating between Spanish and Filipino. Judging by their accents, they seemed to be a mix of Filipino and Spanish.

As time passed, I found myself torn between tending to a woman I despised and monitoring the awareness of the two men behind the wooden door before us.

"Marianne, just calm down. I'm not going to leave you behind," I whispered, pressed against the wooden door, attentive to the ongoing conversation between the two men discussing a new topic.

"Pinky promise?" she asked, her tone carrying a childlike innocence.

“I already told you several times,” I responded. “But okay. I promise!”

The emerging sense of an older brother role clashed with the harsh reality. Everyone I loved had left me, and I couldn't afford to risk further heartache.

"Just wait for a few seconds, and they'll go back to arguing about whatever they're discussing," I assured her, gesturing with my hand.

“¡El general está aquí (The general is here)!” I heard the guards announce, halting their conversation.

Footsteps echoed from a distance, likely the general's, diverting their attention back to the approaching figure.

"Shoot!" I gasped, thinking it was our opportunity to escape, only to realize I was mistaken.

“Donde estan los prisioneros (Where are the prisoners)?” A mix of gentle and masculine voice entered the small opening below the door.

“Narito po sa loob (They're here inside this door)!” The door swung open abruptly, freezing me in place as I found myself standing before the unexpected arrivals.

Before me stood a real mestizo, his towering stature and robust frame emanating a charismatic presence. Observing him closely, one couldn't help but acknowledge the allure he effortlessly commanded. In this era, if I were to step into Marianne's shoes, I'd likely note the abundance of handsome men surrounding us.

“Nabalitaan kong isa raw kayo sa mga kasapi sa Katipunan (I heard that you're one of the members of the Katipunan),” he spoke.

“Heneral, hindi po nakakaintindi ang hombre na iyan ng salitang Tagalog (General, that man can't understand Tagalog),” one of the men whispered to him.

“Ganoon ba? Pwes (Well)...” he answered. “Maaaring mataas ang ranggo nito. Isa ring heneral, malamang (He might hold a high rank. Probably a general).”

Immobile in his presence, my eyes caught a fleeting sight of Marianne approaching. “Gwapo kayo, pero beri wrong ‘yung theory ninyo (You’re handsome, but your theory is very wrong)!” she uttered, her eyebrows furrowed. “Una sa lahat, ‘di kami kasapi ng Katipunan (First of all, we’re not a member of the Katipunan)! Pangalawa, ‘di nabibilang sa gobyerno si Jong (Second, Jong is not part of the government)! Pangatlo, isa lamang kaming bisita rito. Kami ay galing sa Amerika,” (Third, we’re just visitors here. We’re from America), Marianne uttered.

"Watch your words! Talking like that might get us killed," I cautioned, swiftly pulling Marianne behind me.

My decision to move the queen proved to be a misstep, drawing the vigilant attention of the keen-eyed knight before me.

“Akala niyo, maiisahan niyo ako ng basta-basta lamang (Do you think that you can lie to me that easy)?” he spoke, drawing his Winchester gun from its scabbard. “No subestime a un general, señorita (Don’t underestimate a general, Miss),” he retorted, his voice laced with a hint of anger.

The gun descended toward us, anchoring us firmly in place. Watching Marianne closely for any spontaneous reactions, I noticed her furrowed eyebrows, signaling her tension. “Subukan niyo na patayin kami, yari kayo sa direktor ng palabas na ito (Try to kill us and you’ll pay die on the hands of the movie’s director). Ipapapatay ko kayo sa pelikula (I’ll order him to kill you all in the film)!” she warned as I was still blocking her move.

Laughter erupted among the soldiers, and the General grinned. “Hindi siguro maganda ang tulog ng mga ito (Perhaps they didn’t get enough sleep),” he remarked.

“Dumating kasi kayo (It’s because you came)!” she shouted in response. “Sira na nga ang gabi ko, dadagdagan niyo pa (My night was already ruined and now you’re adding up)!”

“Umaga na ngayon, señorita (It’s already morning, Miss),” he replied in his charming smile. “Kung nais mong pababain ko ang hatol sa inyo, maaari bang ikaw ay manahimik na lamang (If you want me to lessen your punishment, then perhaps it might be better if you just remain silent).”

The general’s gaze fixed on me. “¡Usted, General (You, General)! ¿Puedes decirle a tu sirvienta si puede callarse (Can you please tell your servant if she could shut up)?” he asked. “Tal vez ella escuche tus órdenes (Maybe she’ll listen to your command).”

Did I just hear him call me a General? Amidst the gravity of the situation, a sense of amazement washed over me. From being an actor, I transitioned into an 'Illustrado,' and now, I found myself a high-ranking officer of the Katipunan!

“Marianne,” I sighed, “just please, stop messing with them.”

“Ano (What)? Jong, even though I’m already consumed with my anxiety, I still tried to find hope inside my heart!” she protested. “If I don’t fight for our safety, then what can we do?”

“Marianne, I–“ I tried to speak but she interrupted me.

"Are you really an Illustrado who doesn't want war?! Are you a real Katipunero?! Are you just a creep?!" she exclaimed.

"I..."

"Then who are you?!" she yelled.

“Do you think I don’t have any idea about what’s happening around here? I’m a graduating college student, remember?” she added, still protesting her belief. “Tell me, Lee Jong Hee, are we just letting ourselves die here?” Tears welled in her eyes, slowly cascading down as she regarded me with a rarely seen serious expression.

I stood speechless, wishing I had known that she already understood, grappling with her emotions all along.

“Fine!” she spoke, wiping the remnants of her tears. “Tatahimik na ako (I’ll shut up). Iyon naman ang dahilan kung bakit nasakop ng mga Espanyol ang Pilipinas sa loob ng tatlong daan at tatlumpu't tatlong taon (That was once the reason why the Spaniards colonized the Philippines for three hundred thirty three years).”

“Sa utos ng nakatataas, kayong dalawa ay dadalhin na sa tapat ng plaza upang makamit na ang nararapat na parusa para sa inyo (From the order of the high council, you two will now be taken towards the plaza to take the punishment that you deserves),” he declared, looking towards us with his gun still trained on our heads.

“Llévalos a la plaza (Take them to the plaza)!” he commanded the two soldiers behind him.

I took a deep breath, closing my eyes to utter silent prayers. Beside me, Marianne attempted to conceal her tears, but they betrayed her emotions.