Chapter 56: The Respite of Young Romeo
A week had passed since Romeo's clandestine visit to the House Without Stairs in Calamba, where he met with the enigmatic envoy, Laguna. Their mission to track down the strongholds of the Katipunan pressed on relentlessly, yet every step they took seemed shadowed by an unseen force, as if their plans were being whispered to the rebels before they could act. The weight of his role as General pressed upon Romeo's shoulders like unyielding iron, but surrender was a word he refused to entertain.
In a quiet town in Zambales, an old warehouse became the focal point of a large-scale military operation. The area was encircled by armored vehicles, their lights piercing the darkness of the night. Hundreds of soldiers stood vigilant, their boots crunching against the gravel, each movement calculated and ready for any assault. The air was thick with tension, and the townsfolk, sensing the brewing storm, hid within the safety of their homes, gripped by fear of what might unfold.
Romeo entered the warehouse with his men, his uniform crisp, his face etched with steely determination. Inside, the dim space was cluttered with crates of ammunition, weathered rifles, and scattered documents. Peter, his trusted lieutenant, greeted him immediately, his expression heavy with disappointment.
"General," Peter said, his voice low but clear, "it seems they knew our plans. Our men found no rebels here."
Despite the warehouse being filled with equipment—weapons, maps, and Katipunan records—not a single rebel was apprehended. It was a baffling mystery to Romeo's team.
"What's strange, General," Peter added, inspecting the crates around them, "is that our soldiers guarded this place all night. They saw no one leave since yesterday. So how did they escape?"
Romeo, renowned for his sharp intellect, offered an answer. "Martin," he said, his voice calm yet brimming with certainty. "We know he has the ability to create portals to other dimensions. That's how they keep slipping through our grasp. The Katipunan grows more elusive because of him."
He let out a heavy sigh, his eyes scanning the shadows of the warehouse. "Expand the search throughout the town. Confiscate all the rebels' equipment. Find out who owns this warehouse and how they smuggled these weapons."
Though they failed to capture Martin, uncovering one of the Katipunan's hideouts was a small victory. But for Romeo, the failure stung like poison seeping through his veins.
An hour after the operation, inside his vehicle, the weight of disappointment still lingered on his face. The silence in the car was broken when Abby, his steadfast companion known for her vibrant spirit, spoke up.
"General, don't be disheartened," Abby said, her voice filled with hope, as if trying to lift the heavy burden from her leader's heart. "Even if we didn't catch Martin, we've reduced the Katipunan's hideouts. We'll get them eventually, you'll see."
Romeo sighed, his gaze fixed on the trees passing by outside the window. "Abby, we monitored that place for almost a week. We knew every detail of the plan, yet Martin still escaped. It's like we're playing hide-and-seek with an enemy who can vanish through portals. How do we catch them like this?"
"What's the status of the other suspected hideouts?" he asked Peter, his tone a mix of frustration and faint hope.
Peter reported that operations in Ilagan, Isabela, and Pampanga were stable, with their men continuing to monitor suspected Katipunan strongholds. "General, our next moves depend on the rebels' actions. For now, we must wait," Peter said, his voice practical but tinged with concern.
Romeo leaned on his hand, his mind swirling with plans and possibilities. The idea of waiting was a blow to his nature as a soldier—accustomed to action and swift decisions. To lighten the heavy moment, he shifted the conversation. "Do you two have plans tomorrow? Want to join me for a stroll?" he asked, his voice slightly lighter, masking the turmoil within.
Abby scratched her head, offering a hesitant smile. "I'd love to, General, but I need to report to my superior. Even though I'm on your team, I still have duties in my diwata's territory," she said, her tone striving to stay positive.
"I've got business in Pampanga tomorrow," Peter chimed in, glancing at his tablet for updates. "I need to handle our men there. The local officials in that town are tough to deal with, so I have to go in person."
Romeo sighed, his shoulders slumping slightly. "Looks like I'll be going out alone tomorrow," he said, his voice tinged with disappointment. But Abby, unable to resist, teased him. "General, why not head to Manila today? You could spend tomorrow with Flora."
"You're starting again, Abby," Romeo replied, his face sour, though his eyes betrayed a flicker of pain. Flora's name was like a dagger to his heart, stirring memories he couldn't escape.
"But it's true, General!" Abby pressed, her eyes filled with concern. "You used to spend your days off with Flora. I don't see anything wrong with visiting her. I know how much she means to you."
Romeo gazed out the window, his face reflecting the depth of his emotions. The trees outside seemed like shadows of his past—fleeting yet ever-present. "Things are different now, Abby," he said softly, his voice heavy with regret. "She's starting to find someone new to share her life with. I'm no longer part of that."
Sadness flickered in Abby and Peter's eyes. They knew the depth of Romeo's feelings for Flora, yet they respected his decision. They understood he was doing this not just for himself but for Flora, to give her the freedom to find her own path.
---
The next day, with no new reports from his men, Romeo decided to go out alone. A soldier's life was fraught with complexity—no rest, no fixed hours. Each day was a battle, and each night a chance to breathe. So, when the opportunity arose, he seized these moments to find peace of mind. He knew that as a General, a cluttered mind was dangerous. Negative thoughts were an enemy he had to conquer.
At the age of ten, Romeo had joined the military. A prodigy in strategy, combat, and leadership, he excelled in many things. Yet no matter how skilled he was, he couldn't fight the loneliness that came with his life. He envied children his age who lived freely—playing in parks, laughing with friends, unburdened by heavy responsibilities. In his rare free moments, he tried to experience the simple joys of youth: playing video games in secret, watching many shows, and sometimes dreaming of being ordinary.
In the past, he would take his camp comrades out every tenth day, sharing laughter and simple pleasures. But after their training ended, they returned to their hometowns, leaving him alone. So, he decided to return to Batangas, his hometown, to pass the time.
In Batangas, he sought distraction. He asked some local youths hanging out on a street corner, his voice tinged with hesitation, "Where's an arcade center around here?" They pointed him to a nearby mall. After hours of wandering, he found it—an arcade center buzzing with life. Stepping inside, he felt a lightness he hadn't known in a long time. He spent the day playing, from claw machines to fighting games, reveling in the simple joy of solitude.
---
The following day, after visiting the mayors' offices to handle security reports for Batangas' towns, he went to have lunch. Sitting alone in a restaurant, his phone in hand, he texted his men about updates. His mind drifted, the weight of his duties ever-present. After the conversation, he sighed heavily. Before him sat a plate of leche flan, its sweet aroma pulling his thoughts to someone dear—Flora.
He pictured her, her radiant smile as she savored sweets like leche flan. He knew how much she loved such treats, and the memory struck him like a blow to the chest. He picked up his phone and stared at its wallpaper—a photo of his team, with him and Flora side by side, smiling. Those smiles were full of hope and joy, but now they felt like a distant dream.
"I need to get used to her being gone," he whispered to himself, his voice laced with resignation. But despite his words, the ache in his heart lingered. He was deeply heartbroken, though he couldn't admit it even to himself. He knew he had to avoid Flora, not just for his sake, but for her freedom to move on.
---
The next day, he held a meeting with soldiers to give patrol instructions for the province. As Gobernador Heneral, he commanded Batangas' largest military force, and every mayor obeyed his orders. His voice carried authority as he issued directives, but beneath his stern exterior, his heart was heavy with sorrow.
After a long day, he returned to his condo in Batangas. Entering his unit, he turned on the lights, the silence of the place enveloping him. He sat on the living room sofa, setting his bag down, letting the quiet wrap around him. In these moments, his mind wandered—to battles, responsibilities, and memories of the past.
He headed to the bathroom to shower, hoping to wash away the weight of the day. Afterward, he prepared dinner in the kitchen. As he ate alone at the table, the silence was deafening. Each bite reminded him of his solitude, and he couldn't help but recall the laughter of his camp comrades, the moments they shared.
Mid-meal, his phone buzzed with a notification from a social media platform. He remembered that Reign, one of his men, had added him to a gaming community using a dummy account. A gaming enthusiast, Romeo had been introduced by Reign to *Real Fighter*, a popular online arcade battle game among the youth. With the dummy account, he could interact freely as an ordinary person, his identity as the General of Batangas hidden.
*Real Fighter* pitted two players against each other, collecting victories and completing quests. Beyond leaderboard battles, players could gather items, and with his wealth, Romeo easily acquired the latest ones, earning him fame in the gaming community. A group post by the admin announced a gaming convention in Pasay, urging everyone to attend.
As a gamer, Romeo longed to experience a convention, even just once. But as a General, he knew it was a challenge due to his duties. Still, with his anonymous account, no one would know his true identity. "There's no harm in trying it once," he murmured, his heart alight with anticipation for something simple yet meaningful.
---
The next morning, he prepared early for the event. Choosing to forgo his car, he opted for public transportation to taste the simplicity of ordinary life. He boarded a jeepney, the engine's roar and the scent of street smoke giving him a strange sense of freedom. He got off at a bus station bound for Pasay.
As he walked, hunger gnawed at him. Nearby, he spotted a food booth selling boxed rice and dishes—adobo, fried hot dogs, and other Filipino favorites. He decided to buy, but the line was long, the vendor on a break. He waited patiently, the sun's heat and the slow-moving line testing his endurance.
While in line, he noticed a plastic bag in front of him, seemingly abandoned. As he picked it up to inspect it, a voice shouted, "Hey, that's mine!"
A young woman with short, boyish hair stood before him, dressed in a black jacket, jeans, and sneakers, her look and demeanor almost masculine. Her eyes were sharp, tinged with panic. "Sorry," she said, snatching the bag, but then she stepped in front of Romeo, cutting the line.
Romeo frowned, puzzled. "Excuse me, miss, why are you cutting in line? Shouldn't you be at the back?" he asked, his tone calm but edged with impatience.
She flashed an irritated smile. "This bag is mine. I was already in line before you got here, but I had to go to the restroom, so I left it to hold my spot," she explained, as if that justified her actions.
Romeo wasn't convinced. "Even if you left your bag, you left the line. You should go to the back. There's no rule saying you can reserve a spot with your stuff," he said firmly, his voice steady but not confrontational.
Her brow furrowed, her irritation clear. "Why are you making a big deal out of this? I was here first, and this bag proves it!" she snapped, her voice rising, ready for a fight.
"That's not how it works," Romeo replied, his eyes meeting hers directly. "If everyone did that, the line would be chaos. There's a discipline to these things."
He emphasized the importance of discipline, noting that even in school, people are taught to be orderly and respectful of others' rights.
Her fists clenched, her anger flaring. "I don't get why you're blowing this out of proportion over something so small!"
"If it's so small, why not just go to the back of the line and stop causing a scene?" Romeo shot back, his tone bold but controlled.
Fuming, she grabbed his collar, her eyes blazing. "This is why I can't stand you *Hilaw*! You're so arrogant just because you're rich and educated in fancy schools!"
Romeo remained calm, gently removing her hand from his shirt. "What you're doing isn't helping," he said coolly. "I'm not here to argue. I just want you to be disciplined. If you were really first, you wouldn't have left the line. But if you want to settle this, go to the back."
The people around them began to notice the argument. Despite her fury, the woman had no choice but to step behind Romeo, her eyes shooting daggers at him. Romeo moved forward calmly, ready to buy his food, his heart still heavy but stirred by the encounter—a reminder that even in something as simple as a line, he had to stand for order.
---
After buying his meal, Romeo ate quickly at the food court, mindful of the approaching bus to Pasay. He scarfed down his adobo and rice, his thoughts drifting to the day ahead.
Minutes later, he boarded the bus and took a seat. To his surprise, the woman from the line sat next to him, her glare immediate. "Why are you sitting there? Are you following me?" she demanded, her eyes narrowing with suspicion.
Romeo looked her up and down, assessing her. "I'm not following you. I have no interest in you," he said bluntly, his tone tinged with exasperation.
Her face flushed with insult. "You're so rude! There are plenty of seats. Can you just move? I don't want you next to me!" she snapped.
"Besides being undisciplined, you're also picky," Romeo retorted, a hint of mockery in his voice. "If you don't want me here, why don't *you* move?"
"I was here first!" she insisted, her fists balling up again. "Are you trying to boss me around because you're a Hilaw? You honorary Spaniards always think you're above us Filipinos!"
Romeo sighed, his patience wearing thin. "I don't know why you keep calling me Hilaw. This bus is for everyone. I paid for my ticket, so I have the right to choose my seat," he said, his eyes locked on hers, trying to understand her anger.
She didn't argue further, though her irritation was palpable. She grabbed her earphones, put them on, and listened to music to calm herself. Romeo looked out the window, his mind split between his mission and this strange encounter. The woman was a puzzle—bold, yet harboring a resentment he couldn't fully grasp.
---
Hours later, as the bus rumbled toward Pasay, it filled up, with passengers standing in the aisle. The engine's hum and the murmurs of the crowd created a familiar backdrop for Romeo. At a stop, a group of young Spanish students boarded, their gold bracelets gleaming, a sign of their wealth and status. They scanned for seats, and upon seeing the seated Filipinos, they began to assert their dominance.
"Get up! We're taking those seats!" one student barked, his voice dripping with arrogance. When the Filipinos hesitated, he threatened, "If you don't move, you'll regret it!"
Fearful of the students' powerful families, symbolized by their bracelets, the Filipinos reluctantly gave up their seats, their faces etched with resignation. One of the students noticed the woman next to Romeo, yanking her earphones off and shouting, "Are you deaf? I said I'm sitting here! Get out!"
She didn't back down. "Who are you to order me around? You have no right!" she retorted, her voice fearless despite the danger of defying a Spaniard. Her eyes burned with defiance, her stance ready for a fight.
"You've got some nerve, you filthy *indio*!" the student sneered, his mocking laughter cutting through the air. "You trash need to be taught a lesson!" He raised his fist to strike her, but before it could land, Romeo grabbed his arm with lightning speed, his grip like iron.
The bus fell silent, all eyes on them. The student's anger turned to Romeo. "What's your problem? Stay out of this! Are you defending this filthy *indio*?" he spat, his face red with rage.
The woman bristled at the slur. "Don't call me an *indio*! I'm not scared of you!" she warned, her voice trembling with fury.
The student scoffed, his arrogance swelling. "You Filipinos are nothing but slaves! You exist to serve people like me!" he taunted, comparing her to a servant meant to obey.
"You're going too far," the woman said, rising, her fists clenched, ready to strike. But before she could act, Romeo delivered a swift punch to the student's stomach, causing him to double over in pain. The passengers gasped, sensing an escalation.
"You bastard *Hilaw*! Do you know who you're messing with?" the student groaned, clutching his stomach, his voice a mix of anger and fear.
Romeo remained seated, his gaze icy. "I've trained in various forms of self-defense. I can take you down right here if you don't stop causing trouble," he said, his voice cold and authoritative. "There are laws against public disturbances. There are witnesses here, and this bus has cameras. The authorities will see who started this."
"I'm the son of a government official! I'm a Dela Paz!" the student shouted, his bravado faltering under Romeo's piercing stare.
Romeo sighed, unshaken. "You Spaniards and your arrogance. Your family can't protect you here," he said, his eyes daring the student to make a move.
He pulled out his ID and held it up. "Go ahead, take a picture. Show it to your precious family. Tell them I disciplined you in front of everyone, and if you want revenge, you know where to find me," he said, his voice steady and confident.
"You cocky *Hilaw*! You'll pay for this!" the student yelled, but fear flickered in his eyes. He snapped a photo of Romeo's ID with his phone, then stormed off, ordering the driver to stop the bus. He and his companions disembarked, leaving a tense silence behind.
The woman sat back down, her face a mix of confusion and defiance. She didn't know whether to thank Romeo or ignore him. "You didn't have to do that. I can handle myself," she said gruffly, trying to maintain her tough facade.
"Look, miss, I didn't do it for you," Romeo replied, his tone flat. "I just don't like seeing chaos in public places that could hurt civilians."
She huffed, muttering, "So arrogant," before putting her earphones back on to calm herself. In her mind, she wondered about this man who had stood up for her, despite their earlier clash.
---
Hours later, the bus arrived in Pasay. Romeo stepped off, heading toward the mall where the gaming convention was held. To his surprise, the woman disembarked at the same stop. As they walked toward the mall, she noticed him behind her and stopped abruptly. "Hey! Are you really following me? Are you a stalker?" she shouted, her eyes flashing with anger.
Romeo sighed, his patience nearly gone. "I'm not following you. I'm going to the mall, and this isn't your personal road," he said, his tone firm but calm.
"There are plenty of ways to the mall! Why do we have to take the same one? Are you up to something?" she snapped, her anger reigniting.
"I don't have time to argue with you," Romeo said, stepping past her. "And I'm not a stalker. I have no interest in someone who doesn't even know how to dress properly," he added, a teasing edge to his voice.
"Weirdo," Romeo said.
"Weirdo?" she yelled, her face red with fury. She glanced at her outfit—jacket, jeans, sneakers—and shouted, "My clothes are fine!" before storming off in another direction.
---
Inside the mall, the gaming convention buzzed with energy in a massive hall filled with gaming booths, vibrant lights, and pulsing music. Young gamers laughed, professionals showcased their skills, and booths offered new games. Romeo wandered, his eyes alight with excitement. "So this is a gaming event," he whispered, his heart lifted by the simple joy of it.
He found the *Real Fighter* booth, his favorite game. The booths used tokens, but as an active community member, he'd purchased a VIP card with 1,000 token credits, allowing him to play freely. He sat at a booth, his fingers ready on the controller, his mind focused solely on the game.
He defeated every opponent who sat across from him, his fingers dancing across the controls with flawless precision. Within minutes, he'd racked up thirteen wins without a single loss. Spectators gathered behind him, their whispers filled with awe. "Who is this guy? He's incredible!" one said. "I don't know him, but he's got to be a pro!" another added.
In the midst of his winning streak, the woman from the bus sat across from him, dropping a token into the machine. Her eyes gleamed with challenge. "Didn't expect to see you here," she said, her voice competitive. She glanced at his record on the screen. "Thirteen wins? Not bad for a newbie."
"Quiet down and play," Romeo said, a smirk playing on his lips, his eyes sharp with confidence.
Irritated, she focused on the screen. "Get ready to cry," she taunted, her fingers flying over the controls.
But after a few minutes, Romeo won. She glared at his smirking face, feeling mocked. "This isn't over!" she declared, slamming another token into the machine. She lost again, and again, five times in a row.
On the sixth match, she finally beat him. She leapt from her seat, arms raised in triumph, her smile wide with pride. "Haha! What now? Thought you'd always win?" she crowed, her voice brimming with glee.
"I let you win," Romeo said, his grin betraying a hint of irritation. "I wasn't used to that character. One more round."
She laughed, her laughter loud and joyful. "Excuses! Let's go again. I'll wipe that smirk off your face!" she challenged, her fingers poised for battle.
They fought again, and Romeo won once more. "Tch, you've got a lot to learn before you can beat me," he teased, a spark of respect in his eyes for her tenacity.
"You're so full of it! One more!" she demanded, her eyes blazing. But as she reached for her tokens, she froze, realizing her pockets were empty. Her face fell, her voice barely a whisper. "No… I'm out of tokens? I haven't even played the other games…"
Romeo sighed, watching her crestfallen expression. He pulled out his wallet, took out a VIP card, and placed it in front of her. "Use this for now," he said, his tone neutral but with a trace of kindness.
"What? You're giving me your VIP card?" she asked, her eyes wide with disbelief.
"I'm lending it to you," Romeo clarified, a slight smile breaking through. "I don't like losing, and I want to crush you for that win you got."
Her face lit up with a genuine smile, the first he'd seen from her. "Fine, I won't say no to that. But don't get cocky—I'm not letting you win again!" she said, her voice alive with excitement.
They battled again, and Romeo won three more times. She slumped in her seat, a mix of anger and defeat in her eyes. "I can't accept this!" she cried, banging her fists on the table like a child refusing to lose.
Romeo stood, his eyes gleaming with confidence. "Let's try another game," he said, his tone challenging. "You can keep using my VIP card, but if you beat me ten times in every game here, it's yours."
"Seriously?" she asked, her eyes sparkling with doubt and excitement.
"My family's wealthy. A VIP card's nothing to me," Romeo said casually, though his eyes hinted at genuine interest. "If you don't take the deal, you won't get to play the other games."
Despite her doubts, her desire to play won out. "Fine, I'm in!" she said, her voice brimming with determination. "But don't think I'll go easy on you!"
They roamed the event, hitting every open gaming booth—racing games, shooting games, and more. Their banter and rivalry melted into laughter, a camaraderie forming amidst the competition. Time slipped away unnoticed, and for the first time in a long while, Romeo felt free from the weight of his duties as General. In those moments, he was just a young man, reveling in the simple joy of gaming—and in the unexpected connection with a woman who had started as his adversary. Their battles were no longer just in the game but the beginning of something neither of them could have foreseen.
End of chapter.