Chapter 61: Hope for the Future
Romeo's Point of View
The following day, I woke up in my dark room, surrounded by a silence that seemed to mirror the heaviness in my heart. I slowly sat on the edge of the bed, my body feeling weighed down despite having had enough sleep. I closed my eyes and prayed for a moment—a daily ritual of gratitude to the heavens—but today, my words felt hollow.
I can't explain it, but even as I opened my eyes to a new dawn that I should be thankful for, I couldn't feel the joy a new day deserves. Many people give thanks for every sunrise, for the renewed chance to breathe and live in this world, but for me, it felt like just another day of worry.
My only prayer now is simple: I hope the battles we are all suffering through finally end. I long for a peace where I no longer have to fear for the safety of those around me. Perhaps I am just weary of the endless cycle of chaos—the fight against the Katipunan, the tension with the Spaniards, and the Filipinos in desperate need of aid. All I can do is keep moving forward every day, hoping that somehow, the heavens will show us mercy.
After preparing myself, I hurried from my condo in Kawit to the military camp in Batangas. Even though I have subordinates handling my duties, I still need to ensure my orders are followed, especially regarding the maintenance of order. As the provincial Governor-General, I cannot deny that controlling everything to my liking is difficult, particularly the Spanish police.
I am well aware that many of them are on the payroll, conspiring with wealthy Spaniards to continue their corrupt activities. I am the Governor-General, yet they have never truly been loyal to my commands. To them, money and status always carry more weight. In every meeting, I remind them of their duty, but in the back of my mind, I know not everyone is listening or willing to follow my vision of peace for the province.
I know that whenever I order the protection of Filipinos and demand they be treated equally, they just laugh at me. I am aware their loyalty is not mine, but regardless, I must do what I have to do.
After the meeting with the soldiers, I rushed to see my doctor. My visits here are regular to monitor my health. Even as a sugo endowed with power, I often fall ill due to extreme exhaustion and stress. As a general, I cannot afford to be sick, so I never wait for my condition to worsen before getting a check-up.
In the clinic, my doctor advised me to rest and take my medications. I admitted to him that I use sleeping pills to get to bed early and complete my sleep, but he sternly warned me not to abuse them.
"Romeo," he said, his voice full of concern, "overthinking negative things is not good for your health. As your doctor, my advice is to take a vacation, even if just for a short while. You need a change of scenery to clear the depression you're feeling."
As I left the clinic building, I thought about what the doctor said. Is it actually possible for me to take a vacation to fix my state of mind? To be honest, I know I don't have the time for that. My responsibilities as a general leave no room for such luxuries.
Inside the car, I checked the clock on my phone. The trip back to Kawit would take over three hours, and it looked like I'd be hitting traffic. While waiting, I took out my phone and texted the woman I spoke to yesterday—the one from the eatery. She replied, but even through text, I could feel her grumpiness.
I don't know why I'm doing this. Perhaps I just genuinely find her amusing. As a general, I rarely get to express my true self or play simple games with other young people. But this time, I've been given a chance to have a gaming companion, even if I have to pay for it.
By midday, we both arrived at a mall in Kawit. I saw her waiting in front of a store. She was wearing a blue jacket and a white t-shirt, and as usual, her style was tomboyish—baggy clothes and a backwards cap. I didn't mind it at all; in fact, I actually found it refreshing to see a woman in that kind of attire.
I greeted her immediately. "Have you been here long?" I asked, trying to keep the mood light.
As expected, her reply was sharp. "If you had just told me you were going to be late, I wouldn't have come so early!" she snapped, her voice full of annoyance.
"I'm really sorry," I replied, trying to calm her down. "I came all the way from Batangas, and besides, finding parking here is a nightmare."
She knitted her brows, clearly unconvinced. "Did you really come from Batangas?" she asked, her tone full of doubt. "Sounds like you're just making excuses."
I couldn't blame her for not believing me—she doesn't really know who I am. Even if I told her I had to check on my work, I knew she'd just think I was making things up. I knew this wasn't a great start to a fun day, so I suggested we eat first before playing.
"Don't worry, lunch is on me today," I said, trying to be friendly. "Since I'm the one who invited you, it's my treat."
She agreed, but immediately specified that she preferred eating at the food court over a restaurant. "Restaurants take too long to serve," she said, "and I'm not comfortable with just the two of us eating as if we're on a date."
I smiled at her remark but asked, "Is it really that bad to eat with me?"
As expected, she didn't hide her feelings. "I don't like people like you," she said boldly. "Even if you aren't doing anything to me, I can't help but feel annoyed. I don't know why, but that's just how it is."
I didn't know how to answer that. I have no idea what she's been through, so I let it slide. Instead, I reminded her that I had no other motive than finding a gaming buddy.
"Don't worry, I have no bad intentions," I said, trying to keep my tone light. "I just want someone to play with and hang out with."
"Really?" she replied, her voice still thick with skepticism. "I don't know what your deal is, but I'll take this job because I need the money."
I smiled at her answer. "Right, maybe this is just a job to you," I said. "But that's fine with me. My doctor said I need a hobby and some company to get rid of my negative thoughts. I'm fine with paying, but you better make sure you win our games, okay? Otherwise, I won't pay you!"
She suddenly protested. "Hey, that wasn't part of our deal!" she said, clearly irritated. To tease her further, I asked, "Are you afraid of losing to me?"
She countered immediately. "I'm not afraid!" she said, her voice full of confidence. "As long as we play my favorite games, I'll definitely win!" But then, she repeated, "Regardless, I won't just accept your challenge lightly. I need the money, so I can't gamble with that."
I just smiled, telling her I was only joking. "Let's go, let's eat at the food court so we can start playing," I said, and we headed there.
As we ate, I noticed her glancing at me. Every now and then, she'd look my way, but when our eyes met, she'd quickly look away. I couldn't help but smile—despite her grumpiness, there was a part of her that was quite endearing, like a sulking child who secretly wanted to talk.
"Why are you always so cranky?" I asked, trying to keep the conversation light. "It's like I'm the cause of all your problems in the world."
"Hmph, it's not exactly like that," she replied, her voice softening slightly. "But you know, it's not easy for me to trust someone like you. You're too nice, and that's suspicious."
Her words hit home, but I didn't let the effect show. "I know that," I said, keeping my cool. "But it's hard to prove myself if you won't give me a chance."
She nodded, though doubt was still etched on her face. "I suppose," she said, before returning her attention to her food.
I didn't push the conversation further; I knew she wouldn't listen to explanations anyway. Instead, I let the silence hang, and after eating, we went to the arcade inside the mall.
As we played, her grumpiness gradually faded. When I beat her at a game, she'd get annoyed, but when she won, she couldn't hide her grin. With every laugh she let out, the weight of my day seemed to lift. In those moments, I felt like a normal person, not a general carrying the responsibility of a whole province.
"Cheater!" she yelled when I beat her in a racing game. "I'm sure you cheated!"
"Hey, I'm not cheating!" I replied, laughing. "I'm just better than you!"
"Hmph, let's go again!" she challenged, and despite her grumpy tone, I saw the spark of joy in her eyes.
In those hours, I realized I was finally doing what I wanted—living a simple moment of happiness. No battles, no war, no Katipunan. But in the back of my mind, I knew this was only temporary. I knew I would eventually have to return to the reality of my duty and the battles I cannot avoid.
End of Romeo's POV
Flora's Perspective
Meanwhile, in Manila, Flora was busy with her studies and the community projects she supported. One of her Sunday activities was a feeding program for street children, a project led by the orphanage she helped. While preparing meals and placing them in containers, a woman working on the project approached her.
"Flora, thank you so much for your dedication here," the woman said, her voice full of gratitude. "What you're doing is a huge help for the children."
Flora smiled, feeling a bit shy. "It's nothing," she replied. "I just want to help as much as I can."
Before the woman left, she told Flora to join them for a meal before starting the program to keep their energy up. Flora nodded, but before she could return to her preparations, a pair of hands suddenly covered her eyes from behind.
"Guess who!" a familiar voice said, and she immediately realized it was Andoy.
Flora held the young man's hands and turned around, scowling. "So you finally showed up!" she said, her tone laced with annoyance. "I thought you were going to ditch us on this project again!"
Andoy smiled, rubbing the back of his head. "I'm sorry, Flora," he said, his voice full of sincerity. "I didn't want to miss it, but I've been really busy with work."
Flora sighed. She knew she couldn't do anything about it, but she still felt a sense of worry. She handed the containers to Andoy and told him to help with the packing. He followed her instructions with a smile, and as they prepared, Flora noticed her own hesitation. She wanted to ask him things, but something inside held her back.
She kept glancing at Andoy, and with every look, she'd stop herself—it was obvious she wanted to say something but didn't know how to ask. Andoy noticed this and was the first to speak.
"Ah... um... is something wrong?" he asked, slightly worried. "I feel like I've done something wrong again."
Flora shook her head, but she couldn't stop herself from answering. "I understand you're busy with work," she said softly. "But I'm just worried. Truthfully, I have no right to pry into your business, but your parents are very worried too."
"Huh? My parents?" Andoy asked, looking surprised.
That's when Flora shared that she had gone to Andoy's house to surprise him, but his parents mentioned that he hadn't been home for over a month. Flora was confused as to why Andoy seemed to be avoiding his family. She also noticed that he had changed his number, as if he were intentionally cutting ties with them.
"I've seen how much you love your parents," Flora said, her voice full of concern. "I see no reason for you to hide from them."
As she spoke, Andoy suddenly placed his hand on Flora's head, which startled her and made her fall silent. When she looked up, she saw the young man's sweet smile. "Thank you, Flora," Andoy said, his voice warm. "I know you're just worried about me, and I deeply appreciate that."
After thanking her, he didn't say anything more and went back to preparing the food. Flora pouted, looking a bit sulky. "I wish you'd at least give an explanation, even if I don't ask," she said with a hint of resentment in her voice.
Andoy scratched his head and smiled again. "You see, my family is against me working elsewhere," he explained. "We always argue about it, but I can't stop because that's how I earn."
He explained that his family wanted him to stay in Manila, but it wasn't that easy. His salary in Manila was low and wasn't enough to support the family. He had tried every job he could find, but opportunities for Filipinos were scarce because Spaniards were prioritized.
"I'm asking for your understanding, Flora," he said, his voice full of sincerity. "I don't want to be away from my family, but I have to do this. Maybe in three or five years, I'll have saved enough to buy a house for them."
Flora felt sad hearing this from him. "I'm a terrible son," Andoy added, "but I know they'll understand what I'm trying to do someday."
Flora apologized for prying, but Andoy quickly reassured her. "You don't need to apologize," he said, smiling. "It means a lot to have someone like you supporting and believing in me."
Andoy set down the container he was holding and took Flora's hand. "Give me a few years," he said, his voice full of determination. "I promise, I will give you a good life."
Flora almost froze at his words, her cheeks turning bright red with embarrassment. She couldn't look at Andoy, and she could feel her heart racing.
"I know I can't match what your guardian has given you," Andoy continued, "or give you everything you want. I'm just a poor man, but I can prove that I can provide a decent life for you."
Overwhelmed with shyness, Flora held her cheeks, trying to calm herself down. She suddenly turned away, confused by her feelings and wondering why her heart was beating so fast. Andoy noticed her reaction and immediately got worried.
"I'm sorry, Flora," he said. "I didn't mean to pressure you. I just wanted you to know I'm serious about my efforts. If I'm not enough for you, I'll accept that. What matters is that you gave me a chance to prove myself."
Flora stopped him from speaking, covering the young man's mouth while looking down. "Enough," she said, her voice almost a whisper. "Please don't say such embarrassing things anymore!"
Andoy was puzzled by her reaction, but he smiled when he saw people outside the door and windows, watching them and listening to their conversation. He apologized, knowing Flora wasn't used to such situations. "You see," he said, "I was afraid of losing you without you knowing how I feel. This is the first time I've felt love, so I couldn't hold it back."
Flora smiled, laughing slightly. "I'm not angry about you being forward," she said. "In fact, I'm glad that out of all the women, I'm the one you chose to spend your time on."
"Wait, so does that mean I'm your first love?" she teased.
Andoy didn't deny it. "I've been working since I was a child," he said. "I had no time for courting, and I was also too shy, especially since I didn't have much to be proud of. Honestly, you're the only woman who accepted me and treated me as a friend."
To change the subject, he asked Flora, "What about you? Have you ever had a first love?"
Flora thought about it. "I don't want to lie," she said. "Yes, I've had a first love, and like you, I felt what it was like to be in love with someone. I know the feeling of staying up late thinking about them and looking forward to every meeting."
Andoy smiled and teased her, "That's unfair! I'm not your first love! But what kind of man was your first love?" he asked curiously.
Flora thought of him immediately. "I can't say he was a perfect man, especially since he could be quite strict," she said. "Sometimes, I'd get annoyed with him because he seemed to ignore my attempts to get his attention. He's like a strict older brother, always pointing out my mistakes. Even when I'm usually right, he still has a lot to say. I'm not saying I'm always right, but he should at least consider my feelings before scolding me," she grumbled.
Andoy smiled as he listened. "So that's why you were turned off by him—because of his strictness."
"It's not that I'm angry," Flora replied. "Maybe I'm just more often disappointed in myself for not being able to do what he wants. I know he does it for my sake, but it's still annoying to follow him sometimes. But despite that, he's been good to me, like real family. Everything I have now, I owe to him."
Andoy sighed. "Looks like I have no chance against that guy," he said jokingly. "How can I beat someone rich, handsome, and kind like your guardian?"
Flora blushed and immediately denied it, "I never said Romeo was my first love!"
Andoy smiled. "You don't have to say it; it's obvious who you're talking about. I'm not a child; I can figure it out."
Flora pouted, her face red. "Don't you dare tell anyone this, especially Romeo!" she said, almost pleading.
"Huh? Why are you so embarrassed about him knowing?" Andoy asked. "Does that mean he doesn't actually know you like him?"
Flora shook her head at his question. "Of course he knows how I feel about him. Our relationship is complicated, and it's not in my favor," she sighed. "I've tried to make him feel how I feel, but he always says we're like siblings. He only sees me as a younger sister, even though I'm older than him."
Flora smirked, but her eyes were lifeless. "It's depressing to think we can't be together just because he adopted me as a sister," she said. "It makes me wonder—am I not pretty enough for him, or does he just have a different preference when it comes to women?"
She looked down, smiling while thinking of Romeo. "He's important to me, and even if he pushes me away, I'm ready to follow him until the end."
She realized she was talking too much about Romeo, so she apologized to Andoy. "Oh, I'm sorry," she said. "I didn't mean to talk so much about Romeo. Don't think I'm too picky either, because even if Romeo provides what I need, I don't crave luxury."
Andoy laughed. "It's no problem for me," he said. "Truthfully, I'm just happy to know he only sees you as a sister."
Flora pouted. "I don't like what you said; I failed at my first love," she said grumpily, but immediately smiled.
Andoy quickly explained, "I didn't mean to hurt you, but because of that, I have high hopes for us."
"High hopes? Well, don't get too comfortable. Don't think it'll be easy to get me to say yes, because one mistake from you and I'll forget all our agreements," she teased.
"No problem, I won't let your trust in me go to waste," Andoy said seriously.
She put her hands on her hips and teased Andoy, reminding him that if he wanted to match what Romeo had done for her, he'd have to be patient because she was a complicated woman. Andoy smirked, admiring that Flora herself admitted she was complicated.
Flora fell silent for a moment and smiled. "Just be honest; that's all I ask. Honestly, one big thing I liked about Romeo was that he never lied to me. He respected me and took care of me. "
" Andoy, Can you be honest with me about everything?"
The area fell silent as the young man didn't answer immediately. After a few seconds, he smiled. He took Flora's hand again and closed his eyes for a moment as if thinking of what to say.
"I don't know what the future holds, Flora. I'm afraid of many things, but regardless, I'm willing to gamble and bet everything on this feeling. I will prove my love for you is true, Flora."
Flora's cheeks flushed when Andoy suddenly kissed her hands out of respect. She didn't know how to respond due to her nervousness and excitement, so she just laughed slightly at his answer because it was so serious. Intense shyness was visible on her face.
A few moments later, their companions called them to help move boxes to the truck. Carrying the food, they left the kitchen and headed to the event area where the feeding program would be held.
By noon, the group arrived at an open space in Manila, where tables and chairs had been set up for street children and the poor. Flora and Andoy helped out together, their faces showing joy in every moment they spent doing this. They didn't mind the heat of the sun or the number of people to be fed. With every child's smile and every elder's thanks, they felt the value of their work.
They fed hundreds of children and over a thousand people during the feeding program. With every meal passed, there was a sense of hope that even in a small way, they had brought joy to their fellow Filipinos.
While cleaning up after the program, Flora noticed Andoy's quiet smile. "You know," she said, "if everyone were willing to help their neighbors every day, maybe the world would be a happier place."
Andoy smiled, holding Flora's hand. "I don't know if that's possible, but one thing is for sure: as long as I know you're by my side every day, I'm certain my world will be a happier place," he said, his voice full of sincerity.
Flora blushed, but this time, she didn't look away and simply smiled at the young man. She felt a strange warmth in her heart—a hope that even in the midst of a chaotic world, there are moments that bring the happiness she longs for.
End of Chapter