SAVED BY THE BELL AGAIN! I wasn’t able to dance with Juanito anymore because the music stopped and the Governor-General started speaking again. Everybody went back to their seats including Mother and Father. Josefina and Maria were back at our table and handed me a glass of water.
Juanito approached our table and greeted everyone. I could feel Maria’s eyes on me. I could almost read what their eyes were saying. The next thing I knew, there were nine pairs of ladies and gentlemen in the middle of the room
“Carmelita! You and Señor Juanito should join! Isn’t the Cariñosa your favorite?” Josefina said excitedly. I realized that she was not aware of recent events. I just shook my head at her.
“The Governor-General specifically asked for the Cariñosa, so go ahead, join them. Mother and Father would surely love seeing you dance,” Maria chimed in, nodding her head as if telling me to just do it so that Mother would stop being suspicious about me and Leandro.
I glanced at Juanito. He was looking at me with a smile on his face. He offered his hand to me, saying, “May I, Binibining Carmelita?”
I couldn’t even respond, but my heart wanted to say something.
Silence. Just my heart beating so much faster than ever before.
“Say ‘yes’ already, Carmelita,” said Mother.
I couldn’t do anything anymore. I joined Juanito in the center of the room along with the other pairs who were about to dance the Cariñosa. They all looked like my age, and all were wearing fabulous outfits.
They smiled at us. I joined the row with all the ladies to the right, while Juanito joined the men to the left. Before the music started he looked and smiled at me. I didn’t know why that smile washed away all the nervousness.
Focus Carmela! You would be needing sharp eyes to copy their steps!
The conductor signaled for the orchestra to start playing. Good thing the steps were quite easy and I was able to follow their movements without a hitch. Juanito was smiling at me all throughout the dance. I didn’t know why I couldn’t take my eyes off of him. I hoped that they would play the music loud enough to drown out the beating of my heart.
With every step that brought Juanito closer to me against every step I took that brought me farther from him, I couldn’t understand the feeling of electricity coursing through my veins and throughout my entire body. It felt as if we were floating in the air and that it was only us dancing underneath the sparkling chandelier and the blinding lights. Compounding this feeling was the emotional beat of the Cariñosa that gave us a surge of inexplicable happiness.
I only came to my senses when the audience burst into a thundering applause. I didn’t even realize that we were done dancing. I didn’t notice that I only had my gaze fixed on Juanito from the first note to the final beat. I was able to dance the Cariñosa effortlessly. As if I knew every step by heart. What was happening to me?
“Thank you for giving me this chance to dance my favorite dance with you,” Juanito whispered to me. The clapping and the cheers hadn’t died down yet, but it was only Juanito’s voice that I heard clearly above all the noise.
I quickly averted my gaze. I nodded in response, turned around, and started walking back to our table. Good thing he didn’t notice my cheeks flushing scarlet.
“You did great, Carmelita and Señor Juanito!” Josefina exclaimed and enveloped me in an embrace.
“I have no words. Thank you, Juanito. It’s because of you that my daughter is slowly coming out of her shell,” Father said and patted my shoulder.
“Don’t mention it, Don Alejandro. The truth is, Binibining Carmelita is interested in a lot of things that she hasn’t tried yet,” Juanito responded before looking at me. Look at this guy, speaking as if he knew the real me.
I was surprised when Captain Flores and Violeta approached us. I looked around me thinking that Leandro might be around. That guy also has a habit of popping out of nowhere.
“Magandang gabi, amigo,” Captain Flores greeted Father.
“Magandang gabi rin, amigo,” Father greeted him back. “Why is your daughter Helena not with you?”
“Don Alejandro, Helena has been down with chickenpox since yesterday. That's why she’s not with us tonight. She’s resting in her dormitory at the moment,” Violeta answered.
I stole a glance at Juanito whose expression suddenly changed. In that instance, I knew that he had been waiting for the chance to see Helena. Disappointment was written all over his face. It was really Helena with whom he wanted to be and dance this evening.
“We shall pray for her quick recovery,” Mother said a little too coldly and furtively glanced at me. “Why don’t you seem too worried?” she asked.
Her question made Captain Flores and Violeta smile. “The doctor said that her condition is nothing to worry about. She might already be back in the pink of health by next week,” Violeta responded.
“Aside from that, amigo and amiga, I’m happy because my unico hijo, my only son, came back from Cuba last week,” said Captain Flores.
“Leandro? Isn’t it that he still has one year left for military training?” Father asked. The two Floreses exchanged looks.
“Leandro finished his training early and requested his general that he be allowed to come home. He is in Cavite as we speak that’s why he can’t be here with us tonight,” Captain Flores answered.
I heaved a sigh of relief when Mother didn’t mention anything to Father about seeing Leandro bringing me home. Looked like I was free from troubles, at the moment, at least. I didn’t think I could hide anything from Mother anymore. I wouldn’t be surprised if she realized that I wasn’t really Carmelita. Moms really are gifted with a gut feeling that’s almost always on point.
“Why was he hurrying to come home?” Josefina asked. I looked at Maria and realized that it was only us two who were privy to Operation Stop the Wedding.
I was surprised when Violeta suddenly looked at me and smiled. “He will be taking something important back,” she said. I swallowed. Maria and Josefina shot me a glance. They seemed to understand what Violeta was trying to say. I was that “important thing” being referred to.
The awkward moment mercifully passed. We exchanged small talk and before long the Floreses took their leave. When I looked at Juanito it seemed as if he wasn’t yet aware that Leandro had come back to San Alfonso. Maybe they didn’t know each other. That was impossible, though. Almost everyone knew who everyone was back there. But why did he have a poker face on? Sergio and Angelito probably hadn’t told him yet that they saw me with Leandro. Or maybe he just didn’t care at all.
A few moments passed, Tía Rosario approached Juanito and me. She looked at him from head to foot.
“Magandang gabi po. I am Juanito Alfonso the—,” greeted Juanito, but Tía Rosario didn’t let him finish.
“Oh! So you’re Juanito! I’m pleased to meet you, hijo. I have been hearing a lot of good things about you—your intellect and your good looks. You are also very respectful,” Tía Rosario praised him. I rolled my eyes. This might make him arrogant.
“Oh no, not at all! Maybe the one who said those praises was exaggerating,” Juanito replied. What false modesty!
I was surprised when Tía Rosario looked and smiled at me. “Señor Juanito, were you saying that my niece here was only exaggerating?” she put her arm over my shoulder. My eyes widened. Wait a minute! I never said anything to Tía Rosario about Juanito being handsome, smart, and courteous! This was a frame-up!
This made Juanito smile—and not only him! Father, Mother, Josefina, and Maria were also smiling! I wanted to react but was dumbfounded. I felt so helpless!
“Good evening, my daughter-in-law,” we heard Don Mariano say as he walked towards us. Doña Juanita joined him, beaming widely. She gave me a peck on my cheek. They looked so happy to see me. Maria said that I couldn’t speak because I lost my voice.
Josefina asked where Sonya and her husband Ignacio were. They said that the couple was busy attending to certain matters. Doña Juanita was carrying a porcelain vase that was full of white flowers. Those flowers looked familiar. They looked like the ones from the field of roses. Mother showed them our gift to the Governor-General, a white scarf dotted with rubies. That was the fabric that Maria bought from the market on the other side of Lawa ng Luha the other day. That was when I found out that Aling Trinidad had left San Alfonso after selling her shop. They allegedly stole some of the hacienda’s harvest.
Father and Don Mariano were now sitting side by side, chatting happily. While Mother, Tía Rosario, and Juanito started talking as well. I thought the evening was going smoothly until Sergio and Angelito showed up.
“Magandang gabi, señoritas,” Sergio greeted us three sisters. Angelito seemed to be distracted, looking here and there. Maybe he was looking for Theresita who wasn’t with us because she wasn’t allowed to attend occasions such as this one. I sort of felt bad for her. She would surely have a great time if she were here.
“How have you been, Binibining Carmelita? We watched you and Juanito dance and you were both amazing,” he praised us. Gosh! Compliments overload! My self-esteem is about to go through the roof!
“Maraming salamat, Señor Sergio. But our dear sister Carmelita lost her voice before we left San Alfonso,” Maria explained. Whew! Good thing I have a spokesperson!
“Why? What happened? Why did you lose your voice?” Juanito asked … he looked … worried. I stifled a cough. Stop assuming things, Carmela!
“My sister has been busy the past few days. Also, maybe this is because of exhaustion and the cool weather,” Maria answered for me. Juanito didn’t look convinced.
“Busy meeting up with—”
Angelito was about to say more but Sergio quickly covered his little brother’s mouth.
“How many times have I told you to stop interrupting your elders?” admonished Sergio. This silenced Angelito. I was still scared that he would tell Juanito about what they saw. I didn’t do anything wrong! Why am I even feeling guilty? If they only knew that I was the key to their happy endings.
The dancing went on and because Sergio and Angelito were late, they were only just served dinner. We had to move to a different table because we wouldn’t fit in the one we were in earlier.
“I can feel that this union will bring so much joy to our families,” Don Mariano said as he raised his wine glass for a toast. “For the Montecarlos and Alfonso families!” Everybody raised their glasses to join him. I was so distracted that I didn’t notice that I was the only one not following suit. I quickly raised my own glass.
After our toast, I looked at each of them. Father and Don Mariano went back to chatting animatedly. Mother, Tía Rosario, and Doña Juanita were happily teasing me and Juanito. Josefina joined them. I caught Maria looking at me as if saying that I should just go with the flow to avoid getting myself in trouble. Sergio and Angelito were busy eating.
I couldn’t help but smile while looking at them. I felt grateful that I was able to be part of their family and get to know and understand them. I was thankful for the chance to know more about Philippine history and culture. Experience truly is the best teacher. If I get back to my own time, I bet I’ll be a better teacher than Prof. Hermios because I had a first-hand experience of this moment in our country’s history.
I looked at them again—these people who were part of Carmelita’s life. They may have lived in a different time, but one thing is for sure—they have now become an important part of my life.
***
Josefina went back with us to Laguna. Tía Rosario’s home has twelve rooms. This is probably because she has eight children, almost all of whom already had their own families except for the two who were finishing their studies in Spain.
This made me think—where had this house gone? Daddy and Lola Carmina never mentioned that we had a property in Laguna. Maybe this was sold or demolished to give way to a commercial establishment. What a waste. It would have been better if it were preserved like Lola Carmina’s mansion in San Alfonso.
I got my voice back two days later. Tía Rosario tagged me along to hear mass at the San Juan Bautista Parish Church. She said that it was built in 1859. She got married there when she was 24. The church was still new and not entirely finished during her wedding. All of her eight children were baptized there.
“Carmelita, are you okay? You looked like you saw a ghost,” I heard Tía Rosario say after the mass.
And why not? I caught a glimpse of Juanito who was about to board a kalesa. Was he following me?
Sure I could hide my identity, but I could not, for the life of me, hide my true feelings.
I-I thought I saw Juanito … but I’m not too sure,” I responded.
Tía Rosario looked around us. I pointed at the kalesa which just left. I was surprised when she suddenly pulled me inside our kalesa.
“Let’s go follow him,” she said with a smile.
The coachman made sure that our kalesa tailed that of Juanito’s. A few minutes later, we stopped in front of a cemetery. What was Juanito doing here? Do they have relatives who live in Laguna?
“Go ahead, hija. Talk to him. I will just be here,” she said, patting my shoulder. I nodded and hopped off the kalesa. Juanito had not gone too far yet.
I caught up to him as he stood amid tombstones. I coughed a little and Juanito looked at me, surprised.
“Binibining Carmelita? Wh-what are you doing here?” he asked, clearly puzzled. I smiled at him and flashed the peace sign. This made him frown so I immediately put my hand down.
“How did you know that I was here? Have you also heard the news?” he asked, still shocked.
I then realized that he wore a grim look on his face. He seemed as if he was in grief—but for whom? I tried to speak, but my voice seemed more like a croak. I was okay a while ago. Now I couldn’t speak again just because I saw Juanito.
“Oh right. You still haven’t gotten your voice back. Drink lots of lukewarm water. It would be also nice for you to drink hot ginger tea before bedtime and as soon as you wake up,” he reminded me. He held my wrist.
“If you’re not careful, your feet might get submerged in mud,” he said. I nodded and I saw that the hem of my saya was already caked in mud. I think I experienced an adrenaline rush that was why I didn’t notice that I had stepped on mud.
“Maybe you’re wondering why I’m here, right?” I heard him ask while we were walking, still holding hands. That strange electric feeling had come over me again. My heart was beating fast. Way too fast.
“I’m here to light a candle and bid farewell to a family who had been very dear to me,” he said. His voice was garbled. Was he fighting back tears? When I looked at his face, tears started to well in his eyes.
“It was only this morning when I found out about the tragedy that befell them.”
“It was Kuya Sergio who broke the news,” he continued. I couldn’t say anything. Even if I had my voice back, I still wouldn’t be able to say anything.
I was puzzled when we stopped walking in front of a long river that seemed already dead. The water was dirty, with lots of wood and slippers made from abaca floating on the surface. I had to cover my mouth because of the stench emanating from the water.
Juanito took out seven candles. He placed them upright beside a rock. I stood beside him, watching him as he lit each of the candles. My heart broke when Juanito started sobbing. Who was he grieving for? Why did he seem so deeply affected? If he were grieving for a member of his family, we would have already heard the news.
I sat beside him and put his head gently on my shoulder. I didn’t know but I also felt a heaviness at that moment. I knew that he was going through something painful. But why was it also causing me pain?
“I-I only just found out about what happened to them. I couldn’t accept the tragedy that struck them. They were accused of something that I knew they weren’t capable of doing!” I could hear a hint of resentment in Juanito’s voice. It seemed as if he was feeling a mix of sadness and anger.
He stopped crying after a while and helped me stand up. He couldn’t look at me. He was just staring at the dead river, his fists balled tight.
“According to Kuya Sergio, their family had been hiding for two weeks here in Laguna. When they were discovered, they were all massacred mercilessly. The whole lot of them,” he stopped speaking to take a deep breath. “Their remains were dumped in this river—Ilog ng mga Makasalanan,” he said, and tears started streaming down his face again.
“I don’t believe all the allegations thrown against their family. I’ve known them for the longest time. Mang Nestor would never ever steal a sack of rice. Aling Trinidad would never spread lies. It was heartless to kill their five children—they were innocent! They didn’t know anything,” he wailed like an injured animal.
It was as if I was drenched in ice-cold water. I put my hand on my mouth. I couldn’t help but cry as well. A gust of wind blew the light on the seven candles. Their smoke wafted toward the river.
Impossible! Who could have done such brutality against those kind-hearted people? Was that why Aling Trinidad was no longer there when I dropped by her shop with Maria? Because they had been murdered?
“I promise you, Mang Nestor and Aling Trinidad, I won’t stop until I find those who murdered you,” Juanito said seriously. When he turned to look at me, it seemed as if I was looking at my reflection—we both had the same glint of rage and resentment in our eyes.
Dear Diary,
Please tell me that my suspicion is wrong.
Tell me that this is just a bad dream.
Because I want to wake up from this nightmare that Don Alejandro might be responsible for what happened to Aling Trinidad and her family.