My Handsome Katipunero

KABANATA 11

"Ilang taon ka na?" I asked.

"Bente uno."

I chuckled, "Antanda mo na pala."

"Ikaw?"

"Eighteen. Dise-otso."

It was his turn to laugh, "Ang bata mo pa pala."

Isang linggo na ang nakakalipas mula nung umuwi si Antonio. Nagkalagnat pa siya ng higit tatlong araw because of his gunshot wound. There are times na tatayo siya at magpupumilit na pumunta sa bayan para magtrabaho o di kaya'y magtanong tungkol sa katipunan. And because of this, ilang batok ang inabot niya mula kay Aling Isay.

Dahil nga "disabled" si Antonio, I was the one who helped the old couple. They let me stay here, so yeah, I have to return their kindness. I already "canceled" my plan, the "befriend-Antonio-so-I-have-a-place-to-stay" plan. I know, that was rude of me to be taking advantage of their kindness. But, it all changed now. Kaya ginagawa ko ang lahat ng makakaya ko just to repay them.

But I think I'm not doing a good job. Well, aside from the fact that I haven't done any chores in my entire life, I came from a very rich family and we have maids to do all the household chores. That also explains why I suck at chores.

"Anong nangyari?" I asked Antonio nang makaupo kami sa isang malaking bato facing the river.

Since I was bores to death, Antonio decided to tour me around. I was hesitant at first because, y'know, I get weird feelings when I'm with him. It creeps me out but at the same time, I like it. As I've said, I was gonna die of boredom, kay sumama nalang ako sa kanya.

"Sa?"

"Dun sa unang laban niyo." I said, nonchalantly. I saw how his face turned dim. Saka ko palang narealize ang tanong ko. And now, I wanna slam my head into concrete wall. It's only been a week after the incident, the wounds inflicted in his heart haven't healed yet. And here I am, asking him what happened without even considering his feelings.

Napayyuko ako, "Pasensya na.."

"Napakarami namin," he started."Ang ilan sa mga kapwa namin na naging gwadiya sibil ay iniwan ang mga kastila at pumanig sa Katipunan." he smile, bitterly. He picked up tiny stones and threw it to the river one by one.

"Akala namin ay magwawagi kami at matatalo namin ng mga kastila, ngunit nagkamali kami." he stared at the stone the was holding, wearing a dim expression. "Nagpadala ng dagdag na kawal ang mga kastila sa Pasong tamo kung saan kami unang nagtipun-tipon. Marami sa aking kasamahan ang napatay at nahuli. Kaming kaya pang makatayo ay napilitang umatras patungong Balara."

He looked at me. I couldn't help but stare at his dark brown eyes. "At alam mo ang nakakalungkot, ang labanan ang kapwa mo Pilipino na hindi pumanig sa Katipunan."

There's too much pain in his eyes. Nag-iwas ako ng tingin.

"Nakita ko rin ang pagtangis ng supremo para sa nasawi naming kasamahan. Masakit din para sa amin ang hindi pagpapadala ng tulong ni Heneral Aguinaldo ng tulong na hinigi ng supremo."

Aguinaldo? Emilio Aguinaldo?

I've read in the book about his betrayal. So, it has began.

Having the knowledge of the future is pretty scary. Instead of being helpful, this knowledge id a burden. Alam mo nga ang mangyayari sa hinaharap, 'di mo naman pwedeng sabihin sa iba. You'll just stand in the corner and watch everything happen.

I sighed, "Antonio."

"Hmm?"

"Paano kung may makilala kang tao na nagmula sa hinaharap?" I asked without thinking.