My Handsome Katipunero

KABANATA 43

Mabilis akong nagtago sa likod ng isang puno nang makita ko si Bonzon na hawak si Oryang sa kanyang braso. He was forcefully dragging her. Hindi marinig ang sigaw nito sa ingay na gawa ng mga baril at sigaw ng iba. I looked at Andres. He was busy fighting and saving his comrades, he didn't notice that his wife was being harassed by this colonel. I searched for Antonio. Maging siya rin ay patuloy na nakikipaglaban.

I was mesmerized at the same time terrified seeing him fighting. Mesmerized because he was good at it. He looked like a real warrior. Terrified because any moment he could get hurt. Alam ko kung ano ang magiging kapalaran nina Andres. Pero hindi ko alam ang kay Antonio. Kaya natatakot ako na baka mangyari ang kinatatakutan ko nang hindi ko alam. I am only certain of one thing. Karlos told me about Antonio's future. He doesn't have one. The first time I looked into Antonio's eyes, it was empty. Like an empty shell. Na para bang tinanggap na niya ang kung ano man ang mangyayari sa kanya dahil sa pagsali niya sa katipunan. Pero hindi nagtagal, I saw something in there. Something that I wanted to protect. Something that I was yearning for. That's another reason why I want to save him.

Nagpabalik-balik ang tingin ko kina Oryang at Antonio. I start to get anxious when Bonzon drag Oryang to an empty hut. Naguguluhan na ako kung ano ang gagawin. If I go and get Antonio out of there, mapapahamak si Oryang. Alam ko ang maaaring mangyari sa kanya at kaya ko itong mapigilan. Pero kung pipigilan ko ito, who knows what fate might do to Antonio.

My gaze landed on Antonio. But if he is fighting to save his comrades, shouldn't I do the same thing? Naging parte na ako ng katipunan. Andres treated me as a member of this organization. They gave us refuge when we were drawn out of Kalookan. Oryang treated me as her own family. They've done so much for me. Isn't it right for me to repay them?

I sighed. Pilit kong pinakalma ang sarili ko. I'll save Oryang. I'll save Antonio. I'll change the past.

Hindi na ako nagdalawang-isip pa at tumakbo na sa pinagdalhan ni Oryang. Gusto kong bigyan ng magkabilang malulutong na sampal ang sarili ko.

"I'm being reckless again!"I shouted while running.

Pagkatapos kong ialis si Oryang dun, fuck it, with this small body of mine I'll get Antonio out of this shit.

Nanag makarating ako sa bahay na pinagdalhan kay Oryang ay dahan-dahan kong binuksan ang pinto nito. Sumilip ako sa maliit na siwang ng pinto. I gripped the wooden frame of the door when I saw the colonel forcing himself into Oryang.

How can he stoop this low? He's harassing the wife of the person he used to follow. Napansin ko ang isang putol na kahoy sa tabi ng pintuan. Kinuha ko ito at dahan-dahang pumasok. I was careful not to make any sound and throw a surprise attack at the perpetrator. My heart was racing. Pero mas nangingibabaw ang galit kaysa kaba at takot.

This is what I hate the most. Rape. It reminds me of the inhumane treatment my brother received. I swore to myself that I'll make the people who violated him pay. And seeing that same type of person in front of me, fuels my anger even more.

I inhaled, and with all my strength, I slammed the piece of wood into the colonels back. Napaatras siya at napahiga sa sahig habang namimilipit sa sakit.

Ibinaba ko ang kahoy at agad na lumapit kay Oryang. Nanginginig ito at basang-basa ng luha ang mga pisngi.

"O-Oryang, nasaktan ka ba?" Umiling siya at patuloy na umiyak. "Halika, umalis na tayo dito. Kaya mo bang tumayo?"

Nanginginig siyang tumango, "O-oo."

"Halika." Tinulungan ko siya. I lend her my arm and shoulder as a support. Pero bago pa man siya tuluyang makatayo ay biglang may humila ng buhok ko.