Intramuros is awfully quiet in this time of night, but I need to make my rounds with my patients for we have a crisis on our hands and only with the diligence of the men of our profession can we combat this invisible enemy lurking in the streets of Manila. My body is tired - my arm aching to drop my bag of medical supplies - but I have to carry on. This is the last patient on my rounds.
The disease has been spreading in this part of Intramuros, and it's spreading fast. Through my recent efforts to find out the nature of the pathogen, I came to the conclusion that the problem we physicians have at hand is a new strain of the influenza virus - and it's something we have never seen before. It's origin is still a mystery to us - even with the body of the first reported victim available to multiple fellow practitioners from Madrid for examination. Our research has been fruitless so far, but I have a hunch that this new strain did not come into being...naturally. Thanks to Gregor Mendel's concepts, I was able to somewhat gather clues as to the nature of the disease, and was able to pinpoint its very distinct differences from the naturally-occurred strains, and if my theories prove true, then our worst fears have been realized. None of the formulae we have at our disposal is able to even ease the symptoms of the disease, and therefore we have little hope of curing this disease until someone comes up with remarkable findings about this virus.
But even so, I cannot stop now. I have to do whatever I can for the people of Intramuros. Although my medical charts in my journal haven't arrived in something conclusive, I believe my findings will be a great help in finding a cure for this disease.
Tonight is a very silent night. The houses surrounding the abode of my patient are barred shut - windows and all - understandably due to the virtue of caution. Nobody wants to contract this deadly disease, and it's not like a lot of Filipinos are that accustomed to being awake at night. Fortunately, my patient's house seemed to be brimming with life, for I can see the lamp's light shining brightly from the opening of the window. From here, I can see Pepay observing the bystanders from her house's window - probably looking out for any sign of me, for her father is a patient of mine and the last one I have to visit for my rounds.
I immediately walked towards their doorstep, and Pepay, watchful as she is, took notice of me despite me being a few paces away from her house. Pepay moved here in Intramuros with her father a few years ago in February if I remember correctly - their house bought from a man named Enrique Alvarez. They have lived here since, and during their stay here I sometimes spy upon Don Custodio, the head of the Board of Health, visiting their house every now and then whenever I chanced to visit this neighborhood.
The girl waved at me cheerfully, and then rushed outside to meet me. Their house only comprised of one floor, but it was big enough to accommodate around twenty people inside - which, in my opinion, is a house too big for a father and a daughter. And, although I am not the one to judge, the house doesn't seem to match the...financial capabilities of Pepay. For a start, she is a...shall we say, a 'dancing girl'. And although I have an idea as to who might be financing this woman's lavish lifestyle, I am not in the position to point fingers in something I lack evidence of. And besides, her father is my patient, and it is unbecoming of practicioners like myself to meddle in affairs that are irrelevant to my work.
As I walked closer to the house, I found myself approaching Pepay, clearly gladdened my arrival.
"Good evening, doctor. Thank the heavens you are here!" greeted Pepay, who was rather cordial as she received me.
"Likewise, Señorita Pepay." I answered in a like manner. "How is your father feeling?"
"To tell you the truth, he's not feeling much better than before, doctor." she replied. "His fever and coughing is just getting worse."
"I see." I answered. "How is he responding to the medication that I prescribed to him?"
"Not much improvement can be seen, doctor." she replied. "I...I actually need you to see something. Do you mind if I ask you to come inside the house, doctor?"
"Not at all, Pepay. I am, after all, your father's doctor." I assured her.
"Thank you, sir." she replied. "This way."
Pepay walked with me back to their house. As I enter their home, I was greeted by the bright chandeliers hanging from the ceiling. Although not so bright as the German-made ones, this household decoration made in Hong Kong stands out from the rest of its kind for the elegant design of the silverwork. Vibrant colors filled every corner of the house, for it is spruced up with all manner of trinkets, upholstery, furniture and artwork. But despite the exquisite beauty of the inner workings of the house, the air was hollow and melancholic...as if these very walls are bereft of life itself.
As Pepay opened the door to the room of her father, my nose immediately picked up a very disturbing scent. It is a very putrid odor, one so despicably familiar one whiff is enough to make me sick.
I just hope this is not necrosis.
"Ugh! Such a nasty odor we got! Pardon my manners, señorita." I complained as I covered my nose with my sleeve. "Since when is your father smelling like this?!"
"The air in here became notably putrid just this morning, sir." Pepay answered. "The stench wasn't as strong in the previous week."
"What?! Merciful Lord!" I gasped in horror.
I was so shocked with what I heard. Señor Teodoro, Pepay's father, was diagnosed of this accursed disease just two months ago. The pathogen has evidently evolved, and it had evolved so quickly. I might have greatly understated the strength of this new strain. This influenza is devilishly lethal!
"Please, doctor." Pepay pleaded. "Please tell me my father still has a chance to live."
I had no words upon the plight of Pepay. On one hand, I wanted to tell her the truth about her father's condition because as a physician, I owe her that much. On the other hand, I don't want to shatter her, for in this time of great tribulation, hope is a rare commodity that is more potent than any medicine, and that is something I would not want to take from my patients and clients.
"I will do everything I can, Pepay." I replied with forced confidence.
"Please, doctor. Save him. I'm ready to pay handsomely. Just save my father, please!" she pleaded as she opened her purse. "Here, doctor. I think this amounts to a few thousand pesos. I hope this is eno-"
"You don't need to do that, señorita." I interrupted in an attempt to dissuade her. "I don't charge extra to give my patients the best treatment possible. He is my patient señorita, and I'll do everything in my power to save him. All I ask is for you to stay strong...and pray. We will get through this. God will not neglect his own flock."
"Bless you, sir! Bless you!" she replied gleefully. "But please doctor, take the money. I insist. I know how hard you've been working to fight this disease. I want to help."
"Your kind words warm my heart. Thank you, señorita." I replied. "But are you sure about this? This is quite a sum of money. You don't have to pay me this much. Are you sure you're not going to have a hard time managing your finances?"
"We will manage, doctor. Please, take this." she insisted. "Besides, this money is better left to your care. I know you'll use it to further your good cause." she answered softly.
After seeing in her the firmness of her decision, I conceded.
"Then I shall make sure your money will be well spent." I replied as I received the money from her.
"You're unlike all the doctors I've met, sir. You were never discriminating with who you give your medical services to. Filipinos, Spaniards, Chinamen...people like you sir, are rare gems in this puddle of mud."
"We are all equal in the eyes of God, señorita. No one should consider oneself to be greater than the other because of race." I exclaimed as I ready my kit near her father's bed, wearing the necessary sanitary equipment for the examination.
"How I wish more people would share your point of view, sir." she replied.
"In due time, señorita. In due time." I muttered as I buried my hand inside my bag to get a clean syringe. "For now, may I suggest taking some fresh air outside this room while I examine your father? This can take a while."
"Surely, doctor. I'll wait outside. Call me if you need anything." she announced as she made her leave, slowly closing the door as she exits the room.
"Thank you, señorita. Oh, and would you be so kind to get me a basin filled with hot water?"
"Surely, doctor. I'll warm the stove up now, sir." she answered as she left immediately, apparently towards the kitchen.
I then seated myself beside my patient and began to work on the usual routine on my checkups: monitoring pulse and heartbeat, checking his breathing, looking for any noticeable developments in the symptoms...things like those. My patient's current state is horrendously pitiful, and it pains me that I can't do anything about it, even to at least ease his symptoms. His skin is growing pale and some parts of the body are starting to blacken. His eyes are yellowish, and phlegm is oozing out of his mouth. Señor Teodoro is growing weaker by the day, and with the putrid smell not boding well for his health, I hate to admit there isn't much I can do for him at this point...aside from making tests in order to get some conclusive findings.
As I was about to tie up Señor Teodoro's right arm to get a better feel of the location of a major vein, he reached for my arm to hold it.
"Doctor Mercado..." he exclaimed in a raspy voice. "...am I...going to-"
"You shall not...señor." I interrupted. "I assure you, I am doing everything in my power to-"
"You do not have to lie, doctor." he interjected, slightly tightening his grip. "I kn...know that...at this state, I am way...past the point of...being saved, so I only ask-"
"Please, Señor Teodoro. Have faith in us doctors. We are doing everything we can."
"I...don't doubt that...doctor." he gasped, struggling to utter his words. "But I...I cannot...I cannot t-take it anymore, sir. The pain, doctor. The pain...it's too much."
Señor Teodoro began to weep, his yellowish eyes starting to turn red with tears.
"I...feel like my bones are being crushed...as I drown...in a sea of mud, doctor." described Señor Teodoro. "Please...end this suffering...I...I cannot take this anymore."
I felt his hand loosen up a little, so I proceeded to remove its hold from my arm and placed it on the bed.
"You know, Pepay would be sad if she sees you like this." I replied as I feel for his pulse. "Your daughter's fighting, too. Don't give up, Señor Teodoro. Do it for her."
"I...I don't know, doctor..." Señor Teodoro replied with deep, raspy breaths. "Seeing her so...distraught at the sight of my suffering...it is greatly heartbreaking knowing that she's...doing her best to make ends...meet, while having to...take care of an old and dying man..."
"That is true, Señor Teodoro. Your daughter seemed distraught by all this madness." I replied as I readied to insert the syringe, disinfecing the area where the vein is located. "But then again, she doesn't seem to be giving up anytime soon, si? I saw her eyes señor, and those eyes do not lie. She is determined to see this through. I think you'd be unfair to her if you give up now."
"Per...haps...you do...make a point, sir." agreed Señor Teodoro, the tone of his voice showing some sense of inner peace.
He then made a soft grunt as the syringe's needle pierced through his skin. After pushing the needle in far enough, I then started gradually extracting the blood sample from the patient and thick, dark red liquid started filling up the vial.
Seńor Teodoro must have been a relentless smoker in his healthier years.
"I hear there's a feast in Pampanga in this time of the year." I remarked as I withdrew the needle from his arm. "I reckon I should give the province a visit."
"Ahh, yess..." Señor Teodoro gasped. " Pampanga and...their....beautiful dalagas. Who knows? Maybe in your visits...you'll finally find a wife."
I answered with a chuckle.
"Oh, no Señor Teodoro. I think neither Corazon nor Elena would appreciate it if I did that." I answered sheepishly.
"Nonsense." the man parried as he coughed a laugh. "You are still..... young, doctor...being....a man in your forties. Your daughter...will understand."
"Perhaps...but my heart belongs to my work now, señor." I answered as I finished up with the extraction, finally pulling out the needle and patching up the puncture with a sterilized bandage. I then stored the blood vial in a secure compartment in my valise, and neatly stored all of my equipment back to their proper place except for my mask.
"By the way...doctor, how is that boy of yours you always mention....Francisco, is it? How is he now?"
"He is doing well for himself, señor. He's a student of Arts and Trades in Ateneo now. A resourceful kid, that boy is."
"I see...he seems to be...a wise investment."
"The boy owes me nothing, señor. He and his sister served me earnestly, and they earned their keep with truthfulness and diligence."
"Even now...you keep surprising me with your...wholesome attitude, doctor."
And then, as if on cue, Pepay returned to thr room holding the basin of hot water that I requested.
"Here's the hot water that you asked for, doctor." she called out as she laid the basin on top of the wooden bedside table.
"Thank you, Pepay." I answered as I slowly dipped my hands on the hot water to disinfect.
"So, doctor. How is my father?" Pepay promptly asked, her face teeling me she seemed eager to hear my answer.
I took a deep breath. "To tell you the truth, señorita...he's gotten a little worse than before." I answered hesitantly.
"Is there a chance he'll survive, sir?" she asked anew.
As I withdrew my hand from the basin, I paused to consider the words that I am going to say next. Pepay is quite hopeful still. I don't want to crush that hope of hers...that's the last thing that she needs.
"I have been in my profession for almost ten years, señorita, and I have handled many patients with influenza diseases." I preluded with a slight shaking in my voice. "But...this one...this is the first time that I encountered such a severe disease. But worry not, we are doing everything we can to find a cure."
"I see." she answered plainly.
"For the meantime, señorita, discontinue with the prescription that I gave you last time. I'll give a new one after 3 days." I exclaimed as I finally set aside my mask to prepare for my departure.
"All right, doctor." she affirmed.
"I'll be going now, señorita. Excuse me for coming in late to check on your father. We have been receiving a lot of patients lately."
"It's all right, doctor. We understand." she assured me.
"Gracias. I'll be seeing you in three days." I bade goodbye to them as I exited the premises.
"Oh, allow me to escort you outside doctor." Pepay offered as she escorted me outside of their house.
"Please." I obliged as we headed for the door leading to the outside.
As we did our brief walk, Pepay exclaimed, "Doctor, it's already late. Are you going to be all right walking the streets on your own?"
"Nothing to worry, señorita. The Guardia Civil's patrolling the streets at night." I answered.
"But...that's what worries me, doctor." she timidly replied.
I replied with a chuckle. "I will be fine. Worry not."
At this, I bowed slightly to give my goodbye, and set out into the dark streets of Intramuros once more.
The dimly lit streets leading to Ateneo was rather unsettling, as I cannot see any Guardia Civil in view or any other civilian for that matter. The loneliness that I feel made me anxious, as if something hostile is afoot and coming my way. I tried to shake the feeling off, as I'm carrying with me some blood samples and I don't want to urge myself to scamper away home and risk damaging these vials.
Strangely enough, despite the presumed emptiness of the streets and the heavy cover of the night, I am able to spy on my peripheral vision some human-like silhouette lurking in the shadows, walking calmly in the same pace as I am. I stopped and looked around to check. Nothing. I shook the thought once more and went on my way.
I was almost at the sidewalk near the fence of the school when I decided to halt when I spied on two Guardia Civil walking down the same sidewalk as I am, just a few paces from where I am, their rifles holstered. I felt relieved, for at least there are people out on the streets that's a little less worse than tulisanes. The Guardia Civil I can bribe if in case they decide to pick on me. But tulisanes...they'll rob you of all you have and gut you after once they're done with you. Terrible, I say — and I heard that their leader Matanglawin is infamous for cutting up the stomach of his Spanish captives and turning the intestines inside out and roasting them alive while they're tied to a bamboo pole. Simply terrifying.
But enough of that thought, as I just needed to walk a few streets away to get this over with.
A few moments later, I met with the two soldiers walking down the same sidewalk as I am, happily chatting about the day's events. Judging by their features, they seemed to be young men around their late twenties and both are Filipinos. Upon noticing me, they stopped their conversation and immediately approached me.
"I...I am not looking for trouble, I'm just passing here to get home. I'm a doctor. I just finished my visitation with one of my patients." I snappily explained.
Oddly enough, the two exchanged confused looks, which in turn made me confused. They then exchanged words, trying to make sense of the situation.
"Ano daw sabi niya?"
"HIndi ko alam. Parang akala niya ata huhulihin natin."
"Paano tayo magpapaliwanag? Di ako marunong mag-Kastila. Naku bahala na."
Hesitantly, one of the soldiers approached.
"Uhhh...no, señor. Noso...nosotros no...te...arrestamos." he answered in broken Spanish.
I then broke into an amused smile."Akala ko hindi ka marunong mag-Kastila? (I thought you didn't know Spanish?)"
The two were visibly shocked at what they just heard, the look on their faces were as if they had just witnessed a miracle.
"M...marunong kayong mag-Tagalog? (Y...you can speak Tagalog?)" asked the soldier, who is still visibly dumbfounded.
"Oo naman. Matagal na ako sa Filipinas. May mga Filipino akong paciente, kailangan nagkakaintindihan tayo. (Of course. I've been in the Philippines for a long time. I have Filipino patients, it's imperative we understand one another.)" I replied with haste.
The two youths, who were in shock just minutes ago, are now impressed. It must be very rare for them to see Spaniards even bothering to learn their language, which is why seeing one speak fluently was like a God-sent to them.
"May gusto kang sabihin sa 'kin kanina, hijo. Ano ulit iyon? (I believe you want to say something earlier, lad. What is it?)" I asked one of them intently.
"Ahh, iyon po ba? Wala naman po, señor. Mukha ho kasi kayong lubhang nababahala kanina. Mahigpit lang po kasi ang utos ng Kapitan-Heneral na panatilihing nasa loob ng bahay ang mga mamamayan ng Intramuros ng ganitong oras lalo na't may kumakalat na sakit ngayon. (Ahh, that one, sir? It's nothing, mister. You seemed too alarmed earlier. The Captain-General gave strict orders to keep citizens of Intramuros inside their homes, especially now that we have a disease spreading these days.)" he answered with placidly.
"Ahh, ganoon ba? Isa kasi akong doktor at kailangan ko kasing puntahan ang paciente ko kanina. (Ahh, is that so? You see, I'm a doctor and I needed to visit my patient earlier.)" I replied.
"Pero ginoo, hindi po ba ninyo nabalitaan? (But mister, haven't you heard?)" interjected the other, his face reeking of worry. His partner seemed alarmed.
"Ang alin, hijo? (Heard what, lad?)" I answered.
"May gumagala po kasing...mamamatay-tao ngayon. May nakapagsabi ho kasing lumilibot siya ngayon sa Intramuros. (There's a killer on the loose. There are reports that say that he's been going around Intramuros.)" one of them answered.
"Talaga? Bakit ngayon ko lang nabalitaan to? (Really? How come I only got wind of this now?)" I replied, utterly shocked by this revelation.
One of the youth's eyes widened, as if realizing he made a huge mistake.
"Bobo! Bakit mo sinabi yun?! (You idiot! Why did you tell?!)" reprimanded his companion.
"Nakalantad na rin lang ang lihim, bakit di nyo pa ikwento sa akin? (Well, the secret is already out, why don't you tell the story?)" I urged them.
The talkative soldier's companion gave a huge sigh. "Malalagot ho kasi kami sa alferez kapag nalaman nyang sinabi namin sa inyo to. Isa pa lang po kasing haka-haka ang kwento na to at nababahala ang alferez na baka makapagdulot to ng malubhang takot sa mga mamamayan...kaya nakikiusap po kami na kung pwede ho eh...satin-satin na lang ho ito. (The alferez will have our heads if he knew we told this to you. This story is still just a rumor, and the alferez is worried that this story will spread fear among the citizens, so if you would so kindly, please keep this between us.)" he pleaded.
"Ahh, ganoon ba? Wala kang dapat ipag-alala. Kaya kong itikom ang bibig ko. (You have nothing to worry. I can keep my mouth shut.)" I assured him.
The soldier began to look around suspiciously, making sure nobody else is eavesdropping on our conversation.
"Sabi ng mga tao dito, may gumagalang lalaking nakasalakot tuwing gabi. (The locals say that there's a man wearing a salakot that wanders around here during the night.)" the young man said, his voice ominously placid. "Lagi daw ho siyang may bitbit na bolo at baril, pero madalas pinapatay nya daw po ang mga biktima nya sa pananaga. (It is said that he usually carries around a bolo (a type of shortsword) and a gun, but he usually kills his victims by chopping them down.)"
"Gaano na ba karami ang napatay niya? (How many kills did he make thus far?)" I inquired.
"Mga ilang dosena na po sa tantya namin. (Around a few dozen by our estimate.)" he replied.
"Huh? Tantya? Hindi nyo pa rin ba maipagpalagay ang saktong bilang ng mga biktima nya? Saka kung gayong marami na nga siyang napatay, bakit wala akong nababasa tungkol dito sa mga diario? (Huh? Estimate? Can't you still pinpoint the exact number of his victims? And if he's already killed that much, then how come I don't see this story in the newspapers?)" I asked, profoundly puzzled by this statement.
The young man paused, as if considering his next words.
"May...may mga namataan ho kasing mga...bahagi ng tao sa mga kakahuyan malapit sa Tiani, San Diego, at San Fernando makalipas ang ilang araw nung may napabalitang ilang taong nawawala dito sa Intramuros. Pira-pirasong mga bahagi ng katawan lang ho kasi ang nakita ng mga kawal kaya hindi po namin masabi kung ilan ho talaga ang totoong bilang ng mga pinaslang. (There...there have been sightings of...body parts inside the woods near Tiani, San Diego and San Fernando three days after some denizens from Intramuros have been reported missing. Only pieces of body parts have been sighted, so it's very hard to give an accurate count of all those that are slain.)" the man answered. "Simula ho ng mga pangyayaring iyon, namamataan na ho ang lalaking naka-salakot dito sa Intramuros. (Since those events, there has been sightings of the man in a salakot here in Intramuros.)"
"Natuklasan nyo ba ang pagkakakilanlan ng mga napaslang? (Did you uncover the identities of those slain?)" I inquired some more.
"Ang alam lang ho namin ay mga Kastila ang karamihan ng mga napaslang. Dahil nga ho doon, pinagpapalagay ng alferez na ang lalaking naka-salakot ay si Matanglawin, dahil siya lang ho ang tulisang kilala namin na malaki ang galit sa mga Kastila. (The only thing we know is that most of the slain are Spanish. It's because of that that the alferez supposes that the man in the salakot is Matanglawin, because he's the only outlaw we know who has this great grudge against the Spanish.)" the young soldier replied.
This is interesting news, indeed.
"Kaya ginoo, kung maaari ho ay umuwi na ho kayo sa inyong tahanan. Mapanganib ho ang mga calle ngayong gabi dahil maari-"
The man is interrupted with the sound of gunfire from a distance. Seconds later, more shots were heard, and the two men began to ready their rifles.
The young man had advised me earlier to go home because of the danger lurking in the streets. I think I'll go follow his advice.
"Parang galing ang putok na yun sa may pantalan. Humanda na tayo. Inaatake na tayo ng mga tulisan! (That shot seemed to have come from the harbor. Let's get ready. We're under attack by the outlaws!)" the prudent soldier reported, gesturing to his comrade to follow his lead, who the turned to me. "Ginoo, umuwi na ho kayo. Parating na ang mga tulisan. (Mister, please go home. The outlaws are coming.)"
"S-sige. Mag-iingat kayo, mga hijo. (O-okay. You be careful, lads.)" I exclaimed as they nodded back.
Without another word, the two men quickly rushed to the fray to join the fight. It didn't take long before the two soldiers completely dissolved into blackness as they sprinted towards the harbor.
Moments pass, and more and more subsequent gunfire can be heard from Calle Sta. Lucia - which is a few feet from where I am. I can also hear gunfire coming from the direction of Calle Victoria. I can see a handful of students from the Ateneo scramble outside the streets, possibly due to panic. Soldiers began to gradually pour in the streets as a band of ruddy men armed with bolos and rifles can be heard screaming as they can be seen from this distance - charging towards the direction of the school with frenzied shouts.
Then, my colleague's warning began to dawn on me.
"I heard the Captain-General is pouring more troops in Intramuros. Be careful when doing your rounds from now on, amigo. I fear that this may be in relation to the growing threat of tulisanes. Spain has been withdrawing more and more soldiers by the month, and I fear that the day will come when the Spanish presence here is weak, these savages will be out for our blood."
His words brought chill to my spine. And then, I remembered...
Elena! I have to return to return to the house and get Elena!