Days after the death of the great General Antonio Luna, the town of San Isidro is still busy as if nothing happened. They are preparing for the fiesta of the patron saint, Saint Clara. A soldier of Luna came to the Mariano estate and looked for the third daughter of Don Joselito Mariano. The woman was there who paused writing her journal entry and approached her spy. The soldier reported the news about General Luna's assassination and the woman was enraged.
"What do you mean the general is dead?" Carmen Mariano exclaimed.
"Yes Tiniente, he was killed in Cabanatuan by the Katipunero soldiers." replied the spy.
The woman's face turned red in anger, her hands shaking, her wavy hair starting to frizz and her freckles turning brighter. She knew the general so well that she couldn't face the fact that he is dead.
While she was studying in Spain, there she met Luna who offered her to join the propaganda movement, which she gladly accepted. Her passion for her country and her potential in sharpshooting and military science gave her way to the Philippine Revolutionary Army. After an initiation of assassinating an American high-ranking officer, she became lieutenant and led some of Luna's soldiers. All of these were done in secret because she has to maintain her aristocrat background.
She sat down and placed her fingers on her frowning forehead. She was frustrated. The soldier was worried too so he sat down beside Carmen. They both looked outside the window, a view of the busy streets. She let out a sigh and turned to him.
"How about Koronel Roman and Kapitan Rusca?" She asked worriedly
"Paco was also assassinated and Rusca went missing." The soldier replied. She sighed and placed her palm on her face in frustration. She bit her lip.
"Idiotas! Who the hell even brought the general in Cabanatuan?" She exclaimed.
"I heard President Aguinaldo sent him a telegram for a cabinet meeting there. That's what I heard. I'm not sure, okay?" He spoke.
"Grr! It's definitely Miong's doing. That selfish coward!" She growled, her face turning more even redder.
"Shush Tiniente! Others might hear you. Or else they'll capture you as well if they find out you are siding with the general." Hushed the soldier, placing his index finger on his lips. He looked around making sure no one hears her.
"I don't care!" She shouted, "I never sided with General Luna. I only wanted what's best for our country and they wasted the opportunity." She added. The seriousness in her tone filled with passion and anger changed the mood. Carmen has been doubtful of President Aguinaldo's actions ever since the assassination of Andres Bonifacio and his brother. She just doesn't acknowledge it at first but then after the Treaty of Paris and the invasion of the Americans, she realized that there are only a handful of people in the higher positions have care for their country's freedom.
The soldier let out a sigh and patted Carmen's shoulder.
"Go now, and stay hidden, and don't let anyone know about this conversation, ¿intiendes? I'll be needing your updates on the following weeks. Thank you." She commanded.
Suddenly, a short, plump man in his sixties entered the living room.
"Oh Japok, I didn't expect you were coming. We didn't even prepare merienda." Said the man
"It's okay, Tio Mariano. I have other things to do after this, I'll be getting going now. Thanks." Japok replied as he leaves the estate.
"Be careful Japok! It maybe quiet these days but the Americans might invade us again." Carmen yelled. Japok just raised his hand as response. They closed the main door and rested on the Cleopatra chair. Carmen was still tensed about the news, but she has to accept that she's on her own now. She's confident that she can lead a guerrilla unit but her secrecy hinders her from saving her country.
"Are you alright, anak? You seem pale." Her father asks in concern.
"I'm fine, Papa. I'm just tired." She replied softly and smiled.
"If there's something bothering you, just tell me, okay?" He assured and brushed her hair to the side. "You look just like your mother, and as talented and smart as her. You know you were my favorite." He added.
"Papa! I know I know." She chuckled
"There we go. See? You're smiling now. You're now even more beautiful. Now go upstairs, tell your siblings to dress finely. We have guests tonight." He fixed his necktie then stood up, leaving Carmen who is still resting. "I'll be in the kitchen if you need me." He added.
"¡Si! I'll be going to the plaza to take a stroll for a while." Carmen replied.
"Go home before sundown, okay? We need to prepare for our guests tonight." Said her father.
"¡Si!" After moments of processing her thoughts, she stood up and went outside.
In the first place, she was sent to Spain because of her interest in firing and fencing. Her father never liked her hobbies because it was unladylike and is unsuitable for her petite stature, hoping that her studying in Spain will convert her interests. But this didn't stop her from doing what she loves. When she met Luna and the other expatriates, she knew that they will help her with her passion. And so, they taught her military science and guerilla warfare. Luna was like her second father figure. She was even given a position as an instructor at Sala de Armas, a fencing club in Manila, at the age of twenty-two. And when she joined the propaganda movement, she wrote for La Solidaridad under the pen name "Tandang." The latter's influence led her to joining the army when she came home to the Philippines.
As she strolls around the plaza, she was preoccupied. She still couldn't bear the general's fate. She knew that his temper will put him in grave danger. She expected that this was going to happen. However, she also knew about President Aguinaldo and the influence of his associates would lead them to this. If only Miong have listened to the prime minister and the general, they could have succeeded the upcoming wars. Carmen was frustrated. The Americans are probably laughing at their situation right now. She felt humiliated.
She looked around the people at town. They seem busy with their own agendas, as if there is no war happening. She feels sorry for her people's lack of patriotism. It could be because they were taught to take care only of themselves. She was once like them too, only caring for their personal interests. Now that she is awake, she saw her surroundings differently. She became selfless.
Suddenly, a man in a uniform, riding a horse appeared in her direction. Because the horse was running fast, dust blew across Carmen's face, frustrating the maiden even more.
The man riding a horse was no other than Colonel Andres De Nuevo, along with him are Captain Dominador Santiago and Lieutenant Mateo De Castro. They visited the town because of the upcoming fiesta and would be moving towards the north for the upcoming battle.
Andres is an arrogant man, always wearing confidence in him. He is a six-footer with olive skin. A few scratches on his face caused by his previous battles. Thin eyebrows, sharp eyes, and intimidating yet mestizo face. His hair is combed back with two strands dangling at the front.
"Watch where you're going, you fool!" She shouted. The horse stopped and the man turned to her.
"Excuse me? Who are you?" He asks.
"Same question to you. Who are you?" She placed her hands on her hips and frowned.
"You don't know me? What are you, living under a rock?" He said sarcastically.
"Well basically you are a soldier but I don't know you." Carmen replied.
"Too bad, you're missing out." He drove his horse and went away. There's a fiesta happening now in her town and she is expecting that maybe a few higher people and officers would visit their town. She's infuriated with the man's attitude and sarcasm. If he only knew she was a daughter of one of the richest men in the province, he would have respected her a little bit. But she disregards that fact because she wants to be respected for her skills and talent, not the riches of her father or her family name.
It is almost sundown and Carmen heads back to her home. As soon as she's home, she headed upstairs to her room and changed her clothes. She wore an Avocado green traje de mestiza made from Pineapple fabric and tied her hair in a half ponytail. She headed to the sala where her father and her siblings are waiting for the guests to arrive.
The sala is painted in Ivory white, with Narra wood bordering the ceiling. A crystal chandelier as the main piece with two smaller candlelit chandeliers at each side. On the wall there are paintings displayed, varying in subject of nature. A sala set adorned with organic shapes imported from Europe. Ceramic vases and plants imported from Ecuador are placed along the corners of the walls. To finish off, a coffee table with embroidered linen is positioned on the center.
A knock on the door was heard and the servants rushed to open the door, revealing three men which shocked Carmen.
"Good evening Señor Mariano!" greeted the man and his comrades.
"¡Buenos noches Koronel De Nuevo!" Don Mariano greeted back with excitement. He ushered them in and have them seat at the sala. The man couldn't get his eyes of Carmen who is glaring at him at this moment. An awkward silence swoon before the two parties. Carmen was glaring at Andres while he is smirking at her.
"I never knew that you would come from a noble family, Señorita." He teased. The two soldiers looked him for confusion. "I thought you were some commoner a while ago, lo siento…" He added
"I was going say the same thing to you. I never knew that you would be my father's guest." Carmen said in a sarcastic tone, her hands placed on her hips.
"How did you two know each other?" Asked Don Mariano.
"Yeah, Ate, how did you know them?" Teodoro, Carmen's younger brother, added.
"Well, that's because he dusted my face while I was at the plaza a while ago." She spoke.
"Sorry for that. I didn't mean to disrespect such a fine lady and a daughter of a nobleman." He apologized and bowed; the two other soldiers bowed too.
"It's okay, hijo. My daughter could be feisty and rude most of the time but she has a good heart." Don Mariano reassured and placed his arm on the colonel's shoulder while laughing. "Carmen, you should treat our guests nicely next time, okay?" He added.
"But Papa—"
"No buts, young lady. Now I'll be introducing to you, my children." Carmen's siblings stood up.
"This is my eldest, Felix. He owns a business in Manila." He began,
"Good evening, Koronel." Felix greeted,
"My unica hija, Carmen Sofia Aleksandra. Their mother is Russian that's why her name is like that." Don Mariano continued. Carmen faked a smile then frowned and raised an eyebrow afterwards.
"She's a little ill-tempered, Koronel." Whispered Dominador, Andres just chuckled.
"And of course, my youngest son, Teodoro. He is only ten but he can write poetries… In English!" Don Mariano looked at Teodoro and he ran away.
"He gets a little shy when it comes to strangers. He'll get used to it— When he owns this household hah!"
"I can hear you from here, Papa!" Shouted the kid. It seemed that the kid wasn't interested in owning his father's inheritance.
"What? It's true, son. You'll be inheriting these when I'm gone. — Kids, they'll realize the value of money when they grow older." Don Mariano spoke and chuckled. Carmen rolled her eyes in her father's statement.
He suddenly realized that his guests are tired and hungry after days of travelling and touring around town. He ushered them to the dining area where there is tinolang manok and fluffy white rice served.