Chapter 25
The Wedding
(The real Fr. Driarco – an anagram of Ricardo – with Ka Eliza on their Silver Wedding Anniversary on January 30, 2011 ,at St. Peregrine Chapel. They produced five grown-up kiddos all working. All is fair in love. Retrieved from File. 07-13-2022)
Events happened fast, Ka Emir for the first time finds himself captured by the warm embrace and tender loving arms of Eliza. Save for the birds chirping in trees, it was love speaking between two passionate creations of opposite persuasion – he a Catholic priest and she a naïve lady with an urban upbringing -. Mustering enough courage to maintain his sanity would have been the best thing to do but love was probably irresistible finding its way out from the clutches of the past between two unexpected creatures wedged by alluring passion keen on making its day in the present amid the forest. Two poles far apart about to bend all in the name of love, a forbidden love affair getting the feverish building into torrid climax about to explode only to be taken aback by the thought of losing his priestly vocation and she recreating Eve of an old, willing victim to Adam's enticing manhood – all these juxtaposed in the fleeting moment of passion and indecision only two people in love holds the key of an answer.
Such a scene would have been a masterpiece of all creation any artist willing to exploit but there was none except silence and humming of bees as mute witnesses of two lovers caught in the stillness of the night. Did Adam not succumb to Eve anyway at the height of temptation in the Garden of Eden? What could he do anyhow, he's also a mere human being, a knight in shining armor whose shaft could be as hotter and harder as anybody else? All right, he was an ordained priest. But his libido below his belt was not included in an Ordination.
"It's right there still intact and waiting for an eruption given any moment of temptation. Why not succumb to temptation when yielding to temptation is sometimes the easiest way to avoid it," the naughty idea playing on his mind.
The young priest reconsidered for a moment, wanting to resolve the issue, only to lose his sanity again in the deep abyss as Liza's moist lips began touching his warm lips, scooping his moist tongue against hers. Like cascading waterfalls came rushing to the sea, it's all that Eliza needed to break free of Ka Emir's nerve of steel of pretension liberating that lust long been deprived by the institution he's representing over centuries of bondage. No wonder men and women throughout the world are sacrificing themselves as willing victims falling into the same trap playing over this very crazy game called love. Liza was hot too as her hands reached out to his shaft and as she stroked it feeding against her opening sent her jerking in ecstasy. With her two tits getting rigid as he kissed them, she tilted her head upward eyes closed savoring the indescribable happiness from sustained erotic sensation and excitement engulfing her. This, she was convinced that the fulfillment of her womanhood graciously exploited rubbing off her innocence, chastity yielded to a man she thought was God's soulmate for a lifetime. Same with Ka Emir feeling light liberated shaking off the bondage of celibacy that has imprisoned him for so long sending his signal living the world with all its trappings and sophistication awakened in jubilation by tonight's initial sexual binge.
"Who am I and why can't I," were questions cropped up addressing the very core of his being.
"And why not, why really not?" was his answer animated from this wisdom learned from classics, psychology, and Existentialism.
Caught in the swirling mood reeling with excitement, he mounted again over her anticipating an explosion of immense power down under accumulated over time from past decades. His phallus libido earlier ignited gone wild too hot to handle was crazy as if there's no more tomorrow. Finding her opening easily slipped through penetrating her soft but warm vaginal canal. Hugging her tightly, he worked his way in first gradually thrusting and as rhythm regularly established pumping feverishly until full–throttle her orgasm catching up with him gradually and later aggressively. Reaching the climax both exploded together planting everything that he got inside his egg sac into Liza's uncharted deep holy hole. Happiness was seen all over sweat continued profusely dropping by glistening their tired bodies, breathing going back to normal.
"Many thanks and I'm sorry if I was just too fast accommodating you," Eliza whispered to Driarco regaining his sanity wondering whatever damage she might have inflicted on this innocent man in a cassock.
But there was no response from him except their still bated breath as if his last. His warm lips kissed her forehead, drenched in perspiration, his fingers running gently through her long, thick black hair.
"Why forgiveness?" he uttered.
"What is there to forgive when both of you love each other with mutual respect still intact," the young priest qualified further giving Eliza the benefits of her doubts.
"Isn't it this what should love be all about – two people of different persuasions diametrically opposing uncharacteristic backgrounds sacrificing everything toward the middle bending all in the name of love!"
True enough love just finds its way out of the religious bigotry of the past.
"But isn't it all is fair in love?" his quick additional defense caught by bug fast-spreading infecting his entire system eating away his ego captured by the magic of love Liza weaved.
"And happened yet from the most unexpected place to boot," Liza's rejoinder beaming with a smile her silvery tears started flowing down from her sunken sockets to her beautiful well-chiseled beautiful face carried by the treatise that is love from an unexpected place love of her life.
"Yap and it looks like Jose Feliciano's classic love song was exclusively written for us amidst thick forest under the bright moon," Ka Emir defended relishing the apt beautiful and relevant lyrics of "Love Comes from the Most Unexpected Places" brings:
'Love comes from the most unexpected places. With someone's eyes you can't forget . . . with someone's mind you can't forget when people sell their sorrow of your mind Love comes in many ways in lover's arm and sweet banquet. And here I am outside your door I'm coming just to say once more that I love you, I love you Oh.' (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n2x8hUqlIvM)
"Seems like the proposal is in the air," Liza observed staring at his face in awe, speechless
melting her heart away waiting for her confirmation.
"Would you marry me then?"
"Yes, and I will," she said accepting the wedding ring offered to yield and appreciating the sincerity and honesty of the young Catholic priest.
The priest was shocked to see the Wedding ring.
"I keep it a secret for many years. And vowed only to give it when a right man comes along."
How romantic Eliza, Fr. Driarco thought. But no way he would reveal the Needle as a prized possession to her.
"When proper time to come? When? That remains to be answered."
"Unless fate has some other things in store for us, I'm now declaring my commitment to you," he went on as if every word was spoken, count.
"Whatever I've done on my vocation, God only knows," he said secretly.
"But better honest than living hyphenated priest from now on. I'm still a priest anyway having been ordained in the Order of Melchizedek," he cleared himself.
"Or why not transfer to another denomination saving my vocation like Anglican priest marriage is allowed," he further explored possibilities nurturing his priestly calling.
He was partly right, remembering the advice of Bishop Valdez not to surrender his vocation to Marcos. Now Ka Emir thought that the prince of the church was also partly wrong.
"There's love one could easily fall into at the expense of one's priestly vocation as well in other words," he cleared.
"Many are called but few are chosen was probably the common denominator. Serving Him wholeheartedly is after all everybody's business whether you are a clergy or mere layman" he clarified.
Liza was similarly unperturbed listening to Driarco and just like him too, left the rest to God. As a liberated woman herself, she knows what it takes to live without any strict rules to follow planning, and executing many ambitious projects satisfying her intellectual interest with relish. This she finds herself working in an underground movement. Her deliberate efforts to identify her cause with the rebels have remained and never been challenged by her good self. She outgrew it. With Ka Emir now beside her, she is hoping she could stretch further her imagination serving in whatever capacity she could contribute to the movement's growth. At least there is still time while she is able. Right now, she doesn't discount the idea that she might be caught by any government trooper what with that handsome P500,000.00 reward over her head for her capture dead or alive.
"Who cares? It's the price many of her comrades paid. No problem even she is put next in line. But not now especially with someone very special person coming into her life," she bargained in her reflection.
What if she would become a mother, will she change and go back to the fold of the law?
She's not sure. Time could only tell.
The candlelight flickering on the table soon ran out of its light. The wax gradually stopped accumulating one droplet after another. The gush of wind came blowing by but its light stood tall defying each time every whisper of wind stroked back. Losing its light, they were engulfed anew by darkness.
They're the only two fortunate creatures' occupants of that small nipa hut reserved for visitors by Ka Aris, the overall commander of the group. Learning that love blossomed and bloomed between Ka Liza and Ka Emir, he offered it to them for their own special private needs. All members recognized that need and they are willing to welcome any other further development. As a former Catholic priest, he has been accorded with almost a carpet accommodation but Ka Emir deliberately shrugged it off to avoid mistrust creeping in. Others call him "Pads", Visayan Street English, and corruption of the word "Father", a name he doesn't mind getting.
Both lovers were still wide awake and preoccupied thinking about what would be their life next. Would they continue just living as a common-law couple or pursue their wedding ceremony? What if Ka Emir would be out joining his men in the operation? And what if he would be killed. These are some queries playing on her mind but she decided to take it one at a time allowing everything to fall into its proper place separating what is essential from superficial.
"How you've been sweetheart," Driarco whispered gently.
"Fine, feeling great beside you. Hope this would be forever. "
"Till death even do us part then."
"Even beyond death, you mean as it merely special growth taking place to a love simply immortal and divine."
"An endless love we should know,"
Embracing each other again, their eyes speak of love once more. Slowly, Eliza gets her lips closer to his. After feasting on each other's sweetness earlier, Liza thought that there should be the next to make the best of their sexual binge. Reciprocating his industry earlier, she had his phallus fondled shivering Ka Emir. The more she squeezed the more however it fought back erect. Manipulating it gently somehow did him good only after he helped her press her two hands back and forth creating friction too hard to handle for him. Wanting to save his juice, he helped her withdraw her hands and hurriedly feed his shaft into her watery opening. Realizing she becoming passionate, he took her by the buttocks and guided his way in pushing anew going back to the rhythm of the night.
The silence was all over the place except for the rhythmic sound of thatched bamboo flooring following a simulated beat each time the thrust was performed in succession.
Nearing climax, he waited for her orgasm to catch up with him, and thereafter panting as if gasping for the last breath, both again exploded for good.
"I hope we could be married the soonest possible time this after I secured release paper from the Vatican. Never mind how they would do it. I'm giving them umbrella authority to do it for us after all we have already unofficially started our married life," Driarco cleared.
Both could hardly imagine the sexual experience they had last night. It was par excellence. Liza herself experienced multiple orgasms before her puberty age.
Self-manipulation, fondling of the clitoris, caressing of nipples, and several other forms – have been part of her active sexual life providing her sexual contentment. But what she encountered last night with Driarco was a revelation. It was the real thing. It made her fulfilled. Her shining but naïve face reflected a mirror of contentment and utmost happiness averred her sense of sexual fulfillment. Silence ensued, this time for good.
Outside the collective voice of the rebels in their daily exercise kept on booming. The goose-stepping was rather awkward. This was obvious because they were not wearing boots but sandals, the rest barefooted. This was the scene Ka Emir witnessed opening the window.
. . . . . . . . .
The unwed couple fresh taking their bath from a nearby cold spring caught up with daily physical exercise and drill with the rebels. They were surprised to see other comrades in arms preparing a banquet after their participation. The atmosphere was festive. All the rest were beaming with smiles and collectively one in spirit for today's important celebration. For Driarco, it could be a completely different wedding ceremony he had conducted or administered in parishes he served in the past. It would also be officially a culmination of his life as an officiating priest of the Catholic Church, a fact he doesn't crow against as he did not solicit it. He just rather outgrown it. And he's ready to defend it against those who think otherwise.
"A priest once ordained is still a priest forever in the Order of Melchizedek only he cannot dispense any sacrament unless there is official approval from the Vatican. All is fair in love after all whether in war or peace" the thought readily cropped in his mind again transforming him into an instant apologist of married Catholic priests who succumbed finally to love. On the contrary, at least he should be given credit for his honesty what with his decision coming out in the open to settle down with Eliza albeit the foreign nuptial ceremony at hand. He recalled too many priests who have sired several children with their churchgoers and are still dispensing sacraments or having an illicit relationship with others, a glaring example of living a double standard of morality. Like any other priest, he does not discount the idea that the church might allow its priest to marry.
"But when? Never mind," he readily conceded aware that rocking the Church remains an uphill battle saving integrity you cannot serve both God and Mammon at the same time.
"What is important is consistency. What if loving a woman is taking her to the altar showing to the world you are embarking on such a new journey despite you being an ordained Catholic priest? At least you earned respect from people and parishioners never mind harsh to the Catholic hierarchy rocking its long-cherished vow of chastity," reflected the young priest of his two classmates from the seminary whose marriages were performed by themselves one after the other. The antics stirred the Catholic Church and were picked up by the mainstream Media.
"No rocking the boat baby. Now that you are married, welcome aboard and by all means be happy," his message from one of his articles learning the new venture of once upon a time his batch mates and contemporaries from the seminary.
"Well said but tough act to do," his empathy relating his predicament now to them.
It might not also be a far-fetched idea that the issue of optional celibacy fanned out by such firebrand theologian Carl Jung sparking the ire of the Vatican would remain as controversial and implacable as ever among religious, laymen and other progressive and practicing Christians. Experience has taught him it's not easy living every day inside the four corners of a convent. And priests who don't know how to manage their time are rather susceptible to loneliness, any secular priest knows how tough to handle. Of course, man has libido permanently tucked right under his belt aptly articulated by such great minds as James Joyce and Sigmund Freud. But Driarco would like to think that it would be the height of stupidity correlating satisfaction of their animal nature desirous for sexual pleasure and divine calling of the priestly vocation. Otherwise, there would have been no St. Augustine, Francis of Assisi. No Missionaries and Spanish Prelates were assigned before in the country propagating their race in the process. The ever-continuing supply of vocations especially among the religious life is in itself a manifestation of a miracle at work here. Personally, Driarco would rather be lenient on the issue of priests leaving their vocation despite thousands of exoduses to family life experienced in the U.S. and the country alarming many sensitive theologians.
"It's just natural movement. And it's better definitely than clinging helplessly to their priestly vocation while maintaining mistresses on the other at the back of the convent," he said defending their manhood.
"It's another miracle at work here," he supposed.
It's just a question of honesty, therefore, period. What he feels uncomfortable however is the nagging question among his peers and parishioners regarding his involvement in the underground first as a supporter and later as a leader and now armed combatant. He would like to remain calm and would not engage in rhetoric.
"Come, live, see, and experienced if you too would not be drawn to the Nationalist struggle for democracy," he explained his side.
It's one of the mysteries he is yet to solve. And if he dies without solving them, he doesn't mind. He doesn't even guarantee that he would remain and die as a rebel. What he is certain of is that God has many ways of working His way to different people. It depends on how man responds. He would recall the painful transformation from a mere parish priest in Osigan to a practicing rebel right now. Very difficult indeed to explain. Among others, it just doesn't make any sense to wear a cassock preaching good news without ever practicing what he preaches. Anyway, the thought that there have been many others in the movement doing similar work he and the rest still coming to join the nationalist struggle, is a lasting consolation. Again, he would not be surprised if there would be a consistent supply of priests to the cause of the peoples' struggle unless if priest's conscience is not working.
"While man engages in evil, there would always be people like him who would come to their rescue," his experience validated.
"What if democracy would be alive and thriving?" That would be the time he would not worry most. He is therefore willing to come out in the open and help it grows.
. . . . . . . . . . . .
"Congratulations to both of you Ka Emir and Ka Liza," Ka Aries said greeting the couple coming out from the Nipa hut. Both acknowledged the warm good cheer.
"We're grateful to all of you. Mabuhay ang Pilipinas. What a surprise gift to us," Ka Emir responded.
"You're right. We didn't deliberately inform you about this stuff to return to you and Liza the compliment done providing necessary lift to our Nationalist's Democratic struggle.
"We have already arranged your nuptial service this morning precisely you can see many new faces around. I invited them to come over and join our celebration. Ka Mario over there would solemnize your marriage. In a few more minutes we would be starting the ceremony. Good luck again to both of you," the unassuming Ka Aris informed the couple.
"I couldn't believe this," Liza exclaimed Ka Emir pressing his palm.
"But it's true. Right?"
Liza nodded.
Meanwhile, one of their comrades hoisted a streamer at the back of the table where the couple was seated. It's red and visibly shown was a huge wooden hammer and sickle. Another comrade brought in two M-16 Armalites. He laid it down on the table. The nuptial ceremony started. It was one of the simplest ceremonies. It started with a song with the accompaniment of a guitar.
The couple in their casual dress passing through an armed parade proceeded to take their position facing Ka Mario. With a hand clasp, the officiating comrade extolled the would-be couple to be true to the calling of Nationalist Struggle for Democracy. As a sign of that commitment, both Ka Emir and KaElisa accepted the M-16 Armalite one after the other. They then repeatedly recite the vow of commitment after Ka Mario read each line from a red booklet.
During the wedding ceremony, the usual informal proceeding was observed – candles lighted to bind them together; the sponsor draped their shoulder with a cloth with a sequined revolutionary hammer and sickle on the flag held in place by a long-beaded cord tied over them symbolizing lasting and stronger married life. Instead of coins to signify prosperity, live bullets were held in each other's hands representing a commitment to armed struggle. Soon patriotic songs were sung after Ka Emir sealed his commitment with a kiss ending the ceremony. Thunderous applause and catcalls followed.
"Congratulations again darling. God bless us," Ka Emir uttered planting a kiss on her lips brimming with happiness. Hugging Liza, they both arose acknowledging the good cheer of their comrade in arms around. Only then the clapping subsided.
Ka Aris who was sitting nearby was fidgeting with the groom to give a talk, any relevant in-puts to the well-wishers. Outside the venue nearby, the smoke still bellowed. The sight of two roasted pigs now almost cooked was very inviting. It would be served to everybody. Ka Emir began clearing his throat and said:
"Many thanks indeed to everybody especially Ka Aris who made this modest Wedding celebration possible. I never knew that my involvement with the people's struggle would reach this far. As we all know our lives are only given once as such should also be lived to the fullest. Isn't it? I'm not sure if anybody right here in this place regretted spending part of your life on this crusade for national liberation. I bet your answer would be 'I don't think so.' Not surprising."
"Even if we would trace our footprints together before we found ourselves where we are today, I would still believe such a path is just a prelude to a lasting search for peace and freedom pursued by our great grandfathers since the revolution of 1898. Remember as I'm always saying it at the point of saturation, freedom is only for the brave. Right now, as I embark on a new phase of my life with my lovely wife Ka Eliza, I'd like to renew that commitment. Come what may. As long as we live that life abundantly even only once is for me more than enough. And I can't find no other better opportunity of living it than being with you all the rest of my life."
"Indeed, you would recall that today's struggle for national liberation is just a continuation of our forefather's struggle against the foreign invaders of the past. They have shown how dear freedom is to our lives. This they did by fighting the enemies tooth and nail from the last ounce of their lives to the last drop of their blood. This what exactly what our national heroes did notably Lapulapu of Mactan in Visayas, Sultan Kudarat in Mindanao, Bonifacio, Antonio Luna, Aguinaldo, Mabini and many others in Luzon. As you probably know, they fought while they were still in their prime. Rizal, Bonifacio Aguinaldo, and the rest of the gang were still in their early twenties when they raised their voices and arms against the Spanish conquerors. "
"So too with everybody else here today, we are all you know mature, young yet have been living witnesses to injustices committed by those in the helm of power, young yet willing to sacrifice our lives for the freedom of the motherland, young and yet bruised all over by abuses of imperialism perpetuated by Uncle Sam and his local cohorts and accomplices. Lastly, young yet brave enough to come into this place as a community forever strong imbuing us the power so strong no one can break it because it's impregnable collective strength stored in the heart of every Filipino, not even our enemies withstand any harrowing experience are still living as one with a dream of getting the tyrants out and we – are leaders most especially - leading us to the dawn of a new day coming
to an age that life is never meant for the selected few only – the rich, powerful, and tyrants but most especially for all, the majority total poor and the downtrodden taken for a ride by those in the corridors of power.
"A little digression here, allow me to please give you benefits of your doubts about what prompted me to join your liberation struggle. Ka Aris lately revealed it all. True enough, the situation forced me why I'm here before you," this one rang a bell to each combatant.
"There have been queries about why is there a need for me to go this far momentarily taking off my cassock to fight the aggressors. Incidentally, said question has been rendered moot and academic and I don't personally think that it is that surprising. I believe it would only be an amazing tale if we - priests, religious, laity, and any other ordinary Christians – didn't find our familiar way here living and fighting side by side with you.
That would be a great tragedy in the light of the present situation. I'm not sure if everybody by now already learned what happened to my family and to me when I was assigned as parish priest in Sta. Rita. It's been an open secret anyway. If they were able to commit that abuse against my family and parishioners, I don't see any reason why they could not do the same offense against any ordinary men like you here."
"Again, this is what we said ours is merely a continuation of the past struggle in whatever form abuses were committed. The important variable of this is our response. Precisely our involvement with this struggle shows how far and to what extent we would allow injustice to go.
What we have been doing so far, it's for everybody's business and especially for the next generation to come. In short for every Filipino's future. What had happened to you happened to me and everybody else regardless of age, persuasion, and creed. Unless those who love so much their lives would not heed the call of time, I don't think they would survive that long. I would have not been before you today had I opted to stay in the convent. And what if those occupying the front pews in the church are the very persons that caused you misfortunes. It's ridiculous giving a homily of pardon and love, don't you think so my friends? That's what exactly happened to me and the rest – workers or non-workers of the church – who went ahead of us up there," he further clarified his index finger pointing upward stressing his point.
Taking an important item inside his pocket, he lifted it for everybody to see.
'Do you see this?" he said raising high the small bottle.
"Small bottle, right?" he probed.
"But for the rest who can't probably figure out what this is. Of course, just a small receptacle."
"But it's no ordinary receptacle, however."
"Look at the items inside. Three needles, right?"
"But they are not any ordinary needles though but customized ones appearing as such but just enough to cause your death!" he said getting the interest of the people around at the same time shaking it causing a sound just enough to be heard.
"Indeed, these are no ordinary needles never utilized in sewing nor any other related activities instead. But in killing sweetly innocent people covering up what seemingly looks like there's a semblance of ordinary death. Not until you discovered it that was planted right on your cranium causing your untimely death," the audience were stunned.
"The same instrument incidentally was used in killing my father and another father of a good friend of mine, accomplices, and just anyone else whose faces, unfortunately, they don't like! Poor guys offered as a sacrifice by the Powers-that-be perpetuating themselves in power," he confided but not knowing how many more casualties were dead that way perpetuated by Marcos' Grim Reapers.
"I repeat these small pointed instruments are no ordinary tool for killing people. Tibetans have their needles as their prized possession secured in an elegant leather jacket. The Wolves of RSM incidentally enhanced that nonetheless used it leaving their empty jacket to be refilled with new needles once planted to the cranium of the victim," he said pausing summoning enough air to breathe.
From the silence, it was clear that the audience was more shocked than informed.
"By the way, I'm keeping it myself as a souvenir to remember what evil men are capable of doing. One of these would be given back to a son of real owners when an appropriate time comes," he said but his voice slowed down learning that his good friend Maj. Taklin de la Rosa has been on the other side of the fence protecting the status quo.
"Unfortunately, he might not be able to get this. But who knows?"
"Not sure of his status now. But hopefully, we'll meet in God's time."
"I must meet him because these needles would be restless until they are put back secured in their original leather jacket!"
"Going back to my homily, even if we would stretch further our imagination across the seas, we would still find out priests themselves ended up not just as mere supporters but armed combatants as well. This is what exactly happened to Cardenal brother-priests themselves of Nicaragua. Unfortunately, we have to learn yet what happened to the Sandinista revolution, how they successfully waged their struggle to the end."
"The brutal killing of Somoza by the Sandinista's bazooka in broad daylight yet at Asuncion indicates a grim reminder to fascists and dictators that the oppressed could give a run of their lives in very ugly and brutal fashion yet. Having said this, I don't think Liza and me have anything to say more. Again, thanks indeed. Mabuhay ang Pilipinas!"
It was a well-said piece despite extemporaneous, Ka Aris thought. Liza beside him joining the rest led in giving Ka Emir a sustained standing ovation.
"Mabuhay ang Pilipinas pa rin" collectively and repeatedly chorused by all comrades raising their clenched fists erupted and vibrated around the open space, their voices echoing afar among the trees in the forest.
. . . . . . . . . . . .
Meanwhile, three hundred meters away first burst from a 155 Millimeter Howitzer exploded prompting the rebels to scamper for cover while shouting "Hapon, hapon, hapon." Many more explosions followed hitting right at the heart of the camp killing many rebels and injuring some. The huge trees covering their hideout were also mostly felled to the ground snipers thrown away. Ka Aris was quick to analyze the situation while securing his safety commanding his men and amazons to engage in defending their territory. It was their first to be raided by the military and this disturbed Ka Aris.
"Whatever happened that the blitzkrieg attack was executed right after the wedding of Ka Emir and Eliza." To think that the time was late at 5 PM leaves them no room for reprisals as darkness started to cover them. Looking at the smoke that still bellows nearby, he concluded that it was this giving signals to forward observers below blowing their camp to bits and pieces. Exchanging fire ensued but the rebels were caught on the defensive and could hardly provide decent cover for their men gradually annihilated by the advancing military.
"How could they have managed with their offensive spree given different landmines planted all over and snipers on trees and bushes guarding the only entry to the camp?" the nagging question started to arise. But look how the occasion was spared allowing us to finish the conduct of the marriage ceremony and reception later. Hmm, whoever bugged us is very considerate. He could therefore be just a friend of the movement.
"Who could he be?" the tough question bothering him.
. . . . . . . . . . . .
No time for love for a newlywed. This is the baptism literally of fire for Ka Emir. Love can wait at the most opportune time when guns are rested and sporadic offensive ended.
Reunited with Eliza outside, he was met with staccato sounds of M-16 all over and the shrill noise of "hapon, hapon, hapon" audible from their embattled comrades. There was little time left for cover. As each helicopter swarmed like bees all over the area hail of bullets unleashed everywhere, prompting many in haste to scamper for cover. The rest were like Turkey's easy target practice. Their nipa hut was easily consumed by fire as soon as they jumped for cover and safety. In a few more minutes, the area turned into a raging inferno leaving them unaided from the swift air attack by the government troopers.
And no way they could contain the fire. It's only by land they could give a run against marauding peace breakers. The sloping terrain didn't hamper Ka Emir from bringing his love life Eliza and the rest to safety. Ka Emir could probably manage the enemies coming in through the thick foliage taking care of one or two of their strikers. Coming back carrying his top prize bazooka recovered from one of his encounters against the military, Ka Aris secured himself by the base of the huge acacia tree.
Throwing first a spit to the ground invoking good luck and uttering "Ave Maria Purisima, consecado con si vida," he geared himself for one big battle in his life. Suddenly a Sikorsky came hovering closer to the ground, pressing the pin off, the big bang exploded into the air sending a huge artillery zooming directly hitting the helicopter. It exploded throwing its main trunk into the air. The propeller scattered into bits and pieces dropping straight to the grass flat.
It was a costly attack, the two other pilots thought seeing one of them beaten to death by the rebels, flew away but come back for needed retaliation. Ka Aris remains glued to the acacia tree not shaken by the threat of the two others. He has to go for broke if need be having seen the damage done to his people.
"All is either winning or losing in war depending on luck. Fortunately, the charm is with us today as we are the willing host you guys disturbed," he uttered.
He can't take chances. He doesn't care if he would die, the struggle would still continue anyway ad infinitum until the National struggle for Democracy is achieved.
Meanwhile, the second helicopter flew swiftly coming seemingly to inflict some more damage. Swooping down coming from behind it blew makeshift nipa huts into pieces. Dead bodies of casualties litter all over. The sight was nasty.
Its unleashed rains of bullets anew against the brave warrior hitting Ka Emir's left arm blood oozing profusely, made their mark. Ka Eliza came to the rescue banding the injured portion. The pilot laughs at the top of his lungs seeing Ka Aris coming out in the open dropping to the ground shirt drenched red with blood. But it proved to be his last laugh as it exploded into the thin air from the succeeding sniping of Ka Aris. He whistled seeing the second helicopter dropping flat to the ground like a marshmallow its spade disintegrating, the fuselage was thrown in the other direction, the rest of the parts breaking into bits and pieces.
The third finally defied code of conduct in war abandoning the attack without any official advice from his superior. Must be what his instinct dictated to him or suffered a similar fate. It's the most prudent act he could decide on or he would be turned into ashes the way his two pilots suffered at the hands of rebels.
Ka Aris was leading holding on the line. Designated snipers to include Ka Eliza were all amazons.
"Why women and not men?"
"They have steady pulse unlike men that they could heat target as far as their eyes can see. That's why they too are given imprimatur to fight sniper to sniper when needed."
But the thought of how fast the attack was delivered preoccupy his mind.
"It could only be any among the latest visitors he had who could bug them and relayed whereabouts to enemies forward observers down below and allowed their designated marksmen to do their job now spread in the perimeter of the area."
"It could not be Fr. Driarco leaving Roger, his sidekick, he brought in from Osigan via Mindoro to be the prime suspect. If he left the area and could not be found anywhere that could be him," his natural conclusion.
"As such, he must be at the position secured by the military by now having done his job giving desired distances to their forward observers firing over their deadly bombs. Good for him that he was not turned over to be roasted through 'Operation Ahos,'" he said again irked from incurring such a deadly mistake taking for granted not subjecting his visitors to a strict thorough background check to secure their safety.
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