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Forbidden Love |
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Her forehead was full of sweat looking at her husband Gorio holding her hands. The midwife open her mouth in a loud voice “Carolina push” pressing her stomach a bit firmed Carolina gazed at Julia she been a midwife of the town and will known for her expertise delivering babies. Carolina had been in labour for four hours now then suddenly an utter cry .. Julia smiled at her “ Carolina will done it’s a girl and a boy” Gorio is holding on his two large arm the twins kissing Carolina’s forehead “ what name we should call them?” He asked in a low voice as if he scared to wake the twins. Carolina hold his hand. “Amelia and Emelio “in soft loving voice although she’s still a bit tired but her heart felt as if she was in heaven . A girl and a boy “my family is complete “ she thought smiling an accomplishment in her heart. Carolina and Gorio lives in a farm at Barangay Pinia a boat ride to the town but they are happy foods are abundant they don’t need to buy anything fruits and vegetables are just right at her door step. Gorio built a house made from palm tree everything from roof to the wall and floor, he was proud of it. It was a nice Sunday morning birds pepping water dew from the early morning still on the tips of the grasses as Gorio passing through it suddenly, he heard a loud bang! Coming from his house he ran his heart was pumping heavily he saw Carolina on her knee holding little Emelio helpless body while Amelia crying none stop he saw the hammock down the floor “how could it happened?” he tiptoed investigating the poll where he tied the rope that held the hammock he saw the marked it had been chewed by the rat that caused of the hammock to fell into the floor. The twin were sleeping on the hammock while Carolina was washing there clothes when she heard the bang. He kneeled where Carolina is still sobbing “we need to take the baby in the town ready and prepared the children” He quickly dashed out the door run towards the river which connect to the sea he grab the little boat which was parked at the mangrove tree near the riverside. As he paddled the boat little Emelio’s helpless body was at the middle of Carolina’s lying at her legs as she’s setting in the middle of the boat wrapped with old skirt that had been cut into pieces his still breathing but lightly as if the time is running out . Little Emelia sucking her thumb looking at her mother sad face she was place in the big basket her waist had been tied up just in case the boat capsize with unwelcome wave, travelling at dawn is not easy particularly with two little children not only that one was injured. Gorio saw the blinking lights of the town as he crossed to the reef. He twist his paddle to gain a bit of control as he nearly hit the big stone in front of his boat. He inhaled in a long deep breath in sign of relief. Dr. Aurello was holding his stethoscope feeling Emelio’s heartbeat on his check he pushed a little bit of his palm down the little boy stomach to see if there was a broken bones in his ribs as he pressed slightly down a deep cried coming from the boys mouth. Dr Aurello confirmed what in his mind a broken ribs, he looked at Gorio and shook his hear. “ Gorio this boy need a constant care I heard you have another child , his twin sister” Gorio nodded and touch Carolina’s shoulder as she’s picking up Emelio ,the doctor just wrapped a clothed at the baby’s stomach. Gorio and Carolina was standing at the front of their parents house waving goodbye to Romana and Augusto ,they decided to stay in town until Emelio is fully recovered separating Amelia was hard but Romana was willing to look after her since they been childless had been trying for years going to different churches hoping for a miracle this time they don’t need too. Amelia was perfect. Romana has promised her sister “ I will look after her until you need me to so” as she hug and kissed Carolina’s wet face the tears still flowing. Six years gone past Amelia grown to be a beautiful little girl with big round black eyes and curly hair to match. Romana and Augusto love and spoiled her so much since she’s the only child in the family, The couple lives in Gumaca although the town are not far from Pitogo but with no intention of returning her back to the biological parent so soon, particularly that Carolina bear two more children and pregnant again. Emelio on the other was also cured although his more skinny than Amelia but the similarity was still there, they were not identical twins but they can felt when someone is hurt. Now he was the eldest in the family and having two more younger brother his mother needs a bit of help. Carolina wished she could take her only daughter back home but how? Feeding three little mouths and another one coming with Gorio relying only their farm and fish was hard , her daughter is more secured with her sister Romana they have enough to offer. Amelia was jumping up and down when she heard she has a new sister Elena the news came when Aldo the copra labourer who just came from Pitogo. “ Auntie can we go and visit my little sister” holding Romana’s skirt begging as she looked so persistent. Amelia touch the smooth face of little Elena as she’s yawning and opened her eyes “ Amelia put her face next to Elena’s face as she close one of her little eye. “ I’m your little sister” and kissed her . “ Don’t kissed her too much” Romana murmured “her skin still delicate.” she grabbed her arm as she’s looking at Carolina still in her bamboo bed. Carolina slowly slid her body towards the edge of the bed then sat up taking the baby in her arms and asked Amelia to set next to her. “ open your arm” she told to Amelia and slowly transferred little Elena wrapped on while little blanket. Carolina’s feeling was undeniably happy when she saw the bonding between her two daughters. It’s been raining Amelia was sobbing on top of Romana’s body Her body was on Amelia’s lap she held her hand and suddenly her hand dropped . She didn’t know what to do she cried for help uncle August went to Gumaca to get some food supplies she’s alone with Romana’s dead body. They were dancing when suddenly Romana held her chest and fell on the floor. Amelia tried to revived her but nothing she’s not breathing at all. It was midday when Augusto arrived and when he saw the unforgettable scene he kneeled down next to Amelia “ she didn’t say goodbye” his tears falling over Romana’s cold body. They been married for twenty five years with no quarrel but love. Romana never complaint nor angry she’s always happy she loved to dance in spare time at night they dance without music just a sweet rhythm with there feet its just like magic under the moonlight while Amelia watches them and there are time she will follow the footstep of them both. The grieved was so strong Augusto cannot go on he need to leave the place his heart was full of sorrow everywhere he looked around he can see her smiling . Carolina and Gorio was outside their looking at Augusto leaving his head down as if his been defeated he took Amelia back to the couple he can’t look after Amelia alone . Although Carolina was sad that her sister is gone but then her heart was full of joy her family is complete again. It had been seven years ago when they let Amelia be a part of another family now she’s back as looking at the five children playing hide and seek at the nearby tree. Time goes quickly as a blinked of an eye they heard the bombing of Pearl Harbour and the Japanese was starting invading Manila. It’s the year that Gorio’s farm was fruitful the harvest was good Emelio and Amelia grown fast so was their siblings. Gorio was setting calmly at the balcony they just built, he noticed of Emelio came in his hands was sweating “ father I want to go to war” Gorio looked backed at him “what?” he stood up he didn’t know what to say . They heard from the meeting that the county need soldiers, after a long pause he nodded slightly the fact is, he is only fifteen.” your still young “ he told him calmly “ but we need to fight “ Emelio insisted behind him was Amelia peeping her head “ I am too “ she said excitedly. Gorio was stunned hearing all of this his twins want to go to war. “ you’re a woman “ he argued to his daughter “ I’m going to become a first aider Dalia told me so” Dalia was there cousin her boyfriend was a lieutenant since the war began they need more soldiers, nurses, doctors even priest for the dying ones. The country is in turmoil and they need to participated whatever it takes . The war was all over the country Emelio was fighting near Pangasinan his battalion was fighting against Japanese he was a machine gun runner the fight was rampant the smoke was all over he can’t see further out all he think was to pushed the trigger and kept going on for hours until everything stopped he looked around he saw his comrade lying dead as far as he knows he was alone he ran and hide under the bushy part of cornfield and stayed until dark. He walked slowly well aware of any movements, he tried to avoid the roadsides then suddenly sharp pain hit back . He looked down at his chest the blood oozing right through it the bullet went straight to his heart. A sniper shot him the Japanese had noticed him when he crossed the bridge , on the other hand Amelia was near Lucena at American barracks looking after the wounded the she felt a sudden pain right through her heart the its gone she sat down tears drifted down to her face . She knew Emelio is gone. The man standing not far from her ran towards her when he saw Emelia suddely fell on the floor he thought she’s hurt .
To be continue. |
