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There is no Tomorrow |
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1800 She’s holding her three little boy hands as she wave goodbye to her husband Pedro, tears in her eyes flow continuously . The ship disappeared towards the horizon Mayumi still looking at the deep blue sea now she’s alone with three little boys Mario, Jose and Ambrosio no job relying only a little help from her brother . She cannot get help from the regiment where her husband was working . “They took him away from her “ she thought in anger her race was a question a native from Pitogo fell in love with white man but he’s kind soft spoken still lingered in her ears “ I will be back you will see” he looked at her, pain felt in his heart. He looked up on the air lift up his hand and signed a cross on his forehead. “ God guide my family while I’m away” Mayumi was hanging her clothes when people suddenly running screaming “Hide. hide” she went to look for her three little boys playing at nearby stream. She quickly ran and took the boys little hand she saw the little cave and quickly squeezed them in as she put some branches of leave. She murmured to the children “ keep quite the Moro’s are coming” she was shaking her hands holding her children tightly .She heard noises of commotion her heart is pounding smell of burning leaves crackling somewhere she looked at the river water flowing clearly she hoped the fire are not spreading towards her position. Little Ambrosio crawled slowly near her put his face next to her ears “ Mama I’m hungry” she kisses his sweaty little forehead. “Not to long now when it gets darker will get out” Mayumi said softly. The rain poured suddenly and she praised and sign a cross on towards her chest “thank you lord” she could smell the wet simmering smoked from the ashes . It was pitched dark they slowly crawled out from the shelter behind they been there for almost a day her empty stomach was growling soon she familiarized the surrounding the tip of the moon started to shine from the east still crescent but it was enough for her to see the house . “ Here eat this for now “ she gave the ripe bananas to the three boys she’s was happy that the intruder didn’t see the bananas which is hidden under the palm basket . “Mama! mama! “ Mario shook her slightly she’s moaning and sat up suddenly .Mayumi gazed at Mario, his only ten but he acted as matured young man with huge responsibility on his shoulder. She was dreaming Pedro was with they were on top of the tower his hands on her waist as she held his arm suddenly a monster serpent came from the sea in front of them and grabbed her husband away she was screaming but can’t opened her mouth as if something is choking her and that’s how she got up. She shook her hear as if the dream was true but its only a dream She knew one day he will come back . It was nice Sunday morning she as they walked inside the church Ambrosio pointed his little finger into an empty chair but as soon as they started to set someone grab the chair in a murmured voice “ Only the privilege can set” and he grab and offer the chair to oncoming lady wearing a black laced scarfs. Dona Manuela was a town mayors wife beautiful but unfriendly , she met her in previous occasion when her husband Don Antonio told to Pedro that he will be going to Cebu to help to fight against insurgent. Don Antonio and his wife came to newly founded Pitogo they were sent by the Spanish official from Intramuros to established settlement in this part of the country. They knew the Moro’s still rampaging this little town but with enough soldier the town will be secure. The on lookers tower was already built now the church is nearly finish. Mayumi grabbed little Ambrosio’s hand and walked at the back of the church as she look up the new bell was being placed at the top of the little tower connecting at the edge of the church the bottom part was made of blue stone but on the top where the bells where hang was made of wood. There were amazingly happy when the bell rang its their first time to come so closed when the bell was ringing Still in Mayumi’s heart she’s been discriminated by her race and with no one could depend her. They been segregated amongst the local, they been moved back they have to remain standing on their feet listening to the mass although some of the seat are empty but the privilege people can only be seated at the front of the altar. As the mass finished this privilege personalities will walked outside the church as they passed to local they will stared at them from head to foot as if they have a contagious desease. Her husband introduced her to Christianity but she felt is this what the God teach you to be discriminated against your race. It was midday when they arrived home. The newly built church was at the top of a hill looking towards the sea. They have to walked further inland to get home her mother Catalina was setting underneath the mango three although her age was in her seventy but she’s still able to walked far her brother Kario don’t let her come closer to Mayumi since she got married to Pedro he hated him for believing that all Spaniard are bastard they only use the locals for slavery. He has a very strong opposition of the Spaniards occupying the town. Her mother smiled at her as the boys ran towards their grand mother. “ Grandma do you have something for us? Where hungry” little gazed up to his grandma as if he’s not been fed for weeks. She grabbed something from her breast it’s a rice tied up in bandana. “ I hid it from your uncle “ looking up Mayumi warily, Kario has a plenty land at the back county and foods supply are abundant but he will not kneel to the Spaniards. “ Why don’t you come with us the children will be fed and you don’t need to worry about foods” Catalina held Mayumi’s callus palm . She shook her head and replied “ mother Pedro left me here in this town and I will wait for him” Catalina frowned and shook with disbelief “ looked how those people treated you they don’t fed nor give your children foods how can you survived?” But the love for her husband was so strong her hope that one day he will come back . “ we will survive you’ll see” she replied and kissed her mothers forehead. Days, months and year gone past Mayumi survived by cleaning someone’s houses, cooking and washing clothes she was a servants of the town in exchange to that they will give her foods and little money, the boys grown too and because of their unusual looks and physics, they were more noticeable than other local men. Their strength are well known they could put the bull down by their bare hands. Young ladies buzzing as they walked passed along but despite of their good looks seems they are also has an inferiority they leaving in a little shack in the island where Mayumi can stay at the beach gazing far out hoping one day Pedro will come till her body was ready to retire at night. Their shack was build in a way she can watch through the shoreline if any ship were on sight although its small but it was surrounded by vegetable next to the house is Acacia tree when its bloom it gives the ambience of fire because of the redness of its flowers. They love their mother so much and they won’t leave her. Until one day they saw a ship docking at the wooden made port near the watch tower. Mayumi was so happy her Pedro will be coming home, someone is coming by the boat at the island she was standing at the edge of the cliff her hands pressed on her chest. His wearing a uniform but in her dismay it was not him. It was Gabriel he was also looking for Pedro it has been twenty years they haven’t heard each other only he found out that his ship went to Pitogo . They left each other during the siege of Ceylon he went back to Spain. He came to look for him for Pedro’s father’s sake he wants him back home to see him for the last moment of his life. He’s father had an incurable sickness and hoping to see Pedro before he die. He looked at Mayumi looking down at the fine grasses under her feet , they were setting down at the bamboo chair underneath Acacia tree, he can trace the sadness in her face but the beautiful deep set eyes was invigorating
To be continue
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