Chapter 56: Leisure as a Young Man
A week had passed since Romeo's visit to the "house without stairs" in Calamba, following a secret meeting with the sugo, Laguna.
They remained steadfast in their mission to hunt down the Katipunan strongholds in Luzon, but every step they took felt anticipated. It was as if information leaked during every planning session, thwarting their attempts to capture the rebels. The weight of his duty as General pressed down on his shoulders like heavy iron, yet he knew he could never surrender.
In a quiet town in Zambales, an old warehouse had become the epicenter of a massive military operation. The perimeter was surrounded by armored vehicles, their headlights cutting through the darkness of the night. Hundreds of soldiers stood guard, their footsteps crunching on the gravel, every movement calculated and ready for an ambush. The tension of the operation hung thick in the air, and even the town's residents hid within their homes, terrified of what might unfold.
Romeo entered the warehouse with his men. Clad in a crisp uniform, his face was a mask of serious determination. The interior was dim, cluttered with ammunition crates, old rifles, and scattered documents. He was immediately met by Peter, his most trusted soldier, whose face was etched with frustration.
"General," Peter said, his voice low but clear. "It seems they caught wind of our raid. Our men found no rebels here."
Despite the warehouse being filled with supplies—weapons, maps, and Katipunan records—not a single rebel had been caught. It was a massive puzzle for Romeo's group.
"The strange thing, General," Peter added, inspecting the crates, "is that according to our soldiers, they watched this place all night. No one was seen leaving since yesterday. So, how did they escape?"
Romeo fell into a silent thought before providing an answer. "It's likely because of Martin," he said, his voice calm yet confident. "We know he has the ability to create portals to other dimensions. They can evade us using those. The Katipunan is becoming more elusive because of him."
He sighed, his eyes scanning the shadows of the warehouse. "Expand the search to the entire town. Confiscate all rebel equipment. Find out who owns this warehouse and how they smuggled these firearms."
Though they failed to capture Martin, discovering one of the Katipunan's hideouts was still a victory. However, to Romeo, the failure felt like a poison slowly spreading through his system, feeding his anxieties.
An hour after the operation, while inside his vehicle, the weight of disappointment was still visible on his face. The silence inside the car was broken by Abby, his loyal sister known for her lively spirit.
"General, don't be sad," Abby said, her voice hopeful, trying to lift the heavy mood of her leader. "Even if we didn't catch Martin, we've reduced the Katipunan's hideouts. We'll get them eventually, you'll see."
Romeo sighed, his eyes fixed on the trees passing by. "I hope so, Sister Abby. We monitored that place for almost a week. We knew every detail of the plan, yet Martin still escaped. It's like playing hide-and-seek with an enemy who can vanish through a portal. How can we catch them like this?"
"What's the news from the other hiding spots?" he asked Peter, his tone a mix of frustration and lingering hope.
Peter reported that the situations in Ilagan, Isabela, and Pampanga were stable, with their men continuously monitoring suspected Katipunan strongholds. "General, our next move depends on the rebels' actions. For now, we must wait," Peter said, his voice practical but tinged with concern.
Romeo rested his chin on his hand, his mind racing with plans and possibilities. The idea of waiting was a blow to his nature as a soldier—he was a man of action and quick decisions. He let out a long breath and, to ease the tension of the moment, decided to change the subject.
"Do you two have plans tomorrow? Would you like to go out with me?" he asked, his voice slightly lighter, trying to mask his true feelings.
Abby scratched her head, smiling with a hint of hesitation. "I'd love to join you, General, but I have to report to my superior. Even though I'm on your team, I still have duties in my Diwata's territory, and I promised my superior I'd be on duty tomorrow," she said, trying to stay positive.
"I have to go to Pampanga tomorrow as well," Peter added, checking his tablet for reports. "I need to handle our men there. The officials in that town are difficult; they haven't signed our permits for operations in other areas yet, so I need to see them personally."
Romeo's shoulders slumped slightly. "It looks like I'll be going out alone tomorrow," he said, a hint of disappointment in his voice.
Abby immediately teased him, unable to help herself. "General, why don't you just head to Manila now? So you can be with Flora tomorrow."
"Here you go again, Sister Abby," Romeo replied with a frown, though his eyes betrayed a pain he tried to hide.
"But why not, General?" Abby insisted, her eyes full of concern. "Before, you were always with Flora on your days off. I see nothing wrong with visiting her. I know how much she means to you."
Romeo looked out the window. The trees outside seemed like shadows of his past—passing by but never truly gone. "Our situation is different now, Sister Abby," he said, his voice faint and full of resentment. "She's starting to find someone new to share her life with, and I'm no longer part of that. Let's just leave her be."
Sadness flickered in Abby and Peter's eyes. They knew the depth of Romeo's feelings for Flora, but they respected his decision. They knew Romeo was doing this not just for himself, but for Flora—to give her the freedom to find a new life.
The next day, with no new reports from his men, Romeo decided to head out alone. Life as a soldier was riddled with problems—no rest, no fixed hours. Every day was a battle, and every night's sleep was just a momentary breath. Thus, whenever he had the chance, he sought peace of mind. He knew that as a General, he couldn't afford a cluttered head.
Negative thoughts and emotions were enemies he had to fight. Romeo had entered the military at the age of ten. He was a genius in many aspects—strategy, combat, and leadership—but no matter how brilliant he was, he couldn't fight the loneliness caused by the turns his life had taken.
Sometimes, he envied kids his age who lived freely—playing in parks, laughing with friends, unburdened by heavy responsibilities. So, in his free time, he tried to experience the simple things normal youths did. Even as a government official, he played video games in secret, watched shows, and occasionally dreamed of being ordinary.
Years ago, he would often bring his "siblings" from the camp to go out every tenth day. They would laugh together, share stories, and enjoy simple joys. But after their five years of training, he made a difficult decision: he sent those he considered siblings back to their respective hometowns, leaving him alone in Batangas.
Currently, on his day off, he decided to stay in Batangas to pass the time. He looked for entertainment. He approached some youths hanging out on a corner, his voice hesitant. "Where's the nearest arcade center around here?" he asked, and they quickly gave him directions.
After walking for a while, he found what he was looking for in a mall. He entered the arcade and felt a sense of lightness as he played games just like everyone else. He spent the whole afternoon there—from claw machines to fighting games—relishing the simple happiness of being alone.
The following day, after visiting mayors' offices to handle security reports for Batangas, he decided to have lunch. He sat alone in a restaurant, holding his phone, texting his men for updates. After the conversation, he sighed. Before him sat a plate of leche flan. Its sweet aroma reminded him of Flora. He imagined her smile while eating sweets. The memory was like a blow to his chest; he missed her company and her stories. He realized how quiet his life had become.
He checked his phone's wallpaper—a photo of his team where he and Flora stood side-by-side, both smiling. Those smiles were once full of hope, but he knew her smiles were now meant for someone else.
"I need to get used to not having her around and just forget," he whispered to himself, still believing she was safer away from him.
Despite his words, the ache in his heart remained. He was deeply lonely, but he knew his avoidance of Flora was for her own freedom.
Later that day, he held a meeting with soldiers to give patrol instructions for the province. As Governor-General, he commanded the largest military force in the area, and every mayor followed his lead on security. His voice was authoritative, but behind the stoic facade, his heart was heavy.
After a long day, he returned to his condo in Batangas. He turned on the lights and was immediately greeted by the silence of the unit. He sat on the sofa, waiting for the quiet to envelop him. His mind wandered to battles, responsibilities, and memories. He took a shower to refresh himself and cooked dinner.
Eating alone at the table, he felt the weight of his solitude. Every bite was a reminder of his isolation. He couldn't help but remember the laughter at the camp. While eating, his phone chimed. A social media notification appeared.
He remembered that Reign, one of his men, had added him to a gaming community using a dummy account. Since he loved games, Reign introduced him to a popular online arcade battle game called Real Fighter. Using his dummy account, he interacted as an ordinary person; no one knew he was the General of Batangas.
Real Fighter was an online battle game where players competed for wins and completed quests. Beyond the leaderboard, players collected items. Being wealthy, Romeo easily completed his collections, making him famous in the community. Through a group post, he learned about a gaming convention in Pasay. As a gamer, Romeo wanted to experience it just once.
"There's no harm in trying," he whispered, his heart filled with excitement for something so simple yet meaningful.
The next morning, he prepared early. He decided to leave his car and driver behind, opting for public transport to experience a simpler life. He rode a jeepney; the engine's roar and the smell of the road gave him a strange sense of freedom. He got off at a bus station heading to Pasay.
Feeling hungry, he saw a food booth selling boxed meals—adobo, fried hotdogs, and other Filipino favorites. He decided to buy one but noticed a long line because the vendor was on a break. He patiently lined up, his discipline tested by the heat and the wait.
While in line, he noticed a plastic bag in front of him, seemingly left behind. As he picked it up to inspect it, someone shouted, "Wait, that's mine!"
A woman with short hair—almost as short as a man's—spoke. She wore a black jacket, jeans, and sneakers, dressed in a boyish style. Her eyes were sharp but held a hint of panic. "Sorry," she said as she took the bag, but then she immediately cut in front of Romeo.
Romeo frowned. "Wait, Miss, why are you cutting the line? Shouldn't you go to the back?" he asked, his tone calm but questioning.
The woman smiled and explained, "I put this plastic bag here. I was in line before you arrived, but I had to go to the CR, so I left my things to hold my spot."
Romeo wasn't convinced. "Even if you left your things, you still left the line. You should return to the end. There's no law saying you can leave an object to reserve a spot."
The woman scowled, clearly irritated. "Why are you trying to kick me out? I told you, I was here first, and my things prove it!" her voice rose, ready for an argument.
"I find your actions unreasonable," Romeo replied, looking her straight in the eye. "If everyone did what you're doing, the line would be chaos. It affects everyone, so discipline should be practiced in places like this."
Romeo lectured her on respecting others' rights, reminding her that even schools teach honesty and discipline. Infuriated by his "sermon," the woman clenched her fists. "I don't understand why you're making a big deal out of such a small thing!"
"If queuing properly isn't a big deal, then you should have no problem going to the back and respecting those of us already here," Romeo challenged.
In a fit of rage, she grabbed Romeo's collar, her eyes burning. "This is why I hate you Hilaw! You're so arrogant just because you're rich and went to fancy schools!"
Romeo remained calm. He grabbed her hand and gently but firmly removed it from his clothes. "Intimidation doesn't help your situation," he said coldly. "I have no intention of arguing. I just want you to be disciplined. If you were truly first, you wouldn't have left. If you want this to end peacefully, just line up behind me."
People nearby began to notice the commotion. Despite her anger, the woman had no choice but to move behind Romeo, her eyes fixed on him like daggers. Romeo moved forward as the line finally started moving.
After buying his food, he ate quickly at the food court, knowing his bus was coming. He finished his adobo and rice, his mind already on his plans for the day.
Minutes later, he boarded the bus and sat down. To his shock, the woman from the line boarded the same bus and ended up sitting right next to him.
She glared at him instantly. "Why are you sitting there? Are you following me?" she asked suspiciously.
Romeo scanned her from head to toe. "I'm not following you, Miss. I have no interest in people who don't know how to get along with others," he replied emotionlessly.
Insulted, her face flushed. "You have no manners! There are plenty of seats; move somewhere else because I don't want to sit next to you."
"Aside from lacking discipline, you're quite picky! If you don't want to sit next to me, why don't you move?" Romeo teased.
"I was here first!" she insisted. "Wait, are you trying to order me around because you're a Hilaw? You Spaniards always think you're above Filipinos!"
Romeo sighed, trying to keep his patience. "I don't know why you keep calling me Hilaw. Regardless, this bus is for everyone. I paid my fare just like you; I have the right to choose my seat."
As the bus crowded, the woman stopped arguing but remained irritable. She put on her earphones to calm herself. Romeo looked out the window, his mind split between his mission and this strange encounter. He never thought he'd be arguing in public with such a defiant woman.
Hours later, as the bus traversed the road to Pasay, it became packed with standing passengers. When the bus stopped at a station, several Spanish students boarded, their gold bracelets signaling their wealth and status.
They immediately looked for seats and, seeing Filipinos sitting, began to act out. "Get up! We're sitting there!" one student shouted arrogantly. When the Filipinos didn't move fast enough, he threatened, "If you don't move, we'll make sure you regret it!"
Terrified of the influential families represented by the gold bracelets, the Filipinos gave up their seats. One of the Spaniards noticed the woman sitting next to Romeo. He yanked her earphones out and yelled, "Are you deaf? I said I'm sitting here! Get out!"
The woman didn't take it lightly. "Who are you to kick me out? You have no right to order me around!" she answered bravely, despite the danger of opposing a Spaniard.
"A brave Indio, I see!" the student laughed mockingly. "Garbage like you needs to be taught a lesson!" He swung a punch at her, but before it landed, Romeo caught his arm. The speed of his move suggested a man deeply trained in combat.
The bus fell silent. The student's anger turned toward Romeo. "What's your problem? Don't interfere! Are you defending this Indio trash?"
The woman, offended by the slur, snapped back, "Don't call me an Indio! I'm not afraid of you!"
The student grew more boastful. "Indios are just slaves here! You should do what we want!"
"You've gone too far," the woman said, ready to lung. But before she could move, Romeo punched the student in the stomach, sending him doubling over in pain.
The passengers were frightened of the brewing trouble. "You damn Hilaw! Do you know who you just hit?" the student screamed, his face red with rage and fear.
Romeo remained seated, his eyes sharp. "I've studied various forms of self-defense. I can beat you right here if you don't stop causing trouble," he said with chilling authority. "There are laws against public disturbance. There are witnesses and cameras. The authorities will see who started this, and you will be punished."
"Curse you! My father is a government official! I am from the Dela Paz clan!" the student barked, but his eyes betrayed terror as Romeo glared at him like a lion.
Romeo took a breath. "You Spaniards are all the same, hiding behind your family's power. But it won't help you here." He pulled out his ID and showed it. "If you want, take a photo. Show it to your family. Tell them I disciplined you in front of everyone. If you want revenge, I'm sure your family can find me using this ID. Jail me, sue me, do whatever—just shut up while you're on this bus."
"Arrogant Hilaw!" the student hissed, but he was clearly shaken. He snapped a photo of the ID and ordered the driver to let him off. "You'll pay for this! Narcissist!"
The student and his friends left, leaving the bus buzzing with whispers. The woman sat back down, confused. She didn't know whether to thank him or stay silent. "You didn't have to do that. I can handle myself," she said grumpily.
"Wait, Miss, do you think I did that for you? I have no interest in other people's drama. I just don't like public disturbances that put civilians at risk," Romeo replied.
Irritated but unable to argue, she whispered, "So arrogant," before putting her earphones back in. Still, she wondered: who was this man who defended a stranger he had just been fighting with?
They finally reached Pasay. Romeo got off and headed toward the mall for the gaming convention. To his surprise, the woman got off at the same stop. Seeing him following her path, she stopped. "Hey! Are you really following me? Are you a stalker?"
Romeo sighed. "I'm not following you. I'm going to the mall. You don't own the sidewalk."
"There are many ways to the mall! Why follow me? Do you have bad intentions?"
"I don't have time for this," Romeo said, walking past her. "And for the record, I'm not a stalker. I have no interest in a woman who doesn't even know how to dress properly. Weirdo."
"Weirdo?! Did you just call me a weirdo?!" she screamed, her face crimson. She looked at her jacket and sneakers. "I look fine!" she yelled before taking a different route to the mall.
Inside, the convention was a burst of energy—booths, lights, and music. Romeo's eyes widened. "So this is a gaming event," he whispered, feeling a surge of joy.
He found the Real Fighter booth. He used a VIP card with 1,000 credits he had purchased earlier. He sat down, fingers ready, and focused. He defeated every opponent who sat across from him. People gathered to watch his perfect strategy and lightning-fast reflexes. After thirteen straight wins, the crowd was in awe.
Suddenly, the woman from the bus sat across from him. She dropped a token, eyeing him with a challenge. "I didn't expect to see you here," she said competitively. She looked at his record. "Thirteen wins? Not bad for a beginner."
"Just shut up and play," Romeo teased.
"Get ready, I'm going to make you cry," she said, her fingers blurring over the controller.
But minutes later, Romeo won. He gave her an insulting smirk. "No, it's not over!" she cried, dropping another token. She lost again. And again. Five times in a row.
She couldn't believe it, but her pride as a player kept her going. On the sixth round, she finally defeated Romeo. She jumped up, hand raised in victory. "Hahaha! How about that? Thought you'd always win?" she laughed like a child.
"I let you win," Romeo replied, though his smile showed irritation. "I wasn't familiar with that character. Another round."
"Excuses! Fine, let's go again. I'll mop the floor with you!"
They played again, and Romeo reclaimed his victory. "Tsk, you have a lot to learn before you beat me," he said with a hint of respect for her tenacity.
"Arrogant! One more!" she challenged. But when she reached into her pocket, she realized she was out of tokens. She froze. "No... I used all ten? I haven't even tried the other games..." she whispered regretfully.
Romeo watched her, looking like a kid who lost a toy. He pulled out another VIP card and placed it in front of her. "Use this for now," he said emotionlessly.
"Huh? You're giving me your VIP card?"
"I'm lending it to you," Romeo smiled slightly. "I hate losing, and I want to crush you for that win you got earlier."
She hesitated. "I don't know... we were just fighting earlier."
Romeo admitted he didn't like her attitude outside, but he wasn't petty. "I'm here to play. If you refuse, I'll find someone else to lend it to."
She thought about it. He had helped her on the bus. She had traveled all this way and wanted to play. She finally smiled—the first real smile Romeo had seen from her. "Fine, if you're offering, I won't say no. But don't get cocky—I won't lose!"
Romeo didn't answer and started walking toward other games. They spent the rest of the event trying everything—racing, shooting, and more. Their bickering turned into genuine laughter. For a few hours, Romeo wasn't a General; he was just a young man enjoying a game with a strange, fiery girl. Their rivalry was the start of something they never expected.
End of Chapter.