The Mysterious "Manong" (Brother)

Twilight time. The blue azure skies had mantled the seas at the horizon while the granite mountain starts to hibernate with the crickets buzzing in the heights of Kabang's sleeping mountain.

" Albrecht, Dad is still sleeping. His men are now ready to depart for the mission, what do you think?"

" Hmm...his body's still tired. I'm confused. He might be mad at us if we'll leave him here. Hmm...but hey! you know he maybe have plans and as if he knew someone out there. Okay, final! I'll wake him up." Albrecht insistently said.

" Dad, Dad...wake up..." Albrecht called him gently.

" O, Albrecht..." The captain replied and gradually sat down by the bed.

" Dad, we'll be leaving for San Agustin to rescue the civilians. Hmm...you may continue to sleep and we may go there."

"No, I need to fetch someone I know and of course the pitiful civilians. We'll give them a good rest here. For a while, and both of you, just wait me outside." The captain said.

" Yes Dad, but supposed you're still sleepy...we can just go." Baldur tried to convince their Dad.

" No. I'll go." Edward insisted.

So the brothers did not further appeal but just waited for him outside the house.

"Hmm, he's our leader. In the army, being a son is not a guarantee to stop a Dad who's a captain, haha, I was really silly to try stopping him." Albrecht laughed while arranging his pack bag.

" It's okay. Dad could still lead us all, hmm remember him well." Baldur tapped his shoulder and motioned towards Amado who was busy walking to and fro.

" Hey! Amado, haha! what's the fuzz around here buddy."

" There's someone I need to fetch in San Agustin - my brother-in-law. I have so many things to tell him, untold stories, shocking revelations and..." Amado worryingly said.

" Yes, I understand. Everything will be alright, I believe. Come, Amado...let's sit down on the log for a while and pray."

While they closed their eyes and pray, Amado felt a different response toward his concern to his Manong he's about to meet after 28 long years.

" Baldur, thank you. When you recited the prayer and as I was listening, I felt enough comfort, relaxed and determined. Prayer really heals a worrying heart." Amado then clasped his hands and suddenly looked at the owner of paces through footsteps moving towards them. It's Albrecht.

" I"m not as old as you Baldur, I'm already 38 right now, I lied." Amado said while Albrecht looked at him.

" Hmm, it's nothing. Everything has a reason and I believe yours isn't easy." Then they stood up while Albrecht was confused if what they're talking about.

" Oh, Dad's getting out." Baldur said.

The Captain gave a final instruction to the rest of the soldiers and guerrillas. On the other hand, Fr Matias was left along with the 7 of the remaining protectors as they guarded the entranc cave. Hours rolled so fast and each of them kept on praying as led by Fr. Matias.

Meanwhile, at the granite house

" There was that continued sound of silence while the time piece at door number three ticks as it does. Its ticking was so slow and gentle like all time pieces in the world but at least it allows them to smoothly hear a wondrous reminder and order. The exchange of "I love yous" and the shared smiles and laughter echoed like a sonata. The doors slowly slammed and it's cranking sound begets an awful noise just as the niters on treetops we're blissfully shining and gave a gleeful brightness around. The flowing water at room number two likewise rejuvenates more breathe and in synch with the time piece that its tactful rhythm composed and blended of a beautiful song blewn from the magical unison of love. Then back to it's restful moment their eyes met again.

" Why?" She awkwardly asked while covering her face.

" Nothing." Then he meaningfully smiled, arranged her hair while the fireflies transfered to their bedroom as they both looked up and together they spoke in amazement.

" Wow! they're beautiful!" Then they looked at each other again and laughed unceasingly enticing.

However, at San Agustin, the civilians gathered so fast and everyone were tensed and busy packing their things.

" Baldur, be careful, remind our men once we'll get down into the tunnel, everyone must be very quiet. The Japs will just wait by the road above us, thinking they could perfectly catch us."

" But they would not notice anyone from us walking underneath." Baldur blurted.

" Haha.,.by the time Amado was caught spying in the river, the Japs allowed their plan and schedule was set and even synchronized it to our schedule. They even allowed us to reach here and pick up the civilians - their baits. But they're wrong, we'll have to use the tunnel created during the pandemic. Hours From now, they'll just fire their guns in the skies with full of anger as we can escape from them so smoothly underneath, haha!"

" Dad...wow! haha!" Baldur whispered.

" Okay...move! and call this code to the crowd - Georgee!" Someone will ask you why and just reply - "Granite."

" Hmm...Dad..." Baldur stopped when the Captain walked a little farther and readied himself while he led the old and children."

When Baldur has gathered all the folks and children, he shouted "Georgee!" an old man covered his face and asked Baldur, "Why?" Baldur replied, "Granite!" Then the old man quickly moved and went closer to the Captain and peered with him despite that dim place.

" Such a long wait! Thank you." The old man's voice whispered to the Captain. Then interestingly, the Captain tapped the old man's shoulder and whispered, "Long live Sibal! haha!" He whispered.

Sibal bowed his head and teary eyed just as the captain tapped his shoulder with joy.

" We have so much to talk about, buddy."

"Yeah, me too." Sibal sounded deeply emotional.

Then the captain oriented everyone for the journey to the hiding place and gave chocolates to the children so that while they travel, the children will be busy eating and be gratified."

" That's bribery." Sibal whispered.

" Haha, quiet, we have a lot to talk going back to the paradise. Our kids are there - in its heaven but we're now in hell so faster, help me on our travel going there." The captain smilingly and silently said.

" Oh God...my children are home, thank you Lord." Sibal whispered to himself.