Chapter 11

We were married in three months and Diwata could not hide her joy. It had always been her dream to see the young lakan married to a dutiful woman who would love and care for him. Not much changed regarding my relationship with him. We kept training by day for when our plans would come to fruition. The night we spent wrapped in each other's arms. I usually wore women's clothes when going to the village but at home and during training, I prefer using trousers. I've grown up in it after all. And it helps with running and moving faster.

Some time later, I found myself pregnant. I couldn't eat much and go around as usual as I felt nauseated and dizzy. I was advised by the now weaker Diwata to stay indoors and catch up with sewing. I missed swordfighting so much but I had to be content with watching my husband train by himself.

One day, I couldn't hold back anymore and decided to shoot some arrows. I was left alone with the servant girl so I decided to grab the chance.

I was still basking in the wondrous feeling of hitting a target when I heard Senapati's voice.

"What are you doing?, he chided.

"I'm shooting arrows", I exhaled.

"You're not supposed to go outside. Did you forget?", he reminded.

I told him I felt suffocated inside and I needed the exercise. Besides, it wasn't much effort to stretch a bow and release an arrow unlike wielding a sword.

He gently took the weapon from my hands and assisted me to sit by the bamboo chair in the yard.

"I'm pregnant, not dying", I said.

"I know", he responded. "Doesn't mean I should just let you be though. You're two people after all".

At this, I smiled. He cares for our unborn child when he couldn't even see it yet. How much more when it's already born? I know for a fact that he will make a wonderful father. It's only a matter of days now. We will hold our child in our arms soon.

"What should we name him?", I asked him.

"Him?", he answered, confused.

"Our child", I clarified.

"What makes you think it's going to be a boy?", he said, a smile in his eyes.

"I just know", I answered without hesitation.

I placed his hand on my belly just as the baby kicked. He gasped with delight and I could do nothing but wish for this moment to never end. The sun was setting and the cold monsoon wind was blowing. It was perfect.

"Maharlika", he whispered.

Just then, an arrow struck my arm. I fell against my husband's chest as he quickly half-carried-half-dragged me to cover.

I was drifting in and out of consciousness when I noticed we were already no longer in the village. I was left propped against a tree while Senapati was fighting against five or so warriors. My arm was bandaged but I felt my thighs wet with liquid. It wasn't blood when I felt for it with my unhurt arm. It was clear and somewhat sticky unlike urine. My water broke! I felt my abdomen contract and panted to relieve some of the pressure. Assisting in delivery was an easy task. But being the mother to push out a child was no easy feat. I didn't have much strength from all the lost blood but I had no choice. My baby might die.

I could hear swords clashing not far from me and I kept pushing until I finally felt the baby's head come out. I quickly pulled him and wrapped him with my shawl as I cut off the umbilical cord.

The fighting has stopped and I was careful to lay my baby covered in leaves to avoid detection. They might kill me but they can't harm my only child.

I slowly crept from my hiding spot and looked for Senapati. I found him sprawled on the forest floor with a gaping wound on his stomach. I muffled a sob as I held his body against mine. Then, I heard a soldier behind me. He was still alive after all. I reached for my dagger and raised it to my shoulder using my uninjured arm. I had been shot and had just given birth. My husband is dead and now I have to fight to protect my son.

The warrior lunged at me with his sword and I could do nothing in my weakened state but avoid him. He staggered. His back was towards me and I don't attack from behind as a rule. But I was at such a disadvantage that I forgot honor and stabbed his shoulder. I then ran as fast as my legs could carry me so as to put distance from him and my baby.

We reached the waterfall and the warrior was furious this time. He smirked at me, his eyes glowing with hatred and malice. I raised my dagger in my defense as he lifted his sword with his non-dominant hand. I saw a glimmer of hope. I prayed my hardest to Bathala as he ran towards me with his kris. I felt myself lose balance as he rammed against me. I felt the wind against me as I fell off the cliff and into the water. But I wasn't scared at all. I saw him clutching his wounded stomach. His blood was still on my dagger as I slowly sunk to the bottom.