CHAPTER IV

It's been a week since we arrived here, and on the first day, our meeting with the General that my mom arranged got canceled because she wanted me to rest. So we grabbed the opportunity to let Hannah teach me things during this time. 

"Do you really have to leave me alone here?" I asked her as I watched her fold her clothes.

"We can't afford to move slowly, Marga, I mean Lily. I hope you understand," she explained. Of course, I do, and I feel bad that she has to handle things alone, even though I know it's dangerous. But we don't have a choice.

"I'm forever grateful for you, Han. I appreciate you, I really do. Please come back after one week to update me, okay?" I said to her and gave her a tight hug.

"It's not the end of the world yet, but yeah. We'll figure things out. I think the one week I've taught you about this place is enough." Within a week, I learned a lot. She just told me to pretend to be a con artist or performer in the theater to play the role of Margarita.

I am Margarita De La Torre, the daughter of Don Felipe and Carmen. My father is indeed a General, and my mother is a teacher. We belong to a classified noble class. My hobbies are what is expected of women in this society, such as sewing, gardening, household chores, and preparing to become a wife because even though we belong to the noble class, my family does not allow me to study. I am still educated, but it's more like being homeschooled.

"And your mom is always out, and if you notice, we're always the ones left here at home. For sure, you'll be spared from conversations or whatever. Just a tip, if you ever don't know what to say or don't want to interact, just say you have a headache because in this world, that's a big deal to them. Hahaha," she added. She's always been so playful, even when things around us are chaotic.

After she finished arranging the clothes, I escorted them outside to bid farewell. All I could hear now was the chirping of birds, as I was alone in the house and our housemaids were on their day off. Margarita's mother had gone to Biñan to visit Don Filipe and wanted to clarify what was happening.

I was preparing my things for bathing, feeling the intense heat of the weather. Who wouldn't feel hot during this time? Our clothes were layered because bras weren't a thing yet, so we needed to layer them to cover up. It feels weird that I used to take things like bathing or showering for granted, never realizing I'd reach a point where I'd need the maids to assist me in bathing, while in the real world, I could just use shower on my own without the help of the maids because there is a technology. 

As I bathed and scrubbed my body, I sang Titanium by David Guetta because it's from my favorite movie, Pitch Perfect. 

"You shout it out, but I can't hear a word you say 

I'm talking loud, not saying much 

I'm criticized, but all your bullets ricochet 

I'm bulletproof, nothing to lose 

Fire away, fire away 

Ricochet, you take your aim 

Fire away, fire awa—" 

"Aaaaah!" I screamed. I suddenly sat down in shock upon hearing a loud gunshot. I quickly ran to my bed and grabbed the small blanket to cover my whole body. At that moment, I didn't know whether to stay in the room and hide or to run out. 

From what I heard, it seemed like the gunshot came from downstairs, so I cautiously stepped out of the room, hoping to escape. It was around 5 in the afternoon, and the house was getting dark, so I couldn't see if there was anyone inside. 

I remembered that there were hidden guns in Don Filipe's room just in case of an emergency, so I headed there immediately. I recalled going to a shooting range in Quezon City before, so I had some background on how to shoot. 

Slowly, I opened the door, and as I stepped inside, I was suddenly pulled in. Everything happened so fast, and I was trembling with fear. 

I couldn't help but be scared because at this point, he was covering my mouth with his right hand, and I couldn't see his face since I was facing away from him and he was behind me. I could feel the warmth of his breath on my neck because his lips were near my neck level. 

I felt him using his left hand, so I quickly glanced at it, and he was holding—the gun! 

I panicked and tried to break free, but he quickly shifted his grip from my mouth to my stomach, preventing me from escaping. 

"Cover your ears," he said. I immediately obeyed because I had no other choice. 

He quickly fired the gun, aiming it out the window. We stayed in that position for about five minutes, with me standing and him behind me, still holding onto my stomach. When I finally came to my senses, I broke free from him and faced him.

His eyes widened in surprise. "Who are you? And what are you doing here?!" I asked angrily. 

"Ah... I'll explain later," he said. 

"Now! I'm going crazy with everything that's happening," I said, my voice cracking as if I was about to cry. It was so traumatizing. 

He panicked and quickly undressed. I grabbed the blanket wrapped around my body. 

"What are you doing?!" I asked.

He didn't speak and covered my body with his military uniform. Oh my! I forgot that people in this world are conservative. 

"T-thank you..." I suddenly fell silent, unsure of what to do at this moment. Thankfully, he opened the door and I followed him, pretending he was my guard with the gun aimed just in case someone attacked.

"Margarita!" Out of panic I slap him on the back and I saw him as he gave me a death glare. 

Panic-stricken, I quickly ran to my room, fearing what Doña Carmen might think if she saw me wearing just the soldier guy's military uniform. 

WHILE Doña Carmen and the soldier guy were busy chatting, I just stared at my plate, playing with the vegetables in the pakbet like string beans, eggplant, and pumpkin. They seemed to notice and fell silent, probably realizing I wasn't in the mood.

"I would like to ask a favor from you, dear, that while we're away, could you please visit my daughter at least twice a week?" Suddenly, I turned to Doña Carmen.

"Hmm, I-I don't think I need his assistance, mother, I'm okay," I insisted. 

"No. If your father couldn't take care of you, and you almost got into trouble earlier because of a thief, it's a good thing he arrived to save you." It was only now that I understood that someone had entered our house earlier, prompting him to fire his gun at the window to scare them off and let them know there was someone inside, a General. 

"I won't allow you to get into trouble again." Ugh. I thought it would be a nice, home-alone vibe here at home. But no, my worries and problems just keep piling up. Well, I can just ignore him as a solution to my problem. Easy. 

"But mother, I don't need Gen—" I didn't finish my sentence as I suddenly remembered that we were looking for a General in this world, so I withdrew what I said and grabbed my head, pretending it hurt, just like Hannah advised earlier. 

"Oh, dear... rest now, you've been through a lot today, that's why we need his help," she said, trying to comfort me. I just pretended to agree, making it seem like I needed care so the General would keep an eye on me.

"I'll rest for a while and leave you two. Thank you, son," she bid farewell to both of us and headed to her room.

"How are you?" I suddenly looked at the person in front of me, the soldier guy. It was the first time I really noticed his face up close since we were seated across the dining table. His face was distinctly Filipino, with a straight nose, thick eyebrows, with his lips fit his face perfectly.

"I'm not okay," I replied. 

"About earlier—" he started to speak, but I cut him off. 

"I don't care if you saw me undressed earlier. It doesn't have any implication on me. I don't care. That's it." 

"I never meant to see and touch a body like yours, akin to a goddess—so pure, shining like pearls and diamonds even in the darkest night, your beauty overflowing like a radiant star." 

"...if you think I'm just like any other man, you're mistaken, Margarita." 

His words left me wide-eyed and speechless. Why did it sound so poetic, almost like a confession? It made me curious if there was something between him and Margarita.

"What are you talking about, I— I already have a husband," I said, attempting to change the subject. It would make sense if that was a confession; he should stop if it was, because it's true that I'm getting married next month to Neil. 

He suddenly looked disappointed.

"Well then, I should go home. Goodbye to you, young lady," he bid farewell, tipping his cap and bowing.

I stared at the dining table for a few minutes before snapping out of it and, for no reason, I hurried after him to the gate.

"Wait..."

He stopped walking and turned in my direction.

"When will you visit again or where's your house? Your uniform is still with me; I'll wash it first. Or do you want me to accompany you home?" I asked.

"I don't get you, young lady. It's like you're leading me on with what you're saying," he said, with a hint of disappointment and a bit of anger evident in his tone. What is he talking about? Am I giving him mixed signals? How dare he.

"What do you mean...?" I asked.

"Last month, you confessed your feelings. I know I didn't respond then because you rushed me, but it doesn't mean I don't like you too. You're mistaken, Margarita," the General said. Okay, I'm enjoying this drama between the two of them.

"I waited for your return, only to find out you have a husband—" Suddenly, I snapped out of it, remembering that I was in Margarita's body and that I, Lily, was the one getting married.

"Well, sorry. You heard earlier from Inang (mother) that I don't remember anything. You could talk to her since you seem close," I retorted with a touch of sarcasm.

"Y--yeah… right," he stuttered, as if suddenly relieved.

"Do you mean, my mother-in-law?" Then he smirked at me. I just raised an eyebrow at him.

"It's getting late, you should go back inside your house before you catch a cold," he said with concern. Maybe I should have just insisted that I was already married. Hmp!

"Um... wh—what's your name?" I asked finally. His expression changed to sadness. 

"General M-Miguel." Oh my gosh! Suddenly, a flashback of my first encounter with the old man flashed in my mind. 

"That one is titled Paggunita sa Diwa (Remembrance of the Soul') painted by General Miguel."

"In fact, everything here belongs to him, but this one was particularly—" I couldn't remember what the old man said next because I felt a headache coming on and it seemed like the whole surroundings were glitching.

"Binibini, are you okay?" he asked, as he helped me. It was evident in his voice that he was worried. I found myself staring at his face because he was so close to me, and he looked so serious, which made him attractive when he was serious. For some unknown reason, I suddenly smiled at him.

With a soft touch, I traced the lines of his face, like finding a treasure I've searched for ages. He looked amazed, and then, as if in response to an unspoken plea, he reached out, his hand enveloping mine with a tenderness that spoke volumes. It was a gesture so instinctive, so natural, as if he had been awaiting the touch of my hand upon his cheek with a longing that mirrored my own.

At this moment, I don't know what I'm feeling. It's like I'm drunk and not thinking straight, confused if what I'm witnessing, my body moving on its own, is real. Is this Margarita's doing? Or mine?

Slowly, he brought her face closer to mine. I didn't know, but I found myself responding, indicating that I would reciprocate his kiss. General Miguel closed her eyes, and we slowly brought our faces closer to each other.

"Wait, I–am really sorry."

No, Margarita, stop. I suddenly pushed him away and escaped, not paying attention to his reaction, but I was sure he was confused.

"Wait, binibini…" I ignored his existence and quickly ran back home.

You're frustrating me, Margarita. 

Couldn't you have played hard to get, instead of being so willing to kiss? What if someone saw us? What would they say to our families because if you touched or saw the sacred parts of a woman, apparently it's forbidden. During our first encounter when she saw my body, I brushed it off because I had no idea how conservative people are in this era.

I wasn't careful; Hannah would scold me if I told her about this.

When I reached my room, I immediately closed the door and looked out the window. 

In Margarita's room, across from the gate, I could peek out the window and spot anyone coming or anything going on. I got a jolt when I noticed him gazing out the same window. Our eyes met like they were magnetized. We just stared, like we both couldn't believe what went down.

For a while, we just kept on staring, not saying a word, feeling a mix of surprise, annoyance, regret, and confusion hanging in the air.

Then, he flashed a small smile and nodded before slipping away, leaving me with a weight of guilt.

I didn't want to cross paths with him again.

But what's the big secret behind him and Margarita?

I'm having second thoughts about whether I should find out more or just avoid her altogether.