Twilight time. The blue azure skies 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 liked." 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." As the Captain gave a final instruction to the rest of the soldiers and guerrillas. Fr Matias was left and 7 of the remaining protectors as they guarded the entrance. 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 hear a wondrous reminder and order. The exchange of "I love yous" and the shared smiles and laughter blasted around like their meals. 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 j.a.ps will just wait by the road above thinking they could catch us."
" But they did not notice anyone from us walking through here."
" Haha.,.by the time Amado was caught spying in the river, the j.a.ps allowed their plan and schedule be continued 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 Fromm now, they"ll just fire their guns in the skies and full of anger that we can escape from them so smoothly, 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."