28 May 1918I went back to Tikaban and fetched Lolita but still - she"s waiting for her son and lover to come back. I sniveled beside her and begged in mult.i.tude, but she was very silent with sullen eyes. Instead, she told me to return to where I was hiding because there were only a few around who remains alive. The datu and kapitan del baryo informed everyone to self-quarantine in their houses and refrain from roaming around to avoid risk. It was enough to leave the sack of food I brought for her. Appallingly, she also informed me that there was one soldier who came, looking for his head and left a letter. Then àfter I bade goodbye to her, I took the letter and gave it to the soldiers when I reached back in the secret place. The American soldier was so down, knowing the woman"s husband has died in Manila due to the alleged Spanish flu and that his family were on a wanted list. The soldier opened it up to the wife and she was terrified on what she"ll do with her children without his husband. I was in a state of shock and forcibly stayed side by side with them.
-----------------------------------
03 June 1918
Tension is everywhere due to the Spanish flu. So we seriously shared ideas with the American soldier that formally introduced me his name as - 1Lt.John Krause. On this morning hay day we seated on a gra.s.sy streamside, he divulged that he"s Chuck"s bestfriend. With a sudden madness, I stood up and fuming but he was so straightforward to kneel and apologized in behalf of his bestfriend. When I calmed down a little, he explained to me about Chuck and his ill wife. Interestingly, he a.s.sured me that he"ll be the way for George to return to us. I looked into his eyes and it seemed there"s hope. Edward, 1Lt. Edward Krause. I can sleep tight tonight with a smile.
-----------------------------------
" It"s our surname now. Ever since, Dad was already a saviour, hey Dad, wherever you are right now, come back for us. I miss you so much." Albrecht whispered to himself.
A little while Baldur came, bringing some porridge for Magee.
"Hey guys, I"m not so much with food so just cook on your own. I only had one bowl for Mag and I"m pretty sure its salty or whatever." Baldur said and everyone laughed.
Magee had her lavish dinner and when done, she slowly walked off to the bathroom while aided with George, listlessly.
He has heard Magee"s waters and its squelches inside that brings him to the present.
" Hmm...I forgot to mix it with boiled water, great heavens!"
" Grrrr....I"m in the North pole right now George. Why you did not tell me, haha!"
" Will I boil some, sorry I forgot, I was thinking of so many things, sorry."
" Its alright, I"ll cross the bridge but I need to shout, otherwise I"ll die."
" Oh my...no! don"t, just wait a second. I can boil right away. Wait a second. Don"t shout, I"m telling you." George warned her on his gritty voice.
"Uh yes! I"ll wait." She replied sheepishly; wrapped around her towel and hunker down on the flinty ground.
While George was instantaneously putting some firewoods underneath the kettle he thought.
" Its possible that my name is still a registered Filipino citizen here, the baptism date entry in the journal shows its in triplicate copy. I"ll find it out soon or maybe after the war."
Then the firewood began to boil the water in the kettle. He then transferred it in a bucket and knocked on the bathroom"s door.
" Just place it on the doorway."
" Its heavy." He said.
" Don"t worry, I"ll just pull it here."
" But your wound." He insisted.
" I"ll handle it, just place it on the doorway." Then she smiled to herself while lighted by the oil lamp.
He then backed off and waited outside. Still thinking of the journal.
" He could have been a great father. But for me, he"s counted as one of my Dads now. Unfortunately, I saw him between September to December but had no idea about all these secrets, "Amá," he wants that to call him, I should have personally thanked you for craving to see me. I"m George! your little boy before." It irks his heart again.
The bathroom"s door was opened and she emerged bringing the oil lamp and the towel.
" He immediately took from her the oil lamp and offered his shoulder for a walk back to the bedroom.
When they returned Albrecht and Baldur were laughing while holding and reading the entries of the third journal.
" Hey, what"s up?" George smiled.
" We"re here in the third journal, mostly our childhood experiences around were recorded. I even wanted to rip some of them." Albrecht smilingly said.
"No way, Magee and I will still read them, we"re still within the entries of the second journal.