Chapter 1: a gathering At the house of the Abelo, a gathering will be held, because the unico hijo, Isidro is coming. A pure Filipino who studied in Spain. The Abelo family is relatively rich and well -known, although they are not as rich as the Spaniards who have vast haciendas, they can be said to be capable of life. They did not pose a threat to the Spaniards because they were not that rich and their family was also quiet and private.
Filipinos attended the gathering. Eat, laugh and sing what happened and the young man Isidro arrived. Not a single Spaniard was seen at the gathering. Because we know that they despise the Filipinos whom they call Indios. They cannot complain to the cabeza de barangay because the family pays a large tax. Isidro sat down on the chair and received a lot of congratulations. They sat down at the dinner table, and talked about Isidro's experiences in Spain.
"How is your life in Spain, Isidro?" smiling farmer Mang Drigo asked.
"It's good Mang Drigo, it's beautiful there and the people's knowledge is vast" Isidro said happily
"Really? Then we'll be left behind. I know you're smart Isidro so do you think we should experience what the Spaniards are going through?" Drigo asked
"Actually, yes, we have the right to study whether we are women or men, to own property and sit in government" Isidro replied confidently. "Besides, the woman there are intellectual and beau.....tiful ..." Isidro couldn't finish what he was going to say when he looked at the newly arrived Obayan family. He was fascinated by the beauty of their only daughter Norma.
Isidro stopped eating when he saw the beautiful Norma. Norma is accompanied by her old father Cristitu, her mother Gloria which can hardly walk and Norma's four strong siblings Lito, Ruelo, Tutu and Junyo. The family seems so serious, especially Norma's strong siblings who, even if they are dirty, will still reflect their elegance.
"Happiest return to town Isidro" will be noted the respectful tone of speech of Lito, the eldest of the siblings. "I've heard a lot about you, since I worked with your family as a gardener and helper in your farm"
"I'm sorry but I just saw you now" Isidro replied smiling
"yes because you have been out in the country for seven years and we have only been here for three years, we are still from intramuros" replied Lito
"Really? Why did you choose to live in the province? Isn't your life good in intramuros?" Isidro asked again, he just wanted to prolong the conversation to keep the Obayan family and the girl Norma in front of him.
"My father and mother are old, they can no longer work at Manong nestor's pansitan and our youngest daughter Norma is dangerous in the eyes of the abusive Spaniard" said Lito.
"Lito, didn't I tell you to slow down with your words about the Spaniards and if they'll hear you we will be in danger." Reminded old Cristitu
"It's true, father, they once harassed Norma !!" Lito said angrily. It grabbed attention
"Brother, calm down and we are here to pay respect Abelo family and to congratulate their unico hijo Isidro" said Norma.
Isidro suddenly smiled, as if the smile was too silly in absence. Over and over again he heard the girl's voice, although it was not soft but full and bold, it was still like music in his mind.
The family sat down and cheered, although the serious face of the Obayan family could be seen as different from the smiling faces of others, even so from time to time small smiles could still be seen on their lips.
Isidro stealthily glanced at Norma. In those times he couldn’t fathom how it felt, whether it was love or just admiration. What she had in mind was that it would be too easy if it was love, but there was a lot more beautiful than Norma among Spanish women, with lipsticks on their faces, white and a very soft voice. But he couldn't take his eyes off the young woman Norma, who wasn't even tall, and with a brown complexion, there was no denying the beauty behind her serious face. In Isidro's mind, Norma is a woman who is the true daughter of the Motherland, because her face symbolizes the beauty of a pure Filipino. A real Filipina girl.
"Oh Mang Cristitu, it's good that you're here" Rosalia, Isidro's mother, greeted happily. He was young and had a slender body. Her husband Nilo also came, reflecting the happiness of the couple.
"We can't miss this occasion Mang Nilo" said Tutu
"Oh, you said you just really want to eat kuya tutu" Junyu replied in sarcasm, like joking.
"Do you know how to joke? It's unbelievable! Hahahaha" Mang Nilo replied in amazement and laughter.
"Mang Nilo they knew, these brothers of mine are just really very ignorant" Ruelo preached to the younger brothers
There was a long dining table and close friends and relatives of the family sat there. There was still a vacant chair and Mang Nilo invited the Obayan family to join them.
"It's embarrassing, not to, we're just the staff of your plantation, slaves. It's embarrassing if we share your table" Mang Cristitu said shyly.
"No Mang Cristitu, we are Filipinos and we are all just brothers. There are no slaves there is no boss here Mang Cristitu" Mang Nilo replied happily. The smiles will also be reflected in her family and friends. They seemed to accept the participation of the poor.
"Here you sit next to me Aling Gloria" said the housewife Rosalia softly. The family sat down with him. Tutu and Junyu immediately left the food served while Lito seemed to be a civil guard watching around. It was as if the family was being watched over and over again. It seems that Norma and Isidro's seat is really destined to be next to each other but because it is forbidden and it doesn't look good for them to sit side by side, Norma moved the seat aside and instead the one next to Isidro is Tutu. So Isidro immediately frowned.
"Take it easy on the food, remember that we are not in our home" reminded mother Gloria
"I'm sorry" Junyu nodded, although he slowly continued to eat.
"How beautiful your youngest daughter Aling Gloria" Rosalia praised the timid and seriously serious Norma
"Thank you very much Rosalia, we really take care of our child because he is the only rose out of five thorns" Aling Gloria replied briefly
"Ija, what are you doing when you here, when already lived in this province?" Mang Nilo asked
"I'm helping my three brothers, older brother Ruelo, older brother Tutu and older brother Junyu, with the farming." said Norma
"Farming? Ineng, women shouldn't do that" Mang nilo seemed to be alarmed
"Why not Mang Nilo? As strong as those men, we women are not only suitable at home but also on the farm even in the war" said the girl Norma bravely.
Isidro was amazed at Norma's intelligent.
"She is right father, European women can study like men but I have never seen a woman go to war" replied Isidro
"Please be patient with my daughter, she was just too brave so the audacity deepened" replied Mang Cristitu to defend his daughter's bold statement.
"I really understand Mang Cristitu, it is just that I admire your daughter's intellect" replied Mang Nilo
"Oh, Norma you just work in our ballpen and paper store" Rosalia offers
"Really? Thank you very much, I'm very happy" a beautiful smile flashed on the girl's lips. And you will notice the stupidity of the mischievous young man Isidro when he sees an extraordinary event, the smile of the most serious girl on the face of the earth.
After the feast, the Obayan family went home immediately. It was evening that day when Isidro thought of taking a walk on the street. It was less than ten o'clock at that time so people could still walk freely.
As he walked, he saw a woman wearing a scarf covering her face. Isidro did not even see the woman's face but he recognized her immediately. He knew immediately that behind those shards was the home of the Obayan family.
He followed the walking Norma who was wearing a white baro and saya. "Her beauty is charming even at night" Isidro said to himself like crazy.
Two civil guards appeared behind him and asked him his identity.
"Who are you? Why are you here? De dónde viniste Indio
where are you from indio
?" arrogant question of the civil guard
"Soy Isidro Abelo de la familia de comerciantes filipinos. Acabo de llegar de España
I'm Isidro Abelo, from the Filipino merchant family. I just arrived from Spain
" Isidro replied
"puedes seguir caminando. Buenas noches" the two civil guards immediately left.
He lost sight of Norma who was just walking at the time. He went to the plaza assuming the girl was there. He could not find it so he turned and searched further. He heard the conversation of two civil guards talking under the tamarind's tree. There was very little light from the plaza lamp but it was enough to identify the two civil guards.
"con hermoso esplendor por delante
there is a beautiful beauty in front
"interesting words of the first civil guard. "Es realmente hermoso Puedo ir primero esta noche
Is it really beautiful? I'll be the first
"said the proud civil guard
"No puedo, soy la primera en ver, ¡así que tengo que ser la primera!
I was the first to see so I should be the first
" the first civil guard seemed angry. "Estúpido, no peleamos con un indio
stupid we shouldn't fight for an Indio
." defense of the second civil guard.
