El Escritor

El Escritor

(The Writer)

This short Story was created in completion of one our school requirements.

MAKE A SEQUEL OF JOSE RIZAL'S EL FILIBUSTERISMO

This is dedicated for:

The people who fought and are still fighting for the freedom of our country,

Those who never gave up and don’t want to give up for the future generation,

The selfless ones that is willing to offer their lives for the greater good,

 The once known enemy that will soon become an ally

Those who loved

and

To you who found this story, and is reading at the moment, may the story of those involved nspire you to become a better person.

.  

CHAPTER 1

I felt like I was sinking – deeper and deeper – into an empty void of abyss, as my body became lighter at the same time… heavier. I wanted to scream ‘Help me’ but my lips won’t budge. I willed my limbs to move or even jerk but none of them were responsive. Am I dead?

            Then it dawned on me, yes, yes I’m dead. I’m as dead as any men who’ve downed a bottle of poison. And maybe this is the ride down to purgatory or even hell. I scoffed, there shouldn’t have been an ‘or’ on that sentence; there’s no purgatory for me, because I’m heading hell. I waited, and waited, and waited… but it seemed like the trip was never ending.

            ‘I’m an idiot,’ I told myself. I tried to play hero and look what I got myself in. I tried playing hero and it got me in this ditch hole, rotting, dead and most probably will be burning in hell till eternity. I tried playing hero but it never got me elsewhere, I wasn’t even able to save the only woman I have ever loved, and will ever love.

            What if Elias was the one who lived? What if Elias hadn’t saved me? Maybe a drastic change would’ve happened. Maybe –

            “Crisostomo,” a familiar melodic voice called that made my heart stir up.

            ‘Who are you?’

            “Open your eyes sweetie,” the voice requested.

            ‘Answer me, who are you?’ my mind begged in panic.

            “Juan Crisostomo Ibarra, don’t tell me you’ve already forgotten who am I?”

            I felt my heart skip a beat upon recognition. It can’t be… It can’t be her. She’s already dead. She – She’s supposed to be, she’s supposed to be gone. My Maria Clara’s gone.

            “Open your eyes Crisostomo,” she asked kindly.

            Forcefully, I pried my eyes open only be met by a light so bright, it’s blinding. I squinted my eyes in response. The moment my eyes had finally adjusted, I immediately propped myself up in search of the woman who called me up.

            “Did you miss me?” Maria teased, that made me turn around to face her.

            Tears welled up from my eyes, as my hand instinctively reached out to her face. My thumb continuously caressed her cheek while I take in her features: her warm brown eyes, inviting smile and button nose, her soft ebony hair that’s always tucked in a high bun, her supple and porcelain skin, and her presence alone.

            “We haven’t seen each other for a while,” she uttered softly as she gazes upwards. “How’ve you been?”

            “A lot had happened,” I answered solemnly as I lean my elbows on my parted knees.

            “Tell me,” she asked him as she turned her eyes on me. “Tell me all the pains, all our tears, despairs… everything”

            I buried my face on her neck, as a batch of tears welled up my eyes. “I failed,” I blurted out.

            “I failed. I failed in trying to create reforms and changes. I failed in awakening the consciousness of our fellow countrymen towards the injustices that had been brought to them. I failed in all of my attempts, I even failed to save you,” I cried as I remember the people who had sacrificed themselves and those who had join me, in my cause.

            Slowly, she pulled me back and then smiled at me sincerely.

            “You’re not a failure. You never were, you never are, and you will never be,” She told me calmly while stroking my head. “You may not know it, not yet anyways but what you’ve done had already influenced others.”

            “You, may not have felt me but I was with you. I was with you with every step you take. I witnessed the things you’ve done, And Crisostomo; you’ve done more than what you credit yourself.”

            “Maria,” I whispered slowly before I took her hand in mines. “Can I ask you something?”

            “What is it?” she asked gracefully.

            “Am I dead?”

            She stared at me lovingly before answering, “That’s for you to decide.”

            “What do you mean?” I asked dubiously. “You’re here before me, and as far as I know you’re already dead, so how can be the answer to ‘am I already dead?’ be up to my decision? I downed a bottle of poison, I knew I did,” I rambled in disbelief.

            She stood up and paced away from me, before looking at me with her soulful eyes, “I am not who you think I am.”

            “How can you not be who I think you are?” I cried out exasperatedly. “This is not a fairytale! This is not some world of wizardry where someone can just hocus pocus another woman and turn her into someone who’s already dead! And you’re not a vampire who was raised from the dead because vampires don’t exist!”

            When our eyes met I was a bit taken back by tears that had stained her perfect face. “I understand.”

            “You’re confused, stressed and -” she uttered in between tears. “But I’ve been long dead, you have to accept that. The Maria Clara before is not the Maria Clara you knew, I’m just a fragment of her that you had kept on holding on.”

            I wiped her tears as everything came to me, “I’m not yet - ”

            But Maria Clara cut me off, “As I told you, it’s your choice. The decision depends on you, but just so you know, once you’ve chosen you can’t go back.”

            “Maria,” I choked out. “I don’t know what to choose… I don’t – I’ve tried many attempts but… But they were all futile.”

            She forced a smile on her lips through the tears and sobs, “On that faithful day Crisostomo died and Simoun was born. Today, Simoun dies to give you a chance to choose. It’s now up to you, whether to live and continue the fight, or surrender now and let go of what you fought so hard for. It is no longer about you and I, this time it’s now about the future, about the next generation that will come through the years.”

            She took both of my hands and then held them tight in her hands, “You are Crisostomo and you are also Simoun, you possess the goodness, intelligence, love and perseverance of both. And know that no matter what you choose I will always be with you, and I had always been so proud of you.”

            “What will happen to you?” I asked her sincerely, as I locked my obsidian orbs to her brown ones.

            “What happens to me doesn’t matter because I’m dead, what happens to you… that’s what is important,” she started, with a chuckle. “The way back will never be easy, you’ll lose some and gain another, but it will all be worth it. So, don’t you ever, ever give up.”

            I approached her then cupped her cheeks with both of my hands, “I love you.”

            She smiled at me sweetly before uttering, “I love you too.” And then she kissed me.

            She kissed me deeply as if she’s saying goodbye. Why? I haven’t chosen yet. I still have to make my choice right. I responded to her… I held her in my arms so tight as if she’ll vanish if I let go… and then she pulled back.

            “You’ll always be in my thoughts Juan Crisostomo Ibarra, my one true love,” she said softly.

            “Why are you saying things as if you’re leaving?” I asked dubiously.

            “This plane will only exist as long as you’re asleep and uncertain of your decision, and as far as I’m concerned you already made a choice.”

            “I haven’t. I still haven’t,” I answered in panic.

            “Look around you my love,” she started as she caressed my face. “You may not have chosen yet but your heart had already decided.”

            And she wasn’t lying. The moment I turned to check out the plane, most parts had already dissolved into bubbles that pop into nothingness. My heart had already decided. And as Maria Clara had uttered, my next fight wouldn’t be just for her and I; this time I’ll be fighting for my country and the future of its people.

            I returned my gaze to her and noticed the contented smile on her lips despite the continuous stream of tears from her eyes. I took in her form, from head to toe, my breath hitched. She’s also fading away.  But I won’t let her go that easy, I reached out to hold her hand one last time but my body went right through hers, as I myself am also vanishing from the plane. Yes, I’m getting sucked out of this dream land onto the real world.

            “Crisostomo,” she called out. “Our stars were meant to cross, but we were never meant to stay together. But even if I’ll be given another chance to live in this life, I’ll always choose to be Maria Clara and enjoy my life with you. Find your other half and live your life to the full.”

            “Will I be able to see you again?” I asked hopefully.

            “Maybe,” she answered bluntly.

            “I’ll find you in our next life.”

            “Find me, and when that time comes let’s see where our relationship will end.”

            “Goodbye Clara.”

            “Goodbye Crisostomo.”

            And with one last smile, from her and to her, everything went dark.

CHAPTER 2

            “Where am I?” I asked to no one in particular the moment I became aware of my surroundings.

            I tried to stand up and prop myself in a sitting position but my body won’t respond. I suddenly heard creaking sounds that made me crook my neck in search of the source. “Hey, I could use a little help.”

            “You’re awake,” she uttered in disbelief. “Kassandra!” she screamed out loud as she ran heading somewhere. “Triton’s awake!”

            “Who in the name of ghosts is Triton?” I asked myself confused.

            I waited patiently for someone to return and gladly it didn’t took longer as the girl whom I’ve just met a while back reappeared with a woman who I believe is the woman she called ‘Kassandra.’

            “Why did you leave him, Anastasia?” a person uttered exasperatedly, as she marched towards me with heavy footing.

            “Kassandra, you instructed me to call you when he awakens,” Anastasia pointed out with a pout visible on her lips. “I just followed instructions.”

            The woman called Kassandra sat on the edge of my bed and then turned back to glare at Anastasia.

“I’m Kassandra,” she introduced herself softly as she helped me propped myself on a sitting position. “And the boisterous lady over there is Anastasia.”

I opened my mouth to speak, but the coarseness and dryness of my throat had caused a cough to escape my throat.

“Anastasia, have you already given him water?” she asked without looking at the said girl with gritted teeth.

“Not yet,” Anastasia mused. “I’ll get some before you go roaring on me.”

            Kassandra looked at me apologetically, “I’m sorry about that.”

            “Do you remember what happened prior to today’s events?” she asked politely.

            I again tried to summon my voice but again all that escaped was a fit of coughs, I guess I had been asleep for a long time. With my current predicament all I managed was to shake my head in response.

            “Is it okay if I narrate while we wait for Anastasia?” she offered kindly, in which I answered with a nod.

            “I was the one who found you in the river,” she started. “Well, you were actually inside a body bag and were floating around. When I checked the bag and found you inside you were really pale and cold that I thought you were dead. But when I checked your pulse, it was faint but it was there so I told myself I had to rescue you.”

            “When I had the doctors checked on you. Obviously you were suffering hypothermia but the part that got to us was the traces of poison in your bloodstream, though they found it weird that every minute the poison transforms into enzyme which eventually synthesizes with your body. So they dealt with your hypothermia but the doctors decided to let the antibodies in your blood to battle the poison.” She paused and stared at my confused state, before a smile broke out on her lips, “I lost you didn’t I? Anyway to keep it simple, you were immune to the poison that was injected in your bloodstream. The only thing it did was to weaken your heartbeat and made you lose your ability to stabilize your temperature.”

            “Kassandra, stop the alien talk,” Anastasia butt in. “Can’t you see that he can’t cope up?” she added rhetorically as she hands me a steaming mug in which I just stared at.

            “Its warm water with honey, it’ll help with the dryness,” Anastasia explained.

            “Triton,” Kassandra called unto me.

            “I’m coming,” I replied.

            I was asleep for approximately a year; in that one year all my muscles atrophied thus the lack of stable mobility. And magically, all my memories were washed out except for a few flashbacks that I get every now and then; and when I say all, I really mean all: I can’t even remember my own name. Since, I was found in the river they decided to name me Triton, which I decided to keep until now, due to the memory loss.

            I had already been awake for two months and in those two months I had actually learned a lot. Kassandra, Anastasia and the others here are all revolutionaries, who were stationed in this area, two towns away from San Diego, where the co-leaders of the revolutionaries are. And guess what? The battalion here is headed by Kassandra, Kassandra del Rio, a Peninsulares herself. Ironic isn’t it?

            One time I asked her, and her reply was simple, “Justice is for all,” and if everyone believes the same there’d be no war or bloodshed. I also asked her why revolution and she answered; asking for peaceful reforms is already too late. According to her, someone in the name of Crisostomo Ibarra and even the founders of Academia de Castellano, had attempted in San Diego, but it was all futile.

            “Triton, I’m a hundred percent sure Kassandra would be really delighted if we were late,” Anastasia said sarcastically.

            “Let’s go then, you little ball of sarcasm,” I uttered.

            “Triton!” Kassandra called out the moment she caught sight of us.

            As I stood beside her she immediately introduced me to two persons that seemed awfully familiar that I almost fainted on the spot.

“Triton, I’d like you to meet the leaders of the revolutionaries Basilio and Isagani,” Kassandra began as she motioned her arms. “Generals, meet the man I was talking about in my letters, Triton.”

And then all of hell broke loose.

“Triton?” Isagani repeated outraged. “You call that man Triton? You’ve got to be joking with me.”

“We thought you were dead,” Basilio spat at me. “For more than a year you decided to waste your life here while we were out dying. Dying for what? For the cause you had imbedded upon us. Yes, revolution had already broken out in San Diego.”

“What?” The only word that escaped my lips as their words continuously reverberated in my head.

“What are you saying what?” Basilio scoffed. “Padre Florentino’s dead! He was executed after your supposedly dead body was found in his abode! Macaraig, Sandoval, Tadeo and even Pecson who doesn’t have a clue about all of these were brutally murdered by the Guardia Sibils! And here you are enjoying life1”

“What?” I whispered in disbelief. “What are you talking about? Who are these people? Why-” I rambled while looking at my shaking hands which reacted by the mere mention of some of the names. “Why is my body reacting just by the mere mention of those names?”

Kassandra, equally confused butt in, “I don’t have a damn idea about what you were talking about but Triton was in a coma for a year, he just awakened two months ago. His memory is still all jammed up.”

“He’s just playing,” Basilio commented mockingly. “Kassandra, San Diego had fallen.”

Now, it was Kassandra’s turn to ask what, with confussion and doubt lacing her features.

“Someone leaked the information about our existence. This area is the only one they haven’t captured yet,” Isagani explained calmly.

“We lost a lot of our men. And your battalion is the only battalion we can bank on,” Isagani added while Basilio was fuming on one side.

Why does looking at them make my heart twitch in pain? Why does hearing all of their complaints and the name of the people who died makes me so… so weak?

Isagani walked eerily towards me, and then bore his eyes unto mines, “Juan Crisostomo Ibarra.”

‘That name again, why is it so familiar?’

“You are Juan Crisostomo Ibarra, your steps had changed the people of San Diego. You are the image of change, and your cause is the symbol of death. Many lives had already been sacrificed in fighting for that cause, how could you just forget all of those?” he added.

“I’m sorry,” I said sincerely, while a steady stream of tears had already poured from my eyes. “I’m sorry, you must’ve mistaken me for someone else.”

“Remember your past Ibarra!” Basilio screamed. “The injustice to your father, to Maria Clara, to    ”

“You lot are illustrados right?” I heard a familiar voice asked. “I’m Anastasia del Rio, Kassandra’s sister, an ex-Doctor-in-training. I may not have finished the entire degree but I know it’s not good to feed memories to an amnesiac patient. If he relapses, I’ll blame all of you.”

“WE ARE UNDER ATTACK!” a panicked scream reverberated through the base followed by a loud siren.

“EVERYONE PREPARE TO COUNTER!” Kassandra ordered, followed by a series of command.

The noise, the people, it was suffocating me, next thing I know, everything went blank.

CHAPTER 3

`           I was awakened by the screeching of metal against concrete floors, followed by a soft thud, like a body crashing on the ground.

            “Kassandra,” I whispered softly as I ran to her aid.

            I supported her weight with my body as I prop her up, the same way she did back then. “What happened?”

            “Someone tipped our location. We had fallen. We lost,” she started. “And these are the payments,” she added while motioning to our surroundings and to her naked body – did I just said naked?

            My eyes went huge as realization dawned on me like a splash of cold water. Kassandra and I were detained in an old rusty prison cell, with Kassandra stripped down to her skin.

            “What happened?” I asked one more time.

            “The Spaniards are eradicating every rebel group in the country and since our group is the biggest and so far the strongest they decided to take us down first,” she started while her grip on my arm tightened. “Triton – I mean Crisostomo, or I should say Simoun, as a battalion leader I’m asking for forgiveness after we dragged your cause to the mud pits of this world.”

            I embraced her and help her in my arms like a fragile doll. “I may have been Crisostomo, and Simoun once, but when you found me you had named me and baptized me as Triton. I may have been those two persona but before you I’m nothing but Triton.”

            “Kassandra, you don’t need to ask for forgiveness because I should be the one on my knees asking for your forgiveness. I dragged you into this mess - ”

            Kassandra parted her lips to speak but I cut her off. “It may not be me in person but my shadow had brought you here.”

            She cupped my face and then smiled sweetly despite the obvious pain she’s in. “It’s not your fault Triton, I chose this path. Anastasia and I chose to go against our fellow Spaniards because it’s the only thing we can do to help this country. Spaniards had inflected so much pain -”

            I placed my finger on top of her lips as I pull her back from our embrace. “Kassandra, Anastasia’s also gone isn’t she?”

Tears fell from her eyes slowly before she nodded, making me close my eyes in attempt to hold back the tears that started prickling my eyes.

“You’ve regained your memories have you?”

I nodded.

“Then why? Why don’t you hate me? Why won’t you hate me? Why do you cry over my sister who’s also a Peninsulares, a Spaniard like those who inflected pain on you?”

“Because. Because not all Spaniards are evil like what they think, like what I used to think.”

“Thank you,” she uttered sincerely. “Thank you for mourning my sister. Thank you for accepting us.”

I removed my shirt and put it on her, “I don’t mean to pry but what happened to Anastasia? To you? And will happen to all of us?”

“Anastasia was raped by 12 different friars, who were the advisors in our case, after that she was tortured until she breathes her last,” she began. “They made me watch and witness as my sister screamed in pain. After she died, they decided to turn to me.”

I stared at her in disbelief. “Yes, they defiled me. Well, Basilio, Isagani, you, and I were all scheduled to be executed in public. Treason is punishable by death after all. And just you know the three of us had already undergone our share of torture.”

“Then it means our time is really counted, isn’t it?”

“Obviously,” she answered bluntly.

“So they want our deaths to be a warning to other rebels?” I whispered rhetorically in thin air.

“Basically.”

Kassnadra and I was awakened by the loud noises circulating around us: the loud chatters of the guardia sibils, their combat boots hitting the pavement, and even the way they just hit the railings of our old dusty cell.

“Wake up!” one of the guardia sibils ordered as he banged on the railings.

Slowly Kassandra and I rose and then stared at each other.

“What do you think will happen to us?” I asked her melancholically.

“I don’t know,” she answered calmly. “At least, I’ll die without regrets.”

“Ibarra,” a familiar voice called unto me. “You really are a resilient aren’t you?”

“Padre Camorra, what are you doing here?” I asked a bit hostile.

“I’m not here for you, I’m here for our dear young Kassandra del Rio or should I say Kassandra Gomez-Acebo y Borbon, Infanta of Spain?” Padre Camorra uttered, mocking Kassandra.

“You’re an Infanta?” I asked Kassandra in utter bewilderment. “You and Anastasia are descendants of the royal family?”

“You didn’t inform your playmates that you’re actually a royalty?” Padre Camorra mocked Kassandra even further. “Maybe you’re the one who tipped the Gobernador General.”

Kassandra bore her furious eyes on Padre Camorra, “I’m not one to go back to my words. I’m not like you.”

Padre Camorra pulled Kassandra by her hair, which made Kassandra grunt in pain, while I immediately acted only to be stopped by the Guardia Sibil. “So you’re saying that I went back on my words?”

“You are a priest,” Kassandra started. “And yet you defiled me, you defiled my sister, you defiled the body of a young maiden, and above all you defiled the body of a Spanish Infanta.”

“You think you’ll get special treatment, just because you’re an Infanta?” the Padre asked her in travesty. “You lost your title of Infanta the moment you committed treason against your blood and sided with the Indios.”

With all the venom she can muster, Kassandra glared at Padre Camorra and spoke in spanish, “If el sacerdote que mi familia (the priest whom my family) had revered for a long time, if this is the imagen de real of the sacerdote I used to give high regards, then yo soy suberbio to lose my capitulo de Infanta, for I’ll no longer be associated with monsters dressed like disciples of the Dios I believe in.”

Padre Camorra then signaled the Guardia Sibil to take Kassandra away while another pinned me down as I fight back. I heard Kassandra’s agonized screams as I continue to fight back until one of the Guardia Sibil’s decided to knock me out. I’ve been awfully asleep for most parts, god, why can’t they just knock me out for good? When I woke up I found myself heading towards Kassandra who was weeping in a corner.

“Kassandra,” I called out in which she responded by embracing me. “I’m sorry.”

“It’s not your fault,” Kassandra uttered. “Anastasia and I chose this. Anastasia and I chose this because we can no longer just sit inside the palace doing nothing while this is what’s happening here.”

“Why didn’t you try to move for reforms?” I asked curiously. “They would’ve listened, you’re an Infanta.”

“I tried, but they didn’t listen. Who would believe me I say that the priests here in this colony’s terrorizing the citizens?” she muttered. “My brother who’s the Prince of Asturia was even sanctioned when he told our mother about this, how much more a puny Infanta.”

“I’m sorry Kassandra, I’m sorry.”

“If the revolution in San Diego wasn’t around, Anastasia and I would’ve searched for another group to join. So, it’s not your fault.”

CHAPTER 4

            The cheering of the crowd wearing extravagant ball gowns and perfectly sown dress coats filled my ears as we entered the hall. It was suffocating and frightening because I know this hall is filled by people who wanted us dead, but my heart is at peace because I know that I did my best to change this country, to change this world with a brave Spanish girl who’s standing beside me right now.

            “Juan Crisostomo Ibarra y Magsalin and Kassandra del Rio, the leader of a revolutionary battalion, guilty of Treason is hereby sentenced death,” the Gobernador General proclaimed. “But due to known circumstances the King of Spain had given one of you the chance to live.”

            A man walked in holding a black attaché case headed towards us and handed us the content of the case. A sharp black hilted knife was handed to both Kassandra and I, which made us look at the Gobernador General in doubt.

            “Only one between the two of you will get out of this arena alive, as one will have to be murdered here. Once, you’ve won that person will have to pledge an alliance to government and swear that he/she will no longer attempt to commit another crime, or else he’ll be executed at Bagumbayan. Do you agree?”

            “What will happen to the one who will survive?” Kassandra asked courageously.

            “He/She will be free to roam around the country and even to Spain,” the Gobernador General answered.

            I saw Kassandra’s emotion changed then without second thought Kassandra tightened her grip around the knife followed by an attack towards me, and I understand. She’s been raped for more than a dozen times, of course she’d wanted to be free of all this sufferings so I understand.

            “Fight back Crisostomo!” she screamed out loud making me do what she had just said.

            But I’m no fighter, I only plot and manipulate people to fight for me, that’s why I know I would lose this death match.

            I saw Kassandra smirked maliciously before she launched a direct attack at me while I just held my knife in front of me. She was out to kill me, but I don’t blame her. I closed my eyes and waited for the impact but nothing came to me. No sharp material was inserted on my navel, but I can feel a warm viscous fluid covering my arms and spilling on me.

            Slowly, I opened my eyes only to be met by Kassandra’s serene smile while is leaking from her mouth.

“Kassandra?!” I screamed, as I let go of the knife in my hands that had struck her, only to learn that the blade of her knife is also inside of her body.

“You really thought I’d kill you?” she asked weakly as she pulled the knife from her body only to strike herself again, and again, and again.

Everything froze as Kassandra’s knees gave in while her knees crash on the ground. “KASSANDRA!” I called on to her as I cradle her in my arms.

“Triton, it seems like I wouldn’t fulfill the promise I made back then,” she forcefully said in between gasps and deep breaths as the memory flashed back on me.

“Don’t leave me,” I begged her as I cry on her form in my arms.

She held out her bloodied hands and caressed my cheeks lightly before her arms gave in. I caught her arms and held them tightly in hands. “Kassandra why? Why did you do this?”

Kassandra parted her lips to speak but blood dripped out from them, before she went into a coughing fit. With the strength she has left, she handed me a key before writing in the ground with her own blood. ‘Te amo mi Triton’

Then her eyes closed as the steady beating of her stopped, along with the ceasing of her breathing. She’s gone.

My mind shut down as tears continuously poured from my eyes. I let them drag me wherever they want and recited the oath they made me recite; I even signed the paper they handed me with Kassandra’s blood that was on my hands, but never letting go of the key Kassandra gave me. Two days after the execution they brought me back to our hideout where I first met Kassandra.

            I sat on the edge of the bed where I had lied down for the entire ear while I was in coma, before a flashback of my dream of Maria Clara came back to me.

            “The way back will never be easy, you’ll lose some and gain another, but it will all be worth it. So, don’t you ever, ever give up.”

            Is this what she calls worth it? Is losing the people around me worth it? Is going through the same pain I once went through worth it? Then she’s one sadistic woman. Because this is not something I want to go through.

            The anger in veins got the best of me as I went into a fit of tantrum throwing everything away. Ruining every material I can. Until I found an old safe box which reminded me of the key Kassandra gave me before she died.

            Scuffled from where I was sitting towards the box and immediately opened it. Inside lies a letter addressed to me.

Dear Triton, or I should say Crisostomo Ibarra,

            By the time you read this it’s either I’m gone from this world or gone from this country. Before I say a lot of things let me first introduce myself properly, I am sorry for lying to you but I am not Kassandra del Rio, I am Kassandra Gomez-Acebo y Borbon, Infanta of Spain, the second child of the King of Spain and of course Anastasia would also be Anastasia Gomez-Acebo y Borbon, Infanta of Spain. I know by now you would be crumpling this letter and then burn it afterwards but please finish reading this, I beg of you to hear me out.

            Triton, know that my intentions of fighting with you Indios is sincere and pure. I may be am an Infanta but I can’t just sit there and watch the injustices brought upon all of you. For years I pretended, for years I turned my back but I can no longer hold it back so I went here and found San Diego where the desire for change is really intense (well, that’s because of you). I allied myself with Basilio and Isagani. Then you came….

When I found you in that body bag, I knew who you were. I know that you’re not just a nobody who got flushed here; I knew you were Juan Crisostomo Ibarra, but that’s not the reason why I saved you. I saved you because I knew I had to save you, because I knew you will be an important part of my life.

I don’t know how it happened but within a few weeks I fell in love with you. I fell in love with you that I got scared, so scared. I’m an Infanta, while you were a Filibustero and an Erehe, no one would approve of my love for you, that’s why I gave you another name. I baptized you Triton in the hope that when you wake up you’ll have no recollection of your past life, and will start a new one with me. I’m sorry for lying yet again. You may be are both Crisostomo and Simoun but to me you are my Triton, the love of my life. You must be really mad at me right now because of my lies, but I swear to god I love you and will still love you until the last of my breath.

I know that by now you really hate me for keeping all those details from you, and I have no right to demand from you, but I beg of you this one last time…. I beg of you to awaken your fellow Filipinos. Awaken their hearts and minds, make your one last step towards the betterment of the future generations to come. I’m not asking of you to start another revolution, I ask of you to do it with the method I know would be most fitted for an illustrado like you.

Regain all your memories: of Don Rafael, of Maria, of Capitan Tiago, Elias, Salome, Padre Damaso, Padre Salvi, Padre Sibyla, Pilosopo Tasio, Doña Victorina and Don Tiburcio, Basilio, Crispin, their mother Sisa, Doña Consolacion, Teniente Guevarra, Tia Isabel, Pia Alba, Isagani, Kabesang Tales, Huli, Tano, Don Custodio, Paulita Gomez, Macaraig, Juanito Pelaez. Padre Florentino, Padre Camorra, Ben-Zayb, Placido Penitente, Padre Irene, Tata Selo, Quiroga, Timoteo Pelaez, and everyone who became a part of your life. Claim your memories good and bad, put them into words and let the world read your memories. Let your memories be the bridge to enliven the dormant Nationalism in their hearts.

And if you’ll include your memories of me, leave the pages that includes my name all to yourself. Leave the traitorous Infanta out of the story. They need not know that a Spaniard once had joined the cause to free your country. And my treachery would probably cause conflict in the message of your novel.

I don’t know if you’ll do what I asked of you but I want you to know that no matter what happens I will always love you. And I will always be with you in every decision you’ll make. I love you Triton, I love you Crisostomo, I love you Simoun. I love you as who you are.

I guess this is goodbye, but you will always be with me, here in my heart.

Love,

Kassandra

EPILOGUE

            People will believe that El Filibusterismo doesn’t have deleted chapters but I tell you I chose to hide these chapters because there are chapters that need not to be revealed. There are words that need to be forgotten for people to move on and live their lives to the full, without the bondage of anything holding them back.

            I am Crisostomo Ibarra, also known as Simoun, and became Triton in the last few stages of my life. And I know that sooner or later I’ll be executed at Bagumbayan after the officials discover the messages of both my novels: Noli me Tangere and El Filibusterismo. But I’m happy, I’m glad, I’m satisfied, not because I’m dying but because I know that after my death a new generation will rise and they will be fighting the cause most of my comrades died for.

            And by the time someone finds this manuscript I know I’ll be gone but before I die I want to impart to you a secret, a legacy I want you to keep. During the ride towards the road to freedom, two courageous Spanish girls of royal descent fought magnificently and died for our country. If you try to research on them, you will never find a trace, as their names were removed from the history of Spain after the crime they committed. Their shadows and being may have been removed from history as long as we keep them alive in our hearts they will always live.

            I want you to know that in the end some of the people we thought were our allies betrayed us, and those who we thought were our enemies fought bravely with us.

            No this hidden words weren’t about me, it’s about a woman named Kassandra del Rio, the bravest woman I ever met and loved. She’s the person who decided to stand up for what is right despite what her lineage dictates her to do; She’s the person who fought against the tides to help us get where we are. She is the Spanish Philippine Hero that will never be mentioned in the future.