"Mayora, the van is ready. 3 hours before your flight," my secretary Zalysha reminded me once again. I just nodded and averted my eyes at our family picture resting on my table.

In it, I am wearing my military uniform with my badges that shows my position as a Lieutenant, with a wide smile plastered on my face. My mother is hugging my waist while my father is wrapping his arms around my shoulder. And my two younger sibings are standing infront of us. The proud look on my family’s faces were evident.

All of a sudden, it was like someone blew a magic dust on my face that made my mind reminisce in anguish the tragic phenomenon that happened a year ago.

"We won..." I uttered in disbelief.

Iginala ko ang mga mata ko sa paligid. Papasikat na ang araw kaya malinaw ko nang nakikita kung ano ang meron sa paligid ko. Dead bodies, wounded soldiers screaming in pain were scattered in the every corner of the forest.

The aftermath of the war is heartbreaking. I expected this... I expected this kind of situation after the war. But why can't my system take it now? I have fought different battles but this one…this is one of a kind.

"Where's Lieutenant de Lara?" Rinig kong paghahanap sa 'kin ng boses ng Heneral, kaya buong tapang akong tumayo at  nilagpasan ang mga patay na katawan ng mga rebelde at ng iilang kapwa ko sundalo.

"Lieutenant de Lara sir!" I saluted at him. General Manalo smiled at me and saluted back.
      
   "Well done Lieutenant,"

——————

Hindi mapigil ang ngiti ko habang binabaybay ang daan pauwi sa Cebu. Mula pa man sa military truck hanggang sa eroplano ay naroon na ang kasabikan kong muling makita ang pamilya ko.

Ang akala ko ay matatapos na ang buhay ko sa gyera'ng iyon. But my family's image augmented my urge to survive. Just by that, I will always survive for my family…

Ngunit ang mga ngiti ko ay agad napawi nang marating ko ang bahay namin sa probinsya ng Cebu. Ang mumunting bahay namin ay nababalutan ng kulay dilaw na tape. The police's tape when there's a crime.

But why the fvck are they surrounding our house with it? Kinakabahan man ay muli kong pinilit ngumiti, mabilis kong inilapag ang malaking bag ko sa kalsada saka nagmamadaling tumakbo patungo sa loob ng bahay.

"'Nay? 'tay? Nandito na po ako. Nanalo po kami! 'Nay? 'tay? Augustine, Calliope nandito na si ate may pasulubong ako sa inyo. 'Nay? Nasaan na kayo?" Panay ang pagtawag ko habang binabaybay ang bawat sulok nang maliit naming bahay.

Ngunit ni isa sa kanila ay wala akong nakita. Confusion got me when I saw how ruined our house was. Para itong dinaanan ng bagyo.

"Hindi…” Umiiling ako
habang ramdam ang takot at kaba sa puso ko matapos makakita ng bakas ng mga dugo.

"'Nay? Asan na kayo? Hindi po magandang biro ito," muli kong sigaw habang pilit na binabalewala ang konklusyon na nabuo sa isip ko.

"E-eury?" Mang Erwin's voice full of hesitation called me. Ibinaling ko ang paningin ko sa pintuan ng bahay namin, at doon ay nasumpungan ko si mang Erwin na nanlulumo'ng nakatingin sa'kin.

"Mang Erwin asan po ang pamilya ko?" Tanong ko habang naguguluhang nakatingin sa kan’ya. Bumalot ang pagkalito sa puso ko nang biglang tumulo ang mga luha ni mang Erwin.

"Bakit po kayo umiiyak? Nasan ang pamilya ko mang Erwin?" Paulit-ulit s’yang umiling habang patuloy sa pag-agos ang kan’yang mga luha. Unti-unti s’yang naglakad patungo sa direksyon ko, ang mga mata ay basang-basa.

"Eury, w-wala na a-ng p-amilya mo..." Umiiyak n’yang wika. Pagak akong natawa sa sinabi n’ya.

"Pati po ba kayo kakuntsaba ng pamilya ko? Hindi po magandang biro ang ginagawa n’yo," umiiling kong wika, pilit na ngumingiti at umaasa. I can't believe on his words.

Ano’ng pinagsasabi n’yang wala na ang pamilya ko? He's insane! My family promised to me that they'll wait for my return. Babalik ako at hihintayin nila ako. Ngunit ngayong bumalik na 'ko nasan na sila?

"H-hindi ako nagbibiro hija,"

"No, you're lying Mang Erwin. What the fvck is wrong with you?!" Hindi ko na napigilang itaas ang tono ng boses ko. What the fvck is he saying that my family is gone?

"Eury!" Tila nabuhayan ako ng pag-asa nang marinig ko ang pagtawag ni M sa 'kin mula sa labas. Agad akong tumakbo patungo sa direksyon n’ya.

"M! Please tell me saan pumunta ang pamilya ko? Bakit hindi nila ako isinama sa pag-alis nila?" I inquired. Nagsusumamo ang mga mata kong nakatingin sa kan’ya. Umaasang katulad nga ng sinabi ko ang kahulugan sa sinabi ni mang Erwin na wala na ang pamilya ko.

"Oh God I'm so sorry. I-m sorry E-ury," hindi ko alam kung ano ang magiging reaksyon ko. Kagaya ni mang Erwin ay kumawala ang mga luha n’ya, ang mga mata n'ya ay kumikinang sa luha at lungkot. Bakit ganito na lamang sila kung umakto?

"M I'm going nuts if you won't tell me what's happening. Ano ba kasi ang nangyayari?"

"Patawad Eury. Nangako ako sa 'yo, nangako akong ako na ang bahala sa pamilya mo sa pag-alis mo. B-but I'm sorry E-ury. I f-failed hindi ko sila naprotektahan," humahagulgol na n’yang wika.

Napaluhod ako sa sementong daan, dinadamayan ang pagluhod din ni M. Ano ang ibig-sabihin n’yang hindi n’ya natupad ang pangako n’ya?

"Just tell me what the fvck is going on M! And why the fvck are you acting like this!" Sumisigaw sa pagkalito kong wika.

Sa isip ko ay nahuhulaan ko na ang gusto nilang iparating pero hindi ko iyon magagawang matanggap. Dahil sinusundan iyon ng napakaraming tanong.

"They was massacred..." Humahagulgol n’ya pa ring wika, ang mga mata ay puno ng panlulumo.

"Your family was massacred Eury..." Nangatal ang buong katawan ko sa narinig ko. Tila tinakasan ako ng lakas at kusa akong napaupo sa sementong daan. Ang mga kamay ko ay nakapako sa kalatagan ng daan.

"B-bakit ganyan kayo magbiro?" Hindi makapaniwala'ng usal ko, habang unti-unti ay gumuhit sa sistema ko ang pagka-inis at lungkot.

"I am not kidding Eury!" Giit n’ya.

"Ano ang karapatan n’yong gawing biro ang pamilya ko?! At sa isang brutal na kamatayan pa?!" Hindi ko napigilan ang sarili kong emosyon at kusa ko na lamang itong na-isigaw sa kan’ya. Ngunit natigilan ako nang naramdaman ang pagtama ng kamay n’ya sa pisngi ko.

"I am not fvcking kidding Eury!" Isang sampal na s’ya ring nag-pagising sa 'kin sa katotohanan. How? Why? Napakaraming tanong sa isip ko. Nag-aalangan akong paniwalaan sila ngunit ang sitwasyon na mismo ang nagpapatunay.

"God I'm sorry, I'm sorry Eury," Mabilis n’yang usal saka ako mahigpit na niyakap.

"Paano M? Paano iyon n-nangyari? I don't want to b-believe in you," wika ko habang pilit na pinipigilan ang pagtulo ng luha ko.

I can't cry in a statement that has no credible basis. But then again, why can't I convince my mind? Why can't I stop myself from believing M's words?

"Alam kong masakit Eury. But this is the truth. Please be strong," Sana nga ay ganoon na lamang kadali maging malakas sa sitwasyong ito.

"How M?" Hindi ko na nakayanan at kusa nang kumawala ang mga luha ko.

"They was m-massacred Eury, and burnt..."

Marahas kong pinunasan ang luha ko at nagkunwaring abala nang pumasok si Zalysha sa opisina ko.

"Where's Glendale?" I asked Zalysha, looking for my personal assistant.

"Oh I forgot, he left a letter Mayora," Zalysha snapped in. I listlessly opened the brown envelope Zalysha handed to me.

Dear Mayora,

I apologize for the sudden resignation, my family really needs me right now. My father just died, and I and my family are in grief right now. I am mentally and emotionally unstable, I guess it will be hard for me to work.
I hope for your kind consideration.

Respectfully yours,
Glendale

Tinupi ko na ang liham na iniwan n’ya saka muling ibinalik kay Zalysha. It may sound stupid, but can this world resent me if I'll say that at least Glendale is still lucky despite of losing his father?

'Cause at least he was there trying to be strong with his family. At least he saw his father's face for the last time. While me? Hindi ko na nga naprotektahan ang pamilya ko, hindi ko pa sila nakita sa huling pagkakataon.

———————

I listlessly laid my eyes on the view outside the window while the car is in motion. It was still 5:00 in the morning, yet we're already taking the path towards the airport. I and my companions in RISE partylist will conduct our first campaign now in Visayas.

My vision of being a leader of my country someday is the product of all the things I saw and experienced ever since I’m a kid.

I came from a muddy lifestyle. My mother is just a laundress while my father is a carpenter. We live in a ghetto area in Cebu where I grew up. Kaya alam ko kung gaano kahirap lumaban sa buhay kapag napabilang ka sa pinakamahirap na mamamayan sa bansa.

We didn't even get a single centavo nor a hand from the government during those times. Instead, they gave us more hindrance in living through demolitions. And that is where my dream started.

I want to help those people who lives in ghetto areas like me. Those people who are suffering the difficulties of living. I want to give a hand to those people who can't be reached by the hands of the current government.

I love my country and I really do, and that augment my urge of making this country a better place for all of its people.

I escaped out of my trance, when my secretary announced that we're in NAIA finally. It was a long drive from Quezon city to here NAIA, but I didn't noticed it due to my disturbing thoughts.

"Mayora, tatawagan ko na po ba yung iba n’yong kasama sa partido?" Zalysha asked, I automatically shook my head.

"No, let them know when we already landed, let's go," I impassively answered.

Seeing the clouds flying with me, were overwhelming. It feels like I already reached my dreams. Since, I always thought that it's impossible for me to reach the skies and to stare at the clouds in a very short distance.

But look, they are flying with me now while showig me its puffy nature. Patuloy ko lang na hinangaan ang malambot na 'itsura ng mga ulap hanggang sa hindi ko na namalayang nakatulog na pala ako.

"Good day! passengers of Cebu Pacific airlines, you have safely landed to your destination," anunsyo ng isang flight attendant ang nakapag-pagising sa 'kin. I drowsily opened my eyes, and the sultry wind welcomed it.

"Tara na po Mayora." Habang bumababa sa hagdan ng eroplano ay hindi ko mapigilang makaramdam ng tuwa. It indeed feels so good to be back in this place.

In the place where I grew up and create a beautiful memories together with my massacred family. I can still remember the first time I took them here in this airport, for our first flight together going to Manila.

I can still see their smiling faces full of amusement in the every corner of the Cebu Pacific's airport. How I wish I can bring back those times..

I paused for a moment, letting my hair dance together in the rhythm of the air while my tongue are softly whispering the words which vanishes in the wind.

"Nay, 'tay, mga kapatid ko. Andito na po ako, muli na po akong nakabalik sa lugar na humubog ng pagkatao ko. Sana po ay narito kayo, para tingnan ang malaking ipinagbago ng lugar na ito. I miss you..."

"Mayora..." nagdadalawang-isip na tawag sa 'kin ni Zalysha. I just nod my head at her, knowing the words she wanted to say; Let's go.

"Magandang araw po mang Erwin," agaran kong bati sa kan’ya matapos s’yang makitang nakasandal sa sasakyan habang nakangiti nang malawak at tinatanaw ang pagdating ko.

"Aba magandang araw naman sa iyo Mayora. Mabuti naman at nakabalik ka muli rito, aba'y kung hindi lang dahil sa iyong kampanya ay maaaring hindi ka makabalik rito ngayon. Nagagalak akong muling makita ka Mayora," salubong n’ya sa 'kin, habang binibigyang diin ang salitang Mayora. Napailing na lamang ako.

"Ilang ulit ko po bang sasabihin sa inyo mang Erwin, huwag n’yo po ako tawaging Mayora, hindi naman po kayo iba sa 'kin," nakangiting wika ko sa kan’ya.

Malapit s’yang kaibigan ng papa ko noon, they was like two peas in a pond before. Kagaya ko ay wala na rin s’yang pamilya, his family died in a ship accident. So I decided to give him the permission of taking care of my new built villa here in Cebu.

Mang Erwin, was my cry-in-shoulder during my hardest battle in my life; The battle of me against myself for the agony and excruciating pain that I felt when I lost my family.

He was there with me when I visited the tombstone of my family. He was the one who wiped my tears that I can't even wipe with my own trembling and weary hands. Mang Erwin was the one who helped me get up and fight again, aside from my bestfriend.

"Saan ba ang inyong punta ngayon? Naku hija, bago pala iyan ay maaari bang kumain muna tayo at nagugutom na ako, malamang ay ganoon din ang iyong kasama, kagagaling n’yo pa lamang sa byahe," he requested. I just nodded at him as an agreement.

May ilang oras pa naman kami bago magsimulang tahakin ang daan patungo sa lugar na pagdadausan namin ng kauna-unahang kampanya ng aming partido. Kaya mas mabuting bigyan ng laman ang sikmura namin.

Dinala ko sila sa isang restaurant na paborito naming kainan ng pamilya ko. This place remind me so much of their smiling faces full of glee.

"O hija kamusta naman ang iyong pagiging Mayor sa Quezon? Suhestiyon ko naman sa iyo noon e bakit hindi ka na lang dito sa lugar natin tumakbo tutal dito ka rin naman lumaki," maya-maya'y wika n’ya.

Muli ko na naman tuloy'ng naalala kung ilang beses n’ya 'kong sinabihan noon na dito na lang tumakbo sa pagka-Mayor.
I don't even know in myself too why I chose Quezon city.

Though, hindi naman ako nahirapan sa pagtakbo ko roon dahil doon na rin naman ako nanirahan mula noong madestino ako sa mga bulubunduking lugar ng QC. I live there for almost five or six years? I’m skeptic.

So I know that my position in that city is unquestionable. However, my reason behind it was still unknown.

Nagkibit-balikat na lamang ako at nagsimula nang kumain nang maihatid na ang pagkain ng isang waiter.

——————

Exhausting. That's how I describe our ride towards our destination. Mabato, at masukal ang daan patungo sa lugar na pagdadausan namin ng kampanya.

Pero hindi ako maaaring umangal sa mga kasama ko sa partido. Ano nga bang magagawa ko? Kung ako lang naman ang nag-suhestyon na rito kami mangampanya. Concerning the fact that when it comes to doing campaigns, I don’t want to focus on urban areas only.

"Mayora, tatawagan ko na po ba ngayon si Mr. Guanzon?" I just nodded in Zalysha as a response.

"Mang Erwin malapit na po tayo sa Laguindingan hindi ba?" Patungkol ko sa arabal ng bayan.

"Ilang metro na lang hija," napahinga ako nang maluwag sa sinabi ni mang Erwin. Sa wakas naman ay makakalabas na rin ako sa sasakyang 'to, masyadong nakakapagod ang byahe.

"What? Why didn't you tell us?" Zalysha's raised voice caught my attention. I stared at her with an arched brows while she's holding her phone and currently talking to Mr. Guanzon, the candidate for vice-presidency in our partylist.

"Give me the phone," I commanded. She immediately gave her phone to me with a frustrating look.

"Mr. Guanzon?"

"Move your ass out from that place kiddo. Move now!" Mr. Guanzon hastily shouted over the phone.

"Will you please calm down first and tell me what's happening grumpy man? anyway where are you? We're already here," I impatiently answered him.

Yes, we are both politicians, but Mr. Guanzon is like a father to me. When we're alone, and if we are talking to each other we usually don't talk like politicians, but like a father and child having their rumpuses.

"WHAT?! Listen to me kiddo, hindi natuloy ang pagpunta namin d’yan, because the military troops didn't let us. They said there will be a war hours later. The place is not safe. So move your ass out from there now!" He again shouted.

"Why didn't you tell us?" I shouted back in asphyxiation. At bakit hindi man lang kami hinarang ng mga militar?

"Because you didn't call us!" My brows shot upward in disgust when I heard his answer.

"Stupid, why didn't you call us? When you already know that it's not safe," now, I can say that they are really stupid. We're in an uncertain situation yet they still wait us to call on them first?

"Look, we lost our signal and we just got back to the downtown", he explained. Napamasahe na lang ako sa noo ko. What now?

"Just move out from---" An earth rocking explosion cutted his words off.

"What's happening?! Get your ass out from there now kiddo! Faster!" I heard Mr. Guanzon's shout along with the deafening sound of bombs, Armalites and other different kind of guns.

"Oh my God!" Zalysha shouted in aghast, while gripping my arm.

"Mang Erwin, ibalik n’yo na po ang sasakyan, let's go back to our way, we are not safe here!" I immediately said to mang Erwin. Pero bago pa pala ako nakapagsalita ay muli na n’yang iniliko pabalik ang sasakyan.

I'm not afraid of war, I have been through it before, and that is my life. But right now I just want to escape from it. Not because I'm afraid for myself, but because I'm afraid for the lives of the people beside me.

"Oh God! Who are those people?" Zalysha once again shouted after seeing a group of terrorists blocking our way while pointing their guns towards our direction.

"Listen Zalysha, I don't need your rants of aghast right now. What I want you to do is to stay calm and keep your head bowed, got it?" She immediately nodded on my words.

"Mang Erwin, ako na po ang magda-drive dun po kayo sa passengers seat, iyuko n’yo po ang ulo n’yo at 'wag na 'wag n’yong i-aangat hangga't hindi ko sinasabi," utos ko kay mang Erwin, pero tiningnan n’ya lang ako na para bang hindi s’ya makapaniwala sa mga sinabi ko.

"Ano ang gagawin mo hija?" Tanong n’ya pa.

"Sundin n’yo na lang po ang sinabi ko, wala ng oras pa para sa mga katanungan n’yo, sige na po," pagmamadali ko sa kan’ya saka inagaw ang manibela.

"Fast in your seatbelt, this will be a hellish war," I said vigorously, while bringing the life of the car once again.

I took out my twin gun from my waist, and prepare for it's adventure. I opened the car's window and take my hand out of it while holding the gun and pointing it to the bunch of terrorists.

I hardly pressed on the gas pedal of the car, summoning it's fastest speed while showering bullets on the bunch of terrorists rapidly.

I have done a lot of battles in my life, and I still can't find my last fight. So prepare your skull shitty terrorists, you're messing up with the wrong woman. You may have killed my family but not me.

Not the woman who was a victim of life's tragedy...

|End of chapter 1|
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