Chapter 34: La Flor de Manila
As the night went deeper, the more comfortable Paz became. The generals and their wives fawned over her, captivated by her charm, and it made me wonder if placing her at the edge of the table had been the wrong decision. She thrived on the attention—gracefully smiling and answering questions—while never letting her guard down.
And she kept her poise, even when they eventually asked her what had kept her indoors for so long. It wasn't consumption, as tuberculosis was called at the time, which the town doctor had diagnosed when she was in her early teens.
Just last year, a visit from her cousin's husband, a Spanish doctor by the name of Felipe Carlos, finally corrected the diagnosis. According to her, Dr. Carlos posited that it might have been only "an unfortunate combination of nervous asthma and lung fever"—whatever that meant.
After the doctor prescribed rest, vapor inhalation, cupping, mustard plasters, and some medication, she slowly but steadily recovered. By October last year, she was already managing occasional excursions outside her house. And by New Year, she was regularly stepping out.
Not long after, the rondalla once again changed tune to signal the serving of the next course. The banquet had begun with the soup course—or primero plato—followed by the fish course (segundo plato), then the tercer plato or meat course... and finally, it was time for desserts.
The plates were cleared from the table and the leche flan, pastillas, and other sweet pastries were introduced. No more than thirty minutes later, the servants were bringing out bottles of wine and champagne, as well as coffee and hot chocolate for the more conservative guests.
Before I knew it, the banquet was transitioning to the next phase. The rondalla changed tempo. Some had started to clear the tables and chairs from the center of the hall. It was time for the dance, and the first couples streamed toward the cleared space.
Paz chuckled when she saw Agapita dragging her husband with her.
From much nearer, I heard the screech of a chair against the floor. I turned toward the sound and saw one of the younger generals stand up. The other seemed to be enthusiastically encouraging him.