Chapter 36: Escolta
"What is happening, Tiyo?" Isidro asked me as soon as the door shut behind him.
I chuckled as I unbuttoned my collar, sitting on the side of the bed. "What do you think, Isidro?"
He scratched his head and glanced at my shoulder straps. "You’re a military officer now? What rank—Colonel?"
"Nope... a rank higher than that." I scooted up on the bed and lay down.
I had just returned to the Tiongson residence from the church and was beginning to feel tired, even as the excitement still lingered in my chest. I didn’t even feel like getting out of my uniform yet.
"General?" he guessed again.
"General de Brigada," I confirmed, liking how the rs in the rank rolled off my tongue. "And in command of three islands—Marinduque, Mindoro, and Romblon."
I watched Isidro’s expression soften as he chuckled in disbelief. "No... there’s no way. How would you have pulled that off?"
"Well... you did see me in the procession. I was riding with the generals." I shrugged. For a moment, I thought about telling him everything that had happened, but I realized I didn’t have the energy for it. "It’s a long story, Isidro. All you need to know is that I’m a general now."
I watched his smile fade. He took another glance at my uniform, then seemed deep in thought. He walked nearer and proceeded to sit at the foot of the bed.
"You do know... this isn’t a decision to take lightly," he said, his voice so somber it caught me off guard. "I think war is going to erupt any day now. Manila’s in chaos. Several individuals suspected of working for Aguinaldo have been apprehended. Security’s been tightened, and American soldiers are digging more entrenchments."