Cielo

Pablo

The next day, Vicente was once again in the woods. In the daylight, the place looked brighter and friendlier. Still, Vicente felt that someone or something was watching him from behind the trees. He once again heard the rustling of dried leaves, but when he checked them out, there was nothing there. He picked up his pace as he knew he had to be somewhere else in a few minutes' time.

Vicente stopped walking when he reached the old ermita. He entered it, but to his surprise, it was empty. The Indian man was nowehere to be seen. Vicente left the food that he was carrying on the floor. Should the Indian get hungry, he would have something to eat. Vicente was about to leave when he saw something across the ermita that glinted in the sunlight. He approached the object and saw that it was the San Miguel medal that he gave to the Indian last night. Not understanding why the Indian would leave behind something that could protect him, Vicente picked up the medal and wore it around his neck. He reminded himself that Diego gave it to him. He was lucky to get it back.

* * *

Vicente stood at the foot of the belltower of the San Agustín Church in Bantay. From the top of the hill, he could see the people leaving the church after the afternoon's oración. His eyes were searching for someone in particular. Finally, he saw him - the young, handsome Filipino walking out of the church, his fair skin turning slightly pink in the setting summer sun. He suddenly stopped in his tracks, sensing that someone was looking at him. He turned his head to look at the bell tower, and he saw Vicente taking off his hat and bowing at him. He smiled upon seeing him, stopping himself from laughing out loud.

"Pablo, I still have to get the blankets your mother ordered," an old woman walking beside the hadsome man spoke, "Would that be all right with you?"

Pablo cleared his throat and composed himself. "Tía Pepang, maybe it would be better if I stay here at the church. You can come back for me once you're done with all your errands," he told the old woman.

Tía Pepang nodded and walked ahead of Pablo. When the old woman had climbed onto the family's calesa, Pablo started walking up the hill towards the bell tower. When he reached the foot of the bell tower, Vicente was no longer there. He walked around the bell tower, but there was no trace of him. Suddenly, flower petals started falling on him. He looked up and saw Vicente on the upper level of the bell tower, throwing flower petals on him. Pablo laughed and started going up the bell tower. Upon reaching the upper level, he saw Vicente standing by the window, looking at the mountains of Abra.

"The mountains look beautiful from here," he said.

He turned around and smiled at him. "What can be more beautiful than you?" Vicente walked towards Pablo and embraced him. His lips grazed the side of his neck and proceeded towards his lips. Pablo shyly pulled away from him.

"Vicente," he said, "Someone might see us."

"This is not the first time I'm kissing your lips!"

He placed a finger on his lips. "And I hope it will not be the last," he told him with a smile.

Vicente sighed and looked away. "I must be a fool to think that we can be like this for the rest of our lives," he said, "You, the only son of Don Antonio Versoza, the wealthiest landlord in Vigan, loving me, a simple peasant fighting for freedom from an oppressive colonizer. Can we really fight for our love?"

Pablo placed his hands on his face and looked into his eyes. "We can," he replied, "We have to."

Vicente's lips touched his, and Pablo allowed the kiss to happen. He savoured the heat emanating from Vicente's mouth, warming his blood, making his skin tingle with excitement. When the kiss ended, he nestled his head between Vicente's neck and shoulder.

"Pablo!"

They were startled by the sound of Tía Pepang's voice. Pablo peeked through the window and saw the old woman standing at the patio of the church. "I must go," he told him, "It's getting late."

"It will be a dark and cold night without you," Vicente said.

Pablo embraced him and whispered in his ear, "Esta noche las estrellas están en tus ojos." He kissed him on the cheek before going down the staircase.

Vicente looked at him walking out of the bell tower and towards the patio to his waiting aunt. Pablo took one last glance at the bell tower before climbing onto the calesa. The horse neighed before bringing the young man and his aunt back to Vigan. Vicente glanced at the darkening evening sky. A lone star was twinkling.

"Tonight the stars are in your eyes," he repeated what he told him.

That night, the stars were not just in his eyes. They were shining bright within his heart.