Within the Walls

Chapter 3

“Mi amigo!” A dashing voice emerged from my left.

I turned my head to gaze at who it was. A man with long, wavy hair approached the uniformed man. He leans on his ear and went on a whispering motion. The uniformed man lowered his gun and looked in my direction, then at him again. He shrugged and walked away, holding his rifle close to his chest.

“At ano naman ang iniisip mo at nariyan ka? (What were you thinking? And why are you there?)”

The man walked closer to me and enabled me to discern his facial features. He had dark brown eyes along with plump bright red lips that stood out from his tanned skin. He wore a loose grey suit with a mahogany undershirt and a tie of the same color. He held a black bowler hat in one hand, and a gold cane in the other. Chuckling as he opened the mechanisms of the metal fence.

The fence gate creaked that made me clench my jaw from the unnerving shriek.

“Paumanhin, binibini (I apologize, Miss)” Wearing the hat as he stretched his hand.

I eyed him suspiciously, looking at him from head to toe as his hand hung between us. He had such small hands fitted for his short stature, and his face plastered with a smile that showed his pearlescent teeth that glowed from the orange light. Shifting my gaze upwards to his eyes that smiled as well.

“Binibini? (Miss?)”

I shook my head and blushed in embarrassment, shakily reaching out my hand to grip his. He leads me outside from my makeshift prison and my eyes wandered the outside without the restraint of the metal bars. Darting my gaze upon the familiar church in front of me. The bright lights that once decorated the edges were gone. The dull grey colors were replaced with beige and whites. Statues of different people clad with robes that idly flowed in the stonework. Plus, white pillar-like fences lined the whole church, except for the large cedar door framed with metal.

I looked back at the man that had a small smile etched between his cheeks, forming a large dimple. He looked rather different from the men I have seen in my life. Not that I had a man to begin with but my guy classmates would be a great reference. He had such strong features, robust even giving that macho vibe.

“Maaring matunaw na ako sa iyong mga titig (Your gaze may render me melted).” He chuckled.

I snapped back to reality, heat rushing to my face as I looked down trying to hide it. Then, curiosity flooded through me as I gazed at him once again. Since he was speaking Tagalog, I had to as well.

“Anong tawag diyan sa simbahan na yan? (What is that church called?)”

Immediately, the man’s eyes widened and he leaned his face closer, dancing his eyes on my face as if looking for something. He walked closer and leaned some more until our faces were centimetres apart. I followed the trail of his eyes as I flustered from the first time a man has gotten this close to me. I clenched every muscle in my body, stiff as a rock but I felt like my heart was beating out of my chest as he examined my face.

“Mali ang aking akala na ika’y isang Kastila (I was wrong for thinking you were a Spaniard),” the man stepped back and I breath a sigh of relief, my heart still thumping like crazy, “Ngunit, iyan ang Katedral de Maynila.”

My eyes enlarged from the answer. I looked back at the church and it was nothing alike I saw before. Then, a sudden idea flashed in my mind that showed on my face. The man looked at me quizzically as I ran back to the fence and grabbed my camera on the floor, underneath was the photo I took. I sprinted back to the man as he eyed the camera, eyebrows furrowed.

I examined the photo to see it was different. But, the place was the same. The tall modern buildings that towered over the church was gone. The trees in the plaza I am standing now on were gone and the grey pavement was replaced with white limestone.

Suddenly, an image formed in my mind. Remembering the lesson we had earlier in class as I glanced at the textbook at that time and saw the picture of Intramuros during the Spanish era. It was the exact same!

“I’m in the 1890…” I muttered to myself as I stared back at the man.

“Ano sinabi mo? (What did you say?) The man tilted his head.

I shook my head and ran past his direction, going to the street on the right of the church. The rundown houses were replaced with soaring buildings that had the same theme as the church. No grey on white lines street, it was just white limestone. I went back in time.

I heard running footsteps behind me. I spun around to see a panting man that was catching his breath.

“Hindi ko pa naman sinasabi sa iyo ang aking hiling, tumatakbo ka na paalis (I haven’t even said to you my proposal and you’re already running away).” He said as he gasped for air.

I had a questioning look on my face. Proposal?

“Hiling? (Proposal?)” I asked.

“Sapagkat ika’y aking tinulungan, ninais ko ang isang kabayaran (Since I helped you, it’s right for me to ask for a reward.” He smiled mischievously.

I was cautious, stepping back to draw distance between us. I just didn’t mind him and continued to run further, but now on the other street. I remembered this was the direction I came through, a bustling restaurant with pale orange lights was gone. But another large building stood erect. Once again, the man ran towards me.

“Binibini, marapat bang bigyan mo ako ng panahon huminga (Miss, may you give me a chance to catch my breath.)” And just like that, he was a panting mess.

“Maari mo ba akong i-pasyal sa lugar na ito? (Can you take me on a tour in this place?)” I asked of him.

He stood up straight and looked at me. A forced sigh escaped his lips as he muttered something under his breath that I didn’t hear. He nodded short after. He placed his hand on his stomach, forming a triangle on his arms. He beamed at me expectantly. Oh! I walked closer to him and I hooked my arm on his. I felt his muscular arm flex from my touch. I was surprised to know it was actually hard, I’ve never done this to anyone before.

“Halina’t binibining? (Let’s go, miss...?).” His voice trailed off as I stared at his face, with an expecting look in his face.

“Ligaya, Ligaya Josefina.”

“Kaygandang pangalan, nababagay sa isang katulad mo (What a beautiful name, rightful for someone like you.) He grinned.

I blushed from the remark and looked away.

“Ikaw? (You?)”

“Aurelio, Aurelio Liwaway.” He smiled.