Troublesome Daughter

At Greg Law's home, Greg was alarmed at the hovering sound of an army helicopter which circled around his aerial vicinity particularly over his pasture land. Why is this army chopper appearing again after some years of peaceful rest from army-rebel clash? Was there a suspected presence of rebels again in their place?

In the past, the rebel groups camped among the villagers, distributing themselves among the households so as not to be suspected by any outsider who might happen to pass by or pay a visit to a relative. They keep watch of the ins and outs of villagers and visitors and even secretly followed them to where they were going. Although these rebels were not physically hurting the villagers, they were sucking up their resources. They also recruited some young people by enticing them with their arms and smooth talks adding to these their good looks. If it weren't for the parents pleading, many young people could have joined them without really knowing what they were into. Fem was among those whom they really wished to join. They noticed her when she was about 17 years old. They have been coming back to this village several times to follow her up.

One Sunday afternoon when Greg and his wife arrived from having gone to church, they found out that Fem was debating with some female rebels while the stoic and tall handsome commander of them watched from the side with all his attention focused on Fem. Greg was so frightened to see his daughter fearlessly reasoning out with these rebels who have high caliber guns strapped around their body. He anxiously entered the kitchen and sat at the his dining chair as he heard his daughter question those female rebels why they chose to suffer on the backs of the difficult mountains rather than enjoy a peaceful family life. Another question Greg heard his daughter threw at them was why they rebel against the government. Greg kept silent intently listening to them as he wiped his sweats from his shoulder and chest. He felt nervous and anxious for his daughter. Apparently, they have been arguing about some beliefs and ideologies. Not long while passed, Fem laughed and left them seated as she headed to the kitchen and grabbed her back pack and some supply of rice and vegetables to head to school. She was on her first year college back then. Later on when she was gone, the commander interrogated Greg about his daughter's guts to argue with them. Greg was furious that he taunted them for not having successfully convinced his daughter. He challenged them to surrender and go back to their families and apply for some government programs that might help them start their lives. The commander threatened Greg that someday, they will come back and take his daughter from him. What they did not know was that Greg was a close acquaintance with the commander of the Army assigned in the Northern District, Major Wilkin. They came to know each other when Major Wilkin led some troop of rangers who spied the rebels in the mountains of the North. Greg housed Major Wilkin and five of his elite men in his humble abode for three days and nights putting his whole household under tension. The rest found shelter in other neighboring homes as well. If the rebels learned about this, they would have snatched Greg away from his house and salvaged him far away for being a threat if not a traitor.

Back to this present time, the villagers have long forgotten the anxious feeling of being harassed by the rebels. Seeing this army helicopter gave them a sound of alarm. Will there be a clash between the Army and the rebels in their village again?

Greg was about to head to his pasture when he saw that the helicopter was circling around his vicinity. He calculated that it must have spotted enough space in his pasture land to land. Sure enough, the army helicopter landed while his thoughts wandered. He quickly went over to check who they were. From the edge of his yard, he could see two people coming out as the blades of the helicopter started to die down.

He waited for them at his home, just in case they would need something and come to inquire. Little did he know that when the old couple arrived at his yard, they would straightly ask for his rebellious daughter! It shocked Greg to his core! Just a while ago, his mind was wandering about how his daughter nearly put his life in the hands of the rebels, and now, these people actually came to take his daughter? What sin has he committed to have born and raised such a troublesome daughter as her!?

Greg was unsure whether to defend his daughter or mock his visitors' arrogance. He did not yet recognize the old man who have aged handsomely. The couple seem to be a highly respected people so he held his prejudice and let them be by themselves for a while.

"You are basically under my roof, so no matter how highly respected you think you are please tone down your arrogance. I don't care who you think you are! You came here to ask for my daughter? What crime has she committed?" Greg crossed his leg as he sat on his wooden chair specially carved by his son Michael for him.

The old couple whispered each other. It was their fault for not introducing themselves first properly. Dave thought that Greg would recognize him. They had once been "glassmates" when he was assigned in this division some thirty years ago. Maybe those years have really taken a lot of their memories.

"Greg, are you sure you don't remember me?" Dave smirked as he sat stoically on the bench at the left side of Greg.

" I'm not so sure, there have been many people who came and ask for my children, you're just one of them. All of them seemed to like my children a lot." Greg boasted nonchalantly.

"You are still as prideful as before Greg but I really doubt your memory!" Dave chuckled. " How many Army Generals assigned here can you remember?" Dave asked in an attempt to remind Greg about himself.

"Ha! I was almost a brother-in law to that General Lee, if you know him. Then there was that certain Major General Arevalo who liked living here because he was addicted to my rice wine. General Margo was almost a family to me, he treated me like his brother, then the latest was a young brave Major Wilkin who chased away the rebels. That's why you are able to land on my pasture land safely. Otherwise, the rebels would have blown your ass off before you even spotted them." Greg recalled.

Ivee Arevalo pinched her husband's arm when she heard Greg mention his addiction to rice wine. Was this man telling the truth or was he deliberately trying to make fun of them?

"So, who was that addicted to your rice wine? Can you bring out a jar again?" Dave couldn't hold his amusement at the words of his long time drinking buddy.

"So is that how you introduce yourself? I won't let you snatch my daughter and drink my wine at the same time! You're still such an opportunist as before!" Greg said blandly. They had bantered like this before. They exchanged tough words that only made their friendship grow deeper. It's no wonder Dave could decide a date for his grandson's wedding without even consulting anyone because he knew Greg will be helpless when he learns about it.

"So are you giving me some wine, or I'll call my grandson to straightly take your daughter away. They're together at this very moment!" Dave managed a threat.

"Don't ever use my children to threaten me! I will not let you drink until I see my daughter happy and whole. You sound so desperate !" Greg mocked Dave in annoyance.

"I can't believe you're still tough and witty all these years Greg. It's no wonder your daughter grew up tough and witty as well. My grandson almost lost his mind when she was being difficult." Dave laughed while shaking his head.

Greg was speechless. Was that suppose to be a compliment or a confession. Either way, he was proud of his daughter. Very proud!

"So did you come here to tell me that nonsense? Do you think I'm surprised?" Greg adjusted his eyeglasses.

"The truth of the matter is, I want great grandchildren with your genes. That doesn't probably surprise you either." Dave boldly declared.

" Ha! Where's Mark by the way? My daughter ran away yesterday. She didn't want the arrangement. She must have followed her cousin." Greg sighed. He put a stop on their endless bantering and decided to speak sensibly.

"I dropped him at the school this morning, they probably on their way up here. I just called him some while ago. He found your daughter in her boarding house." Dave toned down his bantering tone as well.

Greg sent his youngest daughter, Hannah, to call back his wife from the farm. They needed to be at home before Mark and Fem arrived. Hannah obediently grabbed her cap and wore her boots before running off to fetch jer mother from the farm.