Farewell

Inside of a tattered tent, there is an Old man lying on the ground, he's too weak to even stand up and he seems to mumble to himself while looking like he's awaiting his death.

He was left alone when the robust guards gathered the young female Alipins.

"What are those bastards plan on doing to those gathered young female Alipins? I did not quite hear what they were rowdily spouting. When would my daughter return? She suddenly left."

The Old man muttered under his breath.

He was worried about the sudden disappearance of Toto.

Then suddenly, he could feel himself weakening.

He found himself unable to clearly open his eyes.

He felt sleepy.

He clenched his fist to resist the urge to sleep.

But he was about to faint.

Right before the old man could faint, Toto and his sister had just arrived right on time.

"Father!"

Just when the old man was about to close his eyes, he heard his two daughter's voice and footsteps hurriedly approaching towards him.

"Father! We have returned! How are you?"

Noticing their arrival, the old man smiled bitterly.

He knew that his time is near, now he doesn't want to waste this opportunity.

The old man gathered his strength and slowly raised his body to sit.

A wisp of air faintly escaped his nostrils.

His nose produced a snot and his eyes got teary.

"My big daughters, take care of each other, my only wish for the two of you is to live a happy and meaningful life."

Toto became worried he's brows have furrowed while exclaiming "Father! Why are you telling us those?"

She recalled what his father was saying a while back before the guards disrupted them.

The old man smiled wryly as he continued to speak "Daughter you better listen to me, no matter what, you must always remember to keep your principles."

Toto could tell that something was off with her father, earlier he saw the spatting of blood from his father's mouth, now she already knew what was going to happen but she still refuses to accept the reality of it.

"I know father... Father! Sister was promoted into a Sulgo! She is now a servant of the Saman! She now has the chance to become a Timawa! Father this is good news!"

Hearing the wonderful news that his Eldest daughter brought, the old man could not help but chuckle.

He was worried about his daughter's future and now he was relieved by this sudden news.

The old man smiles faintly, his eyes shined brightly, looking very satisfied and in his heart, he could finally say that he can now leave in peace.

"Oh! Is that so? That's good then."

He scratched his white beard, shuffling from the front of his beard's hair to the lower back regions.

Tears began to fall as Toto's sister escaped the clutches of Toto.

She tried to speak, but an unbearable pain pierced her chest.

Unknowingly she could not stop trembling as she came closer to her old father.

"Father when I become a Timawa, I will set you free so you have to stay strong."

Evidently Toto's sister refuses to accept that her father is the one bidding them a farewell, she thought that she was the one to bid him a farewell but now, she was utterly surprised and felt a heavy loss.

The old man recalled their mother, she had a disability.

She could not speak but able to do the same things that normal people could.

Alas, she left earlier than him.

The old man thought "What would their mother say if she learned that her daughter is now a Sulgo and has the chance to be a Timawa? How would she express her joy?"

The old man turned to his two daughters.

He patted Toto's little sister's head lovingly.

He tried to speak but he stuttered, his voice became hoarse as he mumbled "I Love you, take care"

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Those were the last words of their dying father, Toto grimaced in grief.

Staring at the lifeless body of their father unable to believe her eyes.

It was quite some moments that passed but until now, she could not still believe that their father was now gone.

Toto held the hands of her father and kissed his father's hand while her little sister was wailing beside.

Toto's little sister at that moment promised something.

"Father! When I became free I will make a proper burial grounds for you and mother in honor of the two of you, I also promise that I will always protect Eldest sister, farewell father, rest in peace."

Toto had the same resolute eyes as she promised the same in front of their father's lifeless body.

Toto dragged her sister out of the tent, trying her best to calm her sister and just before leaving the tent she glance his father's corpse one last time, looking solemn, sad and regretful.

Toto walked gloomily afterward while patting her sister's shoulders.

Not too long they reached the Saman.

She saw Miguel beside the Saman.

Miguel approached the two siblings and she patted Toto right on her shoulders, gesturing that he understands. Although Miguel did not quite understand, he had a brief understanding of why Toto was gloomy.

Her sister is leaving. But that's the only thing he knew.

He still had no clue that Toto's father just passed away.

And to mention, that Toto was actually a girl!

Well, that's a part of another story.

Because now, Miguel had another worry as he scratched his head.

He was about to explain that he also had to leave Toto.

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...

Earlier before Toto and Toto's sister returned...

"Take him as my Sulgoso, you are mine now..." The Saman whispered to his ears.

Miguel shuddered as the voice of the Saman blew past his ears.

It was a declaration that he now belonged to this haughty Saman.

"We have a lot of things to catch on." The Saman softly said.

Miguel scratched his head then stood up properly, he was afraid that any move he makes might make these robust guards behave aggressively.

With a frown the guards in return looked at him suspiciously, they wondered what the Saman whispered to Miguel that made this beautiful Saman of them smile happily, they wished to receive the same action.

All they were receiving this far was a cold stare or a frown or a wicked smile.

They wished that their Saman could smile at them happily.

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...

"Toto, it looks like I also have to leave you."

When Toto heard what Miguel had just said, her tears returned.

She found herself clinging at Miguel's tattered clothes, beneath his elbow.

"Why..." A broken word escaped her mouth.

Miguel found himself doubting the Toto in front of him.

He thought that Toto looked more feminine tonight.

He came closer and patted Toto's shoulder as he said

"Looks like the Saman also wanted me to be her Sulgo..."

And that was the end of it, Toto inaudible just stood there and nodded her head.

She let go of her little sister's hands and allowed her to return to the Saman.

While her sister was approaching the Saman, she opened and closed her mouth to gesture...

"Take care."

And Miguel who saw this just smiled bitterly, decided to look after Toto's little sister.

When he was about to leave, Toto suddenly grabbed his arms.

"Take care of my little sister for me."

Miguel looked back and nodded briefly.

As he was doing so, he recalled his promise to that another scar-faced guard and replied to Toto with a series of instructions.

"Toto, remember that I was supposed to cook rice for tomorrow?"

"Yes..." Toto frowned, and made a look of being surprised. Now that Miguel mentioned this, she could not help but have warm feelings to the boy in front of her.

She thought "Miguel might be worried that if he could not perform what he promised, the guard might find me to look for some trouble. He really is a kind young man."

Toto was comforted, in her heart, she still believed the words of Miguel when Miguel said he would free her. She attentively listened to what Miguel was about to say next.

"Here are the procedures on how to cook the rice..."

And the two leaned to each other as Miguel told everything that needs to be done in order to cook a sound meal. He even instructed Toto of the variety of cooking that the rice can be cooked.

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...

After quite some time, Miguel was finally finished.

He bid a farewell to Toto, hugged her, and smiled.

He made a fist bump and raised it at Toto.

Toto gazed in confusion as she asked "What is that?"

"A fist bump." Miguel innocently replied.

"Raised your arms and do the same."

Then Toto clenched her fist which how Miguel had did in the same manner as he had shown.

And the two made a fistbump together.

While Miguel and Toto is probably having the most memorable moment,

The Saman, grew impatient as she dragged Miguel away, leaving the lonely Toto behind.

Toto bitterly raised his head and she faintly nodded.

Just when Toto was about to leave, Miguel yelled at her.

"Toto! Be strong!"

Toto looked backed at Miguel, then Miguel raised his fist gesturing to Toto, to carry on.

And this is only just the beginning of a great story, of things to come.