Mission Bound for San Agustin

In the morning, the captain went down to the tunnel and as if he knew where to go. While Baldur was following him, the captain was counting the sacks and on the 21st sack, he pulled it and disembarked exquisite mugs, forks, spoons and all else - in short, kitchen utensils.

" Wow! these are real ones, dad." Baldur whispered with amazement.

" Yes. These piled up of stocks you see were brought here prior when we arrived in station one on September 1941, with your uncle Chuck, of course. What a good timing when they delivered some military supplies and their ship was exceedingly the biggest so they were of great help to deliver all of these.

"Would it be mistaken as army supplies?"

" Haha, no, there's someone from the ship that checks everything that goes out - such that of an auditor or a quality inspector. But everyone knew that my family's here and that these were from my salary, no remittances goes back to US, there's none, ever since. Everything we expended there in the state came from my inheritance share, remember the potato farm we had out there? It's where I got our expenses but everything I earned in the army goes to your sister through Sibal. So you can see my salary's outflow around." He smiled.

" Wow, Dad, these are all hard earned. Days ago we've been talking about the granite house construction where it took for ten long years. Such a project."

" Yeah, I'm just a lucky Dad, my stepsons are not jealous ones. Both of you are very contented boys ever since that's why I carry you across the seas, raised you like my own. I wasn't mistaken.

" Dad, your love is enough for us. We're even more lucky than anyone else. Magee just received your salary but you stayed so close with us with Albrecht. That itself is too much."

"Lolita had been a good mom to your sister and Sibal had raised her well. Hmm...well, what are you waiting for, my boy! carry this sack back to the old house, haha!" The captain cheerfully tapped Baldur's shoulder.

While in the house, Albrecht grated two coconut and extracted a liter of its milk; mixed with squash young leaves along with its square chopped squash fruit, spiced with ginger and lemongrass. To make it more tastier, Albrecht put some mushed corn. As per secret, he never covered the big pot but he kept on stirring the coconut milk till it became bubbly and interestingly boiled up. The captain was craving, waiting at the table like a child and kept asking Albrecht if it's already done and he's crazily hungry.

"Haha! c'mon Dad, I feel like s real chef, hmm...I never knew this war needs my expertise. Huh! here's a half a spoon sample, please taste it Dad and tell me what you can say."

" Gracious heavens! I could smell the gravy corn and lemongrass. Baldur, go get me a 'siling labuyo" ( chilli ) faster boy!"

Then Baldur smilingly ran and harvested the 'siling labuyo'. It's one of the famous chilli even then because its too hot and face wrecking. When Baldur returned he grabbed a small bowl, put the three small pieces of 'siling labuyo' , added a small amount of 'suka nang tuba' ( vinegar ), minched garlic and small cuts of ginger. In a while, Edward started his breakfast so silently while the brothers couldn't even swallow their food while looking at him so dead serious with a plenty of viand that gave him a sweaty breakfast.

" Burp!"

" Haha! dad, do you want some more? Just eat it all, you left us two pieces of ginger at the bottom of the bowl." Albrecht smilingly said.

" Sorry son, I guess you need to cook again. I just missed your delicacies. Also, I need to be stronger for the rescue operation tonight for San Agustin civilians, gotta nap a little."

" Ah ha...and who said you can go with us when you're not that healthy yet." Albrecht sarcastically commented.

" The captain! haha!" Then Edward left, waving his hand at them while heading up to the balcony. On a small seat he looked farther to his soldiers' bahay kubos and the groovy scenery.

" The place is still the same, hmm...I missed my woman who gave me a great courageous girl who now turns a wife of the lieutenant. They just met by accident and coincidentally developed like a speed of light. Sibal and Chuck must be here to help me cheer with our children in the middle of this war in this paradise, haha! God's plan was never ours. Our plans were too small compared God's will. Yes, I now believed that they were really meant for each other. Hmm...Magee and George are now staying joyfully in that house we built for them. I thank God above all for our ( three dads) ten-year financial struggle where Sibal sold some bars of gold and jeweleries, Chuck's savings and hectares of land risked for a contractor friend to dig - designed, smoothened and finished the granite house as well as the cover and cut tunnel. In my end, I never regret for giving up everything for my daughter, she's precious. In this place I helped and saved Chuck from the pangs of Sibal's unspeakable anger, kneeling in front of him while asking for forgiveness. Those by-gone days were too morose and scary to my friend Chuck. Hmm...I missed my buddies around." He sighed deeply.

Then he closed his eyes and took a nap while leaning his head on a rocking chair. The brothers just stood up on the staircase, looking at him.

" C'mon, let's carry him to his bed." Albrecht summoned to the younger brother as they carefully brought him in the bedroom below.

" He's recovering too quickly Albrecht. Good that your food helped him get up to survive, you're just amazing as that, buddy! Madeleine must be very proud of you!"

"Argh! I told you not to mention her name, my nerve shatters and my soul flares..." He was too busy with his reveries to Madelleine while he was pressing his head without knowing that Baldur has already left and distributed the kitchen utensils to the soldiers and guerrillas