The Man in the Portrait

"Who am I really?"

Colonel Lancelot Riva asked himself as he looked at his own portrait in the Palindrome house's hall.

The house is big and the huge lamp that lights up the entrance hall told him the owner is someone of high stature.

He looked at himself and asked why does it feel too familiar and yet distant at the same time?

Did I miss something?

The house has a character all its own and judging from the number of servants that attended to his needs; he is someone special.

Marian Meneses walked down the stairs dressed in her long flowing red evening gown. She stopped midway to open her foldable fan so that she can cover the excitement in her smile. As she landed on the last step, she offered her hand to Colonel Riva, which he gentlemanly tucked in his right arm.

"I am ready for the ball, Henry. Are you? "

The colonel was smitten. "I am ready, Marian. "

Outside the Palindrome House, they hopped inside a black Mercedes car waiting for them. Marian giggled as she hugged him tight inside the comfortable seats.

"This will be a fantastic night Henry. Everyone will be glad to see you. The mayor, my parents and possibly all the neighbours, are all there for you. I'm sure everyone will have a grand time."

"How long have I been gone?" The colonel asked.

"Five years, Henry."

"That's quite a long time, Marian."

"Can you promise not to be gone again? I sorely missed you and whatever war that is on the other side of the world… that shouldn't concern us."

The colonel never had the chance to be with anyone as tender as her. And her supple touch and smell made him forget what his real purpose is in going out of his own time.

"You will teach me how to…"

Marian laughed. "If it's a dance that's in your mind, that would be easy."

"That's a lovely idea. But I thought maybe you could help me recall the names of the people around. I cannot trust my own memory. Will you?"

Marian was obsessed with his innocence, and she held him tight as the car made its way to the tavern.

"The Davila's were a great host. You would remember them as the couple you met when you arrived the other day. They are the one hosting this year's ball, and it would be exciting since they just built a new tavern that is really spacious."

The colonel smiled when he heard of the Davila's since they really took the time to make him comfortable and at home.

" I won't forget their graciousness. "

Marian smiled after hearing it.

" They are a great couple."

" Can I ask you about something?"

"What is it, Henry,"

"The portrait? Is that me?"

Marian was smiling, "Yes, you have it painted…before you went to war. I think you got worried that I may look for another man. Hence you decide to give me something to wait for."

The car arrived at the tavern at around 8 in the evening, and lots of people have already arrived in their best ball attire.

" Here we are," Marian gushed. The tavern entrance was cleared of parked cars, and people lined up to enter a short red carpet walk all the way inside.

" Marian, honey, " Marian was greeted first by her own parents. They kissed on the cheek.

" Mama. Papa. Henry is here!"

Marian's mother looked at Colonel Riva, and she was just too happy to greet him with a hug. The colonel greeted Marian's father with a handshake.

"Good evening, mam, sir."

Marina's parents laughed, hearing how they were formally greeted.

"You will make our parents happy, Henry. You are so, Gentleman. How about marriage?" Marian's Dad bantered.

"Dad, it will happen. Not just tonight," Marian cajoled.

"Have a good time, Henry, and we are so glad you are back. " Marian's mother cried.

"Me too, mam, " the Colonel played his role well.

Marian pulled Henry out of her parent's sight. They went straight to a burly white-bearded man wearing cowboy hat over tuxedo and introduced Henry.

"Mayor, My Henry is here." Marian beamed with joy and coaxed Henry to greet him. The mayor was kind of dumbfounded. He was not expecting his presence and motioned his finger at the Colonel.

"My hero's back!" the mayor laughed out loud and grabbed the colonel's hand to shake it.

"Wait, I didn't hear the news about your arrival. How come I am the last to know?"

The mayor was a bit disappointed, but the smile on his face is undeniable.

"I just arrived the other day, sir," the Colonel replied.

"You look good and healthy. They must have good food during the Korean War, eh? You know my father complained when he fought during World War 2, and he ended up skin and bone when he outlives the war. But you.. you certainly look marvellous Henry. Damn!"

"Thank you, Mayor. The good food served here in the tavern certainly provided me with excellent nourishment than the entire food served during the war. I can attest to that." The mayor laughed and called out Mrs Davila. She was listening earlier and joined back in the conversation after hearing her name called.

" You know you all some drinks so we can toast over the return of an incredible town hero, " Mrs Davila teased.

The waiters passed the glasses of tequila and clear wine to the rest of the crowd and shouted at the same time the word, "Cheers for Henry's return!"

A 10 man orchestra began to play non stop the songs that made everyone up to their feet. The Davila's swing the night away. The Mayor and his colourful wife were non stop with their sexual innuendos over 'pasodoble'. The Dietrich who originally came from Germany were somewhat dancesport enthusiasts and showed everyone what dance is and how couples should do it. Marina and Henry danced the night with a dance instructor in tow as Henry kept on shuffling his feet, somewhat unable to make the correct dance step. But it was all about having fun when everyone joined the dance train as they followed the mayor's lead.

That night the Colonel felt an incomparable amount of joy he had not felt before in his entire life. He embraced Marian's nakedness in the dark shadowy confine of their warm bed. Marian cried not so much from the fear of losing him but from the promise of joy in their tantric act. They touched, mouth and tongue pressed against each other as their bodies arched back and forth in a moment that can only be described as pure erotic love. In his lucid state, the Colonel could clearly recall his purpose in going back in time.

He now remembered it all. He could recall a voice telling him what to do. That he need not worry about going deeper than he should. That everything will decay, and again he will return to where he came from.

Early dawn. The beautiful Marian is still asleep. The colonel wrote her a letter asking her to wait for him no matter what. Then he went into the basement of the house.

And as he waited for the ether inside his body to dissipate and bring him back, something happened he did not truly expect. 

He woke up at noon in the basement surrounded by police, Marian and her household help.

"Who are you?" Marian asked. 

"How did you enter the house and sleep here?"

Colonel Riva panicked. " I am..." but he was lost for words to defend himself rationally.

The police handcuffed the Colonel and led him out of the basement. Marian punched him in extreme danger. 

"I demand you tell me who you are! Why are you wearing my husband's clothes? Where is Henry? What did you to do to him?" 

But Colonel Riva could not find a perfect answer. 

The colonel touched his face, and one household helped hold a mirror in front of him. He saw himself- Colonel Lancelot Riva. Perhaps they now see a stranger and no longer Henry De La Vega. He sighed. Maybe it has something to do with the time travel formula. It betrayed him only after a few days. He needed to find ways to get himself out of this mess. But how?