Tarsilo

By Patrica Salvador

“Tarsilo!” Juanita, their stepmom,  called out as she screamed on top of her voice just so to be

heard.

It was lunch time, and yet another typical day in the family life of Tarsilo. He had always been the nice guy: definitely modest, very obedient and never complained.

As Tarsilo and Bruno sat down, they immediately delved in with the prepared meal. Their mother quickly nodged them off and said “You forgot to say your graces,” and quickly intertwined her fingers from each of the hand to a pray position.

Juanita always has the tendency to be nice, but also has the same tendency to be equally rude, overpowering and illogical. And for today, she decided to be nice. But eitherway, Tarsilo never the changed on how he has to be very much obedient on her.

In the same way, Tarsilo has been a very nice brother. He promised to be the best brother he could ever be to his Father, who happen to pass away a few months back.

It was a very gloomy night for them, as far as memory could hant down. There was harrassed at home, ngiht time. All of the civil guards came to a rush and suddenly held their father in captive. He was trying to defend him, for they know their father did not do anything wrong. They were filing a case of rebellion against him, and yet through all the strength they have given, they remained powerless on the situation. Their persistence to let their father go was even too much that they were threatened to be captured as well, and their father through blood-shot eyes and stared them, insisting to just let it go and something good must be bound to happen anyway. But in all sorts of ways, nothing was good after they arrested their father. He never came back home. It was pure torture – on both sides that is. Torture on their part for always thinking about what must be their father doing right now, or is he still okay or alive. That was pure anxiety. Also on their father, there was more of the physical torture. Even few days after their father's capture, civil guards went back to arrest them for rebellion. They remembered what their father said and gave into it. They thought they are almost going to die, but luckily just a few hours after being held in captive, a certain man called Lucas went out to be their middleman and got them free.

“Kuya,” Bruno suddenly uttered, pushing him away from his thoughts. “We still have to fix the dishes and continue our work in the field.” And that's when he finally stood up decided to stop thinking about how awful it was. But if he were to be honest, he is definitely missing his father a lot. He was someone he always looked up to.

***

Few years have past, and Tarsilo became more acquainted to where they live. He met a girl called Naya, who happens to work as an aid in the Church nearby. They got a long pretty well and they eventually got into some relationship.

“Naya,” Tarsilo said. “If it's not too much to ask you, can we keep what we have for now as a secret? Not because i'm not happy to have you, but because i'm afraid the priests might do something against you if they learned you went here with me. You can't stop and not think about that.”

Luckily, when you're in love, there is nothing you cannot say no, for most cases. And this one isn't any different. They both agreed on mutuals. It was a typical teenage love story.

The town's festivity came and Tarsilo, Naya, and Bruno went out together for a walk around. You know how Tarsilo and Naya have been keeping their relationship for a while now.

“Naya, it's getting past in the afternoon now, I think I should send you back to the church before anyone else notices. Besides, Bruno and I still have to deal some cockfighting show nearby which...I don't think you will enjoy either. I will just walk you home, yeah?” And they both agreed.

Naya smiled and gave a nodding thank you and proceeded.

**

It was all screaming at the cockpit, manly screaming that is. Deafening, mostly but it was typical. After the first game has ended and in the middle of the second round of games, a man suddenly approached them and said “Hey boys. You guys are Tarsilo and Bruno, right?” The two looked at each other puzzled before looking back at the random but familiar person speaking to them. “Uhm, yes that is us. You look familiar, anything I can do to help?” The guy then replied, “Of course I look familiar. I am Lucas. I made negotiations when the two of you were held captive. I was the one who 'set you free' after.” His tone was definite, and stern. Bruno then said “Oh yes, that's why. It was glad to see you again, what have you been up to?”

“Listen, “ Lucas continued. “I want you guys to be part of Ibarra's pact against these Spaniards. We are a number, nothing to be afraid of.” Eitherway, the two of them still resorted to be afraid and hesitated. The guy even added, “I know you want to give justice to the loss of your father, right? You are not just doing this for yourself, or your father anyway. It gives out to a lot of people, if that doesn't persuade you.” They held in their answer until after the game, and that's when they decided that they will join the pact.

**

After the games, Tarsilo couldn't keep his mind off the fact they are joining a pact. And now he is very much convinced that this is something that he would do seriously, and whole-heartedly. His views came to a change. And now he was very much sure he is ready to leave everything behind....and Naya, too.

Sadly, the terms between them came to an end. It was not very much of a good timing since they had just went out, but Naya called out to give her whole heart to understand that something bigger and more important out there needs him, and selfishness should not get in the way.

**

 In a series of the most unfortunate and stressful events, the brothers were then again held in captive for 10 days (and counting) because of leading a rebellion with continuous physical abuse and lack of provided food. They were hazy, and may even be not thinking properly anymore. It was something of too much to hold. Surprisingly on the 13^th night, Tarsilo later found a lost key, to which luckily was a universal key to the prison sells. He snickered on his own plans and not fully planning other else except escaping. He let all other prisoners free while all guards were having a meeting at the town's plaza near the church. But since every single one of them were too busy saving themselves and running for their own lives, everyone captive for the rebellion ran away to hide and were never to be found again after days and months of looking for them.

Naya then heard about the news, and yet she was hopeful that maybe, just maybe he will come back for her since they are now free. But she may just be forever become hopeful of what should've been, because even Tarsilo lost of wherever his brother is and they have never crossed paths ever again.