​🌸 Chapter 24: The Path of Waiting
​The morning in Plaridel was shrouded in an intense silence following the explosion at one of the mansions—an incident that served as a profound testament to the ferocity of Hustisya's anger toward the Spaniards.
​Erik, widely known as Ifugao, stood at the edge of a narrow alley, his heart heavy with disappointment. The memories of the previous night—the lifeless guards, the tied-up captives, and Hustisya's gun pointed at the Spaniard—kept tormenting his mind.
​"This is not the justice we need," he murmured, his fists tightly clenched. "I have to talk to her. She needs to stop killing the Spaniards."
​Driven by a fierce resolve, Erik began his search as Ifugao. His white hair gleamed under the sun, and his steps were full of purpose. He moved across rooftops, peering down with anticipation, but his efforts to find Hustisya proved futile. Disappointed by the long day's search, he decided to revert to his form as the young boy Erik, allowing him to roam the town freely as an ordinary citizen.
​All day he wandered the streets of Plaridel, passing the market where Filipinos sold their wares, scouring the alleys where children hid from the Spaniards, and the churches where the prayers of the elders could be heard. But he was unsuccessful in finding Hustisya.
​"Where can I find you?" he asked the air, his voice heavy with fatigue.
​As the sun began to set, he refused to give up, venturing into other villages in Plaridel. Night fell, blanketing the town in darkness, with only the lights from the Spanish houses guiding his path.
​In a dark corner, he heard the cry of an elderly woman.
​"Don't take my money!" her voice trembled with fear. From the murky alleyway, a masked thief with a knife was attacking and dragging his victim.
​"Be silent, or I'll kill you!" he shouted, raising the blade. But before he could strike, an arnis stick flew through the air, hitting his hand and knocking the knife to the ground.
​With a swift leap, Ifugao sprung from the rooftop, his red sword flashing as he struck the fallen weapon, sending it skittering away.
​"You cannot hurt innocent people just for money!" he declared, his voice ringing with authority. The thief, enveloped in panic, turned to flee, but Ifugao moved faster. He raised his gun and fired a precise shot into the man's leg, causing him to stumble and fall. With skillful hands, Ifugao tied the robber to a post with a rope and returned the money to the old woman.
​"Thank you, hero!" she exclaimed, her eyes full of gratitude as she tightly clutched her savings.
​"It's too late—go home quickly," Ifugao advised, waving as the woman walked away.
​However, as he bid her farewell, a cold breeze swept by, and from the shadows, Hustisya emerged. Her rose-colored hair danced in the wind, her red cape flowed elegantly, and she wore her white mask bearing the letter "H."
​"Thank you for what you did," she said softly, her voice tinged with respect.
​"Hustisya," Ifugao acknowledged, their gazes locking in a moment of silence, each seemingly assessing the other's next move.
​Ifugao remained motionless, his eyes fixed on Hustisya. "I'm not here to fight you," he said, his tone calm but firm. "I am an Envoy just like you. All I want is the safety of our countrymen."
​Hustisya looked at him, her eyes full of curiosity, and slowly nodded. "Yes, I know you, and I recognize you as a hero, Ifugao—the famous female hero who fought against terrorists and Spaniards in Pangasinan," she said.
​"Really? You know me?" Ifugao asked in surprise.
​"Of course! Everyone saw your bravery, and frankly, I admire you, Ifugao," she replied, her voice filled with intensity.
​"Are you here as an enemy or an ally?" he asked cautiously.
​"I told you I am not an enemy—I have long wanted to meet you to talk," Ifugao assured her.
​Hustisya stepped closer, extending her hand in greeting. "I am the chosen one of the Plaridel goddess and the savior of Bulacan," she introduced herself.
​Ifugao accepted the handshake, grateful that the young woman was finally talking to him. He expressed his joy at meeting another Envoy and was surprised to learn she had seen his videos.
​"I rarely watch the news—I don't have time, and I don't know what others say about me. I avoid television because I fear the threats of the Spaniards who want to capture me," he confessed.
​Hustisya gently held his hand, her touch reassuring him. "No matter what others say against you, Ifugao, many admire and believe in you. Although some try to ruin your name in the news, I am one of those who knows you are a true hero."
​Ifugao was speechless, his cheeks flushing as he thanked her. "T-thank you. It's comforting to know you believe in me."
​"The first time I saw you in a video, I was truly amazed," Hustisya continued. "I never expected to see a woman fighting alone against the Spaniards and terrorists—you became my inspiration. You are my idol, and your courage gave me strength."
​Ifugao was startled when Hustisya hugged him tightly, her arms full of gratitude. "At first, I was scared," she whispered. "I knew I was an Envoy, but I was afraid because I was alone and just a woman against so many Spaniards. I doubted myself, wondering what chance I had against them."
​"But when I saw you, a woman bravely fighting for what is right, a spark of courage ignited within me. I have long endured the abuse in this town; I witness the oppression of the Spaniards against our countrymen every day. I wanted to save them, but I was afraid because I had no one by my side."
​"Is that so?" Ifugao forced a smile, masking his concern.
​"One day, I tried to save someone, and I succeeded," Hustisya added. "In that moment, I felt I could also be a hero like you. I realized I could use the goddess's power to save others, and I want to continue until the abusive Spaniards are gone from Plaridel—no, from all of Bulacan."
​Ifugao's expression turned solemn as he listened to Hustisya, and after a brief pause, he suddenly asked, "Is that why you are killing the Spaniards?" he inquired sadly.
​"The Spaniards I kill are sinners, and the laws they enforce cannot punish them—so this country needs someone to act and deliver justice," she explained with determination. "Isn't that our duty? We are heroes, fighting against the abuses of the Spaniards," she confidently asserted.
​Ifugao offered a slight smile, but his heart sank with disappointment, as if recalling a troubling memory. He lowered his gaze, his spirit divided by her words.
​"I understand what you're saying," he replied. "But are you truly serious about this?"
​"Huh? What do you mean? Of course, yes—I am a hero like you," she said vibrantly.
​But Ifugao shook his head, sadness evident on his face. "Because of what you are doing, people are dying—do you think that's right?"
​"Yes, and I will continue this for the people of Plaridel," Hustisya answered, her eyes blazing with resolve. "Like you, I want to save the Filipinos. I am the one delivering justice to the oppressed and abused."
​Before she could finish explaining, Ifugao held her shoulders, his tone serious as he addressed Hustisya. "We are not the same, Hustisya," he said mournfully.
​"Huh?" the young woman responded, confused.
​"If you continue killing, it will only endanger your life, and you will also put the Filipinos here in Plaridel at risk. I don't understand why you can't see the potential negative consequences of your actions."
​Hustisya was stunned to hear this from Ifugao. Her eyes widened, and her arms seemed to lose strength from profound disappointment. "Are you saying what I'm doing is wrong? I'm doing this to help others!"
​"I know, and your desire to help the Filipinos is noble," Ifugao calmly but firmly explained. "But your methods are incorrect."
​"Incorrect? What is wrong with what I'm doing? I'm fighting for what is just, I'm punishing the wrongdoers—what's wrong with that?!" she protested.
​"Yes, you are right, Hustisya—you are punishing criminals and helping others, but you are also taking away their right to live and change; they are only people who make mistakes," Ifugao replied. "This is not what you should be doing. Because of this, others don't see you as a hero—to some, you are just someone seeking revenge against the government. You are taking the law into your own hands."
​Ifugao took the young woman's hands, gazing at her with pity. "I want to know if your fighting is truly for the Filipinos or for your own desire to take revenge on the Spaniards," Ifugao added.
​Hustisya's hand trembled and she abruptly pulled it away from Ifugao. She stepped back, unable to process what she was hearing, as if she felt Ifugao did not understand her struggles and intentions. Her words ignited into anger.
​"You don't know what the Filipinos in Plaridel are enduring!" she shouted, her fists tightly clenched. "You have no right to judge me! For us, what I am doing is the only logical thing—those Spanish animals are the cause of the suffering we endure every day!"
​Ifugao clarified, "I'm not here to be your enemy or to judge you as a bad person," his voice full of compassion. "I'm here to fix this, to convince you to change your methods. I want to help you."
​"Killing Spaniards is not the solution to what you're fighting for. That is not the justice you seek—if you continue, you are no different from terrorists who kill based on their own view of right and wrong."
​"Terrorist?!" Hustisya was shocked and startled by Ifugao seemingly calling her a terrorist. She became angrier, no longer seeing that Ifugao could understand her.
​"You know nothing! You don't understand what it means to be a Filipino in this town!" she screamed, her rage boiling over at Ifugao.
​In an instant, she unleashed her power—the wind swirled around them, ropes suddenly appeared and bound Ifugao to the post where the thief was also tied.
​"You won't understand because you haven't felt the pain we have experienced!" she cried, her eyes full of tears and grief.
​She lowered her head, taking a deep breath as she sadly explained, "I thought we would agree because we both care about the Filipinos. But you are right—we are different," the young woman said in disappointment.
​"Please, Hustisya, listen to me," Ifugao pleaded.
​"I deeply respect you as a hero, Ifugao, so I beg you: do not interfere with what I am doing. Leave my town. I will save Plaridel no matter what happens. If you interfere with what I am doing again, I will consider you an enemy," she declared bravely.
​In a flash, Hustisya vanished like a ghost, leaving Ifugao tied up, his heart heavy with sorrow from the frustration and hopelessness of helping Hustisya.
​"I can't stop her," he whispered, bowing his head. He knew Hustisya's methods were wrong and feared the tragedy of Urdaneta would be repeated if he didn't intervene. However, he also realized that continuing to stop Hustisya would only lead to a fight between the two of them. He closed his eyes, his mind muddled with confusion and dismay.
​"What should I do?" he whispered into the air.
​The next day, as Georgia, Hustisya returned to her ordinary life—selling flowers in the market to earn money for her family. Her small basket was full of roses and hibiscus, but as she sold, her mind was still troubled by worries, burdened by the guilt of the previous night. As she sold her flowers to the surrounding Filipinos who wished to buy, her heart carried a heavy burden.
​That afternoon, carrying the money she earned and some food—a small plastic of rice and fish—she returned to their hut.
​Inside, she prepared dinner with her grandmother, Maria, and grandfather Mateo. But Lola Maria noticed the sadness in Georgia's eyes.
​"Georgia, my grandchild, is something wrong?" she asked, her voice tinged with worry as she held the young woman's hand.
​"I'm fine, Lola, maybe just tired," Georgia replied, although her smile quickly faded.
​"You don't have to carry your problems alone, my grandchild," Lola Maria said, her eyes wise and gentle. "If something is troubling your heart, tell me. It will help lighten your burden."
​The young woman smiled gratefully as she thanked her grandmother. But a moment later, her expression changed, and she sadly asked, "Lola, what if something I believe is right is wrong to others? Should I change it?"
​Lola Maria was unsure of what her granddaughter meant, so she simply advised, "If you are worried that others disapprove of your actions and you doubt your own decision, perhaps there is something wrong with what you are doing. If you have doubts about your actions, why don't you try to find the right way?" she explained. "There are things we cannot control, but that is not a reason to do something that will affect others. But grandchild, remember that no one can judge what is right or wrong for you except yourself, but I urge you to think carefully about your decisions."
​"One wrong does not right another wrong, so consider your choices carefully."
​Georgia looked at her grandmother, and then bravely asked, "Can I share a story with you, Lola?" Lola Maria smiled, her eyes full of love.
​"I am ready to listen, my dear. Trust me." Georgia held her grandmother's hand, her eyes welling up with tears. "Will you still accept me even if I have committed a sin?" she asked, her voice trembling with fear. Startled, Lola Maria hugged her tightly, her embrace full of love.
​"I don't know what you mean, child, but whatever it is, you are still my beloved grandchild. I am here to be with you."
​Gathering her courage, Georgia confessed to her grandmother what was bothering her heart. "I'm confused, Lola. What I'm fighting for is seen as wrong by others. I know in my heart I must do this, but because of it, some are angry with me, and I'm afraid everyone will hate me. All I want is a better life for many and for the abuse against our countrymen to end. I don't mean to be bad. I don't want to be filled with hatred, but I feel I have no other choice." Lola Maria's face turned pale with fear.
​"My grandchild, are you doing something bad? Please, don't do anything wrong, no matter what!"
​"I am not a criminal, Lola," Georgia emotionally replied. "But I will admit I am doing something—I am fighting criminals and the abusive Spaniards." Her grandmother gasped, terrified.
​"My God, my grandchild! I told you not to go near or fight the Spaniards. They are monsters—I don't want you to get hurt!" Lola Maria panicked tearfully.
​"I'm fine, Lola, please don't worry about me," Georgia reassured her with a smile, hoping to alleviate her grandmother's fear.
​She was silent for a moment, and then asked, "Lola, can I tell you a secret? Something no one else should know, not even Lolo?" Lola Maria nodded, her expression curious.
​"You can trust me, my dear grandchild." Georgia's body began to glow, and slowly, her form changed—her rose-colored hair and red cape emerged, revealing her as Hustisya.
​"I am Hustisya, Lola," she said, her eyes heavy with sadness. "I am the chosen one of Ada Aksam, the guardian of Plaridel, Bulacan." Lola Maria covered her mouth, unable to believe it.
​"My grandchild… I never expected this, not even in a dream," she whispered, holding Hustisya's cheek. "You are the vigilante the Spaniards are looking for—your actions are so dangerous, my grandchild."
​"I am a hero, Lola," Hustisya bravely insisted. "I want to save the Filipinos, Lola," she added, her voice bold but her eyes full of fear.
​Lola Maria hugged her again, her worry for her granddaughter's safety against the Spaniards intensifying, knowing she could lose her at any moment.
​End of chapter.
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