Crisanto grew up as a farm hand at the hacienda of the cousin of Gobernador-General Mariano Ricafort Palacin y Abarca. Here, he met Andrea Primo de Rivera, who was of pure Spanish blood and the youngest daughter of the house. Her beauty was unmatched, eyes like twinkling stars, a nose that beckoned anyone's attention, lips as red as a rose, and hair as black as night and as soft as a gentle breeze. The master of the house was tolerant of Indios, and because of this, Crisanto and Señorita Andrea became friends and eventually lovers.
1827
"Mi Amor…. what took you so long?" Andrea asked as she threw her fichu (triangular shawl) with a pout on her lips. Crisanto, who arrived on horseback at their secret meeting place, quickly picked up the shawl and took her in his arms and placed a tender kiss on her lips. "Stop it, you'll ruffle my baro't saya (Traditional Filipino Blouse and skirt)"
Crisanto chuckled. "I'm sorry, Andrea, I was caught up in a meeting with the revolutionaries," he explained, trying to justify his lateness.
"Why must you align yourself with such radical extremists?" She asked, and the worry and concern were evident in her eyes.
"They are not extremists, my love, they are freedom fighters just like me, and just like me, all they want is for our motherland to be granted freedom from the empire." He then hugged the young lady, "Though of Spanish ancestry, you were born here, you should also crave for your homeland's freedom."
"But I can't go against my uncle, he is the Gobernador-general. I don't want my family to be branded as traitors," she explained, hoping Crisanto would understand.
"You don't have to take up arms or fight on the frontlines. Just voice out the cries of the people…Fairness and equality, if not freedom and autonomy," Crisanto happily explained, he could barely contain his excitement at the prospect of Andrea helping with their cause.
Andrea pouted, closed her eyes, and sighed. Crisanto immediately recognized her reaction. "So you are going to help us?"
"Sí, voy a ayudarte, sólo asegúrate de que no me arrepiento", she said in her native tongue.
Crisanto raised an eyebrow. "That's not fair, you know I can't understand Spanish."
Andrea wrapped her arms around Crisanto's neck. "I said I love you, and that is why I am going to help you." The two then kissed passionately. He turned Andrea around and gently combed her delicate hair to one side. He took out a box from his messenger bag, opened it up, and showed the contents to Andrea.
Andrea gasped in awe as her hands flew to her lips, for right in front of her was a golden heart locket necklace. Inscribed outside were the words, 'You and me, till forever ends'. A tear escaped the young lady's eye. "Will you please?" Crisanto understood the request and placed the necklace around her neck, gently clasping the lock.
Andrea opened the heart locket, and inside were her and Crisanto's sketches. "Did you draw this?" Crisanto smiled and nodded. "They're beautiful, thank you," were the only words that Andrea could muster.
Crisanto took Andrea's hand and led her to his horse. He helped her mount, and when she was secured, he too mounted and lightly whipped the reins, directing the horse to prance along the forest, taking the two of them to breathtaking sights. Unbeknownst to them, a pair of eyes watched them from afar.
Andrea returned home late that evening, and her Filipina nanny waited nervously by the back gates. "Señorita Andrea, where have you been? Your Papa is waiting anxiously at the veranda."
"Why would Papa be in the veranda? It is already late; he should be sleeping." She said in response as she hurriedly climbed the stairs to her house.
"Kapitan Fontanella is with him, I think he is asking for your hand in marriage," The nanny explained
"What?" Andrea rushed towards the veranda, and there she saw her father, his hands shaking as he poured wine into Kapitan Fontanella's glass, which he arrogantly extended.
Fontanella smirked when he saw Andrea, "Señor Primo de Rivera, please leave Andrea and me to have our small talk."
Andrea's father walked towards his daughter, "Mija, I shall take my leave, be mindful of your words." He kissed her on the forehead and left the two of them to have their talk.
"Si, Papa," Andrea replied, then she kissed her father on the cheek and watched as he left.
Fontanella stood up from his chair, walked towards Andrea, took her hand, and kissed them. "Señorita Andrea, you should not be wandering outside so late in the evening. Lots of lowly Indios would jump at the chance to harm such a rare beauty as yourself."
"You would be surprised how kind-hearted those people could be, if only you would give them the chance." She sharply answered back, "May I know why you are here?"
"To ask for your hand in marriage, of course. You are, after all, my best match. Your uncle Gobernador-General Abarca already gave me his blessing." He arrogantly told Andrea.
With sharp eyes, Andrea glared at the arrogant man in front of her. "I am already spoken for."
Fontenalla chuckled for a bit before speaking, "To that indio, Crisanto Flores?" Shock registered in Andrea's face; she wondered how he could have known about him. "Please do not be surprised that I know of him; it is my job after all to know the decadent elements of our society."
Fontanella circled Andrea like a predator circling its prey. He chuckled when he saw her clenching her fists. "I don't want to be the bearer of bad news, but it was brought to my attention that Crisanto Flores is the leader of a rebel group here in Tayabas, and your father is their benefactor. Imagine how heartbroken your uncle would be if he learned that his cousin is a traitor."
Andrea spun around to face Fontenella. "You wouldn't. Please, my Papa has nothing to do with the rebel group."
Fontanella smiled wickedly. He knew that he had Andrea where he wanted her. "Then you will accept my hand in marriage, and you will tell me where their base is. Or I will force you to watch as your father is dragged away and shot in the back as a traitor."
2025
"Fontanella forced Andrea to watch as they attacked and killed Crisanto's group," Murillo told Cecilia. "Crisanto, atop his horse, rode and tried to fight back, but the overwhelming numbers were too much for him. When his steed 'Balaraw' fell, his doom was sealed."
"What happened to Andrea? Did he and the captain meet again?" She cautiously asked
"When Fontanella was assassinated, she was able to remarry. She was able to live a full and fruitful life. She died peacefully in 1875," Murillo revealed. "I heard about her from the captain. When I recognized her, I hid her from the captain, and she was able to go to Kaginhawaan."
"You were right to hide her; the captain would have been furious if he saw her again," Cecilia said, expressing sadness from the story she heard. "And now…history is going to repeat itself. If we don't stop him, the captain might turn into a demon," Cecilia concluded. "We must hurry; I need to save him!"