The General's Only Daughter

Chapter 1

“Oh, gosh! Cali. Are you sure you'll be fine, alone? I really can’t believe this. Why don’t you come with me to London?” Chantal whines like a frustrated kid. She wants me to come with her to London to study. I chose to study in Manila.

“Chan, I don’t wanna go abroad, gusto ko mabilis lang ako makakauwi ulit ng Cebu anytime, I want.” I explained as I sip my hot chocolate, she’s in my room right now, convincing me to study abroad like her. I want to utilize my resources but not to the point that I will go abroad. All my life, I’ve been living on this island in Cebu. And studying in Manila would be my very first step of stepping out of my comfort zone.

“Argh! Fine. But make sure you’ll bring nanang with you, ha. Also, I will suggest to tito to hire a bodyguard for you.” Ayaw parin niya paawat. Sighed.

“Bodyguards would be weird if I went to school with them, wouldn't it?” I asked curiously. I am used to having a lot of bodyguards here in Cebu, but in Manila? No! It would be weird having a bodyguard with a Military uniform on. My dad is a general in the military, and I have my brother following his step. It has always been like that, our ancestors were generals too. So, in our family, the first born must automatically follow the steps of the head of each family.

“Why the heck would it be weird?” she shrugged then sighed. “If only you had agreed to come with me to London, then you wouldn’t need a bodyguard because no one knew us there.” She added.

Chantal wanted to be free that was why she will be pursuing her study abroad. There, she can roam around the city alone. Well, I have the same thought on my mind but London would be too far for me. That was why I chose Manila and I will bring my nanang with me. Nanang has been with us since I was born. She's like my second mother.

“Chan, no one can recognize me there and bringing along a bodyguard from the Military will bring some attention to me. So, nanang would be enough. We did not even exist in our family’s picture online. You’re being paranoid.” That’s right, Chantal is my cousin and we are the same age. Both Chantal and I were the only daughters in our entire family after 20 years of waiting, it took 2 decades for the Dela Cruz to produce a daughter. I was born first and 3 months later, Chantal was born. The whole family was so happy and in order to protect us, we were not introduced in public because Chantal and I were the easiest target of the enemy. Our family learned from the past.

20 years ago, there was a little girl born in our family. The entire family was so happy because they waited 30 years for that little girl so they were excited to introduce the little girl to the world. But in just a split of seconds that girl died. She was shot in the head on her 7th birthday. It was ruthless. So when Chantal and I came into the picture, we were hidden. But that doesn’t mean we were hidden entirely, we were able to go out but with a lot of guards and no one is allowed to take a picture of us.

“Whatever, tara na nga. Baka ma-late na tayo sa flight natin.” Today is our flight, we will be on the same plane then after landing in Manila, Chantal will take another plane to London, it’s gonna be a connecting flight.

Today would be my first day in College. I was nervous and excited at the same time. This is my first time going to a normal school, I mean, I was home-schooled since I started studying. I never had any friends, well Chantal and my other cousins were there for me but like a normal circle of friends, I haven’t experienced it.

The University is nice, this is the largest school in the city of Makati I believe. My father chose this school for me because this is the top 1 school here in the Philippines when it comes to computer science. Yes, I will be taking computer science as I’ve been into computers since I was younger and I find it cool. We have our own IT Team in our family and I’ve seen them working so I was amused and soon enough I found myself being curious with technology.

“Hi, my name is Calista Phoebe Dela Cruz. Ikinagagalak ko kayong makilala.” I found myself introducing myself to my block mates. Most of them were guys and konti lang ang girls. Sana may maging kaibigan ako.

“Ang haba ng pangalan mo hija, what’s your nickname? Also tell something about yourself just like your other classmates,” I was stunned. Anong ipapakilala ko sa sarili ko? I was lost for a moment.

“Uhm Cali po. At pasensya na po wala pa po akong masasabi tungkol sa sarili ko.” I honestly said.

“It’s ok, hija. Mukhang mahiyain ka.” My professor commented, “according to your record, you're from Cebu. Which part of Cebu are you coming from? Tell something about your previous school, your hobbies and why did you choose Sawyer University”

“Ah, galing po ako ng Celeste Island Cebu, Home-schooled po ako, ngayon lang po ako pumasok sa ganitong school. Mahilig po ako magbasa at dito po ako sa Sawyer kasi balita ko po ay magagaling ang mga professor dito sa pagtuturo ng programming tsaka nakakuha rin po kasi ako ng full scholarship e.” I feel like that was the longest sentence I’ve ever said in front of strangers.

“Wow, you’re from Celeste Island, how come ang puti-puti mo? And you were homeschooled since you started your journey in studying. I hope our University makes a good impression.” My professor smiled, nginitian ko rin s’ya bago bumalik sa upuan ko. Nagpatuloy naman sa pagpapakilala ang iba ko pang kaklase.

“Hi, ako nga pala si Chastity, Chas for short.” Pagpapakilala ng katabi ko.

“Hi, Cali nga po pala.” Saad ko naman.

We are now having our 15 minute break. Kaya nagkaroon kami ng oras magdaldalan..

“Ano ka ba, we are the same age. Stop using po.” I just smiled at her.

“Okay.”

“Anong pakiramdam ng home-schooled halos buong buhay mo?” She asked with curiosity.

“Okay naman.” I answered.

“Anong okay naman? I mean, can you at least elaborate it?” She sighed.

“Okay naman kasi may nagtuturo sa’kin. Kaso ayon nga lang, mag-isa lang ako. And most of the time I work with tutors.” Sagot ko.

“Hindi ka ba inaantok pag nagdidiscuss teacher mo, ganon?” She asked.

“Hindi, kasi dadalawa na nga lang kami e, nasa akin atensyon niya kaya paano ako makakatulog?” That’s a bit off question isn’t it? How the heck will I fall asleep it’s just me and my teacher and I was so focused too. Home-schooled never made me feel lonely. Kasi I treat it as my learning hour then after that I can play all I want.

“Well, that made sense.” Tumango s’ya.

“Mother fucker!” I was startled at the sudden loud bang followed by a punch sound. Napalingon kami pareho ni Chas sa kanang gawi namin.

“Did you just f*****g hit me?!” I guy yelled. Tumayo ito at nag gantihan sila ng suntok nung isa pang lalaki. Walang umaawat sa kanila, what the heck. Bakit hinahayaan lang nila na magsuntukan ang dalawa? The two guys beat each other up. Pareho silang may sugat at duguan.

“Argh this is so frustrating! Enough!” Sigaw ng isang babae, at huminto naman ang dalawa.

Madaming dumalo don sa isang lalaki at sa isa naman ay walang lumapit kahit isa. He’s showering with his own blood.

I don’t know what’s gotten into me but I went to his side with first aid. Hindi ko alam saan ako kumuha ng lakas ng loob lumapit sa kanya. The guy stared at me as if I was the craziest person on earth. I handed him the first aid kit. It’s just a small kit but it has everything he needs to treat his wound. He looked at my hand and at me, he’s irritated but he accepted it.

I went to the other guy’s side and handed another first aid kit at the girl who shouted earlier since siya ang nag-aalalay sa lalaking ito. Manghang nakatingin sa akin ang babae habang nakatingin lang ng diretso sa akin ang lalaki, just like the other guy, he stared at me as if I was the craziest person on earth.

“We don’t need it. May clinic naman.” The guy said.

“Okay.” Sabi ko sabay bawi ko sa kamay ko na nakalahad don sa babae. But she held my hand, so I looked at her.

“No, we actually need it. Thank you.” Kinuha niya sa akin ang first aid kit. Tumango lang ako at bumalik sa upuan ko.