Chapter 7 || Gamaliel

Philippines, 1962

MAEVE was ecstatic as she moved from one place to another, playing with the familiar children of the police officials.

There's Maria, Vicky, and Kyle who were just the same age as her. They also went to the same school together, a reason why their friendship was deeper than any children in town.

Bernard was also one of the stars that night. The family of the hosts knew his prowess in playing the piano and made sure that they had the most grandiose organ they had. The young man became excited when someone requested him to play Beethoven's Für Elise for the guests. The event hall then filled with the music of the infamous composer Beethoven.

Amara, however, was filled with tension. She held Gamaliel's arm tighter than the usual. He could feel the fear and anxiety she was sending from the grip of her fingers to his arm that led to his heart.

Gamaliel understood what caused this tension and he had no wish to increase his wife's anxiety any further. He was troubled, too. He had to stop playing dumb and admit that. As the night approached, so was the danger lurking in the shadows.

It was perfectly true that the police department, as well as the Senate, would need his intelligence in sorting the drug syndicates. Despite the danger, he was still protected by the politicians that were in favor of his campaign. Other chief inspectors in the other regions were gone to the grave ahead of him, trying to stop the syndicates without prior knowledge of their capabilities. Gamaliel was always careful. He was always calculating. It was no doubt that he and his family was still alive after four drug syndicates were brought down.

All thanks to the protection of his close friend Elias Osmeña who was a member of the Senate.

And yet lately, Elias' hold upon the Senate seemed to waver. That was after the revelation, courtesy by Manila Police Chief Inspector Gamaliel Laurencio, that the General Virgilio Bermonte of PDEA was actually a political protector of a drug syndicate.

Gamaliel knew that it was just a matter of time that the whole family had to escape. Not acknowledging this huge possibility would be a sheer folly. Perhaps he will contact his brother in London. There, they will be safe. Amara and the children will be safe. They were a wealthy family. He could make a way out of this for his lovely wife.

He had friends. But whom could he trust?

"Liel, look! It's Louise!" He was awoken by Amara's voice, full of delight and relief.

They hurried over to a brown-haired woman who obviously just arrived and was looking for them, her blue silk dress reaching her knees. They met halfway and exchanged hugs and kisses.

Louise Vega was a dear friend of Gamaliel and Amara. She and her sister Leila were Jews, their family were one of the Jewish families welcomed by Philippines during the reign of President Manuel L. Quezon. Louise and Leila's parents were murdered before they reached this country. Louise was only seven years old at that time, and Leila was five. Their grandmother, who was with them at that time, was the one who took care of them until she died. It was also the time when Louise met and married a wealthy Filipino with Spanish blood in him, Antonio Vega.

Antonio and Louise had several tight connection with some politicians. Thus explained the friendship between Gamaliel, Elias, and Antonio.

Louise, Amara and Gamaliel were talking about Leila's wedding which will take place in Japan where the cherry blossoms shall bloom when Divina de la Rosa saw them from one side and hurried to them. She was always looking dramatic, and tonight she was glowing in her maroon velvet dress matched with a furry scarf tangled around her arms. She held a champagne flute on her one hand, waving it like a flag of war.

"Hey!" Divina greeted. "Congratulations, Gamaliel. Another victory to celebrate."

They exchanged a salud and shared a drink together. "How's everyone?" Divina continued.

"We're doing good, Div," Gamaliel answered. "How about you?"

"I'm doing fine, at the every least." Divina glanced around her. "The people here are festive. What a happy crowd."

"Oh, they are," Louise agreed softly, her voice was dripping with sarcasm. "They're relieved that General Bermonte and his men in PDEA were busy persecuting drug syndicates from Visayas." Louise looked around, making sure that no one was listening in to their conversation and that they were far away enough from gossipmongers before she leaned towards them. "Antonio told me that General Bermonte isn't going to admit his connection with the drug lord. He said the General might fight back."

Divina shrugged her bare shoulders. "I'm afraid your husband isn't far from the truth."

"I do hope Antonio is wrong," Gamaliel said, his voice was somber. "General Bermonte is a just man, at the very least."

Louise's left eyebrow raised. "And how is being connected to a drug lord just, my dear Gamaliel?"

"Let's not talk about politics. We do not know who our allies within this room," Gamaliel waved them off. He saw Elias Osmeña and his wife from the corner of his eyes. They were talking with Louise's husband, Antonio Vega. Seeing the opportunity to talk to Louise and her husband privately, Gamaliel said, "Look, Louise. There's Elias and Antonio. Let's go over and have a word with him."

Gamaliel and Louise went of towards their mutual friend in politics, Elias. Left alone together, Divina asked Amara who was silent all the while, "Amy, are you okay? You looked so pale."

Amara forced a smile on her delicate face but she dropped it. She couldn't put on a smile, knowing that they were more in danger than she imagined.

The two were silent for a moment, and then Amara finally confessed, "I'm experiencing fear beyond imagination right now, Div. It's pretty awful. Very awful."

Divina's beautiful face dropped in sympathy and understanding. "I know what you feel, and believe me, we all feel the same. Let's face it, Amara, we don't have anyone to trust right now except ourselves."

Divina and Amara were devoted friends since they were studying business course together. They had first met in 1915 when both of them were at the age of seventeen. They were students of the University of Sto. Thomas, one of the elite schools in Manila at that time. In 1920, Divina was the maid-of-honor at Amara's marriage to Gamaliel. After Amara and Gamaliel's wedding, Divina went to Spain and there she met Prince Felipe, one of the princes of Spain. They both fell in love with each other and were married two years later. This year, Divina went home to the Philippines to spend the whole year with her Filipino family and friends.

"It has been ages since we had a moment together," Divina started again. "Where's Maevelline?"

Amara smiled at the mention of her daughter. "She was with the other kids. Bernard's playing the piano as you can hear," she answered.

"Then why don't we sit down and talk? I'm sure Gamaliel is going to be engrossed by Elias and Louise."

"Sure," Amara agreed. They strolled over to a vacant table near the window and sat across each other, making themselves comfortable. They started to talk about their lives with their husband and children, trying desperately to keep away those fear and anxiety that started to eat them.

Maevelline joined them soon after, carrying glass of juice in one hand and a strawberry cake in the other.

"Mama, where's Papa?" the 10-year-old Maeve asked as she climbed to one of the chairs. "He said, he will take me to a pony."

Amara helped her up before answering, "He's with Tito Antonio and Tito Elias. He will be here in a moment."

Maeve tilted her head and stared at Amara with her innocent gray eyes. "Is Papa in trouble?"

Amara was still struck by how intelligent her daughter was. Sometimes, she wondered how much Maeve was able to read in their current situation.

Divina grinned at Maeve, her white teeth flashing in such mischievousness for her inaanak. "What do you have there, Mavie? Is that delicious?"

Maeve turned her head at her godmother and nodded numerous times. She then held her arm and smiled. "Maria's mother gave me this."

"Can you give Tita Divi one bite?"

Maeve nodded once again and sliced the cake with her fork. She then proceeded to feed Divina with a forkful slice of cake, making Amara chuckle when the icing brushed against the sides of Divina's lips.

The Laurencio woman smiled at the interaction with her daughter and Divina. The piano stopped and a classical orchestra began, signifying that Bernard was done playing his pieces for the night.

Amara and Divina continued to talk lightly, obviously being relieved by the presence of a child with them. They didn't move from there until Bernard, Gamaliel, and Felipe went to get them.