The first week of May 1945, summer in Manila makes the hot weather quite unbearable at times. That afternoon before sunset I picked up Camila ten minutes before our supposed date. Manila was deeply ruined. The Japs burnt all of Manila when they were losing the Battle of Manila around February to March 1945. They killed civilians, raped a lot of women, and destroyed several houses and buildings. But somehow, miraculously Camila's house and some neighboring house along Dewey Boulevard weren't that damaged. The only damage it got was on its third floor and its roof.

An elderly lady answered the door when I knocked and was offered to wait in the living room. I waited and observed the place. The house looked like it used to be a big household and not made to be leased for people.

I heard footsteps walking down the stairs. It's Camila. She was wearing a white dress that was just like her nurse uniform without her cap. I stood up as she entered the room. I just hoped that there's a single flower shop open today. But we're still at war and flowers aren't really a priority for people right now. She walked towards me to greet me hello as I hear other girls giggling not so far away. Maybe I should have introduced them to the boys next time.

I removed my hat as soon as she's near me.

"Hello Francisco." She said as she gave me a cheek kiss or beso in our culture.

"You look beautiful tonight Camila." I said.

"I have some snacks here. Máma Linda helped me prepare some sandwiches and crackers I also brought some Coca Cola. I hope you'll like it." Camila said, showing me a basket of food that she's holding. I took the basket and I think I will be bringing this around.

"Wow, this is great! Thanks." I replied. We don't have much food options, all we have are being rationed by the Americans. So it's all the same, bread, crackers, cheese, some tin of meat and fish. I miss the fresh food that we used to have before the war.

"Let's go? The movie will start soon." I added. Offering my arm as I escort her to our date. The sun started to set over Manila Bay as it was seen from Camila's place. The air was warm as usual but the breeze from the beach kept us cool.

"Now take care you two. Just be here right after the movie ends. I will lock the door at 9pm Camila." The old lady remarked. She seems nice, but a little strict and traditional.

"Yes, máma Linda. I will be here at 9pm." Camila responded.

"Don't worry ma'am we'll be here as you said." I added. She just glared at me and smiled a little bit. Still having doubts about me probably.

As we walked, we noticed how badly damaged Manila is. There was the hotel where I have been to when I was young for a cousin's wedding that was shattered to the ground. All that was left of it was the ornate mosaic tiles that shows an image of Filipino countryside living. Then there was the new public school district which suffered the same fate. 

When we arrived on the field, the troops have set up a film projector. They said that we'll be watching The Wizard of Oz movie. Well watching a movie in the field isn't the best thing right now. But I think that everyone deserves this after our service for the team and to somehow take our minds away from the cruel reality.

I spread the blanket that she brought along with her. Then sat beside the tree just minutes before the movie starts. The field was filled with men, women, and some civilians.

There wasn't any popcorn or any snacks being sold in the field like in the usual cinemas before. It's a good thing that Camila brought snacks. I opened the bottle of coke and offered it to her. The Coke was a perfect drink for this warm summer night. 

It was a very nice movie, it seemed like everyone in the field enjoyed it. The kids were amazed as it was their first time to see a movie in a screen that big.

Then it came to the scene where Dorothy was singing Somewhere Over the Rainbow The song surely inspired everyone and look for better days ahead. I placed my hand over Camila's hand, looked at her watching the movie very enthusiastically, then I  realized that she is now a part of the better days ahead that we are all looking forward to. She looked at me back when she noticed that I was looking at her, then flashed me with her wonderful smile. We proceeded watching the movie and Camila laid her head on my shoulder while I was holding her hand. 

When the movie finished and we were just about to walk back home, I heard a familiar voice, it was Jose. He was on a date with a nurse. Then he offered us a ride. 

"Hey Pancho, there was a telegram sent to you today." Jose said. I nodded along to say that it's fine.

While on the truck, I can't help not to look at Camila as her hair moved when the summer wind brushed her face. She held my hand again. I wish that this truck ride is longer. We arrived in the girls' boarding house. It turns out that Jose's date is just living next to Camila's house. I walked Camila home a few minutes before 9pm.

"Goodbye Camila, I had a great time." I said. My feet were trembling and my guts had this unexplainable feeling that i haven't felt for a long time. 

"Bye Pancho, I enjoyed tonight as well." She replied. I walked after saying goodbye then I realized that it seems like she's waiting for something and takes her a long time to locate her keys. So I walked back, held her cheeks and kissed her. It was a perfect ending for a great night. Camila's lost for words and wasn't able to say anything after.

"Come on lover boy. We still have to get back to the barracks!" I heard Jose shouted.

We arrived at the camp few minutes after. Jose handed me an envelope, it's from my máma. I hope everyone's fine.

"Pancho! The boys and I are going out for some drinks. You should join us again!" He said. He seems so excited about going out and drinking as if the war is finally over. I said yes then moments later, I regretted my decision. 

The men are now talking about what they want to do after the war. Some wanted to go back to their old lives. Some wanted to get out of Manila. Some just wants to take a break from all of this and get away to the countryside. I don't know what I want to do after all of these too. Then one man who was sharing his ideals for the country stood out in the group. Jaime, Jose's friend. They met in one of the nights out they're drinking. Jaime Wilson or James as he wanted us to call him is a son of the American diplomat here in Manila.

I networked and talked to the other soldiers on our table and turns out that most of us were heirs to business empires, some were to vast lands in the provinces. I heard some stories that not all of us made it. One heir to a mining company died when he was attempting to divert the Japanese away from the guerillas' base. The other one was killed during a dogfight. Was he talking about Enrique? He hasn't said any name. I hope it's not.

After almost midnight, Jose and I went back to the barracks, I just dropped my body on my bed as I had a lot of beers hours ago. Jose was still talking about something but I can't understand what he's talking about.

I woke up the next day with a heavy head and prepared myself to go to work. I was about to take a cold shower when I felt I was about to throw up. Why do we even have to drink too much last night?

I saw the telegram on top of my bed, I didn't read it yesterday because Jose dragged me shortly after he handed the telegram to me. As I open it, it's bad news. Máma said that Patricia, my youngest sister died from typhus fever. Our helper Rosa also had it too but the doctor was able to give her medicines right away. Patricia was volunteering in the orphanage in our town to make use of her time. Rosa had it while taking care of her. Máma was advised to stay away for a while quarantine, and isolate herself in a room so it would be easier to prevent an epidemic.

I was quite shocked when I received that telegram. Patricia's supposed to be introduced in a debutante ball last year. She's so young and full of energy. Andres was still recovering in the hospital and treated to gain back his lost weight. Máma said that pápa already knew what happened. I don't know what to say, we didn't tell her what happened to Andres yet because we don't want her to worry. It's like the time when I lost Emily, this war has taken a lot from our family. No, not just our family but to everyone. It's good to see that every day, we are winning. 

Note: Here is the clip of Somewhere Over the Rainbow clip from The Wizard of Oz that Pancho and Camila watched. 

https://youtu.be/PSZxmZmBfnU