For the first time in the pearl of the south, Jorge and the group linked up with Hojun and Suruj. He had not seen them since the day Mister Gyeong had scorned Jorge and Borja, whom now stood together inside. They gathered around, while there was a Bakalito strapped around a chair. He didn’t bother to question it.
“Suruj…” Hojun approached the former muqatil, who looked at her with a regretful expression. “It’s about time I tell you the truth. About why I came here.”
“...”
“I came to Buhanggilog, to indeed track down my brother. I know that you hate his guts, and I know about the things that he’d done to your friends and family. But that is why I was sent here to bring him back to Silla. So… that he could be tried in court for the atrocities he committed during his time in Al-Wa.”
Suruj never said anything, and looked away. Ever since Tvuj reunited with him, it brought him to great silence. As if shocked by what he’d seen.
Tvuj pinched his cheek. “It seems that part of you never changed after two years, huh.”
“Aray, aray, okay.” Suruj faced Hojun, glancing bashfully. He bowed. “I’m sorry. For what I was doing to…”
“Jorge.” Tvuj helped him.
“Jorge and, threatening to kill him. I let my anger get the best of me.”
Hojun shook her head, and held out her hand. “All is forgiven. But now, we are getting closer to our goals.”
They all marveled at Hojun’s statement. But before they could question her on the details, she pointed to a box in the corner. Jorge immediately recognized the LOHATI logo as the known balikbayan service company.
“A balikbayan box?”
“Yes, Alejandro asked of me to deliver this to you on behalf of him,” Hojun continued as she chanted a spell. The box levitated and floated towards them, before settlilng on the ground.
“Alejandro… Can I really open it?”
She shrugged her shoulders. “That’s up to you to decide. I’m in no position to know the contents of the box.”
He hesitated before walking up to it. Could he really open it? Alejandro had entrusted this balikbayan box to him through Hojun. He felt that he didn’t have a right to. Even so, he compelled himself to brake the tape and force the cardboard open.
“Escaramanga.”
Jorge stumbled back. Those memories from back then. They were coming back to him. He took a deep breath, and walked towards the box again. The images of his mother and father flashed in his mind again, as he slowly looked over the top of the container.
There was an old feodora, which blood had soaken deeply into it a while ago. It sat above a scarlet dress, rigged with bullet holes. Jorge’s breathing became unstable. He remembered that day, when Bakal and the Occident had a clash on that tram ride.
As he panted, he opened and closed his fist. He couldn’t forget what Alejandro had taught him.
“Huh?” Jorge noticed another object inside. He gently moved the feodora and dress aside, revealing a yellowed parchment. It was dated 1969.
This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.
> Dear Jorge,
>
> If you find the contents inside this balikbayan box, then I know that you have grown significantly since. You’ve chosen to face those memories, and was able to look at them once again in retrospect.
The handwritten letter was handwritten by Alejandro itself. Jorge’s hands shook as he continued to unfold the old papyrus document.
> What you find inside this box, is what I found left of your late parents. I’m sure you don’t remember the fine details but, after I got you out of that gang battle, the Kapulisan managed to track those objects back to a couple named Li Tarique and Azura Tarique.
>
> I, who was afraid of triggering your past, decided to keep them until you’ve grown mature enough to face it again. By the time you’ve opened this box, your resolve has gone past that day in 1968. Think of this as a rite of passage.
>
> Right now, you are pestering me to let you join the Kamaong Batikan. I told our bossing, José Pérez about you, and he wants you in. When you join, you will be a full Kamao from the start. But I hope that in the future, your hatred for the Occident and Bakal will have diminished. Keep a level head, even if no one is there for you. I don’t have much to teach you, but I will do my best to keep you educated and raise you like any parent would.
>
> Kamaong Batikan’s underboss, Alejandro Pérez Alcazar
Even after he finished reading it, he continued to read it over and over again. He didn’t miss any ink stain, or the crinkles on the parchment. He squinted his eyes, holding back the tension in his face. Jorge’s hands quivered so hard as not to crumble it up and throw it.
Alejandro’s gauntlets, which Jorge wore fixed on his hands, were the exact same ones that he saw on that day. Now, he was the bearer of the metal gloves. Alejandro, who’d taught him everything Jorge knew, he couldn’t process that he was gone. Both José and Alejandro, the best people the Kamaos knew were gone. Without them, they felt so lost.
The others watched in silence as Jorge clenched his chest. Slowly he inched closer to the strapped Bakalito.
“Oy! What are you doing! If you punch me I swear-”
Jorge’s fist already did the job. The man collapsed down with the chair. Blood ran down the Bakalito’s face while Hojun and Seung-Hyeok restrained Jorge.
“Jorge! Calm down!” She urged him, holding his left arm while Seung-Hyeok his right. “I promised this man asylum, and how must I grant it if he is beaten to a pulp?”
“Bakal… The Occident… Kamaong Batikan… I realize it now, that are we truly allowed to exist in these times? Such organizations that plunder and kill without any repercussions, I-”
“While it is true that the gangs have brought nothing, but I truly believe that the Kamaong Batikan is a service to the people.” Hojun’s soft voice entered his ear. “The Kamaos talk about José Pérez as if he helped the citizens of Buhanggilog.”
Suruj folded his arms. “It’s true. Even before I met him as a muqatil, I’ve heard of the Kamaos back in Dyak-ar-salaam. They worked for food, and all of their money was earned legally.”
Jorge, who already knew, sank himself to the ground. Those were the things he saw, those good things Jose and Alejandro had done for the gang and the people around them. Kamaos and their green bandanas, offering to work in the panaderiya for bread, handing out water to the poor, and protesting the Dineh Kazaàd.
Jorge heard a meow. He looked ahead to see Borja skipping over to him. The cat rubbed his body against Jorge’s leg and purred. Seeing the calmness in Borja’s eyes, Jorge got up from the ground. He pulled the Bakalito back up and cleaned the blood on the man’s face. Alejandro told Jorge once that hospitality was once the proud trait of all Buhang.
“I’m sorry for hitting you. I got a bit worked up…”
“Tch… It’s fine kid. So you’re a Kamao.” The Bakalito winced as his blood dried onto his blue bandana. Hojun walked over to him and used a healing spell.
“I believe you good sir, should tell all of them what you told me. About the current situation in Buhanggilog.”
“Nyek…”
“M’lady… I would like permission to punch this man too.” Seung-Hyeok tightened his fists. “How dare you cause trouble to Her Royal Highness…”
Mister Gyeong put his fists together as well. “Shall we take turns healing and slugging him?”
“Okay okay, I’ll tell you all!” The Bakalito shouted. He took a breath in silence, as everyone waited. “Right now… The Occident is planning to take over Buhanggilog!”
All of them, processing the information, tilted their heads.