Will You Remember Then?

The news of the strong earthquake around the Madani Island shook the nation. With its epicenter at the central Madani Island, which was known to sit atop a huge faultline, an 8.5 magnitude earthquake could have resulted in a massive destruction or possible collapse of the islands. To everyone's amazement, the entire damages could not equate to the earthquake's intensity. Houses crumbled, trees hewn down, establishments collapsed, but these were not the result Charles and Nelson expected. 

Dr. Charles and Dr. Nelson wanted the whole Mandani Islands to sink into the unknown and fathomless depths of the ocean. They aimed to destroy the sources of their evil deeds and corruption. His people would not go hungry anyway if ever their wishes happened. All of them had established business ventures across the globe and had become the shareholders of some leading business firms in the country. These islands had made all of them wealthy. Wealth was good, but the love of more riches and fame that prompted some of them to become evil, arrogant, and superior ruined the essence of true wealth.

Videos about the planted bombs inside the fault line scattered through the internet. It wouldn't take a long explanation to make anyone believe that it caused the recent violent earthquake. To the whole nation's further surprise, another video scattered, featuring the atomic and nuclear bombs beneath the thick forest of Molave mountains. Since all the bombing incidences pointed to the Ebony fighters, the whole nation also believed that this organization was the inventor. 

The knowledge about these bombs being in the country caused a nationwide scare. If used for terrorism, these inventions could dissolve a whole country. The people were now calling for Markus to surrender, and the government itself made appointments to negotiate peace talks with him and his organization. Some people were angry, sending their threats to kill him wherever he was. No amount of denial from Markus's side could convince the people, even if he admitted the recent bombing incidents. How could he accept the accusation when he, himself, was curious to know who was behind these inventions.

When the government set a final ultimatum, Mr. Blacksmith uploaded another video, claiming that the invention was his. The government set an appointment to talk to him, but he refused. However, he challenged the government and set his own conditions through an open letter.

Dear Mr. President,

I, Mr. Blacksmith, the creator of these deadly weapons and explosives, am willing to surrender these inventions to the government if my conditions are granted. Along with these are also gadgets and apparatus which could help in solving crimes faster. The said conditions are enumerated below:

1. The Ebony Fighters must be dissolved, including its requests and proposals to the government to make them an independent state.

2. All the members of the Ebony fighters must submit to the rules and laws of the nation as a whole.

3. The government of the Madani Islands must denounce their old, unhealthy practices such as arranged marriages, the death penalty, and the monopoly systems.

2. Mr. Markus Madani must be spared from whatsoever penalties or punishments such as death, imprisonment, or any forms of maltreatment. He should be allowed to leave the country and let him and his family start and live peaceful lives.

If these conditions find favor in your eyes, let me know. I'll give my instructions on how to pull these out.

Respectfully yours,

The Faceless Blacksmith

As expected, the government declined the wishes of the sender of this open letter. In a unanimous decision, they viewed Mr. Blacksmith as the next terrorist. However, the fear of the people resulted in their wrath against them. Protest rallies, ouster movements, and open rebellion turned the whole country into a total chaos in such a short time. Their cry was for the government to give in to the wishes of Mr. Blacksmith, or else their fury would turn the country into irreversible bloody fields.

_______

Jane's laughter echoed against the hills of Molave as she glanced at Hayri, running after her. She had already mastered the skill of running a horse--may it be a trot, a canter or a gallop--Hayri had taught her lovingly and patiently. This afternoon, she agreed to a one-way race with him. Whoever wins the competition could make a wish, and the loser should grant it, whether one likes it or not.

"If I win, I would join the Molave horseriding competition. You should allow me to do it."

"No problem."

What's yours?" Jane laughed, confident that she would win. Not that she had the skill, but Hayri would surely give way for her. She really wanted to experience the thrill of joining a real race.

Throughout the run, she led on; Hayri following behind. Hers was the victory; she knew it. Hayri was such a dedicated coach, a horseriding pro she never thought he would. All of a sudden, her thoughts drifted to the moment she almost lost him in the hands of Markus. Glad, though, that things turned in their favor.

After the government had finally listened to the people's cry, peace and harmony had once again dominated the whole nation. Markus and Riza got married and started their new lives in a foreign country. Charles focused again on being a jeweler and lived with Rona in Turkey. 

A smile broke out in her face as her thoughts also went to Hayri's dad and Miss Rose Perez. He asked her, one time, to be her personal secretary's proxy. The latter was on her maternity leave and, therefore, could not go with him in Turkey to visit the shipyard. To everyone's surprise, they returned after six months, announcing their soon coming wedding. Cherry was too happy for them, as she was seriously dating Richard. Perhaps, after her mom's wedding, she would announce their wedding plans.

As for Ajie and Allie, business magazines and tabloids had always featured them as the most outstanding couple in the business world. Why not? With their talents and skills combined, they maintained the reputation of being the builders and designers of the world's most luxurious cruise sh.i.p.s and yachts. She was sure that in the future, their children would follow their steps.

What about her and Hayri? Well, they promised themselves to create the most beautiful and unforgettable relationship. Every weekend, they engaged in adventures--nature trekking, spelunking, mountain climbing, and many others. If the weather would not go well with their plans, they went out for romantic dinners. She had never been loved and cared before. Hayri was such a sweet lover, showering her with kinds of stuff that women love.

Lost in her thoughts, she didn't realize she lost her pace. Just when she was a few meters behind the finish line, Hayri suddenly dashed into the victory lane.

She pouted. She thought Hayri would let her win and give in to her wishes. Yet, she knew it was her fault; she lost her focus.

"Okay, what's your wish?" she asked, resigning to her failure. Tears were already gathering in the corners of her eyes. She got so used to his pampering-- his doting love for her. Yet, now, he humiliated her.

Hayri chuckled as he saw the silent messages in her eyes. He cupped her face and sealed her lips in a most passionate kiss.

"When we make a wish, our mind is half-prepared for something we might not have. What we have agreed is to grant what we want."

"Alright, tell me now," she conceded, still gasping from his fiery kiss.

"Be my bride tonight."

Jane gasped, staring into his eyes in disbelief. "Tonight? But I dream of wearing a white wedding gown!"

"Of course, how can I forget that? Charles  and Rona even have it embellished with their velvet diamonds!"

"What?"

"And Adrian and Allie schedule the maiden voyage of their new masterpiece for our honeymoon tomorrow."

The End