Chapter Seven [The initiatives time-framed for peace talks offerings]

Chapter Seven [The initiatives time-framed for the Peace Talks offerings ]

On that early morning trip with the youths into the mountains, Nancy is already dressed in Jason's clothing. Jason smiles.

"Seeing my fiancé wearing my attire from the mountains makes me feel like heaven.” Jason muses as they walk with the young people, "She doesn't realize that the mountain people knew me very well because I was with them wearing that attire which is in her body today. “His thoughts began to creep about in his head.

“They won't hate you as much if they see you with me in that attire, honey. I enjoy the way you hold my clothes.”

Nancy and Jason are walking alongside the group while holding hands and Jason is whispering to Nancy.

"What's wrong with your clothing I'm wearing? They fit my body, and I only took them because my own are still wet and I should have left them in your tree house”.

Nancy smiles and adds that it appears she enjoys wearing Jason's clothes. Nancy asks her lover, "Are you with them already so they won't perceive us as adversaries.” It causes confusion and doubts against him once more.

Because we frequently crossed paths in the forests whenever they traveled to the town to attend events and meetings hosted by the mayor and governors of this area, the mountain people and tribes became my friends. “He explains adding,

“Actually, I was unaware of the conflicts they caused at your hacienda until I witnessed your efforts to separate the rebels from the farmers who were trying to avoid killing them. I respected you because I could tell you had a kind heart and wanted to spare both of their lives by putting an end to their argument and preventing bloodshed in the battlefields. At that point, I made the decision to assist you in driving them away to prevent further problems.”

As Nancy likes to disagree, Jason explains.

"No. I intended to kill all the criminals who had harmed my people that night, but I will feel agony in my heart if I witness their deaths since I know that their families would suffer and that their children will lose their father. How were they able to live? Everyone needs to learn to respect other people's property and possessions. God gave us the prohibitions against stealing, killing, and coveting other people's wives and property. That is all I have learnt since being a born-again Christian: We should love one another as Jesus Christ loves us and rescues us from the death of sins so that we can enjoy a life of peace, joy, and love here on earth and when we die, we can still be with God in His Kingdom in heaven."

Before Jason and a few other young men overheard their chat and simply smiled and nodded in accord, Nancy said so with confidence. Nancy keeps talking about her earlier experiences.

“In the university belt, the activist adds, "I also saw the activists suffering as the blood generated by the cops when they stop us from disturbing the peace by producing loud barrage and slapping the leadership by writing toxic terms against them."

Nancy explains as she reflects on her prior involvement in campus activism.

"I never imagined that the leadership position that we had been attacking years ago would suddenly be mine. “She recalls.

"I was able to experience and feel what the leaders of the country went through and felt when the rebels assaulted my farmers and took all their animals. “While Nancy is speaking, she is stuttering, and Jason is holding her back to prevent her from falling.

"Honey, are you okay? "Jason checked her over while lovingly patting her back. Nancy nodded as she spoke quietly so as not to be overheard.

The two walk a little more slowly behind the youths, enabling them to pass in front of them. However, some youths like to travel more slowly, and they started to listen to Nancy's stories.

"I cried, and I felt as though the truth of their struggles had penetrated me from the inside out. “The two halt for a moment under the large tree as Nancy begins to cry quietly. Other younger people had stopped in other locations in front of them to relax and drink water. Jason offers Nancy his bottle of water as they both rehydrate.Nancy continues as she recalls a biblical tale.

‘Knowing the sorrows of both parties, I grew unsure of whom I should turn my back on.Then, as I grab the stones I had collected from the river, put them in my sling, and took aim, my mind quickly searches for the best course of action. Finally, I let go of a stone after praying to God for assistance. “She speaks as Jason controls his laughter and looks directly into her eyes. Nancy continues telling stories.

"I know they won't die since my strength is not to kill them but to stop them from bothering my people, not killing them because the stone went straight to each of their heads, making them dizzy and hurt. I had just recently learned to fight in video games with my four brothers, so I was a new combatant on the battlefield.”

Since Jason likes to listen to Nancy, she has begun speaking openly about her experiences.

Jason said, gently chuckling, "I never recognized it, honey. You have been really excellent and forceful that night.”

Clearly stated by Nancy, "Of course I should use all of my strength and abilities to protect my people. I prefer to shoot the thieves with my rifles, but God is there to remind me not to spill blood with my hands. “Jason concurs and gives her shoulder another gentle stroke.

Nancy continues, “I know that I am only a woman compared to a little boy like David who fight against the Giant Goliath in the Bible story. I remember it how little David won against the giants. However, I have never experienced going into battle. I only participate in protests and rallies against government officials who raise our tuition fees. “Nancy nods as she thinks back to the tale of small David and the great Goliath.

“The Giants denigrated me by suggesting that I was merely a child to them in comparison to the story. They threatened to kill me and my entire family if I tried to test their forbearance or lost their mercy. She replies as she casts a wider gaze across the valleys and plains.

"My brothers are still present at the back of my mind. ‘Where are they right now?’ I shouted my question at them. They responded, teasing me, ‘You will be the next on line to hunt us?’ They yelled indignantly, But never mind, I'm the new owner and I must preserve my family's history from invaders.” Nancy said in a fit of rage that nearly sent her flying.” I also made the decision to simply whip them with my whipcord, spinning them around like a wheel and sending them all running. When you helped me chase them away from my people, Honey, I never saw you in the darkness.” Nancy looks to Jason, who is calmly listening.

"You are God's sent to me when I started to pray not to allow my hands be stained with human blood and to prevent me from becoming a criminal because I was born not to kill but to protect human life against injustices and oppressions as a lawyer," Nancy said.

The heat was already roasting them that morning as Nancy was starting to open her heart, but they chose to keep going in order to reach their destination. They took the gloomy routes where enormous branches of trees nearly completely covered their ways as they ascended the mountain.

"They are people fighting for their rights to live in peace and freedom, to own a home in their own country, to have a family, and to have children."

Without hesitation, Jason explains. Nancy immediately gets over her doubts about him and nods in agreement.

When an elderly farmer with their own wife and children suddenly appears from behind them, they are in that predicament. They are in that condition when an elderly farmer with their own wife and children suddenly appears from behind them. They are joking about and excitedly discussing nice experiences as they discuss the most recent meeting agenda. As they discuss the most recent meeting agenda, they are laughing and giggling as they enthusiastically exchange good memories.

"Hello, everyone. Happy day to you!” The elderly people stare carefully at Nancy while Jason grins and welcomes them, attempting to determine who Nancy really is.

"You've already been married, Sir Jason?” The elderly man turned to him after admiring Nancy's attire and grinned when he saw that she was wearing Jason's shirts and pants. He had white hair and no upper teeth.

Jason adds, placing his hands on Nancy's shoulder, "We are not married yet, but we are considered to be on our honeymoon."

Nancy smiles at everyone and says, "Hi, Nice meeting you all here."

One elderly woman said joyously, "You fitted for each other because you are so pretty and kind and he is so attractive and so human to us who are merely poor and hungry.One elderly woman said joyously, "You fitted for each other because you are so pretty and kind and he is so attractive and so human to us who are merely poor and hungry.

"Where do you now reside? "Nancy looks at each of them and asks thoughtfully.

"Our community are there waiting for our returns."

One woman replies swiftly as the other added,

 "Just over there. Almost close from here. Perhaps, a few kilometers after crossing these mountain ranges, across the river, then our plantation, and after the bamboo trees."

The way she found them made Nancy smile. She could see how well-educated they were, and slowly, their outlook was causing her to grow sympathetic toward them. Jason started to watch her and try to determine whether she had something against the elderly mountain people by softly inquiring.

"Honey, are you okay? "As she smiled and nodded, she swiftly turned to look away. The elderly people didn't notice the couple's features as they considered how to respond to their predicament.

Jason says, "I also haven't arrived at your location. I want to view your circumstances.”

Jason continued, "We could upgrade your dire circumstances for you.”

The elderly guy who seems depressed says, "We already submitted a request petition to the Department of Social Welfare in the town proper. We follow-up our request for senior citizens pension but the list still long until our names may reach out."

"Have you eaten yet? "Nancy enquires of them.

We only had dinner last night at the municipal hall's feeding and gathering, which was prepared by the mayors' staff and a DSWD social worker. We had to get up early to continue walking home because there is still a long way to go and the sidewalk is slick. Perhaps it rained heavily last night in the forested area?”

Another old woman commented as one younger couple interrupted.

The man remarked, grinning, "Of course it rained since our lovely woman and Sirs' fiance have his garments, perhaps, they both got wet last night in the trees. It would be excellent that you stay a bit longer with us, Sir Jason. we have been longing for your visits to our community.”

“We'll be happy to stay with you, but we're sorry to say that we still have a long way to go before we can do so because we have plans to set up a good project so that all of you can improve your standard of living. We'll help you quickly follow-up on your petition so that all of your senior citizens pension will be granted, even just temporarily. Someone might give you a livelihood project plan so you can have something to do and works to support your daily needs.”

Nancy recounts that when they realized this young woman was interested in helping them to survive, they were all taken aback.