Cora and Rosa became steadfast friends when they met in the dressmaking school in downtown Manila.
Coming from two different regions of the country, they both enrolled in the same school hoping someday to become couturier. In no time at all, they became close to each other and they were always seen together at work in the dressmaking institute, and even in leisure. These two ambitious girls lived with their relatives in Intramuros while pursuing their vocational studies before the Pacific War.
Cora had light black hair flowing up to her shoulders, a melodious voice, and a very friendly smiling face, with her sun tan complexion she looks like she had stayed under the tropical sun near the beach. Tall with a statuesque figure, men would stare at her when she walked in the street, Cora hailed from a town in Central Luzon where many tall and pretty girls came from.
Rosa, the girl from a southern city, was also tall but whose complexion was delicately white typifying some Caucasian blood in her veins. She was a slimmer than Cora with long limbs and arms. Her face was strikingly attractive with well sculptured features accented by an arching eyebrow, light brown eyes, long eyelashes, and thin lips. Her hair was dark brown, a little lighter than Cora’s. When in the street, men’s, eyes were glued at her walking figure.
In the fashion school, both were honor students for they both possessed artistic skills a real dress designer should have. Upon graduation, both of them received special awards in designing seldom given by the famed institute.
After graduation, the two girls agreed to put up a dressmaking shop in Anda Street in Intramuros. The two were lucky to find an apartment recently vacated by a family in that narrow street not far from two schools, one for girls and one for boys. Quite cramped for a shop to be elegantly presentable to customers, the two made the best of it for a start. The living room became the reception, display and work areas with the sleeping quarters at the rear plus a small washroom.
The partners did right in their business perception. In no time at all, many customers came mostly from the school for girls, their parents and relatives. Due to the quality of their work, matrons, socialites and professionals women became a part of their growing clientele. If Cora would be the dress cutter, Rosa would perform the sewing chores vice versa. In that novel way, the error of one would be noticed by the other.
“We have not done badly, have we?” spoke Cora as the two were taking their supper in their small round table.
“I guess not. We have a glass display, two new sewing machines, and furniture set that is paid for”, replied Rosa.
One early afternoon, a lady customer came with a male companion. Rosa took the orders while Cora entertained the male companion. After the routine procedure, the visitors left.
“Did you get the order?” inquired Cora who was checking her list of supplies they need to buy in Divisoria.
“I did, and her name is Estella Morato and she’s taking up education in a University”, replied Rosa. “What did you learn from the good looking companion?” continued Rosa with a mischievous smile.
“The man was Henry Escobar, and he is a cousin of the customer”. Henry is a senior law student and an eligible bachelor”.
One cool evening as the two were resting stretching their back in their shop, Henry suddenly appeared on the door.
“I came to pick up my cousin’s dress, if it is ready as promised”, Henry spoke in soft tones.
“Come in please and have a seat”, Cora beamed as she motioned the visitor to take a seat.
“It’s ready and boxed”, Rosa said. “I hope she will like the fit and style”.
“Oh, I’m sure Estella will like the dress since her classmates who recommended you two had nothing to say, but praises for your works”, Henry acknowledge and left in a hurry for another errand.
In the following months, Henry became a frequent visitor of the two dressmakers. Henry would bring goodies much to the enjoyment of the two. One Sunday, the two would close the shop, and the three of them would stroll the Luneta as they would talk, and eat roasted peanuts. As the day would end, they would watch the crimson sunset with its reflection on Manila Bay’s emeraldine water. To these three, time seemed endless as they walked in the glistening darkness of the big park.
The new friendship the two friends found in this young and attractive man seemed to have invaded the peace and quiet of that dress shop in Intramuros. If Henry would fail to drop by within week, the two would be irritable and restless. If Henry was the cause of it all, it was never discussed. Cora and Rosa respected each other’s personal life.
Once in a while, Cora would be out shopping for dress materials usually in afternoons when customers seldom visit the shop. By then Rosa would stay in the shop in case a customer walk in. When Cora would be making patterns, Rosa would leave in the afternoon to attend to some personal errands and would return late in the evening.
As the two would be taking their supper, silence became the order of the time as each of them would not start the conversation of what she did when she went. This was in contrast to the former congenial and warm atmosphere between the two. It appeared that an invisible cold wall now separate the two.
The situation in the shop continued to be that way, Henry frequent visit become lesser. Strange too that Cora and Rosa never talked about Henry.
It was September 1941, and rumours of world war were ripe. War was already going on in Europe and relationship between U.S. and Japan appeared headed for the rocks. War clouds were felt by many to be hovering low in the Pacific and it was a matter of time before hostilities broke out.
One early morning, a taxicab stopped in front of the dress shop. A man alighted in an army officer’s uniform.
“We received our orders from the Army and I have to report to my training camp in Tarlac”, Henry informed the two dressmakers after he had entered the shop. The two were aghast and were speechless. Cora got a cup of coffee as Rosa hurriedly prepared a sandwich. Henry seated himself in the divan as he himself was surprised by the rush mobilization order.
“This looks like a serious business and there is no way not to comply”, explained Henry as he showed the copy of the order to the two friends.
“When are you supposed to leave for the camp?” asked Rosa.
“On Sunday night at Tutuban station in Tondo. Several coaches had been leased to move our regiment”, explained Henry. As nothing much came out on that visit, Henry begged excuse as he had to visit his parents in another town.
There was a large crowd that Sunday evening at the Tutuban station. The military band was there too playing Marshall airs, as many army top brasses were among the milling crowd together with relatives and well wishers.
Lt. Escobar was carrying an olive knapsack on his left hand and a brief case on the right. Henry’s cousin Estella was there with his many classmates and friends. When Henry saw Cora in the crowd, he excused himself and went to her.
“Henry, I will wait for you when you return no matter how long it will take. I’m carrying your child”, Cora spoke with tears flowing down her eyes. “I will always love you”.
The train tooted its deafening whistle as a sign to embark. Henry kissed Cora goodbye, and shook hands with his friends.
As the big crowd waved goodbye and the band played “Auld Lang Syne”, the train slowly moved until it disappeared on its tracks going north.
Cora, like the rest, started to leave. She was surprised she did not see Rosa, whom she suspected as Henry’s sweetheart also. Now she was repentant, for her suspicion was wrong. Rosa might be seeing another man.
As the train moved from Tutuban, it slowed down in Caloocan station to pick up the remainder of the military personnel called for mobilization. As the train stop, Henry went down the train hurriedly, for in one corner was Rosa waiting for him. The two embraced each other tightly and exchanged passionate kisses.
“Henry, I will wait for you. Write me if you can, and I’ll let you know if your child is a boy or girl”, whispered Rosa, as the train was already starting to move. **