EP. 1: Carpe Diem

It was about half past six in the evening of Sepote. I heard four shots. I heard four shots. After six years of being abroad, Dr. Leonardo Quintanon, a gentle 35-year-old Caviteño returned to Manila. He became a professor in the University of Santa Tomas, where he met a medical intern named Lydia Cabadine. Welcome to the first episode of our segment, Exclusive here in Gunpoint Radio. End of this episode. The two of them went to see movies and basketball games. Leonardo also took Lydia in his home in Santa Mesa numerous times. Lydia never talked about his childhood or home life. Whenever she might have to stay out late, she would say, "I have to tell my father first." And then, she would go, but it meant going home. After Lydia finished her internship, Leonardo became a regular visitor at their house on Sepote. He helped her study for the board exams. Pablo Cabadine, the father of Lydia, told Leonardo that he never liked Lydia's boyfriend and that they never lasted for 10 minutes in their home. He also told him that he liked Leonardo because he's a good man. When Lydia passed the board exams, Leonardo asked her to marry him. The lovers asked Pablo's blessing for their marriage, but he had two conditions. He stated that her daughter's wedding should be grand and that her son-to-be husband should pay a dowry of 5,000 pesos. Leonardo responded that he can afford a big wedding, but not the big dowry. Pablo just shrugged his shoulder and said, "No dowry, no marriage." After some weeks, Leonardo came short and was only able to gather 3,000 pesos. Cabadine accepted the dowry. He can give, but he added another condition. They need to make their home at the house at Sepote Street. Pablo added that he built their house for Lydia, and her mother couldn't bear to be separated from her only child. Leonardo and Lydia got married on September 10 at Manila Cathedral and went to live at the house on Sepote. Leonardo immediately noticed that the entire household revolved in submission around Pablo. He always liked to brag that he was a killer. In 1946, he had shot dead two American soldiers that he caught robbing a neighbor's house in Cashion City. Cabadine also wanted to be the center of everything, even his daughter as a honeymoon. So when the newlyweds went to the movies or for a ride, he insisted on being attacked long. Every time Leonardo came home from work, he must not spend his time with Lydia alone. Both of them should come along to the living room and talk to their father. But Leonardo said, "I am not much of a talker." That's why I fell in love with Lydia because she's quiet too. "It doesn't matter. I'll just do the talking and you'll just sit where I can see you." Cabadine immediately replied. When the talk had stopped, he was unable to bear the sight of Leonardo and his only daughter together going the same bedroom. He shouted, "Lydia, you sleep with your mother tonight." She has a toothache.