Do you know what makes us feel alive? Love? Nope, aside from that is problem, okay? If you have a lot of problems, you will feel that you have to solve all of these, and you'll feel pressure, and you will feel that IT IS REA. I have many problems right now and another problem came. Fudge! I just wanna help but it leads me to trouble.
#14: Finding The Man With Leprosy
I do not know how to face Simoun, now that he saw me trying to hug Crisostomo. No words can help me explain the situation, and literally now words will come out of my mouth because I am so nervous that maybe, maybe, I am falling for this trap—which is Crisostomo—and maybe, maybe he knows.
What if he's a mind reader? Oh my, I wouldn't think anymore!
Anyway, I will fight for myself and will prove that I am professional. To clarify, I AM NOT IN LOVE with Crisostomo, okay? I had a lot of leading men in the past, and all of them are good looking—even more handsome than Crisostomo, plus they are real person, but I didn't fall for them.
Yeah, seriously, Emcee! You are not in love with him! You have to note it on your IG when you come back!
After Crisostomo left, Simoun showed up again. His face is still stoic as ever. He looked at me with his cold stares. I rolled my eyes.
"Well, let me clarify. I am not—"
"Why did you do that?" He cut me off. I furrowed, pretending that I didn't try to hug Crisostomo even if he clearly saw that. Afterall, I am an actress, I am good at pretending.
"Do what?" I pretended.
"You gave the necklace to Mateo!" He almost shouted. He just lost his cool and guess what, it's because of me.
Anyway, I thought that his anger is because he saw me almost hug Crisostomo. Why would he be mad? He doesn't have a crush on me, hello? Such a feeler, Emcee. But by the way, who is Mateo? Mateo Guidicelli? (A Filipino celebrity)
Husband of Sarah Geronimo?
"Who's Mateo?" I didn't even know this bitch. Simoun just mentioned his name without further explanation, tsk tsk tsk!
"The man with leprosy! You just gave him the necklace of Maria Clara! The necklace that is more expensive than your whole life!" He didn't almost shout. He literally shouted this time.
I touch my chest like I am hurt because of what he said. How dare him! "My talent fee is more expensive than your life and this freaking book!" I shouted too.
I feel like we are in a shouting contest. If he thought that he will win this, huh! Damn him, I am competitive. I suggest him to voluntary exit in this shouting competition.
Finally, I realized what he is saying after a while. The gold heart-shaped necklace, I just gave it to the man with leprosy. I covered my mouth and looked at him with disbelief.
"Now you know what I am saying. That's your reward and it is important. I thought you like it, yet you gave it to a stranger!" He shouted, trying to win our shouting competition.
"B-because..." I looked down. I am lost with my words because I know it was my fault. I bravely look at his eyes. "H-he is misfortune. I don't have anything to give him."
"I hope you are thinking before talking and do actions," his eyebrows are almost closed to each other because of he is frowning. "Manuela, you can give him anything, but not that necklace. It's very important and--"
"Then what should I do?" I shouted, desperate to win in our shouting competition. I cut him off because I am so annoyed with him. After all, he is mad at me. He has no right to be mad at me, no one has the right.
"Find Mateo, the old man with leprosy," he told me. He clenched his jaw and his face is all red now.
I shook my head. "No! How could I find him?" I asked.
Let's be honest, he is not that important in this story so it's hard if I'll find him—I don't even know his name nor if he's really named in the novel. Not to be mean, but he will just waste my time. Instead of helping the characters here, I'll just waste my time to find him.
"You must find him! It's all your fault after all. He is just in this hometown, he doesn't go anywhere. You can find him."
"And what if I don't?" I arched my eyebrow.
"Then he'll die. He might open the necklace and it can cause his death. Believe me, Manuela. I am not a liar."
My eyes widened. Oh my! I forgot that the necklace is not an ordinary one. I must find him so I can save him!
"Why don't you help me? We can find him faster if we help each other," I smiled sweetly so I can convince him but he just laughed. He sarcastically laughed.
"Am I the one who gave him the necklace?" He sarcasticall said.
"Am I the one who will die?" I widened my eyes at him.
"Okay, then let us just let him die."
"NO! I was just kidding," I said and I faked my laugh at him, but deep inside, I wanna wrestling him!
"You gave it to him, Manuela. You must save him. It's not my duty to save him, it's yours."
"And what is your duty?" I asked. I am now pissed off because he is just lazy, that's why he doesn't want to help me. Why can't he just admit it?
"I must guide you," he said, and he started to walk away, and when he reached my door, he stopped. "And protect you, that's my duty to fulfill."
I rolled my eyes because I felt like those were just flowery words, trying to hide his laziness.
He opened the door and leave. He just teleported to somewhere because when he opened the door, Marites also entered. She didn't saw Mr. Librarian.
"Binibining Maria Clara, are you okay?" She asked me, and she's eyeing at me like I am weird.
"Do I look like I'm okay?" I asked back. I rolled my eyes because I am so frustrated. I don't want to find Mateo because that is not my mission. My goal is to protect Crisostomo.
By any chance, is this Finding Nemo? Finding Mateo?
"Waaaah!" I shouted and I kicked the door using my kicking skills. Not to inspire, but to brag, I went to a martial arts lessons before.
"I heard you talking earlier but it wasn't that clear but when I entered your room, you are just alone. Are you with someone earlier? Ginoong Ibarra left, right?"
I sit on my bed and glared at her. "Did you eavesdrop?" I changed the topic. She must not know about Mr. Librarian because it will just be complicated.
"No, Binibini. I am just curious. By any chance, are you talking to yourself?" Marites asked while fixing my cabinet.
"What? Do you think I don't have sanity?!" I shouted. Surely, I look scary right now because I can see the fear of Marites in her eyes. She's older than me but I think she respects me more than I respect her.
"N-no, Binibini. I-I am just asking..."
"Did I gave you permission to ask?" I asked shutting her down. After a while, I feel sorry because I am being mean to her. It seems like I am projecting my frustrations at her—which is definitely wrong!
"I-I'm sorry, Binibini Please forgive me. I'll leave," she said and left.
My conscience bothered me and I hate it! I am mean ever since, but it's just at this moment of my life that my conscience bothered me.
I am not an angel like Sisa said. I am actually a bitch who doesn't care about other people's feelings but here I am, bothered with my conscience, getting into trouble because my heart turned into a soft one. I guess this is what Noli Me Tangere taught me. To be kind.
-
TRUE to Crisostomo's words, we are now visiting the place where he is planning to build a school for kids. I am with Marites, Sinang and friends, and Crisostomo. Crisostomo is talking to the Alcalde. Padre Salvi is also here, but who cares about him?
To give you a context, Crisostomo is having a celebration for this school his planning to build. There are many guests here, but all of them are part of high society.
I walked to closer to Crisostomo and the alcalde so I can hear what their conversation. Well, so that I am updated, not that I'm a gossiper!
"Ginoong Ibarra, whatever you need, you can always count on me. Just tell me and I'll help you, or I'll assigned someone if I am not available," the alcalde said. "Well, nice to see you Binibining Maria Clara."
I just nodded at him because we're not that close. Crisostomo looked at me and later on laughed, but not that loud. Perhaps he's amazed because I didn't greet the alcalde?
"Well, for now, I have nothing to command to you. I'll ask favor if I need one," Crisostomo said while smiling at the alcalde. Why is he always smile? Isn't he tired nor woried that his lips might tear up?
"Well me, I have one!" I said. They both looked at me. Well, this is my chance to find The Rock. I'll grab this opportunity. "Would you help me Mateo?"
"Who is Mateo?" They asked in chorus, as if they are choir.
"Well, uhm... The man with leprosy? I heard his having a hard time especially he has this disease. Would you like to help me find him?"
"Oh, the man with leprosy?" The alcalde asked again and I nodded to confirm. "I know that old man. Why are you finding him? Did he do anything bad to you?"
"No! It's not that. I am finding him because I would like to personally help him. I heard that he is living in a Chinese memorial park," I excused. I don't tell them that it's about the necklace because it's none of their business.
They might also assume that he's a thief and he snatched my necklace.
"Wow. You indeed have a golden heart," he smiled. "I'd rather believe the gossip that you have a golden heart—since I found it to be true—rather than you, being rude. It's nonsense, knowing that Captain Tiago raised you. Perhaps they just misunderstood you" he said.
I smiled because I felt like he is on my side, unlike that long gray hair with mustache, and with tinted glasses—Simoun! He kept on saying that the necklace is way more expensive than my whole life yet he's too lazy to help me. He should just admit that he wants me to suffer—as if my problems here aren't enough!
Later on, Padre Salvi started to pray—it's a miracle that he didn't burned—and give blessings to the school Crisostomo's planning to build. The alcalde started to plaster the wall. After that, they all glance at Crissy.
"Why don't you put some cement on the wall, Don Crisostomo?" Padre Salvi asked, as if they're close. He's too hypocrite!
Crisostomo waved his hand and smiled. "Thank you, Padre, but no, I don't want to be like Juan Palomo. He's the one who served the food yet he's also the one who ate."
They all laughed. Who the heck is Juan Palomo. I was about to ask Crissy who is that man but the alcalde talk.
"Come on, Ginoong Ibarra. Just do it," he smiled and nodded.
"Hmm, okay then. What can I do? You all wanted me to do it," he smiled and went to the wall to put some cement.
Oh, look at this man! He doesn't stick to his words. He should reply "I told you, I don't want to! Why you're all stubborn?!"
Hahaha. I laughed because of what I thought. I stopped laughing when a stome fell directly to Crisostomo. The dust scattered that's why we all coughed.
P. S We don"t have COVID19
"What the fuck!!!" I shouted. They all glared at me, shocked by what I screamed. I don't care about them, I care about Crisostomo that's why I run quickly to him.
Fortunately, he's alive and standing firmly. I hugged him so tight because I feel relieved. Gosh! This man, made me worried sick! I'll fucking tell him how worried I was.
"You asshole! Why don't you die instead? It's way better than making me worry! You think it's funny that I'm worried because of you! I hope you die!" I said while punching his chest. He hugs me back.
I almost lost my mind when I felt his lips kissed my forehead. "My only one, don't worry I'm fine. Stop saying bad words."
I was about to talk back to him but I saw an unconscious man on the ground. I think he's lifeless!
"The man! Help the man!" I shouted at the workers who are just staring at us. They immediately help him.
"He has no vitals. I think he's dead," one of the workers said.
"What? No!" I said and come closer to the pathetic guy. I hold his wrist to feel his pulse but I think the worker is right. He's now dead.
"Don Crisostomo, are you fine? I'll find the culprit behind this incident. That Nol Juan," the alcalde bravely said.
"I'm fine, Mr. Alcalde. Let me handle this one. Let that Nol Juan be free for days but I'll let him pay as soon as possible," Crisostomo clearly said.
Who's that Nol Juan? Whoever he is, he must hide properly or else Crisostomo will let him live in jail for the rest of his life.
"Maria!" Sinang said and run closer to me. "I'll be leaving, I was surprised by the incident. I should go home to be calm."
"Okay. Rest. Maybe you should sleep," I said and I forced a smile. I am so sorry to the man who just died.
I am walking with Sinang to lead her way until I heard a voice from an old man.
"This is unfortunate," he said. His voice is familiar! That voice is like from the man in the church! I look at him and I saw him staring at Crisostomo and thinking so deep.
#