Do you know what makes us feel alive? It's not just love, it's also problems but I don't want this kind of problem. I have many problems right now and another problem came. Fudge! I just wanna help but it leads me to trouble.
#14: Finding The Rock
I don't know what to say to Mr. Librarian. He saw me with Crisostomo and it's not just that. He saw me that I almost hug Crissy. He told me that it was prohibited to fall in love, yet here I am.
Well, it's not that I am in love with Crisostomo, I am just amazed.
After Crisostomo left, he 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 explain myself. I am not--"
"Why did you do that?" He cut me off. I frowned. What is he saying? I didn't do anything!
"Do what?" I asked, still confused.
"You gave the necklace to Mateo!" He almost shouted. He just lost his cool and guess what. It's all my fault.
"Who's Mateo?" I didn't even know this bitch.
"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 really 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.
Finally, I realized what he is saying after a while. The gold heart-shaped necklace, I just gave it to The Rock. I covered my mouth because of my shock.
"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. Obviously, he is mad.
"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," 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. 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. He is not that important in this story so it's hard if I'll find him. He will just waste my time. Instead of helping the characters here, I'll just waste my time to find The Rock.
"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? It's you, 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 to help me. Why can't he be honest?
"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.
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.
"Miss Maria Clara, are you okay?" She asked me and she looks 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 The Rock because that is not my goal. My goal is to protect Crisostomo.
By any chance, is this Finding Nemo? Finding The Rock?
"Waaaah!" I shouted and I kicked the door using my kicking skills. I told you that I went to a martial arts lesson.
"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?"
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, Young Lady. I am just curious. By any chance, are you talking to yourself?" Marites asked while fixing my cabinet.
"What? Do you think I'm crazy?!" 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, Young Lady. I-I am just asking..."
"Do you have the right to ask?" I asked shutting her down. After a while, I feel sorry because I am being mean to her.
"I-I'm sorry, Young Lady. Please forgive me. I'll leave," she said and she really left.
My conscience bothered me and I hate it! I am mean ever since, but it's just this moment that my conscience really 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 visit the place where he is planning to build a school for kids. I am with Marites, Sinang, and Crisostomo. Crisostomo is talking to the Alcalde and he is with Padre Salvi.
I walked to them so I can hear what they're talking about. You know? So that I am updated to the latest gossip.
"Mr. 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 Miss Maria Clara."
I just nodded at him because we're not that close. Crisostomo looked at me and later on laughed because I don'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 wearing smiles?
"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 to find The Rock?"
"The Rock?" They both asked and they scowled.
"Well, uhm... The man with leprosy? What is his name again? Ah! Mateo. Would you like to help me find him?"
"The man with leprosy?" The alcalde asked. "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 help him. I heard that he is a misfortune," I excused. I don't tell them that it's about the necklace because it's unnecessary to tell them. They might also assume that he's a snatcher and he snatched my necklace.
"Wow. You indeed have a golden heart," he smiled. "I'd believe that rather than you are being rude. Well, maybe you are just fighting for your right. Let me help you, Yong Lady. It's pleasure to help you," he said.
Later on, Padre Salvi started to pray 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.
Crisostomo waved his hand and smiled. "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 again.
"Come on, Mr. 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 wood fell directly to Crisostomo. The dust scattered that's why we all coughed.
P. S We don"t have COVID19
"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 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 come closer to me. "I'll be leaving, I am surprised by the incident. I should go home to be calm."
"Okay. Rest. Go sleep," I said and I forced 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.
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