Facing your problem is the best way to solve it, but sometimes all you have to do is run... with Crisostomo.
#24: Mysterious Julius
"WHAT?" The bodyguard who was picky unexpectedly shouts. "Doña don't give it to her. You just met. You don't even know her!"
He is not just a picky, but also a feeling close and intruder. We are not talking with him. It's just between me and Consolacion. I rolled my eyes at him. This nincompoop!
"I am not talking to you, dumb!" Consolacion also rolled her eyes. Oops, it seems like we have the same vibes and attitude. Maybe we can be friends. Eew! "So, you want this necklace?"
She is touching her necklace and she smiled widely but it's not sincere. I know it since I am a celebrity. I met a lot of people every single day so I know if the person is real or just hypocritical.
"Uhm, not that I like it, but if you are willing to give it to me, I would gladly accept it," I gave her my sweetest but fake smile.
Oh, I am not like Doña Consolacion. Yes, I'm a little fake, but unlike her, I am true to those who are kind to me and fake to those hypocrites. Consolacion has a nasty attitude to everyone and is hypocritical if she needs to. For example, this moment.
"Look at her response, Doña Consolacion. It's suspicious. I believe that she is with those who criminals almost kill you. They planned all of these!"
Based on that guard's statement. He is so confident that Basilio, Julius, and I are colleagues. Well, he is right, that's why I am so nervous right now.
As I remember, Doña Consolacion is merciless so I am scared that she might hit me again or worst, she'll kill me with these guards. I admit it, I am now afraid.
I just realized that I am inside of this story so whatever happens here, I am part of it now. If they'll kill me, I am game over, and worst of all, I will forget these events.
I don't want to forget how I saved Basilio and Crispin from their tragedy, how I saved Sisa from being mentally ill, how I help the leprosy man (turns out that I am in trouble now), how Marites served me like a princess, how brave I was to answer back the priests here, how Maria Clara's friends stayed by my side and believe me (even if they have a crush on Crisostomo), and how Crisostomo shows his love for me. I felt the sincerity, the true love, the great love with him. Even if it's now in the past, I want to cherish it.
Ha! I am being dramatic here, but the truth is there were never be an us. It's just between Maria Clara and Crisostomo Ibarra. Like what I've said before, I am just a proxy here. I let out a sigh.
I came back from reality when I heard a hard slap. It was Consolacion, she slapped the face of the judgmental bodyguard. I grinned. Ha! It seems like she will be on my side.
I stand straight confidently and I chin up. The bodyguard glared at me and I raised my eyebrows at him and I grinned. Ha! The doña is on my side.
"Don't you make stories about her just because you are stupid who can't fulfill his duty properly! Don't blame her because of your stupidity!"
The bodyguard bowed and it seems like he was affected by the doña's words. I hate myself for feeling sympathetic towards the attitude-man bodyguard.
"So," the doña turned her back to the bodyguard and faced me. She unlocked the necklace in her neck and she holds the golden necklace. "Please accept this pure, heart-shaped, gold necklace. You deserve this and it's my thank you gift."
"BOY you belong to me, I got the recipe and it's called black magic and it's called black magic," I am singing while walking on the road and while throwing the golden necklace and catching it again like an entertainer. Because I was so entertained.
I can't believe it happened! I am now holding the necklace! Thank goodness! If I didn't get it, I am stuck here forever like what Simoun had said.
"Ha! Face me now, Simoun! I got the necklace and you have nothing to say anything against me anymore," I proudly said.
"Oh really?"
"Holy shit!" I exclaimed and I almost fall to the ground but thankfully, Simoun held my back. Should I thank him for that?
When I came back from reality, I immediately distance myself from Simoun. He is wearing his usual black coat and his hair is still long like before, he has tinted glass and a mustache, like before.
"Hey! You're being touchy! You're clingy!" I hissed at him. He sarcastically laughed.
"A simple thank you will do, Manuela," he said and he grabbed the necklace from my back. "Poor necklace. Manuela touched it."
"Hey!" I said and I punch his arm. His eyes enlarged, maybe he didn't expect that I can punch him so hard. Ha! That's it, Simoun, you should expect the unexpected.
But you know what's the real unexpected? It was Simoun's hard arm. Yes! As if he's trained the n gym. It is as hard as a rock! Is he the new 'the rock'?
"Ha! You deserve it," he grinned. I noticed that I unconsciously touching my right hand, the one I punch at him.
"Anyway, why are you showing yourself? Is it for a piece of bad news or good news?" I asked while we are walking on the way to our home.
It feels like a jamais vu. It already happened when Doña Consolacion whipped me and Mr. Librarian saved me. Whether I like it or not, Mr. Librarian helps me a lot in this mission.
"It's a piece of good news. You will never be locked in this story forever, thanks to this necklace," he said and smiled a little.
But I saw it and I admit that he looks handsome whenever he smiled.
"Ahhh!" I can't hide my happiness and hugged him. He just stays still when he felt my hug. "Sooner or later, I can be back in my normal life. I can't wait to be back!"
"Hmm, is that so? Won't you miss the characters here?" I didn't expect Simoun to ask that, to be honest, especially that he always reminds me not to love the characters.
"Yeah, of course, I'll miss them. But you know what? I surely miss my parents. I never said 'I love you' to them, but I let them feel that I love them. I believe that action speaks louder than words. Since that, I am stuck here for months? I think that it's also best to be vocal towards our feelings," I smiled.
I may hate my mom and dad for not defending me against my manager, for not working, for letting me the breadwinner, but I still love them. They are my only parents, and they always support me even if I made many mistakes.
"Are you honest with your feelings then?" He asked me.
I look up at the sky, and it's getting darker. It's already afternoon and it's cold outside. I smiled at myself because I don't know what's the answer.
In my entire celebrity life, there's no question like that in any of my interviews. I am not ready with this.
"I am not sure." I guess that this is the best answer. "Hey! Why are you asking me questions? Is this an interview? I am not prepared," I joked.
I am not sure because most of the time, I am happy-go-lucky, and to be honest, I am not a reserved person. What I act is the real me, I am not faking anything. (Except when I'm in front of Consolacion, I need to get the necklace huhuhu.)
But am I honest with my feelings? I think it's a no. Because honestly? I am affected by the action of Crisostomo Ibarra. I hated that he broke up with me, he is dating my best friend, he is being mean to and he is comparing me to the real Maria Clara.
But aside from that, I cared for him, my heart raced whenever I saw him, I don't wanna hurt him, most of all I want to save him. If this isn't love, what is this?
"No, but I want you to be honest with me... All the time."
-
After Simoun and I walked, I went to our hideout, I didn't go home. Well, our hideout is just a small abonded room, meters away from our mansion. I saw Basilio and Julius playing chess, Mateo is alienating himself and just enjoying the dark night view, and Crispin is eating banana.
"Sissy Emcee!" Crispin shouted that's why all of them looked at me and they stopped what they're doing.
"I hope it's a good news," Mateo said while smiling.
"It should be... or else..." it was Julius and he bit his lips. I furrowed because it seems like he is about to say something but he didn't continue.
"Yes it is! We all did our very best. I run so fast, and thankfully, Grandpa Mateo showed himself! Brother Basilio and Julius have bruises because of you, Sissy. I am sure it's a good news!" Crispin happily exclaimed.
I widened my eyes and I saw Basilio has a bandage on his head and Julius isn't wearing any shirt. His stomach has bruises also and it has a leaf.
Yes, leaf. They are using it as a bandage before and since I am in 1890's era, it's normal
"How can she say something if all of you are talking?" Basilio groaned and scratched the back of his head. He forced his smile, the pain is visible in his face.
"Oh, I'm so sorry for what I have done," I said and hugged Basilio. He is too small compared to me. I guess his height is only 4'10 and Crispin is 4 feet flat. Julius is 5'7 so their height has a lot of difference.
I let out the necklace from the garter of my skirt, (yes, from my waist). Golden necklace who? Billion dollar prize who? Necklace that will lock me from the story who? I just put it in my waist!
"Yes! We did it!" Crispin said and dance like... Dora the explorer! "We did it! We did it! Yeah! We did it! We did it!"
He sang it with the same the tone of Dora the Explorer! Oh my god! How did he know it? Is it possible that he's from the real world? Or does Dora exist here?
"Hey! Where did you learn it!" I shouted. My brows are furrowed now.
I heard it clearly! For sure, something's fishy! I smell it! I wonder how and where did he learned it!
"Sissy? What's with your behavior?" Crispin asked while laughing. "Is that annoying? I am just singing and dancing--"
"I am asking you where did you learned it so answer me properly!" I can't control emotion. I can't help but scream at him because I am eager to know the truth.
"Well," Crispin whispered and ran to Basilio. He hid from the back of his brother. "I heard it from Julius. Don't be furious, I won't ever do it again."
His voice is cracking and he is hiding himself from me. I didn't notice that I am frightening him. He's still a sensitive child. I let out a sigh.
"Hey, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to shout at you," I sincerely said but he is still hiding. I glanced to Julius. "And you, let's talk."
-
"What do you want to talk about?" Julius said stoically. He crossed his arms and focused on my stares. Our height is just the same, but I am way older than him, of course.
We are now at the outdoor of parish church. I just called him while he is polishing the wall of the church. It's not their break time but I guess he has courage to face the consequences if he is caught by the head sacristan.
It's a cloudy afternoon and it's windy. The Philippines is fresh and clean at this time huh? Or is it because this is just a ingenuity of Dr. Jose Rizal? In fairness, the ambiance is calming. There is no noisy children at the street.
"Hey you! Where did you learned that Dora song?" I asked seriously but he let out a small laugh. It is the first time I saw him laugh but I hate it! He bit his lips to stopped himself. "What's funny?"
"What's Dora song?" He said and he tried to look at me with serious look ut he can't help but smile.
"That We did it song! Crispin sang it yesterday and how did you learned it, huh?" I am pressuring him to answer am daring him using my eyes.
"I composed it," he calmly answered. I unconsciously opened my mouth because of his fast response as if it's true.
"Hey, do you think I'll believe you? Your personality is lackadaisical unlike Crispin. How can you even compose it?" I raised my brow at him and crossed my arms like what he is doing.
He scrathed his head and smiled a little. "Well, not to brag but I am a singer. I sing a lot when I am in high school and I always sing when there's a program--"
"You what? You go to school? I am not belittling you, but based on your social status, can you afford to go to school?"
As far as I know, in this century, only wealthy and man can go to school. I don't know how can he get to school or if he's even telling the truth but I really smell something fishy.
He laughs so hard. "Of course, I studied in public. Don't you heard about public schools?"
I heard about it of course! But it's only in our time now. I don't think and read about that public school here in Noli Me Tangere, well, aside from Crisostomo's plan about the school.
It's not yet fully built and Julius surely don't go there. I was about to ask him again but I heard a voice of a man.
"Oh, it's you, my past lover," it was Crisostomo. I loathe how his voice sounds sarcastic and when I turned to him, he is also smiling sarcastically.
"So? I don't have a time to talk to you, so please?" I rolled my eyes at him.
But I always have a time to save him from this tragic story. I just prioritized to get the necklace from the Doña but now that I get it, I guess I have to focus on my substantial mission.
"Oh, why is that, My Love? Don't you miss me? Oh, is it because you have a new lover now? Who is he?" He glanced at Julius and his smile faded. "You choose a younger one over me?"
"Hell no! You broke up with me, stupid!" I shouted, I don't care if Julius is here or whoever person is here!
"Oh, your mouth and your words, again, My Love. I'm just going somewhere, until we meet again--"
"He is Don Crisostomo Ibarra!"
"Let's go and catch him! We will have a reward!"
"Yes! And he can't go near the church! He's an excommunicate!"
I dropped my jaw when I saw tons of people running over Crisostomo and they are about to bombard him. I am not updated about Crisostomo's life anymore so it startles me when I saw numerous people pursuing him.
Even Crisostomo was stunned and he is like The Man Who Can't Be Moved in a song. He is like stroke and can't moved, so I decided to hold his hands and I run so fast. Since I hold his hand, he also run.
"Get him! He needs to pay for his sins!"
"Yeah! Don't run, Don Ibarra!"
"Surrender yourself!
We run together while holding our hands.
#
BYAHE BY: JROA
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