I am not supposed to help all the characters here, but my heart says that I need to. My genuine question is that, am I helping them out of the tragedy, or am I helping them dig their own grave?
#4: Digging Grave
Crisostomo Ibarra left Manila, because he bas a lot of things to do in San Diego. He's not even aware where his father is burried, and he's planning to find the location of it.
Little did he know that his father was no longer in the grave and that it was thrown into the river because of the order of the wicked Padre Damaso... the bald.
Anyway, Maria Clara's life is boring. She doesn't have a cellphone! They don't have a television! She has no hobbies! It was boring to live in the 1890s era.
After Ibarra left, the Delos Santos family—family of Maria Clara—also went to the town of San Diego for a vacation. We are in their rest house right now, and I can tell you how bored I am.
Since CT noticed that I looked lonely, he decided that we will have a vacation in San Diego, where Maria Clara grew up.
"Madame!" I called her attention. Until now I still don't know what her real name is. She even pointed to herself and I nodded. "Yes, you are. What's your name, Madame?"
She frowned at me. "Maybe you've forgotten about me because you've been staying in convent for quite a long time, but I'll admit it broke my heart
I looked at her from head to toe and refrained from laughing. I gave her an 'are-you-that-sad' look.
"I'm sorry! So, what's your name?" Smiling, I asked her again. I have no choice but to talk to her. Usually, I don't talk that much to people but this is an exemption. I have to be talkative because I have a mission. Maybe I should go out here to get to know the other characters.
"I am Marites, Binibining Emcee. What can I do for you?" I looked at her as if I couldn't believe what she said.
But, ooh! Marites. In the Philippines, you call someone a 'Marites' if they love gossips and they are spreading fake news. Localized version of 'Karen.'
"Really? It's okay if I ask you a favor?" I asked excitedly. She frowned at me because maybe she was surprised by my actions.
Well, I didn't do something stupid. I just jumped up and shook her shoulder. I danced Kill This Love by: Blackpink. Pretty normal, right?
"Let's go out! I want to take a walk! Where is the parish here?" That was my first thought because I remembered the situation of the two sacristans, Crispin and Basillio.
Yes, that's right! Those two, I have to save them because they will be accused of stealing money. Those judgmental people are so mean! The wickedness of the people here at Noli Me Tangere is unpredictable.
"Where's the church? I need to save the kiddos gurl!" Her eyes widened at the tone of my speech. My earlier excited voice, now anxious.
"You need to what, Binibini?"
"I need to save the sacristans."
"Save? Oh, Lord! Help us save those sacristans Binibining Emcee was talking about," though there was a trace of shock at what she said, she still chose to hurry and believe what I just said.
Maybe she was also worried about Crispin and Basilio. I feel like Marites has a soft heart. But these days the Marites are gossipers—just kidding!
-
After walking a kilometer or two, Marites and I reached our destination. In fairness, it's pretty, but of course, I'm 1000 times prettier.
You can really feel the Spanish presence because of the design of the church. At this era of the Philippines, Spaniards are the head, the law, and the bread?
The church is huge, and long from the entrance to the altar.
This is it, Manuela Carie Flores! Save the sacristans and be a good Samaritan. Walk like this is a runway and save the day like Wonderwoman!
Is it Wonderwoman or superman? In Charlie Puth's song 'One Call Away' Whatever! I'm just going to save the day!
I flipped my hair before I entered the church. I took my most pompous walk, the walk that says I am the highest-paid model in the world, I am the most famous supermodel in the world and I am the winner of Asia's Next Top Model.
[LIKE A RIVER BY: BISHOP]
[Like a river Like a river Like a river Like a river Like a river Like a river]
I took a lava walk in the middle of the church. Yes, you read it right. Lava walk by Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray. That is why the ladies who are praying with rosary look at me as if they have seen an angel.
[Shut your mouth and run me like a river How do you fall in love? Harder than a bullet could hit you How do we fall apart? Faster than a hairpin trigger Don't you say, don't you say it, don't say Don't you say it, one breath and it'll just break it So shut your mouth and run me like a river]
"Isn't she the daughter of Captain Tiago?"
"Yes. Maria Clara who is the most beautiful and modest in downtown San Diego."
"Yes. I heard she's smart too because even though she's not that educated, she knows a lot."
"Yes. But I also heard that she is rude. She interfere when the two priests were talking."
[Shut your mouth Baby, stand and deliver Holy hands, will they make me a sinner Like a river Like a river Shut your mouth and run me like a river Choke this love till the veins start to shiver One last breath till the tears start to wither Like a river Like a river Shut your mouth and run me like a river]
I turned to the lady who said that and I gave her a deadly look. Chismosa! She just glared at me and gave me a 'you-have-a-problem-with-me?' look. What an attitude! She is still holding a rosary.
[Tales of an endless heart Cursed is the fool who's willing Can't change the way we are One kiss away from killing Don't you say, don't you say it Don't say, don't you say it One breath it'll just break it So shut your mouth and run me like a river]
I am like a bride without a groom. I look like a bride without a gown, but I don't need a gown because I am wearing a very elegant dress.
I'm like a bride because of the beauty level that I have right now—my visuals are visualizing! I turned around like Catriona Gray when I reach the front of the altar. There is no mass today, only people praying the rosary, and of course the parish priest of the church, Padre Sibyla.
[Shut your mouth Baby, stand and deliver Holy hands, will they make me a sinner Like a river Like a river Shut your mouth and run me like a river Choke this love till the veins start to shiver One last breath till the tears start to wither Like a river Like a river Shut your mouth and run me like a river]
"Maria Clara, the beloved daughter of Captain Tiago," Padre Salvi smiled and he lend me his hand so that I would put it in my forehead, as sign of respect or 'bless,' "It's nice to see you here. Will thou confess thy sins?"
In order not to be rude—as what they labeled me already—I blessed to him, even if I don't want to. Mind you, if you don't know his character in the novel? He's a pervert!
"Nope. I am looking for Crispin and Basilio. Have you seen them?" I talked so casual, that's why he frowned.
"Crispin and Basilio? I don't know them and their names are not familiar!"
Why is he shouting? I am just in front of him! Does he think that I am a deaf? My eyebrows can't help but frowned.
Moving on, it seems like Marites is wrong—we are in a wrong church. I gave her a deadly glance, but she just avoided my sparkling eyes. Wow? Sparkling? Really, Manuela?
I was about to open my mouth when I saw a child wiping the saint in front of me.
"Kiddo" I called. He looked at me and I motioned him to come closer to me. Am I the one who should adjust? He will be lucky if someone like me, Manuela Carie Flores approaches him.
"Do you need anything, Binibini?" The child said politely and bowed further.
"Nope, I'm rich. I can buy my happiness. Whoever said money can't buy happiness doesn't have enough money to satistfy themselves. Anyway, what's your name?" I raised an eyebrow at him. The boy seemed scared of me for some reasons. With this kind of beauty, he's scared?
"Crispin, Binibini. I-I didn't do anything, Binibini. H-have mercy," he pleaded.
I raised an eyebrow at him and gave him a 'What-do-you-think-you're-doing?' look.
"Oh, did you commit a crime? I am right about my animosity towards these Indios! They are really stupid and—"
"Hep! That's judgmental! You're a judgmental and a mean," I said to Padre Sibyla because he is ultra omega OA. Crispin and I are having a conversation, which he is not part of it, "and kinda racist."
"Pardon, Maria?" Father Sibyla said while smiling, but I can sense that he didn't like what I said.
"Dearest Crispin, yes, I know. You haven't done anything wrong and YOU WILL NOT DO ANYTHING BAD because you're a good person." I really emphasize that YOU WILL NOT DO ANYTHING BAD, because I know that in the near future, they will accuse the two brothers of being thieves.
"Crispin!" Another child calls and comes to us. He bowed first before speaking. "I'm sorry for intruding, but may I know what my brother's fault is?" Crispin hid behind him.
"Basilio, nothing. The young lady just called me." Basilio is looking at me from head to toe, while holding his brother's hand who is behind him. So that, is Basilio. Older than Crispin, but he's still young.
"Hey, Basilio and Crispin! Come with me because..." you're about to be accused of being a thief, "because I'll give you free snacks. What do you want, Jollibee or Mcdo?"
The two children looked at each other and there was a trace of astonishment. Oh, I'm such a fool—those bashers were right! Those two fast foods do not exist at this time... or will not exist here because this is not the real world.
I'm gonna bash myself too! Too stupid!
"That's not possible! You can't do that," Father Sibyla interfere again with a calm voice, but he can't fool me. I know that you're wickeder than Elphaba.
"Why? I'm not going to treat you. It's the kids, don't assume," I joked while laughing, as if we're besties—eew!
Their eyes all widened. The two children, Marites, Padre Salvi, and even the ladies who are praying the rosary on the side, stopped praying. I think my words were mean.
Anyway, I'm not afraid of him. He is a just fictional character and I am a real human being.
"Well, Maria, they are working," he said, "and hija, I know that I'm kinder than Padre Damaso, but I am requesting for your precious respect."
Oh, so he thinks that I'm rude! Well, I'll prove he's right!
"Working? Isn't that child abuse, because they are too young to work! Also, how much do they earn? They can't even eat properly! They are skinny! Look at their hands!"
I feel like I'm their mother, Sisa. Let's just cound a little more days and perhaps I'll be a crazy woman here also. FYI, their mother, Sisa will be crazy soon if the two of them became wanted and missing.
"Their salary is decent enough for them to eat," Padre Salvi flexed, as if it's flexible, "they earned two pesos."
Maybe if he founds out about my talent fee, he would suddenly faint.
"Two pesos? Sorry to burst your bubbles but, that's not a decent money. Kids, I'll pay you ten pesos, come with me. I will not make you my slaves, instead we will just eat in a fine dining restaurant," I said proudly, as if I am Mommy Oni.
You're nothing but a second rate, copycat, and trying hard, Salvi. I am Manuela Carie, and I'm proud of myself. The people in the crowd roared, as if they are tigers and lions. They have their own opinions. Wanna hear some?
"Binibining Maria Clara's intentions are good. Padre Salvi should let the children go."
"Even though! She's a very rude woman. What's her title again? The most beautiful and modest?"
"I'm on her side. Father Sibyla probably thought this young lady had no money. He didn't know that she was Captain Tiago's daughter and that they were very rich."
Not only that, I'm Manuela Carie Flores! I don't care about Captain Tiago's wealth—I'm way wealthier. I will be featured soon in Forbes magazine!
"How come you are so rude--"
"don't you know I'm human too," I cut him using RUDE BY: MAGIC's lyrics. I glared at him with an annoying face.
I don't think he knows who he's talking to. Hello? I am Manuela Carie Flores, everyone? He wants to speak more but someone interrupted. Shocking news, everyone! BREAKING NEWS!
The saying "expect the unexpectable" is true y'all. Is that unexpected or unexpectable? I'm not sure as long as it's not expected!
Someone just grabbed him tightly by his clothes and almost choked him. I looked at my hands because my hands might have flown to his neck, but thankfully they didn't. My hands were still on me and when I saw who was holding his collar tight, my eyes widened.
It is Crisostomo Ibarra.
His face is all red as well as his eyes. Padre Salvi was stunned. It seems like Crisostomo can kill right now. Oh, he's scary look again. The same stares when we aere having dinner.
I approached the children and placed them behind me. These two might be scared.
"There you go, strangle him!" I cheered him up but I feel like he doesn't care about me now.
"What did you do to my father's corpse?!"
Oh shookt! I guess it's included in the script! Because I think I read it. Yes!
It is the part where he found out what happened to his father's corpse that just drifted into the river because it was raining and was not placed in the grave of the Chineses'.
His father's body was dug up. Who did that? Well...
"I-I did n-nothing wrong t-to your f-father," Padre Salvi said, and it seems like he can't breathe properly.
"You hypocrite and full of lies! Tell me the whole truth! For I have heard that the one who ordered to dig my father's grave was the parish priest and head!" He is triggered. He tightened his grip on him even more.
"I honestly did nothing wrong, Ginoong Ibarra. Perhaps they are referring to the former head, Padre Damaso," he tried to talk straighteven if he barely catch his breathe.
Crisostomo said nothing more and seemed to come to his senses. I know what he will do next, he willeave but that shouldn't happen...
Because... because... nothing but because he didn't punch Padre Salvi yet. I'm pissed at this priest.
"Punch him" I commanded. I was frustrated by his interference with us earlier. Crisostomo looked at me and was shocked by what I said.
"What did the young lady say? Does she intend to oppose the church?" Señora one said.
"Perhaps she is a heretic," señora two added.
"Oh no! That woman is in danger if he opposes the church," señora three predicted.
"If you don't punch him, I'll punch you, Crisostomo!" I threatened Crisostomo and glared at him. He seemed confused by what I said, but he still punched Salvi.
People shouted because of what happened. Even me, I was stunnedm... what did I request? What did I ask Crisostomo to do?
At first, I was satisfied because Padre Salvi was annoying, to tell you the truth, but I also remembered the fate of Crisostomo Ibarra.
Maybe I'll put him in danger even more. Instead of saving him, maybe I even put him in his own grave.
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