People should help one another. Whether it's a big or a small favor—whenever they can, they should. Because life is like a roller coaster, you never know when you'll need help, and it's best that there are people who are willing to give a hand.
#7: Are You an Angel?
As a clout chaser, I cannot help but to know what's happening. I was about to walk to the gate, however Crisostomo hold my wrist.
"Maria, what are you trying to do? You shall not go there, you might be in trouble,"he said seriously.
Earlier, we are just joking around, having some fun, but now we look so dead serious.
"Cris, let me go." I shorten his name because it's too long! I didn't hear a disagreement from him.
Crisostomo is way taller than I am so I can't push him hard! I slapped his hand with all my force, so that he can release me, and it happened. I used that opportunity to escape him.
"Yo, what's the matter here?" The guards looked at me in surprise. What's their problem? Surprised to see me here? Well, this is our house!
"Is that you, Binibining, Maria Clara?" Asked by a lady. I think we're at the same age, or probably older than me a little. Her skin is brown, she has a long hair, and I can say that she has that Filipina beauty. However, based on her physique, I can say that she has a lot of problems. She seems stressed and depressed. Who is she?
"Yippie. May I know who you are?" I asked with a smile because she was also smiling at me.
I thought people were finding me here because of what I badly have done in church. It turnes out that it was just a lady looking for me.
She was carrying something in a basket and she took out the food in the bag.
"Hey Sisa! You can't give anything to Binibini—-"
"Hep!" I said and raised an eyebrow at the guard. I think she has no bad intentions. She looks harmless. Also, she is Sisa! The mother of Basilio and Crispin! "Talk back and you're deadly!"
I just heard that motto. Is that a motto? I think it's a movie. Whatevs! I ain't sure. I'm not even sure if it's dead or deadly. I just chose deadly because it's cutesy. Good thing, the guard shut his bad mouth. Sisa looks surprised because of what I said. Maybe she didn't know that I am this smart and brave.
"Maria Clara!" Crisostomo called from behind me. I raised an eyebrow at him. "Are you all right?"
"Do I look harmed?" I rolled my eyes. I looked at Sisa again.
"Oh! I'm Narcisa, just call me Sisa. I'm the mother of Basilio and Crispin. I would like to thank you for helping us. You gave us twenty pesos. It's a huge number of money. It helps us a lot."
She showed me the fruits she had brought. Bananas, apples, oranges, grapes, and mangoes are the fruits she brought.
"Oh, that's too much. I can't accept that," I said smiling. "You can bring that home, for the kids."
I know they are poor. Although I want to accept that, I wonder if they will have anything else to eat.
"The money you gave to my children is much bigger than this. Please accept it because we also have this at home. Thank you for giving them money, because of it, I was able to go to market."
I understand it now. She is the type of woman who knows how to thank the people who helped them. She might be offended if I didn't take her gifts. I smiled at her and gladly accepted what she gave. She smiled back too.
"It's just a bare minimum help. I told Crispin and Basilio to come back here anytime just to eat if they're hungry. They're always welcome here!" Smiling, I said.
She smiled and nodded. "Thank you again, you are such an angel. Are you an angel?"
I was surprised of what she said. That was too much! I am not that kind. Hehe.
"No, I'm the cousin of Satan," I said jokingly.
But it seems that it wasn't funny. They look at me like I said something bad and it was despicable.
Oh my! Maybe they have no sense of humour! There is a sound of crickets around us. This is so awkward.
"That was a just joke! Hahaha," I awkwardly laugh. I also hit Crisostomo's biceps because he looks so serious now and he didn't like what I said. His biceps are hard huh. Is he going to gym to workout? Is there a gymnasium here? In this era and story? "You all look so serious."
Then I remember, I must also save Sisa in this story. One day, she'll be crazy, literally.
I had to save her against her bitter fate. Noli Me Tangere is not all about Crisostomo. It's all about poor people who lived in year 1890s. Under Spanish colonization.
-
WHEN the sky became orange and the winds became much cooler like it'll rain, and the ambiance became peaceful like it was surreal... kidding! My description is too sugarcoated! When the afternoon came, the two sacristans, Basilio and Crispin, came back here with joy. I'm happy because they feel at home here.
"Thank you because we ate a lot of food and you gave us ten pesos each," Crispin said with a smile.
Fortunately, Maria Clara also has money. It's good thing that she's rich because otherwise, I'll humiliate myself. The audacity of me to say that I'll give them ten pesos then it turns out that I have no money? Ha!
"Oh, mention it no more. Don't be ashamed of me especially when you need help. Do you understand?" I glared at them as if convincing them.
The two laughed. Oh jerks! They're laughing because of my beautiful eyes! I enlarged my eyes to scare them, not to make them laugh. I want them to understand how serious I am.
"Did our mother Sisa come here? She said she would offer you fruit"
"Ah yes, Basilio. Please send her my gratitude. I like the fruits, it's delicious and sweet. Why don't you taste--"
"Crispin, you're greedy! Those fruits are for Binibining Maria Clara," Basilio scolded Crispin who was eating a banana now. He finished eating ginataang bilo-bilo (Filipino snacks) so he targeted bananas.
"It's okay. Let him eat," I said smiling.
"Why, Basilio? Maybe you're just jealous. Just get a banana there. Binibini is kind—" He complained because Basilio had already kicked him.
"Yes, but Crispin! Let us not abuse her kindess," Basilio calmy said and he looked at me, "Binibini, thank you so much for your kindness and pardon my younger brother's attitude."
"It's no biggie! In fact, you really have to eat well, especially you're working. Eat and enjoy! One more thing, just call me Sissy Emcee. Don't be too formal, otherwise I'll eat you!"I threatened them.
Marites' eyes widened and she looked at me with a shocked look on her face. "Binibining Emcee! Those are children! Have mercy on them" she said worriedly.
What did she just say? Don't tell me she believed that I can eat these children. Is she for real? Why people here in the novel have no sense of humor? I am having a headache because of her!
She was with us at the table, also eating. She was currently peeling a mango when she suddenly stopped because of what I said. I smiled at her foolishly.
"Oh you're right, I won't eat them anymore. I'll just eat you." Smiling, I said.
The two children laughed. Marites, on the other hand, just scratched her neck and stared at me badly.
Oh look at this bitch! She has no right to look at me like that. Aside from her boss is Maria Clara, which is my character, I am also Manuela Carie that everyone dreams of.
One of the maids approach me. I do not know her name, and have no plans to do so, not because of they are poor and I am rich, but because I am focus on my mission: to save the characters of the novel.
"Binibining Maria Clara, Señor Simoun is here, and he said you will buy jewelry to him," she said. I looked at Marites and frowned at her.
Marites is like my personal assistant here and I never commanded to buy me a jewelry. Why would I need that? I have a lot of that in my home, not to brag by the way, but to expired.
"Lorena, what are you saying there? I never said that Binibining Maria Clara wants to buy jewelry."
I opened my mouth so that I'll speak to Lorena, but no words came out when I saw who she was referring to. I also understand why I really need to talk to this person because he is...
Mr. Librarian!