You'll realize that a person is important to you if you kept on thinking about him or her, if you are comfortable with him or her, and you day is not complete without him or her. I am nkt talking about Crisostomo.
#8: His Name is Simoun
"Wow, so you're name is Simoun? I don't know your name—I just know it now and all thanks to Lorena. Why you didn't tell me your name?" I raised an eyebrow at him.
Thanks to Lorena for letting me know his name.
"It doesn't matter," he said lifelessy. We are here now on the road and walking. We left the mansion because we are having a confidential conversation.
Of course, we're not allowed to be alone, that is why Simoun pause the time when we leave the mansion, and resume it when we're in street already.
There are many Filipino vendors on the street. The rest of them work under the Spaniards. The children, instead of playing or studying, they work! Tsk tsk! If they live in the year 2021, surely their employer will face a case. Child abuse.
"Why did you show up?" I asked him, but I am looking at the surroundings. I will admit that I am somehow mesmerized by the view. I was amazed at the beauty of the environment, even though there are children that are working.
Because there are no clutter and wastes around. There are no beggars that if you don't give them money, they will raised their middle finger at you.
There are no snatchers, carnappers, kidnappers and whatever criminals that are scattered on the streets.
The houses are still nice even if they are not concrete.
"Why? Don't you like my presence?" Simoun raised an eyebrow at me.
We are still walking and I didn't know where our destination was. I cringed at him, and that's when I realized what I had said.
"Crazy! It's not like that. I was just shocked to see you, especially you show yourself to the characters too. I mean, you could've just see me privately. Anyway, why did you show up? Is there a problem? Did I break a rule?"
"Nothing," he replied quickly. Faster than the flash. "In fact you achieved something."
I smiled when I heard that. My eyes widened because of the sheer excitement!
"Wow really? About what and when?"
He smiled for a moment. Oh my, it'sy first time to see his smile, and as an artistic person who appreciates art, he looks good and handsome. Even if it was only for a moment, I saw it! I am also a handsome-boy-hunter.
"You saved the brothers, Basilio and Crispin. You even helped them. I just hope this continues especially since Crispin will face a very serious problem."
Oh! I already know that. The accusation that he is a thief! Tsk tsk!
"Yeah don't worry. I will take care of those kids. I won't let them down," I said smiling and jumping up and down. It's because, I am happy that I achieve something. I really am an achiever, whether in real world or this fictional world.
"You should also remember that Crispin and Basilio aren't the only characters here. You need to change the whole story. Most importantly, Ibarra, save him and save yourself too."
I nodded at him and faced him. He is just staring at the road.
"Yes, I know that! Also, he's not in danger yet so I won't save him first. Isn't suspicious if I will save him even though he's not in danger yet? Maybe they'll think that I'm one with those who want him dead."
Simoun or Mr. Librarian stopped walking just to glare at me and it looks like I piss him off. Wow, this librarian is showing his true colors! He's not that patient at all tss.
"Just a reminder, be careful with the stories you're changing. Because you may think it's all right, but the problems are accumulated in the end so be careful."
I just nodded. I honestly don't think too much about what he says because I already know that, he just repeated what he had said before.
I smiled widely because there is a beach here. I immediately ran there and Simoun also ran. He has no choice hahaha.
"Isn't it astonishing? Take a picture of me! Come on!" I said smiling and took off my bakya. That's Maria Clara's slipper. Bakya is a wooden slipper.
I went down to the sea and made a peace sign for the photo shooting and smile widely like there's no tomorrow but Simoun is still standing in the distance and crossing his arms.
Gradually, my smile faded from my lips and started to get annoyed. I feel like I already know this! He doesn't have a cellphone!
"Hey! Don't tell me you don't have a phone?" I shouted angrily and slowly approached him. Some fishermen and those who are swimming in the sea looked on because I shouted. Yep, I'm a scandalous woman. I got too much attention. Hehe.
"Is that necessary?" He said, and he tried to sound confuse but it sound sarcatic and annoying. I rolled my eyes.
"How many years have you lived? Why don't you have a cellphone? Aren't you updated that these days, we need to have—"
"Yeah I know, but still I don't care," he said lazily. Tss. It's too bad! Maybe he's just trying to be cool—someone who wanted to prove somethinh.I looked at him as if I am embarrass because of him. Annoying!
Bad timing, I don't have a camera. The view is really amazing because of the crystal clear sea, fictional indeed. In real life, the seas are full of wastes because of some punks who throw it in the sea. The sky's color is light blue and it's full of clouds! I really enjoy the view.
Unfortunately, I could do nothing but look at the view. No one dared to speak in between us anymore. We're not also close so we have no topic to discuss.
Sadly, the environment is not true. The water is surrealistic, impossible to be true. If it's true, I'm going to take a photoshoot here for my projects!
"The sea is amazing, right?" I break our silence. I'm all smiles because I'm really amazed at the view. "I didn't know there was something like this in Noli Me Tangere. What's the name of the sea?"
"Nothing."
Look at this one! I was serious about asking, but he didn't gave me the answer that I want. For sure there is, he just don't want to share jt because he's selfish. I gave him a tiger look because of how nice he answered. Amazing! He could be the next Miss Universe!
"I'm asking you nicely!" I'm running out of patience with this man.
"I answered you seriously too." He looked at me seriously. "It wasn't named because it's not what's important in the story. Do you think Rizal would bother to name the sea he made in the story?"
Well, he has a point. But maybe there's still a name. A fisherman passed by, so I quickly called him.
"Mister!" He looked at me, and smiled. Maybe he recognized me because I'm famous. I think he's in his late forties. The curves on his forehead and his gray hair is the evidence that he's old enough.
"Good day, Binibining Maria Clara. To whom the I owe the pleasure? Do you need something?" He asked with a smile. Oh! I am Maria Clara. I thought he already knew me as Manuela Carie. So stupid, Manuela!
"What is the name of this sea?" I asked with a smile. Mister's smile is contagious so I smiled too. Simoun the librarian, on the other hand, is just stoic. What's his problem?
"Miss, this sea doesn't really have a name. No one knows so we just called it 'Sea' or the 'San Diego's Sea," he explained with a smile.
After all, that's exactly the name of the seas. Whatever the name of the place, so does the name of the sea. No originality.
"Then let's just call it The Simoun Sea," I said laughing.
I just want to make fun with the librarian who is with me. The annoyance on his face grew even more. His face turned red and his forehead furrowed.
"The Simoun Sea. Nice name, Binibini," Mister replied, "but may I know who is this lucky Simoun."
"Nice name because it's unique" I said confidently. Mister and I laughed. Simoun just shrugged off.
"Believe it or not, Simoun is unlucky," Simoun said coldly.
I didn't notice but it turns out that Mr. Librarian also has a hidden charm. Mr. Librarian or Simoun. Suddenly, I became curious about his personality.
Is he a human? Immortal? Angel? Book fairy? Fictional character—absolutely not! He cannot be a fictional character. Because if he's a fictional character, it's unfair that he's aware of the situation. I don't also read that there's a Simoun in Noli Me Tangere.
Or if there's a Simoun, for sure it's not him. Maybe Simoun is just his screen name.
-
We are walking on the way to the mansion. I'm still with Mr. Librarian and I am jumping while we're walking. Too happy, Manuela?
It's just that beaches are really relaxing, Okay?
And bitches are really stressful, so get out of my way, bitches. Kidding! I'm the one who's the queen bee!
"Hey Mr. Librarian! You should visit me often so that I'll have a guidance. Okay?" I raised my brow at him. He just gave me a cold gaze.
"Just don't make any chaos. Make a change secretly, do not be scandalous," he said coldly.
I just repeat what he said, trying to mock him and I didn't failed. Mr. Librarian looks pissed off. Hehe. He's so cute and funny at the same time
.
"Oh, before we part our ways," he said and paused. He took something from the pocket of his coat.
Wow! He took out a golden neclace and heart shaped! This is when you open it, there's a picture that will appear! Wow, so wonderful! I dreamed of having this before!
"Wow! It's A-okaaay!" I was really excited to hold it. I even grabbed the necklace from him as if I was a snatcher. "Is this original?"
Disgusted of what I said, he looked at me like I said something wrong.
"Of course! That's more expensive than your life." Ha! Stupid son of b*tch! I just stared at him.
"Lemme have this! I'll take this home, okay?" Smiling I said.
"Obviously, I would have given that to you but you snatched it," he said shaking his head. "Keep it. Tell them that it is what you bought from me."
I nodded my head and I tried to open the heart shaped necklace but he immediately grabbed my hand.
"Don't open it!" He scolded me. "I just gave it to you but that doesn't mean it's really yours."
"Why? Who owns this?" Annoyed I said and put the necklace on his eyes.
"It's Maria Clara's necklace. Again, it is strictly prohibited to open. You'll die if you open it."
"You think I'll buy it? Ha! I'm no longer a kid. I know it's just a lie. I'll open this."
"Do you think it's a lie? Do you think I'm a liar? Are we close to the point that I will joke to you?" He kept asking questions so I calmed down.
"There's a right time for you to open it. So don't try to open it anymore."
"I don't care about you! I'll still open it--"
"It's up to you. I'm not the one who'll die anyway."
Because of what he said, I stopped talking about opening this necklace. He seems serious and he's right. We're not close so he won't pull a prank on me.
"That necklace will also be yours when you succeed in this mission. It's like a reward and you know how much is this?"
"Obviously not," I savagely answer.
"100 million dollars," he said seriously when he said that. I slowly laughed as if he told a joke. I even slapped his chest.
"Okay, next joke! Maybe it's just twenty thousand pesos, but 100 million? Oh, come on. You gotta be kidding me!" I rolled my eyes. "You can't be serious."
"As I have said earlier, we're not close so I will not tell you a joke." That's enough reason.
Guess what time it is! Well, I also don't know but the sky is now orange, showing that it's already afternoon and within a minute, it'll be evening already.
"But maybe, I can wear it?" I said as put the necklace on my neck.
"Yes, sure. Let me," he said and went behind me to put on the necklace. His touch sent shivers down my spine! Wow, flirty Emcee!
As he adjusted the necklace around my neck, it was as if electricity was flowing from his hand to my neck. Emcee, a real flirty!
"Bravo, look who's here!" Padre Salvi said while smiling sarcastically. What is he doing on my way? He has no right to show his face in front of me!
"Hello!" I simply greeted him like we're friends and we don't hate each other.
He looked at me as if he's disgusted with my whole personality. I rolled my eyes at him. Tss! Look at this man! I am trying to be nice here.
"In just a span of few weeks, you changed your title, Binibini. From the most beautiful young lady and modest, to still, most beautiful, but disrespectful," he said with a smile, but obviously, he's teasing.
Gosh! Look at this man. Did he thought that I'll let this pass? Ha! I am Manuela Carie and no one, NO ONE can beat me when it comes to being mean.
"Thanks. I'm flattered!" Smiling, I said too. I am smiling as if I am ready to kill someone. What do you call this? Ah! Killer smile!
It seems like I ruined his mood because the smile on his slowly fades, and changed into furrowed eyebrows. Hahaha! You opposed the wrong person, Father Sibyla.
"You see, you're really proving to me you're a disrespectful lady," he said stunned.
He was really scandalous because he deliberately raised his voice. So yuck! He's so stupid!
"I don't think so. In fact, I respect people who deserved to be respected like... uhm let's say Padre Sibyla," I said. It is another priest but he's also not that kind but at least he's better than Salvi. "How about you, are you respectable?" I glared at him.
The people began to murmur again. Oh! I really love this scene! Maybe, people thought that Maria Clara is the wicked, because she has no respect for the priests in the church.
Why I am always having a trash talk here with Padre Salvi. I'm tired of this worthless priest. What I want to have trash talk is Padre Damaso.
We only met once here while Padre Salvi? Almost everyday. Mr. Librarian lightly tap my shoulder that's why I came back from reality.
Another rumor will prove that I really have no respect.
Fine, I'm used to it. What's new? I'm just the stupid model who is sophisticated and disrespectful in the real world.
"And who are you, Señor?" Father Salvi asked rudely. Is he always like this? I thought Padre Damaso was the rudest, it turns out he is!
"It's none of your business," I answered directly. This priest is testing my patience, ha!
Does she think that he has the right to know who is Mr. Librarian! Ha! In his dreams.
People are starting to whisper with each other, and their gaze will kill me—if it could just kill someone.
"And why are you answering me? Am I asking you ?" Padre Salvi's answer was defiant.
"Wait a minute, why are you two together? Isn't Don Crisostomo Ibarra your boyfriend? You can't have two boyfriends at a time?"
Oh shit! One more wrong word and I'll punch this priest! He's so malicious! If a woman and a man are going our together, does it means their in love? But... maybe y-yes?
Especially in today's era! Of course, this is a historical fiction story and it is not good in the eyes of public when a woman and a man are together, especially if they are not lovers!
I looked at Simoun and I am trying to send a message at him right now.
Why did you pause the time, you fool!
"Tsk tsk. What will Don Crisostomo say when he finds out that you are cheating on him with another man. You also act strange, Binibining Maria Clara. You look prim and proper, but you are actually aggressive."
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