Kabanta 37 — Right
2213 Words
Clementine pulled her all strength to confront Quentin. Her hands were trembling because of anger.
“Did you tell her?” tanong niya.
“What?” he answered, very clueless.
The students were now watching them. Pagkatapos siyang sampalin at mag-walkout ni Frances na umiiyak, she’s sure everyone’s dying to know.
“Frances knew about us, you bastard! I told you to be careful! Humahanap lang ako ng oras!” she shouted.
Lumunok si Quentin. Hinawakan lang niya ang braso ni Clementine.
“I did not. Wala akong naabutan sa rooftop. I was about to ask you where is she.” sagot ni Quentin para linawin ang nangyari.
Clementine’s jaw dropped. Something came up on her mind, kung hindi si Quentin…. Iisa lang ang kilala niyang may alams sa kung ano ang mayroon sa kanila ni Quentin.
“Damn, Angela!” aniya at agad na umalis sa harapan ni Quentin.
She went straight to look for her and found her walking through the crowds. Kasama nito sina Meddie.
Her mind suddenly blackout. Hindi na siya nag-isip at agad hinila ang buhok ni Angela. Sumigaw ito sa sakit at gulat.
“How dare you, Angela!” sigaw ni Clementine.
Angela reciprocated Clementine’s anger. Hinila na rin niya ang buhok ni Clementine. Clementine screamed and dug her fingernails to her nape.
Tumakbo si Quentin para paghiwalayin si Clementine at ang kapatid niya.
“Hayop ka, Clementine! Malandi ka!” sigaw ni Angela.
Quentin used his whole strength to pull Angela away from her. They were already making a scene. Sinubukan ni Clementine na abutin muli si Angela but Korics and Vance were quick to stop her.
“Tama na, Angela! Tama na Clementine!” he said in an authorative tone.
Clementine’s face had fingernail marks from the clawing that Angela did. It was already bleeding. Angela had her lips bruised.
Wala na siyang pakialam kung ano man ang mangyari. She’s already ruined but she won’t be ruined without a fight. Ngumisi siya nang makita na umiiyak si Angela.
“Kuya!” sigaw nito na para bang nagsusumbong. “Sisirain ka ng babaeng iyan.”
Quentin did not even bat his eyes. He remained quiet but he pulled Angela away. Wala itong tiningnan ni isa. The students parted to make a way. Binuksan ni Quentin ang passenger seat at nilagay doon si Angela.
Angela’s shocked. Mabilis na pinatakbo ni Quentin ang sasakyan niya papaalis doon. Clementine did not cry. Hinayaan lang niya na umalis ang mga ito.
“Ihahatid na kita,” sabi ni Vance.
Clementine let him grab her bag. Nagbulungan ang mga estudyante. Clementine fixed her hair.
“Korics, handle everyone. I will take her home.” utos ni Vance at inalalayan na si Clementine papunta sa kaniyang kotse.
Korics looked at everyone. Galit at seryoso ang mukha nito.
“Ano ang tinitingin tingin niyo diyan? Umalis na kayo!” sigaw ni Korics.
The students started to disperse. Iyon ang huling nakita ni Clementine bago lumabas sa gate ang sasakyan ni Vance.
Vance did not talk but he continued driving. Clementine licked her lower lip. She would be surely to be expelled from San Lucas.
Pumikit siya. If Don Wilfredo heard a word about it… it’s gonna be the end of her perfect world. No one taints the Diogracia's name. Not when Don Wilfredo is still the patriarch of the clan.
She swallowed and looked at Vance when he missed the intersection to their mansion.
“Where are we going?” tanong niya sa kaibigan.
“This is not the way back to my house.” dagdag pa niya.
Vance shifted the gear and drove faster. He was so serious.
“I would kill you, Clementine.” aniya at nilingon siya, “Why did you have to blow everything when I am supposed to have my first date.”
Clementine swallowed.
“First date? I thought you’re not into—“
“I am not into girls, Clementine. I already told you.” he cut her off by saying this.
Tumango si Clementine at sumandal sa upuan. She watched the sunset above the tall coconut trees.
“And yes, hindi tayo sa mansiyon niyo pupunta. I clearly told you to be careful with your secret relationship. You and Angela would meet there, again. You will be staying in our’s until you calmed down.” ani Vance.
Laglag ang panga ni Clementine. She thought he was just kidding but she saw the arch of the town saying thank you and welcome to Malabrigo, which is the next town.
“You’re really bringing me to the Decerna lands?” tanong niya.
Vance nodded and stopped midway to make a left turn to a private road. Malawak at magubat iyon. Papasok iyon at malayo sa national road, hindi gaya ng mansiyon nila.
But when she saw the gate, she’s in awe. Mataas iyon at itim na itim. May nakasulat na HACIENDA DECERNA sa itaas ng gate niyo.
The way to the house was long. Puno ng well maintained pine trees ang gilid ng sementadong daan.
“Welcome to my house.” sabi ni Vance at tinigil iyon sa harapan nila.
Bumaba si Clementine at sinundan si Vance. Just like their mansion, ancestral din ang bahay nila. Lumabas doon ang isang babae na may kasamang batang lalaki.
Nakatingin na ito sa kanilang pagdating. The kid ran to the fountain and played with the floating candles.
“Lou,” Vance greeted the woman.
Ngumiti naman ang babae kay Vance at tumingin kay Clementine.
“Hi, Are you Vance’s girlfriend?” she asked with a smile.
Bumaba ang tingin nito sa mukha niyang may kalmot at braso na nagasgasan.
“Okay ka lang? What happened Vance? Naaksidente ba kayo?” tanong niya at hinawakan ang braso ni Clementine.
Pinagmasdan ni Clementine ang mukha nito. She looked older than Vance. Maganda at talaga namang sexy siya kahit pa flannel shirt at pantalon ang suot niya. Bagay iyon sa working boots na suot niya.
“Hindi, Lou. She had a catfight with someone at school. Anak siya ni Don Wilfredo and she’s not my girlfriend.” sagot ni Vance.
Kinalas nito ang kamay ni Lourdes sa braso ni Clementine at hinila ito papasok ng bahay. Pinagmasdan ni Clementine ang lugar. Everything screams power and wealth.
Hardwood flooring with white painted walls with gold details. Mukhang hotel iyon. Binitiwan siya ni Vance at hinarap ang isa sa mga kasambahay na naroon.
“Get a first aid kit and treat her.” aniya at nilingon si Clementine. “I will just make a call down the hallway.”
Tumango si Clementine. Umalis saglit ang kasambahay at bumalik na may dalang first aid kit. Tahimik na ginamot ito ng babae. She heard some footsteps and voices that were coming their way.
“I told that dumb ass to—“
Nabitin sa ere ang sinasabi ni Vilhelm nang makita siya. He walked to her. Ngumisi naman ng tipid si Clementine.
“Namamalik-mata ba ako o talagang nakaupo ka sa sofa namin?” tanong nito at ngumisi.
The guy who’s he talking to suddenly cleared his throat. May curious look ito para sa kanilang dalawa.
“Who is she, Vil?” tanong nito sa baritonong boses.
Ngumisi si Vilhelm.
“Clementine Diogracia,” simpleng sagot nito.
Kumunot ang noo nito at pinagmasdan siya. Nag-init ang pisngi ni Clementine. Hindi ito ang inaasahan niyang pagkikita ng mga Decerna. Her with bruises on her face and arms.
“Related to the Diogracias of San Lucas?” tanong noong lalaki.
Ngumiti si Clementine.
“Yup. Don Wilfredo’s only child, Mase.” Vilhelm answered. Tiningnan nito ang sugat ni Clementine.
“Now, tell me… paano napadpad dito si Senyorita Clementine at bakit ka may sugat?” tanong ni Vilhelm.
Lumabas si Vance mula sa isang silid. Seryoso ang mukha nito.
“She’s with me, brother.” simpleng sagot ni Vance at nilingon si Clementine, “I already called Quentin. You will stay with us for the night.”
Clementine cannot believe it.
“I can’t. Daddy will be discharged from the hospital tonight.” sabi ni Clementine.
Huminga si Vance.
“Quentin will take care of it. Pagkatapos kang gamutin, dadalhin ka ng kasambahay sa guest room.” sabi ni Vance.
Pumasok si Lourdes kasama ang asawang si Mason. Buhat buhat nito ang pitong taong gulang na batang lalaki.
“Mase,” tawag ni Mason sa anak, “I will meet you in the study in five minutes.” sabi nito
The curly guy with Vilhelm looked at Mason. Lourdes got her son and nodded at her husband.
“Sige na, mag-usap na kayo. Ako na muna ang bahala rito, sweetheart.” she said.
Umalis si Mase. Naiwan naman si Vilhelm doon kasama ni Vance at Lourdes. The maid finished dressing the wound. Tumayo si Clementine at ngumiti kay Lourdes.
“Sasha, samahan mo muna si Clementine sa guest room. I will lend her some clothes so she can clean up.” sabi ni Lourdes.
Tumango si Vance sa pinsan niya.
“Thank you, Lou.” aniya.
Tumango si Lourdes at sumunod na kay Clementine at sa kasambahay.
She took a bath and joined them for dinner. Nag-usap sila tungkol sa organic farm na binabalak ni Quentin. Maraming alam si Lourdes tungkol doon. Clementine was glad na kahit papaano ay may alam siya roon kaya nakakasali siya sa mga diskusiyon at minsan ay nasasagot din ang mga tanong ng mga Decerna.
She was relieved that no one pushed to know what happened to her staying the night with them. They kept her occupied. Kahit papaano ay nakalimutan niya ang nangyari kanina sa school.
She will have to deal with it next week. She went upstairs after dinner. Vance told her that he’s gonna attend a business meeting through zoom so he can’t hang out with her.
She understood it. Nanatili siya sa kuwarto niya at nanood ng telebisyon kahit na hindi niya naiintindihan iyon. She tried to sleep but she cannot.
Tumayo siya at pinakiramdaman ang malamig na hardwood floor. Bababa siya para humingi ng kaunting gatas.
But to her surprise, wala na ni isang kasambahay sa baba. She slowly descended the stairs. Dimmed na ang mga ilaw. She got a glass and opened the fridge when someone talked behind her.
“Cannot sleep?” tanong ni Lourdes at ngumiti.
She bit her lips and nodded. Nahihiya na nahuli siyang umiinom ng gatas ng walang paalam.
“Masakit ba ang sugat mo, Clementine?” tanong niya.
“Hindi na.” she answered.
Tumango si Lourdes at kinagat ang labi niya.
“Answer me… so, was that because of a guy?” tanong niya.
Clementine sighed and nodded.
“The whole school knows that my teacher’s courting me.” aniya at pinaglaruan ang baso ng gatas sa kaniyang kamay.
“Quentin?” tanong ni Lourdes.
Gulat na tumango si Clementine.
“How did you know?” tanong niya.
Tumango si Lourdes at huminga nang malalim.
“Vance told me. We’re pretty close. I am his favorite cousin despite the age gap, sorry…” she apologized.
She did not answer. Patuloy niyang pinaikot-ikot ang gatas sa kaniyang baso.
“Student-teacher is considered taboo. I think I will be expelled before this semester ends…” she said and laughed sarcastically.
Lourdes nodded.
“Cressida… she’s your cousin, too. Right?” tanong ni Clementine.
Tumango si Lourdes at nagkibit-balikat.
“Yup, but she moved on.” she said. “Kaya ba hindi ka makatulog? Kasi iniisip mo ang tungkol doon?”
“I don’t know, but I just want to think that I just don’t feel comfortable here. Namamahay ata ako.” she answered and put down the glass.
Tumawa si Lourdes sa sagot niya.
“It’s okay. Ako rin. Hindi ako makatulog just like when I transferred to Manila and New York.” sabi ni Lourdes.
“You went to New York?” tanong ni Clementine.
“Yes, I worked there. Or should I say, pinatapon?” sabi niya at ngumisi.
Kumuha na rin si Lourdes ng baso at nagsalin ng gatas.
“Pinatapon ka?” she cannot help but to ask Lourdes.
Lourdes smiled and touched the wedding ring on her hand.
“Yup. I because I fell in love with my cousin.” she said.
Clementine cannot tell her a word. She had never saw someone who fell in love with their relative, it’s a taboo.
“Oh, sorry….We are not blood related, though.” she clarified.
Tumango si Clementine.
“But it was considered taboo by our parents. Kahit pa na hindi na tunay na Decerna ang Mommy ko. She’s Don Robin’s stepdaughter.” she said to elaborate her situation.
Clementine just listened.
“So, if you’re thinking that teacher-student relationship is taboo… you’re wrong. I had it worse, Clementine kaya huwag ka nang mag-alalala. If Quentin really loves you, he would do the right thing just like my husband did.”
“What if he doesn’t?” tanong niya kay Lourdes.
Lourdes sipped on her milk and smiled genuinely at her.
“Then, why would you want to be with someone who doesn’t even try?”
Natigilan siya sa sinabing iyon ni Lourdes. There’s something true in what she said. If Quentin really loves her, he would do something.
- Writer
