That High Maintenance Girl

Kabanata 42 — Here

“Wala na ako'ng sasabihin pa sa kaniya, Vilhelm.” sagot ni Quentin matapos ang ilang sandali.

Seryoso ang mga tingin ni Mase kay Quentin. Tumango si Vilhelm.

“Alam namin ang nangyari sa inyong dalawa. You both lost a child so you better talk it out.” ani Mase.

Lumunok si Quentin at umiling.

“She aborted our baby without telling me, Mase. I lost a child, she didn’t.” giit ni Quentin at umiling na, “I have a girlfriend, too.”

Sumakay na si Quentin sa kabayo at nagsimula nang paandarin iyon papalayo. Clementine remained silent as the horse started to gallop faster.

Tumigil sila sa tabi ng isang puno nang magsimulang bumuhos ang ulan. Sumilong silang dalawa roon dahil malayo pa ang mansiyon kung itutuloy nila.

The tall acacia tree shielded them from the soaking rain. Hindi siya gaano nababasa roon. Quentin tied the horse and sandwiched Clementine between him and the tree. Clementine leaned on the tree and looked away. Their faces were inches apart from each other.

“Will you talk to her?” tanong niya.

She can clearly understand that Quentin and Cressida have unfinished business that they need to settle. Pero hindi niya inakala na ganito kaaga iyon.

“I don’t need to talk to her, Tine.” he said.

Pinagmasdan ni Clementine ang mukha nito. He looked so pained and torn.

“I just want you to know that you can talk to her. If I am the one who’s holding you back from talking to her, it’s fine.” she said.

Kumunot ang noo ni Quentin sa sinabi niya. Clementine looked at this eyes and smiled a little. The tip of his hair was already dripping wet.

“Tine,” he said and his eyes travelled from her eyes down to her lips.

Clementine felt her cheeks heated. Kahit na malamig ang ilang patak ng ulan na pumapatak sa kaniyang mukha.

“Do not worry about me, Quentin. I am your girlfriend remember?” tanong niya.

Quentin’s lips opened. He looked quite confuse. Clementine tiptoed and put a peck of a kiss on his lips. Mapungay ang mga mata ni Clementine sa binata.

“You already are?” tanong ni Quentin.

Ngumisi si Clementine. She tried to look away but Quentin firmly held her chin so she won’t be able to tore her gaze away.

“Clementine,” his voice was hoarse when he called her.

Nanghihina ang mga tuhod ni Clementine sa kaniyang titig. Lumunok siya at hindi pa rin inalis ang mga kamay niya sa dibdib ng binata.

“Are you my girlfriend?” tanong pa niya.

She nodded.

“How about you? Are you my boyfriend?” tanong niya kay Quentin.

That was another first for her. She’d never been asked a guy before about labels. But with Clementine she felt the need.

She’s slowly falling for him.

Quentin chuckled and kissed her forehead.

“The day I courted you, I am yours.” he said and kissed the tip of her nose.

Ngumiti si Clementine. Her heart was pounding like a lion that wanted to get out of the damn zoo.

“I love you.” Quentin whispered and kissed her fully on the lips.

Her lips trembled when he started to kiss her passionately. Kinailangan pa niyang ilagay ang braso niya sa mga balikat ni Quentin so she can have some support or else her knees would turn into jelly.

Her hesitations disappeared. Quentin kissed her with passion and love. He was gentle and she loved every second of it.

He seek entrance to her sweet mouth. Naramdaman ni Clementine ang dila ang binata sa kaniyang labi. She groaned and opened hers.

It was a long kiss they shared. Halos naghahabol sila ng hininga nang sila’y tumigil. Quentin hugged her tightly. Clementine was gasping for air.

“Let’s stop here, baby.” he whispered and kissed her shoulders, “I do not want to take you here.”

Clementine nodded. The rain was starting to pour more. Tiningnan niya ang mga katawan nila ni Quentin na basang basa.

“We need to move, Tine. Mukhang hindi titigil ang ulan. Baka magkasakit ka pa.” aniya at inalis ang pagkakatali ni Tapa mula sa hindi kalayuan.

He rode the horse and offered his hand so she can climbed. He maneuvered the horse so fast. Clementine hugged him tightly.

Tumigil sila sa hindi kalayuan. Clementine saw the familiar village. Pumasok si Quentin sa luma nilang bahay. He opened a cabinet and looked for a clean cloth.

“Tuyuin mo muna ang sarili mo, Tine.” utos niya at pumasok sa isa pang kuwarto.

Lumabas siya dala-dala ang isang lumang bestida. Piniga ni Clementine ang buhon niya at pinagmasdan iyon.

“Kanino ito?” tanong niya at kinuha ang bestida.

“Si Mama ang may-ari niyan. Iyan lang ang tingin ko na magkakasiya sa’yo. Mga pangbata na ang mga damit ni Angela rito.”

It was old but wearable. Hindi na siya umarte pa at sinuot iyon. Ngayon lang niya naramdaman ang lamig mula sa ulan.

Quentin wore a big shirt. Nagsindi din siya ng gasera. She felt warmth. Umupo siya sa tabihan ni Quentin at siniksik ang sarili sa binata. Naibsan ang lamig dahil niyakap siya ni Quentin mula sa likuran.

They were watching the lamp. Quentin was drawing circles on her palm while showering her shoulders with little kisses.

“What shall we do now, Quentin?” tanong niya.

Pinagmasdan niya ang apoy na gumagalaw dahil sa hampas ng hangin. Quentin rested his head on her shoulder.

“Ano ang ibig mong sabihin?” tanong niya.

Kinagat ni Clementine ang kaniyang labi at huminga nang malalim.

“We are official. Paano si Daddy? Are we going to keep this as a secret?” tanong niya muli.

Quentin cleared his throat. Inalis niya ang kaniyang braso mula sa pagkakayakap sa dalaga. Clementine watched him as he slowly move to the side so he can face her better.

“Gusto mo bang sabihin na natin kay Don Wilfredo?” tanong niya.

Nag-iwas ng tingin si Clementine. Nanatili namang nakatitig sa kaniya si Quentin.

“Bakit, Quentin? Ayaw mo ba?”

Tinagilid ni Quentin ang kaniyang ulo.

“Hindi mo alam, Clementine kung gaano ko kagusto ang ipaalam sa lahat. Pero kung hindi ka pa kumportable, hindi kita pipilitin.” sabi niya at hinawakan ang mga kamay ni Clementine.

Pinisil niya iyon at hinalikan. Pinanood lang ni Clementine ang binata.

“I will talk to Daddy first, Quentin…” sagot niya.

“Sure, baby.” bulong niya, “Take all the time you need.”

Tumango si Quentin at tipid na ngumiti. He was so calming yet so unbelievable. Hindi niya kayang paniwalaan na nagustuhan siya ng diyos na ito.

“You should talk to Cressida, Quentin. Settle everything you need to settle. The earlier, the better.” sabi ni Clementine at tumingin sa mga kamay ng binata, “Gusto ko kapag sinapubliko na natin ang relasiyon natin, wala nang hadlang.”

Tumango si Quentin.

“I would like that, too.” sabi niya at sumang-ayon.

Ilang minuto pa ay unti-unti nang humina ang ulan. Tinuyo ni Quentin ang likuran ng kabayo bago sila sumakay doon.

Mahaba ang bestida ng nanay ni Quentin. They rode until they reached the porch of the mansion. Nakatayo roon si Manang. Nagwawalis din doon ng tubig ulan si Angela.

“Mahabaging Diyos,” bulong ni Manang habang pinapanood si Clementine na bumaba sa kabayo.

“Tine, hija! Ano ang nangyari sa damit mo?” tanong ni Manang.

Nilingon ni Clementine ang puting bestida.

“Ah, naabutan kami ng ulan ni Quentin kaya pinahiram muna niya ako, Manang.” sagot ni Clementine.

Nilingon ni Manang si Quentin na kausap ng isa sa mga tauhan doon. Binigay niya si Tapa para dalhin iyon noon sa kuwadra.

“Magpalit ka na roon sa loob na bata ka! Para mapasabay na iyan sa lalabahan ni Isay.” sabi ni Manang.

Tumango si Clementine at naglakad na. Nakatitig si Angela sa kaniya pero walang sinabi. Naligo sya at nagpalit ng damit. Tinupi niya ang bestida para maibigay kay Isay nang may kumatok sa pintuan niya.

Pinagbuksan niya ito. Nakita niya si Angela roon. Galit ang kaniyang mukha pero hindi nagsalita. Bagkus ay kinuha niya ang bestida mula sa kamay ni Clementine.

“Wala kang karapat na isuot ang damit ni Mama,” aniya at naglakad na pabalik.

Naiwang nakatulala si Clementine sa pintuan. She just moved when she saw Quentin at the staircase. Ngumiti ito sa kaniya.

“Maliligo lang ako, Senyorita.” sabi ni Quentin at ngumisi.

Uminit ang pisngi niya at sinara ang kaniyang pintuan. Kinagabihan ay kumain sila kasama si Don Wilfredo. They ate casually. Tanging si Don Wilfredo at Quentin ang nag-uusap tungkol sa business.

Nagliligpit na sina Melba nang tumayo si Clementine. Nagphanda si Don Wilfredo ng tsaa sa living room. Quentin looked at her. Tumaas ang kilay niya dahil kanina pa tumititig ito sa kaniya kahit na umiinom ng tsaa si Don Wilfredo sa harapan nila.

She kissed her father’s cheek.

“Daddy, I would go to my room na and rest. You take a rest na rin.” she said.

Tumango si Don Wilfredo.

“I am okay, Clementine.” he said.

Umirap si Clementine nang ngumiti si Quentin sa kaniya. Angela cleared her throat and ate some muffins. Nag-iwas ng tingin si Clementine rito.

She ascended the stairs. Hindi na niya nilingon pa ang mga ito. Pumasok siya sa kuwarto niya at ginawa ang skincare routine niya.

She opened the tv para may kaunting ingay sa kuwarto. She was wiping her face when her door opened. Lumabas siya mula sa toilet at tiningnan iyon.

“Ano ang ginagawa mo rito?” tanong niya kay Quentin na nakaupo na sa kaniyang kama at nanonood ng tv.

She immediately checked the door. He locked it. Patay malisya na nagtagtag si Quentin ng kaniyang sapatos at sumandal sa headboard ng kama niya.

He looked tired and sleepy.

“Go to your room, Quentin. Matulog ka na,” sabi niya rito.

He groaned. Lumapit siya sa binata at tiningnan ito. He wrap his arms around her torso and rested his head against her tummy.

“Can I sleep here?” tanong ni Quentin sa malambing at mababang boses, “I want to cuddle with you.”

The days had passed so quickly. Tuwing gabi, pumupuslit sila para matulog sa kuwarto ng isa’t-isa. Nakakatulog ng maayos si Clementine sa tuwing tabi silang matulog ni Quentin. Sa madaling araw, lumilipat sila sa kani-kanilang kuwarto para hindi mahalata.

Nakangisi si Clementine tuwing breakfast. She was getting addicted with Quentin’s kisses. Para silang mga teenager.

But when things gets heated up, palaging pinuputol ni Quentin ang mga halikan nila. He said that he respected her so much and he would not ask for it until they are married.

Pero iba noong umagang iyon, she woke up late. Nagtataka siya na hindi siya ginising ni Quentin para sa kaniyang friday classes.

Mabilis siyang nag-ayos at bumaba na para kumain nang mapansin niyang may apat na tao ang nasa hapag.

“I am so sorry, Daddy. Na-late ako,” aniya at hinalikan ang pisngi ng kaniyang ama.

She was stunned when she realized who was the lady who sat between Quentin and Angela. Her hair was short. She looked fragile and her complexion was close to white. Mapupula ang pisngi niya and even her make up was too good. Nakasuot siya ng simpleng t-shirt at ripped pants. She was also wearing boots.

Tumikhim siya at tumingin kay Quentin. He looked stiff and his aura was too dark. Parang napililitan sa sitwasyon.

“Clementine, ito si Cressida. Ang ex-girlfriend ni Quentin,” pakilala ni Don Wilfredo na may malaking ngiti.

Umigting ang panga ni Quentin.

Ngumiti si Cressida at naglahad ng kaniyang kamay. Even her nails were well done and neat. Kinuha niya iyon.

“Hello, you must be Senyorita Clementine?” tanong niya sa mahinhin na boses.

Lumunok si Clementine at binitiwan iyon.

“And you must be Cressida Decerna?” tanong niya pabalik.

“The one and only,” she answered and chuckled.

Sinulyapan ni Clementine si Quentin. He was looking at her face the entire time. She smiled at her and seated.

Cressida Decerna was eating breakfast with so much finesse and class in front of her.

‘She’s here. She’s really here.’ she said on her mind.