That High Maintenance Girl

Kabanata 45 — Promise

Quentin drove them home. Tahimik si Clementine sa buong biyahe. She cannot seem to understand why would Celestina Diogracia would burn the whole village of the people who worked for them.

Tumigil ang sasakyan sa harap ng bahay. Clementine did not wait and removed her seat belts.

“Clementine,” tawag ni Quentin.

Angela remained sitting on the back. Hindi pinansin ni Clementine ang mga tawag ni Quentin at mabilis na naglakad papasok.

Patay na ang mga ilaw. Pasado alas dos na ng madaling araw. Quentin followed her but she walked so fast para hindi siya maabutan nito. She locked her bedroom door and slammed her body on the bed.

“Tine,” tinig iyon ni Quentin.

He knocked three times and stopped when she did not respond.

“You sleep and don’t overthink. We will talk tomorrow.”

Mahigpit niyang hinawakan ang unan. Kaya ba malayo ang loob ng mga magsasakang nagtatrabaho sa kaniya?

She cried. She was so clueless. Everyone in San Lucas seemed to know. Para siyang tanga. She’s the only one who did not know and the worse part was, she’s the daughter of the woman they accused.

Hindi siya magawang makatulog. She just cried and cried hanggang sa unti-unting magliwanag na ang paligid. She looked at the clock. It’s just five forty five in the morning.

She regained her strength and went out. Wala pa masiyadong tao sa labas. Only the patrol guards on their gate.

Tiningnan niya ang malaking wedding picture ni Don Wilfredo at ng ina. Her tears formed when she looked at the angelic face of her mother.

She wiped it as she went to the stables.

“Tapa,” she called and brushed the horse’s body.

Umakyat siya sa saddle nito. She doesn’t feel any fear. She needed to get away from here or she will lose her mind. Inutusan niya si Tapa na umalis doon.

She can remember the way to the family cemetery. She used to go there months after her mother’s death. She rode Tapa until there. Tinali niya ang kabayo sa puno.

The family cemetery was located inside their hacienda. It was well maintained. Lumapit siya sa open mausoleum at pumunta sa tapat kung nasaan nandoon ang abo ng ina.

She cried while looking at her name. She looked up at her mother with so much respect. She was kind, soft and forgiving. Sa tuwing nag-aaway sila ni Don Wilfredo, she’s the first one to apologize kahit kasalanan iyon ni Don Wilfredo.

“Mommy, is that true?” she whispered.

Umupo siya at umiyak sa mga tuhod niya.

“H-Hindi ako naniniwala, Mommy. You were so kind to them. You were the queen but you always prioritize them. Hindi ko maintindihan bakit mo susunugin ang mga bahay nila?” she said and cried.

She was so lost.

Simula nang dumating siya sa Pilipinas, her happiness was short lived. Palagi na lang may kaakibat na problema ang bawat kasiyahan niya. Para bang hindi siya pinasasaya.

She felt so weak. She stayed there until her tears were dry at wala nang ni isa pang pumapatak. She was always crying that it made her eyes numb.

Sumandal siya sa marmol na column ng mausoleum at sinubsob ang mukha sa mga tuhod niya. She heard footsteps.

Nag-angat siya ng tingin at nakitang nakaluhod sa tapat niya si Quentin. He looked at her worriedly.

“Tine, stop crying.” he whispered. “I am so sorry.”

Hinawakan nito ang mga mata niyang namamaga na. Pumikit ng mariin si Clementine. One touch from him and he’s comforted.

“You did not tell me, Quentin…” she said.

Umigting ang mga panga ni Quentin.

“Sorry, Clementine.” he said.

Tumulo ang panibagong luha sa mga mata ni Clementine. The sun started to rise. Ang araw ay unti unting tumama sa marmol na sahig ng museleo.

“Nagsasabi ba ng totoo si Cressida? Si Mommy ba ang sumunog ng village niyo?” she asked.

Hindi nagsalita si Quentin. He just looked at her. May sakit sa mga mata niya.

“You should talk to Don Wilfredo about this, Clementine. Wala ako'ng karapatan na sumagot sa’yo tungkol dito.” sagot niya sa mahinahong boses.

Clementine sobbed. Hindi nagsalita pa si Quentin. He just hugged her and brushed her hair with his fingers. Mahigpit ang mga yakap niya.

They stayed like that for an hour. When she calmed down again, she looked at him.

“Clementine!” he shouted.

Quentin watched as she fall on his arms. She lost her consciousness.

Nagising na lang si Clementine na nakahiga na siya sa kaniyang kama. She moved her hand. Angela was sitting beside her and stood up to look at her.

“Kuya!” sigaw nito habang papunta sa pintuan, “Gising na si Senyorita.”

Quentin entered the room. Sa likod nito ay si Doc Pablo. Tinulungan siya ni Quentin na makaupo. Doc Pablo checked her.

“Ano ang nangyari?” tanong niya, nanghihina.

The last she could remember was at the mausoleum. Quentin came. And then it was blurry.

“You were dehydrated and over fatigue, Clementine. You passed out.” sabi ni Doc Pablo sa kaniya.

“Okay na ba siya Pablo? O may mga gamot siyang kailangang inumin?” tanong naman ni Manang.

Quentin looked at Pablo.

“She needs to rest. Just buy vitamins C. Eat on time and have an adequate hours of sleep. Drink water always. Iyon lang muna sa ngayon, Manang Luisa.” payo ni Doc Pablo.

Umalis din agad si Doc Pablo na hinatid ni Manang at Angela sa pintuan. Clementine and Quentin was left alone.

“You should sleep more after eating, Senyorita.” sabi ni Quentin.

Tumango si Clementine. Wala siyang appetite pero dahil nag-aalala si Manang ay pinilit niyang sumubo.

Quentin blew a spoonful of porrige. Clementine ate it. Hindi niya namalayan na naubos na niya ang laman ng mangkok. She felt better. Inayos ni Quentin ang higaan niya. She drank water and laid down.

Kinumutan siya ni Quentin at hinalikan sa noo. He held her hands and squeezed it.

“I am so sorry for Cressida’s behavior. Pinagsabihan na siya nina Vilhelm.” sabi ni Quentin pagkatapos ng ilang saglit.

Clementine bit her lower lip.

“Why didn’t you tell me the truth Quentin?” tanong niya sa binata.

“Your father, Tine. He told me not to. Gusto kong sabihin sa’yo noong dalhin kita sa bahay.” he answered.

Nag-iwas ng tingin si Clementine sa kaniya. She felt something crushed her heart.

“Hindi ko gustong maglihim sa’yo, Tine. It was just it is not my story to tell.” dagdag pa ni Quentin.

Tumango si Clementine sa sinagot ng binata. She sighed and watched the curtain dancing with the wind.

“How about your scholarship grant? Bakit hindi mo sinabi sa akin?” tanong niya.

Quentin sighed and licked his lip. Para bang handa na siyang sagutin iyon. He knew that she will ask about it.

Tumayo siya at pumunta sa pintuan para i-lock iyon. Clementine watched him as he sat down on the side of her bed and caressed her face with gentle strokes.

“I won’t accept it, Clementine. I did not tell you because I don’t want that scholarship. Hindi mahalaga iyon.” he answered.

“But that’s Stanford, Quentin.” she said. “An international school will open more opportunities for you.“

Umiling si Quentin at tinagilid ang kaniyang ulo. He looked frustrated. Clementine watched him.

“This is why I don’t want to tell you.” aniya at tiningnan si Clementine.

“Hmm?” Clementine answered.

“I know you will say that to me. You will be the bigger person and you will push me to study abroad. Kilala kita, Clementine. You have a good heart that you’ll sacrifice.” he explained.

Pinanood lang ni Clementine ang expression ni Quentin.

“We just started our relationship, Clementine. I want to strengthen it before I make big decisions like this. I want to spend time with you. I want to know you more. I’ve never been like this to anyone, Tine but with you? Love is like an automatic feeling.”

Quentin sighed and looked at the window.

“Hindi ko kailangan ng magandang school, Clementine. I can succeed with my own talent. Hindi kita kailangang iwanan para magtagumpay ako.”

Ngumiti siya habang nagsasalita si Quentin. Kumunot ang noo ng binata sa kaniya.

“Did you hear me? Bakit ka nakangiti?” tanong nito sa kaniya.

“I love you too, Quentin.” she said and smiled, “I know, I did not say it back every time you said you love me. But I am falling and falling deeper in love everyday.”

Pumatak ang luha ni Clementine. She just felt overjoy that after hearing how he chose to stay with her than to accept that big opportunity. It was the first time someone chose her.

That was the first time in her life that she felt prioritized by someone aside her mother.

“Kiss me, Quentin.” she said.

Quentin blinked twice but followed what she said. Quentin kissed her. Hinayaan niyang halikan siya nito. Quentin deepened the kiss. His body automatically went on top of her so he can kiss her better.

Clementine’s hands roamed around his body. She quickly lifted up his shirt. He helped her in doing so. Quentin’s eyes were burning in passion and she was like that too.

She groaned as she felt the hard muscles of his abdomen. Mas hinapit niya papalapit ang katawan ni Quentin.

“Please,” she whispered when he started to weakened the kiss.

After seconds, he fully stopped the kiss and looked at her.

“Do you want this, Tine? We can always stop here if you are not ready. I can wait.” sabi niya.

Clementine sighed and nodded. She saw that his eyes were just holding back his desire and emotions. But she doesn’t want to stop anymore. She was so drunk with his kisses.

“I want you, Quentin. Right here, right now.”

It was like a go signal for Quentin. He kissed her again, this time with so much passion. His kisses were hot and fiery. Clementine opened her mouth so he can taste him.

He was like an ecstasy. He’s a good kisser. He was the best among all the men who kissed her. Clementine cannot take it anymore, hinubad niya ang kaniyang damit. Quentin was looking at her with so much darkness in his eyes. He was dominant and authoritative.

Quentin helped her in removing her shorts. Clementine smiled and removed his belt. She chuckled when her hands trembled. Quentin removed his belt and kissed her on the neck.

Clementine felt something hard that’s poking her tummy. Hinawakan niya ang magkabilang pisngi ni Quentin at ngumiti.

He removed her brasserie and he removed his boxer brief. Lumunok si Clementine habang pinapanood ang kagandahan ng kaniyang katawan.

He looked like a sculpture. He was sculpted perfectly that he can be called a masterpiece. Hindi siya makapaniwala na may ganito ka-perpektong tao at walang kabahid bahid ng kapintasan.

“Stop looking at me, Tine. You are making me conscious.” sabi ni Quentin.

Ngumiti at umiling si Clementine. She bit her lips. The teenager in her was screaming. She definitely bagged the hottest man on earth.

“Now, it is my turn.” he said and removed the remaining cloth on her body.

She felt the electricity from his fingertips as he pulled down her panties.

“Beautiful,” bulong ni Quentin.

Clementine dragged her to kiss him. He put butterfly kisses on her shoulders and neck. After that, he stopped again and looked at her eyes.

“We can still stop, Tine.” bulong ni Quentin, halatang nahihirapang sabihin iyon pero kinokontrol.

“Do not stop, Quentin.” aniya at hinalikan ang binata.

Umawang ang mga labi ni Quentin sa kaniya.

“I want you. All of you, Quentin.” she said and kissed him on his forehead.

“Please promise me that you cannot leave me after this.” sabi ni Quentin.

Clementine blinked. Quentin’s eyes were too serious. She tried to kiss him but he moved away and catch her wrists.

“Promise me first, Clementine.” he said.

Lumunok si Clementine at pumiglas sa pagkakahawak niya . She hungrily kissed him.

“I promise, I won’t leave.” she said in between kisses.