That High Maintenance Girl

Kabanata 44 — Loathed

Clementine stood up so she can watch them better. Pumunta siya sa mga table kung saan nandoon ang mga pagkain at inumin.

Nagsalin siya sa kaniyang baso at uminom doon. Nilingon niya muli ang banda nina Quentin. Nakaupo na si Cressida sa tabihan ni Quentin.

Quentin was casually talking to a man while Cressida’s talking to some. If you will look at them, no one can think that something is up. Para lang magkakaibigan na nag-uusap.

Clementine poured another shot of alcohol when Korics went to her. He was tipsy but still aware.

“Are you okay?” tanong nito sa kaniya.

Ngumuso si Clementine at bumaling sa banda nina Quentin.

“You invited her, Korics?” tanong niya at umirap, “I thought we are friends. Why are you betraying me?”

Tumingin si Korics sa banda nila at nagsalin ng alak sa baso niya.

“I did not invite Cressida. I invited Rea, the woman next to her. I did not know that she will tag along.” sagot ni Korics.

Tumango si Clementine. She saw how Quentin’s eyes scanned Vance’s table. He stood up and looked around. Cressida tried to hold his hand but he flinched and scanned again.

His eyes stopped when he found hers. May intesidad ang mga titig nito. Clementine sipped on her liquor. She watched how Quentin walked away from the table without looking at anyone.

Hinintay ni Clementine na makalapit ang binata sa kaniya. She tilted her head.

“You’re turning red,” ani Quentin. “Lasing ka na ba?”

Ngumuso si Clementine.

“You would know if you’re not too busy.” she answered.

Hindi niya alam pero iyon ang lumabas sa bibig niya. Maybe it’s because the tequila made her tipsy already.

Kumunot ang noo ni Quentin.

“Hindi ako busy. A friend talked to me about the organic farm.” aniya at tiningnan si Korics na nanonood sa kanila.

“Mukhang ikaw ang busy sa ating dalawa,” sabi ni Quentin, tinutukoy di Korics.

Tinaas ni Korics ang kaniyang kamay.

“Party ko ito, man! I am just checking up on my friend.” pagtatanggol ni Korics at unti-unti nang lumayo dahil hinila ng ilang ka-team sa basketball.

“You are rude,” sabi ni Clementine.

“I am not. You and that Korics seemed to be getting closer and closer.” sagot ni Quentin, "What happened to that he's creepy vibes to you?" he asked.

Tumawa si Clementine sa tanong na iyon ni Quentin.

"We are okay na. He apologized already. Give him a chance, Quentin." she said.

"Whatever, Senyorita."

Tumaas ang kilay ni Clementine at ngumisi sa binata.

“Huwag mo'ng sabihin na nagseselos ka?” tanong niya.

Tiningnan siya ni Quentin at nilagay ang kamay niya sa bulsa.

“Yep. I am.” sagot niya.

Nawala ang ngisi ni Clementine. He was so straightforward at hindi man lang nag-deny.

Ngumuso si Quentin at tumabi na sa kaniya para magsalin ulit ng alak. Sumandal si Clementine sa table. She saw on her peripheral vision that Cressida and their friends were looking at them.

“Your ex is looking at us.” sabi ni Clementine.

Hinawakan ni Quentin ang kaniyang kamay at nagkibit balikat.

“Hayaan mo. I am not interested.” sabi nito.

“If you are not really interested, prove it.”

Kumunot ang noo ni Quentin. He looked at her curiously.

“Let’s go and sit on your friend’s table.” she said.

Umiling si Quentin pero hindi siya pinigilan. Umupo silang dalawa doon. Nakatingin ang mga ito sa kanila.

“Guys, si Tine.“ sabi ni Quentin. “Girlfriend ko.”

Ngumiti si Clementine at kinamayan sila isa-isa. She sat in between of Quentin and Cressida.

Malaki ang ngiti ni Cressida pero nahahalata na medyo pilit iyon. But she remained classy and did not try to talk to Quentin.

Nag-usap sila at minsan ay natatanong din si Clementine. His friends including Cressida were all matured kaya mas seryosong mga bagay ang pinag-uusapan nila kaysa sa grupo nina Vance na puro basketball o hindi kaya mga school works.

“I heard from NYU ka?” sabi ni Rea, iyong babaeng kasama ni Cressida.

Tumango si Clementine.

“Yup,” casual na sagot niya at nilagok ang alak.

“Si Cress, nag-te-take ng masters niya sa Stanford.“ sabi pa nito.

Tumingin si Clementine kay Cressida. She smiled and nodded.

“Wow, Stanford. It’s a great school.” sabi niya at ngumiti na rin.

Nakisali na rin ang isa sa mga naroon at nagtanong na rin.

“Kailan ang balik mo sa Stanford? Vacation lang ang sabi ni Vilhelm.”

“Yes, nagbabakasyon lang ako rito for a week. I am going to go back next week. I just came here to offer some scholarship to Quentin.”

Natigilan si Clementine. The shock was plastered on her face and it was too obvious. Cressida looked at her and a curious look was seen at her eyes.

“Hindi mo sinabi sa kaniya, Q?” tanong ni Cressida.

Everyone looked at Clementine. Lumunok si Clementine at nag-iwas ng tingin.

“Hindi ako interesado sa offer mo kaya bakit ko sasabihin sa kaniya?” tanong ni Quentin.

Napawi ang ngiti ni Cressida. Mulha siyang nasaktan sa sagot ni Quentin. Clementine held her glass with so much pressure.

Questions came on her mind. Sunud-sunod ang mga ito.

‘What does she mean scholarship? Stanford offered him a scholarship? At bakit hindi man lang niya sinabi iyon?’

“Woah, may scholarship ka Quentin? That’s wild bro!” sabi ni Hans, isa sa mga kaibigan nila.

"No. My Uncle Vernon had a friend na naghahanap ng scholar. All expense paid until graduation. I can not think of anyone na mas qualified pa kay Q kaya naman I did not hesitate to fly back here, Hans." Cressida explained.

Umiling si Quentin at nilagok ang alak niya.

“Nag-aaral na ako sa La Salle, Hans. It’s my last year so no need to transfer schools.” sagot niya.

The topic diverted to business again. Tila ba hindi lang si Clementine ang nakakaramdam sa tensyon. She remained silent.

Quentin’s arm was behind her chair. Hinayaan lang niya ang mga ito. He was now drawing circles on her arm.

Nakailang baso pa siya ng alak. She suddenly wanted to pee kaya naman nag-excuse siya ng sarili. She entered Korics’ house. May ilang mga tao ang nandoon at nag-iinuman. She spotted that some of the people there were from the Student Council. Angela was there and she immediately watched her every move like she’s going to steal something.

It’s like a typical American teen party. Binati siya ng ilang kakilala doon. She just nodded. Nakita niya pang nagbubulungan sina Meddie doon but she shrugged it off.

It was too common that she can say where the bathroom was. She entered and did her business.

She went to the kitchen sink and washed her hands. Pumasok din si Cressida doon at kumuha ng baso. She opened the fridge and got some water.

Clementine tore some tissue paper and dried her hands. She was about to leave when Cressida talked.

“He did not trust you enough.” iyon lang ang sinabi niya.

Clementine looked at her and stopped on her tracks.

“Excuse me?” she asked.

Cressida faced her while holding a glass. Her reaction was too far from the happy and friendly Cressida. Parang ibang tao na ang kaharap niya ngayon.

“Hindi niya sinabi sa’yo ang tungkol sa offer na scholarship sa kaniya.” she said, “It means, hindi ka pa niya pinagkakatiwalaan.”

“Where is this conversation going, Cressida?” tanong ni Clementine.

Alam ni Clementine na maaaring magkaroon sila ng ganitong pag-uusap ni Cressida dahil hindi pa ito nakaka-move on. It was too obvious.

“Hindi ka pa niya ganoon kamahal, Clementine. He’s the type of guy who’s transparent to his partner. He used to tell me everything when were still together.” sagot niya.

Umiling si Clementine.

“Noon 'yun, Cressida. Besides, he told na hindi siya interesado kaya hindi niya sinabi. I have trust in my man. Stop overthinking yourself. He ended it with you.”

Cressida put down the glass and smirked at her. Clementine looked at the kitchen’s entrance. No one’s here. Kaya siguro nilalabas ni Cressida ang tunay niyang ugali.

“But there will never be an end to us, Clementine. I am a part of him and you cannot erase that. My mark on him still lingers somewhere.” she said.

Clementine did not say anything. She just listened to her.

“You are immature and gullible. Laman ka ng tabloid and your business achievements do not matches his level. Masiyado kang isip bata para sa kaniya. Hindi kayo nababagay.” she continued.

Tila napigtas ang anumang pagiging kalma niya kay Cressida. She tried to be civil and decent but she’s not gonna put up with her behavior.

“At ano ang nababagay sa kaniya, Cressida? Ikaw? Don’t think highly of yourself. Hindi ka santa gaya ng iniisip mo.” she answered.

“Ano ang ibig mong sabihin?” tanong niya, halatang na-offend sa kaniya. “Hindi ka mahal ni Quentin! He’s just making you think like that para pagselosin ako!”

Tumawa si Clementine sa sinabi niya.

“Come on, Cressida. Stop being pathetic. You should be thankful na civil pa siya sa’yo after what you’ve done.” she said.

Nalaglag ang panga ni Cressida. Clementine did not tell her about the baby because it’s wrong to use the innocent just to win a fight. But it seemed like Cressida got what she’s saying. Galit na ang kaniyang mata.

“B*tch! Just because he told you about our child doesn't mean he's true to you.” ani Cressida.

“Stop acting like he’s still yours. You left him here. You hurt him and you broke him. You just can’t expect that you will come back here and take him again.” she answered.

She was about to leave again as this conversation was getting pointless and more pathetic.

“If you have some conscience left, you must end it with him. You don’t deserve him after what your evil mother did.” she said.

Clementine was so shocked.

“What the hell are you talking about my mother?” tanong niya.

Kinuyom ni Clementine ang palad niya. Cressida regained her confidence.

“Hindi mo alam?” she asked and smiled sarcastically, “What do we expect from Celestina Diogracia?”

“Shut up! Do not drag my mother into this.” she warned. “You do not have the right to taint my mother’s memories. She’s well loved!”

Tumawa si Cressida.

“Do you know what your mother did? Poor you! Wala kang kaalam-alam. You think your mother was loved by San Lucas? You’re wrong, Senyorita! She was loathed by many.”

Agad na kinuyom ni Clementine ang kaniyang kamay at sinugod si Cressida para sampalin ito. It was a strong slap that made her head turned to her right.

Hawak-hawak ni Cressida ang kaniyang pisngi nang pumasok si Quentin. He looked at them.

"Ano ang nangyayari rito?" Quentin asked.

Nanginginig sa galit si Clementine. Nangilid naman ang luha ni Cressida at tinuro si Clementine.

“Q, she just slapped me!” sumbong niya.

Clementine did not move. Wala siyang pakialam. Cressida deserved that slap. Lumapit naman si Quentin kay Clementine at hinawakan ang braso nito pero inalis iyon ni Clementine.

“Totoo ba ‘yun, Tine?” tanong ni Quentin.

Clementine nodded. Hindi na niya maitatanggi iyon dahil pulang pula ang pisngi ni Cressida.

“She said the people hated my mother, Quentin. She somewhat insulted my mother.” she said.

“Sh*t, Cressida! Ginawa mo ‘yon?” he asked angrily.

Cressida laughed. Hindi siya makapaniwala.

“Bakit, Quentin? Totoo naman diba? I am just saying the truth to her! Everyone was reminded by her of Donya Celestina’s sin to the farmers of San Lucas!”

“Tumigil ka na, Cress.” sabi ni Quentin

Pumikit ang mga mata ni Quentin. Lumapit siya kay Clementine para ilayo na ito sa kusina but she flinched.

May ilang mga tao na ang sumilip sa kanilang tatlo dahil lumalakas na ang nga boses nila.

“Ano ang ibig mo'ng sabihin, Cressida? Ano ang ginawa ng mommy ko?” tanong ni Clementine at naglakas loob.

She smiled sarcastically while her tears were streaming down her face.

“Mamamatay tao lang naman ang mommy mo! Sinunog niya ang village nina Quentin. She killed so many farmers. Kaya karma niya na nagkasakit siya.”

"It was my Daddy and not my Mommy!" she said.

"It's not true, Quentin! Hindi ba?" Clementine asked him but he did not gave her an answer.

He just looked at Cressida with angry eyes.

“Tangina naman, Cressida! Tama na!” sigaw ni Quentin.

"Do not make me stop, Q! She started this. She used our dead child!" she screamed back to Quentin.

Gulat ang mga tao sa sinabi ni Cressida. Angela had to squeeze her way in para makalapit. She looked shocked and lost but she decided to put an end to it. Natigil ang kasiyahan ng halos lahat. Vance made his way through the crowd and looked angrily at Cressida.

“What the hell, Cress?” tanong niya at lumapit na doon.

“Korics, pauwiin na muna natin ang mga tao.” sabi ni Angela at nagsimula nang kausapin ang mga iyon.

Korics and Quentin’s friends made the audience to disperse. Pinauwi na ni Korics ang mga dumalo doon. Vance dragged Cressida out of there.

Clementine was too stunned. Hindi siya makagalaw kahit pa niyakap siya ni Quentin at hinahaplos ang buhok niya.

“Stop overthinking, Clementine.” bulong ni Quentin. “Let’s go home, baby.”