That High Maintenance Girl

Kabanata 38 — Choice

Clementine was the star of everyone’s attention when she got back to school. Lumunok siya at bumaba sa sasakyan ni Quentin. Angela did not go with them and left early.

Kaninang madaling araw lang siya inihatid ni Vance pabalik ng mansiyon. She spent her whole weekend on the Decerna’s.

It was surprisingly quiet at their mansion. She kind of expecting some talking with Don Wilfredo but none came.

She wondered that what did Quentin say to hide what happened.

“See you later.” sabi ni Quentin nang bumaba siya sa sasakyan.

She did not answer but nodded. Wala ni isa siyang tiningnan. Lourdes Garcia was right. She should not be afraid.

Pumunta siya sa klase niya. Angela rolled her eyes nang makita siya. Bumulong naman si Meddie sa ilang kaklase. Natigil ang nga ingay niya but there’s judgement in their eyes.

She confidently sat on the back.

“Ang kapal talaga noong isa diyan!” sigaw ni Meddie pero hindi tumitingin sa kaniya.

Clementine bit her tongue. She can fight with peace. Hindi siya kailanman magsasalita ng masasama at pagiging palengkera sa kaninuman. Celestina Diogracia taught her daughter to be classy and such finesse all the time.

The professor entered. Tumagos ang mga tingin nito sa likuran kung saan siya nakaupo. The face of the old professor screamed disgust.

“Good morning class,” pagbati niya at kinuha ang mga test papers, “I will be giving you your test scores from lowest to highest.”

“For sure, ikaw na naman ang top.” sabi ni Wendy kay Angela.

Ngumisi lang si Angela sa kaibigan at bumaling sa unahan. Saglit na nagbulungan ang mga ito. The old professor started calling names.

Tumatayo ang mga estudiyante sa tuwing natatawag ang kaniyang pangalan. The papers were given. The professor hold two pieces of test papers.

“Second highest…” the professor looked at the name. “Blanco, Angela.”

Wendy sighed in disbelief. Nanghihina na tumayo si Angela. May simangot sa mukha niya. Kinuha niya ang papel at tumingin kay Clementine.

Huminga nang malalim si Clementine. It means she’s the highest. The old professor looked at her and nodded.

“So…it leaves Diogracia, Clementine as the highest,” sabi ng professor.

Parang punyal na nakamamatay ang mga titig ng mga kaklase niya. But Clementine did not care about it as she was so happy to be the top score.

“Thank you, Sir.” sabi niya.

Kinuha niya ang kaniyang papel. She had one mistake. Kinagat niya ang labi. She should’ve been perfected the exam.

Naglakad siya pabalik sa upuan. Her male classmates whispered but loud enough to be heard.

“Hindi ba si Quentin ang proctor natin sa exam na ito? At matagal siyang tumambay sa likod. Hindi kaya binigay niya ang mga sagot kasi hindi ba sila na?” tanong nito sa katabi niyang kaibigan.

Clementine stopped walking. Hindi niya nagustuhan iyon. She worked hard for this examination at hindi siya papayag na ma-invalidate iyon ng mga chismis lang.

She walked back until she’s face to face with the guy’s seat. Gulat ang mukha nito lalo na ng titigan niya ito. She smirked at him.

“Kung binigay ni Quentin ang sagot sa akin bakit nahiya pa ako at hindi ko na-perfect ang exam, hindi ba?” tanong niya.

Her tone was very sarcastic that the whole class looked at her. Wala siyang pakialam kung nandoon ang matandang professor nila. Quentin’s not that type of guy.

Nakakatawa lang isipin na kung gaano kataas ang tingin nila dati, ganoon kababaw ang mga judgements ng tao kay Quentin ngayon. Just because of one mistake, and his high and mighty image crumble so easily.

“H-Ha?” tanong noong lalaki.

Clementine folded her arms and smirked at the guy. This is one of the things she hated with dumb guys. Masiyadong madaldal pero kapag sinubukan mong i-confront, wala rin naman palang ibubuga.

Kinuha ni Clementine ang test paper ng lalaki na nasa desk niya.

“Ah! Pasang awa,” she said and licked her lips. “Next time, you should study more para hindi ka basta salita ng salita. It shows, how uneducated you are.” she continued and smiled.

“Miss Diogracia!” sigaw ng professor.

Clementine put his test paper back on the table and continued walking to her seat. Very confident siyang umupo roon. She looked at the professor and smirked.

Angela’s eyes looked at her. Tinaasan niya ito ng kilay. Galit na galit itong tumingin sa unahan. The class ended on time. Sinisikop ni Clementine ang notes niya para kumain na ng lunch when Angela and her friends walked to her.

“Hindi porket highest ka, you can disrespect someone!” sigaw ni Angela.

Tamad na nag-angat si Clementine rito. That was the first time that she saw Angela after their catfight. Ngumisi siya nang makita ang pasa nito sa bibig.

“That guy disrespected me first, so I had to return the favor, Angela. This is a two-way street.”

Angela sighed in disbelief.

“Kahit na! The professor is still in the room, if you still have some decency in your body which I think is wala na… you would not make a scene.” Angela said.

Umirap si Clementine. She knew that Angela wasn’t acting like this because she’s the student council president. She’s looking for something to blame her because she’s mad at her.

“Come on, Angela. Did you know what he said?” sarcastic na tanong ni Clementine.

Angela just watched her. Ngumiti si Clementine.

“That your brother gave me the answer key because we are dating,” she said and looked at Angela from head to toe, “Now, if you have some decency left in your body… you will defend your brother’s image because we both know that Quentin isn’t like that.”

Hindi na hinintay ni Clementine na makasagot si Angela. She bumped her shoulder before she walked out.

Naabutan niyang nakasandal sa railings ng hallway sina Korics at Vance. They both looked at her worriedly. She rolled her eyes.

“What?” tanong niya.

Korics looked at Angela who’s now going outside the classroom before he looked back to Clementine.

“Are you okay?” tanong nito.

Angela heard his question. Napansin ni Clementine ang pamumutla at kaunting sakit sa mukha nito bago niya hinila sina Meddie papalayo.

She shrugged to Korics.

“I don’t know.” she answered.

Parang anino niya ang dalawa sa school. Korics and Vance sometimes argue. Hindi tuloy maiwasan ni Clementine na mapairap dahil para siyang nag-aalaga ng dalawang bata.

They sat on their usual table. This time, Korics joined them and Frances did not. Vance offered to order her food. Nilapag nito ang carbonara sa harapan niya.

The juniors entered the cafeteria. Nakita ni Clementine si Frances na kinakausap ng isa sa mga kaklase niya. R Tiningnan ni Clementine ito na nakaupo sa mga ka-batchmate niya.

She looked pale and depressed.

“Huwag mo nang tingnan, Clementine.” Vance said when he noticed that Clementine cannot stop looking at Frances.

“I feel guilty,” aniya sa kaibigan.

Binuksan naman ni Korics ang bote ng softdrinks at sinalin iyon sa plastic cup nilang tatlo.

“You should be. What you did, it freaking hurts.” sabat naman ni Korics.

Ngumiwi si Clementine at pinigilan na saksakin ito ng tinidor. Pinaikot niya ang pasta sa kaniyang tinidor.

Hindi pa rin maalis sa kaniya ang atensiyon ng lahat. The juniors on Frances’ table looked at her with disgust. May binulong pa iyong isa kay Frances. Frances sneak a look at Clementine. Nagkasalubong ang kanilang mga mata. Frances swallowed angrily and looked away.

The whole SLCC thought that Clementine was the evil. That she fought with Angela and Frances, the two angels of the town.

Marami ang spekulasyon sa kaniya. Some said that she even forced Quentin to choose her kahit pa may nabubuo na itong feelings for Frances. She wanted to laugh it but she stopped herself. She was hated enough at ayaw na niyang dagdagan iyon.

After lunch, the classes with Quentin will be next. Hindi maiwasan ni Clementine ang kabahan. It’s a good thing na kaklase niya sa subject na iyon si Vance. They walked together.

“Si Vance naman ang nilalapitan niya ngayon? Ang landi talaga.” A sophomore on the hallway said.

Clementine wanted to answer badly but Vance whispered to her.

“Calm yourself, you don’t want to make trouble again…”

Pumikit na lang siya at hinayaan na ang sophomore. Her classmates in this subject looked at her like she’s a celebrity. She rose her eyebrows at them.

Umupo sila ni Vance sa likuran to avoid their eyes. They did not talk and waited for Quentin. But thirty minutes had passed, wala pa rin.

Clementine started to get anxious.

‘What happened with him? Bakit hindi siya pumupunta rito?’ she thought and looked at the door.

The door opened.

May mga singhap na mula sa estudiyante na inaabangan din ang pagpasok ni Quentin. Angela entered with Herlene, the lady professor.

Mas lalong lumakas ang mga bulungan na inalis na si Quentin sa SLCC dahil sa nangyari last week.

Dumiretso ang mga mata ni Herlene sa kaniya. She looked serious as she opened the textbook.

“Class, I will be the substitute teacher for this subject until further notice. I know everyone knew me but I will introduce myself once again.” she said and looked at them, “I am Professor Herlene Panopio and I want everyone to be in their proper behavior in this class.”

Clementine sighed as she emphasized the diction of proper behavior as a blow to her. She’s sure it was for her. Herlene obviously likes Quentin.

The class ended early. Nagsiuwian na lahat.

Vance waited for her so he can walk with her but Herlene called for Angela and Clementine.

“Pinapapunta kayo sa Dean’s office, right now.” she said and left.

Nagkatinginan sila ni Vance this is the moment of truth. Vance nodded at her.

“It’s okay. I will walk you to the Dean’s office.” he said.

Angela was walking with Meddie and Wendy. Habang sila ni Vance ay naglalakad sa likuran nila. Wala sa tamang huwisyo si Clementine sa mga panahong iyon.

She knew that she will be suspended or worse, expelled for the violations she did. Ang hindi niya alam, paano ang magiging reaksiyon ni Don Wilfredo once the news broke.

“Pasok na kayo,” sabi ng sekretarya ng Dean.

Tumango si Vance sa kaniya. She squeezed his arms and followed the secretary. Saglit silang nagkatinginan ni Angela. They saw the Dean talking to Quentin.

They both have serious face.

“Sit down, both of you.” utos ng dean at inalis ang kaniyang salamin.

He was holding a pen. Pinagmasdan nito ang lahat. Mabilis na umupo si Angela sa tabihan ng kapatid. Tumungo naman si Clementine sa tapat ni Quentin at doon naupo.

“Dean, nandito na rin po si Beredo.” sabi noong nurse at tinuro kay Frances na karatating lang ang upuan sa tabi ni Clementine.

Igting ang paa ni Frances na umupo roon. Clementine can feel Quentin’s eyes pierced her but she cannot look back. Not until she knew what will happen.

“Since you are all here, let’s discuss the scandal you’re all involved in.” sabi ng Dean at binuksan ang handbook.

“Mr. Blanco, is it true that you are courting Miss Diogracia? You know that’s taboo in while you are in school.” sabi ni Dean.

Tumango si Quentin.

“Yes, I have personal feelings for Miss Diogracia, Sir.” aniya at tumingin kay Clementine.

Clementine was so shocked. She wanted him to deny it so he can save his reputation but he chose not to. Clementine bit her lower lip to stop reacting to it.

“I know, Dean. It’s true that it is a sin, that is why I am distancing myself to her. I am doing the right thing to separate our personal affairs from our University life.” he said honestly.

Umiling ang Dean.

“Kahit na! This type of relationship is not—“

“With all due respect Dean, we are not official. Nililigawan niya ako and we are not seen at the campus together except when I am attending his class or when we go to school and have to go home. We are living in the same house. You cannot expect us not to interact because that’s impossible.” Clementine directly said.

Natigilan ang Dean sa sinabi niya. Binaba nito ang ballpen at hinilot ang kaniyang sentido. His eyes were bloodshot and closed it before he decided to look at Frances.

“And you, Miss Beredo. You are also violationg the handbook. What are you thinking by attempting to confess to a professor at dito pa talaga sa eskuwelahan?” sabi ni Dean.

Frances sobbed quietly. Clementine cannot move. She felt like it was her fault. She gave power to Frances. She pushed her to be where she is right now.

“You slapped Miss Diogracia as the students witnessed and you know we don’t tolerate violence.” the Dean said with a disappointed face.

“I-I am sorry, Dean.” she said while sobbing. “Hindi ko lang napigilan ang emosiyon ko lalo na ng sabihin ni Pres. Angela ang katotohanan sa akin.”

Angela’s eyes widened. Clementine looked at Angela with pure sarcasm as she thought before that Angela said it to Frances. Quentin cannot believe it. Hindi siya nagpakita ng kahit na anong emosiyon. He just looked at the Dean.

“And you, Miss Blanco, you are the Student Council President! You are a top student and yet you involved yourself with a catfight with Miss Diogracia.” Dean said.

Yumuko si Angela.

“P-Pasensiya na po, Dean. Hindi na mauulit po.” iyon lang ang sinabi niya.

The Dean sighed and watched them all. Kinuha niya ang papel.

“Let’s get this over with para makauwi na tayong lahat. I am so tired with work and I cannot squeeze catfights and scandals to my schedule.” sabi niya.

He looked at Angela.

“For your sanctions, Angela. You will clean the school after classes for two straight weeks. No buts. And you will be removed from all the student council activities until your sanctions are over.” he said.

Tumango si Angela. The Dean looked at Frances.

“Beredo, you will be suspended for two weeks.” sabi ni Dean.

Frances sobbed more. Pumikit si Clementine at nag-iwas ng tingin.

“And for both of you, Miss Diogracia and Mr. Blanco,” Dean trailed off.

“I cannot accept student-teacher relationship in this institution. So, you have to make a choice. Break the personal affair between you too and you both can stay in SLCC or one of you has to leave this University.”