That High Maintenance Girl

Kabanata 39 — Principles

Clementine looked at the quiet Quentin. He looked serious while looking at the dean and nodded.

“I choose to resign, Sir.” sagot niya.

Suminghap si Angela. There’s a mix of pained and disappointed expression on her face. Frances cannot stop crying. Patuloy ang pagpatak ng luha niya.

Lumunok si Clementine. She knew she cannot have the choice of dropping out and transferring to another school because it will mean that Don Wilfredo will be informed as her guardian.

Mas gugustuhin pa ni Clementine na mas piliin ni Quentin ang pagputol ng kahit na anong nabubuo sa pagitan nila.

She knew that this work is very important to Quentin. He needed the money to support his studies in La Salle. It’s a well known University meaning the cost to study there is a large amount of money.

“Sigurado ka na ba, Mr. Blanco?” tanong ni Dean.

Huminga nang malalim si Quentin at tumango. He smiled for a bit and nodded.

“Yes, Dean. I've never been so sure like this.” iyon lang ang naging sagot niya.

Sinuot ng Dean ang kaniyang salamin at huminga nang malalim.

“It’s a shame to let a brilliant mind to go but it was your decision,” sabi ni Dean at tumingin sa sekretarya niya bago tumango, “Just make your resignation formal. Send a letter to my office and coordinate with the faculty head so he can assign your subjects to other professor.”

Tumango si Quentin.

“I will do that, Sir.” aniya at tumingin kay Clementine.

Kinagat ni Clementine ang kaniyang labi. Tumikhim siya at tumingin kay Dean.

“Miss Diogracia, you will not also get away from this. You will be having the same sanctions with Miss Blanco but yours will be within a month.”

“That’s it everyone. Hindi ko na ipapatawag ang mga magulang niyo. Let’s consider this settled. I don’t want to see you in my office again. Nagkakaintindihan ba tayo?” tanong ni Dean.

They all nodded. Nauna na umalis si Frances. Wala itong tiningnan ni isa sa kanila at nagmamadaling lumabas habang inaayos ang kaniyang mukha.

Angela followed. Walang imik at hindi rin makatingin sa kapatid. Clementine stood up and walked straight. Pagkabukas niya ng pintuan, nandoon si Vance at Korics na naghihintay sa kaniya.

“What happened?” Vance asked and his voice was laced with concern.

Tumango si Clementine. Nasa malayong bahagi si Angela pero nanatiling nakatayo roon. Sabay silang uuwi ngayon.

“It’s settled. I will tell you the details tomorrow. I just want to rest.” she said.

Umigting ang panga ni Vance at hinawakan ang tuktok ng ulo niya. Ngumiti si Clementine.

“Bukas? Ibig sabihin hindi ka na-expelled?” tanong ni Korics na nasa tabihan ni Vance.

“Why? Do you want me to be expelled?” sarcastic na tanong niya pabalik.

“No. You’re silly. I am just curious, that’s all.” sagot ni Korics sa kaniya.

Umiling si Vance at ngumisi. Quentin went out of the door. Seryoso itong tumingin sa kanila. He stopped behind Clementine and removed Vance’s hand on her head.

Kumunot ang noo ni Vance. Quentin sighed and smirked at Vance. Hinawakan ni Quentin ang pala-pulsuhan ni Clementine.

“What?” tanong niya sa tahimik na si Vance, “I can do this freely. I am not a teacher here anymore.”

Nilingon ni Quentin si Clementine. She snorted with his confidence. Tumaas lang ang kilay ni Quentin at hinila na siya papalayo.

Nagmatigas siya at tinaas ang isa pang kamay para kumaway kina Korics at Vance na nanonood sa kanila.

“See you tomorrow!” aniya at nagpatianod na kay Quentin.

Nilampasan ni Quentin at Clementine si Angela na nakatayo sa dulo ng hallway. Clementine can hear her heels clicking on the floor indicating na nakasunod ito sa kanilang dalawa.

Tahimik sila habang papunta sa parking lot. Binuksan ni Quentin ang sasakyan. Clementine sat on the passenger seat while Angela’s on the backseat.

The silence was deafening on the way home. Clementine wanted to tell something about his decision but chose not to because Angela’s listening.

Bumusina si Quentin at bumukas na ang gate ng mansiyon. Naghihintay si Manang sa porch gaya ng dati.

Naunang bumaba si Angela at nagmamadaling nagmano kay Manang. Clementine watched her back disappeared from the front door.

“Are you sure about this?” tanong niya kay Quentin at tiningnan si Manang, “Ano ang sasabihin mo kapag tinanong ka ni Manang?”

Tinanggal ni Quentin ang kaniyang seatbelt.

“Don’t worry about it, Senyorita. I can handle it.” he answered and smiled.

Pinanood niyang bumaba si Quentin sa pick up. Tumango si Clementine at bumaba na rin. Nauna siyang umakyat para magmano kay Manang.

Nakangiti si Manang.

“Oh, magbihis na kayo at sasabay daw ngayon si Don Juan sa hapag.” maligayang balita ni Manang kay Clementine.

Imbis na matuwa siya, parang pumatak ang puso niya papunta sa kaniyang tiyan. Out of all the times na hindi sumasabay si Don Wilfredo sa hapunan, ngayon pa talaga nagkataon.

Mabilis ang hakbang ni Clementine na bumaba para sa hapunan. Natatakot siyang may masabi si Angela kay Don Wilfredo.

Nakaupo na roon si Don Wilfredo. He shaved his head for the chemotheraphy. Lumapit si Clementine at hinawakan ang kamay nitong nasa hapag.

“How are you feeling, Daddy?” tanong niya, tunay na nag-aalala.

Mas pumayat na si Don Wilfredo. He’s almost bones.

“I am good, Clementine Serra.” he answered and put a table napkin on his lap.

Tumango ito kay Meddie at Isay na nakatayo sa tabihan ng mesa.

“Magsimula na tayo,” ani Don Wilfredo.

Nagsalin na ng mga juice at kanin sina Isay. Kaunti lang ang hiningi ni Clementine. Hindi siya makakakain sa sitwasyong ito.

Tahimik lamang si Angela. Si Quentin naman ay gaya ng kaniyang usual na tindig. Sumubo ng pirasong karne si Don Wilfredo.

“I heard you've spent the weekends with the Decerna? How was it hija? Ano ang mga natutunan mo sa kanila sa pagmamanage ng organic farm? Did Veronica or her daughter taught you a thing?” tanong ni Don Wilfredo, he looked interested.

Clementine looked confused. Nag-angat siya ng tingin kay Quentin.

‘Iyon ba ang sinabi niyang dahilan kay Daddy?’ aniya sa kaniyang isipan.

Tumango si Quentin na para bang nababasa nito ang nasa isip niya. Nag-plaster ng pekeng ngiti si Clementine.

“Y-Yes, Daddy. Nagkausap kami ni Lourdes at Mason tungkol sa organic farms over dinner. Nagbigay din siya ng mga tips tungkol doon that I might tell Quentin to apply on our organic farm.” she said.

Ngumiti si Don Wilfredo. Binaba ni Clementine ang tingin niya sa pagkain.

“That’s good, Clementine. You are starting to think like a businesswoman. Continue to be like this. I told you that Decerna boy is a good influence on you.” he complimented.

Tumikhim si Clementine at uminom ng tubig. The tension on the table suddenly rose. Angela chewed slowly while Quentin looked at his plate.

“By the way, Quentin. How’s the whole hacienda doing? I want some reports on my desk tonight. Let’s talk in my office after this.” sabi ni Don Wilfredo.

Uminom ng tubig si Quentin at tumango.

“Makakaasa kayo, Don Wilfredo.” sagot niya at nagpatuloy sa pagkain.

Clementine drank her juice. She cannot eat anymore. Mukhang hindi siya matutunawan sa sobrang kaba niya. The tormenting dinner ended.

Tumingin si Don Wilfredo kay Melba.

“Magdala ka ng tsaa sa opisina ko, Melba.” utos nito.

Tumango si Melba at ngumiti para pumunta sa kusina. Hinayaan ng private nurse na itulak ni Quentin ang wheelchair ni Don Wilfredo.

Clementine wiped the sides of her lips and stood up. She followed them and entered her room. Gaya ng dati, naupo siya sa balkonahe para makinig. She was waiting for Quentin to have a slip of his tongur but he didn’t.

Huminga siya nang malalim dahil sa ginhawa nang natapos ang meeting. Mabilis siyang tumayo para masalubong si Quentin.

Binuksan niya ang pintuan at saktong kalalabas lang ni Quentin mula sa opisina ni Don Wilfredo. Nagtataka si Quentin nang hilahin siya ni Clementine papasok ng kaniyang kuwarto.

“Ano ang ginagawa mo, Senyorita?” tanong ni Quentin.

Clementine just looked at him.

“Why did you choose to quit?” tanong niya.

Kumunot ang noo ni Quentin.

“Why are we having this conversation?” tanong ni Quentin pabalik.

Pumikit si Clementine. If he’s going to make her guilty every night like this then she don’t want it. One look at Quentin and you can say he's unaffected at all.

“Quentin…” ulit ni Clementine. “We both know that this is important to you. You need money for your studies.“

Huminga nang malalim si Quentin at umupo sa paanan ng kama ni Clementine. Yumuko si Clementine para makita niya ang perpektong mukha ni Quentin.

Ngumiti si Quentin.

“Then, what do you want me to do?” tanong ni Quentin.

“I want us to be smart about this. You should have said that we will cut it off and pretend when we’re in school—“

“Not a chance, baby.” he said ang grabbed both of Clementine’s wrists.

Lumunok si Clementine. He pulled her that she ended up sitting sideways on his lap. Nagkatitigan silang dalawa. It’s his sudden moves that makes her knees melt with unexpected feelings.

“I don’t lie, ‘Tine. Never did and never will do. Just trust me, okay? I am a man with a plan, you know that.” he said.

Lumunok si Clementine at tumango. Humiga si Quentin sa kaniyang kama at pumikit.

“It’s already done, Tine. We are not hiding anymore.” sabi ni Quentin.

Tumayo si Clementine at humiga sa tabi ni Quentin. They just laid next to each other and looked at the ceiling.

“Only at school,” she said.

She swallowed hard. Nakita niya sa peripheral vision niya na tumingin si Quentin sa kaniya. She stayed looking at the ceiling.

“It sucks to think that we are hiding at home. Quite ironical, isn't it? Hindi ba dapat sa bahay ka mas nagpapakatotoo?” she asked him.

Quentin fell silent.

“Your father wouldn’t approve of me, Clementine.” he admitted. “I am a man with no fortune, no expensive car and no name.” he said and smiled bitterly.

Clementine looked at him. Iyon ang unang pagkakataon na narinig niyang magsabi ng negative tungkol sa sarili niya si Quentin.

She turned to her side so she can see him better. Quentin did the same. Pareho nilang ginawang unan ang isa nilang braso.

“No. You’re a man with principle.” she said and looked at his eyes, “No amount of money can be greater than that.”

“If I had a daughter and she started to date someone like me, I think I will be like your father. I want the best for my daughter.” he said na nakapagpa-tahimik kay Clementine.

Ngumiti si Quentin at hinawakan ang isang kamay ni Clementine at nilagay iyon sa kaniyang dibdib. She can feel the wild beating of his heart.

“Do you feel that?” tanong ni Quentin.

Tumango si Clementine. Hinalikan ni Quentin ang kaniyang pulso at mabilis na bumangon. Naguguluhang nilingon ni Clementine ang binata.

“Stop looking that pretty, Clementine.” he said and stacked all the folders he’s holding before.

“I will go now before I lose complete control of myself.” he said and kissed her forehead.

Bumangon si Clementine at pinanood ang binata na lumabas sa pintuan. When the door closed behind him. Sinalampak ni Clementine ang kaniyang katawan sa kama.

She watched her curtains flow to the breeze of the wind passing through her sliding doors. Niyakap niya ang sarili.

When Lourdes Garcia meant that if Quentin’s feelings are sincere, then he would do the right thing… Does she meant like this?

Then she wondered, wala bang tamang desisyon na walang kailangan i-compromise? Does loving someone make you sacrifice? Because he did.

Quentin chose to quit just to save her. She felt guilty that she cannot help him at all. He won’t lie. He’s the most honest person she met in her entire life.

If this is the right thing that Lourdes talked about, she doesn’t want it. If the right thing to do had to result to this guilty feeling… she would not have it.