4 Chapter 3: Knowing Crisostomo Ibarra More

At the age of 24, I met the most handsome and gentleman human being. Sadly, he's not real and he can't be mine.

#3: Knowing Crisostomo Ibarra More

Polite, kind, and he is a real gentleman. The young men are nothing compared to him. I'm feel bad about those teenage boys, I think I'm in love with ---oops kidding! It's forbidden.

Let's just say I admire his politeness. We are few meters away from each other but he saw me and smiled. He looked at the bald man with a priest outfit.

"Oh! Padre Damaso is here!" He approached Padre Damaso, the bald and fat man and offered his hand. "My father's best friend. Nice to meet you."

I don't know if Padre Damaso is blind or dumb. He just stared at Crisostomo Hey! Accept the hand! Do not be rude!

"Forgive me if I was," Crisostomo said. And is he the one who's sorry? While the bald priest is the one who didn't take his hand. He lowered his hand.

"I am, but I have never been your father's friend," his voice is seriously disgusting. He was the one I heard loudly earlier while I was fixing my hair. He despises the Indios, those pure Filipinos.

Oh! This Padre Damaso is getting on my nerves! I read that he is kinda rude, I just can't remember everything exactly because I only read it once and also, it's a different feeling when you experience it yourself than when you just read it.

"Are you the son of Don Rafael Ibarra?" Asked by the other gentleman. I don't know him, but based on his outfit, he seems to have a position like Lieutenant.

"It's me, Mister."

"I met your father. I can say that he deserves to be honored because he is an honorable man. May you be fortunate than your father."

"I hope so. Thank you so much for what you said because I feel relieved."

I watched them in the distance and I was silent. It's like I'm watching a live play, but it's not like that. In this area, the play Noli Me Tangere happens and is hardly scripted. Many were having fun and some are speaking in Spanish. I couldn't understand but because of their smiles, I knew that they were happy.

After a while, we are able to eat. This is the scene where the two priests will fight for the middle seat. They have a lot of surprises!

"Friends, I forgot to introduce my daughter. I first introduced Crisostomo and I was too busy. My only child, Maria Clara," my eyes widened when Captain Tiago said that. Is there such a thing in the script?

Everyone looked at me with a smile. I smiled awkwardly. The smile on their lips is very nice, it's really different when you are with rich people.

That's why KJ, Padre Damaso, looks like he has a chisel in his eyes. By the way, he is my real father here. Wanna know why? Continue to read this story so you'll know the answer.

"Miss Maria Clara is a beautiful woman, she is the most beautiful and modest we know," said an old doña

Oh yes, I'm really beautiful! The reason why I am famous and rich is because I am beautiful. It's natural without any chemicals. I didn't do plastic surgery because I was born beautiful and I will die beautiful.

"Oh ... not at all," I said hesitantly while shaking my head. Because I'm not sure about modesty? What's that again? I don't seem to hear that women should be modest. "Besides, just call me Emcee. Maria Clara is too long, Doña ..."

"Victorina," she added. Her forehead frowned. "Emcee? Why Emcee instead of Maria Clara?"

I saw some people frowning at the table because they were about to eat. Others also stopped because they were waiting for my answer.

"Oh because ..." I have a hard time explaining to them because I don't really have the talent to explain. Good thing someone answered for me

"MC, it's her name's abbreviation. The letter M is for Maria and the C is for Clara," Crisostomo explained as his eyes focused on me. "In the United States, it's called initials which are often used for nicknames in the English language again.

Aww okay, it's Crisostomo. I should thank him because he saved my ass.

"Wow! Your daughter has a hidden intelligence, Captain Tiago," said Lieutenant Gueverra, the one who talk to Crisostomo earlier. "You're not only beautiful, Emcee. You're also smart and kind."

Oh myyy! I'm so overwhelmed! For the first time, somebody told me that I'm smart. I really appreciate the characters here at Noli Me Tangere. I am already in love with them but of course not romantically. It's prohibited.

"Well, let's all eat, everyone will sit down," CT said. This is the part I'm looking forward to the most with the intense scene.

Each of them went to the chair and some were intrigued by my 'so called' intelligence. "

This seat is reserved for you, Padre Damaso. You are the elder, you were high -ranking and powerful," said Padre Sibyla. His voice seemed defiant so it was more exciting

Padre Damaso pushed him the chair and he faced Padre Sibyla. "I'm not that old. I think you should sit here because you're the highest ranking priest now."

Pffft! Exciting! Even if it's a little scary, it's still exciting because their argument is happening right in front of me.

"Yes, Father Sibyla, stop arguing and just sit down," I said smiling. I will side with Padre Damaso since he is my father here. He just looked at me as if to say 'shut up there' look. Goodness! I feel like he has a bad attitude also.

"I'm just following your orders," Padre Sibyla said seriously. My eyes widened. Of course, this bald has a bad attitude. Even though he's my father, he's still bad! He has committed many crimes here!

"Oh, you're a bossy" They all looked at me. Father Sibyla, who frowned at me earlier, smiled. Damaso, on the other hand, frowned even more. "You sit there. Now!"

"I'm not bossy!" He shouted at me and he confronted Sibyla. "I'm not ordering. Sit down there!" I laughed at what he said so everyone looked at me again.

"Isn't it an order?"

"Shut up and I'm not talking to you!" Padre Damaso shouted so I backed away.

It was shocking! He's scary to be angry. Isn't he aware that I'm his daughter? Why ... is he such a fool?

"Miss Emcee! Why do you speak like that?" Doña Victorina asked. I also looked at those in the chairs at the table and their faces were mixed with frustration and disgust.

"Emcee, daughter. You're probably just tired of if anything bothers you. Sorry fathers, for my daughter's chaotic involvement."

They were silent and sat down one by one and no one tried to speak. I wish I could have kept quiet. I looked at Crisostomo.

I was about to smile but his eyes are like on fire. It seems ... seems like he's mad at me? We are eating but no one dared to talk. I thought we would just be quiet here all night like mutes. Fortunately, the talkative Doña Victorina was brave to open up a conversation.

"Don Crisostomo, how many years have you been away from the Philippines?" I looked at Crisostomo again even though he looked scary at me.

Thank goodness he looked at Doña Victorina and from the daring eyes he became calm and friendly he looked at Doña.

"Hmm, maybe seven years," he said smiling and politely. I was so scared. Why am I intimidated of this fictional character? He's ugly-- no he's not. He's annoying!

"Haven't you forgotten the Philippines?" Doña's new question.

What's this? Tonight With Doña Victorina? Ha! And Crisostomo is now a superstar? Well, he's the main character afterall. So it's okay if he's the star of the night. Still, I am the most famous Filipina ever!

"That won't happen. I may have forgotten by my own town but me? I will always remember my homeland," Crisostomo replied.

Wow! Such a nationalist! Doña Victorina frowned. Oh you don't get? Are you stupid? Kidding! I'm really stupid here. Hehe.

"I haven't heard news from the Philippines for years. I don't even know how and when my father died," even though he was smiling, I could feel the bitterness in his voice.

"Why didn't anyone send you a letter? You never know what happened to him!" Everyone is looking at me now.

I thought Crisostomo would continue to look mad at me, fortunately not because he smiled at me.

"I was probably in Germany at the time," he replied and smiled but there's a bitterness. Maybe he doesn't like the topic? Can I change i? Anyway, I'm the author of it right now since I've interfered in it. I just smiled at what I thought.

"Miss Emcee," Father Sibyla called me now. "Why did you and Padre Damaso interfere with us earlier when some of those here, including your father, did not join our argument?"

"Nothing, just to end the discussion," I excused. I thought they were buying my excuse but they just looked at each other.

"Then how do you communicate there?" Fortunately, Doña Victorina asked Crisostomo again and her attention was diverted again.

"I used the language of my country, Tagalog," he said proudly. Wow! You are patriotic!

"Are you fluent in English?" Father Sibyla asked.

"I lived in England for a year and only English is spoken there." Well lemme tell you some fact. In the Philippines, most of the Filipinos speak English well nowadays.

They kept talking. They are just saying those words in the script. Nothing more, nothing less. I don't think I should change anything here because this is just a pilot episode.

"Ladies and gentlemen, let me say goodbye. I still have a lot to finish. The most important part of this dinner is over." He raised his wine glass. "On behalf of Spain and Las Islas Filipinas."

I thought Captain Tiago would stop him but it didn't happened because I was already here or it would be better to say Maria Clara.

In the real story, Captain Tiago would stop Crisostomo for leaving because Maria Clara is on her way to this dinner but I changed that... or the librarian changed that.

"Did you see that? It's unacceptable for a young man to talk to priest like that! Is this the result of his study in Spain? It's so rude! He is full of himself and arrogant!" His forehead was very furrowed. Are you that super mad? He looked at me and pointed his fingers atme. "You're also rude!"

I held my chest. Me? Why does it seem like my fault?

-

I couldn't sleep well at night even though the bed was comfortable, the room was cold, and even if I was tired.

It's bothersome! it's just the beginning, but I feel like I'm going to loose here! Why did I joined the argument of the priests!

Until I just fell asleep to it. When I woke up, I had no intention of eating breakfast. Not because I want drama or whatever, I'm on a diet! Come on even if I'm inside Noli Me Tangere, I should still be sexy and beautiful.

I really don't want to stress by the people here duh! Especially with Padre Damaso. I just went straight to the azotea.

I'm living with a luxurious life here even if it's like 1890's! I was breathing fresh air here when suddenly someone grabbed my shoulder. Who is this ugly?

"Oh, Maria, hija. Emcee by the way, if that's what you want to be called. Why are you alone and you seem sad?"

I frowned and gave him a 'What are you talking about' look "Not at all!" Why is he assuming like that? "It's nothing."

I'll admit that I miss the real world too. I miss the school, the modeling world, the management-- no, not that! They are super strict with me. Let's include my family in what I don't miss! Annoyingly, they didn't fight for me to the management and I went back to school!

"Would you like to take a vacation first so you can breathe some fresh air? Where do you want to be, in Malabon or somewhere?" My eyes widened at what he said.

"Really? Can I take a vacation?" He nodded. "I want to go in Bora, I miss swimming there. Let's go swimming!" I said happily and acting like I'm swimming in the beach. He frowned, maybe wondering why my action is like that.

"Bora? Where is that?" He asked crookedly. By the way, this is an old -fashioned version! This is around 1890s isn't it? Maybe they are outdated or maybe, Boracay is not really here because only Rizal made it and it wasn't really the Philippines before.

"Cousin, can I borrow M.C first?" Aunt Isabel asked. Captain Tiago nodded so I turned to Aunt Isabel who approached me.

She was still wearing a simple but pleasant baro and saya, Philippines' traditional dress. Her hair is also in order and in her appearance, she looks like Imelda Marcos with her beauty and elegance.

"Here's what you've been waiting for!" She almost tore her lip with a smile.

"I'm not waiting for anyone-" I couldn't finish what I was about to say because Crisostomo Ibarra suddenly came. I raised an eyebrow at him.

"Oh, Don Ibarra is here. Here's your true lo---" Captain Tiago didn't finish what he was going to say because Aunt Isabel simply kicked him.

"Ouch! Why did you do that?" Aunt Isabel glared at him.

"We'll leave you first. Come on Cousin!" They walked away including Father ---just kidding! Captain Tiago.

Crisostomo and I were left here and neither of us spoke. There was a cricket sound because we were really so quiet. The wind blew hard and the dead leaves fly away.

[TULAD MO: TJ MONTERDE] FILIPINO SONG

[What is your name I want to know And if you already have a boyfriend I hope not You can't blame me Always glancing In your eyes Oh how beautiful oh young lady (ENGLISH TRANSLATION) ]

"What are you doing here?" I simply asked because I don't see any reason why-- Oh shocks! Of course! He was going to ask for forgiveness here because he didn't wait for her last night. That is from the original story.

But why would he still apologize if we met last night? Anyway, for whatever reason, I'm just going to pretend that I'm mad at him because the real story is Maria Clara is mad at him because he didn't wait for her. I folded my arms and turned away.

[Oh someone like you Is also not to be let go Do you know when we became together I will never let you go You will be taken care of and not neglected Because You are my Princess]

"Won't you even apologize?" I heard his question, the reason why I dropped my jaw. I turned around so I faced him. Why does the story seem different? I'm the one he should persuade!

"As long as you remember that with each change of scene, the ensuing event and its related scenes will change," by the librarian

[O beautiful fairy I hope there is hope I wrote LOVE And you are the title Hopefully Notice its feelings That nothing else is demanded But You be Mine]

What the Librarian said came to my mind. Because we met right away and he didn't leave without seeing me, there was no reason for him to apologize to me. But why should I apologize to him?

"And why should I apologize to you, Mister?" I raised an eyebrow to him. He smiled but it seemed because he was disgusted.

[Or someone like you Is also not to be let go Do you know when we became together I will never let you go You will be taken care of and not neglected Because You are my Princess]

"Because of what happened last night, Maria Clara. Why do you have to interfere with the two priests vying for a seat? What if you offended them?" He said seriously.

[I'm not playing I'm not kidding Just give it to me darling When you show up]

Oh wow! He was angry with a touch of concern. Crisostomo Ibarra cares for me huhu I think I'm in-love--- just kidding! It' prohibited. I fall in love with myself. Hehe.

[That's one like you Is also to be released I promise when we become I will court you every day]

"Then I'm sorry! And then nothing happened so that's okay. Don't you worry!" Even though I'm not really sorry I have turned my back on him because I see no reason to talk to him right now.

That's why I was surprised when he suddenly hugged my back.

[Oh someone like you Is also not to be let go Do you know when we became together I will never let you go You will be taken care of and not neglected Because You are my Princess Princess. Princess. Princess. Like you. ]

"Forgive me too, My dear Maria Clara if I am angry with you. I only think of your situation. I can't deal if something bad happens to you. Even in my dream you are the content. You have never lost my heart. I remember when my professor once scolded me, he told me to forget you but why would my heart that loves you listen to him and my mind is only focused on you not on what my professor said? "

As he said those words only one entered my mind. It feels good to be Maria Clara.

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