Like I said before, Noli Me Tangere was not all about Crisostomo Ibarra. Sometimes I wonder, what's the real point of the story?
#12: Focus, Open Your Eyes
I HAVE no idea why this man is in our house ans who lets him in. The last time we saw each other is from the pilot episode of Noli Me Tangere. Where Padre Sibyla and he had a little argument. Aside from that, I had no news from him.
"Why won't you face me?" He asked. I rolled my eyes.
Well, it's because my conscience cannot face the most wicked one in the story. How can someone like him exists? Although, he's a fictional character—I just can't...
We are in Captain Tiago's office with Captain Tiago and Aunt Isabel.
"Maria Clara! Show your respect to your godfather!" Captain Tiago told me and hit the desk. Since when did Captain Tiago become this brave?
"Just tell me what you need," Isaid smiling but of course, like my nails, it's fake!
Oh damn, I miss my fake nails!
"Right, Padre Damaso, with all due respect, how may we belp you?" Aunt Isabel awkwardly smiled.
"Well," he stands up from his seat. "Well, you are notorious for your unique and disgusting attitude, Maria."
His voice seems serious but he's not that scary like I thought. You know what? I think Captain Tiago is scarier than him.
"Yes. I am sorry for that, Padre Damaso. I raised her wrongly. I don't know why she's being like that?" Captain Tiago said apologetically.
I glared at Captain Tiago. Look at this old man. I haven't done anything wrong to him! I thought he is a father material but no! He's not!
"No, it's not your fault. I understand where she's coming from. I believe it's because of me," Padre Damaso said with a low voice seems like he is sorry.
I raised my brow. What's his problem? Is he out of his mind? This is my attitude because this is me! Not because of anyone's fault.
"What are you saying?" I disgustedly asked.
"I know that I may not be with you these past few days, and I can't guide you well, but please," he walks closer to me and surprisingly he hold my hand. "Don't do this, Maria. Don't oppose Salvi. I am no longer the head of the church. Please be careful."
My jaw dropped because of what he said. Is he concerned about me? I didn't know that he cares about me—oh, yes, of course! He is the biological father of Maria Clara, and he truly cherishes her. He may not be a good person, definitely, but he's kind to Maria Clara.
I was stunned when he hugs me. "This is not the last time we'll meet. I'll visit whenever I had a chance."
I just rolled my eyes. He can show his true colors in front of me since I already know how cruel he is.
But you know what... I hate that I can see the sadness in his eyes.
The sky is now dark and I am reading some books here in the mansion's library. It's about learning the Spanish language. In this era, almost all of them talk Spanish.
"Hola, me llamo Manuela Carie Flores," I read with a smile on my face. It says: Hello, my name is Manuela Carie Flores.
No one could hear me here so it's okay even if I am saying my real name.
"Te extraño," I said, it means I miss you. I think of people who I think I miss, and the result is it is my parents. "Mamá y Papá."
I keep on reading and saying it aloud so I can memorize it. Here are some:
Mucho gusto = Nice to meet you
¿Cómo estás? = How are you?
Estoy bien, gracias = I'm well thank you
Disculpa. ¿Dónde está el baño? = Excuse me. Where is the bathroom?
"Te quiero..." I laughed because I don't think of anyone when I read the meaning of this. I love you.
I don't remember crying because of someone I loved or being heartbroken. I don't deserve it. I always believe that I am too gorgeous to cry for someone.
Even if I have plenty of ex-boyfriends—or perhaps flings, not too serious—I don't think that I really love someone. I also don't think that they love me because they only like me. After all, I am physically attractive. They are just flattered. I am also just flattered.
But this man, always makes me feel special. Every time I feel sad, he makes me smile. Every time I felt unwanted, he makes me feel that I am chosen. Chosen by him. That's what he does.
Funny because I think of him even if I shouldn't. I think of Crisostomo because he's the only one... who makes my heart beats out of time. But of course, I can't love him.
"Te quiero, Crisostomo..." I unconsciously said.
-
THE other day came, and it is Sunday. We went to church altogether with Captain Tiago, Aunt Isabel, Marites my personal assistant, and Crisostomo but he is not on my side. Man and woman are in separate seats. Men are in the right side, while women are in the left.
I am just looking at him from afar. He is focusing on the mass. He looks handsome effortlessly. He is doing nothing yet he looks perfect. His eyes are deep and lovely. Every time his eyes met mine, I felt like he is the most handsome human being I ever met. Even though he is just a fictional character.
Guess who is the priest? It is my dad, Padre Damaso. Yuck! He is too cruel and horrible to become my father.
He is standing so straight, looks authoritative, and honorable. He is speaking in Spanish, so I couldn't understand him well.
But because I read some Spanish words last night, I understand that he is thanking the Lord for giving us blessings, despite us being sinners.
And by what he said, the people who can understand him were amazed by him. They feel like he is still the best priest of them all. They are just a few.
"Padre Damaso is still better than any priest in this town," the lady said while holding a rosary. She looks glamorous and seems like from high society.
"I agree. He is also fluent in Spanish, and many languages," her seatmate said. They are the only ones who like him.
"Pecadores, mírenlo con total remordimiento y reverencia. Basta con mirar a Gedeón, el valiente David, el victorioso Roldan, el ángel de la guarda del cielo que es más violento que cualquier guardia," Padre Damaso said that made my nose bleed.
But I kinda understand what he said. He meant that: You sinners, look at Him with full remorse and reverence. Just look at Gideon, the brave David, the victorious Roldan, the guardian angels of the sky who is more violent than any guard.
Look at this clown. Look who is talking. He is the one who commits many sins here yet he's the one who is lecturing.
The man in my front, who is sitting in the third row of seats stand up and almost leave but Padre Damaso mentions him. Wow, special mention? Why is that?
"Alperes (junior army), the cross is more powerful than any other weapons, right? Religion is more powerful than any other thing."
I observed that the listeners are now bored. Teniente Guevarra, (who I met from the pilot episode the one who talks about the late Don Rafael Ibarra a lot) is now sleepy. It seems like no one is interested in Padre Damaso's words.
I also don't care about Padre Damaso and his lectures. I am not also religious so I'm not interested.
Also, the priest is a fraud. I am just focusing on sight viewing, which is Juan Crisosotomo Ibarra. He is a beautiful view.
And then my eyes widened when Elias went to him. Are they close? As far as I remember, he is jealous of Elias. Or I am just assuming it?
I tried my best to hear them but I can't. They are so far from me so I can't do anything. I want to eavesdrop but I can't! I was about to stand up but my seatmate talk.
"Is that important?" I looked at him. He looks familiar. I think I met him somewhere before, I just can't remember. "Is that part of your mission?"
My eyebrows furrowed. Why is he in our row when in fact, he's a man, and what mission is he talking about?
"Hello?" I asked him to repeat what he is saying. It's like modern tem for pardon, in the Philippines.
"Your mission," he met my eyes, and now I remember his face and when I did met him. It was in the boat, when it was sinking—jk! "Aren't you the intruder?"
My jaw dropped. I was stunned because of what he said. How did he know? I don't even know who is he but I think I must know because I feel like he also knows something.
"Listen to me, young women, hope you listened to an older man," he said and he looked at me seriously. " Noli Me Tangere is not all about Crisostomo. Don't be distracted. Don't focus on your goal. You must open your eyes. Widely. Beware of the real enemy, Emcee.
#
CHAPTER FEATURED SONG : FOCUS BY: ARIANA GRANDE
(*When Emcee focuses on Crisostomo instead of the mass)
(*When the familiar old man talk to Emcee)
I know what I came to do
And that ain't gonna change
So go ahead and talk your talk
'Cause I won't take the bait
I'm over here doing what I like
I'm over here working day and night
And if my real ain't real enough
I'm sorry for you bae
Let's find a light inside our universe now
Where ain't nobody keep on holding us down
Just come and get it let them say what they say
'Cause I'm about to put them all away
Focus on me
Focus on me
Focus on me
Focus on me
Focus on me (focus)
Focus on me (focus on me)
Focus on me (focus)
Focus on me (focus on me)
I can tell you're curious
It's written on your lips
Ain't no need to hold it back
Go head and talk your shit
I know you're hoping that I'll react
I know you're hoping I'm looking back
But if my real ain't real enough
Then I don't know what is
Let's find a light inside our universe now
Where ain't nobody keep on holding us down
Just come and get it let them say what they say
'Cause I'm about to put them all away
Focus on me
Focus on me
Focus on me
Focus on me
Focus on me (focus)
Focus on me (focus on me)
Focus on me (focus)
Focus on me (focus on me)
One, two, three
Come on girls
You know I like it
Come on now
Let's find a light inside our universe now
Where ain't nobody keep on holding us down
Just come and get it let them say what they say
'Cause I'm about to put them all away
Focus on me
Focus on me (you know I like it when you focus on me)
Focus on me
Focus on me (focus on me!)
Focus on me (focus)
Focus on me (focus on me)
Focus on me (focus)
Focus on me (focus on me)
Focus on me
Focus on me
Focus on me
Focus on me
Focus on me (focus)
Focus on me (focus on me)
Focus on me (focus)
Focus on me (focus on me)