Memoirs of Love

Chapter 15: Binondo

Ika-16 ng Setyembre, taong 1901

Lunes nang umaga

"PRINCE, what're you doing here?" tanong ni Cassie rito. "Are you done with your business at Fort Santiago?"

Hindi pa nasasagot ni Prince ang tanong niya ay mabilis na tumayo si Mr. Winters, ang Amerikanong nag-i-interview sa kaniya, mula sa kinauupuan nito, lumapit kay Prince at nakipagkamay rito na may kasama pang tapik sa balikat ng isa't isa na para bang matagal ng magkakilala ang mga ito.

Or are they really? tanong niya sa sarili.

"How're you, Williams?" usisa ni Mr. Winters kay Prince.

"I'm fine, Winters," tugon ni Prince dito. "How 'bout you?"

"I'm okay, too," sagot nito kay Prince. "It's been a long time since you've visited me here. Wait! Do you know her?" Pagkatapos ay tinuro siya nito.

"Yeah," Prince answered. "Actually, I have a favor to ask you. I know that you're the boss here. So, I think there'll be no problem with hiring her as a schoolteacher under the Bureau of Education, am I right?"

Hindi kaagad sumagot si Mr. Winters. Sa halip ay tiningnan muna siya nito mula ulo hanggang paa. "Wait! Is she your girlfriend?"

Bagaman mali ang hinala ni Mr. Winters ay hindi maiwasang mamula ng kaniyang mga pisngi at kiligin nang konti dahil napagkamalan sila nitong magkasintahan ni Prince.

"No," tanggi ni Prince kay Mr. Winters dahilan kung bakit bigla siyang nagising sa katotohanan. "Actually, she's my girlfriend's best friend."

"But, why're you recommending her instead of your girlfriend?" usisa nito sa kaniya.

"Have you read the recommendation letter from Mr. Bertrand?" ganting-tanong naman ni Prince dito.

"Not yet," pagsisinungaling nito dahil ang totoo ay sinabi nito sa kaniya kaninang ayaw na nitong basahin pa ito.

"Well... Let's say that she's Mr. Bertrand's apprentice," sabi ni Prince kay Mr. Winters.

"I understand now," nakakaunawang wika naman nito. Pagkatapos ay siya naman ang tinignan nito. "If that's the case, then I've got no other choice but to give you the job. But, you'll still be in a probationary status until the Division Superintendent of Schools in your province comes to your school, observed your class and approved your assignment to the post. For the meantime, your compensation will just be a quarter of what the American teachers are being paid. Is that okay with you?"

"It's alright, sir," pagtanggap niya sa mga kondisyones nito. Sa totoo lang, kumpara sa yaman ng pamilya nila ay kapiranggot lang ang kikitain niya mula sa pagtuturo. Kaso, kailangan niyang pumayag dahil iyon ang trabaho ng totoong Casiana ayon sa kasaysayan.

"Very well, then," Mr. Winters said with finality. Pagkatapos ay may kinuha itong papel at inabot iyon sa kaniya. "Fill-up this form by writing your full name and the other details that were being asked for. Then, put your signature below. Okay?"

Ginawa naman niya ang sinabi nito. Pagkatapos ay inabot niya ang form dito nang matapos na siya. "Expect the arrival of the Superintendent in your school before you receive your paycheck at the end of the month. After your observation, you'll receive another letter stating if you're hired or not. Anyway, congratulations, Ms. Madriegos," he smilingly said, extending his hand to her.

Tinanggap naman niya ang pakikipagkamay nito. "Thank you, Mr. Winters."

⏳⏳⏳

"THANK you for helping me, Prince," pasalamat ni Cassie rito habang nakasakay silang tatlo nina Prince at Calista sa kalesa.