MARIA CLARA AND WHATEVER HIS NAME IS (A KLAY X FIDEL STORY)
Summary: Following the arrival of his best friend Crisostomo Ibarra, Fidel meets Klay, a mysterious mestiza de sangley who challenges him and his beliefs. As he starts questioning himself and the presence of the woman before him, he wonders if she is but a mere disturbance in his life or something much greater.
Author's Note: I do not own the characters of Noli Me Tangere or Maria Clara at Ibarra. This is just an idea in my head about the story of Klay and Fidel in the teleserye. Please excuse my writing since it's my first time. The story's mainly in English pero sa mga dialogue may Filipino/Spanish din para consistent dun sa show.
Any favorites, follows, and reviews will be appreciated. Enjoy Chapter 1!
Chapter 1: Love at First Babu
Based on the events in Episodes 3 & 4 of Maria Clara at Ibarra from Fidel's POV (and Klay's)
After 7 years, Juan Crisostomo Ibarra y Magsalin sent a letter to his closest friend Fidel Reyes y Maglipol detailing his return to Las Filipinas.
Just like Ibarra, Fidel also studied in Europe. Aside from sightseeing the beautiful landmarks, trying the delicious cuisine, conversing with like-minded Europeans, and even meeting beautiful women, he wanted to learn more about managing a business. His studies were cut short when his father passed away. Because of this, Fidel had to leave his amigo in Europe, promising to keep in touch until Ibarra finishes his studies and comes back to Las Filipinas.
Now in charge of Maglipol Empresa Comercio, a successful trading company in his hometown of San Diego, he applied what he had learned to take care of the business.
Awaiting Crisostomo's imminent return, a celebration was currently being arranged by Maria Clara and her family.
Nearby, Fidel had lunch at Cafe La Campana with two acquaintances. As they discussed both business and personal affairs, he was surprised to hear a familiar voice.
"Sinasabi ko nanga at dito ko lamang kayo matatagpuan."
Fidel stood up and warmly greeted Ibarra, sharing a toast to his return. "Bueno. Sientate, amigo." He told him to sit down, looking forward to catching up.
"Sandali nga pala at may kasama akong binibini. Siya raw ay dayuhan dito sa siyudad. Sa kasamaang-palad ay hindi pa raw nanananghalian ang pobrecita."
Fidel directed his attention to the mestiza de sangley his friend was referring to and he had to admit, she was quite pleasing to the eyes.
He stood up again, noticing just how small the woman was before him. It was quite adorable.
"Isang magandang dalaga." Fidel said with a smirk. "Amigo, kaya pala ibig mong tulungan."
'Ay, mukhang babaero 'tong lalakeng 'to. Grabe makatingin. Ang yabang ng dating akala mo naman napakapogi. Chinito lang naman. May mas gwapo pa sa'yo sa panahon ko gaya ni Xian Lim o kaya si Dennis Trillo...'
For a second, Klay wondered how someone like Sir Ibarra was friends with someone like him but chose not to assume anything just yet.
'Huwag mo munang i-judge, Klay. Hindi mo pa naman kilala. Eh kung kaibigan siya ni Sir Ibarra edi baka mabait nga.'
Fidel, along with the rest of the men at the table, raised their eyebrows when the mestiza sat with them.
'Que interesante...' Fidel thought. This woman had no shame.
One of his friends pointed out the binibini's mistake but she still seemed clueless. Or was she just acting clueless?
"Isang dalagang... Tila atang walang pakialam sa anuman sasabihin ng iba."
"Bakit? May problema po ba?" Ibarra explained the situation to Klay and she finally sat at the other table.
Fidel became more and more curious by the minute. Who was this woman? He continued stealing glances, quietly observing the binibini's actions. He noticed how she was struggling to read from the menu she'd been given. He was starting to question her odd behavior. How did she know Ibarra and why was she turning to him for help? Was this poor woman taking advantage of his friend? And why wasn't she aware of social etiquette or even something as basic as the Spanish language?
After Ibarra took her order for her, Fidel questioned his friend's standards, prompting laughs from the other men at the table.
Fidel regretted taking an interest in her in the first place. It was too bad. She seemed more interesting than any other girl he has come across. Turns out, she was just as lame as the rest of them.
'Now, what is she doing?"
After overhearing their conversation, Klay approached their table and started spouting all kinds of nonsense about women receiving education in the future, achieving careers in business, the sciences, and even becoming president. To this, all Fidel could do was roll his eyes. What the hell did she know? It didn't even look like she had a proper education.
"Ano masasabi niyo dun?"
Silence filled the table, all the men either looked amused or in disbelief. Fidel, annoyed with the smug look on her face, whispered to Ibarra instead of responding to the question.
"This woman is losing it. What foolishness is she talking about?"
"It's true what they say, hunger is one of the causes of insanity."
Fidel and the others chuckled at Ibarra's comment. He was hoping she'd take the hint and leave them alone. Surely, she knew it was pointless to argue with them given her background.
"I beg your pardon?" The woman didn't back off and continued speaking to the group's surprise. Fidel and Ibarra even exchanged glances.
"I'm just stating a fact that intelligence has nothing to do with one's gender. And that everyone and I mean everyone. Men, women, children, even the rich and the poor... Everyone has that basic human right to education."
They were left speechless. Fidel, and even Ibarra, were noticeably impressed. Everyone stopped what they were doing and actually listened to what she had to say because it made sense.
'Padre mia, she's more interesting than I thought.'
"Estoy sorprendido... Paano ka natutong magsalita ng wikang Ingles?" He looked at her and saw that smug look on her face again. The questions he had about her were as endless as it was before.
'PLM? Saan kaya yun?'
The men's questions were left unanswered as Klay excused herself and went back to her table.
Fidel's mouth felt dry. He started looking in her direction again. Never in his life did he think he would be so intrigued by a complete stranger, let alone a woman for God's sake. He wanted to get to know her better, that's for sure.
As everyone finished their meal, Ibarra and Fidel bid the two men goodbye and headed for the exit with Klay following closely behind.
Fidel told Ibarra he couldn't come with him to the celebration at Maria Clara's but he still offered Ibarra to join him on his way back to San Diego. He also didn't want to leave a bad impression on the woman he could not stop thinking about. So, he decided to make amends and introduce himself.
"At ah... Ikaw binibini... It is both an honor and a privilege to meet you. Hayaan mo akong magpakilala sa'yo. Ako nga pala si Fidel Reyes y Maglipol. At ikaw ay si?..."
"Maria Clara Infantes."
As Ibarra reacted to the woman sharing a similar name with his nobya Maria Clara, Fidel was lost in his own thoughts.
'Tila'y lalo siyang gumaganda kapag nakangiti.'
He came back to his senses when he heard Ibarra mention him. "Magpasalamat ka sa nagbayad."
Fidel cleared his throat and smiled politely. He exchanged goodbyes before Ibarra left the cafe.
Before Klay could leave, Fidel called her attention, insisting to bring her home. "Ah, binibini. Saan ka pala tumutuloy? I can bring you home if you want?"
'Ah, so ngayon, mabait ka na sakin? Alam ko na yung mga kilos na ganto. Wala akong oras para sa mga lalakeng kagaya mo noh.'
"Thank you..."
Klay thought about it for a moment. 'Ano kaya papel nito sa Noli? Wala ata akong nabasang Fidel sa kwento... Mukhang side character lang, mas ok pa ata kung manatili ako kay Sir Ibarra.'
"...but no. Babu."
Klay exited as fast as she could, hoping to catch up with Sir Ibarra. Fidel was confused by her words.
"Babu? Anong ibig sabihin nun?"
Fidel's other friends noticed him still by the exit. "Ah, amigo. Hindi ba't sabi mo na aalis ka na para makausap yung kliyente mong malapit sa la plaza del mercado?"
"Ah, malapit ng mawala sa isip ko. Salamat sa paalala..." Before he left for the exit he just had to ask. "Alam niyo ba kung ano ibig sabihin ng Babu?"
"Babu?"
"Yun yung salitang winika ng mestiza de sangley kanina bago siya umalis."
"Huwag mo na siyang alalalahanin, mi amigo. Gaya ng sinabi ko kanina, sakit lamang yung mga babaeng tulad niya sa ulo." The two men went on ahead, shaking their heads.
That's the thing. He was expecting to feel annoyed when she was talking but he felt the opposite. Hearing her speak her mind was refreshing. Never in his life has he met anyone like her. She was no ordinary woman and he was hoping that that wasn't their last encounter.
"Maria Clara Infantes… Sino ka, saan ka nanggaling, at paano ka napunta dito sa San Diego?"
End of Chapter 1.
Author's Note: Ahhhh that's it (for now). Wala pang nasshare na backstory ni Fidel so far, so lahat ng minemention ko dito gawa gawa ko lang hehehe. Hopefully, dumami pa yung stories for our #FiLay couple. I will try and continue this story depende sa reactions ninyo. And nagrequest pala ako sa AO3 kung puwede ako magka-account bali next week ko pa daw makukuha so dito nalang muna. Sa susunod ulit MCAI fans! If you want to message me or want updates with the future chapters, you can follow my Twitter account (filayendgame)
Translation of Spanish terms used:
Pobrecita - poor dear
Bueno - ok, sure, fine, good, or alright
Amigo - friend
Que interesante - How interesting
Sientate - sit down
mestiza de sangley - person of pure overseas Chinese ancestry and mixed Chinese and native Filipino ancestry
