Chapter 4- The Fight Over A Males' Uniform

Her mother was looking at Mr de la Cruz and asked in curiosity. "What is it that she was hesitant to relate?"

The teacher just shrugged off his shoulder as he had no idea what was in Richclar's mind.

Mr. de la Cruz left them in the boarding house with an equal curiosity and confusion as Richclar's mother had.

Since their hometown was 37 kilometers away from the provincial proper, Mrs. Samson had to leave before five o'clock in the afternoon. Or else, a passenger would be hiring a trimobile just to be able to reach home or may hike 18 kilometers.

"Mother, next week end I would like to go home as I have something important matter to discuss with you and with father. I want your agreement regarding it." She told her convincingly.

What else could a mother do but to agree with what she just told her.

" Okay, we would wait for you at home. We would be willing to listen to whatever you would like to tell us." these were the parting words of her mother as she sent her off to go home.

Week days went on smoothly in school. Just like when she was still in high school level, she devoted more of her time studying. She had no idle time for she saw to it that she did every requirement that her professors and instructors required them to do. Unlike during the acquaintance party and the days before it, there was no one who was pestering her. She was in her freedom mood to move anywhere in school. Except for the secret glances and keen observance of Mr. Joshua de la Cruz which was unknown to her.

It was Friday afternoon when she left her boarding house for her home. It was already dark when she arrived with her favorite viand intentionally cooked as her father and mother were really expecting her. There and then, they seated and ate voraciously with her family that she missed for about three months as she didn't go home every week end.

When she layed down in her bed, she was immediately asleep as she missed the ambiance of her bedroom, the bedroom she was used to it since she was seven years old. The bedroom that her father additionally built for her. The bedroom that her mother originally decorated it in a feminine surroundings but would have been changed little by little by her to turn it to be more of a male's bedroom.

"My child why did you alter the pink wall into a blue and yellow one?" Her mother once asked her.

"Just not my favorite colour Mama", she persuasively replied.

At dawn of the following morning while her siblings and parents were still asleep, she woke up to cook their meal for the breakfast. So, when her mother went to her bedroom upon waking up, she found it empty. Confused and wondered, she asked her husband, who was at the terrace, if he saw their youngest child. As the latter did not yet go to the kitchen, he gave her wife a negative answer.

All of a sudden, they heard their beloved youngest daughter's voice, calling them to dine with her the first meal for that day... "Breakfast time!"

Not swell headed, she went with her father to the rice field to help him in weeding. After lunch, she made a soft broom to help her parents complete the number of ordered soft brooms from their regular buyers. What else could her parents ask for her to do when she had her initiative in helping. In fact, as she grew older, she had become more and more responsible. For her, she would do everything to make her parents always happy and be proud of her.

After eating their evening meal, they spent sometime in making their craft industry as their livelihood resources. Eventually, this activity made them more tired that helped them slept tightly.

Sunday morning was a thanksgiving day for them. Hence, the members of their family were together in going to church to attend Holy Mass. When they arrived home from the church, they stayed in the living room to have their bonding moment and random conversation. It was at this time when Clariss reminded Richclar of what she would like to tell them for their agreement.

"Ma, Pa, would you agree with me to wear a male's uniform instead of my female's uniform? She suggestively asked them.

" What!? Why!? " her mother and father seemed to be terrified while asking her.

" I am safer than wearing a girl's uniform. I don't want anyone bothering me and whistling... Saying Wow!... Calling me pretty. It gives me an awkward feeling."

"Can't you just ignore them and pretend to be dumb?" her mother suggested.

"Or you may go to the guidance counselor to complain about it." her father's suggestion peeved her even more.

"Complain? Would they believe me if Mr. de la Cruz would be with those who would I complain about?"

"Did he also pester you?" inquired by her father.

"He told Mama that he would like to be my protector. Then I was not sure if that was sexual harassment he did the night he forcefully sent me home to the boarding house. He held my wrist as if he did not want to release it. He also told me I was gorgeous." Her lengthy honest explanation did not convince her parents at all.

A moment of silence... Every member shut his or her mouth up that one can even hear the sound of a fallen needle on the floor.

" Mama... Papa... Is it a yes from you both? " she asked shyly.

"Clariss.." her father said.

"Richard". Her mother had called him too.

"No for me, what about you Richard?"

"It is also a no from me like you, honey."

"But Mama, I hate them pestering me! I only want to concentrate in my studies." She rationally explained.

"You would only be affected if you enjoy their admiration." Her father told her.

"Are you telling me that I am flirting with them?" she quipped and added, "Over my dead body, I didn't nor don't" She was losing her patience that she dashed towards her bedroom and slammed the door as loud as she could. Then locked it.

She missed her lunch with her family. She was so mad that she did not dare to show it in front of her parents. She did not even bother to leave for school as it would be Monday the next morning. She was so frustrated knowing that her request was not given to her. It was the first time when she was deprived of her right to have her preference. She would like to cry... even weep loudly... But no tears came flowing from her eyes. She had a congested chest as she could not express her anger.

Was she mad at her parents? Was she angry with those who sexually harass her? Or Was she furious with herself? These were all in her thoughts which were all unanswered making her feelings and mind in turmoil.

She was able to sleep thinking of those questions in her mind. The growling of her stomach in hunger woke her up. It was already midnight and even their pets were also fast asleep. What she did was to walk in tip toe toward the dining room. There she quietly ate her two meals that she missed with only her cell phone used as her light. After eating she washed the dishes that she used and walked back going to her bedroom. In her bedroom, her parents were seated on the coach placed just across her bed.

"Baby, we decided to talk with the guidance counselor and the Dean of your school. If they would allow you to wear it, then we would also agree." Her mother talked to her as she combed her black straight long hair with her hands.

"It's because we do not want you to violate any school rules and regulation." her father added to her Mother's explanation while she was patting her back.

Very early the next morning, she left their home for the boarding house and school. In school, her low-spirited status was noticeable. She was not in her usual happy mood and chose to be by herself. The whole week days were spent by her in her boarding house after class hours. Instead of going to the library, she borrowed the books that she needed and preferred to stay in solitary in her boarding house's room. To avoid talking with everyone, she would walk very quickly in downcast manner. Not even her classmates could let her talk with them. Even Mr Peralta and Mr de la Cruz could not move her to open up conversation with them just like before.

Alas! She was really determined not to be swayed by their friendly approach. She would like to prove to her parents that she was not flirting with the boys. She was certain of it. If she talked with them during the first three months of the semester, it was just for a mere socialization... A mere political relationship with her schoolmates for future candidacy as a student leader.