Chapter Text
Maria felt strange.
She was everything the nuns told her not to be, yet being in her presence was what she most often desired.
It was strange, really . This seemingly out-of-the-ordinary girl came barging into her room without even knowing how it happened, wearing a peculiar outfit, and questionable mannerisms.
Oh, she didn’t mean to be rude. She does think it is rather adorable at times.
However not many may agree, After the fest at her father’s, the people who attended (and others who have only heard the news) all seemed to shun the Mestiza, purposefully ignoring her for she was said to be too proud of her own self, arguing with the people who had a low view toward women.
“She’s quite the case.” Crisostomo once told her over dinner, finding the girl interesting and infuriating at the same time.
“She is.” She said, delicately slicing the meat on her plate. “Klay seems like a character, she speaks English, you say?”
“Yes, however, the words seem incoherent…” He thought for a second. “Or should I say foreign? Have you ever heard about what a ‘Marites’ is? Well, she did express herself well when she argued with me and my friends.” Crisostomo chuckled as he reached for a sip of his glass of water.
“She said we insulted women for questioning them earning degrees.” He sighed. “That was never even the original intention. It is a man’s job to go out and do the hard work, the women can have it easy by taking care of the children and keeping for the house.” Frowning, he took another sip of his water.
Maria knew that according to the standard, Klay was in the wrong. But she felt a bit grateful for having Klay’s defense.
She nodded anyway.