Chapter 15: Unaccepted

After Divina had experienced the scandal she had with the old madam Cruz, she wanted to hide herself from the embarrassment. She knew that she would become the talk of the town, she would become the most favorite topic of the gossip-mongers. Divina tried to take care of her reputation and preserve her dignity to the point that she would often reject her suitors and refuse her admirers… but now she couldn't save herself from accusations of many people. What happened that day had reached the owner of the school, Mr. Smith and now, has called to talk to her personally. 'Please have a seat, Miss Aljuego.", the old man ordered Divina. Divina obeyed. 'I will get straight to the point… Old Madam Cruz is the wife of one of the highest officials in our government.", Mr. Smith premised to what he is about to say to Divina and she isn't dumb not to understand where this conversation is going to end already. 'But Mr. Smith their accusations against me is nothing but lies. Those aren't true…", Divina wanted to cry. 'Let's say you are indeed speaking the truth, Miss Aljuego but… no matter what I do, I am still under this regime and I need to abide by the rules even if it seems… you know what I mean. I have no power, Miss Aljuego especially Madam Cruz is a major of this school. If she wants to shut this school down, she could easily do it. Do you understand what I mean by this?", Mr. Smith seriously said but he was direct to the point. Divina stared at the old man's eyes. He was saying the truth when he told her that he was powerless. 'She wants me out or she'll shut the school.", Divina answered weakly. She felt defeated in a game where she has no chance of winning. 'I'm sorry…", Mr. Smith answered. Divina remained silent. She was in dazed as she stood up to leave his office. Mr. Smith didn't bother to stop her from leaving, he just let her be. When Divina closed the door, her tears fell like rain. Marco and Maria went to her, they were both worried. Marco wanted to hug Divina and he was about to but Divina shook her head. If Marco would hug her in front of the prying eyes there, their relationship would come out in the open. She was worried for her man and chose to protect him at all costs. No, Marco… you shouldn't. You'll get into my mess too. It's too risky, you're in a very high position already… I don't want your efforts and sacrifices to be wasted just because of me., Divina thought as she leave the place. Marco just sadly stared at her, his heart felt like it's been broken into pieces as he couldn't do anything for the woman he loves. Divina found herself packing her stuff and without saying goodbye to Marco, she gets on the bus heading back to her hometown. She traveled for almost eight hours before arriving there. Her mother opened the door for her, but her looks seemed to be unwelcoming towards her. She looks at Divina's luggage and frowned even more. 'Why are you here? And what's that!?", her mother said coldly to her as she points her luggage. 'I'll be staying here from now on, mother.", Rina answered back coldly too. She has no energy to face her mother's irritation towards her. 'And why?!", her mother seems to want to start a discussion with her. Her mother is easily angered every time they encounter a problem. Divina kept quiet and had entered the house instead. Their house is humble, it's a simple cottage and they're not rich enough to afford renovations to some of the visible damages or to make it look prettier. 'Aren't you going to help us with our needs no, Divina?! You are not going to give us money anymore, are you?! We're poor enough already and now you want to add with the burden of this family?!", her mother angrily said when she ignored her. 'I don't want that to happen too, mother but I have no choice! I went back here because I have a family I could return to ---', Divina was interrupted with what she was about to say by her mother. 'Stop! Don't tell me anymore! If it's a problem, then don't tell me anything about it! I'm old already, Divina. In fact, you and your brothers should give me a good life instead of adding up to my burdens! Even up to now, I still work hard because all of you had become my burden up to the end!", Divina's mother complained. Divina felt so small because of what her mother has been saying. She is being problematic at work, with her situation with Marco and now with her family too… now, she regrets going home already. 'You will only ease my anger, Divina if you will be with Alfredo again. Ask him to spare us some of his wealth to help us with our monetary problems. Your older brother, Menandro's wife had just given birth, maybe you could ask Alfredo---', her mother tried to persuade but it only made her angry. 'Mother! Alfredo and I had separated our ways for a long time already! It's not right to milk anyone of money just because he is rich and just because we need it! Don't make me a gold digger, mother! I refuse to become your tool that way!", Divina cried. She is felt so small, she was accused of being Alfredo's mistress already and now her mother wanted her to become a gold digger for Alfredo. She went home just to face another problem. Her mother just snubbed at her cries. 'Alfredo is no longer my lover… I have someone I loved already and it's not Alfredo! He is Marco Salvador, mother.", Divina tried to explain in between her sobs. Divina's mother raised her eyebrow. 'Salvador? That surname is not familiar! Who is this Marco Salvador?!", her mother asked angrily. 'He is our headteacher at school, mother.", Divina answered and somewhat felt happy with the thought of Marco. 'WHAT?! A teacher?! You replaced Alfredo Biñan with a poor teacher?! What does this Salvador is going to you and our family?! A board? A chalk? An eraser?!", Divina's mother complained as he looked down on Marco's profession. 'Mother!!! How could you say that?! Your daughter is also a teacher like him!", Divina defended and felt hurt as her mother mocks the man she truly loves. 'Divina… we're already poor on our own! But look, you also chose a man who's also poor too! You are our only hope for us to get out of poverty but now you failed us! You failed us!", Divina's mother was hateful towards her, she was extremely disappointed with Divina's actions. Divina cried harder. 'No! I will never ever accept this Salvador in our family! Divina, remember this! He will be forever unaccepted to be your husband!", Divina's mother added angrily and left Divina still crying.